"I understand now, Vasco Strada and Maurice Noir. So that was the strange sensation I felt earlier. You knew I would absorb Trihexa, and this was the countermeasure you prepared just in case."
Maurice answered his question with a smirk.
"Pretty much. We figured that once you absorbed that monster, it'd be tough for just the two of us to take you down. That's why we left the exhausted Rias and the others behind and came here ahead of them."
"While you two stalled me, they recovered. Once healed, they rallied their forces and assembled here as a unit. If they arrived, the Hero boy's recovery could also be managed to some extent. And then, you would all crush me at once... Something like that?"
"Spot on. Well, it would've been ideal if the old man and I could've settled it ourselves. But now that it's come to this, we can't handle you alone anymore."
Saying so, the old man gave a bitter laugh.
So their battle up until now was also meant to buy time for Rias and the others to heal. At first, they genuinely intended to defeat Asem. But as Asem's power surged and they realized they couldn't take him down alone, they shifted their strategy to buying as much time as possible.
Asem nodded in understanding, letting out a amused chuckle.
"I see the plan. However, it's rather naive. Do you really think they can defeat me when even you two failed to stop me?"
In an instant, the pressure radiating from Asem swelled exponentially. A sensation like being forcefully crushed from above washed over all of us.
"Is this... his true power?! That man is far beyond Razely...!"
"I knew it the moment I heard he absorbed Trihexa, but this is ridiculously brutal...!"
Even Sairaorg-san and Dulio were breaking into a cold sweat under Asem's sheer aura. Precisely because they were top-tier fighters, they could instantly grasp the overwhelming gap in power.
Asia couldn't even breathe properly without someone supporting her; she simply couldn't endure his suffocating pressure.
The goofy atmosphere from moments ago evaporated, instantly transforming the area into a dead zone. Even without letting our guard down, we could easily picture ourselves lying motionless on the ground just seconds from now.
Asem raised his palm toward us—aiming directly at me, since I still couldn't move freely.
This is bad...! A single hit from him right now could wipe out even a god-class entity! On top of that, it's going to cover a massive area; it's not something that can be easily dodged! If we don't run with everything we've got, we're definitely done for!
I was about to tell them to leave me behind—a useless burden—and run, when suddenly—
"I won't let you touch Issei."
Rias stood in front of me, stepping forward to shield me from Asem.
Asem looked genuinely impressed as Rias stepped up.
"My, stepping forward like that? I'm surprised."
"Is there really anything to be surprised about? This is a war. If we yield to fear, we won't be able to protect anything. If there is something you don't want to lose, aren't you supposed to move?"
"True enough. But surely you realize that shielding the Hero boy is meaningless? If I release what is in my hand, both you and he will be erased from this world. It will just be a meaningless death."
To that question, Rias replied firmly—
"We won't die—neither I nor Issei. Every single person here will defeat you without anyone missing."
Following her words, the Rias Gremory Peerage, Sona Sitri Peerage, Sairaorg Bael Peerage, the Joker and the Reincarnated Angels, and the Sekiryuutei Peerage all stepped forward to protect me.
Sairaorg spoke up.
"Exactly. We will not let Hyoudou Issei die. We will defeat you and protect this world."
Sona continued.
"We made a vow—to win this battle and return safely to our daily lives."
Dulio smiled, twelve golden wings spreading magnificently from his back.
"If this drags on any longer, those kids won't be able to sleep peacefully. I'll fulfill my duty as an Angel... no, as myself. No matter what kind of monster you are, we will definitely win. That's what Team 'D×D' is all about."
Those were the words of the Joker, the team leader, and the man named Dulio Gesualdo.
None of them backed down in the face of his overwhelming power. They stepped forward to uphold their vow—to win and return home alive.
...Even in a situation like this, I felt a sense of deep relief. This is what Team 'D×D' is all about. This is who they are!
Old Man Strada spoke up.
"God from another world, you underestimate these youths far too much. They have grown tremendously through this battle."
"He's right. Threatening them at that level isn't going to make them back down."
Old Man Maurice also wore a fearless smirk.
And then—
"That's absolutely right! Don't look down on my students!"
A familiar voice rang out! Simultaneously, a countless barrage of light spears rained down from the sky, targeting Asem!
Asem leapt backward, lightly dodging them, and looked up at the sky. Drawn by his gaze, we looked up as well to see a group soaring through the heavens!
One man descended to the ground from the group, flapping his pitch-black wings. That man was, without a doubt, him!
"Sorry to keep you waiting, my students. It feels like it's been a really long time for some reason, but I see you're all somehow still alive."
Spreading his glossy, midnight-black wings was—Azazel-sensei! Our final-boss teacher had rushed to our side as well!
Catching my eye, Azazel-sensei gave a sharp grin.
"Yo, Issei. I thought you finally woke up, only to see you battered to hell again. Well, considering who you're up against, just being alive makes you pretty absurd... Though seeing you being hugged and treated by Koneko and Asia, I guess it's a nice perk for you in a way?"
You know me so well! As expected of our teacher!
Landing right beside him was a figure clad in pure white armor.
"Heh, to think that guy has turned into such a monster. This is getting interesting."
That's right—Vali. Even with his helmet retracted, he showed an excited smirk as he felt the incredible aura emanating from Asem. This guy is in full battle-maniac mode as usual... well, he always is.
Since Vali was here, his entire team had arrived too: Bikou, Kuroka, Arthur, and Le Fay—who was riding Fenrir with Gogmagog standing by behind her. Vali Team had joined the fray.
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