high school dxd: volume 1-25

"You have to stay even more calm and fight. You can do it if you try, you know? It's your weak point to lose your calm and act differently. You know how you did a thing which totally wasn't like you in the Bael-match against that [Queen] by being pissed? If it was the usual you, wouldn't you have used Dress Break on her and observed her naked body? You probably got heated up with having your comrades being taken down...but if you do that against someone who is stronger than you, you know that you'll get killed?"

I got a warning from Sensei. ...Yeah, I have a habit to lose my calm and go forward sometimes. It's my bad habit. ...So I should have defeated the Bael's [Queen] with Dress Break? When I think like that, I suddenly got depressed because I couldn't see her naked body... That was the best thing I was capable of doing at that time.

"Well, you are a kid who's only 17 years old. Rias, you, and everyone else in the group are still young. If you say it's normal for you guys to still be incomplete, then it's a normal thing."

So will I be able to calm down if my sexual desire also becomes that of an adult? I can't even imagine it! I also want to be lecherous even ten years or hundred years later! It's certain that Rias's breast will become beautiful after ten years!

Ugggh. I should think about that later and ask Sensei.

"Sensei, when are you planning to leave?"

"For now, I will discuss it with Rias first. This is a good opportunity, so I will negotiate with the Vampires side or else it will become troublesome."

If it's possible, I want to pray that nothing will happen.

Since Kiba and Sensei will be with her, Rias probably won't be dragged into the worst situation... Even so, I'm still worried.

Rather, I hope this meeting with the Vampires will head towards the most peaceful direction there is.

Actually, we still have the thing about the pact with magicians, but it seems like the Gremory group always encounter troubles.

...Ddraig, please return to your usual self. Like I thought, I won't be able to give my all without you.

My partner—. Let's go straight ahead together again!

When I was staring at my gauntlet as if I'm speaking to it, Sensei sighs.

"Take care of the legendary Dragon, okay? Even if what's left is his soul, you do know that he is a valuable legendary Dragon-sama right? Do you know just how many Dragons there are that haven't even been sealed into a Sacred Gear and even the whereabouts of their soul is unknown?"

E-Even if you say that... Of course, I will take care of Ddraig! W-Well, I did trouble him quite a lot with all that Oppai Dragon stuff!

Sensei pounces his fist on the palm of his other hand as if he remembered something.

"...Oh, I should tell you this as well. I received some information from Vali."

"From Vali?"

"You do know that he is travelling around the world investigating mysterious things right?"

Just like Azazel-sensei who raised him, I hear that the Hakuryuukou-sama who takes interest in and investigates things is travelling around the world and looking at mysterious things.

"It seems like he encounters the members of the Khaos Brigade quite often at his destinations."

"But that isn't to execute the Vali-team who became "wanted" right?"

Vali is in a situation where he is being chased from the Khaos Brigade for the crime of sending Ophis to us without any permission. Rather, he was originally on bad terms with the other factions of Khaos Brigade, and I heard that they didn't like him.

Sensei continues.

"What Vali was searching for was...a variety of brutal monsters that are thought to be extinct. It seems like he was searching for them with uncertain evidence of them being alive. If his journey to find strong foes even exceeds to that level, even I start to think of them as a group who is very bored with nothing to do. –And this is where it starts. Among the extinct monsters, it seems like besides Vali and his group, the members of Khaos Brigade who are the groups of magicians seems to be mainly coming to the region where the extinct Dragons originally lived. ...It's not once or twice that they encounter each other, so it isn't a coincidence."

"The extinct Dragons... What kind of famous Dragons are there among them?"

"I'm not sure if you know them, but I guess it would be the "Crescent Circle Dragon" Crom Cruach, "Diabolism Thousand Dragon" Aži Dahāka, and the "Eclipse Dragon" Apophis. It sure brings back memories. They were quite dangerous. –They were either sealed or killed for being too brutal. Other than them there are Níðhǫggr from the Norse, and the ferocious Grendal that is said to be slain by the original Beowulf. There was Ladon who was protecting the legendary fruit who was also a Dragon but was defeated by the original Heracles. And in Japanese there was Yamata-no-Orochi."

They are mostly names which I haven't heard before. The ones I have heard of are Yamata-no-Orochi and Crom Cruach though I've only heard the names. So there are that many extinct strong Dragons huh.

"...Especially Crom Cruach, Aži Dahāka, and Apophis, whom are "Evil Dragons" that are now extinct. Vritra is also an Evil-Dragon, but he's cute if you compare him to the three I just named."

Evil Dragons—. Just hearing it scares me. But they are extinct huh.

"Those three, were they that dangerous?"

"Even Vritra had his soul cut into many pieces and was sealed into the Sacred Gears right? Evil-Dragons were so powerful where you would have to do at least that much in order to completely annihilate their existence. Vritra regained consciousness by having the Sacred Gears merge. It makes me wonder just how tough those Evil-Dragons are. And among them, the ones which were the most brutal and were standing at the top were Crom Cruach, Aži Dahāka, and Apophis."

