Chapter 17: Intentions

It’s complicated, but it seems like the content of High School DxD Volume 2 has shifted to Volume 5, and the events of Volume 6 have become the battle against the Lion King.

Correction: Since the chronology is getting impossible to handle, the Lion King battle will be pushed back to Volume 7 or later.

The King—the man who was once a King—spoke.

“...Life is something that ends. Existence is a pilgrimage of accumulating suffering. But it is by no means a tale of death and severance.”

I understand it now. I have recognized the meaning of having an end. I have confirmed the value born from suffering. However, that does not mean I accept it. There is no way I could ever accept it.

Perhaps there is value in life. Perhaps there is meaning in death.

But what of reality?

There are lives without value. There are deaths without meaning. There are lives that end without anyone to keep vigil over them. There are the living dead who merely exist. There was love that went unrewarded. There were hearts that could not be saved. Nothing can be left behind. Nothing remains. It is only sad. It is only lonely. It is quickly forgotten. It is quickly forgotten by others. There is only pain. There is only lamentation. There is only bitterness. There is only fear. There is only despair. There is only resignation. Solitude. Impotence. Tragedy. It can only end.

It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. There is nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. It is only agonizing. It is only agonizing. It is only agonizing. It is only agonizing. It is only agonizing. It is only agonizing.

There are lives that are not even worthy of being sacrifices. There are lives that cannot even become foundation stones. A death that is merely consumed still has meaning. But in a death that is processed as nothing more than a numerical figure, what kind of story could possibly exist?

I cannot acknowledge such a reality.

As I thought, that man is an incompetent King. A merciless King. Reality is estranged from those words. There are things that cannot be saved. There are things that save no one. This world is overflowing with deaths that are nothing but an end. There are entire lives that can do nothing but accumulate suffering. There are lifespans that simply end in agony and nothing more.

—Therefore, such a world must be denied.

I cannot accept a worthless life. I will not acknowledge a meaningless death. Every life should begin with a celebration. Every death should end with being mourned.

You are loathsome to the very end, Solomon. Because of your words, we had no choice but to begin this plan. The world that is about to begin will surely be filled with the kind of hope you entrusted to "him." We will accomplish what you could not.

We shall prove that your nonsense was correct.

You aberrations, who do nothing but increase the tragedies of this world—at least become sacrifices for this Grand Order. That is the final value granted to you. We shall turn your ugliness into nourishment for a beautiful world.

Even your deaths should have meaning, right?

"So, the Hero Faction is going to fight that Goddess named Rongominiado (Rhongomyniad), right? Lint-san."

"Seems like it, Valerie-paisen."

Valerie Tepes, the dhampir who possesses a Holy Grail, and Lint Sellzen, the former Church operative chosen by a Holy Cross, were having such a conversation while enjoying tea.

"God-slaying in the modern age. It's a bit scary. I'm glad I'm not part of the Hero Faction!"

"But it is worrying. I hope everyone stays safe."

In the plan of the Demon God Pillars, their existence is extremely significant. That is exactly why they have been excluded from the combat force against Goddess Rhongomyniad—though Lint's brother, Freed, is counted among the forces.

"There is no need for concern, Valerie Tepes. We will surely emerge victorious."

Cao Cao, the wielder of the True Longinus, made that declaration. The value of the two girls and Cao Cao is almost equal. However, because his "degree of completion" is low, Cao Cao has been permitted to join this front. He himself desired it as well.

The old Cao Cao would have challenged a Goddess because he wanted to be a hero. But he is a little different now. His reason for fighting has changed. He has found a reason why he wants to win.

"Well, well, if it isn't Cao Cao-sensei. Do you have business with us?"

"Have you seen the Professor?"

The Professor. An appearance that was the picture of an elderly gentleman. He asked to be called "Napoleon," but everyone sensed he had no relation to the famous Emperor. Currently, he serves as the brain of the Hero Faction, which lacks experience. He is also the person who introduced Cao Cao and the others to the Demon God Pillars.

