DxD - The Last Amagiri

by HolyKnightX

Kensei Amagiri, the surviving heir to the Amagiri Clan, after losing his mother now lives on an island, where he fights for survival with his new friends. Left for dead by the Old Devils and Taro, is found by two legends who'll assist him in taking his fate back into his own hands.

41. Attack on the Phenex II

Welcome to the next chapter of DxD – The Last Amagiri, but before starting the story. Let's answer some reviews:

altajir95: Yep, Hakki isn't a normal creature that can be handled using normal means, though Kensei and Sairaorg were able to do just that. Sirzechs needed to be informed about the incident since it would have gotten people hurt and Kensei and Sairaorg talking about hanging out. Claire, Alice, and Kunou all arrived in the Underworld to help them. Yes, Ravel is scared since the Benefactor is after her rather than the Phoenix Tears from the ransom letter, but Kensei can give her some courage. This time it's their battle against the unnamed organization run by the Benefactor. I did think about Ophis since Kunou, who is her best friend is with him too.

Darth Simp: Yes, Ravel is going earlier on how smart and tactical she can be in combat earlier than when the canon started showing it. I do love Ophis as a character too, more so since Kunou is in the harem too with him. Truth be told, I did think about that in the Twin Dragons, but I might end up doing that here.

Guest: I think that sounds like a hilarious suggestion, Ravel spending her time with Kensei, before being summoned in the middle of it. And having her all mad and pouting the entire time there.

Guest 2: I think that would be a hilarious moment between the nekoshou sisters, I mean that is typical of Kuroka, who wants to repopulate the nekoshou.

Guest 3: He'll, of course, meet Tobio in the future.

---

Attack on the Phenex II

A battle was being commenced in the grassland, which was surrounded by a wide-range barrier keeping anyone unauthorized from exiting it. From one side, it was Jason leading the entire group of men who he brought in from out of his shadow, all of which differs from the previous in both numbers, training, and equipment. And countering them was Kensei, Claire, Alice, who had multiple magicians, Riser, Yubelluna, Xuelan, and Siris on their side.

Both sides started colliding against each other once signs of the battle started, the magicians from Jason's side released various attacks toward their group. In response to this, Kibou's magicians formed barriers, blocking their assault as Kensei, Claire, Riser, Xuelan, and Siris charged forward. At the moment, the number of soldiers on Jason's side outnumbered theirs.

[Alright, Yubelluna, trigger the first ones.]

Ravel could be heard communicating with Yubelluna using a magic circle.

"Right!"

Yubelluna moved into position using her staff, then caused it to release a dim light.

Moments later, around the battlefield, similar dim lights were appearing around the ground, where Jason's men were positioned at. In an instant, several explosions around them were triggered at various locations, where the soldiers were.

"Aah!"

"What the hell?!"

"Damn annoying!"

Several of the men looked annoyed about that explosion, however, their uniforms protected them from the blasts without being damaged. Of course, that was in the range of Ravel's prediction and wasn't the thing that she was intending at all. As that happened, Ravel's words seemed to echo in their heads.

"After his initial failure in capturing me, this Jason would likely decide to bring in far more men to outnumber and to overpower us. In this situation, all of them would be more skilled than the previous group and attempt at acting as a single unit. So, to disrupt their formation, we'll…."

First, Ravel thought that Jason would bring more soldiers in an attempt to overpower them. Second, all of them would be more skilled and adept at working as a team. And third, it would be difficult to separate them.

So, her solution to removing that advantage and breaking apart their formation was making use of Yubelluna's area of expertise, explosive demonic powers. During their preparations for this fight, Ravel requested the Queen to plant landmines across the battlefield and triggered them based on the enemies' position. Yubelluna couldn't help being surprised about this since she hadn't thought about using her powers like this.

And as planned, the explosions caused their soldiers to be forced outside their formations, but some of them weren't in the position that Ravel desired.

[Hmm, I don't want to use the other landmines on the battle. Alright, Ken-sama, do what I requested.]

"Got it, captain."

[….]

Not a single person on the battlefield could see Ravel's face, but her cheeks were bright red.

Kensei looked around the area, where the soldiers were still gathered and bunched up together, and knowing the kind of position that Ravel wanted them all in.

"Alright, here we go," Kensei stopped running forward, then raised his leg in the air the grass as he started preparing to use one of his powers, and control the natural ki around him. "Hah!"

Kensei stomped firmly on the ground resulting in a sudden change in the ground around them, as it started being altered. Due to this, some soldiers started losing their footing as others from either side used various methods for them to maintain their footing. Kensei previously informed Ravel that the Amagiri Clan was blessed able to utilize the Five Elements, although, some stuck to the one that fits them the most.

He favored using Wood, Metal, and Fire, however, from learning Senjutsu from Sun Wukong, he became adept at using all five elements.

"Ken-sama, if Yubelluna's landmines don't separate enough of their forces can you finish the rest?"

Kensei recalled Ravel's words as he did as she wanted and started separating the soldiers more using his earth-based technique. Once it was settled, the soldiers were all broken out of their former positions on the battlefield, meaning that phase two of Ravel's plan was almost completed.

"Dammit, I didn't think that things would turn out like this," Jason said visibly surprised about the situation, which was happening in front of him. In the past, he would have lost his temper, but his training under their Benefactor almost completely killed that side of him. "What're you waiting for? Start attacking them?"

Hearing Jason's command, the soldiers started attacking, with their side's magicians being the first ones to being their counter-attack against them. However, Ravel's plan of action didn't end there as symbols were forming on the ground started appearing. And within the wide-spread barrier, four more barriers were formed inside too, which split the forces into four areas.

In Area A: Kensei and Riser were positioned where Jason and his leftover soldiers were. In Area B: Claire and Xuelan stood in front of the soldiers. In Area C: Alice and Siris stood in front of the soldiers and some magicians. And in Area D: Yubelluna and the Kibou Magicians stood in front of the remaining soldiers. And with that accomplished, the second phase of Ravel's plan was completed.

---

Sitting inside of the office acting as her safe room, Ravel was sitting at the desk watching as it all happened using Kensei's borrowed Oracle Phone, which showed her a hologram of it all as it happened. She was sitting behind the desk, her head resting on her head as she was smiling at being the head of a plan for once.

"Wow, I didn't think that things would go like this."

Isabela, who was acting as her bodyguard spoke surprised as she witnessed the entire thing.

"The first phase was sending them to the prepared location and placing a wide-spread barrier around the location so the enemies couldn't escape. It was possible due to Kunou-sama's techniques enhanced from a Bishop and a total of three Pawns who promoted into Bishop. Her performance was the most important to make the first and the second phases work. Ken-sama does have impressive people on his side, even alone, she could likely pull this off. But, this helps reduce the strain on Kunou-sama."

Ravel praised Kunou who wasn't even in the same room as her.

She could see the Kyuubi Princess as she sat legs crossed with Mihae, Marion, Burent, and Shuriya all sitting all around her at four points. Despite how hyperactive Kunou acted the first time they met, she was dutifully sitting in the same spot, assisting in maintaining the barriers.

"Yea, I admit to admit it, but his team even in small numbers would dominate ours."

"That's true," Ravel admitted, not seeing a reason to lie about something that most of them likely even figured out on their own. Kensei alone would have been enough to defeat the entire peerage without going even all out, but adding in Claire, Alice, and Kunou almost felt like overkill. "And the second phase included us being able to split apart from their forces, so it would be impossible for them to act together as one massive unit. Now, the third phase is on Ken-sama and the others to deal with the rest."

Ravel spoke with confidence and strength that Isabela hadn't seen from her.

Isabela had been the closest person to Ravel among the entire peerage aside from Riser, her older brother, and has had multiple private conversations with her. But, it was the first time that she'd seen her putting on this kind of look and show of strategic planning.

"I already knew this girl was smart for her age and could be more mature than even Riser-sama sometimes. But, I wasn't expecting this from Ravel," as a wry smile appeared on Isabela's face as she looked at Ravel who kept watching the situation play out. "Her mind works differently from Riser-sama's does whenever he gives out orders. Ravel took control of the entire situation before it even started. It's almost scary, she had a lot of them moving in directions neither of them would have done."

