"What?! The power of Ddraig?! Apart from the absence of Ddraig's soul, this power is exactly the same as the Red Dragon Emperor's!"
Albion's voice echoed with genuine shock from within the Divine Dividing.
"I heard you mention before that the God of the Bible might have created undiscovered Sacred Gears. Your divine tool... could it be a copy of the Sacred Gear system itself?!"
Vali's eyes widened as he processed this possibility.
Generally speaking, only such an ability could awaken power nearly identical to the true Sekiryuutei!
"Who knows?" Takeyo replied with a cryptic smile, unwilling to reveal more.
He simply carried his two holy swords forward and closed in for close combat.
Although he was using the power of the Red Dragon Emperor's Gauntlet, Takeyo had a distinct advantage. Because his own divine weapons didn't carry the curse that plagued the traditional users of the Red Dragon Emperor and White Dragon Emperor, he wouldn't fall into an endless berserk state or lose control of his power!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The two warriors engaged in fierce aerial hand-to-hand combat, their armored forms clashing repeatedly!
But Vali quickly noticed something troubling. His own strength had declined somewhat from its peak at the beginning of the battle, yet the person in front of him... his power level didn't seem to have changed at all?!
After another massive impact, the two combatants separated once again.
Takeyo could sense that even though he had activated Juggernaut Drive, Vali's current mastery of the form still fell far short of his own capabilities. Even in terms of raw power, Vali couldn't match him.
Time to end this battle.
"Be careful!" Albion's warning came too late.
Before Vali could react properly, Takeyo moved to his side in an instant. There was hardly any charging time needed!
"EX... CALIBUR!"
A cannon of light brimming with destructive and purifying power generated instantaneously, sweeping toward Vali's armor!
The most essential requirement for using the Sword of Promised Victory was magical power, and Takeyo possessed magic in abundance.
[It possesses something that transcends the brilliance of the sun!]
[With this body...]
[The sun of salvation is in the world!]
At the same time, a brilliant white radiance shone from the jade embedded in Takeyo's chest armor!
[White Horse Kalki] Incarnation!
This was not merely the incarnation of the sun, but also possessed powerful sacred attributes and the authority of salvation itself!
Kalki, one of the ten incarnations of Vishnu and the final avatar yet to come. The image was that of a handsome warrior riding a white horse, wielding a flaming sword. The name carried meanings of "time," "indestructible," and "destroyer of filth."
According to prophecy, Kalki would appear at the end of the Kali Yuga era to eradicate all evil, end the corrupt old world, and establish a complete new order!
"Kgh!"
Vali barely managed to dodge the Sword of Promised Victory, but was immediately struck by the incarnation of White Horse Kalki!
The silver-white armor of the White Dragon Emperor instantly turned charred black! He fell directly from the sky, crashing toward the ground below!
"Yeah yeah yeah... Vali, it seems you're defeated," Takeyo observed, noting Vali's current condition.
The salvation sun of White Horse Kalki wasn't something just anyone could endure. Of course, there was another way to confirm the defeat beyond just visual observation.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for completing the plot sign-in! Sign-in level: Silver!]
[Sign-in plot: The Defeat of the White Dragon Emperor.]
[Sign-in task: The White Dragon Emperor is the destined rival of the Red Dragon Emperor. As the owner of both the Red Dragon Emperor's power and the White Dragon Emperor's potential, how could you not possess the strength to defeat him? Defeat the White Dragon Emperor Vali in direct combat!]
[Congratulations to the host for the reward: Divine tool template: Light Wings of the White Dragon Emperor!]
[Ding!]
[Fusion begins...]
[...]
[Fusion complete!]
This was quite something. Takeyo realized that Vali's power might actually be more suitable for him than Issei's abilities. Issei basically relied on infinite delusions and ambition to stimulate the full potential of his Sacred Gear, while Vali used pure talent to forcefully control his divine weapon.
Well, Takeyo decided not to continue beating Vali after receiving such a beneficial reward.
"Crack..."
Takeyo touched his armor and walked toward Vali, who was also dismissing his own damaged armor. The difference was that Vali had been forced to remove his, while Takeyo deactivated his voluntarily.
Although the energy consumption wasn't as severe as when using the Ultra-Limited Avatar, opening the forbidden hand form still drained him considerably. After all, he'd only used the Transboundary Incarnation twice not long ago, and his body hadn't fully recovered yet.
"Hm?"
Takeyo frowned as a layer of pale white light appeared around his body, forming a protective barrier!
"Clink!"
The sound was soft but distinct.
Takeyo stretched out two fingers toward the front and caught a golden holy sword between them.
The Holy King Sword Caliburn!
After seeing Vali's defeat, Arthur had worried that Takeyo might finish off Vali completely, so he'd drawn his sword to intervene.
"What?! He caught the Holy King Sword directly with his bare hand!"
Arthur felt his glasses nearly falling from his face. Was he wielding the legendary Holy King Sword, or just a burning stick?!
