Third Person Point of View

  — ○ ● ○ —

  "Don't underestimate me, devil! I'm a god!" Aed's voice rang out in defiance.

  Aed possessed a distinct appearance. His short, jet-bck hair swept gracefully over the right side of his face, partially veiling it. His eyes were dark and intense, and his elvish ears gave him an otherworldly quality. Silver earrings adorned both of his ears, and a matching silver ring graced his right ring finger. He donned a sleek bck polo shirt, paired with matching pants and shoes. A touch of rebellious style was evident as he had painted his fingers in a deep shade of bck.

  "Don't you understand?! What Or and I shared was genuine divine love! A devil like you can't possibly fathom its depth! Today's events just seemed like the perfect moment to make my move," he decred, a wicked grin directed at Sona, Tsubaki, and Genshirou.

  Sona, her arms folded, and her colossal [Leviathan] coiled around her, fixed an intimidating gaze upon Aed. She inquired, "Are you affiliated with the Khaos Order, then?"

  Aed responded, a touch of defiance in his tone, "I only joined them in my pursuit of Or. Once I have her, I'll depart. It's a simple arrangement. They provide me with information, and I reciprocate. It's not terrorism; it's love!" His words betrayed a clear sense of delusion as he tried to rationalize his actions.

  Sona let out a sigh and retorted, "You're simply delusional. While I may not possess any divinity within me, my b-boyfriend certainly does, and he doesn't resort to such deranged tactics to win someone's heart."

  Genshirou, who stood behind her, couldn't help but suppress a snicker at his [King]'s momentary stutter. His amusement, however, was short-lived as Sona swiftly pivoted to gre at him, prompting him to avert his gaze.

  "The lizard, you say? Please, that phinderer knows nothing of true love, even if it were right before his eyes! His affections are fickle; he spreads them far and wide. Do you honestly believe he loves you? What a ludicrous notion! My love is the epitome of purity, the truest form! Once I reunite with Or, we shall elope, marry, and raise a rge family. It's a fwless life!" Aed excimed fervently, his fervor on full dispy.

  Sona sighed once more, realizing that reasoning with the delusional god before her was futile. It was evident that her words would merely bounce off him, as he seemed hell-bent on fighting back and tarnishing Aaron's reputation in her eyes. With a resigned tone, she conceded.

  "It's clear that my words won't penetrate your delusional mindset," she remarked. "So, I'll opt for a different approach. I'll defeat you and bring you to face justice through the alliance's judgment. Get ready for what's coming." Her decration signaled a shift in her demeanor, and the [Leviathan] surrounding her sprang into action, creating a multitude of water-based attacks that swirled around her.

  Aed, however, remained steadfast in his conviction, responding with defiance, "Nonsense, devil! Victory will be mine! Come forth, my children!" His words carried a resounding boom, and the dark purple and dark blue divine orbs surrounding him multiplied even further. Soon, the battlefield became teeming with the appearance of undead creatures.

  "Saji, I'm retracting my previous statement. Please focus on handling the undead creatures. I'll take on the god," Sona announced decisively.

  Genshirou, filled with concern, couldn't help but voice his worry. "A-are you sure you'll be alright?" he inquired.

  Sona reassured him, her determination shining through. "If we secure victory in our next match, we'll be up against a team with gods—Indra-sama and his group. You could say this battle is like a warm-up against a god. Please, trust in me," she implored.

  With a resolute nod, Genshirou excimed, "Roger! Good luck, President!" He promptly activated his Perfected Bance Breaker and took to the skies, dealing with the undead creatures in a whirlwind of action.

  Aed's frustration boiled over as he attempted to unch an attack against Genshirou. However, his swift action was quickly thwarted by Sona, who commanded her [Leviathan] to unleash a barrage of watery attacks in his direction.

  Aed clenched his teeth and retaliated by conjuring thousands of divine magic circles, which he hoped would shield him from the oncoming deluge. Much to his surprise, Sona's [Leviathan] effortlessly shattered his defensive barriers.

  Realizing the gravity of the situation, Aed swiftly leaped out of harm's way, narrowly avoiding the worst of the water attacks. Nevertheless, his escape didn't come without cost, as he suffered minor cerations on his legs and thigh, stoking the fmes of his anger.

  Refusing to back down, Aed used his dark purple and blue divine orbs, which, in a dazzling transformation, took the shape of two powerful creatures. One bore a striking resembnce to a praying mantis, while the other manifested as a massive T-rex. Both divine beasts charged forth, aimed squarely at Sona and her [Leviathan].

