I waited as Master prepared something, though every fiber of me screamed to rush to the others.

Exhausted from training, facing Rossweisse head-on would be suicide.

Suppressing my impatience, I lingered. Minutes later, Master emerged from the kitchen.

"Here, it's ready," he said, handing me a cup of… hot water?

Transparent, unremarkable water.

"Master, this is…?"

"It's called Shintou—divine water, made from a rare spring only found in the Divine Realm. Drink it, and you'll see its effects."

…Huh?

Questions swirled, but I tipped the cup and drank it down.

It tasted faintly sweet, like nectar, but otherwise just warm water.

"Well?" Master asked, stroking his beard.

"It's just… water—!" I froze mid-sentence.

Power surged from deep within me.

Could this be—?

"Impressive, right?" Master grinned. "It restores stamina, heals injuries, and works instantly. That's its true strength."

I flexed my hand, testing the newfound vigor. Incredible! My fatigue—gone! Better than Phoenix Tears, even!

"Master, can I take some with me?"

It'd ease Asia's burden and restore stamina—a godsend.

But Master shook his head. "It's rare, even here. That was my last."

My shoulders slumped. Seriously? I'd hoped for at least one more dose…

No use begging for what's gone.

"I'm off, then."

"Don't die," Master said.

"Got it!"

Bidding him farewell, I stepped into the elevator—already prepared—and descended to the mortal realm.

[Third Person: Side]

Minutes after Issei left, Granseis moved alone. He'd swapped his casual attire for a white dojo uniform.

"Time to act. Can't let my dear disciple shoulder everything…"

Muttering, he stepped out of the hut.

[Third Person: Side Out]

Present

Thanks to Azazel-sensei's bracelet, I caught Miu as she was forcibly teleported to me, floating midair.

That was close. Without the bracelet, Miu's heart would've been pierced.

I didn't have to watch my sister die… Thank God.

Sensei, you're a lifesaver!

Miu, dazed, spoke. "Onii-chan…?"

"Yo. Ten days, huh? Sorry I'm late."

Seeing Miu again warmed my heart. Lately, I'd been low on "Miu vibes." Her touch, her voice, her warmth—despite the chaos, it soothed me.

[Quit the siscon nonsense and focus on the enemy,] Ddraig snapped.

Right, right. Not the time.

I stretched my senses, checking everyone's status. Kiba and Xenovia were fine, but…

"Azazel-sensei, Rossweisse-san, and Risha aren't here?"

"They're not in town," Miu said. "Preparing something."

Got it. Everyone's safe, then. Sensei's team must've found a countermeasure.

Tia teleported to me. "I've been waiting, Issei."

"Sorry for the delay."

"No biggie. I could've handled that without you. The real problem…" She glanced down.

There stood Rossweisse, alone, exuding a dense aura.

Time to set Miu down. I landed gently, placing her on the ground.

"You've come, Red Dragon Emperor," Rossweisse said. "You've grown stronger."

"You can tell?"

"Your aura's slightly sharper than before."

Slightly, huh? Not much time has passed, so fair enough.

Rossweisse conjured a black spear. Tia and Miu shifted to battle stances. I donned my armor, instantly entering Heavenly Arms mode.

Tia asked, "So, did you gain anything in the Divine Realm?"

"Eh, a little?"

Honestly, I hadn't connected with Ignis at all. Despite diving in repeatedly, I'd gotten nowhere.

Still, training with Master paid off.

"No time for distractions!" Rossweisse vanished.

In that instant, color drained from my vision—

[Kiba: Side]

A deafening explosion rocked the air, a blast of wind tearing through. Rossweisse vanished in a split second.

The shockwave shattered the surroundings, far beyond Xenovia's attacks.

"What happened!?" Xenovia shouted, eyes wide. "Are Issei and the others okay!?"

"No clue," I said. "It happened too fast to see."

Dust clouded everything. As it settled, our eyes locked onto—

"Well…" I muttered.

Rossweisse, buried in rubble, and Issei, fist clenched.

[Kiba: Side Out]

"Issei…" Tia's voice trembled with awe.

Everyone stared, wide-eyed. No wonder—Rossweisse lay trapped in debris.