"All we need to do at this moment is prepare if things go in the direction that I guessed. And see if there's a need to go into the fourth phase."

Ravel stated as she kept watching on as the battle started progressing.

To be honest, Ravel liked the idea of acting like a King and felt as if she was leading her peerage into a real battle. And the person she had to thank for this experience was fighting on the battlefield for her.

---

In Area A, Kensei was fighting through the black soldiers, already having an idea about how to handle them even if their gear had shock absorption. He charged at a group of gun owners firing off a hail of bullets at him, but all of them were avoided from reading the line of fire. Arriving in front of one of them, he spun on his heel and aimed a kick at their neck; the impact sent them to the ground while having more of an impact from hitting that vital spot.

Holding Kurogane in his hand, Kensei slashed his sword as an aura enshrouded it, cutting through the material as a trail of blood could be seen leaving the blade. After that, he started aiming at cutting apart the guns that the black soldiers were wielding, disabling them. He got an idea about the strengths of their gear and weapons from battles with their groups.

"Hmm, I don't sense much genuine hostility from everyone here compared to the previous group. I, Claire, and Alice were involved in the Hagun Island Rebellion, meaning that not everyone here was involved there. Much like the people who called themselves Hikage, these people are either mercenaries or originally citizens brought into this," Kensei started speaking to himself as he cut cutting down soldier after soldier, managing to get through the equipment they wore. "I can sense some sacred gear users among them too."

"I'll show you the punishment that comes with attacking the Phenex Clan!"

Kensei glanced to the side for a moment and could see that Riser caused his flame wings to expand outward as intense heat could be felt from them. Using his wings, and flame-covered fists, Riser was capable of burning the soldiers in front of him. In retaliation, the soldiers released a hail of bullets at the third son. However, because of his strong regeneration, Riser healed from all the damage and proceeded forward.

"He's still relying on his regeneration, but even their gear is unable to handle a phoenix's flames, which can leave wounds on a dragon's scales."

Kensei stated as he avoided a soldier's attack and sent a strong elbow into his abdomen, penetrating his clothes' defenses. It sent the soldier backward into another one, causing them to lose their footing, and almost faltered. In the middle of fighting them, Kensei still kept his focus on Jason, who hadn't made a single move the entire time.

Since the battle started, Jason didn't move an inch, showed no fighting intent, and didn't have his light bow out in his hands. He was hesitant around him since he was the kind of person who would snipe anyone at a moment's notice when they least expected it. After cutting down another soldier, he noticed that a crowd of them gathered together with their weapons trained on Riser.

"What're they plotting?"

Kensei was confused about their purpose in this sense, these soldiers are all well-trained and realize that Riser's Immortality makes him almost invincible when it comes to regular attacks. So, releasing the same kind of attacks on him would be wasting ammo.

His answer soon became as the men started releasing ice-based bullets at Riser, who was still wrapped up in his flames. Riser didn't look worried at all as the ice bullets made contact, but melted due to the intense nature of the phoenix's flames. However, from the ice bullets and continuous assaults from them, the ice and flames produced intense steam.

Already having an idea of what their group was planning, Kensei prepared himself for what was going to happen next. Riser didn't look concerned as the ice bullets didn't do a single thing to him.

"Hahaha, foolish humans. Do you believe that you're the first people to attempt this trick," Riser stated without a doubt in his mind that these people could do any kind of damage to him. "I'll show the might of the Phenex Clan by turning you all to ashes, then I'll burn that person who dared…."

Riser noted the light pause in the soldiers' movements, with the steam still keeping their full moments obscured while keeping their presence low. As a devil, Riser's senses were better than a normal human's, but even he was unable to sense them despite being this close.

"Huh, whatever you're planning, I won't…."

Riser was assured that nothing their group did could hurt him.

However, in the white steam, there was a gold light, which was clear even in this collection of steam that kept his vision blocked. It soon arrived right in front of him as it was revealed to be a golden light arrow that was close to penetrating him. Riser noticed Jason pointed his golden bow straight at him, activating his sacred gear in a literal second as natural as breathing.

"S-Shit!"

Riser sensed that the light power from that arrow wasn't something that he could come out of unscathed. It didn't come to that as Kensei leaped into the air right in front of Riser, then knocked it back at Jason with his black blade. Reacting to this assault, Jason fired off another attack matching the one he fired, resulting in both colliding, and canceling each other out.

"H-Hey, I…."

Bang!

At that moment, Kensei knocked Riser to the ground using an aura-coated punch, resulting in the ground being broken and cracked from him being knocked down.

"Ouch! What was that for?!"

Riser called out mad about that punch.

"You would've been wounded or killed from the amount of light concentrated in that arrow. Don't go and get yourself killed because of your arrogance."

Kensei replied, turning his attention as Jason, who held his bow in his hands preparing to make another move at either of them.

Riser recovered from Kensei's punch, which seemed to have knocked some sense into him as the pain could still be felt from it. During that time, the soldiers stood in a position where Jason could be seen in the middle of them as if making a path for him. As an army general, Jason began walking forward casually approaching Kensei and Riser.

"He told me that you were going to be stronger than either of us could've imagined since that one moment during the Hagun Island Rebellion. Some ten-year-old kid, who we all thought had died came back, took on a whole group of Gehenna Guard soldiers, and killed the leader. Those people at the Five Principal Clan once even called you a heaven-sent child."

"Does this have a point? I already know all that since I was there. How the hell would you or whoever you heard that from know that," Kensei replied to Jason's sudden statement in an unclear manner as Jason didn't give him a single response. "If you want to tell me something, then tell me who this Benefactor person is?"

"Well, he's interested in meeting you too. But, even with how strong you became since then, I can't see you and the group you formed coming out victorious," Jason replied. "I acknowledge you are far stronger than at that time seven years ago. So much so that if I was my previous self, then I would've lost myself in frustration, which is the reason I'll be using something I've been preparing for this."

Kensei didn't need to be a genius to guess what Jason was going to use at that moment but simply stepped right in front of Riser not knowing the aftermath of it. At that moment, Jason was letting out a presence throughout his body as the light started sparkling around throughout the entire area. Riser, despite being a High-Class Devil felt an unpleasant sensation on his skin despite the light not touching him.

"Balance Break."

It was those two words that triggered an intense emission of golden light, causing some smoke to come off of his skin. He could tell that the light would be too much for him to endure without focusing on negating it with demonic power. But, it didn't come to that as Kensei formed a barrier in front of him using his power so that the light would not affect Riser.

"I never thought that humans could do anything. For the most part, those with potential could simply serve as the servants, and accomplish something after becoming reincarnated into devils. But, these two are people who no one from my peerage, even I could fight. And one of them even saved me twice."

Riser thought as he was witnessing for himself what the two humans, who he couldn't defeat despite experience in the Rating Games.

---

In Area B, Xuelan was kicking several black soldiers in front of her using the enhanced strength provided to her by her Rook Piece. Her kicks were strong and swift, knocking down multiple soldiers, but a number of them were still capable of standing up. But, the thing that kept some of them down was the powerful flame-infused kick that Xuelan managed to aim at a vital spot on their body.

"It seems as if Ravel-sama and Kensei-san were correct about it. Their equipment has a high amount of shock absorption, but aiming attacks at their vital spots can result in dealing efficient damage."

Xuelan thought as she was prepared to launch another assault.

At that moment, she turned around to see that Claire, who Xuelan had been partnered with was doing more than what she ever expected. Claire was being rushed at by multiple soldiers, while she was wielding dual white guns in her hands. But, their appearance was different from what she'd seen from exorcists, instead of looking more like angelic handguns with more designed shapes.

From around her the soldiers tried overpowering her with numbers, however, Claire with the expert aim was shooting them all at either close or long-range using her handguns. On contact, all the light bullets exploded at close range and resulted in a greater impact, which pushed them backward. From her movements, it didn't look random at all, instead, each shot was precise.

As more of them started crowding in, making it difficult for her to continue using them at this range, Claire caused them to vanish. Seeing them approach her, she clenched her fist and stood in a prepared stance. After the first person came close enough, she aimed a straight-forward punch, knocking him backward. Not wasting time, she turned on her heel, aiming a sharp heel kick that sent the soldier crashing into the ground.

