Chapter 179: Raising Malice (Happy New Year :D).
The sun rose slowly over the horizon, casting a warm glow over the calm ocean. As the light hit the surface of the water, it revealed a stunning sight. In the middle of the vast expanse of blue, a giant tree stood tall and proud, its branches reaching up towards the sky.
The tree was a true marvel of mystery. Its trunk was strong and healthy, and its branches spread out in every direction, providing a natural canopy overhead. The leaves rustled gently in the breeze, and the roots reached deep down into the water, anchoring the tree firmly in place.
A faint green halo pulsed around the tree, seeming to stretch deep into the ocean beneath it and casting a vibrant glow over the surrounding waters. The halo gave the tree an otherworldly appearance, as if it was somehow connected to something beyond the physical world.
On top, a 'person' sat on a plastic chair that seemed completely out of place among the natural surroundings, enjoying the breathtaking scenery from the highest point. The chair, which was made of hard, synthetic material, stood in stark contrast to the tree branches and leaves that surrounded it.
A few meters away, a young man was submerged within the tree's massive trunk, gazing at the clouds and occasionally casting a glance at the figure on the chair. He remained silent, lost in thought as he watched the ethereal white puffs drift by overhead.
As the waves gently lapped against the base of the giant tree, a row of cards magically appeared in front of him, stacking with utmost precision as if a machine had arranged them in a game.
"Pick a card"
The tone was the same, and so was the weird, twisted, unrecognizable voice.
Nakagami gave the figure sitting in the chair a long, questioning glance. His eyes seemed to ask, "Really?" without saying a word.
"The fourth one"
He didn't bother to specify which "fourth" card in the row he was referring to, as he was confident that the other person was fully aware of which one he meant. His thoughts were confirmed as the card he had silently chosen in his head was immediately flipped, revealing an ace of spades.
"You won, so what do you want?" Without looking back, Leo leaned his back on the plastic chair.
Upon hearing the seemingly casual offer, Nakagami's eyelid twitched. "..."
These random games at first made him wary about their real purpose, but now… although it's shameful to say, he has already been tricked twice by words.
Of course, he had no whimsical thoughts to leave, he just wanted to be let down from this uncomfortable position and get out from this tree trunk.
As a result, he got what he wanted. He was lowered by one centimeter and moved to another large branch. It was at that moment that Nakagami Nakiri realized he had been played.
"You a boring person, has anyone told you that?"
This question has been asked for the seventh time. The original respect for the power of the Fall has been replaced by an unsettling feeling.
Nakagami is a very serious person, especially when it comes to matters related to the Five Clans, so the current casual atmosphere made him very uncomfortable.
However, he soon calmed down.
"Why did you attack the Five Clans, for someone on your level, as long as you request it, we'll do our best to help you, that destruction was unnecessary"
At this time, Nakagami felt a chill run down his spine as Leo's gaze seemed to bore into him. All the hair on the back of his neck stood on end, and he couldn't shake the eerie feeling that came over him.
Leo turned and looked at him for the first time since arriving, and it was unsettling to see those eyes. It was hard to describe the feeling it gave him.
Leo smiled gently, as if he hadn't heard Nakagami's question. "Are you interested in gacha?" he asked.
"Gacha? Can I ask why you mentioned it?" Nakagami asked, feeling a little confused.
He had been raised in the military and had received strict education from the Nikiri clan, so he wasn't very familiar with modern entertainment. However, due to the people around him, including his younger brother, he had learned a thing or two about it.
"It's nothing, really. It just sounded like you might enjoy gambling. But if you're interested, I can tell you more about why I'm here."
The tree branches around them began to move on their own. As if guided by an unseen force, the branches reached out and gently entwined together,casting a shade.
Nakagami hesitated before answering, feeling like the situation had taken a turn for the worse. However, Leo continued to speak. "I'm here to recover something and protect the world and all that is good and pure. Oh, and I'm also doing some trash recycling on the side."
Nakagami directly filtered the rest of the unnecessary words and quickly came to a conclusion.
The trash recycling should mean the malice of the world that the Fall can control, but he wants to recover something using it? The information was too small for Nakagami to form a proper idea.
However, Leo didn't give him time to pounder.
"Let me ask you something now. Don't you feel a little confined within the Five Clans?"
"I'm not talking about their strict rules and traditional ways of doing things. It's more like, you're trying to move forward, but they're holding you back… and themselves."
"...." Nakagami tensed up at the mention of the Five Clans, but then a haze seemed to cloud his vision.
As Nakagami tried to speak, Leo quickly interjected, "You're being awfully calm, you know. I'm supposed to be super scary, and some people are already treating me like the bogeyman and making spooky stories for their kids to sleep. Don't tell me you're relying on those hermits that your clan serves?"
