[Kiba's Perspective]
I was just about to head back to the main floor after checking on the others when I spotted a familiar figure passing by in the hallway.
"Saji-kun," I called out.
It was indeed Saji.
He raised a hand in greeting as I approached. "Yo, Kiba."
"What brings you here?" I asked.
Saji let out a heavy sigh. "The President came to check on Rias-senpai and discuss what's next. I'm just tagging along. Ran into some folks from the Phoenix clan out front, too."
"I see. Thanks for letting me know."
So, President Sona came to see how Rias is holding up.
We walked together toward the main floor. As we did, Saji's gaze hardened with resolve. "Kiba, I'm joining this fight. I'm going to protect the civilians in the city."
My breath caught.
The Sitri clan is rising to meet the Underworld's crisis.
The most capable young fighters have been summoned. Naturally, the Baal and Agares clans will be there, too. It's no surprise the Sitri clan would step up as well. Our Gremory clan has been called to action, too.
"We'll join you," I said.
"Yeah…" Saji hesitated, concern flickering in his eyes. "But… are you guys okay?"
Okay, huh?
To be honest, our minds are consumed with worry for Issei-kun, who still hasn't returned. If I could, I'd rush to his rescue right now.
But…
I exhaled deeply before answering. "We'll fight. Issei entrusted us with protecting the Underworld… the children… We have to step up in his absence. We'll stand on the front lines."
I laid bare the emotions weighing on me—no, on all of us in the Gremory clan.
Saji broke into a wide grin and nodded firmly. "Knew you'd say that. Just… don't push yourself too hard, alright?"
His smile faded as he let out a heavy breath. "You know… I've always looked up to Hyoudou."
"To Issei-kun?" I asked, surprised.
He nodded. "He's a total perv most of the time, but the real Hyoudou? He's got more heart than anyone. Always the first to charge into battle, stronger than anyone, and sharp as a tack when it counts. At first… I was jealous. We became devils around the same time, so why was there such a gap between us?"
I understood. Issei and Saji were reborn as devils at nearly the same moment. Back then, we didn't know much about Issei's past. It's only natural Saji might've felt envious or inferior.
"When I heard about his past, I was floored," Saji continued. "Not just what he'd been through, but… I realized I hadn't truly understood what drove him to fight. I never even considered what he felt when he gained that power. I hated myself for not seeing it sooner."
"Saji… you—"
He cut me off with a raised hand. "Hold up, that's not how I feel anymore. I figured out a long time ago that clinging to that wouldn't let me catch up to him. So, I made him my goal. I'm nowhere near him yet, but one day, I'll stand shoulder to shoulder with him. That's why I'm throwing everything into this fight. With him gone, I'll protect the civilians—no matter what it takes, even if it costs me my life."
His clenched fist and steely eyes burned with determination.
"That's a fine resolve, Saji," a voice called out. "With that spirit, you'll only grow stronger."
We turned to see President Sona standing there.
"President," I said.
"But," she added sternly, "I won't allow you to throw your life away. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Saji replied with a sharp nod.
Her gaze shifted to me. "We'll take our leave now. Serafall Leviathan has tasked us with defending the capital, Lilith, and aiding in civilian evacuations."
With the strongest high-class devils deployed to intercept the giant beasts, the government is relying on promising young fighters for defense and evacuation efforts.
The evacuation of Gremory territory is nearly complete, so our clan will likely head to areas hit harder by the crisis.
"Did you see Rias?" I asked.
"I peeked into her room earlier. She was crying in her sleep. She must've pushed herself too far. Even shaking her didn't wake her."
"She hasn't slept in two days, working non-stop to handle this crisis."
"It's not just physical exhaustion," Sona said softly. "The strain of worrying about Issei-kun has taken its toll. Let her rest a bit longer."
"Of course."
Sona turned to leave but paused, as if remembering something. She glanced back with a faint smile. "Oh, and someone else is here to see you all."
With that, she led Saji away.
Back on the main floor, the television was broadcasting live footage from the capital. Images of children flashed across the screen.
A reporter approached one of them. "Aren't you scared?"
The child grinned brightly. "Nope! 'Cause Oppai Dragon's gonna beat those monsters!"
My heart skipped a beat.
