High School DxD: Sons of Satan

In the Sixth Heaven, inside Archangel Michael's office.

Michael sat behind a broad desk carved from ivory, his expression calm but wearied.

His eyes scanned line after line of glowing alerts blinking on the screen.

[UNPROCESSED PRAYER REQUESTS: 1,527,503 AND RISING]

[PURE ANGEL POPULATION: 5% DECREASE OVER THE LAST CENTURY]

[EXORCIST DEFECTIONS REPORTED IN ITALY, JAPAN, BRAZIL]

[TOWN OF SANLOWE: CONFIRMED VAMPIRIC MASSACRE - HUMAN CASUALTIES ESTIMATED AT 97%]

Michael exhaled slowly through his nose, eyes closing briefly.

Despite the tremendous weight of the heavens he bore, he said nothing, no complaints.

He simply kept working, typing out commands, reordering deployments, recalibrating allocations worldwide, and maintaining God's system that governed both Heaven and Earth.

His fingers were halfway to his desk mug filled with still-hot cocoa when the chamber doors exploded open.

Michael's eyes narrowed slightly, his hand pausing just an inch from the mug.

Raphael stormed in, panting, her long hair messy, the hem of her white robes fluttering with her frantic movement.

She didn't even wait to be acknowledged as she practically ran to his desk.

"Big Brother, have you not seen the news?!"

She said quickly.

Michael straightened in his seat, blinking once in mild surprise.

"Raphael, what do you mean?"

"What do you mean, 'What do I mean?'?! Look!"

She shouted, moving past his desk and tapping at the massive screen.

The display instantly shifted, glowing softly, and showed a recorded feed from Earth.

Specifically, Romania.

Michael's eyes widened.

Tepes Castle was in ruins, the once-proud stronghold of the vampires was now reduced to molten stone and scorched soil, the surrounding battlefield was blackened, burned into glass by crimson inferno, and the air above the land shimmered with the aftermath of raw power.

"Those flames..."

Michael leaned forward, eyes narrowing.

He didn't need confirmation, but he asked anyway.

"…Are those…?"

"Yes. Those are the flames of Ddraig. More specifically, Arthur's."

Raphael answered grimly, adjusting her glasses. 

Michael leaned back, his expression unreadable.

"So he used Juggernaut Drive..."

Raphael nodded.

"There's also this..."

With a swipe of her hand, and shows a recorded footage of Arthur that made Michael widen his eyes.

["Heed my words, Vampires! I, Arthur Pendragon… Son of Sirzechs Lucifer… Descendant of King Arthur… Bearer of the Boosted Gear… SHALL BURN YOU ALL DOWN!"]

The footage showed Arthur activating Juggernaut Drive and going on a rage-fueled bloodbath.

But Michael was more focused on what the young Pendragon had announced.

"So.... Arthur is Artoria's... AND Sirzechs' son?"

Raphael nods as she, too, couldn't believe it.

Back in the old days, she was well acquainted with Heaven's Guardian Angel, Artoria Pendragon, but not on the same level as her sister, Gabriel.

She was aware that Artoria was in love with a Devil, but she could never have expected that it was the Crimson Satan himself.

Michael thought so as well and asked.

"Does Gabriel know about this?"

Raphael shook her head as she was focused on the screen.

"I don't know, but I believe that she is aware to some extent. But there's still more to be seen."

She then brought up a full series of images, all captured by unknown means.

Arthur, clad in his Juggernaut Drive, stood among a group of terrifying individuals.

Dulio Gesualdo, wielding Zenith Tempest as he wiped out the reserve army.

Siegfried, his Demon Swords drawn, as he cleaves through the town hall.

A Chinese teenage boy with the True Longinus in hand.

A magician with the Dimension Lost shrouded the battlefield in a purple mist, imprisoning the vampires.

Connla, whose eye glowed with eerie black, the power of Aeon Balor manifesting around him.

And a muscular teen, unleashing explosive energy from his palms alongside Regulus Nemea.

Michael stared at the screen for a long time before speaking.

"This is… unprecedented... six Longinus users… no-seven, including Arthur… all gathered in one place."

Raphael nodded again, though her face was grave.

"There is a possibility that there are more of them, but it is uncertain. But there is no denying that it's the first time in recorded history."

She tapped the screen again, this time bringing up a strategic overlay.

