A deep, sinking feeling dragged my consciousness down... down... until I finally hit bottom.
When I looked around, everything was pitch black, and yet strangely, I could still see my body and the ground beneath me.
At my feet, a thick, dark red sludge flowed—like someone had accidentally spilled the contents of the Holy Grail here. Not that that's a good thing... it could literally destroy the world.
"This place is a manifestation of your perception of your Sacred Gear," said a voice.
Just as I was thinking something ridiculous, a figure slithered out from the darkness ahead—a man with the upper body of a fallen angel and the lower half of a snake. A male version of a lamia... with wings.
Wait a minute—was that... Samael? He wasn't wearing any restraints, though.
"Yo, you're my host, right?"
"Like hell I am! Get out of me!"
He spoke to me casually, but I wasn't having it. I nearly died because of this bastard!
"Keheheh... Not a fan, huh? Can't say I blame you. I got dragged in here without warning myself. And even if you tell me to leave, I can't—it's not like I have a choice. Not that I planned on leaving anyway."
"Oh yeah? Then die."
I couldn't summon my Sacred Gear in this place, but I took a fighting stance with my hand like a blade, and he started to panic.
"Whoa, whoa! You used my power to unlock a Forbidden Balance Break, right? Couldn't you be a bit more friendly about it?"
"Huh? That's exactly what I'm doing. You seem pretty normal here, but in the real world, your actual body is eternally cursed by God, right? So wouldn't it be merciful to erase your soul entirely? I'll rip the fallen angel and dragon parts out of you and turn you into just Samael. Who knows? Maybe your upper half will finally be free of the curse."
Wow, I'm actually being kind by leaving a chance for salvation. That's so like me.
And hey, losing the lower half of your body isn't a death sentence for supernatural beings, right?
"What the hell's a Samael supposed to be!? Dammit... looks like humanity's really changed while I was sealed away by that damn God. And the reason I can even talk right now—when I should be screaming in agony from that curse—is because this is the core of the Sacred Gear. A place only instinct, soul, or deep subconscious can reach. God's curse doesn't reach here. That's why I don't want to leave. The moment my spirit returns to the body, the pain begins again."
All the more reason to erase you completely, isn't it?
"Whoa, whoa! Hold on! I just regained the ability to think clearly! Don't kill me now!"
Wait... can he read my mind!?
"Of course I can. We're in a space where souls connect, remember? I can pick up on your thoughts. So? What's it gonna be? I'm just a thin spirit fragment here, I can't fight back. Or are you still hung up on the fact that I'm the great sinner who got humans kicked out of Eden?"
"Not really. I'm not Christian, so that part doesn't mean much to me. Besides, if humans hadn't been exiled from Eden, the world wouldn't be what it is today. Interpret it how you like, but I'd say Samael helped shape humanity into what we are now. I mean, wouldn't eternal sunbathing in Eden have been kind of a waste?"
He blinked in surprise, then chuckled like he'd just heard a really good joke.
"I'm... a benefactor of humanity? Now that's a new one."
"Well, I'm basically an atheist, so I believe humans evolved from apes."
"...You totally ruined it at the end! Just so you know, plenty of people today still carry the blood of Adam and Eve!"
Huh, so that's how it is.
"So, Samael. You don't want to be erased, huh? Then what are you going to do for me? You're freeloading inside my Sacred Gear, don't tell me you expect a free stay?"
"You're trying to shake down a crucified sinner now!? You humans are greedy!"
Excuse me? That's just basic rights.
"Hey, I don't mind. But if you're not going to contribute, there's no reason to let you stay. I'll just erase you."
Hmm... ever since I came here, my rational thinking's been a little off. Must be that "instinct and soul space" effect.
"Alright, alright! You win! When you use the Sacred Gear and channel God's curse, I'll help you control it. That curse was aimed at me, and it is part of me, after all. I'll keep it from going haywire."
Great! Looks like we've got a deal.
Time to get the hell out of this depressing place.
"Hey, wait! We just started talking! It's been thousands of years! Can't we chat a little lon—"
I floated up out of the space, ignoring the pleading voice behind me. He's a sinner, after all. No need to be nice.
