A Problem Devil, Born

by SecretArtLotus

Ending the Tyranny of the Three-Headed Dragon by himself, thus saving the Underworld from total destruction, what happened to our Hero, Sakamaki Izayoi? Making a promise he once made to a family, will he keep it? A Gathering of Young Devils is approaching, what will unfold in the party? Will 'he' attend the Gathering? Marrying Rias, will he still be able protect her last?

60. Chapter 60:Reinforcements in Need!

Hello, ladies and gentlemen. This is your author in-training, SecretArtLotus! Anyway, I am here to bring you the newest addition of A Problem Devil, Born~.

It has been a long time since I started writing, so I hope you still find my writing satisfying…

Anyway, on to the story!

Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!

---

Chapter 60: Reinforcements in Need!

Opposite of Honmaru Garden

"—Balance Break!"

Both Kiba and Xenovia stood side by side with their weapons at ready. The duo spent a decent amount of time fighting against Siegfried and throughout the battle, they've been saving up their energy while trying to land decent amount of strikes to their enemy. However they were faced against their strongest enemy yet as a swordsman. Both of them knew they had to proceed cautiously during their battle since their enemy did not unleash Balance Break until now…

Kiba glares at Siegfried's body which gave off a kind of pressure that was hard to describe even for himself…the thick pressure was also accompanied by murderous intent that was expanding! Then—

On Siegfried's back—out grew another three additional silver-scaled arms! The new arms drew out his three remaining swords—a six-sword style!

"The Demonic Swords; Tyrfing and Dainsleif. As well as a sword of light for Devils. Despite how I look, I used to fight for the Church you know." Siegfried said to Kiba and Xenovia before shifting his stance. "This is my Chaos Edge Asura Ravage. As the subspecies of Twice Critical, the Balance Breaker is also a subspecies. The power is simple—multiplying arms. A useful enough ability for one like me who only uses technique and demonic swords to fight. Let's see how well you two can keep up?"

At the proclamation, both Kiba and Xenovia looked at each other. They knew full well that they had to work together almost perfectly if they had any fighting chance to be of equal against their enemy. They also knew the stakes against evading the six armed swords wielded by the 'Chaos Edge' Sieg throughout the battle, was undeniably high. However, they had resolved their wills to battle with everything they have got in order to win. Because the two share one goal; rescue Kunou's mother!

Meeting glances, both Kiba and Xenovia nodded to each other before they immediately sought after Siegfried who raised his swords at ready.

Meanwhile the Knights busied themselves with Siegfried's Balance Breaker, Irina had begun an intense battle with the foreign lady called Jeanne, who carried the spirit of the Maiden of Orleans, Jeanne d'Arc.

"O Light! Ha!"

Irina spread her pure white wings and aimed several large spears of light at Jeanne from the sky. However, these attacks were effortlessly dodged by Jeanne.

"Not bad! Angel-chan's attacks are very direct, onee-san is very touched!" Jeanne swung her rapier and deflected Irina's attacks of light.

Frowning in slight frustration, Irina planned her next assault.

"Then, eat this!"

Irina flew down from the air and charged straight at Jeanne! Holding her sword of light high, she slashed down at Jeanne. However, Jeanne stood her ground, taking on the attack directly.

Clang!

The sound of metal colliding as the two were caught in a deadly battle! They were surprisingly evenly matched! Amidst their exchange of eye contact, Jeanne smiled confidently against Irina's serious one.

"—Holy sword!"

As Jeanne called out, a sword grew out from under her foot! Irina was surprised at the spectacle but managed to evade to the side. As Jeanne took the opportunity to thrust forward with her sword—Irina spread her feathered wings and retreated to the air. "Not bad at all! Yes. Looks like I underestimated you. That's my Angel-chan."

"D-Despite appearances, I am the Ace of Michael-sama, leader of the Angels! Do not underestimate me!" Irina proclaimed seriously brandishing her sword of light.

"Is that so, Michael? Got it, then just like Sig-kun, it's time for onee-san to show off." Jeanne fluttered her eyes once she finished. "Onee-san's ability is Blade Blacksmith, the holy sword version of that holy demonic sword wielder's Sacred Gear. Holy swords with all kinds of attributes can be created! At the current rate, it seems that my holy swords are not going to win. However, don't you believe in the existence of exceptions?" The lady smiled elegantly. "Balance Breaker?"

Crash!

From beneath the feet of the lady who smiled elegantly, a huge number of holy swords gathered together into a stack violently! With the large quantity of holy swords in display, the stacks of holy swords seemed to be forming a giant object! The stacks of holy swords gathered behind Jeanne—

—Thus, appearing behind her, was a massive dragon made up of an uncountable number of holy swords!

"What…?!" Irina thought. Her expressions mirrors that of surprise as she looked upon the being created with just holy swords.

"This child is my Balance Breaker. Stake Victim Dragon. Like Sig-kun, it's a subspecies."

Jeanne smiled, while Irina's expression was serious.

"...The holy maiden Jeanne d'Arc... This feels complicated to be fighting the one who inherited the spirit of the saint, but I will fight for Michael-sama and everyone! Peace is the most important! And I am not going to turn my back on rescuing Kunou-sama's mother despite I have come this far!"

Irina's expression turns grim as she slowly analyses her enemy, trying to find any leeway to strike. Just by looking down at the dragon made solely out of holy swords, she knew there was not much to go by with what she has.

"In other words, I have to find out by myself!" With caution in mind, Irina flies down towards the roaring dragon.

---

Honmaru Garden

Kaboom! Boom!

At the sound of numerous explosions, Rossweisse's battle of demolition against the giant Heracles was in full swing.

"What! He did not sustain any damage from being hit by magical attacks?! Preposterous!" Rossweisse exclaimed with genuine surprise. Shaking off the surprise to concentrate, she released a whole stream of magical attacks, but Heracles took them straight on with his body whilst laughing madly!

"Hahaha! Great! This magical attack tastes just right!" Heracles laughed as tiny wounds were visible on his body but he paid no clear sign to them and laughed without any care. Though the wounds were tiny, his entire body was covered with wounds from previous magical attacks at the beginning of their battle.

Boom!

Every time Heracles punched with his fist, an explosion was created!

With every punch Heracles initiated, Rossweisse nimbly dodged the punches causing Heracles' iron fist to miss. This time, Rossweisse dodges a punch which causes Heracles hitting a tree behind where she stood seconds ago. Instantly—as the explosion was heard, the tree turned into dust.

"My Sacred Gear is Variant Detonation, which makes my targets explode when I attack! I suppose I could continue like this, smashing your magic with my fists like a fireworks show. But seeing everyone else going Balance Breaker, I'll probably get nagged if I don't go with the flow! Sorry, I will enter Balance Breaker and defeat you right away! Heya~~! Balance Break!"

The giant gave off a loud roar, and his huge body began to give off light! The light gradually formed thick objects on the man's arms, legs and back!

As the light faded, the man—Heracles' entire body was covered with numerous protrusions! These protrusions were shaped something similarly like missiles.

"This is my Balance Breaker! Mighty Comet Detonation!"

Heracles took aim at Rossweisse who aware of his intentions, began taking evasive manoeuvres to distance herself. She took extra precaution whilst making the evasive manoeuvres, knowing she had to be extremely wary if the missiles could automatically follow her around if possible.

"At this rate, this place won't be safe...!" Rossweisse thought bitterly, knowing the events right after if she stayed. With a bitter expression, Rossweisse quickened her pace in the direction away from Honmaru Palace, far away from the others.

"Haha! What a great woman! Trying to draw my attention to avoid getting your companions caught in the explosion! Fine! I will get duped this once!"

Heracles happily laughed with excitement. Having left Honmaru Palace, Rossweisse turned around in mid air and conjured numerous magic circles as Heracles' missiles were prepared to fire, and he shot them all at once.

Having witnessed the battle between Heracles and Rossweisse, Issei aimed his left hand at Heracles and prepared to fire his Dragon Shot to shoot down as many missiles as possible. But just as he was about to shoot, Cao Cao swiftly appeared in front of his left hand.

"Hey, your opponent is me."

As the Dragon Shot shot, Cao Cao swiftly lifted his spear and deflects the brunette's arm upwards, causing the Dragon Shot firing upwards and disappeared into the sky.

At the same time, Heracles' numerous missiles flew towards Rossweisse.

Kaboom!

As the innumerable missiles struck the magic circles conjured by Rossweisse, a massive explosion was created in the air and the violent wind swept across the entire area!

As the explosion were halted, a silhouette appeared amidst the receding smoke and Rossweisse came out of the smoke. She landed on the ground in a stable manner while sporting with wounds. Despite the defence provided by the Rook and her defensive magic, she still suffered significant damage.

"Though I reduced the impact of those missiles, nevertheless I still suffered greatly...If I hadn't conjure as many magic circles as I am able with the time I have left, I'll suffer worse…" Rossweisse thought to herself. "It is a good thing I distanced myself from the others, at least." She nodded before wincing slightly from her wounds.

"Did this giant surpass Rossweisse-san in both offence and defence? Or did he have some kind of advantage in attacking and defending against magical attacks?" Issei thought before turning to Asia at his right.

"Asia, recover!" Immediately just as he gave the order, Asia instantly conjure her spell; in the form of green aura that was sent to Rossweisse's body.

Asia had fired her healing aura towards Rossweisse who in question smile in appreciation. The wounds which she sports seconds ago were beginning to close up as Asia nodded at her work.

"Thank goodness…" Asia cupped both her hands.

"Ha! Recovered! Well, that's alright with me!" Heracles said happily accepting Rossweisse's recovery.

Then the Huge Heracles began to run, charging in Rossweisse's direction!

"...Damn it. No matter who, all these bastards are going Balance Breaker, every one of them!" Issei thought with disdain. As if he read his thoughts, Cao Cao laughed joyfully.

"Isn't it great? This is a Balance Breaker free for all. Without a little inflation, how can humans compete with you supernatural existences?"

As Cao Cao spun his spear in his hands, Issei distanced himself slowly while focusing his gaze upon Cao Cao's form.

"…Aren't you going to Balance Break like the others?" Issei asked but Cao Cao shook his head.

"No need no need. We can win without going that far. However, today is my chance to really have a good look at the Red Dragon Emperor's power."

"...Looks like we are being looked down upon. However, it doesn't sound like a joke."

"Ah, I was just thinking about how to draw our power, and have a satisfying battle."

"This guy is just like Vali. The relaxed version of Vali. While the other guy uses force to measure my power, this one here is watching my every move with amusement."

Cao Cao raised an index finger.

"My companions came up with a theory on how to defeat you. The proposal was to attack you with a time accelerating Sacred Gear. The Balance Breaker timer will be shorted, and the armour will release prematurely. We already have such a Sacred Gear user, and is very effective against Sacred Gears with time limits like yours. Accelerating time in an instant, to waste the time limit. However, it has no offensive or other special abilities. Just time limit control. Still, targeting the time limit will be a decisive blow against you. —However, that is probably not enough to defeat you."

Issei adopted a perplexed expression at his statement as he couldn't discern Cao Cao's intention behind telling him all this.

"You have been trying to enter the depths of the Sacred Gear to understand it. For example, if you were to release Balance Breaker voluntarily and switch to using the normal ability of power doubling every ten seconds along with the accelerated time, what would happen...? You would become a horrifying existence that could multiply power in an instant. Of course, it is still unknown whether the time acceleration effect will affect the normal mode Sacred Gear if it was applied during Balance Breaker. But for someone like you who has reached the depths of the Sacred Gear, it was very possible."

"What on earth are you trying to say?" Issei finally asked out of his frustration.

Cao Cao shrugged. "What I'm saying is, rather than using these indirect manners, it's probably best to defeat you with direct attacks.—You have a great wariness of technique types, so I was thinking those types might not be able to handle you."

"—Yeah right, it was me who can't handle the likes of you. We just met and yet you've already analysed me so thoroughly." Issei thought with a slight frustrating look.

"But then, Hyoudou Issei, you have two decisive weaknesses —the dragon slayer as well as light. Dragon and Devil, possessing these two attributes can make you more deadly, but naturally at the same time, it increases your number of weaknesses. These weaknesses are very conspicuous to me. It makes me feel like wanting to prove to the world that a truly invincible being does not exist. Well, that's enough talking. —Let's begin."

Cao Cao raised his spear and pointed the sharp tip at Issei who knows that his battle was beginning.

"The first was promotion... Knight? Or Bishop to power up my magical abilities?" Issei thought to himself before shaking the thoughts away. "...No, better stop trying to train on a real battlefield. Let's go all out."

He nodded in certainty before calling out to Asia. "Asia! Promotion to Queen!"

"Yes!"

With Asia's approval, Issei promoted to Queen as power flowed into his body.

"Ever since last time, I have insisted on training all along! I have already reached the point where I could make use of the traits of the various pieces! Then let me show off the results of my training right here!" Issei said before spreading his dragon wings, ejecting magical power strongly from his back boosters.

"Go!"

Extending his fist, Issei decided to land a straight punch to Cao Cao after considering many plans but he chose the option since it would be the best for him.

As Issei accelerated strongly forward, Cao Cao spun his spear dexterously, and lightly dodged to the side just before Issei's fist struck.

"—! He can handle my charging! If so—" Issei changed trajectories with his boosters, and charged once again, in the direction that Cao Cao evaded. Gathering magical power in both hands, Issei tried predicting the instant Cao Cao will dodge as he was going to fire Dragon Shot straight without bluffing.

But before he shoot off the Dragon Shot to Cao Cao. The leader of Heroes Faction kicked Issei's right hand as he parried the left hand with a sweep of his spear! Once again, Dragon Shot flew off to nowhere!

"Bastard! Neutralising my attacks with the least possible movement!"

Clang!

Just as Issei was getting annoyed, there was something he felt at his abdomen— Lowering his gaze, he found Cao Cao's spear firmly embedded there—

"Argh…" Instantly, large amounts of fresh blood was rushing up from the brunette's abdomen and spewing out of his mouth. "—I, I lost!"

"—You're not weak, but your style of rushing in directly has too many openings." Cao Cao explained to him before slowly withdrew his spear from Issei's abdomen.

—In that instant, Issei felt his abdomen—no, his entire body, was engulfed by the intense pain. With the wound as the centre, his entire body began emitting smoke.

"...I-It really hurts... W-What was this... a feeling identical to holy swords... The smoking wound was also the same...!" Issei stated mentally trying to decipher what the cause of the side effects he was feeling. Then he realized. "O-Of course, it's the holy spear... So the pain and effects are..." He trailed off from finishing his sentence. "—Damn it, my consciousness is growing faint—"

"Issei-san!" A loud voice called out as green aura surrounded his entire body. The pain in the abdomen gradually subsided.

"Asia?" Issei glances at the blonde girl looking at him with teary eyes before nodding in appreciation at her direction. "Thanks…" He muttered before he jumps back a couple feet and kneels down. " I really was about to lose consciousness…" He then looks down at his wound, noting the wound was still open and smoking a bit. "Was it not enough?" He asked noting that the holy spear's damage seemed to exceed the effective long distance of Twilight Healing. Taking out the Phoenix Tears from his shirt pocket, Issei scattered them over the wound on his abdomen. With that, the wound finally closed. "Wow, as expected of Phoenix Tears."

