One-Punch DxD: NEO - Chapter 83: Into The Dark

Been a while since the last update, thanks to the long vacation I had recently. Here you go!

---

[…Are you serious? Someone is actually interested in my Son? At this stage of his early life?]

Rizevim was equally confused by the idea of Djall ‘seeking a mate.’ It would only end terribly as he is now. He was too young to worry about the delicate nature of the sexes and intercourse.

…And relationships.

It was so ridiculous it was astounding.

Rizevim loved it.

[Ahahahahahahaha! Less than a year and he’s about to lose his virginity! To royalty, to boot! A real realm record right there! Wait, hold up, I need to tell Psykos about this!]

Euclid did not share Rizevim’s enthusiasm… Actually, thinking about it, it would be a curious thought experiment to see what would happen if Djall’s bloodline mixed with elven royalty… He wondered what would come out of her…

He waited for his master to return. Faint dialogue barely reached the audio, sounds of bafflement turned intrigue before Rizevim returned to the screen with Psykos.

[Is it true? There is actually someone that wants him? Flaws and all?]

Psykos asked.

“Yes… A dark elf Queen that we made into being our experimental test subject, along with her people. To report their status, the Djall Cells did not generate any genetic defects in the second month of Alfheim. Their combat and mental statuses are optimal.”

[Hm, send me the details as soon as you can. But back to the topic, what did Djall say about any of this?]

“He is confused, and I… haven’t begun the session yet.” Euclid stated the obvious. “He didn’t flinch or show interest when and after Sycorax was so close to him. I’m not even sure how I can teach him the concept of ‘lust’ yet.”

[I see… No matter, this is not something that should be rushed; and if those dark elves are as wise as they are rumored to be, then they will know better than playing with the jaws of a snapping turtle. In the meantime…. I see no harm in having Djall expand his wings and perspectives on different avenues. Keep up monitoring his education, Euclid.]

“Understood.” Euclid knew how challenging this task was as the monitor turned off.

He sighed as he went to his laboratory, deciding to work on the data he received from the latest experiment.

---

“…I met her in a field of flowers…”

Issei returned to Ikala’s room with Vali the earliest morning.

The high elf princess sat on the bed while the boys stood before her. She spoke in Latin to Vali’s request so he could also understand her story.

“It was strange at first… We weren’t supposed to meet each other. It was my first time seeing another elf with such dark skin… I was curious more than afraid, and she felt the same. There was some fear that the feud between our kind will lead to my harm. But in the end, we… talked. Then we met and played in secret the next day, exchanging tales about our societies. Celiph’s is more interesting than mine, though. Always the kind of girl to take action when needed…”

Issei found himself smiling at Ikala’s grin at the mention of her.

“The day we fell in love, we swore to bridge the differences between our races. The feud between us has gone on too long. Our realm must change for the better… but thanks to your realm’s intervention, Alfheim is heading towards war for the first time in thousands of years. I still see you as part of the problem because of that.”

“I don’t blame you.” Issei nodded.

“What’s the story between the light and dark elves?” Vali asked. “It’s like a reflection of the Angels versus Devils, but I don’t know the reason behind it.”

“That’s… not something I can share.” Ikala turned away.

“Really? That’s all you have to say?” Issei scoffed. “What is this ‘secret of the realm’ your girlfriend talked about?”

“…We will not continue this discussion.”

Ikala remained steadfast.

“Fine, fine.” Issei raised his hands. “We’re only here to save a man’s wife… and a friend that has changed too much.”

“The Wentara… Hah. If you Midgardians didn’t mess up, none of this would’ve happened.” Ikala shook her head.

“We have no words to defend ourselves.” Issei admitted.

“But talking about it won’t solve anything.” Vali added. “What’s the victory condition for us? Regarding the Dark Elves? How do we win without… destroying them?”

Ikala pondered for a moment, “…Ideally speaking – based on what I heard from Celiph, we should reach towards the matriarch of the dark elf, Queen Sycorax. The dark elves decided to launch more assaults thanks to the devils giving them some strange powers. If we convince the dark elves to cut ties of that devil, or somehow take him out of the picture ourselves, then the tension should at least mellow down.”

“Are they even in the right mood to negotiate? Rather… wait, if this Sycorax is your… Mother’s sister… Then wouldn’t that mean-”

“I heard that in a certain country in Midgard, such relations are tolerable.” Ikala replied.

“Well… Different species, different customs. Alright, I’ll bite it this time,” Issei shrugged, “But anyway, Now that you have regular contact with the dark elves, you got any plan in mind?”

“That’s…” Ikala turned away.

“You don’t know how to talk with them without them trying to kill you or something, do you?” Issei stated the obvious.

“I-I would like to see your plans, human! What do you suggest?!” Ikala pointed at him with fluster.

“…Brute force domination? Assuming that they are the ‘strong rules over all’ type of people,” Issei suggested.

“Hmph, of course. How typical.” Ikala scoffed, earning a frown from Issei.

Seeing they were reaching a dead end, Vali sighed, “…Have you ever thought about telling your parents about this?”

Ikala stared at Vali for a second before she sighed in defeat, “…Many times. But whenever I’m considering telling them, the consequences…. Made me reconsider.”

Issei and Vali exchanged another glance.

“I guess I can see your angle about that.” Issei remarked, attempting to be the bigger guy – this had been something out of Romeo x Juliet story. “…But if you ask me, I have a feeling that your father won’t have much problem with that. I mean, correct me if I’m wrong, but I think we’ve seen how he reacted to Djall and all.”

“That’s exactly what I’m worried about.” Ikala replied with an exasperated tone. “If my father learns about me and Celiph, he won’t let me live it down.”

The boys could see it, the fairy boy nagging the teenage girl almost daily about her private life.

“…I am kind of tempted to ask what it’s like to have a ‘boy’ as your dad…” Issei asked.

Ikala snorted, “I think you two should have known that the ‘boy’ in question might be much older than all of your ancestors combined. Anyway, it is best that you move on.”

“Alright. How about this? If now isn’t the best time to do something about this feud of yours, then when else?”

Ikala sighed again, understanding Issei’s point. After running her hand on her face, her eyes blinked as if she got an idea.

“Maybe I cannot tell them without screwing myself over…. But you can.” Ikala stared at Issei and Vali.

“…You want us to do what?” Issei asked.

“…Introduce the idea of peace? In my place?” Ikala explained.

“Please explain what you’re trying to do because this sounds like you’re just running away from your responsibilities.” Vali retorted this time.

“I mean…. Think about it.” Ikala reasoned, “If you get to end the war between the high elves and dark elves peacefully, you’ll have all of us helping you to save your query, then I get to stay with Celiph…. Everybody wins!” She answered as if she just solved some very complicated puzzle.

Issei and Vali stared at the elf princess’ somewhat hopeful look, before the former replied, “…You know what? Why not? Let’s try it.” Vali also nodded along.

“What? Really?” Ikala asked – the hope in her eyes increased at the boys’ reply.

XoX

“…Your daughter is having a love affair with the dark elf princess.”

Both Dragon Emperors pointed at Ikala during their breakfast meeting in the royal dining room.

The way Ikala did a mighty spit-take from her tea through her nose, coughing out the excess water before her face froze in shock, twisting and reverting as if trying to convey her emotions of shock and rage and sheer embarrassment, but could not settle for one or all, was the center of attention.

Bikou’s jaw froze in the middle of chewing his Alfheim-special banana salad while his eyes stared at the princess in question. Le Fay and Asia were stunned, unable to blush and process this. The others were also in a similar state – paused in the middle of eating and drinking in favor of Ikala.

Titania’s serene expression was slightly trembling as she moved her fork on her fruit salad – she nearly broke into laughter at the sight of her daughter having the greatest panic attack in her life.

Oberon merely hummed as he bit and chewed into his sandwich, regarding the Two Dragon Emperors before he turned to his daughter, who was gaping her mouth open and close like a fish out of water.

“…Well, I didn’t expect that one to come first in the morning.” The King simply remarked after swallowing.

Titania took a few deep breaths to compose herself before addressing her daughter, “Ikala, dear? Anything you’d like to say for yourself?”

“I, err- I’m…!” The said princess was struggling to form a response, until she opted to simply glare at the boys who ratted her out.

Issei simply replied with an innocent look, “What? We are following your plan here.”

Vali also shrugged with a what-do-you-expect look on his face, as he sipped on his tea.

“Whichever of Nine Realms part of this is my plan, your traitorous bastards?!” Ikala seethed.

“You want us to present your idea to forge peace with the dark elves. Your relationship can be the evidence that peace between you folks is possible.” Vali replied.

“But you promised not to tell anyone!” Ikala returned.

“Oh, so you want us to keep that part out?”

“Yes!” Ikala shrieked.

“Well, then you should have specified that. This is originally your idea, remember? How should we know that?” Issei retorted.

Ikala bristled, wanted nothing more but to leap across the table so she could strangle both boys with her bare hands.

“Why… ever since you came here, you brought me nothing but misery and anguish! Trouble! Have you no respect for royalty?! Are princesses always treated poorly in Midgard?!”

