While Arthur and the others were still in Kyoto, far from Japan's peaceful streets and bustling cities, Siegfried and Jeanne were having a very different kind of encounter.
In an unknown location that resembles ancient Mesopotamia, there's a room that appears as the interior of a Ziggurat.
Massive stone pillars rose toward the ceiling, golden carvings decorated the walls, and great braziers burned along the sides of the chamber, their flames casting flickering orange light across the enormous room.
At the very end of the chamber stood a massive golden throne.
And at the bottom of that throne were Siegfried and Jeanne.
Both were bound tightly by golden chains wrapped around their arms, torsos, legs, and even their mouths had been covered with golden chains, preventing either of them from speaking.
Neither looked particularly pleased about the situation.
In fact, the murderous glare both of them were giving the person standing in front of them could have killed an ordinary human being.
Unfortunately for them, the green-haired, androgynous figure standing calmly before them, whom they were glaring at, was anything but ordinary.
The figure was Enkidu, the right-hand companion of the King of Uruk.
Enkidu stood completely still while holding the golden chains binding Siegfried and Jeanne.
They glanced down at the two intruders before calmly turning toward the person seated upon the golden throne.
"I found these two snooping around the domain. They had apparently interrogated one of our fallen servants before entering this place. I believe they were attempting to gather information."
Enkidu's voice was calm and emotionless as their eyes shifted toward the two bound warriors, and then they looked toward the golden throne.
"What should we do with them?"
The question was directed toward the man sitting upon the throne.
A fiery blond-haired man with piercing red eyes sat lazily upon the golden throne.
He wore a white parka over black clothing, his posture relaxed as he rested his cheek against one hand.
Despite the casual posture, there was something unmistakably regal about him that demanded attention.
The man slowly opened his eyes as his crimson gaze fell upon the two captives.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Well, this is quite interesting."
His voice echoed through the enormous chamber.
"This is the first time someone, or rather, two someones, have managed to invade my domain."
The man's smile widened slightly.
"You two must be pretty strong, huh?"
Siegfried narrowed his eyes, and Jeanne did the same.
The "NOT a couple" had a vague idea who exactly this man was, but the overwhelming presence radiating from him was unmistakable.
He was dangerous.
Extremely dangerous.
And standing beside the throne was a beautiful woman with extremely long raven-black hair and sharp, pointed ears.
She wore an elegant black dress that emphasized her pale complexion.
Her yellow eyes were focused upon the two intruders, while one of her hands rested in front of her.
She stood beside the throne with the confidence of someone who belonged there.
This lady was Semiramis, the reincarnated Queen of Assyria.
And the man sitting upon the throne was none other than the reincarnated King of Uruk, leader of the Utsusemi Agency, bearer of the Longinus, Innovate Clear, and the former Exorcist labeled as the most evil human being to ever live.
Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh stared down at Siegfried and Jeanne for several seconds.
Then something about the sight of the two restrained intruders caused an old memory to surface.
A memory from a different time when Gilgamesh was fighting alongside the one he still considered his one and only true friend.
DxD
Flashback to many years ago.
In a dark warehouse where several supernatural traffickers were moving around the prisoners, who were several young mermaids that had been captured and intended to be sold by the highest bidder.
Among the prisoners were two young Exorcists.
One was a blond-haired boy with an arrogant smile.
The other was a young Gilgamesh.
Both were currently being escorted to an empty cell with their hands and feet bound, which they had deliberately allowed.
The traffickers had fallen for the bait completely, as they had believed they had captured two random Exorcists.
The two guards pushed the two boys into a cell before disappearing around the corner.
As Dulio watched him leave, he quietly sighed.
"Pretending to lose to these weaklings is embarrassing."
Gilgamesh looked at him calmly and replied with his reason.
"Perhaps. But remember that we are here on a mission. Going in blindly will both endanger the targets and alert the perpetrators. That is why we let ourselves be captured to determine where the prisoners are being held. Once we know the prisoners' location, we can escape and rescue them."
Dulio glanced toward the corridor where the guards had disappeared before turning toward Gilgamesh with a grin.
"You're always thinking too hard, Gil."
Gilgamesh calmly looked down at his restraints before giving Dulio a sideways glance.
"Is that supposed to be a complaint, Lio?"
Dulio leaned back against the wall.
"Nah... It's just funny."
Gilgamesh blinked.
