Welcome to the next chapter of The Magic Knight, before starting the story. Let's answer some reviews:
Hellspam: Thanks. Christian really showed what he could do in a fight. Ophis did show interest in Lancelot, I wonder where this will lead. He will have his hands full dealing with Issei in Juggernaut Drive.
Guest: No, primarily due to his relationship with his brother, which is why he didn't go to the shrine in the first place. I also don't know who her King is or why she has silver wings instead of white (which is actually kind of cool).
Guest 2: It was actually about time they lost a Rating Game since they've only experienced wins against opponents who had them on the run until the very end when something out of the norm happened. It only means far more development for both sides, especially since a spoiler on the High School DxD Wiki, the person who did most fighting stronger opponents in the Gremory Team was Vasco Strada who is currently in his prime form at the moment. On the Vali Team, there are a number of powerful individuals (aside from Bikou who hasn't really shown to what he's actually capable of). Yea, her team is kind of stupidly OP, but I think that reason she forfeited was due to her wasting too much stamina.
Guest 3: I don't know whether I will make a chapter like that, I was considering redoing Kill the Despair, which follows the manga when I had the time.
Tohka123: Thanks. I'm glad that you to like the fights. It just proves that you never mess with the twin swordsman and Ophis is interested in his odd birth. I plan on it.
The Dragon of Domination
Outside on the battlefield near the Greek Shrine, Azazel, Tannin, and Ophis (who actually didn't care whether or not Creuserey lost, but thought that since had Lance left she may as well look at their battle progress). Despite the massive blocks of demonic-power being launched at Christian, he didn't have a single injury in his body; Creuserey, on the other hand, held several tears in his clothing and injuries in his body.
The formerly proud Maou-Descendant was bleeding from the injuries on his body and breathing heavily due to how many injuries that he suffered. He glared towards Christian who continued to look at him with uninterested eyes.
"Raaaah! Bastard," Creuserey shouted as he gathered more and more demonic-power in his hand with the intent of blasting Christian away. "How dare you look down on me?!"
"I'm tired of hearing your unneeded words. As Head of the Ambrosius Household, a house that watches and leads over the Magicians and acts as the Adviser for the current Head of House of Pendragon, I shall…," Christian spoke almost dutiful tone but stopped as he felt as if something was amiss. There was something wrong, he couldn't sense her presence in the shrine anymore, he knew that she wasn't dead, but she's not there. "Asia."
"Christian!"
Hearing Azazel's voice calling out to him just as Creuserey was launching his block of demonic-power in his direction. The silver-haired magician had directed his attention towards the Maou-Descendant and with his fingers pointed towards him without turning his head in his direction.
CRACK! STAB!
The earth moved in front of Creuserey and shaped into a spear that pierced through his body and effectively took his life from him. Azazel knew that Christian wasn't the kind of person who will lose his mind in the middle of a fight like that, so he thought that something caught his attention.
"Did something happen over there?"
"I can't sense Asia's presence anymore."
"What?! Did she ―"
Azazel was worried about the life of one of his students, especially since it was his fault that she was caught up in this situation in the first place.
"No," Christian answered. "There was neither any drop in her magic-power, it's almost as if she just disappeared in a second."
"It's starting."
Ophis' voice caught their attention, including Tannin who had been keeping an eye on her this entire time. The former Dragon King further questioned the ultimate dragon.
"What do you mean?"
"Ddraig is awakening. The Juggernaut Drive."
[!]
Hearing what she told them causing the three of their eyes to widen in shock by what Ophis just told them. The Juggernaut Drive was something that Issei shouldn't be able to use.
"Azazel, I think I know what happened. And if I'm right, then Asia is "There"."
"What're you talking about?"
"I'll be right back," Christian held his hand out activating a magic circle that distorted the void in front of him opened up revealing an iridescent void. "But, before that, there's something that I want you to do for me."
Meanwhile, inside of the shrine, everyone stood around in shock by what they had just witnessed before their eyes. They had arrived and rescued Asia from Diodora, they won that fight, so what happened to their precious family member and comrade. But, then a light appeared that wrapped around Asia and then she vanished.
"Asia."
Lance called out in a shocked tone there wasn't anything else that was connected to the device that she was attached to…. So, who did that?!
"Where is she?!"
Everyone was in a state of shock about what just happened.
"The device from a Longinus perishes from the technique of an Abomination, huh. Damn Mist-User, he eased up. It's necessary to readjust the plan."
An unfamiliar voice arrived in before them.
They glanced towards the unfamiliar individual in front of them; it was a handsome young man with long brown hair that went up to his back matching colored eyes, wearing light black armor with a furred cape attached to his shoulder. The amount of demonic-aura being unleashed from him caused the others to be frozen to their core aside from Lance.
"…Who are you?" Rias questioned as she seethed with anger.
"It's my first time meeting you, sister of the Fake-Maou. My name is Shalba Beelzebub. The true successor of the Great True Maou Beelzebub. I'm different from the relative of the fake one that you fought earlier. Diodora Astaroth, I lent you my power and look at the situation you are in. In the match against Agares, you used Ophis' snake without my authorization and had the enemy predict out plan. You are very foolish indeed."
Hearing his name caused the others to glance at him in shock before all of them remembered the "Mastermind" that Azazel mentioned.
"Shalba! Please help me! If it is with you, together we can kill the Sekiryuutei! If the Old-Maou and Current-Maou were to join forces…."
CUT! FALL!
"Aaaaaah!"
The sound of Diodora's screams could be heard throughout the shrine as one of his arms fell on the ground with blood dripping onto the ground. Pinned on the pillar behind him was a spear of light, but it didn't come from Lance. It came from a device that was strapped to Shalba's wrist.
"Pitiful. I even told you the power of that girl's Sacred Gear and yet you couldn't do anything. That explains how useless you are."
Shalba spoke to him while laughing.
Seeing that he was close to being killed by the Maou-Descendant, Diodora activated a magic-circle under his feet and transported out of there. Though, neither of them paid any heed to him as they all far more pressing matters to deal with. Shalba directed his attention towards Rias as she continued to glare at him with hatred in his eyes.
"Now, sister of Sirzechs. It may be sudden, but I will have you die here. The reason is simple. That is to destroy every blood relative to the current Maou."
Once he finished running his aura within his body, Lance was finally able to move once again and he started to approach Shalba, while he stepped in front of the others. Since they were devils, the light from that device on his arm. Such a faux light formed from that device wouldn't do that much damage to him.
"I take it that you're planning on killing the relatives of Glasya-Labolas, Astaroth, Gremory, and Sitri."
Seeing Lance a hybrid similar to Vali stepping in front of him caused Shalba to glare at him with such hatred and annoyance.
"That is correct. It is simply displeasing. We, the true successors, to be called the "Old" by those people, the relatives of the current Maou, and it is something very hard to endure."
"Our plan ends with this. It is our defeat. I never thought that one who doesn't even possess a Longinus would wind against the Dimension Lost, a High-Tier Longinus. I can only say that this was something we didn't anticipate. Well, we got significant results for future terrorism, so I have to be satisfied with it. Creuserey died but it won't be a problem. As long as I'm active, we can still progress even without Vali. The True Beelzebub is great. Now, as my souvenir, while returning. Sirzechs' sister, I will have you dead."
"You don't challenge the current Maou directly, but kill their relatives, what cowardice!"
"That's alright. I will kill the family of the current Maou first. It won't mean a thing if we don't have them taste despair."
"Scum! Most of all, the crime for killing Asia! I absolutely won't forgive you!"
Rias' rage had exploded causing a crimson aura to be unleashed from her body. Akeno covered her body with holy-lightning. Xenovia clenched both her holy swords in her hand shaking from the anger that she felt towards the person standing in front of her.
"Asia? Asia?"
Issei spoke in a ghost-like tone as he walked around the area in an attempt at looking for Asia.
"Asia? Where did you go? Hey, let's go. We are going home. Dad and Mum are waiting. I-If you hide, then we won't be able to go home. Hahaha, Asia sure likes to play around."
Seeing their brave pawn walking around looking for someone who wasn't there anymore caused everyone to look away with a shocked look on their face.
