Chapter 23: Captured

"Shit"

Issei cursed as he twisted his body around to dodge several explosive bullets aimed in his direction. Pointing the muzzle of his rifle to Velos who aimed his own sniper rifle towards Issei.

"You're not bad, devil"

Velos muttered as he fired one bullet towards Issei's direction, causing Issei to fire his own. Accurately aiming at the trajectory of Velos' bullet. Creating a small explosion to occur in the air as soon as their bullets made contact.

Velos then charged in Issei's direction at full speed with his palm opened. Aiming to grab any part of his body, causing Issei to jump upwards, spinning his own body in the air so that Velos couldn't grab his leg. Pointing his rifle towards Velos at point black range before pulling the trigger without hesitation. Making Velos tilt his head to dodge the bullet aimed at his brain.

"Tch"

Issei clicked his tongue in annoyance before aiming the muzzle of the rifle to the ground. Firing an explosive bullet to propel his body away from Velos. Creating a reasonable distance between them before Velos fired a quick shot towards Issei's direction. Catching him by surprise as he immediately turned his body to dodge.

Creating an opening to Velos who immediately charged in his direction with his arms clad in demonic aura.

"[Poisonous Mist]"

Issei casted, causing a large amount of purple smoke to come out from his body. Blocking Velos' line of sight, giving Issei the chance to use [Shadow Dive] and escape battling Velos in close-quarter combat. Even though Issei isn't that weak in close-quarter combat, the reason why Issei kept trying to dodge Velos' attacks is because of his [Death Touch] that would corrupt his body with demonic energy. Something that only Lucias could withstand and survive due to the nature of his body.

So once Velos get a hold of him, it would be over since Issei can't escape his grip. All he can do is struggle to stay alive.

"You keep running away like a rat, devil"

Velos commented before firing a concentrated ray of demonic mana at the top of the ruby palace where Issei appeared on. Disintegration a large hole through the palace's walls. Leaving nothing behind its path.

"Where-"

Velos muttered before receiving two bullets aimed at his head and chest. Making him kick his right foot on the ground to make his body quickly turn around. Dodging the bullets before they hit his head or chest, causing Issei who appeared at another location on top of the ruby palace to smile in response.

"Gotcha"

He muttered as the landmine from below Velos' feet got activated, causing a large explosion to occur in Velos' location, but failed to injure him as an armor of demonic mana appeared on his body, covering him from his feet up to his body. Issei then fired 2 rounds of bullets in his direction in quick succession, causing him to shift his body to the side dodge one of the bullets, but failed the dodge the other one as it predicted where he would move. Piercing a large hole in his left arm.

"Interesting... a weapon that could actually hurt me while in this form"

Velos muttered before slicing off his entire left arm himself to avoid the infection from reaching the vital organs in his chest. Making Issei frown as he watched his severe arm quickly regenerate within a few seconds.

"This is the reason why I hate fighting against immortals"

Issei muttered before Velos suddenly fired an [Archon Ray] in his direction, causing him to quickly dive into his shadow to dodge the attack. Disintegrating another large portion of the ruby palace.

[Issei!? What's going on!?]

Asia's void echoed from the earpiece at his right ear, making him press his index finger on it to answer Asia's call.

"We got attacked, so we might need backup. One of the True Gods are here, and they're planning on taking the children"

Issei explained as he jumped off the palace and fired a quick shot towards Velos. Momentarily stopping him from his charge before Issei quickly dived into his shadows. Reappearing behind Velos and firing a bullet towards his back at point-blank range. Making Velos use [Phantom Rush] to move forward, leaving a phantom of demonic mana in his path before Issei dived into his shadow again.

[What!?]

Asia shouted in a voice mixed with worry, anger, and anxiety.

[WAIT FOR ME!! I'LL IMMEDIATELY-]

[A-Asia-sama please calm down!! I-If you leave we will lose our commander! We can't risk the Gastreas taking hold of our area]

[LET GO OF ME!!]

Several voices were heard from the other side of the call. Trying to stop Asia and a few harem members around her from recklessly going back to the ruby palace.

[GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY!!]

[M-Mordred-sama, please calm down!!]

[Someone!!! Hold them down!!]

[We already sent Rimuru back to the faction so please calm down!!! All of you leaving will put a large stress on the armies!!]

"What the hell are they doing..."

Issei muttered in a helpless smile before slightly tilting his head to the side to dodge a bullet aimed at his head. Diving into his shadows before the plants that grew from the bullet could even reach him.

[I'll anyone who dares stand in my way, I'll kill every single one of you]

[Cu Chulain!! Please help us with your mentor!]

[Huh? I don't want to die yet so go take care of it yourselves]

Cu Chulainn's voice echoed from the other side of the call, as the earpiece was devoured by several shouts spiraling into chaos.

"Hello? Can anyone pick up the call?"

Issei asked with a frown on his face while keeping distance from Velos, to both buy enough time and avoid him from providing aid to those demons.

[S-Sergeant Issei, Asia-sama is currently busy so I'll answer your call]

The voice of a woman said from the other side of the call.

"How long till Rimuru arrives here?"

