Chapter 9 - Hunting Down the Devil

Diodora couldn't believe his luck... It... It was... It was either good or bad, he couldn't decide...

On one hand, if he tried to see it in a positive view, Asia was now free from that filthy Dragon and he could get her. Oh, Diodora was not arrogant. Well... yes, he might be a bit arrogant, but he knew his limits.

He knew Sona Sitri was a smart person, he knew Rias Gremory was also quite talented for someone their age. Those two weren't called "Rookie Four" along with Sairaorg Bael and Seekvaira Agares for nothing

However, after talking with them he didn't know if their tittle and reputation really suited them at all...

When he asked them about this Hyoudou Issei person he received a VERY big warning to not anger and stay away from him. Even Sona gave him a warning once again before their meeting with a very stern tone.

He actually didn't understand them. Why? Why did he have to be careful? Even if Hyoudou Issei really was a Longinus user, he was a still a human, he was only a baby who was holding some sword, nothing more.

Compared to him, who was a High-class Devil and brother of the current Beelzebub, Hyoudou Issei was nothing. Even if he possessed a Longinus so what? Even if it was the Boosted Gear, so what?

Until now, there had been no user of the Boosted Gear capable of defeating a Maou or a God despite its status as a Longinus, most of them were only able to kill an Ultimate-class creature and even that took a very talented user.

In Diodora's eyes, the Boosted Gear was a Longinus that was imperfect, and the possessors were also a bunch of weaklings that couldn't even use it! True, it could boost you until it gave you the power to kill a God, but the problem was that no one was able to reach that level because the user's body broke down due to their inability of handling the pressure of it!

What good was doubling your power if it was equal to zero? No matter how many you times you doubled it, zero would always be zero! Even if you multiplied it a billion times, the result would always be zero! Ha!

Those users that were capable of reaching an Ultimate-class monster, they were some warriors who came from a famous bloodline, clans of warriors and yet, he was only able to reach Ultimate-class, not even close to a Maou save if he unleashed Juggernaut Drive, a technique that consumed the user, killing him in process.

And Hyoudou Issei? What was so special about him? A simple man who was around his age and came from a civilian family? What could he do? He was only a normal person! At best he would perhaps be able to reach a Middle-class Devil and that was it! And mind you, the difference between Middle-class and High-class was nothing to sneeze at!

But if it was Divine Dividing... Now that was a different story... Between Divine Dividing and Boosted Gear, it was not a secret that people were more afraid of Divine Dividing's user.

If Hyoudou Issei possessed Divine Dividing he would be someone who Diodora would be wary to. Unlike Boosted Gear that doubled the user's power, the Divine Dividing halved the power of the enemy every 10 seconds

That was dangerous... Very dangerous...

Even if the user's body was too weak to handle the stolen energy, it would be much more effective than boosting yourself. If you possessed zero power while possessing Divine Dividing, you could steal your enemy power and increase your strength, changing the number from zero to something greater.

That was an IF though fortunately for him and sadly for Hyoudou Issei, that man possessed the Boosted Gear so Diodora felt there shouldn't be any reason to worry about him

Back on track...

It was yesterday that he received a call from Sona Sitri to stop sending gifts to Asia Argento's place. Now, he would probably have ignored her about that, but he didn't because she said that Asia Argento was taken back to the Church.

That immediately got his attention

He instantly went to Kuoh City, entered Hyoudou Issei's place and demanded to know what the hell happened. How? How could the Church wish to take her back?! This was the first time he heard about it!

When he asked that filth, he explained that the Church needed Asia's healing power to heal some Cardinal that was wounded. The wound was very fatal and cursed, and the Church had already tried to heal it by themselves and failed. And at that moment they remembered Asia and wished to have her back

Like he expected, the filth had fought back but the Church had overpowered him, leaving him wounded, and taken Asia back with him. There was no doubt in his mind that the filth was weak, him having been beaten by an exorcist was more than enough to prove it.

When he finished his story he immediately lashed out at him, berating him how weak and useless he was to let Asia be taken away like a toy. Oh how he enjoyed the man's silence and grim face when he insulted him, that man had some nerve to call him Flying Mouse and Mongrel! Him! A High-class Devil!

He really felt the best when he put filth like that in his place.

And in the end that filth finally asked him to rescue Asia... Oh Diodora really felt smug and gave another berating and scolding to that filth, but in the end he promised that Asia would be in good hands, his hands, a man who would be able to protect her unlike him.

If you called becoming a slave and forever infatuated with him good, then yeah... She clearly would be in good hands...

Now to put it simply, in a positive way Asia was now free from that filth and he could 'save' her! This time the girl would clearly fell to him and become nothing but butter that melted in a frying pan.

But in a negative way, he had to kill Church people once again and if he was not careful it could cause conflict. Sure, he had already killed one exorcist when he fled after wounding himself so Asia could heal him, but that time it was well planned, he already knew his enemy's territory and timing. This time however he did not.