"Asia? Let's go home. Now, there is no one here anymore who would bully you, Asia. Even if there was, I would beat them up! So, let's go back. Asia, we still have to do the [Three-Legged Race] for the Sports Festival…."
Seeing him, Koneko and Gasper started crying with their tears falling onto the ground. Akeno looked away with tears flowing out of her eyes, with Rias hugged onto Issei making attempts to comfort him. Both Yumi and Jeanne were also in the same situation with tears their tears falling from the corner of their eyes. Van had his hands wrapped around Muramasa tightening his grip and gritting his teeth with his eyes shining with a red light.
Lance continued to maintain his composure, while his attentions were still looked on the Maou-Descendant standing in front of him. Though, he tightened his fist in frustration.
"Buchou, I can't find Asia. Even though we are finally able to go home. We still need to hide in the basement Sensei told us. But if Asia isn't here…. She is our important family…."
Issei said with an emotionless face as Rias gently stroked his cheek.
"…I won't forgive you. I won't forgive you! I will cut you! I will cut you up and kill you!"
Xenovia finally had enough of it, she took both Ascalon and Durandal, then headed the bluenette charged for the Maou-Descendant with the intent of killing him. But, before Xenovia could even reach, Lance had got behind her placing both his arms under hers effectively stopping her from attacking him knowing that it wouldn't do anything.
"Xenovia, don't! You're no match for him!"
"Let me go! Let me go! He killed her! He killed my best friend!" Xenovia shouted out loud with tears that streamed from her eyes. She continued to thrash about in an attempt to get out from his grapple before long she started to lose the strength to even fight back causing her arms to fall. "…Return Asia….. …She is…my friend…! …She is my kind…best friend…. She was kinder than anyone…! Why…after everything…why?!"
Lance hugged his Queen from behind as she continued to cry her heart out. The person who had become her best friend had just vanished and she couldn't do anything about it. Seeing this had caused Shalba let out another laugh from his mouth causing, the brown-haired knight to glare at him with a green flame-like light shining in his right eye.
"Vulgar reincarnated angel and dragon which is the same as garbage. The Abomination and the Princess of Gremory seriously have bad taste indeed. I sent the girl beyond the dimension. Right now, her body should have perished by now. It means, she died."
[Beyond the Dimension]. She was sent into the Dimensional Gap. Hearing this had caused some hope to appear in Lance since he knew how the Dimension Gap operated. Though the chances were slim, there was a chance that she was still alive. Though, hearing that Asia had died caused Issei's eyes to become lifeless as he broke from Rias' grasp and he began to approach the Maou-Descendant with the helmet of his red dragon armor covering his face.
[Rias Gremory, leave this place at once. If you don't want to die, then it would be better to leave here immediately.]
The voice of Ddraig had come from the Boosted Gear jewel causing Lance's eyes to widen in shock as he realized what was about to happen.
[The devil over there. Shalba was your name, right?]
Issei stopped in front of the others with his eyes shining with a bright green light.
[You….]
"Ddraig, don't let him use that!"
[Made the wrong choice.]
Issei stopped underneath Shalba with his eyes directed towards him unleashing killing intent.
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!
The shrine that they were inside started to shake violently from the pressure being unleashed by Issei. From his scale mail armor, a blood-like red aura was emitted from his entire body dyeing the room that they were in red. The aura around his body started to get bigger and bigger. From the jewels embedded into his armor the voices of different people. Young. Old. Male. Female. A creepy curse-like chant started to come from his mouth.
[I, who is about to awaken…]
{It started.}{Looks like it will start.}
[Am the Heavenly Dragon that has stolen the principles of domination from God….]
{It was always like that, no matter what.}{Right you are, it was like that every time.}
[I laugh at the "Infinite", and I grieve at the "Dream"….]
{The one the World seeks….}{The one the World rejects...}
[I shall become the Red Dragon of Domination…]
{It was always power.}{It was always love.}
{{You guys choose destruction no matter how many times!}}
His scale mail armor started to change into a different shape altogether. It started to become far sharper and it grew large wings from the back where its magic boosters once were before. From his hands and his feet, instead became almost like claws. On his helmet it became distorted and it gained many horn-like objects. It was the appearance of a dragon. And from the many jewels that adorned his body, the mixed scream of all of them came together.
" " " " " " " And I shall sink you to the depths of crimson purgatory!" " " " " " "
[Juggernaut Drive!]
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!
The aura unleashed from Issei caused his surroundings to be blown away the wall and ceiling in the shrine were blown away causing the outside purple skies to be seen by all of them.
"Gugyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Issei let out a beast-like roar as he charged at Shalba while standing on his four limbs.
CUT!
The sounds of the wind could be heard by them, as he moved faster than Kiba or Van could even keep up with. Issei bit into Shalba's shoulder using the jaws that formed on the helmet.
"Nggggggggh!"
Shalba let out a scream of pain as he could feel Issei biting down on his shoulder threatening to bite off his arm completely.
"Damn you!"
Shalba created a light with his right arm and tired it release it towards Issei, but one of the blade-like wings that formed on his back stopped his arm from moving then―
"Guu!"
Shalba showed an expression of pain as his right arm was cut off with blood beginning to fall on the ground. Issei's armor started to give off a very ominous brilliance as the blood of the Maou-Descendant mixed with his armor.
"Gegogyuuga-gyhugohaaa! Guoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"
He had already lost his voice as a human. All the jewels that were on his body begun unleashing a bright red light. Seeing this happen to him, Shalba started to become enraged and directed his last remaining arm in Issei's direction.
"Don't screw around with me!"
Shalba unleashed a light from his light arm and aimed it at Issei, but another white light started to unleash a white light.
[Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide!]
It was the power that Issei took from Vali, and it started to halve more and more power from the attack being launched at him. It became so weak that it was weaker than a penlight.
"Vali's power! Damn you! How many times do you have to stand in my way! Valiiiiiii!"
Letting out his fury for a person who wasn't even here, Shalba summoned an enormous amount of demonic-power from both his hand and launched it at Issei.
SLIDE!
With a powerful massive flap of his wings, Issei changed the direction of the attack using the wind pressure from his wings. Issei then unleashed a red laser from his mouth in the direction of Shalba forcing him to dodge the attack, but it blows away his last remaining arm. The red laser didn't stop, it continued forward leaving a red skinny line and causing a far away explosion.
"Nuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Issei made another roar covering himself with an enormous amount of aura creating a huge crater under him. Using unleashing his aura like this was enough to cause destruction.
"Y-You Monster! A-Are you telling me this is the Juggernaut-Drive!? This is no joke! M-My power should have been raised to that of the Former Maou-Beelzebub due to Ophis' power! He has surpassed the Boosted Gear's specs recorded in the data!"
Shalba's expression turned into that of fear at the power unleashed by Issei.
Everyone in the shrine stared at Issei in complete shock about the kind of power being unleashed from his entire body. The only one who wasn't as shocked was Lance who continued to view the scene in front of him.
"He can't get over it, Shalba and the rest is still living in the past and focused solely on gaining the power of their ancestors instead of focusing on their own," Lance spoke as he stared at the power being unleashed by Issei. "He couldn't even tell that the Current-Maou have all long since surpassed the Former-Maou in a number of ways. The Juggernaut Drive unleashes the power of the Heavenly Dragons granting the wielder power on par with the Four Great Satan and God."
OPEN! SLIDE!
Something on his chest and stomach opened showing something like a larger jewel embedded there and a red aura started to be gathered around it. The jewels on both his wings and body all started to unleash a creepy red aura.
"Kuh! I can't die in a place like this!"
Shalba tried to activate a magic-circle, but he was stopped in time. Issei's eyes shined with a red light just like Gasper's own Forbidden Balor View. Lance stared at this scene with a suspicious look on his face, since Boosted Gear doesn't have an ability like that.
"…You stopped it! My leg!"
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]
Numerous [Boost] sounded from Issei's armor as the red light continued to increase, all of them saw this as a very hazardous situation.
"Everyone get out of here right now!"
Hearing Lance's sudden order caused everyone to jump up being freed from their shock and it also caused a number of them to leave the shrine.
"Buchou, let's retreat at once! We have to evacuate from this shrine!"
"Ise…I…."
