Even after he finished dealing with the prisoners and spoils of the battle, Kiyoshi had no chance to rest. There were only a few hours left until the finals, so he needed to get fresh information and confirm the next steps from his ally. Before heading to Euclid, the phoenix contacted Akeno, inquiring about her condition, as well as the progress of the assigned task.
— Ha-ha-ha! Don't worry, Kiyoshi, I'm fine, — the girl assured him with a cheerful voice. During the conversation, thunderclaps, numerous screams and roars could be heard from her side. — Everything is going without any surprises. We are already finishing with the third group.
— Okay, I won't distract you, but focus on your own safety.
Zankoku turned off the magic circle, throwing his worries aside. He knows the strength of his wives better than anyone, so he must believe in them. In addition, the phoenix took care of the insurance for the unforeseen event. Having focused on his current task again, he teleported to the headquarters of the future traitor.
— ...otherwise, there are no changes, — the demon finished telling the news as they approached the laboratory. — Other than that, the plan remains the same. After you appear on the battlefield, my people will begin to act, — the representative of the Lucifuge clan entered a spacious room full of various creatures. Humans, demons, fallen and even youkai were under his command.
— An amazing sight, — the phoenix sincerely expressed himself, looking around at the people around. Then his gaze stopped on a certain magician approaching them. — I am surprised that you have such a motley team under your command, I especially admire your deputy, — Zankoku looked closely at the woman irritated by such attention. — For Walburga, famous for her nasty and cruel character, to begin to obey someone. My respect for your patience.
— Don't even think that half-breed can't get me mad, — she snorted at the provocation and turned her angry gaze to her leader.
— Haa. It's just that our magical research turned out to be similar, — the demon said with a sigh. — That's why she agreed to cooperate with me.
— Ha-ha-ha! Really? Is that really the reason? — Ophis, who had been silent until then, interrupted the conversation, playing with her intonation. — And it has nothing to do with the fact that you're simply permeated with each other's scent?— she asked sarcastically, enjoying the resulting reaction. — I'm not even taking into account the child in her belly.
— You overdid it,— Kiyoshi said, ruffling her hair.
— Um, oops? — Looking at the panicked face of the woman, whose gaze darted in any direction but Euclid's face, and the demon himself stood dumbfounded in place, digesting what he heard, Ophis realized that she had screwed up. — It seems you haven't told him yet. Well, congratulations on the new addition. Next time, don't delay with something like this and you won't end up in such a situation.
— Let's go already, — the phoenix pulled her along as the future father, with a joyful smile, scooped Walburga into his arms. — Let's not interfere with them. We're already done here anyway.
— It's her own fault.
— Yes, yes. No one is blaming you, — pushing Ouroboros, Zankoku left the room, leaving the anti-eportation barrier. — but it's good that this happened at the end of our meeting, and not at the beginning.
***
Consciousness returned to him very abruptly. Issei's head was immediately filled with the memories of before he fainted. It took a few seconds for the teenager to notice his current state. He was in a small room, chained up in a chair. A single lamp on the ceiling illuminated the empty room and the door in front of him.
An attempt to summon the Boosted Gear did not lead to anything. His left hand did not change at all, remaining in its previous state. Ddraig did not respond to him despite his cries of pleading or threats. Although this was not surprising, considering the dragon's betrayal. His demonic energy was better, but the chains clearly blocked any attempts to cast magic.
Continuing his fruitless attempts to free himself, Hyodo did not immediately notice the opening of the door.
— Oh, you're already conscious, — a familiar voice attracted the teenager's attention. — That's good — I don't have to wake you up.
— Kiyoshi! — the Sekiryuutei literally growled. — Where are they?! Where are Rias and Xenovia?!
— Despite the situation, you care about your beloved ones first and foremost, — this caused a slight surprise in the blond. — I even respected you a little. It's just a pity that this will not affect your fate in any way, — the phoenix rolled out a cart with various tools from behind the prisoner. — but as a gesture of goodwill, I will say: they are safe and no one has touched them with a finger... at least for now.
— What?! Just dare to touch them... — Issei could not finish speaking, because of the sharply inserted gag.
