Chapter 18: Challenge

It all started with the Demon Pillar Zepar.

"Irina! Why?! Why are you doing this?!"

"Didn't you hear me? Everything is for the sake of His Majesty, the Lion King!"

"The... Lion King?"

"Yes! The Lord was not there. Michael had been deceiving us. But the Lion King is different. She is truly there. She will lead us righteously! I... we were wrong. That personage is the Goddess we should truly have faith in...!"

When Zepar approached Ddraig through Issei Hyoudou's dreams to negotiate, showing him a future as the "Oppai Dragon Emperor," the Demon Pillar had said: 'This is your form in another world. It is the conclusion of an option you can discard, the end of a possibility you can still eliminate.'

"Dammit! What’s with these knights?! Where did they sprout from?! And they’re ridiculously strong!"

"Azazel, I’ll burn them all to ashes at once! Get out of the way!"

Another world. Zepar had certainly used the term "Otherworld" (Isekai). In the literal sense, one could have called it a parallel world, but Zepar specifically said "Otherworld." There was no profound reason behind it. It wasn't particularly a mistake. He simply happened to use that expression.

“Arondight Overload: All Chains Cut Out - Overloaded Lake Light!”

“Clarent Blood Arthur: Rebellion Against My Beautiful Father!”

However, Ddraig was bothered by that specific part—the "Otherworld." He felt an intense sense of incongruity. Not the future, but another world. Not future Clarvoyance, but an observation of another world. In this world, he was the only one to reach the answer on his own.

The Demon Pillars were the "Genuine Seventy-Two Pillars" who had come from a different world.

"To think it was a Dragon. It's not as if it's Vortigern."

"Father can take that thing down, right? Then I can take it down too!"

"Wait, Mordred. Our mission is the recovery of the soul of the 'Red Dragon.' We should not engage in unnecessary combat."

"Hah? We're gonna kill 'em all later anyway, so what's the difference if I kill 'em now?"

"That is not necessarily true. They might be 'selected.' Besides, I am saying it will be difficult with just us. I wanted to strike after Azazel returned, at the very least."

"Hmph! If you've got a complaint, tell it to that self-proclaimed knight who jumped out on his own."

The individuals like Sirzechs and Serafall are certainly the "real" ones here. But these people were also the real ones. From the perspective of this world, there is no mistake in viewing Sirzechs and the others as the originals. Rather, it is the newcomers who are the fakes who just happen to share the same names. Of course, from the other side's perspective, Sirzechs and his peers are the counterfeits.

"A-Arondight and Clarent...?! You bastards, who the hell are you!"

"If you know the names of these swords, you should be able to understand who we are, no?"

"Impossible! Such a thing is impossible...!"

“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean? Well, feel free to run. Your opponent is Mordred, after all!”

Even so, the authenticity of the Seventy-Two Pillars didn't matter to Ddraig.

If another world existed and the Seventy-Two Pillars were there, then there was a high probability that the Two Heavenly Dragons existed there as well. And that had truly become a reality.

He could clearly feel the presence of a "self that was not himself." His counterpart had come from the other side.

The Seventy-Two Pillars of the other world were trying to eliminate the "selves" of this world. If so, what would the Red Dragon of the other world do upon coming here?

He intuited that as well. That presence was missing something. It was as unstable as he was, now reduced to just a soul. That was why he sensed it was seeking him out to reinforce itself.

"Guh... Gwaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!"

"Wh—! Issei! Shidou Irina, what did you do to Issei!?"

"Ufufu. Well then, Issei-kun, I’ll be taking Ddraig now, okay?"

The visions Zepar showed him had shocked Ddraig. However, Ddraig also understood that wasn't everything. Naturally so. That was a negative campaign designed to make Ddraig betray his host. There was no way they would show him the good parts. So, what were the good parts?

Even if things turned out that way, he couldn't actually feel the moment he would betray Issei Hyoudou. In other words, even if the Issei Hyoudou who reached that future was that pathetic, he possessed something that more than compensated for it. In fact, the Issei Hyoudou he knew showed signs of it. He lacked talent or special power, but Ddraig found himself expecting that if raised well, he might become the "Greatest Red Dragon Emperor in History."

"D-Ddraig...?"

Thinking that far, Ddraig felt an emotion he had never felt for any previous host.

『Farewell, Issei Hyoudou. Even if I am gone, the gauntlet will still function. Train recklessly and get strong. You have no talent, but you have the potential.』

When he learned of Vali Lucifer, the strongest White Dragon Emperor, he thought they might lose this time. However—even if luck, the opponent's pride, or the compatibility of his items played a part—Issei Hyoudou had overwhelmed Vali Lucifer. He had somehow bridged the gap in talent, experience, and basic specs.

