"Cheer!"
Issei called out, clinking his cup against those of his friends as they gathered in the grand dining hall of the Gremory Residence, celebrating their sweeping victory in the opening round of the Youth Devil Rating Game Tournament over Sona Sitri and her Peerage.
Laughter echoed through the room. Plates were piled high with food, and drinks flowed freely as the Peerage and their relatives basked in their well-earned triumph. Lord Gremory had wanted to throw a grand party, similar to the one that they had had after the unofficial match against the Phenex, but Issei, backed by Rias, had insisted that a small celebration between family members was more than enough for this victory.
It was only after he promised they could host something grand once they became the champion of the Tournament, and with a not-so-gentle push from his wife, that Zeoticus finally relented. At the very least, he got to invite some close friends over, all of whom were currently talking with him in the dining room.
"Words can't describe how proud I am of you all." Azazel said with a small smirk before holding up his hands when he caught the look Issei and Rias gave him. "Okay, okay. Sure, as your teacher and match advisor, I might have scored some reputation points off your win… but don't let that distract from how damn well you performed, you, especially, Issei."
"Heh." Issei grinned, rubbing his nose as Kiba reached out to pat him on the shoulder while the girls beamed at him. On the left side of his shirt hung the medal Sirzechs had awarded him after the match, a gleaming symbol of recognition for his stellar performance.
Although, it seemed that the votes for the best performing individual in the game had been surprisingly close. Not that Issei was surprised, since the one who was right behind him was none other than Saji. The raw determination and refusal to back down the Pawn of Sona Sitri when facing him had clearly left quite an impression with the audience. Despite the fact that their Peerage had lost the game, Saji had finished just ten votes behind Issei, who found himself respecting his opposition even more.
"But of course, try to not sleep on your victory. This win is just the beginning, and you all know the strongest opponents are still ahead," Azazel said, holding up his glass of wine. The entire room followed suit, raising their drinks high. "To Team Gremory."
"To team Gremory!"
The cheer rang through the hall before slowly fading into soft laughter and light conversation. Once the noise settled, Azazel continued, his tone slipping back into business.
"Glasya-Labolas? Isn't that the dickhead with the absolutely punchable face who harassed the heir of the Agares family at the Gathering of Young Devils?" Issei asked bluntly while taking a sip from his drink.
Rias gave him a light smack on the arm, more amused than annoyed. "Issei…" she chided, though the faint smile tugging at her lips betrayed her agreement.
Chuckling, Issei continued with interest. "And Astaroth, that's the…"
"Devil family that produced the current Beelzebub? Yes," Azazel confirmed with a nod. "If Astaroth wins, which is quite likely according to my incredibly accurate estimation, you'll be facing Ajuka's nephew. He and his Peerage are notoriously strong in spellcasting. Diodora, as I've heard, is a capable devil in his own right."
"He's quite well-mannered and friendly… but for some reason, he always gives me the creeps when I meet him with my brother," Ravel pointed out, drawing a few glances from around the table. "It could just be my imagination, though."
"I've met him a few times as well. Latia, his cousin, is a childhood friend of mine." Rias added thoughtfully, resting her chin on her hand. "He doesn't seem all that bad, I think. Oh, and he also has an all-female Peerage, Ise."
Issei narrowed his eyes, frowning. "Why do I feel like this guy and I are not gonna get along?"
Azazel chuckled with a finger pointing at Issei from his wine glass. "Well, you'll get your chance to judge him yourself, assuming that they win. Either way, you'll be going up against another capable team. Don't expect another walk in the park."
"Buuut," The Governor General added with a grin, holding out his empty glass to refill it from the bottle beside him. It was hard to tell if he was already tipsy or just riding the high of the evening—either way, he'd been drinking… quite a lot, even though the party had just started. "That will be a problem for tomorrow. Tonight, enjoy your victory with this celebration. You've all earned it."
And with that, the party carried on. As the others resumed their conversations, plates being passed around, Issei felt a gentle tap on his shoulder, turning around to see Ingvild standing there behind him with a soft smile on her face.
