"Um, so... there were two key events that kicked everything off. First, Lady Ophis showed a strong interest in the Oppai Dragon, which even intrigued Vali-sama. So Lord Azazel arranged for a meeting between them.
And second—well, there were signs that Cao Cao and the Hero Faction were preparing to make a move against Lady Ophis. So we thought... why not use this as an opportunity to lure them out?
But of course, we couldn't actually use the real Ophis as bait. That's why Lord Bikou disguised himself as her and acted alongside Vali-sama, while the real Lady Ophis was secretly taken to Oppai Dragon's home!"
As Le Fay finished her explanation, Cao Cao tapped his shoulder with his spear, casually adding a few words of his own.
"She's right. We thought it strange that Vali would use Ophis as bait without a plan. But we couldn't ignore the situation either. In the end, Georg and I split from the main group to investigate the Red Dragon Emperor's side.
We already knew Ophis was interested in the current generation's Heavenly Dragons. And, well... I suppose our suspicions were confirmed."
"Ophis... you tried to target me?"
Ophis stepped forward, questioning Cao Cao directly.
"That's right. Your power is something we need—but you, yourself, are not."
"...I don't understand what you're saying. But I won't lose to you, Cao Cao."
Cao Cao gave a slight shrug.
"Of course not. You're far beyond the realm of normal. Even if the original Heavenly Dragons teamed up at full power, you'd still crush them with ease.
But still... since we've come all this way, how about a little test?
Georg, put up a barrier. If we start messing around where Ikki Arima's hanging out, we might just lose our heads in the next second—don't want to end up like that fool Shalba Beelzebub."
"Understood."
With a nod, Georg immediately cast a thick mist-like barrier that separated our group from theirs.
...Yeah, I get it now. Being "researched" really is a pain.
I was just thinking, "Wouldn't it be cool if I could do something like that?"
The very next moment, Cao Cao accelerated to top speed in an instant—then drove his True Longinus straight through Ophis's stomach.
The spear pierced clean through her body, and an enormous mass of concentrated light began to gather at the blade's tip.
"Shine forth! True Longinus that slays even the gods!"
With that command, the gathered light erupted violently, vaporizing everything around Ophis in a massive explosion.
"Yikes, that aura alone would kill a devil if they so much as grazed it—nya."
As Kuroka spoke, she summoned a dense black mist around us.
"This mist weakens light-based attacks. Just... try not to breathe it in, okay? Blocking that True Longinus's divine radiance takes a serious toll. For devils and humans, it's poison. For angels or fallen angels whose bodies are full of holy power? Eternal nap time—nya~"
Hearing that, Irina let out a squeaky "Hyuu!" and immediately backed away from the mist.
If it were Azazel-sensei, he might survive with some serious injuries. But Irina... yeah, she'd probably die.
A moment later, the light from the spear faded, and Kuroka dispelled the mist.
Cao Cao yanked the spear from Ophis's stomach, revealing a gaping hole. But no blood flowed. In fact, the wound closed itself along with the torn clothing, as if nothing had happened.
Seeing that, Cao Cao let out an exasperated sigh.
"I put enough power into that strike to kill even a Maou instantly if it hit dead-on. A god or Buddha would've suffered a mortal wound.
And yet... she didn't even flinch.
Did you see that, everyone? That's Ophis.
Setting aside Great Red, she's the strongest being among all factions.
Even a Longinus like the True Longinus, capable of slaying gods, is meaningless before her.
Sure, it hurts—but as the embodiment of infinity, she recovers from it instantly."
So basically... she's like a raid boss with insane HP, regenerating constantly with no downtime.
Yeah, that kind of boss can't be defeated the "normal" way.
"She didn't even bother to counterattack after I struck her. Know why? Because she could kill me anytime she wanted.
The gap in our power is just that vast.
She doesn't even find me interesting—and that's why she doesn't react.
Frankly, she couldn't care less about anyone except Great Red.
...And that's exactly why her sudden interest in the current generation's Heavenly Dragons was enough to catch Vali's attention."
Just as Cao Cao finished speaking, a magic circle formed on the floor right beside us.
"Phew... Finally got it to connect."
Le Fay wiped the sweat from her brow as Fenrir stepped into the center of the circle, the light intensifying. A flash later, there stood a silver-haired young man—Vali.
"You've done well, Le Fay. And you... it's been a while, hasn't it, Cao Cao?
I'm glad you finally declared yourself my enemy. Now I can finally settle things with you."
"Vali, huh? What a dramatic entrance. You and Ikki Arima both, slipping through Georg's barrier like it's nothing. I wonder how the next person'll get in?"
"Hmph, don't worry. There won't be a 'next time.' ...Still, I wasn't expecting it to be just you and Georg here. Did you really think the two of you could take us on alone? That's bold, even for a so-called hero."
