High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

[Azazel Side]

It’s been some time since the subjugation of the Old Demon King faction of the Khaos Brigade began.

My sector initially swarmed with demons, but we’re nearly done clearing them out.

”This is Azazel. Irina, Raynare, what’s your status?”

I contact the two still likely fighting elsewhere.

”This is Irina. I’ve mostly finished my side. Now assisting Brave Saint allies against stragglers.”

”It’s similar here. I’m with Lord Shemhazai, and it’s wrapping up. How’s it going for you, Governor?”

”Almost done here too. I’ll stick to the plan. Keep sweeping, but don’t let your guard down. They’re out to destroy us, and we don’t know what they’ll pull last. Got it?”

”’Understood!’”

I cut the comms.

Michael and the others report similar progress.

If this continues, the Old Demon King faction will be mostly dealt with.

But something’s off.

No sign of the masterminds.

The leaders, Shalba Beelzebub and Creuserey Asmodeus, descendants of the old Beelzebub and Asmodeus.

I figured they’d show up targeting the current Demon Kings, Michael, or me. Nothing from my subordinates about them either.

The only possibility... Rias’s group.

The Old Demon King faction has a pattern of targeting associates, not the Demon Kings directly. It’s not far-fetched they’d go for Rias.

But launching such a massive invasion just for Rias doesn’t add up. Is there a deeper strategy, or did it fail?

If they’re really at Rias’s, that’s bad. Issei’s there, sure, but so is that old man Odin. I want to believe they’re fine...

Either way, I need to wrap this up and send reinforcements.

At that moment, the jewel housing Fafnir glowed faintly, reacting to something. I spotted a figure at the field’s edge.

I flew over and landed before it.

A petite girl with long black hair, wearing a black dress, her slender limbs visible.

Her refined face gazed toward the temples at the field’s center.

”Didn’t expect you to show up in person.”

She turned to me, smiling faintly.

”Azazel. It’s been a while.”

”Last time you were an old man. Now a beautiful girl? What’s your game, Ophis?”

Yes, this is the Khaos Brigade’s leader, the Infinite Dragon God, Ouroboros Dragon, Ophis.

Her appearance may change, but that eerie, indescribable aura is unmistakably hers.

An old man before, now a black-haired girl. To her, form is just decoration, easily altered.

The issue isn’t her appearance.

It’s that she’s here in person. Is this strategy that critical?

Her gaze toward the temples suggests the plan’s core lies there. That puts them in danger.

”Just observing.”

”Playing spectator? If I take you down here, the world might know peace.”

I smirked, aiming a spear of light at her. She only smiled.

”Impossible. You can’t defeat me, Azazel.”

Probably not.

I alone can’t beat her. Even if all the faction leaders here teamed up, we likely couldn’t. She’s that powerful.

But defeating her would deal a crippling blow to the Khaos Brigade.

As I pondered, a teleportation circle appeared beside me. Sairaorg, the red-haired Demon King, emerged.

”Sairaorg, why’re you here?”

He kept his eyes on Ophis.

”I sensed her... or rather, her presence now. I’ve wanted to talk. You, who showed no interest in the world, why lead terrorists now?”

”No joking about ’passing time,’” I added. ”Your actions have caused damage worldwide. My subordinates have died. It’s beyond ignoring.”

What drove the world’s strongest, once a passive observer, to act now?

Her answer was unexpected.

”A silent world.”

”...What?”

I blinked, unsure I heard right.

She looked at the purple sky.

”I want to return to the Dimensional Gap, my home, and find silence. That’s all.”

...Seriously?

I’d laugh at homesickness, but the Dimensional Gap?

That’s where—

”I want to defeat Great Red and return to the Dimensional Gap.”

So, Great Red rules it now. Was she swayed by the Old Demon King faction and other rogues for this?

I see now, Vali. Your goal’s clear.

As I processed this, I noticed a change.

...It’s hot.

Sweat poured out. Sairaorg was sweating too.

My subordinates and the Old Demon King forces nearby seemed confused, noticing it too.

Is the entire field’s temperature rising...?

What’s happening?

[Azazel Side Out]

Crack!

A sound like shattering glass echoed in the purple sky. A large rift appeared, revealing a kaleidoscopic view of the Dimensional Gap.

”Sorry for the delay, everyone. You okay?”

My sudden appearance stunned everyone. They froze, eyes on me.

