In Enrika, Micaela was busy studying her past reports about the Six Ancestors. Her table was covered with books and other papers that detailed every activities of the fiends, and regrouped everything the angels knew about their enemies. She didn't even really need to read them again, the information they were showing was still present in her head, but she wanted to be sure that not a single data, not a single hint as to how to deal with them had escaped her eyes. She knew deep down that this task was going to be fruitless, but she currently felt that it was the only thing she could do. She took the largest book lying around and opened it on a large picture that took both page and showed the silhouette of six monsters, with only their eyes and their outlines really visible.

The return of the Six Ancestors… That was something she didn't expect, and certainly didn't wish for. Micaela huffed. During the Great Monster War, they were calamities that had reaped thousands of lives on each side inconsiderately, and Micaela doubted that they would behave themselves once back: Her nephew had already become the next object of obsession for Minagi, and her cute little daughters assailed him as well. The Ancestors' mindset was a dangerous relic of an old time, and one that certainly wouldn't break easily.

Then again… Tamamo had changed with the time, becoming reasonable and even benevolent, something that none of the seraph ever considered possible. The kitsune had always been a thorn in the side of angels. In the past, the one thing that differentiated from her sisters was her love for devious intrigues. The other Ancestors were more often than not direct and frontal in their dealings, barging in and taking whatever and whoever they wanted before leaving a devastated settlement in their wake. Tamamo was comparatively extremely insidious, weaving a web of plot and conspiracies that led to her target weakening itself with minimal effort from her part, leaving it ripe for picking as chaos spread around her. And even afterwards, when the war was over, several plots that wrecked the Church of Ilias could be traced back to the kitsune. However, the only thing she could reap back then was some tranquility for monsterkin. It was almost altruistic coming from her.

Micaela was interrupted in her studies by a knocking sound. The next second, an elf entered, slightly ashamed to disturb her superior.

"I apologize, but there is a kitsune wanting to see you."

Speaking of the devil…

"Let her in."

Tamamo and Micaela silently greeted each other as the seraph invited the kitsune to sit in front of her. She then brought a teapot and two cups and started serving her guest, still in silence. Tamamo nodded as thanks and Micaela sat herself back in her chair. The silence between both made the atmosphere unbearably heavy. Tamamo was the one to initiate the conversation.

"Preparing for the future fight on your own?"

Micaela nodded.

"I take it Luka passed you the information."

"Yes. He told me that you described the Six Ancestors as so many threats for the humanity and that they'll be there in almost five weeks. There's only one information missing."

"Which one?"

Micaela stared at Tamamo. "What are you going to do about it?"

The kitsune remained silent for a moment before answering. "As I told him, I will continue my mission given by the Dark Goddess to defend her progeny. I estimate that the best way to complete my mission is to safeguard the peace between races. I won't oppose them directly, since it would be hypocritical of me to restrain my sisters when I remained free for so long. Instead, I'm making sure that those that defend the world have the tools to stand against that particular threat.

Micaela chuckled. "That's quite the mental gymnastics to justify your position."

"I already heard that one. So what?" There was a slight trace of contempt in Tamamo's voice.

"Nothing…" Micaela took a sip from her tea under her guest's judgmental gaze. "Actually, I'm worried about you. I'm not exactly enthusiastic at the idea to see the other Ancestors back, but that's because they were my enemies and facing them is a part of my life, even if I doubt I'll come out fine after losing so much power, but you… They're still your sisters. And you said it, they will inconsiderately destroy that peace you spent so much time building."

Tamamo shrugged. "I know. But I will keep my stance. I certainly won't join them in their rampage if that's what worries you."

The First Seraph gently smiled back. The two enemies of old just took their time as they enjoyed sipping their tea in a tranquility that they knew wouldn't last.

"Those that defend the world… I supposed you refer to Luka?"

"I also include the other Heavenly Knights, the Monster Lord, and a few other helpful persons." Tamamo started fanning herself. "But yes, the first one that comes to mind is Luka." She frowned. "His involvement is inevitable. He was the one who not so long ago got the power of the Four Spirits, he stood up to Ilias and took her and her lieutenants down. He's basically the most powerful warrior of this time. Besides, even if we told him nothing, he would still try to play hero. And last, Minagi has taken interest in him. She will chase him or try to lure him into a trap to get him for herself. The least I can do is preparing him for the fight. My other dear sisters won't kill him, but they'll defitively try to take him for themselves."

"Aren't you afraid his holy powers will end him?"

Tamamo sighed. "Actually… That's why I wanted to come here today. I'm looking for a way to prevent holy energy to leak from angels and to limit its corroding effects. The survivors from Heaven are also looking for help, and I guess they're too afraid to ask you directly."

