Espada stepped forward, golden lightning crackling around Raimeiken Ikazuchi. The magic carpet of Lamp Do Alangina rose from the ground, shimmering with ancient patterns, then stopped right beneath his feet.
In an instant, the three of them shot upward.
Espada's magic carpet climbed sharply, the wind howling loudly in his ears. Raynare appeared from the right, swinging her light spear in a wide horizontal arc.
Espada blocked the slash and counterattacked, but from above, Kalawarna thrust her spear down, forcing Espada to evade and create distance.
Raynare spun in midair, her black wings beating powerfully. Her spear of light struck again, this time thrusting straight toward Espada's chest without hesitation.
Espada stomped on the carpet. Lamp Do Alangina tilted sharply to the left, the attack barely missing him, leaving only a flash of light that split the thin clouds behind him. In one smooth motion, Espada swung Raimeiken Ikazuchi.
Golden lightning exploded from the blade, forming an arc that forced Raynare to retreat with an irritated click of her tongue.
"Tell me what you're doing here," Espada demanded.
"That's none of your business!" Kalawarna shouted as she hurled her spear of light.
Espada flew sideways as the spear detonated upon hitting the ground.
"When it comes to firepower, Ikazuchi won't lose," Espada said. He pulled out another Wonder Ride Book and scanned it into Ikazuchi.
"Tri Cerberus Shutoku Issen."
Espada delivered a slash that summoned a lightning energy projection resembling Cerberus. The projection charged forward and slammed into Kalawarna.
"AAAAHHHHH!"
Kalawarna crashed to the ground.
Raynare clicked her tongue sharply as she watched Kalawarna hit the ground and stop moving.
Espada lowered his sword slightly, lightning still crackling along Raimeiken Ikazuchi. The Lamp Do Alangina carpet hovered steadily beneath his feet.
"Answer me," Espada said calmly. "Or you're next."
Raynare didn't reply. Her black wings beat hard as she shot high into the air, stopping mid-flight as light gathered, forming a spear far larger than before.
"If that's how it is… then die."
Raynare hurled the spear toward Espada.
Seeing it coming, Espada sheathed Ikazuchi into his belt, then drew it again.
"Reading Finish! Ikazuchi Battou! Alangina One Reading Slash! Thunder!"
Espada leapt off the magic carpet toward Raynare, slicing through the light spear and then through Raynare herself, unleashing a massive wave of lightning.
"Trueno Destroder."
"AAAAHHHHH!"
Raynare was struck by lightning and hurled to the ground.
Espada then looked toward where Calibur was fighting.
---
On the other side, Calibur was battling Dohnaseek and Mittelt.
Calibur rode Evildiver like a hoverboard.
Dohnaseek and Mittelt attacked simultaneously.
Dohnaseek dove from above, his spear driving straight down like a massive spike. Mittelt cut in from the side, her blade of light carving a sharp arc through the air.
Calibur shifted his weight.
Evildiver twisted sharply, nearly vertical, and the first attack struck empty air. Calibur used the momentum, sliding beneath Mittelt and swinging Kurayami upward.
Sparks and light exploded as blade met blade.
"Fast," Mittelt muttered as she retreated.
Calibur didn't pursue. He stomped on Evildiver, sending it surging forward and circling Dohnaseek, leaving red energy trails in the air.
"Is that all?" Calibur's voice was calm.
Dohnaseek snarled. "Arrogant!"
He hurled his spear, spinning rapidly and tearing through the air with a roaring sound.
Calibur dodged and charged toward Dohnaseek, but before he could close in, white light flashed from the side.
Mittelt appeared in his path, her blade striking without warning.
CLANG!
Calibur twisted his wrist, Kurayami blocking just in time. Red and white sparks scattered wildly through the air. Evildiver shook, but Calibur kept his balance.
"Interfere all you want," Calibur said flatly.
Mittelt let out a small laugh, light but biting.
"Still pretending to be calm? You really think you can beat us alone?"
Mittelt threw her spear of light. Dohnaseek followed immediately, launching his spear from behind Calibur.
Calibur simply raised Kurayami. Both spears were absorbed into the blade, causing the two fallen angels' eyes to widen.
"Why the shock?" Calibur said. "You should already know Kurayami is also called the sword that devours light."
Calibur pressed the button on Kurayami's hilt.
"UNCOVER THE DARKSIDE, EXPLICATING SLASH."
Calibur slashed horizontally toward Dohnaseek, launching a massive purple energy wave.
Dohnaseek couldn't evade in time and was struck head-on, crashing to the ground badly injured.
Seeing this, Mittelt reflexively retreated, her wings beating hard as her mocking expression turned tense.
She didn't realize Evildiver's tail had already wrapped around her leg. She was yanked toward Calibur.
Once again, Calibur pressed the button on Kurayami's hilt.
"UNCOVER THE DARKSIDE, EXPLICATING SLASH."
He slashed Mittelt down, sending her crashing to the ground.
Calibur landed and walked toward the two fallen angels when suddenly a shot struck him, pushing him back slightly.
Calibur turned toward the source.
From behind a tree emerged a white-haired man wielding a sword and a gun.