"Did you know you almost died just now? Pierced by the holy spear, you were almost erased. Death is surprisingly simple, no?" Cao Cao laughed lightly.

"—Almost erased? The smoke all over my body, was my existence about to disappear at that moment?"

Realizing that, Issei shudders. "...T-That was really dangerous. If I died just like that, I couldn't face Asia ever again!"

Cao Cao tapped his shoulder with his spear as he looks over Issei.

"Remember this well. That was the holy spear just now. No matter how powerful you become, you can never overcome this attack. —Because you are a devil. Even if it's Vali, as long as he remains part devil, the holy spear's damage is absolute."

"Lesson learned. Better stay away from that spear..." Issei thought through gritted teeth. "Next, what should…"

Seeing the response of the Red Dragon Emperor, Cao Cao was taken aback.

"...Ah, you didn't get scared. I was thinking it would be fun to see you cowering in fear..."

"Ah? Of course I'm afraid! But I won't be scared off. I won't be able to face everyone if I don't give you a punch to the face. Being the Red Dragon Emperor is not easy!" Issei exclaimed.

"Ah hahahaha!"

Cao Cao suddenly laughed out loud.

"…What is this guy. His facial expressions have been changing rapidly."

"How nice, this. I can sort of understand why Vali likes you so much now. Interesting. Vali, you've finally found a good opponent."

Using his fingers to wipe away the tears from his laughter, Cao Cao opened the front of the spear, creating a blade of light!

"—Come."

Crackle.

The pressure from Cao Cao intensified.

Gritting his teeth, Issei extended his right hand, preparing to fire off the strongest Dragon Shot.

[ BoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoost! ]

Boom!

Issei fired a massive blast at Cao Cao!

"If this hits my body, it could get dangerous."

Cao Cao prepared to parry the attack with his spear—but Issei had already anticipated it. At the instant of firing, he activated the back boosters and jumped forward!

Aiming at the moment Cao Cao parried the Dragon Shot attack, Issei sent him a punch from the side!

Cao Cao raised his spear high, and with a giant swing, split the massive Dragon Shot in half!

[ BoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoost! ]

"I feel the power of your hidden potential!"

Cao Cao happily declared and swiftly turned his spear to parry my arm. But Issei made his right fist stopped in front of Cao Cao, making it a feint as Cao Cao's parry missed.

At that exact moment, Issei pushed his left fist to punch! At the same time transferring power to Ascalon in the gauntlet.

[ BoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoost! ]

"Transfer!"

Suddenly, Ascalon's blade appears from the gauntlet and Issei immediately jumped backwards! At the same time as Issei jumped, a pulse of aura was emitted from Ascalon!

Bang!

As Ascalon's aura flew towards Cao Cao, it seemed to have exceeded his expectations, he made no effort to evade. With a rough noise, Cao Cao's left arm was flying in the air. Ascalon's attack has severed his arm!

"The training with Kiba finally came to fruition!" Issei declared in his heart. "Yes, no matter how powerful the spear, nor numerous my own weaknesses, that guy also has his own weakness." He stated in certainty.

—The frail body of a human.

In terms of durability of the body, Issei had the clear advantage as a devil and dragon. Though Cao Cao and the Heroes Faction are much tougher than ordinary humans, they are surely more vulnerable than Vali and Loki.

"As expected. —I can win, if not, then I can still put up a fight." Issei declared in mind before he watched Cao Cao stabbed his spear into the ground and caught the falling left arm with his right. Expressionless, he held the left arm with his right armpit and took out something from his pocket. As Issei wondered, his gaze focused on a familiar looking bottle.

"—That's..."

Cao Cao opened the lid to the bottle, and poured the liquid over the wound, and connected his left arm to the spot. Smoke rose from the wound on the left arm —then everything was restored as if nothing had happened!

"That bottle... No mistake about it! ...Phoenix Tears!" Issei exclaimed in realization. "W-Why do you have something like that!" Issei questioned, and Cao Cao laughed.

"Obtaining these is quite easy as long we keep certain channels open in the Black Market, —all it takes is money. I'm sure the Phoenix family definitely does not want these to fall in our hands. How unfortunate that it did."

"...How could this happen...? As an important recovery tool for the devils, the tears were already extremely precious, but to have them fall into the hands of terrorists...!"

"Be calm, partner." Ddraig voiced out from his consciousness.

"Well, countless victims suffering painfully from his attacks could have been saved, if only they had the tears!"

"...Due to anger, your aura has increased. Letting your aura fluctuate due to emotion, did you know that it could bring destruction in certain circumstances? That was the reason you entered the Juggernaut state once, I heard." Cao Cao smiled at the brunette.

"None of your business! Bastard!" Issei yelled before he heard cracking sound.

Crack!

At this moment, the Scale Mail crumbled!

"...What, was this?"

"Just as you were jumping back, I happened to make a few strikes with the spear. Though there seems to be a delay, it looks like a few simple attacks can wreck the Red Dragon Emperor's armour." Cao Cao explained casually.

"...Looks like I was attacked without even noticing." The brunette thought bitterly. "Ddraig, I'm sorry, but I leave you with the repairs."

[ ...Understood. However, most likely due to the effects of the holy spear, restoring the armour will take time. Think you can hold out for that much longer? ]

"Really…" Issei grit his teeth in frustration. "How much does that spear counter me!"

"A very good attack. Strong. Looks like I may need to a bit cautious around your Sacred Gear, Red Dragon Emperor." Cao Cao commented at the brunette's successful attack of decapitating his arm.

Gritting his teeth at how happy Cao Cao looked, the brunette agonised over how to deal with Cao Cao's holy spear. But just as he agonises over the thought, Asia cries.

"Irina!"

"Ara? You guys are still going at it?"

Hearing the woman's voice, Issei glances over, seeing it was Jeanne however his eyes caught on the body in her arms...—Jeanne...she was carrying the bloody body of Irina in her arms.

"Well, it is the Red Dragon Emperor. Should put up a better fight than these guys."

This time however it was Siegfried's voice, Issei immediately glances over to him. His eyes displays the feelings of shock. The object of his shock was...Siegfried holding both the bodies of Kiba and Xenovia with his six arms, the two of them were all covered in blood as well.

"Hey, hey..." Issei muttered in disbelief.

"If only I got to fight the Red Dragon Emperor."

Huge Heracles threw down something in front of Asia, who looks down at the bloodied Rossweisse, her body dyed red with fresh blood.

"Rossweisse-sensei!" Asia cried out.

"...A-Asia…" Rossweisse breathed with ragged breaths.

"Rossweisse-sensei, hold on!" Tears shed from Asia's eyes before she wipes the tears and started to heal the bloodied Rossweisse.

"...E-Everyone... How can this be...? They've all met such fates...?" Issei muttered gazing at his bloodied comrades.

[ Roar! ]

Issei heard a roar and turned towards Vritra entangled by the fox's nine tails and roared out in pain! The battle between Vritra and the Nine-Tailed Fox had took most of the space in Honmaru Palace, leaving the Gremory group and the Hero Faction to occupy the space near the moat of Honmaru Garden.

"...Even Saji...!"

"Okaa-sama, please wake up! I am Kunou! Kunou is here! Okaa-sama!"

Kunou cried as she spoke to her mother but Yasaka didn't even look at her. Kunou stood close to Asia but she cannot wander her eyes from her mother who did not respond to her calling and was under the control of the Hero Faction. —All she wanted was for her mother to come back to her...

Cao Cao tapped his shoulder with the spear.

"Sorry Red Dragon Emperor. Looks like this is the end. Strong, you are all very strong. This is already exceptional amongst devils. But this level of power cannot win against us who hold the power of heroes in our hands. Also, for Devils, Fallen angels, Dragons and Youkai to be uniting as enemies of humans, isn't that too scary? Wouldn't humans feel threatened? Resisting is only natural. —It is only normal for humans to defeat Maou and dragons. This is the principle behind our actions, we of the Heroes Faction. Well, whether for me or the other members here, that is one of our goals. —Anyway, Georg, how's the magic circle?"

The mist user nodded in response to Cao Cao's question.

"Still a while, but will Great Red really come?"

"Even if it doesn't, we will get data on why it didn't come. We'll try other methods if that happens."

"Still, making this all work will mean a heavy price. Are you sure we are doing this at all costs?"

"Don't look at me, if possible, of course I want a good result." Cao Cao replied as Issei watches Jeanne, Siegfried and Heracles leaving his companions to the ground near Asia before starting talking with Cao Cao, forgetting about the opponents they had fought and were occupied with the matters of the experiment.

"Xenovia-san! Irina-san! Kiba-san! Please, wait! I will help all of you! —J-Just wait a moment! Please...don't die—on me!" Asia cried looking at her unconscious friends laid in front of her. Her tears flow incessantly as she continues to heal the conscious but weak Rossweisse by her side.

"—S-Sorry, Asia…" Rossweisse apologized genuinely, knowing how hard for her student to tend to her wounds while there were others who suffered the same if not more severe than her. "...Asia, you should heal the others...You don't have to tend to me so thoroughly. The others need your help more."

"But, Rossweisse-sensei! You're hurt pretty badly...I can't leave you—"

Asia tried to argue but was interrupted by Rossweisse.

"Not to worry, you are not the only one who is knowledgeable on healing arts…" Rossweisse weakly smile at Asia. "I am quite...proficient with healing myself. In the meantime, you should worry...about the others. They suffered worse if not more than mine...For why I am conscious right now rather than suffering unconsciousness like the rest—pertains to the fact that I had been bestowed the rank of Rook...I have to say, that I suffered the least amount of damage…"

"Rossweisse-sensei…"

"I will be alright…..If you like, you can keep a close eye on me while healing the others if you are so worried about me. Alright…?"

Looking at Rossweisse, Asia tearfully nodded.

"O-Okay!" She slowly stands up before turning towards Kunou standing near her. "Kunou-sama, will you stay with Rossweisse-sensei for a moment? It'll help calm my worries a bit if you can accompany her at least." Asia requested as Kunou stares at her before nodding her head in acknowledgement.

"A-All right."

"Thank you so much, Kunou-sama!" Asia tearfully smiled at her before she stands up and make haste towards the others, silently hoping that they were not injured fatally. She hoped anything but that.

Watching with a smile as Asia left to tend the injured, Rossweisse started her own effort to heal herself. It did not take any effort to position her hand where her wounds were, however she winces at the few wounds that are still opening and she silently thanked her student for recovering majority of the severe wounds. As she started to conjure a hand-sized magic circle which let out an healing aura engulfing her wound at the moment, she silently let out a relief sigh.

Sitting near Rossweisse, Kunou only watches on at the silver-haired healing. She had agreed to watch over her in Asia's stead and she will fulfilled the request as a way for her to help though little it may be. As Kunou watches, she spares a glance towards her mother. Frowning at the sight of her mother terrorizing the nearby area while hurting one of the students who volunteered to help her return her mother, Kunou could only watch in helplessly in the distance.

"...Otou-sama...Where are you…? Please, be here...Okaa-sama, she...—She needs your help the most…"

---

"—We will protect Kyoto with our lives." That was the promise made by the group as Issei repeated the sentence before tears were registered in his eyes.

"Azazel-sensei... I... couldn't do anything..." Issei muttered before glancing at Kiba lying unconscious on the ground whilst being treated by Asia.

"—Now that Buchou is not here, as substitute, our 'King' is you, Ise-kun."

"Xenovia-san! Irina-san!" Asia shouted arriving at their side before prepping to heal them while suppressing the need to cry at their bloodied form.

"…But I couldn't do anything.—...What was I doing... Why did I become such a pitiful sight... Even though i have restored Boosted Gear Scale Mail, Cao Cao and his group did not even glance at me—" Issei thought in slight frustration. "Though they felt we were strong, but they didn't think we were enough of a threat to reverse the current situation. To be viewed like that, even though we tried our best, it was too—Are we really that weak?!" Issei shakes his head as tears started flowing out within his helmet. "H-How can I call myself the Red Dragon Emperor? What Oppai Dragon, what a joke..." He stated under his breath. "Why was I so weak? Always so powerless at critical times like this.. Why was everything always out of reach by that little bit... No matter how hard I tried, there were still so many opponents I cannot catch up to...Was this my limit...? Why am I...?"

Issei knelt on the ground, knocking on the surface with hate and regret. He glances behind where his companions were being healed by Asia but at seeing the sight of fresh blood staining their bodies, he cannot bear to watch anymore and turns his gaze towards the ground.

"All of them had been downed by them, and my chances of defeating Cao Cao, let alone all of them...At this rate...Even just saving Kunou's mother, the chances were—zero."

---

Feeling her wounds were closing up, Rossweisse kept healing before turning her attention towards Kunou who sat near her. After Asia had gone off to tend towards the others, Kunou had situated herself to sit near her while observing silently at her healing herself. Smiling at Kunou, Rossweisse made eye contact with the daughter of Yasaka.

"—Thank you for accompanying me, Kunou-sama..." Rossweisse thanked as Kunou stares at her and smiles briefly.

"It is the least I can do, Rossweisse-san. But I apologise that I cannot be of any help to you regarding your injuries." Kunou frowned looking at the bloodied state of Rossweisse.

"...Not to worry, Kunou-sama. It is not your fault. —You are actually doing a favour by accompanying me. You are also helping ease Asia-san's worries. We really, cannot ask for more..." Rossweisse stated warmly before she watched few tears sliding down Kunou's cheeks. "What is the matter, Kunou-sama?" She asked in surprise.

"—I do not deserve this...—I-It is because of me...all of you had to suffer like this for my sake...and the only thing I can do is watch—it's not fair..."

Kunou vented in shame at herself.

"You cannot blame yourself, Kunou-sama. It is not right to place the blame on yourself."

"Why...?"

"Simply because you are not the one to be blamed...All of us volunteered to help find your mother and return her to you. We were prepared to face any danger especially if we had to risk our own lives...Because we know you had suffered enough on your own, Kunou-sama..." Rossweisse explained whilst keeping a smile throughout her explanation. "We—All of us wanted for you to be reunited with your mother most of all..."

"...Yes...We wanted to make it happen...We can't imagine how you must have felt without your mother..."

"—We all agreed to help you, Kunou-sama...We can't go back on our word...Besides, what will that make of us? We cannot sit idle when you're separated with your mother...That'd be a sinful act on my part if I turned a blind eye to those in need. Especially yours, Kunou-sama...Amen..."

"Xenovia-san...Irina-san..." Kunou looked over at the duo who stood back to back. Somehow they regained consciousness during the time when Rossweisse spoke to Kunou. Both Xenovia and Irina looked fatigued as their bodies were baked with dry blood and dirt. Their wounds were healed albeit mostly. The rips and tears on their uniforms remained visible, showcasing their flesh over a few parts of their bodies, that had been healed. Other than that, the exhaustion both of them shared; could be heard by their ragged breaths from time to time. They look worse for tear, however they look better compare to lying unconscious on the ground with fresh wounds. The pair of smiles evident on their faces were still in full display as they directed them towards Kunou.

