What incredible sharpness.
I have seen Xenovia swing Durandal up close, but I have never seen a wave this sharp.
Even if it's a replica, if it is Durandal, he is drawing out power beyond its original specs...!
『Damn it!』
Undeterred, Saji-kun fired multiple shots of extra-large cursed flames, but Vasco Strada defended against them easily.
With the holy power dwelling in his blade and fists, he dissipated those cursed flames one by one!
Having all his cursed flames brushed aside, Saji-kun shouted.
『What is with this geezer?!』
Yeah, that reaction isn't wrong...
Vasco Strada shook his head and said.
"You rely too much on the power of your Sacred Gears. There is no logic to my power. Honest, foolish training and countless combat experiences have simply become my blood and flesh. If you do not forget your single-minded faith in God and reverence for your own body, power will dwell even in your soul."
Declaring this, Vasco Strada boiled up a massive holy aura in the blade of the Durandal Replica and swung it in a flash!
It was far denser and larger than anything Xenovia unleashed!
The enormous wave closed in on us with tremendous force!
"Shields!"
Rossweisse-san and Akeno-san deployed powerful defensive magic circles in multiple layers!
The sturdy magic barriers were destroyed one after another by the holy wave from the Durandal Replica!
I instantly deployed a wall made of Holy Demonic Swords in multiple layers in front of the magic barriers, but even that was swallowed up!
Only after Rossweisse-san and Akeno-san set up even more magic barriers did the holy wave finally dissipate.
There were only a few magic barriers left remaining.
...Not just Rossweisse-san, but Akeno-san also put up defensive circles, and I created a wall with my Holy Demonic Swords, and it came to this?
Even though we stopped it, how much power did we use just to suppress that single wave?
Looking at Vasco Strada, he still seemed to have plenty of leeway.
"Not yet!"
Xenovia launched another charge!
Gripping Ex-Durandal, she swung it in a state that layered Flash and Destruction!
Catching Xenovia's blow with the Durandal Replica, Vasco Strada smiled happily.
"Yes! That is it! Do not think! Listen well, Warrior Xenovia! Even if you assimilate Excalibur, the essence of Durandal is pure power! That is why you were chosen! Do not deny it! You must not deny power!"
His words as he crossed swords with Xenovia sounded as if he were teaching her how to use Durandal.
As a predecessor to the current owner, Xenovia.
After exchanging several blows, the real sword and the replica locked together in (tsubazeriai - locking of guard/blades).
In that moment, the predecessor asked the successor.
"However, there is not just one expression of power. Warrior Xenovia, is this form of the sword what you desire?"
"——Gh!"
Xenovia froze at that question.
After stepping back, she looked down at Ex-Durandal.
Did she feel something in her master's question?
Ex-Durandal... a hybrid of Excalibur and Durandal.
Its power is certain, but...
Does this mean the current Ex-Durandal is different from what Xenovia desires...?
Then, Former President Rias stepped forward.
"How about this?"
Floating above her head was a gigantic mass of destruction——the demonic star of annihilation, Extinguish Star!
Former President Rias's ultimate technique, capable of obliterating even Grendel's robust body!
"If you don't dodge, you'll die!"
Giving a warning, she unleashed the massive strike!
The speed couldn't be called fast, but that suction force and power of annihilation were absolute.
If he took it, he wouldn't come out unscathed.
She dared to warn him because she wanted him to dodge.
However, Vasco Strada showed no sign of dodging.
He simply smiled pleasantly, gazing at the sphere of destruction.
"Well, well... this is a bit harsh on an old body. ——However."
Vasco Strada pointed the tip of the Durandal Replica to the heavens.
Massive, dense holy aura gathered on the blade.
——Flash.
My vision was stolen by a blinding light!
When I opened my eyes next, what I saw was——.
"...Gh. You're kidding, right...?"
Former President Rias let that slip out inadvertently.
Because——the sure-kill destruction had been sliced cleanly in two.
I felt like time stopped on the battlefield at the sheer spectacle.
Everyone except Vasco Strada stood with mouths agape, simply unable to comprehend the phenomenon before their eyes.
Former President Rias smiled stiffly.
"I guess in times like this, all you can do is laugh."
Vasco Strada spoke.
"Do you understand? Durandal can cut 'everything'. Even if it is the destruction of Bael, it is no exception."
Cutting everything...
If one truly masters Durandal, does it display power to this extent...?
"I feel like just this grandpa alone is enough for the Church."
"Yeah, yeah... I can nod to the fact that Kokabiel-sama was cornered..."
Koneko-chan and Raynare-san murmured with expressions that looked halfway to desperation.
I can agree with that sentiment.
Power enough that even Ewald Cristaldi, who was called a monster, called him a monster.
A lump of overwhelming power.
I thought I had realized his monstrous nature by crossing swords with him... but it seems that was only a fraction of his power.
It was then——.
"——Now then, may I take the next turn?"
Saying that, a single young man wearing glasses appeared.
Dressed in a suit, he wore his usual smile.
Gripped in his hand was the King of Holy Swords, Caliburn.
Arthur Pendragon stood before the former wielder of Durandal.
[Perspective: Kiba - Out]
▽
[Perspective: Third Person]
A corner of the field mimicking Kuoh Town.
There, Vals, who was observing the duel between the 『D×D』 members and the Church warriors, deployed a communication magic circle at his ear.
"Hoh, so he sent Evil Dragons over to your side?"
『Yeah, exactly. Old Man Rizevim really does unnecessary things. Just when things were getting good, you know? Even though he might have done something that would surprise me from that point on. Maybe I should curse him so his hairline recedes about three centimeters?』
"That is... a quietly painful curse, Father."
『Or maybe a curse where the hair roots die only in the middle, from the forehead to the back of the head?』
"Pfft!"
『Ah, you imagined it just now, didn't you? You're cracking up.』
"N-No... Ku, kukuku..."
Vals shook his shoulders, covering his mouth.
Apparently, he imagined quite an eccentric hairstyle.
Vals managed to suppress his laughter and asked Asem.
"Since he sent them to you, surely that doesn't mean... they won't come here."
『Of course they will.』
Vals looked fed up at that answer.
"I came purely to watch the clash of swordsmen. It is unpleasant to have that interrupted."
『Well, I get how you feel. However, let me give the sulking you some happy news.』
"Happy news?"
『Yes. Reinforcements arrived for the Hero-kun. The one who came was——Leesha Clease.』
"That is... I see, so that is how it is."
『That's how it is. She wasn't over here, so maybe, she might be over there?』
Vals couldn't help but smile at Asem's information.
Excitement welled up from the depths of his heart.
If Leesha has come to this world, his thoughts naturally arrived at one conclusion.
Would Issei call only Leesha to this world?
No, that is impossible.
Because he called them to counter us.
Asem continued.
『She appeared when Old Man Rizevim's forces showed up. Isn't it likely the same over there?』
"However... if I go out at that timing, won't I be no different from Lord Rizevim?"
『Well, we are technically in a cooperative relationship. Even if our ideologies differ, to those around us, we're birds of a feather. It's too late to worry about that now. ——Besides, I told you. I have no intention of binding you. You are free to move as you please. If you wish to cross blades, then go. You want a one-on-one anyway, don't you?』
"Naturally."
Vals burned with a quiet, yet intense fighting spirit.
And then——.
『Ah, Vals, make sure you pay the late fees for the DVD we rented, okay? You were the one who forgot it. Let's return what was borrowed properly.』
"Fatheeeeeeeeeeeeeeer!"
He was brought to tears by a heartless (yet perfectly reasonable) remark.
[Perspective: Third Person - Out]
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