High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 317: Chapter 307 The Strongest Trump Card

Two days after accepting the Church warriors’ challenge.

A visitor arrives: Tannin-ossan!

”Sorry for the sudden visit.”

”Fine, but why’s ossan coming to my house?”

I ask the mini-dragon form ossan who came through the basement transfer circle.

”I have a favor to ask.”

”Rare for ossan to ask me.”

”Most of my citizens are dragons who fled to the Underworld seeking peace from the human world—you know that?”

I’d heard that before. Ossan reincarnated as a devil to protect dragons. He even researched Dragon Apples.

”One rare species, the Specter Rainbow Dragons, just laid an egg.”

An egg! Congrats!

While me, Miyu, and Alice go ”Ohh,” everyone else is stunned.

Rias panics.

”Rainbow Dragon!? I heard only a handful remain!”

”Exactly. That’s why this egg is so precious. But Rainbow Dragon eggs are hard to hatch—the Underworld’s air is bad for them. Left here, it might rot before hatching.”

”So you came because—”

Ossan nods at Rias.

”Human world air is better. I want to borrow the underground space in this town.”

”But this town’s dangerous—Qlippoth’s targeting it.”

It was hit during the Three Factions meeting and the Euclid incident. Barriers are stronger now, but still not perfect.

Ossan scratches his chin.

”No other suitable place in the human world. Too valuable—Qlippoth or others might target it. Security elsewhere is iffy. This town has strong barriers. Just until hatching.”

”How long in the human world?”

”Surprisingly fast.”

”Understood. We’ll watch over it.”

”Thanks. I’ll repay you.”

We agree; ossan opens a circle to call the egg carrier.

A few minutes later—rainbow-glossy huge egg appears with the light.

Carried by a black-coated man.

Someone I know... fought.

”Crom Cruach!? Why you!?”

Yes! The strongest Evil Dragon himself!

I panic hard. Rias and others brace—

But I think.

He’s reasonable compared to other Evil Dragons. And ossan brought him, so—

”Mind explaining?”

”...Long story, but... Crom Cruach is my freeloader now.”

『EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!?』

We all scream.

Too shocking!

Strongest Evil Dragon freeloading with ossan!?

What the hell!?

Crom calmly says,

”Tannin provides food and shelter. I’m just repaying the favor.”

”He’s still a true dragon despite being Evil. Dragons understand dragons.”

Crom nods silently.

Well... after descending from Heaven, he moved to the Underworld, met ossan, hit it off as dragons.

If ossan says it’s fine, it’s fine.

I felt he wasn’t that bad anyway.

『Understandable, but stay cautious.』

Ddraig warns.

”Yeah, noted. But—”

Ossan looks at Crom—who is facing off with our mascot Ophis!

Battle-junkie strongest Evil Dragon vs innocent Dragon God!

Don’t start fighting here! The town would vanish!

Crom puts the egg down, addresses banana-holding Ophis.

”Ophis. Fight me.”

”No can do. I promised Issei-tachi no fighting.”

”...I see. Then what steps are needed?”

”Dunno.”

”...Understood.”

After that exchange, Crom silently holds the egg again. Ophis starts poking it curiously.

...What is this surreal scene.

Strongest Evil Dragon challenges Dragon God, instantly rejected...

”Are all strong dragons weirdos?”

”Yeah... Issei’s the Oppai Dragon after all.”

Miyu and Alice are saying stuff!

I’m a dragon too!

Strong dragons include me!

Ossan didn’t even blink at Ophis.

”Heard from Sirzechs-sama. Don’t worry, lips sealed. And if she’s with you guys, I’m relieved.”

”Big trust.”

”I’ve seen you lot in action. Look at Ophis.”

Ophis... peeling second banana. Where’d the second come from!?

Our Dragon God is adorable!

Ossan talks about Crom.

”He’s watched the human world a long time. I’ve seen many worlds too, so I kinda get his mindset. Changing eras, human culture, good and evil, how other beings adapt—watching that for eternity changes even strong dragons. Humans change in short lives; dragons do too.”

Makes sense.

Compared to ossan, I’ve lived little, but I’ve changed a lot.

No one stays the same forever.

I think I’ve changed for the better so far—and want to keep it that way.

Ossan suddenly asks,

”By the way... why is Tiamat standing in the corner?”

In the corner—blue-haired big sis Tia, just... standing. Looking at us from afar.

When our eyes meet, she blushes and looks away.

”Seems like she’s avoiding you... did you fight?”

”N-no, not that... it’s just...”

How do I even explain!?

I can’t say I banged aphrodisiac-overdosed Tia!

We went at it nonstop to wear off the drug!

Found her in the office sweating, masturbating alone!

She tackled me, begged ”mess me up”!

Warning said only way is keep pleasuring her!

Cancelled all work, dragged her to the break room!

Then Ignis materialized and joined!

Me vs Dragon King + Goddess 24-hour full course!

Their hips were insane—I chugged stamina potion and went Trans-Am!

”Ufufu ♪ Issei was amazing that day~ Right, Tia-chan ♪”

”Uuu... sorry. I-if I’d checked the bottle... uuu...”

Tia tearfully apologizes, face crimson, sounding like Asia!

”Don’t worry! My fault for leaving it there!”

”B-but... I was so lewd...”

”You were moaning when Issei sucked your tits~♪”

”Don’t finish her off!”

