Shin High School DxD - Volume 4 - Chapter 3.3

Women’s Decisive Battle

Part 1 

When the operation started, the team assigned to capture Meredith Ordinton ? the possessor of the Longinus [Alphecca Tyrant], left the base immediately. 

Meredith was said to be in the mansion of one of the leaders of the political and business circles. Rias and her group ? the team to capture Meredith Ordinton, hid in a building near the mansion and had Elmenhilde release her scouting bats in the sky with the objective of confirming the location of their enemies in their surroundings. Gasper also released his scouting bats but...because he was a Sacred Gear possessor, there was a risk of him being brainwashed if one of his alter egos ? the bats were to be hit by Meredith's Holy Nail. 

For that reason, Elmenhilde was being entrusted with the task. Seated with her eyes closed in the middle of a room of the building they were hiding in, Elmenhilde frowned while searching for pieces of information through her bats. Rias asked her as she perceived it. 

"Elmenhilde, what happened?" 

Elmenhilde opened her eyes and reported. 

"The scouting bats were destroyed. But... I was able to basically grasp the enemy's position, but... that Artificial Devil ? Verrine is on the mansion's roof." 

Hearing this, from the building they are hiding in, Rias and her group immediately looked at that direction with either binoculars or with their Demonic power. 

.......As Elmenhilde said, Verrine was fearlessly standing on the mansion's roof with her arms crossed as if waiting for someone. She was waiting for someone...they immediately understood it something like that. Rather than guessing their moves, she was simply standing there… It was as if she was trying to say "Who's going to be my opponent?" with such a bold attitude. 

Irina said. 

"She's like Xenovia." 

"That's rude. But I don't hate something like that." 

Xenovia replied. 

That's right, it was good that it could be easily understood. But while she was with that attitude, could it be a trap? Or could it be a joint trap made by her and Meredith? Or was Meredith preparing a trap in the opposition to Verrine’s thoughts? 

Acting as a spokesman for Rias, Rossweisse said what was on her mind. 

"I think that Verrine is the kind of Devil who would fight us head on. These are only my impressions by seeing the recording of the matches. However, behind her direct feelings, there's a high possibility that Meredith is scheming something." 

As Rossweisse said, from the recordings of the matches in the tournament, Verrine didn’t use malicious tactics or some kind of dishonest fighting style. She was the type of person who would fight head on while relying on her talents and instincts. She fought like that because, with her level of talent, she had the strength to bulldoze through the strong. Therefore, Rias judged that they were under such a situation, where Verrine was waiting for the one who would be her opponent. 

Probably if they were to go forward, she herself would want to fight. The team against Verrine just needed to confront her. The problem was Meredith and the Sacred Gear possessors being manipulated by her ability. 

Le Fay said. 

".....There's a possibility that the Verrine-san on the roof may be an illusion created by one of the Sacred Gear possessors who is being manipulated by Meredith." 

Certainly, this possibility also existed. For that reason, the position of Meredith and the Sacred Gear possessors was essential. Rias once again asked Elmenhilde. 

"And what is the position of Meredith and the Sacred Gear possessors?" 

Everyone stood around the map of the mansion spread on the floor. Elmenhilde made three ? marks on the map.The mansion had two upper floors with one underground floor being overall wide, and there were many rooms too. Nonetheless, because of that large-scale jump, every human with the exception of enemies such as Meredith, the Sacred Gear possessors, and Verrine, should have been transported to pseudo-London. Elmenhilde who put ? marks as their targets on this map said. 

"All of them have Meredith Ordinton’s appearance. They are probably all under the effect of an ability from an illusion-type Sacred Gear...but by only looking through the eyes of the bats, I couldn't distinguish the real Meredith from the fake ones." 

In all of these ? marks, the appearance of Meredith was confirmed. They probably made all Sacred Gear possessors have the same appearance as Meredith by using an illusion. It was Meredith’s strategy in anticipation of Elmenhilde’s search for the enemy. 

"Seeing that the time is limited, we can't do many investigations." 

Rias said to everyone. 

