High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 80: Chapter 78: The Knowledgeable Dragon

The next day.

My house was packed with Occult Research Club members, Azazel, and Vali’s team. Never thought Vali and his crew would show up here. Sirzechs approved, given they saved us twice—against the Old Demon Faction and now. Everyone, including Rias, reluctantly accepted, though she wasn’t thrilled.

”What would you like to drink, Vali-kun?” Mom asked.

She was shocked to learn he’s a terrorist but warmed up after hearing he helped us.

”Coffee, please,” Vali said.

”Coke for me,” Bikou chimed.

”Tea, if you have it,” Kuroka added.

”Just tea for me,” Arthur said.

No tension at all. Bikou and Kuroka sprawled on the sofa like they owned it.

Odin’s escort was now a joint effort by the three factions to ensure his summit’s success. But reinforcements? Unlikely. Hero Faction’s artifact-wielding attacks stretched everyone thin. We’re on our own.

Loki, Hel, and Fenrir—expecting us to handle them is insane. Fenrir rivals pre-sealed Heavenly Dragons. Even Azazel or Tannin can’t take him solo. Vali and I aren’t at full Heavenly Dragon power, so we’re outmatched too.

Vali mentioned Juggernaut Drive might work, but it’d burn us out before handling Loki and Hel. I refuse to use it—too risky for allies. If past Emperors nag, I’ll ignore them. Worst case, I’ll use Ignis, even if it costs my left arm. Protecting everyone’s worth it.

We were strategizing to minimize casualties.

”Vali, why help us? No vague answers like yesterday,” Azazel said, standing by a whiteboard.

Vali smirked. ”I want to fight them. My team’s on board. Good enough?”

Typical battle maniac.

Azazel sighed. ”Not ideal, but we need your strength. No reinforcements, and Issei’s not 100%. A fight now means losses we can’t afford.”

”Exactly,” Vali said. ”Sirzechs approved, and you need me.”

Rias nodded. ”I’ve got issues, but we can’t be picky.”

Sona agreed too. Vali’s team is a powerhouse—reliable in a fight.

”Let’s move to Loki countermeasures,” Azazel said. ”We’ll consult an expert.”

”Who?” I asked.

”Midgardsormr, the Sleeping Dragon, one of the Five Great Dragon Kings,” Azazel replied.

A Dragon King? How’s he involved?

Vali raised a brow. ”Will he answer us?”

”With two Heavenly Dragons, Tiamat, Fafnir, Vritra, and Tannin, we’ll open the Dragon Gate to summon his consciousness. He’ll respond,” Azazel said.

”Me too...?” Saji asked, raising a hand nervously.

”You’re just a component. Leave the heavy lifting to us,” Azazel reassured. ”I’ll contact Tannin. Issei, reach out to Tiamat.”

”Got it,” I said.

”I’ll discuss plans with Shemhazai. Barachiel, come,” Azazel said, teleporting out with Barachiel.

Left behind: us, the Student Council, and Vali’s team. Awkward silence.

”Red Dragon Emperor!” Bikou raised a hand.

”What?”

”Can we use your indoor pool?” he asked.

”I wanna swim too!” Kuroka added.

Enemies, remember? Terrorists? They’re too relaxed.

”Fine, but don’t wreck anything,” I said.

They’re pranksters. Bikou pulled out swim trunks. ”Just wanna swim, man.”

He planned this!?

”Pool’s downstairs. Go nuts,” I said.

”Thanks!” Bikou bolted.

”That’s the last Excalibur, right? Amazing!” Irina said to Arthur.

”Vali’s intel and my family’s lore led us to it,” Arthur replied.

Irina bonds with anyone. Kiba and Xenovia listened, wary but curious—sword nerds.

Arthur turned to me. ”Red Dragon Emperor, Vali mentioned your unique sword. Can I see it?”

”I want to see it too! Kiba and Xenovia said it’s incredible,” Irina added.

”Ignis? Too dangerous. I can’t control it fully. It’d turn this place into a furnace,” I said.

Up in the sky against Loki was fine, but here? Nope.

They gaped. ”You can’t control it? That’s wild,” Arthur said.

”It burned my right arm,” I showed the scars.

Arthur nodded. ”I’d love to cross blades, but another time.”

He’s reasonable for Vali’s team.

Elsewhere, Koneko glared at Kuroka, who smirked seductively.

”What’re you up to?” I stepped between them.

”Not letting you take Koneko,” I told Kuroka.

She eyed me playfully. ”Red Dragon Emperor’s got a handsome face.”

She stroked my cheek, leaning forward—her kimono revealing ample cleavage. Top-tier, like Koneko’s future potential.

”Got a request,” she purred.

”What?”

”Wanna make a kid with me?”

”...Huh?”

”A dragon’s kid. A strong one. Vali refused, so you’re it. Red Dragon Emperor’s perfect.”

Xenovia vibes. Are Heavenly Dragon genes that hot?

”Special deal: just till I’m pregnant. How about it?” she teased.

Too tempting! Koneko’s sister is a knockout. I was about to agree when Koneko stepped in.

