Chapter 11: For the Sake of the Future

"Do you know about Japanese Schistosomiasis?"

Asia Argento broached the subject in that manner.

In response, Xenovia, who had been asked the question, looked bewildered.

"N-no, my apologies. I’ve never heard of it."

Xenovia reflected on the memories of the past few days, wondering how things had come to this. The first thing that surfaced in her mind was the sneer of the Fallen Angel recorded in the Bible.

—It wasn't just the Great Demon Kings; God is dead too.

God was dead. Our Lord, our Father, the Creator of all things. The God recorded in the Bible was dead. If He died in the Great War of old, then by the time Xenovia was born, He had long since been gone.

Her life had been for the Lord. Her body was for the Church, and her life was a journey to reach Heaven. Believing that the God of the Bible was absolute, and that His mercy and love existed, she had continued to swing her sword.

But she was wrong.

God was not there. Prayers to God were idle; oaths to God were in vain; wishes to God were meaningless. What had her life been for? What would it have taken to be rewarded?

Driven to despair, Xenovia was picked up by the camp of the "Meat Pillars"—or Demon God Pillars, as they called themselves—who were currently causing an uproar across the world.

The job assigned to Xenovia was to guard certain women. Or rather, to monitor them. To be more precise, her role was to contact them immediately if it looked like they were about to cause trouble. For some reason, when the Demon God Pillar gave Xenovia this directive, he exuded an overwhelming sense of melancholy.

The group Xenovia was nominally guarding could be described, in a word, as a nursing corps. However, they possessed nerves of steel. They were filled with such intensity that an ordinary exorcist would flee barefoot. Incidentally, it seems three of them have already collapsed from overwork. One is reportedly on the verge of death from exhaustion.

Among that group was Asia Argento. A poor girl who was once praised as a Saint in the Church but was exiled as a witch for healing a Devil. Knowing the absence of God, Xenovia initially felt sympathy and empathy for her situation. She retracted that immediately, though. Unlike the girl she had heard stories about, this Asia was far too robust. Rather than a "Saint," she was a "Formidable Woman."

As an aside, a certain Demon God Pillar cursed his colleague regarding Asia: "What do you mean, 'a frail girl who wouldn't hurt a fly'?! She possesses the aptitude of a total fanatic! Are your eyes holes in your head, Flauros?!"

Initially, it was incomprehensible, but over the past few days, Xenovia had come to understand it all too well.

(Speaking of which, why do they... the Demon God Pillars, use the names of the 72 Pillars? Their forms are too different from Devils, so they aren't descendants. If they are code names... they feel a bit too natural for that.)

As their medical duties reached a lull, Xenovia spoke to Asia to try and communicate. However, she wasn't particularly silver-tongued. Therefore, based on Asia's background, she ended up asking a question like this:

—Do you not hate the Devils, or the Church?

Naturally, Xenovia thought she must hate them. It seemed Asia already knew about the absence of God. From her position, it would be only natural to feel resentment. Part of the "medical treatment" they performed included things similar to exorcism.

However, the answer to the question was the words from earlier. From the name, Xenovia could guess it was an infectious disease, but it was truly the first time she had heard of it. Because it was an unexpected response, Xenovia could only be taken aback. She briefly wondered if she should have talked to the "Teacher" instead, then reconsidered that it wasn't the right move.

"It is an infectious disease that has already been eradicated."

When it comes to infectious diseases, famous ones include malaria and dengue fever. While there are few cases of these in Japan, it doesn't mean there are no infectious diseases. At the same time, it doesn't mean they haven't fought against them.

"The Miyairi snail... also called the Katayama snail, I believe; it acts as an intermediate host. The disease is contracted by being parasitized by Schistosoma japonicum."

Xenovia didn't quite grasp the point, but she listened intently.

"The people of that time succeeded in eradicating Japanese Schistosomiasis by exterminating the Miyairi snails."

"I see. That is impressive."

To Xenovia, who honestly praised the eradication of the disease, Asia asked with a straight face:

"Then, Xenovia-san. Were the Miyairi snails 'Evil'?"

"Th-that is..."

To put it plainly, the snails were not at fault. They were simply acting as hosts. The snails themselves posed no danger to the human body.

To use an analogy, it would be like saying the sale of canned juice is evil because people litter the empty cans. However, it is also a fact that if canned juice were no longer sold, the littering would stop.

