Another month had passed since Heracles formed his bond with Regulus Nemea.
In that short time, the trio hunted down Stray Devils, battled rogue warriors, and even took on a few bounties from Arthur's undisclosed contacts.
Day in and day out, they trained and pushed each other beyond their limits.
Heracles' Variant Detonation syncing in perfect tandem with the Regulus Nemea, causing explosive fissures on anything in his path.
Cao Cao had sharpened his finesse with the True Longinus to a terrifying degree. and his control over its holy light and its properties improved by leaps.
And Arthur?
His role shifted depending on the fight, sometimes offense, sometimes support, always leading the charge.
Now, in the middle of nowhere, the trio clashed in a three-way spar.
Dust and sparks burst into the air with every blow exchanged.
"HYAAAAAH!!"
Heracles let out a roar as he swung Regulus Nemea down in a massive arc, the golden battle axe splitting the ground open.
A deep fissure tore through the earth, causing a small tremor, and rocks and dirt exploded into the air.
Cao Cao blurred to the side, dodging with precise footwork.
His True Longinus glowed bright, and with a fluid thrust, he unleashed a beam of pure holy light directly at Heracles' exposed flank.
Before it could land, a red blur darted between them, Arthur, Boosted Gear fully active, uses [BOOST!].
His fist collided with Heracles' axe, redirecting its momentum and sending the larger man sliding back, boots scraping a trench into the dirt.
"Hah!"
Heracles grinned, teeth flashing as he dug in and steadied himself.
"You're getting better."
Arthur smirked.
Before he could catch his breath, Cao Cao darted toward him with a flurry of stabbing strikes, his spear glowing with every precise thrust.
Arthur twisted, ducked, and weaved through the barrage of attacks, his movements sharp and tight.
"You're getting faster, too."
Arthur commented mid-dodge.
Cao Cao gave a half-smirk as he twirled his spear, feinting low and slashing upward.
"I've been trying to keep up."
Their spar continued, and the rocky field was soon littered with craters, scorch marks, and deep gouges in the earth.
Eventually, as Heracles charged with an overhead axe strike and Cao Cao lunged with a forward thrust, Arthur extended both gauntlets, one catching the edge of the axe, the other stopping the spearhead an inch from his face.
"And time!"
He shouted, holding both weapons firm.
The others froze, panting.
Heracles pulled back, rubbing the back of his neck as he exhaled.
"Man… I thought I got you this time."
Cao Cao stepped away as well, his spear vanished, and he caught his breath.
"That was one hell of a spar."
Arthur shook his arms out, letting the tension in his shoulders ease.
"You're both getting better. Heracles, especially."
Heracles smirked wide.
"Heh, guess I'm finally getting used to this whole new Longinus thing. Regulus is loud and picky, but we're getting along. I think he even respects me now."
(You think?)
Regulus's voice rumbled in his head.
Heracles rolled his eyes but grinned anyway.
Arthur turned to Cao Cao next.
"And you, your hits actually hurt now."
Cao Cao shrugged modestly.
"Been focusing on technique. I think I might be able to reach Balance Breaker soon."
"Good. Go for it. We'll help you reach it."
Arthur said firmly, his tone casual.
After cleaning up, they gathered their gear and made their way back to the dock.
A boat waited for them, engine humming gently as it bobbed in place.
Their next destination: Germany.
The sky was dimmer now, the sun dipping low on the horizon.
The boat sped across a wide lake that fed into a winding river, cutting through a quiet stretch of forest and hills.
Inside the boat's cabin, the three settled into their own rhythms.
Heracles sat sprawled across a couch with a massive bucket of fried chicken on his knees, flicking through TV channels until he landed on a news report about explosions in Japan.
"Man, there's been a lot of gas leaks happening these days."
In contrast, Cao Cao sat near the window, legs crossed, a small reading lamp shining over the open pages of The Art of War that he borrowed from Arthur.
"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles… Hm."
Arthur was on one of the beds, eyes closed, legs folded in lotus position as he meditated.
Ddraig's voice rumbled quietly in his mind.
(Cao Cao's growth is impressive. But Heracles… he's evolving faster than expected.)
(Yeah… Regulus Nemea is a good match for him.)
Arthur replied internally.
(Hey, Ddraig. I wanna ask you something.)
(Oh? What's troubling you?)
Arthur stayed still for a moment, then exhaled slowly.
(I want to ask about Mephisto Pheles.)
Ddraig stirred slightly, his tone filled with curiosity.
(Mephisto? Now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time. What's this about, Arthur?)
Arthur opened his eyes and glanced at the ceiling.
(Because I'm planning to go meet him. Soon. Probably as soon as we reach Germany. I want to be prepared for when we meet face to face.)
(Heh… wise of you to think ahead.)
Ddraig's voice had a faint chuckle in it, but it was respectful.
(I don't know him personally… but one of my previous hosts did. The man left quite an impression.)
Arthur's brows raised slightly.
(He's really that strange?)