Rias walked towards Rias with a shocked look on her face, but Kiba went towards her and put in a princess hold while apologizing to her. Everyone left the shrine with a new announcement that made it to their ears.
[Longinus Smasher!]
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG!
"I-Impossible…! I, the true successor of the True-Maou….! I still haven't made a fool out of Vali yet! Beelzebub is greater than Lucifer! Curses! A mere dragon! Red dragon! White dragoooon!"
Shalba shouted out loud while engulfed in a red aura.
Near the ruins of the shrine on a far away cliff, Lance formed a barrier strong enough to protect him and the others. Despite defeating Shalba Beelzebub, Issei hadn't turned back from this form and continued to let out a beast-like yet sad roar echo across the battlefield.
"Oooooooooooooooooon…."
"Ise," Rias spoke in a sad tone. "Lance is there anything we can do?"
"I never expected him to activate the Juggernaut Drive like this," Lance answered her. "A unique ability of the Boosted Gear and Divine Dividing, it grants the wielder the power to unleash the full power of the Heavenly Dragons. But, inside of it lies the curse of its past possessors formed from the collective negative emotions of its past wielders causing its wielder to lose their sanity and then…die."
[What?!]
Everyone in the Gremory Group let out a shocked tone by what Lance had told them.
"Using the Juggernaut Drive will either drain the user of their life-force until they die," Lance had told them again much to their dismay. "A trained person would either substitute this for their magic or demonic-power like Vali, but Issei doesn't have that luxury. He doesn't have that much talent in using demonic-power."
"Is there anything that we can do to change him back?"
Rias questioned in a worried tone.
Lance remained silent as Issei continued to fire off red lasers from his mouth hitting the area and destroying portions of it. He let out a slight sigh before turning towards Xenovia who was still a bit distraught about all that happened and approached her.
"Hey, Xenovia can you lend me Ascalon?"
"Uh, alright. But, are you―"
As Ascalon was a Dragon-Slayer, though weaker compared to Arondight, it was still a sword that can injure and kill a dragon as Saint Georg proved. Despite his form, Issei is also a reincarnated devil, so the effects would most likely be worse.
"I'm not going to kill him, but I can't leave him going berserk like this either," Lance answered as Xenovia passed him Ascalon with him grasping it in his hand. "You guys stay away, I'm about the go and try to save my best friend, my brother from another mother."
"Lance-kun are you sure that you can―"
The moment that Jeanne was about to make sure whether or not he could handle this situation, he smirked with his eyes shining with a green light and becoming a lot sharper. Due to being in her Nekomata Mode, at the moment, Koneko could sense something peculiar about the flow of spirit that came from him, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Soon enough, Lance's hair started to turn blonde as he felt power being unleashed from within his body. He entered his War God.
"I can't exactly half-ass it in this situation now. Can I?"
With a single step forward, Lance approach Issei with Ascalon in his hands, while his Avalon Syntax started to appear on the back of his hand.
"Just telling you to take up isn't really going to help," Lance started as he stood in front of Issei who snarled towards him like the beast that he's become. "So, why don't I try knocking you awake?"
"Nuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Issei let out another uncontrolled roar as he charged towards Lance with an enormous amount of red aura covering his body, while both of his bladed wings were unfolded.
Meanwhile, inside of the iridescent infinite void known as the Dimensional Gap, Christian had formed a magic-barrier as he begun to search around for Asia who he suspects was sent in here by an enemy. He had been in here for minutes in search for her but to almost no avail.
"Come on, Asia. You're mine and Angela's child, so I know that you wouldn't―"
Just as Christian was about to finish he sensed a familiar presence, he caught the attention of something green to the point of it reminding him of the color of emerald. Following his instincts, he headed in the same direction as the light and found something that caused him to form a gentle smile on his face. In front of him Asia was fast asleep possibly due to shock, but around her body was a barrier possibly made from her demonic-power just before she passed out.
"I knew it."
Christian mumbled to himself as he held Asia in his arms before long he soon detected another presence that was behind. Once he turned around to face them, Christian saw three young men standing behind him wrapped in an orb made from the power of the strongest holy sword. It was the three male members of the Vali Team; the relative of Sun Wukong, Bikou; the descendant of King Arthur, Arthur Pendragon; and the great-grandson of the original Lucifer and strongest of the Hakuryuukou, Vali Lucifer.
"What're you all doing here?"
"I had "Business" here in the Dimensional Gap," Vali answered him before directing his sights towards Asia who was still asleep in the arms of her father. "I thought that I sensed Asia Argento here, so I thought I'd come to find out why. So, my suspicions on the change in Hyoudou Issei was correct."
"So, you know about Issei activating his Juggernaut Drive."
"It was a while ago, but it seems as if Vali was correct about it," Arthur spoke as he held both his hands in front of Caliburn in order to keep the barrier intact. "Though, it has been a while since we last met Christian. Is what I would like to say, but it appears as if there are pressing matters that need to be dealt with."
"Which is why we're heading to the Underworld," Vali said out loud.
Inside the ruins of the shrine, Issei fired a number of red lasers at Lance who continued to dodge attack after attack launched at him. Before he could already keep up with the movements of him in his Juggernaut Drive, but now with his physical parameters increased by the War God, he was able to keep up with his movements far more efficiently. Since the battle started, Lance figured that he would need to take the necessary procedures in order to restrain him.
Opening the mouth on his helm, Issei fired off red lasers in his direction, which he dodged each of them using acrobatic movements. Lance admitted to himself that even with his physical capabilities enhanced, even he could be injured if he was actually hit with an attack from the full power released from the Juggernaut Drive.
"I'm not going to lie," Lance said landing on the ground, he charged straightforward at Issei with his improved godspeed, while charging the enormous holy aura of the Dragon Slayer in his hand. "This is going to hurt a bit."
SWIFT!
Lance vanished without making the slightest disturbance in the air, he combined both his speed and technique. A number of wounds opened on Issei's armored body causing his blood to leak out from the cracks. Though the Ascalon was Issei's own weapon, it still dealt damage to his body due to him being both a Devil and Dragon.
This is shown as the armor started to heal slowly. Lance admitted that it would have been more difficult if he were fighting against Vali who activated his Juggernaut Drive. Issei moved away from him gathering a massive amount of red aura around his mouth before launching it forward as a strong beam.
"No, you don't."
Forming the Avalon Dragon into its sword form, Lance stabbed it into the ground and caused the symbols of the Bellax Enchant to be drawn on the blade; for Lance, each symbol looked similar to that of knights. Being strengthened by this technique, he erected an energy-barrier that defended against Issei's powerful attack causing fragments of it to be split across the battlefield.
Though, as the laser continued to push against the barrier similar to before an odd presence started to come out from the jewel. He could hear the angered voices of different voices individuals within the Avalon Heroic Sword. He soon noticed that during training whenever he would use Avalon Drakon for an extended period of time this same occurrence would happen.
"Seriously again," Lance questioned himself before looking forward towards Issei. "I know it must be reacting to the Juggernaut Drive, but there's no official wielder or past wielder of Avalon Drakon so there can't be any other conscious aside from Avon sealed inside of it. But, then…why am I sensing different presences inside this sword? No, I got to hold it off a while longer."
On the mountain near the shrine, the others just watched in wonder of how much of a fight Lance was putting up against Issei in this form.
"So, is there you guys were?"
A familiar voice soon made it to their ears, behind him it was Percy flying down towards them with his six white wings unfolded. Landing on the mountain in front of them he folded back into his back, which he still admits feels a bit weird.
"That's still a bit uncomfortable."
"Percy, how's everything on the other end?"
"The battle is just about finished, but what's going on Boss Lady?"
[Boss Lady?]
Everyone on the Gremory Group questioned him with a confused look, while Jeanne had waved it off with her hand and laughed cheerfully.
"You can just ignore that, it's just a thing he does."
"Our "Boss Man" is currently dealing with a little "Problem"?"
"And what "Problem" could that," Percy had walked over towards their line of sight and noticed Issei in his Juggernaut Drive firing off a barrage of red laser from his mouth with Lance dodging all of the red laser attacks launched at him, which caused destruction in their wake; or blocking them using a magic-barrier. Nodding to himself, Percy said. "That seems legit. So, does he need help taking down that red dragon?"