"Congratulations on the win, Ise." She said warmly. "You were really amazing back there."
"Thanks, Ingvild." Issei grinned. "I'm glad you were there to see us."
"So… when's your next match?" she asked curiously.
"After summer vacation," Issei replied. "We've still got a few more days left to relax before the new semester starts."
A few days ago, it had been confirmed to him that Ingvild would be transferring to Kuoh Academy, joining the high school division as a second-year. He still had no idea if she would go to his class or not, but the news had really come as a pleasant surprise for him, one that, without a doubt, no one was happier about than he was.
"Oh, by the way. I still owe you that beach trip, don't I?" Issei asked, recalling the promise he had made to her during their journey in the Demon's Castle together "How about some time this weekend?"
"Sure, I'd love to, Ise." Ingvild nodded, her face lighting up with excitement as she accepted his offer with a beaming smile. "Can I invite the others? It'd be great if we can have everyone there to hang out with."
"Of course." Issei nodded. He then took another sip of his drink, then caught sight of Rias out of the corner of his eye, having just excused herself from Ravel and Lady Venelana, stepping away from the conversation to head toward the buffet table and refill her plate.
Nodding to himself, Issei turned back to Ingvild with a small smile. "Hey, I'll catch up with you in a bit. There's something I need to take care of."
"Alright," Ingvild said gently. "I'll be here."
With that, Issei made his way across the room, weaving between tables until he reached Rias just as she was about to spoon some food onto her plate.
"Hey, Rias-senpai." Issei called as he drew close to his master, who turned to him with a smile.
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Uhm, I'm wondering if we can talk for a bit?" He asked, jerking his head toward the balcony. "Jus the two of us. Outside."
Rias widened her eyes slightly, surprise flickering across her face as she gazed at him for a second before nodding with a beaming smile booming on her lips. "Of course."
With that, the two moved away from the celebration, finding the perfect moment when Zeoticus proudly presented his friends with a bottle of aged wine from his private collection. The attention that he drew gave them just enough cover to slip out unnoticed by most.
Soon enough, Issei and Rias found themselves outside, standing together on the balcony overlooking the estate grounds of the Gremory Residence. It was currently nighttime in the Underworld, and the sky above them was the same as what they had in the human world, with the moon hanging up high above.
"So? What's on your mind, Ise?" Rias asked as she leaned lightly against the railing surrounding the balcony.
""So, uhm… do you remember what I told you before I left for Olympus?" Issei asked, scratching the back of his head, feeling just a little nervous as he tried to gather his courage.
"Of course. You said you had something to tell me when you returned," Rias nodded, flashing him a teasing smile. "But I guess you got pretty caught up in your training with Tannin, huh?"
"Yeah. I'm really sorry. I probably should've told you then," Issei said, a sheepish grin on his face. Plus, the whole house was also fairly busy with Ingvild, who was introduced to them as a descendant of the original Leviathan. Issei, personally, had spent a lot of his time helping Ingvild settle in, since he'd been the only one she trusted, before he had to leave with Tannin, so he barely had any time for anything else.
"Eh, don't worry about it, Ise," Rias said, brushing it off with a gentle smile. "It's thanks to you that we were able to have such a dominant victory today."
"I heard about your duel with Sona-kaichou." Issei added with a grin. "You're pretty amazing to have defeated her without even breaking a sweat, senpai."
"Of course." Rias said with a proud flick of her hair. "I've been training hard too, you know. Can't let you get too far ahead of me."
"Anyway, about that other thing I wanted to tell you…" Issei said, knitting his hand together as he gestured to himself and then Rias "I really like you, senpai. And I know I'm already dating Akeno, but… I can't deny that I have feelings for you too. So, I was wondering if you'd like to—"
Issei never got the chance to finish, not that he would ever need to. Before he could say another word, Rias had stepped forward and kissed him, her hands gently resting on his shoulders as she pressed her lips against his.
