A Fool's Heart

by Nosferatu869

Ise's friends turned their back on him, didn't they? They didn't consider his feelings and selfishly pushed their own agenda. These actions have consequences. They will learn. Even if they don't want to. The road to becoming an adult is difficult, isn't it? But for the sake of the future, they ALL must mature. No more being stuck. Make your move, Ise.

9. Chapter 8: Familiar Faces

Alright fuckers, here's your double fuckin feature. I honestly can't believe how much people wait for this story to update. It got around a thousand views on the last chapter in like 10 hours. Also over 20 reviews in the same span of time. Fuckin Hell man.

Anyway, as I said before, this should be the last chapter before we reach cannon. So, if all goes according to plan, cannon should be the chapter after this one. A few things are gonna happen here. Issei's last 2 trials. Also, some serious character developments before the final stretch. And with more characters than one. Maybe even with a character you guys don't expect. Watch closely~

---

-SCENE-

"Hahahahahahahaha!"

"Hm? What's with this maniacal laughing? Aya, Vali. It was you?"

"Ah, Bikou. Yes, it's me."

"How disturbing. I've never heard you laugh like that. Have you finally lost it after thinking about being the Ketsuryuukou?"

"Fufufu. I'm afraid not. I happen to be watching this interesting program. You should watch it as well."

"Nyo? Oya, isn't that the new show that your rival Chichiryuutei has come up with?"

"Indeed. I am currently viewing the latest episode shown only in theatres."

"Ah, yeah I heard that they wouldn't show it the normal way for some reason. Hm? How is it that you're watching it then?"

"Grigori was once my home. I have my ways."

"Is that so? Ah! Now I got it! The is the footage of the 'God-Killing Sekiryuutei' event isn't it!"

"Correct. Though he didn't do it using his own power, my rival seems to have slain a God with his bare hands. I can't help but feel elated."

"Hoh, really? I see. Well, it is a bit scary that something like that has taken place. If I'm correct, there aren't even any Longinus possessors to this day that have killed Gods. Well, calling this one a 'God' is a technicality isn't it?"

"Hmph. Regardless of whether it fits the conventional definition of God or not, it was a being of legend. A mythological existence like the one that held up the Heavens, that isn't a minor existence at all. In the end, he has killed a God himself. The first Longinus user to properly slay a God. That's exactly what I desire in my rival."

"Kii~ Sometimes you creep me out when you smile. No, more than that, you're just saying freaky things anyway. As a result of this, I have decided I to let you be alone and take my leave."

"Bikou."

"Hm? What is it?"

"Contact Azazel. I have something to speak to him about."

"Huh? Your old man? No way, isn't he just gonna arrest us the moment he gets the chance?"

"Don't worry. It won't happen. More importantly, there's something he already asked me himself. I just want to answer his question."

"Mm...Well, alright, but I'm not gonna be around if he shows up."

"No, don't worry about it. It seems like I'm the one who's going somewhere."

"Ah, he's smiling again. What a creep."

"I can hear you, Bikou."

"Gotta go~!"

"Hmph…..Well, let's see what sort of reaction the pantheons will have in response to this existence. Let us both become the God-Killing Heavenly Dragons, shall we? My rival, Hyoudou Issei."

Part 1

"Thank you for your help, Issei-san!"

"Uh-huh, you're welcome, Shemhazai-san."

I walked out of Shemhazai-san's office after helping him out with some paperwork Azazel left him with. Azazel? Yes. Because for some odd reason, the other day he asked me to start referring to him that way. I didn't understand it at first and I even thought it was a bit rude, but he just waved his hand saying: "Nah, don't worry about it. You're grown up enough. Just call me Azazel from now on. That's how all my friends call me."

I guess he's just okay with us students calling him that now? But Ravel still calls him Sensei. I'm confused. Well, I suppose it doesn't really matter. I'll just call him that from now on.

Anyway, it's been a few days and I'm fully recovered from my battle with the Titan-God Atlas. I have 2 weeks until the match. Speaking of which, I've been hearing an odd thing lately. People around Grigori have been calling me….The "God-Killing Sekiryuutei"...And I think it's because of what happened with Atlas. I….I'm not sure I understood it until now, but…..haven't I done something insane? I knew that killing a God was extraordinary and that it held immense weight as a threat to Olympus and such….But, Shemhazai-san told me something disturbing.

There has never been a Longinus outside of the original, that has been used to slay a God, in history….

…..My brain froze for a while after that…..I had a lot to think about…..I killed a God…..I was the first Longinus user to ever truly kill a God…..Even though Longinus have always been referred to as weapons that destroy God…..It had never been done…..until now….And I was the one who did it…..

How…..How will the world react to this?...I've seen that all of Grigori treats me with a great deal of respect, but…..what about the various Gods of the worlds?...What about the faction leaders?...

…...What about my friends?...

"Sekiryuutei-donooooo~!"

Hm? As I was making my way back to my room, I saw some Fallen Angel girls waving at me from afar. Ah….It looks like I've become a bit popular ever since the incident with the photos the other day….Azazel just said to "smile and wave" when they call me out. I didn't have the best idea of how to do it, but…..If I imitate that guy…

"Hello~"

I imitated the classic gentle smile of a Bishounen while waving. I tried to imitate Kiba's sparkling smile the best I could, but I'm not sure I could pull it off. Regardless….

"Kyaaaaaah! He waved!"

"Oh, oh! He's waving at me, look! I swear it!"

"Quick, quick, record it!"

"Kyaah! God-slayer, please slay me!"

"Pleeeeease let me have a copy of your nude set! I'll trade you for my own!"

….I kept on walking.

Soon enough, I made it to the door of my room. I entered. Ravel was waiting for me inside.

"A-Ah, Ise-sama! You've returned…"

She says that, but I noticed the second I walked in she was quickly hiding something resembling photos in the drawer.

"Y-Yeah, I'm back. Is the game about to start?"

"Yes."

Ravel and I sat down on the couch in front of the TV. We're waiting for the broadcast to start. The match between Sitri and Agares.

"Who do you think will win, Ise-sama?"

I looked at the screen as the event began and the announcers started talking about the intro.

"...Saji will."

That was all I could say as the Sitri group was introduced. I could see the determination on his face. Win, Saji. You can do this. Come on.

The enthusiastic announcer finally gave the announcement.

[Let the match - Beeeeeegiiiiiiiiinnnn!]

—.

The match had begun. We were watching it for what felt like 20 minutes. Considering that both sides were teams that excelled in strategy, the match was a capture the flag type game centered around tactics based play. Each team had to capture flags at each other's bases and bring them back. It seemed all well and good, and the match was interesting most of the way through, but unfortunately—

[Ooooooh! It looks like the Dragon-King Vritra has gone on a rampage!]

Saji went berserk. His Dragon-King form took over his sanity and he was now on a rampage.

[Unfortunately, it looks like the 4 piece "Pawn" of Sitri will have to be disqualified.]

Slam!

"Dammit!"

I slammed my hand into the arm of the couch in frustration.

"Damn! I knew I should have attended in person! I could have been there to snap him out of it! Fuck!"

