A few days had passed since I first heard the news from Cleria. Our daily lives had resumed their steady pace, and finally, the day of our meeting with Diehauser and his companion arrived. Since this was an unofficial gathering, we had borrowed an empty building owned by the Association. Cleria and I had spent the morning cleaning up and preparing the room to welcome Diehauser and Lüdiger.
Luciana had been with us until recently, but since she was allowed to return to the Underworld at will, she offered to handle the "backstage" logistics. She was currently in the kitchen whipping up a meal for everyone. We decided to take her up on the offer and wait in the lounge. I was admittedly nervous about meeting Lüdiger for the first time, but I hoped we could get along. I was also just looking forward to seeing Diehauser again.
"So, this Lüdiger is a human-turned-reincarnated Devil?" Lavinia asked.
"Yeah," I replied. "He's an incredible guy who promoted to High-Tier through raw skill and then charged into the Rating Game top rankings at a breakneck pace. I think he's currently ranked seventh. His matches are fascinating; Cleria and I watch his replays all the time."
"I see. With a name like Rosenkreutz, he must be connected to the Rosenkreutzers—the Order of the Rosy Cross. They are a legendary magical society known for producing world-class sorcerers. It makes sense that he would have a background there."
"Right. And if I remember the gossip Cleria showed me, he's a married man. It said he married a human woman who belonged to that same Order."
I shared what I could remember for Lavinia's benefit. She knew the names of the Four Great Satans and famous Devils, of course, but it was natural that she wouldn't know the deep lore of Underworld sports stars. She nodded, listening intently.
"Kanata is right," Cleria added, joining the conversation. "Many noble Devil houses tried to court him, even though he was a reincarnated human, just to bring his talent into their families. But Lüdiger rejected every offer. He chose a human woman. The gossip rags said he made a public statement about wanting nothing to do with noble customs, hierarchies, or politics."
"He sounds like a man of strong conviction," I noted. "Standing your ground against the Devil nobility like that is impressive."
"It is," Cleria agreed. "But while there are perks to being a noble, there are also plenty of suffocating obligations. He had the ambition to climb the ranks as a player, but he didn't want to bring that political baggage onto the field. He just wanted to play the game."
Cleria's insights were a reminder of her status as a noble daughter; her knowledge of the Rating Game circuit was vast. Listening to her talk about the players' personal lives was always educational. It also made me understand why Lüdiger had avoided noble marriages. In the original series, politics often mucked up the fairness of the matches.
Lüdiger Rosenkreutz was a character I remembered from the books. If I recalled correctly, he had served as an Arbiterduring the match between the Gremory and Bael peerages. Because that match involved the families of a Satan and a Great King—a political nightmare—they needed someone completely independent like him.
In my previous life, I remembered him being a cool-headed strategist, but since being reincarnated here, my knowledge of him was much fresher. After all, the match that made me a fan of Diehauser was his bout against Lüdiger in last year's 'Ten-Match Series.' It had been every bit as 'perfect' as Cleria described.
Watching Diehauser was pure entertainment. He had the "flair" of an Emperor and knew exactly how to play to the crowd. He was a natural-born entertainer. Lüdiger, on the other hand, was "skillful" in a different way. He was a master of the long game—you'd see him make a move that made no sense, only to realize ten minutes later that he'd set a perfect trap.
"Still... a human reincarnated as a Devil, who then married a human woman... I feel a certain kinship with him," Masaomi mused.
"I can see why," I said. "This might be a great chance for you to ask him about his experience transitioning from human to Devil."
"Yeah, I'd like to hear that. Though he's here to see you, Kanata, and I have things to discuss with Diehauser. I just hope there's enough time."
Lüdiger was traveling separately from Diehauser. While Diehauser could justify visiting the Association to see Cleria, Lüdiger couldn't mention me officially. So, he had come to the Human World on a "vacation" with his wife and planned to rendezvous with the Emperor in secret. Being a celebrity really did sound like a pain.
As we chatted, a white magic circle suddenly manifested on the floor. We stood up, recognizing the crest of the Belial house. A moment later, the room was bathed in light. When my eyes adjusted, a man with grey hair and eyes stood there, wearing a warm smile.
"Brother Diehauser!" Cleria cried.
"Whoops! Long time no see, Cleria. I'm glad to see you're well."