Issei had seen her coming, but he was still unable to stop the surge of surprise that rushed through him while his body let Rias draw close. His eyes widened for a brief moment before slowly closing as he returned the kiss, which didn't last very long in the end, but it was enough to say every word.
When Rias finally pulled back from him, a faint blush colored her cheeks, and the smile continued to linger on her face as she spoke to him. "You have no idea how long I have been wanting to do that."
"So, that means…"
"Of course I'll go out with you, Ise." Rias said, nodding her head to him and answering his unfinished question. Relief and joy washed over him at once, and he let out a soft laugh, unable to hide the grin spreading across his face.
"Man… I feel like the luckiest guy in the world right now." He cheered. He could be throwing his fists in the air right now to celebrate. He had heard that so many guys at Kuoh Academy had tried to ask Rias out, but they had all failed while he was the one who succeeded.
"You are, Issei-kun? After all, you are now dating me and Rias at the same time."
That familiar teasing voice caused both of them to turn their heads, finding Akeno standing just a few steps away, her usual smile playing on her lips as she walked toward them with grace in her stride. Her gaze flicked between the two of them, winking playfully at Issei before finally settling warmly on Rias.
"Congratulations, Rias." She said, her tone softer now as she stepped forward to embrace her friend. "It's about time, honestly."
"Thank you, Akeno." Rias beamed, returning the affection from her best friend before she asked. "So… you're not mad?"
"That you and I are now dating the same guy? Why would I be? You know I'm not the jealous type, and it's going to be so much more fun for us from now on." Akeno giggled before gesturing her head to Issei. "Plus, this is Issei-kun, the guy with the dream to be the Harem king, we're talking about. I knew it'd only be a matter of time."
"Ah, well… when you put it that way." Issei chuckled, making Akeno wink at him again before busting out in a fit of giggle with her best friend.
In response, Issei grinned broadly back.
"Just make sure to remember that I'm his favorite, Rias."
"Hm, don't you dare think for a second that Ise asked you out first means you'd stay on the top forever, Akeno."
"Girls, easy there." Issei chuckled nervously as he held up his hand, glancing between Rias and Akeno while they stared challengingly at each other while their respective auras flared fiercely from their bodies.
Yup, he was really the luckiest guy in the world.
After knocking his hand on the door a few times and hearing the voice inside the office at Crimson Emporium Headquarters in the Underworld informing him the door was not locked, Issei opened the door and walked in while announcing his arrival.
"I heard you were looking for me, sir."
Zeoticus looked up from the laptop on his desk and greeted him as he rose from his seat with a file in hand. "Ah, perfect timing, Issei-kun. Follow me."
Without another word, Zeoticus made his way around the desk and left his office, leaving Issei to quickly fall in step behind him.
"Sorry for calling you here so early in the morning, and interrupting your break with my daughters and the others at home, Issei-kun. I knew you hadn't had a proper summer vacation just yet." Zeoticus said before giving him a small grin and a nudge with his elbow. "And Venelana also told me you asked my daughter out last night. About time, really."
"Thank you, sir." Issei said, nodding his head to Zeoticus with a small smile on his face
"Please, just call me Zeoticus. Anyhow, we'll have plenty of time to have that first drink together later, for now… you ready to get back to work?" Zeoticus asked with a small, meaningful grin, Issei blinked at the look before widening his eyes slightly in realization as he accepted the file Zeoticus handed to him. "Here. You heard about the Gate that just opened in Agreas a few hours ago, yes?"
"Yeah. I read about it when I checked the news earlier."
Issei confirmed, flipping through the pages and skimming over the basic details of the Gate in Agreas. The mana readings had shown that it was a B-rank Gate, and the environment on the other side appeared to be a vast underground cavern rich with mana minerals and crystals. So far, they had yet to identify exactly what kind of magic monsters inhabited the place, but the few scouts they had sent in to survey the place had reported signs suggesting insect-type creature, possibly arachnids, judging by the presence of thick spiderwebs and thin claw marks near the entrance.
