Welcome to the next chapter of DxD – The Last Amagiri, but before starting the story. Let's answer some reviews:
Altajir95: Thanks. Yes, none of them can spend a peaceful moment with one another without them getting in a fight with someone dangerous. That will be revealed later.
Weslyschraepen: With a friend who comes from a long line of blacksmiths like Zane, then you will get a lot of benefits somewhere in the future.
The Demon Eater III
"To think that things could escalate to this degree," Yasaka sighed placing a hand on her forehead. "I didn't think a time meant to celebrate your return to Kyoto would turn into this."
Once the four of them arrived, the sun was setting and explained the entire situation with the Demon Eater and Kensei was bandaged up after some of his ribs were cracked, but not broken. It was an injury that would heal if he used the healing senjutsu for an extended period. Yasaka was worried after hearing about the strength that the Demon Eater achieved and showed in front of them.
"I didn't think that he could end up becoming this strong in such a short time," she said thinking about the experience the four had gone through. "There's even this benefactor that he said gave him the demon that he ate the other night and could even handle attacks from the Amagiri-ryuu, which was originally designed to fight against demons."
"His regeneration makes him even more difficult to handle," Claire added sitting next to Kunou who sat properly in front of her mother. "He took several hits from all of us and continued charging without being worried about being permanently injured. The fact that he can turn his arms to more dangerous weapons and even enlarging both his muscles, making him more difficult to handle."
"And to make matters worse, he seems to know about your connection to the leylines of Kyoto."
Kensei stated crossing his arms.
"'If I find just one last person, then I won't be starving anymore'," Alice added after Kensei recalling the words that the Demon Eater told them. "Kensei told us about the leylines and Yasaka-san's connection to them, just thinking about it, you're the only person that he could be talking about."
"I believe that you're correct. It's possible that by using the leylines, I have access to all of the power, which runs through Kyoto potentially making my reserves almost endless. However, as the Leader of the Kyoto Youkai, I will not stand to the threats of a monster who not only harms innocent people but my people."
The four of them could feel the intense emotions from Yasaka as those words left her mouth, Kensei, Claire, and Alice realized that it was the sign of an amazing leader and queen.
"There's no doubt that the Demon Eater is strong, but there's no chance that he can defeat Yasaka-san in a head-on fight. Meaning that if he sees no chance at winning, he'll attempt some underhanded methods, which is why I think that we need to take him out before that."
"What did you have in mind, Kensei-kun?"
"Since he heals too fast and it'll take a long time to wear him out. I need to use something else to bring down him using a definite strike and flames seem to be the most ideal method," Kensei answered catching the attention of the queen. "I need to go through one of the documents and journals to find a particular technique."
Yasaka nodded her head in agreement knowing his meaning and intentions after hearing his request, then a light smile graced her face.
"I understand, I'll have some of the attendants bring them into your room that you can get prepared," she said as she signaled one of the attendants in the room who nodded their head and did as requested. "I believe that you'll be able to find a solution in defeating the Demon Eater in those documents."
"You still have faith in me despite failing to catch this guy twice."
Kensei said scratching the back of his head as he laughed nervously recalling their previous encounters with the Demon Eater, then times that he got away.
"It's not like you to doubt yourself, Kensei-kun. If it wasn't for you, then a lot of people would have been wounded and potentially killed by the Demon Eater if you hadn't acted. Also, I believe in the person that was chosen to be my daughter's fiancé."
At that last part, Yasaka let out a slight laugh causing Kensei and Kunou to blush a bit at the teasing from the far more mature woman.
"H-Hahaue."
"Ah, don't be embarrassed Kunou. It's unbecoming of a fiancée."
"Y-Yes!"
At the short conversation between both mother and daughter, causing Claire and Alice started to look to the side in a complicated manner.
"W-Well, I guess that I should get to finding and learning that technique."
After feeling the atmosphere change around him, Kensei went to stand to his feet and leave the room but he was stopped as a slight laugh escape from Yasaka's face.
"Ufufufu, it well seems that there is something that the usual fearless Kensei Amagiri is afraid of," Yasaka said in an amused tone before switching to a more serious one. "But, we do need to find out what we'll do about locating the Demon Eater."
"I might have an idea."
Alice held out her hand causing a surprised look to appear on the others' faces as she began to explain her idea to all the people inside of the room.
"It might sound dangerous, but I believe that next time we leave tomorrow that Yasaka-san should come with us," Alice pointed out much to their surprise. "I was wondering about how the Demon Eater found out that we were at the Kiyomizu-dera. It might be just a guess, but I believe that he sensed that we were there. So, if we went out in the open with Yasaka-san and she is her actual target, then it would be easier to trap him if she was there."
"My aren't you a bold girl using the Kyoto Youkai Queen as bait," she joked not seeming even mad about the fact that she'll be acting as bait. "I understand the plan and I'd like to encounter the person who has been causing the trouble in my region. I also wouldn't feel right if I just allowed my darling daughter to fight against this dangerous person without supporting her."
"Well, she wouldn't be alone," Claire pointed out. "I mean, she does have us there with her."
"Claire-san."
Kunou said in a tone that displayed her appreciation for the girl her age wanting to support her in this despite her being a rival in love with the same person.
Later on, their conversation continued as such talking about other parts of the plan to catch the Demon Eater, before all of them left to their rooms to rest. Meanwhile, inside of Kensei's room, there were several journals and documents laid out everywhere almost like miniature mountains, which caused him to laugh a bit.
"I often forget the number of techniques, spells, and theories that the Amagiri Clan has come up with since being formed," Kensei said laughing wryly as he started to scratch his head. "Well, I wonder where I should start first?"
Knock! Knock!
There was a knock coming from the door behind him, causing him to turn to face the door and instead of sensing them using senjutsu, he decided to ask normally.
"Who is it?"
"It's Kunou, Ken-nii. Can I come in?"
"Yes."
After hearing his response, Kunou entered the bedroom where she witnessed the pile of documents and journals that he'll need to go through in the night. She was dressed in her usual nightwear that consists of a white yukata.
"Hahaue said that there was an abundance of documents, but Kunou never thought that there would be this much in a single place."
"The Amagiri Clan are careful in taking care of and storing the documents and journals, but there are sometimes when time as its effects on them. If that happens, then someone rewrites their contents so that they aren't lost for good and because of that, they got better at maintaining them. I'll make sure these are kept safe and aren't lost in my generation."
Kunou was able to tell from the way he talked about it, that Kensei cared a lot about his clan and the techniques that all of them created over the years.
"Does Ken-nii need some help?"
Kunou stated in confusion and worry, knowing that going through all these could take him almost all night.
"No, it's alright, I should be able to find what I need in no time. But, the actual trial comes when I attempt to learn that particular technique at the basic level and that might take me all night."
"Please don't overwork yourself Ken-nii. You're going to be fighting against the Demon Eater and I don't think it'll be helpful if you fight, while exhausted."
"Don't be worried, Kunou-chan," he had said petting her head with his hand brushing her fox ears, which caused a soft mewl to escape from her mouth. "Staying up for an entire night won't affect me like it would normal people and if I did wind up being exhausted mentally, I could use senjutsu to heal mental stamina. So, don't be worried I will be at top form fighting against the Demon Eater. But, can you all handle fighting against him until then?"
Kensei questioned Kunou who remained standing there staring at him in wonder.
During their previous conversation, Kensei informed them that he might not be able to arrive there at the start of the fight since it'll take a long time to learn this technique in particular. Neither of them seemed all that concerned about that fact and seemed almost confident that they could hold out. Kensei did believe that they would be fine without him, especially Alice and Claire who surprised being stuck on Hagun Island.