[[He's not killing MY Ise/Ise-kun!]] Both Rias and Akeno explained as they glared towards Percy.
"I don't mean to be rude, but you two of some pretty odd tastes."
"Oh, Maou," Van sighed placing his head, while Kiba let out a nervous laugh "There's another one."
"Looks like you guys are in trouble, huh?"
A familiar voice arrived behind them accompanied by a tear in space, the one who appeared out of it was Vali followed by Arthur and Bikou.
"Vali."
Seeing him arrive the Gremory Group got into a stance to fight but stopped after Vali held out his hand towards them with no sign of hostility.
"I have no will to fight. I just came to observe. Sekiryuutei's Juggernaut Drive. But by looking at it, it seems like he went through an incomplete Juggernaut Drive. You are lucky that Juggernaut Drive occurred within this specially-made battlefield. If this had happened in the Human World, the urban areas and its surroundings might have vanished."
"…This form, is he able to revert from it?"
"Since it isn't a complete Juggernaut Drive there would be cases where he can revert, but there will also be a case where he remains like this, trimming his life and die. Either way, staying like this for long would put Hyoudou Issei's life in danger."
"Though, it seems like Lance is attempting to find a way to snap him out of it.
Christian came out from the tear in space carrying Asia in his arms. Seeing that everyone stared at her with happy expressions on their faces and causing them to gather around her.
"Asia!"
"Asia-chan!"
"Don't worry, she's alright," Christian answered as he handed her to the others.
"But, why…."
Kiba questioned with tears coming from his eyes.
"We were investigating the Dimensional Gap around here by chance. Then this little lady came into the Dimensional Gap with Vali recognizing her presence. At that same moment, we ran into Christian by chance. If it wasn't for the barrier she put up, this girl would have been exposed to "nothingness" and would have perished."
After confirming her safety, Xenovia started to shed tears of joy as she hugged her friend.
"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaan!"
"What's left now is…," Rias mumbled to herself as she turned towards Issei.
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]
Once again, Issei opened up the armor on his abdomen and stomach revealing the same jewel as before as he started to charge up power once again. It was such an attack that not even Lance could hope to block using his strongest magic-barrier.
"Is he charging that attack again, the one he used against Shalba!"
"Lance-kun, get out of there!"
Lance didn't seem all that scared of the approaching attack, in fact, it looked almost as if he was waiting for this chance for a counterattack. As during the moment where Issei's focused on using his [Boost] that is the moment when he's most vulnerable.
"It's now or never."
SHINE!
The number of magic-circles placed around the ruins started shining with a radiant light, coming out from them were a number of chains made up of a compression of light. All of the chains started converging around Issei, then started to wrap around different parts of his body; his hands and feet, then around his waist and finally his mouth. Juggernaut Drive or not, Issei was still a Devil, so his weakness will always be towards light; this is most apparent since his demonic-power wasn't high to resist light attacks.
Unlike his bout with the Maou-Beelzebub descendant, he couldn't use [Divide] if he doesn't come into physical contact with Lance. Seeing that he was trapped, Lance activated another magic-circle in front of him and stabbed Ascalon into it. This transferred the dragon-slayer abilities of the sword through the light chains that were wrapped around him causing his dragon aura to weaken.
"Is he able to revert to himself if we tell him about Asia's safety?"
Rias questioned as she saw Issei currently being pinned down by Lance.
"Lance is currently using his best to restrain him without hurting him too much," Vali had answered Rias. "It's dangerous. You will die. Though I won't stop you from doing it."
"I know we are not in a position to ask, but please. Please help us save him. If it's you, the Hakuryuukou, can you not fulfill the role to bring back his consciousness?"
"…Please. We will also help using our full strength, so please let us borrow your power to bring him back…."
Both Akeno and Koneko wanted Issei to return to normal no matter what causing Vali to think of a solution in order to achieve that.
"Yeah. It would work if there is something which will stimulate his heart…."
"Wouldn't it be okay if we just show him Oppai?"
Hearing Bikou's questioned caused Van to stare at him with a blank look on his face. He couldn't tell whether or not he was joking or not.
"Not if he's in that form." Hearing Vali's serious response caused Van to think 'Oh, my Maou they were serious!'. Another answer did come to Vali's mind. "What always calmed down a dragon was a song…. We don't have such a thing, and a song for the Sekiryuutei and Hakuryuukou doesn't exist."
"This is why I talk to Azazel about it beforehand."
Christian spoke out loud catching their attention before hearing another voice.
"Christian-san it's prepared."
Hearing a familiar voice, they turned their attention towards the skies where Irina who had her pair of angel wings flew down towards them. Once she landed, Irina started to let out a bit of a sigh of relief.
"Haa, I finally arrived. Wait, that's Ise-kun and Lance-kun!? I heard it from Michael-sama and Azazel-sama, but such a serious thing was actually happening!"
Neither of them could tell whether or not she was shocked or excited.
"Irina, why are you here?"
"The fact that Ise-kun went into a dangerous form is already known by the VIP's who are in the observation room and in this field. So they thought leaving it like this isn't a good idea, so at Christian-san's request, Maou Lucifer-sama and Azazel-sama made me carry this secret weapon! By the way, the one who teleported me here is Odin-sama! He sure is amazing! The God of the North! And he has a huge beard!"
Irina showed them a holographic projector that was used by Devils and showed it to them, once she did everyone stared at the device with a wondering look on their faces.
"I don't actually get it, but if it's something that was prepared by Onii-sama, Christian-san, and Azazel, then we can depend on its effect."
Rias then took a breath and pressed the "Play" button.
Then, a huge holographic vision appeared in the sky causing both Lance and Issei despite being in his Juggernaut Drive to glance in their direction. The person who appeared in the projection was a young woman with golden blonde-hair that went passed her back and green eyes that look almost like emerald, moreover, she looked exactly like an older version of Asia. The woman had looked up with a wondering look on her face, as she carried a blonde-haired child wrapped up in a blanket.
[My, you really are an energetic one. Alright, I'll sing once more. Hmm~ Hmm~ Hmm~]
The blonde woman begun to hum a hymn before she opened her mouth and started singing, it was a beautiful melody that echoed across the area that they were in. Those who heard the song stared at the woman with their gazes attached solely on her. For the Gremory Group, it was a very similar feeling they got whenever they were around Asia, feeling as if her warmhearted nature would uplift the mood in a room filled with glum.
"Hmm."
"Asia?"
Asia who was still in the arms of Xenovia started to cuddle up in her friend's arms with a relaxed smile on her face. It seems as if she were having the best dream. Even there and on the battlefield, both Albion and Avon started to react to the song. The presences that were coming from the Avalon Drakon was starting to subside until they were gone again. Before long―
"…Uuu….Asia."
Issei reacted to the song that was being played with his own consciousness starting to return to normal. Hearing his voice caused everyone to glance towards him.
"He responded!"
"Rias, now, while his consciousness is returning."
Hearing that from Christian caused Rias to nod her head in agreement, she spread out her devil's wings and flew in front of Issei who was still pinned to the ground by the chain. After seeing her approach Issei, Lance started to loosen up his grip on him letting him move a bit, but still had the chains wrapped around him just in case.
"Issei, Asia is safe," Rias said with tears coming from her eyes as she wrapped her arms around him. "She's alright, so you can come back."
Once Issei heard those words the armor that covered his body started to crack before completely disappearing revealing Issei's actual body. Rias smiled and wrapped her arms around him.
"What was that song," Vali questioned Christian. "It even caused Albion to respond to it in a way that I never expected.."
"It's a song that Angela, my wife, and Asia's mother used to sing whenever she woke up crying at night," Christian answered with a smile on his face. "Whenever she sang even a dragon wouldn't be able to continue rampaging."
Listening to what he said caused a memory to come back to Vali of a woman smiling at him, but he soon shook and turned away so that no one would notice the look on his face.
"Hmm. Huh? What's going on?"
After a while, Issei woke back up not in his balance breaker form anymore, before he knew it he found himself being hugged by both Rias and Akeno. Once Issei finally got the gist of what had happened to him, but he soon looked forward noticing that Xenovia was hugging the blonde nun gently.
"Asia! Asia!"
