Disclaimer: I do not own High School DxD and Fate and do not gain profit from this writing.

Chapter 7

It was another ordinary day for Lancer, at least that's what she wanted to believe.

3 days ago Tannin had demanded Issei to impregnate his daughter in exchange for the technique to turn into a human again. Issei then was ordered to live in the same cave as Gova, the youngest daughter of Tannin and the twin sister of Bova who was Tannin's third son. Both were only 100 years old or so, the youngest pair of natural born dragons of this land. Issei didn't have an answer yet, but Tannin had him live with his daughter anyway.

For Lancer she was guided to stay at a guest cave, but it was too big for a human so the dragons asked if she wanted them to dig a new cave for her. However when Lancer told them that she had her own house they were fine with her staying in it. The cave was large enough that she could put the stone house Merlin gave them before in it, and still had space. Since the culture of dragons was different from human's this was not considered rude for Lancer not to stay in the appointed guest house.

Lancer went to wash her face and found herself at the table with a cup of raw oatmeal. She didn't have the appetite, and the alcohol tasted like mud water in her mouth. Though she was glad that Issei did ask Merlin to trade for food.

It was interesting for Lancer to learn that dragons didn't provide food for their guests. 'If one wants to eat then she must hunt by herself.' Said by the dragon sent to guide her to their hunting field, which was bigger than a city. Unlike humans dragons didn't care for animal husbandry. That's why the games were running free in their habitats. Whenever a dragon was hungry he would fly down and grab one of them for a meal. According to the guide the total landmass of Tannin's territory was roughly the size of the Europe continent, so for a thousand dragons they would never run out of food anytime soon.

'I should be happy.'

Lancer recalled her original plan when they arrived at the Reverse Side of the World. Did she not want to find a female dragon for Issei to couple with in order to relieve his sexual need?

'Lord Tannin has approved it. Issei too should feel at home with a female of his race. It will be a matter of time before he takes Lady Gova as his wife and cares for her the rest of his life.'

This was the solution. Once Issei had impregnated Gova he would be permitted to learn shapeshifting, and they would be back to Earth so Issei could reunite with his family. Lancer should be happy that Issei's problem was about to be solved. This way they could be together… as friends, maybe more if Issei ordered her to.

'... I have to accept this outcome.'

Lancer finished the last spoon of oatmeal. It was bland, as it should be.

"...!"

Lancer could hear a commotion outside. Ever since that day she hadn't stepped out of her house. With everything here it wasn't necessary for her to come out for food or other commodities, but that wasn't the biggest reason why she did so.

Lancer stepped to the window to hear what was going on.

"Come on, Bova is gonna fight that red whelp!"

"I want to see some real blood! It sucks that Tannin doesn't let us fight to the death!"

The dragons quickly flew away, but Lancer had learned what was happening now. She quickly changed into clothes and followed the flock of dragons.

On a plain she could see a large dragon in purple scales, and another one in red scales. It was obvious to her who the latter one was.

"My name is Bova the Destroyer! I am the third son of Tannin the Blaze Meteor Dragon! I heard from my father that you are to father my sister's children! How dare you touch her without asking my permission first!" He roared angrily. "I'm gonna smash that face of yours for that!"

Issei on the other hand said nothing. He only returned the aggression with a glare, his body was tense and Boosted Gear was activated for combat.

More dragons had gathered around to watch the two, obviously eager to see how this would play out. None of them seemed to notice her, but she could still pick out some curious stare.

"Heh, too scared to talk? Fine, let's begin then. Now since you are a hatchling it is no fun if I break your neck instantly so let's do it this way: We will take turns hitting and taking hits from each other, and the first one to yield or die lose!"

Bova didn't wait for Issei's reply, he simply unleashed a left straight into the red dragon's chest. Fortunately Issei was fast enough to react to his attack. He crossed his arms in an X shape to block it with Boosted Gear on top. The force behind the attack was still strong enough to push Issei back for more than 10 meters however.

Lancer could see that Issei had clenched and used reinforcement on his arms and body, but he still took considerable damage. His Sacred Gear was also cracked, tough as it was.

"Hah! Block all you want, it's all useless against my strength!" Bova slapped his chest. "Now it's your turn, come here you weakling! Show me what you got!"

