…Euclid had put that replica to better use than the owner of the real thing. If that wasn’t proof of the huge gulf between our base specs, nothing was. A strong weapon needed a strong user to bring out its full potential.
I averted my gaze as the chairwoman flashed me a smile.
“I’m not saying you’re inferior, Issei,” she said. “You’re certainly talented when it comes to wielding your Sacred Gear… Your opponent is a genius, that’s all. He’s a Lucifugus—Lucifer’s right-hand man.”
Yeah, I realized that. I was up against Grayfia’s little brother here. He was the blood of the underworld’s strongest Queen. Of course he would be strong.
“First, we need to figure out their objective,” Rias said.
Gondul placed a hand on her chest. “One of them must be us, the mages researching Trihexa, no? But Agreas is also within the barrier, so they must also have other goals.”
The floating city of Agreas. Yes, if the mages were their only target, there would be no need to include the city within the barrier.
“Technology from the old Demon King era,” Ravel murmured.
The chairwoman nodded. “Technology from that era is still in use in Agreas. Ajuka Beelzebub’s researchers are still researching certain unexplained aspects of the city. Rizevim Livan Lucifer, the son of the former Lucifer, may be after something there.”
Come to think of it, I vaguely remembered Azazel saying something like that shortly before our match with the Bael Familia.
Technology from the old Demon King era… Rizevim was the son of an old Demon King, so it was no surprise he would be interested in technology from that time.
Gondul rested a hand under her chin, deep in thought. “The legacy of the old Demon Kings… A weapon, perhaps? It may even be connected to Trihexa.”
“Or maybe they think it will help them open a path to that other world?” Rias suggested.
We all fell silent.
…Did the aerial city really have so many big secrets? Then again, the fact that it was floating suspended in the air was a technological marvel on its own. I just hoped it wouldn’t be revealed as a dormant superweapon meant to destroy the underworld or anything…
“Given the size of the barrier ward, wouldn’t people on the outside have noticed it?” I asked.
It wouldn’t be surprising if soldiers in the Agares territory took action if all contact was lost with Agreas. And once people realized Qlippoth was involved, the other big hitters in the underworld, not to mention the other members of Team DxD, would spring into action.
Chairwoman Sona wrinkled her brow. “They must have taken that into account when launching into this large-scale operation. They could have warped time and space to keep those on the outside unawares.”
“…If time and space have been distorted, an hour for us might last just one minute outside the barrier,” Rias pointed out. “Like a lot of techniques, it would require a careful preparation by a highly skilled mage, but it isn’t impossible… The replica Boosted Gear and Azhi Dahaka’s forbidden techniques are a fearsome combination.”
“Even for a dragon, a spell of that magnitude would take a toll on the caster. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had to pay with his life,” Gondul remarked.
…The Holy Grail. If Qlippoth resurrected him once, they could do so again… We needed to retrieve that Longinus, and not just for Gaspy’s sake. So long as those bastards were holding on to it, there would be no end to these crazy antics.
…And if they could mess with time and space, that would make it all the more difficult to counter them in the future!
Rias must have sensed my unease, as she turned to me. “Barriers have been set up around important sites in the underworld ever since the hero faction’s anti-monster attack. They’re designed to prevent terrorism attacks from manipulating time and space. I know they’ve been installed in Lilith, the capital of the Demon Kings’ territory, as well as major cities in the Gremory territory. Kuou Academy is also protected by one, and it’s been reinforced after it was breached last time. But…” She glanced at Chairwoman Sona, who gave her an awkward nod.
“The barriers haven’t been set up here yet,” the chairwoman answered. “Or rather, the plans have been postponed several times. Agreas is a hub for Rating Games, and a major entertainment and tourist hub. The authorities would have had to shut down those attractions temporarily to install the barrier, so the city’s departments have been dragging their feet… Well, it’s certainly backfired, hasn’t it? Agreas is a major source of revenue for the Agares territory, so the archduke may well have an aneurysm when he learns the tourist board was responsible for delaying the security forces’ countermeasures…”
…The defensive barrier was delayed to prioritize entertainment facilities…?! Every territory had its own way of doing things, but the archduke would no doubt be pulling his hair out at this. And now he was caught between the various Demon King factions, not to mention the house of Bael… Talk about a middle-management nightmare…
Chairwoman Sona rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought. “A ward covering Agreas and this town, activated before Agreas’s defensive barrier could be installed and right in the middle of the mages’ conference… It can’t be a coincidence… I’m concerned.”
The chairwoman was starting to have her doubts. I was really glad to have her around, especially considering Azazel wasn’t here.
At that moment, a staff member burst into the room, laboring for breath.
“…What’s wrong?” Rias asked.
After getting his breathing under control, the man pointed with his finger. “There’s a video feed in the sky.”