italics - Thoughts
Bold underlined - Spells/Sword Skills
[Bold] - Ddraig
[Ddraig] - Ddraig mental speech
[Issei] - Issei mental speech with Ddraig
Underlined - Timeskips/Flashbacks
Disclaimer: I do not own Highchool Dxd, Sword Art Online, or any of its characters. All rights belong to their creators.
P.S. This is a reupdate of this chapter. Sorry!
Chapter 7:Cats, Dragons, and fights! Pt. 2
Timeskip, a few hours prior,
Kazuto was sorely missing the days when he could actually relax and spend time with his AI daughter.
Well, that would not be a problem for a while longer. In an hour or two, after the party, he and Asuna would summon Yui into the real world as a familiar. Then she could spend time with them not only in digital world, but also in the real one too, supernatural elements and all. Right now though...
"Sugu..." Kazuto sighed into his palm. "Why on earth are you a devil? Or rather, how on earth do you know Argo?"
"Ehehe he..." The cousin of Kazuto sheepishly rubbed the back of her head. "We met Argo in ALO when you and Asuna were out shopping. Klein was the one who met her first. Then, after he introduced her to us, we decided to meet her in real life. Although we did not quite get what we expected..."
Under Kazuto's unrelenting gaze, Suguha hurriedly continued. "Well, when we met with Argo, everyone that was there came across a meeting between devils, fallen angels and people with weird weapons and armor. Of course, when they found us, they decided that silencing us was better. And, that was what they did. They killed all of us."
"So, Argo revived all of you." Kazuto sighed into his hand once more. "I suspected Klein, Liz, and Sinon would get recruited, but for you and Silica too...Here I thought everyone was getting their lives back to normal."
"Ehehe he..."
"Ah! Kii-bou~" A familiar voice crowed out. Speak of the devil...
"Are you ready, Kii-bou?" Argo smirked as she pooped up infront of the black haired boy. "You better be ready to pay up~"
"We should be saying that to you, Argo." Kazuto could not help but smile in response to Argo's taunt. "It has been awhile, hasn't it Argo? Come to think of it, we never really saw you in the SAO survivor's school."
"My parents used a bit of devil magic to tweak everyone's memories. Sorry Kii-bou." Despite her words, Argo did not look sorry in the slightest. "The harder a person tried to look for me, the harder it was for a person to look for that particular individual. I just showed up for a few weeks, then stopped coming altogether once the spell had come into effect. I had to regrow my devil roots nyah~"
"I heard. Your clan was presumed extinct, right?"
"Yep!" Argo cheerfully said. "Where's Aa-chan?"
"Asuna's chatting with Rika and Shino." Kazuto jabbed a thumb behind him. "Or is it Liz and Sinon?"
"They actually prefer their avatar names here." Argo looked a little confused when she said that. "No clue why. Anyway~ let me introduce you to my Peerage, for old times sake, yeah~"
"Silica and Sinon are my Bishops, Klein and Leafa are my Knights, Lisbeth is my Rook, and my Pawn is this girl I picked up by accident. She has a Sacred Gear, like Lisbeth, but she has not that great of a control over it, so we just get Li-chan to forge her the things she needs with her Sacred Gear." Argo listed down her Peerage's Evil Pieces, reverting back to her usual way of calling out people's names at the end.
"Liz has a Sacred Gear?" Kazuto blinked in surprise. "From what I heard from Azazel, they are kinda hard to find in ordinary humans."
"Yeah." Argo agreed with Kazuto's assessment. "And Li-chan has a pretty unique one too. It's called Forge."
"Forge?"
"Yep, pretty similar to the Gremory's Knight's Sacred Gear, Sword Birth." Argo nodded. "Li-chan can make anything, and I mean ANYTHING. Rocket launchers, guns, swords, armor, even things in fantasy games, like wands, large-ass axes swords that are triple your height, yet can be used pretty easily and even a freaking gattling gun!"
"...Wow." Kazuto was impressed by how diverse Liz's Sacred Gear was. If she actually works on it, she could make so many things that are really futuristic or break the laws of nature, like energy-based guns, hoverboards, or flying swords.
"Unfortunately, Li-chan's gear need actual raw materials to make them, and the items she makes have to be made at least a 100 times by hand before she can make them instantly." Argo's shoulder's sagged a little as she explained. "But thankfully, my family's super rich, so we can just by the materials Li-chan needs."
"Aren't all the high-class devils rich?"
"Not really." Argo took two cups of drinks from the table behind her. Sipping on one, she passed the other to Kazuto before she continued. "As you know, there was once 72 Pillars. 72 Devil clans. Now, there are 33, not counting those that are from different houses. What do you think would happen if clans kept combining due to marriages between different clans?"
"All the resources would start to get consolidated." Kazuto realized where Argo was going with this. "And, if a clan starts to hoard, some of the other clans would lose out on their fortune. And, if some clans start changing things that once belonged to other clans...the economy would fluctuate."
"Yep." Argo sipped on her cup of punch. "Most of the resources and land my family once owned is now under other clans. The same applies for other clans that are small, or have married into other clans. Slowly, all the fortune that once belonged to a prestigious clan, like mine for example, would be lost due to many factors. Unnecessary spending, loss of bets, even destruction of villages. The last one is because if it gets damaged by people, the lord, or clan, in charge of that area would have to pay for any damages for the villages."
"I see..." Kazuto hummed. Devil politics are really something...
"Speaking of Li-chan's gear..." Argo handed him the sheathed blade attached to her waist. "Li-chan made you something."
Kazuto immediately recognized the handle of the blade. "Is that?"
