As soon as Zekka took Yamato back, she tucked it into her waistband.
Eiji held out Ophis in his hand toward her, "By the way, this is Ophis. The Infinite Dragon God sought by the Old Satan Faction and the Hero Faction."
"Hello, I'm Ophis… one of Eiji's women."
Ophis introduced herself once again, but unlike Moebius, the aura emanating from Zekka piqued her interest. She naturally glanced at her oppai, which were no smaller than those of the women at Eiji's house, and gave her a small smile.
"H-Hello... I'm Zekka Miyamoto."
Zekka responded stiffly.
She knew Eiji wouldn't lie about Ophis's identity.
But really!?
Is this cute l*li in a black gothic dress really the Infinite Dragon God!?
'How strong is she?'
She asked Tensei mentally.
{The Infinite Dragon God is many times stronger than the Heavenly Dragons. Even your ancestor would die easily if she were serious about killing him.}
Hiss!
What Tensei said made Zekka swallow hard.
{There's no need to fear her.}
'Why?'
{She isn't hostile toward you, and did you just naturally ignore the last part of what she said? She's one of Eiji's women. That means Eiji is still stronger than her because he was able to include a Dragon God like her in his harem.}
Zekka fell silent.
Her gaze shifted to Eiji's handsome face, and her cheeks immediately flushed. Oh no, she's blushing again.
Tensei: You're a master swordsman, Zekka. Your attacks are very powerful, but why do I feel that your defense in this regard is so weak?
If Zekka knew what Tensei was thinking, she would definitely protest. It's because Eiji-senpai is just too handsome! His face is too dangerous for my heart.
"All right, it's time for us to head to your friend's location."
When Eiji said that, a dark and terrifying aura emanated from the church.
Just like in the original work, the next opponent awaiting them wasn't Shi Wengong, a woman who led the Hero Faction's operations in the city of Kuoh. She was the group's leader, but their true leader was a woman known as the Great Emperor.
From the information Alpha had given him after he'd finished having sex with Sona earlier, he knew the Great Emperor's identity.
Unfortunately, she wasn't here.
"Yes!"
Zekka was about to rush toward the church visible not far ahead of them at full speed, but one of them was suddenly grabbed by the hand.
Eiji was holding her hand.
"S-Senpai, why are you…"
"I'll take us inside the church in a flash."
Of course, that was just an excuse; Eiji was actually using the opportunity to continue wooing Zekka.
The Junior DxD protagonist's defenses were already severely compromised; she wouldn't be able to break free from his grip.
Zekka could hear her own heartbeat, and thought: Ah… This is my youth… I can't stop my love phase from coming early!
The next moment, instead of using teleportation magic or something similar, Eiji simply moved at the speed of light. He, Ophis, and Zekka turned into a golden light.
Then, they instantly arrived inside a dilapidated-looking church.
There, Shi Wengong had been defeated and was lying on the floor. There was a pool of blood around her; she was dead.
And the person who killed her was clearly a blond knight; the blue sash she usually wore had disappeared.
The terrifying aura that could be felt from outside the church emanated from her.
[From the original work, I recall that Lilebette was a human who bore the curse of the Evil Dragon within her, and because of that, the unnamed Sacred Gear in her left eye had mutated into a subspecies.]
[It's no wonder she often wears an eye patch, making her look like someone suffering from Chuunibyou (a syndrome that makes people act cool and delusional).]
[Right now, it seems she's used the Evil Dragon's power too much in her battle with Shi Wengong and is starting to lose her sanity.]
Thank you for the explanation, Eiji-senpai.
Zekka now understands exactly what's happening to her friend.
"Lilebette-san."
She called out her name.
"Zekka, is that you?"
Lilebette turned around, but she was surprised because it wasn't just Zekka—she also saw two other people.
"Eiji-senpai? You're here too?"
She didn't know who Ophis was, so she naturally ignored her.
Because she'd overused her Sacred Gear, she was panting and no longer wearing her eye patch.
Zekka, Eiji, and Ophis could see Lilebette's golden eyes, which seemed to glow slightly and had slit-like pupils like a dragon's.
"Hey, Lilebette. Your eyes look cool."
"Huh, really?"
"Yeah."
Eiji teased the blonde knight.
Lilebette looked a little embarrassed.
"...." Zekka felt a pang of jealousy and pretended to cough. "Ahem! Lilebette-san, are you all right?"
Hearing her question, Lilebette didn't answer right away.
Instead, she explained what she had done before they arrived, "I defeated Shi Wengong, who had lost her power thanks to your Sacred Gear. That's why she was able to pass through the city's barriers undetected, summon the devils from the Old Satan Faction—who were her accomplices—from within, and carry out her plan to steal the Tensei."