"Although I would gladly help them, I guess I can't blame them for forgetting me. I'm still a dangerous traitor in their eyes. As to their issue… You probably already know that holy energy is known as the energy of the mind and of Heaven, right?"

"Yes, I do remember that we were having difficulty attacking angels during the latest war because they're made of raw holy energy, hence our plan to have enough energy in the air to be able to attack them directly using the machines Promestein used to seal the Four Spirits."

"Someone with that energy inside them tend to naturally lose it. It is incompatible with this world. It never caused problems back then because angels never remained on earth for a short time, were too powerful to notice it and they could then recharge in Heaven. However, that's no longer the case. You'd have to find a way to simply keep the energy contained in their physical body. And the only one who would have the mastery over holy energy to do that is Ilias herself."

"And what about those rings Luka, Lucifina and yourself used to seal your own powers? It completely seals angelic powers, so it must stop the holy energy from flowing outward, right?"

"It would be more correct to say it slows the natural flow down enough to make it unnoticeable. The power is still leaking from the body as the ambient air gets in. As I said, completely stopping it would require the power of a goddess, and the air on the earth is not quite good for us."

Micaela avoided Tamamo's gaze, which didn't escape the kitsune whose mouth went agape in shock as she notice the implied message.

"You're not serious… How long do you have remaining?"

"Still a few decades at worst… If none of the Ancestors attack me."

"But Lucifina lived for more than several hundred years!"

"And she never used her power from the day she sealed herself. Swooping in that fight and using the Sword of Heaven twice took a lot from me, and I didn't have the occasion to rest in Heaven then for obvious reasons."

"…And all angels will end up dying out because of this?"

"They can still have children with humans."

"Most of them don't even consider that a possibility for now! And what about you? You will disappear just like that one day, leaving everything behind you?"

Micaela shrugged. "Most people are fine with the idea. And I'm happy with the legacy I leave behind me…"

Tamamo was aghast. Before she could muster a single word as a response, Micaeala pushed her ever so slightly with two simple words.

"And you?"

Those words made the kitsune freeze up before she exclaimed herself, completely furious. "I can't consider dying! I have the future generations to watch! I have duties to this world! And I still serve the Dark Goddess!"

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you likely had a discussion with her recently if you came to the realization that she'll let the Ancestors loose on the world without a leash. Do you disagree with her?"

"Of course I disagree! She…" Tamamo ran a magical check to make sure nobody was watching or listening. "She doesn't care at all about what the Ancestors are going to do with this world! I'm not sure she even understands what it will mean! I always saw her as confident and even carefree, but now I realize that she's just downright neglectful!"

"Mmh. It looks like you're disagreeing with more than just what's happening, but with her core philosophy as well." Micaela repositioned herself. "You know, I'm surprised you're still unfailingly loyal to her given the circumstances."

"THEN WHAT SHOULD I DO IF YOU'RE SO SMART?!"

"Rebel."

Tamamo was trembling with rage until the full implication of Micaela's words hit her. Her anger left place to shame. She nervously gesticulated around and emitted a few inarticulate sounds for a few second under the gaze of the First Seraph before deflating in a sigh as she wallowed on the table in resignation, her ears going limp.

"Go on. I deserve that one. You can even mock me if you want, no strings attached."

Micaela smirked sympathetically. "The only thing I'm going to say is that if you replaced neglectful by controlling, then you'd have almost my entire reasoning for leaving Heaven thirty years ago. The major difference is that you're already surrounded by people that agree with you."

Tamamo sighed again, but looked up to return Micaela's gaze. "When you talked to me about my pride in the legacy I will leave behind… I think that alone is the reason I don't want to die. I feel like I still haven't atoned for what I did to this world in the past, no matter the smiles of the families that surround me after I helped save the world and raise little Alices after little Alices. And… Actually, I just want the legacy of the Six Ancestors to be something I can be proud to be a part of. This is why I don't consider dying an option. I want to guide everyone to a better future, goddesses be damned."

"You make a good point. I understand that. I also wished that people remembered Ilias for more than the genocides she tried to commit. She first and foremost wanted humanity to elevate itself spiritually and overcome the difficulties and temptation of a easy life, after all."

"But she's no more, and for my sisters… Well, a new chapter of the legend Six Ancestors will start getting written in a few weeks… And no matter how dark those are going to be, I want them to be erased by good memories forged down the road. And…" Tamamo hiccupped. "I'm sorry to selfishly ask you this, but I will need you more than ever to balance their power and make this dream come true. At least, I need your help because we won't be enough to protect the world against my sisters otherwise. And last, while I know a lot about my sisters, you're one of the- no, you ARE the angel who came up with strategies to survive our assaults and take us down. We need you as much as you need us."

