After everyone boarded the elevator bound for Heaven, a sensation like being violently launched upward overtook us—and in the very next instant, we were standing atop the clouds.
How exactly do they even turn clouds into solid footing like this…?
That question lingered in my mind, but for now, we followed Irina-san and Griselda-san as they led us forward, straight toward an enormous, towering gate.
As we approached, the majestic doors slowly began to open.
"Welcome… to Heaven."
The moment we passed through the gates, the sight that greeted us was a world bathed in dazzling white.
The cloud-like ground beneath our feet was paved with white stone pathways, and even the buildings, constructed of stone, were overwhelmingly white.
The angels flying overhead spread pure white wings, and their attire was also predominantly white, accented only slightly with gold.
Even the light that poured down upon us shimmered in white.
In short, everything was white. White, white, and more white.
"Woooah!! This is incredible! It's like something out of a dream!"
"Yeah… I get what you mean. Though honestly, if I had to live here, I'd probably start craving a bit more color."
For angels who were born and raised here, this scenery was probably just normal. Nothing worth thinking twice about.
Well… Heaven isn't exactly a place people usually visit as tourists anyway.
As we looked around in awe at this unfamiliar world, Griselda-san began explaining things while guiding us forward.
"The Heaven is divided into seven layers. This place is the First Heaven, the lowest layer. It primarily serves as a workplace for angels.
The Fifth Heaven, which once housed the Grigori, the watchers assigned to monitor the children of God, has now been repurposed into a research facility. The 'Brave Saint' cards are also produced there."
Along the way, Irina pointed out a building floating atop the clouds, mentioning that she worked there as a reincarnated angel.
Eventually, we arrived at another "elevator" or rather, another gate.
From there, we ascended layer by layer, undergoing inspections at each checkpoint.
"The place where the souls of believers reside, what people commonly call 'Heaven' is located in the Third Heaven. Most of the souls there arrived before the peace treaty between the three factions was established.
For that reason, we ask that the devils refrain from visiting that area for now, as it may cause unnecessary confusion."
That made sense. A place filled with the souls of the dead would naturally include people from different eras, each with their own values.
And besides, it hasn't even been half a year since the peace was established.
"Also, the Fourth Heaven is known as the Garden of Eden, the place from the story of Adam and Eve!"
Adam and Eve, huh…
That reminds me, Shemhazai once tricked them into eating the fruit of knowledge…
The fruit of knowledge… I wonder if it really looks like an apple.
If it's such a beautiful garden, I bet it's maintained by angels who've been gardeners for thousands of years.
Personally, that's the place I'd most like to see but our destination was the Sixth Heaven, so we passed through and reached the Fifth instead.
Unlike the others, this layer had a noticeably different atmosphere. The buildings nearby looked like modern research facilities.
After quickly moving through, we passed the final checkpoint and approached the elevator to the Sixth Heaven. At that point, Griselda-san suddenly remembered something and gave us a warning.
"Oh, I almost forgot, Heaven is not very tolerant of worldly desires. The Sixth Heaven is the closest layer to the Seventh Heaven, where the 'System' exists and where only Seraphs may enter. Please refrain from harboring impure thoughts."
At that explanation, everyone's gaze immediately turned to Issei.
"If Issei-senpai starts thinking perverted thoughts, I will subdue him within five seconds."
"Ugh… Shirone-chan, you're so harsh…"
A very efficient method of calming the mind… via knockout.
After exiting the elevator and arriving in the Sixth Heaven, the first thing we saw was a massive wall stretching as far as the eye could see.
The gate ahead had to be at least 100 meters tall, and naturally, the surrounding walls were even higher.
Yeah… breaking through that would be a nightmare.
Even if supernatural beings could fly, I had no doubt that attempting to cross that wall without permission would trigger a brutally powerful interception system.
Passing through a gate that probably couldn't be breached even after a thousand years of battering rams, we soon caught sight of a radiant temple Cromned with a glowing halo.
"That is 'Zebel,' the central administrative facility of Heaven where the Seraphs reside. The Seventh Heaven above it is strictly off-limits to anyone but them, so this Sixth Heaven is the highest we can normally access."
Living right below where God once resided… yeah, I can see how that might lead to a fall from grace if you're not careful.
"Currently, Zebel is undergoing internal renovations to strengthen its defenses, so unfortunately, we won't be able to show you inside."
Ah, what a shame. It's not like we'd get another chance to come this far.
Though honestly, Heaven looks like it'd make a great tourist destination… if it weren't so fragile when it comes to worldly desires.
After leaving the path to Zebel and walking a bit further, we arrived at a garden filled with blooming flowers.
There, seated at a table, was Michael.
Noticing our arrival, he stood and greeted us warmly.
"It's been a while, everyone."
"It's an honor to see you again, Michael-sama. Thank you for inviting us."
Following President Rias's lead, we exchanged greetings and took our seats as instructed.
An angelic attendant served us tea.
"Now then, everyone, thank you for your hard work this year. I never imagined it would be such a turbulent one following the peace agreement.
The current peace in Heaven and the Underworld exists thanks to all of you. A year ago, I couldn't have imagined sharing tea in Heaven with devils and even humans.
On behalf of Heaven, I thank you."
As Michael spoke his words of appreciation—
…Yeah, except in a few days, Qliphoth is probably going to attack.
After that, we discussed the outline of the Christmas project with him.
"Yes, everything seems to be in order. The one who proposed this project should already be arriving in your town soon, so you can handle the finer details with them.
I won't keep you any longer, given your busy schedules. Let us conclude here."
With that, the meeting wrapped up and just as we were about to disperse, an angel dressed as Santa came running toward us from afar.
"Michael-samaaa!"
"Oh? Gabriel."
"Gabriel-sama!"
The one who appeared was the only female among the Four Great Seraphs—Gabriel.
She held a position similar to Michael for Irina, serving as Griselda's King.
With her wavy blonde hair, gentle drooping eyes, and soft, drawn-out voice, she gave off the impression of a calm, slightly airheaded beauty.
This was my first time meeting her in person.
"Oh my~? Griselda-chan, and everyone from 'D×D'? It's lovely to meet you. I am Gabriel, one of the Four Great Seraphs."
She bowed politely as she introduced herself.
"Gabriel-sama is the most beautiful woman in Heaven—and the strongest woman as well!"
Irina added enthusiastically.
Well, being the only female Seraph would naturally make her the strongest woman in Heaven.
Then suddenly—
A barrier made of angelic script formed around Issei, and an alarm began blaring.
"W-What the heck is this!?"
Michael answered with a wry smile.
"In Heaven, systems are in place to prevent angels from falling. If excessive worldly desires are detected, a barrier activates to suppress potential corruption.
It seems the barrier also reacts to devils… likely triggered by the Red Dragon Emperor's desires."
So meeting Gabriel caused his desires to spike, huh.
"Issei-senpai. Expel your impure thoughts within five seconds. Otherwise, I will send you to hell."
Physically!? You mean you're going to knock him out of Heaven!?
"H-Hey, Shirone-chan! You can't just say that! I mean, how am I supposed to instantly calm down after seeing such divine… heavenly assets!?"
"I see. Then please grit your teeth."
As Shirone cracked her fingers and approached Issei, I figured getting knocked out in Heaven might be a bit much—even for him.
Guess I'll help him out.
"Shirone, wait a second. I'll erase Issei's desires with just one sentence."
"Is that so, Ikki-senpai? …Alright, I'll leave it to you."