"That's right. It's not a matter of them being 'bad,' or disliking them, or hating them."

One does not kill because they hate the existence itself. One kills because they hate the damage that existence brings.

"I do not hate the creatures you call Devils. Nor the institution called the Church."

At the root of her actions, there is truly no emotion regarding the treatment she received in the past.

"But, for the sake of humanity, I will destroy them; and for the sake of the patients, I will reform them."

That is why Asia Argento will no longer make mistakes. Because she understands that if she errs, someone will die. She has no choice but to charge forward toward a "Rightness" that brooks no compromise.

For me—Issei Hyoudou—the past while has been turbulent. Well, it's been turbulent ever since I became a Devil in the spring. Doing Devil work, the game for the President's marriage getting cancelled, special training, strange monsters going wild in the Underworld, my childhood friend coming back only for a mess with Holy Swords and Fallen Angel leaders to break out.

Azazel, the Governor General of the Fallen Angels, had hidden his identity and become a client for my Devil work. He gave me expensive rewards for playing games and fishing, so I thought he was a good customer, but I never expected to face him like this.

We cleaned the pool as a request from the Student Council, and in exchange, the Occult Research Club got to have the pool to ourselves. I got to rub oil on the President's body. That sensation still lingers on my fingers. Man, the President's skin is the smoothest and the best.

The Great Demon Kings came to the Kuoh Academy Parents' Observation Day. Not just Sirzechs Lucifer-sama, the President's older brother, but also Serafall Leviathan-sama, the Student Council President's older sister. Honestly, she was completely different from the "Leviathan-sama" I had imagined. I expected a more voluptuous, cool beauty, but she was a "Magical Girl"—or rather, a "Demon King Girl." I don't know what I'm saying, but I don't think I understand it either.

I also met the President's "Bishop" who was supposed to be sealed—Gasper Vladi. To my shock, he was a shut-in crossdresser. He looks like a beautiful girl, which makes it even worse. Give me back my dreams. Apparently, his Sacred Gear is so powerful he can't control it, but since Kiba awakened his Balance Breaker, the evaluation of the President went up, and he might be released. Right now, we’re working hard together.

I received a Holy Sword called Ascalon from Michael-san, the Archangel. He said it was a good luck charm for the peace talks that are about to happen.

And now, the meeting of the Three Great Powers was about to begin. Participating in the talks from the Devil side were Sirzechs-sama and Leviathan-sama, the Gremory subordinates including myself (excluding Gasper), and the Student Council President. From the Fallen Angel side were Azazel and the White Dragon Emperor, Vali. From the Angel side were Michael-san and a beautiful angel who seemed to be his attendant.

"Everyone present in this room knows of the absence of God."

The meeting began with that opening.

First was the Kokabiel incident. The President also testified about what happened then. Kokabiel, who was beaten half to death by those "Meat Pillars" the other day, is currently imprisoned in Cocytus, the lowest level of Hell. They say he can never come out again. That’s a fitting end for a nuisance of a battle-maniac like him.

Once the Kokabiel matter was settled as a blunder on the Fallen Angel side, the agenda finally moved to those "Meat Pillars."

"What we know about them is that they hold hostility toward the Bible, they are strong enough to easily kill the original 72 Pillars, and—they are usurping the names of the 72 Pillars. From this, it is highly likely there are seventy-two of them, including the individuals my sister encountered and the ones that appeared in the Underworld."

Thinking that there are seventy-two of those hideous monsters makes me shiver.

"So, the one Sirzechs' sister and the Red Dragon Emperor met called itself 'Gremory,' right? What's the point of faking the names of the 72 Pillars?"

"Let me say this first: the 'Seventy-Two Pillars' undoubtedly refers to Sirzechs and his peers. I, who have fought since ancient times, shall testify in God's stead."

Both Azazel and Michael-san asserted that the Meat Pillars were fakes of the 72 Pillars. Naturally. Especially Michael-san; his eyes were smoldering with indignation.

"If they insolently aim for the vacant throne of God, we have no choice but to oppose them. In the name of God, we shall destroy them."

"I agree. If the goal Sirzechs' sister heard is true, it might not concern the Fallen Angels. But it's too dangerous. We have to deal with it before we get dragged in. That said, the Fallen Angels can't fight them alone."

And then, Azazel broached the subject:

"That’s exactly why we should form a peace treaty and a united front."

