[Azazel's Perspective]

The Netherworld.

A desolate realm deep beneath the Underworld, where the souls of the dead are sorted. That's where I found myself.

Ruled by the Greek god Hades, the Netherworld lacks the vastness of the Underworld. It's just an endless wasteland—a barren world where no living creature can thrive.

To me? It's a dull, lifeless dump.

At the heart of the Netherworld stands an ancient Greek-style temple, home to Hades and his reapers. I stepped inside with a small crew in tow.

Raynare had insisted on coming, but I sent her to join Rias and the others. This place is too dangerous for her. She should be linking up with them soon.

The moment we entered, reapers swarmed us, their gazes dripping with hostility. No prior notice, no courtesy call—this was practically an invasion in their eyes.

I had two reasons for coming here. First, to give that bastard Hades a piece of my mind. Second, to make sure he doesn't screw with the Underworld while it's in crisis. That scheming skeleton would jump at any chance to mess with us fallen angels and devils, especially with the Beast Creation monsters running rampant. This surprise visit was my way of keeping him in check.

We marched straight through the temple to a grand ceremonial hall. Golden decorations adorned the space, gaudy for a place as grim as the Netherworld. At the far end, Hades emerged, trailed by a pack of reapers. His aura was as vile as ever.

His reapers were no slouches either—upper to top-tier, judging by the menace they exuded. Oddly, though, Pluto, who attacked us recently, was nowhere in sight.

The moment Hades spotted us, the man beside me stepped forward. "It's been a while, Lord Hades, god of the Netherworld. I'm Sirzechs Lucifer, Demon King of the Underworld. My apologies for the unannounced visit."

That's right—Sirzechs was one of my companions. After returning from the dimensional rift, I filled him in on everything: Ophis, the attack, and Issei still being missing. I knew dragging Rias and her crew into that mess put me in no position to ask for forgiveness. I was ready for him to deck me, but instead, he said, "I'm going to the Netherworld. I want you to come with me."

He must've figured Hades would make a move during this chaos. How do you stop a stubborn god like Hades?

Simple: a personal visit from a Demon King.

Hades' empty eye sockets glowed eerily as he let out a dry chuckle. "To think you'd come here in person… Quite the unexpected move."

His voice dripped with confidence. And why wouldn't it? He's one of the world's top-tier powers. He probably thinks he could take on both me and Sirzechs and win.

Michael had wanted to join, but an archangel strolling into the Netherworld would've been a diplomatic disaster. I had him focus on leading the angels sent to aid the Underworld instead.

Hades' gaze shifted to the young man behind us, clad in a priest's outfit. "And that angel-like figure? That aura… it's no ordinary power."

Blond hair, green eyes, and—most strikingly—ten pure-white wings. The young man gave a casual bow. "Yo, nice to meet ya. I'm Dulio Gesualdo, the Joker of the Seraphim. Just here as backup for Lord Lucifer and Azazel. Not that they need it, mind you. Just doing my angel duties!"

His tone was absurdly laid-back. Just as the rumors say—a total eccentric. The wielder of the Longinus Zenith Tempest, ruler of the skies.

Hades laughed. "So, the Heaven's trump card. Hah, Michael's playing hardball by sending his Joker."

That's right, Dulio's a force to be reckoned with. Just in case, I've got Slash Dog waiting outside as backup.

"Two Longinus wielders, a bat, and a crow's leader," Hades mused. "Isn't this a bit much for an old man like me?"

Says the guy who could probably fend off this lineup without breaking a sweat.

"Let's skip the tea and pleasantries," Hades said. "Why are you here?"

This bastard knows exactly why, and he's still playing coy. He's trying to get under our skin!

Sirzechs responded calmly. "Recently, an incident occurred in Grashalabolas territory. At a certain hotel, my sister, her retinue, and Governor Azazel here were attacked by the Khaos Brigade. And… we've heard reports of an assault by your reapers as well."

Hades rubbed his fleshless jaw. "Ah, that. I heard your sister and Azazel were conspiring with Ophis. I sent my subordinates to investigate. With cooperation between factions finally taking shape, such a dangerous betrayal would be problematic, no? Especially if it involves the peace-preaching Governor Azazel himself. I merely wanted to confirm your intentions. If there was betrayal, I ordered them to issue a minimal warning."

That bastard! He's parroting the half-joking nonsense Pluto spouted! Sending a horde of reapers, including a legendary one, and calling it a "minimal warning"? Screw you, you skeletal creep!

"If our side suffered losses, I apologize for my haste," Hades continued. "If you seek atonement, name your price—anything short of my life, and I'll consider it."

His condescending tone and attitude were deliberate, and damn if it wasn't working. My anger was through the roof, ready to tear into this skeletal jerk.

But I held back for a reason.

The guy next to me was radiating a pressure so intense it made my skin crawl. Sirzechs, your magic's raging inside you, isn't it? I've never seen you this terrifying.

Sirzechs nodded once at Hades' explanation. "A misunderstanding, then. One more thing I'd like to confirm."

"What?" Hades asked.

"We've received reports that you're connected to the Khaos Brigade—that you aided the Hero Faction in using Samael. If true, that's a grave betrayal. All factions agreed to keep Samael under wraps. I don't wish to doubt your integrity, but I'd like to inspect the seal on Samael to confirm."

