The island in the Demon Realm, which had hosted the Six Kings Festival six months prior, now served as the stage for a different assembly. Figures of renown from both the Human and Demon Realms—warriors and leaders whose names echoed across the world—stood gathered in a tense silence.
"Now then, everyone is accounted for. As we discussed... it is time for the final push. However, let me clarify a few points first."
Alice, the linchpin of this Human-Demon Allied Forces, spoke through amplification magic to ensure every soul present heard her. Her expression was uncharacteristically solemn, radiating a pressure that heightened the collective anxiety.
"First, those of you without combat experience or who fall below the rank of a Peerage-class High-ranking Demon... your time will come once we reach the Sanctuary. The actual struggle against the Gods will be handled primarily by the Six Kings, their direct subordinates, and a few elite humans. The Gods aren't likely to target those who aren't fighting, and Liliwood-san will be maintaining a barrier. Please, try to stay calm while you wait."
Among the crowd stood Kaito’s three juniors, as well as others who could not be considered military assets in a war against heaven. Alice had brought them because she had carefully weighed Kaito’s stories and concluded that the "bonds he had woven" would be the definitive factor in his rescue.
Participation was not mandatory, yet nearly everyone Kaito had befriended since his arrival was there. Their eyes burned with a clear, unwavering resolve.
Alice nodded in quiet approval before continuing.
"Now, I will list the primary threats on the God Realm’s side and assign our counters. Tactics depend on compatibility. Time is short, so listen closely; I won't be repeating myself."
She moved quickly through the roster, assigning specific individuals to handle the Supreme Gods and other high-level threats. Once the strategy was set and the ranks were ready, a gargantuan gate materialized before them—a portal large enough to accommodate even the colossal form of Magnawell.
"It seems our hosts are ready. They’re practically daring us to come... Well then, let’s not keep them waiting."
With a voice that was eerily calm yet heavy with significance, Alice led the Allied Forces into the breach. The army followed, and as the last of them crossed the threshold, the gate vanished as if it had never existed, leaving only silence behind.
The world beyond the gate was an expanse of floating islands—not the God Realm itself, but a battlefield constructed for this singular purpose.
"A spectacular view," Alice remarked. "And as expected, the entire Divine host is here, minus Shallow Vernal-sama."
On a central island, the Gods stood assembled in white ritual robes, radiating an overwhelming torrent of mana. At their center stood the three Supreme Gods.
"So, you have come. Should I offer a welcome?"
Chronoa, the God of Space-Time, stepped forward, her sharp gaze sweeping over the Allied Forces.
"While words are usually secondary in these matters, I have three points to convey."
"My, how hospitable," Alice replied.
"These are the instructions of Shallow Vernal-sama. Listen well. First, put your minds at ease. Every person who falls in this battle will be resurrected by Shallow Vernal-sama once the conflict concludes. All wounds shall be healed. You represent the leadership of your respective worlds; Shallow Vernal-sama does not desire global instability."
This first revelation meant the Gods intended for this to be a true battle of life and death, where everyone could—and would—fight with everything they had.
"Second, we shall not target those who lack the power to fight. However, if you point a blade at us, we will show no mercy, regardless of your weakness. Those not joining the fray should remain still and observe."
"We appreciate the consideration," Alice said.
"And finally... as you may have surmised, we have all been granted immense power by Shallow Vernal-sama’s hand for the duration of this battle. Do not expect to face the Gods you once knew. Now, having said our piece... if you still wish to fight, then come! Rebels who would defy heaven!"
With those words, Chronoa unleashed a deluge of magic power. The war between the Gods and the Human-Demon Allied Forces had officially begun.
The first to clash were those who specialized in speed: Chronoa and Ein. As rivals with time-manipulation abilities, they were typically perfectly matched.
"Ngh!"
"We have a long history together, Ein... but do not be discouraged. I am committing a foul in this battle. I will not count this as a true victory."
After a single exchange, Ein was punched away with shocking ease. Even with identical abilities, the gap in their physical stats was now insurmountable. In a direct contest of power, the current Ein stood no chance against Chronoa.