"Do not blame yourself, Ise-sama. It can't be helped that he went into that form. Even if you were there, to have you interjected into the game to bring him back, he would've been disqualified either way. Or, they simply would not have allowed you to interfere. I'm sorry."

I grit my teeth in frustration. Damn. I know that. I know that. The true reason I'm angry is myself. I know that, inside of myself, the real reason I didn't attend the game in person was because "they" were there. My group. I didn't want to see them until it was time for my return. That's why I stayed here. The fact that I am acting like watching Saji lose is what frustrates me, rather than it actually being my lack of courage to show up, that's what makes me feel angry with myself. He's your friend isn't he? Scumbag.

"What is wrong, Ise-sama?.."

I turned to Ravel. She was looking up at me with concern.

"There is something you are deeply conflicted about...about yourself?.."

…..She says it with worry…..As I thought, Ravel...she's knows me. She's come to know me very well. All this time we've spent together….It really feels like she's one of the people closest to me. I mean…..to be able to read me so easily, who else was this close to me? Nobody that I know of except….

"Ise-sama?.."

Ah, looks like I got distracted looking into her eyes again. I wonder why that keeps happening.

"No, it's alright. I'm fine."

I turned back to watch the match. Ravel's been helping me with practically anything I need. She's provided me with an insurmountable amount of support. I'd rather not trouble her again.

Slide…

I felt a soft sensation around my hand. Ravel's fingers wrapped around mine.

"..."

It was quiet after that. We watched the rest of the match silently. It only lasted another 15 minutes. In the end, it was the win of Sitri.

"Sigh."

I turned off the TV. Saji ended being disqualified only past halfway through the match. At the very least, his team was able to secure the win. Hopefully he's alright. I know he's a lot like me, so I definitely know he feels guilty about his disqualification. They surely lost some merits over that. Hopefully they kept an overall good score though.

"Ise-sama…"

Hm? I looked over to Ravel standing behind me. She was fidgeting for some reason. This is usually when she's about to say something embarrassing….for some reason, I began to feel nervous.

"W-What is it?"

She pursed her lips cutely.

"..W….Would you like a massage?..."

….

"Eh?"

Before I knew it, I was sitting on the edge of the bed with Ravel sitting behind me.

"...Um...May I ask you to remove your shirt?.."

"Eh?"

"W-Well...It will make it easier…"

"...Alright…"

I removed my black shirt that I usually wore all the time around this place.

"...Ise-sama's shirt fits tightly around his form…"

Ravel randomly said that as I took off my shirt. I couldn't help but feel awkward about it when she began massaging my shoulders.

"I-It looks like a bit of a tight fit….but the material is made of something soft and flexible...so it doesn't feel tight at all…"

"Yes...It is because Ise-sama is so fit….Your shoulders have become broader since being here...but you still aren't big in a bothersome way….I think it is the best look for a man…"

"I-I-Is that so?"

"Yes…"

...She speaks quietly, but with no awkwardness. Why I am I the one stuttering? Why am I the one acting bashful? Isn't that her thing? Ravel continued massaging different parts of my back. Why am I even getting a massage? I know she said she wants to help me relieve as much stress as I can, but this is…

She moves lower than my shoulders and onto my shoulder blades.

"...There are scars here that I haven't seen before…"

"There are?"

"Yes...they look like they were skin tears…"

"Eh? Ah. That. Yeah….those are from using Atlas' power. Apparently, there were various parts of my body that ended up burning and tearing as a result of using the overwhelming power in my body. My body wasn't one that was built to use that power after all. So it ended up having some permanent effects. Though, I don't think it's that bad….Hopefully, right?"

"No….they don't cover all of your body...only certain parts…..but even if they did….Ise-sama's body is…."

Rather than massaging me, I could feel her caressing my back gently. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"...The most noticeable ones are oddly shaped.."

She slid her fingers over my right bicep slowly. Ah, those. Yeah. There's some oddly shaped burns resting on each of my limbs. All four of them. I had them inspected by Azazel, but all he said when he looked at them was: "Strength, War, Endurance, and Astronomy."

Then he pointed at the one on my right bicep and said "This one fits you.". I didn't understand it, but that bicep was the one he looked to when he had said [strength]. It's the oddly shaped circular one.

"Yeah, I don't really get those either…"

Ravel's hands continued to slowly caress my body. She was even sliding over the edges of my chest. The more and more the seconds passed, the more she began to move further and caress even more. She was already sliding her fingers around my chest as I remain stiff. It was no longer even a massage...

Soon enough, her hands began to slide a bit further down...down near my abdomen….I don't know how many times I've swallowed saliva now….but

—I felt Ravel's fingers caress my lower stomach as they slid into the top of my sweatpants.

Slide..

-[!]-

I grabbed her hands immediately.

"W-Woah Ravel!"

She quickly pulled her hands away.

"I-I'm sorry..!"

She slid back away from me.

"N-No, it's okay!….you just caught me off guard."

"I'm sorry…"

I could hear that she began to feel deeply regretful in her voice. But I...

"It's….It's alright…...I..I don't really mind, you just surprised me…"

That was all I could say. She responded in a quiet voice.

"...You don't mind?.."

I could hear Sensei's words in my head.

[Have confidence.]

Gulp...

"...Yeah...If it's Ravel...I don't…."

I heard a bit of shuffling from behind me. Did she get closer?

"...I feel the same way….If it is Ise-sama….then I feel the same way about myself…"

I pushed down on my lower half a bit. I could feel something growing under my sweatpants. Not you little man, there isn't even anything exciting happening…

"...I...don't understand how you could feel that way….the other day you had those photos of me….but, d...do you really find me…you know...attractive?"

She began whispering extremely quietly.

"...Yes….Ise-sama is….his body, his mind….his soul...his heart….they are…..Ise-sama is the one that I….Your body is one that I…"

It went silent. For some reason, the silence felt like it was killing me.

"...One that you…?"

She said nothing. Instead, I felt her had grab onto my left hand softly. She lifted it and pulled. I turned my body to face her. And she—

Pomf…

—softly pressed my palm against her chest.

"?!"

Her breasts….Ravel's breast is in my hand….I could feel her breathing softly under it…

"...Does Ise-sama find my body attractive?..."

Gulp.

"...Yes….Ravel's body is…..It's one that I…"

I unknowingly finished Ravel's earlier sentence for her.

"...It's one that I want…"

I felt her press my hand into her breasts further, softly. At that moment, she spoke, and my brain suddenly halted.

"...You can have it…."

…..

…..

…..

Slide.

There were no thoughts in my head. The movements my body made were unintentional. And before I knew it, I was already centimeters from Ravel's face.

"...Ise-sa….Ise.."

—And in one moment, our lips met.

Chu.

….

Softness. That was all I could think. Softer than a marshmallow. Softer than a pillow. The more I felt it against my own lips, the more that I felt its qualities. Sweetness. Despite having nothing on them, they were sweet. Sweet like candy. Sweet like strawberries.

Enthralled by the taste and feeling of her lips, I failed to understand how much time passed since we started. But more than that, I had the sudden feeling to go even further grow within me.