At this point, it is no longer accurate to say the Hero Faction is part of the Khaos Brigade. If anything, they belong to the side of the Demon God Pillars. Ophis, the figurehead leader of the Khaos Brigade, is no longer there. Of course, neither Cao Cao, Valerie, nor Lint know of the relationship between Ophis and Goetia.

"No, he isn't here."

"I haven't seen him either-ssu."

"I see. I've identified part of the forces the Goddess is holding, so I wanted to ask his opinion. If you see him, tell him to go to the usual room."

As Cao Cao turned to leave, Lint threw a question at him without preamble.

"I’ve been wondering for a while, Cao Cao-sensei... you’ve realized the 'Professor's' true identity, haven't you?"

Cao Cao was taken aback by the out-of-context question but quickly recovered. He gave a small smile and shrugged. His entire demeanor was a silent affirmation.

"Perhaps. From your tone, did he tell you himself?"

"No, it was from Lord Amon via my brother Freed."

"...I see."

"So, at this rate, isn't the Hero Faction just going to be used up and discarded?"

In the face of Lint's mockery, Cao Cao remained composed.

"That may be so. I do not know what his intentions are or what kind of fate he intends to force upon me. I threw away an ordinary long life to choose the turbulence of a hero, but I lacked both resolve and foresight. If I continue to follow that man's words, I might meet a terrible end. But no matter what form it takes, I am grateful for my encounter with him."

This was undoubtedly his true feeling. And so was this:

"Besides. I think surpassing the expectations of one's mentor is the greatest way to repay a debt. We are going to defeat the Goddess. But it won't end there, will it? I want to do what 'someone' once did a long time ago."

As he spoke, both of Cao Cao’s eyes turned a dark, reddish-black.

"I will surely save the world—"

"—Do not get too ahead of yourself."

The words directed at Cao Cao were uttered from Cao Cao's own mouth. Neither Valerie, Lint, nor Cao Cao himself seemed surprised by this. There was a slight but unmistakable irritation in that voice.

"You cannot save the world. You cannot surpass us. You lack yearning, conviction, resolve, ideology, madness, and desire. You people are deficient. Even if you possess a Longinus, even if you are a descendant of a Hero, even if you have natural talent, even if you were raised by gods and buddhas... you can never become like Ritsuka Fujimaru."

Ritsuka Fujimaru. The Demon God Pillars occasionally spoke that name. Though it varied by individual, the name was generally met with hatred. In particular, the Demon God Pillar that had transplanted its cells into Cao Cao’s body held the strongest hatred.

"You are special. You are an exception. That is precisely why you can never surpass that average, ordinary man. You are not even worth the value of my hatred. You need only destroy the Goddess, merge completely with my factors, and complete the Spear."

Cao Cao's eyes returned to normal.

"...In other words, defeating the Goddess is a given for them. I suppose they're saying if I'm special, I should be able to handle at least this much."

Tapping his shoulder with the Holy Spear, Cao Cao wore a deep smirk.

"Fine. I'll show them the potential of a human."

I—Issei Hyoudou—spend every day being chased by a giant dragon in the mountains of the Gremory territory in the Underworld.

I’m not being attacked by a monster; it’s training. It’s training. I’ve thought I was going to die many times, but it’s training. My food and sleep situation is like a castaway's survival, but it’s training.

The former Dragon King and Ultimate-class Devil, the "Blaze Meteor Dragon" Tannin. He is my teacher now. He looks exactly like a "Dragon." A giant monster told of in legends and myths. But he’s not a violent beast you can’t talk to. He’s a dragon, but he’s a good guy.

The reason I’m being trained by this old guy is because Azazel-sensei arranged it. As the advisor to Rias Gremory’s peerage, Azazel-sensei gave us a training menu. Right now, I simply lack basic ability. That’s why I’m strengthening my body through this simple yet grueling survival-like training.

As I am now, I can’t beat Vali. Even Azazel-sensei, who has lived since the dawn of the Bible, calls him the strongest White Dragon Emperor (Vanishing Dragon) of all time, past and future. Vali Lucifer. Unlike me, who was born and raised as an ordinary person, he is a mass of talent. Even the word "genius" probably isn't enough for him.

