Izumi paid Erica no mind at all.
Instead, he looked at Lucifer with clear interest, his lips curling into an amused smile.
"So you're the one who answered the call?"
"Honestly, I expected Michael or the others."
Lucifer's gaze shifted toward Izumi.
Unlike most Heretic Gods, there was no madness in his eyes—
only calm, profound composure.
"So it was you who summoned me."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"How intriguing."
"Do you seek to become a Campione?"
Those words made Erica snap her head up.
A Campione—
a Godslayer, a Demon King.
So this man had summoned a Heretic God…
just to claim that title?
Her pupils contracted.
Who is this man?
She had been called a prodigy since childhood, yet before a Heretic God she could not even stand.
But him?
He stood there calmly, conversing as if nothing were wrong.
Was the gap between them truly that vast?
Or was he protected by some divine artifact that nullified the god's pressure?
Izumi answered Lucifer with an easy smile.
"Do I really look like I need to become something like that?"
Lucifer frowned slightly, then examined Izumi more closely.
A second later—
He burst into laughter.
"HAHAHAHA—how fascinating!"
"That power… extraordinary."
"To you, Campione is nothing more than a joke."
Lucifer's gaze shifted from Izumi to Kanase Kanon.
"Then tell me, strong one—
are you planning to make this girl a Campione?"
Truthfully, under normal circumstances, the artifacts Izumi had projected would never have summoned Lucifer.
But there was Kanon.
Her body carried a dense aura belonging to Gabriel.
And according to legend, Lucifer had once stood as elder brother to Gabriel and Michael.
Though not the same Gabriel, he could still sense it.
And then there was the Spear of Longinus—
piercing Judas upon the cross.
That act alone had drawn his attention.
A chain of coincidences.
An accident.
Not one of the Four Archangels—
not even God—
But Lucifer descended instead.
One thing was certain:
Disrespect the gods—
And Lucifer would gladly answer.
Izumi met his gaze, smiling.
"What do you think?"
"I originally planned to drag down one of the Four Archangels… or even God Himself."
"But since you came instead, let's negotiate."
"How about giving your power to Kanon?"
Izumi's impression of this Lucifer was surprisingly positive.
Lucifers differed from world to world.
This one—
though the first fallen archangel of the Biblical system—
Didn't seem irredeemably evil.
Lucifer's expression turned strange.
"…Are you certain?"
"She is the one chosen by Gabriel."
"You still wish to proceed?"
This question was delivered through telepathy, unheard by Kanon.
Kanon looked between Izumi and the fallen angel in confusion, utterly unaware that her fate was being negotiated.
Izumi replied lightly.
"Because it's fun, isn't it?"
"She's a holy maiden of the Church in our world."
"Imagine her returning as a Godslayer—
wielding your power."
"That would be entertaining."
The excitement was written all over his face.
Lucifer laughed.
"Interesting. Truly interesting."
"Human… you amuse me."
"Very well."
"Let us fight."
"If you defeat me, I will give her my power."
The moment his words fell—
A terrifying pressure descended.
Dark clouds swallowed the skies above Milan.
A violent storm erupted, winds tearing through the city, ripping billboards from their mounts.
Not only Milan—
The disturbance spread far beyond.
Though merely a projection, Lucifer's power stood second only to the God of the Bible.
Fallen though he was, he still commanded light.
No incantations.
No grand declarations.
He formed a massive magical greatsword in his hand and charged.
At that moment, Lucifer looked less like a god—
And more like a pure warrior.
Izumi's eyes flashed with surprise—
Then resolve.
He pulled Kanon behind him and threw a punch.
The collision—
BOOM.
The Milan Cathedral shook violently.
The shockwave obliterated every stained-glass window.
Lucifer was hurled backward like a cannonball.
Kanon screamed and buried herself against Izumi's chest.
Izumi placed her safely outside—
Then took to the sky.
Lucifer rose from the rubble, wiping golden blood from his lips, eyes shining.
"How delightful."
"To wound me with nothing but your fists…"
"Excellent—truly excellent!"
His laughter echoed.
His wings spread wide.
At last, he invoked his Authority.
「March forth, my fallen legions!」
A black gate opened behind him.
One by one, the angels who had fallen with him emerged.
Izumi raised an eyebrow.
A summoning-type Authority? That's impressive.
But—
That was all.
The Interstice Belt unfolded, slicing through the air like a divine blade.
Lucifer's expression changed instantly.
He dodged—
But Izumi's target was never him.
BOOM!
The black gate shattered.
The Authority collapsed.
Lucifer's army vanished before it could even enter the battlefield.
Izumi clenched his hand in the air.
"Checkmate."
The space around Lucifer compressed violently.
"—GHK!"
Golden blood sprayed from his mouth.
A single strike—
And he was critically wounded.
Lucifer wasn't shocked.
Instead, he smiled in relief.
"As expected… a monster from another world."
"Even with my legions, I stood no chance."
He laughed freely.
"You win!"
"Honor the pact—let the girl slay me."
"I may never see Gabriel's expression…"
"But I am certain—"
"It will be magnificent."