Alex's eyes slowly opened as he gradually adjusted to the sunlight streaming through the window.
His eyes narrowed as he held his head with his hand, feeling a throbbing headache that seemed ready to explode.
As he slowly sat up, Alex realized he wasn't alone in the bed.
To his right was an attractive young woman with a slender figure. She had long, silky black hair that reached her hips.
On his left was a tall, voluptuous woman with long navy-blue hair that obscured her right eye.
But although these two women were undeniably stunning, far beyond any human standard, it was the third woman who captured Alex's attention, possessing a beauty that made the other two seem ordinary.
She was a woman radiating sexuality and power. Looking at her evoked the darkest aspects of pleasure and sex, dominance and submission, an intoxicating allure that could reduce men and women alike to putty. She had long, dark purple hair and an unbelievable body. Calling her beautiful was an insult, as words failed to fully capture her magnificence.
As he admired her beauty, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that she seemed faintly familiar.
[So, the sleeping beauty has awakened.]
"It appears so."
Alex squinted as he heard two voices in his head, which alone made him wonder if he was going crazy.
"Ah, Albion and Regulus, is that you?"
"You forgot about us?!"
[Your coldness and indifference wound me, partner.]
Snorting at his two friends' remarks, Alex gave a slight smile.
"What happened last night?" Alex asked the two.
He couldn't remember anything from the previous night.
[Well, you ended up going to the brothel with Azazel and started drinking.]
"And drinking a lot, I might add."
Alex blinked at that. "It wasn't *that* much, was it?" he asked with a nervous laugh.
"If you didn't have your resilience and were a normal human, you'd probably be dead," Regulus growled.
[Or at the very least in an alcoholic coma. Honestly, even we don't know how you're just left with a headache,] Albion mused, with Regulus nodding in agreement.
The human blinked at this. He must have overdone it a bit, but he hadn't imagined it was *that* bad.
"I see… And what happened to land me in this situation?" Alex wondered as he looked at the three sleeping women. From the smell in the room and his own aching body, Alex could assume they wouldn't be waking up anytime soon, even as Fallen Angels.
"Also, who are they?" Alex pondered. They seemed familiar, though he was certain he'd never met them in person before.
[Well, the one lying to your right is called Raynare, and the one to your left is someone named Kalawarner,] Albion informed Alex in his mind.
Alex blinked at what he heard, suddenly recalling why those names were familiar. Raynare was the Fallen Angel who would seduce Issei Hyoudou and kill him, leading to his reincarnation as a demon and the entire plot of *DxD*.
Kalawarner was a Fallen Angel allied with Raynare on that mission and would be killed by Rias Gremory, just like Raynare.
"And this other one is called Penemue," Regulus said.
Alex was now genuinely shocked.
"Penemue as in… one of the leaders of the Fallen Angels? Possessing twelve wings, the Chief Secretary of Grigori? The Watcher and Executor of God? The one who brought wisdom to humanity and taught humans about lies even before the Original Sin? A woman as powerful as the Seraph Gabriel and the Maou Leviathan?" Alex expressed his immense surprise.
[Yes.]
"It seems so."
"How the hell did I convince *her* to sleep with me?!" Alex exclaimed, indignant at not knowing how it all happened.
Convincing one or two Fallen Angels was one thing, but Penemue was something else entirely.
She was different from Fallen Angels like Azazel or Kokabiel. She hadn't fallen due to lust or wrath like many Fallen Angels; her sin was another.
Greed.
She hadn't fallen for lust or a more common sin among Fallen Angels but for greed—not for wealth, but for knowledge.
She was the one who brought wisdom to humanity. Her greed for knowledge led her to defy even God's authority, resulting in her banishment from Heaven.
She was Heaven's executor. When God ordered the Amalekites killed, she led the assault. She slaughtered 50,000 of God's chosen people just for daring to peek at the Ark of the Covenant and massacred 14,000 Israelites for merely complaining that God was killing too many of them.
