The Netherworld Royalty: Akuma (4), Kill Aleron?!

Rias didn't waste time flying to the Lightdusk Academy but directly used the teleport circle to reach there.

Lightdusk Academy— the oldest most active, and most powerful place on the Lightdusk continent. Only this place had the means to communicate with Goddess Elysia.

Rias asked to meet with the academy's principal right away and soon entered an aesthetic circular office with books on its walls, a big table at the center, and a balcony behind it on the 101st floor of the towering academy building.

It had 500 meters of width at the base and gradually got narrowed in size while going up, painting a majestic yet powerful picture due to its exotic crystal-stone structure.

"It appears that you encountered a big trouble, my dear."

The principal spoke with a gentle smile upon seeing Rias. She looked in her forties, wearing a plain but fancily embroidered henna-colored robe mixed with black. Her black hair was folded into a bun with a light green colored hairpin.

"Master Kadita, it is about Akuma," Rias said, her expression showing grave somberness.

Upon hearing the word 'Akuma', even Principle Kadita's forehead creased. "What about Akumas?" she asked.

"Is there any way to help someone who is possessed by one? To aid them in expelling Akuma from the body?"

Principal Kadita narrowed her eyes, seemingly reading Rias's eyes. "Why are you asking me this? Tell me clearly what happened."

Rias bit her lips and answered, "Someone I know is possessed by an Akuma and fighting to survive. We have sealed the body so that Akuma can't use it for the time being. I am here to find a way to help him."

However, Rias only saw Principal Kadita's expression turning grave and darkening.

"And where is he?"

"In the palace, why?" Rias asked.

"Foolish!" Kadita shouted as she stood up and slapped her hand on the table.

Right after that, four scrolls flew out from different directions and floated before Rias as they opened.

"73 years ago, an Akuma possessed a 10-year-old kid. Killed several legendary-rank powerhouses and tens of thousands of people who lived in the town before It was killed by joint efforts of Exceed-rank powerhouses."

"158 years ago, an Akuma possessed an Exceptional-rank young man. He killed two Exceed-rank powerhouses, and thousands of other people before it was killed by joint efforts of 10 Exceed-rank powerhouses using a powerful formation."

Principal Kadita paused for a second before she added, "The other two cases are even older, but when an Akuma possesses someone and gains a body, they can unleash their powers in a devastating manner. You have invited a disaster to your own home."

"That…" Rias was shocked as she read the news.

"They die if we kill the body since possessing a body makes them connected, but it is a tough endeavor nonetheless," Principal Kadita sighed.

"But what do I do to save him?" Rias asked while clenching her fist, her eyes begging, "Please…he is my partner chosen by Azure Shard Moon's trial key. I am here in the hope of receiving help."

Principal Kadita looked at Rias, pity evident in her eyes as she shook her head, "Rias…whoever he is that got possessed, please kill him as soon as possible before the Akuma can use his body again."

"Wha-" Rias covered her mouth. "Why?"

"I am already surprised that you all managed to seal the body to prevent the Akuma from using it, but it's only a matter of time," Principal Kadita said, her expression utterly serious. "When it awakens, your Royal Capital will vanish and if left alone, millions will die."

"Take me there, I'll finish the job."

Principal Kadita appeared before Rias, standing a meter away from her—dead serious about killing Aleron.

"B-But…" Rias's lips trembled.

"Rias, do you understand the situation?" Principal Kadita grabbed Rias's shoulder, causing Rias to look at her eyes. "It is an Akuma! Every time one appeared in the history, a horde of death followed in its wake!"

"You are lucky that somehow you managed to prevent it from using the body it possessed even if it hasn't possessed it completely. However, it is only a matter of time! If we don't kill him now while we have a chance, even I won't be able to fight against it on my own!"

"C-Can you ask help from g-goddess, please?!" Rias pleaded with watery eyes.

"To interfere here, she needs to pay a price. Unless the situation is out of hand, I can't ask for her help," Principal Kadita shook her head. "This is the golden chance to kill that Akuma. Even if I talked with her, she would suggest the same thing."

Principal Kadita looked at Rias's face turning blank at her answer and sighed as she patted Rias's head. "Stay here, I'll go to Dawnstone Mountain and finish the job. You have no say in this matter now."

"Wait, wait!" Rias shouted just as Principal walked past her.

"What?" Principal Kadita helplessly sighed. "No matter what you say, the possessed must die before the Akuma gains control of the body."

"Please wait. Let him fight against the Akuma in mindscape first. The body will be sealed for fifteen hours, so can you wait please?"

Principal Kadita frowned and turned thoughtful for a moment before speaking, "I have to see the status of the body myself to judge that."

Rias quickly nodded with some hope in her eyes, "O-Okay, Let's go."

…

Lotusdawn Courtyard,

Darzax was walking to and fro in the room while watching Aleron from time to time.

Meanwhile, Enorin sat in a cross-legged position to meditate and recover.

But both of them soon felt some magic pulse that attracted their attention.

Enorin and Darzax looked at the balcony at the same time and saw Rias with an unfamiliar woman.

'Space power?' Darzax raised his eyebrows. 'And she is…above Exceed. A Primeval-rank powerhouse?'

His eyes lit up in hope as he felt this powerhouse might be able to help Aleron.

"Mr. Darzax, Miss Enorin, this is the principal of Lightdusk Academy," Rias said with a slightly unnatural and worry-laced expression.

Meanwhile, Kadita was also surprised to see two unfamiliar Exceed-rank powerhouses in the room.

'Principal, these two call him their Lord. Ale is very important to them and…his background is also complicated.'

Kadita wanted to know more, but that wasn't the priority.

She walked towards the bed and stood beside Aleron before putting her hand on his forehead.

Enorin and Darzax looked at each other before looking back at Aleron and Principal Kadita.

"Ten hours," Kadita said as she took away her hand and looked at Rias. "I'll go meet with your father and stay here for the time being."

Rias bit her lips and nodded.

'Rias, your entire family and population of this capital is at stack here. Don't do anything foolish.'

Rias heard Kadita's voice in her head before saw her vanishing from the room.

"What was that, Miss Rias?" Darzax frowned.

Enorin looked at Rias as well, seeking an answer.

Rias's eyes spiraled as she stood with her head down, 'If I tell them the truth about what Principal wants to do, will they take Aleron and escape?'

'I have to tell them the truth,' Rias clenched her fists, 'If they can go back to Ale's world, they might find a solution there.'