Winds of Change (DxD)

Third Person Point of View

— ○ ● ○ —

Nestled within a youkai-inhabited village, tucked away amidst the picturesque mountains of the Kyoto region, an extraordinary event was unfolding. This unique occasion had one singular focus: offering a wide array of merchandise related to the infamous [Breast Dragon Emperor], or as it was more colloquially known, [Oppai Dragon].

The event was carefully tailored to cater to the diverse crowd of youkai and supernatural beings that called this village their home. Booths and stalls showcasing various goods adorned the village streets, inviting both visitors and residents to indulge in their favorite Oppai Dragon-themed items.

The merchandise available exclusively at the Urakyoto event venue was also offered here, allowing those who hadn't secured tickets to the event to partake in the excitement. A lengthy line had quickly formed leading to the showroom, filled with enthusiastic youkai fans and other supernatural beings eagerly awaiting their turn to make a purchase.

Among the bustling crowd, two notable figures stood out. Balberith, sporting his cherished Oppai Dragon hat, was accompanied by none other than their leader, the esteemed High-class Grim Reaper, Zeno. They were part of the renowned team known as the [Black Satan of Darkness Dragon King]. Both patiently waited in the long line, which seemed to stretch into infinity.

The reason for their presence here was quite unique. Balberith had his heart set on acquiring a highly sought-after limited edition action figure, the [Oppai Dragon Dororon Youkai Clear Version]. It was a collector's gem that had captured his imagination. Zeno, being the responsible leader he was, couldn't allow Balberith to venture alone into the chaos of this event.

As they inched forward, Balberith's chest pulsated with excitement. The anticipation of getting his hands on this exclusive figurine made his heart race with every step they took. The wait was almost over, and soon they would lay their eyes upon the prized collectible.

Balberith understood the struggle all too well. Acquiring a limited [Breast Dragon Emperor, Oppai Dragon] action figure was no walk in the park. His initial attempt at the show event had been a fruitless endeavor, leaving him empty-handed.

In fact, the opportunity to purchase the prized limited figure slipped through his fingers even before the show began. The store had run out of stock, and it seemed that these exclusive figures were flying off the shelves. The lesson had been harsh and clear—snagging a limited event figure was a cutthroat competition, a war in itself.

On his second attempt, Balberith had learned his lesson and eagerly joined the line at the venue, an experience he had never gone through before. But his anticipation came crashing down once more.

"We are very sorry, but the limited edition figure has just been sold out."

The cruel news hit him like a sledgehammer, and Balberith could only watch in disbelief as the last remaining figure went to a fortunate child, who wore a triumphant smile. Envy welled up in Balberith's eyes as he gritted his teeth, agonizing over how his most coveted possession had slipped through his grasp.

Not being able to purchase that elusive figure had given him his first taste of defeat. He wasn't about to give up, though. His third attempt was already underway, and he had lined up hours before the shop opened. Balberith's heart raced as he reached the cashier, his voice trembling as he placed his order.

"O-oppai Dragon… Dororon Y-youkai Clear Version… Please," he muttered.

The cashier nodded, and Balberith's shaky nerves began to ease as he finally achieved what he had been yearning for.

As the Tengu shop assistant received the order, they carefully packed the items into a bag and proceeded to calculate the total price. Balberith, filled with anticipation, received his items and left the cashier's counter. For a brief moment, he stood there in astonishment as the reality of the situation sunk in. He couldn't believe it; the coveted limited edition action figure he had been yearning for was finally in his hands.

It wasn't a dream but a tangible reality. Balberith gazed into the partially opened bag, revealing the [Oppai Dragon Dororon Youkai Clear Version] action figure with its stunningly transparent armor material. Overwhelmed by happiness and satisfaction, he found that the emotions he felt at that moment were beyond words—it was a true victory, a triumph that reached the depths of his heart.

<<Shall we head back home now?>> Zeno inquired, having accompanied Balberith throughout their errands, even assisting in creating a magic circle for their return journey. They were ready to depart.

Balberith had no time to reply. Suddenly, a thunderous explosion rocked the village's entrance, sending shockwaves through the vicinity. The earth quivered, and the loud concussive blast reached the ears of all within hearing range. Following the deafening detonation, the anguished wails of youkai filled the air. Panic erupted as the startled youkais scattered in all directions, their fear evident in the chaotic frenzy that ensued.

However, just as Zeno was about to address the situation, Balberith abruptly broke into a sprint, making a beeline for the village entrance.

<<W-wait, Balberith! Don't be so reckless! If they discover we're here...>> Zeno hesitated, his words trailing off. After a brief internal struggle, he squared his shoulders and shook his head, opting to complete his thought. <<Whatever consequences come our way, I'll bear the brunt of them.>>

With that determination, he hastened after Balberith. The two of them moved stealthily through the village, their senses attuned to the unique auras that pervaded the area. These auras represented a curious mix, combining the essence of artificial devils with beings created by various deities of the night. Balberith, still somewhat oblivious to the day's operation, had been focused on securing the coveted Oppai Dragon merchandise he had set his sights on.

As they pursued their path, Zeno's mind raced with questions. <<Unbelievable, did Hades-sama order this attack? If so, we should have been informed beforehand, unless... it was done by another god. Was it the work of Erebus' group?>> he mused, quietly voicing his suspicions to Balberith as they stealthily moved forward.

Balberith couldn't care less about the potential consequences; he was determined to get to the bottom of the commotion.

"Uwaaaaaaaa!! My Oppai Dragon!!" The heart-wrenching cries of the children in the village reverberated through the air as they lamented the destruction of their beloved merchandise.

Balberith's focus snapped in a particular direction just in time to witness a devil ruthlessly smashing the coveted [Oppai Dragon Dororon Youkai Clear Version] action figure. The devastation was twofold as the child's eyes welled up with tears, overwhelmed by the loss of his recently acquired treasure and the fear induced by the presence of the menacing devil.

An overpowering irritation coursed through Balberith as he fully grasped the significance of the rare item. He knew all too well the arduous struggle involved in obtaining such a prized possession, and it only fueled his resolve as he charged toward the devil with unwavering determination. The devil and his companions, meanwhile, only found amusement in the child's suffering.

"Gyahahahaha!" they cackled, cruelly pointing at the weeping child.

"He's crying because we smashed his toy, how pathetic!" jeered one of the male devils.

Balberith, with the fierce intensity of a protective parent, finally confronted the malevolent group. His voice boomed, "Hey! Why did you do that!?"

"Huh!? What the fuck do you want!?" hissed one of the devils, attempting to sound intimidating.

Balberith jabbed his finger towards the shattered figure and inquired, "Do you realize how valuable that figure is!? It's a really rare item, and we waited hours just to get it!"

Dumbfounded, the devils stood still, their amusement fading into an awkward silence. They soon burst into hearty laughter, some clapping their hands while others clutched their stomachs in merriment.

"What's this guy's problem!?" one asked, shaking his head with bemusement, as they continued to laugh, both at Balberith and the heartbroken child. In the background, Zeno observed the unfolding situation with a watchful eye, his presence barely noticeable.

"He's got a screw loose in his head!" another voice chimed in.

"Let's teach him a lesson," someone else added, conjuring a sinister demonic aura around their hands. As they prepared to strike, their attention was abruptly pulled back to Balberith, the young Super Devil, who swung a powerful fist into the arrogant devil's face, sending him flying and leaving the others in shock.

An intense and oppressive aura enveloped Balberith as he demanded, "I'll ask again, do you have any idea how important and rare that item was?"

"Hey, isn't he part of that team in the tournament set to face Indra?" one of the devils nervously inquired. This revelation caused fear to ripple through the group, and many of them instinctively took a step back.

"Who gives a fuck!? It's just a small and stupid toy—"

Balberith's fury erupted, and his punches mirrored Aaron's exactly motion. Each devil he struck was sent sprawling with one blow, leaving the rest utterly horrified.

"Dude! What the hel—" Again, Balberith unleashed his fist, knocking out another devil, and another, and another. This repeated until all the other devils had been defeated in a single punch.

<<W-what in the world am I going to tell Hades-sama...? We came here in secret to buy an action figure, but instead, he's taken down the group we were supposed to join,>> Zeno muttered in disbelief, shaking his head.

Just as things were getting out of hand, two teams arrived in the village, led by the First-Generation Sun Wukong and Sona Sitri. It was [Team Sona Sitri] and [Team Journey to the West]. The team leaders swiftly directed their members to deal with the intruders, who were left stunned by the sudden reinforcements.

However, Sona and Sun Wukong spotted Balberith and Zeno, which immediately made Zeno panic as they approached.

"Hmm? Aren't you two from [Team Black Satan of Darkness Dragon King]? What are you doing here?" Sona inquired, her tone laced with suspicion.

Before Balberith could respond, Zeno hurriedly stepped in. <<W-we came here to buy this!>> he exclaimed, eagerly waving a bag in the air that Balberith held. <<H-he wanted to get this because he's a fan of Oppai Dragon...>>

As Zeno earnestly tried to explain their presence to Sona and Sun Wukong, Balberith was drawn to a child who was still sobbing due to having lost his action figure to a cruel devil earlier. While Zeno spoke to the young heiress and the Monkey King, Balberith couldn't shake the words he had once heard from Oppai Dragon, one of the many quotes from the show that echoed in his mind.

'Don't do good things just because you want people to praise you or like you! Do it because you want to! There are many less fortunate people out there, and that simple gesture of kindness from you can mean the world to them! Their smiles are always worth it, and you'll feel good in the end too!'

As Zeno continued to persuade Sona and Sun Wukong, Balberith seized the opportunity. He reached into the bag, pulled out the coveted toy, and approached the tearful child.

"T-this... take it... so you don't cry anymore... okay?" he muttered awkwardly as he knelt down beside the young youkai.

The child's crying ceased, replaced by a look of amazement. "I-is it okay, onii-chan?" the child asked, addressing Balberith as "big brother."

