The Wish of the Dragon

Chapter 164: Side

"Oh my? Are you Rias of this world?"

"E-Eh? Y-Yes? Who might you be?"

The parallel world Rias Gremory and her peerage just returned from their training for the day and was about to head back to their respective house when a beautiful woman appeared out of nowhere in front of them.

This woman looks very familiar to Rias but somehow she couldn't recall just who is she.

"Ara ara ara~, to think I would be able to see the young Rias once again!" The woman squealed in joy looking at the young heiress.

"Eh? 'Young' buchou?" Hyoudou Issei repeated after snapping out of his daze looking at the bodacious woman before him.

"Mm, that's right. I am the other Rias's mother." The woman or rather Venelana Hyoudou affirmed with a smile.

She's wearing a signature maid uniform wore by the <ECH> maids with a few different designs here and there. A maid uniform was one of the better ways to hide certain seductive curves in the body but somehow it just accentuated her already voluptuous body even more.

Despite giving birth to three children already, her body shows no sign of sagging. If anything, she looks more ravishing than ever.

"E-Ehhh?!" Rias's peerage exclaimed in shock seeing the young-looking Venelana.

"M-M-Mother? N-No... A-Are you the other Rias's mother? But you look so young!" The red heiress stuttered in disbelief.

"Rias?" Another voice resounded but this voice belongs to a man and a woman.

"M-Mother?" Rias Gremory rapidly blinked looking at her actual mother who looks quite different in terms of beauty compared to Venelana Hyoudou.

"Oh my?" Venelana Gremory who saw the smiling Venelana Hyoudou become amazed while her husband, Zeoticus froze on the spot because he's instantly captivated at the much more beautiful version of his wife.

"This is...?"

"U-Uhh, she is you, okaa-sama..." Rias Gremory said wryly.

"Huh?" Not only Zeoticus, but Venelana herself is also shocked.

"She looks so young..." Zeoticus slurred and she received the ultimate attack belonging to women, which is a pinch either to the ear or waist. He hissed in pain after receiving the ultimate attack.

Like father like son... Rias's peerage thought wryly inside their mind.

"Ufufufu, that's thanks to my current husband doing." Venelana Hyoudou giggled while covering her mouth with her hand. Her action unintentionally made her heavenly mound jiggle hypnotizing both Zeoticus and Hyoudou Issei.

And once again, they received another ultimate attack from their wife/master.

Venelana Hyoudou's eyes flashed with joy seeing how she looks more beautiful than her other counterpart. As expected... Her current husband is the best! Whether it's in strength... or in bed~. She added inside her mind.

Comparing her previous husband's and her current husband's certain part, the former might as well considered as a pinky finger rather than an actual 'thing'. She wonders if this Zeoticus part is also like that... Oh no, she shouldn't be that mischievous. Bad Venelana! It's her husband's fault for being so outstanding in bed... Now she becomes so naughty nowadays, sigh...

She couldn't recall just how many times it has been for her being brought to heaven and above by that 'ferocious' husband of hers. All she knows is that she loves it despite being made unable to lift a single finger on the very next day. This is another thing they sisters share in common.

That feeling of wanting to stop but cannot is so addicting. And not to mention the joy of bearing his children...

Venelana Hyoudou held no love for Zeoticus so she never really think much about him... As for feeling guilty? None whatsoever, they share no love with each other so it's hardly a sin to abandon him.

Besides, she's a Devil, not an angel.

Venelana Gremory who notices the other Venelana's prideful look couldn't help but sulk secretly. She already heard this other her being married to the rumored Issei Savant Hyoudou who supposedly the other counterpart of her daughter's peerage member.

She and her husband were on their way to greet Issei but they coincidentally came upon the whole situation.

The more she looks at this other Venelana, the more jealous she becomes... She seemed to have acquired breasts that were more rounded, hanging like the most supple fruits, and her hips along with her butt are so bouncy and curvy, making it easier for her husband to take hold of during their lovemaking session.

Her long flaxen colored hair looks so glossy and her whole being is radiating youth ness that doesn't lose out against teenagers.

She sneaked a peek at her husband. His face couldn't be more obvious... The lustful desire he's feeling right now is as plain as a day to anyone.

