At one of Japan's premier theme parks, a young man with slightly faded hair tied back stood in silence, his expression ambiguous.
In his left hand was a churro; his right was firmly grasped by a gothic lolita-clad girl. Or rather, she was holding on tight. The girl, chewing her own churro, showed no intention of letting go.
"…So, while Ophis and I waited an hour, thirty minutes, and forty-seven seconds in line for a three-minute roller coaster ride, can anyone explain what happened?"
"Director Goetia, before that, I have a question."
"What is it, Barbatos?"
"Why are you disguised as Romani Archaman?"
"It's obviously to spite Flauros, he's over there, watching couples on dates, superimposing Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight on them, getting all sentimental."
"I see. The same reason Baal took the form of Edmond Dantes to mock the Director."
"Exactly. Like Baal, who's over there with Cao Cao, cheering up that sulking Archer on the bench."
Goetia, disguised as Romani Archaman, glanced toward a bench where Baal, in the guise of a young man, sat with Cao Cao and the "Professor."
"I'm so annoying…"
"Friend, don't let that get you down. That girl isn't your daughter or anything."
"Professor, you don't have to take it so hard."
"You two wouldn't understand. Not as Demon God Pillars or as youths. The elation of being called 'Papa,' only to be brushed off as annoying—it's a complex conflict!"
"Xenovia, why not join the Hero Faction's circle?"
"Could you, uh, not bother me?"
"Ouch, that just makes me want to tease you more. I'm like the delinquent school teacher, right? When one kid's left out, I can't help but want to… not lead them astray, but set them right!"
"Then I'll use the spell Jeanne taught me that works wonders on the Professor."
"Hm?"
"Papa, you're annoying."
"It felt good to be called Papa, I'll admit. But annoying? Really! Why would Jeanne teach her such a curse? No, wait—since she learned that spell, it means we're bonding, right?"
"Sorry, I'll talk to her."
"Is it really a joy to be called a father by such an aggressive girl?"
"It's the gap rule, Baal."
"Professor, please stop shattering my image of you."
Goetia, observing, let out a small, surprised chuckle.
"Sturdier than expected. I thought losing the Holy Lance—his reason for being—would break him. Perhaps he's worthy of calling himself a hero."
Cao Cao no longer possessed the True Longinus.
As the Demon God Pillars' enemy was the God of the Bible, whose will was sealed in the lance, sealing it was inevitable. Like extracting Evil Pieces without killing the owner, the Pillars developed a method to remove Sacred Gears. Destruction was considered, but the risk of the will transferring to the Holy Grail or Holy Cross halted that plan. The True Longinus was now sealed deep within the Temple of Time's disposal chamber.
Other Sacred Gears were examined, but none showed traces of the factors Ophis's snakes consumed. The Hero Faction's relief was palpable—not because their actions were free of divine manipulation, but because they avoided the Pillars' fate.
Still, accompanying Ophis to a theme park seemed excessive. They were monitored, not detained, so they could come freely.
Why choose Japan's theme park? Likely because the Holy Grail War, where that man wished to become human, occurred here, and that boy was from this country. A flimsy reason, barely a whim.
"Compared to that…"
Goetia glancing at the disguised Demon God Pillars causing a scene, likely seen as a weird group by regular guests.
"I'm not… a pancake…!"
"Not a squid or a creep. I'm an eel. Why only me…?"
"You madwoman seeking health through treatment, you shouldn't be here…!"
"That roller coaster is a mistake. It's not an amusement—it's a hazard. Hazards must be eliminated."
"…Humans are incomprehensible. Life is complex. But I've found one clear answer: fear without mortal danger isn't useless—it's entertainment. I misjudged that ride's value."
"Leonardo, you're too free."
"You Hero Faction fools! Why seek it? Why waste it?"
Utter chaos.
"Report from Gremory."
"Go ahead, Gremory."
"First, Haagenti had a panic attack seeing a fairy resembling Medea Lily on a pamphlet recommending pancakes," Gremory said.
"When will he overcome that trauma?"
"It's not his fault!"
"Director, fellow Demon God Pillars! You've all felt it—endless death, eternal predation, repeated agony, and the terror of being remade against your will!"
"Don't equate the God of the Bible's curse and its treatment with your pancake incident, oh, it triggered you again."
"Why recommend pancakes in summer? Push ice cream instead! Parfaits! So warm! Why only me…?"
"Calm down."
His trauma ran deep.
"Next, Forneus was mistaken for a suspicious person by the park's guardian spirit. The misunderstanding was cleared, but it knew his identity and kept calling him 'Squid-kun,' wounding him."