I ended up hearing about him from Azazel-sensei, who came to check on my training.

"Eh? So you have no idea where Vali is right now?"

Azazel-sensei nodded at my question.

"Yeah. The Old Satan Faction, one of the massive factions within the Khaos Brigade. Even for a mysterious terrorist organization, the movements of a descendant of Lucifer should stand out. Even if we don't know the details, some rough information should be leaking out... but I can't sense him at all. There are rumors he's leading a team with special authority, but even that feels strange."

"Huh."

"Well, it's him. There's probably no need to worry."

From what I heard, Vali was pretty much raised by Sensei. I haven't heard the details, though. Even a battle maniac like him must have his own thoughts on the matter.

"More importantly, put your heart into your training with Tannin. There isn't much time until the game with Riser Phenex. To defeat the immortal bird, your Balance Breaker is essential."

"Yes! I'll definitely reach Balance Breaker and blow that roasted chicken away!"

"That's the spirit."

The postponed game against the President and that roasted chicken—Riser Phenex—is fast approaching. Since the future of the Devil King’s sister is on the line and it's around the time of the peace treaty, it seems the big shots of each faction are paying attention. It was already a fight I couldn't lose, but now I really can't afford to look pathetic.

I heard from the President's father that if it weren't for this engagement-nullification game, we would have been fighting Sona-kaichou’s peerage. If that had happened, there was a chance I would've fought Saji. As fellow "Pawns" in love with the same master, it might have been good to clash our feelings against each other once.

"Oh, speaking of missing people, Azazel-sensei. Did you find out anything about Irina?"

"The Protestant Holy Sword wielder, Irina Shidou? No, there’s been no word from Michael either. It seems the situation hasn't progressed."

Irina Shidou. My childhood friend who moved overseas and then reunited with me was a Holy Sword wielder belonging to the Church. She returned to Kuoh Town during the Excalibur incident with Kokabiel. Zenovia was there when Kokabiel exposed the absence of God, but Irina wasn't. Irina, who managed to avoid learning about God's absence, was supposed to have returned to Church Headquarters with the fragments of the shattered Holy Swords.

But my childhood friend is still missing. They apparently found traces of her leaving Japan and entering Europe, but that was it. The location of the Holy Sword fragments is also unknown. The most likely possibility being discussed is that she was attacked by someone targeting the swords. Whether she was taken or killed... I just hope she's alive.

By the way, it seems they don't know where Xenovia is either after she learned about God's absence. They know she was excommunicated from the Church with Durandal as her severance pay, but that's it. I remember the President lamenting that she wanted to scout her into the peerage.

"—Heh, so even Michael didn't know about me."

I was bewildered by the sudden voice. In that moment, Azazel-sensei and old man Tannin entered combat stances. Looking toward the voice, she—Irina Shidou—emerged from the depths of the trees. She wasn't wearing her usual combat suit, but light armor like that of a Western knight.

The one who reacted fastest to the appearance of the girl we were just talking about wasn't me, Sensei, or the old man, but Ddraig inside my Sacred Gear.

『I’ve been waiting. You’ve come as "his" messenger, haven't you?』

"...Ddraig?"

I’m not sure who let out that puzzled voice at the nonsensical statement. Besides the true meaning of those words, other questions were popping into my head one after another. Why was Irina here? Why couldn't Sensei or the old man notice her approach? Why did Irina, a person of the Church, refer to Michael-san without an honorific? And why—are we surrounded by knights?

Knights in plain, full-plate armor. The reason the knights felt eerie wasn't just because they had zero skin showing. It was because I couldn't feel any humanity or even biological life from them. And yet, the killing intent directed at us was thick. It was enough to make me almost lose consciousness.

Every time the knights moved, the metallic sound of armor rubbing echoed. I wanted to block it out, but because the surroundings were so quiet, it forced its way into my ears. It was terribly grating.

"Issei-kun. That arm... just the contents are fine, so could you give it to me?"

Irina drew a sword from her hip and pointed the tip at me. Naturally, that sword wasn't Excalibur—it was something else.

"—Everything is for the sake of the Lion King."