Lossward's hand grazed Ignis's blade, still piercing his chest. "Well done…"

I stared at him. "Why… didn't you dodge?"

Azazel-sensei's spell had weakened him significantly. In that state, I could've won without him taking the hit.

But he didn't even try to evade. It felt like he chose to accept Ignis's blade.

"You know my wish, Red Dragon Emperor… don't you?"

"Yeah…"

His deepest desire was to end himself. Bound by a curse-like spell, he couldn't die by his own will, doomed to wreak destruction forever.

"The spell you used didn't just sap my power. It weakened the curse binding me."

"What?"

"At the very end… I could end myself by my own will."

Shhh…

Lossward's body crumbled like sand, scattering in the wind.

My armor flickered out, unable to hold. Two minutes was its limit, but it let me match Lossward.

"Why… are you crying?" he asked.

"Huh?" I touched my cheek—tears. "It's… too sad. Created against your will, cursed to destroy, your only wish to die…"

"What a strange man… crying for the one who killed you," Lossward said, his body reduced to his upper half, crumbling further.

"You said you'd save me."

"Yeah."

A power to protect everyone—and to save Lossward. I couldn't break his curse, only end him.

He gave a faint smile. "You saved me… Freed me from that wretched curse. Thank you."

Damn it… that's unfair…

Lossward touched my forehead. "I'm fading. But first…"

What?

His body turned to dust, even the finger on my forehead. Only his head remained.

"Farewell, Red Dragon Emperor."

And he was gone.

I staggered back to the others, my body at its limit after dying once. Each step was heavy, threatening to topple me.

"Big brother!!" Miu and the others ran toward me. Gasper tripped, carried by Koneko.

"Issei, are you okay!?" Rias checked me, frantically touching my chest.

Well, a gaping hole was there, so I get it. Ticklish, though.

"Calm down, I'm fine," I said, soothing her.

"But the hole…"

"It's closed. I'm alive, see?"

They poked and prodded my chest, stunned it had healed.

"I came back because of Sirius," I said.

Miu reacted first. "My dad…?"

"Yeah. He planned for this."

A black mist appeared beside me, forming Sirius.

Miu's eyes widened. "Dad!?"

"Been a while, Miu," he said, likely using Ignis's power, like when we faced Fenrir.

"I've watched your life."

"What!?" Miu's face turned crimson.

Yeah, I felt that embarrassment too…

Sirius coughed. "You're happy. That's enough."

"I am, Dad. With Issei and everyone, I'm happy."

"Good." Sirius exhaled. "As the Demon Lord's daughter, you faced dangers. I trained you harshly to protect you, but I couldn't be gentle. Your mother died young, and I failed to give you the love you needed. I wasn't a good father. I'm sorry."

"No! I've never regretted being your daughter! Your strictness made me who I am!" Miu cried.

Sirius blinked, then smiled. She's stronger than you know, Sirius. She amazed me too.

His body began to glow. "My time's up."

"You're leaving already?" I asked.

"I'd talk more, but there's no time." He looked at Miu. "I can't watch over you anymore, but I'll always think of you."

"Dad…" Miu's tears fell as he hugged her, stroking her hair.

"Issei, take care of her."

"Count on it. I'll protect her for you."

Sirius nodded, satisfied, and faded into light.

The dark clouds above cleared.

Thanks, Sirius. We saved them all.

As I faced the others, dizziness hit. My vision warped, legs buckling.

"Sorry… I'm done…"

I blacked out.

A white world. Nothing but endless white.

Ignis stood before me, smiling. "Well done. You saved him."

"Barely. Without everyone—Master, Azazel-sensei, Elza—it'd have been over. Sirius's link to you was at its limit too."

"True. Thank them for me?"

"Sure. Still… it's lonely without Sirius."

"Yeah. Two years as my talkative companion… But he seemed content. Now you're my chat buddy, Issei♪"

"Huh? Can I even come back here?" I only reached her because I died.

She smirked. "No worries. You've connected with me. A path's open. I can talk to you anytime."