But sadly for him, this other Venelana isn't someone he could lay his hand on... If he ever tried to do something remotely close to disrespectful then he would lose his life in an instant.

At least that's what they've been told by her son and the others. The other Hyoudou Issei seems to be a tyrannical and domineering personage who would kill anyone that tries to disrespect his wives and daughters.

He won't even bat an eye if he wanted to kill the leader of each faction or even destroy their world altogether. His strength is apparently so terrifying that they should never ever think of crossing his path.

This is why Venelana Gremory pinched her husband to remind and warn him. But it looks like the charm of the other Hyoudou Issei's wives is not something that could be ignored that easily... If even a pure Devil like her husband is easily captivated then what hope the other young Devil has?

It would be best if they don't casually bring the young devils to this place or there would be some unforeseen accident.

"So umm... Is Lord Savant available right now? We want to greet him." Venelana Gremory faked a cough trying to divert the subject.

"Our Master is not available right now. But he should return soon enough." Grayfia L. Hyoudou arrived in time and informed them.

Venelana Gremory raised her eyebrows at this Grayfia. Then she sulked once again... How she envies these two...

While being a devil made her body perfect and slow down her aging, that doesn't mean she doesn't grow old. It might take thousands of years before she becomes an old woman but it still concerns her.

And seeing these two who didn't age but rather become more youthful, she couldn't help become jealous.

"Oh my? Master is away? I thought he was here this morning." Venelana Hyoudou said in askance.

"Um, apparently it has something to do with Setsuna." Grayfia L. Hyoudou nodded: "He already slowed down the time here so at most he will only be away for a day for us... Perhaps even less."

"Ow, too bad." Venelana Hyoudou sighed in pity: "I brought Yumi-chan here since she's quite free and also because she said she wanted to look around. Yumi-chan, you can come out now, no need to conceal yourself anymore." She said to the young Rias's back.

"Hehehe, apologies, lady Venelana... I was just observing their reaction." A light giggle could be heard from their back.

Rias and her peerage turned around only to see a young woman with long blonde hair wearing a nurse outfit already standing there for who knows how long. Even Venelana and Zeoticus Gremory didn't notice her presence until now.

"Nice to meet all of you, my name is Yumi Kiba, previously known as Yuuto Kiba." She introduced herself elegantly.

"K-K-Kiba? I-Is that really Kiba?" Hyoudou Issei pointed at the newcomer with a trembling hand.

"S-She does indeed look quite similar with our Yuuto Kiba..." Xenovia nodded with a stutter.

"S-So pretty!" Asia exclaimed.

"Ara ara, this Kiba-kun is really cute indeed." Akeno chuckled.

"..." Even the person in question froze at his other counterpart's sight.

"My, this Ise-kun's face sure bring back memories." Yumi Kiba walked to Hyoudou Issei's front and started to squish the latter's cheek.

Hyoudou Issei foolishly looked at the gorgeous beauty in front of him with a perverted smile.

"A-A foreign-looking Bishoujo in a nurse outfit... Ehehehehe..." He started to let his imagination runs wild. Especially since one of his particular 'collection' has a nurse in it.

"Fufu, yup. I kinda miss this perverted expression of his." She giggled amusedly looking at his perverted look.

"Ise/Ise-san!" Both Rias Gremory and Asia Argento shouted in jealousy.

"O-Ow ow ow ow!" Hyoudou Issei winced in pain after being pinched by the two of them at the same time.

"Did you forget what happened before?" Rias Gremory warned her pawn.

She's pointing at the time where the other Issei slugged this Hyoudou Issei for leering at the adult Ophis even though that Ophis is not his wife.

"We don't know the identity of this other Yuuto and for all we know, she might be one of his wives as well."

"That's right, Ise-san!" Asia Argento said with a pout.

"U-Ugh, I know. Forgive me the two of you!" Hyoudou Issei grimaced remembering it.

"Oh, you don't need to worry. I'm not the other Ise's wife." Yumi Kiba said with a smile: "...Unfortunately." She sighed woefully.

"That's why we said you must go on the offensive, Yumi-chan." Venelana Hyoudou playfully scolded her.

