"Understood, Diodora. I'll defeat you head-on, so you can be satisfied."
Takeyo's lips curved into a slight smile.
He knew Diodora had come prepared, the snake had probably stockpiled countless contingencies. Using underhanded means wasn't beneath someone like him.
But according to Takeyo's calculations, in the original timeline, the first Rating Game match had been scheduled after the Gremory peerage completed their training. That meant at least two weeks to a month from now.
By then, his injuries would have fully healed.
And really, once he could access his original incarnation's full power, why would he fear Diodora?
"It is an honor for me to compete with Your Excellency Takeyo," Diodora said, bowing gracefully with practiced elegance. "I believe I will demonstrate the strength worthy of winning Lady Sitri's heart."
Behind that polished smile, darker thoughts churned. Takeyo, you worthless human who stole my Asia! Just wait to be destroyed!
"Then it's decided," Sirzechs announced diplomatically. "In the first round: Sona versus Diodora, Rias versus Zephyrdor, and Sairaorg versus Seekvaira."
Well, that would do. Though Sirzechs would naturally support Rias, he also recognized that Takeyo couldn't simply abandon Sona.
"No objections," Ajuka said, a knowing smile playing at his lips.
In truth, he'd long noticed something abnormal about Diodora, the heir to his own native Astaroth clan. But given Takeyo's strength, if Diodora wanted any chance of winning, he'd have to reveal every trick up his sleeve. Ajuka would simply observe when the time came.
Of course, he was also certain that even if Diodora showed everything he had, he still wouldn't be Takeyo's match.
"I agree! Sona-chan will definitely win!" Serafall raised her hand energetically, practically bouncing in her seat.
"...Agreed," Falbium muttered. Whatever. You're all free to decide. I'm just the tool who says yes.
"Then that's settled."
Takeyo's eyes narrowed as Falbium finished speaking. An exclamation mark materialized above Diodora's head, visible only to him.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for triggering a plot sign-in! Sign-in rank: Diamond!]
[Sign-in Plot: Diodora's End.]
[Plot Description: A pervert who enjoys tormenting nuns actually targeted the host's woman? Does such a person deserve to exist? Destroy Diodora and his dependents!]
[Sign-in time limit: 60 days.]
[Remaining time: 60 days.]
At this notification, Takeyo cast a placid glance toward Diodora.
Hmm... Tool Man. You can go with confidence.
After finalizing the tournament brackets, Rias, Sona, and their respective peerages took their leave.
Only Sairaorg remained, staying behind at Takeyo's subtle signal. Grayfia guided him to a seat as the assembly continued.
Some wanted to question Sairaorg's presence, but they all assumed the next topic would concern the Peacekeeping Force, and Sairaorg had apparently joined that organization. Since he was a relevant party, there was no problem with him staying.
"So then," Takeyo smiled at the assembled devils, "shall we proceed to the main business?"
Just before Rias and the others had departed, Takeyo had handed a list to the Four Great Satans for circulation.
Now, judging by Sirzechs's darkening expression, the Maou Lucifer was not in a good mood.
Because the list Takeyo had provided was a catalog of serious crimes. Collusion with foreign enemies. Prohibited experiments. Human trafficking. Brainwashing. Mind control. And more.
If these criminals hadn't belonged to established noble houses, Sirzechs would have assumed they were terrorists.
After giving Takeyo a look that said handle it as you see fit, Sirzechs continued reviewing the list. Every time he read another name, he would glance at the corresponding person in the assembly.
If he didn't look now, he might not get another chance after today.
"This meeting will address the Peacekeeping Force that Lord Takeyo leads," an elder devil announced, rising from his seat. Spectacles glinted on his aged face, and a thick stack of materials rested in his hands, clearly prepared in advance. "Our topic is: discussing the necessity of the Peacekeeping Force and the appropriate influence of devils within it."
"Very well. No objections."
Takeyo glanced at him once, then said nothing more. He simply conjured a golden sword and hurled it directly at the speaker.
"What?!"
Thanks to some forewarning instinct, the devil reacted quickly. Several magic circles materialized around him in rapid succession.
"Hmph."
Takeyo shook his head and glanced at those defensive barriers. Every magic circle vanished instantly.
Thunk!
The golden sword embedded itself in the old devil's chest. Golden particles dispersed through his body, and he collapsed.
Of course, Takeyo wouldn't kill him, at least not until his crimes had been proven publicly.
"Let me see..." Takeyo mused aloud. "Lauren Naberius of the House of Naberius, correct?"
He spoke the elder devil's name with casual precision.
"I accept the issue you raised. However, could you first explain something to me?"
Takeyo used projection magic to display his evidence in the center of the circular conference hall. Documents, records, images, all materialized in the air for everyone to see.
"Selling and producing drugs with addictive effects on devils. Conducting illegal biochemical transformations on monsters and devils. Devouring the talents of other devils and monsters to enhance your own bloodline."
He paused, letting the weight of the accusations settle.
"You people are quite capable, aren't you?"
Takeyo's eyes narrowed as he regarded the devil sprawled on the ground.
The moment those words left his mouth, every devil who had been preparing to speak in Lauren's defense immediately sat back down. This wasn't something they could get involved in. They absolutely couldn't...
Because Lauren Naberius had been sealed by Takeyo's golden sword. His blood and demonic power were completely suppressed. Right now, he was no stronger than an ordinary adult human.
