Chapter 47: Bonds

On a battlefield was a certain silver haired valkyrie beauty, shooting different kinds of magic spells over Khaos Brigade, "Mou! Where did Odin-sama go!? He's not supposed to be in such a dangerous place!"

"To find lots of various ladies, what else?" Azazel casually threw a dagger sized spear behind him, piercing an enemy, "It's a man's romance."

Forcuis shredded a torrent of pressurized wind with a flat face, wondering whether all elderly leaders have some sort of a weird quirk. Another volley of attacks were speeding towards him and others. The dual wielding fallen jumped from one spell to another as if metal was attracted to magnet, cutting or knocking them away before swiftly reaching enemy territory.

What made Forcuis different from normal sensors was that most had active sensing, his was passive. He's capable of picking up magical signatures since his birth whether consciously or unconsciously identical to how sensory organs constantly detect stimulus, and he has refined until he could sense magical constructs and other energy signatures. Combining his high frequency vibration into Alterous Edge, he can now tear away magic while slicing through other energies and matter at the same time, though high level and complex magic are out of his league for now.

Although he got through with minor injuries, the rest weren't as lucky, "Raynare!"

The ravenette condensed her healing powers into her arrows, sniping towards her injured comrades. Raynare found it quite useful that Sagittario Gale allowed her to work from a further distance. Magical support was her main role from the beginning and the combo technique she used against Kokabiel was very appealing to her.

Both gears were meant to complement their innate talents when they were promoted to be Azazel's bodyguards. It also helped that they gained quite the reputation when Rias vouched for their contribution against the fallen warmonger. Of course, Azazel didn't care about the political stuff and used them as guinea pigs. Thankfully as part of the Grigori for so long, they didn't need to tattoo a 'G' on their backs.

Irina panted, fending off the overwhelmingly large group with holy rings as it whirled towards multiple enemies in a curve. Light poisoning infested them from continuing yet more kept coming, "Just how many of them are there?"

"Not that many, their numbers are thinning out." Azazel remarked before a certain dragon showed up, "Yo Tannin, are the VIPs safely evacuated?"

"Yes, every last one of them are guarded. Now I can come to everyone's aid."

"Good timing, let's head to the shrine. The Aoi Arashi should be reaching there soon, we're gonna save those kids."

"And what makes you think you can get past me?" A new voice entered the fray. Out from a teleportation circle was a handsome devil who exudes pride and arrogance, "A pleasure to make your acquaintance Governor General of Grigori, I am Creuserey Asmodeus, the descendant of the true Asmodeus, as well as your executioner."

Forcuis and Raynare saw the new offender, entering into position to protect their leader. Azazel waved a hand and strolled forward, "At ease, I'll handle this one. Still, couldn't they send a young attractive woman to me? At least Katerea was a sight to see."

As he remembered the death of a fellow Maou descendant, Creuserey's aura had a noticeable spike, "Do not speak as if Katerea Leviathan is beneath you. You may have won, but I shall avenge her and restore back the positions of the true Maous. You fakes will be sentenced to execution along with your brethren."

"I am afraid I cannot allow that." Sirzechs teleported, wary and mentally tired from participating into another war, "Is there really no way to avoid confrontation, Creuserey?"

"Sirzechs." The proud and confident visage morphed to anger and hatred, his demonic magic oozing with coils of Ophis' power more than Katarea had, "You have my thanks for coming here, now I can kill you immediately."

"Please reconsider. Had we continued the war, many civilians would perish. The Underworld would slowly die as the devils would be driven to extinction, war is not the answer for the prosperity of devils. If you come with us peacefully, I can negotiate for you to be acknowledge and we can guide the Underworld together."

"What makes you think that we are equals!?" The Asmodeus scowled, "You fake Maous should not have any power to begin with. What guidance does the Underworld need? Devils are evil creatures who seduces humans to hell and annihilate anyone who dares to oppose us. Gods and angels are all inferior to us. Kindness is weakness and disgusting, we devils have no time for that useless emotion. Devils are to rule supreme, there is nothing else that matters, and I will ascend as the true Maou and conquer you fools."

Azazel interrupted before the red head could continue, "Save your breathe Sirzechs, this guy's got so much ego in his ears there's no more room for earwax, he won't listen to what you say."

Sighing, "Do you think Hanwei-kun could make a difference?"

"Doubt it. By some miracle that he actually pulls it off, I'll eat my left nut."

"Talking about your protégé Sirzechs?" Creuserey arched an eyebrow in slight interest, "Ophis has an eye on him, perhaps he could be a suitable right hand man once I return to my throne as a true Maou."

That made the Lucifer furrow his brows, "Creuserey, what does Ophis really want with Hanwei-kun? Khaos Brigade seems quite adamant in kidnapping him. Do you seek his power as a potential Super Devil or his New Longinus?"

"His potential is too tempting to ignore his existence, however, Ophis stated he could be a great asset to her and gave specific orders to secure him. Ophis, the Infinity Dragon God, may have seen the infinite possibilities within him. It was even kind enough to supply us more power solely to capture him. Nonetheless, as long as we can use him to achieve our goals, we will take him for ourselves." An evil smile spread across his face, "Perhaps the sight of him slaying you would be amusing. After all, naive children with high hopes such as him fall harder after a little push."

"Dream on, Daisuke isn't that easy to despair. Guess we'll have to ask Ophis personally to find out Daisuke's worth." Azazel made a silent command to his subordinates to help the others, "Sirzechs, leave this one to me. Assemble a rescue squad and find the children."

"Very well." The Lucifer made his own silent command to Tannin with his eyes and left.

Despite them leaving, the old Maou descendant wasn't bothered in the slightest. He simply continue staring down at the Governor General.

