"Speaking of which," Algernon continued, "you'll be coming to the Underworld tomorrow for proper training. I'll have someone pick you up. For tonight, go home. Act normal. Your family doesn't need to know anything has changed."
"The Underworld?" Issei's voice cracked. "As in Hell?"
"As in the dimension where devils live, yes. Don't worry—it's not fire and brimstone. Think of it more like... an alternate Earth with different geography." Algernon waved dismissively. "You'll see for yourself tomorrow."
Before Issei could ask more questions, Algernon's expression suddenly shifted. His eyes narrowed, perception extending outward as he sensed multiple spikes of hostile energy throughout the town.
Kuroka noticed immediately, her playful demeanor sharpening. "Boss? What is it?"
"Combat. Multiple locations." Algernon's mind raced, analyzing the patterns. "Fallen Angels and... exorcists? Working together?"
That was unusual. While both groups opposed devils, they rarely coordinated attacks. Unless...
Understanding crashed over him like cold water.
'Cleria Belial.'
The name surfaced from his meta-knowledge with sudden, terrible clarity. Cleria Belial, ruler of Kuoh Town, member of the Belial clan's branch family. In canon, she'd been killed in a coordinated attack by Fallen Angels and exorcists—betrayed by the Devil Council because she'd discovered the truth about the King Piece.
And her death had pushed her cousin, Diehauser Belial—the strongest Rating Game player in history—into the Khaos Brigade's arms.
'This is it. The attack is happening right now.'
Algernon's mind shifted into tactical mode instantly. This was an opportunity—dangerous, complicated, but potentially game-changing.
"Kuroka, we're moving. Now."
She was on her feet immediately, recognizing his tone. "What about the kid?"
Algernon turned to Issei, who looked thoroughly lost. "You stay here. Don't move from this spot. Someone will collect you tomorrow and bring you to the Underworld for training."
"Wait, what's happening? Where are you—"
"Devils are being attacked in this city. We're going to deal with it." Algernon was already forming a teleportation circle. "Stay. Here. If you try to follow us, you'll die. Understood?"
Issei nodded frantically, clearly not eager to throw himself into combat.
As the circle began to glow, Kuroka stepped beside Algernon. "So what's the plan, boss?"
"We save Cleria Belial," Algernon said quietly, low enough that Issei couldn't hear. "And in doing so, we gain a very valuable ally."
Kuroka's eyes gleamed with understanding. "Nyahaha~ Always thinking ahead. I like it."
The teleportation circle flared, and they vanished, leaving Issei alone in the park.
Kuoh Town - Outskirts
They materialized in a forested area on the edge of town, away from prying eyes. Algernon immediately reached into his coat and withdrew his black mask—the same one he'd worn in the Lilith arenas.
"Azeroth tonight?" Kuroka asked, watching him secure it.
"The Gremory name would complicate things," Algernon explained. "Azeroth is just a mysterious fighter. No political entanglements, no questions about why a Gremory was in another clan's territory."
He extended his senses, filtering through the chaotic magical signatures scattered across the town. Most were small skirmishes—Fallen Angels harassing devil civilians, probably to draw out defenders. But one concentration of power stood out, massive and desperate.
"There." He pointed northeast. "That's where the real battle is."
They moved quickly, using short-range teleportation to cover ground without being detected. As they approached, the sounds of combat became audible—explosions, screams, the distinctive hiss of holy magic clashing with demonic power.
Algernon and Kuroka emerged into a clearing and stopped, taking in the scene.
It was a massacre.
Bodies littered the ground—devils in various states of dismemberment, their blood staining the grass black. At the center, surrounded by ten exorcists in white robes, stood Cleria Belial.
She was young, maybe mid-twenties, with distinctive beauty of high-ranking devil nobility. But right now, she looked like someone at the end of their rope. Her barrier flickered weakly, barely holding back the constant barrage of light spears. Her breathing was ragged, her movements sluggish.
Around her, the bodies of her peerage lay broken. Dead or dying, it was hard to tell.
The exorcists were methodical, professional. They attacked in waves, never giving her a moment to recover, wearing down her defenses through sheer persistence.
"Cleria Belial," one of them called out, his voice cold. "Your crimes against the church end tonight. Consorting with our kind, stealing our secrets—you've brought this on yourself."
Cleria's laugh was bitter. "My crimes? I discovered the truth! The King Piece, the Council's corruption, all of it! And they sold me out to you because of it!"
"The why doesn't matter," another exorcist said, raising his light spear. "Only the outcome. Die knowing your lover preceded you."
That made Cleria's barrier flicker even more dangerously, grief and rage warring on her face.
Algernon had seen enough.
"Kuroka."
"On it, nya~"
They moved simultaneously.
Kuroka was faster, her spatial manipulation allowing her to appear directly behind two exorcists. Her claws, wreathed in Youjutsu energy, tore through their defenses before they could react. Both collapsed, dead before they hit the ground.