"...Mn.."

I heard Ravel make a small noise as slid my tongue into her mouth. The next thing I knew, she greeted it without hesitation and inserted her tongue as well.

Both of our tongues slid over and beside each other. I could taste the inside of her mouth as my tongue touched against her cheeks. I could feel her doing the same, but her tongue also slid over my teeth. I regretted not brushing my teeth yet, but she didn't hesitate regardless. We were exploring every corner of each other's mouths.

Soon enough, my desire to push further overcame me. I began to move passionately and pushed into her. So much so, that I ended up pushing her down as we continued.

"..Mah...Mm.."

Ravel began making small whines as her back pressed down onto the bed softly. I was on top of her, kissing her passionately without rest. I pulled back momentarily. A string of saliva connected our lips when we parted.

"..Mlah...Mm!"

But I pushed back in the moment we took a breath into our lungs. This time, I was doing it with even more fervour. Just like our tongues, our bodies began to wrestle with each other.

My right hand was holding the back of Ravel's head. My left hand moved down from her breast, to her sides, down to her left leg. She lifted her leg as I slid my hand on her thigh, causing her dress to slide down and expose her skin. Her arms were wrapped around my neck and holding me in place.

"..Mm!"

She made a moan as the bulge under my sweats suddenly rubbed up against her. That was when we finally separated.

"..Mlah!.."

Her mouth made a wet sound as we parted. There was saliva around our mouths. There was even what looked like a light drip of drool falling out of hers. We were caught in each other's gaze the second we split.

"..."

"..."

We could say nothing as no words came to our minds. All I could see was a deep, entrancing blue.

…...Slowly….our faces began to move closer again.

—Ring-Ring~!

.

.

.

The sound that interrupted us— my phone?

"...Azazel?"

That was all I could say as I looked to the phone that rang on the bedside drawer.

"..Azazel-sensei?.."

Ravel asked quietly in confusion. I turned to her and—

…..

…...Our eyes slowly widened…...as we began to realize what we had done…

…..

…..

-[?!]-

I threw myself off of her.

"I-I'm sorry!"

I turned away as we fixed ourselves. What….did I just do?...

Ring-Ring~!

"Ah, ah! Shit!"

I picked up the phone and answered it frantically.

"H-Hello!"

[Ise. What's wrong? Are you alright?]

"A-Ah, yes! I'm alright! Sorry. I was— Um, changing. W-What is it?"

[It's about time for you to head out.]

"Eh? Ah! Right! Right. Yeah, okay. I'm on my way."

[Alright. Make sure to bring your stuff.]

"Y-Yeah, I know. Bye."

I hung up the phone…...It was dead silent.

…..

I peered over my shoulder. Ravel was at the other edge of the bed with her back turned to me, curled up with her legs to her chest…..Oh no…..did I just mess up terribly?...

"...You are leaving for a while?..."

"Eh? A-Ah! Yeah, actually….I'm going to be going off somewhere for a week….did he tell you?"

She nodded her head meekly.

"Yeah, well, I'm going to be off for a bit….I should be back by the end of the week though….so…"

It went silent again.

….

….

"...I'm sorry…"

I could only apologize.

….

"...Why?.."

Why?...Well, I mean…because...

"...I….attacked you…"

I could vaguely see her curl up a bit more.

"Apologizing…..for making me so happy?..."

—My brain stopped - and the silence returned.

…

…

Part 2

Screeeeeeeeeeeeeech!

The sound of a train stopping at a station. I stepped on with some earphones in my ears. Azazel told me I wasn't allowed to listen to the announcements or look at the prompters. Why? Because apparently, the place I'm going to is a mystery.

So yes, right now I've just boarded a train with a simple backpack and earphones inside my ears. I sat in my seat with a sigh. All Azazel told me about this trial is a few things.

First, this trial will not be televised. It won't even be recorded. Apparently, this trial is a bit more private or secretive. It's a training session that's not meant to be shown. Possibly because this one is more personal? Similar to the Succubus trial, which also wasn't televised? I'm not sure, but if it's not going to be recorded then all I can think is that it's important.

Second, the place I'm getting sent to for a week, is supposedly familiar to me. Azazel says this is a place I've been to before. And not too long ago either. That eliminates a lot of options.

Lastly, I'm going to this place for a week. This trial is a long one. Azazel says that the reason it's long is because it's not just a single challenge type of thing. It doesn't have any conditions either. All he said was that "the results of my training would be decided by someone else".

So now I'm on my way. One whole week away from home. Home? Grigori isn't my home. But…..ever since that day, I feel like there isn't another home that I have anymore. I don't imagine "going home" as the same way I used to. Whenever I think "Aaaah, I wanna go home~" during a trial, I always think of returning to Grigori. It wasn't like that at the start, but it's definitely like that now.

Especially now that Ravel is there….

….Speaking of Ravel, I….I kissed her. No, more than that, I pushed her down. I...I tongue kissed her. I held onto her breast. I slid my hand up her thigh. I...almost…..

My mind has been occupied with these thoughts all morning. It's been a few hours since then, but I feel like I will be thinking of this for days. I don't know what came over me. One minute we were talking, the next we were on the verge of having se…...I just…..couldn't control myself…

What…...What would have happened if Azazel didn't call?...

….

I continued to think about that for a couple hours. Because of how occupied my mind was with various thoughts, I happened to miss the few but recognizable sights that passed my eyes. It wasn't until I saw the blatantly obvious tourist site that it finally hit me like the train I was riding on.

I gazed out the window with a distant look until—

"Ah."

—Kyoto tower.

….

Screeeeeeeeeeeech!

[We have now arrived at Kyoto Station 5]

…...Okay….

I picked up my backpack and began to walk out. A place I've been to recently? Yeah, no kidding. I was literally here like 3 minutes ago. Alright, that's an exaggeration, but I was seriously here (with you) like a month and a half ago Azazel. I just unlocked Triaina here. When I said I would come back to Kyoto one day, this is certainly not how soon I thought it would be.

Chiiii!

The train doors opened and people began to file out. I decided to sit back and wait near the end. When it was finally my turn to exit there were only a few people behind me. Thank goodness too.

Why? That's because the moment I stepped out I saw 4 people standing on the platform with a sign. Two men on the sides with fox masks on, they were the ones with the sign, and two women between them. The sign read [Hyoudou Issei-sama].

The two women resembled each other, with one of them being smaller than the other. Also, they had some clothing that resembled that of Shinto priest and priestess.

Ah, I realized who these people were as soon as the little one shouted my name.

"Ise!"

"Kunou! Yasaka-san!"

"Yaaay!"

Kunou jumped and hugged onto my waist.

"You came back!"

She hugged onto me happily while I was half confused. Kunou quickly took herself off of me. She made a cute pout with a blush.

"Hmph! Took you long enough!"

W...Would it be wrong to smile right now?...

"Heh.."

I smiled brightly anyway.

"Hehehe! I'm back!"

