To reach Touji-san in the Fifth Heaven, we need to pass through the gates of each layer… but the invaders who entered from the Third Heaven have already seized the gates leading to the Second and Fourth Heavens, and apparently, they're now attempting to capture the gate to the Fifth Heaven.
In short, the enemy has breached from the Second Heaven all the way to the Fifth.
The Second Heaven, being close to the First Heaven—the angels' forward operating base—is holding out with the angelic forces. However, Griselda-san believes the Qliphoth currently have the upper hand from the Third to Fifth Heavens.
The Sixth Heaven, where the angels' headquarters are located, has Michael-san and the other Seraphs on standby, so it reportedly hasn't been infiltrated. There was also a report that several Seraphs were heading to the Fifth Heaven as reinforcements. It's likely the Fifth Heaven should be able to hold its own.
However, the sheer number of Evil Dragons is far greater than during the Auros defense battle. Since we can't expect reinforcements, we have to face them with the forces remaining in Heaven.
"What's up with their combat strength…? Aren't there too many?" Alice groaned, sweeping aside Evil Dragons.
We were racing through the Second Heaven, aiming for the gate to the Third Heaven.
The Second Heaven is a world dominated by darkness. It's primarily a place for observing stars, and also where angels who committed sins are imprisoned. The dark world stretches endlessly, but with stars twinkling in the sky like a planetarium, it isn't complete darkness.
Through this Second Heaven sky, swarms of Evil Dragons flew.
"They have the Holy Grail, and on top of that, they have my replicated power. They must be using that!" I replied to Alice's question, punching away an incoming Evil Dragon.
Seeing thousands of Evil Dragons pouring in from the Third Heaven, my assumption probably wasn't far off. If they combined the power of transfer with the Holy Grail, it would be easy to amass this many.
"Ignis-san, just burn them all. It'd be over in an instant, wouldn't it?"
"I'd love to, but not in this chaotic melee… Besides, using Ignis in Heaven is forbidden. There's no telling what might happen to the 'System'."
If I used Ignis's power, we could probably turn this battle around instantly. But using Ignis in this situation, where Evil Dragons and angels are intermingled, would mean burning our allies too, so it's a no-go. Moreover, Ignis's abnormal heat might cause some kind of impact on Heaven... on the 'System'.
That's why Azazel-sensei told me to refrain from using Ignis in Heaven before we came here.
Miharu gave a wry smile, unleashing magic. "Overly powerful abilities can be quite a double-edged sword, huh…?"
"Absolutely."
[Even so, I'm toning down my power quite a bit, you know?]
" "Yeah, you're a cheat! Too much of a cheat, you are!" "
The siblings' shouts echoed through the Second Heaven!
I knew it! I knew this goddess was a cheat! I'd known it for ages! But when it's said out loud again, it just makes me want to scream!
Just go all out already! It'd be over in a flash, wouldn't it?!
[Of course. But will it be okay if everything gets scorched? I probably don't think this Heaven would remain in its original form.]
Sorry! I was wrong to say that! Please, just don't!
Anyway! Ignis's power is strictly forbidden in Heaven!
As we blasted through the Evil Dragons, the [Angel Brave Saint] members suddenly charged forward!
They formed a formation before the approaching hordes of Evil Dragons—
"Let's go! Formation! Full House!"
" " "Hah!" " "
The corresponding card numbers floated in the air and began to glow!
In an instant, immense light enveloped the [Angels]!
The [Angels], now empowered by the "Full House" hand, plunged into the Evil Dragon horde and swiftly annihilated them!
"I heard that Heaven's [Angels] could unleash immense power by forming formations, but this is quite something," Rias exclaimed, impressed by the sight.
Indeed, that ability is formidable. When they form a "hand" resembling a poker game, it boosts their power to an incredible degree. It would be troublesome if used in a Rating Game. Well, a Rating Game with angels is probably a long way off.
Griselda-san stopped and told us, "I'll stay here and command the front lines!"
Nodding at her words, we pressed on towards the gate to the Third Heaven.
And as we pushed forward, the gate came into view.
However—
Before the gate, we felt an evil presence from the darkness and stopped.
[Well, well, it's been a while.]
What appeared was a tree shaped like a dragon. One of the Evil Dragons that appeared with Grendel at Auros Academy.
"Ladon, huh…?"
[Indeed. It's been a while, current Red Dragon Emperor.]
Ladon was surrounded by a large contingent of Evil Dragons, completely blocking the gate.
I smirked mockingly and said to him, "Come to think of it... you ran away last time, didn't you? Some 'legendary' Evil Dragon you are."
[Ran away... Well, I suppose so. But if you saw your trump card, I believe anyone would make the same decision, wouldn't they?]
"I guess so. ...So? You're planning to fight this time?"
[Yes. You wouldn't be able to use that in Heaven, would you? Such a massive amount of power would surely affect the 'System'.]