"Guardian spirit… that mouse?"
"That mouse."
"…"
"…"
"Forneus is too fragile for a Demon God Pillar," Goetia said.
"Let's be glad it was resolved."
Some things were best left untouched.
"Then Phenex and Andras rode a different roller coaster and enjoyed it."
"Hold on."
"Wait! I didn't enjoy that hazard! What is that thing? Why do humans pay and waste time to simulate death's terror? It's wrong—a cursed weapon!"
"I recognize that ride's value."
"What are you saying, Andras!?"
"You're the one talking nonsense, Phenex. To escape death, we must face its fear. Knowing fear allows countermeasures. As beings who reject death, shouldn't we ride again?"
"How can you suggest something so horrific, Andras!?"
Ignoring them, Goetia turned to Naberius and Andromalius.
"Naberius struggled to find Leonardo, who got lost. As a valuable Sacred Gear holder, we can't risk him. We avoided magic due to the guardian, so it took longer. Andromalius stopped Jeanne and the Hero Faction from splurging on souvenirs."
"The latter could've been ignored. It's not our money."
"I propose the risk of the Temple of Time being decorated."
"…What about Halphas and Barbatos?
"They stopped a Berserker and his disciple who, as usual, went overboard after finding a heatstroke victim. The guardian complained, so Halphas and Barbatos restrained them at personal cost."
"Well done. But in this heat, why do humans endure long lines for these rides? Ascetic training? Phenex is right—it's pointless."
"This is the heat within humans."
The human concept of "play." Dogs and cats play, but it's mere instinct. Human play, rarely tied to work, is often meaningless consumption—uniquely human, yet sought by the Dragon God Ophis. Had she gained humanity?
If so, Goetia was partly responsible. Ophis, having finished her churro, stared at Goetia's.
"Where are Glasyalabolas and Sabnock?"
"Glasyalabolas is with the mages."
In acquiring the Holy Cross, they destroyed the Khaos Brigade's mage faction, Nilrem, and its ally, Walpurgis Night, absorbing their remnants. Glasyalabolas managed them.
"Just to confirm, are they all girls?"
"No, boys and mature women too. Their diverse ages make them look like a neighborhood association's trip with many foreigners."
"That's… specific. What's Glasyalabolas aiming for? And Sabnock?"
As if on cue, Sabnock appeared.
"Report from Sabnock. I encountered Kingu carrying a fox youkai. He said something strange."
"Wait. That puppet's here? He should be in Kyoto."
"Traveling with youkai. He said—"
"I sensed a notable Fallen Angel's presence, but it vanished."
"Your reaction suggests it's not you guys."
"If so, fine. I just came to check since we were in the same place, and I don't want to be mistaken for an ally."
"Don't involve me if you're planning something."
"I'm finally free."
"Why do I have to study Japanese history?"
"—He added that he acts based on our presence, so we should stay away."
"Did you tell him about the God of the Bible's plan?"
"Of course. He dismissed it as irrelevant."
"That's easier for us. His skills are impressive, but cooperation is another matter."
Kingu would surely provoke the Hero Faction, and with that odd creature Ophis brought, trouble was inevitable.
"Director, more importantly, the Fallen Angel Kingu sensed. They might be checking if we're here, possibly planning to raid the weakened Temple of Time. Issue a return order."
"Hah, naive, Andromalius."
"What do you mean, Zepa-whatever?"
"Who're you calling Zepa-whatever!?"
"Zepar, stop playing and speak."
Straightening, Zepar elaborated.
"It's likely a trap. They know we're here but not the Temple of Time's location. They're waiting for us to move, planning to track us to it. I propose ignoring this intel and focusing on satisfying Ophis for future benefit."
"That's convincing for Zepar."
"A compelling proposal from Zepar."
"Worth considering, for Zepar."
"Stop insulting me with those qualifiers!"
"Your smug face is infuriating."
"I've done nothing to deserve this!"
"What's the plan, Director?"
"Ignoring me!?"
Goetia, silent, offered his churro to Ophis, who munched it without resistance.
"No distress calls from the Temple of Time. If nothing happens, we'll stay with Ophis until closing. If there's a call, we return immediately. It's far from sunset. If Zepar's right, letting them stew is amusing. We'll enjoy the parade and escape flawlessly."
"I agree, but what's the basis?"
"We chose to spend today here. Whether Andromalius or Zepar is right, dancing to those pests' tune is foolish. We stepped into this false utopia humans built. Let's enjoy it."
During the Incineration of Humanity, Goetia found using finite lives effectively "fun." During the Temple of Time's collapse, clashing with Ritsuka Fujimaru was "fun."
