The Leviathans follow themselves.
It has always been the case. All of them follow their instincts regardless of the consequences. They don't fear or hesitate the same way humans do as they always remain true to their nature. While they're capable of learning through encountering humanity, they cannot easily comprehend their change. This has become apparent when Beelzebub becomes rebellious and stubborn when they've always behaved and compliant so long as they're allowed to eat.
"If you deal with Asmodeus and Lucifer, we'll gladly supply you with more of your favorite"
The Hermit approaches from the right side, proud of the turn of events, puffs her chest and further tries to entice Beelzebub while she waved the emptied vial.
"Grr..." Beelzebub turns their head to them and growls
"Lucifer wants Bismarck dead. I'm sure not even you will stand while someone ruins your favorite dish" Hermit furrows her eyebrows
"I despise Sirens like you, but you're correct. Even if it's my own kind, I don't want anyone to rob me of a good meal" Beelzebub clicks their tongue
"Then we're correct that you want to eat Bismarck. A bit of blood is what it took to reenergize you and quickly regenerate"
"Conniving little ants. Well, I expect no less from human-made creatures..." Beelzebub sighs
"Another thing"
"What now?"
"Although I said we will feed you to keep you sated, your host mustn't be compromised. Keep both Tirpitz's mind and body intact and we have ourselves a deal"
"You got the nerve to bargain with me, but I won't give my answer just yet..."
Surprisingly, Beelzebub entertained the Arbiter's attempts to sway them into an agreement. Beelzebub themselves don't want to admit that they're somewhat grateful for letting them taste what they desired for a while, but they're also cautious after being outsmarted by humans through using their indiscriminate appetite.
"You fool! After only being fed a little and you're ready to fight for them? Are you that shameful, Beelzebub?!" Lucifer seethes with intense frustration
Behind Lucifer's rage and frustration masks parts of his nervousness as what a certain Arbiter warned them is becoming true. A display of strength and intimidation are no longer effective towards Beelzebub the moment they're desires are threatened.
"Fight for them?! I only feed myself, and your plan will ruin the meal I've been patiently waiting all this time. No one dictates where and how should I feast. Not even you, Lucifer!"
Beelzebub sprouts an extra pair of arms and the mouth on their stomach breathes out faint steam. Bone spikes sprout on their spine and black steel forms around their flesh like a second skin. Their fists cracks revealing lava flowing inside their arms and steam emitting from those gaps.
"Beelzebub kind of looks like Satan" Friedrich der Grosse chuckles in amusement
"Hoho~ That's because Beel can use the parts of what they consume. Why do you think Beel learned to speak after eating countless humans?" Asmodeus gladly replies
"Whose side are you on?" Prinz Eugen crossed her arms
"At the side of ecstasy and depravity. We follow Lucifer because they're strong and smart, but we don't like them. We won't hesitate to turn against each other if our interests are compromised" Asmodeus grins
"In this case..." Bismarck stares at Beelzebub
"It's because Lucifer threatened to kill their food. Of course, Beelzebub isn't having any of it. Beelzebub gets violent and aggressive if you snatch their food away. Lucifer should have known that, but I suppose they got impatient"
Asmodeus observes alongside the Iron Blood kansens rather than continue attacking them like Lucifer had ordered. Their actions only further solidified on how Leviathans aren't actually submissive to Lucifer and only tolerates them as their brethren.
"Lucifer's overconfidence that Beelzebub wouldn't think of a confrontation got them into this mess. Hunger is a primal instinct that one cannot control and dictate. You may sate yourself emotionally and mentally, but sating hunger is a matter of survival"
"I take it Beelzebub is rebelling because Lucifer is hurting their food" Friedrich der Grosse rubs her chin
"Correct. I would do the same if someone is threatening my hedonism. Just imagine someone ruins your party by taking away my alcohol and drugs"
At first, Asmodeus laughs imagining someone smashing their wine bottles and pills, but then they fade into a nervous laugh until they shut their mouth close again.
"Asmodeus, don't just stand there. Deal with Beelzebub!" Lucifer barks an order
"Are you of your mind?! I'm not suited for a head-on fight. Beelzebub is going to kill me!"
Asmodeus shakes their head in shock and wildly flails both of their arms. The kansens below them stare at them as if unsure if they should be laughing or pitying them.
"You're going to stand in my way too, Asmodeus? Fine! I'll tear you limb from limb first"
"Wait, wait, wait! I'm not ruining your food-"
Before Asmodeus can explain and defend themselves, Beelzebub springs their hind legs and pounces at Asmodeus. Their weight crashing at Asmodeus pushes both of them, and the two Leviathans roll away from both the kansens.
"..."
It leaves Lucifer to solely confront the Iron Blood kansens while Beelzebub tears off a chunk of Asmodeus left shoulder and the fingers on their left hand.
