[Miu's Perspective]

"Ugh… that giant thing's spawning more of those little monsters…" Alice muttered, her face twitching as she stared at the towering Beast King in the distance.

We'd just taken out the swarm of smaller monsters trying to invade the city, but… it's clear now. Unless we bring down the source, this won't end.

The monsters that appeared in Gremory territory were handled with Rias-san and the others' help, and most of the civilians have been evacuated. But the Old Demon King faction and rogue Sacred Gear wielders are still causing chaos. Rias-san's father told us, "Leave it to me and the soldiers. Rest for now."

It's true—the fighting hasn't stopped since that battle in the dimensional rift. Everyone's exhausted. Asia-san pushed herself so hard after returning to the Underworld that she came down with a fever. The others were barely holding up, too, so maybe being forced to rest isn't such a bad thing.

"Should we… wait for Rias-san and the others to recover?" I said hesitantly. "It'd be a lot easier with everyone here…"

"We can't afford to wait," Tiamat cut in sharply. "In a crisis like this, those who can fight have to act."

It was actually my idea to call Tiamat. Alice and I still had some strength left, but we're not familiar with the Underworld's layout. That's why we brought in Tiamat, who knows this place inside and out.

"We can't let these things advance any further," Tiamat said. "Miu, can you keep the barrier up?"

"Yeah, I'm fine for now," I replied. "But… just holding them back like this isn't going to cut it, is it?"

Our strategy is simple: I use magic to create a wall that blocks the monsters' advance into the city. While they're stalled, Tiamat and Alice attack, wiping them out in one go. It's worked so far, but…

Tiamat rested her hand on her chin, deep in thought. "Physical resistance, magical resistance, and that regeneration ability… The smaller monsters it spawns are one thing, but that Beast King is a real problem. A single, overwhelming strike could obliterate it, but there are still civilians evacuating nearby."

Alice groaned. "That Shalba guy really screwed us over! These things are worse than Rossweisse's familiars! Ugh, maybe I should've stayed behind and punched him myself!" Her frustration crackled in the air, lightning sparking wildly around her.

Shalba Beelzebub… the mastermind behind this chaos, a descendant of the Old Demon King faction.

And to stop him…

"Are you scared?" Tiamat asked suddenly.

"Huh?" I blinked, caught off guard.

"You're worried about Issei, aren't you? Well, you're not the only one."

I nodded faintly. "…Yeah."

It's been two days since Onii-chan stayed behind in that dimensional rift. No word from him, no response to our attempts to reach out. I know he can't lose. But…

"You saw him die once," Tiamat said softly. "I was unconscious then, so I didn't witness it. But you… all of you… that moment must be seared into your minds. The fear that it could happen again—it's there, isn't it?"

I couldn't deny it. The image of Onii-chan being pierced through haunts me. Sometimes, just thinking about it makes my body tremble. It was that devastating.

Tiamat placed a hand on my shoulder, exhaling. "Don't push yourself too hard. If you want to search the dimensional rift, I can pull some strings—"

"I'm okay, Tiamat," I interrupted, my voice firm. Her kindness warmed my heart, and part of me does want to run to Onii-chan right now. But I don't need to. "When we parted in that rift, we made a promise. He said he'd come back. So I'll wait for him."

A smile tugged at my lips, and Alice chimed in. "Exactly! Though when he does come back, he's getting a piece of my mind for worrying us. And if he thinks he can die and break our promise? No way I'm letting that slide."

"Promise?" Tiamat raised an eyebrow, then grinned. "Oh, I see."

Had Onii-chan told her about it?

"Issei consulted me about it," Tiamat explained, nodding as if piecing it together. "When Sirzechs brought up his promotion, I was a bit shocked. I didn't expect an opportunity to grant your wishes so soon."

"Consulted you?" I asked. "About what?"

"Issei's promotion to high-class devil. If he passes, he'll be able to form his own retinue. Apparently, you two asked to join it. He came to me to discuss which pieces would suit you best. He's already got a rough plan."

"Really?" Alice's eyes lit up. "What's the plan?"

Tiamat chuckled, pressing a finger to her lips with a mischievous smirk. "That's a secret for now. If you want to know, ask your future master directly. Now, enough chit-chat. Time to stop that big guy."

ROOOOAAARRR!

The Beast King unleashed a beam from its eyes, targeting devils flying overhead. A blast that powerful could be fatal, even to non-devils. We had to act fast.

