Shin High School DxD - Volume 4 - Chapter 3

Life.3 The Battle with the Alliance of Hell Leaders

Part 1 

As per our plan, the day arrived when we would defeat and capture the [Alphecca Tyrant] possessor?Meredith Ordinton along with the Gods in the [Alliance of Hell Leaders]?Hades and Angra Mainyu. 

I?Kiba Yuuto moved from Irina-san's place to the designated meeting place before the operation started. We were divided into two large groups as discussed at the preparation meeting yesterday. A team to capture Meredith and a team to defeat the [Alliance of Hell Leaders]. For the time being I belonged to the latter. I became a member of the team against the artificial Transcendental?Balberith. 

The members on this base were?Ise-kun, Vali, Sairaorg Bael-san and his peerage, Asia-san, Ravel-san, Ingvild-san, Lint-san, Bennia-san, Lavinia Reni-san, the three members of the reborn [Journey to the West] team, Crom Cruach, Fenrir, Gogmagog and me, Kiba Yuuto. 

The core members were those more focused on fighting power and Sacred Gear possessors. On the other base, responsible for capturing Meredith were Rias-neesan, Akeno-san, Koneko-san, Gasper-kun, Xenovia, Irina-san, Rossweisse-san, Le Fay-san, Kuroka-san, Arthur-san and Elmenhilde-san, with non-Sacred Gear possessors as their core members. 

The organized teams were waiting for the signal to begin the operation. Once the operation commenced, both teams would be moving out simultaneously towards their objectives. 

In my case, our team would be going through the Grim Reaper gate opened by Bennia-san. We would then move directly towards the territory of the [Alliance of Hell Leaders] in the underground of London. 

The moderate faction, headed by the Ultimate-class Grim Reaper Orcus coordinated with us to guide us through the territory of the [Alliance of Hell Leaders] in the underground. Soon, we would be marching into our enemy's base. But if possible, even if the only purpose was to heal Ise-kun’s current condition, I want the "Meredith capture team" to succeed in their battle operation first. 

We could only entrust our feelings to Rias-neesan and Le Fay-san. Thereafter, we would?I would carry out the role bestowed on me. 

Before the operation began, the Two Heavenly Dragons?Ise-kun and Vali were having a conversation. 

"Now that you mention it, Ophis was pointing out the faults of my Dragon Deification chanting." 

Ise-kun said. 

"I was told that it would be good to give offerings to the offertory box at the shrine on the rooftop of the Hyoudou Residence once in a while." 

Vali replied as their expressions became indescribable. 

Because both of them recited chants for Dragon Deification and Maoufication together with Ophis, it seemed like they paid considerable attention to the Dragon God's eager wishes. 

On the other side of this conversation, in a place a little far from Ise-kun and Vali?Ravel-san and Sairaorg-san, together with Rias-neesan (through the communication magic circle) were confirming a certain thing. While looking in Ise-kun’s direction, Sairaorg-san asked Ravel-san and Rias-neesan on the other side of the communication magic circle. 

"Well then, about that previously-mentioned [A×A] awakened by Hyoudou Issei a few days ago." 

“You have concerns about it, right?" 

Ravel-san replied. 

".........Looks like [A×A]?Ryuuteimaru itself barely obtained the energy to attack. But... We didn't test if Ise-sama would be able to release its power if docked. The insecurities still remain. Moreover, even if it were successful, will Ise-sama in his current condition be able to control the extremely colossal power of [A×A]? ?There's such a fear too." 

Sairaorg-san made a grim expression. 

"......The scary thing is that the person himself thinks that he is in his best form. But if he were to combine while thinking that he can control it and ended up running out of control....including the underground territory, he probably would end up destroying all of London itself." 

Rias-neesan continued. 

"If that power runs out of control and if only London is destroyed, we’d still be alright. That power was said to be able to destroy the whole world, you know? There's the possibility of it blasting this whole country." 

