A/N: No this is not a dream, you are not hallucinating, the next chapter, is in fact, here. I didn't intend to put this off for so long, but between real life and fiction, I can't really put off the former. The past two years had been rather… rough.
I'm very flattered this story had enough following some readers even realized the day I updated my profile of all things. If this story meant a lot to you, then thank you. I am very happy to know that there are a lot who really wanted to see this story finished.
Enough about me for now. The author is also grabbing his proverbial popcorn. Let's start without further delay.
Sit back, relax, and play Gele's Destructor theme on the upcoming onslaught.
(Prelude: War of the Demons and Gods) (Part 1)
Amidst the golden light, she sat on her throne. Her brilliant locks swayed under the way in which her wings embraced her figure. In these golden halls, she alone was present. Under the Divine Altar, she bowed in reverence.
"My Divine Lord."
She prayed.
"My Father, who rules over the Transcendental Space."
Her recanted words resounded like divine symphony. Her voice was heaven's will.
"Everything that exists in this world. Everything that possesses a living Soul. If it is destruction you so desire, then let this unworthy servant execute your will. If it is annihilation that you seek, then your daughter shall do her utmost to present you a stage most worthy."
She prayed, and she prayed again.
"I plead you. My Lord."
Like a broken record, she recanted.
"My Father. O'Great Ludo-Rathowm."
Her wings unfurled, yet her figure never moved. Even still, the Golden Light shone.
"I beg of you. I implore you. Grant this one mercy."
The Divine Altar laid still. Though the Golden Light filled its surroundings with its brilliance, it lacked the divinity that represented the great figure behind it.
The Goddess trembled. Her body, radiating with divine light, shuddered. A tinge of what could only be described as annoyance marred her features.
An area most holy, yet its air stagnant and unfeeling. Her frustrations and grief laid bare for no one to witness. Her perfect, flawless figure unable to hide the raw anger that radiated from the core of her divine essence.
"You."
Her radiant wings flared, divinity oozing from each plume. Pitch black pinions spread, revealing three sets of divinity manifest.
"You dare."
Motes of divinity gathered and within the grasps of a perfectly sculpted hand was a blade. The Sword of Blinding Light, which had been brought unto the mortal realm, screamed its brilliance. It rejected time and space, forcing the dimension itself to return to its original state.
A shattering sound reverberated across the sanctuary. Footsteps echoed from the vast emptiness of the void. Gently, without as much as a hint of haste. They resounded still, until everything abruptly stopped.
Tranquil blue orbs met an enraged pair.
(Part 2)
War.
It was an eerily familiar word. The Continent was no stranger to conflict and warfare. The history of the Continent had been painted with the blood of its inhabitants ever since the dawn of its creation.
Like puppets on a stage, dancing on the manipulative hands of the marionette. The Round Ones. Dragons. Humanity. Monsters. Youkais.
If this world was founded by war, perhaps then it would only make sense that its conclusion would also be the tenet of its foundation.
For one such as her, who had been born since the early foundations of JAPAN itself as one of the leaders who led her race's resistance against man's greed and insolence, war is a topic she held with extreme knowledge and prejudice.
Hence, it was no surprise to her that she was entrusted the position as the War Advisor who actively worked alongside the Supreme Commander in devising strategies and managing rear support in their upcoming war efforts. The Demon King was a wise individual who knew her subordinates well and used their skillsets to their furthest potential; before she was a Dark Lord, she was a ruler.
She was Omachi, the Wild Star. Second Youkai King and current Emperor of JAPAN.
Her hand, which held her favorite folding fan, held still as her eyes focused keenly on the information presented before her.
In front of her was a giant map of the Continent itself. Markers of various indicators of their armies and important logistical depots were made clear to the onlookers. The room was filled with murmurs from all directions, presented with the dilemma that even someone with her experience struggled to solve.
"…How vexing," she murmured to no one in particular, with no slight amount of annoyance.
Though she was familiar with the Art of War and large-scale military operations, she couldn't help but feel helpless in their situation. It was unfortunate that the current Supreme Commander Stroganoff was unavailable due to other pressing matters.
"Your highness. Perhaps it would be best to take a short rest," a gruff, heavy voice resounded not far from her.
She snapped her folding fan close, giving up a small sigh as she turned her body and carefully picked up the nearby refreshment that was offered to her by her loyal subordinate.
"Indeed. Let us take a short rest."
Within the vicinity of this room were the brightest minds of their army. Individuals who had participated in a great number of conflicts combined with their decades nearing centuries worth of experience. Scholars and strategists of great renown, expanding from both the Monster Realm to JAPAN.
However, none of them could find the answer to the impending dilemma that proved to be too burdensome to solve.
Afterall, even the most brilliant of strategies could only go so far when they have no idea where and when the enemy would attack.
The Nine Tailed Fox brought the cup of tea near her lips and was about to take a sip, would it not be for the sudden irksome, familiar, voice that came from a seat not far from her.
"How disappointing, Fox."
Omachi felt her ears twitch as a frown mired her features. The Youkai knew all too well the owner of that irritating, condescending voice.
Her cup left forgotten, she glared at the perpetrator who never failed to strike a chord within her nerves. There was only one in their ranks who would dare address her in such an informal, insulting manner.
The Queen of Dragons sat on her seat, her expression dictated the utter disinterest she had with the ordeal they had in front of them.
"…Excuse me?"
"For someone who prided themselves over their intellect and knowledge, you are quite slow on the uptake, are you not?"
In front of such an insult, the King of Youkais narrowed her eyes. For a moment, she felt the unbearable urge to shut the individual before her had it not been for the fact that she was technically her direct superior in command.
Omachi couldn't help but click her tongue unbefitting of someone so high up her position when she realized the audacity of the person who dared to take over his position to treat such a grave discussion lightly.
For naught but a moment, she wondered why her Majesty and Shirou deemed it fitting to transfer the second highest authority of their army to this harlot who never seemed to deign any meaningful attention to their strategy meetings.
"Y-Your highness. P-Please calm down. Your Magic is leaking all over the place!"
The Youkai King turned Dark Lord paused at her subordinate's plea, realizing that she couldn't afford to be pulled into whatever game the Dragon was trying to play. Reigning in the Magical energy she let out during her burst of anger; the Youkai sighed in defeat. She thought by now she would have already gotten used to the older Dark Lord's whims and antics.
After all, it was no secret that they both loathed each other. If not for the fact that they were working towards a common goal, she doubted they could even stand to be in the same room as each other without harming the other party.
"…Perhaps as someone who held the appropriate position, the Supreme Dark Lord herself has a fitting suggestion on how our army should address the issue?" The Youkai quipped, her gaze never leaving the Dragon who still had the same, impassive face.
"Oh? I did not realize that the position I held now meant so dearly to you, Fox. Perhaps I should thank Shirou for not letting a young, immature brat like you take the position when you clearly lack the capacity to do so."
The Nine Tailed Fox felt a vein pop.
"I apologize. I didn't realize you took such heavy pride in your old age, Queen of Dragons. Is that why you went senile and seemed to forget that dear Shirou is a man of faithfulness and is unavailable to accompany that den of debauchery you call a nest?"
When she saw the relaxed visage of the female Dragon turn into a heavy frown, the Youkai knew she had struck a nerve.
"…Dear?" The Queen of Dragons murmured, narrowing her slit orbs as she glared right into her own.
Of course, just as the Dragon knew how to push her buttons, she as well knew how to do the same.
"…Foolishness. Know this, Fox. The Ruler of the Skies knows how and when to stake her claim. You, on the other hand, are stuck in the mires of your immaturity and indecisiveness. Sitting around in passivity, unable to see beyond what's in front of you. This is why your shortsightedness deemed you unfit to become anything but a War Advisor."
