19 Life.4 Go! Occult Research Club!
Part 1
"Rias-senpai. We have covered the school with a large barrier. With this, unless something disastrous happens, there will be no damage outside."
Saji reported the current situation to Buchou. We, the Occult research club and the student council, had gathered at the park located right in front of Kuou academy. Only Kiba wasn't there. Where are you Kiba... The injured Irina was transported to Kaichou's house. She avoided the worst case scenario thanks to Asia's power. Saji from the student council was explaining about the barrier to Buchou. Possibly because of the spanking he got earlier, he stood unnaturally. According to his story, Shitori Souna-senpai who is the kaichou(Student President) had gathered everyone from the student council and put a big barrier on the school after she heard the situation from Buchou. It was a measure used to keep the things occurring inside from leaking outside. The opponent was one of the leaders of the Fallen-Angels who appeared in the bible and books.
"This is to keep it to the minimum. To tell you the truth, if Kokabiel were to fight seriously, not only this academy, but the whole region would be annihilated. Adding to that, he has already gotten ready for that. My servant has seen him releasing his power at the school grounds."
Wha... I became speechless at Kaichou's words. Are you serious!? We are talking about something that big!? So it meant he was someone that serious...… He seriously was a troublesome Fallen-Angel leader! He was going to destroy my town because he wanted to do what he wished, which was to start a war!? Don't mess around. Don't fuck around you shitty Fallen-Angel! I won't let you do as you please! I'm planning to live and enjoy my life in this town with Buchou, Asia and everyone! My anger was at its MAX, and Kaichou continued to explain.
"My servants and I will continue to place the barrier to reduce the damages. I want to minimise the damages as much as possible... It's hard to prevent having our school getting damaged. But it looks like we have to since it's the leader of the Fallen-Angels who is moving."
Kaichou made a sharp eye and looked in the direction of the school with eyes filled with hatred. She was probably directing it to Kokabiel. Then it was confirmed that the school would get damaged. The school I...we go to...
"Thank you, Sona. We will do the rest from here."
"Rias. Our enemy is a monster with strength above ours. It's still not too late. We should get your Oni-sama..."
Buchou shook her head.
"You also didn't call your Onee-sama."
"My Onee-sama is... Your Oni-sama loves you. Sirzechs-sama will definitely move. So..."
"I have already informed Sirzechs-sama."
Akeno-san said it over Buchou and Kaichou's words.
"Akeno!"
Buchou criticised. But Akeno-san had an angry expression.
"Rias. I know that you don't want to cause problems for Sirzechs-sama. It happened in your territory. In your base. And it happened after the family problem. But it's a different story if the leader of the enemy appears. It is a problem that surpasses the level that you can solve. Let's borrow the strength of a Maou."
...It was my first time seeing Akeno-san telling Buchou off. But, just as I thought, Akeno-san calls her "Rias" during private times and talks casually towards her. Buchou seemed like she wanted to say something. But she took a deep breath and nodded. Akeno-san put on her usual smiley face after she saw her.
"Thank you for understanding the situation, Buchou. Sona-sama. Sirzechs-sama's reinforcement will be here in one hour."
"One hour... I understand. In that time, we, the student council, will vow to continue to place the barriers in the name of Sitri."
Buchou seemed like she had made her decision as well after hearing Kaichou's decision.
"...So one hour. Now my servants. We will be on the offensive. We will go inside the barrier and draw Kokabiel's attention. Unlike the battle against Phoenix, this is a battle of life and death! Even so, I will not forgive you if you die! We will survive and continue to attend that school!"
[Yes!]
We replied to her with energetic voices!
"Hyoudou! I will leave the rest to you."
"I know that, Saji. You should worry about the damages on your ass."
"Don't say that! It feels like it will hurt even more if you say that! How about your ass?"
Ngggh! My ass started to hurt after he said that!
"Fufufu. Buchou's love certainly hurts. Well the situation right now is the same as having our asses on fire."
"No, no. I can't laugh at that. So Kiba isn't here yet?"
"Yeah. I believe that he is safe."
"Yeah. I also believe in him as well."
Saji and I put our fist together and prayed for our missions. It was a decisive battle! If it became serious, then I would also...
[Leave it to me, partner. Our opponent is Kokabiel. He's not an insufficient opponent. Let's show him.]
Yeah, Ddraig. We will show him. The power of the Dragon that picked a fight with God and Maou.
Part 2
We went in straight from the main gate. The moment I entered, I used promotion to promote from "Pawn" to "Queen" so my power increased. My "Queen" was still weak compared to Akeno-san because I had only been a Devil for a short-time.
...I became speechless after seeing a bizarre scene. In the middle of the school field, there were four swords that were releasing extreme lights while floating. Having the swords at the centre, there was a suspicious looking magic circle spread in the whole school field. There was an old-man located in the middle of the magic circle. Balba Galilei? That geezer. What was he planning to do by using the magic circle?
"What is this...?"
I spoke out my doubt.
"I'm going to make the four Excaliburs into one."
Balba said it as if he found it amusing.
"Balba. How much longer will it take for the Excaliburs to merge?"
"…!"
There was a voice from up in the sky! When all of the club members looked up, there was Kokabiel who had the moon as a background. He was sitting on a chair up in the sky while looking down on us... Was it the power of a Fallen-Angel that was making the chair float? He was crossing his legs confidently!
"It won't even take 5 minutes, Kokabiel."
"Is that so. I will leave it to you."
Kokabiel moved his eyes from Balba to Buchou.
"Is Sirzechs coming? Or is it Serafall?"
"In the places of Oni-sama and Leviathan-sama, we..."
SWISH! BANNNNNNNNNNNNNNG!!!
After the sound of the wind, there was a sound of explosion that echoed throughout the area! The sound came from the place where the gym is. No, where the gym WAS. There wasn't even a trace of it! Did it get blown away!?
"Boring. Well that's okay. It will be entertaining."
There was a big pillar made of light where the gym was located. Was that perhaps the spear of light? Yo…you must be joking... That's too big! If compared with that Fallen-Angel woman, it was like comparing a toothpick and a fishing rod! If I was to get hit by that...
[Are you scared partner?]
Ddraig directly talked to me. Of course I would get scared after seeing that! It was not a matter of being beyond us! It was totally on a different level to us!
[Yeah. It's on a different level. He is so strong that his name has been recorded in the bible since ancient times. He is the one who survived the battle against God and the past Maou.]
Can we win? Can I beat him?
[If it becomes serious, I will beat him even if I have to turn most of your body into a Dragon. Even if you can't beat him, I will give him damage that will freeze him for an hour. You can leave the rest to the Maou.]
...So he's that powerful. Looks like I have to make my decision as well... Well, using the armour will be my last resort. That only makes me strong for 10 seconds. The power of my Balance-Breaker that ignores the limit of my stamina and demonic powers would become invincible once I activate it. But after using that, I can't use my Sacred Gear for three whole days. Using it would be a sink or swim situation.
"Now. I will have you all fight my pet that I brought from hell."
Kokabiel clicked his fingers. Then from the depths of darkness there was a sound of the ground rumbling as it came closer to us. That thing was something that far exceeded my expectations. Eight...no it probably was ten meters tall. It had a large body. It had four legs, and each leg was thick. Also the claws that grew from each leg looked so sharp that I felt chills behind my back. The eyes that were glittering from the darkness were red. From its mouth, what it had were dangerous looking fangs. The fangs were close to each other, and from the gaps there were white breaths pouring out. The animal which resembled it the most was a...dog. But dogs aren't this big! That's because dogs don't have three heads!
ROOOOOOOOOOOAR!!
Its howl was so loud it felt like it shook the ground! The three heads howled at the same time!
"…Cerberus!"
Buchou said it with a voice filled with disgust.
"Cerberus?"
