High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 16: Chapter 15: The Fiancé Pays a Visit!!

Yawning heavily on the way to school, Issei trudges along, flanked by Miu and Asia, who look concerned.

”Big brother, sleep-deprived?” Miu asks.

”You okay?” Asia adds.

”Yeah... not really, but fine. Just couldn’t sleep,” Issei replies.

Yesterday’s events kept him up.

Flashback

”President, are you serious!?” Issei exclaims.

Rias, appearing via magic circle, demands he take her virginity. Straddling him, she starts undressing.

”I’m serious. If it’s done, there’ll be no complaints. Or am I not good enough?” Rias asks.

”No way! It’s an honor!” Issei stammers.

But it’s too sudden. Is this how first times happen? A random event? No way! Her mention of ”no complaints” if a fait accompli is created nags at him.

Ignoring his confusion, Rias unhooks her bra, revealing her chest. Issei’s nose bleeds. Her bare breasts! How could I not be excited!?

”Any experience?” Rias asks, hands on his shoulders.

”N-No! First time!” Issei admits. Knowledge? Plenty.

”Me too. Let’s make it work,” Rias says, leaning in for a kiss.

This is happening!? Rias as my first? Perfect! Their eyes lock—then Issei grabs her shoulders, pushing her back.

Surprised, Rias’s face turns sad. ”Why? Am I... unwanted?”

”Not at all! I’d love to! But not with you looking like that,” Issei says. ”You’d regret it.”

Rias flinches. Her eyes don’t match someone about to do this; her mind’s elsewhere.

”You’re rushing, President. I’m a pervert, sure, but this isn’t something to do lightly. You know that, right?” Issei says.

”But I have to...” Rias trails off.

”You said we’re family when you turned me. If you’re troubled, tell me. Lean on us. We’re your allies, your family,” Issei says, draping his jacket over her.

Rias trembles, tears in her eyes. ”Sorry... I didn’t consider your feelings...”

”It’s fine. What’s going on?” Issei asks.

A silver magic circle appears not Gremory’s. A silver-haired woman in a maid outfit emerges, exuding immense power.

”Her strength dwarfs the school’s demons,” Ddraig notes.

No kidding. Her aura’s on another level.

The maid, spotting Rias, speaks with exasperation. ”Trying to sabotage the engagement like this?”

”I thought no one would listen otherwise... but I’m calm now,” Rias replies.

”Good,” the maid says, turning to Issei. ”That dragon aura... you’re the Red Dragon Emperor Sirzechs mentioned.”

”Issei Hyoudou, Rias Gremory’s Pawn,” Issei introduces.

”I’m Grayfia, Gremory servant. Sorry for my lady’s trouble,” she bows deeply, then faces Rias. ”My lady, let’s return to your stronghold to discuss.”

”Fine. Akeno can join?” Rias asks.

”’Thunder Priestess’? I don’t mind. A King needs a Queen,” Grayfia says.

”Issei,” Rias approaches. ”Sorry, and thank you. You stopped me from hating myself.”

She kisses his cheek.

President’s kiss!? Issei’s stunned.

”Forgive me for today. We’ll talk tomorrow at the club,” Rias says, vanishing with Grayfia.

Issei touches his cheek, dazed, as Miu enters. ”Big brother, bath’s done... why’s your face red?”

That’s why Issei barely slept, making morning training with Tia brutal. His legs wobble; he considers skipping class to sleep in the infirmary.

A presence approaches. ”Always together, huh?” Kiryuu Aika, their orange-haired, bespectacled, perverted classmate, greets.

”Morning, Kiryuu-san,” Asia says.

”Morning!” Miu adds.

”Sleep-deprived, Hyoudou?” Kiryuu teases.

”Yeah,” Issei admits.

She smirks, glancing between them. ”Had fun last night?”

”Fun?” Miu and Asia tilt their heads.

”No need to explain!” Issei grabs their hands, fleeing Kiryuu’s insinuations.

After School

Exhausted, Issei heads to the clubroom with Miu, Asia, and Kiba. Classes were torture; sleep deprivation’s making him nauseous.

”You okay, Issei-kun? You look pale,” Kiba worries.

”Just sleep-deprived... I’m fine,” Issei lies, craving sleep. The bench looks like a cozy bed. Am I done for?

Grayfia’s aura emanates from the old schoolhouse. At the clubroom, Kiba reacts. ”Didn’t notice that presence until now...”

He senses it too. Asia’s clueless, Miu senses something but doesn’t know who.

”Let’s go in,” Issei says.

Inside, Rias, Akeno, Koneko, and Grayfia wait. Rias speaks. ”Before club starts, I have something to say—”

A fiery magic circle interrupts, radiating heat not Gremory or Grayfia’s.

”Phoenix,” Kiba mutters.

Phoenix, the immortal bird?

Flames swirl, and a man appears. Flashy entrance! What if my adult magazines here burn!?

”That’s your concern?” Ddraig scoffs.