Issei immediately rushed to Bova for retaliation. A loud sound was made when his fist hit Bova's chest, but there was no reaction.

"... Hey, what's this?" Bova glared at Issei. "What is this weak dogshit attack? This is the strength of the Red Welsh Dragon?"

Bova grabbed Issei's neck and slammed him down onto the ground, turning it into a deep crater. Lancer had to hold herself back so she wouldn't interfere when Issei coughed up blood.

She knew that this was Issei's fight, and if she helped him every dragons would look down on them. Lancer didn't care if they laughed behind her back, but Issei's life would become miserable if such a thing happened.

"It's not over yet you piece of shit. Stand up and fight!"

Issei struggled to recover, but he did, and this time he flapped his wings into the sky. From above he charged into Bova with his head, using his horns to crash against the bigger purple dragon.

However the attack was ineffective like before. Bova suffered no damage whatsoever when he took Issei headon.

"Tell you what, since my next attack will kill you I will let you hit me first." Bova sneered. "That way no one will complain that I didn't give you a chance."

Issei retreated back a few steps, his body still reeling from the previous damage. Despite his disadvantages Issei didn't try to escape or surrender. He took a deep breath, and exhaled.

"Thanks for the offer. I was hoping that I could hold on a little longer, but I can't stand you anymore."

[Explosion!]

"100 seconds have passed, scumbag."

Issei swung his tail no, he swung his entire body with the tail coiled before releasing it into Bova. Lancer noticed that Issei's tail had been healed so he could execute this attack.

A shockwave spreaded through the plain when the tail smashed into Bova's chest, sending him into the hill far away. An explosion could be heard with dust kicked up from there.

'I see. So he has been saving the Boost for one surprise attack.'

Issei couldn't hurt the physically stronger Bova normally, but with a haymaker and Boosted Gear he totally could.

"You have guts, I'll give you that!"

Bova returned quicker than Lancer had expected. Blood was spurting from his mouth with a toothy smile, but he didn't have the intention to stop.

'A thug he is, the bloodline of Tannin cannot be underestimated. That tail bash of Issei should have the power surpassing that of an A rank noble phantasm, yet he just flies back here within seconds.'

Dragons truly are resilient apex predators.

If Lancer was to take that attack directly in the war, she would have been dead, armor or not.

Issei was ready for the second round. However before Bova could do anything another dragon dropped on him from the sky, knocking him out instantly.

"Alright the show is over everyone. Get back to your caves."

The new dragon also had the same purple scales, and from the whisper of the dragons around her Lancer learned it was Bova's elder brother. The audience booed him, but none of them dared to go against his words.

The match was over, and Issei came out as the victor. With this show of force he wouldn't be harassed by other dragons, and there wouldn't be any wedge between him and Gova.

When she first met him he was only a commoner who couldn't hold a knife to save his life, but now he had become powerful enough to survive a game against an authentic dragon. With time he would grow even more powerful, and become worthy of the title Heavenly Dragon.

He... didn't need her protection anymore.

Lancer turned back and left before Issei could catch her in the crowd. She had been avoiding Issei so he wouldn't have a second thought now, and she didn't want to change that. On her way she saw another purple scales dragon, but the body of this one was sleeker unlike the board frames of Bova and Tannin. Lancer had seen this dragon before, and she knew this was Issei's future mate, Gova.

Their eyes met for a brief moment before Lancer went on her way.

"Coward."

The female dragon's word failed to stop the knight's legs, but the weight it carried clung on her mind like a mountain.

Nothing extraordinary happened until Lancer was summoned by Tannin himself the next week, so she had no choice but to go meet him.

"How are you doing, Lancer?"

Tannin casually asked her in his cave, which was more of a royal chamber than a lair of an animal. It was filled with gold, sculptures, armors and weapons along with tomes. She had no doubt that he must have noticed her Welsh Dragon blood coursing through her veins, but chose to pay no mind to it.

"My life has been nice and easy thanks to your generosity, Lord Tannin."

There was a golden apple in front of Lancer, but she wasn't in a mood for it.

"You know, there hasn't been any progress on those two."

Tannin said in a deep voice, and he didn't eat his apple either.