Seeing me smile, Kunou lost her princess attitude and hugged back onto me. I'm not sure why I smiled. Maybe it's because I feel lonely and I am happy that I am seeing a familiar face. I mean, I know I have Ravel and Azazel, but ever since that day it's felt like I hardly have any friends or loved ones. So, maybe seeing another familiar person makes me this happy?

"We meet again, Hyoudou Issei-san."

Ah, Yasaka-san greeted me. Ah, ah! Introduce yourself properly!

"Um, nice to see you again, Yasaka-sama! I am Hyoudou Issei, this generation's current Sekiryuutei! Er— You...already knew that.."

"Ufufufu~"

I rubbed my neck awkwardly as the Kyuubi giggled at my introduction. She smiled sweetly.

"Welcome back, Hyoudou Issei-san."

...I couldn't help but feel a warmth in my heart.

"Yeah….I'm back.."

Kunou pulled back from me and smiles brightly at her mother.

"Hahaue, may I show him around, please?!"

Yasaka-san raised a brow curiously.

"Ah, to those places you have shown him? Hm...Well, it would be problematic for you to separate from us and the guards here...but.."

She smiled as she looked to me.

"Would you mind protecting her in our absence, Sekiryuutei-dono?"

—! I immediately placed my fist over my heart and gave her a straight answer.

"I will protect her, even against the Gods!"

I could tell that Kunou earned a red face the moment I said that. Yasaka-san giggled in an amused manner, almost like she was happy(?)

"Though I don't think that would be necessary, it certainly puts me at ease. Ufufufu~"

Kunou pulled onto my hand excitedly and led me away from the others.

"Come on, come on! I'll show you all the places people aren't supposed to see!"

"Please take care of her!"

"Yes ma'am!"

"Kunou! Don't take too long now! The [First] will be back in a few hours so make sure to be back by then!"

"Yeeeeees~!"

—And with that, I spent a few hours of the late morning and into the early afternoon with Kunou, viewing all of the sights she promised to show me on my return to Kyoto. She took me to the spots that were closest, but as the time passed we just moved further and further into Kyoto, all the while holding hands.

There were places she took me to that I expected and didn't expect. I expected the famous sites and tourist attractions. What I didn't expect was the obscure or supernatural centered sites. She took me to shrines that held evil spirits locked up in them, temples that just had little Youkai running around and shapeshifting into different things to prank tourists, she even took me to the wilderness. We ran through bamboo forests and watched a couple of them grow in real time, since they happen to be one of the world's fastest growing trees.

And my favorite part - we visited a forest with a beautiful waterfall and I climbed up alongside of it with Kunou on my back.

"Hold on tight okay!"

"Yes!"

Kunou latched onto my back as I climbed the rock wall alongside of the waterfall. We were close enough to feel a bit of stray droplets keep hitting us. I would've expected a princess like Kunou to be annoyed by this, but she just continued to latch onto me while...laughing.

"Nyahahaha! The water is tickling me~!"

She seems so happy that she doesn't even care about her princess attitude being present or not…...she's comfortable around me…..she's happy being around me…

"Oh wait!"

I paused from climbing and held myself there. Kunou reached out to the waterfall with her hand. She reached into the waterfall and let it run off her hand.

"Waaaahahahahaha~!"

She laughed happily with a dazzling smile on her face. She was happy just from putting her hand against a waterfall?...No…..Maybe she's happy because the one she's doing it with is…

"Hey, you too! Try it!"

Kunou pulled on my right hand to reach into the waterfall. I held on with my left and reached out with my right. The water splashed down against my arm. It was fresh but it was honestly too strong of a current to feel like it would make my arm feel cold. I could even smell the freshness of the water just from right here.

Kunou continued to smile brilliantly while looking at our hands in the waterfall. She seemed even more entranced than before. The thing she was so captivated by…..She was being captivated by the sight of both our hands running through the water together…

Looking at her…..she's so happy…..just because I'm here…..

"Kunou!"

I called out to her. I….want to make her even happier.

"Let's keep having fun!"

She gained the brightest smile I've ever seen.

"Yes!"

Beyond that point, it wasn't even about visiting famous sites anymore. It was just about doing anything we wanted. We ran around visiting different restaurants and eating different foods. We visited temples and made ridiculous wishes. We went to different amusement attractions and even just normal places like arcades and clothing stores.

I'm not sure how much time passed, but it was definitely afternoon by this point. Since we were in an arcade, I got the sudden instinct to play the crane game and win Kunou a plush prize.

"Ah, Kunou! Hold up, let me try this!"

I placed some Yen into the machine and got it ready.

"Which one do you want?"

"E-Eh? Me? Um, a-any is fine.."

"Ah, let's get the fox one! That's fitting right!"

"Eh, uh, yes…"

"Okay! Leave it to me!"

In only a few seconds I was able to acquire the stuffed fox plush. It was thanks to me and my perverted partners that I'm so good at this. I had already gotten one this easily back when I was with Asia….

Dun!

The plush landed into the slot and I pulled it out.

"Here you go, Kunou! Sorry that it's a orange fox and not a golden fox or anything. If that was there I would've gotten it, but…."

I said that while scratching the back of my head awkwardly. But, Kunou just shook her head and clung onto the plush tightly like a child.

"It's perfect!"

I couldn't stop prevent myself from smiling at her cute reaction. Unfortunately, Kunou became a little downcast after a few seconds.

"..We should return….Hahaue said that we shouldn't be out for long so…"

She had a somber expression on her face. It's almost like she thinks this won't happen again….

"...Kunou."

She lifted her sad face up to me and I smiled widely.

"Let's play again tomorrow!"

Her eyes widened before a smile stretched onto her face. I could see little tears build up in her eyes before she shut them and grinned.

"Yes!"

With that, we returned to the Youkai capital of Kyoto.

-DxD-

Upon my arrival in the Youkai capital, I was greeted graciously unlike the time before. There were people cheering for me and shapeshifting into fires or different things that resemble firework esque effects, as if to celebrate me, as the guards led us to the main castle. Am I...considered a hero here? Is it because I saved the Kyuubi leader before? But that wasn't just me you know? I did that with a lot of help. I don't think I would deserve so much recognition for it. I mean, it's not like a parade welcoming or anything, but it certainly is people lining up and cheering or just out of sheer curiosity.

After that, we finally reached the castle I had only been to once before. Yasaka-san's personal castle. Except this time, she was here to greet us.

So now, I was currently gathered in a large room that I had been to once before when we received the briefing of Yasaka-san's kidnapping. The room was full of other Youkai men and a couple women gathered in lines across from each other. We were all sitting on the floor with mats and a large table of food/drink in front of us.

Kunou was sitting on my right while Yasaka-san sat at the very front of the table. Besides the two women I could only recognize one more person who was the Youkai man that was one of the advisers during the kidnapping incident. Other than that, just random Youkai men who seemed like officials of some sort. Most of the Youki men seemed to be drinking Sake and laughing it up with each other.

I'm surprised by the laid back atmosphere. Maybe they are just having a celebration because they get to rest after all the stuff that happened during Yasaka-san's kidnapping. They did say that they would just be doing negotiations after the incident after all, so they probably just got their break. In this sort of situation I feel very out of place. I could only sit there with a blank smile while sipping my tea awkwardly. At least no one was putting their attention on me.