"They coordinated an all-out assault on the vampire nobility in Romania. Every vampire was annihilated and their stronghold obliterated. All except the Carmilla Faction, who had brokered a deal with Arthur's group beforehand."

Michael leaned back in his seat, folding his hands.

"This is quite the shocking development."

"Inded. But that's not the only thing that I have to show you."

Raphael said, voice low as she tapped the screen again.

A wave of silence passed through the room.

Images now filled the display, grainy security feeds from the Vatican's council chambers.

"The Council…?"

Michael whispered.

"All of them. Dead. Every last one. Slain by one of our own."

Raphael confirmed. 

"…Who?"

"Dulio."

Michael looked up sharply.

"Dulio Gesualdo?"

She nodded once.

"He summoned them to an emergency meeting, locked them inside the chamber, and then… executed them. Lightning. Wind. Flames. He killed them all using the Zenith Tempest."

Michael's mouth parted slightly, but he said nothing.

Raphael continued.

"Ewald Cristaldi, Griselda Quarta, and a battalion of exorcists arrived shortly after. They were ready to arrest the culprit, but it was revealed that it was Dulio; he handed them a full record of the Council's hidden activities."

She slid another document onto the screen, a report with seals and signatures glowing in red.

Michael read the titles in silence.

[Holy Sword Project: Unredacted Experimentation Log]

[Cloning Initiative: Subject - Sigurd, Lancelot du Lac, Gawain, ... ]

[Unauthorized Recall of Exorcist Forces from Non-Priority Settlements]

Arthur's hometown was listed as one of those Non-Priority.

Michael stared at it for a moment, then slowly lowered his gaze.

"...They left them to die."

"They did. Arthur's entire hometown. Dozens of children. The orphanage. Gabriel locked herself in her chambers when she found out. She hasn't spoken since. But at the Vatican, there was an uproar. If it were not for Uriel's arrival, the internal conflict would worsen."

Raphael said bitterly.

Michael looked down at his untouched mug of cocoa that had become cold.

"Where is Dulio now?"

He asked, his voice quieter now, almost weary.

Raphael hesitated, eyes flicking away.

"Well… the thing is…"

She took a deep breath.

"…He turned himself in."

Michael's eyes widened.

"He walked directly into the custody of Uriel. No resistance. No words. Just handed over the documents and surrendered himself with a smug grin on his face. He's currently being held in a room alongside Uriel."

"…And the exorcists? What do they say?"

"Most of them support him. After seeing the evidence… the Council's corruption… even Ewald and Griselda didn't cause a scene."

Michael didn't say anything.

The screen remained alight, casting soft blue and gold light against the walls of his chamber.

"…What now?"

Raphael asked, more gently this time.

Michael slowly rose from his seat, stepping forward until he stood before a nearby window.

His thoughts moved between the footage of the battle-scarred castle, the ruins of the Vatican council chamber, and the young man at the center of it all.

Arthur.

"...I don't know."

Michael spoke softly.

He closed his eyes.

"But one thing is certain."

He opened them again, his gaze filled with resolve.

"The world is changing. And I believe it's time for us to get with the times."

DxD

Inside Grigori's underground training facility, sparks of blue and white light lit up the chamber, clashing violently with bursts of blue and silver aura as a high-speed battle unfolded.

The sound of metal striking metal echoed through the ruined arena, deep gashes and craters marring the floor and walls..

Vali Lucifer, age 14, glided through the air with rapid speed, the light wings from Divine Dividing flaring brightly behind him.

His silver hair fluttered, blue eyes glowing with excitement and intensity as he swung a longsword at his opponent with relentless fury.

Every strike, every calculated feint, was filled with raw talent and refined technique far beyond his years.

Baraqiel, the gruff and battle-hardened Vice Governor General of Grigori, stood his ground on the cracked arena floor.

A Light Spear hummed in his hand while arcs of holy lightning danced across his muscular frame.

Despite the overwhelming speed of Vali's attacks, Baraqiel's expression remained calm, even mildly amused.

He parried the strikes with minimal movement, his feet barely shifting, and only counterattacking when an opening presented itself.

Vali darted to the right, then circled from behind, wings flaring as he dashed in from an unexpected angle.

Their weapons clashed once more in a ringing spark of steel and energy.

In a sudden maneuver, Vali grabbed Baraqiel's light spear with his free hand.

[DIVIDE!]

The voice of Albion, the Vanishing Dragon, echoed from his Longinus.