"What's funny?"
"You... The only strong Exorcist I know besides myself that always makes complicated plans."
He shifted slightly.
"Then you make another plan."
He shifted again.
"And then another plan."
His fingers quietly moved against the restraints.
"And another, etc."
Meanwhile, Gilgamesh was doing the same.
Neither of them had actually been restrained properly.
Their strength made the restraints almost meaningless, but they needed to maintain the illusion that they were helpless.
Dulio's smile became confident as he continued speaking.
"You do realise that to guys like us, plans and schemes don't matter in the end."
Gilgamesh looked at him.
"Because at the end of the day, we always win."
The blond-haired teen finally broke his restraints; the metal snapped apart in his hands.
Dulio stood and stretched his arms.
"After all... We're the strongest."
Gilgamesh stared at him for a moment, and calmly broke his own restraints.
The chains fell to the floor, and Gilgamesh stood.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"I suppose I can't disagree."
The two young Exorcists exchanged a glance.
Dulio smirked as he showed his fist towards his brother from another mother.
"Always got my back, Gil?"
Gilgamesh smiled back as he showed his own fist toward his sworn brother.
"No matter what, Lio."
The duo did a fist bump before they made their move.
Their mission had only just begun.
DxD
As the flashback ended and the trip to memory lane slowly faded, Gilgamesh's crimson eyes returned to the present, but his expression became slightly more distant.
For a moment, his thoughts returned to his best friend, Dulio.
Gilgamesh wondered how Dulio was at that exact moment.
He wondered if Dulio still remembered the days they had spent together.
The missions that they'd succeeded in, the times when they had laughed together, and the times when they had stood back-to-back against enemies far stronger than themselves.
Gilgamesh's expression softened for just a moment.
(Why did you leave me with our dream and side with these mongrels?)
Then he closed his eyes and shook his head.
He could not allow sentimentality to cloud his judgment.
(Whatever happened in the past stays in the past... I have to keep moving forward to achieve my dream... Even if it means I have to fight against him.)
His eyes opened again.
The King of Uruk looked down at Siegfried and Jeanne kneeling before him.
"Enkidu."
Enkidu turned their head.
"Yes?"
"Unchain them."
Enkidu raised an eyebrow, which was the closest they had come to showing surprise.
"My king?"
"Do not make me repeat myself."
Enkidu stared at Gilgamesh for several seconds before they nodded.
"As you command."
The golden chains immediately began moving as they retracted toward Enkidu.
Siegfried's eyes widened slightly as the chains wrapped around his body suddenly loosened, and he immediately took a deep breath.
Jeanne's restraints did the same as one after another, the golden chains slipped away from her body, and she rubbed her wrists.
Neither of them wasted a second.
The instant they were free, they jumped backward and landed several meters away.
Both immediately entered combat stances.
"Balance Breaker!" x2
The two shouted simultaneously as their power exploded throughout the chamber.
Siegfried's eyes narrowed.
"Chaos Edge Asura Ravage!"
His appearance changed as four silver arms manifested behind Siegfried's back.
Each arm held the Demon Swords: Balmung, Nothung, Dáinsleif, and Tyrfing, while Gram was in his hands.
At the same time, Jeanne stepped forward as two holy rapiers appeared in her hands.
"Stake Victim Dragoon!"
A gigantic silver dragon formed from countless Holy Swords.
Its body stretched across the chamber.
Its head rose behind Jeanne as the enormous dragon opened its jaws.
*ROOOAAAR!!!*
The two warriors were ready.
Enkidu immediately stepped forward and prepared to confront the two intruders.
"Stand down."
But Gilgamesh's voice stopped them.
Enkidu raised an eyebrow.
Gilgamesh leaned against his throne.
"There is no need for you to fight them. Semiramis will be their opponent."
Enkidu nodded and stepped backward.
Semiramis immediately stepped forward with her lips curled into a pleased smile.
"I will not disappoint you, my King~"
As Enkidu walked past her, they gave Semiramis a long, almost pitiful look.
They knew the woman well and what was going through her head.
Enkidu mentally sighed.
(Poor girl. She's completely hopeless. Always thinking about Gilgamesh and how to please him.)
Semiramis didn't even notice the look Enkidu was giving her as her thoughts were about Gilgamesh.
The King of Uruk slowly leaned forward on his throne as his crimson eyes studied the two Balance Breakers before him.
