Chương 78: Gil DxD: Chapter 78

"N-no…! P-please…!" Diodora's voice shattered. Not the confident, indulgent tone of a noble devil. Not the honeyed arrogance of the Astaroth heir. It was raw. Broken. Animal. Tears streamed down his face as terror hollowed out his expression. His pupils trembled violently, shrinking as though trying to escape the reality standing before him. How…? How did this happen? His mind refused to accept it. The overwhelming presence. The suffocating pressure.

The golden eyes staring down at him as though he were nothing more than a disposable insect. He didn't want to die. He didn't want to change. He didn't want to become nothing.

"I-I'll give you anything! Money! Power! Honor! Res—" SQUELCH. The plea never finished. Gilgamesh's arm moved with quiet inevitability — not fast, not dramatic, merely decisive. The holy blade plunged straight into Diodora's open mouth. The steel pierced through his tongue, split flesh, and erupted from the back of his skull in a spray of scarlet and divinity. Sound died. Only a choking gargle remained.

Diodora's body convulsed, fingers clawing weakly at the air as though grasping for a salvation that had never existed. His eyes widened in a final, desperate disbelief. No scream. No curse. No dignity. Only the helpless moan of a creature realizing — too late — that he had been weighed and found utterly worthless. Then his body slackened. The resistance vanished. And the punishment began. Black steam seeped from his skin like a soul evaporating under divine judgment. Flesh softened. Structure collapsed.

His remaining leg dissolved first, unraveling into shadowed particles that scattered into nothingness. His hands followed. Then his torso. His neck. His existence. Piece by piece, Diodora Astaroth melted away until even the stain of his presence struggled to remain. The heir of the Astaroth clan. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. Brother to Ajuka Beelzebub. Reduced to silence. Reduced to absence. Gilgamesh watched. Calm. Still.

Unmoved — and yet, deep within those crimson eyes, there lingered something darker. Satisfaction. Not the joyous thrill of victory. Not pride. But the quiet, cold fulfillment of delivering a judgment long overdue. The memory of terrified nuns. Broken Holy Maidens. Innocent girls reduced to tools for a devil's twisted amusement. This was not cruelty. This was balance. With a slow motion, Gilgamesh pulled the holy sword free. The blade shimmered faintly, untouched by the filth it had erased. He closed his eyes.

His muscles loosened. The suffocating pressure around him receded as the monstrous tension faded, leaving behind only a young man standing in the quiet aftermath. Perhaps Ajuka Beelzebub would mourn. Perhaps Diodora's parents would curse this day. It did not matter. Justice was not gentle.

"…It's over?" The voice arrived softly, careful not to disturb the lingering gravity of the moment. Gilgamesh turned. Ewald stood there, calm yet observant, followed by Asia, Mordred, Enkidu, Valerie, and Sebas. Asia's gaze instinctively searched his figure, worry clouding her emerald eyes. They had kept her away from the execution, shielding her from the brutality that had unfolded. She had seen death before. But what happened here… This was annihilation.

"Yeah," Gilgamesh replied quietly.

"And his peerage?"

"Handled," Ewald answered with a firm nod.

"They've been restrained with magic. The Church has been notified — they'll arrive within fifteen minutes." His gaze sharpened.

"With testimonies from the rescued maidens, Diodora's crimes will be undeniable. Even the brother of a Maou cannot escape judgment when the evidence is this absolute." Gilgamesh nodded once. Satisfied.

"Gilgamesh-san…" Asia's voice trembled as she stepped closer.

"Are you hurt? I can heal you if—" He smiled. Gentle. A warmth that felt almost impossible compared to the merciless figure from moments before.

"I'm fine. Thank you, Asia." Her cheeks flushed instantly. Relief blossomed across her face like sunlight breaking through clouds.

"I'm glad…" Ewald watched the interaction with a faint smile, though his eyes briefly flicked toward the blood pooling across the floor — the only remaining proof that something horrific had occurred here. No body. No remains. Just silence. He exhaled quietly. The Golden Beast of Destruction. The title was no exaggeration.

"Gilgamesh-san," Ewald said, offering the sword back.

"Your weapon." Asia still held Excalibur Rapidly, sealed carefully to prevent its overwhelming aura from radiating outward. Gilgamesh accepted the blade with a small nod.

"Thank you." His gaze swept across the quiet battlefield.

"It's finally over…"

"No," he corrected softly. Both Asia and Ewald turned toward him.

"Asia hasn't made her decision yet." The atmosphere shifted. Asia stiffened. Yes… her choice. The Church. Or this place. Her heart tightened. Returning meant prayer, purpose, blessing. A life where she could heal, help, and smile as people thanked her. A life where Gilgamesh had already negotiated her freedom — school, friendships, dignity. A miracle. A dream answered. But leaving meant losing something she had only just discovered. Laughter around dinner tables. Teasing arguments. Gentle encouragement.

The quiet comfort of being seen — not as a Holy Maiden, but simply as Asia. Her chest ached. Could she abandon her dream? Could she abandon them? Silence stretched as she looked between Ewald's warm, fatherly smile and Gilgamesh's unreadable gaze. He did not pressure her. He did not persuade. He simply waited. Trusting her choice. That alone made her heart tremble. Because with them… She wasn't a tool. She wasn't a miracle. She was family.

"S-sorry, Cristaldi-sama…" Her voice wavered as she bowed.

"But… I'm staying with Gilgamesh-san." Ewald's smile deepened, completely unsurprised.

"You've made the right choice, child." His gaze shifted to Gilgamesh.

"Take good care of her."

"I will." No hesitation. No theatrics. Just quiet certainty. Ewald turned and departed, leaving behind a gentle peace. Then— A blur crashed into Asia.

"I knew you'd stay, Asia-chan!" Valerie clung to her with ecstatic relief, nearly knocking her over. Laughter spread instantly. Even Sebas allowed a rare, subtle smile.

"Well then!" Mordred declared loudly.

"A feast to celebrate!" Enkidu and Valerie cheered in agreement. Gilgamesh sighed. Sebas adjusted his gloves.

"First," Sebas said calmly, "you will clean this mess." Mordred groaned. Asia laughed. A soft, radiant sound. As she watched them argue — the king, the knight, the butler, the immortal chain, and the girl clinging to her arm — warmth filled her chest so completely it almost hurt. She wasn't alone. She wasn't abandoned. She was home. And for the first time in her life— Asia Argento felt truly, undeniably happy. Because this chaotic, loud, imperfect group… Was her family.