Oh... Morning, Nickname. *sigh*

Hey, how do you think Yoohoo’s doing? I wonder if she got any sleep last night...

Yeah... Well, no use moping about it. Let’s just get to work.

Yo, Mr. Overlord... Looks like you’re up, heheh.

Hahaha! I didn’t think you had the guts to kid around like that. Getting into it, huh?

Don’t sweat it. This world’s gonna fall right into our lap.

Tch, looks like your cousin’s here.

Sorry to keep you all waiting.

You finish your research yet? We’re all set to go, man!

Indeed I have, and it’ll prove useful before long. But there is one bit of bad news...

Bad news...? Wh-What is it?

It’s not a big deal, but the deadline’s been cut short. It’s now at noon today.

Yeah, what’re we going to do? Now we only have until noon!

With COMPs so widespread now, the lockdown is under assault in every ward.

The government doesn’t think it can hold out until evening, so they’re playing it safe.

But what’re we going to do? Now we only have until noon!

Stop panicking over every little thing. I have a few more tricks up my sleeve.

Oh... okay. Guess I have no choice but to trust you...

Um, but I wanted to make sure of something one last time...

Yes?

Um... If Nickname becomes king, will everyone really be saved?

Who knows? Ask Name. He’s the one who’ll be saving everyone.

Heh... You see, Atsuro? King Name will work things out and save everyone.

Of course. You’re the one who said yesterday that you’re going to become the overlord.

Show the government your power and you can negotiate whatever you want with them.

Now, if there are no further questions, let’s get started.

We’re gonna take out those Bel guys first, right?

Heh... Yes, we are.

My plan may interest you. Our next opponent is a demon of Bel lurking within a human...

Yes... We’re going to defeat Jezebel, who’s currently living inside Amane’s mind.

Heheh... We’ll be doing battle against a demon within a human mind... A rare experience.

Our target is Jezebel, who’s currently in residence inside Amane’s consciousness.

H-Hey, Nickname... Jezebel’s inside Amane, right?

How in the world do we beat a demon like that?

With it...? Wait, you mean inside Amane? Haha, like that’s even possible...!

Y-You’re going to...?

That’s going too far! There’s an angel inside her too, you know!

Urgh, now I’m even more confused...

Um... could I bother you for a second?

M-Miss Mari? You didn’t hear what we were saying, did you...?

...... Is Kaido here?

Kaido? U-Um...

Mari...? What’d you come here for?

...... I thought it over.

Wha...?

...I’ll go with you.

What th--Are you stupid or somethin’? We’re...!

I know.

You know? Then why’re you...?

...I wanted to get revenge for him at any cost. My life was on hold until I did...

I knew it would be dangerous, but I was too selfish to let that stop me.

Mari...

But... you helped me, even then. You let me lean on you.

That’s why... This time, it’s my turn to let you lean on me.

Whatever you do, you’re still the same Kaido. I’m going with you.

Tch... S-Suit yourself. I’ll leave it up to you to decide, Name!

Name...? May I please come with you?

Thank you!

Don’t worry, I brought a COMP. I can hold my own.

I... see. I’m not surprised...

I understand. I’d only be in the way...

Well... Good luck to you, Kaido.

......

We’ll get that lockdown lifted. Until then, don’t do anything crazy.

...All right.

Wait, ho! I’m hee-coming too!

Huh...? You’re... You’re that demon from before...!

I keep-ho my promises! Risking my life for friends in a freeze is the way of the samurai, ho!

Ha... haha...

Well, if we’re out to become overlord, having a demon with us shouldn’t be a problem...

Alright, ho! I’m gonna show my hee-manliness! Divine wrath--I mean overlord, ho!

Hey... That guy’s kinda shady- lookin’. Is this okay...?

H-How cruel...! I’m strong, ho! And useful, ho! Please let me hee-help out!

Sorry, but you just can’t. It’ll be way too dangerous from here on out...

What? I wanted to go with the overlord! Was love surpassing the races an illusion, ho...?

I feel sorry for him, but I think he’d be in way over his head on this one...

U-Um, Naoya? How did Jezebel get inside Amane, anyway?

Ah. Belberith, the raging god that the Shomonkai worships, planted it inside her.

Jezebel’s one of his faithful servants, you see...

So he used Amane’s innate abilities to bring Jezebel into the human world.