He examined Siegfried's five Demon Swords and four silver arms.
Then his gaze shifted toward Jeanne and the silver dragon composed entirely of Holy Swords.
Gilgamesh's smile widened.
"Interesting... That is Twice Critical's Balance Breaker, isn't it?"
His fingers shifted slightly toward Siegfried before moving toward Jeanne.
"And that's Blade Blacksmith's, correct?"
Siegfried's eyes widened.
Jeanne's expression changed.
The two warriors exchanged a glance.
(How did he know in just a glance?) x2
Neither had revealed the names of their Sacred Gears nor explained their abilities.
And yet this man had identified them almost immediately.
Gilgamesh chuckled.
"If you two are wondering how I know your Sacred Gears? It doesn't matter."
Siegfried and Jeanne tightened their grip around their respective blades.
Gilgamesh gestured toward them as his smile became more pronounced.
"Show me what you can do. I wish to see what those Balance Breakers are capable of."
Siegfried's eyes narrowed.
Jeanne stared at Gilgamesh.
Then both slowly looked toward their opponent.
Semiramis stood several meters away with an expression that was completely cold.
She did not look particularly impressed by either of them.
There was no hate nor arrogance within her gaze.
Just indifference.
Siegfried looked at Jeanne.
Jeanne looked at Siegfried.
Neither spoke.
They didn't need to.
They had fought together enough times to understand each other.
A simple glance was enough.
Siegfried slightly adjusted his stance as he showed her a grin.
(Ready when you are.)
Jeanne smiled back and tightened her grip around her holy rapiers.
(After you.)
The smile disappeared from their faces.
Both turned toward Semiramis.
*ROAR!*
The silver dragon behind Jeanne roared.
The Demon Swords surrounding Siegfried gleamed.
Semiramis remained completely still as Siegfried and Jeanne lowered their stance and then charged.
DxD
Back in Kyoto, the atmosphere had become considerably more relaxed.
At least for the moment.
Inside one of the guest rooms of Yasaka's residence, a cloaked figure sat quietly at a low table.
A cup of freshly brewed tea rested between their hands.
The figure lifted the cup and took a slow sip.
A pair of kitsune servants had prepared the tea for their unexpected guest.
"Thank you."
One of the kitsune servants nodded politely before leaving.
The mysterious stranger looked toward Yasaka sitting farther across the room.
"I apologize for the sudden intrusion."
Yasaka waved her hand dismissively.
"You don't need to apologize. My servants already informed me that you had arrived earlier alongside the other two."
The cloaked figure nodded.
"I see."
Yasaka's eyes remained fixed on the stranger.
Although she was being hospitable, she was still curious.
There was something unusual about this person that made it clear that this was not an ordinary human.
However, Yasaka decided to wait.
The stranger had promised answers.
And considering what had happened recently, everyone in the room was willing to hear them.
On one side of the table, however, Vali seemed far more interested in eating dinner.
And judging from the way he was attacking his food, he was taking out his frustration on it.
Heracles sat nearby, watching him for several seconds.
Eventually, the Greek hero couldn't resist.
"So... How are you doing, squirt?"
Vali's chopsticks stopped before slowly looking toward Heracles.
"Shut up."
Heracles blinked as Vali immediately returned to eating.
Lavinia, who was sitting beside Arthur, quietly drank her tea.
Arthur leaned slightly toward her and lowered his voice.
"How exactly did you and Vali meet this guy, and who exactly is he, Lav?"
Arthur's eyes moved toward the cloaked stranger.
Lavinia placed her cup down.
"We met him during our investigation in Tokyo. But the strange thing is that he approached us first and specifically asked for an audience with you."
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"And you just believe the guy?"
Lavinia nodded.
"Yes. As for who he is, we didn't ask."
Lavinia shook her head.
"Vali and I were skeptical of his intentions at first, so Vali decided to test him."
Arthur immediately looked toward Vali.
The white-haired young teen who was more interested in his dinner.
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"What happened?"
Lavinia's expression became slightly amused.
"Vali fought him in his Balance Breaker... and he lost."
Arthur's eyes widened a bit, and he turned his attention towards Vali.
"You lost?"
Vali's expression immediately darkened.
"Don't."
Arthur stared at him.
"How did you lose?"
"Just... shut up..."
Arthur couldn't help himself.