"Doesn't Ken-nii have faith in Kunou?"
Kunou seemed a bit sad at the thought of that, but Kensei sent a smile toward her.
"Of course, I have faith in Kunou-chan. She's grown a lot since that last time that I saw her and if she words with Claire and Alice, then you all might end up beating the Demon Eater before I arrive."
After hearing that comment Kunou giggled as red dusted her cheeks.
"Hehehe, Kunou is a little bit curious to see that technique that Ken-nii has been talking about. But, Ken-nii could just demonstrate it for us if we do end up beating him."
Kunou said childishly as she poked her fingers together, which caused a slight laugh to escape out his mouth after noticing the adorableness of the girl in front of him.
"Hey, Kunou-chan."
"Yes, Ken-nii~"
At her energetic response, Kensei felt his heartwarming up a bit.
"Are you going to be a good girl and work together with Claire tomorrow?"
"If Ken-nii wants Kunou to get along with Claire-san, then Kunou will do it. As long as Ken-nii isn't involved, then I think that Claire and Kunou can get along."
"That's good. Now, wait don't you go to bed?"
"Kay, but can you kneel a little for a second?"
After hearing that request from her, Kensei kneeled enough to where he was at the same height as Kunou, who then leaned up and planted a kiss on his cheek. This caused his and her cheeks to redden from the contact, but she smiled sweetly toward him.
"That's for good luck. Not that you need it."
Those were the last words that Kunou said before exiting his room and leaving him to his business. Kensei later placed a hand on his cheek where Kunou had kissed him and smiled a bit.
"These girls," Kensei laughed as he started to stretch his arms. "Alright, let's get to work."
Kensei went toward the journals and documents belonging to the Amagiri Clan, then started going through all the ones that have titles on them. Most of the ones that he went through had different details about the Five Elements and spells concerning them and about various unique barriers similar to or better than the ones on Hagun Island. It took him almost an hour and a half going through the journals until he found the one that he was looking for.
"Hah, it didn't take me all that long to find this thing," Kensei sighed out of relief as he held the journal in his hand titled [Fire Phase Sword Techniques] not knowing how long it would take him. "It almost feels like I'm doing last-minute studying with Zane. Speaking of which I wonder if he would feel like going to the storehouse inside of my house's dojo to find a replacement for me."
After thinking about Zane, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his cellphone, then started sending a text to his friend who should be at home at the moment. He thought that Zane would be sleeping at this hour unless Zane was working late either on schoolwork or researching magic. Kensei sent him the message, 'Got into a little bit of trouble here in Kyoto and broke the sword I borrowed. Could you go to my house and transport a replacement for me?'. After sending that message for Zane, he opened the journal and started going through the contents.
The next morning, Claire, Kunou, and Alice stood in front of the Yasaka's mansion dressed and prepared for locating the Demon Eater. All three of them had already eaten breakfast without disturbing Kensei who remained inside of his bedroom going through the journal. Knowing that he would be starving after leaving his bedroom, both Claire and Kunou left food packed up into a bento box after he finished up.
"So, what're we going to do against the Demon Eater?"
Kunou questioned both Alice and Claire who stood next to her.
"Well, we've seen that he's durable enough to handle strikes from Kensei's techniques," Alice surmised after she recalled their previous fight with the Demon Eater. "I'll make monsters that'll fight against him head-on as neither of us has the same skills in close combat compared to Kensei, while you and Claire support me."
"That sounds like a great plan, but what if the Demon Eater eats one of your monsters?"
"I know, but this is the best chance that we have against the Demon Eater at the moment," Alice said glancing at Claire and Kunou. "We'll just have to ensure that doesn't happen and if the situation gets too much for us before Kensei comes back, then Yasaka-san will just have to get involved."
"Well, I guess that is the best plan that we can come up with at the moment. But, we'll have to think about a plan to hold him off more so since I think that my Worthless would work on him."
"Why not?"
Kunou questioned hearing during their talk that Claire did possess a unique ability that could affect the offensive and defensive abilities of someone else as long as she understands their properties.
"I don't understand the exact properties of his regeneration and if it's something more on a biological level rather an actual power, then it'll be impossible to negate if it's something he does naturally," Claire explained to Kunou. "However, if it's just his aura then I can nullify that. If we work together, then we might be able to defeat the Demon Eater before Nii-san arrives."
"Yes, I feel the same Claire-san."
Kunou replied in response to the confidence that Claire showed about their abilities if they worked together which caused both girls to nod their heads to one another.
"It's so weird to see them working together and with another, while other times they're at each other's throats."
Alice thought as she watched both Claire and Alice talking to one another about fighting the Demon Eater.
Amid their conversation, Yasaka arrived alongside three of her most skilled attendants of who would be acting as her guards in their confrontation against the Demon Eater.
"Are you all prepared?"
"Yes, Hahaue!"
After hearing her daughter's energetic response, Yasaka laughed a little bit before turning towards Alice and Claire who nodded their heads in agreement. Having noticed that the three girls were prepared for their fight with the Demon Eater, Yasaka turned toward her three attendants who also seemed prepared.
"Well, since it appears that we're all prepared. Let's head out."
[Yes.]
After hearing the words from the Kyoto Queen herself, all of them had raised their voices in response to Yasaka's readiness to locate the Demon Eater and not let him go this time. As a group, all of them left Urakyoto out in Kyoto waiting for their target to locate them himself.
For a couple of hours, the group of seven people walked around Kyoto without being conspicuous without neither of them seeming conscious about the danger. Both Yasaka and her three kitsune attendants all hid their ears and tails, making them appear human around normal people. Alice, Claire, and Kunou remained together as a small group while going through the souvenir shop.
One of the attendants noticed something, then went towards Yasaka who purchased ice cream mochi from a food stand owner. The male owner stared at Yasaka seeming baffled about the beauty of the mature woman who stood in front of him as she ordered the mochi ice cream.
"Thank you."
Yasaka smiled at the stand owner who blushed a deep shade of red.
"Y-You're welcome."
As Yasaka walked from the food stand toward the kitsune attendant who seemed to be looking in the crowd of all the people around them.
"…Yasaka-sama."
"Yes, I know. It should be best to leave it be as starting a feud would attract unneeded attention."
Yasaka said realizing what the female attendant was referring to without seeming worried about 'it' as she ate the mochi that she purchased. Moments later, there was an odd presence that sends a slight chilling sensation down the backs of the people present. It was then that Kunou went closer to her mother with Alice and Claire following after the younger Kyuubi.
"Hahaue."
"Yes, I sense him."
Soon enough, amid the crowd of people, the Demon Eater walked toward them without wearing his hood wearing a confident smirk on his face.
"I take it that you're the 'Demon Eater'."
Yasaka said in a fearless tone as the Demon Eater stood in front of him with one of his hands in his pocket.
"Ah, and I take it that you're my next meal."
"Ara, what a vulgar thing to say."
Yasaka sounded calm, but there was an intense presence behind her words, which sent a far stronger chill down the Demon Eater's spine more than the presence that he released from him.
"Hehehe, based on this pressure, you're the person that my Benefactor was referring to."
The Demon Eater seemed thrilled about the presence of Yasaka who realized that a fight would be brought out in the middle of the streets.
"Be prepared, everyone."
Yasaka said as she used her hands to form a seal similar to what Kunou had done before and caused her youki to manifest around her as the rain started to occur around them catching the attention of the people. And before long Yasaka formed a Sunshower Barrier that sent the seven of them inside of another space so that the people who were around them would get involved. Although, it seemed way stronger than the one that Kunou had created in their initial encounter with the Demon Eater.
