As he made his rounds, something suddenly clicked in his mind.
'Wait a second… where the hell is Gasper!?'
Kazuki had subtly asked around—Rias, Akeno, Yumi, and even Koneko—but the answer was consistent across the board.
The Gremory peerage consisted of only seven members. That eighth member from the original story—the "Bishop," Gasper Vladi—was nowhere to be found.
Now that Kazuki thought about it, the original plotline had hinted early on about the presence of another Bishop, but he had never seen or heard anything about them in this world until now.
That was a slip-up on his part.
The world of High School DxD had already diverged from the original story thanks to Kazuki Fuwa's involvement.
He was a foreign element—an irregularity. If fate ever decided to throw Gasper into his path, so be it… But until then, he couldn't worry about it.
'So that leaves one big question—what happens now?'
If memory served him right, Gasper's Sacred Gear had played a pivotal role in the ambush during this summit… But without Gasper, how would that event play out now?
Kazuki's recollection of the original storyline was getting hazy, and relying on it might be more dangerous than helpful at this point.
Just as that thought crossed his mind—
"Alright, let's move."
Rias's voice cut through the air, bringing everyone to their feet.
It was almost 10 PM. The "Three Factions Summit" was about to begin.
Led by Rias, the group exited the clubroom and made their way toward the venue.
The meeting was being held in the faculty conference room of the academy's new building.
The event was considered top-secret even among the factions themselves, so only a select few escorts had been brought along. Even so, the tension among the bodyguards was thick; they glared at each other from across the room, hostility barely restrained.
As they approached the massive, imposing double doors of the conference room, Rias took two deep breaths, centering herself, before knocking firmly.
"Excuse us."
The door opened to reveal a room that had been completely transformed from its original, mundane state. Lavish, glittering furniture surrounded a massive U-shaped table, and seated at each side were two representatives from each of the Three Great Powers.
"Over here, please."
Grayfia, acting as the attendant, gracefully guided them to their assigned seats.
Sona Sitri was already seated. Rias took her spot beside her, Akeno followed suit, and Kazuki and the rest settled into the remaining seats.
Once everyone had taken their place, Sirzechs Lucifer—Rias's older brother stood and began the proceedings with a solemn tone.
"With everyone now present, we shall begin the 'Three Factions Summit.' Let it be noted: all attendees of this meeting are assumed to be aware of the most highly classified truth—'the absence of God'—and the discussions shall proceed with that knowledge as the foundation."
The weight of that declaration settled like a thick fog, and Kazuki felt it—this wasn't just some formal discussion. This was history in the making.
The meeting began with subtle probing, mental chess games played by beings who had lived for centuries.
Some feigned light conversation in an attempt to uncover the current state of the other factions. Others dropped information bit by bit, revealing just enough to seem cooperative without giving anything up. A few smiled charmingly while completely dodging the subject.
This was no playground for amateurs. These were the top players—the absolute peak of their kind—who ruled their realms across eons. Trying to imitate their level of political and social finesse would be laughable for any normal person.
On the Devil's side sat the Maou Sirzechs Lucifer and Maou Serafall Leviathan.
For the Angels, there was Archangel Michael and one of the Four Great Seraphs, Gabriel.
Representing the Fallen Angels stood Azazel, the Governor General of the Grigori—the ones who watched over God's children—and beside him, the White Dragon Empress, Vali.
Each of them radiated an overwhelming aura and power.
While everyone except for Vali had long since grown familiar with each other's personalities and methods, the underlying tension in the room never disappeared. It was like a deadly reunion, pleasant on the surface, lethal just below.
"Before we move on to the next topic, I'd like to take a moment to reintroduce two individuals. Rias, Sona… please stand."
"Yes, Lord Lucifer," both girls responded in unison, rising from their seats gracefully.
Sirzechs's tone carried a blend of brotherly pride and official decorum.
"This is my little sister, Rias Gremory, and Serafall's younger sister, Sona Sitri. They and their peerages were instrumental in resolving the recent attack. I would like them to explain exactly what happened. Please proceed."
"Yes. I will begin," Sona said, her voice steady.
She began recounting the series of events, starting with the string of murders committed by rogue priests in Kuoh Town and continuing with the arrival of Xenovia and Irina. Once that portion was complete, she gave the floor to Rias.
Rias detailed the full incident involving Kokabiel—the confrontation, the chaos, the intensity of the battle—and how they ultimately came out victorious.
"That concludes our report regarding the incident and our involvement," Rias said, finishing her explanation.
"Good work. You may be seated," Sirzechs nodded.
Both girls looked visibly relieved as they sat down, exhaling deeply. They'd kept their composure the whole time, but Kazuki could tell how tense they had been.
From behind, Kazuki leaned slightly forward and whispered just loud enough for them to hear.
"Nice job, Rias. You too, President."
The girls turned their heads slightly to glance back at him. Their lips curved into small smiles—ones that held exhaustion, pride, and… maybe a little something more.
Despite being heirs to noble houses, Rias and Sona were still only seventeen. Standing before the leaders of Heaven, Hell, and the Fallen, giving a public report on an apocalyptic-scale battle… Kazuki knew how much pressure they had been under.
But they had stood tall, performed flawlessly, and in doing so, they had grown stronger, not just as women, but as true Kings.
Kazuki felt nothing but pride as their mate and servant…
"Now then, Azazel," Sirzechs continued, "After hearing this report, I would like to hear your opinion as the Governor General of the Fallen Angels."
Everyone's eyes turned to Azazel.
The man scratched the back of his head, clearly annoyed to be put on the spot, but he began speaking in his usual lazy tone.
"Well, like I said in the report I sent you guys earlier, this whole mess was started by Kokabiel going rogue. That bastard didn't tell me or any of the other higher-ups—he acted completely on his own."
