High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 42: Chapter 40: Clash of the Two Heavenly Dragons

Issei’s Perspective

We reached the courtyard where our allies were. The enemy mages had been nearly wiped out by Kiba, Akeno, and the others. Victory seemed close.

Then—

BOOM!

Something crashed before us!

The sudden impact startled even the President. As the dust settled, we saw—

”...Tch. I’m getting sloppy. Betraying us in this situation, Vali?” Azazel, battered, stood there.

”That’s right, Azazel,” Vali, the White Dragon Emperor, descended, radiating white light.

Beside him was an unfamiliar woman.

Whoa! Her outfit was provocative—low-cut, revealing her chest, with a deep slit exposing her thighs. So sexy!

”I feel a lecherous gaze,” she said. ”Is that boy the Red Dragon Emperor, Vali?”

”Yeah,” Vali replied.

”He doesn’t seem like much of a threat,” she scoffed.

”Katerea, you need to sharpen your judgment. He’s a disappointment normally, but in battle, he’s a different beast.”

Rude much? I feel insulted. Even Koneko’s nodding along!

”Senpai’s amazing in fights but hopeless otherwise,” Koneko said.

Sorry for being a perv!

Azazel, brushing dirt off his clothes, faced Vali. ”Since when, Vali?”

”On the way back with Kokabiel, they made me an offer: ’Want to fight Asgard?’ I couldn’t resist testing my strength,” Vali said.

”So you joined the Chaos Brigade,” Azazel muttered.

Chaos Brigade? What’s that?

I wasn’t the only one confused. Sirzechs and Serafall looked clueless too.

Seeing our expressions, Azazel explained, ”I started mentioning it at the meeting but got cut off. Our deputy, Shemhazai, uncovered a group gathering dangerous elements from the three factions. That’s the Chaos Brigade.”

So Vali’s with the terrorists?

”And their leader is Ophis, the Infinite Dragon God,” Azazel added.

Everyone, including the President and Sirzechs, froze in shock.

”Ophis... so he’s moving,” Sirzechs murmured grimly.

Who’s Ophis? Some big shot dragon?

”Ophis, huh? A nostalgic name,” Ddraig rumbled.

You know him, Ddraig?

”Of course. He surpasses me and Albion. The strongest dragon, a god among dragons. The mightiest being in this world.”

I was speechless. That guy’s leading the terrorists?

Azazel gave a wry smile. ”Fighting a god, huh? Typical Vali.”

Katerea mocked him. ”Vali Lucifer provided intel and groundwork for us, the old Devil King faction. You knew his nature and let him run free, Azazel. You’ve choked yourself.”

Wait—Lucifer?

Vali Lucifer?

Vali placed a hand on his chest, facing me. ”I’m Vali Lucifer, grandson of the original Devil King Lucifer, born of a devil father and human mother. A half-breed.”

Wings of light and devil wings sprouted from his back. Unbelievable—the current White Dragon Emperor is devil royalty!

”Lies... it can’t be...” the President gasped.

Azazel confirmed it. ”It’s true. His mixed blood let him host the White Dragon Emperor. He’s a walking paradox, destined to be the strongest White Dragon Emperor ever.”

The strongest White Dragon Emperor... Why does my generation get this overpowered freak?

”He’s absurd,” I muttered.

”You’re one to talk, Issei Hyoudou,” Vali shot back. ”A mere human-turned-devil with power to rival mine. You’re the real anomaly.”

Ugh, him saying that pisses me off.

”He’s not wrong, partner. Your strength is outrageous to others,” Ddraig chimed in.

Don’t agree with him, Ddraig!

Katerea’s aura surged. ”Time to get serious, Azazel.”

”Ophis’s ’snake,’ huh? Your old Devil King faction borrowed his power?” Azazel asked.

”Yes. Ophis, with his infinite might, lent us strength to crush foolish leaders like you,” Katerea replied.

”Foolish? Maybe I am. I’m just a Sacred Gear nerd relying on Shemhazai. But Sirzechs and Michael? They’re far better than you lot,” Azazel said.

”Enough nonsense!” Katerea glared.

Azazel pulled out a dagger. ”I’m such a Sacred Gear geek, I made my own. Most are junk, but the God of the Bible? His work was genius. Though, leaving Balance Breaker powers that can kill gods was sloppy. That’s what makes Sacred Gears fun.”

”In our new world, Sacred Gears won’t exist. The world will function without them. Even Odin will eventually join us to reshape it,” Katerea declared.

”Hah! You think Odin will steal your thunder? Either way, you’re done here. Anyone who takes my fun away—disappears.”

Azazel gripped the dagger in a reverse hold. ”This is Downfall Dragon Spear, my finest artificial Sacred Gear. And now—”

The dagger morphed, light bursting forth.

”Balance Breaker!” Azazel roared.

A flash enveloped the area. When it faded, Azazel stood in golden armor, twelve black wings unfurling, a massive spear in hand.

”Downfall Dragon Spear Balance Breaker—Downfall Dragon Another Armor.”

The dragon’s aura was unreal. He made this himself? This goes beyond obsession!

”Haha! Impressive, Azazel!” Vali laughed, thrilled by strength.

Azazel glanced at him. ”I’d love to fight you, but today, play nice with the Red Dragon Emperor.”

Vali smirked at me. ”That was always the plan.”

Play nice? With this guy? Bring me someone normal—or a cute girl!

”Come on,” Azazel taunted Katerea.

”Don’t underestimate me!” Katerea, cloaked in a massive aura, charged.

But—

Splatter! ballad

Blood sprayed from Katerea. Azazel’s spear slashed her deeply in a split-second clash.

”I won’t go down easily!” Her arm extended like a tentacle, wrapping Azazel’s left arm. Strange patterns glowed on her body.