The Nine Tailed Fox was about to retort against her insult with her own. However, just as she was about to do so, she frowned at the Draconic Dark Lord's implication.
Her eyes turned wide as she quickly turned her focus back towards the giant map.
…?
…!
"Could it be…?!"
The Demon King and the former Supreme Dark Lord shared most of their plans with the bulk of their army and the chains of command. The layout of their army and placement of each battalion of soldiers has been considered thoroughly for decades. A shame as it may, however, they did not share everything. The urgency in which they acted meant that there was a limited number of personnel who were trustworthy enough to hold such critical information. One such figure was the Supreme Commander Stroganoff, who was presently absent.
The other being the harlot turned Supreme Dark Lord, which unfortunately held the most important position after the Demon King herself.
When she scanned the map one more time, the Youkai King realized one piece of critical information that she had mistakenly overlooked.
Defensive warfare was most effective when they had an advantage over the terrain of battle. The bulk of their army was spread out over an open terrain, with not a single notable castle nor fort.
Which meant…
"…! I see!"
No matter how strong their army was, the enemy still held the clear advantage in hiding their presence behind the fog of war. No matter what they did, no matter how strong their army became, nothing could ever change the fact that the enemy had yet to reveal themselves in the open.
However, there was a clear and simple solution to remedy this problem.
And that is to simply act in a way that the enemy had no choice but to respond.
A trigger.
It was especially clear when she recalled the final assignment that was given to her and her Guardians.
"I see…" she murmured to herself, a tinge of relief and understanding in her breath. Once more did she realized the weight of the mission and responsibility that was entrusted upon her race. A mission carried by the Guardians who shared the same mission as her, even as they speak.
When the Youkai turned her attention back to the Dragon, she was met with a victorious mirth.
"Make no mistake, Fox. There will be no war of attrition. This is a full-frontal assault," the Dragon finished with no small amount of seriousness in her tone.
"And we will be the one to strike them under. Not those damned puppets."
Heavy murmurs resounded in the halls, heated debates and whispers came from all sides. Her senses could tell the way in which strategists and scholars nodded, their hands and eyes moving with great urgency.
Omachi pursed her lips as she closed her eyes in acceptance. In a way, she felt silly. There wasn't any chance that the Demon King overlooked this point when they were so close in completing their sortie.
Because the Youkai turned Dark Lord knew from firsthand experience just how brilliant and terrifying the Demon King she served was.
It was as if the girl had the uncanny capability to see one step ahead of everybody else.
"…That is all and well, but surely someone of your grandeur and newfound, undeserved status have better things to do than interrupt MY strategic assembly. Aren't you supposed to be in the frontlines?"
The bitch laughed. She felt something in her snap.
"You think I'd miss the chance to see you make a fool of yourself? I came to see what two centuries worth of experience would make of you when I heard you were given your right as the emperor of boonies. You hardly even qualify as the worst of my strategists." The Dragon smirked.
"Though I suppose it never dawned on you due to your origin from that isolationist piece of land you call a nation. Maybe you'd do well to herd those pathetic humans seeing as you rule a land infested with them. I've heard you've been gaining a fervid following as of late. Perhaps you should consider retiring your position and focus on your side job instead?"
Oh, that was it. She asked for it.
.
.
.
From the chambers of the strategy assembly, the Monster Shoguns and Youkai Generals whispered with great secrecy.
"…Psssst, Hey! Isn't Lord Shirou younger than them both? Why are they talking about their age like that?"
"It's kind of scary to see women twenty times our age to be fighting like this. They're older than fifteen generations worth of my ancestors! I'm already shaking in terror just thinking about it!"
"Huh?! You imbecile! The Tsundere Dragon Fanclub won't just let that comment slide! Doesn't matter how old they are, older Tsundere Dragons are the best!"
"You're the fool here! The Tsundere Dragon Fanclub is no match for the Fluffy Tail! One day she will rise beyond JAPAN and take over the nation by storm!"
"I dunno. Watching them duking it out like this is hot. But when will this assembly end? My wife is waiting for me."
"Hush, quiet all of you! If you don't want to leave this strategic assembly in an open casket, I suggest you people shut your damn mouths! Remember, we see nothing, and we hear nothing! Got it?!"
(Part 3)
An ominous silence plagued the room in which the divine resided. The Goddess of Light, her features mocking and full of disdain, was the first to speak.
"When the Genesis of Creation was brought the third time unto this world, the Balance of the Universe itself was shaken. Humans. Mankind, ever so fragile and yet so persistent in the face of existence itself. Like lambs, they wandered, bewildered and lost."
The blitheness in her tone betrayed the majesty in which she uttered her words.
"I was granted the task as their confidant. Guiding them with my light, I have led them since the dawn of their creation. I was their shepherd. Pitiful, broken lambs, unable to find their footing in their wretched attempt to find meaning in their Souls."
The Goddess narrowed her eyes in contempt.
"The Fruit of Knowledge. Secreted away in a paradise of His own creation. So addicting and yet all the more forbidden. You, who had once aligned yourself as a misguided lamb. Seeker of Truth."
She glared at the offending figure.
"Fifth Demon King. To what end do you invade this holy sanctuary?"
The target of her ire met her glare with her own.
"You talk too much."
Spears of darkness, each the size of a giant pillar, erupted from the marble floors. Shadows of corruption surged and threatened to envelop the figure of light.
"Futile."
Her blade gleamed, and light enveloped her body. Like a shadow exposed to sunlight, darkness faded into nothingness before it could touch the Goddess. And yet, the assault did not stop.
Five spheres of the elemental arcane, each boasting the ultimate destructive force coalesced and formed. Fire, Ice, Lightning, Darkness, and Light orbs danced, and combined into a single maelstrom of magical onslaught.
"…Insolence."
The almighty spell hit its intended target, destroying everything in its path. However, even an attack that would have uprooted an entire castle did not cause one of the Goddess who hold the third highest position amongst her rank to budge.
Her shield, crafted from the very essence of her divinity, hovered over the golden Goddess. A barrier, infallible and impenetrable.
The elemental orbs, which had been unleashed, continued to pour spells from all directions, every single one focused on the being which stood at the center of its space.
"Disappear."
The Goddess concentrated on her own, bottomless pool of Magic. Feathers of light began to fall, each filled to the brim with power. When its tip touched the very ground, multiple pulses of light emanated and destroyed all offending forms of sorcery which had lingered in the vicinity.
The Golden Goddess glared at her assailant. The girl did not visibly react to the fact that her previous arcane spell had been rendered moot. She merely raised an eyebrow.
"What? Not going to attack?"
The Goddess unfurled her wings threateningly, yet her sword, which had been not moved since the beginning, remained still.
"Cease this foolishness, Fifth Demon King. You are no match for me."
As if to prove a point, the Goddess unleashed a fraction of her divinity. The ground rumbled under duress, suffocating any which dared to make themselves known to the divine entity before it. However, the girl did not buckle under the pressure which would have killed any other lesser mortals.
"Is that so?"
As if more amused than intimidated, the girl erected a small pillar in which she seated herself with.
"I'd like to think that I'm doing quite well against someone who fancied themselves as a Goddess with massive daddy-issues."
The Goddess, to her credit, did not fall for the girl's provocations.
"Then you are a fool who knows not the difference of our strength. Demon King, there is none in the mortal realm that can harm this sacred body. Do not make me repeat myself. Return from whence you came. Your role in this world has yet to end."
"Oh? Humor me, then. Tell me, what exactly is my role, Goddess?"
For the first time, an amused mirth surfaced on the Goddess' impassive features. The Goddess of Light responded.
"To fulfill mankind's wish for salvation."