"Pretty confident of you to let the target of your hatred go. I thought you'd be more bothered."

"I can eliminate Sirzechs anytime I desire, as long as he survives what he has to face. My current objective is you." Swinging an arm, he fired concentrated demonic magic blasts at Azazel who flew up to dodge.

The fallen threw light spears, hitting the barrier constructed by Creuserey as well as around him. The devil scoffed in disappointment at the lack of power, fueled by Ophis' power and bombarded countless spheres of magic. Azazel weaved around them once, twice, and then knocked a couple with a spear before gliding smoothly towards his enemy.

Hurling the spear, Creuserey jumped back only to find the spears previously thrown around him detonating. He made a small screech in pain before meeting Azazel in front of him. Surprised, he threw a punch but by mere inches, Azazel shifted and dodged with a retaliating punch. The old Maou was shocked as the incoming fist landed square on his chin.

Pain coursed through his head as he stumbled backwards. Creuserey held his chin and tasted blood in his mouth, glaring at the fallen in rising resentment, "You! How did you do that!?"

"Duh, training how else?" Azazel checked his watch nonchalantly, mostly to aggravate him further, "You couch potatoes are all the same, relying on power and even borrowing Ophis' because your confidence is smaller than your pinky. Just because you got more snakes, doesn't mean you're a better fighter. Too many unnecessary movements, too many openings, and definitely too wasteful of your energy."

"Insolent fossil! Do not mock me!" Black snake-like layers of energy coalesced with his magic, launching huge spheres that most people have difficulty to dodge.

Fortunately, the twelve winged fallen wasn't most people. While making sure his subordinates don't get caught in the crossfire, he darted around and flicked them out of trajectory with small yet precise calculated movements. Azazel summoned more spears and hurled forward, exploding to kick up a flashbang. By the time a spear was primed to impale the abdomen, Creuserey raised his defensive magic.

"Impossible! How can you keep up with me!? I have Ophis' power! I have exceeded the previous Asmodeus!"

"Yeah, that's what all cliché tyrants say until they drive their own empires to ruins."

"Fool! You are only an outsider who took a part of the Underworld after running away from the angels with tails in between your legs. What do you know about the Underworld?"

"Oh I know plenty." Azazel grinned mischievously, pushing his spear against the barrier, "People are living peacefully and happily while business is booming, I'm planning on a showbiz."

"Your kindness disgusts me." Both backed away as Creuserey poured out his power, intending to kill the fallen, "Words are meaningless, there is only power. And I will emerge victorious!"

"And I'm getting tired of hearing you talk. Let's get this over with." Done with analyzing the Asmodeus' power and fighting pattern, Azazel pulled out his artificial gear and entered Balance Breaker, "Think you can handle my big guns?"

A wave of magical bullets rushed towards Azazel yet he flew without hesitation, his strength and speed augmented to dodge easily. The two pronged light spear penetrated the barrier magic, forcing Creuserey back who attempted to retaliate with a punch. Tilting backwards, the fallen gyrated his spear and shredded his opponent's face.

Creuserey was losing his patience and control, loathing the Governor General even more. He conjured a concentrated ball of demonic energy, only for Azazel to flashforward before destroying his magic with a hard thrust. With the spear still piercing the abdomen, a blast of light exploded and tore a hole clean through the body, "Too bad Creuserey but without change, no one can survive."

Coughing blood, the Maou's eyes dimmed to lifelessness, "Why... Why should a true Maou... like me..."

So they decided to use more snakes after Katerea was defeated during their last raid, not that it matters to him much. After finishing him off, Azazel assessed the situation and found that Khaos Brigade are finally backed into a corner, "Glad we're wrapping this one however, what really makes me worry is where the Astaroth's descendant is located. Welp, I'm sure Daisuke's at least stalling for time. Now we just gotta wait for-"

A humongous amount of heat washed through everywhere, paralyzing friends and foes alike. Azazel traced back the huge amount of energy and saw so much fire where the kids are trapped surging upwards, enough to mistake it as a small exploding star. No matter how Azazel thought of it, for that much power to travel across tens of kilometers and through multiple powerful barriers...

Even if something did happen to Asia, Miho shouldn't have entered a state that could rival a dragon's outrage... unless, "Daisuke, can you hear me?" He tapped the communicator which buzzed with nothing but static, "Daisuke, respond."

There was no voice over the other end. Azazel scowled anxiously, "Just what is going on over there?"

[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker: Calamity Mail]

Instead of the usual Scale Mail was a modified armor. The subspecies appears slightly more humanoid while still imparting much draconic appearances. His fingers and toes are no longer claws but more human like, while his helmet resembles a dragon's head as his face was located at the mouth. His real mouth was protected by a plate of armor whereas his eyes were shielded by a dark screen which showed them glowing green. The armor had the usual green jewels, along with extra yellow trimmings emblazoned all except his mouth plate, sides, gauntlets, and the ankle of his sabatons. And on his back were four pointed shells resembling wings.

Absolutely livid by the death of his best friend, Issei lunged at Shalba though someone else beat him to it.

"HYRAAAAGGGG!" Miho entered Awakening as she lost all reason and rational thinking, flashing towards the Maou descendant with an explosion which easily dwarfed the shrine they were in. She couldn't feel the connection with her master via the contract anymore, shocked to the point her mind snapped. Her vision was red from fury, her blood boil and demanded death of the one who killed her mate.

Shalba didn't expect to be flooded with intense bloodlust so abruptly, leaving himself exposed and taking the full brunt. He was blown away into the sky with the salamander hot on his trail, body seared in pain with a mark of red burns across the left side of his face. Touching his ruined face, the enraged Beelzebub directed his displeasure to a new target.