Algernon's approach was more direct. He simply walked forward, his High-Class aura pressing down on the battlefield like a physical weight.
The remaining exorcists spun toward them, and one's face went pale with recognition.
"That mask... No. No, it can't be—"
"Azeroth," Algernon confirmed, his voice distorted by the mask into something cold and inhuman. "You've made a mistake coming here."
The name rippled through them like electricity. Even exorcists had heard rumors of the masked devil who'd dominated the Lilith arenas—seventeen consecutive victories, most ending in his opponent's death.
"Retreat!" one shouted, but it was already too late.
Kuroka's spatial barriers cut off their escape routes, invisible walls that would hold even High-Class devils. They were trapped in a killing box with two opponents far above their weight class.
What followed wasn't a fight. It was an execution.
Algernon moved with the precision he'd honed through months of arena combat. His compressed energy orbs tore through holy barriers like paper. Each strike was calculated, efficient, designed to incapacitate or kill with minimum energy expenditure.
An exorcist threw a light spear at him. Algernon caught it with a barrier of compressed energy, crushed the construct, and sent the dispersed power back as a cutting wave that severed the man in half.
Kuroka fought with feline grace, her spatial manipulation allowing her to appear and disappear at will. She'd create pocket dimensions that swallowed attacks, redirect light spears back at their casters, use her Senjutsu to drain their energy with every touch.
Within three minutes, all ten exorcists lay dead or dying.
Algernon surveyed the carnage dispassionately, then turned his attention to Cleria. She'd collapsed to her knees, her barrier finally failing now that the immediate threat was gone. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched the body of one of her peerage members—a young woman who'd clearly been important to her.
He approached slowly, his footsteps deliberate.
Cleria looked up, fear and desperation in her eyes. "Who... who are you?"
"Someone who just saved your life." Algernon crouched to her level, his masked face unreadable. "Though I'm curious why a Belial clan member was left to die with only a handful of defenders."
Her laugh was broken, bitter. "Because the Devil Council wanted me dead. I discovered the truth about the King Piece—how it's been used, who's been using it, all the corruption they've been hiding. So they betrayed me. Leaked my location to the Church, told them about..." Her voice cracked. "About my relationship with an exorcist."
"Masaomi Yaegaki," Algernon supplied, drawing on his canon knowledge.
She stared at him in shock. "How do you know that name?"
"I know many things, Cleria Belial. I know the Devil Council fears what you discovered. I know they've likely already killed your lover to tie up loose ends. And I know that if you stay here, more assassins will come until one succeeds."
Cleria's hands clenched into fists, grief transforming into rage. "They killed him? They actually—"
"Yes." Algernon's voice was gentler now. "I'm sorry for your loss. But your life doesn't have to end here. You have a choice."
"What choice?" Her voice was hollow. "My peerage is dead. My lover is dead. The Council wants me eliminated. What choice is there?"
Algernon extended his hand. "Come with me. I can offer you protection, resources, and eventually, a way to make those responsible pay for what they've done."
She stared at his offered hand, suspicion warring with desperation. "Why would you help me? What do you want in return?"
"Your knowledge. Your skills. And eventually, your cousin's attention."
Understanding dawned in her eyes. "Diehauser. You want to use me to reach him."
"I want to prevent him from making a terrible mistake," Algernon corrected. "In a few years, he'll learn about your death—if tonight had gone as planned. That grief and betrayal would drive him into the arms of terrorists who'll use his strength for their own ends. I'd rather he serve a better purpose."
It was a calculated risk, being this honest. But Algernon had learned that Cleria was intelligent, perceptive. She'd see through obvious manipulation anyway.
"Who are you really?" she asked. "Not just Azeroth. Who are you?"
"Someone building something new. Something that will eventually challenge the corrupt system that betrayed you." He kept his hand extended. "But those details can wait. Right now, you need medical attention and safety. Come with me, or stay here and wait for the next assassination attempt. Your choice."
Cleria looked at the bodies of her fallen peerage one last time. Then, with visible effort, she placed her hand in his.
"I'll come. But if you betray me—"
"Then you'll have my permission to kill me yourself," Algernon finished. "Fair?"
Despite everything, she managed a weak smile. "Fair."
A teleportation circle appeared beneath them, complex and multi-layered to prevent tracking.
Kuroka stepped into it as well, having finished ensuring all the exorcists were truly dead. "Ready when you are, boss."
The circle flared, and they vanished from the blood-soaked clearing.
Tokyo - Safe House
They materialized in a modest but well-furnished house in Tokyo's outskirts. Kuroka had maintained several properties across Japan for exactly this kind of situation—places off the grid, protected by layers of concealment magic, unknown to any devil faction.
Cleria stumbled slightly as the teleportation completed, exhaustion and grief finally catching up with her. Kuroka steadied her with surprising gentleness.