Among all Fallen Angels, she was Azazel's right hand, the Archangel of Perdition, and the Strongest Woman in Grigori.
And that's why Alex couldn't comprehend what was happening.
How the hell had he managed to sleep with her?!
[Honestly, Alex, even we don't know how that happened.]
"True. You went with Azazel to a brothel and started drinking too much and flirting with various women until you saw Penemue."
[Yes, it seemed she had gone to deliver a document to Azazel but was leaving soon, but you seemed… a bit enchanted by her.]
Alex laughed nervously at his partners' words.
"Azazel insisted a ton that you shouldn't try to go after Penemue, that it would get you killed, but you ignored him and went to her."
"And then…?"
"Well, I can't explain why because I don't even understand how it happened, but you started chatting her up, and before we knew it, she was clinging to you as you left the brothel."
[The shocked look on Azazel's face was hilarious.]
Alex burst out laughing with Albion. He definitely needed to remember that image.
"But what about these two?" Alex asked, looking at Raynare and Kalawarner sleeping beside him.
"They were two Fallen Angels you were hitting on, and they approached you, but at that point, you were already with Penemue, so…"
[She got pissed at the 'inferiors' trying to take you from her,] Albion laughed in Alex's mind. [They also started freaking out in fear of Penemue.]
"But in the end, you somehow managed to convince all three to sleep with you, and now you're in this situation," Regulus grumbled to Alex.
Honestly, the sheer audacity of his partner to suggest a threesome when one of the women was seething with jealousy—and happened to have Satan-class power capable of destroying an entire country—was unreal.
"Wow…" Alex murmured. "I'm incredible!"
"Incredible, I wouldn't say, but having questionable sanity is possible."
"Don't be a grump, Regulus," Alex huffed at the Lion King.
"Honestly, the number of problems you and your dick have already caused us is frighteningly high," Regulus huffed. "I don't know who's worse, you or the Taboo-Breaking White Dragon."
[Agreed,] Albion concurred, but then squinted. [Wait a minute, was that an insult?]
Was he the one Regulus was referring to? For some reason, Albion felt hurt.
"Take it as you will," Regulus said sarcastically.
"The way you talk wounds me," Alex grumbled to the Lion King.
"You remind me of Zeus," Regulus pointed out, making Alex huff.
"Please, don't compare me to that god. I don't go around seducing every mildly attractive woman and getting her pregnant," Alex huffed.
[If we remove the 'every woman' and 'getting her pregnant' parts, you two would be pretty similar,] Albion said.
"Shut up, white lizard."
[Even you, Alex?!]
"The way you guys talk makes me sound awful," Alex huffed at his companions. "I haven't even slept with *that* many women."
[Sure…] Albion said sarcastically. [Want me to list them alphabetically, by race, or by encounter?]
"Very funny, Albion," Alex huffed.
[I remember that time you used a magic circle to summon demons and convinced them to sleep with you.]
"That was a bet! They were super arrogant, wanting me to join one of their nobilities, so I taught them a lesson."
"In the battlefield and in bed," Regulus huffed.
[If I'm not mistaken, their names were Latia Astaroth and Seekvaira Agares.]
"Yes, yes. One's the heir of the Agares Clan, and the other was Ajuka Beelzebub's niece, one of the Super Devils," Regulus huffed. "Plus that time with Roygun Belphegor."
"That was interesting, indeed," Alex said with a smile.
[You really are a playboy. The number of girls whose hearts you've broken is quite large: Angels, Fallen Angels, humans, demons, Youkai, and even goddesses.]
"I've never slept with a Youkai," Alex quickly pointed out. He genuinely hadn't.
"Right, just like you've never slept with a pure Angel. Still, on the Youkai side, you must not have forgotten the High Priestess."
"What about her?" Alex blinked, not understanding.
[God, how can you be so clueless? She was head over heels for you after that incident. I thought she would've confessed to you.]