”...I won’t let you take senpai’s...” she mumbled, blushing.

What’d she say? Kuroka grinned, waved, and sauntered to Vali.

Missed my shot. Damn.

Azazel returned. Saji, Vali, and I teleported to a prepared location—a blank white space—for summoning Midgardsormr.

”Hey, Issei,” Tannin greeted, beside Tiamat.

”You’re here,” I said.

”Got your call, went to Azazel, and ended up here minutes ago,” Tiamat explained.

Tannin eyed Saji. ”Vritra’s host?”

”D-Dragon King... Ultimate-class demon...” Saji stammered, awed.

”Chill, man. Tannin’s tough but kind,” I said, patting Saji.

”Don’t call him that! He’s an Ultimate-class demon, earned through top-tier contributions and skill!” Saji snapped.

”Didn’t Sirzechs offer me a Demon Lord spot?” I said, recalling his serious offer over dinner.

Saji froze, jaw dropped, unresponsive.

”Wha!?” he finally screamed.

”Yeah, he was serious,” I said.

Tannin and Tiamat nodded. ”Your power’s Demon Lord-level, even base form’s Ultimate-class,” Tannin said.

”Political duties are the issue,” Tiamat added.

”Exactly. I’m no brainiac,” I said.

”No rush. You’ve got time to learn,” Tiamat smiled.

Study’s not my thing, but I’ll try for their faith in me.

Tannin glared at Vali. ”White Dragon Emperor, no funny business, or I’ll crush you.”

Vali just smirked.

Azazel drew a magic circle, glowing with unique patterns. ”What’s Midgardsormr like?” I asked.

”A lazy bum,” Tiamat sighed. ”Sleeps at the sea’s bottom till the world’s end. Last saw him centuries ago.”

”Seriously?” I said.

Azazel positioned us on the circle. It glowed—red for me, white for Vali, gold for Azazel, black for Saji, blue for Tiamat, purple for Tannin.

”Colors reflect each dragon,” Ddraig explained.

The circle activated, light flooding the room. A massive hologram appeared—a dragon dwarfing Great Red, coiling endlessly.

”Huge!” I gasped.

”Biggest dragon, five or six times Great Red’s size,” Tannin said.

Five or six hundred meters!?

A loud snore echoed. ”He’s asleep,” Tannin groaned.

”Wake up, Midgardsormr!” Tannin roared.

No response, just snores.

”Get up!” Tannin bellowed.

The dragon’s massive eyes opened. ”Tannin? Been a while,” he drawled.

”Ddraig, Albion, Tiamat, Fafnir, Vritra... World’s end already?” Midgardsormr asked.

”No. We need info,” Tannin said.

Midgardsormr snored again.

”Useless!” Tiamat sighed, half-resigned. Vali smirked.

”Wake up! How much sleep do you need!?” Tannin yelled.

Midgardsormr stirred. ”Tannin’s always mad. What’s up?”

”Your father, brother, sister,” Tannin said.

Why his family?

Tiamat explained. ”Midgardsormr’s a dragon Loki created. Crazy strong but lazy. Norse gods gave up on him, told him to sleep till Ragnarok.”

”That’s it?” I said.

”They expect nothing from him,” Tiamat said bitterly.

Harsh.

Midgardsormr yawned. ”Dad, doggo, and sis? No attachment. Ask away. But... Ddraig and Albion fighting?”

”Nope. We’re teaming up against Loki,” I said.

”Neat. Both are strong. Would’ve been a cool fight,” he said.

”Fenrir’s the worst,” he continued. ”Super strong, and his bite’s usually fatal. But the dwarves’ magic chain, Gleipnir, can restrain him.”

”Odin said Gleipnir failed,” Tannin noted.

”Maybe Dad upgraded him. Ask the Dark Elves to enhance Gleipnir. Their elder knows how,” Midgardsormr said.

Elves exist here?

Azazel pointed at Vali. ”Send the Dark Elves’ location to Vali. He’s the expert.”

Midgardsormr complied. Azazel projected a world map; Vali pinpointed the spot, and Azazel relayed it.

”Good on Fenrir. Now Loki and Hel,” Azazel said.

”Dad’s a magic and sword master. Sis summons tons of Helheim monsters and undead—thousands,” Midgardsormr said.

Trouble. We’re outnumbered.

”Hel stops moving when summoning. Attack then,” he added.

”Good tip. Loki?” Azazel asked.

”Magic and melee with Lævateinn. Only direct attacks work. Maybe Mjolnir,” Midgardsormr said.

Azazel mused. ”Mjolnir could work, but Thor lending it? It’s a divine weapon.”

”Dark Elves have Odin’s Mjolnir replica,” Midgardsormr said.

”Knowledgeable, huh?” Azazel grinned. Maybe that’s why he’s a Dragon King.

”Fun chat, but I’m sleepy,” Midgardsormr yawned, fading.

”Sorry for waking you,” Tannin said.

”Call again,” Midgardsormr smiled, vanishing.

Weird dragon, but not bad. With his info, we moved forward.