Everyone was surprised that the proposal came from Azazel of all people, but the proposal was accepted. The meeting was intended for that from the start, so it was only natural.

After the pact was decided, Azazel revealed the existence of an organization called the "Khaos Brigade." It seems the Fallen Angel camp had been preparing their military strength as a countermeasure against this organization. The leader is Ophis, a dragon stronger than the Two Heavenly Dragons. Apparently, they are the strongest existence in the world. They said bringing the White Dragon Emperor into their organization was also part of the countermeasure. Azazel's view is that those Meat Pillars might be related to this "Khaos Brigade."

Sirzechs-sama and Michael-san looked grim upon hearing about the dangerous organization. Then, Azazel disclosed the next piece of information. Man, this Fallen Angel guy is quite the informant.

"In Kyoto, there's a guy calling himself Kingu."

I was a bit taken aback by the sudden topic of Kyoto. The President, who says she likes Kyoto, looked the same. However, I was more concerned about the name Azazel mentioned.

"King? Like a monarch?"

I thought maybe some "King"—a High-Class Devil—had moved to Kyoto, but Azazel denied my mutter.

"No, not 'King,' but Kingu. A god of Mesopotamia who was destroyed a long time ago... well, strictly speaking, I don't know if he should be called a god, but anyway, there was someone with that name. Though, it's probably just the same name with no connection."

Me-Mesopotamia? If I recall, that’s one of the four great civilizations? I learned that in social studies. I don't know much more than that. I think there was something called Sumer, the oldest city of humanity.

Leaving me aside as I pulled knowledge from my brain, Azazel continued talking about that Kingu or Pengu guy.

"He looks human, but his detailed race is unknown. Long green hair, an appearance where you can't tell if he's a man or a woman. He's freakishly strong. His position is a guest of the leader of the Kyoto Foxes. But he's treated as more than that. It seems they intend to make him the son-in-law of the Fox leader in the future. That’s the information from Kyoto I got through indirect channels."

It was vague information. I couldn't understand why Azazel was disclosing this.

"The problem is where this guy appeared from. There was absolutely no information on him until recently. He suddenly became a rumor, but there are no traces of him anywhere before that. Don't you think he's related to the 'Khaos Brigade' or the Meat Pillars? We don't know his race or anything. Those Meat Pillars can make themselves look human, right? I'm betting that this is a transformed state of a Meat Pillar."

"Indeed, the timing makes it extremely suspicious... What do the Mesopotamian gods say?"

"You think the Governor General of the Fallen Angels can just book an appointment with gods from other mythologies?"

When I thought that he should just go to Kyoto directly, Azazel continued with an annoyed look.

"Kyoto is an open region even within Japan. With permission, you can go anywhere except for very specific places. However, it seems Kingu already holds a special position in Kyoto. We can't contact him carelessly. I sent subordinates to Kyoto, but they couldn't gather anything more than the current info."

"I see. Serafall and I also have associations in Kyoto. We even manage hotels there. We’ve been so busy dealing with those monsters that no information regarding that area has reached us."

"Hey, Sirzechs-chan. Don't you think we should unify how we call them? Meat Pillars, monsters, Fake 72 Pillars... it’s all over the place."

It was a suggestion from Serafall-sama. True, it’s inconvenient without a name. Even Kokabiel called them "creatures that make no sense." Between "Meat Pillars" and "Tentacle Monsters," everyone calls them something different, and even I get confused on what to call them.

"Then, since they're claiming to be the 72 Pillars despite being fakes, shall we call them Lemegeton?"

"The Lesser Key of Solomon, is it? That certainly seems fitting. But even if we use that as a general term, what about the individuals?"

"Since the one who called itself Gremory is temporarily being called 'Fake Gremory,' let's keep calling them 'Fake so-and-so' from now on! ☆"

At that moment, a red eyeball filled with intense killing intent appeared in the window.

"We are the Demon God Pillars. And we alone are the True Seventy-Two Pillars. You are the one who is a fake of a magical girl, you Counterfeit of Sitri."

Author’s Note: One of the differences between the Asia in my work and the original version is whether or not she regrets healing Diodora. Well, it’s not because she was exiled, but rather a feeling that she shouldn't have left a source of infection untreated.

Next Episode Preview: Magical Devil Girl vs. Demon God Pillar Glasya-Labolas! The feelings poured into being a Magical Girl!