One-Punch DxD: NEO - Chapter 91: End of Conflict
Grayfia moved.
She summoned all of her magic, her spells before whatever Djall was about to do happened.
Many magic circles appeared around Grayfia as she fired her spells, tears streaming down her eyes while Djall’s wicked mien remained undaunted. Potent magic she had not used since the Civil War flared and flew towards the monster in retaliation for harming her beloved.
Only for the spells to enter a black sphere before the monster.
And it reappeared behind the monster, the spells flying towards the group instead. Fortunately, Surtr was fast enough to move and take the brunt of Grayfia’s magic, shielding the rest of them.
“Shouldn’t that power only be possessed by the Abaddon clan?!” Matthers exclaimed after witnessing the feat.
“Bingo.” Multiple Holes linked in and out of existence.
Everyone stared at the creature seeing the holes spreading further and further, the range of his powers expanding far more and more, more holes blinking at an accelerating pace.
Then the holes stopped blinking, this time existing, levitating stationary black spheres dotting around the paracme landscape as far as the eyes could see; like black stars dotting the peaks before Djall extinguished them with a gesture of his hand.
Asia hurried and healed Sirzechs with Asclepius, restoring him with her gentle light as Sirzechs recovered to his feet, gritting his teeth at the monster.
“You…” Sirzechs glowered at Djall.
“I hope you don’t mind my showing off. I like the expressions you make when I do… this.” Djall aimed a finger at the sky.
A small crimson sphere of destruction blipped above his finger, and he threw it at the side.
The small dot instantly grew to massive size, a skyscraper in radius, as it rolled to the distant horizon before it exploded with brilliant crimson light, dying the surroundings in its red color for a brief second as everyone stared at Djall.
“Guess how I can do this. Go on, guess.” Djall urged Sirzechs with an excited grin.
Sirzechs narrowed his eyes as his mind recalled the earlier display of power. Considering Djall only got the power recently, the way he used his power was not much different from Rias before her debut; albeit his power output could be considered ultimate-class.
Not much in terms of technique and finesse. They still had a good chance to prevail even if this monster had acquired the Power of Destruction.
The way the young monster was smiling at Sirzechs was unnerving.
“Here’s a hint. Try erasing me right here and now.”
Sirzechs blinked at the said hint. However, his thought process discovered the empty feeling in his body. He stared at his palm, then his eyes widened back at Djall.
Just in case, he tried to summon his power…
Sirzechs could not believe it as he tried again.
And again.
And again.
The power of the Bael was missing.
“You… You took my Power of Destruction.”
The rest of the group were baffled at the conclusion as they turned to stare at the grinning Djall.
He licked Sirzechs’ blood off his fingers.
“Hmmm. You taste clean. Far cleaner than Zekram… very tasty. Damn, now I want to take your arm with me,” Djall admitted with surprise and everyone’s disgust and concern.
“Anyways, tell me. Are you still strong without it?” Djall asked the Strongest Devil… or formerly strongest.
Sirzechs smiled, then Djall widened his eyes in surprise when Sirzechs’ aura flared out. However, instead of the ominous aura from Power of Destruction, the aura was made out of pure demonic power.
“…Ah, I forgot. The might of the sword reflects the wielder… interesting result. But how skilled are you without it? This is the only tool you rely on above all else, right?” Djall asked Sirzechs another question.
Sirzechs suppressed a grimace. While he was adept in other areas of expertise outside of his bloodline power, most of his training involved mastering his Power of Destruction. His specialty falls between magic and techniques; his power was more like something that came along since birth so he never really focused on them.
“…From whom did you steal the Hole power from?” Sirzechs asked to deflect the question.
“Bedeze.” Djall answered. “Tried to take his King piece. Got his power by accident. It’s a fun trick. I’m keeping your trick as well. I mean, I just took the fang of the strongest Devil. Your society favors those with certain genetic attributes, it will be fun to see what they would do once they know your fang is gone.”
Everyone exchanged glances, unsure and unnerved by the new reality before them.
“…Give it back.”
“Hm? Speak louder.” Djall turned to Grayfia.
“Give Sirzechs – my husband’s power back!” the Queen roared as she blitzed towards Djall with rage fuelling her.
“How about no?”
Grayfia crashed into a summoned Hole portal, crashing into Sirzechs instead to her surprise.
“A hunter never returns the fang they earned from their prey.” Djall casually turned around to face the group.
“Give it back…” Grayfia turned around, firing a tearful glare.
“Don’t waste your breath, you’re acting like a pitiful child.” Djall scoffed at Grayfia’s demand. “If he wants it back, come and take it from me.”
Djall wagged his finger at Sirzechs, who grimaced at the former’s dare.
Sirzechs was tempted to do so, but the creature’s abilities were unknown… and his bout with Orochi instilled doubts.
“You say that a hunter earns their ‘fang,’ but all you did was backstab him from nowhere like a coward.” Vali stepped forward. “You think you earned that power? How can you say that you deserve it in the first place when all you did is steal.”
“Such hypocrisy from someone that relies on stolen power. Your dragon is never even yours, his soul, his existence stolen and compressed into the thing housing inside your soul.” Djall pointed at Vali.
“Albion’s power is mine. He has been with me since birth.”
“You’re quite a delusional one, aren’t you?” Djall remarked. “You think powers inherited from birth are the sole condition for your logic? The dragon is not integral to your being, just an attachment forced upon you by chance.”
“That doesn’t mean I cannot make the power mine,” Vali argued back.
“If you want the power to be yours, I suggest you kill the dragon and absorb his corpse completely,” Djall suggested. “As long as that power has individuality, it will never be yours. That is the defining line between ownership. Birth is just one of the factors.”
Vali’s eyes squinted at the monster.
[..Vali.]
Albion called out.
[I do not mind.]
Vali flinched.
“Albion… what are you talking about?”
[If you want to destroy me to take all of my powers. Then so be it].
Djall blinked rapidly while staring at Vali.
“…What? You what?!” Djall sounded… shocked. Overturned into a sense of crisis.
“Albion, what do you mean you… you’re not taking this monster’s words seriously, are you?”
[I have lived for a long time, Vali.]
Albion spoke.
[I have already come to terms with my fate during my time within Divine Dividing. Vali… I am proud of you. You are the best host a dragon like me can ask for. One day, you will mark the world and stand higher than the peaks my previous hosts could reach and shake the world. Besides, you have a rival you want to surpass, don’t you?]
Vali was speechless. Djall was equally speechless.
Everyone was also speechless when they heard the Vanishing Dragon’s… selfless benevolence.
“…I…” Vali wanted to rebuke Albion, but… he could not find the words or excuse why he wanted to keep him alive.
Nor could he admit that he also looked up to Albion like his fairy godfather.
“…Don’t you have any sense of self-preservation?” Djall demanded Albion. “There is no point in sacrificing yourself for one of the many hosts you’re forced onto!”
For once, Djall sounded… angry. Enraged by Albion choosing what he believed was a weakness.
[I understand that you are young. You have a long life ahead of you, young monster.]
Albion spoke.
[But I am afraid that I have learned to cherish someone else’s life more than mine. It is called compassion… And Sacrifice.]
Sacrifice…
Djall heard that same word again from Issei.
“This… this is absurd…” Djall’s eyes darted around, feeling a headache pounding in his skull as he grimaced from the pain. Something was trying to break through to him, but it felt like agony…
“…Stjarna.” Asia walked up towards Djall. Rassei let out a sad rumble upon seeing his friend like this. “…Please. I must be asking for too much. But Lord Sirzechs doesn’t deserve to lose his power like this. Would you return what you have taken?”