Nakagami quickly regained his composure upon hearing the question. Even he hadn't noticed it, but when he heard the word 'serve', a flash of dissatisfaction crossed his eyes. He knew all too well that the Pantheon of their country was a joke to the other forces, even though they weren't named specifically.
The hermits referred to are the Shinto gods who have not revealed themselves in ages. Nakagami is well aware of this, as the Five Clans he belongs to have served the Shinto gods for ages since they were formed.
"They won't come here," Nakagami admitted openly. "Your deterrence is strong enough to prevent them from acting rashly, regardless of whether their dignity is damaged or your actions ignore all the other forces."
The Fall is a source of concern for all the top powers in the supernatural world. After all, the unknown is always the most terrifying.
Where did "he" come from? What is his goal? Who does he belong to? And where does he stand in this world? These questions have left people worried. Compared to the simple and honest Great Red and Infinite Dragon God, the Fall is too unpredictable.
Even Asgard, which has had a face-to-face encounter with him, has refused to disclose any information and has chosen not to pursue this matter. On that day, everyone received a death order from Odin himself not to reveal any information about the Fall.
It is shocking and terrifying that a powerful force like the Norse Pantheon would choose to act this way. However, no one will underestimate Odin's wisdom, and so even though this tree is a blatant provocation to the entire supernatural world, no one will act rashly.
This is an existence that can face down the entire world. Nakagami couldn't help but take another look at Leo, who was ignoring him.
"Hey, I'm not trying to destroy the world or anything for them to gang up on me. But are you sure they'll stay silent after I've trampled on their land and their servants? That seems like it would be too much for their pride as gods."
"...." Nakagami took a very deep look at Leo before saying "They won't come here for me"
Those last words were spoken a bit too harshly and coldly. After all, even if they did appear here, it would be for the 'Ouryuu', not for him as the Ouryuu.
"Of course they won't, but I guess if they care about their pets a lot, you won't have to worry about someone taking the opportunity to mess around after me."
Nakagami frowned in doubt before a look of realization struck him. His expression became a bit ugly as he looked at his current state and took a deep breath.
Getting worked up now won't solve anything. As the current Ouryuu, Nakagami is well aware of the history of the Five Clans, but the past is the past and he isn't someone who feels sorry just because his family decided to advance at the expense of others.
On the contrary, he respects his bold ancestor a lot, after all, their sacrifice allowed the Five Clans to reach their current position.
As for who might be targeting them, he doesn't have to think too hard to guess who it could be in this time of chaos, but he isn't particularly worried. It's not that the Five Clans are weak; they just happened to encounter an unstoppable disaster this time (The Fall).
As long as the Chinese Pantheon isn't directly involved, they shouldn't have much trouble on their home turf. The Grigori forces should also be alarmed and join them. If this turns into a full-blown battle, the Shinto Pantheon isn't that weak, despite its shortcomings.
However, Nakagami suddenly frowned, wondering why the Fall would give him this hint. Was it just to mess with him or a whim? Given everything that has happened, it wasn't an impossible guess, but it still felt off.
His heart rippled as a thought occurred to him. Raising his head, Nakagami looked ahead and said, "The Five Clans aren't weak."
The conviction in those words seemed to come from the depths of Nakagami's heart. This is his pride and glory.
"However, against you, it is a different story."
Yet, this is the reality he has to admit.
"This is why I said that destruction was unnecessary. The Five Clans would never embarrass someone like you if you come wi—"
What he said was simple, but the atmosphere changed drastically. The rustling of leaves and sound of waves suddenly came to a halt, leaving the area in an eerie silence.
Slightly surprised, Nakagami looked at the Fall before freezing in place.
For humans, the best way to sense malice is through others' expressions. Sometimes, you can even feel it from the way they look at you.
However, for ki users, they are far more attuned to these ethereal feelings. After all, they are always fighting against the malice radiating from the world. But... they have never 'faced' it like this before.
Those eerie eyes, or rather, it was as if something invisible around him was staring at him from all directions.
Just one look caused Nakagami to instinctively steel his mind and enter a meditative state to resist the influence of malice.
Despite his pale face, he eventually managed to react and stop. As if everything was an illusion, the feeling disappeared.
Slightly panting for breath, he saw the Fall smiling. The meaning behind the smile wasn't clear, but his shaken mind couldn't be bothered to try to understand it.
"Maybe I should really recommend you a Gacha game later. Your mentality is really not compatible with your family. No wonder you're gradually being pushed aside and your little brother is becoming the Ouryuu. You lack decisiveness too."
Nakagami's eyes narrowed and he raised his head to look straight at Leo.
"Now I remember, you won that card game earlier and asked a question. I should answer it for you, right?" Leo removed a fallen leaf on his head and tossed it away.
"You see, the world is complicated. No matter how shallow it seems, I know what you really want to ask me is why I am not integrated into it. I am not like the Red Lizard or the Cookie Loli Dragon, who are unsocial or simply dragged around. I can easily join or build a foothold in it. This would make it simple to do various things and give you people peace of mind, but..."