Xuelan watched on Claire was handling the soldiers who started crowding around her, using martial art skills that no one likely would've guessed. After noticing that some soldiers seemed lined up in front of one another, Claire stepped forward pulling back her fist. Seconds later, white armor covered Claire's forearms with blue lights traced across them, and something that looked like propulsion appeared on their side.

"Nemesis Buster."

Claire called out as light particles seemed to gather around her right fist, which she nailed deep into the soldier's stomach. And from the propulsions from the armor's side, it released and propelled her fist forward.

"Gah!"

The soldier seemed to cough of bile from underneath his helmet and then was blasted backward as the impact looked to have reached the people behind him too. Seeing that, several soldiers started rushing her from all sides maintaining their position and composure. Holding their guns in their hands, all of them opened fire on Claire with no hesitation at all; with their rounds, all aimed squarely on her.

Claire didn't look afraid at all as she created a barrier using demonic power. But, instead of simply blocking the varied attributed rounds, all of them seemed to vanish after making contact. It was because Claire's barrier was infused with her clan's famed "Worthless", meaning no matter the bullet, it wouldn't make a dent in it.

In an instant, Claire caused her Nemesis Buster to vanish, then held out her hand as if she was holding a bow in her hands. Moments later, light particles gathered around her hands, and the thing that was manifested inside of them was a beautiful angelic bow. She grabbed ahold of the blue light bowstring, then pulled it back as the light had begun gathering around where the arrow would be produced.

"Amagiri-ryuu…," Claire said focusing her attention on the soldiers who seemed worried, and hesitantly started to slightly move backward from her as one dense light arrow was produced. "Shinsei Koushi, Nijuu!"

She released the light arrow forward, but instead of one arrow being released, it split into twenty arrows that were released in a single moment. All of them passed right through the barrier and started penetrating the bodies of all the soldiers in front of her.

"Well, it looks as if attacks light that should be able to penetrate their equipment," Claire spoke to herself as she undid the barrier around her, then noticed something that Xuelan didn't. On reflex, she pulled back the blue light bowstring, manifesting another light arrow. "I wouldn't move if I were you."

"Huh?"

Xuelan was surprised enough to not even react to what Claire said, but remained still.

Claire released the light arrow before she could even finish, which sailed inches from Xuelan's head and pierced a soldier wielding a katana. It penetrated his chest as he fell to the ground as blood leaked from both the wound and mouth. Even if Xuelan was too focused on watching Claire fight, she still would've been able to sense others around her. However, this soldier's presence couldn't be felt even after noticing him.

"There seem to be a lot of people able to hide their presence here. So, it would be in your best interest to remain vigilant of sneak attacks."

Claire warned as she remained prepared herself.

"T-Thanks for the assist," Xuelan said as she got into a prepared stance again. "I couldn't help noticing that the martial art you're using resembles Kensei-san's, but a little different."

"Well, Kensei has been training me in martial arts since I was six. So, it wouldn't be weird if I know a lot about the techniques from his clans. More so, since as his fiancée, I can learn anything as long as he agrees to it. But, the one he uses now is his version."

Claire replied as she prepared to release her bow again, which she named Nemesis Astrum.

"Well, this is making me want to start training again."

"Kensei did mention that training in martial arts is good for one's entire well-being. Of course, that's coming from someone who's the definition of a battle manic, but he wasn't lying. I was able to even improve and use both the things my parents taught me."

Claire replied as she pulled back her light bowstring again, and started releasing a barrage of light arrows at her opponents. All of them had managed to penetrate the black soldier's uniform, resulting in their movements being either slowed down or stopped. Xuelan focused her attention on the soldiers, aiming fast kicks at a group of them, and coated her feet in flames.

"I heard that this girl is related to the Belial Clan, her demonic power is as good as pure-bloods despite just being half. In addition to that, she has a sacred gear that allows her to control light this powerful and is trained in martial arts like this. Ravel-sama was right about these numbers being sufficient enough," Xuelan thought as she started looking at herself. "Did I become too lax in my martial arts training since becoming a devil?"

Those thoughts remained in Xuelan's head as she kept fighting through the soldiers surrounding her and Claire, it could be seen that the latter had no trouble wielding the varied weapons she created.

---

In Area C, Siris was charging forward with almost reckless abandon as she was cutting through the soldiers right in front of her using her zweihänder. Her speed did come from her Knight Piece, but the strength gained in handling her sword and releasing shockwaves came from training. All her attacks sent the soldiers backward, but the shock absorption provided by their uniforms made it a difficult task for her.

"Tch, I didn't think that it would be this troublesome."

Siris clicked her tongue as she clashed against one of the sword-wielding soldiers while keeping her attention on the gun-wielding soldiers. Using her enhanced speed, she avoided the hail of bullets being aimed in her direction without coming close to making contact. It was troublesome enough that her attacks didn't work on the soldiers to some extent, because their equipment; their skills were trained; and their organization was solid.

Adding all those three together, and the soldiers around her were something that she could handle alone. But, she wasn't alone in this situation, however, her partner or partners in this situation wasn't something that she would be around under normal circumstances. As Siris handled this group of soldiers, the others were preoccupied with fighting against the monsters Alice wrought from her shadows.

All the monsters were humanoids since beat-types wouldn't do well in this enclosed space, some were designed for the swordsmen and others for the gunmen. The soldiers were having a harder time handling the monsters Alice brought out, proving much harder and stronger than them. It was caught into a standstill as a lot of the soldiers and monsters had methods for defending themselves, however, the monsters were doing much better considering their strength.

"I didn't think that I'd fight alongside someone who owns a Longinus."

Siris commented but looked on to notice Alice standing in the same position without seeming to pay attention to the fact she was in the middle of a battlefield. Siris almost thought that it was the most reckless thing that anyone could do since she didn't appear like a close-range fighter. Or a fighter in general, and sacred gear users like this would be targeted first.

And Siris' suspicions were proven correct as one of the soldiers, a large-built man holding a sword came behind her lifting his sword for an overhead strike. Siris was blocking strikes from a couple of soldiers by using her zweihänder.

"I don't have any obligations to assist her, but…."

Siris thought as she knocked back some of the soldiers in front of her, then turned her attention to Alice.

She doesn't have the same kind of Knight honor code as Karlamine, but she was ordered in this fight by Riser to assist their allies in this fight. And that meant she wouldn't do anything to go against Riser's orders no matter the situation, which was the reason she charged forward using her Knight's trait.

"I might not get there in time to keep her from getting injured at least."

Siris wondered about this situation as rationally and robotically as possible, more so considering that there wasn't an emotional connection between them. She knew that she couldn't stop Alice from getting hurt, but she could at least keep her from getting killed. Siris approached Alice while keeping her attention on everything happening in front of her. But, it was because of the attention she trained on Alice that she was able to see what next couple of moves occurring before her.

Alice, in a fluid movement, avoided the slash, then grabbed a hold of the wrist, where the soldier was holding his sword. Siris herself and the soldiers around them weren't expecting what was going to happen next, and that's the more well-built soldier finding himself floating in the air. And seconds later, the soldier found himself slammed onto the ground, his weight was added onto the impact too.

"…huh?"

Siris uttered confused as she stared at what happened right in front of her.

Alice, a human with about the same amount of strength as a regular girl was able to toss a grown man who has a far burlier build to the ground.

"I'm not as defenseless as you might think. "I might not be as trained in martial arts or as strong physically as the others. But, I didn't spend all that time around Kensei for nothing. I learned at least one martial art from the time, and I train with him regularly. Because of that, I learned one that allows him to toss someone bigger than me to the ground without needing much strength. And I learned magic from a friend of mine, so my physical abilities can be enhanced too. There's one more thing."

Alice explained as her shadow started moving again, then something started coming out from it.

Coming outside of her shadow as a humanoid much taller than the other monsters around her, looking closer to an armored swordsman wielding a double-edged sword.

"I've been watching Kensei training in swordsmanship since we were children, so I have a good idea about how to create a sword-wielding monster. So, go show them what you can do, Gladius!"

Alice called out as she pointed her finger at the soldiers before her.

[….]

Gladius didn't speak but instead nodded his head in agreement holding up its black sword in the air akin to that of a Knight preparing to fight for their King. In a single motion, Gladius stepped forward knocking the soldiers who dared strike his master backward using the blade. He then turned his attention to the others, wielding his sword a lot like a genuine swordsman.