"Yes. It's a famous creature that has the nickname of Guard-dog of Hell."
Guard-dog of Hell...!? So this dog was a monster that sounded that dangerous!?
"It lives in the gate to Hell, no to the Underworld. But to bring it to the humans' world!"
"Is it bad?"
"We have to do it! We will blow it away, Ise!"
Ooou, Buchou. She's pumped up! Then I will have to be pumped as well!
"Yes Buchou! Let's do it, Boosted Gear!"
[Boost!!]
Okay doggy! Since it looks like you haven't been tamed properly, I will have to discipline you! I was enthusiastic to do it, but Buchou put her hand on my shoulder.
"Ise. This time, we will back you up."
"So do I give him the finishing blow by charging my power?"
Buchou shook her head at my question.
"No. I will have you support us. You will be transferring your boosted power to us. Boosted Gear is a Sacred Gear that powers you up and also increases the power of your comrades in a team battle."
Increasing the power of comrades by using the ability of Gift. If I were to transfer the boosted power to Buchou and Akeno-san who were stronger than the normal me... Also in terms of healing, if I were to increase Asia's ability then the effect would become absolute! So I'm going to put my boosted power on top of the group members! Then perhaps it might be effective against Kokabiel? Even if we can't give him an enormous amount of damage, we might gain the power to block his attacks!
"By the way, Ise. Including your power up, how many times can you transfer your powers?"
Buchou's question. Yes, my Sacred Gear had a limit to how many times I could use it. My Sacred Gear that can multiply my power belongs to an unreal category. The number of times I can use it depends on the possessor, me. If I were to use it up, the Sacred Gear would stop functioning. Then my body would lose all strength.
"Right now with my current stamina, I can only transfer it 3 or 4 times with the maximum boost. No, I might faint after the fourth time so please think that I can only do it three times."
"I see. So we can't waste it."
I'm sorry Buchou. If I were to use it with fewer boosts I could use it a bit more. But because of the one we are facing, it wouldn't be like that. Somehow it felt like I had turned into a useful "item" for the whole day... Well, that's okay.
"Akeno!"
Buchou got her wings out from her back and flew up into the sky with Akeno-san.
GAAAAAARUUUUUUUUUUUU!
Cerberus jumped after making a growl!
FLAAAAAAAAAAAME!!
One of the heads looked towards Buchou who was flying and breathed out fire! Wow! It seriously was a monster!
"Too naïve."
Akeno-san stood in front of Buchou and froze the fire instantly. Just to be expected from our "Queen"!
"Take this!"
Buchou jumped from behind Akeno-san and released an enormous black block of demonic-power. The blow from the power of destruction. Buchou's demonic power is a powerful one that eliminates everything it touches.
FLAAAAAAAAAAME!!
The other head of the monstrous dog shot out a ball of fire! Buchou's demonic power and the fireball of Cerberus clashed against each other violently! Then the other head shot out a fireball! Shit! Three attacks in a row! The second fireball assisted the first one that was getting pushed by Buchou's strike! The strength of fire increased and it started to push Buchou's strike. Then Cerberus tried to shoot another one! If it did another one, then even if it was Buchou...
"I have found an opening in you."
BANG!
Koneko-chan who jumped from beside me did a heavy blow onto Cerberus's head! It made a loud sound! I don't want to get hit by that, Koneko-chan!
"Here's another blow."
When Akeno-san pointed her fingers up, there was lightning created in the sky. She then pointed her fingers to Cerberus and...
FLASH!
After a single flash, Cerberus was surrounded by violent lightning! Akeno-san gave an extra special lightning to the doggy! Buchou's blow also added to that! But Cerberus' body didn't get terminated and it just struck the side of its stomach. There was dark black blood coming out of the monster dog's stomach. There was smoke coming from it. But it still had a shine in its eyes. It could still move even after receiving those attacks? And my power up... It still hadn't reached the limit. I was promoted to "Queen", but I hadn't become as strong as the "Queen" Akeno-san was. I still lacked training. My stats as a Devil were still low. I wanted to get stronger... I was definitely going to survive this battle! Then I was going to get even stronger and become the "Ultimate Pawn" that Buchou was talking about!
GARUUUUUUUU.
Ummmm, I could hear a dangerous howl... I turned around with scared thoughts and...
"There's another one!?"
Another Cerberus appeared from the darkness! Don't joke around! It's not a joking matter that another one appeared!
GAAAAAAAAOOOOO!
It made a howl and it came towards me and Asia! Crap! Should we run!? The boosts won't get reset as long as I don't attack and receive any attacks! I had to run while carrying Asia! But it seemed like there was nowhere to run to in a school field like this!
"Ise! Just use the boost to increase your powers!"
Buchou gave me the permission to use the boosted power. That would be the best choice. But if I used it here, then it seemed like it would be used just to run away! But it couldn't be helped if it was to protect Asia! It happened when I was about to do it.
SLASH!
One of the heads of the Cerberus that was coming at us went up into the sky. It was cut! By who? Kiba? But the person who appeared was the one who wielded a long Excalibur. It was Xenovia. The head of the Cerberus that was cut turned to dust.
"I have come to back you up."
STEP!
After saying that, Xenovia went on slashing towards the Cerberus' torso. The Cerberus howled in pain because it lost one of its heads.
GAAAAAAOOOOOOO!!
The Cerberus' torso split in half after receiving a fatal strike. There was smoke coming out, and the Cerberus started to vaporise. It was the effect of the holy-sword.
"The strike of the holy-sword. It gives critical damage to creatures."
STAB!
Xenovia thrust her sword deep into the Cerberus' chest to finish it off. That moment, the Cerberus' body turned into dust and disappeared.
My gauntlet started to flash. It hadn't even reached the limit. But what was this phenomenon? I was feeling doubtful when Ddraig talked to me,
[It's telling you that it has reached the stage where the Cerberus can be defeated if you transfer it to Rias Gremory or Himejima Akeno.]
Are you serious? Since when did it get such a convenient system?
[It means that both you and the Sacred Gear are evolving day by day. It has made possible what you desired. As you can't tell the power difference between you and the opponent, you didn't know how many boosts you needed. It has started to tell you now.]
I certainly thought about that, but it actually responded to my weak point? So it means it can respond to the power difference between me and my opponent now. That's certainly a good thing! I shouted towards Buchou and Akeno-san who were flying up the sky.
"Buchou! Akeno-san! I have got enough power to take down Cerberus!"
Hearing that, Buchou and Akeno-san looked at each other and nodded. Both of them came down to me at the same time.
"Ise! You increased the strength of the cross and holy water in the battle against Raiser, right?"
"Eh? Ah, I certainly did."
"So it's possible to increase both of us at the same time then! Please transfer the power to Akeno and I!
Ddraig. It was all of a sudden that time, but is it possible?
[Yeah. If it's just two at the same time then it's possible. Except that I can only transfer 70 to 80 percent of the boosted power.]
I explained that to Buchou and Akeno-san. The two of them were okay with it.
"I think that would be enough."
"Yes. We can do it."
[PLEASE!]
Buchou and Akeno-san replied at the same time. I put my hand on Buchou's and Akeno-san's shoulders and activated my Sacred Gear.
"Let's do it, Boosted Gear!"
[Transfer!!]
HEARTBEAT.
An enormous amount of power went to Buchou and Akeno-san through my body. They instantly gained an enormous amount of demonic-power. Both of them were shocked at the amount of power that was overflowing from them.
"...We can do this."
Akeno-san nodded to Buchou's daring smile.
"Akeno!"
"Yes! Thunder! Resound!"
Akeno-san pointed her fingers to the sky and started to control the thunder. Her fingers were aimed towards the Cerberus.
! The Cerberus tried to run from the spot as if it predicted the upcoming thunder!
STAB!
Countless swords pierced through the Cerberus' limb! The swords were coming out from the ground! This is...