“…Nah.” Issei waved off. “We just don’t want to roll along with your timid nonsense. There’s no time for that. Plus, you’re not my type.”

“Ohhhhh. That’s a sick burn.” Bikou whistled, impressed that the boy shot down his chances to get another girl.

A princess at that.

Surtr laughed heartily at the drama unfolding, great breakfast entertainment.

“Now, now.” Titania finally stepped in as she wiped her mouth with a napkin, “Let’s go back on track, shall we? Regarding Ikala and princess Celiphrana…. We know.”

Ikala blinked twice, thrice – her eyes darted between her mother and father, who was grinning knowingly. “…Since when?” she asked with a dreadful tone.

“Long enough.” Oberon merely replied with his grin still present. “Let’s see, what was it back there… Oh, right – ‘Oh, my dear Celiph, how your shadow dances beautifully under the twin moon’s light’; and some other stuff.”

Bikou and Kuroka nearly choked on their food as they started to break into snickers.

Ikala was mortified, “Did you rummage through my trash?!”

“Those came from your heart, dear; I wouldn’t call them ‘trash’.” Titania smiled, “For example, ‘Our people may be forever in this endless war, but the despair I face with you by my side shines even brighter than the hazy hope without you there’ – quite corny, if I must say, and probably has been used before, but the choice of words and sincerity in your writing really moved my heart. I wished your father could have been half as romantic as you back when he was courting me.”

Oberon snorted, “Puh-lease~! Ikala-chan wished she could be as romantic as me!” he said with a knowing grin, while his wife simply rolled her eyes good-naturedly.

At this point, Ikala was burying her face in her hands. The princess wanted nothing more than to find a deep hole where she could hide herself until Ragnarok and beyond.

Griselda giggled while Asia and Le Fay blushed while feeling sympathy for the princess in love.

Issei could almost feel himself in her shoes, his own parents teasing him for his love life.

“Makes me wonder what would happen if Millicas were to have a secret crush…” Sirzechs muttered to himself, smiling at the image.

“Alright, surprised that you know this, but since we’re short on time, I suggest we try to convince her dark elf lover to sneak us in the enemy base. Assuming that she could…” Issei suggested.

“No!” Ikala shouted as she glared at him, hands down. “I won’t let you abuse our relationship like this! It’s wrong!”

“But your people are about to be at war with the Dark Elves.” Matthers pointed out. “I know this might be intrusive, but does your paramore also share your sentiment for peace?”

“Yes…” Ikala hissed.

“Then what are your suggestions on our approach to this delicate matter?” Matthers asked.

Ikala glared at Matthers, almost biting down her tongue in the process. She hissed and sighed, deflating all of her protests with a long exhale.

“…I’ll see what I can do when she visits next time. But I won’t make any promises.” Ikala replied, earning several nods.

“Say, what about you?” Oberon pointed at Sirzechs. “You think you can use your cheat link with your wifey to check things out?”

“Hmmm… Let me check.” Sirzechs closed his eyes.

XoX

“…Grayfia. I never bothered to ask, but… what is it like to raise a child?” Euclid asked Grayfia across the table on the couch while Grayfia silently digests his question.

“…Sorry, can you repeat that?” Grayfia asked. Of all things, she did not expect Euclid to come visit her on the topic of parenthood.

“I need your advice about raising a child.” Euclid repeated calmly, “…I am facing a new obstacle I cannot overcome alone. I cannot imagine a way to overcome it no matter which angle I tackle from. So… I need expert advice.”

Grayfia stared at her estranged brother, before the look in her eyes slowly grew amused, “Is this about Djall?”

Honestly, he was the only reason her time in captivity was not so dull.

“Of course it is. Tell me, is raising a child as gruesome on your side?”

Grayfia wondered how she could approach this… maybe some gloating as payback.

“Oh, Millicas is an angel – Figuratively speaking, of course.” Grayfia giggled. “He is just so adorable, always looking up to us. Always eager to learn… behaves so well that he’s precious.”

Euclid’s features creased at her growing sadism, causing him to inhale and exhale deeply. Honestly, seeing her brother in this much torment brought her more entertainment than she could hope for.

Is he asking about our son?

Grayfia flinched at hearing her husband’s voice.

Yes. You arrived just in time, dear.

“…I’ve seen how parents prepare their children in the matter of engagements in my years, how they taught their offspring how to behave around their fiances and what to expect… Is it the same for you as well, sister? How do you plan to handle your son’s engagement when the time comes?” Euclid asked, trying to piece together the words he wanted to convey.

Grayfia’s amusement came to a halt when her ears caught the ‘e’ word, “One moment, why are you bringing up the subject of engagement? What is going on?”

“I won’t get into the details, but someone is interested in courting my charge… My charge. As he is currently. Someone who would rather crawl through vents than use the door like a normal person. And try to imagine him trying to be ‘romantic’ with a partner.” Euclid replied.

Grayfia blinked, “…Right. So, back to your first question – how does that…. Relate to your charge’s marriage proposal?”

Euclid bit his lips, unsure on how to answer. In the end, he decided not to beat around the bush, “…Have you taught your son lessons in sex education?”

Grayfia slightly flinched and recoiled at the blatant question. Every fiber of her motherly being screamed against the notion of the idea of premature sex education, “It is still too soon for my son to concern himself in adult relationships.”

Um, I’m actually thinking of giving Millicas the ‘talk’ within the next year or so, since he’s enrolling in Rias’ school and all.

Grayfia inwardly rolled her eyes slightly as Sirzechs said his input in her mind – We’ll talk about this later.

“The same goes for Djall. For different reasons.” Euclid nearly rasped. “He doesn’t want to go through with it after hearing the first step. And I can’t coerce him to follow through. For many reasons. One of them being, I can’t literally force him with my power. Or he’ll eat me.”

Grayfia shifted in her seat to make herself more comfortable – this conversation might end up longer than she expected, “…What are Djall’s problems about… your lessons, to be precise?”

“He said it’s a waste of time and energy, and he doesn’t want to go through such trouble just to make more of him. And he would rather eat her instead of… Mating with her. He is not a paragon of patience, and he mistook the lesson as ‘sampling’ a meal longer than necessary.”

Grayfia blinked and rubbed her chin. This was a challenge that she definitely would not face when raising Millicas… a new one.

A nightmarish one at that.

“…Does Djall even understand the concept of….. Lust and attraction?” Grayfia pointed out.

“No. Trust me, he didn’t flinch when an apex of beauty was so close to his face.”

Grayfia honestly wanted to know more about the context in detail, like this ‘apex of beauty’ Euclid was referring to. However, the Queen then recalled her last conversation with the young monster. Should she tell him? But that would mean giving him a reason to look into Kiyome…

“…Could he be asexual?”

“He is young, after all.” Euclid said. “He should possess the capacity to experience ‘lust’ and ‘love,’ it’s just… I’m not sure how to trigger it… wait, I can try to poison him with aphrodisiacs and see if that can arouse him.”

“That’s a reckless plan.” Grayfia countered, “I don’t know about his biology, but I can tell that the same drugs that work on us might work… very differently for someone like him.”

“True… I might need to do a control experiment.” Euclid nodded to himself.

“That’s not the point. It is improper to force someone to experience a concept that cannot be easily explained with words to save yourself ‘time and energy’ as he likes to say.” Grayfia argued in Djall’s defense.

“But his intelligence does not reflect his age. And we don’t know when he’ll undergo puberty like your child… Wait, thinking about it, he could replicate the puberty process, but can decide not to if I suggest it… Damn it.” Euclid sighed.

Eventually, soon enough Euclid checked on his pocket watch and stood up from his seat, “…In any case, this conversation has given me a few things to consider. Thank you for your time, sister.”

Before he exited the door, Grayfia called out.

“Why are you rushing this? This isn’t something parents have the right to enforce.”

It was strange that her brother would do something like this. It was… uncharacteristic even for him. She could sense it from their conversation.

“…Hah.” Euclid sighed. “I suppose I can tell… The Dark Elf Queen wants to engage the young master with her bloodline…”

“…Eh?” Grayfia could not process the words ‘engage’ and ‘Djall’ together.

While Grayfia was still processing what Euclid told her, the latter had disappeared as he shut the door closed. A few minutes later, Grayfia then leaned back and sighed. She began to think that she had spent too much time in her confinement, to the point that talking to her captors became a welcoming change of pace.

….Sirzechs, did you hear all of that?

---

Sirzechs soon cut off the link between him and his Queen, before he turned to see everyone staring at him.

“…Well?” Azazel was the first to ask, “How are things over her side?”

“Err….” Sirzechs trailed as his eyes landed on the elven royals, particularly on the princess, “How should I word this… The Dark Elf queen is… maybe planning to marry your lover to a monster…”

Everyone’s eyes were glued onto Sirzechs by the words out of his mouth, having trouble digesting the words ‘marry’ and ‘monster’ together.

“…What did you say?” Ikala asked as all eyes turned to her.

