Let's take a moment to recap the situation.
Up until just moments ago, I'd been in Gremory Castle—Rias-senpai's family mansion—watching Underworld TV with Kuroka, Ravel, and our escorts: Grayfia, Baraqiel, and Enku. Most channels were broadcasting live coverage from across the territories. As for military intel, Grayfia and Baraqiel were both keeping us in the loop.
On the screen, various races—led primarily by devils—were launching an all-out assault on the monstrous beast, Jabberwocky. Among the barrage of attacks, a powerful, radiant cannon blast—bathed in crimson and pink energy—pierced through Jabberwocky's torso. Moments later, an even greater beam obliterated its entire upper body.
…Pretty sure that was Issei's signature "Nyuutron Beam Cannon."
Everyone relaxed at the sight, finally convinced the Demon Beast threat had been wiped out. And it was in that very instant, just as tension eased, that I was suddenly yanked away—most likely by a forced teleportation spell—and dropped into the middle of a city.
Standing right in front of me were Thanatos and Pluto.
To make matters worse, a barrier had been erected around the entire area—strong enough that escape seemed nearly impossible.
"Kidnapping and illegal detainment? Not okay! Ever!" That's what I wanted to yell at them.
But seriously—how the hell did they pull this off?! I was in House Gremory's castle! You'd think the place had top-tier security, teleportation wards and all!
"You seem surprised. I must say, the effort it took was well worth it. This time, we used the Samael residing inside you as a substitute for an invitation to forcibly summon you here."
"Originally, Samael was under our jurisdiction in the Netherworld. On top of that, since you generously allowed Thanatos to be saturated in Samael's poison, we used that as a catalyst to reestablish a magical link."
"Ideally, we would've summoned you directly into the Netherworld… but with such a weak connection, we could only manage this location in the Underworld. If we had more time, we might've pulled off more—but unfortunately, you dealt with those Demon Beasts faster than expected. So we had to act before we lost the opportunity. Honestly, it took both me and Thanatos working together to pull this off. We barely made it."
So they used the faint link with Samael, and two god-class beings brute-forced the summon?
Getting a warm welcome from Grim Reapers wasn't on my wishlist.
And come on, not one but two of the top-tier Reapers? One I might've handled, but both? No thanks.
"Wasn't Pluto supposed to be after Ophis? Go chase her down instead."
By now, Ophis's powers should've stabilized, right? So just go get wrecked already.
"You have the nerve to say that? While we've narrowed down her possible location, whether it's in Gremory territory, one of the Four Maou's domains, or even under Grigori's watch... storming all of them one by one is a bit much—even for me."
"That's why I asked Lord Hades to lend Pluto to me for a bit. Unlike with Samael, collecting Ophis isn't quite so urgent."
Thanatos politely added context to Pluto's explanation... which, thanks—I guess? (I'm only half mad.)
Still, at least we were talking now.
Just as they started moving again, Issei and the others appeared just outside the barrier.
Yeah, I figured this was their plan: summon me here to Lilith and use the city and its people as leverage—to stop me from using [Suicide].
With the Demon Beasts, they just charged forward recklessly—but my [Suicide] ability is actually easy to counter if you know how. It's not exactly suited for defense or containment.
Well… I guess that's to be expected. It's literally called "suicide."
"Ikki! Damn it, this barrier is insane!"
Issei called out and slammed his fist into the barrier—only to get repelled instantly.
If he couldn't break it with brute force, that route was a no-go.
Even if I used [Ittou Rasetsu] to cut through it from the inside, exposing an opening against these two would just get me sealed and carted off.
The odds of me beating both of them alone…? Let's not even go there. It's not zero, but...
"Everyone, step back! I think my darkness can corrode the barrier and pierce through!"
...Wait, was that a cardboard box covered in writhing shadows?
That's Gasper, right? Wasn't he just standing around nervously in normal clothes a minute ago?
Where did this edgy confidence suddenly come from!?
Without hesitation, the black box launched what looked like a salvo of shadow missiles at the barrier.
While the raw power didn't quite match Issei's punch, just as Gasper said, his darkness corroded the barrier—slowly but surely—until there was a hole just big enough for a person to squeeze through.
"Ikki-senpai! Hurry, before it closes!"
Damn it, Gasper—where did this reliable version of you come from!? What happened to your original character!?
"Oh no you don't. We can't let you escape."
Naturally, Thanatos and Pluto moved to block the path.
"Then we'll just fight our way through!"
