AN: Another week has ended again. It feels like the I just share the chapter 96 and now we are here for another weekend.
Hello everyone your Author here to bring again another chapter for this fic.
So without further ado here is Chapter 97 for you all to read!!
Please Enjoy
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Gates of Heaven, DxD World…
Gabriel paced restlessly, hands clasped over her chest. Her usual gentle smile and calm demeanor had been replaced with nervous anticipation.
Behind her stood the other Seraphs of Heaven: Michael, Uriel, and Raphael, all waiting patiently behind her for the arrival of God's Joker.
"So this day has finally come," Raphael murmured, his tone thoughtful. "The day we welcome the Joker of God, the one to carry Father's will forward."
Uriel folded his arms, his voice tinged with skepticism. "After a millennia of waiting, Heaven at last found its new heart… I only pray it will truly be for the better."
Michael let out a soft sigh. "Sister, Gabriel, please calm yourself. If you keep pacing like this, you'll exhaust yourself before he even arrives."
"Uhh… s-sorry," Gabriel stammered, halting her steps though her fingers still fidgeted. "I just… I can't seem to sit still."
Michael gave her a wry smile. "You've already waited millennia. What's a few more minutes?"
Gabriel puffed her cheeks and let out a muffled groan. "Ughh…"
"Don't worry, he'll come. He promised," Michael reassured. Then, with a teasing tilt of his brow, he added, "Or is your destined partner someone who would break his word and disappoint everyone?"
"No! Absolutely not!!" Gabriel snapped, fiercer than any of them expected. Her sudden outburst left not only Michael but also Raphael and Uriel blinking in surprise. "Noah-san would never do that!!!"
"...I see." Michael finally answered with a small nod.
Realizing what she had just blurted out, Gabriel's cheeks flared crimson and she lowered her head. "...Apologies, brother. I got heated up for a moment."
Michael chuckled softly. "It's fine. Still, it was surprising to see the usually gentle and meek you react like that."
"Surprising? That's underselling it." Uriel added with a smirk. "I think that might be the first time she's ever snapped to anyone like that."
Raphael nodded thoughtfully. "It seems true then—people really do change when they find the one who captures their heart."
"Wa-wa-wa-what are you saying, Raphael?!" Gabriel flailed, her blush deepening. "P-please don't say it like that!!"
Michael, Raphael, and Uriel exchanged knowing looks before turning their warm gazes back to her. That only made her blush spread to the tips of her ears.
"Now I'm curious about this Crowned Clown," Uriel teased. "Not just as the bearer of Heaven's fate, but as the man who made our dear sister like this."
"U-Uriel?!" Gabriel shot him a wide-eyed look.
"I'm with Uriel on that," Raphael grinned, his tone playful. "For the rumored Captain of the Nameless to bring out this side of you… he must be something else."
"Geez! Why is everyone ganging up on me?!" Gabriel pouted, looking away as her wings twitched with a soft 'shaa'.
Her reaction only set Uriel and Raphael laughing, much to her mortification.
Michael chuckled, raising a hand. "Alright, alright. Give Gabriel a rest, you two. Our sister's just excited to see her destined one after so long apart."
"Hmph. Straight as always, brother." Uriel rolled his eyes but smirked.
"Ahaha, I suppose that's enough. We've already had our fun," Raphael said, his grin refusing to fade.
"Brother…" Gabriel gave Michael a grateful look, then immediately turned to pout at Uriel and Raphael.
But Michael's lips curved into a mischievous grin. "But Gabriel, remember to compose yourself, alright? We wouldn't want you to accidentally purify and blind everyone with your happiness when you meet Noah-dono."
"BROTHER!!!" Gabriel's face burned crimson as she shouted, glaring at him for his unexpected betrayal.
Uriel and Raphael nearly choked trying to hold back their laughter before bursting out loudly.
—--
After a while of teasing, the group finally settled down.
Gabriel, still pouting, folded her wings forward to hide her face from Michael and the others. This only made them chuckle more.
