High School DxD - Volume SS - Chapter 2.1

Life 1: Crimson Haired Red Dragon Emperor 

From this point on, what is told consists of top secret circumstances known only to a small number of highly important people—. 

Though these are important events, it is something that must not by any means be made public……the time may come though when the truth contained within this information may be useful. 

Therefore, in the case that something were to happen to me, I am purposefully recording this to serve as an intermediary. 

Even though I earnestly desire that this shall never be released, I shall commence the account. 

-DxD- 

The events began following fierce fighting with the 'Khaos Brigade', and around the time when some level of calmness had finally been recovered. 

I—Azazel, for the sake of confirming something that had been reported by my students, late that night, accompanied Rias and company as they were mobilized at that time. 

I had been informed about it from them. 

—Recently, strange things have been appearing frequently within the territory of the Gremory household. 

That was what had been discussed with me. At the very least it did not appear to be Stray Devils. 

When I had first heard about it, I had high expectations that it was the 'Khaos Brigade', or if not them then Sacred Gear owners in the vicinity that had been influenced by the 'Khaos Brigade'. 

I happened late at night two days after that discussion. From Akeno, on an emergency channel— 

'Sensei, that thing we mentioned before has appeared. For the sake of identification, shouldn't you be present here?' 

Having received the communication, I arrived at the approximate location I'd been informed of with a single jump through the transportation-type magic circle. During the discussion, Irina had also expressed an interest in participating in battle against this enigmatic enemy. 

Given that immediately after transporting I sensed Rias and company's demonic power—the waves of their aura, I spread my wings and flew to their location. 

That location was an abandoned house on the outskirts of Kuou Town. At this deserted location, the light from the solitary electric lamp failed to light up the area. Already it seemed that fighting had broken out, as I could confirm the use of offensive demonic power. 

The moment I arrived at the position of Rias and company, she was just delivering her Gremory speech. 

"Miscreants, those who have intruded into my jurisdiction. In the name of the Duke of Gremory, you will all be blown away! ……Although I'm saying this at this point I'm doubtful if you are even capable of comprehending my words." 

As a result of Rias's decision, Ise and company fixed their stances. Somehow or another, it seemed as if they had been arguing until just now. Ise had also changed into his armor. 

I looked ahead and to the left, where illuminated in the light under the electric lamp——was something with a silver-colored body that was standing there……. 

It was barely humanoid. By barely, I mean that it had four limbs and was standing on two legs like a human, but that is all that can be said of similarity between their appearances. It was unknown was what it was composed of. 

It's entire body was one shade of silver, the surface appearing hard like the exoskeleton of an insect, which emitted a brilliant lustre. At first glance it appeared to be a machine, but the thing's outer skin formed smooth curves, which would lead one to assume that it was a living creature. 

The back of the head protruded from the head itself, just like the rumors of 'gray space aliens' that were spread among humans, there were five of what appeared to be the thing's eyes (which were reminiscent of an insect's compound eyes), and neither a nose or mouth could be found. 

More than anything else——its aura couldn't be sensed at all. From this fellow, I could sense something being released from its body. However, the energy that we were sensing from it, it was clearly a completely different kind of energy. There wasn't even any indication that it was breathing. 

Squaring off against the enigmatic creature, each of the members of the Occult Research Club similarly showed an extremely complex expression, being completing bewildered by the body that was before them. 

……Well, I was also troubled on how to comment upon seeing such an entirely indescribable opponent. To begin with, over the course of my long life, this was my first time encountering that kind of thing. 

That's right, this guy……was a subject that stimulated my researcher's curiosity. 

Ise asked me about the unpleasant opponent. 

"……Sensei, this thing, what is it? A machine? A demon?" 

I replied in an instant. 

"I don't know. It's my first time seeing this as well. It doesn't seem to be a machine or a demon. Anyway……shouldn't we capture it for examination. You guys, can you catch it without damaging it as much as possible?" 

Receiving my instruction, Rias was bewildered, yet nodded her head in acknowledgement. 

"……Seeing as it has already challenged us, there's no way we can simply ignore it. ——Koneko." 

"……Yes." 

Hearing Rias's command, Koneko took a single step forward. 

……To begin with, she chose a striker huh. It was easily to understood that this was a good method for judging the type of material. 

I provided additional instructions to Koneko. 

