town of Low-Class Devils."

Serafall observed him quietly. In her mind, she was debating about the powers she had seen him exhibit and gauging whether it would be enough to survive. Power aside, she was curious about his ability to make swords out of nothing. She had heard of God and his Sacred Gears, but those weapons were granted upon humans. It was only recently that Ajuka perfected the Evil Piece System which allowed for the integration of Sacred Gears into Devil-kind, but even then, pure blooded High-Ranked Devils didn't possess them. After all, that would mean that they were once human and were reincarnated.

As Shirou was a descendant of Marbas in Serafall's eyes, the mystery surrounding him only grew deeper.

Shirou nodded to Serafall's words before speaking.

"That is why I will remain here. My aura should be enough to draw them towards me," he said.

"You'd use yourself as bait?" Serafall asked incredulously.

She had met many types of Devils, but even for her, this was a new experience.

"Why?" She ended up asking.

"You don't need a reason to help others," he said calmly. "It's who I am, and who I will continue to be."

The two fell into silence as Shirou propped his back against a tree and then sat down to wait. He didn't know how long it would take before the Old Satan Activists would arrive, therefore it was for the best that he remain where he was to prevent any harm to Adelina and the rest.

Serafall's mouth twitched before her eyes softened when she mulled over Shirou's words.

"You act like a Magical Hero," she expressed her observation, dancing on the balls of her heels before coming to a rest beside Shirou. "Your reasons for fighting I mean and those magic symbols on your body."

Closing his eyes to mitigate the pain he was feeling, he answered Serafall dismissively. "I suppose," he said.

Nodding her head, Serafall spoke again.

"Then what does that make me who's accompanying the Magical Hero?"

"A Magical Girl," he said without much thought.

"?" Serafall gave him a questioning look from the specific term, but chose to just note it to heart in the light banter.

The two sat there for a while until Serafall got bored and would occasionally leave to entertain herself. Unknown to him, she was actually using those times to order her followers to set up a defensive perimeter around the residents. One way or another, she'd decided to make a base of operations in the land of Marbas.

Meanwhile, Adelina had somehow stumbled upon his position and would train there day after day, swinging that wooden sword until sweat began dripping down from her brow. As she asked for pointers, he was happy to oblige her. And so time would soon pass.

A day went by, and then two.

Gradually, he became accustomed to the pain of his current form and was able to at least relax as the inhabitants of the town recovered.

It was only later that the Old Satan Activists would come.

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"Do you truly mean to stay here my Lady?" A Devil in a masked attire asked. The rest of his body was shrouded in a black mantle. "You know you are needed on the battlefield to help put an end to this Civil War once and for all. We don't even know when the Angels and Fallen may attack again. In our state of Civil War, I fear there will only be even more causalities."

"I will remain here for the time being," Serafall spoke with a conflicted expression.

"For the young head of house Marbas?" The masked Devil questioned.

"It is exactly for that reason," Serafall said. "You and the others may not be able to understand it, but there's something about him that makes me feel that he could help change things in this war. Call it a hunch if you will, but just by his character alone, he is someone worthy of admiration. He is someone that the underworld needs."

There was a silence after Serafall's words that only drew longer when the masked Devil sighed.

"Is this because of the marriage?" The masked Devil asked. "You know your mother only did it to create stronger ties to the other Noble families."

Serafall's face darkened. "No, it has nothing to do with that. Besides, I don't want to get married right now."

Shaking her head, Serafall dismissed the masked Devil before taking the time to walk towards the place where Marbas spent his time. During the course of the few days, she had ordered her men to set up base around the lands of house Marbas. As such, numerous houses and fortifications soon rose up from the dirt after her followers began renovating. She was sure that Marbas must have taken notice of her actions by now, but the man didn't even say anything in response. The only acknowledgment she got was a cool nod that seemed to convey every sentiment the man had.

She was amused if anything from that kind of response, and unknowingly began putting more effort into her plans in an attempt to get him to speak. There was just something about the gentleness in his voice that offset his rough yet handsome appearance. More than that, she was enjoying the time she spent here.

