With Archer the meeting will always go wrong.

Hyoudou Issei was scared…

Meeting with the three great powers was not as simple as he expected. As soon as he entered the meeting room with his peers, he could feel the trepidation and a terrible aura surrounding him.

Gulp.

He also swallowed his spit due to the feeling of nervousness. Asia also grabbed the end of his clothes as if uneasy.

Devil side. Sirzech's Lucifer and Serafall Leviathan.

Ah, the maid is Grayfia.

She was on standby beside the tea-preparing cart.

Angel's side: the golden-feathered Michael and an unknown girl named Angel. Typical angels have white wings, after all. More like, she's a fantastic beauty. The beauty is truly divine!

Ah, she's an angel after all.

'But those tits are something!'

Azazel, the Fallen Angel, with his 12 wings unfurled, and Vali, the Vanishing Dragon.

Azazel's bottom lip rose as he looked at Issei.

'Ooh, today he isn't wearing a yukata but a black robe elaborated with ornaments.' As expected, he won't be wearing a yukata in this place.

Lucifer and Leviathan, as well, are wearing clothes with ornaments decorating them.

"My younger sister, and her family."

Sirzechs introduces Rias to the VIPs of the other factions. Rias also bows.

"In the attack of Kokabiel a few days ago, they were active during the raid."

"I have heard the report. I give my thanks once more." Michael says his thanks to Rias.

Rias conducts herself coolly, and once more bows.

"Sorry, Kokabiel of my side caused you trouble." Without a timid expression, Azazel says it.

'What an attitude.' Issei thought.

"Sit on the seats over there."

Taking Sirzechs's direction, Grayfia urges them to the chairs near the wall. Sona was already sitting on one of those seats.

After confirming that, Sirzechs continues.

"Now that everyone has arrived, I'll announce the preconditions for the meeting." "The people present here are here to acknowledge the most important event and forbidden subject, i.e., the non-existence of God."

"Then, acknowledging that, let's continue the conversation."

Like this, with Sirzech's sentence, the conference between the great powers began...

*****

The conference is progressing smoothly.

"Like that, we angel's... "

"That's true. That would be better. If things continue as they are, the three great powers will undoubtedly go down the path of destruction."

"Well, we don't have anything particular to fuss over."

There were instances when this place would freeze when Azazel said a sentence occasionally as well, but it seemed like the Governor of the Fallen Angels was purposely creating that atmosphere and enjoying it.

Looking at the meeting, Rias was tensed; her hands were shaking due to her nervousness. She couldn't help but notice her pawn staring at her breasts, and Rias clutches his hands to gain some stability with a bitter smile.

Participating in this important meeting and having to report may be natural. Even Rias will be nervous. Since it seems that it's being said that this conference may be written down in history,

Issei also clasped Rias' hands without saying anything in order to comfort her. Though he may be a perverted fool, Issei has a very high EQ, and his ability to act according to the situation was simply phenomenal.

"Now then, Rias. Could you speak about the incident a few days before?"

"Yes, Lord Lucifer."

After being urged by Sirzechs, Rias, Sona, and Akeno stood up, and they talked continuously about recent Kokabiel's attack.

And everyone belonging to the three great powers continues to hear about it.

Rias talked about the summary of the incident she experienced herself in a calm manner. Maybe due to the maximum level of nervousness, those hands were shaking after all.

Something with the three great powers may change as a result of her speech.No matter how courageous Rias is, this place's atmosphere would be very painful.

Each of the faction's VIPs who heard the report was letting out a sigh, scowling, or smiling—each person had a different reaction.

"That is all. The report which I, Rias Gremory, and the household devils over there experienced

"Good work, sit down."

"Thanks, Rias-chan." Leviathan also sent a wink towards Buchou.

"Now then, Azazel. After hearing this report, I want to hear the opinion of the Governor of the Fallen Angels."

Upon Sirzechs-sama's questioning, everyone's gaze concentrates on the black-haired governor.

Azazel started talking after letting out an intrepid smile.

"With regard to the incident a few days ago, Kokabiel, a leader of our Central Organization, Grigori, kept quiet to the other leaders as well as to me, the Governor, and acted independently. His disposal was done by Vali. After that, in the organisation's court, martial punishment was enforced. His punishment is eternal freezing in the Cochytes. He can't come out anymore. The explanation for that is that everything was written in the material that was forwarded to you, right? That is all."

Michael says while sighing, "As the explanation indicates, it is the worst category, but... I know about the story of you personally not wanting to make anything big occur against us."

"Is that true?"

"Aah, I don't have any interest in wars.

"When Kokabiel also disparaged me, don't you have the report for that as well?"

"Azazel, I want to ask one thing, but why have you been gathering owners of Sacred Gears for the past decades? At first, I thought you were gathering humans and attempting to augment your battle potential. I even expected you to wage war against heaven or against us, but..."