With the hole starting to close, Issei activated his booster and launched himself forward—only to get intercepted and knocked back by someone else entering the gap first.
"Sorry, Hyoudou Issei. I'll be taking this one."
Of course—it was Vali.
"Oh? The White Dragon Emperor?"
Thanatos seemed more intrigued than alarmed.
"Been a while. Though I wouldn't exactly call our last 'meeting' an actual encounter."
"You were still afflicted by Samael's curse back then, weren't you? I'm surprised a dragon like you recovered so quickly."
"To be fair, the curse had already been treated at that point. Still, it wasn't easy. I only recently got back to full strength. While I was out cold, my team decided to mess with Hades, and by the time I woke up, most of the giant Demon Beasts were already cleaned up by Ikki Arima. So really, the only ones left worth venting my frustration on are you two—or maybe Cao Cao."
You have no idea how grateful I am right now, Vali!
Honestly, he's way more reliable than Issei right now. If he dies, well... that's just how it goes. And without his "Oppai Power," Issei's just a regular Red Dragon Emperor.
"Alright, time to summon some backup."
Vali cut into his own arm with his Sacred Gear, using the blood as a catalyst to summon Kuroka.
Perfect! I'd been counting on this. Kuroka had once broken through Dimension Lost, so I figured she could manage this barrier too—even if escaping from the inside was tough, getting in was doable.
"Took you long enough, nya~. You said you'd summon me via comms earlier. I was totally on standby! What took you so long?"
"Sorry. Right as I was about to, Issei showed up, then Vali made his dramatic entrance... What about Grayfia and the others?"
"They're in transit via teleportation. Shouldn't take long, nya."
"I see. We figured if given enough time, the barrier would be breached or bypassed. That's why we tried to handle this quickly... but with reinforcements arriving already, it seems we'll have to act now. Arima Ikki, we're taking you with us."
"Heh. Funny. I was just about to say the same thing. If we're going to fight, let's finish this fast—before it gets messy. Thanatos wants me, right? Then I'll take him."
"Sounds good. I'd rather not let him escape either. Let's both end this quickly."
"Fwahaha! Such arrogance, to speak so boldly to gods!"
"And now we're getting reports of Fenrir rampaging in the Netherworld. That wolf's fangs are dangerous—even to gods. Your side's really been keeping us on edge. As much as I'd like a proper duel with the White Dragon Emperor and Devil Prince, we'll need to wrap this up quickly. So come—let us clash at full power, if only for a moment!"
Vali's whole body radiated anticipation. Pluto... was probably enjoying this more than he let on.
"Hyoudou Issei is seeking a new power—but not me. I'll master the power of the White Dragon Emperor and go beyond it! Witness now, my one and only form—Overlord Dragon!"
Silver light exploded from Vali's body as he began his chant.
"I am the awakened, the White Dragon who casts down divine order into darkness—"
"To conquer the zenith of Heavenly Dragons—!"
"To walk the imperial path of the White Dragon—!"
"We shall dominate infinity and consume even dreams!"
The gems in Vali's armor echoed with voices—undoubtedly the will of previous White Dragon Emperors—resonating with his resolve.
"Piercing ruin and the dawn of illusions, I rise—Emperor of the White Dragon—!"
"Let us lead you to the pinnacle of sorcery and the silver illusion!"
"Juggernaut Overdrive!!!"
With that final declaration, Vali stood transformed.
His Juggernaut Drive form this time didn't resemble a small dragon like before. Instead, the white armor subtly morphed into a more organic, streamlined version.
And the aura—just standing near it was overwhelming.
Previously, part of the form's power had been held back to avoid going berserk. Now, all that energy was being poured directly into combat capability.
"Behold! My Empireo Juggernaut Overdrive—a form shaped by convincing every past White Dragon Emperor. This is my power alone—engrave it into your soul!"
Pluto dashed in, moving at blinding speed while swinging a red scythe shrouded in dark aura—leaving dozens of afterimages. But Vali smashed it to pieces with a single backhand.
"Tch...!"
Pluto tried to retreat, but Vali was already on him.
A rising uppercut caught Pluto under the chin and sent him flying. Vali pointed a palm skyward and clenched his fist.
"Compress him."
"Compression Divider!"
"Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide! Divide—!!"
Pluto's body was cut in half vertically, then horizontally—again and again—shrinking smaller each time.
Before Thanatos could react, Pluto was crushed into something smaller than a grain of dust...
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