"…Huh? …Ise-san?"
Once she opened her eyes, Asia looked towards him with a wondering look on her face. DON! As Issei was about to hug Asia, he was once again pushed back by both Xenovia who continued hug onto the confused blonde.
"Asia!"
"Xe…Xenovia-san. What's wrong? I-It's hard to breathe…."
"Asia! Asia Asia Asia Asia Asia Asia! You and I will always be friends! Friends forever! That's why please don't leave me again!"
"…Yes," Though, Asia didn't know what was going on, she did feel that she wanted to be friends with Xenovia forever. "We will always be friends."
"I'm so glad."
Seeing that both Jeanne and Irina were crying for their friendship, Issei went over towards both Vali and Lance who looked to have been staring into the distance.
"Yo, I'm glad that you're alright, Ise."
"Hyoudou Issei. Looks like you are alright."
"Yeah. Looks like I caused you two trouble."
"Well, it may be alright at times. More than that, it's about time. Look up the sky."
Issei was wondering what the two of them were looking at in the skies of the rating game field but stopped after seeing the sky starting to break apart forming a gigantic hole in the skies.
BREAK! BREAK!
"That…."
"Look carefully, Hyoudou Issei. That is the one, I wanted to see."
"I was looking for this being inside the Dimensional Gap for a long time."
Coming out from the hole was a massive true-red dragon measuring to be one-hundred-meters in length with a horn on its snout and two pairs of dragon wings. The majestic true-red dragon that swam through the skies of both this world and the Dimensional Gap.
"There are two dragons called the 'Red Dragons'. One of them is the ancient dragon from Wales residing in you. Welsh Dragon. The Sekiryuutei. Hakuryuukou also comes from the same origin and the same myth. But there is one more 'Red Dragon'. That is the Red-Dragon which is recorded in Revelation."
"Revelation…?"
"Is it the True Red Dragon God Emperor. Apocalypse Dragon, the Great Red. The great dragon known as the "True Dragon". Great Red chooses to live in the Dimensional Gap and swims there for eternity," Lance answered.
"Today, we came here to confirm 'that'. The field of Rating Game is inside a section in the dimensional gap by putting on a barrier. This time, Ophis' true aim was to confirm that. Shalba's plan was something which wasn't important to us.
"But why is it flying in a place like this?"
"No idea. There are lots of opinions about it…. That is Ophis' 'aim' and the 'target' that I wish to defeat."
For the first time, Vali showed his intentions to the others directing his enclosed fist towards the Great Red with his eyes as clear as day.
"The one I want to fight the most. The Apocalypse Dragon Great-Red who is called [DxD], the Dragon of Dragons. I want to become the True White Dragon God Emperor. It won't look good if the "White" is a rank below the "Red" when there is the Ultimate-Class for "Red" right? That's why I will become one. One day when I defeat Great-Red."
"Great Red. It has been a while."
Further away from them, Ophis had appeared standing there with her black emotionless eyes directed at Great Red as he swam through the skies.
"Ophis. She's the Ouroboros. She's also the head of Khaos Brigade."
Everyone made a shocked look on their face as they saw her, but Ophis paid them no attention at all. She directed her hand towards Great Red and made the posture of shooting a gun.
"I shall definitely get my hands on silence."
FLAP!
The sounds of wings flapping made it to their ears appeared before them was Tannin who stared at Great Red almost as if he were staring at an old rival once again.
"Sensei, Old-man!"
"Oh, Ise. Looks like you are back to normal. I was scared of what would happen to you, but I knew that you will revert back to normal from [Juggernaut Drive] with that song."
"How nostalgic. Great-Red huh."
"Have you also fought him Tannin?"
Hearing Azazel's questioned caused Tannin to shake his head in disagreement.
"No, he didn't even pay attention to me."
It only showed how much powerful Great Red was if not even one of the Dragon Kings whose fire breath rivals that of a meteorite, and known as the Blaze Meteor Dragon is couldn't even get a response from him. Seeing Azazel, Vali had looked towards him with a smirk on his face.
"It's been a while, Azazel."
"Did you defeat Creuserey Asmodeus?"
"Yeah, but Sirzechs was the one who took care of him. …If their leader is taken down, then their henchman will run away. Looks like Shalba Beelzebub was taken care of by Ise in Juggernaut Drive."
"You should probably go before…."
"Vali-Onii-san!"
Yuuma had suddenly come out of nowhere out of her balance breaker sacred armor and hugged Vali with both arms causing him to make a complicated expression on his face. She was one of the only two people who could get this kind of expression on Vali's face.
"Ophis. The guys from the Old-Maou Faction who were rampaging in each area either retreated or surrendered. In reality, the Old-Maou Faction which was controlled by the descendants is now basically finished."
"Yes. That is also one of the conclusions."
Ophis answered without the slightest bit of fear or concern even with one of her factions being crushed by the alliance today.
"Among you guys, the group with power apart from Vali is the faction assembled by the humans who're either the Hero-Descendants or Sacred Gear possessors. They're called the Hero Faction, right?"
It was the same faction that Lance and the others had dealt with during the incident when they were are the Greek Faction.
"Now, Ophis. Shall we fight?"
"I will go home," Ophis said as she turned away from Azazel, then turned towards Lance who had stared back at her wondering what she was going to say. "Do you know what Nimue and the former Lancelot was?"
Her sudden out of the nowhere questioned caused Lance to stare at her with a confused look on his face. She didn't ask him who, but what Nimue and his ancestor were.
"Wait! Ophis!"
Tannin shouted in an attempt to stop Ophis from leaving, but she only turned towards him with a creepy smile on her face.
"Tannin. The Dragon Kings are gathering once again. This will turn interesting."
HYUU! Ophis caused the air to vibrate and before they knew it she vanished into thin air without using a magic-circle anything of that nature.
"We will also retreat," Vali said after finally being able to pry Yuuma off of him though causing the black-haired girl to pout cutely like an actual little sister. Arthur used Caliburn to cut a hole in space before them, but he turned towards Vali with a questioning look. "Hyoudou Issei. Do you want to defeat me?"
"…I do. But you aren't the only one I want to surpass. I want to surpass Kiba, who is in the same group as me, I also want to surpass my pals, Saji and Lance. There are so many things I want to surpass."
"Me too. There are those I want to defeat besides you. This is weird. Looks like the current Sekiryuutei and the current Hakuryuukou have dreams and objectives more important than the destined fight. Maybe you and I are weird dragons. But something like that might be good at times. But one day…."
Issei then directed his fist towards Vali with a smirk on his face.
"Yeah, let's settle it."
"Like I thought, you are truly amusing. Get stronger, Hyoudou Issei."
"See ya, Oppai Dragon! And also Switch Princess!"
Hearing Bikou's comment caused both Issei and Rias to glare towards him with an annoyed look on their face. Azazel who heard that quickly took a note of it in the near future. Arthur had then directed his attention towards the swordsmen of their group.
"Kiba Yuuto. Kiba Yumi. Xenovia."
"I am the wielder of Holy-King Sword and the descendant of Arthur Pendragon. Call me Arthur. One day, let's have a battle of Holy Swords. Goodbye."
After saying those final words, the male members of the Vali Team exited the tear in space that Arthur had made. Seeing Vali leave caused a confident smile to form on his face as he was the one person that he didn't want to lose to.
"This time, let's go home for real Asia. To our home."
"Yes. I will go home."
After Asia said those words, Issei fell unconscious. This was inevitable due to the strain that he went through in using the Juggernaut Drive.
Inside of the Human World just minutes after the battle concluded, at the building being used by Ajuka Beelzebub, the older brother of Diodora Astaroth. In the main office, which was held on the roof of the building, though around the floor were a number of devils who seemed to have been from the Old-Maou Faction.
Despite the fight that seemed to have occurred there wasn't even a single sign of damage done to the area where Ajuka was sitting. Appearing on his desk there was a 3D holographic projection Sirzechs and Christian in front of him.
"I'm glad to hear that everything went alright with no one on our side dying," Ajuka sighed, as the devil involved with the Khaos Brigade was his young brother there was no way he could get involved in it without it looking more suspicious. "Though, due to the actions of my brother, it seems that the Astaroth Clan took a substantial hit. I wouldn't even be surprised if the Old Devils would want to strip away my title."