"Firstly ? Akeno, Gasper, Xenovia, and Irina ? we'll separate Verrine from the other targets. As planned, we'll deal with Verrine together. The Pendragon siblings ? Le Fay and Arthur, and the Nekomata sisters ? Koneko and Kuroka, as well as Elmenhilde. I'll entrust Meredith and the Sacred Gear possessors to you guys. Rossweisse, when me and Verrine confront each other, please use 'that' immediately when she shows an opening." 

"Understood." 

Everyone gave their acknowledgement to Rias' words. Rias understood that during this time, the strategy was the matter of maximum priority for her and to obtain victory in this mission she was responsible for. At any rate, for the real battle, to defeat Hades and Angra Mainyu, Ise and Vali's powers would be essential and to correct Ise's bad condition, it was absolutely necessary for Meredith to be captured. 

For that reason, time should be prioritised more than anything as the faster the battle was finished, the better. Because it would be too late if Ise and the others are cornered. As such, carelessness and misjudgment were forbidden. Especially if the opponent has an extraordinary ability against their fighting strength (several powerful Sacred Gear possessors). 

Believe in our comrades, believe in Ise, believe in your own power ? Rias felt this strongly inside her heart. 

"Here we go." 

Together with Rias' voice, they started to move. The battle to capture [Alphecca Tyrant] started. The ones who flew to the enemy base, the mansion, were Rias, Akeno, Gasper, Xenovia, and Irina as the members. Simultaneously with this action made by Rias and her members, the team to capture Meredith infiltrated the mansion. Verrine, who peeked at their approach from the roof of the mansion, while confirming Rias and her group seemed to have perceived those who infiltrated too. Looking in Rias' direction, Verrine said. 

"This means that you guys split up into two groups." 

Rias smiled. 

"How do you do, Verrine?" 

"So my opponent will be the [Switch Princess] and her group-sama." 

"Are you dissatisfied?" 

Verrine shook her head to Rias' question. 

"No. You seem strong, so there's no problem. Well, to tell you the truth, I wanted to fight the [Oppai Dragon] in his normal condition." 

"You wanted to fight against the serious Ise? You probably wouldn’t win." 

Hearing Rias' words, Verrine showed a playful smile. 

"Because I'm a woman, right? But I want to fight. No, rather, because I'm a woman I wanted to fight him." 

Verrine had the disposition of a battle maniac, but not the same extent of Gressil and Sonneillon. However, compared to those two, wickedness couldn’t be felt. Rather, she was clad in an aura of innocence. 

Before long, they could hear the sound of a fight from inside the mansion. Among other things, a full-scale conflict seemed to have started. 

Verrine said. 

"Because I was told to protect that child ? Meredith, I have the option of ignoring you guys too." 

They took that possibility into account too. Until Le Fay and her group captured Meredith, Verrine absolutely needed to be outside the mansion. So, Rias shouted. 

"Rossweisse!" 

When her name was called ? Rossweisse, who was waiting in a road before the mansion, showed herself and created a magic formula towards the mansion. She was holding the Mistilteinn Wand, raising her magic power. The magic formula was cast and it created ? a barrier! 

Close to Rossweisse were the [Dividing Wyvern Fairy] released by Ise in advance, two wyverns were flying! These wyverns released their power. 

Boost!!? 

Boost!!? 

Transfer!!? 

With the Sekiryuutei's power of [Boost] and [Transfer], the precision and sturdiness of Rossweisse’s barrier were doubled and enhanced! A very solid isolation barrier was formed around the mansion. Ise's wyverns couldn't become armours for Rias and Xenovia. If that was the case, they only needed to find another way to use it. 

The biggest concerns in the operation to capture Meredith were: 

• [That during the middle of the operation, Verrine would go to assist Meredith]. 

• [The possibility of Meredith putting a trap outside the mansion so that Gasper, who was fighting against Verrine is hit by a Holy Nail and brainwashed]. 

• [Meredith escaping from the mansion using teleportation magic]. 

To eliminate these three concerns, the two of them needed to be completely separated while Meredith was trapped in the mansion. But by only covering the mansion with a barrier, even if it was Rossweisse's one, the Artificial Transcendental Verrine could probably break through it. Or the Longinus ? the Holy Relic; the Holy Nail, could probably open a hole in the barrier. If even one of these factors were to be allowed, the difficulty of the mission would rapidly increase, thus making the mission extremely difficult to be completed in time. 

