High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 444: Chapter 434 As the light subsided, Irina gave a playful twirl.

As the light subsided, Irina gave a playful twirl.

”This is the fruit of my labor! I won’t forgive anyone who tries to destroy our precious home! Amen!”

Irina pointed the tip of Auto-claire toward the heavens.

Suddenly, a surge of holy aura exploded from her, rivaling the intensity Xenovia had just displayed. Even from our distance, the power was staggering. A low-ranking devil would likely vanish just by being bathed in this light; even an Ultimate-class devil might find it impossible to approach.

Flapping her eight golden wings, Irina charged forward. As she did, the aura surrounding Auto-claire shifted. The holy energy coiled and twisted, changing its shape into a long, glowing whip.

With a single horizontal sweep, the whip-like aura bisected the dragons in its path. But that wasn’t the end of its transformations. When Irina thrust her sword forward, the aura extended like a spear, piercing through a long line of enemies.

The holy power was fluid, changing shape at her whim. Such precise control was only possible because of Irina’s incredible power of visualization. Originally the wielder of the Excalibur Mimic, she was used to changing her weapon’s form to suit the mission. Training had evolved that talent, allowing her to shape the holy energy emitted by Auto-claire with perfect freedom.

And she wasn’t done.

Irina manifested multiple spears of light around her. Each one vibrated with a dense, terrifying amount of holy power.

”Time for a mass purification!”

She swept her left hand forward, and the spears launched like a volley of arrows. They tore through the air at high speed, puncturing the dragons and reducing them to ash instantly.

This was the true power of Auto-claire—Purification.

Maurice-san’s challenge to her had been the manipulation of that purifying light. She had mastered it, imbedding the purification effect into long-range projectiles. Against dragons and monsters, there was no power more devastating.

Even the golden aura she wore was the light of purification. Anything she touched would be cleansed; for a creature of darkness, that meant turning to dust. It was effectively a ’Purification Armor.’

Versatility across all ranges, coupled with an absolute defense-offense hybrid.

Someone—I think it was Asia-san—whispered, ”Radiant wings and the power to purge all evil... if we were to give her a title like Xenovia-san’s, maybe... ’The Seraph of Holy Wings’?”

The Seraph of Holy Wings... It certainly fit her current form.

But Xenovia, hearing the suggestion, muttered under her breath:

”I think ’The Angel of Lust’ fits her better.”

”What kind of title is that!?” Irina shrieked. ”I’m not that perverted!”

”Oh, please. Think about your behavior up until now, Irina. It’s a miracle you haven’t fallen yet, considering your track record of dirty thoughts. How many ’Fall’ scares have we had? No, you’re definitely the Lust Angel.”

”...Uwaaaaaah! Xenovia’s being mean! Kiba-kun, tell her to stop!”

Why are you dragging me into this!? She was clearly at a loss for a comeback and looking for an escape. But why me?

I mean... looking back at her past, I did wonder how she’d managed to stay an angel this long...

As I clutched my head, trying to figure out a diplomatic response, Irina looked at Xenovia’s hair.

”Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since I’ve fought alongside long-haired Xenovia. You cut it after a mission where an enemy grabbed it, right? It’s been that long.”

”True. That was the vampire hunt.”

”Yeah. Back then, I was always the one being saved by you... but not anymore. Now, I can stand right beside you!”

”I recall you saving me once or twice back then as well,” Xenovia said with a small smile. ”But fine. Let us carve a path for everyone together—as our new selves!”

The former Church Duo had both stepped into a new realm thanks to the Sword Saint’s training. With Xenovia on the front line and Irina providing support, their coordination was flawless, a whirlwind of gold and blue tearing through the darkness.

Suddenly, a hand landed on my shoulder. I turned to see Maurice-san grinning at me.

”Well, well. They’ve certainly still got that old chemistry. They’re perfectly in sync. So? You’re going to show us what you’ve got too, right? It’d be a waste to just stand here and watch until the end.”

”Yeah. I don’t think those two alone can flip the entire script. I’m going in.”

It was true—Xenovia and Irina were wreaking havoc, but the enemy reinforcements from the Gate were endless. If we were going to complete the mission, we had to push through that Gate, and we had to do it fast.

It was time to use it.

I shifted the Holy-Demonic sword in my hand, transforming it into a purely Holy Sword, and focused my mind.

I won’t make any more mistakes. I won’t lose my way again. I swing this sword to protect those dear to me. So, answer me. Now is the moment.

Answer me... my potential.

”Balance Breaker, Second Grade—Glory Drag Trooper: The Holy Draconic Knights of the Crimson Immortal.”

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