DxD : kuoh’s Hidden Star

Unless they live among us. .

. '

While Issei was lost in his thoughts, the Devils continued their cryptic conversation.

"Indeed. What truly haunts me is the fact that, if there was a being with the capability to transport such beasts, then why would they limit themselves to only a place like this? Why attack such an unpopulated area? Why not attack the underworld with this power? What sort of motive would drive them to bring the beasts only here?"

"Perhaps their range was limited. .

?"

"That might be an illogical conclusion to make. They have the capability to transport an S-Class beasts such as the "White Whale.

" Not to mention, the other SS-Class just south of us, the one that distorts time and space. Its spectral dome is practically inescapable, but outside of that, its not as hard to contain as the Whale.

"

[The south. That was the original direction we had come from.

]

'. .

Is that thing they're talking about. .

. Was that the monster that trapped me in the park?'

[I see. That must've been why your sense of time and space was distorted then.

You should thank me, boy. My intuitions were the only thing guiding your instincts into an escape route.

]

'T-Thanks. .

'

"—In any case, whoever summoned these creatures isn't concerned with range. They must have an objective that lies within this place.

"

"A town of humans?"

"Yes. An ideological objective, I'd imagine.

"

"An ideological objective. .

? You mean, this is a political attack? That's not really a possibility, is it?"

"Don't forget: the current ["Lord" of the Gremory Clan] was present for some secret business before we arrived. It might involve that family.

"

". .

!"

"It's just as he says! Indeed, [Lucifer-sama] had mention of his father visiting this place offhandedly, when he was speaking with another Maou-sama during the Rating game's awards ceremony! . .

Could this be an attack from a separate faction then? A declaration of war?"

"Not likely. Apparently, the subordinates of [Mephisto-sama] have already identified the magic that brought these beasts here, it was uniquely demonic in nature.

. .

This could be the act of a traitor. "

"What?! A traitor, you say!? What sort of traitor would be capable of accomplishing such a feat?!"

"Not just one, I'd guess. There has to be more of them.

Something like this wouldn't be possible for one being alone. This is the act of a group, not an individual.

"

"A possible attack on Lord Gremory's life by a group of "traitors"…? Is it possibly the actions of a revived [Old-Satan faction]. .

. ?"

"Impossible! That faction is no more. An event like this is too chaotic to be considered a mere "civil strife!" This mayhem was constructed for the purpose of sending a message! No other reasons could be attributed to the seemingly arbitrary killing of more than a hundred humans! For what reason?! It was ordered that the humans were no longer a target by all sides! If this was the will of those in the deceased

"Satan faction," then for what reason did they transport so many dangerous beasts in areas not inhabited by anything but humans?! Why not instead send the "White Whale" to the location of the Gremory household?! Why not bring it to the territories of the Underworld? Is their only target the Gremory? This attack must be symbolic! It's ideological in nature, surely, but what message could they be trying to send?"

"Hmm. .

. As I recall, the Lord of Gremory was also accompanied by his next heiress to the Household.

. .

This territory was to be a gift from him to his daughter. .

. Perhaps it involves that.

"

"But then why attack here? Why not attack their home? Were the Lord of Gremory and his daughter the prime targets?"

"No, no, wait. .

. Think about it.

. .

If their target was really just Gremory, then they would have attacked the estate. .

. But since they're really aiming for the Maou-sama, in an ideological sense, what would be the best thing to attack? [Sirzechs-sama] cares for his family, but there is one person who he values above all else.

"

". .

?! As I thought, this is symbolic! This attack is a message! It's an announcement! Someone is announcing their presence! They're saying: "We're here, Maou-sama," while aiming at the most important person to the strongest Maou. .

! In that case, it's likely the faction of the deceased old Satan, but perhaps a new version of it! Maybe a new group entirely dedicated to a similar cause, even!"

"But that leaves the question: what sort of group would adhere to this senseless destruction that doesn't assist in their goals towards Gremory and Maou? As you said before, wouldn't it simply make more sense to attack the estate, whenever the Gremory heiress is still present there. Why wait until they come here to attack them, causing uninvolved innocents to die? It just seems so.

. .

chaotic. .

"

". .

I don't know either. .

. Something is still missing.

I myself do not understand yet why they did not attack Gremory head on. .

. Moreover, who would even be able to bring these beasts here?"

"[Demonic Power] was detected amongst the lower level beasts. However, none of it has been detected on those of great ability such as the Whale….

. Which means the weaker ones were sent here by Devils and the rest.

. .

They could be the result of a Sacred Gear…"

"A Sacred Gear?! Humans working with Devils is. .

! Could they be trying to hide the fact that they are Devils. .

?"

"No. If that was the case, it would be more logical to have just the Sacred Gear user transport all of the beasts instead of a few.

. .

This detail appears to be intentional. As if to mock us by saying: "this is what our human ally can do.

" Either that, or, they're using reincarnated servants like us. "