Chapter 39: A Junior's Resolve

Azazel's Perspective

So, she's got a sister, huh?

During the meeting, after we took down Kokabiel, I asked who Issei Hyoudou was. But I was also curious about that black-haired girl, his sister, Miu Hyoudou.

There wasn't much in the reports about her, but meeting her recently made it clear—she's a force to be reckoned with.

Investigations revealed she became Issei's adopted sister about two years ago. Nothing particularly noteworthy there.

The problem? No records of her exist before that.

Our organization, Grigori, is skilled but not infallible. Digging up everything is tough, I get it. But nothing? That's suspicious.

Issei himself is an enigma too. No trace of him using the Red Dragon Emperor's power before becoming a devil. Yet, word is he was already formidable as a human. For a mere mortal to reach that level, there should be some evidence of combat, right?

This sibling duo is shrouded in too much mystery. Just who are they?

I told them I wouldn't pry, so I'll let it slide for now.

For the moment, the priority is dealing with these terrorists.

"If the Red Dragon Emperor's right and that vampire hasn't fallen into enemy hands," I muse, "we should assume they've got a time-stopping Sacred Gear user on their side."

Time-stopping Sacred Gears like Forbidden Balor View are known to exist, but pulling off a freeze on this scale? Either the user's reached Balance Breaker, or they're using a spell to force a temporary one.

The intensifying time-stop suggests the latter. They're probably transferring power to push the user beyond their limits. That won't last long—backlash is inevitable.

If we let this drag on, we're in trouble.

Issei's Perspective

"I'm heading to Gasper's. Miu's there, so it should be fine, but you never know," I say.

"Wait, Issei. I'm coming too," Rias declares.

"President… alright. Sirzechs, is that okay?"

Sirzechs nods. "Yes. I'll leave that to you and Rias. We'll work on a plan to break this stalemate."

Got the green light.

Azazel turns to Vali. "Vali, get out there and scatter those mages. As the White Dragon Emperor, your presence will shake them up."

Vali snorts softly. "Understood."

With a radiant burst, he unleashes his power.

"Vanishing Dragon Balance Breaker!"

His body is encased in white armor. Giving me a quick glance, he leaps out the window, shrugging off the mages' attacks. He soars through the air, blasting magical bullets that drop enemies one by one.

His power is easily Devil King-level. His magical reserves dwarf mine. He wants to fight me, but if it comes to that, I'll have to go all out.

That's a problem for later.

"Alright, President, let's go."

"Yes."

We leave the room, heading for the old school building.

Kiba's Perspective

After Issei and the President head to the old school building, a magic circle suddenly appears in the meeting room.

Sirzechs's face darkens, as if he's bitten something bitter. "That's… a Leviathan circle."

What?

The pattern is distinct from Serafall Leviathan's. Zenovia, beside me, mutters, "I've seen it in books. That's an old Devil King's circle."

So, that's the former Leviathan's mark. I'd heard rumors, but it still exists?

A woman in a revealing dress with a deep slit emerges from the circle. "Greetings, current Devil King Sirzechs, Serafall."

"Katerea Leviathan, heir of the original Leviathan," Sirzechs says sharply. "What's the meaning of this?"

"To destroy you all, of course."

A massive magical blast erupts from Katerea.

The light engulfs us, blowing the room apart, but we're unscathed. "A joint barrier from the three faction leaders? How pathetic," Katerea sneers.

She's right. Sirzechs, Michael, and Azazel's combined barrier saved us. Without it, even those of us still mobile, like me and Zenovia, would've been in danger.

"Why, Katerea?" Sirzechs demands.

"I told you—to destroy you. We oppose this meeting. With God and the Devil Kings gone, it's time to reshape this world."

A coup, fully aware of God's absence and the three factions' peace talks. Their ideals are the polar opposite of ours. Issei would be furious.

"Katerea, stop! Why would you…" Serafall's voice trembles with pain.

Katerea glares venomously. "Serafall, you stole the Leviathan title from me and have the nerve to act innocent?"

"I… I didn't…"

"Hmph. Rest assured, today I'll kill you and claim the Leviathan title for myself."

Serafall's expression darkens.

"What a mess," Azazel sighs. "I thought we were caught in a devil's coup, but you're after the entire world, huh?"

"Exactly, Azazel," Katerea replies, arms spread wide. "This corrupt world, propped up by lies about God and the Devil Kings' deaths—we'll rebuild it."

Azazel laughs. "Corrupt? Rebuild? Cliché, much? That's the kind of line a doomed villain spouts."

"Are you mocking me?" Katerea's aura flares with rage.

"Sirzechs, Michael, I'll handle this. Cool with you?"

