High School DxD: Inheritor of Malevolence

by dvdryms

There exist infinite universes, infinite possibilities. In one of them, an almost normal first-year high school student will discover that there is more to the world around him than meets the eye following a certain encounter. But where will his path lead him when the forbidden power sleeping within him awakens?

53. Reversal

Chapter 53 – Reversal

"We've taken down so many enemy constructs, yet they still keep coming. Damn Annihilation Maker and its annoying capabilities…"

Azazel grumbled as his light spear tore through a Dragon-type construct's abdomen, causing it to explode. All around him, Fallen Angel soldiers were using their respective light weapons to take down the Old Devil King Faction's soldiers and the Titan Worshippers' fighters. Despite the terrorists' apparent disregard for their lives in their desperate attempts to reach Azazel, the Fallen Angels dealt with them skillfully.

Some distance away, large amounts of holy lightning poured down from the sky, annihilating both the Khaos Brigade's troops and constructs with ease. Baraqiel, the one responsible for that, had two curved sword-shaped holy lightning constructs in his hands, slicing apart anyone foolish enough to approach him with lightning-fast moves.

Two crustacean-type constructs in the distance aimed their arm-mounted organic blasters at him, unleashing a barrage of energy bolts at him. A lightning barrier appeared in front of Baraqiel in response, shielding him from the incoming attack.

Glaring at the constructs, Baraqiel shaped his lightning blades into lances and threw them. His aim was true, with the lances piercing the constructs' heads and sending a large amount of holy lightning into their bodies. The result was a massive explosion that also vaporized the nearby enemy troops.

"Someone's more on edge than usual today. Can't blame him with Akeno being stuck right in the middle of enemy territory…"

Azazel muttered. While he shared his comrade's concerns and wished to rush to his students' aid as fast as possible, charging ahead in a reckless manner in this chaotic situation could very well get them killed. The tide of the battle was slowly turning to their side, but they couldn't let their guard down, especially since they were still in the dark when it came to the enemy's plan.

The sound of boisterous laughter caught Azazel's attention. Further away from his current position, a miniature storm had formed, with the terrorists caught in it being flung in different directions and having their bodies crushed. The few who dared brave the storm and head for its eye would get sliced into pieces faster than the eye could see.

Focusing on the center of the storm, Azazel saw a middle-aged, well-built man with long disheveled black hair and a goatee hovering there, a mirthful expression on his face as he cut down any terrorist and construct approaching him while using the raging winds to throw their ranks into further disarray. He wore a kasa on his head, a sky-blue yukata whose right side was chopped off, a tattered white hakama and a pair of geta. In his right hand, he held a double-edged dark blue sword, the Ame-no-Habakiri, its blade emitting a harsh glow.

At least someone's having fun around here. Azazel thought. I don't see Metatron and his Angel subordinates around him. Probably took off in a hurry to avoid getting caught up in Susanoo's little rampage. These lights further back must be them. Alright, next, I—

A glow coming from within Azazel's jacket interrupted his train of thought. Reaching his hand into it, Azazel pulled out the Artificial Sacred Gear Fafnir was currently sealed in. The pulsating light coming from the purple gem on it seemed like some sort of sign, or rather, a warning that a familiar and powerful presence was close.

"This has to be…" Azazel muttered as he spread his twelve black wings. "Sorry, but I'm leaving this place to you, everyone!"

"Leave…hey, wait a minute, Governor!"

One of his subordinates called out to him, but Azazel ignored him as he flew towards a certain large rock formation in the distance, the radiance from the gem intensifying as he got closer.

Seeking to take advantage of the fact that Azazel was on his own, two battalions of Khaos Brigade members accompanied by several whale-shaped constructs charged at him. However, a raging conflagration that came from above incinerated them in a flash, leaving only ashes behind.

"Thanks for the assist, Tannin."

Azazel nodded at the former Dragon King, who was approaching him from above. Bova flew next to him, his enthusiasm evident as his eyes darted around, looking for more enemies.

"I assume Fafnir sensed it as well?"

"That's right." Azazel replied to Tannin with a grave expression. "It's here as well. And if its intentions are hostile…then we are in deep trouble. Even with all the Gods in here, we won't stand a chance."

"What are you talking about?" Bova asked. "Who is here?"

"You will find out soon enough." Tannin said. "Just make sure to follow my lead and not do anything stupid when you stand before it. This is an enemy far beyond any of us."

Bova frowned, but remained silent. He was aware that when his father spoke in such a tone, he expected those he addressed to follow his commands to the letter without arguing back.

"I understand, but the small fries coming at us right now, I can go wild against them, right?" Bova said, gesturing at the terrorists and constructs rushing towards the trio. "No need to hold back?"

"Yes, yes, do as you wish. But don't overexert yourself. This fight is far from over."

"Understood!"

Bova let out a challenging roar as he charged at the terrorists. The whale-type constructs hovering above them let out bolts of lightning from their horns upon spotting Bova, aiming to bring him down. Weaving past them with ease, the young Dragon opened his maw wide, letting out a torrent of flames that engulfed three whale-types at once, vaporizing them in a matter of seconds.

"Take down that filthy beast!"

An armored Devil shouted as his comrades conjured magic circles, launching a barrage of demonic power blasts and elemental attacks at Bova. The Titan Worshippers present also aimed their staffs and weapons at him, shooting out an assortment of attacks at him, while the remaining whale-types charged at him, their horns surrounded by electricity as they aimed to skewer Tannin's son.

"Humph!"

Bova snorted in derision, enveloping his claws and tail with a large amount of draconic aura. Batting away the incoming attacks, he opened his mouth wide again, letting out a raging conflagration that took down more constructs. Then, his body shone as numerous electric arcs flew out of it and sliced through the terrorists' ranks, taking them down in rapid succession.

"Hoh, that's a Sprite Dragon's ability, no?" Azazel said with apparent interest while observing Bova, who tore apart a whale-type charging at him with his claws. "Is his mother one?"

"She is, though Bova had trouble using her techniques until recently." Tannin said as Bova dove in the terrorists' midst, letting out a mix of fire and lightning from his mouth that annihilated half his opponents at once. "Having a rival as motivation does wonders for one's growth. I should thank Ryuugamine Takeshi for that as well."

After taking down his last opponent, Bova raised his head high and let out a triumphant roar before flying back to Tannin and Azazel.

"Well fought." Tannin praised his son. "Your skills are developing well."

"Thank you, father."

Bova said, looking pleased. The trio then resumed their flight, arriving at the top of the rock formation and landing there.

"Azazel. Tannin. It has been some time."

The one who addressed the two of them with an emotionless tone was a young girl wearing a black gothic Lolita outfit that looked out of place in this chaotic battlefield at first glance. She had long black hair that went down to her hips, black eyes with slit-like pupils and ears with pointed tips.

Despite her seemingly frail appearance, Azazel and Tannin instantly tensed at her sight. Even Bova, renowned for his fierce attitude, began trembling. There was an eerie atmosphere around her, one that stimulated the primal fear rooted deep inside all individuals when faced with a being who stood far above them.

"…Ophis." Azazel said after a couple of seconds. "Didn't expect you of all people to show up here in person. If I recall correctly, last time our paths crossed, you had the appearance of an old man. Choosing the form of a cute girl, you have my respect for that. So, why has the boss of the terrorists come out?"

"Observing." Ophis said. "That is all."

"Does the sight of everyone desperately fighting for their lives amuse you?" Tannin said while growling. "Did you pick up some nasty hobbies during your millennia of wandering around the realms? Is that why you, who had taken no interest in this world's affairs before, have become the leader of the Khaos Brigade?"

"No." Ophis said. "I, have my own goal."

"Care to share it with the rest of the class?" Azazel said. "Perhaps we might be able to come to an agreement if it's something within our power to grant."

Ophis remained silent for a few seconds, and then pointed towards the sky with her finger.

"…The world of silence."

"Huh?" Tannin frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"The Dimensional Gap." Ophis said. "I, want to return there, and attain silence. That, is what I wish for."

"Silence?" Bova asked. "If you are so desperate for peace and quiet, why don't you go isolate yourself in some desert or bury yourself in the Arctic?"

"You are Tannin's progeny, yes?" Ophis regarded Bova, causing him to flinch. "This world, the pulse of its life and those who inhabit it, I, can hear all of it, all the time. I, have grown tired of it. That, is why I seek my old home."

"Well, that lines up with what I've heard so far…" Azazel muttered. "However, at the current Dimensional Gap, there's someone else dwelling there. A being that's on par with you, the Infinite Dragon."

"Great Red." Ophis said, a hint of irritation appearing in her impassive features. "His presence, is a bother. He must be removed if I, am to return."

"That's what the Khaos Brigade is for then." Azazel said. "Let me guess, they promised to remove Great Red from the Dimensional Gap, and in exchange, you grant them power through your snakes. Did I get it right?"

"Yes." Ophis nodded. "That is how it is. Will you assist me?"

"You can't be serious, Ophis." Tannin said, his growing anger apparent. "The last time you and Great Red fought when you tried returning to the Dimensional Gap by force eons ago, the aftershocks from your clash tore apart the universe. Countless worlds and trillions of beings perished, with this current world, the amalgamation born from the surviving fragments of several destroyed worlds, being the only one left standing as far as we know. Now you're saying you're willing to put this world and its inhabitants in danger as well for the sake of your selfish desire!?"

"Yes." Ophis said matter-of-factly. "Beings live, and beings die. I, have seen that happen over countless years. It is what it is."

"Figures you'd say that…"

Azazel grimaced. Expecting empathy or remorse from an immortal being who had no understanding of the value of life and viewed other living beings as little more than ants crawling on the ground was too tall an order. Negotiating with Ophis was probably going to be impossible.

"Granting your wish is going to be rather difficult as things stand." Azazel said. "Removing Great Red from the Dimensional Gap could pose a grave danger to the stability of the world. That's why, perhaps it would be better if we defeated you here for the sake of world peace?"

"Impossible." Ophis shook her head. "Azazel and Tannin cannot defeat me."

"It's as you say, Ophis-sama. These fools who do not know their place cannot hold a candle to you."

The one who spoke as he emerged from a rift in space while accompanied by a large number of Titan Worshippers and Devils was Alkaid, coming to stand next to Ophis as he tapped his cane on the ground.

"The brains of the operation, huh?" Azazel grinned as he formed a light spear. "I bet we could do some real damage if we were to take you down. For starters though, how about you lose that tacky mask and let us see your true face?"

