AN: Would you like that? It's Friday again, time surely pass fast isn't?
So how is everyone doing this week? I hope it was productive and good.
Hehehe, now then I'm here to share first update this week!
Chapter 94 of Volume 2 is now up! just a few more we are done with this Volume.
Enjoy~
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Kuoh Academy grounds, DxD world. A few minutes before Noah and Hajime let go.
Alice and Anisphia stood surrounded by Ameno Sagiri, Ingvild Leviathan, Villhaze, and Ophis, along with the leaders of the Three Factions: Sirzechs, Serafall, Michael, Gabriel, Azazel, and Shemhazai, all looking up at Noah, Hajime, and Sirin as they prepared to begin the plan.
"When I saw your 'Captain' teasing you all like a normal school kid back when we rescued Ingvild, the heroic and chivalrous image I had of you Nameless actually broke," Sagiri admitted. Her words drew the attention of Alice, Anisphia, Ingvild, Villhaze, Ophis, the faction leaders, and even those watching through the broadcast. "He acted like any boy his age, teasing friends, laughing with them. And at that time I thought to myself… is this really the person who leads you?"
She clenched her fist, her heart still pounding as she remembered Noah's speech. Despite herself, she had felt fired up, believing that no matter how difficult their current situation is, they could face it head-on. "With what I saw today—how he spoke, how he gave everyone the ability to save themselves. He didn't command anyone to follow his will. He… he gave the people a choice. A choice to take the chance to become more."
Sagiri sighed, trying to calm her trembling heart.
"Now I fully understand why he is the one leading you. Why even someone like Nagumo Hajime, who did the impossible by killing a god, would follow him and respect him."
Sagiri paused, wetting her lips as her gaze remained fixed on the three figures in the sky. "Right now, I only have a single thought… 'So that is why, no matter how dangerous your lives are, you can still face everything with a smile.' It's… it's very, very inspiring."
Alice and Anisphia chuckled softly at her struggle to find the right words. They knew everyone present must be feeling the same.
"It's okay, Sagiri. We understand what you're trying to say," Alice said gently.
"Ahahaha! What you're feeling right now is something even we, as part of the crew, always feel," Anisphia laughed, nodding in agreement.
Sona Sitri on the screen chuckled softly. [Hajime-san told me once that you all follow Noah-san not because he demanded it, but because you trust him. And like Ameno-san, I now understand why.]
She looked up toward the sky in the direction of the Academy. [He truly is an amazing leader… and a person.]
[I… feel the same. Really,] Tobio Ikuse added, his gaze fixed on the golden trails above. [In my heart right now, all I can think is how much I want to join them, to join the Trailblazers and see their journey with my own eyes.]
He sighed, trying to calm the rush of emotions in his chest. [I want to experience that way of life… and see the sights you are all witnessing.]
Alice offered him a gentle smile. "Then, Ikuse-san, know this. The doors of the Astral Express are always open to anyone who wishes to embark on the path of Trailblaze."
"So when you feel like it, come and join us! We'll all welcome you with open arms!" Anisphia added brightly.
Tobio froze for a moment, stunned, before laughing aloud. [I'll be sure to take that offer!!!]
[Hey! Don't forget to take us too, okay, Tobi-kun!] Natsume Minagawa chimed in at his side. [But it's fine if we leave Sharkhead behind.]
[WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY, BIRDBRAIN?!] Kouki Samejima shouted back, indignant.
[With President Sona being Nagumo-san's fiancée, the Sitri peerage surely has a ticket to join,] Tsubaki Shinra remarked as she adjusted her glasses.
[T-Tsubaki?!] Sona exclaimed in shock, her face turning red.
[We're also their friends, so we should be counted too, right?] Rias Gremory added with a playful smile.
[Ahem… and with Lady Gabriel's 'closer' relationship with the leader of the Trailblazers, that gives us a chance as well, doesn't it?] Griselda said, her tone both serious and teasing as she glanced at Gabriel.
"G-Griselda?! J-just w-what are you saying?! Geez!!" Gabriel stammered, her face flustered as she waved her hands frantically.
"Hahaha! Looks like we're going to have a really big family, huh, Alice?" Anisphia said with a grin.
"Hehehe, we sure will," Alice replied warmly.
—---
The warm moment passed, and now the time had come to save the world.
