Fantasy Library, Ch 86-90

Chapter 86: "Hero Faction"

Kaiser finally understood who had been secretly covering for him, reducing the surveillance around him.

It was none other than the organization backing the man standing before him—Siegfried.

An organization that belonged neither to Devils, Angels, nor Fallen Angels. In fact, it did not belong to any mythological faction in this world.

Kaiser had never expected to catch the attention of such a group, let alone receive an invitation from them.

“I didn’t expect you to recognize me, let alone know about the Khaos Brigade and the Hero Faction. That’s honestly quite surprising.”

Siegfried seemed genuinely astonished, his gaze toward Kaiser carrying an odd glint.

Khaos Brigade was not an organization that could be exposed so easily.

It was a true underground group—more than that, a terrorist organization. It gathered dangerous individuals from various mythological factions, forming a collective of ambitious schemers and outcasts.

Among them were factions led by Devils, as well as those dominated by Humans. Though their ultimate goals varied, they all shared one common stance—opposition to the world's major mythological forces.

For that reason, they had banded together, forming a singular organization that remained dormant, not yet emerging into the public eye.

The Hero Faction was a division within the Khaos Brigade led by Humans. It was composed not only of Sacred Gear wielders but also of descendants of legendary figures throughout history—those who carried the bloodlines of heroes. That was why they called themselves the Hero Faction.

Siegfried—originally named Sieg—was a warrior cultivated by the Church using the genetic material of Siegfried, the dragon-slaying hero from The Nibelungenlied. Once among the Church’s most elite exorcists, he later defected and joined the Khaos Brigade, becoming a key figure in the Hero Faction.

His covert assistance in dealing with the surveillance around Kaiser had been for one reason—recruitment.

“I’m curious—how exactly did you learn of our existence?” Siegfried locked eyes with Kaiser and said, “At this stage, those who know about the Khaos Brigade can be counted on one hand. Even among those who suspect our presence, they must belong to one of the world’s most powerful forces.”

“And yet… you don’t seem to meet that criteria, do you?”

Since they intended to recruit Kaiser, the Hero Faction had, of course, conducted a thorough investigation on him.

According to Siegfried’s knowledge, the man before him had been wandering the world alone ever since escaping from the Church. He had never joined any faction nor been affiliated with any major organization. His background was astonishingly clean.

For someone with no ties or connections, discovering the existence of the Khaos Brigade should have been impossible—let alone knowing its internal structure and the existence of its Hero Faction.

And yet, here he was, speaking as if he had peered directly into the organization’s secrets.

Something didn’t add up.

Unfortunately for Siegfried, Kaiser had no intention of explaining.

“If I recall correctly, the core members of the Hero Faction are people like you—those who have inherited the bloodline and powers of historical heroes and warriors. But as far as I know, I don’t possess the lineage of any great figures. So why invite me?”

Kaiser, mirroring Siegfried’s earlier tactic, responded with a question rather than an answer, making it difficult for Siegfried to gauge his thoughts.

Nonetheless, Siegfried chose to answer.

“It’s simple—because you’re human.” Siegfried stated bluntly. “We aim to prove that humans can triumph over the powerful non-human races. We seek to challenge the very limits of humanity and restore the glory of our ancestors. We want those who look down on humanity to witness how our so-called ‘frail’ species has continued to survive.”

“That’s why we welcome anyone who shares this ambition, even if they aren’t the descendants of heroes.”

“In fact, the Hero Faction includes many individuals who do not carry the blood of heroes or warriors. Instead, they rely on their Sacred Gears, their relentless training, and their unwavering effort.”

“These are the people we seek to recruit. That is why I’m here.”

They had been watching Kaiser for a long time, monitoring him from the shadows, waiting for the right moment.

Although Kaiser had not inherited the bloodline of a hero, according to intelligence reports, his body harbored an abnormally powerful Sacred Gear—one with a Holy Attribute.

This Sacred Gear had only recently awakened, yet in its initial outburst, it had already annihilated an entire church, reducing everyone inside to ashes. If honed properly, such a power could make him one of the Hero Faction’s strongest assets.

Holy-attribute Sacred Gears were incredibly rare and inherently lethal to Devils and other demonic beings. To many supernatural creatures, they were mortal threats.

Because of this, the Hero Faction had designated Kaiser as a high-priority target long ago. The moment he resurfaced, they sent someone to make contact.

To ensure a smooth recruitment process, they had even eliminated the spies monitoring him. The major factions within Kuoh Town were still completely unaware that such a powerful Sacred Gear wielder was right under their noses.

This was also a cover-up. After all, the Khaos Brigade had yet to fully reveal itself. If they made direct contact with Kaiser too openly, they risked drawing unwanted attention, increasing their chances of exposure.

After securing these precautions, they sent Siegfried to approach Kaiser.

“You are even more exceptional than our intel suggested. I don’t know if you’ve fully mastered your Sacred Gear yet, but even if you haven’t, I can already see from your Touki that my trip here was worthwhile.”

Siegfried regarded Kaiser with approval.

“This proves you refuse to stagnate. Ever since you escaped the Church, you’ve been tirelessly training yourself, haven’t you?”

One did not develop Touki of that caliber without undergoing hellish self-discipline.

It was proof of how much effort Kaiser had put in—how much he refused to remain weak.

The members of the Hero Faction were the same. They refused to accept humanity’s weakness and sought to prove they were just as powerful as Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels.