"Yes, no matter how much time passed, you didn't wage a war against us. When I heard you got hold of the Vanishing Dragon, I was enveloped by a strong sense of apprehension."

Michael was the same as Sirzechs.

Azazel smiles bitterly as he hears the two's perspectives.

"It's for the sake of sacred gear research." If that's the case, should I send some of the research materials to you as well? Even if I did research, I wouldn't wage a war against you or anything. I don't have any interest in war at this late hour. I am perfectly satisfied with the world right now. I have strongly ordered my subordinates, 'Don't interfere with the human world's politics,' you know? I have no intention of intervening in religion either, nor to influence the business of the devils. Damn, is my trust in the three factions the least?"

"That's true."

"That's right."

So far, he is not trusted, poor Governor of the fallen angels...

Upon hearing that, Azazel uninterestedly pecked at his ears.

"Che. I thought you were better than God or the last generation's Lucifer, but you guys are troublesome guys yourselves. Sneakily researching doesn't get along well with you, huh? Ah, I get it. Then, let's make peace. Originally, wasn't that the intention as well? Angels and demons, too?"

*****

Azazel said that while opening his arms.

"The world moves even without a God."

Even without a God, others lived in this world. Other people's lives don't have any particular changes either. After that, the conversation moved to the future's war potential, etc. For some reason, the current military forces and the interactions of each faction are now being discussed in terms of the power picture.

Compared to some time ago, the feeling of tension in the room has been reduced a lot.

Maybe they understood that no power wants war.

"And is this it?"

On Sirzech's sentence, the VIPs let out a huge sigh. Somehow or other, it seems the usual important conversation is finished.

"Now that we have some free time, I'd like to discuss a few things," Sirzechs said, not as serious as before but still.

"Have you heard about the Archer of Red?"

"Hmm... Yes, he is an unknown individual who popped out of nowhere a few months before. From the intel, I gathered he is human, a very strong one despite being one. The most intriguing fact is that he has been seen using multiple mythological weapons. Greeks, Norse, Celts, and Hindus sent an active search party to find that man and confiscate those weapons." Azazel spoke with interest shining in his eyes.

"Yes, though his identity itself is still unknown, all we know is that he has always targeted rouges of various mythologies; he has also dealt with several S-class stray devils if I remember correctly," Michael continued.

"Yes, previously we considered him some kind of mercenary, but his streak of targeting rouges gave us some suspicions. To be completely honest, I wasn't very much interested in diving into this until things became quite serious, as he murdered Diodora, a high-class heir of Astaroth. However, after further investigation, it appeared that Diodora was a corrupt individual who was working with the old Satan faction and was a criminal who had kidnapped a number of holy maidens."

"You devils were awfully calm about this." For the first time, the beautiful angel beside Michael spoke.

"We didn't mean it that way, Lady Gabriel; I was simply stating what had occurred, and in any case, we freed all of them, and we have already taken appropriate measures to ensure their safety for the rest of their lives."

"Hmm, that guy seems like a hero of justice, saving those who are in trouble and in need; he seems to be doing the job of "wish upon the star" for those who really called him. Quite a peculiar guy, isn't he?" Azazel said with a chuckle.

"Still, it doesn't change the fact that he has murdered a high-class heir from our side; criminal or not, it was our duty to judge him, and hence Archer of Red would be considered a criminal from the eyes of us devils." Though Sirzechs spoke in a rather hypocritical way, his smile suggested something else.

"Ahh! You're so cold, aren't you?"

"Speaking of which, haven't you also met a guy named Archer, Rias?" Sirzechs asked.

Rias' eyes twitched despite the nervousness she had as she thought about that man.

"Yes, we confronted him while we were talking with the Vanishing Dragon; due to a misunderstanding, the scene became a bit tense, and my knight was about to attack him with his holy demonic sword, but that man simply destroyed it with a black falcon-like blade and said that he wasn't here to harm us but was simply looking for somewhere to eat."

"Oh! Isn't the description very similar to Archer of Red? Sharp tongue, black falcon-like blade, powerful enough to break the balance break of the sword birth without sweating, and a laid-back personality. So we can conclude that Archer of the Red is here in Kuoh. So Gremory did you keep an eye on him or something?"

"No, I didn't. Though I did inform Broth-!, Ahem! Lord Lucifer about it, I didn't investigate this matter any further because Vanishishig Dragon here vouched for the man as his friend so I let the matter be and thought he is someone affiliated with the Grigori."

Everyone was a bit surprised to hear Rias; even Azazel appeared to be genuinely surprised this time.

"Vali, do you know that man? How come you didn't tell me about it?"

Azazel asked curiously, looking at his adopted son.

"Tch..."

Suddenly, the entire room was washed with chaotic energy that disturbed the space-time continuum and fractured the path of time, causing the passage of time to be stagnant in a particular area.

In simpler words.

The Time was stopped.