They’re my energy source!

The man, in a red suit, tie-less and shirt unbuttoned, looks like a host. ”Been a while, human world.”

”Hey, my dear Rias. I’m here,” he says.

Dear Rias? Who’s this guy?

”Who?” Issei blurts out.

The man glares. ”You don’t know me? Rias, your servant needs training.”

”You barge in without introducing yourself. Talk about bad manners,” Issei retorts.

He’s glared at. ”Picking a fight?”

”Didn’t mean to. Sorry for being rude,” Issei says, sleep deprivation souring his tone.

Grayfia steps in. ”Issei-sama, this is Riser Phoenix, third son of the noble Phoenix clan, a pure-blood High-Class demon.”

Doesn’t act noble.

”And,” Grayfia continues, ”he’s engaged to Rias, heir of the Gremory clan.”

”What!?” Issei exclaims.

”Rias’s Queen brews great tea,” Riser says, sipping.

”My pleasure,” Akeno smiles, but it’s off.

Rias sits beside Riser, who touches her hair and shoulder despite her discomfort, enjoying her irritation.

Miu tenses, but Issei stops her. I get it, but acting out could trouble Rias. He’s her fiancé and a noble.

”Enough!” Rias swats Riser’s hand, standing. ”I told you, I won’t marry you!”

”Heard it before,” Riser sighs. ”But your family’s in a bind, right?”

”None of your business! As heir, I’ll choose my husband someone I truly love. I have that right,” Rias declares.

Riser sneers, his aura flaring with flames. ”I carry the Phoenix name. I won’t let it be tarnished. I’ll burn your servants to ash and drag you to the Underworld.”

Issei snaps. ”What did you say?”

[Kiba Side]

Issei radiates a red aura, his killing intent chilling the room. This pressure... Despite not being aimed at me, my body trembles.

”What did you say?” Issei growls, his voice low and menacing.

Riser scoffs. ”A newborn Low-Class demon interrupting High-Class talk? Got guts.”

”I’m asking you. Burn my friends? Don’t mess around, fried chicken,” Issei retorts.

”You mock me!?” Riser snaps.

”Noble or Phoenix, you talk big. Don’t look like much,” Issei taunts, his killing intent spiking, dwarfing Riser’s earlier display. Beyond Low-Class beyond High-Class! Rias said he surpassed her, but this is unreal.

Riser, shocked, stumbles back. ”What... who are you!?”

”Guess I didn’t introduce myself. Issei Hyoudou, Rias Gremory’s Pawn. If you touch my friends, I won’t hold back,” Issei warns.

”Low-Class scum!” Riser counters, flames erupting.

But Issei’s aura overwhelms, suppressing Riser’s flames, dominating the room. As a clash seems imminent, Grayfia steps between them.

”Stop, Issei-sama, Riser-sama,” she commands, her own immense magic power stifling the room, making breathing hard for others.

”I serve Sirzechs. I won’t hesitate to intervene,” Grayfia says.

”The strongest Queen, huh? Fine,” Riser relents.

”Didn’t plan to fight here. School’d be toast,” Issei says, calming his aura.

He was just intimidating, aware a fight would destroy the school.

[Kiba Side Out]

Sorry, Miu, I told you to stay calm but lost it! Issei thinks, regretting his outburst. Sleep deprivation and Riser’s threat pushed him over the edge. I’ll apologize later.

Grayfia speaks. ”Both houses knew your opinions would clash. If no agreement’s reached, we’ve a final measure.”

”What’s that?” Rias asks.

”A Rating Game to settle the engagement,” Grayfia proposes.

Rating Games are for mature demons. Rias is underage, so she can’t...

Grayfia clarifies. ”Official games are for adults, but unofficial ones allow minors, often for family disputes.”

Rias sighs. ”So my father planned for a game if I refused? How far will they toy with my life...?”

”Will you refuse the game?” Grayfia asks.

”No, it’s a chance. Let’s settle it, Riser,” Rias accepts.

Riser grins. ”Fine. My servants and I have official game experience, plenty of wins, and a full fifteen members. Still want to try?”

”Of course,” Rias replies.

”If I win, we marry immediately,” Riser says.

Grayfia steps in. ”I, Grayfia, will oversee this game as both houses’ representative. Agreed?”

”Yes,” Rias and Riser nod.

Issei interjects. ”Grayfia-san, one request.”

”What, Issei-sama?”

”Give us ten days to train. We’re outnumbered and inexperienced. It’s too unfair otherwise.”

”With you, we’re already favored. Riser’s no match,” Ddraig whispers.

I know nothing about Rating Games! And it involves the whole team, not just me.

Grayfia considers. ”Fair. Ten days, then the game. Agreed?”

”Plenty. Thanks,” Issei says.

Rias and Riser nod. Riser summons a magic circle. ”See you in ten days, Rias.”

”I’ll crush you,” Rias retorts.

The Rating Game, deciding Rias’s future, is set for ten days.