"You were in your Scale Mail... and you still got defeated?"
Vali glared at him.
"I got too cocky, okay! Sue me."
Arthur wasn't intimidated, but was genuinely surprised.
When they first fought, Arthur had personally pushed Vali's development faster through the power of ragebaiting.
It had worked as evidence of Vali acquiring his Balance Breaker earlier than canon.
Thus, Vali's growth had accelerated considerably because of it.
Yet despite all that, someone had apparently defeated Vali swiftly.
Whoever this stranger was, he was clearly dangerous.
"Ahem."
Everyone turned to Dulio, who had cleared his throat.
The Strongest Exorcist looked toward the cloaked stranger.
"Well. I think we've waited long enough."
The stranger looked toward Dulio, whose expression became more serious.
"You promised us answers. So..."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Tell us everything you know about Gilgamesh's plans."
The cloaked figure was silent for a moment.
Then the stranger nodded and placed their cup down.
"Very well. But before I explain what Gilgamesh is planning..."
Their hand slowly reached toward their hood.
"...I believe I should explain who I am first."
They grabbed the edge of the hood and pulled it backward.
The stranger was revealed to be a man with shoulder-length orange hair tied in a ponytail, emerald green eyes, and a gentle facial expression.
"My name is Romani Archaman. Also known as the reincarnation of Solomon, the King of Israel."
"..." x8
Everyone was silent.
Romani continued.
"I am also known as Gilgamesh's left-hand man. And like almost everyone here in this room, I possess an Ancient Sacred Gear."
He raised both hands and ten golden rings manifested around his fingers.
"This is the Seal of Solomon. An Ancient Sacred Gear that allows me to summon and command Devils that I have defeated and subjugated during combat."
Dulio stared at the rings, then at Romani, then back at the rings.
Dulio whistled.
"Well, I'll be damn. Now that's something I didn't expect."
Dulio stared at the orange-haired man.
"The King of Magic himself reincarnated into someone who's now buddy-buddy with that arrogant asshole. And you've got an Ancient Sacred Gear too? Well, this keeps getting more interesting."
Ancient Sacred Gears.
Sacred Gears that existed far earlier than normal Sacred Gears.
They were extremely rare, essentially one-of-a-kind.
While not quite comparable to the Longinus Sacred Gears, their power and uniqueness still placed them far above ordinary Sacred Gears.
Arthur, meanwhile, remained completely still.
His face was serious, but in his head...
(What the fuck is going on?!)
Arthur stared at Romani.
(First Gilgamesh from the Fate series appears, now the Director of Chaldea is here too?)
Arthur internally groaned.
(Am I in some kind of DxD-Fate crossover? Because if I am, we are so fucked.)
He slowly exhaled.
(Better not think about it... At least not right now.)
Romani looked toward everyone as his expression became serious.
"I came here to warn you about what Gilgamesh is planning. And more importantly, how you may be able to stop him."
Cao Cao's eyes narrowed.
He had been watching Romani carefully ever since he appeared out of the open.
"Then allow me to ask something."
Romani looked toward him.
"You claim to be Gilgamesh's left-hand man. Yet you have come here to expose his plans."
Cao Cao paused.
"Why are you betraying him? And what do you gain from it?"
Romani nodded.
"I expected that question. And understood the suspicion. But to answer your second question... Nothing."
Cao Cao's expression remained skeptical.
Romani's expression became somber.
"I have no personal desire for wealth, power, or status. My reason for my betrayal is that what Gilgamesh is planning will change the course of mankind. And possibly... the entire world."
Romani's eyes hardened.
"I cannot allow that to happen."
Cao Cao said nothing.
Valerie finally spoke out of concern.
"Then what exactly are you warning us about?"
Romani looked toward her.
"A few years ago, Gilgamesh approached me and told me about his dream for a better world. He intended to create a humanity that could stand on equal terms with the supernatural world. At first, I agreed to ally myself with the man. I believed that humanity needed to evolve if it wanted to survive against the rest of the supernatural world."
Romani lowered his gaze as his expression darkened.
"But recently... I discovered what Gilgamesh truly intended."
Romani looked at everyone.
"What he was planning would not save humanity. It would send mankind straight into extinction."
Everyone froze.
A tick mark appeared on Vali's forehead.
"Can you just get to the fucking point already?!"
Vali finally snapped.
