Chapter 30 - Chapter 26: The Holy Maiden (III) - Dragon of Domination's Imperial Wrath

"It's about time." Rias announced and she stood up from her seat.

Everyone was sitting in the clubroom, preparing and waiting for the time of the Rating Game against Diodora Astaroth to start. They had trained hard, and the sparring session with Saitama last few days ago left unforgettable experience for them, both good and bad. Everyone was wearing their respective combat gear and Issei was sitting in one of the couches with Koneko sitting on his lap, munching sweets. As the boy kept his eyes closed, his brain recollected all the lesson and training he had been through, as well as Diodora's performance in his previous match. He quickly opened his eyes with determination once Rias stood up.

As everyone was getting ready inside the teleportation circle, Issei tapped into his Boosted Gear. "Are you ready, Ddraig?"

[…Yeah.] Despite the reply, Ddraig could not help but feel a bad premonition for a while.

Then the magic circle glowed, ready to transfer the devils into their designated location.

Issei actualy felt something was 'off' during the teleportation sequence. When his vision got a hold of his surroundings, he found himself and his friends to be transferred to a spacious place with pillars, ruins and temple that seemed belong to Greek mythology. While it should have been fine if the place were to be the stage of the Rating Game, what was the 'off' feeling he felt earlier?

"…Something is wrong." Rias' words caused everyone to go on high alert. But the most concerning part was…

"Where's Asia?" Xenovia asked as she realized the absence of the Bishop.

Just when everyone just acknowledged Asia's disappearance, Diodora appeared not far away from them with unconscious Asia in his arms.

"…Asia! Diodora Astaroth, what's the meaning of this?!"

Rias shouted while Issei was sporting an enraged expression as he summoned his Boosted Gear. "Let go of her, you bastard…!"

"Rias Gremory and Red Dragon Emperor… I shall take Asia Argento with me." Diodora calmly spoke as numerous magic circles glowed around Diodora.

"None of those are the symbol of Astaroth…. And all of them are different from each other. Could it be…!"

As figures began to appear from the magic circles, Yuuto stated his suspicion while brandishing his sword, while Akeno finally confirmed it as she coated her hand with lightning and thunder. "They are devils….. But they are supporters from Old Satan Faction of Khaos Brigade."

As the devils of Old Satan took their positions, one of them spoke up while glaring at Rias. "The blood relative of the annoying fake Satan, Gremory... We will have you perish here."

Diodora then took his turn to speak and he showed the army around him. "As you can see, all of you will die here by their hands… The agents of Khaos Brigade. No matter how powerful all of you are, you won't be able to take on this many number of High-class devils and Mid-class devils right? Hahahaha, so die! Perish right away."

"I'd like to see them try, you little shit…!" Issei glared at Diodora as he was about to attack at any moment. However, Issei hesitated as he never knew what kind of stunts Diodora might pull on Asia if he were to charge recklessly.

Rias then glared as well at Diodora while her aura started to build up. "Are you telling me you are connected to the Khaos Brigade? What a scum….! And you even defiled the game, so death would be fitting for you! More than that, you try to take away my adorable Asia away from me…!"

Diodora only laughed in return. "Fuhahahaha…! If I were to stay with them, then it seemed like I can do anything I want to whenever I want. Well, struggle as much as you want. I will become one with Asia while you are busy with them then. You know what I mean? Red Dragon Emperor, I will make Asia mine. If you are able to follow me, then come to the depth of that temple. You would be able to see something magnificent."

Issei gritted his teeth as his anger increased. However, Xenovia suddenly dashed forward with her hand outstretched. "Kiba, the Ascalon!"

Yuuto immediately summoned the Dragon Slayer and tossed it towards Xenovia. The girl caught the sword skilfully, and she immediately charged at Diodora with rage burning in her eyes. "Let go of my friend!"

It was an arsenal that Xenovia and Yuuto came up with after they had discussed how volatile Durandal could be with its wielder to be someone who relies on destructive force like Xenovia. With Asia as a hostage, using Ascalon instead of Durandal could avoid the risk of collateral damage.

Diodora immediately released his demonic power to intercept Xenovia, resulting the girl to lose her stance. However, Xenovia managed to release an arc of holy aura towards the devil. But alas, Diodora managed to dodge it swiftly up in the air. The space near Diodora then distorted as the man made his escape with Asia in his captive.

Seeing Diodora and Asia's figure started to disappear, Issei finally took a step. "Oh, no, you don't!" The boy charged forward, but suddenly several devils from Old Satan Faction appeared and got in his way, obscuring Issei's view from his target. They brandished their swords and spears, ready to impale the boy.

"Get out of the way!"

Issei roared and he instantly delivered bone-crushing blows on the devils as the enemy were slammed to the ground and launched to the air. However, when the obstruction had been dealt with, Diodora and Asia had vanished from sight. "Dammit all!" Issei cursed as he missed the chance to rescue Asia.

A hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder just when Issei was about to run towards the temple Diodora mentioned earlier. "Ise-kun!" The boy turned to see Yuuto was giving him a reprimanding look, followed by Rias who finally caught up with them. "Ise, I know you are angry. All of us are. But you have to stay calm! Going blindly like this is exactly what Diodora wants! Take care of the enemies here first and we can focus on rescuing Asia!" As if reading Issei's line of thought, Rias chided his pawn with her reasoning.

Issei looked over his friends, who also gave him the same pleading and reprimanding look as Rias. Looking at the temple one more time, Issei took a deep breath and turned his attention towards the devils that were surrounding the Gremory group.

The devils then proceeded to activate their magic. Taken aback after had seen Issei easily defeated several of their peers, the devils of Old Satan Faction decided to use ranged-attacks.

While everyone was prepared to retaliate and Issei was about to use his Balance Breaker, Akeno's scream suddenly was heard. Everyone turned around and saw a one-eyed old man in a robe was lifting up Akeno's skirt and looking at her panties.

"Hmm…. Nice ass. More than that, the curviness only the young ones have is irresistible." The Chief God of Norse, Odin, commented at Akeno's assets with lecherous, yet analytical eyes.

Issei quickly pulled Akeno away from the old god and gave a glare. "Where the hell did you pop out from?!"

"Lord Odin! Why are you here?" Rias asked with surprised expression.

"Hmm. It will be long if I explain it, but to put it simply, this game has been taken over by the Khaos Brigade." Odin replied while stroking his beard. "The game committee and those from different factions are cooperating to take them on. Well, we know up to the fact that Diodora Astaroth was allied with the Old Satan faction behind the shadows. He must have received the snake from Ophis, which resulted in his sudden power increase. Then it will be dangerous for you guys right? So you needed some help. But this game field has been covered by a powerful barrier. So it would be hard for normal people to break or go through the barrier. Especially destroying it would be really hard. We can't do anything unless we stop the one who turned the barrier on from the inside."

"Then how did you get in?" Issei asked.

"When I gave one of my eyes to the Mímisbrunnr, I became familiar with these types of demonic-powers, magics, and other spells. The same applies for barriers too." Odin replied and showed his supposedly missing left eye. Crystal was filling the eye socket and magical letters ingrained in the crystal glowed and popped up. The occurring symbol caused chills to run down everyone's spine upon sight.

"The enemy is the Chief God of the Norse! Our name will rise if we take his head!" one of enemy troops declared, and blinded by false self-esteem, the army of Old Satan Faction began to fire numerous blocks of demonic power.

Seeing the incoming attack, Odin just hit his rod onto the ground, and the attacks were repelled and perished in result. Odin then turned his attention back to the now-astonished Gremory group. "Hohohoho, Normally, I can break the barrier with my power but I could only enter here….. Hmm, so what kind of enemy did this? Though I was told by that brat, Azazel to give this to you. To be making an old man work this much, what should I do with that brat afterwards….." The elder god gave communication devices to the young devils.

"Go, leave this place to this geezer and run towards the temple. I'm saying this geezer will be standing in the battlefield to cover you young'uns. This is a big privilege you know?" Odin then pointed his rod towards the youngsters and the Gremory group was enveloped in a small divine aura. "That should protect all of you for a while. Now go, go."

Odin turned towards the enemy army again, and his rod transformed into a spear. The god then pointed his spear towards the army and he released a single word. "…Gungnir."

BOOOOMM!

Large amount of devils from Old Satan Faction perished into oblivion from the sheer blast of Odin's divine power. "What are you waiting for? Go! Old geezers like me need to work out sometimes too, you know!?" Odin said one more time to Rias Gremory's peerage before he addressed the enemy forces. "Now then, terrorist devils… Come at me with all your might. This geezer here is stronger than you can imagine."

After seeing Odin's display of power, the enemy forces had lost good deal of their morale. Rias herself did not waste any more time as she quickly remembered what she had to do. "I apologise! I will leave this place to you!" she bowed towards Odin and she addressed her peerage. "Let's go! We will run towards the temple!"

"YEAH!"

