Read up to chapter 71 in our website.
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"The Red Dragon Emperor's Gauntlet... Boosted Gear? Wait, wasn't this thing called Twice Critical? And what's this about a Longinus?"
Issei looked completely lost after getting hit with all these unfamiliar terms out of nowhere.
"Oh, sorry about that. It was just such a shock—there are thirteen special Sacred Gears that can supposedly take down even gods and demon lords if mastered. Those are called the Longinus."
"Longinus..."
"When your gauntlet activated, it said 'Welsh Dragon.' That refers to one half of the Two Heavenly Dragons, the strongest beings on earth—the Red Dragon Emperor Ddraig. The gauntlet that houses his power and soul is one of the Longinus, the Red Dragon Emperor's Gauntlet, Boosted Gear. Honestly, I'm pretty shocked myself."
After hearing this explanation, Issei stared intently at the red gauntlet on his left arm.
"If this isn't Twice Critical, then what exactly can this thing do?"
"Well... I could explain it, but..." Rias looked over at me. "Ikki, could you handle the explanation?"
"Huh?! Why me?!"
What the hell? Why so suddenly?
"Remember when I said one reason I brought you here was to see how much you know about the supernatural world? If I explain everything to Issei and then you say 'I knew all that already,' that wouldn't tell me much."
Fair point, I guess...
"Of course, it wouldn't be strange if you didn't know the details about Longinus. In that case, just tell us whatever you know about the supernatural world. I'm not planning to grill you... just give us the basics."
"No, it's fine. Issei, listen up. The Red Dragon Emperor's Gauntlet has two main abilities. First, it doubles the user's power every ten seconds—2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, and so on. Second, it can transfer that boosted power to something else."
"Something else? Like what?"
"All kinds of things. People, weapons, you name it. I don't know the details, so if you want to learn more, you should ask the dragon inside the gauntlet directly."
"Wait, this thing can talk?!"
He looks genuinely stunned...
"Didn't Rias-senpai just say it houses 'the power and soul' of the Red Dragon Emperor? Some Sacred Gears contain magical or mythical beasts, and those can sometimes communicate."
"Huh, cool! Hey there, Red Dragon Emperor! Talk to me!"
Issei immediately started talking to the Boosted Gear, looking pretty excited about the prospect of chatting with a dragon.
"..."
"...Hello? You there?"
"..."
"...Helloooo?"
"..."
"Hey Ikki! I thought you said this thing could talk! It's not saying a damn word!"
Ah, guess that was too much to expect...
"The Red Dragon Emperor's soul is probably still sleeping. Once you get stronger or learns to properly use the Boosted Gear, it should naturally wake up."
"...So basically, I'm too weak?"
"Bluntly put, yeah."
"Seriously..."
He looks even more dejected than when he learned about Twice Critical's real abilities...
"Rias-senpai, that covers the explanation of the Boosted Gear. Was that sufficient?"
"Yes, perfect. You might know even more than I do. Mind if I ask where you learned all this?"
Well, that was inevitable... but it's not really a secret.
"I'm not affiliated with any particular organization, but I have some connections with youkai. Someone who taught me senjutsu gave me a general overview of these things."
Magari had said, 'I won't tolerate my student being completely ignorant,' and gave me some very helpful lessons—even during training...
"You have connections with youkai?"
"Yes, it was a chance encounter, but... I was born a regular human."
"I see. I think I understand you better now. Shall we move on to the final topic?"
""Final?""
Issei and I spoke at the same time.
"Issei, do you remember what was written on that magic circle card you used to summon me?"
"Um, I think it said 'I will grant your wish.'"
"Exactly. We devils grant human wishes. But naturally, we don't do it for free. Granting a wish requires appropriate compensation."
Issei's face went pale when he heard that.
"Um... when devils talk about compensation, do you mean like... my soul?"
"If I took your soul as payment for saving your life, that would defeat the whole purpose, wouldn't it?"
Rias chuckled at that. Issei looked relieved for a moment, but then something occurred to him and his face went even paler than before.
"Uh, I haven't really saved up much allowance... Actually, I don't think my allowance could even come close to covering the cost of saving my life... I-I'll work hard! Just please don't saddle my parents with debt!"
He prostrated himself, but Rias quietly shook her head.
"I have no intention of demanding anything like that."
"Huh?"
"That said, it's not exactly a light matter either. Issei, how would you feel about becoming a devil?"
She pulled out a red pawn piece as she said this.
"What do you mean? And wait—one can actually become a devil?!"
"Yes, this chess piece is called an Evil Piece, something that high-class devils like myself possess. Using it, I can reincarnate other species as devils."
"Reincarnation?"
"That's right. You would be reborn as my servant, a devil in the family of Rias Gremory. Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko here are all my family members."
"Everyone is?!"
Issei looked around at the three of them in surprise. Rias was talking about changing species pretty casually, but it's actually a huge deal.
"Of course, being reincarnated as a devil means you'll occasionally need to participate in combat like today. But since you have a Sacred Gear, you could be attacked again at any time. If you become my servant, I can protect you directly. Plus, there's the extended lifespan—devils live for about ten thousand years. What do you think?"
"Ten thousand years?! ...By the way, what happens if I refuse?"
"Don't worry. In that case, I'll help you find the best job I can. If you work honestly, you shouldn't have a hard life."
Rias smiled sweetly as she said this—that smile was a bit scary though... It should be great news, but...
"...Ikki, what do you think about this? I'd like to hear an outsider's opinion."
Huh? I thought Issei would jump at the chance to work under Rias... Well, unlike the plot where he became a devil without knowing it, I guess he wouldn't just rush into a choice about 'quitting being human'...
"Honestly, I think you should accept."
"Why?"
"Two reasons. First is the influence of Rias's family, the Gremory House—basically, having their backing. The Gremoris are nobility among devils, a distinguished family. Even if word gets out that you possess a Longinus with incredible power, it would be difficult for anyone to mess with you."
"I see. What's the second reason?"
"Well, Issei, you've been invited to become Rias's servant, but after talking directly with her and her family members, how do you feel? Does Rias seem like the kind of cruel, evil devil that humans typically imagine? Do her servants seem oppressed to you?"
"No way! Not at all!"
"Then that's your answer."
Issei looked up at the sky for a moment, exhaled, then faced Rias head-on.
"Rias-senpai! I'll become your servant!"