"It's true I can help Luka train… But I'm afraid what would happen to the village if I abandoned it. Lilith is still out there, and I'm certain I'm the reason she attacks neither this place nor Ilias Village."

"I can have a kitsune pretend you're here while having a small battalion ready to defend both villages, I can place a direct portal between the place and the Monster Lord's Castle, and-"

Micaela raised a hand. "Please Tamamo, stop here. I owe you an apology, I wanted to know where you really positioned yourself in this conflict, and I have my answer. I'll start by saying that I will help you. I'm even surprised that you didn't start by saying that, just like Luka, I'll be involved even if I say no. We both know that either Minagi will try to corrupt every creation of Ilias including me, or that Saja will want to challenge me. I just wanted to keep my involvement hidden and to get sure that this wasn't one of your trick. Once again, I'm sincerely sorry but I was so surprised when Luka dropped the new, I felt taken by surprise and considered every possible issues, and…"

"You suspected that I was trying to lure you into a trap."

Micaela nodded. "Sorry. We're the same in the regard that we both made it that far because we were properly paranoid."

"It's okay. I understand. I would have done the same if I suddenly heard Ilias came back."

"Soooo…"

"I'll have to do some fetching, all the info you're looking for is into a book I had to keep hidden. Once I have it and I'm sure you got the defense of the village covered, I'll join you at Yamatai. Is everything fine with you?"

Tamamo got off from her chair. "Get over here."

The two old enemies hugged each other into a surprising display of affection. The embrace lasted a minute before Tamamo started to feel something strange happen.

"Micaela?"

"Mmh?"

"Are you petting my tails?"

Tamamo heard a chuckle. "Sorry, I couldn't stop myself. Considering it's the first time I have the opportunity to do it safely… Besides, aren't you the one who told me that you had to enjoy the small pleasures in life?"

"…That wasn't what I had in mind, but if you want, I can craft you a nice plushy with my tails."

"Actually I'll take you up on that offer."

After Tamamo insisted, Luka took a break from his physical training to go in the library learn more about the Ancestors. The kitsune had moved her magical display into this room, and had asked Luka and his companions to study everything they could about the Ancestors to get an advantage, or, at the very least, not get caught off guard by one of their skill.

Luka was examining the image of Kanon. If it was like Minagi, then the representation of the alraune was loyal to the real deal. Just like her sister, the Ancestor had generous breasts and hips, and her eyes seemed to promise the purest pleasure while also carrying the cruelty of a predator that loved torturing her preys before swallowing them whole in a single gulp. All the vines around her ended with small flowers, or strange appendages that looked like so many carnivorous plants.

"Enjoying the eye candy?"

Luka jumped back in surprise and clutched his chest in relief when he saw Alice slither in the room behind him.

"Please Alice, don't surprise me like that again…"

"You didn't answer my question." Her tail was shaking threateningly while her voice was barely a growl.

"Not exactly… I mean, I would lie if I didn't say she was sexy, but..." The hero focused. "She doesn't even compare to you. She's merely a nice stone on the ground when you are the masterwork of a goldsmith."

Alice smirked. "You know how to make your wife feel special…" Her expression turned down into a frown in an instant. "Is what I would say if I didn't recognize the midway love declaration of Only Monstrous Outside."

Luka's face reddened in shame.

"But you still get a pass though. This time." Alice slithered on the hero's side and surrounded him with her coils as she looked at the projection.

"It's nice for a change to have so much information about who we're going to face. It's better than all the times I saw you stumble blindly luckily through every fight."

Luka chuckled awkwardly. "Yeah… Still I would have done without having to fight them at all. If only they would just appreciate the peace."

Alice rolled her eyes. "If only all monsters were reasonable and looked for partners instead of victims, if only humans never blindly followed the commandments of Ilias, if only her angels were as sensible as your aunt and your mother, and if only Ilias herself hadn't been a genocidal egomaniacal bimbo bitch-"

"Whoa, Alice!"

"-That in the end only did all that because she felt lonely and ultimately saved you… Yes, I do remember that you told me there was some good in her. So I'm pretty sure there's some good in them too. However, it's not as easy as just asking them to be nice. It will require time, effort, and you'll have to fight them anyway if you want them to even consider anything you say." She smiled. "But that never did stop you in the past, did it? Whether we're talking about humans and monsters… You convinced everybody of your ideal and made it true." Alice looked up. "Well, almost everybody. Those Canaan Sisters still refuse to change, and the Mermaid Queen prefers living isolated from civilization. Still better than if you let them do what they wanted."