"Koneko, give it a single punch loaded with a reasonable amount of Touki [1] ." 

"……Understood." 

While displaying some light footwork, Koneko waited for the opponent to show an opening……. The opponent didn't move at all. It didn't display a single movement. That was much too ominous. 

Koneko closed the gap and delivered a single punch to the opponent's abdomen. 

——A sound like a hammer striking metal resounded throughout the area. 

A metallic impact? As expected, is it a metal——machine? 

"…………" 

Koneko jumped back, returning to where we were. She was staring fixedly at the fist she had just punched with. 

Koneko spoke in a subdued whisper. 

"……It was similar to striking a lump of rubber." 

……That's, surprising. The sound on impact is that of metal yet it feels like rubber? Its true nature has become even more increasingly difficult to understand! 

——Then, the opponent began to move. With its head trembling ever so slightly——the five pale eyes shifted to a dangerous shade of red!! 

"That's! Everyone scatter! Azazel you too, evade!" 

Rias quickly issued an order to everyone. 

Sensing danger to myself as well, I spread my wings and flew into the midnight sky! Casting my gaze down upon the enigmatic being, as I patiently observed——as a previously unseen pattern revealed itself on its entire body, a red beam was fired from each of its five eyes!! 

Those guys that were here, despite being young they also had done a splendid job evading that carnage, seemingly taking no notice of such a half-hearted attack. ——However, the red beams that had been fired, the light flexibly curved its trajectories!! 

Akeno yelled. 

"Please be careful! That light can move freely like a whip!" 

The red light, seemingly possessing its own will as it move left and right through the air like confused tire tracks drawn on a highway, swooped down on us. 

"Kuu!" 

Receiving a single shot, Rossweisse spread out a defensive magic circle in front of her repelling——. No, not only did Rossweisse's magic circle not repel the the red beam, it slipped straight through the magic circle as though it didn't even care about it! It slipped through a defensive magic circle!? When it comes to Rossweisse's magic circle, at the very least it ought have been developed with defensive measures against every phenomenon. The magic formula she had compiled was capable of dealing with both physical attacks and magical attacks. 

——And yet it had slipped right through it? 

If that was the case, that it wasn't physical or magical, wouldn't that mean it was an attack born from an entirely different system of knowledge? No no, that's impossible! Apart from the Norse Mythology system of magic there is no other mythological system as advanced in this area. Therefore for it to have slipped through the magic circle of Rossweisse who was an elite——. 

Rossweisse instantly used defensive body movements on herself to avoid the red beam, establishing some distance from it. 

The other members of the ORC were driven throughout the sky by the other red beams. 

"Kuh! What a nuisance!" 

"Mou! What is this!" 

Xenovia and Irina were wielding their specialized weapons to clear away the red beams. 

……The attacks from holy swords were capable of cutting them? 

"Damnit! Dragon Shot!" 

Ise fired an extra large sphere of demonic power aimed at the opponent. Fired at tremendous speed, this single attack from the Sekiryuutei scored a direct hit upon the mysterious silver creature——. It didn't even try to avoid it. 

Giving rise to the sound and fumes of an explosion, the opponent——in the center of a crater created by the impact, was scattered into pieces. The four limbs had been plucked off, and the head had been severed from the torso. 

……Did that do it? No, even though I said it had been scattered there were no bodily fluids pouring out of it. ……Just what on earth was this guy……? 

Rias narrowed her eyes without dropping her guard. 

"……With this" 

Just as Rias spoke, the enigmatic creature that ought to have been scattered——from its torso, from the severed limbs, countless thin tentacle like objects extended. The tentacles from the cross section of the arms approached those extending from the cross section of the torso——and fused together!! 

The arms with the torso, the legs with the waist, each was successively tied to the other, restoring it to its original appearance! 

"Kuh!" 

Rushing in, Kiba severed the tentacles that had fused together with his Holy-Demonic Sword——but before long they resumed their regeneration. 

Rossweisse spoke up at this point. 

"It is the same as before. Temporarily, it can be defeated, but it then immediately revives. Moreover, when it comes to ordinary attacks, they cannot inflict even a single injury upon its body." 

……Even though it had certainly received Ise's attack, its body had only been scattered without a single wound being inflicted upon the surface, which was still releasing that damn brilliance. Well, if these guys were to get serious without paying any mind to the surroundings, it seems that not only this thing, but the entire neighborhood likely wouldn't be able to withstand it. 