"This is simply the application of one's own vitality, magical power, and willpower. Don't worry, I won't kill Vali," Takeyo said with a smile.
He was still waiting for Vali to trigger other sign-in opportunities. How could he kill such a valuable resource? Besides, cough cough... Vali and Issei were a destined pair. He couldn't destroy that fateful connection!
"You're using magical power, vitality, and willpower..."
Arthur smiled bitterly and withdrew his Holy King Sword. If Takeyo had said his hands were specially modified or contained some artifact, that would have been easier to accept. But to say he'd just caught it with bare hands using only those three factors... could you at least give his Holy King Sword a bit of face?
"This is called fighting spirit. In theory, any race can practice it. Well, if you want to learn it, you can, as long as you're willing to train both your body and spirit to the extreme," Takeyo said while walking to Vali's side and examining him.
"Um... I can't even tell that your body has undergone extreme training," Arthur muttered inwardly, adjusting his gleaming glasses.
"Hey, Black Cat, shouldn't you come heal your boss?"
Takeyo glanced at Vali. Although his hair had been burned away, his life force remained quite vigorous.
"Don't call people so casually!" Kuroka said with dissatisfaction, but still moved to Vali's side.
Although Vali was a battle maniac, he usually treated his team members quite well.
"Senpai..."
Within moments after Kuroka teleported over, Koneko also ran onto the battlefield and rushed into Takeyo's arms.
"I believed... Senpai would definitely win! By the way, is Senpai injured? Do you need Senjutsu treatment?" Koneko asked with genuine concern.
"Hmm..."
Kuroka, who was in the middle of healing Vali, glanced at her sister with a helpless expression.
'Didn't you say you wouldn't use the power of cats? Now you're asking a man if he's injured and offering to treat him with Senjutsu? I know the saying goes that girls change when they're eighteen, but you wouldn't change your principles just because you have a man, would you? Are you going to end up like your sister, unable to resist using cat powers?'
"I'm fine," Takeyo said, smiling as he stroked Koneko's head affectionately.
"But..."
"Bonk!"
Takeyo tapped Koneko gently on the head.
"S-Senpai?" Koneko covered her head, a trace of tears filling her golden pupils. Why did he hit her? Had she done something wrong?
"Koneko, think about it, did you not listen to me?" Takeyo sighed.
'These two sisters are both textbook tsundere types. If I want them to understand each other, I need to force the issue.'
"Didn't I tell you last time that the next time you met your sister, you should communicate with her properly? Didn't I ask you to talk to her and ask her about what really happened?"
"Was your idea of communication just playing with toys?"
"Confiscated! Until you've completed the agreement with me!"
The cat toy in Takeyo's hand vanished into his storage.
"Huh?"
Koneko's eyes widened. When had it moved from her skirt pocket to Senpai's hand?!
"No more 'Huh?' Go ahead and complete the agreement with me..."
Takeyo gently pushed Koneko forward.
After defeating Vali himself, Koneko now had the qualifications to have an equal dialogue with Kuroka. The power dynamic had shifted enough that neither sister could claim superiority over the other's chosen ally.
"O-Okay... Senpai..."
Koneko thought for a moment, then walked slowly toward Kuroka.
"Sister, can I ask you a few questions?"
"Nya? Do you want to ask your big sister's permission before having children with that boy? No way, you have to wait until you reach your sister's age before you can have children," Kuroka teased, though there was an undercurrent of genuine upset in her tone.
She had the feeling that she'd lost her little sister to this man. That feeling... really bothered her!
"No, what I want to ask is about you, Sister..." Koneko said softly.
Then she asked the questions Takeyo had taught her to ask that day.
Why had her sister valued her so much, yet risked such enormous danger to kill her former master?
"This question... did that man over there teach you to ask it?" Kuroka asked seriously, her playful demeanor dropping away.
"Sister, you just need to tell me the reason..." Koneko said quietly.
"It seems you've found yourself a very capable man. Well, there's nothing I can't tell you."
"I killed that man because I simply found him disgusting."
"Disgusting?" Koneko didn't understand at all.
"Think about it, Shirone. If a man lusted after a ten-year-old girl and wanted to make her pregnant with his child... or even use that child's blood to produce offspring in batches?"
"Wouldn't such a person be so disgusting that even being cut into a thousand pieces would be too merciful?"
Kuroka squinted her eyes, as if remembering those terrible days before, thinking of the scum who had wanted to experiment on her little sister.
After listening to Kuroka's words, Koneko couldn't help but widen her golden pupils!
Sister! That's what my sister meant!
While the two sisters were talking, Le Fay also arrived on her magic broom, descending from the air.
"Hey! Big brother, can you show me your holy sword?" Le Fay jumped excitedly toward Takeyo.
"Um... blue and white..." Takeyo thought silently to himself, noting her choice of undergarments with his analytical abilities.
"Holy Sword? Which holy sword are you talking about?"
Takeyo directly materialized two holy swords in his hands, while countless more holy swords gradually appeared in the golden ripples behind him!