  In response, Sona raised her hand and conjured a compact ball of condensed demonic water. With precision, she directed it at the praying mantis while her [Leviathan] let out an ear-piercing screech, amplifying her attack as it took on the form of a serpentine creature and collided with the divine mantis.

  The mantis had no chance to react, as Sona's attack surged at an astonishing speed, leaving it unable to comprehend or evade the impending impact. An eruption ensued, shaking both the atmosphere and the isnd beneath, and even causing significant damage to the towering tree that loomed behind them.

  Sona reacted swiftly, leaping away from the T-rex just in the nick of time as its massive jaws snapped shut in an attempt to bite her. The prehistoric creature immediately turned its gaze toward her and unleashed a barrage of divine aura bsts from its maw. Sona, undaunted, summoned her elegant wings and gracefully evaded the oncoming attacks. To her surprise, these divine attacks persisted, relentlessly following her.

  Quick-thinking, Sona directed her [Leviathan] to lock onto the divine projectiles, and in an instant, it discharged colossal water bullets, effectively intercepting and detonating the divine attacks. The resultant explosion sent billows of smoke swirling through the skies, creating a shroud of momentary obscurity.

  Taking advantage of this chaotic cover, Sona harnessed the power of her [Leviathan] to fashion rge water spears around her, imbuing them with energy. Silently and with a purposeful focus, she aimed the augmented water spears at Aed, unching them as a countermeasure against the imposing threat.

  Sona's attack moved at a pace that outmatched Aed's reactions. However, his immortal nature kicked in, and his body responded even before his thoughts could keep pace. He contorted his form swiftly, narrowly avoiding a catastrophic fate, yet not entirely unscathed; his left arm was severed as Sona's blows made contact with the isnd below.

  Grimacing with pain, Aed groaned at the loss of his limb but showed no signs of being deterred. Instead, he leaped away from the impending danger and retaliated by unching a relentless barrage of divine aura attacks towards Sona.

  His frustration mounted when the [Leviathan], acting as a protective shield, shielded Sona from his attacks, effectively absorbing the force meant for her. In the blink of an eye, Sona vanished from sight, and Aed's consciousness gged behind. Only when his senses caught up did he realize that his other arm had been severed from his body.

  In a startled moment, he tried to muster a defense, but it was too te. Sona's leg struck his neck with incredible force, sending him hurtling away. The colossal tree on the isnd bore the brunt of his impact, quaking violently before he plummeted to the ground below.

  Aed struggled to catch his breath, coughing violently as he endeavored to rise, even though he was now bereft of both arms. With determined resolve, he managed to get back on his feet, fixing a stern gre on Sona, his indomitable spirit refusing to yield.

  "Wouldn't it be wiser to surrender, Aed-sama?" Sona inquired with an unflinching, stoic tone.

  "Don't assume victory just yet! Cermait will arrive to assist me after dealing with your [Queen]!" Aed shouted defiantly.

  "Cermait? Ah, your brother, I presume? He's notably less powerful than you, and I have full confidence that Tsubaki will emerge victorious," Sona calmly retorted as she swiftly materialized beside Aed. Her ability over demonic water allowed her to immobilize him. "It won't be much longer now."

  — ○ ● ○ —

  "I'll say it one more time, Cermait-sama. Surrender, or I'll have no choice but to use stronger measures to detain you," Tsubaki firmly addressed the wounded god standing before her.

  Aoife, her frustration evident, added her voice to the conversation, pointing her sword at the god. "What she said! Why are some gods so relentless? Just accept that Or doesn't like your brother's weird love!"

  Cermait, his gaze filled with anger, gred at Aoife and shouted, "You've no room to talk about love when you're in the Middleman's harem! That's not love; it's a fantasy for the feeble-minded to chase after. My brother's love may be unconventional, but it's more genuine than what the Middleman has!" His retort carried a mix of resentment and defiance, revealing the complexity of their situation.

  "Various forms of love exist, and your brothers love is just one among them. Not everyone may approve of how Aaron handles his retionships, but at least all of us involved are content with it. Queen Or, I assure you, does not and will not love Aed in that way ever again!" Aoife vehemently retorted, her irritation evident at Cermait's criticism of Aaron's choices.

  In Irish mythology, Cermait was one of the sons of the Dagda and a brother of Aed. For reasons stemming from a past incident involving Lugh, they had distanced themselves from the Tuatha Dé Danann, harboring strong aversion toward the group. Despite Danu's attempts at reconciliation on behalf of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the two brothers remained adamant in their disdain.