Instead of his regal Emperor's attire, he was wearing high-quality casual clothes, giving him the vibe of a friendly older brother. Cleria ran to him and gave him a crushing hug. They had talked via comms, but they hadn't seen each other in the flesh for a year—and they had both survived an incident that nearly tore them apart forever. Masaomi watched them with a look of pure relief.
"…It's an honor to meet you in person, Diehauser Belial," Masaomi said, stepping forward. "I am Masaomi Yaegaki. Thank you for everything you did for us six months ago."
"The pleasure is mine," Diehauser replied. "And please, feel free to call me 'brother' or '義兄 (Brother-in-law).' May I call you Masaomi?"
"Y-Yes! Thank you!"
Masaomi was stiff as a board. I couldn't blame him—he was talking to a man who would literally go to war for his sister. Diehauser patted Cleria's head and offered a playful grin at his new 'brother-in-law' before turning to me.
"Greetings, Kanata. It's been a while. Thank you again for your help. Meeting these two like this is only possible because of you."
"Good to see you again! I should be the one thanking you for all the trouble I caused. And I saw your matches! They were amazing!"
"Hahaha! That match with Tannin was particularly intense," Diehauser laughed. "Dealing with that level of raw power and Satan-class flames was quite the challenge."
I laughed along with him. We had watched the finale of the 'Ten-Match Series' against the Dragon King Tannin at Cleria's house, screaming at the screen. Diehauser had won, but Tannin's strength was terrifying. Watching five dragons coordinate a firebombing of the entire field was a sight I'd never forget. Apparently, they still get together for drinks.
***
We all sat down on the sofas to catch up. Diehauser was a natural at making everyone feel included, even a "Game Beginner" like Lavinia. I found myself admiring him all over again—he was strong, cool, and kind. A real role model.
"Oh, that reminds me, Kanata. About that favor you asked of me," Diehauser said casually.
"A favor? What favor?"
"Don't you remember? You asked me if I had any leads on how an adult male could become a magical girl."
Crap. I forgot I said that. I had made that request on a whim without thinking it through. Cleria and Masaomi were staring at me like I'd just admitted to a crime. Did Kanata really ask the Emperor for that?! their eyes screamed. Diehauser was way too serious for his own good if he'd actually spent time researching this.
"Well, as it happens, I had a private drinking session with Sirzechs and Serafall recently."
I choked on my tea. Masaomi sputtered, and Cleria's eyes went wide. Diehauser is already on drinking terms with the Satans? And not just Ajuka, but Sirzechs and Serafall too?
"Um... I know the strike opened some doors," I managed, "but how did you get to the 'private drinking' level with Lord Lucifer and Lady Leviathan?"
"Well, we just happened to hit it off. Sirzechs and I were discussing Cleria's 'Study Abroad' program, and somehow the conversation drifted toward younger sisters. We realized we needed to sit down and discuss it properly. Then Serafall chimed in, shouting something about her 'So-tan Diary' catching fire, and before we knew it, we were all up all night comparing photo albums and video records."
Diehauser laughed bashfully while Cleria buried her face in her hands. My condolences, Cleria. But it made sense. Diehauser was a "Siscon," and he had met the two biggest "Siscon Satans" in history. The fact that they were on a first-name basis meant they had bonded deeply. The "Siscon Alliance" was born from the ashes of a global strike. What a weird chain of causality.
Apparently, it started with work talk and ended with them crying over their siblings. Diehauser mentioned that Sirzechs had actually teared up, complaining that while Rias used to look at him with sparkling eyes, she'd lately been spending all her time praising Diehauser's heroics. It sounded... incredibly domestic for the rulers of the Underworld.
The old-guard Devils probably hated the Emperor and Satans being this close, but no one had the guts to interrupt a "Sister appreciation" meeting. The bond of the Siscon transcends rank and race. I couldn't see a future where any enemy could break that trio. This alliance was going to fast-track the cooperation between the Satans and the Emperor's faction.
"Anyway, I asked Serafall about your request," Diehauser continued. "And she told me to give you this."
"…Forgive me, but I have to ask: what is this?"
"Serafall Leviathan's private magic circle. In other words, her direct contact information."
He handed me a card with a blue magic circle engraved on it. Oh god, not another one. I had asked for magical girl leads, and he'd brought me the direct line to the "Final Boss" of magical girls herself. Diehauser, please stop giving Satan contact info to children like they're souvenirs.