”Uuuu... embarrassing...”

Tia trembling—cute, but not here!

”Tiamat happy when tits sucked?”

Ophis why that question!?

She was obsessed with the egg seconds ago!

Why react to boobs!?

”...Tiamat’s changed too.”

Ossan that ”changed” means something else!

It was the drug!

Ignis smiles.

”Tia-chan’s always been lewd.”

”Not lewd! Tia not lewd dragon!”

”Lewd Dragon King?”

”Not lewd Dragon King!”

Tia needs emotional care... she said ”mon.”

Anyway, we accept the egg.

Placed in Kuoh’s underground space.

▼

Several hours later.

Sirzechs-sama summons me to the Underworld—his office in Maou territory.

Emergency-level ”come immediately.”

...If it’s just sister talk, that’d be great.

”Was it okay to bring me?”

Alice came too.

”You’re my Queen... kinda.”

”Kinda what do you mean kinda.”

Glare.

She barely does Queen paperwork.

Always dumps documents on me.

Strong in battle though...

Is she muscle-headed too?

No! Alice isn’t muscle-headed!

She’s sharp in strategy and negotiations!

Just... very lazy...

Room is luxurious—red carpet, chandelier, fancy furniture.

Flashy yet dignified—truly Maou.

But...

”Why no windows?”

No outside view—probably to prevent spying from outside.

Super confidential talk.

Door opens.

Sirzechs-sama enters.

”Hey, Issei-kun, Alice-kun. Thanks for coming.”

”Sorry, Issei.”

”My apologies for the wait, Hyoudou Issei-kun.”

Azazel-sensei and Michael-san too!

Sensei was expected, Michael-san in person is insane!

All three faction leaders in one room—first time since the peace talks!

Grayfia-san enters with tea set.

Serves five cups, I speak.

”Sealed room, Michael-san here in person... this is...”

”Yes. What we’re about to discuss is known only to top leadership.”

All three look tense.

Something even they find grave?

”Why call just me?”

”Because you’re the only one who can handle it.”

”Me?”

”Yes.”

Top-secret info only I can deal with.

...Don’t tell me—

”...Aššur moved?”

Only my peerage (plus Kiba and Tia) fought them.

But with their faces and words—

Michael-san gravely says,

”—The Underworld’s Hades faction has been overrun by the otherworld god.”

””WHAT!?””

Alice and I shout.

Hades—top-tier god-level.

Surrounded by Grim Reapers.

Top Reapers traded blows with armored Sensei.

Yet overrun.

Sensei strokes chin.

”Hades is hiding at Zeus’s place with his Reapers. One step from annihilation. Personally? After all he did, serves him right... but we can’t ignore this.”

”Yes. Hades’s death would shake the world.”

Report: single hooded child attacked.

One kid.

Yet Hades and Reapers helpless.

...Bastard solo’d the entire Underworld faction.

Beyond broken.

Alice ponders.

”Went alone for a reason? Confident solo? Or subordinates elsewhere?”

~Meanwhile in the Underworld~

”DAD! You didn’t have to solo!”

”Yeah! I wanted to fight too!”

”Calm down, it’s fine~”

Razul and Vals angry Aššur fought alone.

Why weren’t they there?

Because while they were at TSUTAYA, he went ahead.

”Father! Wait! Don’t run awaaaay!”

~Meanwhile in the Underworld End~

”Subordinates’ movements worrying. Each one worth a thousand. Acting separately is troublesome.”

Aššur solo-crushed Hades faction in minutes.

”Now every faction leader knows how terrifying Aššur is. Rizevim was the focus, but this shocked them. Some already want to retake the Underworld.”

But rushing in is bad.

Top leaders going and getting erased—worst case.

Normal fighters useless against Hades-beater.

So I was called—

Sirzechs-sama:

”Issei-kun, we want you to go to the Underworld. Only those with combat experience against them can fight now. Full backup, anything you need.”

”Fine, but... okay for us to enter? Won’t Hades complain later?”

”Negotiating with Greek side now. Permission soon. D×D is official anti-terror team—perfect timing to use that authority. But...”

Sensei grimaces.

”Probably sending you tomorrow. Day after is Church match—no deaths expected, so fine. Problem is Qlippoth interference. Unknown timing and numbers. Your peerage can repel anything, but...”

”We’ll be in Underworld. Even rushing back... doubtful we make Church fight.”

”Yeah. Who fills your spot...”

”Taking Vali to Underworld—his strength huge.”

”Fine, but Vali in Church fight = bloodbath.”

Vali team too hot-blooded.

Sairaorg & Sairaog have defense duties.

Kuroka, Le Fay, Arthur stay for Church fight as backup.

Michael-san:

”We can station troops, but they might outmaneuver. Who to place...”

They’ll hit the weak spot.

Rizevim would send Evil Dragons to empty town.

Can’t move carelessly.

Need someone to cover our absence—strong enough against anything Qlippoth throws.

...Only one person.

”Issei? Why the creepy grin?”

”Was I grinning? Just... time to play our trump card. With Aššur moving, we need it. Anyway—we’ve got one. Absolute cheat.”

The three leaders lean in, intrigued.

Yeah, we do.

The strongest possible trump card.

I can’t help smirking.

”Leave it to me. Seriously broken-level cheat.”

This arc takes a sharp turn.

-------------------------------

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