"Hehe, I don't think Ise-kun would be willing though... After all, I was a man before."

"Nonsense. You're now a beautiful and cute girl! And what's matter is what's on the inside! Don't all of you think so as well?" Venelana Hyoudou asked the group of men who's present.

They nodded along in agreement with her statement. But they couldn't help but become confused with what Yumi meant by she was a man before.

This chapter upload first at NovelUsb.Com

"Well, let's leave it at that for now." Grayfia L. Hyoudou clapped her hand: "Come you two. Forzelotte-sama is waiting for us."

"Um. Then see you later, young Ise-kun." Yumi Kiba said with a wink making the boy blush once again.

"Ah, can't keep our elder sister waiting now can't we? Then everyone, until next time." Venelana Hyoudou also excuses herself.

"As for you. You can come back at a later date." Grayfia L. Hyoudou said towards Zeoticus's group before she also leaves the place leaving behind the captivated Hyoudou Issei.

"Damn it! I'm so jealous of the other me!" He howled in jealousy: "If I become as powerful as the other me then my dream of creating a harem won't be impossible anymore!"

His friends sweated seeing his antic.

"You want power~?" A seductive and sultry voice resounded from above them.

When they look up, they can see Nyarlathotep floating in the air.

"L-Lady Nyarlathotep!" Rias Gremory and her peerage exclaimed.

Nyarlathotep doesn't pay attention to their voice and only look interestedly at Hyoudou Issei. The latter gulped nervously being gazed so intently like this by the former.

Nyarlathotep is also an absolute beauty but for some reason, Hyoudou Issei feels uneasy whenever she's around. Something that his friends share with him...

After all, she's the literal embodiment of <Chaos>. Only those who have resistance against <Chaos> could feel at ease in her presence.

While most of her strength has been sealed, that doesn't mean she's completely harmless.

"So boy, what's your answer?" Nyarlathotep repeated herself.

"U-Uhh, n-no need, milady. There's no need to bother yourself." Hyoudou Issei said nervously.

Who knows what would happen if he were to accept her offer. He's not smart but that doesn't mean he's a complete idiot either.

"Is that so?" Nyarlathotep gives a faint chuckle.

"M-May we ask if you need something for us, milady?" Rias Gremory asked.

"I don't really need anything from any of you... I was just observing this boy who supposedly the younger version of my husband during his younger days." She answered lazily: "I have to say... If he were still the same as you when we fought... Then perhaps it would be my victory."

"Fought? You had a fight with the other Ise?"

"Not just any fight... It's a fight to the death." Nyarlathotep replied with a smirk: "And he technically killed me once when he used his full strength back then... If it wasn't for my 'cheat' then I would be dead by now... But I guess we're even since in our first confrontation, he would also be dead if I didn't let him go. Although that would be the worst mistake that I could ever done if I were to truly kill him back then. After all, he's the only person who could bring me such endless joy in my once boring and lonesome life~"

All of them blushed regardless of gender after witnessing her current expression.

"Let me give you a piece of advice boy." Nyarlathotep's expression reverted back to her lazy attitude and said: "At your current pace, you.. will die."

"...Eh?"

"No need to be so surprised." She chuckled: "Isn't it normal for those who are weak to die?"

"W-Wait, what do you mean that Ise will die?" Rias Gremory anxiously asked.

"It is as I said, he's too weak to go against his fate... At first, I wasn't that interested in him so I don't care whether he dies or alive. But, seeing how he is basically my husband's younger self, I decided to inform all of you. At the current rate you all going right now, the only outcome of your future confrontation with your adversaries will be death."

"..." They don't know how to react to her words. They can only look at each other in dismay.

Hyoudou Issei gritted his teeth under the gaze of Nyarlathotep since he knows that this is the truth. He's still too weak to be able to protect his friends!

Despite the harsh training they're currently experiencing, it is nowhere near enough to make him become powerful.

Nyarlathotep's grin widened slightly seeing his anxious look. One more push... That's all she needs.

"Of course, when you die... Those around you will also die." She whispered deviously: "Including this red-haired girl."

"...I accept!"

"Ise?"

"I accept your offer! I want power!" Hyoudou Issei said resolutely.

"Ise!"

