Chapter 261 Traps, Reapers, and… Milky?!

So, the Grim Reapers and the Evil Dragons have entered the field. Our opening move begins with an experimental test by Rossweisse.

“Rossweisse, please.”

“Of course. If they are affiliated with Qliphoth, it was only natural to expect they would bring a large number of Evil Dragons.”

At the snap of her fingers, the entire field began to glow silver. Moments later, every single Evil Dragon that had been flying overhead lost its strength and came crashing down to the ground.

“What is the meaning of this!?”

Even the Grim Reapers couldn’t hide their shock at the sight. Rossweisse, however, began explaining with a faintly smug expression.

“I embedded a function into this field that seals the power of Evil Dragons, activated at my signal. Mass-produced dragons tend to have extremely similar wavelengths. Thanks to the ones Asia tamed, I was able to study them and the weakening spell was completed far sooner than expected.”

She makes it sound simple, but a normal mage would likely need several times longer—and still end up with a spell two tiers weaker.

She really shines in support roles like this rather than direct combat…

“Hmph! I see now. Those Qliphoth fools… forcing those lizards on us because they were ‘useful,’ only for them to fail so miserably. No matter. We came to kill you ourselves from the start. If anything, it’s refreshing not to have those pests around.”

So they had aligned with Qliphoth, but clearly weren’t truly allied.

Well, even back in the Khaos Brigade days, different factions barely trusted each other…

Either way, the Evil Dragons were handled just like in the original story. That left only the Grim Reapers.

Roughly speaking, judging by their aura: about 70% lower-tier, 30% mid-tier, and three high-tier individuals.

Since Reapers are generally one rank stronger than devils, that meant: 70% mid-tier, 30% high-tier, and three at ultimate-class to Satan-class level.

Their top tier even reaches god-class.

As I considered how to divide them up, one of the three high-tier Reapers clearly the strongest, fixed me with a deadly glare.

“Arima Ikki… the great sinner who disgraced Lord Hades. You will be the first to die.”

Wow.

Suddenly, every Reaper locked their gaze onto me. The killing intent alone felt like it was piercing my skin.

Hey, I wasn’t the only one involved here! The leaders of the other factions did the same thing!

But before anything could happen, Issei and the others stepped forward, standing in front of me.

“Ikki’s our friend! If you want him, you’ll have to go through all of us!”

“Fufufufufu! Bats are always noisy no matter where they go. Very well—those who defy the Underworld and Lord Hades will be exterminated. We will wipe you all out at the root!”

The Grim Reapers raised their massive scythes—deathscythes, their signature weapons.

Rias-senpai immediately issued orders.

“The enemy’s main force is those three. Ikki, you’re being targeted—move to a safer distance so the injured aren’t caught in the crossfire. Issei, Shirone, Yuuto—support him. Arthur, if possible, I’d like you to take one as well.”

“Very well. That last fight was unsatisfying. I would welcome the chance to vent my frustration.”

Arthur drew the Caliburn with a feral grin.

“The rest of us will protect the wounded while eliminating the surrounding Grin Reapers! Gasper, summon your familiars and focus on defense. Asia, call Fafnir as well!”

“Yes!”

“Hm. Have you gained hope simply by sealing those lizards? Very well. I had intended to summon them later… but now will do.”

The Grim Reapers extended their hands toward the ground. Magic circles spread out and flames burst upward.

From each circle, something crawled forth as if from the depths of the earth, massive beasts with sharp fangs, claws, and three heads.

“What!? Cerberus!? And that many!?”

“Fufufu! Is it so strange for Grim Reapers to command the watchdogs of hell? You, boy harboring a filthy red dragon… I see now. Both bats and lizards truly are fools.”

The Grim Reaper sneered, then spun his deathscythe like a spear before resting it on his shoulder.

“Now, it is time for divine punishment! We will reap all life. Arima Ikki, your human soul will be taken to the Underworld and treated… most generously!”

‘Hospitality’ equals torture. Got it.

No thanks.

“Kuroneko, are you ready?”

“All set, nya~”

“Rossweisse, once more.”

“Yes. Reconfiguration complete.”

As the Reapers charged, Rossweisse snapped her fingers again. This time, every enemy was engulfed in a pale blue light.

“What is this!?”

“That,” Rossweisse explained calmly, “is the retirement-transfer light used in Rating Games. This field was constructed based on that system. Incorporating its rules was not difficult. If it were a harmful ability, perhaps you would have prepared a countermeasure—but did you prepare for a safety mechanism?”

The Rating Game system was developed by Ajuka Beelzebub, a transcendent being who governs all formulas of the world. A system like this isn’t something one typically counters especially not Reapers who reject devil technology.

“The destination isn’t a medical room. It’s a reinforced chamber filled with poison mist, trap magic, and Sacred Gear weaponry designed to grind you down one-sidedly. With no one to fight, I suggest you surrender quickly.”

“You—YOU BASTARD!! I’LL KILL YOU!!”

The Grim Reaper shrieked, frothing with rage—

SMACK

Rossweisse clapped her hands once.

And just like that, the Grim Reapers and Cerberuses vanished into the light.

“…Arima Ikki. If you had such a plan, there was no need to stop me earlier, was there?”

Rossweisse gave me an even colder stare than before.

“Come on, you really think I’d rely on just one plan? The system might’ve been countered somehow. If that happened, we’d have gone with brute force.”

You always prepare backups. That’s just common sense.

“…I actually feel a little sorry for them now.”

“Yeah… not even getting to fight… after going all-out earlier…”

Issei. Irina. Please switch gears.

There’s no reason to fight battles you can avoid.

If you know the enemy will appear in a prepared field, setting traps is the obvious move.

“By the way… what happens to them now?” Xenovia asked.

“We’ll capture as many as possible and send them back to Hades. Apparently, he wants to rehabilitate them through ‘love and peace.'”

“A-Are you sure that’ll work?”

“If persuasion fails, he’ll resort to punishment. I also recommended… a helper.”

“A helper? Who?”

“…Mil-tan.”

“Eh!?”

Everyone’s faces turned visibly sour.

Well, when you think of persuasion through love… she’s the first that comes to mind.

And honestly, it’s more effective than killing them.

Better to turn them into living warnings—”this is what happens if you mess with us.”

Days later, under Hades and Mil-tan’s guidance, the Grim Reapers were reportedly transformed into a group wearing frilly pink.

…For some reason, Siegfried, who never even met them ended up doubling his training intensity.

=========

After the battle, the Church warriors surrendered, discarding their weapons. Dulio, Griselda, and the others regrouped with us.

The Grim Reapers sent to the alternate space had been thoroughly overwhelmed. By now, they were likely lying in beds in the Underworld—restrained, treated, and being forced to watch the “Milky Series” from episode one, with Mil-tan providing commentary.

As we secured the mass-produced Evil Dragons for transport back to the Underworld, Strada approached Asia.