"You're right." Luka nodded. "We can do it… It's just…" Luka pushed a button that changed the projection from Kanon to Minagi. Even now, the hero still felt uncomfortable in front of the image of the one that assaulted his mind. "They scare me."

Alice tapped her chin with a finger. "You know, maybe I should ask Alma Elma to walk around naked. That should get you used to her."

"Alice!"

"…Sorry, that was in poor taste. But as far as I am concerned…" Alice used the projector to reveal the small body of Hiruko. "This one scares me more. I mean I understand that you hate that whore and I will never forgive myself for letting her do what she did to you, but this one…"

Luka examined Hiruko. It's true that she was indeed radically different than the other ancestors. All of them were almost exaggeratedly feminine and were doing everything to flaunt their generous forms while showing as much as possible, and this one was almost dressed conservatively, concealing small assets.

"If you take the childish attitude, the conservative dress, and her terrifying smirk, you have the Black Alice of the Ancestors."

Luka shivered. "I really hope she's nothing like that. But after what Tamamo told us…"

"Do you think she could have exaggerated their cruelty? I mean if we ignore that one of them freed Spider Princess in a diversion to mentally assault you… Actually nevermind. She's entirely right."

"Oooh, she's cuuuuute!"

Suddenly, Alma Elma was leaning over just behind Luka, her warm breath uncomfortably close to the hero's ear. Luka managed to keep his composure in front of the succubus as Alice was already losing patience.

"Weren't you busy training with Granberia?"

"Actually I came here because Tamamo said she wanted to see you to test new training methods specifically designed against the Ancestors. She's waiting for you in the arena. I'm already there!"

"Mmmh. Let's see what she wants then. She's pulling so much effort to try to get us prepared, I don't want to look ungrateful by making her wait."

When Luka and Alice arrived in the training arena, they were greeted by the sight of a barely conscious Granberia crumpled against a wall, while Alma Elma and Tamamo were cringing in front of their friend.

"Did you…"

"She asked me to!"

Granberia groaned. "When the Lilith Sisters attacked, I fell because of their damn magic even before the fight started… Can I really be fit to be called a Heavenly Knight if I'm unable to defend my lord?"

"Just let us deal with them. We're four Heavenly Knights, you don't have to deal with every enemy that present itself. Granberia, I understand what you want, but if you push yourself in that direction you'll just get frustrated more and more!"

"It doesn't matter. I have to be ready to stand up to them."

Luka felt Salamander appear inside him. "It looks like her pride as a warrior took quite a hit… You won't heal that one as easily."

"Can't you help her?"

"Until she beats one of those succubi or worse in a fight, I can only help her train more and orient her a little."

"I can give you talismans to reduce the effect of their spells, but it won't work once they decide to get physical."

Granberia sighed. Luka could tell that she was considering Tamamo's offer, but that the kitsune's generosity also made her feel weaker than she really was. He also felt Salamander heating up.

"Salamander?"

"It's nothing, sorry, please focus on your own training."

"Anyway, what did you want to show us Tamamo?"

"I had a few ideas to better orient your training against the Six Ancestors. I mean, you have a good idea of what Kanade is able to do after seeing Erubetie, and you're used to deal with powerful succubi right now…"

At that precise instant, Luka saw Alice frown, Tamamo hide her expression with her fan, Alma chuckle and Granberia collapse on the ground.

"But there are still three others ancestors that could take you by surprise, and we don't really have proper sparring partners for the three others. The closest ones to Kanon are the Canaan Sisters and you'd beat them in a heartbeat, and the one closest to Hiruko…"

"It's Black Alice isn't it?"

Tamamo slowly nodded. "She's not quite as malicious, she's just… Childish. And extremely dangerous."

"And Saja? You told us that she was the first ancestor, after all."

The first is the most dangerous.

Tamamo's expression became an enigmatic smile. "Well, the most fitting opponent would be the Monster Lord, so Luka will have to train against Alice."

The couple looked at each other with doubt in their eyes.

"Look… After everything that happened… I don't think I'll be able to attack Alice again."

Tamamo giggled. "Awww, why? You know, this would be a great way to fix all those small conflicts inside your couple!"

Luka and Alice both shrugged and readied themselves. They looked at each other, but everybody could tell they weren't ready to put any effort into it.

"No, that doesn't work. I don't see how it can work."

"You're supposed to express your grievances with your so other first and then you attack each other until you're calmed down!"

Luka and Alice looked at each other blankly.

"Okay, so… I'll start."

