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High School DxD (Light Novel) - Volume 21, Afterword
Volume 21, Afterword
This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml
Long time no see, it’s Ichiei Ishibumi. The fourth arc which was started in the second half of 2012 has finally ended. It actually took three years, so it’s really quite long.
I was very nervous while writing the twenty first volume. I think the readers also thought that way. Volume twenty one was full of climactic battles! Indeed, that is so.
Sairaorg + Saji versus Bedeze -> Vali versus Aži Dahāka -> Ise versus Apophis -> Ise & Sirzechs versus Trihexa’s core
…A total of more than four climactic battles were included within this volume. More than any other in the past. As popular characters, Sairaorg and Vali also received a second power up. Sorry, it would only appear at the end of an arc like this so please forgive me….
Looking back on the fourth arc, this period was the most mentally difficult for me, especially during the period that I wrote volumes sixteen ~ nineteen. I had to prepare so many heroines (+Gasper) for the story, so it feels a bit too stiff. The content was also somewhat weak, and perhaps the reason is because it was very painful at that time to write. The attitude of ‘Regardless of whether it’s a heroine role, or the fight between some kids, I want to write it!’ continued to accumulate, and this eventually burst out in the previous volume, and the final part of the battle, this volume. And precisely because of this, this volume, the previous volume, and DxD’s second ~ twelfth volumes are the most satisfying for me. If the readers who didn’t finish reading the fourth arc because it was too long are seeing this, then I want to tell you ‘the fourth arc is finally over!’.
Changing the subject a bit, the next section is about Ise, Vali and the situation on Team [DxD].
Because this time it was Vali’s volume, I was finally able to dig into his true character. Since it won’t be good if he isn’t confirmed as Ise’s ultimate rival, the scenes of Azazel in this story were written around this. Much like the previous volume, Vali’s focus is also about parents. But it was a sad story this time. The two people have been made to stand at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Vali finally Maouified! What he gained was a transformation power up. Moreover, I think Vali’s form will also become known as [DxD][100]. If Ise’s new form is called [DxD] G (God), then Vali’s new form would be [DxD] L (Lucifer). By the way, the wyverns which appeared during Vali’s fight are Funnels[101].
Regarding the legendary [White Dragon], there are many versions of its name. DxD uses the ‘Latin [White] as etymology’, and contains numerous meanings to appear as [Albion]. While Ise and Ddraig underwent training, Vali also powered up accordingly, and used this opportunity to use the true name of [Gwiber].
Ise also responded in his style with the use of ∞ Blaster[102] + Longinus Smasher, a terrain changing blast with incredible firepower.
Sairaorg has transformed into the Beast of Supremacy which was only mentioned previously. Dulio and Tobio have also displayed their Balance Breakers. However, neither of their special abilities have been completely revealed.
Also, Elmenhilde has appeared once again. She already appeared once in the short story that was published in Dragon Magazine, and I will probably include it in the third volume of DX.
Next is about the boss of the fourth arc.
Rizevim has already prepared the stage for the event that readers hate very much. Thus, Aži Dahāka, Apophis and Trihexa were the best candidates for the enemies of the conclusion of the fourth arc. I especially enjoyed writing the fights of Aži Dahāka and Apophis.
The character of Aži Dahāka was inspired by King Ghidorah[103]. And because of that, it had the feel of a boss when I was writing it. I was very happy to be able to write about this massive three-headed dragon like a monster.
Apophis himself is a mass of unpredictable darkness. No matter how Issei attacked, he was unable to cause any damage. Aside from borrowing an extraordinarily powerful attack power, only a god named after the sun would be able to defeat him.
Trihexa is considered to be a true monster. It could easily destroy the entire world. This time, it also caused massive amounts of damage to the territories of each faction, and it is also the most destructive force in DxD. If Azazel’s plan didn’t exist, then even more gods would have been defeated.
A serious Great Red and Ophis in her prime would be roughly equivalent, or perhaps even superior than this. You can understand the abnormality of Ise who has inherited the power of both those Dragon Gods.
Allow me to change the subject again, this section is about the other world [ExE][104].
The setting has finally been revealed. High School DxD will not be replaced by [ExE]. However, it has already been determined that they will come into contact with each other in thirty years. So, what will develop from that in the end? Please wait patiently. By the way, DxD is an original view of the world, and is not related to any actual myths.
In fact, this has already been touched upon by the extra story of DxD. Bundled with the BD/DVD of the third season of the anime [High School DxD BorN] were the special short stories [High School DxD EX], in which the invasion from the other world and Ise’s children from the future were written about, of which there are a total of six parts. The extra short stories and their complementing optical media are a limited first production item. As I am unsure about the initial stock of each store, if readers wish to buy it, please keep an eye out for it.
