“Heeh… so you still held a trump card like that. I’m a little… no, actually, quite surprised.”

Asem smiled while correcting his assessment.

—Promotion Enhancement: ‘Queen’.

Promotion Enhancement involves a unique adjustment I made so that when the Pawn pieces promote, they fit the three forms I possess. It draws out far more power than a standard promotion.

Sky Weapon (Xenon) corresponds to ‘Chariot’ (Rook).

The boosters enlarge, and both punch power and the number of attacks increase.

Sky Strike (Agios) corresponds to ‘Monk’ (Bishop).

Additional cannons are installed, increasing bombardment power and rapid-fire capability.

Sky Wing (Eclipse) corresponds to ‘Knight’.

The wings increase from one pair to two, and the number of feather bits increases accordingly. In addition to boosted mobility, the bits are granted the speed of a ‘Knight’.

The ‘Queen’ raises the base potential of this EXA Form all at once.

The EXA Form already combines the powers of Sky Weapon, Sky Strike, and Sky Wing.

And the ‘Queen’ is the strongest piece, possessing the abilities of ‘Rook’, ‘Bishop’, and ‘Knight’.

When these two powers overlap, the output is on a completely different dimension.

Emitting red light, I glared at Asem.

“Round Two. —Here I go.”

I kicked the ground and launched forward!

The impact of my movement blew away everything in the immediate vicinity!

“Tch! Fast!”

For the first time, Asem wore an expression of shock at my unprecedented initial velocity and acceleration.

Asem braced himself to intercept me, but—I instantly circled behind him!

“Behind you!”

I unleashed a crimson fist!

Clad in a rough, violent aura that looked like it would incinerate anything it touched, my fist connected with Asem’s face!

For the first time, my attack landed on Asem!

Asem was slammed into the ground, bouncing violently.

He tumbled far into the distance.

“Kuh! This speed and power!”

Asem sprang to his feet and then leaped high into the sky.

“I won’t let you escape!”

I deployed every single feather bit and launched a pursuit!

The armor of the EXA Form has multiple jewels embedded in it. Right now, I am compressing and storing amplified power in every single one of them.

The surplus power of EXA increases explosively when promoting to ‘Queen’… but normally, that results in too much waste.

So, by storing the excess power in the jewels and detonating it during combat, I’m exerting a level of super-power I’ve never achieved before.

It’s temporary, but my current power is—

“My current power is three times what it was a moment ago! Don’t think you can take me down so easily!”

“You always bring out some new power, don’t you!”

“Stronger guys keep showing up every time I fight! If I don’t come up with a new move or upgrade, I’m the one who gets beaten!”

“Even so, the fact that you make it a reality every time… I can only say, ‘as expected.’ That’s exactly why!”

Asem dodged my attacks while destroying the bits closing in from the side, below, and above—from every angle!

This guy! I’m attacking with this much speed and volume, and he’s still avoiding it?!

Seriously, just how strong is he?!

But, if I keep attacking with this much density, a gap will eventually open up.

I’ll aim for that moment!

I deployed all the cannons on my gauntlets, waist, and wings.

I aimed every muzzle at Asem!

I released the compressed energy to the front.

Terrifying energy gathered at the muzzles!

“Eat thiiiiiiiiiiiis!”

[EXA Full Blast!!!!]

A torrent of unleashed red light!

Massive energy fired from every single port, rushing forward to swallow Asem!

“Whoa!?”

Asem leaped to the side, dodging the incoming bombardment by a hair’s breadth!

He dodged at that timing?!

While marvelling at Asem’s high evasion ability, I didn’t miss the opening that finally appeared!

I stopped the bombardment and flew above Asem!

In my hand was Ascalon!

I loaded Ascalon with red aura and swung it down toward Asem!

I have him dead to rights!

The blade reached Asem—it was at that moment.

[Burst]

It was a sound that should not have rung out.

It signified that the amplification exceeded capacity, and the Gauntlet’s functions had ceased.

My armor disengaged, strength drained from my entire body, and I fell to the ground.

…

…

…Huh?!

…Eh?

Wait… why?!

I can still go, you know?!

I can totally still fight?!

Hey, um… Ddraig-san?!

What’s going on?!

Then, Ddraig spoke in an exasperated tone.

[Haa… It is not that you reached your limit, Partner. It is the Sacred Gear that couldn’t hold out.]

Seriously?!

It wasn’t me, but the Sacred Gear that hit its limit?!

[That is why I told you to stop. Multiplying unstable power with a form where adjustments aren’t even finished… there is a limit to being unreasonable. …The Sacred Gear almost broke just now.]

…It wasn’t like that when we fought Rothward.

Well, I couldn’t use it for a while after that, but still.

