The strike of Durandal washes away the hearts of enemies.
At least… it wouldn't have worked on a fully restored Yamata no Orochi.
The massive serpent let out a small, almost cute "kyuii" and crawled toward Irina, rubbing its head against her leg.
It had clearly grown attached to her.
"Eh… eeeeh?"
Even Irina, who had moments ago been drenched in murderous intent and blood tears from a rampaging evil dragon, now looked visibly confused.
"Ddraig… is that thing even 'redeemed' anymore? Or did it just revert into pure, innocent infancy?"
[W-well… it is said that the mind is influenced by the body. Still, even accounting for all circumstances… for a legendary dragon to regress into infancy… hmm? Why do I feel relieved?]
With Ikki present reducing Issei's usual 'oppai miracle survival rate,' Ddraig seemed to have narrowly avoided full regression before reconciliation with Albion… and for reasons unknown, felt an odd sense of relief.
"Hah… so you lot can stand alongside not only angels and devils, but even evil dragons."
Yaegaki, lying on the ground and staring up at the sky, turned only his head toward Issei's group.
"I… was originally human. But I love a woman who is a devil."
"I see. But you are still a devil now. Can that angel over there be protected as well?"
He was asking about the wall that once separated him from the woman he loved.
"I will protect her. Things like race don't matter anymore. No, even before peace was achieved, I would have bet everything to protect her… just like you once did."
"But what if your strength is not enough? What if an unavoidable cruelty falls upon you? What then?"
"Then I'll rely on my friends. If I can't do it alone, we'll protect her together. That's what we do—we risk our lives for each other, regardless of race.
Issei said this with firm conviction.
Rias would surely prepare means for protection.
Ikki would probably grumble… and then produce some absurd method to eliminate the cause entirely.
That is what it meant to rely on others.
"…I see. You have people who understand you."
"Of course. Though ideally, I'd love to be the one who saves her in style."
Issei grinned, joking lightly.
Yaegaki smiled back.
"Indeed. Every man wants to save the girl he loves with his own hands."
A trivial but important pride of men existed there.
"If we understand each other, then I think… we can all reach mutual understanding."
Issei reached out his hand.
Yaegaki slowly rose and reached back—
"Ah… yes, then surely—"
DONG!!
A heavy, brutal impact echoed through the air, severing the moment.
"GUBUHUUUUU!?"
Right before their hands could meet, Shirone delivered a kick straight into Yaegaki's face.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING, Shirone-CHAAAAN?!"
Issei's scream-like complaint echoed.
Shirone, completely unfazed, turned her attention elsewhere.
"Ikki-senpai. Please remain alert. That was a sniper attack!"
"Sniper…?!"
Looking around quickly, they found an unnatural hole in the ground nearby.
If Shirone hadn't kicked him away, the shot would have pierced Yaegaki's body.
Yaegaki himself lay bleeding from the nose, but at least he was alive.
"Ahh… well now. I was just trying to add a little seasoning to this beautiful tragedy so it doesn't turn into a dull piece of art… and you go and ruin it."
A voice so grating it hurt to hear echoed as Rizevim appeared.
"Rizevim!"
Everyone assumed battle stance.
"Raynare, pass him over."
Shirone quickly grabbed the still-dazed Yaegaki and tossed him toward the rear group, where Raynare caught him.
"Asia-san, please heal him."
"Y-yes!"
"Hey now! Don't just ignore me and start your little routine!"
"We're simply moving the injured out of the line of fire. And yes, you were under observation while I did it."
Efficient. Ruthlessly efficient.
"…Damn. For a second I thought Ikki was here."
"Ahaha, well, it is a real battlefield after all."
"Oh! Then I'll leave this child with you too."
Irina picked up the now-miniaturized, purified Yamata no Orochi and handed it to Asia.
"Please take care of her~ Her name is… hmm… 'Yashiro.' It's like a shrine, get it?"
"I understand. Yashiro-chan, stay safe with me."
"Kyuii~"
The legendary evil dragon of Japan had been reduced to a cheerful pet in Asia's arms.
Seeing this, Xenovia felt a strange sense of impatience at not being similarly "chosen."
"Tch… so even Irina is being followed by dragons now? With this level of popularity… can I really win the student council election at Kuoh Academy?"
Issei finally snapped.
"CAN WE PLEASE BE SERIOUS HERE?!"
The atmosphere shattered.
"Do you even understand the situation?! We're facing a final boss-level enemy! We were almost sniped to death! Shirone's move was logical, fine, but Irina, Asia, and Xenovia are way too carefree!!"
Issei's rant echoed.
Three women together were already chaotic.
Three airheaded ones was simply catastrophic.
"Well, well… the 'D×D' team really looks down on me that much? Maybe I should give you all a proper punishment."
Rizevim's voice twisted unpleasantly.
"Hey you! Why did you target Yaegaki earlier?! We were supposed to be allies!"
"Because a man obsessed with revenge suddenly turning good makes for a boring ending. He already served his role—narrator, experimental subject, and fusion test for sacred sword and evil dragon. Once you're done playing with a toy, you dispose of it properly."
"…I see. Then you really are someone who needs to be taken down here."
Defeating Rizevim would cripple Khaos Brigade significantly.
Even if stronger beings like Apophis or Azi Dahaka existed, they were unlikely to unify the remnants.
Issei activated his sacred gear and rushed forward.
But—
Rizevim casually blocked the Holy Sword strike with his bare arm.
"Too bad. A sword without aura is worse than a stick. Even the Red Dragon Emperor's power is meaningless if you can't use it properly."
With a lazy punch, he shattered Issei's armor on contact and sent him flying.
"Guhh—!! Asia's healing… damn it, it destroys the whole armor each time…"
Issei clicked his tongue as he recovered.
Then the swordsmen moved in—Yuuto, Xenovia, and Irina.
"Then we just don't use Sacred Gears!"
"Like hell we're ignoring them too!"
Durandal, Gram, and Excalibur were unleashed in a coordinated assault.
"Wow~ a legendary weapon festival. Cute idea using magical swords and Sacred Gears together… but sorry, I'm just way too incompatible with that."
Rizevim laughed lightly.
BOOM
The battle escalated further.
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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