  Cermait, fueled by anger, let out a bitter excmation, "Only a whore would say such a thing!" His words dripped with venom as he continued, "Every woman connected to the Middleman is a whore, and he himself is no different! Nothing will sway my judgment, you damn whore!" His outburst was so intense that it caused a minor shockwave, underscoring the depth of his emotions.

  Just as Tsubaki was on the verge of speaking, a small light materialized beside them, followed by the emergence of a magic circle. From it, áine and Danu made their entrance.

  "Hello, Cermait. It's been a while," áine greeted him with a tinge of sadness in her gaze as she looked upon him.

  Cermait's fury swelled like a tempest, and he let out a thunderous roar, "áine!!!" Without a moment's hesitation, he lunged toward the goddess, and áine offered no resistance to his charge. However, his attack was swiftly halted as Aoife intervened, delivering a powerful kick to his abdomen. Simultaneously, Danu employed her control over nature, restraining him with roots summoned from the earth.

  Despite his physical restraint, Cermait's anger remained unbridled. He continued to unleash a barrage of bitter and demeaning words at áine, most of which consisted of harsh insults and derogatory accusations.

  áine sighed, her gaze moving from Cermait to Tsubaki and Aoife, who were both puzzled by the unfolding situation. "Have you heard my story from Aaron?" she inquired, and both nodded in acknowledgment. "He was one of my victims, and he's held resentment toward me ever since. Perhaps, to some extent, he's harbored animosity toward women as a result?" She shed light on the source of Cermait's deep-seated resentment, a narrative that had left a sting impact on the bonds between these individuals.

  "I'll kill you!" he bellowed once more, his struggles to break free from his restraints proving futile.

  áine, weighed down by the gravity of his actions, spoke with a heavy heart, "I can't undo the harm I've caused to these men, and I don't expect them to forgive me. The least I can do is accept their insults without protest, for they have every right to express their anger." Cermait's rage continued unabated.

  Tsubaki had much to say on the matter, yet she hesitated to provide her limited insights on "love" in this fraught situation. However, in the end, she sighed and employed a touch of sleep-inducing magic on Cermait, finally quelling his tirade. "Sona-sama is most likely engaged in a battle against the God Aed, so we should make our way there," she informed the others.

  "Aed... so he truly came here to abduct Or. We were just with her a few minutes ago, and she seemed fine, with Shadow Soldiers and her maid Vilja by her side," Danu expined, her expression etched with sadness as she cast a lingering gaze upon the now slumbering Cermait.

  Just as they were preparing to shift from their current position, Genshirou appeared on the scene, having vanquished the final vestiges of the undead army. "Hello! The President has finished her battle, and it seems like you all are ready as well. Let's head to the rendezvous point with her!" he cheerfully announced. The group swiftly concurred with his suggestion, making haste to join Sona.

  — ○ ● ○ —

  "We've cleared them out, haven't we?" Roselia inquired. The Sitri peerage had regrouped back in the Thine Ifreann Réimse, joined by the others who had assisted them.

  Sona concurred, but with a sense of caution, "Yes, but our work in this country isn't complete. There might be more foes lurking beyond, even in this replicated realm. We should press on."

  Roselia nodded, patting the two unconscious gods they had subdued. "We'll deliver these unruly troublemakers first. Afterward, we'll rejoin you all, as there's little point in lingering here."

  "Very well," Sona acknowledged with a respectful bow. She and her team then utilized teleportation to depart.

  Vita, curious about the next steps for the four goddesses in their company, inquired, "What are your pns?"

  Cana, Danu, áine, and Scathach exchanged gnces, contempting their course of action.

  "Fufu, I was tempted to stay with Or, but it appears that Aífe has taken that role," the Queen of the Land of Shadows expined.

  Danu interjected, "You did stay behind as we left earlier, though."

  Scathach chimed in with a mischievous grin, "I had faith that you all could handle things without me. But now, I'm itching to get out there, stretch my legs, and deal with some terrorists. Aaron did mention they would pull out all the stops, and I anticipate facing the remaining Battle Gods, fufu~"

  Celine, Emma's familiar, couldn't help but shake her head and mumbled, "These battle maniacs."

  Scathach, however, took offense and grabbed Celine's tail, pyfully raising her. "What did you say, cat!?"

  Celine let out an indignant "Meeeeeeeow!? Let me go!!" as she protested the unexpected tail-lifting by the goddess.

  — ○ ● ○ —

  "I didn't expect us to be here of all pces, ufufu~" Akeno chuckled softly, her amusement evident.

  Rias, understanding the situation, responded, "Well, it's where Aaron and many of us live. It would make sense for the attackers to target this pce."

