"What the hell!? — A power this ridiculous!!"
Those were Pluto's last words before his body compressed into an unseeable speck and disintegrated into atomic dust—erased from existence.
"Pluto!?"
Oh? I get why you'd be shaken—your comrade was taken out instantly before you could even react. But you don't get to panic.
"Sorry, but die already — Ittou Rasetsu!!"
"Tch—!!"
Already wielding the Balance Breaker greatsword, I slashed at Thanatos. He must've sensed the danger by instinct, because he barely shifted in time—but not fast enough. My blade sliced clean through his left arm.
"Ghh! It's too dangerous to leave Samael in your hands! Lord Hades will be furious, but I'll kill you here and now, and retrieve Samael by possessing a suitable human host!"
Even as he lost an arm, Thanatos adjusted his goal instantly. He whirled to strike at Ikki, who had moved past him, swinging the massive scythe he refused to release.
He had read the data on Ittou Rasetsu after our last battle. He knew Ikki was on the brink of death. Still, with the White Dragon Emperor and the nekomata present, trying to abduct Ikki would be too risky. But killing a dying human—even one-armed—would take less than a second.
Yet, when his scythe cut through the air, there was nothing there.
"Impossible!"
"Too bad. Look down. Ittou Shura: Seventh Secret Sword: Amaterasu!!"
Thanatos looked stunned as I launched the Seventh Secret Sword—and honestly, I wasn't sure how to handle this one. In Chivalry of a Failed Knight, the original move was called Raikou, but it was never fully described. All we knew was that it was absurdly fast. No theory, no mechanics—nothing to reconstruct.
But really, there's no need to replicate everything perfectly. The Fifth and Fourth Secret Swords were already major adaptations, especially Shinkirou.
At first, I thought about substituting it with Final Secret Sword: Oikage, a high-speed draw technique. But that one requires gripping the blade and charging power, which doesn't work well with my massive greatsword. Grabbing near the base wouldn't gather enough strength.
That's when I remembered Amaterasu—a move used by the protagonist's older brother. A strike of both speed and power, executed by twisting the body to its limits and unleashing the stored torque from resetting joints. I gave it a small twist and designated it my Seventh Secret Sword.
To avoid collateral damage, I struck from below at an upward angle—my blade wrapped in foxfire. After all, if you're naming it after the Sun Goddess, flames seemed fitting.
Of course, the foxfire wasn't for show. Like with Void Severance, the released slash created an air-pressure fault line. The foxfire, infused into the strike, reacted with the vacuum, igniting it and turning the slash into a massive flame-wreathed attack—cutting and incinerating everything in its path.
It's kind of like that one fire-based ultimate move from a certain soul-reaping manga. Except, that was a moon. Mine's the sun.
Thanatos instinctively used his scythe as a shield—but it was no use. The blade cleaved through scythe and body alike, the flaming slash engulfing him until he vanished. The attack continued skyward, carving a crimson streak across the underworld's heavens.
"Phew… that's two top-level gods of death down. With any luck, Hades'll be so pissed he pops a blood vessel—if skeletons even have those."
"Kukuku! Both of us just instant-killed god-tier enemies. I'm looking forward to the day we fight again."
"Nah, I'm not that impressive. I took advantage of Pluto's distraction, and let's not forget—I was relying heavily on items."
"Heh. Not like you to be humble."
Hey now! I'd pre-loaded Phoenix Tears before activating Ittou Rasetsu, and drank them the moment the effect ended to recover. I even had Kuroka radio for more from Grayfia and Baraqiel. Popped another one for the second burst.
Sure, my wounds healed, but I bled a lot again. And a single Phoenix Tear is worth enough to build a mansion! Blowing through two of them for a few seconds of power? Yeah, not exactly sustainable.
You think I can do this on a whim? If I can't expense those items, I'll be broke for life!
Anyway, with Pluto and Thanatos gone, the barrier around this area finally lifted. The others arrived—and just in time, so did Grayfia and the rest.
"My apologies, Ikki-san. We were supposed to be your escorts, yet we weren't by your side at the critical moment."
"No worries! Without you, I probably would've been targeted much more directly during the earlier magical beast incidents. And the Phoenix Tears helped a lot."
"Ikki Arima, and the White Dragon Emperor… You both possess astounding strength. If I get the chance to spar with you, Ikki, I'd like to do it while wearing my Regulus Armor."
