"DIIIIEEEEEEE!!"
BOOOOOM!!
A blast of magical energy hit dead-on, and thick smoke engulfed the area around me. Thinking I was dead, his laughter rang out from beyond the haze.
"Ahahaha! What a fool! Blown to bits just like that! Now, it's your turn, Rias! I was going to keep the Red Dragon Emperor alive to torment Asia emotionally, but I ended up killing him. Oh well. If you behave, Rias, I'll let you off with just a half-death. Of course, I'll kill you eventually anyway!!"
He didn't even glance in my direction anymore, staring only at the others. He had no idea I was still standing, completely unscathed, behind the thinning smoke… This level of absurdity? He's practically a clown.
Wait, no, that's rude to actual clowns who work hard for a living.
Without realizing how stunned the others looked, Diodora kept cackling like a maniac. I walked up behind him and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Huh?, BLRGHKHHAAA!!"
The moment he turned around, I smashed my fist straight into his face with full force.
He flew across the room, slammed into a wall, and collapsed, clutching his face and groaning in pain. Pathetic. To think someone like this calls himself a noble on par with Rias or Sona.
I grabbed the fallen Diodora with one hand and repeatedly slammed my other fist into his gut until he vomited blood. He started to shout something midway through, but I didn't care to listen.
Then, once he was reduced to twitching spasms, I drove one last punch into his face, crushing it against the wall.
"Don't you dare make Asia cry!"
He probably couldn't hear me anymore, but I still said it. I didn't finish him off, he's technically related to a Maou, so killing him outright might cause political problems. But if he ever shows his face again, I won't hesitate to erase him.
"Asia! It's okay now. I'm coming to get you down!"
"Yes! I believed in you, Issei-san!"
…But I quickly frowned. No matter how much strength I used, her restraints wouldn't budge. Are you kidding me? I'm wearing Ddraig's armor here!
Seeing me struggle, Rias and the others attacked the restraints too, but even their attacks didn't leave a scratch.
"What the…"
Then Koneko-chan noticed something.
"Koneko, do you know what this is?"
"Yes. I sense the same aura as that strange mist from the peace conference."
"Wait… does that mean this is a Longinus?! Ddraig, it's another Longinus, right? Can't you do anything?"
[No chance. I've seen something like this before… It's most likely the Balance Breaker of the high-tier Longinus Dimension Lost. With my mid-tier Longinus power, there's no way to compete.]
"What? You always talk big about not fearing gods, but you're just mid-tier?"
[True, both I and the white one (Albion) possess power rivaling that of gods. In terms of the Sacred Gear's potential, we're not inferior. But our powers depend on the host's body and impose immense strain. Mastering us isn't easy… Not to brag, but we're not exactly user-friendly.]
"So… you're saying this is actually my fault for not being strong enough?"
[Not necessarily. The gap isn't that huge. With just one more element, you could stand toe-to-toe with it.]
"One more element, huh…"
Damn it! What should I do?! Think, Issei! When have I ever broken through my limits before?
Right! Ikki said it too, my potential has always exploded when I unleash my perviness!
"Everyone! I want to try something! Please stand back… Asia, do you trust me?"
"Yes! I'd never doubt you, Issei-san! I'll believe in you no matter how many times it takes!"
Asia looked at me with those pure, unwavering eyes.
Heh. Same here. I'll save you again and again.
"Rise, my libido! Be unleashed, my desires! Dress Break: Boosted Version!!"
I pictured Asia in her purest form, no clothes, no restraints, just her innocent self. I poured every brain cell I had into visualizing her.
Cracks formed in her restraints, then shattered completely, along with her clothes.
Hah! Even against a Longinus, my lust wins!
Akeno quickly conjured clothes with her magic to cover the now-naked Asia.
Finally, I finally got her back! Overwhelmed with emotion, I pulled her into a hug. "Asiiaaaaaaa!!"
…But Xenovia beat me to it.
"Asia! I thought I'd lose you! I—I couldn't bear it!!"
Tears streaming down her face, Xenovia clung to Asia, who gently hugged her back.
"I'm not going anywhere. Issei-san, Xenovia-san… everyone will protect me. I'm truly lucky."
"Damn right! I'd never abandon you!"