"I won't let you escape."
The person who appeared was our "Knight"! It was Kiba's Sword-Birth! That guy came at a good time!
FLASH!
The thunder went down at Cerberus after it lost its movement due to the demonic-swords. The lightning was so big that it couldn't be compared to the one before! The lightning covered more than half of the school grounds!
RUUUUUUUMBLEEEEEE!!
"!"
The howl of the Cerberus was overshadowed by the sound, and its body turned to nothingness from the lightning. Because of its major power up, the potential demonic-energy got used up rapidly responding to the strength of it. Even if it was Buchou and Akeno-san, continuous shots would have been hard for them as well. The moment the big dog disappeared, Buchou pointed her hand towards Kokabiel!
"Take this! Kokabiel!"
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNN!!
There was a gigantic mass of demonic-power that shot out from Buchou's hand!
"It's huge!"
I slipped my words. It was more than 10 times bigger than the usual shot Buchou fires! It gained high velocity and went towards the leader of the Fallen-Angels who was sitting up in the sky! The power of destruction fell on top of Kokabiel! Perish with that! But… He just stretched one of his hands to the front.
BAAAAAAAANG!!
He was blocking Buchou's shot with only one of his hands! You must be joking! He stopped a gigantic shot like that with only one hand!?
GUUUN!
Kokabiel faced his palm towards the sky. The shot that was fired by Buchou changed its direction and went up to the sky and disappeared. Kokabiel showed his malicious smile after seeing the smoke coming out of his hand.
"I see. Rias Gremory's power would grow this much because of the power of Sekiryutei. Interesting. This is very interesting indeed. Kukuku."
Kokabiel started to laugh by himself as if he find it funny.
"…It's complete."
Balba's voice. Then the four Excaliburs that were placed on the center of the school field started giving out incredible amounts of light. What is it? What was happening? Kokabiel started applauding.
"The four Excaliburs are going to become one."
It started giving out divine light that spread throughout the school field. Because of its brightness, we covered our faces with our hands. When I stared at the center of the school field, I saw that the four Excaliburs were put on top of each other. Excalibur that was originally one. It was split into seven, but four of them were going to become one. When the bright lights were gone, there was one holy-sword at the center of the field giving out a blue-white aura.
"Because of the light created by the Excalibur when it turned into one, the spell on the ground is also complete. This town will collapse within 20 minutes. The only way to dispel it is by beating Kokabiel."
Balba said something astonishing. I became speechless. Of course. Because the town I live in would collapse in less than 20 minutes! The magic circle spread around the whole school field and it started glowing and gathering power. Did it activate!? Are you serious!? Is the town I live in... Is the town we live in seriously going to disappear!? Lies! That's a lie! We didn't have the time to be saying something so easygoing like "we have to withstand it until Sirzechs-sama and the others arrive"! By the time Maou-sama's reinforcement would have arrived, this town would already have been blown away!
"Freed!"
Kokabiel called out the name of that shitty priest.
"What's up, Boss?"
A white haired boy priest emerged from the darkness.
"Use the Excalibur in the circle. It shall be the last entertainment. Fight while using the Excalibur that has turned into one from the four Excaliburs."
"Yeah yeah. Geez. My Boss sure uses people recklessly. But but! It's like I'm so honoured to use the Excalibur-chan that has become super wonderful! Something like that? Uhehehe! I will just chop some Devils now!"
Freed put on a crazy smile while holding the Excalibur located at the centre of the school field. So he could use it. He did say that he received a factor from Balba. Xenovia then spoke to Kiba.
"Rias Gremory's "Knight". If the cooperation is still valid, let us destroy that Excalibur together."
"Is it okay?"
Xenovia laughed fearlessly at Kiba's words.
"At worst, it won't be a problem if I collect the "fragment" of the Excalibur that is acting as the core of it. Since Freed is wielding it, that is a holy-sword but it isn't a holy-sword. Even if it's a holy-sword, it's the same as any other weapon. It changes depending on the person using it. That is a sword of heresy."
"Kukuku...…"
Someone was laughing at the duo's conversation. It was Balba.
"Balba Galilei. I am a survivor of the "Holy-sword Project". No. I am the one who was killed by you to be more precise. I have continued living by being reincarnated into a Devil."
Kiba said calmly to Balba. But his eyes were filled with flames of hatred. Depending on Balba's answer it might become an explosive situation.
"Hou. The survivor of that project. This is such a misfortune. To meet you in a far east country like this. I feel fate. Fufufu."
What a disgusting way of laughing. It was like he was making a fool out of us.
"You see. I like holy-swords. I like them so much that they come out in my dreams. Possibly because my heart was fascinated by the legend of Excalibur since I was a child. That's why when I found out that I can't use Excalibur I went into despair."
Balba suddenly started talking about his life. A story about the geezer's past, huh.
"I held admiration for those who can wield it because I couldn't. That feeling became so powerful that I started an experiment to create those who can use them. Then it was complete. It's thanks to you and the others."
"What? Complete? You disposed of us after finding us to be a failure."
Kiba lifted his eyebrows seemingly in doubt. From Kiba, Buchou and Xenovia's story I heard that the experiment failed. Didn't they dispose of them because they found them to be a failure? But Balba shook his head.
"I realised that there was an essential factor needed to wield holy-swords. So I used the numerical value of the "factors" to investigate its capability. Most of the test subjects had the "elements" but they didn't have the numerical value needed to wield the Excalibur. Then I reached a conclusion. Is there a way to take out the elements and gather them?."
"I see. I understand now. The thing that is put inside the holy-sword wielders when they received a blessing is..."
Xenovia seemed like she learned the truth and grit her teeth hatefully. Wh…what did she mean? I was in doubt and Balba continued to talk,
"That's right holy-sword wielder girl. We take out the holy-elements from those who have them and crystallise them. Just like this."
Balba took out an orb that was giving out light. It was a shiny orb. It has the so-called holy aura in it.
"With this, the research on holy-sword wielders improved. Even so, those fools from the Church banished me for heresy and took away my reports on the research. By looking at you, I see that the project was succeeded by someone. That Michael. He made me look like a criminal and this is the result? Well it's that Angel we are talking about. Even if he takes the elements out from the test subjects, he wouldn't go as far as to kill them. That part only would make him more human than me. Kukukuku."
Balba laughed pleasantly. I see. Even an idiot like me understood now. At present, to create holy-sword users artificially, it required a sacrifice. So Kiba and Xenovia were victims of the project started by Balba.
"...You killed my comrades and took out the elements needed to wield the holy-swords?"
Kiba asked Balba with his voice filled with killing intent.
"That's right. This orb is from back then. I have used three of them on Freed though. This is the last one."
"Hyahahahaha! Other guys besides me died because their bodies couldn't synchronise with the elements! Hmmmmm. If I think like that, that makes me special."
If it was just like Freed said, then the other ones who stole the Excalibur died. Chi! It would have been better if Freed was the one to die! Guys like him end up being tough.
"You thought that guys like me would end up being tough, didn't you Ise-kun? No, no. I won't die easily like that."
Don't read my thoughts, shitty priest!
"...Balba Galilei. How many lives have you sacrificed for your greed and experiments..."
Kiba's hands were shaking and there was an aura of anger coming out of his body. What an incredible intensity.
"Hm. If you say that, then I will give this orb to you. My research has reached the stage where it is possible to mass produce them in the right environment. First of all, I will destroy this town with Kokabiel. Next I will gather the legendary holy-swords stored around the world. Then I will mass produce holy-sword wielders and start a war against Michael and the Vatican with the combined Excaliburs. I'm going to show the result of my research to those foolish Angels and their followers who have convicted me."