Alice and Anisphia moved first. They raised their hands toward the golden trails of Trailblaze, and felt them answer. Light wrapped around their outstretched palms like a firm handshake, warm and reassuring, filling them with strength.
Sagiri, Ingvild, Villhaze, and even Ophis followed, each reaching upward. The same thing happened, their hands holding onto the radiant path.
"Ophis-chan?" Ingvild glanced at the little dragon god beside her.
"I want it too… the peace and warmth they promised," Ophis replied softly. Even her, the dragon god could feel it. The peace Hajime had promised her, the warmth Noah had prepared for them to walk upon. And so, she chose to grasp it as well.
Gabriel, Michael, Azazel, Shemhazai, Sirzechs, and Serafall reached out next. The leaders of the Three Factions clasped the path given to them, and each of them felt it in their hearts: if they followed this trail, the peace they had long sought would finally come.
"This will be the first of many more times I will be your strength, Noah-san," Gabriel promised, her voice both solemn and moved.
Serafall sniffed, rubbing her eyes. "Jeez, you are making me cry at a time like this…"
At the shopping street, Tobio, Sae, Natsume, Kouki, Shigune, and Lavinia, along with the civilians they had saved, reached upward too. Their hands met the golden light, warmth rushing through them, giving them courage to hold on.
"The future Hakkun wanted to build, and the path Captain-san has laid toward it… we're truly lucky to have met them, aren't we?" Lavinia whispered.
Tobio's lips lifted into a faint smile. "Yes. We really are."
At the shopping mall, Griselda, Vasco, Irina, Xenovia, and all the people there raised their hands, grasping the light that promised them a tomorrow.
"The world tomorrow will change, won't it?" Griselda whispered.
Vasco grinned. "It already has. The world changed the moment everyone reached for this light."
In the Kuoh business district, Sona, Tsubaki, Saji, Momo, Reya, Tsubasa, Ruruko, and Tomoe—everyone in the Sitri Peerage—reached upward alongside the civilians around them. All of them seized the chance given to save themselves.
"To think there would be a day we'd see a miracle like this," Tsubaki murmured, sharing the wonder of her fellow peerage members.
Sona smiled gently. "This is only the beginning, Tsubaki. I'm certain we'll see more of this in the future."
At Kuoh Park, where most of the civilians from the residential district had gathered, countless hands rose to the sky, following the lead of Rias, Akeno, Kiba, Koneko, Issei, Asia, and Gasper. Each of them felt it—the strength and power in their grasp that would carry them into tomorrow.
"In my childhood, I dreamed of being a hero," Issei admitted suddenly, making the rest of the Gremory team turn toward him. "I don't know why, but even just raising my hand and grabbing these trails of light… it makes me feel like one already."
Rias and the others chuckled, because deep down, they felt the same.
"This proves even the simplest actions can make us a hero to someone else," Rias said, recalling when Issei had fought Raiser to free her from their engagement. "So today, let us all become the heroes who will save everyone and our world."
Across every part of the world—Tokyo, Kyoto, Beijing, London, Berlin, Moscow, Los Angeles, New York, Cairo, Delhi, and countless other cities—people raised their hands to the golden trails. Young and old, rich and poor, strong and weak, those with magical bloodlines and those from mundane lives, patients in hospitals, weary soldiers in their camps, politicians, students, humans, halflings, and even non-humans, all reached out together. Each became a cornerstone of the power that would not only protect themselves but save their world.
Moments later, a golden hexagonal dome of light began to form. The great shield created by every living being on this planet had appeared. It would protect them, carrying them safely toward the next day.
—--
The very moment Noah and Hajime released their hold, quantum shadows poured forth like a flood across the world. Thousands—no, millions spilled from the tear in reality. Trihexa did not waste the chance either. With a bone-rattling roar, the tear spread wider, and new tears began splitting open across the globe. On the ground, people flinched, some trembling in fear as they saw the endless tide of shadows invading their world. But still none back down. They were scared, yes, and nervous, but they stood firm. Pouring every ounce of courage and determination they had, they straightened their backs and refused to bow.
The quantum beasts slammed against the ground, their sharp, lance-like limbs stabbing furiously at the golden shield. Sparks flared, but the barrier held firm. Every strike bounced back as if striking an unshakable wall. Frustrated roars rang across the globe as their endless assault failed to leave so much as a scratch.