And done. Nyarlathotep grinned widely inside her mind.

Such is the fate of the weak... They can only crawl on the ground hoping for someone to help them rise from the bottom. It is truly laughable... and also pathetic.

If her husband is weak-willed such as this boy then how easy would it be to drag him down in the past? But thankfully he's not... She might be defeated in the end but she still won the war.

After all, even though the result is slightly different. She still manages to make him stay by her side for eternity...

Nyarlathotep's gaze dimmed slightly when looking at Hyoudou Issei. Whatever interest she had in the boy is all lost the moment he accepted her 'offer'.

This has happened countless times... Just like her other previous victims. It bores her how easy they fall.

"Follow me." She said before she flew away.

Well, an offer is still an offer... She won't take her words back. But... Whether it is truly a good thing or not for him to accept it is unknown. Only the future can tell...

Just kidding, he would undoubtedly fall~. Nyarlathotep grinned widely looking at the prey that has walked right into her trap.

Her beloved husband surely doesn't mind if she has a little bit of fun now and then. Besides, their unborn child would need some entertainment~.

Perhaps they could grab a little Dragon soul along the way as nourishment. Nyarlathotep lovingly caressed her belly when she thought about this.

There's a reason why she didn't follow after her husband and this is why... Out of all Issei's wives, perhaps Nyarlathotep is the clingiest of them all.

[...Partner. I would advise against accepting her offer but since you have already made your mind then I won't say anything else.] Ddraig said his thoughts about the whole situation.

"I know, Ddraig... But I need strength to protect my friends." Hyoudou Issei said and hesitates for a moment before he follows after Nyarlathotep. His friends also followed after them leaving behind the confused Zeoticus and Venelana Gremory.

...

[So all I need to do is purify this soul?]

"Yes. After you're done, you can give it to Da Vinci. Tell her to make something out of it. This soul contains some divinities that could be of use." Issei affirmed.

[Hmm, I understand. But Master, why don't you do it on your own? I'm pretty sure if you're the one who did it then it will be over more quickly.] She asked in confusion.

"Let's just say there's a certain little fairy looking at me at the moment." Issei gives a faint chuckle.

[Ah... One of your daughters is watching you? I see now.] She said in realization.

His overprotective nature is obvious to all so there's no surprise there.

"Hang on, I'll open a portal to your location to send it." Issei was about to open a portal that leads to her destination.

[E-EH?! W-Wait a sec, Master!]

"What's wrong?"

[I-I need to prepare myself first!] Another series of loud clanging sound resounded from the other side of the phone.

[Hey! Slow down a bit!]

[Don't tell me to slow down! Master is about to open a portal to this place!]

[Eh? Is that so? Then I'll better show him my most majestic side as well.]

[You don't need to. You're deemed useless by him anyway.]

[What did you say!?]

Issei smiles wryly when he heard their voice over the phone.

"Let me go! Let go of me this instant!" The soul of Voban is still struggling with all his might.

"Silence." Issei becomes a little irritated until he finally silenced the soul for good.

The soul opened its mouth multiple times but no voice can be heard from him any longer.

Even his struggle is starting to cease down little by little until he completely went silent.

[I-I'm ready, Master!]

"Oh, got it."

When hearing the confirmation from the other side, Issei summoned a unique looking golden gate out of thin air. The outline of the gate is a Dragon Skull and at the center of the gate, there's the <ECH> symbol inscribed on it.

When the gate opened, a flower field filled with countless white and golden flower can be seen.

In the middle of that flower, a young woman with red eyes and long wavy golden hair in a two-side-up hairstyle, which consists of part of her being made into twin-tails tied with red ribbons, while the majority hangs loose can be seen standing proudly... Albeit her face is slightly blushing.

On her side, there stood a similar-looking young woman with the same hairstyle. But her hair is colored black instead of gold. Her eye color is the same though.

The golden-haired one clothing looks like a black dress that covers her entire body but still emphasizes her beauty while the black-haired one clothing shows more skin.

"W-Welcome to this Ereshkigal humble abode, Master." The golden-haired one greeted trying to sound calm but the stutter gives her nervousness away.

"Hi, Master." The black-haired one waved: "Did you bring some gems as a souvenir?"