Each sword swing sent soldiers backward or released a shockwave that broke apart the ground, breaking apart their formation. Siris looked on as Gladius did show a good deal of swordsmanship that was far better than hers. She wasn't a swordsman by any means, but there was a feeling of some kind welling up within her chest as she watched this happen.

"…."

Siris found herself unconsciously clenching her sword while biting her lip too.

"I'm not losing to some monster!"

She called out suddenly, surprising Alice as she watched Siris charging forward without thinking about anything.

"Huh, I guess something clicked in her heart."

Alice spoke to herself, crossing her arms underneath her breast, and tilting her head to the side.

She continued standing in the situation as her monsters did come to her aid whenever the situation came about, but she didn't put up a barrier to defend herself despite being capable of that.

"If Kensei and Claire are on the battlefield like this, then I'll fight with the same determination as them."

Alice stated to herself as she was determined to fight in the same situation as them.

---

At Area D, Yubelluna looked on as the situation was playing out in the direction that she wasn't expecting. She'd come with the intent of winning against them, but she didn't expect to see that the people coming to their aid was this capable. Kensei was one thing, however, Yubelluna could see that she couldn't hold a candle to Claire who's able to use demonic and light powers to such a degree that it seemed as if her existence was a miracle.

"I didn't think their abilities would be this much greater than ours. And the group of magicians here is all more efficient than even me in using magic."

Yubelluna watched on, biting her lip, watching on as some magicians defended themselves activating barriers, or attacked using offensive magic. Their magic and coordination with each other was top-notch, something that a peerage like theirs lacked in several situations. But, her attention was locked on the situation occurring inside the area where Kensei and Riser were handling the cause of all this.

In the three areas, it was the same situation, there was a brilliant golden light that could be seen from where they stood. If it wasn't for the barrier blocking it, Yubelluna would capable of feeling the brilliant light touching her skin, which would affect her more than Riser.

"No one in our group, even Riser-sama would be capable of handling that person on that of his normal state."

Yubelluna said, feeling as if her pride was being struck.

[Yubelluna, release the rest of the explosive mines at any moment.] Ravel could be heard speaking to Yubelluna, while she remained safe at the castle. [Yubelluna? Yubelluna!]

"Yes, I understand."

Yubelluna agreed, previously hearing Ravel's previous attempts at conversing with her.

[Him being able to use a Balance Breaker was inside the realm of possibilities, but it's going to be difficult to think about what its abilities would be. But, I'm positive that Ken-sama can handle it. I'm far more worried about Riser-oniisama, who's standing beside him. At this level, the light might end up killing him, so I might have Kunou-sama alter the barrier so that he can escape where you are. Ken-sama will handle fighting Jason, and the rest of your landmines might be enough to handle the remaining soldiers there. So, be prepared!]

"Yes."

Yubelluna was surprised to hear how enthusiastic Ravel was being despite the serious situation.

[Well, it looks as if I was right in planning out the fourth phase for this situation.]

Ravel revealed, still not sounding afraid about the situation, and showing more courage compared to last night as she talked about her fears to Kensei.

"Then I wish you luck on that end."

That was the last message that Yubelluna had for Ravel before focusing on their situation, and continued fighting in unison with the Kibou Alliance's magicians. But, her attention was caught towards the battle commencing inside Area A between Kensei and Jason, the latter activated his Balance Breaker.

---

In said area, Kensei removed the barrier as Jason was finished activating his balance breaker and now stood in front of him and Riser. Standing there, the Golden Archer assumed the shape of a humanoid almost resembling a hound, cloaked in a golden light.

"Staring Gold Alpha Canis," Jason said standing there as golden eyes peered at them. "I took inspiration from the Canis Lykaon's Balance Breaker after viewing a recording that our benefactor had of its current owner's first battle. Seeing that battle left a deep impression, seeing the ferocity and power of one of the strongest Longinus. I wanted to know and experience the kind of feeling that current wielder had."

"Well, you're certainly giving out more of a dangerous presence compared to before. I don't know if you could say that it's on the same level as Tobio-san, though," Kensei said before thinking to himself. "So, this benefactor guy also knows about Suzaku's cousin, Tobio-san. His first battle? That had to have been the situation with the group that called the Utsusemi Agency four years ago. Is this Benefactor even connected with that group too? Who the hell is this Benefactor guy?"

As Kensei was wondering that, he stood in position holding Kurogane in his hand, and preparing for whatever the golden hound would do. There was an almost ominous silence, as no one inside their specific area appears to have made the slightest sound or move.

"I think that I'll handle the one thought he'd be a challenge to me."

If Kensei didn't know any better, then that sounded almost like a warning instead of a threat.

And his suspicions were correct as Jason vanished from his current position as no one around him was capable of following his high-speed movements. Well, there was one person capable of doing so at that moment and was well aware of Jason's target. Kensei kicked Riser off his feet in a fluid manner as their common foe tried striking him at high-speed, leaving behind a trail of light.

"That was the one warning that I'll be giving in this fight."

"Despite how much you changed. I can see that you're still showing signs of being arrogant."

Kensei commented as fixing his position as Riser seemed to stand back up to his feet.

Both Kensei and Jason locked eyes with one another as the two were waiting to see who was going to make the next move. Before either of them could move, all the remaining landmines detonated with full force resulting in all the remaining soldier's formations being broken apart. It didn't end there as the explosions resulted in dust being kicked around the area, obscuring some of their vision.

"Is this another part of that girl's plans?"

Jason asked almost annoyed about this happening again.

"Yea, and it goes like this!"

Kensei declared turning his attention toward Riser, then raised his free hand in his direction.

"Huh?"

Riser was confused as Kensei lifted him off the ground by using telekinesis, and an opening leading into the area Yubelluna was located opened. Moments later, Kensei tossed Riser through that opening so that he could focus on fighting against Jason, and keeping him from being erased.

"Alright, now to handle the stragglers," Kensei said holding up his hand as lightning started gathering around the palm of his hand. "I'm going to need you lot to take a nap."

Kensei released a wide-spread lightning blast from his hand, striking all the people inside of the barrier, however, Jason managed to avoid the attack. Not that he planned on hitting him in the first place, but the lightning blast did as intended, which was to paralyze all the soldiers.

"Alright, now that we're all alone here," Kensei placed his hand on Kurogane's hilt and prepared to fight against one of his longtime foes. "Let's see what this Balance Breaker of yours can do."

"You're still that same weird brat."

"And no matter how much you change, deep down you're still that arrogant asshole."

Both Kensei and Jason stood in front of each other, their attention trained on one another, wondering, which one would make the first move. It wasn't long until both ended up charging forward towards each other by using high-speed, almost impossible for bystanders with untrained eyes to follow. But, in a couple of seconds, both released multiple attacks against one another.

"I didn't expect that you'd be fast enough to react to my attacks."

Jason spoke surprised about the fact Kensei was capable of fighting against him even at this speed.

"I have been training my entire life to fight since I was a kid. You, on the other hand, trained the last couple of years to fight against us like this."

Kensei noted, managing to get behind Jason and went in for the slash using Kurogane aimed at his blindspot.

Instead of slashing him, Kensei was surprised as Kurogane passed through Jason, who appeared to have turned into light itself. Because of that, his blade passed through Jason without touching his physical body almost as if it was immaterial at that moment. Once that happened, he seemed to appear right at light speed behind Kensei as he pointed his hand at him.

In an instant, Jason manifested a new golden bow in his hands, with the motif of a fierce-looking hound on it. And it didn't take long for a light arrow to manifest in it, containing a great amount of power inside it. It was soon fired at Kensei at high-speed, reaching his feet in almost an instant. Time seemed to slow down as the arrow was going closer and closer to piercing Kensei's face.

At around the same time, Kensei released his powers, and the light arrow paused inches from his right eye as he used his telekinesis at full power.

"Well, that was a close one. I almost lost an eye there."

Kensei commented smirking, actually feeling his heart race after seeing that light arrow almost piercing his eye.

"And yep, you're still smirking," Jason tried moving against but found that he hadn't and couldn't move from his current position. "Urgh, w-what is…."