He didn't have the time to study it since if Asia was being taken back and there was no doubt that once she was in Italy she would be watched with even tighter security and getting her then would be impossible.

He only got some info from the filth that the exorcist who took Asia was a middle aged man and very skilled with the sword. They were also planning to take a plane today and were probably already on their way to Italy.

The time limit was too small and he didn't have any chance to make a good plan other than charging straight at the exorcist when they arrived at the airport.

He was actually quite worried, but he ultimately dismissed it, he had done this multiple times before. He had charged and sneaked into Church territory, stolen their nuns and corrupted them so he was sure this time it would be okay as well, he had confidence. Not to mention he was also bringing his whole peerage, no matter how strong this exorcist was, there was no way he would stand a chance against him and his whole peerage.

So it would be fine, he believed in his luck too, it had never failed him before after all, so what reason was there to think that it wouldn't work this time as well?

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Ewald was driving his car while putting on an impassive face as he stared at the scenery of the forest that surrounded them. His hand rolled and controlled the steering wheel as he found a curve on the path of his car.

On the seat on his left was Asia Argento, who was wearing a nun attire like the one she wore during her time as a Holy Maiden.

Currently they were on their way to the Church to meet with Vasco and some of his people that were ready to welcome him for finishing his mission of bringing back Asia Argento to the Church and restoring her tittle and reputation.

"Tell me what your plan is first..."

Its was just yesterday when Asia told him her decision and what she wished for after which they instantly executed the plan that Issei made. And thus he explained it to everyone, he explained how the plan would go and what part everyone was going to play.

Ewald had to admit, the plan was quite simple and yet also effective at the same time... Simple was best sometimes. It was plain... Too plain and too common to use...

"It's too simple... Are you sure its going to work?"

He had asked the boy if it would work. The plan was quite simple and yet... The boy had only shrugged and offered a smile.

"It's simple, yes, but you must know it isn't rare to achieve great things by using a simple plan."

Well, when he put it that way, it was clearly true, sometimes simple thing did turn the table to the other side. And besides, if he rethought the plan again now, it was actually quite effective and the chance it would work was also quite big.

It was a simple and plain plan, but it was well planned he had to admit.

"Nervous, Miss Asia?" Ewald asked as he saw Asia fidgeting in her seat.

"Y-Yes." Asia stammered, truthfully, she was quite nervous about this plan. It was not like she didn't believe in Issei-san, she knew and trusted him it would work, but she couldn't help but feel nervous.

Ewald only gave a reassuring smile to the nun, knowing how it felt from experience "Don't worry Miss Asia, just take a deep breath and let it flow out through your mouth slowly, it will sooth your nerves.." He comforted her.

Asia did as the Cardinal told her, taking deep breath and letting it out from her mouth slowly. As soon she did that she could feel a small part in back of her mind relax slightly.

"Thank you, Father..."

"You're welcome, child." Ewald responded kindly as he kept focusing on his path.

There was a momentary silence between them as they kept gazing at the path of the vehicle they rode in. Ewald's face was impassive and calm while Asia's face contained a small amount of nervousness, the only sound that could be heard was the sound of the car wheels rolling.

It was Ewald who broke the silence, his eyes narrowed at the road in front of him and he hit the brake, stopping the car making Asia let out an 'EEK' of surprise. The Excalibur wielder gazed at the street far from their position.

To most naked eyes it was empty, there ware nothing there save for the cement and smooth road. However, out of nowhere suddenly a green magic circle appeared, and the symbol of the current Beelzebub clan came to life.

Light engulfed the whole street for a moment, and as soon as it had appeared it was gone and when it did, standing in the middle of street was Diodora Astaroth in his full glory.

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"The plan is simple, Cristaldi-san. We currently have something that he wants." Issei said as his gaze fell on Asia.

"E-Eh?"

Ewald eyes gained a gleam of understanding at that, not just him but also Mittelt, but the latter had a small horrified look as well.

"Issei!" Mittelt said with horror. "You can't possibly think to-"

"Why can't I? It'ss our best advantage." Issei cut her off, his face stern. "Diodora wants Asia, we bait him using her, it's simple like that. We are going to pull him out and then finish him off for what he did to all those nuns and Holy Maidens." He stated.

"But to use Asia is-"

"I won't do it unless Asia agrees." Issei cut her off again as he turned to Asia and his features softened. "Asia, I clearly need your help for this, but if you don't want to then it's fine, I will think of another plan..."

Asia actually felt very uncomfortable, not just had the Church come and tried to recruit her back and she had to pick between Issei-san and going back to the Church again, but it was also revealed that the devil she had helped had actually manipulated her .

All in all Asia was not an evil girl, that was not her nature, she was a kind person. Even if she had been manipulated, if Diodora were to ask for her forgiveness she would probably give it to him.

However, after some talk with Zelretch-ojisan during her stay here she was aware that the world was not only black and white. Not to the level of someone wise or elder, but she at least knew that there were gray lines between black and white.

