How is that possible! My ‘Sacred Gear Canceller’! No matter what Sacred Gear, no matter what divine instrument, all of them! All—of—them, become ineffective—”
Before he could continue his words, I punched him in the face again. In order to better release the power of the dragon, I dragonified both my arms and legs. “Wuarrrgghhh! ?”
…Perhaps my strength stayed the same, with each punch, the body took the impact, and seemed to be falling. But he couldn’t fall. I kept giving him a few more punches, harder! I take a step closer to the weakened Rizevim — then start with a punch, then a kick, then a punch, another punch, a kick! “Ke! He! …How’s this, this. How’s this, and this! ?” “A normal dragon, a normal Sacred Gear were not able to penetrate your body before.”
In order to defeat Euclid, I had used Longinus Smasher, and since then have slowly been recovering. So I’m not in my normal state. “But now, I have the ‘Penetrate’ ability, which will defeat you.”
I stumbled back a tad. As if Rizevim thought of something, he suddenly started laughing. “……So that’s how it was, it was like that it was like that…! That’s it, the endless dream of someone…! That is, Vali…that’s why you’re so keen! That’s how you feel!”
Rizevim yelled. Ddraig said in a voice that he could hear
“Son of Lucifer. You think you’re his enemy? Even God of the Bible revered their power — dragons. Whether it’s me, or the Hakuryuukou, or Fafnir, you can’t underestimate us — I could if I wanted, to have destroyed the world a few times over with just brute force. But I haven’t done so, because compared to you, my life is more enjoyable like this.”
Ddraig had once told me “—Angels, devils, they once ruined my fun.” Rizevim listened, as he wiped blood off his face. “…That was when the three main factions were still at war, the two heavenly dragons said things like that to God and Satan.”
I then declared
“I made up my mind — to become a harem king, whether you’re Satan’s son, or a god, I’ll beat them all! I need to be together with Rias, Asia, Akeno-san, Irina and Xenovia to live a fun and happy life!”
As I said that to him, there was reassurance behind me. “Ise!” “Ise-kun!”
Rias, Kiba! Everyone had rushed over here! Even Cao Cao was here! “Yo. We caught up.”
Dulio was also here! His opponent Crom Cruach, was actually here as well! Rizevim, upon seeing all the members of “DxD” gathered, laughed at himself. “Hehahaha! So everyone’s here. Then I’ll say…alas, the manufactured Grendel and Ladon-sama were defeated? How scary, the breakthrough of ‘DxD’!”
Between the confrontation between us and the other side, a third party’s voice descended from the sky. “—Hohoho, how dare you say such things in heaven, truly the Sekiryuutei.”
Everyone’s gaze shifted to a single point — it was Archangel Michael who was flying down from the sky! “—Michael-sama! ?”
The surprised Irina said. Michael said
“I came late. The issue with the seal in Heaven has now been resolved. They have been manipulating Heaven’s various gates, we believe they are using the forbidden technique of Aži Dahāka. Without affecting the ‘system’ we tried to resolve the issue…but my comrade who helped me, at the highest level — Seventh Heaven made a high level of protection, so that even if I no longer exist, evil forces will not be able to invade.”
Michael turned to face Rizevim. “Next is, you. Long time no see. Wasn’t the last time we met during the previous war? Seeing as you’ve set foot into Heaven’s territory, would you please cooperate…although saying so, it looks like you’ve already been beaten.”
Michael’s expression — became rather cold. “But, I will not show mercy.”
Michael raised his hand to the sky, and in mid-air — appeared an immensely large spear of light! …If one was to be hit by that gigantic spear of light, any kind of devil’s life would be in danger! Michael mercilessly lowered his hand. The gigantic spear of light flew towards Rizevim! In the instant that it hit, a large amount of light was released in an explosion! Michael immediately erected a barrier, to protect us from the impact of the explosion. That was not the case for Rizevim, he took a head on strike from that gigantic spear of light. “Ha—hahahahahaha! Hahahahahahaha!”
Several more explosions occurred within the Garden of Eden, such that even the landscape significantly changed. In the midst of the explosions, that guy kept laughing continuously. —Then, in the centre of the explosions from spear of light, appeared twelve black pillars. They expanded and then bent…like wings. No, this is— After the assault from the spears of light stopped, I saw Rizevim standing in the centre of where the explosions were with twelve black wings spread out. The shape of his wings were familiar. That’s right, it was from when the three factions made peace. My rival — Vali, he had these black wings! It was Lucifer’s…black wings! Rizevim survived the attack of light. With his wings coming out of his back, he rested his hand on his chin. “Oh no, what should I say…ah, yes — so sorry. I really underestimated you. Oh no, because it’s been a few thousand years, a few thousand years without exercising much, my shoulders are a bit sore.”
As Rizevim said that while scratching his head, he then let out a sigh — and gave a callous look that I had not seen before. “The fun ends here. I — no, as the son of Lucifer, you are the enemy of my dreams.”
…Whether it’s his tone, or the heavy pressure that he was releasing, he was completely different…! His body, the guilty pleasure on his face, his impression and even his atmosphere had changed. However, I still said with disdain
“—So what. Even if you are serious now, you’ve already committed, and will deeds committed now change the future? So, why don’t you come down here, and end it now.”
—However, Rizevim shook his head. “No, this time we’ll be leaving — I’ve already achieved what I came for.”
As he spoke, he took out an object. “—That is!”
Michael had an extremely surprised expression! Rizevim was holding two fruits. “This is the fruit of wisdom and the fruit of life.”
—Hey! Are those, the fruits written about in the Bible!? Why, would this guy be holding them!? Didn’t they cease to exist a long time ago!? “How can that be! The tree should no longer bear any fruit!”
Irina said exactly what was on my mind. Rizevim stroked the fruit in his hand and said
“Hmm, it no longer bears fruit — but, if it was ‘preserved’, then that’s another matter.”
He smiled and continued
“My mother Lilith, is the Lilith who was recorded in the Bible. In the past, when my mother was human, she lived in the Garden of Eden. She was also known as Adam’s first wife.”
I know that. I remember she was Adam’s ex-wife. Not Ophis’s spawn Lilith, but the real Lilith. Rizevim continued further
“…When I was little, I often heard my mother Lilith say: ‘I am carrying God, I have hidden the fruit of wisdom and the fruit of life somewhere’, she was rather conceited. But what was the truth? I tried to find it…it existed.