"Huh, this seemed familiar," the Demon Eater laughed not appearing all that concerned about being inside of this Sunshower Barrier again. "Huh, what happened to that other kid? Did he get too scared and ran off?"
"This coming from the guy who was so shaken that Nii-san managed to stab him."
Claire mumbled under her breath as she made an intricate bow in her hands using White Nemesis, while Kunou chuckled after hearing that and summoned foxfire in her hands.
"Uh, well, it doesn't matter. His presence here wouldn't make much of a difference either way."
The Demon Eater crouched on the ground clenching both his fists as his arms began changing again causing the hands and nails to turn into sharp claws.
"I'm going tear every single one of you to shreds and devour that big breasted fox!"
After that last comment escaped from his mouth, the Demon Eater prepared himself and rushed towards them at a quickened pace. Before he could reach them, Claire moved first appearing close to him releasing light arrows at point-blank range against the Demon Eater causing him to be pushed back bit by bit. The Demon Eater stood his ground enduring all the light arrows hitting him as his wounds healed at a slowed pace.
"Seriously, this is starting to get annoying."
The Demon Eater held out his arms defending against the arrows as he proceeded to rush forward resolute and he headed towards Claire. Wearing a sadistic smirk on his face, the Demon Eater swiped his claws towards her, which caused Claire to jump upward into the air to avoid them and kept herself afloat using her devil wings. As a second attack was coming at the Demon Eater seem prepared to jump towards Claire, a wave of foxfire was sent at him from behind. Before he could counterattack, Claire used demonic power to bring down a lightning bolt onto the Demon Eater causing him to be shocked and burned.
"Tch, damn brats!"
The Demon Eater raised his aura to remove the flames and lightning that covered him, but before he could a sudden impact on his cheek that sent him backward. He turned his attention and realized that it was a well-built monster similar to the one that he fought against the other day. Although aside from that monster, there were also two wolf-like monsters and two monsters wielding swords next to Alice.
"Hmm, hearing about a Longinus is one thing, but seeing it up close is another," Yasaka stated with interest as she watched the monsters being birthed from them. "Hmmm…."
"Is there something wrong, Yasaka-sama?"
One of the female attendants asked her, with Yasaka continuing to look forward with interest.
"I was curious about the reason why something like the Longinus was created and given to humans. I heard that the Biblical God made sacred gears, but they were expanded around other factions around the Human World instead of remaining within their faction alone. Was it to give humans more power to face supernatural beings? And is it that the Longinus, which could kill gods as himself created?"
Yasaka questioned as Alice stared toward the Demon Eater with a resolved look.
"Attack him."
Following the command of their creator, the wolves followed the well-built monster and started rushing toward the Demon Eater. The well-built monster started striking the Demon Eater several times using its fists causing blood to spill out from his mouth, then attempted to slash at the monster using his claws. However, the wolves moved a lot like a pact and bit into the arm and leg of the Demon Eater stopping him from moving and attacking using one of his hands. The Demon Eater was then punched in the face again by the monster in front of him as the bruises on his face started healing, but at a slowed pace.
At the last swing that the monster was going to aim at him, the Demon Eater raised his aura and focused it at the leg that the wolf wasn't latched onto, then kicked it aside off his leg. Then using his free hand pulled off the wolf that was latched onto his arm and held it in front of the monster before his fist could connect. After letting out light wine after being sent backward by the initial monster. The Demon Eater then swiped his clawed hand toward the monster in front of him, slashing the monster across the chest causing a shadowy aura to leak from the wound.
"Hahaha, I'd like to test something out!"
Having declared that, the Demon Eater's face started changing drastically becoming more and more monstrous, he then opened his mouth, revealed his elongated sharpened teeth. He then lunged toward the monster who was still recovering from the last attack with the intent of biting him. Realizing his intentions, Kunou released foxfire in his direction hitting his face before he could sink his teeth into the monster.
Claire, who landed on the ground pulled back the light strings of her bow, but instead of a light arrow, she instead used her demonic power to make a fire arrow piercing his shoulder and burning him from that point.
"Get away from him!"
This granted the monster enough time to heal and moved from the Demon Eater after it heard the command from its creator.
"It might be possible for the Demon Eater to also devour the monsters that I create," Alice thought as she looked at the wolves who regained their bearings. "I'll just have them attack faster so that they don't get caught."
The wolves soon started to move toward the Demon Eater using coordinated moves, then used their sharp claws to slash at his legs without stopping to lessen his mobility. Meanwhile, both Claire and Kunou continued with their flame-based attacks on the Demon Eater to lessen his regeneration on the ground that the wolves were targeting neither young girl let up in the slightest.
"My, I didn't expect either of them works this well together."
"They've only known one another for barely two days."
Her attendants seemed impressed about the girls working together against the Demon Eater who endured all the attacks from the three years. Yasaka herself didn't say one word in response and instead watched proudly as her daughter worked together with the two girls who arrived with Kensei mere days ago. There were times that Kunou would act carelessly, whether it was leaving Urakyoto either unattended or even throwing a tantrum when things didn't get her way. But, now….
"It warms my heart seeing my little Kunou fighting so valiantly for Kyoto."
Yasaka smiled lightly as she watched Kunou and Claire releasing more attacks aimed at the Demon Eater, which was later followed up by a punch from the initial monster. However, the Demon Eater grasped the monster's arm at the same time as if expecting it. Claire and Kunou's attacks were doing damage against him, but the far most effective attacks came from Alice's monsters. This meant that Alice had to get involved and use her monsters or else neither of them would have a chance against him.
"This will be a fun appetizer!"
The Demon Eater sadistically yelled as he tore off the monster's arm with the intent of devouring it.
"Claire, Kunou!"
""Got it!""
Both Kunou and Claire reacted at that moment, then rushed toward the Demon Eater before he could devour that monster's arm. Kunou released foxfire toward the Demon Eater, while Claire turned her intricate bow into a white angelic-looking sword that has a blue blade. Once Kunou's attack made contact with his face, the Demon Eater continued with his intentions, even after being stabbed and slashing in the arm holding the arm.
"Tch, too persistent."
"Claire-san!"
"…huh."
After hearing that panicked shout from Kunou, Claire felt something approaching her causing the gray-haired girl to move to avoid as a holy wave sent the Demon Eater toward the ground. Claire managed to move to the side as it slashed the original target and she didn't need to guess who sent that holy wave.
"It would appear that not just waiting around would make things for serious for us to eliminate the Demon Eater if we allowed you lot to continue fighting it."
Just as Claire thought, the two who arrived onto the battlefield were both Freed and David who had Galatine in his hands. The white-haired exorcist, on the other hand, wielded both his light gun and sword wearing the same look of enjoyment on his face.
"Hahaha, if the Devil-chan didn't avoid it at the last second, then she would have been split in two."
Claire felt annoyed and unnerved by the comment from Freed, then started moving back towards both Alice and Kunou who also seemed unnerved by their presence.
"I was certain that one of my attendants delivered the message of attempting to harm Claire-san."
Yasaka said as she glanced at the older exorcist who remained composed and unnerved about both the look and comment from Yasaka.
"I received the message from your attendant. Despite my personal feelings on the manner, it was the best option to wounding the Demon Eater," he explained as he turned toward the Demon Eater. "It appears that he's going to become more trouble now that he's had another meal."
As he said that, despite being wounded by the holy wave released by David, the Demon Eater had continued to devour the arm that he had torn off from Alice's monster. Several sounds from his body also undergoing another drastic change could be heard causing an unsettling feeling to run down the spines of the people there.
"What kind of person was this Demon Eater?"
At Yasaka's question, David remained quiet for a moment before opening his mouth to speak.