Issei shuddered as he remembered the swarm of monster spiders he had encountered in the Labyrinth, the Arachnean Broods. He wasn't afraid of spiders, but he definitely had no love for them either, especially the ones that could bite his head off clean off.
"And guess what, I managed to secure exclusive rights to the Gate for the Emporium." Zeoticus pointed out.
"Oh wow, really?" Issei asked, looking at the list of minerals that had been discovered so far in the Gate. "This would be a lot of valuable materials."
Gates that opened in the Underworld were handled a bit differently from the ones that appeared in the human world, where they would be taken care of by the Hero Faction and their allies. But in the Underworld, specifically on Devil territory, jurisdiction fell to the Noble Household whose land the Gate appeared on. That Household was granted exclusive rights to the Gate, but with those rights also came the responsibility of clearing it before a Dungeon Break could occur.
Other Households, especially those with strong alliances or shared interests, could also negotiate for clearance rights in exchange for mutual profits, usually by offering to handle the Raid themselves. This kind of arrangement was fairly common between close-knit families, though The Gremory Household had a unique advantage with their Crimson Emporium, one of the largest and most efficient organizations for resource extraction and post-Raid operations in all the Underworld. Most Houses if not all were happy to leave the heavy lifting to Zeoticus and his teams, especially if it meant avoiding a costly and dangerous Raid themselves.
"And that's just from the area around the entrance." Zeoticus said, his tone shifting into something more businesslike. "Lord Agares wanted thirty-five percent of the spoils we pull from the Gate, but if the deeper layers are even half as rich as what we have already uncovered, this could very well be one of the most profitable Gates we've claimed this year."
"I'd let you be the judge of that, Zeoticus-san,"
Issei chuckled. The fact that he could sell the loots he got from the Dungeon he'd cleared back in the day for a small fortune, he could only imagine how much money Zeoticus and his Emporium could make from the raw ores and minerals mined from the Gate, and that's not even taking into consideration the weapons, armor, and other items could make from them.
"So… does this mean I get to join the Raid for the Gate?" Issei then asked, hopefully.
"Yes. Even if you'd be technically working for me, your contribution to the Raid will still be added to your overall personal credits." Zeoticus replied, nodding his head to him.
A huge grin spread across his face as Issei cheered silently in his mind. This was it. This exactly what he had been waiting for.
"Now, under normal circumstances, I'd assemble a Raid from the teams we have here at the Emporium." Zeoticus continued while pointing a finger in the air "But for this one…"
"You're coming with me, kid."
A familiar voice cut in just as Issei and Zeoticus stepped into the showroom of the building, making Issei spin around to look at them. A huge smile spread across his face when he saw that it was Cid, the leader of the Japanese Branch of the Hero Faction, standing casually with his back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest and dressed in his signature white samurai battle outfit. As usual, a cigarette rested between his lips, a faint trail of smoke curling upward from the corner of his mouth as he offered Issei a relaxed smile.
"Cid!" Issei called, acknowledging the man with a beaming smile.
"Hello, lad. Congratulations on your victory yesterday, by the way." Cid chuckled as they shook hands. "Though I must admit, I gave my vote to the other kid you fought, but I was rooting for you the whole time."
Issei snorted. "Wow. Thanks. I feel so appreciated." After taking his hand back, he asked. "So you'll be leading me in this Raid?"
"No. You lead, I'll follow." Cid replied as he took a long drag from his cigarette, with Zeoticus nodding in agreement. "I was still hanging around in Lilith when I heard about the Gate in Agreas. Figured I'd offer my help before heading back to Japan. Sirzechs also thought it'd be the perfect opportunity for us to see your performance in a proper Raid. The last one we cleared doesn't count, by the way. Raiding these Gates isn't just about killing everything as fast as possible, especially when there's profit to be made."
"Cid's right. That's why I'll have the Supporting Unit backing you two up." Zeoticus joined in the conversation, speaking to both Cid and Issei "They've already moved ahead to set up the equipment. We can start as soon as you two are ready."
