บท 55: Echos of Approaching War
(2 out of 3 chapters this week)
Screams erupted from the bar as the corpses of High-Class Devils dropped on the floor.
Kokabiel just killed two young devil nobles…just…like…that!
He didn't target random people, nope, he used Grigori-gathered Intelligence for this. He is sacrificing his Faction's spies just to do this.
And he doesn't mind. He is defecting anyway! Let the devils find out that Fallen have an extensive network of people serving them! They even have devils who have been feeding info to the Fallen for wealth!
Nothing matters! Only war!
"Hahaha! Run! Run Little bats! Bring me your leaders!" The war-hungry Fallen Angel laughed loudly while enjoying the sight of the terrified people.
This was not the only place where Fallen had attacked, it was happening all over the Underworld. Kokabiel's allies were slaughtering devils who had some renown. The more damage they cause the bigger the chance of this war happening.
And that is all he wants!
With another casual motion, the Cadre Fallen Angel created a light spear and threw it at a random person killing it with ease.
This was pure chaos and destruction. It should be more than enough to cause a big scene to attract one of the Satans!
'Yes, that's it! Make a scene, cause chaos! Destroy!' 'Kokabiel's' inner voice ravished the destruction which fed the desire of the Fallen Angel.
"Hahaha! Where are your Satans!? How much do I need to destroy to make one of you appear!?"
~~~
There was no need for a large scene for the Satans to pick the provocation.
"...Sirzechs…" Serafall gave him a look as she sensed a Fallen Angel, a powerful Fallen Angel right in the midst of their Capital City no less!
"Yeah… it was as we expected. Renegades from Fallen Angels have moved out. Azazel did warn us he has those."
"Warning us does mean a thing! These are his people! Just denouncing them doesn't mean a thing when a bunch of them have killed Pure Blood Devils!" The Leviathan snapped angrily as she was getting up to deal with the renegade. She only hopes that Marcus doesn't just pull her out the moment he finds out that she is using her Neo Sacred Gear at maximum capacity!
"No, I will deal with the leader. You take Grayfia and deal with the stranglers around the area."
"...Fine."
The Crimson Satan moved out, it's time for the city to see that their true protector is still capable of fighting.
~~~
With a burst of black and red, a spear of light ended up disintegrating before it could destroy a building.
"Hahaha! So you finally appeared!" Kokabiel with crazy laughter looked at Sirzechs.
'Something is odd about him…' The Crimson Lucifer looked at the Fallen Angel with narrowed eyes. He looked far too deranged. Something has happened to this Cadre.
"...You think you alone are good enough to make us wage war on Fallen Angels? When we all want peace?"
"...Peace? Who wants peace? Certainly not ME!" With a blast of sickly yellow Kokabiel summoned his spear and rushed towards Sirzechs.
"...You are not qualified enough to make me go serious…"
With a burst of black and red, Power of Destruction orbs rushed towards the Fallen.
But before they can hit Kokabiel they end up being disrupted! Like something is interfering with the structure of the power! They burst into pure energy and simply ceased to exist!
"!?"
Sirzechs swiftly dodged the attack to the side as he tried again to attack the Fallen Angel.
But once again his Power of Destruction got negated without any sort of issue!
'I used a different amount of power and density…it ended up the same!'
This time around, the Sirzechs were shocked enough to let Kokabiel get close.
At that moment the Fallen Angel's eyes started to burn like he was a completely different being.
"I got you."
The possessed Fallen grabbed the Crimson Lucifer. As black liquid started to sip out from the Cadre and proceeded to flow into the Satan.
"What are you!? What is this!?'
The most powerful devil to date tried to struggle but something was wrong with his powers!
"Struggle all you want, but this liquid is made from Lilith's essence, the very same essence which gave birth to your kind. Can you resist the very power which created you?"
"...You…" Sirzechs' eyes turned wide as horror started to settle in. He watched how this black liquid flowed into him and proceeded to merge with his body.
The moment the fusion was done Kokabiel released his hold and started to fall to the ground. He looked like a husk as his life essence and power were completely drained! It was used to fuel the very armour which has fused with Sirzechs!
"...W-What is this!?" The Crimson Satan tried to struggle but he had no idea how to struggle! He could feel the darkness of some sort starting to cloud his vision, his thoughts starting to get dull and slow.