"He was apart of a certain organization among the Church that trains exorcists and was even chosen to become part of a new training program to combat devils and fallen angels. I don't know the full details, but he used demon techniques and modifications to increase his power by devouring other beings such as strayed devils, then gaining a lot of their original traits."
"Is that the truth about him being the one who used demonic techniques to strengthen himself?"
Yasaka questioned back seeming suspicious about that story as if it was something that someone came up with to cover up something.
"Are you doubting the report of our higher-ups?"
"Of course, not. But, I doubt that someone would be capable of doing something like that on their own."
"Well, we need to finish him now before he becomes more of a threat."
Just as David said that the Demon Eater stood to his feet appearing not even human anymore and instead looks more like a monster with darkened skin to the point of being almost black.
"Hahahaha, I didn't think that it would be this drastic, but I can feel the power bustling inside me. I think that I'll do you the favor of leaving you alive so that you can create more monsters for me to devour! Hell, I'll even make you my wife when you grow up!"
The Demon Eater declared seeming as if he was losing himself to his strength as he continued growing the more he continued devouring people.
"I'd rather not."
Alice said with a look that displayed that she was creeped out by his comment to the point of stepping back from him a bit but could tell that things were getting more complicated.
"Alice-nee, I don't think that you should create stronger monsters anymore," Claire said causing Alice to feel near useless in this situation. "If he continues eating them, then we won't know how strong he'll get."
"Yes, but…I feel useless right now. If I can't use this Longinus even though it caused me trouble, then what good am I for?"
Alice asked with her frustration about the situation becoming more apparent as she tightened her fist annoyed as she couldn't do anything aside from creating monsters, which Claire could understand.
"I know that Alice-nee can find some way to be helpful. I mean, I did."
Having heard that from the girl she adores as a little sister caused Alice to feel a little bit better about the situation and nodded her head in agreement.
"Hahaha, look at the Monster-chan and Devil-chan getting making up with one another~!"
Upon hearing that comment from Freed, both Alice and Claire scrunched up their face out of annoyance at the voice and tone of the younger exorcist. Though, neither of them placed their focus on the exorcist as the Demon Eater was preparing to assault them.
"Hahaha, I guess that I'll deal with the biggest pain first."
The Demon Eater declared turning his hand into a single-edged blade, then rushed toward David with Galatine in hand without even hesitating. He coated his single-edged hand blade in an aura and clashing against Galatine, in which resulted in sparks between their blades. Both of them got into a clash with their respective blades with the older exorcist being able to deflect and counter all of them using his trained skills.
"Hahaha, it seems that you're still able to fight against me."
"You're not that much of a threat, so don't get ahead of yourself," David stated in a strong tone unaffected by the taunt from the Demon Eater. "Leaving out the skills you gained from training in that institute, your power alone is at the level of a middle-class devil` at best bordering on the high-class devil. You'll be judged for your crimes."
"Heh, it's must be fun killing devils and fallen angels under the pretense of 'convicting' them right. So as long as it is for the big guy upstairs you a lot in the Church can justify anything in the name of defeating evil and impure."
"…."
David didn't say anything at the taunts of the Demon Eater not feeling the slightest bit unnerved about them.
"Hahaha, looks here."
As the Demon Eater placed his attention to dealing with the opponent in front of him, Freed appeared next to him pointing his light gun at point-blank range. All the light bullets came into contact with the Demon Eater's face with most of them not doing a single bit of damage on him. It was then that the Demon Eater swung his arm towards Freed, but as it seemed that his arm wouldn't be able to even reach him, his arm shifting again this time it turned into a long elongated bladed whip.
"Hahaha, that looks so weird."
Despite laughing, Freed did seem surprised about this sudden shift but still managed to avoid the bladed whip at a hairsbreadth leaving a cut in his clothing. He then slashed at the whip using his light sword, while continuing to fire off light bullets at the Demon Eater and dodged the lashes from his whip. Alice, Claire, and Kunou were left where they stood watching as the exorcist duo fought against the Demon Eater coordinating their attacks against him.
"How did they enter this space in the first place?"
Claire questioned not thinking that the two of them would be able to transport inside of this space.
"Hahaue must've transported them inside of this space alongside us. Kunou also recalled that Hahaue said that it will be possible for Ken-nii to enter this space as well if he arrived on time."
Claire and Alice could understand that as it would be impossible to fight the Demon Eater alone without the help of Alice's monsters fighting with them. It wasn't that either Claire or Kunou were weak on their own or together, it was just that the Demon Eater was without more trained in close combat than them and most of their powers were more suitable for mid to long-range combat.
"Well, we can't just sit around here doing nothing," Alice said that to them in a serious tone. "If not, then we'll just end up being a burden to Kensei in the long run without being able to at least give him a serious wound."
Both Claire and Kunou could understand the frustration she felt about the situation since her monsters ended up making him stronger instead of weaker.
"Well, fire and light are his main weakness," Claire stated again as she watched Galatine doing damage against the Demon Eater. "The latter can hinder his regeneration and the former weakening him due to having several demonic beings' genetic materials within him."
"I have an idea," Alice said as she turned toward Claire and Kunou. "Claire would it be possible for you to create something bigger than the normal gun you create, then instead of firing a normal light bullet would it be possible to combine that light with Kunou's foxfire."
"Huh, I mean making the gun is one thing, but would that last part even work? Radueriel?"
[….]
After hearing her question, Radueriel thought about the question for a couple of seconds before decided to talk.
[It should be possible to combine light and fire as Lord Uriel, one of the Four Great Seraph combines those two to create his famed Holy Fire. You could say that it's easier for him since he was born to be able to use that element. Similar to Barakiel who was able to combine light and lightning to create Holy Lightning. And based on my past knowledge, there's no other angel who can perform the same feat unless something occurred.]
"So, it is impossible for us?"
[Under normal circumstances, then yes.] Radueriel answered Kunou's question before continuing. [However, due to the nature of the sacred gears, it should be possible as long as you desire it and have the required elements to make it possible. Among the sacred gears able to naturally perform such a feat would be the Longinus that has one of the Holy Relics, Incinerate Anthem and others like Blade Blacksmith that has holy attributes. Then there's mine who grants you the same light and holy abilities as an angel.]
"Do you think that I can pull it off?"
[You've broken out your original shell and fought against other monsters without Kensei being there. But, the far more important question is do you believe you can do it?]
After hearing that deep question, Claire thought to herself before letting a slight sigh escape from her mouth.
"I think that I have a good chance if both of us work together. What do you think, Kunou-san?"
"Yes. Kunou believe that Claire-san can pull this off."
Having come into an agreement with one another, Claire held out both of her hands in a position that seems as if she were holding a gun larger than she could wield using one hand. She then started focusing on a certain image of the correct weapon that would be able to wound the Demon Eater.
[Just remember to focus and allow the image to appear clearly in your head.]
Having received that advice from Radueriel, Claire did as such and calmed herself down, letting the image inside her head become clearer and apparent. Soon enough, the light particles started to manifest all around her hands, before taking on a physical form. The thing that manifested in her hands was an angelic-looking rifle that has blue lights traced across it.
"It worked. Now, Kunou-san let's do this."
"Alright, Claire-san."
Both girls seemed determined about doing this, causing Kunou to move behind Claire, placing her hand on top of hers, where she would pull the trigger and the other placed near the barrel. Kunou started to amass foxfire in the hand where the barrel and started to circle the rifle, while Claire attempted to combine it with the light that would be released as the bullet.
"I'll get him to remain in one spot."