"It took you a while to figure out that Beelzebub had been obsessed with preserving their new dish. You used Bismarck's blood to entice them in this long game of manipulation"
Lucifer eases the tension in their fists when they turn around and point at the Arbiter. They continue to seethe in anger because they couldn't admit to themselves and everyone else present that their impatience set off the events.
"Personally speaking, we didn't expect Beelzebub to turn out this way. It seems the Leviathans can learn and become independent when you're not controlling them" Devil approaches from the back
"..." Lucifer clicks their tongue
"That's why you acted instead of letting the others do the work. You knew Beelzebub will become rebellious once they figure out your plan is against their interest"
"I have to give you credit for guessing correctly..."
The real Lucifer continues to observe everything from a distance. Waves of golden flames coat their forearm and form around their neck like a collar.
"Beelzebub wants to keep the humans alive, but they lack self-control and discipline. The fact that no one is dead yet meant Beelzebub is compromised by lowly humans. A disgrace like that belongs to a grave..."
"You kept treating them like a lowly animal and fed them trash. No wonder they turned against you the moment someone fed them good food" Hermit smirks
"I'm done entertaining your theatrics. My goal isn't either of you"
Lucifer sways their arm and snaps their fingers at the same time. In nearly an instant, faster than the Sirens can react, the landscape around them drastically changes.
"What the..." Bismarck blinks in surprise
It appeared as if the battlefield has expanded and been altered. The sky is a complete shade of red paired with pitch black clouds. The other kansens and the Sirens have vanished while the pair of Leviathans are still wrestling each other from a distance.
"It's unbelievable that I have to fight alongside Sirens against my own allies" Friedrich der Grosse frowns
She, alongside Devil, Hermit, and the Siren Purifier form a circle as both Iron Blood kansens and mass produced Siren ships surround them.
"What are those chains?"
Friedrich der Grosse focuses on the glowing red chains wrapped around Roon's body. The others possess similar chains with different positions.
"It's a symbol of Lucifer's binding. They can control others as much as they can alter the battlefield" Hermit immediately recognizes them
"You can free them by breaking it, but their berserk state makes them stronger and more aggressive" Devil sighs
"Too bad we can't kill any of them because Bismarck will be mad, and we still need her as leverage and bait for Beelzebub-"
The Siren Purifier spouts uncontrollably and maniacally laughs until Room charges at her and knocks her away from the others.
"That's the plan. So long as Bismarck is alive and intact, we can use her to turn against their own kind. It's prove to be effective since a small taste of blood is enough for them to agree" Devil shakes her head in dismay
"In order to keep Beelzebub compliant to our goals, they need to be constantly fed or they'll start eating everyone they see. Unfortunately, we're still figuring out how to efficiently feed them"
"You plan to keep Beelzebub on a leash, but how about Tirpitz?" Friedrich der Grosse reminds them
"For now. Beelzebub wouldn't risk destroying the mind and body of their host. If they leave the host, then Tirpitz is likely to die because they're being sustained by the parasite"
Hermit jumps away when Ulrich von Hutten's pair of serpentine riggings tries to strike her from above and effortlessly dodge the mindless kansen.
Meanwhile...
Bismarck is forced to face Lucifer on a one-on-one battle while the Leviathan is still puppeting Odin from the comfort of their lair.
"You! It's because of you that Beelzebub has become so difficult to control! Not to mention your sister's defiance and stubbornness have rubbed off on them"
Lucifer grits their teeth and their intense glowing gaze narrows to solely focus on Bismarck.
"You seem to have a grudge against me..."
Bismarck calmly states the obvious seeing Lucifer couldn't restrain their frustration because a human they underestimated proved to be a nuisance.
"Beelzebub has become obsessed with your taste that they wouldn't listen. What's special about you? They're willing to turn against me just to keep you alive"
"I don't know about you or your kind, but the Sirens guessed Beelzebub had their eyes on me. Perhaps it's why they latched on to Tirpitz in order to get close" Bismarck lifts her sword again
"It's their fault. They couldn't keep their appetite in check, now it was used against them. Beelzebub, that fool, I'll make sure they'll never eat again after I rip out their guts and sear their tongue"
"Unfortunately, that parasite is using my sister's body, so I can't allow that"
Geryon spread their wings open and aimed all of the main turrets towards Lucifer even if it's still Odin's body that she's facing.
"We planned to bargain with Beelzebub with the Sirens using my blood as a carrot on a stick. You couldn't wait so you struck Beelzebub first before we could reach them. Were you overconfident that you'd foil our plans?"
"It was supposed to be simple, but Beelzebub disobeyed because they want to keep eating. They were more concerned about their desires more than their fear of me"
"Why would endless hunger fear the pinnacle of selfishness? You only think about yourself, so even someone like Beelzebub will figure you don't have their interest in mind"
"..."
