Takeyo wanted to preserve as much combat power as possible for the conflicts ahead. Of course, certain individuals like Hades could be disposed of immediately.
Goodbye, don't let the door hit you on the way out. You can rest in peace now.
"What happened with Rizevim?"
Ajuka frowned, his usually composed demeanor showing cracks of concern as he studied Takeyo's troubled expression.
In all their time together, Ajuka had never seen his student display such visible worry.
"I know Rizevim is our enemy, but we haven't captured him yet. I hope we can extract as much information as possible from him before his execution."
"Why the sudden urgency?" Ajuka asked, leaning forward with genuine curiosity.
"Because he must be killed, eliminated completely." Takeyo's eyes held a dangerous light as he spoke.
"Isn't it true that Sirzechs has been gathering powerful warriors without Sacred Gears specifically to counter Rizevim's neutralization ability? Of course, if you prefer not to handle it personally, once we locate him, I can take care of the execution myself."
The appearance of Nyx, the Greek Goddess of Night, had clarified something critical for Takeyo. Many elements of this world no longer followed the trajectory he'd anticipated based on his knowledge of the original story.
Perhaps Rizevim might go completely insane tomorrow and summon the Beast Emperor at the cost of his own life? Although that possibility seemed remote enough to discount...
"I understand that Rizevim must be eliminated," Ajuka said, his analytical mind already working through the implications. "But why this sudden intensity? Why are you so anxious about the timeline?"
Ajuka studied Takeyo with penetrating focus.
Though he had suspicions forming in his mind, he needed confirmation directly from his student.
"Because in the future, he will commit acts that endanger the entire world's safety." Takeyo met his teacher's gaze without flinching.
"Endanger the entire world's safety?" Ajuka's expression grew serious. "I see. Is this predicted by your apocalyptic precognition ability?"
"Yes, you could interpret it that way."
The so-called "apocalypse" ability was, in reality, just a combination of Takeyo's knowledge from the original plot merged with his own exceptional computational and analytical capabilities.
"Understood. Then I'll discuss this with Sirzechs immediately." Ajuka didn't doubt Takeyo's warning for even a moment.
Originally, Rizevim had been their designated enemy regardless. Now that they knew he posed a potential catastrophic threat to the entire world's future, eliminating him became an even higher priority.
"Takeyo-sama?"
Just after Ajuka departed, the voice of a silver-haired maid echoed from behind him.
"Are you worried about your brother?"
Takeyo turned to face Grayfia, understanding immediately whom she referenced.
"No, I'm not concerned about him at all. I just want to kill him myself."
Grayfia's silver-gray eyes held unwavering determination.
Euclid Lucifuge, Grayfia Lucifuge's younger brother. According to her intelligence network, he had betrayed the Devil faction alongside Rizevim.
"Are you certain you're capable of defeating him?"
Takeyo's lips curved into a knowing smile. He remembered that in the original timeline, Euclid could compete with Grayfia through his own strength alone.
Grayfia's interest in Rizevim's activities stemmed from her desire to extract information about Euclid from him.
"I will eliminate him if we encounter each other," Takeyo said with quiet finality.
He genuinely wanted to kill Euclid as well.
The reason was simple: Euclid was a complete pervert.
In the original plot, Euclid was the ultimate sister-obsessed deviant who wanted to possess his own sibling. He wielded a gauntlet created from Issei's corpse that could forcibly activate a pseudo-Balance Breaker transformation mimicking the Red Dragon Emperor. He even attempted to assault Rossweisse as a "replacement" for his sister before being defeated and captured alive by Issei.
Unfortunately, Takeyo lacked Issei's talk-no-jutsu abilities. So direct elimination seemed like the optimal solution.
In this world of High School DxD, most gods and powerful beings relied heavily on magic, which meant they were effectively hard-countered by Takeyo's unique capabilities.
"If you do encounter him, feel free to act as you see fit."
Grayfia paused for several seconds before responding with firm resolution.
Her feelings toward Euclid remained complicated. While romantic love between them obviously didn't exist, sibling affection certainly did. Otherwise, Issei wouldn't have bothered capturing Euclid alive in the original timeline despite his heinous actions.
"By the way, Takeyo-sama, there's something I wanted to remind you about."