(Mephisto Pheles is one of the Extra Demons. Probably from the same generation as the original Lucifer. He's powerful and dangerous, but he's still pretty reasonable. He's also the Chairman of the Grauzauberer, from what I've heard, the leading Magician organization in the whole world.)
Arthur hummed.
(Alright, that lines up. But what about his personality?)
(That's the tricky part. According to one of my previous hosts, Mephisto is outwardly calm, friendly, and has a very odd sense of humor. He'll offer you tea while preparing a soul-binding contract. He's also a trickster. Not in the same way as Loki, mind you, but he's less chaotic and more... theatrical. Mischievous.)
Ddraig's voice lowered a bit.
(So more like a showman than a schemer?)
(Exactly. He loves the flair. Flashy entrances, dramatic pauses, unpredictable jokes. Sometimes he'd do childish pranks on his clients. My host once said Mephisto swapped his undergarments with an unbreakable chastity belt for a whole month. It almost drove him nuts.)
Arthur blinked.
(You're joking.)
(I wish I were.)
Ddraig sighed.
(But for all his antics, Mephisto has a terrifying reputation for one thing: making deals. The kinds of deals people can't refuse. He offers exactly what you want most, sometimes even before you know you want it, and in return, he asks for a price that cuts deep. It's always fair. But never painless.)
Arthur's gaze sharpened.
(So all I have to do is keep my guard up.)
(Exactly. Mephisto may act passive, but when it comes to deals, he's aggressive. Ruthless, even. He'll exploit any sign of greed or naivety. So if you do go to him, keep your intentions clear and your mind focused.)
Arthur nodded to himself.
(Got it. Thanks, Ddraig.)
(Hmph. Just don't go signing away your soul for 62 cents, or something.)
Arthur chuckled softly under his breath, ending his meditation.
He took a deep breath, stretched his arms out, and dropped down from the bunk.
"Hey, Cao Cao. How long until we hit Germany?"
Cao Cao looked up from his book.
"About an hour left. The captain said we're cruising through the last stretch of the Rhine."
Arthur nodded, then walked to the center of the cabin and clapped his hands together.
"Alright, both of you, up. Group meeting."
Heracles let go of his chicken bucket.
"Huh? Did I miss something good?"
"Nope. I figured it's time I told you why we're really going to Germany."
Arthur crossed his arms.
Heracles yawned and leaned forward, resting his chin on one fist.
"Isn't it for that fancy magician organization you told us about? Something about learning magic and whatnot?"
Arthur nodded.
"Yes. The Grauzauberer. It's run by Mephisto Pheles."
Cao Cao raised an eyebrow.
"Mephisto Pheles? The Demon that Johann Georg Faust made a deal with?"
"The very same."
Cao Cao frowned.
"You sure it's necessary to learn magic? I mean, we've all got Longinus. They are more than enough firepower."
Without hesitation, Arthur walked over and bonked Cao Cao on the head with the book.
"Idiot."
"Hey!"
"There's an old saying that I have no clue who said it. Knowledge is power. Just because we have Longinus Sacred Gears doesn't mean we should rely solely on them. What if we're ever up against someone who can seal or negate Sacred Gears entirely? What then?"
Arthur said, adjusting the book under one arm.
Heracles scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"That… actually makes sense."
Cao Cao rubbed his head and nodded slowly.
"Alright, alright. Point taken."
Arthur turned, arms behind his back, pacing slightly.
"If we want to be ready for anything, we need to expand our arsenal. Magic circles, enchantments, even just learning how to cast a simple fireball can give us an edge."
The boat suddenly hummed louder, and the intercom crackled with the captain's voice.
"Attention passengers. We'll be arriving at Cologne port in approximately forty minutes. Please prepare for docking procedures."
Arthur gave a sharp nod.
"Perfect timing."
He turned back to his team.
"Once we dock, we're going straight to the Grauzauberer's HQ. I've already set up a meeting with one of their contacts. Keep your eyes open and your minds sharp."
Heracles stood and cracked his knuckles.
"No sudden explosions. Got it."
Cao Cao looked to Arthur.
"And Mephisto?"
"We play it smart. Be polite, but cautious. Don't agree to anything without reading the fine print twice."
Heracles raised an eyebrow.
"Do you think he's gonna trick us?"
"Absolutely."
As the boat continued upriver and the skyline of Cologne rose in the distance, the trio stood together, ready for the next phase of their journey.
Somewhere deep within the city, a certain Extra Demon sipped tea from a porcelain cup, chuckled to himself, and said.
"Ah, they're early. How delightful."
DxD
The air was crisp and cool when the trio stepped off the dock and onto the cobbled streets of Cologne.
Heracles took a long, satisfied breath.
"Not bad. I thought Germany would be colder."
Arthur walked a step ahead with his hands in his pockets, his scarf fluttering slightly in the breeze.
"We got lucky with the weather."
Cao Cao surveyed the surroundings with mild interest.
"So where's this magician organization hidden?"
Heracles grinned.
"Yeah, Arthur. What's it called again… Gaydar Brewer or something?"