Even before Lucifer struck down Tirpitz's body to force Beelzebub out, the conversation between the two Leviathans in a mental landscape is a reminder. Beelzebub focused on their desires and actually started thinking about their future whereas the old Beelzebub is only focused on feeding themselves in the present.
"It was your arrogance that started all of this. You couldn't admit defeat, so you kept trying again and again without thinking of your surroundings. It was your selfishness to win that made your sister desperate!"
"What do you know about it?!"
Bismarck is about to open fire, but she halts Geryon's bombardment when Lucifer carelessly expresses their increasing frustration.
"They didn't tell you, did they? Sovetsky Soyuz's plan is suicidal! Someone had to die to take out a Leviathan who can kill thousands in a day. Your sister volunteered knowing she might not make it out alive"
"Tirpitz..."
Bismarck briefly lowers her sword, mildly surprised that her younger sister is willing to throw away her sense of self-preservation after another near death experience pushed her to desperation.
"It's why she refused to retreat when you tried to make a heroic last stand. Your worthless sister was planning to get herself killed knowing Beelzebub's appetite is their weakness"
"Although I have a lot of questions about Tirpitz's actions, I won't allow someone like you to keep insulting her!"
With a swing of her sword, Geryon lets out a deafening roar and opens fire from all turrets.
"I know my pride almost cost my life and my people's future, so I won't allow myself or anyone to make the same mistake as I did"
The shells are near missess all around Lucifer in order not to accidentally injure Odin's body and serve a momentary distraction enough for her to get within striking range of her sword.
"I take pride in my strength and my people's willpower, but my pride isn't like yours, Lucifer. You represent the root of all man's folly, but my pride is not only for myself!"
Bismarck swiftly swings her sword left and right while Lucifer is barely deflecting each strike. They can only see a glint of silver in split seconds when they don't know how determined Bismarck to fight them even if they're the deadliest Leviathan.
"Humans are arrogant, selfish, greedy, and opportunistic by nature. I've met people who overcame their worst selves, and I respected them for having the will to see it through" Bismarck takes a deep breath
"..."
"I have my flaws just like the rest of humanity. However, not all humans are the same. Some are kind and gentle while others are cruel and selfish. You wouldn't understand that because your kind stagnated!"
With a twist and tight grip on her sword, Bismarck lands a powerful swing from the right, forcing Lucifer to take several steps back in order not to stumble down and be vulnerable.
"Your idea of perfection is remaining who and what you are, but you panicked and lost your composure when Beelzebub decided to follow themselves...because this meant your kind has a weakness that humans can exploit"
"...!" Lucifer swallows their breath
"You were extra careful not to show yourself, Lucifer. A part of you feared this might happen"
As Bismarck points the edge of her sword at the frozen lord of arrogance, they examine their expression and body language. Lucifer's grits their teeth and repeatedly squeezes their fists in growing infuriation.
"That's why you never show up yourself. You use the body of my comrade knowing I wouldn't go all out. That pride you represent is the mask of humanity's insecurities!"
"I see. So you want to provoke me by calling me a coward"
"Isn't that the case? You're never present and rely on using others rather than risk humiliation like what happened with Mammon and Satan"
"Ha...hahaha! I see. This is why Beelzebub loved your taste. You're a tenacious one and full of spirit - just the way they like it" Lucifer bursts out laughing
"I admit I'm the stubborn type" Bismarck scoffs
"Still, you're mediocre to me like the other leaders. You and your kind bore me that it saddened me, so I see no reason to spare humans. However, I will lavish in every second you struggle" Lucifer throws away their sword
"..." Bismarck moves back a few meters
While Bismarck is occupied with an irritated Lucifer, Beelzebub chomps Asmodeus's left head and tears the hide on the scalp and snaps half of the lower jaw.
"...!" Asmodeus spits out a shard of green crystal from their middle head
The crystal pops Beelzebub's left eye and squirt red mushy substance and partially lodges into the eye socket. The others strike Beelzebub's neck, left shoulder, right lumbar, and left lung.
"Gghk!"
It quickly erupts into a mini acidic grenade which is strong enough to melt through Beelzebub's durable skin and flesh. The chemical sizzles and emits steam after it punches several melted holes in Beelzebub's body.
"That hurts!"
The left side of their face melts and the optic nerve of the other left eye snaps and the eyeball helplessly falls beneath the water's surface. The acid drops down their cheek and melts the skin of and muscle, leaving only exposed teeth and bones.
"...Oh, come on!"
Asmodeus couldn't even celebrate for a minute when Beelzebub's innate regeneration reconnects the melted muscles and tissues alongside the metallic hide in mere seconds.
"...!"
Beelzebub swing their arm for a right hook, but their fist slides Asmodeus's jaw no matter how much they swing both fists.
"Calm down for a moment!"