“…From what I’ve heard, the Queen wants to marry her daughter to Djall…”

Kiyome was next to violently cough in shock, doubling over and heaving from the ridiculous answer.

“…Say what?” Azazel asked, completely shocked, unable to hide it.

Titania and Oberon stared at Sirzechs slightly paralyzed by the revelation.

Vali and his crew were equally caught off guard, eyes wide as saucer plates.

“I understand, but I arrived when she was talking with Euclid on the matter, and frankly, I cannot imagine anything good coming out of this… Arrangement.”

Asia could only stare with wide-saucer eyes while Rover started eating from her plate. Griselda was not sure how to react to this, but found it perplexingly interesting.

“…That’s new and terrifying… though not what we’re looking for.” Issei answered.

“What do you mean, of course we should look into this!” Kiyome shouted with surprising defiance.

“I agree!” Ikala raised from her seat. “…Since it has come to this… Alright. Fine. You want to abuse our sacred bond to end the war and save your wife? Fine.”

“Um, Ikala-chan, I don’t think that-” Oberon tried to speak up, but the murderous glare Ikala fired his way silenced his tongue.

“…I know a secret entrance to their capital.” Ikala answered. “We can infiltrate their lands through there. But we can only bring around… four or so to fit into the passage undetected. And they must be skilled in the art of stealth.”

“In that case, I think we have them.” Azazel spoke up, glancing at Kuroka. “Our resident Nekoshou here is our best infiltrator here.”

The Nekoshou in question simply smiled while shrugging.

Sirzechs nodded, “Souji can help,” he exchanged nods with his Knight.

“I want in.” Issei raised his hand.

“You want to participate in a stealth mission? Can you even stealth like a pro?” Vali asked using gamer lingo.

“…Okay, I haven’t been in many stealth missions, I admit it. But…”

“Then you’re staying with us.” Vali grinned.

“Let me finish.” Issei then called to his dog, “Rover, do the thing!”

The dog barked as he hopped to the floor, before his form suddenly shimmered away, blending in with his surroundings.

Azazel stared at the empty spot where Rover was standing previously, before he turned to Issei, “…Since when can he do that?” His expression was also mirrored by those who had yet to see Rover’s new ability.

“After ingesting Trihexa genes in the form of a plague. Like Black said… Trihexa genes are wack.” Issei scoffed.

His amusement died when he found his food disappearing in mysterious bites, being dragged to the floor before the invisible dog continued finishing his stolen meal.

“I want to be included as well.” Kiyome rose from her seat. “I have Stjarna’s powers. I can fit in with the enemy more than anyone here. And if Rover can turn invisible…”

She demonstrated by camouflaging herself, not unlike Rover, albeit her body outline could be seen distorting the empty space she stood on, much to the elves’ further surprise.

“There’s another problem though…” Issei pointed out. “Their senses are enhanced way more than what the average reincarnated Devil can achieve. Does anyone have a way to fool the nose for example?”

Issei used his experience with trying to infiltrate the peace talks with the demons.

Sirzechs turned to Azazel, who shook his head with a grimace. Matthers shook his head as well despite being an expert in the arcane.

“Oh, I do!” Oberon raised his hand. “I mean, I trailed Djally to the royal kitchen unnoticed! Leave that part to me! The spell can last for two hours on other people though!”

Everyone turned to Oberon.

“…Why do you have a spell like that?” Vali asked.

“I work with animals, remember?! Part of my kingly duties is to observe the land and its bounty!”

“…And sneaking into Midgard.” Titania snipped.

“That’s my favorite hobby!” Oberon smiled.

They could not help but smile at the dynamic chemistry between the royal family.

“Since you’re so eager and capable, why not come with the infiltration team yourself?” Vali asked.

“Because it sounds like a pain to me, so I’ll pass on that.” Oberon replied while waving his hand without missing a beat.

“You will help us get inside undetected or I swear to Yggdrasil, I’ll march into your room and burn your ‘secret collection’ and scatter the ashes to the wind.” Ikala threatened with the most menacing aura she could muster.

Oberon stared at her daughter, bewildered by the threat while the others wondered what she meant by private collection.

“…And I’ll help burn it, too.” Titania added.

“…Fine.” Oberon grumbled and turned away with a childish pout.

“Alright, we have a plan. We will set out to this secret passage ASAP before shit hits the fan back in Midgard.” Issei concluded with everyone nodding in agreement.

“Now we just need to know what to assign for the rest of us staying here.”

---

Celiphrana stood within her mother’s bedroom at military attention, hands behind her back and her posture straight on her heels.

Faceted, carved stones that illuminated light shone within the bedroom from the walls, revealing the expensive tapestries of Sycorax’s queen-sized bed, the Queen lounging almost lazily on the grey sheets behind the spider silk drapes.

Her mother’s body was almost nude, save for the bra and thong on her person.

Behind Celiphrana was two male servants, Sycorax’s dark elf warrior bodyguards and attendees on duty.

“My dear daughter, an opportunity has presented itself to us. As you noticed, the Son of the Beast… graced our realm with his presence. There is so much potential within him, like gazing into a bottomless abyss… and he is still so young.”

Celiphrana remained stoic as she listened to her mother with professionalism.

“I am planning to engage him into our bloodline.”

Celiphrana flinched ever so slightly – the words delivered by her mother felt like a punch in her gut. She did not notice the guards behind her also sported incredulous reactions as they exchanged glances with each other.

“I… beg your pardon, your highness?” Celiph managed to get it out.

In return Sycorax merely snorted, “We are not in the throne room, dear. But I believe you could hear me just fine.”

Celiph’s mouth felt dry as she licked her lips anxiously. “Have you thought of someone in mind, regarding… the Son of The Beast’s partner?”

“Are you willing to volunteer yourself, my dear daughter?” Sycorax asked as she rolled around the bed, lying on her stomach as her legs kicked back and forth.

“I…” Celiphrana could not contain herself completely. “I do not think that is wise. He is young, correct?”

“Of course. Which means he is still vulnerable. We just need to mold him into our favor and gain an advantage over Euclid, while securing ourselves a powerful ally.”

Celiphrana inhaled and exhaled slowly through her nose, “…Assuming we are going through your scheme… I believe this matter should be treated carefully.”

“Do not worry.” Sycorax rolled over again, lying on her back, exposing her front to Celiphrana and her two male bodyguards behind her.

“…He will most likely come to us. Euclid has no control over him as I’ve discovered.”

“And why would you think that we will have control over him?” Celiph countered.

“Because the Son of a Beast is a male. A curious flower ready to be plucked.” Sycorax stated. “If you have no interest in him, then leave him to me. I have prepared my most potent incense and tonics to elevate him to adulthood when the time comes. And tame him. But if he does arrive here, treat him as our most honored guest. He would most likely arrive unannounced, however. But that will not matter for as long as he has a shadow, I will know if he is here. And this is my domain. I will know anyone who enters this place, even if it is him.”

Celiph felt a headache incoming, “Mother, as your daughter I have to tell you that this whole idea of yours is utter madness.”

“Oh? Madness, you say?” Sycorax asked without any hint of being offended.

“We cannot trust that….. Thing!” Celiph emphasized.

“You haven’t even met him yet. Why are you so defensive?”

“That’s…!”

“If he is as disastrous as you believe, go meet and converse with him… He is here right now. Ah, the way he moves in such a primal manner is so intriguing.”

Celiph blinked before she quickly turned towards the guards behind her. They looked confused for a second before they nodded and walked out of the room, followed by Celiph.

The princess paused to address her queen-mother, “This conversation is not over.”

“See if you can lure him with some of our finest raised cattle. And set up a pheromone incense to entice him into a location of your choice, then make sure that he notices our invitation.”

Celiphrana stared at her mother before she finally left Sycorax alone in her room.

Sycorax merely scoffed as she turned to her side – too bad, perhaps I shouldn’t have alerted them so soon – she thought the guard on the right earlier was rather adorable.

But in any case, she hoped that she could extract some key information from the source. Even she knew how unwise it was to do nothing about their situation. She must know what Euclid was planning, giving them this power without ample compensation, a power that was too good to be given so freely.

---

“…We’re here.” Ikala presented them to…

“…No wonder why you want this to be a small team…” Kuroka commented.

They were at the base of a mountain in Alfheim, the clouds overhead with the sun peeking through from the blue. They stared at the crevice at the base… it did not look like it could fit a normal human being.

“She uses the power of Alfheim dark magic to leave through this opening. She always use this to sneak out of Mykriundir.”

Kuroka blinked, “Mike-whatchamacallit?”

“The nation of the dark elves.” Ikala explained. “It means ‘Dark Under.’ Their capital is Skugariki, and Celiphrana’s home is in the Abyssal palace. I have never been there for a long time… She has been warning me to stay away recently. Her people are more aware of the light than us of the dark.”

“Okay… How far are we looking at here?” Issei asked, his eyes peering down the darkness before him, poking his head through the crevice.

He switched to night vision…

“By human measurements, miles down below the surface is where our cousins live… So, a very long journey.” Ikala replied.