What, you really thought that Belberith was cooperating with the Shomonkai?

Heh... He’s too cunning for that. He’s using them to become the King of Bel.

Just outta curiosity... How’re we supposed to fight a demon if it’s inside a human?

You ain’t gonna tell us to use a cross and some holy water, are you?

Nothing like that. We just need to go into Amane’s mind.

...Huh?

Are you that surprised? If we attacked Amane directly and Jezebel managed to escape...

She’d go back to her master Belberith and transfer her Bel power over to him.

Which would put us at a severe disadvantage.

Alright... I get it. Then what’s the plan, Stan?

By capturing Amane and hooking her mind up to a COMP, we can strike directly at Jezebel...

Right... After which, we’ll connect her mind to a COMP.

Um... You can do that?

The Demon Summoning Program runs off human thoughts.

That power is supplied by the COMP’s user... In other words, us.

COMPs need to broadcast one’s mind in order to send one’s wishes to the demons.

Naoya... You designed the COMP to be able to do this stuff from the start...?

Just how far are you able to foresee into the future...?

Now why would I answer that?

Come on, let’s go capture Amane. Show no mercy to anyone who gets in our way.

I’m going to begin linking Amane’s mind to the COMP now.

W-Wait a sec! Can we really fight inside someone’s soul?

S-So am I! Can we really fight inside someone’s soul?

You’re overthinking this. A human soul isn’t as immense as you may assume.

Just like reality, it’s based on a combination of external forces and inner thoughts...

Unfortunately, it isn’t easy for a normal human to cast off one’s reason.

We’ll need to look out for Jezebel, as we’ll be fighting on its home turf.

What’s more, by now it has a tight grip on Amane’s original soul.

We have to be ready for the possibility that it’ll use Amane’s soul against us.

Uh...? I don’t really get it.

Are we gonna have to fight this Amane? ’Cause we can always just smack her down.

...In a way.

Even if she weren’t under Jezebel’s control, Amane would oppose what we’re doing.

But be careful... If her soul dies, Jezebel will have full control over her body.

We must defeat Jezebel without killing Amane.

Heh... Reliable as ever. Now, let’s begin...

Anxiety and fear only get in the way. Remain rational at all times. Now, let’s begin...

Urgh... Are we inside Amane’s mind...?

Huh... Interesting. It really ain’t any different from the real world.

Now do you believe me? This is the COMP’s visualization of the world inside Amane’s soul.

You’d think so, but this is the COMP’s visualization of the world inside Amane’s soul.

So basically... When I look at you guys, I’m seein’ illusions the COMP is showin’ me.

As you can see, one’s senses affect the soul... Meaning we must be careful here.

If the soul senses death, the body will follow its lead, and that will become reality.

Yes. Defeat here means defeat in reality, directly resulting in our deaths.

Heh... What a pain. So let’s not let that happen and get this done already!

Mm... All right, everyone. Search for and destroy Jezebel.

Here we are. Welcome to Eikokuji.

Hmph... So this is where Bishamon hangs out?

...Was that a feeble attempt at humor? Eikokuji is dedicated to Nyoirin Kannon.

Indeed, Eikokuji is actually dedicated to Nyoirin Kannon.

The Devas must be borrowing other gods’ power to make up for Jikoku’s loss.

Huh... So the rest of the Devas ain’t at their usual stompin’ grounds?

Well, wherever they are, it won’t stop us from crushin’ ’em like toothpicks.

The protectors of Tokyo, huh? I feel kinda guilty about all this... Is it gonna be okay?

Look, nervous or not, we got no choice. Get a grip.

Hahahahaha! You slay me, man.

You know the score... I think you got a good shot at being overlord.

You’re right... This is our only choice. Okay...!

The deadline’s at 12:00. Let’s get everything done before then!

Remember, Bishamon is the protector of northern Tokyo.

He’s the strongest of the Devas, so don’t let your guard down.

Hey, this is Sengakuji, right?

Mwa-ho-ho! It smells like the last place, ho!

...The last of the Devas must be waiting beyond here.

...I bet the last of the Devas is probably just past here.

I’m sensing something odd... Be careful, Name. They may be up to something.

......! You kids...

Talk to Fushimi...? Sure, that’s fine with me. Give me a moment.

Negotiate...? Give me a moment while I go call for Commander Fushimi.

