In the morning, everyone woke up quite late and decided to take a walk in the garden of the estate since it was a day off.
Rias asked her servants to spend time with Issei one by one so that he would remember them and stop treating them with suspicion. However, the dragon still could not stand Rias's absence in the room.
The first one who decided to try to return Issei's memory was Asia. Hyodo was still very cautious with everyone except Rias, but as soon as he realized that the blonde did not want anything bad, he began to behave more calmly with her.
Asia showed him the photos that they had taken together on the day of their meeting. The dragon looked at the color photos with interest and listened to Asia's explanation of where they were taken. When Asia took out the photo that they had taken next to the fountain, Hyodo extended his paw and froze in place without moving.
"Issei-san, what happened? What's wrong with you?"
The dragon jerked and fell to the ground. Rias ran up to find out what had happened. "Asia, what happened?"
"I don't know. I was just showing Issei-san our photos from the day we met. When he saw this photo, for some reason he froze and then fell. Will he be okay?" Asia asked with tears in her eyes.
"Hurry, call the lab assistants. We need to find out what's going on."
"Okay." The blonde ran out of the room to call the staff. Rias was left next to the lifeless carapace. The emeralds of his eyes had faded to the state of black stones. The lab assistants came as quickly as they could and began to try to bring Issei back to life. But no matter how hard they tried, the dragon showed no signs of life.
There were two meanings of this. Either Hyoudou had lost consciousness, or he really had died. However, Rias flatly refused to believe the second option.
After half an hour of unsuccessful attempts, the doctors silently covered the body of the dragon with a blanket and left. Rias walked up to Issei and fell to her knees. Sobs were heard in the quiet room. Asia ran after the rest of the family.
As soon as the others managed to calm Rias down, they were all called to Sirzechs.
In the room where some time before the meeting between Lucifer and Azazel took place, now Gremory peerage was there, sitting in front of Sirzechs. There was a deathly silence in the room that was interrupted by the occasional sobs of the head of the Gremory family. Asia and Koneko tried to calm their mistress.
"So. I have two pieces of news. Good and bad. Which one to start with."
Since Rias was not in the mood to say anything right now, Akeno spoke for her. "Let's start with the bad."
"Rias's servant fell into an unknown state. Something between death and a coma. The doctors cannot explain what happened to him."
"And what is the good news?"
"Issei is not dead. He is alive, but he is completely unaware of what is happening around him."
"I see. Rias, you heard. Issei is not dead." Akeno sighed in relief and looked towards Rias with a smile, this news had its effect.
The scarlet-haired princess raised her eyes, red from tears. The people in the room shuddered seeing this and goosebumps ran down their spines.
"Rias, it's best for you to go rest."
"As you say, brother."
"Asia, please take Rias to her bedroom."
"O-okay, Sirzechs-sama." Asia led Rias away and as soon as the girl left the room, Sirzechs leaned forward slightly and continued in a half-whisper.
"Anyway, listen. I lied about Hyodo Issei not perceiving what's going on around him. In fact, his brain activity depends on my sister's condition. However, neither I nor the doctors can explain the reason. Anyway, I have one plan, but you'll have to help me."
"What should we do?"
**************************
The entire Gremory family had gathered in the main hall. The invited guests were expected to arrive any minute. Rias didn't understand what Sirzechs wanted to show by inviting the Phoenix family into the residence.
The doors to the hall swung open and a man with disheveled golden hair and a burgundy jacket appeared in the doorway with a woman in lead.
"Greetings, Lady Phoenix."
"Good evening, Lord Sirzechs. Is everything ready?"
"Yes, everything is ready."
Rias looked at her brother in confusion, waiting for an explanation. "Rias, the maids will escort you so that you can prepare."
"Prepared? But for what?"
"For the wedding with Riser."