[Approximately... 1 hour. He's travelling there at full speed, so he'll arrive within an hour so please hold on until then]

The woman answered while Issei spread his wings and flew up in the air. Dodging Velos' charge in his direction while the landmine that he planted on the ground exploded. Slightly Stunning Velos for a few seconds as Issei disappeared from his original location.

"I understand..."

Issei said before cutting off the call and looking at Velos who was staring in his direction. Making him frown as a chill ran down his spine.

"At least... get the children out of here Adam... I don't think I'll last longer fighting this guy"

Issei muttered before he suddenly felt something wrap around his legs. Making him look at his feet that was covered with black thorny vines.

"What the hell is this"

Issei says as he tried to pull his legs out, but failed as the vines pinned his leg to the ground. Giving it no chance to move before it slowly climbed up his body.

"I finally caught you, devil"

Velos said as he appeared behind Issei, causing Issei to frown before getting punched in the face by Velos.

"Tch"

Issei clicked his tongue. Trying to aim his sniper rifle at Velos, but failed as the vines started to engulf his entire hand. Giving him no chance to counter attack.

"Don't worry... I won't kill you... As a prize for lasting this long against me"

Velos says as he grabbed Issei chin with his hand. Cutting a small cut on his face with his sharp fingers.

"But... That doesn't mean I won't harm you..."

Velos to clenched his fist before throwing a right hook on his cheek. 

"I'm only using a small portion of my raw strength so... I know you won't die from this"

He said, throwing another punch at his face. Breaking Issei's nose in the process before he recieved another punch from the other side of his face. 

Repeating this several times until splatters of blood started to appear on the stone floor. While Issei's face started to swell from the amount of punches that his recieving, but couldn't move as the vines binded his limbs to the ground.

"... You seem confident about your agility from before"

He said before piercing his nails at Issei's thigh. Making him silently scream in pain as Velos started to squirm his hand inside of his muscles and tissues. 

"Argh!!"

Issei grunted in pain before Velos pulled out his nails and stood up from the floor. Making Issei frown in response.

"Pfft- hahahahaha. How cocky you are for a true gods that still needs to bind their prey to beat them"

Issei provoked, making Velos looks down on the floor with a large frown on his face.

"You got some guts, devil"

He said before stomping his foot on his stomach at full force. Making Issei spit out blood from his mouth.

'... Endure it... I need to buy time...'

Issei thought, clenching his teeth as Velos stepped on his head. Slowly applying force on his legs, causing Issei to scream in pain. Feeling his head slowly getting squished.

"... I wonder why are you so loyal to Lucias Frey? You hold a lot of potential... so why don't you join me? We both have a similar fighting style so through my help... I can help you improve"

Velos said. Making Issei spit out his saliva to the side in response.

"I'd rather die than join you"

He said making Velos grin before removing his foot on his face.

"What a waste... and... don't think that I'm stupid enough to not notice you buying time for you allies to arrive... Don't compare me to Xaosis who only got sex in that small brain of hers"

He said before turning his head towards the large hole above them.

"But... It looks like your plan worked... so I'll leave for now... It's pointless to kill you since you'll just revive yourself. It would be troublesome to deal with that slime... and I'm sure those idiots can now handle this by themselves"

He said before dissapearing in front of Issei, causing the vines to slowly retract back to the ground. Leaving Issei who's body trembled in pain due to his injury at his leg.

"... I think he broke my leg..."

-with Adam-

"Stand behind me"

Adam exclaimed while raising his fist to a dozen of royal and noble demons standing in front of him. But even though he was facing so many powerful beings on his own, he didn't have a single trace of fear nor hesitation in his eyes. Only confidence and resolution to protect the children behind him.

"[Lightning Dragon Roar]!!!"

A dragon slayer fighting outside casted, trying their best to minimize the number that is able to pass through them while they were busy fighting the incoming demons from above. Firing multiple elemental [Dragons Breath] towards the sky. Injuring the stronger demons while killing their mount. Making them fall on the ground before facing the dragon slayers head-on.

"Uncle..."

Arthur called out while pointing the tip of his sword towards the demons slowly approaching them with caution. 

"Stand behind me... I can't fight with any of you in any way. Just stand back and protect your siblings if someone ever gets past me"

Adam said, making Arthur bite his lips before he, along with Alastor, Celeste, and Ares who were all prepared to fight.

"Quite cocky coming from an exhibitionist"

A king demon said in an arrogant tone before throwing a straight punch towards Adam's face. Tilting his head and quickly dodging the demon's attack.

He then threw the exact same punch towards the demon's face with a more powerful force, causing his head to twist in an unnatural way. Making the demon step back before twisting his own head back. 

"I'm still too weak to kill a King rank instantly..."

Adam muttered before parrying a sword that was slashed in his direction with his bare hands. Shattering it to pieces before sending a fist towards his stomach. Making the demon bend down as Adam pierced the armor on his head with his barehand's. Crushing the eye hidden beneath, causing the Duke rank demon to lifelessly fall on the ground.

"Attack him all at once!!"

The King demon shouted causing the 11 demons to attack him all at once. Making Adam assume a fighting stance with both of his fists raised in front of his face.