She preferred to pick the white line of course, but it was also unavoidable that the gray path would follow, no matter what you did even if it was a 'white' line deed, the gray one would be affected too. For example, if you rescued someone from a thief it would seen as a noble deed.

But what about the thief? What if the thief had his family waiting for him, hungry for food? What if he had children that were barely a year old? It was clear that if the thief was caught, then the fate of his children would be sealed.

When Zelretch asked that her what one should do, she didn't have any answer except for silence.

Asia didn't care if Diodora tried to manipulate her and if he asked for forgiveness she would give it to him as long as Diodora really was willing to change. But what about those nuns? What about her fellow Holy Maidens that had been corrupted?

She couldn't... When thinking about what happened to them she.. couldn't... Not after hearing what Zelretch-ojisan said about how the world worked... What Diodora did...

"I... I will help..." Asia responded with firm determination in her eyes.

"The plan is simple. Use Asia as a bait and give Diodora a very limited window of opportunity so he can't make a fail-safe plan. He's going to be aware that once Asia reaches the Church this time, she will be out of his reach forever and for that reason will act, the only fail-safe plan he can make will be a very predictable one."

Ewald kept his face calm as he swung his sword and blocked the green demonic energy that Diodora shot at him, slicing it apart without a problem. Inwardly he couldn't help but frown, this boy had power but almost no skill, he couldn't truly use his power. Yes, he was a High-class Devil and his Mana reserves were also quite big, but so far he mostly used simple attacks.

When he heard the Devil that was responsible for this was a brother of Ajuka Beelzebub, the Genius Maou who made the Evil Pieces and also the one who managed all technologies of the Underworld, he had already prepared himself for the worst.

But now that he faced the boy he was... disappointed...

Really... He was really disappointed... He was not a battle maniac but the skill Diodora was displaying was... utterly sad compared to the infamous Ajuka to the point he almost pitied him.

Another demonic blast came flying at him with fast speed, so moving his legs Ewald blurred from Diodora's vision to dodge the attack. The attack was fast but he was faster.

Ewald briefly glanced at the sword he held, it was a simple European style sword. However, to a smith's eyes, this sword was not simple, it was perfect. Ewald, as a sword user, recognized it, the sword was well crafted, very well in fact. The shape, the edge and the weight, it was as if it was made just for him, it was almost like a copy of Excalibur Rapidly.

It also possessed the same ability.

The sword was able to increase his speed, almost like Excalibur Rapidly, and although he was not as fast, it was enough to give him ebough speed to handle a normal High-class Devil entity. It might lack the light and holy element of the Excalibur Fragments but its durability, strength, and effect was almost the same.

"You can't bring your sword with you, it would alert him too soon. Hide that sword, lock it with a seal so he can't detect it. I will give you a proper weapon to fight him."

That was what the young man had told him. At first he had doubted the sword's ability when he explained it to him, but when he had gripped the sword, it had given him a sensation that was similar to Excalibur Rapidly, boosting and increasing his speed beyond human limits.

Just what was this sword and how did he get it?

'I have a battle to fight now, such matters are currently unimportant.'

Again, he dashed forward with speed that surpassed normal human beings and reached for the Astaroth heir. His hand blurred and delivered a strike.

The Devil raised one hand, a green magic circle engulfed it and he blocked the blade that almost chopped his head off. Sounds that were similar to steel clashing against steel resounded as his hand met the sword.

The heir of Astaroth made a displeased noise with his tongue at seeing this. He was actually not a close range fighting type, he preferred himself at long range, but until now none of his attacks had managed to hit him!

He had already conjured his demonic attacks into multiple and countless projectiles and yet, the exorcist merely moved with speed that surpassed even his Knight and swatted them all away like it was baseball!

This exorcist was also very close to killing him until now! This one was very skilled to be able to push him this far! If this kept going it was just a matter of time before this exorcist got him!

He was brought out of his thoughts when he felt a blunt pain in his stomach. His eyes opened slightly, indicating he felt the pain before he felt another force slam into his face, making him stumble back.

However he forced himself to ignore the pain as he brought his head back up, just in time to avoid getting his head sliced off by the sword, cursing inwardly as he jumped back and created some distance while shooting multiple projectiles created by his demonic power.

It worked as the priest found himself stopped in his track and leaped back to dodge the attack, skidding on the ground while still wielding his sword.

"You are quite weak for a High-class Devil..."

Diodora held back a growl when he heard that. Weak?! Weak?! Oh he was going to pull this man's tongue out from his mouth when he was done with him! He was angry, he really was! Oh how he wanted to curse this man but he couldn't since he had to refrain himself, Asia was watching him now. If he showed his true nature now it would be quite bad.

Wait...

Asia was watching but...

He briefly glanced at the car and saw it was still there but Asia wasn't!

What?! What was the meaning of this?! Where was she?!

"You only realized it now, devil? You are too late, my friend has already taken her away while we were fighting..." Ewald stated with a small smirk, taking quite some amusement from Diodora's shocked face.

"You filthy lowly human!" Diodora snarled, no longer holding back his attitude. "I will make sure to rip off your head and send it back to Church in pieces!" He shouted in anger.