While the team was making their way towards the temple where Diodora and Asia were, they received a transmission on the communication devices they got from Odin.

"Are you guys alright? This is Azazel. Looks like you received this from that geezer Odin." A familiar voice said. "I know that there are things you want to say, but hear me out. This Rating Game has received an assault from the Old Satan faction of the Khaos Brigade. The field you guys are at, and the special field where the VIP room is, are flooded with devils from the Old Satan faction. But this is something we anticipated before hand. Currently, all the pantheons within alliance are working together to defeat the Old Satan faction."

Everyone finally arrived at the entrance to the inner temple as Azazel continued his briefing. "Lately, those who are related to the current devil kings started to die mysteriously. The ones who were behind it are the Old Satan faction of the Khaos Brigade. It was told that the heir of the Glasya-Labolas died in an accident, but in reality the Old Satan factions got a drop on him. And the master-mind behind those deaths are the descendants of the original Beelzebub and Asmodeus. Just like Katerea Leviathan that I defeated, the hatred the Old Satan faction has towards the current devils government is great. By terrorising this game, they tried to shake the World as a start by killing and showing the dead bodies of those related to the current Satan. There isn't a better occasion to attack than this. Bad anticipation's could be seen, ever since the match between Astaroth and Agares."

Everyone took in the information as they finally figured out that the Rating Game that day had been targeted since the beginning. The terrorist also marked the leaders of the alliance, as well as their relatives as their targets. That also included Rias Gremory, the little sister of current Lucifer who was supposed to show up on stage. "Then have you found the reason behind Diodora's sudden increase of demonic power?" the said young woman asked to Azazel.

"He must have borrowed Ophis's power. They also must not have thought that Diodora would have used that power during the game. That's why by adding that with the incident with Glasya-Labolas, we anticipated that something would happen in this match. But they didn't change their plan at all."

Everyone then grimaced at Diodora's dirty play on his previous match against Seekvaira Agares.

"To them, as long as they can finish us off, anything else is a free-game. Even for us, this is a chance we can't normally hope for. It's a good time to crush the Old Satan faction who seems like they will give negative influence to the world. Odin, Greek Gods, and Gods from Sakra's side are also planning to annihilate the terrorists. We told the bosses of each faction in secret about the possibility of a terrorist attack occurring, and we asked them whether they would participate for this plan. All of them decided to cooperate. All the pantheons are thinking about winning. Right now, everyone is rampaging against the devils of Old Satan faction."

There was a pause, as Azazel gave the youngsters some time to let the information soaked in, then his spoke again with rather regretful tone. "I'm sorry Rias. I said War wouldn't happen that often, but look at what's happening now. We made you guys fall in such danger. We wanted to have them move before the start of the game. We thought they would appear then, and like we thought it did. But it's certain that we sent you to a dangerous zone. I thought of this plan by persuading The Four Great Satans and Saitama. I wanted to bring out the Old Satan faction no matter what."

Knowing that his father was also taking part in this plan, Issei then asked. "What would have you done if we died in the process?"

There was another pause, before Azazel spoke up again. "…Then I'll have to face everyone's anger, including your father's. I was planning to take proper responsibility for it. If my life is needed to make up for it, then I would have done that."

Putting Azazel's determination to put his life on the line aside, Issei had to tell Azazel about what happened earlier. "Sensei, Asia was taken away by Diodora."

From the other end of the line, Azazel was surprised at the development. "…I see. Either way, I can't have you guys stay there any longer. Leave Asia to us. It will turn into a battlefield over there. The devils of Old Satan faction are continuously being teleported there by the magic-circle. There is a hidden basement in that temple. It's made to be very sturdy. Hide there until things settle down. We will eliminate the rest of the terrorists. This field is made by the Longinus possessor who belongs to the Khaos Brigade. You can somehow enter inside, but it's near impossible to leave from there. Longinus 'Dimension Lost'... It exceeds among the Sacred Gears that are related to barriers and space, so even that geezer, Odin, who specialises in that department can't destroy it."

"Are you also in the battlefield, sensei?" Issei asked again.

"Yeah, I'm inside the field. It is a really big field, so I'm far from you guys. Oh, and your dad is also here. But I can't let him steal the thunder after we had managed to gain a lot of supporters, so I sent him to another area with some of our subordinates to keep an eye on him."

Issei looked at his friends, whom nodded in return with resolute looks, then he replied to Azazel. "Alright, then we will go ahead and save Asia."

"…Do you know what kind of situation is taking place right now?" Azazel's voice was mixed with anger this time.

"Yeah, we do. And you want us to sit down and do nothing while our own family is in danger? That's just not in our book." Issei replied with steel in his voice.

Rias also gave her own two cents. "Azazel-sensei. I'm sorry, but we will continue to go forward inside the temple to save Asia. The game is cancelled, but I won't agree to it if we don't settle this with Diodora. I need to teach him how foolish it is to take my servant away from me!"

Azazel did not say anything in return so far, signifying that he was contemplating. Meanwhile, Akeno also gave her own input. "Azazel-sensei. We have the right to use our power against those who do suspicious actions within the Three-Great-Power alliances correct? You know Diodora showed rebellious actions towards the current government?"

Azazel finally relented. "….Sheesh, you all are such a stubborn brats… Fine, then. There won't be any restrictions this time around. That is why there isn't anything that will hold your powers back. Go and rampage to your hearts content! Especially Ise! Show the power of Red Dragon Emperor to that traitorous brat, Diodora!"

Everyone chorused with heated voice. "YEAH!"

"One last thing, and listen well. They started this while knowing that we started to get the gist about their plan. In other words their plan is something that won't be affected even with us knowing about it."

"Does it mean…" Issei trailed off, and Rias finished the sentence. "The terrorists finally attacked because they have something up their sleeve?"

"Yeah. We don't know what it is, but it is certain that this field is dangerous. The game has stopped, so there isn't any retiring. Even if you guys get in a dangerous situation, there is no way to help you so keep that in mind; so be careful."

The communication ended, then Rias turned to her Rook. "Koneko, can you locate Asia?"

The petite girl then activated her Nekoshou mode after using her abilities, she pointed towards the end of the building. "I can sense Asia-senpai and Diodora Astaroth from there."

Everyone then ran again, and while on the move, Issei wondered. "Are you fighting too, right now… Dad?"

Inside an endless, spacious space filled with giant pillars of the temple, Rias Gremory's peerage made it to their first checkpoint as they encountered 10 small-built people wearing robes.

"Greetings, Rias Gremory and her servants." Diodora's voice then came out and echoed across the hall. "Currently, I'm waiting at the end of another temple for all of you. So, let's play. It's a substitute for our cancelled Rating Game."

Issei could not care less about Diodora's challenge and would rather to storm the place and reach where Asia was being held as soon as he could. But one look from Rias was enough to tell him not to risk Asia's safety and Issei would have to follow whatever Diodora was planning for now.

"Let's have a match while using our 'pieces'. The rule is that you can't use the same pieces again until you reach where I am at. Other than that, anything is fine. For the first match, I will be sending my 8 Pawns and 2 Rooks. By the way, all of my Pawns have promoted to a Queen. Fufufu, it's 8 Queens from the beginning but that should be fine for Rias Gremory who possesses powerful servants."

As if on cue, the 10 individuals took off their robes, revealing themselves as 10 young women clad in their battle gear.

"…Very well." Rias replied. "I will play along with your nonsense. I will carve into your head, just how powerful my group is."

Issei was expecting his master to send him out, instead…

"Yuuto, Xenovia, Koneko and Gasper. You four will go out there." Rias declared. Receiving a look from Issei.

However, before the pawn could have said anything, his shoulder was patted by Yuuto, whom was sporting a confident smile. "Just leave this to us, Ise-kun."

Xenovia also followed suit. "We didn't train with you and Saitama-dono for nothing, you know?" she then brandished her Durandal.

"Ise-senpai." Koneko did not say anything else much as she only nodded at Issei before she proceeded towards the stage.

"I-I will do my best! I'm also a man of Rias Gremory's peerage!" Gasper, albeit nervous, had gathered his courage to fight along side his friends.

Issei could not help but smile at his friends. For some reasons he just could not see that Yuuto, Xenovia, Koneko and Gasper would definitely win. But speaking of Gasper…

"Ah, wait a second, Gasper!" Issei placed his hand on the dhampire's shoulder. Issei then bit the skin of the tip of his thumb, and he offered his now bleeding finger towards Gasper. "Here, you go. Consider this for good luck."

Gasper hesitated for a second, but he then drank Issei's blood. Soon his body was letting out a strange aura, his red eyes shone mysteriously, signifying that Gasper's power had increased.

Everyone was ready. Those who were chosen from Rias' side were now arrived before the enemy forces, with the following order: Koneko, Yuuto, Xenovia and Gasper standing side by side, Koneko and Gasper were slightly behind the two knights as Yuuto and Xenovia served as the tip of the spear. The battle immediately started once everyone got into position. For starters, the two enemy Rooks were the ones who lounged first towards Yuuto and Xenovia.

