High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 40: Chapter 38: Tensions Ignite at the Summit

”Let’s get moving,” Rias Gremory, the club president, declared.

The members of the Occult Research Club nodded in unison, gathered in their clubroom. Today was the day of the tri-faction summit.

I glanced outside earlier, and a formidable barrier enveloped the entire academy, ensuring no one could enter or leave until the meeting concluded. Worse, armies of demons, angels, and fallen angels were stationed just outside, their presence heavy with the threat of war.

Please, let’s not have this negotiation collapse into chaos. I know the leaders’ personalities well enough to hope it’ll be fine, but still...

”Gasper, this summit is critical,” Rias said gently. ”Since you can’t fully control your time-stopping Sacred Gear, you’ll need to sit this one out. I’m sorry.”

Gaspar’s inability to master his Sacred Gear made him a liability. An accidental activation during the talks could spell disaster, so he was staying behind.

”Don’t worry, Gasper,” Koneko chimed in. ”I’m here with you.”

”And me too,” Miu added.

Gaspar wasn’t alone. Koneko and Miu would keep him company, and since he was particularly attached to Miu, she was the perfect choice.

”Thank you, Koneko... Miu-senpai...” Gasper’s voice was soft with gratitude.

”Be good, okay? I’ll lend you my gaming console,” I said.

”Yes! Thank you, Issei-senpai!” Gasper beamed.

Koneko dragged out a massive cardboard box stuffed with snacks. ”Gasper, I got plenty of treats for you.”

”Thanks, Koneko!” he replied, eyes sparkling.

I couldn’t help but wonder if those snacks were really for her.

”And here’s a paper bag if you feel lonely,” Koneko added.

”Yes!” Gasper nodded eagerly.

Good kid. I turned to Miu. ”Take care of him, alright?”

”You got it. You focus on the summit, big brother,” she replied.

”Not much for me to do there, but I’ll manage. See you later.”

”Safe travels,” Miu said with a smile.

Knock, knock. Rias tapped on the meeting room door.

”Excuse us,” she said, stepping inside.

The room was a spectacle of opulence, a grand table at its center where the leaders of the three factions sat, their expressions grave. On the demon side: Sirzechs Lucifer, Serafall Leviathan, and Grayfia Lucifuge as their attendant. Serafall, usually a playful magical girl, was dressed seriously today.

For the angels: Michael and an unfamiliar female angel, strikingly beautiful—like an angel, naturally. I mentally kicked myself for the obvious thought.

The fallen angels were represented by Azazel, Vali the White Dragon Emperor, and Raynare. Raynare caught my eye and flashed a cute smile. Vali glanced my way too, but I wasn’t interested in his stare.

”My sister and her retainers,” Sirzechs introduced, gesturing to Rias. ”They played a pivotal role in thwarting Kokabiel’s attack.”

Rias bowed politely.

”Thank you for your efforts against Kokabiel,” Michael said with genuine gratitude.

”Sorry about that. My guy Kokabiel caused some trouble,” Azazel said, his tone casual, almost flippant.

Rias’s eye twitched at his nonchalance.

Smack! A sharp sound cut through the room. Raynare had whipped out a paper fan and struck Azazel’s head.

”Ow! What the hell, Raynare?” Azazel yelped.

”That’s our line! Our faction caused the mess, so show some respect!” Raynare snapped.

”You didn’t have to hit me!” Azazel protested.

”Shemhazai ordered me to smack you if you acted out,” she retorted.

”That jerk!” Azazel muttered.

The tension in the room dissolved into awkward chuckles. Sirzechs was outright laughing. Was this really the vibe for a serious summit?

”Azazel’s crew is always a riot,” Sirzechs said, still grinning.

”Give me a break, Sirzechs. It’s been like this non-stop. I’ll keel over from stress one day,” Azazel groaned. ”Oh, and you owe me 1,050 yen for that ramen.”

”Whoops, my bad. Got change for 50 yen?” Sirzechs replied, pulling out his wallet.

”Hang on... Here you go,” Azazel said, handing over the coins.

What were these two even doing? Ramen buddies? They’re supposed to be enemies!

”Sirzechs-sama, care to explain this unauthorized outing?” Grayfia said icily.

”Governor, I’ll be reporting this to Shemhazai,” Raynare added.

Both men froze, sweat beading on their foreheads, silenced by the women’s sharp words.

”Let’s begin the summit,” Sirzechs said, as if nothing had happened.

Seriously? Starting now, after that circus?

Sirzechs scanned the room. ”As a premise, everyone here acknowledges the absence of God.”

No one objected; the truth was common knowledge among them.

”Then let’s proceed on that basis,” Sirzechs said, officially opening the tri-faction summit.

The leaders dove into complex discussions about the fate of their factions. Honestly, I couldn’t follow most of it world affairs weren’t exactly my forte. Important? Sure. Comprehensible? Not really.

Bored, my eyes wandered to Rias and Akeno’s impressive figures. Xenovia and Raynare weren’t lacking either. Asia’s been growing too. Man, I just wanted to—

”—and that concludes the report on the incident involving my retainers,” Rias finished.

I snapped out of my daydream. Akeno leaned in, giggling softly. ”Issei, you’ve been staring at everyone’s chests.”