"Enough of the fun for now," Uriel said, breaking the silence. "I still can't wrap my head around the idea that the chosen Crowned Clown is someone from beyond the stars."
"I… feel the same," Raphael admitted. "It's surreal. After all these centuries of searching in our world, the one destined to lead us comes from another planet entirely…"
Uriel nodded slowly. "Fate truly is fickle. Or maybe our vision is simply too narrow to see beyond what we see."
Michael tilt his head with a thoughtful hum. "Like the human saying: 'we are all like frogs trapped inside a well.' We convinced ourselves our world was only what fit within its walls."
"To be honest, I'm still skeptical about all this." Uriel crossed his arms, his brows furrowing. "With the chosen one coming from another world, a variable we can't fully understand. A mortal who crossed the sea of stars, who's seen things we can't even imagine and lived through experiences we'll never comprehend."
His words left everyone silent. Even Michael and Gabriel, who had already met Noah and glimpsed his strength, said nothing.
Uriel let out a low sigh. "...I just hope he understands us. And that he won't walk away disappointed."
"We'll know soon enough," Raphael replied, though his gaze drifted into the distance.
The others followed his eyes to where a magical circle was beginning to form. At last, their guests had arrived.
—------
"Ah, Heaven… home sweet home!" Azazel announced as he stepped through the gates, sweeping his gaze around. "It's been a thousand years since I last set foot here. Hah, and not a single thing has changed."
When no one reacted, he arched his brow. "What's with the long faces? Don't tell me you're all sighing just from seeing this handsome mug."
Gabriel exhaled through her nose, visibly deflated.
Michael's smile strained. "Your charm is… consistent, at least."
"Consistently annoying," Uriel muttered, his brow twitching.
Raphael only sighed, shaking his head. "Some things never change."
Azazel ran a hand through his hair with exaggerated flair. "Tough crowd. Lucky for me, I came prepared."
He pulled out a small confetti popper, flicked it, and a weak squeak of streamers sputtered out. The awkward silence that followed was deafening.
"…Worth a shot," he muttered, stuffing it back into his pocket.
The Seraphs ignored Azazel's antics, sighing as they ease their tense selves. Ealier they all thought for a moment— just for a heartbeat, that the one they awaited had finally come. But disappointment followed; instead, it was the others who arrived first. Hajime, Alice, Anisphia, Ingvild, Ophis, and Villhaze stepped through the gates of Heaven, joined by Sirzechs, Serafall, and Azazel. Sagiri, Lavinia, Sona and the others were absent, still tied to their duties for the reconstruction efforts.
Sirzechs and Serafall traded awkward glances as they looked around.
"…Where's Noah-dono?" Sirzechs asked, scanning the clouds around them.
Serafall tilted her head, puzzled. "Yeah, shouldn't he be here by now?"
Gabriel gave them a tired smile. "He hasn't arrived yet."
That was when Hajime, Alice, and Anisphia all twitched in perfect sync. The strange, simultaneous reaction immediately drew everyone's attention.
Hajime avoided their eyes. Alice and Anisphia exchanged sheepish looks before breaking into awkward little laughs.
Michael narrowed his gaze. "…Is there something you'd like to share?"
"…Well," Hajime scratched the back of his head. "The thing is… Noah's ready. He's just waiting on us."
The Seraphs, along with Azazel, Sirzechs, and Serafall, all blinked at what they just heard.
Anisphia fidgeted like a student caught sneaking snacks in class. "We, uh… we need to set the Space Anchors so he will know the coordinates on where they will be teleporting."
Gabriel blinked.
Michael's jaw dropped.
Uriel's stare was flat.
Raphael just sighed.
Azazel dragged a hand down his face. "So you're saying… we've all been waiting in Heaven, while your captain is just sitting somewhere twiddling his thumbs?"
"Twiddling is a bit much.. He's just... he's just waiting for the signal from us so that he can come here…" Alice admitted with a pained smile, her tone unsure and slowly losing composure.
