Right now, gathered here are myself, President Rias, and President Sona each of us representing one of the major factions involved. Alongside us, we've prioritized firepower in case battle breaks out: Issei, capable of transferring power; Kuroka and Rossweisse, who can devastate wide areas with their magic; and Asia, who's our dedicated healer.
Vice President Tsubaki is currently near the school's front gate, helping guide evacuees who've fled to the academy.
With the majority of instructions given, we've resumed information sharing with Sairaorg from Agreas.
[ see. So you've already begun evacuating the residents to the academy?]
"Yes. We prioritized constructing a sturdy underground shelter beneath the school for emergencies like this... though, truth be told, I would have preferred it never be used."
[That's a fair sentiment. But now, it seems that decision was the correct one. On our side, Siegfried acting in place of the Archduke has already convinced the stiff-necked officials and the mayor. He's secured authority over the town and begun evacuating civilians to the Agreas Dome. Being a Rating Game stadium, it's well-equipped with defense systems. However, we're sealed inside by a new barrier surrounding the city, on top of the purple flame perimeter. I suspect you're in the same situation?]
Even from afar, I can see the translucent dome of Agreas in the sky. Just like our location, it's encircled by that ominous purple flame in the shape of a cross.
"Yes. We can open a temporary hole in the barrier and the flames, but they close again almost immediately. On top of that, mass-produced Evil Dragons are already waiting just beyond the perimeter. If we're going to evacuate the residents, we'll have to bypass the entire enclosing barrier and get them directly outside."
"That's why, right now, the mages gathered at the community hall are working together. They're combining unsealed ritual formulas to construct an entirely new teleportation magic that can directly transfer people outside. It's only possible because we've assembled such a group of exceptional casters."
I recall there's a traitor among those mages. But with no idea who it is yet, we can't act on that just now.
As I'm deep in thought, Rossweisse steps forward to supplement the evacuation plan.
"If we can evacuate the townspeople using this teleportation spell, the mages will retreat as well. I'll then take over the ritual and head to Agreas. Even if I can't do it alone, if I combine my effort with Issei's power transfer ability, we should be able to evacuate the residents of Agreas beyond the barrier too."
[That would be a great help. Naturally, I don't intend to let the Evil Dragons rampage unchecked, but if we can guarantee the civilians' safety, then we've already won more than half the battle.]
It would also ease our mental burden considerably.
[What about your defense forces? Here, we have myself, Siegfried's peerage, and even Lord Diehauser's. Plus, Agreas has stationed soldiers. We'll be eliminating the Evil Dragons ourselves, with the soldiers cleaning up any stragglers. But over there—aren't you the only real fighting force?]
"We're covered. What we lack in numbers is made up for by Gasper's shadow beasts and Ikki's familiars."
[Arima Ikki's familiars?]
Sairaorg turned to look at me, so I pulled Izuna from my cloak and introduced her.
"This is my familiar, Izuna. She can split into about 70 copies, and each one has about the same combat strength as a high-class devil. In short, she's equivalent in power to the mass-produced Evil Dragons. She's perfectly synchronized with Gasper's beasts and will serve as our frontline support."
Back then she was only mid-class level. But thanks to my daily training and the hellish loop in Kyoto, both of us have steadily grown stronger.
Our goal: to make each Izuna clone the equivalent of an ultimate-class devil. It'll take time, especially since power scaling gets crazy at that level, but we're getting there.
[To think that small familiar is on par with an Evil Dragon... Very well. I won't worry unnecessarily. We'll send reinforcements your way once we've secured Agreas.]
"No need—we might actually finish first and come help you instead."
[Hahaha! Fair enough! That's the spirit! This is exactly why we formed D×D. We will protect the Underworld's citizens—with our own hands, for the sake of our future and our children!]
"Right!"
"Yes!"
Fired up by Sairaorg's powerful words, we all responded with renewed resolve.
=========
After ending the call with Sairaorg, the three-hour window given by Rizevim was drawing near. Thankfully, we finished evacuating all civilians two hours early.
At the shelters, children were clearly anxious but when we reassured them with confident smiles and jokes about easily beating the Evil Dragons, they gradually began to smile again too.