Little by little his limbs started to not listen to him! Something is possessing him!
"Damn…it…" Lucifer's magic circle appeared under him as his body summoned it, but it wasn't him who did it!
The very next second he was gone, and by that point, Kokabiel's body had turned into dust. However… one wonders…what happened to his soul.
~~~
"Welcome Crimson Satan." A smooth voice greeted Sirzechs, the current Lucifer looked around, only one of his eyes could see what was going on.
"...Hades…"
"Indeed. Welcome to Cocytus. We have prepared a special place just for you."
As the Greek God said next to him a Phantom Being appeared as well, he had flaming eyes. The Crimson Lucifer wondered who this guy was! He can sense an extreme amount of evil and its power is off the charts.
"Angra Mainyu has some uses for you. We will require your Power of Destruction to fight the greatest threat to the current Supernatural world."
"...Angra…Mainyu?" Sirzechs' eyes bulged out; this was the incarnation of evil itself! The Greek God is working with this being!?
"...You…what is the purpose of all of this? Who is this Threat you speak of?"
"...Your Kind. Your Kind who made contact with THAT man, if it wasn't for your Kind constantly interfering with mortals Marcus Goldman would have never found out about Supernatural.
He would have lived his mundane life and died of old age. Yet, because of your kind he now is engaged to my niece, his existence mocks every supernatural faction!"
'Engaged to his Niece!? Artemis? No… she is his maid…Athena? There is no news about this…' Regardless, for now he needs to get out of here!
He tried to summon his massive reserves of mana but all of this energy was diverted to the black armour he was wearing!
"Resist all you want, but this armour was created precisely for you. Now Crimson Lucifer… it's time for you to give your Power of Destruction." Angra Mainyu lifted his hand and pointed at the armour.
That moment excruciating pain surged through the whole body of the Crimson Satan.
"AHHHHHH!!!"
~~~
"...Something is wrong! Where is Sirzechs!?" Serafall returned after dealing with a bunch of average Fallen Angels. Her senses which cover large sways of land can't pick up the current Lucifer.
"...I don't know. My connection with him is…" That moment Grayfia's Queen piece just popped out from her!
"..."
"..."
"...What the…"
The pair of devil girls looked very concerned. The thing is, Grayfia can't just go to Ajuka. Because of the Ars Goetia which her body has!
"...Did something happen to Sirzechs?"
"...Could be, and if he got weakened the Ars Goetia variant has removed the Evil Piece the moment it felt it could," Serafall speculated while picking up the Queen's Evil Piece.
"...Yes, possibly…"
"You should go and return to Marcus' side. I will tell everyone that you went to look for Sirzechs…and never returned."
"...I understand. This is for the best."
Grayfia took the piece and disappeared with her magic circle. She looked very eager to do that!
While she was gone Serafall bit her lower lips. She was feeling jealous! And… worried of course! But mostly jealous of this development.
"I guess, I need to start organising things."
The current Leviathan went to look for Ajuka and Falbium.
~~~
The aftermath of the renegade Fallen Angel attack was horrific. At least 10 high-class devils died, and Sirzechs and Grayfia went missing. The rest of Sirzechs' peerage proceeded to help Serafall who was now covering Lucifer's position for a while.
She was now loaded with extra work so much that she was going crazy.
While Ajuka proceeded to look for ways to find Crimson Satan.
He quickly found out that he was teleported to the depths of the Underworld.
Which is not good as that place holds many things. Especially many bad things.
He concluded that one of the evil Gods who resides there is working on something major. For that, the armies are on high alert, no more excuses.
They surrounded the entrances to the depths of the underworld all over their territories. The same was with the Fallen who rule the other side of the planet.
The peace talks for now were delayed as they are working to solve the issues of the renegade elements of their factions.
Devils quickly realised that the Old Satan faction was gone. In the most literal sense. None of their members are around, their castles are empty and they have remnant residues of Evil or more precisely Dark Gods.
"...This is similar to the incident with Lucifer Castle. The energy residue at least half of it… is the same. The being is the same as the one who attacked Lucifer's residence but it's different from the one who attacked the City of Lilith.