  The Gremory team found themselves in Japan, where they had forged alliances with various factions to defend the nation. The remaining Super Devils and other Khaos Order allies had unched an assault, and the defenders were fighting valiantly.

  Akeno, while battling various devils with her holy lightning, expressed a hint of longing, saying, "I do wish I could have gone with Aaron, though~" She pouted slightly, her emotions a mix of sadness and determination as she continued to protect her homend.

  Vasco Strada, who was among the group, decided to chime in with a humorous remark. "Aaron casually mentioned to me that I should become the priest for all his future marriages, fufu."

  This revetion caught Rias off guard, and she reacted with surprise. "Eh!? Really!?" she excimed, taken aback by this unexpected tidbit of information.

  Before Vasco Strada could respond to her inquiry, an ominous sensation seemed to envelop all of Japan. The members of the alliance swiftly directed their attention to a specific location. A man with crimson hair and imposing bck horns had materialized there, sporting a broad, enigmatic smile.

  Crom Cruach conveyed his insights to the group, [Scarmiglione... his appearance matches what Jin previously described.]

  With determined resolve, Crom Cruach announced his intentions, [I'll going to go fight him.] Without hesitation, he took to the skies and made a beeline for the Malebranche known as Scarmiglione.

  Rias, concerned for Crom's well-being, called out to him, "Wait, Crom!" However, the resolute Evil Dragon pressed on and continued his advance.

  He quickly closed the distance, confronting Scarmiglione head-on. Crom Cruach unleashed a powerful punch, but the Malebranche's agility allowed him to evade the attack with ease. In response, Scarmiglione pyfully whistled.

  [You're quite eager, aren't you? I prepared this dramatic entrance, and all I get is an irate dragon trying to attack me. Sheesh,] the crimson-haired man remarked with a sly grin.

  Suddenly, a barrage of attacks materialized from all directions, taking Crom Cruach and Scarmiglione by surprise. Crom found himself swiftly teleported away, while the onsught of attacks homed in on Scarmiglione's position, resulting in a colossal explosion that sent shockwaves through the skies of Japan.

  Crom couldn't help but express his annoyance, stating, [I was doing fine.]

  Rias, her brow furrowing with concern, adopted an authoritative tone as she reminded him, "Even so, you can't charge in recklessly. You know what Aaron told us about his abilities. He's a 'trickster,' and you can never predict his next move."

  Crom Cruach and Rias Gremory locked eyes, their auras radiating with power and tension, causing unease among those nearby. However, after a tense standoff, Crom Cruach ultimately heaved a sigh and withdrew.

  […Tch, fine,] he grumbled, crossing his arms and directing a fierce gre at Scarmiglione.

  [Wow~ Bravo! I didn't expect you to attack us like this. Are you sure you're the heroes here? Don't they usually fight fairly or something?] inquired the [Malebranche], his tone ced with skepticism.

  Scarmiglione, in a sudden whirl, executed a courteous bow in their direction, signaling false respect before unleashing a flurry of magic circles. These mystical sigils produced small boxes that were expelled into the air. Scarmiglione gazed up at the group and fshed a confident smile.

  [Here's a little gift for all of you,] he announced with a grin and nonchantly snapped his fingers. Instantly, all the boxes erupted in a chaotic spectacle, releasing a motley crew of opponents.

  Xenovia couldn't hide her astonishment and blurted out, "What the—!? Is that Kokabiel!?"

  An eerie, malevolent ughter filled the air. "Uhyahyahyahyahyah~!" echoed one voice, and it was followed by another maniacal ugh, "Hyahahahaha!"

  Yumi knit her brows, a sense of recognition crossing her features. "That ughter... it definitely sounds like Rizevim's, and the other one resembles... Kousuke, the man who supposedly took over for someone named 'Freed.'"

  As more and more of their previously vanquished foes emerged from the boxes, the most conspicuous among them was an individual with distinctive pink hair.

  "Yahoo~ Did you all miss me?" she chimed in cheerfully.

  Akeno hissed softly, "Lapis..."

  Rias, attempting to maintain her composure, advised, "Don't be deceived; it's one of his abilities, remember?"

  Gasper, providing some crity, expined, "Didn't Aaron-nii call it [Phantasmatic Pop Up]? It's like a form of illusion magic that gives them physical properties. Even in this state, they won't possess their unique powers and will only have the same strength as Scarmiglione." His words aimed to dispel any undue panic among the group.

  Scarmiglione grinned, his smile dispying a hint of mischief, and he winked at them once more. [And now, go ahead and enjoy this little gift from me! Oh, and there's more! We can't forget about these folks, can we?] With another snap of his fingers, two clones of each of the Evil Dragons manifested before them.

