"Look, that is the obstacle to my homecoming."
As Ethan's thoughts drifted, Ophis tilted her delicate chin, pointing a finger toward the horizon. A colossal red dragon, large enough to blot out the sun, drifted slowly across the sky. Compared to its presence, the crimson heavens seemed dull and faded.
"Great Red..."
Before Ethan could ask, Sirzechs spoke. "Truly rare. To see his form outside the Dimensional Gap is a sight to behold."
A sharp whistling sound echoed as Vali and his peerage appeared, following the wake of the Dragon God. "That isn't his true body," Vali said, picking up where Sirzechs left off. "It's merely a projection of his power."
Even a projection held such overwhelming majesty. Everyone's heart sank, finally understanding why someone as powerful as Ophis would seek the help of the Khaos Brigade. Whether it was returning to the Gap or making this world like the Gap, someone in the Brigade shared her goal.
Vali glanced at Ethan and Ophis. Seeing the two practically glued to each other, his brow twitched. Despite knowing Ophis for a long time and sharing the goal of defeating Great Red, she had never been this close to him.
"Defeating him is my goal," Vali stated, suppressing a strange sense of jealousy. "But even finding him is difficult."
Ethan shrugged. Unlike Vali, who relied on battle to grow stronger, Great Red didn't interest him as much as Ophis did. While both were technically genderless masses of power, they could choose their forms. Ophis currently walked the world as a petite girl, but she hadn't fixed her gender permanently yet. In the original timeline, she eventually solidified into a black-haired, heavy-breasted beauty—a far more appealing prospect than a giant lizard.
The group watched as the massive projection of Great Red faded after less than a minute. The spatial tears healed, and the Dimensional Gap was once again sealed away.
With the dragon gone, Ophis lost interest in staying. She turned to Ethan. "Are you really not coming with me? Together, we could definitely defeat that guy."
Ophis knew about Ethan's Dual Cultivation, though she hadn't cared much before. Now, having touched him, she realized it was a power on the level of universal Laws. If they combined their essences, their combat power would skyrocket. Even if Great Red was stronger than Ophis, he was still just a Dragon God. With Ethan's help, they could surpass him.
"Sorry, I'm not ready to retire to the Gap just yet," Ethan refused again. "But if you need help, let me know anytime."
"…Fine."
Though they had just met, they spoke with the bluntness of old friends. Ophis left as silently as she had arrived. She was innocent; she didn't realize Ethan was waiting for a better opportunity to "claim" her, thinking he simply wasn't ready to move.
Vali took one deep look at Katerea—who was now standing behind Ethan—and departed with his crew. Katerea had no place left in the Underworld or the Old Maou faction. Ethan, having a vacant spot in his peerage, had officially made her his Knight.
Back in the Underworld, Ethan was officially promoted.
"…In light of the achievements of Rias Gremory's servant, Ethan Uesugi, he is hereby granted the rank of Ultimate-Class Devil."
He now held the highest title below a Maou. While Sirzechs offered him a noble title and lands, Ethan declined to start his own clan, and everyone tactfully ignored the old talk of him "marrying into" the Gremory or Sitri families. He had grown too powerful for such petty politics.
Even Odin and Michael tried to curry favor. Michael offered a legendary Holy Sword, which Ethan declined. Odin, the lecherous old god, was more persistent. He forcibly assigned his top Valkyrie, Rossweisse, to accompany Ethan back to the human world. He claimed it was for "diplomatic exchange," but it was a blatant honey-trap.
Rossweisse was a top-tier beauty: a sexy, silver-haired warrior with a curvaceous body, yet her personality was stiff and clumsy. To Ethan, a "clumsy big sister" type was a fantastic addition.
Back at the Uesugi mansion in the human world, Ethan found Rossweisse hugging her knees and crying silently in the living room. Odin had basically abandoned her. Ethan felt a headache coming on and left her to Rias.
"Rossweisse, if you don't want to stay, I can talk to Lord Odin," Rias comforted her, stroking the Valkyrie's hair as Rossweisse sobbed into her chest.
"No... it's not that I hate it here. I just think Lord Odin is too cruel!" Rossweisse sniffled. She was incredibly easy to哄 (cajole).
Ethan watched from the sidelines. He knew he could probably seduce her in three days—Rossweisse was a "professional virgin" whose age was her "time without a boyfriend" count. She craved love but was far too pure.
"President, Sona still has things to handle. Can you help Rossweisse settle in?" Ethan decided to let her relax first.
Rias smiled—a smile that made Ethan's skin crawl. "Don't worry, go ahead. I'll take care of her."
Ethan knew Rias was annoyed that he hadn't spent enough time at home lately. Even if she was willing to share him, a woman still needed to vent her jealousy. He spent two days at home "working hard" to appease Rias and the others before he was visited by Ruruko Nimura and Vania.
The battle had shown them how weak they were. They wanted to be more than just "baggage." Under Vania's lead, they requested Dual Cultivation and combat training. They didn't just want power; they wanted to belong to him.
That night, Ethan arrived at their apartment. Ruruko sat nervously on the edge of her bed, watching the night sky. Vania was waiting in her own room. It was their first time, and they wanted a touch of "pure love" before the storm.
Ethan finished his shower quickly and walked into Ruruko's room. She blushed a deep crimson, trying to hide under the covers.
"Ethan-bro... I... um..."
"Ruruko, don't be nervous. Just leave everything to me."
"Yes..." She relaxed, deciding to simply let him lead.
Ethan lifted her sexy nightgown, and Ruruko gasped as his hand found her sensitive "garden." He crawled between her legs, burying his face in her lap. Her long, white-silk-covered legs were spread wide, revealing the delicate lace panties that barely hid her "forbidden zone."
To please Ethan, she had let her hair down instead of her usual twin-tails, making her cute face look more mature and seductive. Ethan didn't hold back. He began to lick the thin fabric of her white lace panties, tasting the sweetness of her arousal through the cloth.
"Ah... no... Ethan-bro... ahhh! Don't use your tongue there... haah... it's too much... it tickles..."
Even through the lace, the expert flicking and sucking of his tongue sent electric shocks through her body. Ruruko's skin broke out in goosebumps as the intense sensation of a thousand crawling ants washed over her.