"Whatever I want, it's fine?" Issei swallowed hard, his voice tinged with disbelief. Did Vali really mean anything?
"Of course! As long as you have the power to defeat me!" Vali's eyes gleamed with fierce excitement. "Only the strong have that right!"
Seeing the battle intent burning in Issei's eyes, Vali's grin widened. The boy wasn't intimidated by the overwhelming gap in their current abilities, at the very least, he had the spirit worthy of being Vali's rival. That alone was enough.
"Alright, Ddraig!" Issei shouted, clenching his fist. "Our goal is set!"
"Oh! Partner!" Ddraig's voice resonated with enthusiasm from within the Boosted Gear.
The Welsh Dragon knew his host's temperament well, and he had no intention of stopping this burning desire. It had been far too long since they'd had a proper goal to strive for.
"Our objective, defeat the White Dragon Emperor, Vali!" Issei declared, pointing directly at his rival.
"ROAR!" Ddraig's powerful response echoed through the room, full of determination and fighting spirit.
Issei's expression grew serious as he looked at Vali. "Boss, you said before that Sacred Gears evolve and reach Balance Breaker through the wielder's desires, right?"
"That's correct," Takeyo confirmed with a slight smile, already sensing where this was going.
"Then..." Issei's voice rose with conviction. "Answer my delusions! Respond to my ambitions! Fulfill my desires!" He threw his arms wide, shouting toward the ceiling. "I am Issei Hyoudou, the man who will become the Harem King!"
His declaration rang through the room as he finally liberated the desires he'd kept restrained, letting them flow freely into his Sacred Gear.
And Ddraig responded.
"Yes! Partner! Congratulations, you've finally reached it!" The Welsh Dragon's voice carried a note of excitement rarely heard from the ancient being.
The Balance Breaker wasn't something that could be activated simply because the dragon agreed. Generally speaking, for a host to unlock it for the first time, they needed sufficient personal strength combined with a significant emotional catalyst.
Right now, that catalyst had manifested.
[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!]
[Balance Breaker: Boosted Gear Scale Mail!]
A majestic crimson aura erupted from Issei's body, surging wildly through the room!
Red armor plates covered his body completely, punctuated by glowing green gems that pulsed with power. The legendary armor of the Red Dragon Emperor had finally manifested.
"Oh! Not bad at all! What magnificent dragon spirit!" Vali's eyes blazed with eagerness, his whole body practically trembling with anticipation.
"Well done, Issei," Takeyo said approvingly, his smile carrying a hint of satisfaction. Everything had progressed almost exactly as he'd expected.
Issei had successfully unlocked his Balance Breaker, which meant Takeyo had also received a reward from his sign-in system.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for completing the daily plot check-in! Sign-in level: Silver!]
[Sign-in plot: The Awakening of the Red Dragon Emperor]
[Sign-in description: For the Red Dragon Emperor and the White Dragon Emperor to become lifelong friends and rivals, the Red Dragon Emperor's power must first awaken. Note: Must at least reach Balance Breaker level.]
[Congratulations to the host for receiving the reward, Sacred Gear Template: Boosted Gear of the Red Dragon Emperor!]
"Hmm? Something that corresponds to Ophis's template?" Takeyo's interest piqued.
He'd discovered that these templates weren't merely duplicates of the original Sacred Gears, they also granted him the corresponding characteristics when using the powers. For instance, Ophis's template represented infinity. Now, with the Red Dragon Emperor template, he should theoretically be able to develop powers related to the Sekiryuutei or even dragon flames.
Though admittedly, these abilities overlapped somewhat with the powers from his Incarnations of Vishnu...
"Fuse," he commanded mentally.
Since it was a Sacred Gear template, Takeyo employed the same method he'd used before.
[Ding!]
[Fusion beginning!]
[....]
[Fusion complete!]
"Now then, Issei Hyoudou! Would you like to play with me?" Vali could barely contain himself any longer. Weren't legendary rivals supposed to fight each other on sight?
"Sorry, but I have no intention of letting Issei fight you," Takeyo interrupted smoothly.
He waved his hand, and Issei vanished from the room entirely, replaced by a golden chess piece hovering in the air.
The God's Chess Pieces possessed the ability to swap positions between pieces at will. Takeyo had simply used one of the pieces he'd placed at Kuoh Academy earlier to exchange positions with Issei.