Caught red-handed. ”Uh...”

”If you’re that curious, maybe I’ll let you cop a feel later,” she teased.

”Really, Akeno!?” I whispered, heart racing.

”No way,” Rias cut in sharply. ”Akeno, stop tempting him.”

Ouch, shot down.

Sirzechs turned to Azazel. ”Your thoughts, Governor, on this report?”

Azazel smirked. ”Kokabiel’s stunt was his alone, handled by the Red Dragon Emperor and later the White Dragon Emperor. He’s been sentenced to eternal freezing in Cocytus—already half-dead from Issei’s beating. The details were in the report I sent. That’s all.”

Michael sighed. ”That’s a bare-bones explanation, but I understand you personally have no desire for conflict. Correct?”

”Yeah, war’s not my thing. Kokabiel trashed me in his rants, didn’t he?” Azazel said.

Sirzechs and Michael nodded. I remembered Kokabiel’s venom toward Azazel—his disdain was clear. Knowing Azazel’s laid-back, Sacred Gear-obsessed nature, I believed he meant it about avoiding war.

”One more thing,” Azazel said, shifting topics. ”I’m curious about something off-topic. Red Dragon Emperor, who are you?”

All eyes turned to me. Great.

”Vali told me enough, but Kokabiel’s state spoke volumes. Not many could wreck him like that,” Azazel continued.

”Indeed,” Michael added. ”For a low-class demon to defeat Kokabiel, even with the Red Dragon Emperor’s power, is astonishing. Issei Hyoudou, how did you do it?”

The room’s attention pinned me. ”We investigated you,” Azazel said. ”Before becoming a demon, you were an ordinary high schooler. Normal parents, no supernatural lineage. Yet you’ve reached Balance Breaker and taken down Kokabiel. How?”

I hesitated. I trusted these people to keep quiet, but information leaks. If Miu’s otherworldly origins got out, she’d become a lab rat—or worse. I swore to protect her from that pain.

As I struggled for an answer, Azazel waved it off. ”Never mind. If you don’t want to say, that’s fine. Everyone’s got secrets.”

His understanding tone showed why his subordinates trusted him. ”Thanks, Azazel,” I said.

He turned back to the others. ”Let’s wrap this up. I’m done with tedious talks. How about a peace treaty? That’s what you all want, right?”

The room gasped, except for me and Vali. Vali looked bored, only perking up when I was mentioned. I wasn’t shocked because I assumed peace was the goal. Why were they surprised?

(Because fallen angels are the least trusted faction. They’re angels who fell to temptation shady by nature,) my inner voice explained.

Fair point. I only knew good ones like Raynare, but guys like Dohnaseek and Kokabiel skewed the perception.

Sirzechs nodded. ”I was about to propose the same.”

”As was I,” Michael added. ”With God and the Demon Kings gone, there’s no need for conflict.”

Asia and Xenovia’s faces darkened at the mention of God’s absence. Their faith made the truth a bitter pill.

Azazel turned to us. ”Red and White Dragon Emperors, you hold power outside our factions. Vali, your thoughts?”

”Fighting strong opponents is all I care about,” Vali said bluntly.

Battle maniac. Azazel looked at me. ”Issei, what do you want?”

”Peace,” I said simply. ”I just want to live happily with everyone. No more wars.”

And maybe some spicy moments, but I kept that to myself.

Michael stood, addressing Asia and Xenovia. ”Asia Argento, Xenovia, I failed you, causing you pain. I’m deeply sorry.”

He bowed, shocking everyone but me and Akeno. An archangel apologizing to low-class demons was unheard of.

Xenovia smiled. ”Please, Michael-sama, raise your head. I have regrets from my church days, but I’m content as a demon.”

”I’m happy too,” Asia added, clasping her hands. ”I’ve met so many important people.”

Michael’s face softened with relief. ”Thank you for your kindness.”

Sirzechs turned to Azazel. ”You’ve been collecting Sacred Gears, haven’t you?”

”It’s my hobby,” Azazel admitted. ”But it’s also to counter a certain threat.”

”What threat?” Sirzechs pressed.

Before Azazel could answer, I bolted to the window. ”Enemies!” I shouted.

A chill ran through the room. I sensed a familiar sensation Gasper’s time-stopping ability. The old school building. Why there?

Scanning the room, some were frozen, others unaffected. Sirzechs, Serafall, Grayfia, Azazel, Michael, and Vali could move. Among our club, only Rias, Yuuto, Xenovia, and I were free.

”The higher powers among us are immune,” Azazel explained. ”Rias’s knight likely resisted due to his holy sword, and Rias, you were touching Issei’s Red Dragon Emperor power at the right moment.”

Outside, black-robed figures magicians attacked the frozen guards and facilities. Sirzechs cast a barrier around our building. ”This should protect us.”

”We’re under attack,” Azazel said. ”Time’s stopped, guards are down, and few can wield that power. It points to...”

”Gaspar’s being used by terrorists!?” Rias exclaimed.

”That’s unlikely,” I said calmly.

”Why, Red Dragon Emperor?” Azazel asked.

”Because Gaspar’s with my sister, Miu. She’d never let that happen.”

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