The girl's eyes narrowed. Still, she did not opt to form a response, causing the Goddess to continue.
"You who hold the Blood Memories deep within your veins. It beckons you, calling for you to act. Do you not hear it from the depths of your Soul? You, who hold the fate of the Destructor."
The Goddess closed her eyes, the soft melodies of her voice enchanting and bewitching.
"You are the crystallization of humanity's wish for Salvation. Destruction, given blood and flesh. You are the means in which mankind's trials shall be executed. A trial, to determine the worthy. For only those with the means to endure will be given the right to enter the Gates of Heaven."
"And yet those very same humans who worship you cower. They cry to you, begging for the sweetest of mercies. They offered you prayers, wishing for a world free from my dominance. And now here I am, standing right in front of the Altar in which they glorify you."
Sharp words left the girl's tongue, challenging the Goddess' own blithe utterance.
"If you truly care for those who offered you their faith, then why is it that you had yet to strike me down with that very blade of yours, Goddess? This corrupted self of mine, which had brought down a countless number of your believers."
The Golden Goddess smiled. A saintly smile, one that could never hope to be captured within the artistic means of the mortal hands.
"Mankind's trials are not to be intervened. To follow the ways of ALICE is to journey to find one self's acceptance. A journey must be filled with the struggles and hardships of man. A conclusion delivered under the name of ALICE is an end most worthy. Only those who found their way to the end of their journey are fit to end in my wings' embrace."
Honeyed words, each sweet and tempting, yet hiding the bitter truth that cleverly hid underneath.
As she uttered her lines, she offered a hand to the girl which had assailed her.
"That is why. You, who hold the Blood. You shall be their deliverance. You will be the instrument to His magnificence."
Lines that did not fit the perfection of her lips left the Goddess' tongue.
"Fifth Demon King. You, who had been granted the epithet of the Destructor. By your hands, the Continent shall be bathed in blood. For you are the one who will bring forth a grueling conclusion to Man. You will bring about the end of this world."
(Part 4)
Three individuals strode the streets of a city. It was a peaceful day, just like any other. However, stares of bewilderment and hushed whispers could be faintly heard throughout the entourage.
Bodies made to avoid the leader of the group, who had been grinding his teeth in annoyance. When the man glared at the offending busy bodies, they scampered off about, leaving the group to their devices.
The man with purple hair glared at the cause of his past 4 hours of headache.
"For mother fuckin' sake, stop crying already! People keep looking at us because they see a grown fuckin' man weeping like a damn kid! Immortal be damned, I'd tear those tear sockets out of your skull if I must!"
In contrast of the man who looked like he was about to do a crime in mid daylight, a girl who looked no older than a girl who just entered adolescence answered in an apologetic manner.
"…Sorry about that, Sir Lei. Forgive him. He can't help himself."
The girl gently patted her companion's back, looking troubled in the meanwhile.
"But… Please understand. British has gone through a lot. Please, let him have this. Please."
She sent him an apologetic eye, in which the thuggish man clicked his tongue in annoyance but yielded in exasperation.
"Tch, fine."
Café Artful, having not let go of her hand from her companion's back, bowed her head in gratitude. The Dark Lord avoided her thanks by throwing his face in the opposite direction.
"That damned perverted Sage. If it wasn't for that fucking old man, I wouldn't be here babysitting a full-grown man and a brat for a whole year. Why did I even sign up for this shit…?"
Lei grumbled, irritation visible on his face. In response, the girl could only show an apologetic look.
"Ah, I apologize for him too. Both were always troublesome fellows, even when we partied together in the past. Nikkou had her hands full just dealing with their childish antics," the girl added, a small hint of nostalgia in her tone.
"Yeah, yeah. Legendary Five, alternate timelines, parallel universes and whatnot. Fuckin' whatever. Tell your friend to hurry his ass up. We don't have all day."
The Dark Lord dismissively added, gesturing to her with his other hand not stuck in his pocket.
"I know you damn human immortals aren't right in the head, but I've seen my share of crazies, and this one takes the cake. He's just…"
A broken man. Those words almost left his tongue, before he realized better and stopped himself just short.
Lei felt the urge to kick himself, knowing just how soft he had become.
"…Damn it. He better pay me back after all this."
He blamed Shirou for everything.
Café Artful sweetly smiled. Perhaps she knew what he was about to say, and her face told of her appreciation of his gesture.
"This was British's hometown. After we became Adventurers and formed our party, he left his birthplace. But he never could come back. Because this place was never meant to be. It was razed to the ground by the Demon King."
He was about to interject, but the girl quickly added, "O-Oh. I meant our Demon King, not yours."
Lei rolled his eyes, knowing the pattern of the conversation would just be another information dump that he had no care nor interest in.
The Dark Lord would rather listen to that blonde idiot ramble for hours to end than deal with this nonsense.
"The Demon King prohibits the Dark Lords and every individual Monster from attacking any human settlement unless ordered. That has been the case for the past six decades. Well, not that you'd know, but now you obviously do."
Monsters have no need to assault human settlements. Not anymore, at least as far as his knowledge stretched.
To his response, Café Artful smiled wistfully.
"Had it been any other time and place, you would have been called a madman for saying that. But you truly believe every single word you said," the girl mumbled in a small voice, something his sensitive hearing picked up.
Although she was showing a smile, her eyes told of the horrors she had seen. He ignored her, stuffing his hands back to his pockets as he continued his march. However, from the corner of his eyes, he noticed the man who had been showing a pathetic display all the while shuffle, muttering in his lonesome.
"I-Is this real? S-Someone. Anyone. P-Please tell me this is not a dream."
With tears unbecoming of a man his age, the hunched man reached out to grasp the scenery in front of him. Lei followed the man's gaze, and it led him to a nearby fountain.
It wasn't anything special. It was a place of no renown, and it was a human settlement with nothing unique to its name. Therefore, the sight of children cheerfully running, chasing each other with bright smiles on their faces was an especially common sight, even to one such as him who was no longer human.
"It's real," he uttered, his gaze finally meeting the man for the first time in a while.
"This is the reality that we face. The present. Not the past, not the future, but now. The sight before you is as real as it can be," he finished with finality in his tone, meeting the man's trembling gaze.
"…A Miracle," Lei heard the girl's muttered voice, but he chose to ignore it in his stead.
"I don't care when and how you guys came to this world. Heck, I wouldn't even be here had it not been for him trying to play hero all by himself again. Fucking idiot of a friend I who will get himself killed ten times over with that stupid personality of his. I don't have the time to deal with your nonsense. Save that shit for that old coot who can't keep his dirty hands away from guys' asses."
Lei scoffed at the thought, but relented because he admitted he was also an idiot who had been dragged along with this whole farce.
"A hero…"
The red-haired human muttered. A precious word, as if dear and yet unforgotten. His tear buds yet to dry despite all the times had wet his unshaven mug.
"You got that right. A real fuckin' hero. Not the ones hanging six feet under the Demon King's bloodied carpet, but a genuine one."
Lei gestured for the two, jerking his head towards the sky. The two immortal humans' gaze turned to match the direction in which the Dark Lord pointed. The Lightning Brawler crossed his arms in anticipation.
"Get ready for a show, shitheads. Things are about to get fuckin' real."
(Part 5)
"I wondered how long it would take to accomplish the deed, but you unexpectedly spat out everything I needed to hear. I expected idiocy when it comes to your ilk, but you're a cut above the rest."
"…?"
The Demon King laughed. The Goddess narrowed her eyes in contempt.
"You are an insolent pawn. Know this, Destructor. I can replace your ill-fated kind at any given moment. You are replaceable, just like your predecessors."
"Cut the bullshit."
Her smile never leaving her face, the girl continued.
