[Kiba Side]

What remained after the sphere of destruction vanished was the grotesque, half-headed form of Grendel, utterly transformed.

What terrifying power of annihilation…

To reduce that Grendel to this state.

My master crafted a fearsome technique.

Yet, the truly horrifying thing was the evil dragon’s tenacity.

Yes, Grendel was still alive, even without a body.

With only half a head remaining, it wore a vile grin.

“…Heh, just as Eugrid said. The destructive magic of the Baal bloodline even chips away at an evil dragon’s consciousness—its soul. That hurt! Guhahahaha!”

Grendel roared with laughter.

But then, it delivered unsettling news.

“No big deal! I’ll just get a new body! As long as my soul’s intact, we can swap bodies endlessly! That Holy Grail’s one handy tool!”

…!

It could rebuild its body using the Holy Grail…

No, if it could revive a fallen evil dragon, reconstructing a body must be child’s play.

Grendel bared its fangs, sneering defiantly.

“But, y’know, fighting like this could be fun! Killing as many of you as I can before I go out sounds like a blast! Guhahahaha!”

“…!”

Its fighting spirit didn’t waver—it grew stronger.

We shuddered at Grendel’s resolve.

To keep fighting with only a head…!

It’s insane!

The president stepped forward, conjuring destructive magic in her hands.

“Enough. We’re done fighting. Evil like you should be erased. My power can shred souls. I don’t know how effective it’ll be against a dragon as stubborn as you, but it should keep you from reviving for a while.”

As she prepared the final blow—

A new presence emerged in the space.

I recognized that pressure.

All eyes turned to a man clad in black.

“…Crow Cruach,” the teacher muttered, narrowing his eyes.

Crow Cruach.

A dragon feared as one of the strongest evil dragons.

The man in black spoke as he approached.

“Grendel, fall back.”

“Hey! I was just about to see how far I can go! You gonna get in my way!?”

“That body won’t last. Switch it out.”

“Shut up! I’m in the middle of a killing spree! I wanna kill! It’s getting good—don’t ruin it!”

Even with just a head, Grendel barked defiance.

…How far does its bloodlust go?

Its roars sent chills down our spines, but we heightened our guard.

Crow Cruach fixed it with a piercing glare.

“If you want to defy me, you’ll have to beat me. Want to try? I don’t mind.”

“…!”

His intensity silenced even Grendel.

After a pause, it spoke.

“Tch. I ain’t dumb enough to fight you like this. Fine, I’ll switch.”

That Grendel obeyed.

Despite enduring our attacks, despite being reduced to a head by the president’s technique, its fighting spirit never wavered.

That man’s presence and strength must be overwhelming.

Then, Crow vanished instantly.

We scanned the area, startled.

Crow Cruach had moved to Grendel’s side—right in front of us.

I didn’t see him move.

No hint, no sign.

With a snap of his fingers, a teleportation circle appeared beneath Grendel.

“You won’t escape!” Xenovia unleashed Durandal’s immense aura, but Crow blocked it with one hand.

As teleportation light enveloped Grendel, it roared.

“Hey, brats! Tough luck! Even together, you can’t beat Crow. If you survive, let’s have another round—another massacre! Guhahahaha!”

With that, Grendel vanished.

To let it escape after cornering it…

If it recovers and returns… the thought alone is dreadful.

Crow Cruach addressed us.

“You won’t pass.”

“We’ll force our way through. The Holy Grail can’t be left unchecked,” the teacher retorted.

“Then defeat me, former Governor of the Fallen Angels.”

“Tch. Thought you’d be more reasonable than Grendel. Guess not.”

The teacher clicked his tongue, summoning a spear of light, radiating a dark, intense aura.

Even retired, he was the former leader of the Fallen Angels, as recorded in the Bible.

Yet Crow Cruach merely smirked.

I readied my sword, facing him.

We’d lose this fight.

Even as the Knight King, I doubt my blade could reach him.

Then—

“Something’s coming!” Ravel shouted.

We sensed it approaching and turned.

A door shattered, and it burst in!

A blinding flash streaked through the vast space!

A radiant white light descended before us.

When it faded, there stood—Vali!

Already in his armored form, Vali locked eyes with Crow Cruach.

“You’re Crow Cruach.”

“Yes. The current White Dragon Emperor.”

