Hello dear readers, and welcome you in the first (and hopefully not the only one) chapter of The Betrayed Dragon in 2020! Isn't it awesome? We live in a sci-fi date! Before we even start – like always – I shall answer your comments from the previous chapter(s).

WolkaiserDrake – I can see that my job at making Himitria Ashburn the most hated person of this story was a success. The amount of hate you (and many other people) have is bigger than I expected. And I know I should tell you – or anyone – this, but, let's just say that you will find Chapter 23 very, very satisfying. And that is all that I am going to say.

Lonely warrior of death – Thank you. As to the new chapter coming soon, then I believe your wish was fulfilled. Well, if you wanna talk more about those issues you have with my story, then feel free to PM me, I will gladly answer all of your possible questions. And about the DxD part… Well, I have planned some big things, and I can only hope that you and the rest of my readers will like it.

THEFROY345 – Thanks. As to updating chapters… Well, sadly I cannot promise to release chapter sooner. I write them and release them as fast as I can, but you know, besides writing this story, I have my own life out there. I am writing this story whenever I have free time and I can. As for the DxD side… Well, the ongoing arc of this story is soon going to end, and as I said, the next one will take place on the DxD worlds. And remember that besides Issei, the DxD world and DxD team also had many other strong members like Vali, Dulio, Tobio, etc. People from Kuoh Academy without Issei – yes they are weak (well, there is also Saji for Sitri team, so he might help the situation) but DxD team as a whole – not so weak. And the rest you will learn from reading the incoming chapters. But DxD events – soon.

That would be it when it comes to comments. I am a little sad that the previous chapter didn't have as many comments as chapter 20. I really enjoy your comments and I hope to see more of them, so please, comment and share your opinion. Also, if you have any questions about this story you are free to ask me anything in PMs – I will also very gladly answer them.

Anyway, I think it's time to start the chapter, right? Well, have fun then.


The Betrayed Dragon

Chapter 22

Hunt for Verphis


Finding him was the biggest challenge of my life.

When I could finally exit the Shu's "hospital", I expected him to be back in my home, waiting like an obedient dog for me. Instead, what welcomed be was a small battlefield between my guards and a few dozen robbers, trying to steal my things.

Verphis was nowhere to be seen in this battle. Not with the guards or even with the attackers. After that small battle, I made sure to check at least a few times. He just disappeared.

I couldn't just let him go. He was too important for my plans. And he was my property. He had no right to just run away from me.

I started to search for him throughout the entire city. Yet barely anyone could even recognize the name 'Verphis'. As if he never existed here. Which frustrated me more. How could one dragon just disappear from the city without any trace?

Then I recalled the eventfull party at Shu's palace. He was talking to someone. That, someone, was wearing a Shu's guard's armor.
'You were not alone here. You came here with some people…'
As soon as I've realized that, I started my search again.

But even here all at first could find was a disappointment. Just like with my dragon, people could barely recognize their names. I started to have more doubts. Why would they even come to this city then? They weren't here to move from their villages. Because if they were, they would try to connect with the people around them, make friends and so on…

Then it hit me. They came here for a reason. They got jobs at very prestigious places like mine or Shu… My theory only got proved when I saw evidence of other people, who came to Capital city in a similar time to Verphis. They also have found jobs at noble family mansions or even in the Capital's guarding army.

It almost looked as if they were looking for something. At first, I thought that maybe they were spies from the Darksiders faction, but I soon dispelled those thoughts. If he was a spy, then he would just let me get take away by those weird armors and then flee the city.

So, they were not spies. But if not, then what's their mission. Who hired them to infiltrate so many noble families? And the most important question – what they were looking for?

I was just about to give up when finally someone who seemed to have some pieces of information appeared. At first, I wanted to kick him out – he looked like a hobo, who would lie to me to get some free money. But when I was about to call my guards, he started to yell.

