I stared skyward, locking eyes on a man hovering above.

Pale as a corpse, his skin lacked any trace of life. His gaze was so cold it could freeze me solid. Black wings, like Azazel-sensei's, Akeno's, or Raynare's, but devoid of their luster, swallowed light in their inky depths. Two horns sprouted from his head, and a whip-like tail swayed from his waist.

The pressure radiating from him was crushing, making it hard to breathe. Asia and Gasper collapsed to their knees, unable to withstand it.

Cold sweat dripped from my forehead.

"What… is that guy!?" I gasped.

Every gaze fixed on him, but no one could move—not even Azazel-sensei or Tiamat.

"You're the Red Dragon Emperor," he said, his icy stare piercing me.

A chill ran through my body, like my heart was gripped tight. He knows me? Then it's got to be—

Before I could finish the thought, he vanished from my sight.

Thud.

He landed right in front of us.

I couldn't react! His movement was a total blur!

"When did he…!?" Azazel-sensei muttered, barely audible.

Even he and Tiamat didn't catch it.

I steadied my breathing, facing him. "Yeah… I'm the Red Dragon Emperor."

"I see," he said. "Your appearance matches Loki's description. And I sense the same power from two years ago."

Loki's name again. No doubt about it.

Azazel-sensei stepped forward. "You're the mastermind behind those white monsters… the God of Destruction?"

His voice was certain. The dense power radiating from this guy, plus mentioning Loki—everyone knew it.

The man's expression didn't shift. "God? Me? That's laughable."

We frowned, confused. Not him?

"You're not the one causing this chaos, the so-called God of Destruction?" Azazel-sensei pressed.

He nodded slightly. "I see. That's what you call me. Let me correct you—I'm no god. Don't lump me with those fools. It's insulting."

His face twisted with clear disdain, the first emotion he'd shown. Does he have a grudge against this world's gods?

"Then what do we call you?" Azazel-sensei asked.

"Rossward. That's my name."

Rossward—the name of the being we'd dubbed the God of Destruction.

"Alright, Rossward," Azazel-sensei said. "If you're not a god, you still admit to causing this mess?"

"Correct," Rossward replied instantly, no hesitation or excuses.

What's the point of hiding it?

Azazel-sensei aimed his artificial Sacred Gear dagger. "What's your goal? If the legend's true, you're trying to destroy this world. Why?"

That's the key question. Why's he rampaging across Ast-Aade?

"My purpose?" Rossward said. "It's my reason for existing."

"What?" Azazel-sensei frowned.

"I was born for this—no, created is more accurate."

We all froze, stunned.

Created? Like Fenrir was made by Loki? Someone made this guy?

"To destroy everything, to obliterate all—that's what I am," Rossward declared.

Zmm! His power surged, overwhelming.

How strong is this guy!?

I summoned my armor instantly. He's dangerous!

"President! Get everyone out of here!" I shouted. "I'll—"

Boom! A side impact sent me crashing through houses.

Too fast! I couldn't stop!

I blasted aura from my back boosters, barely halting before plunging into the sea.

"Phew… stopped," I panted. That speed and power were unreal.

"Let's be honest, partner," Ddraig said. "You can't win. Not even with Azazel and Tiamat. His power surpasses me, Albion, or Tiamat at our peaks."

Seriously!? Stronger than Ddraig's prime?

"And he's not even serious," Ddraig added. "I can't gauge his full strength."

Damn it. Bad news.

BOOM! An explosion roared from where I'd been.

Tiamat and Azazel-sensei, now in golden armor, fought Rossward. That armor—his artificial Sacred Gear's Balance Breaker—has limits, unlike my gauntlet. It's his trump card, and he's using it already?

In that state, Azazel-sensei could overpower Old Demon King Faction leaders boosted by Ophis's snakes. Tiamat's the strongest Dragon King. Yet Rossward was dominating them both.

What a monster!

I've gotta help! "Ddraig!"

"Telling you to run is pointless, right? Good. I'm ready."

Thanks! Let's hit him with a massive blast!

I shifted my armor to Ten-Geki mode, starting Boosts.

"Accel Booster!!!!"

"BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBoost!!!!"

I channeled Renkan Keikikou, cycling aura to its limit, aiming for Rossward. Gotta avoid hitting Azazel-sensei and Tiamat.

