About ten minutes after the vampire meeting ended.
"Man, your Queen is terrifying," Azazel-sensei said, chuckling with a weary expression.
Can't blame him. Alice straight-up declared "no peace" out of nowhere. I was freaking out in that moment, too.
And Alice herself?
"They were mocking peace with that smug attitude," she huffed. "If they need help, just ask for it. That's why I can't stand pride-obsessed types… Hey, Issei, you listening?"
"Yes, yes, I hear you, Alice-san," I replied.
She looked so satisfied during the meeting, but apparently, she's still got plenty to vent. Good thing she didn't use those words back there—things could've gotten messy.
"A little higher," Alice said.
"Here?"
"Yeah, that's the spot."
"…Why am I massaging your shoulders?" I muttered.
Yup, post-meeting, Alice somehow roped me into giving her a shoulder rub. I'm kneading her shoulders on the clubroom sofa, but…
I'm her devil master, and she's my servant, right?
"Whatever," Alice said. "That stuffy diplomatic vibe's not my thing. Plus, thinking about how to deal with that snotty vampire made my shoulders stiff."
Yeah, no way! Our master-servant dynamic is not working!
Not that I'm aiming for strict hierarchy, but… for the future, y'know?
Ugh, I'm already under her thumb.
"Here's your tea, Alice-san," Akeno said.
"Yay, thanks, Akeno-san!" Alice cheered.
So carefree… my retainer…
Still, she did great back there. If talks had gone their way, we'd have been pissed. She saved us from that.
"…I still can't stand vampires," Xenovia muttered.
Rias felt the same, but Xenovia was radiating hostility, even with her back turned.
Griselda sipped her tea and smiled at Xenovia. "The old you would've charged with Durandal. You held back well. You've grown."
Xenovia blushed, her expression a mix of pride and embarrassment.
Man, Xenovia's reactions are so cute when she's like this.
"What's next?" Sona asked, her tone serious. "We're waiting for their response, but we need to plan beyond that."
Everyone's faces tightened.
"I want to save Valerie!" Gasper declared.
Got it. His resolve sets our course.
Rias stood. "We're going. This time, I'll sit down with the Vladi family myself. I'll check their situation firsthand. We can decide on Gasper's deployment after."
"Want me to come?" I offered.
She shook her head. "No, Issei, you and the others stay here. Just in case."
"In case of what?" I asked.
Rias held up two fingers. "As Gasper's master, it's proper for me to go first—it's respectful to them. Plus, two reasons: one, if something happens here, you need to act fast. We can't rule out an attack. Two, if I run into trouble there, I'll need backup."
Kiba spoke up. "You're expecting trouble, Buchou?"
"Yes, Yuto," Rias said. "I hope it doesn't come to that, but given our history and the vampire issue, it's likely we'll get dragged in."
Azazel nodded. "If we all go, they'll be on guard. It's a solid plan. But, Rias, going alone's risky. This smells like deeper schemes from both Tepes and Camilla. Elmenhilde's story had holes."
"Of course, I'll take precautions," Rias said. "I'm bringing my Knight. That okay, Yuto?"
"Leave it to me," Kiba said.
Kiba's a safe bet. He can handle most threats now.
Azazel cracked his neck. "I'm going, too. I'll meet Camilla. Elmenhilde gave us something, but I've got questions. Rias, you hit the Vladi family. If you show up at Camilla's, they'll get jumpy."
"Won't they be wary of you, a fallen angel VIP?" I asked.
"Less than if Heaven's warriors, still fighting vampires, showed up," Azazel said. "Plus, my Sacred Gear expertise makes me the guy for this."
"Right, the Grail," I said.
"Exactly."
He turned to Irina and Griselda. "Irina, Sister Griselda, inform Michael. The Grail and vampires? Too fishy."
Griselda nodded. "Understood. Michael-sama said we might deploy the Joker if needed. We want to avoid the worst outcome."
Azazel raised an eyebrow. "Heaven's trump card, so casually? Well, with the Grail involved, the Joker's help wouldn't hurt. The Grail and vampires—holy and dark don't mix. Something bad's brewing. I want minimal casualties."
"Exactly," Griselda said. "The Seraphs say use our idle Joker to the fullest. That boy—off hunting gourmet food when he's free, impossible to contact. Worse than Xenovia."