Was Shi Wengong's presence really undetected by Sona and Rias? That wasn't true.
Both women, especially Sona, had noticed the presence of suspicious individuals like Shi Wengong and the devils from the Old Satan Faction.
However, she deliberately told Rias to leave the matter to her, and she quietly gave her husband (Eiji) the opportunity to win the hearts of several women.
As for when Zekka stripped Shi Wengong of her power? That happened about a week ago. She defeated that woman using Tensei and stole her nyuu energy until her breasts shrank.
Zekka still remembers that incident.
Lilebette staggered; she struggled to contain the power of the Evil Dragon within her so it wouldn't spiral out of control.
"However, I didn't think she would have Ophis's snake. Because of that, I had quite a hard time defeating her earlier and was forced to break the seal on my left eye."
She clutched her left eye.
Her movements were quite dramatic; she was even still talking like a chuunibyou in this situation.
Hearing this, Zekka couldn't help but glance at Ophis.
Eiji asked the black-haired L*li, "Ophis, did you give your snake to that woman?"
He pointed at Shi Wengong's corpse.
"...?" Ophis had a question mark floating above her head.
"O-Ophis!? She's the Infinite Dragon God, Ophis!?"
Ignoring Lilebette's shock, Ophis racked her brain to remember something and shook her head. "I don't remember... I only remember giving a lot of snakes to a group of people before I met you, Eiji."
Ophis, you're too generous.
"Oh, I see. Shi Wengong somehow got her hands on the remaining snakes you once gave to the people in the Khaos Brigade."
Eiji speculated.
The Khaos Brigade—the very name of this organization was enough to make Lilebette's head ache even more.
That terrorist organization consists of various races: Demons, Fallen Angels, Humans (who are descendants of legendary/mythological heroes), and some Angels.
About half a year ago, they terrorized the three realms (Earth, Underworld, and Heaven) and waged war against the alliance. Many evil dragons were unleashed to kill humans, and that was also when her hometown was attacked, leading to her becoming infected with a curse.
Lilebette still remembers it clearly; she was gasping for breath, and her sanity was slipping away.
Although the Khaos Brigade had been destroyed—and the person who contributed the most to that was the man standing before her, Eiji.
Her current condition meant that even the slightest negative thought shook her sanity.
The power of the Evil Dragon within her was boiling.
"That makes sense… Eiji-senpai, Zekka, and even Ophis. Soon, I won't be myself anymore. If Zekka comes here alone, I'll tell her to run away."
The temperature around Lilebette's body rose to extreme levels.
"But since Eiji-senpai is here too... Please kill me."
She said that with a sorrowful smile.
The next second, her entire body was engulfed by a bluish-black flame that consumed everything around her.
The flames raged unceasingly and continued to grow until they filled the entire church.
The silhouette of the Evil Dragon could be seen behind Lilebette.
Eiji used a power belonging to one of his wives, Ames. He created a force field strong enough to shield him, Ophis, and Zekka. The raging bluish-black flames couldn't reach them.
The temperature around them was even normal, and not nearly as hot as the area outside the force field.
{The Evil Dragon's curse has consumed her entire mind and body.}
Tensei said.
Zekka's pupils were still dilated ever since Lilebette had asked them to kill her. She unconsciously gripped Tensei and Yamato's handles tightly.
She was both deeply saddened and furious at that moment.
What should she do?
How could she save Lilebette!?
Instead of relying on her own power, Zekka glanced at the man beside her and wanted to ask for his help.
As it happened, Eiji was also looking at her, and their gazes met. He smiled at her before saying, "Do you want my help to save Lilebette? Sure. But Zekka, you're actually capable of saving her on your own."
[Besides, you don't just have Tensei, Zekka. You also have Yamato, which isn't just capable of slicing through space-time... That sword is also capable of slicing through reality and creating instant portals for teleportation, and it possesses the unique ability to separate things that are fused together. For example, someone I know (Vergil in the original work) once stabbed himself with Yamato to separate his human side (V) and his demonic side (Urizen).]
[You are the protagonist, Zekka. I'm sure you can figure out everything Yamato is capable of without me telling you.]
Sorry, but you just told me, Eiji-senpai.
Zekka felt awkward, but the corners of her mouth turned up higher. She was overjoyed simply because Eiji trusted her abilities.
Her self-confidence soared.
She'd known for a long time that she was the protagonist of the series titled Junior DxD. She hadn't really thought about it before, but now...
That label gave her even more confidence.
"No, senpai. This is my battle!"
Zekka said as she drew both her swords and stepped forward. She turned her back on Eiji and Ophis.
Eiji felt that Zekka's words sounded somewhat familiar.
Where had he heard something like, "Iie, senpai. Kore wa watashi-tachi no tatakai desu!"