In the midst of the chaos, Noah stepped forward. The Key of Destruction—Judgement of Shamash in its Might of An-Utu form, flared with destructive might. The rising temperature incinerated the quantum shadows like they were made of paper. Flames of yellow, white, and blue swirled around him, consuming everything they touched. Any shadow that dared to stand in his way was reduced to quantum particles before it could even resist.
Each step brought him closer to Trihexa. The tear in reality widened enough for the beast's seven heads to force their way through. The Beast of the End glared at Noah, its roar shaking the heavens as it unleashed a torrent of fire toward him.
Noah, calm as ever, raised Shamash. The Astral Emblem on his left arm shone with Imaginary energy as he poured his power into the weapon. With a decisive swing, he split the fire breath cleanly in two, his own sunflare flying forward to strike Trihexa. The beast roared in pain as the flames seared its flesh, one of its heads snapping toward him with murderous fury. Then all seven heads reared back, gathering their most destructive breaths at once.
He did not dodge. He did not halt. The once golden-yellow flames cloaking him transforming into blinding white lines of blue hue, the temperature rising so high the very air trembled. The combined breaths of destruction slammed into him yet the white flames cloaking his body shrugged them off as though they were nothing.
The Shamash in Noah's hands changed, its form transformed into something far more destructive, a weapon that embodied the absolute end of all things.
He finally called forth the final and most devastating form of the Divine Key—Judgment of Shamash, Shuhadaku of Uriel.
Trihexa flinched. Each of its seven heads pulled back, eyes wide with something it had never felt before: fear.
"Shamash…" Noah murmured, his grip tightening.
Sensing real danger, Trihexa grew frantic. Fire breath after fire breath each one strong enough to level a nation erupted from its mouths. Yet the bluish-white flames and the divine protection of the Crowned Clown shrugged it off without effort.
At last, Noah crossed the boundary. Twisting his body into a single, powerful slash, he spoke the words that would always be remembered by those all who witnessed it, be it the beast of the end and humans.
"…Unleashed."
He didn't shout. He said it with the same calm tone as always. And Trihexa froze, powerless to act, as the flames of destruction engulfed it. No roar escaped. The heat and energy of a star detonated against its form, granting the Beast of the End a taste of its own end.
—---
Hajime at the back wasn't idle. As Noah was about to deliver the judgment of stars, he activated his Gate of Babylon Authority and called upon the most powerful treasure sleeping inside.
"I actually hate using you," Hajime muttered, his tone low. "Because every time I see you, I remember my weakest moment… that time when I almost lost her."
A large, cylindrical, drill-shaped pillar weapon appeared, bound by golden chains. Its unique, otherworldly form reflected its status as an ancient divine weapon, older than the very concept of a sword.
Hajime exhaled sharply, his eyes narrowing. "No. I can't deceive myself. Alice did die that time… when she unlocked you so that I could defeat Enkidu."
He placed his hand firmly on its handle as the chains released and fell away. "But I'll swallow my pride and use your power to build a future for this world, Ea."
As if answering, the three segments of Ea began to rotate, power surging out and distorting space and time around him.
His voice rang clear, each word heavy with resolve:
"Heaven and Earth split.
Nothingness congratulated Creation...
and my sword cleaved the world.
Mortar of the stars...
Heaven's hell is the eve of creation's celebration!"
With his words, Ea ignited, glowing with a brilliant, star-like energy that spun like a vortex of colliding air. A blinding flash tore across the battlefield as Noah unleashed his most powerful strike, one capable of erasing a world.
Hajime wasted no time. Ea pulsed in his grip, warping reality itself around its might. His gaze locked with Noah's, a silent signal passing between them.
With a roar, Hajime thrust Ea toward the tear.
"ENUMA ELISH!"
A spiral of space-time raged outward like the scream of a god, shattering everything in its path. The Stellaron's connection binding the planes of reality and the Imaginary was ripped apart, the colliding spaces forced to drift away from each other once more.
Sirin, who had stepped into the dimensional gap, witnessed it all, Noah burning the Beast of the End to ash, and Hajime severing the anchors of reality and Imaginary with Ea's overwhelming power.
"Ugh… compared to Noah and Hajime's flashy moves, what I'm about to do feels so plain," Sirin muttered, puffing her cheeks.
