Rias began her report, carefully laying out the chronology of the Kokabiel incident. Sona supported her testimony with measured precision, confirming every detail.
"Thank you very much for your efforts and courage in handling this matter, heiresses of Gremory and Sitri." Michael smiled, nodding in gratitude.
"Yeah, you guys did great."
Azazel smiled.
"You don't have to worry about him anymore. That guy's already been thrown into the depths of Cocytus. No chance of him crawling out again."
Thanks to Yuuji's timely intervention, Vali had subdued Kokabiel with ease—by the end, the rogue Cadre had been little more than a broken shell.
"Well then, why don't we get this discussion underway? Though, if I may…"
Azazel's voice carried a sharp edge as he leaned forward.
"In all honesty… I think this whole tri-faction summit will only worsen the state of this world. Don't you agree?"
The words struck the room like a blade. A thick silence followed, heavy and suffocating. None among the leaders rushed to refute him.
Michael exhaled deeply, his serene expression tinged with quiet grief.
"The source of conflict… The true reason for this endless cycle of war… God and the Demon kings… They no longer exist… is it? "
Many flinched at the archangel's words, at the truth. Though the higher echelons remained still.
Xenovia's eyes flickered toward Irina, her lips pressing into a thin line.
'So… they told you as well, Irina…'
Irina remained silent, but the truth of her turmoil was written across her body. Her fists trembled in her lap, her teeth clenched so tightly that a faint shiver ran through her shoulders.
Azazel leaned back in his chair, eyes glinting mischievously.
"So, I'd like to hear the thoughts of the three figures who aren't part of the Three Factions, yet each hold enough power to shake the world itself—the Red Dragon Emperor, the White Dragon Emperor… and Mordred."
He smirked as his gaze slid toward Yuuji.
Vali was the first to speak.
"I couldn't care less about politics," he said, voice laced with arrogance. "As long as there are strong beings to test myself against—like Mordred—I'm satisfied."
Vali's lips curved into a smirk as his sharp eyes locked onto Yuuji, challenge glittering within them.
Azazel chuckled, his tone half-teasing, half-serious.
"Well, war or no war, there'll always be strong people around. Isn't that right, Mordred?"
All eyes subtly shifted toward Yuuji.
For a moment, his form radiated the quiet, overwhelming pressure of Mordred, the being whose presence alone carried weight enough to make the gathering of faction leaders tense. Then, like the flicker of a candle, the aura dissipated, and Yuuji stood once again as the ordinary student of Kuoh Academy.
He offered nothing more than a calm, knowing smile.
The silence that followed was louder than any declaration.
"Then what about you, Red Dragon Emperor?"
Azazel asked casually, his one visible eye glinting with amusement.
"E-Eh?! A-Ah, that's… Y-You really had to throw such a tough question at me? I-I don't even know what to say…"
Issei rubbed the back of his head nervously, stammering as dozens of gazes bore into him. Being thrust into the spotlight in such a high-profile summit—surrounded by leaders, angels, devils, and fallen alike—was the last thing he had prepared for.
Azazel's lips curled into a sly smirk.
"Well then, let me make this brutally simple for you."
He leaned forward, his words sharp and deliberate.
"Hyoudou Issei… if we end up going to war, you can forget about that harem of big-breasted women you're always dreaming of."
"...Eh?"
Issei froze. The entire room followed suit, though for very different reasons—some out of shock, others in disbelief, and a few barely suppressing laughter.
"But if peace is signed and secured here today," Azazel continued smoothly, "then the next priority will be… repopulation."
"R-Repopulation?! T-That means…"
"That's right." Azazel's grin widened. "If there's peace, you can spend your days making babies to your heart's content. But if there's war—no babies, no harems. Simple math, isn't it?"
"Th-That—!"
As if struck by divine revelation, Issei's body trembled. His eyes burned with newfound determination, and he slammed his fist against his chest as if pledging his very soul.
"PEACE! PEACE IS THE BEST! I WILL DEFINITELY MAKE TONS OF BABIES WITH BIG TITTY GIRLS!!!"
"..."
Silence descended over the room, heavy and awkward, until it was broken by the sharp sound of a stifled laugh.
"Pfft—"
Sirzechs, despite his best efforts, couldn't contain himself and let out a snort. His dignified composure cracked for just a moment, while his wife sighed softly beside him, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Honestly…" she muttered.
"Geez… Issei, you're such a…" Rias trailed off, her voice caught between exasperation and embarrassment. Her cheeks burned crimson as she shook her head, unable to fully articulate the mix of frustration and affection swelling within her.
But then, her eyes shifted. She caught sight of Yuuji, sitting calmly with a helpless smile tugging at his lips, as if even he couldn't decide whether to laugh or sigh at Issei's antics.