This means there are at least 3 gods who are working together." Ajuka gave his report to the council.
"Any idea who they are?" One of the councilmen angrily asked. By this point, it's clear that it's not the Fallen but someone worse working behind the scenes.
"Sadly we don't have records of Evil or Dark Gods magical signatures. Many of them were sealed or exiled before we even started gathering such information." The current Beelzebub said with a resigned sigh. Sadly they don't have 'allies' who could give them some tips.
"What we CAN do is prepare for war. A defensive war. They are targeting us. They took Sirzechs from us in broad daylight!" Serafall said with an angry voice of her own.
"Very well. Then prepare defences."
"Already on it." Falbium with a lazy voice said from his throne.
"I will see if we can get Marcus help as well!"
"That won't be necessary. It's not his conflict and we don't need to involve him." Zekrom Bael said with a sharp tone. If they bring that guy into the Underworld then he won't leave. And that will spell doom for their race.
Serafall internally clicked her tongue. She wanted to have Marcus next to her just so that she could have the feeling of safety. At this moment she is feeling dreadful.
Evil and Dark Gods are on the move? And they are working together? That's horrifying. Such a thing should have never happened! How do they work together for one common goal?
As the Council session is in progress the word has spread. The Crimson Satan is missing. Something happened which forced him to leave or he was caught and moved. Either way, it has sent shockwaves of terror through the Devil Kind.
The ones who are taking this the worst are the Gremory Family.
Venelana walked away from the manor and looked around for a second. She made sure no one was around. A magic circle appeared underneath her feet as she teleported away.
Appearing in a room she hasn't been for a while.
This was Marcus Goldman's underground home.
With the connection she had, she knew he was in this place. So she walked through the corridors and ended up taking the lift to the lower floors.
Walking past his workshop she entered the Genetics wing.
"...I should have known…" The brown-haired Bael sighed when she saw Grayfia standing some distance away and waiting for any sort of command from her Master.
"...Venelana…I assume you are here to ask for help to find Sirzechs?" The Silver-haired maid asked with a knowing look.
"...Yes. But it appears Master is busy." Lady Gremory said that with a resigned sigh as she saw him and his assistant working on something. They are arranging…something.
It looks like pictures or something much more complex.
After quite a bit of time, Marcus was done and turned around. He saw Grayfia and Venelana standing there.
"Oh my oh my. What guests I have! I understand my maid. Who is busy being the 'Queen' of the most important Devil in the Underworld. But what can I do for the devil lady who doesn't like serving her Lord?" The Alchemist and Inventor teased his Bael pillar.
Venelana grimaced for a bit. She is in quite a difficult position.
"...Master. I have returned to your side. This time permanently." Grayfia proceeded to speak as she saw that Venelana had nothing to say.
His Headmaid showed him the Queen Piece.
"...It has been removed?" He took it from her while asking with a curious tone. This was something he didn't expect!
"Yes. On its own. I assume something has happened to Sirzechs." Grayfia proposed a possibility.
"Yes. My senses are telling me that the piece doesn't have any power anymore." Marcus with a nod confirmed it.
"But…even if Sirzechs is dead the pieces would still function!" Venelana exclaimed with worry from the side. Did something happen to her son which is worse than death!?
"...Then someone has drained him, taken all of his power…the pieces are connected after all." Marcus pondered as he proceeded to walk towards his workshop.
"Quinella, I leave the clean-up duty to you." The Inventor looked at his assistant for a bit, giving her an order before walking out with the pair of devils.
"Yes, Master."
The trio walked to his main workshop. As always the room is here to bring awe to people. As this time around they were looking at the holographic image of the Milky Way galaxy spinning leisurely.
"Aurora scan this for me." Marcus lifted his hand and showed the red chess piece.
[Scanning]
Blue beams of light from all directions scanned the Evil piece.
[Scan complete]
Seconds later a window appeared in front of the inventor.
"Hmm, there are no signs of any sort of Demonic energy, it's as if someone drained everything from this piece."
After reading through everything he commented with a fascinated look. This was an interesting mystery.
"Then…"
"Whoever took your son, has completely drained him of all his power. Now the question is if he is still alive from experiencing all that. And if he is alive will he ever regain all the power he has lost?" The Successor to Solomon pondered with a serious voice.