The right head with half of its skin peeled off, gasps open and exhales liquid nitrogen directly towards Beelzebub's left arm. Asmodeus slaps the arm completely frozen up to cellular level and sends the shards piercing through Beelzebub's chest.
"...!"
Beelzebub staggers one step back, but they quickly straighten their back and swing their stump for a left arm. Asmodeus doesn't dodge as most of the arm is missing, only for it to immediately regrow a split second before the fist cracks the skull of Asmodeus's right head.
"Put up a fight, so I can enjoy eating you!"
The shattered skull and bits of grounded flesh splatters to the middle head and even the popped eyeball splatters on their cheek, leaving a white mush slowly sliding to their exposed teeth.
"Why are you always so aggressive when it comes to your food? It's not like I'm the one who wanted her dead!"
Asmodeus frantically waves their left hand in front of them while their other hand pushes back the loosely hanging eye back into their eye socket.
"Hahaha! You were right about the flavor, Asmodeus. Even now, I still couldn't get enough of how Bismarck tasted" Beelzebub's jaws split into four mandibles
"Are you seriously considering the Sirens' bargain? You're being enticed with another intoxicating poison. That's why they only gave you a taste"
"I'm aware of that" Beelzebub shrugs their shoulders
"Then why are you still attacking me?!"
"You were hurting my favorite dish. Had you ruined it with your acidic sweat or any of your mixtures, I would have ripped your heart out!"
"If I wanted them dead, I would have use chemical weapons! Emitting radiation is enough to kill them in a slow and painful manner"
Asmodeus spits out purple saliva over their forearm where Beelzebub had torn the skin and muscless. The liquid smoothly seeps inside the open wounds, and regrows muscles as fibers reconnecting to each other. The skin begins to extend on all sides until they meet and close at the center.
"You even spilled my guts!"
Asmodeus points at their intestines hanging by their waist after it spills out from the shredded skin caused by Beelzebub slashing it wide open. Various colored liquid leaks from the tears and holes of the intestines which is composed of countless poisons and chemicals.
"Ah..."
What appears to resemble a human liver slips out of the torn abdomen and slides down the hanging intestines and plops beneath the surface water. Transparent mucus flows out of the torn end of their intestines, making Beelzebub and Asmodeus awkwardly stare at it.
"I live by my hedonism, Beel. If I was human, I'd be gulping down beers and munching through illegal drugs. In fact, I want to try it if I have the chance just for the experience!"
Asmodeus hangs over their intestines on one hand, but a yellow and elongated organ drops on the piled intestines and swiftly slides down and into the water due to the thick and smooth mucus covering Asmodeus's intestines.
"Remember that Sardegna woman you spared? Something about you might as well be a gourmet if you weren't a large man-eating monster"
"I'd kill you for suggesting mingling with humans" Beelzebub growls
"My point is we've known all this time. Killing all humans will simply robs is of our desires. You can't eat anything worthwhile if no human is alive left to eat. As for me, Humans are like dolls I can bend and break whenever I feel like it"
Asmodeus has stuffed in their intestines back into their stomach, but their regeneration is slow due to the special property of Beelzebub's bite.
"Then why obey Lucifer?"
"Why do humans elect politicians? We're s group, so it's natural we seek a leader. None of us wants the responsibility, so we let Lucifer take it"
"Do you plan on betraying Lucifer?"
"Fuhahaha! That's so anticlimactic. Although I don't want a fight to the death with you, I'd rather enjoy myself watching everything. Remember that I solely wish to be amused forever!"
Asmodeus spreads both of their arms on both sides and forgets that the skin on thekr abdomen hasn't fully regenerated, so their intestines spill out and hang in front of them.
"...!"
A bright golden light illuminates a large area. They both drop their jaws not because of Odin collapsing in Bismarck's arms, but a silver beast with glowing tattooes and peacock-like tails manifest through clumps of dark and purple matter.
"Lucifer?!" Beelzebub loudly growls
"This is the part where I stay as far away as I can. Good luck, Beel!"
Asmodeus rubs their eyes a few times before immediately deciding to turn away and happily waving goodbye.
"...Nngh...Bismarck...?" Odin weakly groans
"Stay here for a while. You're too weak to move right now" Bismarck gently lets Odin rest on the side
Bismarck steps forward and gazes up at the enormous silver beast basking in golden light and adorning themselves with a floating golden crown a few inches above their polished horns.
"So this is your true form, Lucifer"
"I want to witness your life be snuffed out with my own eyes and crush you with my own strength. You're so proud of being human, then let me see what makes your species special!"
Lucifer's golden cat-like eyes stare down at the small human they can effortlessly swipe away with the back of their hand. The human in front of them is one of the tenacious kinds, something Lucifer is familiar with after facing others as determined and defiant as her.
"...!"
Lucifer lifts their head and slams their tails when a stocky Leviathan with beating red flesh erupts from the cracks and gaps of their black metallic skin that stands behind Bismarck.