Seeing the countless manifested threads all racing towards to pierce his body full of holes, he gritted his teeth and summoned his enhanced demonic magic, "Do not get carried away you damn familiar!"

During the explosion, Issei quickly covered the defenseless Asia with his body yet still got pushed back by the force. The armored Pawn assessed Miho's condition, determining that none of them could get through to her right now. On the other hand, Asia was holding her head, tears streaming down her hollowed eyes, "M-my fault... It's my fault that H-Hanwei-san... Hanwei-san is..."

Diodora saw the blonde's condition, very pleased by the traumatized face, "Oh my, that is a nice face you are making, my dear Asia."

Anger bubbled within Issei and whispered, "Shut up."

The young Astaroth didn't hear the silent threat, walking towards the two, "You see, you should have listened to me from the beginning. Because of you, the Aoi Arashi is dead."

"Shut up." The whisper grew louder.

"It is only a matter of time before the rest of your friends would die. Swear your obedience to me, and I will spare your friends."

"Shut up."

"But I suppose the Aoi Arashi wasn't what the rumors made him to be. To think he was this weak."

"SHUT UP!" Issei roared, "What do you think lives are!? You toyed with Asia's emotions! You got Daisuke killed! Diodora! No matter what anyone says I absolutely will never forgive you!"

"Why would I want forgiveness from a filthy dragon?" Black layered magic charged into his palm, aiming to end the Sekiryuutei, "If you think you can keep up this charade, then do your best to protect your friends."

Launching his magic, Diodora waited for the explosion to settle to see the sorry state of the Pawn, yet all he saw was empty space, "What?"

Issei was back with the others, Asia in his arms. His armor perceived the users desire for speed, auto-transferring the accumulated power to his verniers on his back. The shells' design helped to concentrate the thrusters for a little more precise movements.

"Asia!" Xenovia rushed to hug her friend with her own tears of sadness, "Don't worry, everything will be fine. Right everyone?"

Words passed by as if they heard nothing but Issei couldn't blame them. Rias, Akeno, Koneko and Gasper were in a similar state to Asia, if not worse while the others were barely keeping themselves together. Rias appeared the worst though it was difficult to compare since the others were also devastated. Like Miho, the King couldn't feel the connection with her Rook via the Evil Piece anymore, leaving a void of despair in her heart.

"Kiba, look after the others for me." Issei requested, turning his attention back to Diodora. Miho can buy them some time, and she's currently not in the state to distinguish between friend or foe.

The thought of retreating didn't even cross the Sekiryuutei's mind, not even the joy of finally unlocking Balance Breaker. Right now, he wants nothing more than to rip apart the motherfucker standing in front of him.

Frowning in annoyance, Diodora charged up his magic once more, "You are fast at least." Then his frown looped into a smile, "However, what about your friends?"

As the projectiles sped towards Issei, he accessed his subspecies' abilities, subconsciously and instinctively knowing the new techniques. If he avoids it, the others behind him will take the hit. Fortunately, he's got a few tricks up his sleeve.

[Shield]

Before he got hit, the shells on his back detached and combined to form a shield, protecting him and his friends completely. Issei slowly walked forward with the shield still up, emanating killing intent.

Diodora's confidence dampened, unleashing more magic which couldn't put a scratch, "Tch, I am a High-class devil, relative of the current Maou Beelzebub. Something like this is-"

Instantly shortening the distance, the Pawn lodged a fist into his gut as the shells returned to his back. The Astaroth vomited blood though Issei wasn't done yet.

[Blade]

His gauntlet extended and covered his fist as three claw like Ascalon blades emerged, skewering him with no resistance. Diodora screamed in pain while clutching his wound, poisoned by the holy element, "Aaaahhhhh! It hurts! It hurts! Why!? Ophis has granted me power! So whyyyyy!?"

"Is this it? You're much weaker compared to Daisuke." Flicking his gauntlet, he summoned three more blades on his other hand. Ascalon has integrated to allow him to use them with his fists, there was neither difficulty nor unbalance like when he tried to learn swordsmanship.

An explosion from above lightened up the area, and Diodora saw the image of a ferocious dragon who shows no mercy. He crawled backwards while firing in panic, "Stay away! Stay away!"

Unlike before, Issei didn't bother to set up his shield, those bullets might as well be nothing to his armor. He accelerated again, intending to deliver more punishment. The Astaroth made defensive barriers only to be cut through with ease. Three blades impaled his left shoulder and pinning him to a wall, eliciting more bloodcurdling scream.

"How does it feel to suffer!?" Issei retracted the blades on his other gauntlet, deciding to take it slow and painful. He slugged Diodora in the face and seeing the injuries, he repeated as his anger commands, "Asia kept holding back her pain for so long because of you!"

*BAM*

"And now Daisuke's gone because of you!"

*BAM*

"Trampling onto other people's feelings like that! Let's see how you like it!?"

*BAM*

"You stole what's important to everyone around you! And now you'll pay with your life!"

Before Issei dealt the final blow to smash his head into bloody paste, Diodora desperately made a last ditch spell to attack. Countless small sharp missiles whizzed towards him, the Pawn didn't bother to block until those missiles moved by themselves, targeting the weakest areas of his armor. Staggering back from the pain, he pulled the foreign objects off his armor without caring about the injuries.

Diodora activated his most durable defensive spells, crawling away as far as possible. His face was swollen and he lost a few teeth, he couldn't even speak properly yet it wasn't enough. Issei, who saw the one who caused him so much grief, knew that Diodora had not suffered nearly enough!

