Thereafter, Rias confirmed Zeroy's guess.
They truly could not participate directly; the rules would not allow powerhouses like them to enter the field—unless Zeroy and Patchouli actually became Rias's followers.
However, Rias did not have the ability to reincarnate them as followers. Nor had she ever even considered taking Zeroy and Patchouli as followers, not even temporarily.
Zeroy herself didn't mind. In her view, Rias was her friend already, and becoming a temporary follower to help a friend was nothing to fuss over.
Still, Rias cared. Born into the nobility of the devils, though warm and kind in personality, she was also sensitive about such things. She felt it would offend the dignity of Zeroy and Patchouli as strong beings. Even if their roles and power were reversed, she herself wouldn't care about such things and would gladly help a friend. Yet in her current position, she had to care.
So, how to help?
"Alright then, I'll lend you H.A.M.P."
Zeroy had Rias bring her to an open field, then summoned a forty-to-fifty-meter Gundam-like H.A.M.P.
"She's basically an extension of my body. In terms of power, even without a Longinus's blessing, she's undoubtedly Demon Lord level."
Hands on her hips, Zeroy proudly introduced H.A.M.P. to Rias.
"You only need to sit inside, do nothing, and I can remotely control her to deal with all enemies.
"That said, if you want to make an effort yourselves, I can leave her here so you can practice piloting. However, the time limit is just one week. After about a week, Patchouli and I will be leaving for a while. So if you want to resolve your engagement problem, Rias, it's best to settle it within that week."
One week later would also be the end of this mission.
"Oh, and men aren't allowed in the cockpit!"
Was H.A.M.P. truly an extension of Zeroy's body? Strictly speaking, not exactly. Because Zeroy had no tactile sense through H.A.M.P.
"But she could merge with H.A.M.P. Her consciousness, even her soul, could unite with it—becoming truly one with the machine! Rather than sitting in the cockpit to pilot H.A.M.P. In that state, she also possessed H.A.M.P.'s sense of touch.
When building wonders in the past, whenever fine work was required, she had done it this way. So Zeroy really didn't want men or those she disliked touching H.A.M.P.'s cockpit.
......
"Hello there~ You must be Rias's friends, Sirzechs's important guests, Zeroy-chan and Patchouli-chan?"
Serafall, this Demon Lord was far from serious. Appearing before Zeroy and Patchouli was a Demon Lord in a frilly pink dress, dressed up like a magical girl. Patchouli was a little surprised—such an image was a bit too absurd.
Yet Zeroy wasn't surprised at all. With her magical girl outfit, bubbly personality, love of anime culture, and obsessive sister complex, this was Serafall Leviathan, and she was also a Super Demon Lord–level powerhouse.
Among angels, fallen angels, and devils, she was one of the representatives of the pro-peace faction.
Beyond having the destructive power of a Super Demon Lord capable of easily annihilating a country, she also had excellent strategic command ability. She might not seem serious, but underestimating her would be a grave mistake.
"Hello, Miss Demon Lord~"
Serafall's karmic evil was minimal, and Zeroy's Evil Slayer barely registered her, so Zeroy was in good spirits and greeted her lightly.
"My friend and I wish to become familiar with our own power and grow stronger through battle with a powerful foe. May we ask for your assistance, Miss Demon Lord?"
"No problem~ I love hardworking kids—hm... although I'd like to say that, I still don't know what your and Patchouli-chan's strength is like..."
Serafall looked troubled, then her eyes suddenly lit up as if she had thought of something.
"How about letting me get a grasp first, and then I'll decide, alright?"
In truth, Serafall already had some idea of Zeroy's strength. Not only she, but Sirzechs and the other two Demon Lords as well. After all, the battle Zeroy had with Azazel in the Underworld—though it had been hidden and covered up, the disturbance was too great, and many powerful beings had inevitably sensed it. Not to mention, the Underworld was their territory.
"Of course."
Zeroy nodded, drew out her Longinus, and let her aura finally surge without restraint.
—Super Demon Lord level!
Patchouli did the same beside her.
"Wha—Zeroy-chan and Patchouli-chan are both this strong?"
Serafall's face showed genuine shock, followed by hesitation. Even though she could tell they were newly advanced Super Demon Lords, relying on Longinuses to reach that level of power—
But those were Longinuses. Even wielded by Demon Lord–level hosts, in extreme cases, a mere human could use one to kill gods.
And this would be two against one. Even for Serafall, a veteran Super Demon Lord, one misstep could mean taking a beating. And the chance wasn't small—it wasn't even the worst-case scenario.
No, if she accepted this challenge, taking hits would be highly probable. Serafall would never underestimate the two who had already given Azazel such a thrashing.
After struggling with herself, Serafall smiled.
"Can't be helped. I'll agree to help—but I also hope you'll promise me this: that you'll continue being close friends with Rias, okay?"
It sounded shallow and casual. Yet in truth, what she was really saying was that she hoped Zeroy and Patchouli would stand on the side of the devils, or at least build a good relationship with them. By being good friends with Rias—and Rias was fated to be one of the future leaders of devils—naturally, they would be drawn toward siding with the devils.
"And also with me and Sona-chan. Sona's my little sister, she's really cute. If you can, please be our friends too~"
Zeroy, of course, didn't refuse, even though she picked up on the other meaning in Serafall's words. And Patchouli followed Zeroy's lead.
With terms agreed, the sparring began.
Sirzechs and Serafall together set up a pocket dimension, a one-time battlefield for this fight.
Inside, no matter what happened, it wouldn't affect the outside world, nor could the outside world perceive it—unless the battle grew so fierce that it shattered the pocket dimension's limits.
...
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