"Is that for real? Holy shit," Alex murmured, shocked. He'd never imagined the High Priestess liked him. "If I'd known, I would've given her a chance. I can't believe I let a woman like that slip by."
"And you still wonder why your teachers hate this behavior," Regulus huffed. "Do I need to remind you of the woman you lost your virginity to?"
"Okay, that's too far," Alex said, shuddering. "We don't need to bring that crazy woman into this. My teachers nearly killed me when they found out I slept with her."
With a sigh, Alex's body erupted in smoke, silently transforming. A large body pillow appeared in his place, and he reappeared at the door, fully dressed.
"I promise I'll be more careful from now on," Alex said as he left the room.
[Hey, Regulus…]
"What is it, Albion?"
[I bet my title as 'White Dragon Emperor' that this promise won't last a week.]
"If it lasts more than four days, it's a lot."
[Agreed.]
"I can hear you idiots!"
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As he left his room, Alex quickly realized he was currently inside Grigori, the Fallen Angel Faction. Though unsure, Alex could only assume Penemue had brought him there.
Taking a deep breath, Alex quickly made his presence vanish. Even if someone were beside him now, they wouldn't sense him—not only hiding his magical power but also his very existence—as he began wandering through Grigori's halls until he reached his destination.
Arriving at a large laboratory, Alex looked around, his interest primarily in the various inventions surrounding him.
"I wonder if Azazel would mind if I took some stuff…"
"If you asked first, I might consider it."
The White Dragon slowly turned his gaze to see Azazel entering and approaching him.
"So, how was the night?"
"Pretty good, I'd say," Alex said with a smile, and Azazel huffed.
"Seriously, how the hell did you seduce Penemue? The last guy who tried got a Light Spear to the balls," Azazel said, shuddering.
Alex laughed nervously at that. "My charm, I guess."
Azazel huffed at that.
"So, how's Tobio?" Alex asked, looking at the Governor General.
"He's fine and already left the hospital with the others. They're at the place where they were staying. That friend of yours, the Holy Spear kid, is waiting outside," Azazel explained to the Hakuryuukou.
"Azazel…" Alex called to the Fallen Angel. "Despite what you did, I'm grateful for what you've done for my brother. But what do you really want?"
The Governor General of the Fallen Angels looked at Alex and sighed.
"I simply want peace among the Three Factions," Azazel replied, scratching his head. "Initially, I didn't care about this eternal state of war among the three factions. There were no decisive battles like in the old days of the Great War, just petty disputes and skirmishes. Angels would never invade Hell, just as we'd never invade Heaven, nor even trouble with the demons. Each faction is just a shallow imitation of its former power."
"But this fight, a fight with no end. A fight with no reason. It's caused so much death and pain, not just for one faction. I'm tired of senseless war and death. It's all I've known for most of my life. I don't want the younger generation to suffer the same fate as me. I'm genuinely content with this peaceful life now, Alexandre," Azazel said to the White Dragon. "I bet you're surprised hearing this from me."
"Not at all. In fact, I've decided I'd like to help you." Ignoring Azazel's surprised face, Alex explained, "Well, our interests align. Whatever it's worth, I'll lend you my strength so you can achieve your peace. All you need to do for me is ensure my brother stays safe."
"Well, that's something I already planned to ensure. Tobio has great potential," Azazel said before smiling. "I can feel much more at ease knowing someone like you would be seeking peace instead of chaos."
A laugh echoed.
"…Hahahahahaha! If the poor man knew what kind of person you really are, what your ultimate goal is," Regulus laughed in Alex's mind.
[Indeed,] Albion roared in agreement. [Peace? Chaos? Aren't those lesser concepts in your eyes, my host?] the white dragon within him mused cynically.
[You, Alexandre Ikuse, seek only The End. Am I wrong?]
"You're right," Alex said aloud. He didn't bother distinguishing whether he was responding to Albion or Azazel.