For Yuuto and Xenovia, time seemed to slow down around them as they found that the incoming Rooks were painfully slow in their perception. Yuuto, having been taught discipline and the way of the sword since young age, closed his eyes in concentration as he intended to defeat a female Rook in front of him with a single blow. He placed the sword in front of him, and he focused everything he could offer into the blade as he breathed in and out.

Xenovia, however, while she was also focusing her intention into the blade, something else was also occurring in her mind.

"…I never had someone whom I could call a friend. That's because I thought I could live without such people. I thought I could live if I had the love of God."

The female Rook in front of the blue haired knight kept closing the distance, albeit still in painfully slow pace.

"Then friendly people started to come around me… Especially Asia. She called me her 'friend' with her smile always there… Even after I had treated her horribly in our first meeting, she kept coming and talking to me as if nothing happened, and she still sees me as her friend even now…!"

Xenovia's aura began to increase its density, as well as her Durandal's holy power.

"If Asia were to disappear, if I lose Asia, I…! That's why! Give me the power to save my friend! Respond to my feelings…!"

It was the moment when the two enemy Rooks were entering Yuuto and Xenovia's range. Both knights then snapped their eyes open and unleashed their counter-attack.

"…DURANDAL!"

SLASH!

Everything happened in a blink of an eye as Xenovia roared the name of her sword. At one second, everyone was looking at Diodora's two Rooks attacking the seemingly defenceless Knights of Rias. One second after, everyone saw Yuuto and Xenovia had cut down the two Rooks with their swords. In addition, while Xenovia was taking down the Rook before her, she also sent an arc of Durandal's aura towards the group of Diodora's Pawns.

BOOM!

The destructive attack caused an explosion that echoed across the hall as it hit its intended target. Unfortunately, the enemy Pawns managed to dodge in a nick of time thanks to their Queen enhancements. On the cue, all 8 girls began to scatter around the hall in high speed, making a certain pattern, then changed their movement pattern again periodically.

"Regroup!" Yuuto called out and the other three immediately gathered around in triangular formation with Gasper in the centre of them.

The enemy pawns began attacking by firing off some demonic power at Rias' Knights, Rook and Bishop, but Yuuto and Xenovia defended themselves easily with their swords, while Koneko was not affected by much thanks to her trait as a Rook.

Soon some of the pawns began to launch some guerrilla attacks. They sent some punches and kicks at Yuuto, Xenovia and Koneko before they immediately leapt away and ran around the hall again. The latter began to fire her Senjutsu towards the enemy as she was the only one with a real means for long-ranged attacks. However, the enemy Pawns could easily dodged Koneko's shots.

"Hmm… Coordinated attacks… With their movement as if they were united as well as the speed enhancement from promotion, things could get ugly. Any ideas?" Xenovia voiced her concerns.

Yuuto did not reply as he assessed the situation around him. Should they break the formation and deal the enemy individually? The enemy still possessed superior numbers, and Gasper was not a combatant type. But if they kept their position for too long, things could get ugly for them as Xenovia had said. "In that case, let's use 'that'. Just as we've practiced." The handsome Knight finally voiced his idea.

"'That', huh? Well, that can work. But with the preparation we'll have to go through, the enemy might anticipate it. We need a distraction, a diversion."

"L-leave it to me!" Gasper volunteered as he prepared to use his power. "K-Koneko-chan, cover me!"

Albeit scared and nervous like nobody's business, Gasper activated his vampire ability as his body transformed into a flock of bats and began to fly around, storming the enemy forces in the process.

Vampires possess an ability to turn themselves into a bat or flocks of them, and the size of the flock is determined by the size of the vampire's body itself. This ability allows them to be somewhat 'intangible' and to disorient as well as distract the enemy by the sheer numbers of the bats. There were cases where a vampire was outnumbered, and to increase the size of his/her 'flock' of bats, the vampire would summon and manipulate the wild bats in the area and fused them with his/her body, making the size of the flock looked bigger than its supposed size.

However, there were some 'worse' cases when a vampire was completely on his/her own, and in order to appear as a bigger flock of bats, the vampire would sometimes use magic to make illusory bats.

Being a Mutated Bishop, Gasper had already possessed a massive amount of magic reserve and talent. When he turned into a flock of bats, his petite body made the size of the flock far from enough to affect 8 enemy Pawns that had promoted into Queen. Thus, Gasper used the magic enhancement from his Bishop piece and created illusory bats to make the flock of the bats looked bigger. At the moment, the size of the flock of bats that was swarming around the stage was comparable to the flock of bats belonged to 2-3 grown adult vampires.

"Wha-!? These amount of bats… Where did they come from!?"

"How annoying… Tch! I can't hit them!?"

Illusions as they were, it was enough to shock the enemy forces even for few seconds. The Pawns that were about to cast some spell to attack Gasper, were interrupted by Koneko's Senjutsu as the Rook kept throwing balls of blue flame towards them.

However, Gasper and Koneko's combination of distraction would not be able to keep the enemy at bay for too long, as the Queen enhancement gave the enemy Pawns enough to overcome them. Yuuto and Xenovia had already been working to unleash their intended move. Yuuto focused his power to his Sword Birth's Sword of Betrayer, while Xenovia was channelling her Durandal's holy aura to fuse with Yuuto's Holy Demonic Sword.

"It's ready, now! Gasper, Koneko! Clear away!" Koneko immediately ceased her firing and regrouped, followed by Gasper who had returned to his original form. Yuuto then stabbed his Holy Demonic Sword to the ground.

"DURANDAL BIRTH!"

Durandal Birth. It was the technique that Yuuto and Xenovia had acquired from the sparring with Saitama. By fusing Durandal's holy aura into Yuuto's Holy Demonic Sword, the power of the Sword Birth would increase tremendously. Holy-demonic blades with the holy power equalling Durandal sprout out from the ground, littering the whole stage around Rias' representatives and impaling every shell-shocked enemy Pawns in the process.

Issei, Rias and Akeno who were watching from the side-line was amazed at the damage done by Yuuto and Xenovia's combined attack.

"That's a nice attack as always, Kiba." Xenovia complimented with satisfied expression.

Yuuto nodded with a smile. "Yes. When you and I work together again, we can make more holy swords bloom."

"That was amazing, Kiba-senpai! Xenovia-senpai!" Gasper voiced his awe. Koneko only nodded while giving a thumbs-up, which the two Knights returned in kind.

"Good work, all of you." Akeno complimented with her genuine smile.

"First victory. Way to go, guys." Issei also gave his two-cents.

"All of you did a great job. Now, let's get going." Rias then led her peerage again to proceed to the next stage.

oXo

When they entered the next hall, Rias Gremory's peerage was met with three figures in robes. Then, the figure in the middle stepped forward, took off her robe and revealed herself as a beautiful woman with blonde hair and blue eyes.

"We were expecting you, Lady Rias Gremory. I shall fight you here as my master's Queen, behind me are Lord Diodora's Bishops."

Issei took the appearance of the woman as he recalled her performance in the Rating Game video he saw on the other day. The two Bishops at the back did not reveal their faces, but that was irrelevant.

"My, very well, then. I will go." Akeno volunteered herself as she stepped forward.

Rias also stepped forward. "Ise alone will be more than enough to fight the remaining two Knights later, so I will join this round as well."

Issei was about to voice his objection, but Akeno seemed to beat him to the punch with her own way. "Oh my, buchou. It would be enough with just me."

"You know that you can't overuse your holy lightning, don't you? So rather than receiving damage here, it's better to go at them with more power to minimise our damage." Rias replied with her own reasoning.

Everyone seemed to have to agree with the King at the moment. Issei himself could only hoped that the two great ladies would end the match shortly with least damage as possible. However, as soon as the combatants were in position, the enemy Queen immediately unleashed a large stream of demonic power, catching Rias and Akeno by surprise as the latter two quickly put up their defensive magic.

BOOM!

Since the Queen and the Bishops did not show much in the video, courtesy of Diodora's power boost; not much could really explain the real strength behind the Queen and the other servants. And apparently, the Queen was not a pushover.

Rias and Akeno occasionally fired off their own attacks from behind their magic barrier, but the enemy Bishops behind their Queen quickly did their job as their magic power flowed into the Queen, serving as support and alternative fuel, followed by even more magic seals that fired even more demonic powers.

This kind of combo was not shown in the video recording of Diodora's fight with Seekvaira, thus everyone did not expect that the Queen and Bishops alone could produce that kind of fire power. Akeno and Rias might be able to overpower them, but to conjure such powerful attacks would require them to dismiss their defence to focus their magical reserves, and the enemy forces surely would not give them a chance to do so.

While Issei and the others started to get worried for their King and Queen, the former found Koneko was poking at him.

"Hm? Koneko-chan? What's wrong?"

The Nekomata gestured the boy to bend down, then she whispered something to his ear.