He had been listening patiently, but Romani had spent several minutes building suspense.
Everyone turned toward the young Hakuryuukou.
Lavinia slowly turned her cold gaze toward him.
"What did I tell you about swear words, young man?"
"..."
Vali felt a shiver down his spine and immediately shut his mouth.
Romani stared at Vali as a comical sweatdrop appeared on his forehead.
"I... Ahem... Anyway."
He paused, then cleared his throat before becoming serious again.
"The point is that Gilgamesh is planning something that he calls Project N.O.A.H, which stands for the New Order of Allied Heroes."
Everyone listened.
"Gilgamesh has not told me the full details of the project. But I managed to secretly gather information about its first two steps."
He raised one finger.
"Step One involves the Utsusemi Agency collecting Sacred Gears so they can create more Utsusemi to grow a vast army of Independent Avatars."
Romani raised another finger.
"Step Two involves me subjugating Stray Devils and unaffiliated Devils with the Seal of Solomon."
Romani's expression became grim.
"Also, in the near future, I am expected to defeat the 72 Pillars and Four Great Satans and force them under my control."
Arthur slowly clenched his fist.
"Then comes Step Three."
His voice became colder.
"Using the mass-produced Utsusemi army and the majority of the Devil population under my control, Gilgamesh intends to terrorize all of human civilization."
Valerie's eyes widened.
"All of them?"
Romani nodded.
"Every major or minor country, every nation, and every single human around the globe."
The room became deathly silent.
"But... there will be exceptions."
Romani raised another finger.
"Exceptions?"
Heracles raised his eyebrow.
"Sacred Gear users, Human Magicians, Reincarnators, and Human Hybrids. They will be spared and integrated into Gilgamesh's new order... whether they like it or not. But for those who refused to join him... I'll leave it all to your imaginations."
Everyone remained silent after Romani's words.
Valerie's face paled.
"T-That's..."
She struggled to find the words.
"How could someone plan something so cruel towards their own people?"
Cao Cao answered before Romani could.
"Because that's how it is in the real world."
Valerie looked towards Cao Cao's calm expression.
"Growing up, I learned that we humans are capable of doing extraordinary things if we put our minds together. We're both capable of doing acts of good... and acts of evil."
He paused as his eyes became colder.
"Whether it's towards other races or their own kind... It doesn't matter."
Lavinia, Dulio, and even Yasaka couldn't help but nod solemnly in agreement.
Cao Cao's statement was unpleasant but true.
Arthur, however, felt that something didn't make sense.
He raised his hand slightly.
"Wait a minute."
Arthur stared at Romani.
"You told us that Gilgamesh is planning to unleash an army of Utsusemi and mind-controlled Devils across the world."
Romani nodded.
"Yes."
"And he's going to terrorize all of humanity around the globe."
"Yes."
"If he's targeting the whole world, then wouldn't the rest of the world's governments fight back? The various pantheons would obviously not stand idly by as humans under their faction are being targeted, and my Counter Corps would notice and obviously retaliate. Don't even get me started on technologically advanced countries, which would obviously fight back as modern militaries aren't exactly there for show."
Romani nodded.
"I agree. I raised the same concern with Gilgamesh, but he simply dismissed it."
Dulio's eye twitched.
"Of course he did."
Romani continued.
"He told me that is why Step Four exists... Unfortunately, I was unable to completely discover what this step entails."
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes.
"Why?"
"Because only two people know the complete details."
Romani's expression became grim.
"Gilgamesh himself... and his queen, Semiramis."
"..."
Arthur's eye twitched when he heard that name.
(Are you... fucking kidding me?! I'm in a Fate Crossover, aren't I? Otherwise... why the HELL are there Mesopotamian figures in the first place?!)
Romani continued.
"But I managed to discover something."
His expression changed as his eyes became cold.
Romani slowly looked toward them.
"There is one main component I managed to discover in Step Four... and it involves one of Cocytus' escaped prisoners."
The atmosphere immediately changed, and everyone felt cold.
Even Arthur felt a chill run through him.
Romani's voice became serious.
"And that prisoner..."
He paused.
"...is known as the Evil Intentions of God, Samael."
DxD
Back at the throne room, cracks spread across the enormous stone floor, and several pillars had been damaged, with chunks of stone littering the ground.
The atmosphere was heavy, and in the middle of it all..
Siegfried lay defeated.