I spoke to Rossweisse. 

"Freeze it." 

Seemingly understanding my instructions, Rossweisse expanded a magic circle, from which a cold air filled the surroundings, freezing the enigmatic creature. The movement of the tentacles gradually weakened. Losing the brightness in its five eyes, it finally ceased functioning——. 

Descending to surround the silver creature, we proceeded with the recovery plan while sensing a bad feeling. 

This, for us, was our first contact with the enigmatic creature——. 

-DxD- 

Since capturing the enigmatic creature, several days have passed. 

Showing my face in the ORC clubroom, I made my report to the members. Right, they had all just finished with their Devil's jobs. 

Deploying a projection-type magic circle from my hand, I showed everyone a 3D image of the aforementioned creature. Simply put, it was the completed information on the silver creature. Well, as of yet nothing could be said other than it was unidentifiable. 

Ise spoke while watching the rotating 3D image being projected. 

"……This thing, what the heck is it supposed to be?" 

I shook my head from side to side. 

"I don't know. Even for myself having lived so long, this is my first time seeing something like this. Even from a simple examination, it is not a creature affiliated with any religious system. Even old man Odin and that guy Zeus have just about given up on it. They are saying we need to hand over additional samples. It has caught the major attention of every power's research institutions." 

For the time being, the Grigori research facility was continuing its investigations. As part of the relationship involving the alliance of the Three Great Powers, researchers from both the side of heaven and the devils had been dispatched, and were investigating together……but since they couldn't even ascertain the composition of the material, they had all given up. 

……Well, to some extent that could be determined just from a visual examination. That is to say, it was not a substance found in this world. 

Rias then asked. 

"What about the report from Onii-sama and Ajuka Beelzebub-sama?" 

"Sirzechs also doesn't know anything about it. As for Ajuka……I've been told he's still investigating." 

Though I say that about Ajuka, if it's that Maou then it may very well be possible he has already understood what it is. 

"……It's as if it were a fusion of organic matter and metal, like a combination of a machine and an organism……" 

So said Koneko. 

……Indeed, that perception can't be said to be wrong, but it may be hasty to make judgements based on our own limited viewpoints. 

As I turned off the projection 

"Well, that's the report on what we understand. Just in case, get in contact with me if you encounter something like that again. Until then it's okay to continue as usual." 

Leaving it at that, I left the clubroom. 

After departing the clubroom, I proceeded on foot to a vast space established beneath Kuou Town. It's the one that was produced by Rias's family. Designed for the sake of being used during an emergency, as well as including an exceedingly large space for the sake of allowing the train to pass back and forth to the underworld, it was made up of countless rooms of various sizes. If someone were to enter this dimly lit place, it seems almost certain they'd lose their way. 

As for me, I finally managed to reach this one room. 

As a matter of fact, this evening, I had come here at the request of a certain communication. 

'I have business with those things that have been occurring frequently in your town. I'll be waiting for you in the underground of Kuou Town. I ask that you come entirely alone. Regarding the location——' 

——So said the voice of a young man that had been transmitted to my private line. 

……I had not informed anyone other than the leaders of the Grigori of this confidential line. I hadn't even taught Rias and company how to use this line……who on earth was this person? 

Although I was carrying such suspicions, I was waiting here. ……Although I ought to have 'Slash Dog' along as a guard, I was alone just as I had been instructed. Against my better judgement I faithfully obeyed. Well, in any case I could always escape through the transportation-type magic circle whose formula I had prepared in advance. 

After waiting for a few minutes——. 

Sensing a presence behind me I looked back——and what had appeared there were two of the aforementioned silver creatures. 

……A trap? Geez, and I had been so careful. I was honestly such a fool to have put faith in that line. Could this be due to the influence of Ise and company? 

Well, that is something to bear in hind huh. I formed a spear of light in my hand. 

As I squared off against them, I pondered. ……These guys, they were the ones who had learned of my line? No, it would appear that whoever these guys' superiors were had been aware of my line. When it comes to a line that only the leaders of the Grigori were aware of……there was no reason to suspect anyone who was a mere subordinate. 

While letting out a sigh my ear detected a strange sound. 

GIGAGAGAGAGAGA? 