"Then what're we standing here for then? Let's go!"
Issei said, excitement surging through his voice as he threw a fist into the air. Nodding, Zeoticus raised his hand and summoned a magic circle beneath their feet, glowing with the trademark crimson hue of the Gremory household.
In a flash of light, the three found themselves in what looked to be the main courtyard of a luxurious resort on top of the floating island of Agreas City. Issei had been hearing a lot about the place, since Rias wanted to bring him and everyone next week, but nothing could have prepared him for the breathtaking view of the Underworld's most popular tourist attraction.
To say that the resort was stunning would be an understatement. Marble pathways wound through rows of beautifully maintained gardens, with vibrant flora in full bloom. Nearby, elegant fountains featuring statues shaped like animals and mythical beasts poured crystal-clear water into ornate basins. White-and-gold buildings with wide balconies and flowing silk drapes surrounded the central plaza, where a large swimming pool sparkled beneath the artificial sun. The entire place offered a sense of relaxation that almost made Issei forget why they were there, and he would have, if not for the swirling blue portal currently hovering directly above the swimming pool, the equipment, transportation vehicles and supply stations that had been set up around the place, as well as the men and women dressed in the trademark Crimson Emporium uniform rushing about with their tasks.
Issei recognized several familiar faces among the crowd, but none brought a larger smile to his face than Frank, the muscular, bearded leader of the Mining Division. He hadn't had the chance to meet the man since Sieghart's funeral, but it was still a pleasant surprise for Issei to see him again, having heard that had been the first supporter to return to duty following the Snow Forest Red Gate incident.
"We've wrapped up preparations, Zeoticus-sama." Frank informed as he approached them with a warm smile, first giving Zeoticus a handshake before following it with a respectful nod to Cid, who replied to him with a nod of his own. It was after that that Frank finally turned his attention to Issei, smiling warmly as he approached the young man. "And look who it is! It's so good to see you again, Issei."
Issei grinned and stepped forward. "Likewise, Frank. I'm sorry I couldn't find the chance to visit you and everyone after Sieghart's funeral."
Frank waved it off with a hearty laugh. "Don't be. You've had your plate full, everyone knows that. And me?" He patted his chest. "I'm not exactly the type to sit around moping. Picked up my gear and got back to work the second they gave me the clearance. Swinging a pickaxe is just the best therapy ever, if you ask me."
"I wouldn't expect anything less from you," Issei said with a smile. "Glad to see you back on your feet."
"Appreciate that, kid." Frank grinned before gesturing his hand to the side to signal them to follow him. "Please, follow me this way."
Issei, Cid and Zeoticus followed Frank as he led them across the courtyard, passing lines of carts full of reinforced mining gear and empty crates to arrive at the main post, where Marcus and his fellow scouts were already gathered around a table. Hovering above it was a magical projection of the cavern network beyond the Gate, showing pathways branched off like a maze, marking out the territory the scouts had managed to map so far before they had to retreat back out at the signs of danger.
"Alright, everyone. Listen up," Cid called out firmly, his eyes sweeping across Frank and the rest of his crew after he and Issei had been filled with everything they needed to know about the Gate. "You know the drills. Issei and I will head in first. We will secure the area around the entrance and make sure it's safe. Once this section of the cavern is cleared, you guys can move in and start mining the minerals near the entrance. Unless it turns red, you have two hours to do your job. Issei will have his Shadows stand guard and assist with the mining and transportation of materials, but be sure to keep a close eye out for anything that might lurk in the dark. And I don't think I need to remind any of you not to wander off alone, do I?"
A ripple of nods and acknowledgements passed through the group, making Cid nod his head to them before heading out of the post with Issei, who adjusted the cuff of his jacket before looking at the Gate ahead of them. "Let's go."
