Chapter 66: Unprecedented Rage

With the enemy's "soldiers" and "tanks" defeated, only the "queen," two "knights," two "bishops," and Diodora remain.

I'll handle Diodora. The others—Rias, Akeno, and Kiba—can manage.

"Let's go," Rias called.

We advanced to the next temple.

Waiting were three robed figures.

"We've been expecting you, Rias Gremory," one said, removing their robe.

It was Diodora's "queen"—a stunning blonde with striking blue eyes.

The other two disrobed—a female and a male, both "bishops." Their magic and support skills were formidable on footage.

The "queen" was no slouch either, having bested an opponent in the Agares match using fire magic.

"Well, shall I?" Akeno stepped forward.

"The two 'knights' are yours, Yuto. I'll join too," Rias added.

A tag-team of our two big sisters!

"Oh, Rias, I can handle this alone," Akeno teased.

"Don't be reckless. Even with your lightning, we play it safe," Rias countered.

Lightning and destructive power—both potent, wielded by two increasingly skilled fighters. Their combined strength promised an easy win.

Then Koneko tugged at me.

"Hm? What's up, Koneko?"

She gestured for me to crouch, whispering in my ear.

I nodded. "That okay?"

"…Yes. It'll power Akeno-san up," Koneko replied.

She thinks this'll boost Akeno, huh? Well, if Koneko says so…

"Akeno-san!" I called.

She turned.

"If you crush them, let's go on a date this Sunday! …Right, Koneko?"

Koneko nodded vigorously.

I doubted a date with me would power Akeno up, but—

Crack! Zap!

Lightning erupted around us. Akeno, enveloped in a blazing aura, glowed with power.

"…Hehe. A date with Issei-kun!" she laughed, her smile fierce, lightning crackling.

Whoa! She actually powered up!

"That's unfair, Issei! Only Akeno?!" Rias protested, teary-eyed.

"Hehe, Rias, my love reached Issei-kun. He called me 'his Akeno.' It's settled, no?" Akeno teased.

"W-What?! One date doesnmeets lightning doesn't give you the right to mock me!" Rias snapped.

Oh no, they're arguing now! Koneko, is this really okay? It's getting worse!

"What? You, who's never been embraced, dare say that? Your body's not lacking charm, is it?" Akeno shot back.

"It's not!" Rias retorted.

"What've you done, then?" Akeno pressed.

"…He touched my chest in bed," Rias mumbled.

"Wasn't that just his bad sleeping habits?" Akeno countered.

"…We kissed…" Rias admitted, adorably flustered.

Damn, Rias was cute just then, like a normal girl.

Is it okay to say that in public?!

Suddenly, Miu, Xenovia, and Koneko grabbed me tightly.

"What's that about?" Miu asked, smiling but eyes cold.

"The kiss with Rias… it just happened, the mood…" I stammered. Asia interrupted before it went further, thankfully.

"Tell us about this 'mood,'" Xenovia demanded.

"Rias is unfair," Koneko added, her eyes intense.

I glanced at Kiba for help.

"Haha, tough spot, Issei-kun," he laughed.

Kiba, you traitor!

Boom!

The temple shook violently, far worse than during Xenovia's fight. The sisters' argument fueled massive auras.

"I'll kiss Issei right now, enough to make you forget yours!" Akeno declared.

"No way! You'd use tongue, wouldn't you?!" Rias shot back.

"Of course! I'll make him mine!" Akeno vowed.

"Issei will turn into a beast!" Rias warned.

What a conversation! Didn't we have this talk before?

The enemy "queen" and "bishops," confused, finally snapped. The "queen," wreathed in flames, roared, "Enough! Ignoring us for a guy—"

"Shut up!" Rias and Akeno shouted, unleashing a devastating combined attack of destructive magic and lightning, obliterating the enemies and the surroundings.

They were down, incapacitated.

Terrifying… those two are scary when mad.

But their argument continued.

"You don't even know Issei! I know every detail!" Rias claimed.

When did she see my details? In the bath?

"Knowing isn't touching or accepting! I'm ready to embrace him now!" Akeno retorted.

"Ugh! Fine, we'll settle this after saving Asia. First, her rescue," Rias said.

"Yes, Asia's like a sister to me too," Akeno agreed.

