High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 74: Chapter 72: A Peaceful Daily Life!!

Where... am I?

Flames roared around me, people fleeing, screaming, collapsing. This town... I’ve seen it before.

A black beam shot from the sky, incinerating more of the town, blasting away those I’d just seen.

In what seemed like the town square, a woman wept alone. Blonde, her hair stained red with blood. In her arms, a motionless girl.

”Why... why... this...” she sobbed, dropping her spear.

Above, something with black wings hovered, silently staring down.

”This world will soon end...” it said, its voice drowned by the chaos.

The woman’s tears intensified.

”...Help... please, Issei...”

I jolted awake, sitting up and scanning my surroundings. My room. I was in bed with everyone, as usual. They slept soundly—Miu and Buchou beside me, Koneko-chan and Akeno-san at my feet, Asia, Xenovia, Irina, and Reynare nearby. Nothing unusual.

What was that dream? Too vivid to feel like a dream.

That crying woman... I had no proof, but somehow, I felt I knew her.

Why such a dream? Could it be...?

No way.

I shook my head, banishing the dark thought.

Glancing at the clock, it was 5 a.m. Training time. I slipped out of bed, changed into my tracksuit, and headed out for morning practice.

”Hahaha! Your end is here, Breast Dragon Emperor!” a flamboyantly dressed villain cackled, like something from a sentai show.

”No way this Breast Dragon Emperor will lose to your dark legion! Here I go—Balance Break!!” A hero, my spitting image, glowed red and transformed into my Red Dragon Emperor armor.

In the Hyoudou family’s basement theater, the Gremory clan, Miu, Irina, Reynare, Azazel-sensei, and my parents gathered to watch Breast Dragon Emperor Oppai Dragon, a kids’ hero show starring ”me”—or rather, an actor with my face CG’d on.

”It’s a huge hit already,” Koneko-chan said, tail swishing. ”Popular with kids and some adults.” So cute, Koneko-chan.

I watched the first episode, shocked by its solid story. A 70% viewership rating blew my mind.

The plot: Issei Gremory, a young demon bound to a legendary dragon, fights an evil organization. A lover of breasts, he battles for peace and boobs, becoming the legendary Oppai Dragon!

Honestly? Super embarrassing! My parents were watching intently, even recording it.

Dad munched snacks. ”Man, I loved this stuff as a kid. Played hero with friends, fought over who got to be the hero. Never thought my son would star in a tokusatsu. Life’s wild.”

I feel you, Dad...

Mom poured tea. ”But... Oppai Dragon as a title? It’s great it’s popular with kids, but... complicated.”

Totally agree! How did that title get approved?

Kiba examined a toy Boosted Gear. ”The armor looks so real. This gauntlet toy too—amazing detail.”

Yeah, merchandise was already selling. The toy gauntlet Kiba held played sounds and lit up. There’s even an Oppai Dragon Song by Azazel, Sirzechs, and Serafall, selling like crazy.

Demons are weird. I’d heard the Underworld lacked entertainment, but still.

Onscreen, the hero fell into a trap, but a heroine appeared. ”Oppai Dragon! I’m here!” It was Buchou in a dress—her face CG’d onto an actress.

”Oh! Switch Princess! Now we’ll win!” The hero touched her chest, and his armor glowed red. Switch Princess? Seriously?

”Uooo! Full power! Here comes Tenbu Zenon!!”

They even included Tenbu Zenon? Are they airing all my moves? It’s fine, I guess...

Azazel explained enthusiastically, ”Switch Princess saves Oppai Dragon in a pinch. By touching her breasts, he powers up!”

Tenbu Zenon doesn’t need that, but... TV logic, I suppose.

Whack! Buchou smacked Azazel with a paper fan. ”Azazel, explain! Switch Princess!?”

”Well, I heard Issei reached Balance Break by touching breasts,” he said. ”And you’re famous and popular in the Underworld. Perfect lead actress.”

That’s why she’s Switch Princess? Poor Buchou!

”Apologize!” I urged. She looked ready to cry.

Azazel turned to me. ”Hey, Issei, about your new form?”

”Tenbu Eclipse?” I asked.

”Yeah! We’ll add it to the story. Tell me about it later.”

”Sure, but... don’t reveal its weaknesses. It’s my trump card.”

”Got it!” Azazel grinned. ”It’ll help with new merch. Oh, and the Gremory clan will get roles too. Keep that in mind.”

News to me. Kiba and the others in the show? Wonder what roles.

”I can’t walk in the Underworld anymore,” Buchou sighed.

Same, Buchou. Kids will point and yell, ”It’s Oppai Dragon!”

[Whatever. We’re the Breast Dragon Emperor, Oppai Dragon...] Ddraig grumbled, sulking since the show started. I get it—feared as the Red Dragon Emperor, now this?

”Sorry, Ddraig,” I thought. [I wanna power up with Buchou’s breasts too...]

[Uooo! I hate this world!] Ddraig wailed.

Sorry, man, hang in there.

”It’s kinda cool having a childhood friend this famous!” Irina chirped, loving the show. ”We used to play hero together, remember?”

She struck a pose from my favorite childhood hero show.

”Yeah, I remember,” I said. ”You were such a tomboy back then. Now you’re a beautiful girl. People change.”

