The night air still carried a faint hum from the impact of Hajime's last strike.
He disperse the blaster rifle into a mots of light, his gaze focus at the distant academy where Kokabiel is.
The behind him the rest stayed quiet, watching.
Alice and Anisphia stepped up beside him, waiting for Hajime's words.
Hajime let out a breath and spoke, just loud enough to be heard.
"Looks like it's time I take this seriously now."
The simple statement sent a ripple through the crowd.
Alice and Anisphia, without hesitation, placed their right hands over their hearts and bowed slightlym a gesture of absolute trust and shared resolve.
"As you wish, our King," they intoned together.
Their voices, though gentle, have deep conviction. A promise that whatever will happen they will be with him.
Around them, the members of the Gremory and Sitri peerages, Griselda, the exorcists, and even the residents of Yuragi Inn were stunned at that declaration.
Rias watched with a complex glint in her eyes.
Sona, for once, said nothing, her hands clasping lightly in front of her as she recalculated every assumption she had made about Hajime and girls.
Whispers began to ripple among the assembled groups, curiosity and disbelief mixing in the air.
"Did they just call him... King?" Momo murmured.
"But aren't Alice-san and Anis-san supposed to be princesses?" Reya added softly, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Saji, wide-eyed, leaned closer to them and muttered, "Would that mean Nagumo's status is...."
Across the way, Koneko blinked in mild surprise, while Irina, still nursing a bandage, tilted her head in visible amazement.
Griselda, standing with her arms crossed, allowed a rare, thoughtful hum.
Even Sona and Rias, usually composed, exchanged a glance heavy with silent speculation.
A realization spread, unspoken but deeply felt: Hajime Nagumo was not just a powerful fighter. He was something more, a King, in presence, in will, and in the loyalty.
Breaking the silence, Hajime turned toward Rias and Sona, "What's your next move?" he asked, his tone leaving no room for hesitation. "Alice, Anis, and I will settle the score with Kokabiel now."
Rias and Sona exchanged a meaningful look, both hesitating.
Originally, the plan was gather all capable forces—the Gremory and Sitri peerages, Church exorsist, and trusted allies to form a joint strike unit. Second, reestablish control over the disrupted ley lines of Kuoh Academy, preventing Kokabiel from drawing further power from them. Once the leyline stability was secured, the full force would advance to confront Kokabiel in a carefully coordinated assault. Everything had been planned carefully to avoid triggering an all-out war between factions.
But after witnessing Hajime's overwhelming might firsthand, both struggled to adjust their plans.
Rias spoke first, a small wry smile tugging at her lips. "We... had a strategy laid out. But after that stunt you pulled, Nagumo-kun, I'm not quite sure how to proceed anymore."
Sona sighed, adjusting her glasses with an unusually candid gesture. "Indeed. It seems the battlefield has already changed because of you."
She paused, glancing at Rias, before continuing in a more serious tone. "Our original plan was meticulously crafted because we cannot afford large-scale movements. The balance between the factions—Heaven, the Underworld, and the Fallen—is delicate. One wrong move could be misinterpreted as an act of war, and everything could collapse into another Great War."
Rias nodded, her face solemn. "That's why we intended a small, precise operation. Strike quickly, contain Kokabiel, and minimize any disruptions. But now... your intervention has changed the landscape."
Sona's eyes sharpened. "Now, we must adapt our strategy around your presence—and your power."
A new path has been laid. it is direction both are unsure but willing to take.
Griselda, who had remained quiet until now, stepped forward with a pensive look. "Forgive my bluntness," she began, "but I must ask... during the earlier battle against the 'Fragmentum', I distinctly felt a surge of divine power from you, Mr. Nagumo."
The room stilled again.
Griselda folded her arms thoughtfully. "Are you perhaps... a demigod?"
Her question was so direct that it caused an immediate chain reaction throughout the gathered groups. Several members of both the Gremory and Sitri peerages stiffened visibly, surprise flickering across their faces. Akeno's usually calm smile faltered ever so slightly, while Tsubaki's fingers tensed at her sides, her posture sharpening subtly. Saji exchanged a wide-eyed glance with Tomoe, and even Koneko's usual stoic expression showed the faintest crack of shock. Among the church, Irina and Xenovia whispered hurriedly to each other, their brows knitting in disbelief. Yuuna and Chitose, standing at the periphery with the Yuragi Inn residents, looked at each other in quiet astonishment, feeling the depth of the revelation settling around.
Before Hajime could answer, Alice and Anisphia chuckled warmly, covering their mouths with ladylike amusement.
Anisphia brought her hand to her lips, her eyes sparkling mischievously as she stifled a soft laugh. "A demigod?" she echoed, her voice playful. "If only matters were so simple."
Alice, standing composed beside her, allowed a small, knowing smile to grace her features. Her gaze flickered fondly toward Hajime for a moment before returning to the group. "Titles are far too small to describe someone like him," she said gracefully, her tone carrying a mixture of pride and gentle mystery.
Neither elaborated further, leaving the gathered crowd even more intrigued about the truth of Hajime's identity.
Hajime ignored both Griselda's question and the playful remarks from Alice and Anis. He turned back toward Rias and Sona.
"Regardless of what you intended," Hajime said evenly, his voice slicing through the murmurs, "The three of us aren't bound to any of the Three Factions. We exist outside your world's political balance. That means we can act freely without risking diplomatic fallout, without endangering your fragile truces, and without triggering another Great War."
Rias and Sona exchanged another meaningful glance. They understood now: Hajime's group existence wasn't merely an advantage or a wildcard. It was an outside force that they can rely on at this deadlock situation.
Seeing no objections from either Rias, Sona, or any of the assembled factions, Hajime nodded once, sharply.
"Good," he said calmly. "We will lead the charge."
He shifted his gaze across the gathered groups, his next words carrying a commanding authority. "The rest of you focus on maintaining the barriers, and keeping the mundane population safe. Don't overextend yourselves. This isn't about pride. It's about precision."
The declaration left little room for argument. Around him, the various groups straightened, their faces setting with renewed determination. They knew their roles—and they knew that the true storm was about to begin.
----
As preparations began and teams started to organize for the assault on Kuoh Academy, a small group approached Hajime—Issei, Kiba, Koneko, Griselda, Irina, and Xenovia.
They stood firmly before him, determination clear in their expressions.
"We wish to accompany you during the charge," Kiba said respectfully, speaking for the group.
Hajime raised an eyebrow in response, silently asking them to explain their reasons.
Issei scratched the back of his head awkwardly but met Hajime's gaze. "We might not be as strong as you... but we can't just sit back while Kokabiel threatens our home."
Kiba added quietly, "We have our own battles to fight, and debts to settle."
Irina offered a bright, if slightly bruised, smile. "It's our duty too. As warriors of Heaven, we can't ignore this."
Xenovia simply nodded, her eyes sharp and resolute. Koneko, silent as always, shifted closer, a subtle but solid show of support.
Griselda finished for them, her tone calm but unwavering. "Even if our strength cannot match yours, our will stands alongside you."
Their resolve hung in the air, a sincere offering to stand beside them.
Before Hajime could answer, Alice and Anisphia stepped forward slightly, their eyes gleaming with a shared confidence.
"We welcome your help," Alice said with a serene nod, speaking on Hajime's behalf.
Anisphia, wearing a teasing smile that softened her tone, added, "But a word of caution, Kiba-kun, try not to let your emotions control you if you face Valper again. We will be fine, but the others may not be able to bear the consequences easily."
Hajime glanced sideways at the two girls, a subtle look of amused acceptance passing over his face.