"We're just weak little humans, you know. So to bring down absolute monsters and legends, we sharpen a single, razor-edged technique into a fang."
BOOM
Strangely enough, within this Heaven itself, powerful dragons and powerful devils were being toyed with by the petty tricks of weak humans.
"Whoa… amazing…"
"Yeah. Both he and Ikki-kun… everyone around us humans are basically the ultimate form of technique specialists. As someone on the same path, I almost feel jealous… I still have a long way to go."
Issei expressed honest admiration, while Yuuto felt a sting of frustration at not yet reaching that level.
Then a soft voice reached everyone's ears.
"Fufufu… among humans, there are sometimes those who can even bring down legends."
"Archangel Michael!"
"You are late. We of the Seraphim have reinforced the Seventh Heaven, where the 'System' resides. Even if we perish, no one will be able to interfere with it now."
With twelve golden wings spread wide, Michael smiled calmly while releasing overwhelming divine pressure.
"Now then… it has been since the previous great war that we last met face to face. I never expected you to climb all the way to Heaven. Since you have trampled upon Paradise with such disrespect… you will be punished."
Michael raised his hand toward the sky.
BOOM
Dozens of massive spears of light appeared—each comparable in scale to those once created at full power by Kokabiel.
So even Archangel-class beings get massive power boosts when Heaven is under threat…
"Oh boy… this is bad."
Cao Cao immediately distanced himself from Rizevim.
"We're going too!"
Rias and the others also prepared long-range attacks.
Michael's hand dropped.
That was the signal.
BOOM
A concentrated barrage of divine attacks rained down upon Rizevim.
From within the explosion, laughter echoed.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
A black vortex burst outward, dispersing the flames.
It was the twelve demonic wings spreading from Rizevim's back.
However, not unscathed—about half of his wings were torn and ragged.
"Ow… owowow. When was the last time I actually felt pain? That's gotta be centuries ago. Man, this is kinda exciting."
He pulled out a Phoenix Tear from his pocket and healed himself, his eyes sharpening, resembling Vali's cold gaze.
"Alright… playtime's over. As the son of Lucifer, I hereby recognize you all as my destined enemies."
"Too late for that edgy speech! I don't know what your goal is, but we're finishing this here! I just learned a new move that'll work on you!"
Issei stepped forward, brimming with new power.
"…Actually, I've already achieved my objective. I think I'll head home now."
"…Huh?"
Issei froze.
His opportunity was gone before it even began.
"W-wait a second! You've been fighting us since you got here! What 'objective' did you even accomplish?!"
Rizevim answered by pulling out two fruits.
Michael's expression changed instantly.
"…Those are?!"
"Correct. The Fruit of Life and the Fruit of Wisdom."
Everyone instinctively stared at them.
"Impossible! Those fruits no longer exist!"
"True. But if they were preserved… that changes things, doesn't it?"
Rizevim smiled arrogantly.
"My mother is Lilith, the first wife of Adam, who once lived in the Garden of Eden. As a human, she hid these fruits from God's sight. I heard the story often as a child. And when I investigated… I found them. Though by then, they had already dried up and lost their power."
Yet the fruits in his hand now gleamed with fresh vitality.
Michael quickly deduced the truth.
"…You used the Holy Grail's power to restore them."
"But where were they hidden? If they were dried up from the start, we would have detected them long ago."
"Not Heaven. A hidden passage to the underworld."
Rizevim shrugged.
"Invading Heaven was just a side trip. I already achieved my real goal."
Everyone looked disgusted.
While he toyed with the fruits, a sudden gust of wind passed—
One of the fruits disappeared.
At the same time, Ikki stood nearby.
Covered in blood, he casually held the stolen fruit up.
"Phew… I thought I'd take advantage of the opening, but I didn't expect you to literally explain your entire treasure inventory. At that point, stealing it is just basic courtesy."
"IKKI! YOU STOLE IT?! WHAT HAPPENED TO Crom Cruach?!"
"Oh, that dragon? Said it was 'a waste to finish someone who can't go all out' and left halfway through. Honestly, I just exaggerated my 'weak state' a bit to make it happen."
"…Did you say something?"
"Nothing."
Ikki had stayed behind because he knew a battle-loving dragon would eventually disengage if things weren't satisfying.
Then he circled back.
His plan was simple.
Steal during the chaos.
No honor. No hesitation. Pure opportunism.
A direct assassination attempt on Rizevim would have triggered Lilith's intervention immediately.
So instead—
he targeted the displayed valuables.
Using stealth, timing, and a drawn-out technique, he combined "silent step" with his sword technique to snatch the fruit.
The damage from his technique had already been healed by Phoenix Tears.
As Azazel once told him:
"If you've got a technique that kills stronger enemies, always keep at least one Phoenix Tear on you."
As a fiancé of Ravel Phenex and member of D×D, that kind of logistical support was nothing unusual.
"…Arima Ikki. So this is our first direct meeting."
Rizevim smiled thinly.
"I'll praise you for stealing the Fruit of Wisdom. While others were busy attacking me head-on, you erased my presence and went straight for the objective. Annoying… but impressive."
Then he called out softly.
"Lilith."
From his shadow, a figure emerged.
The clone of Ophis—Lilith.
In a direct fight, even all of them together would likely lose to her alone.
With Rizevim added, victory became near impossible.
"She is bound only to protect me. And now, I will give her a new command."
Rizevim pointed at Ikki.
"Now, Lilith! Retrieve the fruit from that huma—"
SQUELCH!!
"…Huh?"
Everyone's minds went blank.
All eyes turned to Ikki.
The fruit in his hand had been crushed into pulp.
"…What did you just do?"
"Eh? Oh, this? If it can get stolen, it's safer to destroy it."
""YOU IDIOTTTTT!!?""
Issei and Rizevim's voices overlapped, echoing across the Eden sky.
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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