"Come on, why are you so far behind? What if the Witch return?" Diodora asked, glancing over his shoulder to see Rias and her Peerage purposefully keeping their distance. They were a few meters back, silent and wary. Diodora gestured for them to come closer with a warm, inviting smile.
But they weren't easily fooled.
Even Gasper, blindfolded as usual, could sense something was off. He clung nervously to Issei's back. The latter, blissfully unaware of the deeper tensions, welcomed the close contact—perhaps ignorance was a small mercy in times like this.
"Well, if that's how you feel, I won't insist," Diodora said with a shrug before turning forward again and continuing up the stairs.
Once they reached the ground floor, they found themselves inside what resembled an average European house, its elegant interior and antique decor mirrored the kind of architecture common in the Underworld, where many noble devils had inherited their taste in designs from humans.
Even Kuoh Academy had incorporated some western-style elements. The Principal, Crimson Satan himself had a taste for such aesthetics. Unlike his otaku younger sister, he favored refined design like these over Japanese influence.
So while Rias thought they were still in the Underworld, Issei considered the possibility that they were overseas. He wasn't exactly well-traveled; most of what he knew about foreign places came from a handful of English action movies he watched. So his knowledge isn't that much reliable than an instinct.
Rias exchanged a glance with Koneko, who gave a subtle nod. The small gesture was enough. Though Diodora had said they were alone, everyone remained vigilant.
The house was strangely silent, almost eerily so. But Rias took comfort in that silence as with the passing time, their powers were slowly returning. Once she fully recovers her strength, she would immediately teleport them all back to the Occult Research Club room.
"How did you find us?" Rias asked, her eyes scanning the hall and occasionally eyeing the rare antiques lining the walls. Diodora had said he came to rescue them but hadn't explained how. Normally, she wouldn't be so suspicious, but…
A rumor resurfaced in her mind. Something she once read on a small Undernet forum, a post claiming that someone from the Astaroth Clan had a twisted obsession with nuns. The post was deleted almost immediately, as if someone with a powerful background had buried it.
Rias hadn't believed it at the time. She thought it was just internet slander, like the kind found in the human world. But now, that memory returned, unbidden. A normal person might have shrugged it off as paranoia.
But Rias had read too many manga. Sure, she had once been a bit naive. But she had grown. Her outlook wasn't all rainbows and "happy-go-Japan" anymore.
"I understand your wariness but I was lucky," Diodora answered, feigning enthusiasm. "I simply did some little investigation on the witch, and managed to trace her here."
He didn't look back as he walked. Rias couldn't see his expression, but she could still remember the way his smile always unsettled her.
They had met a few times before, usually during family gatherings. She used to enjoy spending time with her brother, but looking back, she wondered if Sirzechs had only invited her so he could show off his "cool big brother" image as Crimson Satan. She wasn't complaining however.
"Lucky, huh?" Rias said, her voice carrying the faintest edge of sarcasm. "Showing up at the exact moment the Witch wasn't home, with the key in hand? You must have some *divine blessing*."
The more she thought about it, the more suspicious it all sounded. If Kousuke had been here, he might agree with her as well.
"I know it sounds ridiculous. I get it," Diodora replied with a light shrug. "But that's just how it happened."
His expression and tone made it seem like he was just as baffled as her. For a moment, Rias almost believed him but her instincts kept her rooted in doubt.
They eventually reached the door. Rias and her Peerage instinctively held their breath. Just beyond that simple wooden frame was freedom. All they had to do was step through. 'Just a little longer,' she thought, sensing her demonic energy was nearly back to normal.
Diodora stood outside and now turning his body around, facing them with that ever-present smile on his face. Bathed in warm sunlight, he almost looked heroic, like a savior extending a hand to a helpless maiden.
Rias furrowed her brow. And yet… nothing happened as they stepped outside. For a moment, she allowed herself to breathe.
It was then—
Fwoosh!
A swirl of purplish smoke erupted from the house, engulfing them before anyone could react.
The last thing Rias saw was Diodora's expression twisting. That polite smile dropped into something more sinister, a mocking, contemptuous grin. His eyes looked at them like trash.
At that moment, she knew. They had walked right into his trap and there was no escape from the very beginning.
---
When Rias regained her footing, she immediately shouted at her Peerage.
"Watch out, everyone!"
Her team instinctively moved, forming a tight circle with their backs to each other. No openings. No hesitation. It was a solid defense formation.
Clap! Clap!
"Admirable! Truly admirable!" came a voice filled with theatrical flair. "What great teamwork. Each one of you covering the other's blind spot, trusting your comrades with your backs, now that's beautiful!"
They turned toward the voice.
A young man stood there, handsome and composed, with short black hair and sharp blue eyes. He wore a bizarre yet elegant combination of a Japanese school uniform and traditional Chinese hanfu, giving him an exotic and charismatic appearance. Resting casually on his shoulder was a spear that radiated overwhelming power.
Its design was intricate, golden metal spirals shaped like arrow tips coiled around it in a double-helix pattern. Anyone with knowledge of Sacred Gears would immediately recognize it.
"However, that's still nowhere near enough to defeat me—the strongest human in history, the Great Cao Cao!"
"With the True Longinus by my side, I am unstoppable!"
Cao Cao declared with absolute confidence. As he spoke, Rias and her Peerage could feel an intense pressure weighing down on their shoulders.
Those weren't the eyes of a human. They were the eyes of a top predator.
"Unfortunately for you, this is where your story ends. You'll be the first sacrifices in our grand crusade to *eliminate all supernatural threats* to the human race! Be grateful that your meaningless lives becomes our stepping stone!"
As he raised his weapon, Rias noticed movement in the distance. They were surrounded. Dozens of figures emerged from the shadows. It was the Hero Faction.
And among them, she recognized one of the faces.
"So you were with them all along," Rias muttered, glaring at Diodora Astaroth. The traitorous devil simply smiled and waved at her. But this time, there was no warmth in his smile. Only clear disdain.