High above the grand hall, the battle was already coming to a fast and brutal end.
Shalba Beelzebub was completely out of breath.
His green hair was messy, and his expensive clothes were torn.
He glared at Sirzechs with pure hatred, but he finally realized the terrible truth.
He could not win. Sirzechs was simply too powerful.
"Curse you, Sirzechs!"
Shalba roared.
He gathered every single drop of dark magic he had left in his body and threw it at the ground, creating a massive, blinding cloud of black smoke.
"This is not over! The Old Satan Faction will rise again!"
Using the smoke as a shield, Shalba quickly opened a teleportation circle and completely fled the castle, running away like a coward.
But Katerea Leviathan was not so lucky.
She was panting heavily, her glasses cracked.
She looked up just in time to see Serafall pointing her glowing magic wand directly at her heart.
"You brought war into our home, Katerea,"
Serafall said, her voice completely stripped of its usual happiness. It was cold and final.
"For the safety of the Underworld, I cannot let you leave."
A massive blast of freezing ice magic shot from Serafall's wand.
It hit Katerea directly, completely freezing her before she could even scream.
In the next second, the ice shattered into a million pieces, taking the Old Satan leader with it. Katerea was dead.
Down on the balcony, Ajuka Beelzebub took a deep breath.
He slowly lowered his hand and looked at the small pile of grey dust that used to be Diodora Astaroth.
Then, he looked back at the smiling pale girl holding Elias's hand.
Ajuka's incredibly calculating brain told him not to fight.
It told him that making Dee angry would mean the end of the entire Underworld.
"I see,"
Ajuka said slowly, forcing his voice to remain perfectly calm.
"It seems Diodora Astaroth was tragically killed by the Old Satan Faction's attack. What a terrible loss. I will make sure the official reports say exactly that."
Elias nodded slightly. He respected Ajuka's smart choice.
A few feet away, Falbium Asmodeus, the big, bald Devil King, was leaning heavily against the balcony wall.
He was completely ignoring the dead bodies and the ruined party.
He just looked sleepy.
"Good idea, Ajuka,"
Falbium yawned loudly, rubbing his bald head.
"Fighting sounds like way too much work right now. Let's just stick to that story and go home."
Everything finally seemed quiet.
But Dee didn't relax.
She slowly turned her head and looked into a completely empty, dark corner of the balcony.
There was absolutely nothing there, just thin air.
But Dee smiled her sweet, knowing smile.
"You can stop hiding now,"
Dee called out playfully.
"I know you have been watching the whole time."
Elias and Ajuka both turned to look.
They didn't sense anyone hiding.
Dee simply reached her pale hand out into the empty space.
She grabbed the air, squeezed her fingers tightly, and **pulled** hard.
*Riiiip!*
The empty space literally tore open like a piece of paper.
An old man with a long, grey beard suddenly stumbled out of the hole.
He was wearing an eyepatch over one eye and wore grand, ancient robes.
"Whoa there, little lady! Careful with the robes!"
The old man laughed, dusting himself off with a friendly, booming voice.
Ajuka and Falbium both stood up straight, their eyes going wide in complete shock.
"Lord Odin?!"
Ajuka gasped.
It was the mighty All-Father, the absolute leader of the Norse Gods.
"Hello, young Devils!"
Odin waved happily, completely ignoring the fact that he was just pulled through space against his will.
Ajuka stepped forward, looking at the ancient God with a calm expression.
"What are you doing here?"
He asked directly.
"I didn't come to fight, I promise!"
Odin chuckled, holding his hands up peacefully.
"I heard about this Young Devil Gathering, and I simply came to observe. I was hiding my presence to watch how you young folks handle trouble. And I must say, I am very impressed by you and your pale friend."
Odin smiled warmly and looked at the Devil Kings, and then at Elias.
"The world is changing fast,"
Odin explained, his old voice full of deep wisdom.
"I came here because I want to foster a true, lasting relationship. I want the Norse Gods to officially ally with the Three Factions, and with Lady Yasaka's Shinto Faction. We need to stand together as friends."
Sirzechs and Serafall flew up to the dark balcony, landing smoothly next to Ajuka and Falbium.
When Sirzechs saw the old man in the ancient robes, his blue eyes widened in surprise.