"It's good to see you again, Eresh... And Ishtar, I guess..." Issei greeted the golden-haired woman with a smile but he greeted the black-haired one with a monotone voice.

"Don't you think the way you treated me is way too different!?" The black-haired woman named Ishtar whined.

"But of course. Eresh here is more hardworking than a certain someone who often lazes around all day long after all." Issei deadpanned.

"Geh! How rude! I am also working my hardest, you know!"

"No, you didn't. You always leave your job to your aides." Issei pointed out.

"But isn't the job an aide is to serve their Master? So I'm technically working by ordering my aides around." Ishtar said boastfully.

"That is exactly why Master deemed you as useless," Ereshkigal said with a sigh.

"...N-Ne, Lili... Are they..." Erica whispered after seeing the two Goddesses.

"The Goddess Ereshkigal and the Goddess Ishtar?" Liliana said with a gulp: "Seeing how their name being the dead giveaway, no normal mage nor witch could imitate that divine energy... But they do seem a little different from what we have been told."

"Well, Lucretia has already told us that this unknown God came from another world... This Ereshkigal and Ishtar are most likely from a different world as well." Erica concluded.

"Hmm, true..." Liliana nodded in agreement.

"With that said, he doesn't seem like a Heretic God..." Erica said after observing Issei who's conversing with Ereshkigal and Ishtar.

"Indeed. The punch he used during his confrontation with King Voban earlier could easily wipe out half the city if he wanted to... But, there's no damage done. It's safe to say that he truly doesn't have any evil intention."

"If he does have evil intention then I don't think we could do anything anyway. It would be best if we could humor him... He doesn't seem to be a difficult God to talk to anyway." Erica shrugged.

"True... Other Heretic Gods won't even bother striking a conversation with us... And looks like we don't have to look any further for the culprit behind King Salvatore Doni's 'defeat'."

"Uh huh." They then decided to wait until Issei is finished his conversation with the two Goddesses.

"S-So... A-As a reward..." Ereshkigal faked a cough.

"Mm? What do you have in mind?" Issei asked back: "I'll fulfill any request that you want as long as it's within my capability."

"R-Really?!" Ereshkigal looked extremely joyful when she heard his words but soon she realizes her blunder and tried to maintain her demeanor: "I-I mean, y-yeah, I'll hold on to your words."

"Sure."

"Th-Then... I-I... I want..."

"Want what?"

"...I want you to accompany me on a dat- I-I mean, to sightsee some places..." She whispered in a mosquito-like voice.

"Just that?" Issei raised his eyebrows.

"Geez, to think that you're my other half. Just ask him out and be done with it. I'm still waiting for my turn here." Ishtar said exasperatedly: "I mean, have you seen his treasury? Even a whole planet is not enough to store his treasures!" She said with sparkling eyes.

"Sh-Shut up! I'm not like you who lack some delicacy!" Ereshkigal barked back with a red face.

"Who's lacking in delicacy!?"

"You are!"

"Alright, sure, why not." Issei seeing that they're about to have another argument decided to step in.

"Eh?" Ereshkigal dumbfoundedly looked at Issei.

"I said sure. You want to go sightsee some places, right?

"Y-Yes."

"Then alright. I'll go come and get you once I'm free." Issei nodded readily.

"P-Promise?"

"Want to do a pinky promise?" Issei smiles wryly.

"N-No need! I believe you!" Ereshkigal turned around trying to hide her grinning face out of sight.

Ishtar looked at her with a scrutinizing look but the latter is too happy to notice it.

"Now, Master... It's my tur-"

"Nope, goodbye."

Before Ishtar could finish her words, Issei snapped his finger to close the door... Even though the door has disappeared, Issei thought that he could faintly hear the scream of Ishtar in the distance...

"Now then... Will you come out on your own or should I make you?" Issei said with narrowed eyes to his back.

Erica and Liliana's body froze before they started to survey their surrounding. Did they just being spied upon? But who? Who's foolish enough trying to spy on this personage?

The whole area turned darkish gray and a young girl that looks like 13-14 years old emerged out of thin air.

Her height barely reaches Issei's waist. She has short silver hair and violet eyes.