Back in the faculty room, final strategy checks were being made.
"Now I'll announce the tag teams. You'll be splitting off in all directions from the academy to form our defense lines. I've done my best to balance offense and support in each team."
President Sona listed the pairings:
Rias Gremory + Bennia
Yuuto Kiba + Vice President Tsubaki
Xenovia + Yura
Akeno + Meguri
Irina + Hanakai
Rugall + Kusaka
Saji + Shirone
Issei + Nimura
Sona and Gasper would remain in the school courtyard, directing operations. Sona would also distribute Gasper's shadow beasts across the teams and activate defensive barriers when needed.
Since Izuna can't instantly warp like Gasper's shadows, eight clones were assigned to each team for direct support.
Asia, Rossweisse, and Ravel would serve as mobile healers flying around the battlefield on Issei's now yacht-sized familiar, Ryuuteimaru.
Rossweisse would shield Asia with defensive magic and strike back with attacks when possible. Meanwhile, Ravel, nearly invulnerable to direct Evil Dragon attacks, would serve as a high-powered spell cannon.
Since Ryuuteimaru handles movement, Ravel could focus solely on unleashing her forbidden magic.
Just as this explanation wrapped up, a large, open magic circle appeared over the courtyard—clearly meant to get our attention. At its center, a woman with long limbs, dressed in gothic purple and carrying a matching parasol, appeared via 3D projection.
[Greetings, devils. I am Walburga of the Witches of the Night—Hexennacht. Delighted to make your acquaintance~n.]
Even worse than Rizevim, her voice grated on every nerve.
(Ugh... what awful taste. That gothic dress looks murderously bad on someone her height. She should've worn that twenty years ago—minimum.)
(Agreed... and that voice style is painful no matter your age.)
(It's not just the gothic theme—it's the forced attempt at a Lolita look that's clashing horribly. Those dozens of ribbons awkwardly slapped into her hair... is she trying to look younger?)
(Ironically, it just makes her look like a desperate auntie.)
[Now then, do remember me from here on~n. ...Hey! What are you muttering over there?! I'll turn you all to ash, you know!]
Wow. Instant rage. Maybe we should rename her "Walburga the Easily Triggered" instead of "Walburga of the Purple Flame."
[Honestly. So—are you the silver-haired Rossweisse? I've been asked to bring you in safely by Euclid, you known. So envious getting hit on by such a handsome man.]
Rossweisse frowned and shook her head.
"I have no intention of joining you or cooperating. I will fight."
[Oh, I figured as muchn. But I'm free to kill the rest, so I'll just burn you all up with my moé! Get ready to be scorched by my adorableness♡]
Even Saji had finally had enough of Walburga's saccharine, over-aged act.
(Hey Arima, Hyoudou... I can't take this anymore. Saying "moé~" unironically? What is this, a time warp?)
(I agree. It only works if it's someone like Shirone-chan in gothic lolita...)
(That's gotta be at least a decade old. I remember seeing TV specials about it as a kid—fad died pretty fast. But Shirone and Ravel actually do fit the outfits. Le Fay even runs an "Ophis Fashion Show" where they show off new outfits together.)
"Wait, what?! That sounds amazing! Tell me more!"
Nimura leaned in excitedly, instantly abandoning her hushed tone. She's clearly the most easygoing member of the student council.
"Fine, fine. Once this battle's over, I'll lend you the 'Ouroboros Memorial Vol. 3' that Le Fay gave me. It's the latest edition. Ophis is the cover model, but there are pages with Shirone and Ravel too."
Nimura let out a happy "Yay~!" while Walburga, watching this unfold, now had a throbbing vein on her forehead.
[Enough! I was planning to wipe you out anyway, but now I'll make sure you're extra-burned by my moé fire~n! Prepare yourselves!]
As her image cut out with one final furious cry, both Sona and Rias let out long sighs.
"...Ikki, did you really have to go out of your way to provoke her like that?"
"It was part of the plan, actually. We weren't sure if Walburga would attack Auros or Agreas. But if we provoked her directly, she'd likely show up in person... By the way, President Sona, before Walburga's interruption—what were your original plans for Kuroka and me?"
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