Welcome to the next chapter of DxD – The Last Amagiri, but before starting the story. Let's answer some reviews:
Altair95: Thanks. It seems that Kensei and the others will be fighting against the Valkyrie Squad next and it will be an interesting match, to say the least. And the ones involved in the next incident will be revealed in the final moments of this volume.
Norse Exhibition II
Tomorrow morning soon arrived, Kensei, Zane, Maria, Hisui, Alice, and Claire all prepared themselves through a long-term meeting about all possible strategies to counter the Valkyrie Squad. Before the appointed time, Kensei and Zane found themselves standing in the living room, but dressed in combat uniforms that seemed to be specially made for them matching their particular colors.
"Wow, this uniform is well-made. I'm almost surprised that it fits me this well."
Kensei noted as he moved around in this uniform and didn't feel the slightest bit of discomfort in it.
"…yea."
Zane spoke in a more deflated tone as he shared the same thought as Kensei, but didn't seem to be as energetic as him about the new combat uniforms provided to them. Although, it could be because of the person who provided them with these uniforms. There's also the letter that arrived with their combat clothing and Zane placed it on the table after reading the letter.
"What is that bad? That letter from your brother."
Kensei questioned hearing from Zane's mother that the new clothing was provided by Zane's oldest brother, Albert who he mentioned as being proficient in making clothes and armors.
"It wasn't that bad, but I don't think that I'd want to meet him anytime soon."
Zane said dryly recalling what the letter read:
Dear, Little Brother,
It wasn't bad enough that you haven't talked to us for a time or responded when I invited you to my wedding, but you now have the nerve and gall to for favors from the gods. It seems you also had our mother contact me to see if I can make uniforms for your friends for this battle against the Valkyrie Squad without you being the one to do it yourself. I made them in a day so don't expect much, but I want you to remember that the next time, contact me yourself and don't have our mother do it for you.
From the oldest brother who tolerates you,
Albert Wayland
P.S. I hope the uniform fits.
There was, of course, a part of Zane that felt bad since he didn't take it upon himself to contact his eldest brother himself instead of having his mother do it for him. But, Zane was still a little preoccupied with coming up with their strategies against the Valkyrie Squad.
"He isn't wrong, I have been too preoccupied with research and planning that I haven't spent that much time with my family," Zane thought as he looked at the uniform that his brother tailored for him. "Hey, Kensei?"
"Hmm?"
"You think that it would be alright if I took some time off to meet my brothers?"
Zane questioned causing Kensei to stare at him wearing a neutral expression.
Kensei approached Zane without speaking a single word, then knocked him on top of his head wearing the same neutral look on his face using a single balled-up hand.
"Ouch! What was that for?! Is it that bad that I…?!"
Zane said holding his head using both hands.
"No, idiot. If you want to take a break to see your brothers, then you don't need our permission," Kensei replied naturally wearing a more genuine expression. "Come on, Zane you do more work than anyone in Kibou to where all of us are because of you. All the ideas and planning that we have are because of you along with us even being in the Norse World talking to the Chief God. We all need a break from time to time to talk to our families and enjoy the time we have with them. It wouldn't be a bad thing seeing your older brother."
Hearing Kensei's explanation caused Zane to understand those words completely and return from his almost dry and depressed demeanor.
"You're right, even if I do end up getting scolded by them. I still need to meet up with my older brothers," Zane in a more resolved tone stated. "I'll do it after all this business with the Norse World is done. But, before I go there is something important that I need to tell everyone."
"Does it have anything to do with this plan if yours?"
"It just might."
As both Zane and Kensei were finishing up their conversation, several steps were coming in the direction of the stairs. Running down the stairs first was Hisui who landed on the ground showing off her new combat uniform wearing an excited look on her face.
"Yahoo, this feels great," Hisui exclaimed as she danced around showing off her tail, in a manner that looked as if she was directing it toward Kensei. "You're brother is awesome for making these uniforms for us in one night. I didn't think that he'd make it so that my tail could stick out too."
"I must say that I love these uniforms too," Maria said as she raised her arms. "I also appreciate that he was kind enough to make shorts for the girls instead of skirts and make them easier to move around in."
"I'm surprised that he managed to do all this in a single night. I was worried that the work would be too rushed as your mother sent our measurements to him a little late."
Claire added as she realized the uniform seemed almost too comfortable to have been made in a single night.
"Well, that's my oldest brother for you. He does good work even in less than a night, which seems almost like his best effort. And unless the girls request it, he'll make them shorts for a battle, and even then, he'll make them as modest as possible."
Zane replied almost feeling proud about the work that his eldest brother made.
"Before we leave, is everyone prepared for fighting against the Valkyrie Squad?"
Kensei questioned turning to the five people inside the room, reminding them once again that their opponents in this situation are the Valkyrie Squad members all of them have bonded with.
"Of course, friends or not, we've all become determined to see this through to the end."
Maria replied confidently, placing her hands on her hips.
"We have to prove ourselves to those gods that we aren't a normal bunch of kids, right?"
Claire questioned.
"This isn't for our future alone, but for all the people at Kibou Town."
"Well, we know that we don't need to ask that of Ken Ken," Hisui said as she approached him smiling. "Because our Ken Ken has no fear no matter the opponent or the sheer numbers in front of him like back on Hagun Island."
"Well, I wasn't alone, I had a handful of people beside me the entire time," Kensei said recalling all the times that he and the others worked together against all of Hagun Island as children. "So, like before, let's show them what we can all do when we work together as a team!"
[Yea!]
Zane, Maria, Hisui, Alice, and Claire all declared at the same time feeling elevated.
"I can come up with different plans and ideas for the future, but there are no other people in our group that can raise everyone's spirits like, you," Zane said smiling staring at Kensei who raised his hand in the air. "Of course, Hisui can do the same in her way. And Maria has the capabilities of a true leader. Without these three, then it would have been impossible to gather everyone. Of course, that's where the next phase is the most important."
Zane looked at his three friends who managed to accomplish things that even he couldn't with neither strategies nor plans, which was attracting people.
"I want to see what we can all do together."
Zane spoke out loud this time causing them to stare in his direction and nodded.
"If possible, then let's turn the entire world upside down!"
Hisui openly declared smiling.
"I see everyone is prepared for the match?"
All of them turned to see Smith standing behind them holding both his hands at his hips smirking.
"Yes, we're all prepared for fighting against the Valkyrie Squad. Though, I don't think that I can be excited about fighting against the people I've started to bond with. However, I'm sure their side has resolved themselves to this fight as we've done as well."
Maria pointed out.
"Well, no matter, I believe that the fight will be an interesting one. I mean, it has been a couple of hours, but almost all the people in Midgard are looking forward to it. I'm sure that the other species in the Norse World will also be looking forward to seeing the people from the other world battle against the Valkyrie Squad."
"But, of course, there's no person who wouldn't want to see my adorable Zane and his friends in action," hearing Anne talking to them from the kitchen before arriving holding what seemed to be a picnic basket in her hands. "I'd believe that this is something worth watching with the most appropriate picnic lunch with my husband."
"Hahaha, it has been a long time since we went out on a picnic and also while watching our battle against the Valkyrie Squad. I cannot think of an anymore perfect scene."
"Well, your parents sure are making a spectacle about this."
Claire started wearing a wry smile.
"That's them. Well, shall we head off?"
Hearing Zane's question, all of them started heading off outside of the Wayland Household towards the location where they would be fighting against the Valkyrie.
As soon as all of them stepped outside the Wayland Residence, almost all of them were bombarded with several questions and comments from the residents. Most of them all ranged from wondering about their fight against the Valkyrie Squad, which was led by the Chief Valkyrie, Brynhildr. Of course, some of them aimed far more support rather than criticism for their decision likely more because Zane was involved.