"I value my privacy a lot, so for the time being, the mask will stay on, Azazel." Alkaid said, turning to Ophis. "Perhaps you would like to dispose of these interlopers yourself, Ophis-sama?"

"No." Ophis said. "I, have been told that the leader fights last. That, is the rule."

Bless Vali and his talks with Ophis. Azazel thought. Seems like they've had a small, but significant effect on her.

"Is that so?" Alkaid said. "That's not…entirely wrong. Very well, we shall be the ones to take down those who dare oppose you in your name. The advantage lies with our side."

"Then perhaps we can even the odds somewhat."

Descending from the sky as he said so was Sirzechs, with Grayfia following right behind him.

"Oh, nice timing, Sirzechs, Grayfia!" Azazel gave the two of them a thumbs-up. "I was afraid we might actually have to break a sweat here."

Sirzechs smiled at Azazel before turning to Ophis, his expression becoming serious.

"I want to ask this; is some form of compromise truly impossible, Ophis?"

"I, only wish for one thing." Ophis said. "If you cannot grant it, there is no point in talking."

"So be it then." Sirzechs said as several small Destruction orbs appeared around him. "As much as I dislike doing things in this manner, we shall settle this through force."

"Suits us just fine."

Alkaid said as he brandished his cane. However, just as the two sides were about to clash, a small frown appeared on Ophis' face as she turned her gaze to a certain direction. Tannin also raised his head high, his eyes narrowed, while a harsh glow came from Azazel's Artificial Sacred Gear.

[That bastard…] Fafnir's furious voice came from the jewel on Down Fall Dragon Spear. [I was hoping I'd never have to feel the disgusting presence of that slimy thief who raided my hoards and ruined my collection ever again.]

"Aži Dahāka." Ophis said. "He is awake. Unexpected."

Takeshi must have used the Malefic Circuit. Azazel thought. Hope that kid isn't overdoing it like usual.

At that moment, a magic circle appeared on the back of each Khaos Brigade member present apart from Alkaid, its golden glow turning into a dark one as the formulas in it were overwritten in a matter of seconds. The terrorists screamed and fell on their knees, theie bodies convulsing violently as dark vein-like markings spread from the magic circles and enveloped their bodies.

"What in Lucifer's name is going on here…?"

Grayfia muttered as the terrorists let out savage howls, their bodies mutating into an assortment of demonic creatures. Some resembled humanoid bats, others a mix of insect traits stuck haphazardly on a humanoid form, others towering beasts with several horns and extra heads protruding from their bodies, and others dog-headed creatures with flames enveloping their bodies. What they all shared was the madness in their eyes as they attacked friend and foe alike in their frenzy.

"What a bother…"

Alkaid muttered, his cane changing form into that of a golden trident surrounded by a storm of aura. Swinging it once, he unleashed a wave of destructive energy that vaporized half of the afflicted troops in the blink of an eye.

On the opposite side, Sirzechs directed his Destruction spheres at the charging beasts, felling one after another with ease. Next to him, Grayfia conjured several magic circles around her, unleashing dense blasts of demonic power that tore through any creature that sought to approach the two of them.

In a matter of seconds, all rampaging creatures had been taken care of, with Azazel letting out a low whistle.

"Nothing less expected from Sirzechs and Grayfia, and that Alkaid fellow isn't too shabby either." Azazel remarked. "More importantly, what you're holding is a replica of Trishula, the favored weapon of Shiva, yes? Don't suppose you're willing to let us know how you can pull such a stunt off?"

"Not really." Alkaid said, conjuring a small magic circle. "Judging from what happened just now, Aži Dahāka must have interfered with the magic formation and altered the protective spell that was supposed to shield our troops from its effects, using it to transform them into these monstrosities. If that's the case, this means the plan has failed."

"You don't seem very concerned about that." Azazel said. "Moreover, you don't look like you care about the whereabouts and ultimate fates of your faction's high-ranking members."

"Am I supposed to be their keeper?" Alkaid said. "They knew what they were signing up for, and if they fell in battle, that means they came up short of Ophis-sama's expectations. That's all there is to it."

"Leave it to a terrorist to speak in such a callous and unfeeling manner." Sirzechs said as several Destruction orbs gathered around him. "My instincts are telling me that you must be taken down here and now, so I will show no mercy."

"I will accompany you as well, Sirzechs-sama."

"Count me in on this as well." Azazel said after Grayfia, his golden armor enveloping his body. "As these rowdy kids' teacher, I have to show my cool side every now and then and relieve their burden as much as I can."

"Ganging up on a single opponent isn't my style." Tannin said. "Bova and I will watch Ophis."

"My, my, how frightening." Alkaid chuckled as the trident he was holding transformed into an ornate blade letting out copious amounts of light. "Since you're all raring to go, I'll entertain you for a while!"

Following Alkaid's words, the trio of Sirzechs, Grayfia and Azazel charged at him, with the masked terrorist rushing forward to meet them.

---

"Guh!"

Irina let out a grunt of pain as a demonic power-coated punch from Diodora's Rook struck Mimic, which was in the form of a shield, sending her skidding backwards. Changing its form into that of a spear, she jabbed at her opponent, but a kukri came at her from the side, forcing her to stop her attack in order to block the incoming blade.

"Blast her!"

Following that command from Diodora's Knight, who was responsible for the earlier attack, Diodora's eight Pawns unleashed a barrage of demonic power blasts at Irina. Her spear changed its form once again in response, transforming into armor that enveloped her body. Although she withstood the barrage, the force of the attacks still left her bruised all over.

Slamming her hand on the ground, Irina generated several light spikes all around her, forcing Diodora's Knight and Rook to retreat. She also formed several light spears around her, shooting them at the Pawns, who conjured defensive magic circles to shield themselves. This gave Irina a small reprieve to gather herself and assess the situation.

This… We might be over our heads here.

Irina thought, frowning under her helmet. While she was busy facing Diodora's four Pawns, who had all promoted into Queens, one of his Knights and one of his Rooks, Rossweisse was dealing with the young Devil's Queen, along with his second Rook and Knight.

Despite facing fewer opponents than her, the Queen's superior skill in using her demonic power made her an even match for the young Valkyrie. Supported by her two comrades, she was steadily driving Rossweisse into a corner. The fact that all of them had their bodies reinforced by spells made the situation even more difficult.

A short distance away from them, Rias was facing Diodora, her Destruction avatar clashing against the numerous smoky appendages formed by the Astaroth heir's Vile Breath. Although Rias was holding her own, it was obvious from her labored breaths and haggard expression that she was starting to get tired.

"What's the matter, Rias?" Diodora asked while grinning. "Can't keep up?"

Empowered by Ophis' snake and receiving support from his two Bishops and the rest of his Pawns, who stood behind him and channeled demonic power to him, Diodora didn't seem winded at all as he launched a wave of black smoke at Rias. Her avatar swung one of its blades, splitting the wave into two. The areas it struck began corroding at a rapid pace, breaking apart in a matter of seconds and releasing a putrid stench that made Rias want to gag.

"Even after consuming Ophis' snake and taking advantage of your servants, this is the best you can do, Diodora?" Rias let out a fearless smile, doing her best to mask her exhaustion. "No wonder everyone was always looking down on you and regarded you as an inferior Devil."

"You can say whatever you wish, but you and I both know you're about to reach your limit." Diodora let out a sinister smirk. "Don't worry though, I won't kill you just yet. First, I'll force you to watch as your precious family is killed one after another in the most gruesome manner possible. Then, and only then, will I put an end to you after making sure that mouth of yours cannot spout any more nonsense!"

Several blade-shaped constructs formed from the black steam surrounding Diodora, striking Rias' avatar. While most of them dissolved upon contact, three of them managed to pierce it, almost reaching Rias. As the blades turned into black vapor that threatened to engulf her, she fired a crimson arrow from her fingers, locking the air before her and preventing the black vapor from approaching her.

Taking advantage of her brief distraction, Diodora fired arrows of compressed demonic power and Vile Breath at Rias' Destruction Avatar, causing it to collapse and sending her tumbling backwards due to the ensuing shockwave.

At the same time, an explosion rocked the chamber, with the battered Rossweisse being flung into the air. Forming two magic circles beneath her feet, she attempted to fix her stance in midair, but Diodora's Rook appeared above her and drove her fist into her abdomen, knocking her into the ground. Diodora's Knight pounced on her, her longsword raised high as she aimed a downward slash at her, with Rossweisse barely blocking it with a defensive magic circle.

Meanwhile, Irina's armor broke apart as the combined attacks from Diodora's Pawns and Rook were too much for it to withstand them. Morphing the fragments into a katana, Irina brought it up to parry the kukri aimed at her, but was partially successful as it cut her shoulder. Jumping over the Knight, Diodora's Rook kicked Irina in the stomach, with the young Angel spitting out some blood as she flew backwards.

"Excellent work, my beloved servants." Diodora said with a pleased smile. "I'll make sure to give you an extra special reward for your hard work tonight."

"Ah, Diodora-sama's reward~."

"How blessed we are!"

"I worked harder than the rest, so I should get double the reward!"

"What nonsense are you saying, you bitch!? In that case, I should get triple the reward!"

The girls bickered among themselves, with a pained expression appearing on Irina's face upon seeing the state the former Church members had been reduced to. Meanwhile, Rias forced herself up with some difficulty, glaring at Diodora as the Power of Destruction enveloped her body once again.

"You're still too lively for my tastes." Diodora said. "I think I should take an arm and a leg to be on the safe side. As for the other two, dispose of them."

[Yes, Diodora-sama!]

Diodora's servants shouted together as they advanced on Irina and Rossweisse. The two girls stood up with matching grim expressions, determined to struggle until the bitter end. At that moment, however, the chamber shook violently and a twisted aura washed over everyone, causing them to shiver.

"What's this?" Diodora said with a frown. "What's going on out there?"

Three waves of energy burst out of the ceiling at that moment and enveloped Rias, Irina and Rossweisse, with the members of Diodora's Peerage averting their eyes in haste due to the intense brightness. Once it died down, the three girls realized that their energy reserves had been refiled, much to their surprise. Rias and Rossweisse also grimaced as they felt foreign knowledge forcing itself into their brains.

I don't know what just happened, but I'm not about to look a gift horse in the mouth!

Rias thought as a large number of crimson arrows appeared around her. Some of them buried themselves in specific spots in her body, while the rest sank in Irina and Rossweisse's bodies. The three girls' auras swelled at the same time, with the ensuing shockwaves sending the members of Diodora's Peerage skidding backwards.

"You people sure are full of surprises." Diodora said, an annoyed expression on his face. "I don't what sort of trick you pulled, but I'll make sure to turn this second wind into your dying gasp!"