The Joker's a slacker? And Griselda knows him personally?
Anyway, Rias, Kiba, and Azazel will check the vampire situation, while Gasper and the rest of us stay in town.
Azazel's right—it feels ominous, but debating it now's pointless. We'll wait for Elmenhilde's response.
After the vampire discussion, Azazel clapped his hands. "Oh, right, I forgot to mention. Got intel from Vali."
"Vali?" I asked.
"You know he's globe-trotting, chasing the unknown, right?"
Yeah, I remember. First time I heard, I thought his team was a bunch of slackers. Guess he got that curiosity from Azazel.
"Seems he's been running into Khaos Brigade goons on his travels," Azazel said.
"To take out Vali's team, since they're wanted?" I asked.
Vali's a fugitive from the Khaos Brigade after sending Ophis to us, though he was already on their radar.
Azazel continued, "He's hunting supposedly extinct, dangerous magical beasts. Chasing shaky leads."
"Beyond slacker—ultra-slacker," I muttered.
Azazel chuckled. "Yup. Anyway, he's spotted Khaos Brigade members—magician groups—at sites tied to extinct beasts, mainly dragons. Not just once or twice."
"Doesn't sound like a coincidence," I said. "They could handle them, though. Oh, what extinct dragons are we talking?"
"Big names include Crescent Circle Dragon Crowe Cruach, Diabolism Thousand Dragon Azi Dahaka, and Eclipse Dragon Apophis," Azazel said.
["Familiar names,"] Ddraig rumbled. ["Those are top-tier evil dragons. Incredibly dangerous."]
If Ddraig says that, they must've been bad news.
Azazel nodded. "Too cruel, they were sealed or slain. Others include Nidhogg from Norse myths, Grendel killed by the first Beowulf, and Ladon, slain by the original Hercules guarding legendary fruit. Japan's got Yamata no Orochi."
Only Yamata no Orochi rings a bell.
"Evil dragons are stupidly resilient," Azazel said. "Even Vritra's soul was carved up and sealed. That's what it takes to erase them. The top three were a cut above."
Vritra creeped me out, and these are worse?
"Stronger than the Two Heavenly Dragons?" I asked.
"Nah, prime Ddraig and Albion were stronger," Azazel said.
Good. Pre-sealed Ddraig and Albion were beasts.
["Still, we avoided evil dragons,"] Ddraig said. ["They're a hassle. Relentless, coming at you no matter how many times you beat them. I fought a few—hated it. Albion probably felt the same."]
Yikes. Definitely steer clear. Danger: Do Not Engage.
Azazel stroked his chin. "Talking about extinct dragons—evil ones, especially—is rare. But get this: powerful, reckless dragons always get taken out. Tiamat's smarter, living freely on her terms."
Makes sense. Ddraig and Albion got sealed for their epic fights and messing up the Three Factions' war. Tiamat, my familiar, does her own thing.
"Something about me?" Tiamat's voice called.
I turned to see her teleport into the clubroom, Ophis on her back.
"Just saying you're clever," I said. "Surviving while powerful dragons get wiped out."
Tiamat set Ophis down, smirking. "Obviously. I don't swing my power recklessly. Those destroyed dragons were idiots for not thinking—your red buddy included."
["…"] Ddraig went silent.
Yeah, no comeback for that.
"Issei, hug," Ophis demanded.
"Here, here," I said, scooping her up.
She's such a kid. No one would believe she's a former Dragon God.
"Y'know, sometimes I forget you're a Dragon King, Tiamat," I said. "You were total big-sister mode just now. You've got that reliable vibe."
She's the only one like that around me.
"Rude!" Ignis, materializing, pouted. "I'm a reliable big sister, too!"
"You're too goofy," I shot back.
Ultimate mood-killer!
Sure, she's reliable in a fight, but her constant vibe-wrecking antics wear me out—more than Ddraig!
"Tehe☆" Ignis winked.
"Cute won't change my mind!" I said.
She's adorable, and her sexy side's top-tier, but still!
["It always comes to that,"] Ddraig sighed.
Yup!
As the room's seriousness crumbled, Azazel exhaled. "Why can't you guys keep it serious? Anyway, the Khaos Brigade's up to something underground. Brace for trouble."
Everyone nodded, and we called it a day.
Early morning.
I woke up early and hit the grand bath in the Hyoudou residence's basement, careful not to wake Miu and the others, who were sleeping soundly.