"I warned you not to touch my dish, Beelzebub. Morsel or not, what's mine is mine!"
Bone sprouts not only on Beelzebub's knuckles but up to their forearms, even on their extra pair of arms. The mouth on their stomach exhales but releases flames instead of air.
"You want to eat me so badly that you'd rebel against your own kind" Bismarck turns to face them
"This is the first time we've spoken ever since I faked my death, haven't we? Hahahaha! You look delectable even in this state, Bismarck" Beelzebub salivates again
"As much as I despise you, you're still using my sister's body as your own"
"You mean that tasteless leftover? For a mere spoiled crumb, she's putting up a fight which isn't possible considering..." Beelzebub clears their throat
"What do you want to eat me so badly?"
"I managed to bite your arm once. Well, I was in a smaller form, so I felt your warm blood tickle my tongue and made me tingle. That was the sign that you'd be my next main dish" Beelzebub licks their dripping saliva
"I will donate my blood. In exchange, you won't harm my sister and other kansens"
"You think you can order me with only your blood? I want every last part of you, Bismarck! I want to tear and rip every part of your body while you're still alive. I know you'd struggle, which makes you more of an exquisite dish"
The mouth on Beelzebub's stomach sticks out their tongue made out of fused human body parts such as twitching arms and legs, and melted human faces incoherently mumbling.
"You're still focused on your bloodthirsty desire. I already expected you won't change for the good because you are gluttony - uncontrollable hunger" Bismarck clicks their tongue
"Aaah...I can't wait to taste every inch of your body"
Beelzebub licks all sides of their mouth while they slowly stretches out their left index finger to grab some of Bismarck's hair. Much like what Lucifer described, Beelzebub isn't shy to display how their love for flavor and taste have become an obsession.
"Are you done with your reunion, you shameless beast!" Lucifer shouts at the top of their lungs
"I'm both in a good and bad mood today, Lucifer. I managed to taste a bit of my main dish and see her up close again, but your presence is an eyesore" Beelzebub spits at the side
"I gave you a chance, Beelzebub. You chose your own appetite over reason!"
"Of course! It only took me a while to realize betraying you is a small price to pay to fill my belly. I tasted an exquisite meal before and it's so invigorating and ecstatic that I tore my face off!"
Beelzebub nearly does the same when they dig their claws on their cheeks and tears down their skin and splatters blood everywhere when they repeatedly scratch their face.
"I want to make the whole world in a neverending buffet! Humans have endless varieties, so I won't get sick of eating them with the right preparation!"
"What nonsense are you babbling?"
"You were wrong, Lucifer. The extinction of humanity will starve me for eternity. I'd rather be killed than suffer millennia without food"
"You played around with your food for a month that you started...thinking for yourself? Beelzebub, what's gotten into you? How is that you, became defiant, when you're nothing but a bloodthirsty beast!"
"It seems they're prone to doing whatever they want. Could this be..." Bismarck mumbles to herself
There's no record of Beelzebub and Lucifer seen in the same place. It's normal they they don't work in pairs since Lucifer is selfish and Beelzebub is solely focused on filling their stomach.
"I'm always starving, Lucifer. The cage that humans have put me gave me time to think about my appetite. Eating everything without planning will render humans extinct. They can't reproduce faster than I can eat them. You don't suffer the same way we do, Lucifer" Beelzebub shakes their head
"Huh?"
"Our innate nature makes us crave and crave for violence, treasures, excitement...and hunger all the time. Your desires never clawed at your insides because you only have your ego that believes you are above everything" Beelzebub flicks their tail
"Beelzebub, perhaps it's either that you've eaten too many humans or lingered in that corpse for too long that you've begun to think. I won't allow any more dullness in this depressing world!"
The glow on Lucifer's chest becomes brighter, and Beelzebub's arms twist several times on their own until the forearms violently snap from the rest of the body.
"...!"
Countless ribs protrude from Beelzebub's chest, piercing them from the inside and adding holes throughout their body.
"Beelzebub!"
Bismarck couldn't comprehend how Lucifer managed to harm Beelzebub without even taking a single step or moving their arms. Her concern isn't towards the Leviathan themselves but the fact Tirpitz is technically merged with the creature. If Beelzebub were to die, then her sister will be destroyed as well.
"Hmm?" Lucifer slightly tilts their head
Bones, muscles, fats, and skin simultaneously extend and begin reforming on all the stumps of Beelzebub's arms. The spilling and dropping blood retreats and is pulled back into the holes of Beelzebub's body and covers each gap to reform the damaged organic parts. It all happened in under two seconds.
"No matter how much I damage them, their body will regrow in seconds. Asmodeus would have dealt with Beelzebub's regeneration, but that little trash fled" Lucifer grits their teeth
Lucifer smiles again when she glances at Bismarck watching from a distance.
