Standoff in the Underworld / Grayfia's Mission

The Underworld here is so vast and desolate, a dead world where ordinary creatures cannot inhabit.

And in the deepest part of the Netherworld lies an ancient Greek-style temple.

That place is the domain of the Grim Reaper, the inhabitants of the Netherworld, and also the temple of Hades, the god of the Netherworld.

Sirzechs, Gabriel, and Azazel entered the temple grounds.

Then, deathly energy surrounded them, and a large number of Grim Reaper surrounded them, eyeing them menacingly.

Normally, visiting another faction's territory requires prior application, and their uninvited visit is tantamount to an attack.

However, after learning about Hades' plan from Pluto, they decided to forgo the normal procedures.

The Grim Reaper did not make a move, but watched as Sirzechs and his companions ventured into a wide area resembling a sacrificial site.

Although it is indoors, the interior area is astonishingly large, as if it were created using some kind of divine power.

Not only that.

Although this is the realm of the dead, the magnificence of this palace's interior far surpasses that of any building belonging to the three major powers.

It perfectly embodies the architectural aesthetics of Netherworld underworld, where money is considered worthless.

Everywhere you looked was a dazzling gold, even the three enormous reliefs in the center of the sacrificial site— Zeus, Poseidon, Hades —were made entirely of gold, looking extremely extravagant.

After Gabriel and his two companions entered the sacrificial site, a figure emerged from the depths of the site.

It was a slender figure dressed in a black, purple and gold priest's robe. The robe was thick and heavy, like the night sky of the Netherworld. The cuffs and shoulders were decorated with bone spur carvings, and even the layers could not conceal the chilling aura.

A magnificent crown adorned his head, beneath which lay a stark white skull, its empty eye sockets flickering with dark green eerie flames, the flickering light revealing the coldness and arrogance of a king.

Although they had never been to the Netherworld before, all three of them recognized the priest's identity.

Hades, the god of the Netherworld.

Although it is said to be a deity, it exudes the eeriness of the dead and possesses a chilling aura that isolates all life.

Hades was accompanied by several Grim Reaper, ranging in rank from upper to highest.

Upon seeing the person in question, Gabriel stepped forward. "Lord Hades, God of the Netherworld, I am Gabriel, a seraphim from Heaven. I am deeply sorry for this sudden visit."

"However, I have something very important that I need to verify with you."

At this point, Gabriel placed Pluto on the ground.

"You should know his identity: Pluto, the highest-ranking Grim Reaper."

"Oh? You're actually a seraphim from Heaven. I never expected that you holy angels would condescend to descend upon such a remote place as mine."

Upon hearing this, the ghostly flames in Hades' eye sockets flickered slightly, followed by a chilling laugh.

"As for the highest-ranking Grim Reaper, Pluto, I was wondering where he had gone, so I had been sending people to look for him. I never expected to find him in your hands. So what exactly happened?"

"Pluto is one of my men, after all. He's been seriously injured. You need to give me an explanation."

Chapter 417 The Standoff in the Netherworld

Upon hearing this, not only was Gabriel stunned, but even Pluto himself was dumbfounded.

"What are you talking about? Didn't you send out the highest-ranking Grim Reaper?!"

Azazel spoke with a hint of anger to Hades, who was feigning ignorance.

"Not only that, they also let them attack Kuoh Town, and Sirzechs and Leviathan's sister were also attacked. Are you going to say you have nothing to do with this?!"

"It's alright. As for sending the Grim Reaper, I did send him out, but I really knew nothing about the Pluto issue."

Hades said, stroking his fleshless chin.

"My subordinates discovered that the leader of the terrorist organization 'Khaos Brigade' was colluding with certain individuals associated with the three major powers. So, I sent people out to investigate. After all, it was only with great difficulty that all the powers were preparing to cooperate. For such an extremely dangerous act of betrayal to occur under these circumstances would disrupt the plans of all the powers. And the fact that such a betrayal was committed by someone within the three major powers that proposed the peace alliance makes it even more serious, doesn't it?"

"I'm quite curious about how you discipline your subordinates, which is why I commissioned Grim Reaper to investigate. Pluto probably heard some unsubstantiated rumors, which is why he rashly went to your territory, right?"

"I can apologize for that, but I did not authorize him to use force; I only authorized him to issue a minimal warning if he encountered obstruction."

Hades explained it this way, and even added a rather deliberate use of honorifics in his tone.

However, it was precisely this slow and deliberate response that enraged Azazel.

If Gabriel and Sirzechs hadn't been there, he would have loved to fire the Spear of Light at the old skeleton's head right now.

After all, it was clearly a one-sided attack by the Grim Reaper of the Netherworld, yet Hades twisted the facts and made it their fault.

Thinking about this, Azazel suddenly realized why Ren had filmed the interrogation.

He looked at Gabriel, who then reproduced the image using the power of light.

Subsequently, footage of a group of people interrogating Pluto at Ren' house was released.

In real life, Pluto had his head down, seemingly lost in thought.

Three minutes passed.

Azazel glared indignantly at Hades and said, "Now that things are so serious, do you still want to deny it, you old codger?!"

"I have to say, this photo is quite realistic. I've heard that there's something called AI in the human world that produces very high-quality videos. As long as you input the specific content, it can generate images that are comparable to reality. Was this generated by AI?"

Upon hearing this, all three felt that Hades's statement was truly outrageous.

Gabriel stepped forward and said solemnly, "Lord Hades, I guarantee in the name of the Seraph that the video footage is absolutely authentic and contains no falsehood whatsoever."

"I see."

Hades nodded.

