Human World, Sicily, Cefalu.
"Hyahyahya!" Rizevim laughed after receiving a report about the goings on in the Underworld and Heaven. "Those fools are all dancing to my tune."
"I don't know why you insist in playing all these games. But at least there are four fewer dragons I have to worry about killing." Acnologia said in a grim tone. "But the rest of those dragons, especially the Vanishing Dragon and the Welsh Dragon have to die as well."
"It's because attacking Heaven and manipulating fools like Larenius Bael are so much fun." Rizevim said with a smile. "And if you add sending you to wreak havoc in Asgard so that I could steal that little lass' research, then you end up with a perfect plan of misdirection."
Instead of being impressed with Rizevim's meticulous planning, Acnologia simply looked away, not understanding why he doesn't just crush all those who would stand before him. Noticing Acnologia's dismissive attitude, Rizevim rolled his eyes before speaking again.
"Since you're so gung-ho, why don't you go to the Familiar Forest and kill Tiamat?" Rizevim asked. "She is one of the strongest dragons alive, after all."
"Is that where she has been hiding?" Acnologia growled. "And why didn't you tell me that sooner?"
"Because she was no threat to my plans." Rizevim said casually. "You should know, if it doesn't affect my plans, I don't really care about it."
"Grr." Acnologia growled again
After growling, Acnologia stood from his seat at the table on the terrace. Then he walked back into the house.
Watching Acnologia leave, Rizevim narrowed his eyes.
"That lizard is starting to outlive his usefulness." Rizevim said to himself quietly. "The only use he had was keeping the other Evil Dragons in line. Perhaps it's time for him to go."
As Rizevim's last word fell, a big, manic smile appeared on his face.
"Well, that can wait until I've deciphered that little Valkyrie's research on Trihexa's seal." Rizevim said with a gleeful smile on his face.
Underworld, Satan Territory, Capital City, Lilith.
Shortly after the rebellion in Bael Territory was put down, the Four Great Satans were seated in their usual meeting room discussing the day's happenings.
"So, Larenius Bael was imprisoned in Bael Castle's dungeon? After all he did?" Ajuka asked.
"Yes." Sirzechs responded. "Apparently, the idea of killing his father didn't sit well with Sairaorg. Though from what I hear, Zekram was all for killing him."
"Well, he is from the old generation of devils." Serafall said. "They are always like, 'Kill first, question later.' And stuff like that."
"That's true." Sirzechs said. "And I can understand that he probably sees Larenius as a liability after the stunt he pulled."
"Well, that's really not something we can meddle in." Falbium said. "*Yawn* The Satans don't have the right to meddle in clan politics."
"I know that." Sirzechs said in a tired tone. "Otherwise, the engagement between Ria-Tan and Riser would have never happened."
"Sirzechs-Chan, you're such a sis-con." serafall said with a chuckle.
'You're really the last person who has any right to say that.' The other three Satans thought simultaneously.
"Ahem! We've also received a report from James." Ajuka said after picking up another report. "Apparently during his visit to Heaven, they were attacked by a horde of mass-produced Evil Dragons."
"That boy again." Sirzechs muttered under his breath. Then, in a louder tone he asked. "How did they even get into Heaven?"
"According to Michael, they entered through the connection to Purgatory." Ajuka said. "And this fact presents a problem of its own."
"What problem?" serafall asked while tilting her head cutely.
"Other than Heaven, the only place they could have entered Purgatory from is the Realm of the Dead." Ajuka said in a solemn tone.
"In other words, Hades." Falbium said.
"Yes." Ajuka replied. "The only person who could have allowed them into Purgatory was Hades."
"We need to get a hold of Asgard." Sirzechs said sternly. "We need to know how Loki managed to get free."
"Hold on." Serafall said, cutting the flow of the conversation. "It says here that, there weren't just those mass-produced Evil Dragons in Heaven."
Hearing Serafall's interruption, Sirzechs and Falbium both picked up a copy of the report Serafall was reading and Ajuka was referring to. Then, after reading it quickly, Sirzechs slammed his fist onto the meeting table.