Next are my acknowledgements. Miyama-Zero-sama, editor H-sama. This time I bothered you right up until the deadline, so I’m very sorry. Thanks to you, the script that I finished could be published.
The fourth arc has mostly ended. Yes, the second half of the next volume will be the beginning of the final arc!
The fifth and final arc will have the main themes of ‘DxD’s final decisive battle’ and ‘lively ceremonies’.
The first half of the next volume will act as the epilogue of the fourth arc, as well as the graduation ceremony of Rias, Akeno and the other third years. It will be the end of a generation. Volume twenty two will have Rias and Akeno as the focus.
Also, it was mentioned in the second volume of DX that volume twenty two would have an intriguing start to look forward to. A flag has been buried in this volume. I think the fans will be very excited to continue.
As such, the second half of the next volume will be the start of the fifth and final arc. I’m very grateful to the readers who can accompany DxD to the end.
Translator's Notes and References
1. ↑ chichi: father
2. ↑ Sofu: grandfather
3. ↑ kaa-san: mother
4. ↑ Red Dragon God Emperor
5. ↑ In this case, it is referring to Sirzechs’ territory.
6. ↑ The souls of Valhalla are the souls of those who have died in battle, and are ruled over by Odin. Their purpose if to assist Odin when Ragnarök comes.
7. ↑ Kanji was Forbidden Dragon of Demonic/Magic origin, hiragana was Diabolism Thousand Dragon.
8. ↑ Kanji was Primordial Darkness Dragon, hiragana was Eclipse Dragon.
9. ↑ Primordial Water seems to originate from Egyptian mythology as the ‘thing’ that existed before all creation. Apophis supposedly swam in these primordial water before the creation of the cosmos.
10. ↑ Refers to the events of V11-12 in which the Demonic Beasts of [Annihilation Maker] were unleashed upon the Underworld.
11. ↑ Typhon is a beast from Greek mythology known as the most fearsome and often has links to snakes.
12. ↑ Hanuman is a Hindu god with the face of a monkey. He is a devotee of Rama and sometimes portrayed as an incarnation/avatar of Shiva.
13. ↑ Ganesha is a Hindu god with the head of an elephant. He is revered as a ‘remover of obstacles’, and associated with intellect, wisdom, arts and sciences. He is also the son of Shiva.
14. ↑ Varuna is the Hindu god of water and the ‘celestial ocean’ and also the King of the Asuras. The Asuras are known as demigods in Hindu mythology.
15. ↑ Armageddon in Christianity is the location at which armies will gather to fight at the end of the world.
16. ↑ Normal milk from a cow.
17. ↑ Same as above.
18. ↑ Oji-san and oba-san: father and mother respectively.
19. ↑ Ogifu-sama and ogibo-sama: father-in-law and mother-in-law respectively.
20. ↑ Oppai, chichi, and mune are all words which mean breasts.
21. ↑ Ane: elder sister.
22. ↑ Kanji was [Eternal Ice Princess], kana was [Absolute Demise].
23. ↑ Mount Meru is the home of Brahma and the demi-gods in Hindu mythology.
24. ↑ Ototo: Younger brother.
25. ↑ Ani: Elder brother.
26. ↑ Chichi: Father.
27. ↑ Haha: Mother.
28. ↑ The name Barbatos seems to be a reference to the ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos as well a demon mentioned in The Lesser Key of Solomon.
29. ↑ Chichiue: More respectful form of father.
30. ↑ Imouto-kun: Little sister.
31. ↑ Business Golf: When businessmen play so-so or poorly in golf so that a business transaction goes smoothly.
32. ↑ Nakama: Comrade, friend.
33. ↑ Touki: Fighting Spirit.
34. ↑ Anieue: More respectful form of elder brother.
35. ↑ Kanji was: Beast of Supremacy, Release!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
36. ↑ Kanji was: Dragon of Supremacy.
37. ↑ Kanji was: The Invincible Purple Skin of the Lion King.
38. ↑ Kanji was DxD.
39. ↑ Sobo: Grandmother.
40. ↑ Oji-sama: Respectful way of addressing an older or middle-aged man.
41. ↑ Aniki: Brother (older).
42. ↑ Bishoujo: A pretty young girl.
43. ↑ Kanji was Chief Mourner’s Crucified Stand of Purple Flame.
44. ↑ Kanji was Eternal Ice Princess.
45. ↑ Onmyouji: Traditional Japanese specialists of magic and divination.
46. ↑ Ogifu-sama and ogibo-sama: Father-in-law and mother-in-law respectively.
47. ↑ Shikigami: Supernatural beings from Japanese folklore which are summoned by Onmyouji. They are often represented as spirits which take the form of beasts or animals.
48. ↑ Kanji was Crimson Extinct Dragon Princess.
49. ↑ -zenfukukaichou: Former Vice-President.