"Easy there, nya. You're safe now." She guided Cleria to a couch. "I'll get some medical supplies. Boss, you want to explain things, or should I?"
"I'll handle it." Algernon removed his mask now that they were secure. His crimson hair and eyes marked him clearly as Gremory blood. "But first, healing."
He channeled demonic energy, using basic healing magic to close Cleria's wounds and replenish some of her depleted reserves. It wasn't perfect—true healing required time and proper treatment—but it would keep her stable.
As he worked, Cleria studied his face. "You're young. Barely out of your teens, if that."
"Thirteen, actually." At her shocked expression, he smiled slightly. "Age means less than power in our world. You know that."
"Thirteen and already High-Class..." She shook her head. "And leading what appears to be a peerage? Who are you?"
"My name is Algernon. Algernon Azeroth, though I do have connections to the Gremory family that I'd prefer remain quiet for now."
Understanding flickered in her eyes. "The Branch House. That's why you can move independently."
"Exactly." He finished the healing and sat back. "Now, let me explain the situation clearly. The Devil Council betrayed you because you discovered information they'd kill to protect. Your lover is likely dead as collateral. Your peerage was wiped out. And officially, you're about to be declared dead as well—killed in a tragic Fallen Angel attack that no one could have prevented."
Each word hit her like a physical blow, but she didn't look away.
"However," Algernon continued, "you're not dead. You're here, alive, and in possession of knowledge that threatens the establishment. That makes you valuable—to me, at least."
"What do you want?" Her voice was steady despite her tears. "Specifically."
"Initially? Your knowledge about the King Piece and the Council's corruption. That information will be useful when the time comes to challenge them."
"And long-term?"
"I want your cousin." At her sharp look, he clarified, "Not as an enemy. As an ally. Diehauser Belial is the strongest Rating Game player in history. He's also someone who values family deeply. When he learns his cousin was betrayed and murdered by the Council, he'll be vulnerable to recruitment by the wrong people."
Algernon leaned forward. "So, here's my offer. You stay here, safe and hidden. Recover your strength. Eventually, when the time is right, we'll reveal you're alive and expose the Council's corruption together. Your cousin will have his family back, you'll have your revenge, and I'll have gained allies in restructuring devil society."
Cleria was silent for a long moment. "And if I refuse?"
"Then I'll help you disappear completely, give you resources to start a new life somewhere far from devil politics, and we part ways. I won't force you into anything, Cleria. You've had enough people making decisions for you."
She looked at him—really looked—trying to assess his sincerity. Finally, she nodded slowly.
"I'll stay. For now. But I want to know more about what you're building. If I'm going to be part of this, I need to understand what 'something new' means."
Algernon smiled. "Fair enough. We have time for those discussions. For tonight, rest. Grieve. Tomorrow, we can talk about the future."
Kuroka returned with medical supplies and a change of clothes. "Guest room's upstairs, second door on the right. Bathroom's attached. Take all the time you need, nya."
As Cleria stood to head upstairs, she paused. "Thank you. Both of you. Even if I don't fully trust your motivations yet... thank you for saving me."
"You're welcome," Algernon said simply.
Once she was gone, Kuroka flopped onto the couch with a satisfied sigh. "Nyahaha~ That went better than expected. Though now we're harboring someone the Council thinks is dead. That's gonna be complicated."
"Everything worthwhile is complicated." Algernon stared out the window at Tokyo's lights. "But if this works—if we can turn Cleria into an ally and eventually recruit Diehauser—we'll have pieces on the board that can actually challenge the status quo."
"And if it doesn't work?"
"Then we adapt. We always do." He glanced at Kuroka. "You'll need to stay here for a while, help her acclimate. Make sure she doesn't try to do something reckless like go back to Kuoh or contact the wrong people."
"Got it, boss. What about you?"
"I need to collect Issei tomorrow and start his training. Then check in with Vali, make sure his development is progressing. And eventually..." He smiled slightly. "I need to have a very interesting conversation with Rias."
Algernon stood, preparing to teleport back. "Keep me updated on Cleria's condition. And Kuroka?"
"Yeah?"
"Good work tonight. Your spatial manipulation has improved significantly."
She grinned, clearly pleased by the praise. "Thanks, boss. Now get going before that Issei kid decides to wander off and get himself killed."
With a final nod, Algernon activated his teleportation circle and vanished.
Kuroka stretched out on the couch, her three tails swishing contentedly. Tonight had been productive. They'd saved a life, gained a potential ally, and positioned themselves for future political maneuvering.
Not bad for an evening's work.
Upstairs, she could hear water running as Cleria took a shower, probably trying to wash away the blood and trauma of the night.
'Poor thing,' Kuroka thought. 'But she's tougher than she looks. She'll survive this. And maybe, just maybe, boss's crazy plan will actually work.'
(END OF CHAPTER)
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