Kazuki Fuwa's plan for rescuing Asia and escaping was about to commence.
Kazuki's strategy was divided into three phases.
The first phase involved Artoria destroying the barrier generator and Issei rescuing Asia. The slightest mistiming would spell failure. Everything rested on the two executing the operation and Kazuki, who was giving the commands.
The second phase was deploying defensive barriers. The responsibility fell on him, along with Akeno and Kuroka, the three wizard-types. They had to protect everyone from the explosion's blast and maintain the barriers until escape was complete, which promised to be quite the ordeal.
The third phase was escaping the temple. This was Kazuki's role. He planned to use the force of the explosion and gravity manipulation to make their getaway.
To say there were no anxieties would be a lie, but the die was already cast. All that remained was to trust their comrades and give it their all.
"How about it, Issei? Ready to go?"
"I've got the image in my head. I'll definitely make it a success!"
Issei touched Asia's body and waited. Asia's rescue depended entirely on Issei's hands. He seemed nervous yet intensely focused.
"Artoria, permission granted to use your Noble Phantasm. Destroy the barrier generator."
"Are you certain?"
"I intended to tell everyone eventually anyway. This just moves the schedule up a bit."
"Understood."
Finishing her exchange with Kazuki, Artoria raised her invisible sword. The atmosphere around the blade swirled, and a fierce wind began to howl.
The wind was so strong he instinctively closed his eyes. When the wind ceased, and he opened them again, a golden radiance was there.
"A golden... holy sword..."
The dazzling, brilliant golden sword in Artoria's hand. Its radiance, its aura—it was unmistakably a holy sword. But its rank was different from any holy sword he had seen before. It possessed an overwhelming "grade" that made even Xenovia's Durandal pale in comparison.
'What is that sword...? Even Xenovia's Durandal is a high-tier holy sword, but for something to surpass it... I only know of one such sword!?'
Yes, that was the most famous holy sword in history. The one that stood atop all holy swords, synonymous with the very concept. And the name of its wielder was also passed down as the "Legendary King."
Artoria raised the golden holy sword overhead and closed her eyes. Then, golden particles gathered from the surroundings towards the sword.
"The light..."
The gathered light made the sword shine even more powerfully, more blindingly.
"...This shining blade is that which connects past, present, and future—the sad, yet noble dream held by all warriors who fall on the battlefield in their final moments---"
Yumi's voice flowed. The poem she recited praised a certain king who wielded a holy sword. It was famous; Issei had read it too.
As a subject of the 'Holy Sword Project,' Yumi had likely heard of it. But why recite it now? Like him, she must have sensed Artoria's true identity. Her voice was tinged with reverence.
"...To take pride in that will, to uphold that faith with righteousness, now, the ever-victorious king loudly proclaims the true name of the miracle she holds. It is---"
Artoria's holy sword absorbed the gathered light, glowing to its absolute limit.
Having completed her preparations, Artoria opened her eyes, stepped forward with her left foot, and then---
"EXCALIBUR!!!"
An overwhelming light erupted from the sword swung down from above, destroying both the throne and the barrier generator beneath it.
"Now, Issei!"
"Sorry, Asia! 'Dress Break!!'"
Simultaneously, Issei used 'Dress Break' on Asia.
The effect of the technique caused Asia's already torn wedding dress to fly apart in shreds—along with the shackles binding her limbs.
Issei, holding the now-naked Asia, dashed towards them. 'Good, Asia is safe!' From here on, it was their turn. Along with Akeno and Kuroka, the three of them deployed triple-layered spherical defensive barriers about three meters in diameter. The moment the barriers were up, the explosion erupted.
'Damn, the blast is stronger than I thought---!?'
Swallowed by the explosion and sent flying, Kazuki felt a surge of panic, thinking the barriers wouldn't hold under this unexpected force. At that moment,
'Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!!'
"Boosted Gear Gift!!"
'Transfer!!'
Issei transferred power to them. An immense draconic force flowed in, strengthening the barriers. With this---!
"Let's go, everyone! Gravity Control, output max!!"
The final phase of the operation: using the explosion's momentum and the Gravity Control of Kazuki's Guyver to shoot up to the surface in one go!
DOOOOMMM!!!
A tremendous explosion occurred behind them, a mushroom cloud rising.
Enclosed within the spherical barrier, they floated in the air, watching the spectacle.
"Bringing us down."
Slowly descending towards the ground under Kazuki's gravity control. The moment they touched down, Rias and the others dispelled the barriers.
"Are we... saved...?"
Irina's voice finally brought looks of relief to everyone's faces.
Outside the temple, the mist barrier had vanished, offering an unobstructed view into the distance. Surely, their teacher and the others would come to their aid soon.
Relieved, Issei spoke to Asia, whom he was still holding.
"You're safe, Asia. Ah---"
"A-ah, please don't look too much..."
'That's right! Having received my 'Dress Break,' Asia is currently completely naked, starkers!'
The naked body of the girl he loved was right before his eyes. Even if told not to look, his gaze was drawn to it! Her modest but well-shaped breasts, slender waist, and plump, perky buttocks were being stored in his mind as precious footage.
'Whoa~, Asia likes me, right!? T-then it's okay if I touch her a little, right, yeah!!'
"Enough of that!"
Suddenly, the President hit him on the head.
'Why!?'
"Issei, you're making a face like a sex offender right now? Calm down a little!"
'Huh!? No way!?' But the face reflected in the small hand mirror Akeno quietly offered was that of a sex offender with a nosebleed, drool dripping, and bloodshot, gleaming eyes.
'Th-this is indefensible!' Seizing this moment, Asia had Artoria help her put on a yellow hooded coat.
"Dammit... Why do you have to lower your own hard-earned reputation!?"
Even Kazuki, having released his Guyver-suited armor, scolded him. Ugh, I'm such a...
"...But GOOD, you even achieved 'Balance Breaker,' and we got Asia back. You did well, Issei."
Kazuki lightly tapped the chest plate of his armor. 'Huh? Did senpai just... praise me?' Overwhelmed by this rare occurrence, joy welled up inside Issei.
"Yes, sir!!"
Issei raised his voice in pure elation. He was overjoyed at being praised by Kazuki.
Kazuki was Issei's idol and goal; being praised by him was an immense happiness. At that moment, Issei's armor dissipated, and he stumbled unsteadily.
'Is he injured!?'
"Issei-san!?"
Rushing to his side, Issei nodded to Asia to show he was okay.
"I'm fine. 'Balance Breaker' just takes a lot out of you. That's why I stumbled."
It seemed he'd just staggered from exhaustion. 'Thank goodness.'
Feeling relieved, she was suddenly gently embraced by Issei.
"I-Issei-san!?"
As she flustered at the sudden act, Issei spoke softly to her.
"Let's go home, Asia. To Mom and Dad... to our home. Let's go home together."
Tears welled up unexpectedly. 'Father and Mother.' The precious people who had cherished her, who had never known her own parents, as if she were their real daughter.
Asia had prepared herself for the possibility of never seeing them again. She wanted to see them soon...
"Yes, yes! Let's go home, Issei-san. To that place, our home, where Father and Mother are waiting---"
As she spoke those words, Asia's vision was suddenly dyed crimson.
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