The leaders of the Three Factions all turned to stare at them.
Silence. Heavy, awkward silence.
Then—collective deadpan.
"…Seriously?" Serafall groaned.
Sirzechs rubbed his temple with a weary sigh. "Trailblazers…"
—---
The Space Anchors came to life, the blue crystalline orb at the center glowing with Trailblaze energy. Around it, two golden rings rotated in perfect sync, giving the impression of both containment and power regulation.
A few pulses released outward before the light finally stabilized. Moments later, a soft chime rang from Hajime, Alice, and Anisphia's terminals, confirming the Space Anchor had been added and linked to the Trailblaze Network. All three let out a relieved breath.
Then the Anchor pulsed again, brighter this time, as five figures slowly materialized near it.
On the far right, Kiana stepped forward, sharp eyes scanning their new surroundings. She wore her Void Drifter battle suit, under her Express crew cape. The cape matched Hajime, Alice, and Anisphia's in design, but hers bore fiery orange ribbons and lining.
Just behind her was Sirin, her own cape trimmed in lavender-pink color. Under it she wore a frilled pink, white, and purple magical girl outfit. She took deep breaths to calm herself, nervous at the thought of meeting so many people beyond her small circle.
From the other side came Elysia, a bright smile on her face and a camera in hand. Her eyes sparkled with delight and curiosity. She wore her modified Fire Moth combat uniform under her Express crew cape, dyed with her signature pink color at its ribbons and lining.
Behind her stood Lumine, still in her classic white dress under her cape edged in golden-yellow color. Like Kiana, her eyes moved constantly, scanning for any potential danger in this unfamiliar place.
At the center of them was Noah. His Express crew cape was marked with platinum-gold linings and ribbon, while underneath he wore his modern looking semi-formal clothes. His gentle smile remained unchanged, yet behind it everyone could sense the confidence that hidden the immense strength he carried.
The Seraphs, along with Azazel, Sirzechs, and Serafall, froze in place. They had seen Noah before, during the battle against Trihexa and the dimensional tear, but in that chaos they had been too tense to notice the true depth of the power within him.
No divine proclamation. No dramatic display.
Yet the power he carried was undeniable.
The Seraphs felt it. The devils felt it. Even Azazel gave a low whistle.
Kiana, Elysia, Lumine, and even Sirin, who they had met along with Noah last time, radiated that same overwhelming strength, their presence comparable—perhaps even greater—than the strength of Great Red himself. These were the ones who could cross the sea of stars. Comrades of Hajime, Alice, and Anisphia.
Sirzechs, Michael, Azazel, and the others needed no demonstration. Just standing near these Trailblazers made them realize how small their own prideful strength was compared to those who had broken the constraints of a single world. They couldn't help but wonder how their fragile world would fare against the great forces beyond the stars.
Their confidence wavered, fear slowly seeping in, worry pressing at the edges of their hearts. But alongside that fear was hope. Hope that by walking with the Trailblazers, they too might someday reach what lies beyond the trail.
—-
A gentle breeze seemed to follow Noah as he stepped forward, his cape billowing. He took in a small breath and bowed slightly.
"Thank you for receiving us," he said warmly. "It's good to see you all again."
"Really now?" Hajime said dryly as he stepped forward. "You just can't do things casually, huh?"
"Captain! Everyone!" Alice's voice rang with joy, her face lighting up as she waved.
"I missed all of you!!!" Anisphia practically skipped toward Noah and the rest, her enthusiasm glowing.
The trio didn't hesitate, they met halfway, a flurry of emotion and camaraderie between them.
Hajime raised a fist, his smile softening. "Took your sweet time."
Noah returned the gesture, their fists colliding in a solid bump. "Missed this," he said, his grin mirroring his friend's.
"You're late, you know," Hajime teased, voice light but edged with genuine affection.
"And who was it that took their time installing the Space Anchors?" Noah shot back, raising an eyebrow.