In an instant, the power of Baraqiel's weapon was halved, its radiance dimming as the Light Spear weakened in his grip.

With a grin of triumph, Vali twisted his wrist and moved in for a clean strike aimed at Baraqiel's torso.

But Baraqiel was faster.

A bolt of holy lightning erupted from his hand, hitting Vali square in the chest and sending him crashing into a stone pillar.

Smoke trailed from Vali's singed shirt, and he grimaced but quickly recovered, soaring back into the air with a determined glare.

He charged once more, sword drawn and battle-ready.

"That's enough."

Baraqiel said suddenly, holding his hand up.

Vali skidded to a halt mid-air, his blade stopping just inches from Baraqiel's face.

"What? Come on, I was just getting started!"

Vali complained, lowering his weapon reluctantly.

Baraqiel nodded, a rare smile tugging at the edge of his stern face.

"Your swordsmanship has improved immensely. Your instincts are sharper. You've learned how to use Divine Dividing offensively and tactically… I'm impressed."

Vali smirked, proud of his hard work.

"As expected. I'm not training this hard just to play around. I have a goal to accomplish."

Baraqiel folded his arms, his expression hardening slightly, though not out of disapproval.

"The Red Dragon Emperor"

Vali's grin widened.

"Yeah. Arthur Pendragon. The boy who killed a god."

He said it with something between admiration and rivalry.

It was a truth everyone in the supernatural world was starting to accept.

Arthur Pendragon wasn't just any mere Cambion; he was the strongest Red Dragon Emperor of this generation.

And this excites Vali even more when they inevitably clash in the future.

"Then you'll need more than speed and talent, you'll need to master your Demonic Powers and your Longinus, completely."

Baraqiel warned.

Right on cue, Albion's voice rang in Vali's head.

(Indeed. If you want to match the Red One, you must awaken the full potential of Divine Dividing. And you must find a weapon worthy of facing the boy.)

A magic circle of Grigori design suddenly appeared on the floor with a burst of yellow light.

Azazel stepped out of the light, looking relaxed, his hands in his pockets as he observed the damaged arena.

*Whistle*

"Wow. You two really went at it. I see your training is getting intense."

Azazel said casually, then turned to Baraqiel.

"Mind giving us the room?"

Baraqiel gave a curt nod and walked out without a word, only sparing one last glance at Vali as he left.

Vali floated down and stood straight.

"What are you doing here, Azazel?"

Azazel gave a sly grin.

"I've got something to show you. Come with me."

Without waiting, he snapped his fingers together and summoned a second teleportation circle beneath their feet as the two vanished in a flash of light.

When they reappeared, they stood inside Azazel's office, lined with bookshelves, instruments, artifacts, and a mini fridge near the desk.

Vali crossed his arms.

"Alright, what is it? Planning on sending me to some boring adventure again?"

Azazel grinned wider.

"I think it's better if I show you."

With a wave of his hand, a glowing screen formed in midair.

The display activated, showing shaky footage taken from an unknown observer's perspective, possibly through magical surveillance or a scrying spell.

Vali's eyes narrowed as the video played.

The Tepes Castle in ruins, the battlefield was scorched black, surrounded by piles of vampire corpses.

Crimson flames still burned across the horizon like a hellish wildfire, and the skies above were streaked with ash.

The sheer devastation resembled something akin to hell on earth.

Standing at the center of it all was a figure with a crimson humanoid dragon roaring at the heavens as its very aura disrupted space itself.

Arthur Pendragon.

Others were battling at the sidelines, Longinus users.

Siegfried, Georg, Heracles, Connla, Cao Cao, and Dulio.

Vali leaned closer to the screen, captivated.

"…What is this?"

Azazel crossed his arms.

"Your rival. This is what he and his team did. The Tepes Faction was completely massacred, and the Vampire population was almost erased that night. Arthur and his allies destroyed the Tepes Faction and left only the Carmilla faction alive."

Vali just stared at the screen, silent, as there was one particular scene that fascinated him.

["Heed my words, Vampires! I, Arthur Pendragon… Son of Sirzechs Lucifer… Descendant of King Arthur… Bearer of the Boosted Gear… SHALL BURN YOU ALL DOWN!"]

"..."

Vali didn't say anything for a long moment as he heard Arthur's words.

Azazel raised a brow.

"...Hey, you okay? I gotta admit though. I had a hunch that he's Sirzechs' kid, but this clarifies it, huh."