Soon Kensei, Zane, Maria, Hisui, Alice, and Claire arrived in front of an arena in Midgard, where there seemed to be several people already gathered. Through their perspective alone, most of them consist of humans, but there were others such as other Valkyrie, Dwarves, and there were some Elves based on the pointed ears.
"Wow, there are more people than I expected to see. I didn't expect to see members of the Elves here too."
Zane pointed out.
"Aren't Elves more reluctant to appear around humans and others?"
Hisui wondered out loud.
"Sometimes, but I guess that members of the Elven race were interested in this match. There have rarely been people from another faction to arrive in the Norse World and ended up fighting against the Valkyrie Squad. I believe that even the usual reclusive Elves don't want to miss this chance. But, I'm sure the most important ones are sitting with the VIPs watching the match."
Zane replied pointing to see there was an area where the important figures such as Odin and Vidar sent the group pleasant stares, there were other Gods neither of them could recognize from appearance alone. Besides all of them were Dwarves and Elves, two of them seemed to have their children around them watching.
"Well, we might as well ensure neither of them wasted their time coming here."
Hisui added walking ahead of them with Alice and Claire following behind her, with Kensei, Zane, and Maria in the back having a single odd feeling running through them.
"Hey, Kensei, Zane, does this bring back a familiar feeling?"
Maria questioned looking around the arena.
"Here I thought I was the only person who wondered that."
Kensei replied sharing the same feeling.
Standing inside an arena filled with people looking forward to seeing them fight brought back a familiar feeling all of them felt several times as children.
"I'm sure Hisui was reminded of the same thing, which was why she walked ahead with Alice and Claire," Zane in an anxious tone spoke out loud. "It doesn't have the same eerie sensation as it, but I can't help but be reminded of Gehenna Tournament standing here like this. I never competed in it, but I can't help but be reminded of that."
It wasn't something that all of them could forget, but….
"This place doesn't share that same sensation as that time. So, we can do this for ourselves this time."
Kensei noted as he started walking forward.
"He's right. We didn't come all here to back down because of something like this."
"I know, I was just stating what we were all thinking."
Maria added and Zane finished off before following behind Kensei, then catching up to the others who stood right in the center of the arena field.
Kensei, Zane, Maria, Hisui, Alice, and Claire all lined up in a single field line waiting for their opponents to arrive from the opposite side of the entrance. Moments later, as expected, all the members of the Valkyrie Squad came through that entrance toward them. Brynhildr, Grimgerde, Schwertleite, Ortlinde, Rossweisse, and Helmwige all lined up in front of their opponents. Kensei and the others could see that they were armed with their weapons.
"Well, they seem more or less prepared."
Kensei could feel a slight sense of exhilaration as he noted the serious expressions and postures of the Valkyrie Squad members. Maria shared a similar feeling, but it wasn't to the point where it could compare to someone like a battle maniac.
"I never once thought that we'd be facing one another like this."
Maria decided to speak up first.
"Me neither, but as Valkyrie, we answer the calls of the Valkyrie."
Schwertleite replied.
Maria could tell in Schwertleite's tone alone that she was serious about facing them as opponents.
The twelve of them stood there, then before long, there was a voice that resonated across the entire arena which came from the spectator's room. There the Chief God, Odin himself was holding a microphone-like device in his hands and coughed before speaking.
{Hello, I, the Chief God, Odin will be acting as the arbiter for the match between the visitors of the Norse Faction and our Valkyrie Squad. Instead of being to settle a dispute from both sides, this battle will act as a test to see if these visitors are worth being affiliated with the Norse World.}
Hearing Odin's response caused the people to become silent and listen to them.
{Both sides have agreed to the terms that win or lose as long as their match can stir up the hearts of all the viewers, then they'll prove themselves. As such, this match will also be viewed all around the Norse World for the people unable to see the match in this arena. Together with me are the Elves' King and Queen and the Elders, as well as the Dwarven Elders who will also act as spectators with me and the other gods.}
Several murmurs could be heard in the arena and most of them sounded excited about the idea of watching a battle occur between others from another faction.
{Both teams will be transported inside another space where the battlefield will be taking place and will replicate the battlefield. Once there, both sides will be allowed to use whatever methods in achieving victory whether it's using strategies or overwhelming strength. Whatever method either side chooses, please ensure neither opponent will be killed in the aftermath. But, at the same time, don't hold back, we do have healers on our side. Now, if there's nothing left to say from either side.}
There wasn't a single response from the people from either side, but Kensei and Brynhildr looked at one another wearing a confident smiles.
"If anything, I'd like to wish you luck, Kensei."
Brynhildr said first before Kensei.
"Thanks. But, I was going to say the same thing, Brynhildr-san."
Kensei added, showing confidence that Brynhildr couldn't help but admire.
{Well, then let's get started!}
At that announcement, there was a magic circle that appeared underneath the people standing in the middle with the same confident look on their faces.
Soon enough, Kensei and the others found themselves standing inside a stone tower where there seemed to be several different means for strategies ranging from maps and writing implements. All of them looked around curious about the location that was replicated for this battlefield against the Valkyrie Squad. Claire walked toward the window to find a wide forested area, causing Clare to stare at the location in wonder.
"Wow, this place is really wide."
Claire pointed out placing both her hands on the stone window sill as she poked her head outside the stone-built tower to get a better look around the area. Outside she could see the darkened clouds appearing almost as if it'll start raining or a thunderstorm at worst. Although, it wouldn't be surprising if the artificial space was designed so that it could reproduce that kind of weather phenomenon.
"What kind of replicated battlefield were we sent to?"
Maria questioned staring outside the tower window after Claire to see the wide forested area, then noticed there were several circular clearings were no trees. Those clearings looked like the perfect places where people could fight without being deterred by the trees around them. As all of them were looking outside to scour the entire land around the tower, Zane looked around the room that all of them were in.
Based on looks alone, it looked as if they were on the tower's top floor and room, but overall, the room looked as normal as possible. It looked like the perfect location to hold a strategic meeting, but it made him wonder what happened in this tower.
"I wouldn't know, there has been several battle and events recorded around the Norse world. So, it'll be difficult to tell what battle occurred in this field, in particular."
Zane spoke as he started searching through the drawers and closets inside of the strategic meeting room, where he found both the tower's building plans and the battlefield's map. After retrieving both items, he posted them on the walls where everyone could see them. He, Kensei, and the others stood in front of both maps to get a clear look at them for themselves.
"From the looks of it, the tower we're standing in is located at the further right end of the forest in the clearing," an unsettled sigh soon escaped from Maria's voice as she sighed. "But, it doesn't show where the Valkyrie Squad's base is."
"Of course, it wouldn't," Zane added. "This is a test to see what we can do without knowing much about the battle in front of us and standing in the most obvious location possible. But, at the same time, the Valkyrie Squad likely isn't aware that we're holding up in this tower. And this place could make the perfect stronghold with enough work in a couple of minutes. We weren't given a time limit, but we should hurry up."
"How come?"
Hisui questioned.
"I don't know much about the other members, but I know enough about Brynhildr. Even if they don't know that we ended up in this tower, she could still use magic to search for our location. That's the first thing that I should work on first before Brynhildr finishes it."
Zane noted placing his hand on the Magus Akashic causing the grimoire to manifest in his hands, then opened it up and went to a specific page.
"We should start working fast too. The Valkyrie Squad should be doing the same thing too."
Maria pointed out.
"Well, first things first, we should look around the rest of the tower to see if there's anything that we can find here and use," Zane stated pointing to the building plans, then started going through the different floors. "Then we'll need to plan different defensive barriers and traps in case the Valkyrie Squad decides on an invasion tactic in this battle. For that, we'll have Kensei travel across the forest to place traps around the forest since you're one of the fastest ones here and can mask your presence. Meanwhile, Claire, Maria, and I will be turning this tower into a proper stronghold for us to defend the tower."