『Your reckless idiocy... I didn't hate it.』

I want to try fighting this man. Not watching over him as a partner, but as an enemy, I want to push this man's growth. If it's Issei Hyoudou, perhaps—

『Defeat me, and you become the "Heavenly Dragon." 』

To my life as a mere soul, a final achievement.

"Have you ever thought about what you are fighting for?"

Xenovia, who had been called back to the Temple of Time for the Frontline Against the Goddess, directed that question to the humans she would soon be fighting alongside.

"What am I fighting for? To win."

"It's obviously for my own sake, isn't it?"

The executives of the Hero Faction, Heracles and Jeanne, declared so without hesitation, shame, or secrecy.

To Xenovia, who seemed shocked, Heracles began to speak with a sigh.

“Listen, I’m the man who carries the soul of the great Heracles. Heracles, Heracles, Heracles! That Heracles! The strongest hero of Greek mythology, a Great Hero representing the world! I carry the soul of such a man. There’s no way I wouldn't be happy about it. But I used that as an excuse to go wild. I was arrogant, thinking I was the strongest, even though I didn't have a Sacred Gear or a Longinus. That’s when I met my Master.”

"Master?"

Jeanne answered Xenovia’s question.

"You don't know? Aside from the 'Leader' and the 'Professor,' it's a Heroic Spirit they summoned. By the way, Heracles just calls him 'Master' on his own; the guy has no memory of making him a disciple. I think he was from India. Fu... fufufu."

"W-What is it?"

Heracles felt irritation and confusion at Jeanne, who was looking at him with a small, mocking smile.

“I mean, Heracles challenged that person only to be defeated instantly, and on top of that, he was absolutely trashed verbally... pffft...! Despite his looks, he was depressed for about three days. After that, he tried to become a disciple, was rejected in a second, and was blasted with more sarcasm...”

"You were told plenty of things too! Besides, there were parts Master didn't say because he thought they went without saying."

"Oh? Like what?"

"'Your action of bowing your head for the sake of strength is, in itself, a form of strength,' he said."

"...That's actually a pretty important part."

"Yeah. And for Master's sake, I want to win. So that one day, he might call me his proud disciple!"

It was a wish typical of a young man, yet at the same time, an existence far removed from the typical "Heracles."

"Now, as for me, it's for my own sake. Are you disappointed? Did you think a woman carrying the soul of the Holy Maiden Jeanne d'Arc would be fighting with some noble wish?"

"N-No, that's not it."

"Your face says otherwise~"

Xenovia was only further troubled by Jeanne's mischievous smile.

"It's impossible for me. I can't be like her. It's impossible not to hate the people who burned me. The Holy Maiden didn't resent being branded a witch. She didn't hate people, her country, or God. Not in life, and not in death. At least, that's how it was in that world."

The other world. The world where the Demon Pillars were. The Holy Maiden Jeanne d'Arc existed there too. She heard that the stories of Durandal and Roland exist there as well.

It was a wild story about another world, but the existence of the Demon Pillars proved it. Though, even subtracting their abnormality, it would be easier to believe they were artificial lifeforms secretly created by some organization.

Regarding the "Holy Maiden" of that world, Jeanne bared her heart.

“It’s impossible for me. I carry her soul. I use her name. But I. Am. Not. Jeanne. d'Arc. I am nobody but myself.”

I am nobody but myself.

Currently, Xenovia only has Durandal. But it wasn't because she carried the soul of Roland; she just happened to be born with the factor by chance. She has no family. There are people like family to her, but as someone exiled from the Church, she has no face to show them. She doesn't have a Sacred Gear. Even with Durandal, she doesn't reach the feet of her predecessor.

Then, what is the factor that makes Xenovia

 "Xenovia"?

“I’ll fight for myself. I’ll win this battle and get doted on as a strong and beautiful woman.”

"Isn't that a bit too worldly?"

At the remark from the half-exasperated Xenovia, Jeanne remained unrepentant.

"Like I said, I'm just a different person who happens to carry the soul of the 'Holy Virgin Jeanne.' I have no banner to raise morale. I have no strategist to slave away at fundraising. I can't hear the voice of God. The only thing that'll probably be the same as the real one is getting burned at the stake at the end. Though that's not certain."

Xenovia froze at the overly self-deprecating joke, while Heracles gave a wry smile.

"If you're going that far, I don't have Chiron, Amphitryon, Autolycus, Eurytus, Castor, Linus, Iphitus, Philoctetes, Iolaus, Hylas, Phyleus, Hippolyta, or Deianira either."

"Oh, what about Jason?"

"We have Cao Cao. Thinking back, the ship he prepared wasn't the Argo; it was a mud boat. Thanks to that, I'm on a slave ship now."

"No doubt about that," Jeanne laughed.

"We were born with the right to become heroes."

Heracles clenched his large fist somewhat sadly. What was contained there? Fear of the one they were about to challenge, or regret for the path they had walked? Or perhaps, lingering affection for the peace they might have had?

