Shin High School DxD - Volume 1 - Chapter 4.01

Life.4 I’ll Always Save My Friend 

We returned from the beach to the Hyoudou Residence and reported the situation to the higher-ups as we let Ingvild sleep in one of the spare rooms prepared for visitors to use. In the top floor of the Hyoudou residence — the VIP room, we discussed our next moves with Maou Beelzebub-sama via a magic circle. But, it’s clear what I must do! Beelzebub-sama said. 

[About Nyx’s actions…I planned to confirm this with all mythologies, and…we’ve got the permission of Olympus’ current chief God, Apollon-dono.] 

“—So that means…” 

Beelzebub-sama replied clearly to Rias’s question. 

[They don’t mind if it’s [DxD] who defeats Nyx. However, they want you guys to seal her.] 

—! That was good news! I thrust my right fist against the palm of my left hand! The chief God of that mythology — Apollon-san had given his permission! So that meant Olympus had also judged Nyx’s actions. That being said, we didn’t know the whereabouts of the enemy…and as such, we couldn’t go out even if we wanted to. —Suddenly, there were two people who entered the room! 

“Hmph, as expected, you guys ended up making a God your enemy, huh. As expected of you.” 

The one who said that was Cao Cao and — a man who brought along a huge black dog with him. The one who brought the black dog, Jin, was the leader of the Fallen Angel organisation Grigori’s agent team [Slash Dog], Ikuse Tobio-san. He was dressed in a black combat suit, as well as a black coat. He was also a member of the anti-terrorist team [DxD]. 

“Cao Cao, and even Ikuse-san.” 

As I confirmed those two, Ikuse-san gave his greetings along with a particularly shocking piece of information. 

“Hey, Hyoudou Issei-kun. I’ve brought you a piece of information. —It’s Nyx’s hiding place.” 

[—!] 

Everyone was shocked in response to this! Of course! It was just what we needed right now after all! Cao Cao answered in response to this. 

“While we were searching for the unknown Devils’ birthplace…in other words, their bases in the human world, we found out that there were three of them. A lot of people could be seen coming in and out in one of those places, and we sensed the presence of a God-class being. Along with the information provided by the Olympus, it’s highly possible that it’s Nyx.” 

Are you serious?! I’m so grateful! Beelzebub-sama said. 

[The ‘investigation’ that I asked Cao Cao to perform was to obtain this information. It’ll be easier to deal with the unknown Devils if we know about their movements and bases. As such, I asked Cao Cao-kun’s team, as well as Ikuse Tobio-kun’s team, to investigate their bases both in the Underworld and the human world.] 

I see! Those two teams were perfect for gathering information after all! As expected of them, they did manage to produce great results! By the way, it was really reassuring to see the power of [DxD]’s members once again at times like these. It was only natural to expect this from the lineup composed of people who deterred those with wicked thoughts. Cao Cao asked us one more time. 

“You heard him. It’s up to you guys whether you go or not, but…in the worst case scenario, Tobio, as well as I, will surely be ordered by the higher-ups to deal with them. But I’m sure you guys are already aware of that, right?” 

“…So either we seal Ingvild, or dispose of her, huh?” 

As I replied with such words, Cao Cao, as well as Ikuse-san, went ‘Yes’ as they answered with their eyes. Cao Cao said. 

“What I mean by sealing is, sealing her Sacred Gear’s ability. At the very least, until we can deal with Nyx’s ability… Although I think it’s better to seal it until we can defeat the Goddess of the Night, there are risks. There’s the fact that the power of Ingvild Leviathan’s Sacred Gear awakened and awoke her from her sleeping illness. If we seal her Sacred Gear, it’s highly possible that her illness will return. On top of that, there is no guarantee that she will wake up the next time.” 

—! …What a…! Even though she finally woke up… It was a hard choice…! That meant sealing her was akin to putting her life in danger! If that was the case, then there was no meaning even if we defeated Nyx! Ikuse-san said. 

“…We don’t want to do that, do we? I also knew about her situation after all. I’d like to avoid that even in the worst case scenario. …However, if push comes to shove, what are you guys going to do?” 

I couldn’t quickly answer Ikuse-san’s question—. 

“…You can kill her, you know?” 

There was a voice from behind. As we turned back, we could see Ingvild enter the VIP room through the door. It looked like she woke up and overheard us. With downcast eyes, she said. 

“If my powers bring trouble to many people, I’m fine with being killed.” 

I replied in response to her words! 

“What are you saying!? Even though you finally woke up!?” 

Ingvild made a painful face as she squeezed her voice out. 

“…Even though I woke up, the people I knew are no longer here… That’s why no one will grieve for me.” 

So you felt that way… —It was as if the present was more like a dream. 