All those who heard the requests from Zane nodded their heads in agreement, but both Alice and Hisui held up their hands feeling a little left out right now.
"What about me?"
Alice asked.
"And me too?"
Hisui added.
"I'm sorry if it sounded as if I left you two out," Zane replied scratching his head. "As soon as Kensei finishes setting up the traps, he'll be carrying Alice around the forest placing around your monsters as guards. And Hisui, you will remain here searching for the Valkyrie Squad's base since there isn't another tower around here. There's no one here better at sensing the presence of others aside from you, even Kensei."
"Okay, captain!"
Hisui replied placing her hand in front of her forehead like a soldier.
Zane felt a little embarrassed being called captain but ignored it since there were more important things that all of them needed to do. Hisui did as instructed, sitting down legs crossed as she started sensing the presence of all the people around her, then expanded it outside the tower.
"Well, I'll be heading out first."
As Hisui was doing that, Kensei retrieved a map from Zane before jumping out of the window and using a spell to make himself appear invisible and masked his presence. He kicked off the tower walls and ran in the direction of the forest right in front of himself. Kensei proceeded to plant different talismans on the trees around the diameter of the tower in preparation for a potential invasion.
Inside the strategic room, Zane prepared several paper slips that have magic circles inscribed on all of them. After finishing making them, he handed a lot of them to Maria and passed one of them to Claire instead of the same number to Maria.
"Alright, Claire and Maria, we'll start heading out around the different floors placing up defensive barriers," Zane explained pointing at the paper slips in Maria's hands. "Since Maria isn't that intuitive in using magic, all you need to do is place these slips on the walls and the magic circle will be set up. Claire, do you think that you can place it up by copying the magic circle on that slip?"
"Is doesn't look that difficult. So, I can do it."
"Alright, we'll be heading off to different sections so that it'll be done a lot faster than if we went together."
""Right, Captain!""
Both Maria and Claire replied teasingly similarly to Hisui.
"Come on. Being called 'Captain' is a little embarrassing."
Zane felt more embarrassed now after hearing them doing that too.
"I'll inform you all if someone attempts to sneak into the forest."
Hisui added before closing her eyes again.
Agreeing to those terms, all of them went their separate directions to finish their assignments, leaving both Hisui and Alice the sole individuals inside the tower's top floor. Despite not having to do it at the moment, Alice thought a lot about what kind of monsters she could create to act as guards. After a couple of more minutes passed as the two of them remained in silence waiting for someone to return.
"Well, it looks like Ken Ken has returned."
Hisui noted sensing his presence scaling up the tower's wall before landing in the room and removing the spell to make himself invisible. After letting a slight breath escape from his mouth, Kensei started stretching his arms out relieving some tension.
"Alright, are you ready Alice?"
Kensei questioned glancing at the blonde who remained sitting in the chair.
"Yes."
After seeing her mode of transport arriving, Alice stood up from her seat, then stood there as Kensei walked up in front of her. Standing there, she wondered how she would be carried off and brought it up.
"So, how are we going to…?"
"How else?"
Kensei replied and picked up Alice in a bridal style holding the blonde in his arms, causing the usual stoic Alice to blush a shade of red.
"Huh, is there something wrong?"
Kensei seemed to tease causing Alice to hide her face a little.
"Meanie."
Alice spoke in her Italian accent, hiding her face from Kensei who seemed to smirk slightly.
"Seems like Ken Ken has picked up how to tease people," Hisui spoke in a tone that could even almost be called jealous. "I'm doing a good job to Ken Ken."
"Yea, I know."
As Kensei walked to Hisui, he removed his hands, which were holding up Alice and he instead held her up with his free hand. And his other hand was used to pet Hisui on top of her head, then ended up brushing her ears, causing a mew to leave her mouth.
"Ken Ken does know how to praise his neko."
Hisui said smiling at the petting.
"Well, if the neko performs well, then the petting will improve too."
Kensei replied before making both himself and Alice invisible, then descended the tower covering Alice in a shell of ki so she wouldn't be affected by the wind pressure.
"I do feel like a princess being carried by her knight."
"Well, in my case, I would be a samurai."
Kensei noted after landing on the ground holding Alice in his arms, then started moving around at high speeds so she could leave her monsters around as guards.
Meanwhile, in another location further inside of the forest, members of the Valkyrie Squad were gathered inside a stone-built base. Similar to Kensei and the others, Helmwige and Grimgerde departed to strengthen their base and turn it into a stronghold. Inside the strategic room that acted as their main room where they were planning their next move.
"So, Captain what's our first move?"
Schwertleite questioned.
"We'll need to be careful with our next couple of moves in this battle," Brynhildr replied sounding more serious than before. "There's no doubt that Kensei and the others are planning how they're going to proceed next against us. All of them even if they're not all strategists are experienced enough to realize going against us using a direct tactic is tantamount to showing the spectators they are inexperienced children. And as I said before, we're going to treat them like genuine opponents."
"So, then what do we know about them from here?"
Rossweisse questioned causing Brynhildr to cross her arms.
Brynhildr walked up to the board posted on the stone wall, then started writing out their opponents' names on the board one by one. Their names were positioned as such: Kensei, Zane, Maria, Hisui, Alice, and Claire on the top of the board.
"Based on meeting them in person and examining them myself. I can tell that Kensei and Maria are vanguards in their group who fights on the front lines. Zane and Claire could be the middle guards who support using magic. And Alice could be the rearguard who supports them. Although, I wasn't able to get a proper read on the position that Hisui would be placed in."
Brynhildr wrote the positions that all of them could belong to and left Hisui's as undetermined at the moment.
"We'll be using the same scaling that those from the Underworld use for their Rating Game. I realize that Kensei is a Technique-type who is adept in close combat and wields powers originating from the Shinto Faction. Zane is a Wizard-type who is adept in the same Norse magic as us and owns that special grimoire. Maria is a Technique-type who wields one able to create holy swords. Claire is likely a Wizard-type since she doesn't give off too much of an impression of a close-range fighter and owns a still unknown sacred gear. Hisui is yet again still an unknown factor. Alice is a Support-type who is almost as strong as a human but wields one of the Longinus able to create monsters."
"So, will Alice-san become a determining factor in this match?"
Rossweisse questioned.
"Our side has the same numbers, but we're more experienced in combat. However, Alice owns a sacred gear that can create as many monsters as possible, which can give them numbers above us. But, the one main weakness of that kind of sacred gear even a Longinus is the wielder," Brynhildr pointed out facing to see a complicated look on Rossweisse's face. "Don't be considered Rose. This space is designed in the same manner as the Underworld Rating Games, the moment they're injured too much, then they'll be teleported back. And there are healers outside waiting to heal the wounded."
"I-I know, Brynhildr."
"Well, even then, I'm sure Zane thought about that possibility as well," Brynhildr had added. "I can tell from their previous talk with Odin-sama that he's the strategist and planner in their group. So, he'll likely think about holding Alice in their base and having someone remain by her side to protect her aside from monsters. So, our first move will be to locate their base."
""Captain, we've returned.""
Both Helmwige and Grimgerde who were sent to fortify the base into a proper stronghold returned standing right in front of their Captain in a dutiful position.
"Have you both fortified the base?"
"Yes, we're prepared for any kind of assault that the enemy side attempts."
Helmwige replied to Brynhildr who nodded her head.
"Good, then we'll move to the next stage of locating their base, but," Brynhildr pointed out bringing magic circles in front of herself and activating a technique that didn't appear to have a single thing on it. "It appears as if Zane has thought about that as well since I'm unable to locate any of them on the battlefield. Although it'd be hard for me to locate those without some time, I should be able to locate them since I've done to know them. But, I'm unable to locate the presence of anyone on the battlefield aside from us."
Hearing that from their Captain caused the members before her to become impressed at the feat performed by their opponents. However, Brynhildr didn't appear to be too concerned about being unable to locate them at all.