"You're not nearly powerful enough to do such a thing. You lack authority. Isn't that right?"
Pale blue orbs twisted into crimson, opposing the being before it.
"1st Class Goddess, ALICE. Moderator of Humanity. The Goddess of Light, who blinds those who seek the truth. That is who you truly are. That is the title given to you by that hideous whale you had the misfortune to call a father."
"You! You dare insult him?!"
Crimson malevolence twisted into barbed words and theatrics.
"Oh, I do. Oh, whatever shall I do? Here I am by my lonesome, threatened so viciously by the all-powerful Goddess of Humanity. Why, if only my dashing hero would come and save me from this spoiled daddy's girl throwing a huge tantrum in her father's absence."
A flashing light, followed by a wave of energy that vaporized everything within its wake. The Holy Sanctuary was reduced to no more than a pile of rubble and dust.
"Imbecile! You, mere pawn of fate, still dare to jester in front of me, the Goddess of Light?!"
A girl's laughter echoed from the site of utter destruction.
"That's right. I am laughing at you."
Her pale blue hair shined brilliantly even as the invading winds perpetuated by the Goddess' might bellowed against her.
"A dunce who didn't even realize she's being broadcasted across the Continent. You'd have to be a special kind of idiot not to notice something was up."
Goddess Alice balked. Her whole body, from her wings down to her very essence, found a new emotion that she had not felt for a very, very long time.
"Take a guess, what would your so-called believers think when they see this firsthand? Congratulations! You're the newest star of our latest Magic Vision program: Almighty Goddess of Dimwits."
The Goddess of Light roared in fury.
(Break)
Streaks of gold clashed violently with crimson. Golden radiance fought for dominance against impending darkness. Spells of the arcane that would have required hundreds of Mages to execute, flung with the precision of a deadly bullet. Hurricanes of winds and tornadoes resulted from the fight for Magic supremacy surrounded the two.
"Insignificant pawn. Your powers, though derived from the nigh bottomless pool of Blood Memories, are not omnipotent. Your Darkness cannot overcome my Light."
Arms spread and power unleashed, hundreds of spheres twisted into the misshaped form of a spear. They launched themselves like a comet, assaulting the girl from every single direction.
"No matter. The affair of the Sons of Man are of no consequence. Heresy can be extinguished. Memories can be purged. You have achieved nothing."
Each spear clashed against the Magical Barrier of the Demon King's own make. Each hit hastened the cracks that threatened to dispel the defensive spell that no one on the Continent could ever hope to pierce through.
"Your precious Invincibility Field has no such protection against my wrath. You are helpless against Divine Intervention. You are helpless before my might."
A spear of light pierced through, and crimson liquid drew from the girl's left cheek, before it recovered just as fast as it appeared.
"I will break your will such that no such opposition will ever come from your kind a second time. Seeker of Truth. I, Goddess ALICE, will make you accept your fate."
The Demon King sighed.
"You really do talk too much."
Pale blue hair swayed as the girl swiped her arm. Magical Power congregated, hidden away from plain sight. Space itself cracked, ripping the fabrics of reality in tears.
When the spears of light that continued to launch themselves were met with countless arrays of cold steel, the Goddess felt her pupils widen.
"…?! Impossible!"
Though each spear was inconsequential and miniscule, every single one of them was imbued with her own essence. No trifling Magic could overpower her own, which governs Light itself.
"Accepting fate, huh. You sure talk a whole load of nonsense for a solitary Goddess who doesn't even know her own."
Multiple holes formed, tearing through the dimensional space. Within each of them, steel continued to launch itself in an endless loop. With each iteration, every single blade gained velocity. With each cycle, each steel became more and more dangerous. They became broken.
And when the arrays of blades destroyed every single spear of light that countered against it, they hit its off-guard target with deadly precision and exploded.
The Goddess screamed in pain for the first time.
"What manner of sorcery is this?!"
A small giggle, one full of mockery and sneer was directed at the Goddess, still reeling from shock and pain.
"You idiot. This isn't sorcery. It's Magecraft. Well, my own rendition of it at least."
Each blade flew. Each sword traveled through the air at the speed that went above and beyond the speed of sound. They reached Light itself.
"ETERNAL AEGIS!"
Her shield, once unused and deemed unnecessary, enveloped the Golden Goddess. A barrier that could not be penetrated, even by those who wielded similar levels of authority as her.
"Nice shield. You're still wide open, though."
From the impenetrable defense of the Goddess' protection, space ripped from within, leaving the Goddess unable to escape from the onslaught of steel.
"…?!"
The barrier exploded from the inside. Her wings, once majestic and peerless in their beauty, shed their feathers in an ugly, bloodied manner.
Goddess ALICE gritted her teeth in anger and rage, her pride slighted beyond the point of no return.
"How?!"
The Goddess didn't move, stunned by the event before her. She refused to admit it. The divine being rejected the reality that was presented before it.
"Fate. Preordination. Divine Intervention. You prey on the mortal will like the plague. Like a child obsessed, you threw a tantrum over destiny. But… fine. You are correct about one thing."
The Demon King, in all her being, declared.
"I will destroy this world. Along with you and your rotten ilk."
Three pairs of broken wings trembled. The Goddess, whose visage had darkened from extreme anger, finally brandished her sword for the first time.
"You…you think I was going all-out on you, insolent wretch?!"
Power radiated from her ravaged wings. Motes of light enveloped her wounds, healing them in a rapid manner.
"You, a mere Demon King?! A pawn, who grovels before His might! You are a lone puppet, who struggles to accept her own wretched existence!"
Her wounds healed within seconds; the Goddess released the full might of her power.
"Destructor. Yours is but a mere borrowed boon. Your struggle before His will is futile. You are alone in this world!"
The atmosphere turned still. Concentrated divinity threatened the girl, waiting to be unleashed to rid the world of her existence. Yet, in front of such extreme might, the girl who was turned Demon King never once faltered.
"Fufu. You're wrong."
The girl took a step forward.
"Throughout the ages, he has never left my side. My right-hand. My idiot assistant. My hero. There was not a single time when I felt that I was truly alone. Not with him by my side."
Goddess ALICE was met with a smile that unnerved even her. The sureness of the girl's voice inspired her confusion even more.
"Right? Shirou."
A crimson barbed spear soared and twisted, drilling right through the Goddess' left chest.
(Part 6)
"Good grief, that girl sure knows how to rile her up. I can feel the tremor all the way from over there."
From the plains of the Monster Realm, a dark-haired girl with long ears stood attentively. Her gaze never leaving the giant monitor, floating right above the army in which she took charge.
Not just one, but thousands. From the Monster Realm, spreading from the Demon King's castle, the Demon Capital, all the way to the easternmost part of the Continent.
Multiple, hovering monitors, showcasing a battle beyond the likes of mortals could ever hope to emulate. A showdown between the Demon King and the Goddess of Light.
"Hey, is this really a good idea?"
Her gaze falling lower towards a shorter girl with crimson hair, carrying a great sword that went way above her body size. A figurehead of Monsterkind, accompanied by her sisters in arms.
A small girl who was leisurely drinking a cup of tea as she watched the epic battle unfold with her sisters in tow. The girls who were looking at the unfolding combat with great excitement. Hunty felt her sweat drop at the sight.
"It's fine. We have given them every single one of our Blessings. Right now, at this very moment, there is not a single Soul capable of besting them be it in spirit nor combat."
"No, I mean I get it and all, but that's not what I'm trying to say…"
The Dragon Kalar gave the Monster Goddess a knowing look.
"Bezeleye. Did you really have to persuade Stroganoff to get every single battalion? The whole damn thing must be a nightmare to organize for the poor thing."
"It is necessary. Very much so."
The sureness of her tone surprised even someone as long lived as her.