A man like Kaiser was precisely the kind of talent they longed for.

“So? Will you join us?” Siegfried stretched out his hand, his tone almost hypnotic. “We possess the means to make weak humans strong.”

“Whether you want to further develop your Sacred Gear’s power or push it to a higher state, we have ways to help.”

“We have access to technology beyond other factions.”

“And we have near-invincible leaders.”

“Trust me—joining us will not disappoint you.”

In a way, Siegfried’s words were true.

At least, Kaiser—who knew the original story—understood that.

Khaos Brigade was a terrifying organization, a collective of terrorists, yes, but undeniably powerful. It was not inferior to any mythological faction.

Throughout the DxD storyline, whether in the early, mid, or late stages, Khaos Brigade had always remained an active antagonist. The world’s mythological factions even had to unite to oppose them.

If not for their gradual downfall—being struck down one by one and ultimately crushed by the protagonist’s group—this terrorist organization had the potential to overturn the entire world's order.

They were the ultimate villainous group—at least for now.

“Sounds tempting,” Kaiser admitted calmly, his expression unchanging. “But if I refuse… are you planning to eliminate me as a threat?”

“…Of course not.” Siegfried narrowed his eyes. “I wouldn’t go that far. Well… at least, not yet.”

Even as he spoke, Siegfried drew a weapon from beneath his cloak.

A sword.

A cursed blade radiating an ominous, murderous aura, its black-and-gold surface exuding an overwhelming sense of destruction.

Unlike the Four-Colored Magic Swords of the Asterisk world, this was a true Demonic Sword—a blade so malevolent that merely holding it felt like inviting death.

Pulling out such a weapon, Siegfried spoke.

“It seems you’re not interested in joining us right now.”

“That’s fine. We’ll give you time to reconsider.”

“But to make a stronger impression on you, allow me to show you my power.”

The moment Siegfried’s words fell, a surge of destructive Aura erupted from the Demonic Sword in his hand.

“———”

Kaiser reacted instantly, his entire body surging with Touki.

At that very instant, Siegfried swung his Demonic Sword.

“Boom——!”

A storm of raw, destructive energy tore through the air, roaring toward Kaiser like an unstoppable force.

Everything in its path—walls, floors, ceilings—was obliterated in an instant, reduced to nothing more than brittle debris, crumbling like a house of cards before the sheer might of the attack.

“Boom——!”

In the remote outskirts, the abandoned factory suddenly erupted, sending shockwaves rippling through the surroundings. Thick clouds of smoke and dust billowed into the sky, while the unleashed energy flared upward, illuminating the dark night like a beacon of ruin.

It was an unforeseen disaster.

A moment of absolute destruction.

By the time everything settled, there was no longer any sign of the abandoned factory. In its place, only a massive crater remained, with loose rubble still shifting within its depths.

“………”

At some point, Kaiser had already moved, now standing at the edge of the crater, his gaze flickering slightly.

“Khaos Brigade…”

“Hero Faction…”

Murmuring the names under his breath, Kaiser cast one last deep look at the abyss before him. Then, without another word, he turned and disappeared into the darkness of the night.

Chapter 87: The Devils of Kuoh

Under the cover of night, the massive crater on the outskirts of Kuoh Town still exuded an eerie presence, making it seem as though a meteorite had just crashed there moments ago.

"Zing—"

Without any prior warning, a sudden burst of light illuminated an open area outside the crater, dispelling part of the surrounding darkness.

The light rose from the ground, originating from an expanding magic circle. It was as though a mysterious gateway had appeared, allowing several figures to step through.

Moments later, the light faded, and the magic circle vanished. However, the figures remained, standing at the edge of the crater.

“This is…”

A young woman at the front furrowed her brows, her voice carrying a mix of surprise and uncertainty.

She was an exceptionally beautiful girl.

Her long, crimson-red hair flowed like a cascade of fire, its vibrant hue adding a dreamlike contrast to the desolate landscape, making the barren surroundings appear almost lively.

She wore a school uniform, her well-proportioned figure accentuated by her attire. Her fair, slender legs, revealed beneath her skirt, seemed to emit a faint glow, captivating any onlooker.

Her demeanor exuded elegance and nobility, carrying an air of confidence that hinted at her inner strength.

However, that confidence was immediately shaken upon seeing the enormous crater before her.

“President.”

Standing beside the red-haired girl was another young woman, equally stunning in beauty and physique.

Her long, jet-black hair was tied into a single ponytail, cascading over one shoulder, embodying the grace of a Yamato Nadeshiko. She carried an air of gentleness, yet beneath it lay a quiet intensity.

Like the first girl, she also furrowed her brows, her expression solemn as she spoke.

“I don’t sense any traces of Demonic Power, nor do I feel the presence of Light Power. This wasn’t caused by a Devil, an Angel, or a Fallen Angel.”

A single glance was all it took for the Yamato Nadeshiko to reach that conclusion.

“Not a Devil, Angel, or Fallen Angel?” The red-haired girl’s frown deepened. “Could it have been the Church?”

The one to answer was not the black-haired girl but a young man standing behind them.

“No, this wasn’t the work of the Church either.”

The young man appeared slightly younger than the two girls, his tall and slender figure complemented by strikingly handsome features. He was undeniably a pretty boy.