Several thick waves of black smoke extended from Diodora's body and aimed for Rias. A massive Destruction cyclone formed around Rias and vaporized the incoming attacks, opening a large hole in the ceiling and the levels above with ease.

"What!?" Diodora cried out in shock. "This level of power, you shouldn't be capable of it! How is this possible!?"

"I'm not too sure myself." Rias shrugged. "What matters is that I can now take you down with it!"

"In your dreams!"

Diodora howled as numerous appendages made out of Vile Breath surged towards Rias. She was unfazed as twelve large Destruction wings grew from her back, with Rias using them to slice apart the incoming attacks.

Conjuring several crimson arrows, she aimed them at Diodora, who melted the floor below and fell through it to evade them. His Bishops and four Pawns weren't so lucky, with Rias' arrows piercing their bodies and locking their consciousness, causing them to faint.

Emerging from behind her, Diodora swung several tendrils of black vapor at her. Rias countered by forming a defensive wall with her wings, and then unleashed a barrage of large Destruction spheres that forced Diodora to retreat in haste. Focusing her power, Rias formed the second stage of her Destruction avatar once again, which looked more robust this time, and chased after her opponent.

"I can't break through!?"

Diodora's Rook shouted in frustration, her demonic power-clad fists failing to destroy the defensive magic circles Rossweisse had conjured despite the boost she received from the Queen. Diodora's Knight charged at Rossweisse from the side and swung her blade, but a complex magic circle materialized in front of her and received the slash.

Before Diodora's Knight realized what happened, the blade shattered along with the bones in her forearms due to the redirection of the impact back at her. She screamed in pain as Rossweisse cast another spell, encasing her in ice.

"You!"

Diodora's Queen bellowed as she fired an assortment of elemental attacks at Rossweisse, with the Rook receiving another boost from her at the same time and charging at the Valkyrie. Rossweisse conjured another Norse-style magic circle, placing it on the Rook.

"What!?"

The Rook cried in shock, changing directions as if something was pulling her by force and throwing herself in front of the Queen's attacks. The ensuing explosion sent her flying and crashing into a nearby pillar, with the Rook falling on the ground unconscious.

"What in the nine Hells…?"

Diodora's Queen had a shocked expression on her face, but before she could do anything, a complex magic circle appeared below her. Despite her attempts to dispel it with demonic power, she found herself unable to do so.

With the circle's effects increasing gravity, reducing her physical strength and increasing pressure, the Queen was forced on her knees. Several magic circles appeared around Rossweisse next, unleashing a barrage of energy blasts that struck the Queen, knocking her out.

"I don't know what happened, but my body feels so light and strong!"

Irina said in an excited manner as large amounts of light emitted from her body, weakening the surrounding Devils. Diodora's Rook aimed a punch at her, but Irina shaped Mimic into handcuffs with a long chain. Locking one handcuff around her opponent's wrist, she jumped over her and wrapped the chain around her throat.

The Rook cried out in pain as the chain burned her neck and choked her. Evading the Knight and the Pawns' charge, Irina pulled harder, knocking the Rook unconscious. She then tossed her body at the charging Knight, taking advantage of her distracted state to shape Mimic into a staff and jab at her abdomen hard, knocking her out.

"How dare you do this to our comrades!"

"You'll pay for this, lapdog of Heaven!"

The Pawns charged at Irina from all directions, demonic power enveloping their bodies. Snapping her fingers, Irina conjured an Angel-style magic circle, generating a powerful tempest that sent the Pawns flying.

Shaping Mimic into metal gloves with numerous threads extending from them, Irina captured all four Pawns with them. Then, conjuring another Angel-style magic circle, she let out an electrical discharge that shocked the Pawns, knocking them out.

"Take this!"

At the other end of the chamber, Rias shouted as her Destruction lances almost skewered Diodora, with a panicked expression appearing on the young Devil's face.

"This can't be happening!" Diodora cried out. "I have obtained the power of Ophis! I should be winning, and you should be on your knees begging for mercy! How can I, Diodora Astaroth, be pushed back by a Gremory of all people, these weaklings who only know how to preach about nonsense like love, bonds and family!?"

"Maybe you should have paid more attention to this 'nonsense' as you call it!" Rias said as her Destruction lance tore through Diodora's incoming attack. "That, and you should have focused on becoming the best version of yourself instead of wasting time comparing yourself to Ajuka-sama! If you had done these, perhaps you wouldn't have found yourself in this situation!"

Condensing the power and width of the blades her avatar held in two of its arms to its limit, Rias swung them. The blades sliced through the dense demonic power enveloping Diodora's body and severed his arms at the shoulders.

"M-My arms! My aaaaaaaaaarms!"

Diodora shrieked in pain. Without missing a beat, Rias shot two crimson arrows at him. One struck the snake in his body, unlocking the bonds in it and causing it to dissolve, while the other locked his demonic power, preventing him from using his abilities.

Falling on his knees due to the sharp decrease in his power, the writhing Diodora offered no resistance when Rias rushed at him, her knee enveloped in a thin sheet of Destruction as she struck him in the groin with all the strength she could muster. Diodora let out an ear-splitting screech as his genitals were vaporized, his eyes rolling at the back of his head as he lost consciousness and fell down.

"Is…is he dead?"

Irina asked in a tentative manner as she approached Rias.

"No, although I'm sure he's going to wish he was once he wakes up." Rias said, wincing as her body spasmed due to the backlash of using Lock Control on it. "No amount of Phoenix Tears will be able to fix the damage I did to him. More importantly, does any of you have any idea what happened just now?"

"That's what I would like to know as well." Rossweisse said with a grimace while limping towards the two. "Right when I was about to lose…my energy was restored and knowledge about spells I wasn't taught of was forced into my mind."

"Same here." Rias said. "Whoever restored my power also implanted information about how to use Lock Control in a more efficient manner to boost our parameters. Whoever was responsible must have an extensive knowledge of sorcery and a frightening amount of skill."

"There'll be plenty of time to solve that mystery later." Irina said. "Right now, we should restrain Diodora Astaroth and his Peerage, and then we have to go and help the others."

"Right." Rias said. "Let's get to it. I'm worried about my servants."

"Hopefully, our mysterious benefactor will have spared some time and energy for them as well."

Rossweisse said as the three girls started conjuring magic circles.

---

Flame and lightning clashed as Akeno and Timaeus exchanged attacks, with neither side giving ground. The large hall they were fighting in had already been engulfed in flames for the most part, with all sundials within having turned into rubble.

Evading a rain of light bullets, Akeno generated several lightning spears, throwing them at her opponent as she swung her lightning whips as well. Timaeus pointed his fingers at her, with small flame vortexes erupting from them and consuming her attacks. Akeno countered by unleashing a concentrated lightning blast, but the ensuing explosion sent her flying back and crashing into the sacrificial altar.

Before she could recover, Timaeus transformed into light and appeared before her, swinging a light blade at her. Akeno rolled out of the way, wincing as she did, but wasn't fast enough as the blade opened a deep cut on her leg.

Stifling a cry, Akeno formed her lightning armor around her body once again and attempted to strike at Timaeus, but the upper body of a flame giant appeared behind the Titan Worshipper. Its backhand blow struck Akeno, dispersing her lightning armor and causing her to scream in pain as more burns appeared on her body.

The Gremory Queen collapsed on her knees, her body riddled with injuries and buns, her singed ponytail having come undone, and her aching limbs trembling. Despite her best efforts, her body refused to obey her will and her energy reserves were almost empty at this point.

"Ara, ara…you are stronger…than I thought…" Akeno wheezed out, forcing herself to smile despite her miserable state. "Your patron's blessing…plus Ophis' power…that is…a formidable combination…"

"Ophis' power?" Timaeus raised an eyebrow. "You appear to be under a misconception here, Queen of the Gremory group. Our faction doesn't utilize Ophis' snakes in any manner. Relying on another deity's power, that would an act of colossal disrespect towards our masters and benefactors."

"Why join…the Khaos Brigade then…?"

"For the same reason every other faction flocked under Ophis' banner." Timaeus said, forming a towering ring of fire that surrounded him and Akeno. "Use the Ouroboros and the opportunistic fellows drawn to it in order to advance our own goals. You could say we all view each other as stepping stones."

"Sounds like…a pit filled with vipers…where only the most cunning and ruthless survive…" Akeno said, standing up despite the pain. "Not the type of working environment…I would enjoy…"

"That matters not at this point." Timaeus said, conjuring a large flaming broadsword as two more flame giants appeared next to him. "Despite your valiant efforts, this battle is mine. You may have been an enemy, but I acknowledge your skill and bravery. As such, I shall endeavor—"

Timaeus' words were cut off as a wave of energy suddenly descended from the sky, enveloping Akeno's body. The young Queen let out a surprised gasp as she felt her depleted energy reserves being refilled and her fatigue vanishing. If anything, excluding the pain from her injuries, she could go as far as say that she was in an even better condition than when the battle began.

"This energy wave came from the ritual chamber?" Timaeus scowled. "Don't tell me…someone interfered with Memnon and the others? How did these fools manage to stumble at the finish line…?"

"Ara, ara, you should keep your focus on your opponent, cultist!"

Akeno said, shooting several powerful lightning bolts at Timaeus. The three flaming giants behind him rushed forward to shield him, but were brought down by the force of Akeno's attack, which illuminated the whole chamber. Several fire tendrils flew at the Gremory Queen in response, but at that moment, the floor spilt apart, with copious amounts of iron sand rushing from the cracks and forming shields that blocked the incoming attacks.

"Your power has been restored, eh?" Timaeus grimaced. "What happened to you?"

"Ufufu, while I don't have any basis for claiming that, I'm certain my amazing boyfriend came through once again in this time of need." Akeno said with a beatific smile. "That's why, it's my turn to dish out some serious pain now!"

After declaring that, Akeno formed a massive fist made out of iron sand, aiming it at Timaeus. The Titan Worshipper transformed into light and vanished, teleporting behind Akeno and conjuring claw-shaped flames that aimed to tear her apart.

Turning around in haste, a sword made of iron sand that was enveloped by lightning in her hand, Akeno sliced apart the incoming flames. Her weapon turned into a whip that chased after Timaeus, who countered with a light blade that scattered the iron sand.

As several electric arcs came at him next, Timaeus stomped his foot on the ground, creating a large explosion that obscured him as he took to the skies.

"Ara, where do you think you are going!?"

