"Oh, in that case, Tobio-san might fall into the same category… After all, he once forced Vali-sama to activate his Juggernaut Drive. Vali-sama was actually smiling when he said, 'Someday, we'll have a rematch.'"
Tobio-san let out a strained chuckle at that.
Even Issei and I could understand not wanting to be the target of that battle junkie. Considering they were once part of the same organization, it's likely Vali had confronted him more than once in the past.
"You serious? Between Ikki, Tobio-san, and Cao Cao, there's just way too many humans out there with broken-level powers."
"Well, it's kind of a requirement. You can't survive in the underworld without a bit of overwhelming strength."
Yeah, honestly, it's like reaching High-Class Devil level is just the bare minimum to even get started. Even Maou-class fighters might eventually get lost in the shuffle.
"If you don't mind, may I have our Vritra-user join the training as well? I've been thinking it's about time he achieved his Forbidden Balance Breaker. Training with everyone here would be the perfect catalyst."
President Sona's proposal was quickly accepted by Dulio.
"Sure thing~ So the Dragon King's joining the training too, then."
"Among the Three Factions and their allies, there really aren't that many who can mobilize instantly against terrorists. Most of the high-tier supernatural fighters hold important roles built over centuries, sometimes millennia. Ideally, we wouldn't send young people like you to face them—but these terrorists are too strong for ordinary soldiers to handle. Just look at that recent incident with Euclid and Grendel. Not even an army would've stood a chance against them."
Maybe if you deployed an entire military division and relied on overwhelming firepower, you'd get somewhere. But that sort of force can't exactly be deployed at a moment's notice.
"It's shameful that we have to send even you youngsters into danger. But for the sake of all the mythological factions, the human world, and peace itself… please lend us your strength."
Griselda bowed her head deeply as she spoke. It makes sense—imagine if a god of fertility were to fall in battle. It would deal a massive blow to the human world.
As annoying as it is, this world really drives home one truth: "Not all lives are of equal value."
And everyone here gets that. They all nodded and assured Griselda they'd handle it. Though, of course, someone still added, "Peace is the best option, though," which drew a few chuckles.
=========
[Azazel's POV]
It's been a while since I arrived at the vampire stronghold here in Romania.
Right now, I'm quietly sipping tea alone on a terrace on the second floor of a café in the daytime district of the Carmilla faction. Well, alone is a bit misleading—there's a vampire watching me from a short distance away. So much for a peaceful tea break.
Still, it's standard protocol to keep tabs on foreign VIPs, especially when there's no formal alliance between factions. So I can't complain about that. No, what bothers me is something else entirely.
I haven't had a single meeting with Queen Carmilla or any of the other bigwigs since arriving in this town. Supposedly, they're in the middle of some important, extended conference—and I've just been left here waiting like an idiot, even though they sent for me. What arrogance.
So yeah, I'm bored out of my mind.
I wonder how Rias and Yuuto are doing. They went to visit Gasper's home in the Tepes faction. Hopefully, they're having better luck than I am. I'd hate to think they've been stonewalled just like me.
Man, if I'd known it'd be like this, I'd have stayed in Kuoh Town and helped with the training instead.
According to the latest report, not just Tobio—Slash Dog—but even the Joker of Heaven is training with them now. And apparently Ikki's acquired some new power too. I'd like to observe that up close… Although, given that he's calling it "Corrupted Human Mode" after absorbing the world's malice, I have to wonder what the hell path he's on. Issei evolves through boobs, Ikki evolves through evil. They're both freaks in their own right.
His powers has apparently also increased. Honestly, he's more "Corrupted God" than "Corrupted Human" at this point.
From corrupted man to corrupted god… might make a good villain for Oppai Dragon. Maybe I'll pitch it to Sirzechs later.
As I'm thinking that, the vampire watching me suddenly slumps over the table, fast asleep.
At the same time, I sense a new presence. I sigh.
"What the hell do you want, Vali? Coming all the way out here?"
"Oh, I just happened to sense a familiar presence. That's all."
Vali steps out of the shadows, flanked by Arthur, Bikou, and Salamander Tomita.
Seriously, Tomita's name always sounds so out of place.
Well, if it's these guys, it's no surprise they snuck into this closed-off vampire city. With their skills in senjutsu and youjutsu, and Arthur's ability to slice through space with his holy sword, getting in and out wouldn't be a problem. And Vali… well, he's a genius who can pretty much do anything. I heard he's even learned some Norse magic, so he probably has a few useful tricks up his sleeve.
Back during the magic beast incident, when Sirzechs and I went down to the Underworld, Vali's team ran wild and then disappeared like it was nothing. Not something to praise—but then again, they are being hunted by the entire world.
"We did have a reason for coming to this town. But first, I wanted to ask you something—about the Evil Dragons."
"Was Azi Dahaka strong?"
"At the very least, stronger than Pluto."
Look at him—grinning like a kid in a candy store. Meanwhile, Bikou looks completely fed up.
"I mean, that dragon was nuts. Hands down the craziest thing we've fought. I slammed it with my Ruyi Jingu Bang, Arthur sliced it with his holy sword, Fenrir took a bite—but nothing stopped it. It just laughed and kept fighting back. Even if we blew away half its body, I doubt it'd go down. It was that ridiculously strong and tenacious."
"Grendel, who showed up later, wasn't quite on that level, but still powerful—and just as unnaturally aggressive. That one won't go down easily either."
"And that's what I wanted to ask. Azi Dahaka and Grendel are supposed to be dead Evil Dragons. Could the Holy Grail really bring back the dead?"
So that's why they came—to investigate the Holy Grail. Makes sense, since the Grail rumors started circulating right around the same time the dead dragons started showing up.
"Soul destinations are tricky. Each mythology has its own rules. Generally, souls of the dead go to gods like Hades or King Enma, or to places like Heaven or Nirvana. But as for what happens to destroyed souls? That's anyone's guess. Even the Grail shouldn't be able to revive something completely erased from existence."
"...But Evil Dragons are different?"
I nodded.
"Vritra was torn apart, his soul scattered and sealed into multiple Sacred Gears. Yet once those were reunited, he came back. Evil Dragons are tough on a soul level. If even a fragment of one was recovered by the Grail, it could probably be fully resurrected."
Azi Dahaka had been sealed, so maybe that's how. But Grendel? He might've just clawed his way back over time. Who knows how many centuries it took, though.
"So then, this means the vampires are connected to the Khaos Brigade?"
I can't say for sure—but that seems like the most natural conclusion.
The more terrifying possibility is that the Khaos Brigade found a way to resurrect legendary Evil Dragons without using the Grail. That would be a true nightmare. Frankly, it'd be easier to deal with if all our problems were connected by one thread.
"…Azazel. I heard it straight from Euclid Lucifuge. The real mastermind behind all of this… the current leader of the Khaos Brigade…"
What?
Euclid supposedly called himself the No. 2, but he told Vali who the top dog is? Why only Vali?
And as I wonder, I notice Vali making no effort to hide his disgust and hatred. There's only one person I can think of who could provoke that kind of reaction from him.
"It's him, Azazel. That bastard is the mastermind behind this whole thing."
Vali spat out the words like venom. I couldn't help but look up at the sky in disbelief.
Looks like this won't be resolved as a simple case involving vampires and Longinus Sacred Gears.
A cold sweat ran down my back as I wondered just how much destruction this was going to bring.