Djall stared at the young girl that… brought an aura of calm in his soul. Like never before.
The pain in his mind faded the more he stared at her. He started clicking to himself in irritation and contemplation.
“…I have no reason to comply. I could just leave with my prize and let him live, fangless. Shamed.”
Djall looked at Rassei, seeing the sadness of the Imoogi’s gaze.
“…But I’ll compromise for both parties. Select a time and date. We will duel for his ability; Strongest Devil versus the Master of the Eight-Branched Serpent.”
Everyone gave Djall quizzical looks as they exchanged glances. It was not only out of place, but also the most reasonable course given the values of Devil culture. Of the warriors present to fight to earn their status and rewards.
“How about here and now?” Vali spoke up.
“Does it look like I want to fight an injured and worn opponent? There is no value in fighting the previous owner in this condition. Even I respect honorable combat.” Djall snorted. “…Unless you have another proposal in mind?”
Grayfia steeled her expression and was about to step forward to offer herself as the alternative, but a hand grasped her shoulder. She blinked to see Sirzechs looking pointedly at her.
“Sirzechs…” Grayfia’s protest was interrupted as Sirzechs gently pulled her aside so he could step forward to speak to the beast.
“…I thank you for caring for my wife and giving her company.” Sirzechs began, “However, in light of recent events, taking you on a duel will be too brash. You will need to give us some time to decide and a means to communicate with you.”
Djall spat something into his palm.
He threw it at Sirzechs, who caught it in his hand and looked at it… seeing a wriggling worm, wet and slimy.
“Insert inside your nose. It will connect you to my hive mind.” Djall answered much to Sirzechs’ mild surprise and disgust.
“…I… thank you…” Sirzechs was extremely reluctant to put something like this inside his nose. Actually, he was more convinced that this would kill him or do something funny to him but…
Time to make a gamble. He was the leader of his people, and he would not let his personal bias get the better of him.
He craned his head up, positioning the worm in front of his nose.
“Oh, Gods, he’s actually doing it!” Bikou pointed at Sirzechs.
“My King, you don’t have to do this!” Souji shouted.
“Don’t you have anything better than this?!” Grayfia joined Souji.
“No?” Djall tilted his head. “I don’t trust magical communications. Euclid and the others kept trying to monitor my magical transmissions.”
“Anything but the worm! Have you ever heard of cellphones?!” Grayfia pointed out.
“They monitor my transmissions. All of it.” Djall reminded her again.
As soon as Sirzechs’ hold on the worm loosened, the parasite immediately shot inside his nostrils, causing him to snort in reflex, followed by a massive headache as the worm made its way into his brain.
“I swear, if you did something… serious like turning Sirzechs into a zombie or something, I will not stop until every last cell of your being is erased from existence!” Grayfia warned Djall with as much Aura as she could muster.
Though it did not faze the young monster,
“What do you take me for? I don’t swindle on something this serious.” Djall looked very confused by her overreaction instead.
When the worm connected to Sirzechs, he lurched forward as he held his head.
“AAaaaagh…” The Crimson Satan groaned as he cringed his nose in and out, before another sensation coming to him.
A new music, a tune pitched in his ears even though there was no sound. Sirzechs could feel the worm adjusting itself as the singing warped and contorted until he could hear something from somewhere on his brain.
[Testing… testing… Can you hear me?]
It was like hearing something from an echo chamber, reverberating pitches hurting his ‘brain ears’ if he had to describe the feeling.
“My goodness… This is actually working.” Sirzechs muttered before he turned to Djall.
[Try communicating back to me with your thoughts.]
‘Uhhhh… Will there be problems in my brain or something?’
Sirzechs did not know what kind of questions he should ask regarding his current condition.
[It is just a communication conduit. It won’t let me take over your brain once it melds with your brain cells.]
Sirzechs flinched at the information.
‘Wait, wait, it’s gonna meldwith my brain cells?’
[It’s called symbiosis. It won’t do much other than attach a transmitter to your brain if you want to get technical.]
Djall rolled his eyes.
“Good, the melding is finished.” Djall turned around. “I’ll wait to hear your answer, Sirzechs. Let’s see if you can surprise me in our next bout, be it words or action.”
Djall then teleported himself away, leaving the group alone with one cursed with losing a part of him.
“…Well, this is starting to become worrisome.” Azazel pursed his lips. “He’s starting to become scarier and more unpredictable every day. Wonder why he didn’t gun for my power…”
“Probably because he had a hunch you might have redirected his attempt and didn’t want to risk it.” Arthur surmised.
“Yeah, I admit that I was prepared for that.” Azazel nodded to himself. “We got what we came for. Let’s head back and regroup with the others. Hopefully, Issei’s side is having a better day than us.”
Everyone hoped so.
Azazel paused as his phone rang. It was a magical phone. He picked it up as he heard an unexpected voice.
[Yo, Azazel.]
Azazel could not believe who was on the other side, as his lips morphed into a grin.
“…Oh my dead Father, you have no idea how glad I am to hear your voice, Saitama.”
Ddraig, status report.
Issei called out as he flew out of the eerie abyss surrounding the palace and entered through the entrance. Since the asshole was gone, he could help his friends and allies.
[Good news and bad news; the good news is the Boosted Gear is stable for now. The primary seals are still intact, but the seals on my abilities have been removed, so suffice to say you will have more access to my full power.]
The bad news…?
[Well, I don’t think it’s something you have to deal with now, but… The seals in charge of keeping my past hosts’ consciousness fragments together were also damaged. This has never happened before, so I have no idea what could happen.]
Issei paused on his tracks to process Ddraig’s words – et tu… Elsha? Belzard? Can you hear me? Mind telling me how things are looking in there?
[Well, my boy… We might have a bit of a riot on our hands…]
Elsha said.
Define ‘riot’.
[The past host fragments are trying to get to you and replace you as the main host.]
Belzard summarized.
Issei’s eyes widened in apprehension – What?!
It could happen?! How does that work?!
[Nothing to worry about, actually. They are rioting, sure, but it’s not like they will take over. By the end of the day, all of them – us included, are mere fragments of the original consciousness. Though, I can’t say they are totally harmless either.]
Meaning…?
[…Kid, we don’t know what will happen. It’s never happened to us. Good job on that, though. Don’t worry, we’ll do our best to keep them away from you. Now focus on what you have to do.]
Alright. I’ll take another look when I have time.
He arrived at the throne room and stopped upon seeing the chaos.
Titania’s royal guards engaged two giant humanoids, though the way they looked, Issei could only describe them as corrupted versions of Sacred Gears taking the form of giants, one of blazing fire, one of armored stone.
They were faring a lot better than Issei thought for royal guards of the light elves.
They danced around the giants, forms flickering in and out like shuttering lights, dancing around the giants with elegant swordplay as they slashed at their legs to hinder their movements.
The giants were, however, much faster than their size announced, and difficult to fight.
The silver-armored elves couldn’t move in too close to the fire giant due to the intense heat, so they had to rely on magic to harm it, yet their long range spells did not faze it.
The armored stone giant was too hard to cut, metal grinding against stone futilely as it tried to smash their nimble forms.
Rossweisse aided the elves in taking down the giants, starting with the stone giant, levitating to its neck and plunging it directly into its jugular. Yet the giant only roared, annoyed as it tried to swat her away.