Wow, even Vritra-san gives me the creeps but they are above him huh. ...They seem scary.

"...Are they stronger than the Two-Heavenly Dragons?"

"The red and the white one in their primes will definitely be stronger. But all of the Dragons did try to avoid fighting the Evil-Dragons as much as possible. I heard that they found it really troublesome to fight the Evil-Dragons and those affiliated with them. So that means they are bad news if you confront them."

...Touching an Evil-Dragon will bring misfortune huh. Sensei continues while putting his hand on his chin.

"But it's been a while talking about the extinct Dragons, especially the "Evil-Dragons". But you understand it right? –Dragons that have strength and that like to go around wild were eliminated without exception. Tiamat who is said to be the strongest among the Five Great Dragon-Kings must have a good point then. It seems like she has blended in well with the current world and is living as she likes."

Dragons which go wild huh. Ddraig and Albion were also one of them. And they went around too wild that they were taken down by the Three Great Powers.

"I prefer a Dragon to stand tall and with dignity like old man Tannin. He seems like a Dragon-King, and I think he looks cool."

Yeah, old-man Tannin seems like the king of Dragons the most out of all the Dragons I have met. I have respect towards him when I see his posture of using his body to protect those Dragons!

Sensei also agrees to my opinion.

"Yeah, you are right. It won't be a waste to hang around with that guy among the currently active Dragons. That's what a king of Dragons is supposed to be. A Dragon like that doesn't exist anywhere else, so observe him very well."

Yes sir! In the future I will become a splendid Dragon like old man...no no, I will become a Harem-King Dragon!

"Either way, it seems like the terrorist group is plotting something behind the scenes. ...Something bad might happen again, so just be prepared."

"Yes."

Sensei then rests his hand on my head.

"Sorry. I might end up having you guys get the bad end of the bargain again."

"Seriously, it sure does tire me out. But if they are to come at us, we will have to overcome them. We have always been going straight ahead like that."

I'm not Koneko-chan, but we will just have to defeat them if they are to come at us. In order to survive, we will get even stronger, and I feel that we have to continue breaking all obstacles. That is the Gremory group! No, that is the Occult Research Club of Kuou Academy!

"Well, I'm also busy with my own business in the Underworld as well."

"Did you start something?"

When I asked, Sensei suddenly puts on a lecherous smile. Ah, that's the expression when he is plotting something.

"Yeah, I'm selling some territories."

Territories huh.

"Even you know that the Underworld is split into two sides of the Devils and Fallen Angels right?"

"Yes."

"The truth is, comparing the Fallen Angels side to the Devils side, there are many free areas if you were to compare it with the number of residents. The ones living in the Fallen Angels sides are the pure Fallen Angels, the races which have a relation to the Fallen Angels, and the halves born between Fallen Angels and other races."

That's right. Sensei and others who are the part of the Grigori decided not to make the reincarnation system intentionally. They can make one if they try, but they chose not to.

According to Sensei, "The evil Angels can just end with us".

"—And, so. By using the free lands, I'm making a resort area for the factions who made an alliance with us. We have a major plan for building businesses and casinos as well. We have already received an order from celebrities of different factions that want to have a mansion. I'm sure this will turn into quite a big industry. Well, the Fallen Angels also need a budget, the money, for many things so we have to make business."

I-I see... The Fallen Angels, the Grigori, have started to do business huh. I also hear that the majority of the source of income for the current Grigori comes from their research.

Sensei seems like he will be suited to becoming a sales person.

—Then there is a knock on the door. The one who enters is Rias.

"Azazel? Did you finish examining Ise? Let's make a schedule for leaving Japan."

"Oh, that's right. Rather, if we are going afar, there's something I have to tell Asia personally... Can Asia join?"

"Yes, I don't mind. It's about that right? I'm glad it's going smoothly. Looks like having Ophis acting in the middle of it made it succeed."

Asia's case...? It really makes me wonder. Is Ophis related to it?

Like this, the discussion about the departure of Rias, Sensei, and Kiba begins.

Part 7

"..."Even if you are the Sekiryuutei, a mere servant that doesn't have any qualification has no right to question me, correct?" huh."

On the morning when the sun still hasn't risen.

I'm having a shower in the big bathroom located in the basement of the Hyoudou residence. I, who have woken up early, left my room and came here without waking up Rias and Asia.

What I was recollecting in my head is the thing the Vampire from the Carmilla faction, Elmenhilde, said to me yesterday.

...A mere servant, the Sekiryuutei who doesn't have the right to speak...

She's right. Despite being called "Oppai Dragon" in the Underworld, I am just seen as the "Sekiryuutei who is the servant of Rias Gremory" from the other factions. That is the reality and I have no comment regarding it.

But when a diplomatic thing like this is involved, I'm useless.