“Whether it's the exorcists or the warriors of the Church, their power in battle is almost always Light Power bestowed by the Angels—unless, of course, they wield a Sacred Gear or possess some kind of Holy-attributed weapon.”

His certainty in this statement revealed his considerable understanding of the Church.

“…Sacred Gear?”

The last of the group finally spoke.

She was a petite girl with delicate, slender limbs and short, silvery-white hair cut to shoulder length.

She was clearly younger than the other three, her doll-like face exuding an air of innocence. Yet despite her refined features, her expression remained emotionless, making her resemble a marionette or an automaton.

If Kirin Toudou were here, she might have suspected that this girl was her age.

Her voice was soft yet icy, her words concise and to the point, as though she had no intention of wasting any syllables.

“Hmm… could it have been the work of a Sacred Gear wielder?” The red-haired girl gazed into the crater and murmured, “There shouldn’t be many Sacred Gears capable of this level of destruction, right?”

“Correct.” The black-haired girl responded calmly. “This scale of destruction is comparable to that of an Ultimate-Class Devil. Any Sacred Gear capable of such devastation wouldn’t be an obscure relic.”

“The wielder is unlikely to be a resident of Kuoh Town—they’re probably an outsider.”

“Furthermore, there’s a high possibility that this outsider isn’t affiliated with Devils, Angels, or Fallen Angels.”

Everyone present understood the implications of that statement.

“Someone like that actually entered Kuoh Town?”

The young man’s expression hardened.

“Dangerous…”

The petite girl whispered softly.

“President.” The black-haired girl turned to the red-haired one. “We should report this to the higher-ups. The Maou will likely take interest in this matter.”

An unidentified powerhouse had entered Kuoh Town, someone who likely wielded power rivaling an Ultimate-Class Devil. To the gathered group, this was no trivial matter.

After all, Kuoh Town was their domain—their territory. If this unknown figure had come with hostile intentions, conflict was inevitable.

This was not something they could afford to ignore.

Ultimate-Class Devils were second only to the Maou in strength. If this individual truly held such power, none of them were capable of dealing with them alone.

As the leader of the group, Rias Gremory understood the gravity of the situation.

Although they had no idea which faction this powerful individual belonged to, whoever it was, they had the potential to be an enemy.

Angels and Fallen Angels were out of the question—both had been locked in conflict with Devils for thousands of years. If they encountered such an opponent, the encounter would likely turn into a life-or-death struggle.

If the individual was a Devil, then entering another noble Devil’s domain without permission was just as problematic.

Every Devil knew that Kuoh Town belonged to Rias Gremory, the current heir of the Gremory Clan.

To enter a noble’s territory unannounced was no friendly visit—it was a challenge. A provocation.

“President.”

The black-haired girl called out again, her tone carrying added urgency.

“Phew…”

Rias Gremory exhaled softly, regaining her composure.

“Akeno, report this to the Gremory Clan.” She gave her instructions decisively. “Until we receive orders from home, send out the Familiars to investigate all recent arrivals in Kuoh Town—anyone suspicious.”

“Yes, President.”

Akeno Himejima nodded immediately.

“Yuuto, Koneko.”

Rias turned to the other two.

“Yes, President.”

“…President.”

Yuuto Kiba and Koneko Toujou responded at once.

“Limit nighttime activity for now. Try to return home before dark,” Rias ordered solemnly. “If anything unusual happens, do not act alone—inform me immediately. Understood?”

“Understood!”

Both of them agreed without hesitation.

Just as Rias was about to speak again, Akeno suddenly noticed something.

“President!” Akeno pointed at the ground. “Look there—footprints.”

Everyone’s expression shifted as they immediately turned to look.

Sure enough, faint footprints trailed across the ground.

They weren’t particularly visible, easily overlooked in the darkness—even in daylight, they wouldn’t be easy to spot.

But none of the four present were ordinary humans. Even in total darkness, their vision was as clear as daylight, making the footprints impossible to miss.

“Could these belong to the one responsible?”

Yuuto speculated.

“Human scent.”

Koneko’s small nose twitched as she made her assessment.

“A human?” Akeno mused. “Then it really could be a Sacred Gear wielder.”

Of course, that was merely speculation. More investigation was needed to confirm anything.

“Akeno, make an imprint of the footprints and collect the scent. Have the Familiars track it.” Rias issued orders decisively. “Also, notify Sona—make sure she doesn’t accidentally walk into trouble.”

The others nodded in agreement and promptly began their work.

Rias turned back to the crater, staring at it in silence for a long while before murmuring to herself.

“Let’s hope this doesn’t turn into a disaster…”

Meanwhile, in a shadowed corner of Kuoh Town, Siegfried held up a small magic circle in his palm.

“…That’s the situation. The target hasn’t agreed to our invitation yet, so I withdrew for now. I’ll continue observing from the shadows.”

His words elicited a response from the magic circle.

“So that’s how it played out…”

The voice belonged to a young man, slightly distorted through the transmission.

“He didn’t use his Sacred Gear… That was unexpected. We had hoped to use this as an opportunity to see what kind of Sacred Gear he wields.”

The voice chuckled before continuing.

“But the fact that he’s developed Touki—now that’s an interesting surprise. Looks like we need to reassess his potential. If possible, let’s recruit him.”

"Is it okay?" Siegfried asked. "He seems to know a lot about us—far more than he should. That shouldn't be possible."