Jason wasn't able to finish his sentence as Kensei's fist, which was covered in touki this time instead of the usual aura. Losing his mobility meant that all Jason could do at that moment was simply watch as Kensei released his fist straight at him.

"Gah!"

Blood erupted from Jason's mouth once Kensei's fist dug deep into his stomach, causing an impact not to just his body, but sent a shock through his spirit too. From that, Jason was blown backward hitting the barrier, causing a notable shock. He fell to the ground as the telekinesis seemed to have been removed from him, as Kensei threw the light arrow at him.

"I know that isn't all your Balance Breaker is capable of. So, bring it on, I have a lot of payback to inflict on you on behalf of a certain Phenex girl. Or does the Hunter want to be hunted again?"

Kensei declared pointing Kurogane at the downed Jason.

"He said there was a lot that I needed to learn about my balance breaker. And that I should always look for things to improve on when it comes to it and my sacred gear," Jason said as he started getting back up to his feet with almost no emotion in his voice. "This isn't an excuse, but I'm still working on some kinks when it comes to using a lot of my abilities in this state. This one included the Helios Canis."

From around Jason, light particles started gathering and soon took shape as a total of five fierce-looking hounds appeared beside him. Anyone who looked at this sight would have compared Jason to the Hunter, and the dogs at his side were his hunting hounds.

"Alright, now we're talking!"

Kensei declared, propelling himself forward as his golden hounds propelled themselves forward toward him, and Jason stood prepared to release arrows. All five hounds began attacking him in union almost like a genuine pack, aiming their claws and fangs at him. Reacting to their combined assault, Kensei started countering them wielding Kurogane in his hand. Each time he tried slashing either of the five hounds using Kurogane, the sword appeared to slip through them.

"Similar to him, but these things are pretty much made of light able to switch from material and immaterial states at will. But, let's see if this works."

Kensei had an idea in mind to strike the hounds while keeping his attention on Jason.

After slashing one of the hounds again, his sword, as intended passed through it, however, this time, he followed up using a strong kick. Instead of passing through the hound, it instead sent it crashing into the barrier.

"So, that's it. Similar to Jason, it can't immediately return to being immaterial after shifting from its material state, meaning that I should be keeping the pressure on."

Kensei thought before sensing that Jason was preparing to attack him using his light bow, noticing that instead of the usual arrow, it was a light sphere growing. Once it was released, it shattered into numerous light arrowheads instead of full arrows. Seeing all they fired at him, Kensei realized that these shots were too numerous and too bunched up together to avoid them all.

"Well, he's using this tactic."

Kensei said, getting into a defensive position as he covered himself in a defensive aura, defending himself from the numerous light arrowheads. He could still feel the impact from the arrowheads as they clashed against the skin-tight defensive aura around him. All of them exploded in collision with his defensive aura, causing a continuous small light explosion, which mixed with the others resulting in a bigger explosion.

"What happened to that bravado of yours from before," Jason asked as he kept firing those small arrowheads at Kensei. "Isn't there any more tricks up your…?"

Jason stopped as he suffered three sudden attacks on his shoulder.

"I have several tricks up my sleeve. But, you're going to need something more than that if you want to cause a lot more injuries than this."

Kensei replied as the attacks ended.

He stood there in the same position as before, but there was some menial damage done to his uniform, but some blood could be seen leaving simple wounds on his body. Around him, there was also a total of nine dragon head-shaped projectiles. From a single gesture, all nine projectiles were fired at Jason in rapid succession and almost honed in on him.

Otatsu Reidan. It was an original spell-based around the same Fuutan spell, which he previously used a long time ago, but instead releases a focused bullet of spiritual energy; and could have the Five Elements added onto them. In response to this, Jason moved to avoid them at high-speed, taking note that the nine bullets seemed to be more focused on penetrating force.

Kensei stepped forward, arriving at the same spot that Jason was headed, then swung Kurogane at him, while a white aura could be seen around it.

"Tougen Amagiri-ryuu: Zantetsuken!"

Jason noticed that Kensei was aiming right for his abdomen, with the intent of causing severe damage to him in a single move. Not having many options, and being this close to him made it impossible to avoid it at close range, he transformed himself into light as the blade passed right through him. However, Jason soon realized that he'd fallen right into a trap because of that decision.

Following the momentum of that last technique, Kensei turned himself around, then aimed a sharp kick directly at his abdomen. In this attack, ki was sent directly into his body, causing damage across his entire body as blood escaped from his mouth.

"Gah!"

Jason was sent backward into the barrier wall as all of his light hounds gathered around Kensei. But, instead of going in for an attack, the light hounds shined with golden light; resulting in a powerful explosion, which almost covered the entire barrier. Seeing that caused Jason to stand back up to his feet while putting his right hand on the same spot Kensei kicked him in. He knew about senjutsu and realized that there was some internal damage as a result of that attack.

"It's going to take some time to remake those again. But, if it means damaging you, then I guess that it's worth it."

Jason spoke, still reeling from that last attack.

[Ken-sama?! Ken-sama! Are you alright?!]

Ravel's voice could be heard, on the other end of the communication line.

"Yea, I'm fine."

Kensei spoke from inside the dark smoke that started dissipating as his figure could be seen standing in the very same position. Once the smoke cleared up, he stood there with much more wounds on him from that close-range light explosion as blood dripped from them too. However, despite that, Kensei was still standing there wearing an unaffected look on his face.

[I was worried. I didn't expect to see something like that….]

"Yea, well it wouldn't be the first time someone tried blowing me up. So, did things so as intended on your end?"

Kensei asked, not minding the fact that he took on that head-on light explosion, which was something that Ravel found admirable.

[Yes, things went as we thought. So, we'll be handling it all on our end.]

"Good, we'll finish up things on this end here."

Those were the words that Ravel said to him before proceeding with the business on their end.

"Handling things on this end, huh? I take it that she's even aware of that little surprise of ours."

Jason spoke, wanting to see whether not his suspicions at that moment were correct.

"She's smarter than anything you lot could've prepared for. Ravel guessed that, while you and your group would be focused on fighting against us, there would be another group focused on getting her. And since we're fighting here with you all, that second group is still there."

Kensei couldn't see Jason's expression after hearing that response, but there was the slightest hint he reacted to it based on his body language.

"Tch, well let's see if that side is capable of handling it."

Jason commented returning to his serious demeanor as he prepared his light bow, and Kensei prepared himself.

"You should be more focused here."

Both Kensei and Jason locked eyes with each other again, then charged forward at one another without showing hesitation on either end.

---

Meanwhile, at the Phenex Castle, as expected, some soldiers infiltrated their castle sometime after the first group was forcibly teleported. It was a small group, more so after splitting up from one another with neither of them making a sound from their footsteps. Their target was Ravel, whose presence the sole soldiers in each group adept at reading energy flows.

The groups were split into two, with both groups traveling throughout the castle in search of Ravel's presence. However, neither group could see or sense the workers or remaining residents inside the castle; which meant all of them were hiding. Team A found themselves standing in front of a room, where Ravel's presence could be sensed from.

Their team leader stood in front of the group, while the other members had their guns pointed at the door making preparations to detain the occupants. Seconds later, the team leader kicked the door open, breaking it, then all of the members entered the room prepared.

But, it wasn't what the people were expecting at all, as the team leader was engulfed in flames, covering his body in them. It wasn't normal flames, belonging to the Phenex Clan, but was a lot different from the flames that Riser has used.

"Graaah!"

The team leader screamed for a second as the flames engulfed him.

It didn't last long as the team leader's equipment and body were burned into ashes in a matter of seconds, without their being ashes on the ground.

"I believe that would be the most appropriate response to someone attacking your home."

Lord Phenex could be seen sitting on the couch in the room, raising his hand in the direction of the opened door, showing his flames flickering around his hand. He wasn't alone in this room, as Ile and Nel stood beside him with their respective chainsaws in their hands, and Mira holding her staff in her hands.

"W-What's this?"

"We didn't sense the father here?"

"I thought our leader sensed the presence of Ravel Phenex in this room?"

"Could it have been a manner of deceiving us?"

There wasn't a single explanation given to them. But, there were talismans hidden around the room, which made it so that Ravel's presence could be felt inside the room despite not being anywhere near it.

"What's the clan head doing here?"