"Yes! I recognize this name! That damned Verphis! He destroyed my business. He and that group of gadabouts! They told everyone I was spiking drinks with Lyra! Then he took away my inn!" And so on, he continued screaming and yelling how he hated Verphis and that group.

I interrupted him and order to say where his former inn was. When I got the address, I ordered my guards to have him killed. He was no longer useful to me. I had everything I needed.

Or so I thought.

When I got to the old inn, I was furious. All that was left from the inn were ashes. With nothing left. Just nothing. How could my own slave play with me like this?! How dared he?!

But that was the end of my investigation. No one knew anything. From where they came from, who they were… Nothing. Just as mysteriously they came to this city, as mysteriously they just disappeared.

I gave up. Regretfully, but I just had to give up. The war with Darksiders has just begun and I could no longer play a detective role and search for my lost slave. I was too busy ordering my private army. My army was on the Capital front, fighting alongside with servants from other noble families and even servants from Shu.

We were winning - not a surprise. We were destroying all the opponents who dared to stand against us. But as far as I was aware, we had two other fronts, where our allies were fighting against the invasion forces.

Soon it all started to get boring. Just sending troops to the battlefield. Constantly winning. I just wished for something exciting to happen.

Then came to me news from the other fronts. I have sent my spies to the other fronts to tell me what is happening there.

And there were some pieces of information that I have found very interesting. Especially with the front near the Aza city. The first thing that surprised me was the fact that those low-born soldiers were winning there, without our support. They even created their tactics to gain an advantage over the superior enemy.

Surprise strikes, attacking small groups instead of the whole army… Tactic worthy of those low-borns, without any honor. But then again, at least we didn't have to deal with another army trying to strike our backs, so that was a good thing.

I tried to learn some more information about the fighters and how exactly they fought in that front. But the information was highly classified and it seemed to be impossible to learn anything about the front near Aza city. Something that seemed to be impossible for me. Those low-borns should not be that intelligent.

But I have learned a few things. I have learned that the most effective hunters in that front came from one place – an old temple city, Elyne. All those Elyne hunters seemed to be veterans when it came to fighting. They also seemed to be members of the Elyne mercenary guild.
'Interesting. Perhaps I will recruit them later.' I thought with a little smile.

Another thing, something that was intriguing to me. Apparently, one of those Elyne hunters didn't look like someone born in the Centauria. He just looked different. And he also had a Centaurian cat as his… pet? How was that possible? No one ever before tamed a Centaurian cat!

I started to once again believe, that I perhaps it was him. My slave. But what he was doing there? He was supposed to stay by my side here, and help me win all those pointless battles!

But I still knew I needed more intel about that one particular hunter. I wanted to be perfectly sure that it was him.

And the proof I wanted so much finally came. Apparently, the Darksiders had enough of the Aza city and their weird tactic and decided to destroy all the army gathered there in one final blow. What they didn't expect was that someone near the Aza city had extraordinary powers, and was capable to defeat all the Darksiders army on his own.

I asked for more details. And there I had him. Description of his appearance, his fighting style, and his power. It was my jackpot. I have finally found my lost dragon slave.

With that came also new information about him. I always expected him to have hidden potential, but from what I learned, he was hiding more power than he ever showed me. My spies described a simple but weird transformation, that allowed him to unleash an unimaginable amount of power.

They also told me how he was able to hold his line just on his own. How he was able to fight against deadly war machines and save countless lives by brave moves, how he practically threw himself in the middle of the enemy forces just to get their attention and buy some time for his allies.

Every next piece of information was more and more delightful to me. If he was already capable of such wonderful things… This world could be mine sooner than I initially thought.

Now, the only thing for me to do, was just to catch him. And I already knew where to go. And judging from the other information I just got, I had a very good reason to go there.

"And why exactly you want us to gain power over Elyne?" I was asked by a woman from the Shu family, the very same that welcomed me when I woke up after the attack on me. Right now she was the main commander of this front, answering only to the main head of the Shu clan.