Under the shower, I mulled over recent events:
Magicians targeting Phenex affiliates.
Non-Phenex Phoenix Tears.
The Grail with a vampire, Gasper's benefactor.
Khaos Brigade magicians crossing paths with Vali's team.
So much info in such a short time.
Coincidence?
Or…
Azazel mentioned someone's rallying the Khaos Brigade remnants. Could they be involved?
Valerie being the Grail's wielder is probably a fluke, though.
I thought beating the Hero Faction would bring some peace, but nope—my calm never lasts.
Creak.
The bath door slid open.
I turned to see—
"…Issei-sama?" Ravel said.
"R-Ravel!?"
Whoops. Didn't expect her to be up.
We've bumped into each other in the bath before, but always with other girls. Just the two of us? First time. She's probably nervous, so I should leave.
But…
Naked Ravel!
Her petite frame still has womanly curves! Decent boobs, too! Her usual drill curls are down, giving her a whole new vibe…
This is… No, snap out of it!
She's my manager, a guest! Don't get weird ideas, me!
"S-Sorry, I'll get out—" I started, moving to leave.
"I'll wash your back!" Ravel blurted.
"…Huh?"
So, here I am, Ravel scrubbing my back gently with a towel.
I braced for a fiery scolding like when I "reformed" Riser, but this? Unexpected. I'm flustered!
As she washed, we talked about the vampires.
"…My first time meeting a pureblood vampire," Ravel said. "I don't fully get them. Naming Gasper-san as a bargaining chip, acting like nothing else matters… But that's politics. Devils value rationality and purebloods, too. I'm a pureblood devil."
"Pureblood, huh?" I said. "Is that worth hurting others? To me, some things matter more."
"Like what?" she asked.
"Family, friends," I said. "Everyone's got their own priorities, but hurting others for pride? That's not worth it."
Pride in your house or bloodline's fine. But if it means disregarding others, toss it. That's not pride—it's a curse.
That's how I see it.
"…Last night, Alice-san surprised me," Ravel said. "But Miu-san was radiating a fierce aura, too. Everyone seemed wary of the vampires, but those two stood out…"
Sharp observation.
Alice wasn't the only one giving off a prickly vibe. Miu, quietly, had an aura hot enough to burn.
She held back, though.
I sighed. "Truth is, Miu, Alice, and I have been through wars."
"Wars?" Ravel asked, surprised.
I nodded. "Alice and I fought on battlefields, saw a lot—painful, sad stuff. Miu didn't fight, but she lost someone dear. We know how heavy 'peace' is, how hard it is to achieve. That's why using peace as a bargaining chip pisses us off."
Pushing demands with peace as a shield? Unforgivable. That's why I let Alice speak out.
"So, yeah, we're sensitive about that," I said, chuckling. "Though we're usually pretty sloppy."
Ravel seemed to ponder my words, maybe overthinking it.
She doesn't need to stress. Caring for others is enough.
To lighten the mood, I switched topics. "Man, Miu and Alice are a handful. They're smart but hate paperwork. They'll have to sign magician contracts someday… I'm worried."
Seriously. Why do they always pass out? Alice was a princess—how does she crash minutes into reading?
After rinsing my back, Ravel asked, "Issei-sama… have you decided on your remaining retainers?"
"I've got a few in mind," I said. "Haven't told them yet, and they'd need to agree. Even if they all say yes, I'll have pieces left. Still figuring it out."
One might take multiple pieces, but I'll still have spares. Hmm…
As I pondered, it hit me.
There's someone perfect for my retinue, right here. She'd be such a reliable addition.
"Hey, Ravel, I was thinking—"
Splash!
"I lasted thirty minutes," Ophis said, emerging from the bath.
When did she get here!? No clothes in the changing room—did she come naked!?
My brain froze as—
Splash!
"I win!" Ignis popped up.
"What are you doing!?" I yelled.
"Ophis and I were competing to hold our breath longer," Ignis said, flashing a V-sign.
"Competition!?" I groaned.
Huge sigh.
Dragon God and goddess, so carefree! Great pals, huh?
Later, Ravel, the loli Dragon God, and the curvy goddess washed my back again. Somehow, it turned into a four-person bath.
Mixed bathing with girls? Absolutely the best.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Greyhounds
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