"Is this what 'fun' feels like?"
Not the same as before. Not special or unique. Just human elation. Why did this stirring in his spirit feel so calm?
"?Goetia?"
"Ophis, are you having fun?"
"I sought silence. This isn't silence… but I'm glad I have it."
"I see."
He knew this. The King may not have in life but savored it in death—this mundane yet priceless time. If this was living…
"It's strangely fascinating. This thing called human life—"
"An amusement park, huh."
"What's up, Barakiel?"
Two Fallen Angels stood before the theme park hosting Goetia, Ophis, the Hero Faction's core, and Kingu—a volatile mix of forces from who-knows-what mythologies.
Barakiel, with a warrior's demeanor, and Sahariel, with thick glasses, were key members of Grigori. Their names were etched in scripture, marking them as significant Fallen Angels. Two middle-aged men loitering outside a theme park looked almost comical.
"I never brought Suzaku… my daughter, to a place like this."
"Hah, you mean the girl who joined Gremory's peerage? Azazel's working on it too. Once Solomon's dealt with, you should try to make progress."
"…Yeah."
"Let's go. The Demon God Pillar radar's picking up strong signals here."
Using data from Glasyalabolas, frozen by Serafall, and Zepar, defeated by Issei, the Fallen Angels developed a radar for the Pillars' life signs.
"Multiple signals suggest they're likely to cause trouble here. Classic villain move from tokusatsu or robot shows."
"Like Armaros…"
"Shh! We'll inform the park's guardian and request cooperation."
As they stepped forward—
The world shifted.
"What's this?"
"Some kind of barrier."
It was a temple, its architecture unmistakably ancient Israelite. The empty throne marked it as a king's hall. Despite its vastness, the air felt stifling.
They recalled the Dimension Lost, a Longinus capable of destroying nations.
"Could it be Dimension Lost?"
"Nah, just magecraft. A Reality Marble, they call it. Since you were about to do something crude, I intervened, though I didn't want to."
On the once-empty throne sat a figure. An unfamiliar voice with a familiar tone. An unseen face with a known expression.
"Let me introduce myself."
A faint Devil aura, but an overwhelming wave of searing magical energy filled the space, as if the space itself was dyed with it.
"My name is Solomon, once a king of Israel, a great sinner who deceived gods. And your enemy."
The magic saturating the space and his rage-filled smile were unmistakable. The accursed King. Then and now, he wreaked havoc on the Biblical factions. A criminal disrupting world peace. Humanity's greatest villain, spreading malice even in death.
"Solomon… I heard you possessed the Old Asmodeus's body. It's true, then. The Pillars' signals were a trap to lure us."
"That insults Cruzelei and the Pillars, but unlike you, I'm magnanimous. I'll forgive you once and warn you once. Leave, and I won't pursue. Get lost, pests."
He stood, arms spread, ready to confront them.
"That place is for the innocent, those seeking atonement, and those with futures. We don't belong."
"Only you lack innocence and a future, Solomon. You're too dangerous."
Lightning crackled in Barakiel's hand.
"For my fallen comrades, for my daughter and her friends' future, you'll be buried here."
"That's what I hate about you lot. Invaders, usurpers, destroyers, aggressors—yet you play victims. Time should've softened you, but you've only gotten worse. Talking about you, Barakiel."
"I saw it. The ridiculous tale of you, the insane woman who loved you, and your equally insane daughter."
"You insult Suzaku and Himejima!?"
Barakiel roared, his lightning flaring brighter, his rage hitting its peak. That was his sore spot.
Decades ago, Barakiel fell in love with Suzaku Himejima, daughter of one of the Five Great Families. Their daughter, Akeno Himejima, was born. When the Himejimas mistook Suzaku for being seduced by a Fallen Angel leader, they attacked their home, only to be repelled by Barakiel. Later, those resentful of Fallen Angels struck Suzaku and Akeno in his absence. Suzaku died, and Akeno grew to despise Fallen Angels.
Indirectly, this man caused that tragedy. For him to mock it was unforgivable.
"I don't sense the same threat from you as in life. Now, we can defeat you. For insulting my wife and daughter, you'll pay for your sins!"
"You're right, infuriatingly. In a fight, I'd lose. This body is Asmodeus's descendant's. Time is cruel—train your successors better. I'm preparing a new body too."
Solomon admitted, maintaining his composed demeanor. No, not composed—his words and expressions always bled rage.
Barakiel didn't understand. Nor did Azazel, Michael, or the new Satans. Even the Old Satans, except Asmodeus, never understood. Perhaps they never would.