Appearing above him, Akeno aimed a lightning-clad kick at him, only for Timaeus to transform into light and dodge her attack once again. Upon materializing however, several iron sand stakes flew at him, with two of them burying themselves into his leg and shoulder respectively, causing him to cry out in pain.

As I thought, he cannot use his teleportation ability in quick succession. Akeno thought. Time for the coup de grâce!

The lightning surrounding Akeno intensified, with sparks coming out of her eyes and her hands glowing from the amount of power gathered there. At the same time, the iron sand around her morphed into cannons and large iron sand cannonballs floated into them.

"You wish to settle this? Then, do your worst, Queen of the Gremory group!"

Timaeus bellowed as large amounts of flames enveloped his body, forming a giant much larger than the previous ones that held a cross-shaped blade. As it charged at Akeno, she swung her hand, with several pillars of condensed lightning falling from the sky. At the same time, the cannons were surrounded by electricity, firing lightning-fast projectiles.

The ensuing result was a massive explosion that tore apart the hall and the adjacent area, raising a huge smoke cloud. Once it dissipated somewhat, Timaeus could be seen standing among the rubble, his left arm missing and several new wounds having opened on his body.

Where is she? Timaeus said as he looked around, a flame cloak enveloping his body. I doubt that blast was enough to finish her off.

At that moment, a shadow rushed at Timaeus from the side. Evading its clumsy blow, he sunk his flame-coated fist in its abdomen, only to be surprised as the shadow collapsed and dispersed into iron sand.

"What…?"

"Got you~."

Akeno said as her invisibility spell wore off, her arm enveloped by a dense amount of demonic power as she shoved it into the fire cloak and touched Timaeus' back. The next moment, something flew out of the Titan Worshipper's body through his open wounds, with him stumbling as his vision began swimming.

"T-This is…!"

Timaeus' breath became labored and rapid as his vision swam. Falling on all fours as his flames dispersed, he tried to reach for Akeno, but his body wouldn't respond to his commands. It was as if someone had sapped him of his strength in an instant.

"It's no use struggling." Akeno said. "I've removed almost all iron from your blood. As things stand, you will die, and since I don't have time to play around, I'll end this quickly."

Several electric arcs extended from Akeno's fingers as she said so. Swinging them with a rapid motion, she sliced apart Timaeus, with his remains falling on the floor.

"Thank the Devil Kings it's over…" Akeno let a relieved breath, almost falling down as the tension left her body. "That was a little too close for comfort…"

After taking a few deep breaths to compose herself, Akeno spread her wings and took off, heading towards the nearest shrine in order to find her friends.

---

"Go, Sword Birth!"

Yuuto shouted as he plunged his blade into the ground, with a multitude of blades erupting around him and skewering the dozens of undead warriors rushing at him. The storm of blades headed towards Cleon next, but he shattered them with a single swing from his spear, his hollow eyes focusing on the young Knight as he rushed at him.

Using Cyclone Call to create a gust of wind to propel himself up, Yuuto summoned several Blast Ogres and hurled them at Cleon. A squadron of undead warriors emerged from the ground around the Titan Worshipper once again, raising their shields to intercept the incoming blades. The ensuing explosion destroyed them, but left Cleon with only minor burns that quickly healed.

"No escape."

Cleon declared as he hurled his spear at Yuuto. Spreading his wings, Yuuto twisted in midair just in the nick of the time to avoid a fatal blow, but the spearhead still grazed him. The small wound expanded to a large cut, with Yuuto letting out a cry of pain.

Before he could recover, a wave of dark energy flew at him while the spear came at him from behind, forcing him to create a large number of Stalwart Forts around him to shield himself. The blast sent Yuuto crashing on the small Colosseum's stands, letting out another cry due to feeling like he was being trampled on.

Standing up with some effort and conjuring an Over Drive, Yuuto brought it up in haste to guard against Cleon's thrust. He made several blades rain down on the Titan Worshipper next, but Cleon either dodged or destroyed them, with only a couple of them burying themselves into his body and doing nothing other than distracting him for a bit.

Yuuto attempted to open the distance, but Cleon chased after him, his spear gleaming as he unleashed a multitude of thrusts at his opponent. Aided by the power boost provided by Over Drive, Yuuto began a furious exchange with his opponent, but was forced to give ground as the weight of his opponent's blows made his hands feel like they were about to shatter.

This is really bad. Yuuto thought as evaded an upward slash, with his riposte being blocked by the spear's shaft. That fellow's pain amplification, superior physique and extreme regeneration are a lethal combination. Not to mention, there's the effect of the life-draining field he's set up, which is exhausting me faster than usual. If I don't come up with something fast, I…!

The earth below Yuuto's feet rumbled, with a large number of undead warriors bursting from the ground and trying to seize him. Although he reacted in time by summoning a multitude of blades to impale them, this left him open to Cleon, who batted his blade aside and sank his spear's sauroter in his left shoulder.

Yuuto screamed, feeling as if someone had set the left side of his body in fire. Cleon's armored boot sank into his abdomen next, knocking the air out of him and sending him crashing on one of the large statues surrounding the arena. Yuuto spat out a mouthful of blood, struggling to breathe.

"The end."

Cleon said as he pointed his spear at Yuuto, aiming for his heart as he dashed at him. However, at that moment, a wave of energy broke through the Mausoleum's roof, enveloping Yuuto and forcing Cleon backwards due to the force of the ensuing shockwave.

"This…where did it come from…?" Yuuto muttered, looking confused as he stood up. "My energy has—"

A sudden stab of pain in his head cut off Yuuto's words as information flowed into his brain. He barely had time to process it as Cleon pounced on him, his dark aura-clad spear poised to skewer him.

Conjuring a large number of Gravity Nails, Yuuto formed an anti-gravity field that left Cleon suspended in midair. Before he could react, a multitude of Blast Ogres and Spiral Chaos blades bombarded his body, sending it flying into a swamp that Yuuto had formed with another blade.

"Ha!"

Cleon shouted as he burst out of the swamp, his body's injuries healing at a rapid rate, only for intense soundwaves created by several Solo Movements hovering around him to assault him. He grunted in pain as the damage to his inner ear disoriented him for a few seconds before it regenerated.

A bombardment of Needle Edges mixed with Starlight Flash's properties came at him again, with Cleon summoning an army of undead warriors to shield him once again. While most of the blades were intercepted by the undead horde, some of them evaded the corpses in their way thanks to Yuuto manipulating them with Magnet Pulse and buried themselves in Cleon's limbs.

"Next is this!"

A large number of blade shards, courtesy of several Leaf Storms Yuuto had conjured around Cleon, engulfed the Titan Worshipper, opening numerous cuts on his body. The shards then shone and exploded all together thanks to the properties of Blast Ogre mixed into them.

While Cleon's body reformed, Yuuto stabbed two Earth Calls in the ground, with several rock spires erupting from the ground and piercing Cleon's body. Several Flame Calls, Frost Touches, Cyclone Calls and Thunder Calls materialized around Cleon next, unleashing their respective elements upon his trapped body.

"This is nothing!"

Cleon bellowed as an outburst of dark aura erupted from his body, destroying his bindings and every sword around him. Several vines erupted from the ground at that moment, wrapping themselves around Cleon's legs and generating an illusion of pain that caused his body to spasm involuntarily. Two Shadow Binds that fell from above struck his shadow, immobilizing him.

Several Verdant Rises materialized around Cleon next, causing thick roots to erupt from the ground that wrapped themselves around him. Additional Earth Calls also rained down, solidifying the ground and preventing more undead warriors from rising.

"Here goes nothing…"

Yuuto muttered as he rushed at Cleon, who was struggling to escape from his bindings, with two swords in hand. Taking notice of him, Cleon channeled his aura to his spear, which lifted itself from the ground and flew at Yuuto. Using Instant Swap, Yuuto exchanged places with one of his Shadow Binds, thrusting his second blade at Cleon just as he was about to free himself.

"Useless." Cleon said. "Lord Iapetus has made this body immortal."

"I know. Still, there are other ways to destroy someone."

Yuuto said as the seprentine blade that had pierced Cleon shone with a sinister light. The Titan Worshipper's eyes opened wide, a horrified expression on his face as he felt like something was being drained out of him. He put his hands on the blade, attempting to pull it out, but found that he no longer had the strength to do so.

As a greenish glow enveloped Cleon, his body began shriveling and decomposing at a rapid rate. With one final howl, Cleon turned to dust, his now empty armor falling on the ground. Yuuto let go of his sword, collapsing next to it as his chest heaved with exertion and his limbs felt like they were made of lead.

"Soul Reaver…eh…?" Yuuto wheezed, turning his sights on the blade next to him. "A fearsome weapon indeed…to have drained most of my strength with a single use…"

After Yuuto said that, the blade next to him turned into particles of light and vanished, with a final wail echoing in the colosseum as it did.

"The power to separate the soul from one's body and imprison it in the blade…" Yuuto muttered. "Creating it on my own without the extra power and the blueprints that flowed into my brain…that would have been very difficult. More importantly…I have to go…"

Yuuto tried to stand up, but fell down almost immediately due to the exertion.

"Perhaps I should rest for a little while first…"

A bitter smile appeared on the young Knight's face as he said so.

---

"What's the matter, little girl!? You're starting to slow down! Where did your earlier enthusiasm go!?"

"Shut…up!"

Xenovia shouted as she launched several waves of holy aura at her opponent in succession, only for Calliope to evade or freeze them with ease due to her precognitive powers. Swinging her blade, she unleashed numerous ice threads that threatened to entangle Xenovia, with the young Rook releasing a burst of demonic power from her body to blow them away.

Taking advantage of the destabilization in her demonic power coating, Calliope slipped past Xenovia's slashes and slashed at her abdomen, opening another cut that began spreading ice. She dispelled it by hitting her abdomen with Almace's flat side, only for several ice meteors to descend from above towards her.

"Tch!"

Xenovia grimaced as she swung her holy aura-coated swords to destroy them, with her arms becoming dumb due to the force she had to exert. Emerging from the ice vapor that had formed, Calliope delivered another slash that almost took Xenovia's head off. Parrying her next blow, Xenovia kicked her opponent, only for her foot to begin freezing the moment it touched Calliope.

Encumbered by the added weight, Xenovia couldn't fully defend against the numerous ice spears that Calliope formed and launched at her, with the force of the attack sending her flying backwards. Sliding on the ice, Calliope dashed at Xenovia, aiming to skewer her with an ice lance that had formed around her blade.

Gathering as much demonic power as she could spare, Xenovia reinforced the point the lance was about to strike. Although she avoided any major injuries, Calliope's strike sent her crashing on the ice pillar behind her, with Xenovia almost blacking out and using her swords to support herself.