"But, I believe that it wouldn't be difficult to locate them. Several trees could be used as cover, but at the same time, few places could act as proper bases for them to plan strategies."
Almost seconds later, Ortlinde walked through the entrance leading inside of the strategic room after being sent to examine the area surrounding their base.
"So, Ortlinde did you manage to find out anything?"
"Yes," Ortlinde replied standing in a proper posture. "I was unable to find anyone or anything around the forested area like spies or techniques that could do the same. But, after getting a bird's eye view of the surrounding area, I managed to find a tower located a far distance from our current base."
"A tower?"
Brynhildr questioned getting into a thinking position.
"A tower could serve as the perfect stronghold. It would give them a perfect view of the surrounding area and the tower can be turned fortified using magic more than the one we're holding up in. At the same time, it could be the most obvious place that a person could be sent to."
"Captain, do you believe…?"
As Rossweisse was going to speak up.
"No, there are several bases that were set up around the location as we were informed and we were sent to all of them at random. But, since this is the best lead that we have on their base. Some of us will be heading out to that location and the others will remain on standby."
Hearing that command, the five Valkyrie Squad members were all standing in front of Brynhildr wondering who of their group would be chosen.
"For that mission, I believe that it would be a good idea to send Ortlinde and Grimgerde," Brynhildr pointed at the two of them using her fingers. "I believe that Ortlinde will be good in a battle if she's up against Kensei or Maria if either were sent to act as scouts. And Helmwige will join her to act as support. However, if the situation becomes complicated."
Brynhildr held up her hands to activate a magic circle that covered the five Valkyries in front of her, in addition to herself. All of them could tell that Brynhildr's activation speed and skill were the highest in their group, but neither of them was able to tell what magic she used on them.
"If the backup will be required, then contact one of us and we'll see members as needed to the location you're all at. Please, remember to act with discretion and fight in a way to show them the pride of the Valkyrie!"
""Right, Captain!""
Both Ortlinde and Grimgerde replied determined to exit the base to complete the mission assigned by the two of them by their captain.
After finishing the fortification of their tower, turning it into a real stronghold, Zane thought that it would be time for them to locate the Valkyrie Squad's base. The ones assigned for that mission were the ones best suited for that assignment and were the ones most suitable for stealth.
"I finally get to spend some alone time with Ken Ken."
Hisui lightly cheered as she and Kensei were venturing through the forests as fast as possible.
"Even though we're in the middle of a battle?"
Kensei questioned glancing back at Hisui as she stared at her.
"It doesn't matter whether it's during our free time or combat. I'm always the happiest when I spend time with Ken Ken no matter what," Hisui noted hugging onto his right arm and pressing her breasts against him causing Kensei the softness of her still-developing chest. "More so, since that means little Claire isn't around to stop us."
[No, but I can still clearly hear you.]
Claire spoke over the end of the telepathy provided by their Oracle Phones.
"Oops, I forgot~"
Hisui teased as Claire seemed to groan on the other end.
"Well, Zane, we haven't found any sign of their base even after attempting to sense their presence. Brynhildr-san probably hides their presence using magic the same as us."
[That makes sense. Brynhildr is the kind of person who wouldn't take any chances no matter what kind if foe she is faced with. Although, is there anything else that the two of you can sense?]
Hearing that suggestion from Zane, both Kensei and Hisui started sensing out around them for any auras, which were approaching them. It was then that the two of them could sense the auras of two Valkyrie approaching their stronghold, which was the base.
"But, we are sensing that two of them are approaching the tower."
"I think one of them is Ortlinde-chan."
Kensei noted turning in the direction where the Valkyrie was proceeding, which was further from where he and Hisui were located at the moment.
"I can't tell where the two of them had come from, but it appears as if those two traveled in a straight line."
[Alright, intercept them as carefully as possible. It looks as if it won't take either side that long to locate our bases, no matter the situation. But, proceed with caution.]
"Right."
Kensei replied wondering where it would be best for them to intercept them.
"Well, it would be smart to surprise them so neither of them will be expecting it."
"So, we're going to flank them?"
Hisui asked and Kensei replied using a single nod of his head, then started stretching his legs before starting the two of them to perform the assault.
"Do you think that you can keep up on your own Hisui?"
Kensei asked.
"As much as I would like to be carried around like a princess in Ken Ken's arms. I want to show off what I learned from Ken Ken a little more."
Hisui replied as she prepared herself, which caused Kensei to smirk a little bit.
"Well, then let's head out."
After Kensei and Hisui prepared themselves to move, both focused ki at their feet before running out to confront the two Valkyrie Squad members. It was then that the two of them ran forward at a speed neither would be able to use their natural speed.
Running at that speed, it didn't take them long to arrive near both Ortlinde and Grimgerde who had been sent over to check on the tower being used as a potential stronghold. Reacting to their presence almost out of instinct alone, Ortlinde summoned a spear in her hands and blocked a strike from Kensei who brought out Kurogane from its sheath. Grimgerde brought out staff in her hands, then created a defensive magic circle that she used to block a kick from Hisui. All four of them had encountered one another inside one of the forest clearings.
"Hahaha, greetings, Ortlinde-chan~"
"Hello, Hisui."
Despite the encounter, both Hisui and Ortlinde greet one another.
"I believe that you're named Grimgerde-san."
"Yes. How do you do, Kensei?"
Both Kensei and Grimgerde greeted one another.
"Then our encounter with one another here further adds to our guess that tower is your stronghold."
Ortlinde stated out loud directing her attention toward the tower that the two of them were heading towards, while she spun around the spear in her hands. Neither Kensei nor Hisui gave a single response as a single wrong word could end up giving up their base's location.
"Who knows? But, I didn't think that I'd end up fighting against someone this soon."
Kensei stated holding Kurogane in his hands before taking on a more natural stance.
"Well, I never thought that I'd end up fighting against the people I'd become acquainted with, in the end," Ortlinde, then pointed her spear at Kensei smirking. "But, we still have our pride as the Valkyrie who serves under the gods. And so, we'll strive for victory too!"
"Right!"
Grimgerde declared holding her staff in her hands, then Ortlinde was gathered in bright light.
"Reinforcement magic?"
Kensei wondered, but he gained his answer as Ortlinde pounced toward him pointing her spear toward him.
Reacting to the assault, Kensei moved back as the spear nicked off some strands of his hair, then stepped back further as Ortlinde continued with her assault. Ortlinde slashed and thrust her spear at Kensei who moved to avoid them to deflect it using Kurogane. The confrontation between both Kensei and Ortlinde slashed several moments with the latter imbuing magic into her spear, releasing blasts of wind from the point.
Kensei avoided the wind blast, which pierced through several trees behind him by flipping in another direction on his hand and landed on the ground. He stood in a prepared stance after regaining his footing as Ortlinde stood in a similar position. He smirked noticing the posture that Ortlinde was standing in, she was using the advantage of the spear's length and guard.
All her movements were well-trained and honed, but there was one more thing that gave her a kind of advantage against him.
"Brynhildr-san chose Ortlinde-san because a spear has a longer reach than a katana. It was a good plan, but…."
Kensei stabbed Kurogane into the ground, then the silver hamon on the blade turn an almost golden yellow and a similar light covered his blade.
"Amagiri-ryuu – Chiretsu Bakuhatsu!"
(Heavenly Mist Style: Earth-Splitting Explosion)
After stabbing Kurogane into the ground, Ortlinde watched as the ground around her exploded from all sides and forced her upwards breaking her posture.
"H-He used earth magic? No, there wasn't a single sign of magic being used, it's almost as if the earth was under his control."
Ortlinde was surprised about the feat that was shown in front of her.
She tried fixing her posture, but that was impossible as she was in the air and the ground around her was broken apart leaving her no option but to avoid him. It was further stated as Kensei kicked off the ground, propelling himself towards the defenseless Ortlinde using Kurogane.