That's right. As Rias-neesan and Ravel-san said, although [A×A] possessed power capable of destroying Hades and Angra Mainyu, the current Ise-kun may be unable to control it. If the situation became like that, it would end as Rias-neesan hypothesized, and all of England would end up being blasted away. Sairaorg-san asked. 

"Then as long as Meredith Ordinton’s capture is not successful, it can be said that [A×A] won't be able to perfectly attack, right?" 

Ravel-san nodded. 

"For the time being, as long as Ise-sama's condition isn't perfect, it'll be on standby in the Grigori's docks. Vali-sama was previously informed about this. Even with the things mentioned above, he still wants to fight together with Ise-sama." 

I see, so Ravel-san previously informed Vali about this too. Seeing that the Two Heavenly Dragons were going to fight against the two bosses, if you didn't understand the power of your partner in this fight, you would remain worried. Sairaorg-san asked one more thing that he was concerned about to Rias-neesan and Ravel-san. 

".......I heard that an engine made by the Primordial God Eros was to be loaded into [A×A]. In the end, what happened? Was there no time for it?" 

Rias-neesan sighed through the communication magic circle. 

"....To say that there wasn’t enough time, you are right. But above that, Eros....seems to have objected to cooperating with the current Ise." 

I heard about it too. Looked like Ajuka Beelzebub-sama and Grigori negotiated it through the Olympus side. But knowing about Ise-kun's bad condition, the Primordial God who ruled over Sex and Love Eros, seemed to have said this. 

"?Oi, Oi, Oi. He's not good with women's breasts, asses and thighs? The talk was different. It’s a basic notion that breasts, asses, and thighs are the three great components of this world. A man who can't understand this is not a man. I wanted to talk about breasts, asses, and thighs with him. It's breasts, asses, and thighs, you know? An [Oppai Dragon] who can't understand breasts, asses, and thighs, is failing to live up to his name. About the development of the engine, I want to do it when he comes to value breasts, asses, and thighs once more. It's breasts, asses, and thighs, you know?" 

.......He refused because of the discrepancies in their fetishes! 

Hearing this, Sairaorg-san facepalmed as he didn’t know how to react. 

........That's right. There's nothing that can be said, right? But, exactly because of his sexual desire and longing towards?women’s breasts and the like along with all sorts of feelings piled up, Ise-kun was able to display that miracle-like power time and again. So even if God Eros said, "The talk was different". There's probably nothing we could do....... 

I wanted them to take into account Ise-kun's bad condition. But, as in the legends of Olympus, there are a bunch of unreasonable Gods. If he were to say "No!", it would probably be difficult to re-negotiate. In other words, the planned device to control [A×A]; the development of the [Eros Engine] will be done when Ise-kun returns to normal. Even if the development advanced as planned, I heard that it probably would be hard to finish it in time for this battle. While we were reviewing this, the time for the operation to begin was approaching by the moment. 

Everyone was waiting in this base, where an air of tension was drifting around, when one of our allies rushed into the waiting room in panic. 

"What's the problem?" 

Sairaorg-san asked while crossing his arms. The ally said with a blue face. 

"I-in the skies of London! T-the fake Two Heavenly Dragons, the [Welsh Dragon] and the [Vanishing Dragon] have appeared!" 

"""""??!!""""" 

Everyone became amazed by this information. That's right, we were hit by their first move. We turned on the TV in the waiting room. On the top news, a bizarre sight was shown in the skies of London. 

The fake Ddraig and Albion were flying in the skies of London. 

A TV reporter near the scene raised his voice. 

"Please look! These mysterious creatures, there's two of these dragon-looking things! They are flying in the skies of London! Is this some kind of performance or reality? Currently, speculations on every side are everywhere! W-what the heck is that monster! Could it be the dragon in the national flag of Wales itself!!?" 

Seeing from the screen, the citizens of London, even while confused, made the two dragons flying in the sky an attraction. People taking photos and videos on their smartphones were appearing one after another. 