The child clutched a doll modeled after "Oppai Dragon," beaming with confidence.
More children appeared, their voices brimming with excitement.
"Yeah! Oppai Dragon's gonna take 'em down!"
"Oppai Dragon!"
Not a single child looked afraid. They believed, with unshakable faith, that Oppai Dragon would save them.
"Come quick, Oppai Dragon!"
Issei-kun, can you hear them?
Their voices are calling for you. They're waiting, not a trace of fear in their eyes.
If you can hear this… please, show them your face!
"The kids of the Underworld are stronger than we give them credit for," a voice said beside me.
I turned, startled. "You!"
Sairaorg Baal stood there, his presence commanding. "It seems Issei Hyoudou has inspired something immense in these children. It's been a while, Yuto Kiba. I came to see Rias."
So, he was the one Sona mentioned. Given the timing, he must know about the situation.
"Rias is—"
Before I could explain, a familiar voice cut through.
"Yuto, there you are."
I spun around. It was Rias—our leader—who was supposed to be resting. Tear stains lingered on her face, but her expression was resolute.
"Are you alright now?" I asked.
"Yes. A short rest was enough. I'm sorry for worrying you all at a time like this." She noticed Sairaorg. "Sairaorg, you're here too."
"I heard about Issei Hyoudou," he said. "I came to check on you, but… it seems my concern was unnecessary."
Issei is the pillar of our Gremory clan. Most of us rely on him, whether we admit it or not. His absence—his uncertain fate—has left us shaken.
Sairaorg must've known that. He came because he cared.
Rias gave a wry smile and shook her head. "Thank you, Sairaorg. But I'm fine. Issei will come back alive. I can't call myself his master if I don't believe in him. If I do nothing now, I'd be trampling on the resolve he carried into that void alone. I won't let that happen."
Sairaorg's eyes gleamed with approval. "It seems I underestimated you. You've grown stronger than I realized. Has that man… claimed you yet?"
Rias's lips quirked. "Not yet, unfortunately. But one day, I will—without fail. To make sure he's never disappointed in me, I'm heading to the battlefield. To protect what Issei entrusted to us."
"It's not just Rias," another voice chimed in. "We're going too."
Akeno-san, Koneko-chan, Ravel-san, and Asia-san stepped forward. Asia had been bedridden from overusing her powers—had she recovered already?
"Akeno, Koneko, Ravel," Rias said. "Asia, are you feeling better?"
"Yes," Asia replied. "Everyone took care of me, so my fever's gone."
"That's a relief," Rias said. She turned to Sairaorg. "So, there you have it. We're joining the fight."
Sairaorg's grin widened as he surveyed us. "That's the spirit. That's what I'd expect from Issei's comrades. I'll head to the battlefield first. Don't keep me waiting, Rias—and all of you Gremory clan."
As Sairaorg departed, Rias scanned the group and frowned. "By the way, where are Miu and Alice? I don't see them…"
She was right. Now that she mentioned it, they were nowhere to be found. Zenovia and Irina are in Heaven, Gasper and Rossweisse are training at Grigori and in the Norse realms, and Reina followed Azazel somewhere. Miu and Alice should be here in the castle, but… where are they?
A voice blared from the television. "Look at this! The swarm of smaller monsters attacking the city can't advance past that point! What's happening?!"
We turned to the screen. It showed one of the Underworld's major cities. A horde of monsters spawned by the "Beast King" was poised to invade.
But at the forefront, the monsters were halted, as if blocked by an invisible wall.
Then, a blinding white flash and countless beams of light erupted. The monster horde was obliterated in an instant. Underworld soldiers nearby stood dumbfounded, and who could blame them? They'd been struggling against those creatures just moments ago.
"No way…" Rias murmured.
That sight was unmistakable.
As the smoke cleared, three women appeared on the screen.
"That should hold them for now, right?" one said.
"But we need to deal with the big one, or this won't end," another added.
"True. We have to stop it somehow."
Alice, Tiamat, and Miu were already on the battlefield.
They were supposed to be resting here, just like Rias…
"We're going too," Rias declared. "We follow them."
"Yes, ma'am!" we shouted in unison.
We rushed from the castle to join the fight.
[Kiba's Perspective: End]
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