"You see, the world is unpredictable, and I can't guarantee that I'll always be there for those I care about, after all, it's wishful thinking to assume they won't get involved in one way or another. The world has never lacked smart people, so it'll never lack idiots who love to gamble..."
"You see, I am a huge fan of the short and brilliant spark of destruction, but I detest unnecessary bloodshed... so, let's all do our best to keep you guys safe, okay?"
"..." Nakagami fell completely silent as sweat dripped from his forehead. The previous thought in his heart was completely extinguished.
A bitter smile flashed on his face as he realized that he was really gambling like an idiot now. But what if, just what if, he could build ties with the Fall and the Five Clans.
Crazy? Ambitionist? As the Fall said, he really isn't compatible with his family's rigid mentality. However, he doesn't regret it. Rather than staying in one place and rotting with the Shinto Pantheon, the Five Clans can go further, but he can't do it.
His family... for his family, he is willing to compromise, even give up the Yellow Dragon to his younger brother.
Glancing at Nakagami from the corner of his eyes, Leo rolled his eyes and spun the can in his hand. {Trying to test me, huh? But now that I think about it, if I play this right I can make this guy reduce my trouble here by 50%... Dammit, this malice is making my thoughts very sinister.}
Suddenly, Leo shook gently and tried to forget about everything as the tree swayed along the waves.
{Just one malicious thought, it wasn't even completely directed at me, and I felt like I was going to explode.}
Even if it wasn't aimed at him, what Nakagami desired was to use Leo to achieve his ambitions, which resulted in EOTW (Evil of The World) reacting as if a nerve had been struck.
Feeling the boiling and ever-increasing amount of EOTW inside of him, Leo had a blank expression.
{Ddraig}
{Hm?}
{I think I have miscalculated a very, very tiny thing.}
{No worries, I know you're bad at math, but you spent weeks planning this and still got it wrong?}
{You…}
{Heh, I know, partner. If you need someone to talk to, I have nowhere to go anyway…} Ddraig yawned lazily and laughed at Leo before saying {Why did you spend so much time with that Ouryuu kid?}
{He made it easier on me earlier, so I spoke more. Anyway, I am not talking to you}
{... I don't mind, but why?}
Crushing the can in his hand into a ball, Leo rubbed his necklace and said {You are a voice inside my head. I will sound crazy if I talk to you, duh.}
{You…}
"But for now, I am counting on you to wake me up if you sensed something wrong"
{Hmph, you are very bad at asking for favors.}
"I know…" Looking at the vast expanse of blue, Leo sat as the sun began to set and the tree cast a long shadow over the water.
Nakagami's head slowly rose as he regained composure, and he was surprised to see the sunset already in progress. It was barely an hour after sunrise, yet the sky was ablaze with a stunning orange-red glow.
As he watched, a leaf from a nearby tree fluttered to the ground, swaying in the wind. Nakagami's eyes widened as he saw the leaf dry up and turn to dust.
Despite its tall and proud stature, the tree exuded a sense of gloom as it stood alone in the vast expanse of the ocean. It was a beacon of life in the emptiness, but somehow its aura carried a heavy weight.
…
"Dammit, that old woman still wants to hide in the closet while the world is falling apart?! This is their territory, not mine, so why do I feel more worried?!," Azazel yelled as he angrily closed the communication magic and slammed his hand down on the table.
He then rubbed his forehead and looked at the others in the room. "Why aren't you saying anything? Don't leave me hanging too," he said.
{We should?} Everyone looked at each other awkwardly, but a young man with white hair frowned and cut in.
"Are you done with your pointless formalities, Azazel? Let's leave already."
"Sigh I guess there's no choice. Amaterasu even refused to talk to me directly because of some stupid important meeting. Do they think I'm a child to believe that?! Those damn hermits..." Azazel grumbled, getting agitated again. The members of Team SlashXDog felt awkward and didn't dare to look at the members of the Five Clans.
Azazel was openly cursing another member of the Pantheon while sitting at the same table as their top forces. Team SlashXDog felt awkward, except for Kouki, who kept nodding his head.
Suzaku, Genbu, and Byakko, led by Seiryuu, who pushed his glasses up, sat there in silence. Even the normally violent Byakko only clicked his tongue and closed his eyes.
Tobio scratched his cheek and glanced apologetically at Suzaku, who simply shook her head and told him not to worry.
"Governor General Azazel, while I understand your feelings, please remember where you are now"
Seiryuu said, waiting for Azazel to finish before speaking in an even tone.
"Yeah, yeah, I know, but in times like this shouldn't we be working together? Do I need to remind you that Grigori isn't your lackey?"
