"Awww. Alright, Thirty-Four."
Different from a conventional magic circle, a dark vortex swallowed them individually before they vanished from sight.
The death of the Nekomata would not doubt stir the supernatural world, but that was not for them to worry about. Their only allegiance was to their progenitor.
.
|DxD|
.
It was nighttime in the Underworld. After a long day of work, everyone was ready to move on to their respective residences for some well-deserved rest. When the sun went down, it came with the tacit understanding that work was over.
Unfortunately, today would not be peaceful like the previous, for a new piece of news penetrated the works.
…
The Nekomata Massacre- Tough Times Are Ahead Of Us
Nekomata Extinction: Where Does That Leave Us?
Phoenix Tears Cost Predicted To Increase?
The Massacre Of The Nekomata- Hospitals In Outrage!
Nekomata Massacre!- Territories Lost In Japan!
…
Several news articles quickly entered circulation, none of them bearing good news. Information on the Nekomata Massacre instantly made headlines and dominated every avenue of media.
An entire village of cat yokai was completely destroyed. Illegal images of the burnt-down village circulated throughout the Devilnet like a plague. The news was so shocking that reactions were mixed. Some were happy, but most were very, very angry.
The death of the Nekomata resulted in the knowledge of their worth. Those who were unaware now realised they were the only race of people keeping the Phenex in check. With the Nekomata dead, analysts predicted the price of Phoenix tears would rise soon, which caused outrage.
That rage was not at the Phenex, but at the Naberius…for only they had the means and motive. People who previously supported the Naberius now completely abandoned them. No one imagined that a small village of what they considered animals sustained such a vital part of their economy.
The pillar clans and other more fortunate clans may not suffer, but the common people would have to bear the brunt of this loss, especially the troops. They hadn't even begun to enter the political consequences of exterminating the Nekomata.
So it stood to show that the public was completely and utterly outraged at the Naberius. And as evidence would have it, corpses of Naberius soldiers were found alongside the corpses of Nekomata.
Gone were the calls for the death of the Nekomata and the Nekoshou. Now, the people wanted the Naberius to suffer for what they did. The clan was pushed into the spotlight and no matter what words or manners of excuses were used, it was inevitable that the Naberius would enter a period of decline after today.
Unfortunately for the people, no matter how outraged they were, they could do nothing to the clan. At the end of the day, the Naberius were part of the remaining pillars. But that didn't mean that nothing would not happen to the Naberius.
In the capital city of Lilith, an immense tyrannical aura shrouded it. The streets were completely empty. Shops and bars were closed with no presence of nightlife.
Everyone was inside their houses with nary a single soul prowling about. This was because for the first time since taking office, Sirzechs Lucifer…was angry.
FUUUUUUUSH!
His anger and killing intent mixed with the atmosphere to create a heavy pressure that descended upon the entire city. In certain areas, it was so heavy that street lights burst and windows cracked.
The phenomenon was posted all over the Devilnet with various titles under it. The only thing common beneath the comments of these posts…were various people asking Sirzechs to "Kill the Naberius scum!".
The death of the Nekomata would result in thousands upon thousands of devils losing their jobs. The resulting inflation would cripple everyone not rich enough to survive. The Nekomata occupied a vital part of their economy. They kept the Phenex in check and provided the poor affordable means of healthcare. A pill or medicine from the Nekomata was like a second life to their soldiers, and the Naberius killed them.
"Teach them a lesson they'll never forget Lord Lucifer!"
"Tear them apart! These pillar clans are too arrogant!"
"What are we supposed to do now?! My clan's entire livelihood was centered around supplying their herbs!"
"Kill them! Kill them all!"
Similar comments rang throughout the Devilnet. The people were angry. The people were fed up. But none of them were more fed up than Sirzechs.
"..."
The Crimson Satan was in his office reading the latest information. The bundle of documents in his hands were on the verge of being torn apart. His oppressive aura shrouded the room in darkness. A vague aura of destruction surrounded him. His eyes were the colour of blood and Grayfia could tell that no matter what, blood would be spilt tonight.
"Call Aurelia, Grayfia."
His form began to flicker.
"They've crossed the line."
"WAIT! SIRZE-"
*SHATTER!*
The only thing Grayfia received as response was the sound of the glass shattering. When she looked into the distance, all she could see was a red corona of energy leading straight to the Naberius clan.
