"Tell me about the Demon God Pillars, huh? Sorry, Azazel, Governor of the Fallen Angels, but I'll have to decline that request."
"You're not denying you know more about them than we do. Just out of curiosity, why can't you tell us, Kingu?"
"I'd prefer you not call me so casually. I have an agreement with them. If I interfere, Kyoto will be attacked. If you, the Fallen Angels, or the Biblical factions take full responsibility for that, I might consider talking. But you're not exactly known for honoring contracts, are you? You've got a record."
"That's harsh. Take it up with the dead God or Michael."
"That sounds like something an upstanding, promise-keeping person would say. They compare Fallen Angels to crows, but a chicken fits you better, doesn't it?"
"You…!"
"—Feeling feisty? It'd make things easier for me if you made the first move."
"Tch. Who'd fall for such cheap provocation? I pulled every string to set up this meeting. You'd better give me something to convince Sirzechs or Michael."
"Whatever. Relax. My agreement with them is to neither interfere nor assist. For now, I've got no plans to be your enemy. No reason to help you either. Japan, Kyoto, and the youkai owe no courtesy to you Biblical types. We've got no factional treaty. So, unless it's for tourism, mind staying away?"
"So, you can't talk about the Demon God Pillars because of your agreement. Fine, then tell me about yourself."
"Me?"
"Yeah. You must know that 'I can't say anything' makes you suspicious. That's trouble for you and Kyoto, right? And for us. If you can't talk about the Demon God Pillars, how about sharing what you can about yourself? Like, what's your race? You don't feel like any race I know, and you seem different from those Demon God Pillars. I'm curious, not just as a leader but personally."
"I'm just a clay doll. In this country's terms, a youkai who failed to become a new human."
Somewhere in a certain country, Xenovia was on guard duty for the nursing corps as usual when an unexpected visitor startled her.
"Freed Sellzen!?"
"Oh? Thought I recognized you—aren't you the Durandal-wielding bitch! Long time no see, huh!"
"You—what are you doing here!?"
Xenovia pointed Durandal's tip at Freed, only to recall they were now part of the same organization. Her reflexive hostility stemmed from lingering wariness toward him as a stray exorcist.
Ignoring Xenovia's awkward stance, Freed bluntly stated his purpose.
"I was in the neighborhood, so I wondered how Miss Florence and Asia-chan are doing. Honestly, I don't think I need it, but I'm asking for your protection. Miss Florence is my benefactor too, you know."
Sensing the sincerity in his words, Xenovia realized the Freed she knew was vastly different from the man before her.
"They're both working so hard it's worrying. Why not meet them yourself?"
"No way, no way! A beat-up guy like me can't face those two. They'd force me to rest even if it killed me!"
"Even so…"
Xenovia couldn't outright deny it.
To put it simply, Freed's concern was valid. An exceptional warrior, he was also a test subject for human experimentation. Drugs and body modifications had warped him. Even merged with a Demon God Pillar's factor, his white hair starkly showed the experiments' toll.
Neither Florence Nightingale nor the current Asia Argento, as medical professionals, would be foolish enough to let someone like Freed work. They'd shoot to stop him if he resisted.
"I didn't really wanna come, but I was a bit curious. If there's nothing else, I'm outta here."
Freed didn't seem all that reluctant. He was so different from the Freed she'd heard about in the Church. During Kokabiel's holy sword theft, he matched the depraved persona she expected. That was likely his original self. But had he changed?
"Well, I'm off before Miss Florence spots me—"
"Wait!"
"What's up?"
"Why do you follow them?"
A broken man who killed even his comrades, a heretic reveling in slaying Devils—how had he changed so much? She didn't expect an answer, but surprisingly, Freed spoke.
"I had a sister."
"Had?"
"Not like she's gone or anything. I just found out recently. More like a sister figure, I guess. Problem is, she's compatible with the Incinerate Anthem."
Freed was a test-tube baby, created by the Church's Sigurd Institute. Despite being called a genius, he was just a sample to them. Deployed in combat, he excelled as a warrior but failed as an apostle.
Exiled from the Church, Freed evaded pursuers and joined Raynare, a Fallen Angel he saw as a beautiful but dim-witted boss. Raynare and her followers were killed by Flauros during a series of attacks on Fallen Angel bases in April. Recognizing the attackers' danger, Freed chose to submit, though he planned to betray them eventually.
But circumstances changed.
Among the humans "protected"—or usurped, from the Church's view—by another Demon God Pillar was Rint Sellzen, a test-tube baby sharing Freed's genes, like a sister.
At first, Freed saw her as just "one of those things." He was curious enough to talk, but felt no attachment. He'd killed Devils, their contractors, even fellow exorcists—human emotions seemed beyond him. Yet, at some point, his perspective shifted. By the time of Kokabiel's sword theft, he'd changed noticeably, even volunteering for Demon God Pillar terminal adjustments.
It's not that he stopped wanting to kill Devils. He just started thinking about something else. Cooperating with Goetia was the surest way to achieve the future he envisioned.