The moment he vanished, he'd swung his spear at me. I countered with everything I had. That's it.

Before, I'd have been decapitated, unable to track him. Last time, I couldn't even follow his moves.

"This is my new power: Zone," I said.

Extreme focus, forced by Nenkan Keiki Qigong. It came at a cost—massive strain. But it let me read Rossweisse's movements and strike back.

There's a time limit, though. Prolonged use would wreck my body.

Rossweisse rose slowly. "A counter? Unexpected."

"Guess I'll keep surprising you with a rematch."

I glanced back at Tia and Miu. "I'll take the front. You two cover me. I can't beat him alone. Tell Alice and Morris's crew, too."

"No choice," Tia said. "You're the only one who can track him. We'd just get in the way."

"I've got you, Onii-chan," Miu added.

"Thanks."

I ruffled Miu's hair and faced Rossweisse.

Here we go.

[Time to pay back last time. We can't let the Red Dragon Emperor's name be shamed!]

Hell yeah, Ddraig!

[Accel Booster!!!!]

[BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBoost!!!!]

Aura erupted from my boosters, and I charged. Zone didn't just sharpen reflexes—it enhanced everything. My speed was unreal.

Rossweisse gripped his spear, meeting me head-on. My fists clashed with his weapon, each blow fueled by doubled power.

[BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBoost!!!!]

Every punch carried amplified force, strong enough to rival his spear. This reckless power burned through stamina—bad for a long fight. I needed to end it fast.

"Your eyes see a different world now," Rossweisse said, parrying effortlessly.

"Pretty much!" I unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks.

Last time, I couldn't track him. Now, trading blows was progress. I kept attacking—slowing down meant getting overwhelmed.

Each clash sent shockwaves, scattering clouds and crumbling buildings.

He's still not serious, though. Holding back plenty.

His spear grazed my shoulder, shredding armor and flesh. One hit could kill.

"What's wrong? Planning to take me down?" he taunted.

"Gah…!"

Two spears slashed my chest in a cross, nearly fatal. I dodged just in time, but I was losing ground.

"Onii-chan, fall back!" Miu shouted.

I leapt skyward. Tia and Miu unleashed a magical barrage, a machine-gun spray of devastating power, pinning Rossweisse.

Then, Rias and Akeno's dragons of destruction and lightning merged into one, biting into Rossweisse. Xenovia's holy aura, Irina and Reina's light rain followed.

But—

Bwoosh!

Every attack was repelled. Rossweisse stood unscathed.

Tch. Even with Dragon King power, enough to erase a Demon Lord, it wasn't enough.

To beat him, I needed—

"Come, Ignis!"

A massive single-edged sword wreathed in flames appeared—the key to defeating Rossweisse.

In Zone, I could draw out its power.

[BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBoost!!!!]

[Transfer!!]

I poured amplified power into Ignis. Its blade shifted from steel to searing red, stronger than when I fought Shalba.

Rossweisse narrowed his eyes. "Ignis… The best choice to defeat me."

Since we met, I've sensed something about him… but no time for that.

My job: stop him and end this destruction.

I cycled more qi through Nenkan Keiki Qigong, sustaining Zone. If I slipped out, I'd lose him.

[BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBoost!!!!]

[Ignition Booster!!!!]

Aura exploded, closing the distance with a sonic boom, wrecking the surroundings. Rossweisse matched my speed effortlessly.

Our clashes echoed. Using Zone to create afterimages, I disoriented him, mixing sword, fists, kicks, and qi blasts.

With everyone's support, I held on—but I was losing. He was ramping up, and my body screamed its limits. Headaches pounded.

[He's coming!]

"!"

Ddraig's warning came too late. His spear grazed my stomach.

I was losing him, even in Zone.

[I don't know why he's holding back, but he's stronger now. If he ramps up further, we're done.]

Got it.

One shot to end it.

[BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBoost!!!!]

"Take this!"

I swung Ignis full-force, unleashing a blazing slash that engulfed the sky, catching Rossweisse. Everyone's attacks piled on, triggering a massive explosion.

"Hah… hah… cough!"

I landed, staring at the crimson sky. Zone's limit hit; colors returned.

