Chapter 1257 Defense part 2

Serafall was currently in central Tokyo where she was managing all of the monitors that she had, 'So Claire-chan joined up with those guys. But to think that there's a problem with the information logistics... I shouldn't have left it to them.'

Though she didn't really have a choice but to rely on Soul Society with a different set of cultures since she was already too busy with setting up her own information network in the Human World.

'The Vatican also needed all the help they could receive and I couldn't really just leave them to their own devices in case they became hostile to the Devils.' Serafall sighed to herself while continuously reading the reports that were coming in from the West. Since she was the one who was teaching them how to use Holy Power, it's not as effective as those who are truly aligned with Heaven but it's better than nothing and it's still a very good method to make effective weapons against beings of Spirit and Magic.

Still, Serafall wasn't sure if all of this was enough, 'I told Ki-tan that I'll follow him in a week... But frankly, that's only because that's the longest we can hold off these non-ending bugs. No matter how strong we are individually, there are just really too few of us. If it comes down to it... I would have no choice but to start that.' Serafall was considering all the possibilities and his eyes landed on both Claire and Aizen who are displayed on two different screens. While they have the ability to fight against very strong opponents, there's a limit to what they can do against an army that doesn't run out, 'If only we had a large army, this would be a lot easier.'

'It's already problematic enough back at home. I hope this isn't too much to add.' Serafall thought to herself with a wry smile.

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Claire, Ichigo, Uryu, and Chad met up with the Fullbringers and Quincies that had gathered after the latter three contacted them.

Among the Fullbringers, all the members of Xcution except for those who died and are currently in Soul Society are present, namely, Riruka Dokugamine, Jackie Tristan, and Yukio Hans Vorarlberna.

On the Quincies' side, meanwhile, Ichigo and Chad were surprised to see some individuals.

"Bazz B and Askin Nakk Le Vaar!?" Ichigo exclaimed, "You two are alive!?"

Bazz B immediately started scratching his head in annoyance, "Keep it down will ya? No need to shout."

Ichigo immediately turned to Uryu and Uryu fixed his glasses as he explained, "Before Haschwalth succumbed to his injuries, he asked me to take care of the surviving members of the Sternritter. Kurotsuchi was dangerously eyeing the surviving Quincies at the end of the war so I had no choice but to hide their existence until now. I couldn't even ask Inoue to heal them because I was afraid that he'd find them so they had to survive their injuries while relying on Human World medical technology."

Upon the mention of Mayuri, all the Quincy girls shuddered and this became a testament to the horror he presented to them, 'Uryu indeed made the right choice...' Both Ichigo and Chad thought.

Ichigo calmed himself and asked, "Where are the rest? I'm pretty sure that there are more of you."

"Ryuken is managing them along with Haschwalth's aide. They have been quietly integrating themselves in the Human World but they had no choice but to reappear considering the scenario." Uryu answered him again.

Askin, who has been quietly observing everyone noticed Claire's stare of wonder, "Do I know you, kid?"

Claire shook her head but answered, "No. But I heard that you gave Kisuke-niichan and Yoruichi-neechan a hard time."

Ichigo, Uryu, and Chad were surprised once again by her mentioning another name Askin's eyes went wide open, "You are?"

Claire smiled and happily introduced himself, "I'm Claire Belial! Kisuke-niichan's niece. I call him big brother though."

"N-niece?" Askin stuttered, "Wait... From what I recall, he doesn't have any blood relatives. And by the way, he gave me a hard time. It's a miracle that I actually survived."

Claire continued smiling and said, "It's complicated. For now, let's discuss a relevant topic. Uryu-niisan, please tell them the current state of affairs."

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"No wonder I can't feel the presence of those bastards." Baaz B was the first one to react after hearing Uryu's briefing, "So it wasn't just this place, huh? And there are so many things that made no sense so it was related to this Magic that I've been hearing about."

"Setting aside that Magic is not making any sense, our goal here is to defend the shelters and kill as many of these bugs as possible." Claire took back the lead of the conversation.

The Fullbringers and Quincies had questions about why a young girl like her was taking the lead, but she had this indescribable aura of a leader that it's hard to voice out those opinions.

In the midst of this, Liltotto raised her hand.

"Yes, Liltotto-neechan."

"How are you hiding all of these people? I checked out the 'shelter' earlier but no one was there. Not a single soul."

Everyone turned their eyes on Claire but the latter just calmly responded, "It'll be hard to explain but all of these supposed 'shelters' are just a gateway to another artificial dimension where it's a lot safer and wider. It's similar to the fake Karakura Town from years ago if that's easier to understand."

"It's similar to my ability?" Yukio muttered to himself.

"I see. Thank you for clarifying. I was just wondering if you're doing something else."

"It's fine. But we have to protect these gateways since they also act as anchors to the artificial dimensions for their stability. Without them, the contents of these dimensions will spill out. You can imagine what sort of disastrous scene would unfold if that were to happen."

At that moment, a Magic Circle suddenly appeared in front of Claire which surprised everyone.

Claire's expression, however, became serious as she touched the circle and Serafall's voice emerged from it, [Claire-chan, you've got the strongest group. I'll send you the coordinates where there's a large number of enemies and I'd like you to deal with them.]

"Understood. Have they arrived?"

[Yes. And you'll be going there first.]