"I have valuable information stating, that soon Elyne will be invaded." Said woman wasn't interested in this at all, so I had to give her something more. "Besides… Our target will be in Elyne"

I nearly choked when I said our target. Verphis was no one else, but my slave. And I wasn't going to let him to anyone. Not in the thousand lifetimes.

But that information got my superior interested. Shu clan was also interested in my slave, so that was my bargaining card. And I won. I got what I wanted. Shu representative gave me a document stating that for the time of conflict, Elyne was mine.

As soon as I got clearance to go, I packed my things and left this wretched front.

My trip to Elyne didn't take long. My transport was rather fast, and the weather was also good. So that within a few days I could finally this old city.

And what weird city it was. A city near the old temple that should be destroyed centuries ago. A city built around and within one big tree. And the people there were even worse. Instead of bowing to me at the very first second they saw me, they gave me all weird and hateful looks. Of course, they bowed after like a second or two, but the distaste was already in my mind. How dare they not bow to me in an instant?

Soon I was welcomed by the major of this city, some more important nobles representative from here. And there was also the Temple Master, Gor Na Kosh or something… It didn't matter to me. This city was already mine. And after a war will end, I will just buy this pathetic hole and rebuild this place to my liking. Or maybe I will just burn this place to the ground, who knows?

It took a few days before anything happened. My spies informed me that some warriors were traveling to the Elyne. And judging from their attire, they were hunters returning from the front. I was also informed to be very careful around them. And apparently, my spies were very scared of them.

But back to the current moment. I was going again to the old temple. Right now the temple was also our HQ for the time of the invasion.

As I entered the shrine, I was welcomed by some guards and a few nobles. Then I saw Gor Na Kosh talking to a group of new people – the hunters, I guessed.

Most of those hunters looked like they were battle-hardened. But besides that, and they camouflage attire, they were not interesting at all.

All of them irrelevant to me anyway. Because I have finally located my target, my lost slave.
"So, who is this person? When will we meet this emissary?" His voice had the same draconic accent, just as I remembered. I felt little shivers on my neck. I could not wait to finally have my hands on him.

"That would be me." I decided to finally speak. Everyone looked at me for a few seconds. Some people were shocked, others were terrified. And after a few more seconds, Verphis also decided to look at me. "Hello, Verphis. I have finally found you, my slave…"

His eyes were calculating me as if trying to find the answer to some of his questions. Then his eyes turned into cold fury. He was not happy to see me again. But I will work on his behavior. He will be kissing my boots whenever he will see me again. I will make sure of that.

"So, Himitria Ashburn is our new commander I presume?" Verphis asked, completely surprising me on how fast he moved back to the previous object. He didn't even seem to acknowledge me. Meanwhile, people just nodded. "How many forces we have right now? Can we actually survive the possible invasion?"

As I looked at people standing around the main table, I noticed that many of them were seriously trying to answer my slave's question. It was weird to me – why did they even let the slave talk or walk freely in the HQ?
"Well, we still have the same amount of the city guards and our local mercenary guild also wants to help us in all possible ways. That and all the people you brought here from the Aza city. Meanwhile, we also have some new soldiers from our new commander. With good tactics, we might be able to survive even a few months of the invasion."

While my slave was lost in thoughts, I was flabbergasted. Not only he was not giving any attention to me, but he was also taking his voice in this debate, and he seemed to have some knowledge about tactics… Why would he never show his talents to me? Why would he hide it from me?

I was inside my own turmoil of thoughts and suspicions, while their little meeting has continued. They seemed to have a rather calm discussion about possible actions and tactics for the invasion and so on. And soon their conversation started to get boring. I had enough.

"This conversation is boring to me. I do not wish to continue it any longer. Let's end it here." I said, expecting that everyone will just follow me. I wished to speak with my slave privately, and their conversation about battle plans was on my way.

"If you can't even do your jobs as a commander, then perhaps you should just leave? Without making a fuss about it?" I was soon answered by no one else but my slave. His voice was emotionless as if even while mocking me he would still not give me any attention.