"She trusts you since I trust you," Diehauser explained. "She said, 'Any friend of Diehauser's is a friend of mine! The more comrades we have to share the glory of magical girls, the better! Call me anytime! ☆' You should reach out when you have a moment."
"…I'm honored, really. But is it even okay for a kid like me to casually call a Satan?"
"Kanata," Lavinia interjected. "You already go to the arcade with Lord Beelzebub and play online games with Professor Azazel. I think you've already crossed that line."
"Yeah," Masaomi added. "Adding one more Satan to your contact list barely even registers as a surprise at this point."
Lavinia, Masaomi... why do you sound so tired of me? I didn't want a network that gave me constant stomach ulcers. But I couldn't exactly return a gift Diehauser had secured in good faith, so I tucked it away. I'd just... put it on hold for now.
I pulled out the card case Ajuka had given me. It was locked with my own magical signature for security. I looked at my collection: Satan (Green), Satan (Blue), Governor General, Mentor, Director, Dragon King, Emperor, Longinus Possessor, Kuoh Team, and the Milky Crew. It was a terrifying roster.
Just then, a silver magic circle appeared on the floor. It bore a crest I'd never seen before. Diehauser stood up and walked toward it.
"Greetings, Rosenkreutz. I'm glad you could make it."
"Greetings, Diehauser. My apologies for the delay."
"No matter. We had plenty to discuss."
A man wreathed in silver stepped out. I was transfixed. Seeing him in person was completely different than seeing him on a screen. Just like my first meeting with Diehauser, the sheer presence of a high-tier pro was overwhelming.
He was elegant—refined in every movement. "Beautiful" was the only word for him. After a brief word with the Emperor, he turned his dark green eyes toward us. He offered a polite bow, a curious light in his gaze. We all stood to welcome Lüdiger Rosenkreutz.
"Greetings, everyone. I am Lüdiger Rosenkreutz. I brought some sweets from a famous human bakery—my wife highly recommended them."
"Ah... hello! I'm Kanata Kuramoto of the Grau Zauberer. And thank you... you didn't have to bring a gift..."
I stammered through my response as I took the box. Lüdiger's eyes crinkled with a gentle warmth.
"No need to be so formal. My coming here was a personal indulgence. I've heard quite a bit about you from Diehauser and the Satans."
"And how much is... 'quite a bit'?"
"Enough to know that the strike was just a distraction to save Diehauser's cousin, and that the Satans and Director Mephisto spent the whole time joyfully dismantling the Old Devils."
So he knows everything. He also made the Satans and Mephisto sound like absolute bullies (which they were). Lüdiger sat down opposite us. Cleria and the others introduced themselves, and he responded with the easy grace of a man who was used to high society.
***
Lüdiger shared his story with Masaomi, who was curious about the reincarnation process. He had started as a Bishop for the Mammon family and promoted himself through research in alchemy and sorcery.
"The Rosenkreutzers focus on research that helps humanity in secret," Lüdiger explained. "Improving soil quality, purifying water... the knowledge I learned there was incredibly useful in the Underworld."
"Lüdiger's research is still highly sought after," Diehauser added. "Once he became a top-tier player and secured his own funding and status, he built his own laboratory. He hires talented researchers and nurtures those with potential. He's a major contributor to Devil technology."
I realized then that Lüdiger was a genius of social engineering. In a society that still discriminates against reincarnated Devils, he had made himself indispensable. He exploited the noble houses' own weaknesses: he hired brilliant Devils who had no status, or those whose personalities made the old guard uncomfortable.
By providing a haven for these "outcasts," he earned their absolute loyalty. Their combined research results were then published under his name, further solidifying his position. The more they produced, the more untouchable he became. The noble houses hated him, but because his tech benefited the entire Underworld, they couldn't touch him without facing a public backlash. I finally understand why the officials were so depressed when he joined the strike, I thought.
"I spent my first few decades as a Devil researching for my Master and the Underworld," Lüdiger said. "Once I was allowed my own peerage, I gained true freedom. Now, I can use what I've learned in the Underworld to help my original organization in the human world. I may be a Devil now, but I still want to contribute to humanity as a descendant of the Rosy Cross."
"The Grau Zauberer is very interested in your work," Lavinia noted. "Our Director has always wanted to exchange ideas with the Order."
"I am honored. We don't have the vast roster of practitioners that Mephisto Pheles enjoys, but we focus our entire organization on specific fields to achieve breakthroughs. I'd love to see our groups grow together."
