Auros, now in the aftermath of battle.
Scars of the Evil Dragon's claws were etched all over the town.
The devastation was particularly significant from our main engagement with Aseem's servants, as the Red Dragon Emperor's peerage, leaving many areas flattened.
Hardly any intact houses or fields remained in this town.
Thanks to Miu and the others disabling Euclid's traps, the school hadn't suffered as much major damage, but some structural damage was visible in places. Since Valburga also blew away some facilities, we couldn't claim to have protected it perfectly.
Currently, soldiers from the Underworld, who arrived on the scene, were conducting investigations and clearing rubble both at the academy and in the town.
Although over three hours had passed for us here, it had apparently only been about three minutes outside.
That meant Tia and Dilmudd had truly appeared at the most exquisite timing.
Yep, thanks, Mom. If those two hadn't shown up, things could've been even more dangerous.
Euclid, the mastermind behind their scheme, was just now transferred to the Devil King's territory. There's still more I want to say to him, but I'll leave the rest to Sir Zeoticus and the others. This should also clear Lady Grayfia's name.
Valburga, the Witch of the Holy Cross, reportedly retreated immediately afterward with the remaining mass-produced Evil Dragons using a teleportation magic circle.
The flames of that holy relic are quite troublesome for devils. I'd really like to think of a countermeasure...
But I have something I need to do first.
More important than figuring out a countermeasure for the Holy Cross is right now...
"Uh... um, for starters, could you two face me?"
I called out to Alice and Rias, who had their backs to me.
After defeating my clone, I tried talking to them, but both of them were beet-red and wouldn't say a single word.
...I get that it was embarrassing!
I was embarrassed this time too!
But come on, what was I supposed to do!? Our useless goddess said it was "Twin Oppai System" or nothing! When she said it so passionately in that situation, I had no choice but to bet on it!
Alice and Rias mumbled.
"...Issei, you... you touched our butts in the chaos, didn't you? While sucking our chests, you massaged our butts too, didn't you?"
"Ugh...!"
"...And you sucked our chests so much... I feel like you sucked them more than necessary. ...You even started sucking both at the same time partway through, regardless of whether it was related..."
"Uuuugh...!"
Th-they're right... I might have touched their butts while sucking their oppai... And I sucked their oppai a lot...
"B-but, your voices were... so, so cute... I j-just... couldn't help myself..."
I tried to make an excuse, but...
"..."
"..."
Both of them bowed their heads, their ears red as well!
Th-this is no good... My clumsy excuses won't improve the situation!
No, but it's true their voices were alluring and cute! Their sweet breaths! Their trembling bodies!
How could I not get excited!? Even in that situation, I got into that kind of mood! If it hadn't been a battlefield, I would've pinned them down!
I just want them to understand that much!
However... if I told them that, the situation would probably only get worse...!
So, what to do?
I have no choice but to use that technique.
The technique taught by old man Maurice, capable of smoothing over any situation...!
"Alice! Rias!"
I called their names loudly!
For a moment, they flinched, but I didn't miss it!
I kicked the ground and leaped high! Spinning rapidly in the air—and then landing on both knees and hands in front of them!
"I AM SO INCREDIBLY SORRYYYYYYY!"
My deadly move, the 'Moonsault Jumping Dogeza,' detonated.
"That was quite the spectacle."
I turned to the familiar voice and saw Azazel-sensei.
"My apologies for not being able to join the fight this time."
"No, we didn't expect this to happen either... In a way, I think we were lucky this time."
I said, glancing towards Dilmudd, who was accompanying Tia and Miu as they comforted Asia.
Even Sensei just gave a wry smile at the perfect timing of those two.
...Rizevim and his group skillfully made off with Agreas entirely. The story is that all the residents of the city, including those on our side like the Agares and Bael peerages, were all transferred to the surface. In other words, they only stole the city itself.
I asked Sensei.
"...What could their objective be with that sky city?"
The sky city Agreas uses technology from the Old Devil King era, and there are still unknown parts that haven't been deciphered. Sona and the others said that Rizevim, the son of the former Lucifer, might know its secrets.
Sensei exhaled and said,
"...Could it actually be some kind of giant weapon, capable of transforming, perhaps? ...Ajuka Beelzebub, who was in charge there, might know something. It would be good to ask him."
Sensei seemed to be completely clueless as well.
Their objectives are Agreas and Trihexa.
Euclid also mentioned Rossweisse-san's thesis, didn't he?
Sensei, thinking the same thing, brought it up.
"Rossweisse's thesis, the one you mentioned, has been somewhat deciphered."
"The sealing method for Trihexa, right?"
"What, did Euclid or someone tell you? Yes, Rossweisse's thesis wasn't about unsealing Trihexa, but rather about reaching the sealing ritual itself. Euclid wasn't wrong; she's a true genius. To dabble in it out of curiosity back then and stumble upon that possibility..."
"So, that means from now on, it'sやっぱり (as expected)?"
"Ah, her ritual analysis will hold the key. I never thought Rossweisse would become our trump card... You never know what'll happen in this world."
Sensei sighed.
Well, indeed. My peerage members are full of amazing people, aren't they?