He paused, then pointed lazily toward Kazuki.
"After getting his ass kicked by that guy, the White Dragon Empress dragged his broken body to me. Kokabiel was immediately judged under a military tribunal and sentenced to eternal freezing in the lowest level of Hell—Cocytus. He ain't ever coming back."
"Your explanation is among the laziest I've heard, but considering your desire to avoid starting a war, I suppose it's true," Michael sighed, rubbing his temples.
Azazel just shrugged.
"Yeah, war's a pain in the ass. I'm done with that shit."
His words were blunt, but there was no mistaking the sincerity.
Sirzechs gave a nod before pressing further.
"Azazel, one more thing. Why have you been gathering Sacred Gear users lately?"
The room grew heavy again, suspicion flashing in a few eyes.
Azazel just raised his brows and shrugged again.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I've got no intention of using them for war. It's strictly for research. That's it. I can even hand over some of my research data if you want… What's with the looks? Seriously, am I really the least trustworthy guy in this room?"
He got his answer instantly.
"That's correct."
"I agree."
"Yup, totally~."
"Obviously."
"Pfft—kukuku…"
Even though Azazel answered with a half-smirk, the suspicion was obvious—Sirzechs, Michael, Serafall, and Gabriel were all giving him the same exact look of doubt. Hell, even Vali, his own supposed ally, was holding back laughter.
It was also kinda expected.
"Tch. Well, sneaking around for research is getting tiresome anyway... Fine, let's just get it over with." Azazel suddenly shrugged, the casual tone replaced by something heavier.
"Let's forge peace already. That's what all of you wanted from the start, wasn't it?"
His sudden suggestion sent a shockwave through the entire room. No one had expected him to say it first.
Michael broke into a soft smile. "To think you'd be the one to bring it up... But yes, the angels agree. This delicate standoff does nothing but harm the world."
"The devils feel the same," Sirzechs added solemnly. "If another war breaks out, it'll be mutual destruction."
'And not just us,' Kazuki thought to himself, folding his arms while his eyes narrowed. 'If we fight again, humanity won't survive the aftermath. This world would collapse.'
Seriousness overtook the room as Azazel, still leaning back as lazy as ever, dropped the joke act and turned dead serious.
"A world without God... is that such a tragedy?" he asked, eyes glinting with something deeper.
"My answer? No. The world's still spinning, growing even. We're still breathing. God or no god, the world moves forward."
He spread his arms wide, almost like welcoming the absurdity of the universe.
Despite Azazel's shady reputation, those words hit Kazuki harder than he expected. They stayed with him—simple, but true.
The meeting continued afterward, but the heavy tension that had clouded the room earlier seemed to lift. Probably because the biggest hurdle, whether peace was even possible, was already cleared.
"───Alright, that wraps things up, I suppose," Sirzechs finally declared after nearly two hours.
He leaned back in his seat, clearly relieved. Serafall exhaled deeply and took a long sip of the tea Grayfia had poured for her.
Even Rias and Sona looked visibly more relaxed as the atmosphere inside the room softened.
"Now then, I propose we move on to signing the peace treaty. Any objections?"
Just as Michael and Azazel were about to respond—
BOOOOOOM!!
A violent explosion rocked the building, shaking the new school wing to its core.
"What the hell!?"
"An attack!?"
"Tch… knew those bastards wouldn't let this go smoothly," Azazel muttered, standing up as chaos erupted.
While the leaders quickly scanned for threats, Kazuki rushed to the windows. Out in the schoolyard, flashes of light and blasts echoed one after another.
Figures in black robes, clearly mages of some sort, were attacking the guards with reckless force.
"Those are sorcerers," Azazel said casually, as if it wasn't surprising. "Judging by the power of those spells, each one of them's at least packing enough magic to qualify as a mid-class devil. Take a look."
Kazuki narrowed his eyes and saw it clearly: magic circles lit up the field, and every time one shone, another robed sorcerer appeared.
They just kept coming, their numbers multiplying fast.
"If we hole up here long enough, whoever's behind this shit show might show their face," Azazel muttered.
"But I doubt we'll last long enough. Vali."
"What is it, Azazel?" Vali answered, her voice cold and sharp like a blade drawn under moonlight.
"Get out there and draw their attention. If the White Dragon Empress shows up, maybe they'll panic and make a move."
"...Understood."
Vali let out a soft sigh, then gave a silent nod before diving out the window. A blinding white light erupted midair, and in the next moment, Vali soared across the sky clad in her gleaming white plate armor, exuding an almost divine aura.
"We're going too!" Rias shouted with fiery determination.
"I don't care who they are, there's no way I'm letting them do whatever the hell they want any longer!"
She rallied her peerage with blazing intensity, but—
"Hold it, Rias," Kazuki cut in sharply.
"If we all leave, we'll leave this place wide open. You and one or two others should stay back."
Just like in the original story... Enemies were bound to show up here, too.
"...You're right. Then, Kazuki, stay with me. Asia, focus on healing the injured. Issei, protect her. Yumi, Xenovia, Koneko—handle the interception. Akeno, you take command."
"""Understood!!"""
The whole peerage shot out into the sky, battle-ready. After seeing them off, Kazuki Fuwa turned toward Governor Azazel.
"Governor Azazel. I've got a question for you."
"Hm? What is it?"
"...Just earlier, you said, 'I knew they'd show up.' Do you know who these attackers are?"
Azazel crossed his arms, gaze narrowing with a troubled expression. "Well... there are plenty of bastards who'd love to sabotage the peace between the Three Factions, but only one group could assemble that many damn magicians."
"And who would that be...?"
Azazel's voice dropped into a low murmur, one heavy with significance.
"The Khaos Brigade."