I was about to take a step forward when Issei and the others hurriedly stopped me.
"Wait, wait, wait, Ikki! Why are you casually about to run off alongside Cao Cao?! He's a terrorist and an enemy! Yeah, I heard he's currently under Indra's command, but that doesn't mean we can just fight together like it's normal!"
Looking around, everyone else also had complicated expressions.
"Even if you say that… then what are we supposed to do? The fact remains that Cao Cao is here as Indra's envoy, right? We can't exactly restrain someone like that, and he's strong. In that case, the only option is to keep him close and monitor him."
There's no way we can leave someone like him to the average angels anyway.
"…Yeah. Fine. I guess our priority is moving forward."
Reluctantly, Issei accepted Cao Cao's presence. He's really learning to switch gears now. The old Issei would've definitely kept arguing with a "but!"
"…Sigh. When Ophis came before, Ikki also accepted her without hesitation. I wonder where that kind of flexibility comes from? Well, whatever. Cao Cao, if you try anything suspicious, I'll erase you on the spot."
"Heh. At the very least, I have no intention of opposing you right now. I may serve under Indra, but as a hero, I've been denied my proper path. I'm currently in the middle of searching for myself. In my hollow state, challenging you would only lead to my immediate defeat. However… fighting Qlippoth is not wrong—neither as a hero nor as a human. My enemy right now is Qlippoth. Is that answer unsatisfactory?"
"You really do love roundabout ways of speaking. I still don't like you."
With that, the rest of the group also seemed to forcefully accept Cao Cao's cooperation.
Either way, having more allies is good for our advance.
Especially since our opponent is, technically speaking, a Super Devil being.
Even if Lilith doesn't actively participate, she's still a wildcard we need to be careful about.
And in the original timeline, everyone gets defeated, Asia gets slapped by Rizevim, and Fafnir goes berserk… but honestly, that slap always felt way too convenient. Like when Asia randomly gets thrown into a dimensional gap in the original Diodora incident and immediately returns unharmed—pure plot luck. I don't want to rely on something like that.
If I were Rizevim, I'd at least go for a proper gut punch that makes someone vomit blood. His "malice" really is shallow and inconsistent.
"—Huh!? What is this feeling… I suddenly felt a chill…"
"W-what? Are you okay, Asia!? Don't tell me someone's targeting you again!?"
"N-no, I'm fine, Issei-san! I was just a little nervous. Let's hurry and save Irina's father!"
Asia was shivering… but that's not my fault, right?
We passed through the gate and ran along the central road of the Third Heaven toward the entrance to the Fourth Heaven.
"…Strange. Qlippoth entered from this Third Heaven, but there are barely any Dragonoid forces here."
After cutting down a few scattered mass-produced evil dragons, Yuuto frowned.
They had expected this floor to be packed with enemies based on the Agreas footage.
"That's actually a good thing… If possible, maybe Ikki-sama and Kuroka could infiltrate Agreas—though that's probably too dangerous. Could we at least plant tracking seals?"
Revel's suggestion was reasonable. If this were a normal operation, a reckless infiltration might even be justified.
But Kuroka shook her head.
"Nya-ha… I get what you mean, but it doesn't look possible anymore—Agreas is already gone, nya."
"…Yeah. From what I can sense, it looks like they fled."
"Fled? What do you—"
Before Issei could finish, someone stepped in front of us.
A man with black-and-gold mixed hair blocked our path.
Everyone immediately stopped.
"Crom… Cruach!"
"It has been a while, members of D×D. Kukuku… I've been looking forward to meeting you again."
Then, before the battle could begin—
Another figure arrived.
"Oh? Looks like I arrived at a pretty good timing, huh?"
Crom's grin widened.
"The Joker of Heaven's trump card… I've been wanting to fight you as well."
"…So you're really just like Vali, huh?"
Dulio looked troubled.
"I've never met this 'Joker of Heaven' before, but I recognize that technique… clearing evil dragons across the battlefield from afar—'Zenith Tempest'. A Longinus with absurd large-scale destruction."
"If you destroy their base, mass-produced dragons don't care. They're just expendable tools."
"This is Heaven. Souls that have finished their duties deserve peace. We can't let it be ravaged. Still… I'll ask once. Is there no option to avoid fighting?"
"I have no reason to retreat. I want to witness your full power."
Crom raised his fists.
Dulio sighed, then stepped forward—
"I'll handle this alone—"
"No, I'll stay."
"…Ikki?"
"I'll stay too. It'll be easier that way."
"Alright then. We'll leave Crom to Ikki and the Joker, nya."
"Let's move forward."
"Ikki-senpai isn't someone who interrupts without reason. He must have a plan."
"…If you all trust him, then fine."
Crom smirked.
"You think you can handle me alone?"
"Who knows?"
The others moved on.
Dulio glanced at me.
"You didn't need to stay back, you know?"
"Someone needs to support you. Besides, I'll catch up after Crom is done."
Crom's eyes gleamed.
"Interesting."
Dulio released his power.
"Break through—Balance Break!"
Golden light erupted as his wings transformed, expanding and shining like Seraphim's radiance.
And the battle began.
Crom Cruach vs. Ikki and Dulio—clash of monsters beyond humanity.