High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 353: Chapter 343 The Peerage Grows!

[Kiba’s Perspective]

Two days have passed since our last gathering.

Since then, there has been absolutely no progress regarding the disappearance of Riser Phenex and the Champion, Diehauser Belial. It has become an incident so severe that the Underworld government and the Four Great Satans themselves are involved, yet not a single trace of them has been found.

We have no idea what happened in that camera blind spot, but as Issei-kun said, all we can do right now is believe in their safety.

We are Team D×D, the specialized anti-terrorist unit. In times of crisis and confusion like this, we are expected to remain the most composed.

That said, Ravel-san is his biological sister. Her worry must be unfathomable compared to ours. Yet, she continues her life as if nothing had changed—rising early for training, attending classes, and showing up for club activities. She’s even maintaining her usual efficiency in her contract work.

Issei-kun put it this way:

”Ravel is stronger than we give her credit for. She’ll be fine. But when the time comes that she finally needs to let it all out, I’ll be there to catch her. That’s my job.”

I heard from Miwa-san later that after our meeting the other day, Issei-kun found Ravel-san sobbing alone and simply held her for hours. He didn’t say a word; he just offered her a silent, gentle place to bury her fear and grief.

It’s likely thanks to that support that she’s able to keep her head high today.

Life continued in this quiet, tense rhythm for two days—until today, when a certain ”event” was scheduled.

”Alright, I’m heading out for a bit.”

Issei-kun looked around the room at all of us. The Occult Research Club and Azazel-sensei were once again gathered in the VIP lounge on the top floor of the Hyoudou residence.

Today was the day Issei-kun would return to the other world, Ast Arde. His mission: to officially bring Maurice-san and Leisha-san into his peerage. Both held high-ranking positions in their own world, and there were affairs to settle before they could commit to becoming devils.

So, Issei-kun, Maurice, and Leisha were preparing to cross the boundary once more.

”So, it’s just the three of you?” Azazel-sensei asked.

”For now. I’m leaving Alice and the others here just in case something happens,” Issei-kun replied.

”Good call. The Dimensional Vortex is a fickle thing. There’s no guarantee the trip will be the same twice.”

The Dimensional Vortex—a gateway between worlds where time behaves according to its own inscrutable logic. A few days there can pass in the blink of an eye here. Sensei theorizes that the vortex creates such a violent distortion in space-time that the flow of reality itself is fundamentally altered. It’s a more extreme version of the barrier Qlippoth used at Auros Academy.

This time, Maurice and Leisha would serve as the ”anchors” for the jump.

Issei-kun turned to Alice. ”I’m leaving things here in your hands. Take care of Miwa and Ravel too.”

”Roger that,” Alice said with a confident smirk. ”As long as I’m here, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

”...Are you sure about that?”

”Wh-What is that supposed to mean?! Even I can be reliable when the chips are down!”

”Your version of ’reliable’ usually ends in a explosion! I’m sweating over here!”

”How little do you trust me?!”

The two of them went back and forth with their usual banter. It’s a sight we’ve grown accustomed to, and seeing them act so normally clearly helped put Ravel-san at ease. She let out a small, weary chuckle.

Issei-kun cleared his throat and straightened up. ”Alright, jokes aside. I’ll be back before you know it. Take care of the place, ’Queen.’”

”Leave it to me, Master,” Alice replied, her expression softening into a warm smile.

Issei-kun, Maurice, and Leisha linked hands, forming a circle. A high-pitched hum, like a jet engine, began to vibrate through the room, and a brilliant light enveloped the three of them.

The radiance grew until it was impossible to look at.

”We’re off!” Issei-kun’s voice called out from the center of the glare.

A moment later, the light faded, and we were finally able to blink the spots from our eyes.

But when my vision cleared...

”Everyone, long time no see! I’m Nina Odelia! I’ll be in your care from now on!”

...For some reason, the group had returned with more people than they left with.

[Issei’s Perspective]

We spent several days in the other world, but as expected, it was only an instant in Earth time.

And now...

”...”

Silence dominated the living room. An emergency family meeting was in session.

The reason was obvious: I had left with two people and come back with four. The sudden expansion of our household had everyone—from the Gremory peerage to my parents—sitting in stunned silence.

”To introduce myself properly: I am Nina Odelia, Alice’s younger sister.”

”Father and Mother of Issei-sama, and to all the honored guests: I am Valkyria Nome, Head Maid of the House of Odelia. I have come to live in this world alongside my ladies. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

One was a girl with radiant blonde hair exactly like Alice’s; the other was a refined woman in a maid outfit with long, silver hair that reminded me a bit of Rossweisse-san.

Yes, I had brought back Nina and Valkyria.

Even Azazel-sensei was sitting there with his mouth hanging open. Miwa, Rias, and my parents were equally floored. The only one who wasn’t surprised was Alice.

Finally, Rias broke the silence. ”Um... Nina-san?”

”Yes, Rias-san! And please, just Nina is fine. You’re the elder, after all.”

”Alright, Nina. But... is the kingdom okay? Didn’t you take over Alice’s duties...?”

Nina puffed out her chest proudly. ”Oh, that’s not an issue anymore. Odelia has officially abolished the monarchy. We’re a democracy now!”

”A... democracy?” Rias blinked. I think she understood the word, but she was struggling to grasp how a literal fantasy kingdom manages a regime change in a weekend.

Alice stood up and placed a hand on Nina’s shoulder. ”It’s something we’ve been discussing for a long time. The previous King’s path toward war brought nothing but instability and placed our people in danger. Nina and I decided that once the war was over and things stabilized, we would fundamentally change the structure of the nation.”

”We wanted the future to be decided by the people, not a crown,” Nina added. ”Democracy was our answer.”

After I had first returned to this world with Miwa, Alice had worked tirelessly toward a true peace with the Demon Race. Once that was established, she began the process of democratization... though, she let out a sigh.

”And then Rosward happened, and everything went to hell for a while.”

”Exactly,” Nina chirped. ”So, while my big sister was busy being all lovey-dovey with Onii-san in this world, I stayed behind, finished the paperwork, and wrapped up the transition!”

”Wh-What?! Lovey-dovey?!” Alice squeaked.

”Aren’t you?”

”Uugh... well... I mean... Issei, help me out here!”

Don’t look at me for help! You’re the one who’s gotten soft! Nina was wearing a very satisfied smirk as she watched her sister squirm.

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