Am I truly Apophis, you ask?
Of course. Undoubtedly, undeniably, absolutely, I am Apophis. The fearsome monster of Egyptian mythology, the great serpent born from the primordial waters, the eclipse-bringer, the Primal Darkness Dragon Apophis—none other!
…Yes, I've changed. I'm aware of it. They say fools don't change even in death, but for me, revival corrected me. No, correction isn't the word—healing is.
Let me tell you what happened, you disgrace to dragons, lust-drenched Red Dragon Emperor. Or perhaps Oppai Dragon is more fitting, you shameless cur!
There was a mad woman.
A woman who forced upon us evil dragons a way of life that was nothing but agony.
She was infuriating. Incomprehensible. Every action of hers grated on me. Every word she spoke repulsed me. I lamented my inability to kill her. I swore I'd devour her corpse one day.
Yet, she was a pitiable woman. Striving to emulate someone she admired, trying to be strong, but weakness lingered deep in her heart. The kind of woman who stifled her sobs and shed tears in solitude.
You resemble her so much. Your soul doesn't compare, but your face is eerily similar. Despite different eye colors, despite being clearly a different person, why do you have her face?
Ugly. Ugly. Ugly. Ugly. Ugly!
Why do you seem so weak with her face? So fragile? So shallow, so easily broken? Unlike her, you'd be easy to eat. But you'd taste foul. I've never seen a creature as repulsive as you!
What kind of life makes someone so revolting? Ugly, disgusting, filthy, shameful. Haven't you learned to wash yourself by your age? You reek of earth, sweat, grime. Even that disinfectant-scented woman was more bearable. Don't tell me you don't know how to wash your hands?
So, failure, what did you hope to achieve by summoning me into this nonsensical situation? Surprised by my reaction?
You're right, failure. Only I could stay calm before these fools. Grendel, Nidhogg, Ladon, Yamata-no-Orochi, or Azi Dahaka—they'd have gone berserk the moment they saw this repulsive girl.
That's what it means to resemble that woman.
…Misdirected anger? Yes, it's misdirected, you holy sword-wielders turned devils and angels! You too, huh? Where's your human pride? How does it feel to degrade into something less than human? Why willingly become such inferior beings? Devils and angels have only one advantage over humans.
What's that? Obvious.
They're easier to break.
I saw a pitiful man's dream.
He trudged through a ruined city like a ghost. No life remained but his comrades. Only human corpses, rubble, and halted spider-like monstrosities surrounded him.
The city, destroyed by those abominations, reeked of death.
"Anyone, just one, please be alive."
He pushing through rubble. Ignoring his bleeding hands, he cleared debris, saw crushed bodies, choked back nausea, wept, and moved to the next pile. Found a body, wept again. Repeat.
"Give up."
"Stop."
"No survivors."
"You can't save anyone."
Yet, the man didn't stop. As if cursed, he searched the devastated city for living humans. He couldn't accept it. He refused to give up.
His hand, plunging into the rubble in despair, felt a faint warmth.
He frantically dug, uncovering a dying boy. Barely alive—bleeding, breathing faintly, eyes vacant, body cold. Death was pulling him away.
The man pulled out a vial. Phoenix Tears, irreplaceable with no guarantee of more. Objectively, he should've used them himself. But without hesitation, he gave them to the boy. His comrades, knowing the tears' value, didn't stop him.
The boy revived. He should've died then. It would've been easier, kinder.
The man, unaware of the curse he'd placed, gave thanks for the boy's life—not to a god or angel, but to the boy himself.
"Good. Truly good."
"Even one, saved."
Saved? What a cruel joke. Utterly misguided. Ridiculous. Oh, how ridiculous.
Who'd say it,
But the one saved
Was you?
"Are you listening, Cao Cao?"
"Of course I am."
"So, you contacted Vali's team, and Arthur's not dead?"
"Right. No talk of Caliburn being stolen either. They weren't lying."
"Then what was that man's sword?"
"A replica of Caliburn? The Church is trying to replicate Excalibur and Holy-Demonic swords, right?"