Lüdiger was a polymath—a reincarnated Devil, a pro-gamer, and a master sorcerer. Just listening to him was fascinating. Watching Lavinia's eyes sparkle as they talked shop about magical theory made me glad we'd set this up. I even managed to hear some snippets about their activities in the Underworld.
Lüdiger was currently serving as Diehauser's chief strategist, monitoring the moves of the Old Devils. He used his private information network to stay one step ahead of the administration. Even Diehauser didn't know the full extent of Lüdiger's reach. He just smirked and said, "We're comrades in reform, but rivals in the Game, after all."
I finally understood why Diehauser called him "unpredictable." He was a gentlemanly scholar one moment and a ruthless schemer the next. He even gave me his autograph. I found myself talking more than I intended, though I was careful to keep the talk about Professor Azazel vague.
As the awkwardness faded, we all settled into a comfortable rhythm. I resolved to make the most of this chance to learn from the core of the Underworld's reformist movement.
***
"Darn it...!"
Issei Hyoudou clenched his fists in frustration. He felt powerless, gritting his teeth against the unfairness of the situation. As a boy, he refused to cry, but his emotions were boiling over.
Today was supposed to be a fun family dinner. The Hyoudou family had visited their favorite local diner, enjoying the warm, lively atmosphere. Issei had been craving something sweet and savory, so he'd ordered the chicken and egg Oyakodon.
He had waited with growing anticipation, the delicious smells from the kitchen making his stomach growl. When the steaming bowl was finally placed in front of him, he was ready to weep with joy. The tender chicken and the silky, runny egg were a masterpiece of comfort food. He snapped his chopsticks, pressed his hands together, and gave the traditional Japanese greeting.
"Hehe! Time to ea—!"
"SHAKE-KE-KE-KE! I am the Mutant of Rebellion, the Limited-Over Salmon! Call me... SALMON KING!! And your peace ends today!! I shall replace every item on this menu with salmon! We shall devour all the meat in this land! Tremble before the magnificent power of astaxanthin!!"
A man in a salmon-head costume burst into the diner. Issei's chopsticks froze in mid-air.
"VORTEX-STRIKE!!"
A group of men in black bodysuits followed him, striking weird poses and shouting in unison. Issei dropped his chopsticks.
"Oh my," his mother said. "Is there a show starting?"
"Wow, look at that acting," his father added. "That salmon mask looks almost real."
Issei's mouth twitched. Mom! Dad! This isn't the time for reviews! He grabbed his dropped chopsticks and looked back and forth between his perfectly calm parents and the cackling weirdo holding a harpoon. He didn't know which reality to align with.
"W-Wait! Panicking is the correct response here! He's a villain! A real one!!"
"Now, Issei. Don't shout in the restaurant," his mother scolded. "You'll disturb the other people watching the show."
"I'M THE PROBLEM!?"
He sat back down as ordered. The other customers seemed to be in the same boat—either they thought it was a promotional event, or they were too shocked to move. No one expected a tokusatsu villain to show up in a suburban diner.
"Lord Salm... I mean, Salmon King!" a henchman shouted. "This boy is trying to eat chicken and egg Oyakodon!"
"WHAT?! Too much land-meat is bad for your health! Eat fish, you brats! We shall teach you the meaning of a TRUE Oyakodon!"
The villain turned his attention to Issei. Issei panicked, but he couldn't leave his parents. His parents, meanwhile, were cheering. "Look, Issei! You got picked for the audience participation!"
Why are my parents so peaceful? Issei wondered. If you're going to be a villain, at least create some actual tension so they'll listen to me!
"OPENING!"
"Wait—!"
"SHAKE-KE-KE-KE! Chicken and egg is a false Oyakodon! True 'Parent and Child' harmony is found only in SALMON AND ROE! BEHOLD!!"
In a flash of movement, Issei's yellow-and-brown bowl was replaced by a bowl of bright red salmon and pink ikura. His chicken was already being devoured by the Salmon King. Issei's rage finally boiled over.
"How could you?! I was looking forward to that Oyakodon all day!"
"THEN EAT THE SALMON! This is fresh salmon and roe caught with my own bare hands in the Amur River! Eat and be intoxicated by the glory of the fish!!"
"I don't care how good it is! I like salmon too, but today was a CHICKEN day! Mood matters, you bastard!!"