"Ortlinde!"
Grimgerde attempted to defend her partner by creating defensive magic but was stopped as Hisui pounced toward her aiming a kick at her. She blocked this kick using the staff in her hands leaving her no option to defend Grimgerde who would be attacked. At the last second, she managed to block the point of the katana using her spear's shaft leaving them in the air. However, Kensei followed up the assault in the air aiming a sharp kick at her wide causing Ortlinde to winch from the hit.
Ortlinde faltered on the ground to recover from the assault, but she still placed a hand on her side from the pain of being kicked in that spot.
"K-Kuh, to think that you'd be capable of making such movements."
Despite suffering an attack, Ortlinde didn't sound mad but impressed about the movement.
"Well, I trained myself to move and react in various positions. And also, Kurogane isn't the only weapon that I've got in my position," Kensei noted before sheathing Kurogane and pulling out the same staff that he had won in the competition against Vandil. "I have this staff that I won after defeating Vandil, which I named Tatsuwa. I prefer to use swords, but there are other weapons that my clan uses."
Kensei described pointing the magic-enhanced long staff he named Tatsuwa toward Ortlinde who seemed to be a little concerned.
"Right, before departing, Captain mentioned that you have another weapon."
Ortlinde relied on getting in a prepared stance holding her spear in her hands.
"I didn't expect that you'd be a fighter too."
Grimgerde started blocking another sharp kick from Hisui using her staff, but she could feel the kick's force.
Her staff shined as a magic circle was formed in front of her, soon enough she released a bombardment of fire magic. Hisui managed to cover herself in touki, then moved from the full brunt of the assault as her touki defended herself from most of it.
"Well, it did me some quality time training with Ken Ken."
Hisui replied as she landed on the ground like a cat before smiling like one as well.
"Ah, I can still recall it all," Hisui looked flushed reliving a pleasant experience. "Near the end of it, our hot sweaty bodies were pressed up against one another as we gazed lovingly into one another's eyes."
As Hisui proceeded forward with her words, both Grimgerde and Ortlinde seemed to falter from what looked to be jealous. Taking that chance, Hisui pounced towards Grimgerde taking the opening as a chance to get in one attack, managing to land a touch-imbued kick aimed at Grimgerde's stomach causing her to spit up bile. It was a kick strong enough to send the Valkyrie backward toward the ground.
"I know this is a battle," Ortlinde started before wearing a hurt expression. "But, that was a low blow, Hisui!"
"Sorry~"
Hisui teased sticking her tongue at Ortlinde.
"That's the Newspaper Club's Vice-Chief for you. Both the truths and secrets are similar to a ball of yarn for Hisui to play around with and use to tease people."
Kensei noted as Grimgerde helped herself up using her staff.
"H-How shameful of me."
Grimgerde groaned placing a hand on her stomach, which seemed to have a magic circle that she used to block most of the attack.
"Oh, I thought that the attack felt a little harder than before."
Hisui noted as she started bouncing up and down preparing herself again to attack.
"We're not letting you pass."
Hisui declared.
"You're right. Although, I believe our Captain wasn't planning on letting you go either."
Hearing those words, both Kensei and Hisui became alter, but it was too late as a Norse magic circle was created all around the clearing where the four of them stood. It didn't take long for them to look up to find Brynhildr floating in the sky above them holding up her hand.
"Oh, so that was the plan?"
Kensei said looking to find Brynhildr looked as confident as possible, while he and Hisui were sealed with Ortlinde and Grimgerde.
"I thought that it would be either Kensei or Maria who was sent to the battlefield as scouts. In that situation, if one or both of them were kept from returning, then it would reduce their battle strength. So, how will you escape from this situation, Kensei?"
Brynhildr questioned as she, Rossweisse, Helmwige, and Schwertleite headed off in the direction of the tower.
"Well, we fell for this one, Ken Ken."
Hisui said shrugging her shoulders and smiling.
"Yea, but whether or not we're there our friends aren't pushovers. And besides, Brynhildr-san forgot one thing."
Kensei pointed out catching Ortlinde's and Grimgerde's attention.
"And what would that be?"
"There's no one able to imprison or contain me contain me for long."
Kensei replied causing Hisui to snicker as both of them returned to their prepared position alongside Ortlinde and Grimgerde who prepared themselves too.
Meanwhile, where their tower stronghold was located, Maria was sitting at the stone window sill waiting holding a holy sword in her hands. She had her eyes focused on where was a momentary flash of bright light located near one of the clears in her view. Maria attempted to contact both Kensei and Maria who should have been around at that exact location.
"Well, it looks like either Brynhildr or one of the other Valkyries sealed Kensei and Hisui inside a barrier with their members. I can't even contact them using the Oracle Phone."
"Only Brynhildr could have done something like that."
Zane replied standing in the middle of the strategic room as Alice sat in a nearby chair and Claire prepared for an assault that would be coming toward them at any moment.
"Well, I can also see four of them heading in this direction. Should we wait here to see what happened or should I go to intercept one of them?"
Maria asked glancing toward their captain.
"Their main target among us would be Alice," Zane replied as neither of them would be surprised about that. "Her Longinus could alter the state of the battle if she continues to create monsters, which is the reason why she'll be remaining inside the tower for protection. Of course, we'll be waiting until their target test is done."
"Target test?"
Maria questioned before noticing Brynhildr and Rossweisse separating from their two comrades standing next to one another. She did receive an answer as the light blue and silver-haired Valkyrie unleashed a small-scaled full burst magic assault aimed at their tower. However, the defensive barriers that all of them placed on the tower did take the full brunt of the assault and kept the tower from falling apart.
"I see why she's called the Chief Valkyrie and Rossweisse-san isn't a slouch either."
Maria was surprised as she felt the aftershock from each assault aimed at their tower but maintained her stance.
"I can also see why Nii-san praised Brynhildr-san this much. I don't even think that Nii-san would be able to beat her in a head-on battle."
Claire stated feeling nothing but almost admiration for the Chief Valkyrie.
"Will the defensive barriers last long against this assault?"
Alice asked noticing that some of the barriers were breaking apart.
"Well, the defensive barriers that we placed around the tower will regenerate themselves as long as some of the barriers remain after some time by recycling the scattered magic power around it as an additional source. It was the best defense that I could come up with at the time and was possible because of all the defensive barriers we all placed up around the tower. At the same time, it took a long time to set up, and if Brynhildr decides to annihilate it or disperse the barrier, then we'll be in trouble."
Zane replied somehow being able to mix both confidence and anxiety.
Before long, both Brynhildr and Rossweisse stopped their attack after noticing that the barriers wouldn't break by using all their magic attacks.
"Brynhildr isn't using her full strength, but she might end up attempting to break apart the barrier. Alice!"
Zane called out to Alice who nodded her head in agreement.
"Head out, everyone!"
Alice called out as enough for it to echo outside of the tower.
She wasn't referring to the people inside of the tower, but those she and Kensei had posted inside the forest.
Brynhildr, Rossweisse, Helmwige, and Schwertleite all noticed the rustling from the forest, then before long several winged shadows were heading out in their direction.
"Monsters, incoming!"
Helmwige called out realizing the winged monsters were made by Alice who all opened their monsters releasing streams of flames from their mouths. She moved in front of them to activate a wide defensive barrier that blocked the monsters' flames. Rossweisse turned around to notice that another group of monsters moved behind them to perform a pincer assault and raised a magic barrier to block them off.
"It appears as if they were prepared for this assault as well. It was a brilliant move hiding the monsters inside the forest and waiting for us to be distracted from attacking the tower."
Brynhildr noted as she released a full-burst magic assault on the monsters hiding in the forest, striking several of the monsters and sending a number of them back through the forest. Her magic assault also eliminated several trees creating a path that was free of trees.
"Oh?"