Kiyome and Titania engaged Sycorax, light and dark circling each other like yin and yang, advanced spells of light shining and firing against the darkness that kept trying to reach and drag it into the shadows.
Issei could see that Sycorax had the edge, the ashen elf pressuring the light elf with the power of Djall when she tried to engage Titania in close combat, spidery limbs lashing at Titania’s magical barriers, slashing them occasionally.
Kiyome was kept at bay by living shadowy monsters, occasionally able to close in and prevent Sycorax from delivering the fatal blow to Titania, but the ashen queen proved more adept in combat and eviscerated Kiyome, throwing her limbless torso away.
“Shit!”
But tendrils sprouted from Kiyome’s stumps, pulling her severed limbs together before she returned to the battle with a war cry, claws tangling against spear-like spider limbs.
Issei sighed in relief as he checked on Griselda; then he saw Euclid…
Griselda was engaging him. Euclid was wearing…. An estranged armor of red and silver.
“What the fuck?”
It was like the scale mail of Boosted Gear and Divine Dividing fused together, half red and half silver.
[To repeat your words – What the actual fuck?]
Issei could see the designs of Divine Dividing and Boosted Gear coming from him.
But the presence of the two was hollow in comparison, a… soulless replica.
He wanted to say something, but the fight drew his attention.
Boost
Divide
Griselda was gorgeous in her sexy golden paladin-like armor, leotard shaped with a section cut out around her womb, nearly revealing her virgin entrance, arms covered in elegant white silk and wings armored in sharpened gold.
Her halo was like a bladed disc, a floating small sword in the center aimed skyward, above her silver-feathered tiara.
Though she was having trouble dealing with the bastardized fusion of the two dragon emperors increasing in unfair amounts of power.
“Hahahahahaha! Is that all an reincarnated angel can do?!” Euclid cackled as he fired spells, magic amplified by his sacred gears aiming for the winged paladin.
Her blade parried fire and deflected lightning, the winged maiden moving like a leaf dancing in the wind, winding between the gaps.
Issei was about to assist when he stopped to feel a familiar aura shining from her sword.
With a burst of speed, a familiar aura emanating from her sword, Griselda took Euclid by surprise and rammed her sword into him with a burst of destructive energy.
But it struck a sapphire blue surface, a barrier from Divine Dividing, shattering and then scratching the silver half of his fused armor.
Unlike with Vali’s Scale Mail, the gauntlet erupted a blade as Euclid hammered at Griselda as she gracefully pirouetted away from his brute swings.
Griselda’s swordsmanship had evolved since the time they had not seen each other. There was a beauty in her footwork, more focus on her legs than her arms, almost flamingo-like, controlled movements of the knees instead of immediate shifting of her stance, complete graceful control over her legs.
Sturdy formation and strong, swift blade strikes, she carved out more of the Dual Dragon Emperor’s armor with bursts of destructive holy energy, Euclid barely moving away from each strike before the blade could dig through his armor with uncannily fast reflexes.
Boost
The emerald jewel glowed, Euclid boosted again as he moved in faster.
Divide
The sapphire jewel glowed as he aimed his right hand at her, a resonating wave surged from his metal wings of translucent blue energy.
However, Griselda’s armor glowed, and Euclid’s flinched as Griselda moved in and thrusted her sword.
Euclid raised his hand, but the blade extended its length, through the palm and stabbed into his heart.
“Perish.”
Griselda said as the sword fired destructive holy energy directly inside the armor, into the host.
Issei saw it.
Divine Dividing requires the user to make physical contact with the target(s) to divide them of their energy.
However, Issei could see that Griselda somehow managed to sever that connection with her Sacred Gear armor before she moved in for the fatal blow.
Not only that, Issei could not mistake the aura of Excalibur.
She fused it with the Sword of Duality, using Kokabiel’s tricks to her advantage, Mimic, Rapidly, and Destruction used.
Euclid roared an inhuman bellow as smoke leaked out between the extremely narrow gaps of his armor. Then his wings, his two wings spread wide, black-furred, thicker, wider than the standard devil wings, each wing sporting a malicious thick talon in place of the thumb, the claw of the bat wings.
Then Euclid grabbed the Sword of Duality when his wings extended in length like Griselda’s sword, before lancing Griselda, armor and all.
Euclid grinned behind his faceplate, but his grin broke when a fist smashed into his face, launching him towards Sycorax’s throne; Euclid smashed through it and crashed into the wall behind it, helmet cracked apart.
Griselda expected herself to fall to the ground after receiving Euclid’s surprise attack, but instead she felt her body was being supported by a pair of strong, gentle arms.
“Who… Issei?” Griselda called upon sensing Issei’s presence.
“Sorry for the wait.” Issei called out while he slowly descended to settle Griselda back to the ground.
Griselda turned around. Her eyes widened at the sight of a terrifying monster behind her.
“Hey.” Issei called out. “Sorry if I look and sound like this. The asshole took my armor out of commission.” Issei smiled with his demonic face, hoping that he looked like he was smiling.
Griselda stared at Issei for a moment before her expression softened.
“…Did you win?”
“You!?”
Griselda and Issei turned to Euclid as he landed where he was, his enraged face exposed to them through the broken facehelm.
“This… No, no! If you’re here, then…! Where is the young master?!” Euclid shouted.
“…He left.”
Euclid’s rage paused for a moment.
“…What?”
“The asshole left in the middle of the fight.” Issei growled. “But at least he gave me the breathing room to deal with you. What’s with your armor? How the fuck did you make a copy of Boosted Gear and… did you really fuse it with Divine Dividing?”
Euclid’s rageful expression melted away until it turned into a puddle of exasperation once Issei’s words sunk in.
“…Did he really leave?” Euclid asked with a tone of defeat.
Issei’s silence was more than enough of an answer.
“Hah… well, then. So be it.” Euclid exasperated before he regained his bearings, his face turned serious. “I hope you don’t mind. Did you know crucial fragments of Sacred Gears still contain echoes of the powers and abilities of the whole? And that it can be harnessed?”
He asked with a boasting tone.
“You’re the second one to tell me that.”
Euclid’s boasting face fell at Issei’s reply.
“…Djall told you that, didn’t he?”
“He showed it to me. Ate a piece of my armor just to show off.”
“…Very well, I’ll make this short. Yes, I can recreate replicas of the original with just their fragments. With the knowledge of the Aberrations, it is in my hands.” The scientist smiled. “I consider it my greatest achievement, though the young master dislikes how I invest in my chosen skills. But it is worth it. Is it not a miracle? Proof that realm of the Biblical God is not out of reach?”
Euclid spread his arms showing his half-red half-silver armor to Issei.
“It looks crude as hell.” Issei snarked.
“Well, I don’t have the chance to perfect the fusion. But it should suffice. I consider the replication my magnum opus. Even if it is you, Son of the Strongest, I am not to be taken lightly.”
“Even though Platinum turned you into a statue?”
“That is more than enough impetus for me to not repeat that fate. Enough banter. Let me show you my true power.”
Euclid roared a monstrous bellow as his armor transformed, a surge of primordial Aura suffusing the air around him.
Issei remained on guard as he entered the Water Stream Stance as he watched Euclid achieve something akin to balance breaker.
The dragon armor warped as if monsterizing.
His helmet regenerated and mutated, a draconic mouth opening and roaring as monstrous horns curved forward from his head, thin and needle-like.