"A-Ano, I-Ise!"

Hm? I looked down to my right. Kunou nervously looked up to me while she held up some with food with her chopsticks.

"A-Aaah."

?...Oh!

"Um— Aaaaah."

I held my mouth open and Kunou fed me the meat that was on her chopsticks.

"Mm! It's delicious!"

Kunou smiled brightly at my reaction and immediately picked up some more food to feed me. Well, at the least there was one person paying attention to me.

"Ufufufu~"

I heard a light giggling amongst all of the drunk drabble of the Youkai men. I could see Yasaka-san covering her mouth with a smile. Ueeehehehe…...now I'm feeling embarrassed.

Slide!

Right when that was happening, the main entrance to the room was slid open by what resembled a staff or something. Are? Isn't that staff familiar?

"Excuse me for my tardiness. The Jade Dragon was being bothersome."

What entered was an old man smoking a pipe and holding a familiar staff. But the most obvious detail about him, that I noticed while standing and shouting abruptly in shock, was—

"F-F-First Generation Sun Wukong?!"

—He was a monkey.

"Oya. Sekiryuutei boy. It looks like you've arrived already."

That's right! This old monkey man is none other than the First Generation Sun Wukong of legend! I met him here during the crisis. He was the one who essentially saved us from the Hero Faction at the last second. Without him we would've surely been toast!

"Ah, Sun Wukong. You have arrived. Thank you for coming."

"Ah, Kyuubi-sama. Think nothing of it. The Jade Dragon had already been forcing us to overstay our welcome by taking us to taste all of Kyoto's exquisite cuisine. Besides, if it is a request from the Kyuubi-sama I have no reason to refuse."

"Ah well, it was technically a request from the Fallen Angel Governor, but I had decided that you would be a much greater choice to fulfill his recommendation. That's why, I hope we aren't troubling you."

"No, no, of course not. It is of no trouble. Compared to the green brat, the red boy is much more pleasant to interact with. At the very least, fulfilling a request on behalf of the Crow boy would be beneficial for faction relations."

"Eh, eh?!"

I could only whip my head between the two in complete confusion. What?! Huh?! I am mentioned again?! What, factions?! Huh?! What?! I can't follow aloooooong!

"Alright then, I suppose you won't complain if I take him off of your hands right now do you, Kyuubi-sama?"

"Oh no, not at all."

Yasaka-san smiled at the First and then to me. Eh?! What?! What's happening?!

"Issei-san. Would you mind following Sun Wukong please? There is something you must discuss."

"Eh, there is?!"

"Follow me, boy. Let's talk over here."

"Eh?! Ah, okay!?"

I got up and walked to follow the First out of the room. This time, Kunou did not accompany me. I asked him as we began walking throughout the castle grounds.

"Um, F-First?"

"Call me Sun Wukong."

"Um, Sun Wukong-sama?"

"What is it, Sekiryuutei boy."

"Um, w-where exactly are we going?"

"Mm. There is a forest within this castle. We will go there."

"Ah, yes, the one Kunou used to play in right? Um, but why exactly are we going there?"

"Mm. First, to talk a bit. Then, we get to the important set. Maybe we'll start with some basics. Ah, but the main lesson is [control]."

"Ah….is that so?"

I followed him silently after realizing I was too stupid to process any of the cryptic riddles he said. It's always the most important figures that talk this way. Truthfully, I probably did understand what he was saying, but I just couldn't admit it out of disbelief.

We passed through many parts of the main castle to the large forest sitting at the back. The fact that there is a forest inside of the castle grounds seems ridiculous, but it makes sense when you realize that you have a playful Youkai daughter who wants to be in the free world but is too dangerous for her yet. She was able to play out there all she wanted to satiate her playful personality. Though, she always had to make sure to keep up her princess persona and proper etiquette almost all the time. So apparently that's the reason she has fun with me. She doesn't feel the need to keep up the persona like she was told.

I'm glad she feels that comfortable around me.

We finally made it to the forest and Sun Wukong-sama stopped in front of me.

"Alright, let's talk then."

He turned around and held his body up in the air by his tail while crossing his legs, essentially sitting on his tail. Woah! He can hold himself up with his tail! That's one strong tail! How cool!

"Hm? What is it? You seem impressed by something."

"Eh? Ah, well, it looks really cool that you have the ability to do that! It's one of the signs that you are strong right?"

Sun Wukong-sama puffed a bit from his pipe while raising a brow.

"Oya. Strength? Mm. No, this is control. True, it does take some strength to hold up my body, but without the proper control there is no balance or grace. The ratio of strength compared to control is unbalanced. Control is always more important."

W-Woah. He just gave me a mini speech about control over strength. How interesting. He really seems like the epitome of a wise teacher.

"Hm? You're interested in this? Alright. It's a simple lesson, but it is actually a good start. Good thinking."

Eh? What? He acts like I did something? What did I do? He spoke while taking another puff.

"Boy. Try your Balance Breaker form. Let me see it."

Eh? He told me to go into Balance Breaker? Um, okay.

[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!]

I donned my armor. Sun Wukong-sama nodded his head and pointed to my tail.

"Can you move it?"

"Huh? Uh, yeah sure."

I willed my tail to move around. Seeing that he nodded again.

"There you go. Now try sitting on it."

"Eh?"

"If you can move it, you can sit on it. Try it."

"Um...Okay."

I'm not sure how to do it though. Just...put it under me?

[Remember partner, when being trained by someone else, a good part of it is observation. Observe, then try it yourself.]

Observe? Ah, like, copy his stance? Um, okay. I think I can do that. I put my tail against the ground. Okay. Now, just jump, and—

Don!

I fell on my ass.

"Ow!"

Sun Wukong-sama sighed as he stroked his beard.

"It looks like you didn't put any strength into it. Ironic."

"Eh? But I thought I was…"

"Control, boy. You have to keep your strength concentrated in it while doing it. The reason it gave up under you is because you are too conscious of it. You have to think of it as another limb. It is part of you no? This armor is essentially your body. Don't you also feel that way about your wings?"

"Oh um...actually, Ddraig is the one who controls my wings…"

He puffed out a large cloud of smoke as if to laugh.

"Hoooh. That's truly unacceptable. You have much to learn young boy. Yes, yes, much to learn. Yet somehow I find it interesting that you have all this power without proper control. Imagine someone like you having such levels of control as great as his power. Ohohoho~ For the God-Killing Sekiryuutei to have such a fundamental flaw yet so much power. Forgive me if I start to become 'passionate', my boy. Those with high potential are most….interesting."

He smirked from under his sunglasses. Um….Ddraig, how brutal do you think this training will be?

[It depends on your enthusiasm. If you have as much enthusiasm as he does, it will certainly be the greatest training experience you will have. If not, it may be quite….confusing.]

So….be confident?

[Perhaps.]

…

"Alright! Bring it on, Oji-saru (old monkey)!"

Even though I said that very disrespectful nickname without thinking, Sun Wukong-sama just laughed heartily.