"Yeah princess, now grow-ups are talking, why want you just go home and do what you, people from Capital city, are doing the best? That is to do nothing?" Another one said, this time making everyone burst from laughing. Even my slave.

I was red from frustration. And that soon have turned into anger.

"How dare you talk to me like this? How dare are you mocking my person? Have you forgotten who am I? I am Himitria Ashburn! I am-"
"Nobody. Outside of your Capital City, you are no one. No one will follow you. No one will obey you. No one will even give one flying fuck at what will happen to you. You get it?"

Those vermins were trying to mock me even further. I decided, they soon will hang on the city gate, or better, they will burn on the marketplace, just for everyone to see. But now I had one thing to decide.

"And you, my slave! Why aren't you protecting your master? Kill those insolent fools for offending me!"
"I don't recall ever being your slave."

And more mockery, even from my slave. I could not just take it anymore. I exploded from my rage.
"You will regret speaking like this! I will make sure you-"
"Excuse me, Lady Himitria, but do you have any evidence with you verifying your claim?"

Words of Gor Na Kosh made me return to my semi-normal state. No, I did not have anything like that. Everything about me ever owning slaves or servants… it all disappeared in a big fire that stormed through my mansion. A fire that was released by some fools who dared to attack my mansion. They were soon defeated before any one of them could do any more damage or steal anything.

Still, all I ever needed to claim him... Was…. Gone…

They continued to look at me for a second. Some with emotionless faces and some of them with a hint of a grin on their faces. I was never mocked so much in my life. It frustrated me to no end. But then I recalled something. I was a commander, having full control over this city. I had enough power to push them around, make them obey me like they all supposed to. And after this war is over, I will make sure to make some purges in this city. To remind people who I was.

"Well, if no one else has anything else to add, then I believe we can end here. I will inform you about any changes to the front. As for now, good night." It seemed that Gor Na Kosh has noticed a tensed atmosphere here, and decide to end this meeting before anyone would do something stupid like to attack me or something.

And so, most people present at the meeting started to go wherever they had to. Verphis joined his friends as they started to go towards the exit from the temple. I was frustrated and angry with the pure fact that my slave didn't acknowledge me properly. So near the exit, I caught his arm and tried to reason with him.

"Verphis. I haven't done with you yet. Come with me to my quarters, and there will be no hard consequences."

But as soon as I said that, he looked at me most coldly and scarily possible, as if I was his next target. Then, he leaned down a little towards me and said:
"Pretending to be your slave was the worst thing I had to do in my life. But playtime is over. Leave me alone, or you will learn a thing or two about consequences with playing with fire." And then he just left.

'It's not over Verphis. It's far from over. If you do not want to return willingly, then I will make you beg on your knees. I will have you one way or another.' I promised to myself that day.

And that was the last thing I promised to myself in my life…


When I came back to Elyne, I thought I had one of the best days of my life. After all, home sweet home, right? I thought nothing could destroy such a nice day, even a war-meeting in the temple. Nothing, literally nothing.

But it would seem the universe just loves to prove me wrong.

Himitria Ashburn was supposed to be a closed chapter in my life. She was supposed to stay in the capital and do what she always did best – waste her breath. It would be best for us all. But no – she just had to go straight to my city and try to destroy my life again, had she?

From the moment she laid her eyes on me, she once again became the biggest pain in my ass. This girl just didn't know when to stop.

I really should have just killed her when I had so many chances in Capital city. Everything would be so good if I did that. Instead, all the people in the Elyne must obey her every rule.

Another thing that infuriated me, was the fact that she thought I was still her slave. Well, to make things clear – I was never her slave, to begin with, I was just her bodyguard and nothing else. It is she who got this crazy idea about me being her slave.

All I could do right now was to wait until the end of this stupid war. Maybe then, or during one of the battles, I will have a chance to kill her without any suspicion. Who knows, maybe I will have a clear chance to disintegrate her body?