"Yeah, Li-chan made a copy of Dark Repulsor." Argo grinned at Kazuto's expression. "She heard the two of you became devils, so she made a weapon for each of you, as a welcoming gift, as well as an apology for keeping this a secret."
"It's fine." Kazuto held the blade in one hand, before he attached it to his waist. "This feels just right."
"Of course! Li-chan-" "Ah, Kirito-sama."
A new voice interrupted Kazuto's conversation.
"Beelzebub-sama would like you to follow me." A devil servant bowed. "He would like to speak to you about something."
"Bye Argo." Kazuto waved to Argo with his free hand. "Tell Asuna I'll be meeting one of the Maous. She can head back first." Then to the servant, "Lead the way."
Kazuto followed the servant through a few hallways, before he was led into a large room. "They are waiting, Kirito-sama." The devil bowed once, before he left.
They? Kazuto thought in confusion as he opened the door. Who is-
"Hello, Kirito-kun" A familiar voice cut into Kazuto's thoughts. "Welcome. Please, take a seat." Ajuka Beelzebub, the one who had spoken earlier, was approaching Kazuto, a glass of wine in hand.
What's going on? Kazuto thought as he slowly walked towards the greenhaired Maou.
"Thank you for inviting me, Beelzebub-sama." Kazuto gave a deep bow, before he straightened up. "But, if you do not mind me asking, why have you called me, a freshly reincarnated devil, here?"
"For a few reasons." The response he received did not sate his curiosity. "Please, join us."
As Kazuto followed the Maou, he observed the room he was in. It was much smaller compared to the ballroom like one he had just left. But, nevertheless, it still felt too big. If Kazuto was to make an estimation, the room was about the size of his dojo at home area-wise, and his entire house height-wise.
"Ah, the new unofficial Pawn of my sister's Peerage." Sirzechs spoke when Kazuto became close. He drank a few sips from his glass before he spoke again. "Please, take a seat."
"Thank you, Lucifer-sama." Kazuto bowed. Although, he was still wondering why he had been called here.
"You must be thinking of why you are here, right?" Ajuka took a sip from the glass of wine he was holding. "To cut to the chase. We wish to reward you."
"Hmm?" Kazuto gave a confused expression. "...Why?"
"Why?" Ajuka seemed to ponder this. "...Well, its for what you did. Not only for the humans. But also for the supernatural world as a whole." Seeing his still confused face, Sirzechs explained further, picking up where Ajuka left off. " The devils are not as in tune with modern technology. But that does not mean all of the supernatural world is the same. From every faction and sect, there was a few individuals who had tried out for SAO's beta, and later, official release. You were told that there was 10,000 players trapped in SAO, yes?"
Kazuto nodded. "Yeah. But, only 6,000 plus survived."
"...That's not the entire story." Sirzechs sighed. "See, that 10,000 was only for humans. There was also a Supernatural version of it released. And, as such, 9,000 of the supernatural residents were also trapped in SAO. About three-quarters of the 9,000 individuals were randomly chosen. The rest managed to get their hands on a copy, somehow. And in the aftermath of this event, was the subsequent trapping of the 9,000 individuals. What makes this worse, is not all of them had free will over their actions." Sirzechs ignored Kazuto's widening eyes. "Some were actually, what you called Non-playable characters. Others were trapped in, in their own words, 'a void of darkness, unable to move and feel, but able to hear and see.' All of them were forced to play, or be a part of SAO for two whole years. Maybe even longer, had you not ended the game there and then, Kirito-kun."
Kauzto gave a dry swallow. "...How many?"
"Out of the 9,000...8,000 survived." Sirzechs gave a heavy sigh, unlike his earlier, lighter, one. "And out of those 8,000...only 5,000 remained sane or was fit to return to society the moment they were released. The rest had to either go through rehabilitation or put under close watch for a few years due to how crazed or suicidal they had become."
That's...just... Kazuto felt numb to the world. He could dimly hear Sirzechs listing the respective numbers of people from the different factions, sects, whatever one wanted to call the different supernatural myths and such. I know Kayaba was a genius...but to be able to hide 9,000 more participants and play them off as NPCs or as part of the system...and to stop even the supernatural from saving or releasing them...
How far did he plan this?
A warm hand brought Kazuto out of it.
Blinking, he turned towards the owner of the hand. "Well, don't worry about that." Ajuka gave a small smile. "Today, we are just here to give out your rewards. A few titles for now, as well as the promotion of all of the SAO clearers in the Flauros peerage, and you and Asuna-san, into middle-class devils. All of you will also obtain a significant amount of resources, as well as co-own a small plot of land."
"...I heard that there was a test I had to take, as well as some rules to follow before I could become a middle-class devil."
"That is exactly how you managed to obtain the status of a Middle-class devil." Sirzechs placed down his goblet of wine. "...Tell me. How difficult would you rate the entire SAO game?"
"Really difficult." Came the immediate reply. "Even for veteran players and those who beta-tested it...I mean, the ones who helped test it before it was released." Kazuto amended his statement when he thought back to what Sirzechs said. "If there was a scale of one to ten, the answer for this game would be 20. Not only because every decision you made might actually cost you your life, but also because the players had to rely solely on weapons with a limited range of up till, at most, 5 metres, and that was also including the longest range sword skills which were given to each weapon type. And, this was not including the people who killed other players as well in the later floors, which meant that the game, which was significantly harder compared to its initial development, had the added external factor of constantly watching over your back, lest you died to a player killer."
"And that would be the reason why we are bestowing you and your friend these rewards." Sirzechs smiled. It was a small one, but a smile nonetheless. "Thanks to your efforts, many innocent lives were spared. Including some royalty."
