259.
Ophis and Trihexa have no need for meals. They have long since shed such mortal bodies. While there are few beings in the world called transcendents, they are the only ones truly worthy of that title.
Also, there is no need for Ren to prepare food.
Because as they moved to the modern era, the meals they ate in the past can now be prepared by others. But still, they prefer what Ren makes, and since Ren doesn't refuse, he slowly prepares the food.
He can't make it instantly like in his prime, but he can cook it normally.
"By the way, Ophis, can't you return my power?"
Ren's power is currently less than one-tenth of his prime. This is partly because he died once in the past, but also because before dying, he transferred most of his power to Ophis. In other words, if he gets back the power he gave to Ophis, he could recover to near his prime strength.
"No."
But Ophis shakes her hand and refuses Ren's request.
"Red, if I give back the power, you'll act recklessly again. Not allowed."
"But it's originally my power."
"Now it's my power. Ahem."
Ophis says this while puffing out her chest proudly.
Ren gives a wry smile at that, and after finishing her curry, Ophis swallows some water lightly and says calmly.
"I'll return it when I think everything has ended."
"When is ended?"
"When the world is reorganized anew, when foolish beings disappear and those who think about the future appear... ."
Ophis carefully gets down from the chair and looks up at Ren as she speaks.
"When I think the world has taken responsibility for itself."
260.
With those words, Ophis and Trihexa leave.
Normally, Trihexa aside, Ophis couldn't be let go so easily, but her immense power makes it possible.
Rias and the Gremory peerage feel unreal about the power and presence of the world's strongest beings.
"Brother."
"Hmm?"
"What did you do in the past?"
"Didn't you hear roughly?"
"I want to hear it directly from you."
Issei's serious question.
At that expression, Ren scratches his head for a moment, and the two walk outside simply while talking. The events from the beginning, facing Ophis, seeing dinosaurs, the Trihexa incident, each one was from before this planet was born or just after it was created.
Naturally, it was a story hard for Issei to fully understand, but still, Issei listened steadily to the end.
"......The scale is so vast that it doesn't sink in."
"Is that so?"
"To me, even gods or demon lords are beings above the sky. But transcendents, the most powerful beings in this world, or that overpowered ancient god or apocalyptic beast that even such transcendents can't defeat together... . Even talking about an otherworldly death god that such an ancient god or apocalyptic beast barely defeated by joining forces."
"Strictly speaking, it was a miraculous victory."
Until recently, Issei was an ordinary high school student, so even stories about gods or demon lords aren't easy to understand, and talking about otherworldly worlds might not feel real. But all of that is reality now.
Issei, looking up at the blue sky, muttered.
"......You fought hard. A battle that no one acknowledges."
"Well, it's not something to boast about anywhere."
"But you saved the world?"
"Even if I saved the world."
Is that so.
"Really, the scale is huge."
261.
Perhaps feeling something from the conversation with Ren, Issei redoubles his training efforts.
262.
Perhaps due to the system collapse. Natural disasters that shouldn't normally occur begin to happen on the ground. Moreover, as ordinary people are informed about the supernatural world, not only those who knew about Sacred Gears or the hidden society, but more people start to learn about the supernatural world.
Is this fortune or misfortune?
Perhaps no one can know.
And knowing that Ren is Great Red, the Apocalyptic Cult contacts Ren. It's truly troublesome that they want to worship him like a treasure.
263.
"A new Longinus user has appeared."
"Really?"
"Yes, Sacred Gears were created by the God of the Bible, but even after his death, unknown Sacred Gears continued to be made. It's a bit surprising that they appear even after the system collapse, but it was probably set up that way. And... ."
Azazel let out a sigh.
"The Third Apostle of the Ouroboros Cult has moved."
"I only know up to the Second Apostle."
"Well... , that makes sense. You were in the cycle of reincarnation at that time."
"So, who is the Third Apostle?"
"It's Saint Joan of Arc... ."
"I can guess what the story is without hearing it."
At Ren's words, Azazel smiled bitterly. The French hero called by various titles like maiden, saint. Though accused of witchcraft, her evaluation reversed, and she is called a sincere saint more than anyone.
Naturally, she was also a person who knew about the supernatural world, but the God of the Bible perished with the demon lords in the Great War. So, was Joan of Arc a madwoman who misinterpreted God's call?
Everyone in the tripartite talks knows that's not the case.
"It seems angels are also facing their karma... ."
She came to know information she shouldn't have, and thus became a witch.
And later, thanks to the help of the Ouroboros Cult, she survived. The information spread in human society is merely a distortion of history.
"With the collapse of heaven and the system broken, the absence of the God of the Bible can no longer be hidden. Because of that, the truth has been revealed to the lower angels, and those who had grievances against the angels have risen up. Already, several archangels were killed by Ophis, so literally, the angels are on the verge of extinction."
"Self-inflicted, I see."
"Exactly that."
Azazel smiles bitterly.
"And unfortunately, we too must face this self-inflicted, cause and effect."
"... ."
"I plan to end things by offering my neck and those of a few executives as a sacrifice to the First Apostle. I've already roughly discussed it from my side, and the rest is up to Shemhaza and the remaining members to handle well."
Ren stared at Azazel.
"Are you going?"
"I've lived long enough at this point. No regrets. Even if fallen angels are like an evil organization, causing harm to the world and facing extinction isn't what we want. So, we plan to end it on our terms."
All three factions are facing their karma in the worst form.
Heaven hid the absence of the God of the Bible and stagnated until heaven collapsed, demons suffered the worst civil war and purges, and fallen angels will see the necks of the governor Azazel and executives fly off in an instant.
After watching Azazel for a while, Ren spoke.
"If you go, there will probably be many familiar faces. It seems there are more who were purged by Ophis than expected."
Azazel chuckled at those words.
"Ha! Then it won't be too boring after all."
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