"Lord Odin,"
Sirzechs said respectfully, giving a small bow.
"I did not expect the All-Father of the Norse Gods to be here today."
Odin smiled and stroked his long grey beard.
"I came to watch, Sirzechs,"
Odin answered simply.
"But after seeing how you all handled this attack, I have made a firm decision. I want the Norse Gods to join your peace treaty."
Sirzechs looked at the other Devil Kings.
He didn't even have to think about it. Peace with the Norse Gods would make the world incredibly safe.
"I completely agree,"
Sirzechs smiled warmly.
"We would be honored to ally with you."
Serafall twirled her wand and cheered happily.
"I agree too! More friends mean more fun!"
Ajuka pushed up his glasses and nodded.
"It is the most logical choice. I agree."
Falbium let out another loud yawn and rubbed his tired eyes.
"Peace means less fighting and more sleeping. I am definitely in."
With the Four Devil Kings in agreement, Odin slowly turned his head.
His single, sharp eye looked directly at Elias.
Odin was very old and incredibly wise.
He had heard the reports about the first peace meeting.
He knew that Elias was the one who sat right in the very center of the table.
Odin also looked briefly at Dee, who was still holding Elias's hand.
The old God felt a deep, instinctive chill run down his spine.
Even with all his ancient wisdom, he could not comprehend her true power.
She was completely beyond him.
"And what about you, Elias Thorne?"
Odin asked respectfully.
"You are not a faction leader, but I know you hold the center seat. What are your thoughts on this new treaty?"
Elias looked at the old God with calm, dark eyes.
"I agree to the peace treaty,"
Elias answered simply, his voice solid and confident.
"And if I agree to it, you don't have to worry about the others. Azazel and the Fallen Angels will agree. Lady Yasaka and the Shinto Faction will agree as well."
Odin's single eye widened slightly in pure amazement.
He laughed a booming, joyful laugh.
This young human didn't just have raw strength; he had the absolute trust and loyalty of two entire factions.
"Amazing!"
Odin laughed.
"If the Devils, the Fallen Angels, and the Yokai are already on board because of you, then this will be incredibly easy!"
Odin smiled softly, thinking about his old friends in Heaven.
"That only leaves the Heaven Faction,"
Odin noted.
"But Michael is a good, gentle soul. He loves peace more than anyone. I am absolutely sure that he will agree to this as well."
Sirzechs stepped forward, looking very pleased.
"Then it is settled,"
Sirzechs announced.
"We will need time to prepare the official documents and invite all the leaders again. Let us plan to officially sign this new peace treaty in a few months."
"That sounds perfect,"
Odin agreed, nodding his head.
"But where should we hold such a grand, important meeting? The Underworld is a bit messy right now."
Sirzechs looked at Elias and smiled.
"There is only one place safe enough for a meeting like this,"
Sirzechs said confidently.
Elias smirked slightly and nodded.
"You are welcome to come to Kuoh town again,"
Elias offered.
"Under my barrier, no uninvited guests will ever interrupt us."
The Young Devil Gathering finally came to an end.
Despite the massive surprise attack, it was a miracle.
Only one young noble from the New Satan Faction had died.
That was Diodora Astaroth.
The Astaroth family was deeply shocked.
But because the official report said he was brutally killed by the Old Satan Faction's magic, they could only accept his death in silence.
It was time to go home.
Elias, Rias, Koneko, Gasper, Yuki, and Seiko gathered near the grand doors.
Rias began to prepare the glowing red teleportation circle to return to Kuoh town.
Sairaorg walked over to the group to say his goodbyes.
"Thank you for coming, Elias,"
Sairaorg smiled, holding out his large hand.
"And thank you for saving everyone. I will train very hard, and then I will come to Kuoh for our match."
Elias shook his hand firmly.
"I will be waiting,"
Elias said with a small, respectful smile.
Before Elias could turn around, Dee stepped forward.
She looked up at the tall, muscular Devil.
She tilted her head and gave him her sweet, endless smile.
"You are a very straightforward guy, Sairaorg,"
Dee said playfully.
"You respect my boyfriend, and you treat him like a true friend. I really like that."
Sairaorg blinked, looking down at the pale girl in confusion.