With a sigh, she spread her arms. Countless void cubes appeared, wrapping around both planes before dragging them into her quantum realm. There, she stood like a goddess. In her right hand floated the plane of reality, punctured with countless holes in its dimensional barrier. In her left sitting was the plane of Imaginary, scarred with the single gaping wound where the dimensional monsters had poured through even where the prison of Trihexa lay.
"I'll just do it… in my own way," she whispered. Power surged through her hands, pouring into the wounds. Slowly, as if time was being reversed, the holes began to heal.
In only a few moments, the once-damaged dimensional barriers were restored, seamless, perfect, as though they had never been broken. Certain of her work, Sirin released both planes from her quantum realm.
No brilliant light. No thunderous explosion. Just silent completion. Sirin sniffed and slumped her shoulders. "…As expected, my work really is too plain, isn't it?"
—----
The once broken sky was healed. In the east, the morning sun rose slowly, welcoming a new day. Everyone watched the heavens brighten, barely daring to breathe. The great shield they had all created together faded gently, its purpose complete.
Alice let out a deep sigh. Her legs gave out and she dropped to the ground, back-to-back with Anisphia. "As always… those two never disappoint us."
Anisphia gave a tired grin, leaning against her. "Of course they don't. As long as Hajime and Captain work together, there's nothing they can't do."
Gradually, everyone woke from their trance as they bathed in the warmth of dawn.
Sona pressed a trembling hand to her chest and breathed out. "It's over… really over."
Rias stepped closer to Issei, tears in her eyes. "We're still here. We made it."
Irina collapsed beside Xenovia, whispering prayers of thanks.
Tobio's hands trembled with fulfillment from what they just achieved. Jin rubbed his head against Tobio's legs, and Tobio whispered hoarsely, "I've never felt anything like this…"
Sae rested her head gently on his shoulder, eyes soft as she basked in the afterglow of victory. "We did it… together."
Azazel gave a crooked smile. "Trailblaze… a power that not only lets them cross the sea of stars, but also gives us a path to our own future."
Thinking about how unreal it all was, he let out a dry chuckle. "Hah… I'm getting too old for this."
Gabriel pressed her hands against her chest, her eyes fixed on Noah in awe.
Ophis stood beside Ingvild, a new feeling blooming in her chest. "Is this the peace he spoke of?… I don't know why, but… I like this feeling.... Very much."
And then, slowly, voices rose across the world.
Cheers erupted in Kuoh Park, where the Gremory peerage was at. Issei pumping his fist in the air, Akeno smiling through her tears, Kiba letting out a long breath of relief. Koneko, Gasper, and Asia clung to each other, crying openly. The civilians around them wept as well, cheering through their tears.
The business district was the same. Sona and her peerage shared the same raw emotions as the Gremory team. Tsubaki, Tomoe, Reya, and the others cried and laughed, their pride and disbelief mixing together. Around them, the people let out shaky laughs as if unable to believe it, they had actually made it. They had reached tomorrow, just as promised.
At the shopping street, the Slash Dog team pumped their fists high. Tobio stood tall, Sae's trembling hands clutching at his arm. Natsume, Shigune, and Lavinia cried as they embraced one another. Kouki turned away, trying to hide the tears falls in his eyes until he felt a firm pat on his shoulder. Looking back, he found the civilians they had saved watching him with grateful smiles. For once, Kouki couldn't find words, only a choked laugh as he returned their glance with a nod.
—--
At the Kuoh Academy grounds…
Noah and Hajime touched down when Hajime was suddenly jumped on by the proud and teary-eyed Alice and Anisphia.
"Hajime!!!" Both girls cried out as Hajime hurriedly caught them.
"Hey! Careful, you two!!" Hajime scolded, though his voice was filled with warmth as he wrapped his arms around their waists. "Geez."
The two only giggled, pressing their heads against his shoulders. Hajime's smile softened as he basked in their presence.
Alice pushed back just enough to meet his eyes. "Thank you for your hard work, my king."
She leaned in and kissed him. When they finally parted, he felt Anisphia's hands on his cheeks. Turning to her, he saw the mix of pride and love shining in her smile.
"That's seriously sparkling, you know. You made me fall all over again," Anisphia teased before pulling him into a deep kiss.