As Azazel said this, Vali finally spoke.

"That's… That is...."

Azazel blinked.

"Huh?"

Vali turned toward him, eyes practically glowing.

"That. Is. So. AWESOME! I finally got to see him fight for real! That was insane! And the others, so many Longinus users together, it's like something out of a dream!"

Vali paced around as he continued.

"Not only that... He's actually the son of THE Sirzechs Lucifer! Can you believe it, Azazel?! It's like the universe decided to give me the best opponent to challenge me! Hah! I can see it now! The Red Dragon Emperor versus the White Dragon Emperor, both born from a powerful Demonic lineage! In the future, the whole world will witness as the old Lucifer battles against the new Lucifer! It's gonna be the best battle ever recorded in history!"

Azazel opened his mouth, then sighed, unable to stop a smile from forming.

Vali was pacing now, completely hyped.

"I've got to train more. My Longinus, Divine Dividing, alone isn't enough. I need to master my Demonic Power and unlock Juggernaut Drive, maybe even create future forms just like Arthur did with his Excalibur swords. And, yeah, speaking of swords, I'm gonna need my own magic sword! A really strong one! Something that screams terror at the hearts of my enemies! Maybe something Holy, Demonic, or forged by some famous dwarf from a dying star!"

"…What?"

Azazel asked flatly.

"And a team! I should form my own team too! But mine'll be way stronger and way awesomer than Arthur's! Like, no offense, but come on, I could one-up them if I tried."

Vali added, spinning on his heel.

Azazel just watched him, arms crossed, eyes slowly drifting to the window beside his desk, deep in thought.

The fragile balance that held the Three Factions together was cracking in ways no one had foreseen.

Old powers were scheming, new powerhouses are rising, and the whole world is gonna experience a new age.

And at the center of it, like the spark that ignited the powder keg…

Arthur Pendragon.

Azazel sighed again and muttered under his breath.

"Man… this era is getting more troublesome as time passes."

He turned toward Vali, who was now talking to Albion about training his muscles into steel.

"Yeah. The world is gonna be in for a wild ride."

DxD

In the heart of Lucifaad, capital of the Underworld and seat of power for Devilkind, the grand chamber of the Devil Council echoed with distant murmurs as nobles and High-Class Devils gathered for a meeting that was, until this morning, not on anyone's schedule.

The obsidian floor reflected the dim magical chandeliers hanging from above, while rows of thrones and ornately carved seats lined the circular formation of the Council.

In the center of the chamber sat the section reserved for the Four Great Satans.

Ajuka Beelzebub, the ever-calm and calculating genius of the group, adjusted the cuff of his coat as he eyed the empty seats next to him.

"Where are Sirzechs and Falbium?"

He asked idly, more out of formality than worry.

Serafall Leviathan, dressed in her usual magical girl outfit complete with frills and glittering accessories, sat with her arms crossed, cheeks puffed in exaggerated frustration.

She twirled her staff with a pout, clearly not in the mood to answer.

"Fal-kun said something about being 'violently allergic to politics' and refused to leave his room."

She said dismissively, then gave a dramatic huff.

"And as for Sirzechs? I don't know. He could die for all I care."

Ajuka blinked, clearly registering the unusual irritation in her voice.

"Did something happen? You seem to be quite upset at him."

Serafall turned away with a cute little scoff.

"Let him explain himself. I'm not in the mood to deal with that idiot."

Ajuka raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

Before he could press further, the chamber doors opened with a soft chime of magic.

All present turned their attention forward as Grayfia Lucifuge entered, poised as ever in her crisp maid uniform, and her silver hair shimmered.

"Greetings, honoured nobles. Announcing the arrival of Lord Sirzechs Lucifer."

She declared.

A wave of silence washed over the chamber.

Every noble and official stood, or at least bowed their heads, as the crimson-haired Super Devil entered, his aura held tightly in check yet undeniably present.

His long red locks trailed behind him like a cape, and his expression was tempered only by the calm smile he wore.

He offered polite nods and gestures of acknowledgment as he strode toward the thrones reserved for the Satans, with Grayfia at his side.

Serafall refused to make eye contact, arms still crossed.

Ajuka observed the tension with careful detachment, but still greeted his best friend.

"Sirzechs, took you long enough."

"Heh. Sorry, old friend, I was preoccupied with other matters."

Sirzechs sat beside Ajuka, adjusting his posture slightly before letting out a tired sigh.

