Irina stammered in disbelief:
"No way... Michael-sama didn't say anything to me about this..."
"Yes, I imagine he didn't. Throughout all the conflicts up until now, young people like you have constantly stood on the front lines. That is precisely why they made their decision. To protect the world, and to protect all of you, they decided it was finally their turn."
"...!"
Irina's eyes widened, and she sank to her knees right where she stood. Her beloved Michael-sama was preparing to embark on an endless battle against Trihexa, isolated from the rest of the world forever. I couldn't imagine how painful that reality was for her.
I owe a massive debt to Sirzechs-sama as well. Both as a Devil King and as an individual, I hold profound respect for him. So to hear this... No, if Former President Rias finds out about this...
The people most important to us are going to vanish from our lives. To protect us, to protect everything.
How could we accept that—?
"Do you really have the time to stand there lost in thought?"
As the shock washed over us, Vals's avatar called out, locking eyes with each of us in turn.
"What good comes from worrying? If you have time to freeze up... if you truly don't want to lose them, then break through the unreasonable reality right in front of you. If there's something you hold dear, stand up, grip your sword, and look forward."
Vals's avatar raised his sword, pointing the tip directly toward us.
"—It's far too early to give up to despair. Don't you think?"
...What a strange situation. To be rallied by an enemy... by one of the very people who ignited this war. No wonder I couldn't bring myself to truly hate him.
I... we stood back up.
We gripped our swords and looked straight ahead.
If you don't want to lose them, stand up, grip your sword, and look forward.
He was right. There are still things we can do!
Seeing us rise, Vals's avatar let out a faint smile.
"Yes. That's the spirit. ——Come."
For a split second, time seemed to freeze.
The surrounding colors washed out, and the roaring sounds of battle echoing from afar faded into nothingness. The only thing left in our vision was the enemy standing before us.
And then—
""HAAAAAAAAAAAH!""
We charged as one!
Lunging forward at blinding speed, we swung our blades at Vals's avatar!
All three of us had entered the "Zone"—and at a depth higher than ever before.
Maintaining our established triple-combination: I led the charge, Irina covered support, and Xenovia pushed in with overwhelming power.
Against an opponent of his caliber, using the same tactics shouldn't work. We knew that. But this coordination was different.
I could feel it with every swing. The speed of my blade, the weight behind every strike—everything was elevated. More than that, I could read the flow of his swordplay. Strikes I couldn't dodge before were now within reach...!
Vals's avatar parried Irina's attack, blowing her backward. But mid-air, she spun gracefully, converting her holy power into a whip of purifying light and snapping it forward with lightning speed!
"I'll take that fiery sword!"
The golden whip struck the blazing blade in his hand, knocking it free from his grip!
"Impressive...! But not enough!"
Vals's avatar blocked my strike with his remaining sword while using his scabbard to catch Irina's Hauteclere as she closed in from the opposite side!
He was managing to hold off our fierce assault using just a sword and a sheath. However—
"...!"
My Holy-Demon Sword grazed his cheek, making his eyes widen in surprise. Small cuts began to bleed on his arms and legs. Slowly but surely, our attacks were starting to reach him.
His ability to see a moment into the future and read minds meant that to beat him, we had to unleash attacks that were impossible to evade—even if he knew they were coming. None of us possessed the absurd, absurdly raw power that Mr. Maurice had.
However——
"Now, Xenovia!"
I threw two dagger-type Holy-Demon Swords toward Vals's avatar and Xenovia. He ducked smoothly, letting one sword embed itself into the ground behind him. The other touched Xenovia—instantly teleporting her directly to where the first sword landed.
It was the same teleportation technique used in Former President Rias's new move. By scattering Holy-Demon Swords imbued with this spatial magic across the area, we could freely warp to any location where a sword was planted. It was a versatile ability—capable of transporting not just attacks, but allies as well.
Appearing directly behind the avatar, Xenovia raised Durandal and Excalibur high, both blades overflowing with a terrifying aura!
"Even if I can't beat you alone, together with my allies, I can surpass you! THIS ENDS HERE!"
Unleashed at point-blank range: Cross Crisis. Xenovia's ultimate technique, powerful enough to shatter space itself.
Unable to dodge the point-blank blast of blue fire, Vals's avatar—
Imbued his sword with magic and slashed straight into the beam!
Once again, Cross Crisis clashed head-on with the avatar's blade! But unlike before, there was no composure in his defense—he was actively being pushed back!
"Not yet!"
Irina flashed to Xenovia's side, channeling a golden aura into her own blade. She was pouring everything she had left into this strike, emitting a massive wave of energy equal to Xenovia's! The blue and gold aura fused together, swelling into a colossal beam!
We could push it through...!
However—
"NGHHAAAAAAAAAAH!"
With a mighty roar, Vals's avatar swung his blade sideways, deflecting the combined beam off into the far distance! A blinding light flashed where the energy detonated, but...
"Haa... haa... Whew. Dear me, that was close. A fine attack. If my reaction had been just a fraction of a second slower, I would have been finished."
The avatar wiped sweat from his forehead.
Seeing him stand ground left us speechless. Xenovia's shoulders heaved as she breathed heavily.
"What a monster... He actually deflected that?!"
That attack carried more destructive force than anything we had ever pulled off. A joint blast launched from three legendary holy swords—Durandal, Excalibur, and Hauteclere. And he deflected it.
Is he still... out of reach...?!
Vals's avatar sheathed his sword and dropped into a deep stance. That posture—
"Now then, allow me to demonstrate an ultimate technique of my own. You are the very first to witness this."
"——?!"
The avatar's aura surged violently! The sheer pressure felt like a physical hand squeezing around our throats. This is bad...!
Reaching the same conclusion, Xenovia lunged forward without hesitation.
"I won't let you!"
She raised Durandal to strike. In that split second, Vals's avatar flashed a fearless smile——
『Evil Holy Sword: Furious Dance of Eternal Darkness, Lightning-like Special Super Deluxe Miraculous Ultra Plumber Brothers: Second-In-Command Useless Brother's Counterattack, Director's Cut—!!!!!』
"WHY THE SERIOUSNESS-BREAKING COMEDY NOW OF ALL TIMES?!"
My scream pierced the sky.
~ Afterword Mini-Story ~
Ignis: "I've come up with a new ultimate move for Issei."
Issei: "...I have a terrible feeling about this, but I'll ask anyway. What is it?"
Ignis: "Fufu... Its name is the 'Twin Oppai Light Cannon'!"
Issei: "See?! I knew it! What on earth is an 'Oppai Light Cannon'?! And stop adding 'Twin' to everything!"
Ignis: "Allow me to explain! The Twin Oppai Light Cannon receives the Super Oppai Wave fired from everyone's breasts, charging that energy to fire a massive beam! It has enough power to erase not just a country, but an entire pantheon!"
Issei: "Sorry, but that makes zero sense! There are way too many things to point out! Wait, isn't that way too overpowered?!"
Ignis: "——They're already out."
Issei: "LISTEN TO ME WHEN I'M TALKING! Wait, they're already out?! Thank you for the feast for my eyes!"
Ddraig: "..."
~ End of Afterword Mini-Story ~
Yeah, as expected, it's comedy after all...
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