"Then let's go."
Just as I took a step forward, Issei and the others stopped me.
"Wait, wait, wait, Ikki! Why are you casually about to run alongside Cao Cao?! He's a terrorist and an enemy, you know? Yeah, we heard he's currently under Indra, but that doesn't mean we can just fight together like it's normal!"
When I looked around, everyone else was also making rather complicated expressions.
"Well, yes… but then what do you suggest?" I asked. "If Cao Cao is here, he's obviously acting as Indra's agent. We can't exactly detain someone like that. And he's strong. Realistically, the only option is to keep him close under supervision while we move."
He was not someone ordinary angels could handle anyway.
"…Yeah. Fair enough," Issei finally admitted reluctantly.
He's adapting… Issei would've protested more aggressively before. He's grown.
"Haah… when Ophis visited before, Ikki accepted her immediately too," Rias sighed. "Where does that level of acceptance come from? Fine. Cao Cao, if you try anything suspicious, I'll erase you on the spot."
"Fufu… I have no intention of hostility at the moment," Cao Cao replied calmly. "Though I currently serve under Indra, my concept of 'heroism' was denied. I am, in a sense, searching for myself. In my current hollow state, challenging you would only end in defeat. However… opposing Kriemhild is not wrong—not as a hero, and not as a human. That is the only conclusion I can stand by. My enemy is Kriemhild. Does that satisfy you?"
"…You really are insufferable with how roundabout you speak," Rias muttered. "I still don't like you."
Still, everyone else reluctantly accepted his presence.
More manpower meant better odds.
And more importantly… he was a Super Devils.
Even if Lilith wasn't actively participating, caution was still necessary.
In the original timeline, Issei's group would've been defeated and Asia slapped by Rizevim… and then Fafnir would go berserk. But honestly, that slap always felt way too convenient. I don't want to rely on that kind of plot armor.
If I were Rizevim… I'd at least twist her organs with a gut punch to make her spit blood.
His malice was always so inconsistent and shallow.
"…! What is this feeling? A chill just ran through me…" Asia suddenly shivered.
"W-what?! Asia, are you okay?! Don't tell me someone's targeting you again!" Issei panicked.
"I-I'm fine… I might've just been nervous. Let's hurry and save Irina's father!"
That wasn't me… right? Probably.
We passed through the gate and ran through the central road of the Third Heaven toward the Fourth Heaven's entrance.
"…Strange," Yuuto murmured. "Kriemhild infiltrated from the Third Heaven, but there are hardly any Evil Dragons around."
Only a few scattered mass-produced dragons appeared before being cut down.
"The enemy being sparse is good news… but could we use this chance to infiltrate Agreas and place tracking spells?" Ravel suggested.
"That might've been ideal," Kuroka replied, "but it seems Agreas isn't even there anymore, nya."
"…Yeah. It feels like they already fled."
"Fled?" Issei frowned—
And at that exact moment, a man with black-and-gold hair stepped in front of us.
Everyone stopped instantly.
"Crom Cruach!" Rias called out.
"Fufufu… long time no see, D×D."
He smiled as if he had been waiting.
Before the tension could rise further—
"Looks like I made it in time?"
Another man arrived.
Crom Cruach's smile widened.
"The Joker of Heaven, huh. I've been wanting to fight you.".
"I've never seen the Joker of Heaven before," I said. "So that's Zenith Tempest—his 'Prison of Bright Heavenly Thunder.' The Longinus with the most destructive range."
"Mass-produced Evil Dragons don't care where they come from anyway," someone added.
"They're just disposable weapons."
"Then I'll ask once. Will you step aside?"
Crom Cruach shook his head.
"I have no reason to retreat. I want to taste all of you at your peak."
He raised his fists.
Dulio sighed.
"…Guess there's no avoiding it. I'll handle—"
"I'll stay too," I interrupted.
"…Ikki?" Dulio blinked.
"I'll take Crom Cruach with you," I said.
"…Fine then," Kuroka shrugged. "We'll leave it to you two, nya."
"Let us proceed ahead," Ravel agreed.
"Ikki-senpai doesn't act without reason," Shiroha added. "He must have a plan."
Their trust felt… warm.
Rias nodded.
"Alright. I trust you."
I turned back to Crom Cruach.
"So? Not satisfied with just the two of us?"
"You misunderstand," he replied calmly. "There is no opening in you. If I attack recklessly, I may lose my head."
He stepped aside.
"Go."
The path to the Fourth Heaven opened.
Everyone began moving through cautiously.
"…Ikki, are you sure about this?" Dulio asked.
"For someone bad at close combat, you'll need a frontliner," I replied. "And he's a dragon that loves punching things."
Crom Cruach chuckled.
"Interesting. Are you saying you can stop me?"
"Who knows?"
In the original story, Dulio would've fought alone… but the gap in strength was obvious. If Crom Cruach left him weakened here, stray dragons would finish him off. That would be pointless.
Dulio exhaled.
"Man… I kind of wanted to say 'leave this to me and go ahead' like a proper leader."
He smiled slightly.
"But having you here is reassuring."
Golden light erupted from his body.
"Balance Breaker!!"
His ten wings expanded—becoming twelve, shifting into radiant gold like a Seraph.
A halo formed above his head—now quadruple-layered.
The battlefield lit up.
And the fight for the Third Heaven Gate finally began.