"It's Rizevim." Sirzechs said in frustration. "Why does he have to stick his nose in everything?"
"Why do you sound so surprised?" Falbium asked in a tired tone. "It's not like he's doing anything different than he has for centuries. Causing pain and headaches to others is what he does. And if he can cause those he affects to suffer he ends up even happier."
"I know that..." Sirzechs grumbled.
"Ooh, it looks like Jay-Kun got a familiar while he was in Heaven, too." Serafall said, exclaiming at the report once again.
Once again, Sirzechs and Falbium looked at the report. Though, Sirzechs was doing it grudgingly. Then, they saw that Crom Cruach, Azi Dahaka, Apophis, and Ladon led the attack. Seeing that Azi Dahaka, Apophis, and Ladon were killed by members of James' peerage, they were shocked but not all that surprised. However, when they read that James made Crom Cruach his familiar, they were thoroughly flabbergasted.
"He subdued the Cresent Circle Dragon?" Sirzechs said with surprise in his tone. "That's impossible."
"Is it really that surprising?" Ajuka asked. "Dragons respect nothing more than strength. Why do you think Tiamat agreed to my proposal of protecting the inhabitants of the Familiar Forest? If I hadn't been able to defeat her, there's no way she would have heeded my request."
"If you had thrown enough treasures at her, she would have." Sirzechs said while shaking his head.
"No one in all the realms has that many treasures." Ajuka stated bluntly. "She wanted half of the Astaroth House's treasury to take the job. Then, she wanted a tribute with a value of a quarter of the treasury annually."
"Wow, that's one greedy dragoness." Serafall said with her eyes wide open. "Good thing I never asked her to guest star in my upcoming show."
After that statement, Serafall began muttering to herself about the finer details of her upcoming production.
"Sera, focus." Sirzechs said. "The fact that there was an attack in heaven and a rebellion in one of the Underworld's most prominent Houses on the same day, can't be a coincidence."
"Are you suggesting Rizevim was responsible for both incidents?" Ajuka asked while frowning slightly. "Although he likes to cause trouble, there would have to be another reason for him to do something like this."
"I don't know what he's planning." Sirzechs said with his fists clenched. "But if I know him as well as I think I do, Then I'm sure he's up to something."
After that, the Four Great Satans began to hypothesize what Rizevim could possibly be up to. Unfortunately, they did not have enough information to make any solid guesses. Or at least they did not before a communication magic circle appeared next to Serafall's ear.
Glancing at the magic circle, Serafall grimaced when she saw that it came from Odin.
"Lord Odin, we are in the middle of a meeting." Serafall said in a flat tone. "I don't have time for your sexual harassment."
"{As much as I'd like to, I have important matters to discuss this time.}" Odin replied in a solemn tone. "{Today, Asgard was attacked by Acnologia, who should have been long dead.}"
Hearing that, an unprecedentedly serious expression made its way onto Serafall's face. Her expression grew even more grave after Odin's next words.
"{While the attack was going on, someone stole my former bodyguard's, Rossweisse's, research on the Trihexa's seal.}"
Human World, Japan, Kuoh.
While the Four Great Satans were discussing the day's events, Cassiel, Rias, Sona, and the others returned to the Human World's Alaverus Estate. When they got back, they found James, Leona, and Genkai playing video games. While the others were doing their own things around the house.
"Welcome back everyone." James said with his sight focused on the TV. "Is the rebellion settled?"
"Yeah." Evangeline said, flopping down on the sofa next to James. "It was so boring. There were only weaklings in the enemy force. I could have stayed home, and the outcome wouldn't have changed."
"Look how close to James she's sitting." Akeno said while covering her mouth with one of her hands. "She looks quite cozy, too."
"Well, it wasn't hard to see that she was interested in him ever since she got here." Rias said with a bit of jealousy in her gaze.
"James never treated her like a child, even after seeing her in her child form." Sona said while adjusting her glasses. "I'm sure that gained him some brownie points."
Rias and Akeno nodded in understanding after hearing Sona's explanation. While, Rias, Sona, and Akeno were talking about Evangeline's actions, Mio quietly made her way over to the sofa James was sitting on and sat on the opposite side of Evangeline. Then, she gently leaned on James' shoulder.
