"The Grigori, Heaven, and Norse territories hit by Trihexa have stabilized for now. Repairs are slow, but moving. Thanks to Asia's efforts, the casualties in the Grigori and Heaven sectors have mostly been treated. You did good, Asia. You saved a lot of lives."
After Asia bowed modestly, Azazel moved on.
"Over the last three days, we've coordinated with the other factions. The strategy is set, though who knows how well it'll work against monsters that defy logic."
He held up two fingers.
"The operation is split into Offense and Defense. One team will dive into that pseudo-world where Asem is holed up to strike at the source. The other will stay here to intercept the pawns trying to pour into our world."
"And all factions are participating in this?" Sairaorg asked.
"Correct. In Japan, for instance, the Shinto gods will team up with combatants from other factions. We aren't using a single chain of command—that would be a mess. We're just assigning roles and letting the experts on the ground handle the details. As for you, the members of 'D×D,' you're the Offense. You're the ones going through the 'Gate' to take the fight to them."
Azazel began marking the holographic board.
The Gremory, Sitri, and Hyoudou peerages, along with the Heaven group, would attack through the Gate near Japan. The Bael and Agares peerages would launch from the Underworld. Vali's team and the Slash Dog team would enter through the Norse Gate.
Japan received the most reinforcements—likely because the Gate there was closest to a major human population center.
"Come forward," Azazel called out.
A woman stepped out from beside Gasper-kun. She was a beautiful vampire—Valery-san.
"The Fallen Angel gentleman asked for my help," she said with a soft smile. "I look forward to working with you all."
"Valery's cooperation is the lynchpin of this plan," Azazel explained. "We've pulled a lot of strings with the various factions to allow her temporary release. We have a strict time limit, so there's no time for a rehearsal. We're doing this live."
Vali narrowed his eyes, catching on. "You found a way to stabilize the Holy Grail?"
"Something like that. We found some 'hidden' research papers regarding the Grail in the Vampire King's archives. If we apply them, we might be able to shut down the mass-production of the enemy clones. And we have our guest here to thank for finding them."
Azazel gestured toward a small figure wearing a deep hood. The girl pulled the hood back, revealing the blonde hair of the vampire Elmenhilde.
Alice-san immediately pointed a finger. "Ah! It's the Bear-Pants girl!"
"What kind of nickname is that?! My name is Elmenhilde!"
"Are you still wearing the bear ones? Or did you move up to 'baby' designs? Pfft—hehehe."
"I am not! I've moved on to a much more mature design—wait, why am I even telling you this?!" Elmenhilde shrieked, her face turning a deep crimson.
Her usual doll-like, pale complexion was gone, replaced by a very human-like look of pure embarrassment.
Poor girl… she barely just got here.
There was a rumor in the Chaos Brigade that interacting with the Red Dragon Emperor's peerage caused your "serious plot armor" to shatter. Looking at this, it wasn't just a rumor. It was an objective fact.
Still, compared to when we first met, she had softened considerably. I'd heard that since her homeland was devastated, she'd been traveling the world to gather resources for its reconstruction—materials, political alliances, anything. She used to despise the idea of cooperating with other races, but now she was doing whatever it took. It showed just how much she truly loved her country.
As Alice-san continued to tease her, Leesha-san stepped in.
"Now, now, let's leave it at that. Alice, you used to wear strawberry-print underwear yourself."
"Why are you outing me?!" Alice barked. "Besides, that was when I was a kid! That's totally different!"
"If I recall, when you were ten, you actually—"
"Stop! Don't dig any deeper! Don't make me relive the trauma of that day!" Alice wailed, clutching her head.
I watched them, baffled. Leesha-san… I didn't think you'd be the one to derail the serious atmosphere. Are you actually a bit of a bully?
Amidst the chaos, Valery-san pulled a purple cross from her robes.
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