Immediately after their Rating Game, while still feeling the heat from their fight, Issei also confessed his love to Rias in front of everyone to show his seriousness. All this time, the two of them only had a vague relationship and never crossed the line. As his first step towards the 'future' he promised to his predecessors, he confessed his love.
Although showing an embarrassment that was rare for her, Rias happily accepted Issei's confession and declared her love for him too.
That night, Akeno enlisted Irina's help, so that no one would disturb the lovebirds when they confirmed their love for each other by using their bodies. And as the night went on, Akeno and Irina had to stop Xenovia, a muscle brained idiot who wanted to join in, and Asia, who didn't want to be left alone.
A few days had passed, the result of the Rating Game started taking effect on all individuals related to it, especially on Sairaorg, who already had a shaky position within his house. It became even more difficult for him. However, when Azazel talked to him about it, Sairaorg just shrugged it off and told him that he just had to work hard twice as much and what was important to him right now was his mother, who was still unconscious due to the rare Devil disease that had no cure.
"I'm sorry that I can't do anything regarding your mother's case. This disease is really too strange because it doesn't do anything to the body, but it disables the psyche of the victim.", said Azazel to Sairaorg.
"You don't have to apologize, Governor Azazel. I'm already happy that you took the effort to help my mother. I know no one has ever recovered from this yet, however, I do not believe that this is impossible to cure. I will not give up searching for the cure.", replied Sairaorg.
Azazel couldn't help but sigh and pity the young Devil who didn't stop fighting against all odds. He then said his farewells to him but before he left, Azazel recalled something and faced Sairaorg again, "I'm not too sure about this, and this is just wild speculation, but if there's someone who could help your mother, it might just be Kisuke Urahara."
After examining Sairaorg's mother, Azazel didn't come out without any result. Since he already figured out that the disease had something to do with the psyche of the victim, it may be also related to the mysteries of the soul. And if it was about someone who was an expert with soul studies, then Kisuke Urahara was the only guy that he could think of.
"Kisuke Urahara? You mean the SSS ranked wanted criminal?", asked Sairaorg.
Azazel nodded, "That's right. I know it's weird to recommend a criminal but he's the only person I know that might be able to help you. Besides, the case around him is full of mysteries and he's only a criminal because there's nothing else better to do."
.
.
.
Two weeks after the school festival, Issei, Yuuto, and Akeno would be taking a promotion test to become Mid-Class Devils. But before that, the three of them, especially Issei, had to study for the written tests. For both the promotion test and school exams.
And as the designated manager for Issei, Ravel had to plan out his schedule so he would have enough time to study, train and do the live shows of the Oppai Dragon.
As they awaited their promotion test, Azazel suddenly pulled a risky move, one that could endanger everyone and with a high risk of him being killed on the spot once discovered.
He invited the leader of the Khaos Brigade, Ophis, to Issei's house.
Of course, Azazel didn't do this without a goal in his mind. After hearing from Vali, who he was secretly in contact with for a while now, that Ophis suddenly became interested in this generation's Red Dragon Emperor, a plan immediately emerged in his mind.
Instead of fighting the terrorist organization head-on, he figured that if he could change the mind of its leader, Ophis, they could dissolve the organization with minimal casualties and restore peace again. Azazel saw Ophis' interest as a rare chance that might not happen again in the future.
Vali also agreed to this, but not for the same reason as Azazel. There had been a growing rumor within the organization that someone was targeting Ophis to usurp her powers. He already had a suspect in mind, but he didn't know how they were going to 'usurp' Ophis' powers.
So, in line with Azazel's interest, Vali sent Ophis, along with Le Fay and Fenrir, to stay in Hyoudou residence to let them hide there, while he brought a fake Ophis around to lure out those who were targeting her.
On the other hand, while Azazel was busy convincing Rias to go along with his plans, Akeno and Irina were shocked at Ophis' sudden appearance. After all, it'd been a few weeks since they last saw her, due to Vali stopping her from sneaking out due to the danger. Although Ophis never believed that she was in any danger, she just obediently followed his instructions.
And as they were talking, Ophis suddenly approached Akeno and Irina without any care for the others. Of course, it would be dangerous if it were to be discovered that both of them knew Ophis beforehand, so in response, they acted scared in front of her and took a step back.
Ophis's eyes widened for a few seconds before returning to her usual deadpan expression. She then suddenly turned around and went back to her previous position, which was beside Azazel and Le Fay.
Noticing this strange action, Azazel asked, "What's wrong?" But because Ophis was not facing towards him when she showed this slightly shocked reaction, it only looked like she approached Akeno and Irina and went back, doing nothing. Still, this was something strange.
""I-I don't know..."", answered Akeno and Irina, both with a fear-stricken face. But this time, they were not pretending, as cold sweat crawled down on their spine and they both thought, 'S-she's sulking!!!'