"You suspect he may have already been recruited by another faction?" The young man on the other end of the magic circle immediately grasped Siegfried’s meaning. "It’s not out of the question, but mere suspicion isn’t enough reason for us to give up on him."

"Alright, then let’s follow your plan and continue observing him."

"You should stay there for now. Find a chance to test him again—see if you can force him to use his Sacred Gear and uncover his true capabilities."

"Understood." Siegfried nodded. "I’ll remain here for the time being."

"Be careful," the young man warned. "That place is under the jurisdiction of Rias Gremory, the current heiress of the Gremory Clan. She may only be an Upper-Class Devil, but she has a terrifying older brother backing her."

"I know." Siegfried shrugged. "I’m not reckless enough to make a move without thinking."

With that, the conversation ended, and the magic circle in Siegfried’s palm disappeared.

Only then did Siegfried look up at the sky, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he muttered to himself.

"A fellow runaway from the Church… Let’s see what choice you’ll make—one that benefits both sides, hopefully."

"Kaiser…"

Chapter 88: Let’s Go With This

At this moment, Kaiser was unaware that he had already drawn the attention of multiple factions in more ways than one.

Even though he did not know the full extent, he could make an educated guess. Because of that, he had mentally prepared himself for this possibility long ago.

He had not deliberately concealed his whereabouts, so it was no surprise if someone discovered or approached him.

Thus, as if nothing was out of the ordinary, Kaiser continued his daily routine—eating when hungry, sleeping when tired. During the day, he roamed around town, and at night, he stayed at his inn, delving deeper into the mysteries of the True Longinus. His days remained fulfilling.

But such peaceful days could never last.

The evidence was clear—he had already noticed that the number of watchers around him was gradually increasing again.

“Has Siegfried retreated?”

Kaiser considered this thought but quickly dismissed it.

“No, he shouldn’t have left yet.”

Until it was confirmed that Kaiser would absolutely not join the Khaos Brigade or the Hero Faction, Siegfried was unlikely to give up.

Within the Hero Faction, Siegfried was somewhat of a notable figure, second only to its leader. The fact that he had personally come to recruit Kaiser was proof of how much they valued this matter.

Given the circumstances, Kaiser did not believe Siegfried would simply withdraw.

“I just don’t know if the True Longinus has been exposed yet…”

It probably hadn’t.

Otherwise, the Hero Faction, upon learning that the most ancient and powerful Longinus was in his possession, would have sent far more than just Siegfried.

If word of the True Longinus got out, forget just the Hero Faction—the key figures of every major mythological faction would descend upon Kuoh Town in search of him.

“Well, this gives me more time.”

Kaiser needed more time to explore the depths of the True Longinus’ power.

Due to his Unique Authority, he could wield the spear’s full strength with complete mastery, but Kaiser was not satisfied with that alone.

Sacred Gears evolve and grow by feeding on their wielder’s thoughts and emotions, growing stronger over time.

They are powered by will, and their strength is determined by conviction.

And when a wielder’s will undergoes a dramatic transformation—when their thoughts become strong enough to defy the very flow of the world—a Sacred Gear reaches an entirely new realm.

This realm represents the ultimate form of a Sacred Gear, an unholy aberration deemed too dangerous for the balance of the world. It is a power fueled by the raw intensity of emotions—joy, sorrow, excitement, despair, fear—all merged into one.

A power considered a world-breaking force, something that must be sealed away.

This power is known as—Balance Breaker.

The True Longinus possessed a Balance Breaker form.

Even without knowing the original storyline, the moment Kaiser first grasped the spear, he instinctively understood this transformation and mastered it completely.

He had reached this state effortlessly—without requiring an intense emotional shift, without needing a dramatic mental change. He had even fully grasped the True Longinus’ power beyond its Balance Breaker state.

However, putting aside its unique higher-tier ability, Kaiser had specific thoughts regarding the spear’s Balance Breaker.

“The spear’s original Balance Breaker doesn’t suit me.”

Kaiser mused.

Balance Breakers generally fell into three categories.

The Crest Side – Enhancing the original power of the Sacred Gear, evolving it into a superior form.

The Abyss Side – Reaching a state of madness where the wielder and the Sacred Gear merge completely, forming an abyssal transformation.

Sub-Species Balance Breaker – A mutation that doesn’t fit into the first two categories, resulting in an unpredictable new form.

Most Balance Breakers fell into the first category—simply amplifying or evolving their original abilities.

The True Longinus’ Balance Breaker was also primarily of this type. It wasn’t weak, but it wasn’t what Kaiser desired.

Thus, he intended to follow in the footsteps of the spear’s original wielder and develop a Sub-Species Balance Breaker.

A Sub-Species Balance Breaker was an alternate transformation of a Sacred Gear—a second-stage evolution deviating from its original Balance Breaker state.

Within the Hero Faction, many Sacred Gear wielders who had reached the Balance Breaker realm pursued this path, developing stronger and more personalized transformations. Even many members of the protagonist group in the original storyline had ventured into this domain.

Since Balance Breakers had multiple forms, Kaiser had been aware of this possibility for a long time, thanks to his knowledge of the original story. He had also been preparing to take this path himself.

What he was doing now was working toward developing his own Balance Breaker, crafting a Sub-Species Balance Breaker that suited him best.

For most people, this was an incredibly difficult feat.