Royalty? Kazuto wanted to ask a bit more on that particular part, but Sirzechs suddenly stood up.
"I'm afraid we would have to stop for now." Sirzechs led the way back to the doors which he had arrived from. "You would get more information on your rewards in the future. For now, you would have to excuse us. We have some things to attend to. Including the party you had just left." He opened the door and made to leave, but stopped to turn back and face Kazuto. "If you wish, you may take a walk before you go back to the party. The speech is a little to stuffy for someone like you I suppose, so have the walk to clear your thoughts. What we just gave you is very overwhelming, especially for one who has been reincarnated for as short a time as you."
"...Why me?" Kazuto found a question had left his lips. He was feeling overwhelmed, like Sirzechs had just stated. But this question was bugging him the most. "Why just tell me?"
"You are the de-facto leader of the SAO survivor group, being the one who helped clear, as well as preemptively cleared, the death game." Sirzechs replied. "It would make the most sense for us to tell you, the de-facto leader, about all of this."
But Asuna is much better at this type of thing though...
As Kazuto walked outside the hotel(He was partially interested in the scenery outside the hotel.), he thought back to the conversations he had back inside the hotel, as well as think about the future.
We could use the land for a number of things. Maybe build a small house like back in SAO? Kazuto pondered on that. I'll ask Argo about it later. Then, as for the funds...maybe we should save up on it first. Right now, we are just trying to get used to things. No need for spending our rewards so quickly.
Pretty soon, Kazuto walked off the path he had been in, walking straight into the forest. So absorbed in thought was he, that he had not noticed that he had walked straight into a certain ongoing standoff.
When he sensed the sudden surge of demonic power and killing intent, he instantly tensed up, looking straight ahead, expecting to see a devil or two from one of the numerous devil Peerages roaming outside the hotel.
What he was not expecting was a standoff between a busty cat-ear female and a man wearing Chinese Armour against a large dragon, a certain brown haired pervert, a red haired temporary master of his, and a white haired girl.
"What the-" Kazuto was so surprised he let down his guard. All heads turned to look at him. In fact, they had all done so at the same time, which creeped Kazuto out very much.
"Kirito!" Issei looked shocked at the appearance of the SAO survivor. "What are you doing here?"
"...I got lost?"
"Now this is interesting." Bikou looked at Kirito with interested eyes. "You feelin' this Kuroka?"
"Nyah~" Kuroka also looked at the new arrival, although she kept an eye out for the rest of the ones already here. "This one feels much stronger than the Sekiryuutei. At least twice as strong."
So my training did pay off after all... Issei gave a mini fist pump inside his head, but his elated mood was quickly gone when he remembered the predicament he and Rias was in. And now, Kirito.
"Ah well." Bikou gave a careless shrug. "Doesn't change the fact we have to fight now!" With that, Bikou launched himself at Tannin. "Kintoun!"
As he shouted that out, a gold cloud appeared at Bikou's feet and he then flew off into the sky where Tannin-ossan was!
"Nyoi-Bo!"
A long staff appeared in Bikou's hands and he released it while aiming it at Tannin.
"Exteeeeeeend! Nyoi-Bo!"
*Gyuuuuuuuuun!*
The staff extended and tried to hit Tannin, but...avoided it with a speed that didn't fit his huge figure!
Fast! Even though he's so large, he can move himself so agilely!
"Once more!"
Bikou horizontally moved the staff while it was still extended and chased after Tannin who had avoided it the first time. But Tannin used his wings skillfully and rotated in mid-air, avoiding it. Still rotating, Tannin opened his mouth wide, and-
*Gobaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!*
A large mass of fire covered the entire sky. Amaziiiiiiiiiing! That amount is incomparable to what he let out during the time with me! As Issei thought this, he kept his eyes up. If one was looking up, the entire sky would have looked nothing but fire.
That's right, sensei did say it. That ossan's breath of fire was the same level as a meteor's impact!
More significant though was the evasion skill with Tannin's huge body. Even though he is such a huge monster, he could expertly dodge the atacks that BIkou was dishing out, even launching his own counters at the same time. That's right, now that I think about it, during the game of tag with me, he was able to quickly whoosh around despite his huge body. So a Dragon King has high specs in every kind of ability!
[No, Tannin was still holding back the power of his breath there.]
[Seriously, Ddraig!? That was holding back?]
[It's because, if he unleashed his true breath, not just the party hall, but we, too, would disappear. He's thoughtful in his own way. Even with that, though, the number of people who can stop Tannin are limited.]
Issei shivered when he thought back to his brutal mountain training. I was being pursued on that mountain by such an amazing person!? That's scary! Ass the mass of fire faded away, the form of Bikou emitting smoke from his entire body appeared in the air, showing his nearly unscathed form.
"Ahaha! Not bad! Former-Dragon King!"
He is actually laughing! Issei was a little shocked by Bikou's attitude. His armor and clothes were burned, but his main body was fine! He had survived being engulfed by such powerful flames! As expected of Son Goku!
"Hmph! I was wondering what kind of person this Son Goku was! You seem quite happy to have received an attack from me, Tannin!"
"The name's Bikou! Nice to meet you, Dragon Boss!"
"Kukukuku. You talk like a true monkey. Do you really understand who you have made your opponent right now?"
"I'm also descended from a legendary demon, you know. I can't afford to lose so quickly."
"In any case, I'll be your opponent, monkey. Meanwhile, Miss Rias and Hyoudou Issei will defeat that cat. They're the master of the Sekiryuutei and the Sekiryuutei, you know? You'll have to overcome them." As Tannin said that, Issei felt like his heart nearly stop for a bit.
Even if you say something like that! This onee-san in front of us can't be beaten by me and Buchou!