  Crom Cruach, Apophis, Ladon, A?i Dahāka, Nieh?ggr, Grendel, Vritra, and Yamata no Orochi—every one of the former Evil Dragons stood before the alliance. The original Crom Cruach seethed with anger, his aura surging.

  [You...!] he hissed, his voice ced with fury.

  Scarmiglione couldn't resist a taunting chuckle. [Fufu~ Did that get under your scales, lizard-kun? Oh well, I don't really care. Enjoy my little treat~ I've got somewhere to be.] He made an attempt to depart, but to his surprise, he found himself unable to teleport away.

  Scarmiglione found himself in an unusual predicament and mused, [Now that's strange, I can't leave. I wonder why?] He couldn't fathom the reason for his confinement.

  Vasco Strada, a voice of authority in this chaotic moment, offered a directive through the transceivers. [Don't panic, group up, and engage opponents of equal or lesser strength. Leave the stronger ones to the rest!] His words provided a clear battle pn.

  After a brief pause, a thunderous roar erupted from the assembled fighters, resonating through the Japanese skies. With unwavering determination, they charged into combat. Vasco Strada, a formidable presence, wasted no time. He swiftly closed the gap between him and Scarmiglione, infusing his fist with holy energy before delivering a resounding blow to the [Malebranche]'s side.

  Scarmiglione, taken aback by the old man's incredible speed, managed to block the attack in the nick of time, using his demonic aura as a shield. Despite this defense, he was sent tumbling backward from the force of the strike.

  Rias, assessing the situation, sought Crom Cruach's input. "Crom, you have the option to fight alongside His Eminence if you wish. Alternatively, you may choose to focus on eliminating those clones. What's your preference?" she inquired.

  Crom Cruach, the Evil Dragon, answered with a resolute nod, indicating his choice. [Clones. They're an embarrassment.] He then took flight, heading toward his two clones who greeted him with wicked grins.

  In the vast expanse of the skies, a fierce aerial battle was unfolding, and Yumi found herself under attack from none other than Kousuke. His ughter echoed through the air as he taunted her, "Hyahahaha! It's been a while! ...But I never imagined you'd turn into such a bitch!"

  Yumi didn't dignify his words with a response. Instead, she summoned [Gram], a powerful sword, and poised herself for Kousuke's impending attack. To his surprise, the young man noticed the formidable weapon in Yumi's grasp.

  "Oya? Isn't that [Gram]? Wow, wow, wow~ I didn't expect you to wield such a powerful sword. Time has certainly passed, hasn't it?" he mused, his tone tinged with a touch of nostalgia. "But I'm still the superior swordsman!"

  In the blink of an eye, Yumi materialized right in front of him, catching Kousuke off guard. The deranged priest swung his bde towards her, and Yumi responded in kind with [Gram]. Yet, at the point of impact, she unleashed a surge of her strength, shattering Kousuke's arm and weapon upon collision.

  "What...? What the hell did you just do!?" Kousuke demanded, his expression a mix of confusion and fury. He summoned another bde into his remaining hand and made another swing at Yumi. However, the same outcome repeated itself, as her enhanced strength obliterated his second arm and weapon.

  Finally, Yumi spoke, her tone resolute, "What do you mean by being 'the better swordsman'? You already lost to us before, and that was a year ago. We've all grown even stronger since then, while you've remained stagnant as an illusion, dwelling in the realm of the deceased."

  She poised her sword and decred, "Return to the abyss, Kousuke. Your presence isn't needed in our world." With that, Yumi darted past Kousuke, and within moments, a multitude of sshes appeared on his body, reducing him to countless fragments.

  Yumi's battle wasn't over yet; one of her teammates, Lint, found herself under attack by a man who bore a striking resembnce to someone they all knew.

  "Freed-aniki, snap out of it, dammit!" Lint shouted, fending off the sword strikes from the deranged man. Yumi swiftly swooped in to join them and made a decisive move, slicing off Freed's arm. "W-wait! Yumi-paisen, don't!"

  "Lint, I understand you've told us some things about him, but... he's just an illusion, not real. I suspect these illusions might have predetermined responses—it's possible they're drawing from Scarmiglione's memories to create these new ones. So, what they 'know' is essentially 'false.' The Freed you're facing isn't the real deal," Yumi expined, her voice strained by the circumstances.