I made a good relationship with Odin the geezer from the Northern Europe and the Youkai in Kyoto, but they are special. Normally, from the perspective of those from the other factions, I'm just a mere Middle-class Devil that doesn't have any right to speak.

...It's not like I was getting elated. But I'm really frustrated that I can't become of any use for Rias and Sensei in situations like that.

...Damn it.

My precious junior...even if I want to protect my precious Gasper from the front, I need something besides strength.

...No, I shouldn't get ahead of myself. I...should just protect my comrades when I have to. The diplomatic affairs are Sirzechs-sama and Sensei's job. I should just do what I can do.

I bite my teeth due to frustration. The warm shower makes me comfortable.

"I'm such a small guy. ...Shit, I will definitely become a High-class Devil... No, I made a promise with Kiba."

That's right. He and I made that promise before the Middle-class Devil test.

—That we will become Ultimate-class Devils.

"He will become the strongest [Knight], and I will become the strongest [Pawn]—."

When I said the words of my determination.

The door to the bathtub opens. When I turned around—Ravel who just entered and is naked is standing theeeeeeeeeere!

"...Ise-sama."

"Ah, sorry! Since it's early in the morning, I didn't think anyone was going to use it!"

I can't do anything to help myself but apologise! That's because the girls are basically using this bathtub! I use it as well, but I have the girls use it first! Of course, I do encounter them at times and bath together!

This will be rude to Ravel who is a guest and who is also my junior! I should get out now!

B-But the naked Ravel! Even though she has a small body, I can only say that she has a proper body of a woman...! Her oppai are quite big! Since she has her usual drill-like hair down, I have a different impression of her! No, this isn't the time for it!

I was thinking hard and Ravel says to me.

"...I-I will wash your back!"

—!

My mind went blank at the words I didn't expect to hear.

"...How is it?"

"Ah, yeah. I think it's okay..."

Like that, I'm having my back washed by Ravel. I'm having her rub my back with a towel.

...I thought she would have burned me with her wings of fire while saying "Ise-sama you ecchi!"... And she happens to be quite daring this morning! I'm getting confused!

I didn't want it to be silent while she's washing my back, so I started a conversation about the Vampires from yesterday.

"...That was my first time meeting a pure-blood Vampire...but there are still things I'm not sure about... I was able to become friends with Gasper-san right away..."

Ravel must have mixed feeling as well.

"...It's also because they appointed Gasper-san who is my friend as the requirement for the deal, but also their ways of not caring about anyone besides them... But this may also be part of their politics. ...This certainly is a hard issue. Of course, I think it's not a good idea to hand over Gasper-san recklessly to them. ...But Devils are also logical, and we put purebloods above everything else. I'm also a pureblood Devil."

That's right. Ravel is a princess from the House of Phoenix. She's also the only daughter. She is a pure High-class Devil who has been living in the upper echelons of society.

"Even pureblood Devils are able to choose their own friends. Koneko-san, Gasper-san, and my classmates, are also treating me well. Though, I'm sad that I have to hide my identity from them... I think it will be a wonderful thing if you can choose friends despite being from a different race."

She usually acts sharp, but she is actually an innocent good girl.

But hiding your identity, huh.

I can't tell Motohama and Matsuda that I became a Devil, and telling them will bring them into danger. At least, I want a peaceful time while I'm at Kuou academy.

"But I realised just how small a person I am. I'm frustrated that I wasn't able to talk back. I will become a more splendid Devil and make them acknowledge me. That is what I have started to think this time."

I thought of aiming for the top once again. I won't allow it to end with them looking at me with those scornful eyes.

After having my back washed away with hot water, Ravel asks me.

"Ise-sama...h-have you decided about your future servants?"

"Servants? Ah, you mean when I become a High-class Devil? No, I still haven't decided yet."

You can have 15 servants at most with Evil Pieces right? I might end up using several of them depending on the person.

"Asia and Xenovia are saying that they will follow me, so there is a talk about having a trade with Rias, but even doing that isn't decided. When I become independent, taking Asia and Xenovia with me will allow me to take actions right away, and it will become easier to do our job. But that will mean that 3 members will leave from Rias's group right? How to fill those missing holes, even those parts aren't clear yet."

I then have a thought after saying that much.

That having Ravel remaining as my manager even in the future will be a strong support.

Ravel says it as if she responded to what I was thinking.

"...I want to continue being Ise-sama's manager."

"Yeah, I'm happy. That will sure be reliable."

It happens when the atmosphere became good.

Splash! There is someone who got out from the bath!

"I, went under for 30 minutes."

...It's Ophis. Dragon-God-sama got out from the bath. And did you go under there for 30 minutes!?

And Ophis's clothes weren't in the changing room, you know!?

Did you perhaps come from your room fully naked!?

Give me a break, Dragon-God-sama! Being naked inside the house isn't also allowed! You are a former Uroboros Dragon after all~!

"Fufufu, I can never win against Ophis-san."

Ravel is also laughing.

You are right. We sure are no match against our Mascot-sama, also known as Ophis-chan.