Balberith nodded silently. "Like me, you waited in line for a long time to get this, right? We know... that it's really precious and important, so... here, don't cry, okay?" he told the child, extending the cherished toy.

The child's face lit up, and he gratefully wiped away his tears. "Thank you, onii-chan!"

At that moment, the child's parents arrived, rushing over to profusely thank Balberith. He simply nodded in response, offering a reassuring smile. After the child's parents extended their gratitude a few more times, they hurried away to safety. Once they were out of earshot, Balberith allowed the tears he had been holding back to flow.

"Uuuuuhh…." He had waited for the longest time to obtain that item, only to give it away just now. Yet, amid the bittersweet emotions, his heart didn't ache as much as he had expected. He felt a strange calmness and even a touch of happiness.

'I was bigger than that child... but the smile he showed me really made me happy too... is that what the Oppai Dragon meant...?' Balberith pondered, watching the family run off.

Sona and Sun Wukong, too, were taken aback by Balberith's actions, and Aaron's words from the past echoed in Sona's mind.

'Balberith and Verrine aren't bad devils. They weren't raised right by Hades, so if you encounter them, try to reason with them if you can. I have plans for them, so if you don't meet them until a certain time, leave them to me.'

"Not bad devils, huh?" Sona mused, her gaze fixed on Balberith.

After a bit more questioning, Sona and Sun Wukong eventually decided to let the duo go on their way.

— ○ ● ○ —

"Waaachoooo!!" Kanami let out an exuberant scream, flourishing her [True Longinus] in front of the goddess Hecate.

"Sis...that's embarrassing, please stop," Natsume said, her face buried in her hands, overcome with embarrassment.

Accompanying Kanami were her sister Natsume, Jeanne from Cao Cao's team, and Fusae. The other members of the Slash Dog Team were occupied with another god in the same dimension and had already returned to Earth to assist in thwarting the divine assault.

"Jeanne-san, please don't join her!" Natsume protested, cringing as she observed Jeanne adopting a peculiar pose resembling her sister's antics.

Hecate remained in her place, watching the girls' antics with amusement, her arms crossed. It took Natsume another minute of persuasion to finally coax the group into facing the goddess.

"Ah! Sorry for the wait, Hecate-san!" Kanami shouted and enthusiastically waved in Hecate's direction.

"It's not a problem. If you wish, you can keep going," replied Hecate in a composed manner.

Perplexed by the goddess's oddly tranquil demeanor, Jeanne couldn't help but inquire, "Why do you seem so calm, Hecate-sama? Aren't you part of the Gods of Darkness' group conducting this attack?"

Hecate closed her eyes and pondered the question for a brief moment. She then reopened her eyes, fixing her gaze on Jeanne. "In reality, I was growing bored with the world. Many years have passed with nothing particularly significant happening. The last major event took place with your team, the Slash Dog Team, and a few other groups, but it all ended rather abruptly."

With a simple gesture, Hecate conjured a small chair and seated herself, repeating the process for the four girls. They scrutinized the chairs, found no hidden enchantments, and then comfortably sat down to listen to Hecate's words.

"Bored with the world? I heard that certain gods and goddesses want some excitement in their lives. That's why they sometimes involve themselves with normal humans—the more mischievous gods even influence the world slightly so the human world goes into a bit of turmoil," Fusae mused, offering her insights.

A gentle smile graced Hecate's face as she nodded in agreement with Fusae's observation. "That is true. A few gods and goddesses have indeed dabbled in human affairs in the past. However, actively influencing the human world occurs less frequently. Although, with the presence of Evil Gods, such whims can lead to more chaos. Nevertheless, they run the risk of drawing the ire of other gods, which keeps such interventions relatively rare."

"Originally, I joined this group to fill that void. You are familiar with my divine portfolio, are you not?" Hecate inquired, her eyes shifting between her companions.

Kanami eagerly raised her hand, and Hecate acknowledged her by pointing in her direction. "You're associated with crossroads, entrance-ways, night, light, magic, protection from witchcraft, the Moon, knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, graves, ghosts, necromancy, and sorcery, right!?"

Natsume, struck by Kanami's knowledge, cast an incredulous look at her sister before remarking, "You knew that? I'm genuinely surprised..."

"I study subjects too, you know! I'm the leader of our team, so I have to be knowledgeable about stuff!" Kanami retorted. However, before the two sisters could dive into their usual banter, Fusae cast a silent yet intimidating glance, effectively putting a stop to their argument.

"Indeed, I am, Kanami Minagawa," Fusae responded, maintaining a calm demeanor. "However, as I mentioned, I initially joined this group to fill a void in my life. Since last year, it has become significantly more entertaining, and honestly, I can't just leave without any repercussions, can I?"

Natsume, taken aback by the revelation, couldn't help but voice her shock. "So, you've been trying to leave but haven't succeeded? Wait, are you telling us that you participated in this attack just to escape?"

Hecate couldn't help but smile, impressed by Natsume's perceptiveness. "Fufu, very perceptive of you, Natsume Minagawa. Yes, once Jin came along and made things more interesting in this world, I wanted to leave. However, as I mentioned, it's not that simple. The various events that he and his comrades have intervened in, the other two universes connected to ours, and the Rating Game World Tournament, where even gods can participate... it's all incredibly exciting," she explained, her voice tinged with enthusiasm.

"But can we be certain you're not trying to deceive us?" Jeanne inquired, her tone laced with wariness as she regarded the god. "Cao Cao and our team have ventured into the Phantasma, and we've learned that almost everyone over there, who isn't part of the Resistance, is prone to deception to gain an advantage."

Hecate responded with a serene smile. "I've observed your guardedness ever since I offered you these chairs, but you have my word that I harbor no intent to harm or fight you, unless you explicitly wish for that."

Fusae chimed in, her skepticism evident. "How can we trust your intentions? In human mythology, gods like you are known to embody both benevolent and malevolent aspects—though I understand this to be true for many deities. But given your association with witchcraft, it's not an easy concern to dismiss."

Hecate understood their reservations. "You raise a valid point," she admitted. "How about this: don't you possess powers that Jin bestows upon you from time to time? Why not ask him to lend you some of that power, to use against me? It would serve as a guarantee that I won't betray you." Her proposition left them momentarily taken aback.

In an unexpected turn of events, Kanami shot up from her seat, catching everyone in the vicinity off guard. She drew in a deep breath, and the immediate response came from Natsume, who swiftly covered her ears. Her preemptive action was a clear indicator that she knew precisely what was about to transpire.

"Aaaaaaroooooooooooooooon!!!!!!" Kanami's scream reverberated with such force that it rattled the very foundations of the realm. Her scream alone nearly shattered the dimension Georg had created. Fusae, immediately alarmed, leaped up and pinched Kanami's cheeks with a firm grip. "Owwwwwwwww!! I'm sorrrrryy!!"

After Fusae released her cheeks, a small item materialized in front of Natsume, and she snatched it up. The item was accompanied by a small note that read, "This will kill her if she lies or harbors any ill intentions toward your group or the alliance." Natsume promptly shared the information with the rest of the group, and all eyes turned toward Hecate.

The item that materialized took the form of a bracelet, and without any reluctance, Hecate extended her hand towards Natsume, indicating that she should help her fasten it. Natsume cast a quick glance at the others, who all nodded in agreement. With their collective approval, she gingerly placed the bracelet around Hecate's wrist. Upon securing it, the bracelet emitted a faint clanking sound, and Hecate winced ever so slightly.

"What a vigorous little accessory, it dug into my wrist's flesh," Hecate remarked, her tone more amused than pained.

"Now what?" Natsume inquired as she fixed her gaze upon the goddess standing before her.

"Undoubtedly, Jin's powers and blessings are more effective for you than my own," replied the goddess, "but I am willing to assist you in combating anything that has been transported to this realm. At present, aside from the three Artificial Super Devils who are here, the only other gods in this realm are Tartarus, and he's occupied with Jin at the moment, and the other is Atë. Surely you're familiar with her?"

"Atë, the Goddess of mischief, blindness, delusion, folly, and reckless actions. Not much is known about her, as Mephisto Pheles-san hasn't disclosed much information regarding her. However, some human texts contain intriguing details about her, although their accuracy is questionable." Fusae chimed in, sharing her knowledge of Atë.

Before Hecate could divulge further details about Atë, a tremendous explosion rocked the area to their west, drawing a sly smile from Hecate. "Well, for starters," she began, "she's over there. I can sense that some of your friends might be in that direction."

— ○ ● ○ —

"Piece of shit! Stop!" Mittelt screamed, deftly evading countless powerful water streams unleashed upon her by multiple clones of a certain goddess. "A little help, please!?" she cried out in desperation.

"We're a bit busy right now, midget! Try to get rid of them yourself!" Kouki bellowed at his fallen angel teammate. "They're also clones, so they're weaker! Fight them!"

"They're clones, my ass! Just because they're clones doesn't mean shit!" Mittelt snapped back.

Meanwhile, other members of the Slash Dog Team were engaged in a face-off with the Goddess Atë. She didn't take them seriously and seemed to be using the fight as a way to pass the time and play tricks on them. In her typical capricious fashion, she had joined the Khaos Order on a whim, relishing the opportunity to prank as many people as possible.

Throughout her time with the Khaos Order, Atë hadn't actively participated in any significant missions. Instead, she had snuck into various pantheons and factions, gleefully playing pranks on their unsuspecting residents. Surprisingly, she had refrained from taking lives, a practice she continued on this day as well.

While Atë was tangling with the Slash Dog Team, she did so without a sense of seriousness, using the encounter as a way to waste their time. Although her actions may not have aligned with the Khaos Order's mission, her ability to disrupt their opponents was an inconvenience to the team.

"Come, little birdy! Fly!" Atë commanded her clones, urging them to continue pelting Mittelt with water magic.

Atë herself was preoccupied, dodging and skillfully avoiding many of Meruem's attacks. Despite her claim of not being a fighter, the goddess displayed impressive agility and maneuverability, much to Meruem's surprise.