His body was sprawled across the cracked stone floor under a pool of his own blood beneath him; his breathing was shallow, and his body barely moving.
The four silver arms that had formed his Chaos Edge Asura Ravage had been destroyed.
Four of his five Demon Swords had also been knocked away and were lying across the battlefield.
Only Gram remained close enough for him to reach, but Siegfried barely had the strength to move.
A few meters away, Jeanne was in an equally terrible condition.
Her armor had been badly damaged, her breathing was ragged, and one of her arms hung uselessly at her side.
Her Stake Victim Dragoon had been defeated.
Its head and wings had been destroyed, and the remains of its silver body were now slowly disintegrating into countless particles of light.
Standing over Jeanne was Semiramis.
The Queen of Assyria held Jeanne by her long blond hair, forcing her head upward.
Semiramis' yellow eyes narrowed as her expression was completely indifferent.
"Pathetic."
Semiramis looked down at her as Jeanne's breathing became heavier.
"Both of you would fight against your own fellow heroes... to protect these pathetic mongrels."
Her lips curled slightly in a frown.
"You disgust me."
Jeanne's eyes hardened.
She attempted to raise her remaining functional arm.
Semiramis noticed.
Without hesitation, she drove her knee directly into Jeanne's face.
"Guah!"
Jeanne's body was knocked back and crashed onto the ground near Siegfried.
Before she could recover, Semiramis stepped forward.
Her heel pressed against Jeanne's throat.
Jeanne's eyes widened.
The pressure immediately made breathing difficult.
"Ghk!!!"
Jeanne clawed desperately at Semiramis' ankle.
"You wanna die for these mongrels..."
Semiramis pressed down harder.
"Then die quietly."
Jeanne struggled, and her vision began to blur.
Across from them, Siegfried's eyes slowly opened.
His vision was blurry at first, but he slowly understood what he was seeing.
Semiramis' heel pressed against Jeanne's throat.
Siegfried's eyes widened.
"J-Jeanne..."
He tried to move, but pain immediately tore through his body.
"Ugh!"
His fingers dug into the cracked floor as he tried to push himself upward.
His muscles screamed for him to stop, but he refused to stop.
"L-Leave... her alone..."
Siegfried's teeth clenched as he forced himself higher.
"You bitch!"
Semiramis looked toward Siegfried, but her expression didn't change.
But before she could retort...
"I've seen enough."
The voice echoed through the chamber.
Semiramis immediately stopped, lifted her heel away from Jeanne's throat, and then turned around.
Her entire expression changed.
The cold indifference disappeared, and a bright smile appeared on her face.
"My King. Did I do a good job?"
Gilgamesh smiled toward her upon his golden throne.
"You did. I'm very proud of you."
Semiramis practically beamed.
"Thank you, my King!"
She immediately moved beside him.
Enkidu, standing nearby, watched the exchange with their eye twitched.
They looked at Gilgamesh.
"You spoil her too much, you know that?"
Gilgamesh glanced toward them and merely shrugged.
"C'mon, don't discourage her. A little praise doesn't hurt anybody."
Enkidu muttered.
"Apparently, it hurts my ears when she's praised for the smallest of tasks."
Gilgamesh rolled his eyes before standing up.
As the king stepped down from his throne, Enkidu followed him, and Semiramis happily wrapped both hands around Gilgamesh's left arm as they descended.
The three approached the defeated heroes.
Siegfried attempted to push himself upright again.
Jeanne remained on the floor, recovering her breath.
Gilgamesh looked down at them.
"Rejoice. For surviving this long, you both have earned my acknowledgement. Now for the first and last time... make your choice."
Gilgamesh's expression remained calm.
"Submit and obey me... or die here and now."
"..."
Siegfried glared at him.
Despite his condition, his eyes were still filled with defiance.
"Go... fuck yourself, blondie."
Jeanne slowly lifted her head.
Her voice was hoarse, but she managed to speak the words.
"What... he said..."
Gilgamesh stared at them.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he sighed and closed his eyes
"The death of a fellow hero truly leaves an aching void within me."
His voice carried genuine disappointment.
Then Enkidu raised one hand.
Golden ripples appeared as two golden chains materialized behind them, moving like living serpents.
Siegfried's eyes widened.
Something about them triggered his instincts.
Danger.
Extreme danger.
The chains were aimed directly at him and Jeanne.