They got us! 

The enemy used the move of exposing the fake Ddraig and Albion to the public eyes. The appearances of Ddraig and Albion had probably gathered the world’s attention through the media and the internet. The humans in the whole world probably already knew that something bizarre was happening in London. 

.......Here, if the fakes of Ddraig and Albion were to attack the citizens of London?something terrible would happen. 

Sairaorg-san narrowed his eyes. 

".......After a long time after this, if Hyoudou Issei, Vali Lucifer, and Ddraig were to appear in the front stage and in front of the public eyes together, this scene will have a bad influence." 

As someone from the "Meredith Ordinton capture team", Rias-neesan said to us through the communication magic circle from the other base. 

"Right. If they started attacking, it would create a deeply-held resentment. Fear would remain......even in Kyoto, a bad speculation was born." 

At the time in Kyoto, we were attacked by the artificial Devils?Gressil and Sonneillon; as the incident occurred in the former capital at a public place with a lot of people present and?even if only for an instant, people were able to take photos and videos with their smartphones. Miraculously, our appearances weren't clearly captured. But Gressil and Sonneillon's appearance had spread throughout the human world. 

Because of that, we were feeling sorry for our cooperators from the supernatural side?who had to settle that turmoil and yet... 

Now, something that surpassed it was occurring. Depending on our next move as well as how the enemy made their appearance, we couldn’t predict what was going to happen next. Frustrated, Ravel-san said. 

"......Even though we made a strategy thinking that it would not lead the citizens to feel much sense of discomfort. A time when a dragon comes out, the citizens will think [That time a dragon came out, I felt a sense of discomfort]. It's likely for them to remember such an experience..." 

.....This strategy... It didn’t matter how much we tried to limit the damage as its traces would remain in London in more ways than expected. Hades and his group probably wanted to slowly make the existence of [D×D] be associated with a sense of discomfort and bizarre things in the memory as well as the records in the human world from now on. 

Ddraig, who was inside of Ise-kun said in a voice that we also could hear. 

No matter what, this is the same as picking a fight. Isn't it so? Albion, Crom Cruach?? 

With Ddraig saying that, the two dragons replied with. 

It's not a pleasant feeling.? 

"I can't forgive Ddraig and Albion's impostors for doing such an act. They should be eliminated immediately. They just keep violating the dignity of these high-ranking dragons." 

It looks like the first move made by Hades was something unforgivable by a draconic sense of values. 

A different communication magic circle than that used by Rias-neesan appeared before our eyes. The face of Magnus Rose-san from the [CIA] was reflected in it, who then said through the magic circle. 

"Let's start the operation. At this rate, rumours will continue to spread and if we don't come out now, the possibility of them making the next move is high." 

Rias-neesan, Ravel-san, and Sairaorg-san nodded. 

"Then let's start the operation a little earlier." 

"Yes. Let's match time." 

"We can't let the citizens of London become even more anxious than this after all." 

The battle operation was preponed ten minutes in advance. 

Then, while everyone was preparing for the operation, Ise-kun took a step forward. 

"Ddraig already wants to come out, so I should use Dragon Deification and manifest him." 

Ddraig said. 

I need to prepare for the attack too.? 

Furthermore?what? Vali took a step forward too and said to Ise-kun. 

"That being the case, I'll also accompany you?Albion." 

Ah.? 

A profound conversation and behavior from Vali and Albion. Vali said while looking in Ise-kun's direction. 

"?Hyoudou Issei, together with me.....won't you go outside together with us? There's something that I want to show to you." 

"Understood?" 

While doubtful, Ise-kun accompanied Vali outside. While looking at each other's faces, we also followed them. Outside of the base, Vali said raising his aura. 

"Hyoudou Issei, enter in the Dragon Deification form and prepare to manifest Ddraig." 

Being urged on like that, Ise-kun replied "Understood". Did he perceive something from his rival's profound attitude? He gave his acknowledgement to use Dragon Deification. 