With that, Issei and Cid entered the Gate. The moment they crossed the threshold, the light of the resort vanished behind them, being replaced by the oppressive darkness of a vast underground cavern. The only sources of light were the glowing energy of Gate behind them, and clusters of mana stones jutting out from the walls and ceiling, illuminating the space with its multi-colored glows.
"Wow, that's a lot of mana crystals." Issei remarked, stepping over to a nearby cluster jutting from the wall. He reached out and used Boosted Gear to quickly break off a glowing red crystal. It was small, but potent enough to power a mansion for a whole day and sell for a decent sum.
"Been a while since I was last in one of these Cavern Gate." Cid commented as Issei pocketed the crystal before walking back to him. "Well then, after you, lad."
The Hero added with a relaxed smile, gesturing his hand forward for Issei to take the lead. The young man grinned and nodded his head before drawing Ascalon and a Kamish dagger, the two blades gleaming faintly in the ambient light.
Then, with a wave of his hand, a blazing orb of fire with a light blue aura burst to life beside him, hovering in the air and casting a bright, warm orange glow that pushed the darkness further away while following a close distance at his side.
"Neat trick."
Cid remarked. Drawing one of his katana before following Issei into the darkness beyond. Their footsteps echoed softly on the stone, muted by the uneven terrain and the web-like strands stretched across different sections of the tunnel.
"Hold on." Cid held out his hand to stop Issei while gesturing to the wall before them. It had thin claw marks all over it "What do you think?"
"Insects. Probably something with lots of legs?" Issei inquired, with Cid nodding his head in agreement. It was too early to say for sure if they were dealing with arachnid types, since Underground Cavern Gates like this one could contain multiple species of monsters coexisting or competing for dominance. Spiders, in particular, could be found almost anywhere, preying on the magic beasts that roamed the dark passages and waiting for a stray to wander close enough to become a meal.
It seemed the hours he had spent researching Gate monster classifications were finally paying off.
"Good. Let's carry on. They shouldn't be far now." With that said, Issei and Cid traveled even further into the darkness. Soon enough, they could see the fragments of old cocoons clinging to the walls, and bits of chitin scattered like discarded shells across the ground.
"Spider?" Issei asked while looking at the cocoons on the wall.
"Spider." And Cid answered. Simple as that.
Then, just as the two had expected, after moving twenty more meters n, a sound started to rise. A soft, rhythmic scraping. Then, a sharp chitter. Followed by another. And another. And another. Issei wasted no time to fling a fireball down the tunnel, sending the blazing orb cutting through the darkness and illuminating the space as it flew, revealing looming, grotesque shapes of arachnid monsters crawling toward them. There had to be at least two dozen of them, each larger than even the largest Arachnean Broods he had encountered in the Labyrinth. Their armored bodies shimmered with a dark, scale-like carapace, while their multiple glowing eyes reflected the ambient light with eerie intensity. Long, jagged legs scraped against the stone, leaving deep gouges as they crawled toward Issei and Cid, fangs twitching menacingly.
"You're up, lad."
"Already ahead of you, Cid." Issei replied before calling out "Katerea!"
Instantly, Katerea shot out from his shadow, soaring upward with her devil wings spread wide. Hoving above Issei, the shadow held out her staff as multiple magic circles spun into existence around her, each unleashing a wave of searing flame that converged into a massive, spiraling inferno. The flames swept through the tunnel with a roaring howl, incinerating the incoming wave of arachnid monsters, whose scaled carapaces cracked and blackened under the heat. Some screeched as they fell into twitching heaps, others burst outright from the pressure of the magical combustion.
Several larger spiders emerged from the smoke, their massive bodies crashing through the collapsing remains of their scorched brethren. These ones were tougher, each one nearly the size of a truck, with thicker carapaces and longer, bladed limbs that scraped deep furrows into the stone floor as they charged forward, pushing through the inferno Katerea had unleashed with murderous screeches.
Before they could get close, a dozen Shadow Troopers, each one wearing a set of heavy armors and wielding a large shield that Issei had given them, surged up from the ground in front of him, forming a solid wall of dark steel against the incoming wave of giant spiders. In an instant, the shields were locked tightly together, glowing faintly with reinforcing magic as the Shadow Troopers braced for the impact.