Kunou's lips quiver as tears threaten to shed from her eyes. Just by looking at the duo and the genuine smiles they plastered, adding to the sentiment claims—Kunou smiled.

"...Thank you, all of you...!" Kunou exclaimed shedding a few tears whilst smiling.

"Kunou-sama..." Asia smiled at the scene in question before tearing her gaze towards the wounded Kiba. She kept the smile on her face as she upheld the look of determination whilst healing. "...Yes, we will return Kunou-sama's mother back to her…!" Asia look up to glance at the crouched form of Issei. He was kneeling on the ground, looking defeated. His gaze was focused onto his hands. "...Issei-san...Please, do not give up!" She shouted mentally before making eye contact with the brunette for a brief moment.

"I cannot give up right now! I don't want things to end here! I must continue to fight!" Issei said determinedly at seeing Asia nodding at him. A determined look on her face. "Yeah…If Asia's still helping the others, then I can still fight!" Issei tore his gaze from Asia and look forward determinedly.

"That's it, Issei-san!"

As soon as Issei faced forward, he tried to stand up however his rational mind came to invade his thought. "...But, there was no way to win..." Thinking about the truth, the brunette grew bitter…

[ Crying? ]

—Someone spoke from within his body.

"This voice belonged to—...Elsha-san?" Issei asked.

[ Yes, that's right. Why are you crying? ]

"...I, feel so regretful... Why am I so weak? ... This is clearly a critical moment, but I failed again..."

[ Yes, it is regrettable. But did you forget? The Fallen Angel Governor once mentioned —you are the embodiment of possibilities! Did you not recall?]

At this time, Azazel's words were awakened in his mind. The fragment of memory displayed, was just before the battle with Loki.

[—I believe in your possibilities. All the past Red Dragon Emperors were devoured by power until they died, no exceptions. Perhaps you may be the least talented Red Dragon Emperor. However, you reached Balance Breaker using female breasts and power will always flow through you if you use female breasts. I feel that someone like you can be described as the embodiment of possibilities]

"...Embodiment of possibilities…"

[Oppai Dragon! Oppai Dragon! Isn't it such a cool name? Has a dragon ever received such a unique title? Though your body and demonic power compares poorly with Vali and other past possessors, but from another perspective, you have your own unique method of using the Red Dragon Emperor's power to become strong. From now on, it will be fine as long as you work hard and persevere, as well as put in a little thought to discover key techniques.]

"Yes, that is what Sensei told me at the time…I can at least, use my unique way to apply Ddraig's power—Because I am the Oppai Dragon!"

[ Yes, now that's more like you. Current Red Dragon Emperor, Oppai Dragon. The possibility Belzard and I saw! Come, release it all now! Your possibility! ]

Suddenly, a bright light emitted from Issei's shirt pocket. Issei took it out to have a look, and it was the same red jewel from before, however it is giving off red light.

"T-This was…" Issei trailed off in realization before his eyes was blinded by an dazzling red light in front of him. He glimpse at the light that was not coming from jewel. His eyes widen at the familiar sight in front of him.

"What is going on…?" Cao Cao asked in thought, noticing the dazzling red light illuminating the whole area before he spotted a red magic circle instantly appearing in front of Issei. Before he could voice out the subject, Cao Cao had only a few seconds or so to notice, before he proceeded to jumps back and swings his right hand, deflecting the projectile aimed towards him. Wisps of deep red flames flew across the Hero Faction due to Cao Cao's deflection of the projectile.

"This blast of deep red colour…" Cao Cao thought before he looks up a second later. "Jeanne!"

"Balance Break!" The sound of Jeanne's voice was heard.

Instantaneously, the holy dragon formed by countless of holy swords came down in front of Cao Cao and the others. The dragon roars before it whip its tail in front of it, destroying the strike of lightning

The burst of yellow and white lightning struck down the dragon almost instantaneously after.

"What?" Jeanne spoke out loud as the holy dragon roared painfully. Tendrils of smoke rose up from every part of the holy dragon. Some of the holy swords had turned a shining red signifying the intensity of the heat generated by the attack. "Go forth—?!"

Jeanne was interrupted by the waves of white-bluish blast of flames hitting the holy dragon in an instance!

"What is going on…?!" She asked in retaliation before watching a big arc of orange flames appeared in her view and hits the holy dragon on its front legs, dislocating them. The holy dragon wobbled before it crashes down on its chest. Dust and smoke started covering the affected area as the Hero Faction stood at guard. "I don't know what is happening but I will not tolerate this…! Get up!" At her command, the holy dragon got up, the crooked holy blades on its front legs had repositioned themselves properly. By the time the dragon had regain its footing and could get up, the noise of rushing water attracted the Hero Faction.

Not a second too late, all of them could feel the wind pick up around them and immediately blows past them furiously.

The Hero Faction stood at each of their spots, unmoving. Nor did they initiate any retaliation towards the noise they heard. All of them survey the whole area around them while they stayed vigil for whatever was assaulting them at the moment. They were all clueless as to what was causing the variety of assaults on them, which gave the factor of disadvantage to them.

"Are they the cause of this?" Siegfried asked the others. "The Red Dragon Emperor and his comrades?"

"That's impossible! We wiped out all of them." Jeanne frowned deeply. "They cannot recover and launched an counterattack as soon as they are able. They don't have the energy to do so. All of us made sure of that."

"Yeah. I ain't lying that we trashed them real good after our fight." Heracles added grinning before glancing at the others. "It'll be awhile for them to get up to lay any surprise for us."

"If that is the case, then we are most likely dealing with someone else?" Siegfried spoke narrowing his eyes while he looks around the smoke covered area.

"...Yes. We are. If I have to guess, we are dealing against the main front of the Gremory." No sooner as Cao Cao spoke, all of them watch the widespread of smoke instantly dissipated—revealing multiple devastating gigantic tornadoes made entirely out of water!

"What…?" Jeanne looked surprised.

"So they have come…" Siegfried stated brandishing his blades.

"Georg." Cao Cao called just as one of the gigantic tornadoes impacted against the holy dragon. Instantly, countless of holy swords swept across the whole area! Cao Cao stood unmoving when one of the holy swords flew past him and nicked the right side of his cheek, causing blood to drip upon his cheek.

"Y-Yes!" Georg answered before waving his arms and begin the incantation. Instantly, a huge veil of mist created a barrier around the Hero Faction in time before the remaining tornadoes came in contact against the holy dragon and blew up!

"—That cannot be the end of them."

A certain Gremory claimed as she stood in front of her peerage. Her calculating eyes surveyed the damages of the area of Honmaru Palace. Particularly the area where the Hero Faction occupied moments ago.

"Of course, we are dealing with a new enemy, Rias-Buchou." Akeno spoke standing next to her with a serious tone. "I advised that it is best to not be careless…"

"As Akeno-dono states, we are encountering them for the first time. We cannot let ourselves be easily blinded by our overconfidence."

Sala gripped upon the hilt of her blade in its sheath strapped behind her waist.

Amidst their conversation, the Kyoto group looked on in shock at the seven individuals that greeted them. The sight of them put them speechless.

"...B-Buchou?! E-Everyone?!" Issei gawked. His eyes bulging out to signify his immense surprise. Though he is not the only one who is surprised to see them.

"All of you came…" Asia gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. Tears started appearing at the sides of her eyes at the sight of Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Gasper, Sala, Shirayuki-Hime and Pest standing before them.

"What…? Rias...and the others too…" Rossweisse spoke before sighing in relief.

"It would look like you need some assistance, Issei." Akeno smiles down Issei who looked up at him before he looks at Koneko standing next to Akeno.

"Are you alright, Issei-senpai?"

"Issei-senpai! Are you alright? Are you hurt?" Gasper cried out as Issei looks at him. The brunette looks at the entire group which consisted Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Gasper, Sala, Pest and Shirayuki-Hime. The other half of the ORC group had arrived!

"You guys…" Issei smiles in relief at their appearance. "No, I'm fine." He answered Gasper's question before looking at the newly arrived group. "But why are all of you here...? All of you should be in the Underworld right about now...right? Azazel-sensei told us you were busy over there...—Aren't you all supposed to be fighting against the riots in the Underworld?"

"We were, Issei. However, it has come to our attention that we might have to come here and lend a helping hand. After we finished our business over in the Underworld, of course." Akeno answered for his curiosity.

"Yes, but we finished the troublesome business over at the Underworld." Rias smiled as she answers as Issei flinches at the possible cause of how the 'business' was solved faster.

"Buchou and her mother along with Grayfia-san must be terrifying all together…" Issei sweat drop at the thought.

"Onii-sama thought you could use some help. It's a good thing too. It looks like you might need all the help you can get facing these enemies…" Rias frowned looking at the entirety of the Hero Faction. "Anyway, it is the King's duty to take care of her peerage, is it not? I apologise we were not able to arrive sooner." Rias stated before she looked at the bloodied state of Xenovia, Irina, Rossweisse and the unconscious Kiba, who was being healed by Asia. A deep frown curved on her face as deep red aura started to appear visible around her. Then the aura slowly dissipated when she took a breath.

"It looks like we might be facing against stronger foes than we expected, Rias-Buchou." Akeno informed her King.

"To hurt my precious peerage...—Yes, we are."

"Rias onee-chan!" Kunou shouted smiling widely at the appearance of the red head.

The red head in question looks over Kunou in surprise.

"Kunou? What are you doing here…?" Rias asked.

ROAR

Rias looked over at the Nine-Tailed Fox battling against Virtra. Her eyes stared at the Nine-Tailed Fox for a moment before Rias realizes. "...So you came along with them, Kunou…Even if its too dangerous for you...You still came, for your mother…" She trailed off under her breath before she smiles at Kunou. "Stay close to Rossweisse alright, Kunou?" She asked and Kunou nodded.

"Okay. Rias onee-chan, please save Okaa-sama!"

Rias nodded in response.

"I will try." She stated confidently before turning around to look over at the receding smoke covering the area. As the receding smoke cleared up, Rias's expression harden. "...—What is that mist?" She and the others look on at the Hero Faction standing amidst the rows of holy blades scattered all over the vicinity. However, the Hero Faction surprisingly did not suffer any kind of injuries that were apparent to their eyes. Other than that, a thin layer of mist could be visibly seen covering each and every one of the Hero Faction members. "From the looks of it, that mist is acting as a barrier around them which protected all of them through the water onslaught of Shirayuki-Hime's."

Shirayuki-Hime frowned deeply.

"...Unfortunately, I would've guess that this mist had nullified the whole impact of Shirayuki-Hime's assault." Akeno commented with a frown. "Who would've guess that they had such a powerful arsenal on their side? How do we proceed to solve this troubling problem?"

"How indeed…" Sala added. Her grip on her sword, tightening.

"I commend that they appear to wield powerful tools...But they are merely tools…" Pest trailed off. "The mere likes of their tools will not be able to compare to the Gift of mine!" She smirked menacingly before levitating into the air.

"Don't go overboard with this one or we'll get caught up in it too." Shirayuki-Hime advised glaring at Pest.

"Hmph. Whatever." Pest replied before looking at her targets. "You know, I haven't even satisfy myself enough from the previous battle...So I reckon that all of you will be good enough for my satisfaction. Let us hope that you will not drop dead so easily…" She spoke before raising her right arm sleeve, causing an overwhelming amount of blast fog to envelope the area across her.

"Georg." Cao Cao merely spoke his name before his vision was clouded by the thick veil of mist casted by Georg.

As the Gremory group saw the thick veil of mist casted over the Hero Faction, they witnessed Pest slowly flew towards them as her destination while black fog readily covers her trail.

"What is Pest-san doing?" Asia asked in concern for Pest's safety. "Is she planning to fight all of them…?" She voiced out for everyone to hear. "That's too dangerous for her—!"

"Rest assured, Asia-san."

At the reassuring voice, Asia looks over Sala standing in front of her. Her back facing her whilst she turned her head to face her with a small smile.

"Pest-san is aware of her actions."

"You don't have to worry so much, Asia. She wouldn't die so easily." Shirayuki-Hime commented as Asia looks at her standing next to Sala. "I hate to admit it, but she's stronger than she looks. That little brat…"

"What they say is true, Asia. For now, can you trust her judgement?" Rias looks at Asia with a smile.

"Buchou…" Asia murmured before looking at the back of Pest.

"Now that you mention it, a few of us have seen Pest-san fought against Izayoi-kun at one instance." Akeno spoke up, catching the attention of everyone around. "Just to name a few; Rias-Buchou, Xenovia, Shirayuki-Hime and I have seen Pest fought at the best of her capabilities throughout her battle against Izayoi-kun."

"Yes, it is true." Rias vouched with a nod. "Including Sona and Serafall. They were with us at that time. Although Sala and Asuka were the only ones who had seen the battle up close than either one of us."

At the end of her statement, everyone looks over Sala.

"How did we not know about this…?" Asia spoke out whilst healing Kiba who was kneeling at the moment. "Do you know about this, Kiba-san?"

"Unfortunately I do not." Kiba stifle a laugh before he stopped. "According to what Sala-senpai, Pest-san must have been quite a tough opponent to fight Izayoi-senpai. Other than that, I also wonder when was this fight taken place? The first time we all met Pest-san was in the midst of the Old Satan Faction invading Kuoh Academy."

Rias nodded at the recollection.

"Yes, but that is partially true. Some of us had already met Pest well before that invasion happened." Rias paused. "—After what we've seen of her capabilities in battle...I have no doubt that she has a truly unique power when I have first seen her will it. To wield the power to snuff out life by the will of her hand. As I am sure that all of you are well-aware of this fact." Rias crossed her arms, looking at everyone.

"I am well-aware." Irina answered nodding her head.

Both Asia and Issei nodded along at Irina's statement. The three of them fully known the ability demonstrated by Pest when she fought the group of Magicians under the rule of the Old Satan Faction amidst the invasion of Kuoh Academy and had killed an impressive number of them. The cause of their deaths was them breathing in the black fog spread by Pest.

"Yes, it's truly unbelievable that Pest-san has that unique but deadly ability. I first saw her demonstrate her ability at the time Khaos Brigade interrupted Rias's Rating Game against Diodora. After witnessing her capability in battle though...I am curious as to how powerful she really is." Rossweisse look up at Sala. "Sala-san, correct me if I do but Pest-san had battled against Izayoi-kun at one time, right? Her battle against Izayoi-kun...How did it end?"

Rossweisse's question caught the attention of the ones who were not aware of the battle of the two and turned their attention towards Sala. Their curiosity piqued as to hear how Pest had fare against battling the powerful blonde.

"Their battle must be t-terrifying!" Gasper tried to imagine before shaking his head in denial, shivering in fear. "I can't imagine it at all!"

"Both of them are not ordinary individuals, Gaspie. Izayoi-senpai is a human but possessed extraordinary psychic powers that no ordinary human have, while Pest-san is a Demon Lord. The battle between the two of them must have been extremely destructive." Koneko claimed. "I cannot imagine Pest-san winning. She must have lost." She said blankly, enlightening smiles over everyone.

