Still under Ajuka's protection spell, they were floating inside the Dimensional Gap trying to find the correct place to open the portal to Miyu's world. At least, that was what Issei heard from Serafall's explanation. The view inside the Dimensional Gap itself is nothing wondrous, but certainly not something he had ever seen. Nothingness, after all, was not something awesome, and the colors made him nauseous he had to close his eyes to stop himself from going to vomit.
"I wonder where Great Red is. Dimensional Gap is vast, but surely our intrusion will be noticed, and from what I heard he does not like intrusions," Issei heard Serafall talked. Actually, the one who was sort of being their guide inside the Dimensional Gap was Serafall because Ajuka was concentrating on the protection spell and locating the coordinates.
"Isn't your Grand Master fighting him, Ruby, Sapphire?" Issei asked the two Kaleidostick.
"It was months ago, yes. Anything can happen in between. Unless our hostage here can give us more information about her journey to your world, Ise-san~" Ruby answered from Serafall's side, prodding the blonde former enemy.
As Issei expected, she did not rise to the bait nor did she show even slight discontent at Ruby's attack towards her. She was simply staring ahead, not paying attention to Ruby's words. From what he observed, Angelica was a cool-headed woman.
Still, it would not hurt to have more information from Angelica, so Issei calmly asked her. "Angelica-san, do you know anything about this?"
Her gaze broke and she shifted her attention towards Issei. "I know something. When I crossed over to your world, the Red Dragon wasn't here."
That sent Issei's mind to overdrive. Either one of them lost and killed the other, or they had a temporary truce. But those two answers did not explain why Great Red wasn't here or why the Grand Master did not come to collect Ruby and Sapphire. No, there had to be a third possible answer.
As Issei was thinking about the possible conclusion to the battle between the Dragon and the Magician, the group's attention was taken by Angelica's statement, especially Serafall.
"Great Red isn't here?! What do you mean by that?!" But Angelica ignored her, which made veins appeared on Serafall's head. "Hey! Don't ignore me! you... you magical girl reject!"
Miyu looked at Serafall. Really? But the fact was that Angelica ignored Serafall. Her eyes wandered to Issei who was still thinking about something. Could it be...
"Issei, aren't you interested in what Angelica-san is saying?" Miyu asked Issei.
"Huh? What? Oh yeah, actually what do you mean by that?" In Issei's mind, her statement could be interpreted in several ways. Either Great Red lost, or Great Red won and rested somewhere outside, or both had a temporary truce.
"I don't know. What I do know is that I was blocked by a little girl. A little girl who exudes power."
Could it be that both Great Red and the Grand Master lost to this little girl figure?! Issei scratched his head and groaned.
"What's wrong, Ise-san?" Sona took notice of Issei's groan and asked in concern.
"I'm trying to think about what happened here, but there are too many possibilities and not enough information to guess about what happened."
"Then let's put out all the information we know," Miyu emphasized on the 'we' part, looking at the stoic blonde. "Do you agree, Ise-kun?"
"Huh? Yes. It's better if everyone chipped in. Many heads are better than one."
Angelica's face did not betray her emotion. Miyu truly could not read her expression. She did not know if using Issei this way would let her divulge more information like before or not, but she had to try.
"Great Red is the only living being that lives inside the Dimensional Gap. It is a huge red dragon and one of the strongest being in this world," Serafall began.
"Grand Master is the user of the 2nd True Magic, the Kaleidoscope, and part of its power deals with parallel worlds. It is why both Nee-san and I can harness power from alternate worlds for you to use," Sapphire continued. "And both of them were fighting the last time we had contact with Grand Master, it was also the time we entered your world and find a worthy master."
Issei looked at Angelica, expecting her to say something. "...By the time we entered this place, there was only a little girl."
She was right. Although the information was just a repeat, Angelica caved in when it involved Issei. She took Issei aside for a second and whispered. "What did you do to her, Ise?"
Issei blinked in confusion. "What?"
"She answered you but did not answer anyone else," Miyu explained her observation. "Aside from your deal, did you talk about something else?"
"Honestly, no. And is it true? I didn't really notice it. I was deep in thought."
"Ise-kun, do you want to add something?"
Issei and Miyu's short conversation was interrupted when Serafall asked him. Issei nodded towards Serafall and answered. "There are several possibilities. Either Great Red won, the Grand Master won, or both had a temporary truce and the Grand Master went back to his world. But those three cannot be what really happened because one, Great Red isn't here. Two, the Grand Master hasn't approached Ruby and Sapphire even after we collected all the rogue Class Card manifestations. Three, there is this little girl that Angelica-san mentioned. There is one other possibility, that is, this little girl defeated the other two, making the Grand Master retreat and forcing Great Red out of the Dimensional Gap. But I don't want to think about it."
...
""You clearly need to think about the last part more!""
Almost everyone there, with the exception of Ajuka, Sapphire, and Angelica, all shouted at him. Serafall and Ruby in panic, the two girls in exasperation, Gil in mirth followed by a short laugh.
"If the last part was even possible, the balance of power in our world would crumble! Who is strong enough to defeat Great Red?! At least we know Great Red won't do anything, what about this new 'little girl?!'" Serafall ranted in panic.
"That's why I said I don't want to think about it," Issei replied smugly. "So, what do you girls think?"