"At this point it might take years, maybe decades before my daughter will be blessed with a child. Now we dragons have time to spare, but you two are not in a position to do that, right?"

"... What is your proposal?"

"Simple. If Issei finds it difficult to impregnate my daughter, then you can take his place and bear a child from one of my sons. What I want is a new hatchling in my land, either his or your child will fulfill my requirement for teaching him the art of shapeshifting."

"..."

"You're still young, give it some time to consider."

Lancer walked back to her home in a daze. Not even the cold shower could ease her mind, and she went to bed with her eyes wide open when it was before lunch.

"... Why?"

It was a logical choice. She could help Issei with this. Her body was meant to be used as a tool. Lancer knew they wouldn't be able to reconcile if she chose to do it, but that the same result would happen if she confessed everything anyway.

Therefore, it was better if she could be of use for him on his quest to become a human again. This was her responsibility after all. Afterward she could become Issei's shadow the rest of her life, or if she was lucky her body would still be desired by his lust.

"... But why?"

Lancer knew it was the logical choice, but why couldn't she just accept it? She felt that there was a huge hole in her heart. It sucked away her reasoning, and induced fear into her mind.

A fear that overwhelmed everything, it warned her that once she stepped on the wrong path there would be no turning back.

Lancer let out a long sigh. She knew they shouldn't spend too much time on the Reverse Side of the World, but this was a big decision that should be thoroughly considered.

The war was over.

The end of midnight was coming. The last pair of master and servant were in front of the ruined church, licking their wounds and lamenting on their loss.

Lancer stood behind her master Issei, who had become a dragon due to the dragon core. A decision made to keep her alive in this war. On his hands was the emptied holy grail.

The next minute her master would use his Sacred Gear on the grail, and she would be granted a wish. Lancer calmly breathed out, she patiently waited for Issei.

"I'm sorry." Issei sighed. "I can't keep my promise to you."

'Eh?'

The dragon turned back with the grail, his eyes looked sorry for her.

"It was nice to be your partner in this war. Too bad we lose because I'm a trash master." Issei scratched his head.

'Wha…'

"I guess this is goodbye then. I hope you will win another war to fulfill your wish."

Light began to cover Lancer's body, and she could feel it slowly disintegrated into particles.

This was the natural result. They had lost the war so there was no reason for Lancer to attain a grail. Even if her master could cheat the system to drag a wish out of it there was no reason for him to grant it to his servant when he needed it more than her.

Issei was correct. Lancer was a heroic spirit now. She had infinite tries in infinite holy grail wars. It would just be a matter of time before she won one, and achieved her wish.

On the other hand Issei only had one life, so he must treasure it. Lancer had no right to demand anything from her master when she had won nothing for him.

So, this was expected. The servant should accept this outcome.

"No!"

Lancer shouted at the top of her lungs. Next she leaped from her bed into the outside world through the window in one motion. She ran amidst the dark night without light. Her companions were the sound of the insects and the passing cold breezes.

"Give me the holy grail so I can pay you back later! I don't want our relationship to end like this!"

It was natural for Lancer to learn where Issei and Gova lived. Due to how big the territory was and how dragons insisted on their privacy the majority of them lived scattered across the continent. This was the reason why it took some days for Bova to search for Issei.

Lancer kept running when the sun rose up. She didn't stop for a second to rest. She would continue to run till another night came, and only then she could finally see the appearance of the hill where Gova lived. She slowed down when she saw the purple dragon standing in front of a cave.

"Lady Gova." Lancer exhaled, trying to catch her breath.

"Why are you here?" Gova asked coldly. "I heard from my father that you would bear my brother's children. There is nothing for you here."

"That is a decision to be made by me and me alone. Not you, not your brothers, and not Tannin can tell me what to do." Lancer fired back.

Yet Gova had a smirk on her face.

"The same goes to me. It is my decision to couple with him and not yours."

"Kuh!" Lancer gritted her teeth.

Should she draw her weapon now? Dragons usually decide things by combat, just like what happened with Issei and Bova. If Lancer wanted to get past Gova then it's possible that she must defeat her in a battle.

"... I'm not in a mood for a fight now." But the purple dragon shook her head.