Azazel's earlier words echoed in her mind—
"Repopulation…"
The word alone was enough to send Rias spiraling. Her blush deepened, her imagination betraying her as daydreams she wasn't ready to confront surged forth unbidden.
And just when she thought she might recover, her gaze landed on Aika.
The bespectacled girl was smirking knowingly, amusement glimmering in her eyes.
Rias immediately averted her gaze, flustered and defensive, much like a child caught red-handed in the middle of something mischievous.
"Ah- T-That's- I-I mean… Ahem! I mean, I will use my power to protect my friends and loved ones! This is absolute!"
He vowed. And from the side, Yuuji let out a smile and nodded in approval.
"Well then, how about you, Mordred?"
Azazel turned his gaze toward Yuuji, and immediately, the room's attention shifted with him. Every pair of eyes landed on the man.
"Unlike the Red Dragon Emperor, war or not, I don't imagine you'll ever have trouble with… repopulation." The Fallen Governor General's lips curved into a sly smirk. "So, what's your stance on all this?"
Yuuji's response was a low chuckle, a faint smirk tugging at his lips at Azazel's jab. He shook his head once, then spoke.
"It's obvious." His tone hardened, carrying a weight that silenced the air. "I came here to enjoy peace with my friends and loved ones. And I won't let anyone disturb that."
The words cut with an iron edge—firm, unyielding, leaving no room for negotiation.
And as his gaze slid toward Vali, the White Dragon Emperor's composure faltered. A chill raced down his spine, instincts screaming that Yuuji's warning wasn't one to be taken lightly.
Azazel, however, only leaned back with a casual grin.
"Simple. Understandable. Honestly? I feel the same. Peace is nice. Gives me time to relax… and focus on more interesting hobbies."
Yuuji sighed faintly, almost amused at the Fallen Angel's blasé attitude.
"Well, sure," he muttered.
Suddenly, silence and stillness filled the world.
Rias, Sona—everyone froze mid-breath, mid-blink. The cups of tea on the table hung motionless in the air as though reality itself had been bound.
Only a handful remained unaffected: the demon kings, Azazel, Michael, the Dragon Emperors, the holy sword wielders, and Yuuji's group.
And then—ripples in the fabric of space.
Outside the windows, enormous teleportation circles ignited, their magic engraved with foreign runes never before seen in the Underworld.
Magicians poured out in disciplined waves, their staves already channeling high-level destructive sorcery. Soldiers from the three factions—Heaven, Fallen, and Devil—collapsed in confusion, their bodies frozen before the blades of their attackers.
Michael's eyes widened as he stepped forward.
"…This power… to bind even time itself?"
Azazel narrowed his gaze, recognizing the unique signature instantly.
"No doubt about it. This isn't just any magic… it's the brat's Sacred Gear. The Forbidden Balor View. Looks like they forced Gremory's bishop into going berserk."
"G-Gasper?!"
Issei shouted, his voice breaking with disbelief. His friend—the timid, reclusive half-vampire who feared even leaving his room—now weaponized as a tool to paralyze armies.
But before despair could take root, a warmth spread.
It was like the rising of the morning sun—soft, golden radiance that pushed back the suffocating stillness. One by one, those who had been frozen began to move again, coughing, stumbling, gasping for breath.
Rias blinked in shock.
"H-Huh…? W-What happened?"
The moment she turned, her eyes widened. Yuuji was standing amidst them, his entire body shining with golden-white brilliance. Wings of light unfurled faintly from his back, not physical but divine projections of power.
Above his head, an arcane halo flickered in and out of existence.
[Holy Aura IV: Peace]
The power to increase his allies' magic resistance towards spells and curses, and cleanses debuffs. Along with a silent cast of anti-timestop magic, even the powers of the Forbidden Balor View could not continue to exist in his vicinity.
Michael's jaw tightened as he stared, his usually serene features betraying rare astonishment.
"…Divine magic…? At this purity… and at this magnitude? Even within Heaven, I have never seen such a blessing outside the highest Seraphim…"
Sirzechs himself glanced at Yuuji, a subtle crease forming on his brow. Even the Maou of Destruction felt an uncomfortable weight pressing against his soul—not oppressive, but undeniable.
Azazel clicked his tongue and smirked, masking his tension.
"Well, well… looks like the rumors didn't exaggerate. You really are a walking miracle, aren't you, Mordred?"
Yuuji ignored him. His gaze shifted toward the chaos outside—the slaughter of soldiers who hadn't even realized what had happened. Magicians poured in endlessly, empowered by a teleportation gate that should have been impossible within such a fortified zone.