Grayfia continued, her professional demeanor reasserting itself.
"Oh?"
"Regarding your Rating Game scheduled in the coming days, while your victory is already assured based on your capabilities, something unusual has emerged concerning your opponent, Lord Diodora."
This was actually Grayfia's primary reason for seeking out Takeyo.
Serafall had come to observe the descendants of the True Leviathan bloodline. After Katerea had been eliminated by Takeyo, there were no known surviving descendants remaining.
As for Grayfia, besides that inspection, her most important task was warning Takeyo about this irregularity.
"What kind of unusual behavior?"
Takeyo wasn't surprised in the slightest. He'd always suspected Diodora had contingency plans. Otherwise, the arrogant fool wouldn't have been so brazenly provocative.
Takeyo had already analyzed nearly every possible scenario Diodora might attempt.
However, by the time of the Rating Game, his injuries would be fully recovered. His power level should reach the late-stage or peak of High-Class Devil status.
"Lord Diodora has undoubtedly learned about your capabilities through various intelligence channels, yet he appears completely confident in his victory."
"He hasn't even provided special training for his peerage members. He simply indulges in entertainment at home every day. This behavior is highly abnormal."
Grayfia's voice carried serious weight.
A suspicion had formed in her mind, Diodora might have colluded with forces outside the Devil faction.
"I understand. Thank you for the warning. Regardless of who my opponent is, I'm confident in achieving victory." Takeyo's expression remained calm and assured.
He knew far more than Grayfia suspected. At minimum, he could confirm with absolute certainty that Diodora was a traitor to the Devil faction.
"Very well..." Grayfia sighed with a hint of helplessness.
"Then I have official duties requiring my attention, so I'll take my leave now, Takeyo-sama."
After delivering a proper bow, Grayfia departed to handle her responsibilities.
"She really is incredibly serious when in maid mode," Takeyo murmured, watching her dignified exit with a wry smile.
"Yeah! Yang-chan also thinks Grayfia is way too serious!"
The moment his words finished, Serafall suddenly appeared beside him, bouncing with characteristic energy.
"Being serious is actually conducive to improved work efficiency, isn't it? I recall that among the Four Maou, your workload is the lightest, Serafall."
Takeyo delivered the teasing observation with a grin.
Among the Four Great Satans, Serafall's responsibilities were indeed the most minimal.
She primarily handled diplomatic relations. Because the Devil faction had previously maintained an isolationist policy, her actual workload remained relatively light. Though that might change significantly in the near future.
For example, next semester she would be conducting negotiations with the Youkai of the Kyoto region.
"Hmph! Yang-chan isn't cute at all! Sona-chan would never fall for a boy like you!"
Serafall puffed out her cheeks in exaggerated protest.
Why was he defending Grayfia's work ethic? Weren't they supposed to be on the same team?
"Ah, you don't need to concern yourself with that particular matter." Takeyo's smile widened slightly.
"Speaking of which, the agreed meeting time between Sona and myself is tomorrow."
Takeyo touched his chin thoughtfully.
From Sona's perspective, her parents had essentially manipulated circumstances for her benefit.
Worried about her falling behind in the competition with Rias for Takeyo's affection, they'd deliberately agreed to Diodora's marriage proposal as a strategy to publicly declare Sona's "claimed" status before all Devil society.
The tactic had proven remarkably effective. After that particular gathering, no other families attempted to arrange marriage proposals with the Sitri Clan.
Simultaneously, the Devil faction's power brokers had gained newfound respect for Diodora. After all, hadn't they witnessed him psychologically demolish the second son of the Phoenix family into near-catatonic autism?
After hearing Takeyo's explanation, Serafall stood frozen in stunned silence.
"Huh?!"
Why hadn't Sona-chan mentioned anything about this to her?
Did Sona-chan know she had official duties scheduled for tomorrow, so she'd arranged this meeting with Takeyo during her absence specifically to do something she didn't want her older sister to witness?
"Anyway, the patient needs rest now. Visiting hours are officially over. You can leave." Takeyo unceremoniously began pushing Serafall toward the door.
He'd just conceived of a potential method for awakening Ingvild from her affliction.
"Hey! Hey! Hey!" Serafall protested with increasingly loud complaints.