So that was the reason why Kokabiel and Balba teamed up. Both of them had hatred towards the Angels. Both of them sought war. They were the worst pair! Balba threw away the orb as if he had lost interest in it. It rolled on the ground and went to Kiba's foot. Kiba leaned down silently and picked it up. He patted the orb sadly, lovingly, and dearly.
"...Everyone..."
There was a tear on Kiba's cheek. His expression was filled with sadness and anger. Then it happened. The orb that Kiba held started giving out shallow lights. The lights started to spread and it eventually covered the whole school field. From the ground there were lights coming out and it started to form a shape. Then it formed into a proper shape. It took the shape of people. There were boys and girls who were giving out blue-white lights and they were surrounding Kiba. Were they perhaps...
"The various powers that are present on this battlefield made the spirits within the orbs appear."
Akeno-san said. Things like this happen? Demonic-swords, holy-swords, Devils and Fallen-Angels. Everything was present here. So it was not weird for this to happen?
They looked at Kiba with a dear and sad expression.
"Everyone! I...…I!"
Yes. Even I understood. They were also the ones who were involved in the "Holy-sword project". They were the ones who were disposed of.
"...I have always...always thought about it. Was it all right that I was the only one that survived... There were those who had more dreams than me. There were those who wanted to live more than me. Is it all right that I am the only one to have a peaceful life..."
Then one boy's spirit smiled and it seemed like he wanted to say something. He was moving his lips but I couldn't understand what he was saying because I couldn't read lips. Then Akeno-san read it for me,
"...[Don't worry about us any more. You are alive at least]. That's what they are saying."
There were tears coming out from both of his eyes because it seemed like their thoughts reached him. Then the spirits of boys and girls started to move their lips in a rhythm. Were they singing?
"…The sacred song."
Asia mumbled.
They were singing the sacred-song... Kiba started to sing while shedding tears. When they were going through the painful experiment, this was the only thing they obtained to keep their hopes and dreams. This was the only support they had to continue living during their harsh life. Kiba and his comrades had the smiles of innocent children.
! Their bodies started to glow blue-white. Those lights were getting brighter, with Kiba in the center.
[We were no good alone.]
[We didn't have enough elements to wield the holy swords. But.]
[It will be okay if we are together.]
I could also hear their voices. I heard that originally the sacred-song was supposed to make us Devils suffer. Maybe because there were different types of powers in this place, I didn't feel any pain at all. Instead I felt warmth. Something warm that was thinking about friends and comrades… There were tears flowing out of my eyes suddenly.
[You have to accept the holy-sword.]
[It's not scary.]
[Even if God is watching.]
[Our hearts are always…]
[ONE.]
Their spirits went up into the heaven and they turned into a big light that fell down to Kiba.
[Partner.]
Then Ddraig spoke to me. What is it? In an emotional situation like this!
[That "Knight" has reached it.]
I'm asking what do you mean!
[Sacred Gears change and evolve while using the feelings of the possessors as a key. But there is a different territory to that. When the feelings and the wishes of the possessor does a dramatic change that it changes the flow of this world, the Sacred Gear reaches it. Yes. This is...]
Ddraig made a laugh of enjoyment.
[Balance Break.]
The light that split the abyss night looked as if it was giving blessings to Kiba.
New Knight & New Rival
Part 1
I just wanted to live. I escaped from the research laboratory by myself and that was the only thing I thought about while vomiting out blood and running. I got out of the forest and met a little girl, a high-class devil, while the light of my life was disappearing.
"What do you desire?"
The crimson haired girl asked while she held me, who was on the verge of death. I just mumbled one word while my vision was blurring. "Help". My life. My friends. My future. My friends. My power. My talent. My…
I just wished while having all of these thoughts. Those were my last words as a human.
"To live as a devil. That was the wish of my master, and also my wish. I thought that, it was fine. But... I couldn't forget my hatred towards the Excaliburs and my comrades' vengeance... No, I could have forgotten about it. I…"
I have the best comrades now. Ise-kun and Koneko-chan. They helped me, who was driven by vengeance. I thought about it while searching for the holy-sword wielder. There are comrades who would help me. I thought that "Isn't this already enough for me?" But if my former comrades' spirits are wishing for their vengeance, I can't let go of my demonic-swords that carry their hatred. But my thoughts were just released.
[Don't worry about us. At least you live.]
My former-comrades weren't wishing for me to deliver their vengeance. They weren't wishing for it!
"But it's not like everything is solved."
Yes, it hasn't ended. If I don't take down the evil thing right in front of me, there will be a repetition of the incident that happened to us.
"Balba Galilei. As long as I don't kill you, there will be those who would suffer the same fate as us."
"Hmph. It's been said for a long time that research always comes with sacrifices. Haven't you realised that yet?"
You certainly are evil!
"Kibaaaaaaaa! Cut down both Freed and Excalibur!"
...Ise-kun.
"You are the "Knight" of the Gremory group and my comrade! My friend! Fight Kibaaaaaaa! Don't waste their feelings and spirit!"
"You have helped me. Even if you won't profit from it. Even if you might have received punishment from our master..."
"Yuuto! Do it! You have to finish this yourself! Surpass Excalibur! You are the servant of I, Rias Gremory! My "Knight" will not lose to a mere Excalibur!"
"Yuuto-kun! I believe in you!"
Buchou. Fuku-buchou[1 1]...… Rias-buchou! Akeno-san!
"...Yuuto-senpai!"
Koneko-chan.
"Please do your best!"
Everyone.
"Hahaha! Why are you crying? You were singing with joy with the ghost-chan. It's really a nuisance. It's totally the worst. You know I hate that song. Just listening to it makes the hair on my skin crawl! I don't want to hear it any more. I'm totally at my limit! I'm going to cut you into pieces and calm myself! With this ultimate Excalibur that has merged 4 of them!"
Freed Zelzan. My comrades' spirits reside within you. I can't allow you to do evil deeds with them any longer! These tears I have are tears of determination.
"...I will become a sword."
My comrades. My comrades who have merged with my spirit. Let us overcome it together. The feelings we couldn't say back then! The wishes we couldn't fulfil back then! Right now, right here!
"I shall become the sword of Buchou and my comrades! Please respond to my feelings now! Sword-Rebirth!!"
My Sacred Gear and the spirits of my comrades mixed. It started to align and formed a shape. The demonic power and the holy power were combining.
High school dxd v3 000e.jpg
Yes, this sensation. My Sacred Gear is...…my comrade is telling me--that this is sublimation. It was giving out divine light and an ominous aura. What appeared in my hand was a single sword... It's completed, everyone.
"Balance-Breaker "Sword of the Betrayer". You shall receive the power of this sword that has both the power of light and demonic powers with your own body."
I ran towards Freed.
My trait as a "Knight" is speed! Freed tried to grasp my movement with his eyes, but I got out of his sight by doing a few feints.
GINNNNNNNNNG!
Even so, Freed blocked my strike. Seriously. You are quite a skilled, exiled-exorcist. But the aura that was covering his Excalibur was being erased by my sword.
"! That sword surpasses the originator of holy-swords!?"
He said in a shocked voice.
"If that was the true Excalibur, then I could not have won against it. But that Excalibur cannot cut the feelings of me and my comrades!"
"Chi!"
Freed clicked his tongue, and stepped back after he pushed me back.
"Stretccccccch!"
His Excalibur started to twist as if it were alive! It moved randomly and came towards me with intense speed! The ability of "Excalibur Mimic"! I see. It has four of the abilities. Then his sword split into two at the tip of the blade, and started to come at me with god speed. This is the ability of "Excalibur Rapidly". If I remember, its trait was its velocity. It accurately tried to pierce me from every direction, but I blocked each strike. Your killing intent is easy to read. If I know which direction the killing intent is coming from, parrying it is very easy.
"Why!? Why isn't it hitting!? You are supposed to be the unrivalled holy-sword-sama, aren't you!? Weren't you supposed to have lots of legends of being the ultimate sword!?"