He had been instructed by Aaron to go easy on Atë, as his father did not want her harmed. Obeying his father's directive, Meruem held back, but he soon discovered that Atë's nimbleness was a force to be reckoned with.

"Hey, hey, you're that Meruem who was with Lapis, right? Why did you abandon the Khaos Order?" inquired the real Atë.

Meruem hadn't anticipated this kind of question during their ongoing battle. He continued his attempts to grab the goddess while pondering how to respond. However, Atë was far from finished with her questioning.

"You were close with that little fallen angel. Are you in a romantic relationship? If so, she's the jealous type, isn't she? So here!" she shouted. In a deliberate move, she allowed Meruem to grab her chest, taking him by surprise. Atë even let out an exaggerated moan, drawing attention to their peculiar interaction.

"What—!? What the hell are you doing, you skank!?" screamed Mittelt. The sudden surge in her powers generated enough force to disperse the clones of Atë. She then directed her attention toward them and unleashed a barrage of multiple light spears, enhancing her attacks with duplication magic, multiplying their number.

"Kya~"

"Oh nooo~"

"She got me~"

Several clones succumbed to Mittelt's powerful onslaught and started to vanish, leaving the rest of her team in astonishment.

"Oh? I didn't expect that kind of reaction. I suppose she becomes stronger the more emotionally agitated she is. Oops~!" exclaimed Atë with a snort. She then laughed to herself before vanishing from Meruem's grasp.

Meruem remained standing there, bewildered by the strange sensation he had experienced. His relationship with Mittelt had been progressing at a gradual pace, as both of them continued to learn more about each other.

They had also found a house they were interested in purchasing, and they intended to consult Aaron after this operation. Aaron had offered to buy the house for them and make various upgrades, similar to his own home.

"Come back here!" Mittelt bellowed, her voice filled with renewed fury, as she gave chase to the goddess.

Kouki Samejima observed this unfolding drama with a smirk before flying over to his friend, Meruem. "You look confused. What's bothering you? Have you never touched breasts before?" Kouki inquired, an air of teasing in his voice.

Meruem pondered for a moment before responding, "Breasts? My father does seem to have a love for those, doesn't he? To answer your question, no, I haven't had such an experience. I didn't see the appeal even after asking my father about it once."

Kouki, with an air of jovial wisdom, declared, "Women's breasts are where the dreams of men come true!" He playfully patted Meruem's back, continuing, "Of course, there are other aspects that guys are fond of as well. Just take your time to discover your own preferences!"

Suddenly, Kalawarna entered the scene with the force of a wrecking ball, executing a spectacular roundhouse kick to Kouki's stomach, sending him tumbling away.

Meruem sighed as he followed his lover, Mittelt, and found her locked in combat with the goddess Atë. Mittelt was giving her all, but her attacks couldn't land on the agile goddess, who seemed to be toying with her.

"I used my divine powers, you know? Are you aware that your boyfriend is well-endowed down there?" Atë inquired with a sly smirk, causing Mittelt to blush profusely.

Mittelt didn't respond verbally but continued to launch light spears at Atë. However, her face was flushed, and her embarrassment was evident. Having lived for a long time, she was well aware of various aspects of people's lives, including their physical relationships. While she wasn't a virgin herself, she knew that Meruem didn't prioritize such matters, as they had discussed it before.

"Sex isn't everything in a relationship, it's just a bonus for me! If that's all you can think about, you're an idiot! Maybe even lonely or an incel!" Mittelt's shout took the goddess, Atë, by surprise.

Adding to Atë's astonishment, Meruem appeared behind Mittelt, firmly grasping her arms to prevent any escape. A sly smile graced Mittelt's face as she unleashed a torrent of light balls of energy towards Atë, who couldn't help but break into a cold sweat as the blazing projectiles swiftly approached her.

"Wait, wait, wait, let's talk!" Atë desperately cried out in an attempt to extricate herself from this perilous predicament. However, neither Mittelt nor Meruem uttered a word, and the luminous orbs were mere moments away from their target.

"Okay! Wait, I give up, please stop!" Atë's plea rang through the air, and in a matter of seconds, the menacing light balls dissipated. They fell harmlessly to the ground, and Atë, on her knees, was left breathless and drenched in sweat, her face mirroring her relief and exhaustion. "My life flashed before my eyes!"

"I-it was just a joke..." she gasped, her exhaustion still evident in her voice.

"Sometimes your jokes go a bit too far, Atë. Nevertheless, it was amusing to witness you in this state of panic, a rare sight indeed," remarked a woman's voice. The collective attention of those present turned to the source of the voice, revealing Hecate, Natsume, Kanami, Fusae, Jeanne, Shigune, and Ajamu.

Shigune, puzzled by the unexpected appearance of Hecate, questioned, "Oh, um, what happened with, uh, Hecate-sama, guys?" Her gaze shifted towards the goddess, flanked by her teammates.

Natsume began to explain, "It's a rather long story, but in short, she's now collaborating with us. It appears you all had no issues with the goddess Atë. But, what caused that earlier explosion?" Her inquisitive tone held a note of concern.

Shigune confessed with a hint of embarrassment, "Oh, um, that was my fault... I attempted something with Poh." She gestured toward Poh, who was now covered in black powder.

Kouki approached Ajamu, sensing the man's evident fluster, and inquired, "And what about you, man? You disappeared after she made those clones."

Ajamu's face reddened even further, and he turned away, refusing to answer, leaving Kouki bewildered. Atë, however, chuckled and disclosed, "He found himself trapped in a prison of breasts. As a virgin, he couldn't handle that." Her laughter sent Ajamu into a fit of shame, covering his face in embarrassment.

"My man! You had a good time, didn't you?" Kouki said, and he burst into laughter while looking at Ajamu.

"Ugh...please, stop," Ajamu muttered, feeling ashamed.

Atë turned to Hecate and asked, "So, you've switched sides?"

"I have," Hecate replied. "Although you already know how I felt about this entire mess."

"Hah, I had a feeling. So, did Jinny-Jin-Jin convince you to switch, huh? I wonder what other terrible things he has in store for our universe," Atë pondered. "Oh well, I give up. So, go ahead and capture me or whatever. I don't really care at this point. Although I'm not looking forward to facing Zeus again."

Kalawarna gazed at Fusae, who responded with a confirming nod. She then conjured anti-magic restraints and gently secured them around Atë's wrists. Remarkably, Atë offered no resistance whatsoever.

Fusae, with a gentle tone, inquired, "Atë-sama, we're going to relocate you to a different location. Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?"

Atë pondered for a moment, her voice thoughtful as she explained, "Well, the three Artificial Super Devils here are quite formidable. Whoever you send to confront them must be capable of standing their ground."

Fusae assured her, "Rest assured, the individuals assigned to face them have displayed their strength during the tournament. You've witnessed their might."

Atë nodded in understanding, a hint of humor in her voice. "I see. Well, that's all I have to say. I did want to mention that you should keep an eye out for Tartarus. But since Jin is the one facing him, I suppose there's no need for me to say anything, is there?" She chuckled lightly.

Fusae smiled and shook her head, her confidence evident. "No, no, you're absolutely right." Following their brief exchange, Ajamu, Mittelt, and Kalawarna were tasked with escorting Atë back to the alliance's prison facility.

— ○ ● ○ —

Cao Cao strolled casually towards the formidable Artificial Super Devil that stood before him, twirling his spear in a nonchalant manner. Every effort the devil made to harm him was swiftly nullified by Cao Cao, leaving the devil increasingly frustrated.

The night before, Cao Cao had finally discovered the missing piece of his life's puzzle, allowing him to move forward with his head held high. He hadn't been confident that the person he had asked for help would agree, but he should have expected it, knowing that this person did things at their own pace.

The Artificial Super Devil currently challenging Cao Cao hailed from [Team Black Satan of Darkness Dragon King] and was named Sonneillon. Sonneillon possessed the potent trait known as [Crushing]. Nonetheless, every time the Super Devil attempted to utilize this trait against Cao Cao, the human effortlessly and swiftly countered the attack.

"Why? Why won't my attacks work?" Sonneillon demanded in frustration. He charged at Cao Cao, but just as he was closing in, he had to swiftly leap back. A barrage of twisted, shadowy blades emerged from Cao Cao's shadows.

Cao Cao, wearing a confident smile, responded, "It's because you lack strength and determination." With his superior speed, he effortlessly closed the distance between them. He nonchalantly drove his knee into Sonneillon's stomach, sending the Super Devil tumbling backward.

Then, Cao Cao directed his spear at Sonneillon. A ball of draconic energy gathered at the spear's tip. Within moments, it unleashed a massive and formidable surge of energy, obliterating everything in its path and inflicting further damage on Sonneillon, intensifying his frustration.

Sonneillon crashed forcefully into the ground, a considerable distance away. Cao Cao swiftly followed, but as he drew nearer to the Super Devil, he noticed an intense fury burning in the devil's eyes. The devil commenced pounding his foot into the ground, generating powerful shockwaves solely through his immense physical strength.

"Fuck you! Don! Don! Don! Don!!!" Sonneillon screamed in frustration.

Cao Cao grinned and then shut his eyes. He twirled his spear around, and as holy energy and radiant light emanated from his weapon, he deftly pierced through all the invisible attacks Sonneillon had directed at him. He nimbly leaped through them as if he were playing with jump ropes, further provoking the Super Devil standing before him.

Cao Cao reopened his eyes and brought down his spear with a swift motion, creating an aura-infused slash that sped toward Sonneillon. In a desperate attempt to defend himself, Sonneillon immediately shouted, "Don!" However, to his complete astonishment, Cao Cao's attack sliced through his invisible attack, forcing him to leap aside. Regrettably, he didn't evade unharmed, as a minor injury materialized on his leg, intensifying his anger.

Before Sonneillon could utter another word, Cao Cao swiftly materialized by his side, forcefully driving his fist into the devil's face, sending him hurtling through the air. Yet, the young man did not pursue the Super Devil. Instead, he nonchalantly twirled his spear in his hand, while whistling a carefree tune. With a relaxed gait, he advanced toward Sonneillon, wearing a contented smile upon his face.