In order to eliminate these concerns, they used Ise's wyverns to strengthen Roissweisse's barrier. Seeing by testing if it could be done, even if Ise was in bad condition, the women could still receive [Boost] and [Transfer] from the wyverns. 

As a result? 

"A barrier!? You plan to completely isolate me from Meredith, who is inside, right?" 

Verrine raised an immense amount of aura in her hand and released it in the barrier’s direction ? but the barrier wasn't even shaken by Verrine's bombardment. As if to say “If that is the case”, Verrine looked at Rossweisse, who put up the barrier. 

Rias then informed her. 

"It's pointless. We made it so that even if Rossweisse were to be defeated, the barrier won't disappear for one hour. That means that you can't immediately run to Meredith's side." 

For the first time, Verrine showed an impatient expression. She probably thought that even if a barrier were to be put, she could break it. The strengthened barrier simply wouldn’t break. From the moment she was born, Verrine was extremely powerful. That was why she practically didn’t have the thought or experience of cooperating with someone, which was Rias’ guess. It was the same with Gressil and Sonneillon in Kyoto. The recording from the matches showed that Verrine also made many solo plays. Therefore, she probably was belittling their teamwork. After the Kyoto battle, they heard Ikuse Tobio and Cao Cao’s impressions, who fought against Gressil and Sonneillon. 

They were disinterested in cooperating with anyone. Therefore, they didn't listen to what Hades said and followed Erebus. They probably came out wishing to raise their strength. Or so they said. They probably saw the tournament recordings of both theirs and the other teams' matches. But it was likely that they focused their attention only on individual strength and didn't consider the team’s strength and coordination as important. It was ironic, as Rias recalled. 

In Rating Games, individual ability was important. But the overall team strength and coordination was also essential. This was something Rias and the rest learned in the game. While joining the tournament ? the Artificial Devils focused their efforts in only observing individual strength. Verrine was strong. She was probably more talented than Rias. However, the execution of this operation was top priority. For that reason, Rias designed this isolation operation while taking Verrine's nature into account. 

Rias and Gasper then lined in mid-air as they started to sing a chant of power. 

"Darkness, everlasting darkness, respond to this Devil of destruction." 

<<Princess of destruction, symbol of extinction, use this darkness of the Demon God.>> 

Gasper’s darkness appeared from Rias’ shadow and started to cover her body. Gradually the shadowy darkness covered her entire body. 

"My evil eye, brother of the evil eyes, gather onto this destruction of mine." 

<<My master, sister of destruction, drape this forbidden night and true darkness around you.>> 

Rias’ body was then covered in darkness, culminating in a new form. And then, Rias and Gasper chanted the last verse at the same time. 

"<<Give the enemy before you absolute destruction!>>" 

A Devil, who was clad in darkness and a deep crimson aura, appeared. 

[Forbidden Invade Balor the Princess]. 

Releasing an immense amount of aura, Rias told Verrine. 

"Come, Verrine. Let's do this." 

Rias would fight together with her comrades? 

That’s right, it was like always. The Gremory peerage always cooperated with their comrades, and in the end, Ise would finish it? 

Part 2 

The Meredith Ordinton capture team, which infiltrated the mansion, with Le Fay in the centre began advancing inside of the building. The Sacred Gear possessors whose appearance changed into that of Meredith were being dealt with by the ones responsible for the offence team ? Arthur, Kuroka, and Koneko. 

"Die, Devil!" 

"Take this!" 

The Sacred Gear possessors under Meredith’s brainwashing were attacking the offence team with weapons or special powers. But ? there wasn't anyone who could stop Arthur, who possessed superior swordsmanship. 

"?With only to this extent, you can't defeat me." 

They were easily dealt with. The defeated Sacred Gear possessors had the illusion broken and returned to their original appearances. Kuroka and Koneko raised their Taijutsu [1] with Senjutsu and made the Sacred Gear possessors faint. 

Kuroka too received training from the Elder of the Cat Youkai, Magari, who was more than 800 years old, and who helped improve Kuroka’s Taijutsu with her usage of Senjutsu. 

While releasing Youjutsu through her Neko-punch, Kuroka said. 

