Every Devil in the chamber felt their expressions shift subtly.
The evidence had been conclusive. They'd found themselves in a position where they couldn't possibly deflect blame.
But now that Takeyo continued pressing the matter, they had no choice but to keep listening.
"I have a few words regarding the newly formed Peacekeeping Team of the Three Factions."
After a prolonged silence, another elder Devil stepped forward.
"I remember you... You belong to the Naberius Clan?"
Takeyo raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. I am Anthony Naberius of House Naberius."
The elder Devil offered a slight bow, impeccable etiquette, perfectly executed.
"Very well, Lord Anthony. May I ask... do you have any comments on the evidence of your crimes presented above?"
Takeyo didn't waste words. He simply displayed the man's dark history for all to see.
While not as severe as the previous offender's felonies, the charges were more than enough to warrant imprisonment for several millennia.
"This is, !"
After hearing Takeyo's words, everyone turned their attention skyward.
Sure enough, just like before, Anthony's crimes materialized directly before the entire assembly.
"Lord Anthony? Do you have any objections to the information presented? If you do, I can personally escort everyone to verify it on the spot. If you have no objections, I'll simply proceed according to the rules."
Takeyo smiled pleasantly.
From this point forward, every Devil present would probably question their own identity as Devils.
Because without question, Takeyo's behavior was more devilish than any of theirs. Absolutely ruthless.
"Tch."
A trace of contempt flickered in Anthony's eyes.
Under the expectant, suspicious, and entertained gazes of the crowd, a tyrannical surge of demonic power erupted from his body.
"As pure-blooded Devils, why should we submit to your mercy?!"
Countless magic circles materialized around him instantly.
However, aside from Ajuka, Takeyo truly feared no one when it came to magic circles.
[Forbidden Domain!]
Since he was merely observing without actively participating, the Forbidden Magic Domain could still function effectively.
"Why should you submit to my mercy? You'll understand soon enough."
Takeyo's lips curved upward. Did this Maou-class strength give him such confidence?
Did he think Takeyo could only handle Ultimate-Class Devils and couldn't deal with him?
"Let me make one thing clear first... Until today's agenda is concluded, no one leaves!"
Before the words had fully left his mouth, brilliant white-gold light overwhelmed everyone's vision.
The very essence of the Underworld gathered at this location.
[My... Liberation!]
[The origin that bears the world... the dragon among dragons...]
[World Dragon on which I ride, ascend to the pinnacle of dimensions, ]
[We who transcend the end shall cross beyond finality, ]
[Come to me with your brilliant radiance and galactic power!]
[Advent!]
[Kurma Incarnation, Overload!]
[World Dragon Kurma Over-Limit Form!]
Upon the white-gold and azure armor, one hand extended the sword that blazed with golden light, while the other held Est, now enhanced with both the Holy Sword of Stars and the Blade of Salvation.
The evolved Est could inflict devastating damage even against Transcendent-level Devils. A single stab would be enough to cause them severe problems, and that was without using any techniques, just the raw holy power alone.
"What did you say?"
Takeyo leveled the holy sword at Anthony's position. The overwhelming holy power made everyone present, including Sirzechs, take notice.
"Don't get ahead of yourself! The glory of pure-blooded Devils isn't something you can trample on! You damned human!"
Anthony completely dropped the gentleman's facade he'd been wearing.
He was absolutely certain that if Takeyo was allowed to bring everyone to verify the evidence, he would be convicted.
So... there was only one option left.
Kill Takeyo! Then relocate all the evidence before anyone could investigate his territory!
"Haaaaaa!"
He mobilized every ounce of demonic power in his body and unleashed what he believed to be an extraordinary spell.
At least... he thought it was extraordinary.
However, the bloodline and demonic power that pure-blooded Devils prided themselves on had absolutely no effect against Takeyo.
Anthony was activating his magic circle, but no matter what method he tried, it showed no signs of functioning.
"What?! What's happening?"
He looked around frantically. His magic circles weren't working?!
"What's happening is that you now have one more charge added to your list."
Takeyo shook his head.
He'd employed the simplest method available.
[Evil Eye of Temporal Dominion!]
Because using it casually couldn't perfectly freeze a Maou-class Devil in time, Takeyo had activated the [World Dragon Kurma] incarnation to enhance its effects.
In the horrified eyes of everyone present, the elder Devil Anthony was completely frozen, just like all the others before him.
Shlck!
Takeyo had always been an efficient person.
After the golden sword pierced its target, Anthony found himself in the same predicament as his predecessors.
"Grayfia... if you would."
Takeyo tossed the frozen Devil to Grayfia. Although this man was guilty, his crimes didn't warrant death.
Just another pure-blooded Devil, nothing more.
Anthony's fate completely awakened every Devil present to the reality of their situation. This had all been premeditated!
It was impossible to determine who would speak next, and Takeyo would either produce evidence of crimes and strike immediately, or have them imprisoned!
"Then... shall we continue? Does anyone else wish to speak?"
The platinum light illuminated the entire meeting venue. This time, no one uttered a word for thirty seconds.
"Ahem..."
Sirzechs cleared his throat, expressing the official position of the Four Great Satans.
This time, they were determined to eliminate the restless remnants of the Old Satan Faction.
"Takeyo, as the leader of the Peacekeeping Team jointly appointed by the Tripartite Treaty, has the authority to address all incidents within the Three Factions' territories that negatively impact the peace of the alliance."
Sirzechs spoke in an official tone.
