Asem and his servants gone, the vampire-turned-evil-dragon assault on Tepes's town subsided.
Gasper's darkness lifted, but the devastation was stark.
Roads, buildings—everything razed, unrecognizable from our arrival.
Tepes, Carmilla, and surviving agents focused on evacuating and guiding civilians. At the east gate's underground shelter, Asia and others treated the wounded.
I escorted a reverted Gasper back to the ruined castle.
Miu and Ravel approached.
"Big brother, okay?" Miu asked.
"Worn out, but fine. You and Ravel did great," I said, patting their heads.
Their clothes were scorched and torn, but no injuries.
But…
Ravel's face darkened. "How's Alice…?"
Alice wasn't here—she's in the shelter, under Asia's care.
After Asem left, I moved to regroup, then saw—
Alice, bloodied, collapsed.
Barely breathing, critically wounded.
Veeka did it.
Knew she was strong, but to crush Alice like that…
Alice, Ast Aarde's "White Thunder Princess," a fierce warrior.
Veeka's power is unreal.
If Asem's other servants match her, we're in deep trouble.
"Asia messaged—she's recovering, sleeping. Rest, and she'll be fine. Gotta thank Asia," I said.
"Good…" Miu and Ravel sighed in relief.
Truly relieved for Alice.
But her defeat shook us.
"Issei-sama, a report…" Ravel said.
"Report?"
"About Bell…"
"—! She touched you!?"
"Yes…"
Bell analyzed Ravel.
Her ability copies a target's current 'power' and 'abilities.'
Asem implied it's one of her powers.
Ravel's analysis means one thing.
"They're fixing their last failure—copying Ravel for Phoenix Tears!" I growled.
Damn!
Ravel bowed deeply, tears dripping. "I'm sorry… I dragged you down, Issei-sama…!"
I hugged her. "Not your fault. Who expects cheat powers? I'm the one copied—biggest drag."
Mass-produced Red Dragon Emperors? With Sky Blade, Sky Strike?
My power's high-tier.
If mass-produced… headache-inducing.
Luckily, Bell can't copy multiple me-level beings simultaneously, but time could mean numbers.
We must stop or capture her—fast.
"Won't say don't worry—you will. Use failure as fuel. Next time, we fix it," I told Ravel.
"Issei-sama…"
"No reckless solo moves. We fix it together. Master's order—break it, punishment."
"Yes!" Ravel nodded firmly.
Said it, so no solo recklessness for me either.
This enemy's too massive for one.
A woman slumped on the ground caught my eye—Elmenhilde.
"Traitors… turned dragons, attacking home…? What do I…?" she muttered, dazed.
A female agent likely told her of Carmilla's dragon assault.
Azazel said Heaven's angels intervened, repelling dragons, but damage was severe.
Both Tepes and Carmilla need years to rebuild.
Some Carmilla vampires, tempted by the Grail, turned dragons and attacked.
Elmenhilde learned they leaked info to Marius.
Her love for her homeland is genuine.
She believed her peers shared it.
That trust—betrayed.
Her heart's in chaos.
Words won't reach her now—best left alone.
Gasper returned from the castle's depths, carrying Valerie.
As we moved to help, someone stood before him—
Gasper's father.
Silent, staring.
Gasper declared boldly, "I'm Rias Gremory's devil servant! Gasper, 'Monk'!"
Bowing deeply: "Thanks for everything. But I'm never returning. I'm taking Valerie."
Passing by, he added, "Our home's in Japan."
Father said nothing.
But as Gasper passed, he watched his back.
After glancing at us, he closed his eyes.
Deep down, he…
We closed our eyes in return and left.
Hours after the assault, sunrise.
Vampires sleep now; most civilians rested in the shelter.
We gathered in the town's central plaza with Bennia and Lugal.
Vali vanished.
Don't know where, but his final, frustrated expression lingered.
Azazel planned to call him later.
I held Alice, her body healed by Asia, sleeping peacefully.
Won't wake soon.
Azazel checked Valerie. "To wake her, we need the Grail Rizevim stole. Her subspecies Grail—three parts. One taken, she barely held consciousness; two, it stopped. We must reclaim it."
So, defeat Rizevim's 'Qliphoth,' the new Chaos Brigade.
I asked, "Why only one of three? They knew it's a three-part subspecies."
"Could be to keep vampires in play, politics… or one's enough. Controlling more's tough. They think one reaches Forbidden Move. Marius likely used one—two's too much for Valerie's body, unconsciously suppressed. Truth's ahead," Azazel said.
One's hard to control?
One Grail enhanced vampires, revived dragons—insane power.
Azazel sighed. "Valerie's issue, but Asem and his servants… unbelievable abilities. Copying a God-slaying relic on the spot…"
"Still shocked, and I saw it. Copied my second-tier power," I said.
"Mass-produced you? Hell. Each demon king-tier. We need dragon-slaying warriors fast. Kiba, your dragon-slaying holy-demonic sword?"
Kiba nodded. "Yes, data ready."
"Heaven's mass-producing holy-demonic swords. Add dragon-slaying—counter for copied Issei."
Copied Issei… hate that.
But if my traits are copied, dragon-slaying swords are a counter.
Miu mused, "Bell copies non-divine beings, right? Can't recklessly send strong fighters."
"Right. Must notify all. That foreign god's beyond—maybe surpassing the Biblical God. His servants are too strong," Tiamat added.
Beyond standard.
Asem and his four servants.
How do we fight them?
Gasper stroked Valerie's cheek. "Thanks for watching her, Azazel-sensei."
Standing, he faced us with fierce eyes.
"I've decided—I'll take back the Grail."
Lit by sunrise, Gasper stood bold, majestic.
"Stronger than anyone, I'll reclaim it… start anew with Valerie. I'll save her!"
He's grown.
Strongest eyes yet.
No trace of the scared, crying Gasper.
A man's face.
He'll get stronger.
For his savior, Valerie.
Far beyond now—
Next chapter, arc finale (planned).
-------------------------------
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