High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 33: Chapter 31: A Long-Awaited Reunion!!

I’m at the dandy guy’s place, summoned for devil business.

”Hey, good to see you, Devil-kun!” he greets warmly.

”Thanks for the usual call,” I reply, stepping out of the magic circle.

”Been a while, huh? Sorry about that,” he says with a grin.

Excalibur, Kokabiel things got hectic, so it’s been ages since I visited.

”No worries. Sounds like you’ve been busy too,” he says.

”Appreciate that. So, what’s today’s job?” I ask.

He pulls a game from the shelf a brand-new fighting game, just released two days ago. I was planning to grab it myself.

”Whoa! That’s the one!” I exclaim.

”Yep! Called you to spar with me,” he says.

”Let’s do it!” I nod eagerly.

”Oof! Lost again!” I groan.

”Ha! I grinded this game non-stop. Cleared the story already,” he boasts.

”Seriously?” I gape. This guy’s got too much time.

I glance at his shelf new consoles, old retro games. Wasn’t here last time.

”Quite the collection. Even collectors don’t go this hard,” I say.

”Once I start, I can’t stop. People call my hobby obsession,” he chuckles.

”Fair enough.”

”Another round, Devil-kun or should I say, Red Dragon Emperor, Issei Hyoudou?” He stands, sprouting six pairs of black wings.

”Bring it on, Fallen Angel Governor, Azazel!” I grin back.

We sit on the sofa, sipping tea. Damn, this tea’s good.

”Let’s cut to it, Azazel. Why’re you hiding in this town?” I ask.

”No big deal. Caught wind of Kokabiel’s weird moves. Just keeping tabs,” he says.

”And the White Dragon Emperor?” I press.

”Vali? I sent him to handle things. Can’t have the Fallen Angel boss stirring trouble in devil territory. But looks like you took care of Kokabiel,” he says with a smirk.

”Yeah, makes sense.”

”How’d you know my name?” Azazel asks, curious.

”Felt you were a high-ranking fallen angel. Plus, someone tipped me off,” I say.

”Who?”

”Interested?” I tease, pulling out my phone. ”Yo, it’s Issei. My business is done. Come over.”

Azazel eyes me suspiciously. ”Who’re you—”

A magic circle flares, and out steps—

”Found you, Governor!” Raynare shouts, storming in, rocking a cute blue dress.

”Gah! Raynare?!” Azazel yelps.

She charges him. ”What’re you doing?! Kokabiel’s mess had me writing apologies to devils and angels, drowning in reports! And you dump all your work on us? I’m swamped! Half my department’s in the hospital from stress! You’re just chilling with games?!”

Whoa, she’s pissed. Machine-gun rant mode: engaged. Even Azazel’s rattled.

”Jeez, my bad! Forgive me—” he stammers.

”No way! You always say that!” Raynare snaps.

”Uh, Red Dragon Emperor’s here, so...” Azazel tries, throwing me under the bus.

”Sorry, Issei-kun! Didn’t mean to make a scene!” Raynare says, clasping her hands apologetically.

”No biggie. But, uh...” I point to Azazel, who’s tiptoeing toward the exit.

Raynare locks eyes with him. He bolts.

She smirks, unfazed. ”Too slow, Governor.”

A voice booms from the entrance. ”Azazel!”

”Gah! Shemhazai?!” Azazel groans.

Vice-Governor Shemhazai? Here to drag him back?

”Enough! Back to work! We’ve got a mountain of it!” Shemhazai barks.

”I get it, just why the rope?!” Azazel protests as he’s tied up.

”So you don’t escape again!” Shemhazai retorts.

A scream echoes from the door. What the hell?

Raynare heads to check. I’m left alone, wondering if I should stay.

”Shemhazai-sama,” Raynare says.

”Good work, Raynare. I’ll take Azazel. Stay with the Red Dragon Emperor. Chat. Use the place as you like—vice-governor’s orders,” Shemhazai says.

”But...” Raynare hesitates.

”You’ve barely rested. Take a break. Nice dress, by the way. For him, right?” Shemhazai teases.

”H-How’d you know?!” Raynare stammers.

”Young love, huh? I’m off,” Shemhazai says, vanishing with Azazel.

Raynare returns, face beet-red.

A few minutes later, it’s just me and Raynare in Azazel’s place.

”Been a while, huh, Issei-kun?” she says.