"Of course I believe the oath of the Holy Angel, but is it possible that I was truly unaware? Pluto acted without my knowledge, and then after being defeated by you, he made these statements. I think it's too rash to convict someone based solely on their one-sided account."

Their slow, indifferent attitude once again shattered the three's perceptions.

Before they arrived, they had considered many possible reactions from Hades.

They were even prepared to fight them.

However, to everyone's surprise, Hades acted as if he had nothing to lose and completely refused to acknowledge the plan that Pluto had revealed.

"Even now, you're still trying to deny it?! In that case, what about the matter of Dragon Eater Samael?! If you think Pluto is lying, then let's go to the lowest level of hell and see if Samael's seal is still there?!"

Azazel came up with a plan.

Samael was a hot potato in the eyes of the gods.

Back then, the various factions kept denying each other the location where Samael was sealed, and finally decided that it would be in the lowest level of hell in the Netherworld.

Furthermore, it was explicitly forbidden for anyone to break the seal on Samael.

Even Hades wouldn't do.

However, Hades remained calm upon hearing this.

"To be honest, the seal on Dragon Eater Samael was broken some time ago, and Samael was stolen."

"Old man, who do you think could possibly snatch Samael from the deepest depths of hell? Do you think we're all fools?!"

Azazel said angrily.

"How could that be? But it did happen. Of course, I also found out who stole Samael. It's said to be the Hero Faction, who possesses all kinds of Sacred Gear, even Longinus. Cao Cao, by the way, their leader is Cao Cao. I heard he also has the world's strongest Longinus — the Twilight Holy Spear. Legend has it that it's inhabited by the will of a god. How terrifying."

Hades sighed helplessly.

"My men have also uncovered some information. It seems the Hero Faction is colluding with the old Demon King Shalba - Beelzebub. The current unrest among the Underworld monsters is probably related to them as well."

"So my men are tracking down the Hero Faction. Someone as dangerous as Samael could cause unimaginable consequences if left in the hands of outsiders."

"Of course, I also bear a great deal of responsibility for Pluto's unauthorized actions. If any harm was caused, I am willing to apologize. If you want me to atone for my sins, please feel free to make any requests. Basically, I can fulfill any request except my own life."

At this point, even the slow-witted Gabriel and his companions understood that Hades was determined to stick to his guns and refuse to admit anything.

This feeling is like a boxer finishing warm-up, stepping into the ring, and delivering a powerful punch only to hit nothing but thin air – utterly powerless.

Given the current situation, as long as Hades insists he didn't do it, they're basically out of options.

But just then...

But then, a series of explosions could be heard outside the palace.

Hades glanced behind them; if his face had been fleshy, he probably would have been frowning by now.

"What's going on? The leader of the crows?"

Hades looked at Azazel.

At this moment, the latter's expression finally softened slightly as he said, "Who knows? Maybe it's because you offended someone, so you're taking it out on your Grim Reaper now?"

"..."

Hades was enveloped in a ghostly green aura. He was about to move when he looked at the figure that was wrapped in deep red magic and had no human form. It seemed to be just an embodiment of destruction.

"I apologize, Lord Hades, but until the matter is clarified, please remain here."

"..."

Chapter 418 Grayfia's Mission

Lilith, the capital of the Underworld.

Battlefield in the suburbs.

After finishing pulling the last batch of small magical beasts, Minagawa Natsume was so exhausted that she lay on the ground, panting heavily.

The ferocious beast Qiongqi that she controlled also reverted to its chibi form.

"No, no, you've completely drained my strength."

She has never been this tired in her entire life.

How can a woman say she can't do it?

"No means no, I don't have a single drop left."

At first, Minagawa Natsume was quite excited when she learned that killing monsters could earn points that could be used to Exchange Mall.

However, in less than ten minutes, her energy was rapidly depleted, and she completely lost her initial high spirits.

Points and such, I don't care.

She absolutely doesn't want to move anymore.

"Fine, in the end I'll have to do it anyway."

Warcraft has been raging for quite some time now.

With the entire Brotherhood now revealed, it's time for him to wrap things up and reap the rewards.

And just then...

Grayfia, who had been at the forefront of blocking the monsters' advance, appeared before Ren.

The silver-haired woman in military uniform looked heroic and valiant, with a strong sense of menace in her eyes.

It seems the invasion of monsters has greatly angered this governor.

Grayfia, dressed in military uniform, had some torn clothes, and her exposed arms and face were dirty. It was clear that even she, the fifth Demon Lord who could rival Serafall, could not withstand the onslaught of the monsters.

Upon meeting Ren, Grayfia didn't say much, but went straight to the point. "We have investigated and found that this monster invasion was man-made. The instigators are likely the Hero Faction and the Old Maou Faction. These monsters have been strengthened with some kind of secret method. The current allied forces can only slow down their advance. Moreover, if we cannot deal with the person behind the monsters, these monsters will eventually cover the entire Underworld."

[Grayfia - Lucifuge has issued you a new quest]

[Mission: Find the mastermind behind this]

[Rewards: +100 reputation with the three major factions alliance, +30 favorability with Grayfia, and 1 random reward]

"Okay, leave it to me."

Ren, without a second thought, immediately agreed.

In addition to the rewards from the system tasks, you can also get some from Grayfia, which is a real surprise.

Seeing that Ren had agreed, Grayfia nodded solemnly to Ren, and then flew back to the front lines.

However, she glanced back halfway through the flight.

Although Ren was no longer in sight, each time he appeared, his figure seemed increasingly familiar.

Had she actually seen him somewhere before?

At the same time.

On the other side, Ren, after accepting the mission, also adjusted his objectives, opened the mission map, activated the mission objective tracking function, and quickly locked onto the target's location.