"Now, what does the Devil Kind know about this? Grayfia?" Marcus asked the ex-Queen of the Crimson Lucifer.
"The last bit of information I got before leaving Underworld was that it appears that at least Three Deities are working against the Devil Kind. Ajuka thinks it's Evil and Dark Gods, an alliance of some sort."
The Silver-haired maid explained with a smooth voice. She wasn't holding anything back.
"My Master, I request your assistance. I don't think Devil Kind will survive if The Evil Gods unite and attack!" Venelana asked him with a worried tone.
"Lady Gremory, there has to be a reason for Our Master to act. You have the least leverage here to ask anything." Grayfia's voice was indifferent as she spoke with the mother of her previous King.
"...I know…and I am willing to do anything."
"Don't speak so casually, Venelana. You have no idea what I could do. Allowing my forces to enter the Underworld will cause even bigger chaos.
Do you think your kin will just allow me to scan and search for your Son?"
As Marcus was saying that he brushed his right index finger down and another window popped, he proceeded to go through menus as he selected the Space Centre and ordered the construction of an additional 3 Daedalus-Class ships. Raising his total to 4, at the same time he is ramping up production of S.P.B.A. And Aurora bots.
Then he proceeded to allocate resources and start building the Spaceport.
No more waiting.
The reason for this was that he realised that Hades was on the move and was building a large faction of Deities and other creatures.
While the Successor of Solomon is not afraid of that, what he is afraid of is losing valuable research materials in conflicts.
"Then…"
"Then use your influence and convince them to allow me to enter the Underworld." He said with an eye roll.
"...I will see what I can do. Do I have permission to leave?" Venelana asked with a respectful tone.
"Go. Once you have something, tell me."
"As you wish."
She then proceeded to leave.
Once gone the maid enquired with a curious voice.
"Are you sure you are planning to assist Devil Kin?"
"No. Not to assist them, that's not my goal, Grayfia. What I want is what lies in the depth of the Underworld. Having the possibility of scanning and researching deities from multiple pantheons is the greatest gold mine of them all.
And Hades…who is behind this is doing it nicely. He is creating a mine like no other."
"...Hades…The Greek God of the Underworld is behind this!?" Grayfia exclaimed with a shocked voice she lost her composure for a second.
"Precisely my dear Grayfia. The God is petty for my engagement to Athena. I can sense his desire for war. My senses penetrate the barriers between realms when I am using all my might. He can't hide his desire for conflict from me." Marcus said that as he returned to the control panel, he went to his space station and rearranged the construction priorities, finishing the main cannon is now priority number one.
The assembly lines on the station are finished so changing the focus of construction is very easy.
"...I see…" The silver-haired maid gulped down with some nervousness. Then why is Hades attacking Devils!?
Her eyes widened as she realised something!
Hades doesn't care at all! Devils for him are stepping stones for whatever he needs the excess grounds—staging grounds for his armies? Maybe that…
"Then… you are going to wait?"
"I am already increasing the production of my soldiers as well. We are entering yellow condition." As he said that he brushed his finger down on another window. This window has three colours. Green, yellow and red.
Though no one was speaking in the barracks S.P.B.A started to scramble into position as cloning vats roared to life. The creation of soldiers started!
~~~~~~Cocytus, Underworld~~~~~~
A large black lake was bubbling with energy as souls from the Underworld were flowing into this lake.
On one side they are flowing in from another pitch black armoured being with glowing eyes are walking out. Their armour is a mix of Norse, Greek, and Persian hieroglyphs.
The dark aura they emit is similar to that of devils, Greeks, with some mix of pure evil.
These are the new foot soldiers created at the hands of Angra Mainyu, Lilith, and with some help from Loki who was assisting with the magic of his Pantheon.
"What a glorious sight! This is our answer to Marcus Goldman's artificial army! An army which cannot die!" Angra Mainyu with a crazed voice exclaimed with pure happiness.
Next to him were beings like Hades, Erebus, Nyx, Loki, Tartarus, Hypno, Lilith and Thanatos.
They were standing at the edge of a cliff overlooking a valley, in this valley thousands if not hundreds of thousands of souls were being converted to whatever creatures these Deities were making.