Sorry to make you wait. What did you want to tell me?

Hmph... I’ll take over from here.

Hm...? Who are you?

I’m Naoya Surname. Surely you heard of me while investigating the Shomonkai?

Ah...! Yes, now I remember. The man who designed the demon summoning program...

The one who got us into this situation. I’ve wanted to meet you face to face...!

Heh... Don’t get emotional. What have I done, really?

The Shomonkai summoned the demons, and the government started the lockdown.

You bastard... How many lives do you think were lost because of this?

...Someone muzzle this government lapdog. I don’t have time for his questions.

We’re heading for the server to make Name the king of demons. You’ll help, yes?

What...? The king of demons? Don’t be absurd! Why would we ever help you with that...?

No? Well... it’s your loss. Resist all you want, but...

If you really wanted to save the people of Tokyo... you’d cooperate with us.

What...?

I know it hurts, but think. Name here will become overlord.

Should he order it, demons will be unable to attack humans. The threat will disappear.

Fortunately, Name is kindhearted. He wouldn’t order demons to attack humans...

Well...? Is this so different from what you all hoped for?

A human? Becoming overlord? You expect us to believe such an absurd story?

...I do trust you, but... This is just too...

So you trust the angels? I’d think twice about taking their word over ours.

You see, they know that your mission is ultimately futile.

......! Wh-What do you mean by that? Answer me, damn you!

There are two reasons.

First... Surely you know this ”final option” has no chance of exterminating the demons.

Wh-What?

Man could deplete his entire arsenal and still fail to kill every last one.

Yes, if the final option goes through, the COMPs and all their users will die.

But demons are different. With their tamers gone, they will attack the outside world.

The government can use the final option, but the spread of demons can’t be stopped.

But... if that’s true... Then we’re...

Second, we’ve already opened a portal to the demon world. You’ve seen it over Roppongi.

If we die, this world will be swallowed into the demon world in a matter of days.

And if that happens... this country is finished.

This can’t be... How is this happening...?

Hahah... Angels truly honor free will, don’t they?

They won’t tell you a single thing you could puzzle out for yourself...

Remember, I’m the creator of the demon summoning program.

No one knows more about their kind than myself.

So once again... Whatever the angels tell you, the final option has no meaning.

Demons will continue to spread, and this world will end. The angels... will do nothing.

Ugh... Ngh...!

Our preparations are complete. The only problem is time.

Even if Name becomes overlord, it’s all for naught if the final option is used.

...So you want us to extend the deadline.

You’re catching on faster now. That’s correct.

It’s not my call... There’s a commander outside the lockdown.

Heheh... I don’t expect that much from you.

It doesn’t matter how you do it. As long as you get it extended, that’s enough.

Thousands of lives can be saved... I’m not driving such a hard bargain, am I?

......

Think it over. You can’t abort the mission, but you can buy us the time we need...

I... I can’t promise anything.

Haha... That’s fine. Just remember that everything in this world depends on you.

We’ll be off for Roppongi now. Haven’t a second to lose!

Hah... You had the army eatin’ right out of your hand...

What’s so funny? I only told them the truth. It was a frank and honest negotiation.

Negotiation? Hah! That was more like an order!

Hmph. They painted themselves into a corner... Such gross incompetence is a sin.

Heh... You got that right.

Now, even if it puts his position in jeopardy, he’ll get the deadline extended.

Geez... I’d hate to have you for an enemy, Naoya...

But was that true? About the demons being unstoppable even if all the humans die...?

Oh yes, it was true enough. Not the whole truth, but I told him no lies...

But no harm, no foul. The angels used force to coerce this lockdown, after all.

Every side plays dirty to get what it wants.

Now that the government knows the angels of absolute justice aren’t on their side...

Their judgement will suffer in a cascade of useless meetings. The red tape will buy us time.

I get it... All Name needs to do is to reach Babel and become overlord by then.

...I’m glad to see you’re so quick on the uptake.

Now let’s get to Roppongi. The negotiation succeeded, but we don’t have time to spare.

Yes... Just because the negotiation succeeded doesn’t mean we have time to spare.

Hahah... I’m about ready to cut loose!

Let’s see if we can access Babel from the highest floor of the building...

Tch... First, we’ve got company to deal with.

Ugh, we’re taking the stairs? My legs sure are gonna be sore tomorrow...