"Well, I'm off to where everyone is," Alex said, giving a wave to the Fallen Angel.
"Just one thing."
"What?"
"If I find out you didn't keep your promise to protect Tobio…"
Alex slowly touched a nearby table, and Azazel's eyes widened as he saw the table slowly shrink until it was the size of a marble.
"I'll use this along with [Divine Dividing] on you and reduce your dick to the size of an atom."
As Alex left the room, leaving a horrified Azazel behind.
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"You were safe, huh, Ikuse!!"
Tobio was teased with a crutch by Samejima. Samejima still hadn't fully recovered from his injuries and relied on crutches for daily life. It was said that in a short time, he'd return to his normal life.
They gathered again at the usual condominium. Tobio, Natsume, Samejima, Lavinia, and now Toujou Sae joined them. Sae still hadn't moved on from the wheelchair, and Samejima still needed a cane in his current condition.
Natsume spoke to Sae.
"That you wouldn't choose to leave those memories behind… even though it'd usually be the more pleasant choice. Isn't it tough?"
Like in the case of Natsume's friend, it had also been Natsume's wish that the memories of that series of events be sealed. The matter of the school trip had also been covered by a skillfully fabricated memory. As for Samejima's friend, Maeda, it was the same.
Of the former second-year students of Ryoukuu High School, except for those with Sacred Gears, Sae was the only one aware of the truth of the entire incident.
"Uh-uh. After all, Jin-chan is so cute."
Sae responded as Jin, who had transformed into a large dog, licked her cheeks. For Jin, who had undergone such drastic changes, it wasn't that he had become more emotionally attached to Sae than Tobio; it was just an illusion caused by her pampering him.
Unlike the transformed Jin, Natsume and Samejima's Sacred Gears, Griffon and Byakusa, had returned to their hawk and cat appearances, respectively. Likely, they assumed their previous forms for convenience in daily life, or so the 'Governor General'—Azazel—had informed them.
Looking at Natsume's appearance, Samejima gave a wry smile.
"Still, you can't say that looking like this, can you?"
Regarding what Natsume was wearing, it was a uniform provided by Azazel's organization—Grigori.
Using blue as the base tone, the design had some minor deviations compared to a typical high school uniform.
Rather than a school uniform, it looked like an agency uniform, much like those often seen in anime and manga for elementary and high school students belonging to special countermeasure-type organizations. At a glance, it seemed nothing more than cosplay.
"It can't be helped, can it? Since I'm going to the school prepared by the Governor General, they told me to wear this."
While looking at her own appearance, Natsume said this.
Hearing this, Samejima's expression turned to complete boredom.
"…Seriously, this is the uniform of that so-called simulated school?"
For Tobio and the others who had experienced the fantastical world—the supernatural side specifically—it was absurd to return to their previous lives. With the help of Azazel's organization, Grigori, it was decided that Tobio and the others would change the school they attended.
It was decided that Tobio and the others would transfer to an institution under Grigori's control, referred to as 'Nephilim,' where other boys and girls with Sacred Gears were. The 'simulated school' Samejima had just mentioned was that place.
In fact, regarding this apartment building itself, it was also the dormitory for the students of this 'Nephilim'…
As discussed, the class Tobio and the others would be transferred to was called the 'Barakiel Class.'
Even with a premonition of their new lives, everyone gathered in the room where they had first watched the Utsusemi video. Squatting in the middle, Lavinia recounted the reason they had been called to gather there.
"There's no other purpose for us gathering. It was so I could once again explain why I cooperated with all of you."
In other words, what was Lavinia's reason for joining them against the 'Four Fiends Project' implemented by the 'Utsusemi Agency.'
Her pursuit of that magician who was cooperating with the 'Utsusemi Agency,' how it all began. Those magicians had vanished somewhere without inviting the agency's survivors.
