I can hear voices.
—Vanish!
—I'll end it here!
—With the power of purification!
—Lightning, strike!
—I won't let you pass!
It was the voices of Rias and the others fighting in the Second Heaven.
—Now, go forth, peerage of Rias Gremory. This is for you to decide.
I could hear Cao Cao's voice, too.
—Damn it! Why do only the strong ones keep coming this way?!
—Alice-san, fall back!
—I shall provide cover fire!
Alice, Miu, Ravel.
—Sorry about this. I've got to show off a little power for the sake of my younger siblings.
Dulio was fighting, too.
What is this...? Why can I hear everyone's voices? Even though Rias and the others aren't even here?
Rainbow-colored particles began to spread from around us, drifting out to cover the entirety of Eden.
"What is this...? Hey, Xenovia..."
"A-Ah... I can hear them, too. The voices of everyone fighting..."
It seemed Irina and Xenovia could hear them as well. Both of them looked around the area with expressions of wonder. Touji-san reacted the same way.
However, Yaegaki-san's reaction was different.
Tears were streaming down his cheeks.
"...I heard it. Her voice... Cleria's voice... Ah, I see. You are... and I am..."
He heard Cleria-san's voice? He heard something that I couldn't?
"What the hell is this...!? These voices are echoing in my head...! What did you do...!?"
Rizevim was visibly flustered—a rare sight. His reaction seemed equal to, or perhaps even greater than, when Fafnir tore off his arm.
Honestly, I couldn't hide my surprise at this mysterious phenomenon either. I had no idea why it was happening.
But strangely, I felt power welling up inside me.
I pointed the tip of Durandal at Rizevim.
"Can you hear them, too? You look pretty annoyed."
"Is it you, brat? Are you the one causing this nonsense? What did you do? These grating voices are ringing in my head...!"
"Grating? I don't think so. I don't know the reason, but to me, they sound comforting. If you find this unpleasant, there's something wrong with your ears."
Durandal, Hauteclere, Ascalon, and the Ame no Murakumo.
The four Holy Swords began to intensify their holy aura, as if resonating with one another.
The power of light flowed into me. It should have clashed with the magic power inside me—but something unexpected happened.
Instead of clashing, the two opposing forces began to mix.
This is... Holy power and Demonic power coexisting within me...? Just like Kiba's Sword of Betrayer.
Another mysterious phenomenon, but the result wasn't a problem. In fact, for me, it was a blessing.
Holy power and Demonic power rose together in a crescendo.
"Rizevim. You need to learn what pain feels like."
Releasing rainbow particles from my wings, I charged at Rizevim! A foolishly straightforward, head-on assault!
Rizevim smirked, preparing to intercept me.
"Even if you hold Holy Swords, it's useless if you lose the power of your Sacred Gear!"
"Then I just won't let you touch it!"
Just outside my armor, the holy aura overflowing from the swords coated my red aura. When Rizevim reached out, his hand was deflected by the light.
"If you can't touch the armor directly, the Sacred Gear's power won't be lost!"
I closed in on Rizevim and swung Durandal down!
He leaped to the side instantly, snatching up the arm Fafnir had severed earlier. He reattached it with magic, then pulled a small vial from his pocket.
—Phoenix Tears!
When he sprinkled the liquid over the wound, it sizzled with smoke and sealed shut in an instant!
"Euclid-kun failed, but thanks to Asem-kun's cooperation, we were able to make plenty of pure Tears. We're fully stocked on recovery items over here."
Tch... Having Ravel analyzed really hurts us here. They're mass-producing precious Phoenix Tears!
All the more reason I have to finish him right here and now!
"I'm going to beat you to a pulp, you shitty geezer!"
"Hyahyakhyakhya! Try it if you can, you damn brat!"
Rizevim and I collided!
He created multiple dense masses of magic power and fired them all at once!
I flared the power of Durandal and Hauteclere, slicing through them! At the same time, I unleashed holy slashes from Ascalon and Ame no Murakumo!
"Durandal! Your true partner is Xenovia, but lend me your strength for now!"
As if answering my will, a massive torrent of holy aura erupted from Durandal's blade! A pillar of divine light pierced the heavens!
"Hauteclere! Give me your power, too! Help me smash this shitty old man!"
Hauteclere began to shine just like Durandal!
I brandished the two Holy Swords and pressed Rizevim! I cut through his magic, slashing, slashing, and slashing again!
"Rizevim! You've done whatever you wanted until now. I hope you're ready for this!"
The blades of Durandal and Ascalon swung simultaneously, grazing Rizevim's arm and cheek.
They were just scratches. But wounds inflicted by heightened holy aura deal massive damage to a Devil.
Smoke began to rise from the cuts, the holy power burning his flesh!
His face twisted in agony.
"Tch! A scratch like this!"
It's true that a Devil with high magic power can forcibly suppress the light eating away at their body. For a 『Transcendent』 like Rizevim, it's probably trivial. At most, his movements would dull only slightly.
But—that slight dullness created a fatal opening.
"Ooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
Roaring like a beast, I drew in the surrounding Touki and kneaded it within my body!
My physical abilities skyrocketed! The Holy Swords radiated aura like raging flames!
Using everything I had, I cornered Rizevim!
Cuts from the Holy Swords began to appear all over his body.
"You little braaaaaaaat!"
Rizevim created a gigantic mass of magic power in his hand.
It was far denser and larger than anything before. One look was enough to tell it held an absurd amount of power.
If I took that, even with the armor, it would be fatal.
And Rizevim was about to fire it at point-blank range.
"Hyahyakhyakhya! You can't dodge at this distance! Disappear, Red Dragon Emperor brat!"
With a vulgar laugh, he unleashed the mass of magic!
In this situation, locked in close-quarters combat, it was impossible to dodge.
—Normally.
Just before his magic bullet touched me, my body turned into rainbow particles and vanished into thin air.
"Wha—!? That incomprehensible move you used on Cao Cao's brat!?"
"That's right!"
I rematerialized behind Rizevim—and in the same motion, I severed both his arms from behind.
The pain of losing both arms must have been intense, but Rizevim seemed more shocked by the process itself.
"Me...? By a small-fry Devil like this...!?"
"Ha! You look down on your opponents too much! That's why you get the rug pulled out from under you! I told you to get ready. Don't think it ends with just this!"
As Rizevim turned around, I thrust Durandal and Hauteclere deep into his stomach!
He staggered, stumbling backward!
"You don't know pain, so you break things precious to people without a second thought!"
With Ascalon and Ame no Murakumo extending from the gauntlets on both arms, I slashed a cross into his chest!
A massive amount of blood danced in the air!
"A lump of malice like you! Just disappear alreadyyyyyyyyy!"
I dispelled the left gauntlet and smashed my bare fist into his face!
I punched him again and again, breaking his nose, hitting him until the shape of his face changed!
And finally—
"Agni!!"
A torrential beam of extreme red light swallowed Rizevim—and triggered a massive explosion.
As the smoke from the explosion drifted through the air, I dropped to one knee.
That final Agni was fired without using the gauntlet's power, mixing my own Touki with the surrounding energy. Since it was an attack outside the scope of the Sacred Gear Canceler, it should have dealt significant damage to Rizevim.
But...
"Haa, haa, haa... kuh...!"
The Balance Breaker disengaged, and the armor vanished.
Quantumizing my body, then using a non-gauntlet Agni... On top of that, I was already drained before this started. I pushed myself way too hard in that fight.
"Ise-san!"
"Ise-kun!"
"Are you alright!?"
Asia, Irina, and Xenovia rushed over to me.
Drenched in sweat, I forced a smile.
"Y-Yeah... somehow..."
Even if Asia heals my wounds, the stamina I lost is too great. Honestly, I don't even have the strength left to stand.
A gust of wind blew, clearing away the smoke.
And appearing from within that smoke was...
"Guh...! Bwah...! What was with that brat's power...!?"
It was Rizevim, bleeding from his torso and both arms. Smoke was billowing from his wounds due to the Holy Sword damage.
...He survived. I fired that last shot with the intent to kill.
Seeing his Devil wings deployed, he must have used them to shield himself.
Using magic, he pulled his severed arms toward him and reattached them. Then, using another Phoenix Tear, he healed himself completely.
"Just how many of those does he have...!"
Xenovia clicked her tongue violently at the sight.
It really is unforgivable. Terrorists possessing Phoenix Tears...
Having healed his wounds, he stood up and glared at me intensely.
I mocked him.
"Oh, oh, look at you getting all angry. How was it? How did it feel getting beaten up by a small-fry Devil? Was it the best?"
"Red Dragon Emperor...!"
"Lost your composure? I guess that's all you amount to. Asem was much stronger than you."
If he loses his cool over this, his depth is shallow.
However, Rizevim suddenly stopped glaring, his expression changing as if he realized something.
"I see... So this is the power of the man who crossed to another world and was called a Hero, a Brave... Vali, is this the reason your heart isn't filled solely with hatred!?"
Rizevim shouted.
Ddraig spoke to him.
『Son of Lucifer. What did you think you were making an enemy of? We are dragons—clumps of power that even the God of the Bible feared. Do not underestimate me, the White Dragon Emperor, or Fafnir. If we truly felt like it, we could destroy the world as many times as we pleased with nothing but violence. The only reason we do not is because we enjoy our way of life more than yours. —Do not let a mere God, or a mere Maou, get in the way of our enjoyment.』
Those were words Ddraig had shared with me once before. It was similar to the speech the Two Heavenly Dragons gave to God and the Maou during the Great War.
Ignis followed suit.
『Also, you denied the power of "Feelings," didn't you? The power you just tasted... that was the power of "Feelings." Listen well. "Feelings" are possibilities. The stronger they are, the infinite possibilities they create. You, who cannot understand that, are quite the fool, Rizevim Livan Lucifer.』
Heh, hearing our usually atmosphere-breaking Onee-san speak in such a serious tone really adds a persuasive weight to it.