[That won't solve anything, if we were to lose a Maou of your caliber, especially in these times it would be fatal to the Devils of the Underworld, Ajuka. Sirzechs replied. [I, along with Falbium and Serafall will speak at your defense if it comes down to that.]
"Thank You, Sirzechs."
Ajuka thanked his friend/rival since their childhood, it was known by most that the only reason why Ajuka became a Maou was that Sirzechs become a Maou. Just, then Sirzechs received another call and had to hang up.
[Oh, I'm receiving a call from Azazel. I got to go.]
[Same here, there are some issues that I need to deal with at my own household.]
"Christian, I just wanted to apologize for everything that my brother did to―"
[You don't have to apologize, Ajuka.] Christian replied as he waved his hand in the direction of Ajuka stopping him from speaking any further. [I had to apologize for everything that my father did to a number of people back at the Chivalric Order. We can never tell how a person is until it's too late. The person that my mother, Galahad, and I knew before was nothing but a mask.]
Once those had words left his mouth, a number of different memories during his childhood with his family from before started to flow back into his mind. Though, the moment, they did, he had pushed them back within the corners of his mind. The person that he knew now wasn't the one who he knew in the past. Seeing that their conversation was finished, both the Maou-Lucifer and Ambrosius Head hung up.
"You can say it any way you'd like, but this is partly your fault."
A sudden female's voice made it to the Maou-Beelzebub's ears causing him to glance forward at the woman who entered the room. Seeing her enter the room caused Ajuka to rest his head on one of his hands.
"I'm guessing you're referring to me not visiting home and working more on my hobbies rather than raising my own little brother," Ajuka replied. "I'm not like either Sirzechs or Serafall, and I don't have either of their charisma. I could never see myself interacting with my sibling the same way as them."
"No, nothing as cliché as that. There are younger brothers and siblings who don't interact with their older siblings and yet still turn out fine. Though, there are young devils who still view the humans and lower-class as tools," the woman said as she rested a single hand on her hip. "But, what I'm referring to is the Super Devil who is supposedly feared the most by other mythologies more than "That" Sirzechs due to his ability to predict the future yet he couldn't tell that actions of his own family member."
"You know with that snark, you may be able to get along well with Lancelot, Tiamat."
In her human form, Tiamat had the appearance of a beautiful young woman in her early twenties who radiated a cold atmosphere around her whole body, long beautiful pale blue hair, and deep indigo eyes; Tiamat wore a dress that matched her eyes. Inside of her body was an enormous dragon aura that trumped even the Blazer Meteor Dragon, the Chaos Karma Dragon, Tiamat, the Strongest Dragon King.
"And, what makes you think that I would be interested in that child?"
"You never know, he did attract the attention of the Greek Gods in just a day."
"I can never understand what you're thinking," Tiamat sighed. "So, what are you lot doing about the Young Devil's Rating Game Tournament?"
"I didn't think you would wonder about something like that," Ajuka said with a bit of a laugh. "It will go as planned especially with the current match-ups, which people are desire to see the most compared to the other matches. On one side it's the Gremory Team vs. the Bael Team, a contest of [Power]. On the other side is the Sitri Team vs the Agares Team, a contest of [Tactics]. So, tell me, does the reason you're asking concern the condition of the current Red Dragon…?"
"I'll have you not mention THAT name in front of me."
The sheer mention of the Heavenly Dragon of Red caused a feeling of hate to fester up inside of Tiamat. This was partly due to what had occurred in the past.
"So, what're you doing to locate your bratty younger brother?"
"I'm currently having my peerage and other followers searching for him, but there's no chance that he'll return to the Underworld or go into any territory that is in the possession of any Devil in the Human World. Due to his peerage being involved, they're under house arrest along with my parents and relatives."
"You certainly have a lot to deal with."
Back at Kuoh Academy, the students were each doing their events for their Sports Festival. All of the students were dressed in their school's gym uniforms; the male students were all dressed in their white t-shirts and shorts, while the female students were dressed in the same t-shirts with the exception of wearing bloomers.
As expected before the festival officially started the students who knew of the supernatural won every event that their class was in, except for those who competed with one another. Except for Xenovia who continued to dominate every event that she could. Currently, both Lance and Jeanne were on another side of the festival after having already finished all of their events with a victory for both their classes.
"What do you mean? All peerage were all placed under house arrest," Jeanne questioned him in a somewhat angry tone. "They're the victims here, neither of them would have ever even gotten into this mess if it wasn't for…."
"Jeanne-chan calm down," Lance said in a calming tone as Jeanne started to calm down after she continued to talk in an angered tone for a number of times. "Ajuka-sama found out about their situation, which is why he had us send to himself personally in order to defend them. Due to his statement that was why they were just placed under house arrest. I also asked him to let me know when they were freed to go so that you can visit them."
"*Sigh* Alright," Jeanne said as she let out a slight sigh escape from her mouth. "I'm sorry, I just got a little annoyed. I already somewhat knew they wouldn't just get away with it. It's just that when I looked at them―"
"You were reminded of how you were. So, you want to do whatever it takes to help them."
Lance suddenly replied as he looked towards Jeanne with an understanding look on his face, as she noticed that look, Jeanne smiled back at him.
"Thank you, Lance-kun."
"It was nothing, I just wanted to…."
"I'm not talking about that," Jeanne stopped him from talking with a shake of her head. "I'm not talking about that, I know that when you said to me [Just getting a good look at your cute face], you really protected me from an attack from Diodora, right? And from other attempts just like that one."
Jeanne must have heard about that from during their battle back at the shrine was the answer that Lance could come up with at the moment.
"Yea," he admitted. "That guy made a number of other attempts, but I intervened at the―"
Before Lance could finish his sentence, Jeanne wrapped her around his neck and presser her soft lips against his. Though, it was a sudden kiss it didn't take him by surprise that much. He placed his hands on her hips pulling her closer towards him. The two of them soon separated right after one or four minutes and Jeanne stared at him with flushed cheeks.
"That was a thank you," Jeanne said as she pressed her forehead against his chest. "This is the first time that I was actually able to kiss you without being interrupted."
"I really liked it, Jeanne-chan."
"Hehehe."
BANG! BANG!
Both of them heard the sound of blank shots that echoed in the skies.
[It is the Three-Legged Race. People participating, please line up at the starting point.]
The next event the [Three-Legged Race] was preparing to start anytime soon at any moment as Lance and Jeanne started to head back to their classes. Once they made it towards everyone else the two of them noticed Issei running down towards where both him and Asia were supposed to meet one another.
[Now the Three-Legged Race for the class match for the second-years is about to start.]
"Asiaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Issei eventually made it just as Asia was preparing to tie her legs with another male student since Issei was close to being late. The moment, Asia noticed Issei running towards her, a bright smile formed on her face.
"Ise-san!"
"Sorry," Issei apologized to the male student prepared to run to Asia. "I will run."
Smiling the male student patted him on his shoulder with an understanding smile on his face.
"Of course! Go and run with Asia-san!"
Seeing that Asia was with her real partner, the male student went over to join their class. Issei had quickly ducked down and started to tie their legs with one another using rope.
"Ise-san! You came for me!"
"Of course. I am Asia's Ise after all, you know? I will definitely come to Asia's need."
Asia began to cry after hearing what Issei said to her.
"It's the next race!"
The announcer gave the ready for the participants to get started the students getting into their starting position with their hands wrapped around one another.
BANG!
"Let's go! Asia!"
"Yes!"
Hearing the sound of the signal gun all the second-year students started to run forward with their partners, but with Issei and Asia showing the most teamwork.
"Ise! Asia! Get first place!"
"You can do it!"
Both the King and Queen of their group cheered for them
"Ise-kun! Asia-san! You can aim for first place!"
"Go for it, you two."
Kiba and Van cheered.
"Show everyone what you two got."
"Ise! Asia! Goooooo!"
"Show everyone your teamwork!"
""Do your best both of you!""
Lance, Xenovia, Yumi, and Jeanne cheered.
"Ise-senpai! Asia-senpai!"
"Please do your best!"
Both Gasper and Koneko cheered in high-spirits.