"I know, so don't worry. Grigori's help will never go unnoticed. I'll make sure of it"
After a moment of silence, Seiryuu spoke seriously as Azazel looked him in the eye. Despite being able to heal most wounds with magic, the tiredness was still visible in Seiryuu's eyes.
"*Sigh* Now that the Shinto Pantheon is unwilling to join, does anyone have any ideas?" Shaking his head, Azazel changed the topic.
Before setting out on this expedition into the giant tree, everyone had agreed to gather as many high-combat forces as possible in case something went wrong.
After all, bringing along normal fighters would be sending them to their deaths against the Fall and might give "him" the wrong idea.
There was no way they were going there with the intent of fighting. If that were the case, Azazel would have already expressed his helplessness and left the meeting. Instead, they were going to try to negotiate with the Fall... if possible.
"Stop wasting time, Azazel. You know no one will agree to your crazy idea. Not a single force currently dares to show hostility directly against the Fall, and you want to call in the Shinto Pantheon? Don't make me laugh. You're even unwilling to involve Grigori" Vali frowned.
"Hey, it wouldn't hurt to try. Well, have it your way. I guess we have spent enough time thinking"
"Hmph, about time" Vali said, standing up and putting his hands in his pockets with a warlike smile on his face.
"Azazel, do you think this is okay?" Tobio asked worriedly, looking at Vali who couldn't wait to leave.
"Don't worry about it. If the Fall is really the Red Dragon Emperor, then the soul of the Welsh Dragon is with him" Azazel waved his hand and smiled at Vali.
Although the hosts of the two heavenly dragons were destined to fight, their first meeting shouldn't be decisive. They would likely introduce their hosts, talk about old times, and then have a "friendly" fight.
In the worst case, Vali would end up getting beaten into a pulp. No, this would definitely happen. Azazel's smile gradually widened, full of gloating.
{My child, forgive me. All I do is for your future. You'll thank me later... probably from a hospital bed} Azazel said sagely for no reason, but his smile didn't falter in the slightest.
Tobio felt a shiver watching Azazel leave before sighing and frowning.
"What's the matter, Toby? Anything on your mind?"
"Ah, Lavinia. It's just... No, nothing. We should hurry or Vali will leave on his own" Tobio said, looking at Vali and Azazel, who were leaving.
"That's true..." Lavinia replied.
"How does your smile become more disgusting every day, Azazel? Are you developing a new magic? If you keep this up, I'll quit and you can go look for another fighter. Who knows, maybe you'll find the top 10 strongest beings on the street to help you"
"You brat, my smile has charmed the hearts of many ladies. How is it disgusting? And you dare threaten me by not going? You of all people!?"
Smiling helplessly at Lavinia, Tobio shook his head before following behind him, but it seemed as though he was running away from something, which made the rest of his team frown.
But everyone quickly packed up and prepared to leave. Destination: Florida, USA!
…
Meanwhile, on the street in front of a large villa in Kuoh town, a petite figure walked with slow steps. She stopped in front of the luxurious door and tilted her head, looking at her fist.
She almost punched the door, but then stopped and seemed to think about something. However, her expressionless faces made it hard to tell what she was thinking.
*Knock* *Knock*
The petite figure knocked on the door and waited patiently until it was flung open violently to reveal a blond girl in red clothes. She smiled brightly and said "Who has the honor of visiting me today—, eh?"
"Hand over the foolish silence now"
Looking down, Nero saw a small girl with long black hair staring at her with blank gray eyes and extending a small hand that carried ridiculous power.
Ophis displayed what she thought was a serious(?) expression, but for some reason, Nero's eyes gradually sparkled with a strange light as they stared at each other without speaking.
Chapter 180: Wake Up.
Drop.
Drop.
The gentle 'sound' of droplets cascades through the stillness, a melodic repetition that seems to have no beginning and no end, hidden behind a veil of tranquil darkness, black as the midnight sky.
To call it simply a 'sound' would be a fallacy. There is nothing here to be heard, no audible presence to be perceived. In this place, the absence of both sound and sight holds sway, a realm where the senses are rendered useless.
The drops rolled up curses, as small as a fleeting irritation, as big as losing own self to depravation. It rained with powerful slowness, falling gently to join a landscape that could be called a hell on earth.
The drops rolled with it a deluge of curses, from the trivial and fleeting to the devastating and soul-crushing. It rained with a powerful slowness, falling softly onto a terrain that might as well be referred to as a hellish wasteland.
"This is fine"
The rain formally known as evil left Leo feeling numb. Insufficient and overbearing was the contradiction plaguing his mind and body. Strangely, his mind drifted to memories of needing to use the restroom during a critical exam... And the teacher refused.
*Sizzle* *gurgle*
The dark, sludgy mud began to bubble unexpectedly, as the light rain transformed into a tumultuous downpour. Malevolent thoughts surged forth, causing the "ocean of evil" to churn and boil. Leo's emotionless countenance twitched, as he struggled to keep his composure against his educational trauma.