"She's still not speaking to me, huh."

Ajuka kept his eyes forward.

"What exactly did you do to upset Serafall?"

"I… honestly don't know. She refused to talk to me earlier. Just stormed off in a cloud of glitter and fury."

"Ah, I see. Good to know."

Ajuka nodded. 

Before more could be said, a deeper, older voice echoed through the chamber.

"Welcome, everyone. Let the meeting commence."

Spoke Zekram Bael, the patriarch of the Bael Clan and the leader of the Great King Faction.

He sat tall in his throne, his presence dominating the other nobles at his side.

His purple eyes surveyed the room like a hawk, sizing up prey.

"Today's meeting has been called in response to a development in Eastern Europe. Specifically, in the territory belonging to the Tepes Faction of Vampires."

This drew a ripple of murmurs across the Devil Council, especially among the older families. One of the nobles scoffed openly.

"Why should we concern ourselves with what happens to those leeches? Their politics are their mess."

Several others nodded in agreement.

But Zekram raised a single hand, instantly silencing the room.

"It is not the vampires we should focus on. It is the disaster that happened to them and those who did it."

The ancient Devil waved his hand, and a glowing magical screen projected itself above the center of the chamber.

The room darkened slightly to make the image clearer.

What they saw sent a wave of shock through the gathering.

The ruins of Castle Tepes, bodies of vampires strewn across the scorched stone in grotesque heaps, crimson flames engulfing the towers and trees, and the battlefield was painted in blood and ash.

In the midst of it all, a singular figure clad in crimson draconic armor rampaged through the ranks like a wrathful god.

Arthur Pendragon, the Red Dragon Emperor, in his Juggernaut Drive.

His comrades were equally recognizable; they were all Longinus users.

Ajuka leaned forward slightly, his interest piqued.

"So many Longinus users at once…"

Serafall said nothing, her expression uncharacteristically unreadable.

Her usual bright demeanor was replaced with a quiet, intense focus, her eyes locked on Arthur's demeanor and actions.

She watched how he moved, how he attacked, the way he spoke, as if planning to remember each detail.

Sirzechs, for his part, had gone quiet.

There was a small, almost imperceptible smile on his lips as he watched the footage.

It wasn't pride in the destruction, but in the boy himself.

His and Artoria's son, who had carved his own legend and stood tall amongst monsters.

Sirzechs didn't speak, but beside him, Grayfia allowed the faintest smile to grace her lips as well.

Zekram Bael spoke again, his voice commanding.

"As you can see, Arthur Pendragon, the Red Dragon Emperor, known for being the first of his kind to slay a god, led a group of Longinus users into Vampire territory and decimated the Tepes Faction in a single night. His reasons remain unclear."

The council began murmuring again.

"Did the Vatican send him?"

"Is he under Heaven's orders?"

"Could he have been targeting other similar factions as well?"

Zekram raised his hand to silence them.

"Now, I want to show all a very important clip that is the reason why this meeting was announced."

The footage changed, showing Arthur in his Scale Mail, his voice echoing across the soon-to-be ruined battlefield.

["Heed my words, Vampires! I, Arthur Pendragon… Son of Sirzechs Lucifer… Descendant of King Arthur… Bearer of the Boosted Gear… SHALL BURN YOU ALL DOWN!"]

The chamber fell into stunned silence.

All nobles reacted poorly and began protesting.

"He is… what?!"

"Impossible! A claim like that cannot be made lightly!"

"Such a forbidden union is impossible!"

Zekram calmly pulled forward another screen and presented readings.

"As you all could see, these are Demonic energy residues recovered from both Tepes territory and from the ruined Isles of Ireland. They all match two distinct lineages, Bael and Gremory. This is not speculative. This is a fact."

He turned to Sirzechs, his voice sharp.

"And since the young heiress, Rias Gremory, is too young to bear a child, there is only one possibility. Lord Sirzechs Lucifer… you are the father."

An uproar exploded throughout the chamber.

Shouting. Accusations. Demands for answers.

Some nobles looked furious, others terrified.

A few, like Ajuka, simply stared in wide-eyed disbelief.

Sirzechs was frozen still in his seat, and his hand slowly went to his face as he rubbed his forehead.

Ajuka turned his head toward Serafall.

"So this is why you're angry with him."

Serafall huffed and rolled her eyes.