"Got it. But no true name yet, right?"

"Nope. Not till you're strong enough."

"Fine. I'll keep calling you Ignis. Still gonna burn my arm?"

"Yup♪"

More training, huh? How much to master Ignis?

Let's not overthink it. I'll figure it out.

Ignis giggled. "Time to wake up. They're worried."

"Right."

"Let me know if you get lonely. I might call you soon—I'm clingy♪"

I woke on a bed in my castle room, sunset light streaming through the window. A whole day asleep? No surprise after dying once.

A weight on my chest—Koneko, in cat ears, curled up. Miu was beside me.

What are these girls doing?

Click.

Alice entered. "You're awake."

"Just now. Slept a whole day, huh?"

She sighed. "Five days."

"What?"

"Five days, Issei."

Five days!? No wonder I feel heavy.

"So Koneko and Miu…"

"We took turns nursing you. They're today's shift. Your energy flow was a mess. Koneko spent a day fixing it. Thank her later."

"A whole day…" They nursed me despite their own exhaustion.

I petted Koneko and Miu. They stirred, looking relieved.

"Nya… Senpai…"

"Big… brother…"

Too cute…

"You're bleeding," Alice said.

Nosebleed. Too much healing after so long. Need rehab for this.

"Did you nurse me too?"

"Huh?"

"You said you took turns."

"Well… yeah. Be grateful—a princess nursing you is rare."

"Thanks, Alice."

"Uh… yeah…" Her face reddened.

What's with her?

Alice sat, exhaling. "You're a mystery. Coming back from a hole in your chest… I still can't believe it."

"Haha…"

Thanks to Sirius and Ignis. Without them, I'd be gone.

"Where's everyone else?"

"Rias and the others? Back from town repairs, relaxing in the hall. Go see them."

"Yeah."

Koneko's fully on me, though. Tough to move without waking her.

As I pondered, Alice approached.

"What's up?"

She looked down, then hugged me tightly. "Thank you for keeping your promise. For coming back. I was so happy."

Her tension melted away, like she'd feared I'd never wake.

Five days unconscious after that battle… no wonder.

I hugged her back, letting her feel I was alive. "Can't break a promise to you."

Days later, with other nations' help, Central's repairs were nearly done—eighty percent complete, three days to go.

Miu and I visited a cemetery outside Forestnium, quieter than the town, calming. Sirius's grave stood here, built by Urm to let him rest peacefully after a life of conflict. He'd have liked this place.

Miu placed flowers at the grave. "Thank you, Dad. For protecting everyone. For saving Issei."

We knelt, hands clasped.

Sirius, our fight wasn't in vain. Humans and demons are united. Watch over this peace.

Miu stood. "Ready?"

"Yeah. You?"

"I said what I needed to."

We turned to leave. This was the day we'd return home. I'd eaten Mom's cooking, seen Light again, confirmed peace. No regrets.

Time to go before my parents worry.

Three steps in, I stopped.

"What's wrong?" Miu asked.

"Just one more thing."

I turned, pulling Miu close, and faced Sirius's grave. "I swear again, Sirius. I'll make Miu happy. I'll protect her for you."

She's family now. Essential. Protecting her is a given.

I wanted Sirius to hear my resolve once more.

"Big brother…" Miu whispered.

"Did he hear me?"

"He did. He's watching us."

"Yeah…"

Minutes later, we headed to where we'd first arrived in Ast Aade. Unlike last time, we'd force a dimensional vortex to return, per Azazel-sensei. I didn't get the details—too complex. Just retrace our steps, using Rias and the others as conduits, syncing our energies with Renkan Keikikou to bring Miu.

In the forest, a crowd waited—Forestnium's people, Alice, and more.

"There you are," Azazel-sensei said, raising a hand. Everyone was ready.

"Princess!" Demon kids swarmed Miu.

She's popular.

"Thank you for coming," Miu said, hugging them. I patted their heads.

I approached Maurice. "Stay well, Issei. Come back anytime."

"I'll be waiting," Risha added, hugging me.