"Combined with Grim Reapers, Nyx and Erebus creations, and Loki's giants, we have a very flexible army." Hades said with a pleased mod.
*Clap**Clap**Clap*
"What a sight this is… how many years has it been when I saw something like this!?"
The Gods and Primordials looked at the newest arrival.
"...Indra…so you did accept my invitation." Hades said with a surprised tone.
"Indra…" The other Gods looked surprised as well.
"Don't mind me. I have my reasons."
"Oh? Do tell. As you can see we have an alliance, and our resources are quite deep."
"...I can see that. You have quite a bit of firepower, and I could add some of mine."
Angra Mainyu looked quite shocked to hear that! Indra! The Heaven Emperor, the one who hates evil, is thinking of joining them!?
"I have two requests. If you agree to them then I will throw myself into your group."
"Speak."
"I want Cao Cao's soul. And I will join you if you prove yourself. Defeat Devils and Fallen, and my forces join yours against Marcus Goldman." The aloha jacket wearing God with sunglasses said while showing two fingers. His two requests.
"That is my final offer."
"...You saying Devas will march to war with us?" Hades asked with disbelief, Indra joining and Indra's forces joining are two different things.
"That is correct. That human needs to be put in his place for thinking that he stands next to the Divines. It's not his place to decide such things.
This brat made it personal when he killed one of my own. Now tell me if you agree." Indra's voice turned quite serious when he said that.
The pressure he emits makes even the strongest of the Gods in Hades' group sweat a little bit.
"Your terms are agreeable."
The God of the Underworld summoned his staff and tapped the ground with it.
Moments later a soul arrives in front of Hades. It formed into a man in his early twenties. This was Cao Cao.
"Lord Hades?" The man looked around…his eyes looked around. He somewhat looked nervous seeing so many Gods. So many evil-looking Gods…especially Angra Mainyu which looks like a living Shadow…
Oh, and there were flying eyes in the shadows as well…which emits a Divine Aura. Cao Cao tried to ignore this one… it feels far too diabolical.
"Go, your God is waiting for you."
"My God?" The man looked confused for a bit. So he turned around and saw Indra standing there.
"...Lord Indra."
"Come over." The Indian God motioned to walk over.
The moment Cao Cao was next to Indra, the Heaven Emperor reminded the group about his promise.
"Remember Hades. Destroy those two factions and my armies are yours."
After saying that the pair were gone.
*Tsk*
"Such arrogance," Tartarus said in annoyance.
"Are you sure he is trustworthy?" Nyx asked with some concern. Indra is known to throw childish temper tantrums and wants to wage war against Shiva.
"It's fine. He can join or decline, what matters is that I know his true feelings towards this. As long as he hates Marcus Goldman he will always be sympathetic to our cause."
"Fair enough. As long as he doesn't interfere, I don't care." The Primordial of Night shrugged and looked towards the ever-increasing army.
In the distance, she can see several large dragons snoozing. One of them is a massive blue giant with the lower half being serpentine.
That was their Trumph card… the King of Monsters Typhon. The creature terrified even Zeus.
At this moment this being is put to sleep and is waiting for the war.
Getting him to join them was not hard, the promise of never-ending powerful enemies was a sure way to make him join.
Not that they lied as Marcus Goldman can create beings for him to fight.
~~~~~~Kouh~~~~~~
"For the time being don't come to the Underworld and stay in Kuoh under Marcus protective barrier," Serafall said to her sister.
"..."
"..."
The pair of Peerages were stupefied hearing that Crimson Lucifer was missing. That Devil Kind is preparing for war!
All of that is far too much! Especially, since the pair of Heiresses believed that their siblings were unbeatable.
Rias was impacted the most since her brother and Grayfia are gone!
"I have arranged this place to be protected." The current Leviathan said with a small smile.
Marcus didn't mind arranging extra protection for this place.
Which satisfied Serafall to some degree. Same time she is wondering why he agreed on this so easily…
"...Sister, do you know what is going on?" Sona asked with an anxious look.
"All we know is that evil gods from Hell are banding together and they are preparing for war. Since where we live we are most likely in their way."
Truthfully, Serafall has no idea yet what is going on. She is telling the most likely hypothesis the Devil Council has come up with.