"What a pitiful sight." Calliope smirked as she regarded Xenovia with a condescending look. "I don't think I even needed my precognition abilties to take on someone of your level. Now then, it's about time we put an end to this dull game of ours. If you wish to pray to a God or the Devil Kings or whatever else you worship for a miracle, this would be the ideal time."

"Even if Deus Trinity was alive…I doubt he would listen to a fallen believer like me." Xenovia said with a self-deprecating smile as she brandished her swords. "However, I don't need God-granted miracles. As long as I have this body, these blades and my comrades, I can create my own miracles through my own efforts!"

"Oh, these are some rather inspiring words right there." Calliope said with a mocking tone. "For a dullard like you, they should make for a fine epitaph!"

After saying so, Calliope conjured an oversized iceberg and hurled it at Xenovia in order to crush her. However, at that moment, a wave of energy burst through one of the walls, enveloping Xenovia and letting out an intense glow that forced Calliope to shield her eyes. The aftershocks from its arrival also cracked the iceberg, with the wave of holy aura that struck it next smashing it to pieces.

"Well, what do you know?" Xenovia said with a confident smile, feeling her energy reserves being refilled and new information forcing itself into her brain. "It seems even a Devil like me is owed a miracle or two from time to time. I don't know who I'm supposed to thank for this, but that's something that can wait for after I have beaten you, terrorist."

"Don't make me laugh, brat." Calliope let out a derisive laugh. "You think that just because someone charged your batteries, you somehow stand a chance against me now? The only thing you've done is postpone your death by a couple of minutes at best."

"Let's test that theory, shall we!?"

Xenovia said as an explosion of demonic power beneath her feet propelled her towards Calliope. The Titan Worshipper rushed forward to meet her, but let out a surprised gasp as her precognition ability vanished all of a sudden. Confused by the sudden loss, she was a step too late in avoiding Durandal, which opened a deep cut on her left shoulder.

"You bitch!"

Calliope snarled, extending her hand forward as she attempted to conjure an array of ice stakes to impale Xenovia with. Once again though, her powers failed to activate, much to her shock. Faced with Xenovia's assault, Calliope was forced on the defensive, her xiphos parrying her opponent's broadswords with great difficulty.

"Curses!" Calliope shouted as she parried Durandal, only for Almace to almost sever her leg. "How!? Why!? What sort of sorcery is this!?"

"Wouldn't you like to know!"

Xenovia said as she headbutted Calliope, breaking her nose. Stumbling backwards, Calliope jumped up to avoid Xenovia's downward slashes, landing behind her. Xenovia spun around, her blades aiming to bisect Calliope. She retreated in haste, struggling to counter or evade her opponent's swings.

This isn't good. Calliope thought as the two swordswomen continued fighting, with her being pushed towards the nearest wall. Her physique and technique are superior to mine, and defending against these broadswords with my blade is taking everything I've got without my abilities. If I don't figure out her trick, I'm done for!

As Calliope continued falling back in the face of Xenovia's relentless assault, several small stalactites fell from the ceiling above. Instead of hitting the ground though, they dispersed upon reaching a certain point above the two combatants. Calliope, who noticed that, opened her eyes wide.

I see! Calliope thought. That's how you're doing it, you blasted Devil!

Jumping on Xenovia's incoming blade, Calliope used it as a pivot, leaping from it before her opponent's second blade could reach her. Once she went past a certain point, she felt a rush in her body as her powers abruptly returned.

Forming a pair of ice wings in haste, she propelled herself upwards and away from Xenovia. She then launched several ice spears at the area around Xenovia, narrowing her eyes as most of them dispersed in midair before reaching her opponent.

"It looks like I was right." Calliope said. "Somehow, you expanded Almace's nullification aura outwards, creating a field that negates all supernatural abilities within it, even your own. A technique that relies on overpowering your opponent through physical might alone, it's a perfect fit for a brute like yourself."

"If it works, it works." Xenovia shrugged. "It put you on the defensive and forced you to run away with your tail between your legs, no?"

"It sure did, but that's the limit of your little miracle." Calliope let out a cruel smile as copious amounts of cold aura enveloped her body, with numerous ice crystals forming all around her. "Even with your sword's nullification field, I doubt you'll able to neutralize a barrage of this magnitude. Sleep forever beneath the frozen wastes!"

"It's a good thing I have one more trump card to play then." Xenovia said as she dispelled the field around her, crossing her two swords as large amounts of holy aura enveloped them. "Seriously, I still have a lot to learn about handling Holy Swords…"

"Enough with this futile resistance! Die for the sake of our masters and our noble goals!"

Calliope bellowed as the ice crystals flew towards Xenovia. She was unperturbed by that, with the holy aura surrounding her blades swelling to gigantic proportions as Durandal and Almace synchronized their output. Calliope, who received an abrupt warning from her precognitive abilties, paled.

"That can't—!"

"Vanish!"

Xenovia shouted as she swung her swords, unleashing a massive cross-shaped wave of holy aura that destroyed the incoming ice crystals with ease. Calliope didn't even have time to scream as the holy aura consumed her body, vaporizing it almost instantly, before going on to tear through the ceiling and leave behind a cross-shaped hole.

"Cross Crisis." Xenovia nodded with a satisfied expression. "That's what I shall call this move. I would have preferred to have won without outside aid though… Well, that matters not right now. I should find the others."

Xenovia said so as she spread her wings, flying out of the hole she had made.

---

"…Not good."

Koneko muttered as she jumped from platform to platform, the Scylla's necks below trying to chomp her. At the same time, the oversized jellyfishes' tentacles extended towards her, poison dripping from them. The blowfish high above were also raining down spikes on her, making the situation even more difficult.

"Run, run, little kitten." Lysander smirked as he observed Koneko evading lightning bolts launched from the eel-like creatures, a trio of oversized turtles standing guard around him. "However, know that there is no escape from the sea's wrath."

Tapping his staff on the floor, Lysander conjured several magic circles, with three giant crabs emerging from them. Their pincers clicked in a menacing manner as they focused on Koneko.

"…Give me a break."

Koneko groaned while she fired several ki blasts from her hands to drive back one of the Scylla's heads, who had proven surprisingly resilient to her Senjutsu techniques so far.

With speed and agility unbefitting of their frame, the summoned crabs rushed at Koneko. Escaping from their pincers by a hairsbreadth, Koneko jumped on top of one of them and punched it as hard as it could, but was unable to penetrate its shell or channel her ki inside it.

Jumping off it to evade an incoming attack from one of the Scylla's heads, Koneko was almost entangled by two jellyfishes, only escaping thanks to her quick use of telekinesis to send them crashing into each other. However, two of Scylla's heads emerged from below, shooting jets of pressurized water that struck her and hurled her on the opposite wall.

"…Ugh."

Koneko groaned, the Touki coat around her body flickering due to her having expended most of her energy. Before she could recover, another of Scylla's heads wrapped its long neck around her, immobilizing her. Although her Rook strength and endurance prevented her from being outright crushed, she couldn't break free despite struggling with all the strength she could muster.

"Looks like our game of tag is over." Lysander said. "Shame. It was fun while it lasted though. May the great Lord Oceanus be pleased with the offering of this radiant soul."

The head that was constricting Koneko opened its mouth wide with the intent to devour her. At the moment though, a raging wave of energy broke through the ceiling, engulfing Koneko and forcing the Scylla to release her, hissing in pain as the wave burned parts of its scales.

"What in Tartarus is that!?" Lysander shouted in alarm, conjuring a magic circle in haste. "The spells we cast in this area are in complete disarray! Don't tell me…someone interfered with the ritual formation!? Damn Memnon and that pompous fool Shalba! You had one job, and you still messed it up!?"

"…Trouble in paradise?"

Koneko remarked as her body absorbed the torrent of energy, restoring her stamina and reserves. She also winced as she felt information flowing into her brain, along with a sensation of something vile that vanished as quickly as it came. Her fading Touki flared up once again, sending out an energy pulse that had all creatures around her back away.

This…might be too risky. Koneko thought as she processed the new information she had received. If I want to win though, there's not much choice.

"Recovering so late in the game is cheating, little kitten." Lysander said. "On the other hand, everything's fair in love and war. That being said, I cannot afford to waste any more time dealing with you. I have to hurry and see if I can salvage anything from this colossal failure for Lady Electra and our masters' sake. That's why, I'll end this right now."

Lysander raised his staff high, with several summoning magic circles appearing above him. A large number of humanoid reptile creatures emerged from them, their blue scales glinting and the barbed spears in their hands letting out a sinister glow.

"Kill her."

Lysander said, with all the summons rushing at Koneko. The Touki surrounding the young Nekomata's body intensified in response, with her eyes glowing.

"…Here I come."

After saying so, Koneko dashed with such speed that she created a sonic boom. The next moment, various howls echoed, chunks of flesh struck the walls and blood sprayed all over the place as about a quarter of the lizard-like monsters were torn apart along with several jellyfish monsters.

"What just happened!?" Lysander cried out in shock. "This power and speed, where did they come from!?"

Koneko didn't answer, claw constructs emerging from her fingers as she rushed at the blowfish hovering above next. Before they could register her presence, she had sliced them apart, their remains falling in the vortex below.

All six of the Scylla's mouths opened wide as it launched streams of water at Koneko. Dodging them with graceful movements, she landed next to a crab, which tried to split her in half with its pincers. Grabbing the incoming appendage, she lifted the monster up with a heave and smashed it on the second giant crab.

Several giant eels rushed at Koneko along with the most of the remaining jellyfishes, with a large number of clones of her appearing all over the area in response. While the creatures were busy attacking the clones in an attempt to locate the real one, Koneko appeared next to the third giant crab, evading his pincers and delivering a powerful blow at its side.

This time, the creature screamed in agony as Koneko's fist tore through its armor, with the ki spreading into its insides causing grave damage that killed it. Several eels attempted to flank Koneko, but the Touki surrounding her two tails intensified and extended into ki whips, striking down the incoming foes.

Clasping her hands together, Koneko formed a dense sphere of ki between them, tossing it at one of the Scylla's head, generating an explosion that destroyed it along with several other creatures next to it. The remaining heads howled in outrage as they began rampaging, attacking friend and foe alike.

"Settle down, you dumb beast!" Lysander shouted, summoning three more monstrous turtles to further strengthen his defenses. "Aim for that pipsqueak, not your own allies!"