Ewald held back his smirk that was about to widen. Now he was finally showing his true nature with Miss Asia gone, typical. The guy only pretended to be noble and all, oh well. At least he wouldn't get a headache from the way he spoke again, using words like 'destiny', 'fate', and 'will rescue you even if the world separates us' made him feel disturbed.

"Why don't you come and try, devil?"

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Moments later

Already in his battle outfit, Issei observed his surroundings while putting on an impassive face. It was a dense forest, dense and quite thick. There was no doubt he was in some kind of jungle, a place where no one lived or went to visit without any special event.

It was a perfect fighting place.

'He should be here any moment...'

Issei leaned his back against a tree, his arms crossed in front of his chest, his red cloak fluttering due to the breeze of a gentle wind along with his brown-white hair. There was no sign of emotion on his face save for his stoic expression and his sharp steel gray eyes.

The plan was simple, use Asia as a bait to pull Diodora out. Give him a limited time, make him unable to make a proper plan so his moves would be predictable.

After that, Ewald would distract him. The reason why Issei didn't let the Cardinal using his Excalib...burt... He still had a hard time to call that sword Excalibur somehow, there was an enraged yelling of Gilgamesh and laugh of EMIYA whenever he did it and that was REALLY annoying.

Anyway, the reason why he didn't let Ewald use his sword was because it would corner Diodora too soon. The amount of holy and light element Excali...bit Rapidly radiated could push Diodora to flee so wouldn't rescue Asia if he found out that the exorcist that was taking Asia was very strong. What? Diodora might be quite obsessed with, her but it was very obvious that he wouldn't throw his life away just for her!

The sword he made for Ewald was simply a failed copy of Excalib..it Rapidly, it was almost like what EMIYA did to Caladbolg, he altered the holy sword, removing its holy and light element but not the speed effect. In exchange for its holy and light power, Issei replaced it with durability that was higher than Excalibit Rapidly.

It wasn't hard for him, he could alter a sword of such a level. It was only a D ranked one after all, he originally couldn't make swords that possessed such abilities yet, however after copying and tracing it he was able to.

'He's here...'

"You!"

Issei tilted his head and turned to face Diodora who emerged from the bushes. He stare at him with small smirk. After Ewald had distracted him, Issei had taken Asia and hidden her to lure Diodora to this place, the place where he was waiting. He had already asked Ewald for permission to be the one to do this, and he had agreed.

"Welcome to your grave, Diodora Astaroth."

The permission to silence him... Permanently...

Diodora's eyes widened, the smiley eyes he always wore no longer there and it was clear that he was surprised. But it only took a moment before it turned into snarl as he finally figured out the situation. "YOU! YOU-"

BAAAANG!

Whatever he was going to say, it was cut off when Issei moved. He was simply a blur to Diodora's eyes, one second he was leaning against a tree, next the devil saw him right in front of him. He was grabbed by a hand before he felt pain from getting slammed to the ground. Then another sharp pain erupted from his stomach, courtesy of Issei's kick, making him gasp and launching him crashing through several trees.

"I know what your plan for Asia is, devil." Issei said in tone that was obviously not friendly as he approached the devil, his eyes focused on Diodora, who was trying to get while in pain.

Diodora, who managed to balance himself, clearly had not expected this. It hurt! Hurt! He couldn't believe it! How! How was this pathetic filth able to hurt him like this?! It was unacceptable!

However, despite the pain, he couldn't help but smirk. Oh, he knew? He found out? Did the Church tell him? It was a big possibility but how he knew it didn't matter...

"Asia... She knew it, right?" Diodora asked with a gleeful look.

"Everything." Issei simply responded, his tone void of all emotions and Diodora burst into laughter, a laugh that was filled with joy.

"I see.. I see... Well, it's too bad that I couldn't see her face. It must have been filled with despair, wasn't it?" Diodora cackled in glee.

"You enjoy it?" Issei asked, his tone still void. "Why?" He asked.

"And why not?!" Diodora sneered. "They are people from the Church, my enemy! Isn't it my job as devil to drag them down to despair?" He said with a gleeful laugh. "Oh... The expression of the women affiliated with the Church falling, no matter how many times I see it, I never get bored of it."

Issei was silent, his eyes merely bore into Diodora without showing any sign of emotion on his face.

"Ah, why am I talking to you anyway? I shouldn't bother to! I don't care what your plan is or what you are going to do. Asia must be here right? If she is nearby, then it's simple! All I need is to kill you, bring your head and throw it at her feet! Then she will have all her hope shattered! Her expression will be perfect!"

Diodora raised both hands and green demonic energy filled his hands before countless green projectiles emerged around him, glowing menacingly and taking shapes as sharp bullets.

"Die! Filth!" He declared and the projectiles were launched, all of them were made from dense Mana that was strong enough to destroy a boulder and even iron like twigs, and there were many of them, dozens if not more, even a devil with the Rook trait would find their defense unable to stop it entirely.

