One year has passed since the unification, and the landscape of the Underworld is unrecognizable. Algernon stands atop his castle, surveying a realm that has shed its stagnant aristocracy for a meritocracy forged in steel and strategy.
The primary engine of this societal shift has been the complete overhaul of the Ranking Games. By prioritizing strength and ensuring absolute fairness, Algernon transformed the games from a high-society pastime into the ultimate ladder for social mobility.
This new era of transparency and merit was solidified when Sairaorg Bael, rose through the ranks with terrifying speed. His public reveal of the Longinus Regulus Nemea served as a turning point, proving to every low-class devil that even with no trait to back them up they can stand on high ground.
Parallel to this martial evolution, the Demon Academy became the intellectual heart of the empire. Algernon granted Ajuka Beelzebub total authority over research, effectively unleashing a "madman" of genius who viewed the entire demonic population as a canvas for optimization.
Ajuka has spent the last year constantly modifying and refining the training systems, using data-driven analysis to push the physical and magical limits of every student. The modern demon soldier is now faster, more magically efficient, and tactically superior to any generation that came before.
At the political level, the restructuring is total. All 72 Demon Pillar houses have been revived, but their foundations are new. The original clan heads—those who relied on ancient titles rather than current capability—were systematically eliminated through formal challenges sanctioned by the throne.
Each house is now led by a master of their craft, and Algernon has assigned every pillar a specific task according to their unique ancestral traits. Whether it be logistics, research, or frontline combat, every house now operates as a specialized organ of the state, ensuring that the Underworld functions with the precision of a clockwork masterpiece.
Beyond the honing of martial strength, Algernon's vision for the Underworld extended into the realm of technological supremacy. He initiated a sweeping recruitment drive to find and promote the most brilliant minds within the demon race, ensuring these geniuses were admitted to the Demon Academy regardless of their social standing.
It was through this initiative that Seekvaria Agares emerged as a truly unpolished gem. While Ajuka Beelzebub is recognized as the pinnacle of demonic intellect, Seekvaria proved to be his superior in specialized fields that the "mad researcher" often overlooked in favor of pure magical theory.
Seekvaria's brilliance flourished in the practical application of high-level sorcery to physical structures. She revolutionized the concept of Construction, treating every building project as a living circuit. Her mastery over Fortress and city-scale engineering allowed the Underworld's architecture to become an extension of its military might.
Under her guidance, cities were no longer just dwellings but massive, interconnected defensive hubs. She designed fortifications that could shift their geometry to confuse invaders and walls that could absorb and redistribute atmospheric mana to reinforce their structural integrity.
The true cornerstone of her work, however, was the development of a standardized Magical infrastructure. Seekvaria designed a subterranean network of mana conduits that stabilized the volatile energies of the Underworld, providing a constant and clean source of power for both civilian life and military research.
This grid allowed for the rapid deployment of magical weapons and the instantaneous communication between the 72 Pillar houses. While Ajuka modified the demons themselves, Seekvaria was the one who rebuilt the cities they lived in, turning the Underworld into a seamless, impenetrable fortress-state.
Algernon stood at the precipice of history, his eyes reflecting the cold glow of the Underworld's new magical infrastructure. A shimmering demonic communication circle materialized in the air beside him, casting a crimson hue over his features.
A slow, predatory smirk spread across his face. "Vali," he spoke into the resonance, his voice dropping to a low, decisive vibration. "It's time to start the plan."
The scene shifted to the Great Hall of Athelgard, a space that had been redesigned by Seekvaria Agares to radiate both absolute power and terrifying efficiency. Algernon sat upon the central throne, elevated above the sprawling chamber.
Below him, rows of obsidian seats were arranged with mathematical precision, occupied by the newly appointed Dukes and the heads of the 72 Pillar families. The atmosphere was heavy with the collective aura of a race that had been reborn through conflict and training.
The demographic of demonic power had shifted radically over the last year. Through Ajuka's brutal optimization and the constant crucible of the Ranking Games, the number of Tier 2 devils—those capable of challenging high-tier gods—had more than doubled to twenty-five.
Among this elite group stood Issei, Valerie, and Ingvild, each a cornerstone of his own personal peerage. Kuroka had also pushed her limits, reaching the very peak of the mid-Tier 2 category
Even more staggering was the ascent of the realm's strongest women; both Grayfia and Serafall had successfully broken through their previous limits to achieve the rank Tier 2 Peak. This brought the total number of Peak tier 2 within the faction to five, including Sirzechs, Zekram and Ajuka.
With Algernon standing at the apex as their leader, the Demon Faction had officially become the most formidable power in existence. They were no longer merely a participant in the Three-Way Deadlock; they were a singular force capable of crushing any other faction in a direct, head-on collision.
Algernon sat before the assembled power of the Underworld and cut through the air with a single, blunt command.
"Empire was to prepare for an immediate and total war against the Grigori."
