Izumi met the crimson-haired Maou with a calm smile, extending his hand without the slightest hint of fear or arrogance.
"Yoroshiku onegaishimasu."
The moment their hands clasped, Sirzechs Lucifer's expression subtly stiffened.
What… is this magic power?
A vast, boundless ocean of mana surged beneath Izumi's skin—endlessly circulating as though following its own set of natural laws. Even for a Maou, it was an impossible, incomprehensible pressure.
Sirzechs attempted to probe deeper, but—
Nothing.
It was like Izumi's existence was wrapped in an impenetrable veil. His strength was impossible to gauge.
(…Interesting.)
For someone whose power was undetectable, only two possibilities existed:Either he was stronger than Sirzechs himself, orsomething extraordinary was concealing his true nature.
Whichever it was, Sirzechs understood this boy was hiding secrets—dangerous ones.And so he chose not to pry.
He simply smiled instead.
After that, Sirzechs introduced the next high-ranking devil.
"This is Serafall Leviathan."
The moment she appeared, Serafall stared intensely at Izumi—almost unblinking.Her gaze was so fixed that even Izumi was taken aback.
"Uh… did I get something on my face?"
Serafall shook her head.
"No. It's just… I feel like I've seen you somewhere before."
Her brows knitted as she tilted her head.
"But I can't remember. Nnn… well, whatever! Maybe just a weird déjà vu☆"
Izumi could only blink.He was certain he had never met the Maou-magical-girl-cosplayer before.
"…Could this be the resonance between people of the same species?"
"Oh? What do you mean?"
"I like magical girls. And I heard Leviathan-sama also… loves them."
Her eyes immediately sparkled.
"Eeeeh?! You also love magical girls?!Ohoho~, a kindred spirit! That's sooo rare!If we didn't have an important meeting, I'd drag you to chat about them for hours!"
Serafall was ready to launch into a three-hour lecture on magical-girl lore.
Meanwhile Izumi's real interest was something along the lines of:
"On the Symbiotic Relationship Between Tentacle Monsters and Magical Girls."
But—he wisely kept that to himself.
Sirzechs invited Izumi inside, and before long midday arrived. Representatives of the other factions began arriving one after another.
The second to appear came through a dark magic circle:
Azazel, Governor-General of the Fallen Angels,accompanied by Vali.
The instant Azazel noticed Izumi, he grinned.
"Ooh~ so you're Izumi?The kid who almost killed Vali, right?"
Vali's expression twitched violently.
If not for his respect toward Azazel…he would 100% have punched him in the face.
Izumi sighed internally. This man was seriously too casual.
"Yes, hello…"
He refrained from teasing Vali further—the White Dragon Emperor already looked like he was restraining murderous intent.
Izumi gave Vali a polite nod.Vali returned it with burning battle-lust in his eyes.
The last battle didn't crush him—it made him even more excited for a rematch.
But deep inside Vali's Sacred Gear, the White Dragon Emperor trembled.Facing Izumi now felt the same as facing Great Red.
This pressure…It wasn't here the last time.
Something had changed within Izumi.
Unknown to Vali, it was the pure-blooded dragon lineage from Little Garden that caused it.Dragons were especially sensitive to dominance.Even without releasing any aura, Izumi's presence radiated a natural coercion that made Albion flinch.
Izumi, meanwhile, pretended to know nothing.
Azazel, Sirzechs, and the others—despite being from opposing factions—were extremely friendly.Too friendly.
Watching them banter and discuss grabbing drinks later, Izumi couldn't help but think:
(Are the Three Factions really at war?Your leaders are literally planning to go clubbing together.)
He desperately resisted the urge to comment.
More representatives arrived—magicians, mercenary guild members, and observers.Among them, Izumi spotted familiar faces:
Le Fay Pendragon and Arthur—members of Vali's team.
Izumi's eyes sparkled.
Vali's entire team was basically here…except Kuroka and Bikou.
As for Kuroka, the reason she wasn't appearing publicly was obvious—and Izumi could practically sense her hiding somewhere nearby.The monkey probably got dragged along too.
Le Fay's gaze lingered on Izumi with curiosity.For some reason, she felt a strange sense of closeness… but with so many people around, she decided not to approach him.
Finally, the last group arrived.
A radiant magic circle opened—the angels of Heaven.
And stepping out alone was—
Michael.
"Apologies for being late."
Just from his expression alone, Izumi could tell this man was the type who genuinely apologized even when he didn't need to.
Standing beside Izumi, Asia's entire body trembled with emotion.
"Ah… Michael-sama…Thank you, Lord…"
And she began praying.
Again.
Izumi didn't even bother stopping her anymore.
Michael turned toward Asia, his eyes filled with gentle remorse.
"…Asia.I am sorry for the suffering you endured.After today's matters conclude, we shall speak properly."
Izumi raised a brow.
Asia blinked, finally remembering—
She was no longer part of the Church.
Her gaze shifted almost instinctively toward Izumi.