"And you need not worry. I specifically requested that every single one of those children watch from the post they were assigned to such that it would not interrupt the duties they were delegated with. This matter is of grave importance to us, and for our species," the Monster Goddess of Strength explained.
"…Is that so?" The Kalar gave the smaller girl a thoughtful look, before shrugging.
"I've never truly understood how you Monster Goddesses think. One day you're just silly little girls, hiding away from the rest of the world, and the next thing you know you just appear on the Demon King's chambers unannounced and uninvited."
Hunty directed her eyes at the crimson haired Lesser Goddess, her tone laced with curiosity.
"Especially you, Bezeleye, when you were the last of your sisters to join Gele and Shirou's cause."
Although the cheers and excitement of the soldiers filled the air, there was a deafening silence that only the Dragon Kalar and Monster Goddess could hear.
"…You are correct. You have every right to question me. For the High Ancestor of Kalars, my decision to join them so late in their quest, compared to my sisters, must seem like a cruel joke to you, who have witnessed countless atrocities in the long history of the Continent."
The Monster Goddess closed her eyes in contemplation.
"Perhaps if I had joined them a century or two earlier, the tragedy of the Northern Forest could have been prevented. Although they called me the Goddess of Strength, I found no pride in my title. I was a cowardly Goddess, who ran away from my duties."
"…"
"I was dubbed as the wisest. I craved knowledge for they are a source of Strength. But too much knowledge is not necessarily a wonderful thing. Though I am Strength given flesh, I was lacking in divinity. I was tortured with the understanding that no matter what we do, the might of a mere 8th Class God is nowhere near enough to overturn our accursed fates. My despair led me to question the meaning of my existence. I had chosen apathy over duty."
Hunty could see the smaller girl's grip on her sword tightening.
"…But no longer."
There was clear resolve in her voice.
"What will save this world is not apathy, nor the fear of death or impending destruction. It is not the calm acceptance of our destiny, nor is it the indulgence of our deepest impulses. It is kindness to our fellow people, initiating the bonds that bind us together. We nurture those bonds and cherish them, to make sure that they eclipse the curse of despair that continued to plague our hearts and so that one day, that very same kindness will grow into hope."
The Holy Gal Monster crossed her arms, her attention never diverted away from the epic clash unfolding before her very eyes.
"That is why. We must show them. For those two are our symbol of hope, for Monsterkind and those who share our beliefs. It is our responsibility as their mothers and Goddess, to show them the right way so that no such tragedy from two hundred years ago may repeat itself."
The Last Dragon Kalar chuckled as her initial giggles evolved into laughter. She nodded in understanding, as if satisfied.
"Haha! And what better way to do that than showing them the impossible feat of reaping the head of a corrupt Goddess, huh?"
As if resonating with her words, she could hear the soldiers' excited cheers and chants.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to judge. I know that you Goddesses have your own circumstances."
"…Indeed," the Monster Goddess nodded and smiled.
The cheers intensified several times louder, incomparable to that from several seconds ago. The familiar figure of a man, who had just appeared on the giant monitor, ignited a blaze within the crowd that it previously did not.
"But still. Shirou, that sinful man. He's going to drive those children insane. Such displays of masculinity should only be reserved in the bedroom. Why, even one as experienced such as I have trouble in keeping down the urge."
"…?"
Hunty gave the Monster Goddess a bewildered look, not understanding the implication she had made.
"LORD EMIYAAAAA! HAVE MY BABIES!"
"NO! HAVE MINE INSTEAD!"
"KYAAAAA! HE'S SO DREAMY!"
Cheery, feminine voices, differentiating themselves from the gruff voices of the men soldiers, made themselves known. Gal Monsters, of various kinds and types, squealed in glee as they witnessed the man of their ideals combat one of their greatest foes.
"…The fuck?" Hunty muttered in disbelief, not believing what she had just heard.
"Oh, don't mind those girls. It's just instinct kicking in."
"Instinct?"
Hunty tilted her head, confused and bewildered at the statement. She pondered for a moment, before her face exploded into a crimson blush.
"By the way, have you heard of the 'Share the Shirou' movement that has been popular amongst your kind? My daughters have been pestering me about the whole ordeal. It's a shame, I would have loved to partake in it had we have a bit more time."
Hunty didn't know whether to laugh at her friends' expense or be horrified at the implication that the lesser Goddess had made.
Gele would have their heads for this.
"Wait, MY kind?"
She quickly scanned the excited crowd. When the dark-haired girl saw that the collection of cheery mobs was not only that of animal appendages or uncanny outfits, but also the familiar blue hair and long ears, Hunty felt her spirit die inside.
"…I really shouldn't have left them on their own devices for five hundred years."
Hunty, for once in her ancient life, regretted her vagabond tendencies.
(Part 7)
"Y-You… what…?!"
Excruciating pain erupted from the Goddess' chest. An extremely powerful curse, one which she could not identify its origins, delivered right through the source of her divine essence. Goddess ALICE moved, tried to lift her sword arm. That was all that she could do, as her assailants never gave her the chance to react.
The unidentified individual pulled his entire body along with that accursed spear, kicking her form towards the menace that had been plaguing her existence for the past event.
"Grit your teeth," the Goddess heard the girl say, in her moment of stun.
It was a palm. No, it was a curse, concentrated in all the girl's essence, delivered right through her core, where that spear had pierced her. A surefire blow, delivered by the Demon King herself.
"M-Martial Arts?! G-ack!"
The blow sent the Goddess flying to a broken pillar. Her consciousness, only upheld by her absurdly strong constitution, was quickly fading away. Waves of pain, incomparable to the ones inflicted on her upon the start of combat, pulsed violently within her.
Sharp steel surrounded by scorching flames assaulted her downed body. Charred flames, barely whittled down by scarred divinity, dispersed alongside steel.
ALICE wheezed in pain. Even as motes of light continued to gather around the blistering wound on her chest, the pain did not stop. No, it made the searing pain even worse.
"To a simple curse like this…!"
She tried to recall her sword. Her true power, more than capable to turn things around, disabled by the mere fact that she was unable to gather enough of her divinity.
The Goddess' body dropped as her body tumbled down a piece of broken stairs.
"Simple? You've been stabbed right through your heart by the Barbed Spear that pierces with Death and hit with a strike infused with my blood's very essence. The ultimate curse of this world, amplified by an alien curse of another. The only reason you're talking at all is because your stupidly resilient vessel."
Blood not her own ravaged the Goddess' insides. Dark energy, completely incompatible with her own, brought about chaos within her. Even now, that accursed girl's shadow tried to consume her.
In a last ditch move, she tried to teleport herself away, before realizing that something was preventing her escape.
"You're not running away."
"Y-You!"
She clutched her chest to no avail. In all her existence, in the thousands of years of her dawn, the Goddess raged in pain and distraught for the first time. Her divinity, the power that brought upon her true essence as the Goddess of Light, was being intervened by something that was fundamentally of a higher power than hers.
"Hurts, doesn't it? How does it feel to have the Demon King's blood mixed with your own?"
Even amidst the excruciating pain, anger filled the broken Goddess' being. To dirty the divine vessel that had been granted upon her was a sin worthy of a thousand deaths. She did not understand. She could not comprehend the event that was unfolding before her. For the first time, since she came down upon this world, she felt an emotion she had never felt.
The fear of death.
"S-Stop. N-Not like this."
She forced her body to move, her damaged wings somehow managing to carry her body to an upright position. However so, her assailant, the unknown individual which had brought upon this whole chain of events, did not give her the chance to do anything.
Endless steel, which she noted to have originated from the unknown assailant, continued to launch itself upon her damaged form. That crimson spear was no longer there; in its place was a sword radiating in bloodied rage. And when the man opened his mouth, a horrifying sense of dread overtook her otherworldly senses.