Then, he finally remembered.
'Isn't that almost the same line as the iconic one from Yukina Himeragi, a heroine from the Strike the Blood series!?'
'She often said that to the protagonist, Akatsuki Kojou. That also reminded me that I have his power.'
'I'm a vampire! Why didn't I remember to drink the blood of my women? Damn it.'
[Is that what you're complaining about now that you've remembered you're also The Fourth Primogenitor?]
Yes, Miss System. Is something wrong?
[Nothing, I just think you're really perverted.]
"...." Eiji's lips twitched.
Miss System likes to speak rudely to her host.
When has she ever spoken gently to him?
She must be jealous.
{That's a cool line, Zekka. And that's right, this is your fight! Who else but me is going to slash!}
{Ah, and Yamato, too.}
Tensei seems a bit reluctant to acknowledge Yamato's existence.
Is it because the sword skills are cooler than hers?
Whatever the case, Zekka is glad that everyone, including Tensei, is supporting her.
What's important to the protagonist? It's definitely the trust of her friends and the people she loves.
That will mysteriously boost their power.
Zekka could feel the power within her boiling.
"Before, I often felt hopeless about being able to become an ordinary person and live an ordinary life."
She had stepped out of Eiji's force field and was standing face-to-face with Lilebette. Her body was enveloped in dark pink Touki, which allowed her to withstand the heat of the flames surrounding her.
"But now, I'm grateful that I'm not an ordinary person. Thank you to Tensei, Avi-senpai, Schwertleite-san, and Eiji-senpai for supporting me so I could make it this far."
{Zekka...}
Tensei was moved.
It must be said that when the protagonist starts talking about herself, she really tugs at people's heartstrings.
Eiji sighed and thought that Zekka was truly worthy of being his future wife!
As for Ophis? She just stared blankly at the scene where two women with bluish-black and dark pink auras were facing off against each other.
"That's why I won't kill you, Lilebette-san. You're my friend; I'll use my swordsmanship to save you."
When Zekka first began learning the art of the sword from her grandmother, she always thought she was doing it for herself.
But looking back on the days she spent with Lilebette and everyone else, she has now changed her mind.
She will use her sword skills for her friends and the people she loves.
Lilebette was speechless; her body was no longer under her own control. But deep in her heart, she could hear Zekka's words.
She wanted to say something, but...
No words came out of her mouth; instead, she glared at Zekka with murderous intent, and a blue flame also enveloped her sword.
"Zekka Miyamoto, will definitely save you!"
...
As soon as those words were spoken, Zekka and Lilebette attacked simultaneously. Their swords clashed, creating an explosion.
The church was shattered into pieces.
Meanwhile, Eiji had teleported to the other side with Ophis and was watching the battle from a distance.
Two figures leaped out from behind the thick smoke. In an instant, they closed the distance between them and began a fierce battle outside the room.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
The sound of clashing swords rang out dozens, even hundreds of times in just a few seconds.
The intensity of the battle was enough to make many adventurers in Danmachi shudder.
In their eyes, Zekka and Lilebette's power was on par with that of a first-class adventurer, but their swordsmanship was what was truly terrifying.
"Scorch the Earth." Lilebette said emotionlessly as she leaped high into the sky and swung her sword mechanically. "Evil Dragon's Azure Flames."
While carrying Ophis, Eiji watched the technique Lilebette unleashed with a look of fascination.
She essentially fired a massive slash of fire capable of engulfing a wide area. Facing an attack of that caliber, Zekka didn't try to dodge but leaped to meet it head-on.
The ground beneath her feet shattered into pieces due to the force of her legs. With two swords in her hands—Tensei and Yamato—she unleashed her technique.
"Niten Ichi-ryuu—!"
5th Esoteric Technique: Beautiful Scenery of Spring.
The technique's name was too long, so Zekka simply called out the name of her sword style and executed a powerful "X"-shaped slash.
Dark pink and blue slashes cut through Lilebette's AoE attack; as Zekka continued flying toward her and reached her position in the air, she kicked her in the stomach.
*Bang!*
Lilebette was violently hurled toward the ground. However, she quickly got back up and roared like a dragon.
The ear-piercing roar sent the birds in the forest scattering.
After landing on the ground, Zekka saw a dark blue light gathering in Lilebette's left eye.
"Dark Draconic Laser."
True to the name of the technique, she essentially unleashed a laser-shaped penetrating attack. The ground crumbled and the trees instantly turned to ash upon contact with the beam.
{Zekka, I might not be able to block this. You have to dodge!}
Tensei said in a panic.
But Zekka remained calm; she gripped Yamato in her right hand even tighter and uttered the name of her new technique.
"Mu-Nen Slash!"