"It would be shameful if I didn't get involved in this," Lord Phenex noted before looking more serious as he stared right at the people standing before him. "If you're a parent, then you'd be able to understand how we felt seeing our daughter brought in poisoned. And we were unable to do anything for her."

There was a presence released from Lord Phenex, which almost caused the soldiers to buckle from the pressure and heat released from him. But, none of them was deterred, even when flames enclosed them around the whole room. Seeing their escape route was blocked, meaning their sole option for escaping from this situation was for them to fight. And from there, the soldiers on their end charged, while Ile, Nel, and Mira returned the gesture with their weapons prepared.

---

In the location where Kunou, Mihae, Marion, Burent, and Shuriya were maintaining the barrier, while having their peerage's honest Knight guard them. Leaning against the wall beside them was Karlamine, who dutifully stood by prepared…and almost anticipating an assault.

"Hmmm, waiting here is starting to get me anxious. I know that Ravel-sama said that I shouldn't get too antsy in a situation this serious, but it's frustrating waiting here for this long. I wanted to go out onto the real battlefield with the others, and fight that large group."

Karlamine complained lightly feeling the anticipation rising within her chest.

[Karlamine?]

"Ah," Karlamine jumped a bit after hearing Ravel's voice at that moment but recovered. "Yes, Ravel-sama. Did something happen?"

[I simply wanted to give a status report about the situation. As expected the people who invaded the castle went to the locations where Otou-sama, Ruval-oniisama, and Onii-sama were stationed. And the invading groups were all dealt with meaning that the fourth phase ended up succeeding without a….] There was a pause in Ravel's as a gasp could be heard escaping from her mouth. [That thing's here too?]

"Ravel-sama, is there something wrong?"

Karlamine worriedly asked, after taking note of Ravel's sudden change in tone.

[That creature that Ken-sama fought against the other day, Hakki is walking around in the castle halls. I thought it might come up in the back of my mind, which is the reason that I didn't want Ruval-oniisama at least to leave out onto the battlefield. But, I thought that Jason would at least want it as a backup plan to assist him in fighting with Ken-sama.]

"Should I depart to counter it?"

Karlamine asked, this time sounding more dutiful instead of looking forward to the fight itself.

Despite being someone who would look forward to a fight, she was still a Knight who would put the worries of her comrades ahead of her desires.

[No, you should remain there a bit longer and keep guarding them. Ken-sama and the others should be finishing the situation on their end in a couple of minutes. Besides, it would take someone as strong as a High-Class Devil to fight against that thing at most. I'll inform my two brothers about Hakki walking around, so either of them could handle it.]

"Okay."

Karlamine agreed without showing much disagreement about the situation.

"You shouldn't be too tense."

Karlamine was surprised as she heard Kunou starting to talk to her even though she should be focused on the barrier at the moment. Those would be the first thoughts coming to her head, but after seeing the level of skills she displayed, this would be almost nothing for her.

"Well, I'm sure that you heard that report too. That thing that Kensei-san and Sairaorg-sama fought against came inside the castle too. I want to go out and fight against it, but I know that I'm not strong enough to fight against it. And that is because I still lack training, which is something I realized after fighting against Kensei-san. I'm too weak to fight for my comrades and master's sister…I feel like a failure as a Knight."

Karlamine answered, feeling herself talking more and more about her weakness and genuine feelings about it.

"If you're able to recognize and talk about your weaknesses, then there's no doubt that you'll be able to train and overcome them," Kunou stated while opening her eyes for a moment as she glanced over toward Karlamine who looked surprised about those words. She then looked at the doubting Knight with a generous smile, causing Karlamine's heart to almost melt. "Those were the words from someone, a Number like Ken-chan, a woman who encourages people not to look at what they're bad at, but what they're good at and focus on that. She's also the descendant of a famous Knight."

"Really?!"

Karlamine, after hearing that found her eye sparkling having heard that new information, but held herself back a bit from approaching Kunou excitedly.

"Yes," Kunou said nodding her head while smiling. "The Numbers, Ken-chan, Zane-san, Maria-san, Hisui-chan, and Abigail-san, are all looked up to a lot by everyone in the Kibou Alliance. Even before I joined, those four have supported the people there for a long time and earned the respect that comes with their titles. Almost neither of the people or children there had the easiest pasts, but Ken-chan and the others taught them things that allowed a lot of them to reach the places they wanted."

"Well, I was scouted by Riser-sama for my talents, and I want to repay the favor that I owe to him for believing in my talents."

"Well, even if Riser is a lecher of a devil," Kunou commented in a tone that almost caused Karlamine and all the others around her to laugh wryly. "But, he wasn't wrong when he shows you as a Knight, which is something that I'm sure Maria-san would agree with too."

"…."

Karlamine smiled at those words.

It wasn't long until Kunou started feeling and hearing something, which was happening somewhere inside of the castle. Her attention was still put on keeping up the barrier, but the presence that she was feeling at that time wasn't something normal.

"This Hakki creature feeling abnormal even though it shouldn't be around the same location as us. I never felt a presence like this even from the evil youkai and monsters we would often run into. Ken-chan, just what kind of person made this creature?"

Kunou worriedly thought, not wanting anything to go wrong.

---

Standing in front of the desk rather than sitting, Ravel was starring into the video footage of the halls where Hakki walked. It has been several minutes since noticing that Hakki entered the castle, and throughout that entire time, both her eldest brothers had been hunting it down. Despite that, neither of them was able to catch it.

"That thing is acting with more intelligence than I thought," Ravel stated keeping her rational mind even though it was starting to become frustrating. "Before it was acting more violent and volatile, but now it's starting acting more intelligently."

"This thing is creepier than you described it."

Isabela started staring at the recording that she could still see from Kensei's Oracle Phone, which was being used as the medium.

"It's been avoiding Ruval-oniisama and Onii-sama through moving around using shadows as a medium. It also breaks all the spells being used to view the situation as it happens, making it difficult to see what it's going to be doing next. Hakki was unstable after Ken-sama's technique landed, and it was forced back to whoever sent it in the first place. But, it became back more improved than it was before, meaning whoever created it modified it."

Ravel started thinking about the situation and methods for resolving it, however, Hakki was too unpredictable for her to come up with strategies to counter it. And it was breaking all the techniques and spells that were being used as a means for surveying the situation. Meaning that it can only be resolved from either of her oldest brothers to kill Hakki before it could do any more damage.

"We're up against a creature able to defeat a normal High-Class Devil, which would take someone experienced like Ken-sama or Ruval-oniisama to kill it. It has to be acting on something more than simple instinct, we still don't know the full details about what was used to create this creature. And normal techniques don't work against it at all either."

Isabela could see that Ravel was racking her mind over numerous possibilities for dealing with Hakki if it did end up hurting anyone. If it was Riser, then he would have exhausted it using the fact that he has fifteen servants and his immortality makes it difficult for him to be taken out. Those tactics, however, wouldn't work against it based on the fact that it could survive fighting against Kensei and Sairaorg.

If anything from their previous fight against Kensei that his strength and skills far outclassed High-Class Devils by a wide margin. And Sairaorg was a different kind of High-Class Devil altogether beyond the norm.

"I didn't think that we'd end up being this useless in this situation. The best thing that I could think of it hitting it by using an attack strong enough to stun it. But, I don't think that we have the strength to be able to pull off an attack like that."

"At most, I can guess that it's tracking me down above fighting anyone else here. More so, if it can sense that my eldest brothers can kill it with a strong enough attack. If it does end up coming here, then I might be able to stun it using one strong attack to assist in our escape. If it gets worse, then I Ken-sama might have to end up coming back from the battlefield and deal with it."

Ravel surmised, finding that as the one solution to the situation.

[…R…Rave…l…s…sama….]

Suddenly, Ravel was receiving a call from Ni, who seemed to have been wounded in an attack of some kind.

"Ni? What happened," Ravel worriedly asked about her teammates' condition, guessing that Ni wasn't in the best condition. "Did something happen to…?"

[I…we…re…sorry. That…thing….]

Ni tried apologizing for something, but a sudden cold chill ran across Ravel's and Isabela's bodies as if something was gripping their chest.

Following their instincts, both turned around to see shadows moving and twisting around as something started to take shape as a familiar humanoid shape.

"Isabela prepare for a…huh?"

