After the Invasion

Land of the Dead, Hades' Palace.

Inside the throne room of a rather gloomy-looking palace, three people were present. The first was Azazel who was standing near the throne room's entrance with a pensive look on his face. The second was a large skeleton wearing a black ceremonial robe with gold accents and blue flames glowing in its eye sockets. And the last was a humanoid being radiating the red glow of the [Power of Destruction].

"How long do you plan on destroying my home, Sirzechs Lucifer?" The Skeleton asked the human-shaped [Power of Destruction] in an impassive tone. "I have already told you that I have no knowledge of the reason your people were attacked by Grim Reapers."

"As if there were a Grim Reaper alive who would act without your consent, Hades." Sirzechs said in a tone seething with anger. "I don't appreciate your attempt to insult my intelligence."

As Hades, the skeleton seated on the throne, said, while taking this form, Sirzechs was destroying Hades' palace and anything within a certain radius just by existing. No one knows what triggered this form of Sirzechs. However, it is confirmed that he was born in this state. Over the centuries, as he gained control of this form, his power grew along with it, until he grew into the Underworld's most powerful devil that surpassed even the original Lucifer.

'*Sigh* And Sirzechs had the nerve to scold James about wanting to kill Cao Cao.' Azazel mused internally. 'With talk of starting a possible war. Yet, he rushes straight into Greek territory and does this.'

As Azazel was complaining about and cursing Sirzechs inwardly for dragging him along, a magic circle appeared next to his left ear. Checking the crest on the magic circle, Azazel injected his holy energy into it when he realized it was from his second in command, Shamhazai.

"Hey, Shamhazai, what's up?" Azazel asked, ignoring the current atmosphere in Hades' throne room. "Oh, James captured the kid with [Annihilation Maker]? … And all the attackers have been killed or captured already? Man, those kids work fast. … Alright, good to know. … I'll tell Sirzechs right away. See ya."

Overhearing Azazel's side of the conversation, Hades and Sirzechs turned their attention toward him.

"Hey, Sirzechs." Azazel said with a smile. "It looks like all the commotion in Lilith has been taken care of. So, I'm going home. I've got a [Sacred Gear] or three to research."

Hearing that, Sirzechs' transformation faded, and he returned to his usual state. When he did, Azazel could see him staring blankly.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Azazel asked with a shrug. "It's not like we can force Old Bones over there to confess."

"Watch your tone, Brat." Hades said with clear unhappiness in his tone.

"So, I'm going to go do something that could actually be useful." Azazel said, ignoring Hades' rebuke.

"*Sigh* You're probably right." Sirzechs said reluctantly. Then, he turned back to Hades and spoke once more. "Next time something like this happens, I won't care about having any proof before I start with violence."

"If you're looking to die so badly, be my guest, boy." Hades said in a dismissive tone.

Though he was still furious, Sirzechs turned away and strode toward the entrance to the throne room.

"Okay, Azazel, let's go." Sirzechs said as he walked past Azazel on his way out.

In response, Azazel shrugged his shoulders. Then, with a cheeky grin on his face, he waved at Hades before exiting the palace himself.

After Sirzechs and Azazel left the throne room, Hades waited until he could no longer feel them in the Land of the Dead. Then, he flared his divine power and smashed his bony fist into the armrest of his throne.

"Humans can't get anything done." hades said in a cold tone.

Underworld, Gremory Territory, Alaverus Estate.

"That was tiring." Mizore said as she flopped down on the sofa after James and his peerage teleported back to their home in the Underworld. "At least I got to take care of that Heracles. That will teach him to get me punished."

"I think you got yourself punished." James replied as he sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her waist. "He didn't force you to not follow orders or let your arrogance get the best of you, did he?"

At that, Mizore pouted. Then, she began pounding her little fists on James' arm and shoulder.

"Why are you being so mean?" Mizore asked in an aggrieved tone.

"I'm not being mean, and you know it." James said with a smile. A moment later, his expression turned a bit more solemn. "You know that if you're not willing to acknowledge your mistakes, then you'll never learn from them."

"*Sigh* I know." Mizore said with a pout.

"Anyway, how were the fights?" James asked the group.

"They were weak." Cu Chulainn said.

"You're at the peak of the ultimate-rank, what did you expect?" Moka asked .

"That's not what I meant." Cu Chulainn replied. "Their ambitions were too high for their level of strength. They only had a handful of high-ranks. That Cao Cao was the only ultimate-rank, too."

Stopping to think about what Cu Chulainn said, Mizore and Moka were surprised to realize that it was true. Then, they looked at James and Scathach to see their opinions.

"That's true." James replied. "Humans usually have a lower ceiling for growth than other races do."

"Most humans would find it impossible to raise their strength above the middle-rank." Scathach added to James' explanation. "The talented ones would reach high-rank, while only the true geniuses would be able to reach the ultimate-rank."

"Then why would they think they had a chance against the supernatural species?" Moka asked curiously.

"If I had to make a guess, it's because of Cao Cao's charisma and a healthy dose of brainwashing." James replied. "On top of that, Cao Cao awakened a huge messiah complex after he awakened the [True Longinus]."

Scathach nodded in response.

"It is not uncommon for a human to lose themselves in their perceived power." Scathach said calmly.

"Anyway, enough about that." James said. "I think it's about time we go back to the human world. I'm sure the others are worried."

At that, the other four nodded. Then, after freshening up, they all gathered, and James teleported them back to the human world.

