Everyone's eyes turned to Azazel.
The man scratched the back of his head, clearly annoyed to be put on the spot, but he began speaking in his usual lazy tone.
"Well, like I said in the report I sent you guys earlier, this whole mess was started by Kokabiel going rogue. That bastard didn't tell me or any of the other higher-ups—he acted completely on his own."
He paused, then pointed lazily toward Kazuki.
"After getting his ass kicked by that guy, the White Dragon Emperor dragged his broken body to me. Kokabiel was immediately judged under a military tribunal and sentenced to eternal freezing in the lowest level of Hell—Cocytus. He ain't ever coming back."
"Your explanation is among the laziest I've heard, but considering your desire to avoid starting a war, I suppose it's true," Michael sighed, rubbing his temples.
Azazel just shrugged.
"Yeah, war's a pain in the ass. I'm done with that shit."
His words were blunt, but there was no mistaking the sincerity.
Sirzechs gave a nod before pressing further.
"Azazel, one more thing. Why have you been gathering Sacred Gear users lately?"
The room grew heavy again, suspicion flashing in a few eyes.
Azazel just raised his brows and shrugged again.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I've got no intention of using them for war. It's strictly for research. That's it. I can even hand over some of my research data if you want… What's with the looks? Seriously, am I really the least trustworthy guy in this room?"
He got his answer instantly.
"That's correct."
"I agree."
"Yup, totally~."
"Obviously."
"Pfft—kukuku…"
Even though Azazel answered with a half-smirk, the suspicion was obvious—Sirzechs, Michael, Serafall, and Gabriel were all giving him the same exact look of doubt. Hell, even Vali, his own supposed ally, was holding back laughter.
It was also kinda expected.
"Tch. Well, sneaking around for research is getting tiresome anyway... Fine, let's just get it over with." Azazel suddenly shrugged, the casual tone replaced by something heavier.
"Let's forge peace already. That's what all of you wanted from the start, wasn't it?"
His sudden suggestion sent a shockwave through the entire room. No one had expected him to say it first.
Michael broke into a soft smile. "To think you'd be the one to bring it up... But yes, the angels agree. This delicate standoff does nothing but harm the world."
"The devils feel the same," Sirzechs added solemnly. "If another war breaks out, it'll be mutual destruction."
'And not just us,' Kazuki thought to himself, folding his arms while his eyes narrowed. 'If we fight again, humanity won't survive the aftermath. This world would collapse.'
Seriousness overtook the room as Azazel, still leaning back as lazy as ever, dropped the joke act and turned dead serious.
"A world without God... is that such a tragedy?" he asked, eyes glinting with something deeper.
"My answer? No. The world's still spinning, growing even. We're still breathing. God or no god, the world moves forward."
He spread his arms wide, almost like welcoming the absurdity of the universe.
Despite Azazel's shady reputation, those words hit Kazuki harder than he expected. They stayed with him—simple, but true.
The meeting continued afterward, but the heavy tension that had clouded the room earlier seemed to lift. Probably because the biggest hurdle, whether peace was even possible, was already cleared.
"───Alright, that wraps things up, I suppose," Sirzechs finally declared after nearly two hours.
He leaned back in his seat, clearly relieved. Serafall exhaled deeply and took a long sip of the tea Grayfia had poured for her.
Even Rias and Sona looked visibly more relaxed as the atmosphere inside the room softened.
"Now then, I propose we move on to signing the peace treaty. Any objections?"
Just as Michael and Azazel were about to respond—
BOOOOOOM!!
A violent explosion rocked the building, shaking the new school wing to its core.
"What the hell!?"
"An attack!?"
"Tch… knew those bastards wouldn't let this go smoothly," Azazel muttered, standing up as chaos erupted.
While the leaders quickly scanned for threats, Kazuki rushed to the windows. Out in the schoolyard, flashes of light and blasts echoed one after another.
Figures in black robes, clearly mages of some sort, were attacking the guards with reckless force.
"Those are sorcerers," Azazel said casually, as if it wasn't surprising. "Judging by the power of those spells, each one of them's at least packing enough magic to qualify as a mid-class devil. Take a look."
Kazuki narrowed his eyes and saw it clearly, magic circles lit up the field, and every time one shone, another robed sorcerer appeared.
They just kept coming, their numbers multiplying fast.
"If we hole up here long enough, whoever's behind this shit show might show their face," Azazel muttered.
"But I doubt we'll last long enough. Vali."
"What is it, Azazel?" Vali answered, her voice cold and sharp like a blade drawn under moonlight.
"Get out there and draw their attention. If the White Dragon Emperor shows up, maybe they'll panic and make a move."
"...Understood."
Vali let out a soft sigh, then gave a silent nod before diving out the window. A blinding white light erupted midair, and in the next moment, Vali soared across the sky clad in her gleaming white plate armor, exuding an almost divine aura.
"We're going too!" Rias shouted with fiery determination.
"I don't care who they are, there's no way I'm letting them do whatever the hell they want any longer!"
She rallied her peerage with blazing intensity, but—
"Hold it, Rias," Kazuki cut in sharply.
"If we all leave, we'll leave this place wide open. You and one or two others should stay back."
Just like in the original story... Enemies were bound to show up here too.
"...You're right. Then, Kazuki, stay with me. Asia, focus on healing the injured. Issei, protect her. Yumi, Xenovia, Koneko—handle the interception. Akeno, you take command."
"""Understood!!"""
The whole peerage shot out into the sky, battle-ready. After seeing them off, Kazuki Fuwa turned toward Governor Azazel.
"Governor Azazel. I've got a question for you."
"Hm? What is it?"
"...Just earlier, you said, 'I knew they'd show up.' Do you know who these attackers are?"
Azazel crossed his arms, gaze narrowing with a troubled expression. "Well... there are plenty of bastards who'd love to sabotage the peace between the Three Factions, but only one group could assemble that many damn magicians."
"And who would that be...?"
Azazel's voice dropped into a low murmur, one heavy with significance.
"The Khaos Brigade."
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