[Big Sister Lion: Can you repeat that?]
In an effort to distract himself, Leo cast his gaze towards the holographic screen, which radiated an ethereal light and cast a pallid gleam upon his visage.
[Annihilation Maker: I feel like I am going to puke. I hope this information will help you one day in your journey, Adventurer.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: As the only adventurer here, why would I ever want to know that? By the way, do you need a bag?]
[Annihilation Maker (Admin): The universe is filled with unanswered mysteries, Kazuma. Don't expect an answer to everything from it and yes, can I borrow an ocean or two from your side?]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: How silly of me, but… what does the universe has to do with your puking? Is it going to explode or something? Don't answer that.]
[Annihilation Maker (Admin): Oh, sweet summer child. The little do you know.]
[Big Sister Lion: Shut it! You troublesome guy, answer me or I will…]
[NEET Princess: Go and get beaten?]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: L]
[Big Sister Lion: …]
[Annihilation Maker (Admin): If I do, would you keep the gift function open? Friendly advice: Please prepare a desolated place first.]
[Big Sister Lion: … First of all, why my world?]
[Annihilation Maker (Admin): It's already rotten and smelly. Surely, it wouldn't mind some extra mud.]
[Big Sister Lion: Leo, is it not? I am not very familiar with you, but I am not found of pushy guys, especially who insult my home. I know the empire is rotten, but that is in the past. We are looking at the future now!]
[Annihilation Maker (Admin): Are you lying to yourself? Poor child.]
[Big Sister Lion: That it! I don't care, I will smash that skull of yours today!]
[Gudako (Chaldea's Admin): I know this might be sudden, but can angels actually vomit like other living creatures? If yes, would it be a rainbow-colored lump of Ether?]
The last master of humanity (Fake), the master of Chaldeas, had an expression full of curiosity written on her face. Compared to the long list of heroic spirits and other beings, angels are something super rare.
Her mind could not recall any memories related to angels prior to encountering Lucifer.
[Annihilation Maker (Admin): Open your gift function and you'll know.]
However, the angel's answer to humans' curiosity is a middle finger.
[Gudako (Chaldea's Admin): Why are you targeting me here! I didn't do anything!]
[Annihilation Maker (Admin): Idiot, I target everyone. Remember your unofficial, unthankful job.]
[Gudako (Chaldea's Admin): Humanity last master and savior… I think?]
[Annihilation Maker (Admin): Right, and what I am going through has a big relationship with humans, so I am going to put all the blame on you. Humanity is grateful for your services, totally won't run experiments on you after the Grand Order.]
[Gudako (Chaldea's Admin): … This is too much!!]
Feeling aggrieved, Ritsuka rubbed her hair before clenching her fists with anger flashing in her eyes.
One of Chaldea's goals should be to defeat the cancer of humanity (BEASTS), right? So, can she punc--- defeat Lucifer? For humanity, of course!
[Bri-Bri: Why is everyone shouting here? Never mind, don't answer. Have you completed your preparations for the mission?]
[Big Sister Lion: Ah, right! We should deal with it beautifully and get enough points to beat up this annoying scoundrel!]
[Bri-Bri: Don't you think such goal is pitiful? Beating someone or something… Wait, Leo is here. Oh…]
[Big Sister Lion: Yes.]
[Bri-Bri: I am right behind you.]
[Gudako (Chaldea's Admin): I am already in the queue. I have talked with Doctor Romani, so it should be alright.]
[NEET Princess: By that, you mean the Queen (EMIYA) and Eggplant (Mashu) are ready?]
[Gudako (Chaldea's Admin): … Why do I feel I am unwelcomed?]
[Advocate of Gender Equality: If so, trust your feelings and stay away! I am finally getting rid of the fate of poverty!]
[Annihilation Maker (Admin): Mission, huh?]
Leo was momentarily stupefied as he remembered something, which altered his expression. The subsequent message verified his thoughts.
[NEET Princess: You haven't been here lately, Leo. We didn't want to bother you because you seemed to be doing something important, but the side-missions are available and everyone is preparing. Do you know how tired I am from doing your job? Those damn capitalists of the World's Will still won't even make me an admin! THIS IS UNFAIR!]
Kaguya poured her resentment into the chat as the screen was instantly filled with mocking messages like 'L' and 'Git Gud' from a certain adventurer, laughing at her misery.
Leo sat there, stunned, and quickly scanned the chat. Apparently, the previously empty Side-Missions section had updated with a few missions, causing the chat to become active once more.
The entire chat appeared to be infused with an unusual fervor, and Kaguya was no exception. She embarked upon a bold campaign, with a clarion call of 'Taking Leo's job, make me an admin.' Yet, despite her valiant efforts, she was met with nothing but ridicule in the chatroom, as her efforts went unheeded and overlooked.
