Although, as long as we used this, I wouldn’t be able to use the wyverns, and there was also a time limit for Rias… Having received my uppercut, Níðhöggr heavily slammed into the ground when it fell; its entire body then began to become shrouded in a faint light. After that, as if nothing had happened to it, it stood up again! Guhehehehehehe! I’ve revived! >>
The Evil Dragon’s disgusting smile emerged on its face again! The wounds that it had suffered until now were all gone! …That pale light, and the changes in that Evil Dragon…it was familiar! “Phoenix Tears! ?”
That’s right, they were Phoenix Tears! That bastard triumphantly showed several small vials to us in its hand — Phoenix Tears. It really is a convenient item. The injuries that I had just now have all been healed! I won’t let you have your way again, I definitely won’t forgive you guys! >>
In its anger, a black miasma burst out of Níðhöggr’s entire body. …I see, they were secretly producing Phoenix Tears. That’s why they could use it. Rias and I readied ourselves again as we confronted Níðhöggr. “—That miasma, it’ll cause damage as soon as it touches your body.”
“Since it’s come to this, we’ll just have to beat it until it runs out of Phoenix Tears! I’ll fight to the very end!”
That’s right, it would be fine as long as Rias and I could beat it until it had no more Phoenix Tears left! Right now, that was definitely possible! Just as we were charging ahead—. A man inserted himself between Níðhöggr and us. “—Those words are truly like those of a dragon. Hearing it even makes me delighted.”
A man wearing a black coat — it was Crom Cruach! That guy, why would he be here? Although I was doubtful, he didn’t mind me as he said to Níðhöggr
“Níðhöggr…you really are too naïve.”
Watching Níðhöggr who continuously released miasma from its body, Crom Cruach sighed. “…Crom Cruach, why are you here?”
He ignored Rias’ question. Níðhöggr then looked towards Crom Cruach. Guhehehe! If it isn’t Master Crom! Although I was a little scared during our last encounter, together with me, you and I, let’s swallow these guys up— >>
DOON! It was the sound of a clean and crisp hit. Looking towards the source, Crom Cruach’s right arm had actually transformed into a massive dragon’s claw, and struck Níðhöggr directly in the face while it had its guard down. OWWW, IT HURTS! IT HURTS SO MUCH! W-Why would you hit me!? >>
Fresh blood splattered out of its mouth as it cried out in pain. Crom Cruach twisted his neck, and the sound of his flexing muscles could be heard. “…You, you guys are too fond of playing little tricks.”
Even after being bathed in Níðhöggr’s miasma, Crom Cruach still courageously said those words. “I originally intended to learn what a dragon was by observing Ophis. But you would hinder me — well, I can destroy you until not a single speck is left can’t I?”
Crom Cruach looked up towards the sky — no, he was looking at the top floor of the Government Office, as he shouted these words to that bastard
“Rizevim Livan Lucifer, did you see that? Even if you want to control many Evil Dragons, you are mistaken.”
With his coat fluttering, Crom Cruach bluntly asserted that after his confrontation with Níðhöggr. “A true dragon will not be constrained from its birth till its death; it will live only according to its own will. That is what is known as a dragon!”
All of a sudden, Crom Cruach turned his eyes towards me and the pointed to the top floor of the Government Office as he said
“—Go.”
—Huh. I was surprised by Crom Cruach’s actions. Does that mean, this guy…wants to deal with Níðhöggr by himself? “…Is that okay?”
I asked in confirmation. “……”
As usual, it was his silent reply. “…I’m really sorry about before.”
Seeing me bow my head to apologise, he shook his head. “—There’s no need. Since you’re a Heavenly Dragon, there’s no need for you to lower your head to an Evil Dragon like me.”
I couldn’t say anything in return. Rias nodded as she faced me — and Asia as she said
“Ise, Asia! Leave this place to us, you two guys go first! Please go and save ogifu-sama and ogibo-sama as their ‘son’ and ‘daughter’!”
—Yes! Rias…! She told Asia and I to go save my parents. …Yes, that’s right. That role — was only for me and Asia. I looked towards Asia. “Although it’s dangerous, do you want to come?”
Asia’s eyes were filled with strong determination as she nodded. “—Let’s go.”
…Alright, that was simple then. I expanded my dragon wings, and lifted Asia into my arms as I prepared to fly off. I need to get to the top floor quickly! But the sky was completely black in colour as a massive number of mass-produced Evil Dragons were circling about. In order to reach the top floor, it looked like I’d have no choice but to break through the middle of them. Perhaps having just been on the top floor watching Crom Cruach, that cold dark aura — Rizevim’s aura came over to us from the rooftop. Having experienced that bastard’s aura, it was a chilling and evil aura which was impossible to forget. When I had held Asia with a princess carry and was about to fly out, the mass-produced Evil Dragons grouped together and rushed towards us. But they didn’t reach us. —They were slashed through by a holy-demnoic sword with a dense and calm aura. In a single instant, three slashes were made—. With such godly speed, it seemed as though a single sword had split into three and attacked in different directions. — Sandanzuki, it was a technique that Kiba had released. It was a technique of the former Shinsengumi captain Okita Sōji. Although he had forbidden himself from copying his mentor’s sword techniques, after his feelings about it changed, he was able to use if perfectly. Kiba’s favourite techniques were originally his high-speed combat skills. Sandanzuki was one of the most skillful techniques of them all. Right in front of us, a horde of Evil Dragons had been sliced apart by three powerful strikes. Kiba held up his holy-demonic sword as he said to me
“Ise-kun, hurry up and go! Xenovia, Irina, I want you to come and accompany them!”
In response to Kiba’s call, Xenovia and Irina ran over after they struck down the Evil Dragons they were dealing with using their holy swords. “Leave it to us! We’ll guard Asia well!”
“We’re known as the Church Trio! Xenovia and I will escort you up there, Asia!”
Xenovia and Irina pat grabbed onto my shoulder. Just as I was about to start flying, Níðhöggr aimed a magic circle at me as it prepared to attack! NO, I WON’T LET YOU GO! >>
Did it plan to fire a magic attack at me!? —Just as it did, it’s attack was dispersed by a the powerful aura that Crom Cruach released. “Your opponent is me. —It’s been a long time since I’ve let people see it, but I’ll let you experience it today.”
Crom Cruach released an unprecedented aura that was far greater than it did before. Everything in the vicinity began violently shaking.