Le Fay, who knew about their connection with Ophis, understood the expression Akeno and Irina were making, 'Pretending not to know her, huh. That's indeed the best course of action in this situation.'
While Le Fay was thinking that Akeno and Irina successfully deceived everyone, the two of them were panicking and communicated through their eyes, 'What should we do!?'
'I don't know! But for starters, I have to prepare her favorite snacks!'
'Then I have to introduce a new and easy card game to her!'
'Then let's stay in Issei's house for now!', decided both of them.
As the people who were taking care of Ophis for months now, they instantly understood the expression she made and the speed she used to turn her head away from them. Ophis was shocked that they acted scared and like they didn't know her, so she started sulking.
After Azazel successfully convinced Rias, Ophis went to the corner and started staring at Issei without a word. While at it, Akeno tried to serve her some cookies. Although she started to eat the cookies, Ophis entirely ignored Akeno. With her mouth twitching, she retreated for now. Both she and Irina decided that they would sneak into Ophis's room to explain things to her.
However, the group saw her act as bravery as they were all still afraid of Ophis and the thought of her being a naive and clueless Humanoid Dragon was still an unknown territory for them.
Ophis then stared at Issei and started talking, "Ddraig. Do you want to quit being a Heavenly-Dragon?"
Of course, Issei got confused at her sudden question, "Ummm, no. I don't understand what you are trying to say..."
"The human who is your current host. He's been having a different sense of growing up until now. I think this is very strange. Very different from previous Heavenly-Dragons. Vali is also the same. Strange. Very strange."
'…Me and Vali's growth…? That's strange…?', wondered Issei.
Ophis continued, "The fight against Cao Cao. The fight against Bael. Ddraig had different evolutions. His armor turned Crimson-coloured. It's the first time. The first time that I know of. That's why I want to ask. Ddraig. What will you become?"
Then, Issei's gauntlet appeared by itself.
Ddraig then said it loudly, so that everyone could hear it.
[I don't know Ophis. I don't know what this guy wants to become. I don't know but... It's certain that he's having an interesting growth.]
Since Issei figured that it was a lot easier for them to talk directly to each other, he shut his mouth.
"Two-heavenly dragons mixed me as the "infinite" and Great Red as the "dream" into the chant. Ddraig, why did you think of becoming the king of domination?"
[...It must be the result of seeking strength. Because of that, I was eliminated. I couldn't become strong besides increasing the power of "domination". I never thought that my red color could turn to crimson.]
"I don't understand "domination". Those from the 'Khaos Brigade' seek domination. I don't understand. Great-Red isn't 'domination'. I also am not 'domination'."
[There is no way that a being that has been strong from the beginning would be able to understand the reasons for "domination". You, who were born from the 'nothingness' of the 'infinite', and Great-Red, who was born from the 'illusions' of the 'dream', must have been from a different dimension. Ophis. You appeared in this World after leaving the dimensional gap. What have you attained from this World, and why did you think of returning to your homeland?]
"I also want to question you. Ddraig. Why do you try to become a different being? Will you discard 'domination'? What is ahead after that?"
Ddraig didn't answer.
"...Very interesting indeed. A conversation between a Heavenly-Dragon and a Dragon-God is something you don't see often.", muttered Azazel while listening to the two of them.
However, the mysterious mood of the conversation suddenly changed when Ophis asked her the next question.
"Ddraig, will you become the Chichiryutei? Can you surpass a Heavenly-dragon by groping breasts? Ddraig, will you become a dragon that represents breasts?"
Ddraig who had heard that... reacted in a way in which he needed to inhale some air!
[Ugg....Even Ophis ends up saying that...… Uuu! Haahaa....! My consciousness got cut! Counselor! Someone call the counselor!]
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Editors:
28th00: They… THEY MADE HER SULK!? HOW DARE THEY! Side note, Phis-chama is here, so it's time to get savage~! Nobody in DxD is more savage in verbal insults as Phis-chama… She's absolutely ruthless… On a side note, at least Kisuke has a proper nickname that is not savage! He's 'Hat' after all. I pity the rest and their eventual nicknames...
Alexander: Well, as the saying goes: Kids and drunk people tell the truth. Aside from that, there are two points, which disturb me a bit. First, Ravel became Issei´s manager in the canon, after watching his heroic fight against her brother at the wedding. This didn't happen here. From my perspective, it would even make more sense if she wants to become Yoruichi´s soul sister. Second, why play the 'I-pretend-that-I-don´t-know-you' game? Azazel does something forbidden himself, LeFay is officially a terrorist and if Akeno and Irina can explain how it came to be, that they are now taking care of Ophis, then everything should be fine for the rest of the Gremory peerage.