"What about it? I can't exactly give you an answer if the question is that vague," Issei replied.
"Hah! I'm talking about the other side of that dimensional rift that suddenly appeared a while ago!" Vali insisted, his voice rising with intensity.
"Isn't it a good thing? There's a whole new world out there just waiting to be explored."
"You're right," Vali conceded, "but what if there are entities over there as powerful as Ophis or the Great Red?"
"What's this? Don't tell me you're actually scared?" Issei let out a teasing smirk, giving Vali a mischievous wink.
Vali froze for a moment. He puffed out his chest and snapped back, "Who's scared?! I'm just worried about the fate of this world if a fight breaks out between beings with power levels like Ophis and Great Red!"
Issei fell silent for a beat, eventually nodding with a serious expression.
"You're right. If entities that powerful go at it, the dimensional rift will collapse, and the aftershocks will be felt all the way in the human world."
"That is exactly what I don't want to see." Vali wore a bitter smile, his mind drifting to his mother, who was now living a peaceful life with her new husband and children.
On the other hand, Issei thought of his own parents.
"Don't worry. I'll do whatever is necessary if it comes down to it."
Issei's tone was unwavering—the voice of a man prepared to lay down his life for the sake of many. Vali was taken aback, momentarily struck by Issei's sheer resolve.
"Hah... well, if a sacrifice is truly needed, maybe I'll be the one to take your place."
"Eh?"
Before Issei could process that, Vali had already turned his back, waving a hand dismissively. A teleportation magic circle flared with a blinding light, and in the next second, the Vali Team vanished from sight.
Issei stood there, rooted to the spot, staring up at the crimson sky of the Underworld with a heavy gaze.
"Sacrificing my life for the greater good... I wonder why I'm even thinking like that."
"Issei-senpai."
Koneko's voice broke his train of thought. Seeing her trying to hide her happiness behind her usual stoic, cute face made Issei feel a wave of relief.
"Welcome," he said.
Koneko blushed, nodding shyly.
"In that case, let's head back."
"Mm." Koneko agreed, walking side-by-side with him.
As they walked, Koneko kept stealing glances at Issei's hand. Her eyes were slightly hazy, as if she were waiting for him to make a move. Without a word, Issei reached out and took Koneko's small hand in his.
Koneko's face turned bright red, a happy smile spreading across her lips as she walked along with her beloved Senpai.
...
Today was a monumental day for the Three-Way Alliance. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that the future of the world rested on the outcome of the discussions between the Alliance and Asgard.
"Hohoho! It has been quite a while since I last visited. The atmosphere is just as I remember it."
"Welcome to the Underworld, Lord Odin," Sirzechs greeted him. He was welcoming Odin, the All-Father of Norse mythology.
"Hohoho, Sirzechs! Long time no see. You're still as nonsensically powerful as ever."
Sirzechs let out a soft chuckle, his gaze shifting to the silver-haired Valkyrie standing behind Odin.
"Ignore her," Odin signaled. "After I told her about the incident, this woman insisted on wearing her full armor."
"I see." Sirzechs nodded gently and looked away from Rossweisse.
Rossweisse tensed up under Sirzechs' gaze. After all, the man who just looked at her was a Super Devil—someone even Odin respected. If Sirzechs decided to do anything, she would be completely powerless to stop him.
From a distance, Issei's eyes were glued to Rossweisse.
'Who would've thought I'd get to see her sexy armor at our first meeting? It's so beautiful... and so big.'
Gulp...
Issei swallowed hard.
SLAP!
Rias suddenly smacked the back of Issei's head.
"Rias?"
"Hmph!" Rias turned her head away, her face flushed with jealous anger.
Issei let out a hollow laugh. By chance, he spotted Saji suffering a similar fate. Saji's head had just been smacked hard by Momo Hanakai, and now he was being scolded mercilessly.
Issei wanted to laugh, but considering his own situation, he realized he was in no position to judge. Taking a deep breath, he leaned in and whispered into Rias's ear.
"To me, you're still number one."
That single whisper shattered Rias's defenses, leaving her weak at the knees and blushing furiously.
After the initial pleasantries, the high-ranking officials finally began discussing the peace treaty and the cooperation agreement with Asgard. Everything was proceeding smoothly without a hitch—until it came time to sign the document.
Just as Odin was about to put pen to paper, a magic circle manifested in mid-air, startling everyone in the room.
"I oppose this treaty."
Loki's voice echoed through the hall, immediately drawing Odin's ire. Loki appeared before the crowd, hovering high with an arrogant air, showing no fear despite being in the presence of the Norse All-Father, two Super Devils, two Satans, a Seraph, and the Red Dragon Emperor.
Issei wasn't particularly interested in Loki; his attention was instead drawn to the grey-haired youth with purple highlights who had appeared alongside him.
The youth carried a massive sword with one hand, his expression looking utterly bored as he stared down at the crowd with lazy eyes.
"Dino?"
To be continued...
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