“Eeeeehhhh… this is why I don’t want to come,” Oberon whined.

“Shut it, father.” Ikala snapped.

“Also, quick question, how does your ‘Celiph’ bypass Sycorax’s gaze? I mean, I do know her enough that she keeps an eye on almost everything that happens in her country.” Oberon added.

“It is… tricky.” Ikala sighed. “Sycorax can sense the movements and presences of the shadows around her… something no other Dark Elf can do. And she can use the shadows as a motion sensor to detect her foes. All conventional magic and abilities to hide your presence are useless if those techniques don’t apply to their shadows as well.”

“That… sounds incredibly overpowered. Creative, but overpowered.” Kiyome could not help but comment. “And how did your lover slip past her mother’s overpowered shadow powers?”

Ikala stared at Kiyome.

“…Ah, right. You can’t understand Japanese…” Kiyome remembered.

Incidentally, Kiyome also possessed the universal translator ability during her time as a beast tamer for the Devils. It was a special gift from the Devils for her services.

But she could speak and understand Latin due to her profession in learning about mythical creatures across the continents.

She repeated her question in Latin.

Ikala then answered, “…She is Sycorax’s daughter. She is not without skill in the power of the Shadows and Darkness and the potential to surpass Sycorax. And a trick is to go invisible or hide in another’s shadow, so to speak.”

“You elves are really living up to your light and dark theme.” Issei yanked his head out of the crevice. “Do the Dark Elves have anything other than Shadow Magic?”

“In some capacity…” Ikala nodded. “But delving deeper, they can touch the power of Darkness and reach the powers of the Abyss. The power to consume and erase, swallowing all in an infinite darkness.”

“…Oblivion Magic?” Issei asked.

“Um, no, Abyss Magic.” Ikala shook her head. “It is impossible to inherit the power of Ginnungagap. It is nothingness in its purest form. No one born in existence can hope to attain such power, you foolish Midgardian.”

There was an unnatural surplus of assurant confidence in Ikala’s claim. Though her smile fell when she noticed the expressions of her entourage giving her the eyes that spoke otherwise.

“Anyway, we don’t have all day. Let’s get going.” Ikala moved on, “As I said before, this secret path is almost never used due to the dangers lurking around the entire way between the Mykriundir and Fridhelgi, so do keep up.”

“Ikala.” Titania suddenly interrupted. She was there to see them off to the darkness leading to the nation of her sister. “Once we settle this problem, we are going to talk about the fact that you have been putting yourself in danger just to play hooky.” her husband also shared her unamused expression.

The princess winced at her mother’s tone, “…Yes, mother.” Ikala raised her hand at the crevice.

Fae magic twinkled from her palm as the crevice widened like a mouth opening for a yawn. Stone ground against stone, forcing each other out of the each to make space, the crevice now an effective entrance.

“Let’s go… and hope that the change in the Dark Elves didn’t affect the ecology too much.” Ikala said as she went first into the darkness.

Souji, Kiyome, Ikala, Oberon, Kuroka, Issei and Rover entered the darkness leading to the abyss.

Ikala first, Issei and Rover second and third, Kiyome fourth, Souji fifth, Kuroka the sixth and finally Oberon behind them to hide their presence from the Dark Elves.

And the passage to it was a bit tighter than any of them could have thought.

“Okay, the narrowness… is getting ridiculous.” Kiyome complained.

All of them were hunched, almost crawling through a vent.

“Eh, I’m doing just fine.” Oberon shrugged, walking like normal.

Bark!

Rover barked, waddling beside Issei.

“First time I’ve done something like this since that one Rating Game I played with Lord Sirzechs.” Souji commented, crawling on all fours.

“Would’ve been easier to punch our way through or something,” Issei remarked.

“Why are you here again, human? Aren’t you terrible at stealth?!” Ikala hissed.

“I go with the dog. And I’m not terrible at stealth, I just don’t stealth too often,” Issei replied in Latin.

“That doesn’t bring me confidence in your abilities. Are all Midgardians like you lot?” Ikala asked.

“Nah, we’re kind of special. Like and your parents amongst the Elves kind of special,” Kuroka answered with a cheeky smile.

“I see… though I was under the impression that humans are mostly incapable of magic and the like. Below the spectrum that I am used to…”

As they conversed, Ikala stopped and exited the narrow passageway. She pushed the small boulder blocking the exit away and entered a chamber, followed by her entourage.

“…What is this place?” Issei asked.

“A mushroom glade.” Ikala answered.

It was the first time Issei and the rest saw a world full of mushrooms, a few shrooms reaching so tall that it nearly rivaled the height of the average skyscraper.

A canvas of psychedelic colors that boggled the mind for those not used to such a colorful place of nature, the air shimmering with the presence of spores, the only light in this place being the mushrooms that could glow.

“Judging from how colorful these shrooms…. I assume they are not edible?” Issei mused as he looked around.

“Some of them are. Celiph said the mushrooms are their crops, what allowed them to survive in the dark caverns, and what they use to feed their cattle.”

“Cattle as in…?” Kiyome asked.

“Giant insects. Celiph said they’re rich with protein and nutrients. Tried some myself, they’re quite good.”

“Ikala! I thought you’re one of us! How could you betray your dear father by consuming forbidden meat?!” Oberon pouted.

Ignoring her father, Ikala made her way into the horde of mushrooms, “This way. Watch your steps, some mushrooms might show a volatile reaction upon unwanted intruders.”

“Define ‘volatile reaction’.” Kiyome asked.

“Sometimes the mushrooms either explode in flames, poisonous spores, or they literally walk and devour you alive.” She warned.

The Midgardians xchanged glances before they scanned the mushrooms around them.

“…I suppose you can tell us which dangerous mushroom is which?” Issei asked.

“You are all powerful and skilled from what I’ve seen against the assassins, but I do not want any of you to kill more than necessary as STEALTH takes precedence over all.” Ikala snapped as she glared at Issei, the boy understanding her message.

“Follow my lead and don’t. Do. Anything. Stupid.” Ikala warned as she crouched and walked in a way that reminded Issei of the video games he played.

Everyone exchanged glances again, they then turned to Oberon, who merely shrugged with a knowing smile. The group then decided to follow the princess’ lead with the same order when they came in, tailing behind her.

Kuroka sniffed the air, smelling the spores before she quickly snorted it out.

As if sensing her discomfort, Ikala spoke up, “The spores you’re smelling are natural and not dangerous, albeit they can be annoying when you inhale them. Just keep moving.”

“Do they clog up our lungs if we inhale them for too long?” Souji asked.

“Heh, maybe if you want to choke on mushrooms. No, that happens if you inhale from the source, very close,” Ikala snorted.

Rover rubbed his nose at the spore-infested air and shook his head, whining.

“It’s okay, boy. Endure for a while.” Issei consoled as Rover continued walking.

Their feet walked on mold-grown cavern stone, moss-like lichen squished under their shoes. Kiyome looked up and saw small jellyfish-like mushrooms, fungus with tendrils swimming through the air like jellyfishes.

“Wow… it really is like I am in another world.” Kiyome could not help but comment.

“I know. Makes me want to visit the other realms on vacation if we have the chance,” Issei wondered what the other realms were like, minus Helheim, Muspelheim, and Nifleheim if the legends about those realms were true.

Ikala stopped.

Ahead was a line of… walking mushrooms.

There were no other words than to describe them as giant mushrooms with mushroom feet, the size of small children.

“…The mushrooms have legs.” Issei commented.

He should have expected them, but honestly, it was ridiculous, seeing that kind of walking shape in person.

The way those walking mushrooms moved was kind of… innocent, adorable even. The one at the front tripped and fell.

It struggled, wriggled on the floor to get up, then the rest of its friends moved to lift it with their mushroom cap heads.

“Ilmur walking mushrooms.” Ikala commented, “They’re edible and smell delicious. They’re harmless if left alone, but…”

From the ground, a creature emerged, a centipede-like monster chittered and lunged at the one at the front, grabbing it in its jaws.

But the moment its mandibles caught it, a purple cloud of dust exploded from the mushroom.

Then the giant centipede screeched and thrashed, throwing the walking mushroom to the stem of a giant mushroom and then collapsed.

Frothing.

The midgardians stared at the frothing giant centipede.

Convulsing, inert… seemingly dead.

“They are delicious, but they can explode poisonous spores that will infest the lungs and choke their victims to death.” She warned.

“…Let’s just move on.” Souji advised, which everyone else seemed to agree with.

Then from the ground another something emerged… it had teeth.

A mushroom cap with teeth claimed the giant centipede, mouth opening from the center of the cap and gnashing the creature, chewing on the exoskeleton and soft meat underneath.

Everyone stared at the carnivorous mushroom as it sank back underneath the soil.

“…And the spores will trigger the carnivorous ones lying under our feet to rise and devour their prey. It is a symbiotic ecosystem at its finest.” Ikala added as she resumed, crouch-walking around the hole made by the giant man-eating mushroom while they stared at the hole.

They looked at their feet for a moment before they decided to follow Ikala.