The Two Heavenly Dragons aligned themselves outside the base. First they equipped their respective Crimson Armour and the Silvery-white Armour. And then, they started their chants. 

"?The Crimson Red Dragon dwelling within me, awaken from your dominance" 

"?The pure White Dragon dwelling within me, rise up from your supremacy" 

This could be said to be the chamber music of the Sekiryuutei and Hakuryuukou. 

"?The Crimson Heavenly Dragon I possess within me, rise up to become a King and roar" 

"?The silvery-white Morning Star I possess within me, claim the throne of Dawn" 

The voice of those powerful dragons could be heard too. 

"[?The jet-black God of Infinity]" 

Ise-kun and Vali's voice overlapped. 

"?The glorious God of Dreams" 

"?The mysterious and unfathomable father of Devils" 

"[?Watch over the false forbidden existence we shall become that transcends the boundaries]" 

"[?We shall transcend the limits to accept the oath]" 

Those dragons sang the last verse together? 

"[?Thou shall dance within our radiant inferno!]" 

"[?Thou shalt kneel down before our bright and glorious existence!]" 

<<[D?D!! D?D D?D!! D?D D?D D?D!!!! D?D D?D D?D D?D D?D D?D!!!!!! D?D D?D D?D D?D D?D D?D D?D D?D D?D D?D D?D D?D!!!!!!!!]>> 

[[[LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLucifer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]]] 

From the jewels all over their armours, a powerful voice echoed. 

[<<Dragon ? Drive!!!!!!>>] 

[Dragon Lucifer Drive!!!!!!!!] 

An immense mass of deep crimson, jet-black, and silvery-white aura, enough to swallow this place manifested! The wind roared, the atmosphere vibrated and the earth shook! 

The Red Dragon who was the embodiment of infinity and the White Dragon who was the Morning Star itself were born. Seeing the two of them in Dragon Deification and Maoufication, Sairaorg-san sighed in admiration and said. 

"It is overwhelmingly superb. You guys let me see something good before the fight." 

Certainly. The simultaneous transformations of Dragon Deification and Maoufication of these Two Heavenly Dragons are not something that can be easily seen. Not only me and Sairaorg-san, but the other members were also fascinated by the transformations of the Two Heavenly Dragons too. Vali, who carried out his transformation, told Ise-kun. 

"There's something I want to show to you and Ddraig, right Albion?" 

To Vali's question, Albion raised his voice in affirmation. 

Ah, it is the thing we talked about some days ago. Let's show them our new power.? 

That's right. After the end of the incident in Kyoto, Albion mentioned it. Vali raised his aura and?from all the jewels on his body, an aura was being released forward and was being molded into something. 

"Be resurrected! The [Vanishing Dragon] that dwells inside of me!" 

With a flash of fighting spirit, Vali shouted. 

While releasing silvery-white radiance, the one who made his appearance before our eyes  was?a hugely elegant, pure white Dragon. That was, one of the Two Heavenly Dragons themselves, Albion! 

My goodness! Just like Ise-kun’s [Ddraig Manifestation], Vali showed [Albion Manifestation]! 

It was Albion’s resurrection! This is...Albion's...Vali's new power! 

Everyone was surprised by this phenomenon. From the appearance of everyone from the Vali team, it seemed like they knew of it. He probably showed his teammates before. 

Ise-kun and Ddraig were amazed?but they raised joyful voices at the sudden transformation. 

"Amazing! It's Albion’s resurrection!" 

Ah, it’s out of this world! But I can accept it. It's obvious though. If I can resurrect, there's no reason the White One can't!? 

Those two Sekiryuuteis were extremely excited. Ddraig said as if to hurry up Ise-kun. 

Partner! Manifest me too!? 

"Leave it to me! Wait, it'll take a little time." 

Ise-kun replied cheerfully. 