The Scylla ignored its master's command as it kept attacking everything around it. Slipping past its attacks through her superior speed, Koneko intensified the Touki around her body, smashing through one of the giant crabs in her way. Tearing its pincer off and grabbing it, she jumped high and buried it into one of the Scylla's heads, killing it.

Evading the sea monster's furious strikes with another burst of speed, Koneko landed below the third head, delivering an uppercut that shattered its skull. Using her telekinesis to deflect the incoming water streams at the remaining eel and jellyfish monsters rushing at her, Koneko formed a large wheel covered in blue flames, tossing it at the fourth head and destroying it as well.

"…Two more."

Koneko said, feeling great strain in various parts of her body. Removing her body's limiters through Senjutsu to explosively increase her strength was a powerful, but dangerous skill. Even though she was using Senjutsu healing to mitigate the adverse effects, there was still a limit.

Before my body collapses…I will settle this!

Vanishing with a burst of speed, Koneko delivered a dropkick at the fifth head, pulverizing it. As the final head came at her, Koneko shaped the Touki around her into a spearhead and leapt, piercing through it and destroying it. With all its heads gone, the main body below fell into the raging whirlpool as well and vanished.

Taking down the last crab with a high kick that shattered its head, Koneko turned her attention to Lysander.

"…Last enemy."

Dashing at him with a burst of speed, Koneko delivered a straight at one of the turtles guarding the Titan Worshipper. However, its enchanted shell held strong, with her ki dispersing on it.

"Too bad, little kitten!" Lysander laughed. "I've raised these fellows to be extra sturdy! The likes of you will never be able to break through their shell!"

"…Is that so?"

Koneko focused the entirety of her Touki on her right fist, wincing as it felt like her hand was about to explode from the pressure. Her ensuing punch shattered the turtle's shell, while also breaking her hand in the process. As the turtle collapsed on the ground dead, it revealed Lysander, who had a startled look on his face.

"Y-You—!"

"…Never call me a pipsqueak."

Not giving Lysander the chance to finish his sentence, Koneko delivered an uppercut with her left hand, with the force of her blow destroying the Titan Worshipper's entire upper half. As his remains fell into the whirlpool below and his summons vanished, Koneko collapsed on her knees while cradling her broken arm.

"…That does it." Koneko said while channeling ki to mend her arm. "I'm off seafood for life. Or at least a couple of months."

Koneko grimaced as her body spasmed due to the stabs of pain she was receiving. Although she had finished the fight before things could get dangerous for her, the backlash was still considerable.

"…Self aid first." Koneko muttered. "After that, finding the others."

Koneko said as she put all her focus on recovery, doing her best to suppress her anxiety about her friends' condition.

---

"Hyahihihihaha! This is the end, the end, cutie Vampire-chan!"

Hypatia cackled as she threw an oversized lance of condensed wind at Gasper, who was trapped inside a cage of light formed by several stars. Unable to aim his Sacred Gear properly due to his deteriorating eyesight and incapable of using his abilities due to the cage trapping him, he received the attack head-on.

Gasper let out an agonized scream as the wind sliced his body all over. The force of the attack sent him flying into the model of Mars, going through it and slamming on the opposite wall. Having lost consciousness, he fell on the floor, blood flowing from his open wounds.

"Well fought, but against me, you had no chance, yes, no chance." Hypatia said as she approached Gasper. "Now, time for the sacrifice, the oh-so important sacrifice. We mustn't keep Lord Crius, and I'm sure Memnon-sama will praise me for my efforts. He might even offer me the reward I so desire, ufufu~."

Hypatia giggled, coming to stand above Gasper. Raising one of her knifes high, she prepared to plunge it into Gasper's back. However, sensing a subtle change in the wind, she jumped back just as the ceiling above split apart, with a wave of energy rushing out of the crack and slamming on Gasper's inert body. He twitched once, but didn't react in any other manner.

"What was that?" Hypatia wondered while tilting her head to the side. "Did something go wrong? No, no, no, that can't have happened, absolutely not. It's Memnon-sama's genius plan, flawless in every way, yes, flawless indeed. But if someone's causing trouble for him, I'll slice them to pieces, yes, I will. That's why—"

Hypatia stopped talking abruptly, moving one of her artificial stars in front of her in haste. The next moment, a blade of darkness split it in half. Summoning a wind barrier around herself to deflect its next strike, she turned her attention to its source.

"What in the Titans' name…?"

Hypatia muttered. Copious amounts of darkness were pouring out of Gasper's body, wiggling in an eerie manner as it created several bizarre appendages that lost their form as fast as they solidified. Eventually, four cockroach-like legs extended from his back, pushing Gasper up. Half his body had been enveloped by this strange darkness, giving him a haunting appearance.

"Hm, I don't know what sort of trick you're pulling, but it's no use, no use. Memnon-sama needs me by his side, so die!"

The artificial stars around Hypatia formed up, creating a giant blade of light that descended towards Gasper. In response, the darkness exploded outwards, forming several deformed arms that struck the blade and shattered it before going on to engulf the stars.

A frown appeared on Hypatia's face as she conjured several large wind rings and hurled them at the darkness. However, a third eye opened on Gasper's forehead all of a sudden, letting out a fierce glow along with his regular eyes. The wind rings stopped in midair in response, with Hypatia retreating in haste as a barrage of darkness lances flew at her.

"This power, it's not normal, not normal at all." Hypatia frowned as more artificial stars formed around her. "A mere Dhampir you are not, so what kind of strange creature are you, hm? What are you really?"

[…Someone…from the dark…]

Gasper said, a sinister voice superimposed over his normal one that made Hypatia shiver. Several tendrils of darkness emerged from his left side and bundled together, forming an oversized fist. Swinging it, he shattered the stars in his way and struck Hypatia, dispersing her wind barrier and sending her crashing into Neptune's model.

[My other self…is a little too gentle…] Gasper said as more darkness poured out of his body. [I, on the other hand…do not have such inhibitions!]

Several darkness tendrils erupted from Gasper's body once again, with fanged mouths appearing on them that chomped everything around them as they headed for Hypatia. Enveloping herself in wind, Hypatia shot upwards, swinging her knives to release wind blades at them. At the same time, the artificial stars around her assumed a bow-like formation, shooting beams of condensed light.

[So weak.]

Gasper snorted in derision, his shadows consuming the incoming attacks with ease as they continued spreading. Forming a shield-like formation with her stars to stall them, Hypatia began running on the walls at high speeds, unleashing a multitude of small tornadoes and light bombs from all directions.

Several eyes appeared all over Gasper's body, letting out a harsh glow. As all incoming attacks stopped in midair, Gasper sank into the floor and emerged from the wall across him as time resumed and the attacks collided with each other.

"You're one agile monster, aren't you!? Let's see you escape from this then, oh yes, let's!"

Standing on the orrery's highest point, Hypatia let out a deranged laugh as seven massive stars appeared below her, letting out a blinding radiance.

"Die, die, die!" Hypatia cackled. "Die for the sake of my beloved Memnon-sama! Turn into dust and vanish!"

Several massive waves of light erupted from the seven stars after Hypatia said so.

[No matter the era, small fries will always bark the loudest.] Gasper said, looking unconcerned. [As Senpai would say, victory was never an option for the likes of you!]

All eyes on Gasper's body lit up as the aura surrounding him swelled. The next moment, the light beams, the models of the planets, the walls around him, everything vanished in a matter of seconds after being subjected to rapid weathering caused by time acceleration. Hypatia wasn't spared from that effect either, her body rapidly aging in the blink of an eye and turning into a shriveled husk.

"Memnon…sama…"

That was the last thing the Titan Worshipper croaked with a hoarse voice before her skin turned into dust, leaving behind only her bones, which also broke apart and disintegrated in an instant. Once he was done, Gasper's numerous eyes lost their luster and closed, with the darkness around him slowly dispersing.

[This is the limit, huh…?] Gasper muttered, feeling drowsy. [Looks like…introductions will have…to wait for another time…]

After saying so, Gasper collapsed on the floor, the extra eyes and the darkness enveloping him vanishing. Once several seconds had passed, he groaned and opened his eyes slowly.

"What…what happened…?" Gasper muttered in confusion as he stood up with some effort, his voice normal once again. "I'm sure…I was f-fighting just now…"

After looking around and realizing he was standing in the middle of a circle-shaped empty area with the artificial sky spreading above him, his eyes opened wide in shock.

"E-Ehhhhhhhh!?" Gasper shouted. "W-Why has the orrery been vaporized!? Where is that c-crazy lady I was fighting just now!?"

Gasper tried to recall what had occurred, but a splitting headache assaulted him. The last thing he remembered was Hypatia blasting him, and the next one was waking up with his opponent nowhere to be seen and the building around him having vanished into thin air.

"I-It's no use…" Gasper said. "I can't remember anything. I don't understand what took place h-here. Did someone h-help me…?"

While that seemed the most logical conclusion, Gasper couldn't understand why his hypothetical rescuer had left him lying here and left. If it was someone outside of the Gremory Peerage, he could only assume something had forced them to leave him behind.

"Whatever happened, it doesn't m-matter now…" Gasper said. "I need to f-find the others."

Spreading his Devil wings, Gasper took off, flying towards one of the shrine-like buildings closest to him.

---

The sound of glass breaking echoed as Pandora and Memnon smashed through a window, finding themselves inside a large library filled with bookshelves almost three times as tall as the two combatants. Pandora landed on one of the bookshelves, while Memnon smashed on a table and rolled for a bit on the floor before coming to a stop, standing up and dusting himself.

"Such a rough treatment." Memnon said as he focused on Pandora, who jumped off the bookshelf and came to land a few steps away from him. "And quite the murderous look you have there. What happened to the sweet little girl we raised with such love and care?"

"Love and care…you say?" Pandora growled. "Don't joke with me, you bastard! In what twisted world is what you did to me considered to be love and care!?"

"I uplifted you from your shallow and meaningless existence, giving you purpose and the chance to be part of something greater." Memnon said as he brandished his scythe. "We are going to build a paradise on Earth, one that is free of pain and suffering, where we will reign upon in the name of the Titans. That's why, you should cease throwing this meaningless temper tantrum and return to the place where you belong."

"You people took everything from me." Pandora said in a low tone. "My family, my home, my freedom. As if that wasn't enough, you tried to erase my will, turn me against the first friends I ever made and the person most important to me, and use me to bring forth untold destruction and ruin."

Pandora swung her fire-type Spirit Armament, releasing a heat blast that Memnon barely deflected by raising his scythe.

"No more." Pandora declared while glaring at her opponent. "I won't forgive anyone who tries to take anything away from me, and you're at the top of the list, Memnon. I'm done being your plaything for your worthless cause, and I won't let you ruin my life any more than you already have!"