Here she wasn't Serafall, the Ice Devil of the New Satan Faction, but just Serafall, the eldest of house Sitri. And it was a welcome change in her life that was once full of violence and betrayals.

The base she was making here, was the one she felt that she enjoyed staying at the most, and this clearly wasn't just because the food was good. Even if she harboured thoughts of kidnapping the son of Marbas when the Civil War was over to become her personal chef, she wouldn't be too greedy. She'd only borrow him at least twice in a day.

She nodded her head as she glanced at the refurbished buildings and shops that were once destroyed. Her mood only further lifted when she saw the smiles on the people's faces. In the end, this was what she was fighting for. A world where everyone could smile. A place her little sister could proudly call home.

Looking up towards the sky and gauging her surroundings, she realized that she was almost at her destination after passing through the remade town.

Like always, Marbas was there, an impassive expression on his face even as he taught the sword to the little Adelina while leaning his back against a tree.

And just like always, she would walk by his side and sit opposite of him, trying to get a reaction out of the would-be-Hero.

However, today was different.

Her expression dimmed as the feel of the magical energy in the air assaulted her senses.

"Adelina, it's enough for today," Marbas suddenly spoke grimly.

Adelina was puffing from her exertion as she paused in surprise. However, she would never question the words of her Lord and immediately stopped and decided to return to her mother.

She gave a quick farewell before departing, giving a bow to Serafall before bowing deeper towards the son of Marbas.

Cheeky kid, Serafall thought amusedly as she watched Adelina leave. Assuming that if they were both High-Class Devils, then the level of respect should be the same for both her and Marbas. Yet evidently the kid was biased.

Amused as Serafall was though, she knew that it was time to be serious.

The rustle of the dirt alerted Serafall that Marbas was getting up. He had a tall and imposing figure, the muscles beneath his skin taught and firm as he moved.

Just as Marbas stood up, several dozen Devils stood opposite to him. From the energy they were outputting, Serafall could easily discern that they were an entire group of High-Ranked Devils.

Leading them was a pair of a man and a woman. The man wore a high-collared tunic beneath a flowing blue mantle while the woman was covered in a cloak.

"To think that the oldest of the Sitri line would be here," the man spoke. "It's understandable then why so many of us were defeated before. Edward Valefor at your service my Lady."

Serafall didn't reply. Instead, she simply began gathering her magical power as the air around her began to drop with the appearance of frost on the ground.

As for Shirou, he was being largely disregarded. Even if everyone present thought of him as a High-Class Devil, amongst other High-Class Devils he didn't particularly stand out. Yet this wouldn't do. He at least had to make one thing known.

"Leave now," he said sternly, his voice piercing like daggers. "For that line in front of you is as your life."

It was only after Shirou spoke that the High-Class Devils on the Old Satan Faction took the time to glance down at the crudely drawn line on the ground before grinning smugly.

"And who's this? Another High-Class Devil? Which lineage do you hail from?" Edward Valefor asked mockingly before shaking his head. "No, what really matters is whose side do you stand on?"

Pacing along the edges of the drawn line, Edward Valefor glanced up at Shirou before speaking once more.

"Normally I wouldn't be wasting much time on speaking to someone who appears to be an enemy, but as your strength is that of a High-Class Devil, it is worth attempting to persuade you," Edward said. "Now will you aid in the supremacy of the Devil race against the other factions, or will you remain where you are now as a peace lover?"

Finished speaking, Edwad crossed the line.

"So what happens now?" Edward goaded.

Serafall stared at Marbas, watching him for what he would do at this clear provocation. To her surprise, he did nothing as more and more of the High-Class Devils of the Old Satan Faction stepped across the line.

"Kuro?" She couldn't help but call out.

"See, he was all talk! Of course a single High-Class Devil wouldn't be able to defeat all of us," Edward Valefor mocked.

However, Edward furrowed his brows at the next moment.

"Sister?" Edward called, looking at the cloaked woman.

Out of everyone, she was the only one who hadn't crossed the line. She had the distinct feeling that her brother and everyone else was making a mistake. This feeling only grew worse when she realized that the unknown High-Ranked Devil's eyes would stare hard at all those that had passed over the line. Even now, those eyes were currently on her, waiting to see what decision she would make.

