Shin High School DxD - Volume 1 - Chapter 4.03

Part 3

The place we were transported to was — Greece. It was one of the islands in the Mediterranean Sea — the Aegean sea. The island was not inhabited as it looked like there had been no human activity for quite a long time. …That being said, the sky was black. It was as if the whole area was shrouded in night…or should I say, it had become Nyx’s territory. They had probably noticed our arrival at this place.

The island that we were transported to was not the island that Nyx was on. We stood on a cliff that faced the sea and looked at the island in front of us. …A powerful aura enveloped the whole island. That island was Nyx’s hideout. We couldn’t directly jump to that island as a barrier had been erected around it, so we transported to this uninhabited island instead. Rias looked at us as she spoke.

“I’ve already said this back in the Hyoudou residence, but after this, Ikuse-san will cut open the barrier with his Balance Breaker. Once he does that, we’ll move onto that island. All right, everyone?”

[Understood!]

Everyone got fired up as they nodded in response to Rias’s confirmation. Now that we’ve come here, we have no choice but to rush in! Rias generated a crimson aura in her right hand and raised her hand up on the spot. This would be the signal for the [Slash Dog] team that was hiding somewhere. The Sacred Gear that Ikuse Tobio-san held was the Longinus [Canis Lykaon]. That black blade could cut through all physical things, as well as spells, at once. It was even called the Longinus that could cut Gods. That’s why, even if it was the barrier that a God erected—.

A single straight cut could be seen in the scenery in front of us. Not long after that, the barrier that was surrounding the Goddess of the Night’s hideout was completely torn apart and broken. Ikuse-san cut the Goddess’ barrier open! As he did that, a strong burst was released from the island, and we could feel the pressure piercing through our skin. …This aura, it was like she was telling us to come at her at anytime! As I affirmed with everyone, they showed spirited expressions! Rias gave the order!

“Let’s go!”

[Yeah!]

We spread our wings and flew into the sky, going towards the island in front of us!

It was when we were flying in the sky while heading to Nyx’s base. Ddraig said to me.

[It’s at times like these, partner. The power of the song of the girl that has the new Longinus, that is surely a scary one. You could say that she has the power to control Dragons, fundamental beings. If you hear her song, there is a high chance it would even affect you in your Dragon Deification form. You were right in leaving her behind.]

It must be quite the thing if even Ddraig said that.

“…Well, it might be new, but like mine, it’s a Longinus. So of course it has great abilities.”

However, Ddraig also said this.

[However, the fact that she can control Dragons means that if she changes to our side, she might be a plus to us.]

A plus, huh? I did hear once from someone that it was a singing voice that calmed the Dragons from ancient times. So that meant, according to how it might be used, it might be the opposite — it might be an important asset to us. He was right. I wanted to hear more of Ingvild’s songs. She had a nice voice after all. If she…if she were to sing for our sake—. It was when I thought about such things. Xenovia screamed.

“They’re coming!”

As we faced forward — there were countless human figures with their wings spread as they flew toward us! Ten…a hundred…five hundred…t-their number was over a thousand! The human figures kept coming to us one after another! And some of them even looked like monsters! Every one of them had a Devil’s aura! And as far as their aura went, many of them were High-class Devils! So they had already created this many High-class Devils! And, Nyx was the one controlling all of them…? Well, whatever it was, the guys that were coming to us all seemed hostile and were filled with the intent to kill! The sky of the island in front of us looked as though it was filled with the Unknown Devils — the new Devils that were created by Lilith! I quickly equipped my crimson armour and entered battle mode! Hehe, I had predicted that the Unknown Devils would be waiting for us! It was no use! My comrades also held their respective weapons, showing them that we were completely ready. —And, Xenovia immediately heightened the holy aura on her Holy Sword Durandal, preparing it for a powerful one-shot release to mark the beginning of the battle! As a specialty from the Gremory side, Xenovia was about to raise the curtains! Durandal Cannon! Durandal’s holy aura kept rising as if it would pierce through the sky! And then, Xenovia swung Durandal down in front of her!

“Gooooooooooooooooooooooo!”

Durandal’s holy aura enveloped a great number of the Devils that were coming toward us! We also couldn’t afford to lose! I fired Dragon Shots forward while Rias rained attacks down on them with her extraordinarily vast Power of Destruction!

“We’re going!”

“Let’s go!”

As Rias and I gave out the order, the new and old members of the Occult Research Club kicked the enemies away as we headed for the island—.