Kazuma possessed a steely resolve, a burning ambition to ascend from the bottom of the Chatroom's food chain and attain wealth and prosperity. This drive was all the more fervent after he had been scammed by his World's Will with a certain creation skill.
Mikoto, now appearing more composed, was the first to take on the newly available side missions. After her experiences on the last mission, she resolved to improve and took to regularly challenging the likes of Whitebeard and Saitama to battles, though with the results were still an absolute defeat.
Leone was in dire need of more power to sustain the stability of her world, as the revolutionary army had broken their treaty with other kingdoms and sought to resurrect the empire. Although she kept silent about it, the situation was fraught with difficulty due to the avarice of the corrupt leaders at the helm of the revolutionary forces.
Leone despises people like Esdeath and Budo, but she realizes the importance of having someone in their mold in her current situation. She never thought things would reach this point, but she must become such a figure, which makes her feel strange.
Whitebeard is aiming for a higher strength, beyond his world. He thought his time already passed, and even if the chat room helped him, he couldn't get rid of that thought. However, something seems to be triggered and he is pushing himself further.
Saitama has encountered many intriguing individuals in his world and has begun to participate more in the Chat Room. The notion of exploring the side missions has arisen at an opportune moment. He has even requested a change of his nickname because he got his Hero Name, but Leo was unavailable.
Epistles filled with ideals and aspirations streamed past Leo's gaze, as a peculiar yet detached emotion began to well up within him.
How long has it been?
Leo had abstained from interaction in the chat for a while to his involvement in the artificial dragon veins project. This lack of presence caused him to be unaware of the shifts and changes taking place.
Everyone seems to have found their call and are moving towards their goals.
The angel, who was said to exist beyond the ebb and flow of time, felt a fleeting sensation of time's passage once more.
{Since when did they move too far away? No, when did I choose to stand away?} Leo sat there stunned for a long time gazing blankly at the Chatroom.
This strange feeling. It been a while for sure.
{When did I start to think about these things? Feeling as if I can't fit with them anymore. Did it start from Asgard when I understood or when ROOT confirmed it?}
Looking at the side-mission tab, Leo wanted to click it before slowly lowering his hand. Is it really impossible to change this nature?
A fleeting memory from his life swept across Leo's mind, as a vivid image of his dearest friend presented itself. She had gifted him a pair of spectacles, and in jest, teased him for his blindness. Yet, he could not help but ponder the irony, for how could a blind person make use of glasses?
The Esper, whose powers were intimately linked to his eyes, released a sigh tinged with emotions before giving in to a self-deprecating chuckle. The sudden outburst caused alarm to a particular Yellow Dragon host who was nearby.
{LEO WAKE UP!! YOU ARE DROWNING IN SHIT!!}
The dragon's roar echoed through Leo's mind as he finally lowers his gaze from the chat. His body, the Balance Breaker of his Longinus, is marred with cracks, leaking a black, foul-smelling substance.
The space filled with All of the World's Evil has transformed into a boiling volcano, ready to erupt at any moment. The towering tree that once reached the sky now appears to have decayed as if several centuries have passed.
The once sturdy trunk had turned a bleak gray and the lush leaves were mostly gone. The black mud dripped from it, producing a sizzling sound as it came into contact with the water below.
Nakagami gazed in terror as his body remained frozen, not daring to move an inch.
{Get a grip on yourself! I don't what all of this malice is doing to your head, but you better snap out of it before I burn you myself!}
The threatening roar of the Red Dragon, which didn't actually carry much threat, prompted Leo to run his hand through his hair and wipe away the black mud droplets that had landed on his face.
"Don't threat me just because I wasn't paying attention to your boring stories." Leo said with a monotone voice.
{Partner, the stories of my battles with Albion are a treasure with a long history. You have no right to ignore it.}
"Ddraig, face it. You absolutely suck at story telling."
Ddraig, the dragon who promised his partner to awaken him should anything go awry, is more concerned with regaling his partner with tales of his battles with his best friend. Unfortunately, these tales are repetitive as a copypasta and have become rather monotonous.
'I boosted and he divided for the Nth time. My claw slaped his face and his tail smacked my head, then a big dragon breath.' Leo heard this until he decided to open the Chatroom.
He really wants to ask Ddraig if his true intention was to sabotage him.
{Nonsense, but at least you are awake now, so I was saying…}
"Thank you very much" Shaking his head, Leo stood up before the plastic chair. Glancing at the throne of motivation, Leo let a sigh of regret before putting Yamato away.
Sadly, it has to stop here. What a waste of time… Leo pursed his lips in dissatisfaction.
{Are you done playing?}
"No, it's just… this dream was short, but took a lot of time. I guess it's time for me to wake up and go too."
Nakagami cast a sidelong gaze at Leo as the latter muttered softly to himself. Suddenly, his vision flickered and he found himself transported to the very presence of the being who had instilled such fear in his heart mere moments prior.