Issei stared at this silently, his face still holding the stoic visage as he looked at the incoming attack. He was aware of what they were capable of. However, despite knowing that he simply deadpanned and stared ahead. This attack was deadly to a normal human and would take down most Middle-class devil or angels.

Middle-class.

His magic resistance was able to block High-class magic.

So when the attack hit him, it was obvious that they instantly dispersed, dissipated, shattered like a glass that was being thrown against a brick wall. An attack on such a level couldn't scratch him, nevermind harm him.

Diodora's shocked face clearly brought pleasure to Issei, despite his raging emotions behind his formerly stoic expression he couldn't help but smirk at his opponent's look of disbelief.

"Is that it?" He asked in a bored tone.

The insult and taunt from him snapped Diodora out of his shock, and he snarled at him with anger added to it. "Don't get cocky! Your petty trick won't save you again!"

This time he put more power in his demonic magic, the number of the sharp green projectiles increased, their color turned darker, more shaped and also more solid looking. The power behind it was now more than enough to destroy a High-class devil or angelic being if the attack hit them point blank, and all of them were pointed at Issei, floating in the air menacingly before being launching at him like missiles bombarding their target.

Issei stood there silently. Then his lip moved.

"Trace On."

Mana surged around him, flowed to his hands, formed into a blue flame that took the shape of swords, followed by green lightning that gave the constructs life. Then the twin married swords, Kanshou and Bakuya appeared.

Issei raised one of his hands that was holding the white snow sword. Then he swung it to his right, repelling the missile that was coming at him, before he raised his black Chinese sword, swung it and repelled another missile.

Then he moved, his hands blurred as he maneuvered the twin married swords and swatted away all the attacks that were being launched at him like it was group of bugs rather than deadly beams.

Diodora stared at this scene with a mixture of shock and horror when all of his attacks were being swatted away, the projectiles he launched were many! Several dozens in fact! Every second he launch more of them, but none of them even reach their target, all of them were being swatted away, repelled, and batted away like they were nothing!

What was making him even more infuriated was the human, the filth! He was giving him that look! The look as if HE wasn't worth his time! The look that told him he was much more superior than HIM! And a look that said 'I expect more.'

"Ku! You! Impossible! You are only a rotten dragon! Not only that, you are also a mere lowly human! Die you bastard!"

Diodora's yell of rage was followed by an increased number of his demonic energy projectiles. Sweat began to pour down from his forehead as he felt the strain from using a large amount of power begin to emerge.

Then the wave of demonic missiles was launched once again at the young man who had declared himself a hero. This time the missiles wer even greater in numbers and strength and thus also deadlier than before.

This time Issei was aware that the attack had become quite dangerous, the power inside it had increased and was capable of destroying any other High-class being, a mere blocking, swatting, and reflecting this time wouldn't work..

He has to destroy it this time.

Which wasn't that hard actually...

Using his magic power he sent it to his skin, his muscles and his tendons, reinforcing them to surpass any normal mortal limi.

His grip on Kanshou and Bakuya tightened and he took one step forward as he swung his reinforced arm, shattering a missile that soared towards him. Then he took another step and moved his hand again, crushing another missile and turning them into nothing but particles of green light.

Then he moved.

His movement was slow, only one second per step, and yet, his hands moved faster than before, faster than a devil that possesses a Knight trait. His twin swords twirled in his arms like they were dancing, they moved gracefully, slicing, shattering, crushing, destroying, and breaking all the demonic missiles and bullets like a wooden stick meeting an iron sword, like a glass shattering under the pressure of steel.

He kept moving while he did that.

Diodora's eyes widened further, shock and disbelief showing on his handsome face when he witnessed the sight before him. How?! How could this be?! How could this filth doing this!

"Impossible! Impossible! Impossible! You are just a filthy human! A rotten dragon!" He screamed in anger, however, one could notice that there was hint of fright in his voice.

Issei was silent through all of this, his eyes staying focused on Diodora while taking a slow step forward and crushing all the attacks Diodora launched. At this point his attacks were nothing but pure power. There were no flaws or beauty in them, it was simply bursts of demonic energy that were shaped and launched.

Such attacks were beneath him, especially when he was holding the twin swords together. Maybe he could hold or deflect a High-class bordering to Ultimate-class Devil attack if he wielded the twin swords, even if it was only for a moment, but that was still something.

So an attack of this level was clearly not a problem for him.

'Enough...'

Issei crushed another magic missile that was launched at him before he reinforced his legs, and then kicked the ground and launched himself at Diodora with speed that matched his hands' movement, all the while blocking the numerous missiles coming towards him.

Diodora didn't have a chance. He was too focused on using his magic and clearly not expecting Issei to suddenly rush at him. He tried to create some distance, but Issei was already in front of him. Spinning his body, his leg was raised and crashed into Diodora face.

And for a moment it was held there by time. His left leg was pushing against Diodora's cheek, and Issei could see that a few teeth were being dislodged under the force of his kick, and Diodora's mouth began to leak blood. Then it was followed by the sound of bone breaking from Diodora's cracked jaw.