Freed shouted. I could see that his expression was filled with both enjoyment and impatience.
"Then! Then I have to add this as well!"
The tip of the holy-sword disappeared. Transparency pheromone? This is the power of "Excalibur Transparency". The ability to make the blade transparent. But if he doesn't change the direction of his killing intent, even if I can't see the blade…
GIIN! GIN! GIN! GIIIN!
The transparent sword and my sword made sparks. I was parrying all of his attacks.
"…!"
Freed narrowed his eyes and made a shocked face.
"Yes. Keep him there like that."
Xenovia suddenly intruded. She held the holy-sword in her left-hand, and put her right-hand in the air.
"Saint Peter. Saint Basil the Great. Saint Denis. Holy-mother Mary. Please hear my voice."
She started to chant something. What was she trying to do? I was in doubt, but the space in front of me got distorted. Xenovia put her hand in the middle of the distorted space. She put her hand in, and pulled something right out of the dimensional gap. What appeared was a single sword that gave out a holy aura.
"In the names of the saints whom reside within this blade, I will release it. Durandal!"
Durandal!? It's a sword that is so famous that it is on par with Excalibur. And I have it that, in terms of slashing, it is the ultimate sword. Why does she have it?
"A Durandal!?"
"You were not the wielder of the Excalibur!?"
Not just Balba, even Kokabiel couldn't hide his astonishment.
"Wrong. I was originally the wielder of Durandal. I was also chosen as the holder of the Excalibur. That's all."
Xenovia made a stance with Durandal. Two-sword style along with the Excalibur.
"Absurd! According to my research, we haven't reached the stage where someone can wield Durandal!?"
"Of course. Even in the Vatican, they haven't made someone who can wield Durandal artificially."
"Then why!?"
"Unlike those common artificial holy-sword wielders like Irina, I'm a natural born wielder."
Balba became speechless at her words. Unlike us, Xenovia was someone who was blessed to naturally wield the holy-sword.
"Durandal is a sword that ravages beyond what people can imagine. It cuts anything it touches. It doesn't even listen to me most of the time. That's why I have to keep it in another dimension, otherwise it would be dangerous. Even I, the holder, has a hard time with it. Now, Freed Zelzan. Thanks to you, we can have the decisive battle between Excalibur and Durandal. Right now, I'm shaking with enjoyment. Don't die in a single strike okay? At least use the Excalibur to its fullest!"
The blade of Durandal started to give out more holy-aura than the Excalibur Freed held. That aura! It had more power than my Holy-demonic sword!
"Is that even allowed!? It became a situation like this! You shitty bitch! I don't need any of that for this setting!"
Freed shouted and moved his killing intent to Xenovia. I couldn't see with my eyes, but he probably slashed his transparent sword towards her.
GAKIIIN!
With a single side slash, the Excalibur shattered. Because of the pressure given by the swing of Durandal, there was a big hole in the school field.
"So it's just a broken holy-sword, huh. It can't even compete with my Durandal."
Xenovia made a sigh while looking bored. What an incredible power. It can't even be compared with her "Excalibur Destruction".
"Are you serious!? Are you really serious!? The legendary Excalibur-chan is shattered into pieces!? Horrible! This is really horrible! Kaaaa! Was it wrong to use something that was broken from the start? The shallowness of humans. The foolishness of the Church. I want to grow up while taking a glimpse of it!"
His killing intent became weak, and I went right at him! He also couldn't respond to it! Checkmate! He tried to block my Holy-demonic sword with the remnants of his Excalibur but...
BAAAKIIIN!
A shallow shattering sound echoed. The sound of the Excalibur crumbling.
"Did you see it? Our powers have surpassed Excalibur."
I cut down Freed as soon as I shattered the Excalibur.
Part 2
Freed fell down while blood came out of the wound I made from his shoulder to the side of his stomach.
I won…
We surpassed the Excalibur. I gripped the Holy-demonic sword hard and looked up to the sky. Rather than an inexpressible feeling, the feeling of losing my aim was greater. It felt like the only reason I was living...…the only reason I was allowed to live...disappeared.
"Ho…Holy-demonic sword...? Impossible...… The polar opposite of two things cannot merge..."
Balba Galilei made a strong expression. That's right. It hasn't finished yet. As long as I don't defeat him, the tragedy will continue. We cannot allow other people to meet the same fate as us.
"Balba Galilei. Prepare yourself."
I pointed my Holy-demonic sword at him and tried to slash at him. Now my comrades. Let's finish it with this! Let's finish everything!
"…I see! I understand now! Holy and demonic. It will be an explanation, if the beings that represent the two become unbalanced! Then not only the Maou but the God has also..."
STAB.
A spear of light pierced through Balba's chest, who seemed like he realised something.
This is!
GOUGH!
Balba went down after throwing a solid amount of blood. I went up to him to confirm his state. And he had already passed away.
"Balba. You were remarkable. The reason you went up to that conclusion proves that. But, I don't mind whether you are with me or not. I could have done it by myself from the beginning."
Kokabiel who was up in the air was sneering. The one who killed Balba was Kokabiel.
"Hahahaha! Kahahahahahahahaha!"
Kokabiel laughed loudly and landed on the ground. An overwhelming pressure. The leader of the fallen-angels finally stood in front of us while sending out an intense aura and confidence. While smiling fearlessly he said,
"Increase the power of Sekiryuutei and transfer it to someone else."
He made an order full of confidence, and Buchou got enraged.
"Are you trying to give us a chance!? Don't mess around!"
"Don't mess around? Hahaha. You guys are the ones who are messing around. Do you guys think you can defeat me?"
Just being stared at with those eyes felt like my body would get pierced. My whole body was controlled by fear... This is the pressure of the fallen-angel that has been recorded in the bible since ancient times. There was sweat coming from my hand that was holding onto the Holy-demonic sword and the cold feeling continued up to my finger tips. This shivering couldn't be compared to the one I had in the battle against the house of Phoenix.
…Battle to the death. You couldn't stand in this place unless you were prepared to die and you had to accept the fact that it wouldn't be weird to lose your life. I have to change my motivation. Even if my grudge disappeared, the battle hasn't. My comrades wished for my survival. I need to live on. I will go through this battle. I will live on as a devil, and as a part of the Gremory group! Please lend me your strength. The Holy-demonic sword created by me and my comrades' feelings!
"...Ise. Activate your Sacred Gear."
Ise answered Buchou's order.
[Boost!]
Along with the mechanical sound, a red light emanated from his Sacred Gear.
A few minutes from then. We couldn't move a single step. We were waiting for Ise-kun's boost while not moving an inch. We could have gone towards the fallen-angel if he let his guard down. But the fallen-angel didn't show a single chance while he just stood still. I could only imagine getting countered by him if I went against him. So we couldn't make a fatal move. Most likely, everyone here was in the same situation. I could only wait for the power of Sekiryuutei to increase while swallowing my saliva and trembling.
"…It's here!"
Ise-kun's gauntlet emitted a brighter light. The boost had probably reached the limit.
"Now. Who will you transfer it to?"
Kokabiel asked with an interested voice. The one who put their hand up to Kokabiel's question was...Buchou.
"Ise!"
"Yes!"
Ise-kun started to transfer the power at Buchou's call. Both of them held onto each other's hand. From their clasped hands, I could feel the aura of trust and the unspoken love they had towards each other. The light on the jewel passed onto Buchou, and the red-aura that covered her body increased drastically.
! I felt the great amount of aura from her with my skin, and an enormous amount of power was created within her hand. An amount that seemed like it wouldn't even leave a single speck of dust. If you were hit by that, the majority of people would perish. But her opponent was…
"Fuhahaha! Good! That flow of demonic power! The demonic-power I can feel right now is that of an ultimate-class devil. A little bit more then you would reach that of a Maou, Rias Gremory! Looks like you have a talent equal to that of your brother's!"
