"It has been a long time, Yahweh."
To Ophis, this was a reunion with an old acquaintance after a long separation, yet only a faint expression rested on her face, and her voice contained no fluctuation whatsoever.
"Infinite Dragon God Ophis..."
Elise turned around and looked toward Ophis.
"In a certain sense, it truly has been a very long time since we last met..."
"Aren't you curious about the changes in me?"
"Both my power and my body."
Elise found it somewhat strange. Ophis had called her Yahweh the moment she arrived. Although Elise had disguised herself, surely the disguise was not completely flawless, especially before a powerhouse like Ophis!
Why was she so certain?
With Ophis' level of strength, she should have been able to tell that Elise was not the real one...
"Why should I be curious?"
Ophis tilted her little head, though even then, her face remained completely expressionless.
"You are not the Yahweh from before. I already know that. His death is an established fact, and there is no way to change it."
"However, the power and aura within you constantly tell me that you are the God of the Bible."
"Therefore, there is nothing inappropriate about calling you Yahweh, because Yahweh is the God of the Bible, and you are also the God of the Bible."
"As for your body... that matters even less."
As she spoke, violet light flashed across Ophis' body, and the black-haired little girl transformed into a woman who looked exactly like Elise.
"Appearances hold no meaning for beings like us."
"As long as we wish it, we can become whatever we desire at any time."
After saying that, Ophis transformed back into the black-haired little girl she had been before.
Faced with such an answer, Elise could only feel helpless.
Ophis was known as the Cute Infinite Dragon largely because of her appearance, but in the past, she had also taken the form of an elderly man.
To her, outward appearance truly held no meaning.
Elise, however, was somewhat different. She could not change her appearance whenever she wished!
It was as though she had been bound to this body. Even with the use of incomparably powerful faith, she could not transform herself into a man.
Of course, a Saintess had no need for such things, and Elise had long since come to terms with it.
Wasn't the image of a beautiful girl wonderful?
"Since you have finished asking your questions, it is my turn now."
Ophis walked up to Elise and stared directly at her.
Elise did not quite understand what was happening, but she still listened attentively. What did Ophis intend to ask?
"Are you willing to help me deal with the Red Dragon?"
"My home was occupied by the Red Dragon, and I cannot return, so I can only find someone to deal with her."
Just as expected!
Having received the answer she anticipated, Elise was not surprised.
What Ophis desired most was nothing more than to return to the Dimensional Gap and regain eternal silence.
But Great Red would not allow it and had even driven her out... Somehow, Great Red felt like an overbearing old father.
Thus, Ophis had entered the human world, accumulated strength in order to defeat Great Red, and founded an organization known as the Khaos Brigade.
However, the Khaos Brigade was merely using Ophis and borrowing her power. They had never truly intended to help her...
Therefore, her wish to return to the Dimensional Gap was most likely doomed.
In that case, why not leave it to me?
Everyone in the Khaos Brigade, I'll be taking Ophis off your hands!
"Is anyone helping you right now? Helping you fight Great Red?"
"Yes, many people." Ophis slowly explained, "I lend them my snakes, and they help me deal with the Red Dragon."
"Compared to you, how strong do you think they are? Can they defeat you?"
"Impossible. I cannot be defeated."
If someone else had said those words, there might have been an element of arrogance to them, but Ophis was different.
Her tone, every word she spoke, and every expression on her face contained not the slightest trace of vitality. She was like a lifeless doll.
She was merely stating a fact.
Even if the members of the Khaos Brigade received her snakes, they still could not possibly be Ophis' opponents.
"If they cannot even defeat you, how could they possibly defeat Great Red, who drove you out of the Dimensional Gap?"
"..."
Upon hearing those words, Ophis paused, which was exceedingly rare for her.
Perhaps she was thinking, or perhaps she had reached an unfavorable conclusion. In any case, Ophis' brow furrowed, another rare occurrence.
"That makes things difficult."
She could not defeat the Red Dragon, and the Khaos Brigade could not defeat the Red Dragon either... Then how was she supposed to return to the Dimensional Gap?
Seeing that Ophis had reacted, Elise seized the opportunity to present her own proposal.
"To deal with Great Red, you need someone even stronger than you."
"At the very least, it must be a powerhouse on the same level as you..."
Under Elise's guidance, Ophis followed her words and continued thinking.
Someone stronger than me...
No. No one is stronger than me. Even the Red Dragon only drove Ophis out. She did not defeat Ophis.
Then... someone on the same level?
Isn't one standing right in front of me?
Ophis raised her little head and looked at Elise as though confirming something.
"You are approximately the same..."
"So, are you willing to help me?"
That had also been Ophis' purpose in seeking her out from the beginning. She hoped Elise would help her.
"Of course!"
"Then let us go now."
The instant Elise agreed, Ophis immediately flashed to her side, grabbed her hand, and prepared to teleport.
However, Elise stopped her in the very next second.
"Wait a moment, Ophis."
"You should have noticed, right? I have not truly reached your level yet. Even if we went to deal with Great Red now, we probably would not be able to win. Therefore..."
"I need some time to become stronger."
"Once I grow stronger, we can go deal with Great Red together!"
"As compensation..."
At this point, Elise briefly looked Ophis over, but there was still no trace of emotional fluctuation on her face.
"You only need to stay by my side and help me become stronger!"
"What do you think of that deal?"
Only after Elise finished speaking did Ophis once again appear to contemplate the matter.
"Agreed."
"Do you want to use my snakes to become stronger? I can give them to you now."
"That isn't what I mean, Ophis." Elise gently covered her little mouth.
"Becoming stronger is my own responsibility. I will borrow your power, but I will not rely on it entirely."
"Besides..."
"You have already remained in this world for such a long time. Surely you can spare the brief period it will take me to become stronger?"
"Mm."
"Then for the time being, I will stay with you until you help me defeat the Red Dragon, Yahweh."
Elise had only just arrived in the world of High School DxD, yet she had already reached an agreement with Ophis.
How should she put it... Ophis was truly easy to fool!
Who knew how many children everyone could trick her into having?
However, upon hearing what Ophis called her, Elise finally realized that allowing others to address her as Yahweh would definitely not do!
"Ah, right. You do not need to call me Yahweh anymore. I have my own name."
"Elise Holiness. You can simply call me Elise."
"Mm, Elise."