  There was something Yumi refrained from sharing with Lint. She had crossed paths with Freed before, back when Sairaorg's fiancée had been kidnapped. Yumi had encountered a being ciming to be "Freed" in a chimera form, and she had swiftly dispatched him. The memory of his distinct aura from that encounter lingered, and the man battling Lint emitted the same aura.

  "Hyahahaha! I managed to come back even after being killed twice! The Middleman just randomly appeared and blew a hole through my stomach when I reached Kuoh. What a ruthless kid!" Freed boasted, taking Lint by surprise.

  "H-he did what...?" Lint inquired, her eyes filled with uncertainty.

  "Well, I did go there to kill a few people, so I can understand why he would want to kill me. But that was when I had just entered the town! He didn't even give me a chance to interact with anyone! Tch, he's kind of boring, huh?" Freed mused, his tongue caressing the barrel of his firearm.

  "You... You shouldn't do that, Freed-aniki. We were supposed to—"

  "I don't care! I don't want to be some kind of guinea pig! So, I choose to do whatever I want! And, stop calling me 'Aniki,' it's weird. I barely know you," he rebuked her, his expression tainted with mild disgust.

  "I'm Lint Sellzen. We both hail from the same institution, and for that reason, I took on your name to atone for your sins," she calmly expined.

  To their surprise, Freed broke into ughter. "So you're just me with... tits!? You're even smaller than me, and, wow, you have really small tits, don't you? It's kinda disappointing. But, you know what? I don't care. Those crimes and sins I committed are like trophies to me. Don't try to tarnish that," he hissed back at her.

  Freed's gaze settled on Lint, causing her to feel slightly uneasy. "Well, I wouldn't mind having some fun with you. But would it be considered incest? Or maybe selfcest?" he quipped, letting out a ugh.

  Unfazed by his crude remark, Yumi intervened sternly, "That's not the issue. You need to be taken down." With resolute determination, she charged at Freed. Hindered by the loss of one arm, Freed was powerless to defend himself, and Yumi easily severed his remaining arm with the lethal [Gram]. After her swift attack, Yumi stepped back, offering Lint an opportunity to speak to the illusion.

  "That's [Gram], right? I recall some pretty boy using it. His name was Siegfried, wasn't it? He had quite the collection of impressive swords," Freed remarked with a hint of disdain.

  Yumi smiled and summoned [Balmung], [Nothung], [Tyrfing], and [Dáinsleif]. "You mean these?" she inquired, dispying the array of weapons. "I acquired them after Siegfried's passing." Her revetion prompted Freed to erupt into another fit of ughter.

  Freed's smug words cut through the air, and he couldn't help but smirk. "So that idiot met his end as well? Ah, this is just perfect," he decred with a mix of satisfaction and disdain. His ughter ceased abruptly.

  Lint, who had maintained a somber expression throughout, finally spoke up. "I'll remember your name, and I'll continue to do good deeds to make amends for your sins and transgressions. Even if you insist you don't want it, I still regard us as 'siblings,' Freed-aniki."

  Freed, unimpressed by Lint's heartfelt words, rolled his eyes and casually cleaned out his ear with his pinkie finger. "Whatever, just get it over with and kill me already. I'm tired of waiting," he grumbled in irritation.

  Yumi, with a sense of determination, retracted her summoned swords, save for [Gram]. She cast one st gnce toward Lint, who gave a resolute nod. Without wasting a moment, Yumi shot toward Freed with blinding speed, slicing through him in a swift motion and dispelling the illusion.

  "Are you certain about your decision?" Yumi inquired, casting a quick gnce in Lint's direction.

  Lint, resolute and unwavering, responded with conviction, "Absolutely. Even if he doesn't approve of my actions, I'll continue because we're bound by 'blood.'" Her commitment to her principles shone through her words.

  — ○ ● ○ —

  "Akeno-wakeno-chan-chan, why are you so angry with me~?" Lapis pyfully inquired. "Is it because I 'killed' you~? It was just a little prank, sweetie pie~!"

  Akeno's eye twitched as she endured Lapis' voice—or at least the illusion that resembled the woman many despised. Fortunately, these illusions cked the replication of their original abilities, possessing only the same strength as Scarmiglione. Akeno found herself in a rather straightforward battle with her opponent.

  "Shut your mouth. You have no right to speak to me after the harm you inflicted on so many people," Akeno hissed in response.

  Lapis, with a cunning grin, retorted, "Wow~ so mean! Daddy won't love you if you keep up that attitude, you know~?" Her taunts persisted, but Akeno remained resolute in her determination.

  Akeno remained silent, her response manifesting as a relentless onsught of holy lightning dragons unleashed upon Lapis. The woman, ever the giggler, countered with her own attacks, conjuring pink aura dragons. Despite her best efforts, it became evident that Akeno possessed the advantage in raw power, swiftly dispelling Lapis' attacks.