[Boost][Boost][Boost][Boost][Boost][Boost][Boost]

Focusing his power into his claws was more than enough to pulverize the wall into pieces. The multiplier increases as each successive Boost, starting from 2x and ending with 7x with a total of over five thousand multiplier. Despite the huge increase in power, Issei wasn't as adept to controlling energy as Daisuke. While the latter could maintain near 100% efficiency, the former couldn't increase anywhere near the multiplier depicted and he was also wasteful with each movement. If Issei tried to Boost that many times with perfect control, his body would've exploded from power overload.

He was judged to be the weakest Sekiryuutei in history by Ddraig. Nonetheless, the Pawn still had a lot of guts and can boost as many times as he can to bring out his potential. Although it doesn't increase his upper limit more than the usual Scale Mail, his new subspecies allowed him to attain that upper limit faster. The current Sekiryuutei was a power-type and that is the path he has chosen, there was no need to keep comparing himself to the technique-type Daisuke. He'll get stronger his own way.

The Astaroth's mind was carved with fear, the sight of horror forever etched into his heart. In a fit of hysteria, he mustered his remaining energy into one big cannon and fired.

In response, Issei produced a Dragon Shot in one hand and waited. At the last second, he used his other hand to stop the incoming magic and tried something he's been wanting to do.

[Transfer]

It required considerable energy to wrestle control, but he managed to Transfer the power to fuel his own Dragon Shot. Since he could Transfer Ascalon's properties into his attacks, he wanted to try if anything else could work, and now his Calamity Mail was capable of that.

Seeing his own magic absorbed, Diodora's heart has fully given into despair, screaming unconsciously as his mind was destroyed. Issei Boosted a few times before discharging-

*KABOOM*

A tremor rumbled, throwing off Issei's aim. The Dragon Shot flew up to the ceiling, the large debris and concrete fell and crushed the Astoroth. Crashing down was an injured Miho who was on the brink of unconsciousness after overheating herself. Shalba, on the other hand, was panting with burns and scorch marks over his body yet his eyes showed ferocity.

"So the Aoi Arashi had a pet this dangerous, he should have trained you to know your place."

Issei's attention was now on the Beelzebub, remembering he was the one who finished off his best friend, "Bastard! Don't go talking about Daisuke as if you know him!"

"Oh but I do know." The Maou looked down on them as Yuuto and Xenovia got in front of the traumatized with swords drawn. He was amused that the Sirzechs' little sister has been reduced to a miserable state, "As expected, the current devils of gone astray from their true nature. Because of you allowing kindness into your hearts, your will crumbles so easily. I do not know what Ophis saw in the Aoi Arashi, he is a fool and his kindness was his undoing."

"Shut up!" Issei quickly charged up a Dragon Shot to blow his head off, yet was easily slapped away. Even with Balance Breaker, the difference in power was still substantial. Shalba consumed two snakes and was on a whole 'nother level than Diodora, the Pawn can't afford to rampage this time or else he'll be taken out.

"Sekiryuutei, you are no different. This pathetic power was what drove Vali away? The current Two Heavenly Dragons are shadows of what they once were. I knew it, Sirzechs' absurd ideals have brought weakness. And it is because of that weakness, you children shed tears and expose yourselves to the enemy."

"Tell me greenhorns, do you know how devils should act? We take, we steal, we allow no room for unnecessary emotions. In the past, devils stood proud as one of the strongest race in history. Humans worshipped us to grant them power, angels feared us for our demonic energy. With evil, we eliminated anyone who stood in our way and took what rightfully belongs to us, it is either we use or be used."

"Kindness? Affection? Friendship? The Gremory Household is famous for meaningless emotions, and look at the results little sister of Sirzechs. You have become useless over the death of one disposable soldier. It was because of kindness which fell you in that state. It was because of kindness which sentenced Aoi Arashi to oblivion!"

Shalba shot a huge magic towards Rias, forcing Issei to move and shield them yet he was skidding back from the force. The Knights saw the toll as they went to the Pawn's back and pushed. Their efforts were futile when the magic broke through and now the three were literally taking it with their physical bodies. Heat gashed their skins, they gritted their teeth and muscled through until finally, the blast deviated as it barely misses.

"Issei! Yuuto! Xenovia!" The others saw the brave warriors sustaining heavy damage, snapping them back to reality. Rias screamed, raising a hand to use her Power of Destruction. However, her magic hardly produced anything, aim shaky and unable to focus. They were still emotionally anguished. The more the King tried to focus, the more she failed, and the more pain and hopelessness filling her heart.

"You see." Shalba couldn't contain the glee at the sight in front of him, wanting to mock as he enjoys the feeling of being right, "That kindness is fragile, bonds which helped you grow can be easily severed just like your servants."

"NO!" Miho desperately got up, her body was begging for rest yet she persisted. Sharp pain coursed all over, her muscles ached and bones creaked, and tears of sorrow trickled down her face, "Kindness is what helped me understand. Hanwei-sama taught me so much because of his kindness, it was him who granted me happiness. RIGHT EVERYONE!?"

"Have you forgotten what he has done for us? We are no longer who we once were. We accepted ourselves and managed to strive forward. Who was the one who taught us to share the grief with people who cares about us?"

Rias, Yuuto, Asia, Gasper and Xenovia widened their eyes.

"Who was the one who accepted us regardless of how much we detested ourselves?"

Akeno and Koneko sniffled, hardening their faces.

"And who was the one who acknowledged us as his rival?"

Issei crushed the ground beneath his hand, getting back up on his feet.