Sensei ruffled my hair with his hand.
"A message from Indra. Cao Cao has taken over as the vanguard against the 'Khaos Brigade,' a role the First Sun Wukong performed under the Heavenly Emperor."
I see... so that Holy Spear back then was about that.
Looks like I'll be seeing him again soon. He might even be powered up more than before.
"And about the clone Issei... I never thought they'd mass-produce them already. It seems their combat techniques aren't fully replicated, but their power is just like yours, isn't it? Each one is Devil King-class... It gives me a headache."
"No, that's exactly right... We managed this time, though."
"You managing it is terrifying in itself. What even is the Twin Oppai System...? How did you just casually draw out an unknown power that's neither demonic nor holy? And how in the world did you take care of twenty Devil King-class opponents by yourself!?"
"W-well, you'd have to ask our goddess about that..."
It's "Nyū Power" (breast power), after all... I'm probably the only one who can use it in the whole world... or even other worlds.
But that power—the EXA form—is potent.
It combines the abilities of three different-natured forms, and I can use Rias's Power of Destruction and Alice's White Lightning. On top of that, the output is on a completely different level.
The squaring of oppai power is no joke.
Ddraig spoke.
「However, it's also unstable. Meaning the output isn't stable, and it could unexpectedly dissipate at unforeseen moments. Its use will be limited.」
Ignis followed.
「Also, Rias-chan's power and Alice-chan's power can only be used in that form, so be careful.」
Ah, so that's how it is?
I tried using it just now, but it didn't work at all.
「That's right. Although you absorbed their powers, they are integrated into Issei as T.O.S.」
Hmm, I kind of expected that, but...
If I could use it normally, I thought it might be a trump card against Rizevim.
In that case, I'll need to think of another approach. A different power that isn't a Sacred Gear.
...By the way, is Ddraig okay?
「What are you talking about?」
No, I just dramatically powered up with oppai again... I was wondering if he was shocked.
「...I am shocked. But I am no longer alone! There is one with whom I can share my pain! Therefore, I shall go to Albion's side later!」
...I see. Please give my regards to Albion.
Albion... please listen to Ddraig's complaints for me.
Beside me, Sensei had a stern look as I gazed into the distance.
"...The rest is whether we can identify who caused this incident."
...The one who caused the incident.
The lack of progress in anti-terror measures involving time and space in Agreas, and the fact that prominent mages were gathered in this town. These two points are definitely connected.
Otherwise, such a large-scale and audacious act like using an escape teleportation magic circle to jump Agreas wouldn't be possible. And they even went as far as sealing the rituals of mages like Gendul-san and his group.
Someone must have been pulling the strings behind the scenes.
"Well, thanks to you, all the traitorous mages have been captured. If we follow that trail, we might uncover something. Leave that part to us."
"Yes."
I nodded in response to Sensei's words.
Just then, Dulio arrived, out of breath.
"Sorry I'm late! Anyway... I'll do my best with the post-battle cleanup!"
Even the Heavenly Realm's trump card apparently couldn't react to an event that only lasted three minutes.
I headed towards the temporary tent set up in the schoolyard.
The heavily exhausted members were all sprawled out, sleeping on pipe chairs.
Among my peerage, Miu was sound asleep, leaning against Asia. Gasper was also sleeping peacefully.
Alice and Ravel weren't present, perhaps out doing post-battle cleanup.
...I can't find Saji, who was the most exhausted... where did he go?
I, too, was quite fatigued, so I decided to take a break. I sat down on one of the pipe chairs and exhaled.
"...Haven't we had a lot of battles lately?"
Especially after summer vacation, there's been a barrage of emergencies.
The Old Devil King Faction, Loki, then we went to Asto-Areade, and the Hero Faction. After the vampire incident, Aseem and Rizevim.
Ah—my high school life is being filled with battles... Where is my peace...?
Then, Rias, who sat next to me, spoke.
"Shall we all gather during winter break?"
"Like a joint training session for winter break?"
"While I'd love to give everyone a break during such a difficult time, the Church... no, the Heavenly Realm is requesting aid before winter break."
"From the Heavenly Realm?"
It feels strange for devils to be asked for aid by the Heavenly Realm. Is this also a sign that relations between the Three Factions have improved?
However, if so, does that mean we'll be going to the Heavenly Realm before winter break?
Rias smiled.
"It seems we'll be spending the end of December with the angels. Irina and Sister Griselda on the angel side are solidifying the details."
Oh, really? By the way, I hadn't received any information about that...
Just then, Xenovia entered the tent.
"So you were here, President."
"Is something wrong, Xenovia?"
Nodding, Xenovia looked at us and said.
"Yes, I thought it was about time I told you."
"Hm? Is it about that secret you mentioned before?"
When I asked, Xenovia nodded.
"As expected of Issei. You're perceptive."
Xenovia looked at us again and said.
"I heard that the general election for next year's student council will be held in the third semester."
"Ah, Sona and Shira-senpai are graduating too. We'll have to decide on new student council members... wait, you..."
A certain idea dawned on me.
At this point, it had to be that. Besides, Xenovia was confidently crossing her arms! Even Irina, next to her, said "Eh—"
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