The number of Sacred Gear wielders who could even awaken Balance Breaker was minuscule. Even searching the entire world, those who had reached this level would likely make up less than one percent—perhaps even less than a thousandth or ten-thousandth of a percent.

Simply awakening Balance Breaker was already so rare. To go a step further and modify it—to reshape a Sacred Gear’s Balance Breaker into a unique form—was almost unimaginable.

However, for Kaiser, who possessed the Ultimate Authority Over Weapons and could perfectly master any weapon, armor, or artifact, this was no challenge at all.

If he wished, using his Unique Authority, he could effortlessly craft a Sub-Species Balance Breaker—or even multiple forms of Balance Breaker.

But before that, he needed a framework. He needed to carefully consider what kind of Balance Breaker he wanted to develop before proceeding with its realization.

For the past several days, Kaiser had been focusing on this task. He resonated with the True Longinus, seeking a deeper understanding of its limits and what possibilities he could unlock.

And the truth was, the spear did not disappoint.

A divine relic infused with the will of the gods—it embodied the very concept of miracles.

At its deepest level, the True Longinus could manifest miracles, making its potential nearly limitless. It was entirely at Kaiser’s disposal.

“What kind of Balance Breaker should I create?”

This question had occupied his mind for days.

“In the end, this should be the right direction.”

After extensive contemplation, Kaiser finally confirmed his path.

“Let’s go with this.”

With his decision made, Kaiser began working toward his goal.

Days passed once more…

And on the eleventh day of his stay in Kuoh Town, Kaiser met her.

“Good afternoon, sir.”

It was a bright, sunny noon.

That day, Kaiser had chosen to have lunch near the shopping district in the city center.

The restaurant he selected was a stylish café, elegantly decorated yet reasonably priced. It was a popular spot, particularly among those who enjoyed leisurely lunch breaks with afternoon tea. As a result, it was often packed with patrons.

Kaiser happened to arrive at a time when the café was relatively empty, allowing him to enter without waiting in line. He ordered a meal and settled in.

The café was filled with fashionable women—wealthy socialites adorned in gold and jewels, youthful beauties in the prime of their lives. Many of them were striking in appearance, their poise refined.

Yet, when she walked in, every other woman in the café seemed to fade into insignificance.

Her striking crimson hair swayed with each graceful step. She walked with elegance and unwavering confidence, her upright posture exuding an aura of pride and composure that naturally drew the eyes of everyone around her.

She possessed an extraordinary beauty, her figure so well-proportioned it seemed almost sculpted—like an artwork of the highest craftsmanship. Every movement radiated an overwhelming sense of nobility.

The moment she entered, the entire café fell into stunned silence.

Even Kaiser was momentarily caught off guard, as if he were seeing a second Claudia Enfield.

Both were mature. Both were noble. Both were stunning. The difference was that Claudia embodied rationality, intelligence, and poise, whereas the woman before him exuded confidence and self-assurance.

A woman like this could not simply be described as a distant flower—she was a radiant beacon high above the clouds.

And yet, despite everything, she walked straight toward him and spoke.

“Mind if we talk?”

The red-haired girl placed a hand on her hip, her piercing emerald eyes locking onto Kaiser as she spoke.

It was a silent declaration—Even if you refuse, I won’t be leaving.

"Take a seat."

Kaiser gave her a brief glance before casually gesturing, then resumed eating his meal.

"Then I’ll take you up on that offer."

The red-haired girl showed no sign of offense at his indifferent attitude. She took the seat across from him and watched as he ate.

The surrounding patrons, however, were not as calm.

Murmurs filled the café as onlookers began whispering among themselves, speculating about the relationship between the two.

Kaiser even noticed a few well-dressed men, looking every bit the elite professionals, attempting to approach the table—only to be intercepted by a trio consisting of one man and two women.

"Those are your peerage, aren’t they?" Kaiser continued eating as he spoke. "You’re not going to let them join us?"

"No need." Rias Gremory shook her head, her emerald gaze remaining fixed on Kaiser. "This isn’t exactly the best place for a conversation. I’ll let my adorable servants handle the distractions for us."

"Only to keep others away?" Kaiser lifted his gaze, meeting hers directly. A smirk played at the corner of his lips. "You sure it’s not to surround me?"

"Of course not," Rias replied without hesitation. "We wouldn’t do something like that in public."

Her words were spoken with absolute confidence, as if she had nothing to hide.

But unfortunately for her—

She wasn’t human.

She was a Devil.

Chapter 89: What Should I Do?

“I am Rias Gremory, the heir to the House of Gremory, a Duke’s household in the Underworld.”

The red-haired girl introduced herself to Kaiser.

But it was hardly necessary.

“The esteemed daughter of the Gremory family, one of the last remaining Pure-Blooded Devil households—I am well aware.”

Kaiser stated this matter-of-factly, his expression unchanging.

In the Underworld, there existed seventy-two noble families from ancient times.

They were known as the Seventy-Two Pillars, a formidable force ruling over numerous Devil legions, to the point where even Heaven dared not underestimate them.

However, after thousands of years of war with Angels and Fallen Angels, more than half of these noble houses had perished in battle.

The House of Gremory was one of the surviving Seventy-Two Pillars, a rare Pure-Blooded Devil family that had endured to the present day.

In modern times, the number of Pure-Blooded Devils—those who had maintained their lineage since ancient times—had drastically dwindled. Most Devils were now hybrids, or reincarnated Devils who had been transformed from humans or other species.