"Hahahahahahaha! That's the spirit boy! Let's enjoy ourselves shall we?"

—And just like that, my training with the First Generation Sun Wukong from Journey to the West began.

Part 3

"...What the Hell….was that?..."

I was lying on the ground while looking up at the sky.

"Mm. Well, at the very least we were able to get you to feel the control around your armor. We'll expand on that further by learning to have you control your aura. That should be a precursor to getting control of your powers."

Sun Wukong-sama says that while sitting on his tail in a relaxed manner. The entire day all we did was practice while I was inside of my armor. The practice, however, was all just….well, "control". All this time, I never was the one controlling my wings. Ddraig was. It's because I've had such low demonic power that I could never control my devil wings. So I never learned to fly. That's why, I have no idea how to control my Dragon wings. I just left it up to Ddraig. But Sun Wukong-sama said that was "Unacceptable".

It was kind of the same with my tail. I never really used it for any reason, so I didn't really think of it as a limb. I didn't have much control outside of moving it around.

So basically, if you couldn't guess, today was all about learning how to "control" my armor as if it was my own body. Sun Wukong-sama kept saying to "feel it like skin". He says that when I'm donning the armor I should treat it like it was just my own body. Just like how the Boosted Gear is really just my arm. I'm not gonna lie to you, the fact that the Boosted Gear is actually part of my body made it a lot easier for me to treat the armor like my body. I just had to "feel" that it was all the same throughout.

Needless to say, the amount of focus needed to do all this without prior experience has really tuckered me out. I guess I'm just that stupid.

"We'll continue this tomorrow. From there, I think I want to see how you control your own base strength. If the control is weak then we'll fix that. We only have a week. You are known for growing fast aren't you? Let's see how many of my lessons you can master before our time is up. Lastly, don't try anything further than my own lessons on your own. No pushing your body past what I say. Part of control is taking breaks in between lessons the proper way. If you push yourself too far you will only bounce back to where you started."

He says all that while puffing smoke and walking away. Huh?

"Eh? Sun Wukong-sama? Where are you going?"

He waved back as he continued walking off.

"I will find the Jade brat before he gets into some trouble. Don't train beyond what we've done now. Relax until my return tomorrow."

He left with just those words. I was left there. Alone.

….

"Eh?"

—.

"Hello….is anyone there?...somebody?.."

I was wondering the castle in complete confusion. It was already evening by the time Sun Wukong-sama left. He had left me alone in the forest to wander out by myself. I finally found my way out and made it into the castle but…..then I got lost.

This place is too big and wide for me to find my way around. I was led by Sun Wukong-sama so I have no idea how to get back on my own or even where to go in the first place. So now I'm wandering around alone like a lost child.

"Ara, Issei-san. There you are. I saw that Sun Wukong had left yet you were nowhere to be seen."

Out of nowhere, someone appeared behind me. Yasaka-san!

"Uwaaaaaah! Yasaka-samaaaa! Thank goodness you're here! I was so lost!"

I approached Yasaka-san while shedding unrealistically big tears. However, the unexpected happened. She pulled me into her chest and patted my head lightly.

"Now, now~ that isn't something a man should cry over right? Come now, I'll show you to your room."

….O...Oppai…..Kyuubi..oppai...

"Come on."

I followed Yasaka-san robotically while she led me by the hand. My brain wasn't working so I didn't even realize she was holding my hand.

"Ah, it's the Oppai Dragon!"

While we were walking through a couple of halls of the large, exquisite, very feudal Japan looking castle, I heard what sounded like children's voices from nearby.

"Oppai Dragon!"

"Zoom zoom iyaan!"

Suddenly, there was a small group of children surrounding me. Ah, they're little fox girls! Ah, that's right. Neko and Kitsune guys are like super rare aren't they? Ah, but the Oppai Dragon even has girl fans after all.

"W-Woah! Hey there, um, girls!"

I wasn't sure how to greet them as they jumped excitedly around me. Somehow I feel guilty that even girls have been influenced by my character.

"Now, now, girls. Oppai Dragon has had a long day. He needs his rest so act proper okay?"

[Yeeees~]

The girls answered Yasaka-san in unison. Wait, why are there random children running around this castle?

"Um, Yasaka-san. How come there are children here? They can't possibly be yours….are they?"

Yasaka-san giggled and waved her hand.

"Oh, no, no. Not these children. These children happen to be the children of those who serve me within this castle. There are some servants of mine that have had children, so these are them."

The children of her servants?

"So...they just hang out here?"

"Hm? Oh no, they live here of course. Just like their parents."

Huh? Live here?

"You mean, your servants live in this place, along with their children?"

"Mhmm. That's right."

I scratched my head at the concept.

"..Um, if you don't mind me asking, how come you have your servants live here?"

"Well, there are many of my servants that did not have homes before coming to serve me. I do not believe it is acceptable to have those serve me as homeless. That's why, they are allowed shelter here so long as they serve me. Of course, even if they choose no longer to serve me, they will receive assistance to find their own homes. Some have criticised me for this, but I feel it is something that is fair. Those who work, shall eat. Besides, it would be lonely with just Kunou and I here. I suppose someone who is familiar with the Devil society finds me odd, right Issei-san?"

Wha-?! Such an explanation-! What compassion!

"No! That's not weird at all! It's amazing! The fact that the Kyuubi-sama is such a kind and beautiful woman, it's too amazing to believe!"

Yasaka-san giggled at my reaction.

"Ufufufu, you flatter me. Though, an old woman like me is not the one you should be chasing after, Issei-san."

"Old?! No way! Yasaka-san is more beautiful than almost all of the young girls I've ever seen!"

"Ufufufu~ Thank you for that, Issei-san. But what I meant by that is that I'm not the one you should be complimenting."

Hm? She giggled while peering off to a staircase. I could vaguely make out something yellow whip past it. Ah...c..could that be…

"Are?"

While I was looking up at the staircase I felt a random gaze from somewhere. I looked around and my eyes landed on a certain corner. I could see a little head sticking out. One with white hair and light blue color mixed in it. Also, little ears. Ah, it's a little neko child? Is she shy? I tried calling out to her.

"Hey there little one~ no need to be afraid~"

The head tucked itself back quickly. Ah, I should have expected that. Why did I even try? Yasaka-san took notice of the child.

"Ah, that child is a bit shy. Ryousuke! Come on out now~ Don't be shy~"

Eh, "Ryousuke"? The child walked out slowly from the corner.

—?! It's a boy! It's actually a little Neko boy! Woah! Isn't that like super rare!? Yasaka-san walked up and picked up the boy. He looks to be around 4 years old. He had a shy attitude and held his thumb against his mouth cutely like if he was always nervous.

"This is Ryousuke. He is 4 years old. In case you didn't know, boys like him are very rare amongst our species. Our race practically has to rely on reproducing with other races to prosper. Almost all of the children born from our race tend to be women, so being an outlier to the situation, he is quite shy. Currently, there are only 5 living males like him. 2 of those being adults, 1 of them being of teenage years, and Ryousuke being the child. The last one has not yet been born, but the mother is quite far along in her pregnancy and will most likely give birth very soon."

