Euclid couldn't believe it. The Red Dragon Emperor and Rossweisse had been right under his nose the whole time. When did they switch places?! Indeed, with Euclid's abilities, conventional methods wouldn't allow such a switch to occur under his watch.
But unconventional methods were another story!
Tenraku utilized the power of "Five-senses Manipulation," a Sacred Gear that allowed him to influence or even control the five senses of others. Moreover, he had already developed a forbidden move, "Devil's Extreme Paradise," using this ability.
Previously, activating this Sacred Gear required physical contact with the target, but as Tenraku gained more control, he could now use its abilities without direct contact. Just like earlier, through eye contact, Tenraku used "Five-senses Manipulation" to affect Euclid's vision, making Euclid see Tenraku as Rossweisse, and vice versa!
"Surprised?" Tenraku looked at Euclid with a mischievous smile, but it sent shivers down Euclid's spine.
"Haaah!!!" With a shout, Euclid instantly manifested a replica of the Red Dragon Emperor's armor.
But Euclid wasn't planning to fight Tenraku; he was preparing to escape! He knew he had no chance against such a monster. Just look at what happened to Ladon and Walburga earlier. Since their last encounter in the Vampire territory, Euclid knew the insurmountable gap between them.
Escape! He had to escape quickly!
"Now you want to run?" "Too late!!!" With a cold smile, Tenraku's aura surged, and the Boosted Gear covered his left hand. The jade jewel on the gauntlet flickered madly:
"Boost! Boost!! Boost!!!"
How dare they threaten him with Asia? How dare they touch his sore spot? So, Tenraku didn't hold back at all with this punch, even if the guy in front of him was Grayfia's younger brother!
Euclid felt a sense of danger he had never experienced before. He yelled hoarsely, frantically fueling his magic power to enhance his defense and attempting to flee from Tenraku.
But as Tenraku said, trying to escape now was too late!
Boom!!!
"Ahhhhh!!!" With a punch, Euclid's armor shattered, and his bones and organs crushed almost simultaneously. Blood gushed out like a meteor shower as Euclid was violently thrown thousands of meters away, crashing onto the ground.
For an ordinary person, such injuries would have killed them countless times over. However, Euclid clung on with his strong vitality. But even so, under Tenraku's punch just now, he had almost lost half of his life!
Penglong!!!
The ground cracked as Tenraku shot out, ready to finish off Euclid once and for all. Euclid had no doubt in his mind— once Tenraku caught up, he would surely die today!
A fissure opened in the nearby barrier, and Euclid, disregarding everything, unleashed the remaining magic power he had, rushing out of the barrier just as Tenraku was about to catch up.
Just as Tenraku was about to continue the pursuit, shadows shot out from under Tenraku's feet, then escaped through the barrier's fissure before it sealed shut.
Although it wasn't too late to catch up now, Tenraku decided to let it go. He frowned slightly and then flew back to Rias's girls.
"Tenraku!"
"Lord Tenraku!"
Rias's girls all rushed over, and Asia ran ahead and threw herself into Tenraku's arms.
"Wuwuwu…"
"I'm sorry, Lord Tenraku, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…"
Tears streamed down Asia's face as she kept apologizing.
It was all because of her that Tenraku was threatened by Euclid. And when she saw Tenraku plunging the sword into his own body without hesitation, Asia's heart felt like it was breaking.
"It's okay, Asia, everything's okay now."
"It's me who should apologize. I failed to protect Asia and let you go through such a terrifying ordeal. I'm sorry," Tenraku said.
"No, it's not, it's not. It's my fault…" Asia's tears continued to flow as she shook her head.
Watching the exchange of apologies between the two, Rias's girls couldn't help but smile. The tense atmosphere from earlier had lightened considerably. They had been worried when Asia was captured, but fortunately, everything had been resolved, and Asia was saved.
"Alright, Asia, don't cry anymore. It's not pretty when you cry. My wounds haven't healed yet. If you feel apologetic, help me treat them," Tenraku said, wiping away the tears from Asia's cheeks and revealing his abdominal wound to her.
The wound was still oozing blood, looking quite gruesome. Asia couldn't help but cover her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes again.
"O-Okay, Tenraku-san, wait a moment. I'll help you heal," Asia said, activating her Sacred Gear, Holy Mother's Smile, and hastily treating Tenraku's injuries.
In truth, Tenraku's injuries would have healed long ago if he wished, but he chose to let Asia treat him. If he didn't let her do anything, Asia's compassionate nature would make her feel guilty for a lifetime.
Aside from Asia, whose heart was completely focused on Tenraku, the clever Rias and the girls quickly understood Tenraku's intentions. Their gazes softened, tinged with both warmth and complexity. They couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy towards Asia.
However, if it were them in Asia's place, Tenraku would surely do the same for them!
After Asia helped him heal, Tenraku comforted her for a while until her emotions stabilized.
"Rizevim and the Qlippoth have retreated. Akeno, use the Holy Spear to break the barrier here. It should be fine now," Tenraku instructed, turning to Akeno.
"Understood," Akeno replied with a nod.
Under everyone's watchful gaze, Akeno flew into the air and manifested the True Longinus in her hand.
"Holy Spear, pierce through!" Akeno exclaimed.
With a thrust, the Holy Spear extended rapidly from Akeno's hand and pierced through the massive barrier in the sky.
Crack… crack… crack…
Without Rizevim's interference, the Holy Spear smoothly penetrated the barrier, causing cracks to appear in the sky. Then, with a thunderous roar, the barrier over Auros Town and Agreas shattered into pieces.
To be continued...
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