The confrontation with Cao Cao was nothing more than a passing episode for Kaiser.
Though he was impressed that even after losing the True Longinus, Cao Cao had managed to evolve a Lower-tier Sacred Gear into a Longinus through his own power, Kaiser didn't make a special trip back just to show off his findings in front of him. He simply wanted to resolve a lingering doubt—and, incidentally, settle his current stance.
Indeed, he had joined the Hero Faction, but he had no intention of aligning himself with their ideology. He had little interest in their beliefs. Cao Cao also knew that Kaiser didn't sincerely want to remain in the Hero Faction, but kept him around for observation nonetheless.
This return trip was to finalize that matter—to pierce through the tacit understanding that both sides had been maintaining and formally part ways.
With that, anything the Hero Faction did from now on would no longer concern him. He could proceed with his original plan: using the Khaos Brigade as a front to stir up trouble around the world alongside Kuroka and Asia.
Yes, Kaiser was already planning to leave Kuoh Town.
He had already met with the top figures of the Three Great Powers, even crossed swords with them. They had exchanged some things with each other. Staying any longer in Kuoh Town likely wouldn't accomplish much.
Now that the Balance Breaker of the Holy Spear had been developed, and he had even crafted the Divine Dividing—a weapon comparable to a High-tier Longinus—Kaiser had the means to travel wherever he pleased.
Thus, after completing one final task, Kaiser planned to leave Kuoh Town and venture into other mythological systems.
"To create the Boosted Gear, I not only need the core jewel from the original, but also a Lower-tier Sacred Gear."
Kaiser returned to the villa and asked Kuroka to contact Azazel for him.
"Contact him yourself, nya!"
Kuroka was still annoyed that Kaiser had left her in the villa's utility room and disappeared for most of the day. She grabbed his hand and bit him before walking off.
"This cat is way too wild…"
Kaiser winced and shook his hand in pain, muttering to himself. Then he noticed that the magic circle inscribed on his hand had changed.
Originally carved by Georg, Kaiser had been planning to discard the magic circle, but it seemed Kuroka had modified it.
The new cube retained its previous functions—communication, concealment, and teleportation—but now it was no longer linked to the Hero Faction or their temporary bases. Instead, it connected to individuals Kuroka had preloaded into the cube, and allowed teleportation into this very villa.
It could even teleport to several hidden locations—places Kuroka had previously used to evade Devil pursuers. For example, the miasma-filled forest where Kaiser had first met her.
Even Kuoh Academy had been recorded into the circle for teleportation, though for some reason, Kaiser wasn't sure why.
"Well, that's pretty convenient."
Kaiser examined it, then activated the circle to contact Azazel.
At the time, Azazel still seemed to be in Kuoh Town and hadn't left yet.
When Kaiser reached him, he appeared to be above the ocean, saying that the Grigori had detected an abnormally strong Sacred Gear reaction there, which had caught his attention.
"The ocean…"
Kaiser's mouth twitched.
Could it be that his testing of the Divine Dividing's power there had been detected by the Grigori?
That organization really was something—able to detect even that. No wonder they had spotted the Khaos Brigade's movements first as well.
Although he thought this, Kaiser didn't reveal anything on the surface and swiftly shifted the topic to his own request.
"You're looking for another Sacred Gear wielder? And this time it's the wielder of the Twice Critical?"
Azazel's miniaturized projection appeared above the circle in Kaiser's palm, his tone rather odd.
"Why are you even looking for these Sacred Gear wielders? Neither the Dragon Wings nor the Twice Critical should interest you, right?"
Those two Gears were simply too common—completely incomparable to the Boosted Gear or Divine Dividing. Even the Grigori didn't pay them much attention, merely monitoring them passively. Azazel couldn't fathom what Kaiser wanted with those Gears.
Was he trying to recruit their wielders into his own group?
Surely not?
You're someone with the strongest Longinus, have even developed a God-slaying Balance Breaker, and already recruited the rare and precious Twilight Healing and a rare Nekomata. Why would you care about the Dragon Arm or Twice Critical?
If recruiting allies is that hard, you could've just told me—I could send over a few Fallen Angels at a moment's notice. As long as you don't mind me planting a few eyes…
At the very least, you could contact Heaven, right?