W-Woah. No way. So he is super rare after all. It's just like Koneko-chan said. The males are extremely rare. 5 of them huh?

"Are all five of them purebreds or something? Ah! I didn't mean it that way, I'm sorry! I said that wrong!"

"Ufufufu. It's alright. Believe it or not, that's how we refer to them ourselves. However, in terms of purity only 1 of them happens to be pure Nekomata all the way through, that would be Kamijo the teenager. The others are half human-half youkai. Ryousuke here is half-human and half-nekomata."

"I see. I don't get it too much, but as I thought, he's a super rare one huh."

"Mhmm~ Ryousuke is a special little boy, right Ryousuke?"

The boy named Ryousuke just shyly placed his head over Yasaka-san's shoulder to hide from me. Ueeh...looks like he's a bit afraid of me huh. I asked Yasaka-san about something I was curious to hear.

"Um, so earlier you said there was a teenager who was all Nekomata. Does that mean he has two Nekomata parents?"

"Indeed. He is an extremely rare case, even amongst rare cases. Practically impossible. The odds of him being born were about 1 in several million, at least."

Woah! Holy shit! That is pretty damn rare. Even though I don't know much about the Youkai, that certainly has to be some crazy odds. So there's a guy like that huh. A teenager? I wonder if he's my age or something?

"Oddly enough, Kamijo was nothing more than a coincidence. One of the adult male Nekomata happens to have many mates, one of whom being a full female Nekomata. That was the one he ended up having Kamijo with."

"Hm? Multiple mates? So he has like a lot of wives or something?"

"Well, mates. You see, considering that male Nekomata are so rare, it is not unlikely for many female Nekomata to flock to them in hopes of breeding more purebred Nekomata. Especially since male Nekomata seem to have a higher chance of giving birth to another male. So, as a result, that male happens to have many mates. He was truly blessed by fortune to end up producing another male with a full blooded female Nekomata. Otherwise, Kamijo might have been born half-Nekomata and half of something else. Regardless, male Nekomata are a treasured presence either way. So it is possible that Kamijo, or even a boy like Ryousuke, would end up having many mates as well."

Thud!

I suddenly lost the power in my legs and fell to my knees.

"What is wrong, Issei-san?"

…..These boys….they...are natural born harem kings….That teenager who is near my age….that bastard…..He has already surpassed me…

"Oppai Dragon?..."

I heard a little voice. The boy!? He spoke!? No, wait, all of the children are looking at me in worry! I shot back up.

"Ah, I'm okay! Oppai Dragon is okay! Look! Ehehehe!"

The children smiled. Ryousuke still seemed shy. Yasaka-san patted his head and smiled.

"Now, let's get you to your room, Issei-san. I'm sure it's been a long day."

I followed Yasaka-san once more, the children inexplicably closely behind as well, and she led me up the staircase to another floor. She led me down a few halls and in front of the sliding door to a room. The moment she opened it I was met with an exquisitely designed feudal Japan like room with a nice bed (though it was on the floor).

"Woah! This is my room?!"

"Indeed it is."

"No way! This is way too nice! This room has multiple sliding doors in it alone! It's multiple rooms large! This can't be it right!? Why would you give such an amazing room to me?!"

She raised a brow teasingly.

"Ara, is this an odd accommodation for the hero who saved me from terrorists?"

"Oh...well, I mean I didn't, um. Well, I hardly did anything."

"Nonsense. Protecting my daughter and fighting for the sake of saving me despite having the right to refuse, that alone is enough. I would prefer if you allowed me to indulge you."

"Ah, well, that's…..sorry."

"Hm? Why?"

I ended up unconsciously apologizing. Such a kind woman….and to believe the first thing I thought of asking her for after saving her from that crises was to touch her breasts…..Heh. What a scumbag.

"What is the meaning of such a defeated look? Is there something that is not to your liking?"

"Ah, no, that's not it….it's just…..I don't deserve this…"

Yasaka-san shook her head.

"I don't know what compels you to have such an opinion, but I certainly disagree. There are many others who would disagree as well. Most especially, my own daughter."

"..."

She turned to leave.

"Please let one of my servants know if there is something you need. They will bring you dinner soon. I will be in the West wing, across the staircase. That is where Kunou and my room is located. I hope you enjoy your stay. Come now children. Let's leave the Sekiryuutei to rest."

Yasaka-san walked out of the room with the children closely following. I was left alone in the room….

—.

"Sigh."

I lied in bed without being able to sleep. It's only been a couple hours since I came to this room and it's still technically early. But it isn't like I have anything else to do right?

Thump thump!

Hm? I heard a light thumping outside of my door. It kind of sounded like somebody tripped. I got up and walked to the door. When I opened it and peered out there was no one there, but I saw something zip past the corner. A little form. I walked out slowly and looked over the railing to the staircase. There was a couple small forms that ran into the dark corners downstairs.

"...Heh…"

I couldn't help but smirk. I spoke loudly while walking "casually" down the steps.

"Oya, Oya! I could have sworn there was something outside of my door! What could it have been?"

I reached the bottom of the staircase. I could vaguely make out some small figures around a corner. I walked slowly closer to it without approaching it. The moment I passed it I could see something moving under the cloth of a curtain.

"Oya, Oya~ Could it be?...Could it be….that there is something….here!"

I pulled back the curtain. There was two little girls hiding behind it.

"I found you guuuuuuuuuurls!"

[Kyaahaha!]

They both squealed in amusement as I stood over them with my "claws" in the air.

"You better ruuuuun! Otherwise the big scary red Dragon is gonna eat yooooou!"

[Kyaah!]

They both quickly ran in a certain direction away from me with smiles on their faces.

"Aaaah! He's coming!"

"Run, ruuuun!"

"Hide, hide, hide!"

Out of nowhere, all of the children from before suddenly appeared and started running in different directions to hide…...Hehe….

"Ora, oraaaaaa! The scary Dragon's favorite meal is little girls like you! Itadakimaaaaaasu!"

[Kyaaah!]

After that, I practically ran around scaring off the little girls from their hiding spots to run in different directions while acting like a big scary monster. For 30 minutes. Honestly, what am I even doing? Haha.

"Kyaah!"

"I'm gonna get yoooou!"

I scared another girl from her spot and she quickly ran away from me excitedly. As soon as I got up to "chase" her, she ended up running into another girl in front of her.

"Ow!"

"Oh I'm sorry. Are you okay? Why were you running? Hm?"

The girl was helped up to her feet. The one she had bumped into was Kunou.

"Ah."

Kunou lifted her gaze to me after helping the girl. I froze in place.

"...Ise?"

I had nothing to say.

"Um…."

"Nee-san! Run! The big scary red Dragon will eat us!"

The little girl said that while pulling on Kunou's sleeve. Kunou looked at me curiously…..I slowly lifted my hands up and..

Squeeze, squeeze.

I made a groping gesture.

"...Eh?"

Kunou smiled in confusion. A devilish grin grew onto my face.