The first of the larger spiders slammed into the wall with a bone-rattling crash. They were followed by another wave, and then another, and another, but the vanguards held firm, not budging even an inch against the violent mass.
"Now!"
Issei commanded. From behind them, robed Shadow Magicians brought their hands together and launched a barrage of elemental destructions upon the arachnid mass. Explosions erupted across the tunnel as the magical projectiles rained down and struck their targets, lighting up the darkness in violent flashes of fire, lightning and other elements. The air sizzled and cracked from the sheer force of the barrage, turning the oncoming wave of arachnids into burning husks and dismembered limbs. Charred chitin scattered across the stone floor, accompanied by the shrieks that were instantly snuffed out by the overwhelming magical onslaught.
High above the chaos, Katerea wove through a barrage of webbing being spit at her from the spider below before throwing her staff into the air. Multiple dark spikes erupted from the ground, impaling multiple spiders through their underbellies mid-lunge. The creatures spasmed violently, shrieking as their limbs twitched before going limp.
"Good strategy. But you're not sending out the big guns?" Cid asked as he walked up beside Issei, quirking a brow after watching Vulcan, Tempest, and Asterius storm into battle with their respective squads, tearing through wave after wave of spiders with brutal efficiency. Overhead, Along with Katerea, the three themselves seemed to be more than enough to clear out the entire tunnel of these spiders, but Cid was also well aware of the fact that they were not the strongest shadows Issei had in his army.
"I figured I'd let the new guys get some battle experience." Issei replied with a casual shrug. Technically, it wasn't a lie. He was giving Vulcan, Tempest and Asterius the chance to farm all the EXP for themselves. and catch up to his core elites.
It'd probably take more than just this Raid, but it'd still be a step toward having all of his commanders at Elite Knight Grade, which would be fantastic.
"I think we'll be clear here soon," Issei said, glancing around the battlefield as the last of the spiders were being cleaned up. "Can you head back out and let the Supporters know? I'll have the Shadows set up a safe perimeter before they move in."
"If I didn't know any better, I think you'd done this before, kid. Leading a Raid, I mean" Cid remarked with a light chuckle before nodding his head. "Alright then. I'll go give them the greenlight."
With that, the seasoned warrior turned and made his way back toward the entrance, leaving Issei behind to oversee the area. Once the last spider had been killed and the Shadows had secured the area, Issei moved toward one of the charred spider corpses.
He held out his hand, ready to give the command.
But just as he opened his mouth, the creature gave a sudden, jerking twitch, making Issei flinch and shudder in disgust.
"…Nope."
Without another word, he lowered his hand and turned away with no intention to look back, ignoring the notification hovering beside the corpse that its Shadow was extractable. Katerea then swooped down at his signal and unleashed a burst of flame, torching the twitching remains until nothing was left but scorched chitin and smoke.
At the same time, Issei turned his attention back to the battlefield and ordered the troopers the start collecting loots.
"Going to the sea during summer vacation feels great, huh?"
"Indeed!"
The ones who said that were Xenovia and Asia, both already in their swimsuits as they dashed across the soft, sun-warmed sand toward the glittering ocean, which stretched endlessly in a deep cerulean under the clear blue sky before them. Gentle waves lapped at the shoreline, each one sparkling with the golden reflection of the midday sun. A few seabirds circled lazily overhead, their calls blending with the rhythmic sounds of the surf.
Issei, dressed in khaki shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, stood a short distance away with his feet buried in the warm sand, watching the two girls play in the water with a relaxed grin on his face. It had been a while since he was at a beach himself, but being here again brought a peacefulness Issei had no idea he'd missed.
Then, his gaze shifted to the side, toward Ingvild, who stood quietly nearby, her long purple hair fluttering in the breeze as she stared out at the sea in silence. The girl had been quiet since the moment they arrived at the resort, almost as if lost in thought or swept away by the sight before her.