"Is this supposed to be your rebellious phase?" Memnon sneered. "How irritating. A little girl like you should keep quiet and follow your betters' orders. If you're not willing to cooperate, then you leave me no choice. I will have to bring you back by force, and then make sure that you won't be able to defy us ever again!"

Memnon swung his scythe, releasing an aura that sliced everything in its way to pieces. However, upon reaching Pandora, it abruptly changed direction, going towards the side and shredding a bookshelf before dissipating.

"Hm?"

Memnon frowned as he struck the floor with the scythe's pommel, with several sharp tree branches emerging from it and heading towards Pandora. Once again though, the attacks missed their mark, going around and over their target.

Swinging her blade, Pandora released several flame tendrils that incinerated the branches around her. Spinning the spear in her left hand, she then unleashed a violent tempest that blew Memnon away, along with throwing the library into disarray.

As Pandora chased after Memnon, a multitude of oversized acorns, which had sprouted from branches that had grown from the ceiling, fell upon her. For the third time in a row, any acorn that was about to reach Pandora would somehow avoid her and fall next to her or behind her.

"What is going on here!?" Memnon shouted, swinging his scythe and releasing another wave that cut everything before him into pieces except from Pandora. "Why aren't my attacks connecting!?"

This feeling… Pandora thought as she crossed her weapons together, releasing a raging tornado of flames that went after Memnon. My curse, I can no longer feel it squirming within. Instead, there's something warm in its place…something meant to protect me. Did Takeshi do something else when he freed me from Phaedra's control?

"That much isn't enough to stop me!"

Memnon howled, splitting apart the incoming tornado with a swing of his scythe. Dashing ahead, he aimed a slash at Pandora, which failed to connect due to being pushed to the side through some unknown force. As Pandora slashed at him, Memnon's mouth opened wider than it should have been possible for a normal human, consuming her Spirit Armaments, with his own aura swelling in response.

"That's…!"

Taken by surprise, Pandora was almost too slow to evade Memnon's following slash, which opened a small gash on her abdomen. Dashing backwards to open the distance, Pandora reformed her fire-type armament and formed her earth-type armament, an ornate mace with eight spikes coming from it, in her left hand.

"Looks like your new defensive move isn't almighty." Memnon grinned, gathering large amounts of aura around his scythe. "If I fire a sufficiently powerful attack, I can break through it. Still, it's an annoying ability to be sure. Did the Evil Dragon User bestow it upon you?"

"And what if he did?" Pandora said. "That should be the least of your concerns right now!"

Slamming her mace on the floor, Pandora created an earthquake that made Memnon lose his balance as he was about to shoot his severing aura, causing it to fly way off course and strike a wall to the far left, cutting it to pieces. As numerous branches bundled together into massive wooden clubs and flew at Pandora, she crossed her weapons, summoning a rain of magma that burned through them and headed for Memnon.

"Not enough!"

Memnon snarled, consuming the incoming attacks. Plunging her weapons on the ground, Pandora released a wave of magma that engulfed the library's floor except from the area she was standing on, forcing Memnon to jump up and land on the branches that had grown from the ceiling.

Replacing her weapons with her wind and water-type Spirit Armaments, Pandora raised her spear high, summoning a cyclone accompanied by lightning bolts that tore the library apart and destroyed the ceiling above. As the screaming Memnon was flung to the air, Pandora aimed her longbow at him, releasing a barrage of ice arrows at him.

Letting out a snarl, Memnon released another slicing wave in haste that destroyed the incoming arrows and headed for Pandora, failing to hit her due to her ability. At the same time, a large number of enormous branches erupted from all around the magma-filled ruins of the library, forming a large cage all over it.

Memnon landed on top of one of the branches, his scythe ready to unleash another attack. Much to his surprise, Pandora was no longer below. Warned by his instincts, he brought up his weapon to deflect an incoming ice arrow, but soon found himself receiving a barrage of wind blades, lightning bolts and ice arrows from multiple directions.

"You insolent wench!"

Memnon shouted, his scythe almost a blur as he struggled to counter the incoming attacks. Several tree branches also extended from around him, batting away Pandora's projectiles, and he would occasionally consume an incoming attack with his deformed mouth.

Pandora, who had created several ice platforms high above and was jumping from one to the other at high speeds through her Knight trait and the boost she received from the wind, landed on top of the branch Memnon was standing as well. Plunging her longbow into it, she manipulated the water inside, with large amounts of it exploding like a geyser underneath Memnon and blasting him high into the sky.

Dismissing her water armament, Pandora summoned her fire-type armament again and flew at Memnon like a bullet, large amounts of flame surrounding her. He raised his aura-clad scythe to counter her, but sensed danger from below at that moment. A massive blade made out of magma surged upwards, burning through the branches in its way as it aimed for Memnon.

Memnon grimaced as he released his attack at the incoming magma wave, scattering it. Opening his mouth wide next, he caught Pandora's sword and consumed it along with the flames and wind surrounding her. Several thorns sprouted from his right hand and rushed at Pandora, only for Gin to emerge from a summoning magic circle and tear through them while also scratching Memnon's face with its demonic power-clad claws.

Letting out a screech, Memnon was too slow to react as Pandora's spear pierced his abdomen. Releasing large amounts of wind inside the Titan Worshipper's body, Pandora tore it apart, sending the mangled Memnon falling towards the ground.

"Damn…you!" Memnon, who was somehow still alive despite his state, screamed. "Damn you, damn you, damn you, Pandoraaaaaaaa! You may have killed me, but I won't let it end like this! Lord Cronus, make use of your meager servant's body and exact vengeance upon the fool that dared oppose you!"

Several seals appeared on Memnon's body after he shouted, with a large amount of black and golden aura enveloping it. The next moment, his body swelled and grew in the blink of an eye, creating a deformed black giant that was at ten meters tall. Its outstretched arms moved towards Pandora with the intent to crush her.

"How annoyingly persistent!" Pandora shouted, forming her earth-type Spirit Armament once again. "Just accept your defeat already and go to Hell, you demented cultist!"

A large number of iron stakes formed around Pandora, with the young Knight imbuing them with lightning and propelling them towards the giant with gusts of wind. Her projectiles tore through the giant's body, opening a large number of gaping wounds on him.

With a final mournful cry accompanied by a stake to the head, the giant fell on the remains on the library, turning into ashes that scattered in the wind shortly afterwards.

"It's finally over…" Pandora said as she landed on top of a broken pillar, feeling as if a large weight she didn't know she was carrying had left her shoulders. "At last…I'm truly free, and I have paid that bastard back for all the evil he's inflicted to others."

Gin, who had landed next to Pandora, rubbed his head against her leg as he purred.

"Yes, yes, you were amazing today as well, Gin." Pandora said with a gentle smile, rubbing the Cath Palug's fur. "Now, we should—"

An explosion that rocked the area followed by a storm of corrupted aura that engulfed the area cut off Pandora's words. Conjuring her earth-type armament in its shield form in haste, Pandora jumped off the pillar and took cover behind the remains of one of the library's walls.

"The epicenter of this storm is…!" Pandora shouted while holding on to Gin, who was hissing like crazy. "It's where Takeshi is! What in the nine Hells is happening over there!?"

Pandora said, the worry in her face evident as she gazed at the remains of the fortress's tallest tower.

---

A few minutes ago…

[This peon is supposed to be a Devil of the highest class boosted by Ophis' power? Laughable!]

[Come on, try a bit harder, mister~. I'm experiencing second-hand embarrassment here.]

[Analysis of demonic power composition and density, complete. Countering and dismantling, too easy even for someone like me.]

"Shut your non-existent mouth, you rotten Dragon!"

Shalba shouted in response to Aži Dahāka's taunts, having conjured multiple magic circles around him and shooting a volley of demonic power blasts at Takeshi. Wielding Daeva Scope and aided by the Evil Dragon's knowledge, Takeshi fired several thorn-shaped energy constructs that caused the incoming blasts to disperse upon impact.

"How about this then!?"

The gauntlet on Shalba's right hand shone, releasing a dense beam of light. Evading it with a short-range jump, Takeshi appeared above Shalba, firing a barrage of aura bullets at him. Several armored flies emerged from a magic circle next to Shalba, shielding him from the attacks as he fired even more blasts at Takeshi's direction.

"That's holy power?" Takeshi said as he conjured multiple defensive magic circles around him to block the incoming shots. "You terrorists have come up with some interesting toys, that's for sure!"

"Those interesting toys, along with my power, shall be your end!"

Shalba declared as he fired a holy energy wave towards one of his summoned flies. The creature absorbed and reflected it, shooting numerous beams from its wings that aimed for Takeshi. He pointed one of his pistols at his shadow in response, with it growing in size and volume in response.

Wrapping itself around him, the shadow consumed the incoming light beams before shaping itself into a large drill. Turning the flies in its way into mincemeat, it headed for Shalba, who summoned a dense light barrier to block it.

Casting a spell to turn himself into mist, Takeshi evaded Shalba's ensuing blasts, reforming behind him. A light blade emerged from one of his pistols as he attempted to bury it in his back. However, the blade was deflected, forcing Takeshi to jump back as several demonic power blades flew at him.

Why was my attack deflected? Perhaps an anti-magic ward like the ones used by Tezcatlipoca back when I, no, when Aži Dahāka snuck into Twelfth Heaven…

"You seem confused that your feeble attack wasn't effective." Shalba grinned as he turned around. "The answer is this."

Shalba pulled down his tunic a bit, revealing glistering carapace underneath his clothes comprised of interlocked pitch-black shells. A helmet of similar make with curved ram-shaped horns pointing downwards also encased his head, leaving only small openings for his eyes, nose and mouth.

"The flies comprising this armor are of unique make, bred to withstand even devastating attacks with ease." Shalba said as several mutant flies emerged from a magic circle next to him, joining together and forming an organic cleaver. "Not that it will find much use against filth like you. I've entertained you long enough, so I'll leave the cleanup to my servants."

Several magic circles appeared around Shalba, with a large number of humanoid flies that were at least a head taller than Shalba emerging from them and landing on the floor. A considerable amount of demonic power enveloped their bodies, and their compound eyes were focused on Takeshi.

[Ooooh, you've brought me some new toys to play with~! In that case, I'll respond in kind and bring out mine!]

[Behold, jester. These are servants worthy of a ruler.]

[Beginning golem construction. Initiating reanimation and enhancement formulas.]