Alice raised an eyebrow. "You actually have a problem?"

Luka gulped loudly. "Well, I wished you didn't take all the cover at night, for starter."

Alice chuckled. "You know, we're married, you can use me as a cover now…"

Luka stuttered slightly as he became flustered. "But then you get all worked up and… I'm tired in the morning in both cases."

"Awww, then we have to laze in our bed… What a shame."

"…But I also like moving around."

Alice's expression turned into a frown. "Mmmh. If I listened to you, I'd think you'd prefer being on the road at the risk of being attacked instead of being comfortable into my coils."

"It's not quite that… It's just…"

"Just what?"

"It's just that I'm worried about all those people out there that can be in difficulty, and I feel that I'm more likely to be able to help them if I'm not henpecked. It's as simple as that."

"You shouldn't focus too much on that. It's not your duty to save every people on this planet."

"…You don't really think that, do you Alice?"

"What do you mean? I wouldn't say that if I didn't."

"Because the world is at stake!"

"Of course I did notice. But maybe someone else can also step up from time to time instead of you! It shouldn't be up to you and your hero complex to defend the widow and the orphan every time a random monster shows up hungrier than usual!"

"And what if I want to defend them?! Do you understand this is what I can want sometimes instead of always lazying, eating and mating?"

"Are you telling me that you think that those are the only things I want to do?!"

"It's not that! It's just that I sometimes like action and saving people!"

"…YOU WANT ACTION? I'LL GIVE YOU ACTION!" Alice punctuated her sentence by preparing a fireball.

"IT'S ON!" Luka summoned the power of the spirits as he held Angel Halo high.

"Don't you think that's a bit…Excessive? I'm surprised none of them noticed the smell from the pheromones or your mind games…"

The Four Heavenly Knights were half-hidden behind the balcony's rail, occasionally ducking when one of the stray spells flew in their direction while speaking loudly to cover the invectives the members of the couple kept throwing at each other.

"It might be harsh, but... My dear sisters will all try to get him. I want to make sure he's ready to stand up to them."

"But at what cost? The happiness of their couple?"

Alma Elma ducked when a fireball flew past them to explode upon hitting the ceiling.

"Don't worry! It is not the first time this happened! I mean, lamias can be passionate, and it even was a regular occurrence with the Thirteenth and her lover! And in every cases, the happy ending came fast afterward!"

When Tamamo looked at her fellow Heavenly Knights, she could see a certain disdain in their eyes.

"What? It helped fix a few couples in the past…"

The balcony shook as the echoes of Alice's signature Monster Lord's Cruelty rumbled through the room.

"At least it's better than those that think the solution to fix their problem is making a baby. I mean... That's a lot of responsibilities on its own, and you just end up heaping down your problems on someone too young to understand."

Her fellow Heavenly Knights conceded. Tamamo couldn't hear if they muttered anything in particular as the sound of a sword cutting through time and space blocked every other noise.

"But still… I admit I miiiight have pushed them a little bit. In all seriousness, I know how ugly it can get when Monster Lords get jealous. Maybe it's because of their stronger lamia traits… Nevermind. Even then, they always forgave their partners."

Alma Elma giggled. "I think they'll be fine indeed."

"What, they finally calmed down their ardors?"

"Sort of… They're going at it in the middle of the arena."

"So they're not done yet-ooooh… You meant going on at THAT…"

Alma Elma and Tamamo were both enthusiastically watching the Monster Lord and the hero starting to make up, their smiles becoming more salacious as Granberia respectfully walked away from the scene.

"Damn perverts. At least have a little decency in front of the royal couple."

A wave of slime swept the duo away from their observation spot, letting the couple have some much needed intimacy.

A half-depressed Astaroth was completely wallowed on the small mattress that made for her bed. Taking the time to observe the world hadn't improved her mood in the slightest, only replacing her rage with bitterness at her current situation.

At first, she had sneered at the succubi who had turned their village in a glorified whorehouse. The strategy to lower themselves to the level of common prostitutes to attract the interest of humans instead of living freely to take what they wanted attracted her spite… Then she realized that they were free and doing so on their own volition because they wanted to. The longer she looked, the more she realized that she envied the lowly succubi that were simply living their own lives on their own accord. In frustration, she started looking through the world once again.

That's when her sight happened to fall on the colosseum. Seeing those monsters fight each other and have their ways with strong warriors was a great source of entertainment, but it also sent her back to her own failures when its champion was revealed to be the queen succubus, the one who was the reason for her predicament.

She didn't even react at first when she started hearing steps in the hallway, only turning when the visitor stopped in front of her door.