"You can leave"
Glancing blankly at the Ouryuu, Leo said lightly, which made the latter expression twitch.
"I assume that I am unneeded now."
Looking at Leo nodding, Nakagami didn't show any more reaction, but he couldn't help but to glance at the scary looking cracks running across the Fall's body.
The primary aim of harnessing the power of the Yellow Dragon is to tap into the Dragon Veins and bridge the artificial and natural cycles, exposing Leo to the world's malevolence.
However, it's unnecessary for now. Due to the characteristic of Angra Mainyu in the Greater Grail as the source of evil (Scapegoat), the current malice stored inside the dragon veins all over the world "knows" that Leo is the "Scapegoat." They will flock towards him from the artificial dragon veins one way or another.
"What?" Leo tilted his head and asked, as if suggesting a new type of food to a friend. "As you can see, I am in a rather poor condition. Do you intend to take advantage of this?"
"Don't make fun of me."
Nakagami was left speechless. Only someone with a problem in their brain wouldn't sense the intimidating aura radiating from this guy.
Leo shook his head in a disappointed manner and said, "Oh... Well, if you'd like to watch along with your companions, you're welcome to. Now, off you go."
{Little friends?} Nakagami momentarily froze, before springing into action, yet with a mere flick of Leo's hand, he vanished into thin air.
"Now that we are alone... Let's see." Leo stuck his hand into a pink space portal and pulled out a small black and yellow piglet with blue horns.
"Good morning, Gugalanna..." Leo greeted the Bull of Heaven, but the latter twitched its small nose and struggled to break free.
Its expression seemed to indicate that it was thinking, 'Why do you smell like garbage?' This made Leo pout, as he had no excuse for the black mud on him.
"Long story short, Gugalanna, protect this place. If someone attacked, don't engage with them too much. Just drive them out."
"…"
Gugalanna glanced at Leo with resentment. It was woken up from its nap and forced to work after smelling a horrible stench. Where were the rights of Divine Beasts?
"I guess you don't want your own private garden with lush hills and nice climate"
Gugalanna's struggle for its living rights came to an abrupt halt. Despite being a Divine Beast, it doesn't have many requirements for living, as the gods keep tossing it around.
'Oh, this mortal is annoying me. Gugalanna, go and stomp them.'
'What? This kingdom refused the asylum of gods? Blasphemy, Gugalanna, show them the fate of those who dare to oppose the gods.'
It's been annoyed for a long time, and it doesn't want to return to the reverse side of the world, so it has chosen to follow this peculiar and weird 'god' that it didn't see before. However, this doesn't mean it doesn't know how to enjoy life!
No Ishtar, no gods, no cocky king and his clay doll, and a nice place to bask in the sun? Gugalanna's eyes sparkled before it turned into a ball of lightning and flew towards the bottom of the tree.
Leo wiped his hands from the traces of electricity and said "Well, that was easy. Now… *Sigh*"
{What are you doing?}
Looking at his partner sighing and looking at the sky before a bad grin flashed on his face, Ddraig felt chills.
"I have overestimated myself and misunderstood this world. I can't fight a war of attrition against All the World's Evil…"
He who had access to the quarry of information carved by the infinite light, was familiar with the paradox that often came with understanding: 'The more you learn, the less you truly comprehend.'
The philosophy of Immanuel Kant refers to the idea that, in order to understand and know the world, we must bring our own subjective experiences and understanding to bear on it. However, this subjective understanding can never fully capture the objective reality of the world, leading to a paradox.
The shallow understanding that comes from familiarity and repetition often fails to grasp the true essence of information. It is like the gaze of those who are so entranced by the beauty of the sky above, that they remain blind to the depths within their own being.
Leo has misunderstood this world.
Despite its crass and vulgar sexual humor and its tenuous chain of logic, he never truly comprehended it. No, he had understood it, but had become ensnared in a trap of his own making.
The Chatroom worldview integration and harmonization. In simpler terms, it allows the utilization of these abilities of various logics across different world, though with certain limitations and occasional imperfections.
But just because an ability can be employed within these new paradigms and produce the same outcomes, it does not guarantee that the world will conform and respond accordingly.
Type-Moon exists in a reality locked within itself, and no, he doesn't mean the endless cycle of self-loathing tanned people trying to stab themselves from the past.
The quantity of the world's evil remains the same according to the time period. It doesn't matter if you bring it to a parallel universe; the curses won't increase or decrease as long as your timeframe doesn't change dramatically.
Of course, the DXD World operates on a different set of principles. Its approach to curses and malicious intent is relaxed and nonchalant. Any ill-natured thought generates its corresponding Ki, which then lingers in the atmosphere as a miasma of malevolence until it is absorbed by plants and the earth, becoming part of the dragon veins' cyclical flow.