"Noisy."
Issei nodded at that statement. "Yeah, we were making too much noise. Wait. Who said that?"
Everyone looked towards the source of the voice. It came from outside of Ajuka's protection. There floating in the air was the single figure of a girl Issei's age, wearing a gothic-lolita outfit with a bored expression on her face.
Instantly everyone was on alert. However, Issei saw Serafall let out a sigh of relief. "It's nice to meet you, Ophis-dono. Please forgive our slight. We did not mean to make noises. We just want to cross over safely."
Ophis did not answer. Her eyes switched between everyone inside Ajuka's protection spell one by one. It wasn't until her eyes landed on Issei and her bored expression changed a little.
"Ddraig."
[Ophis. I did not expect to see you here. Where is that idiot?]
The Boosted Gear appeared on Issei's left arm and the emerald jewel shone as Ddraig conversed with his fellow Dragon.
"Dunno. He just left and let me be here again."
Issei nodded. That confirmed that no third party defeated both Great Red and the Grand Master. From what Ophis said, Great Red was the one leaving the Dimensional Gap, now the question was, for what purpose?
[Ophis. In the name of our past acquaintance, I hope you will let us pass. This kid here, he is the most entertaining Boosted Gear wielder I've ever seen. I want to see what else he will do.]
"I see. Fine," she agreed for some reason. Was Ddraig her friend or something? What he said implied that the two were friendly enough.
Ophis then began floating away from them. But before she was too far away, she heard somebody calling her.
"Ophis-chan! If you ever feel lonely, just come to us!"
Ophis did not react to Issei's call. When Ophis was gone, everyone looked at Issei with disbelief.
"What?"
Sona just sighed. "That's our Issei... unfortunately."
Miyu nodded, agreeing with Sona.
"Fuhahaha, truly, you are a Fool, Hyoudou Issei." Gil laughed.
Serafall just put up a smile. "Am I losing on being the most diplomatically-savvy person here?"
"You are an adult, Serafall-san. You cannot see from another perspective. Think about it. Issei-san here sees a little girl alone in this empty world. What kind of man would he be if he did not offer his friendship?! It's a staple in shonen anime!" Ruby suddenly explained.
"That's right, Ruby!" Both Issei and Ruby high-fived.
"You do know that Ophis can shapeshift, right, Ise-kun? From what I've gathered Ophis once took the form of an old man."
"Are you kidding? I thought I was raising flags for a party member, but you just said that I might pick up a mentor figure?! Hell yes!"
"...There's no stopping him isn't there?" Serafall giggled as Issei discussed some cliches from old shonen manga with Ruby.
"No," Miyu answered, "And that's why we love him."
Soon after that, everyone inside the protection spell felt they were moving towards something. It was an open portal. They felt the spell entering it and found themselves inside the portal.
Not even a second later, Issei opened his eyes and saw an unfamiliar landscape.
It was a park. However, it was no park he had ever visited, and this coming from someone who had played on all Kuoh's park.
There was only one conclusion. "We've arrived."
Everyone looked towards Miyu. "I... think we are in Fuyuki, yes. I don't know. The only time I ever came out of my house was the time I was kidnapped by her and her superior."
Then everyone looked towards the second source of information. "..."
"Right, Angelica-san won't say anything that benefits us," Issei sighed. "Anyway, since we're here already, can I take command, Ajuka-san, Serafall-san?"
Ajuka who was resting from maintaining his protection spell and opening the portal, only gave a shaky nod while Serafall answered with a 'yes'.
"Then our first move is... look for a place to sleep!"
Indeed. As they found out that there was no time difference between the two worlds, they left their worlds at night and arrived here when the sun was still not up. Issei decided that it was better to rest first.
"I don't know if there are any magical protection but you can use my h- my brother's house," Miyu offered. "It's a huge traditional-styled house. I'm sure it can fit everyone."
"It's nice for you to offer it, Miyu-san. But one problem. do you know the way?"
...
"Sona-san, please carry Miyu-san to the air and see if she can spot it."
Sona spread out her wings and carried Miyu up to the skies.
"I have to say it's a good choice, Ise-kun. You're shaping up to be a responsible leader, huh?"
"I have no choice. You two are forcing it on me. Rather than complaining which would get me nowhere, I'll try to live up to your expectation instead," Issei scratched his cheek.
"That's a nice attitude to have. I'm sure I can leave So-tan in your capable hands soon."
"Yeah... wait, what?!" Issei turned his head towards Serafall but she avoided looking at him. "Serafall-san, what did you just say?"
Unfortunately, he could not press the matter more because Sona and Miyu landed down. "Okay, we found it. Let's get moving."
Bringing their luggage, everyone was ready to move towards the Emiya residence with Sona and Miyu in the front.
However...
"I see that you have come back, Angelica."
Somebody was blocking their path.
"Beatrice..."
Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Issei dropped his luggage and prepared himself for confrontation. Whoever this was, she'd better be ready because he wanted to sleep damn it!
A/N: This chapter is sorta the bridge. I kinda wanted to skip towards Miyu's world but I feel there is an opportunity for Ophis cameo towards the group. Here we see Issei social linking everyone like a shonen protagonist and also began to act as a leader. And yeah, Serafall is in