"Don't pull the sinner card only when it's convenient for you!!"
Samael's shout echoed in vain as I felt myself returning to my body.
=======
When I woke up, I was surrounded by a soft sensation and a sweet scent.
Turns out I was resting on Kuroka's lap. She was looking down at me with a mischievous grin and blushing cheeks.
I greeted her, though she seemed a little too amused by something... Whatever weird thoughts she had, she quickly got serious and explained our current situation.
As expected, we were still inside the pseudo-hotel, and Ophis's powers had been disrupted. We were preparing to escape.
"Yo, Ikki. Looks like you've recovered. So now you've absorbed God's poison and even gained a divine-level Divinity—at this rate, maybe I should dissect you once, just to see what you're made of?"
"I respectfully decline!"
Azazel-sensei, could you not make that creepy "hah... hah..." sound while staring at me like that? I can totally see you stabbing electrodes straight into my heart without hesitation.
Currently, my Divinity is ranked at A. I didn't quite reach the level of that A.U.O. guy, but I'm on par with Heracles—one of the original demigods who ascended after death in Fate. That's pretty impressive.
But I guess the Divinity I have works differently from the "Divinity" or "God Core" found in this world.
Before the mission started, everyone gathered in one place—and one person looked way too cheerful.
"Ufufufufu~"
"Um... Akeno-senpai? You seem unusually happy..."
"Oh, I'm delighted, Ikki-kun. All thanks to you, you know~"
"Wait—me?!"
I'm pretty sure I let out a dumb noise there. What the hell did I do?
"You don't remember? Well, you were overwhelmed by Samael's curse at the time, so I suppose it's understandable... but you made a rather bold suggestion. I suppose being cornered brings out true honesty... Thanks to you, I was able to support Issei-kun in a big way~"
...I'm sorry, what!? I have no idea what she's talking about! What did I say!? What kind of suggestion!?
While I stood there frozen, Issei threw his arm around my shoulder.
"Ikki... it's time we had a real talk about eros. Up until now, we've joked around with Matsuda and Motohama, but I want to hear your honest thoughts. Your philosophy of erotica, man!"
ISSEI!? WHY ARE YOU SAYING THIS WITH SUCH A BRIGHT SMILE!? AND WHAT DID I EVEN SAY TO BEGIN WITH!?
"Nyahaha~ I've always known Ikki was a closet perv."
"I must say, the passion in your words truly showed your manly spirit, Ikki-sama."
"I don't like pervy stuff."
Great. I feel like everyone's opinion of me just took a weird turn.
And Shirone—what was that line!? Are you some taiyaki-loving bioweapon!?
"Hmm... if Shirone doesn't like lewd stuff, maybe Ravel and I should have Ikki's baby instead? Ravel may be small, but she's got a woman's body already~"
"Wh-What!? M-My body is yours if you desire it, Ikki-sama!"
"Nooo! That's not what I meant! I just don't like public lewdness! I'm totally ready to do it with Ikki-senpai!"
S-Stop it! Ravel! Shirone! You two still have your whole school life ahead of you!
Enjoy it properly or you'll regret it later! Demons live long lives—you don't have to rush this!
"Kukuku... Seeing you panic like that proves Samael hasn't changed your personality one bit."
...This guy. Always knowing exactly when to say the right thing and calm you down. Can't even hate him.
"Everyone, the barrier is nearing its limit."
"Understood. Shirone, Issei—are you ready?"
"All set! The cannons are aimed where Shirone told me. Just say the word!"
"Then let's begin! Fire the shot, and once Luffy's team teleports, we'll split into front and rear units and take control of the parking structure!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Here goes! Welsh Blaster Bishop!! Now eat this—Dragon Blasterrrr!! Blow 'em away!!"
Twin cannons from Issei's "True Monk" form unleashed massive energy blasts above and below, wiping out the reapers and devices surrounding the Ouroboros weapon.
"Initiating teleportation!"
"Issei, everyone—don't die!"
"I'll make sure to report this to Lord Michael and the Maou!"
Thanks to Le Fay's teleportation, the escape team was successfully evacuated.
"Alright! Now we wipe out the rest in the parking lot and destroy the device. Let's go!"
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