For instance, Rias Gremory’s three servants were all reincarnated Devils, turned by her through the Evil Piece System, a technique unique to Devils.

Thus, Pure-Blooded Devils were not only rare but also highly valued in the Underworld. Each one held significant privileges and an exceptionally high status.

The red-haired girl before him was one such Pure-Blooded Devil, an Upper-Class Devil who operated in Kuoh Town as her domain.

At the same time, she was also the main heroine of the original story—the one who would make the protagonist her servant.

Kaiser took a brief look at the three people standing nearby, blocking others from approaching.

The tall, elegant girl with a single long ponytail, exuding the grace of a Yamato Nadeshiko, was Akeno Himejima—Rias Gremory’s first servant and closest confidant.

The petite, expressionless girl was Koneko Toujou.

As for the strikingly handsome young man, he was Yuuto Kiba.

Seeing these three, Kaiser understood.

“So, the original protagonist has yet to become a Devil and has not been taken in by Rias Gremory as her servant.”

As he realized this, Rias also studied him deeply.

“I heard that after escaping the Church, you’ve been wandering without affiliating with any faction. I didn’t expect you to know about me.”

At her words, Kaiser casually picked up a napkin, wiped his mouth, and then spoke.

“And yet, the Heiress of Gremory seems to know quite a lot about me. I’ve only been in this town for a short while, and you’ve already dug up my background.”

Truthfully, Kaiser found this whole situation somewhat ridiculous.

Why did it feel like he had done something world-shattering?

He had merely blown up a church.

It wasn’t like he had destroyed an entire city. Why did it feel like the whole world knew about it?

Of course, despite his words, Kaiser understood the reality of the situation.

Since Sacred Gears were created by God and bestowed upon humans, many mythological factions had long monitored powerful Sacred Gear wielders as high-priority individuals.

Especially those who possessed Longinus—weapons said to be capable of slaying both Gods and Maou. To the deities of various mythologies, such individuals were like a sword hanging over their heads.

Thus, the stronger the Sacred Gear wielder, the more they attracted the attention and surveillance of these factions. If someone awakened a particularly dangerous Sacred Gear, it was not unusual for them to end up on a faction’s hit list—eventually eliminated before they could become a threat.

Among all factions, the Angels, Fallen Angels, and Devils were the most invested in monitoring such individuals.

It was inevitable. These three factions all originated from the same mythological system, and their highest authority—God—was the one who had created the Sacred Gears.

In other words, they had the most experience dealing with Sacred Gears and fully understood how dangerous their wielders could be.

A powerful Sacred Gear wielder was someone all three factions wanted to recruit. But a dangerous one? That was someone they wanted to eliminate.

Kaiser’s possession of an extremely powerful and potentially dangerous Sacred Gear was no secret. These factions had been keeping a close eye on him, rivaling even the Hero Faction in their interest.

Had it not been for Siegfried’s interference, Rias Gremory, as the Upper-Class Devil overseeing this town, would have confronted him much sooner.

Now that Kaiser had not concealed his movements—and after the commotion he had caused with Siegfried—it was only natural that she would investigate his background.

Understanding this, Kaiser felt at ease.

“You’re here because of what happened in the outskirts a few days ago?”

Before Rias could bring up the topic, Kaiser addressed it first.

“Just call me Rias.” She frowned slightly, seemingly displeased with how he addressed her, then asked, “So, you were involved in the incident outside town?”

“I was merely caught up in it.” Kaiser corrected her assumption. “The one who caused all that destruction wasn’t me. I was just lured there… and killed a Stray Devil in the process.”

“Stray Devil?” Rias blinked in surprise before something else in his words caught her attention. “So, you’re saying the one responsible for all that destruction… wasn’t you?”

“Of course.” Kaiser nodded. “The one who started the fight was a guy named Siegfried. It had nothing to do with me.”

Siegfried?

The dragon-slaying hero from the legends?

No… it had to be someone who had inherited the name of that legendary warrior.

Numerous thoughts crossed Rias’ mind, though she kept them to herself.

“If you weren’t the cause, does that mean you don’t intend to cause trouble in this town?”

She asked the question directly.

“Oh? So, you’re worried that I’ll stir up chaos in Kuoh Town?” Kaiser raised an eyebrow before smirking. “To think a Devil would be concerned about a human town. That’s quite unlike a Devil.”

“I simply don’t like others making a mess in my territory.” Rias folded her arms, speaking with confidence. “Every human in this town is a potential client—a possible contractor. Naturally, I don’t want anything happening to them.”

Throughout history, Devils had been known for tempting humans with sweet words, luring them into contracts where they traded their souls, ultimately leading them to ruin.

Though fewer people in the modern era were willing to sell their souls to Devils, and the changing times made it harder for Devils to act recklessly, their job had not changed. They were still summoned by humans, persuading them to sign contracts, and granting wishes in exchange for compensation—be it money, items, or sometimes even lives and souls.

Every Devil had a designated work area where they operated.

Kuoh Town was the domain of Rias Gremory and her peerage.

To her, this town was her territory. As the heir of the Gremory family, she saw it as her duty to protect her people—her potential clients.

“If you’re just passing through, then all the better.”

“If you need a place to stay, I can provide one. And if you’re willing to join me, that would be even better.”