Ravel was getting prepared to fight against Hakki, who manifested right in front of them. But, for the first time, she looked as if she couldn't do anything. Her expression in that instance belonged to that of any normal girl showing genuine fear. Hakki was standing there right in front of them, but it wasn't alone. It was holding up Ravel's mother in the air by her throat using its clawed hands.

"…gah…Ravel…."

Lady Phenex managed to utter as she started regaining her bearings, and understanding the situation.

"…Okaa-sama?"

Ravel uttered in fear of what this creature was planning on doing.

In all regards, Ravel was far more mature than most, but she was still a young girl. And she couldn't almost think rationally seeing her mother like this. Isabela was left unable to react or act, considering that it'd take a little bit of pressure to penetrate the Phenex matriarch's neck.

"…urgh."

As if to make a statement, Hakki started applying more pressure on Lady Phenex's neck causing pain to be seen on her expression. Ravel and Isabela could even see blood sliding down her neck from the creature's five claws pressing down on her.

"P-Please, don't hurt my mother."

Despite the situation, Ravel was trying to act as seriously as possible, but the fear could be heard in her tone.

"…?"

Isabela clenched her fists frustrated.

[….]

There was a sudden reaction from Hakki as if it was starting to convulse.

[Greeting young women from the Phenex Household. I hope that I haven't inconvenienced anyone here.]

A young man's voice could be heard coming from Hakki's mouth as if using it as a means of communicating with all three women around it.

"Are you the one called the Benefactor?"

Ravel asked, not recognizing the person's voice, but that was the most logical conclusion.

[That composure of yours is impressive, Ravel Phenex. I can see and hear what's going on through this creature I created, and I must say that I'm impressed. I never thought that anyone your age could've come up with an idea like this in a short period. It would've been surprised if someone as straightforward as Kensei was able to come up with an idea like this.] Ravel couldn't tell whether or not this person was being serious or not based on his tone. And there was something about how he was talking about Kensei too. [Well, to answer your question. I am, in fact, the Benefactor.]

"And you're after me. Is that correct?"

[Yes, you happen to have been chosen to become a part of a little experiment that I'm planning for the future. But, it's not like that I'll be mistreating you or anything. I promise that you'll receive the best conditions and treatment if you're brought here. You're an important piece to something that I've been planning for years.]

"What horrible thing could this person be planning?"

[I can guess that you're thinking that I'm planning on doing something horrible.] Ravel was almost annoyed that a person she didn't know guessed her thoughts like that. [And well, to be fair, planning on doing something horrible is kinda an understatement. I have been doing several horrible things already for a long time. I mean, take a look at the things that I call Hakki. I won't go into detail about what I did to create Hakki, but it wasn't exactly the most conventional or humane process.]

All three women in the room couldn't help feeling unnerved from listening to him.

"So, I'm guessing that you want me or you'll kill my mother."

"Please don't. I'll…."

"…Ravel…don't…," Lady Phenex showing no care about her own life, and started struggling. She couldn't bear seeing her daughter captured by a person, who could do something as terrible and inhumane as this. "…I don't care about my life…you still haven't lived a…. Ahhhh!"

Lady Phenex screamed as Hakki tightened his grip on Lady Phenex's throat as she could feel its claws digging in her neck. Seeing this caused tears to start forming at the corners of Ravel's eyes.

"Okaa-sama…!"

[Well, isn't this beautiful? Despite being a devil, she's putting her daughter's life above her own. In my opinion, a true mother, more so than a human in that regard. But, now that I think about it, devils have trouble having kids in comparison to other beings.] The Benefactor looked to be getting off-topic, but Ravel could tell that he was doing it on purpose. [But, Ravel, I think you're lucky to have such a caring mother. So, it would be shameful if anything happened to her, because of you. If you turned yourself over, then I'll have Hakki let your mother go. But, I'd be quick with your decision since controlling these creatures' temperament is a little bit difficult.]

Ravel stood there already knowing what she was going to do next. Her mother herself knew what that decision is going to be, but she couldn't do anything since Hakki was applying too much pressure on her neck.

"Please, let me mother go. I'll go with you without resisting."

Ravel stated already stepping forward, wearing a determined look.

""…!""

Lady Phenex and Isabela found themselves with their stomach tightening.

[Wonderful, then please walk forward hallway and I'll release your mother.]

The Benefactor said as Ravel nodded her head, then started walking forward without hesitating at all.

Ravel didn't show fear but turned her head to look at her mother, who was tearing up as she started feeling her inability to protect her building up. Staring right at her daughter, Lady Phenex couldn't see the slightest ounce of fear despite the situation. At that moment, she even couldn't understand the reason that Ravel wouldn't be scared right now.

"I'm here."

Ravel said standing halfway in the room as the Benefactor wanted, as the silence inside the room gave off a near eerie and ominous atmosphere.

[Then, Hakki, please release her mother and bring the daughter.]

The Benefactor ordered.

Without hesitating at all, Hakki tossed Lady Phenex in the same direction as the right wall, causing Ravel to turn toward her mother worriedly.

"Okaa-sama!"

Ravel called out.

Hakki closed the distance between itself and Ravel in an instant, then lifted her into the air, while wrapping its arm around her throat. She almost found herself looking for the ability to breathe due to the amount of pressure from that hold in that instance. Isabela, not wanting to see Ravel taken away without fighting back, stepped forward in an attempt to do something.

"I'm not letting you take that girl without a…urgh!"

Isabela was stopped as soon as Hakki nailed her right in the stomach using a sharp kick causing blood to escape from her mouth. It resulted in her crashing into the wall and pushing into the adjacent room.

"Isabela!"

Ravel called out before feeling the temperature in the room starting to rise.

The door leading into the meeting room was burned to ashes as a figure came to the door, holding their hand backward as flames wrapped around their arm. It was revealed to be Ruval, who was staring forward at Hakki with serious eyes directed at the creature.

"Who's sister do you think you're taking?"

Ruval asked as he aimed that attack at Hakki.

Reacting to that assault, Hakki turned around placing Ravel right in front of it, using her as a shield.

"…."

Ruval didn't falter at that moment, using the experience he had accumulated from participating in the professional leagues of the Rating Game. All the flames wrapped around his left arm detonated, destroying his entire arm. However, his regeneration kicked in, in an instant without time lag, then summoned flames in his right hand.

Hakki sensed that a big attack was coming, one that it wouldn't be able to endure. Its back started shifting around as something similar to rocket propulsion appeared there. At the same time as aura started gathering around its back, Ruval swiped his hand, releasing a line of flames. Hakki shot through the ceilings of the castle, but it ended up losing a large portion of its right leg. Ruval wanted to go in for a more lethal attack, but Ravel was too close to it for it to be possible.

"I managed to take off a leg. But, I…."

"…Ruval."

He turned his head to see his mother attempting to stand back up, while pressing her hand on her neck, stopping the bleeding.

"Okaa-sama."

Ruval went to her mother, pulled out a vial of Phoenix Tears, and sprinkled them on the wound.

"I can sense Isabela in the next room. After getting her, I'll…."

"No, that won't be necessary."

"But…."

"Please, can you hand me Kensei-san's little device?"

"Huh?"

Lady Phenex was pointing her finger at Kensei's Oracle Phone, which landed on the ground from the struggle.

"More and more, I question whether or not you can be called a human."

"Of course, I am. Do you think I'm a monster or something?"

"Well, look at the situation at the moment."

---

Inside Area A, Kensei was standing straight up above Jason and had multiple light arrows that could be seen sticking out from him. Various sections of the battlefield also had numerous light arrows penetrating the ground all around the ground. At this moment, Kensei stood on top of the downed Jason, who had his balance breaker break apart, revealing his physical body.

His foot was placed firmly on Jason's chest, while sending ki throughout his entire body, keeping him from doing a single thing.

"I used every single tactic that I've trained in since. I even attacked you at high speeds using arrows, and I used Balance Breaker near the end of it," Jason said not sounding mad about his defeat. "And yet, you're still standing right here looking as normal as one can be with arrows sticking from them."

"I've been burned up before at ten. And had the flesh of my arms melted from an evil dragon's miasma about a little over a year ago."

"That makes me more doubtful. You're almost like an abnormal."