"Took you long enough to figure it out, Ajuka. I'm upset that Sirzechs kept my godson a secret. And I can't believe Tori-chan didn't even give me a call that she has a son."

Sirzechs turned to her, his voice low, trying to defuse things.

"Serafall, please. let me explain-"

"Don't bother, Fia-chan already told me what I need to know."

Sirzechs turned slowly to look at his queen and wife.

Grayfia bowed, her voice calm.

"I sincerely apologize, my king. That would be my fault. When we last met, she noticed my expression was off when she mentioned Artoria. She kept pestering me until I confessed and made her promise to keep it to herself for now. Since word will eventually spread sooner or later, I believe we may as well tell our friends and family. But what I didn't expect was that someone else beat us to it, though."

Grayfia said simply, hands clasped in front of her.

"Hah... I guess you're right."

Sirzechs muttered, sighing in defeat.

Ajuka made a slight chuckle.

"Well, I was wondering why Arthur looked similar to Sirzechs, and now the mystery is solved. But the meeting is not done yet."

All around them, nobles continued to rant; the Devil Council chamber was engulfed in uproar. 

"Outrageous!"

"A Satan consorting with a human!?"

"A spawn of Lucifer and the King of Knight's descendant, this is madness!"

"The Underworld cannot afford this stain on its pure blood!"

"This is unheard of!"

"That child is a walking political disaster!"

Amid the chorus of accusations and disbelief, Sirzechs Lucifer remained seated with his hands folded calmly in front of him, but his crimson eyes gradually narrowed as he listened to them belittling his son.

A slow exhale escaped his nose, and finally, he stood.

"Silence."

His voice wasn't raised, but it didn't need to be.

The sheer weight of his presence pressed down upon the room so that even the most belligerent nobles immediately shut their mouths, reminding them of exactly who stood before them.

The chamber fell into silence, all attention now on the Crimson Satan.

Sirzechs' expression was neutral, but he looked directly at Zekram Bael with quiet authority.

"What exactly is the reason behind showing us all this, Zekram?"

Zekram's expression remained unreadable.

The Bael Clan progenitor leaned back in his chair slightly, steepling his fingers together.

"Is it not obvious?"

He said smoothly.

"I have no intention of causing a scandal or stirring discord. I only desire to acknowledge the achievements of your son, Arthur Pendragon."

Murmurs rose again among the council, softer this time, more contemplative than outraged.

Zekram continued.

"This boy has already done what few Devils of our generation could dream of. I see in him not an anomaly, but potential. I propose we acknowledge his bloodline and allow him to return to his rightful place as the Underworld's Crowned Prince."

Sirzechs' brow furrowed.

Zekram's voice carried across the chamber.

"He should not be left alone to wander as an outsider. He should be here, alongside his people, protected and guided. If other factions bear ill will against him, then we must be ready. It is not just for his sake. It is for ours."

At that, the room shifted again, and the idea now hung in the air.

The thought of binding not only Arthur but his powerful companions to the Underworld was a tantalizing opportunity that even the most conservative nobles had to consider.

At the side of the Four Great Satans, Ajuka's eyes sharpened.

His mind pieced the real intent together in seconds.

(He's trying to rope Arthur and the Longinus users into becoming the Underworld's property and to strengthen our forces and influence. He knows how valuable they are. He wants to tie them down before someone else does.)

Grayfia remained composed beside her husband, but inwardly, she had reached the same conclusion.

(Zekram's too cunning to move without intent.)

Serafall, for once, not flailing her wand or squealing in a high-pitched voice, had her arms folded with narrowed eyes.

(That old fox. He doesn't care about Arthur. He just wants the Red Dragon Emperor and his team under control. Tch.)

Now, all three of them turned their eyes toward Sirzechs.

Sirzechs looked around the room slowly.

From the suspicious nobles, to his fellow Satans, to Zekram himself.

And then he simply said.

"I refuse."

That one answer brought the entire chamber to a standstill, the murmuring ceased, and even Zekram's eyes widened.

Sirzechs spoke again, his voice calm, unshaken.

"My son is no longer a child in need of protection. He is a young man who has grown strong enough to defend himself and his comrades. Strong enough to survive the world's cruelty without our hand guiding his every step."

He looked over the crowd again, his words firm.

"More importantly, he has the right to make his own decisions. I will not allow this council, or myself, to dictate the course of his life."

A few nobles began to nod quietly; others were still uncertain, but opinions were shifting.