As Cao Cao moved closer to Sonneillon, he decided to voice his thoughts aloud, letting them spill out without reservation. With a light-hearted tone, he exclaimed, "Zoom, zoom iyaan~," and then shared a chuckle. Cao Cao confidently thrust his spear forward, intercepting the countless demonic orbs being hurled at him. On contact with his spear, the orbs disintegrated into oblivion.

He recited the final verse of a song, "The Oppai Dragon also pushes today," but his expression soon shifted to one of somber reflection. However, his spirits quickly rebounded as he resumed singing, all the while steadily advancing towards Sonneillon, who had just managed to regain his footing.

The Super Devil unleashed a relentless onslaught of demonic attacks in Cao Cao's direction, artfully weaving in his [Crushing] techniques. Simultaneously, Sonneillon charged towards Cao Cao, launching a flurry of punches and kicks with unwavering determination.

Much to Sonneillon's frustration, Cao Cao effortlessly parried the demonic atatcks, expertly slicing through the invisible strikes, and gracefully evading the punches and kicks. This humiliation was unlike anything Sonneillon had ever experienced, especially considering that he was scheduled to face a god in the tournament soon.

If he couldn't defeat a human who had lost the most powerful Longinus Sacred Gear, how could he possibly hope to overcome Indra and his formidable team? These thoughts only intensified Sonneillon's inner turmoil, directing his anger both inward and toward the formidable adversary before him.

'This style of combat... I wouldn't have even considered it in the past, when I held myself in such high regard,' he pondered, continuing to evade Sonneillon's attacks with impressive finesse. 'I once believed that by wielding the holy spear, I could become the strongest, the protagonist of the world.'

'In those days, I possessed the Holy Spear, one of only thirteen incarnations in the world capable of challenging a deity. This conviction led me to believe that I was chosen by destiny itself. Others who shared my vision rallied behind me, and as I pursued my extraordinary goals, I felt like the central figure in an epic tale. We banded together, thinking that those who joined me could also emerge as heroes. But, alas, I was grievously mistaken.'

Images of Aaron Toole, Vali Lucifer, Tobio Ikuse, Aurelia Le Guin, and the other formidable individuals who had gathered around Aaron flashed through Cao Cao's mind, causing him to wear a bitter smile. At this moment, he harbored uncertainty about whether he could engage any of them on an even playing field, but he swiftly dismissed those thoughts.

Sonneillon threw another punch at Cao Cao, but his mind was elsewhere. Lost in thought, Cao Cao's eyes suddenly lit up with life. He muttered, "So slow..." and swiftly responded by elbowing Sonneillon in the face. The powerful blow sent the devil hurtling backward, causing him to crash onto the ground.

Cao Cao pondered the nature of protagonists in a story. He thought, 'Those who can become the central characters, the ones who create miracles, they are chosen by miracles, and they can make those miracles happen whenever they act.'

As he looked back on his life, Cao Cao had an epiphany. He realized, 'I am no longer the son of those nameless villagers who just happened to possess the world's strongest spear.'

His thoughts then turned to his very first comrade, the one who had become his closest friend and journeyed with him across the world. He mused, 'Hey, Siegfried, did you believe in your ability to be the protagonist right up to your final moment? If you did, was it genuine happiness? Would you have been happier meeting Aaron Toole instead of me? Would you have avoided your fate?'

These contemplations swirled in Cao Cao's mind. However, his reflections were interrupted by a powerful shockwave that reverberated through the pseudo-space. It had to be Aaron Toole's attack. Watching the unfolding chaos, Cao Cao recalled a conversation they had just the day before.

'I trust Laeronia's words, your actions here, and the commitments you've made. So, let's start here as friends, Cao Cao.'

"Friends... huh?" Cao Cao pondered, a reflective look in his eyes. "Yeah, we're friends now..."

Suddenly, Sonneillon let out a thunderous cry, shouting, "Snap! Bam! Gooooooooooooooon! Doooooooooon!" Countless invisible attacks were launched at Cao Cao. However, with remarkable ease, he either sliced them apart or elegantly evaded them.

Cao Cao leaped away and breathed a sigh of relief, having concluded his inner contemplation. He gazed up at the sky and declared, "I'll transform the Phantasma's skies into something just like ours—an endless blue expanse for them to cherish." He turned his attention back to Sonneillon, his smile brimming with determination. "And I'll do it with this very spear."

Cao Cao shut his eyes and carefully selected two Sacred Gears to employ. He had been working hard to develop this ability, although his aspiration was to ultimately manage three simultaneously. Nevertheless, for the time being, wielding two was sufficient.

"Balance... break," he softly uttered, and the [Spear of the Universe] in his grasp began to glow. Behind Cao Cao's back, a radiant halo emerged, accompanied by seven orbs resembling bowling balls. His arms, legs, shoulders, and the spear itself were enshrouded in an impenetrable darkness, impervious even to the brilliance of light.

This was a fusion Balance Breaker, uniting the powers of the [True Longinus] and [Canis Lykaon]. Cao Cao recollected his previous Balance Breaker experience while wielding the [True Longinus]. He and his team had dedicated considerable time to accompanying Tobio Ikuse on solo missions, which had granted him valuable insights into how his Sacred Gear functioned.

Cao Cao had also sought Tobio's wisdom on the matter and, although he hadn't had the chance to receive a detailed explanation from Aaron, he did obtain a comprehensive book outlining the workings of all Sacred Gears. This volume covered their abilities, potential Balance Breakers, ranging from the regular Crest-side to Abyss-side, and, finally, the mysterious X-side.

"Only True God-class beings and those of even greater power can hope to challenge me," Cao Cao asserted with confidence. His words only fueled Sonneillon's growing frustration.

"You, a mere human, stand no chance against meeeeeeeeeeeee!!" Sonneillon's furious roar reverberated through the battleground. The Artificial Super Devil clung to his delusions of invincibility, despite the mounting evidence to the contrary.

Throughout his relatively brief existence in this realm, Sonneillon had achieved victory in nearly every endeavor. There were, of course, the exceptions in Verrine and Balberith, whom he considered "siblings" due to their shared lineage. While he had accepted his limitations in comparison to them, he held ambitious aspirations to one day surpass them. However, the unfolding situation made it appear increasingly unlikely.

If only Sonneillon could master his notoriously short temper and resist the taunts and provocations from his adversaries, he might have truly risen to become one of the most formidable devils in their world. Regrettably, it seemed he would fall short of realizing his full potential.

Sonneillon, driven by a burning desire to prove himself, charged relentlessly towards Cao Cao. His [Crushing] ability wreaked havoc, reducing everything in its path to rubble and compacting the surroundings. Unyielding in his pursuit, he drew nearer to Cao Cao with every passing moment.

Maintaining an air of unwavering calm, Cao Cao extended his left foot, and from the very shadow he cast, an impressive array of spearheads and dark, distorted blades emerged. Swift as an arrow, these ominous constructs shot toward Sonneillon, effectively intercepting his aggressive attack. The ensuing clash of powers was fierce, yet, despite some initial quivering, Cao Cao's spearheads and dark blades remained intact, unbroken.

Recognizing the dire situation, Sonneillon sprang away, narrowly avoiding the oncoming attack. But Cao Cao's resourcefulness knew no bounds. Leveraging his exceptional strength, he manipulated the terrain beneath him. Activating the formidable [Hatthiratana], he gained the power to lift and manipulate any object touched by the mystical orb.

With deftness and precision, he seized a substantial portion of the ground and flung it like a projectile in Sonneillon's direction. Then, with a flourish, he unleashed a series of aura-infused dark slashes, obliterating the airborne debris into countless smaller fragments that danced menacingly in the sky all around Sonneillon.

But Cao Cao wasn't done. He harnessed the power of [Assaratana], allowing him to switch positions with one of the smaller fragments in a blink of an eye. Seizing this strategic advantage, he brought his spear to bear on Sonneillon, who, in a desperate attempt to protect himself, summoned his [Crushing] ability and enveloped himself in a shroud of demonic aura.

Despite Sonneillon's best efforts, the combined might of the [True Longinus] and [Canis Lykaon] abilities proved overwhelming, slicing through the defenses and delivering a devastating blow. The searing, holy aura left Sonneillon writhing in anguish as he grappled with the excruciating pain.

Cao Cao continued to employ this sequence of attacks, utilizing [Assaratana] to evade any strikes Sonneillon attempted. He seamlessly switched positions with debris and pressed his attack on the Super Devil, slowly sapping his strength. Eventually, Cao Cao harnessed his [Gahapatiratana], giving rise to warrior-like entities that operated much like [Blade Blacksmith]'s Balance Breaker: Blade Knight Mass.

The young Hero ingeniously maneuvered these warriors, causing them to teleport each time he employed [Assaratana]. Simultaneously, they descended upon Sonneillon in a coordinated attack. This small yet effective strategy played out brilliantly, catching the agitated and bewildered Super Devil off guard. He found himself subjected to relentless and simultaneous attacks until he fell to the ground, down on all fours.

"It seems like you're down on your luck, Sonneillon. Any last words?" Cao Cao inquired.

"Kakaka…! You idiot!" Sonneillon retorted with a defiant shout. He summoned a formidable mass of demonic energy above them. "I'm going to unleash this in Kyoto and Urakyoto! Even if you kill me now, they'll still continue on their paths to those places!" he exclaimed in triumph, believing he had secured victory.

However, Cao Cao's expression remained calm and unruffled. He didn't even react to Sonneillon's threat, responding only with a sigh.

"W-what's with that reaction!? I'm going to kill everyone there!" Sonneillon raged.

Cao Cao wore a confident smile as he spoke, "I have powerful and reliable friends and comrades. Do you really think they'll let such a thing happen?"

With his spear hovering just above Sonneillon's back, precisely over his heart, Cao Cao continued, "I doubt you'll get a second chance from Jin, so you won't be reincarnated. It's not a loss, so it doesn't matter." He delivered his words to the Super Devil and thrust his spear downward, piercing Sonneillon's heart, killing him.