Rias and I landed on the island as we defeated the newly created Devils. We then escorted the supporting members such as Asia to land. Asia flew over here riding an Evil Dragon that she controlled. Asia, Koneko-chan, Ravel, Elmenhilde and I landed on an abandoned building that we found while we were flying over the sky. The other members were having a great battle in the sky. It was an easy fight since Nyx hadn’t come out yet. The dark sky was full of auras of all sorts. We could also hear explosions all over the place. The abandoned building that I escorted Asia and the others to was — a church that didn’t even have any shadows. It looked like a Catholic church, but its walls were damaged, and the ceilings were full of holes. Most of the long chairs inside were also broken. The Vampire, Elmenhilde, said.

“I can’t feel even the slightest bit of holy power. I guess that’s the reason why a Vampire like me is fine with entering it.”

Like Devils, Vampires were also bad with things like these. Ravel said as she looked around the inside of the church.

“To think that there was a Catholic church built even on this island.”

Well, this was supposed to be the territory of the Olympus Gods. I guess the missionaries were so devout back then that even a church was… This must be one of the remains, as it also spread to other mythologies. —As I looked around the church, I was deeply moved. …There was also a worn-out church where I lived as well. Supposedly, the relevant people in Heaven planned to restore it and make it usable again.

“…”

As I had such thoughts, Asia spoke to me.

“Ise-san, is there something wrong?”

“No, it’s just that coming to a destroyed church like this made me remember the time when I met you, Asia.”

I continued.

“I still remember that I prayed to God that time, saying ‘please don’t take Asia away’. But in the end, the God of the Bible is no more…”

—Right, God! Hey God, you are there, right!? Devils and Angels exist, so God must exist too, right!? You are watching this, right!? You were watching, right!?

I hugged Asia, who had died after having her Sacred Gear extracted, and shouted such things toward the Heavens. I continued.

“I said ‘Please don’t take her away from me. I beg you. I said I beg you’. I prayed to the God who didn’t exist.”

That time, I was — weak. I was the weakest. However, it was different now. I didn’t have to pray anymore. I said to Asia.

“I won’t pray anymore. We will save Ingvild by ourselves.”

“Right!”

Asia responded to me. It was at that time. Koneko-chan’s ears suddenly moved. I also noticed it. —We felt the enemy’s presence. The Devils had gathered around the church. Koneko-chan, Ravel, Elmenhilde and I entered a counter-attack stance to protect Asia. The Devils kept coming from the broken walls, ceilings, and the entrance of the church! I kept hitting the Devils that came at me. Koneko-chan also fired her Kasha — that had the power of purification! It gave the Devils severe wounds. Ravel also used the hell fire of the Phoenix — the Immortal bird, while Elmenhilde summoned her bats, disturbing the opponents. Although we could counter-attack them, their numbers were too great…We couldn’t launch a large-scale attack inside this church either. It was best to go out and launch a wide-range attack on the entire place instead. As I thought about that, a holy aura flew over and turned the Devils who came at us to ashes. When I looked, the swordsman group composed of Xenovia, Irina, Kiba and Lint-san rushed to our side! They must have come to support us after fighting in the sky. Kiba said.

“Leave this one to us. You go first, Ise-kun!”

Xenovia and Irina said as they cut down the Devils with their Holy Swords.

“That’s right, go deeper and find Nyx!”

“Yep, that’s right! It’s useless fighting malicious Devils in a ruined church!”

Lint-san also turned a number of Devils to ashes with her purple flames at once. Lint-san was actually a Longinus user. Having a cross called [Incinerate Anthem], one of the holy relic Longinus, its purple flames were super lethal for Devils. Lint-san also said to me as she released flames.

“I think Rias-leader and the others are also heading to the Goddess of the Night’s place, so big bro Ise should also head there too. Don’t wo~rry, leave the exorcism of these Devils to me.”

While moving acrobatically in the sky, she shot out light bullets from a specially-made gun that the Church had prepared. Koneko-chan and Ravel said to me while attacking the Devils.

“…Senpai, let’s go. We’ll be scolded by Rias-sama if we’re late.”

“Ise-sama! Let’s head there!”

Responding to Xenovia’s and the others’ kindness, I decided to leave this place! I fired a Dragon Shot as I charged forward. The Devils evaded, clearing a path for me to get out of the place along with Asia, Koneko-chan, Ravel, and Elmenhilde! I spoke to Xenovia and the others just before I ran through the entrance of the church.

“I’ll leave the rest to you!”

The swordsmen group nodded bravely.

I left the ruined church behind, and hurried deeper into the island—.