Ikala stopped and turned her head towards a bunch of spore-shaped mushrooms beside her. She started plucking some of them from the bunch and continued on the way.

“…And what did you just pick up?” Issei asked.

“Explosives.” Ikala answered.

“…Mushrooms that blow up?”

“Yes. We might need them.” She said.

They trekked some more, until Issei’s eyes caught on one particular mushroom. It was taller than most, colored in a mix of black and ashen gray. What really caught his eyes were the small red markings that somehow made the mushroom very…. Menacing.

Like two red eyes glaring at him with the intense hatred of… all of the mushrooms that were eaten by humans and the like if Issei had to choose.

“…What’s that one?”

Ikala followed Issei’s direction and her eyes widened slightly, “…To think we actually ran into that one. That is rare, one of a kind, and the one we must never disturb at all cost.”

“What, a nuclear-mushroom or something?” Kuroka asked with a joking tone.

“The world ending bombs on humans?” Oberon asked.

“Surprised that you’re familiar with the concept,” Issei could not help but comment.

“It explodes a toxic mist that is so vicious that it will… turn everything into mushroom farms as well. Irreversibly.” Ikala explained.

“…Huh.” Kuroka did not expect the answer to be pretty close to her joke, “…Really?”

“Yes. Legends say that it can choke a dragon to death in seconds before the body becomes a mushroom farm.”

“Honestly, the mushroom-theme is starting to get one-dimensionally ridiculous. Anyways, let’s get moving.”

It took around 30 minutes of trekking their way through the mushroom foliage for them to eventually arrive in a new area after going through another tunnel.

---

The cattle pen was a large clearing beside Skugariki, a room carved out for the sole purpose of nurturing and breeding the giant insects known as the Kjötgalla.

The Kjötgalla were massive pillbugs, dome-shaped insects with dense, thick armor repurposed as armor and weapons, the meat a delicious delicacy popular amongst the dark elves.

Kjötgallas were the culmination of selective breeding, years upon years of creating the perfect cattle, a creature of resources for the elves to harvest to the utmost limits, the shell strong enough to cut dragon flesh.

Some were infused with the Power of the Beast. It made them more stronger, altered their shape into something like a fusion of a mole and a turtle, scythe-like claws strong to claw through the toughest of stones, and four legs to carry it forward.

But the cost was that they were harder to control and they could escape from their pens. It took some time to tame them and corral them back into their homes, shells even harder than ever, regenerating organs, and chitinous materials that could regrow in a span of a day for reharvesting.

These were not the only cattle foods that the dark elves have.

The Eiterstein were the giant centipedes where the Dark Elves use to concoct their deadliest poisons, also enhanced by the power of the beast while their meat provides a special delectable flavor.

The Tryfelagi, loyal arachnids with their own brand of poisons and silks, spiders that generate valuable resources for their clothes.

And the Rokkatandi, giant, scorpion-like creatures with no legs, they burrow and chew through the stone, used by the Dark Elves to mine and dig new areas to inhabit, while their meat was also used for food.

These were the prime example of the Dark Elven culture beneath the land, their way of life so far away from Alfheim’s light.

Within the Kjötgalla cattle pen, mushroom farms grown from implanted carved wooden stakes pinned in the stone for the Kjötgalla to feed upon when they get hungry, Celiph waited with her two male guards.

One of the male guards, armored in Kjötgalla armor and leather, held a special pot of incense which burned an aroma which attracts special beasts.

Which was why a lot of the Kjötgallas gathered around them, attracted to the herbal aroma infesting the underground air as Celiph played with them, rubbing on their hard carapaces in the meanwhile.

“Hah…” Celiph sighed as she continued to wait.

The soothing chittering of the gentle beasts calmed her unease as she could not imagine what the Son of the Beast was like… she only had his parent to use as reference, the famed Beast of Midgard.

Tales of the Beast of Midgard predated what the Midgardians knew of the Beast.

The Beast had a longer history and went by a different name, long long ago.

So much longer…

So long that even the Elves did not have the full story of the Beast at its prime, its full power.

There was a rumor that only the Demons knew for they survived long enough to witness the coming of the Beast and the consequences.

“…Have you seen anything yet?” Celiphrana asked her two entourages.

They shook their heads.

“You know you can talk when we’re alone. I won’t punish you.” Celiphrana smiled.

“…Apologies.” One of them spoke. They look identical, however, not to the level of them being twins. Their skins were dark brown as they doffed their hoods, revealing their handsome features.

“Your mother is an extremely demanding Queen… in matters of custom discipline.”

“I don’t blame you. Hah, she still won’t tell me who my father is,” Celiphrana could only skew her lips, as she returned her attention to the cattle in front of her.

They continued to wait in silence.

“Should we call out to the Son of the Beast, milady?” The taller one asked.

“And cause a panic in our city?” Celiph snorted, without bothering to look back at them.

“A stir is the more correct term.” the other guard retorted.

“Who knows what they’ll do to him. They’ll probably line up to subdue the Son of the Beast like a common warbeast or something.”

“Do you think the Queen might have… mistaken about sensing the Son of the Beast?”

“No, no I don’t think so. My mother’s affinity with the shadows is second to none. She would even know when one of the Kjötgallas would give birth to a newborn from her room if she wanted to.”

“…Milady. The question didn’t come from us.”

Celiphrana blinked. She turned around to look at her guards.

“…What?”

“What?”

The three perked when they heard Celiphrana’s voice amongst the herd of Kjötgallas. The sound was so similar to the princess’ voice despite it not coming from her lips.

The air was filled with an unknown guttural clicking, a rhythmic pattern joining the noise of the peaceful herd.

Then guards took out their Kjötgalla daggers, one of them placing down the pot of incense to free his hands to draw his weapons.

“…Are you here, Son of the Beast?” Celiphrana called out, drawing out her daggers as the three pressed their backs together, covering all of their blind spots.

“We mean you no harm. My mother wishes to invite you into the Palace.” Celiphrana spoke of her intention.

There was no response from it.

Nervous sweat trickled down their skin as they looked for any signs of the beast. The Kjötgallas around them chittered with concern for the Dark Elves, confused by their reaction.

Celiphrana had no choice as she decided to use her skill.

With advanced shadow magic and the power of the beast, she could create a sonar that could detect the shadows around her and subsequently the owner of the shadows, the line connecting the two being the key.

However, she sensed nothing so far. Grimacing, she tried another technique, sensing movements with the shadows as an extension of her senses.

Her shadow cast by the cave-light of glowing mushrooms spread from underneath her feet, the darkness bearing her shape spreading out like an inky darkness touching all beneath them on the surface of the floor holding their legs.

She sensed a sudden movement from the herd. She turned to the source…

Seeing nothing so far.

“Milady, perhaps… we should retreat?” The smaller guard asked.

“My mother does not tolerate cowardice, you know that?” Celiph reminded.

“Yes, but it is also the first time I am feeling this much… fear. I feel like prey in this situation.” The taller one added. “Besides, I don’t think ‘cowardice’ applies here.”

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECCCCCCCCCCCCCCCH!

The sudden inhuman shriek and murderous intent alarmed their instincts to flee. The Kjötgallas jumped at the sudden inhuman shriek and scampered away like frightened turtles.

The power inside them was resonating, resonating with fear.

“You know what, let’s turn back. We can use this chance to lash out at mother for sending us on a suicide mission.” Celiph suggested.

“Of course, with pleasure, princess.” the guard replied without complaint.

The three instantly melded with the shadows, swimming through it as dark specks traveling across the surface of the floor at high speeds. They did not dare look back, hoping that the Beast could not trail them.

From the cattle caverns, they moved past the outskirt village, homes carved into the stone, a flourishing community of spider silk baskets and mushroom farms shared between the peaceful villagers.

They entered another cavern, moving past the traffic of Dark Elves riding special beasts of burden, stone drakes to transport cargos of material to and fro towards the main cities underground.

They passed the first outer trade city where they traded with the Rock and rare Fire Giants underground for their metals, ores, and metal weapons.

They did not stop, running under so many of their people until they could see the Abyssal Palace.

The Abyssal palace was a grand construct of precious metal and underground stone, reaching from the ceiling of the enormous cavern that rivaled the diameter of China, to the ground level of the city. The palace was surrounded by an abyssal chasm that seemed bottomless, a pitch black darkness that seemed to swallow all light that dared dipped into its maw.

Thanks to the power of the Beast, it took them minutes to get there instead of hours, long minutes but enough for them to exit the shadows running desperately for their lives.

There was a great bridge that served as the only effective road to the palace gates of stone, lit by torches of blue fire as the guards saw the face of the princess running towards them.

As the princess and the two escorts followed behind, the gatekeepers stood at attention as they knocked their spears on the ground.

“Welcome back, Princess Celiphrana!” the gatekeepers greeted, announcing Celiph’s arrival; followed by the gate opening inside.

The three immediately entered as they quickly made their way towards the throne room, running up the stairs and ignoring the estranged eyes of the palace guards.