The fallen-angel leader laughed as if he was truly enjoying it. His expression was coloured in ecstasy. He was feeling...pleasure for War!
"Blow awaaaaaaaaay!"
From Buchou's hand, the highest amount of the block of demonic power was shot out covered in the power of destruction!
GOOOOOOOOON!
It made a shock wave that felt like it shook the ground, and the powerful shot was heading towards Kokabiel. With his hand... No, with both his hands put in front of him, he tried to deflect it.
"Interesting! Interesting indeed, Maou's sister!"
On Kokabiel's hand, the energy of the fallen angels, the power of light gathered.
DOOOOOOOOOOOON!
Kokabiel took Buchou's shot head on. His expression surpassed that of a normal one and looked dreadful.
"Nuuuuuuuuuun!"
Buchou's shot started to get pushed back, and started to lose its shape! He couldn't be defeated even with that amount of demonic-power!? But Kokabiel also wasn't uninjured. His black robe was tattered in places, and his hands were bloody. But his ability to block demonic power certainly decreased. Possibly because of the attack she just performed, Buchou's breathing was ragged. It would be impossible to shoot out the same attack. Also, because of the amount of demonic-power she just used, shooting another one would be... What was left was for Ise-kun to boost his powers again and transfer it to another person, but who could beat Kokabiel? Akeno-san? Xenovia who held the Durandal? Even I, who had reached Balance-Breaker could only give him a minor injury. It might have been a different story if I was used to this Balance-Breaker a bit more. But for me who just achieved Balance-Breaker... No. It's not the time to say that. I cannot allow Buchou or any of my comrades to die! I will fight till my body perishes!
"Lightning!"
Akeno-san sent the lightning towards Kokabiel who was concentrating on Buchou's attack. But her lightning dissipated with a single movement of Kokabiel's wing.
"Will you stand in my way!? The one who inherited her power from Barakiel!?"
"...Do not put me in the same group as him!"
Akeno-san widened her eyes and got enraged. She continued to use lightning but they were all deflected by Kokabiel's wings. Barakiel is the leader of the fallen-angels. A thunder user who has the alias "Holy-Lightning". In terms of basic fighting ability, he is said to be on par with the Viceroy of the fallen-angels, Azazel. And Barakiel is Akeno-san's... Kokabiel laughed loudly after nullifying Buchou's attack completely.
"For you to become a devil! Hahaha! You have pleasant servants, Rias Gremory! Sekiryuutei! The left-over of the Holy-sword project who reached Balance-Breaker! And the daughter of Barakiel! You have weird tastes, just like your brother!"
"I won't forgive you for insulting my brother…our Maou! More than that, the insults you made to my servants will require your life!"
Kokabiel laughed with his nose at Buchou's anger. He then said provokingly,
"Then try to destroy me! Maou's sister! The owner of "Welsh Dragon"! Crimson-hair Ruin Princess! The one whom you are up against is someone who has been an arch-enemy of the devils since a long time ago! If you don't see this as a chance, then your reputation will be looked down on!"
Kokabiel. I don't know how much my Holy-demonic sword can go against him, but I have to do it!
STEP!
It seemed like Xenovia, who was behind me, moved. When she went past me, she muttered.
"We will attack at the same time."
After hearing that, I also moved ahead. I put strength into my sword, and went on slashing at Kokabiel with Xenovia! The one who slashed at him was Xenovia. Kokabiel created a sword of light with his hand, and blocked her using one hand with it.
"Hmph! Durandal huh! Unlike the Excalibur that was already broken once, that light is the real thing! Buuuuut!"
"…!"
BOOOOOOM!
The air shook, and there was a buzzing in my ears. Kokabiel emitted an air wave from his other hand and made Xenovia's body float. Then Kokabiel kicked Xenovia's stomach.
"Gaa!"
Xenovia flew back with an anguished cry.
"It depends on the wielder. Girl! You still can't control Durandal! The previous wielder was someone who had unrivalled strength!"
Xenovia adjusted her stance in the air and landed on the ground. She then went on slashing towards him once again. I also continued slashing towards him at the same time!
"Kokabiel! I will eliminate you with my Holy-demonic sword! I'm not allowed to lose anyone any more!"
"Ho! Attacks at the same time from a Holy-sword and a Holy-demonic sword! Interesting! Good indeed! Come! You can't defeat me unless you do that much!"
Kokabiel created another sword of light with his other hand, and clashed with our swords! My holy-demonic sword. Xenovia's Durandal. He was taking on our attacks as if it was nothing. Ku! Even in terms of swords, Kokabiel was above us!
"There!"
Koneko-chan thrust her punch from behind him…
"Naïve!"
His black wings turned into sharp blades and cut up Koneko-chan's body. Her body fell down to the ground, while blood came out of her body.
"Koneko-chan!"
"Hey, looking away while fighting will easily get you killed!"
I let my guard down because of the damage Koneko-chan took, and Kokabiel's sword of light came at me.
GIIIIN!
"Wha…!"
A crack appeared on my Holy-demonic sword! Ku! The strength of the solidness depended on my thinking. If I lost my concentration for a moment, then for that period of time, the hardness of my sword will go down as well. He grasped into that slight instant.
DON!
Xenovia and I were helpless against the shockwave created by Kokabiel's body, which sent us flying. I somehow fixed my stance... But Xenovia and I were breathing hard.
...We can't win. That's what went through my mind. The power difference between us is absolute. Even though I reached Balance-Breaker, there is still this much difference. The leader of the fallen-angels. He's this strong!? No! I have to put that thought aside! We have to win! We can't survive unless we win! I will win and live on! Asia-san and Ise-kun went to Koneko-chan's side. Asia-san's Sacred Gear activated and started to heal Koneko-chan's wounds. That's a relief. With this, Koneko-chan's life will be safe.
"Kokabiel! It's not over yet!"
I put strength into my Holy-demonic sword and stood up again! The crack on my sword disappeared and I went forward slashing towards him with no flaws!
"Hahaha! You still come at me? All right! Come!"
"Holy-demonic sword."
ZAN!
I surrounded the fallen-angel by making swords covered with holy and demonic aura. With this I made my opponent stuck in that position. The only thing left was to attack then!
"You think you've captured me with this?"
The 10 wings of Kokabiel, who was smirking, started to become like swords and began breaking the swords around with ease. Ku! It didn't work! I went forward slashing at him from the front. But the fallen-angel didn't flinch at all, and he stopped my Holy-demonic sword with just two fingers!
"Is this it?"
Kokabiel sighed. My Holy-demonic sword that had been stopped couldn't be moved at all! I created another Holy-demonic sword but that was also stopped with his other two fingers... It's not over yet! I opened my mouth wide, and imagined to create a Holy-demonic sword around my mouth. The third one! I held the grip with my teeth, and moved my neck to the side roughly! It seemed like he didn't think of the third strike. He let go of my swords and stepped back. Did he receive damage from that attack just then? When I checked Kokabiel, there was a single scratch on his cheek. There was a bit of blood coming out of it. Even with that attack, I could only give him that much damage. So this was the power of one of the top echelons of fallen-angels... Everyone here was making expressions of despair and breathed violently. Only Kokabiel who was at an advantage was smirking.
"But. Seeing that even after losing the masters you serve, you devils and followers of God can still fight, huh!"
Suddenly Kokabiel spoke. What was he trying to say?
"...What do you mean?"
Buchou asked with doubt. Kokabiel started laughing aloud as if he found it truly amusing.
"Fuhaha, fuhahahahahahahahahaha! That's right! I totally forgot! The truth wasn't revealed to you lower guys! Then I will tell you. In the war between the three sides, not only the Yondai-Maou but also God died."
