[Vali's Perspective]
Approximately two weeks before the revival of the Trihexa.
I was alone, traveling through a certain country in Europe. I had arrived in a quiet, rural town nestled in a mountainous region, far removed from the bustle of the city.
From a ridge overlooking the town, I peered through a telescope. The lens focused on the courtyard of an ordinary house. There, a black-haired woman in her forties was tending to the garden.
"Mother…"
The word escaped my lips before I could stop it.
After Azazel took me in and I gained power, I searched for two people. One was Rizevim. The other was the woman currently in my sights.
For years, I had no leads. But recently, a report came in from Grigori via the Norse faction. I was surprised to learn that Odin himself had provided the information… though it was likely at Azazel's request.
I learned that shortly after I sought refuge with Grigori, this woman's memories were erased, and she was discarded by that man—the one who was, biologically, my father. Now, she lived a normal, human life in this quiet town.
When I looked back at my childhood, few good memories remained. I remembered that man's violence against me, and my mother shielding me. Because she protected me, the violence would turn toward her. Her tear-stained face was burned into my mind.
Yet, not all the memories were bitter. She had been kind. My memories of her were few, but that much was certain.
What had I intended to do once I found her? Did I think we would live together again? No, that wasn't it. I simply wanted to tell her that I was alive. I wanted her to know that the child she had protected all those years ago had survived. I couldn't claim to be living a life she would be proud of, but I was here. I was alive.
Suddenly, there was movement in the lens. Two young children—a boy and a girl—ran toward the woman. In that instant, I understood.
"I see… You have a family now."
Surrounded by the two children, the woman was laughing. It was a bright, joyful, happy laugh.
—I'm sorry. This is all I have for you.
In my memories, her voice was always tinged with sorrow. She used to look at me with such sadness as I ate the pasta she prepared. But now, that expression was gone.
What if I had been born into a normal family? Would I have laughed like that boy? Could I have lived a life of smiles by her side?
I lowered the telescope and turned away. I couldn't meet her. I shouldn't. The world I belonged to was not the world she lived in.
I am Vali Lucifer, the White Dragon Emperor. My goal is to become the strongest—to reach the height of the True White Dragon God Emperor. That hasn't changed. But being here, looking at her, I found one more reason to fight.
"I will protect your peace. I swear it… not as the White Dragon Emperor, but on my own name."
Passing through the "Gate"—the massive rift opened in the Norse world—I stepped into the pseudo-alternate world.
From D×D, my team and the Slash Dog team had joined the fray. Many mages from the Association were lending their strength, and even the warring vampire factions of Tepes and Carmilla had sent reinforcements. Renowned warriors from the Vatican and reincarnated angels were also present. Furthermore, the Norse gods—led by Thor—had brought their own divine armies to the offensive.
If I said this out loud, Azazel and the others would likely roll their eyes, but I couldn't help but feel my heart race. A battle where the strongest from all over the world gathered… it was a rare event. Though, from a common-sense perspective, such "events" were usually catastrophes.
『He's finally appeared,』 Albion spoke. His voice sounded like he had been waiting a long time for this.
『Vali. Issei Hyoudou has entered the field.』
So, he finally woke up. I've been waiting for you, my rival.
『Issei Hyoudou is heading straight for the center of this world. It seems he intends to settle things on his own.』
A final reckoning. Would he win, or would the god of the other world prevail?
Asem was a being capable of constructing an entire world of this scale. It was safe to assume his power eclipsed even the high-tier gods of our world. On the other hand, Issei Hyoudou's potential remained an unknown quantity. At Agreas, he had utterly overwhelmed a drug-enhanced Rizevim. That rainbow-colored power likely resided in a dimension beyond the divine.
A clash between two beings who had surpassed the level of gods… I truly wished I could see it up close.
『I understand the feeling, but we have our own scores to settle,』 Albion reminded me. 『He is here.』
He. The Evil Dragon of the Source, Azi Dahaka.
We had clashed once before, but the battle had ended without a conclusion. No matter how much damage I dealt, he kept coming back with a joyful grin. I had never met an opponent who could take my hits and keep laughing quite like him.
I had to finish it.
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