"Boil over, wrath of the stars. Feel the rage of this planet."
"N-No!"
ALICE focused the remainder of her energy to her shield, a detached piece of divinity that she still had control over.
"Clarent Blood Arthur."
Her divine shield, Eternal Aegis, enveloped her battered form in its protective embrace once more. Malevolent magical energy clashed against the Goddess' strongest line of defence. The maelstrom of power, though strong, was unable to pierce through her shield.
However, she was quickly reminded that her assailant was not one, but two.
"Black Destruction Beam: Enhanced."
A beam of concentrated energy, coming from a different source, right under the barrier that protected her, razed the Goddess body. She screamed in pain as the beam of concentrated energy and curse ravaged her. However fortunately for the Goddess, the shield went through and saved her from impending demise.
Yet at the same time, the damage had already been done.
Her shield fell and faded, all strength leaving her body, or whatever was left of it. The Goddess of Light fell.
When her two assailants reached her, it was only then that she understood of the man's identity.
"Balance… Breaker…"
Her voice, weak and yet filled to the brim with venom directed towards the red clad figure that was looking down on her being. Powerless and divinity broken, she made one last plea to the skies.
"Ah… my Father. O'Great Ludo-Rathowm, my beloved creator. Have you truly forsaken me…?"
The Goddess' remaining arm grasped for the skies, reaching out for something that went beyond her reach.
"If… it is what you… desire. The grandest… displays of… chaos."
The final rasps of her voice were met with the vision of cold steel.
"Destruction… upon everything. I… see…"
A beam of light, signalling the end of a Goddess, shot towards the heavens.
(Break)
Light receded. From within the reduced pillar of light, a man knelt as a girl watched. She observed as little by little, motes of light congregated into his body. Light continued to die down from the event of battle and violence.
Eventually, the light died down and the man stood up, looking slightly strained but ultimately fine. The girl ran towards him, her worry evident in the hastiness of her steps.
"Shirou! Are you okay?"
"Gele, I'm fine. It just felt… weird. My body is fine. Really."
The girl didn't listen. Just like in the past, she continued to examine every single inch of his body, making sure that he was uninjured. He caressed the girl's head, in which she gave him a pout in return.
"On the other hand, shouldn't I be the one ask you if you're alright? You took the full brunt of that fight."
"I'm fine. That idiot Goddess didn't take the fight seriously until it was too late."
The man nodded. He considered everything that he had witnessed from the dimension of the girl's make, leading up to the very conclusion of the battle.
"…Yeah. Had she released the full power of that sword, the fight may have ended differently."
The Dark Lord retrieved the blade, which had been left by the now deceased Goddess.
The blade shone brilliantly in his grip.
"…! Shirou, that's…!"
He nodded, confirming the girl's suspicions. Shirou took out an object, a card, which similarly shone in an eery glow.
The power inside him welled, activating the weapon of its deceased wielder. The energy raged temporarily, before settling down just as fast. Though vague, he was able to identify it without a hint of uncertainty.
"This is true divinity."
It was finally time.
(Part ?)
Chaos unfolded. The deafening cheers of Monsters, welcoming its two leading figures as they returned triumphantly. A grand welcome to the victors who have achieved the impossible.
Chaos reigned. Humanity's belief system, supported by the very foundations of the Golden Goddess' make, collapsed. They despaired, they cried, and they wept for the death of their faith.
Once a race of resilience and fragility, they've drowned in despondency and allowed the Antagonist Race to flourish.
Pathetic, inept, and undoubtably worthless.
Who was the real Protagonist of this story? It pondered, and it pondered still. In its contemplation, it reached to an inevitable conclusion. It called to its other self, its alter ego, to follow its bidding.
You who are Sons of Man
The King of Pandemonium had slain the old order
Forsaking the commandment, you revelled in stagnation
Unable to overcome Despair, you hide in ignominy
The heavens itself split open, revealing a kingdom of white. The skies tinted itself a bloodied red, masking figures supported by brilliant white wings.
Sons of Man
You have failed to live up to His expectations
And in doing so, triggered the fourth Genesis of Creation
Like cold machine, they are without emotion. One by one, each of them made their descent towards the lower world.
You are all of you, worthless
The sound of chains rattled in an impossibly vast space, signalling the End of All Things.
I am Armageddon. I am the Harbinger of the End
A doll, surrounded by the Flames of Chaos and Blighted Frost brought unto the world. Cradling a girl, she brought about the origins of Despair. Despair, forged upon madness and misery in the form of a sword.
I am Ragnarok
And I have come to bring Rebirth upon this world once more
Death itself descended upon the Continent.
(Extra Story I: Magic Vision)
Recent advancements in both Magic and technology had led the Monster Realm to newfound ways of recreational activities and past time enjoyments. One such advancement, enjoyed by all Monsters, was the release of Magic Vision.
Or whatever was the equivalent of TV programs in the Continent.
In the Monster Realm, only one such company was given the right to host and air such technology, approved and endorsed by the Demon King herself.
"Director. We compiled the list of programs as requested."
A bespectacled Gal Monster, the secretary, handed a pudgy, well-dressed Bambara a stack of documents, professionalism heavy in her gesture.
"Good work. Brief me about the analytics."
"The top five programs kept their top spot with an audience rating of above 30%"
"…Again?"
Cold sweat ran down the Bambara's cheek. He gave the stack of documents a proper scan, running through every sheet of paper from the very top.
The very first text he saw read Journey to the East: Search for the Fluffy Tail.
"We've received heavy complaints from some of the audience. Particularly the Youkais, who were the loudest in voicing their dissatisfaction."
"…If they're so upset about it, they can just stop watching. We have permission from Lady Camilla herself. It's just a documentary promoting JAPAN and their culture by an enthusiastic Hanny."
"Incidentally the majority of the viewers are male Youkais."
The Bambara snorted as he nodded in understanding. Said viewers are rather vocal in expressing their adoration towards their ruler.
"Stay in this industry long enough and you'll realize that what the viewers say and want are two different things."
"Duly noted, sir."
He flipped to the next page.
"Dragon MILF: Revolution? Did they change the program title again?"
"Yes. Lady Omachi herself insisted on it. She personally came last month to make the petition. We couldn't exactly say no to her."
The secretary fixed her glasses.
"It's quite a hit, especially with the male Monsters."
The Director loosened the collar of his suit, nervousness evident in his face.
"A-Anyway. Next is… Daredevil: Ithere's Fashion Show. Ah, this was unexpectedly quite normal. It's quite a hit with the ladies. Men too, unexpectedly enough."
"Yes. Lord Ithere's Apostles oversee directing the whole program. They are quite the talented individuals. Their books sell like hotcakes to young aspiring Gal Monsters."
"…There have been concerns that the show is getting more and more risqué by the day."
"Certainly not, sir. I personally watch that program with my peers every night."
"I-Is that so?"
The Bambara nodded and shrugged, deciding that some things were best left unknown. His mood uplifted; he scanned the next program second on top of the list.
Holy Gal Idols. A program with an audience rating of a whopping 95%.
Perhaps his thoughts were evident on his face as his secretary gave him a piercing look.
"…Pervert."
"W-What?! How dare you! I am merely giving my appreciation to our all-loving Goddesses!"
Such a sacred show deserved a standing ovation. It deserved every single love and adoration that it currently had, and more.
He cleared his throat, ignoring the secretary's gaze. He finally addressed the elephant in the room.
"Number one in popularity: Cook & Feast with Emiya and Galtia."
The Bambara scratched his head in confusion.
"How is a mere cooking show able to get an audience rating of 99%?"
He received an apt response from his assistant.