They stared, exuding battle-ready auras, poised for a clash.

The teacher addressed Vali.

“You’re late, Vali. You left Carmilla’s domain before me—why the delay?”

“Got held up. That Lucifuge guy—Eugrid Lucifuge.”

…!

Eugrid Lucifuge!

Grayfia’s brother!

The mastermind behind Ravel’s abduction!

So Vali was delayed fighting him.

The teacher pressed.

“Where’s Bikou and the others?”

“Caught by a Holy Cross user from the rogue mage group ‘Hexen Nacht.’ They’re dealing with her.”

“…Tch. So the Holy Cross is fully allied with the Khaos Brigade… First the Holy Spear, now the Holy Grail, and the Holy Cross. All the God-slaying relics are tied to terrorists.”

The teacher spat, bitterness clear.

We all felt the same.

Relics of the Bible, misused like this… what would the God of the Bible think?

At least one holy relic should be used righteously.

I turned to Vali.

“Thanks for coming, but can you beat Crow Cruach?”

“Who knows? But I’d rather avoid wasting energy. I’ve got business with someone ahead. I’ve chased this dragon, but that’s separate. I need to face him.”

Someone ahead…?

Marius… no, likely Rizevim.

The teacher mentioned Vali’s grudge against his grandfather.

What happened between them is unclear, but…

Vali wants to avoid exhaustion.

So do we.

After the last battle, we’re drained and need recovery.

To defeat or slip past this ultimate evil dragon…

The teacher asked the president.

“Rias, can you fire that again?”

“It’d hurt him, but I need rest first.”

“Got it. Stay back and recover. Kiba, Xenovia, Irina—can you take the front?”

“I’m fine,” I said.

“Honestly, I could use a break…” Xenovia admitted.

“No time for that,” Irina added.

We can’t just rest.

Marius’s plans advance every moment.

The teacher glanced at Vali, who shook his head.

“Sorry, I can’t use Juggernaut Drive. I burned too much energy against Eugrid.”

He was that drained from fighting Eugrid…

I’d hoped the power that crushed Pluto, the top-tier reaper, could help, but not if he’s avoiding overexertion.

“I-I’ll fight too! I don’t know if my power will work, but I can do something!” Gasper shouted, desperate.

He can’t afford to stall either.

He came to save his benefactor—Valerie.

I smiled at him.

“Got it, Gasper. If my junior’s this determined, I’ve got to step up. As a Gremory man, I can’t let Issei down by looking weak.”

“You’re picking up Issei’s habits,” the teacher teased.

“Haha, who doesn’t get influenced by him?”

I promised to protect everyone in Issei’s absence.

Time to show Gremory grit.

“Let’s do this.”

Gripping my sword reversely, holy and demonic auras enveloped me.

I’ll collapse later, but we can’t advance without this.

Grit will carry me through.

As I prepared to become the Knight King—

BOOM!

The wall behind Crow Cruach exploded!

The roar of collapsing stone shook the space!

Asia and Gasper fell from the tremor.

A new presence… no, this aura…!

Through the dust, two shadows emerged.

Vali smirked, and Crow turned to look.

The dust settled, revealing—

“Cough, cough, cough! Man, you went way overboard!”

“You said you sensed everyone this way!”

“I did! But think it through a bit!”

“Whatever! Breaking the wall was faster!”

“Idiot! Who said to wreck everything!? Look at us—covered in dust!”

“Just wash it off later! Cough, cough, cough!”

“You’re choking too! Cough, cough, cough!”

“Ugh, my throat hurts! So smoky! My clothes are gritty!”

“Same here! My back’s a mess! It stings! Itches!”

“Do something!”

“That’s my line! Cough!”

“Cough! Oh, there’s everyone!”

“Finally caught up! Cough, cough!”

“See? Breaking the wall was right! Cough!”

“You’re proud of that!? Cough, cough!”

“Cough! I’m saying it!”

“Cough! Don’t!”

“Cough, cough, cough, cough, cough, cough!”

Issei and Alice, coughing up a storm.

…I knew it.

When those two are together, this happens.

Still, let me say one thing.

Issei, Alice.

Listen—

“GIVE US BACK THE SERIOUS MOOD!!”

In that moment, our hearts united as one.

[Kiba Side Out]

——————————-

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