"What's the meaning of this?" Vali's eyes narrowed dangerously, his aura turning sharp and menacing.
You bring my rival before me, awaken his fighting spirit and mine, and now you teleport him away?! You'd better have a damn good explanation!
"It's not yet time for Issei to face you," Takeyo explained calmly. "Would you really feel proud defeating a Sekiryuutei who just awakened his Balance Breaker? Even if you won, there'd be no glory in it."
He met Vali's gaze evenly. "I won't let you leave empty-handed, though. So let me be your opponent instead."
Without using Juggernaut Drive and relying solely on Balance Breaker, Vali's strength wouldn't reach the Maou-class level. At best, he'd be at the lower end of the Maou-class spectrum, if not weaker.
At that level, Takeyo was confident he could give him a thorough beating.
Using the Tyrannosaurus form would probably leave permanent psychological scars on the poor dragon emperor.
"You..." Vali's eyes lit up with new interest.
Originally, he'd proposed this arrangement hoping Takeyo might agree to fight him eventually, but he hadn't expected Takeyo to suggest it himself!
"Interesting! The dragon aura emanating from you is unlike anything I've sensed before!" Vali's battle instincts flared. "Albion says he can feel traces of Ophis's power... Are you someone who obtained power from the Infinite Dragon God?"
"Not exactly," Takeyo replied smoothly. "The God of the Bible created countless Sacred Gears. Who's to say there aren't undiscovered ones out there?"
He intended to use the Sacred Gear explanation as a cover for his true abilities. This particular Sacred Gear, fused with both the Infinite Dragon God template and the Red Dragon Emperor template, originated from his World Dragon Kurimo power. No one would be able to identify its true nature.
"Oh? That makes this even more worth looking forward to!" Vali's excitement only grew. "Arthur! If you please!"
He turned to address his teammate.
This Arthur wasn't the legendary King Arthur himself, but rather someone who had inherited the name, bloodline, and holy sword of the Once and Future King.
"Understood," Arthur responded quietly.
The swordsman drew a holy sword, the Caliburn, the Sword in the Stone. Gathering his power, he swung the blade forward. The Holy King Sword, which possessed the ability to cut through space itself, opened a dimensional passage for them.
Moments later, they stood in an open clearing.
"This is a barren area of the Underworld," Arthur explained with gentlemanly courtesy. "No one should disturb you here. You may fight with confidence."
Takeyo and Vali faced each other across the desolate landscape.
"Ne ne! Shirone? Want to make a bet with your big sister?" Kuroka asked playfully, dangling a cat toy that kept drawing Koneko's eyes.
Since she couldn't overpower her sister in direct confrontation, Kuroka had monopolized the toy.
"What bet?" Koneko's eyes continued tracking the toy's movements with feline focus.
"If Vali wins, you have to come with your sister, nya~" Kuroka purred teasingly.
"I refuse," Koneko responded flatly.
"Aww~ Don't you have confidence in your man?" Kuroka's tone turned provocative as she attempted to goad her sister.
"It's not a question of confidence," Koneko said, narrowing her eyes. "I just don't want to go with you, Sister."
Her sister was terrible, she knew Koneko wanted to play with the toy too, but Kuroka dangled it right in front of her face. Every time Koneko couldn't control herself anymore, Kuroka would ask if she wanted to come with her, promising to let her play if she agreed.
As if I'd fall for that! Koneko thought stubbornly. This toy is from Takeyo-senpai!
She'd just wait a bit. After they returned home, she'd ask Takeyo-senpai to retrieve it. Then it would become her personal property!
"Actually, you can agree if you want, Koneko," Takeyo's voice cut through their banter.
"Senpai?" Koneko looked at him in surprise.
"But Koneko, if Vali wins and you have to go with your sister, then what happens if I win? Would you stay with Koneko in that case?" Takeyo turned his question toward Kuroka.
"Well... that depends on whether you can actually win..." Kuroka's voice faltered slightly.
After experiencing firsthand how Takeyo had grabbed her tail without her having the slightest ability to resist, she'd developed a healthy wariness of him.
"By the way, that toy you're holding belongs to Koneko," Takeyo said casually.
In an instant, he appeared beside Kuroka. Before she could react, he plucked the toy from her hands and tossed it to Koneko.