"Wipe that pathetic faces! Do you really think you can become Hanwei-sama's women with that little pride? If not for revenge, if not for peace, then rise to prove that Hanwei-sama's kindness was not meaningless! Prove that everything he did is still alive within us! Prove that Shalba's words are wrong!" Blazing fire erupted around the salamander, her healing tag restoring her health back to normal, feeling the resolve from her master's tag to help her even now, "FIGHT!"

"Silence!" The Beelzebub threw more magic at Miho who constructed a spiral tower of fiery defense, "The weak has no right to defy."

A flaming missile broke through, an explosion hitting the enemy's defense spell. Miho growled as she came face to face with Shalba, "I refuse! I will not let Hanwei-sama's efforts be in vain!"

"That's right!" Akeno gave Asia a new set of clothes and everyone picked themselves up, healed by their own tags. If they kept wallowing in despair, it means everything Daisuke did to help them get stronger was pointless. No matter what happened, they didn't want to let memories become mere memories.

[Jet]

Spreading his dragon wings, Issei soared next to the Maou as his bladed gauntlet hit another defensive spell. Fire and Boosts emerged, attempting plunge through the barrier. Shalba grunted from holding back two of them until a third fighter joined the fray. Xenovia appeared from above and slammed Durandal, hammering him to the ground.

Rias was already in position with built up Destruction, the ruinous energy coursed through only for Shalba to counter with his own magic. Using the device on his arm, he flung light energy projectiles towards the devils. Multiple green barriers floated in its path but they weren't enough to stop them. Just before it could lacerate Rias, their time froze them in their tracks and suspended in midair.

"S-senpai... Senpai taught me to be a man!" Gasper traced the Maou's figure to stop him, though couldn't keep up as he flashed all over the place. Dozens of fiery tendrils honed in to him yet it still wasn't enough. Shalba jumped, ducked and flew around, annoyed by the obstacles until a metal cloaked in lightning detonated behind him, frying his back with holy radiation.

Yuuto, Akeno, and Koneko were in the air, improvising with the combo move Daisuke came up with when they fought Kokabiel. Yuuto made the heaviest and most durable demonic blades he could for Koneko which were then empowered with holy lightning. The nekoshou would use her ki and natural senses to follow Shalba and launch them with her herculean strength, using the gravity to give an extra boost.

Doesn't mean they could use it freely, the shrine is going to collapse at this rate and Miho decided for a change of location. Finding an opening, Miho flashed with Shunpo and slammed a Bakuenjin, propelling Shalba to an open space outside.

Highly irritated, the smoking Maou saw the salamander coming again and engaged in close combat, utilizing his superior stats more than technique. He threw a punch but Miho slapped his wrist away and twirled, erupting another Bakuenjin on his abdomen. Shalba endured and swiftly swung his other arm down, nicking the salamander's cheek.

She thrusted a palm to the head which tilted away whereas he retaliated with a high kick to the gut, thumping the air out of her. Shalba managed to get two more punches to her face before a swirling defense of flame separated them. Clicking his tongue, the Maou created many magic circles and showered with a multitude of elemental magic, mainly water and ice.

Ducking under a boulder, the pinkette twisted low and spread her arms as more magic passed by her head, using Shunpo and heat sensing to avoid most of the damage until Shalba couldn't move. He resisted to break free until the others caught up and another lightning metal returned. It struck clean as he suffered more injuries to his chest and legs.

"Damn it! Do not trifle me you low-class weaklings!" True to his title, the Beelzebub called out a hive of bees, strafing the ORC with an army of immense magic. The move serves as both offense and blocking Gasper's view on him.

Miho clapped her hands together, detonating Bakuenjin into a wide range fire tsunami to counter. Everyone could feel the heat wave wafting them and destroying the surroundings, yet it wasn't enough. They made their own defense, Issei's shield, Yuuto's wall of swords, Gasper's gear while the others mowed the rest with senjutsu, magic, and holy energy.

"Above!"

The swarm rained down more while the Maou let loose another wave of elemental magic from another direction. Miho separated, she alone could handle the bees while the others buy time. Threads whipped out as they swung while Miho dodged the others. Once she was close enough, the salamander exterminated them and proceeded to emit flame bombs for long range support.

Issei bulldozed through with his shield still up and attempted to claw Shalba's face only to get a hard jab to the gut and receive a lethal dose of light. The Beelzebub jumped back from a bomb before getting into a pincer trap by Yuuto and Koneko. Their attacks made contact with defensive spells before they got demolished by more bees.

Turning his attention to the rear group, Shalba prepared to charge towards Sirzechs' little sister though pain erupted from his back, he found the three fighters were already back on their feet, healed by the tags. Gasper saw his chance and froze him once more however, Shalba saw through and managed to resist. The other four fighters crashed their attacks as he barely broke free, albeit his left arm came flying off from the explosion.

Despite the amount of damage he's taken since Miho's rampage until now, his immense durability gave him the will to keep fighting. Swinging his arm, he loaded the three behind him with light before zooming to the rear, deeming the dhampir to be the biggest threat. Several green barriers emerged which were shattered easily. Xenovia arrived to Shalba's right with Durandal while Akeno electrified her hand similar to Daisuke's wind drill on his left.

Undaunted, the Maou wafted light energy them omni-directionally. Asia had to start healing them herself because most members were too hurt to grab their tags. Miho skydived and used Hoka Nagare to isolate herself with Shalba, providing the healer time to do her work.

"Pesky spirit!" The Beelzebub growled in hatred, very crossed with his lost limb and let off water magic. Miho danced through with light footwork, palm thrusting his left side but he leaned back and uppercut. She tried again with quick jabs which were blocked by his forearms, tilted right from a kick before extending a thread from her fingertip to scratch his face.