Anisphia cleared her throat with a sheepish grin. "Minor detail. Let's just focus on the happy reunion part!"
Alice chuckled softly. "It's good to see everyone again."
Kiana was the first to move, wrapping Alice in a tight hug. "Good to see you too, Alice!!"
When they pulled apart, Kiana turned toward the bouncing Anisphia, who radiated happiness. "Still as bouncy as ever, Anis."
"Ahaha! That's my charm after all!" Anisphia replied, and the two shared a hug.
"Well, I guess that's true," Lumine said with a small smile as she stepped forward, greeting Alice with a quick hug before embracing Anisphia as well.
"Ara, ara, my, my…" Elysia's eyes widened as she covered her mouth with one hand, eyes moving between Alice, Anisphia, and Hajime in shock.
"...Is something the matter, Elysia?" Alice asked as she and Sirin finished their hug.
Elysia didn't answer right away. Instead, she gave Alice and Anisphia a knowing look that made the two feel unnerved, while Kiana, Lumine, and Sirin exchanged confused glances.
"Ellie? Are you okay? You're being weird," Sirin said, floating closer and waving a hand in front of her face.
Elysia blinked, then gave a playful cough. "Sorry about that~. I'm just… surprised at how our good friends are 'glowing' like us after our dip in the hot springs."
Alice and Anisphia traded a baffled glance. Even Hajime tilted his head, clearly lost.
Kiana, Lumine, Sirin, and Noah all blinked, staring at the three in a new light.
"Well… I guess congratulations?" Lumine offered, her tone unsure.
"Haa?" the three blurted out at once, utterly confused.
Noah cleared his throat, cutting through the atmosphere. "We'll grill them later. For now, we have something more important to do." His eyes turned toward the representatives of the Three Factions and the Seraphs of Heaven.
He straightened and spoke simply. "[Trascend] Noah Alden. It's nice to meet you all again."
Kiana stepped forward, head high, arms akimbo with an easy grin. "[Hope] Kiana Kaslana. Captain's favorite girl. I'm the one who'll always have his back through fire or worse."
Elysia followed with a warm smile and an elegant turn. "[Bloom] Elysia. Noah's sunshine. I'm here to make sure he never forgets how to smile. That's more than enough."
Lumine's voice was calm and clear. "[Guide] Lumine. Noah's starlight. The one who makes sure he won't lose his way."
Seeing what the three did, Sirin floated forward, cheeks blushing, "...[Mystic] Sirin Schariac, Noah's moon.. The one who will always be there to accompany him even in the darkest times…."
Everyone blinks, even Hajime, Alice, and Anisphia still almost stumble.
Noah scratched his cheek, eyes at the side as his face reddened. "…Okay. That was definitely not the kind of introduction I imagined."
Hajime looked like he wanted to say something but wisely kept his mouth shut.
Ingvild blinked. Villhaze opened her mouth, then thought better of it. Ophis only tilted her head.
Azazel muttered under his breath, "So these are the ones who crushed an army empowered by destruction…?"
Sirzechs raised a brow, while Serafall's eyes twinkled with unfiltered excitement. The Seraphs remained frozen in stunned disbelief.
Then Gabriel, visibly flustered, shook her head once and stepped forward. "I am Gabriel," she declared with sudden clarity, "and I will accompany Noah-san. Through light, darkness… everything."
The three girls turned to her sharply with narrowed eyes.
Gabriel flinched but didn't back down. She squared her shoulders and met their gaze head-on.
Even Noah held his breath. A long silence stretched.
At last, the three girls let out matching hums and turned to Sirin, who gave a small, accepting nod.
"Tsk… fine," Kiana said begrudgingly.
"...Geez, what are we going to do with you?" Elysia sighed dramatically, hands on her cheeks.
"...Hmm, fine, I guess," Lumine pouted.
Gabriel exhaled in relief, then gave Noah a bright smile that could have put the stars to shame. She stepped proudly to his side as though she had always belonged there.