I watched their fight, waiting for the perfect moment—when they broke away, and Rossward paused.

"Now! Dragon Full Blaster!" I roared.

"Highmat Full Blast!!!!"

A torrent of aura erupted from my six cannons, barreling toward Rossward.

He noticed but didn't move.

BOOM! A direct hit!

Smoke clouded the area. I rushed to Azazel-sensei and Tiamat. "You two okay?"

"For now," Azazel-sensei said. "Nice timing."

Their armor and clothes were tattered, but no major wounds. Impressive.

Where was Rias's group? Tiamat noticed my glance. "Miu, Rias Gremory, and the others retreated. Fighting at this level while protecting them is too much. They'll join Oudiria's soldiers soon."

Smart call. They'd understand.

Alice and Morris probably got the alert too.

"Now we focus on this guy," Azazel-sensei said, glaring through the smoke. "That hit should've at least hurt him."

I hoped so.

Whoosh! A gust cleared the smoke, revealing Rossward—unscathed.

"No way…" I muttered, shocked.

My max-output Ten-Geki blast, and not a scratch?

"This guy's bad news," Azazel-sensei said.

"What's the plan?" I asked.

"Plan? He's beyond our predictions. I'd retreat, but…" He glanced at the town center, where Trim-san and civilians remained. Fleeing would doom them.

We had to hold out.

Rossward stared at his palm, then at us. "Is that all? I had hopes, but you're a disappointment."

He vanished again.

A slicing wind and a pained cry followed. "Gah!"

Azazel-sensei was gone, buried in rubble across the street.

I didn't see it!

Tch! Tiamat reverted to her dragon form, slamming a massive fist at Rossward.

The impact shook the air—a perfect hit!

But—

"No matter how big you get, it's not enough," Rossward said.

"What!?" Tiamat gasped.

Her arm flew off, blood dripping from a black spear in Rossward's hand.

"You bastard!" I roared, switching to Ten-Bu armor.

"BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBoost!!!!"

"Ignition Booster!!!!"

Boosters across my body erupted, unleashing a sonic boom. "Raaaah!"

My full-power punch aimed at Rossward—it had to hit!

Smack. He caught it effortlessly.

"Damn it!" I swung my left fist.

"I said, disappointing," Rossward sneered.

My left arm was sliced off, blood spraying. Pain seared through me.

What's with his insane power!?

"Issei!" Azazel-sensei charged with a giant light spear, while Tiamat unleashed a massive magic circle blast.

I leapt back as their combined attack hit Rossward.

But he's not going down that easily! I summoned Ignis, its blade glowing red-hot. This sword could at least scratch him.

I flanked Rossward, swinging Ignis with all my might.

He glanced at it, almost nostalgic. "Ignis, huh? Familiar sword."

He caught it—barehanded.

"You're its current wielder," he said. "But you're not drawing out its true power."

"You know this sword?" I asked.

"Yes. I faced it once," he replied.

So the legend's sword was Ignis?

No time for that—I had to act!

Black spears materialized around Rossward. "Time to end this. You can't fulfill my desire."

He snapped his fingers, and the spears rained down, devastating the town. Each one hit like a bomb.

We dodged what we could, but there were too many. Spears pierced us, pinning us to the ground.

I coughed up blood, my body going numb from blood loss. I couldn't move!

Rossward aimed a hand at us, gathering black light for the finishing blow.

No way to dodge!

The light intensified—

Then he stopped.

"What?" he muttered, staring at his palm. "The seal's effects linger?"

Seal? It's not fully broken?

He glanced at me, frowning. "Tch. My time's up."

He summoned another black spear, slashing his arm. Blood sprayed, hitting the ground.

Pop pop. The blood-soaked earth bulged, forming shapes—white monsters, like the ones we fought, now fishman-like.

"Gryaaah!" they screeched.

So Rossward's blood creates them. Azazel-sensei was right.

I looked up—Rossward was gone.

We survived… but those monsters were closing in.

I couldn't move, pinned by spears. A beast loomed over me.

I'm done for!

"Ugh, I told you to be careful!" a voice snapped.

The monster split in half.

In its place—

"Phew, made it in time," she said. "Still conscious, Issei?"

Alice stood before me, wreathed in white lightning, yanking a spear from the monster.

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