The Strongest Eriri in History

Scarlet wasted no time exchanging words with Rizevim and instead launched a ferocious attack. Although the difference between Dragon God level and Transcendent level is only a single rank, the gap in power is enormous.

Rizevim was utterly powerless against her assault and perished swiftly at Scarlet's hands.

Once she had finished off Rizevim, Scarlet paid no further attention to anyone else on the arena floor. She returned directly to Eriri's side, leaving the assembled deities wearing expressions of grave concern.

"So, this is the power of a being that transcends the world… terrifying, yet thrilling, as it presents the ultimate challenge." Shiva, the god of destruction, who appeared to be only in middle school, looked at Scarlet with unmistakable battlelust in his eyes.

Initially, Shiva's goal was Ophis, regarded as the strongest in the world. But encountering Scarlet, a being even further beyond, shifted his target instantly.

If it weren't for the circumstances, he might already be issuing a challenge.

Despite Scarlet's easy victory over Rizevim, Shiva felt not a shred of fear; it was his own power that instilled in him a sense of confidence. Since the death of the God of the Bible, he had been the undisputed strongest among the gods, a level of strength that far surpassed Rizevim.

However, even Shiva's usually calm expression turned grave when his gaze fell upon Eriri.

Even though he had always been able to perceive what most others could not, Eriri's essence was completely beyond his comprehension.

The gods and demons on the arena floor exchanged silent, wary glances, speculating about Eriri's intentions. Rizevim's fate left them with no desire to make any further bold moves, and those who had once eyed Eriri with greed quickly wiped their expressions clean.

Unbeknownst to them, however, Eriri had already marked each of their faces. Their reckoning would come in due time.

Eriri decided to finally proceed with the plan she had come up with on a whim. But first, she opened a live stream for the Chat Group, allowing the members to witness the spectacle she was about to stage—a preview of the Group's own Martial Arts Tournament to come in just over twenty days.

The members, who had been casually chatting, perked up immediately.

[Arche (Level 4, Stage 8): Eriri's live streaming again? What interesting thing is happening now?]

[Elaina (Level 4, Stage 8): So many people gathered—could this be a tournament?]

[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 6): Indeed! Most of these figures are the gods and demons of Rias's world, here to duel as a demonstration. Keep watching, this should give you a solid preview.]

[Luo Cuilian (Level 5, Stage 6): How intriguing—let's see how these gods differ from the 'Heretic Gods' of my world.]

[Sakura (Level 4, Stage 7): Eriri, when are you coming back?]

[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 6): Tomorrow. Why, miss me already?]

[Sakura (Level 4, Stage 7): Of course, I do! But it's actually from Reina. She's inviting some classmates over, and she wants to introduce them to you.]

[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 6): No problem! Tomorrow is the weekend, right? Have Reina invite them to come by tomorrow or the day after.]

[Sakura (Level 4, Stage 7): Got it! I'll go let her know now.]

[Gabriel (Level 4, Stage 7): Please come back soon, I haven't had Aoi-chan's cooking in four whole days! Although Momo's food is good, nothing beats Aoi-chan's.]

[Arifureta (Level 5, Stage 1/ Group Leader): Gabriel, aren't you worried Momo might hear and get hurt? You might not get her food at all anymore.]

Momo's culinary skills had been honed by her time assisting Aoi in the kitchen, reaching about seventy to eighty percent of Aoi's level. While it couldn't surpass Aoi's, it still made her the second-best cook in the Saekano world by a considerable margin.

[Lala (Level 6, Stage 9): Don't worry, Momo is very sweet—she wouldn't be upset over something like that.]

[Lala (Level 6, Stage 9): By the way, Eriri, everyone—after tomorrow, my improved Sword Art Online will launch globally at 10:00 a.m.! You're all invited to join. I've prepared login devices for each of you.]

[Kaguya Shinomiya (Level 4, Stage 3): A fully immersive game? I heard Chika mention it before. I'll definitely be there. Luckily, I have 10,000 points saved up; otherwise, I wouldn't be able to afford the Cross-Boundary Talisman.]

[Chika Fujiwara (Level 4, Stage 7): Finally, the game is ready! I've been waiting forever, and the timing is perfect for Saturday!]

[Yuuki Asuna(Level 4, Stage 7): +1! I've been dying to play Lala's Sword Art Online. From the trailers, I could tell it's vastly different from the Sword Art Online in my world.]

[Myne (Level 2, Stage 9): What's this? A fully immersive game? How incredible! I want to join too!]

[Ruri Goko (Level 4, Stage 5): Say no more. Even if I have to skip school, I'm going!]

[Nodoka Haramura (Level 3, Stage 4): …]

At that, even the more reserved Group members came forward to announce they'd be attending Lala's Sword Art Online launch, with even Luo Hao, usually deep in training, expressing interest. By all accounts, it looked as though the day after tomorrow would become the Group's second unofficial gathering.

…

Meanwhile, Eriri began addressing the gods gathered in the arena.

"Greetings. My name is Eriri Spencer Sawamura. You needn't trouble yourselves with who or what I am.

"I know you're here because of Rias. Regardless of whether your intentions are malicious or benevolent, I'll extend an opportunity to each of you—a chance to walk away alive and to grow stronger."

Her words rippled through the crowd like a stone striking still water, subtly shifting every god's expression, Sirzechs and Serafall included.

The desire for greater strength was universal, though more than a few gods bristled at Eriri's mention of "a chance to stay alive."