"If the bosses win, it'll be a world where she can live happily."
"You…"
"Just kidding!"
Freed let out an exaggeratedly playful laugh.
"As if the great Freed Sellzen would serve up some sappy, tearjerker cliché! I just figured sticking with the bosses lets me go wild the most. What else is there? Man, I wanna slaughter Devils and feel good! Got a lot pent up, yo! Catch ya later, bye-bye!"
Freed bolted, possibly fleeing—likely from the iron-willed nurse and her disciple nearby. He might run into them anyway.
"…What about me?"
The tragic saint found not a duty to heal but a conviction to save. The white-haired priest sought not fleeting thrills but a reason for the future. Xenovia didn't know yet, but her former partner had found new faith. The Holy Spear's aspiring hero set his path, and the Holy Grail's vampire stood under clear skies.
So what should Xenovia seek? She still didn't know.
I—Hyoudou Issei—knew right away this was a dream.
Tomorrow, I'm accompanying President Rias back to her home, the Underworld, aka Hell. President Rias and President Rias have debut events as next heads of their houses. There's also a terrorism countermeasure meeting. Visiting President Rias's family has me on edge. Plus, the postponed Rating Game with that yakitori is finally happening. For President Rias's future, I've gotta win.
The Kuoh Treaty, for peace among Angels, Devils, and Fallen Angels, should prevent victims like Kiba's holy sword project. After the treaty, Azazel became a teacher at Kuoh Academy and the Occult Research Club's advisor. He's kinda pervy but understanding—not bad for a Fallen Angel. I can call him Azazel-sensei now.
This dream is weird, though. I know it's a dream, but it feels real, with a strong sense of unease.
"Partner, this isn't just a dream. Someone's interfering with your consciousness, forcing you to see this. Be careful. We don't know what kind of mental attack this is. It's not like the White One's abilities, but…"
Ddraig, right beside me, explained. Usually just a voice from my Sacred Gear, in this dream, I could see his dragon form clearly.
It's a pitch-black space, nothing but darkness in every direction. Then, like a TV switching on, an image appeared in part of the void.
There was a figure in red dragon-shaped armor. I instantly knew it was me, in the Boosted Gear's Balance Breaker, the Scale Mail. I'd used a ring from Azazel-sensei to mimic it before, and this was just like that.
Kids approached the armored me in the image. Before I could process the situation, upbeat music played. It felt like a hero show, and then came a shocking title call:
—Oppai Dragon, here we go!
—Oppai!
…What the hell is this?
As I stood baffled, an incomprehensible song started. There's no other way to describe it. The lyrics made me question the songwriter's sanity. It even had choreography—way too much effort. What is this?
The scene shifted, showing various clips. Everyone in them acted unbelievably, all directed at me. The fragments were too disjointed, but it was clear something I didn't want was happening.
—I've heard rumors. A shameless man who feeds on women's breasts.
—My nemesis isn't some Oppai Dragon Emperor.
—Oppai Dragon Emperor, may the God of Breast bless you.
—Ddraig, wanna be a dragon of breasts?
—Butts are nice too.
—Zum-zum-iyaan!
—All I keep hearing is zum-zum-iyaan…
"What the hell is this!?"
Ddraig screamed. Don't ask me! Seriously, what's going on!? Why does that stern warrior guy think I eat breasts? What's a Oppai Dragon Emperor or God of Breast? What's "zum-zum-iyaan"? It's oddly appealing, but why's a giant dragon chanting it? And unless I'm imagining it, Ddraig sounded like a toddler…
As we reeled, a voice came from nowhere.
"This is your form in another world. A conclusion of choices yet to be discarded, an outcome still preventable."
The image cut off, and the surroundings turned stark. The freedom confirmed it was a dream.
"Look, partner. Seems the mastermind's here."
Following Ddraig's gaze, now somewhat composed, I saw a monster.
"I am Zepar, one of Solomon's Seventy-Two Pillars."
A pillar-like body with countless red eyes. A self-proclaimed Demon God Pillar, using the Seventy-Two Pillars' names. Different from Glasya-Labolas, but still dark overall.
"Why are you in my dream!? What's with showing me this nonsense!?"
Zepar sneered at my question. Its voice lacked emotion, but it clearly looked down on me, like Riser or Vali, maybe more.
"It's not false. This is undeniably a possible life for you. And I have no business with you, Devil who abandoned human potential, worthless half-breed. My business is with your dragon, Britain's guardian deity, Y Ddraig Goch."
Not me, but Ddraig? He wants to talk to Ddraig, whose soul is sealed in my Sacred Gear. So he's using my dream since direct contact won't work?
"Oh? What do you want with me?"
"As you saw, if this continues, your history will be stained with disgrace. But there's still time. We can use your power better than that reincarnated Devil. We have the means to give you a new body."
Zepar declared to Ddraig:
"Red Dragon, join us. Rise as a 'Heavenly Dragon' beyond a Dragon King."
***
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