”Yeah. That dress looks great on you,” I say.

”R-Really? Thanks,” she blushes.

”You’ve changed. Your aura’s stronger now,” I note. She was weak when we fought Donasieek—barely low-class. Now? Mid-class fallen angel vibes.

”Azazel’s been training me. Check it!” She spreads four black wings.

”Damn, four wings? Impressive,” I say.

”You’ve powered up too, huh?” she asks.

”Daily sparring with Tiamat,” I shrug.

”Tiamat? The Dragon King?” Her smile freezes. ”You’re not... dying every day, are you?”

”Nah, just exhausting.”

”You’re insane,” she sighs, shaking her head.

Am I freaking her out? Time to switch topics. ”You seem busy lately.”

”Yes!” She leans in close too close! and vents. ”I’m Azazel’s secretary now, but it’s hell! He slacks off, tinkers with sacred gears, or vanishes! Every time, I’m stuck cleaning up!”

Whoa, she’s not usually this intense. Stress must be killing her.

”Calm down,” I say.

”Sorry... venting to you like that,” she says, embarrassed.

”You’re working hard,” I say. We talk late into the night before heading home. I offer her to stay, but she leaves for work.

Next day, at the clubroom, I report to Rias.

”Fallen angels have it rough,” Rias muses, sympathetic after hearing about Raynare and Shemhazai.

”Yeah, Azazel’s a handful, but not a bad guy,” I say.

Rias frowns. ”Still, he’s obsessed with sacred gears. What if he’s after yours?”

”Nah, he’s just a slacker,” I assure her.

Kiba chimes in, eyes sparkling. ”Don’t worry, Rias. I’ll protect Issei.”

Why’s he so intense? ”Uh, thanks, but why?”

”You saved me. You’re my comrade. A Gremory knight doesn’t abandon allies,” Kiba says earnestly. ”I’m no match for you now, but with my Balance Breaker, I’ll be useful someday. Hanging with you’s changed me. My chest feels... warm.”

”Stop! You’re creeping me out!” I groan. Rumors about us are bad enough!

Kiba looks hurt. Don’t make it worse!

I pivot to Rias. ”Raynare mentioned a Three Factions meeting?”

”Yes. We Gremorys are attending since we’re tied to the Kokabiel incident,” she confirms.

”Didn’t know that,” I say. Makes sense we were in the thick of it.

”Azazel’s timing is awful with the meeting coming,” Rias sighs.

”He’s always been like that,” a new voice says.

We turn. A red-haired man smiles Sirzechs, Rias’s brother, the Demon King, with his queen, Grayfia, behind him.

Everyone kneels, except Asia and Xenovia, who look confused.

”Brother?!” Rias gasps.

”Hey, dear sister and her retainers. Relax, I’m here privately,” Sirzechs says.

”Privately?” Rias asks.

Xenovia steps forward. ”You’re the Demon King? I’m Xenovia.”

”Greetings, Xenovia. A Durandal-wielder in my sister’s retinue? Surprising,” Sirzechs says warmly.

”I never expected to become a devil either. Sometimes I wonder why,” Xenovia mutters, lost in thought.

Sirzechs chuckles. ”Rias’s retainers are lively. Xenovia, lend your strength to Gremory.”

”For Lucifer, I’ll do my best,” Xenovia vows.

Rias cuts in. ”Why are you here, Brother?”

Sirzechs pulls out a flyer. Rias’s eyes widen.

”Parent-teacher day’s soon. Wanted to see my sister shine,” he says.

”Grayfia told you?!” Rias glares at her.

”Naturally, as Sirzechs-sama’s queen and school board member, I report such things,” Grayfia replies coolly.

”I cleared my Demon King schedule for this!” Sirzechs winks, thumbs up.

Total siscon, I think.

Ddraig’s voice echoes in my head: Like you’re one to talk, partner.

”...Fair point,” I mutter.

”Father’s coming too,” Sirzechs adds.

Rias sighs deeply. Teen angst, huh?

Asia and Miu seem excited about it, though.

”You’re a Demon King. Favoring one devil...” Rias starts.

Sirzechs shakes his head. ”It’s also business. The Three Factions meeting will be here. I’m scouting the place.”

We all freeze. Even Raynare didn’t mention that.

”I came early, but... any hotels open this late?” Sirzechs checks his watch.

I grin. ”I’ve got an idea.”

Sirzechs smirks back.

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