Chapter 181: The Chief Demon God Pillar Returns, Approaching the Level of a Chief God!
According to the information Solomon of this world provided, if it were truly as described, then this world was in a difficult situation.
Here, "difficult" didn't mean this world was more dangerous than Renji had imagined; rather, he had overestimated it.
Previously, he had worried about the Primordial God's invasion of this other world [i.e., this world], fearing this world might be too powerful and end up harming the other world.
Now, it seemed the situation here might be even more perilous than over there.
According to King Solomon of this world, the two strongest beings in this world are the two Dragon Gods: one is the Infinite Dragon God Ophis, and the other is Great Red.
Based on the information Rias revealed to him—specifically, the statement made by the otherworld shrine maiden during last weekend's tripartite meeting—the subordinates of the otherworld Three Pillar Gods alone are powerful enough to rival Great Red.
This means there is no higher peak power on this side. If the Three Pillar Gods from that side launch a full-scale invasion, it's clear they won't be able to hold them off.
So, are the two Dragon Gods truly the pinnacle of this world?
Could it be that King Solomon of this world hasn't actually touched upon the deeper layers of power in this world?
It doesn't seem that way, though, since he obtained this information from the God of the Bible.
And if the God of the Bible isn't necessarily a match for the Dragon Gods, then this world's combat power is really in a precarious state.
Therefore, if the [EvisEtourute] world figures out the true situation of this world, it would be troublesome.
He can only hope that before all his Seventy-Two Demon Gods are confirmed, the [EvisEtourute] world remains unaware of this side's true situation and doesn't launch a full-scale invasion.
As for why he hasn't made contact with the Church, even though he possesses the memories of this world's King Solomon?
The reason is that he still can't confirm whether the God of the Bible in this world is truly dead.
What if the God of the Bible in this world is just like that guy from his own world, scheming and plotting some conspiracy?
In any case, it's better to be cautious.
Moreover, is it really such a coincidence that the otherworld shrine maiden came to this world? And such a coincidence that she encountered people from the Church?
Could it actually be a feigned defection, with her coming here to gather intelligence?
And the Church might very well be their collaborators.
So, having Runeas advance directly on the spot the day before yesterday was a bit hasty. He hadn't noticed the otherworld shrine maiden—she was hiding in the conference room under protection.
"Sorry~"
An apology from Rias.
She apologized because Renji analyzed for her the possibility that the otherworld shrine maiden's appearance might not be a betrayal or an accidental escape to this side, but rather a deliberate move to gather intelligence about this world.
Additionally, he directly informed Rias about what the so-called God of the Bible from the parallel world is like, which is why Rias apologized for not telling him immediately about the discovery of the otherworld shrine maiden.
So, wouldn't she be curious about how he knows about that side's information as well?
She definitely is curious, but she chose not to ask.
Her current decision to trust him is based on several factors: her ancestor confirmed he is King Solomon and has become one of his Demon Gods.
Then, two of her close friends have also joined his side, so she can't just stand by and do nothing.
Finally, he is in a hostile relationship with the [EvisEtourute] world. If the [EvisEtourute] world invades, only by joining his side can she obtain the power to resist them.
"Alright, let's begin."
"Okay."
Rias then stepped into the magic circle.
Regarding the transformation into his Demon God Pillar, there are actually two methods. One is for him to preside over it, with him providing the magical power.
The other method was for Rias herself to supply the magical power, but forcibly integrating the Demon God card into her body required an enormous amount of magic. Sona and the others lacked sufficient magical reserves, so he presided over the magic circle instead.
As for the ancestor, her magical power was sufficient, allowing her to undergo the transformation on their own.
Self-transformation would result in a higher compatibility with the card, enabling faster adaptation.
It was like a new car needing a break-in period to run smoothly.
Thus, Rias decided to attempt the forced fusion herself. However, if the fusion failed, she would experience excruciating pain.
So, closing her eyes, Rias took a deep breath.
The moment she exhaled and opened her eyes, her magic power surged forth violently.
The magic circle operated normally, and the card glowed, enlarging before revealing a form.
It was the figure of a Demon God, holding a giant hammer in its right hand, a ball of lightning in its left, wearing a conical crown with two horns on its head, and riding on lightning.
Huh? Rias's expression changed abruptly because, in that instant, the card began frantically drawing magic power without her needing to inject it, making her feel extreme discomfort as if her body were about to explode.
At the same time, her body temperature skyrocketed, burning so intensely that she felt as if her entire body were on fire, nearly causing her consciousness to plunge into darkness...
In the blink of an eye, almost all the magic power in her body was drained, but the Demon God card seemed like a bottomless pit, continuing to draw more.
If her magic power was completely exhausted without reaching the threshold for transformation, the power would be forced back into her, subjecting her to even more intense scorching heat than before.
So, she couldn't give up like this!
Without magic power, she desperately squeezed and compressed what little remained, until she felt dizzy and lightheaded, her consciousness on the verge of slipping into slumber.
Just as her consciousness was about to be swallowed by darkness, a vast amount of light suddenly dispelled the gloom.
"Did it succeed?"
Countless points of light seeped into her body, and she felt her power growing, surpassing her original capacity in the blink of an eye.
Ah, she had broken through to the High-Class Devil level. Her magical capacity continued to expand and was being filled.
Just when it seemed to reach its limit, as if something had broken through again, Rias's body underwent an explosive expansion in magical capacity.
Is this the power of a Maou-level?
It was still growing until Rias felt it was not far from the next boundary before it stopped.
Could that boundary be the so-called Chief God-level?
"Is this the power of the Demon God Bael?"
Muttering in a daze, Rias felt that if she were to face Kokabiel, who had also experienced a sudden surge in power the day before yesterday, she could still defeat him.
Of course, she couldn't achieve the level he had when using the Demon God Bael's power, instantly annihilating Kokabiel.
Hmm?
"Sacred Gear? 5.6 Noble Phantasms?"
She was also slightly startled by her attire. It was no longer the Kuoh Academy uniform but a garment that perfectly suited the aura of a Demon God.
The clothing itself seemed like Sacred Gear armor, but the feedback she received called it a Noble Phantasm.
Hmm?
Hearing footsteps approaching the room, Rias hurriedly retracted her leaking magical energy and deactivated her Demon God state.
The next moment, the floor beneath her feet turned to powder, causing her to stumble and lunge toward him.
When people are about to fall, they instinctively reach out to grab something, and so she grabbed his body, clutching his sides.
But she couldn't hold on firmly and slipped down, pulling something off and causing something to be released.
At the same time, her clothes, due to the intense release of magical energy, disintegrated as if they had been exposed to the sun for countless years.
The result was complete disintegration.
Then, the door opened.