"If you want to know, I will gladly tell you all." Sala smiled before pausing for a moment. She then spoke up about the occurred event. "...At that time, Izayoi had the upper hand on the offensive while Pest-san had to remain on the defensive. Sadly, it's a stalemate since the only way to kill a Demon Lord was to have the power to [Destroy a Star]. The term might be understandably complex for you all however the term is often used to depict the power wield by a Demon Lord. Without the ability, you either have a slim chance or you do not have at all." Sala paused to look over the facial expressions around her.

"To kill a Demon Lord, you'd must have the power to [Destroy a Star?]" Issei asked which everyone could heard.

"Yes. The difference between this world and Little Garden where I originated...The power scale of Little Garden compare to this world is by a large margin…"

Shirayuki-Hime nods in agreement.

"Anyway, lives were lost amidst the battle...Ones that we cannot help...Until, Pest-san decided to take the chance to kill everyone in the capital after she lost her subordinates at the time. That was when she unleashed her full capabilities, releasing a massive black fog capable of killing anyone who breathes in its gas over the entire capital. At the same time, with the help of Rias and the others," Sala sent appreciative glances towards Rias, Xenovia and Shirayuki-Hime. "They created an opening for Izayoi-kun to get Pest-san as far away as possible from the capital to minimise the damage...for what was to come. That was when Izayoi-kun unleashed his power...The power to [Destroy a Star]."

"...Was it the same one he used on the...—Three-Headed Dragon?" Xenovia stated for confirmation before glancing at everyone with an nervous expression, knowing that the subject was sensitive.

Rias briefly frown at the name mentioned, which was noticed by Akeno.

No sooner as she had spoken her thoughts, she was immediately greeted by the silent atmosphere around her. Frowning at the silence, regret washed over her for a moment before Xenovia was startled at the hand contact on her shoulder before looking over her shoulder at Irina who smiles at her.

"It...It's okay, Xenovia. You...wanted to make sure yourself, right?" Irina whispered with a comforting smile as Xenovia nods slowly. "I have to admit...I am a bit curious myself about that subject... But it's a bit...hard to voice it out myself, you know? So thank you."

Xenovia looked at her before nodding in acknowledgement.

"...It is true as to what Xenovia said, right?" Irina turned her question towards Sala. At the same time, everyone watched on.

"This Three-Headed Dragon...What is that…?" Kunou incidentally spoke out, which everyone heard. She never heard of the name spoken before and she had already studied the names from variety of Youkai clans. She concluded that the name did not belong of a Youkai and was entirely a different species. "It is of Dragon species...Is it really a Three-Headed Dragon…?"

"You shouldn't think too much about that, Kunou…It isn't good for you."

Kunou's thoughts were discontinued as she looks up upon the smiling Rias, who had taken upon herself to answer Kunou's curiosity as she moved to stand in front of her.

"Rias onee-chan…"

"Your Otou-sama had encountered many obstacles. Each one of them were not as easily to be handled. Your Otou-sama however pushes through all of them successfully. Behind all of his actions had costs; lives. —There were a few instances he had to use the power in him, to save those lives." Rias chose to simplify her words for Kunou to understand easily since she knew it was the right choice to do at the moment. She did not tell any lies regarding the matter and chose to spoke in general about it.

"...This Three-Headed Dragon must be powerful! So the Three-Headed Dragon was one of those obstacles he had to use the power to save lives? Otou-sama is super strong to beat it! He had to use his power to beat it! He really is a Hero!" Kunou smiled widely at her father's strength, knowing that Rias had once told her he had saved thousands of lives by himself which made her father, a Hero. She would never forget that moment in her entire life.

"...Yes, It was. Your Otou-sama is so strong and because of that, he is a Hero." Rias smiled warmly in reminiscent of Kunou's last words before cupping Kunou's cheeks with her hands. "Do you understand now, Kunou?"

Kunou nodded with a smile.

Meanwhile, everyone watches both Rias and Kunou with smiles on their faces. All of them were grateful that Rias had taken to talk to Kunou about the sensitive subject and divert her thoughts elsewhere, hiding the explicit truth behind the subject of the Three-Headed Dragon. They all knew that Kunou was far too young to be known the truth, and that it was better for her sake that she did not know. They do not know how she could take the news if she knew.

"...As Irina-san said, it is the truth. He used the same power on the Three-Headed Dragon... and on Pest who was also known as Black Percher at the time." Sala explained as both Irina and Xenovia nodded in understanding while everyone comprehended the statement fully.

"...Wait, if what Sala-san said is true...and since Pest-san is a Demon Lord...Doesn't that mean she…?!" Issei gawked in shock.

"Yes, she was killed on that day. A testament of how powerful a Demon Lord she was, and how devastating the power wielded by Izayoi-kun is."

"The reason she is alive and well now, is because she is bound by a contract to Izayoi-kun." Rias said to everyone who did not know of Pest's sudden revival. "For reasons unknown however Izayoi-kun holds a piece of an item that bounds her to him." She stated before smiling at Kunou and returned to her position next to Akeno.

"So then Pest-san appeared when Kuoh Academy was invaded…" Asia trailed. "She was revived?" At her question, Issei shivers.

"Yes."

"Anyway, as a result of his victory against the Demon Lord, he saved thousands of citizen lives of Salamandra." Sala smiles after she finishes. "After that, I was teleported to this world along with Leticia-dono."

"I remember now! That was when we met you, Sala-san! And Leticia-san, too!" Asia exclaimed in surprise.

"Y-Yeah, I remember!" Issei nodded in accordance.

"I am glad that you remember our first meeting." Sala smiled in appreciation before she looked forward, towards the area covered by black fog. "If I had to place how powerful Pest-san is, she would surely be placed 2nd under Izayoi. If Leticia regained her former strength as I've heard, she would outclass Pest-san. The three of them each has very specific set of skills in their own right and I respected their strengths in combat. But based on raw power alone in current terms, I really believe Izayoi-kun is the most promising to be placed 1st. That is my overall opinion."

"Believe it or not, she, alone, is the embodiment of 80 million evil spirits that were created during the Black Plague. So she wouldn't go down so easily if you asked me…The only one that would defeat her is otherwise Izayoi-sama. He is the only one." Shirayuki-Hime added as everyone except Sala looked surprised at the mind-boggling information. "

"8-80 million e-evil spirits…?" Issei gaped while Gasper hid behind Koneko. "—And Izayoi-senpai killed her?!" The brunette gaped in realization.

"Th-That's a lot of evil spirits…" Asia stuttered.

"Th-That's unbelievable!" Irina closed her mouth with a shudder and Xenovia watches on speechlessly.

"For her to be the embodiment of 80 million evil spirits created by the Black Plague…" Rias frowned, knowing the largely known event that went down in history. "She must have gone through the worst time of her entire life…"

"I can't imagine that many evil spirits reside within her…" Kunou thought in surprise, looking at the direction where Pest had disappeared into the mass of black fog.

---

As Cao Cao and the others wait it out for the assault to finish, they prepared themselves to fight regardless. All of them had taken their fighting stances, awaiting for any kind of assault they might be unprepared for.

"...Wh-What's going on?!" Georg asked with an urgent tone before he was pushed back instantly just as a thick black fog immediately envelopes the Hero Faction.

"Huh?! W-What's with this gas…?" Jeanne started asking as she breathes in the gas and appeared to wobble side to side weakly. Feeling light headed by the unknown effects of the gas, Jeanne knelt down on her knees and hastily covered her mouth along with her nose from breathing in the gas. "—Don't inhale the gas!"

"Wh-What is with this effect…?" Siegfried asked himself as he covered his nose with one of his six arms. His eyes narrowed at every direction however his vision started slowly to deteriorate due to the black fog sipping its way through his mouth and nose with every little opening. "My consciousness is fading by the second…" He muttered out.

"...And here I thought you wouldn't be easily drop dead...However that is wishful thinking on my part…"

Siegfried looks up, only to be bashed backwards by the invisible force of a condensed form of the black wind.

"Ugh! This...this black fog is interrupting my concentration immensely…" Siegfried thought before crashing into the ground.

"Sieg-kun!" Jeanne called at the sight of Siegfried lying in the crater to her right. She tried to stand up to help her fellow comrade but she only manages to fall back due to her inhaling the black mist swarming the area. "This girl...Just who is she?!" She asked gritting her teeth and supported her body with knees and hands. "

"You're very entertaining, little missy! You'd might be worthwhile to fight!" The loud eager yell was voiced out by Heracles as he appeared at the corner of Pest's vision.

"That might be it for you...But you're not even worth to be my equal….—You're only a human after all…What more can you do?" Pest smirked evilly but swipes her right hand upwards towards his direction.

"For a missy like yourself, you'd know how to taunt!" Heracles grinned. "Balance Break!" But before he could launch the missiles, he was swept backwards by the condensed form of the black wind. Just as he flew, he had gotten his eyes locked on her. "You can hit hard, little missy! But let's see how you fare with something like this!?" Heracles shouted loudly before missiles shout out through the air and flew towards Pest.

"Since you asked...Although you'd be pretty disappointed." Pest merely swipes her right hand upwards, blowing out black fog that lingered around herself just as the missiles made in contact!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Explosion after explosion was detonated at that moment and everyone watches on at the big clouds of smoke resulted by the explosions to cover the area.

"Did she defend herself against that attack? She'd appear to be putting up her defense so casually too…" Rossweisse spoke whilst kneeling.

"Because she isn't worried. She knows what to do." Shirayuki-Hime claimed.

After that, everyone watches on at the receding smoke and debris before they saw the silhouette of Pest. Soon after that, they saw her standing while enveloped by the black fog lingering around her form. She did not appear to sustain any injuries whatsoever.

"Incredible…" Asia commented in awe, followed by everyone who did not know of Pest's unique manipulative ability of her Gift.

"She excelled in both offense and defense, while having to alternate between one of the two if needed be. And to appear unscathed from the massive impact of those missiles…" Rossweisse explained in surprise. "It is unreal…"

"What a show off..." Shirayuki-Hime commented at the scene. Her eyes rolled playfully with a smile.

"Do not underestimate Pest. Appearing unscathed by that kind of attack is not surprising. She is after all, a Demon Lord." The Gremory group heard Sala's comment.

"—The little missy...survived?" Heracles questioned as he stands up. A wide grin split his face and his blood boils in excitement. "That's the first time anyone has ever came out of that unscratched. Now you're getting me excited, little missy!" He yelled, readying himself to attack. "This fog can't keep me on the ground forever!" He inhaled before exhaling his breath. Then he abruptly charges towards her. "This'll be an exciting battle for me!"

"You'd think you're tough? I've fought someone tougher than you though he's more annoying. Do you think you have what it takes?" Pest stated with a challenged smile as her eyes directed at the charging Heracles. "Hm?"

Suddenly, Pest swipes her right hand upwards, blowing out black fog that instantly deflected a spear aimed at her. She then had a few seconds to evade to the right as Heracles's huge fist barrelled right past her. It was only a second though that Heracles flew back instantaneously by a blow of black wind shooting out from Pest's left sleeve to his stomach.

"You'd think I didn't notice your trick?" Pest asked out of nowhere before looking up towards Cao Cao grasping his spear in the air above her, before falling directly towards her.

His spear poised to strike at her head.

A smirk grew on Pest's lips.

As Cao Cao fell right above Pest, he extended his spear to strike—was downright blocked by the black fog that served as a barrier for Pest.

Surprise was seen reflected upon Cao Cao's face at the notion of his failed strike to break upon the barrier, expecting a different outcome than this in his mind.

"Speechless are you? Did it not go according to your plan?"

Cao Cao frowned before he pushes his spear against the barrier and planted himself onto the ground across from Pest.

"Are you really going to stand there? Ignoring the likes of your suffering subordinates?" Pest asked raising an eyebrow at Cao Cao's odd behaviour.

Cao Cao merely glances around at his comrades who were all but lying on the ground. Either unconscious or worse…

"You're not wasting any of your breath to speak, do you? Sooner or later, you'll joined them. You know?"

Cao Cao did not speak and instead stares at her.

"—How about we play a game to determine your life and others? The terms are simple. Release your Balance Breaker and fight me like your life depended on it. I forgot, your life really is depending on it." Pest smirked evilly, raising her right hand provocatively. "Well, what's it going to be?"

Meanwhile, Cao Cao stood on his spot, unmoving. He did not initiate any attempt to attack or release his Balance Breaker and instead, he stared at Pest smirking at him.

Seconds passed before Cao Cao bends over his body, the effect of the black fog started affecting his nerves and body. Cao Cao planted his spear into the ground and supported his body by grasping tightly on his spear. However, he immediately kneels down and looks up at Pest. His eyes watching a frown forming on her face.

"By the end of the day, you're still a human. Though you've lasted the longest—that's your limit obviously. I'd thought I would be able to have fun at least, facing all of you. It seems I am mistaken. It's not a surprise though. It's hard to find any worthy opponents in this world except one." Pest explained before she turns around and walks away. "This is not my fight anyway…Why would I even bother with this?"

"...Who is she…?" Cao Cao thought as he saw Pest walking away. Seeing the back of his opponent, Cao Cao cannot even muster the energy to stand up and attempt an attack to caught her off guard. He had already reached his limit to hold his breath to limit his inhalation of the black fog when he attempted to break off the barrier around the girl with his True Longinus. He discovered the method after seeing his subordinates fell to the effects by inhaling the black fog without any knowledge whatsoever. Although after seeing all of his efforts were in vain, the bitter feeling sets in his mind as he knew there was no other way to defeat the girl. "The attack was sudden yet subtle…"

The Hero Faction had been caught off guard for once.

"Huh? Isn't that Pest-san?" Issei asked raising his finger to point at the lone figure of Pest slowly flew towards them. "Is it over for them?" He referred to the Hero Faction.

"The black fog surrounding the area is...dissipating?" Asia pointed out in confusion, much to the confusion of everyone. "Did something happened to Pest-san?" She questioned looking on in worry at the silent looking Pest.

"By that look on her face, she must be bored. She gave up on entertaining herself in the end." Shirayuki-Hime explained to everyone that felt confused at her explanation.

Everyone watches Pest nears them before Issei spoke up.

"Pest-san." He called before he sees her landed in front of him before walking passed him. "What?"

"It's your fight now, pervert. I'm already bored fighting them. I thought they could pose some challenge. For a bunch of humans, they're pathetic." She claimed before standing next to Shirayuki-Hime and sighs disappointedly. "Though they're just humans. What can I expect from them?"

"At least, you proved something."

"And that is?"

"You're still superior to them."

"Heh. What can you expect from a Demon Lord?" Pest's tone was that of arrogance at the compliment.

"Arrogance?" Shirayuki-Hime gestured, smiling with mirth at Pest's content look for being complimented.

"Buchou." Koneko called to the red head. Pointing her finger towards the direction of the Hero Faction group, she speaks up. "They're waking up."

"What?!" Gasper gaped. "H-How can they wake up?"

"Oh. I didn't use my full power at the time. So they might just be unconsciousness for the rest of the time and they're just waking up now when it was all over." Pest explained with a blank look. "Why?" He looks at everyone in slight confusion.

"...Ehhhhhh!?"

Issei gawked at Pest.

Meanwhile, everyone held smiles at the confused look of Pest.