"Oh my, little Mio is growing up." Maria said while dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. "Oh, they grow up so fast."
"Damn it." Xenovia muttered under her breath. "She beat me to it."
Rossweisse had a similar expression to Xenovia's on her face after seeing Mio's decisive move. At the same time, Rias, Sona, and Akeno also noticed that Mio had gotten the jump on them. Then, the three of them, Koneko, and Ravel began to eye James' lap. However, since he was currently holding a controller and laughing at the beatdown he was administering to his mother in Street Fighter, they quickly realized that they lost their chance for some skinship.
At that moment, Scathach came up from the training room, followed by Crom Cruach. When they saw the Evil Dragon, all the new arrivals went on high alert.
"What is he doing here?" Cassiel asked with his bastard sword in his hand.
Hearing that, Crom Cruach glanced at Cassiel, followed by Issa. Then, he quickly looked away.
"Too weak." Crom Cruach said bluntly. Then, his sight fell on Evangeline who was snuggled up to James. "You, fight me."
"And why in the hell would I do that?" Evangeline said, clearly not interested in Crom Cruach's proposal.
"Because, other than my contractor and his... [Queens]… I think that is the correct term, you are the strongest." Crom Cruach stated. "Even though it doesn't seem like that on the surface, my instincts are telling me so."
"Oho, you have some good instincts." Evangeline said with a smile. "It's true I have the ability to fight above my weight class, so to speak. But once again, why the hell would I do that?"
This time, Crom Cruach was at a loss for words. So far, James and Scathach were all for a good fight. So, he expected everyone in James' peerages to be the same way. However, Evangeline turned that hypothesis on its head rather quickly.
"*Sigh* I understand where you're coming from., Eva." James said after winning his match against Leona. Then, he patted Evangeline on the head. "But it would really be helpful if you could spar with him every once in a while."
"I still haven't heard a reason as to why the hell I should do that." Evangeline said, narrowing her eyes in pleasure with James' petting.
"Because, Crom only agreed to be my familiar if he was able to fight strong opponents." James said with a smile. "At least until he's strong enough to defeat me. Which, to be honest, is a pipe dream. Besides, it would give me a chance to see your magic, [Magia Erebea], up close."
"I thought you represented wrath." Rias said with a smile. "But it sounds like pride is starting to take over."
James could only shake his head at that.
"Nope, that's not pride, it's confidence." James replied. "As hard as Crom may train, I plan to train as hard, if not harder."
Hearing that, everyone in the room, other than Crom Cruach, nodded their heads. Over the weeks for some, months for others, and years for the rest, they all knew just how hard James usually trained.
"Well, if you want to see my magic, I guess I can spar with him later." Evangeline said with a little smile on her face. "I wouldn't mind teaching you, [Magia Erebea], either.
Before the conversation could go any further, however, a magic circle appeared in the corner of the living room. When they looked over, they saw that it had Grayfia's mark on it. A moment later, Grayfia and Venelana appeared in the magic circle's place.
"Rias, was everything settle at Bael Castle?" Venelana asked as she approached rias after the teleportation was completed.
"Yes, Mother." Rias said with a smile. "Sai has everything in control now."
"That's good." Venelana said with a hint of relief in her tone.
However, before the conversation could continue, once again a teleportation magic circle appeared in the living room. Seeing that it had Serafall's mark on it, James could not help but smile deviously. He knew that the first chapter of Puella Magi Madoka Magica was released today. So, he was expecting her to show up at some point. However, he was surprised when not only serafall, but Ajuka, Falbium, Azazel, and Odin showed up in the living room.
"Huh? Where is Sirzechs-Chan?" Serafall asked after the teleportation was completed. "I know he was in my magic circle when we left Asgard."
Hearing that, the four faction leaders who came with her began to look around like Serafall was doing.
"There is no need to search." Scathach said indifferently. "Until he makes a public apology, as was stated in the terms of the duel, Sirzechs Lucifer is not welcomed in this house."
With that, the room fell into an awkward silence.