Hey, you laugh, but it’s like 53 floors! Ugh... I dunno if I can do this...

Heh... There’ll be time for complaints when it’s all over. Hurry it up.

Ha... Haha... You, uh, didn’t have to remind me...

You’re acting more and more like Naoya, you know that?

...Did you say something, Atsuro?

N-No! Nothing at all!

...Mm. We’re out of time. Let’s hurry and do this.

Now, should we start our climb? Once we do, there won’t be time to turn back.

If we run out of time while going up, this was all for nothing. Now let’s go...!

I’ll take the path I believe in... Hopefully I can be of some use to you all.

Shall we be off, Name?

Overlord ho, overlord ho! I get to be his hee-close adviser, ho! All hail Name!

Overlord ho, overlord ho! I get to be his hee-close adviser, ho! All hail Name!

Tch... It comes down to this. A lot’s happened... but I appreciate what you’ve done.

Let’s go, Name!

...This is it. Once this battle is over, you’ll be overlord...

But... I’m glad I could come this far with you. C’mon, Nickname, let’s go!

Tch... It comes down to this. A lot’s happened... but I appreciate what you’ve done.

Let’s go, Name!

...This is it. Once this battle is over, you’ll be overlord...

But... I’m glad I could come this far with you. C’mon, Nickname, let’s go!

Man, what the hell? How come the overlord and his minions gotta take the stairs?

Without electricity, we can hardly use the elevators.

Hasn’t it been a constant problem? Phones, computers, TVs, even radios... useless.

Modern society depends on its conveniences. What happens when they’re taken away...?

Oh? Is that so...

Then you’re saying you didn’t notice any changes in people’s daily lives this week?

Heh. I can see why the founder of the Shomonkai was desperate to prevent God’s ordeal...

Were... were our daily lives that fragile? I-I can’t believe it...

Hm...? Oh! We’re at the highest floor!

Wait... what on earth? THIS is the top floor of the Hills building?

This is the true top floor, the one closed to the public.

The Shomonkai rented this entire floor to set up the summoning server here.

No kidding? Man, religions make money hand over fist... Hold up, someone’s here.

So it’s you, Naoya Surname. How dare you show your face here, you traitor...!

Alright, looks like we’re done cleanin’ out the scum. Are we startin’ yet or what?

Not so fast... Our bodies will be left defenseless while we’re in her soul.

Heh... You think ahead. While we’re in her soul, our bodies will be left defenseless.

One Shomonkai member and we’d be in trouble. So we’ll have to take her somewhere safe.

Tch... ”Somewhere safe”? In this lockdown? Ain’t no such place, man.

Did you forget that I made the summoning program? Who knows more about demons than me?

I prepared a safe place for us yesterday. Let’s stop wasting time and go there.

I set a ward around a portion of the Diet Building. Demons won’t be able to approach us.

Heheh... Countless spells of warding have been developed over the centuries.

I set a ward around a portion of the Diet Building. Demons won’t be able to approach us.

It won’t keep humans out, but I doubt anyone will come near such a contaminated zone.

A ward, huh...? You know too damn much.

You and me might have to go at it someday, y’know?

Heh... For your sake, I hope not. I’m merciless when it comes to nuisances.

Hahaha! You talk pretty big, don’t you? Heheh... Alright, let’s hurry up and get going.

Well, well... It seems we made it back safely.

Heheh... We’re really comin’ together as a team, huh?

So what do we do with the chick? Get rid of her?

Yeah... It’ll be a problem if she turns on us. Should we get rid of her?

Leave her. If we kill her now, the Shomonkai wouldn’t give us a moment’s peace.

No need to make more enemies than we have to before our objective is met.

I s’pose. If we need to kill her, we can do it anytime.

Now, on to the matter of what we need to do next...

...Naoya.

Hm...?

Isn’t it about time you told us the truth? You only tell us what we’re doing right now...

If we’re gonna put our lives on the line for this plan, I want to know the whole thing!

Heh. Tired of following orders in the dark? I thought you’d feel that way eventually...

If you knew, then...! You’re always like that!

You drag us into the lockdown, you make us fight the Bels... You decide everything we do!

Yuzu was worried about us, but we left her anyway to follow you!

But I can’t fight without knowing what I’m doing or why!

We’re... We’re not your pawns!

Wrong! You’ve never been anything but.