[That time was only for a brief moment, and it was somewhat stable thanks to the cooperation of Sirius and Ignis. This time, the power itself was far too unstable.]

…Th-This is the worst…

The Sacred Gear died at this timing? Are you kidding me?

[No, it didn’t ‘die’, you know? The functions just stopped.]

Either way, it’s the worst!

I’m in the middle of a critical battle here?!

I was one step away from landing a massive hit on that bastard Asem!

As I lay on the ground unable to move, Asem landed beside me.

“Man~ that was close, that was close ♪ If I had taken that last one, I would have suffered quite a wound.”

Saying that, Asem dismissed the sword in his hand.

While lying spread-eagled on the ground, I asked Asem.

“…You’re not going to finish me off?”

“Do you want me to?”

“No. I was just wondering if you were going to leave it at this. Well, if you tried, I’d resist with everything I have. Like a cornered mouse biting the cat.”

“Hmm. Well, you and I are enemies. Normally, I suppose I would torment you here. Old Man Rize seems like the type to do that.”

“Ah… That guy definitely would.”

Rizevim seems like the type who loves unilaterally tormenting his opponents.

He seems like he has a nasty personality.

No, on the inside, he’s just a brat.

“You still have room to grow. I want to see what lies beyond for you. So, wouldn’t it be a waste to kill you here? I’ll wait until the time comes.”

“…Even if that means I end up defeating you?”

“Aha ♪ That would be nice, wouldn’t it? Seeing you just now, my expectations are swelling ♪ Well, feel free to challenge me as many times as you like.”

Asem smiled happily.

…As usual, I can’t read this guy.

Could it be that he’s the same as Rothward…?

No, surely he and that guy are different?

Asem spoke up.

“By any chance, do you think I want to die like Rothward did?”

“For a second, I thought about it, but that’s not it, right?”

“Well, yeah. I’ll tell you about that when the time comes ♪ Well then, I’m going home. I got to see the insides of the ‘System’, so I have to start creating right away ♪”

…Creating?

Creating what exactly—?

As I pondered Asem’s scheme, he spun around and started walking away briskly.

“Ah, hey! Wait!”

“I won’t wait~. It’s almost time for the Oppai Dragon broadcast~. This week is a special, so I can’t miss it~. I’m recording it on Blu-ray just in case, though~.”

He was trying to leave early because of that?!

Also, Blu-ray?!

You bought one?!

You actually bought one?!

Ah, he seriously went home?!

“Why are so many of my enemies weirdos—?!?!”

[That is probably because you are a weirdo, Partner.]

I can’t even refute that opinion!

Dammit all!

Haa… good grief.

I tried to whip my numb body into standing up, but a sharp pain shot deep through my chest, and I fell to my knees.

Large amounts of blood dripped from the wound Asem slashed, dyeing the flowers at my feet red.

“Guh… that really resonates… But I can’t stay here resting.”

—Irina, I’m coming now.

▽

[Irina Side]

After parting with Issei-kun, I, Shidou Irina, ran through the Garden of Eden with Xenovia and Asia-san.

I saw it for the first time…

That was the Evil God of the other world, Ast-Arde.

The mighty enemy targeting Issei-kun.

He looked like an ordinary child you could find anywhere, yet the aura he wore possessed an indescribable eeriness…

Xenovia spoke.

“Irina, I know what you’re thinking, but saving your father is the priority right now. That is why Rias-buchou and Issei stayed behind.”

“Yes, I know. I will save Papa, just watch!”

We ran for a while, and just when the gate leading to the Fifth Heaven was about to come into view.

I saw two shadows in my field of vision.

One was that man, Yaegaki, holding a sword emitting a sinister wave.

And the other was—

“Papa?!”

“Did he drag him out of the Fifth Heaven?!”

Papa should have been in the final stages of detoxification in the Fifth Heaven!

Did that man forcibly drag Papa out while he was still being treated?!

No way…!

The man named Yaegaki roughly grabbed Papa’s hair.

“Shidou-san, I was thinking. I want to complete my revenge here, in this land called Paradise. Martyrdom in Eden, the ultimate wish for a believer. Is it too much for the man who judged me and her?”

Enduring the pain from the poison, Papa spoke to him.

“I… You have a reason to kill me. I did something that warrants it. I deserve to be killed.”

“Papa?! Why would you say that—”

Just as I started to scream.

Papa looked at my face, then returned his gaze to Yaegaki-san.

“…I will live. I will live and atone for my sins.”

At those words, Yaegaki-san became enraged.

“What are you saying…! You! You judged me and Cleria! Living to atone? Do you think such a thing will quell our anger?!”

“…I don’t think that. But, a certain boy told me. —To live and atone. I don’t know how to seek redemption. I don’t know how I can be forgiven. There may not be a way to be forgiven. Even so, I will live and face my sins. That is the only thing I, who am alive like this, can do.”