Azazel, Governor of the Fallen Angels, steps forward, exuding a dim, oppressive aura. He's not even serious, yet the pressure is immense.

"Katerea, will you stand down?" Sirzechs asks.

"No, Sirzechs. You're a good Devil King, but not the greatest."

She rejects his final warning.

"Pity," Sirzechs murmurs.

Azazel and Katerea take to the sky.

"Descendant of the old Leviathan, a beast of the apocalypse. Not a bad opponent. Shall we dance, Armageddon-style?" Azazel taunts.

"A mere Fallen Angel Governor dares speak to me like that?"

BOOM!

The battle between the Fallen Angel Governor and the old Devil King's heir begins.

Issei's Perspective

We reach the old school building and rush to the clubroom. No signs of a fight.

We pause at the door, exchange a glance, and fling it open.

Inside—

"Welcome back. We're done here," Miu says casually.

Miu, Koneko, and Gasper are playing cards within a barrier. At the room's edge, several unconscious female mages are bound with magical ropes.

The President looks baffled. "Uh, what's going on?"

Yeah, I'm lost too.

Koneko explains. "About five minutes ago, those mages broke in. The moment they entered, Miu-senpai took them all down."

Makes sense. Only Miu could pull that off so cleanly. But… cards?

"We sensed something like Gasper's power attacking us, so Miu-senpai set up a barrier. We decided to stay inside until it was safe," Koneko adds.

"And the cards?" I ask.

The three nod. Miu scratches her cheek sheepishly. "It was partly to calm Gasper down."

I can picture Gasper panicking. His Sacred Gear could go haywire with emotional spikes, so it's not a bad call.

"Good job, Miu," I say, ruffling her hair.

She beams, delighted.

"Is Miu the real threat here?" the President mutters behind me. What's that about?

Gasper's safe, which confirms Azazel's theory—the terrorists have a time-stopping Sacred Gear user.

But why target the old school building?

The President speaks up. "This attack was likely meant to use Gasper to freeze time. When that failed, they used their own Sacred Gear user. If I'm right, that's despicable."

So, they wanted to keep their cards hidden and use Gasper instead. Scumbags.

"You okay, Gasper?" I ask.

"Yes! Thanks to Miu-senpai and Koneko!" he chirps.

"Good."

Gasper's fine. Now we just need to deal with the terrorists.

The problem is the glowing magic circle in the sky, likely powering the time stop. If we can shut that down…

"Senpai…" Gasper tugs my sleeve, head bowed.

"What's up?"

He looks up, eyes burning with resolve. "I'll fight! I'll break their time stop!"

We're stunned. Gasper, of all people, saying this?

"I've always been protected," he continues. "The President saved me, you and Miu-senpai tried to help, but I haven't done anything useful! I want to help everyone!"

So that's what's been on his mind. He's wanted to contribute for a while.

I face him squarely. "Gasper, are you ready?"

"R-ready?"

"Yeah. Using your power for someone else takes resolve. It's not about getting drunk on strength—it's about having the will to wield it for others. So, Gasper, I'll ask again. Are you ready?"

He looks down briefly, then meets my eyes, voice firm. "I'm ready! I won't run from reality anymore!"

I grin, placing my hands on his shoulders. "Well said! You're a man, Gasper! If you're set, I'll back you up. No matter what, I've got your back."

"Yes!"

We step outside, gazing at the magic circle above.

"Let's do this, Gasper! The Occult Research Club's senior-junior tag team!"

"I'll do my best, Senpai!"

I cut my finger, letting Gasper drink the blood.

Thump.

My Red Dragon Emperor blood awakens his dormant power. I channel my stored energy to him.

"Transfer!"

Gasper's aura surges dramatically.

"Now, Gasper!"

"Yes!"

His eyes glow red.

"The time stop… it's gone?" the President whispers.

The school's clocks start ticking again. I sense Akeno and Asia moving in the new school building.

He plumpHe did it!

"You nailed it, Gasper!" I shout.

"I'm… exhausted…" Gaspers collapses.

Koneko catches him. "Good job, Gasper."

The President kneels, hugging him. "You've grown, Gasper. I'm proud."

He blushes, embarrassed. Okay, his girlish looks are confusing me.

"Gasper's a boy, Onii-chan," Miu teases.

"Don't say that… Let's head to the others. They're fighting mages."

Thunder and light spears flash from the new school building. Akeno and Reynare are in the fray.

"Right. Let's move," the President says. "Koneko, can you carry Gasper?"

"Got it. Hop on, Gasper," Koneko says.

"Th-thanks."

He's drained from the effort. He's done enough.

"Let's go, everyone!" I call.

We race toward our allies in the new school building.