Looking around, people were divided between those that could move and those that were stopped. All the big shots were moving. Sirzechs, Leviathan, Grayfia, Michael, and Azazel, as well as the Vanishing Dragon, seemed to be able to move.

Michael was looking outside from a window, and Sirzechs and Azazel were deep in conversation, looking serious for some reason.

"It seems to be a terrorist attack," Azazel said.

Suddenly, a magic array appeared in the conference room.

The array that had appeared in the centre of the conference room took even the leaders of the three factions by surprise. More specifically, Azazel was laughing, while Sirzechs looked as if he had just bitten down on something rotten.

"That's Leviathan's insignia," Serafall murmured.

A woman, garbed in a dress complete with a revealing neckline and a deep slit down its side, emerged from the magic circle.

"Greetings, Lord Sirzechs, present Demon King," she said boldly.

"You are a descendant of the original Leviathan. Katerea Leviathan. What is the meaning of this?"

Boom!

The whole area exploded outward in a brilliant burst of light! Azazel unfolded his twelve wings, their feathers blacker than night.

"A spawn of the former Demon King Leviathan, Beast of the Apocalypse. Not a bad opponent. Katerea Leviathan, how about we have ourselves a little mock Armageddon?"

Katerea met Azazel's challenge with a sneer. "My thoughts exactly, Governor!"

Boom!

*****

Archer, dressed in his regular battle clothes, stood calmly at the top of the clock tower, surveying the surroundings; despite the fact that he was standing in a very obvious spot due to his (A-) rank presence concealment, he remained hidden.

He looked at the stray magi firing magic bullets at the new school building incessantly; these attacks didn't appear to be causing any damage to the new school building. One also couldn't see any sign of the attack relenting.

"So these guys are so-called magicians. It's a type of magecraft that was reconstructed as sorcery after the legendary magician "Merlin Ambrosius" interpreted the magic system of devils...From the power of the magic they're emitting, I'd guess that they each possess the magic power of a mid-class devil or around the level of a 2nd-rate magus. However, they're all garbage."

Archer couldn't help but sneer while looking at them.

He quickly turned his attention towards the O.R.C. building, and with his clairvoyance (B+) and mind's eye (true) (A+), Archer was able to spot the half-vampire, whose sacred gear was invoked and being used by these stray magicians by transferring their magic forcefully into the damphir, which led the boy into a comatose state due to a huge influx of mana.

If it goes like this, the boy will be crippled.

"I guess I will do them a favour this time."

Archer, on the other hand, summoned a bow in his left hand and a jagged-shaped multicoloured dagger in his right. The dagger was emitting a very malleable aura that was distorting time and space, or more precisely, it was repelling reality itself, or rather the magic that was used to fabricate reality.

"So this is what a perfect projection looks like, huh?"

He raised the dagger near the string of the bow and applied his mana through it; instantly, a purplish hue instead of his usual blue was released from Archer's body and encompassed the dagger.

As a few moments passed, the shape of the dagger itself started to shift and become hazy, but it started to get elongated and roughly took the form of a long object with wisps of purple coming out of it, which masked the structure of the object.

"Hmm, it's better than what I expected. I guess I should underpower this, otherwise, it would blow up this school."

Archer stretched the bow along with the newly shaped dagger and pointed it towards the O.R.C. club. His steel-like eyes contracted and...

HOOSSSHH!

BOOM!

*****

BANG!

BURST!

BOOOOOOOOOM!

A deafening roar and a blinding burst of light filled the sky.

Azazel and Katerea Leviathan were still engaged in a fierce duel. Azazel was sending volleys of spears of light, each longer than he was tall, hurling toward Katerea. She, meanwhile, activated several layers of defensive barriers, blocking his attacks.

Their back-and-forth had ravaged the school grounds. If Sirzechs and the others hadn't been defending the new school building, it would almost certainly have been demolished by now.

WOOSH!

Suddenly. Their attacks were thwarted by a strange energy wave that instantly rendered both of their spells ineffective.

It was like lightning.

No one was able to see anything except a purple flash, and its aftershock disturbed the mana in the surrounding area, which caused the defensive barrier made by the leaders to break.

"What was that?" Sirzech questions as he activated his immense destruction while cancelling the strange effect of the purple flash. Though it was a bit hard, his destructive aura soon overcame it and nullified that effect.

Everyone was in a state of frenzy for a few seconds, but soon enough someone yelled, "Whatever it was, it was aimed at the O.R.C. building."

Sirzechs immediately realised that the time fracture had been restored, which meant Gasper's balance break had stopped, but how? Rias has yet to reach the O.R.C. building. Summing up the events, he came to only one conclusion: whatever the purple flash was, it nullified magic in the entire area. Though the leader class managed to overpower it, all the enemy stray magicians and their own low, mid and high-class forces were crippled.

"Shit!"

For the first time in this meeting, Sirzechs felt nervousness creeping onto him.

~~~END~~~