Azazel chuckled under his breath, arms loosely crossed as he watched the exchange. "Well, looks like our sister got her approval."
Michael gave a nod, his expression softening. "Father once told her she would stand beside someone one day… now her wish has finally come true."
Uriel exhaled, a faint smile forming. "She waited far too long, never doubting, never letting go of what was promised."
Raphael glanced between Gabriel and Noah. "Indeed. She clung to a hope the rest of us couldn't even see. And now… it's here."
Sirzechs, listening nearby, wore a wry smile. "So this is the crew you're part of," he muttered to Hajime.
Hajime laughed, scratching the back of his head. "Pretty much. Home to chaos, sparkles, explosions, and heart."
"Which means us." Anisphia beamed. "At this point, it's practically a lifestyle."
"Either you get used to it or you'll just get pulled along," Alice added lightly. "Like they say—if you can't defeat them, join them."
Serafall's eyes sparkled like a child at a festival as she stepped forward, brimming with excitement. "Hello! Hello! Please allow me to introduce myself!" She placed a hand on her chest. "Serafall Leviathan, Maou of the Underworld—and a huge fan of sparkles, explosions, love, justice, and a firm believer in NAKAMA-POWER!"
She offered Noah and the others a bright, genuine smile, which they returned with amused nods.
"So you are a comrade?!" Sirin's eyes sparkled, matching the twinkle in Serafall's own. Excitement radiated from her voice.
Serafall grinned and gave a playful twirl. In a flash, her businesslike dress transformed into a pink magical-girl outfit, complete with a matching wand. "Magical Girl Levia-tan has arrived!"
"Oh! OHH!!!" Sirin's shoulders trembled with delight as she floated and spun in place. "Nice to meet you, Levia-tan! I, Miracle ☆ Magical Sirin, am glad to meet you!!"
With perfect dramatic timing, Serafall and Sirin clashed their hands together.
"Levia-tan!"
"Sirin!"
Kiana facepalmed. "…Sister."
Elysia burst into laughter, snapping pictures of the two magical girls without hesitation.
Lumine and Noah only exchanged soft, gentle smiles, relieved Sirin had finally found someone who could match her hobby.
Gabriel, standing beside them, tilted her head in bewilderment.
Meanwhile Hajime, Alice, and Anisphia were left speechless, stunned that the shy and meek Sirin could actually match Serafall's energy so perfectly.
"...So these are your comrades, Your Majesty? No wonder," Villhaze said, pressing a fist to her palm as if she had just solved the mystery of life.
"Oi, maid—what kind of misunderstanding are you coming up with now?" Hajime asked, exasperation written all over his face.
"No wonder Alice-san, Anisphia-san, and Hajime-kun can get along with everyone… you're all the same."
"Tsu!" Alice and Anisphia snapped their heads toward Ingvild, who had somehow arrived at that conclusion.
"I-Ingvild-san, just what kind of terrible image are you forming in your mind?!" Alice sputtered.
"Ing-chan, just so you know, we aren't like that, okay?!" Anisphia quickly added, flailing her hands.
Ingvild only gave them a hopeless look, as if silently saying, they still haven't realized it. That expression was enough to make both girls panic even more.
Clearing his throat, Sirzechs stepped forward with grace. "Sirzechs Lucifer. It is nice to meet you again, Captain Noah."
Azazel gave a lazy wave. "Azazel. Governor of the Fallen Angels—and reluctant chaperone to whatever comes next."
Michael stepped forward. "Michael. Seraph of Heaven. Welcome, Noah Alden."
Uriel bowed politely. "Uriel. It's an honor."
Raphael offered a gentle nod. "Raphael. We're glad you came."
"Glad to meet each of you." Noah clasped each offered hand in turn, his smile calm yet firm. "Then shall we go and give Heaven a new breath of life?"
The Crowned Clown had come, ready at last to give Heaven, and by extension the world, the push it needed to reach beyond the stars.