I found the things that she said yesterday very sad. She got the sleeping illness before she knew it, and over a hundred years had passed when she woke up… She knew that her parents, as well as her acquaintances, were no longer in this world. Even if I die, no one would be sad—. Though she might be thinking that way, it was wrong! It was absolutely wrong! I conveyed my thoughts to her directly. 

“There will be. I will mourn. Is that not good?” 

“—” 

She looked really surprised from the bottom of her heart to hear my words. I continued without minding her. 

“It was a bizarre meeting, and it was a short one as well, but I got to become your friend. That’s why, I will save you. Will you please believe in me? Let’s go to the beach together again.” 

Asia held Ingvild’s hand as if responding to my appeal and said with a kind expression 

“Ingvild-san. Please believe in Ise-san. I am also here because…I was saved by this person. That’s why I want you to believe in him.” 

I see. Somehow, I felt like this situation had probably happened before… It was the same as the time when I met Asia a year and a half ago. Asia came to Japan without having anyone by her side… Her days were full of sadness. And at that time, I cheered Asia up. Asia must’ve been thinking about that time as she talked to Ingvild. As if Asia’s emotions were conveyed to her, Ingvild teared up. 

“…Please help me. If I were to fall asleep again… I don’t want to lose another friend…” 

She told us her true feelings with tears—. Hearing that was more than enough. I will fight for that reason. I can go defeat a God! I spoke to Ikuse-san. 

“—I will go. I will defeat Nyx.” 

Ikuse-san laughed with satisfaction in response to my words. Cao Cao on the other hand went ‘yare, yare’ as he shrugged and made a bitter smile, as if he had predicted my reaction. Along with my psyched up words, Rias stood up and laughed boldly. 

“It’s we Ise. Let’s show them that they have made the wrong choice messing with the Gremory Peerage and the Occult Research Club.” 

As expected of my girlfriend! We had the same idea! My comrades sharing the same opinion also responded with ‘Of course!’ and ‘Let’s get them!’! All right! Now that everyone had the same goal, let’s move on to the preparations! —As I thought that, Xenovia pulled my hand. 

“Ise. The plan against Nyx.” 

“Hm? Oh, what’ll we do?” 

Xenovia declared in response to my question. 

“—Hold me tight. It’s time for you to know about women!” 

—! T-This girl…! She suddenly said such things at this time! B-But, it’s true that I couldn’t do anything since Nyx was wearing the [Godly Virgin Killer Clothes]. Irina followed in response to this! 

“Wait! That means being darling’s first girl, right!? Isn’t that an important thing…?” 

It’s just like what Irina said; my first partner is important! Xenovia said. 

“Nope. It’s not the time to talk about those things, right? It’s something that should be settled quickly. Just leave it to me. I know a lot of things. If you leave this to me and Ise, Ise’s body will become one that can fight Nyx within a few minutes.” 

Akeno-san interrupted too! 

“That can’t happen. —I’ll be his first woman. However, ending it quickly would be bad for my dear husband, so if you give us an hour, I will make him fully taste ‘a woman’!” 

On top of that, Ravel screamed. 

“W-W-Wait a moment pleaseeeee! Rias-sama is the first! At times like these, we have to earn the permission from Rias-sama! B-But, I’m fine with doing it though! I am his manager after all!” 

Everyone turned to Rias in response to Ravel’s words (she sure said some bold things!). Rias’s face…turned red! She said to me while fidgeting. 

“…To think that it has turned out this way… B-But, I also don’t like being overtaken by Akeno and Xenovia…! If that’s the case, I’ll be Ise’s partner!” 

Bu! I had a nosebleed because of the girls’ actions and Rias’s response! For God’s sake, what are you saying, everyone!? However, I’m grateful! It’s reassuring that the girls would come up with this for my sake! Cao Cao murmured as he saw this. 

“It’s also possible that what Nyx said was a bluff.” 

Kiba asked Cao Cao. 

“What do you mean?” 

Cao Cao answered. 

“It’s true that it managed to block an attack once, but it’s also possible that there is a limit and that the spell might be undone after several attacks. Another possibility is that they’re not [Virgin Killer Clothes], but rather [Dragon Attack Blocking Clothes].” 

Beelzebub-sama gave his piece of mind in response to this. 

[Although it does have strong defence, it might be torn down with your black armor’s Longinus Smasher. Or you could heighten the Power of Destruction, and by using that—] 

The girls interrupted Cao Cao and Beelzebub-sama as they screamed together. 

[Geez! Don’t say such unnecessary things!] 

Cao Cao along with Beelzebub-sama went ‘O-Okay…’ in response to the girls’ demonstration of power. In the end, would I only be able to fight by having my first experience? Things such as the possibility that the enemy was still hiding something came to mind. Also, the girls agreed that it was best if my first experience had a nice mood, so they decided to shelve a rushed and tension-filled first experience. And so, we began the preparations to head to the hideout of Nyx and the mysterious Devils that Cao Cao and Ikuse-san told us about—.