"Hahahah! You've really gone out big! I'm fine just by myself!"
"Don't speak so arrogantly, monkey. You're just a single monkey. You won't be any trouble! Besides, what happened to the pig and demon sage? Did you break up with them?"
"You mean the descendants of Hakkai and Gojou? Hahahaha! They, including the people of my family, are all conservatives! Every last one of them is satisfied with the current state of things! However, I love things that are fun! That's why I happily accepted the invitation to join the Khaos Brigade and now act together with the Hakuryuukou Vali!"
"Hmph! Your temperament may be the closest to the first generation of Son Goku, but what are you scheming with the Hakuryuukou? According to rumour, only your unit is permitted to move separately from the rest! I also heard that you're the only team that didn't accept Ophis' snake!"
"If you'd like to know, beat me!"
"Watch what you say, damn monkey! This place is the hell-like Underworld, called the world of the dead! Know that this is the best place for small fry like you people to repent!"
*Don! Dogon!*
Tannin and the monkey began to fight fiercely with each other in the air! Well, since it seems like ossan will beat that monkey, I'm relieved, but the problem is...
"Nyan~"
Koneko's onee-san was giving a bewitching smile, but there was a dark ominous aura permeating her whole body that even Issei could feel. Azazel's aura was also black, but his had more of a feeling of vice than evil. This one here felt completely evil to Issei. He could feel a strong malice and killing intent directed at both him and Rias.
"...Nee-sama. I'll go with you. So please overlook these two people!"
"!?" Issei was shocked by Koneko's statement.
"What are you saying-"
Issei started to speak out, but,
"What are saying!? Koneko! You're a servant of my group! I won't allow you to do as you please!"
In a flash, Rias tightly embraced Koneko. However, Koneko shook her head.
"...It's no good. I understand best nee-sama's power. Nee-sama's power rivals that of an ultimate-class devil. For Buchou and Ise-sempai…Even with the power of a former-Dragon King, I don't think you can capture my sister who excels in both genjutsu and senjutsu..."
"No, even so, I absolutely won't hand you over to that person's side! To this nekomata that didn't try to help Koneko-chan who cried so much!"
Kuroka smiled at Buchou's anger. "It's because a youkai cannot help another youkai. However, this time, I simply want Shirone because I want another piece under my control. I can understand Shirone's power better than a red-haired onee-san like you, you know?"
Koneko shook her head at her onee-san's words. "...No...I don't need that kind of power...I don't need a dark power like that...I don't need a power that brings misfortune to people like that..."
She started to tremble and shed tears. Rias hugged Koneko even more tightly. As if she were unwilling to let her go, even if Death got to her. Rias looked at Kuroka, and spoke. "Kuroka...You who had been blinded by power left a wound on the heart of this girl that won't disappear for her whole life. After you killed your master and left, this child saw hell. When I first met her, there were no feelings left in her. Koneko was betrayed by you, who was her only family to her, lost a future to rely on, and was despised and abused by other devils, to the point where she was going to be disposed of...She saw many harsh things. That's why I will show her many fun things!" Looking up, Rias stared at Kuroka. Her eyes were burning with an intense flame.
"This girl is Toujou Koneko, Rook of Rias Gremory's group! My important servant devil! I won't let you put even a single finger on her!"
Hearing that, Koneko began to overflow with tears.
Issei felt the same. In fact, he did what Koneko was doing, He shed tears of joy. Buchoooooooooou! For us to receive words like that...This is why Buchou is the best! The woman I fell in love with is the strongest!
"...I don't want to go...I am Toujou Koneko. Kuroka-neesama, I don't want to go with you! I want to live with Rias-buchou! To live!"
Koneko cried out her true thoughts. It was a declaration that could also be called her way of breaking off her relationship with her sister. When Issei heard that, his desire to protect her grew. He cast away his fears, exchanging them for the courage and intent to protect his kouhai.
Alright! When you say that, I can't pull back either! I'll protect Koneko-chan!
Hearing that, Kuroka briefly showed a bitter smile, and then gave a derisive laugh that seemed to freeze his whole body.
"Then, die."
*swoosh*
Kuroka narrowly avoided the sudden attack, she narrowed her eyes at the source.
Kirito.
"I only have a very rough idea of what's going on," Kirito quickly made his way to Issei and Rias, his eyes never leaving Kuroka's alert form, and his sword drawn(Where did Kirito get that sword?). "but I know a threat hen I see one. Issei, Rias-san, I'll help you. With our combined strength, we should be able to subdue this woman...Kuroka, right?"
"Nyah~" Kuroka's expression did not change. "You are also too dangerous. Just now, I did not sense your ki." A thin mist-like substance sprung out from her. It gradually spread and reached the small group. And the fog didn't stop there, and continued to cover up the whole forest. "So die."
The mist was really thick. Issei could confirm it with it in front of him. However, there was an ominous air about it that made him dreadfully shudder. When they came into contact with the fog-
"-Ah."
*Ton*
At that moment, Rias knelt down next to Issei.
"...This is."
Next, Koneko also dropped to her knees while covering her mouth. Kirito followed shortly after, his mouth covering his nose and mouth while he tried to stand. He only made it up halfway. Wait, did Buchou and Koneko-chan and Kirito receive some kind of attack?
"Hmm, so this mist doesn't work on you because you're the Sekiryuutei, huh? It's a poison mist which only works on devils and youkai-nyan. Because the poison is thin, one suffers a little while it spread throughout the body. I won't kill you quickly. I'll kill you all gradually-nyan~"
Before Issei had realized it, Kuroka had sat down on a high tree branch and was looking down on them. Or rather, poison mist!? Moreover, that's a heartless way of thinking! What an evil intention! However, I was the only one not affected. Was it because I was harboring Ddraig in me? I didn't really understand the reason very well.