"Uhm, they probably aren't that strong." 

While covering a Sacred Gear possessor with a fist strike packed with Senjutsu, Koneko said. 

".....Because nee-sama fought with so many strong people as a member of that team, your senses became dull." 

Hearing that while laughing loudly, Kuroka said while sending an opponent flying with a kick. 

"And what about you too, Shirone? Because you experienced infernal fights, aren't you easily blowing them away?" 

Because the fighting power of the Toujou sisters was the result of going through countless life and death situations, average enemies of these numbers weren’t even capable of becoming an opponent. Le Fay, while following her brother, was also defeating the Sacred Gear possessors who came to attack with her elemental magic. 

Arthur seeing his little sister's magic, once again said. 

"You've become stronger too." 

Le Fay smiled. 

"Thank you very much. But compared to Onii-sama, I still have ways to go." 

After such a conversation, Le Fay and her group took control of the whole floor. Elmenhilde used her bats to thoroughly search through the mansion’s interior for the enemy. The remaining floors were the second floor and the underground floor, in both of them, the appearance of Meredith could be confirmed. 

Elmenhilde said. 

"There are illusions of Meredith Ordinton in both of them." 

Hearing this, the Toujou sisters took a step forward. 

Kuroka fearlessly said while rotating her shoulder. 

"If that's the case, it’s Senjutsu's turn-nyan?". 

Koneko continued. 

"......Yes. Even if you were to change your appearance with illusion, the 'Ki' flowing inside the body can't be changed easily." 

Kuroka and Koneko held their hands while closing their eyes to focus their minds. A white light flickered from their entire bodies ? their Touki. They started to feel the flow of 'Ki' floating throughout this mansion. Kuroka and Koneko then looked up at the same time. 

"It's the second floor-nyan. Holy aura...I mean, I can feel a 'Ki' similar to those of Valerie-chan, Cao Cao, and Lint-chan’s powers." 

"Yes, she's above. At the same time, I sensed Meredith's 'Ki'." 

It held a similar power ? 'Ki', to Valerie Tepes’ Holy Grail, Cao Cao’s Holy Spear, and Lint Sellzen’s Holy Cross. That was to say, the 'Ki' of those possessing relic-type Sacred Gears. 

Everyone nodded and started running towards the stairs to the second floor. As soon as they arrived on the second floor. 

"You've come, right? Devil!" 

"We won't let you guys get to our Queen!" 

The Sacred Gear possessors with the appearance of Meredith came to attack. But even they were defeated by Arthur and the offence team. 

And then, Le Fay and her group arrived at the room at the depths of the second floor. 

Entering inside ? there were three Sacred Gear possessors with the appearance of Meredith and Meredith Ordinton herself seated in a chair. The one seated was spinning a crown with her finger, as if playing with it. That crown was a Sacred Gear. It was something that was composed of Holy Nails. 

While taking a deep breath, Meredith said to Le Fay. 

"This is the first in a long time that we met and talked like this, Le Fay." 

Le Fay took a step forward and aimed her wand at Meredith. 

"That's right, Meredith. So please, stop with these kinds of things." 

With these words, Meredith gave a bitter smile. 

"That's amazing confidence. It’s natural, isn't it? You belong to a team with a set of prominent, strong people, even travelling the world. The team of Vali Lucifer? Yes, the [D×D] team? Yes, as expected, it's because of your lineage? Were you chosen because of that? Or because you had the talent cultivated by the Pendragon for generations?" 

"......I already told you before that I don't like this way of talking, right?" 

"......But it’s ironic, isn't it? Not only my lineage, but even my talent is also higher than yours, isn't that right? No, not just you. My talent and lineage are higher than anyone in [Golden Dawn]." 

Le Fay clearly asserted. 

"Even if you were blessed by talent and lineage, doing something like this, you won't get anything. Just grudges and hard feelings that will only continue to accumulate." 

The moment Le Fay said that, Meredith became enraged. 

"Don't come at me with that theory about being a good girl! I! Even with royal blood flowing in my veins, I didn't become a member of royalty! It's royalty, you understand? Even in this world, royalty is a prominent thing, a chosen human being! Why only me? Why did I have to experience something like this? The others......the children of different mothers were royalty by birth!" 