Two more arms sprouted from Euclid as a metallic tail, a silver and red spiraling around the tail, ending at the golden blade at the end as his bulk expanded, more ‘armor muscle’ compared to before.
Issei smirked, ready to take on this cheap knockoff.
“I hope you are prepared. My replicas are powered by the souls of many dragon clones!” Euclid snarled. “Each fed with the Trihexa Cell. Their combined power is more than formidable!”
Ddraig audibly snarled at Euclid.
Issei snarled at the same time with Ddraig… much to his confusion.
As if sensing his host’s confusion, Ddraig quickly informed.
[Um… Remember my warning about the bad news? This is one of the results.]
…What?
[The seals in the Boosted Gear were designed to prevent me from interfering with the wielders. Now that the majority of those seals are gone, I have more leeway to influence your mind now.]
…What?
[Yeah, sorry. I’m just… livid right now. It is like watching someone creating a bastard reflection of yourself if you understand.]
Euclid roared as he moved in, forcing Issei out of his mental conversation as he deflected the scientist’s brute assault, redirecting all four metallic arms away from his body with the Water Stream.
[I’ll do my best in keeping things together here, just focus on tearing that little shit a new one!]
Issei scoffed but the small scowl soon shifted into a smirk as he engaged himself in a hand-to-hand against Euclid.
“Sister Griselda! Go help the others! I’ll handle this guy!”
Griselda grimaced but she nodded, trusting the hero, flying to aid Rossweisse first, engaging the fire giant.
Four massive against two, one larger roaring to crush the other, Griselda watched Issei avoid the lower arms while deflecting the upper arms.
Then Issei moved in closer, right where Euclid’s massive bulk could not easily reach and threw a barrage of rapid strikes on the latter’s front.
Euclid was unfettered as he swung down to crush Issei, who immediately leapt away to dodge the attack.
“Was that supposed to do something!?” Euclid mocked.
Issei frowned but kept his cool even as he began to avoid Euclid who went after him. His lips twitched upwards when his eyes could perceive small cracks on the spots where his strikes landed.
The bastard was definitely not the same fodder that Platinum owned. He breathed as he summoned dragonfire and god lightning in each hand.
[Thunder Step]
Issei moved in. As strong and fast as Euclid may be, this guy did not have the same martial prowess.
Djall was more of a bastard in combat compared to this guy.
Euclid could not react in time.
[Piercing Thunder Dragon Sword]
Issei tried to summon Ascalon midway, but instantly found out that access to his storage was unavailable.
Issei could only click his tongue before he summoned a light sword instead, imbued with crackling Norse Lightning, and rammed it into his heart
“UGH… You…?!” Euclid coughed as his body reacted to the potent holy energy. The reaction was not as severe with the Trihexa flesh mitigating the worse effects, but it still hurt.
Norse lightning surged once more, roasting the man inside the abominable armor, his voice echoing in a roaring bellow when Issei ripped the sword upward, tearing it out of Euclid through his left shoulder as Euclid stumbled back.
“What? Surprised that I can do angel stuff? You gonna cry from a little boo-boo?” Issei taunted with his demonic voice, grinning at the sight of norse lightning cracking over his wound.
“Damn you…!” Euclid snarled as his wound slowly knitted together, armor mended, smoke and scent of roasted flesh rising from the crevice.
Issei did not plan to allow his opponent to recover; he was about to go in for another, and if possible, the finishing blow, when his view suddenly blurred.
Issei felt a sudden headache before he found himself somewhere else… he looked at his hands.
They were not his demonic hands – not even his own hands. They were… smaller, child sized.
What was happening?
Fire was ablaze, two people, a man and a woman reached out to him in their last moments. There was a surge of anger and sorrow thrusted upon him, emotions that he knew were not his own.
Because they felt invasive, surging from outside his heart and trying to get in.
Where the hell is this?!
Issei looked around – the sky was dark, covered in a thick mixture of cloud, smoke and ashes.
However, he was knocked back, the scenery replaced by the sight of green energy blasting his demonic form.
Euclid aimed all four of his palms, columns of magic circles facing Issei parallel to each palm, before he fired a barrage of hyper-condensed energy.
Issei was thrown off his sails as he blinked in confusion – what the hell was all of that?
[What the hell was all of that? You suddenly spaced out all of sudden!]
Ddraig chastised from inside the Boosted Gear.
Ddraig, you didn’t see any of that?
[Didn’t see what? What are you even on about?!]
Issei swatted the energy beams away with the water-stream fist.
Boost
Then Euclid started boosting.
Divide
Then his armor glowed as Issei snarled.
[Boost!]
Issei started boosting as well to counter the power drain, Euclid’s power increasing. The former vanished with Thunder Step, zigzagging around the slower Euclid, the latter trying to hit Issei with his makeshift Longinus Blaster.
Issei threw scattering glitters of exploding starlight – Kokabiel’s move – many simultaneously exploding flashes of holy starlight, breaking through and roasting his skin under the dragon armor.
Euclid tried to defend, but the attacks were too fast for him to react.
Issei zigzagged again with Thunder Step, high above Euclid with his hand raised, about to chop Euclid in half like he did Diodora as he descended like a bolt of lightning.
However, his vision shifted to another scene.
Euclid was replaced by the serene expression of a woman reaching out to him.
However, he crashed into Euclid’s jaw as all four arms grabbed Issei’s limbs; and then Euclid tried to rip his limbs from his body.
Pooling his magic in his guts, Issei then inhaled before letting loose a stream of infernal flames right in Euclid’s face. In addition, the flames were Ddraig’s signature technique as Euclid could feel the heat through his armor.
“Aaaaagggh?! What is this?!” Euclid released Issei as he swatted the fire away while the flames cooked him under the armor.
Issei landed on his feet, blinking.
Ddraig. I need a status report. I’m… starting to hallucinate. Don’t know why. Need to know the cause. I can’t continue fighting like this.
[What did you see?]
It was… A village, a burning village with dead people. Then there’s this woman taking my hand.
[You need to be more specific than that, partner! What village? What woman?]
Don’t know! Need it resolved now! Before-
Explosion!
The voice drew his attention to Euclid, who was no longer on fire.
Longinus Spiral Fusion Smasher
Euclid’s draconic helm opened its maw, two power surges generating within, twin spheres of power whirling together, all of the power Euclid generated used in this attack.
Issei looked back, seeing that Griselda was helping Rossweisse and the elves finish the giants, decapitating them.
Euclid was going to blow this place up with that much power.
Issei grit his teeth.
It was now or never as Saitama’s story flashed in his mind, one of his childhood stories when Saitama read him to sleep, about the time he fought Boros – How he punched the massive energy beam back.
Issei raised his foot and stomped back a step for strong grounding, cracking the floor as he inhaled.
The water stream ain’t gonna cut it.
He drew all of his power and might into his fist, it was already too late as if Euclid misfired, there would be a lot of casualties.
The lives of the dark elves would be lost.
“Euclid!” Sycorax shouted at him. “Have you gone mad?! My people! You’ll destroy the capital and collapse the caverns with that much power!”
Titania and Kiyome stopped as they all turned to Euclid, Titania gasping at the sight while Kiyome looked around, trying to find a way to stop him.
“Sacrifices must be made!” Euclid laughed. “For the sake of progress! If you don’t accept your fate, child, many innocents will die!”
“You son of a bitch…!” Issei clenched his right hand as his emotions flared.