Human World, Japan, Kuoh.

A moment later, James and his group appeared in the mansion in Kuoh. When they arrived, James was tackled into a hug by his mother.

"Thank goodness you're all right." Leona said while hugging James tightly. "When I heard that you were pulled into another dimension again, I was worried."

"It's okay, Mom." James replied with a smile while patting his mother on her back. "Those weaklings were too weak to do anything to me. And with Master there, there was no danger at all."

"Hey, why do you only mention Master Scathach?" Mizore asked indignantly. "You make it seem like we didn't do anything at all."

"Well, to be fair." Cu Chulainn replied to Mizore's outcry. "We only made things a little faster. If James and Master got serious, they really wouldn't have needed our help."

Moka nodded in agreement with Cu Chulainn. And although Mizore knew he was right; she did not want to hear that right now. So, she created ice on the tip of her shoe and kicked him in the shin.

"Stupid Cu!" Mizore shouted as she kicked. "Abraham Lincoln once said... 'It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt.'"

After hearing that, everyone, except for Cu Chulainn, held in their laughter for two reasons. One, they thought it was funny that Cu Chulainn was just scolded with a famous quote from an American author and two...

"Hey, Mizore." Moka said while struggling to keep her giggles inside. "That quote was by Mark Twain."

And with that, the group devolved into uproarious laughter. Naturally, Mizore began to blush in embarrassment. Cu Chulainn, on the other hand, took the opportunity to fire back.

"Mizore, I'd like to thank you for your advice, I'll take it to heart." Cu Chulainn said in a serious tone. "But perhaps you should take your own advice as well."

After the first half of Cu Chulainn's response, everyone rolled their eyes. They all knew how prone to putting his foot in his mouth Cu Chulainn was. But when the second half left his mouth, everyone laughed even harder. Then, after a few minutes of hardy laughter, Leona turned her attention to Mizore, Cu Chulainn, and Moka.

"I know things didn't go well in the underworld, but we still have to congratulate you three on your promotions." Leona said with a smile before pulling all three of them into a hug, each.

"Thank you, Auntie Leona." Mizore replied while returning the hug with a big smile on her face.

"Thanks." Cu Chulainn replied, trying to hide the proud smile on his face.

"Thank you." Moka replied while smiling calmly and returning the hug.

"Congratulations!" Dante, Lady, Ayame, and Shion cheered. Flora and Shuna, however, were not present due to their injuries from the attack they suffered with Mio and Maria.

After that, those who returned from the Underworld were asked for details about the test and the attack, as well as what they did before the attack and the places they got to see. Naturally, Mizore was the most excited while retelling the story, with everyone else adding tidbits that Mizore missed, or was not present for.

"So, your celebration dinner was interrupted?" Leona asked. "Does that mean you guys are hungry now?"

Hearing the word "hungry," Ophis ears perked up. Then, she looked at James with her eyes glowing.

"Yeah, I guess food would be good." James replied with a disappointed smile on his face.

"What's wrong?" Leona asked after seeing the look on James' face. "Are you saying the restaurant's food was better than your mother's?"

"No, of course not." James replied with a wry smile.

"Then, why do you look so disappointed?" Lady asked curiously.

"Because we don't have the chance to fleece Azazel anymore." James said in a truly downcast manner.

"Don't worry, Sweetie." Leona said with a mischievous smile. "I'm sure we'll get him next time."

Underworld, Satan Territory, Capital City, Lilith.

In the meeting room where the Satans often meet, Sirzechs, Ajuka, Serafall, and Falbium were seated with Azazel, discussing the entire event and what countermeasures they were going to take.

"Really, Sirzechs-Chan?" Serafall said with astonishment written all over her face. "And you had the nerve to lecture, well try to lecture, Jay-Kun after he promised to kill Cao Cao, about starting a war?"

"James probably has even less respect for you as a Satan now that you've shown such hypocrisy." Ajuka said.

Sirzechs chose not to respond. Instead, he just snorted, then looked away.

"*Yawn* It's just like I said." Falbium said in a lethargic manner. "You would do the same thing if Rias were put in danger."

"Yeah, the worst thing is that he just dragged me along, not caring if I wanted to go or not." Azazel said with a smile. "So, worse than James, you drag others into your attempts to start a..."

Before Azazel could finish, he shivered. Then, he felt relief washing over him. Naturally, everyone else saw this as well. So, they looked to Azazel with concern.

"Azazel-Chan, are you okay?" Serafall asked curiously.

"Did Hades do something to you while we were there?" Sirzechs asked, just looking for a reason to charge back into the Land of the Dead.

"And whose fault do you think that would be?" Ajuka asked Sirzechs, who was not paying attention to him in the slightest.

Waving off everyone's concerns, Azazel smiled wryly.

"No, everything is all right." Azazel said. "I just feel like I dodged a bullet somehow."

'Someone was definitely plotting against me.' Azazel thought to himself. 'I don't know who it was, or what it was about. However, I know that their plan failed, and it feels like they have given up... For now, anyway.'

"Oh, yeah!" Azazel said as if he had just remembered something. "I'm going to retire as Governor-General. I'll be passing that position onto Shamhazai. I mean, I won't have time for that while researching those three [Sacred Gears]."

"I'm sure Shamhazai wasn't thrilled with that decision." Ajuka said.

"Haha..." Azazel laughed dryly. "Well, I haven't told him yet. So..."