"Who knows? If you want to talk, then tell me a little more about that Benefactor of yours."

"He wants to do things that will end up messing with the order of things. And in the middle of all that, you're going to be at the center of it all."

"Does this guy has some kind of beef with me or something? It kinda sounds like this guy isn't some kind of odd villain who considers me a threat. Four years ago, during that Demon Eater Incident, he mentioned that person in the end too. Even though, at that time, it was three years after I left Hagun Island. So, it means that he knew about me before I went to Hagun Island."

"He didn't talk about it at all to us. But, all of us can tell that he has more of a score to settle with you compared to even us. You, who destroyed our…."

[…Kensei-san.]

"Hmm, give me a second, Jason," Kensei said ignoring Jason, who was still speaking as he focused his attention on the person contacting him. "This isn't Ravel. Lady Phenex, what…?"

[Ravel, got taken away by that monster.]

"…what?"

At that moment, Kensei looked serious as Jason could tell something happened and knew what it could be.

[That creature, Hakki took Ravel a minute or two ago. But, she didn't look scared at all despite all the things that were happening. And I think…no, I know the reason for that, which is because she believes that she's going to be saved.] Kensei could hear the emotions in Lady Phenex's tone talking about her daughter. [More than anyone in our house, she knows that you'll end up rescuing her. So, please, Kensei-san….]

There was a pause, but Kensei could hear that Lady Phenex was crying on the other end of the line, and he can even imagine the expression she was making.

[…please rescue my daughter! I'm begging you!]

Kensei didn't utter a single response as he looked down without making his expression known to the others.

"Kunou, remove the barriers within the larger one, and open up a hole in the space above me."

[Right!]

As ordered, Kunou removed the barriers within the barriers, allowing them free access to the entire barriers.

"Claire handle capturing Jason."

"Got it!"

Claire agreed without hesitation.

"Alice, create a monster capable of high-speed flight."

"On it!"

Kensei gave multiple requests to his three teammates and fiancées, who all agreed to it without hesitation at all.

At that moment, he got off Jason, but not before sending one final pulse of ki throughout his entire system, which would make it impossible for him to act. Alice also created a monster capable of flight that looked almost a lot like a wyvern, and it started approaching Kensei.

"I don't give a damn what kind of beef Benefactor has with me. But, I ain't letting that asshole get Ravel."

Kensei spoke as he stared down at Jason, while his eyes burned with a blue light.

At that same moment, he jumped high into the air throughout the hole Kunou created in the barrier as the flying-type monster Alice created followed him. As he descended, Kensei landed on top of the wyvern, which spread its wings outwards.

"Follow all the directions that I give you. I can follow the direction that thing is taking Ravel."

Graaaa!

The wyvern screeched as it started flying forward and following the direction that Kensei was giving out. He was still standing on top of the wyvern while holding Kurogane and began using healing-type senjutsu to heal all the wounds suffered from the arrows. Kensei was looking forward wondering just how long that it would take for him to get to Ravel and Hakki.

---

It has been minutes since Ravel was kidnapped as Hakki was holding onto her while flying around by using the propulsion rockets on its back. She remained in the creature's arms as it was flying in whatever direction that it's been ordered to go. Amid this situation, Ravel still surveyed the situation and environment around her, it wasn't in the Phenex Clan's dominion anymore.

"It's avoiding heading above other devil territories to avoid gaining too much attention from the other High-Class Devils. At the moment, we're around an unused space in the outskirts of Lucifaad, so if something happens, then no one would get caught up in the crossfire," Ravel tried thinking as rationally as possible about the situation, but it didn't make things easier getting its path. "Where is this thing heading to? It's making a beeline somewhere, but I can't of where the Benefactor could've ordered it to go. Almost all places in this area are under the control of devil clans. So, where could he tell Hakki to…?"

Hakki slowed down in mid-air, where he stood above a forested area where there wasn't a single person around at the moment. Ravel looked down at the ground and could see that shadows were gathering around at the ground. She recognized that as the means that Jason has been teleporting in and out of various locations without being detected.

[Well, we'll use this shadow as a means of teleporting to the assigned location. I apologize for the rush, but if we waste any more time, then a certain someone is going to come and wreck things.]

"I know that you've been worried about him since the first time he was assigned as my bodyguard. He saved and protected me from all the things that you tried throwing at me since the first time you attacked me. And you know that he wouldn't sit down and let me be taken away like this."

[….]

The Benefactor didn't utter a single word as he didn't want to respond to the question related to that person but signed without showing many emotions about it.

Ravel wasn't afraid at all, even though Hakki was getting closer and closer to the shadow that would transport it, and herself to that assigned location. She wasn't worried. She wasn't frightened. And she didn't lose hope. That's if that person heard that she was taken away, then….

"He'd drop the entire fight and head in this direction once he heard I taken."

Ravel commented.

Her prediction came true in seconds as an invisible force crashed against Hakki at such pressure it was forced to release Ravel. Hakki was blasted in another direction towards the forest and sent crashing to the ground. Due to being released, Ravel descended towards the ground but didn't make an effort to bring out her flame wings. Her reason for that was because it was unneeded for her.

Flying forward at high-speed as the wyvern that Alice made, and managed to fly right underneath Ravel as she was descending. Standing on top of the wyvern, Kensei caught the descending blonde-haired girl with drills in his arms. Ravel closed her eyes for a moment due to the movement, but she could feel a familiar warm feeling as she felt Kensei's arms on her legs and back.

"I retook the Phenex's Princess."

"Hehehe~"

Ravel laughed as Kensei was holding her like a princess.

She was smiling as Kensei was holding her in his arms, which once again, but, more so reminds her of the heroic stories she read about. The two spent that moment staring at each other, looking as if it lasted for more than that. However, realizing that this wouldn't end until Hakki and the others were defeated. Knowing that Kensei went and leaped off the wyvern's head while holding Ravel in his arms.

Kensei landed on the ground, as the wyvern seemed to seep inside of his shadow, which was an ability that Alice developed to store monsters. Placing Ravel on the ground, Hakki came out from the rubble caused by that last impact using his rocket propulsion as a means of moving around. Kensei could see that it was missing a leg, and it meant that someone at the castle attacked it.

[So, this is what that little kid grew up into?]

"I take it that you're the Benefactor."

Kensei could hear the Benefactor speaking through Hakki as a sigh escaped from his mouth.

[Benefactor. That is an interesting name that I ended up getting, considering the reason I was able to do all this.]

"I've got a lot of questions I want to ask you."

[I'd think so. But, why don't we leave that for the time that we meet face-to-face, because there's a lot that I need to get off my chest? After all this thinking and planning, I think that we should at least get the thing that I wanted in the first place.]

"That ain't happening."

Kensei said reaching for Kurogane, which was sheathed beside him.

[I had to do some modifications to Hakki because of that last fight. So, I'm interested in seeing what it can do in a fight with the Last Amagiri.]

"I'm going to bust up that creature you're so proud of for good."

Kensei declared as he prepared to bring out his sword.

Ravel stood beside him, not wanting to miss the chance to see this and do something to assist him in bringing down the plot that has brought sadness to her family.

---

A/N: And there goes the next chapter of DxD – The Last Amagiri, this chapter showed both the plans and countermeasures that Ravel came up with for Jason's assault on the Phenex Clan. It also showed a little bit of the development that Claire, Alice, and Kunou have undergone since the previous incident involving the Bael and Church alliance. There was also the match between Kensei and Jason with the latter using his Balance Breaker.

As Ravel expected their assault, Jason's expected something would happen and also sent their group to the castle too. But, even that was taken into account by Ravel. However, Hakki was added to the mix and managed to take Ravel after using her mother as a hostage. And even the Benefactor was talking by using Hakki as a medium. Kensei managed to gain the upper hand against Jason, but after hearing Ravel was kidnapped went in to rescue her and he heard the Benefactor's voice.

Now, the next chapter will be the finale of this volume before heading into the next one.

Translation

Claire's technique:

Shinsei Koushi, Nijuu (Holy Light Arrow, Twenty)

Kensei's Harem: Alice, Claire, Hisui, Kunou, Yasaka, Lu Lingqi, Sarah, Minako, Koneko, Kuroka, Ravel, Amaterasu, Brynhildr, Rossweisse.