She's wearing a school uniform with a knit cap on her head. Her most eye-catching feature is her snake-like pupil.

While her expression is quite cold and looks emotionless but a cold sweat could be seen trickling down her left cheek. It is obvious that despite her calm-looking demeanor, she's feeling intimidated by Issei.

Erica and Liliana's body stiffened slightly when this girl appeared out of nowhere since they can tell that this girl is another Goddess. But compared to Ereshkigal and Ishtar's presence, this girl's aura is more malevolent.

"..." Issei didn't say anything but a dozen golden ripples appeared behind him and out of it, comes a variety of weapons such as swords, spear, lance, etc.

The newly arrived Goddess who saw this hastily kneeled on the ground showcasing her submission.

"This one plead for your mercy, o' honored one. This one bears no ill will." She spoke out of utmost respect.

"...This world sure has a lot of annoying 'stalkers' that keep trying to 'peep' on me. And I find it annoying..." Issei spoke after a brief silence: "<All Fiction: Divine Clairvoyance>."

"Guh!" The newly arrived Goddess's flinched in pain. A streak of blood flows from her eyes.

Across the whole world, those who tried to use their clairvoyance at him had the same thing happened to them.

He just made their <Divine Clairvoyance> nothing but a "fiction". As if it never exist in the first place. It's a skill that he created out of his <Creation> divinity.

Of course, Erza who's currently watching him is an exception.

While he could create a new world if he wanted to, Issei never chooses to do so since he thought it is a hassle to do so. He rather spends his time with his loved ones rather than playing God.

The only living being that he ever created in the past 14 years was only Esdeath's group.

...

"...Hehehe, a <Campione> has fallen. Looks like there's only five <Campione> left in our world." Lucretia Zola who sensed the divine energy that's just used by Issei chuckled.

The moment she heard that King Voban was going to confront the unknown God, she already thinks of the former as a dead man walking... And she was right.

She doesn't need to use her clairvoyance to know this result since it is already set in stone the moment he tried to offend someone he shouldn't have.

"Looks like the <Campione> isn't the true king all along," Lucretia muttered before she sighed to herself: "Now then... I should get going."

She decided to bet everything on this next action of hers. She will be trying to appeal herself to this unknown God and hope that he would be willing to take her in...

The discoveries that she could come across by serving this unknown God is too huge to pass on.

...

"I received a request to defeat the Heretic Gods in this world by a Goddess named Pandora. If I spared you here then it would go against the contract." Issei said.

"If all you had to do is 'defeat' me then I surrender." The Goddess responded.

"What's the use of your surrender to me? I only need results and your so-called surrender has no meaning to me."

"..." The Goddess's brain rotated at a rapid rate trying to find the solution to the whole situation.

Earlier today, she sensed a large amount of divine energy being used. She never thought when she tried to do a little 'peek', she would be discovered instantly.

"This one's name is Athena. This one could be of use to you as long as you give this one a chance." She pleaded once more: "And I'm sure I would be utmost useful to you being alive rather than dead."

If only she had her original strength... Then perhaps she could escape and perhaps even put up a struggle.

"...Fine, I'll give you a chance." Issei smirked sensing her true intention: "You." Issei looked at Erica.

"E-Eh? Y-Yes?"

"You should have something that belongs to her, right? Give it to her." Issei commanded.

"But... Nevermind, I will do as you wish." Erica was about to say something but then she remembered something crucial.

Giving the artifact in his hand to a Heretic Goddess and it's the Goddess Athena herself to boot is something foolish but... it's more foolish to go against this unknown God.

"<Gorgoneion>." Athena muttered.

This is also one of the reasons why Athena decided to come here. Because she could sense her sealed power inside this artifact.

And the reason why Erica brought it with her was because she thought of using this artifact to appease Issei in case he becomes furious.

She received the <Gorgoneion> in her hands and her eyes shone slightly.

Athena then closed her eyes and started to absorb the artifact into her body.

A large wave of divine energy surges out and started to envelop her body in a dark light.

After reclaiming her Gorgoneion, Athena seemingly ages to her early twenties, and her clothing transforms into a Grecian toga, and she wears a crown of flowers on her head.