Zekram's voice came again, slower, deliberate.

"Are you certain, Lord Lucifer? Would it not be better if Arthur were here, with his real family? With proper resources and influence, he could achieve far more. In time, he might even become a Super Devil like his father."

Sirzechs narrowed his blue eyes.

"You assume he needs us to reach that level. But from what I've seen…"

He let the words trail off as the image of Arthur's Juggernaut Drive tearing through his enemies.

"…He's already well on his way to surpassing me."

There was a sense of pride in his tone.

Sirzechs then took a deep breath and spoke with finality.

"Unless Arthur himself comes to us, asking for aid, and to be part of the Underworld, I hereby forbid any interference. He is to be left to his path, unless he or his team is in immediate danger. That is my decree."

Zekram sat back in silence.

After a long moment, he gave a tired sigh and nodded once.

"Very well. If that is your will, we will respect it, Lord Lucifer."

The rest of the council slowly bowed their heads or nodded in turn.

With the major matter resolved, Zekram moved on to other, more trivial updates regarding territory disputes and noble succession hearings, but the room was only half-listening.

Sirzechs sat back down in his seat, his features calm again, but there was a faint shadow in his expression.

Ajuka leaned closer, speaking softly.

"You know I agree with you, but are you sure? About keeping him away from your side of the family?"

Sirzechs didn't answer immediately.

His gaze drifted toward the large screen that displayed his son.

"I want to meet him more than anything, especially his mother. But I can't just… walk into his life and pretend everything can be perfect. If I suddenly appeared on his doorstep and told him who I was, I'd only inconvenience him."

He looked down at his hands.

"When Arthur decides to seek me out, I'll be here. Not as Satan Lucifer, but as his father."

Beside him, Grayfia glanced sideways with the faintest raise of her brow, her expression somewhere between exasperation and fondness.

(You're an idiot, Sirzechs. A noble idiot.)

Serafall, on the other hand, scoffed loudly as she stood.

"Oh, screw that. I don't care about your stupid guilt trip or waiting around. Arthur Pendragon is going to meet his super cute, ultra-magical, mega-adorable godmother, Miracle☆Levia-tan!"

She said, putting a hand on her hip. 

Ajuka groaned.

"Oh no."

Sirzechs turned in alarm.

"Serafall. Please-"

But she was already gone, vanishing in a glittering sparkles using a magical circle.

The three remaining Devils just sat there in silence for a long moment.

Ajuka pinched the bridge of his nose.

"…Well. This will be a disaster."

Grayfia let out a quiet sigh.

"She's probably halfway to Earth by now."

Sirzechs looked at the spot where Serafall had vanished.

He closed his eyes.

(I'm sorry, Arthur. Please forgive Serafall if she... when she goes overboard.)

He had a feeling she absolutely would go overboard.

DxD

Within the Old Satan Faction's war chamber, dimly lit by flickering green torches and surrounded by stone pillars, a meeting was underway.

Shalba Beelzebub leaned forward in his throne-like chair, his clawed fingers rhythmically tapping against the table's surface.

Katerea Leviathan sat beside him, legs crossed elegantly, arms folded in annoyance.

Creuserey Asmodeus remained composed and still, his gaze fixed on the two men standing before them.

Lord Vladi and Lord Manthar, vampire lords of the now-decimated Tepes Faction, stood nervously, pale and battered from both travel and failure.

Their pride was in ruins, and the air in the chamber felt like it weighed tons.

Shalba's tapping suddenly stopped.

"So, would either of you care to explain how you managed to lose everything in a single night?"

He began, voice calm but laced with venom.

Neither vampire answered immediately.

"The Sephiroth Graal taken and the Tepes Faction dismantled to a group of humans and their halfblood leader."

Shalba continued, emphasizing each word.

Lord Vladi opened his mouth.

"My Lord. You don't understand, the Red Dragon Emperor was a monster! That power, his aura, it wasn't natural! He-"

Shalba's fist slammed onto the table.

The room fell deathly silent.

Katerea sighed and rolled her eyes.

"What a pathetic excuse. You lost the Holy Grails and allowed your stronghold to burn to ash… to a mongrel and his band of monkeys."

Lord Manthar's fists clenched at his sides as he muttered bitterly.

"It's not like we knew the Red Dragon Emperor was Sirzechs' son, you fools..."

A terrible stillness fell over the room.

And then...