Under that gaze, she wasn't able to move.

"Edward, I think that maybe we should call father for this," the woman in the cloak pursed her lips. "Besides, the Ice Devil is here too."

Edward furrowed his brows. "All the more reason for us to act. Father has no time for such things, and if we can defeat the Sitri Heiress than it would be a great merit."

The cloaked woman swallowed, yet still didn't move.

"Fine then, you can stay where you are. I and the rest should be enough anyway," Edward relented when it came to his sister.

Sneering, Edward and the rest began making their way towards Serafall and Shirou.

The frost around Serafall immediately became a blizzard of snow. She had long since been preparing her powers, and had only been holding back to see what it was that Marbas had up his sleeve. However, she was disappointed to see that the man himself had not done anything.

Furrowing her brows, she placed herself at the front and glared at the Devils before her. From her hands, layer upon layer of cold mist began exuding out in a cloud-like fashion that formed icicles in the air.

She glanced at Shirou in warning even as her mouth spoke. "Get back, I'll-"

The words caught in her throat, a tremor running through her body that made it feel as if she was choking.

W-What is this?

Her shoulders grew heavy as her breathing quickened.

Evidently, she wasn't the only one. Edward's face paled immediately, and some of the other High-Class Devils that had come with him were already struggling on the ground. They were writhing, as if fighting some nefarious energy. It was only when she scrutinized them did she see a black ink-like substance crawling up from their legs. Just from the expressions that appeared on their faces, she could tell that they were experiencing a pain like none other.

That energy, it was Evil. Like a tainted water.

Edward's expression fell, and it was only when he noticed the shock on his sister's face did he shift his gaze to stare at the Devil they were once ridiculing.

The black patterns on the Devil's body seemed to be alive. Shifting over his skin as the energy around him soared without bounds.

"Y-You what are you!?" Edward yelled in fear.

He wasn't the only one who'd grown frightful, nearly everyone that had crossed the line were in a similar state.

After all, the power that Shirou was using was a reflection of all the World's Evil itself. The Sins of the World gathered upon a single being.

Serafall shivered, but didn't show any fear. It was all because she was reminding herself that the Devil beside her was a Devil who cared for those that were weaker. Even going as far as to help train a young girl in the ways of the sword.

Yet this kind of power?

She didn't feel it before when Shirou last fought against the Old Satan Faction because she was too far away and had only arrived to see him standing in the midst of the magic circle of Marbas.

But now?

T-This wasn't the strength of a simple High-Class Devil.

Her breath hitched as she flooded her body with power to stabilize herself. She who was an Ultimate-Class was forced into a situation where she had to defend herself even without being the recipient of the power's attack.

Just what kind of situation was this?

She took one step back, then two as she used her hands to shield her face from the chaotic aura Shirou was releasing.

Serafall's eyes then widened into saucers as her own powers grew agitated. It was a primal feeling, something that compelled her to follow.

The strength of demons,

The root of each Devil's power.

And the origin of the true Demons of the Ars Goetia, the lesser Keys of Solomon.

Like a torch, a black flame seemed to exude around Shirou as he approached the Devils in the Old Satan Faction. The black magic patterns around his body seemed to writhe and twist into haunting images of times immemorial.

He who bore all the World's Sins exuded the power of a Demon like none other.

For the original sin was what birthed the legions of the Seventy-Two.

"I've warned you," his voice was distorting as he spoke. "That line, was as your life. And you all have cut it short."

This was not the strength of a High-Class Devil.

This could barely even be registered as a strength of a Devil.

This was an existence at the pinnacle of the Ultimate-Class.

Someone who could be counted amongst the overwhelming might of the Underworld Faction's two strongest Aces.

The Crimson Satan, and the Genius Ajuka Astaroth.

This was Marbas, Leader of what would eventually be known as the Marbas Faction.

In his hands, a sword appeared, his face impassive as he arrived directly in front of the Devils of the Old Satan Faction.

Edward struggled to peer up, yet even as he did so, his teeth began to chatter.

And all he saw while looking up at that impassive face, was a Devil like none other.