GUGEGEGEGEGEGEGE? 

……Hoh, some 'voice'-like thing was being emitted. Since there was no mouth, I had absolutely no idea from where it was being produced……. 

I pointed the tip of my spear at the opponent and spoke. 

"So it would be apt to say I've been targeted separately. ……You guys, since you haven't acted against any of the other mythological systems, your aim must be us then right?" 

To I who was asking, those guys spoke while shuddering ever so slightly. 

Gigagagagaga, Aza, zel, Rias, Gremory, gigagaga? 

Gugegegegege, Hyoudou Asia, Hyoudou Issei Gremory, gugegegege? 

The voice was mechanical sounding. ……As expected, is it a machine? Rather than that, just now it had spoken our names. The fact that they were targeting us, this is now obvious but……. There was something the voice had said that concerned me. 

——Hyoudou Asia? Hyoudou Issei Gremory? 

Could I have misheard? Or else could the other party have misunderstood? Although that may be the case……. 

The two silver creatures' five eyes began to shine with a dangerous red light. They intended to use the previous tentacle of light attack!! Preparing my spear, I was considering deploying the escape-type magic circle! 

——Then, it was at that moment. A third party voice resounded throughout the room. 

"To think these guys would come so quickly to the meeting. Is this a good omen, or an evil one?" 

At that moment, one of the silver creatures——starting from the head, it was bisected vertically! The cause was a single holy sword flickering with a tremendous holy aura! 

The creature that had been cut cleanly in two collapsed, and from behind it a young boy wielding a holy sword was revealed! Regarding the holy sword, its form was exactly like Durandal. 

Furthermore yet another voice was heard! 

"Get down, Zen." 

Hearing that voice, the young boy in possession of Durandal leapt to the side. At the same moment a thunderbolt was formed above the head of the remaining silver creature. 

"——Holy lightning" 

Together with the voice, dazzling holy lightning fell upon the silver creature! The magnificent lightning strike fried its body all over! When the lightning strike ceased, all that was left there was the cinders of the humanoid. 

They had very easily handled those guys who we had been unable to wound easily! 

The two boys who had defeated the two silver creatures stood before me. 

Along with the boy in possession of the holy sword, there was a slender boy with black hair. ……They each had faces that were somewhat reminiscent. 

The black haired boy bowed to me. 

"It's nice to meet you, Azazel……Founding Governor General-dono." 

"Holy lightning……a holy sword resembling Durandal. You guys are——" 

In response to my question the black haired boy began with a self-introduction. 

"Founding Governor General Azazel-dono, regarding my name I am called Himejima Kurenai." 

At this point he boy in possession of the holy sword continued. 

"I am called Zen Quarta." 

……I was surprised at the surnames of the two, while simultaneously I began to grasp an understanding as well. 

The black haired boy——Himejima Kurenai spoke. 

"We are from approximately thirty years into the future from now——we are the children of the Sekiryuutei Hyoudou Issei." 

-DxD- 

I had not been surprised by the sudden confession the two boys had told me, but rather I came to grips with what they had said relatively quickly. 

……Well, generally speaking, it wouldn't be strange if 30 years from now a demonic power, magic, or technique researched by the Grigori were to be developed allowing for travel through time. 

Myself personally, fearing a perversion of history, wouldn't so much as set foot into such a field. Hence, I had not been seriously striving to achieve it……and yet the one who had researched such a thing, had been none other than my future self. 

These two had called themselves the children of Ise……in all likelihood, the mother of the black haired boy was Akeno, while the mother of the Holy Sword possessor was Xenovia, or so it would seem at the very least. Both of their appearances were of handsome boys that looked just like their mothers. 

Just as I thought of this much, I inquired of the two boys. 

"……Regarding what that was, it would be nice if you could explain it concisely." 

The black haired boy——Himejima Kurenai spoke. 

"Just now, those mysterious creatures that are infesting this place——they are things that came from the future." 

The boy in possession of the Holy Sword——Zen Quarta continued. 

"Regarding its true identity——they are creatures from a parallel dimension. Among ourselves, we have designated them as "UL" [2] . It is an abbreviation for "Underworld's Lifeform". 

……I see, so that's how it was huh. 