...! ...Wh…what... What did he just say...? Everyone here was shocked and couldn't believe what he just said.
"It's normal for you guys to not know about it. Who can say that God has died? Humans are an incomplete bunch. Without God, they cannot control their hearts and obey the laws, you know? Even us, the fallen-angels, and devils couldn't tell this to those below us. You won't know where the information about God will be leaked from. Even among the three-powers, only the people at the top and certain people know about it. Though it seems Balba noticed it earlier."
...God didn't exist any more? No...that couldn't be... It was impossible...… Then what did we believe in while living in that institute...?
"After the War, what was left were the angels who had lost their God, the devils that lost their Maou and the majority of high-class devils and the fallen-angels who lost most of the fallen-angels apart from the leaders. So it wasn't a mere exhausted state. All of the factions fell so low, that they had to rely on humans to continue their generations. Especially the angels and fallen-angels that could only continue their generation by mating with humans. Fallen-angels can increase if the angels fall. But pure-angels can't increase their numbers after losing God. Even pure-devils are rare, right?"
"...Lies...…it's a lie...…"
Slightly further away from me, Xenovia seemed like she started losing strength. She had a panicked expression that was too unbearable to look at. The active believer. God's servant. A person who lived by serving God as her mission. If the existence of God was rejected and she lost the means to live, it would be natural to become like that. Even I... I would be biting my lips thinking what my life meant.
"The truth is that another big war wouldn't happen unless you do it on purpose. It means that all three-sides went through hell in the past war. Everyone decided that it was meaningless to continue having a war if the start of it all, God and the Maou, were dead. Even that bastard Azazel declared that "there is no second war" after losing the majority of his men in the war! It's hard to bear! It truly is hard to bear! To lower your gun once you already shot it!? Don't fuck around. Don't fuck around! If we continued on from there, we could have won! Even so, he...! Is there any value in fallen-angels who can only live by inviting humans who possess Sacred Gears!?"
Kokabiel declared his argument strongly. His face was expressing anger. The real truth made an impact on us more than we thought. Asia-san covered her mouth with her hands, opened her eyes wide, and her whole body shook. Even if she turned into a devil, her belief didn't disappear.
"...…God doesn't exist? God...is dead? Then the love we were given by him is...…"
Kokabiel answered Asia-san's doubt with a laugh.
"That's right. It's normal that there is no love from God and no divine protection from him. God is gone already. Michael is certainly doing well. He's taking the place of God and is taking care of the angels and humans. Well, if the "system" used by God is operating, then the prayer to God, the blessing of God, and exorcism would function. But if you compare it to the time God was present, the number of believers decreased. That Holy-demonic sword brat over there was able to create the Holy-demonic sword because the balance between God and the Maou broke. In reality, Holy and demonic powers cannot merge. If the ones who rule the power of Holy and demonic powers, God and the Maou, disappear, then lots of unique phenomenons occur."
Then the reason why my Holy-demonic sword was created was no coincidence. It turned out like that because God didn't exist any more. What sarcasm. Hearing Kokabiel's words, Asia-san dropped onto the floor.
"Asia! Pull yourself together, Asia!"
Ise-kun held her and called out to her. It wasn't weird for her to get shocked. The majority of her life involved serving God. She sacrificed her life because she thought God existed. A lot of things must be happening inside her. Even if I did rebel against God, the majority of my life also involved believing in God. Even my comrades... I felt complicated... Ignoring us, Kokabiel put his fist up in the air.
"From here on out, I will start a war! I will take your heads as a gift! Even if it's only me, I will continue from where we left off! I'm going to show Sirzechs and Michael that we, the fallen-angels, are the ultimate beings!"
...Lucifer. Michael. Both of them were enormous existences as recorded in the bible. Kokabiel was trying to take on something like that. He had that much power. We were trying to fight someone like that.
…We couldn't win. He was totally in a different league from us. His motives were totally beyond us. He was someone who we shouldn't have tried to take on in the first place… Even so… I tried to go towards him after griping onto my sword. But there was a bright red light that came into my sight... It was Ise-kun.
"Don't mess around! I can't let you destroy my town. My comrades. Buchou. And Asia. Just for your selfish motives! And I'm going to become a Harem-king! I would be troubled if you get in my way!"
You might be trying to look cool, but that's not it, Ise-kun.
"Kukuku. Harem-king? Is that what the Sekiryuutei desires? Then do you want to come with me? You can become a Harem-king right away! I will snatch beauties as we walk past. You can make love to them as much as you want."
"...…"
Ise-kun froze there on the spot while trying to make a cool posture.
"I…I won't be deceived by sweet words like that!"
Wh…what was that pause just now!? No, it can't be!? Ise-kun!?
"Ise! Geez! Wipe your drool! Why are you like that even in a situation like this!?"
Buchou also got angry. Of course. What are you doing, Ise-kun!
"…So…sorry. It seems like I'm really weak against the word "Harem"..."
"If you like girls that much, then I will do a lot of things for you after we return home alive!"
"Are you serious!? Th…then even sucking on oppai!?"
"Yes! If you can win against that, then it's a cheap bargain!"
FLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH!
The jewel on the Boosted Gear glowed brighter than before!
"Fufufu. Suck. I can suck it. I can suck them!"
Ise-kun started smirking.
"Right now, I can even punch God. Ah, God doesn't exist any more. Hahahaha!"
An intense red light that made me blink. I could feel an enormous power coming from his Sacred Gear.
"Yooooooooooooooooshaaaaaaaa! I'm going to beat you down to suck Buchou's nipples, Kokabiel!"
With a reason like that!? The Sacred Gear increased the power by answering the thoughts of the possessor. The Boosted Gear responded to Ise-kun's lecherous thoughts and was trying to release its power. Was that seriously okay, "Welsh Dragon"!? Buchou also had red cheeks and seemed embarrassed because he said it loudly. I truly felt sorry for her.
"...It's the first time I saw a Sekiryuutei who releases its power just by the mere thought of sucking a woman's nipples...… What are you? Who are you?"
Kokabiel asked while narrowing his eyes. Ise-kun said it up front with his chest put forward.
"I'm the "Pawn" of Rias Gremory's group! Hyoudou Issei! Remember that, Kokabiel! I'm the possessor of a Boosted Gear that lives with ero thoughts and my hot blood!"
Until a moment ago, this area was filled with despair. But after hearing Ise-kun's shout, it mysteriously gave me energy. It truly was absurd. Since I got involved with Ise-kun, I started to get strength from weird places. I was not a hot blooded character. But that was also okay. Buchou, Akeno-san, Asia-san and Koneko-chan who were supposed to be injured but everyone made a stance against Kokabiel. We could fight. We still hadn't lost. Yes, it was not like we couldn't win yet! Everyone's feelings became one. Then...
"Fufufu. Interesting."
The sudden voice came from the sky. It was not from anyone here. The first one to realise it was vice-president, Akeno-san, who was strong at reading different kinds of energy flow. She suddenly looked up. The next one to realise it was Buchou. Both of them looked up to the dark sky at the same time. I was in doubt but I soon realised it after that.
SHIVERS...
An unknown fear and nervousness ran throughout my whole body. That thing fell from the sky while overwhelming us with its presence and the power difference, which made me despair.
FLASH!
It descended while cutting the abyss sky by sending out a white light. If it came down at that velocity, it would shake the ground and make a crater. It would spread dust for sure.
But that didn't happen. There was a white thing in our sights. A white thing was glowing, which didn't even have a slight shadow in this dark night. It was floating off the ground by an inch. A white plated armour. There were jewels across various locations on the armour. It also had armour on the face so we couldn't see the expression of this person. The eight wings of light growing from the back were giving out a divine glow in the dark night. But I was familiar with the person covered in white armour. It had a different shape and colour, but it was similar... It was identical to the "Boosted Gear Scale-mail". Possibly everyone aside from me who was at that place at that time must have thought the same thing. So all of us understood at the same time. We understood what the thing in front of us was.
