"Interesting… he did that deliberately. So he knows everything, it seems."
Sona mused quietly, intrigue flickering behind her glasses.
Then she spoke aloud.
"Of course, Gilgamesh-san. Where have you been these past two days? The school staff attempted to contact your residence, but no one answered."
In truth, it had not been the teachers who called.
It had been Reya.
Gilgamesh did not know the identity of the caller, but he had sensed the connection attempt the previous day. What Sona did not know was that Gilgamesh had remained at home the entire time.
His location had been masked.
While he could not rival the current Beelzebub's mastery, Gilgamesh's advanced mind had allowed him to reconstruct a crude variation of Kankara's Formula, sufficient to distort ordinary tracking spells.
"Excuse me — are you intentionally ignoring me, Gilgamesh? Isn't that rude?"
Before Gilgamesh could respond to Sona, Rias spoke.
Her tone carried clear offense.
Her pride had been wounded.
She was the heiress of House Gremory — being ignored was something she had never experienced.
And so it happened.
The temperature in the room dropped.
Not gradually.
Instantly.
A suffocating cold spread across the room as Gilgamesh released a fragment of his power.
Breath condensed into visible mist.
This was not ice magic.
Not elemental influence.
It was killing intent.
Pure.
Unfiltered.
Unrestrained.
Death.
Destruction.
Domination.
Tear flesh. Spill blood. Break bones. Burn everything.
Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill.
The atmosphere became unbearable.
Veteran devils managed to endure the pressure, though fear still crawled across their skin.
But Riruko — newly reincarnated — trembled uncontrollably, her body betraying her as panic overtook her mind.
Koneko also reacted instinctively, her Nekoshou instincts flaring in response to the predator before her.
Akeno and Kiba froze.
Their legs trembled.
Their bodies felt like prey before a monster.
Rias's eyes widened.
Her skin paled.
Her body stiffened like stone.
Fear overtook her beautiful face as her pupils trembled and her jaw parted slightly.
Everyone stared at Gilgamesh.
The source of that overwhelming killing intent.
His polite expression had vanished.
In its place remained a cold, emotionless face — eyes devoid of warmth, resembling a corpse rather than a living man.
Slowly…
He turned toward Rias.
Their gazes met.
Crimson eyes.
Reptilian vertical slit.
It felt as though those eyes gripped her heart, ready to crush it at any moment.
Then—
The pressure vanished.
As if it had never existed.
But no one mistook it for illusion.
They had all felt it.
"My apologies for overreacting," Gilgamesh said calmly, resting his cheek against his hand.
"But if you wish to blame someone… blame the spoiled princess over there."
"What do you mean by that, Gilgamesh?"
Rias dropped all honorifics.
Her voice wavered between anger and unease.
"I mean exactly what I said, little princess."
"Stop mocking me! I demand—"
"Respect?" Gilgamesh interrupted, voice flat.
"In your dreams, foolish girl. What exactly do you possess that would earn my respect?"
His gaze sharpened.
"Your status as my senior? A high school title means nothing. You merely pretend to be a proper student while neglecting your responsibilities."
A brief glance shifted toward Sona.
"At least the other princess takes her duties seriously."
"And your noble heritage? The heiress of House Gremory?"
A sharp breath echoed through the room.
The provocation was merciless.
Yet Rias did not question how he knew.
Her pride overpowered curiosity.
"What are you even saying? Stop speaking nonsense or—"
"Or what? Kill me?"
Gilgamesh's smile turned cold.
"A wasted existence like you dares challenge me?"
"If your brother — the one who ascended as Lucifer and stands among the strongest beings alive — wished to fight me, I would welcome it."
His voice lowered.
"That would be a worthy battle."
"But you?"
"A delusional child hiding behind family prestige, ignoring the responsibilities of your station."
His eyes hardened.
"Wake up. Reality is not sunshine and rainbows crafted by your naive imagination."
Rias could not respond.
Words failed her.
Sona and her peerage stared in stunned silence.
He had insulted the current Lucifer's sister directly.
Yet none could dismiss his confidence.
That killing intent…
Only the truly powerful could manifest such overwhelming presence.
Still, the Occult Research Club was filled with emotional youths.
Instead of calculating the danger like Sona's group, they reacted instinctively.
"Stop disrespecting my King, Gilgamesh. Do not blame us if we respond harshly."
Akeno stepped forward, hostility clear in her expression.
"You?" Gilgamesh replied coldly.
"A girl crippled by unresolved paternal hatred dares challenge me?"
"Shut up! You know nothing about me!"
Gilgamesh ignored her entirely and returned his gaze to Rias.
Rias's expression had changed.
The moment his attention left her, clarity returned.
She understood something important.
She could not win.
And she could not risk her servants being harmed.
Gilgamesh's strength was undeniable.
So she spoke — quietly.
"Gilgamesh-kun… what did I do to make you oppose me like this?"
She sought peace.
Believing herself innocent.
Believing her actions had remained hidden.
But Rias had lived a protected life.
Her plans lacked depth.
Her achievements relied heavily on the protection of family.
She underestimated him.
"BUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Gilgamesh burst into laughter.
Loud.
Unrestrained.
Mocking.
And in that moment—
Without realizing it—
Rias had only dug her grave deeper.
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