Although different from Vali's [Albion Manifestation], Ise-kun’s [Ddraig Manifestation] still requires a little time. 

.....Maybe it's because he is still using Pseudo-Dragon Deification. That's why he can't immediately use manifestation like Vali? 

After a short while, an aura was projected from the jewels of Ise-kun’s armour and Ddraig manifested. 

On London's soil, the true Sekiryuutei and Hakuryuukou were standing together? 

Simultaneously, Ddraig and Albion looked at the sky?they were looking at the sky of England. Ddraig and Albion earnestly said. 

.....The sky where our legend was born, isn't it? Well, Wales is a little to the west from here.? 

.....I wonder how many centuries has passed? The scenery seen from here changed. But...? 

Ah, the feel of this air..... the scent of the wind didn't change.? 

From before, when we had our bodies, when we always had big fights when we met.? 

Ah, since then.? 

Even this feels nostalgic...feels precious.? 

Maybe it's a reaction of our long-sealed lives.? 

Saying until there, the two of them laughed. 

These two looked ahead?at London's sky where the fake Ddraig and Albion were flying. A fierce fighting spirit appeared in their eyes. 

White One. This is a long-awaited chance. Don't you want to teach those fakes what a real Heavenly Dragon is like?? 

That's obvious. If Heavenly Dragons with the exception of us were to exist, then they would only be our hosts.? 

Ddraig and Albion looked at Ise-kun and Vali. Vali and Ise-kun nodded simultaneously. 

"Go and rampage to the degree of not destroying London, Ddraig." 

"Crash into them together at the start of the operation, Albion." 

The hosts of the Heavenly Dragons themselves too, replied to the fighting spirit of their partners. 

Then, there was a figure of a person who entered between Ddraig and Albion. A man in a black coat?it was Crom Cruach. Crom Cruach said to Ddraig and Albion. 

"So Albion resurrected too. For me, it's an ideal development. Because of that, I'll be able to enjoy a few thousand years more." 

The three of them showed a fearless smile to each other. Looks like they were in great joy because they could fight after this? 

Ravel-san asked. 

"As even Albion-sama was resurrected, we can let the real Heavenly Dragons be the opponents of the fake ones. Crom Cruach-sama.... what would be the best arrangement for him?" 

The opponents of the two fake Heavenly Dragons, would be the two real ones. There was such a development. But if that were to be the case, Crom Cruach, who originally was planned to be an opponent of the two fake Heavenly Dragons would have nothing to do. I thought that would be the case. But Crom Cruach looked at the sky of London?in the direction of the two fake Heavenly Dragons and said with deep meaning. 

"No, it doesn’t seem to be only this. Angra Mainyu probably prepared something more." 

Ddraig and Albion nodded to Crom Cruach’s words. 

Ah, I feel a bad atmosphere from that direction too.? 

The characteristic negative atmosphere released by a strong Evil Dragon.... became stronger.? 

Apparently, it was an apprehension that could be felt by powerful dragons. Looks like it's floating in the direction of the two fake Heavenly Dragons. Hearing this, Ravel-san decided her opinion. 

"Understood. Then as initially planned, the opponents of the two fake Heavenly Dragons will be Ddraig-sama and Crom Cruach-sama. We'll entrust it to you two, while adding Albion-sama as well." 

Ravel-san informed Rias-neesan and the other cooperators of the change in the details of the operation through the magic circle. Those informed of Albion’s manifestation through the magic circle gave us a good surprised reaction. And with a battle formation stronger than assumed, everyone’s tension was uplifted and the time for the operation came. While confirming her wristwatch, Ravel-san said. 

"?Let's begin." 

At the moment she said that? 

The place we were part of, including every part of London was swallowed by the light of a transportation magic? 

The citizens and animals who existed in this city, wheeled vehicles and etc. were moved to pseudo-London in its entirety. A large scale jump?was done! 