As soon as Cao Cao took that action, the two massive balls of demonic attacks hovering above him vanished, teleporting away to Kyoto and Urakyoto.

— ○ ● ○ —

In the skies above Kyoto, the first demonic ball conjured by Sonneillon appeared, leaving those below in awe.

[H-Hey, shouldn't we do something about that?!] inquired one of the members from [DxD].

[Gyasuke! Let's perform that move again!] Xenovia exclaimed over the transceivers.

[I'm ready when you are, Xenovia-senpai!] Gasper promptly responded.

[No need,] Suzaku's voice calmly interjected. Suddenly, an enormous sphere of flames hurtled towards the colossal demonic orb, swiftly engulfing it. The intense heat radiated down to Kyoto, causing some of the onlookers to feel the scorching blaze, with a few even finding their clothing beginning to melt, leaving them astounded.

The attack came swiftly, but it was swiftly dismantled by Suzaku Himejima. She gave orders to her team, saying, [Let's continue our defense, everyone,] and they responded with enthusiastic cheers.

— ○ ● ○ —

"What is that!?" a curious frog youkai asked as they gazed upwards at the second demonic ball conjured by Sonneillon.

Most of the youkai belonging to the West Youkai Faction were well aware of the ongoing events taking place outside in Kyoto and its surroundings. Nevertheless, they hadn't expected something like this to transpire, especially since Aaron had established a barrier to prevent such occurrences. Only two individuals drew a conclusion about how it had happened.

Sharon stood atop Yasaka's residence, her eyes fixed on the looming ball. "Fufu, Aaron-sama, you're quite the mischievous one, aren't you? Intentionally permitting something like this to teleport here, how cheeky of you," she mumbled, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

Sharon had taken great care to ensure that Yasaka and everyone in the realm remained oblivious to her comments. As she prepared to deal with the situation, she observed the young youkai whom Aaron held a fondness for, desperately attacking the ball in an effort to destroy it.

A smile curled on her lips as she found their attempt admirable, although she knew they were not yet strong enough to make an impact. Suddenly, Yasaka and Kunou materialized beside Sharon, accompanied by Irene and Ophis, who had come to be with Yasaka and Kunou.

"Sharon, I'd like you to safeguard our faction's people and structures, along with Irene. Ophis and Kunou are here to deal with this threat," Yasaka instructed.

Sharon bowed respectfully and replied, "Of course, Yasaka-sama. Fufu, Irene-sama, shall we begin then?"

Irene nodded in agreement, and they both vanished. Powerful barriers enveloped the buildings and inhabitants throughout Urakyoto, ensuring their protection against any potential attacks.

"Kunou," Ophis murmured.

"Mmm!" Kunou responded promptly. She swiftly transitioned into her [Fox Dragon God] form, causing her hair to turn white and her eyes to shine red. Ophis, too, enveloped her body in a shroud of draconic energy, most of it jet-black.

"I will keep an eye on everything from here and intervene if things don't go well. Go ahead, Ophis, Kunou," Yasaka reassured them. Both of them nodded once more and then leaped toward the massive demonic ball.

They swiftly reached the front of the demonic ball, and Kunou ascended higher, positioning herself just above it. She extended both of her hands toward the ominous sphere and exchanged a brief glance with Ophis, who acknowledged her with a nod.

Ophis floated beside the ball, her hand poised for action. With a powerful uppercut, she launched the massive demonic ball skyward. Kunou reacted swiftly, surrounding the ball with her [Fox Fire].

Ophis, her hand still extended towards the now-enveloped attack, clenched her fist. The once colossal demonic ball, now cloaked in Kunou's [Fox Fire], condensed repeatedly until it vanished. A triumphant grin adorned Kunou's face as she returned to Ophis.

The Dragon God opened her hand and displayed a circular, glass-like object with a string attached to it, giving it the appearance of a pendant. This object was the very attack they had just compressed, molded into a necklace-like form through Ophis' unique powers.

"D-do you think Aaron will like it...?" Kunou stammered nervously, gazing at the gift in Ophis' hands.

"I believe he will. He cherishes all the gifts we give him," replied Ophis. "However, we should purify it. I don't think he'd appreciate a gift from one of the Artificial Super Devils who once threatened Urakyoto."

"Right! Let's do that!" Kunou responded eagerly, and she and Ophis took off, flying back to Yasaka's home.

Irene and Sharon had already returned to Yasaka's side, and they found amusement in Ophis and Kunou's thoughtful plan.

"Who would have thought they'd come up with something like this?" Irene remarked with a chuckle.

"Indeed, it's quite creative. Maybe it'll become a keepsake of this moment, something to reminisce about in the future," Sharon added, smiling.

Yasaka, positioned between them, simply sighed and shook her head, her expression filled with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

— ○ ● ○ —

Back within the pseudo-space, a cheerful woman with white hair found herself in a face-off against a fresh Super Devil dispatched by Hades as part of Erebus' group. This Artificial Super Devil, although still relatively new, displayed a remarkable level of skill and potential, placing her on par with Sonneillon, Gressil, Verrine, and Balberith.

Her name? Liphina, this Artificial Super Devil went by that name.

She was dressed in a distinctive gray and red hoodie that enshrouded her head, featuring horn-like protrusions that extended near the front, giving her an intriguing and unique appearance. Her entire ensemble followed a similar style, resembling a one-piece dress with several elegant silver accessories tastefully adorning her attire.

Her striking, glowing red eyes added an element of mystique to her countenance. Short, silvery hair cascaded down to her shoulders, adding a touch of elegance to her overall look. She sported metallic gloves that encased her hands, adding a futuristic edge to her ensemble.

In those gloved hands, she wielded a magnificent sword, its blade a mesmerizing fusion of crimson and jet-black, emanating an intense, almost otherworldly crimson flame.

In the midst of their clash, Aoife, a woman with striking white hair, wielded her trusty sword, [Fragarach]. Across from her stood Liphina, whose outward appearance might have suggested fiery intensity, but her countenance remained devoid of emotion. She grappled with a sense of self-doubt and existential uncertainty as she confronted Aoife.

Liphina had come into existence at Hades' hands, and her creation had been a fortuitous turn of events. Hades had invested months of effort attempting to produce more Super Devils, yet, Liphina and another male Super Devil were the sole successful outcomes, the latter remaining unassigned for this particular mission.

The male Super Devil surpassed Liphina in power and had been born before her. Consequently, Hades had placed him under rigorous supervision and training, envisioning his potential contribution to the group's endeavors. In contrast, Liphina was a more recent addition to their ranks. She possessed considerable power and untapped potential, yet her assistance was deemed vital for Erebus' group, leading to her dispatch in this mission.

In her own thoughts, Liphina believed that Hades regarded her with less value and had thus dispatched her to this mission. Much like Meruem, she found herself on a quest to discover her purpose, something beyond merely fighting. Despite being relatively new to existence, she displayed a level of maturity surpassing that of her fellow Artificial Super Devils.

Liphina's curiosity was piqued by Aoife, particularly during their battle. The smile on Aoife's face remained constant. Contrary to what one might assume, Aoife's smile didn't stem from a love of combat; in fact, she despised it due to its inevitable outcome of death. That's why she favored the tournament, which allowed her to engage in a form of competition that did not end in fatality.

Sometime earlier, Aoife had requested a particular ability from Aaron, one she had named [Reach]. While it might not have seemed particularly special, it held immense significance for her. [Reach] granted Aoife the power to perceive people's true intentions and emotions. Aligned with her caring nature, Aoife was determined to assist as many individuals as she could. Thus, whenever possible, she would accompany Aaron during his missions as the Middleman to provide aid to those in need.

At the moment, Aoife could sense Liphina's uncertainty, not only about the ongoing battle but also about many other things. So, she posed a question, "Do you even want to fight me?"

Liphina's eyes widened as she gazed back at Aoife, her crimson sword never ceasing its relentless attack. Both of them continued to vanish and reappear at different points within their surroundings, their blades clashing with such intensity that they produced shockwaves, ice, and flames. However, amid the chaos of their duel, Aoife and Liphina's eyes remained fixed on each other, their gazes filled with curiosity.

"I... I don't know," Liphina responded with uncertainty. "I was created solely for the purpose of battling Hades-sama's enemies. Nothing else, nothing more, but..."

"But you yearn for more in life, don't you?" Aoife interjected. "You must have received some form of education from Hades, correct? Yet, you've never experienced the love of friends and family!"

With a burst of strength, Aoife pushed Liphina away, causing both of them to land at a distance from each other. Despite the separation, their eyes remained locked on each other.

"Tell me about yourself!" Aoife exclaimed, leaving Liphina bewildered. Aoife quickly closed the distance between herself and the young Super Devil and swung her sword at Liphina. With swift reflexes, Liphina managed to block the attack, but Aoife's persistent smile puzzled her as they continued their intense duel.

"I'm Aoife Mu—Toole! I like—" Aoife began sharing details about her life while they sparred, which only served to deepen Liphina's confusion. Despite her perplexity, Liphina's training had instilled in her a strong sense of attentiveness, and she listened diligently, absorbing every piece of information Aoife offered.

After an entire two minutes of conversing and engaging in a relaxed battle with Liphina, the Super Devil finally inquired, "Who's Aaron?"

"Hmm? Ah! I forgot to mention that, hehe, my bad. Aaron is actually Jin, you know, the Middleman," Aoife responded.

'Aaron is Jin...?' Liphina pondered. 'But... Hades-sama had informed us that he was malevolent, that he aimed to obliterate the multiverse and our own universe. Could this woman be deceiving me with lies, then?'

"But..." Liphina hesitated, her gaze fixed on Aoife. The woman standing before her didn't exude an aura of evil. Her gentle smile emanated warmth and comfort. "Hades-sama warned us that the Middleman would bring about our destruction."

"Huh?" Aoife responded, her confusion evident. "What do you mean by that?"