  "Seems like I won't be coming out on top here, will I?" Lapis mused aloud. "Oh well, I might as well push her buttons a bit more~," she contempted with a pyful smile.

  Akeno, meanwhile, darted past Lapis with remarkable speed. Before the pink-haired woman could react, Akeno's knee connected with her face, the knee itself imbued with the power of holy lightning. The impact inflicted even more damage upon her opponent.

  "Fufufu~ keep it up, Akeno-chan~! You can do it, Akeno-chan! You can kill me, Akeno-chan~!" Lapis cheered, artfully evading the attacks that Akeno unched. "You're just an onahole, Akeno-chan! You're not loved, Akeno-chan!" Lapis added with the intention of provoking the young woman further.

  Akeno found herself deeply unsettled by Lapis' taunts. In fact, she had taken to tuning out Lapis' voice, fully aware that the pink-haired woman would likely continue to utter bizarre and disturbing statements. To counter, Akeno summoned holy lightning tornadoes that swirled around them and then directed them toward Lapis.

  Caught off guard, Lapis was compelled to halt her stream of insults and retaliate with pink aura bsts aimed at the lightning tornadoes. However, her attacks proved ineffective, forcing her to retreat. Strangely, Lapis seemed unfazed, maintaining a steady stream of giggles throughout the encounter.

  "Do you really hate me that much~?" Lapis inquired. To her astonishment, Akeno offered a gentle smile in response.

  "I certainly do," decred another voice, and before Lapis could react, she was ruthlessly cleaved in two, a vertical gash running from her head to her feet.

  The architect of this abrupt and brutal act was none other than Aurelia Le Guin. She had used her greatsword to execute the decisive strike. Aurelia regarded the severed illusion with a triumphant grin, relishing her act. "Even though you're nothing but a mirage, the satisfaction of ending your life brings me some joy."

  "Ufufufu~ you're just so cute, Aury-chan~!" Lapis cooed before vanishing into thin air.

  Akeno, somewhat taken aback, remarked, "Aurelia... I didn't expect to find you here." She pouted pyfully. "I wanted to take her down too, you know? She's the one who killed me."

  Aurelia couldn't help but chuckle at Akeno's reaction. "Hahaha! Well, perhaps you shouldn't have toyed with your prey for too long. Consider it a lesson," she quipped with a mischievous grin. "However, there are still other opponents to face. For instance, there's Kokabiel over there. Don't you want to confront him for what he did to Lavinia st year?"

  Aurelia gestured beyond Akeno, prompting her to turn and see Kokabiel unching beams of light at the alliance. It was evident from his expression that he hadn't anticipated encountering so many formidable humans and other supernatural entities.

  Akeno, determined, responded, "You're right. I'll deal with him myself before anyone else gets the chance." With that, she took flight and swiftly closed the distance to confront the fallen angel.

  "Hmm? Oh!? If it isn't the daughter of Baraqiel! Would you like—" Kokabiel's words were abruptly cut short as Akeno clenched her hand, conjuring a colossal lightning strike that struck him, leaving him momentarily stunned.

  Akeno then extended her left arm, pointing her palm directly at Kokabiel. She drew back her other hand, mimicking the motion of pulling a bowstring, and this action gave birth to a powerful demonic fire arrow.

  With swift precision, Akeno released her attack, and the fiery arrow raced toward Kokabiel. In response, Kokabiel began to ugh at the incoming projectile.

  "Bahahahaha! Is this all you've got? I've been dead for a year, and this is your best effort? How pitiful! 'Daughter of Lightning,' my ass!" he boomed, his ughter ringing through the air as he retaliated by unching spears of light.

  To Kokabiel's astonishment, his light spears were rapidly consumed by the demonic fmes. "What?! How can my light attacks be destroyed by demonic fmes!?" he roared in frustration. He narrowly evaded the fiery onsught, continuing to taunt Akeno. "Hah, it's so slow that it can't even touch me! You're still—"

  Akeno maintained a calm smile as the bzing arrow altered its course, swiftly piercing Kokabiel in the stomach. Kokabiel's words abruptly ceased as he was engulfed in fmes, his expression a mixture of shock and despair.

  With a pyful tune on her lips, she cheered, "That's for Nia~," cpping her hands in delight. Aware of the numerous enemies surrounding them, she swiftly took flight, heading toward her comrades to offer assistance.

  — ○ ● ○ —

  Aaron Toole and his companions teleported to the underground section of London, specifically the area where Hades and some of his underlings were located.