Hmph. Stop losing your temper over everything... You treat others as pawns just as I do.

Aren’t I an important pawn in your plan? You couldn’t get what you want without me...

Hmph... You have a talent for playing the fool, I’ll grant you that.

You have indeed been fine pawns. Haven’t I also been an important pawn in your plan?

......!

Atsuro... Don’t turn your face from reality. The truth is the truth, however you dress it.

You want to lift the lockdown. I want to make Name overlord. Our interests align.

But that won’t be enough if we lose our trust in each other... So I’ll tell you.

...To become the King of Bel, Name must defeat all the Bels and encounter Babel.

Babel is a mass of energy lost by the original Bel when God cast it into the demon world.

It developed a will of its own, and now Babel itself is a demon...

The final objective of the war of Bel is to gain that vast power dormant within Babel.

The summoning server you’ve sought... it is none other than Babel itself.

W-Wait a sec, you’re saying Babel is the server managing the summoning program?

Yes. Only the one worthy of becoming the King of Bel may summon and awaken Babel.

In doing so, the challenger will meet his final ordeal.

Thus, the name ”King’s Gate”: passing its ordeal is the King of Bel’s final test.

Who knows...? We won’t find out for certain until we come face to face with Babel.

Then where’s the server this Babel is in?

It’s currently in Belberith’s possession. After the server was completed...

He took it to the demon world, claiming that would increase the program’s efficiency.

But what Belberith really wanted was to summon Babel.

Since Babel is a high-energy data entity, he used the server as its medium.

As a medium?

As I said, Babel is a high- energy data entity... It can bestow tremendous power.

But its nature prevents it from being seen or touched.

Belberith contrived to use the server as a medium to manifest Babel in order to challenge it.

Ah... you noticed that. I’m rather impressed...

The server harnesses the flow of thoughts. Its user can bend it to his or her will...

Belberith probably decided that to control and interface with a data entity such as Babel...

His best bet would be to use a device already suited to the task.

Yes... Belberith probably brought it there to keep Babel in arm’s reach.

B-But that’s really bad for us!

Belberith is using the server as a medium for Babel, right?

If he goes through the final ordeal before we do, he’ll become King of Bel!

Heh... Don’t worry. Yes, Belberith stole the server to use as Babel’s medium.

But clearly, he doesn’t yet meet the qualifications to become the King of Bel.

We know because Babel hasn’t responded to the summons, and remains dormant.

I... I see... If the war for the Throne of Bel is still going on... All right!

Then we just need to become qualified before Belberith and go through Babel’s trial!

...You don’t miss a trick.

Exactly. Once you have those, we’ll make a try for Babel.

The server containing Babel is in the demon world even now.

But humans can’t reach it. Even we can’t overcome the demon hordes to reach Babel alive.

Tch... Then what do we do?

Even if we get qualified to be King, fat lot of good it does us with Babel in that world.

Heheh... But we don’t need to go there.

Babel appears in response to the voice of the one qualified to become King.

All we need is to create an environment where Babel can appear and summon it here.

Create an environment... Could you be a little more specific? How do we pull that off?

The human world and the demon world are practically adjacent, save for a wall between them.

...We simply destroy the wall.

A wall...?

That’s right. A wall. The fierce gods known as the Four Devas maintain it.

Jikoku, one of the four, was defeated by Jezebel six months ago to weaken the wall.

That’s why anyone in Tokyo can now use the summoning program to call forth demons.

If we eliminate the remaining three Devas, the wall between the worlds will disappear.

Wh-Whoa there! The two worlds becoming one? That sounds bad no matter how you say it!

Ah... But no matter what we do today, the result will be the same.

The spread of the summoning program has given rise to an equal spread of demons...

...Utterly destroying the balance between the worlds and hastening Tokyo’s corruption.

If it goes on, there are only days before the imbalance crushes our world.

So in the end... We have no choice but to do this...

...Now you understand. We don’t have much time left, so let’s start hunting the Devas.

With Jikoku gone, the wall seems somewhat unbalanced.

The other three have vacated their usual places and seem to have scattered around Tokyo.

Bishamon, believed to be the strongest of the four, is at Eikokuji near Ikebukuro.

I get it... So that’s the stuff you had to research yesterday.

Heheh... Precisely. Well? Still don’t trust me?

