I slam my fist into it—the barrier shatters with a glass-breaking sound.
I free myself and destroy the barrier around Koneko and Nimura-san, rescuing them.
Ladon sounds impressed.
"Breaking my barrier so easily. Worthy of the young demon king-class. I underestimated you… Modern young devils are quite powerful."
Ladon summons a magic circle.
An image appears—
"Hmph!"
Sairaorg, clad in golden lion armor, scatters evil dragons and blasts through incoming magic.
The magic comes from the three-headed evil dragon Azi Dahaka.
Sairaorg's fighting Azi Dahaka!
"I'll end you, evil dragons!"
He unleashes massive aura, charging Azi Dahaka.
Sairaorg's fighting to protect the town and school.
To destroy the evil threatening the kids' future.
Then I'll destroy the evil dragons before me.
My red aura surges.
"Koneko, Nimura-san, protect Saji and the others while handling the mass-produced dragons."
"…What about you, Issei-senpai?"
"I'm… taking these guys out. Ignis, I need your help."
"Got it. This time, big sis is fired up. Saji fought hard, so we'll protect them no matter what!"
Once Nimura-san secures Saji, I summon Ignis.
The Feather Bits guarding Saji attach to Ignis's blade, transforming with a clank, merging with her.
The result—a massive sword, nearly three meters long.
"What's that? Never seen it! Wanna fight me with that giant sword? Bring it!"
Grendel laughs, ready to meet me.
I ignore him, saying, "Grendel… you called Saji weak, didn't you?"
"Huh? So what? Calling a weakling weak is fine! That brat couldn't touch me! Guhahaha!"
He laughs louder, mouth wide.
"—Take it back."
"What?"
"Take it back. Where's he weak? Look at the line still connected to your foot! Even unconscious, he's fighting you! Tell me where he's weak!"
The line from Saji's hand stays linked to Grendel's foot!
Despite a broken leg!
Despite being torn apart!
Despite nearly erased by holy flames!
In a state where death wouldn't be surprising, Saji faced Grendel alone!
To protect the kids!
I can't forgive that!
"Don't call him weak!"
I shout, kicking off the ground!
"Tch! Shut up!"
Grendel spews massive flames!
I'm on a collision course!
I'll take them head-on!
But I don't dodge!
"The pain he endured was worse than this!"
I punch through the flames, leaping high!
Twisting mid-air, I add rotational force.
I swing the massive sword down on Grendel!
"You're done!"
"That's right. Your soul—"
"'Burn to ashes!'"
The crimson slash cleaves Grendel in two—
Zuuuun
Grendel's halved body collapses, shaking the ground.
Ignis's flames smolder on the cut, burning his flesh.
"What…!? My soul… it's fading… being erased!?"
Grendel, who never lost fighting spirit even when halved or headless, panics.
No wonder.
He fought assuming the Holy Grail would regenerate his body.
But revival needs a soul.
If the soul's erased, no revival.
"You'll burn away. Not just your body—your soul."
Ignis adds, "No use trying to extinguish it. It won't stop without my will. No technique can save you, Evil Dragon Grendel."
"You can't come back. It's over."
I tell the burning, fading Grendel.
He gasps faintly.
"Damn… for real…? Me…!? Why…?"
With that, Evil Dragon Grendel vanishes completely.
Body and soul—
Crime Force Dragon Grendel.
If I'd used Ignis last time, it might've been easier… but no use dwelling.
This is 'D×D's' first victory.
I sheathe Ignis and turn to Ladon.
"Next… they're gone."
Ladon and Valpurga vanished.
Probably fled during my clash with Grendel.
"Heh, they feared my power."
Ignis materializes beside me as a woman.
Yeah, her power's insane.
Far beyond normal output.
It'd burn even Samael to death.
"So? I wasn't a useless goddess this time, right? Saji's desperate fight to protect the kids moved me to unleash my power…! Cool…!"
"You're saying it yourself!?"
She called herself a 'useless goddess'!?
She knew!?
Ignis hugs me, rubbing her cheek against mine!
"I'm exhausted from being cool! Serious mode tires me out!"
"Serious mode tires you!?"
"Serious mode lasts three minutes max. After that, I'm done. So, big sis is breaking serious mode! ♪"
Nooo!
This goddess is hopeless!
She was cool just moments ago!
Was I dumb for thinking that!?
My fault!?
"Hey, mass-produced dragons are still here! No time for this!"
"Boo, stingy!"
"No 'boo'! Anyway—whoa!?"
Trying to pull Ignis off, I lose balance and fall.
Ugh… what am I doing?
Everyone's fighting…
As I try to stand—
munyun
A soft sensation in my hand.
I look down—I'm groping Ignis's chest!
Damn… so soft!
Goddess-tier breasts!
Perfect!
Ignis, unfazed, says, "Oh! Groping at this timing? Classic lucky pervert. My instincts were spot-on."
"What instincts!?"
My shout echoes—
"…What are you doing, pervy-senpai?"
Koneko hurls a dragon at me.
Now, this barrier…
As I touch it, Ladon speaks.
"That barrier won't break easily. I wanted to test 'D×D's' attack power, but those two couldn't do it. How about you, Red Dragon?"
A barrier like theirs envelops me, sealing me in.
Impressive defense and sealing skills.
Instantly trapping me in a sturdy barrier.
Koneko's aura-charged fists and Nimura-san's kicks couldn't break it.
Well—
"Think this can hold me?"
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