She can put on the Satan face, but the sister-complex is permanent, I thought. Well, that's just who she is.
I let out a dry chuckle, but then brought up a point regarding the broadcast.
"You didn't mention the gods from the other world."
In the address, they had focused entirely on Trihexa, the Evil Dragons, and the Red Dragon Emperor clones. They discussed the corruption within the Rating Games and the current defense measures. But they hadn't breathed a word about the "Otherworld."
Sirzechs nodded. "The Underworld is already spiraling because of Trihexa—a monster that even gods can barely handle. If we introduced the concept of interdimensional invaders now, we'd lose all control of the situation. I decided it isn't the right time."
"Only the leaders and cadres of the various factions know about Ast-Arde," Serafall added.
"The incident with Hades changed how we perceive those foreign gods," Sirzechs said calmly. "But among the public, there would be those who start viewing the existence of another world as a threat in and of itself."
Sirzechs was right to be cautious. After what Asem did, it was natural to fear Ast-Arde. He had demonstrated terrifying power. Even the Red Dragon Emperor clones—the very things currently tearing through our defenses—were products of their world. It was a stroke of luck they couldn't replicate Issei's sheer willpower and soul, but their raw output was still at the level of a Satan.
However, the "Otherworld" wasn't just a source of enemies.
"The members of the Gremory peerage from Ast-Arde are bleeding for us on the front lines," I said, recalling the footage from the Norse realm. "People are seeing them fight. That should count for something."
"Exactly! ☆" Serafall smiled. "I think the Red Dragon Emperor's little sister is just the cutest thing, and such a good girl too!"
From Miu and Alice to Maurice, Leesha, Nina, and Valkyria—the majority of Issei's peerage hailed from Ast-Arde. On the Norse battlefield, they were the ones holding the line, shielding allies and striking down enemies. Even in the face of Trihexa's hellfire, they were fighting for our world.
Seeing them on the monitor made me realize that having so many "Otherworlders" in the Gremory camp might be our greatest diplomatic asset. It proved that people from different worlds could stand together.
It was inevitable that Asem would make people view the Otherworld as a threat. But I believed the way the Red Dragon Emperor's peerage fought offered a counter-narrative—one of hope. Of course, I'm biased; I've actually seen their world with my own eyes.
Serafall turned to Sirzechs. "I'm heading out. What about you, Sirzechs-chan?"
"I'm going too. It's time I started acting like a 'Satan.'"
If Sirzechs was taking the field, he was going to unleash his true form. He was going to become the Incarnation of Destruction.
That told me everything I needed to know about the enemy. They were an opponent you couldn't beat without bringing out the ultimate weapon.
"Hehe, I figured you'd say that. Well then, I'm off!"
Serafall waved and hurried out of the room.
That left just me and Sirzechs. Standing there with him reminded me of our trip to the Realm of the Dead. Given the apocalyptic atmosphere, I decided it was time to speak my mind.
"Hey, Sirzechs. You're not the original Lucifer. Your true name is Sirzechs Gremory. I don't mean that as an insult, but…"
Does he really need to carry the weight of 'Lucifer' so heavily? I'd always wondered that.
In Devil terms, he was young—a brat not even a thousand years old. He wasn't born into the House of Lucifer. He was just a high-class noble's son who happened to be born with too much power.
"Haha, the Fallen Angel Governor is a softie, isn't he?" Sirzechs smiled. "But Azazel, this is what I wanted. I know I'm not the 'real' Lucifer. I'm just a false Satan. But my desire to protect this Underworld is real. And as a Gremory, I was raised with the duty to protect my people."
When he puts it like that, there's no arguing with him.
Whether as a Satan, a Gremory, or simply a man with power, he was going to protect his home. I remembered him saying something similar when we recommended Issei for promotion.
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