[Kiba Side]
Two days after the promotion exam, around noon.
We, the Gremory Familia, were in a corner of Gremory Castle. Servants and Gremory soldiers bustled about urgently.
The Underworld faced a crisis. Shalba Beelzebub, a leader of the Old Demon King Faction, unleashed a horde of colossal monsters via Annihilation Maker. These beasts marched on key locations and cities.
A large TV in the room broadcasted the Underworld's top news: "Look! The sudden appearance of giant monsters advances relentlessly toward urban areas!"
Reporters, aboard magic-powered aircraft, nervously covered the scene.
Twelve massive Annihilation Maker monsters, each over 100 meters tall, roamed the Underworld. Some were humanoid giants, others quadrupedal beasts, each unique—chimera-like with aquatic heads, single eyes, or extra limbs. They moved slowly but steadily, reaching cities by today or tomorrow.
Worse, these monsters spawned smaller human-sized ones—dozens to hundreds at a time—devastating forests, mountains, and wildlife. No human casualties yet, but towns and villages in their path were obliterated.
The largest, heading for the capital Lilith, was dubbed Super Beast Jabberwock by Azazel, named after Lewis Carroll's creations. The other eleven were Mighty Beast Bandersnatch.
On TV, Underworld warriors attacked a Mighty Beast. Top-tier devils and their Familia unleashed a barrage of magic, enough to annihilate normal monsters.
But—
"The top-tier devil team's attacks have no effect!" the reporter exclaimed.
The beasts took surface damage but no fatal wounds. Even Rating Game top-rankers couldn't stop them, proving their durability.
Fallen angels, Heaven's Angels, Valhalla's Valkyries, and Greek warriors aided the devils, averting the worst—for now. Time was running out.
Another issue: last night, Rating Game champion Diehauser Belial and his team damaged Super Beast Jabberwock but only slowed it. The beast regenerated and resumed its march, shocking the Underworld. If even the Emperor couldn't stop it, public anxiety soared.
Worse still, the Old Demon King Faction exploited the chaos, staging coups across cities. Forced devil-reincarnated Sacred Gear users rebelled, their Balance Breakers erupting everywhere—Azazel would call it a "Balance Breaker bargain sale."
We had to stop the monsters while watching for Hades and the Hero Faction.
The Underworld was in grave danger.
"The Demon Kings' Familia are deploying against Super Beast and Mighty Beasts," a voice said.
I turned to see Raiser Phoenix.
Lost in thought and the TV, I hadn't noticed him. "I'm here with my brother, checking on Rias and Ravel," Raiser said gravely. "He hasn't returned?"
He meant Ise. To save Ophis from Shalba in that fake space, Ise stayed behind. Two days later, there's no sign of him—no contact, no response to summons.
Ise losing to Shalba is unthinkable, and with Ignis, escaping the dimensional gap should be easy. Yet, no return or communication suggests an unexpected issue.
He can't be dead. But we, who crossed to another world, once experienced his death. Dark thoughts lingered.
I shook them off. "Have you seen Buchou?"
Raiser nodded. "Yeah, her sleeping face. She hasn't slept properly, right?"
After escaping, we acted fast—evacuating Gremory territory residents, fighting spawned monsters, and Rias issuing orders. No rest since the fake space. Her father, the Gremory head, ordered her to sleep. She's in her room, exhausted physically and mentally, worrying about Ise.
The others were told to rest, worn out from relentless battles.
"Ravel, I get it, but ruining your health helps no one. Phoenix territory is handled," a man said, appearing with Ravel.
I recognized him from TV—Ruval Phoenix, Raiser's brother and next Phoenix head. Handsome, aristocratic, graceful, a top-ten Rating Game player, rumored for promotion to top-tier devil.
Ruval approached, handing me vials. "For you. I came to check on Rias and Ravel. Sorry, we could only spare these tears in this crisis. I'm taking my foolish brother to fight the beasts soon."
"Foolish, huh?" Raiser muttered.
The Phoenix brothers joining the front was reassuring, their immortality a strong asset.
I took the tears. We had to fight too. Resting while Ise might be battling? Unacceptable.
"I've heard about the Red Dragon Emperor. Seeing Ravel and Rias's Familia, I know your worry," Ruval said, reading my urgency. "But rushing is dangerous. It risks what you're protecting. Understand?"
"Yes…" He was right.
"Asia-senpai, you okay?" Koneko asked Asia, resting on a guest room sofa, visibly exhausted.
Asia had spent two days healing evacuees, riot victims, and soldiers. With Phoenix tears scarce, her Sacred Gear was in demand. "Ise-san's fighting, so I must too," she'd said, overusing her power. Now, she had a fever.
"Sorry, collapsing like this…" Asia murmured.
"You've done enough," Koneko said. "Any more, and…"
"But Ise-san's still…" Asia trailed off.
Koneko faltered. She felt the same.
Ruval smiled, patting my shoulder. "You've been relentless these two days. Don't ruin yourselves—you're the future. We don't want to lose you."
He glanced at Ravel, tending to Asia with Koneko. "Can you watch Ravel? She's made friends—Koneko and Gasper, right? She talks about them happily over communication circles."
Ravel had shared her Kuoh Academy life with her family, including Ise. The Phoenixes likely wanted her to join his Familia, a plan for after this crisis.
"Got it. We'll look after Ravel. Thank you," I bowed, calmed by his words.
"Good. Let's go, Raiser. Show the Underworld the Phoenix's fiery wings, or it's back to Tannin's mountain!" Ruval said.
"Spare me, brother," Raiser grinned. "Kiba Yuuto, we won't let the youngsters steal the show!"
They left.
[Kiba Side Out]
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