They finally entered the throne room, the three panting not out of exhaustion ironically, but from the sheer adrenaline and fear. They arrived while the Queen was sitting lazily on her throne – in the middle of having a discussion with her matriarchs.

“Oh, welcome back, Celiphrana.” Sycorax greeted with a formal tone as soon as she noticed her daughter’s presence. “I take it that he didn’t accept your invitation?”

Celiphrana could only glare at her mother with a measure of spite.

“Of course, he didn’t! The thing wanted to kill us! We must issue a national emergency and send out a hunting party!”

“Ah… shame… And I see that he killed one of your personal guards…”

“…What do you mean ‘killed’? They’re fine!” Celiph looked back.

The smaller male guard was with her… but the other was missing.

Celiphrana froze when she swore that there were two with her. She and the remaining guard looked at each other, both with fear in their eyes.

“…What happened?” Sycorax was genuinely confused.

Celiphrana looked back at the Queen.

Both she and her guard were paralyzed at the sight of a stranger standing above the Queen, standing on the top of the backrest of the onyx throne.

A… human with sharp eyes, three eyes, two with the pattern of the sigma symbol and a third eye, a hexagram eye.

He smiled at Celiphrana as his hands turned into metallic claws soundlessly as he jammed his claws into the backrest of the throne, each hand gliding past left and right of the Queen’s head as he looked at the Queen crouching, his head upside down in the Queen’s eyes.

There was a tense pause as the Matriarchs in the throne room immediately drew their weapons as the intruder and the Queen stared at each other eye to eye…

This time, the child decided to be up close and personal, not the Queen.

Sycorax merely stared at Djall’s eyes before a smile slowly crept up on her lips, “…I see you have accepted my invitation.”

Djall stared at her stoically.

“…This time I got you.” Djall said as he removed his claws from black throne’s backrest and jumped down, landing beside the throne.

“I am surprised. How did you come in here undetected? I should have been able to see you coming from miles away.” Sycorax asked with a surprisingly calm tone.

“A prince wouldn’t give an answer without a price. Isn’t that how you word it?” Djall returned.

His answer raised a genuine smile from the Queen. Never had she encountered something that defeated her in such a short time and used her words against her.

“Hmmm. Name your price, my prince.”

“Surprise me. You have nothing I can’t take.”

The boy was even pacing around the throne, around the Queen, a complete juxtaposition of their previous encounter.

“Hmmmm… don’t tell me that you came all this way just for harmless revenge?”

“Harmless?!” Celiph shouted. “He killed one of your bodyguards!”

Djall stopped. He crouched and dipped his hand into his shadow.

Everyone, the matriarchs and the Queen, watched the monster pull out the other Dark Elf bodyguard. He looked… traumatized, the way he was hugging his knees in a fetal position.

“…What did you do to him for him to be like this?” Sycorax asked, wondering what horrors he experienced.

“I swallowed him the moment he entered the shadows. And dragged him with me.”

Sycorax had an idea, “…And regarding my question?”

“I don’t like being at a disadvantage.”

Sycorax noticed it, “And do you know why you dislike being at a disadvantage?”

“It irks me whenever I lose at something.”

“We have a name for that. I can tell you… if you tell me.”

The monster tilted his head. The others could not interfere with this conversation of the intruder and the Queen, for the Queen did not resist.

“You first. If I don’t like it, I’ll leave.”

Sycorax giggled, “…It’s called pride. You are experiencing your first taste of the most famous of the seven Midgardian sins, other than gluttony.”

Djall stared at her… his throat clicking in a rhythmic tune.

“…Isn’t that a flawed weakness only meant for weak flesh lesser beings?”

“Oh? Why do you call it a weakness?”

“It consumes and destroys the mind. It makes you weak. Vulnerable. From what I’ve learned about the history of Lucifer and the Devils.”

“That is one side of pride, indeed.” Sycorax nodded, “…But pride is also a driving force to be better. Did you not come here just to show that you won’t be defeated the same way?”

Her answer left the young monster in silence. He continued to click and chitter in contemplation.

“Your daughter.” He pointed at Celiphrana. “She told me your trick. And showed me a way to bypass it.”

“It was child’s play, tricking them into using the shadows while I was hiding under them. I abducted and pretended to be one of them and entered the castle with the guard’s face. Then I turned invisible, and altered it so that you cannot ‘see’ me from the shadows. It worked.”

He spoke as if bragging about his accomplishment, like a child gloating before a crowd.

Celiphrana’s mind went a mile as she listened to Djall’s story – He’s been with us this whole time? How could I not realize? Shadows are our domain! I haven’t dropped my guard down for even a second?!

“…You managed to instantly decipher our secret arts and develop a counter from observation alone? By Ginnungagap, you have surpassed all expectations.”

The Queen made up her mind. She must have the Son of the Beast at all cost.

His potential was too valuable to be left to that Devil and the cabal of outsiders.

Djall turned around… and started to walk away.

“…Where are you going?” Sycorax asked, confused by his sudden leave.

“Leaving. I got what I came for.”

She would not let him go.

“So soon? Back to that cage you call your home, when you can gain so much more should you remain here?”

Djall paused on his track upon hearing the Queen’s reply. He turned around and stared at the Queen in the eyes.

The air grew heavier as the tension rose. A single sweat trickled down her cheek as the Queen fought against the urge to gulp when staring into those intense eyes, his three eyes.

“…All shelters are cages.” Djall broke the silence. “Your cage just happens to be bigger.”

Sycorax was not deterred, “Be that as it may, what do you think you will do once you are back there? Keep stuffing yourself with food? Repeating dull chores every day?”

“The chores are menial, and I have more freedom than you think. Are you willing to let me eat your servants on a whim?” Djall retorted.

The Matriarchs and Celiph flinched at the mention of his habit eating the servants…

“And that…” Sycorax then pointed out, “Is your current problem. All that you have been thinking is eating. Do you really think that’s the best idea to keep this way of yours up?”

“And you think you have the right to tell me how I should live, Your Highness? You may be Euclid’s ally and experiment, but don’t think you can continue to push me without context. I eat what I want, nothing more.”

“And what is stopping you from eating me and my servants now?” The Queen asked.

Djall’s throat clicked in an annoyed, unpredictable rhythm.

“What about Euclid’s servants that made you want to eat them so easily?”

His three eyes narrowed at her.

“…I can read your intent like a book from a spell tome on the arcane, flipping through all the pages in a single second.” Djall answered. “If you see how they live every day, you too would consider feeding them to your beasts. If you have no choice but to listen through the walls and hear demented delusions and whispers of malice, you grow sick of them. You… You want to keep me here. You hide it behind a false face but I can taste your intent with every word that comes out of your mouth.”

“Hm, assuming that you do predict my intent correctly…. Have you ever thought of anything that you can gain from us? You know how to react without thought so fluidly, but have you ever tried to do more than shun those away?” Sycorax then walked towards Djall.

The two were now face to face with each other.

“You are addicted to scheming like Psykos… And I’m also beginning to lose my patience.” Djall said with a narrowed look.

“…One hour.”

Djall remained unflinching at the two words coming from Sycorax’s mouth, “…What about it?”

“One hour, for one week. Spend time with me or us for one hour during the seven-day period. Afterwards, should you deem yourself still unable to gain anything worthwhile, then you are free to do as you please.”

Djall stared at the Queen’s eyes, “…Do you mean what you said just now?”

“Every word.”

Djall’s throat clicked again in contemplation, “…What do you have that can keep me here for an hour?” He asked.

“Do you like our magic? You seem fond of our race’s specialty, am I correct?” She asked.

“Hmmmm…” Djall clicked his throat with acceptance. “It is fun… I like it. Traveling in the darkness, stalking prey from where you expect not…”

Sycorax smiled.

“Celiphrana. Would you please escort our dear guest to the palace library? I believe you two can learn much from each other.”

As a matter of fact, the rest of the dark elves in the room had been watching the conversation between the abomination and their queen with dread. Sharing a room with the Son of The Beast was already one thing, and the queen’s suggestion had been even beyond outrageous.

“Mother, I beg you – You can’t be serious-”

However, Celiph’s plea was interrupted by Sycorax’s glare.

“Princess Celiphrana – do not make me remind you of your position in this room.” Sycorax declared with a tone of finality.

Celiph bit her lower lip as she nodded.

“Yes… your highness.”

Djall looked back at Celiphrana.

“…This way, please.” The princess beckoned for Djall to follow her with a clipped tone.

Djall walked towards the princess. Though he stood close to her face.

The monster leaned forward, intruding her space until his face was close to hers and sniffed.

“…You reek of high elf,” he noted.

Everyone in the room blinked at the sudden comment. However, Celiph found herself frozen for a split second before she schooled her features, “…I beg your pardon?”

Djall narrowed his three eyes at her for a moment.

“Hmmm… It seems I was mistaken…” Djall added. “Whatever, lead the way.”

Celiph regarded Djall for another second before she nodded at her mother and others, before she finally left the room with Djall in tow.

