Although they had long withered, the energy which was lost…”
Michael interrupted Rizevim and said
“You’ll use the holy grail to restore them? But, where in heaven was it hidden? I never perceived them all these years.”
“—In purgatory. The depths of purgatory. Hidden in the secret passage to Hades.”
…Hold on. Purgatory…has a passage to the underworld? Then, that, means that there was no reason to attack Heaven— Perhaps guessing my thoughts, Rizevim said
“There was also a passage to Heaven, so after I took the fruits I also came over to take a look.”
—A passage. Just because there was a passage to Heaven, he came here and attacked…! This guy really is the embodiment of evil…! I ran all the way here just because this guy was such an annoying bastard! “……”
Everyone silently stood in front of him with a great sense of morale — however, a small figure stood in front of him. “…Rizevim, I will protect.”
—Lilith. She looked exactly the same as Ophis, which dampened my will to fight. Because Lilith was standing in the middle, Rizevim sighed. “…I easily got to have fun, children lose interest once they take a step back.”
A magic circle began to glow beneath his feet. “This old guy is leaving now. I had a lot of fun — Hyoudou Issei, till we meet again.”
You’re not getting away! Although I wanted to say that, I don’t have any remaining strength, I also have anaemia, and can barely stand any more. The others who could still move wanted to attack, but because Lilith was in the way, they had the same complicated expression as me. Michael could not attack, also because Lilith was there, and also because an evil dragon slowly got closer — Crom Cruach was close enough that his shadow was visible. Seeing this, it was either a draw with Dulio, or a winner had not yet been decided. “Lilith, Crom, we’re going back.”
Rizevim said to Crom Cruach who had arrived here. However, that guy didn’t respond. “…Crom?”
In response to Rizevim’s question, the evil dragon simply rejected the invitation with silence. “Fine then, that’s alright.”
Rizevim shook his head, as he was about to disappear into the light, I finally gave him these words
“Rizevim — the one to defeat you will not be me, it will be Vali. That fact will never change.”
Rizevim — just as he was about to disappear revealed a smile which looked forward to it. After the disappearance of Qlippoth and the others, I could finally let out a sigh of relief in Fourth Heaven. Now it was just Irina’s father who was urgently sent to Fifth Heaven’s medical facilities. I hope he’ll be able to detoxify the poison as soon as possible…. The evil dragons that appeared along with Qlippoth had also disappeared. …Heaven looks like it has suffered a lot of damage. But fortunately the ‘system’ does not seem to be affected. Michael thanked Cao Cao
“We highly appreciate your help in Heaven.”
“I never imagined that I’d be able to enter Heaven. —Nevertheless, I have still sinned. Also every time I do something, it’s thanks to information from Hades.”
Everyone who heard that news was shocked. …Hades provided information? But, did Hades also know about the secret passage between Heaven and the Underworld that Qlippoth used? “…Hades thought that would make it fair. Or is he just having fun?”
Rias muttered to herself. Michael did not have a reply, but continued speaking to Cao Cao
“You were the one chosen by the holy spear. As long as you are not an enemy, then I will not be hostile.”
“Hohoho, the holy spear was used to pierce through Jesus though. As the Archangel you really are quite accepting.”
Cao Cao turned around to leave. “See you another time.”
Seeing that he was about to leave, I called out to him
“Wait!”
There’s something I need to confirm with him. “…Are you an enemy? Or are you a member of ‘Khaos Brigade?”
Cao Cao looked up at the sky and spoke
“…At the least, I’m no longer a part of ‘Khaos Brigade’. Currently I’m a part of Indra’s vanguard. But, the previous vanguard was the first generation Monkey King, and I was behind the scenes. I’m responsible for some inside matters which cannot be made public. I currently have no intention to harm you.”
Rias then said
“You’ve done so many bad things, yet Indra still keeps you by his side. I really don’t know what he’s thinking. Do I need to list the several breaches of the treaty?”
Cao Cao shrugged. “There’s no point in telling me. I’m just with Indra because he saved my life on a whim. …I think that in my present position, I can’t relate to my past ambitions and dreams, which is ironic as I was once a member of ‘Khaos Brigade’.”
“It seems you don’t understand the meaning of reflection.”
Kiba frowned. Cao Cao took a deep breath. “…You said, reflect. From my viewpoint, should I be reflecting on fighting against creatures? Or do you mean I should swear myself to revenge? …Is a fight between humans and creatures ‘justice’ or is it ‘evil’? Currently I am simply powerless, satisfied and unable to answer any questions, an ethereal empty shell.”
…He hasn’t changed, he was just talking nonsense. Rias asked again
“What about the other users of Sacred Gears?”
“Georg and Leonardo? Hoho, they’re still with Hades. Georg and him…Hoho, they’re in the Realm of the Dead researching the magic of the grim reapers. He was sent to a magician who was famous when he was alive, and he quickly got stuck into the research of magic.”
…He actually became something like that. Those heroes truly are puzzling guys. Cao Cao continued speaking. “He told me that they had no plans to return to this side. I truly cannot understand the values of magicians. Leonardo also seems to enjoy the atmosphere there, he’s the same as Georg and doesn’t have any intention of coming back.”
Cao Cao shifted his spear to his shoulder then said sarcastically
“…Only I, only I still want to linger in this world, so that’s why I came back. — If you want to punish me then feel free to do so. If I am currently your object of hatred. Although, I have no intention of dying easily….”
…His words were provocative to me, but I knew he would be fighting back with his full strength. “…Can I trust you? Besides, what reason do you have to come back here? You’re not here for revenge or atonement right?”
When I asked, he turned to look somewhere far away. “…I, need to become some kind of person. For what reason, was I born with this spear? I simply live to find the answer to this.”
This guy just said a heap of nonsense. “The search for myself. Something that you would not do.” “In the end, I wished to discover myself, and that has led me to the result I have here.”
He’s just downright troublesome! I’d prefer for him not to attack us! “If you decide to follow up on your search for self, what would you do?”
Hearing Kiba’s question, he shook his head. “…This follow up…does not exist. My dream, has already been destroyed by the Sekiryuutei once. My next dream is —.”
Speaking of that, Cao Cao turned to me. “To defeat the Sekiryuutei Hyoudou Issei.