Heat was going to Shalba's head while he was sweating buckets, he never expected a formidable fighter or a hard fight, and it made him furious. Barely stopping an explosion from the speeding salamander with his spell on his hand, "You insolent buffoon! I have the power which surpassed previous Beelzebub! I will ascend back to my rightful throne! I will humiliate Vali for not following me! I will rule the Underworld!"

"A vengeful dictator will never be accepted by this generation of devils. Your time ended when you rejected their pleas. Someone who mercilessly killed Hanwei-sama, has no right to rule to begin with!"

"What do you know about us outsider!? You have become arrogant simply because you can keep up with us devils!"

"I have visited the Underworld before and they all are satisfied with their current live. Have the denizens voiced out for your return? Have they sought out for you? No! You are nothing more than history who is not needed by anyone!"

Shalba's blood pressure shot up by the blatant insult, his urge to kill the salamander and wrench her heart out increased through the roof, "DAMN YOUUU!"

While they were talking, Miho sent her tendrils underground which then emerged underneath Shalba, binding him in place. She jumped out of the fire dome as everyone else was already healed and surrounding the Maou. They assaulted with everything they got as Miho condensed the dome to burn him in a swirling whirlpool of fire.

They didn't dare to stop and relentlessly kept peppering him until an explosion boomed them away. The Beelzebub had injuries all over him yet his bloodshot eyes conveyed killing intent, "Anyone who rejects me..." His demonic magic bubbled to critical levels, black layers of Ophis' power growing thicker. The ground beneath him crumbled from the pressure and it's whipping up an aura of malice, "DOES NOT DESERVE TO LIVE!"

"In your dreams bastard!" Issei went to sucker punch from behind but got his helmet grappled and smashed into the ground. Yuuto and Akeno worked together to erupt a path of electrical holy demonic swords towards him yet his magic eradicated them. He summoned more bees, rendering Miho and Rias to work in tandem with Hoka Nagare and Trace Annihilation for more precision.

In one moment, he was gone and reappeared in front of the trembling Bishops. Xenovia went to protect her friends though got her wrist caught before Durandal could make contact, using her to swing the holy sword at the Bishops instead. The bluenette forced her hand to release. As Shalba ignited her limb, a scream of pain escaped from his mouth.

Hidden on the Knight's other hand was Ascalon, stabbed into the Maou's torso. Koneko swooped in and fly kicked his head with senjutsu while Asia went to pull Xenovia away with Gasper. Shalba was disoriented long enough for the Rook to grab concrete the size of a house and tossed it. However, cracks spread from below the concrete as the Maou muscled his way out.

From the back of his head, Shalba sensed the blue legendary broadsword yet was surprised to see the other Knight wielding it. He spun to meet Yuuto with magic, prepared to blow a hole in him, except the latter feinted. The technique type shifted his sight to the light manipulation device, slashing them to pieces along with slicing his forearm. The Yuuto was about to stab the spine next until a concentrated blast of magic tore a hole in his stomach.

Everyone was feeling the fatigue catching up to them. Although anger and healing kept them going, their stamina was running out. Nonetheless, one Ultimate-class didn't have a single thought about slowing down.

Miho flashed to the frontlines, lashing the barrage of elemental magic with her threads. She pivoted a fist away and slammed a Bakuenjin on his chest before gliding around him as bees unleashed their flood of bullets. The next thing Shalba knew was that he was rocketed into the air because of another Bakuenjin. Miho flashed to his back and repeated, then flashing to his front with an even stronger explosion.

The salamander never let up as Shalba swam through the air as if Miho was playing burning volleyball with herself, the bees couldn't process where the fuck was their summoner. With each thrust, memories of her with her mate surfaced in her mind, she poured her emotions and becoming closer to lose herself again. The ORC who was catching their breath, couldn't even see what was going on at that speed.

That ended when Shalba's demonic magic surged all over his body. His swarm returned to his side, charging every last bit magic to the point the earth was rumbling. The size grew astronomically, his visage twisted to deranged anger, "ENOUGH! I HOLD MORE POWER THAN ANY OF YOU! I AM-"

"LESS THAN TRASH!" Miho roared back and began to charge her own attack, the air sizzled with Funkanekken empowering her beyond her limit. The strongest technique she learned during her training with Second. However, it could only be used in her heightened state and she didn't have the time to properly learn it on her last big fight. Cupping her hands together, she condensed her flames into one super concentrated spot which resulted in a bright light shining as far as the eye can see.

"REIDIANTO BANA (RADIANT BURNER)!"

As a propeller flame appeared on her back to stabilize her posture, Miho fired an enormous intense laser of pure flames, her hands singing from overloading. The two beams clashed and produced a shockwave, a strong squall blowing everything around them. It appears they were evenly matched until Shalba was slowly pushing Miho back.

Green aura of healing enveloped the salamander, soothing the pain and supporting her. Asia exerted the last of her strength to support their strongest fighter. The blonde felt responsible for what happened to Daisuke and the sight of Miho's pain worsened her guilt. She could see the sadness within the ferocity of her fight. That's why, Asia wanted to do what she can.

"Don't forget about us!" Xenovia crossed Durandal and Ascalon together, synergizing the holy energies together. Koneko was on her back, revving her ki to produce more energy. The little Rook vowed to use her senjutsu to help people in front of Daisuke and she was gonna keep it. They worked together and made a pillar of augmented light, Xenovia swung down and collided against Shalba's magic to aid Miho.

"We're not done yet!" Yuuto ignored his exacerbated aching, forcing his Sacred Gear to sprout holy demonic swords as many he could as large as he could towards Shalba. The swords couldn't get close enough due to the Maou's dense ambient magic destroying his surroundings, until black hands surfaced from the blades' shadows and did whatever they could to wrap Shalba. Gasper couldn't clearly see through the blinding light or control his dhampir prowess very well, but he sure as hell couldn't worry about failing right now.