"If you're the kind of sister who steals toys from her own little sister, then go ahead and try to take it back."
With that, he vanished again, reappearing opposite Vali in the fighting arena.
"Mou!" Kuroka pouted, watching Koneko happily playing with the toy that had just been in her possession. Her eyes filled with frustration and unwillingness.
But she didn't dare try to snatch it back from Koneko, not with Takeyo watching.
"Such incredible speed," Albion's voice resonated from Vali's Sacred Gear. "I couldn't even perceive what method he used. Vali, be careful!"
"The more mysterious, the more valuable defeating him becomes!" Vali's eyes gleamed with fierce determination. "Albion, I think he has the qualifications to witness that!"
[Vanishing Dragon Balance Breaker!]
[Balance Breaker: Divine Dividing Scale Mail!]
The armor of the White Dragon Emperor materialized around Vali, its silvery-white plates gleaming with power.
"Don't worry, I'll show you what's truly refreshing soon enough!" Takeyo called out, watching Vali's eager preparation.
Although he understood that for battle maniacs like Vali, being beaten to within an inch of their life in combat was considered a form of pleasure, he still couldn't quite comprehend that mentality.
But... not understanding didn't mean he wouldn't enjoy beating Vali senseless!
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for triggering a plot check-in! Sign-in level: Silver!]
[Sign-in plot: Defeat of the White Dragon Emperor]
[Sign-in description: The White Dragon Emperor is the eternal rival of your peerage member. How can the owner of the Red Dragon Emperor not even possess the strength to defeat him? Defeat the White Dragon Emperor Vali in head-on combat!]
[Sign-in time limit: 1 day]
[Remaining time: 1 day]
"Vali, don't worry, I'll make sure you're thoroughly satisfied!" Takeyo declared.
[Kurma Dragon Balance Breaker!]
[Balance Breaker: World Dragon Armor, Uroboros Ophis Scale Mail!]
The platinum and azure armor once again covered Takeyo's body, its design reminiscent of infinity itself.
"Oh! I couldn't ask for more!" Vali's voice rang with exhilaration.
He launched himself into the air, staring directly at Takeyo.
Though this wasn't a duel with his eternal rival, his opponent was an unknown God Slayer who might also house a Heavenly Dragon's power! That alone was enough to set his blood racing!
Objectively speaking, Takeyo's Sacred Heart of the World Dragon far surpassed Vali's White Dragon Emperor's Wings.
After all, one provided power to someone who had recently reached intermediate-level demon strength, while the other enhanced someone already at the peak of high-class demon power.
In the end, both achieved Maou-class strength after transformation.
"Vali, I think losing to this power might actually be your long-cherished wish," Takeyo said cryptically.
"What do you mean?" Vali frowned, confused.
"It means..."
Takeyo smirked, and then the gems across his armor released an emerald green light!
[Red Dragon Emperor template: Loading!]
[Loading complete!]
[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!]
[Balance Breaker: Boosted Gear Scale Mail!]
The crimson dragon's aura melded into Takeyo's body, merging with his existing armor!
"That's Ddraig's presence!" Albion exclaimed in shock.
"But how is this possible? It was just on that other person!"
"This man's body... does carry Ddraig's power, but there's no trace of Ddraig's soul! What is going on?" Albion's confusion deepened.
Meanwhile, his host...
"Hahahaha!" Vali's laughter echoed across the wasteland.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd laughed so genuinely!
"Albion, I don't care if he's the Red Dragon Emperor or not. Compared to the Sekiryuutei, compared even to Cao Cao, this is the person I want to defeat more than anyone!"
After declaring this, Vali shot forward at speeds approaching instantaneous movement!
"BOOM!"
The collision of their fists created a sonic boom that shook the very air of the Underworld!
A ravine several kilometers long tore through the ground below them from the shockwave alone!
[Divide!]
With the activation of the White Dragon Emperor's Sacred Gear, blue light particles scattered from the wings on Vali's back.
Having absorbed Takeyo's power, Vali had immediately reached his absorption upper limit right from the start!
[Eternal!]
However, with the twinkling of Takeyo's white-gold gems, the lost power instantly restored itself!
Infinite and inexhaustible power!
"Vali, do you think your status as the descendant of the true Lucifer makes you proud?" Takeyo asked, shaking his head slightly.
