[Azazel's POV]
"Bwahahahahahaha!!"
Damn it! We're technically still in the middle of a battle, but I can't stop laughing!
While I'm cracking up on the battlefield, a terrorist devil tries to attack me from behind, only to get blasted away by my rocket punch. Sirzechs calls out to me, exasperated:
"Azazel, could you take this a bit more seriously?"
"Well, you say that, but come on, Sirzechs. Did you see how literally that pompous bastard Shalba fell from grace? That was comedy gold, an all-time classic! The Old Satan Faction didn't cut the broadcast because they wanted to show off Rias getting crushed by him, right? But now? Hah! They're clearly shaken, slower than before."
I mean, yeah. Watching your boss get utterly humiliated like that would shake anyone. Still... damn, that was brutal. Maybe Ikki's the type who can't follow the "traditional hero's path."
Even with his power, his self-evaluation is always kind of low, so in actual combat, he focuses purely on victory. He's more of a "conqueror" than a "hero," maybe even a bit of a "renegade." If he ever enters Rating Games, I bet he'll gain a small but fanatical following.
While I was thinking that, someone suddenly dropped in front of us. This guy...
"Creuserey. Most of your Old Satan Faction comrades are already gone, erased by the gods' power. And you know Shalba's been defeated. Are you really not going to surrender?"
"Silence! You dare call our noble bloodline 'old' and stole the Maou's throne from us! I will never bow to you! I'll kill you here, and then kill your sister and that human, then I'll rescue my comrade Shalba!"
Aaaand he's gone. Completely unhinged.
Listen, the reason you guys didn't become Maous is because you simply weren't strong enough. In the devil world that values power over bloodline, still clinging to your pedigree is just sad.
"I see… that's unfortunate. Then as a Maou, I'll eliminate anything that threatens the Underworld."
Sirzechs raises his hand, and a magic aura of pure destruction envelops Creuserey. His body starts crumbling, bit by bit.
"Im... Impossible! I wielded Ophis' power, how can I be defeated so easily?! AAAAAAAAGHHHHHH!!"
Without even ten seconds of resistance, Creuserey is reduced to dust.
Hah! So much for "the strongest." He had one hell of an imagination, I'll give him that.
Then, the gem on the Down Fall Dragon Spear in my hand suddenly reacts, and an all-too-familiar presence appears nearby.
"Well, well. I didn't expect you yourself to show up."
So is this operation that important to you? Or do you have some other agenda?
"Long time no see, Azazel."
The one who appeared was none other than the Ouroboros Dragon, Ophis, the Infinite Dragon God.
I asked why she, who supposedly had no interest in the world, would bother showing up now. Surprisingly, she answered honestly.
She said she was just observing, and ultimately, she just wants to return to the dimensional gap she was born in.
So... her homesickness is what started this whole mess, huh? The "strongest" dragon god really operates on another scale. You'd think the Dimensional Gap was big enough for both her and Great Red to coexist peacefully. But dragons and territorial instinct, yeah, not happening.
Still, lucky for us she didn't come here to help the Old Satan Faction.
If she had any real hostile intent, even with the Four Maous and the various gods gathered here, we'd have been wiped out instantly.
Then, without a word, Ophis turned to the sky and vanished.
Even with my eyes, I couldn't track her. Seriously, she's such a pain in the ass.
"Azazel, any idea where she went?"
"Hm... Let's ask. Fafnir?"
I spoke into the gem. It sent back a coordinate, and it looks like she went to where Ikki and Issei are. I doubt she'd go there to cause trouble, though.
"Indeed. I agree with your assessment, but we can't ignore it. Fortunately, most enemies in this area have been dealt with. Ajuka just reported that he finished analyzing and dispelling the barrier. The guards outside have joined in, surrounding and mopping up the remaining enemies. Teleportation is also working again. Let's leave this to them and head to Rias and the others."
"Alright then, time to move out."
Well, I am their advisor after all.
A teleportation circle formed beneath our feet, and we warped to the Occult Research Club.
=====================
[Ikki's POV]
From there, we left the castle and decided to link up with Lord Odin nearby.
With most of the enemies already dealt with, there wasn't anywhere urgent to go, so we figured it was the best move.