However, that outcome had been factored into the plan.
"Hm?"
Ein’s momentum was suddenly arrested in mid-air. She was drawn back toward a specific point by Zwei, the Magical Doll whose power lay in force field manipulation. Thanks to her intervention, Ein was kept from being eliminated early.
Vier rushed to Ein’s side, hands glowing with mana.
"Ein-oneechan! I’ll heal you!"
"I am in your debt. Zwei, Vier."
Ein stood immediately, her injuries mended by Vier’s magic. Chronoa did not press the attack, remaining in a relaxed, defensive posture. The Gods didn't need to win; they only needed to buy time until Shallow Vernal’s trial for Kaito was complete. They stood to gain everything by letting the clock run out.
A massive shadow fell over Chronoa as a fifty-meter suit of armor landed heavily on the island.
"Funf, I'm counting on you."
"Right, Ein-neesan!"
Funf, one of Kuromueina’s "family" known as the Giant Soldier of the Castle Gate, gave a spirited shout. The colossal armor shattered into fragments, revealing a girl in a skin-tight bodysuit.
"I am the shield that protects my family—Aegis!"
At her command, the fragments reassembled into a gargantuan Great Shield that resembled a fortress wall. Funf braced herself behind it, gripping the handles with white-knuckled intensity.
Ein accelerated time, lunging at Chronoa with a flurry of strikes. Chronoa, empowered far beyond her usual limits, parried the blows effortlessly and delivered a devastating counter-punch.
"What!?"
"Guh!"
The blow was intercepted by the Great Shield, which had materialized between them. Despite being specialized for defense, Funf was still only a Count-class demon; the sheer force of Chronoa’s strike sent her skidding back, though the shield remained intact.
Zwei pulled Funf back, Vier healed her, and Ein lunged again. Chronoa observed the cycle with a calm detachment.
"I see. Generation of limited causality. An impressive rotation. I might even call it troublesome."
"Long ago, someone pointed out our poor teamwork," Ein replied, engaging again. "We’ve spent a long time perfecting it."
Funf’s ability fixed the "result" of having shielded her family. No matter where or when an attack was launched, she could warp causality to ensure her shield was in the way. With Ein attacking, Funf defending, Zwei supporting, and Vier healing, the family bond became a spear and shield that dared to challenge the God of Space-Time.
On another floating island, the pair of Isis the Death King and Liliwood the World King faced Life, the God of Life.
"It was expected," Life said, her eyes closed. "You would assign at least two Kings to handle a Supreme God like me."
"You are the linchpin of their defense," Liliwood stated. "Unless you are defeated, we have no hope of victory."
"That is a sound judgment. As long as I stand, the Gods will continue to rise. However, your estimation of my current strength is flawed. Do you truly believe two Kings are enough to manage me?"
Life gestured, and the sky filled with an infinite army of flying cavalry. Every single soldier possessed power on par with a Peerage-class demon.
"Die."
Isis unleashed her magic power of death, a wave designed to snuff out life instantly. The cavalry should have withered and fallen.
"Why... won't they... die?"
"Oh, they are dying," Life corrected softly. "I am simply resurrecting them the moment they perish. Such a feat is trivial for me now."
In her empowered state, Life was an absolute obstacle. She could generate infinite soldiers, heal any wound, and reverse any death.
"Lilliwood... don't let the others... get close," Isis whispered. "I'm going... serious."
"I understand, Isis. Lilie, take the others and vacate this island."
Lilliwood ordered her Seven Princesses and other subordinates to retreat.
"Lilliwood-sama!? But we are—"
"If you believe your status as high-ranking demons allows you to withstand Isis’s power, you are mistaken," Liliwood cut them off. "You have only ever felt the fragments she couldn't suppress despite her mastery of control. If she lets go, you will die instantly. Leave!"
"Y-Yes!"
Isis’s magic control was legendary, born from millennia of trying to contain her own nature. She usually fought with ice magic, a conversion used to prevent collateral damage. To use her magic power of death as it was... that was her true nature.
"I will save... Kaito. Anyone in my way... die!"