"Oh no…"
It was official. Sirzechs was completely unhinged. Her husband had gone completely rogue. No matter what, he would make the Naberius pay for this incident in blood.
"..."
She had to call Aurelia quickly.
Vwong!
.
|DxD|
.
A giant red comet was slowly descending upon the Naberius Clan. Correction. It was slow to the observer who was watching from dozens or even hundreds of kilometres away. To the Naberius, they wished those mere ten kilometres between them and this comet were multiplied by a hundred.
The night sky was lit up by this red comet and everyone paid attention to where it landed.
BOOOOM!
There was no respectful entry nor a courtesy greeting. The pristine lawn in front of the mansion turned into a deep pit upon Sirzechs's landing. Chairs, lamp posts, gazebos, everything was blown away, bolted down or not.
Trees and bushes were stripped of their leaves and grass was uprooted. Windows shattered and the frames shook violently. Such an abrupt entry made everyone aware of Sirzechs's stance in this matter---he was not here to play games.
"I command the Lord, Lady, Elders and all who hold and bear allegiance to the Naberius name…to appear in front of me."
His voice was calm, but it resonated throughout the lands. His aura covered the entire Naberius territory and his power of destruction created a dense field at the borders. The only way any devil could leave here was through his permission, or as ashes.
Vwong! Vwong! Vwong! Vwong! Vwong!
Multiple magic circles bearing the Naberius emblem formed. There were over a dozen of them and they all formed around Sirzechs. When they appeared, it was revealed to be men in animal masks who were wielding strange weapons.
"I see…"
Sirzechs had no time for games. A gesture of his hand was all it took for him to erase them…permanently.
Shu! Shu! Shu! Shu! Shu!
A red blaze covered each of them. They were all destroyed without having even the time to scream. The only thing he couldn't erase were the spear-like weapons that dropped to the ground. He dared not carelessly touch them nor place them in his pocket dimension.
He used a gesture of his hand to make them levitate and shoot far off into the skies. Once he's done settling his affairs here, he would send them to Ajuka.
"Very well, Naberius."
His expression turned grim. The fact that he couldn't destroy those weapons means the Naberius were working on a weapon that could kill him.
Any tiny notions of mercy immediately evaporated.
"You attacking a Maou is a crime punishable by clan extermination."
His cold voice rang once more. He could sense their presence, yet they attacked him instead of obeying his orders.
"Perish with your descendants!"
He raised his arm. Slowly, his demonic energy made itself very well known as a bludgeoning pressure surrounded the entire mansion.
Just as he curled his fingers upwards, the doors of the mansion opened and the clan head, Taito Naberius ran out alone with a panicked expression.
"Lord Lucifer! Please allow me to plead my case!"
"..."
Taito Naberius, a man known for his stony expression and dignified appearance was now prostrating himself in front of him. Yet in the halls, this same man never regarded him with respect.
"Lord Naberius. Explain your case."
"..."
Taito couldn't explain immediately because…
"I'm waiting."
…Sirzechs had his hand pointed right at his head. One wrong move and Taito knew he would not live past today.
"Lord Lucifer."
He had to remain calm.
"The matter earlier was not done upon an order from me or any of my family members. They were agents from the Nebiros Clan. Prior to your arrival, we were restrained and it was only under your aura that the restraints fell. We would never oppose you. This was all a scheme set to make us scapegoats if they failed to kill you! Please believe me!"
"..."
Sirzechs believed him. He truly did…to an extent.
"I shall repeat my earlier command once more."
Slowly, a large magic circle formed in the sky. It was wide, wide enough to cover the entire territory. In the darkness of the night, it was bright enough to be visible from afar.
"All members of the Naberius household, are to appear in front of me."
Now there was truly no one who could leave. Such a massive magic circle was ever used for one reason.
"?!"
Taito now truly knew what Sirzechs's order was for.
"My lord!"
Asking for his whole house to appear here only meant one thing. Sirzechs would choose a male and female to continue the bloodline…for the rest would not see tomorrow's sunrise.
.
AN
.
I can understand why Sirzechs acted this wildly…to an extent. Unlike canon, he was on the line to actively implementing policies that elevate their image in the wider world. Such a vital foundation, one that showed signs of succeeding was now tarnished by the Naberius. Now they could lose the Shinto as allies and according to a newspaper article earlier, they already are, or stand to lose vital territories in Japan.