Brynhildr looked down to notice that her assaults noticed that a number of the monsters were standing back up despite being pelted with magic. Some of them were damaged from the magic attacks but were still intact, unlike a number of the other monsters.
"It appears as if these monsters are somewhat resistant to this level of magic."
It was as Brynhildr stated, a number of the monsters that Alice created were anti-monsters most effective against magicians and other magic users.
"Claire, let it rip."
"Got it."
Inside the tower, Claire positioned a rifle that she created using White Nemesis and placed and amassed light power in a single shot. She fired off a large blast of light toward the four Valkyrie who were distracted at the moment dealing with the monsters. It didn't take long for Brynhildr to notice the light blast aimed in their direction.
"Scatter!"
Brynhildr ordered as the four Valkyrie did as instructed, then moved out of the way of the light blast as it sailed by them. But, as the light seemed to sail past them, it seemed to spread out into four different directions and then turned back toward the four Valkyries. However, as the four of them were prepared to create a shield to block the light blasts, the four of them exploded releasing a blinding light.
"A flash-bang? To think they'd use an attack like this too."
Brynhildr covered her eyes as she was momentarily blinded by the light blast.
"Alright, let's move out."
Maria declared as she started running for the window sill, then propelled herself forward towards the first one she was close enough to, which was Schwertleite. After being high enough, she grabbed onto the blinded Valkyrie's arm and started descending to another location where she couldn't intervene with the others.
"Why don't we have a little bout, Schwertleite?"
"M-Maria?"
Schwertleite was unable to see, but she recognized that the voice belonged to Maria.
She wasn't able to resist much as Maria continued leading her to another location further from all the others who were still blinded by that last attack. Moments later, as they were starting to recover their vision, Helmwige could sense that someone was floating behind her. As soon as Helmwige turned around to encounter whatever it was, a single thing appeared before her eyes.
"Huh?"
Helmwige reacted to the last second as a bullet was propelled in her direction and blocked it using a barrier that broke due to being created on instinct. She moved backward to gain some distance from the individual to see it was Zane floating behind her holding two weapons in her hands.
"Are those guns?"
Helmwige questioned realizing what those weapons in his hands were.
In Zane's left and right hands respectively were black and white custom-made handguns, which carried designs similar to a Magnum Revolver and a Semi-Automatic Handgun with runic symbols engraved on them.
"These aren't normal guns though," Zane said marveling at the creations in his hand. "After venturing to the world outside the Norse, I've gained an interest in modern-day inventions, calculations, and science. It was then that I started researching different methods of combining magic and science. These guns that I created from the mithril my family had stored are the result of that. I named the black gun in my left hand, Nacht. And I named the white gun in my right hand, Licht."
Helmwige stared in surprise at the black and white guns, Nacht and Licht, which Zane held in his hands.
He aimed Nacht at Helmwige firing off a series of rounds at her, in response to this, she created a barrier in front of herself as a defense. Some cracks appeared on the defensive barrier as the bullets came in contact with the barrier, which surprised Helmwige.
"Are those bullets imbued with magic?"
"It might sound weird for a magician to use guns, but I've taken quite a liking to fighting like this. It wasn't like it'd be possible to make all my bullets from mithril since there are more important things that it can be made of. But, it doesn't change the fact that all of them are special-made using alchemy."
Zane replied as he fired off more magic-imbued bullets at Helmwige who seemed to be on the defensive unable to get a single chance to counter-attack.
"I might not know much about modern weapons, but I know that you're supposed to reload them."
"I keep all my bullets inside of another dimension and designed it so that each time, the bullets are reloaded into Natch and Licht without me needing to actively reload them. So, you don't need to be worried."
"That's kinda unfair!"
"You're not wrong."
Zane started smiling and fired off a lightning-imbued bullet at Helmwige, which propelled forward breaking past the barrier that she formed. It passed by her cheeks, cutting them lightly, and caused some blood to spill from the wound formed on her cheek.
"All members of the Valkyrie Squad are separate from close-combat and long-combat types. Together all of them have almost unbreakable force, but breaking them apart means that they'll be unable to assist one another if they need assistance. So, we'll aim for that."
Zane surmised in his head ensuring that neither Brynhildr nor Rosseweisse would intervene in the battle between him and Helmwige. As he continued fighting against the Valkyrie, defending against the magic attacks that she managed to fire off using defensive magic, the Magus Akashic around his neck started shining faintly.
"Helmwige!"
Rossweisse turned around to assist her teammates but stopped after realizing that an attack that was more akin to a flamethrower was aimed at her.
"Kuh!"
Rossweisse managed to move aside as the attack sailed past her.
"I'm sorry, Rossweisse. But, you'll have to face my new monster!"
Hearing Alice calling that out from the window, Rossweisse glanced down to see a monster different from all the other ones that were created so far. Standing there was a monster larger than an adult male almost wreathed in flames with black and red color, a right thickened arm with hands covered in flames, and a clawed left hand.
"I named him Ignis," Alice added one last time before raising his hands. "Go get her Ignis!"
In response to its creator's call, Ignis' right arm was raised right arm, forming a playful thumbs up.
"Then, I'll challenge Ignis!"
Rossweisse declared forming magic circles in front of her as Ignis released a series of fireballs from its right arm, which sailed toward its intended target. She formed a defensive magic circle blocking the flames from striking her but she could feel the intense heat behind it.
"Alice sure did create a strong monster among the others."
Rossweisse mumbled as she released a series of magical attacks at Ignis who seemed to release flames instead as a barrier. It withstood a number of the attacks from Rossweisse and retaliated using its fire-based attacks ranging from fireballs and flamethrowers. Brynhildr watched what was happening using her own eyes wearing an impressed expression.
"Self-replicating barriers, hidden monsters, flash bombs, and separating our forces," Brynhildr spoke feeling more and more impressed by them as the group seemed to surprise her. "I knew that you'd all impressed me, but I did not think that it would be to this extent."
For one of the first times since meeting her, Claire and Alice noticed there was a genuine smile that had graced the face of the Chief Valkyrie who could be described as a transcendental beauty.
"So, I'll try my hardest to respond in kind."
Brynhildr held her hands out in front of her, then weaved signs in front of herself.
"Release!"
In response to that shout, the defensive barriers that Zane and the others had placed up around their stronghold came undone in a matter of seconds.
"Seriously, when Zane said that she'd release the defensive barriers. I didn't think that it'd be in an instant."
Claire pointed out worried as sweat seemed to drip from her cheek.
"Well, she is the Valkyrie Squad leader."
Alice and Claire looked around in shock about what had happened before their eyes and realized the opponent in front of them was truly deserving of the title Strongest Valkyrie.
"Alright, then let's get started shall we?"
Brynhildr reached for the sword sheathed by her side.
Claire grasped the rifle in her hands, feeling the pressure that radiated from Brynhildr, but she realized that she'd be unable to defeat her head-on or use other methods. However, she still prepared the rifle in her hands and at the muzzle, a white light started to gather near the business end.
As Claire and Brynhildr were caught in a staring match with one another as the latter started preparing to fire off another light blast. But, Brynhildr later reacted to something as she unsheathed her magic sword, a silver blade that gave off a blue shine then used it to deflect a slash aimed in her direction.
"Ah, I almost missed the main event."
Kensei could be seen standing at the base of the tower holding Kurogane in his hands.
"Nii-san?"
Claire looked down at the tower noticing that Kensei was standing there, but some notable damages to his uniform were barely noticeable.
"So, you and Hisui managed to defeat Ortlinde and Grimgerde? And even broke free from my barrier."
"Well, my clan has fought against magicians too. So, there are some techniques that are effective against magic users' spells, as well as evil and demonic beings," Kensei explained as he scaled up the tower wall without losing traction on the vertical wall and soon stopped where he stood on the window sill face to face with Brynhildr. "In response to the question about Ortlinde-san and Grimgerde-san, they're still in the same spot, but neither can amass their magical powers or move. Not that I and Hisui did anything physical to them."
