Chương 80: Gil DxD: Chapter 80

"There is no guarantee that Ewald Cristaldi only wanted to recover Asia Argento," Sona said evenly, fingers interlocked atop her desk.

"He could have used that opportunity to do something… dangerous. Especially considering who my relatives are." Her tone was calm. But beneath it lay calculation. Risk assessment. Political instinct.

"If he had tried anything," I replied without hesitation, voice flat and unbothered, "I would have stopped him." Silence.

"When he came for Asia, he attacked a friend of mine first. Mordred arrived just in time and intercepted him." For the first time since this meeting began— Sona's composure cracked. Her violet eyes widened ever so slightly. Her lips parted. Surprise. Genuine. She clearly hadn't expected that. Mordred standing against Ewald Cristaldi was not a scenario easily imagined. The cardinal was well-known among high-ranking devils — efficient, ruthless, experienced. A veteran who had survived war.

"You're serious," she muttered.

"When have I joked about matters like this?" Her gaze sharpened again. Sona knew Mordred was strong. She had arranged that spar with Kiba after doubting my claim. Mordred had dismantled him cleanly, crushing both pride and technique. But Ewald?

"He wasn't using his full power," I added casually, leaning back in my chair.

"Not his full power?" she repeated.

"He wielded only one sword." Normally, Ewald fought with multiple Excalibur fragments simultaneously. In that state, even devils of high rank would struggle to breathe under his assault.

"Mordred had the advantage in that condition," I finished. A slight lie. Mordred wasn't at full output either. But Sona didn't need that detail.

"I see…" she murmured, brows knitting as thoughts raced behind her composed expression.

"If he had—""He still could've killed you. Rias. Both your peerages at the same time." I cut her off bluntly. Her eyes blinked. Once. Twice. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"What?"

"You heard me." My tone remained indifferent.

"You don't believe me? That's fine. I don't particularly care." It was not arrogance. It was simple fact. Even with only Excalibur Rapidly, Ewald possessed skill honed in battlefields soaked in blood. Speed without hesitation. Precision without mercy. Against devils— One clean graze would be fatal. Sona frowned deeply.

"That's a bold claim." Of course it was. By stating that, I was indirectly placing myself above them as well. If I could defeat Ewald — and I could — then the gap between us was not subtle. But that gap already existed. They simply hadn't measured it properly yet.

"I'm just telling the truth," I replied lightly. I wasn't about to reveal more. She knew I wielded Boosted Gear. She knew I was capable in melee combat. That was enough. For now. She didn't yet connect me to Sairaorg's defeat. Didn't link the boy sitting across from her to the one who subdued Regulus Nemea. But she would. Eventually. Her violet gaze locked onto my crimson one, studying me in silence. As if trying to calculate my limits. To quantify me. To define the unknown variable.

"…I see. I believe I have enough information." Her voice returned to its usual measured tone.

"Is there anything else I should know?"

"Nothing that concerns you," I answered simply. She gave a short nod.

"You may go." I rose smoothly, offering a slight bow — mockingly respectful yet not insincere. Then I left. — Kuoh's streets were quiet as I walked. I could teleport. It would take less than a breath. But walking grounded me. The rhythm of footsteps. The faint wind brushing against my coat. The distant hum of a city pretending it wasn't a stage for gods and devils. Sona's real reason for calling me was obvious. Surveillance. The Devil faction wanted eyes on me. A Longinus wielder. Descendant of a legendary hero.

Living within what they considered their "territory." They would be fools not to monitor me. Though calling Kuoh theirs was amusing. Japan belonged to the Shinto gods. Devils merely rented space. The true ruler of this city had once been Cleria Belial — until love made her a target and she was hunted down for it. After her death, Sirzechs and Serafall claimed Kuoh for their sisters. Politics disguised as kindness. I exhaled slowly. They would eventually come. A Maou. A high-ranking devil.

Someone would attempt to secure me as an ally. Or eliminate a risk. And if they discovered Sebas. Enkidu. Valerie's Sacred Gear. That would complicate matters. I had no issue fighting devils. But unnecessary conflict was inefficient. I sighed again. All I wanted was a peaceful day. But peace seemed allergic to me. It almost felt like one of those fictional narratives where the protagonist must constantly stumble into trouble for the story to progress. Ridiculous.

With a flicker of thought, I opened the system interface before me. Translucent panels shimmered into existence. [Quest Completed] Title: Pests in My Yard — Description: Kill Diodora Astaroth. — Reward: 50, 000 Gold, 1, 000 EXP, Kankara Formula, Sword Magic. My eyes narrowed slightly. Kankara Formula. A new ability unfolded before me.

Name: Kankara Formula Type: Active Rarity: Mega Rare Level: 01 / 100 MP Cost: Variable Description: A specialized ability allowing control over phenomena through equations and formulas. All occurrences within the world operate under rules and laws. By filling in the proper calculations, the user can derive the correct answer and alter outcomes accordingly. Skills: Through a specialized magic circle, the user may manipulate natural phenomena by substituting magical energy into calculated expressions.

Effects include dispersing water blasts into mist, redirecting attacks, decomposing summoned constructs back into base elements, and recalculating hostile techniques in real time — seizing control of them. My steps slowed. A faint smirk tugged at my lips. Control phenomena… through calculation. Equations. Formulas. The world reduced to solvable variables. How poetic. I could intercept an enemy's attack, break it down into its governing principles, and rewrite the solution. Turn destruction into harmless vapor.

Convert force into redirection. Outcalculate the opponent. Outthink the world itself. The ability wasn't raw power. It was dominion over logic. And in battle— Logic decided survival. My eyes flickered with quiet satisfaction. Interesting. Very interesting. Above me, the sky stretched calmly across Kuoh. Blue. Peaceful. Unaware that the boy walking beneath it had just acquired the means to rewrite its laws. Trouble would come. Devils. Angels. Politics. War. But now— I possessed another calculation.

Another advantage. And when the time came— I would solve them all.