Why is this man so angry?
As if seeing through the question, Solomon's smile shifted—not angry, but resigned, a lazy imitation of someone else.
"I'll let them handle you. Take it from here, you two."
He raised his right hand, revealing a red tattoo-like mark, absent in his lifetime. Similar designs seemed to cover his body.
"In the name of the glorious Fianna Knights… your head is mine."
"You block my path? Then you're my enemy. Here I come!"
From behind Solomon emerged two men, human yet radiating otherworldly beauty—one Erin's guardian, the other Kosala's king.
"This is my mind's landscape, the throne room of my accumulated rage and obsession. Only human love and hope can break it. No need to hold back. If you want to use my Truth to see your wife, take my head."
I, Gasper Vladi, am relieved.
"Sorry, President! I couldn't help!"
Hyoudou Issei—Issei-senpai—finally woke from his coma. When we, the Gremory peerage, visited, he saw the President's face, rolled off the hospital bed, and prostrated himself.
"I'm ashamed I slept while everyone fought! If I'd been there, I'd have crushed that fried chicken jerk!" Issei wailed.
"Raise your head, Issei."
He looked up, face messy with tears.
"We know you went through a lot. Even without you, we had to win. If only we'd had another Bishop or Knight…"
"Ugh, President… But you and that fried chicken jerk…"
"It's fine, Issei. More importantly, while you were out, the world's in chaos. A far bigger issue than my marriage has arisen."
The big issue is the King of Magecraft Solomon's revival. The Old Satan Faction obtained his ring, which held his soul. Cruzelei Asmodeus, wearing it, was possessed, and Solomon annihilated the faction. Rizevim Livan Lucifer, Lilin, son of the original Lucifer, sought the current regime's protection—a testament to the crisis's severity when an enemy flees to you.
At the Khaos Brigade meeting, news of the ring's discovery sent representatives fleeing. I wonder if that's okay for leaders…
Details were scarce, but a countermeasure was found, and the Satans and Azazel-sensei were busy preparing. With Solomon, the Demon God Pillars, and Khaos Brigade to handle, they were shorthanded.
"Something insane happened while I was out!"
"Yes. We might head to the battlefield. But this is a chance. If I shine here, I could nullify the game's outcome—no, the engagement itself—and marry freely."
"Right! Devils are merit-based!"
Concurrently, I received the investigation results from the Demon God Pillar attack in Romania. Nearly total annihilation—seventy percent of my family dead. My benefactor, Valerie, was missing. Surviving records suggested she awakened a powerful Sacred Gear, likely the enemy's target, per Azazel-sensei.
Valerie, please be safe.
"President, now that Issei-kun's awake, may I ask something?"
"What is it, Yuuto?"
"What did Solomon do?"
Solomon, ancient King of Israel. We were told never to speak his name.
"I was taught his command of the seventy-two Pillars was a shameful history, forbidden in the Underworld. But recent events suggest more. Please, tell us. What is Solomon?"
A shadow crossed Rias's face, filled with sorrow, lament, and anger at unjust malice. Her eyes hardened as she spoke the truth.
"Solomon… he once tore the world apart."
"Tore it apart?"
"Yes. He used the ring God gave him to wreak havoc."
A famous tale: Solomon's ring, granted by the One God, embodied divine wisdom. With it, he built ancient Israel's golden age. The ring held many powers, including commanding the seventy-two Pillars.
"He deceived God without hesitation, used Devils without pause, and killed Fallen Angels without conscience. He interfered with the world's laws, disrupting the balance of powers. He forcibly commanded the seventy-two Pillars, then sealed them in a vessel and threw it into a lake when done. He killed Devils entering his land without permission, regardless of gender or age. Fallen Angels too. He spared Angels to avoid clashing with God. He's said to have deceived gods worldwide, making many hate the Biblical factions. It's unfair—Solomon's the culprit. From what I've heard, no human has more cruel, cold, and heinous tales. He shouldn't have had that ring.".
He deceived God—not just one or two. His myth-told deeds were just a fraction of his terror.
Such a villain… terrifying. Everyone's faces stiffened.
"So that's who Solomon was."
"Yes. His stains couldn't be recorded in myth or history. He used the ring to erase those records from human memory. A cowardly man. But his revival means mythologies must unite. No matter his threat, he can't fight the world. Those hesitant to ally will fear him and seek revenge, making them open to cooperation."
With factions uniting, Solomon could be handled. Valerie could be saved. In the next Rating Game, I'd fight to the end. With Issei-senpai, we'd be unstoppable. Once peace returned, everything would be fine.
That's what I genuinely believed then.
***
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