“I’m tired of this! No longer will I suffer children impeding my progress! Be erased from existence!”
Euclid fired.
Space warped when Euclid unleashed his power, the power of two faux Dragon Emperors replicated and combined.
Emerald and sapphire coalesced, whirling with the spiral beam of power and destruction.
Issei’s pulse resounded as he generated all of the power in his fist. His demonic eyes glowed as a unique energy surged within him.
No Norse lightning or true dragonfire. This must be something that could overcome anything it hits, nothing else.
[Explosion!]
A new surge of strength came from within alongside the explosion of power as Issei roared and threw his punch.
The beam collided with his fist, drowning all of the colors in his periphery with the blinding light. Then, a massive gust of wind and shockwave followed suit, forcing everyone in the vicinity to fall down and cover their eyes from the kicked-up cloud of dust.
When the view slowly cleared up…. Euclid was lying on the ground – almost all of his armor gone, crumbled off him, as he gasped for air. He had no idea what just happened. When his attack made contact and the blinding light appeared, an indescribable pain erupted on his gut, and when he came to, he found himself unable to move on the ground with his body robbed of power.
For everyone else, they could not see anything before the result.
Though they could make a good inference.
Issei’s fist was outstretched, smoking… almost glowing emerald with his aura almost visible, fiery.
And the wall behind Euclid was decimated, dust scattered all around.
“…Issei… Did you just… punch it back at him?” Kiyome asked Issei.
Issei hissed as he flicked his hand.
The said hand was a bloody mess; the blood vessels in his arm were ruptured, his muscles were tearing and over-stretched, and his bones were fractured in several places. His fist was pulsing in pain like crazy; like it was going to fall apart. The damage was severe enough that his regeneration would require some time to heal them up.
Yet, he could not deny the results. He could not believe that it even worked. It took a chunk out of him to pull it off, but it did.
Rosseweisse, Griselda, Titania, and the elven guards could not believe it.
“…Incredible.” Sycorax muttered, impressed.
She could see why Djall did not call Issei weak-flesh, but a genuine challenger – Someone that could best him.
Euclid forced himself to his feet. He nearly lost balance three times, with clenched broken teeth.
“…Do you know… how much work I put into that armor?” Euclid hissed at Issei as he took a syringe and injected himself.
Issei reacted, about to kill him, but it happened again.
“Oh, come on….”
Issei groaned when he found himself in another scenery. He cursed, trying to find a way out, but he had no control over his body.
Rage filled him, rage of someone else, his eyes focused on a familiar set of white dragon armor.
“Belzaaard!”
“…You’re not Vali.” Now Issei was even more confused.
The unknown wielder of Divine Dividing roared. His armor was more roman-esque, gladiator themed, fighting against Belzard with his spear and shield.
Issei clicked his tongue at the White Dragon Emperor who was not Vali charging at him. However, before he could have reacted, he was brought out from this trance.
“-sei! Issei!”
Griselda was in his face, shaking him awake.
Issei blinked, “…Sister Griselda?” He then proceeded to look around, finding himself back.
“What happened? You suddenly spaced out.” Griselda asked with worry in her voice.
“It’s… Nothing.” Issei replied with uncertainty, “But never mind that, what of Euclid?”
“AHAHAHAHAHAHA!”
Euclid’s voice was warped as his Devil wings suddenly caught fire, a sphere of flame now levitating above his head as if it was his new halo from hell.
“…He injected himself with a syringe while you were paralyzed. His wounds are healed… and he appears to be empowered.” Griselda explained.
Ddraig, I mean it. What the fuck is happening to me? This hallucination shit has been going on for too long! Just now I was looking at fucking White Dragon Emperor that was not Vali! Now that I think about it… That guy was screaming Belzard’s name!
[…What?]
This time, it was Belzard who responded.
The guy looked like a gladiator. Do you know him?
There was a brief silence.
[…That is the subspecies of one of the previous White Dragon Emperors. It can’t be…]
…Are your memories flowing into me? Am I hallucinating the past events of the previous hosts or something?!
Issei summarized.
[That’s…]
There was uncertainty in Belzard’s voice.
Ddraig. Can you fix this? I can’t handle this shit anymore.
[I… I don’t know.]
Ddraig replied.
[Good grief, now that I think about it; of course this would happen. The seals separating you from the consciousness of your predecessors had been damaged, causing some sort of leak where my past hosts’ emotions and memories flow into you. I cannot fix Boosted Gear. Unlike with Genos, there are no spare parts in reserve. The inner core has been damaged.]
So you’re saying, if we have the parts, you can somewhat patch things up in there?
[As if there is one… wait…]
Ddraig noticed.
Issei stared at Euclid now donning his fused scale mail, returning to his four-armed dragon-hulk form. This time, hellfire streaked from its head and its spine.
“…There are spare parts in front of us.” Issei’s demonic face grinned.
Issei could feel Ddraig grinning inside him.
“I don’t know how you managed to reflect my Longinus Smasher, but this time-”
Issei moved in, Thunder Stepping.
Euclid’s reflexes were faster, but Issei deflected Euclid’s grasping arms before he plunged his demonic talons into Euclid’s dragon core, the fused green and red jewel at the center of Euclid’s armor.
Euclid was confused. It did not reach into his flesh, just the jewel.
“Sorry. I’m taking this.”
Issei started boosting as he channeled his Mastema power as he formed a connection to the fused replica.
Ddraig!
He called out Ddraig for an assist as he ‘gripped’ the core of Euclid’s Sacred Gear.
“What?!” Euclid felt something important inside him being touched. “What are you doing?!”
Issei planted his feet onto Euclid’s plate chassis and pulled with his good arm.
It was like trying to rip weed from the soil by the roots, or a deeply rooted tree in this case.
While waging war against the one that planted said tree, the other tried to kick him out.
He could feel himself wrestling against the unseen force that was Euclid’s soul.
It was a back and forth combination of a brawl and tug of war, like Issei was simultaneously exchanging fists with Euclid and pulling the weed out of him with just one good hand.
It was not an easy feeling to describe with words, and Euclid was in agony due to the primitive extraction process.
If Euclid did not inject himself with all of those Trihexa Cells, he would have died in the process.
Euclid grabbed Issei with his four arms and tried to rip him off him. The latter was about to panic for a second, when his injured hand had finished healing.
Issei grinned as he jabbed more of his talons into Euclid, and the latter’s four armor arms crumbled as his connection with his Sacred Gear waned.
“What are you doing to me?! Answer me!” Euclid demanded with more panic as his armor crumbled off him, no, it flaked into dust, the dust floating towards Issei’s form.
[Yes… yes!]
Ddraig shouted as he received the spare parts.
Issei had absolutely no idea how to repair his Sacred Gear, but he had to work with what Ddraig could get.
Issei’s Drekari Champion armor slowly reformed, some silver lining around the armor, signs of Divine Dividing attached to his most recent subspecies. Issei got a bonus due to Euclid being too greedy, fusing Divine Dividing with Boosted Gear.
Once Issei was done, he landed before Euclid who was stunned into disbelief despite his new fiery form.
“You…” Euclid’s face was priceless. His face was reflected from Issei’s newest Drekari Champion armor.
“Me.”
Then Euclid received a beating.
Water stream, Explosive Heart, Euclid was a dancing ragdoll enduring the beating of a lifetime.
[Boost!]
[Divide!]
Issei even had access to Divide now. He really, really, wanted to show this off to Vali now. Oh, the envy he would wring from his ‘rival.’