"Well, well. I thought you'd dodge that," Freed mocked. "Guess not."
Calibur pointed his sword at him.
"Freed Sellzen."
Freed grinned widely. "Oh? I'm famous? What an honor."
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Three shots rang out. Calibur tilted his body as Evildiver surged forward, but Freed leapt over it, parrying Evildiver's tail with his sword.
Freed rushed in. Excalibur flashed rapidly, his slashes fast and precise. His pistol came up again, barely needing aim.
BANG!
Calibur twisted Kurayami aside, but Freed was already in close range. Excalibur thrust straight toward Calibur's chest.
Calibur used 24 Tempest Steps. Evildiver struck again with its tail, managing to injure Freed's arm.
"Ah! Damn weird fish!" Freed shouted as he fired wildly at Evildiver, but Evildiver dodged every bullet effortlessly.
Click.
Empty.
Freed clicked his tongue. "Ah."
That was enough.
Kurayami glowed with darkness. Calibur pressed the button on its hilt.
"UNCOVER THE DARKSIDE."
He slashed forward. A wave of purple energy surged out, forcing Freed to leap backward. The ground split apart as dust and debris flew into the air.
Freed landed smoothly, letting out a small laugh. "That was close."
Calibur immediately used 24 Tempest Steps to close the distance and slash Freed. Unable to react in time, Freed spat blood from the wound.
Freed stumbled several meters away, clutching his shoulder as blood seeped between his fingers, though his smile remained.
"Wow… that was dangerous," he said lightly, breathing a little harder. "If I were even a fraction slower, I'd be dead."
Calibur stepped forward to attack again, but smoke suddenly erupted from Freed's smoke bomb.
When the smoke cleared, Freed was gone.
"Tch… fell for a trick I usually use," Calibur muttered.
Espada descended from the sky on his magic carpet, carrying the unconscious Raynare and Kalawarna.
"You're not chasing him?" Espada asked.
"I am," Calibur replied.
---
Freed ran far from the church, unaware that a massive purple serpent was following him inside the glass.
Once he was far enough, he leaned against a wall.
"That was way too close," Freed muttered.
Suddenly, a purple tail burst out from the glass behind him, wrapping around his body and dragging him inside.
"AAAHHH!" Freed screamed before disappearing.
---
After they bound all four unconscious fallen angels, Kento asked,
"Ace, where's Asia?"
"Oh, right. One moment." Ace created a mirror and stuck his head through it.
"Asia…"
Ace saw Asia gently petting Dragreder's head.
"Ah, Ace-san."
I know in the series Asia easily tames dragons, but even if Dragreder looks like one, he's not a real dragon, Ace thought.
"Asia, let's go. It's safe now," Ace said.
As Asia moved toward him, Dragreder blocked her.
"Hey, Dragreder, let her go," Ace said.
Dragreder snorted in protest.
Asia gently stroked Dragreder. "It's okay, I have to go now. We can meet again later."
Reluctantly, Dragreder let her go.
He listens to Asia more than me, his creator?! Ace thought.
Dragreder growled softly at Ace, as if trying to say something.
System, what is he trying to say?
[Dragreder wishes to transfer highest command priority to Asia.]
"…No."
Ace pulled Asia out of the Mirror World.
"Are you okay, Asia?" Kento asked.
"Yes, thanks to Ace-san," she replied.
Suddenly, two magic circles appeared, one blue and one red.
Rias and Sona emerged with their respective peerages.
Ace raised his hand in greeting. "Yo. This is the… let's see." He counted on his fingers. "One… two… three. This is the third time you've arrived after everything's already over. I'd like to file a complaint about how slow your response time is in your own territory."
"What happened here, Ace?" Rias asked.
"Fallen angels tried to kidnap a nun, and we stopped them," Ace replied.
"And who's with you, Ace?" Sona asked.
Kento stepped forward. "Fukumiya Kento, Swordsman of Thunder from Sword of Logos."
"I see," Sona said, studying him.
Some of Rias's peerage looked warily at the bound fallen angels. Akeno glanced at the unconscious Raynare, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
"Ara… they look like they've suffered quite a bit."
"So what do you plan to do with them?" Sona asked Kento.
"I'll ask the leaders of Grigori to punish them," Kento replied.
"Are you sure, Fukumiya-san?" Ace asked.
"What, you want to kill them? That would cause a war."
"But they—"
"Ace! It's late. You should go home. All of you too," Kento said firmly.
"Sorry, but we can't just leave when something happens in our territory," Rias replied.
"Do whatever you want," Kento said.
Ace sighed. "Fine, but what about Asia? We can't just leave her."
Kento approached Asia. "Asia, I can book a hotel nearby for you."
As Asia hesitated, Ace spoke up.
"Asia can stay at my place for now. Don't worry, I don't live alone, so it's safe."
Asia nodded shyly.
"Then… thank you."
"Alright, Asia, let's go," Ace said.
Asia stood beside Ace as they prepared to leave.
"Ace-san… thank you. If it weren't for you…"
Ace gently ruffled her hair.
"You're welcome."
Together, they headed back to Ace's home.