"That coward has never touched my scales ever since father told him to live here. No spunk at all."

"..."

"You know, it's annoying that some red whelp thinks he can reject a daughter of a dragon king simply because he 'doesn't feel like it'. Hah! As if his value were that high, and I have to watch another female dragon who refuses to do anything and sticks her head into a hole for a week too."

"... My apologies." Lancer slightly bowed her head.

"Well, red scale's not my type anyway." Gova then pointed at the opposite hill. "Go, he's waiting for you."

"Thank you, Lady Gova."

Lancer rushed to that hill, and now she could see that there was indeed a familiar rock house at the foothill.

When Lancer arrived she stopped herself for a second. The knight took a deep breath, she lightly slapped both sides of her face and knocked on the door.

Seconds later Issei opened the door, and was shocked to see her there.

"Lancer!? W-What are you doing here!?"

"I want us to have a talk, Issei."

"Come in, quick! You're naked."

Lancer only noticed that when Issei told her, that she was indeed naked. The two of them quickly went into the house, and Issei brought his blanket for Lancer to cover herself.

"Um do you want tea or-"

"It is not necessary. Please sit down, Issei." She stressed a little.

"Okay then."

The red dragon sat down in the guest room like what Lancer told him to, but still she found it difficult to start the conversation.

Lancer stopped breathing for a moment, and then she began.

"I am the reason why you were dead, Issei."

"What?" Her former master raised an eyebrow, clearly confused by what she said.

"During the holy grail war, I resorted to everything I could to ensure my victory. It was not hard for me to find out you were a loner who desired the companion of females, so I was nice to you. I praised you, played along with your games and at the same time pushed you into a certain direction so that I would stay on top. I was a king, and that wasn't my first time using my charming appearance to make others do what I wanted. What you saw, heard and felt, they were lies made for you. You, Issei Hyodo, was a resource for me to exploit."

That was why she acted nice to him in the restaurant. That was why she agreed to save Akeno's mother. That was why she refused to apologize to her master first.

"I chose to stay with you because of Boosted Gear which hosts the Welsh Dragon. Without it I would have picked another master, since your naivety would cause many troubles for what it's worth. Indeed your Sacred Gear was the factor which allowed me to have a shot at the holy grail despite our loss, but giving up a wish from a divine device isn't so easy when it was within your grasp, was it?"

She kept her heart and mind numb, she wanted to finish this before her emotion could seep in.

"That's why I made sure to engrave a debt in your heart. A favor that you would absolutely return by any means. It was too easy for me, I only needed to save your life a few times for it to work. On that night… On that night I deliberately let you give up your life and future for my goal. I knew I had no right, but the grail was right in front of my eyes. My stepping stone was right within my palms. Furthermore, a part of me thought you did not deserve the grail. A peasant's wish cannot be compared to a king's, after all."

She squeezed her hands tight to stop her body from shaking.

"Do you know that when you have so many lives to rule over, they start to look more like numbers to you? Therefore it is child's play for me to do the math. I can lose one but save ten thousand. It is said that each life should be treasured, but the life of a foreigner in a distant land is nothing to my subjects in my kingdom. You might think that you did it out of your free will, but it was not the truth."

She bit her lips hard, her breath rasped through her nose.

"I was the one who manipulated you to sacrifice yourself in order to fulfill my selfish wish."

She could see her eyes blurred, but she refused to let it continue.

"Issei, I-"

Lancer cut herself short. Saying sorry was too easy, and she didn't have the right for that.

'I am a despicable woman.'

When Lancer returned to be with Issei again she was happy, and elated when he confessed his love for her. However the one he fell in love with was a tool lived for the sake of Camelot.

The very same tool that took away the life of an innocent, for an oath that had nothing to do with him.

She knew there was no way for anyone to forgive her after what she had done, yet she still tried to find a way to ease her guilt to accept his love, because she was too greedy.

Lancer did not want to reject Issei.

'Merlin, oh Merlin. I have done it. I have confessed the truth. I don't hope that this will help me, but I hope I have done the right thing.'

Issei stayed silent, his unmoving body seemed too large for her, and his eyes seemed to be piercing her heart.

Lancer had no remorse. She had come to accept it. Undoubtedly Issei would be furious after learning that she had deceived and used him. She wouldn't be surprised if he wanted her dead now.