Issei punched Euclid to the ceiling, the Devil implanted in the stone, bloodied and bruised as Issei appeared before him, grabbed his bloodied face, and threw him back down.
Right beside Sycorax, surprising the ashen Queen.
Euclid coughed. He was at the boy’s mercy.
Issei brought his foot and stomped on Euclid, eliciting a pained cough.
“I can kill you right here.” Issei warned as he glanced at the ashen Queen. She flinched and grimaced. She knew that she had lost this war before it had even begun.
“…But right now, you’re more valuable as a prisoner of war. You have a lot of explaining to do, Euclid – Like about Stjarna.”
Euclid gritted his teeth but grunted when Issei pressed his weight, threatening to break his rib cage.
“If you think you can pull off a teleportation trick, know that I can blow your head off at the first sign.”
Euclid glared at his captor for a few more seconds until his body relaxed on the ground, he slowly put his hands up as a sign of his surrender. Confirming that Euclid would not fight anymore, Issei kept his foot on Euclid while he addressed everyone else.
“…This war, or whatever you want to call it – is over!” Issei announced, “I’ll make this short – Stand down and help me bring this guy in before he does something funny.”
Aside from Sycorax, Titania, and several others – to most elves, Issei was just another unknown. None of them favored Euclid, and both Queens were still standing.
Their thoughts were shared by Sycorax, who used the post-battle lull as an opportunity for her to lash her limbs to capture Titania. The Dark Elf Queen’s one arm was wrapped around Titania’s frame, with her other hand morphed into sharp claws and pressed against Titania’s jugular.
Titania grimaced and grunted, but the firmness of Sycorax’s hold and the latter’s expression prevented her from carelessly retaliating.
“You are correct, young man. This war is over.” Sycorax spoke to Issei, “You, your entourages, your allies, and that devil under your foot will serve as our prisoners of war until further notice.”
Issei deflated as he glared flatly at the queen, “…Really, woman? Now?! Are you even listening to yourself?!”
“Please forgive my sister, Mr. Hyoudou. She’s always been annoyingly stubborn. Defeat or surrender was never in her vocabulary.”
Titania apologized despite her situation – ignoring the brief glare from her sister, before she turned to address her subordinates.
“Do not worry for my safety! Stop my sister before she sinks too deep into the darkness!”
Sycorax hissed as Issei shot brief glances at the stubborn woman, preoccupied with keeping Euclid from using this opportunity to escape.
Griselda already summoned her Bow of Tristan at the ashen elf.
Kiyome and Rossweisse circled Sycorax as the queen growled, her royal demeanor degrading to a bestial low.
They were at a stalemate, with the strongest combatant tied to one prisoner, the others occupied with the hostage situation.
“DJAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!” Sycorax called out. “If you are watching this, I am in need of your aid! Whatever you ask, I will give the most forbidden arcane secrets, the right as King, anything in return!”
“Oh, you bitch!” Kiyome cussed as everyone looked around frantically.
If there was one that could reverse the situation, it was that bastard. Everyone was wary of Djall’s appearance while Sycorax waited for her opportunity.
“Young Master Djall, I know you never listen, but please, rescue me from this dilemma! Ignore the elf wench!” Euclid joined in.
“Shut up!” Issei stomped Euclid’s chest, forcing him to cough.
Dealing with Djall was the last thing Issei needed at that moment. If that bastard eats his core again, he would be harder to deal with.
“…And you think that is enough for me to aid you?”
Everyone minus Sycorax flinched at the voice.
Sycorax grinned when Djall melded into existence, walking in the same casual swagger.
“…Fuck.” Issei could not handle Djall and keep Euclid down simultaneously.
He walked over to Sycorax as she grinned in triumph.
“I can offer so much more… think about it. It is so much better than what Euclid offers. I can teach you so much more than what they can offer.”
She turned to Djall…
Djall was holding something in his hand, aimed at her. It was a handheld red canister of foreign make, his finger touching the top. Then he pressed the top button as something sprayed into her eyes.
“Gyaaaahhh!”
Sycorax’s scream echoed across the room, as the dark elf released her hold on Titania to nurse her burning eyes.
Everyone blinked at the sight of Sycorax thrashing on the ground with her hands over her eyes before they turned to Djall, who was grinning from ear to ear.
“Woo~!” Djall’s voice suddenly warped, “Did you see that? You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to use this baby I got from this place that midgardians called America!”
Everyone recognized that childish voice.
“…My king?” Titania stared at ‘Djall’ as he winked before his form shimmered, revealing Oberon, flying fairy boy smiling impishly.
“Ah ha! Did you really think we wouldn’t come here?! You guys left quite a lot of noise! We just had to check it out and see what’s up!”
Sycorax hissed as she straightened herself, glaring at Oberon with swollen, tear-stained eyes.
“You…!”
However, emerging from the shadows, Celiphrana and Ikala interposed between Sycorax and Titania.
The two elves stood side by side as they glared at Sycorax.
“Mother.”
Sycorax gritted her teeth, and her stoic fortress crumbled.
“Celiphrana, please. Assist me in apprehending these invaders.”
She ordered her daughter with an eerie, dreadful calm that pricked the skin of all that listened.
“I refuse.” Celiphrana drew her sword and aimed it at her. “…It is time. For you to surrender to the consequences of your actions.”
“Daughter, do you know what you’re doing?” Sycorax narrowed her reddened eyes.
“I do. I am bringing an end to this pointless war.” Celiph declared.
“You’re betraying our people.”
“No! I’m saving our people!” Celiphrana shouted at her mother’s retort. “I won’t let you lead our people to destruction anymore! Please! For once in your life, listen to the only family you have!”
Sycorax released a bitter laugh, “…Oh, you’re so naive. What you’re doing is taking away our chance to break away from this pointless balance! For too long we have lived in the shadows of the other realms! You are choosing weakness!”
“That is not a weakness.” Ikala stepped forward. “She is putting the lives of her subjects over their desires, for the good of all, not just the Dark Elves, but my people! You’re risking our unity for the sake of power! This… is the truth.”
“No.” Sycorax glowered. “I have come too far. There is still a chance.”
“Sister.” Titania’s gaze was gentle, sad. “You always believe that being a tree, to endure through and never falter you will overcome. But that fortitude also brings helplessness to the forces of change… it cannot withstand time forever.”
“This is different.”
“I know.”
Sycorax raised her hands at them.
Shadowy figures and hands rose from the ashen Queen’s shadow, rushing towards Celiphrana.
But Ikala stepped forward and fired her light magic, power from her mother’s bloodline as she banished Sycorax’s darkness.
Celiphrana summoned more as bulky hands emerged from the shadow, followed by a familiar mushroom hopping out of it.
Kiyome recognized ‘Little Mushroom’ and the same mushroom hulks that kidnapped her, standing beside Celiphrana in her support.
Issei had questions as to why the mushroom kidnappers were on Celiphrana’s side, but that was for later.
“This isn’t over… I am still the Queen.” Yet even in the face of such overwhelming odds, Sycorax’s stubbornness stood intact. “I still have my armies! And my secret weapons! I-”
She stopped upon sensing intruding magic entering her castle.
At the entrance of the palace, a teleportation circle appeared – It was Norse in origin and design.
The teleportation circle brought two faces she did not expect to see.
“…What have you done?” Sycorax hissed at her suspects – Issei, Rossweisse, Oberon, Ikala and Celiph.
