[Kiba's POV]
Just as Lord Ajuka Beelzebub was nearing completion of a countermeasure against the magical beasts, we received word that the Hero Faction had begun moving in the capital city of Lilith. As a result, the Gremory peerage, along with Irina-san, was immediately given teleportation coordinates to the rooftop of a tall building in the city, and we rushed to the scene.
Ikki-kun stayed behind for now. Since no one knows exactly how Thanatos might strike, it's safer for him to remain on standby.
That said, Grayfia-sama, Baraqiel-san, Kuroka-san, and Ikki-kun himself are all incredibly powerful fighters. Unless something goes drastically wrong, they should be okay.
During a break earlier, Ikki-kun had said he wanted to take Thanatos down if possible. Until the god of the underworld, Hades, is formally punished among the factions for the Samael incident, he probably won't be able to return home.
And he's right—letting a high-ranking Grim Reaper run rampant in Kuoh Town isn't something we can just laugh off.
It makes perfect sense that Ikki-kun, who's being targeted without reason, would be annoyed. Honestly, the entire Gremory peerage is furious at what Hades has done.
That goes for Irina-san, Ravel-san, and Kuroka-san as well. Even if they aren't technically part of our peerage, they're still dear friends and allies. Of course we're going to be angry if someone targets them.
If I ever meet Hades again—even if it's at some official event—I'm not sure I could hold back my hostility.
And as for Shirone-chan, she even said, "I swear I'll tear that skeleton to pieces someday and scatter his remains at the gates of the Underworld as Cerberus food." …Our female team members tend to be pretty intense.
Especially in a case like this, where Ikki-kun is directly being targeted—his girlfriend Shirone-chan probably finds it even more infuriating than the rest of us.
As we thought about all this, we finally reached the teleportation room of the Gremory castle.
"Everyone, Gasper is already waiting for us at the destination. We'll regroup with him first, then move to support Sona and the others."
Ah, that's right. Gasper had gone off on his own to a Grigori research facility to confront his powers and watch over the Child of God. I didn't expect him to return at this timing—but it's a relief to have him back.
By the way, Ravel-san is with Ikki-kun. Her family gave her permission to join the operation, but only in a support capacity—evacuating civilians and such. She won't be heading into the thick of combat.
As soon as we finished teleporting, Gasper came running up to us.
"I'm so glad we're finally together again! The Fallen Angels told me to wait here, but it was really lonely!"
With Gasper joining us, the Gremory peerage is back at full strength. Just having everyone here like this gives a sense of confidence.
"Gasper, I expect to see the results of your training."
"Yes! I'll do my best!!"
He answered Rias's words with a level of determination I hadn't heard in his voice before.
Looks like his solo trip really taught him something valuable. Just like Rias, I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do.
BOOOOOOOM!!!
At that moment, we saw a series of distant explosions lighting up the skyline.
Shirone-chan, who likely sent out a senjutsu probe, spoke up with a tense voice.
"I can sense the Sitri peerage there—along with a large number of civilians!"
Civilians!? So they really got caught up in it… Fighting while protecting others is far more difficult than a normal battle. We have to hurry!
"Understood. Everyone, let's move!"
"Yes!"
We all spread our devil wings—well, except for Issei-kun, who used the dragon wings of his Balance Breaker—and took flight toward the site of the explosions.
But partway there, a presence we couldn't ignore appeared on the rooftop of a nearby building.
"Well, well. Fancy running into the Gremory peerage so soon. Looks like luck's on my side today."
The ones who teleported in were Siegfried, the magic sword wielder, and Georg, the mist user—both top brass in the Hero Faction. What are they doing here?
"Supporting Sona is our priority, but we can't just ignore them. We'll split into two teams."
Before Rias could finish giving orders, Siegfried spoke up.
"No need for that, Rias Gremory. Georg was planning to regroup with Jeanne and the others right away—same goes for me, actually. But I've been itching for a rematch with your Holy Demonic Sword user here. He gave me a rough time in that pseudo-dimension, and our fight ended unresolved. Time to settle the score. Georg, if you would?"
Sighing, Georg activated a magic circle, and at the same time, he unleashed a blinding flash of light. Damn it—I stared at the circle and now my vision is slow to recover!
In the next moment, I felt that familiar slimy, warped sensation—and when I came to, only Siegfried and I had been teleported to an entirely different location.
"Don't worry. We're still in the capital—just on the opposite end. Once I'm done with you, I've got a little destruction to carry out here."
"Not if I can help it."
I drew my Holy Demonic Sword, and he responded by drawing five magic swords and one light blade.
Looks like he wants a one-on-one fight. Fine by me.
A communication magic circle appeared by my ear—it was Rias.
[Yuuto, can you hear me? Where are you now?]
"President, I've been transported with Siegfried to a different part of Lilith. It's just the two of us here, so I'll take him down and regroup afterward."
[…Got it. Georg's gone too, so we're heading to Sona's team as planned.]
"Understood. Be careful out there."
Once the call ended, Siegfried sneered.
"Done with your goodbyes?"
"Judging by how our last fight ended, I'd say I've already surpassed you. Have you said your own goodbyes yet? I'll hear your last words if you like—before we fight."
This guy's no pushover. I'll need to go in with the intent to kill—or I won't walk away.
"No need for that. You're the one dying here."
With that, he pulled out a pistol-shaped injector from his coat.
That thing—wasn't it the same type used by that Grim Reaper named Leonardo in the pseudo-space?
"This serum was made by collecting and cultivating the blood spilled by Shalba Beelzebub during your battle with him. Through countless sacrifices and experimentation, we developed it into a Sacred Gear enhancement drug. Shalba might have been a small fry, but his bloodline traces back to the original Great Satans, counterparts to the Biblical God—the source of Sacred Gears. By combining opposites, we amplify the power. In a way, it's not so different from your Holy Demonic Sword."
"…Don't lump that grotesque thing together with my sword. Mine is the crystallization of my oath to an old friend and my bond with my current comrades."
What a disgusting insult. I could feel the heat rising to my head.
"Oh? My bad. Still, emotions and reality are separate things. I'd prefer to beat you with my own power, but the Gremory peerage's growth is impressive. No point holding back—I'll use whatever it takes."
He quickly jabbed the syringe into his neck and injected the drug.
The change was immediate.
His whole body began to convulse, veins bulging across his face. The drug was clearly placing an immense strain on his system.
Then the four Sacred Gear arms on his back began to grow thicker and longer, their fingers warping and fusing with the magic swords they held.
"This drug is called Chaos Break. And this form—Demonic Drive: Chaos Form. I took the name from Balance Break: Forbidden Form and Juggernaut Drive. Fitting, right?"
Before, he looked like an Asura. Now, he resembled a twisted, bipedal spider. As a devil myself, it might be strange to say this, but… he's a complete monster now.
"When I'm in this form, Sacred Gear abilities become unstable. But in a fortunate twist, the dragon-related traits in this sword, Gram, become vague as well. That means I can swing it at full power with no recoil. Gram doesn't care if its wielder is hurt—it's a merciless sword. Before now, Gram and my strongest form were a terrible match. But that problem's been solved. This is my true full power!"
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