"...…Vanishing Dragon."
The first one to say that was the leader of the fallen-angels, Kokabiel. Just as I thought. The one opposite to the "Welsh Dragon", the "Vanishing Dragon". My whole body trembled. The feeling of my heart being grasped by it stopped me from moving. At the same time I was fascinated by the white appearance that emitted a mysterious light. Beautiful. My heart was taken by it instantly... Kokabiel made a sound with his tongue by the presence of the white armour.
"One of the Longinus, "Divine Dividing"... If you are already in armour mode it means that it's in the Balance-Breaker state. "Divine Dividing Scale-mail". Just like the "Boosted Gear" it truly is an annoying thing."
...Vanishing Dragon in Balance-Breaker form.
"…So you were attracted to the "Red". Vanishing Dragon. If you get in my wa..."
Before Kokabiel finished his sentence, his black wing went up into the air. Then there was blood coming out of him.
"It's like the wing of a crow. It has a disgusting colour to it. Azazel's wing is much darker and has the colour of everlasting darkness you know?"
I couldn't catch his movement with my eyes. I was certain that a white object attacked Kokabiel. The Vanishing-Dragon had a black wing in his hand. From his voice, was the Vanishing-Dragon a young man?
"Y…You! My wing!"
Kokabiel became enraged because his wing was plucked off, but the Vanishing Dragon laughed quietly.
"It's a symbol that you have fallen. There's no need for wings for those who stooped down even below the earth, right? Are you still planning to fly?"
"Vanishing-Dragon! Are you opposing me!"
Kokabiel created a countless number of spears of light in the sky, but Vanishing-Dragon wasn't intimidated by it and said clearly,
"My name is Albion."
[Divide!]
I heard the sound, and the aura around Kokabiel got reduced immediately. Half of the spears of light in the sky also vanished.
"One of the abilities of my "Divine Dividing". It halves the power of those I touch every 10 seconds. Your power will become my power. You don't have time! If you don't defeat me quickly, you will become so weak that you can't even beat a human."
…Just like in the legend. The ability of the Sekiryuutei[1 2] doubles the power of the possessor and can transfer it to others. The ability of the Hakuryuukou[1 3] takes the power of their opponents and make it theirs. With the remaining wings, Kokabiel tried to go towards the Vanishing-Dragon, Albion. But he couldn't catch him because he wasn't able to keep up with the movements that could be said to be as fast as the speed of light. Then one of the echelons of the fallen-angels who was overwhelming us was being played around with.
[Divide!]
"Damn you!"
He tried to attack Albion with a spear of light and a sword of light, but Hakuryuukou swung his arm to the side and vaporised them. While Kokabiel was having a hard time fighting, his powers were getting halved.
[Divide!]
After a few sounds, Kokabiel's movement fell so low that even I could take him on with ease. Albion sighed.
"...Already the power of a middle-level fallen-angel, huh. Boring. I thought I could have a bit more fun..."
Albion disappeared from my sight and went towards Kokabiel while creating tracks of light.
THRUST!
Albion's fist went deep into Kokabiel's stomach. Kokabiel's body bent a lot and he vomited on the ground. He didn't even have a trace left of the overwhelming opponent from before...
"…I…Impossible... me..."
"What? You said a common phrase of a grunt. "Impossible? Me?" What's after that? "This can't be?" Is it?"
Albion laughed as if he found it truly amusing.
"I was told by Azazel to take you back even if by force. You acted a bit too much."
"You! So that's how it is! Azazel… Azazeeeeel! I...I...!"
THRUST!
Albion's punch hit Kokabiel's face.
SLIP...
Kokabiel crumbled down and fell onto the ground. The fallen-angel who had 10 wings went down... Albion put the defeated Kokabiel on his shoulder.
"Looks like I have to carry Freed as well. There are things I need to ask him. We will deal with him after that."
Albion walked to Freed who was on the ground and carried him with his arm. He then tried to fly up while spreading his wings of light after retrieving the two.
[Are you ignoring me, huh, white-one.]
A voice I heard for the first time. The voice came from Ise-kun. His gauntlet was glowing.
[So you were awake, red-one.]
Albion's armour jewel was also glowing white. Were the ones residing in the jewels communicating?
[We finally met, but in a situation like this.]
[That's all right. It's our destiny to fight one day. Things like this happen.]
[But white-one. I can't feel the hostility from you like before.]
[Red-one. Your hostility is incredibly low as well.]
[Looks like both of us have things that interest us more than fighting.]
[That's how it is. We should be having fun by ourselves for a while. It's not bad like this sometimes, right? Let's meet again, Ddraig.]
[That would also be fun, huh. See you then, Albion.]
The conversation was between Sekiryuutei and Hakuryuukou. Both of them gave a farewell, but Ise-kun stepped up and seemed unsatisfied.
"Hey! What's the meaning of this!? Who are you and what are you doing!? Because of you I can't suck Buchou's nipples!?"
Ise-kun made an angry face...… Hey, hey. Was that the part you were mad at? The possessor of the Vanishing-Dragon left, saying such a thing,
"You need strength to understand everything. Get stronger, my rival-kun, I will fight you one day."
He turned into a white light and flew up. Everyone became speechless at the outcome no one had predicted. The magic circle of destruction that Kokabiel spread had already disappeared.
...It finished. Even if someone intruded, this town was saved. Then the corpse of Balba got into my sight. Maybe it hadn't ended yet...… Because there was someone who took over his research at the Vatican headquarters. When I confront that person, what will I do with this Holy-demonic sword... I still don't know. But now... Yes, just for now...
KNOCK.
Someone hit my head. When I turned around, it was Ise-kun who smiled.
"You did it, Casanova! Hmmm. So that's a Holy-demonic sword. It looks beautiful since the white and black thing is mixed."
He was looking at my Holy-demonic sword with interested eyes.
"Ise-kun, I..."
"Well, let's skip the complicated stuff for now. Anyway, we can say that it ended for now, right? Also the thing about your comrades."
"Yeah."
Thank you, Ise-kun. You thought and acted for someone like me.
"...Kiba-san. We can do club activities together again, yes?"
Asia-san asked me with a worried face. She was worried about me, even though she should be having a hard time after the existence of God was rejected. I really thought that she was truly a kind girl. When I was about to say "I'm okay"...
"Yuuto."
Buchou called my name. Buchou welcomed me with a smile.
"Yuuto. I'm glad you returned. Also to reach Balance-Breaker. I am proud."
"…Buchou. I... To everyone in the club...… Most of all, I betrayed you who saved my life once... I can't find the words to express my apology..."
Buchou's hand patted my cheek. Buchou always comforts me like this.
"But you have returned. That is enough. You can't waste the feelings of your comrades."
"Buchou... I will promise you once again. I, Kiba Yuuto, will protect you and my comrades for the rest of my life as the "Knight" of Rias Gremory's group."
"Ufufufu. Thank you. But you can't say that in front of Ise, okay?"
When I looked, Ise-kun was glaring at me with eyes filled with jealousy.
"I also want to protect Buchou by becoming a "Knight"! But there isn't anyone who can become Buchou's "Knight" other than you! So take responsibility, and finish that task!"
He said it with a shy face.
"Yeah. I know, Ise-kun."
"Now."
VOOOM.
Buchou's hand was covered in a red aura making a dangerous sound.
...Ummm. What's happening Buchou? Buchou smiled at me while I was in doubt.
"Yuuto. It's a punishment for acting by yourself. 1000 spanks."
The reinforcements from the Maou arrived thirty-minutes after everything ended. During that time, I was spanked while Ise-kun laughed on the ground. It was really painful, but it felt like I really came back.