"...!"
Bullets of light swiftly aim to shred Bismarck to pieces, but Beelzebub jumps between the projectiles and the target to use their enormous figure as a living shield.
"Nngh..."
The extreme heat from the projectiles melts their metallic skin and burns their flesh. Their inside sizzles and steam escapes from the holes in their body. The stench of grilled flesh fills the air for a moment before, Beelzebub's passive healing ability undoes the wounds.
"Can you even win?" Bismarck begins to doubt
"I don't know. Satan challenged them only to be frozen for several days" Beelzebub shrugs their shoulders
"I know you're worried about your sister while I'm only worried about eating you"
"If you survive this, you'll have to return my sister"
"...Or I could just eat you and be done with this body. After you, I'll find another exquisite dish and the cycle continues. I'm going to keep doing it until the end of time"
"You're a monster through and through"
"I'm a parasite who thrives in devouring others. There isn't any aspect of me you can exploit or sway, my main dish"
Both Beelzebub and the mouth on their stomach widely grin. When they part their mouth, it quickly reveals their victims used to mold their new tongue. The sight of mushed and disfigured human faces with empty eye sockets and incoherently murmuring reminds Bismarck that Beelzebub will always be cruel and selfish much like their kind.
"It's true you're an irredeemable filthy parasite, but you showed humans that your kind can be tricked"
Bismarck thinks to herself after she observed their interaction with Lucifer, namely why they chose to emerge to begin with. Their addiction to the scent and taste of a food is a part of them they couldn't resist or ignore.
"You got the nerve to ignore while I can decapitate you-"
"Now, now, Lucifer. Continuing this pointless and I'm about to fall asleep watching you both"
Asmodeus waves both of their arms and raise their voice to immediately catch Lucifer's attention.
"Asmodeus, you coward! Where have you been?"
"Pfft! A pot calling a kettle black. You're a typical hypocrite" Asmodeus laughs under their breath
"What did you say?!"
"I mean I don't get off watching this boring spectacle! It's clear Beelzebub can't win against you, but you can't permanently kill them either. This little childish fight won't get anywhere" Asmodeus's arms point in different directions
"..."
Lucifer smacks their palm on their face since they already expected Asmodeus interfering because they couldn't get "excited" enough to act unpredictably.
"Beelzebub has the mentality of a rebellious teenager. We can always plan how to deal with them some other time. Perhaps, they'll reflect on their actions by then" Asmodeus innocently smiles
"How are you so sure?" Lucifer lifts their head
"I know Beelzebub better than you do. It's harsh but true! Besides, I might have a suggestion on how to correct their behavior. Of course, it needs time...and it's not now!"
"..." Lucifer glances at Beelzebub preparing to pounce on them
"This fight is a child's play to you. Besides, if you want to keep Beelzebub's naughtiness, my method might be more effective"
"And if it doesn't work?"
"I bet my life on it" Asmodeus presses their hand on their chest
"...You've convinced me...for now"
The light on Lucifer's body grows dim and it reverts to being golden markings on their body. The eyes of the feathers on some parts of the body shuts close and returns to a dormant state.
"I'm giving you one last chance to correct your stupidity, Beelzebub. If you remain defiant by the next time we meet, I will ensure your hunger will be a living hell!" Lucifer turns away
[What did you do, Asmodeus?] Beelzebub telepathically asks
[I'm saving your skin - You're welcome, by the way!]
[I'm not dumb enough to believe there's no motive]
[Seeing you protect your food over your fear of Lucifer was unpredictable. It got me thrilled for what's to come! I was planning on betraying Lucifer for a laugh, but I want to see how this will flow in the near future]
[Hmph. Do whatever you want so long as it doesn't ruin my meals]
[Trust me, my dear friend. I have a feast in store for you in the future]
As Lucifer walks away and through a crack in space, the same way Asmodeus appeared earlier, Asmodeus excitedly waves goodbye before their head disappears through the portal.
"..."
Hermit puts Prinz Eugen in a headlock and Friedrich der Grosse tightly grabs Roon's face when the chains wrapped around their body disintegrates. The kansens fall completely silent and fall unconscious.
"Lucifer left along with Asmodeus. It's a surprise they didn't kill Beelzebub"
Devil stares the sky gradually returning their light and serene blue color. Their radars no longer detects the two hostile Leviathans while Beelzebub and Bismarck remain in the same place.
"It's either Lucifer lost interest or was convinced to leave. Either way, we're lucky this time"
Hermit loosens her grip and drops an unconscious Prinz Eugen while the other kansens also remain unconscious around them.
