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Chapter 16 - The Exorcists

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As Algernon closed the system interface, his gaze flicked toward Kuroka, who had just finished giving Issei a quick rundown of the supernatural world.

 The boy sat in stunned silence, his expression a mix of disbelief, awe, and sheer confusion. The weight of the revelation had clearly hit him like a freight train.

Kuroka leaned back lazily, her signature playful smirk dancing on her lips. "Nyahaha~ Poor kid looks like he's seen a ghost… or maybe a Fallen Angel?" she teased, her tail flicking as she enjoyed Issei's confusion.

Algernon smirked, crossing his arms as he regarded the wide-eyed Issei. "Welcome to the real world, Hyoudou. Forget everything you thought you knew—because from here on out, your life is going to be anything but ordinary."

Issei stammered, trying to process the whirlwind of information that had just been thrown at him. Devils, Fallen Angels, Sacred Gears—it was all too much. "W-What do you mean? Why me? I'm just… a normal guy!"

Algernon's smirk widened, his tone turning serious. "Normal? Not anymore. You've been dragged into this world, and there's no going back. But don't worry—I'm taking you to the Underworld. You'll need proper training if you want to survive."

Issei's mouth dropped open. "The Underworld? Like... Hell?"

"Exactly," Algernon said, his tone leaving no room for debate. "Your school will be informed that you're on a trip, so no one will question your absence. Consider this the start of your new life."

Before Issei could protest, Algernon added, "And for your information, this city isn't as 'normal' as you think. It's under devil control."

At that moment, Algernon faltered, his words catching in his throat as a realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. His eyes narrowed as his thoughts raced. Cleria Belial.

The name rang in his mind, accompanied by memories of the dark fate that had befallen her. Cleria Belial, a member of the branch family of the prestigious Belial Clan, was the current ruler of Kuoh Town.

She was also the cousin of Diehauser Belial, the famed Emperor of the Rating Games. Diehauser, known for his unmatched prowess and strategic brilliance, was destined to become the undisputed number one in the Rating Games.

Cleria had always been known for her inquisitive nature. Her insatiable curiosity had led her to uncover secrets that were never meant to see the light of day—most notably, the dark truth about the King Piece, a forbidden artifact that granted unparalleled power to devils in the Rating Games.

The Great King Faction had gone to great lengths to bury the truth, but Cleria's sharp intellect and determination had unraveled their lies. Her discovery had sealed her fate, and the Devil Council, fearing exposure, had sold her out to their enemies.

In the original timeline, Cleria had been killed for what she knew as Devil council took advantage of her love with an exorcist and gave the signal to church. Her death had shaken the Belial Clan, pushing Diehauser into a downward spiral of despair and betrayal.

The pain of losing his cousin, combined with the weight of the Devil Council's corruption, had made him vulnerable to the manipulations of the Khaos Brigade. It was a tragedy Algernon couldn't ignore.

But now, things could be different.

Algernon's hands clenched into fists as a plan began to form in his mind.

'If I can save Cleria… If I can prevent her death… I would gain the loyalty of Diehauser Belial which would make me one step closer to conquering the Devils as he is admired by countless Devils for him being undisputed number one in the Rating Games'

Just as he was deep in thought, his senses flared. A spike in mana surged in the distance, sharp and chaotic—a clear sign of combat. Algernon's crimson eyes narrowed, his sharp perception picking up multiple mana signatures scattered across the town. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as realization dawned on him.

"So, they've decided to strike all at once," he muttered, his voice laced with amusement. "Fallen Angels and exorcists… they're trying to overwhelm the city's defenses before anyone can react. Clever, but reckless."

Kuroka's ears perked up as she picked up on the shift in the atmosphere. Her emerald eyes glinted with anticipation, her tail flicking lazily as she sauntered closer.

"Nyahaha~ Looks like they think they've got the upper hand. Little do they know we're here to ruin their plans." Her claws gleamed faintly as a small pulse of demonic energy rippled around her.

Algernon nodded, his smirk widening. "They're gambling everything on this assault, trying to strike before word can reach the Satans. If one attack fails, the city will be fortified, making another impossible. Typical strategy of desperate fools."

His tone grew sharper as he made his decision. "They're not getting away with this."

Algernon turned to Issei, his tone curt but commanding. "You're staying here, Hyoudou. Someone will come to pick you up tomorrow and take you to the Underworld."

Issei blinked, his confusion deepening. "Wait, what? What's happening now? Where are you going?"

Algernon ignored his questions, his focus already shifting to the rising mana signatures. "Stay put and don't do anything stupid. You're not ready for this."

Before Issei could say another word, Algernon turned to Kuroka. "We're heading out. There's no time to waste."

Kuroka's grin widened, a low purr escaping her throat. "Right behind you, nya~" she said, already forming a teleportation circle. "You sure we shouldn't let him tag along? It'd be fun to see him freak out."

Algernon shot her a sharp look, his crimson eyes burning with resolve. "This isn't entertainment. This is war. Let's move."

As the circle beneath them began to glow, Algernon expanded his senses once more, locking onto the densest concentration of mana signatures. The chaotic energy radiating from that area was unmistakable—this was the epicenter of the assault.

The moment the circle activated, the duo vanished in a pulse of light, leaving Issei behind in the now-empty room. Their destination: the battlefield where Fallen Angels and exorcists were wreaking havoc under the cover of darkness.

Algernon reached into his pocket, pulling out the black, ornate mask he had carefully crafted for moments like this. The Gremory name carried far too much recognition, and tonight was not the time to carry that legacy.