"That's right—we're heroes. We simply judged that the two of us would be enough."
"So... this confidence of yours. Is it based on that so-called Dragon Eater?"
"You mean the 'Dragon-Eater'? A specialized Balance Breaker made to slay dragons—something your Hero Faction cooked up?"
Cao Cao shook his head, refuting the idea.
"No. You're wrong, Vali. The Dragon-Eater wasn't something we created. It always existed—we merely gave it a name. And the one who made it... was none other than the God of the Bible. Georg, it's time. We've got everything we need right here: The Infinite Dragon God, the Two Heavenly Dragons... oh, and let's not forget the Dragon King Fafnir. Perfect setup. Let's open the gates of Hell—right here and now."
Azazel muttered under his breath, clearly disturbed.
"No way... are they seriously doing this?"
If they're invoking the name of the God of the Bible... yeah, this is definitely the worst-case scenario: Samael.
"At long last... The time has come for us heroes to consume infinity."
Georg spread his arms dramatically, and a massive magic circle appeared behind them.
From within it erupted a dark, malevolent aura that was undeniably filled with hatred—specifically directed at dragons.
"What is this!? This overwhelming malice... aimed solely at dragons!?"
Even Ddraig's voice shook with fear.
And then, it appeared—emerging from the circle.
A figure bound tightly to a massive cross. Its upper half was that of a fallen angel, its lower half a serpent-like dragon from Eastern myth. Chains and spikes pierced its entire body, locking it down.
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!"
From its open mouth spewed blood, saliva, and a flood of rage, hatred, and every negative emotion imaginable.
"Ophis! I'm getting you out of here, so forgive me for being a bit rough!"
I sprinted toward her, grabbed her by the arm, and launched a Ki blast at the glass leading outside the hotel lobby. Then I threw Ophis straight at the shattered opening.
...Yeah, from the outside, it definitely looked like I just chucked a little girl through a window. I'd get lynched if someone saw that without context.
But if I remember right, Samael can't remain summoned for long. And I really doubt they can fully control that thing.
Just getting some distance should help!
CRASH!!
The Ki blast punched a giant hole in the glass, and Ophis went flying through.
CRASH!!
But before I could even exhale in relief, the same glass on the other side of the lobby shattered—and Ophis came flying back in, followed by the same Ki blast.
"Waaaaahhhhh!"
"Round and round and round—"
"A loop! We're stuck in a loop!"
Apparently, they'd twisted space into a Möbius strip to trap us.
Still... why does Ophis look like she's enjoying this?!
After the third loop, I caught her midair and canceled the Ki blast.
"Hmm... Azazel-sensei? Looks like 'he who runs away lives to fight another day' won't work this time."
"Yeah, I figured. Still, I gotta say—I'm impressed. Most people start developing the guts to stand and fight once they get stronger."
True. Usually, you'd at least try fighting before deciding whether to run.
"Well, weak humans like me are programmed to run away first. Instinct, you know?"
He gave me a weird look.
"If you're weak, then the rest of us inhuman freaks must be worthless."
Azazel shook his head, then turned his attention back to Samael.
"Still, I can't believe they actually unsealed Samael... So they did make a deal with that damn skeleton bastard..."
...Yeah, if Hades is behind this, I wouldn't be surprised if he's somewhere going "Fafafafa!" with that smug laugh of his.
I kinda wanna punch him too, honestly.
"Oh? So the Governor of the Fallen Angels has already figured it out. Then allow me to formally introduce him again. The one they call the 'Poison of God,' the 'Malice of God'—
A cursed sinner who bore the full wrath of the God of the Bible. The one who fed the fruit of knowledge to Adam and Eve in Eden—-Samael!"
Hearing Cao Cao's proclamation, all of us—including Issei—visibly recoiled in shock.
"Wait, uh... I've heard of the 'Serpent of Eden' before, but...
Sensei, when you said 'skeleton bastard,' were you talking about that guy Hades we met?"
"Yeah, that's right, Issei. Samael was sealed in Cocytus, the lowest level of Hell—under Hades's watch. He's the reason serpents and dragons are portrayed as evil in the Bible. The God of the Bible twisted him with wrath and hatred, turning his very existence into the ultimate dragon slayer. There's no one in this world more lethal to dragons than Samael."
"Thanks for the explanation, Governor. Exactly—Samael is the ultimate dragon-slaying curse.
But his power is so overwhelmingly dangerous that just existing threatens every dragon or serpent-based lifeform. That's why not just the Biblical faction, but even Olympus and every other major force banned his use. Even when the Heavenly Dragons went on a rampage across the world, no one dared summon Samael. ...But now—"
Cao Cao's eyes locked onto Ophis.
"Consume her."
With that command, a black, tendril-like tongue shot diagonally from Samael's mouth.
"Nya!?"
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