"...Yes. I was hoping the two of you would handle this mission separately. To be frank, your abilities far outclass the rest of us, so I'd like you to act as our roaming strike force."
"I don't mind, nya. I'm used to fighting solo."
Kuroka nodded without hesitation, but I raised a hand to interrupt.
"Actually, about that—would it be okay if I stayed teamed up with Kuroka?"
"...Why? Is it related to Walburga?"
"Yes. It seems Azi Dahaka, one of the top-tier Evil Dragons, is heading toward Agreas. Right now, our biggest threat is the Holy Relic—that cursed purple flame. As long as it exists, the enemy always has a chance to turn the tide with a single move. So, here's what I'm thinking..."
After I laid out my plan, everyone had mixed expressions—uncertain and hesitant.
The first to speak was President Sona, who had been thinking with her hand under her chin.
"It's true that Arima-kun's control over his body and aura is extraordinary—approaching even that of the legendary Sun Wukong. Arima-kun, let me ask you one thing. Are you certain about this?"
I nodded. "Yes."
"Understood. Then I support your plan," Sona said. The others, though clearly reluctant, gave their agreement as well.
Ten minutes after everyone had taken their assigned positions, the mass-produced Evil Dragons surrounding the town all roared in unison.
"A signal to start, it seems, nya."
"If I were alone, I'd just run around with and let them all die from chasing me too long."
"Same here. If it's just mass-produced ones, I could blast them and the scenery away in one go. But oh well—let's chip away little by little."
Despite our complaints, I began hurling ki-blasts mixed with Izuna's demonic aura, while Kuroka unleashed a four-elemental full burst. We prioritized targeting the Evil Dragons in the rear—those advancing toward the frontline our allies were holding halving the enemy's momentum.
Our initial strike went well. But once the dragons drew closer to the battlefront, focusing on the rear became inefficient. So we began circling clockwise from the academy's main gate, reducing their numbers along the way. As mobile units, we didn't need to reinforce any one point just yet.
From all directions came the thunder of lightning, waves of holy power, and explosive bursts of magic.
After some time in combat, we noticed a pillar of violet fire erupting from the northern side—where Rias and Bennia were stationed. We hadn't sensed it earlier, hidden amid the swarm of dragons.
The Witch of the Purple Flame had arrived.
========
[Rias POV]
Before me hovered Walburga standing on a glowing magic circle as if mocking us from above.
The pillar of violet flame she unleashed as a "greeting" clearly wasn't aimed to hit me or Bennia. If we hadn't dodged, it would have hit—but it was clearly a feint.
"Ohohohoho~ I've come to light you up with flaming delight, my dear! You're the princess of the Gremory family, aren't you? I've got the perfect fire to match that lovely red hair of yours~!"
From her words, it didn't seem like she had deliberately targeted me. Still, I tapped my comm and relayed the situation.
"This is the northern unit. Walburga has appeared."
[Roger. We'll pull back the defense line slightly as a precaution. Tsubaki and Kiba from the northeast—rendezvous with Rias. Arima and Kuroka, begin preparations.]
Sona's orders came instantly.
Holy flames are a natural weakness to us devils. But with Tsubaki and her Sacred Gear which reflects attacks with doubled force, our chances improve significantly even against Walburga. For now, Bennia and I need to hold the line and wait for that moment.
As I destroyed the approaching dragons with my power of destruction, I spoke to Walburga. She seemed like the chatty type, and there was no need to take unnecessary risks against that flame.
"Hey, Witch of the Purple Flame. You're attacking a school right now, you know. So let me teach you a little something in return."
"Oh? Do tell~"
"In the Middle Ages, humanity went through a dark period known as the 'witch hunts.' Real witches were rarely caught—most of the accused were innocent, with no ties to magic at all."
"...Are you mocking me? That's basic trivia, darling."
Her previously curious gaze turned to one of disdain.