As soon as the doors were closed, the rest of the dark elves quickly turned to their queen and addressed her with various questions regarding her previous ideas. Ignoring her aides’ shouts and concerns, Sycorax’s mind wandered to her daughter – as soon as Djall made the remark, Sycorax actually caught the concerning, brief reaction of her daughter.

Once Djall was up the stairs with Celiphrana, away from the prying eyes and ears, Djall asked again, “Your scent does not lie. Yet I lied for you because you don’t want it known. I know this scent… from the shiny castle. What is your relationship with her?”

Celiph’s jaw tightened as she kept walking without looking back at Djall, “…I’m afraid that is none of your business.”

“Take care of your scent. Bathe yourself in fresh blood if you want to hide your relationship, or whatever alchemical concoctions you people have that works.”

Celiphrana inhaled to compose herself.

Not a moment after they first conversed, the monster already endangered her secret relationship with but a few words…

Not even her private life was safe from this monster.

That was how dangerous he was.

“I will… take your advice into consideration.” Celiphrana understood. “…Why did you take back your comment?”

“Your fear of loss.” Djall answered. “I never sensed something so… pure before.” Djall glanced down, his expression contemplating, “…Are you not in conflict with the ones in the shining city?”

“How did you know Ikala?”

“We barely met. I remember her scent because I was in the same castle following an interesting group. Got discovered by the black-winged one, unfortunately.”

“…Black wings?”

“Angels, they’re called. A ragtag bunch formed looking for a wife… Why did you swap your saliva with that one?”

“I am surprised that your nose is sharp enough to notice that.” Celiph could not help but be impressed with his nose’s accuracy in detail.

“Your nose should be strong enough to notice the details one day. Now, my question. What is the significance?”

“I-I don’t have to explain that to you!” Celiph’s face burned, “Anyway, we have arrived! You want to learn more about our culture and arts, remember?

Djall quirked a brow.

“…Your reaction is… funny. I think I’m starting to like you.” He said with a small smirk before he let himself in through the double doors leading to the library.

Once the creature was out of sight, Celiph leaned against the wall and left a shuddered breath – just what did she get herself into? She only hoped that her people, and above all else, Ikala, would stay safe.

---

Within the Palace of Hel, around a round table of gold and glass, those who rule over the dead, all sat around under the behest of the castle’s owner.

For this was the only realm they could converse without fear of the true enemy watching over them.

The worthy dead that did roam these halls were the few Asgardian warriors that were the most fit, draugr versions of their prime standing guard by the entrance.

Many of the Gods of the Dead were present.

Anubis with Seth, Enma or Yama, Hades with his Grim Reapers – Thanatos included, Ereshkigal, even Izanami-no-Mikoto was amongst those that answered the meeting regarding the security of the afterlives.

Michael was not here since he was too busy dealing with GOD attempting to sabotage all faiths of Christianity.

“Thank you all for answering the invitation. Even though we have a few uninvited guests among us.” Hel spoke.

She bore a resemblance to her father, her long hair of mixed red and blue, her body clad in robes.

Everyone cast a glance at Izanami.

“It is an invitation to all Deities that rule their respective underworlds… It only makes sense that I am included.”

The other Gods did not comment.

“Now, let us not waste each other’s time and get on with it… What can we do to protect our realms from this Outer God who has let loose the souls of the damned into our world? How can we stop him from doing it again like he did with the Nine Circles of Hell?”

“Before we go to what we can do…. What do we know about this Outer God?” Seth inquired.

“All we know is that he was an enemy of the Strongest Man.” Hades answered. “A powerful enemy with profound mastery of powers that exists outside of our schools of magics and divine authorities… Said to be much, much stronger than the Trihexa, Great Red and Ophis.”

Mutters whispered amongst the Gods in discussion about this truth.

“…How do you know if he is stronger than the Great Red?” Anubis asked Hades.

“It came from Saitama’s lips. As he fought the Great Red and compared him to GOD. From experience, he chose the latter to be superior, according to my queries with those of Azazel.”

Erishkigal clicked her tongue at Hades’ answer.

“Is there something you’d like to say, Lady Ereshkigal?” Hades asked with a cordial-sounding tone.

Erishkigal bore a presence befitting a divine. On her face was a golden skeleton mask, wings fashioned from gold rest on her shoulders. She bore a voluptuous figure covered in skin-tight garnet silk, a cloak draped from her shoulders black as night, one leg over the other.

“I still don’t believe that the stupid-looking baldy could make the ‘Great Red’ as I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing this ‘Strongest Man’ in action.”

“Did you not see the devastation he and the Demon God left in the Underworld?” Thanatos asked the Goddess.

“Forgive my mistress, she can be… a stubborn skeptic,” Bitu, Mesopotamian gatekeeper of the Underworld, appeased the other Gods.

“I must give my condolences for you as a fellow gatekeeper,” Baron Samedi chuckled.

“Enough.” Enma spoke out. “This is not the topic we came here for. I motion for unity, to converge our strengths together to repel the Outer God from breaching our domains again. Pandora’s Box is the sole achievement of what a united coalition of Divine powers can achieve.”

The Gods of the Underworld muttered amongst themselves once more.

“But there is a problem.” Izanami spoke. “Each of our demesnes is separated by a vast dimensional boundary. With our current strength, the best we can do is to protect one afterlife. Where can we find the power to reinforce our borders? All of it?”

“Aren’t you technically one with your netherworld?” Hel asked Izanami.

“Indeed. But I do not know if he can breach it regardless and unleash all of the denizens within ‘mine’ onto the world…” Izanami shook her head.

“I say we pour all of our strengths to strengthen Duat first.” Seth proposed his underworld to be the first.

“Your afterlife is solely for those in Egypt as we agreed. Why must your Underworld take priority?” Mictlantecuhtli, Aztec God of the Underworld, spoke out.

“What is our current reserve of faith invested into our pantheons?” Enma broke the argument by this question.

“You cannot suggest that we use our stockpiles of faith for this?!” Erishkigal spoke out.

“We have to. We can use the support of the other Gods.” Enma argued.

“But they will demand that we reinforce their lands as well, not just the afterlives,” Hades added.

The discussion between the Gods of the Underworld slowly elevated in a debate on their options, Hel even joining the Debate as they spoke.

“…Lord Hades… I heard you are sponsoring an interesting venture…” Erishkigal spoke out, deflating the conversation off course. “Are the rumors true?”

“I suggest you elaborate, Lady Erishkigal.” Hades spoke.

“…Since when do you wear a mask? And were you not a skeleton before?” Erishkigal noticed.

Indeed – aside from his usual, elaborate ceremonial robes and garments, the skeletal face that adorned Hades’ head had been a mask covering organic skin beneath. The ruler of Tartaros slowly reached for his skull mask and took it off.

“…Appearances can be deceiving. I wasn’t always a skeleton when I was born.” He showed his face, his human face. A chiseled man with locks of pale gray hair, subtle wrinkles of age on his features, yet his mien rippled with power as if he was still in the prime of youth wearing the face of an aged man.

The other gods showed varied reactions at Hades’ new appearance; it was quite a feat for them to subdue their voices to minimum, as they were witnessing Hades’ form during the period of Titanomachy and Gigantomachy.

“…Hmmm. There is a group of mortals that is causing a stir in the world. Armed with unknown arcane technology that none of us had ever seen. Not of Sacred Gears, humans with great power appearing out of nowhere… Is the name coincidental? Or did you have a hand in its creation?” Ereshkigal spoke out about the organization that spurred the human world with their appearance.

There was no response, silence from the Greek God of the Underworld.

“…I assure you. It is something I should have done a long, long time ago.” Hades smiled at Erishkigal.

The woman’s face was hidden behind the golden death mask. She leaned forward, about to say something, when the grand doors of gold leading to the meeting room were opened, revealing a familiar giant canine creature sauntering in.

“…What is the meaning of this? Garm?!” Hel shouted at the giant dog that entered the room. “We are in an important meeting! Return to your post and-”

“Huh. Hey, Hel. How’s it going?”

Everyone paused when they heard a casual voice speak out. They looked up from the sad face of Garm, the hound of Hel… seeing a human riding the hound.

Wearing a ridiculous yellow jumpsuit with red gloves and boots, his white cape lazily hung on his back.

The sight earned the room a long period of silence as the Gods attempted to register the features of the man that barged into the room.

“…Saitama?” Hel managed to reply with a dumbfounded look on her face.

“I hope I’m not coming at a bad time.” Saitama rubbed the back of his head awkwardly before jumping off Garm’s back, “Anyways, didn’t know that this was your place. A bit chilly though. Whatcha all doing here? Oh, is that you Hades?”

Hades shared Hel’s dumbfounded expression, his jaw slowly hanging from his mouth. Everyone exchanged glances.

“…How in Oblivion did you get here? I thought dimensional travel is beyond you! You…! What did you do to Garm?!”

Hel stood up, pointing her finger at Saitama and at her hound, demanding why her loyal servant was so… obedient. He was laying on its belly, whining… and she noticed the large bump on his head.

“Oh, uh, yeah, funny story. He was trying to eat me, so I hit him.”