At the end of the meeting, I decided to go home. It was a million times better to be there, with mom and the kids from the orphanage, to be even near this she-devil. It will be nice to see them again. Of course, Himitria decided to throw another tantrum, but we soon just let her alone with her stupid thoughts.

My mom also seemed to not like my previous employer. She said that was too dangerous to be around and I should avoid them at all cost. And I decided to do that. Just to stay here with my family and not giving a single damn about what was happening out there. Only to go to the war meetings when necessary.

Ahri meanwhile seemed to have murderous look whenever someone mentioned her name. There was a chance that she would kill our blur-haired devil way sooner than me. She was furious at Himitria for what she has done to me in the capital and for the tantrum she threw at the first war meeting.

To be honest, I would not be surprised at all, if Ahri would kill Himitria way before I'd ever had a chance.

Thankfully, the days were seemed to blend into each other. The old daily routine had come back to me, and not even a shadow of possible invasion could destroy it. Life once again was beautiful and full of happiness.

Those moments were only disturbed whenever Himitria was around. But avoiding her was not that much hard of a task, even if she tried very hard to once again get closer to me. Ignoring and avoiding her was for that moment the best thing I could do. The time of revenge will come later.

Like I said – if not counting Ashburn princess presence in the city, and constant fear for a possible invasion, I'd say that everything was once again as it should be. Days were once again only about spending time with my lovely wife or with mom and kids. In other words – I was in my little paradise once again.

[You know, I must admit – it is good to be on this island once again. No wonder you wish to spend your entire life here.] Ddraig one stated with a relaxed tone. [I think humans had a saying that went like this: Feels like heaven?]

I laughed a little. True, this island was giving off the feeling of home and paradise. A place like no other.

/Hard to disagree. This place feels like heaven. And this says a previously angel. Perhaps this place is even better than Eden… Who knows…/ Even Raynare loved this place. And I don't think I'd find anyone would not think about this place in other words than beautiful.

Sadly, one day my bucolic tale days were once again interrupted. And yes, you're right, by the very same person we all hate as much as possible – by our blue-haired princess.

I must admit – I don't know how it was possible for her to not realize sooner where I live. But then again – her stupidity was my blessing. And it seemed that I just ran out of it.

That day, when she visited our little island for the first time, I just started eating dinner with my family – kids, Ahri, mom, and Shadow. We were about to celebrate another amazing day here when she decided to interrupt us.

She came with here with her guards and a few servants. Although, to say came would imply that she came here on her own legs. She didn't do that, but instead, her servants were carrying her inside a sedan chair. I guess she just had to flex about how much more she had compared to all those kids here. As if those kids gave a single damn about her.

But that didn't matter I guess. This person was just a stereotypical case of superiority complex.

When she came out of her sedan chair, she once again had that smirk on her face that I hated so much. Her face was saying 'I won again'. I guess she had a point there. She had finally found me. Don't mind the fact that she could have found this place days ago, just by simply following me here or by asking someone where I lived. But yeah, let's all pretend this is her victory.

"Well, well, well. What a nice place you have here. I must admit, I didn't think you would live here, but I was mistaken. I am surprised." She started, while she slowly started to come closer to me. "But you must learn to have a better taste in people. Orphans, really?"

After her words, some of the kids had tears in her eyes. Not all of them accepted the fact that our mother was the only person in their life caring for them – at least for now. So Himitria's words struck some pain into their hearts.

You didn't need to have any special powers to know, that those kids were hurt by those words. And you also didn't need to be some form of a specialist to know, that if someone takes so much pleasure in giving those poor kids pain, then there is definitely something wrong with this person.

For a second I watched her, waiting for her next move. Yet all she did was just waiting. She wanted to see my reaction. She wanted to know how I will react in this situation. She wanted to provoke me into doing something. Anything.

And she succeeded.