'Noah was right. After-war affection really is the sweetest.' Hajime thought as he melted into the affection of Alice and Anisphia.
Sagiri, Ingvild, Ophis, and Villhaze, who had followed behind, froze at the sight of the three exchanging kisses. When Anisphia broke away, Ingvild gathered her courage, stepped forward, and looked straight at Hajime.
"Hajime-kun… you were amazing! That's why…!" she shouted, then jumped forward and, with surprising calm, kissed him on the lips.
Her sudden action shocked not only Hajime but also Alice, Anisphia, Sagiri, and Villhaze.
When at last their kiss broke, Ingvild stood straight, catching her breath.
"...I-Ingvild, you…?" Hajime stammered. Ingvild looked up at him with a flustered expression, her eyes wet with tears and her cheeks completely red. She looked so endearing that Hajime unconsciously gulped.
"Ah!! That's so unfair, Ing-chan!!"
A sudden shout broke Hajime's thoughts. Ingvild flinched and instinctively hid her face against Hajime's chest. Hajime, Alice, and Anisphia turned toward the voice and found Lavinia and the Slash/Dog team returned using teleportation magic. Tobio and the rest wore amused expressions, while Lavinia pouted adorably.
Lavinia hurried over. When she reached Hajime, he instinctively stepped back at her fierce—if cute—expression. She tiptoed up and kissed him quickly, unwilling to be left behind.
"...Are you not going to join them too, Sagiri-sama?" Villhaze asked dryly from beside her.
"Pfff! J-just wh-what are you s-saying, Villhaze?!" Sagiri stammered, her face red with fluster.
When their kiss ended, Lavinia stood tall, looking at Hajime with a contented expression as she rested her head against his chest beside Ingvild.
"Say, aren't you girls forgetting about us?" Alice asked, holding Hajime's arm, her brow twitching.
"You girls sure got bold, huh?" Anisphia added with a forceful smile, her cheeks twitching as she glanced at the two girls pressed against Hajime's chest as her hold on his other arm tightened.
Around them, reactions varied.
"Well, that escalated quickly." Tobio covered his mouth to stifle a laugh.
Sae giggled beside him. "Hehehe, Nagumo-san really is loved, isn't he?"
Azazel chuckled from afar. "Ahh… youth—bitter yet sweet."
Noah chuckled, shoulders relaxing as he watched Hajime get surrounded.
Sirin floated behind him, arms wrapped around his neck like a playful cat rubbing her cheeks against him. "Looks like our lives on the Express will be even more chaotic with this love storm,"
Gabriel, standing nearby, blinked at the scene with a stunned expression. "…At least they're happy?" she murmured.
Noah laughed hard in reply.
—-------
After a while, Noah finally stepped forward, his presence cutting through the playful chaos around Hajime. "Sorry to interrupt your lovey-dovey atmosphere, but Sii and I will need to head back to the Express."
Ingvild jumped in shock even Lavinia let out a small shriek. Both girls quickly peeled off Hajime and stood beside him, to the amusement of Alice and Anisphia, who still clung to Hajime's arms like they owned it.
Hajime felt like he'd been caught doing something embarrassing. He cleared his throat, trying to hide the blush creeping up his face. "Oh, it's fine, bro—we're cool. No worries."
He tried to sound composed, but Noah's grin and the way Sirin's lips perked up in amusement only made it worse.
Noah couldn't hold it anymore and laughed, while Sirin let out a snort. Gabriel, standing beside them, finally processed what Noah had said and felt a wave of panic.
"...You're leaving already?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with worry.
Noah turned to her and gently pinched her cheeks. "Just for now. We will meet again very soon."
Gabriel, basking in his touch, slowly nodded. Her lips curved into a soft smile as her wings fluttered faintly. "Okay… I'll wait."
Noah smiled before turning to Hajime, Alice, and Anisphia. "You three have done great things for this world. More than any of us could have imagined."
He looked toward the others—the many friends and allies Hajime had made during their time in this world. "Thank you, all of you. It was an honor to fight alongside you. Until next time."
Sirin gave a short, respectful bow. "Thank you for taking care of our friends. We'll see each other again."
Then, Noah and Sirin stepped back a little before their forms were wrapped in the light of Trailblaze and vanished, leaving behind only the soft hum and warmth of their departure.