[Kiba's Perspective]
"Looks like everyone who's able to fight is here."
Azazel-sensei's gaze swept over us as he spoke.
The members of the 'D×D' task force had been summoned once again, this time to the heart of the Underworld: the Lucifer Castle. The assembly was a sea of power: the Gremory, Sitri, Bael, and Agares peerages; Vali's Team; Dulio and Irina representing Heaven; the Slash Dog team and Reya from the Fallen Angels; and finally—Issei-kun's peerage, standing tall even in the absence of the Welsh Dragon himself.
Sairaorg Bael was the first to break the silence. "Any word on Hyoudou Issei?"
"None," Rias replied. Her voice was steady, but there was a flicker of shadow in her eyes. "It seems it will take a little longer for Issei to wake."
"I see…" Sairaorg rumbled.
Even now, with the decisive battle looming, Issei-kun showed no signs of regaining consciousness. I had stopped by to see him before coming here. I spoke to him, but… there was no response. Just a heavy, silent sleep.
Despite that, Rias—our former President—stood tall. She addressed the room with a dignified expression that brooked no doubt.
"There is no need for worry. Issei would never let the world fall while he slept. He will come. We believe in him, heart and soul."
We all nodded firmly. Her conviction was infectious.
Sairaorg offered a rare, small smile at our reaction. "Fair enough. That man isn't the type to sit out a crisis like this. If you believe in him, then I shall stand on the front lines and believe in him too. Still… Rias?"
"Yes?"
"Why is your face so red? It's been bothering me since you arrived."
Rias went dead silent.
In truth, I'd been wondering the same thing. When we met up, I noticed both Rias and Alice-san were flushed and looking distinctly teary-eyed. I'd considered asking, but a primal instinct told me that some things are better left unsaid.
The women who lived in the Hyoudou residence seemed to know the reason, but they only offered strained, awkward smiles.
Yeah… I think I'm starting to get the picture. Better to leave this alone. My survival instincts are rarely wrong.
Sensing the mood, Azazel-sensei cleared his throat and brought the focus back to the matter at hand.
"You all know what's coming, but I'll say it anyway. The battle ahead transcends religion, race, and the petty squabbles of gods. This is a struggle for every living soul on this planet. We all have different things we want to protect, but unless every faction pulls together, we aren't making it out of this alive."
Factions that once refused to speak, or were at each other's throats, were now shaking hands in the shadow of a common enemy. Everyone had their reservations, but survival is a powerful motivator.
"Some of you may have heard, but even the civilians of the Underworld are forming a volunteer army. Some of them were the same ones rioting not long ago. It's a bit morbid to say, but things are getting interesting."
A volunteer army…
So, the people were taking a stand. Likely, after the incident with Asem, they started asking themselves what they could actually do.
"They know they don't have the power to fight on the front, but they've stepped up for logistics and rear support," Azazel continued. "Honestly, seeing them rise up like this… it was unexpected. But it's a welcome surprise."
Azazel looked at each of us, his expression hardening into that of a Commander.
"Listen up. We will win. Failure is not an option. The powerless have found the courage to stand up; it is our absolute duty as the powerful to protect them to the bitter end. That is non-negotiable. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" the room shouted in unison.
Even Vali's eyes were burning with a cold, sharp intensity. I couldn't tell if he was excited for the coming fight, or if it was something deeper…
Azazel tapped a magic circle onto the table, projecting a holographic map into the air. It showed the current status of the areas devastated by Trihexa.
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