The air was cold during the silence, but finally it was broken by Issei.

"Lancer, do you honestly believe that everything about you back then was a lie?"

Lancer slowly nodded.

"Well I do not. I certainly do not believe you have lied all the time to me. I saw your smile, your sadness, and your determination. Truth be told if you said nothing I wouldn't even recognize them as lies."

Issei scratched his face.

"Besides I used you too, Lancer. I used you to fight other servants and protect me. If you weren't there I would have been dead, and I really appreciated that you did agree to help me on my foolish mission to end the war without too much bloodshed, even if you told me that you only did it for yourself."

His eyes were too warm for a cold-blooded knight like her.

"You said that your wish is selfish, but I don't think so. Even though I wasn't there I have learned that your kingdom was in a terrible situation, and you truly wish to save it by all means. I have said it before and I will say it again: The future is unpredictable, that's why you have to try, and try until you exhaust all of your options. Whether it is to make someone notice you or to save a nation, you lose the moment you give up." He paused to gather himself. "So… I don't think it's wrong, and you did save your people, didn't you? You gave them a second chance to experience a peaceful life. For my part my sacrifice was not meaningless, and I'm happy that someone like me could assist a legendary king on her noble quest! My parents would definitely be overjoyed if they learn that their useless son is not useless."

'Why… Why are you so kind to me? Did I not just tell you you were just a pawn on my chess board? A sacrificial piece to win the game.'

"In the end you did come back to save me too, you know. You could have chosen to live in your high castle after what you had done for your people, but you still chose to abandon it for me. My life was saved again, because of your kindness."

"I-"

"If you're still unsure then let me say this: Lancer, I forgive you for everything. Therefore, please forgive yourself too."

The tears flooded through her eyes, and dropped on her legs. Issei came over to hug her, and she enjoyed his warm scales.

'I see… How and why he could sacrifice himself without asking anything in return…'

It was short, but seemed like an eternity for them.

"Issei, I have one more selfish wish. Could you please grant it to me?"

"Of course." The dragon smiled.

Lancer distanced herself from Issei and put away the blanket. She summoned her sword Goch, stabbed it on the floor, downed one knee and lowered her head.

"I, Artoria Pendragon, am the daughter of Uther Pendragon and Igraine, former King of Britannia and Knight of Round Table. I have slain armies, demonic beasts, giants and dragons. From now on I shall be your spear and shield. I shall accompany you into heaven or hell. I shall never betray you, nor your loved ones. I shall show mercy to your enemies, should you wish for me to do so. I shall be your knight until my body returns to dust."

It might have taken Issei by surprise. Nonetheless he understood what he needed to do. The dragon summoned Boosted Gear, and placed it on her left and right shoulder.

"I hereby declare, Artoria Pendragon, to be my knight. Let heaven know that I will be with her until my last breath."

The oath was established. The knight was now connected with the dragon again.

"Lancer."

"Please call me Artoria. It is my birth name and not the one people called me when I was a king. I want you to call my name when it's just the two of us alone."

"Then please call me Ise."

"Ise."

"Artoria."

She stepped up to kiss his lips, which were rough.

"You just ate cheese, didn't you?"

"Sorry."

"Well I don't mind."

They kissed again, and this time Issei tried to insert his tongue into Artoria's mouth, which she sucked on, making a wet sound.

'Hm… His tongue is quite big, but the texture is softer and smoother than I thought.'

She could feel her body heating the more she played with his tongue. This must be a form of kissing, since Issei didn't have human lips. When he retracted his tongue there was a line of saliva between their mouths.

"Artoria."

"Ise."

She had dismissed her sword, and now they began to walk to the bedroom. Since Artoria was already naked there was no need for her to undress.

"Ise… this body of mine is made for war, not love… but even so if you desire…"

It was true that her body was more muscular than other ladies, a result from decades of fighting, and she knew she didn't have an ounce of feminity.

"No, you're wrong Artoria. Your body is very beautiful. It is very hard for me to hold back when I see you naked."

She could feel her heart beat faster and faster, and from this position she could see the rigid manhood of Issei, vying for attention.

"But I'm still not a human yet, you know. So…" Issei looked down.

"Ise." Artoria gently caressed his cheek. "It doesn't matter if you're a human or a dragon, I will still love you. Please, let me make it up for what you have done for me."

It was not rare for women back in her time to be coupled with non-human, and Artoria herself wasn't against it.

They kissed again, and this time Artoria laid down on the mattress.

"Artoria."

"Ise."

He moved his hand to grab her breasts, but stopped in the middle. Instead he stuck out his tongue to touch them. It was a funny feeling to Artoria, with how the warm and wet tongue moved around her breast in a circle, and then tickled her nipple.

She tried to give him something back, but the ventral scales were tough so Issei didn't feel anything from her hands. It was a problem for them both since she knew Issei wanted to play with her breasts using his hands, and she also wanted to touch his skin.

Still for now she was fine with it.

When both of her breasts had been rubbed with his saliva she could see his breath became fast, and she too felt heat rising from her belly.

"Artoria, I want to do it with you. I want to lose my virginity to you."

"Yes, you can do it with me. Come take me, Ise. I cannot give you my first time, but I promise that you will be my last."

Issei moved his body closer to her until he was on top of her. From below she could see his hardened dick, but due to his anatomy it was difficult for Issei to insert into her in this missionary position.

"Here, let me help you."

Artoria raised her lower body, grabbing his hip with her legs.

"Hm…!"

Issei pushed his monstrous rod into her in one go, earning a moan from her.

'I know he is huge, but this is beyond my expectation!'

"Are you alright, Artoria!?"

"I'm fine, Ise. This body of mine is strong, remember? You can do me however you want."

Normally it would be impossible for a female human to take in such a large phallic object, but Artoria was a dragon in a human shape, so she could take in Issei's dragon dick.

Issei began to move, slow at first. To assist him more Artoria began to wrap her arms around his back, which made it looked like she was hanging underneath Issei.

"Um… Hm… Ah…"

Hot and thick liquid flooded her inside, with Issei exhaled.

"Sorry, I cum too soon…"

"It's fine." Artoria caught her breath, enjoying the semen swimming inside her. "We can practice a lot. You can have sex with me whenever and however you want, Ise."

Issei moved his head to her, and inserted his tongue into her mouth while moving his dick again.

In the end Issei cummed inside Artoria 5 more times before letting her drop on the mattress. The dragon laid next to his knight, covering her drenched body with his blanket.

"I love you, Artoria."

"I love you too, Ise."

She gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"Say, looks like it works."

"What do you mean by that?"

Issei looked embarrassed. "You know you told me how to court a woman before? I kinda follow that advice to make you notice me."

"Oh." She didn't realize it.

"Handsome, rich and powerful. Well I don't think I'm a handsome prince, and I'm still not making money, but I think I have grown strong enough."

"Fufu." Artoria giggled. "You are wrong on the final one. It's not about power, Ise. It's about courage. Something that you have already shown me."

The sunray woke up Artoria in her slumber. When her eyes opened the first thing she saw was the face of a red dragon, sleeping peacefully.

"So… it's not a dream."

She smiled happily. The knight carefully removed her body from the mattress so as not to wake her dragon up. Next she headed to the bathroom, which was so much more lacking compared to hers. However Artoria didn't mind, she let the water fall on her body to wash up the dried sweat.

"Hm… he came so much."

The thick white liquid began to flow out of her vagina when she washed it out. She wondered if she would be pregnant from this, but decided it would be fine either way. She was his knight now, and it was her duty to continue his lineage.

When Artoria came out of the bathroom she could see Issei at the door, looking mesmerized and there was this… masculine smell from his body. His manhood had stood up again, and from this angle she could see it jumping at her lewdly.

"Good morning, Artoria."

"Wood morning, Ise."

Boys his age were very horny, and Issei definitely had a high libido from the time she spent with him.

Artoria knew he couldn't resist her, so she would let him come for her.

"Are you hungry, Ise?"

"Yeah…" He looked dazed and his eyes never left her naked body.

"Me too."

Artoria knelt down, she crawled to under the dragon's belly and opened her mouth.

20 years of sexual repression was unleashed.

AN: Took me a lot to write this chapter, I hope it comes out good enough.