Liphina took a moment to gather her thoughts before explaining, "Hades-sama believed that, being an Outer God, the Middleman would only bring chaos to the world, the universe, and the multiverse. He claimed that the Middleman manipulated the leaders of various factions and pantheons to join his side and form Team [DxD], all to further his own agenda." Liphina's words left Aoife in stunned silence.

Upon the creation of the Artificial Super Devils, they fell quickly under the sway of Hades, along with anyone nursing grievances against Aaron Toole. They were instilled with the belief that everything he did was inherently wrong, perpetuating injustices throughout the world. They were made to perceive his very existence as a threat to the entire multiverse, and that the only way to restore balance was to eliminate him.

Hades further emphasized that dismantling the Sacred Gear system in Heaven was essential for their prosperity and the restoration of equilibrium in their world. The young devils, born from Lilith's previous bodies, were but children and lacked the discernment to distinguish right from wrong.

However, over time and under Hades' guidance, as well as the influence of their educators, some began to question whether their indoctrination was entirely accurate. They gradually came to realize that Hades held a strong bias against the Middleman, which clashed with the information they uncovered on the supernatural internet. Nonetheless, many continued down their chosen path, unconcerned with the discrepancies, as they had long been deeply ensnared by the process of brainwashing.

There were only a few exceptions to this rule, as some individuals received unique treatments, distinct forms of instruction, or, in Liphina's case, entered the world with minimal education before being thrust into it.

"That's... just wrong, you know?" remarked Aoife, her disbelief evident. "Have you not seen the supernatural internet?" she inquired, genuinely surprised.

Liphina, however, responded, "I have, but due to what Hades-sama has told me, I'm uncertain about what to believe anymore."

Their swords collided once more, the clashing of metal filling the air, before they both separated. As Aoife landed, she paused in contemplation, then turned her gaze back to Liphina and posed a question, "Will you trust me?"

Liphina hesitated for a moment before replying, "...We've only just met. Why should I trust you?"

Aoife raised her sword and called out, "Point taken, but how about this then?" From her ring, she produced an item and held it out to Liphina. "If either of us lies when I activate this, we'll both face dire consequences. It will only deactivate when one of us dies."

Liphina seemed perplexed and inquired, "You're risking your life for an enemy? Most people would see that as foolish, you realize, right?"

With her persistent smile, Aoife replied, "I couldn't care less about what others think! I'm living life on my own terms, and I'm happy! But what about them? They're trapped in a ceaseless cycle, repeating the same things day after day, living in misery. Yet, they resort to mean words to feel better about themselves. To be honest, I feel quite sorry for them."

"How about it, Liphina?" Aoife asked with a warm smile, sheathing her sword and extending her free hand toward the Super Devil, a gesture of peace and camaraderie.

Similar to Balberith, Liphina had stumbled upon the Oppai Dragon show while conducting research about the Middleman and his altruistic actions. She had been curious to verify the accuracy of Hades' claims about the Middleman's work, which had led her to uncover conflicting information. As a result, her initial animosity towards the Middleman had significantly waned.

Liphina gazed at Aoife's outstretched hand for a full minute, a sense of contemplation in her eyes. Eventually, she sheathed her own sword, signaling her acceptance of the offered hand of friendship. Aoife, interpreting this as a positive response, approached Liphina with a casual grace, though Liphina still appeared somewhat reserved and tense. Aoife gently patted Liphina's back to offer reassurance.

"Okay! Let's sit down and talk about ourselves, ask each other a bunch of questions, all right!?" Aoife suggested enthusiastically. Liphina quietly nodded, her demeanor gradually softening as she agreed to engage in a conversation that held the promise of understanding and friendship.

Aoife carefully positioned the device on the ground, activating it to create a small protective barrier around them. Within the confines of this shield, the tumultuous sounds of battles outside became muffled, and the barrier itself assumed an opaque appearance, veiling them from the ongoing chaos.

Aoife turned to Liphina, her eyes reflecting a sense of readiness. "So, shall we begin, or would you like me to take the first move?" she inquired.

Liphina took a brief moment to consider Aoife's question. Finally, she looked at her, curiosity etched across her features, and posed a query of her own. "Why is Jin also called Aaron?"

"That'll take a long time to explain, but if you're okay with that, I'll tell you," Aoife said with a mischievous grin. Liphina, intrigued, nodded in response.

"Oh, before that!" Aoife exclaimed, pressing a small device. A compact, blue, game-like screen materialized before her. Her deft fingers navigated through its settings, making various adjustments, before she dismissed it with a satisfied smile.

Liphina, curiosity piqued, couldn't help but ask, "What did you do?"

Aoife leaned in with a conspiratorial whisper, "Like I mentioned earlier, this story will be quite lengthy. So, I made a little tweak to how time works in this space. Even if we spend an entire day here, only a few seconds will pass in the outside world."

Liphina's eyes widened in amazement at the clever manipulation of time. "That's incredible."

"Anyway," Aoife continued, the faintest blush tinting her cheeks, "Let me begin our story." Her unexpected blush puzzled Liphina, who waited with anticipation for the tale to unfold.

— ○ ● ○ —

Aoife spent a total of eight hours sharing her and Aaron's story with Liphina. By the end of the narrative, for reasons she couldn't quite grasp, tears welled up in Liphina's eyes. She struggled to understand the depth of her emotions, as her limited understanding and life experience left her perplexed by these newfound feelings.

A melancholic smile graced Aoife's face as she continued, "Aaron was a peculiar blend of special and ordinary. He hailed from a family of immense wealth and influence, yet he remained unconcerned with those matters. His heart was set on his friends and his mother. Most individuals raised in the luxurious environment that surrounded Aaron tend to become snobbish and arrogant. However, I believe Miss Róisín played a significant role in keeping him grounded."

She let out a sigh and a chuckle. "But, aside from that, Aaron was, in essence, an ordinary person. He excelled in some subjects, struggled in others, and achieved above-average results in certain areas. He wasn't the compassionate and all-accepting person he became now. He reserved his kindness for a select few."

Aoife scratched her cheek thoughtfully and added, "Maybe... no, Aaron told me that it was because of me, but I never intended for him to change in that way. But perhaps it was for the better? In any case, our paths crossed again by chance, and the same chance brought his mother and her maid, Cindy, back into our lives."

Aoife tenderly patted Liphina's head, her touch akin to soothing a child. "I never intended to make you cry, I'm sorry about that. Well, that's our life story so far. I guess showing you my memories through this magic circle also helped, hehe. But yeah, those are the chapters of our lives. Do you mind sharing yours?"

Liphina nodded and commenced her own narrative. Although it wasn't a lengthy account, it weighed heavily on Aoife's heart. She couldn't bear the mistreatment of Liphina and the other Super Devils, and it deeply saddened her.

At the same time, she couldn't condone some of them for the chaos and malevolence they had unleashed. She understood that these Super Devils were essentially infants left to run wild in their universe, but it was a complex and painful reality to reconcile with.

Suddenly, Aoife rose to her feet and extended her hand toward Liphina, her voice filled with earnestness. "Join our side, Liphina. Now that you know the truth, do you truly wish to bring destruction to this world, this universe, the multiverse? What Hades desires is merely control. Ultimately, you're nothing more than a pawn for him to manipulate. Why do you think he dispatched you shortly after your birth? He doesn't care about your well-being."

"Come, join us, and live the life you desire," Aoife implored, her voice echoing with conviction. "As a devil, you have an extra 10,000 years ahead of you. Don't let this opportunity slip away. Take my hand!" Her plea rang out as she peered down at the Artificial Super Devil.

Liphina hesitated, her hand rising partway but then freezing in mid-air. She grappled with the decision. Both Aoife had shared the intricate details of their lives with her. She hadn't expected their stories to be so extensive and convoluted. In the end, she realized that the "Evil" Middleman wasn't striving for destruction but for peace, even if it was solely within their universe.

"I..." Liphina began, looking back at Aoife. The same warmth and welcoming aura radiated from her.

— ○ ● ○ —

Gressil had lost his temper a while ago, and his fury erupted in a torrent of harsh words. "Fuck you, you stupid fucking whore! You can't even face me head-on, hiding behind your puny ice bitches!" he bellowed.

The target of his rage was none other than the Middleman's formidable [Ice Queen], Lavinia Reni. She had harnessed her Sacred Gear, summoning her icy creations to confront Gressil. As time passed, it became evident that her strategy both infuriated and frustrated the Super Devil. Nonetheless, it proved effective, as Gressil's body bore numerous cuts and bruises.

Lavinia's ice and snow served a dual purpose—not only did they inflict damage, but they also slowed Gressil's movements. This compelled him to endure a barrage of increasingly forceful blows.

The entire alliance had been briefed on Gressil's formidable [Resistance] ability, so Aaron decided to make a strategic adjustment. He modified Lavinia's Sacred Gear, [Tempest Extinction], and granted her access to [Food Chain], providing her with a potent advantage against Gressil in their ongoing clash.

"Your language is quite crude; could you please refrain from using profanities?" Lavinia implored, her brows furrowing as she addressed the Super Devil.

In response, Gressil erupted with anger, shouting, "To hell with you, you bitch! I'll fucking kill you!" He charged at Lavinia once more. In this pseudo-dimension, Lavinia had three of her ice dolls accompanying her, along with Alo and Cyuno, all ready to engage in a fierce battle against Gressil.

Kyu, another one of her potential ice summons, remained ready for deployment, yet Lavinia found no immediate need to call upon her. Lavinia had not previously disclosed, nor demonstrated, that her new Balance Breaker, [Tempest Extinction], included a total of eight potent summons that outclassed her standard ice dolls.

Kyu, Alo, and Cyuno represented merely the first three of these new summons, and there were others concealed within her, each symbolized by one of the small, translucent blue orbs adorning her dress during her Balance Breaker state.

Alo, the nimble ice kitsune, dashed towards Gressil, her fur glistening as she summoned several large crescent ice auras, sending them hurtling toward the Super Devil. Gressil, well aware that his [Resistance] was entirely ineffectual against Lavinia Reni and her icicle creations, sprang into the air, narrowly avoiding the oncoming icy attacks. However, his foot became ensnared in the freezing deluge, causing a significant slowdown in his movements.