"Did you came here to talk again about the fact that I attacked you?"

A mature voice answered her. "I think you have the wrong person."

It took a moment for Astaroth to remember who this voice was belonging to. When she did, however, she charged the door and hit it in a metallic clang.

"Then maybe you came here to laugh at one of your old enemies who got imprisoned by one of her supposed allies?"

"Not exactly. I wanted to have a confirmation of the recent rumors myself, and you're the best proof available. Your little sister isn't even answering."

Astaroth got away from her door cell and started pacing back and forth in an attempt to calm herself.

"You got your confirmation. Happy now? Your presence alone is a testimony to the failure of Tamamo. If she had been competent, not a single member of your kin would have ever stepped in in the castle. But now that she has free reign, she let it happen."

"I will be staying a bit longer if you don't mind. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be satisfied in a few minutes."

Astaroth struck the door in anger again before going on a tirade.

"Satisfied?" The succubus chuckled. "Let me make something clear. Once mother is back and join forces with Lilith, every single traces of the existence of Ilias like you will be erased or wish they were. You, the remaining angels, that damn hero, all those clergymen… Everyone will have their mind fried in superlative ecstasy, and that's if we're in a good mood. I'll make sure we get freed, then we'll start with San Ilia, trap that hero and fuck him dead. Then we will all come for you and turn you into a toy, torture you endlessly until your mind is in shamble, and then the whole world will be our plaything."

"That's an impressive program you have in mind."

The succubus answered with a crazed laughter. "You're the one dreaming. You're strutting around like a cheap, frustrated hooker, enjoying the fact that you can mock us-"

The voice interrupted her authoritatively. "As I said, I'm not here to gloat actually."

"THEN WHY ARE YOU HERE?"

"I wanted to ask you a few questions, and you gave me all the answers I needed and then more. Thank you for being so impulsive. You helped me a lot."

The visitor slowly walked away from the succubi's cell.

"More special training?"

Tamamo nodded as she was leading the royal couple and her fellow knights to the library. "As I said, there are still a lot of things I want to see over. I know a lot about how my sisters fight fight, but we never had more than small spats or sparring sessions. And while I did develop a few tactics against them in the case they got too uppity, I never really tested them. And after some search, I managed to find a book with strategies specifically tailored against each of them."

Alice shrugged. "And what tells us that those strategies are effective? I mean Ilias was on the verge of defeat when the war ended."

"Because their creator is still alive in the first place."

Tamamo opened the library's door to reveal Micaela discussing with a book monster about copying the large book in her hands. The first seraph turned as soon as she noticed the doors opening and gently smiled.

"Greetings Luka. I hope you're still doing fine."

"Aunty?! I mean, Micaela? What are you doing here? I mean…"

The first seraph smiled gently at her nephew. "Well… You're bound to face the Six Ancestors, and I'm the only one who faced them and lived to tell the tale. I only wish to pass this knowledge to you."

"Passing this knowledge… Do you mean-"

"I don't intend to die if that's what you think." She stepped away from the book monster who started copying her manuscript. "However, as I told you in the past, I pushed myself to my limit when I faced Ilias a few months ago and it will be up to you to face Alipheese's children. And it will be up to us to make sure you're ready to face them."

"I… How can I ever thank you for your help?"

"By doing your best to stop them and coming back alive." She invited her nephew to sit across him as a projection of Minagi appeared on the table. Micaela noticed her nephew shifting uncomfortably as he sat near her, while Alice's expression contorted into a frown of pure rage.

"I think we should talk about the one that already gave you trouble first."

"This one needs to die."

Everybody looked at the Monster Lord who simply shrugged. "What? I kept hearing that she killed thousands and it's clear that she hasn't changed in the slightest! Why would we even bother keeping her alive?"

Tamamo started fanning herself, her face slightly flushed. "I think that you're biased after she attacked you and tried to get Luka for herself."

"Yes. And what of it?"

"I'll be able to imprison her and I want to educate them."

Alice scoffed. "And what make you think they will change their tune? Did you see one of them change with time?"

The room fell silent for a moment as Alice remembered who she was talking to. She sighed.

"Whatever. I just think that you're biased because they're your sisters."

"Yes. And what of it?"

Alice and Tamamo glared at each other. It's only when she realized that Luka was also shocked by her words that Alice gave up.

"…Sorry. You're right. It's only my jealousy talking. We'll do our best to capture her."

Micaela cleared her throat to attract everyone's attention, and everybody reluctantly focused back on the succubus in front of them.

"The first thing you must know when you're going to face her is this: You will need to always keep your mind clear, and this is easier said than done."