"Watch your words Lady Himitria." I growled from anger. "Because there is no one here who would help you avoid consequences." The tension became stronger with every next second. None of us wanted to give up. I felt my anger boiling inside me, waiting to explode. At that point, I considered it a miracle that I didn't attack her the moment she offended my family.

On the other hand, she was also having a hard time controlling her anger. Her frustration was just leaking out of her body. Perhaps she was also on the verge of exploding from anger.

"You're forgetting to whom you are talking to. But I will give you one last chance to return where your place is. Or perhaps I should burn this place to the ground? With all of the kids inside?" Her tone became more psychotic with every next word coming out of her filthy mouth. At that point, my instinct was telling me to reap her head of the rest of her body.

"Try. But the only one burning will be you." Before I could do anything, Ahri decided to join our heated discussion. "I bet your skin will like heat treatment. You will be melting beauty."

Ahri was hissing like an enraged animal. Her pupils in her eyes were narrowed as much a possible. All of her tails, hell, her entire body were in a ready-to-fight position. In her right hand, a blue flame appeared, ready to unleash its power at any moment.

At first, Himitria was terrified. She was barely standing on her ground. Ahri was scaring the hell out of her. But then, she regained her smirk, as if she just got an advantage against us

"And who are you? I don't remember seeing such… a bizarre creature like you ever in my life… No… wait… I know who you are. You are that lost slave of the Shu clan! Yes, now I remember. I should take you back to the capital then, back where you belong – to the slave cage."

I had a fire burning in my eyes. The red color was slowly burning away any other colors from my eyes. I didn't want just to kill her. Now I wanted to slaughter her, destroy and reduce her, her family and everything that belong to her to nothing but ashes. As soon as possible.
"I am not a slave! I am Verphis' wife!"

Ahri's cry was what for a few moments brought me back to reality. I was happy. For some reason I was happy. I knew already that she will be with me always, and she will back me up in all moments. But it would always touch my heart whenever she would do it. I really did find a love of my life.

But of course, even a sweet moment like this had to be destroyed by this blue-haired bitch.

"Wife? That slave... That animal is your wife?" Himitria started to laugh maniacally as if she just had an attack of hilarity. "You call that disgusting thing your wife? This is the funniest thing I ever heard in my life! To think you would love this animal whore!"

I looked at my wife for a second. I noticed that Himitria's words hurt her much. She had tears falling from her eyes.

That was it. That was the last thing. When I heard what she said about my wife… When I saw tears falling from my goddess's eyes… That was it. No more holding up. No more human side. Anything that resembled human emotions in me just got obliterated. There was only one thing in my mind.

It was beyond fury, it was beyond rage. Whatever it was, it took away me completely. All I know, that I must kill the monster that dared to make my goddess cry. And so I jumped in her direction.

"YOU ARE DEAD MEAT!" I roared like a dragon, while I unleashed my wings and summoned the fire all around me.

I knew it. Even when my mind was blacked out when only my inner rage remained, I knew one thing – she was going to die. As most painfully as my instinct could imagine. I could already see her limbs being torn apart from her body, her skin and hair being ignited with flames, the probably disgusting smell of her rotten flesh and bones.

And I was this close. She wasn't able to notice me, I was too fast for her to notice. She wasn't able to do anything. My fist was already aiming right in her face. I knew it wouldn't take a second for me to kill her. My fist, just an inch from her face.
"Issei no!"

Something stopped me. Every cell in my body at that moment disobeyed me. My fist wouldn't move even millimeter closer to her face. And I knew why. I knew exactly why.

It was my mom's voice. She gave me an order. The one I could not disobey. My rage, my fury, all of my frustration and power just left me the moment she raised her voice. All I could do is to wonder why she would not let me just kill her. Or perhaps I already knew the answer?

I was still standing near Himitria, with my fist almost touching her face. Her face had a shocked expression mixed with fear. It could have been the first time in her life when someone really tried to kill her. Who knows?

