182.
Miraculously, Issei defeats Riser, achieving a come-from-behind victory.
And I raised my hand towards the sky.
"The underdog bet came throughaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!"
The Rating Game is a sports game.
And as everywhere, betting springs up in such places.
Is this still the favorite's victory, you favorite-backing fools?!
183.
"A punch filled with big brother's love for his little brother!"
"Guh-hack?!"
I immediately threw a love-filled punch at Issei as soon as he returned. Startled by my sudden beating, Issei demanded to know what I was doing, so I asked him what happened to that left arm. Then he slightly turned his head away to avoid my gaze.
It seems he knows it's his fault.
Well, he probably had no choice to win.
It seems he sacrificed one arm as an offering to achieve the Sacred Gear's Balance Breaker. He couldn't reach Balance Breaker in that short time, so if it's fortunate that he could reach it by sacrificing one arm, then it's fortunate.
"You brat! You should be grateful for the body your parents gave you! How long have you been a devil that you're already swapping parts for dragon ones?!"
"I'm sorryyyyyyyyy!!!"
Still, that's that and this is this.
184.
Following Asia, Rias has now moved into our house. Asia is one thing, but Rias definitely can't be settled so simply, right? Is this it? Is the green light finally shining for my brother?
Is the popular phase of his life finally arriving?
After the misfortune of getting stabbed by a fallen angel, is a popular phase coming?
....Ah, sweat suddenly forms in my eyes.
185.
Hmm, it seems my prediction was correct.
Honey seems to drip from Rias's gaze directed at Issei.
Well, as a fellow guy, if you say lines like that, it's perfectly understandable.
"What devil society (laughs). What matter for the future of devils (laughs). If a devil society collapses just because the President sacrifices herself (laughs). Then just let it collapse (laughs)."
"Gyaaaaaaah?! Stop it?! Thinking about it now, I said incredibly embarrassing things out loud?!"
"By the way, since it's a Rating Game, there's definitely a 100% recording."
"My dark history has been preserved?!"
I guarantee Rias has already saved it.
186.
We decided to get acquainted with the student council.
Seeing Sona again, I lightly waved my hand, and Sona lightly nodded back. Then we introduced the new peerage members; on our side, it was Issei and Asia, and me—not a devil, but Issei's brother and a person related to the supernatural world.
On their side, a male student named Saji Genshirou and a few female students came forward.
"Dammit.... Kiba alone was a burden, but now the surprisingly popular Hyodo guy who's not as bad as Kiba too....!"
"Huh, what did you say?"
"Nothing! Drop dead, you enemy of men!!!"
"Why?!"
Issei shouts as if wronged.
You're unexpectedly popular, huh?
More than that, with Asia and Rias on each arm, you truly have a flower in each hand.
With more than two, it's a harem, right, probably?
187.
Through Rias, I heard about what happened during the time I was dead.
"About the Two Great Dragon Gods and the Apocalyptic Beast? Hmm, if it's okay with what I know."
Rias nodded and spoke.
"First, Great Red, one of the Two Great Dragon Gods.... As far as I know, Great Red hasn't been active. He was rarely seen by the world from the beginning, but I heard there have been no confirmed sightings at all in the last few thousand years. Though other high-ranking figures might know differently."
That makes sense.
Since I was dead.
"And Ophis, the Ouroboros Dragon, another Dragon God different from Great Red. This one occasionally reveals itself. Or more precisely, through the Ouroboros Cult that worships the Ouroboros Dragon, indirectly."
"A cult?"
"Yes. Perhaps due to pride, the members worshiping Ophis are all non-human, but I heard that because Ophis directly grants blessings, strong believers can even defeat high-class devils. I've heard that especially the executives or Ophis's direct members are even stronger, so everyone avoids them. The legend of the Ouroboros Cult once moving in large force to attack a faction that insulted Ophis is famous."
"..."
"Even if you could win by force, if you incur the Dragon God's wrath, you'd suffer damage surpassing the Great War, so everyone pretends not to see out of fear. Both Ophis and her cult."
....Every time I hear that, I feel complicated.
Moving the cult is one thing, but why did she do such a thing during the Great War? The Ophis I know would have just indifferently ignored it, so the discrepancy feels very severe.
"Chimeramon.... No, Trihexa?"
"Regarding the Apocalyptic Beast, everyone is more interested than even Ophis. Unlike the Two Great Dragon Gods, he literally symbolizes the apocalypse. He has a cult under him, and though not active, he occasionally reveals himself, I hear."
"No special actions?"
"Well, the Apocalyptic Beast revealing itself itself could be considered a special action. He's literally in charge of the Biblical apocalypse. ....Frankly, I just hope such an apocalypse doesn't happen in my lifetime."
That probably won't happen.
Honestly, contrary to the ominous evaluations, he's just a kid throwing tantrums.
Come to think of it, what are those two doing now?
....I want to see their faces after so long.