"But if you intend to cause trouble here…"

Rias Gremory’s gaze locked onto Kaiser, her exquisite and beautiful face adorned with a mesmerizing smile. Yet, within her deep emerald eyes, an ominous glimmer of destruction flickered.

"Then you’d better be prepared to be reduced to ashes."

It wasn’t a threat—it was simply a statement of fact.

However, as Rias said this, Kaiser suddenly found himself lost in thought.

What exactly did he want to do here?

Kaiser pondered the question.

As the Librarian of the Fantasy Library, his purpose was to live a life filled with brilliance and significance within each Fantasy World—to deepen its realism and make it more tangible.

At the same time, this was how he secured high evaluations and, consequently, better rewards.

In the last world—the Asterisk War universe—he had risen to dominance on a global stage by conquering the Phoenix Festa, becoming an internationally renowned competitive star.

That life had been spectacular, and as a result, he had received a substantial reward—the True Longinus, the most powerful Longinus, a spear capable of piercing both Gods and Devils alike.

Since that formula had worked, his current life in this world would have to be just as extraordinary. Only then would he be able to continue earning high rewards.

But in this world… what path would lead to the most thrilling experience?

Should he, like before, enter some kind of grand tournament, make a name for himself, and rise to prominence?

But unlike the Phoenix Festa, this world didn’t seem to have any globally recognized large-scale competitions…

The Underworld did have something similar—the Rating Games, a battle-based competition system among Upper-Class Devils and Ultimate-Class Devils. The game functioned as a ranking system that determined a Devil’s status, where Kings would lead their peerage into battle, and their performance could elevate their prestige—sometimes even turning them into stars in the Underworld’s elite circles.

However, only mature Devils were eligible to participate in the Rating Games. As a human, Kaiser had no way of entering—unless he became a Reincarnated Devil.

But becoming a Reincarnated Devil meant submitting to a higher-ranked Devil, becoming their peerage, their servant.

Kaiser had no interest in being someone’s subordinate.

And he certainly had no desire to transform into a Devil.

He valued his identity as a human. Unless he could ascend into something greater—such as a God—he had no interest in discarding his humanity for another race.

That meant, if he wanted to make this life as thrilling as possible, he would have to find another way.

How should I go about it…?

A thought began to form in Kaiser’s mind.

Chapter 90: I Can Join You

Rias Gremory left.

It seemed she had come solely to probe Kaiser’s intentions. Once she confirmed that he did not plan to cause trouble in Kuoh Town—at least for the time being—the heiress of the Gremory family departed without hesitation.

However, though she had left, the surveillance remained.

As Kaiser walked out of the café, he immediately sensed that the watchers around him had become more deliberate.

They were likely the Familiars belonging to Rias Gremory and her peerage, left behind to monitor him.

Perhaps they knew they couldn’t completely hide from Kaiser, so instead of concealing themselves, they watched him openly, as if declaring, We are always watching you.

“What a high level of caution.”

Kaiser thought idly, unfazed by it.

“Is it because I’m a Sacred Gear wielder who has lost control before?”

Given that, their wariness was understandable.

However, Kaiser had already decided—he would no longer leave himself so openly exposed. He was done acknowledging the watchers.

He stepped into a deserted alleyway and summoned the Activator of Gravisheath from within himself, activating it.

"Vrrrmm…"

The crimson scythe vibrated into form, its Urm-Manadyte core flickering with an eager, pulsating light—its very essence craving Kaiser’s blood.

“Later.”

Kaiser ignored Gravisheath’s hunger, gripping the weapon’s handle and channeling his Aura into it.

After modifying his power system with Inherent Authority, even without Prana, he found that Aura was just as effective in activating Orga Lux.

Kaiser had already tested this. Both Ser-Veresta and Gravisheath accepted Aura, and just a small amount of Aura could replace a large amount of Prana. When infused with even minimal Aura, the Orga Lux functioned identically to when they were fully powered by Prana.

This intrigued Kaiser greatly.

“Aura is the fundamental essence of life, a force rooted in one’s very core. If it can replace Prana, that might actually be a good thing.”

Prana had many advantages, but it was inextricably linked to the Mana that filled the world. Some scholars even theorized that Prana was simply the human body’s refined form of Mana.

In other words, if separated from Mana, Prana might cease to function entirely.

Kaiser had never tested this theory, but to be safe, having an alternative power source was ideal.

Now that his vast reservoir of Prana had been converted into a more compact supply of Aura, he found that even small amounts of Aura could be converted into large amounts of Prana if needed.

Essentially, he could still provide ample Prana to his Orga Lux, meaning there was no difference in functionality.

Being able to fuel Orga Lux with Aura meant Kaiser no longer needed to constantly shift his power system back to Prana just to use them—saving him a great deal of effort.

With that settled, Kaiser activated Gravisheath’s gravity manipulation, levitating himself into the sky.

Moments later, he flew out of Kuoh Town and descended onto an empty field outside its borders.

Then, he dismissed Gravisheath, returning it to his body, and stood quietly, waiting.

He waited for a full thirty minutes.

“You should be nearby by now, shouldn’t you?”

At last, Kaiser spoke.

“Come out. Hiding any longer is just a waste of both our time.”

As soon as his words fell, a figure flashed into view like a gust of wind.

“…Was I just lured out?”

Siegfried smiled wryly, his tone tinged with helpless amusement.

“Well, you were the one following me.”