"But maybe there was never any need to aim for being a hero."

He didn't intend to turn back now. He just had to keep walking, if only to make these lingering attachments and regrets a little smaller. Even if just by one step.

"Shall we go?"

"Yeah."

"B-But, can we win? The opponent is a Goddess. And I hear she leads the real Knights of the Round Table."

"It's not about 'can we win.'"

"We will win."

Because that is how humans have made the impossible possible.

"Report from Flauros. Dulio Gesualdo has approved cooperation with us. With this, the self-destruction of Heaven can be prevented."

"Report from Andras. Control of the Evil Dragons is complete."

"Confirmation from Buel. We have secured the forces to handle the Norse and Greek Pantheons during the incineration of Heaven."

"Acknowledgement from Gamigin. The remaining problem is dealing with the Lion King."

"Report from Astaroth. A problem has occurred with Issei Hyoudou, the Reincarnated Devil who repelled Gremory. He was attacked by someone from the Lion King's side, and the soul of A. Ddraig Goch sealed within his Sacred Gear was extracted."

"Speculation from Sabnock. By using the soul of the Red Dragon, they intend to strengthen the Lion King's existence. Arthur Pendragon is the incarnation of the Red Dragon. As she is currently a Divine Spirit, she can use somewhat forceful means. Even if the worlds are different, if there is mutual consent, fusion is possible."

"Apprehension from Orias. The abilities of the Red Dragon of this world are 'Boost' and 'Transfer.' If the Lion King obtains these, she may become a performance-wise threat the Hero Faction cannot handle."

"Doubt from Belial. It is hard to believe the A. Ddraig Goch of this side would resolve to fuse. That dragon rejected Zepar's negotiations. Dragons have strong pride. Even if it is his 'self' from another world, he would not fuse easily."

"Counter-argument from Paimon. However, the reality is that the probability of fusion is high. We should proceed with the operation on the premise that the Lion King and the Red Dragon Emperor will fuse."

"Question from Phenex. Since an abnormality occurred with the Red Dragon Emperor, is there a possibility that the Rating Game between Rias Gremory and Riser Phenex will be canceled?"

"Supplement from Astaroth. Issei Hyoudou is not dead. Also, the Sacred Gear appears to be functioning. There is no abnormality beyond the extraction of the Dragon's soul sealed within the Sacred Gear."

"Opinion from Botis. Then the possibility of cancellation is low. Originally, this match attracted attention not only from the Biblical factions but also from external powers. Canceling this would affect the prestige of the Underworld Government. There is no change in military strength. No peerage members have died. Therefore, it will likely continue."

"Supplement from Gremory. This is on the premise that the Lion King makes no further moves. The Goddess's intentions are unknown. If the strongholds of the Underworld Government are attacked, even those fools will be forced to raise the alert level."

"Opinion from Andrealphus. Rias Gremory's peerage has grown since the game was decided. The outcome will depend on the conditions of the game."

"Proposal and request from Andromalius. We should not waste any more time on matters unrelated to the operation."

"Proposal from Baal. To the Control Bureau: Do you still intend to let the Hero Faction handle the Lion King? Are they not lacking in strength? They have an important role after the plan's conclusion. We cannot afford to lose them here. Even if it incurs some risk, should we not use 'that'?"

"Answer from Goetia. That is precisely why we must make them fight. If they cannot even defeat a single Goddess, they have no hope of fulfilling that role. ——Let us see the possibilities of this world."

Demon Pillar Meeting (Paraphrased)

Flauros: "Dulio says he'll help us. Heaven's self-destruct problem is solved."

Andras: "Evil Dragons are ready."

Buel: "Good, the Norse and Greek gods are handled."

Gamigin: "Only the Lion King left, huh?"

Astaroth: "Heard Issei Hyoudou got Ddraig's soul ripped out by the Lion King's lackey."

Sabnock: "The Lion King's gonna fuse with Ddraig, definitely."

Orias: "If the Lion King gets 'Boost' and 'Transfer,' we're in trouble."

Belial: "But would a proud dragon really fuse that easily?"

Paimon: "It’s looking likely, so let’s just assume it's happening and plan around it."

Phenex: "By the way, what happens to Rias and Riser’s game?"

Astaroth: "Nobody died, so it’s fine."

Botis: "A lot of people are watching. The Devils are vain; they'll probably just push through with it."

Gremory: "Assuming those idiots don't realize how dangerous the Lion King is."

Andrealphus: "Rias's team has leveled up lately. Could go either way."

Andromalius: "Get back to work, everyone!"

Baal: "Ddraig and the Lion King fusing is unexpected. Should we pull the Hero Faction out? They're underpowered."

Goetia: "If they can't even beat a Goddess, they're useless for their later role anyway. Let them work for it."