Her silver hair grows longer and she retains her violet eyes.

"This is it! This is my strength that has been lost." She exhaled in joy.

Erica and Liliana's body tensed up sensing her strength.

Athena happily relishes the return of her strength but when she looked at Issei, her body froze completely. Her eyes started to shook and terror started to creep upon her whole body.

She bit her lips to regain her bearings back but she soon kneeled once again while sweating profusely.

"What's wrong? I thought you're going to try to go against me?" Issei asked with a mocking look.

"This one doesn't dare!" Athena shouted at the top of her lungs.

No... No... This personage is not someone she should confront! The only outcome of their confrontation will be her undoing!

When she was in her previous form, she couldn't completely sense Issei's strength.

But when she regained her full strength, not only does she doesn't feel confident, but rather she becomes more terror-stricken.

Who is he? What is he?! What kind of God is this!

The amount of power he possesses isn't supposed to be possible! No Gods in existence would be able to contain all that power!

Not even Zeus himself is capable of such feat!

She was a goddess of darkness, snakes, owls, the earth, sky, life, death, and wisdom. But just by standing there, this unknown God somehow could affect all of her divinities as if they were his own!

Her power is second away being stripped away from her body just now! And all this happened the moment she tries to measure his strength with her newly regained divine energy!

Erica and Liliana feel at a loss looking at the terror-stricken Athena. If even a Goddess like her feels afraid of this God then... What could they hope to do if he were to go on a rampage?

"Hmph..." Issei snorted seeing Athena's current state: "You don't need to feel worried. I won't kill you."

"This one is thankful for your Majesty's benevolence." Athena sighed in relief seeing that she won't be killed.

"But that doesn't mean I will let you go either."

"..." Athena waited for his next word in trepidation.

"My unborn daughter would need a tool to protect her," Issei spoke.

"...This one will gladly become a tool for your daughter if your Majesty wishes so. This one will use every weapon in her arsenal and abilities to protect her."

"What are you talking about? I don't need you to be her bodyguard." Issei looked at her with narrowed eyes: "I will have your soul serve as a catalyst for the divine tool that I had in mind."

"!!!" Athena's eyes widen in shock.

Does that mean her soul would suffer the same fate as that <Campione> earlier?! No, this won't do!

"You can try to escape if you want," Issei said with a smirk.

"..." Athena's body stopped in her track just when she's about to escape. When she thought things through, she couldn't help but slumped back to the ground. Can she even escape? The answer is no...

"Don't worry, I'm not that cruel." Issei scoffed: "You will still be able to move around just like you are right now but you won't be able to go far from your new main 'body'. Think of yourself as a divine artifact that has a soul... You should understand what I mean right?"

"...I understand." Meaning that she will be sealed once again... At the very least, she won't be killed.

"Good. Then we're done here." Issei took back his hostility and said.

"Follow me." He said towards the downhearted Athena.

"Yes... My lord..." She said through gritted teeth.

"P-Please wait!" Erica and Liliana hastily called out.

"Hm?" Issei frowned at the two of them.

"P-Please listen to what we have to say," Liliana asked hopefully.

...

"Hmm, where are we anyway? Anywhere we see is trees."

"I don't know either..."

"Let's split up! I'll go that way, Hong'er and Bai'er, you two go that way."

"B-But big brother said that we should never separate from each other..."

"No need to worry! We're strong enough to protect ourselves!"

"That's right, that's right! If there's any bad guy then we can just beat them up!"

"Well, okay then..."

"Let's meet up later! I'll go first!"

"Me as well!"

With that said, the two of them flew away...

Bai'er unsurely looks around. But she then finally sighed one last time before flying to the distance...

Would Issei really let them travel alone? Of course not.

The <Abyssal Human> that hide within their shadow has already reported this incident...

On the mountain range, sunlight shined through the gap between the mountains into the deep canyons. On the hillside beside the valley, some snow remained.

Even though it's already the early summer, the snow has yet to melt. The cold here is exceptionally long. The roars of some beasts can occasionally be heard.

After flying around for a while, Bai'er finally saw something.

On the surface of the valley stood a magnificent looking city.

"Hmm..." Bai'er blinked twice before she approach the city.