Trust ain’t got nothin’ to do with this. Now c’mon, let’s quit talkin’ and go.

Good! Our first stop will be Eikokuji at Ikebukuro... We have a Deva to slay!

We did it, ho! We hee-won! We beat-ho the stuffing out of Bishamon, ho!

I still don’t feel too good about this... He was watching over Tokyo, after all.

Geez, how long are you gonna keep whinin’ about that?

You want power, right? You want stuff to go the way you want it to? We all do.

Wh-What...? That’s not true! I just...

You ”just” what? You came along ’cause you wanted to save people? What BS.

You just want a reason to keep doin’ what you’re doin’. You don’t want the responsibility.

Man’s basically rotten, so what’s wrong with wantin’ power?

If somethin’ pisses you off, crush it. Long as you can take responsibility, screw ’em.

...I-I know... but... it’s not that easy...

Heh! Hesitate all you like, but this world will change. Don’t let it leave you behind.

Huh? What the hell? The sky’s all...

The air’s so heavy all of a sudden... I don’t like the way this feels...

The power separating the two worlds has weakened... This city’s corruption has begun.

This is because we defeated Bishamon, huh...?

Heheh... This is fantastic. I’m practically giddy...

Yo, Naoya. Where’s the next fight at?

To the south... Zouchou is at Sengakuji.

Sengakuji...? Oh yeah, I heard of that before. Wasn’t it in Shinagawa?

I am slightly concerned that I can’t sense Koumoku... We’d best remain cautious.

It’ll be fine, ho! Let’s hee-hurry and beat up the Four Devas, ho!

That’s all Four Devas... So now the demon world and human world will be connected?

Nothing’s happenin’... What’s the deal?

Heheh... Patience, patience. The demon world will be here soon enough.

Look! The point of connection has already begun to show itself...

Th-The demon world’s past that thing...?

Tch... Looks to me like it’s around Roppongi somewhere.

Indeed... The highest floor of the Hills building is where the server used to be.

If the manifested Babel were to appear, that’s where it would happen.

It’s very well-suited to a summoning ritual.

Name is right...

The other demons of Bel with an interest in the Throne will be waiting for us ahead.

We should be well prepared before we head out.

Be prepared... The other demons of the war of Bel will be waiting for us.

Tch... What a pain in the ass. How many of these Bel demons they got left?

It’s hard to say exactly. But there are two we’ll definitely have to face...

Belberith, who used the Shomonkai and organized this war for the Throne...

And Belzaboul, equal to Belberith in power, yet lending him his strength.

Those two will certainly serve as obstacles in our path...

Belberith is a cunning one... He’ll have taken a position in the server room near Babel.

Make no mistake, he’ll send Belzaboul after us. We must proceed very carefully...

But isn’t that good for us? If we beat ’em, Name gets more Bel power, right?

So let’s get rid of those clowns first, and then crush Babel! The world’ll be ours!

That final trial thing? Tch... I dunno who the hell it thinks it is...

But we just gotta beat the last Bel guys and crush Babel! Then the world will be ours!

Heh. Demons may not be the only enemy... Don’t forget who ordered this lockdown.

Sure hope so. Once Name becomes overlord, I can’t wait to go up against this God.

Of course. But the angels will try to prevent that from ever happening...

No kiddin’? Are these angels that strong...?

Heh... So what if they do? Once Name is overlord, we’re goin’ up against God.

Or what, are these angels that strong or somethin’?

Heh... Scared? A little reluctant to fight against God after all?

Hahaha... Hell no! Right, nerdlinger?

H-Honestly... I don’t know. It’s not that I’m doubting you or anything, but...

Heh... Then I’ll tell you a story to erase all doubts.

In various religions and lore, God is said to be an absolute being. Complete in every way.

But how true is that? Is God really a complete entity...? Well, Name?

Hahahah...! Then let me ask you this, Name.

Why do humans become corrupt? Why were demons cast into that hellish world?

After all, both were children of God the Almighty, created in His image!

Exactly, Name. If God were truly absolute, then His creation would never falter.

But humans do become corrupt, and demons do exist. Proof that He is flawed, too!

Do you see? God isn’t absolute! When His creations don’t obey His will, He eliminates them.

The same goes for the angels, since they, too, were created by the same God.

He doesn’t save those who believe in Him. He crushes those who don’t!

Exactly. God’s mercy is saved for His followers; others can expect only annihilation.