"...And my brother? Where is Sirzechs? Is there any news on him!?" Rias asked with a worried look. Now she is angry at herself for being weak! If she had more power she could have been more helpful!
"...This… I am sad to say this…but Sirzechs has been pulled to the depths of Hell. All we know is that his teleportation circle destination was Cocytus."
"...Cocytus!?" The Crimson-haired Heiress exclaimed with horror. Isn't Cocytus the 'Ice Prison'? Where are the most dangerous and wicked criminals kept!?
"We do not doubt that he was forcefully moved to that location. I have already tried to contact Hades about this. But he is not responding."
'Greek Gods… again? My gut feeling is telling me that Skull Head is planning something. Is it because of Athena's engagement and Artemis has been humiliated? Is Hades trying to get back at Marcus by attacking us?'
Serafall's political mind is working overtime. The more she thinks the more she sees this happening.
Attacking Marcus head-on is suicidal, he has the most defensive position in the supernatural world.
So what is the next best option? Attacking anyone connected to him.
Which means…
'Me…or the Devil Kind…'
The current Leviathan realised that it was maybe her who caused this to happen! A guilty feeling started to gnash at her from inside.
"...But we have to do something! He is the current Lucifer! The strongest devil!" Rias argued from sheer despair.
"Do you think I don't know!? But we CAN'T simply walk into Cocytus! It's not our territory! It's governed by Greek Gods and it's prison grounds! We, like any other race, are dumbing our most notorious criminals there!"
"...But…still…"
"Rias, the only thing you can do right now is train and practise your powers and grow stronger. You need to be prepared…just in case."
The underlying tone of Satan made the girls in the room stiffly nod.
But that moment golden light descended from the windows. Something large just appeared right above them!
"...Can you sense it?"
"...Yeah…mana…huge amount of mana!"
"... It's like something dropped above us!?"
Rias and Sona used their connection to the barriers…
They are shocked to see an enormous airship! Or more like a spaceship floating above the school!
The barriers didn't even react to this arrival!
"...This is… Confiscator! Marcus has sent his ship!?" Serafall was shocked the most!
This was his flagship, the thing which brought terror to the Pantheons. One could say this is his symbol of power.
And now it is here! But why? Is he taking the security of Kuoh to this level!?
Serafall didn't realise that this was only 25% of the mobility his faction could use. After all, another three ships are on the way.
"...What in the world!? Is he mad!? Revealing this to the public!?" Sona, while severely impressed by the sheer presence of this ship, was horrified if regular people would see it.
"No worries it should not be visible to normal people…" Serafall was around 75% certain. She needs to double-check in person…
"... Right. The voice of your tone doesn't give me confidence." The younger Sitri said with a deadpan voice. She proceeded to walk towards the doors.
The only one who was lagging was Rias, in turn, her peerage which was with her was lagging as well as they were looking at their 'King'.
Still, they proceeded to walk out and look at the floating ship.
It was enormous. Compared to the building around them. This thing is several hundred metres long!
The pair of long barrels under the belly increased the fear factor.
As they were looking at the ship they looked around to see if anyone else was looking up.
To their relief, no one was gazing at the sky with terrified looks.
"Is this the same technology he used in that simulation run? Only now can he use it anywhere he wants?" Sona realised that after thinking about this.
"Yes. In a way. He had hard light technology before, but he upgraded it after YOUR visited So-tan!"
"...Me?"
"Yes. Or more precisely when your Bishop mentioned Darth Vader."
"...R-Really!?" Momo, who was the one who mentioned it offhandedly, could only have complex feelings about this. Sure the tech looks revolutionary. But, what about if it gets used by the wrong hands?
"Yes… anyway…" Serafall didn't finish talking as she saw gunships leaving one after another from the airship and landing at the back of the school.
"Let's go. I want to see what kind of orders these S.P.B.A have."
The current Leviathan motioned for them to walk with her.
"R-Right!"
The group of devils walked around the school and saw gunships after gunships land and Mandalorian look-alikes left the gunships and started to assume formations.
It looks like they are making camp… in the back of the school…
"...Sister… I don't like armies camping in the back of my…I mean our school!" Sona quickly fixed herself as she was with Rias here!
"Hehehe…we can think of something!" Serafall giggled nervously.
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