"Sir, that show receives a new guest every week. They feature every single member of the Dark Lords, even Dark Lord Kayblis himself. The Goddesses also tend to appear as guest hosts."
"Of course. I am an avid watcher myself. Well, considering the main host, I'm not surprised at its popularity. It is a dear shame though. The Demon King ordered the removal of the program effective immediately."
He was met with a look of confusion. Heck if he didn't know any better, he would have been positively sure that the girl looked upset.
"Sir? Why would her excellency order such a ludicrous thing?"
"Well, you wouldn't know, but Dark Lord Emiya's popularity has been… a cause of concern as of late. There was that news the other day about a raid in the Demon King's Castle."
The Bambara explained, trying to recall a piece of memory a friend told him.
"Twenty Gal Monsters, led by a Commander Note and several Valkyries, sneaked into the Dark Lord of Steel's kitchen in nothing but a naked apron and a whisk. Well fortunately, all offenders were caught and put on trial the next day. As you can see, these types of women are getting more and more brazen as of late."
"…Is that so?"
For a quick moment, the Bambara could have sworn the secretary had clicked her tongue. He shrugged, blaming it on the monstrous pile of work they had to take care of as of late.
"So instead, I was ordered to replace the program with something else. The Demon King herself volunteered to be the host of the program."
His back, still drenched from cold sweat, straightened as he peered down the title of the yet-to-be show. A shiver ran down his spine.
BDSM with the Demon King
He slumped into his chair, wiping the sweat away from his forehead. The Bambara decided that, yes, some things were in fact, better left unknown. The fate of the Hero of the Monster Realm was beyond his reach.
"…Sir. You seem tired. Please, help yourself with some refreshments."
"Oh, why thank you. It's been awfully stressful as of late."
The Bambara drank the offered drink and sighed in contentment. It was a hard job, but it was fulfilling and brought him joy. Unfortunately, he didn't notice that in his moment of relaxation, he had unintentionally let the fatigue set in and dozed off.
That was the last memory he recalled of the incident.
.
.
.
Spectacles taken off; the secretary brought a device close to her lips.
"Mission success. Report to the higherups and bring the Doppelganger ready."
The Gal Monster stared into the sleeping form of her boss, former boss, and sneered in jest. She took the stack of documents, and emptied all nearby drawers containing all relevant documents, and burnt all incriminating evidence with her magic.
When the deed was done, she gazed at the corner of the room, where they had installed the latest version of Magic Vision. She saw that man, so delicious and tempting, clad in that apron that did nothing to hide the form that hid underneath.
She licked her lips in anticipation.
"All for the sake of the cult."
(Extra Story II: Dimensional Mayhap II)
Two figures sat across a group of four. One girl, looking every bit annoyed as the man beside her tried to calm her down by tapping on the girl's shoulder. Across them, the group of four girls, each with their own distinct hair color, looking every bit uncomfortable as they could be.
"So you're telling me, that the reason you've divided the Monster Realm into two separate factions, inciting a civil war that was never supposed to happen, is because the current Demon King is actively refusing to take her role, purposefully taking those damned Hirami Lemons to forcefully supress her bloodlust and powers, while that idiot Kayblis hunts her down with the rest of the Dark Lords who shared his view. And you, the Supreme Dark Lord, respecting your father's will, formed your own faction consisting of six Dark Lords, as opposed to Kayblis' own fourteen. He took five Great Monster Generals, including Stroganoff, and has been left to do whatever he wanted for the past year."
The girl summarized the information that was relayed to her, to which the green haired woman reluctantly nodded in confirmation.
Gele sighed in exasperation.
"Are you people braindead? Do you really think you could change anything by forcing a girl who knew nothing to take the mantle?"
"…That was not our intention. We would abide to whatever decision she would so choose."
"And if she decides to abandon her role despite of everything and return to her world? What would you do then? Watch more of your people die under Kayblis, is that it? For that matter did you ever try to reach out and inform the girl what her responsibilities even entails?"
She bombarded her opposition with a tirade of question without waiting for an answer. Every single point was a pointed sword that denied any counter argument, seeing as the group had done exactly none of what the girl pointed out.
Fortunately for them, they were saved by the man who took their disheartened expressions with great concern.
"Your mistake was to let Stroganoff fall to the enemy's hand. That man alone can overturn any losing war to a winning one, even if his opposition is a Great Monster General."
The white-haired man nodded, as if contemplating something.
"Had you managed to convince him, the rest of the Monster soldiers will follow. I'm willing to bet you wouldn't be pushed to the position you were at had achieved exactly that."
"T-That's impossible!"
A blue haired girl slammed the table in denial, her strength causing the legs supporting the piece of furniture to creak under stress.
"Stroganoff hates humans! We couldn't convince him no matter how much we tried!"
Her protest was met with a neutral nod from the man, acknowledging what she had said. However, his next words put her thoughts to a still.
"The same way any human would hate a Monster. The hatred you speak off exist within every single Monster that live in present time. However, you are gravely mistaken. You underestimate the tenacity in which that man abides his duties. The Stroganoff that I know moves not from his own self-interest, but for the wellbeing of his kind and the soldiers under him."
The Demon King tapped the man's hand, signalling that she'd take over the conversation.
"In other words, you acted before you think. You didn't try hard enough."
"H-How dare you?!"
This time, it was the crimson ponytailed girl who voiced her protest.
"Lady Hornet tried her best! She tried her hardest to minimize casualties, even against maniacs like Redeye and Medusa!"
The Demon King didn't bat an eye at the Dark Lord's outburst.
"I hate to break it to you, but if 'trying our best' is enough to solve a problem as big as civil war, then the Continent wouldn't be stuck in this mess to begin with."
Sneering at the ponytailed Dark Lord, she added one last jab, "Though I suppose its nothing that Dark Lords only a few centuries old would know. Right, little girl? You ought to first stop trembling in front of me if you want to be more convhwin- Hey!"
A pinch on the cheeks from the male figure beside her stopped her just short of finishing her insult.
"Gele, what did I tell you about being nice?"
She pouted in protest, not liking the fact that she was being turned on by her sole ally.
"…Fine. We went a little off topic anyways."
The Demon King relented, but not before grumbling just loud enough for her partner to hear.
"Stupid. Just wait until tonight."
The opposing four sweat dropped at the sight. The man turned his head sideways, avoiding eye contact before he cleared his throat.
"A-Anyways. We've talked to Stroganoff beforehand, and he had agreed to pullback his army. Unfortunately, although he is in command of a large bulk of the soldiers, the chain of command of the current Monster Army is largely segregated. Four other Great Monster Generals remains, carrying the remaining bulk of the force. Great Monster General Pizaro, Joseph, LeMay, and Zedong. These four must be eliminated at all costs."
As he listed the names one at a time, the four girls' eyes went wide with disbelief.
"W-Wait, how did you know their names?" Once again, Satella was the one who interjected.
To that question, the man bitterly smiled.
"Unfortunately, we were acquainted in the past. Not in good terms, relatively speaking."
Demon King Gele rolled her eyes at her lover's lukewarm response.
"He dispatched all four of them. Well, two of them indirectly, but you get the point."
"…We were never exactly on speaking terms," the man relented, downplaying his relationship with the individuals in question.
"One with a sword to the head, another with a huge hole where their body sphere is. The third exploded and the last one did a double suicide run."
The Demon King listed the brutal ways in which the target of their discussion ended their life, and the room was once again filled with silence.
"What? Do you really believe the Fifth Demon King's partner is a weak man who doesn't know how to assert his position? Beyond a handsome face and godly culinary skills, Shirou knows his ways around the battlefield. As I'm sure you, who witnessed it firsthand, would know."
Hornet frowned at her mention, recalling the battle that took place not long from present time.