“Wait, if you crossed Garm, then… you crossed Helvegr?! Y-Y-You! Did you die?! How’d you end up here?! What about Móðguðr?!”

“Is that the name of that one big guy by the bridge…” Saitama asked.

“He’s my eternal bridge-keeper!” Hel almost shrieked, much to the amusement of some of the guests.

Baron Samedi could barely contain his laughter, followed by Seth and Anubis at the interaction.

Saitama glanced at the direction where he ran into the gatekeeper, feeling a little bad of the state where he left the giant, “Oh, uh, he attacked me, so I socked him.”

“You… you… socked him?!” Hel was fuming, steam figuratively leaving her rose red face bursting with fury and indignation.

“…Repeating her question, did thou somehow perish and wound up in this realm by some unseen miracle?” Izanami asked, giggling at the exchange.

“Uh, no? I feel normal. I think I somehow punched my way here…”

“How in the Nine Realms did you ‘PUNCH’ YOUR WAY TO HELHEIM!?” Hel then asked with a newfound vigor.

“I dunno.” Saitama remained unfazed as he slowly picked his ear with his pinky, “All I remember was punching this green portal thing and ended up here. So, uh, can you get me home?”

Hel simply stared at Saitama for a few more seconds before she sighed in defeat and slumped on her seat, “…My apologies, everyone. I’m afraid we need to cut this meeting short for the time being. I will return to you once…” She turned her eyes from her fellow deities to the man in the room, “I finish addressing whatever Mr. Saitama needs to talk about this situation.”

The gods of the underworld simply awkwardly glanced at each other, while Saitama could only look apologetic.

Baron Samedi simply broke out in laughter at the spectacle while Hades and Enma could only shake their heads, the latter with a small smile.

Meanwhile, a certain couple of gods were gazing at the man, their minds working on their respective agendas.

To be Continued…..

---

Omake I

“…Say, I’ve been kind of curious.” Issei decided to start a conversation, “Was there any job that you ended up rejecting, or maybe ban them altogether?”

It was later that night after the fiasco with the Jack O’ Lantern. Issei, Rias, Ravel and Akeno stayed in the clubroom to finish the last few piles of reports and paperwork.

On that note – despite being involved with Jack O’ Lantern, Millicas had been sent home, much to his chagrin, since Rias believed her nephew was not ready yet to deal with paperwork.

The three devil ladies blinked at the question before they sported thoughtful looks.

“…I think there had been a few before, back when we just began settling in Kuoh.” Rias replied, “But inappropriate requests were already very rare in current devil society. When a king and his peerage establish their territory and potential contractors, they can perform some kind of job screening, filtering and even warnings about what sort of jobs and tasks they are willing and unwilling to do. There may still be some contractors whose demands are something… Outrageous, let’s say – but either those contractors will be given stern warning, or banned from making any contracts with devils altogether, depending on the case.”

“Come to think of it – back when Rias and I were in our second-year, there was actually one in particular, given to me once.” Akeno then piped in.

“Really?” Issei and Ravel turned to the Queen with curious looks, “…What was it about?”

“Basically, the client, or more like former client, demanded that I have sex with him.” Akeno simply replied, “Not even politely, to add. He mistook me for a succubus, and hilariously enough, believed that the trinkets and charms he prepared from online shopping would be enough to put me under his control.”

Issei and Ravel stared at the Queen for a few seconds.

“…Right.” Issei slowly replied – he was not surprised, to be honest. Akeno after all, did possess the looks that any lesser man would kill to spend even one hour with. “But you were okay and you got rid of him, didn’t you? Or is he still in town, by any chance? Who’s the guy again?”

The girls noticed the pressure in the room somewhat magnified as Issei asked his questions. Ravel did her best not to show her discomfort, Rias was smiling wryly while Akeno somehow looked positively enthralled.

“Well…” Akeno rolled her eyes a bit, “As tempting as it sounded back then – unfortunately, I couldn’t just get rid of him without repercussions, so… I came up with an alternative. A little sweet-talking to lower his guard, then I put him under some hallucination spell where he believed he was having the time of his life with me. Then I blackmailed him with a video I took on him naked and humping on thin air. Oh, the look on his face when I gave him that warning, ufufufu~” She giggled pleasantly.

Issei and Ravel could only exchange awkward glances at the story, then they turned to Rias, who only shrugged in return. The two nearly forgot how scary Akeno could be at times.

“…Actually, I think I still have that video of that night with me. Would you like to see it?” Akeno offered.

“No, no, I’m good. We’re good.” Issei refused with his hands forward, Ravel was alternating between shaking her head at Akeno and nodding in agreement at Issei.

“Aw, but it’s hilarious! Or…” Akeno’s eyes then gained a certain gleam, “Would you like to see him humping me, after all?”

“That’s actually worse!” This time, Issei and Ravel blushed, although they were also disturbed at the image Akeno was insinuating.

“Now, now, I think that’s enough for your jokes and teasing tonight, Akeno.” Rias finally stepped in, “But there you have it, Ise. While there are, as a matter of fact, some peerages in the Underworld who are willing to perform that kind of service, the same case does not apply for us, nor we intend to do so. Although…” Rias’ smile then also gained a similar hint as Akeno to Issei from earlier.

“…Should you ever want to make a contract with us, I believe I can arrange something just for you.”

Akeno and Ravel pouted at Rias, who managed to steal their thunder in delivering the killing blow as Issei’s blush slowly became deeper.

Issei raised his finger and wanted to retort, but he paused at the last second – his mind was currently in a turmoil whether he should take the offer or not. The smiles from Rias, Akeno and even a blushful look from Ravel, did not help his case.

And there was still the issue where Issei still had to go home and get some rest, yet his current dilemma had no real solution.

Man, I wanna go home.

---

Omake II

“Uugh…. Someone please end my misery…”

Ikala sobbed after her secret affair was unraveled in the most embarrassing ways. Her parents’ attempt to comfort her did not help her case whatsoever.

“If I may…” Sirzechs spoke up, “I can actually sympathize with you, Princess Ikala. After all, back in the day, my wife and I were originally enemies during the devil civil war.”

Ikala calmed down a little, “…Truly?”

“Oh, I actually heard that one. Your people even made a play out of it, no?” Oberon piped in. “I actually watched them once during my stroll to the Underworld.”

Sirzechs blinked at the High Elf King, “…Ignoring the part where you walked into my city undetected – Yes, sometimes you simply cannot predict what might happen when someone is in love.” He nodded sagely, “Though, the play tones down many things to make the story stay PG-rated. For example…. Our first ‘technical’ encounter actually involved her pinning me down while I was struggling to keep her from driving her dagger through my jugular until Ajuka came to my rescue. To this day, I still have no idea how in blazes she sneaked up on me.”

“My word.” Titania placed her hand on her mouth.

“Wow.” Issei could not help it.

“I never heard about that detail of your story.” Griselda commented.

Everyone balked slightly at the story, even Sirzechs’ own peerage sharing bewildered looks, discussing whether they had ever heard such a thing happened between their King and Queen.

“Let’s see, what else…” Sirzechs tapped his chin – he was starting to get carried away with his nostalgia, “Oh, our second ‘technical’ encounter – which was also our official meeting; the story about Grayfia intervening a brawl between me and a certain noble heir was more or less on spot, only they left out the part where she stabbed my thigh with a butter-knife, and I retaliated by stabbing her gut with a pencil. That moment actually made us prefer to work with inks and pens rather than pencils.” He finished with a small chuckle.

Everybody looked disturbed at the story.

“That’s actually amazing.” Oberon quipped, earning a mortified look from his daughter, “What? He stabbed someone with a fucking pencil! Who in the nine realms can do that?”

Souji raised his hand up in reply, earning a few looks from his peers.

“Forget about me, didn’t you hear that my wife stabbed me with a butter-knife? A butter-knife! Do you have any idea how hard that was to pull off?” Sirzechs interjected.

“The hell’s wrong with you, man?” Azazel could not help but retort.

“Oh, oh, there’s actually one more – this one is probably my favorite so far.” Sirzechs apparently has not finished yet, “There was this one time where she disguised herself as a comfort woman assigned to my bedroom, and she actually tried to kill me by smothering me to death with a pillow on my face; just when things were getting good between us if I say so myself.”

“Eeww~!” Bikou cried out.

“We don’t need to hear that!” Kiyome added with a flustered expression.

“I mean, I should’ve realized, but… Even with the intention to lower my guard, she was just so earnest with the foreplay and everything. Hell, I could’ve sworn we’re reaching our final base when she suddenly stuffed my face with a pillow.”

“Dude, we don’t want to hear that you’re a massive masochist! Actually, that explains a lot about you now that I think about it…” Issei commented.

Looking sheepish, Sirzechs then returned to address the princess, “My point is, Princess Ikala – that as long as both of you and your lover are sincere with your feelings to each other, everything will work out just fine. Trust me, I’ve been there.”

“…Right, thank you for your advice, but can we please move on?!” Princess Ikala cried out with a flustered expression.