50. ↑ Kanji was Embrace of the Holy Dragon Princess’ Garden of Love.
51. ↑ Kanji was Prison of Bright Heavenly Thunder.
52. ↑ Kanji was: Inevitable Punishment of the Holy Angel’s Rainbow, Shining Star of the End. The furigana is Italian, roughly meaning: Scourge of Rainbow Colours, Hope of Briscola/Trump. Briscola is an Italian card game, while trump (card) has the same name.
53. ↑ An Engrish term which could be interpreted as: extra or additional.
54. ↑ Kanji was Jade Dragon.
55. ↑ jisan: An old man.
56. ↑ The Jīndǒu Yún is his magic cloud and Jingu Bang is his magical staff.
57. ↑ Journey to the West is a 16th century Chinese novel loosely based on the account of the monk Xuanzang. It details the journey of a group of pilgrims (Xuanzang, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing), with a strong emphasis on Chinese folklore, mythology and Buddhism.
58. ↑ The Nezha Prince is protection deity in Chinese folk religion. He also appeared in Journey to the West.
59. ↑ Kanji was Tang Sanzang Tripitaka, which is another name for Xuanzang. This title refers to his mission to seek the Three Collections of Buddhist Scriptures.
60. ↑ Kanji was Brightness of Supremacy.
61. ↑ Sofu: Grandfather.
62. ↑ Haha: Mother.
63. ↑ Chichi: Father.
64. ↑ Otouto: Younger brother.
65. ↑ Imouto: Younger sister.
66. ↑ Pronounced as: shin naru hakuryuushin ou.
67. ↑ Kanji was Forbidden Dragon of Magic Origin.
68. ↑ Kanji was Eternal Ice Princess.
69. ↑ The magical staff which can extend and contract.
70. ↑ Younger sister.
71. ↑ Kanji was Dog God of the the Black Blade.
72. ↑ Kanji was Mad Blade Dog God of the Glowing Night Sky.
73. ↑ Kanji was Dark Demon Beast of the Abyss, Dog God of the Hero’s Eternal Night Blade. The kana reads as latin, with a very rough meaning being something along the lines of: Perfect Darkness Werewolf and Brave Dense Laelaps. Laelaps is a Greek mythological dog that never failed to catch what it hunted. Zeus turned it into stone and cast it into the stars as the Canis Major constellation.
74. ↑ Kana was Evie Etoulde. Closest guess as neither word seems to have any significant meaning or matches. All instances of ExE are read as Evie Etoulde.
75. ↑ Kana was Jashin. Keeping this in line with EX for consistency.
76. ↑ Kana was Dragon of Dragon.
77. ↑ Kanji was Silver Dragon of Great Supremacy.
78. ↑ Sofu: Grandfather.
79. ↑ Mother, younger sister, and younger brother respectively.
80. ↑ Can be interpreted as: Thanks for the food.
81. ↑ Kanji was Red Dragon.
82. ↑ Ani – older brother. Otouto – younger brother. Kanji was Deep Red and True Red. However, deep red and true red are often both called crimson.
83. ↑ Transcendent Being and Super Devil are equivalent terms.
84. ↑ Kanji was Primordial Darkness Dragon.
85. ↑ Traditional Japanese clothing that is usually worn on special occasions such as coming-of-age ceremonies. The haori is like a coat, while the hakama are like trousers which reach down to the ankles.
86. ↑ tou-san: father. kaa-san: mother. sobo-chan: own grandmother. jii-chan: grandfather.
87. ↑ Shichi-Go-San (literally seven five three) is a traditional coming-of-age ceremony for girls who are three and seven, and boys who are three and five years of age to celebrate their growth and well-being.
88. ↑ Read as: Dragon Infinity Drive.
89. ↑ Read as: Infinity Blaster.
90. ↑ The literal translation of crimson is deep red for Sirzechs, whereas the literal translation of crimson is true red for Issei.
91. ↑ gikei-san: brother-in-law.
92. ↑ Kanji was Demonic Star of Extinction.
93. ↑ Written as: DxD.
94. ↑ Kanji was Red Dragon.
95. ↑ Kanji was Tree of Life. This is a symbolic representation of a tree with ten or eleven parts, which each represent a different spiritual concept.
96. ↑ Kanji was World Tree.
97. ↑ ane: Elder sister.
98. ↑ ani: Elder brother.
99. ↑ Kana reads as Issei, which also means honesty
100. ↑ Kana was Diabolos Dragon. The next two instances of DxD are also Diabolos Dragon.
101. ↑ Gundam reference to the Funnel-Type weapons.
102. ↑ Pronounced as: Infinity Blaster.
103. ↑ Reference to the golden three-headed dragon in Godzilla.
104. ↑ Kana was Evie Etoulde.