"Thank you, Lady Dee,"
Sairaorg answered politely.
"Elias is a great warrior."
"Because you are a good friend to him, I decided to give you a present,"
Dee said simply.
"A present?"
Sairaorg asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes,"
Dee nodded. She pointed a pale finger directly at his chest.
"Your mother. The sickness inside her is completely gone. She will be perfectly healthy from now on."
Sairaorg completely froze.
His strong heart skipped a beat. His mother had been trapped in a deep, magical coma for a very long time.
The best Devil doctors in the entire Underworld had tried to cure her, but absolutely nothing had worked.
"What... what do you mean?"
Sairaorg asked, his deep voice suddenly shaking.
"My mother?"
Before Dee could say another word, a bright purple magic circle appeared right next to Sairaorg's ear.
It was a direct, urgent call from one of his loyal peerage members.
"Lord Sairaorg!"
A voice cried through the magic circle.
The servant was sobbing with pure, overwhelming joy.
"What is it? What happened?"
Sairaorg demanded urgently, his hands shaking.
"It is an absolute miracle, my Lord!"
The servant cried happily.
"Madam... she just opened her eyes! She sat up in bed! The sleeping sickness is completely gone. She is smiling and asking for you!"
Sairaorg's eyes went as wide as saucers.
Warm tears instantly filled his bright purple eyes.
His absolute biggest dream in the entire world had just come true.
The heavy, terrible pain he had carried in his heart for years instantly vanished.
He quickly looked back, wanting to fall to his knees and thank the pale Goddess with everything he had.
He wanted to offer her his absolute loyalty for saving his beloved mother.
But when he turned around, the space was completely empty.
The red magic circle was already fading into the stone floor.
Elias, Rias, and the sweet, terrifying pale girl were already gone.
They had returned to their peaceful home in the human world.
Sairaorg wiped a happy tear from his face.
He looked at the empty spot where they had stood and gave a deep, respectful bow.
"Thank you,"
Sairaorg whispered to the empty air, his voice full of endless gratitude.
"Thank you so much."
Time flew by very fast in the human world.
Elias spent his days peacefully.
He played video games with Gasper and Koneko, drank tea with Rias and Akeno, and sparred in the backyard with Xenovia.
He loved spending time with his big, crazy family.
But in the back of his mind, he was waiting.
He was waiting for Rin Tohsaka to finally call him.
The Holy Grail War was about to begin.
To most human mages, the Grail War was a terrifying, deadly battle for survival and an ultimate wish.
But to Elias, it didn't feel scary at all.
To him, it just felt like another Rating Game.
It was just a different tournament with different fighters. He was perfectly calm.
One quiet afternoon, Dee found him resting on the couch. She sat next to him and gently rested her pale head on his shoulder.
"Eli,"
Dee said softly, looking up at him with her endless dark eyes.
"The war is going to start very soon. I think it is finally time for you to summon your Servant."
Elias nodded slowly.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a very old, broken piece of dark red wood.
It was a fragment of a legendary spear.
Dee had given it to him a while ago to use as a special catalyst for his summoning.
"I am ready,"
Elias said, looking at the old wood.
"Rin already taught me the basic summoning chant."
He smirked slightly, remembering how funny his magic lessons had been.
"Though, it took longer than expected,"
Elias chuckled.
"When Luvia found out Rin was teaching me, her competitive side completely exploded. She didn't want Rin to be my only teacher. She literally dragged me away and spent hours teaching me her own family's summoning methods, too."
Dee giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Those two girls are so funny when they fight,"
Dee smiled.
"But it worked out, right? You combined their teachings?"
"Yes,"
Elias answered confidently.
"I know exactly what to do."
Elias stood up and walked out the back door, stepping into the quiet, spacious garden behind the Kuoh mansion.
The sun was just starting to set. The sky was painted in deep orange and purple colors.
Elias walked to the very center of the grass.
He gently placed the broken piece of the spear on the ground.
He held out his right hand. He didn't need to draw a messy magic circle with chalk or blood.
Thanks to Rin and Luvia's teachings, and his own incredible Adaptivity, he could form the circle with pure magical energy.
A bright, glowing red magic circle instantly burned into the grass around the spear piece.