That clearly hurt.

Then, time caught up once more, and Didora was flung backwards, crashing into the tree behind him, breaking through it before crashing into another, and then to the next one. It was safe to assume that Diodora clearly felt that one and it was clearly painful. Had he been a normal human, his neck might have rotated 360° and broken apart.

Diodora was in pain, he clutched his face while moaning painfully. His jaw was broken, not to the level he couldn't speak, but it was clear part of it was broken. He didn't understand. His mind couldn't comprehend just how all of this could happen. How could a human possess this much power?! Even if it was the Boosted Gear, he was but a mere filthy human! How could he hurt him like this?!

Impossible! Impossible! Impossible!

"Pathetic..."

The devil of the Astaroth family raised his face and saw the filth approach him, his stoic face having turned into an expression of disgust.

"When I heard that you are the brother of the current Beelzebub that is said to surpass even his predecessor, I was thought you would be quite a challenge." His tone contained disappointment, like a child that was given a toy, only to discover that the toy was merely a fraud. "You may possess the power of a High-class devil, but you can't use it, you don't know how. All you know is throwing it like it is some kind of toy and laser. You have no experience in battle at all, and judging by your wounds I believe this was the first time you had your bones broken." He closed his eyes while shaking his head, as if by staring at him he would gain a headache. "Pathetic..."

"Shut up!" Diodora yelled, enraged. "Who do you think you are to dare say that to me?! I will kill you! I will murder you! Nothing will remain of you! I will kill your friends, your parents and all of your family! I will-"

"I'm not in the mood to hear your idle threats." Issei cut him off, his eyes opened slightly. "I will give you one chance. Charge your attack, pour all your power into it, and drain all the force of your mind in for one attack. Show me your best, I will accept it."

Fire and unimaginable anger rose in Diodora's mind. How dare he! To degrade and criticize him like this! This! This filth! Enough! He wouldn't be ridiculed anymore! This man would die! One way or another! He would die now!

"You will die, mongrel! You will pay! You will suffer! I will KILL YOU!" He screamed as he raised both of his hands forward. Green magic circle formed around them, followed by a green light and yellow particles of demonic energy. It was swirling around his arms like a cannon that was being loaded.

Issei silently stared, at this. He then raised both of his hands, Kanshou and Bakuya armed and ready, his muscles reinforced so he would able to hold his ground and not be blown away by the attack.

"I am! Diodora of the Astaroth Clan!"

BAAAAANG!

A massive torrent of green demonic energy swirled as a white beam was launched at Issei. It destroyed everything on its path, leaving nothing behind.

Issei raised both his swords in a protective manner and clashed with the destructive force, his muscle instantly tensing as he felt his entire body being pushed back by the force of the attack. His legs twitched, and his body was slowly being pushed backward, but he held himself, he didn't show any sign of giving up against Diodora's attack.

With a small battle cry, Issei moved his hands. His swords sliced the attack into two and deflected them to different paths, one to his right and the other to his left, leaving him completely unharmed.

He took a moment to regain his posture before breathing calmly and standing firm. Then he raised one eyebrow at Diodora. "Is that it?"

Diodora clearly didn't know what to say after witnessing that. His shock went to another level and Issei was sure his eyes could pop out now since they were open very wide, even a mouse could enter his mouth too since it was also opened quite wide, indicating his mind couldn't comprehend his current situation anymore.

"Impossible..." He whispered in very low tone before his face morphed to one full of rage. "IMPOSSIBLE!"

"I'll take that as yes, and I guess that means its my turn now." Issei simply spoke before he dashed towards his enemy.

Diodora saw what was happening and was instantly engulfed by panic. Both of his hands moved forward and summoned a magic circle, which formed a wide and rectangular green wall just in time to block Issei's strike using Kanshou.

"Hahaha! You see! You see! My powers are better than yours!" He stated gleefully as his shield completely blocked Issei.

Issei merely stared in silence. Then his hand moved backwards, Bakuya dispersed into bluish flame and dissipated. His mind immediately went to the countless numbers of swords and weapons inside his mind, searching for one particular item, which he soon found.

"Trace On."

The blue flame aura appeared again, expanding and surpassing Bakuya's length while also becoming thinner. When it became solid and clear, the flame was gone and revealed a two meter long red spear. It was not an ordinary spear, it was a spear capable of piercing any projection made from magical energy. It was spear that once belonged to the legendary Knight of Fianna, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne or also called Diarmuid of the Love Spot, the spear Gáe Dearg: The Crimson Rose of Exorcism.

Issei grabbed the spear as soon as it appeared. He was actually not that proficient with spears, but at least he knew the basics on how to use one thanks to Unlimited Blade Works. With a proper stance, trying to mimick the Knight of Fianna, he swung the spear at the green shield that covered Diodora.

The barrier fell like a hot knife sliced through butter, it was clearly not capable of standing a single chance in the face of such a weapon. The spear did not stop there and kept going, also slicing Diodora's hands off, sending them flying off before they landed on ground with a disturbing sound, followed by blood spurting from the wounds that wet the ground.