Just then, one of Ikki's spirit fox familiars flying near me spat out a faint foxfire—our signal. The preparations were complete.
Yuuto and the others were already close enough to be seen.
"Oh, forgive me. I never thought I'd hear 'basic common sense' from someone who talks like that. But let me finish. Among the various methods used during witch hunts, one of the most infamous... was burning at the stake. You seem to enjoy burning others—why not try being on the other end for once?"
Walburga, twirling her violet parasol in the air, started to speak—
"What are you—"
But before she could finish, her entire body was engulfed in agony.
No, it only looked like she was set ablaze. What actually happened was a sudden, severe burn—so intense and widespread that it gave the illusion of spontaneous combustion.
"GYAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?"
She screamed, dropping her parasol, losing control of the magic circles beneath her feet—and even the violet flames encircling the town dissipated.
As she plummeted, Yuuto intercepted her mid-fall, slicing off her arms and legs and crushing her throat to prevent spellcasting.
The severed limbs hit the ground, only to be instantly erased by my power of destruction, preventing regeneration via Phoenix Tears.
With our allies shielding me from enemy attacks, I moved in and restrained Walburga completely with binding magic.
"Ikki, Kuroka—this one's neutralized."
[Roger, nya. I'll teleport this crispy Ikki to Maru. The rest's up to you.]
Yes. The real plan had been this: When Walburga appeared, Ikki would deliberately throw himself into the barrier of violet flames encircling the town—with only minimal protection—triggering the effect of his Sacred Gear,.
Some argued it was too risky—that we should simply stall her and wait for Ikki and Kuroka to arrive.
But Ikki had insisted: Walburga once faced Vali's team and escaped unscathed. She thrives on torturing her enemies from a position of superiority. If she senses she's at a disadvantage, she'll escape using teleportation—and might even launch attacks from outside the barrier.
That's why Ikki believed she had to be 'processed'—quickly and without warning.
His ability, if not handled precisely, could allow his target to recover once he recovered. And with Klypheth producing counterfeit Phoenix Tears, everything had to be timed perfectly. Only someone like Ikki—who could control his body to such a degree that he could guard vital organs with aura, and even shut off pain reception—could pull this off.
"...I also use counter-type powers, but this is some seriously heretical sorcery."
"No kidding. Even if I had the same ability, I doubt I could pull it off."
Tsubaki's comment made me shrug.
By now, Walburga's burns were already healing—Ikki must've received treatment. But she remained unconscious.
Within this barrier, we can still use short-range teleportation, so we sent her to Sona's location. There, she'll be sealed with layered restraints and monitored by Gasper's shadow beast.
Just as we took a breath of relief, a massive explosion rocked the south side of the school.
Two strong Evil Dragon auras surged. One of them was Grendel, whom we fought recently. The other... Azi Dahaka, the top-tier dragon, must be heading toward Agreas. That meant the other one... was likely Ladon.
And in the south—Issei was likely the one facing them.
If Yuuto's group joined us from the northeast, then Shirone and Saji from the southwest must have linked up with Issei.
With Issei holding off one, and the remaining three taking on the other, they should be able to manage—if not perfectly evenly, then close enough.
Shirone, since awakening her Tri-tail form, easily moves at supersonic speeds. Centered around her, they should be able to hold out long enough.
Once Kuroka and the now-healed Ikki join them, even Grendel and Ladon together can be repelled.
...Come to think of it, I once overheard Ikki mumbling something while watching Shirone's training from a distance.
"That's... the domain of a true Servant..."
I wonder what he expects from his "servants." Could it be that his benchmark is Grayfia, the head maid?
If the hundreds of Gremory servants all moved at supersonic speed, we probably would have taken over the world by now.
I should probably correct Ikki's misconceptions later.
Mass-produced Evil Dragons continue to pour in—we can't leave this spot. But at this rate... the tide is turning in our favor!We believe in our comrades. Now it's our job to focus on the enemies in front of us!