— Don't make noise, — Zankoku stopped wincing and tightened the straps on his screaming patient's head. — I hate these senseless screams and threats. If you have the strength, then carry out your threats, otherwise it's just an empty sound. And for your information, — he continued, moving his hand over the table, choosing a "toy", — I hate rapists, so there will be no harm to them in sexual terms. My guys know how I deal with such mistakes of nature and would never want to be in their place.
Without further ceremony, Kiyoshi picked up the cleaver. Under widened eyes from fear and moaning, the blade fell on the fingers of his right hand. One blow was enough for four out of five of them to fall to the floor.
— Aaaaah! — Even through the gag, the muffled screams of the teenager were heard throughout the room.
— Now, now, don't react so sharply, — the white—haired man said cheerfully. It was clear from his face that he was enjoying what was happening. — You know, I was once in a similar situation to you. So I know what you and... — his lips stretched into a wide smile. — this is just the beginning!
Small tongues of purple flame lit up on the stumps of his fingers, cauterizing the flesh and bringing a new portion of screams. Phoenix felt the harmful effect of holy power on the demonic body from his own experience. The next thirty minutes were the most painful and worst in Issei's life.
— You're good! — Zankoku praised the guy, seeing the bright "live" eyes on the exhausted face. — In any other case, I would have drawn out the pleasure by slowly breaking you, but, — with a heavy sigh, he began to type something on his phone. — There is no time for this now, so I'll have to go to all lengths.
A few minutes later, the door opened again and the resisting girls were brought into the room. Seeing their boyfriend, they tried to approach him, but the firm grip of the phoenix's subordinates did not allow them to break free.
— Issei!
— Fix them there, — not reacting to the general commotion, the blond pointed to the chains in the wall. — Then you can go free.
After a little fiddling, the demonesses found themselves suspended half a meter from the ground. The girls' hands were cuffed together above their heads. The chains squeezed their wrists under the weight of their own bodies. There were also shackles on their legs with weights attached. The additional weights barely touched the floor, giving additional stress to their arms.
— As I said before, — Kiyoshi spoke, lighting a fire in his hands. — In the past, I was in a similar situation. Back then, my strength was not that different from an ordinary person. However, I managed to get out and save my beloved, — he came closer and closer to the girls, not taking his eyes off the boy's face. Unlike Hyodo, the demonesses' voice was not limited in any way. Especially for greater effect. — but will you be able to save your girls? I seriously doubt it.
From this moment on, personal hell began for Hyodo Issei. Once an ordinary teenager, who accidentally became the owner of one of the strongest sacred mechanisms. A simple guy with a perverted dream, who became a demon due to the behind-the-scenes games of the heiress of the Gremory clan. Hell — the only goal of which is to break and destroy the spirit, and then the personality of the guy.
***
— Contact with Azazel's group was lost more than six hours ago. Have you really not found any traces yet? — the scarlet-haired Satan asked with complete irritation.
Now all four rulers of the underworld were gathered in the office. Such a rare phenomenon occurred due to the aggravated situation.
— The impact of a powerful sacred gear with spatial abilities was detected at the scene, — Ajuka spoke, not looking up from the incoming data on his tablet. — The lost dimension fits this description, which means that "heroes" are involved.
— This is all very reminiscent of the previous situation, — Falbium Asmodeus took the floor, — the disappearance of a strong representative of the faction, then a commotion throughout the world and finally a powerful move on home territory.
— You're not serious right now, are you? — Serafall asked hopefully. — Otherwise, we're in deep shit.
— Unfortunately, this is all true, — Ajuka showed several videos from the devil's network, which showed dragon attacks all over the world. — Eyewitness videos started coming online five minutes ago.
— What are we going to do? We're supposedly in an alliance now and should help the others.
— No, — the group's strategist said clearly, carefully reviewing the material. — The information was received too organized and on time. This is all a distraction. Until we receive requests for help, there is no point in doing anything.
— Won't this cause problems later? — Lucifer was worried about the consequences of such a move.
— We won't break anything if they don't want help, — the sorceress girl took the floor. — And these proud ones won't do something like that until the very end. Well, maybe old man Odin is an exception.