"What do you mean, a chance to stay alive?" Hades, god of the Underworld, spoke loudly. As a skeleton in appearance, his expression was impossible to read.

His tone, however, conveyed deep displeasure.

As the supreme god within the Greek pantheon, Hades wielded immense power and pride and had no intention of accepting the idea that his fate was in the hands of an outsider.

"Oh? It seems you don't want that chance. Very well, I'll start by sending you on your way."

Without hesitation, Eriri acted. Though Hades hadn't looked at her with greed, his gaze had held a brazen desire for Ophis's power. That alone was reason enough for him to perish ten thousand times over.

With a casual flick of her finger, Eriri directed a powerful beam of energy at Hades, vaporizing him instantly.

"Brother!"

Seeing their brother's sudden vanishing, Zeus and Poseidon's expressions changed dramatically. Though their hearts burned with anger toward Eriri, neither dared to look directly at her on her viewing platform, choosing instead to bury their resentment deep within.

Around them, other gods and beings fell into stunned silence. Those who had shown the slightest resistance now bowed their heads, each looking distinctly shaken.

"Don't worry. I'm not as ruthless as you seem to think," Eriri continued after the quiet had settled in. "In fact, I'd say I'm a very forgiving person."

In the stillness, only Eriri's voice resonated through the space.

"Right now, you're all in a dimensional realm that I created at will. No one can leave this space without my permission."

The silence below continued, only her voice echoing throughout the realm.

"You're currently standing on a massive arena. I'll split you into two groups. Those who came with no malicious intent toward Rias will be in the first group, while those who harbor ill intent—or those whom I simply find distasteful—will be in the second.

"Within each group, you'll compete in matches. The winner of the first group will receive an opportunity to grow stronger, and no one in the first group will be at risk of death. You can fight to your heart's content, and even if you die, I'll bring you back on the spot.

"As for the second group, only the final victor will live. The winner of that group will have a chance to save their life by enduring one of my casual attacks, and they'll enjoy the same benefits as the winner of the first group.

"For fairness, I'll equalize all of your strengths to the same level. So don't give up on your chances." Eriri's voice turned playful as she smiled. "See? Am I not generous?"

Those with no ill intentions toward Rias breathed a sigh of relief, while those with hidden motives cursed inwardly. None of them wanted to lose their lives, though, so they steeled themselves to give their utmost to secure a chance for survival.

No one doubted Eriri's words; even the densest among them understood by now that Rias's swift growth was undoubtedly due to Eriri. Those who had come to Kuoh just out of curiosity, particularly those only at the Satan level, felt a renewed thirst for the reward she offered—an opportunity to join the ranks of the strongest in this world.

"Lady Eriri, thank you for your kindness," said Michael, with six golden wings spread and a halo above his head, bowing to Eriri with heartfelt gratitude. He had initially thought this day would not end well; now, not only was he safe, but he also had a chance for a remarkable opportunity.

Behind him, Gabriel—blessed with a radiant figure, hailed as Heaven's greatest beauty—patted her chest in relief, unwittingly creating a noticeable ripple in the air.

The sight of the two archangels caused a stir within the Chat Group.

[Chika Fujiwara (Level 4, Stage 7): Gabriel, why do angels in this world have so many wings, while you only have one pair? Curious.jpg]

[Gabriel (Level 4, Stage 7): More wings aren't everything. They look tacky! Besides, I could crush these archangels with one hand. It's a disgrace for angels to be this weak. Unimpressed.jpg.]

Gabriel wasn't wrong; with her current Level 4, Stage 7 power, she would indeed be among the stronger Transcendents and Dragon-level beings, in High School DxD. These archangels, only at Satan level, stood no chance against her.

And that wasn't to mention her sister Zelel, whose strength could easily overwhelm even a resurrected God of the Bible.

[Myne (Level 2, Stage 9): Many books describe angels with lots of wings! A twelve-winged angel is the highest level, right? I wonder what their ranks are here.]

[Kanae Kocho (Level 4, Stage 9): I've seen Rias's recorded memories. I think this angel speaking now is named Michael, if I remember correctly.]

[Myne (Level 2, Stage 9): I've watched all the memory recordings available in the Group lately, but I haven't seen any about Rias. Why's that?]

[Kanae Kocho (Level 4, Stage 9): Ah, well, since some of the scenes were a bit…embarrassing, Rias asked Eriri to remove them, so not many people have seen them.]

[Myne (Level 2, Stage 9): Now I'm even more curious!]

[Rias (Level 4, Stage 4): …Please, let's not talk about that. I'd rather not remember those days…]

[Myne (Level 2, Stage 9): Ah, sorry!]

[Rias (Level 4, Stage 4): It's fine, I'm not upset! It's just those memories are super embarrassing!]

[Rias (Level 4, Stage 4): Kanae's right; the angel speaking is indeed Michael. As for the other one, I haven't met her, but there are many twelve-winged angels in Heaven.]

[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 6): That female angel is Gabriel, one of the Four Archangels in this world's Heaven, a counterpart to Gabriel in the Bible.]

[Myne (Level 2, Stage 9): So it's Gabriel! Gabriel's supposed to be the most beautiful angel in Heaven according to so many novels.]

[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 6): Indeed, though Gabriel's plenty adorable herself!]

[Gabriel (Level 4, Stage 7): Of course I am!]

[Arifureta (Level 5, Stage 1 / Group Leader): Gabriel, if you're both Gabriel, why is there such a big…um, difference in your figures?]

[Gabriel (Level 4, Stage 7): …]