Alice started as she stepped from the two of them so that both of them could concentrate without being bothered, then turned her attention toward the wolves who remained. Using a single gesture from her head and hands, the wolves started acting and redirected their attention toward the Demon Eater who continued to face off against the two exorcists. Both wolves rushed towards the Demon Eater from both sides, then started slashing at his legs as he was preoccupied fighting against the exorcists catching his attention.
"Argh, these damned mutts! So annoying!"
After coating his leg in his aura, the Demon Eater kicked one of the wolves aside, as the other one jumped onto him and bit into his neck causing him to wail.
"Let's see you handle this."
The Demon Eater prepared himself as his back started shifting again and suddenly spikes shot out from his back penetrating the wolf in an attempt to get it to stop biting him, but the wolf continued to fight on. Moments later, the other wolf jumped in front of the Demon Eater blocking his view and clawing at him.
"Persistent little wolves!"
The Demon Eater complained as he continued fighting against the wolves who pounced onto him, which caused David and Freed to stare on confused.
"Hahaha, what's this Monster-chan doing?"
"What're these girls plotting?"
Both of them turned their sights toward Claire and Kunou who was combining their light and fire respectively into a single form. A large amount of flames started gushing out from the barrel before they called out their attack.
""Holy Foxfire Bullet.""
Claire and Kunou pulled the trigger, releasing a focused holy fire bullet from the barrier towards the Demon Eater leaving a trail of light in its wake. Soon enough the wolf let out a yelp from its mouth as the Demon Eater bit into it, before throwing it aside in another direction. It was then he realized that the Demon Eater noticed Claire and Kunou had fired off their attack, but it was already too close and fast for him to avoid. Before long, the holy foxfire bullet penetrated the Demon Eater's shoulder causing a large explosion that expanded outwards.
"Raaaaah!"
Amid the fiery explosion, the Demon Eater lost his entire right shoulder and most of the portions around it as well, which caused him to place his and on that spot as flames started to cover him entirely causing him to wail due to the distress that he felt. Both Claire and Kunou looked on smiling at the fact that they were able to wound him to this extent, with Alice, Yasaka, and the other attendants joining them.
"Hah, look at what the Devil-chan did, Teach David!"
"…," David didn't look amused and instead looked more worried about the threat that Claire could pose. "To fuse both light and fire into the Holy Flames that should belong solely to the Angles on high. We should deal with her now before she becomes a threat. But, before that…."
"Raaaaaah! You damned contemptible braaats! You'll never get away with…!"
Amid his rampage, the Demon Eater started reacting to something and started screaming as unfamiliar started to appear around him.
"What's going on with him?"
Kunou questioned seeing that the Demon Eater reacting oddly as a darker aura started to radiate from him as his sclera started turning black.
"Doesn't it seem like he's getting stronger?"
Claire added confused about the incidents but realized that David had already started moving and Galatine was covered in a strong holy aura. Without hesitation, he slashed the Demon Eater several times before stabbing him into the abdomen."
"Be judged and be reduced to ashes."
David said coldly, but the aura around him didn't cease despite his screams ceasing.
On top of a near tall building inside of the space was the Demon Eater's 'Benefactor' without his presence being known to either of them. In his hands, he was a talisman covered in an ominous aura and bowed his head in a praying manner.
"…. …. ….. …."
The 'Benefactor' spoke a mysterious chant that seemed unnatural and unholy without being disturbed but soon completed the chant letting a slightly relaxed breath to escape from his mouth.
"I didn't expect for that these girls to push you this much to your limit without Kensei Amagiri Demon Eater-dono and in with the addition of those exorcists, it wouldn't be long until you died," The 'Benefactor' said in an impassive tone as he continued watching the events unfold. "Seeing that teaming up on someone is a little rude, I'll give you a little help. This spell will release the restrictions on the demon that you devoured. Now let's see what happens next in this battle."
After doing that the 'Benefactor' took a seat on the edge of the building in a relaxed manner as the Demon Eater started undergoing another change. Several black veins started stretching across the Demon Eater as he started shaking around erratically as if convulsing. Seeing this sudden reaction, David removed Galatine from him and stepped away from the Demon Eater.
"What's going on now?"
As his transformation continued with all his wounds started healing at an accelerated rate even far more than beforehand. His skin started to turn a darker shade as his body shifted into a more demonic form that didn't even look as if it originally belonged to a human. The Demon Eater grew far taller than before as black tribal markings started appearing around him and black spikes started growing.
"Huh?! What happened to this guy teach?!"
"I don't know, but he's giving off a different presence compared to before."
David answered Freed's question realizing that the Demon Eater was comparable to a High-Class Devil.
Kunou seemed to realize that the Demon Eater was stronger than before, then turned toward Claire who realized the seriousness of the situation at hand.
"Claire-san, should we attempt it again?!"
"No, it would take too long to fire off another shot without practice and I don't think that he would…."
"Kunou, Claire-san move!"
Yasaka called out in a panicked manner, causing them to realize that the transformed Demon Eater was rushing in their direction. He was too fast for either of them to be able to move aside, acting quickly, Claire turned her rifle into a shield and as the Demon Eater covered his enlarged fist in aura, she focused her clan's Worthless onto the shield. As soon as his aura-covered fist came into contact with the shield, the aura was negated, but the force of his punch continued undeterred.
"Kuh!"
Claire felt herself being pushed back by the Demon Eater unable to physically endure the full brunt of the attack, but it was then that Claire felt herself being supported by Kunou who had been standing behind her. Together the two of them were able to handle the punch, but in the end, neither of them could withstand it causing them both to be sent back to the ground.
""Aaah!""
Both Claire and Kunou fell on the ground next to one another unable to endure the punch from the Demon Eater, with Alice unable to endure it anymore, sent the two sword-wielding monsters after her. Both rushed at the newly transformed Demon Eater, slashing their swords downwards, which slashed the Demon Eater resulting in a deep X-shaped wound on his chest that started healing at quicker speeds than before.
"What happened to make him this much stronger? It couldn't have been due to devouring one of my wolves since it didn't happen immediately."
Alice was stumped about his sudden change a lot the others, who appeared confused with Yasaka herself even thinking about getting involved now. The Demon Eater was close to hitting Claire and Kunou who made attempts to defend themselves from the Demon Eater, but endured them and arrived in front of them. He raised his arm in the air covering it in aura once again preparing to aim it toward them, then Claire raised her shield again with her Worthless channeled into it.
"…."
Knowing that even if the aura in the attack would be negated again, the strength behind it will be far too much for her to handle; Kunou reached her hands out placing it near to Claire's hands. Taking the assist, both of them prepared for the full brunt of the attack, the aura around his fist was negated, his fist continued sailing at them. At the same time, Yasaka had foxfire appear around the tips of all nine of her tails in preparation to burn the Demon Eater to ashes.
But—
A bright magic circle appeared underneath Claire and Kunou, then seconds later several blades grew outward in all directions around the girls without hitting them. Each of the blades had penetrated the Demon Eater's arm and parts of his shoulder, forcing him to retreat backward. Seeing this causing the people around them to become far more surprised about it.
"What is this?"
"Wait, these belong to…."
Claire felt the presence of holy aura from the blades around them, then her answers came in the form of a two—no three silhouettes appearing around them. But, the two of them were familiar to him.
"Seriously," the male voice sounded surprised about all the people around them. "Since I wasn't able to teleport to Kensei for reason, I thought about just teleporting to Claire or Alice since I made sure to carve a magic seal in them in case we needed to teleport for emergencies. But, this is the last thing though that I'd come across here."
"*Sigh* It seems that we can't leave either of you alone without getting into trouble."