"How do you plan to deal with Beelzebub now?" Friedrich der Grosse gently lowers Roon
"Their signal is waning down. It seems Beelzebub exhausted their temporary strength. Bismarck's blood only gave them an adrenaline boost" Hermit gazes at a direction
"Beelzebub will crave for more and use it to keep them in line. They won't allow Bismarck to be harmed, so we can also use that to keep their teeth to themselves" The Siren Purifier proudly nods
"So you really plan to use Bismarck as leverage to bargain with Beelzebub. Once again, we're pawns to your game" Friedrich der Grosse clicks her tongue in disgust
"If you don't like it, I'd like to hear a suggestion. Only a Leviathan can significantly harm another, so we can't allow this opportunity to slip"
"Sovetsky Soyuz wants to destroy Beelzebub, but that's for another day to be discussed"
Devil stretches their arms and massages their aching lower back while Friedrich der Grosse softly scoffs at the reluctant alliance with the Sirens. She won't complain if someone else outside of Iron Blood is used as a bargaining chip.
Five minutes later...
Beelzebub significantly reduced their size, but they're still twice Geryon's height. Their eyes focus on Bismarck's intense and hostile glare towards them. Her sharp eyes never waver while her clenching fists can't mask her hatred for the Leviathan.
"Don't look at me like that. Your sister is still one piece. She'll only wake up with a terribly aching body" Beelzebub chuckles
"Did you really possess my sister to get close to me?"
"That was my plan, but it didn't go as well as I hoped. Her body was already poisoned by the time I assimilated her, so I was greatly weakened for a long time" Beelzebub scratches their teeth
"What will it take for you to leave her body?"
"Perhaps after I eat you. Then again, who's to say I might keep it as a reminder and for me to freely walk around without causing panic"
Beelzebub opens their mouth and thestench of melted and rotten flesh escapes as a steam. Thick and sticky red mucus drops from their teeth, and she could hear the agonized moans of the faces in Beelzebub's tongue.
"..." Bismarck frowns
"You can try to rip me out of this corpse, but I'll make sure to leave a mangled corpse ss souvenir. So why don't you stop resisting and let me bite you right now?"
When Beelzebub crouches and lowers their head, pale and blood-soaked hands emerge from Beelzebub's throat and stop an inch close to Bismarck. Each hand weakly waves and squeezes as an attempt to grab Bismarck.
"Go back as a lowly parasite and return Tirpitz's body, Beelzebub" Bismarck boldly orders her
"Hahahaha! You're lucky I'm saving you as my favorite meal. Well, the next kansen will share the same fate as you after I devour you"
"Bold of you to assume you can even take a bite from me. I will soon tear you from that body like the parasite that you are" Bismarck crosses her arms and doesn't break her glare
"Feisty, determined, and fearless - just the way I like it. However, your threat will remain empty so long as I latch on to this wisdom cube"
Beelzebub retreats the pale hands back into the depths of their throat and shuts their mouth as they retreat from Bismarck. They squeeze their fist in front to her as they make their own threat, one they can confidently do anytime and anywhere, but it's still not enough to change Bismarck's stern and displeased glare.
"Why are you so desperate to eat me? You've devoured countless humans and snacked on my fellow kansens, so why spare this much effort over one battleship?"
"I love to feast in flesh the most. While it fills my belly for a time, a part of me remains unsatisfied. Asmodeus persuaded me to seek out flavor, and they were right. I felt the juiciness and chewiness as I chewed that Sakura ship with animal ears"
Beelzebub widely grins and rolls out their tongue when they hunch and lower their head to be a meter only above Bismarck. The hollowed faces incoherently mumble and whispers while others heavily moan and gasp. Those unfortunate to be assimilated become a part of Beelzebub's body - reconstructing and empowering their killer.
"Before you threaten anyone, you haven't given your answer on our proposal" Devil appears from behind
"Do you think I would be swayed by mere words after this brat tricked me? You schemed to weaken me and now you dare try to trick me into being leashed"
Beelzebub grits their teeth, and their fingers crack as they erratically twitch in different directions. More than the kansens, she finds the Sirens less tolerable, namely the Arbiters.
"I may have fought against Lucifer today, but I haven't remembered allying myself with humans. I dislike Lucifer, but I don't despise my other kin"
"You're so damn lame. Here we thought you learned to stand up for your own desires" The Purifier sticks out their tongue
"I'm in no mood to slaughter all of you right now, but I won't tolerate any of you next time. Consider that as repaying for feeding me her blood" Beelzebub exhales
"..." Bismarck continues to glare at them
"I can only promise your sister will be unharmed...but I will tear her from the inside if you move against me"
"Using her as a hostage and your shield. You play as dirty as humans" Bismarck scoffs
"The reason her insides are still intact because you're still on my menu. I have no need for this brat who doesn't crave for more. What kind of fool is satisfied with what they have..."
Beelzebub shakes their head in dismay and slightly growls while they mutter to themselves. Even the mouth on the mouth on their stomach growls and chatter in a distorted voice similar to a demonic animal.
Two hours later...