"Wh-Why?" Issei asked.

"They're inferior to me, that's why. They can't withstand it and they don't have the strength to fight a Demon Lord. It'd be better if they faced someone at their level."

"Their level? But we're…" Issei tried to argue.

"You're all Devils. They're humans. What's the problem?" Pest quirked an eyebrow at the brunette. "In the least, you already beat them to age longer while they would already be dead by old age." She stated as Issei stared at her. "Humans have limited potential—except one." She glared the other way while everyone smiled at a certain blonde individual. "Anyway, you've already got the advantage, being Devils and all...All of you are simply underdeveloped. To overcome that undeveloped state, you'd just have to seek your own potential to develop yourself as Devils." Pest explained putting her right hand on her hips. "Don't act gullible that this is the end for you. If you still think along the same lines, you will not grow out from that immaturity."

"...That's a nice advice, Pest-san." Rias sent a smile at Pest. "All of us will surely remember that."

"...Whatever." Pest looks at the other way when everyone smiled at her. Her cheeks reddens.

"She spoke of the truth, partner."

"...Yeah. -This isn't over for us. Not yet anyway." Issei silently looks down at the glowing red jewel he brought out from his pocket. He had hid the red jewel when the unexpected arrival of Rias and the others came and he did not indulge himself to use the red jewel. While he had appreciate their arrival, he knew this was his battle to begin with. He also had to make up for the loss of his friends' defeat with his own battle that was left unfinished. "My battle isn't over yet...It's not finished!"As he grasp tightly at the red jewel—he heard his predecessor's voice.

[ You have decided then? It took you long enough...If you have decided —Raise the jewel to the sky, and summon loudly! ]

"S-Summon?" Just as Issei wondered, Elsha-san announced loudly.

[ That's right, go summon the breasts that belong only to you! ]

In that instant, the red jewel became even more brilliant, and gave off an intense light that illuminated the entire surroundings!

"Issei?" Rias asked in surprise, standing the closest to him along with Akeno as everyone looked on at the intense light coming from the brunette.

"What is happening to Issei-san?" Asia voiced out in worry, holding onto the weak Kiba.

"We're about to find out!" Shirayuki-Hime answered her concern, shielding her eyes as did everyone else.

"Where is this light coming from…?"

Cao Cao muttered at the light invading his vision as he recovers from the aftermath of the recent battle. He slowly stood up whilst holding onto his spear for support. Turning away from the light momentarily, he glances at the state of his subordinates. He watched as Siegfried and Heracles had already stood up while Jeanne was still kneeling on the ground, recovering.

"Though we are still recovering, we are battle ready."

Cao Cao turned his attention towards Georg walking up behind him.

"We need to be. We cannot afford to be careless right now, it seems." Cao Cao stated as he looks at the intense light, followed by Georg. "So you came, Rias Gremory."

"—I come, to assist my servants in need." Rias exclaimed with a confident smile.

"Rias Gremory and the rest of her peerage, I reckon?" Cao Cao quirked an eyebrow. "I did not think we would be greeting your presence as of late..." As he trailed off, everyone in the vicinity was interrupted by the bright emitted by the jewel.

Everyone looked at Issei, who looked on at the jewel in his right hand.

Amidst the bright light emitted by the jewel, something appeared. Those things gradually took on transparent human form which began by one and then two, they started multiplying.

"W-What is this..."

Issei asked himself, looking around at the strange spectacle.

"What is happening over here, Issei?" Rias asked her Pawn as she and everyone else looked over at the army of transparent human beings around them.

"Oppai..."

"O-Oppai."

"Ah oppai."

"Lots of oppai."

"Many many oppai..."

"Talk about creepy..." Shirayuki-Hime commented scrunching her face in disgust at the words repeated over and over again in harmony by the zombie-like transparent humans.

"Wh-What is this...These...are memories, right? These lingering memories began to repeat oppai over and over again...—Wait, hey hey hey! When did this become a perverted exhibition!?" Issei stresses himself with his own claim.

" " "Oppai! Oppai! Oppai! Oppai!" " "

"Not to mention uncomfortable." Percher added frowning at the way the zombie-like humans were repeating the words.

"What made them appeared...?" Sala questioned frowning deeply with an uncomfortable look.

As the huge number of figures all chanted "Oppai!" in a low voice, they slowly and casually shuffled their footsteps, and entered some kind of formation.

" " " "Oppai, oppai, oppai, oppai, oppai, oppai, oppai, oppai, oppai, oppai, oppai, oppai, oppai, oppai." " "

"Ara, ara. This is a strange event." Akeno asked watching strange spectacle around her.

"This is your doing, isn't it Issei-senpai?" Koneko asked blankly. "Pervert."

"I-It's not like i want this to happen! It just did!" Issei cried out comically.

"I'm really starting to doubt that you haven't grown out of your immaturity to evolve as a Devil yourself by showcasing this kind of display… I thought I wouldn't be any more surprise by the way you carry yourself as a person who lacks morals but you turned out to be an even more perverted than I had expected...If this doing was any less than a guarantee that you're literally a degenerate." This was voiced out by none other than Percher who stared at Issei with a disgusted look. "Go die, scum."

At the insult, Issei froze. Her words struck deep into his heart as he tried to hold back the tears threatening to fall from his eyes.

"Th-This isn't right...!" Issei thought. "Why am I taking the blame?"

"You deserved it after all." Shirayuki-Hime said mentally with a blank face.

"Looking at him, I feel sorry for Issei-san." Xenovia voiced out.

"R-Really?" Irina looked at her whilst smiling awkwardly. "You really shouldn't..."

"Poor Issei though I expect there are no words that could be said for this situation. Pest-san has really outdone herself with her comment." Akeno smiled as Issei slumped his shoulders. As for the others, they only looked on without voicing out any words on the matter of Issei's perverse action. The words spoken from Percher had said it all for them.

"P-Poor Issei-san..." Gasper muttered before Koneko shakes her head blankly.

"Don't be. He doesn't deserve sympathy."

"Am I really fated to be treated like this…? This must be some kind of misunderstanding...It's not like I want it to happen…" Issei muttered under his breath. The brunette sniffled before he glances around at the strange spectacle. He observed the lingering memories repeated the word "oppai" as they looked like they were about to perform some kind of ceremony, much to his confusion.

"...Oppai zombies?"

Cao Cao spoke softly as Issei heard him.

"—That's right! They looked just like zombies! ...Did people who got their chest fondled by the people, who had become molesters due to the jewel, get infected and turn into zombies?" Issei asked himself before his eyes caught a sight where the lingering memories started—arranging themselves in a circle, the oppai zombies melted into the ground. Next, light moves about within the circle to carve out symbols in the centre, forming a massive magic circle.

—The oppai zombies turned into a magic circle!

"They all formed a magic circle…?" Rias asked with a perplexed look as did the others as they watched on.

Completely puzzled at the series of shocking events, Issei had nothing to question them but he heard the voice of his predecessor ringing in his head.

[ Everything is ready —summon! ]

"W-What?" Issei stuttered out.

[ —the breasts that only belong to you! ]

"Breasts belonging to me... ?" Issei thought about it for a brief moment before the imagery of Asia appeared in his head. Though her body was still in its developing form, Issei find it attractive to him. Unfortunately, he did not often seen the blonde naked as previous encounters left him unfortunate to say the least. Mostly however, he did get the opportunity to say a glimpse of her chest on the night before he and the rest of the Second-Year left for Kyoto. On that night, Asia came before his room, using an excuse as she did not want to sleep alone on that particular night. Issei complied her request to accompany him and they slept together though relatively close. As morning came, Issei's been the one to woke up first and he had caught a sight that he did not want to forget; the sight of Asia sleeping next to him with two of the top buttons of her pajama loosely opened, revealing the white flesh of her left breast albeit a glimpse. Since then, he cannot get that memory of his mind whenever he looked at Asia from time to time throughout the school trip. It was fortunate for him to be able to mask his perverse expression and hid it from being seen by Asia whenever he thought back to that imagery.

[ Go, yell it out! Summon, breasts—! ]

Despite his predecessor's statement, Issei was hesitant to initiate the action.

"D-Do I really have to yell it out?"

Issei asked himself before pushing aside his hesitance briefly and instead bellowed out the strength within him—to call forth the breasts that are his!

"—Summon, breasts!"

Suddenly, a magic circle appeared itself in front of him. The words of 'Oppai' engraved on it as Issei watches on as a being was formed, taking the shape of...

"—Asia?"

Issei looked at Asia appearing before him. His face showed nothing more than genuine surprise at her appearance. The brunette looked over at where she previously occupied a spot, finding it empty before bringing his attention to the confused blonde sitting in front of him.

"Issei-san? What happened?" Asia questioned the brunette before looking at the others in question and then back at him.

"I...don't..."

With full seriousness, Elsha spoke to Issei.

[ Go ahead, poke! ]

"Uh...?"

[ Please poke her breast. ]

"P-Poke?"

[ That's right, poke. Just as usual. Poke it with a 'pochitsu' sound. ]

"With a 'pochitsu'!? That sound—No no, what will happen if I poke!?" Issei asked in astonishment and confusion.

Ignoring his astonishment, Elsha continued.

[ This is the final switch to opening your possibilities, in other words, Asia Argento's breasts! Though developing—this is the switch—the switch to open the doors of your potential! ]

"—No way. You're mad. Come on, this is beyond my imagination. Elsha-san, Asia's nipple cannot be the switch to my awakening!? How is this even possible?! And how do you know all of this?!"

[—No, this is the switch to your awakening. Please understand, I truly believe this after observing you closely all this time. You share a close yet strong bond with Asia Argento and as time passes, your 'passion' for her lit strongly! Please trust in your 'passion' for her to close the gap between the two of you, so you may unlocked your hidden potential—thus your awakening!]

"Too far! Those words have gone way too far! Eh, and what do you mean by 'passion'? I can't believe those outrageous words. Even if I don't want to believe them, but why do they sound so convincing!"

As Issei struggled pondering, Asia's body began giving off a golden light!

"Huh…?" Asia stated her confusion, looking at herself before Issei caught the spectacle that baffled him!

Asia's breasts were flashing with some sort holy light!

"Eisha-san, what is...that is..."

[Asia Argento's breasts have come into contact with your possibilities, and entered a new phase!]

"Next, next phase...?"

[ Hoho, those breasts have exceeded the limits, the frontiers of the Switch Nun—is entering the second phase!]

"Sorry, I don't understand. I really, really do not understand! What is the second phase, anyway?! What's the first phase then? All these sorts of incomprehensible things are making me cry!" Issei tried to suppress the tears as his mind were filled with puzzling and baffling thoughts about his so called 'Awakening'. It does not help that another part of his mind were also filled with perverse thoughts about the blonde in front of him. "—B-Breasts that only belong to me…? D-Does that mean…"

His nose started spurting blood.

[ Just touch it and you can change. You will realize a dramatic change. The power of the Evil Pieces within your body will be liberated with one touch. Press— ]

Switch—nipple—

Issei's nose started spurting more blood as Asia began to look worried for his condition.

"I-Issei-san? Are you alright? Your nose is b-bleeding…" Asia pointed out before she expressed surprise at the brunette's serious face looking at her.

"—Asia?"

"Y-Yes? Issei-san?"

"—May I poke your breasts?" At the serious expression on his face, Asia cannot help but be flustered by it which can be described by her redden face.

"L-Like before?" Asia asked blinking before she nods. She held a determined face whilst her cheeks retain their pinkish colour of a blush. "I get it, Issei-san. I-If this is my way of helping you, then help yourself..." Asia's blush deepen by her wrong choice of words at the end of her sentence before Issei leaned forward. At this, Asia slowly unbutton her shirt to expose the pink bra that she wore.

"Here it is...What...?" Issei blinked a few times before they focused on the pale light shining through the pink bra. Directly where each tip of the breasts were.

—The pink areolae and nipples were emitting a faint peachy glow.

"Areolae giving off pink light!? What kind of situation was this! W-Was this caused by the second phase!? Amazing! I am an idiot for trying to figure out these complicated things!" Issei smiled perversely as he nears Asia. "Now then, all I need to do is touch it for immense benefits!" He cheered in his mind, never expecting such a delicate chance to be bestowed upon him once again. The previous chance he had gotten was when he unlocked his Balance Breaker to fight against Koneko's elder sister. However he lamented that he did not appreciate the sight of Asia's breasts the first time long enough since he did not have the time...He almost choked up in tears before shaking his head to focus. He wanted no more than to remember this moment for the rest of his life.

Issei extended two fingers and poked forward, aiming at those shining nipples.

"...You know—thinking back on it, when reaching Balance Breaker, I also poked these breasts and awakened." He nodded sagely, making his own theory and speculation out of the blue. "It felt like I obtained something even greater, every single time I touched these breasts...This is truly bliss at its peak!"

The brunette cannot help but look in awe at the pair of breasts presented to him. He cannot begin to describe the harmonious feelings of admiration, awe and wonderment over the past scenarios involving his Balance Breaker evolution which was awakened by poking the tips of Asia's breasts. No matter how ludicrous the thought may have been, but by now he had developed a deep sense of reverence for the mounds of flesh in front of him than ever before!

"—Amazing, Asia's breasts are amazing. Wait, is her breasts supposed to be firm? Yet soft before? Has she undergo changes I never thought since last time? No matter what mind-boggling thoughts I have, everything can be solved using these developing breasts. Wait, it makes perfect sense! Why didn't I realize it sooner?! Since I am currently developing my own potential, Asia too, is currently developing. That must be why she is the key to my Awakening!"

Switch, Switch Nun! Will Asia truly evolve?

"—Perhaps she will really become a Perverted Nun—I mean, Switch Nun! Yes, that's it!" Drips of blood fell out of Issei's nose as he thought about a perverted Asia since she is a Switch Nun...For all he knew, Nuns were supposed to be truly innocent and kind—Though he suspected if those traits were to be switched, will Asia become the opposite of the traits? Making examplanery of her beckoning him to do naughty things to her? It was truly mind-boggling for one, Issei Hyoudou.

Shaking his head to focus on the current situation while putting those thoughts at the back of his mind, never to be forgotten until he seeks out the truth—Issei spoke to Ddraig.

"Are you ready, Ddraig?"

[ Ooooooh! Oooaaaaaaah! Oooooooh! ]

Ddraig began to sob loudly.

Issei awkwardly smiled in guilt.

"There was nothing left to do but cry...Sorry, I'm so sorry, partner! But I have to poke! Not poking is impossible! As always, I have a reason I must poke! —Here I come!"

Issei declared loudly as his nose bled while touching breasts.

Feeling that incomparably soft sensation from the breasts and the nipples with his fingers, him watching the fingers sink into the breast. All these sensations and feelings travelled all over his body, giving his brain the highest pleasure which he cannot compare to the previous time. However, he still seek out the undeniable pleasure from it.

"...Hoo...Issei-san…"

Asia's final exhalation made Issei looked at her before he was surprised at Asia's arms wrapping around him, which made his fingers sink ever so slowly into her breasts.

"Th-This is…?!"

"Issei-san~"

Ka!