Elias took a deep breath. He closed his eyes and began to chant the ancient words.
"Let silver and steel be the essence,"
Elias spoke.
His voice was completely calm, but the power behind his words was incredibly heavy.
The air in the garden began to shake.
The wind started to blow wildly, rustling the trees.
"Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation,"
Elias continued, pushing his thick, powerful magic into the circle.
Dee stood on the wooden porch, watching him with a proud, sweet smile.
"Come from the dark,"
Elias chanted loudly, his dark eyes snapping open as they glowed with intense energy.
"I call upon the master of the spear. Break through the boundaries of the world. Step out from the Shadow Realm and answer my call!"
The red magic circle hummed loudly and then exploded with a blinding, pure light.
The blinding, pure light slowly faded away into the cool evening air.
When the light was completely gone, a tall, beautiful woman stood perfectly still in the center of the magic circle.
She wore a dark, tight fighting suit.
She had long, flowing purple hair and held a massive, sharp red spear in her hands.
She opened her deep red eyes and looked straight at Elias.
Her gaze was sharp, like a veteran warrior who had fought a thousand battles.
"I have answered your call,"
The woman said. Her voice was smooth, strong, and completely fearless.
"I am the Servant of the Lancer class. Tell me, are you my Master?"
Elias looked right back at her, not intimidated at all by her heavy warrior energy.
"Yes,"
Elias answered simply.
"My name is Elias Thorne. I am your Master."
Lancer nodded slowly. She lowered her red spear, accepting his answer.
"Very well, Elias. I am Scathach,"
She introduced herself proudly.
"I will fight for you in this war."
But then, Scathach suddenly stopped speaking.
She turned her head away from Elias and looked toward the wooden porch of the mansion.
Her red eyes locked onto the pale girl sitting there with a sweet smile.
Scathach's tough, warrior expression completely melted away.
Her eyes widened in absolute shock and pure awe.
Scathach was the Queen of the Land of Shadows.
She was an immortal ruler of a realm filled with ghosts and spirits.
Because she lived so close to the afterlife, she instantly recognized the girl on the porch.
She knew exactly who Dee truly was.
Without hesitating for a single second, Scathach let her red spear vanish into thin air.
She walked quickly past Elias, went straight to the wooden porch, and dropped down to both knees.
She bowed her head deeply, pressing her hands against the grass in ultimate respect.
"My true Queen,"
Scathach whispered, her voice shaking with deep emotion.
"Lady Death."
Dee giggled softly and hopped down from the porch.
She walked over and gently touched Scathach's purple hair.
"Hello, Scathach,"
Dee smiled warmly.
"It is very nice to see you out of the shadows. You don't have to bow to me. We are just hanging out."
Scathach slowly looked up, but she did not stand.
"I have guarded the gates of the Shadow Realm for thousands of years,"
Scathach said, her voice filled with absolute loyalty.
"I have watched over the dead. I am your most faithful servant. I never thought I would get to see you with my own eyes."
"You have done a very good job keeping the shadows safe,"
Dee told her gently.
"But I know you have a wish, Scathach. Everyone who fights in the Holy Grail War has a wish."
Scathach's strong shoulders slumped just a little bit.
The fierce, scary warrior suddenly looked very, very tired.
"Yes,"
Scathach confessed quietly.
"I am immortal. I cannot die by any normal weapons or magic. I have lived for far too long, and I am so tired of walking alone in the dark."
She looked up at Dee with pleading, hopeful eyes.
"I only joined this war because I hoped to find someone strong enough to kill me, or a magic cup powerful enough to grant my wish,"
Scathach explained, her voice heavy with sorrow.
"I do not want wealth or power. I just want true death. I want eternal rest."
Elias stood a few feet away, listening quietly.
He understood why she wanted to sleep.
Dee gave Scathach a very soft, understanding look.
"I know,"
Dee whispered, her dark eyes completely full of love and peace.
"You have worked so hard for so long. When the time is finally right, Scathach, I promise I will give you the rest you deserve."
Scathach closed her eyes.
A single tear rolled down her cheek, but a small, truly peaceful smile appeared on her lips.
"Thank you,"
Scathach whispered.
"Thank you, my lady."
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