”If I can destroy you, my death here will be worth it!” she screamed.

”Self-destruct, huh? But—”

Slash!

Azazel severed his own left arm with a light spear. Blood gushed as the arm disintegrated—light is poison to devils.

”A cheap trade!” Azazel’s spear pierced Katerea’s head. Her body turned to dust, vanishing into the sky without exploding.

”At best, it cost me an arm,” Azazel said, his armor dissipating, revealing a purple gem in his hand. ”Still needs work, Fafnir,” he said, kissing it lightly.

That’s the Fallen Angel Governor’s power...

”Looks like Azazel’s done. Shall we, Issei Hyoudou?” Vali said.

I was caught up in Azazel’s fight, but so was he.

”What if I refuse?” I asked.

Vali touched his chin. ”Hmm... I’d start by killing your family. Maybe your sister first.”

Miu flinched. He said it knowing I can’t refuse—and he’d do it without hesitation.

”Fine. I’ll fight you, Vali,” I said, stepping forward.

Miu grabbed my sleeve, her face full of worry.

”It’s okay, Miu,” I reassured her.

”But...”

She looked ready to cry. I hugged her tightly.

”Don’t worry. I won’t lose. Trust me and wait.”

”...You think I don’t trust you? I always do!” she said.

”Then trust me now. Your big brother won’t lose to anyone.”

”Just... don’t be reckless,” she pleaded.

”I know.”

I turned to Vali. ”Let’s do this.”

”I’ve been waiting for this moment. Entertain me!” he grinned.

A brief silence.

”Balance Breaker!” I shouted.

”Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!”

A torrent of red aura surged, cloaking me in the red dragon’s armor.

”I’m winning this—for my sister!”

Red and white collided.

”Ora!” I thrust my fist, firing an energy blast.

”Hmph!” Vali swatted it aside with a swipe.

That attack was just a distraction against someone like him.

He retaliated with a barrage of vicious magic bullets, each packing lethal force. Dodging was the best move.

His magical reserves are insane—worthy of a Devil King’s bloodline.

”Partner, remember his ability?” Ddraig asked.

Halves anything he touches and adds it to his power, right?

”Exactly. One touch, and your strength gets cut in half.”

What a pain. A long-range battle won’t cut it either.

Ddraig, I’m going in!

”BoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoostBoost!”

My power surged with each boost. I charged Vali head-on, throwing a punch.

”Hand-to-hand? Interesting!” he said.

”Stop enjoying this!” I snapped.

Our brutal brawl began. My fist connected with his face; his kick slammed my gut. Each clash shattered our armor.

”Divide!”

Vali’s voice rang out, and my strength waned—his halving ability.

”Boost!”

I instantly doubled my power, restoring it. But Vali, now boosted by my stolen strength, was even stronger. Fighting him with just the Red Dragon Emperor’s boosting is tough.

I activated Renkan Keikikou, layering physical enhancement over my boosts.

”Your power’s climbing higher than before... What did you do?” Vali asked.

”We’re enemies. Why would I tell you?” I shot back.

”Hah, fair enough.”

Red and white auras clashed again. Fists met fists, kicks met kicks, occasionally trading energy blasts. Each collision sent shockwaves, wrecking the surroundings.

”Haha! Not bad, Issei Hyoudou! I didn’t expect this!” Vali laughed, despite taking damage.

”You’re enjoying this too much!” I yelled.

”Of course! My fated rival matches my power! What’s not to love?”

”Whatever!”

Battle maniac!

”Uooo!” I roared.

”Haaa!” he countered.

Our fists smashed each other’s faces, shattering our helmets. That hit hurt—a lot. I’m taking serious damage.

We’re dead even. This could end in a draw.

We landed in the courtyard, catching our breath. Blood dripped from our mouths, our armor cracked all over.

Vali spoke. ”Issei Hyoudou, you’re still holding something back, aren’t you?”

Kiba’s Perspective

Issei and Vali’s fight was a spectacle. Their power was perfectly matched.

Azazel was shocked that Issei could keep up with Vali, but to us, it was Vali matching Issei that was surprising. Issei’s already at Devil King level. We’d never seen him struggle like this.

This is what a full-powered Devil King fight looks like. Their fists alone carved craters in the courtyard, devastating the area.

”Hey, Sirzechs, is that Red Dragon Emperor really a low-class devil?” Serafall asked.

”I know what you mean, Serafall. He’s already at Devil King level,” Sirzechs replied.

Their battle was a deadlock, potentially heading toward a mutual knockout. But Vali’s next words shattered that notion.

”Issei Hyoudou, you’re still holding something back, aren’t you?”

We were stunned. Issei, hiding power? No way. He’s panting, bleeding—how could he not be at full strength?

All eyes turned to Issei.

”I’m not hiding anything,” he said.

We gasped again.

”My Sacred Gear’s been unstable since I became a devil. For a while, I couldn’t even use Balance Breaker. It only stabilized during the Kokabiel fight. The gap left me rusty, so Ddraig told me to hold back,” Issei explained.

True, his Sacred Gear was off after his rebirth. Even Sirzechs knew that.

”But I’ve got no choice now. We’ll end in a draw otherwise, and that’s not enough. I promised Miu I wouldn’t lose. Ddraig, ready?”

”Anytime, partner. Just don’t overdo it.”

”Got it.”

A red aura erupted from Issei, its waves rippling across the area.

”Haaaaaa!” he roared, fists clenched.

What’s he doing?

Red light engulfed him, bathing the school in crimson. When it faded—

”Balance Breaker Second Tier Zweite Phase—Heavenly Zenon!”

Issei stood, his armor transformed—no, evolved.

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