“Ahh… I haven’t been here for so long! My, you have let the place go!”
Thor, the purple-haired Viking God of Thunder, arrived with Loki next to him, casually looking around. His eyes landed upon Rossweisse.
“Lord… Thor? Lord Loki as well?” Rossweise flapped her gums. She was so confused.
Why was the Thunder God and the God of Mischief here? They were no illusions. Oberon could not replicate the pressure of their presence and the feel of the valkyries’ aura.
Euclid panicked at the sight of the strongest man.
“…Dad?” Issei could barely believe the sight of his father standing with the Norse myth titans.
“Oh? He called you dad? Is that your son, Saitama?” Thor pointed at Issei in his special organic-themed armor.
“…Yeah.” The baldy in between them sighed.
Behind them were four Valkyries. They did not look stoic and disciplined, they look like they were dragged with them instead of being assigned to them out of duty.
They were smiling at the comical dialogue between Thor, Loki, and Saitama.
“Hahahahaha! Well, I would’ve commented on your son’s appearance not looking like you as my sons boasted if it were not for his armor, but his aura speaks much about him! Oh, and Rossweisse, how is your quest to woo the man of your dreams?!” Thor asked an outrageous question that garnered eyes from everyone.
“W-W-W-W-W-W-T-This isn’t the right time and place, Lord Thor!” Rossweisse stammered with a furious blush from her side.
“Hah, that is no longer true as long as we’re here. Interesting life forms.” Loki regarded Little Mushroom and the Mushroom Hulks. “But seriously, how is your quest? Brynhildr is suffering from your ‘I-am-still-single’ disease.”
“Lord Loki, this is not the time for jesting!” The lead Valkyrie behind Loki shouted at him with an equally furious blushing face.
“Oh, this is the best time for jesting.” Loki smiled with mischief.
“For once, I agree with you! Saitama, show them your rewards from Muspelheim!” Thor slapped Saitama’s shoulder with a hearty laugh as everyone stared at the baldy.
“…Dad, why are you here? With Loki and… Thor? That is Thor, right?” Issei pointed at the Thunder God.
“Yeah…” Saitama hung his head. “Came to check on you after I got a little lost. Azazel sent me here to help you out with stuff since I got time. Got lost in Hel’s place. Took a while to get here… so yeah, I’m here to help. Well, looks like you need help. Do you need it?”
Issei, Rossweisse, Kiyome, and Griselda nodded furiously at Saitama.
The baldy had a tendency to be late but his timing could not be better in this situation.
Celiphrana noticed the Baldy that stood among the titans of legends.
“…Who are you?” the dark elf princess asked, noticing the baldy.
Loki looked surprised, “My, I understand that you are cut off from affairs between realms, but to think you don’t know the face of the strongest man!”
The elven royalties blinked at the God of Mischief, before their eyes turned to the Strongest Man in question, blinking at him as well. Noticing the attention, Saitama’s expression turned a tad nervous as he nudged Loki’s side.
“Did you have to introduce me like that? That’s kind of embarrassing.” Saitama whispered.
“What game are you playing, Loki?” Sycorax demanded.
“Oh, nothing much. Just trying to convey that this man defeated Magni, Modi, Heimdall, Fenrir…. And Thor in a duel.” Loki answered with unnecessary drama to Saitama’s chagrin.
Thor laughed at Loki’s introduction.
“‘Tis true! He is the only person in the world that defeated the Great Red!”
The elves stared at Saitama.
“…Wait, what?” Oberon was the next to mutter.
They were too overwhelmed by the information right now. All of the seriousness drained from their faces, stupefied with dumb faces showing.
“Oh, and he’s the current King of Muspelheim.” Loki added.
The silence was deafening on this one.
“…You’re bloody joking. Loki, there’s a limit to your jokes! And I’m the one saying this!” Oberon commented with a frown.
“…Loki of Asgard… I believe you’re taking your jokes… too far… in a time where jokes are the last things we need.” Titania added, the light elf looking extremely skeptical.
“I am certainly not!” Loki exclaimed while puffing his chest smugly, “Saitama, why don’t you show them that new sword of yours?”
Saitama grimaced with a face that screamed ‘please don’t do this to me.’
“Come on, come on! Show your son that he’s now the Prince of the Fire Realm!” Thor smiled from ear to ear.
“..…Do I really have to do this?” Saitama asked with great reluctance. “I really don’t want to show this to the kids.”
“It is the only way to achieve peace without bloodshed. Show them their place.” Loki nudged.
“Yes, brother! Show them their place!” Thor bellowed with laughter, smiling from ear to ear.
Saitama sighed in resignation and held his hands out.
Out of nowhere, a pillar of flame gathered around Saitama’s hand and dispersed, revealing an onyx sword made of a mixture of rare minerals. Fiery runes lit on the flat of the surface as the sword came to life, lit aflame with white fire.
“…Dad? What’s going on? Since when do you use a magic sword?” Issei asked.
Euclid was just as confused as the rest of them.
“…The Sword of Surtr…” Sycorax gasped at the sight. “But… To wield that sword in your hands could only mean….!” Her eyes then went wide with apprehension and disbelief, “What have you done, human?!”
“Wait, what?” Kiyome was not sure if she heard that right.
Rossweisse smiled with condolences.
“…I believe it is time for me to explain.” Rossweisse sighed. “During his stay at Asgard, Saitama defeated the former King of Muspelheim and inherited his sword… after losing an eating contest against Thor. I was honor bound not to reveal this to you, Issei. He… begged for us not to tell you and his family about it.”
“What… Wait, what? Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa! You’re going to have to say that again because this is not something first-timers can get!” Issei demanded as he pointed at the baldy and his sword.
“…Yeah… I kind of didn’t want this in the first place.” Saitama sighed. “But yeah, turns out I’m now a king and stuff. Honestly, I kind of hate that Surtr guy for forcing this on me. I mean, seriously. I didn’t even mean to kill him.”
Loki clutched his stomach as he struggled not to laugh uncontrollably at the situation.
Thor was also struggling to contain his laughter.
The Valkyries aside from Rossweisse and Brynhildr could only giggle at the scene.
“…You defeated Surtr?” Issei repeated – He still could not wrap his head around the revelation that the dumb egghead could become king… And became king.
He knew his dad all his life and his dad suddenly dropped the bomb that he’s royalty now, it was so ridiculous. Actually, thinking about it, it was so him at the same time. But seriously, what the hell was the baldy up to when they’re not looking?
Griselda and Kiyome could only dart their heads back and forth between Issei and Saitama.
“…Yeah.” Saitama hung his head.
“…And he made you King? Of Muspelheim?” Issei continued.
“Yeah…” Saitama hung his head lower.
“And you got his fire sword as proof….”
“Yeaaah…” Saitama looked dejected as his head lowered further.
“What the fuck? Does… am I a prince now?” Issei wanted to laugh but he couldn’t.
The gods beside the egghead were having the time of their lives at the Baldy’s expense.
“…No, no no!” Sycorax shouted. “T-T-That cannot be true! You… That sword must be fake! It has to be!”
Titania and Oberon turned to Sycorax.
“…Is it fake?” Titania whispered.
“I don’t know, I hate Muspelheim!” Oberon whispered back. “It’s too hot there!”
Celiphrana and Ikala could only stare at the scene, unable to properly handle the bomb of information.
“H-H-Hey, Saitama! Show them – show them your Royal Army!” Thor elbowed Saitama once more as the baldy looked dead now.
“Kuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhu! Y-Y-Yes! S-Summon them! T-They must have missed their king for some time, after all!” Loki added as he elbowed the baldy from the other side.
“…I hate you guys so much. Fine, fine! I’ll do it!” Saitama, with an angry exasperated face, turned around and slashed at the air high behind the group.
A tear in reality appeared, heat spilled from the realm, a world that could only be described as a flaming, biblical hell seen through the window of reality.
A raucous titanic chorus resounded from the fiery hell.
[The King has called upon us!]
The elves could only let their jaws drop when they marched through the tear.
The first came a Fire Dragon.
It was not like Ddraig, a standard red dragon, this one was blazing blue, entering through the tear in reality, eyes of fire and shadow marking its reptilian pupils, roaring as it entered the fray.
This one bore a presence that matched that of Crom Cruach’s dragon form.
Then came the others.
More Fire Dragons, Fire Giants, and even Fire Elementals of titanic size entered through the portal.
“…My King. The availability of occupiable space around us is… limited.” The lead fire dragon that first entered mentioned.
The army of Muspelheim stopped their march upon seeing the cramped space of the decimated royal throne room.
“I know.” Saitama sighed before he glared at Loki. “I hope you’re happy. Now I have to deal with more annoying crap once this is all over.”
Loki broke down in laughter in response while Thor exploded with mirth.
Sycorax could only stare at the fiery army that invaded her throne room… with a face of absolute defeat for the first in many years.
The elves were speechless at the sight…
And Sycorax fell to her knees. Her indomitable spirit on this day had fallen.
And the day the Alliance won against the hidden forces of Khaos Brigade in Alfheim.
To be Continued….
Bonus: NEO Profile
Name: Issei Hyoudou
Gender: Male
Race: Human/Demon/Trihexa hybrid (undetermined).
Epithet/Nicknames: The Red Dragon Emperor, Son of The Strongest Man, Son of The Awakened One, The Red Empress (as Isami Hyoudou), Challenger (by Djall), Prince (by the natives of Muspelheim).
Hair color: Brown
Eye color: Brown (sometimes change due to Trihexa flesh replacing his burned eyes)
Relatives: Saitama Hyoudou (Father), Haruka Hyoudou (Mother), Genos (Uncle/God-father), Black Sperm (surrogate brother).
Powers & Abilities: Immense Strength, Speed, Endurance and Durability; Martial-Arts Expert (Water-Stream Rock Smashing Fist & Exploding Heart Release Fist), Magic, Senjutsu, Touki.
Equipment:
-Boosted Gear: The Gauntlet of Red Dragon Emperor which is one of the infamous god-killing Longinus Sacred Gears, and houses one of the Two Heavenly Dragons – Ddraig Y Goch, and is capable of doubling the wielder’s power every 10 seconds.
-Ascalon: The Dragon Slayer of St. George from Christian Legends. Deals lethal holy damage and critical damage to Dragons.
-Urn of Wei Cheng: Magic urn capable of containing and releasing energies. A wooden prismatic container that shoots out a cone of blue that captures and absorbs energy it touches like a black hole sucking light. Obtained from Binbougami’s safe house. Used against Malkuth of the Isshim and Rizevim.
-Katana: a standard Japanese sword that Issei won from Yuuto, made by Yuuto, after a bet. Basically it just deals holy and cursed damage, the quality is average.
-Chrysaor: The sword that slays evil. First rate lethal holy damage and extra critical damage against evil beings regardless of race. If evil enough, can bypass resistances and immunities. The sword was unique, a silver blade with golden grooves, the grooves forming the face of a maiden in prayer from the hilt to the tip while the hilt of the sword bore a golden flower pattern. Used chapter 48 against Bernae and later against Rizevim. The ultimate bane against Evil Vampires and Devils.
-Unidentified Crossbow: Issei got it from visiting Silver Sperm’s mansion. It was blessed by the World Turtle in Korea, said to be able to decimate armies.
Affiliations: Hyoudou Residence, Student Council (part time), Kuoh Academy, Occult Research Club Grigori, Underworld, Heaven, Mastema Tribe.
OxO
Name: Irina Shidou
Gender: Female
Race: Reincarnated Angel
Hair Color: Light brown
Eye Color: Violet
Relatives: Touji Shidou (father), Mirana Shidou (mother)
Powers & Abilities: Holy light powers, Prayers & Exorcisms, Magic, Flight, Advanced-level Swordsmanship, Hand-to-Hand, Enhanced/Angel physiology.
Equipments:
-Excalibur Mimic: one of the seven Excalibur fragments; a holy sword that has the ability to change its shape and form according to the user’s will.
–Clarent: the sword that was wielded by Mordred Pendragon – Knight of Treachery from Arthurian Legend. Gains power from negative emotions of everyone in the vicinity, lethal cursed damage, and magnifies negative emotions as well. Has the potential to become something more under the right wielder.
–Bow of Houyi: A legendary bow that fires exploding arrows of sunlight and holy light. A X-shaped bow with feathers decorating the four ends, an orange jade attached to the intersection of the X-quiver.
-A Murasame Sword: one of the holy swords made by the legendary Murasame, the master of the infamous Muramasa. A katana with a river pattern, able to ignore armor and other physical objects – even aura.
Affiliations: Hyoudou Residence, Kuoh Academy, Occult Research Club, Heaven.
XoX
Name: Xenovia Quarta
Gender: Female
Race: Reincarnated Angel
Hair Color: Blue
Eye color: Brown
Relatives: Griselda Quarta (Legal Guardian)
Powers & Abilities: Holy light powers, Prayers & Exorcisms, Magic, Flight, Advanced-level Swordsmanship, Hand-to-Hand, Enhanced/Angel physiology.
Equipments:
Excalibur Destruction: one of the seven Excalibur fragments; capable of unleashing a powerful destructive shockwave.
Joyeuse: A bastard, blue-hued silver sword with a cross-shaped handle. It had many abilities, able to cripple most devils with the slightest cut, but the most prominent power was its ability to absorb one ability or attack at a time and fire it back at the enemy. However, unknown to all, it has more abilities that could only be unlocked the stronger the wielder, the greater the wielder’s will becomes.
Durandal: The holy sword of Roland, the leader of The Twelve Paladins of Charlemagne Order.
Affiliations: Hyoudou Residence, Kuoh Academy, Occult Research Club, Heaven.
XoX
Name: Asia Argento
Gender: Female
Race: Reincarnated Angel
Hair color: Yellow
Eye color: Green
Relatives: Saitama & Haruka Hyoudou (Foster Parents), Genos (Honorary Uncle), Issei Hyoudou (Foster Brother)
Powers & Abilities: Holy light powers, Dragon Taming, Prayers & Exorcisms, Magic, Flight, enhanced/angel physiology.
Equipments:
-Twilight Healing: a Sacred Gear that allows her to heal wounds and injuries of any species, does not work on fatigue and illness.
-The Rod of Asclepius: A caduceus with golden serpents coiled around the blessed rod, a divine item of healing, a perfect item that exemplifies Asia’s character and way of life. Can cure illnesses and heal fatigue, amplified when used with Twilight Healing. Can regenerate limbs if used with Balance Breaker Twilight Healing.
Affiliations: Hyoudou Residence, Kuoh Academy, Occult Research Club, Heaven.
Thoughts on Issei pulling Serious Punch?
The profile is sort of a reminder of the twist we’ve done to the characters so far.
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