"This is something from long ago. I belong to a magicians' association that was completely split in two due to a certain event. Half, remaining on Earth, hasn't changed its management to this day. I'm also a member of this organization called 'Grau Zauberer.' However, as for the other group, using original barrier magic, they built an original territory in the Dimensional Rift that crosses the boundaries between worlds."
Lavinia picked up a single book. It was a picture book. In all likelihood, it was a book she wanted to show everyone.
"This book is?"
Lavinia continued speaking while holding the picture book in her hand.
"Appearing in this picture book is the proof behind the reality of this world they created. The author came across these worlds by chance, and it's certainly the territory they created in the Dimensional Rift."
Lavinia then stated clearly.
"These magicians—they are the 'Wizards of Oz.'"
"I, Grau Zauberer, along with Grigori, have been pursuing magicians who infiltrated from the magical domain known as 'Oz.' They were collaborating with a traitor within Grigori, the leader-class Fallen Angel 'Satanael.'"
Oz.
Moreover, a traitor within Grigori: 'Satanael.'
While worrying about the movements of the remaining classmates among the 'Four Fiends,' the situation grew more challenging for the group.
"You guys are really full of problems."
Everyone's attention turned to the door as they saw Alexandre enter, followed by Cao Cao, who walked calmly beside him.
"Brother!" Tobio said, surprised, and tried to stand, but Alex stopped him.
"Hey, calm down, Tobio. You're still not fully recovered," Alex said, approaching them.
"Why are you here, Alexandre-sama?" Lavinia asked, drawing everyone's attention.
It didn't take much for them to be surprised by how Lavinia addressed Alex, with utmost respect, something that came after she learned he was a descendant of the legendary magician from Arthurian legends.
"Well, I told Tobio I'd help him with whatever I could. If my brother needs help, it's obvious I'll give my all," Alex smiled.
"I'll also help with everything I can," Cao Cao said, nodding.
If Alex was set on helping everyone there, then Cao Cao would help with everything he could too.
"If the Wolf King and the Lion King fight together, there'll be nothing that can stop us," Alex said, smiling at his brother.
In Alex's mind, Albion shouted indignantly at not being mentioned while Regulus laughed in his face.
Tobio also smiled as he looked at his brother.
With him here, Tobio felt everything would be alright.
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At a certain place, the main sanctuary of the Himejima Clan, family members were gathering at the outer shrine. With equally stern expressions, all members present at this moment were aware of the truth behind the events that had occurred. The 'Utsusemi Agency' base was more or less under control. Though several fugitives had escaped, the remains of one of the masterminds, Himejima Hanezu, had been recovered. Thus, for the time being, everything was resolved.
In complete and utter silence, an elderly man with a somber face, crouching before the inner shrine, let out a whisper.
"It would be good if our ties with Grigori's fate ended."
With that phrase, the outer shrine erupted in noise. All clan members began voicing their opinions simultaneously.
"Suzerain, is everything alright? We've seen this case; negotiations regarding Akeno have already reached a conclusion, but…"
The elderly man, the Himejima Suzerain, let out a single sigh as if uninterested.
"That was resolved through a secret agreement with the ducal family of the seventy-two pillars. However, that gang of black wings, consistently stepping into Himejima territory, even we cannot just sit and watch. Protecting this country since antiquity, one of the five families, that is our own Himejima."
These were not hesitant words. An unwavering strong will permeated the minds and bodies of all present.
Clan members successively voiced their opinions on the information.
"We should take this opportunity to close the distance with the other families. Their side also has unexpected supernatural power users, and after all, the sacred treasure possessor was taken by Grigori."
"The Shinra side too, I heard they have a daughter who possessed a mirrored sacred treasure with the power to contact demons. Of course, it's by no means a coincidence that such calamities have befallen the Five Principal Clans all at once."
"The magicians' association 'Grau Zauberer,' have they approached us to form a cooperative relationship regarding this matter?"
Upon hearing these few words, the Suzerain picked up a single piece of paper. It was a document written with magical characters. It appeared to be an appeal for cooperation from the magicians' association known as 'Grau Zauberer.'