"It's Grauzauberer, you dumbass."
Cao Cao corrected him.
"Right, right, my bad. I was close, though."
Heracles scratched his head.
"No. You weren't."
Arthur sighed and continued walking.
"Can you two focus for a bit. We're going at the teahouse, Das Licht."
Cao Cao blinked.
"A teahouse?"
"Yes. One of Grauzauberer's hidden entrances. Mundane on the outside, secret entrance on the inside."
Arthur led them through a few side streets and finally stopped at the foot of a narrow, old-fashioned building.
A wooden sign above the door read "Das Licht."
The inside was cozy and rows of hand-painted teacups lining the shelves.
A bell rang as the door closed behind them, and a thin, elderly man in a dark vest stepped out from behind the counter, bowing politely.
"Willkommen. What may I serve you gentlemen, today?"
He greeted in a hoarse but friendly voice.
Arthur walked toward the counter with a calm, practiced air.
"I'd also like to speak to the owner about a certain arrangement. He's already aware of our arrival."
The old man gave a knowing nod.
"Of course, young sir. Please, make yourselves comfortable while waiting."
As Arthur leaned over the counter and talked with the old man.
Heracles wandered off and mumbled.
"I'm gonna hit the bathroom and take a shit."
He stretched and disappeared down the hall.
Cao Cao, meanwhile, spotted an empty table by the window and made his way there, only to stop halfway.
At that table sat a teenage boy, dressed in a magician's robes and a feathered cape.
His black hair was slightly tousled, and a pair of square-rimmed glasses rested low on his nose.
He sipped calmly from a cup while reading a familiar book.
Cao Cao squinted.
"Is that The Art of War?"
The boy didn't look up.
"Yes."
With a small smile, Cao Cao gestured toward the chair across from him.
"Mind if I take a seat?"
The boy flipped a page and casually gestured with his hand.
"Go ahead."
Cao Cao sat down and leaned forward slightly.
"So… you're a fan of Sun Tzu?"
The boy finally looked up from his book, meeting Cao Cao's gaze with a cool, collected look.
"I respect the wisdom of his insights. Tactics, psychology, and human nature condensed into precise scripture. It's fascinating."
"You sound like you've studied it thoroughly. I've read it too. It's been helpful in the field."
Cao Cao replied, impressed.
The boy offered a polite nod.
"My name is Cao Cao."
"Georg. A pleasure."
He said, extending a hand.
They shook briefly before returning to the conversation.
Their talk drifted naturally, from battlefield metaphors to modern principles, even touching on a few humorous comments.
But then, Georg's tone changed slightly.
"So… you and your friends planning to study magic in Grauzauberer?"
Cao Cao blinked.
"Wait... how did you-?"
Before he could finish, Georg raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I just saw the Red Dragon Emperor walk into this particular teahouse again, except this time he brought company. Your reaction just confirmed my suspicion."
Cao Cao leaned back slightly, surprised by the boy's keen deduction.
"You're sharp."
Georg gave a modest shrug.
"I try."
"But, what do you mean, Arthur came here again?"
Georg was just about to reply when Arthur returned, Heracles in tow, wiping his hands with a paper towel.
"Alright, let's get moving. Oh. Georg."
Arthur said, glancing toward Georg.
Georg raised his cup politely.
"God Killer. We meet again."
Arthur sighed.
"You're really not gonna let that go, huh? I only killed one minor god."
Heracles let out a short laugh, slapping Arthur on the back.
"Dude. You killed a god. Minor or not, that's gonna put you on the radar of most of the supernatural world."
Arthur smirked.
"Yeah, yeah…"
The elderly man called out from the counter, his voice calm but firm.
"Young sirs. It is time."
Arthur gestured for the group to follow.
"Come on guys. This way."
Georg stood as well, closing his book and placing it in the satchel slung across his shoulder.
"I'll come too. I have business with the Chairman."
Arthur nodded.
"You're always welcome to the group."
Together, the four of them followed the old man through a small, creaking door behind the counter.
A narrow stairwell descended into darkness, lit only by flickering candle sconces embedded into the stone walls.
Heracles glanced around and muttered.
"Well… this place isn't creepy at all."
Georg, hands on his bag, replied evenly.
"The Chairman has a habit of spooking new arrivals. You'll get used to it."
They reached the bottom of the stairs and stepped into a vast, circular chamber beneath the teahouse.
The walls were lined with magical symbols etched in glowing red and blue.
In the center of the room, embedded in smooth stone, lay a massive pentagram etched in intricate designs.
The old man stepped to the center, tapped his cane once on the runes, and then again.
The pentagram flared to life, and the entire floor glowed, casting their shadows across the walls.
Arthur closed his eyes from the light.
"Hold on, fellas."
In a single flash of light, they vanished.
DxD
Hello readers!
I've recently been watching these AI Bigfoot Vlogs, and it's pretty entertaining.
If you watch these videos as well, you can send me Power Stones; if not, you can add this fanfic to your library.
Thank you everyone and see you later!