From all over Meredith’s body, a darkish aura oozed out. 

......They could feel the aura of a God. This was the God Aka Manah, who was said to be possessing her. By this God's power, her distinction of good and evil were put out of order. Meredith stood and put the crown on her head. 

While making a Holy Nail appear in her hand, she ordered the Sacred Gear possessors. 

"Kill as many people as possible! Even if only a second longer, don't let [D×D] hamper this country!" 

The three Sacred Gear possessors started their attacks and aimed with a spear made of lightning, a shield made of ice, and a tiger composed of flames. Koneko lowered her stance and jumped forward, making an enemy faint with a punch in the abdomen. Kuroka too, with a mix of demonic power and Youjutsu, defeated one more enemy? 

Elmenhilde too, releasing several dolls made of silver, defeated the last Sacred Gear possessor. Meredith then aimed and released a Holy Nail at Le Fay, but Arthur stood before Le Fay, deflecting the Holy Nail with Collbrande. 

"YYYYYOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!" 

Meredith released her holy aura and magical power from her whole body. And from everywhere inside of the whole room, Holy Nails with the length of a longsword grew! She showed such a technique! 

If Kuroka and Koneko, who were Devils and Elmenhilde, who was a Vampire, were to be hit by those Holy Nails ? they wouldn’t be able escape without consequences! Moving at a high-speed ? Arthur smashed the Holy Nails with Collbrande in a flash. 

Meredith trembled at Arthur’s swordsmanship technique. 

"......I heard that Le Fay's Onii-san is one of the highest class swordsmen in this world. But......!" 

With the Holy Nails inside the room being smashed in an instant, Meredith stepped back. Seeing an opening, Le Fay released Restraint magic at Meredith. Manifesting a Holy Nail once again, Meredith tried to shake off the Restraint magic. It was at that moment! 

Arthur cut the space inside the room with Collbrande, making a hole and stabbed the tip of Collbrande inside it. From Meredith's flank, a holy sword appeared in the space and from there, the tip of Collbrande extended. Meredith perceived that and took evasive action. 

It's here! 

Le Fay shot the anti-Longinus possessor ring pointing towards Meredith. The ring then opened on its own and fastened itself on Meredith's arm! The moment the ring closed, as if losing her body strength, Meredith crumpled on the floor. 

Then, at the same time, something like a black mist left her body. The black mist showed the form of something like a face. This was the God, Aka Manah? 

"?If he were to come out, he would be mine." 

Right after saying that, Arthur raised Collbrande's aura to the maximum, cladding it in the sword’s blade as he instantly compressed it and moved at god-speed, as he swung Collbrande at the black mist? 

It was a fine-tuned attack which even with the use of the maximum amount of holy aura, could be used even inside a room. 

[NUU, NNUUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!] 

The God Aka Manah leaked a voice filled with anguish from being cut by the Holy King Sword as he made a painful-looking face and the black mist gradually started disappearing. After a while it completely disappeared from the room. It was not like he was completely destroyed. But.....at least for the time being, he probably wouldn't be able to manifest in the present world. Even with the God Aka Manah leaving her body, Meredith tried to take off the anti-Longinus ring with her speciality, Security System magic. 

Le Fay rushed over and touched her chest using a magic circle from her hand. That was a Security System magic designed originally by Le Fay, as it was a formula to destroy the main part of the magic used on Hyoudou Issei. Even if it didn’t work on Hyoudou Issei himself, if it were to be used on the one who placed the magic on him? 

At any rate, because more than anyone else, Le Fay was Meredith’s colleague and knew her magic? 

From Le Fay's magic circle, a peculiar ‘clink’ like sound was heard, echoing throughout the room. With that, Meredith leaned against Le Fay, without any power left. 

But just before she lost consciousness, she told Le Fay. 

"......Me too...... I should have followed......you too......" 

! 

Receiving those words, Le Fay......caught the unconsciousness Meredith in her arms as something flowed from Le Fay's eyes. If she had accompanied? 

However, this possibility wouldn't come back. At this point in time, even if you understood......it was already too late? 