"..."

Adam remained silent while his mind is in complete focus, reading the movements of their muscles as he tried to predict their next movements.

"AHH!"

A demon shouted as swung his large axe down at him, making Adam quickly shift his body to the side. Dodging the attack completely before placing his hand at the back of the axe, using it as a support to propel his own body in the air before kicking the demon sideways on the face. Sending him crashing to the walls of the palace.

Adam then repositioned his grip over the back of the large axe. Spinning his body around before sending a powerful kick towards the demon charging towards him. Breaking a large section of his skull before Adam spun his body horizontally and delivered a kick towards the demon's chin. Sending him towards the ceiling.

"Die human!!!"

A demon slashed his sword at Adam's back. Making him push himself up in the air before landing on the ground. Striking him quickly towards his chest and stomach in one fluid motion before piercing the muscles on the demon's chin with his finger, causing him to cry in pain.

The demon then recklessly punched downwards. Giving Adam the chance that he needs. Ripping the armor on the demon's face, off with his hand before he poked the third eye of the demon with his index finger at full force. Crushing the demon's eyes before it lifelessly fell on the ground.

"U-Uncle Adam!!"

Arthur suddenly shouted from behind, causing Adam to quickly turn his head. Seeing how some of the Archduke demons broke through the windows of the palace before quickly grabbing a random child from the batch. 

"NO!!"

Adam shouted as he tried to rush towards them but was stopped by the demon he was facing before. Slashing his giant blade at Adam who crossed his arms on top of him to block his attack.

"You're not going anywhere"

He said with a sinister smile on his face as the cries of children echoed from behind him, causing a rare look of frustration to appear on Adam's face.

"GRAB ALL THE CHIL-"

One of the demons shouted before a bullet suddenly pierced his brain. Killing him in an instant.

"Shit... let go of the kids..."

Issei said as he jumped inside the window. Revealing his extremely injured and bloody body, holding onto the sniper rifle in his hand with a firm expression on his face.

"Issei, you're late"

"I faced a True God by myself, alright? I can't just leave that guy alone and allow him to come here"

Issei said before firing two quick shots at the demons holding two of Lucias' children. Blowing their brains on the wall behind them. Making them cautiously look in Issei direction as 15 the demons holding one child each in their arms slowly walked behind the king ranked demons. 

"LET GO OF MY SISTER!!!"

A boy with pure white hair and blood-red eyes, with two horns protruding out of his forehead shouted. Grabbing a King demon by his leg before smashing him against the wall while a blood-red spear pierced through another demon's head. Killing both of them in an instant.

"Eh?"

Issei muttered before glancing at the 5-year-old girl with long silky purple hair and eyes. Looking at the demons with an angry expression on her face while several blood-red spears floated around her.

"Alastor, Aurora"

Issei muttered their names before they heard a large shout coming from outside the palace. 

"EVERYONE RETREAT!!! GRAB AS MANY CHILDREN AS YOU CAN AND RUN AWAY!!! ENEMY REINFORCEMENTS ARE ARRIVING!!"

The demon ordered, causing the 15 demons to spread their bat-like wings while the other demons on the ground charged at Issei's and Adam's direction to block them from stopping their allies from capturing the children.

"NO!!"

Issei and Adam shouted as they tried to stop them but were completely blocked off by the demons.

"BYE BYE! HAHAHAHAHAHA-"

One of the demons holding onto a 4-year-old girl provoked but froze as an arrow of mana pierced through his head in an accurate manner. Killing him before he slowly dropped to the ground. Making Arthur hurriedly run towards the place where they're about to fall to catch her sister.

"Anyone that can control their powers, don't hesitate and shoot at them!!"

A little girl with soft long golden hair and blood-red eyes with two small horns coming out of her head, exclaimed while pointing her finger at the demons in the sky. Making the rest of the children take out their small staffs and started firing elementary spells at the demons. 

"Annoying kids!!"

The demon shouted as they hurriedly flew towards the hole. Successfully taking 10 of the children while the other 5 were successfully rescued by attacks of the children. 

"O-Onee-chan!"

Albedo, Modeus' child, shouted while stretching her arms towards her brothers and sister with tears running down her face. Being taken away by the demons as all of them cried, calling out to their siblings with a fear-stricken expression on their faces.

"LET GO OF ME-"

Issei shouted in anger as he was being stopped by the demons from aiming his gun at the flying demons. Making him look at the escaping demons in despair.

"THEY ESCAPED!! LET'S GO-"

The king-ranked demon stopping adam froze as they felt extreme bloodlust pressed against their body. Making them kneel on the ground as they struggled to breathe due to the extreme pressure.

"You'll all die here.. no one is going anywhere..."

Rimuru said, extremely pissed while his suffocating mana spread throughout the entire floor. Making the demons all feel a sense of dread run down their entire bodies, since if they got captured. It wouldn't just end with them dying, fully knowing Lucias' and his harem's personality when it comes to the people that they value, especially their children.

"ALL OF YOU!! PURSUE THEM AND DON'T LET THEM ESCAPE!!! RETRIEVE THE CHILDREN NO MATTER WHAT!!"