Rias began to fire magic bullets from beside Issei. Each attack hit Kuroka, causing her body to vanish completely. We got her! Issei looked towards Rias, only to see her shake her head. …or not. Buchou didn't seem to feel any resistance from her attack.
"That was a good attack. But it's useless, useless. I can easily make a clone of myself with the essentials of genjutsu."
Kuroka's voice echoed through the forest. Then, silhouettes were born one after another within the mist,all of there women wearing kimonos. They were all of Kuroka. Those are clones! So this is an illusion!
They all looked real, and from what Issei could tell, all of them was wearing the same auras over their bodies, so Issei couldn't tell them apart.
"...If you can't read the flow of spirit, you can't deal with genjutsu used by skilled practitioners."
Koneko said while falling to all fours. She seems to be in pain! If there is some kind of counteraction method Issei hesitated. ...Could Asia do something if she were here? No, leaving aside injuries, I don't know whether it would be effective on this kind of poison! "Boosted Gear!"
Issei made the red gauntlet appear on his left arm, but something felt off to him. The sound is very different from usual? When he looked, the light in the jewel wasn't a lot and it had become blackish! "What is this!?"
[…Partner, the Sacred Gear won't move.]
"What do you mean, Ddraig!? Why is it like this at such a crucial time!?"
[The Sacred Gear has entered an ambiguous state.]
"Ambiguous!? Why had it become like that?"
[With that training, you reached a crossroad. I think the Sacred Gear will change with one more push, but I don't know whether that change will be a normal power-up, or Balance Breaker.]
"In other words, my Sacred Gear has stopped before a crossroads, and is wavering between a normal power-up and Balance Breaker?"
[If you put it simply, yes. In a situation where the choices have multiplied, the Boosted Gear's own system is confused on which option to follow.]
"So both the normal power-up and Balance Breaker look good to it?"
[Yeah. If it does a normal power-up, you may be able to achieve victory in a flash, but if a dramatic change isn't born inside you, you won't be able to attain Balance Breaker. But remember this. Right now, you only have a chance to attain Balance Breaker. The rest depends on you.]
"Even if you tell me such a thing! What should I do...? I don't know what to do even if you suddenly say that I need to go through a dramatic change! What do I have to do to attain Balance Breaker!? Damn it! If I knew it was going to be like this, I should have asked Kiba what kind of feeling he had when he did it! Hey, Ddraig. Is it bad if I go for the power-up and leave Balance Breaker for next time?"
[You won't be able to grasp this state again whenever you want. It may be months or years before the chance comes again.]
"Then, I've been given a very important chance right now! It would be wasteful to use it for a normal power-up! What do I need to do to attain it? I don't knoooooow!"
"Arara," One of the illusions giggled. All of them had been watching Issei attentively, like a hawk stakling its prey. They seemed to have disregarded his conversation with Ddraig. Issei did not know if that was good, or bad, for him. "is Sekiryuutei-chan unable to activate his Sacred Gear? But, I'm going to shoot-nyan!"
One of the illusions stuck out its hand and began to shoot what looked like magic bullets at Rias and Koneko who were suffering from the poison. Don't joke with me! Issei dashed forward and rushed to become a shield for them.
*Dooooooooooooooooooooooon!*
"Guhah!"
He was hit by blasts full of destructive power. It hurts! Damn it! It really huuuuuuuurts! Issei got hit by one shot right in the front. This caused his new suit to be also blown away from the direct hit. Thanks to that, his front was naked. A place on his chest also burst open a little, making blood flow out from his chest a little.
"Ise..." Rias tried to move forward, but because of the pain, she couldn't stand up well. She ended up falling back on her knees.
"Buchou! Please don't move! The poison will spread through your body! Don't worry, an attack like this is noth-"
*Doggoooooooooon!*
Before he could finish speaking, he was hit by another magic bullet. Guhhah!
Because it was a surprise attack that he had received before Issei was ready, the pain was very intense. From just that second attack, he fell to his knees ...This is bad. If it's like this, I won't be able to endure five more shots...
"So weak. This is Vali's rival? Did you really drive away Vali?"
Kuroka simply sneered at him
Hehehe, truly, just how much more will I continue to be ridiculed like this...I'm pitiful. I won't show my power in a pinch...I'm always like this.
Issei felt that he could not show his power at critical times.
Did I save Asia? Did I rescue Buchou? Everyone had praised me, but in truth it wasn't like that. It wasn't like that!
Asia died once. Buchou cried once. Because I couldn't do anything at either of those times, it turned out like that. Power that can't be put to use to prevent others from being hurt...That's just wrong! I was once again trying to repeat the same thing again...
...I can't rescue Koneko-chan right here and now.
I made the people I loved experience sorrowful feelings before because my power wasn't enough. After each time, I was given a second chance to save them thanks to the help of others. With just that. It was meaningless like that!
-What kind of legendary dragon can't save people the first time!?
"...I won't let you touch Buchou and Koneko-chaaaaaaaaan!"
*Dooooooooo!*
"Kah!" Kirito acted quickly, using the flat of the blade to smash the blast to the side, instead of allowing it to hit the duo beside him. Thank you Kirto! But...To not be able to display my power when driven into a corner…Even though I didn't want anyone to get hurt. Even though I wanted to save everyone. My power couldn't stop people from being hurt again...
Issei struggled to stand, the injuries from before hindering him from moving the way he liked. But, he somehow managed it.
"You may be Koneko-chan's onee-san, but...I won't forgive you for making Koneko-chan cry..." Issei said this frankly, somehow managing to stop the pain from leaking into his voice, but she just laughed.