That is His way. That is His ”absolute justice.”

And angels are His messengers; little more than the embodiment of His wrath.

If they hadn’t agitated the lockdown, we wouldn’t be stuck in this situation.

Ugh... So either way, they ain’t lettin’ us out of this lockdown...

Then the only thing for us to do is to crush ’em!

But we’re really runnin’ low on time if we’re gonna fight the angels AND the Bels...

We’ll have to negotiate with the government. Let’s get in touch with Izuna and her boss.

The government, huh...?

We’ll have to find Izuna and her boss. They’re the only ones in touch with the outside.

Mm... If there’s even a slight chance of getting more time, it’s worth the trip.

Yo, Name. Better think about what you’re gonna say.

You can’t tell ’em, ”I’m gonna become overlord, but I need some more time.” Hah!

...Heh. Maybe even then, they’d have to accept our demands...

It’s time we had a parley.

Belzaboul was once hailed as the Duke of Hell. His power is tremendous.

With him defeated, the power of Bel inside Name should be even stronger.

Heheh... That’s a good sign. Embrace the power dormant in you... Only Belberith remains.

Belberith is the god that the Shomonkai’s founder contacted. He started this war of Bel...

But... The Shomonkai founder’s just an ordinary guy, right?

Why’d this Belberith thing lend him its power?

From what I know, the founder genuinely intended to save people.

He knew God’s ordeal was close, and mankind, drunk on its own technology, wouldn’t survive.

He wasn’t altogether wrong... Modern man has indeed over- indulged in peace.

God’s ordeal? Psh... It wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t caused the lockdown.

I mean, who’s to say that if he hadn’t summoned demons, the ordeal would still have come?

Oh, the ordeal would have come with or without the lockdown. That’s... how God is.

Hmph... The subject under discussion is Belberith.

As I said before, his goal is the original power of Bel dormant within Babel.

The original Bel that lost its struggle against God was split into multiple Bels.

Belberith seems to be the largest of the demons who inherited Bel’s power.

Its hunger for revenge against God is strongest... And it wants its old power the most.

It seems to want to use Babel’s dormant power to take up the old struggle against God.

It was a perfect match for the Shomonkai founder wanting to resist God’s ordeal...

Both he and Belberith had a score to settle with God... They were in accord.

I-I see... So Belberith was the one who started the war for the Throne of Bel?

It must’ve absorbed a lot more Bels by now... Won’t it be pretty strong?

Belberith seems to have beaten the Bels in its world as well as other nearby worlds...

As Atsuro has guessed, its power must be tremendous.

...That’s right.

So far, you have the powers of Beldr, Jezebel, and Belzaboul.

So far, you have the powers of Beldr, Belial, Jezebel, and Belzaboul.

And if we can drag him into our world, he won’t be able to fight with his full strength.

If we can’t win under those conditions, then he simply can’t be beaten.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. You got us with you, y’know?

All you gotta think about is how that throne’s gonna feel sittin’ on it.

Was there ever a doubt? Let’s hurry up and get rid of it. I’m eager to challenge God...

There you are...!

Huh? Oh... Commander!

I’ve reached a settlement with the top brass. They’re willing to give you two more hours.

If you can settle everything by then, I made them promise to lift the lockdown...!

That’s great! Thank you so much! Two hours should be more than enough!

This is the most I could do. I’m begging you... Save Tokyo for us! Good luck...

Two hours, eh...? Well, that’s fine. But once we start, we’ll have no time to turn back.

Get ready now, Name, so you’ll be prepared for any eventuality.

Tch... Finally, we’ve cleared out the small fry.

Frickin’ angels, makin’ us waste our time like that.

Yeah... Tch.

We actually picked a fight with God...

We helped them yesterday, and now we’re sworn enemies thanks to what just happened...

We’re really on God’s bad side now, huh...?

We fought the angels yesterday and now again today... There’s no excusing that.

The world God made is ruled by absolute order and justice... No exceptions.

But it’s difficult for a man to go from cradle to grave without a single sin, hmm?

If man is judged by their standards, all humans will be judged without mercy.

...I know. I don’t want a world like that, either...

There’s no need to fear God or to kiss His ass. We’re all we need... God is irrelevant.

Yeah... We humans are trying as hard as we can.

If a god ordered this lockdown, then to hell with it!