Asia's breasts suddenly gave off a bright light! The light emanate between the two of them shine brightly that it almost covered them.

Asia could not help smile at the surprised Issei at this extraordinary development. Looking at Issei, Asia consciously leans her head up to level her lips close to Issei's.

"I am glad to be of help to you, Issei-san...I truly am…" Asia smiled before closing the gap between them and kisses the brunette who was surprised at the action. "—You can win, Issei-san...I believe in you…" She muttered under the kiss as Issei indulge in her lips for brief second before she pulls away.

Suddenly, Asia's breasts gave off light, and the whole space is illuminated with a pink glow!

"...Amazing…" Issei exclaimed in astonishment at the kiss whilst Asia blushes under his astonished gaze. While all of this was happening, Asia's breasts were still flashing with light!

—Beat.

Issei felt an intense beat from his heart.

"Eisha-san, what's happening? It's like my heart is about to explode!"

[ It's coming. Your potential is pounding away within you to be released! Finishing the ritual with a kiss from Asia Argento made it super effective! How unusual! ]

—Beat.

[ It's coming, go forth! ]

As Elsha-san raised her voice, red light overflowed from the jewels all over the armour…

"What is this...—warmth could be felt coming from within my body... like some kind of overflowing power... spurting out...!" Issei grit his teeth as he grips where his heart is. "This...It cannot be suppressed! Is this the power sleeping within the Sacred Gear? Is this Juggernaut?!" Issei immediately shakes at his head at the feeling trying to erupt within him. "—No, no, there's no feeling of terror. Rather, it was some kind of energy pulse I never felt before. But it has a certain feeling of nostalgia...What could this...—Ddraig, this is—!?

[ I feel it too, partner... How nostalgic. This is —my original aura. Unlike the power from Juggernaut, driven by extreme emotion, there is no curse or negative emotion. This feels like the time when I still had my material body, when all I cared was to simply fight the White One to determine the victor! ]

Issei smiled at Ddraig. Hearing that Ddraig's voice was full of happiness and joy.

"Though I didn't know what had happened to Ddraig, but the red aura was now bursting forth from my entire body, covering me and the entire surroundings—"

---

Meanwhile…

"How about this then?" A shock of light illuminate the surroundings of the streets before it disappears and the antimonsters that roamed the streets were gone.

"Michael…" Azazel grumbled the Seraphim's name before he raises his hands at the antimonsters left on the building roof around them. With a flick of his wrist, he summon a light spear before he throws it at one of the antimonster. But during the spear flew in mid-air, suddenly multiple spears appeared out from the spear and killed off the antimonsters on top of the roof.

"That is good, Azazel. But unfortunately, I may have won this game." Michael stated with a friendly smile as Azazel seethed.

"Beginner's luck." Azazel grumbled annoyingly before he sighs. "Anyway, where is the Annihilation Maker user?" He asked looking around, trying to sense the presence of Leonardo in the city of Kyoto.

"It would be significantly good to finish the multiplication of these antimonsters before it would go out of control. Unfortunately, there is no area that they're originating from, which puzzles me." Michael explained as Azazel thought deeply about the subject. But he was not given any time as countless antimonsters appears in his sight and Azazel sighed frustratingly.

"We have to hold them out until the offense team could—" Just before finishing his sentence, an intense energy presence made its appearance as both Azazel and Michael look towards where it is coming from.

"This—this has the same energy as Juggernaut Drive but it's different somehow…So, you've unlock your true potential then, Issei?" Azazel chucks a smile and few chuckles escaped his mouth while Michael stared curiously at him. "Good. Now I don't have to worry any longer..." Azazel turns to Michael before turning to the charging antimonsters. "What are you waiting for, Michael? This game is not over yet."

Looking at him, Michael nods with a smile before the two of them face the antimonsters.

---

Somewhere in Kyoto...

Strangled screeching sounds came out of a horde of antimonsters before they were blown to oblivion by a downward punch. The concrete road gave out and blown upwards under the defining force. Debris scattered everywhere. The exterior of the buildings around were either caved in, destroyed, or in rubles.

Looking up amidst the smoke rising, Izayoi catches glimpses of light before he disappeared completely on his spot. Less than a second later, the sound of an explosion sounded nearby accompanied by the dying noises of the vile creatures.

"And here I thought they've got nothing on them..." Izayoi commented standing upright, the remains of debris scattered around him. The bodies of those creatures that had been struck by him had all but dissipated into nothingness. "—Spitting out light beams as they did..." He stated with a small frown, appearing to not like the ability displayed by the antimonsters that could easily harm Devils alike. "It seems they've had the ability from the beginning. What is this...really..."

"They're a bunch of humans, Izayoi-kun. You shouldn't get bothered by them."

"Sadly, this is the first I've seen this before. My interest is really piqued by now...—but it bothers me...Surely you might...?" The blonde gives a small smile towards Kuroka who stood besides him.

"Who wouldn't? Whoever is producing these many fiends, we're fighting an army. No matter how many we destroyed, they kept on coming..."

"One after another...Though it surely serves as quite a warm-up." Izayoi put his left hand on top of his right shoulder before spinning his right arm around, hearing the joints pop. After a moment, he cracks his neck and let down his arms. "...Have you located him?"

"...He is near…He's hiding amongst these rows of building…".

"How near?" Izayoi glances around with narrowed eyes.

"...There!" Exclaiming out loud, Kuroka pointed out her hand to a certain building in the distance.

Following her direction, the blonde instantaneously disappears within Kuroka's sight.

---

Honmaru Palace

"After all, I'm just a pervert!"

Issei yelled out as soon as his consciousness returned to the real world.

"Issei-san?" Asia called out in front of him with a look of worry as Issei look at her and smile gratefully.

"Thank you, Asia. You really helped me out." Asia blushes at the honesty of his tone before she shyly smiles and nods.

"G-Go get them, Issei-san." Issei nodded and stands up, walked past Asia and the others before standing in front of them all.

"—My mind's about to collapse!" Issei thought whilst standing. Though he was grateful that he could say his appreciation towards Asia, he was greatly consumed by his mind which was about to burst. "—Let's go! Boosted Gear!" The brunette yelled out as red flashing light surrounding his body and began to give off a massive aura! "From the depths of my heart, from within my body, it flowed from the Sacred Gear…So this was Ddraig's original power...Combined with the negative emotions of that berserk state known as Juggernaut, it became that dangerous power. —But now is different. Those negative emotions could not be felt right now, and my consciousness is intact! I never felt anything like it before!"

"Ah yes. I finally remember. Why did I forget...? Yes, it was God. The original power of Albion and mine that God sealed—" Ddraig spoke, sounding like he noticed something.

"Let's talk about that later. First, let's beat these guys right here!" Issei stated as Ddraig replies.

"Right, let's show them this power of mine which hasn't been used for so long!"

[ Go! Red Dragon Emperor! Use our power! The possibilities of the Gremory servant, use it all! Even the love burning brightly from your beloved! ]

"Desire!"

"Diabolos!"

"Determination!"

"Dragon!"

"Disaster!"

"Desecration!"

"Discharge!"

Many voices sounded out from the jewel, which began to repeat the sound of D as if it was broken.

"…Amazing." Issei thought about the new flood power within him. "—Possibilities. All of them—Mine. Ddraig's. From now on, our possibilities—!" Issei then yelled out loudly. "Mode change! Welsh Blaster Bishop!"

As Issei steadied his footsteps, red aura gathered around his shoulders and back. A backpack immediately formed on his back, whereas on his shoulders two massive caliber cannons were formed. Issei gazes up at the Hero Faction—particularly Cao Cao whilst the Red Dragon Emperor's power began to concentrate in the barrels of the cannons.

"...That is very dangerous..."

Cao Cao muttered under his breath. He frowned at the concentration of power within the cannons, knowing it gave him a disturbing feeling at present.

"…I won't forget, Cao Cao...Those you hurt...Kiba, Xenovia, Irina, Rossweisse-san, Saji…My most important comrades. To hurt them like this! —And then to ignore us! That regret! That impotence I felt! Let me fire all those emotions back at you!" Issei spoke loudly, feeling immense determination as he knew he would back up his words within just moments away.

[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!]

"Disappear! Dragon Blaster!" Issei shouted for all to hear.

BOOOM!

The shoulder cannons fired—! Simultaneously, releasing an extremely massive blast!

"Ah! The impact!" Issei grit his teeth as he tried maintaining his footing however he could not stop the impact from the recoil and his body was sent backwards. "Come on…" Issei said mentally, using all his strength to stop himself from flying away. "I can't lose control now! Not now!" He shouted within his mind as the sole of his feet dug into the ground while the extreme massive blast was released, the high output energy was fired into the midst of the Heroes Faction!

"Interesting! I will take this shot, legendary dragon!" Heracles grinned, stepping up in front as he declared, trying to take on the attack directly.

"Don't take it! Evade!" Cao Cao yelled and used the base of his spear to hit Heracles away from the line of fire. Hearing his command, the other members swiftly retreated to another area, avoiding the attack. Glancing at the massive blast directed towards them, Cao Cao followed after his members. Just as he left, the cannot blast continued flying onward far away from where he stood, passing right above the west inner moat.

KABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

A large explosion shook the entire space while the city in the background was engulfed by the gigantic aura! But it did not stop there and the energy continued to spread, surrounding the entire city with intense light!

"Kunou-sama, stay behind me." Still recovering, Rossweisse stood up and shielded Kunou from the intense light with her body.

Meanwhile the ORC group shielded their eyes as they all were engulfed by the light. Lastly, Asia looked at Issei's back before her vision was obscured by the light.

Somewhere in the city, Azazel and Michael who had killed a group of antimonsters were abruptly interrupted by the sudden light engulfing them for a moment. The duo shielded their eyes regardless against the light before the light faded after a moment, regaining their visions once again.

The two of them looked at each other before they directed their sights towards the ORC group at Nijou Castle. They silently gazes at the direction of Nijou Castle.

"That must be you, eh, Issei? You've awakened to your potential yet again and this must be the result of it. I must say, you outdone yourself…" Azazel smiled at the thought of the brunette. "—Yet, this must be a big step from achieving your full potential. I can only wonder what will you become aside of becoming a Harem King in your dreams…" He let out a bark of laughter in mirth at the statement while Michael looked on in confusion at him laughing.

Meanwhile, Serafall and her own forces were startled by the illuminating light before it faded after a moment. A moment of confusion was shared amongst them at the powerful and deep concentration of energy that they felt just before the light enveloped them. However, they did not question it any further after they looked across at Serafall who had assured them nonetheless that it was not a threat. More so it was from one of their own who was stationed at Nijou Castle. Immediately, everyone concluded that the apparent power displayed earlier was of the Red Dragon Emperor after few discussions amongst themselves.

"That must have been Rias-chan's pawn…" Serafall smiles at the direction of Nijou Castle. "Even without your presence, he is growing. You have a good pawn, Rias-chan." She commented nodding in acknowledgement.

"Was that one of us…?"

Asuka murmured looking up at the distorted space around her that lasted for a second before it returns to normal. She turned her attention towards the supposed location of Nijou Castle whilst thinking mindfully of the culprit.

"Or was it one of them?"

After that, Asuka turned her attention back towards the antimonsters who were still rushing towards her from the streets and corners of the buildings in front of her. Despite their large numbers, she did not hesitate to relay her command to Deen who destroyed roughly a good number with one of its fists. After Deen's assault, Asuka watched the group of Angels who is accompanying her to obliterate the majority of the antimonsters with a variant of light attacks.

Just as the group of antimonsters was obliterated, Asuka cast a quick glance towards the direction of Nijou Castle again. She was still curious over the culprit who disrupted the space briefly before banishing the thought, wanting no more than the knowledge that her friends were alright in spite of what had happened.

"At this point, I don't have the time to think about all of that...However, I hope that whoever did that its one of our own. We can't stop now—It's now or never."

---

"The source of power came from Nijou Castle…" Kuroka thought looking up as she stood on top of a octagonal magic emblem above in the air. "What is happening over there…? Anyhow, the source of power came from the Red Dragon Emperor however it is different in a sense right now than before...Did he somehow gained a powerup by touching his beloved?" Kuroka wondered in innocent curiosity before she cuts her thoughts and shift her attention towards her lover destroying a group of antimonsters in the distance before disappearing to strike at another. A couple of seconds go by before the blonde reappears below her magic emblem.

"Is that all you got? And here I was kind of excited to finally meet someone that can hold back the entire forces of Devil, Fallen Angels and Angels trinity. —But I am disappointed. Here I thought you'd be tougher than you look—though I doubt my expectation to see you're nothing than just a kid. One of the main members of the so-called Hero Faction, am I right?" Izayoi grinned at Leonardo who stood a distance across him. The streets were empty albeit the slow breeze blowing.

Leonardo stared at him, a frown marred on his small face as he did not make any attempts to answer his question.

"You…" Leonardo spoke up. "You are the person we talked about often…" He had heard of the feats and accomplishments of the human in front of him from Georg. [The accomplishments where no other human could ever hope to achieve]. That was what Cao Cao had praised about him.

"We…?" Izayoi quirked an eyebrow at the wording before he realizes the party whom he talked about. "So the whole of your organization tends to talk about me, huh? Isn't that something? Is this something common that a group of humans wielding Sacred Gears tend to talk about?" He smiled wryly at Leonardo who looked at him expressionless. "But I'm truly flattered to be the talk of your group—though I couldn't care any less. You did something quite unforgivable to someone. I don't think I need to explain in words of what is going to happen to all of you when—I'm through with you." The blonde nonchalantly smiles at Leonardo who frowned at the nonchalant expression of his whilst his words only gave a brief yet vague indication of what was to come to them.

An ominous vague indication which somehow made Leonardo feel—inferior to one human such as Sakamaki Izayoi.

The blonde then glances at Nijou Castle, where he had sensed the intensity of power at the vicinity. "Judging by that exposure of light and signs of ripples which shook the entire dimension...—You'd must be getting pretty busy, Issei. But if he stepped up, I don't think we have much time on our hands." He theorized—

ROAR!

"Yasaka-sama…" Kuroka thought frowning whilst looking up at the direction where the sound came from.

A disturbing frown formed on Izayoi's face.

"She's getting really agitated." Izayoi stated mentally. "Since Ojou-sama's not joining in on the frey, the one fighting her are either one of them…Saji?" He thought, sensing the differences between the presences of Issei and Saji's. However he could sensed that Saji was the one fighting Yasaka in her Nine-Tailed Fox form by his presence standing closely to her. "—Sooner or later, he won't last. I'd better get Ojou-sama when it's time. The others might not predict that they would used her so the option of letting Ojou-sama joining the front was not plausible hence why she's stationed with Serafall." He theorized on the strange appearance of Asuka fighting on the sidelines rather than on the front in Nijou Castle.

"You will not intervene us…" Leonardo stated based on his observation that the blonde stare at the direction of Nijou Castle.

"Why is that? Care to spill out the details?" Izayoi asked but he did not get any answers from the silent Leonardo.