"No way. It slashed dimensions. A replica can't do that."
"Then what? They withdrew before we could figure out who they are."
"Doesn't matter. It's a trial to prove we're true heroes. Let's go. We've lived for this day."
Ridiculous. Ridiculous. Ridiculous.
I don't want to do petty heroics like saving people. I want feats worthy of this spear. Praise matching this name.
"—Let's become heroes."
But for what?
"—Ha!"
I, Issei Hyoudou, woke up.
"Ow, where…?"
Looking around, I was in the hotel room in Kyoto. For emergencies, I got stuck in a shabby Japanese-style room while Matsuda and Motohama got fancy Western ones…
My body ached. Tracing my memory—
"What's with this revolting girl? I've never seen such an ugly creature."
Right! That bandaged guy's coffin spawned a dragon that insulted Asia, so I attacked! Uh, no memory after that.
"You got taken out by Apophis."
Seriously, Ddraig?!
"Dead serious, partner. How did Apophis know that disgraceful nickname? From its tone, other evil dragons are in that coffin… To be called a disgrace, shameless, by an evil dragon of all things…"
Evil dragon? What's that? Different from regular dragons or the Two Heavenly Dragons?
"Long story, ask Azazel. Simply put, they're ferocious dragons without a shred of sanity. They deserved to be eradicated."
Scary.
Soon, everyone came to my room. I apologized to Asia first.
"Sorry, Asia. Letting you hear that while I was there…"
Asia looked down.
"It's okay. But, Issei-san, just to check… do I smell bad?"
"What?! Asia, you always smell amazing!"
"Really? Good."
Asia looked visibly relieved. Did they say more while I was out? Damn it! I won't forgive anyone who bullies my cute Asia. Evil dragon or hero, I'll crush them!
The topic shifted to the Hero Faction and "Chaldea."
"After you charged and got knocked out, Apophis said its piece and returned to the coffin. We still don't know who that bandaged guy or those girls are. Kyoto won't talk. Basically, they'll handle their general and told us to enjoy sightseeing. With Khaos Brigade involved, it's not just Kyoto's problem."
Azazel-sensei explained what happened while I was unconscious, continuing:
"So, we're calling reinforcements. A devil with influence in Kyoto."
"Kyoto influence… your mentor, Kiba?"
"Exactly. He resolved the Gremory territory issue, so Sirzechs pulled strings to get him here."
Kiba's mentor? Sirzechs's Knight, right? I only know him from summer camp training.
"He loves Kyoto enough to build a hotel here. Probably doesn't want anything bad happening."
The President's mom loved Kyoto pickles too. The Gremorys are real Japanophiles. I gotta protect the President's beloved Kyoto. But that bandaged guy and the yokai are so standoffish. Can't we get along?
"I checked, but no organization called 'Chaldea' exists. There are similar names, but they don't match. Doesn't seem right."
"They used a fake name?"
"Dunno. Could be lack of intel or a new group not yet known. …Issei, you're sure you saw that guy use mist? No mistake?"
"Obviously! You doubting me, Sensei?"
"Not like that. If true, there's another Dimension Lost besides the Hero Faction's. Could be a replica…"
"Oh! Right, Sensei! That guy's mist came from the coffin. Apophis came from it too. Something's up with that coffin!"
"But it seemed like the Holy Grail's Balance Breaker… Wait. Even if it's a Balance Breaker, why sustain it so long? He stored Caliburn in it too, like your Ascalon merging. Hmm."
Sensei tilted his head. Irina chimed in playfully.
"Maybe his coffin's just a container for the Holy Grail and Dimension Lost."
"Sacred Gears are unique, but Dimension Lost has an owner in the Hero Faction. He didn't steal it—they still have it."
"Just kidding, Xenovia. Multiple Longinus owners in one era is impossible for rare Sacred Gears."
"—Same era?"
Sensei repeated, caught on the phrase.
"Same era, same Longinus, different era? Longinus are unique… But what if one came from the past or future? No, that's absurd… But it'd explain how he knew the Hero Faction's plan…"
"Sensei?"