*Crush!*

Lord Manthar's body bent unnaturally as a crushing force smashed him downward in an instant.

His bones ruptured, organs imploded, and his head exploded before he dropped dead to the floor.

All eyes turned to Creuserey Asmodeus, who stood with one palm lazily raised in the air.

Creuserey let his hand drop as he coldly addressed the other vampire.

"Fools? You come before us empty-handed, and then insult us straight in our faces? You lost everything, and yet you speak as if we're to blame?"

Lord Vladi collapsed to his knees from the earlier display of power, his body shaking uncontrollably as he stammered in terror.

"P-please! Have mercy! Give me another chance, I'll use the remaining vampires to retrieve the-!"

Shalba's eyes narrowed coldly as he cut him off.

"You've bled us dry of our precious time, attention, and resources. You have already lost your worth. Now it is time for you to pay."

With a snap of his fingers, a chittering sound filled the air.

From the shadows behind him emerged a dense swarm of black, crimson-eyed mosquitoes, created using his Demonic Power, King of Flies.

In an instant, the swarm rushed forward, enveloping Lord Vladi as he screamed and thrashed.

In seconds, the screams turned to choking gurgles as the insects drilled into his flesh and sucked every last drop of blood from his body.

A minute later, his corpse collapsed, shriveled like a mummified corpse.

Katerea gave a light, almost amused chuckle.

"How ironic. A vampire dying of blood loss."

She said with a smirk.

Creuserey folded his arms and nodded.

"How poetic."

Shalba said nothing.

He only stared at the dried corpse until his gaze lifted, and suddenly, the temperature in the room dropped.

And then she was there.

Standing atop the center of the obsidian table, as if she had always been there, was a barefoot young girl with long black hair and emotionless gray eyes.

All three Satan successors instantly rose from their seats and bowed in unison.

"Lady Ophis."

They greeted respectfully, voices subdued.

Ophis gave them a slow, quiet nod.

Her gaze drifted toward the two vampire corpses now staining the floor.

She stared for several seconds in complete silence before speaking.

"What happened?"

Creuserey stepped forward cautiously.

"The Tepes Faction failed us, Lady Ophis. They have lost the key artifact to proceed with our plans."

Katerea twirled a strand of her hair.

"What brings you here, Lady Ophis? We've not seen you in weeks. We were searching for your whereabouts."

Ophis looked at Katerea briefly, then at Shalba and Creuserey.

Her voice was as flat and cold as ever.

"I met a strange one."

The three exchanged quick, confused glances.

Shalba blinked.

"A strange one? What do you mean by that, Lady Ophis?"

She didn't answer right away.

Katerea raised an eyebrow, but her instincts warned her not to press.

Ophis finally turned to Creuserey.

"How are the forces?"

Creuserey nodded.

"Our numbers are growing steadily. The Wizards of Oz have pledged themselves to us. Some Fallen Angels, a few stragglers from the Underworld… even remnants of dead pantheons have been recruited. But it is not enough. If we are to challenge Great Red, we still need more."

Ophis nodded once.

"Good... Continue... I shall bring the strange one soon."

The three exchanged glances again.

Shalba tilted his head slightly.

"The strange one? Forgive my curiosity, but… who is this 'strange one', Lady Ophis?"

He asked carefully.

Ophis looked at him.

And kept looking.

Her eyes locked on his for a full, unblinking minute.

The tension in the room returned, heavier than ever, almost suffocating.

Shalba didn't dare move.

Then finally, she answered.

"I don't know."

And with that cryptic declaration, Ophis vanished in silence.

The chamber was still again.

Shalba slowly sat back down, face tense.

"She doesn't know…?"

Katerea exhaled through her nose, brow furrowed.

"Did she mean she hasn't chosen yet… or that this 'strange one' she met is unknown?"

Creuserey narrowed his eyes.

"Either way, we should tread carefully. If Ophis has taken an interest in someone with an unknown background… it could change everything."

Shalba looked toward the center of the table where she had stood.

His mind swirled with thoughts of Arthur Pendragon, of the Sephiroth Graal, and of the plan being pulled off its rails.

"Find out who this mysterious person is. If they are a threat, they must be eliminated."

DxD

Hello readers!

First of all, college f*ck*ng s*ck b*g f*t throbbing h*rs* d*ck.

Second, this chapter is pretty long, so please give me all your Power Stones and add this to your library.

Thank you, everyone, and see you later!