”Issei... is that you?” Rias asked, voice tinged with doubt.

”Yeah, it’s me. You hurt, President?”

She looked relieved, collapsing to the ground.

”It’s really you... Thank goodness. Asia’s okay too?”

”Yeah, she’s unconscious but unharmed. President, take care of her.”

I gently laid Asia before Rias, then unleashed full killing intent at the surrounding Old Demon King demons.

The air trembled, the ground cracking.

”You bastards... you’ll pay.”

The man whose arm I’d just severed reacted, clutching his bleeding wound, shouting.

”Why!? How are you here!? Shalba sent you to the Dimensional Gap! How’d you escape!?”

So, Shalba’s the one who sent Asia and me there.

That guy watching from behind...

If I’d been a second slower, Asia would’ve...

I glared at the man, answering.

”Nothing special. Just slashed open the space and got out. That’s it.”

”What!?”

He gaped in shock.

Is that so surprising?

”It’s only natural,” Ddraig said. ”Slicing space isn’t something most can do without special abilities. That sword’s power is abnormal, even to me.”

I glanced at the sword in my right hand.

Unlike Xenovia’s Durandal or Ascalon, it lacked ornate decoration. Its hilt was covered in white fur, its massive single-edged blade striking.

Ignis, the True Flame Greatsword.

In that other world, a blade said to kill gods. Sirius entrusted it to me with Miu.

Its power was too great for even Sirius to master. Same for me.

Uncontrolled, it affects the surroundings. The field’s temperature is rising just from wielding it. One misstep could harm allies—a dangerous weapon.

It only listens to those it acknowledges. Even in my Red Dragon Emperor armor, my right hand burns.

I need to end this fast, or my arm’s done for. I’d heard Durandal was a tyrant ignoring Xenovia, but this is worse.

”Miu, I know you’re tired, but gather everyone and put up a space-sealing barrier. I can’t hold back from here.”

Miu nodded quietly.

But Kiba objected.

”That’s reckless, Issei! Facing this many alone!?”

”Exactly!” Akeno added. ”We won’t let you do this alone! We’ll fight too!”

Yeah, what I’m about to do is insane. Even if I survive, aftereffects might hit.

But—

Before I could explain, Miu stopped them.

”Please, follow Onii-chan’s words. We’d only hold him back now. Please.”

Kiba and Akeno hesitated.

Miu’s right. They’re not at full strength, some are injured, and we need to protect the unconscious Asia. Against over a hundred enemies, survival’s impossible in their state.

Plus, I fear Ignis’s effects on them.

Miu must feel the same but made the tough call, her face pained.

”...Fine. We’ll do as Issei says,” Rias said, her expression mirroring Miu’s regret.

She must hate not fighting.

Please, endure it, President.

Miu deployed a magic circle, forming a dome-shaped space-sealing barrier around everyone.

It should protect them from Ignis’s effects.

”Miu, keep them safe a bit longer.”

”...Okay. But you have to come back alive.”

”Got it.”

I glanced around.

What a ridiculous number they’ve gathered. Was this many needed just for the President?

”No,” Ddraig said. ”They’re likely wary of you, Partner. Pathetic, relying on numbers.”

Agreed, Ddraig.

”You think you can take us alone? You underestimate us,” Shalba sneered, the demons’ killing intent surging.

”Yeah, I’m enough for you lot! Let’s go, Ddraig!”

”Roger!”

A massive aura erupted from my armor!

Two cannons unfolded from my wings, two from my waist, and two from my gauntlets—six in total.

My new power: Balance Breaker Second Layer, Zweite Phase, Artillery Specialization—Eclipse Heavenly Strike.

Unlike Tenbu’s one-on-one combat focus, this form is for annihilation, excelling in multi-target artillery battles (though it can handle close combat decently).

It overcomes my weakness in wide-range attacks.

Its drawback? Intense mana and energy consumption.

”Accel Booster!!”

”BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBoost!!!!”

Vwoooom!

My amplified aura and mana merged, resonating.

Aiming all six cannons, I fired simultaneously.

”Vanish!! Dragon Full Blaster!!!”

”Highmat Full Blast!!!!”

BOOM!

The six cannons’ blasts obliterated over half the enemies instantly.

The surviving demons gaped in shock.

But I wasn’t done.

I spread my dragon wings, charging in.

”First time fighting in this form,” Ddraig said. ”I’ll handle fine control. Go wild, Partner!”