Don’t overthink it. We want power, we want the world... That’s reason enough to fight.

Those angels though, man... They got some nerve, askin’ us to join ’em.

Name has the potential to become overlord... They crave that power.

Yeah, I don’t get it either. If Name was overlord...

Wouldn’t he be another enemy for ’em to deal with? Why would they want that power?

The overlord is a master of demons. If he were to bow his head before God...

God’s authority would increase, and some of the strength in the demon world would be lost.

The balance of power would be upset. Demons would eventually be unable to defy God...

Which is why God wants to use Name as His pawn once he becomes the King of Bel.

Tch... That cheap bastard. Looks like we gotta crush Him once and for all...

Hahah... That’s right. That’s God’s true nature... Selfish, contemptible scum.

That’s right...! I almost forgot about that!

Does that have something to do with a demon of Bel, too?

They said something about betrayal and whatnot...

Unfortunately, I don’t plan on answering that question.

Even if you knew, it has no relevance to the objective.

We’re running out of time... Let’s depart as soon as we’re ready.

I agree... We should depart as soon as we’re ready.

We did it...

We really did it!

Tch... That was quick. Not bad, Name.

Now this whole world is all yours for the taking...

It’s finally over...

I wonder if he’ll be able to rest in peace now...

We hee-did it, ho! Name won!

From now on, he’s gonna be-ho the king of us demons! I’ll hee-follow you anywhere, ho!

Man... Nickname... I don’t know what to say.

Haha, I guess I should be happy? We chose this on our own and made it this far...

Good work, Nickname. Though honestly, I’d have been happier if Yuzu was here...

Y-Yeah. It’s a relief hearing that from you... Haha, you’re already a pretty cool king!

You did well in obtaining all the powers, Name... No, Abel. Just as I expected.

And now that you’re overlord, there are things you must do. Are you ready...?

Name... You’re already the king.

You paid the price for this, didn’t you? Don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet...

Oh... Naoya! What about the lockdown and the deadline?

Isn’t everyone about to be killed either way...?

As of now, the lockdown has no purpose.

Everything will fall into place once Name declares that he’s become overlord.

Have you forgotten...? You’ve already discarded your humanity.

Huh...? W-Wait a sec! What’s that supposed to mean...?

Have you forgotten...? Name has already discarded his humanity.

Demons challenging angels has nothing to do with the fate of mankind.

And you’re going to make those angels understand that...!

I get you... If we do that, the angels won’t deal with humans anymore.

And if they think Name has no interest in the safety of humans...

That gets rid of one of our weak spots.

You’ll protect us by givin’ us the cold shoulder, huh?

Heheh... Let them confine and destroy COMP users to their heart’s content.

One word from the overlord and demons will appear on their own regardless!

Once the humans in charge of the lockdown see that, they’ll realize how futile it is...

Hahah... You’re one nasty piece of work. I like your style...

B-But... that’s... Even if Nickname becomes overlord...

Won’t it be useless if the Self-Defense Force doesn’t trust us?

Yes, it would. So we’re going to prove Name’s strength here and now.

Now, make your declaration... Declare that demonkind will rise up against God!

At the sound of your voice, your demon army will gather in a joyful chorus!

Everything will change! Let us begin our new world!

This is Roppongi Unit 1, over.

What? The demons are gathering at the Hills? Does that mean they’re under control...?

But that rift in the sky is still there... What’s going on here?

The demons are all on the move... They won’t respond to the COMPs anymore...

Nickname... you’re... no longer human, are you?

Hey, Yuzu...? What’s gonna happen to us now?

...I don’t know.

But... I guess it’s a little comforting to know that it’s Nickname who became overlord.

As long as his heart stays human even during the battles ahead of him, that is...

So from now on...

The overlord’s gonna march against God, huh...?

Name... So you’ve become overlord...

I can only pray that our world won’t be ruled by power... I hope that you’re safe.

Ahaha... You did it. It seems an overlord’s been born...

Well done, Naoya. Your fondest wish has come true... Or has it?

Now then, King of Bel, the war against God begins...

Win, and mankind may forever be freed from God’s judgement.

That is, of course, if the battle doesn’t annihilate humanity... Ahaha.

The ancient battle between God and demons is about to swallow these lands anew...

I’m very much looking forward to enjoying the show from my box seat. Hahahahaha...!