"Cough… w-who are you?"
Thanks to the ogre blood coursing through his veins, his constant evolution through "Trust," and his relentless training, Sanguinius' physical strength had long surpassed the standards of the *High School DxD* world.
His body was now approaching the level of elite fighters from the universe of *The God of High School*.
In the past, Sanguinius had no desire to get involved in the wars between dragons and gods, fully aware of his own weakness.
But today… he would no longer feel ashamed to take part in such a monumental event in the history of Jin Mori's universe.
He had become too powerful for the mere norms of *DxD*.
In the current era, he represented a true existential anomaly.
He was too "young" for his strength.
'If Michael is already shocked by the power I've gained in less than five years… what will he say when he meets Issei in the future?'
This fleeting thought made Sanguinius respect the young Japanese man even more, despite his countless flaws.
Issei Hyoudou…
In barely two years, he had achieved a level of strength capable of challenging and defeating mythological creatures on the level of Typhon.
Who is Typhon?
A monster so terrifying that he is considered the most powerful creature in Greek mythology.
Even Ddraig didn't inspire fear in this king of demonic monsters from the *DxD* universe.
On the contrary… Typhon burned with impatience at the thought of facing him, purely out of confidence in his own strength.
Yet, Issei had managed to handle this creature with relative ease, as he had even been able to take on a major god like Vidar shortly afterward.
And Vidar is comparable to Fenrir, who was among the top ten in the world at his peak.
Thus, Sanguinius regarded Issei Hyoudou as an anomaly that the biblical god would surely never have allowed to exist.
Unfortunately, that god was no longer present, and his system was riddled with flaws.
This had allowed all sorts of absurdities: the fusion of Holy Power and demonic energy, or even the creation of additional Longinus-level Sacred Gears.
"Who am I? Have you forgotten your dear little brother~?"
Though his words carried a teasing tone, a faint bitterness lingered deep within him.
Traces… of the old Sanguinius.
But those remnants were quickly brushed aside.
He had other priorities than letting himself be consumed by nostalgia.
That's why he advanced without the slightest hesitation toward the place where Thrax lay.
His eyes gleamed with a complex mix of emotions—sadness, concern, but also a hint of silent pride.
There was nothing in that gaze related to the light, mocking tone he had used moments earlier when addressing Michael.
This time, there was no facade, no mask.
Only an expression of satisfaction.
As for the reason he was heading toward Thrax, it was unmistakable: he was about to invoke the healing skill inherited from Aqua.
In truth, he had prepared for the worst, especially after Thrax's reckless act of unleashing his Touki to its maximum.
But, to his great surprise, the young demigod had not yet crossed the gates of the underworld…
He had neither met Thanatos' gaze nor attracted the presence of grim reapers.
Thus, the "resurrection" magic he had briefly thought necessary would not be used.
"Brother?" Michael hesitated, but he quickly grasped the situation after sensing the Holy Power emanating from Sanguinius.
'No… this isn't, or is no longer, Holy Power. It's something else… something more…'
Michael pushed this "blasphemous" thought from his mind, for Holy Power was supposed to be the manifestation of the biblical god's miracles through the system.
To admit that Sanguinius' Holy Power was purer would mean acknowledging two things—or perhaps both:
First, that Sanguinius was more favored by the biblical god.
An impossible hypothesis, as Michael was currently the closest to his Father.
As for the second option…
'He is not the Father. The aura he exudes resembles divinity… but it's also something else.'
Several questions swirled in the mind of the angel known as the Prince of Heaven.
Unfortunately, he did not consider a third possibility:
That Sanguinius could wield his own miracles, independent of the biblical god's system.
An answer potentially more blasphemous than the other two.
It would mean that Sanguinius embodied, or was beginning to embody, something akin to his Father.
Something holier… or equal to the Holy of Holies.
An idea no mentally stable angel could fathom.
"Sorry to interrupt your wild thoughts, but… this place isn't exactly suitable for a proper discussion," Sanguinius said after glancing at the sky.
His gaze was fixed on the S.E.N.A in Neo-Citadel.
Michael didn't catch the hidden nuance in his words, but he had already understood one thing:
The man before him was the anomaly his Father had been seeking.
Of course, Michael intended to bring him back to Heaven.
"Listen…" His words hung in the air as a hand appeared in front of his face.
He didn't have time to react before being dragged like a makeshift shield through various geological obstacles.
The seraph couldn't resist Sanguinius' grip.
He merely erected a barrier of Holy Power and healed his wounds.
Of course, he tried to launch various attacks whenever he perceived a "flaw" in his opponent's defenses.
But all were countered by physical blows combined with draconic aura and Touki.
The situation cast a slight shadow over his heart.
'N… no. I must not fear… for "He" is behind me.'
Michael's inner voice did not escape Sanguinius' divination or his awakened powers.
But he chose to ignore it—for now.
After all, he was nearly at his destination:
The future island of Paphos.
As for why he hadn't used teleportation, the reason was simple:
Sanguinius wanted to punish Michael for daring to intimidate Thrax.
So, with a slight smile, he allowed himself to emulate Broly… except instead of Goku, it was the seraph he was using as a toy.
"*Urgh*… you call me brother, yet you attack me anyway."
Thanks to his immense reserve of Holy Power, Michael rose, like a cockroach refusing to be crushed.
His vitality surprised Sanguinius, but the latter quickly regained his composure.
"Have you forgotten? I was disowned…"
Those words echoed the phrase once spoken by the biblical god on the day of his arrival in this world:
*I do not know you.*
Even the apostle Peter had denied Christ three times when questioned about his connection to the Messiah.
In the same way, the biblical god had "severed" all ties with the fallen angels on the day of the Flood.
Azazel and the others (Sanguinius included) had become spiritual orphans, unless forgiveness was granted.
A forgiveness reserved for humans.
For Sanguinius remembered the prophecy concerning sinful angels.
In short: he had already endured, at least in theory, the worst punishment imaginable for a believer (or former believer now).
To be disowned by his own God.
"Indeed… but the Father wishes to meet you."
Michael's words were intriguing, but not surprising.
When one possesses the power of Vanir from *Konosuba*, few things can truly surprise.
'It's just that information about the biblical god himself is hard to see…'
Sanguinius was experiencing a phenomenon already mentioned in the *Konosuba* universe:
Vanir could neither see the past nor the future of a god.
He had been able to glean part of the situation through Michael.
Only fragments, but enough to spark a certain level of interest.
This was also why he hadn't immediately engaged Michael in combat.
"Tch… I have no interest in going back up there," he said, clicking his tongue in annoyance.
Why would a king of Hell agree to become a beggar in Paradise again?
Perhaps, yes, Sanguinius would have accepted in the past—back when he first arrived in this universe.
But not anymore.
He had two wives…
Two children…
Beings he had chosen to protect.
Above all, he had renounced his faith and the shadow of the god from his past life in his current father.
He was no longer God's angel.
He was the angel of a nation.
And perhaps, one day… something far greater.
Michael furrowed his brow slightly.
He already knew.
He was fully aware of the precarious position he was in:
Not only was he in enemy territory… but he was facing a target far more powerful than himself.
He was in no position to impose anything or negotiate properly.
"Sigh… I… I'll return—"
"Is that your answer to my 'invitation,' my boy?"
A voice echoed from the "heavens."
The weather shifted abruptly.
At times, the waves raged; at others, they calmed as if tamed.
As for the sky?
It was cloudy, but the light of the "sun" pierced through the gas layer, striking Sanguinius with a serene yet commanding aura.
In that moment, Sanguinius understood.
The leader of the most troublesome pantheon in the universe was coming to him.