Thanks, Ddraig!

I targeted and fired, each shot a storm of destruction, wiping out enemies.

”What!?” Shalba gasped.

No surprise—most of his demons were gone.

”Damn you, filthy dragon!” the armless man yelled, hurling a massive mana orb.

It could hurt if it hit.

So what?

”You think that’ll stop me!?”

I met it head-on.

”BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBoost!!!!”

”Transfer!!”

I channeled the amplified power into Ignis. Its blade turned red-hot.

Gathering aura, I swung fiercely.

The searing slash collided with his mana mid-air, sparking a blinding light.

”Disappear, Red Dragon Emperor!!!” he roared, his mana surging.

A Demon King-class attack wasn’t easily repelled.

”I won’t lose! I’ll live and protect everyone! You won’t take me down!”

Thump!

Ignis pulsed suddenly. For a moment, I didn’t understand, but my slash’s power surged.

Lending me strength, Ignis?

I don’t get it, but thanks! Stick with me a bit longer!

The empowered slash devoured his mana, charging straight at him.

He raised a mana barrier, but—

”This... this power! I’m the true heir of Asmodeus! I can’t fall here... Damn it!!!”

His barrier burned away, crumbling. The slash hit, turning him to ash in a fiery explosion.

”Creuserey’s down!?” Shalba cried. ”Impossible! Ophis’s ’snake’ boosted him to former Demon King level!”

His words ignited my rage.

”As I thought! You Old Demon King scum rely on others’ power, never fighting fair, targeting the weak with dirty tricks. Don’t you dare call yourselves Demon Kings!!!”

Sirius, Sairaorg, Ajuka, Serafall—the Demon Kings I’ve met would never stoop so low!

I won’t let scum like you claim that title!

”Shut up, Red Dragon Emperor!!!”

Enraged, Shalba unleashed waves of mana, his surviving minions charging with spears and swords.

I blasted distant attackers with cannons and cut down those close with Ignis.

Screams echoed as they fell, one by one.

Finally, only Shalba remained.

”This is the end. Still wanna go?”

”Don’t mock me! I’m the true heir of Beelzebub! I won’t lose to you!”

All pride, no substance.

A burning sound came from my right arm, pain surging.

”Hurry,” Ddraig warned. ”This form’s about to collapse. The sword’s drain is too much.”

Got it. That’s bad.

My arm’s in serious trouble.

Shalba noticed, smirking wickedly.

”Hahaha! You’re at your limit! Using that power, it’s natural! This is your grave, Red Dragon Emperor!”

A massive mana wave surged, bigger than the last.

My arm screamed, unable to wield Ignis properly.

Damn it!

I’ll pour everything into this!

”Ddraig, let’s finish it!”

”Got it!”

All six cannons aimed at one point, my last shot.

”BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBoost!!!!”

Aura gathered in the cannons.

”This is it! Dragon Full Blaster!!!”

”Highmat Full Blast!!!!”

The six cannons’ auras merged into one, erasing Shalba’s mana wave and charging straight at him.

”What!?”

Panic crossed his face. Too big to dodge, too late to teleport.

Vanish!

”Impossible...! Me, the true Demon King!? I haven’t even faced Vali! Damn you, red and white dragons!!!”

A crimson flash engulfed Shalba and the temple behind him, vanishing into the light.

Commentary on Issei’s New Form: Eclipse Heavenly Strike

The Eclipse Heavenly Strike (Tenbu Eclipse) is a Balance Breaker Second Layer, Zweite Phase, specialized for artillery-based annihilation. Unlike the combat-focused Tenbu, it’s designed for multi-target battles, compensating for Issei’s weakness in wide-range attacks. Its form resembles Freedom Gundam more than Extreme Gundam, emphasizing firepower over melee (though it can handle close combat to an extent).

Features:

Six Cannons: Two on wings, two on the waist, two on gauntlets, enabling devastating, simultaneous attacks. Dragon Full Blaster: A high-output barrage that wipes out multiple enemies, as seen when it decimated over half the demon forces. Weakness: Extreme mana and energy consumption, risking collapse of the form or even the standard Balance Breaker, especially when paired with Ignis’s drain.

This form’s reliance on overwhelming firepower makes it ideal for large-scale battles but demands precise control to avoid collateral damage, as evidenced by the rising field temperature and the need for Miu’s barrier to protect allies.

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