Part 3 

Leaving the skies above the mansion, with the city of London as the stage, Rias and her group were fighting against Verrine. While gliding around the skies of London, Verrine released an immense amount of aura as she created countless ball-shaped demonic power bullets and shot them at Rias, who was in her darkness form. 

While flying, Rias only shot the Power of Destruction to offset it. When Verrine’s aura pushed back Rias' Power of Destruction, due to the trait of the demonic Power of Destruction, it ended up vanishing. Although, even in the middle of the fight, Verrine was making adjustments in her offensive posture and approached. A rare talent indeed. 

When the third eye on Rias’ forehead in her darkness form shined, an anti-personnel time stop could be used. Verrine’s attacks too were stopped countless times by this. Because of that, the opponent could instinctively feel the field of vision ? area of effect of this side’s third eye. When Rias tried to stop time, Verrine would feel it and take distance or hide behind the shadow of a building. 

Verrine once again appeared from Rias’ blind spot ? from the back of the shadow of a building and shot her aura. Rias evaded while shooting her Power of Destruction which Verrine dodged. The aura that the two of them evaded flew to an unrelated direction and destroyed the buildings of London. And then, the ones who appeared to support Rias, who was fighting against Verrine mid-air were… 

"One more!" 

It was Rossweisse, holding the Mistilteinn Wand creating countless magic circles of every attribute and releasing a full-burst magic attack. The offensive magic was mostly evaded or shot down by Verrine's aura, but she was hit by it a little too. Little by little, her damage accumulated. After flying through the skies, Rias and Rossweisse descended together at the railway line of King's Cross station. 

Boommmm...... Booommmmm...... 

From far away, the sounds of destruction on a large-scale could be heard. Judging by the aura it was where Ddraig, Albion, and Crom Cruach were fighting against the fake Heavenly Dragons. 

London completely changed to a battlefield. Including the population, all living things and every vehicle were moved while placing a barrier too, but...... Rias herself already destroyed buildings, though she strongly wished that at least the precious cultural heritage wouldn't be destroyed. Verrine too, tried to descend at King's Cross station......but there, Xenovia and Irina came down slashing with their Holy Swords. Xenovia swung Durandal energetically and without pause while her other weapon; Excalibur, swept sideways. From the seven traits of Excalibur, the sword itself transformed into a whip and became invisible making it difficult to judge where the attack was coming from. 

Verrine dodged the invisible attack of Excalibur by relying on her instincts and evaded Durandal by twisting her body as if dancing. But as if weaving her way through that opening, Irina slashed at her with the Holy Sword Hauteclere! Though even that was dodged by Verrine. In sequence, Irina released a beam of light from her empty hand because, as a reincarnated Angel she could release light that was the weakness of Devils. It was an attack while she was unguarded. But even that was evaded by Verrine turning her face horizontally. 

But, her cheeks were lightly grazed, giving her light damage? 

"Uuuuuuuu, it hurtss!!!" 

Then, she started stamping her feet in that place with teary eyes. Immediately pulling herself together, she sent Xenovia and Irina flying with a surge of aura. In the moment Rias and Rossweisse attacked such as this one, Xenovia and Irina would cut loose their swords, attacking with an onslaught of slashes and other attacks. 

The majority were evaded. But sometimes, the aura of the Holy Swords or the power of light touched Verrine. That much was already good. The damage of the holy aura and the power of light were gradually accumulating in Verrine's body. 

"......Haa Haa......" 

The reality was that Verrine started to breathe heavily to the point of heaving her shoulders. It was one of the things that Rias predicted due to the artificial devils being inexperienced. Even if Balberith and Verrine had a talent for battle, wouldn't they be clumsy in the way they maintained their stamina during battle? 

In short, during this simple exchange of attacks, if they could only dodge while continuously releasing coordinated techniques, didn’t that mean they didn’t know how to control their use of stamina? 

That conclusion ? was correct. 

Rias and her group constantly carried out special training after special training and had fierce battles as well as life and death situations...they had struggled through each and every one of them. And because of that, they had all kinds of battle experience. 

Xenovia and Irina, who were blown away by the heavily breathing Verrine immediately stood up and rearranged their stance with their swords. Especially Xenovia, because she held Excalibur's Sheath, which meant that she wouldn’t be defeated easily. With her injuries healing immediately, Xenovia charged in. 