"I won't let you off the hook if you lose!"
Azazel spoke from under the tent where the other teachers were sitting under.
"You came, Ise! I will record the part where you win!"
"Ise! Asia-chan! Do your best! Fight!"
"Do your best, Asia!"
Kaito, Minako, and Christian cheered for their children's victory.
"Asia, stay by my side forever. You aren't allowed to leave me again."
Asia started to tear up again, but she endured it and continued to run forward with Issei.
BANG!
The first to pass through the finishing line were―the team of Issei and Asia.
"Yeah! We did it, Asia!"
"Yes! We did it, Ise-san!"
Both Issei and Asia cheered with one another, though still suffering from the effects of using the Juggernaut Drive as shown by the weakening of his legs.
"Ise-san! Are you alright?"
Asia said as she helped him stand back up.
"Ah, I think I got too excited."
"Ise. Asia."
Rias came up to the both of them, then pointed at the gymnasium with a smile.
"Asia. No one is behind the gymnasium so heal him with the Sacred Gear."
"Y-Yes!"
"Asia, do your best."
Rias had told the young blonde causing her face to turn red. Not taking what Rias had told her to heart, Issei started to follow Asia towards the back of the gymnasium. Seeing them head away from the gazes of anyone else, Kaito turned towards Christian who currently had his eyes closed due to the situation.
"Aren't you going to do something," Kaito questioned.
"*Sigh* No, I'm not. My daughter isn't a child anymore," Christian responded with a smile that had formed on his face. "Besides, I made a promise."
Hearing him mention that caused the memory of him reading the letter sent by Angela from the domain of Heaven for both her husband and daughter.
It read:
Christian, I know that you always want to protect Asia from everything, but I don't think you should interfere most when it comes to love. It would only cause her to harm if you do that. Besides, I think that Kai-kun's and Mi-chan's son is a great match for her…it doesn't even matter if he's a closet pervert just like his father, though he also has his heart and Mi-chan's compassion.
P.S. If you continue to intervene in their relationship, I will come down from Heaven with the unfettered rage of a mother being refused an adorable grandchild to dote on. Hmm, I don't know why, but the name Airi for a girl just popped into my head.
In the last part of the later, Angela drew a number of adorable pictures that depicted her with a faux-angry face. It was just like when she was still alive, he couldn't disagree or go against anything that Angela told him.
"She was right," Christian mumbled to himself.
"Hmm, did you say something?"
"Nothing, just talking to myself."
"By the way, there's a favor that I…no we need."
Hearing Kaito's reply caused Christian to stare at the both of them with a slight smirk, they had shown a determined look on their faces.
"Alright, I think I have an idea of what it is," Christian responded, as he turned towards both Kaito and Mikoto who looked as if they were prepared for anything. "So, when do you want to start?"
After a while, inside of the KOC Club room, standing in front of the room was Percy currently dressed in the Kuoh Academy male uniform; aside from the usual white dress shirt with the black highlights that he had unbuttoned, he wore a white dress shirt that had pegasus wings knitted on it. There was one person missing from the club room was Yuuma who hadn't returned yet.
"This is my official introduction," Percy stated with a smirk on his face as he looked towards the other members of the club. "My name is Percy Mycenae. The current Four of Hearts, and a former Monster Hunter for the Greek Faction. I hope to get along with you guys."
"Nice to meet ya, Percy-chan," Serafall greeted him with a cheery smile. "With this, there is one more member added to Lance-chan's Brave Saints."
"It's surprising that you like an angel's brave saints."
"Percy-chan, I love both my So-tan's and Lance-chan's teams."
"I was under the impression based on the rumors that you didn't like…." Percy started off, but he stopped after seeing everyone else signaling him not to mention a certain blonde angel in front of this certain maou. "I mean, I didn't know that you could choose between them."
Hearing him caused Serafall to shake her head a number of times almost in a cartoonish fashion.
"I could never choose between my So-tan or Lance-chan, it would break my heart," Serafall had said with an undetermined look on her face before returning to her normal demeanor. "But~ why don't we get down to other business. It seems that our club's little business is booming."
"What do you mean," Yumi questioned.
"Since you're little venture into the Greek Faction, there have been a lot more supernatural jobs for a number of you guys more than they were before," Serafall answered.
It was not only their battle with the Greek Faction, but it was due to the impact that Lance made by leading a number of monster hunters into battle. This act caught the attention of a number of other people around different factions. Having a question on his mind, Percy held his hand out with a question on his mind.
"What are these requests?"
"Our mission requests are usually slaying different classes of monsters, hunting stray devils, for someone like Lance-kun it's removing curses from items or tutoring the children of High-Class Devil, and things like that," Yumi answered his question in calm description. "Depending on the job we get paid depending on the request or we receive some rare items. Though, during school times we get normal requests from students and are just paid regularly"
"That sounds good," Percy said with an interested tone. "So, where do we start―?"
OPEN! SLAM! LOCK!
In a combination of the door being thrown open, then slammed and locked, the one who walked in was Yuuma who had a cold unforgiving look on her face. Just walking into the room filled it with killing intent directed at only one person.
"Well, that seems like a yandere thing and a personal matter," Percy said with both hands raised in a defensive position and moved further away from Yuuma into a different corner of the room. "And so, don't mind me. I'm gonna be over here minding my own business."
"You slut," Yuuma looking directly at Xenovia.
"What?"
Xenovia questioned, but not for the obvious reason, it's just that she didn't know what the meant and it didn't take most inside of the room to realize why she went full Yandere about.
"It was planning on being my Lance-kun's first and I planned on being his first, but all of that changed by one bluenette," Yuuma had mumbled in a dark tone as she reached her hand out and summoned her Azure Dragon Spear. "Do you have any last request?"
"I don't know what this is about, but it sounds like you want to fight," Xenovia held her hand out with a smirk on her face causing a distortion in the dimension and began summoning her holy sword, Durandal. "Saint Peter. Saint Basil the Great. Saint Denis. Holy-Mother Mary. Please hear my voice. In the name of the saints who reside within this blade, I release it. Durandal! If you want a fight, then bring it!"
Xenovia pulled Durandal from its storage and pointed it in the direction of Yuuma who already pulled out her Azure Dragon Spear. From the pressure being released from their bodies, neither of them were thinking about holding back.
"Oh, not this again."
"Hahaha, just another day for our club," Serafall cheered.
"Sera-tan, this isn't a good thing!"
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!
"What was that?"
"Did it come from the Knights of Chivalry Club?"
A number of the students standing near the Knight of Chivalry Club thought they felt a tremor that had came from inside the club room, but they disregarded it as a feeling.
In another part of the Human World nowhere near Japan, Diodora Astaroth was resting inside of an abandoned building on the outskirts of a nearby town. This town wasn't near or inside of the territory of any devil in the Underworld. It was also free from stray devils who would use a town such as this as their resting place. This was something that he found out due to his own families' connections.
"Damn, Rias Gremory, her peerage," Diodora cursed as he threw away the used bandages that he used to fix his injuries though it kept the bleeding from getting worse. He even had to steal them as if he were the low-class devils that he mocked in the past. "Damn that brute, the Sekiryuutei, and that bastard Knight! I can't access any of my families' funds or the connections that I spent my time and effort in order to gain. Onii-sama probably has his servants and employees hunting for me. To live like this is just―"
"It sounds exactly like something reserved only for a mongrel," an unknown voice made it to his ears, but Diodora didn't recognize it, but it sounded like someone around his age. "Though, there are a couple of things that I find a bit annoying whenever it comes to devils. One of them being the fact that there are those who refer to themselves as Kings despite the fact that none of them have the slightest clue of what it means to be one."
"What did you call me," Diodora shouted out loud as he covered himself with an aura of demonic power. "I'm Diodora Astaroth of―"
"I know full well who you are," the unknown male continued on. "Diodora Astaroth, the failure younger brother of Ajuka Beelzebub. You had the audacity to taint the saints, women who held the faith of their people within their hearts only to be crushed by you. Then, you went as far as to borrow the strength of Ophis in a foolish attempt to claim the one saint who returned into this world as another…one who was never meant to belong to someone as idiotically foolish as you. That is what makes you a mongrel, no I think you're far worse than that."