But its unique traits make our attacks less effective.

If that's the case…

"Even if we can't damage it, we can stop it from moving forward," Tiamat said. "Pin it down."

"Right," I agreed.

"Agreed," Alice added. "Let's clear the way."

Alice spun her spear and drove it into the ground.

CRACKLE! ZZZZZZZT!

A surge of electricity erupted, frying the swarm of monsters clogging the path. When the light faded, only charred remains were left.

"All clear," Alice said. "Your turn, Miu-chan."

"I'm ready," I replied, pressing my palm to the ground and chanting a spell.

A massive, glowing blue magic circle appeared beneath the Beast King. Four translucent walls rose around it, shimmering like crystal.

It's not a true sealing barrier, just a containment to hold it in place. The Beast King and its spawned monsters can't cross those walls.

"Four-Wall Binding Array," I said. "It'll keep the Beast King trapped, along with any smaller monsters it creates. But it takes a lot of focus, so I'll need to stay on this."

"That's enough," Tiamat said, glancing back. "Looks like reinforcements have arrived."

A teleportation circle flared behind us, its pattern unmistakable.

"Miu, Alice, Tiamat," a voice called. "Sorry we're late. We're joining the fight."

It was Rias—and our dependable allies.

[Miu's Perspective: End]

[Kiba's Perspective]

By the time we arrived, the swarm of smaller monsters had already been wiped out. In the distance, the Beast King was encased in what looked like a massive barrier, its movements completely sealed.

"Well… we're a bit late to the party," Rias said, scanning the scene in disbelief.

Not much time had passed since we saw the broadcast and teleported here, yet… what an incredible team.

Tiamat turned to Rias. "How's your condition, Rias Gremory? And you, Asia Argento?"

"I'm fine," Rias replied.

"So am I," Asia added. "I'm fighting with everyone!"

"Good," Tiamat said. "Then I've got a job for you. The Old Demon King faction is stirring up trouble in the city."

So they're causing havoc here, too…

That means our task is clear.

"We three will handle the big one," Tiamat continued. "We'll leave the city to you."

Rias nodded firmly. "Understood. Be careful, all three of you. Everyone, our mission is to take down the Old Demon King faction and ensure civilian evacuation and rescue. Got it?"

"Yes, ma'am!" we shouted.

Some time passed after we entered the city. The Old Demon King faction's remnants were rampant, wreaking havoc.

"There's a Gremory!" one shouted, lunging at me.

I cut them down without hesitation. I'd already felled over twenty, but their numbers showed no sign of thinning.

How did so many of them stay hidden?

And more importantly, how did they orchestrate a riot this massive? The ones I've fought so far weren't exactly elite. This is one of the Underworld's major cities, with plenty of soldiers stationed here. Are they all tied up with the Super Beast or Beast King? Or caught up in a flood of rogue Sacred Gear wielders' Balance Breakers?

Either way, we need to capture or eliminate them quickly, or this will spiral out of control.

As I pondered this, a familiar figure appeared before me—a white-haired man with multiple swords strapped to his waist.

"You…" I muttered.

He turned, noticing me. "Well, Yuto Kiba. You're here too."

"Siegfried… why are you here?"

Siegfried exhaled and shook his head. "I proposed an alliance to Demon King Ajuka Beelzebub, but he turned me down. I'm just on my way back."

"What!?" I couldn't hide my shock.

Proposing an alliance to a Demon King in this situation!?

The Hero Faction isn't stupid. They must've believed Ajuka Beelzebub might entertain the idea…

As if reading my thoughts, Siegfried began to explain. "Ajuka Beelzebub is one of the current Four Great Demon Kings, yet he holds ideals distinct from Sirzechs Lucifer and wields unique authority. His research and techniques in supernatural abilities are unmatched. A single word from him could rally as many allies as Sirzechs' faction."

I'd heard those rumors. The Demon King government is split into four main factions, with Sirzechs' and Ajuka's being the most influential. While they cooperate to maintain the government, their political views often clash, especially over technological systems, as news reports frequently highlight. To outsiders, they might even seem at odds.

"What drew us to him," Siegfried continued, "was that he's the only demon who can rival Sirzechs Lucifer. Both Sirzechs and Ajuka are 'Transcendents,' so irregular that even the Old Demon King bloodlines despise and fear them. If one of them joined us, we'd have unmatched power."

"But Ajuka Beelzebub refused," I said.