Meanwhile, Cyuno, the majestic ice bird, soared high above and released a potent blizzard that pelted Gressil relentlessly. The frigid tempest further impeded his mobility, encasing his legs in ice and dragging him downward. He plummeted back to the ground with a thud. But before the chilling impact, Gressil bore a wicked grin, only to erupt into a swirling puff of smoke.

As Gressil's clone vanished, Lavinia's keen senses alerted her to his presence behind her. She moved swiftly to the side, narrowly evading his lunge.

"What the fuck—" Gressil began, but before he could finish his sentence, a large icy arm materialized from a magic circle on Lavinia's side and delivered a mighty blow to the side of Gressil's head, sending him hurtling away. Simultaneously, Cyuno and Alo unleashed a volley of icicle spears in his direction. Gressil, agile in the midst of chaos, managed to evade the projectiles by contorting his body in mid-air.

"Do not underestimate me; I am skilled in hand-to-hand combat," Lavinia stated calmly as she observed Gressil landing.

"I don't give a shit, you dumb bitch! Fight me on equal terms!" Gressil roared, his anger toward Lavinia unabated.

His [Resistance] had proven entirely futile against her, leaving him in a state of bewilderment. Initially, Gressil had hoped that his [Resistance] trait would adapt gradually to counter Lavinia's abilities, but as their fierce battle raged on, he became increasingly aware that no such adaptation was occurring. His confusion deepened.

A troubling realization settled in Gressil's mind: the Middleman was undoubtedly responsible for this. The mysterious figure had, in some manner, manipulated Lavinia so that her powers circumvented his [Resistance] trait.

This realization further fueled Gressil's exasperation, nurturing a deep-seated grudge against both Aaron and Lavinia. Paradoxically, he recognized his own vulnerability in the face of this powerful enemy.

"It would be wise to surrender now, as it's your only chance of survival," Lavinia stated with a dispassionate tone. "Your comrades are falling one by one, and soon you'll be the last one standing. Some may have even switched sides to save themselves."

Gressil, however, reacted defiantly. "Hah! Surrender and become a coward like them? I'd rather fight to the end, you fucking stupid witch! It's no wonder Glenda was so fond of having you around cause you're so dumb! Your parents were fun punching bags for a while too!" He taunted, laughter accompanying his words.

Lavinia's icy expression grew even colder as she regarded Gressil with simmering resentment. She didn't appreciate him mentioning Glenda's name, and she detested his mockery of her deceased parents. Her summons sensed the change in her demeanor and turned their attention back to her, swiftly returning to her side. This sudden shift bewildered Gressil even further.

Lavinia addressed her summoned beings with gentle firmness. "I'd like to handle this on my own for a bit. Stay here, okay?" They responded with silent nods of understanding. Lavinia then disappeared from their midst and reappeared beside Gressil, delivering an ice-infused punch between his legs.

"Ooooh!?" Gressil emitted a pained shriek as he began to topple forward, desperately attempting to protect his most sensitive region. But Lavinia showed no mercy, executing a palm strike infused with icy energy that struck his chin and chest, sending him hurtling away.

For a brief moment, Gressil succumbed to unconsciousness. He certainly hadn't anticipated that his taunts would culminate in such a brutal response. However, he quickly roused himself, now even more infuriated than before.

"You, you fucking bitch! Stop taking cheap shots! Do you genuinely believe the Middleman would trust you in your relationship when you play so dirty in a battle!? I'd bet you're actively cheating on him! And my guess is, it's probably with Vali Lucifer!" Gressil bellowed, his feet firmly planted on the ground, though his genitalia still throbbed with pain from the earlier attack.

Gressil displayed a mix of intelligence and foolishness. On one hand, he had the astuteness to recognize that Aaron was the one responsible for rendering his [Resistance] trait completely ineffective when it came to Lavinia Reni.

However, on the other hand, he often allowed his own emotions, particularly his unchecked anger, to get the better of him. This led him to make reckless and unintelligent remarks, further exacerbating his predicament.

Much like Sonneillon, if Gressil could only rein in his short temper and refrain from uttering ill-considered words, he would indeed be a formidable and challenging opponent. Regrettably, much like his fellow Super Devil, the odds were stacked against him, and it seemed unlikely that he would survive the day.

Lavinia gracefully extended her foot, causing countless transparent circles to materialize all around Gressil. He found himself utterly bewildered by this strange phenomenon. Each of these ethereal circles emitted a faint, melodic hum. Any attempt by Gressil to move was met with an unexpected and paralyzing chill that seemed to freeze him in his tracks.

He tried to articulate his confusion with a stammered "What," but the simple act of speaking proved equally fruitless, causing him to stand there in utter astonishment.

Lavinia had aptly dubbed this technique [Frosty Symphony]. It had the remarkable ability to detect any form of movement by the intended target and instantly immobilize them. She had honed this power through her [Tempest Extinction].

With measured steps, Lavinia advanced toward Gressil. The Super Devil remained imprisoned, unable to make even the slightest motion without succumbing to the numbing frost. Even the most minute gestures, like moving his eyes or drawing a breath, led to his immediate immobilization.

Lavinia had perfected this technique to such an extent that it could even target vital processes like blood circulation, breathing, and heartbeat, making the slightest physiological activity a trigger for freezing the hapless target in place.

Gressil's thoughts raced with frustration and panic. He found himself immobilized, unable to move, and this dire situation deeply unsettled him. He pondered, 'I can't move! I don't want to die like this! It's so lame! What the hell is wrong with this woman?'

Despite his desperate efforts to struggle and break free, his movements only seemed to exacerbate the freezing effect, rendering him increasingly powerless.

Lavinia, her voice cutting through the frozen stillness, addressed the Super Devil with icy indifference. "Making statements like that is unacceptable, Gressil. There are boundaries you should not cross."

With a pointed gesture, her finger emitted a brief glow, summoning a small orb of light from Gressil, which floated toward her. Gressil, his mind racing, felt an overwhelming sense of emptiness. He couldn't fathom what Lavinia had done to him.

A strained smile graced Lavinia's face as she murmured, "So, this is your [Resistance]. I'll make use of it and bestow it upon one of my babies."

Gressil, now comprehending the reason behind his strange emptiness, was overcome by anger. However, his outburst was short-lived as he found himself immobilized once again. Frustration welled up within him, and after a minute of relentless attempts to speak, he managed to string together a simple yet audacious sentence.

"You fucking bitch! I'll kill you! And once I do, I'll bring you back to life just to kill you again! I'll revive your parents, only to kill them again in front of you, over and over!" These words, spoken in defiance and anger, were all Gressil could manage to articulate after repeated bouts of being frozen.

Lavinia, with a heavy sigh, shook her head in response. "Attempting to reason with you appears to be impossible. I can't entirely blame you, given your time under Hades and the Khaos Order's command," she empathetically conveyed to Gressil before turning her attention to her side. "Shye-chan, can you come out?"

The last orb on Lavinia's Balance Breaker attire shimmered as the space adjacent to her congealed and twisted before ultimately shattering. Emerging from the fragmented distortion was a woman who now stood beside Lavinia.

Shye possessed an ethereal beauty, her skin a delicate shade of almost porcelain white. Her most striking features were her pale blue eyes, framed by long, cascading white locks that reached all the way to her ankles. Elfin ears adorned her head, and on either side, azure horns with intricate cloud-like patterns added a touch of mystique. To complete her enchanting appearance, she adorned her hair with dainty white flowers, enhancing her ethereal charm.

Her attire was a work of art, mostly a one-piece dress in a rich shade of dark blue. Near the hem of the skirt, golden diamond patterns shimmered, adding an element of opulence. Hints of white were interwoven throughout, creating a harmonious contrast that made the dress truly stand out.

Draped behind her was a grand, billowing white scarf, its fluffy texture mirroring the softness of clouds. Adorning her delicate hands were gloves, a marriage of white and blue, harmonizing perfectly with her overall ensemble.

"Mama," whispered Shye. She, along with three other humanoid-like ice summons, and a dragon other than Kyu, had the unique ability to converse with Lavinia in human speech.

Lavinia responded with a warm smile as she gently patted Shye's head. Shye was her most powerful summon, boasting remarkable abilities. Though Lavinia had no intention of pushing her to the limits at this moment, she had something intriguing in mind.

"How long do you think you can do 'that' for?" Lavinia inquired, her gaze shifting towards the frozen figure of Gressil.

Shye shifted her attention to Gressil, her eyes fixed on him as she replied, "He's weak, so... probably just a few seconds."

Lavinia continued to stroke Shye's head affectionately. "Shye-chan is such a good girl. Please go ahead."

In response, Shye blushed at the display of warmth but resolved to carry out the task. She focused her gaze on Gressil and extended her hand toward him. She stood there, seemingly lost in her contemplation of the Super Devil, leaving him bewildered. Although it appeared as if nothing was transpiring, Shye was actually in the process of assimilating every aspect of "Gressil."

His name, strengths, weaknesses, personality—everything about him was being absorbed, with Shye discarding any elements that could prove disadvantageous, modifying, or even evolving those attributes. Once she had completed this intricate process, she would incorporate these traits into herself, enhancing her own strength in the process.

The time it took to perform this task hinged on Lavinia's total power and the strength of her opponent. If her opponent's power was on par with Lavinia's, the process would be more time-consuming. However, if her opponent was weaker, Shye could accomplish it nearly instantaneously, or within just a few seconds.

In Gressil's case…

"I'm done, Mama," Shye whispered.

"Good girl," Lavinia praised her summon. "Oh, and here, you can have this too." Lavinia extended a small sphere containing Gressil's [Resistance] trait.

Shye nodded in agreement and accepted the ball, which swiftly merged with her. With a quick process, she transformed and enhanced it, making it faster and more efficient. When she finished, Shye nodded to Lavinia, who acknowledged her efforts.