Gilgamesh spoke calmly.
"In the past, I developed a method of extracting Sacred Gears from their hosts. Unfortunately, the process left the host on death's door."
His eyes were closed as he continued.
"But with the assistance of a certain Cadre, I managed to refine the procedure... Though permanent side effects remain."
Siegfried's instincts screamed.
Something was wrong.
He didn't know exactly what would happen, but he knew one thing.
They both can't die here.
One of them needs to survive and return to the others.
As the chain aimed at Jeanne was getting closer, Siegfried's eyes widened.
"Jeanne!"
Jeanne weakly looked toward him.
"S-Sieg..."
Siegfried's hand reached toward Gram.
With every ounce of strength remaining in his body, he tightened his grip and roared.
"NOOOOO!!!"
He threw Gram, and its blade collided with the golden chain aimed at Jeanne.
The impact knocked the chain away from its original trajectory, which barely grazed Jeanne's head.
Jeanne's eyes widened.
(Siegfried?!)
Siegfried's expression became strained.
"RUN! GET OUT OF HERE AND FIND ARTH-A...Ahh..."
But before he could say anything else, the other golden chain shot forward and pierced directly through his chest.
Siegfried's eyes widened.
There was no blood, but instead, a brilliant golden light emerged from the point where the chain had pierced his body.
Enkidu's eyes widened slightly at the development but pulled the chain backward anyway.
Something began being dragged from Siegfried's soul.
A reddish glowing orb emerged from his chest.
It was Siegfried's Sacred Gear, Twice Critical.
Siegfried's red eyes slowly lost their light.
*Thud.*
His body collapsed and hit the ground motionless.
"..."
Jeanne stared in silence.
Her mind barely processed what just happened.
"S...Siegfried...?"
No response.
"Siegfried?"
Her remaining functional arm began dragging her body across the cracked floor.
She eventually reached him and grabbed his shoulder.
"Siegfried!"
She shook him.
Still no response.
"Siegfried, wake up!"
She shook him harder.
"Please wake up!"
Still nothing.
Tears began forming in her eyes.
"Siegfried!"
Her voice cracked.
"D-Don't...! Please don't die!"
She grabbed his body closer as her tears fell onto his face.
"Please don't leave me!"
She shook him again, but the albino swordsman didn't move.
"SIEGFRIED!!!"
Nearby, Enkidu slowly retracted the chain.
The red orb floated into their hand.
They looked at it for a moment before walking toward Gilgamesh.
"Extraction complete."
Gilgamesh accepted the glowing orb.
He held it in front of his eyes.
The red light illuminated his face.
"Hmmm... Interesting. Unlike the ones in our collection, this Twice Critical is considerably more developed than the others."
Enkidu glanced toward the crying Jeanne.
The chain in their hand began moving again and aimed it at her.
"Stop."
But then Enkidu paused and looked toward Gilgamesh, who said.
"Take her and her boyfriend's corpse out of my domain."
Enkidu stared at him.
"Are you... certain that's a good idea?"
Before Gilgamesh could respond, Semiramis narrowed her eyes angrily at Enkidu.
"Do not question my King's decision, you puppet."
Enkidu looked toward her.
Their expression became slightly irritated.
Semiramis glared back.
For several seconds, neither moved.
"Enough."
Gilgamesh's voice immediately silenced them.
Both turned toward him.
Gilgamesh looked down at Jeanne, who was still desperately trying to wake Siegfried.
His expression remained calm.
"I want them to return to the opposition as a message to tell them not to stand against me."
Enkidu finally understood.
"Besides, from the looks of it..."
Gilgamesh's eyes shifted toward Jeanne.
"...the girl won't be a threat anytime soon."
Jeanne didn't hear him.
She didn't care.
All that mattered to her was her Siegfried.
She wrapped both arms around Siegfried's body.
Her tears continued falling on him.
"Siegfried, please... wake up..."
Enkidu nodded.
"As you command."
A massive magic circle appeared beneath Jeanne and Siegfried.
The light began intensifying.
Jeanne noticed the magic circle, but she didn't care, as all she could think about was the man in her arms.
"S-Siegfried..."
As the light engulfed them, they were gone, but left Siegfried's Demon Swords behind.
DxD
Hello readers!
The previous "READ ME" chapter will be moved into the Auxiliary Chapters.
Thank you, everyone, and see you later!