Diodora stared at his arms that had no hands. His eyes widened in shock and it took a second for him to start screaming like a maniac. He began to stumble back while he kept staring at his arms that was covered with blood and dripping on the ground.

"MY ARMS! MY ARMS! MY ARMS!"

"Trace On."

SWOOSH! STAB!

Pain! Pain! So much pain! The pain was worse than anything! He had never felt such pain before! Diodora let out another scream as he fell to the ground, there was so much pain in his stomach region now, as if someone had just burned his intestines from the inside out, melting everything inside it like there was nothing but ice being turned into puddle from the heat!

He pulled his head up while coughing up a massive amount of blood and saw a sword, a sword was piercing his body and pinning him down. But it was not an ordinary sword, it was a holy sword. Lesser it might be, but it was stronger than an ordinary light sword and possessed a big amount of holy energy, that was why it could be called a holy sword!

Holy...

Horror immediately appeared on his face when he saw the sword that was a deadly poison for his kin.

"How does it feel, devil?" Issei asked as he approached Diodora, who was writhing in pain and had a horrified look on his face. "The feeling of having the holy and light element inside you... Its hurts, doesn't it?" He asked again, a smirk slowly spreading across his face. "Judging by your face you clearly never felt it in your life before, right?" He chuckled with mirth, enjoying the pained look of Diodora.

Diodora tried to utter words, but there was nothing coming out except for another scream of pain when he felt something just cut through his legs, but unlike when his arms had been cut off, he felt a very hot pain in his legs!

Issei merely stared with a stoic face as he cut off Diodora's legs with a Black Key. The separated limbs let out smoke as if it was ice that met hot water. He picked one of them and then raised it, showing it to Diodora who felt nothing but agony.

"You see this? This is your leg, I just cut it off." He stated while waving it in Diodora's face as if it was a book rather than a limb. "Let me tell you Diodora, when humans die they will go to Heaven, Hell or Purgatory. As for supernatural beings, I don't know what will happen, perhaps they are reincarnated, even devil might be. However, one thing I'm sure of." He raised his Black Key and pointed it at Diodora's leg and then stabbed it. "When devils are struck with holy or light element, their soul or the part of their body will be annihilated, it will be reduced to nothingness. Nothing remains, not even memories.." He told the devil and as soon he struck the leg, it turned into nothing but smoke, to ash. "Do you know what that means?"

Horror was the only thing Diodora could feel after witnessing what happened to his separated limbs, even with the pain in his stomach, arms, and legs, the horror about his fate surpassed them all. He would die! No! Not die! He would perish! He would be gone! He would be turned into nothing! His soul would be gone!

"Y-You can't! I-I'm the brother of a Maou! If you kill me-"

"You used your peerage to fight the exorcist that was coming, right?" Issei cut him off in a nonchalant tone. "Are you confident they will win? Let me tell you then, said exorcist is not merely an ordinary exorcist. He is Cardinal Deacon Ewald Cristaldi." He told the devil, increasing Diodora's horror further. "He faced Ultimate-class devils and won. Your peerage, all of them won't stand a chance against him. And you want to know the best part?" His lips curled into an evil smirk that would make even Gilgamesh praise him. "All of them are former nuns, they will be captured and interrogated. Then, the information about how you sneaked around in Church territory and corrupted their Holy Maidens will be revealed."

That! That could't be! That! That was!

"Yes, your deeds will be revealed and the Church has all the right to kill you. You already dragged their nuns down, more than a dozen of them, and now you tried to get another one during their rescue mission. When Church reveals this to the Devil side." He paused to add to the dramatic effect, "There will be no hope for you. You will die in here and be turned into nothing, bathed in darkness forever, unable feel any single muscle of your body..." He grinned at him. "Isn't it wonderful?" He asked in a very happy and jovial tone.

Diodora clearly didn't know what to say. To call his current situation a horror would be too good, too light! His situation was worse than bad!

"N-No..." Diodora whimpered, tears beginning to emerge from his eyes. "P-Please! N-No! Please!"

Issei didn't show any sign of sadness upon seeing Diodora's tears, and neither did he seem to consider his words, his face was stoic and he stared down coldly at him. "Know despair, Diodora... Despair that you caused to those nuns and maidens you defiled Diodora, feel it, taste it, enjoy it." He said icily. "Because when you turn into nothing, the feeling of despair will be better than what you are going to feel."

"N-No! P-Please!" Diodora was openly crying, fear gripping his heart. How?! How did this happen?! He didn't want to die! He didn't want to turn into nothing! He didn't want to! "I-I will give you anything! Money! Power! Honor! Res-"

SQUELCH!

His pleas and offers turned to nothing but a gurgle when Issei jammed the Black Key directly through his mouth, piercing his tongue and going through the back of his head. He tried to speak and scream, but nothing came out from his mouth. He let out a whimper before his body twitched and then went limp.