Appearing behind her was both Zane and Maria joined with a mysterious male wearing a black traditional kimono with a straw hat on his head and carrying around an object wrapped in a box standing behind them. Maria turned her attention toward the Demon Eater who proceeded to yank out all the swords piercing his arm, then turned her attention toward the two exorcists who stood near.
"Well, it seems that this person became the target of the ever so diligent hunters from the Church," Maria stated before she glanced toward the sword in David's possession. "I never thought that I'd run into Galatine like this."
"You know that sword?"
"Of course, Claire. I wouldn't be able to call myself a descendant of Sir Lancelot if I didn't recognize a sword that belonged to one of the Knight of the Round Table."
Maria said seriously before turning toward Alice who soon joined up with them.
"What're you two doing here?"
"Well, it happened like this."
Zane replied as he thought back to the events leading to this.
Hours ago, inside of Kibou Town, it was still their break from school, but Zane found himself walking outside and headed in the same direction as Kensei's home. He was dressed in casual wear and not his school uniform with his Magus Akashic inactive and around his neck like a necklace. Having woken up this morning after staying up a good portion of the night working on devising magic using his grimoire.
"I shouldn't have remained up all that time last night," Zane yawned as he stretched his arms. "But, I didn't think that Kensei would text me last night."
"Tired Zane?"
Zane stopped as he heard a familiar voice calling him, then turned to face a small group of girls.
Standing behind him was Maria, Layla, and Hisui all standing, the former waving her hand toward him in a gentle and friendly fashion. All of them were dressed in casual attire fitting for their age and carrying around groceries in their hands, but it wasn't too much and just appeared to be for cooking a meal.
"Hey, what're you all doing?"
"Well, we all got together and thought about cooking a meal together," Layla replied proudly. "And of course, I and Sis always cook the best meals together as a team."
"This time we're working as a team," Maria laughed a bit after hearing her comment. "But, why do you look tired? Did you remain up working on magic again?"
"I had a thought about a barrier technique based on the rating game technologies from Hagun Island and wanted to use the Magus Akashic to go through it to see if it was possible," Zane explained as he yawned again. "It takes a lot going through this grimoire and it's even worse if you overuse it."
"Then let your dear friend, Hisui assist you~"
Hisui stated in her usual cheerful mood stepping in front of Zane with her finger pointed toward the sky as a blue-white light covered it, then placed it onto his forehead. The light traveled from her finger into Zane causing him to feel a lot more energetic as all his exhaustion seemed to fade.
"Thanks for that, I feel a lot better."
"Anything for a friend."
"Zane, I've been wondering about that grimoire," Layla stated as she pointed at the miniaturized book, which was wrapped around his neck almost like a makeshift necklace. "I know we've heard about the benefits, but based on what happens after going through it for a night and it seems as if it takes a lot out of you."
"I agree with Layla-chan," Hisui added directing her attention toward the book. "I have always sensed an unusual presence from that grimoire almost as if it's conscious like an actual living person and it feels as if Annelisse as you call it, it feels as if it's peering at us. And there are other things odd about it."
"I don't know much about the details myself, but I kinda noticed that there was something wrong about it felt like I started losing consciousness the more that I read the contents of the Magus Akashic and even my magic power felt as if it was being drained," Zane said after placing his hand on the miniature grimoire. "My parents and other relatives even thought about having a magic user from the valkyrie corps place a seal on the grimoire. However, I started getting used to the aftereffects and even the magic draining thing didn't happen unless I overused it. This might sound weird, but I think that Annelisse is testing me."
All three of them looked at Zane with a confused look on their face at the thought about a grimoire 'testing' him in such a manner and it worried them about what it was 'testing' him for. But, Zane shook his head and he thought back to what he planned first and foremost.
"But, I didn't come out here to talk. I think that you guys should know that something happened in Kyoto."
"Huh, what do you mean?"
Maria questioned thinking back to their previous talk about nothing would happen in Kyoto aside from getting the documents belonging to the Amagiri Clan.
"I don't know. Kensei wasn't all that vague about the exact details and just asked me to send over a replacement katana from the storehouse at his house. Though, considering that someone broke the katana that he used to fight against several people since Hagun Island, that is a bit worrying."
"Well, do you all think that we should go and check up on Ken Ken?"
Hisui questioned in a far happier tone than either of them with Layla glancing towards her with a questioning look on her face almost seeing through her true intentions.
"I'm sure that you just want to go and see Kensei," Layla accused but Hisui didn't seem all that secretive about it. "He's been gone for two days, not two years and he'll return tomorrow."
"Just a single day without Ken Ken feels almost like a year for me~"
Hisui dramatically said causing Maria and Layla to roll their eyes at the same time in response to their antics, but as Hisui did that, she suddenly stopped once the four of them were close to the Amagiri Residence.
"Huh, there's someone in front of Ken Ken's house. But, he doesn't appear to be human or even a youkai."
"Huh?"
At that question, Maria glanced toward Hisui for a second before looking toward the front entrance of the Amagiri Residence and witnessed someone sitting outside of the entrance without moving an inch. Neither of them knew who the person was, but no one who walked passed him seemed to notice his presence or didn't care about him. Seeing that the people were walking passed him, the four of them walked toward the man cautiously knowing the normal citizens around them might get involved.
"Who're you?"
Zane questioned the man first after being the first to arrive in front of him.
In response to his question, the man glanced toward him realizing that the four of them could see him aside from the others around him who didn't realize he was sitting there.
"Ah, I believe that you four might be those affiliated with Amagiri-dono. Or you could even be the others residing in Kibou Town aware of the existence of the supernatural."
The man spoke in a tone that didn't display much emotion, not even fear or annoyance about them, which all four of them thought was a little weird.
"Uh, no we are friends of Kensei Amagiri. And we'd like you to know why you're in front of his house."
"That might be true, but unless I have proof on that subject. I cannot answer."
The man replied again in an almost robotic programmed manner without sounding rude to them. It was then that Zane activated a magic circle in his hand and a piece of paper appeared in his hands, which had the emblem of the Amagiri Clan imprinted on it. It was something that Kensei left them just encase someone from another clan related to the Amagiri Clan arrived. After noticing both the paper and the presence, which was radiating from it.
"Hmm, it does resemble the spiritual power belonging to the Amagiri Clan," the man seemed far more open to conversing with them about his business. "I'm a shikigami Amakuni-sama created to deliver messages or deliver items whenever he's too busy to do it himself."
"Amakuni-sama? He's the swordsmith that Ken Ken met over three years ago."
Hisui and the others recalled that Kensei mentioned that he encountered Amakuni during his month-long training with Sun Wukong.
"Well, Kensei went to Kyoto on a trip. But, I can deliver the message to him."
"It isn't just a message that I have to deliver to him," the man explained to them. "If possible, I would like to meet to deliver the message to him and give him the present that Amakuni-sama created for him as well."
It was then that Zane and Maria noticed the long rectangular box wrapped in cloth and strapped on his back, but neither of them could sense a single thing from it. However, knowing who this person was caused Zane to guess what it was and directed his attention toward the shikigami.
"Well, I was planning on sending something to him anyway. And since I'm not doing anything right now, I can just transport there."
"Are you sure?"
"Yea," Zane replied to the stoic man wearing a generous smile on his face. "Besides, I wouldn't be a good friend if I didn't go and see what's going on there. We can go somewhere else to activate the teleportation magic circle. I guess that I'll see you guys sometime later."
Zane glanced towards the three women that he met along the way toward there, but Maria sighed and glanced in the direction of Layla and Hisui.
"Can you two return and explain the situation to Iris and Rui?"
"Are you going to Sis?"
"Of course. As Zane said, what kind of friend would I be if I didn't check up on them myself?"
"Then, I'll…."