Issei nodded as he took in Koneko's words. "Uh-huh. Yes, yes… Wait, what?" Issei then jerked his head away and looked incredulously at the Rook. "Seriously?"

"Yes." Koneko affirmed. "If we want to save Asia-senpai sooner, doing this will boost-up Akeno-senpai's power, and this match will end sooner."

Issei contemplated, but he had to make a choice as soon as possible as the match was about to start. Then he let out a breath as he decided upon action. "Akeno-san!"

The Priestess of Thunder and Lightning turned around enough to take a glance at Issei, curiosity in her eyes.

Issei paused for a second before carrying on. "Err… if you were to defeat those people easily, let's have a date on the next Sunday!" The boy highly doubted that saying that kind of proposal would have done anything to gain advantage, but he was sorely mistaken.

Issei noticed electricity began to spark around the stage, and his eyes finally landed on Akeno whose body was enveloped by holy lightning. And damn was the woman did not stop giggling like crazy.

Magic, especially devil magic, worked based on the user's imagination. When Akeno heard that proposal from the man she fell for, it was more than enough stimulant to boost her magic through imagination alone. The imagination was, what sort of things the woman would and could do to the man when the day comes.

"Ufufufu….. Fufufufufu…!" As Akeno giggled, her holy lightning kept increasing its power and intensity, despite Akeno herself was still mostly focused on her defence. "I can have a date with Ise-kun!"

Rias, however, was aggravated as her eyes were tearing up. "You are horrible Ise! You have me, and yet you only ask Akeno out!"

"Ufufu, Rias. This is proof that my love has finally been received by Ise-kun. Seems like you have to give up now, yes?" Akeno chided, as her power kept increasing little by little.

Rias herself did not want to lose as her demonic power's intensity was increasing as well. "W-W-What are you saying! I don't want it to be said from the vulgar Akeno who sparkles her lightning from just a single d-d-date!"

Watching the two young women quarrelling, everyone especially Issei could only stare in confusion (mostly amusement from everyone else).

"Say, Ddraig…. Am I really… Y'know, that great to have a date with? I mean, I literally blew my first date up with my body impaled and all."

[…Well, that was the fallen being a total bitch on you. You're actually kind of a decent boyfriend material if I have to say.]

Issei only nodded inwardly at the Welsh Dragon's opinion as Rias and Akeno kept quarrelling with each other.

"What did you say? I don't want it to be said from you, who doesn't seem like you will be getting love from him anytime soon." Akeno provoked this time.

"T-That is not true! E-Even a while ago he…..!" Rias retorted, but she hesitated for a second.

"…Hm? What happened a while ago?" Akeno goaded.

Rias averted her gaze as she started to get embarrassed. "…He embraced me so tight and indulged himself with my breasts a lot."

[Whew. She got you there, partner]

That comment caused Issei to flinch as it was technically true, much to the boy's shame. Everyone was turning to look at Issei, with Koneko giving him a dirty look.

"Isn't it just that Ise-kun tend to move around in his sleep?" Akeno reasoned.

"W-we also kissed!" Rias rebuked. "E-even last time we… F-f-flirted…. And doing a bit this and that…." Her face became even redder as she muttered the event from the night when her brother came to visit.

That part Issei flinched again, this time his face was also flustered at the memory. Xenovia this time was raising her eyebrows and Koneko was scowling at him. In return, the boy could only look away awkwardly.

[Shit, she really holds nothing back with her claims]

"Yes, thank you very much, Ddraig! That was very enlightening!" Issei inwardly and sarcastically rebuked the dragon.

Akeno blinked, did not expect that kind of come-back from her best friend. Then her smile returned. "…My, then I need to make my move on him much sooner than I thought. If possible, while you're watching, Rias."

"Oh, no, you don't! I don't even want to imagine your hands feeling up that boy's nook and cranny! He's mine!"

Issei was now embarrassed beyond help at the heated arguments. While the two great ladies' aura and magical power was still spiking up from their emotional outburst, the enemy Queen finally snapped, not able to endure the situation any longer.

"You two…! Stop this nonsense for goodness' sake! Ignoring us for fighting over a man…!"

Rias and Akeno turned towards the enemy Queen, and the former two's expressions were definitely not amused.

""SHUT UP!""

With that rebuke, Rias and Akeno fired an attack, which was a combination between the heightened Power of Destruction and Holy Lightning. The stage was utterly destroyed when the attack hit its target, and when the dust and smoke cleared up, the enemy Queen and Bishops were laying on the ground with burns covering their smoking bodies.

Even then, Rias and Akeno were still quarrelling despite the victory.

"To begin with, do you even know all of Ise's body, Akeno!? I know it even to the tiniest details you know!?"

"You just know it, but you haven't touched it or received it. Rias is always talk! I'm already prepared to accept him whenever and anywhere!"

Rias grunted in irritation, but she took a deep breath as she remembered the objective at hand. "…Let's stop for now. We will discuss this again after we save Asia. Her rescue comes first."

Akeno nodded. "Agreed. I also see Asia-chan as my little sister."

Issei could barely care any more. At least the quarrel had stopped and everyone could focus again on what they intended to do in the first place.

oXo

When Rias' group arrived at the next room, they were greeted by a familiar sight of a man with white hair. "'Sup? It's been a while, folks."

Everyone saw the crazy rogue priest who made his last appearance back during the Excalibur fiasco. Everybody present was caught in surprise as they believed that he had been either dead or imprisoned.

"….Fried Sizzle!" Issei pointed at the psychotic man.

However, the mispronouncing name instantaneously broke the tension in the room as the priest twitch and veins were popping out on his face. The others only rolled their eyes, some of them snorted at how Issei addressed the enemy.

"It's Freed-! You know what, I don't give a fuck anymore." The man known as Freed Sellzen rolled his eyes and waved his arms in resignation.

Rias decided not to waste anymore time as she put her hand on Issei's shoulder to give him a subtle command to let her do the talking. "So, Freed Sellzen…. Your appearance here is quite… unexpected. How come are you here?"

Freed's face returned to his usual jovial expression. "Oh, are you perhaps expecting the two Knights of that Diodora kid?" Freed replied with a sickening smile, then he proceeded to chew something in his mouth and spit them out. "The thing is…. I ate them." Freed revealed had spitted a couple of human fingers.

Rias narrowed her eyes in disgust. "I see… So you're…"

"He has quit being a human." Koneko finished what Rias was about to say with disgusted tone.

"Hyahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!" In return, Freed only laughed maniacally. "Right after I was slashed down by you guys, I was retrieved by that shitty Vali! And I got fired by that fucking Azazel!"

As Freed said his words vulgarly, his body slowly transformed. His limbs began to swell up to the point of ripping his clothes, his skin began to darken in colour, appendixes akin to horns started to appear from his body, sharp fangs littering his mouth, a single wing and extra arm came out on his back, and his whole body finally became several times bigger.

"The ones who picked me up after I lost my place are the guys from Khaos Brigade! They said that they would give me powers, and what did I get!? Kyuhahahahahahahaha! And that was turning me into a Chimera! Fuhahahahahahahahahaha!" his voice finally became distorted as well.

The now disfigured Freed's appearance could only be said as grotesque, as everyone cringed in disgust at the sight.

"Now that I'm feeling so good. Let me fill you in with a story; Diodora Astaroth's hobby that is. His hobby is beautifully crazy, and just listening to it makes your heart beat."

Those words at least picked some curiosity from the group, as it might provide a bit more insight about Diodora's plan.

"Diodora sure has some great taste in women. Apparently, the rich boy has fetish for girls affiliated with the Church, in other words, NUNS!"

Issei's eyes widened at the information, as he recalled that Asia was a nun in the first place.

"And the ones he preys on are the passionate and strong believers. Do you know what I am trying to say? His servant devils that Ise-kun and others defeated just earlier are all former believers of the Church! The same could be said for the girls who are at his house! All of them are famous nuns and holy maidens from various areas! His taste is really something, don't you think!? The devil rich boy seduced the women from the Church and made them into his toys! Oh wait, that's why devils exist! He speaks with sweet words to the passionate holy maidens and makes them fall for him! I guess that's what you call a devil's whisper!"

Issei remained stunned as he began to connect the dots.

"Wait, then Asia was…." Xenovia trailed off with horror in her eyes.

"HYAHAHAHAHAHAHA! The one who wrote the scenario of Asia getting kicked out of the Church is none other than Diodora Astaroth himself!" Freed laughed. "The scenario goes like this. One day, a devil rich boy who loves to sleep with nuns found himself his very ideal, a beautiful holy maiden. He couldn't help but wanting to fuck with her ever since he saw her. But he thought it would be hard to take her away from the Church, so he used a different plan to make that girl his."

Issei remained silent as his gaze moved downwards, causing his eyes to be obscured by his bangs.