It was only an instant. But when the light stopped?in the entirety of the city, the traces of people and their existences vanished. Simultaneously with the transportation of the citizens to pseudo-London, the real London was surrounded by a strong barrier. The only ones remaining in this place are we from [D×D], the staff members, the group of the target Meredith Ordinton, the two fake Heavenly Dragons and in the underground; the group of Hades’ [Alliance of Hell]. 

Not only the two fake Heavenly Dragons, Meredith Ordinton and Hades couldn't escape as well. Though the time was limited. 

40 minutes. 

That was the time suggested to us. Rias-neesan’s team too, probably after confirming that the citizens were evacuated, started to move. 

<Then I'll summon the gate.> 

With the simultaneous start of the operation, Bennia-san manifested the Grim Reaper gate. From the ground an eerie gate with double doors appeared, with carvings of skulls everywhere... It was a gate fitting for a Grim Reaper of the Realm of the Dead. While raising with a sound of [Gigigi], the gate opened. 

A black aura swirled before the gate. If we pass through here?we would be transported to the territory of the [Alliance of Hell] in London’s underground. Everyone hardened their resolve and nodded to each other. While everyone of the "Defeat the [Alliance of Hell] team" strengthened their resolution to cross the gate, Vali and Ise-kun told their partners. 

"Then, let's wish each other success, Ddraig." 

"I'll hear your impressions afterwards, Albion." 

You too, Partner. Don't lose.? 

Put an end to this, Vali.? 

After saying that; Ddraig, Albion, and Crom Cruach took off at an extreme speed in the direction of the two fake Heavenly Dragons. Sairaorg-san said to everyone. 

"Then, let's go!" 

"""""Oohh!!!"""" 

We raised our voices too and crossed the gate. In this way, our last battle with the [Alliance of Hell] started. 

Part 2 

We came to a flat ground after crossing the gate?where the skies were engulfed in darkness with a light looking like a blue-white flame burning at a fixed place a little away. That flame became the only light source of this place. 

However, we were all people who held special powers so there was no problems with visibility. Especially for us, Devils. Even in a world of darkness, our eyes work more than enough. Bennia-san said. 

<Hades-sama’s temple should be on the other side of this flat ground.> 

Then, while we were heading towards Hades’ temple, an enormous number of transportation magic circles began to spread right before our eyes. The style of the magic circles belonged to Devils and Grim Reapers! 

From the magic circle, a large crowd of Devils that we didn't know about and Hades’ subordinates troops of Low and Middle-class Grim Reapers began appearing one after another. The large crowd of Devils....were the Artificial Devils born from the Mother of Devils, Lilith. Vali said. 

"I see. They will be throwing away their stock all at once." 

".......Because it's the final battle, they let out an unprecedented number of them." 

Ise-kun who was fed up with it said that. 

As Ise-kun rightly pointed out, the number of transportation magic circles was increasing fast.... 1000, 2000.... 4000, 10000..... no, if you add up the Grim Reapers then there's probably much more than this! 

Sairaorg-san’s [Queen]?Kuisha-san said. 

"Roughly from just by looking, it's a force probably surpassing 25000. Ultimately, we can probably expect it to expand to nearly 40000." 

While she said that with composure, Kuisha-san’s face was tense. On the other side..... Sairaorg-san was trembling with excitement. 

"......This is probably something that shouldn't be received joyfully. But! Even so, as a man, as a warrior… there's no other option other than to let my fighting spirit boil in this situation........!!!!" 

As the number of enemies increased, it looked like Sairaorg-san's fighting spirit was being enhanced together. Vali seemed to agree to that while looking at the temple’s direction. 

"Fufu, why not? Right? Hades, Angra Mainyu. You can hear me right? Our battle should be like those in myths." 

Ise-kun clenched his fists strongly. 

"Well, we only have to do it!" 

With the Devils and Grim Reapers continuing to appear, everyone entered their battle stance when Sairarog-san said, 

"Hyoudou Issei. Scream our battle cry." 