"No. You know that at least more than two of us need to remain here just in case. Even if Zane and I leave, you and Layla are still here."
As Hisui was going to say something else, Maria shot her down knowing what she was going to say, causing a look of depression to appear on Hisui's face. Hisui then looked at Maria with a look that seemed to be akin to a cat begging for something, but Maria maintained her firm look not buying the begging plea of the green-haired nekoshou who soon pouted.
"Fine."
Though Hisui sounded depressed, she could understand her reasoning.
"Besides, this might not take us but a couple of minutes," Maria added before she turned toward Zane. "Alright, then let's go."
As Zane finished explained the entire situation to them, Amakuni's shikigami took a seat in the same position in which he was in front of the Amagiri Residence not concerned about the situation they were in. His nonchalant reaction caused Zane to laugh wryly before turning toward the Demon Eater.
"Well, enough explaining. I don't need to know the situation to realize that this guy needs to be brought down."
Zane declared after glancing toward the Demon Eater, which Maria agreed to use a single nod of her head.
"Well, let's show this guy how we work as a team."
Maria declared with strong confidence in her tone as she made a holy sword in her hands catching the attention of David who had been watching the new arrivals.
"Blade Blacksmith?"
"What's that, Teach David?"
"It's a sacred gear able to make holy swords of various attributes according to the will of the user. However, all of the swords created can't match that of ones such as my Galatine or even the Excalibur Fragments despite being simple remnants of the original Excalibur. But, why's a wielder of that particular sacred gear around a devil?"
David couldn't understand the situation of people gathering around a devil such as Claire.
Before long, the three teens and the two tweens got into positions, with Maria being the vanguard alongside both Alice's sword-wielding monsters, middle-guards was Zane, Claire who manifested her bow, and Kunou, and Alice acted as the rearguard for support.
"Maria, the Demon Eater can regenerate from the wounds dealt to him, but fire-based attacks work against him and slows down his regeneration."
"Got it."
After giving her response, Maria rushed toward the Demon Eater turning the sword she made into a fire one and made a second one in her free hand. The Demon Eater reacted and rushed toward her turning his arms into that of dual single-edged blades, which he actively slashed towards her. Maria reacted to the slashes efficiently avoided them, then after avoiding a downward stab aimed at her causing it to be embedded in the concrete ground. She then propelled herself off the blunt side of the blade, then twisted herself in the air slashing him from sides using her flame covered blades.
"Raaah!"
Due to her blades' flames and holy attributes, the damage done to him should be effective, but the wounds dealt to his neck was far more shallow than she thought. Even his defenses increased more than before to the point of handling an assault on his neck. At the same time, several bit fireballs were sent toward the Demon Eater aimed at him by Zane, thus covering him in flames causing a little more damage than Maria's blades. In addition to the previous fireballs, Claire and Kunou released flamed arrows and fireballs respectively toward the Demon Eater to cause far more damage to him.
After Maria landed on the ground, she turned herself around and rushed toward the Demon Eater again a stream of flames leaking out from her blades before spinning herself around slashing him on his back. The more attacks dealt to the Demon Eater, the more erratic and annoyed that he became about attacking them, then aimed one of his blades towards Maria.
It was then that one of Alice's two monsters intervened and blocked the attack using their sword, allowing Maria to move aside and launched a counterattack, slashing the Demon Eater at his side.
"W-Wow, these kids are remarkable."
"I didn't expect this."
"Well, what would you expect," Yasaka started letting a slight breath escape from her mouth. "Kensei-kun did say that all his friends fought and survived situations that most wouldn't be able to handle at their age. But, I wouldn't have thought that such a group of children from various factions would come together before."
Yasaka pointed out realizing that the ones fighting together without complaints were all apart of different factions that held no connection to one another. Unlike both the exorcists who were sent after him and continued surveying the entire situation without intervening.
Despite both being stronger and ferocious than before, the Demon Eater couldn't even land a decisive blow on Maria who was supported by Alice's monsters. As if acting on instinct and desire to eliminate them, he started changing with several spiked whips starting to sprout from his back, which all started whipping around in random directions without rational thought in them.
Maria who had been in close-range with the Demon Eater was forced to step back from him, but more whips were heading toward her direction. If either of them were to hit her at the same time, then it would result in more wounds than she could handle and might not be able to continue fighting.
"Rune of Defense," Zane chanted pointing toward Maria before the whips could reach her causing a certain rune to appeared on her causing a pale light to surround her body. "Maria, this rune should defend you from all of the whips, but there's a limit to how much damage the Rune of Defend can withstand."
"Got it."
Maria replied as one of the whips came into contact with her body, but instead of being sent flying, the defensive rune inscribed on her blocked the attack; however, she could still feel the impact behind them. Because of this, she could continue fighting without being too concerned about damage, but still avoided attacks that she could avoid. Alice's monsters, on the other hand, proceeded forward despite being hit by the whips that were being released by the Demon Eater and joined Maria in combat to fight them.
"He appears to be getting desperate based on the situation," Zane stated as he glanced toward him. "None of us can get near him due to the several whips and even most of our attacks are being blocked by all the random motions from the whips, which are regenerating despite the attacks. But, there's no doubt that his regeneration is started dwindling the more he fights back and the more attacks he takes."
"…well, should we do something about his whips?"
Alice questioned seeming a little bit exhausted because instead of creating more monsters, she was focused on instead regenerating the damages done to them. But, she was overworking herself despite knowing that she was unable to continue fighting long battles due to her weaker constitution. If then continued then Alice might end up passing out from physical and mental fatigue.
"That's if we can get rid of the whips."
"…I think that I can handle that. Go!"
Alice called out proceeding forward despite knowing she wouldn't last long if she continued doing things that were too much for her.
She ordered the two sword-wielding monsters, while recovering the wolves that were initially taken out, then had the four of them charging toward the Demon Eater. All four monsters withstood all the whips that were smashing against their bodies, but they continued charging forward undeterred. Both of the wolves pounced on the Demon Eater's back where the whips originated causing them to stop for a moment, letting Maria breathe for a moment.
Both of the sword-wielding monsters then started to approach the Demon Eater with their weapons prepared for them to impale him. But, the Demon Eater was attempting to fight off the wolves on his back through releasing several spikes from his back and even releasing his aura. Seeing this as a chance to attack, all of them looked toward Alice, but the girl instead had her eyes closed as if to concentrate.
"Alice-nee, what're you doing?"
Claire questioned, but Alice didn't respond and just continue to focus on something.
"Come on, you have to focus. All you've been doing is creating monsters, but that can't be all that I can do," Alice thought to herself as she continued to focus. "If Maria can create different attributes for her holy swords, then it's possible that I could do the same thing using my monsters, right? I refuse to be a burden to either Kensei or Claire when we enter a battle together!"
Alice focused on the sword-wielding monsters who were close to reaching the Demon Eater, then their blades had begun being covered in sparks as if attempting to light themselves before flames covered them. She opened her eyes realizing that she managed to give their swords a fire attribute, causing a slight wave of exhaustion as Alice found herself as Claire and Kunou kept her from falling. Alice resolved herself and had the sword-wielding rush at the Demon Eater without hesitation, then pierced him using both flame-imbued blades.
"Raaaaah!"
The Demon Eater wailed once again from the flame swords stabbed into him, then placed his hands on both the monsters in an attempt to pull the swords out of himself. This caused the Demon Eater to stop moving for a while giving them the chance to attack. Zane activated a magic circle underneath the Demon Eater and Maria grew an assortment of holy swords from the ground-penetrating the Demon Eater's body. Soon enough, the magic circle had activated causing a tornado of flames to appear upward toward the skies engulfing the Demon Eater.