"Hey, Vali! You shoved me outta the way, you bastard!"
"What? That was a first-come, first-served deal, Hyoudou Issei. Thanks to that, I had quite the thrill."
As the chatter continued, a slow clap echoed through the battlefield.
All eyes turned toward the source—Cao Cao.
"Well, well. Not only did you defeat the magical beasts and our executive members, but now you've taken down two top-tier gods of death. And not a single one of you has died. Your growth and survival skills are honestly awe-inspiring."
"Cao Cao!"
At the sudden appearance of the Hero Faction's leader, everyone tensed.
"Cao Cao… Why show yourself now? Don't tell me you think you can take us all on by yourself?"
"Of course not, Vali. We've suffered heavy losses. It'll take time to reorganize. This time, we admit defeat. —However, it's a rare opportunity to face such formidable foes. If possible, I'd like to claim at least one head before I go."
"If possible, huh? And what if all of us decide to gang up on you?"
"Then I'll make a swift retreat."
A faint mist drifted around Cao Cao. I don't know what happened to Georg, but it seems they still have a means of escape.
At that moment, Issei stepped forward.
Perfect. My role comes after this—so it's all yours, buddy.
"Then let me be your opponent. Ikki and Vali already had their turn to go wild. I've got a debt to settle with you from Kyoto."
"Ah, the Red Dragon Emperor. Last time, you didn't even get to don your Cardinal Crimson Promotion. Let's see it now—show me your crimson might!"
"You got it! Time to give you a taste!"
Crimson aura erupted from Issei's body in response.
"I am the one who awakens the truth of kingship—The Red Dragon Emperor. With infinite hope and undying dreams, I walk the path of royalty! I become the Crimson Dragon King, and lead you into a sky blazing with red!"
"Cardinal Crimson Full Drive!!!"
Armor engulfed Issei. It's gotten more stable compared to when he first awakened it.
"Alright! Time to grab a win… This tactic was actually made to beat you, but screw saving it!"
Huh. Let's see what he's got—so I can adapt and still beat him in our next training match.
"Polar Night Longinus Chakravartin!"
Cao Cao activated his Balance Breaker and leapt onto one of the Seven Treasures.
"Let's change venues."
He flew toward the city. Issei followed.
"We'll tail them at a distance," Rias ordered, keeping us far enough to avoid collateral damage, but close enough to watch.
Right now, neither has landed a clean hit—Issei's sheer power and speed are barely covering for his lack of technique.
That said, Cao Cao's spear is shaving pieces off his armor. And now… parts of it are turning to stone.
"What the—!?"
"Are you familiar with the Medusa's Eye? I had it implanted into my right eye—the one Ikki destroyed. By aligning my focus, I can instantly petrify anything I see. Quite the useful tool."
Issei countered by purging and rebuilding affected armor in real-time, but even from afar, it's clear he's losing pieces. The energy drain is brutal. If even a joint petrifies, his mobility will drop—deadly against Cao Cao.
"His eye alone rivals the Seven Treasures! I'm just flesh and blood—I wouldn't stand a chance," Yuuto observed grimly.
Alright. Time to offer some advice.
"Issei! Watch his gaze and aura buildup. You can dodge the petrification if you track when he aligns his focus!"
"Like hell I can!! I'm not some mystical technique type like you! I can't do that subtle nonsense while fighting!!"
Even mid-battle, Issei gives a perfect comeback. Classic.
Though honestly, that advice was more for Yuuto. He might not be ready now—but in the future, he could develop the reflexes to pull it off.
"Hah… Fighting you is always nerve-wracking. But your Balance Breaker armor types have a flaw. Your aura flow gives away your next move."
Cao Cao dodged Issei's right punch half a beat early—reading the aura. But the punch halted—then redirected the recoil into a left-handed strike that nailed him in the face.
"Guhh!? That was a feint!? But there was no indication!"
"Heh! I've had that weakness exploited enough times by Ikki and Shirone. I still can't fully control my aura alone—but I'm not fighting alone either! I handed full aura control to Ddraig for a moment—made it look like I was going all-in on the right hand! That punch? Even without much aura, it hurts like hell for a squishy human like you. Bet that eye's done for."
Issei charged, left arm enlarged with Tank power, swinging down. Cao Cao blocked with his spear—barely.
"You're still shaken. I can tell. You hesitated for a split-second—afraid it might be another feint!"