Looking around, I saw everyone tearing up a little. Heh, I'm about to start crying too.
"Let's go home, Asia. Back to our house."
Rias embraced Asia as she stepped away from Xenovia.
"President…"
"Enough. You should stop calling me that in private. Didn't I say this before? I think of you like a little sister."
"Yes, Rias-nee-sama! …But, before we go, may I say a quick prayer?"
"A prayer? For what?"
"Hehe, it's a secret~."
Curious, but it's Asia, we all knew it was something kind and gentle. Pressing her would be rude.
She knelt a short distance away and offered her prayer to God.
Bathed in light, she looked like a divine being… No, seriously. Something was wrong. The light surrounding her intensified, becoming a full-blown pillar of radiance.
Then a gust of wind blew… and the light vanished.
Asia was gone.
"ASIA! Where did you go?! ASIAAAAA!!"
Don't tell me, we just got her back, and now she's been taken again right in front of us?!
"Issei-senpai, please calm down."
"Koneko-chan! Asia's gone!!"
Why is she so calm?!
"Um… Issei-san? I'm right here."
…Huh?
We all turned toward the voice, Asia was cradled in Ikki's arms.
…Did I just scream like an idiot in front of everyone?
Still dazed, I sighed with relief that Asia was safe.
=====================
[Ikki's POV]
Together with Kuroka, we were just about to reach the castle when I spotted Issei's group through the distortion lens. The fighting had mostly settled, and I knew we had no time left.
Unfortunately, I was right, Asia started praying, and light began swirling unnaturally around her. I released the limiter on my muscles, focused all my energy into my right leg, and lunged forward, snatching her from the spot instantly.
Lifting her delicately while at full speed had me sweating, but I managed. If I messed up, she might've gone "Gueeh!" or something, no thanks.
The Gremory peerage hadn't seen us move and were panicking. Only Koneko, who likely sensed our approach, remained calm.
Asia, still confused, called out to the others.
"Asia! What happened?! Ikki saved you… but how is he even here?"
"Ah, that Odin geezer said he was the only one who could teleport directly."
"That just means Odin-sama could target the exact location. Kuroka and I were teleported into the general field by Ajuka-sama's magic… though we landed far away. It was close. Anyway, stay alert!"
"Yes. It's not over yet, nya."
Kuroka warned everyone. We all realized Asia was still being targeted and snapped into battle mode.
[Hmph! You lowly insects dare trouble one of noble Maou blood?! No matter. I, the great one, shall personally slaughter you all!]
A voice echoed from above, and a teleportation circle appeared in the air above the throne. A man clad in armor descended slowly, his legs visible first.
Which made it easy for me to leap behind him and slash the back of his armored knees with my Sacred Gear.
"GUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!"
Screaming in agony as his legs gave out, he crashed face-first to the floor. I stomped on the back of his head with full force.
…Seriously? He teleported in slowly, from the ground up, into a room full of enemies, after announcing himself? What an idiot.
"Ugh… uhh…"
Still conscious? Oh right, this guy's powered up by Ophis's snakes, making him Maou-tier.
BAM!
I stomped his head again.
He might be a high-ranking officer. If we keep him alive, we might get useful intel. But to be safe, I stirred up his mind with senjutsu while stomping repeatedly.
"ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORAAAA!!"
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!
Hahaaa! What's wrong, 'true Maou'? Say it, "MUDA MUDA MUDAAA!"
It got kind of fun after a while, and I kept stomping like a jackhammer… until the floor gave out. Oops. Maybe I overdid it?
Well, at least he's still breathing.
The others flew down with their devil wings. I grabbed the guy by the hair and lifted his bloodied face.
"Um, President? Do you know who this is? His magic is strong, so I figured we should hand him over to the Maou."
"…I'm not sure. His face is so smashed I can't be confident, but based on the profile, it's probably Shalba Beelzebub? He was part of the Old Satan Faction in the Khaos Brigade and a leader among the rebel nobles."
…President? Everyone? Why are you all keeping your distance?
Only Xenovia was impressed. "Yes! A decisive first strike is indeed best!"
I wasn't totally satisfied, but I watched as Akeno restrained the unconscious, powerless Shalba with her magic.
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