Issei stood up to face the fish-man. He looked around, hoping the crowd had finally realized these guys were dangerous, but...
"Oh, this is delicious. This salmon..."
"Wait... Amur River salmon? Is this 'Keiji'? The legendary 'hidden' young salmon? Or is it a 'Tokishirazu'? A bowl of this would cost over a hundred thousand yen in a high-end sushi place!"
"They replaced a seven-hundred-yen chicken bowl with a hundred-thousand-yen salmon bowl... what kind of terrifying organization is this?!"
"As a fisherman, I can tell!" Issei's father cried. "This actor is a master! Look at the fat content on that roe!"
"They're so generous!" a woman cheered.
"DAMN IT! I HAVE NO ALLIES!!" Issei screamed.
The crowd was terrified—but by the Salmon King's wealth and skill, not his villainy. And they were all eating the food! Don't take food from strangers! Issei wanted to cry.
"Now, boy. Eat the salmon and join our cause..."
"Ugh...!"
Issei backed away as the Salmon King approached with the red bowl. The henchmen were striking "Leaping Salmon" poses, closing off his escape. Just as he hit the wall, a second chime rang at the door.
"It's okay, Issei. I'm here."
A massive figure loomed in the doorway. Since summer was coming, he had swapped his usual outfit for a "Cool Summer Milky" version. He was wearing yellow and orange Hawaiian frills that did absolutely nothing to hide his rippling muscles.
"Magical Girl Milky☆Catastrophe! A magical girl brings smiles, not tears! Milky Yellow will not forgive those who make Issei sad!!"
A golden aura erupted from the giant. The sheer pressure of his "Milky Power" sent the henchmen flying through the air. The customers finally snapped out of their salmon-induced trance.
Salmon King stood his ground, eyeing the aura. As one of the elite warriors of the Vortex Bunch, he recognized a powerful opponent when he saw one. He gave a sharp nod.
"SHAKE-KE-KE-KE! So you finally show your face, Magical Girl! Our leader, Kaiser Vortex, is furious that his schemes keep being derailed by you! Therefore, I, Salmon King, have come to crush you!"
"If you want Milky Yellow, why did you have to involve Issei?"
"Reports said you were often seen in Kuoh. So I decided to conquer this diner while I waited—two birds with one stone! You fell for my trap, girl!!"
"Milky Yellow..." Issei whispered. "I'm sorry... this is my fault..."
The boy's eyes were watery. He felt terrible that his friend had been lured into danger for him.
"Don't worry, Issei," Milky Yellow said, his deep voice softening. "Magical girls are allies of justice. We never lose to bad guys. Just wait here while I finish off this monster."
"…Okay."
Issei remembered the literal piles of "bad guys" he'd seen Milky Yellow create. He believed him. Milky Yellow offered a smile behind his mask.
He clenched his fist and leveled it at the fish-man. The sheer wind pressure from the gesture ruffled Issei's hair. Salmon King leveled his harpoon, entering a lethal combat stance.
The air was electric. The henchmen struck "Vortex" poses, waiting for the first strike. But Issei, who had built up a remarkable resistance to magical girls, was the first to speak.
"Wait, Milky Yellow! You can't fight here! This is a restaurant! The owner is in the kitchen crying right now! You have to take it outside!"
"…Hmph. It seems your life has been extended. If I were to unleash my 'Thirty Years of Swimming' ultimate move here, it would indeed ruin the salmon. As a fish, I cannot allow food to be wasted."
"Disturbing a meal is forbidden," Milky Yellow agreed. "We will settle this on the field of battle."
"Very well."
The two warriors, bound by a strange code of honor, bowed to each other and walked out the door. The henchmen followed, performing a ritual dance as they left.
Silence returned to the diner. The staff and customers sat in stunned silence, surrounded only by the smell of expensive salmon.
Issei sat back down. "If Milky Yellow says it's okay, it's okay," he told himself. He had complete faith in his friend. After all, she was a magical girl.
"Mom? Dad? What do I do about my bowl...?"
"The salmon is perfectly safe and it would be a waste to leave it," his father said. "I'll eat this one. Do you want to order another chicken one, Issei?"
"YES!"
And so, Issei Hyoudou finally got his chicken and egg Oyakodon. He enjoyed it immensely, though he decided that next time, maybe he'd try the salmon. The customers were satisfied, the owner was relieved the building was still standing, and the peace of Kuoh Town was preserved once again.
***
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