"I will not let anyone pursue towards Nijou Castle…"

"By what I know so far, you're doing something that involves using the Nine-Tailed Fox. Though I wonder what...—Especially since you're using the power of the Nine-Tailed Fox, there's not many ways to go by using that kind of power as far as I know. Surely you'll be able to tell us a bit of details regarding that right?" Izayoi smiled at Leonardo who stared at him for a moment.

"...Cao Cao wanted your allegiance…"

"Is this a sick joke? If it is, I'm not laughing." Kuroka frowned angrily at the statement. "Why would they need Izayoi-kun for anyway, nya? Does that annoying human think he can get everything he wants? What an spoiled human." Kuroka frowned disgustingly as she raises her energy at will in agitation, conjuring an octagonal magic emblem behind her.

"Kuroka."

At the sound of her name, Kuroka looks at Izayoi below. She spotted him turning his head halfway to give her a smile. At the sight, Kuroka looks at him for a moment before she calmed down by exhaling air, lowering her rising energy and dismissing the octagonal magic emblem. Looking at Izayoi's eyes, Kuroka nods her head slightly as an indication of her suppressed state.

Having calmed Kuroka down, Izayoi turns his sights to Leonardo. "Did he…?" Raising an eyebrow in curiosity, Izayoi stared at Leonardo.

"...You're a human, like us…"

"—So it is appropriate to say that we, humans should side together against the supernatural? —If I side with you, will you tell me the reason behind all of this?" The blonde questioned while Kuroka stood looking at where the conversation was going. She knew what her lover was doing. She also wanted to know the reason behind the Hero Faction's capture of Yasaka in the events that led up to this moment.

Leonardo slowly nods at the blonde's question.

Smiling at the responde of Leonardo, Izayoi spoke.

"...I'm impressed that you'd be gallant enough to ask me that, kid. If it was anyone else, especially that leader of yours...—I wouldn't be standing here though. But that kind of decision…it's quite difficult given our situation…... —Since you're not the talkative type, I'm not sure I'd be getting any answers from you anytime soon. It's better to talk face-to face with your leader about that, right? There are other ways but that's the simplest one I got. Do you get what I'm saying?"

"If that is your answer, then—You will not pass…" Leonardo poses his right hand in front of him as his shadow enlarges around him slowly.

"We won't know until we find out, eh? It'll be something to see you, humans, matching up to my expectations. Though I highly doubt as much. You're no different than any other humans to me. So I hope you know what you're getting yourself into, kid."

Instantly, countless of antimonsters were produced by Leonardo's shadow before they charge towards Izayoi who only smirk as they get closer...

---

Meanwhile in Nijou Castle…

"Are you alright, Kunou-sama?" Rossweisse asked looking down at Kunou.

"Yes, I am alright. But what about you, Rossweisse-san? You're still recovering…" Kunou pointed out with a small frown.

Smiling at her concern, Rossweisse shakes her head.

"I recovered enough to stand up so you do not have to worry. I can manage to heal by standing now."

Kunou nods at her before she sneaks a glance behind Rossweisse just as the light fades and she undoubtedly froze on the spot.

"Kunou-sama?" Noticing her apparent state, Rossweisse slowly turns her gaze around and her eyes widen upon the shocking sight before them. —Other than the two, the rest of the ORC group looked upon the same sight with disbelief!

"—Ain't this a sight to behold?" Pest smiles in response, adorning an impressed look.

Accordant to everyone's reactions as the bright light faded—nothing was left! The cannon blast eliminated the entire scenery, and even the game field was affected and the artificial dimension began showing signs of distortion, much to Hero Faction's surprise.

"Hey! He destroyed the whole city! If he keeps firing, this dimension won't last!" Heracles finally understood the power of Issei's cannons as he cried out in genuine surprise.

"Distorting the simulated dimension, yet this place was constructed to be sturdy... What kind of firepower was that?" Siegfried stopped smiling and narrowed his eyes, realizing the power behind the Red Dragon Emperor's cannon blast was anything but dangerous.

"Hehe, let me take my revenge. However, this has not ended!" Issei said in mind before he looks at Cao Cao and shouted loudly. "Cao Cao!" Issei immediately released the cannons on his back which dissipated into particles of light. After that, Issei adjusted the Evil Piece system within his body. "Yes, I need speed this time! Unsurpassed speed! Let me imagine myself as Kiba! Visualize the Knight!" He spoke in mind before he yelled out. "Mode Change! Welsh Sonic Boost Knight!"

Spreading his dragon wings, Issei flew towards Cao Cao! The power behind the boosters on his back doubled, and spewed out great flames of magical power as Issei streaked across the sky faster than before.

"Not fast enough! I needed speed faster than he can follow!" Issei thought to himself before he tried something. "—Armour release!" As Issei yelled, various parts of his Boosted Gear Scale Mail were shed off. The heavy armour of the body, arms, legs and helmet were casted off, while he kept the minimum armour to fly. In exchange of abandoning all excess baggage of the Scale Mail, the Boosted Gear Scale Mail shaped itself into a set of delicate full body armour which was a slender form for high speed and different from its previous armour set.

Issei flew through the air with faster speed whilst enduring the new vomiting feeling from the heavy G-forces, "—This must be the world seen by Kiba and Vali. Even Izayoi-senpai—at some point." Issei thought about the speed he was travelling can be compared to Kiba or Vali's. However it cannot be compared to his blonde senior who he knew is far more faster than him, Kiba and Vali in total. He is rather thankful however to be given the new experience and power. He knew he lacked more than he should have expected for a Red Dragon Emperor but he will make it up with his newfounded power—which came to fruition by Asia alone. Somehow he find that very reassuring.

Grinding his teeth together, a glint of determination shone in his eyes as he flew straight towards Cao Cao! "...Honestly, my body still hasn't adapted to such speed...—However, I can still continue! If all I need is to charge into you, that is absolutely not a problem!"

[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!]

"—Very fast!"

Cao Cao commented before he entered a stance with his spear, and readied an attack to counter!

"Yes! This is my type of attack! Straight and to the point, that always suited me the best from the very start!" Issei smiled at the action before he —instantly crashed towards Cao Cao!

"Damn!" Cao Cao vomited blood slightly. Issei grabbed Cao Cao at his waist and continued flying.

"—Finally caught you. No objections now?" As Issei spoke, Cao Cao laughed happily.

"—Who would have thought, you really charged straight from the front! But then, can that thin armour resist my spear!? Sorry but I just raised its power, let's end this!"

"There's no doubt I'd get killed with one blow if I get struck by that spear with my current armour...But I won't make that mistake twice in a row! First, I've used the Bishop piece in exchange for superb firepower. Second, I've used the Knight piece for immense speed. Now, the thing I need now is having immense strength and defense! Right, the thing I need now is Rook!" Issei said mentally in response of Cao Cao's statement. With that in thought, Issei adjusted the Evil Piece system within him once again.

"Mode Change! Welsh Dragonic Rook!" The brunette yelled out.

Just as he finished his statement, red aura gathered around Issei, restoring the lost armour which were abandoned. However, the aura did not stop with regenerating the original form, it went beyond to create even thicker armour. One suited for heavy damage and acted as a heavy shield at the same time. While red aura formed thicker armour, massive amounts of dragon aura concentrated on Issei's arms. The result was the overwhelming bulky yet thick gauntlets appearing over Issei's arms.

Witnessing the scene, Issei commented in surprise. "Th—this must be double—no, five or six times thicker than the usual gauntlet!" Whilst in thought, he and Cao Cao continued flying through the air from the momentum. But then, Cao Cao aimed his spear and the blade of light approached Issei. But when the brunette used the thick gauntlet on his right hand as a shield to receive the spear's attack, the holy spear struck the gauntlet but it was stopped halfway and did not penetrate the gauntlet completely. Pierce!

Seeing the shocking spectacle, Cao Cao cannot help but smile in exclamation.

"—So I'll need to increase the output to destroy this armour? I never thought you'd amount to this, Red Dragon Emperor! The power you're displaying is enough to evaporate even the Upper Class Devils instantly!" Against the yelling Cao Cao, Issei raised his huge left fist.

"—Then it's sure going to be enough to knock that sense into your head! This is for ignoring us, Cao Cao! Don't underestimate on the Oppai Dragon, you bastard!"

[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!]

Issei smashed his massive left fist towards Cao Cao! In that instant, Cao Cao withdrew his spear from his gauntlet and used it to block as a shield.

"Damn it!"

As the fist hits the spear, percussion hammers appeared on the elbow of the armour! As massive amounts of aura were pumped out, it massively increased the impact of the punch!

"Ngh…" Cao Cao pursued his lips as his eyes harden at the increasing intensity of the punch. Thinking there was no other way around countering against the punch, Cao Cao braced his body for the upcoming fall as he grips upon his spear tighter. A second later, Cao Cao felt the heavy force striking against his body in an instance—which propelled him straight down to the ground. His body crashes to the ground in a shower of debris.

—In the moment before he fell, and after receiving such an attack, Cao Cao was smiling absentmindedly which was unnoticed by Issei. The impact of his fall broke the ground surface, creating a long trench out of the surface as massive cloud of dust and dirt covered the area.

Looking down at the massive cloud of dust sweeping the area, Issei decided to end the close quarter combat in mid air and promptly landed down on the ground. He panted whilst wearing the heavy armour.

However, in an instance, the heavy armour turned into fragments of light, and soon disappearing in the wind. At the feeling of his lighter body, Issei only manages a smile of satisfaction. The brunette recalled the feeling wearing the heavy armour which weighs heavily on him than the standard weight of the normal Scale Mail. So after he had experienced the change between the weights of each Scale Mail based on its chess piece, he was grateful that he could finally breathe easy now. Amidst the moments where he uses the different forms of the Scale Mail, he could only breathe haggardly or hold his breath since he was overwhelmed by immense power equivalent to Juggernaut Drive. As he stood, Issei takes a deep breath, free of anxiety and adrenaline, and looks out in front, a smile on his face.

"Did it do it…?"

Issei asked himself looking out at the cloud of dust in front of him before he kneels down on his right knee, panting in exhaustion.

"So this is Issei's true potential?" Akeno looked at the brunette in front of her and the others. "He is able to promote himself without the accordance of his King's order." She concluded with a knowledgeable nod. "That is truly advantageous and might I say, terrifying in itself? For the people he will face in the future, of course. —Suffice to say, he is distinguishable different than any other Pawns I have known. One factor that could contribute to distinguish himself in the society is his pervernism—and surprisingly that factor came about to awakening his true potential. Honestly, I never seen such a thing."

"Yes. Me neither." Rias smiled with a nod. "He is really improving by a lot these days." She said with a proud look for her Pawn. "In accordance to his awakening his true potential, we have Asia to thank for." Rias stated smiling at her blonde Bishop sitting in front of her. "There is no doubt that her help had greatly contributed on Issei's growth than all of us."

"So it may seem. With this, he is taking a different path from using Juggernaut Drive. Although, we've seen his promotion to Bishop, Knight and Rook. What of Queen? I cannot wait to witness that event with my own eyes if I ever get the chance." Akeno wondered smiling, proud of her friend's growth.

"I am certain that we will lay witness to that in the near future. Although It would take him quite some time to master this technique before he could promote himself to Queen without my permission." Rias stated looking at her Pawn whilst Akeno nodded in contrast to her words.

"So the degenerate claimed to awaken his true potential by tainting women?" Percher commented quirking an eyebrow. "Is it really something to celebrate about?" At her statement which was heard by everyone, no one can voice out their disagreement with her.

"Fortunately, I'd have to agree with you." Shirayuki-Hime added shaking her head at the Red Dragon Emperor's perverse ways to awaken such potential. "I don't see why we'd have to be happy at the idea of him gaining great power through such shameful means...I only hope he doesn't go out of bounds of targeting other girls to 'awaken' other means of hidden power possessed by the Red Dragon Emperor…" Shirayuki-Hime looked pointedly at Issei's back. "How the mighty has fallen…" She shakes her head, sighing.

"I did not expect to see such spectacle myself in this regard." Sala added her own comment. "Is this how the Red Dragon Emperor stands to combat against his enemies?"

"I am very sorry I cannot do anything to disway himself from that path of a degenerate. As a teacher, I feel partially responsible to teach my student about bidding to ethics and behaviour towards women in general." Rossweisse hung her head in slight shame.

"I cannot argue that Issei had awaken to his true potential by indulging his own self-desires however it is quite...underhanded. I am sorry, Issei." Kiba commented with his own words on his friends' situation.

"I can only hope he will learn to deviate from that path, Amen…" Irina posed her hands together in a prayer.

"For Issei to become stronger in time, he must have to indulge himself with his desires, right? Since he obtain greater strengths beyond by indulging it with Asia, then I do not have any problem to have a friend like him. He will surely go far with Asia by his side, that's for sure." Xenovia claimed nodding her head sagely as Asia blushed deep red at her words.

"X-Xenovia!"

"I-Is it really the time to discuss about this?!" Issei yelled at them. His cheeks glowed red at his friends' comments about him. "And Xenovia! You shouldn't support that idea with me! You should support the others against me! What you said makes for even more damage than it should…" Issei sniffles, on the brink to tears.

"—I–I do not know what to say...but Otou-sama said I have to stay away from such bad things…" Kunou voiced out her own comment which made everyone smiles.

"There goes my pride!" Issei muttered hanging his head in shame.

"Have you had any pride to even begin with?" Percher added with curiosity and disgust.

"Huh...This is really not fair. They all should be rooting for me…not against me…" Issei murmured under his breath. "—No matter! I–I have to focus right now! Even though my heart is about to shatter! —I have received a new power. That is, the ability to promote to other Evil Pieces according to my own will without the King's consent. Then, in conjunction with the power released by the Red Dragon Emperor, it brought me frightening levels of magical power, speed, offensive and defensive capabilities." Issei explained before he went on. "Promoting to Bishop will raise magical power, and allow the firing of a super powerful form of Dragon Shot. The Knight sheds excess weight to become a set of high speed armour. Using it together with the Red Dragon Emperor's new power, it gave me unbelievable speed. Finally, the Rook was completely opposite to the Knight, equipped with heavy armour, with strengthened offence and defence. This required giving up on speed. The Knight, the Rook, and the Bishop. The power to freely use these three, amplifying their traits to the limit. Though it does reduce other abilities as a trade off."

Panting, the brunette rested his head below as he tried to maintain his breathing.

"I'm drained…Huh, was that all I have left?" Issei murmured to himself in exhaustion. "I—I thought I'd be able to finish him right there and then…! Then I might be able to…"

"You might. However, you have to know that you've only used this now. You've never had any kind of practice or training before to dealt with the power equivalent to Juggernaut Drive. Since you've only used it until now, you've just exhausted yourself to the point you might be incapacitated to fight. But I am proud that you finally achieved something greater than resorting to the violent audacy of Juggernaut Drive. You've shown high capability to using the Bishop, Knight and Rook piece while you're in this form."

"Yeah, but there's only one piece left that I haven't use…"

"Yes...The Queen piece."