"I'm really starting to get used to fighting succubi by now."

"This is not just a succubus. You already faced Lilith and Alma Elma, but their power is only a fraction of hers. Did you ever fight when you were drunk?"

"I never got drunk in the first place."

Micaela closed her eyes. "Of course, you're Lucifina's son… You wouldn't happen to have some Fire Tears lying around?"

Tamamo raised an eyebrow. "You want to drug Luka to train him?"

"I know this sound questionable, but the alternative would be to fill an arena with spells that alter gravity and some others to break focus through pleasure. Only the most powerful of mages would be able to do that."

"…"

A single bead of sweat ran on Micaela's neck as she realized her gaffe. "Right, sorry Tamamo. Let's get started."

"Wow. Wow wow. WOOOOW."

Luka was stumbling through the arena as he tried moving around. The walls and the ground were covered with various talismans. The floor felt unnaturally wobbly as the attached spells shifted the gravity around them, and his mind also had difficulties focusing on his surroundings.

Fortunately, the Four Spirits mitigated the worst effect, but even then, he felt his stomach revulse as he simply attempted to move forward.

When he saw Tamamo place all those traps and talismans on the ground and on furniture, he expressed his concern over what Alice had said earlier. Indeed, once again, everything rested on his shoulders. The kitsune had looked at him and started fanning herself as she usually did, and Luka could tell that she was attempting to hide a devilish smile.

"I never said we were going to let you do this alone, did I?"

And so he was joined by the three remaining Heavenly Knights. While Alma Elma could stabilize herself thanks to her mastery of the wind and was mostly unaffected by the mind altering spells, Erubetie was having difficulty simply staying in her usual form as gravity kept forcing her to move her slime around, and Granberia was drooling as her mind was dazed by pleasure. The succubus made no effort at hiding her amusement at the sorry state of her allies.

"Please stay serious. You will be fighting in these conditions soon enough and your lives will be at stake."

On the other end of the arena was a fully focused Tamamo. The kitsune was surrounded by flying runes and talismans that sent spells at the group trying to progress together toward her. A large rock flew toward Granberia, but Erubetie expanded her slime and managed to block it.

"Wasn't that one dangerous?"

"You'll be able to heal even if you're hurt, and you'll be hurt. Now, less whining, more fighting!"

Gathering his determination, Luka focused and managed to start charging at Tamamo, but the shifting gravity made him lose his step and the hero ended up planting face first into the ground in front of the kitsune.

He looked up to see her holding out her hand.

"Come on. I know you can do it. Let's try again."

As Luka accepted her support, the magic in the arena calmed down, releasing its victims who could finally take a break.

At a balcony, Micaela and Alice were looking at the party training. While the Monster Lord had a neutral expression, the First Seraph was unusually tense, tapping the border with a finger repeatedly as she leaned over.

"Is there a problem?"

"Mmh? Oh, sorry, that was rude of me." Micaela straightened herself. "I still have difficulty coming to term with… The latest events. I never considered I would be invited in the Monster Lord's Castle, and yet… Here I am."

Alice silently nodded in acknowledgment as they focused back on the party training. This time, they managed to hold better together, although Granberia was still having difficulty keeping a serene mind because of the numerous spells.

"I'm worried about Tamamo. She's holding her usual motherly facade, but I can tell that she's losing her cool."

"If there was one thing that she was always good at, it was keeping up an act."

Alice raised an eyebrow while looking at Micaela while the latter was examining the fight happening below. The First Seraph remained silent, and eventually Alice decided to let it go to switch on another matter.

"She wants me to stay behind at the castle while Luka fights."

Micaela nodded. "Mmh. I can understand why."

Alice's eyes narrowed and Micaela turned when she felt the hostile intent directed at her. "I apologize. I do not doubt your fighting abilities in the slightest even in your current condition. However… Did you see the Dark Goddess by yourself?"

The lamia relaxed. "I did. I have the feeling that she doesn't particularly care about the world."

"She does care about her children in her own way. She just estimates that giving them the freedom and the chance to exploit their potential on their own is the best thing to do."

"I don't know how this applies to the Six Ancestors."

"They're her direct children. She thinks they should be free even if it spells disaster from this world."

"Maybe… But it still looks likes she's simply negligent."

"Did I ever tell you that Luka's mother almost killed your great-grandmother, Alipheese the Second?"

Alice gasped in surprise at the remark that seemed to come from out of nowhere. She needed a second to gather her thoughts before answering.

"It makes sense when you're talking about it since she was the second seraph, but… Why are you telling me about this right now?"