Then slowly, his body melted, letting out a black steam while it happened. His remaining leg dissipated, followed by his hands, body, neck and it kept going until nothing remained of him.

Thus Diodora Astaroth, brother of Ajuka Beelzebub and heir of the Astaroth Clan, perished...

While being calm on the outside, when he finally saw the remains of Diodora slowly perish, Issei wouldn't lie and try to deny it, but he clearly felt a sick pleasure from watching Diodora die and vanish. It terrified him realizing that he felt joy from his death, but he wouldn't try to deny it, he wouldn't try to feel guilty.

Dispelling the Black Key, he closed his eyes and let all of his muscles and tendon relax, his reinforcement also left his body, turning him back to normal.

Perhaps he would make Ajuka Beelzebub and Diodora's parents sad, but it was worth it. After what Diodora had done to the innocence nuns and all the Holy Maidens... It was nothing but justice...

"Is it over?"

Issei slowly pushed himself up to stand when he heard that familiar voice. He turned around and saw Ewald, followed by Asia. He had hidden the girl and told her not to look at what he was going to do to Diodora, he didn't want the girl getting scared from seeing his cold side. It was not like he was trying to hide it, he did kill Raynare in front of her before, but what he did to Diodora was another thing. He didn't think Asia would be ready for the brutality he performed on Diodora.

"It is... And his Peerage?" He asked back.

"Handled, all of them are being restricted with magic and I already called the Church, they will come in 15 minutes." Ewald informed me with a nod. "After we confirm Diodora's acts through the testimony of all the former Holy Maidens and nuns, we will have enough proof and reason to have killed him, even if he was the brother of a Maou." He told the young man who nodded back in satisfaction.

"I-Issei-san." Asia called in concern. "Are you hurt? I-Is there anywhere I can heal?" She offered and Issei turned to her with a smile.

"I'm fine, thanks for the offer, Asia." Issei answered kindly making the girl blush slightly, but a smile was adorning her face.

"I'm glad you are fine..." She responded warmly.

Ewald stare at the interaction with a small smile of his own, seeing such peaceful sight would always make him feel good. He briefly glanced at the ground that was soiled by a pool of blood. He could tell from the way it was marked that someone had lied there recently, dying perhaps with that amount of blood, but there was no trace of a body there.

'Did he kill the devil with a light sword?' He was not surprised if Issei had done so, the boy proved to be more than what he thought. He didn't depend on the Boosted Gear, only himself, he fought with sword skills that were very impressive for someone at his age. He probably had a few aces up his sleeve that might surprise even him. "Ah, Hyoudou-san." He called.

"Yes?" Issei asked as he turned to Ewald and saw the Cardinal give him back the sword he had made for him.

"I will return it to you, it is an excellent sword." Ewald said, the Excalibur Rapidly was being held by Asia and covered with a seal to prevent it radiating its power. As soon as he was finished with Diodora peerage he went to take Asia and retrieve the holy sword.

Issei took the sword from Ewald and nodded, giving him a small smirk. "Thank you." Issei said simply, he didn't want to reveal any secrets to the man, they might be allies for now, but who knew what awaited them in the future?

Ewald simply grunted, he actually wanted to pry, but seeing Issei's answer it was clear he wouldn't tell him anything. He took look at his surroundings and sighed. "It's finally over..." He said, smiling slightly seeing how there was nothing to worry about anymore.

"No.. It's not..." Issei responded, making Ewald and Asia turn to him. "Asia here still hasn't made her decision..." He said as he glanced at Asia who instantly stiffened.

It was true, until now Asia still hadn't made her decision. She said she would tell them when the plan was finished since she was still troubled, but to be honest, she still had not decided yet.

She wanted to go back to the Church, she really did. To be able to pray to the God, help people, see people smile when she finished helping them, and have the blessings of angels and God. Not to mention Issei already made them agree that this time she would be freer! She wouldn't be treated like a tool anymore! She would be sent to school and be able to enjoy life and may meet fellow Holy Maidens!

It was a true blessing! The Lord must have heard her prayers already! Her dream would come true! True, it was not perfect since she was sure the people around her would still treat her with higher respect or simply as a healer, but she was sure it would be better than before at least.

But... If she went back...

An image of Issei and Mittelt flashed through her mind, the time they spent together, the smiles they shared together, the laughter and activities they experienced, short as it had been.

But if she stayed with them the path she would have to take would be hard... Issei-san has said that and even admitted that it wouldn't be easy. Could she do it? Now there was chance of salvation for her, a chance where she could be happy... Even if Issei-san had saved her life and helped her, was she willing to sacrifice her dream and happiness?

...

...

...

Back to the Church... Or stay with them?

...

...

...

She stared at Ewald and Issei who were looking at her with expectation. The Cardinal gave her a kind smile, the one a father used for his children. Issei meanwhile only stared at her with an impassive face, not showing any sign of emotion.

Her choice...

Which one should she pick?

...

...

...

"I... I..." She stammered before swallowing, her eyes filled with determination. "I will go with..."