"For such a weak guy like you to say such a thing...Shirone is also serious. It's one thing if a cooler-looking and strong prince with a sword says that, but when someone like you says it while having blood clinging to your body, girls will only draw back-nyan. How disgusting."
"...Ise-senpai."
Koneko whispered to Issei. He spoke while smiling bitterly.
"Koneko-chan...though I have a legendary dragon lodged in my body, I can't do anything...If I had gotten stronger those times with Asia and Buchou, if I had displayed my dragon power, they wouldn't have had such sorrowful experiences...I'm a talentless and useless devil."
Issei felt like he was...is...an incompetent devil. He couldn't the power of his Sacred Gear very well...he felt truly worthless.
"Even though all the previous Sekiryuuteis achieved Balance Breaker in a short time...it will take who knows how many months for me. I understood that. I already understood that from the very beginning. Even though I possess the power of the Sekiryuutei, it's wasted on me. Because I'm useless…I can't do anything for you, Koneko-chan. I thought I could at least become a shield for you, but..."
Instead of agreeing with Issei, she chose to shake her head instead. "...Ise-senpai isn't worthless...Did you know? Most of the previous Sekiryuuteis were people that drowned and lost their heads in their power...I think that they were swallowed by the enormous power they had...My nee-sama is the same. Even if one has power...if they don't have kindness...they'll definitely go out of control…Ise-senpai is a gentle Sekiryuutei...Even if your power is a bit lacking...That's a wonderful thing...You're surely the first among the previous ones to be a gentle Sekiryuutei. That's why-"
Koneko smiled even though she was in pain from the poison. It was a dazzling smile.
"Please become a gentle Welsh Dragon..."
After hearing Koneko's words, Issei felt like he understood something inside him. Koneko-chan...I...
"...Buchou. I think I understand a little what I was lacking in myself to attain Balance Breaker."
Yes, I feel that I saw the true meaning in Koneko-chan's words just now.
"I'm probably going to need Buchou's power in order to attain Balance Breaker." I will attain it by borrowing Buchou's power.
"...I understand! If you're fine with me, I'll lend you my power! So, what do I need to do?"
Rias nodded even though she was in pain from the poison. Making up his mind, Issei took a big gulp, and spoke.
"Please let me poke your breasts!"
"!"
At his request, Rias became speechless. However, after thinking a little, she spoke with a look of determination.
"...I understand. If I can realize your wish with that..."
"R-Really!? I can poke them!? I can really press on Buchou's nipples with my fingers!? It's really okay!?"
*Burun!*
Rias pulled down her dress and exposed her bared front with trembling hands, summoning her great jugs! Because the thing that restrained them was gone, her abundant breasts jiggled. To this sudden undressing, Issei could only spurt out a nosebleed as a reaction.
"...Please do it quickly. I-It's embarrassing..."
Rias was turning both pale from the poison and red from embarrassment! I'm sorry, Buchou! I didn't think it would possibly turn out like this!
"...You are a pervert through and through." Kirito spoke out, his voice muffled by his hand. His sword was now being used as a crutch for him to stand. "If I was not burdened by this poison, I would come over there to give you a thorough beating! "
Issei shivered in fear when he saw Kirito's expression. I'm sorry that this is my nature though! But... Issei saw Kirito's position. He was using the sword as a crutch for him to stand. Looks like Kirito is getting even weaker from the poison. I have to finish this quickly! But...
Which breast should I poookeeee?
At the same time as Issei's deliberation, Koneko's onee-san gave a puzzled expression.
"Hey, Bikou! Is that some kind of strategy? Rias Gremory has revealed her breasts and intends to do something with the Sekiryuutei."
"Don't ask me! The thought process of the Sekiryuutei is in a different dimension from us, you know!"
What a rude monkey! I'm serious here! I think that I have no choice but to poke Buchou's nipples in order to attain Balance Breaker! The talk with Koneko had caused Issei to realize something. And the first dramatic change he thought of after the conversation...was to poke breasts...
His reasoning? Azazel had once told him that poking a girl's breast is like a buzzer. This caused his brain to be filled with only the thought of poking breasts. He thought that if he poked some breasts, he should be able to change.
"Kirito!" Issei shouted at the black-haired boy. He had made up his mind. Time for some advice from my senpai who has a girlfriend! "Which one should I poke? Left or right?"
"...Like hell I'm answering that." Came the immediate muffled reply. "I am a married man. You ask me that again, or if you ask Tannin-san, I will tell Asuna about this."
"Buchou!" Issei switched tactics at light speed, his fear of the speedy chestnut girl making him backtrack(He heard about her destroying one of Kiba's large blades with four hits of a rapier. He did NOT want to face that sort of force after it became stronger!) "Which one should I press! Left or right!"
"Mou!" Rias's face was now the same shade as her hair. "Just do both!"
"!" Issei gave a look of realization. Why did I not think of that before? Thank you Buuuuchou!"Buchou! Thank you very much for your suggestion!"
Aiming both his index fingers at each of Rias's breasts, he gulped once before moving his fingers forwards at their aimed locations; Rias's breasts.
Without being violent, he gently and thoroughly buried his fingers in her breasts.
Seeing Rias's breasts wrapping around his fingers, Issei spurted a large amount of blood from his new nosebleed. At that time-
"...Iyan."
Rias let her voice leak out slightly.
Inside Issei, he felt something revolutionary burst open and spread, like a dam bursting and allowing its contents to flow out unchallenged. Something vast took over his mind.
And he saw it, through his nosebleed and tears.