Kensei spoke not mentioning that he and Hisui used their senjutsu on Ortlinde and Grimgerde so that neither of them could move or fight. He arrived there first because Hisui was busy moving the motionless Valkyrie off of the battlefield where neither would get in the way.
"Well, then shall we get started? To tell you the truth, I was looking forward to fighting against you at least once before you left."
Brynhildr stated pointing her sword in his direction.
"What do you know? I was thinking the same thing," Kensei noted before pointing towards the battlefield around them. "But, I think that this battlefield is a little bit crowded for a fight."
"Well, then shall we head off to one of the clearings?"
Brynhildr suggested pointing to one of the clearings that were inside the forest, that neither Maria nor Schwertleite was facing against one another.
"Sure thing."
Kensei agreed without hesitation causing Alice and Claire to tug at his shoulder sleeves.
"Kensei are you sure about this?"
Alice questioned worriedly knowing how strong Brynhildr is.
"Alice-nee is correct. Zane said it himself Brynhildr-san is on par with an Ultimate-Class Devil."
"I know, but if fighting someone stronger than I was enough to stop me, then I had no reason to make that promise to both of you."
Kensei replied causing both Alice and Claire to feel the emotions behind them, then smiled brightly at them.
As Brynhildr flew in the direction of the barren clearing as Kensei retrieved a paper doll from inside of his pockets shaped like a person. After uttering a single chant, he threw the paper doll into the air, which shined a bright light before taking shape as a black Eastern dragon large enough for him to ride on top of. It let a low growl escape its mouth as it followed Brynhildr toward the clearing.
In another clearing, Maria and Schwertleite were fighting against one another, the Valkyrie was wielding a magic sword in her hand. In Maria's hands were two holy swords she used to block the magic sword from Schwertleite without being damaged by hers.
"You're quite good, Maria."
"So are you."
Both Schwertleite and Maria complimented one another as they separated from one another.
Maria made the first move releasing a holy wave from both her swords, which Schwertleite blocked by imbuing it with magic. After gaining distance from Maria, Schwertleite imbued her magic sword with wind magic before releasing a wind slash from swinging the blade. In response to this, she crossed both holy swords in her hands, which turned into different shapes entirely.
"Void Edge x2."
Maria uttered as a vacuum seemed to have been formed around both blades, thus negating the wind slash sent in her direction. Following the flow of the attack, she slashed both Void Edges generating a vacuum blade that was aimed at Schwertleite. She managed to avoid the vacuum blade sent in her direction, causing it to sail past her and cleanly slice through the trees beside her.
Not missing this chance, Maria charged at Schwertleite who was still recovering her footing from avoiding the last attack. She started slashing the Void Edges at the sword-wielding Valkyrie who managed to avoid all the slashes aimed in her direction with trained reaction time.
"I see, both blades create a vacuum the moment they're swung, meaning it can strip the oxygen from whatever it touches including wind and flames. In addition to that, the slashes released are sharp enough to easily slice off flesh from an unguarded person's body. If that's the case, then…."
Schwertleite surmised noticing that stands of her hair and armor were being cut off on contact.
Instead of elemental magic, Schwertleite channeled pure magic power into her magic sword and then unleashed a wave of magic power, which was enough to blast away Maria. Although, no dangerous direct harm was caused due to her sacrificing both her swords and because of the durable uniform she was wearing.
"Well, I didn't think that I'd win using a single blade type alone. I guess that's what you'd expect."
Maria started saying those words, then pressed her foot firmly on the ground.
"Blades!"
From the ground around Schwertleite sprung up several different kinds of holy swords, then without touching the blades, the holy swords faced the Valkyrie. As Schwertleite stared at the blades almost realizing the phenomena in front of her, all of them were shot toward her from all sides. Reacting to this, she activated a defensive magical circle from all sides that blocked the blades before either of them could reach her.
Before long, Maria formed another holy sword in front of her and launched it at high speed toward Schwertleite, striking the blade's button forcing it into the defensive magic circle causing a crack to form. She moved her head to avoid avoiding the blade at the last second, but at the same time, Maria arrived in front of her swinging her sword down.
"Kuh!"
Schwertleite blocked the holy sword using her magic sword as spark started flying in front of her.
"You're better than I thought, Maria. But, I'll persevere with the strength of the Valkyrie!"
"And I'll persevere with the strength of a Knight!"
Both Schwertleite and Maria declared as their match continued.
Elsewhere, in the clearing where both Kensei and Brynhildr were fighting against one another, several magic attacks were being released at him. Reacting to this, he avoided all of the magic attacks by running around and ducking to avoid them. It wasn't that alone, Brynhildr noticed that Kensei was moving faster than normal from one point to another at different instances in the battle.
Of course, there were some injuries from the attacks that he was unable to avoid, because of how fast Brynhildr had been releasing them.
"He's increasing his speed each time for an instant to avoid the magic attacks that I launch at him. I don't believe that there's reinforcement magic from Shintoism, but I believe their religion has the concept of ki."
Brynhildr surmised as she started to release more magic attacks that converged more on one another making it a little more difficult for him to avoid at the last second. But, Kensei jumped backward by propelling off the ground to avoid the magic attacks that tore through the ground and trees in their wake.
"It's almost difficult to avoid her attacks each time. The speed and precision of each attack are almost unreal more so since the magic attacks are almost ceaseless. I know that her magic power isn't bottomless since I can feel it going down, but she is giving off the impression that it is," Kensei said after avoiding one of her attacks again realizing that her magic power was barely depleting. "Well, it's a good thing that I almost completely perfected the Shinsoku that I had used against Hayashi on Hagun Island."
On Hagun Island, Kensei used this technique against Hayashi to enhance his speed to handle fighting the more experienced mercenary. Based on the footwork of the Amagiri Clan and Chinese Kenpo, in addition to applying ki at his feet, which allows him to move faster in short bursts. It was also possible for him to move around even on difficult surfaces.
"But, I can't remain on the defensive for much longer," Kensei surmised after rolling on the ground to avoid another magic attack before regaining his posture and kneeling on the ground. "Shinsoku: Hiei."
(God-Speed: Flying Shadow)
Through combining Hiei, an evasive technique where one hides outside their opponent's line of sight and moves at a speed where they vanish, in addition to the speed of Shinsoku. He moved at a high enough speed that even Brynhildr couldn't catch him for almost an instant.
Kensei appeared in front of Brynhildr with Kurogane pulled back in a prepared manner channeling ki into his arm, then took a strong step forward-thrusting Kurogane forward.
"Amagiri-ryuu – Tsukisasu."
(Heavenly Mist Style: Thrust)
Kensei aimed a strong and fast thrust forward at Brynhildr who almost couldn't follow the path of the blade using her eyes. It was one of the original techniques that Kensei created himself to prepare for fighting stronger foes. A series of sparks occurred from the collision of two blades, which came from the black katana and the silver sword colliding against one another.
"…!"
Brynhildr was almost surprised about the assault, she mentally thanked herself for strengthening all her physical abilities using reinforcement magic the moment she lost track of him.
"If I hadn't blocked that attack, then it would have at least pierced through my shoulder at most."
Brynhildr thought in her head as she started feeling her heart beating faster and faster from the confrontation she was having with Kensei.
"This beating in my chest isn't from fear or surprise, but from exhilaration almost as if I met someone who I could battle against like this as an equal," Brynhildr wondered as she couldn't help forming more of an honest smile on her face. "Kensei, I don't know whether or not you're the one. But, I'm happy that I met you."
Brynhildr pushed Kensei backward causing him to almost lose his footing, but he maintained it and grasped the black katana in his hands. He later witnessed that she wasn't preparing another spell or magic attack, but instead took on a stance holding her silver magic sword. Knowing this feeling better than anyone, Kensei also stood in a prepared stance wearing a smirk on his face.