Boobs! Gotta save this memory!

"Big brother, your nose…"

Oops. Too much female contact after Master's training.

"Stay well, Nina. I'll visit."

"I'll be more grown-up then. We'll do lots♪"

Lots!? My imagination's running wild!

"Dying didn't cure your perviness?" Ddraig sighed.

Nope! It's eternal!

"By the way, your gauntlet's out for a while."

Again!? Why?

"You overdid it, especially with Juggernaut Drive. The Sacred Gear's overloaded."

Damn…

"Don't worry. Fight with Renkan Keikikou for now. Good Zone training."

Got it. Tell me when it's back.

"Will do."

Great. Back to basics.

I glanced at Alice. Was her expression… off?

"See ya, Alice. Call if you need me. I'll come running."

"How do I call you?"

"Uh… willpower?"

"Didn't you say that two years ago?"

…Yeah, I haven't grown much.

"Time to go, Issei. Miu's ready," Rias said.

Miu was with Azazel-sensei's group, prepped.

"Alright, I'm going."

"Yeah…" Alice replied softly.

I hesitated. Something felt wrong. Looking at her, I knew—leaving her would be a regret.

I made up my mind. "Alice, come with me."

"What!?" Her eyes widened.

Rias and the others froze.

"Why!?"

"I can't leave you with that face."

"What face!?"

"Like you're about to cry."

She flinched.

When I said goodbye, her eyes glistened. I felt it—she wanted to come.

We've fought back-to-back. I know her heart.

"Are you insane!? I'm a princess! I have a duty—Maurice, what are you doing!?"

Maurice grabbed her arm, grinning, and tossed her skyward.

"KYAAA!" Her scream echoed.

I caught her before she fell. "What the hell!?"

"Yeah, that was reckless!" Alice yelled from my arms.

Maurice kept grinning. "Go, Alice. Leave the country to us."

"What!?"

"Be honest, big sis. You want to go," Nina said.

"No issues. The council's already informed," Risha added.

"What's that mean, Risha!?"

"We saw this coming. Nina got the council's approval for you to go with Issei."

They planned this behind her back. Alice was speechless.

"If you don't want to, that's fine. The council knows it's your choice. So, do you want to go or stay?" Maurice asked.

"I…" Alice faltered, glancing at me, face red.

She's so stubborn…

"Alice, will you come with me? I want you with me."

My honest feelings. I wanted more time with her.

She froze, then mumbled, ears red, "…Take me."

"Huh?"

"Take me!"

"Take what?"

"You stole a princess's heart! Take responsibility!"

Whoa! My ears!

"Are you listening!?"

She grabbed my collar, shaking me.

"Stop! You're choking me!"

She let go. "So… what's your answer?"

Responsibility… Wait, this feels familiar.

"If I'm good enough?"

"Why's that a question!?"

Our banter made the trio laugh.

"It's settled," Maurice said.

"Finally honest," Risha teased.

"Take care of her, Issei," Nina added.

They pushed us toward Rias's group.

Azazel-sensei smirked. "Another girl? Impressive or ridiculous?"

"It's Issei's charm," Tiamat nodded.

"A true rival," Rias sighed.

"That's our Issei," Akeno added.

Miu smiled. "I knew you'd do this."

"It'll be tough…" I muttered. Azazel-sensei's gonna tease me forever.

Let's not dwell. Scary future ahead.

KIIIIING!

A piercing sound rang out. It was time.

I turned, shouting to everyone, "See you again!!"

Light engulfed us.

[Third Person Side]

The blinding light faded from the forest. Issei and the others were gone.

"They're off," Maurice said, chuckling.

"Nina, you wanted to go too, huh?" he asked Risha.

"Yes, but I have duties here," Risha replied, smiling. "Besides, I feel we'll meet again."

"Yeah," Maurice nodded.

Nina gazed at the spot, smiling, wishing Alice happiness.

They turned to leave.

"Excuse me, I'm lost. Where am I?" a voice said.

Their thoughts froze.

[Third Person Side Out]

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