I slowly moved away my fist from her face and turned around, deciding to return to my wife. Looking at this disgusting blue-haired bitch was just making me want to vomit. Never before in my life, I met a more delusional woman than her. Perhaps she was even more delusional than the entire ORC together.

Himitria's shock didn't last long. She recovered before I could rejoin my family. As if this pathetic waste of air couldn't be more infuriating.

"You!" At first, I thought she once again tries to call me, but I notice a frown on my mom's face. I wondered what this time our princess was going to say. "Who are you to command my slave? He is my slave, how dare you give him any orders! Tell me who you are so that I can order to kill you!"

The red color was once again replacing everything in my vision. Once again, the rage was building up, screaming to me to deliver the final blow, to kill her as soon as possible. But I noticed my mother's expression on her face. She was pleading me to just come to her, to not indulge in my rage. She didn't need any words for me to understand and obey. She was right. I should remain calm.

So I joined her, standing next to her and my wife. For some reason, I felt that no matter what happens, the Ashburn princess will not get what she needs. She will lose. And most of all, I felt peace.

"So, you react to name Issei, hm? So be it, Issei, kill that woman! Teach her that she should always respect me!" Himitria tried a different approach. She thought that I will obey her with my earth name. But I didn't even move a muscle. I didn't do anything at all. I knew I should feel at least anger, but something was calming me down.

I recognized this feeling. This was definitely a mother's doing. She was making sure I won't explode.

"Dear princess, isn't it normal for any child to obey his mother? No matter how much you will try, what names you will use on him, he won't listen to you. He won't obey this order, nor any other. He only obeys those he loves."

The mother's voice was calm. Like a forest on a sunny day. She was literally an oasis of peace.

But Himitria didn't seem to be affected by mom's calmness. She was burning with rage, like every other spoiled killed who was denied something. And she didn't seem to understand that she won't win here.

"You… You're his mother? Good… Good. So be it. Since you didn't teach him how to obey his betters, I will be the one who will give him this lesson. Verphis… Issei, whatever your true name is… if you won't obey me, as you should, then I will personally imprison and torture your mother, I will sell your wife to a whorehouse where her place is, and I will make sure that those worms from this dirty orphanage are going to burn with this place! You hear me Verphis?! I will make you an obedient dog, even if I will have to make your life a living hell for-"
"No more."

Himitria's voice was suddenly cut off. She couldn't utter a single word. As if someone just took it away. She tried to speak, to yell, to scream, but not a single sound was coming out of her mouth.

"No more. No more malicious words coming from you. You will not regain your voice until you learn to speak without a venom in your mouth."

And just like my mother said, Himitria could speak no longer. No matter how much she tried, her throat could not produce a single sound. And I must admit – I actually liked this moment. It gave me so much satisfaction. Her awful mouth was finally closed. No more being called a slave or anything. Just peace.

The same couldn't be told about the victim of this command. The rage was still written all over Himitria's face, and it seemed that nothing will be able to wipe it out for a long time. I understood her rage, I mean, her pride was literally destroyed at this very moment. Sadly for her, no one seemed to be sorry… Not like she would ever deserve such a feeling from anyone.

Himitria finally decided to admit her lose here, and came back to her sedan-chair, and waited for her servants to take her back home… Well, her Elyne home that is. As much as I wanted her ass to be back in the Capital City, I knew that I will have to deal with her for a little longer.

As soon as her procession disappeared from our eyes, we decided to go back to our meals. I quickly heated all the dishes, so that kids would not complain about dinner being cold. Our appetites and our happy mood came back very fast.

Yet I could still a frown on both mom and Ahri's faces. They were worried.

"Issei… You do realize, that this girl is very dangerous? She is willing to do everything just to get you. And I am afraid that what I did today to her will only unleash her inner monster." My mother started with a saddened voice. Her eyes were distant as if she was somewhere else with her thoughts. "I… I am afraid that something is coming. And she seems to be the beginning of it all."

Moments like those would always remind me how much I didn't know about my mother. She had weird powers that I could not explain, she could look into someone's soul without any problem. She could control nature, or even command powerful beast. Even Ddraig seemed to feel respect for her, even though even he could not explain it.