He placed the mask over his face, the cold metal fitting snugly. Tonight, he was not Algernon Gremory; he was Azeroth, the enigmatic fighter whose name struck fear in the hearts of devils across the Underworld after his dominating streak in the Lilith arena.

Beside him, Kuroka stretched, her claws glowing faintly as she purred, "Nyaa~ They'll regret showing up tonight."

Algernon's voice was calm but firm. "No survivors. If the Devil Council tipped off the Church, we'll ensure they have nothing left to use."

The two stepped into the battlefield, a clearing illuminated only by moonlight. The scene was grim. Cleria Belial stood at the center, her crimson hair disheveled and her expression one of despair as she desperately defended herself against ten exorcists.

Holy spears rained down upon her barrier, which flickered dangerously as it struggled to hold under the relentless assault. Around her, the bodies of her peerage members lay scattered, their lifeless forms a testament to the brutality of the attack.

Cleria gritted her teeth, pouring every ounce of her dwindling strength into maintaining the barrier. The exorcists smirked, confident in their victory as they prepared to deliver the final blow.

That was when Algernon and Kuroka entered the fray.

One of the exorcists turned, sensing their presence. His gaze locked onto Algernon's masked form, and his expression shifted from smug confidence to pure terror. "Wait… that mask… Is that—"

Algernon interrupted, his cold, commanding voice cutting through the chaos. "Azeroth."

The name hung in the air like a death sentence. The exorcists froze, their eyes widening in recognition.

Even in the human world, rumors of the masked devil who dominated the Lilith arena had spread like wildfire. Tales of his unmatched combat prowess and ruthlessness had reached far and wide, making him a figure of both fear and infamy.

One of the exorcists stammered, "T-The undefeated devil from the arena? What's he doing here?!"

Algernon took a step forward, the ground cracking beneath his feet as his aura flared. "It doesn't matter. You attacked this territory, and for that, you'll pay the price."

Before the exorcists could react, Kuroka blurred into motion, her claws gleaming as she tore through the closest two exorcists. Their screams were cut short as their weapons shattered and their bodies crumpled to the ground.

Another exorcist hurled a holy spear at Algernon, desperation written across his face. Algernon raised his hand, summoning a crimson barrier that absorbed the spear's energy before dispersing it into harmless sparks. "Pathetic," he muttered, stepping forward with measured precision.

The exorcists regrouped, fear giving way to anger as they launched a coordinated assault. Holy magic filled the air, spears and bolts of light streaking toward Algernon and Kuroka. Kuroka danced through the onslaught with feline grace, her laughter ringing out as she tore through their ranks.

Algernon, on the other hand, advanced like an unstoppable force. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a wave of compressed demonic energy, the crimson surge tearing through their ranks.

An exorcist charged him head-on, a blade of light in hand, but Algernon sidestepped effortlessly, his hand glowing as he struck the man in the chest. The exorcist's body erupted in dark flames, collapsing into ash before hitting the ground.

The remaining exorcists, realizing their doom, turned to flee, but Algernon raised his hand. Crimson chains of energy erupted from the ground, wrapping around their legs and dragging them back toward him. He looked at them with cold indifference. "You were warned."

With a final surge of energy, the battlefield fell silent, the last of the exorcists reduced to nothingness. The ground was littered with remnants of shattered weapons and scorched earth, the aftermath of their futile resistance.

Kuroka stretched lazily, her claws retracting as she looked over the carnage. "Nyaa~ That was easier than I expected. Guess they weren't much of a challenge for the great Azeroth."

Algernon ignored her, his gaze shifting to Cleria, who was now on her knees. Her barrier had long since dissipated, and she clutched the body of one of her fallen peerage members, tears streaming down her face. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed, her grief palpable in the stillness of the night.

Algernon approached her slowly, his masked visage looming over her. "Cleria Belial," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.

She looked up at him, her eyes bloodshot and filled with despair. "Who… are you?" she whispered.

Algernon crouched down to her level, tilting his head slightly. "I'm Azeroth. But my name isn't important. What matters is that you're alive, and your enemies are not."

Her lips trembled as she looked around at the carnage. "Why… why did you save me?"

"Because the Devil Council betrayed you," Algernon said, his voice steady. "They tipped off the Church about you, about what you know of the King Piece. This attack wasn't random—it was sanctioned. Your lover is likely dead by now, and if you stay here, you will be too."

Her expression shifted from grief to confusion, and then to anger. "They… betrayed me?"

Algernon extended his hand to her. "If you want answers, come with me. This isn't the place for explanations."

Cleria hesitated, her gaze darting between Algernon's hand and the bodies of her peerage. Before she could make a decision, Algernon snapped his fingers, and a teleportation circle appeared beneath them. "You don't have a choice," he said, his tone final.

In a flash of light, they were gone.

When the light faded, they were standing in a modest yet well-furnished house in Tokyo, Japan. Kuroka yawned and flopped onto a nearby couch, stretching like a cat. "Home sweet home, nya~"

Algernon turned to Cleria, who stood frozen, her mind racing to process everything that had just happened. "This is where you'll stay for now," he said. "It's safe, and no one will find you here. Take the time you need to grieve, but understand this—if you want revenge, you'll need strength. And strength comes with allies."

Cleria sank onto the couch, her hands trembling. Algernon turned to the window, staring out at the Tokyo skyline. "Rest while you can. This is only the beginning."