Combining her own physical speed with Yamato's ability to slice through space. Zekka shot forward instantly, as if teleporting, and slashed at Lilebette from her blind spot before the sound of the slash could even be heard.
"...!"
Lilebette groaned in pain, and the laser beam in her left eye flickered before disappearing.
[Wow! Zekka just used Yamato to tear through space and teleport to Lilebette's blind spot.]
[I know protagonists can learn faster than ordinary people, but Zekka was actually able to pull off that technique on her very first try.]
[As expected of my future wife!]
Zekka nearly tripped over her own feet at Eiji's last remark.
W-Wife!?
We haven't even gone on a date yet, and you're already thinking about marrying me, senpai!?
{Zekka! Get out of the way!}
Tensei shouted so loudly she didn't even have time to blush. From the ground, a tail with a spear-like tip emerged.
Lilebette's transformation had reached a new level; she was getting closer to becoming an Evil Dragon.
She grew a tail from her butt.
"Kugh!"
Zekka managed to dodge the attack by a hair's breadth, but she didn't let her guard down for a moment and blocked Lilebette's next attack.
Their swords clashed; Zekka could only rely on raw strength since she couldn't immediately use Tensei and Yamato's abilities.
In that situation, she and Lilebette pushed against each other until their swords scraped together.
They could also see each other's faces clearly. At a certain moment, Lilebette leaped into the sky and spread her dragon wings.
She stretched one of them toward the sky.
"What is she doing?" Just as Zekka was wondering, a magic circle formed around her and the ground around her.
A swarm of small to medium-sized dragons appeared.
Not only had Lilebette transformed into a humanoid dragon, but she could now summon a group of dragons as well!?
[In the original work, this also happens. Lilebette, who had transformed into a humanoid evil dragon, was able to summon a group of dragons.]
[This put Zekka in a difficult position because, at that time, she was also unable to use her Tensei ability. Just like the previous monsters, those dragons had no oppai and couldn't grant her a power boost.]
So how was she able to defeat Lilebette in the original work?
Zekka suddenly wondered.
[But back then, she had Ex-Durandal, which Xenovia had lent her as her second sword.]
Xenovia: Me?
[She combined all of Ex-Durandal's abilities and even created an illusion to turn the dragons into beautiful women.]
[Seeing that, Tensei was able to use her ability to steal power from her opponents. That also caused Zekka's breasts to evolve!]
Zekka: My breasts evolved!?
That was terrifying for her.
[Honestly, I'd love to see that. After gathering enough nyuu energy to make her breasts reach an E-cup size, Zekka was finally able to use the Balance Breaker from Edens Dual.]
While slicing through the dragons surrounding her with Yamato, Zekka wore a pensive expression.
Imagining her breasts getting even bigger than they are now, she shuddered.
But Eiji wanted to see that...
Should she do it? But she didn't even have the Ex-Drandal to create an illusion for Tensei.
[Still, that would take too long. The sooner Lilebette is saved, the better. Zekka, now is the time to free Lilebette from the Evil Dragon's curse.]
Hearing this, Zekka cut down a few more dragons around her and looked at Lilebette with determination in her eyes.
{Zekka, what are you going to do?}
"Come on! Tensei! Yamato!"
{Wait, I already told you I can't use my ability to steal power from opponents who aren't women!}
Tensei grumbled, but as her blade glowed with white light, the same thing happened to Yamato. The blade glowed with a blue light.
With her Touki output at maximum, Zekka decapitated all the remaining dragons at lightning speed and used one of their bodies as a springboard.
She soared into the sky once again.
"Niten Ichi-ryu, Dan-Zai no Ken!"
This time, Zekka used Yamato to sever the concept. This slash literally separated the "human side" and the "evil dragon side" from Lilebette's body and soul. A blue-and-white light shone from the slash she unleashed; not only did it split a single concept in two, but she also used Tensei to steal the evil dragon side and convert it into her nyuu energy.
After all, that double slash was aimed at Lilebette's breasts.
"!!!"
Lilebette tried to block the attack, but she wasn't strong enough to do so.
A dragon's roar and her own scream burst from her mouth.
In the shape of an 'X,' the dark cloud covering the sky within a radius of hundreds of meters was also sliced through.
"The battle is over."
Eiji said as she snapped her fingers, instantly teleporting Zekka and Lilebette in front of him.
Zekka was gasping for breath because the technique she'd used earlier was too much for her right now.
She glanced at Lilebette, who lay unconscious beside her.
Her dragon's wings and tail had vanished. The same was true of the evil dragon's aura within her body.
"I succeeded?"
{It seems so.}
Even Tensei sounded surprised by what she had done.
"Congratulations, Zekka, you managed to save your friend."
Hearing what Eiji said, Zekka felt relieved and happy.