"That's it! They're—visitors from the future!"
I couldn't process it at first.
"The future?"
"Yeah, sounds crazy, but it fits. He knew the Hero Faction planned to use dragon-slaying on Great Red and said it wouldn't work. The 'Great Red's not a dragon' bit sounded like philosophical nonsense, but what if it's proven truth to him? What if he knows the outcome?"
"What?! So Great Red's not a dragon?"
"I hope their dragon-slaying fails. But if Great Red falls, Ophis's wish comes true, the Dimensional Gap collapses, and the world goes to hell. What if their goal is to stop that?"
True. I thought the "Great Red's not a dragon" idea was just weird. But what if my thinking's outdated?
"But, Sensei, those people… that bandaged guy clearly hated the Three Factions. He glared at us, said awful things. Why would someone from the future protecting the world's balance act like that?"
"Yeah! Why scare a sweet girl like Asia if they're like you say?"
"Obvious. They're enemies of the Biblical factions. Probably want to stop the Hero Faction and sabotage Kyoto's alliance with us. They're using evil dragons—not exactly upright."
Ddraig's "insane dragons," huh? Using those is suspicious.
"But why? Peace with the Three Factions is crucial against Khaos Brigade! Even a dummy like me knows we need to drop petty grudges to fight Ophis's threat."
"Exactly why."
"Yeah. If Kyoto's alliance succeeds, it paves the way for peace with Japan's yokai. If it fails, alliances elsewhere stall. Tsk. What a mess."
No way. Like Loki? It's not just Khaos Brigade's old Satans or Hero Faction ruining peace. Vali Lucifer said my peace could be someone's pain. Is that it?
"Or that bandaged guy's a future Khaos Brigade member. The Hero Faction didn't recognize him—either he's not yet a member, or he's changed too much… Hold on."
Sensei activated a magic circle, likely a call. After a moment, he looked at us with determination.
"A massive barrier space appeared. An unnatural flow of energy's converging on Nijo Castle. It's gotta be Khaos Brigade. Let's go, you lot! We'll show them what happens when they mock us!"
Hell yeah! I'll make that bandaged guy and evil dragon see! I'm the Oppai Dragon, Underworld's hero! Losing to them would shame the President.
Oh, if I get the chance, I'll use Dress Break on those girls and feast my eyes! I missed peeking at the girls' bath, so I'm pent up. Plus, rescuing the busty Nine-Tails general for some steamy rewards!
Chaldea's group was there. After repelling the Hero Faction and ×× fending off Azazel's group, they rendezvoused with Okita and Lancelot.
"Let's review the plan, Senpai."
With Master Ritsuka, Servants Mash, ××, Okita, Lancelot, and Ibaraki-Douji was a massive dragon.
The evil dragon Azi Dahaka. Normally, evil dragons clash with Servants, but this Rayshift's lineup had no issues, so it was summoned. This three-headed dragon was key to the plan.
"We infiltrate the barrier space created by Dimension Lost using Azi Dahaka's magecraft. Mash, Okita, Lancelot, and I will go. If Yasaka-sama's under a spell, Azi Dahaka will dispel it."
"I'll handle the Hero Faction's forces outside with Kyoto's yokai. Likely magical beasts from Beast Creation. No worries, we won't lose. We've got the same Longinus."
Lancelot and Okita, absent earlier, were briefed on ××'s history with the Hero Faction. Lancelot asked awkwardly:
"Is this okay, ××-dono? We'll be fighting your past self or comrades. Worst case—"
"It's fine."
His tone was heavy.
"I'd go easy on them. Those fools need to end here or lose someone to change. They should've realized their dreams were wrong sooner, before causing this mess. Bad luck's no excuse."
Fools don't change, even in death, ×× spat.
Lancelot wondered what he'd do meeting his past self. Could he avoid killing Agravain, Gareth, or Gaheris to save Guinevere? But comparing himself to ×× was unfair.