My limbs shook, barely standing.

[No choice. You were boosting nonstop in Zone. Tough opponent, though.]

Yeah… Nosebleed, huh? First time outside lewd thoughts.

"Issei!"

"Onii-chan!"

Alice, Miu, and the others ran over.

"You guys okay?" I asked.

"That's our line," Rias said. "Asia, heal him."

"Right!"

Asia's light enveloped me, faster than before. Was her power growing? Even my qi and stamina stabilized slightly.

[This world might've awakened her Sacred Gear beyond its limits.]

Like you mentioned before, huh? Good news.

Morris asked, "What about Rossweisse?"

"Didn't beat him, but we hurt him."

Ignis's scorching hit, plus everyone's barrage—most gods would be ash.

[That would've vaporized most deities.]

Thought so. We got him… I hope.

"Where's Azazel-sensei?"

"Contacted us," Morris said. "They're almost ready. Big ritual, takes time."

Hope they hurry. Rossweisse could move any second.

Then—

The red sky darkened.

A black sphere, over 100 meters wide, floated above. Rossweisse stood beneath, bleeding slightly.

No way… That's all the damage we did?

I thought I took an arm!

He gazed at his blood. "You wounded me… but is that your limit?"

He aimed his palm at us. The sphere began descending.

"Let's end this. You fought well, showing me potential. I'd wait for you to grow, but… I'm bound by a ritual."

The sphere fell slowly, radiating danger.

[That hits, and this town—hell, this country—disappears.]

Ddraig's panic sparked fear in everyone.

"Alice!" Morris yelled. "Evacuate them to another country! Open a gate!"

"On it!"

"Rias, you escape too!"

"No time!" Rias shouted.

"Doesn't matter! You think we can block that!?"

Less than a minute remained. Too short to evacuate the town.

What do I do?

Then it hit me—a way to stop it.

"Yuto, take care of Issei!" Morris ordered.

"Issei-kun, grab my shoulder!" Kiba said.

I refused, shaking my head.

"Issei-kun…?"

"Kiba, go with the others. Asia, that's enough. Thanks."

Asia's healing had done wonders. I stood.

Alice caught on. "Issei, you're not…!"

"I'll buy time. Get out of here."

Everyone froze, shocked.

"You're insane!" Alice yelled. "Another reckless solo stunt!?"

"Haha… Sorry, it's the only way to protect you all."

Ddraig, one favor.

[What?]

Can you suppress the past hosts' grudges for a bit?

[What!? That's…!]

Yeah, I know. But it's our only shot.

[Maybe, but…]

Vali managed by burning his magic. I don't have that much.

But I can gather qi—the root of life—from around me. That'll do.

[It might not work.]

Even if I can't stop it, I'll buy time. That's enough.

"No time! Go!" I urged.

"No way—" Alice began.

Morris cut her off, meeting my eyes. "You serious?"

"Dead serious. But I'm not planning to die."

"Alright. Everyone, let Issei handle this."

Alice grabbed him. "Why!? Leave him alone!?"

"Staying wastes time. You're a princess—your duty's to the people."

"But—"

"You want to waste Issei's resolve?"

Everyone fell silent.

If I don't act, I'll regret it forever. Morris gets my resolve.

"We're useless here," he said. "Move, or you'll burden him more."

Tia opened a magic circle at their feet.

"You're in the way," she said.

Light engulfed them, teleporting them away.

Only Tia and I remained.

"Why'd you stay?" I asked.

"Strange question. I'm your familiar—my place is with you. Besides…"

"Besides?"

"You promised me more time together."

…Right, I did say that.

In this situation, though? Oh well. Tia wouldn't listen anyway.

"Guess you're with me to the end."

"Understood, Master."

We exchanged smiles.

The black sphere loomed. Time to start.

Clap!

I clasped my hands, gathering qi—not just mine, but the world's. I cycled and compressed it rapidly—one of Nenkan Keiki Qigong's ultimate techniques.

My red aura turned golden, blazing.

Here we go, Ddraig!

[Let's go all out!]

WHOOSH!

Wind roared around me.

And I chanted the forbidden incantation—

[I awaken—]

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