I’d thought she was a boy until our reunion. Her holy sword was less shocking than her transformation.

Irina blushed. ”Jeez, Issei! Flirting like that? You’ll make me fall!”

Her wings flickered black and white—her fall to a Fallen Angel?

Azazel laughed. ”Relax! Michael’s top subordinate? If you fall, we’ll roll out the VIP treatment!”

”Nooo! The Fallen Angel boss is tempting me!” Irina prayed tearfully.

Dad watched, smiling. ”So lively. Makes demons, angels, and Fallen Angels feel... not so different.”

Exactly. We were enemies recently, but now we’re chilling together. Different races, but we connect.

Dad leaned in, whispering, (You haven’t told them about... that?)

He meant me and Miu—me defeating a demon king in another world, Miu being his daughter, and me bringing her here for safety. Only my parents know.

It’s not about distrusting the others—I trust them completely. They wouldn’t hurt Miu. But leaks are unpredictable. If there’s any risk to her, I’d rather keep quiet.

They probably have questions but don’t ask out of kindness. It pains me to hide this, but I’ll rely on their understanding a bit longer.

Dad sighed, reading my face. (Guess it’s best kept secret, hearing you and Ddraig. We’ll keep it that way. But secrets come out eventually, Issei. Be ready for trouble.)

He’s right. It’ll come out someday. When it does...

(I know.)

(Good. We’re not like you, with powers or otherworldly experience. But we’re your parents. We’ll do anything. Rely on us.)

His words reminded me of coming home after the Old Demon King fight. Seeing my arm, they demanded answers. I told them everything. Mom cried, begging me not to be reckless. Losing an arm nearly justified her reaction.

But Dad said, ”You won’t stop, will you? Then charge down your path. I’ll support you. Rely on us too.”

He felt the same as Mom but supported my resolve. I don’t want to worry them, but I’m committed to fighting for my friends. I won’t abandon them or stop.

Dad understood.

”Thanks, Dad.”

”What’s that for? I’m your dad. It’s natural. But don’t overdo it. Everyone here cares about you. Don’t forget.”

I know, Dad.

The Oppai Dragon watch party continued.

At Kuoh Academy during lunch, I ate with Matsuda, Motohama, Miu, and Asia.

”Here’s tamagoyaki, ahh~” Miu said.

”Ahh~” I opened my mouth.

”Issei-san, tea,” Asia offered.

”Thanks, Asia.” I sipped with my left hand.

Two beauties feeding me lunch? Best break ever!

Of course, Matsuda and Motohama glared, tears of envy streaming.

”Why!? Why only you, Issei!?” Matsuda wailed.

”Getting ’ahh’ from beauties!? Why only you!?” Motohama cried.

”Can’t help it,” I said. ”Can’t use my right arm.”

The price of using Ignis—my right arm nearly carbonized. Asia and Miu’s healing saved it, but days later, it’s still barely functional. I drop food if I try eating with it. Miu takes my notes in class, and training with Tia has shifted to basics, no sparring.

Underworld hospitals and Grigori facilities found key nerves and muscles burned away. Asia’s Sacred Gear couldn’t fully heal it. I’m undergoing regeneration therapy, which might restore movement, but restoring lost tissue is tough even for Underworld tech. It’ll take time.

Sigh... losing your dominant arm is rough. Even changing clothes is a struggle.

But moments like this make it worthwhile.

”Man, such a bad injury,” Matsuda said. ”Gotta watch out for kettles.”

”Yeah,” Motohama added. ”One mistake can be disastrous. I’m jealous of the girls, but losing an arm...”

Oh, I told the school I spilled boiling kettle water on my arm. Not quite the truth.

”Exactly,” I said. ”Be careful with burns.”

They nodded solemnly.

Motohama perked up. ”Oh, we gotta decide our school trip groups.”

Right, the trip. Been so busy, I forgot. Second-years are going to Kyoto.

”Mixed groups, five to ten people, right?” I asked.

Matsuda nodded. ”Yup. Us three are set. Nobody likes us.”

Ouch, baldy.

My rep’s better, but some girls see me as a perv. With more girls than guys, they’re harsh.

Excluding Miu, I’m close with Asia, Xenovia, Irina, Reynare, and Kiryuu. Maybe a few others—four or five. Add the Sona clan, and it’s more.

”Perv trio,” Kiryuu said. ”Join our group? All beauties.”

What’s with that sly grin?

”Minus you, sure,” I teased.

”Shut up! So, you in?”

”Fine. Familiar faces are better.”

Kiryuu smirked, adjusting her glasses. ”Done. I’ll submit the group to Sakata-sensei. Nine of us.”

”Cool, thanks.”

The trip group was set: me, Matsuda, Motohama, Miu, Asia, Xenovia, Irina, Reynare, and Kiryuu.

We’d plan sightseeing later. Kyoto has Tenryu-ji, right? With Ddraig, the Red Dragon Emperor, in me, visiting could be cool.

Gotta shop for trip essentials.

”Onii-chan, what’s next?” Miu asked.

”Karaage, please.”

”Got it. Ahh~”

”Ahh~”

Miu’s karaage was delicious!

-------------------------------------------------------

🚀 Want more?

📖 Unlock 20+ early Chapters on my Patreon!

💖 Support me here: patreon.com/Greyhounds

🔓 Get ahead of the story today!