"I can do this all day!" 

"Time is valuable, Xenovia!" 

While having such a conversation, Xenovia and Irina gradually moved closer to Verrine. Verrine's face distorted at the persistence of these two. 

Then, lightning rained continuously. 

Verrine immediately perceived the attack and jumped out of the way. Lightning continued to fall and followed her many times. In the skies above King's Cross station, a thunderclap roared. With thunder clouds in the background, Akeno spread her Fallen Angel wings and released bolts of lightning at Verrine. Verrine continued to dodge even that. But? 

"Ibaraki Douji-sama, Ura-sama!" 

The two powerful Onis summoned by Akeno unleashed their attacks upon Verrine! Ibaraki Douji and Ura swung their giant metal rods trying to smash Verrine. 

"I WON'T LOSEEEEEE!!!" 

With indomitable determination, Verrine released an immense aura and sent the Onis flying. Lightning continued to rain all this time and it directly hit Verrine's body, which was burned by the Holy Lightning. Even with her whole body smouldering smoke, she wasn't completely burnt. But it was a fact that she suffered internal injuries. 

Even while breathing heavily, Verrine released a ball made of immense amounts of aura towards each of the girls, Akeno, Xenovia, and Irina! They managed to evade it. But ? King’s Cross station was completely destroyed. 

......If the fans of a certain movie (a movie about the tale of a magical school staged in England) were to see this, they would cry tears of blood. While thinking these things in her mind, Rias and Rossweisse turned towards Verrine together. Feeling the presence of Rias and Rossweisse, Verrine tried to release a ball of aura at them but ? both her arms were tied down by Excalibur in the form of whip and a rope made of light respectively. It was Xenovia and Irina. 

Furthermore, Rossweisse shot out Binding magic ? as Verrine’s body was tied all over the place with a rope made of magic power. Rias flew at Verrine at high-speed and her third eye shone. Verrine movements ? were stopped! Her consciousness wasn't stopped, but Verrine's whole body was stopped. Rias thrusted her hand filled with aura at Verrine. It was checkmate? 

As if to make doubly sure, Akeno prepared lightning in the sky and from Verrine's back, Ibaraki Douji and Ura were waiting with their metal rods. 

Rias asked Verrine in this situation. 

"Well, what are you going to do after this, Verrine?" 

Verrine looked frustrated. Probably, with the exception of her team’s loss, she was defeated for the first time in her life. And after a pause? 

"...................................UUUUUUUUUUUUUUeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.............!!! I don't want.......this anymore!!!!!!!!!" 

She started crying in a loud voice. 

......She cried just like a 3 or 4 year old little child. She completely lost her fighting spirit. 

"............" 

Due to the extreme way of crying, Rias was at a loss for words. 

Xenovia and Irina subconsciously looked at each other. 

"......If she were to hysterically cry like this, wouldn't it seem like we are bullying her in-group?" 

"B-but if everyone didn't handle it together, I don't think we would be able to stop her." 

Akeno descended to the surface and sighed. 

"It's the end?" 

Rias undid the fusion technique with Gasper and returned to her usual appearance. Because she fought in the darkness form, she was staggering with a little dizziness. If the time wasn’t limited, Rias in her form of Beast of Darkness with Akeno's support, could have probably been the opponent of the 'current' Verrine. 

If Verrine had experienced countless battles with different opponents and completely manifested her trait, they wouldn’t know who would win. 

Rias, who immediately pulled herself together, said. 

"......Fuu, when she calms down, take her into custody first." 

Rias reported to Le Fay from the Meredith capture team with a communication magic circle. 

"Le Fay. We’re done over here. How is it on your side?" 

"Yes, we’re done here too." 

Such good news came as it looked like their mission was completed. Now ? they only needed to wait for the great efforts to defeat the [Alliance of Hell] and to see if Ise would return to normal or not. Though, they too didn’t plan to stay here. Rias said to Akeno, Xenovia, Irina, and Rossweisse. 

"After moving Verrine, we'll immediately move to where Ise and the others are." 

That was right, the fight still continued. That was what Rias thought. 

Please Ise, come back to your usual self? 

Translator's Notes and References 

 Martial Arts