—Tch!

That is… those words are…

After Papa and Issei-kun were alone in the hospital room, I was waiting outside for Issei-kun.

Because I had something I wanted to tell him.

At that time, those were the words I accidentally overheard from the room.

I was happy that Issei-kun was thinking of me.

But at the same time, I thought what harsh things he was saying.

Not dying to atone, but living to face the sin.

Not knowing the answer.

Knowing the answer might not even exist.

Issei-kun was trying to make Papa go on such a cruel journey.

But Papa had made that resolve.

To spend his life searching for a way to atone.

“…Tch! I… We loved each other! I loved her! She loved me! Even though our races were different, we understood each other! We loved each other! And yet… you people…! Nu… Ugaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

…A scream filled with anger and sorrow.

Responding to his feelings, eight dragon heads erupted from the Kusanagi Sword (Ama-no-Murakumo) that had fused with the Evil Dragon!

Asia-san shouted.

“It’s bigger than when we saw it before!”

“Yeah. But isn’t it more unstable than before?”

Hearing Xenovia say that, I looked at the Evil Dragon emerging from the sword again.

It was bigger than when we fought it before, and emitting a sinister aura.

But, it definitely felt wavering somehow…

It felt like the power wasn’t settled.

Xenovia continued.

“…Is there hesitation in that man’s feelings…? Was he overwhelmed by Irina’s father’s resolve…?”

Papa’s eyes seemed to harbor a strong determination.

A will strong enough that even I could see it clearly in Papa’s expression.

If it were the Papa from a little while ago, he might have accepted the revenge.

Even now, he feels somewhat frail.

But he is clearly different from before.

The resolve to live on, to survive, and to spend a lifetime atoning—a light was dwelling within him.

The one who lit that flame was—Issei-kun.

Before I realized it, I was flapping my white wings and charging in alone.

With the sole thought of wanting to save, wanting to protect Papa.

One of Yamata no Orochi’s heads opened its large mouth, trying to swallow Papa.

However, it was completely blown away by a Holy Aura flying from behind.

“Go, Irina! I’ll cover you!”

“I will support you too!”

Xenovia said that while readying Durandal!

Asia-san also summoned Fafnir to send me off!

Receiving their support, I succeeded in rescuing Papa!

I took Papa and put distance between us and the Evil Dragon.

“Papa, are you okay?”

I immediately checked Papa’s condition to ensure he was safe.

Perhaps due to the lingering effects of the poison, he was sweating and his complexion was pale.

There were also scratches here and there.

Then, Papa grabbed my shoulder and said with a trembling body.

“Irina-chan… Please. Truly, this is something I must face. But, the current me has no means to stop him. So… please. Stop him… Stop Yaegaki-kun…!”

Issei-kun’s words flashed through my mind.

When we were passing through the gate of the Fourth Heaven, Issei-kun told me this:

—There is a formidable enemy ahead. I will probably end up staying behind.

—When that happens, Irina, you are the one who must save Touji-san. Protect your precious person with your own hands.

I understand, Issei-kun.

My precious family, my beloved Papa.

I—will protect Papa until the end!

“Leave it to me, Papa.”

Saying that, I readied Hauteclere.

“Please, Hauteclere. Lend me your strength. The power to protect Papa. The power to help everyone, and—the power to stop him!”

In that instant, a dazzling light was emitted from Hauteclere!

The Holy Aura kept expanding rapidly!

“Irina, let’s finish this! We will stop that man! Durandal!”

Responding to Xenovia’s voice, Durandal also unleashed a massive Holy Aura!

My Hauteclere and Xenovia’s Durandal resonated, growing one, then two sizes larger!

Gradually, the light of the two Holy Swords became a giant pillar of light illuminating the entire area!

Clad in golden radiance, Xenovia and I charged forward!

“Yaegaki-san! You are…! Your feelings are not wrong!”

“But doing this will only repeat the sorrow! That is why we will stop you!”

Slashing through the attacking heads of Yamata no Orochi, we closed in on Yaegaki-san!

“…Oh Lord. To Irina-san, to Xenovia-san… and to him…! Please…! Please…!”

Asia-san was offering a prayer to the Lord.

Then, the eyes of Fafnir beside Asia-san glowed—and sent a golden aura to us.

Whether it should be called the protection of the Golden Dragon King, it enveloped the three of us as if to protect us.

Surely, Fafnir responded to our feelings as well.

Xenovia and I rushed forward with golden aura coating our blades.

We erased all of the raging Evil Dragon and stood before Yaegaki-san’s eyes.

And then—we released the Holy Wave.

Showing no resistance, he was swallowed by it—.

At that moment, I felt like I saw a woman gently embracing him.

[Irina Side Out]

——————————-

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