"Or whatever's left of that Oni, whatever his name was. I'm sure he got the point as well."
Satella winced at the memory. She recalled the numerous times she had to take a shower to rid herself of the Oni Dark Lord's bodily remains.
The Demon King sat herself upright, looking at her opposition straight in the eyes. Gone was the playfulness and whims she inhabited ever since the start of the conversation.
"But I'll say this just so we're clear. He's off-limits. You girls understand?"
Four question marks popped from the four girls' head. The pale blue girl kept her gaze straight at the winged girl in red, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"Especially you, Red. I'll be watching you. Closely."
"Hawzel?! You can't be serious?!" Satella gasped, eyes of accusation clear in her face. Silky and Hornet both looking equally surprised.
"W-Wha?! I did no such thing! This is my first-time meeting him!" The winged Dark Lord cried in injustice, feeling wronged at the accusation.
"Gele. We've talked about this," the white-haired man sighed.
"Clearly, we haven't talked enough. Don't get me started, Shirou. I still haven't forgiven you for that cult nonsense back in the original timeline."
"That was Galtia's fault!"
"Yes, and he is being punished as we speak, seeing as you are absent from making him any food for the rest of our trip. That is why I'm still being nice, with your kitchen still intact and your next appointment in my lab postponed indefinitely."
Whatever was about to leave the man's mouth never came out.
"Pardon me about my intrusion on your private matters, Demon King Gele. But if you'd so permit it, we would be glad if you change the topic of this conversation to more pressing matters."
Hornet, deciding to press the two for more relevant information, finally went to the heart of the matter.
"Forgive me for this rudeness, but who exactly are you?"
Silence reigned the room as two sets of throats gulped nervously in the form of a ponytailed girl and a winged girl in red.
The target of their inquiry merely sighed, as if expecting the dull question.
"Did I not explain myself well enough, girl? I am the Fifth Demon King in the flesh. The man beside me is my husband, who used to be my right hand as the Supreme Dark Lord," the proclaimed Demon King explained, looking amused at their confusion.
Satella, once more interjecting for her fellow superior, looked aghast at the girl's underwhelming answer.
"But that cannot be! The Fifth Demon King had had been sealed for at least a thousand years! You cannot possibly be her!"
"Oh? And why not?"
"B-Because of the seal…"
"You mean that one seal which humanity left one of the three swords capable of harming the Dark Lords and Demon King stuck in a castle's basement? That one?"
"…Yes?"
"Okay, so what about it?"
Satella's face went from disbelief to fuming in a matter of seconds.
"Y-You were supposed to be sealed there! What do you mean, what about it?!"
"Well clearly, I am not, since I am speaking to you lot right now. I can't exactly be at two places at the same time, can I?"
The ponytailed Dark Lord stuttered, lost for words. Fortunately, she was backed up by her liege who carried over the discussion for her.
"That hole which the two of you came from. I can't say for sure, but only those familiar with Spatial Magic can rip apart the fabrics of time and space. Therefore, I can believe you if you were to claim that the man beside you came from another world."
Hornet pondered a bit longer, forming her thoughts and voicing them.
"But otherworldly dimensional travels had been common knowledge for some time. Your presence here conflicted the report I received from my Apostle prior this meeting. Chaos, the sword which sealed the Fifth Demon King, had never been removed."
"Which leads to only two possible conclusions. Either you escaped without having to remove said seal, or you are a different individual altogether."
"Oh?"
"The first hypothesis held some credibility, knowing that a Demon King's power is nigh unmatched and mysterious in nature. However, the second hypothesis holds up more, especially considering the undeniable fact that you helped us in our time of need."
Hornet glanced at La Hawzel, who shook her head.
"And though Satella, Silky, and I never met her in person, La Hawzel had and was personally created by the Fifth Demon King herself. Her testimony of the Fifth's personality does not match with yours. I also heard that you personally took care of Medusa, another of which the Fifth personally created and shared certain… hobbies."
"And finally, regarding your husband, sir Shirou. Dark Lord or not, no Otherworlder in this world can dispatch a Dark Lord in one fell swoop. Your relationship with such a man indicates that the two of you are indeed, alien in nature."
The mention of the already deceased serpentine Dark Lord wiped the amusement of the Demon King's face, albeit only for a while.
"…Impressive. I'll have to give you your due credit, girl. You're certainly got quite a good head above your shoulders. Unlike a certain subordinate of yours."
Satella grimaced, face red in anger but held it in for the sake of her superior. Silky patted her back to calm the redhead down.
"I'll pardon your subordinates' misunderstanding. After all, crossing dimensions aside, it is not every day we travel into a whole different timeline, albeit by accident."
"A… whole different timeline? Accident?"
Not quite grasping the girl's words, Hornet repeated the terms while raising an eyebrow.
"I am the Fifth Demon King in the flesh, but I am not the Demon King that you know. The true Fifth Demon King of your realm, as of present time, remain sealed underneath the safety of Leazas Castle."
The revelation of her origins shocked the four girls to silence once more. Though a few eyebrows were raised at her last mention.
"As for the accident…let's just say that reaching that place gave me quite a bit of trouble. I had to land the both of us somewhere safe before continuing. But then again, I don't see why I have to tell you about something completely unrelated to your world."
They were brought out of their stupor when the man, who had been silent for most of the discussion, stood up.
"Gele. It's time to go."
The man called after the Demon King, and she gleefully stood up and wrapped her arms around his.
"W-Wait! Where are you going? We're not done asking questions!"
Satella called out to the leaving pair, unsatisfied with the fact that they were still left with some unanswered questions.
"Save your questions until after we clean up your mess. We've wasted enough time as is. Come on, Shirou. We can't have Stroganoff waiting."
Having said that, the girl paused. As if getting one last playful idea, the Demon King hugged her partner closer and positioned her body above the man's, her arms around his neck with her face close to his. Slowly and sensually, she caressed his hair with her lithe fingers.
"You girls don't have to worry. Everything that I am, everything that I do is for Shirou's sake and his alone. I won't do anything that will upset him."
She rubbed her cheek against his lovingly, but not before adding one last bit.
"As long as it doesn't involve anything that includes the word 'harem' in it. I won't allow that even if the world itself imploded into oblivion."
Shirou, already used to his partner's antics, sighed in defeat. He gave the group one last nod of acknowledgement, voicing his intent.
"Supreme Dark Lord Hornet and her subordinates. Thank you for your hospitality thus far. We'll take care of the remaining Great Monster Generals and Kayblis. Until then, please continue to act as you see fit."
The resoluteness of his tone was carved with years, centuries of battle-hardened experience, only subtracted by the fact that he had a whole Demon King straddling herself behind him. It was perhaps the glaring evidence that he was in fact exactly who the girl attached to him claimed to be.
A former Supreme Dark Lord.
"Well, they won't last even a couple of seconds against him though."
The Demon King added her last bit as she laughed and snapped her fingers, disappearing along with the man in her embrace.
"…They really left."
Silky murmured to herself, staring at the piece of flooring in which the two abruptly disappeared. She stared at Satella and La Hawzel, who were equally astonished and speechless.
"What now, Hornet?"
The green-haired girl, still deep in thought, finally drew a fitting conclusion.
"…For now, we observe."
They weren't ready for what they were about to witness in the next few coming months.
(Afterword)
I'm cutting this extra story short because I don't want the bulk of this chapter to be replaced by it. If you want to see the continuation, feel free to vote for the next extra story you want to see.
Chapters are shorter than usual because we're getting more action rather than monologues. When will the next chapter be? Well, certainly faster than the last update. Things are still kind of shaky right now for me.
Stay tuned for the inevitable conflict that will shake both chaos and order.
Until then.