  "I'm going ahead to confront Hades. Can I trust the rest to you guys?" Aaron inquired, addressing his group. Irina and the Fates Ones stood by his side, minus Lavinia, who had gone to join the Ssh Dog Team.

  "Go ahead, Aaron," Suzaku responded with a confident nod. Aaron offered them a warm smile before vanishing, leaving a faint rush of air in his wake.

  "Straight ahead, a Super Devil is approaching! I'll take them on!" Irina decred, her wings unfurling as she soared to their left.

  "There are enemies for each of us to handle. It appears there's a hybrid among them—a Super Devil with dragon blood. I'll make my way toward that one," Velgrynd announced before disappearing in a fiery bze.

  "Rossweisse, can I entrust you to deal with any opposition we encounter? Let's work on clearing out this underground base," Suzaku requested.

  "Of course, you can count on me," Rossweisse replied before taking flight as well.

  "Danu-sama departed earlier. Azathoth-san, what's your pn?" Suzaku asked as she and Azathoth paused momentarily. In the distance, the sounds of numerous battles commencing could be heard.

  Azathoth considered for a moment. "I will traverse this underground fortress of theirs. If I encounter any enemies, I'll either capture or eliminate them. Ultimately, I'll make my way to Aaron's side. Is that acceptable?"

  Suzaku nodded in agreement. "Yes, that works. All of us will converge at Aaron's location once we've completed cleared out this temporary base of theirs." She then turned and summoned [Zhuque], and the Sacred Beast swiftly transitioned into her humanoid form. "Come with me, Zhuque."

  Zhuque sighed in response, her voice tinged with a hint of irritation. "Another operation. One would think we'd get some respite for a few days or weeks before these troublemakers threaten the world once more. What a troublesome bunch."

  Suzaku shared some insight, saying, "Aaron mentioned that after this, we'll have dealt with the Khaos Order in our universe. All that remains are the Phantasma and Evie factions, along with any lingering members across the multiverse."

  "Is that so? Well, it better be the case. I'm looking forward to some rexation," the Sacred Beast replied before they set off, leaving Azathoth to navigate the underground on her own.

  "Hey, isn't that the [Dreamer] everyone's been yammering about, the one the old fogeys and researchers wouldn't shut up about? Think we'd make a tidy sum by grabbing her?" a man's voice inquired.

  "Oh, damn! It is her! Let's nab her!" another voice chimed in.

  In an abrupt turn of events, about twenty enemies encircled Azathoth, many of them already airborne and poised to strike. These individuals were mercenaries in the service of the Khaos Order, drafted into this mission as numerous other factions under their banner had either been captured, annihited, or disbanded.

  Azathoth surveyed her surroundings, her expression betraying no emotion. She found herself pondering the motivations of these men, asking herself, 'They know I'm stronger than them, so why are they coming after me?' As she contempted the situation, her thoughts turned to some words of wisdom Aaron had once shared with her.

  'That's a curious thing to wonder about, Azathoth, but... in simple terms, greed can sometimes blind people and cloud their judgment. Plus, many folks are skeptics when it comes to rumors, even in the face of compelling evidence. It's a mystery to me, really. So, consider this: if your opponent starts underestimating you, seize the opportunity.'

  With a soft sigh and a subtle nod, she came to a stark conclusion: they were utter fools. That was the thought that crossed her mind. Without further dey, Azathoth's eyes briefly shimmered, and the mercenaries found themselves inexplicably paralyzed.

  "W-What the hell!? I can't move!" one of them excimed, his voice filled with panic.

  "Me neither! What the fuck is happening!?" another shouted in sheer surprise.

  She couldn't help but voice her disdain for their actions. "Humans, or rather, I shouldn't single out humans alone—creatures, regardless of their species or race, can be inherently foolish. Their greed often clouds their judgment. You attempted to harm me, and now you must face the consequences. I am not as forgiving as Aaron," she decred.

  With a graceful motion of her arm, she conjured towering shadowy creatures, each sporting a singur eye in the center. These grotesque entities featured razor-sharp teeth and, as they id eyes on the immobilized mercenaries suspended in the air and on the ground, they couldn't help but drool.

  <> she commanded, and the shadowy creatures responded with eted screeches. They descended upon the helpless mercenaries and began their gruesome feast. The echoes of the mercenaries' anguished cries reverberated throughout the underground fortress of Hades.

  Azathoth concluded her task, looking around the area, and chose a direction to continue her journey. Yet, before she moved on, she cast a brief backward gnce and included a directive, <