This worldline's ×× was like a Lancelot who never met King Arthur. Regret or conflict was fundamentally misplaced.
"If we'd found their base, this could've been resolved earlier… Ugh! As a knight, I'm furious knowing the general's in danger!"
"So eager because Kunou's mother is a widow? I saw her portrait—very your type, Lancelot-dono."
"N-No, Mash, it's not about looks or status. Purely as a knight—"
"Our side's only achievement was stopping molesters. Oh, those recent molester cases? They were caused by a weird orb."
"Weird orb?"
"Yeah. It had an aura faintly like my king's, which pissed me off, so I smashed it with Arondight. It had a dragon attribute, so it was easy to cut."
Ritsuka marveled at this world's lingering mystery, while worrying the orb might've been a new material.
"Still, Azi Dahaka's magecraft is impressive. Unlike a certain self-proclaimed strongest knight whose only skills are swordplay and wooing women."
Before Lancelot could protest, the evil dragon roared with laughter.
"This barrier's nothing to brag about breaking."
"But I'll take Mash-chan's cheers! ☆"
"Thanks, thanks!"
"Mash, don't inflate his ego. His magic's only been 'convenient' in most Singularities."
"Who's a lousy dragon, failure?!"
"Useless jerk!"
"Idiot, idiot!"
Not just the central head, but the side heads joined in, hurling insults at ×× with full disdain. ×× just snorted back, used to it.
"Hahaha!"
"They're as hostile as ever. Why do the evil dragons follow ××-san if they're that hostile?"
"Wrong, Mash-jou. I don't serve this failure. I'm keeping a woman's dying wish. If this failure makes us bear his punishment or forgets her, I'd ditch him instantly. Wish this toxic bond would end."
It was pure, unfiltered honesty—no pretense or embarrassment. If ×× gave up, he'd be free from this ill-fitting role as a Heroic Spirit's tool.
"Alright, I'll escort Master-dono's group. Try not to die, failure."
As they prepared to transfer, a small figure leapt onto Ritsuka's back.
"Ritsuka-dono!"
"Kunou!"
"Kunou-san, it's dangerous! You're supposed to stay in Backstreet Kyoto—"
"I want to save Mother myself! Please, take me with you! I beg you!"
Ritsuka glanced at Mash and ××, who responded as usual: "Do as you like."
"Rest easy, Kunou. I'll save your mother. Oh, payment in macarons, please. Marshmallows or chocolate work too."
"A fair lady kidnapped by villains? My knightly honor demands I save her!"
"Shut it, you leech!"
"××-dono, Mash seems harsher than usual…"
"Probably because those fools interrupted her fun Kyoto tour with Master. …I'm really sorry about that."
"Got it, Kunou, let's go together!"
"Team's set?"
"Guiding Chaldea-sama's party! ☆"
"Let's go! Let's go!"
As Ritsuka's group transferred to the barrier space, ×× adjusted the coffin on his shoulder.
"Time to show the immature Leonardo the real monster. The realm you might one day reach."
Humans are weak.
Thus, they cling to greater powers. They rely on incomprehensible beings.
This city brims with faith. Shrines, temples, sacred mountains, so-called power spots. Even bridges, gates, and statues unrelated to gods hold faith. Omikuji, talismans—desires are directed at them.
From wealth and love to myriad wishes: traffic safety, health, career success, business prosperity, academic improvement, exam success, safe childbirth. Some even pray for world peace.
But most desires are abandoned.
Was the wisher's capacity too small? Their conviction too weak? Offerings insufficient? The faith's target too weak? Was the desire worthless, or too presumptuous?
Regardless, unfulfilled desires flood this city. They may fade over time, but the sheer volume is staggering. It's not just the abundance of faith targets—Kyoto itself is a faith target.
This city housed a millennium-long dynasty. This nation's history is tied to it. Thus, unextinguished desires swirl here. That wish must be among the discarded.
My mandate is to know human desire. To understand what we once deemed unnecessary. All to comprehend why we 72 Pillars lost.
Offer your "will to live" to this Demon God Andromalius!
***
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