-The beginning of a universe-
[-You attained it. You really managed to attain it!] Ddraig laughed inside issei and let out an innocent cry.
[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!]
The light returned to the jewel, and on the contrary, began to emit a huge mass of red aura that it didn't have until then. The aura wrapped around Issei's entire body!
"...You're the worst. What a lewd Sekiryuutei..."
Even though her face was ghastly pale, Koneko gave a retort to him. Beside Issei, Kirito gave a groan. "How does one get a power up from poking breasts? That is just a whole new level of stupid pervertedness." Sorry! That I'm a lewd Sekiryuutei! But, that's who I am!
Then, the aura which had covered his body changed into armor, beginning to clad itself onto Issei's damaged body.
"Balance Breaker, Boosted Gear Scale Mail! It's been achieved here by poking my master's breasts!"
*Douuuuuuuuuuun!*
With Issei's shout and a dull sound, his surroundings were blow away by the aura he had released from unlocking his Balance Breaker. A small crater was created, with Issei at its center ...Alright, my body is overflowing with power! This is-Balance Breaker!
[Partner, congratulations. But, you're terrible. I'm going to genuinely cry soon.] Ddraig gave his host praise. But his voice was tearful.
"Yeah, thank you. And sorry for being perverted! So, how is my state?"
[You can maintain Balance Breaker for thirty minutes. The results of your training have come out. For the first Balance Breaker state of the weak you, that's a fairly good time limit.]
"How many times can I do my max doubling?"
[I think that each time will be used up within five minutes if you release it at the max. You can do it five times at the most. When you include your other movements, your sixth time will be the same as nothing. It's the same when you use the transfer ability too.]
"So if I use this power well, I can fight for fifteen minutes."
[You don't need that long. —Look, stick out your hand, and try firing a magic bullet like usual.]
Following Ddraig's instructions, Issei stuck out his newly armored hand and aimed it at Koneko's onee-san.
*Doh!*
It fired in an instant! The red magic bullet passed right by Kuroka, heading far into the forest.
The next moment-A red flash unfolded.
*Doddooooooooooooooooooooooooon!*
The roar of an explosion ran from far away, and the blast even reached all the way to Issei's position.
...Eh? ...What? Issei couldn't react to this sudden event. And neither could Kirito, Rias, and Koenko. Not to say Kuroka, who had been the intended target.
The poison mist was blown away by the blast from the attack and dispersed.
"Hahahaha! It's been a long time since I've seen that red blast! Hyoudou Issei! An entire mountain far away from here completely vanished just now! Also, the barrier covering this area has been blown off as well!"
Tannin said that from the sky above, but the barrier's destruction was not the main thing on Issei's mind.
A mountain!? An entire mountain vanished!? I didn't even fire it with particularly doubled power!?
[It's the type of attack that fires the collected power from your whole aura through your hands. Since the amount you can store is still little, you can't fire it consecutively, though.]
"Fuhahahahaha! You attained it at last! I see, I see! It's a surge of great power! That's the condition of a good aura!"
Tanin also had a big laugh from above. Thank you, it really is thanks to training with ossan as expected! Rather, so the barrier also disappeared. The others outside should also have learned what's going on here with my attack just now too!
"Ahahahaha!"
There was another person laughing. It was Koneko's onee-san-Kuroka.
"Ha! How interesting! Then, I'll also show you a mixed shot of youjutsu and senjutsu!"
Kuroka's hands began to be clad in two different powers each. When she had judged it to be sufficient, she started to shoot two different kinds of surges from both her hands, just like that. Issei received it right in the front, making no attempt to block it.
*Dodon!*
Issei felt the impact of the surge blast, but he felt was no pain. Smoke rose from armor but, there was no damage. Rather, instead of holes, his armor was as solid as it had been. "Is that all?"
Kuroka's expression changed at Issei's lack of damage. She was shocked.
"It didn't work!? No way. I built up a considerable amount of spiritual power!"
*Doh!*
Issei vigorously leaped forward and closed the distance between him and Kuroka instantly.
"Don't get carried away!" Kuroka began to shoot countless more of the surges from before, but Issei either ploughed through them or flicked them away, and approached right in front of her. He lunged with his fist, but stopped it right in front of Kuroka's nose. The surrounding air trembled from the aftershocks of stopping it, and the surrounding plants shook greatly. In front of Kuroka who was frightened by my fist attack, Issei spoke.
"Don't make my cute kouhai cry."
"..."
"If you aim at Koneko-chan again, I won't stop my attack next time. You may be a woman and Koneko-chan's onee-san, but you're my enemy!"
When he pulled back his fist, Kuroka immediately sprang back and put some distance between them.
"...You damn brat!"
Kuroka cursed him, but he saw the fear in her eyes. Since the armor he wore gave off a pressure that wasn't normal. At times like this, the impact and intensity of his full body armor was quite effective. Bikou laughed loudly when he saw that.
"Hyahahahahahahaha! This is really interesting! Now there are two dragon bosses! It'd be a lie to say I'm not enjoying this!"
Twirling his Nyoi-Bo staff around, Bikou showed his intention to continue fighting. This guy also loves fighting just like Vali! Really, why are my enemies only like this? There are much more enjoyable things than fighting. Like being popular with girls? Because our standards of value are different, I just can't understand their thinking! No matter how I think about it, rubbing Buchou's breasts is much more enjoyable than fighting! Well, it's fine. Beating them here shouldn't be a problem now. Since the poison mist from before had cleared up, Buchou and Koneko-chan seemed to be slowly recovering too. With four against two, there's nothing we can't do! Soon, devils who noticed something strange was going on would come to help!
But, as they prepared ourselves, a tear appeared in the space before them. W-What is that!?