Worse, because his body had grown accustomed to enormous power, he probably couldn't even win a fistfight against a normal man. His physical coordination was completely disrupted.
"Then, according to the treaty signed at the tripartite peace talks, I, Takeyo, as Captain of the Peacekeeping Force, will judge you in accordance with the laws of the Underworld."
Takeyo's voice carried absolute authority.
"There are no objections, I trust?"
He remembered this family well. The House of Naberius was the clan that had adopted Koneko and Kuroka before. Apparently, even after all these years, they remained utterly contemptible.
Using the power of Black Sky Krishna, facing opponents this weak, Takeyo could extract nearly all their information effortlessly.
Otherwise, with incomplete knowledge, the golden swords he forged wouldn't have been able to seal their bloodlines so perfectly.
These materials weren't fabricated. They'd been pulled directly from the river of time itself and transcribed onto physical documents.
Lauren Naberius trembled violently. Then suddenly, a glimmer of desperate hope appeared in his eyes.
"These are all forgeries! The House of Naberius has never done anything like this!"
He denied everything categorically. Crimes like these couldn't be acknowledged under any circumstances!
"Oh?"
Takeyo shook his head. Things had already progressed this far, was there really any point in arguing?
Don't worry. You won't be alone today. Many others will keep you company.
"If you want evidence, I'll give you evidence."
Platinum and azure light blazed from Takeyo's body!
[Sacred Heart of the True World Dragon! Forbidden!]
[Kurma Dragon Balance Breaker!]
Takeyo stretched one hand toward the sky.
Just as everyone wondered what he was doing, they suddenly felt a violent shift in space-time!
The entire conference building had been relocated!
They looked down. The original foundation was gone! Below them stretched a magnificent castle.
Those with sharp eyes recognized it immediately, this was a castle belonging to the House of Naberius!
"Since you want proof, I'll give you proof."
Takeyo's voice remained calm. Really, did you think you were at Ophis's level? Only when facing existences like Ophis do I receive essentially no information.
Even as a transcendent being, he could obtain most information if he used his full strength.
The omniscient power of Black Sky Krishna paired perfectly with his golden swords.
Hearing Takeyo's words, Lauren Naberius's eyes filled with horror.
He knew exactly what lay hidden within his family's territory. He recognized this location immediately, because this was their largest experimental facility!
"Rise."
At Takeyo's command, magic circles flared to life, teleporting all uninvolved parties to safety.
Those who were implicated, however, found themselves pressed to the ground by the overwhelming power of the Underworld Grand Formation!
Even their vaunted demonic power and bloodline abilities proved useless. All their strength was being drained into the formation below!
Though the Underworld Grand Formation wasn't yet complete, and still struggled against truly transcendent beings, dealing with High-Class and Ultimate-Class devils was child's play.
Watching Takeyo wield the Grand Formation with such proficiency, Sirzechs couldn't help glancing at Ajuka.
Ajuka could only offer a helpless look in return. How was he supposed to know? He'd only given Takeyo access to the formation today, yet the young man had already achieved basic mastery!
Ahem... It's none of my business. I don't know anything.
He touched his nose and looked away.
BOOM!
As the formation expanded, Takeyo effortlessly tore open the earth, fully exposing the underground experimental facility to everyone's view!
"This is...?!"
Everyone recoiled in shock at the hellscape revealed before them.
The deep earth had been stained crimson. They could sense what that red color represented.
Blood. The blood of humans, devils, monsters, and even fallen angels.
Originally, these bloodstains had been sealed by concealment magic circles. They would never have been discovered before the extinction of the Naberius clan.
But Takeyo had taken one look and destroyed every sealing circle in an instant.
That thick, nauseating miasma radiated outward like a physical force.
"Truly an act worthy of being called the scum of devilkind," Sairaorg growled, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
So he'd made the right choice in accepting Takeyo's invitation!
"Now then... does anyone object to my handling of this matter?"
Takeyo surveyed the assembled devils, his eyes narrowed. This was only the beginning.
The current level of deterrence wasn't nearly enough.
"No objections! Boss is amazing!" Tobio raised his hand, cheering for Takeyo with exaggerated enthusiasm. He'd been transported here along with the others when Takeyo relocated the building.
"This is divine punishment as well. Amen." Dulio smiled serenely, offering a prayer.
Some devils bristled at the angel's words, but Dulio didn't particularly care.
"Go down and join your accomplices."
Takeyo stepped forward and personally threw Lauren Naberius from the elevated platform. With his power completely sealed, the old devil couldn't even deploy his devil wings to slow his fall.
CRASH!
He smashed into the blood-soaked ground, creating a deep crater.
"Just disappear like this."
Takeyo spoke without emotion.
Under the gazes of every devil present, blazing white light erupted from the Underworld Grand Formation!
This was the formation's offensive function when facing enemies!
Including Lauren Naberius, who had just been thrown down, all the sinners in that place vanished within the brilliant white light!
"..."
Everyone swallowed hard. No one dared speak in defense of the condemned.
They knew these people had brought this upon themselves!
"Then... shall we continue? There are more places like this."
Takeyo's lips curved as white-gold light blazed again. The entire assembly was transported to another of Naberius's experimental facilities.
With each flash of white light from the Grand Formation, the House of Naberius was erased from devil history forever.
"Now then... shall we return to our topic?" Takeyo asked with a pleasant smile after all was done. "It was about the Peacekeeping Force, wasn't it?"
Silence.
No one dared utter another word against him.
☆☆☆
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