"Additionally, you may take any appropriate action when encountering anything that violates the law, provided you submit a detailed report afterward. The specific legal regulations are still being finalized since the three parties remain in preliminary peace negotiations. For now, follow the existing rules."
After Sirzechs finished, Ajuka added his own remarks.
As for Serafall, she was far more direct.
"Go get 'em, Take-chan! Cut down all these immoral uncles and grandpas!"
She looked like she was about to pull out a cheerleading outfit and wave pom-poms for Takeyo.
Hmph! These guys who dared to bully Sona, their butts aren't clean anyway. They should be punished exactly like this!
After the three Satans expressed their positions, everyone turned their hopeful gazes toward the fourth, Falbium Asmodeus.
Falbium's response was characteristically authentic.
"Ahhhh..."
He simply yawned, then glanced at his watch as if checking the time.
Then... before everyone's disbelieving eyes, he lazily fell asleep.
"Well then, if no one wishes to speak, allow me to continue."
Takeyo's lips curved into a smile.
Haven't you figured it out yet?
Today's entire setup was designed for all of you!
Anyone brave enough to test me?
Not to mention the Four Great Satans and Grayfia, even Dulio and Tobio, who appeared to be standing by idly, were more than enough to handle any resistance.
Of course, the original plan had been for Takeyo to handle everything alone, so they wouldn't intervene unless something unexpected occurred.
"Today! Only the guilty will be judged! ...Do we understand each other?"
Takeyo's smile widened.
Sacred light capable of annihilating one's very origin blazed from the golden sword in his hand!
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for completing a plot check-in! Sign-in level: Gold!]
[Sign-in plot: The Reckoning of the Underworld]
[Plot description: Shock all the high-ranking figures of the Underworld!]
[Congratulations to the host for receiving the reward: Mechanical Species - Schwi]
[Mechanical Species - Schwi: Schwi Dola, the Ex-Machina that Riku Dola encountered during the Ancient War in the world of No Game No Life. She belongs to a race of mechanical beings called "Ex-Machina," possessing formidable combat capabilities and an arsenal of integrated weapons.
Her appearance is that of a human girl approximately ten years old. With pale white skin contrasting against her long, messy black hair and ruby-red eyes, she is an impeccably beautiful girl.
If not for the machinery visible throughout her body and the two pipeline-like tails...
But perhaps this is also a different kind of charm.]
Takeyo, having gained another little companion, felt his mood improve considerably.
Well, Schwi can form a stoic loli duo with Est. Those two could probably stare at each other in silence for an entire day.
After the demonstration, the remainder of the meeting took on a decidedly strange atmosphere.
Before every Devil on the first and second tiers now hung a golden sword.
Based on their previous observations, they already knew this was the golden sword capable of completely sealing their bloodline and demonic power.
Now, Takeyo would question each of them individually.
If someone had committed misdeeds, he would display their information for all to see. Never mind anything else, the golden sword had already sealed all their demonic power.
Then came the standard procedure.
If they admitted their guilt, things would be simple. They'd be handled according to regulations.
If they denied it, that was also simple. They'd go verify the evidence directly.
Even if someone had evidence of colluding with the Khaos Brigade, Takeyo could uncover it, providing corresponding audio and visual proof, or directly teleporting to the location to apprehend Brigade members.
Intelligence extraction in the Underworld wasn't particularly humane. After a few magical confession techniques, anyone would tell the truth.
After watching everyone who'd lied get caught, those who had planned to lie immediately abandoned the idea.
An hour later...
"Congratulations to all of you... you've all been cleared."
Takeyo smiled at the remaining high-ranking Devils.
In truth, being "cleared" didn't mean they were without flaws. Minor mistakes certainly existed, but pursuing such trivial matters served no purpose.
The truly dark elements could be eliminated, but eliminating every shade of gray wasn't worth the effort. If they did that, probably fewer than a handful of people in this room would remain.
"Whew..."
As Takeyo's voice fell, the enormous weight pressing on everyone's hearts finally lifted.
It had been torment. Pure torment.
The bloodline power they'd always taken such pride in had been utterly useless.
They'd been detained in their seats like prisoners awaiting trial, with golden swords hanging before them, blades that could strip away their pure-blooded Devil power at any moment.
Everyone had felt the Sword of Damocles suspended above their heads.
"So then, shall we continue with the agenda?"
"Does anyone else have something they'd like to say?"
Takeyo smiled as he spoke. This time his smile was genuine. Unfortunately, no one else saw it that way.
Below, whispered discussions broke out.
Among the forces that had opposed Takeyo, while very few in number, there were indeed some whose records were completely clean.
Their thoughts were relatively simple: they simply couldn't allow a human to lord over them.
But now it seemed... they all questioned whether the person before them was even human.
Takeyo: I am human. An Origin Human from another world.
"Ahem... This is the result of our discussions."
After some time, they finally reached a consensus.
A Devil stood up tremulously and cast a questioning glance toward Takeyo.
Takeyo nodded silently. It seemed he'd left a deep impression on them.
Ahem... That's fine too. At least those with inconsistent intentions won't try to scheme against me in the future.
"Regarding the newly formed Peacekeeping Team, we all agree that this initiative will benefit the Underworld's security and the unity of the Three Realms."
"In the coming years, we will do our utmost to cooperate with the Peacekeeping Team and the joint operations of the Three Factions, working together to build the alliance into the world's preeminent supernatural system."
"However, since the strength of Peacekeeping Team Captain Takeyo is not yet publicly known, I propose..."
This was their final struggle.