Remaining expressionless, the Suzerain conjured a fire phenomenon in his hand and, in an instant, turned the paper with the appeal into ashes.
"No need to conspire with foreign practitioners. We must show a separation between us and Mephisto Pheles, who leads 'Grau Zauberer.' The same for that Azazel, as he's nothing but a swindler."
Indeed, that was all there was to say.
For the clan's people, after all, it was unanimous.
"As for that gang of black wings… the Vatican might move as well."
"It's fine if it's mutual non-intervention. If there's conflict, we'll just reprimand them at that time."
The Suzerain gave a stern response.
As for the clan members, their mouths kept talking.
"However, there's the matter of 'Oz'… the world like that of the picture book."
"…Grigori, Oz, and those who rebelled against the Five Principal Clans keep emerging one after another…"
The clan members who couldn't hide their unease were not insignificant. It was only natural. While they were already aware of the Fallen Angel group and the magicians' association, not to mention the betrayal of the 'Utsusemi Agency,' it was truly unexpected that 'Oz' was involved in these events. Until now, among those part of the Five Principal Clans, none believed such a place existed. Even among those gathered here, some still doubted it.
Even amidst this, the Himejima Suzerain, Himejima Suou, reached a clear decision.
"No matter what happens, if such a demonic being sets foot in Japan bringing disaster, it is our assigned role to eradicate it completely."
All silently nodded in agreement.
But, letting out a sigh, Himejima Suou said this.
"In truth, the 'dog' and the 'dragon' produced from the lineage of my elder sister, who was exiled from the family… The matter of the 'lightning' was enough, what kind of strange thing had possessed this family?"
Decades earlier, Suou's sister Ageha had been exiled from the clan. Since then, regarding contact with each other, they hadn't met. However, he couldn't have guessed that such aberrations would arise from her lineage. Was it something brought into the Himejima lineage? Or could it be the result of a wish from a pagan god of evil?
"However, there's no avoiding that something like this was produced from the Himejima lineage. —Suzaku."
At the Suzerain's call, the form of a single individual appeared.
"Yes."
It was a young woman with beautiful long black hair. Her black hair had a sheen as if wet. She possessed a frigid atmosphere, one that was orderly without a hint of hesitation.
Regarding the age of the young Himejima Suzaku, she was seventeen years old as of this year. Her appearance was fitting, as she was one of the grandchildren of Himejima Suou's other elder sister. This year, she had been the only talented woman among all her relatives who inherited the sacred beast 'Suzaku' governed by the Himejima. No, in recent years, those who inherited the sacred beasts of each of the respective Five Principal Clans were notably young. Based on this, the efforts the families had undertaken to bring in good blood seemed to have borne fruit.
However, beyond this, there was something else Suou, as the Suzerain, harbored toward this daughter. Namely, she greatly resembled the first one he had raised—Shuri, who had since left them. Suzaku's mother was Shuri's biological elder sister. Shuri had also been ensnared by that gang of black wings and, as a result, lost her life.
The Suzerain—Suou—couldn't help but think about this. After closing his eyes, he spoke to her—Suzaku.
"I ask you, the herald who will become the next head of the Himejima, can you show us the fire dance?"
She, Suzaku, gave a deep bow.
"I'd be honored, grandfather."
Hearing that line from Suzaku, Suou nodded calmly. —But, narrowing his eyes, Suou lowered his gaze to the ground.
"However… To the daughter of the 'lightning' aligned with the demons. Toward the 'dog' of darkness aligned with the black angels and the 'dragon' who does as he pleases…"
"What a dark future we'll have…"
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Having been honored by the Suzerain's order at the main sanctuary, Himejima Suzaku was walking the grounds.
"Hey."
Raising a shout, there was a bespectacled boy who seemed about her age. Possessing long, slender limbs, he was a handsome boy. The strange aura around his body was equivalent to Suzaku's, or perhaps even…
"What's your business here, Seiryuu-chan of the Kushihashi family?"