"The holy maiden is a very, very kind girl. I got advice from someone who is knowledgeable with Sacred Gear that 'The Sacred Gear possessed by the holy maiden can even heal devils'. So the rich boy put his attention there. 'Maybe she will get kicked out of the Church if another believer sees her healing me!' Even if a scar is left, it would still be alright if I can have sex with her! That's the way and is how that rich boy lives!"

As he listened to Freed's story. He balled his hands into fists as he remembered what the smiling Asia had said to him one time.

I don't regret saving that person back then.

"For that reason…"

Issei's fist tightened.

"To fulfil some guy's sick fetish… Asia had to go through those terrible things?!"

Issei's fist started to draw blood as he recalled those moments; the scorn from people, Freed's past abuse, and ultimately Asia's demise on Fallen Angel Raynare.

"She will get exiled from the Church which she believed in, then her life will get ruined and she won't believe in God, and then she will come to me. That's what he was thinking. Hyahahaha! Even the painful experience for the holy maiden is a spice for that rich boy! He will save them from the depth of despair, and then rape them! He will rape both their body and heart! And that was the best and ultimate entertainment for him! He had been raping and making the girls from the Church his own! And he won't be changing even from now! So the rich boy, Diodora Astaroth-kun, is a devil who loves to fuck strong believers of the Church! Hyahahahahaha!"

Yuuto, who happened to stand right next to Issei, noticed that the latter was about to walk forward. Knowing that the Pawn was about to do something reckless, Yuuto raised his hand to stop him. However, when he caught the sight of Issei's eyes, something from the boy's orbs stopped Yuuto from moving an inch. Was it because of understanding? Or perhaps fear? Nobody knew. But by the time everyone realized it, Issei had already separated himself from the group.

"Wait, Ise!" Rias reached out to Issei's back to stop him, but her words fell on deaf ears.

Issei was already standing right before Freed when the latter spoke. "Hey, hey, hey! What's this?! So a shitty devil want to have the first taste!? Don't think that you can end me with one punch like we first met! Can't you see that I've gone through some remodelling and become a lot stronger? I even ate Diodora's two Knights easily. I also got their traits as well! So now I'm an invincible monster, nobody can stop me!"

Issei did not say anything in return as Freed moved his giant arm that sprout blades from it, launching it towards the Pawn. The latter did not notice that the former was cracking his fingers.

"HAHAHA! DIE- GABAH-!"

BAM! CRACK!

Everything then happened in a span of few seconds. Before Freed could have landed his first strike, his head was hit by a force strong enough to break his cheekbone, shattered his fangs, and snapped his neck in the process. However, Issei's attack did not stop there.

WOOSH!

He advanced forward, causing the ground his foot stepped on to cave in, and his arms flowed and blurred into numerous punches that hit Freed's body from head to toe. Each blow was enough to shatter bones, and those blows were targeted towards all of the monster's bones, joints and vitals as blood was splattered around.

By the time Issei had finished, Freed was lying in his own pool of blood, with all parts of his body were bent in unnatural way. Dents were also littering the said body as the result of Issei's punches.

"Keh…. What the hell…." Despite the damage that had been done on the head, Freed somehow still retained an ability to speak. "You are too overpowered…. Well, it's not like you can stop Diodora's plan or the guys backing him…. You still know jack-shit about the true horror of Longinus possessors…. Hahahaha-"

SPLAT!

Issei finally finished Freed off by crushing his head under his foot. When everyone got the sight of blood staining Issei's clothes and a bit of his face, as well as the boy's still-cold expression; Rias, Akeno, Yuuto and Koneko were reminded again of the night when they recruited Asia.

Issei was barely containing his anger, and his Boosted Gear had been manifested in response of his own fury. Seeing that Issei's eyes were still brimming with rage, Rias decided she had to step in.

"Ise!" Rias placed her hand on her Pawn's shoulder to turn him facing her. Then she slapped him across his face. Issei blinked at the stinging sensation on his now reddening cheek. Rias' slap seemed to do the trick as Issei's eyes returned to normal. "Are you awake now?" Rias asked with stern voice.

Issei was about to speak, but somehow the words died in his mouth. He was not sure what the slap was about. However, Rias did not give Issei any chance to talk back as she kept her expression strong. "Don't lose yourself, Ise. You're not the only one who is angry about what happened to Asia."

Those words made Issei blinked again, and when he looked behind Rias, he could see his friends were looking back at him with similar expression with Rias, albeit Gasper was rather afraid as well.

"It's fine to be upset. Rather, it would be strange if you're not. However, use them instead of losing to them. Focus that anger of yours to Diodora later." Rias chided her Pawn.

Issei then looked down in shame and understanding as Rias' words reached him. He looked at his comrades again, whom this time seemed to be relieved and nodded at him, then Issei bowed his head to his master. "I… I'm sorry."

Rias smiled softly in return. "It's fine… Now that you have returned to us. Now, everyone! Let's go!"

At her command, everyone chorused affirmatively at Rias and they moved on.

oXo

Everyone finally arrived at the grand hall that seemed to be the throne hall of the building. When the group got in, they were greeted by the sight of Diodora sitting on a throne. Behind him was a large structural device with jewels embedded on various parts, with Asia restrained on its centre.

"ASIA!" Issei called out the girl's name, as he was kind of relieved to see that the girl looked unharmed.

"….Ise-san?" Asia replied as she looked at her comrades. However, everyone noticed the red swellings on the Bishop's eyes, signifying that the girl had been crying.

"So you finally came." Diodora greeted Rias and her peerage with his usual smile.

Seeing Diodora irritating smile and Asia's sad expression, Issei asked with dangerous tone. "…What have- No, how much have you told her?"

Diodora only laughed in reply. "Fufufufu… Everything. I want to show you as well, the moment she had the best expression." Diodora revealed that he had told Asia about everything of his scheme. "The face Asia had when she found out everything was going according to my plan was simply the best. Look, I even left the video of it. Should I play it? She really had a splendid face. The expression of the women affiliated with the Church falling, no matter how many times I see it, I never get bored of it." Diodora said with mocking and provocative tone.

Issei did not say anything when he heard Asia started sobbing again, as his previous rage was slowly returning.

"But it was still not enough. Asia still has hope; she still has all of you, especially the filthy Red Dragon Emperor over there. Do you still remember that fallen angel Raynare?"

At the mentioning of that name, Issei's eyes hardened at the bad memory.

"After that woman killed Asia, I was going to kill her and give Asia an Evil Piece." Diodora revealed, causing Rias to widen her eyes in shock. "Who would've thought, that the newly reincarnated devil, Red Dragon Emperor alone managed to kill all of those fallen and rogue exorcists at the vicinity? I made the mistake of waiting, thinking that you wouldn't be able to do so." Diodora commented, as he honestly was rather unnerved at Issei's display of power that time. "And to top it off, you came in and snatch her up, Rias."

"So you're the one behind of it all…" Rias said with venom in her voice.

"But I shall forgive all of you. Thanks to you, I'll be able to throw Asia even deeper into despair..." Diodora declared. "…I'll destroy any hope she has left by killing you all in front of her eyes."

At this point, Issei had heard enough and he began to walk forward with Boosted Gear equipped. He took a glance at the others and his comrades gave a nod. While Rias did scold him about getting angry and all, right now Issei deserved the most right to show Diodora what it meant to harm one of their comrades.

"Asia is still a virgin, correct? I prefer virgins, and I will hate it if she was already 'used' by the Red Dragon Emperor." Diodora did not even care when he saw the said 'dragon' was slowly made his way towards him, confident that he was the more powerful one.

Issei tightened his fists again as his rage had returned by folds. Not only his own, but the rage of his comrades as well.

"Ah, but it might be fun in its own way to take her away from you, Red Dragon Emperor!? It will be fun to rape her while she's screaming your name! Fuhahahaha! " Diodora kept his taunting without any care. Then he sneered at Issei, who was getting closer. "Do you think you can defeat me?! You are not the only one with power!" Diodora's body then was enveloped in a deep-black aura. He then took a glance at his palm, where the seal of Ouroboros appeared on it. "I also have received a power-up from Ophis' snake! With this, I can kill you instant-!"

CRASH!

Whatever Diodora was about to say had been cut-off when Issei's Boosted Gear suddenly gripped his face, and the latter smashed Diodora's head so hard that it destroyed the throne Diodora was sitting on.

"…Ghk-!" Diodora let out a strangled cry and Issei threw Diodora away from the now ruined throne, away from Asia.

"Shut the fuck up, will ya?" Issei said with cold tone. He then proceeded to walk towards Diodora to continue his assault.

While clutching his bleeding head, Diodora grimaced as he tried to get up. "Guh…! I'm a high-class devil! I'm the blood relative of the current Beelzebub!" Diodora then turned towards Issei and fired numerous demonic powers from his hand. "There is no way that a noble high blood like myself will lose to a lowly, filthy, and vulgar reincarnated devil like you!"