"Not just a sneak attack… they slipped past the wards and sealed off our own teleportation. Whoever orchestrated this knew everything about our defenses."
Grayfia's silver eyes narrowed, her calm voice carrying a hint of urgency.
"Indeed. The enemy has disabled our reinforcement channels. They found out about his abilities and turned one of Lady Rias's peerage against us."
"Not willingly," Rias said, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and guilt.
"A traitor within…" Irina muttered darkly.
Yuuji's gaze sharpened. His golden aura pulsed like the heartbeat of the world itself, shaking even the most hardened warriors.
"Then the first step is clear. We take Gasper back. If they keep pushing him into overdrive…"
Sirzechs finished the sentence for him, his expression grim.
"…Even we may not be able to contain him."
Issei's head snapped toward the Maou, his face pale.
"W-What?! Even Sirzechs-sama and the others…?! Gasper's that strong…?!"
Sirzechs's emerald eyes were grave as he replied.
"This power, when left unchecked, transcends all defenses. Even a fraction of that power—if unbound—could cripple gods."
A cold silence followed, broken only by the explosions and screams echoing outside.
"Rias-senpai."
"Y-Yes?"
Rias turned toward Yuuji, a little startled at being addressed so suddenly.
"Koneko is currently with Gasper, right?"
"Yes, she is—ah, that's right!"
Yuuji gave a slight nod as Rias came to the same realization he had.
"We'll need to head there quickly."
"Mm, I'll 'castle' with Koneko and go immediately."
"Ah, I'll come with you~!"
Aika chimed in cheerfully, walking over with a radiant smile.
Rias couldn't help but smile back, grateful for the support, and gave a nod of acknowledgment.
"Alright."
Though confident in her own strength—especially after everything she had learned from Yuuji—Rias felt reassured with Aika at her side. Against ordinary magicians, she had no doubt she could prevail, but Aika's presence was like an impenetrable shield.
Yuuji shared her sentiment. With Aika alongside her, not even gods could hope to lay a hand on Rias.
Then—suddenly, the air trembled. From Yuuji's side, a wave of unfathomable, primordial energy burst forth, shaking the room.
"Heh… then I'll handle the ones outside."
With a feral grin, Erika let her true form awaken—the Shura, her primordial oni nature unleashed.
Her short orange-red hair lengthened, deepening into a crimson shade even more vivid than that of Rias or Sirzechs. Her nails and fangs sharpened, while from her forehead sprouted a pair of jagged, crimson horns that pulsed with power.
Her Kuoh Academy uniform ignited in jet-black flames, burning away in an instant. From the ashes, she emerged garbed in a battle-ready shrine maiden's attire—a white-and-red kimono paired with a hakama, cut for agility yet carrying an otherworldly allure. In her left hand, a sheathed katana wreathed in the same black flames materialized, its presence alone exuding dread.
Her golden, slit-pupiled eyes glowed fiercely as she gazed out the window, hunger for battle written in their depths.
The room fell into stunned silence. Even Sirzechs and Grayfia froze, wide-eyed. The flames that rolled off Erika didn't simply rival the Power of Destruction—somehow, they seemed to eclipse it.
"I'll go with Aika to serve as back up and break the spell holding Gasper."
From within his blazer, Tatsuya drew a pair of sleek, silver-blue pistols—the Silver Taurus—their barrels glowing faintly with suppressed power.
To his left, Lelouch stepped forward, countless intricate magic circles spiraling into existence around him.
"I'll work on dismantling their teleportation gates and barriers."
C.C. let out a soft sigh, though there was an unmistakable glint in her eyes. She stepped forward to Yuuji's side, and in her hand appeared a pure-white staff. Its surface radiated a divine brilliance so potent it made the very air quiver.
"T-That staff—!"
Michael's voice cracked with disbelief. Every angel, devil, and dragon in the room turned their eyes upon it, their faces etched with awe and shock.
With a casual motion, C.C. tapped the staff against the floor. A wave of golden light pulsed outward, expanding like a protective dome until it encompassed the entire room. The barrier shimmered faintly, but its strength was unmistakable.
"You can go out and fight. I'll hold this place."
The reaction was unanimous. The Demon Kings. The Seraph. The Governor General. The Red and White Dragon Emperors. Each and every one of them—beings accustomed to witnessing the impossible—could only stare in stunned silence.
They had known Yuuji and his companions were extraordinary…
But what stood before them now was something beyond reason.
Unfathomable.
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AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please comment your thoughts~! I would love to hear what you think about it~!!!!
Also, if you'd like to read additional chapters ahead and get a pdf version (Light & Dark), please feel free to check out my at patr_eon.com/verglasx ~!
Thank you~!