With Irina and Xenovia lending me their shoulders, I stood up.
"Rizevim. You can't beat us. I guarantee it."
That's right. Against us, you will absolutely—
Powerful waves of presence approached from behind.
"Onii-chan!"
"Ise!"
"Ise-sama!"
Miu, Alice, Ravel!
"Ise!"
"Ise-kun!"
Rias, Kiba, and the other members had arrived! Even Cao Cao was here!
"Man, made it just in time, just in time."
"Nope, you barely missed it."
"Why am I the only one getting that reaction!?"
"Just a joke. Good to see you, Leader."
Dulio was here too!
If Alice and Dulio are here, does that mean they took care of Crom Cruach?
Seeing the full assembly of the 『D×D』 members, Rizevim let out a laugh.
"Hyahyakhyakhya! The 『D×D』 troupe has arrived. That means Teacher Ladon and the Mass-Production Grendels have been beaten, too? Scary, scary, that breakthrough power of yours!"
...Mass-Production Grendels?
They made things like that, too?
Then, a third party appeared in the sky above us.
Descending on golden wings was the Chief of the Angels, Michael-san!
"I apologize for the delay. I have finally unsealed the barriers placed on various parts of Heaven. They likely used Azi Dahaka's forbidden arts to seize control of the gates. It took time to dispel them without affecting the 『System』... But I have placed a thick protective barrier around the Seventh Heaven. The Qlippoth will never be able to enter there again, even if we die."
...I see. Michael-san really hasn't realized.
That Asem invaded the Seventh Heaven, accessed the 『System』 without anyone knowing, and did so without causing any effects whatsoever.
I have to tell him... but dealing with the lump of malice in front of us comes first.
Michael-san turned his face toward Rizevim.
"It has been a long time, Lirin. Not since the last war. Since you have stepped into this holy territory with dirty shoes, expect appropriate consequences... Though, it seems you have already taken a beating."
Michael-san smiled at me.
Ahahaha... well, I did carve him up with four Holy Swords.
Even if he healed the wounds with Tears, he hasn't recovered his lost stamina or aura. Rizevim must be exhausted.
Suddenly, Lilith, the spitting image of Ophis, stood beside Rizevim.
Did he judge that it would be too difficult to take on Michael-san and all of us in his current state?
Rizevim patted Lilith's head and smirked.
"Oh my... looks like I have no choice but to retreat. Well, I've accomplished my objective here anyway."
Saying that, he pulled something from his pocket.
There were two of them... are those... fruit?
"—That is!"
Michael-san looked terribly shocked upon seeing them.
Rizevim showed the fruit-like objects to us.
"This is the Fruit of Knowledge and the Fruit of Life."
—!
That's... it can't be...!
No, wait—
"How do you have those Fruits!? They shouldn't exist anymore!"
Irina voiced exactly what I was thinking.
Rizevim stroked the two fruits with his finger as he spoke.
"True, they don't grow anymore. —However, if they were 'preserved', that's a different story. My mother, Lilith, was in the Garden of Eden when she was human. Everyone here knows that, right?"
Alice whispered in my ear.
(Is that so?)
(I'll explain later, so just be quiet for a bit.)
(Okaaay.)
I refocused on Rizevim's story...
"I was told by my mother since I was a child. 'I stole God's eyes and hid the Fruit of Life and the Fruit of Knowledge in a certain place.' She used to brag about it. So, I actually went looking for that place—and there they were. Though, they were dried up after so much time..."
Michael-san continued for him.
"And you revived them with the power of the Grail to restore their potency. But where were they hidden?"
"Purgatory. Deep within Purgatory. Hidden in a secret path connecting to the Underworld. I heard it connected to Heaven, so I came via Agreas to look for the fruits while I was at it."
While he was at it...
This bastard invaded all the way here just "while he was at it." He really is a lump of malice...!
I have to—
I tried to force strength into my body... but it wouldn't listen.
Instead, strength drained from my entire body.
『It can't be helped. You pushed too hard. That is why I told you not to use Trans-Am...』
Ddraig grumbled.
Ddraig-san, you're still angry about that?
Rizevim smiled at my immobility and deployed a magic circle at his feet.
"The Red Dragon Emperor can't move, huh? Then, Uncle is going home. I'm pretty tired, after all."
It frustrated me to let him escape here, but as you can see, I couldn't move a muscle.
The reason the other members didn't make a move was likely due to Lilith's presence.
And Michael-san probably held back not just because of Lilith, but because of another presence nearby.
Crom Cruach had revealed himself nearby.
"Lilith, Crom, let's return."
Rizevim called out, but Crom Cruach did not respond.
It seemed Crom Cruach had no intention of returning with Rizevim.
"Well, that's fine too."
Rizevim shook his head, accepting it.
As he was enveloped in the light of teleportation, I spoke to him.
"Rizevim. —Don't think you'll make it back alive next time."
I imbued my voice with sharp killing intent.
I won't show mercy.
The next time we meet, definitely—
With an amused smile on his face, Rizevim vanished into the light.
-------------------------------
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