That Michael guy practically treats you like a divine child ever since he saw your Balance Breaker. Those two Holy Sword wielders under him look like they've had their souls stolen by you. If you so much as crook your finger, they'd rush over to warm your bed.
Even Sirzechs is the same. Heard his sister was so shaken that she's planning to return to the Underworld with her peerage for special training. As for the reason… well, I know, but I won't say it out loud.
With perks like that, what more could you want?
Azazel couldn't help but rant in his mind.
"I have my own reasons," Kaiser didn't explain much and asked directly, "Just tell me—can you do it or not? Otherwise, I'll have the cat at home find it. She should be able to."
Though Kuroka didn't have many connections and was practically a loner until recently, she was versed in multiple power systems and possessed many peculiar techniques. Locating a common Sacred Gear in the Human World was just a matter of time and effort.
If Kaiser weren't unwilling to wait—and if he didn't have the shortcut of the Grigori—he wouldn't have asked Azazel for help.
After all, Azazel was the Governor-General of the Fallen Angels and the leader of the Grigori. Asking him to track down a common Sacred Gear was definitely overkill.
Of course, if it were something truly important, Kaiser wouldn't ask Azazel. After all, their positions were ultimately different. Some mutual exchange was fine, but getting too close wouldn't be good.
Azazel understood this well, but he didn't mind getting closer to Kaiser.
If he could rope in the strongest Holy Spear wielder in history, it would undoubtedly be a great boon.
So, Azazel was actually hoping Kaiser would trouble him more often—just so he could pull him onto his… uh, righteous path.
With this in mind, Azazel didn't immediately respond to Kaiser's request. Instead, he said:
"If you're looking for a Sacred Gear with the Boost ability, I might be able to introduce you to something better."
Hearing this, Kaiser was slightly taken aback.
"Something better?"
He didn't quite understand Azazel's meaning.
"It was a pleasant surprise," Azazel laughed and said, "Even I didn't expect that there'd be an unawakened Longinus wielder hiding in Kuoh Town."
Kaiser's mind trembled slightly upon hearing that.
An unawakened Longinus wielder in Kuoh Town?
"Could it be…"
Something occurred to Kaiser.
"That's right."
Azazel, unaware of what Kaiser was thinking, assumed he had guessed the identity of the Longinus and grinned.
"The host of the Boosted Gear is right here in Kuoh Town."
"I discovered him by chance and easily recruited that boobs-obsessed brat."
"So? Want to come take a look?"
...
Kuoh Town, Fallen Angels' temporary base.
It was located within a high-rise building in the heart of the commercial district.
The skyscraper had over forty floors, with more than thirty rented out for various businesses. The remaining ten were private areas, closed off to outsiders.
No one knew that these ten floors were used by the Fallen Angels—or rather, by forces aligned with them. The top floor, once used by a high-ranking member of the Fallen Angels, had now been requisitioned by Azazel.
At Azazel's invitation, Kaiser arrived here.
Behind him followed Kuroka and Asia—one yawning, looking thoroughly bored, while the other curiously scanned her surroundings.
"Th-this is the Fallen Angels' headquarters?"
Asia looked as if she had stepped into a swamp or a den of evil.
"Not the main base," Kuroka replied, rubbing her cheek with the back of her hand like a cat grooming itself. "Just a small outpost in Kuoh Town, nya. The real headquarters is in the Underworld."
This "small outpost" had reportedly only been established after the incident involving Raynare.
Before that, there hadn't been any high-ranking Fallen Angels stationed in Kuoh Town, nor any proper bases. Otherwise, Raynare—a low-tier Fallen Angel—wouldn't have been ruling over a broken-down church and acting like a queen, stuffing it with Stray Exorcists and turning it into something resembling an underground organization.
Only after that church was destroyed and the Stray Exorcists' group was wiped out, did Kuoh Town become truly unsettled. That's when the Fallen Angels sent in more legitimate personnel and established a proper base—Azazel's current residence.
"This way, right?"
Kaiser led the two girls to the top floor, where he sensed Azazel's aura.
Following the aura, the trio soon arrived at what looked like a research facility.
Azazel was waiting there.
Beside him stood a young boy, standing obediently, immediately drawing Kaiser's attention…
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Author's Note: You know the goals for extra chapters... Also if by mistake we make it to top 10 then I'll release 10 chapters today.
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