The kansens used by Lucifer fortunately suffered body aches and dizziness only while Odin had to go under surgery after Beelzebub mauled her and nearly ripped off her arm. As for Tirpitz, her mortal injuries completely healed because of Beelzebub before they took a "nap". This leaves Bismarck discussing the aftermath with the Sirens.
"This was an unexpected development. At least by calculations, the odds against us were seventy two percent. Due to Beelzebub's last behaviors, the logic should have been them eating us, you, and everyone else"
Devil taps a holographic keyboard in front of her and re-arranges the several floating screens. The Siren Purifier occupies herself with snacking on a bag of potato chips and lounging on the sofa.
"Is that supposed to be good or bad?"
"Good - depending on the situation. By human logic, Beelzebub can grow independent given the right environment. They were disconnected from their kind and forced to observe humans while arguing with their human cage" Hermit shrugs her shoulders
"This means Beelzebub's attitude has changed..."
"Yup! They're actually more patient and sociable now. If they aren't in a good mood, we'd all be in their stomach"
The Siren Purifier tossed potato chips in the air and snapped her mouth close to mimic a shark devouring helpless prey.
"Beelzebub doesn't waste their breath talking to their food. Just like their brethren, they don't deem humans and Sirens as equal to them. It's the same logic as no one would treat cattle as individuals" The Hermit snatches the Purifier's bag of chips
"It seems the Sirens have a plan"
"Beelzebub is the sentient manifestation of endless hunger, so it's normal for them to have the personality of a glutton. However, even animals alter their behavioral patterns depending on the environment. Under human domestication, animals have become sociable and observant" Devil continues to fiddle with the screens
"Initially, we thought human cheap tricks won't work on them. Beelzebub being tricked to eat poison by playing with their appetite is an example. Now, they showed us if you date their appetite, they're willing to entertain and tolerate our whims"
Hermit snacks on the potato chips she snatched from the Siren Purifier earlier while the latter is pouting and shaking their fists high up in the air.
"Since Beelzebub's demeanor can fluctuate, this only meant that they no longer function on raw logic. Our hungry abomination can be tricked and outsmarted" Hermit proudly smirks
We found an advantage against them" Bismarck's fists tenses
"Correct. Due to growing independent, their thought process had to develop on their own. They would have consumed us if they were still cooperating with Lucifer since they wouldn't even entertain a question" Devil pushes aside the screen in front of her
"Since they want to eat you, so they wouldn't allow anyone else to harm you. Beelzebub doesn't like their food being spoiled or tainted. Humans may be fragile, but they will cheat as much as possible to win. That's the advantage Beelzebub had shown us"
"So we need you to join the assault on Belphegor! That's the only way Beelzebub will be forced to deal with Belphegor's field!" The Siren Purifier excitedly claps
"You want to use me as bait by risking my life against someone who can kill battleships without moving?!"
"..." The Hermit raises an eyebrow
"You have better ideas, Ms. my-sister-is-possessed-because-I'm-suicidal"
Tension fills the room as Bismarck silently frowns at the Purifier's personal insult.
"Empress has arranged a meeting with Mammon" Devil changes the subject
"With what?!" Bismarck couldn't hold back her shock
"Mammon is Greed. They're opportunistic by nature, so they'll take whatever deals that will benefit them" Devil shrugs her shoulders
"Mammon is the most likely to betray Lucifer, so it's within expectations. They want to profit, and it doesn't matter whose side is it" Hermit smirks
"Greed is volatile. They'll betray the second another opportunity opens"
Bismarck reminds them as she knows human nature better than Sirens who are detached from humanity.
"Greedy as they are, Mammon respects a contract. They won't break or disregard a contract, but they will find loopholes. It's why Observer Zero is leading the negotiation to ensure Mammon won't easily find a loophole" Devil shows an image of Mammon with Observer Zero
"This is a death sentence" Bismarck massages her temples
"Mammy can't profit if all humans are dead. They want to steal and collect material wealth, and Lucifer's goal is counterproductive. They won't eliminate humanity as modern-day economy is a sweet nectar for them"
"We have greedy businessmen, and you want to add the embodiment of greed too?" Bismarck stares at all three Sirens
"..." They don't blink and only stare back
"There's another in mind. Someone who made it obvious that they require humanity's survival for...their pleasure" The Purifier snickers
"Their...pleasure? You can't possibly be thinking..."
Bismarck is in utter disbelief and denial that she wants to wryly laugh, but the Sirens remain silent and stern, except for a grinning Purifier, as they stare back at her to let her react. The realization that the Sirens patiently waited a combustive reaction set by Lucifer since the latter is bound to react impulsively directs Bismarck to sit back at her chair and massages her temples again. They only need one slip up for them to probe a crack within a loose hierarchy, and the recent incident paved way to it.
Pride's folly is bound to clash with humanity's desires.