The spot Issei stood on exploded from Diodora's attack, raising smoke and dust. However, Issei suddenly came out from the smoke and had already donned his Scale Mail. The armour was activated through his sheer rage alone. Diodora quickly attempted to gain more distance, but it ended up in futile as Issei immediately closed the distance with his superior speed. When Issei was about to launch another punch, Diodora then conjured layers upon layers of magic barrier to defend himself, which Issei easily broke through, breaking Diodora's nose in the process.

"Weak…" Issei simply commented at Diodora's magic barrier.

"Aaaahhg! It hurts! It hurts! It hurts!" Diodora cried clutching his bleeding nose. "My demonic power…! I was supposed to have had my power increased drastically with Ophis's power!" Diodora cried in pain as his body slammed on to the ground. Issei then picked Diodora up by collar from the ground, and he proceeded to assault Diodora's stomach.

Diodora then coughed up blood as Issei's punch made contact with his abdomen. However, before Issei could have continued his attacks, Diodora lifted up his hands. "There's no way I can lose to a rotten dragon like you!" The devil then gathered his demonic power and conjured a large magic wall, forcing Issei to let go of him and took few steps back.

"Hahahahaha! Did you see that?! My demonic power is much stronger than yours! A power idiot like the Red Dragon Emperor can never-!"

Diodora's sentence was cut-off again as Issei easily walked through the magical wall, tearing it as if it was made of paper. The devil gasped in shock, and the red dragon was already right in front of him again. "Don't you dare to make Asia cry…!" Issei growled as he launched his punch again. Diodora raised his left arm by reflex to futilely block Issei's punch, and the said arm was broken once Issei's fist connected, sending Diodora's body flying towards the wall.

Diodora whined in pain, clutching his broken left arm, and he could only watched in horror as Issei came to his way again, the green orbs on his face-plate glowed dangerously.

The trashing kept going on for several minutes more. Issei relentlessly assaulted Diodora, while the devil kept trying to retaliate with his demonic power, which Issei easily overcame like it was nothing. When Diodora was flung again towards a wall, his face was now swollen and his head was bleeding profusely, his body also suffered several fractures from Issei's strikes. Apparently, Ophis' snake did at least enhance Diodora's body to be more resilient, much more than Freed's Chimera body.

"No way… This is impossible…!" Diodora muttered as he struggled to get on his feet again. "I have won against Agares! And I'm planning to defeat Sairaorg Bael next! There's no way I will lose to the Gremory household… whose only quality is having strong affection towards their servants! I'M DIODORA FROM THE HOUSE OF ASTAROTH!"

With that loud declaration, Diodora glared at Issei and raised his still-working right arm. Then, Diodora gathered every ounce of his remaining power and fired it from his hand towards Issei. "TAKE THIS!"

Issei remained on his spot, not attempting to evade the incoming attack as he chose to charge his own power instead.

[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]

Once Diodora's attack was within the range, Issei punched the demonic power, sending it hurling back towards Diodora. The devil did not have any time to do anything as his own demonic power flew past his head by hair's breadth, destroying the wall behind him in the process. Diodora then sweated bullets, knowing that his head would be blown off if the attack were to be one inch closer.

Issei then walked towards Diodora, who was now shaking in fear and he picked him up by collar again. Through the devil's terrified expression alone, even Ddraig did not need to tell his host that Diodora could not fight anymore. Issei then dismissed his face-plate, and placed his face an inch away from Diodora's. "Don't you ever go near Asia again. Next time I see you, I'll tear you to pieces...!"

Diodora only replied by nodding his head furiously with fear filling his eyes. Issei then dropped Diodora to the floor and made his way back to his comrades, who were now gathering around Asia.

"Ise, aren't you going to finish him off?" Xenovia asked while gripping her Durandal tightly, ready to strike Diodora at any moment.

"Nah, I think he got the message." Issei waved off. "Besides, even if he's assisting the terrorist, he's still a blood relative of one of the current Satan. I believe Beelzebub-sama has the most right to hand out the punishment."

Xenovia then sighed in agreement, with everyone else also accepted Issei's reasoning. Then the group focused on their real objective; releasing Asia from her restrains.

"Ise-san!" Asia called out in relieved tone.

Issei then gently patted Asia's head in return. "It's alright now, Asia. Just wait a bit longer and we'll get you out of this." Issei said with reassuring smile.

"…I can't take off the restrains on her limbs…!" Yuuto said with a frown.

Issei then took a shot. He tried to pry off the restrains, but they would not budge despite the strength of the Red Dragon Emperor. "…What the hell? What is this stuff made of?"

"…It's useless." Everyone turned to Diodora who was muttering those words. "That is a special seal that a certain Longinus user made for me… 'Dimension Lost', the ultimate barrier-type Sacred Gear. The user promised me it would disarm after everything was over. However, on the off chance I lost, the seal would be set to consume her instead…!" despite the fear and damage Diodora had attained, the man still somewhat refused to go down.

"What did you say?!" everyone widened their eyes as the device holding Asia started to glow.

"I'd rather have her disappear than hand her over to you all!" Diodora shouted again.

"A person like you…!" Rias hissed, even Xenovia was about to lash out to Diodora. However, they had a more important issue.

Issei looked over the construct that was holding Asia as he turned to the girl again, whose life force was slowly being sapped away. "Asia, look at me."

The girl weakly opened her eyes and she stared at the boy. "I will save you. Please trust me." Issei said, receiving a weak nod and smile in the process.

"Ddraig, can you do something? Anything? You're a fellow Longinus, after all." Issei inquired the Welsh Dragon.

[I'm afraid not. Dimension Lost is a higher rank Longinus than the Boosted Gear. And when it reaches Balance-Breaker, its power is near limitless. Don't forget, Longinus more powerful than the Boosted Gear does exist.]

Issei remained silent for a second before he spoke again. "How much is the difference in rank between you and this Dimension Lost?"

[…Hm? Only one rank different, I think?]

Then Issei sported a smirk. "Then, it won't be that far off to push your power to that level, right!?"

Ddraig blinked at the notion, then he sighed as he had no way to stop his host at the moment. […Fine, go ahead. But I doubt this will work.]

"Alright, here we go!" Issei then cocked back his fist and charged his power.

[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]

Issei then slammed his fist towards the construct, resulting a clash of power between Boosted Gear and Dimension Lost. However, the device created from the latter Gear did not even budge when Issei hit it.

However, Issei refused to give up as he kept pushing. "Come on…! Break!" The clash continued on for a minute.

"This is not enough…" Issei thought. "More….! Stronger…! Give me more power…! I have to save Asia! I promised that I will protect her…! I swore that I won't let her go through anything sad again! So…. GIVE ME MORE POWER!"

Inside Issei's soul, Boosted Gear was doing its hardest to respond to Issei's wish for power. Ddraig himself could only supply his host everything he could offer, but the dragon remained skeptical about his host's attempt to overpower Dimension Lost.

BA-BUMP

A soft pulse. Ddraig suddenly felt a soft pulse coming from the deepest part of Issei's soul. It was the anomaly that he felt when his host was about to activate the Forbidden Move during the fight with the Vanishing Dragon, the foreign signature that caused Issei's Evil Pieces to react violently. However, the pulse just now was noticeable, but its presence was not enough to gain any reaction from the Evil Pieces, however, Ddraig could feel its surge of power coursing through Issei's being.

Back in the real world, a crack finally appeared on the metal, then the crack began to spread out through out the device. Everyone widened their eyes hopefully while Ddraig widened his eyes in disbelief. Even Diodora could not believe his own eyes in defeat.

CRACK! CRACK! BREAK!

Finally, the device broke under Issei's fist and Asia was automatically released from its grasp. The girl fell towards Issei, who quickly dismissed his Scale Mail and caught the girl in his arms. As Issei embraced Asia, he whispered, "I'm sorry for the wait…"

Asia only snuggled into the man's chest as she returned the hug. "I believed in you… No, I always believe that Ise-san will come to rescue me."

The two then broke away and Asia turned towards the others. Xenovia was the first one to come at her with tears of joy in her eyes. "Asia! I'm glad! If you're to disappear, I… I…!"

Asia only smiled kindly and she wiped away Xenovia's tears. "I won't go anywhere. Since Ise-san and Xenovia-san will protect me."

"Yeah! I will definitely protect you! Always!" Xenovia's expression brightened as she said so.

Then Asia felt someone hugged her from behind. Her eyes trailed and spotted Rias. "Buchou-san…."

"You can stop calling me that…" Rias replied. "After all, I think of you as my little sister."

Asia's expression brightened up at those words. "Y-yes! Thank you very much, Rias nee-sama and everyone!"

"Thank goodness! I'm so glad that Asia-senpai is safe!" Gasper cried in happiness and Koneko proceeded to comfort him by patting his head.

Asia then turned again towards Issei, who was smiling at her. It was the smile that she loved so much, which she also returned with her own loving smile. Then from that man's smile, words came out. "Let's go home."

"Yes…!" Asia nodded, then she stopped as she remembered something. "Ah, but I'd like to pray first before we go."