However, Takeyo had already established magical barriers at the entrance. No sound could penetrate from either direction.
"Azazel? You should probably leave as well. I'm going to attempt something that might rescue her from this condition."
Takeyo addressed the Fallen Angel Governor who remained in the room, still observing Ingvild with scientific curiosity.
"Oh? You're getting down to business? I understand, I understand..."
Azazel flashed a knowing smile that every adult man recognized, radiating the particular amusement characteristic of the Fallen Angel faction's leader.
"Boom!"
At the window, Azazel unfurled his twelve jet-black fallen angel wings and rapidly departed through the opening.
"Seriously..." Takeyo exhaled with exasperation.
Am I really that kind of person in your perception?
He turned his attention to the unconscious girl on the hospital bed, magical light flickering around his hand as a golden chess piece materialized.
"Reincarnation should be possible even when the subject lacks conscious will. After all, I successfully reincarnated Issei under similar circumstances."
Takeyo didn't hesitate. He immediately initiated the reincarnation ceremony.
His God's Favor chess piece possessed the unique function of transforming the reincarnated individual into the race form that suited them optimally. Regardless of who received reincarnation, the process dramatically strengthened their fundamental origin.
If her origin became strengthened, perhaps the narcolepsy would be cured?
Of course, under ideal circumstances, Takeyo estimated only about fifty percent probability of success.
"Whoosh..."
The God's Favor chess piece merged seamlessly into Ingvild's body.
"Exactly as I hypothesized. The original Leviathan bloodline is evolving, or perhaps more accurately, undergoing atavistic regression."
Using the combined powers of Black Heaven Krishna and his Karmic Eye, Takeyo could easily observe the transformations occurring within Ingvild's physical structure.
"Mm?"
After more than ten minutes spent establishing and configuring the automatic operational system for the chess piece integration, Takeyo noticed subtle movement from Ingvild!
Her eyelids twitched.
From the moment her vital signs began showing active responsiveness, Takeyo knew with certainty that she was definitely going to awaken.
"Mmm..." Ingvild murmured softly.
After her long eyelashes fluttered for several moments, she finally managed to open her eyes with tremendous effort.
"You're awake?"
Takeyo could sense her current vitality burning far more intensely than before. Her power had elevated from High-Class Devil strength directly to Ultimate-Class Devil tier.
As a Sacred Gear wielder, she'd achieved remarkable fundamental power. Since the primary strength of Sacred Gear users derived from their artifact development rather than base capabilities, reaching this level placed her among the top tier of wielders.
"Mmm... You are... You are... Mister Dragon?"
Ingvild spoke with slight confusion.
Though she'd been brainwashed and controlled by Nyx, the Greek Goddess of Night, she retained fragmented memories from the period under mental domination.
She knew this handsome young man had rescued her from the goddess's control.
"Just call me Takeyo." He smiled gently at her.
This was the first time anyone had addressed him as "Mister Dragon."
"The sleeping sickness afflicting your body has been cured." Takeyo's voice carried reassuring certainty.
"Huh?" Ingvild's eyes widened slightly.
She checked her own physical condition. Indeed, the perpetual sensation of weakness and drowsiness that had plagued her existence had completely vanished!
"However, this wasn't accomplished without cost. I cured your illness by transforming you into one of my Devil servants through reincarnation."
Takeyo continued his explanation.
"There was no other way... I must have caused considerable trouble for you, Takeyo-san, during my unconscious period?"
Ingvild offered a weak, apologetic smile.
Though her sleeping sickness had disappeared, years of habitual behavior patterns meant her smile still carried that characteristically fragile and delicate quality.
"Not particularly. It's only been half a day since the incident."
Takeyo handed her a plate of sliced apple pieces.
"Thank you, Takeyo-san..."
Ingvild appeared momentarily flustered before accepting the apple slices from his hand.
"Just call me Takeyo, or Takeyo-kun if you prefer."
Takeyo shook his head with gentle insistence.
She really was an exceptionally soft-natured girl. Her personality embodied extreme gentleness and fragility.
"Um... Okay!... Takeyo-kun."
Ingvild displayed a smile radiating genuine warmth from her heart.
She hadn't shown this particular expression in a very long time.
☆☆☆
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