Siegfried gave a wry smile. "He's always thinking about creating something new, so I thought offering our data and research would tempt him. But to him, an alliance with us was something he had to reject."

That makes sense. A Demon King, a pillar of the Underworld, joining forces with terrorists? Unthinkable. Yet Siegfried's tone suggested there was more to it.

"For him, Sirzechs Lucifer is his only true 'friend,'" Siegfried said. "He only became a Demon King because Sirzechs did. I don't fully understand it, but that's what he said."

Ajuka Beelzebub and Sirzechs have been rivals and friends since their youth, I'd heard. A bond that strong must've made rejecting the alliance an easy choice.

But then, why is Siegfried standing here, alive, after being rejected?

"How did you escape unscathed?" I asked.

"The Old Demon King faction members who went with me to see Ajuka… they're probably fighting him now. Or maybe it's already over."

From his tone, it's likely Ajuka defeated them. During the conflicts with the previous Demon King regime, Sirzechs and Ajuka were aces of the anti-Demon King faction, fighting on the front lines. Sirzechs wields devastating annihilation magic, while Ajuka manipulates all phenomena through equations and formulas. The Old Demon King faction stood no chance.

Four dragon-like arms sprouted from Siegfried's back as he drew every demonic sword at his waist.

"Time to get started," he said. "The negotiations failed, so I need to score some results here, or I'll lose face with my subordinates. Being a leader isn't easy."

I gripped my holy-demonic sword, infusing it with dragon-slaying power. I'd already proven in the dimensional rift that my dragon-slaying abilities can affect him. He's stronger than me in raw power, and I've only managed to fight him by exploiting openings. This time, though…

A quick battle is my best shot. Target his dragon-slaying weakness.

As I strategized, Siegfried spoke again. "Even if I win here, fighting you would leave me battered. Your growth is terrifyingly fast."

He reached into his coat and pulled out a pistol-shaped syringe—the same one he nearly used in Kyoto.

"As I showed you briefly in Kyoto, this was perfected with Shalba Beelzebub's help. A doping agent, you could say—for Sacred Gears."

"It enhances Sacred Gear abilities?" I asked.

He nodded. "The Sacred Gears created by the God of the Bible… what happens when you mix them with the blood of a Demon King? That was the research question. It came at a great cost, but we succeeded. The sacred and the demonic fused."

Demon King's blood in a Sacred Gear…! They conducted such a dangerous experiment, even at the cost of lives?

Siegfried glanced at Gram, the demonic sword in his hand. "If I could fully unleash Gram's power, I'd have defeated you already. But this sword chose me and cursed me in equal measure. You understand what I mean, don't you?"

I did. I'd sensed it during our battles. He wasn't wielding Gram's true potential.

According to legend, the Demonic Emperor Sword Gram is a blade of unmatched sharpness, cloaked in an aggressive aura that can cut through anything. It also bears dragon-slaying properties, strong enough to slay the great dragon king Fafnir. In essence, Gram combines the traits of Durandal and Ascalon.

Given Siegfried's Sacred Gear—"Dragon Hand"—the irony is clear.

"Your Sacred Gear is draconic," I said. "Gram's dragon-slaying nature makes it the worst possible match."

"Exactly," he said with a bitter smile, spinning Gram. "Even as a subspecies, my Sacred Gear isn't exempt. In Balance Breaker, I can suppress Gram's aura to use it as a sharp, sturdy blade, but that doesn't unlock its true power. If I unleash it fully, my own sword would harm me in Balance Breaker. It's not exactly considerate of its master."

He can only use Gram's full power in his normal state, not Balance Breaker. But against us, he needs Balance Breaker to keep up. If he could use Gram's full power in Balance Breaker…

Siegfried pressed the syringe to his neck and injected it.

A brief silence followed.

Then, his body pulsed. The rhythm grew stronger, his form changing.

A grotesque crunching sound filled the air as the four arms on his back thickened and swelled. His fingers warped, merging with the demonic swords he held. His face contorted, veins bulging across it. His muscles writhed and expanded, tearing his Hero Faction uniform.

What emerged was a monstrous figure, unrecognizable from the man he once was.

[Kiba's Perspective: End]

--------------------------

Thank you so much to everyone who has followed and supported the story! 🙏

Every like and comment means a lot to me.

If you want to go further, join my Patreon to be able to read the latest chapters!

👉 Check it out here: [patreon.com/Greyhounds]