And on top of that, she seemed to know many things that she should not. From past, present, and future, as if she more than any living person on this planet. Her eyes sometimes seemed to wander around places I could only imagine.

She didn't even look like someone born in this world. And I know that neither do I or Ahri, but sometimes mother seemed to be more extraterrestrial than any of us.

And yet I never dared to ask her about anything related to who or what she actually was. Even if I was curious, part of me didn't want to know the answer. Was it fear? Or was it something else?

"I hate this… This woman… She is trying to hurt you! She is trying to use you! I hate her so much! I want her to disappear, to be turned into nothing more than ashes!" From my thoughts, I was soon pulled out by my wife's outburst of anger. I knew she hated her. And I knew Ahri will soon jump into action. "I would do anything… So that she would finally leave you alone."

Sometimes I would forget about my wife's certain tendencies towards other people, especially the ones trying to get too close to me. I didn't have any problems with that, I knew that she was just trying to protect me and was always afraid of losing me. Her overprotectiveness of me was very cute… and dangerous for those standing on the other side.

Thankfully I didn't have to worry about her Yandere side kicking in. I wasn't cheating her, I wasn't having sex with anyone else. I was faithful to her. Yet I knew something was driving her mad. Especially when it came to deal with anything and anyone from the capital city. She knew what some people tried to do to me during some of my missions. It would take a really great effort from my side to make sure she won't go on a rampage to kill everyone who dared to even look at me in the wrong way.

Some people would say, that she loved me literally too much. Perhaps they were right. But she was everything to me. Thanks to her I didn't have to be afraid. I didn't have to lie about myself, about my insecurities, my imperfections. She accepted me the way I was. I could only do the same thing for her… Which is easy when you're in love with someone.

So when I sensed another incoming yandere rage outburst, all I could do for a moment was to simply hug her. I could understand her feelings, I could relate to her.

And so we stayed like this, in complete silence, surrounded by family and Centaurian version of an Eden.

All we had to do right now, was to prepare for the future.

What I couldn't know at that time, was that no matter what I would try to do, nothing would prepare for what was coming…


And that is it. I know, a bit of a short chapter, without any major fight or anything, but I needed a chapter like this, a bridge between action in chapter 21 and what I am going to write in the next chapter.

At first, I wanted to write another small part about a certain event coming to Elyne, but then I decided to make a full chapter about what is going to happen in Elyne instead of making a cliffhanger here. So next is going to be about the Invasion of Elyne.

I know, that many of you wish to see Himitria Ashburn dead – and I would like to assure you, trust me, I have everything under control, I have plans about what to do for her… [Spoiler!] in the next chapter. So be patient, the final episode of our blue-haired spoiled princess is coming.

Many of you also asked me about when there will be chapters about the DxD side… All I am going to say about it right now is this: After this story-arc. And when does this story-arc will end? Well, I would wish to end this story-arc within… 5 chapters? I don't know right now if it will be possible, I still have 3 major events (the first one you already know about) I'd like to write about that are important for Issei/Verphis character development.

But, this story-arc is slowly ending, which is confirmed information. And once again, I'll show you all the story-arc I am planning for this story.

1. Prologue – completed.
2. Memories of Centauria – completed.
3. Downfall – in progress, slowly coming to an end.
4. Fade to Black – What happened on the DxD side.
5. Secret War – Verphis returns to the DxD World, very Similar to DxD Ex (hint hint).
6. Game of Shadows – after the Betrayal.
7. Dragon May Cry.
8. The Tragedy of Monsters.
9. Game Over/The Beginning.

So, that's it. I'd like to thank you for 331 favorites, 345 followers and 115 219 views… Wow, just thank you very much! It means a lot to me.

Don't forget to comment on this story, send PM if you have any additional questions. And remember that my poll is still open.

And I guess that's it. See you guys in the next chapter!