Appearing from out of the tear was-a man. A young man wearing a suit. He held in his hand a sword that was releasing a holy aura to the max. W-What's with that sword...Is it a holy sword?
"That's far enough, Bikou, Kuroka. The devils have noticed."
Wearing glasses, the man said this to Bikou and Kuroka. A comrade!? Give me a break, another member of the Khaos Brigade is joining in on the battle!
Bikou descended from the sky. "Aren't you Vali's attendant?"
The man pushed up his glasses and spoke. "Because Kuroka was being slow, I came to see. And even Bikou is here. Geez, what are you two doing?" The man sighed.
"Everyone, don't get near that guy! The thing he's holding in his hand is really troublesome!"
Tannin shouted that to the group on the ground.
"The holy king sword Collbrande. Also known as Caliburn. For Collbrande, called the beyond strongest holy sword, to be with the Hakuryuukou is..." Tannin gave a bitter laugh.
The beyond strongest holy sword!? Issei prepared himself once more. So that means he's stronger than either Kiba or Xenovia...?
"But, two swords? The one that's in a sheath is also a holy sword, isn't it?" The man pointed at the sheathed sword on his back at ossan's questions. "This is the final Excalibur that was recently found, the strongest of the seven Excaliburs. Excalibur Ruler."
"!" Excalibur!? The sword that was broken in ancient times and became seven pieces!? Issei backed up by one step instinctively when he heard the name of one of the most famous holy swords. Swords meant to kill evil beings like devils. Certainly, I had heard that there was one missing, but...Is that really it?
"To be talking like that, you're pretty calm, aren't you?"
The man nodded at Kuroka's question. "Yes, the truth is that I also have a lot of interest in the comrades of these guys. Sekiryuutei-dono, could you please give my greetings to the holy demonic sword user and the holy sword Durandal user? I'd like to face them sometime as fellow swordsmen—you know?"
...What an audacious attitude. I wonder what Kiba and Xenovia will think when they hear of this.
"Now then, let's retreat."
"Hold up."
The man made to cut the air with the sword, Collbrande, but Kirito's voice stopped him.
"Hmm?" The man gave Kirito a mere glance. "A small fry, I suppose?"
"You want to fight with a fellow swordsman, yes?" A new glint appeared in Kirito's eyes, frightening Issei. "Then, allow me to satisfy that for you!"
A blur, and a burst of wind later, Issei saw the clashing of two blades! F-fast!
"Oh?" The man's face showed an expression of surprise. "What speed. It is nearly as fast as that of a Knight. Right, Kuroka?"
"Nyah~, that's right." The black nekoshou purred out. "Be careful, Arthur. This one managed to escape my senses."
"I see." The man, Arthur, hummed. "All the more we should retreat then."
"Not that fast!" Kirito's blade glowed a dull, yellow colour, before it was swung.
"A waste." Arthur casually avoided the downard strike to the right by twisting his body to the right, but had to quickly bring his blade around to block the strike that came up, retracing its first attack. "Tsk."
The next movements threw everyone for a loop.
Kirito managed to ram Arthur in midair.
"Wha-" Arthur was forcefully pushed backwards, momentarily stunning him. This gave Kirito the opening he wanted!
"Hah!" A fierce downwards slash was used on the momentarily stunned Arthur! But,
Arthur quickly moved in on Kirito, rendering the swing ineffective against him. But, a new tackle, this time from the right shoulder, was used, pushing back Arthur, and yet again surprising everyone.
"Gah!" A beat. Then, Arthur let out a grunt at the impact that hit his chest.
He saw the swing aimed at his chest.
Quickly moving, Arthur stepped backwards, justbarely escapping the sword's reach. As it was, he got nicked on the arm.
"Meteor Break." Kirito intoned, the glow from his sword finally fading. It was then that everyone notice that Kirito had his wings out, allowing him to have moved as he did in the air. So, Kirito used his wings to push forwards instead of walking on the air.
"...Interesting." Arthur spoke, observing the small nick on his arm. "You managed to draw blood. But, it is time we take our leave."
Arthur then cut the air with the sword Collbrande, creating another spatial tear that appeared and spread out. It was one that several people could pass through.
"Goodbye, Sekiryuutei." Arthur looked at Kirito. "I do hope we can meet again, swordsman". He left with just those words.
And thus, the other comrades of Vali also disappeared into the spatial tear.
Amazing... Issei thought to himself. Kirito managed to draw some blood from that guy, even though he had two of the strongest holy swords on him. As I thought, he is-
"...There are seven pieces of Excalibur?"
Kirito's words broke Issei out of his thoughts, causing him to look back at the teen. H did not seem disturbed in the slightest by what he had just done. Although, his gaze went to his hand some times.
"No no." Tannin landed down. "Excalibur was broken into seven fragments, young devil. Were you not told about that?"
"...WHAAAAAAAT?!" The shout of horror that erupted from Kirito's throat was so loud, it forced the devils(sans the dragon, though he did wince slightly.) to cover their ears.
Ahh, this guy...does he like Excalibur, or something?
AN
I guess..not much to say, really.
I have a few chapters already done, so I'm just going to edit them in my own time. However, this also means that updating would taking a longer period of time, so please be patient. I have quite a bit of work to do...so..yeah...poly life is a real change of pace.
Anyway, hope yall are staying safe, even if everything is getting better all over the world!
Anime is Life!
..
This is the new update. Sorry for those who were hopping for a new chapter. I rewrote the chapter a bit, after reading some of your comments. Plus, I am rewriting 4 chapters after this one, and I am busy with some school work, so it will take a while for me to post a new update. As such, I will be updating this one instead. Sorry!