Suzaku asked as such. The boy, Kushihashi Seiryuu, shrugged.
"Wondering if it'll turn into a three-way fight with the Fallen Angel gang and the picture book magicians."
Suzaku resumed walking while speaking.
"Well, I suppose it gets busy around here. It's not like you're not working hard too."
Following behind her, Seiryuu responded.
"Since that's also the family's decision, we have no choice but to comply too… Besides, I had to come flying when I heard the Himejima produced the 'Dog God' and the 'White Dragon.' Incredible, isn't it, that it'd be two of the Longinus?"
Suzaku stopped walking and spoke without turning.
"Isn't it ironic? That such a dark blade and an evil dragon would be born from the Himejima who govern Shintoism?"
Sensing Suzaku's atmosphere, Seiryuu gave a wry smile.
"Scary, scary."
Seiryuu changed the subject as he continued.
"You're aware of it, right, Suzaku? That your mere presence would gather the Four Fiends?"
"—The matter of the 'Four Fiends' of the 'Dog God' and the 'White Dragon.' For the old man-sama of the Himejima, however, he has more than his fury awakened."
"The Himejima are interesting, huh. Coming from here, there's a high frequency of irregularities. From the misconduct involving the Fallen Angel to the birth of the Dog God and the Heavenly Dragon. And you're their only salvation, huh?"
"No, even I was originally from the dark side. It's just that I could only be forgiven for those days. —Seiryuu, though it's a sin, I'd like you to arrange a meeting place for the other members of the Four Divine Beasts and Ouryuu-dono."
With those words from Suzaku, Seiryuu smiled cheerfully.
"That's your move, huh? That should be fun. However, besides Genbu-chan and that unruly Byakko, you're really going so far as to summon Ouryuu? That person is much harder to please than you can imagine."
Suzaku gathered all her long hair at the back—forming a ponytail.
"To be sure, I have to see it personally. Not just the 'Four Fiends,' Ikuse Tobio, Ikuse Alexandre. For me, eventually, even those two, even the matter of the 'lightning,' I'll have them recognized as part of this family. I'll accept even the darkness of the family."
The 'Dog,' the 'White Dragon,' and the 'Four Fiends,' as well as the 'Four Divine Beasts' and the 'Yellow Dragon,' were about to meet.
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Somewhere in Italy.
There was a high school in a rural town in a peripheral province. In that old school building, an exorcist was taking decisive action.
Using the old school building as a fortress, a demon and her family gathered night after night. They'd invite the surrounding residents with sweet words, grant their wishes, and then extract compensation.
Having detected such activities in the proximity of Christianity—the Vatican, the Catholic headquarters—it wasn't something the followers who had been defeating demons and Fallen Angels for years could simply ignore.
The Vatican immediately sent an agent—a warrior—who then performed an exorcism ceremony on the demons.
The ceremony—in other words, to destroy the devil.
The interior of the old school building that had become the devil's fortress was drenched in blood. Whether the hallway, walls, chairs, or tables, almost everything was covered in blood.
As for the cause, a sword emitting holy waves, in the hand of a male Catholic priest, had performed the salvation of the demons.
The ancient longsword, releasing a strong holy aura from its blade, effortlessly cleared the devil's house that had made the old school building its fortress and annihilated them.
As for the demons killed by the specialized weapon that converted holiness into divine protection, since they weren't any kind of high-ranking beings, they were reduced to trash before disappearing. Especially for the legendary armaments known as 'Holy Swords,' the powerful aura was capable of defeating even high-level beings.
The sword wielded by the male Catholic priest also belonged to the legendary 'Holy Swords.'
For this reason, even if the devil in this old school building was of a high class, they couldn't avoid a fatal wound once struck.
The male Catholic priest was a man in his thirties of Italian descent. While stroking the stubble on his left hand, he cornered the head of the devils inside a room on the second floor of the old school building.