Finally, they agreed!

Then I sensed something—a bad presence.

I looked toward the next temple.

"What's wrong?" Miu asked, tilting her head cutely.

"Might run into someone nasty," I replied.

"?"

She didn't get it. Even Koneko, with her senjutsu, hadn't noticed. Oh well, if it's an enemy, we'll take them down.

"Issei, we worked hard too. Date us next," Xenovia said.

I slumped, overwhelmed.

At the deepest temple, we spotted a familiar figure.

"Yo, long time," said a white-haired priest—Freed Selzen, from the Excalibur incident.

Not someone I wanted to see.

"Thought you didn't want to meet me, Issei-kun?" Freed teased.

"Yup," I replied.

"Ouch! Instant answer! I'm hurt!" he cried, faking tears.

Same old annoying Freed.

"Where's Diodora's 'knight'?" I asked.

Freed grinned wickedly, spat out a human finger. "I ate 'em."

This guy…

I'd sensed two presences vanish after Rias and Akeno's fight, but this was unexpected.

Koneko, covering her nose, muttered, "He's no longer human."

Freed's grin widened, his face twisting inhumanly. "Hahaha! After you sliced me up, Vali retrieved me, but Azazel fired me!"

His body swelled grotesquely, priest robes tearing, limbs ballooning.

"The Chaos Brigade took me in! They gave me power—a chimera!" Freed ranted, transforming into a monstrous mix of dragon, bat, and more.

Miu, horrified, covered her mouth. I shielded her eyes from the grotesque sight.

Freed continued, "Know Diodora's hobby? He loves church girls—sisters, like Asia!"

My mind raced to Asia.

"One day, a devil noble found a perfect saintly girl, too cherished by the church to take. So, he staged an injury, knowing if other clergy saw her heal him, she'd be exiled," Freed sneered.

That's it… Diodora, a high-ranking devil, injured near a church, alone, healed by Asia, who can heal devils. Too perfect.

He set her up to be exiled, fallen, and violated.

Blood seeped from my clenched fists, but rage drowned out pain.

"Cast out, brought low, then defiled—Diodora's ultimate thrill!" Freed cackled.

Miu snapped, summoning a magic circle, but I stopped her.

"Why?!" she gasped.

"No need to dirty your hands for that scum," I said.

"I'll handle it," Kiba interjected, stepping forward with a holy-demonic sword.

"No need for you, Issei-kun. Save your anger for Diodora. I'm at my limit too," Kiba said, his calm voice belying eyes full of rage.

"Got it. He's yours," I agreed.

Kiba nodded, advancing with a murderous aura.

"Hey, you're that knight who slashed me! Time for payback, pretty boy!" Freed taunted.

"You shouldn't exist," Kiba said coldly.

Freed charged, sprouting biological blades. They clashed—

Slash!

In an instant, Freed's monstrous form was shredded. Kiba's high-speed strikes diced him.

"Too… strong…" Freed's severed head muttered, blood and flesh scattered.

Kiba stabbed the head, ending him. "Save your howling for Hades."

Damn, even Kiba's one-liner was cool!

I glanced at Freed's head. Were we cursed to cross paths?

No time for that. We had to save Asia.

"Let's go," I said.

We nodded and ran to Diodora's final temple.

In the deepest temple, a massive device held Asia, crucified at its center. No visible injuries or torn clothes, her aura stable—she seemed okay.

"You're here," Diodora Astaroth said, emerging with a smug smile that grated my nerves.

"…Issei-san?" Asia lifted her face, eyes swollen from crying.

"Diodora, did you tell her?" I asked, referring to Freed's revelation.

He smirked. "Yes, I told Asia everything. Her face when she realized it was all my plan—priceless. I recorded it. Want to see? A church girl's fall is exquisite."

Asia sobbed.

"…I see," I growled.

My killing intent shook the temple, cracking its walls.

"Haha, what a Red Dragon Emperor! But I've powered up with Ophis' 'snake'! I'll crush you—"

BOOM!

Diodora's face smashed into the ground, forming a crater. I'd slammed him with a full-swing punch.

He writhed, confused and in pain.

"Get up, scum. You'll pay for making Asia cry. This isn't the end—I'll show you despair."

Unprecedented rage burned within me.