High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 140: Chapter 136: Sairaorg’s Past

The next day, Rias and I were in Sitri territory, Underworld, riding in a luxurious limo. I gazed at the lush scenery, Rias beside me.

”This came through Mother,” Rias said.

”Venerana-san?” I asked.

She nodded. Sairaorg’s butler had a request for me, relayed via the Gremory family. Venerana, from the Bael family, approved it due to their connection.

”No clue what he wants, but Sitri’s nice. So much nature,” I said.

”Yes, Sitri has many nature reserves. Beautiful spots, tourist attractions,” Rias replied.

Gremory’s nature-rich, but Sitri’s on another level. Camping by that lake would be fun.

”Where are we headed?” I asked.

”A hospital. Sitri’s medical facilities are top-notch; this one’s renowned,” Rias said.

Unexpected. Someone’s hospitalized? A Sairaorg relative? Not him—he’s too tough.

Probably a treatment request. My qi manipulation’s known for healing.

The limo stopped at a large hospital’s entrance. We stepped out.

”Welcome,” a middle-aged butler greeted.

The requester? ”Please, this way,” he said, leading us.

As we walked, Rias said, ”You know Mother’s from Bael?”

”Yeah, half-sister to the current Bael head, right?”

”Different mothers. Sairaorg’s father is from the main wife; Mother’s from the second.”

Complicated family. ”And Sairaorg’s mother is from Vapula, a former 72 Pillars noble family, right?”

”Correct. Vapula governs lions—a great house.”

Lions. Fits Sairaorg.

We reached a room. ”Here, Rias-sama,” the butler said.

Rias entered, and I followed. A beautiful woman slept in a private bed, connected to machines, a heart monitor beeping.

”Greetings, Aunt...” Rias said, her eyes sad.

The butler took a bouquet from me. ”This is Misura Bael, Sairaorg-sama’s mother.”

As expected. Breathing through a respirator, surrounded by unfamiliar equipment.

Tears in his eyes, the butler said, ”Red Dragon Emperor, can you help awaken Misura-sama?”

”I figured, but one question: why’s this a personal request from you?”

He froze. As Sairaorg’s mother, she’s vital to Bael. Why a butler’s request, not the family’s?

Trembling, he said, ”Bael members resent Sairaorg-sama. We moved her to Sitri for safety—her life’s at risk in Bael territory.”

”What!?” Her life? The next head’s mother? Bael should be safest!

Rias explained, ”Sairaorg’s shunned, especially by Bael. Let me clarify.”

Sairaorg was born to Bael’s head and Misura of Vapula. His birth was celebrated as the next head—briefly. He lacked magic power and Bael’s ”Destruction” ability, a family hallmark.

He and Misura became outcasts, labeled ”defective.” Even his father abandoned them.

Gremory heard rumors; Venerana tried to shelter them, but Bael refused, envious of Sirzechs inheriting Destruction while their heir didn’t.

Bael, a great house, prides itself above all, even ex-Maous, hyper-aware of appearances. Sairaorg and Misura were burdens.

Vapula demanded their return, but Bael’s head refused, unwilling to expose their ”shame.” Misura chose to stay with Sairaorg, moving to Bael’s outskirts with loyal retainers.

Life was harsh for noble-born Misura. Sairaorg, nearly magic-less, was bullied by lower and mid-class devils. As a child, he’d cry.

Misura told him, ”No magic? You have a strong body. Compensate with strength or wisdom. Never give up—you’ll win.”

Those words shaped him. Unseen, Misura wept, blaming herself.

One day, Sairaorg stopped crying.

”Sairaorg-sama trained relentlessly, rising each time he fell,” the butler said.

He didn’t curse his fate, facing his limits head-on. That takes resolve.

”He vowed to create an Underworld where merit, not status, fulfills dreams,” the butler added.

Devil society claims meritocracy, but nobles dominate. Low-born struggle despite strength. Sairaorg aims to be Maou to change that.

When he could fight mid-class devils, Misura fell ill. ”A devil’s disease causing deep sleep, bodily decline, and death. Rare, with no known cause or cure. We can only sustain her artificially,” Rias said sadly.

Sairaorg searched every major hospital, to no avail. Still, he pressed on, returning to Bael, defeating his Destruction-wielding half-brother, and securing the heir’s seat.

Some in Bael, resenting him, might target the vulnerable Misura.

Despicable.

”You manipulate qi, distinct from senjutsu, yes?” the butler asked.