So, they've come out banking on the fact that we can't use Ignis as a trump card. It must be Rizevim's or Asem's advice. No, it could be both.
Either way, we need to clear out Ladon and his massive Evil Dragon army now.
Judging by his aura, it's clear he's been strengthened since last time. He won't let us pass easily. His forte is defense and suppression. I wonder how much stronger his barriers have become...
With the members present, it's possible to take care of Ladon and the Evil Dragons blocking the gate.
However, this is an urgent situation. We don't have time to waste here.
This is where—
Then, Rias stepped forward.
"We'll hold them here. Issei, take your peerage, Irina, and also Asia and Xenovia."
Kiba, Akeno, and the others, as if understanding Rias's intentions, followed suit.
"Asem and other strong enemies are waiting in the layers ahead, aren't they? No, even Crom Cruach and the Crimson Flame Valburga are there. Considering that, it would be difficult for Irina to go ahead alone."
"Are you sending Asia just in case?"
"Yes. Sending Xenovia also serves as Asia's escort, and more importantly, they used to be a combo."
I see, Rias is reading the developments ahead.
Even if we get past here, formidable enemies like Asem are waiting. Among us, only we can handle them.
We'll stay here, and let Irina, Asia, and Xenovia go ahead to rescue Touji-san. If Asia summons Fafnir, the chances of saving Touji-san would significantly increase.
But this many enemies. Even with the Heavenly forces, can Rias and the others really push through...?
As if she sensed my worry, Rias smiled.
"Don't worry. If we're scared of enemies like these, we can't call ourselves members of [DxD]. Besides,"
Rias's entire body erupted with destructive power.
She looked a size or two larger than her usual self—
"Prepare yourself, Evil Dragon Ladon. I, who has been embraced by Issei, am—stronger!"
...
...
...Hm?
Eh, wait... Rias-saaaaaaaaan!?
Is that even relevant hereeeeeeeeeeee?!
Ah?! What kind of magic power is she unleashing?! I can see a Dragon of Destruction behind Rias!
"…Ri-Rias?"
I cautiously called out to her, and Rias smiled sweetly.
"So it's fine, Issei."
I'm sorry! It's not fine at all! Now I'm worried about something else entirely!
Well, my relationship with Rias and Rossweisse is already out in the open, but still!
"I see... so making babies with Issei comes with the bonus of a power-up too! Alright, let's end this commotion quickly and get to baby-making!"
See, here comes someone saying things like that!
"Xenovia! What are you saying that makes no sense?! And besides, we haven't gone as far as 'baby-making'!"
I was using protection! No babies were made! That's for when we're adults!
"Of course, Asia and Irina too!"
"Y-Yes! Issei-san, I look forward to it!"
"Th-That's right! Michael-sama went to all the trouble to create us! We have to use it!"
Are they telling me to handle three of them at once?!
I'm happy about it, really! But please, choose the right time and place for comments like that!
Suddenly, both my hands were gripped.
Looking down, Akeno held my right hand, and Koneko-chan held my left.
"I look forward to it as well, darling."
"No babies, but... I can practice with this body for now..."
The two of them joined in tooooooooooo!?
Koneko-chan! You're incredibly cute when you're fidgeting, but this is the time for a retort!
Ah, come to think of it, our designated tsukkomi hasn't been working!
"Kiba! Retort to themmmm!"
"Are you really throwing it to me there?! You're the main character!"
"There's no 'main character' in this! You've been slacking off lately!"
"I retort quite a lot, actually!?"
"Then, Gasper! You're in charge of retorts too!"
"M-Me?! That's i-impossible!"
"It's not impossible! You can do it!"
"That's right, Gasper-kun! You've overcome hardships before!"
" "From now on, let's do our best as retort agents!" "
"Hieeeeeee! Yuuto-senpai's character is collapsing!"
Alright, I got a retort from Gasper! See, you can do it!
Keep that up, and from now on, you'll be the one delivering the retorts!
The time has come to pass on the role of tsukkomi to the next generation!
"I don't want that kind of generational changeeeeee!"
"Can you stop reading my mind?!"
—And so, Gasper, the designated tsukkomi, was born.
Wait, is this really the time for this?! I completely forgot about Ladon and the Evil Dragon army!
I frantically looked back at Ladon.
Then—
"…It's been a while since my last appearance... You're still quite the serious-breakers, Red Dragon Emperor, and the Gremory peerage."
—!
We were genuinely startled by the man's appearance.
A young man, draped in a Hanfu, sighed as he tapped a spear emanating holy power against his shoulder.
The Holy Spear—one of the Divine Dividing Sacred Gears, the [True Longinus of Twilight].
During the previous Auros Academy defense battle, that spear suddenly descended, destroying the barrier that covered the town.
And this time, its owner stood right there!
We all spoke in unison—
" " " "When did you get here!?" " " "
"Just now! Wait, isn't that the wrong reaction!?"
Cao Cao's retort echoed through the Second Heaven's sky—.
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