Finally, they were at a stalemate yet Issei wanted more, he wanted to make Shalba pay!

[Transfer]

This is a move the Sekiryuutei thought of when he saw Daisuke's finisher against Kokabiel. Forming a Dragon Shot, he melded Power of Destruction and Holy Lightning into it to further power it up. Rias' and Akeno's faces were pale from exhaustion but the fury in their eyes didn't wane, using their lifeforce in place of depleting magic to supply more power.

"More!"

Daisuke was just an ordinary guy who didn't belong in this world, yet he did everything he could to help. He acted like a joke-loving goofball who only wanted to go home. He got dragged into their mess. No matter how bad the situation is, he always thinks of way to come out on top. He was innocent and kind to everyone. So why...? Why of all people, did he have to be the one to die!?

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He didn't care if he was vomiting blood. He didn't care if his body was breaking. He didn't care if his lifespan was shortened. All Issei cared about, was to make the gaping void in his heart go away.

"HRRAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHH!"

The empowered Dragon Shot changed the tide. The entire ORC screamed their sorrows into their attacks, puncturing through Shalba's magic and ultimately beating him. An explosion of cataclysmic proportions resulted from the clash, shattering the barrier and painting the sky in a myriad of colors. An earthquake tremored, cleaving the ground to separate parts and toppling the shrine.

Everyone fell lifelessly, thoroughly out of breath. They have won the battle... but at what cost?

"Daisuke..." Issei mourned over the loss of his friend, tears and snot dropping onto the ground. After the adrenaline subsided, sadness came flooding back. There was no cheers, no relief, no bittersweet satisfaction from victory... only emptiness. They all sobbed, covering their faces and uncontrollably swept by emotions.

"Come on man... Please tell me you're just messing with us." Unable to accept reality, the Pawn kept talking as if his best friend was still alive, "I'll do anything... just come back."

"Really? Will you stop bothering me to teach you x-ray vision?"

"Yeah."

"And quit asking me to share any steamy stuff I've done?"

"Sure."

"And stop ogling at Miho for the rest of your life."

"Got it"

"You promise?"

"I pro-... Hey wait a second!" Issei immediately stood up to find Daisuke behind them, alive.

"Dang, I was so close."

"Daisuke you asshole! I seriously thought-"

A pink blur bolted towards the Rook, enveloping him in a tight hug. However, he yelped in pain, "Hanwei-sama!? You're hurt!"

"It's his ki!" Although the nekoshou tried to help, she tripped from tiredness. Luckily Daisuke caught her while enduring his own pain, "Get some rest first, you guys deserve it."

They weakly crowded around their friend, wiping away the tears and feeling their hearts lightening up. Regardless of what happened, they couldn't stop the smile widening on their faces.

Rias and Akeno were envious of Miho and Koneko for getting hugged by Daisuke, though he noticed they were holding back to not burden him any more. Smiling apologetically, he opened an arm to invite them for a hug and needless to say, they wasted no time snuggling.

"Sorry for worrying you. I got sent to the Dimensional Gap. Almost disintegrated, but I managed to hold out long enough until backup arrives. You wouldn't believe what happened to me."

"Really? What did happen?"

I stared at Great Red.

Great Red stared back.

If it was any other situation, I would be running away right now. There was no killing intent or malice I could sense from the dragon. Either he's actually a pretty nice guy or he doesn't see me as a danger and will swat me away like a fly... Please let it be the former.

Don't know how much longer I can last but he soon raised a claw over me, grabbing the Susanoo ribcage before creating a cuboidal barrier to protect me. My body was finally free of the strain, muscles loosening as I gulped in air. Now if only I wasn't hurt so bad, feels like fighting Bikou again. Slapping on a tag, bits and pieces of my disintegrated body were restored.

"Thank you."

He answered with a reverberating growl, "Grrr."

"You know I can't understand you right?"

"Grrr."

"I'm just gonna pretend that I understand from here on out. I got teleported here by an enemy to get me killed. Sorry about intruding your territory."

"Grrr."

"Anyway, I need to get back and help my friends." My ki is a mess and I'll most probably be useless if I escape with the last of my energy via Space Burst, assuming my ki is good enough to use Space Burst, "Can you please teleport me back to the Underworld? Around the area where lots of devils, angels, and fallen angels are fighting."

"Grrr."

He then shook the barrier with me in it. The sudden violent motion rocked me back and forth, he kept it up for a few minutes before bringing me to his eye level. The gravity pressed me against the floor until he abruptly stopped, splatting me to the ceiling. If he could generate this much force so casually, I'd stand zero chance against him.

Nausea overwhelmed me as I held back the urge to throw up, reducing my multipliers to less than one to stop the dizziness and agony, "Is that a no?"

He tilted his head and studied me as if I'm an interesting specimen, "Grrr."

"Uh, whatever it is you're looking for inside me. I'm 60% sure it's not there."

"Grrr." Great Red stretched his two sets of wings and took flight. This time, I glued myself with the tree climbing technique as he made loop-the-loops. His facial features remained the same yet somehow, I got the feeling that he's enjoying himself. I had to hold on real tight when he made a sharp turn upwards and nosediving back down, "Grrr~"

"I see, so you like flying around. I can relate, flying for the first time made me feel giddy too."

"Grrr~"

"... Say Great Red, I'm actually from a different universe than the one you know. A universe where there's no devils or anything related to magic. Do you know a way to help me get back?"

His fun paused, bringing me back to eye level again.