"Eeeeee!! Me!!?" 

To the surprised Ise-kun, Sairaorg-san nodded. 

Ise-kun looked at us. But, all he saw was the attitude that said [If you are going to do it, do it]. 

Seeing this, Ise-kun made up his mind. 

"Understood." 

And after taking a deep breath? 

"TEAMMM DDDDD×DDDDD HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" 

We grabbed our weapons, as we raised our voices and invaded the enemy's camp! 

The first shot was fired from Ise-kun in Dragon Deification and Vali in Maoufication. They gave a double bombardment as immense deep crimson and silvery-white aura rained incessantly over the Devils and Grim Reapers?whose numbers surpassed several hundreds. In one breath, more than a thousand enemies had vanished. 

Regulus invaded the circle of enemies in his true form and tore apart a few hundred enemies into pieces with his claws and fangs! While merely providing covering fire, the ancient golem?Gogmagog released a strong beam of light from his eyes. He had two large anti-magical beast sized machine guns equipped on both his arms and was sweeping the enemies with non-stop fire. 

The large army of Devils and Grim Reapers were moved down incessantly to Gogmagog’s beams of light and machine guns. 

Sairaorg-san was pushing his way through the large enemy army together with his peerage. While knocking out the enemy, he screamed together with Regulus (in his golden lion form). 

"[Balance Breaker!]" 

Sairaorg-san became clad in shining gold armor. With a fist filled to the brim with Touki, he blew away dozens of Devils and Grim Reapers. 

I used one of my Balance Breakers to create my Dragon Knights and let them wield the Demonic Swords (Balmung, Nothung, Tyrfing, and Dáinsleif). I then sent them in the direction of the enemy while slaying a group of enemies with the Demonic Emperor Sword Gram that I held. 

"ORAORAORA!! Here we go, Zhu Bajie! Sha Wujing!" 

"Hoi." 

"I-I'm going!" 

Bikou, the current Zhu Bajie, and the current Sha Wujing, the three of them together started going berserk in the circle of enemies. They were mowing down the enemy with splendid teamwork. 

On the rearguard?as if protecting the healer, Asia-san, Lint-san and Ingvild-san were dealing with enemies who slipped through the vanguard. 

"My flames are unusually strong against Devils!" 

Lint-san grew her silver wings and a halo appeared above her head too. She held a sword made of purple flames in her hand. Her Sacred Gear was a Holy Relic too?the Holy Cross. For Devils, these purple flames had the same effect as certain death. The enemy Devils who bathed in them became ashes instantly. 

Ingvild-san muttered. 

"There's no water here.....it'll probably be a little hard." 

While saying such a thing, she generated an immense amount of water in this territory with her demonic power and it took the shape of a giant dragon. She released this water dragon over the enemy Devils and Grim Reapers where it easily swallowed a whole group of them. To Ravel-san and Bennia-san, who were closely escorting Asia-san, even if those who wanted to harm them were to come near? 

[Protect, Asia-tan!] 

One of the Five Great Dragon Kings summoned by Asia-san, the [Gigantis Dragon] Fafnir blocked the way. He absolutely wouldn’t let the enemy come near her! 

In our form, the vanguard advanced while blowing away enemies and the rearguard followed while desperately defending Asia-san. We headed towards the temple of the [Alliance of Hell] team. The sickles used by Grim Reapers were something that would directly damage the soul if they were to hit.. It was something that should be avoided at all cost. But for the time being, no one had been directly hit by them. We couldn't let anyone become exhausted or disturb the rhythm of our advancement. 

Then, suddenly snow started falling in this territory. 

This snowfall gradually increased its momentum until it became a furious blizzard! However, we didn't feel too much cold from this blizzard. Only the enemy Devils and Grim Reapers were being frozen. Finally, they became frozen in ice. Around the battlefield, the number of Devils and Grim Reapers who became ice sculptures were increasing? 