The devil employing the house was a female devil. By appearance, she seemed to be an eighteen-year-old girl, but since demons could change their appearance, age couldn't be determined by a glance.
The Catholic priest spoke.
"It's regrettable, but your entire house has been destroyed. What remains… is just you, huh."
The girl who was a demon glared at the Catholic priest and screamed.
"How dare you kill my house, you irritating divine messenger!!"
The demon girl's eyes gleamed dangerously, and a blue-colored aura formed around her hand. Pointing her hand at him, she fired demonic power. If it landed a direct hit, even the Catholic priest wouldn't escape unscathed.
…But, the Catholic priest easily dodged and swiftly slipped into the demon girl's bosom, executing a sweeping strike with the holy sword.
An instant later, the demon girl let out a scream of mortal agony. With smoke rising from her entire body, her figure crumbled little by little until it finally vanished.
Having completely killed the demons in the old school building, the male Catholic priest gave a single flick to the holy sword before returning it to its sheath.
Having completed the devil's salvation, the Catholic priest left the old school building.
Waiting for him at the gate was his assistant, a white-haired boy who was also his disciple. The thirteen-year-old boy had a mischievous expression. As for his attire, it was a priest's outfit for boys.
The boy, facing his teacher who had finished his work essentially unscathed, was in high spirits.
"Hey, if it isn't David! Even with heinous diabolical demons as opponents, you crushed them completely in a splendid and invincible manner! I also put up a barrier around the old school building as instructed."
Facing his cheerful pupil, the Catholic priest—David Cerro—quickly confirmed the contents of the next job from a note in his pocket. His orders were written on it.
…On that note, there was information about suspicious activities in Japan involving Fallen Angels and a group of magicians, and the order to go there was written.
The boy who was his disciple asked while looking at the note.
"David, David! As expected, it turns out we're going there, right?"
David confirmed the orders and put the note back in his pocket.
The Catholic priest David Cerro was an agent of the Vatican—a warrior of the church. Until now, not only diabolical demons and Fallen Angels, he had also completely killed evil monsters. The 'Holy Sword' he possessed, the power he wielded, was his sole strength.
"Yes, besides, we must investigate the location of a conflict between Grigori and the witches of Oz. —Let's prepare. For now, we'll return to the subdivision and then leave this country immediately."
With David's declaration, the boy raised a clamor.
"Hyahahah! A foreign country! Let's defeat the heretics of a foreign country! I should praise the breasts of the Archangel Gabriel-sama for once again slowly elevating my faith!"
"Look here, Freed. Our objective is only to investigate the Fallen Angels and witches living in Japan and exterminate them depending on the situation. Based on the intelligence, these guys seem to be carrying out a dangerous plot, doing as they please in that country."
"I get it, I get it. Well, that means depending on the circumstances, we must execute judgment with that 'Galatine' of yours, huh."
The boy, Freed Sellzen, directed his gaze to what was hanging at his teacher's waist—the 'Holy Sword Galatine.'
"You should also remember that judgment is carried out under the justification of compassion, Freed."
With his teacher's words, Freed struck a salute pose.
"Yes, sir. Let's defeat them with moderation."
From a place unknown to all, the great powers were beginning to move.
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**(Author's Note)**:
And another chapter.
This chapter was more of a transition to the next arc, which will be very interesting. We also talked about Alex getting involved with various women and how he'll continue doing so throughout the story.
This will cause a lot of chaos.
Also, there's Alex's goal, "The End." What could that be? It will be revealed throughout the story.
Additionally, everyone only knows Alexandre as the Hakuryuukou, including the Himejima Clan. The fact that he's the Lion King is known only to a few people.
In the next arc, we'll have many interesting things: Cao Cao will show more of his power, things Alex taught him, proving he'll be much stronger than in canon.
There will also be Alex training Tobio and the others, plus several very interesting things.