"She wants an honest battle between swordsmen for a while. Well, as someone of samurai descent, it'd be a dishonor not to meet her expectations."
There were a couple of short seconds between both of them as the noises from the battlefield seemed distant to them. In a single motion of their feet, the two of them sped toward one another swinging their swords, which collided against each other generating sparks. Soon enough, instead of testing one another's power, it was a test of one another's sword skills. From wielding their swords in one hand to two hands, the sounds of metal colliding against one another echoed across the clearing.
It didn't matter what kind of attack Kensei aimed at Brynhildr, she countered or met it with her sword, but the very same thing could be said about hers. Sometime during the clash between them, Kensei returned Kurogane to its sheath, surprising Brynhildr for a moment. But, it didn't remain there for long, as Kensei later unsheathed it in an iai (quickdraw) manner, slashing it upwards forcing her blade in the same direction. Brynhildr realized the chances of being able to block another assault would be impossible.
Kensei slashed his sword aiming for her side, leaving her no other choice, but to form a defensive magic circle in the same area.
"Amagiri-ryuu – Zanmaken Sanken."
(Heavenly Mist Style: Evil-Cutting Sword, Third Sword)
Kensei gathered his sword in a white aura, which came in contact with the defensive magic circle and seemed to cut through it like a phantom blade. It was the same technique that he used to cut through the barrier Brynhildr had set up in an attempt to stop him and Hisui. Brynhildr took the first hit that she had gotten the entire battle, but it was still shallower than it should have been.
"If I hadn't focused my magic power at that point, then it would have been a deeper wound."
Brynhildr pointed out as she placed her hand on her wound.
"Right, Zanmaken Sanken can cut through the effects magic causes like barriers, but it cannot cut magic power," Kensei surmised as Brynhildr placed her hand on the slight wound that was caused. "But, her being able to do it before my blade was even close to reaching her was impressive."
"Kensei, the more that I battle you the more that I feel happy that I met you," Brynhildr said not feeling mad about the wound but raising her sword into the air. "I know that this is merely a test to see whether or not your friends are worthy, but I can't help wanting to show off."
From Brynhildr, a crystal blue magic power started radiating from her magic, which caused the hairs on Kensei to raise from her presence alone. She was showing the power that made her the Chief Valkyrie and in the face of it, Kensei felt all the more exhilarated as his heart seemed to beat more from excitement.
"Hahaha, I never thought that I'd get to see Brynhildr getting serious in this battle," Kensei said raising Kurogane in the air as he seemed to raise his aura. "Although, I don't think that I would win this clash. But, I'll return the gesture."
Kensei helps Kurogane using both hands as lightning seemed to seep from the blade causing its hamon to turn a bluer color, representing the Wood Element, which allows him to manipulate wind, lightning, and plants. He was unaware of it at the time, but in response to Brynhildr's challenge and power, his eyes seemed to shine with a fierce blue light different from the wood element.
"I hope you'll receive this attack!"
Brynhildr declared that an explosive magic power seemed to radiate from her silver sword.
"Same here! Amagiri-ryuu Ougi – Shin Raimeiken."
(Heavenly Mist School Hidden Technique: True Thunderbolt Sword)
Kensei declared as lightning seemed to cover the entirety of his blade.
""Here it comes, Kensei/Brynhildr-san!""
Both Brynhildr and Kensei shouted as their blades were being brought down at the same time threatening for the two forces to clash against one another. However, at that moment, in the middle of the battlefield where both were fighting against one another in a heated struggle. It was interrupted—
Appearing in front of them was a magic circle that has a dragon symbol carved in the middle, which started giving off a black radiance. Thinking that it was magic that Brynhildr prepared, Kensei looked at the Chief Valkyrie in front of him. However, Brynhildr looked just about as stunned as himself.
"Brynhildr-san, is this a part of the match too?"
Kensei wondered, but the presence from the magic circle didn't give off a pleasant feeling.
"No, this isn't a normal magic circle. This is a Dragon Gate."
"A Dragon Gate."
"It's a special magic circle that dragons use to summon other dragons or skilled enough magicians use to summon dragons," Brynhildr said becoming more alert than during their battle against one another. "But, this isn't a normal Dragon Gate. It belongs to one of the most heinous dragons in the Norse World!"
Before Kensei could get another answer, the full shape of a dragon manifested in the middle of the magic circle.
[Guhehehehehehehehehehehe!]
A creepy laugh escaped from the Dragon's mouth as it manifested in front of them.
It was a large black dragon with a serpentine body measuring twenty meters long with a khaki-colored belly and oddly enough four limbs and four wings.
"Niðhöggr!"
Brynhildr called out pointing her silver blade at the black dragon identified as Niðhöggr.
[Guhehehe, well if it wasn't the Chief-Valkyrie, Brynhildr, isn't it!]
Niðhöggr almost mocked as he stared at Brynhildr who glared at him with unforgiving eyes.
"You're interrupting a battle that was organized by the Chief God himself! What business do you have here?!"
Hearing Brynhildr's brave demand, Niðhöggr did nothing but laugh out loud causing Kensei to almost.
[Guhehehe, my business? Hahaha, evil dragons do whatever they desire no matter if it angers the gods! Well, I arrived here because I was promised a meal that I had been smelling since it arrived.]
"A meal?"
Brynhildr was confused about the sudden mention of a 'meal', but Niðhöggr started smelling the air as something reached his nostrils, which excited him because it was close to him. It didn't take him long to turn his large body to face the source of the smell. Brynhildr soon realized that Niðhöggr was talking about Kensei who stood there pinching his nose from the dragon's smell.
[Guhehehe, what do we have here? A little human who has an interesting and unique smell.]
Niðhöggr laughed as he moved his face close to Kensei who seemed disgusted.
"You mind turning elsewhere? You smell like a rotten egg that has been raging for centuries, forgotten about then brought outside to rot some more in the sun. Do you even believe in taking a bath?"
Kensei replied pinching his nose more to block out the rotten scent.
[Hehehehehe, it looks like this meal has a mouth on him. I didn't think that a human standing face to face with one of the legendary dragons like myself would dare talk back.]
"I met a god when I was five. And I met a legendary dragon when I was ten. And both encounters were far more impressive than this, you rotten asshole. And I mean that in both the figurative and literal sense."
Kensei spoke without fear staring straight into the evil dragon's eyes leaving Brynhildr almost stumped.
"He's talked back to an evil god…and now he's talking back to an evil dragon."
Brynhildr voiced out her thoughts.
[I'm going to enjoy breaking your spirits before devouring you. I can almost feel my mouth watering at the thought of gnawing on your bones and tasting your flesh.]
Niðhöggr spoke kneeling his head in front of Kensei.
"And I'm going to love telling my little brother and sister about the time that I got to cut up an evil dragon."
Kensei declared black staring straight into the evil dragon's eyes.
A/N: And there goes the next chapter of DxD – The Last Amagiri, well the battle between the Kibou Team and Valkyrie Squad started without a hitch. Both sides had prepared their strongholds for a potential assault from either side. Kensei, Zane, Maria, Hisui, Alice, and Claire all showed how their team could work together against the almost unbreakable teamwork of the Valkyrie Squad. Neither Brynhildr, well the other Valkyrie could do what they could do in the canon and so it was fun exploring that in my way and interpretation of their teamwork.
But, near the end, the figure inside of the cave of Niflheim was revealed to be Niðhöggr, one of the legendary evil dragons. From the Valkyrie, Gods, Dwarves, some mentioned Elves, and now even an Evil Dragon, this is truly looking like a Norse Exhibition. The next chapter will be the end of this volume.
Kensei's Harem: Alice, Claire, Hisui, Kunou, Yasaka, Lu Lingqi, Mirana, Sarah, Minako, Koneko, Kuroka, Ravel, Amaterasu, Brynhildr.