Returning to capital Lilith, inside the palace, the alliance ceremony had officially commenced.
Within the azure-reflecting palace hall, Odin had ascended the stage alongside Sirzechs and company—facing the assembled crowd below while loudly reciting ceremonial benedictions.
"We are honored that all of you could attend today's alliance ceremony. For millennia, we devils, gods, and fallen angels waged endless war, causing tremendous tragic casualties. To prevent such meaningless conflict from continuing, we have now formed an alliance."
"However, this alone proves insufficient. Multiple factions still covet our hard-won peace, seeking to reignite warfare."
"Precisely for this reason, we have specially invited Lord Odin—representing the Norse pantheon—to jointly sign this peace covenant—"
Speaking, he raised one hand lightly. Accompanied by rumbling sounds that caused the ground to tremble slightly, a black monolith—standing as tall as a person—slowly rose from the stage.
Upon the monolith's front surface, three signatures had already been inscribed: Sirzechs, Azazel, and Michael.
"Hehe~ this alliance ceremony feels far more formal than last time."
Below the stage, standing beside Bokue, Kuroka gazed at the scene above while covering her mouth with her kimono's wide sleeves—whispering teasingly near the young man's ear.
"Compared to this, the alliance ceremony you hosted was incredibly half-assed, nya?"
"...Because I considered it meaningless."
Bokue glanced sideways at her.
"By that logic, I—as Itogami Island's lord—possess absolutely no official documentation or authorization from Japan's government. Yet I don't see Japan's military coming to reclaim the territory."
"That's naturally because you're strong enough, Bokue, nya~"
Before finishing her words, Kuroka eagerly extended both arms from the side—wrapping around the young man's neck. With a completely smug expression—as if showing off to surrounding others—she clung tightly to Bokue while swaying back and forth, releasing a string of cheerful meows.
Such blatant behavior made Rias on the other side press her temples.
"Could you two restrain yourselves slightly? We're still in the middle of the alliance ceremony..."
Much merriment below. Meanwhile onstage, Odin approached the black monolith.
His expression solemn, he nodded acknowledgment toward Sirzechs and company before speaking gravely.
"Then, if no one objects, I, Odin, shall swear alliance on behalf of Norse mythology—"
"I object!"
Before the person arrived, the voice came first. Onstage, before Odin finished speaking, an unfamiliar male voice—without warning—resonated through the hall, interrupting his oath.
Causing Odin's hand—which had nearly touched the monolith—to pause momentarily.
However, regarding this voice's appearance, Odin displayed no surprise whatsoever. Simply turning his head slightly, his seemingly aged yet still sharp gaze flashed with knowing understanding.
"Knew you'd come, you fool."
The next second, above the palace hall, a teleportation magic circle abruptly materialized from nothing. Two male figures emerged from within.
Precisely Loki and Bikou—who'd appeared earlier at the commercial district inn.
Loki spread both arms while looking down at those below, tilting his face slightly upward with arrogant tone.
"I am the Norse god Loki! I hereby express opposition to your assembly's purpose!"
Well, as expected, the unexpected happened anyway...
Below stage, currently being held by Kuroka who refused to release him while intensely inhaling his scent, Bokue looked upward at this eerily familiar scene—reflexively thinking to himself.
One could only say every mythological faction inevitably contained radicals unwilling to let warfare cease.
Though it wasn't his concern. After all, this was the demon realm, not Itogami Island.
Previously, matters occurring on his territory, he handled personally. Now, matters occurring on Sirzechs's territory naturally should be resolved by Sirzechs's judgment.
But speaking of which...
Bokue narrowed his eyes, shifting his gaze to the other airborne figure—who looked extremely skilled at staff-spinning.
"Oho, now this is a rare guest."
Elsewhere, onstage witnessing Loki's sudden appearance, Azazel's mouth curved into an intrigued smile.
"Though even as a Norse god, you don't seem qualified to attend today's assembly. Plus, that companion beside you is..."
"Ah ah, don't count me—ignore me."
Seeing the accusation about to include him too, Bikou rapidly waved his hands.
"I just hitched a ride to visit an old friend. No hostile intentions."
Speaking, he turned toward the hall's side below—toward a certain young man currently being tightly embraced by a black-haired, straight-haired cat girl, used as a large-scale human catnip. He waved vigorously in greeting.
"Yo! Nearly ten years apart, you two still get along so well!"
Hm?
Hearing this voice, Kuroka temporarily ceased her inhaling. Lifting her head questioningly while following the sound, she stared at the airborne Bikou—looking repeatedly.
Then slowly produced a question mark.
"Ah—so who are you exactly?"
"..."
"..."
"Sun Wukong! I'm Sun Wukong!!"
Bikou's defenses shattered on the spot.
Just claimed he'd come to visit an old friend, yet immediately said old friend completely failed to recognize him.
Not even this much courtesy??
"When you passed through Mount Huaguo years ago, we fought! I even treated you to drinks! Not even the slightest recollection??!"
"Sun... Wukong?"
Rias curiously repeated this somewhat awkward-sounding name.
"If I recall correctly, Sun Wukong should be from the Tang Dynasty period..."
"Different one."
Bokue explained.
"This is the current generation's Sun Wukong. The Tang Dynasty one was also called Sun Wukong—but that's his ancestor. Like how the first-generation Gremory and you, Rias, represent this generation's Gremory."
"Oh..."
Rias understood.
"Pre! Cise! Ly! This!"
Bikou emphasized each syllable irritably before retrieving his Ruyi Jingu Bang from his shoulder. After casually spinning it twice, he gripped it backhanded—pointing the staff tip toward the young man below while flashing a confident grin.
"Old friend reunited after long separation—how about a proper sparring match? Fair warning: these years, I've trained ruthlessly hard. Won't lose as miserably as ten years ago!"
"I suspect Indra might have different opinions about that last statement..."
Bokue retorted dryly.
He didn't speak particularly loudly, resulting in the distant airborne Bikou failing to hear clearly. He tilted his head sideways while cupping his ear.
"Huh? What'd you say?"
"Nothing."
Bokue patted Kuroka beside him, indicating she release him momentarily, before rolling up his sleeves.
"Indeed, long time no see. Want to spar? Then let's spar."
"Eh? Right here?"
Bikou froze slightly, surveying surroundings.
"But they're holding a meeting. Plus, Loki's got business to discuss too. Wouldn't this disturb others..."
"Don't worry. It won't."
Bokue exhaled lightly. Simultaneously, Bikou's eyes widened dramatically.
Clearly, the previous second he'd heard the young man's voice originating from below. Yet the next second, it had already reached his ear.
"Because it'll end quickly."
In that brief instant when no one present could react, Bokue had somehow appeared between Bikou and Loki.
[Electric Current Propulsion]
[Extinction Overlord Dominating Fist]
No tremendous momentum. No throat-straining shouts announcing technique names like powering up.
Bokue unleashed one punch. Instantly, Bikou's figure transformed into dazzling streaming light—piercing outward from the palace's interior, tearing across the sky.
Spanning 108,000 Miles.
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