Just as I had somewhat suspected, those creatures were not of this world. If someone were to say they were creatures from a parallel dimension, that would be something I could very much consent to. And on top of that, they were from the future. This was also something I could consent to. That such things had abruptly started appearing and whatnot, this was not the case at all. Since the devils were observing the dimensional gap, I would have been informed if there had been any dimensional fluctuations. 

That wasn't the case at this time——. The things these boys were saying were astounding, to the point that I think they would lead to various arguments if it was anyone apart from myself. 

"As for this parallel dimension, by any chance, is there some connection to the Chichigami Ise encountered?" 

I inquired as such. During the battle with the evil god Loki, Ise, through use of Pailingual [3] [4] , had communicated with a Seirei in service to the Chichigami. Because of this, in addition to the entire mythological world becoming aware of us, it caught the interest of a group of researchers who were saying 'Doesn't this demonstrate the existence of an entirely different parallel dimension?' 

"Yes, that is the case." 

——Such was Kurenai's exceedingly calm reply. 

……I could do nothing but hold hold my hand to my forehead. Was this simply inevitable? Or else……. 

"You were saying that something happened in the future?" 

Shaking my head to pull my thoughts together, I inquired. Well, precisely because something had happened in the future, it seems the effects reached even this time period. To start with I should probably inquire as to the situation. 

Kurenai began narrating. 

"For the sake of not creating too much of a time paradox, I cannot explain it in detail, but, thirty years from now, a great battle called 'The Malevolent God War' is occurring within our world." 

"……Well, it's possible to guess the gist of the main point. Things like malevolent gods and demons have teamed up and launched some kind of invasion against us, am I right?" 

I spoke with that sort of sarcasm. Zen Quarta also smiled bitterly. 

He spoke a little. 

"Yes, as a result of the peace you have accumulated, each of the future societies willingly cooperated with the other societies. Naturally, during this time there were also sever battles frequently but……through the sacrifice of father and the others they were all defeated." 

That's……not pleasant at all. From here on out I should put all my effort into acts of peace. No, since it would perhaps be too much strain to try and change history, I should put such thoughts out of my mind. 

Kurenai continued. 

"They, the ones who have been supporting the demons and malevolent gods from behind——were evil gods from a parallel dimension. The 'UL' that you encountered some time ago, they are soldiers manufactured by the evil gods from the parallel dimension. Please think of them as being that are a fusion of mechanical and living creatures." [5] 

……Evil gods from a parallel dimension, huh. Somehow or another, it seems the world of the future has heaps of issues of its own. From now on I'll be troubling over this. 

Nodding, I inquired further. 

"The future circumstances have become clear. Well then, for what reason did those 'UL' and you guys come to this time period? Isn't there a reason?" 

I go to the heart of the matter. Indeed, The incident from the future had been made clear. However, why is the present day also being influenced by that? Why did the so called 'UL' and these guys come to this time period? 

Kurenai calmly spoke. 

"——The evil god Loki from northern Europe, accompanied by 'UL', has escaped to this time period." 

……Loki had come back huh. I say, this is quite a complicated problem. 

Zen then spoke. 

"The evil god Loki from thirty years from now, during the war, broke out of jail through a gap that he had discovered. Thus, he ended up joining the war on the side of our opponents. Using a technique from the parallel dimension, he was able to cross over space-time, finally arriving in this time period." 

……In short the Loki from the future had come to this time period. As for the present day one, he was apparently still locked up in Asgard's prison. 

I asked a second time. 

"In that case, those guys——what is the reason that they were sent from the parallel dimension to this time period together with Loki ?" 

"——To change history. The evil gods from the parallel dimension, the malevolent gods of the future, and the demons, they seek to tamper with the history of this dimension, the overall conclusion being our demise." 

Zen spoke. 

"Because of this, the plan of our old man, Rias kaa-san and the rest is to rewrite events in their original, desirable form." 

Kurenai then spoke while scowling. 

"The time period we are from——the world of the future, is a parallel world, or at least that's according to someone who has the faculty of being able to observe the timeline. Based on what that person said, this timeline is undisturbed, but that the history of other timelines is already different with each step you take forward." 

"There's a certain timeline in which the Seirei of the Chichigami did not appear. Since there was no contact with the Chichigami, there apparently wasn't any inference made about the existence of a parallel dimension." 

It was Zen who had said this. 

As I stroked my chin, I thought hard about all of this. 