"It's not that I want to go back now, I still have lots of stuff to do here. About five months ago, I supposedly have passed through the Dimensional Gap to this universe. Do you know anything?"

He shook his head.

"Not even a way send a message to my world?"

He shook his head again.

"What about Ophis? Do you know why she wants me?"

Another shake.

"Yeah, figured as much." Sighing in disappointment, I braced myself as he flew to a certain direction before arriving at a familiar group.

"Holy shit!"

"We're dead nya..."

"Impossible! I was certain that we could avoid meeting him!"

"Oh ho." Vali walked forward with the resolve to die, gearing up to fight, "If a fight is what you want-"

"Wait!" The jewels on Divine Dividing shined, Albion speaking out hastily, "Great Red did not come for a challenge, he is making a request to return someone to the Underworld."

"Return someone?" The Hakuryuukou asked in bemusement before they trailed their vision towards me. They were dumbstruck by my presence and I can't blame them. I'm literally like a mouse compared to the behemoth dragon who is known to be the strongest in the DxD universe. Even the normally calm and collected Vali was stunned for a few seconds, "Tan Han Wei?"

"Hey Vali, we have got to stop meeting each other like this." The dragon placed me on their barrier, allowing me to enter inside. Smiling gratefully, I waved my arm to him, "Thanks for the ride Great Red."

"Grrr." Surprisingly, he waved back before flying away and resuming to his loop-the-loops.

Now that that's over, I analyzed my situation. Surrounded by four highly powerful enemies with nowhere else to run and drained from getting exposed to the Dimensional Gap, could be worse, "So what now?"

Bikou made an incredulous face, "What now!? That's my line! Since when the hell did you become all buddy-buddy with the Apocalypse Dragon!?"

Shrugging my shoulders, "Beats me, I just talked to him like a normal person. He's actually a pretty chill guy once you ignore the fact that he can accidentally kill you with a single claw."

"Wow groper-chan, just when I thought you couldn't get any more ballsy. Does that mean you already did it with Shirone and lizard-chan nya? Am I gonna become an aunt nya?"

"Seriously? What makes you think I'm gonna answer that?"

"Don't all boys want to brag about losing their virginity to stroke their egos?"

"I'm not included in that category."

"You haven't done it have you nya?"

"Kuroka, I will get the spray bottle."

"Quite an impressive sight if I do say so myself." Arthur inspected me delightfully, "I can tell that you possess well trained muscles for swordplay. I believe this is our first meeting, my name is Arthur Pendragon, descendant of King Arthur and wielder of Caliburn."

"I'm Tan Han Wei and I'm sure you've already heard much about me from Vali, just a friendly neighborhood hybrid." I switched my attention to their leader, "So, could you send me back? Issei and the others are probably facing Shalba right now."

"Very well."

"... That's it? No conditions? No demands for a fight?"

"You have shown me something interesting, I have gathered much by witnessing Great Red up close. Furthermore," He smirked playfully, "we have a temporary truce."

That guy still remembers that? I thought it broke off the moment we left Ojiro's Ramen. Something's not right here, could he really be this fickle? I know he helped Issei and Asia in canon, and his ki says he's not lying either. But the way he mentioned the temporary truce bothers me for some reason.

Then again, dragons tend to do whatever they please. And I'm not in any position to complain either, got to regroup with the others quick.

So their barrier/transportation changed directions. It was awkward for me while the others were pretty relaxed, though Kuroka appeared like she's paying attention to me for a different reason, "If you're wondering how's Koneko doing, she's fine. She's even practicing her senjutsu everyday."

She bristled, "I- I know she's doing fine, she's my cute little sister. I wasn't worried about her at all nya."

"Except Kuroka kept complaining about not getting her sister back."

"Shut up you damn monkey!"

"Come on, when did you turn tsundere? Might as well ask him about everything you need to know."

"You maggot fleabag! I'll claw your eyes out if you don't shut up nya!"

Those two proceeded to bicker, I sweatdropped at the display and turned to Arthur, "Are they always like this?"

"Quite often." He sipped some tea elegantly, "They will stop soon enough or Vali will discipline them."

Am I the only one being vigilant here?

"We have arrived." Vali announced, a hole enlarged and we exited.

"Holy shit." I spotted everyone completely worn out while the area looked like it was a warzone, "Better join up before they go into depression."

"Hang on." Issei gave me a weird look, "Vali helped you? Then where is he?"

"What do you mean? He's-" Shifting my gaze to behind me, I found empty space with no terrorists at all, "gone? I didn't get to thank him yet."

"Still, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine Great Red himself would assist you Hanwei-kun."

"It is truly a miracle. Thank you for looking after Hanwei, Michael-sama. Amen."

"Thank you for returning safely Hanwei-san."

"Uwwaahhh! S-s-senpai, I missed youuuu!"

I could only smile apologetically, the pain of losing someone close is really deep. Guess I owe them big for this. Gazing at the four girls in my arms, I saw that they were still hugging me as if I would disappear again, they weren't even listening to what I said. For them to care so much about me... It really warms my heart.

"Hey."

They tilted their heads up to me.

"I'm home."

Tears once again flowed but this time, it was out of happiness.

""""Welcome back.""""

AN: In case you haven't noticed, Alterous and Sagittario were inspired from Digimon Adventure 2020. Calamity Mail's appearance is like a mix of Scale Mail and Gallantmon Crimson Mode, it's also got the Dramon Killers from Wargreymon and Victory Shield from Victorygreymon. At first I wanted to give the Brave Shield from the former as well but the shape doesn't suit Issei's thrusters and dragon wings. As for the pandemic in my country... not much improvement. Hope you all like it. Please leave a review and tell me what you think.

Ja Ne