Kaiser’s expression remained indifferent. “As long as I acted like I was leaving Kuoh Town, you were bound to follow.”

“So yes, I set a trap—but you also did the same to me last time.”

“So, let’s call it even.”

Hearing Kaiser’s words, Siegfried nodded in mock seriousness.

“Put that way, it doesn’t feel so bad.” Siegfried chuckled before adding, “Still, judging by your stance, you have something to say, don’t you?”

“…Could it be that you’ve decided to join us?”

It was a casual remark—almost a joke.

Yet—

“I can join you.”

Kaiser responded smoothly, decisively.

“What?”

Siegfried froze.

Did he just… agree?

Just like that?

Was this real?

“What’s wrong?” Kaiser smirked slightly, as if he could read Siegfried’s mind. “Didn’t your faction want me to join you?”

“I’ve agreed, yet you don’t seem all that happy about it.”

“Of course I’m happy!” Siegfried recovered, grinning. “I’m just surprised. Why the sudden change of heart?”

Previously, Kaiser had shown little interest in his invitation—or rather, little interest in Khaos Brigade and the Hero Faction.

And now, he had suddenly accepted.

That, naturally, made Siegfried suspicious.

“I simply changed my mind,” Kaiser said calmly. “I had some new thoughts, that’s all.”

“…Would you care to share what those thoughts are?”

Suspicion was now plain on Siegfried’s face.

Kaiser merely smiled.

“Of course… not.”

With that single sentence, the atmosphere instantly tensed.

The smile vanished from Siegfried’s eyes, and his lips curled downward slightly.

“You should put a little more trust in your future comrades, Kaiser.”

Saying this, Siegfried—just as he had before—drew his sword from beneath his priest-like robes.

The weapon exuded an unmistakable aura of malice, and even from a distance, the Aura radiating from it stung Kaiser’s skin.

“For now, I wouldn’t say we’re comrades yet, would you?”

Kaiser remained unfazed, his expression unchanged as he, too, drew a sword.

“Hm?”

Siegfried’s eyes locked onto Kaiser’s weapon.

It was a blade of deep black, embedded with a crimson gem at its center.

The hilt had an inorganic texture—more like a shell than forged metal—while the blade itself was not even solid, formed instead of flowing darkness.

Kaiser had seemingly drawn it from thin air.

Siegfried raised an eyebrow.

“That’s your Sacred Gear?”

He asked, but then shook his head.

“No… it’s not. Your Sacred Gear has a Holy Attribute, and this sword clearly lacks that power.”

“This is a wielded weapon, just like my Demonic Sword, isn’t it?”

Siegfried was certain of his judgment.

“Sharp eyes.” Kaiser smirked, almost approvingly. “Its name is Ser-Veresta. And no, it’s not my Sacred Gear.”

As if responding to its name, Ser-Veresta vibrated slightly in Kaiser’s grasp.

“A Demonic Sword?”

Siegfried’s interest was piqued.

After all, he himself was a swordsman who specialized in wielding Demonic Swords. He possessed multiple such blades and was far more knowledgeable about them than the average person.

“Ser-Veresta, huh? Never heard of a sword by that name before… Is it a newly created Demonic Sword?”

He mused aloud, making his own assessment.

Kaiser, meanwhile, glanced at the blade in Siegfried’s hands, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“If I’m not mistaken, that sword… must be the legendary Demonic Emperor Sword, right?”

Kaiser’s remark earned an immediate confirmation from Siegfried.

“Gram, the Demonic Emperor Sword—the strongest of all Demonic Swords, and my most powerful trump card.”

Gram—a legendary blade from Norse mythology. Wielded by Odin, the king of gods, it was also known as the Fury of the Gods, a Demonic Sword of immense power.

Even among the many Demonic Swords in this world, Gram was undisputedly the strongest.

“This is a good opportunity.”

Siegfried raised the Demonic Emperor Sword, pointing it at Kaiser with a grin.

“I’ll test this so-called new Demonic Sword and my new comrade—let’s see what you’re made of.”

With those words, Gram erupted with a surge of Aura, exuding a suffocating pressure.

Then—just as before—Siegfried swung his blade.

A storm of destructive force howled toward Kaiser.

But this time, Kaiser did not dodge.

"Can you handle this, Ser-Veresta?"

Kaiser whispered.

"Vrrrmm!"

The Ser-Veresta vibrated intensely in his grip, radiating an unmistakable surge of excitement.

Kaiser let out a brief smile before swiftly composing himself. Without hesitation, he channeled a massive surge of Aura into the blade.

In the next instant, he swung.

"Boom—!"

A deafening explosion erupted as Ser-Veresta clashed against the incoming storm of destructive Aura, its blade cutting directly into the oncoming force.

A massive shockwave burst forth, rippling outward in a tangible, concussive blast.

The ground beneath Kaiser cracked apart, splintering into fissures before abruptly caving in.

The storm of Aura continued to press against Ser-Veresta, attempting to overwhelm and crush Kaiser under its sheer force. Yet, he stood firm, refusing to be overpowered.

"Haaahhh…!"

Feeling the immense power bearing down upon him, veins bulged against Kaiser’s skin, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword, knuckles turning white from the strain.

And then, with a thunderous roar, he brought Ser-Veresta down in a decisive arc.

The pitch-black blade cut through the raging storm—severing it in two.

(End of Chapter)