Following Aži Dahāka's words, the domed ceiling and the upper part of the walls cracked and broke apart without warning. In a matter of seconds, the debris had joined together and formed large three-headed stone Dragons with two sets of wings growing from their backs.

At the same time, a greenish glow surrounded the remains of the Khaos Brigade troops in the chamber. Their bodies contorted and swelled, transforming into two-meter tall undead warriors clad in armor and holding blades that let out an eerie glow.

"Go!"

Following Takeshi's command, the undead knights mounted the Dragons, which took off and charged at the humanoid flies, with the two sides meeting in the middle of the wrecked chamber. A chaotic brawl began as demonic power blasts and breath attacks flew left and right, while the knights' blades clashed against the humanoid flies' stingers.

In the midst of this, Takeshi dashed ahead, heading for Shalba. Two humanoid flies aimed at him from behind, their stingers poised to pierce his back. Having noticed them through his enhanced sight, Takeshi fired a spell at them without turning around. Their bodies suddenly swelled and exploded as all body fluids within them evaporated.

As a rain of ice bullets fell from the sky to shred a humanoid fly charging at him and parts of the floor below morphed into claws that captured and squashed two more, Takeshi reached Shalba, his aura-clad kick clashing against his cleaver and generating a powerful shockwave.

"You're a persistent maggot, I'll give you that much!" Shalba said, exchanging blows with Takeshi while also using his demonic power-clad wings to counter his aura shots and spells. "However, I came here today while having prepared to kill that damn impostor Sirzechs! The likes of you can't hold a candle against the current me!"

"In that case, get ready for the humiliation of a lifetime once you lose to the likes of me!"

Takeshi grinned as he fired several powerful aura blasts from his pistols, forcing Shalba back. The Beelzebub descendant swung his cleaver in response, whose blade turned into a whip-like shape, with Takeshi deflecting it through a defensive magic circle.

Enveloping his body and sword in dense demonic power, Shalba raised his weapon and charged ahead, only for several mine spells to go off around him, causing him to stumble. At the same time, several seals appeared below him, with large quantities of plasma erupting from it and engulfing him.

As Shalba forced his way out of the plasma wave, he received several spatial slashes, with one of them severing two of his outstretched wings. He howled in agony, with several oversized flies emerging from magic circles around him and forming into cannons that aimed at Takeshi.

Before they could fire though, they all exploded at once due to Takeshi's spell blocking their muzzles, with the force of the blast sending Shalba flying backwards. As he fell on the floor, several energy chains wrapped around his limbs and a pressure wave struck him from above, forcing him on his knees.

"You act all high and mighty, but in the end, insects will always remain insects." Takeshi said with a cold tone. "That's why, get crushed like the insect you are, Shalba Beelzebub!"

A magic circle appeared beneath Takeshi's raised leg, with him plunging his foot into it. The next moment, an oversized magic circle appeared high above, with Takeshi's aura-clad foot, which had grown to a gigantic size, emerging from it and smashing Shalba alongside all remaining constructs underneath it.

The floor cracked and shattered from the force of the blow along with the remnants of the chamber, sending Takeshi hurling down and into the fortress's ground floor the moment his spell's effect ended. As soon as he landed, Takeshi fell on his knees, the headache assaulting him having become even more intense over the course of this battle.

I overdid it. Takeshi thought. An overflow of information from my third eye, all this knowledge forcefully implanted into my brain, Aži Dahāka's constant attempts to overwrite my personality…it's a bit too much for the first use…

[Aw, don't let me you're ready to tap out now that the fun's just beginning!]

[If you cannot withstand this much strain, your mind and body will snap like a twig in the unlikely event you access this Sacred Gear's Balance Breaker, whelp.]

[Devil physiology is a limitation. Delving into body and brain modifications, highly recommended for optimal performance.]

"…Thanks, but no thanks." Takeshi said as he stood up with visible effort. "As if I would let you mess with me even more than you already have, Aži Dahāka."

[Even more than I already have? We have only just begun here, foolish brat.]

[Look forward to some fun times ahead~.]

[This is my experiment, and you are the guinea pig.]

Before Takeshi could respond, he registered movement at the corner of his eye. Jumping back in haste, he avoided the incoming blade that would have sliced him in half otherwise.

"That was an unexpected attack, but not quite enough to finish me off, I'm afraid." Shalba said as he emerged from the debris, limping somewhat, but looking otherwise unharmed. "I have wasted enough time with you, so it's time to put you down for good, you rabid dog."

A large number of magic circles appeared around Shalba, with several blade-shaped, shuriken-shaped and cannon-shaped flies emerging from them. However, instead of attacking Shalba, they instead turned towards him and began attacking him out of the blue.

"What!?" Shalba cried out in shock as he tossed aside his blade, which had transformed into a scythe that aimed for the gaps in his armor. "What's going on here!? Why aren't my summons obeying me!?"

[What's mine is mine, and what's yours is also mine~.]

[A true king will make all lesser beings bow before him regardless of affiliation, third-rate Devil brat.]

[Hijacking command signals to summons, a simple matter. Only needed time to analyze, process and generate the required frequencies.]

"Impossible!" Shalba shouted as he fired waves of demonic power from his hands to destroy several blade-shaped flies heading towards him. "To wrest control of my summons in such a manner is—!"

[Impossible?] Aži Dahāka laughed. [A dim-witted hatchling who has only lived a fraction of the time I have wants to lecture me on what is possible or not? How ridiculous. Clear your ears and listen well, whelp. Magic in its core is the power to reshape reality into whatever one desires.]

[No limit beyond one's innate power and knowledge. When these criteria are met, twisting the world's laws into one's favor is a trivial matter.]

[More importantly, don't you have greater concerns right now? That fancy armor of yours is looking awfully lively, you know~?]

Looking down, Shalba noticed that the insects comprising his armor were indeed starting to move in an erratic manner. Alarmed, he let out a burst of demonic power from his body, expelling them and burning their undersides as they fell on the ground dead.

"Damn you!"

Shalba cursed as he aimed his gauntlet at Takeshi. However, the latter was faster, appearing before him with a burst of speed and severing his right arm below the elbow with a blade of light before kicking Shalba away.

The Devil King descendant howled in agony, forming a magic circle around his stump to staunch the blood flowing from it. Conjuring five magic circles around him, Takeshi formed a clawed energy arm enveloped by several curses, launching it at Shalba.

Despite putting up several defensive magic circles, the incoming attack tore through them and struck him in the gut, sending Shalba tumbling down. He once again screamed in pain as the curses imbued in the attack began eroding his body.

Takeshi moved forward to finish him off, but stumbled and fell on his knee as another headache assaulted him, making him see double for a few seconds.

"Curse…you…" Shalba muttered, his face contorted with hatred as he glared at Takeshi. "To a filthy Dragon…to lowly fake Devil scum like you…there's no way I'll lose to you of all people!"

Taking out a deformed stone finger with several Devil letters engraved on it from a storage magic circle that appeared next to him, Shalba plunged it into his chest. Immediately afterwards, a large storm of malevolent aura erupted from his body, engulfing the area and sending Takeshi skidding backwards.

"Yes…yes!" Shalba cackled as his severed arm and wings regrew, and his body started bulking up while the storm raged. "I can feel the ancient power, the legacy of our Devil Kings, coursing through my body! What a superb sensation! I feel like I could even challenge the mightiest of Gods and emerge victorious!"

A triumphant smile appeared on Shalba's face as his gaze focused on Takeshi. He took two steps towards him, only to double over and fall on his knees as he felt his body swelling uncontrollably. Looking at his hands, he let out a horrified shout at the sight of them starting to mutate, while extra appendages began growing from his body.

"What the Hell…?"

Takeshi muttered upon seeing Shalba's state, with traits of various insects appearing on his rapidly growing body. From what he could tell, the strange artifact the Devil King descendant had used had injected large amounts of foreign power into him and was turning him into some kind of chimera by modifying his body.

I don't know what's going on, but I'm not letting this chance go by.

Aiming his pistols at Shalba, Takeshi attempted to fire a sufficiently powerful spell that would destroy his opponent. However, his body froze all of a sudden, with a torrent of random information and disjointed memories flowing into his mind and interrupting his casting.

"What's…going on…!?"

Takeshi muttered as he struggled to move and center himself, with Aži Dahāka speaking.

[Attacking someone in the middle of their transformation is bad manners!]

[Let him bring out his best, so that I can thoroughly crush him and demonstrate how insignificant he is.]

[Source of artifact's power, unknown. Must observe its effects in full and trace the origin.]

[Yes, I must figure out a way to steal it for myself~.]

[When it comes to acquiring new knowledge and power, I shall let nothing stand in my way.]

[Unveiling all secrets and mastering every aspect of magic, that is the most important objective.]

"While I admire your dedication…you're being a real pain in my ass right now…" Takeshi said through gritted teeth, struggling to overcome Aži Dahāka's binding. "That's why…let me handle this my way…and get lost!"

With a herculean effort, Takeshi managed to push Aži Dahāka away long enough to dismiss Daeva Scope, letting out a relieved sigh. However, his joy was short-lived as he saw that Shalba had become even more massive in the meantime and that aura storm around him had grown even more intense.

"Oh, this isn't good…"

Takeshi remarked as Shalba let out a bestial howl that shook the whole fortress.

---

This concludes Chapter 53. First, in response to your reviews.

—To Appolyon: Thanks for pointing out my screw-up during the possessed Pandora-Takeshi fight. In hindsight, that scene was indeed stupid and illogical, and it shouldn't have been included there in the first place. As for Aži Dahāka's power level, shouldn't having access to only ten percent of his power be pretty debilitating even for a Heavenly Dragon-class being? At least that's the way I see it. Also, while the visor idea sounds pretty cool, I'd rather stick with the third eye design.

—To RyukiPendragon: I've tried Canva and a couple of other free sites for AI image generation for this fic, but the results haven't been very satisfying. I'm probably doing something wrong with the prompts, but I can't figure out how to guide them for more accurate image generations.

—To Guest: Takeshi can use several spells simultaneously if he needs to thanks to Aži Dahāka's parallel mind operation. As for making a Ryuki reference with Leon, I was more focused on the Double references and neglected that. As for Takeshi's harem, it consists of Koneko, Rias and Akeno for the time being, with Pandora soon to be included.

The Gremory group (plus Irina and Rossweisse) managed to turn the tables around in their individual fight thanks to Aži Dahāka's aid, and Takeshi managed to overwhelm Shalba. However, the fight isn't over just yet, with Shalba using his trump card.

Well, that's all for now. The next chapter will conclude the current arc. As always, please read, review, favorite, follow, but most of all, enjoy!

See you all next time!