Peering out the hotel room window, I saw countless black-robed figures surrounding the building, staring up with glinting, hostile eyes. Their ornate scythes screamed "Reaper."
So many—too many to count. Hades, that skeletal god, siding with the Hero Faction terrorists? That's beyond overstepping.
First, we need to escape this fake space. Azazel outlined three ways:
"One, Georg, the caster, releases the space, like in Kyoto. Two, forcefully enter or exit, like Lefay, First-Gen Bikou, or Yulong did—only possible for skilled mages. Here, only Lefay can do it, but she's limited to a few people, one shot. Georg will likely reinforce the barrier."
Miu's a high-level mage, but syncing with Lefay's complex spatial magic on the fly risks disruption. Only Kuroka could match Lefay, but she's too drained.
"Three, simple: defeat the caster or destroy the barrier's core," Azazel said.
That means taking out Georg or the Ouroboros statues Miu spotted—one in the parking lot, one on the roof, one in the second-floor hall.
"Three devices mean a big setup. Their defenses will be tight," Azazel mused. "Miu, any increase in Reapers?"
"Yeah, tons around each device. They're everywhere except this floor I've shielded," Miu replied.
"They're committing serious numbers, expecting Ophis's resistance," Azazel said. "Where's the most?"
Lefay answered, "Parking lot. Cao Cao's gone, but Siegfried and Georg are there."
"The parking lot's device is likely the main one. Destroying it would be ideal, but with that many Reapers, resistance will be fierce," Azazel said.
"Then we stick to the plan?" I asked.
Azazel nodded. "Sorry, Ise, you're carrying the heaviest load."
"No big deal. This is what my power's for, right?" I grinned, scanning everyone. "Let's break through!"
"""Yeah!"""
The escape plan kicked off.
In the hotel's shielded floor, I stood by a large hall window, hidden from outside view. Miu, Alice, Akeno, and Koneko were with me. Nearby, Lefay, Irina, and Xenovia prepped a teleportation circle.
Irina's tasked with reporting the Hero Faction's motives and Hades's coup to Heaven, with Xenovia as her guard. Reapers or Hero Faction members might be waiting outside. Xenovia's also repairing Ex-Durandal, broken by Cao Cao, using the Holy Sword of Control from Arthur via Lefay. If it works, it'll be Durandal plus a complete Excalibur—insane combo.
Others stood by the window with me.
"Senpai Miu, Akeno-san, Alice-san, there and there," Koneko pointed at the floor and ceiling.
"Got it. I'm ready," Miu said, aiming at the floor.
"Stay calm, Akeno. Sync with me," Alice said, hands on Akeno's shoulders.
Akeno closed her eyes, focusing. Their breathing aligned.
I armored up, waiting.
Koneko had stormed out of Kuroka's room after a spat, but Ravel chased her, and they returned calmer. Ravel's great for resolving fights cleanly.
"Koneko, do you hate Kuroka?" I asked.
She flinched, then looked up. "I thought about her, talking to her. She's my sister."
"She caused you pain," I said.
Kuroka killed her master, becoming a stray devil. The underworld's harsh on strays and their families. Koneko suffered deeply for it.
"I resent her. I hate her," Koneko said, eyes fierce. "But she saved me. For now, I'll trust her—until we escape."
"Got it," I said. No need for my meddling. Koneko's grown—not just physically, but mentally.
I patted her head. She hugged me. "You and Gya-kun got stronger, Senpai. I want to, too."
"You will. If I can, you'll catch up fast," I said.
"I love you, Senpai. I'll chase you, no matter how far ahead you or the others are." She looked up. "When I grow up, marry me."
""""What!? A reverse proposal!?"""" the girls gasped.
Hey! You were eavesdropping!? Miu, Alice, Akeno—you were so focused a second ago!
Marry her? No question!
"Yeah, Koneko's mine. No one else gets her!" I declared.
"Yes!" Koneko nodded, eyes teary.
The girls whispered, Alice and Akeno glaring. Kiba smirked, Azazel sighed, but Miu smiled. We've talked about the future, so maybe that's why.
"Teleportation circle's ready," Lefay announced. Light flared under her, Irina, and Xenovia.
The three vanished.
I signaled Miu, Alice, and Akeno. "Do it!"
Miu's hands glowed with prismatic light. Akeno and Alice cloaked themselves in golden and white lightning.
"Star Dust Breaker!" Miu shouted.
"White Lightning Dragon!" Akeno and Alice roared.
Miu's radiant, multi-colored blast pierced the floor. A massive dragon of golden and white aura from Akeno and Alice shattered the ceiling, soaring skyward.
ZAAAAA!
ROOOOAR!
Explosions and tremors rocked the space. Lights flashed outside, and many presences vanished. Miu's new ultimate move and Akeno and Alice's combined attack were devastating.
Lefay, eyes closed, reported, "The roof and hall devices, plus nearby Reapers, are gone! Only the parking lot's left!"
Perfect. That shook them. Time to press the attack.
I shifted my armor. "Balance Breaker Second Stage: Cannon Mode—Tenbu!"
I smashed through the glass, exiting the barrier. A swarm of Reapers awaited, eyes locked on me.
"You bastards think you can mess with us!?" I yelled, deploying wings, gauntlets, and waist cannons, targeting the Reapers.
Our plan: Miu, Alice, and Akeno destroy two devices and thin the Reapers with massive attacks. Miu's move combines all magic attributes for devastating range and penetration—her strongest yet. Akeno and Alice's fused lightning dragon outpowers a standard one, hitting wide. Both are flashy, meant to rattle the Reapers. Then I mop up with Tenbu's cannons—an ambush tactic.
They started this. No complaints.
While I handle the Reapers, the others hit the parking lot.
Let's end this, Ddraig!
["Right! Make them regret crossing us!"]
["Accel Booster!"]
["BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBoost!!!"]
VUUUUU!
My boosted aura and magic surged. "Get ready! Dragon Full Blaster!"
["Highmat Full Blast!"]
BOOM!
Six cannons unleashed massive aura blasts, obliterating Reapers and the surroundings.
Minutes later, the fake space screamed, warping in places. Miu's attack and my cannons did that, but the space quickly stabilized. Odin couldn't break this barrier—it's tough. The last device remains.
Xenovia and the others escaped safely. I pray they're okay outside. I wiped out the Reapers encircling the hotel.
["Even low-class Reapers are stronger than mid-class devils,"] Ddraig said.
Really? They didn't feel that strong. Just numerous.
["Of course. You wouldn't lose to them, Partner."]
Is Ddraig… proud?
Reaper scythes sap life force, but I blasted them first. Kinda like Xenovia, huh?
No more Reapers teleporting in. Time to join the others at the parking lot.
"Wait… something's teleported in," I muttered. A sinister presence—stronger than the Reapers I fought. Another Reaper?
With a bad feeling, I spread my dragon wings and flew to the parking lot.
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