Diodora was finally able to grasp the position of the person in the room and turned in order to face him. Standing at the entrance was an eighteen to nineteen-years-old male whose blond hair almost looked golden radiating a mysterious presence from his body; his hair was dressed in a matter that made it stand like a burning flame, with a single bang that hung in the middle of his forehead, his red eyes looked almost like blood and were in slits, he was dressed in a typical bad body attack that had a linked chain. And yet had the elegant face that looks to belong to that of a real king.
"Great a first a disgusting dragon, then a bastard knight," Diodora replied in disgust as he stared at the human in front of him.. "And now, a lowly human."
"I see, you're not a fan," the blonde-haired male question with shrugged shoulders, while both of his hands were inside his pocket. "Well, I'm really not a fan of those such as yourself. What am I doing? I didn't even introduce myself first…."
"I could care less about your…."
"I run a separate team from that of my colleague," the male ignored Diodora and he continued on with his introduction. "My name is Gilgamesh, I lead a group called the Uruk Team from the Hero Faction. I also act as another leader of the Hero Faction."
Hearing those words from him was like an omen for his death, Diodora stepped away from him with widened eyes. Holding both his hands out, he erected a barrier far more powerful than the one that he used against Issei, while in his Scale Mail armor. Since his defeat at the hands of the Gremory Team, he worked on recovering the demonic power that he lost.
"Ah, this is impressive. So, Ophis' snake was completely wasted on you."
"A Hero-Descendant?! Are you here to kill me? A loose end?"
"A loose end," Gilgamesh shook his head as if disagreeing with his response. "I came here of my own volition, but I still plan on killing you…for personal reasons. How exactly can I call myself a Hero if I let a devil who abused those once called saints."
"Humph, so you're an idiot fighting for the former saints I broke. I was about done with them, I was about to move onto both Asia and Jeanne, it would have been fun breaking the spirit of an angel," Diodora scoffed in a disgusting tone causing Gilgamesh to face him. "But, can you really do it? This barrier could even handle the brutish assaults from the Sekiryuutei in his armor. So, can a pathetic Hero-Descendant get through―"
"Oh, I forgot to correct you before," Gilgamesh stated as he pulled one of his hands out from his pocket and held it into the air. "You see, I'm not like the hero-descendants belonging to the Hero Faction or those who remained loyal to their homeland. I'm like Vali, my great-grandfather is the original Gilgamesh, the First Hero."
"Th-That means nothing you still can't―"
Break! Stab!
"Huh," Diodora looked down and noticed an intricate spear that appeared to have been masterly made by a master blacksmith not only pierced through his abdomen as if it were a piece of scrap paper but through his abdomen. "Th-That's not…?"
Diodora forward and noticed the series of golden ripples in the empty air, it looked almost like a pond after a pebble had been thrown into it. Such a brilliance of gold it was almost as if he were looking into Heaven, and for a devil that wasn't a good thing.
"I really wish that you wouldn't compare me to the Sekiryuutei, a red dragon who has just barely begun to spread his wings," Gilgamesh stated as he turned around and started to exit the building that Diodora has been using as a temporary base. "Though, that doesn't mean that he won't continue to grow in strength as time passes. Those wielding dragon-type sacred gears truly are an interesting bunch. He truly was an idiot in looking down on dragons."
Diodora started to cough up blood from his mouth as the wound started to burn. Was this a holy spear, but there wasn't a spear such as this in the records possessed by the Underworld. Diodora watched as Gilgamesh walked outside of the building, but the blond male stopped and raised his hand into the air.
Forming around the abandoned building were golden ripples measuring in the hundreds and it covered every point of exist. Inching out from within them were a multitude of different kinds of weaponry that appeared to be high quality and releasing a strong over that seemed abnormal and possessing different attributes. It was similar to the Sword Birth and Blade Blacksmith, no it was at a higher level.
"I-I can't…I don't want to…."
Snap! Dooooooooooon!
The sound that came from in between his fingers caused all the weapons to be fired from at the abandoned building. With the power of all weapons, the building was destroyed―no it was completely wiped out.
"Well, I finished him off. Didn't even need to waste many items," Gilgamesh said as he started to walk away from the building that he had just wiped off. He continued to walk forward until he stopped in his tracks. "I apologize if it took me a while to finish up."
"I really can't blame you," another male voice interrupted. "If you didn't kill, then I would have hunted him down. I can't believe someone such as Ajuka had such a bratty little brother. Just me hearing about what he did was enough to make my skin crawl."
Behind Gilgamesh, there were three other people who watched as the destroyed building was being wiped out. Due to the night their actual appearance obscured by the darkness of the night, the only thing that could have distinguished them were their bodies.
The first of them who spoke up before was a male a bit taller than Gilgamesh with pieces of armor placed on his body; the gender of the second individual could not be determined due to them being armored in a brilliantly silver knight armor; and the third was a male who had an athletic build clothed in light clothing.
"I have no reason to question the decision of our leader," the third male stated calmly. "You have never led any of us astray."
"You suck up," the second male stated with crossed arms annoyed by his answer. "What do you think Silver Knight?"
"…."
The person in silver armor remained silent, but they turned from the male with their arms crossed almost as if annoyed. All of them were apart of the independent team led by Gilgamesh―the Uruk Team. These people were all among the strongest of the Hero Faction together with Chaos Edge Sieg, Siegfried; the Greek Goliath Heracles; the Magician, Georg; with their leader said to be on par with the Strongest Human and primary leader, Cao Cao.
"So, guys," Gilgamesh said as he turned towards them with a smirk on his face and both of his hands in his pocket. "Do you think it's about time we returned to the Hero Faction?"
Hearing his question the second male shrugged his shoulder letting out a slight laugh.
"Why not, I think we've spent enough vacation days in this place?"
"…." the Silver Knight remained silent and only nodded their head in agreement.
"Where ever this team goes, I shall follow."
"Alright, then let's head back," Gilgamesh stated as he held his hand out forming a wider series of golden ripples to appear in front of them before he turned towards the building with a slight smirk on his face. "If there is anyone who shall claim the heart of that Saint, then it shall be me, the King of Hero."
A/N: And there goes the thirty-sixth chapter of The Magic Knight, first up is the fight between Christian vs. Creuserey with the obvious favorite being victorious with our Favorite Silver-Haired Magician noticing Asia's disappearance. It was the fight of Lancelot and the Juggernaut Drive influenced Issei and our favorite brown-haired knight didn't pull any punches. I wanted to do something different with the song that was played, but the theme song for [Oppai Dragon] will appear. Though, this also caused a memory to resurface for Vali.
It was the official appearance of Great Red and even Tiamat, then it was the start of the Sports Festival for Kuoh Academy where Jeanne finally kissed Lancelot. Along with a kiss between Asia and Issei that was off-screen…or off-page in this case. Christian had an interesting conversation with both Kaito and Mikoto about a "Favor", I wonder what this will entail in future chapters. It was also the appearance of Gilgamesh who soon killed out least favorite antagonist with more of his team members showing up with him.
PS: I received a character suggest from King Carlos for another member of his Brave Saints. And her name is Martha Strada, a descendant of Saint Martha, and obvious granddaughter of our favorite human exorcist, Vasco Strada. I just wanted to get your opinions. I was thinking of making her his Joker.
Not much to say any more about this chapter. So, until next time later.
Lancelot's Harem: Yumi, Jeanne, Irina, Xenovia, Le Fay, Sona, Serafall, Rossweisse, Valarie, Seekvaira, Kuroka, Yuuma, Griselda, Yasaka, Lavinia, Liu Bei, Tiamat.
Issei's Harem: Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Asia, Ravel, Tsubasa, Aika, Isabel, Katase, Murayama, Mira, Kunou, Elmenhilde, Bennia, Reya, Kiyome.
Lancelot's Brave Saints:
King: Lancelot Du Lac
Queen: Xenovia Quarto
Jack: Lint Sellzen
Ten: Chelia Ashker
Nine: Himari Kirigakure
Eight: Alex Grimm
Seven: Rossweisse
Six: Ariel Light
Five:
Four: Percy Mycenae
Three: Yukio Saito
Two: Jeanne d'Arc
Ace: Yumi Kiba
Joker: