Chapter 28 View from the Dragon's Den
I don't own DxD; I just use its characters and techniques. All credit goes to its creator. Same applies for anything that I used from other animes
AN: Most of this chapter takes place over the same time period as chapter 27 but it's done in more of Issei's perspective. Get ready
(Issei P.O.V)
I couldn't believe my eyes as Murayama put my name on the blackboard to act as Asia's partner. "Issei I hope you don't mind but I want you to be Asia's partner for the three-legged race. You helped the kendo club so much and I feel like your athleticism would help with Asia since she's not as athletic as we are" Murayama said cutely.
"How can I say no to one of my girls?" I replied with a relaxed smile. I could do so very easily considering Murayama's reason was a total lie. The truth was that Murayama figured that if I was around Asia more, I'd be more willing to help stop Diodora who had obviously bad intentions for her. I understood the reasoning, but it was so stupid that I was furious.
"Thanks" Murayama smiled as she wrote my name on the blackboard. As I looked towards the others, I could see a smile on their faces and I from the looks of it the others seemed to be in on it. Well they would pay dearly for that later but for now I would roll with the punches.
(Scene Skip)
The day was nearly over and although my professor was babbling about something, I was still angry at the girls and going through serious mental gymnastics to keep my killer intent in check. Noticing as much, Ddraig finally spoke to me, 'Calm down partner and look at it from that girl's perspective. You don't really have a working relationship with the Gremory heiress at all. She's probably worried that you won't help the nun unless you're emotionally invested in it the way that you were with the kendo girls or with your childhood friend.' Ddraig told me.
'I know all that Ddraig and that's the problem.' I replied. My focus broke as the bell for class rang and the day came to an end. I had to do those mental gymnastics again as Murayama walked towards me.
"Hey manager, are you ready to go." Murayama said with an innocent smile.
"Go on ahead Murayama. I've got business to handle first so I'll be a little late." I replied. The truth was that I wasn't coming and Murayama would know how annoyed I was with her soon enough. Taking out my frustration with Murayama on the kendo club would be unfair to those girls even though quite a few of them were masochists.
"Alright" Murayama replied before leaving with an odd expression. Soon enough everyone was gone, and the only person left was Azazel who looked at me with a smile that suggested he knew what I was thinking.
"In case you were wondering, Bikou is at my apartment playing video games. I'm sure he could use some company since I'll be busy with the ORC." Azazel said knowingly.
"Good to know" I replied with a respectful nod. I'd love to be more annoyed with Azazel for figuring out what I was planning but he gave me something to do. It didn't hurt that I liked Bikou and he was a good guy.
(Scene Skip)
"I don't know whether to be happy to see you or be annoyed because it meant something stupid happened" Bikou chuckled as we relaxed in Azazel's apartment. When I rang the bell Bikou was surprised but let me in anyway and took me to the gaming room.
"Think about it this way. I very rarely choose to go home without enjoying my girls so you should be honored I'm even here." I replied with a flat voice.
"Yeah but since you have two sets of girls. That means that if you're angry at one then you can go see the other two calm down. If you're here with me that means you're fighting with both at once which is pretty impressive." Bikou replied with a wry smile.
Issei figured he could talk it out with someone else and decided to fill Bikou in, "The girls are convinced that I'll be more willing to help get rid of Diodora if I'm closer to Asia and made me her partner for the three legged race at school" I shrugged.
"I mean that makes sense. You do kinda do as you please when it comes to the supernatural." Bikou replied with a flat expression.
I winced a bit since that meant Bikou agreed with what the girls doing on some level, "I understand that, but It's the fact they feel that they need to bribe me to begin with that's insulting. I was always going to protect Asia if for no other reason than she's friends with my other lovers." I admitted. I was brought from my musing when the screen flashed and I was named victor of our latest round of smash brothers.
"I didn't think you'd be this good. From what I hear you spend all your time having sex" Bikou cursed. We had been playing as we spoke and I had just taken the win.
"I play video games when I get the chance since it keeps the mind and fingers sharp. I don't play as much as I used to, but smash is one of my favorite games to play."
"So are video games your secret?" Bikou wondered referring to how I've managed to keep my girls together so easily despite being the type of person I am.
"What fun would it be if I told another guy my secret." I replied with a smirk. It wasn't but I would let Bikou think that for now.
"Good point. Why don't we get some snacks and play another round?" Bikou shrugged.
"Fine by me" I replied until a phone in the room rang. "You gonna get that?"
"Nope. It's probably Valerie wondering if you came over. The girl has terrifying instincts when it comes to stuff like that." Bikou replied. It was more likely that the girls realized I wasn't at the kendo club or the ORC and are calling places I may be.
"Yes she does and luckily for you, no answer is a good answer, because it means she'll accept what's going on and stay away" I shrugged before we returned to the game. Valerie is reasonable and I appreciate that about her.
"Good point." Bikou smiled and we played games for another few hours. It was a nice way to calm myself after my annoyance but despite my anger fading, I was going to make my displeasure known.
(Scene Skip)
That night I relaxed in my room, but I didn't want any company so I set up a powerful barrier that would prevent anybody from coming to see me including Valerie. It was a skill I picked up years ago to hide my continuous training from my parents, but recently it had been to hide my sexual exploits. My parents have some idea and they don't complain, but it doesn't mean I want them knowing everything I do or don't do. "Partner are you sure this is wise. You know they'll want to speak with you."
"Yes I know, but this way it's on my terms. It's why I've locked my room for once also." I smirked. I had a feeling at least one of the girls tried to come visit already and failed. Plus, Irina can come and go as she pleases and she typically does. When she realizes my door is locked, she'll know they messed up and that'll be enough to dissuade them. My stubborn streak was as famous as my sexual history.
"What about your kendo girls. The spell you cast on them is still active and they'll call for you. They've realized that you won't truly cut them off by this point and that's your weakness"
"If they call, I'll say that I'm angry with Murayama." I smiled.
"You're rather cruel."
"Yes, but Murayama should know better than to test me like that. I figure she'll learn her lesson and we'll go from there." I replied. Sure enough, one of the necklaces activate and when I confirmed it wasn't Murayama, I activated a magic circle to go see the girl in question.
Amusingly enough, when the circle faded, I quickly felt a large pair of breasts squish against my chest. "Manager you came" the girl in question smiled and I looked down at one of the more interesting members of the kendo club.
"At this point I might as well Miyuki, especially since you girls keep ignoring what I say and using the necklace for booty calls" I smiled. Miyuki was a short girl with lightly tanned skin light blue hair that was cut right at her shoulders and brown eyes. Her most notable feature were her high C-cup breasts which she bound during competitions but were out in full during the school day. If Haruna was Rias's rival, Miyuki was Koneko's since they were around the same height, but unlike the flat nekomata, Miyuki's breasts were around the size of Irina's. Miyuki was the walking definition of an Oppai loli and he was sure Matsuda hated him because of that.
"I'm sorry, but I was nervous because you didn't show up today. Especially when Murayama told us you weren't at the ORC either. I thought you might've abandoned us again" Miyuki said tearfully.
My expression softened seeing Miyuki cry so I gently kissed her head and wiped the tears off her face, "I'm just a little mad at Murayama so I'm taking a break from the club for around a week. I'll be back after that.
"Promise" Miyuki said hopefully.
"Yep. Now get some sleep." I smiled before kissing her on the head again.
"Okay" Miyuki replied happily. After that I left and went home and relaxed. I hated that I was punishing the girls but they needed to understand that I was angry at them. It was going to be a long week in the end but hey I had to do what I had to do.
(Scene Skip)
Since I wasn't going to the kendo club or the ORC due to my issue with Murayama, I had nothing to do after school. Fortunately for me, or unfortunately depending on who you ask, my schedule was quickly occupied thanks to two people. The first person was Bikou who was glad to have a video game partner, and the second, to my admitted surprise, was Seekvaira Agares who just kept calling me to come see her. What started as me handing over Gundam had become a decent bond and I wasn't about to complain since it gave me something to do. When she asked me why I was so free all the sudden, I told her about what happened. "You're being rather harsh to the girls Issei?" Seekvaira smiled as she brought me some tea before sitting next to me on her couch in some casual clothes.
"How do you figure?" I replied as I grabbed the remote and played the Gundam video we were watching wanting to focus on the TV instead of this conversation. Seekvaira promptly grabbed the remote and paused it again. She hated interrupting her Gundam time, so I knew she was serious.
"Based on what you told me. Diodora will go after Asia the minute he gets a chance. Having you as a part of the plans to stop him is critical since we know how intelligent you are. Plus we both know that you do as you please. Our relationship is a perfect example" Seekvaira replied flatly.
I groaned because this was quickly becoming a common theme, "Not you too Seekvaira." I groaned.
Seekvaira smiled at my response before surprising me by suddenly straddling my waist, "Yes me and speaking of our relationship, we have something to discuss." Seekvaira said with a surprisingly sultry voice. "I've invited you over to my home plenty of times and we've spent plenty of time together watching Gundam videos. Are you simply stringing me along like you did Rias or is there something genuine going on between us?" Seekvaira wondered.
I took a deep breath and smiled, "I'm not stringing you along Seekvaira. I genuinely think you're a good person and I'm glad to be your friend" I replied calmly. It looks like I'm going to add another supernatural lover to my collection and this one wasn't planned at all.
Seekvaira smiled, "Well in that case 'friend'. How about we do something you like instead of something I like." Seekvaira smiled.
"Alright but I think we're in the wrong area to do what I like." I said with a smile grabbing her ass with my left hand to show my approval.
Seekvaira simply smiled and took my hand and got up from her spot on my laugh, "Then shall we go somewhere a bit more comfortable." Seekvaira smiled.
"Lead the way" I said happily ready to enjoy my other favorite hobby.
(Scene Skip)
The cold war between me and the girls continued for the next few days until the ice was broken in a very interesting way. Asia herself asked me to speak with her and she was distressed from the look on her face. Clearly Asia was bothered by the cold war and she realized that nothing would change unless somebody did something. I naturally accepted and Asia nodded in understanding, "Here we go" I smirked as I teleported to Asia's room ready for what I fully expected would be a simple conversation. I wasn't surprised to find that the room was basic in every aspect of the word, and Asia was sitting on her bed in a green nightgown with white frills. Unsurprisingly, Asia just wanted to know if she was why I had treated Murayama so badly. When I joked about how pure she was, I must admit that I didn't expect the next series of words to come out of her mouth.
"If I hire you, will you tell me what's really going on?" Asia said nervously.
I couldn't believe it, she wanted to hire me the same way Yumi did when Riser was still a headache. When she reaffirmed that belief I could only smile, and I even teased that I could and would have my way with her if that's what she wanted. Amusingly she seemed to accept that and I couldn't decide if it was a good thing or bad thing. Ultimately, I decided that there was something else that she could help me with and it was far more reasonable, "Your price will be to tell me if a person named Diodora Astaroth ever approaches you Asia." I said calmly knowing that would serve my purposes much better at this point.
"You know him too." Asia replied and that was an eye opener in a major way. When I asked her to explain she revealed that that Diodora had come to see Asia personally and had seen the girls on their way to school and as a result would be in the crosshairs of a very angry Irina. Luckily for me, it went off without incident, but now things were getting troublesome. When she asked me more, I decided to tell Asia the truth about Diodora and his twisted connection to her. Asia was clearly shaken and it appeared as though the final blow was struck on the nun's innocence. Now things were about to get interesting.
(Scene Skip)
After I left Asia's, my first move was to teleport over to Murayama's and tell her that her isolation was over even though the week wasn't up. She wanted to celebrate right then and there, but I figured it would be more fun to do it via our usual spot in the kendo club the next morning and she agreed. As promised, I went over to the kendo club locker room and opened the door wondering what would be waiting for me once I closed it. I barely took three steps before a naked Murayama gave me a massive bear hug and before long normal service was resumed. "Keep fucking me you stud! God, I missed this dick of yours" Murayama cried out happily as I slammed into her. Yep, it was time for good old makeup sex.
"You've really missed this huh. What a pervy girl you are." I smiled as I hammered her from behind with my hands against her breasts as she leaned against her locker
"Yes and I'm your pervy girl. Remind my pussy who it belongs too" Murayama said happily in an almost possessive voice. The fun continued for a few moments, but my phone vibrated loudly which was a surprise. "You don't have to get that. Just keep fucking me!" Murayama cried out.
"Sadly I do." I replied and pulled out briefly much to her disappointment. My phone is a resource that practically nobody uses and for them to send me a message could only mean trouble. When I walked over and checked my phone my annoyance grew something Murayama noticed as well.
"Do we have to stop." Murayama wondered seeing the expression on my face.
"No we don't" I replied before focusing my magic and having a second Issei appeared. I told the clone to go to the ORC and figured the rest would take care of itself after that. When he left, my focus returned to Murayama.
"We don't have to be in class until second period, right?" Murayama said with an innocent tone that was anything but.
Homeroom was dull outside of my good mornings and first period was a boring class that I could skip anyway. Second period was history and sadly we had a test. "That sounds about right." I replied with a smile.
"Good because you're making up for some of the time you missed mister." Murayama insisted. My only response was to walk back over to Murayama and slide into her dripping snatch as she howled with joy. Well this was my life and I wouldn't have it any other way. Well a little bit less drama would be nice.
(Scene Skip)
The next day I noticed there was a letter inside my shoebox when I arrived at school. Quickly opening it, I discovered it was a message from Azazel which could only be bad news. 'Come to my office immediately.' It was a simple task since and I walked over to the office of the Fallen Angel leader and opened the door ready for anything.
"Hello Issei?" Serafall Leviathan said much to my amusement. Instead of wearing a business suit she was in a pink costume that was from Milky Spiral if I remembered correctly.
"Well this is a surprise. I figured you'd go bug Sona for something if you were actually in Kuoh." I said with a smile trying to hide my annoyance. If Serafall was here, it could only mean one of two things and neither of them were good.
"I'm not dumb Issei. Sona would've been suspicious if I showed up out of nowhere." Serafall replied. That confirmed it she was acting most of the time to make people not realize what was going on. An impressive skill if I was being honest
"Given the look on your face, I take it you know why she's here." Azazel frowned.
"Yep. It's time for Rias to face Diodora isn't it." I replied with a groan of annoyance. One of the other reasons I was so annoyed at Murayama and the girls was because I knew that this type of thing was coming. Diodora was simply too troublesome for them to not have a plan in place and it seemed like it was time to discuss what they did next.
"That's right. The official announcement won't be until tomorrow and it means we need to discuss the plan to protect Asia." Azazel frowned.
"What do you have in mind." I replied with a smile. Rias wasn't going to like this at all and neither were the girls. Sadly, there was nothing they could do about it. All they can do is protect Asia and hope for the best.
(Scene Skip)
A day later I returned home to find Irina sitting on the couch dressed in some casual clothes. While I had returned to the kendo club, I still hadn't spoken to the ORC and Irina clearly had business to discuss with me, "Can we talk?" Irina said solemnly.
"Sure" I nodded. I knew exactly what she wanted to discuss and I didn't mind since this was just another part of the game. We walked up to my room before I got onto the bed with Irina taking her place next to me.
"We found out that Rias is facing Diodora today?" Irina sighed.
"I know. Zaz told me yesterday. I would've told you but Zaz told me to keep it a secret" I replied.
"I should be angry at you for not telling us about that but if Azazel had you keep it a secret there's nothing I can do. Honestly I just hate that Asia has to deal with all of this." Irina groaned in frustration. If Irina had her way, she'd have probably killed Diodora
"Well what we can do is work with Rias to help Asia get stronger and watch over her like you guys have." I replied. The fact that Asia was training was a start.
"Yeah but it still sucks." Irina pouted. I could only smile before wrapping my arm around Irina and pulling her into my body.
"It does suck but there's nothing you can do. Right now, everyone needs to look after Asia and hope that things take care of themselves."
"Yeah" Irina sighed as we cuddled until it was time for dinner.
(Scene Skip)
After dinner was over, Irina went back home to Xenovia and Asia and I was left alone yet again. I was relaxing on my bed when a magic circle appeared in my room and Valerie popped out. Valerie's casual outfit told me she was here for business and not pleasure which was fine by me. "Mind if we talk?" Valerie wondered.
"Sure, just sit on the chair." I replied with Valerie quickly following suit.
"Tell me Issei, what do you think Diodora's big plan is." Valerie wondered.
"That's the million-yen question." I replied. We knew Diodora was after Asia, we suspect he would get the Khaos Brigade involved, but there was a huge piece of the puzzle missing.
Valerie and I both stood silent for a few minutes before Valerie spoke up, "Actually, the million-yen question was. How would he get away after taking her?"
"Continue" I nodded since that was the piece that nobody had figured out yet.
"Theoretically he would try to take her sometime during the rating game since we've changed her route to school and she always has a guard of people with her. Unlike with the church, Rias and the others will be watching her like a hawk just like they are now. If he somehow manages to take her, how will he get away from an angry Rias and her peerage" Valerie explained.
"So we have to think of the plan as two parts. Part one is how he gets Asia and Part two is how he prevents Rias from getting to her after he takes her." I replied.
Valerie was contemplating something before she seemed to get an Ah-hah look on her face, "Of course! That's why he's working with the Khaos Brigade!" Valerie exclaimed.
Her words sparked something in me and it was my turn to add to the theory, "He's going to use the Khaos Brigade as a distraction for Rias and take Asia while Rias is distracted. The Khaos Brigades attack will also force Rias to deal with them and it would buy him some time to escape."
"Yes but here's the problem. We're waiting for the Khaos Brigade to attack which means we'd get backup in short order Not only would he fail to buy much time, but he was a dead man walking." I scowled.
The sour look on Valerie's face told it all and she was clearly as perplexed as I was, "Well on that note, see ya Issei. I'm not in the mood tonight" Valerie smiled bitterly. It spoke to how wild this situation was that Valerie wasn't in the mood. Oh well, I wasn't either to be honest.
(Scene Skip
I would've never guessed that a morning game of smash brothers would provide the key to figuring out Diodora's plan but that's what happened. My opponent for the game was Dr Mario and when I watched him absorb my attack and send it right back to me, I realized what Diodora was planning to do. "That's it" I gasped as I dropped my controller in realization.
The Rating Games were done in a separate dimension because throwing around power the way they did would cause too much damage in the real world. Diodora was going to hijack his rating game with Rias and bring him to a dimension of his choosing. Rias would be distracted by the change of venue, and he'd use the opening to take Asia before unleashing the Khaos Brigade to serve as the real distraction. That was phase 1 of his trap, and while it was clever, phase 2 was the nasty part.
Diodora is smart enough to know that he wouldn't be able to get away with taking Asia for very long. In phase 2 he would find a way to reverse Asia's sacred gear and unleash it on the group coming after him at a time of his choosing and if he could control the range, the one weakness that would normally arise. He would turn Asia into an unwilling bomb that would slaughter everyone that came to stop him. As Asia was reeling from having killed everyone, he would claim her as he wanted. It was a vicious plan and a part of me appreciated how ruthless it was. Reaching for my phone I sent a message to Azazel telling him I had a theory and that we should discuss it later.
(Scene Skip)
Sitting in homeroom I smiled as I awaited the arrival of most of my girls. The cold war was officially over and in truth the supernatural girls in my life hadn't received much love recently but that was about to change. A smiling Katase and Murayama walked in and as usual took their spot on my lap making out with me for thirty seconds before going to their seats. Then in walked Ingvild Karlamine and Yumi who saw me nod and took their spots getting their own thirty second makeout sessions before taking their spot. Finally came Irina Xenovia and Asia. Irina and Xenovia went over and got their time, but then I was surprised to see Asia come over with a blush on my face. "So do you want a turn." I smiled aware that Asia had a decision to make. Would she take the first step in joining the ranks of my harem or would she continue to watch from the outside?
The answer ended up being neither as Asia simply straddled my waist and wrapped her arms around me before putting her head on my neck as though to cuddle, "I think this is enough for now." Asia replied softly and we simply cuddled for a minute. Considering what she'd been through, I think she needed something like this just to calm herself down. Then again, the match with Diodora was fast approaching and something told me that Asia would need all the courage she could get.
That's it for Chapter 28 everybody and yeah this is getting fun. In the next chapter the gang makes their final preparations for the battle with Diodora and Issei learns about a surprising addition to their fighting force.