Issei blinked rather oddly at the request. "…Not that I mind, but what are you going to pray about?"

"…That's a secret." Asia winked as she walked away from the others to have some privacy.

Asia then kneeled, and she clasped her hand together as she began her prayer.

"Dear Lord, will you please listen to my wish?"

Then it came all of sudden. The others failed to notice it, but Issei felt something in the air when Asia just started praying.

"Please continue to protect Ise-san, now and forever…"

Issei then dreadfully recognised the sensation in the air. It was killing intent. His senses were immediately put on high alert and the boy looked around to find the source. No, it was not supposed to be his priority, because Issei found who the killing intent was targeting. It was then, when Issei saw lights began to gather on the spot where Asia was praying.

"And also… From now on, and forever…"

Time seemed to slow down drastically as Issei began to move towards Asia, his hand outstretched to reach her when Asia's body was enveloped in bright light. Adrenaline was rushing through Issei's body as the boy desperately wished that he could make it. Alas…

"Please allow me to live happily together with Ise-san…"

When Issei arrived at where Asia was, it was too late. The girl had disappeared within the light as Issei embraced empty air, his body tumbling and he fell on his fours.

"Wha… What happened? Where's Asia?" Xenovia was the first to speak while everyone was still trying to process what happened.

It happened so fast. At one time Asia was praying, then when her spot was engulfed in bright light, Issei suddenly dashed forward reaching out towards Asia, who disappeared soon after.

"H-hey, Ise… What was that all about? What happened to Asia?" Xenovia's tone began to be filled with fear.

Issei on the other hand, did not say anything in return as his body was still on crouching position.

Suddenly, a new presence made itself known in the room. "An object made from a Longinus perishes from the attack of another Longinus, huh... What a blunder of that mist-user... It appears to be necessary to readjust the plan."

Everyone turned to the source of the voice that appeared to be a man dressed in black armor with a cape. He had long brown hair that goes to his hips with many bangs covering his right eye.

"…Who are you?" Rias asked with cautious tone as everyone else could feel the immense aura coming out from the man's person.

The man then gazed disdainfully towards Rias. "It's my first time meeting you, sister of the annoying fake Satan. My name is Shalba Beelzebub, the true successor of the Great Original Beelzebub. I'm different from the relative of the fake one you fought earlier." Then he turned his gaze to Diodora. "Diodora Astaroth, I lent you my power and look at the situation you are in. In the match against Agares, you used Ophis's snake without my authorisation and had the enemy predict our plan. You are very foolish indeed."

Diodora looked down for a second in shame before he looked up again towards the newcomer who introduced himself as Shalba Beelzebub. "Shalba! Please help me! If it is with you, we can kill the Red Dragon Emperor! If the Old Satan and Current Satan were to join forces…..!"

Shalba did not let Diodora to finish his sentence as the latter found a hole on his chest, with traces of light element adorning his wound. "Pitiful, and addressing me as 'Old Satan' is already your downfall." Shalba sneered, revealing a strange device latched on his arm as Diodora's body disappeared in the similar manner as Asia earlier.

Everyone began to connect the dots between Shalba's ability to use light element and Asia's disappearance, and Xenovia's body trembled in rage.

"Now, sister of Sirzechs…" Shalba then turned towards the Gremory group again. "It may be sudden, but I will have you die here. The reason is simple, that is to destroy every blood relative of the current Satan." Shalba declared his intentions in cold tone.

Rias only narrowed her eyes at descendant of Beelzebub. "So you intend to kill Glasya-Labolas, Astaroth, and us, the Gremory?"

"Correct. To be called the 'Old' by you people, the relatives of the current Satan… while we are the true and rightful successors, is simply displeasing and hard to endure." Shalba then sighed. "But our plan now ends with this. I never thought that the Boosted Gear, a mid-tier Longinus, would win against the Dimension Lost, a high-tier Longinus. I can only say that this was something we didn't anticipate. Well, we got significant results for future terrorism, so I have to be satisfied with it. I'm not certain of what happened to Cruzerey, but it won't be a problem. As long as I'm active, we can still progress even without Vali. That is the greatness of the True Beelzebub… Now, as my souvenir before I return…. Sirzechs's sister, I will have you dead."

"Such a cowardice… To attack the relatives instead of directly challenge the current Satans themselves…!" Rias glared at Shalba.

"That's fine with me. I shall kill the family of the current Satans first. It won't mean anything if we don't have them taste despair."

Shalba waved off, resulting a spike of demonic power from Rias.

"You scum…! For you to kill Asia of all things…! I absolutely won't forgive you for this crime!"

Rias raged, followed by the others as Akeno started to envelope her body with holy lightning, Yuuto brandished his holy-demonic sword, followed by the rest as everyone was enraged of what Shalba had done to Asia.

However, the tension was interrupted when Issei's voice was heard.

"Asia….? Asia…?"

Everyone seemed to forget their rage, and when they turned towards the voice, they found Issei was walking unsteadily without any direction as his voice was trembling.

"Asia…. Where… Where did you go…? Mom and… Mom and that baldy are waiting for us… Come on, please…. Show yourself…"

Everyone's heart ached when they looked at Issei's face. The boy's face was a sobbing mess as tears were flowing freely from his empty eyes.

"We… We gotta go back home… You don't need to worry about a thing anymore… You still have to do the three-legged race for the sports festival with Xenovia…"

Seeing the broken expression, Gasper and Koneko began to cry, while Akeno looked away while crying silently. Yuuto could not bring himself to look at Issei's face, and Rias quickly hugged Issei from behind to comfort him anyway she could.

Issei then turned his head around to look at his master with his teary eyes. "R-Rias… I… I can't find Asia… Our important family…" Issei could barely say any incoherent words, as the boy actually knew that he had once again failed to protect Asia, while a part of him still adamantly refused to acknowledge such things.

Xenovia, however, snapped as she roared and dashed towards Shalba. "I won't forgive you…! I won't forgive you! I will cut you! I WILL CUT YOU UP AND KILL YOU!" the female Knight then jumped towards the Beelzebub with both Durandal and Ascalon in her hands, aimed to end the devil.

"Futile." With that single word, Shalba used his own magic to conjure a barrier that easily withstood the power of two holy swords. Then, the devil proceeded to strike back at Xenovia with a blast of demonic power, sending the girl to fall back to the ground.

As Xenovia tried to get back on her feet, she glared venomously at Shalba. "….Return Asia… She is my friend…! She is a kind girl… Kinder than anyone…! Why…!?" Alas, Xenovia could not gather her spirit back from despair.

Seeing that Xenovia could not fight any time soon, Shalba then turned to Issei.

"Vulgar reincarnated devil and the dragon which is the same as garbage. The princess of Gremory seriously has bad taste indeed. That girl disappeared beyond to the dimension. Her body should have perished by now…"

As Issei took in Shalba's words, his eyes that were previously empty in sadness, now started to brim with rage as he realized the one who took some precious to him away.

"….It means, she died."

At those words, something shattered inside Issei. Then, Rias who was still placing her arms on Issei suddenly leapt away out of instinct. It was the same time that the atmosphere in the room suddenly began a lot heavier as it hit them.

Rias blinked at herself. Why did she leap away from her servant, from her precious Issei? She looked at her palm that was sweating profusely. Her action earlier was nothing more than her own survival instinct that screamed at her to move away from danger.

The others felt… terrified when they looked at Issei's back. Whatever fury that was running through Issei's person was nothing like when he mercilessly beat down Freed Sellzen and Diodora Astaroth, who were the cause of Asia's misery.

It was nothing like when he confronted Xenovia who was about to smite Asia during their first meeting.

It was even nothing like when Issei was enraged about Asia's demise on the hands of Fallen Angel Raynnare.

Even Shalba Beelzebub himself, an ultimate-class devil, could not help but taken aback when he saw Issei's hateful glare at him. The boy did not care of anything else at this point. He vowed to always protect Asia, yet he failed. There won't be another chance like Evil Piece reincarnation or anything alike, as Asia's body had been disappeared, perished away at god-knows where.

There was only one thing that Issei wanted to do like nobody's business, which was to utterly destroy the bastard in front of him.

Boosted Gear then manifested on Issei's left arm, and Ddraig's voice was heard from the green gem of the gauntlet.

[Rias Gremory…] Ddraig's voice in solemn tone was able to gain the attention from everyone, especially Rias. [If you don't want to die, you'd better take everyone and leave this place at once.] Then Ddraig's voice was directed towards Shalba. [And that devil over there, Shalba Beelzebub, correct?]

Shalba did not say anything in return as Ddraig took the silent as 'yes'. The Welsh Dragon then solemnly gave his final warning of the impeding doom through Issei's own mouth, as he could do nothing but to minimize the damage as much as he could.

[You have made the gravest mistake]

BOOOOOOM!

Then Issei's power exploded in a burst of blood-red aura. The explosion was powerful enough to cause the whole complex of the temple to tremble under its force, as well as throwing Shalba back to hit against the wall and fell to the ground.