The declaration ignited a firestorm of intense discussion among the Dukes and Pillar heads. Zekram Bael, ever the cautious strategist, stood to voice the collective concern of the old guard, arguing that a blunt, unprovoked capture of the Fallen Angel headquarters would paint a target on their backs.
Warning that such a move would unite every other faction in fear, leading to an all-out assault on the Underworld from every side.
Algernon leaned his cheek into his palm, a playful, predatory smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You speak as if I intend to give them the choice to attack, Zekram. You fear being a target? Let them look because we won't be the ones taking the initiative."
He stood then, the sheer weight of his presence forcing the room to go still. "Every house has its task. Go. Get everything ready."
____________________________________________
Meanwhile, in the high-altitude silence of the Grigori headquarters, the atmosphere was a sharp contrast to the Underworld's industrial fury. Fallen Angels moved through sterile hallways, discussing research and minor border skirmishes as they always did.
Vali Lucifer strolled through the central plaza, his hands tucked casually in his pockets. He wore a rare, unsettling grin that made the lower-ranked Fallen Angels give him a wide berth.
"Vali? You're back early," a researcher called out, glancing up from a tablet. "Is the scouting report finished?"
Vali didn't slow down, his eyes fixed on the Great Tower ahead. "The report is irrelevant now," he murmured, his smile widening as he felt the faint vibration of a demonic circle activating in the distance. 'It's time to start the plan.'
The sterile, white corridors of the Grigori headquarters echoed with the rhythmic click of Vali's boots. He rounded a corner and came face-to-face with a tall, ominous figure draped in six pairs of coal-black wings. Kokabiel stood like a statue of ancient malice, his eyes narrowed as he watched the White Dragon Emperor approach with a look of casual indifference.
"Vali," Kokabiel spat, his voice like grinding stones. "You've been spending too much time playing in the human world. Have you forgotten the scent of a real battlefield?"
Vali stopped a few feet away, leaning casually against a sleek, metallic wall. He let out a short, mocking laugh, his eyes dancing with a cruel light. "Oh, look at this. Here comes a warmonger fallen recorded in the Bible who's still stuck in the past. Are you still rereading the scriptures, Kokabiel? Hoping for a rewrite of a war that ended centuries ago?"
Kokabiel's face contorted, his killing intent flaring so sharply it cracked the floor tiles beneath him. "Watch your tongue, you arrogant devil brat," he hissed. "While Azazel wastes our potential on 'research' and peace treaties, I am the one keeping the edge of the Grigori sharp. You half-breeds have no idea what it means to truly spill blood for a cause."
The air between them grew heavy, the static of their conflicting auras causing the overhead lights to flicker. Vali didn't flinch; instead, his smile widened, becoming something sharper and more predatory. He pushed off the wall and stepped into Kokabiel's personal space, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"If you're so hungry for a spark to light your little fire, I'll give you something to chew on," Vali said, his eyes burning with a hidden agenda. "I better find the owner of the Boosted Gear. I heard he comes from Kuoh Town." He lingered on the name, emphasizing it with a slow, deliberate drawl. "You know... the town where the Gremory and Sitri heiresses are playing house? It would be a shame if someone went there and caused a scene."
Kokabiel froze, his eyes widening as the implication took root in his obsessed mind.
Vali didn't wait for a reply. He turned his back on the senior Fallen Angel, his expression shifting into a hidden, triumphant smirk. As he kept walking down the corridor, he felt Kokabiel's gaze burning into his back—the gaze of a man who had just been given exactly enough rope to hang himself.
Algernon sat back in his throne, his fingers steepled as he watched the communication circle fade. The pieces were moving exactly as he had calculated. He turned his gaze toward Issei Hyoudou, who stood at the edge of the dais.
The Red Dragon Emperor had matured significantly over the past year, his aura now dense and stabilized under the intense training of the Demon Academy and tannin the former dragon king.
"The bait is set," Algernon stated, his voice echoing with a calm authority that commanded absolute focus. "Kokabiel is a relic of the past, driven by a thirst for war that will blind him to the obvious trap. He is heading for Kuoh."
Algernon leaned forward, his eyes locking onto Issei's. "Your mission is specific. You are not just there to defend your home. You need to capture the fallen who will be attacking Kuoh alive. I want them as living proof of the Grigori's 'aggression' against the peace and their audacity to attack woman of demon emperor."
Issei nodded, his expression grim and determined
"Once you have them," Algernon continued, a subtle, cold smile touching his lips, "you will confront Vali, who will arrive to retrieve them on Azazel's order. He will play the part of the neutral mediator, but you are to hold your ground. We will use this 'rescue attempt' as the final justification to launch our full-scale counter-offensive."
Issei slammed a fist against his chest in a salute. "Understood. I won't let a single one of them slip through my fingers."
Algernon watched him leave, then turned his attention back to the maps on his table, playing whole world in his hands.
(END OF CHAPTER)
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