Checking the seal's formula would reveal whether Hades used Samael. A white seal indicates it's untouched since ancient times; a black one means it was recently tampered with. If it's the latter, we'd have grounds to condemn him.

Though, word is Samael's existence fades after a month, thanks to our hero and goddess. If it's gone entirely, we'd know instantly—and we'd have Hades dead to rights.

Hades sighed. "How trivial. I'm a busy god. I don't have time for these accusations."

With that, he turned to leave.

Trying to slip away, huh? Dodging when it gets inconvenient?

Sirzechs spoke up. "Very well, I'll drop the matter. But suspicion remains. So, here's my proposal: until the Underworld's crisis is resolved, you'll stay here with us."

A last resort, but one we saw coming. This plan ensures Hades can't interfere with the Underworld's crisis—Sirzechs himself will keep watch. If Hades refuses, we'll seal this entire temple in a barrier. What's your move, old man?

Hades paused and turned back. "An intriguing proposal. Very well… I'll consider staying if you show me your true form."

There it is. That's the play, you skeletal bastard.

"I've heard the rumors," Hades continued. "Why Sirzechs bears the title Lucifer. Because he transcends the very concept of a devil."

A brief silence fell.

Sirzechs nodded. "Fine. If that's what it takes to keep you here, it's a small price."

He shed his coat, signaling us to step back. I nodded, and Dulio and I retreated a few steps. Sirzechs began to channel his magic.

In an instant—

BOOM! RUMBLE!

The temple shook violently. Cracks spiderwebbed across its sturdy walls. This wasn't just the temple—the entire region was trembling under Sirzechs' power.

Annihilation magic enveloped him, disintegrating everything around him into dust. A crimson aura surged, flooding the ceremonial hall with overwhelming magic.

The shaking stopped, and silence fell.

At the center stood a humanoid figure cloaked in annihilation's aura.

"In this state, my annihilation magic spreads uncontrollably," Sirzechs said. "Without a specific barrier or field, it reduces everything to nothing. But this temple seems to hold—for now."

This was Sirzechs' true form—an incarnation of destruction.

What power… At least ten times stronger than the original Demon King Lucifer! This is the might of a Transcendent, a being far beyond the category of devil.

Sirzechs and Ajuka—the only two Transcendents propping up the Underworld. Well, there's one other, but he's been missing for a while. I'd rather he stay gone.

"Haha, guess we're not needed as bodyguards," Dulio said with a wry chuckle behind me.

No kidding. Who'd need protection with this guy?

"Are you satisfied, Lord Hades?" Sirzechs asked.

Hades laughed. "A monster indeed. You surpass the original Lucifer by far—beyond even the category of Demon King. What are you?"

"I'd like to know myself," Sirzechs replied. "A mutation, perhaps. But in this state, I can erase you with ease."

"Hah, that's no jest," Hades said. "A fight here would obliterate the Netherworld."

Yeah, Sirzechs could take Hades head-on. A pleasant surprise.

A reaper appeared beside Hades, whispering something. Hades gestured toward a brazier on the altar, and an image flickered in its flames.

"Come on, come on! How long can you handle my staff, reaper?" shouted a figure wielding a staff—Bikou. Nearby, Gogmagog's massive arms sent reapers flying. Kuroka and Le Fay unleashed magical barrages, Arthur cut down scores of reapers with his holy king sword, and Fenrir tore through them with godlike speed.

The Vali Team.

After being brought to the Underworld, Vali was freed from Samael's curse by the first Sun Wukong's power. They vanished soon after, but damn, they picked the perfect moment to strike!

Nice work, you little punks!

They wouldn't let an attack go unanswered. Their targets? Cao Cao, the Old Demon King faction, or Hades. I had a hunch they'd pull something like this, but their timing is a godsend. And with Fenrir—whose fangs can kill gods—they're a real thorn in Hades' side.

Hades' voice dripped with irritation. "Your doing, crow leader?"

That's the reaction I wanted.

I grinned, dripping with sarcasm. "Who, me? No idea."

Hades' aura flared with rage.

That's right, you old bastard. This is payback for all the crap you've pulled.

With this, Hades is pinned down. He can't meddle in the Underworld's crisis—not with Sirzechs in his true form and the Vali Team wreaking havoc. Those kids aren't pushovers; they've fended off every faction's elite pursuit squads.

"You'd need to mobilize every reaper to take down the White Dragon Emperor's crew," I said. "And you'd have to lead them yourself."

Sirzechs nodded. "Indeed. So you'll have to stay here."

He raised a finger. "One thing, on a personal note. Hades, god of the Netherworld, your malice toward my sister and my brother-in-law, Issei Hyoudou, deserves ten thousand deaths. If we face off here, I'll erase you from existence without hesitation."

Brother-in-law, huh? Guess Rias' marriage declaration sealed that deal. Didn't he call Issei a comrade before? Whatever.

I summoned a spear of light and aimed it at Hades. "I've got something to say too, skeleton god. Personal, of course. Don't you dare touch my students!"

Hades didn't flinch under our combined hostility.

That settles it. Hades is handled.

The rest is up to you, kids.

And Issei—hurry back, or you'll miss your moment!

[Azazel's Perspective: End]

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