"Well, are you talking about this dragon-slaying sword? Or this sword of the archangels? Or the holy sword that killed the demon king? Or the holy sword that saved humanity? Or..."
"Are these all holy swords?!"
Le Fay took a step back instinctively. She felt that if she didn't retreat, she would definitely be cut by the sharp sword energy emanating from the holy blades!
"I'm talking about this one!"
Le Fay tremblingly pointed at the Sword of Promised Victory. It was this sword that made her feel quite familiar!
"Ah, this one? To be honest, I also forgot what this sword is for. Think about it, if a person has too many swords, isn't it normal to forget one or two?"
"Your Excellency Takeyo, we simply think that the aura of this holy sword is very similar to the holy sword of our Pendragon family," Arthur interjected politely.
"Well, there are divine tools presented by gods and Buddhas in my treasury. Maybe there are holy swords with similar origins to your family's swords?" Takeyo suggested.
"I see..."
Arthur nodded, though something still felt off in his heart. However, Takeyo didn't care about their speculation. He'd just received another notification from the system.
Judging from Koneko embracing Kuroka moments ago, the sisters had finally understood each other.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for triggering a plot sign-in! Sign-in level: Gold!]
[Sign-in plot: Black Cat and White Cat!]
[Black Cat and White Cat, a pair of sisters who have been tormented by fate. Help them untie the knots that have bound them for years.]
[Congratulations to the host for the reward: Top-tier Senjutsu Divine Gift!]
[Top-tier Senjutsu Divine Gift: When using Senjutsu and related techniques, self-consumption is reduced by 50%, and effects are increased by 50%. Greatly enhances your own vitality and magical power!]
Since Takeyo had now received this sign-in reward, it meant that Kuroka and Koneko (Shirone) had truly reconciled.
"The two sisters have worked things out. I thank you for taking care of Kuroka on behalf of Koneko. Does this wild cat often get into trouble?" Takeyo said to Arthur.
In terms of reliability, Arthur was probably the most dependable member of Vali's team. Vali himself was a battle-obsessed maniac who didn't want to worry about other matters during fights. Kuroka and Bikou were both troublemakers. Le Fay was still too young, and there were no other members for the time being.
It was likely that... Arthur felt exhausted many times dealing with them all...
"Sigh..."
After hearing Takeyo's words, Arthur just felt his nose getting a little sore.
Finally... finally someone who could understand him!
Of course, based on his character, he certainly wouldn't say that out loud.
"Kuroka's sister is also grateful for your care. You must have put in considerable effort to help their sisters understand each other," Arthur replied with understanding.
"Let's go, Koneko. Let's head back."
After the two sisters held each other for a long while before separating, Takeyo spoke up.
Now that Vali had been defeated, he had no intention of fighting Arthur. What he wanted to do now was simply go back and rest properly. Using the normal incarnation of [World Dragon Kurimo], the sacred heart of the divine tool World Dragon, wouldn't consume vitality or life force, but it did consume spiritual and physical stamina.
"I'll come back for Shirone one day," Kuroka declared as Takeyo took Koneko by the hand and prepared to leave.
"I don't want to go with Sister..." Koneko said while holding tightly to Takeyo.
Although she and her sister had reconciled, she still wanted to stay with Senpai and Buchou Rias!
"If you can manage it, and if you're not afraid of being kept as a domestic cat by me, then come ahead," Takeyo smiled.
Then he used the incarnation of [Dwarf Vamana], and with a single step, crossed from the Underworld to the human world.
"Is this your home, Koneko?"
In front of an ordinary house, Takeyo set Koneko down gently.
"Mm..." Koneko nodded softly.
This was property of Buchou's family in the human world, so she could use it. By the way, not only this small house, but the entire building was property of the Gremory family.
"Since you've reconciled with your sister, get a good night's sleep," Takeyo said, touching Koneko's head affectionately.
'As expected, compared to wild cats, domestic cats like Koneko are more obedient. Of course... wild cats also have their own unique charm.'
"Mm..."
Koneko nodded lightly but didn't move to go inside, even though the door was already open.
"Senpai... could you close your eyes?"
Koneko's eyelashes trembled slightly as she spoke in a mosquito-like weak but extremely earnest voice.
"If Koneko asks, then I have to do it," Takeyo smiled slightly and closed his eyes.
Koneko looked at Takeyo's face, her heartbeat speeding up to the extreme. Finally, she mustered up her courage and moved closer.
"Chu..."
With a soft sound, Takeyo smelled a pleasant scent, and then... he wasn't the type to remain passive...
A minute later, Koneko looked at Takeyo with his eyes still closed and patted him with a little dissatisfaction, her entire body covered in a layer of light pink flush.
Takeyo, receiving Koneko's signal, opened his eyes and looked at her.
"This is... This is a reward for Senpai for keeping his agreement..." Koneko stammered slightly.
Takeyo touched Koneko's head and smiled gently.
"What I promise, I will definitely fulfill."