Isis’s magic, usually a pale, wintry blue, bled into a murky, suffocating black. She stood as the true Incarnation of Death.
"The Reaper’s true power. How grim," Life noted. "Shall we see if your death can outpace my life? Let us dance, then."
While the Gods fought the Allied Forces and Shallow Vernal faced Kuromueina, a third battle—the most critical of all—was beginning in total silence.
—Your victory condition is simple. 'Return to this place.' If you do that, you win.
—Return? Wait, what about the details of the trial?
—We shall speak of that once you have returned.
—That doesn't make—
The shrill chirp of an alarm clock pulled me from my thoughts. I opened my eyes, a lingering sense of a strange dream fading as quickly as it had come. I couldn't remember a single detail.
Wait, what day was it?
Groggy, I looked at the calendar on the wall. December 1st. But something was off... the calendar ended at December 30th. A printing error? Probably. I’d be getting a new one for the new year anyway, so it didn't really matter.
I headed down to the kitchen.
"Ah, Kaito. Good morning."
"Morning, Mother."
"Breakfast is almost ready."
"Thanks. Where’s Dad?"
"He had an early shift today. He already left."
"I see."
I washed my face, changed into my clothes, and sat at the table.
"Kaito, what time are you coming home?"
"I only have morning lectures, but I need to stop by the lab. Evening, probably."
"Could you pick up some groceries on the way back?"
"Sure. Email me the list."
"You got it! Here, breakfast is served."
"...Mother, the eggs are burnt."
"Oh, just a little! It’ll be fine. Probably."
Her cooking never seemed to improve, but I didn't mind. I ate quickly, grabbed my bag, and headed for the door.
"Thanks for the food. I'm off!"
"Have a good day! Be careful!"
As I stepped outside, the neighbor’s door opened simultaneously. A petite woman walked out.
"Oh, Kaito-kun. Off to university?"
"Morning. You heading out too, Erina?"
"I am. But remember, it’s 'Professor Kurusu' once we’re on campus."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Honestly, I don't think you're listening..."
Erina Kurusu was my neighbor and a childhood friend, though she was much older than me. She was a genius who had become a professor at a young age and ran the lab I belonged to. She was so small she looked like a middle schooler, making her lab coat look comically oversized. She was basically the university’s mascot.
"Want a ride?" she offered.
"No, I’m meeting Arisa today."
"Got it. See you at the lab this afternoon then."
I started my walk. A few minutes later, I reached the park. I didn't see anyone, but I knew her better than that.
"There!" I said, pointing at a bush.
"Heh! Sharp as ever, Kaito-san."
A girl in sunglasses popped out with a grin. Arisa Mamonaka—my best friend since high school and a certified eccentric.
"Did you go somewhere over the weekend?" I asked.
"I went hiking in a conflict zone! Here, have a souvenir."
"I don't even want to know."
Arisa wanted to be a world-class journalist, which apparently involved visiting dangerous places during every school break. She claimed she used her "Stealth Arts," one of her 88 Secret Journalist Techniques, to stay safe. She was an undisputed genius—top of the national mocks, athletic, perfect at everything. She could have gone to any elite university but followed me to this one instead, claiming she could study on her own anywhere.
"So, Kaito-san, what’s for lunch?"
"We aren't even at school yet."
"It’s a vital question! I have to know if your finances allow you to—Ouch!"
I lightly rapped her head. "Why am I the one paying?"
We walked toward the university, joking around like always.
"Guh!"
"Kaito-san? You okay?"
"Yeah... just a sudden headache. It’s gone now."
"Want to see a doctor? I know a great underground one."
"A normal one, please... No, I'm fine."
"If you feel weird, tell me, okay?"
"Thanks."
What was that? A strange sensation lingered, like a splinter in my mind I couldn't quite reach.
It was a sweet, gentle, and terrible trial. His heart was strong; he had withstood pressure and hardship that would have broken anyone else.
But could he walk away from this? Could he reject a world where his parents were alive, where his friends were human, and where everything he desired was real? Could he deny this warmth?
It was a quiet poison. This "gentle world" was the trial Shallow Vernal had prepared for him.