He'd already confirmed that Vali had reached his upper limit after only one absorption.
With the Red Dragon Emperor template loaded, Takeyo had surpassed him.
"You even know about that? It seems I'm truly lucky today to meet you, a powerful human!" Vali's excitement only intensified.
Though he'd absorbed Devil chess pieces to advance his rank, in everyone's eyes, Takeyo remained fundamentally human.
"You'll regret meeting me soon enough," Takeyo warned.
Two swords radiating sacred aura extended from his armor.
Holy swords designed to slay devils! Holy swords meant to save humanity!
"You're a holy sword wielder too?! Just how many surprises do you have in store for me?" At this moment, Vali felt that the Red Dragon Emperor was nothing compared to this enigma before him!
From this day forward, you are my lifelong enemy!
Arthur, observing from the sidelines, fell into contemplative silence as he studied the two holy swords in Takeyo's hands.
He could feel the echo of the holy sword at his side and the stirring in his own bloodline.
"Brother, do you feel it too?" Le Fay touched her chest, her voice filled with wonder.
Ever since Takeyo had drawn those holy swords, she'd experienced a sense of closeness and nostalgia.
"I feel it," Arthur confirmed quietly. "And my instincts tell me that those holy swords surpass even the Caliburn in quality."
The Star Sacred Swords indeed exceeded this world's Holy King Sword in quality.
The Caliburn was probably equivalent to the original Artoria's Caliburn, but it still couldn't compare to the true King Arthur's Star Sacred Swords.
"Let's discuss it later," Arthur said, adjusting his glasses with a sigh. "For now, prepare to rescue Vali."
With those two holy swords, he suspected that whichever one struck Vali would hurt tremendously.
Though the devil bloodline granted Vali powerful magic and physical qualities, it also gave him the weaknesses of a devil!
"Albion, I think he possesses the qualifications to witness that!" Vali spat out a mouthful of blood, his armor cracked and damaged. "In fact, I think if I don't use it, I'll definitely lose."
Albion was desperately trying to repair the shattered armor.
A strange light had flashed in Takeyo's eyes moments ago, freezing Vali in place, after which the holy swords had struck directly!
"Vali, though I don't want you to become addicted to my power, it seems there's no other choice now!" Albion made his decision.
He knew this was an opponent that was almost impossible to defeat without using Juggernaut Drive!
"Takeyo! Let me show you my Juggernaut Drive!" Vali's voice rang with excitement.
"Hmm. Please, by all means," Takeyo replied with a smile.
[I, who am about to awaken, ]
[Am the Heavenly Dragon who has taken the principles of supremacy from God]
[I envy the "infinite" and I pursue the "dream" ]
[I shall become the White Dragon of Supremacy,]
[And I shall take you to the limits of white paradise!]
[Juggernaut Drive!]
Using his demonic power to suppress the grudges of the previous White Dragon Emperors sealed within the Sacred Gear and replacing the consumption of his life force, Vali could truly control Juggernaut Drive by himself!
However, though Juggernaut Drive was the ultimate technique that released the powerful souls sealed within the Sacred Gear, it didn't mean he could exert all their strength from when they were alive.
With Vali's current power, he could barely manage to perform at the middle to late stages of Maou-class level.
After all, the White Dragon Emperor wouldn't become a transcendent being until much later in the timeline. He was at least ten years away from being considered one of humanity's strongest candidates.
Honestly, with this level of strength, Takeyo could use his diversified powers to engage in head-on confrontation and simply wait for Vali to be unable to sustain Juggernaut Drive form.
However, he felt that to prevent Vali from constantly troubling him in the future, he couldn't use such a half-hearted victory method.
"Well then, I'll show you something interesting too!"
The gems across Takeyo's armor glowed with emerald green light, the radiance of the gems representing the Red Dragon Emperor!
[I, who am about to awaken, ]
[Am the Heavenly Dragon who has stolen the principles of domination from God, ]
[I laugh at the infinite, and grieve at the dream, ]
[I shall become the Red Dragon of Domination, ]
[And I shall sink you to the depths of the crimson purgatory!]
[Juggernaut Drive!]
Two humanoid dragon forms, one red, one white, materialized in the barren lands of the Underworld!
☆☆☆
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