"At the current level of output, it was not enough for the Queen. If I forced the promotion, the power will either make me go berserk or it will disperse because I couldn't bear it…" Issei closes his eyes bitterly. "To gain those possibilities hidden within me—Beelzebub-sama provided the key. With his help of adjusting the Evil Pieces, the original power of the Red Dragon Emperor—Ddraig was awakened. If this was the state of my liberated possibilities… The door was wide open, all that remained was to keep charging forward..." He nodded in realization but he frown bitterly, knowing an unsettling fact behind his true potential. He was experiencing it now, unfortunately. "I've known how powerful the Queen is but I don't think I'd be able to handle it yet...If I suffer this much severe fatigue switching between Bishop, Knight and Rook. What if I used the Queen piece...—I'd be running out of magical power instantly if used it successfully...there's no doubt about it! I really want to use it but with the way I am now...As much as I hate to admit it, I can't…—Damn it!" Issei cursed at his vulnerability.

"You've proved to them, partner. Isn't that good enough for now? Was that good enough to avenge for your friends?"

"...Yeah, it's more than good." Issei smiled at Ddraig's comfort. "I've shown them…"

"Partner, due to the liberation of power, the Balance Breaker countdown has further decreased. The total Balance Breaker time has also lengthened. However, stamina consumption has increased, in particular due to changing modes continuously. This will be lessened as you get used to it."

Hearing the statement from Ddraig, Issei breathed a relief sigh at the last part. "...Is that so, Ddraig? —So I still have plenty of room to train...as always…It doesn't matter—Until now, I'm standing right here is because of my own hard work anyway. If I have to train more to master the new possibilities I have gained, I'm more than prepared to!" As Issei slowly got up, his sight was caught by Cao Cao who stood up as well. "...Bastard, he can still get up after taking my direct attack...? No, just before it struck, he used the spear to defend, so he can still endure..." Issei panted with a look of frustration.

Across Issei, Cao Cao stood up from the massive trench dug up by the impact of his fall.

His nose and mouth were bleeding. Cao Cao wiped the blood off and audibly flexed his neck.

"So this is the Red Dragon Emperor. Pardon my earlier embarrassment. It looks like you have obtained great power at a time of desperation. If I didn't defend with my spear, I would have died. Though I applaud for your achievement thus far." Issei gritted his teeth at his response. "I did not expect this development of yours however is this a new characteristic you obtained outside the rules of the Evil Piece system? The arsenal you displayed with your Sacred Gear, Red Dragon Emperor, is almost like an Illegal Move."

"...Illegal Move?" Issei questioned in confusion.

"This is a term in chess referring to irregular moves against the rules. That attack you did is clearly illegal in the Evil Piece system." Cao Cao replied to the brunette's question.

"This power gives me the feeling of the Triaina."

Ddraig expressed his opinion.

"Triaina? What does that mean, Ddraig?" Issei asked mentally.

"Triaina is the three-pronged spear of the ocean god Poseidon in Greek mythology. Better known as the 'Trident', I felt that the series of attacks from the three Evil Pieces was as intense as the Triaina itself."
Ddraig stated to reason as Issei heard and nodded in understanding.

"Illegal Move ... Triaina...The name's not bad….Illegal Move plus Triaina. It's not bad at all. —How about I call this series of attacks Illegal Move Triaina? We'll try this name for now and once I master the power of the Queen, let's think of a new one." Issei responded with a nod before he looks at Cao Cao.

"—How terrifying. In terms of direct offensive power, this rivals Vali without Juggernaut. —No, Vali is improving every day, I can't really measure the two of them right now...—Hm, I wonder how he is now..." Cao Cao looks up in thoughtfulness. Then, Cao Cao turned to Issei. "As far as I observed, that attack should have consumed more stamina and aura than expected. You are also far from mastering it. No, even if you master it, its consumption will still be significant...if not, more. By my estimates, ten minutes of Balance Breaker will remain at most."

"How can he deduct that fast...Damn, that's almost the right answer. This guy analyses so completely. Of course, I'm not going to tell you how much time is left. I will still fight till the end." Issei stared hard at Cao Cao before he sighed. "You are really too tough to handle, you know? I thought you were underestimating us, but you were still calmly analysing all this time."

"—No, it was my stupidity to have underestimated you slightly. My apologies. As one who has gained knowledge of the secrets of the Red Dragon Emperor yet does not revel in great power, you truly are a formidable adversary. I must go back and reflect." Cao Cao tapped the spear on his shoulder. "—How exhilarating, I haven't felt this way ever since the last time I dueled with Vali. Truly, fighting legendary dragons is the best. This is also proof that I am the descendant of heroes." Cao Cao said to himself. "Although I'd like to battle one of your companions who is not present at the moment. But alas, it is great to battle the likes of legendary dragons like you, Red Dragon Emperor."

"Are you planning to have a total war with all the factions like this?" Issei asked staring at Cao Cao.

Cao Cao shook his head at the question.

"You're mistaken. This kind of team is not suited for long term warfare. Though individually we are strong, we cannot stand against the allied forces. Yes, we will inflict heavy losses upon them, but we will be eliminated. Targeting vulnerabilities with sudden attacks is far more efficient, so I will continue to stay in this kind of organisation."

"...Tch, so he had this kind of reason for staying under Ophis. How sly...But I'd bet he must have other reasons than that...After spending time with this guy for a while...—He wouldn't resort to think about simple reasoning like that!"

Bzzzz! Bzzzz!

A noise began to rock the dimension!

The Gremory group looked all around, noticing the tremors of the surface and trembles over the dimension.

"Everyone, do not let your guard down whatsoever." Rias commanded to everyone. Heeding her order, every one of them started being wary around their surroundings. Including Irina and Xenovia who stood up whilst wielding their respected weapons, after they had underwent a lengthy time of recovering their fatigue and injury.

"What are they summoning that can shake the entire dimension?" Xenovia asked for everyone to hear.

"Whatever it is, it must be big…" Irina answered. "...And we're standing at the epicenter of it."

"But we can't retreat here of all times." Kiba responded kneeling on his right knee while holding onto the Sword of Betrayer. "We have came all the way here to settle the request of Kunou-sama's." He claimed before standing upright.

"Yes, what Yuuto-kun said is right. We have to resolve this matter." Rossweisse nodded, standing up. The traces of her injuries had all but disappeared. Rossweisse looked down at Kunou standing next to her. "Right, Kunou-sama?"

Looking up at Rossweisse, Kunou nods.

"So, we have to emerge victorious in this battle." Rossweisse exclaimed to everyone.

"R-Rossweisse-sensei is right!" Gasper nodded furiously. "I-I don't know if I am going to be of any help but I will still help with my b-best!"

"That's good, Gaspie." Koneko commented smiling before she tightens her battle gloves, readying to fight.

"It appears everyone is determined to fight, Rias-Buchou." Akeno smiled standing next to Rias who smiles at her. "If so, we will have to be determined as them. Am I right, Rias-Buchou?"

"You're right, Akeno. We have to."

Issei looks up hearing the sound of space being sliced open. The brunette still was kneeling on the ground when he look up at the direction of the noise—there was a hole being formed, in the center of the skies above him.

At the gigantic hole appearing in the center of the skies, the Gremory group readied themselves to fight.

"T-This is...! Is he going to—?!" Issei exclaimed as an image of a giant red dragon in the Dimensional Gap appeared in his mind. "He isn't going to summon that all along? Is that why—?!"

"Looks like it's starting. I have to say my appreciation for your help, Red Dragon Emperor." Cao Cao happily laughed. "Perhaps that magic circle plus your massive power attracted the true dragon to here." Cao Cao spoke in mocking tones, looking at the frustrated Issei.

"...That can't be...Was it all because I raised my power?"

"True Dragon?" Rias asked to which everyone perked up at Cao Cao's words. "Is he summoning—Great Red?!"

"They're summoning it here?" Akeno frowned. "How can they…?"

"They really are summoning Great Red here!" Rossweisse exclaimed seriously.

"It is too late to act upon it now, Rias Gremory. You cannot stop the ritual any longer." Cao Cao smiled before turning to the individual next to him. "If you will, Georg, prepare the Dragon Eater ritual—" Cao Cao stopped midway in his words. He narrowed his eyes and stared at the Dimensional Gap with a questioning expression. "...Wait, that's not Great Red? ...That's, plus this touki...!"

Roar!

Appearing out of the Dimensional Gap was a massive slender oriental dragon, a few dozens of metres long. Exuding a green aura as it gracefully flew in the night sky, it was quite a dream-like sight.

"That's not, it's not Great Red! W-What is that dragon!" Issei spoke in surprise.

"Based on its appearance, that's...the Mischievous Dragon…" Rias stated looking upon the massive dragon.

Cao Cao began to yell.

"—It's the Mischievous Dragon, Yu-Long!"

"Yu-Long—! One of the Five Great Dragon Kings!" Issei said in realization.

Though Cao Cao was surprised at the arrival of the oriental dragon, his gaze was not focused on Yu-Long but the figure on the dragon's back.

"Why would one of the Five Great Dragon Kings appear?" Akeno asked in curiosity.

"I-Is he on our s-side…?" Gasper quiver fearfully. "I-If he is not, what then…?"

"Don't be scared, Gaspie." Koneko reassured the platinum blonde before she turns her focus at Yu-Long. She then senses a unfamiliar presence which caught her by surprise. The reason being she senses an enormous amount of Touki from the presence. "Buchou...there is someone on top of that dragon…"

"Someone?" Rias heard Koneko before she and the rest of the Gremory group focused their eyes towards the figure on the dragon's back.

Amidst looking at the dragon in awe, Issei spotted something on the dragon's back too. He squinted his eyes to look closer at the individual.

Over on top of Yu-Long's back was a tiny figure. Issei and the rest standing behind him watched as the said figure proceeded to fall off from the dragon's back spontaneously!

"No wait, he jumped? From that kind of height!?" Issei exclaimed as the Gremory group looked over at the tiny figure falling down. Mixed expressions were shared amongst the group.

"Appearing this sudden...—Are they perhaps...the reinforcement Azazel-sensei talked about?" Kiba asked as the others looked at him before they turned back their attention to the tiny figure who completely ignored the height he was falling, and landed on the ground—creating fissures on the crater he landed.

"What a massive flow of youkai ki, as well as the flow of [Domination]. Due to these, the entire capital city is full of strange fluctuations." The short figure had an elderly male voice, and approached the Gremory group slowly step by step.

"So tiny. His figure was really short. A child...? " Issei thought as he saw the short figure had the height of a kindergarten school child. His fur gave off a golden brilliance! As he casually walk towards the ORC group, a monk's cassock gradually took form over his body. "A youkai? A monkey youkai?" Issei wondered looking at the wrinkled face and his black skin.

Carrying a staff-like weapon, prayer beads on his forehead, and wearing shades with a cyber design. The short figure smiled with complete confidence while smoking a pipe.

"Hey, it's been awhile, holy spear user. That damn kid finally grew up." The old man monkey spoke to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao smiled, almost closing his eyes. "The great Victorious Fighting Buddha, I wouldn't have expected you to come. I've heard that you have been thwarting our efforts all over the world."

"Kid, your pranks have gone too far, don't you know? It wasn't easy for me to get assigned to have talks with the Kyuubi leader on behalf of the Heavenly Emperor. I had also agreed to the Kyuubi leader to postpone the meeting for a day because of the Gion Festival, and here you go kidnapping her. There are heroes who become gods and then there are heroes whose descendants poison the world. Tyranny and domination only lasts a single generation, isn't that saying correct? Cao Cao." The old man monkey stated smiling at Cao Cao.

"Poison? To be called poison by you, I am honoured."

Meanwhile, Issei stared between the two, sensing the immense tension between them. Not only him, the entire Hero faction was gazing at the old man monkey with great seriousness. Turning his head, Issei could also sense that the Hero Faction was under heavy pressure just by the presence of the old man monkey, which confuses him. Who exactly is the old man monkey? He wondered in curiosity.

"By the way, the Heavenly Emperor's... messenger? The Heavenly Emperor was Sakra, right?" Issei asked himself before he watches Rias walk up in front of him while the others stood up next to him.

"Issei-san, are you alright?" Asia asked softly as Issei look at her and smiles. Asia stood next to his right. She was fully clothed and was grabbing upon his hand with hers.

"Yeah. I'm just exhausted, that's all. It's nothing for you to worry about, Asia-chan." Issei reasoned before he tried to stand but he fell—until he was caught by his shoulders. He looked at Kiba supporting his weight with his own. "Kiba…" He said before turning to his right, looking at the frowning Asia who lent her arms to support his arm. "I'm fine, Asia-chan! I'm tired, that's all."

"You can't even stand up straight, Issei-san…" Asia frown in concern.

"Okay...Maybe I'm more than tired…"

"You'd better give your body some rest after all that, Issei. You deserved it." Kiba smiled at the brunette who smile back.

"Maybe I'd do just that."

"So, Yasaka-sama was supposed to meet with the Heavenly Emperor's messenger on that day…But because of the Gion Festival, it was postponed on the day after..." Rias murmured with a hint of seriousness in her tone. "But she was kidnapped prior to the meeting by this, Hero Faction…" Rias spoke much to herself than others as Issei and her other servants stared at her in curiosity, having heard her at the beginning.

"Then the one the Kyuubi leader was going to negotiate with was this old man monkey?" Issei asked . "To be the messenger, this must be a very powerful monkey?" He asked himself in mind. "...Who's that, that monkey-like ... old man?" The brunette asked with a curious look, wanting to know about his identity.

"Yes, who is he, Buchou?" Asia added in curiosity.

Both of Issei and Asia looks up at Rias for the answer.

"He is the Great Sage Equalling Heaven, Sun Wukong."

To Be Continued…

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Alright. That is the newest addition of A Problem Devil, Born~

I really hope that I am not too late to make amends for my hiatus. It is quite busy for me in the real life right now. However, I have already did dozens of chapters for upcoming chapters, so do not worry. But I am apologetic that I cannot publish it in time.

Summary: The ORC group consisted of Issei, Asia, Kiba, Xenovia, Irina and Rossweisse plus Kunou and Saji. Issei, Kiba, Xenovia, Irina and Rossweisse cannot defeat their enemies and were beaten instead. Meanwhile Saji is having a hard time fighting Yasaka in her Nine-Tailed Fox form. Suddenly, Eisha, one of Issei's predecessors, called upon Issei to unlock his true potential. At that time, Rias and the other members of ORC group arrived in time, assaulting the Hero Faction! At the peak of his awakening, suffice to say, Issei unlocked it by Asia's help. After unlocking his true potential, Issei unleashes his power provided by using the Bishop piece. Everyone in the Kyoto dimension had felt it. Even Izayoi and Kuroka who faces against Leonardo as they had discovered his whereabouts. After that, Issei displayed the use of Knight and Rook pieces before he drained himself of his stamina. All of a sudden, a rift started appearing and the Mischievous Dragon, Yu-Long and another individual arrived at the scene. They were the reinforcements for the ORC group. As Issei and Asia were curious over the identity of the other individual. Rias had answered it for them. The tiny individual was none other than the Great Sage Equalling Heaven, Sun Wukong.

Leave a Review in the Review Box down below to tell me what you think of the overall chapter. I appreciate if you have any tips or advice to give me to improve. Other than that, I am grateful that I am able to get back at writing this story. I really missed writing…

Anyway, I will see all of you later!

Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!