"Now that we're finished... we can dispose of him. Aaron has no use for him, and his unruly nature isn't welcome in the alliance. They did consider 'changing' him, similar to what Aaron did with Avezza and Satanael, but he no longer holds value after I took his trait. You have the green light to eliminate him," Lavinia declared with a cold, unwavering tone.

Lavinia hadn't forgotten Gressil's earlier threats, which had targeted her and her deceased parents. Ordinarily, Lavinia held a strong aversion to taking lives, a sentiment reserved for humans and select supernatural beings. However, in Gressil's case, there was no room for moral ambiguity.

He harbored a deep-seated hatred for humans and demonstrated a complete disregard for anyone but himself. As he gained victories in the tournament, his ego swelled, deluding him into thinking he rivaled Verrine, Balberith, Ajuka, and Sirzechs. In reality, he only marginally surpassed Rizevim in specific areas, making him even more reprehensible than the latter in others.

"Okay," Shye muttered. She raised her hand in a diagonal motion and released a swift, pale blue slash aimed at Gressil. The attack struck its target, cleaving the Super Devil in two and swiftly terminating his existence.

Lavinia directed her palm toward the dismembered remnants of Gressil's body and conjured a medium-sized fireball. The searing flames devoured any traces of the Super Devil, reducing him to naught but ashes. With that, the majority of the battles within the pseudo-space reached their conclusion, leaving only two engagements unresolved.

The sole contenders left within the pseudo-space were Tartarus, who now faced Aaron. Meanwhile, Chernobog stood as the other last remaining challenge, engaging in a formidable duel against another team who had bravely taken on the task of confronting him.

— ○ ● ○ —

"I didn't expect you to show up in person, Zorya. My organization informed me that you were engaged in a battle against Ciriatto, the [Malebranche]," Chernobog expressed, his surprise genuine.

Zorya, accompanied by a select few, stood face to face with Chernobog. In their quest to confront a god of chaos and darkness, they had strategically assembled a team of individuals with abilities capable of countering such formidable powers. Alongside Zorya were Griselda, Lint, and Iztia, each chosen for their unique strengths.

Initially, Dulio and the other [Brave Saints] were scheduled to join them in this endeavor. However, circumstances had led to their deployment to safeguard Heaven, a precaution taken to ensure they were not targeted. This precaution extended to other pantheons and factions around the world, all taking measures to protect their interests.

"Perun wants you back, and I'll retrieve you, even if it means enduring your cries and screams as I drag you," Zorya retorted, leveling her gun at her fellow god.

Chernobog's laughter barely had time to echo when a new god materialized, striking him forcefully with a fist. He struggled to block the powerful blow, getting blown away in the process.

Zorya mumbled in surprise, "Y-you're...! When did you...get here?"

The one who appeared was another deity from the Slavic pantheon, the polar opposite of Chernobog—Belobog, the God of Light. He floated there, sporting a gentle smile and even a playful wink.

"Hello, everyone," he chimed in, exuding an air of geniality. "I've come to retrieve this troublemaker with us."

"Wow, I didn't expect to have two gods fighting alongside us today... well, not counting Jin-paisen," Lint remarked with a chuckle.

Behind them all, Iztia maintained her distance, a silent observer of the unfolding events. She had struck a pact with them, pledging to only intervene should circumstances spiral out of control. However, she harbored trust in their collective power, believing it was more than sufficient to overcome Chernobog. While the full extent of his abilities remained shrouded in mystery, her confidence in her companions ran deep.

"Little Jin was the one who brought me here," Belobog chimed in with a joyful sing-song tone. "As soon as I heard that Cherry (Chernobog) was here, I readily agreed. Let's join forces, Zorry (Zorya)."

Their conversation came to an abrupt halt as a burst of darkness engulfed the surroundings, causing them to turn their attention towards the source. Emerging from the dissipating darkness, Chernobog stood, dusting himself off, and promptly adjusted his glasses with a wry smile.

"Belobog, it's been quite some time, hasn't it? I trust you're in good health?" He chuckled, his tone hinting at his discomfort with the nickname. "But let's not dwell on that. It's time to commence our confrontation, wouldn't you agree?" He flashed a confident smile at them.

With a snap of his fingers, shadowy figures materialized around them, their dark blue eyes gleaming with an eerie light. Towering menacingly behind Chernobog, an enormous entity, reminiscent of a giant troll, loomed.

Iztia, who had been standing apart from the group, summoned her battle axe and couldn't help but grin. "It seems I won't be staying on the sidelines this time," she muttered with excitement, her anticipation growing as she readied herself to join the battle.

"Zorya and I will handle Chernobog. Miss Griselda, I entrust the troll to your care, and may I assign the smaller foes to you, Miss Iztia and Miss Lint?" inquired Belobog.

Iztia gave the man a thumbs up before she leaped away, wielding her battle axe to slam down and dispatch a large group of the shadowy figures. Yet, their persistence was clear as they rapidly reformed, thanks to Chernobog's continuous creation.

"Yes, sir!" Lint exclaimed, offering a salute to the god. She promptly armed herself with her sword and gun, enveloping them in purplish holy flames through her [Incinerate Anthem], joining Iztia in combating the shadowy creatures that surrounded them.

With a bow to Belobog, Griselda replied, "You can count on me, Belobog-sama." A warm smile crossed Belobog's face, and he and Zorya vanished before reappearing in front of Chernobog, who seemed poised for battle. The trio engaged in their encounter after teleporting further away.

However, as they left the area, even larger creatures comprised of darkness and shadows manifested all around them.

"Uwa!? Why are there more!?" Lint exclaimed in surprise.

"Who cares! We get to kill more of them!" Iztia responded with enthusiasm.

Lint, however, couldn't hold herself back, exclaiming, "I'm not a battle maniac like you, Iztia-paisen!" as she continued to eliminate the shadowy creatures.

Returning to Griselda, she pivoted to confront the colossal troll constructed from darkness and shadows. With a graceful motion, she invoked an arrow crafted from pure light, drawing it taut against her bowstring before loosing it. The luminescent projectile sped forth, unerringly impaling the giant troll's shadowy head and triggering a violent detonation that obliterated her immediate opponent.

Griselda, believing the threat had been vanquished, was taken aback when, to her astonishment, not one but two colossal shadow trolls materialized before her. These newly emerged foes loomed even larger than their predecessor, casting ominous silhouettes that seemed to fill the entire space.

"...Interesting. Should I target their 'core,' then?" she pondered aloud, her voice tinged with resolve. With a graceful leap, Griselda soared backward into the sky, unfurling her celestial wings to gain a strategic advantage over the formidable, twin adversaries that now confronted her.

Griselda unleashed a volley of radiant arrows, directing her attack towards the pair of shadowy trolls. Her skillful aim quickly dispatched them. Yet, despite her efforts, an unsettling occurrence repeated itself: the two shadowy trolls transformed into three, growing even larger in stature.

A hint of frustration colored her expression as she murmured to herself, "It appears that I must aim for their 'core' to achieve a permanent victory—or perhaps, I must await the moment when Zorya-sama and Belobog-sama defeat Chernobog-sama for these resilient trolls to be defeated for good." She floated gracefully above her adversaries, contemplating her next move, determined to put an end to the relentless cycle.

— ○ ● ○ —

With the three gods, Zorya and Belobog stood side by side, their eyes fixed upon Chernobog, who appeared oddly content, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

Before proceeding, Belobog voiced the question that weighed on their minds. "Cherry, would you mind shedding light on your motives for all this? You appeared satisfied with the way things were before your sudden disappearance."

Chernobog nodded and began to explain, "You're right, Belobog. I was content with our world as it was. However, after Hades' group approached me and outlined how the Sacred Gears were impacting our universe, I couldn't help but start pondering many things. Initially, I was skeptical, but I delved into my own research and eventually made my decision."

He continued, "I must clarify that I do not advocate the destruction of Heaven's Sacred Gear system, nor do I endorse harm to Team [DxD] or Jin. In fact, I'm inclined to sit down with other leaders and seek a compromise. However..."

Chernobog's expression darkened, and he locked eyes with the two gods before him. "As the tournament unfolded, with humans and hybrids evolving their Sacred Gears and even achieving Balance Breakers, my concerns deepened. Sacred Gears possess the potential to threaten gods and deities alike. Balance Breakers, as the name implies, unshackle the full potential of these Sacred Gears and disrupt the world's equilibrium. If we allow this to persist... What fate awaits our world?" he questioned, his brows furrowed.

He concluded, his voice tinged with earnestness, "I didn't join Hades' group for world domination or to take lives, but I couldn't discern an alternative solution given my limited influence. I understand that Perun and many others are angry with me, but I implore you to consider my perspective."

"...Perun expected you to say that, as did the other leaders of the Alliance of DxD," Zorya explained, "They acknowledge your concerns, but they deem them unwarranted. Jin has already stabilized both systems in Heaven. Furthermore, he's altering the very concept of 'balance' within our universe, ensuring it remains intact."

Chernobog, taken aback by this revelation, shook his head. "Then I'll reserve my judgment until I witness it firsthand in the future. But for now..." Darkness enveloped his form as he cast a confident smile at Zorya and Belobog. "How long has it been since we last sparred, Belobog?"

"Far too long. But this time, our duel has a purpose—to bring you back. So, I won't be holding back," Belobog declared as a divine light surrounded him. Zorya too shrouded herself in a radiant aura.

"I emerged victorious in our last encounter. What makes you think this time will be any different?" Chernobog challenged.

Belobog's reply was swift and powerful, as even more divine energy surged from his being, catching Chernobog by surprise. It was only when Chernobog spotted a small dragon tattoo on Belobog's arm that he couldn't help but chuckle incredulously.

Chernobog's voice held an unwavering determination as he acknowledged the odds stacked against him. "I see... Well, I may be headed for defeat, but I won't back down!" His resolute words resonated in the air, a declaration of his unyielding spirit.

With those words as the backdrop, the two gods, Chernobog and Belobog, cast aside any hesitation and charged towards one another.

— ○ ● ○ —