With a smile, Issei walked over. "Hey..." He said gently, coming to stand beside her. "what's on your mind?"
"Oh, it's nothing. It's just… this place reminds me of my home." Ingvild answered softly. "The sea… it's really beautiful."
"I'm glad you like it, Ingvild."
"Thank you… for keeping your promise, Ise. Thank you for bringing me here." Ingvild smiled, turning to him as she slowly slipped her hand into his.
"Hey, don't mention it. It's a pleasure." Issei replied, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
Before either of them could say more, Rias called out from the suite behind them, her voice carrying over the breeze. "Issei! Ingvild! You two want some ice cream?"
Grinning, Issei turned and waved. "Yeah! I'm coming!" With a small grin, he turned back to Ingvild and spoke to her. "C'mon. Let's go eat some ice cream together."
"Yes." She said softly. As they walked back toward the suite, still hand in hand, Ingvild looked over her shoulder one last time at the sea, a serene smile on her face.
Name: Issei Hyoudou
Race: Reincarnated Devil / Dragon
Class: Level 50 Dragonsworn / Level 36 Shadow Monarch
HP: 24,245/24,245
MP [Current Attribute: Draconic/Demonic] : 7250/7250
Link Gauge: 120/120
Title: Champion of the Dragons
Strength: 271 (27)
Vitality: 215 (22)
Intelligence: 238 (24)
Dexterity: 220 (22)
Perception: 200 (20)
Charisma: 190 (19)
Unique Class Skills: Fire Imbue (LV3), Shadow Extraction (LV1), Shadow Storage (LV1), Karma (LV1), Shadow Exchange (LV1).
Active skills: Doubling (LV4), Transfer (LV4), Penetrate (LV4), Sprint (Max Level), Vital Slash (LV1), Jump (Max Level – Equipment Ability), Observe (LV2), Ruler's Hands (LV1), Phoenix Shift (LV2).
Active spells: Fire balls (LV4 - Fire Dragon Pact Affected), Firewall (LV4 - Fire Dragon Pact Affected), Lightning Strike (LV2 – Lightning Dragon Pact Affected), Water Blast (LV2 - Water Dragon Pact Affected), Earth Shield (LV1), ...
Current Pacts: Y Ddraig Goch (Fire) – Pact LV3, Chaos Karma Dragon Tiamat (Fire) – Pact LV1, Rassei (Lightning) – Pact LV1, Ingvild Leviathan (Water) – Pact LV4
Current Shadows: 281 / 490 (Wolves 29. Panthers 18. Shadow Troop 118. Shadow Elementals 27. Magicians 34. Shadow Elves 42. Fallen Angels 13.)
Elite Shadows: Asterius (Knight), Vulcan (Knight), Tempest (Knight), Lycaon (Elite Knight), Tora (Elite Knight), Blade (Elite Knight), Gladio (Elite Knight), Glacia (Elite Knight), Katerea (Elite Knight).
Items: Boosted Gear (LV5), Razan's Blade (LVMAX), Magitek General's Helmet (LVMAX), 1.[High-ranking Demon] Armor Set (LV1), [Obsidian] Jewelry Set (LV1), Kamish's Awaken (LV?), Key to the Demon's Castle, Ascalon R1 (LV40), Orb of Avarice, Yarn of Ariadne.
Potions: Healing Potions x15, Mana Potions x15, Greater Healing Potions x10, Greater Mana Potions x10, Miracle Potions x3...
Gold: 15.251.720 (G)
Ultimate: Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker – Boosted Gear Crimson Scale Mail (LV.2 – Pact Affected), Soul Link (LV1).
Finisher: Rage of the Fire Dragon (Crimson Scale Mail), Twinflare (Soul Link), Hammer and Anvil (Soul Link)
Sigils: Sigil of the Shadow Commander - Igirs, Sigil of the Shadow Ice Bear -Tank.
End of Chapter 33