Currently, I'm dragging a bound-up Shalba with magic rope, while Issei does the same with Diodora. We were about to head off when Kuroka said, "Hey, aren't you forgetting the brat embedded in that wall over there?", and that's when everyone finally remembered Diodora existed.
I mean, sure, Kuroka and I arrived last, but even the ones who fought him directly completely forgot he was there. When they all went "...Ah!" in unison, I couldn't help but feel a little bad for the guy.
Still, Asia nearly disappearing must've hit them hard.
"...And that's when Kiba took down the two 'Knights' and headed for Diodora."
Right now, I'm getting a recap from Issei. Their battle was broadcast, but Kuroka and I weren't near a screen at the time.
"Huh? Yuuto fought two Knights?"
"Yeah. Why, something wrong?"
"Nah... Just a mix-up. Forget it."
Wait, wasn't Freed supposed to be there? Oh right, the church removed the holy sword factor from him and kicked him out just a few days ago. So I guess it makes sense he wasn't there... But knowing Freed, he'll show up again. Not that I want him to.
Just then, a rip opened in the space in front of us, and out stepped a dashing man in glasses and a suit.
"Oh? I didn't expect to land right where you are... Perhaps the auras of the Red and White Dragons subconsciously pulled me here?"
He turns to the still-open rift and calls toward it.
"Heh, maybe it's fate. Right, Arthur?"
Out comes Vali. And behind him, Bikou.
"What the hell!? Vali! Why the hell are you here? Don't tell me you're helping the Old Satan Faction?"
"Relax, Hyoudou Issei. I'm not involved in today's incident, nor do I plan to interfere. I was searching for something. It seemed like it would appear here, so I dropped by. I have no interest in Shalba Beelzebub either."
As he said that, Bikou leaned in to peek at Shalba.
"Yikes! He's a mess! Missing all his front teeth, nose crushed into his face... brutal."
Can't argue, it's borderline censor material.
"Searching? For what?"
"Hm... Look up, Hyoudou Issei."
At his words, the sky above the battlefield began to distort, crackling with electricity. Then, a massive red dragon, over 100 meters long, appeared.
"There are two Red Dragons. One is your partner, the Red Dragon Emperor Ddraig. The other is the 'True Red Dragon God Emperor' recorded in the Apocalypse, Great Red. Also known as the 'Dragon of Dragons (D×D),' he is beyond strongest, he is invincible. Someday, I will defeat him and become the 'True White Dragon God Emperor.' It wouldn't look good if the Red had the top spot and White was second-best, right?"
Dude, picking a fight with a god over aesthetics? Battle junkies are a whole different breed...
"Great Red... it's been a while."
Suddenly, a girl appeared, sitting atop a rock.
Even though I've improved my sensing abilities, I didn't detect her at all. But given who it is, I guess that's no surprise.
"Who are you!?"
"I... I didn't sense a thing..."
She silently gazed at Great Red. Vali answered for her:
"Ophis. The Ouroboros Dragon. The Infinite Dragon God."
Everyone's face went pale, makes sense. She looks like a child, but she's the leader of the Khaos Brigade.
But honestly, there's something else bothering me more...
"I will one day claim silence."
She raised her hand like a finger gun and pretended to shoot Great Red.
"Huh... So she wasn't here to observe the Old Satan Faction. She came to see him."
A voice called from behind us. We turned to see Azazel-sensei and Sirzechs walking over.
"Onii-sama!? I heard the spectator seats were attacked. Are you alright?"
"Yes, Rias. Most of the Old Satan Faction has been wiped out. We're currently mopping up the rest."
"Mmm... That too is a result."
Ophis turned to us and said it like it was nothing.
"So with the Old Satan Faction gone, the Khaos Brigade's only real forces left are the Vali Team and the Hero Faction?"
"Hero Faction?"
"Yeah. A faction made up of Sacred Gear users and descendants of legendary heroes."
"What!? What kind of people become terrorists like that!?"
Issei's shocked, but hey, if no one else is gonna say it, I will!
I step forward and face Ophis.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Arima Ikki. I've got one question."
"H-Hey Ikki! What are you doing!?"
"Senpai! It's dangerous!!"
Sorry, guys! I had to ask this!
Ophis gave a quiet "Hm... what is it?" so I went for it.
"Your outfit is super weird. Why did you choose that?"
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