"Considerably, it has become quite the ridiculous story……." 

That fellow Loki, having acted out violently once in this time period, was the kind of guy who would distort the history of every timeline. Well, this was the guy who sought to bring about Ragnarok [6] in the future. 

Zen was speaking with a tense expression. 

"Even if you find it to be unbelievable……it is the truth." 

No matter how unbelievable it was I had to consider it. 

However, I was only able to composedly nod my head. 

"No, I believe you. However reluctant I was having seen the faces of you young sirs had made it clear that you are the children of those guys." 

What these guys had said about what was happening with the present state of affairs, I immediately felt that it was consistent. Above all else, having sensed the wavelength of these guys' aura……it was definitely theirs. At this point, there was no room for suspicion. 

Kurenai sighed in relief. 

"It's just as our mothers said. If we spoke about it with you, you would certainly be able to understand." 

Even if he was feeling relieved there was something more on mind mind I needed to ask about. 

"Incidentally, who was it that sent you guys here? Someone who can manipulate time, isn't that quite considerable? Could it perhaps be……Ajuka, or else a significant amount of my research to produce a time machine in the future?" 

In all likelihood, the technique they possessed for travelling through time was either from me or Ajuka Beelzebub. Ajuka came to mind due to the limitless potential of the multi-use type of magic circle he uses. If it wasn't him, then it could be me for a similar reason. 

Zen was embarrassed by what I had said. 

"……Um, it was both of you together but……" 

Kurenai continued while being somewhat evasive. 

"It certainly was that magical formula technique equation of Ajuka-sama and the technique of first generation Governor-General Azazel but, as for utilizing it, I would say it was our superior……" 

"I believe that person will probably be coming here but……" 

The two of them both seemed quite timid. Apparently these 'superior' was extremely frightening. 

"Is it someone that I would know?" 

Kurenai nodded to my question. 

"Yes. More or less, it is someone from Rias kaa-sama's household." 

Rias's household. If that's the case……. 

"……Time, huh. ……Certainly not." 

I could only think of one person but……was he that frightening? That something like that could occur, just thirty years into the future……. Well, given that these guys knew of my line that only the leaders of the Grigori were aware of, that would have to have been conveyed to them by someone in the future. 

Zen spoke to Kurenai. 

"Kurenai nii-san, about the matter of us meeting up with first generation Governor-General Azazel of our own accord, he would absolutely be angry, that person……" 

Kurenai exhaled. 

"That is so, Zen. Surely, he would cross his arms saying, 'You bastards, how could you have done something like this?', invariably losing his patience as a *gogogogo* [7] resounded in the background. However, surely for that reason, it appears it's possible to say." 

Noticing that I was observing the humorous reactions of the two of them, Zen and Kurenai both cleared their throats. Changing the topic, Kurenai began speaking directly. 

"The truth is, there is another matter of great importance, something for which we came to this time period." 

Also true to his nature Zen put on an expression as he nodded his head in agreement. 

"From my perspective it is something which could certainly be said to be good for your side. The truth is——" 

Just as Zen had spoken to that extent, I was interrupted by an emergency communication. A miniature communication magic circle was deployed by my ear. 

Akeno's voice could be heard. 

'Azazel Sensei, it is very important. Those usual people, they have appeared in Sona-kaichou's territory.' 

——!! 

……Sona's territory, that was in the district adjacent to Kuou Town. So the "UL" have now shown up even over there huh. 

"Understood, I'll also head out immediately!" 

Saying no more than that, I terminated the communication. 

Kurenai and Zen——were already filled with spirit. 

"Would it be okay if you guys came along?" 

In response to my inquiry, the two of them nodded. 

"Yes." 

"Since this was our plan when we came here." 

The faces of those two——the good expressions upon them were exactly like their father's. It was as though they'd been completely taken over by their passionate hearts. 

I spoke up while raising one finger. 

"However, it would be good if you did not end up meeting your parents. We don't know what would happen if you did." 

At this the two of them exchanged a glance before speaking up. 

"Of course, that was our intention." 

"But, if you could please let us watch from a distance. It would be enjoyable seeing our parents when they were young……" 

Well, that was one of the real pleasures of time travel after all. 

Once all of us were standing together on top of the transportation type magic circle, we jumped——. 

-DxD- 

We were flying through the night sky. 