The one who did this had the atypical appearance of being three metres tall with six eyes and four arms, the Princess of Ice?the Independent Avatar type Sacred Gear who obeyed Lavinia Reni-san. The Ice Princess at Lavinia Reni-san’s side unleashed a furious blizzard that began appearing all over the battlefield and innumerable giant sharp ice pillars were being created everywhere. Inside the blizzard, Lavinia Reni-san said while showing a beautiful smile. 

"This is my Longinus?[Absolute Demise]’s Balance Breaker [Snow World Believed to be Eternal Assoluto Argento Mondo ]." 

I heard that Lavinia Reni-san's Longinus; [Absolute Demise], when its power was taken to the extreme, could make abnormal weather happen, to the point of encasing a small country in a world of ice. Lavinia Reni-san's Balance Breaker manifested only in the limited interior of this territory as the vast underground space already became a white-silver world filled with blizzards and ice pillars! 

This was a blizzard with dreadful momentum! However, we almost never felt the cold air or chill and only the enemies were absolutely frozen. To be able to release her ability while making a distinction between ally and enemy, showed that Lavinia Reni-san was completely capable of controlling her Longinus’ Balance Breaker. Honestly, with just this ability alone, we should be able to deal a heavy blow to a great majority of enemies. As time passed, the opponent’s body would only grow colder. 

Now, I understood why the leader of the [Slash Dog] team, Ikuse Tobio-san, sent Lavinia Reni-san here. The abilities of this Longinus had effects in the ultra-wide range. It’s the same as the reincarnated Angel [Joker]’s, Dulio's [Zenith Tempest] and Georg’s [Dimension Lost]. 

I heard that the [Slash Dog] team who fought with us in Kyoto too, ended the battle against a large group of enemy devils in one breath with this ability. In the middle of the severe blizzard, where Grim Reapers and Devils were suffering, Ise-kun and Vali were firing bombardments into the crowd as if making doubly sure that they were defeated. The strongest monster, Fenrir and the ancient golem; Gogmagog, were devastating the battleground together with them. 

The battle front of the opponent collapsed? 

"T-they are too strong!" 

"W-what are these guys... They are strong to this extent!?" 

<Even with these numbers, they are acting as if it is nothing!> 

<T-they’re monsters!> 

Even as the enemy army was vast with a few tens of thousands of Devils and Grim Reapers, they all screamed with despair against the [D×D] team's overwhelming attack power. 

We were overwhelming them. If this situation continued, we would advance until the temple? 

It happened when I thought like that. Someone was destroying the ice pillars one after the other. While coming in this direction at an incredible speed, that person who was completely ignoring this furious blizzard, was? 

A young man with bronze hair?the artificial Transcendental, Balberith. 

He appeared releasing an unbelievable amount of aura over his body. The appearance of Balberith meant that the one responsible for him, Sairaorg-san and I, would have to deal with him. We directed our fighting intent towards him. 

Sairaorg-san said to Ise-kun and Vali. 

"Hyoudou Issei and Vali Lucifer, go ahead just as planned! We'll manage here somehow!" 

Vali nodded. But while looking in Balberith’s direction, Ise-kun seemed to be hesitating in some respects. 

However, Ise-kun shook his head and while looking in the temple's direction said. 

"Sairaorg-san. Bal… About Balberith, I'll be relying on you." 

"......Ah, no problem. There's nothing for you to worry." 

When Sairaorg-san reassured him, Ise-kun and Vali flew towards the temple at a high speed, with Fenrir and Gogmagog following them. We would start the operation against Balberith. 

Sairaorg-san said to me while blowing away an enemy Devil. 

"That man may be in a bad condition. But his roots didn't change. There's no way it would change." 

I replied while slaying a Grim Reaper. 

"Yes, of course." 

Well now, from now the operation would enter a critical phase. The battle results obtained in every place of the responsible members would become important points for this battle. I wished strongly that everyone should complete this operation safely?