”Yeah, different application and output,” I said.

He bowed deeply. ”Please... help Misura-sama. Any chance...”

”Issei, I’m asking too,” Rias said.

I crossed my arms, thinking. Healing wounds or poison is easy—boost vitality. But they’ve likely tried senjutsu. Would my method work?

”I’ll try,” I said, placing a hand on Misura’s forehead, syncing our qi wavelengths.

I dove into her mental world.

A white space, like my Sacred Gear’s or Ignis’s. But a black void encroached, slowly eroding it. The disease affects her mind too. It’s slow, but we need to hurry.

”Let’s find her,” I said.

”Right,” a voice replied.

Wait—who? I turned—Ignis and Ddraig were there!

”Why’re you here!?” I yelled.

This is Misura’s mind! Why’re they casually here?

”We’re one with you. Where you go, we go!” Ignis posed heroically.

What’s with the pose!? Superhero squad?

”Why’s Ddraig here?” I asked.

”Sorry... she dragged me,” Ddraig said.

Forcing a Heavenly Dragon? Typical Ignis.

”You’re just bored, aren’t you?” I said.

”Caught me!” Ignis winked, sticking out her tongue.

Sigh. No point arguing. I’ll forget why I’m here. Let’s find Misura.

We found her seated, watching projections of a boy—Sairaorg as a baby, a kid.

”Misura-san?” I called.

No response. Unconscious? The disease?

Ignis stepped forward. ”I’ll wake her!”

With a sleazy grin, she lunged. ”Wait!” I tackled her.

”What’re you planning!?” I shouted.

”Boob grab for awakening!”

”No way! Sairaorg’ll kill me!”

Spare me! Boobs don’t wake people! Even if they did, it’d be awkward!

”No good?” Ignis pouted.

”Obviously!” She thought that’d work? Useless goddess!

She relented. ”Fine. I can awaken her consciousness here, even if the disease persists.”

”Really?”

”She’s watching her son’s memories, so she’s still thinking of someone. There’s a way.”

From useless to genius! ”How?”

”Leave it to me♪ I’m a goddess!” Ignis chanted, palms glowing red, warming the cold space.

”By the way, you’re helping with my experiment later,” she added.

”Experiment!?” I started, but she shouted, ”Here we go!”

”Listen to me!”

Red light engulfed the space.

”Awake, Hyoudou Issei?” Sairaorg’s voice.

I opened my eyes, hand on Misura’s forehead. Awkward position.

”Uh, this is...” I stammered.

”I know. Rias explained. You’re here to treat Mother,” he said, smiling slightly.

Right, Rias and the butler were here.

”Red Dragon Emperor, how’s Misura-sama?” the butler asked.

”I did what I could... or rather, it was done,” I said, explaining the mental world events.

”Her consciousness awakened there, but I’m not sure if it’s a cure. Sorry.”

”No, it’s progress. Even just her mind awakening is enough. Thank you, Issei, Rias. I’m indebted to Gremory and Sitri,” Sairaorg said.

”No big deal,” Rias replied casually.

Sairaorg’s expression hardened. ”The game’s different. I want Gremory’s full strength.”

Bold! He stared at his fist. ”My body’s all I have. Losing means losing everything I’ve built. Without Destruction, winning’s my only path.”

His fiery gaze met ours. ”It’s not pretty, but it’s my way.”

”I get it. I’ll meet your full strength with mine,” I said, offering my fist.

He wants my all, and I’ll give it to honor his resolve.

Sairaorg grinned. ”Good. Those words are enough. Facing you, Red Dragon Emperor, fires me up. Let’s go all-out!”

We bumped fists, auras leaking unconsciously. I’m pumped too.

”Rias, Issei, I’ll fight for my dreams,” Sairaorg said.

”I won’t lose,” Rias shot back boldly.

We said goodbye to Sairaorg and the butler, heading home. I hope Ignis’s power helps Misura.

But now... ”Rias.”

”What?”

”This game’s my first official Rating Game, right?”

”Against Raiser wasn’t official. You couldn’t join before. Nervous?”

I shook my head. ”I’m glad you’re my master. This excitement—I wouldn’t feel it otherwise. I’ll make you win.”

Rias blushed. ”Uh, yeah...”

What? Why’s she red?

”Partner, are you an idiot?” Ddraig said.

”Unconscious lady-killer strikes again,” Ignis teased.

Why’re my partners so harsh!?

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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced Chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.

There should be... around 20+ advanced Chapters?

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