Everyone then saw Issei was donned in his Scale Mail again, and small orbs of light started to gather and floated around him. From those orbs, cries of humans could be heard.

"I, who is about to awaken…"

Yes, Issei was about to use that Forbidden Move, just like the one he and Vali used during the Kuoh Treaty. However, if the aura everyone felt during that time was oppressive, right now Issei's aura was downright suffocating.

Rias and Akeno were barely able to stand, as cold sweats were freely flowing on their skin when they felt Issei's ominous aura were hitting them like waves.

Yuuto and Xenovia were gripping their swords like dear life as they set their eyes upon Issei's terrifying visage.

Koneko had it worse. She was hugging herself as her legs gave out. The traits of Nekoshou force her to take in every malice, every negative energy that came out from Issei's person. Gasper himself had collapsed as he was trembling, ready to wet his pants at any moment.

"Wh-what in the…!?"

Shalba, however, had it the worst. After he fell to the floor, he raised his head and snapped his eyes open, only to find himself looking upwards despite his height should be taller than Issei. Before his eyes, instead of armoured Issei, Shalba was looking at a massive red western dragon that was glaring down at him. Flames were leaking out from the gap of its fangs and nostrils, and its body was radiating power. Small orbs of light were also floating around him, letting out cries of humans, as words of power could be heard from the dragon, as if the monster was going to declare its presence.

It was the manifestation of mankind's curse, the curse named 'carnage', and everything etched in the hearts of those who fell before its power.

[Looks like it is about to begin this time…]

"...Am the Heavenly Dragon who has stolen the principles of domination from God."

[Yes, it truly has begun.]

As Issei spoke those words, the orbs of light around him also spoke out, signifying the beginning of terror.

The sorrowful despair of those who were destined to fight against their adversaries on the bloody hell called battlefield, of all warriors of the past, young and old, women and men, fully exposed to the madness, and yet who still cling to desires: 'to dominate' and 'to annihilate'.

[It has always been like this….]

"I laugh at the Infinity and grieve at the Dream…"

[Indeed, it has always been so.]

The orbs, or should had been said the souls of the past possessors of the Boosted Gear, voiced their lamentation of the tragedy that kept happening from generation to generation.

Shalba Beelzebub had been living his life long enough to witness many things. During the Great War, he witnessed the display of the power of his kings and ancestors, as well as the leaders of Heaven and fallen angels alike. Later on, he also witnessed the might of the Two Heavenly Dragons rampaging across the battlefield, followed by the demise of the leaders of the Three Great Powers. In the following Underworld Civil War, he witnessed the power of the new generation: Falbium Glasya-Labolas, Serafall Sitri, Ajuka Astaroth and Sirzechs Gremory, the latter two had achieved the power surpassing the original devil kings that allowed Shalba's reign along with his peers to be overthrown and forced them into hiding. And during his encounter with Ophis and his recruitment into Khaos Brigade, he witnessed the soul-crushing might of the Infinite Dragon God itself.

It was born from large masses of energy, and through millennium it was later sealed inside the God's Artefact. Nevertheless, its power being unleashed is mankind's greatest horror given form.

When Shalba witnessed the hulking red dragon that was Issei, he could tell that the thing before him could only hold a candle against Ophis' power. However, for some reasons he would rather faced Ophis' wrath many times over than facing whatever the monstrosity he was facing at the moment.

[The one the World desires…] [The one the World rejects!]

"I shall become the Red Dragon of Domination…!"

[It has always been power!] [It has always been love!]

The souls of the past possessors then clearly mourned the fact about the maddening power, and the reasons why they had embraced the very power that caused their downfall. Then finally, every soul of the past possessors, men and women, young and old; shouted their thoughts about the impeding disaster, as they also said Issei's last chant in unison.

[No matter how many times, you people always choose the path towards destruction!]

"AND I SHALL SINK YOU TO THE DEPTHS OF CRIMSON PURGATORY!"

[JUGGERNAUT DRIVE!]

The transformation had been completed, and Rias' peerage took in the form of Issei's Juggernaut Drive. The size of Issei's armour was bigger and rather gigantic; with claws, horns and spikes grew from its greaves, arms, feet and wings. Jewels were also adorning the said wings as well. The helmet also altered its appearance with fangs adorning its mouth, or rather, it became similar with a dragon's head. Overall, Issei's form was quite different than Vali as it was more draconic in terms of size. While Vali's Juggernaut Drive was somewhat still retained its humanoid posture, Issei's posture was more feral, akin to that of beast.

Rias eyed the dragon for a second before she tried to call out to the man inside the armour. "…Ise?"

"▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅!"

It suddenly let out an earth-splitting roar, causing the surrounding walls to collapse and everyone to cover their ears while Shalba was snapped out of his hallucination. To everyone, the thing that roared was neither Issei nor Red Dragon Emperor. It was more akin to a beast, an abomination that usurped the form of red dragon.

Shalba was now terrified beyond relief. When the abomination set its eyes on him, the devil knew that he had no chance to win against it, that any attempt to fight back would only result with his imminent death. Shalba's brows and temple was sweating like crazy, as for the first time in his life, Shalba Beelzebub finally learned about new meaning of 'fear' and 'terror'.

With deranged expression, Shalba put up his last bravado. "You…! You monster! I will not forget this humiliation! By the end of this day, I shall show you that us the true descendant of original Satan are the most superior compare to filthy-!"

CRASH!

"…Aahgk…!"

Whatever Shalba was about to say, the beast had already moved and obliterated Shalba's left-half of his body from neck to toe. Having missed a large part of his body, Shalba could not breath nor say any words, as the beast's onslaught did not stop there. The abomination had already moved again at blinding speed, used its massive arm to throw what remained of Shalba Beelzebub to the air, and it shot a large red beam from the mouth of its face-plate. Shalba did not even have any strength left to shout as the red beam engulfed him entirely, erasing him from existence.

It happened so fast in front of everyone else. One second Shalba was terrified and spouting some swearing words, then a second later Issei had moved past him, leaving Shalba lost a good half of his body. Then Shalba was thrown into the air and Issei destroyed him with a blast of red light.

However, even with the demise of the person who had earned his ire, Issei's (or what was supposed to be him) rage had not diminished even one bit. The abomination then let out a sad howl while trashing its surroundings and clawing its own face.

Seeing her Pawn had fallen into such a state, Rias then dashed towards him with worried and sad expression on her face. However, before she could have advanced any further, a hand grabbed on her, preventing Rias to go forward.

"Akeno, let go of me!" Rias commanded her Queen, who stopped her.

"No, Rias! What do you think you're doing?!" Akeno kept grabbing her King's hand despite Rias' struggle to break free.

Soon Yuuto also joined to prevent Rias to approach the now-berserk Issei. "Buchou, it's too dangerous to approach Ise-kun like this! We need to retreat for now!"

Rias then struggled more to break free, her gaze remained on Issei's draconic form. "No, no! He's hurting! I have to go to him! I promised that I'll be there for him!" Rias reached her hand out towards Issei. "ISE!"

However, when Rias shouted her beloved's name, the beast that had Issei as its core then turned its attention towards the group of young devils.

"▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅!"

As it roared again, no one had time to react as the monster was already moving towards Rias with the same speed it used on Shalba, its arm raised ready to crush them. Rias, along with Akeno and Yuuto who were next to her could only widen their eyes at the ominous looming figure.

Then, when the beast slammed its arm to the ground, it found nothing. Instead, it saw a blur sweeping the devils away right before its arm made any contact.

When Rias and the others returned to their senses, they were already at a good distance away from the rampaging Issei. In front of them was a bald man wearing a yellow suit, complete with a pair of red gloves and boots and a white cape.

"S-Saitama-san?" Rias stuttered at the man who just saved her life and her peerage. The man just arrived and simultaneously took everyone away to avoid Issei's strike.

"…Yo." Saitama greeted casually before he shifted his attention towards the beast, who did nothing else but glaring at him. "Care to tell me what the hell is that?" Saitama pointed at the unfamiliar abomination.

"That's… That's Ise." Rias said while her head was hung low in shame and despair.

Saitama looked around, and indeed he did not see his son around. However, Saitama also could not find a certain girl. "…Where's Asia?"

Rias did not say anything as she and the others only closed their eyes in regret. Saitama then somehow managed to put the two and two together. "…I see." Saitama closed his eyes for a moment then he turned towards the abomination that was his son.

"…Wait, Saitama-san?! What are you doing!?" Rias, along with others widened their eyes when they saw Saitama walking towards the monster in red armour.

"My son is mopping around in that thing, right? Then it's up to me to snap him out of it." Saitama replied as he fearlessly faced the monstrosity that still glared at him hatefully. "It's my job as his dad, after all."

"Hey, Ise!" Saitama then shouted to his son when he was closer. "How's it goin'?"

The beast only let out an angry growl in return before both of them moved.

To be Continued…