High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 532: Chapter 522: Ultimate Evolution

[Third-Person POV]

—So, you can’t break free, after all.

A swirling sphere of absolute ruin hung before his eyes.

It was the containment sphere Asem had trapped Issei Hyoudou inside. Anyone sealed within its standard domain would have their flesh shaved away, their bones ground to dust, until nothing remained. Even a divinity would find it near impossible to resist its erasure and breach the perimeter. Escaping demanded either breaking the formula via a specialized counter-spell or... releasing a torrent of force equal to or exceeding Asem’s current state.

Yet a vast gap in power had opened between the armored Asem and Issei.

Asem had struck with intent to kill. He had unleashed that blow to erase Issei entirely, leaving not a single speck of dust behind in this world.

There had been countless opportunities to eliminate him before now. He had spared Issei only because the youth’s evolution was necessary for his ultimate objective. And now, the moment of truth had arrived.

”A pathfinder who bridges worlds and alters the world’s very will. I have always held high expectations for you—past, present, and future. If you are truly awakened, then show me that power...”

Asem spoke the words almost as a prayer. In that exact instant—

A shift occurred within the pitch-black, swirling currents of destruction. The absolute force of annihilation began drawing inward, gathering toward a single point at the sphere’s core. Simultaneously, the outer shell shrank, contracting toward the center.

Asem narrowed his eyes, tracking the anomaly... yet there was nothing there. The physical body of Issei sealed inside had long since vanished. Yet, undeniably, the sphere of ruin grew smaller, pulled inward as if swallowed whole by an invisible force.

Even for Asem, this was an unscripted anomaly.

”What is this phenomenon...? What is happening...?”

He muttered the question aloud, his gaze locked onto the collapsing sphere.

Asem’s true specialty was Analysis. By dissecting every phenomenon and learning its mechanics, he could create virtually anything. The very world structure he had fabricated for this battlefield was an application of that accumulated knowledge.

Yet even Asem could not comprehend what he was witnessing.

Which meant—

Closing his eyes, Asem extended his perception deep into the sphere’s core, reaching beyond the physical boundary.

And then—

”—It’s here.”

The next instant, the sphere vanished completely, releasing a blinding column of light toward the heavens. The beam pierced the far reaches of the sky, sending shockwaves through the entire realm.

As the pillar of light intensified, its form began to shift. The light expanded outward, shaping eight massive wings, followed by claws, limbs, and a sweeping tail.

Descending before Asem was a crimson dragon, cloaked in a radiant, rainbow aurora.

The crimson dragon scanned its surroundings like a hatchling fresh from its shell, then turned its gaze directly toward Asem. Its massive eyes locked onto him. Spreading its majestic wings wide—

”ROOOOOAAAAAAAAAAR!”

It unleashed a deafening roar toward the sky. Cracks spider-webbed across the earth and shattered space itself—a testament to the sheer, terrifying force packed into its voice.

As the roar faded, hairline fractures appeared across the dragon’s body. Originating from a single point on its chest, the cracks spread over its entire form before shattering outward with the sound of breaking glass.

Emerging from the crystal fragments before Asem was—

”Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Issei, wielding a newly awakened power.

[Third-Person POV End]

The armor was sharp and mechanical, yet held a sleek, fluid contour.

Four pairs of dragon wings—eight in total—extended from the back, alongside two folded, integrated cannon barrels. Additional thrusters, smaller than those on my Tenbu form, were mounted along the gauntlets and greaves. Overall, it looked like a far more refined evolution of the EXA model.

Above all, its most striking feature was its color.

A crimson brighter than standard red. A deep, vivid crimson richer than blood or berries. It almost reminded me of Rias’s hair.

~Meanwhile, with Lia-tan~

Rias: ”NIPPLE BEAAAAAM!”

Akeno: ”We did it, Rias! With this, we—wait, Rias!? Your chest...!?”

Rias: ”Huh? Wh-WhAAAAAAAT!? Wait, what is this!?”

Asia: ”N-No way... Rias-oneesama’s breasts are shrinking!”

Akeno: ”Could the Nipple Beam be the cause? Continuously firing such immense power... I suppose this is the price of that strength.”

Rias: ”...Is it alright if I cry?”

The price of power was far too steep—

~Meanwhile, with Lia-tan: End~

Hmm... odd. I feel like Rias is crying somewhere.

Anyway, now that I’ve taken on this new form, the injuries I took earlier have fully healed. Even my crushed right hand is back to normal.

As I checked over my condition, Asem spoke up, his voice tinged with amusement.

”Well, now. You certainly took your time. Is that your further evolution? From red to true crimson... Should I call you the ’Crimson Dragon Emperor’?”

I nodded at his question. The voice that came out sounded different from my usual tone—

”Yeah. This is our evolved form—”

”Ultimate Evolution: True Crimson Dragon Emperor, Valiant Surface!”

The new domain reached by Ddraig and me, stepping forward together as one Sekiryuutei—our Ultimate Evolution. Because our souls are temporarily fused, our voices overlap when we speak. That said, our minds remain distinct, so I can still talk to Ddraig like normal.

If Vali’s form is Satanification, then mine is... Heroification? No, maybe that’s a bit too simple. Let’s go with Demonic Dragonification or something. I just came up with it on the fly, so I can figure out the details later.

For now—

”It took a lot to get here... But thanks to everyone supporting me and pushing me forward, I finally made it.”

”And that is precisely what makes you Issei Hyoudou.”

Ddraig chimed in right after me. I nodded quietly.

”Yeah. Let’s finish this, Asem. No matter how many times you try to crush us—”

”We will stand back up, every single time.”

As Ddraig spoke, I spread the eight dragon wings on my back wide. A massive stream of rainbow-colored particles erupted from the wings, instantly saturating the surrounding space.

Responding to our move, Asem unfurled his butterfly wings and floated up to match my altitude.

”If you insist on rising again after facing a force as absolute as me, then so be it. I shall meet you head-on.”

With those words, his aura swelled even further. Man, he still had more power hidden away...? Talk about absurd.

Even so, I didn’t feel the anxiety I had before equipping this armor. I had an absolute, ironclad conviction that I could overcome whoever stood before me.

Let’s go, Ddraig. To protect everything.

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

If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced Chapters on Patreon!

Webnovel will keep getting 1 new Chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.

Maybe it’s not a big deal now... maybe it will be later.

[email protected]/Greyhounds

”And If you’re enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!”