The massive surge of energy purifies the malignance, and the energy is then diffused back into the world through the dragon veins. The process is straightforward and unrefined. Some places even separated specific dragon veins to store the miasma and then send it to the underworld Like King Enma in Japan.
However, it fails to consider the possibility of a spatial dragon creating an extensive network of artificial dragon veins to join the cycle.
The additional empty space caused a sense of emptiness in the usually always full cycle, but this only lasted for a moment due to the existence of the Greater Grail.
Leo rubbed his shoulder, feeling heavy. As the Greater Grail is embedded with the 'Source of Evil', any type of malice across all the dragon veins is being absorbed and manifesting as black mud.
Coupled with the DXD World, which doesn't care what type of malicious thought can elevate, it's 2008, with a proximity of 6.801 billion humans, not to mention other races. The number of curses, big or small, generated every second is hard to imagine.
The results are a reality full of a swelling sense, which made Leo feel nauseous, as if he'll burst open at any moment soon. Just thinking that most of the curses are still within the artificial dragon vein network made his face twitch.
Even though the Annihilation Maker was squealing from the pressure to keep his body together, Leo's attitude towards the foreseen ending was bland.
Any negative reaction would ignite this "ocean of evil," so what's the point? However, simply standing still at the moment and waiting for an explosion is retarded.
"Therefore, the only correct way is to face it head-on."
*Click*
The amulet adorning Leo's chest snapped open, unleashing a massive surge of energy that swept through the surrounding area. A brilliant golden light converged upon his form, culminating in the manifestation of a distorted angelic halo, which appeared ready to fracture at any moment.
A flame of divinity blazed around Leo's body, as his eyes became completely engulfed in a lustrous gold hue. Discarding all other traits, he focused solely on raw strength and authority, with the purpose of purging the evil from humanity and claiming it as his own.
There's no helping it, he's not in a good situation. His core and soul are both damaged, so relying on this inefficient strategy is his best choice.
{Either you'll burn out or the malice of the world will become the fuel for you to keep burning. Partner, I know you're mentally unstable, but this has to be one of your sanest thoughts.}
"How come? Are you okay, Ddraig? Won't you call me crazy or something?" Leo was a bit taken aback, but it didn't show on his face or voice. The massive divinity is temporarily suppressing all his emotions to not be affected by the malice.
{No, you are crazy. There's no doubt about it, but who isn't? When I decided to seal my power and fight against Albion in the face of the three factions, weren't we considered insane by them? Now we're in this state, why would we wait for the malice to consume us? Partner, even if you usually act like a living bomb, you never actually intended to harm this world.}
{And I have to say, sometimes, just sometimes, your guts fit my taste so well. So… if you need some flames, I would be more than happy to ignite it.}
To ignite it with his own hands. For Ddraig, this held far greater significance than simply exhaling flames. He had made a vow to a cherished friend to abstain from using these flames, a promise he took to heart and adhered to with unwavering commitment, to the point of almost forgetting how to use it.
This is completely different from Leo using it via the Longinus, which Ddraig took it as 'my Partner is too strong, have fun Albion' mentality.
"…" Leo blinked his eyes before almost muttering 'Tsundere Dragon', but stopped. Well, it doesn't sound too bad.
Chuckling at Ddraig, who looked at him suspiciously, Leo raised his hand. The milky white star mark on his shoulder softly gleamed.
The boundless energy swirled and coalesced above Leo's outstretched hand, gradually taking on the form of a radiant golden chalice. And as the grail took shape, its golden aura blazed brighter, casting a warm, inviting, yet sinister light.
With the arrival of the Lesser Grail, time seemed to pause amidst the collapsing tree. An incongruous black dot materialized in the sky above, a stark contrast against the sky's canvas.
With darkness that seemed to devour all light, the point expanded into a massive hole that covered the sun like an eclipse. Just by looking at it, anyone would feel the massive malice surging forth, as if the doors of hell had opened.
"Well, blessings unto humanity. Wishes will accept all desires and fantasy would become a reality…"
With a searing gaze that reflected the boundless curses within him, Leo clutched the key to this unbridled chaos - the Lesser Grail. He gazed deeply into its shimmering surface, as if searching for a glimpse of his soul. And with a single, decisive motion, he lifted the Grail aloft, sending ripples of energy coursing through the black hole above, making it tremble violently.
{By the way, Partner.}
"Yes, Ddraig."
{Do you know where you'll go from now on?}
"… No"
*Booom!!*
The black hole erupted, spilling forth a torrent of inky sludge that blanketed the sky as if a volcano had erupted.
{Hmph, then we should just figure it out as we go.}
"… Yeah. That sounds good."
And with those final utterances, the waterfall of black mud crashed down upon the tree, engulfing everything with a thunderous roar as all sounds seemed to fade into oblivion.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
13 Power
stone 
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