"You'll see in a minute. It happened in the middle stage of the war. Lucifina noticed that the Second Monster Lord was the only biological descendant of the Dark Goddess in the conventional sense. So she decided to attack her to bait the Founder. She got what she wanted. The moment she wounded the Second Monster Lord, the First went completely berserk and started unleashing hell on my sister. Lucifina realized way too late that she had bitten more than she could chew, and when we managed to reach her, the Dark Goddess had already torn both of her legs, one of her am, and was attempting to devour her alive. Lucifina still managed to escape thanks to a long distance teleportation spell, and luckily, the First was more focused on healing her wounded daughter and left the chase to the Ancestors, otherwise… We might have all been slaughtered instantly. She was the incarnation of rage just because her daughter was wounded."

Alice was slightly aghast when she hear Micaela's words, her skin a paler shade of blue than usual.

"I don't think she'll forgive this world if you die. And if you die by the hand of one of her own daughters…" Micaela trailed off.

"She could turn into something worse than Ilias and personally extinguish all life."

"Soooo, dear sisters… What are you going to do once you're free?"

Minagi's voice echoed in the cavern where the seal of the Six Ancestors was still physically present, getting weaker and weaker as time passed by.

"What? Why do you ask?" Minagi could almost see Kanon's brow furrow into suspicion. "Do you intend to rain on our parades?"

"Quite the opposite actually, I am not Tamamo No Mae after all… But simply put, we have a large world waiting for us and it would be a shame if we stepped on each other's feet."

"You make for quite a good point actually… I'm even surprised to hear that idea come from you."

"Dear Kanade, did you really think that sex was the only thing on my mind?"

Saja laughed. "That, and spiting Ilias as much as possible, which is why we love you. Am I correct if I guess that you intend to finish off her religion?"

Minagi smirked. "Indeed. I will get started the date of her birthday. That will make the irony all the sweater. And I will be sure the hero will come to stop me and make for a nice dessert.~"

"Pffft! I won't wait as long! I'll get THAT region and turn it into a green forest, with all its inhabitants becoming so much scared prey for my little children. Don't think I'll hold back if the hero shows up! Why… I should just keep him for me!"

"That would only be in your right, dear sister…"

Kanon was slightly taken aback by Minagi's reaction. She expected her to try to argue back. Did the succubus already move on from the hero?

"I got curious about the growing concern for my kin's health. I shall personally see more of it by myself. Also please stay away from my cute little subordinates. I also mean you Hiruko."

"Mmh?" The childish scylla distractedly answered. "Oh, don't worry about that, I'm more curious about all that stuff apparently left behind by an angel scientist and her cohorts. That seems pretty fun. After that, I'm off to play with that buff guy! I have a few games in mind."

Poor king…

"Mhmhmhmh… Has little Hiruko also her eyes set on a special someone?"

"Yes. I will wrap him in tentacles and then I will delicately pull-"

"No details please and let's move on. What are you going to do Saja?"

Saja chuckled. "I already have a special someone that I want to meet again… Maybe I'll let you play with her a bit later too." Her tone became more concerned. "But Minagi… Did you forget the most important?"

"I didn't. The star performer comes last… Mother?"

"Mmh?"

"Do you have any plans for once you're free? Maybe finding that special someone just like old times?"

"Minagi! That was rude!"

"It's okay… I don't have any plans yet… I'll be free in only several months after all…"

"…Are you alright mother? You sound… Tired."

"I'm just concerned for my children."

"Awww… Don't worry about us… We'll be fine, and we'll show this world what our rightful place is!"

This is what worries me.

"Well, we still have one or two weeks before that seal shatters once and for all."

"Or do we? I mean, it has gotten quite weak…"

"Mmmh. I'm not good at magic, so I'll let you judge that one."

Minagi focused her mind on the seal. Yes, the barrier had gotten that much weaker. It used to be a thick wall, now it barely felt like a sheet. Maybe if she forced her will upon it…

As soon as she tested its resistance, the sound of a mirror shattering echoed. The next second, her feet made contact with an unfamiliar rocky texture as moist air entered her lungs and covered her body. She welcomed the unfamiliar sensations as she took in her surroundings. She was now in the cavern where the seals were located, walking the world for the first time in millenia.

The next instant, the other ancestors appeared in a cacophony of identical noises, their auras filling the cavern.

"Well, that was easier than I thought… Shall we give the Monster Lord a small visit first?"

"Where would be the fun in that? Besides, mother will be displeased if we end up accidentally hurting her…"

Minagi's gaze turned to the entrance of the cavern. Even from its depths, she could feel the sun rising outside.

"There is a whole world eagerly waiting for us outside… Let us enjoy it."