— I have a feeling that we or the fallen are the target. Ajuka, — Asmodeus turned to his colleague. — Contact Shemhazai. Find out the situation on his side. Are his people okay, so that the incident with the Incinerator Hymn doesn't happen again.
The demons' faces twisted at the mention of this incident. They still couldn't find the culprit feeding them false data.
— Okay. I'll do it now, — having created a communication circle, the demon stepped aside.
Due to Ajuka and Azazel's joint work, the scientist had closer ties to the fallen than their diplomat, which is why Falbium asked him to contact them.
— ... Yes, alright. I'll discuss this with the others and contact you again, — Beelzebub's face showed that the news was not very good. — The fallen need help. Four of their fortresses have already been completely destroyed, and half of the fifth was attacked during the evacuation. According to the angels' observations, a group of dragons is to blame. Shemhazai has now ordered everyone to gather in the major cities.
— I see. A logical decision, — the strategist agreed, running his hand over his bald head. — You'd better go to them. Your strength is more than enough to support them, but be careful.
Having heard this answer, the scientist instantly teleported to the capital of the fallen angels.
— Maybe we should send someone else with him? — Sirzechs asked excitedly. He was ready to go along with his friend.
— Ajuki, more than enough, — the Demon Lord disagreed. — There will be other higher—ranking fallen beings there besides him. You are needed here in case Rizevim appears. After all, you chose your retinue without a single user of sacred gear to fight him.
— Yes. You are right.
As soon as they all calmed down, one of the messengers suddenly flew into the room.
— Sirzechs-sama, we have trouble, — the demon shouted out of breath.
— Calm down! — Asmodeus, who was always lazy, seemed like a completely different person today, but his close friends knew his true character. "Do everything quickly and at once, so that you can rest later" — that was the motto of their in-house strategist. — Speak clearly and to the point: what happened? Where? Who is to blame and what are the consequences?
— There was an uprising throughout the underworld! — the devil couldn't stand it, panicking again. — The reincarnated demons have started a rebellion. The main center of resistance is in Lilith , as well as smaller centers throughout all the territories.
— If that's all, you're free to go. As soon as you find out anything else, finish it off, — having sent the messenger away, a plan for solving this problem was already forming in the demon's head. — We'll send Sairaorg to suppress the capital. With his reputation, the opposition shouldn't have a negative attitude and will listen, and in the event of a conflict, the forces of the heir of Bael and his retinue are more than sufficient, but just in case, we'll send the heir of Sitri and Raiser Phoenix to support.
— You want to put Sonochka in danger, Falboom, — the temperature in the room dropped sharply, matching the cold tone.
— Now is not the time for games, Serafall, — the strategist snapped back seriously. — The younger generation has already demonstrated their strength. They are more than enough to deal with the opponents. They are not little children anymore and should learn from their own experiences.
— Sera, he is right. Calm down, please.
The girl did not answer and simply sat down in the chair, but the temperature returned to normal. With a sigh of relief, Lucifer began to languish in anticipation again.
— Excuse me, — the silver-haired maid entered the room with a knock. — I have important news.
— Speak, Grayfia.
— Lucifer's son was spotted near the floating island of Agares, — the maid said with a drop of excitement. — Along with him were the famous Evil Dragons and dozens of less powerful ones, as well as a large number of supporters of the old rulers.
— Sirzechs, — Asmodeus addressed him, — we, along with your retinue and part of the army, are heading there. Serafall will remain here for now. In case of danger, she will join the battle.
— Got it. Then let's go, Falboom, Grayfia, — having summoned the other servants, the crimson Satan went to battle.
Only one Leviathan remained in the room. Unlike the one shown earlier, the girl's reaction had changed. She no longer pretended to be angry or excited.
— Ha! I didn't expect such acting skills from this lazy guy, — getting up from her chair, the demoness warmed up a little. — Since everyone has already gone to their places, then I should do it too. It's time to visit an old man and send him into retirement, posthumously... — an evil, anticipatory smile appeared on her face. — The king is dead, long live the king! Ha-ha-ha!