No one could see inside of the spiraling flames as the Demon Eater remained at the center of it, but there were some people there who could sense his presence in the flames.
"He isn't dead yet!"
Yasaka who was one of them informed the ones fighting that the Demon Eater was still alive within the flames.
"He's still not dead after all that? What's he made of?"
"He's been modified somehow, which was where his durability and regeneration came from," Claire informed him as she and Kunou assisted Alice sitting on the ground. "He also gets stronger whenever he devours living beings such as Alice-nee's monsters. The Demon Eater also said that he devoured a demon from some 'Benefactor' the other day. Also…."
"Also, what?"
Maria questioned noticing that Claire stopped at that one last sentence as if not knowing how to explain it.
"Before turning into this form. He looked like…Iris."
That part shocked Maria and Zane, more so the former who seemed to understand where the Demon Eater had come from after hearing his similarities to Iris.
"Then that means he's from the Sigurd Institute."
"Sigurd? Do you two mean like Siegfried?"
Both Maria and Zane seemed to understand the meaning of the Sigurd Institute for different reactions though. By her knowledge, she heard about the institute from Iris, while Zane realized that it must have some connections to Siegfried, a hero from the Norse Faction. Neither of them could discuss it even further as there was a strong aura being released from the center of the firestorm. Before either of them could even make a single move to counter, the Demon Eater shot out from the flames with the monsters who had their swords stabbed into them seem to have their arms either torn or bitten off by the deranged Demon Eater.
He rushed towards Yasaka without hesitation almost knowing that the situation would be turned again him if their fight continued. All his instincts were telling him that devouring the Kyoto Queen would grant him unimaginable power, which could let him defeat everyone in his path.
""Yasaka-sama!""
Two of her attendants stepped in front of her with foxfire gathered in her hands, while the other acted as support for their colleague. Moments before the Demon Eater appeared in front of him, there was a flash of light and then the Demon Eater was kicked in another direction by someone covered in aura.
"Hah, I don't know what happened. But, you look different from last time."
The person who landed in front of Yasaka and her attendants stretching his arms to get himself prepared was the Amagiri Clan's Heir, Kensei.
"Nii-san!"
"You made it Ken-nii!"
Both Claire and Kunou seemed ecstatic after seeing him there, with Alice being in the same league as them.
"What happened? I thought that you said that you guy could handle him without me, Kunou-chan?"
Kensei teased the young nine-tailed fox who blushed in response, but he could tell that the Demon Eater turned into something that he didn't expect in the slightest. His sights then went toward Zane and Maria was starting to head in his direction.
"What're you two doing here? If you're here to deliver the sword, then…."
"Well, we wanted to see what trouble you've gotten yourself in this time. But, I didn't expect that it would turn out to be something like this," Maria said before turning toward the Demon Eater who seemed almost stunned. "But, what did you do to him exactly."
"I kicked him at the back of his neck as hard as I could using senjutsu. So, he should be downed at the very least a couple of seconds or even minute."
Kensei explained before noticing the other unknown individual who stood up to his feet, then started to approach the newly arrived teen.
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Amagiri-dono," Kensei listened to him due to the generous tone that he used, but he still has a deadpan face. "I am a shikigami created by Amakuni-sama and acts as a courier whenever he's too preoccupied to do it himself. I've come to both deliver his gift and message."
"Alright, let's hear the message first. Because I already have an idea what the gift it."
After hearing his response, Amakuni's shikigami nodded his head and started to speak.
"Kensei Amagiri," it shocked Kensei for a moment since the shikigami was speaking in Amakuni's voice. "I want to inform you that I've completed the katana that I promised to forge for you as requested by Amaterasu-sama. If the katana that you had borrowed happened to have broken then don't be worried about it." Hearing that caused Kensei to laugh at himself realizing that Amakuni must have thought he might break it. "Although the thought of you coming to thank me in person might've crossed your mind, I regret to inform you that I am not currently at my residence. I'm working on completing the other project that I had planned on completing before and likely will not return for a long time. Onto the subject of your katana, I think that it would be best if you figured out what this child and masterpiece, in particular, are capable of as it'll be your partner for a long time."
Once he delivered his message, the shikigami took the clothed object off his back, then removed the cloth before removing it and releasing a polished wooden box. Kensei almost couldn't handle the anticipation of waiting to see the katana that has been prepared. After being opened, what appeared in the box was a traditional katana kept in a special-made black scabbard that has the Amagiri Clan emblem on it, a hilt wrapped in black, and a darkish silver round tsuba (guard) that has an Eastern dragon designed on it.
Having opened the box, the shikigami picked the katana and handed it towards Kensei who seemed almost like a child receiving a present.
"Here, this is yours now."
After hearing that from the shikigami, Kensei reached his hand out grasping the sheathe in his hands then placed a hand on the hilt and started to unsheathe it. Once he did, he realized that the entire blade was black aside from the flawless silver straight tempering line. After noticing this blade, Zane and Maria found themselves staring at it with an incredible deal of interest in their eyes.
"Hah, I might not be a skilled blacksmith yet, but I can tell that this is the most high-quality blade I've ever seen."
"It has a beautiful appearance and its black blades make it more mystifying."
Zane and Maria marveled about the appearance of the katana within Kensei's hands, the latter also marveled at the blade in his hands. Kensei also noted that on the habaki, the metal piece encircling the blade's base there was a kanji "Heavenly Mist" engraved on it.
"Does this child have a name?"
"Kurogane, it's name is Kurogane."
"Black Iron, huh. That's a good name."
Kensei said as he placed the scabbard on his side which caused Amakuni's shikigami to nod his head as he held the cloth and box in his hands.
"Well, then I shall take my leave then. I hope that you have a prosperous future."
Having said those final words, Amakuni's shikigami vanished from sight as a spiritual light before shooting out in another direction almost like an ascending star. After his departure, the Demon Eater started to stand back to his feet glancing toward the person who kicked him, which was Kensei who smirked widely.
"Hehehe, I learned the basics of a new technique and gained a new katana," Kensei stated as he stepped up pointing Kurogane toward the Demon Eater. "You got me good the last time we met with one another and it even seems that you're different from last time. But, now I'm back for rejuvenated and fed for Round Three. And I doubt that there will be a Fourth Round."
Kensei declared as he smirked toward the Demon Eater with a confident smirk as his eyes seemed to gleam with a great deal of anticipation.
A/N: And there goes the twentieth chapter of DxD – The Last Amagiri, well this was the longest chapter I had written for this one and it showed Alice, Claire, and Kunou fighting against the Demon Eater without Kensei being there. Kensei himself was going through the Amagiri Clan journals to learn a new technique that could strike down the Demon Eater. Both David and Freed also joined in the battle, but neither once helped Alice and the others. Claire and Kunou also revealed a combination move using Claire's light and Kunou's foxfire creating a makeshift form of Holy Fire. But the 'Benefactor' arrives and releases the power of the Demon Eater making him even more of a threat than before.
There was also the unexpected arrival of Zane and Maria who encountered the mysterious man who was revealed to be a shikigami belonging to Amakuni. Both of them later arrived on the battlefield giving their help against the Demon Eater and Alice displayed being able to change the attributes of her monsters. Kensei also arrives onto the battlefield where he receives his long-awaited katana named Kurogane. The next chapter will be the end of the third volume of DxD – The Last Amagiri and the last fight between the Demon Eater.
So, until next time.
Kensei's Harem: Alice, Claire, Hisui, Kunou, Yasaka, Lu Lingqi, Mirana, Sarah, Minako, Koneko, Kuroka, Ravel, Amaterasu, Brynhildr.