Both Kurenai and Zen's wings were those of a dragon. From this it would seem that Ise's blood is strong with them. Both of their faces resembled their mothers though. Well, as far as resembling Ise's face goes it's probably a good thing that that's not the case. 

Based on the second correspondence from Akeno, I was informed that Sona's team had come under attack from several 'UL' and had escaped. 

On the side of Kurenai and company, since it seemed there existed a device that could detect those guys whereabouts, they were nearby holding a small device and were verifying the reaction. 

Pointing at a certain dot, Kurenai reported, "It is over there." 

The three of us descended to a backwoods mountainous area that was a considerable distance from Kuou Town. 

We confirmed that there were several wriggling objects in front of us. Drawing closer for a look——we saw 'UL' torsos numbering as many as ten or so. ——Apparently, the battle had already started, as I was able to sense waves of demonic power! 

There was a crimson aura coming from a light leaving behind a trail as it moved, which was swooping down upon the 'UL'! 

Arriving nearby, I was astonished by the spectacle before my eyes. 

Several 'UL', their motionless beings releasing an ominously sublime aura from their centers, appeared to be confronting a small built swordsman whose entire body was releasing a red aura as he glared straight at them. The swordsman was wearing a hood, such that not even his face was visible. 

Accompanying the 'UL'……was a wave of aura that I haven't missed at all. Indeed, it was the evil god Loki himself. Even his appearance was entirely unchanged from the present day's. 

The small built swordsman, brandishing an ancient red longsword completely clad in a red-colored aura, was slashing through the bodies of two 'UL' in a single swing. 

The small built swordsman releasing the red aura spoke to Loki. 

"BASTARD……! AFTER COMING ALL THE WAY HERE I'VE FINALLY MANAGED TO CATCH UP WITH YOU……! ……YOU WHO HAVE PROVOKED THE RELATIVES OF THE CRIMSON!" 

The small built swordsman suddenly removed his hood. At just that moment, the full moon that had been hidden by the clouds showed its face. Illuminated by the moonlight, the one standing there was a crimson haired youth of a swordsman——. 

Kurenai took a step forward and spoke to the crimson haired youth. 

"——Ex, so you have come here huh." 

The young swordsman who had been called Ix displayed a fearless smile. 

"Yo, Nii-chans. ——Since you guys were slow, I thought I ought to clean this place up a little." 

Announcing that much like a daredevil, the young boy once again gallantly slashed the 'UL'! 

"Other siblings——more of Ise's children have come here?." 

I inquired of Kurenai. 

"Yeah, all of us, for the sake of saving Asia kaa-san, would go to any lengths." 

To these words I inquired yet again. 

"Asia, is it? The hell, did something happen to her or something……?" 

As I was inquiring, Ex spoke to Loki. 

"Specifically, I have come all the way to the world of thirty years in the past to kill you all." 

Creating a magic circle close by, Loki fired a ball of demonic power——. Using his red sword, Ex negated the attack! 

At this result Loki gnashed his teeth. 

"…………!!! My attack was completely negated huh!!" 

I was astonished by what I saw equipped to Ex's left arm. 

……Isn't that gauntlet exactly like the Boosted Gear [8] !? 

"Crimson hair……a gauntlet like Boosted Gear……. Well then, that young boy is——" 

Kurenai nodded at my words. 

"Yes, that is our younger brother——Ex Gremory!" 

Zen continued. 

"The alias of Ex over there is 'God Slayer of the Scarlet Blade' [9] ——. That guy, he is the young ace of the united armies of combined mythological systems, as well as the strongest swordsman of the Gremory family. Anyhow, his sword master is Kiba Yuuto of the holy-demonic sword, and as for his dragon master——" 

Brushing his crimson hair and carrying his deep crimson sword, Ex approached Loki one step at a time. 

"Loki, I'm terribly sorry, but I have been trained by the Hakuryuukou [10] Vali. I'm not as lenient as my father the Sekiryuutei. ——I destroy my adversaries with certainty." 

The crimson haired young swordsman, preparing his sword as his whole body was releasing a crimson aura, turned his hate filled gaze upon Loki. 

"——This is revenge for Asia kaa-san. In the name of the Duke House of Gremory, I will slice you to extinction." 

This boy, who possessed the splendor of his mother Rias and the bravery of his father Ise, was certainly the child of those guys——.