"...The Red Dragon's favorite meal is little girls like you~..."

"...I-Ise?.."

She took a step back fearfully.

"Iiiiiii-taaaaaa-daaaaaaki-MAAAAAASU!"

"Kyaaaaaah!"

Kunou immediately started running away in fear with the girl at her side. I couldn't hold myself from laughing as I chased them.

"Nahahahaha! Where are you going little princeeeeeeess!"

"I-Ise! Please calm down! Hyaaaaaah!"

"Hahahahahahaha!"

Hm? I paused in my chase. I could see a head poking from a corner. That's….I peered over. As I thought, it was little Ryousuke. I bent down to his level.

"Do you wanna play with us?"

He nodded his head meekly after a few seconds while holding his thumb against his mouth like usual. He must not have a lot of friends that are boys, so he must feel lonely. I smiled.

"Okay then!"

I picked him up and placed him on my shoulders.

"Alright then! The Red Dragon comes out with a new ally! It's time for double the trouble!"

The girls immediately began revealing themselves by yelling in shock.

"No way! There's two!"

"They morphed! Super Sentai rangers morphing!"

"Kyaah! We'll be eaten by two legendary creatures!"

"Ruuuuuuuuun!"

Without even realizing it, I ended up playing hide and seek with a bunch of random kids in the middle of the night.

-DxD-

"Alright then. Let us see how you control your body."

It was the next day, early morning. I was in the forest with Sun Wukong-sama again. To be honest with you, I'm kind of sleepy. I ended up playing with the kids last night until we got caught by Yasaka-san. Though she giggled at it, she still told us that it was past bedtime and we had to end our play session. She also teased her daughter until her face burned red like strawberries.

Now, I'm getting into more "control" training with Sun Wukong-sama. Apparently, it's control over my own body?

"My body? You mean my base form?"

Sun Wukong-sama nodded.

"Mm. That's right. First off, try using Rook to smash into the ground below you. Don't use any of your powers. Just do it with your fists."

Hm? He tells me to promote to Rook in my base form and strike the ground. Without boosting or Balance Breaker? Um, alright.

"Promotion, Rook!"

I promoted to Rook without using any of my powers.

"Now, strike the ground below you."

I listened to his instructions and lifted my arm into the air. I brought down my fist with all my might. And—

DOONN!

My fist crashed into the ground. The ground cracked around me for around 17 meters. Woah! Wait, was my strength always like this? Sun Wukong-sama rubbed his chin.

"Hm. As I thought, great power, but little control. Alright. In that case."

Sun Wukong-sama puffed some smoke from his pipe and blew it out of his mouth. But the smoke was overly thick compared to normal smoke. Are? That—is that Senjutsu?

"Fuuuuu!"

—?! He blew out a crazy amount of smoke that began to take up multiple forms. Forms shaped kinda like people. Smoke jutsu? Smoke clones?

"Alright. Try attacking one of those."

He told me to attack a clone. Alright. I jumped to the smoke clone closest to me and punched it. It immediately dispersed into nothing.

Poof!

"Mm. Yes, now try blowing a whole through one of the stomachs without causing it disappear."

"Eh? You mean...put a whole into one of them without making them disappear from the force?"

"Mm. Exactly."

He nodded. Um…..I moved to another smoke clone and readied my fist. I threw my fist into its abdominal area. It immediately dispersed again.

Poof!

Oh, it looks like I wasn't able to do it….

"Mm."

Sun Wukong-sama puffed some more smoke and sat up on his tail.

"Alright. Think about sending all of your strength into your punch, concentrate on landing on a certain point, and think about pulling it back while aiming it at that spot. But make sure not to actually pull it back."

He gave me instructions which sounded like he was trying to dumb it down for me. Ueeh...I'm sorry I'm stupid with new concepts. Anyway, I tried following his instructions as best I could. All of my strength, concentrate on the point, pull back without pulling back. Okay, okay. One, two, three!

Poom!

—! I did it!? I made a hole through one of their stomachs by following Sun Wukong-sama's instructions, without making the whole clone disperse!

"Hohoho! Only after one try! So this is the ridiculous growth of the God-Killing Sekiryuutei in action? Hohoho~ Yes, yes. This is certainly interesting. We may have more techniques we can fit into our time than I thought we would. Good, good. You know the feeling of holding massive amounts of power. Let's see you learn to control it now and forever. Show me how you speed through lessons the, red boy."

We continued our lessons through the day. All of the lessons were similar, but despite relying on the same principle they ended up teaching me about controlling different parts of my body at a time.

First we started with my arms and the smoke clones. Destroy various parts of the clones bodies without causing them to disperse entirely. Considering that my punches are my main line of offense, it was probably the most important lesson. I began to gradually become accustomed to the concept of pinpointing strikes and concentrating certain amounts power in each punch. All this time I just thought about punching with all strength, half strength, and no strength. But I had never thought about very specific amounts.

Fortunately or unfortunately, it was a lesson I had to learn the hard way in order to progress. I began to "feel" the necessary amount of strength needed to put into clones to make certain parts that were weaker than others disappear without destroying them fully. The impact felt like real people because of Sun Wukong-sama reinforcing them with his senjutsu. Thanks to this lesson, I was beginning to gain what felt like a lot of precise control over my arms. It got crazier when Sun Wukong-sama stepped it up and began to make me get even more precise by trying to concentrate power into my fingers and repeat the process.

After that, we moved on to my legs. He tested me out by having me smash the ground, similar to my first test. Then, he had me do a "jumping" test. Basically, he had me concentrate my legs into a power jump similar to the ones I did when I fought Atlas. I wasn't sure if it was possible without his power, but he said as long as my legs have strength they can build up power.

So, I did some power jumps and ended up cracking the ground below upon launch and impact from the landing. He essentially said that we follow the same concept as before, but this time on my legs. This test was honestly much harder, just like Sun Wukong-sama said, because I had to factor my momentum, velocity, and/or gravity as factors. There were sometimes that I had to accept there wasn't much I could do about the impact itself because of my momentum, but that was all part of the lesson. It taught me how to marginalize my concentrated power properly.

The next part of the lesson was a bit incomprehensible. It was centered around shockwaves. Sun Wukong-sama said that I have enough power in my strikes to send shockwaves. I understand that. What put a nail in my head was when he said we were going to concentrate on focusing the power of my strikes to send purposeful shockwaves to certain targets with varying degrees of power. That had to be the hardest part to get down and took the longest while to "master". I say master with quotations because I don't feel like I've mastered those concepts 100% but Sun Wukong-sama said that all that mattered was that I understood how they worked and what they felt like. Because as the lessons went on it would become an instinct that I would implement into lessons that didn't even require it. So basically, he said I could master it naturally/subconsciously once I've learned it. At first I found that unbelievable, but before I knew it, I noticed the times when I would be practicing his techniques without even realizing.

The training of control over my body even reached the point of using my fingers:

"Say, red boy. Do you recall that time here in Kyoto when I stopped the Longinus brat's spear with just this finger."

He motioned to the index finger he held up. I nodded my head vigorously. I certainly do remember that! After just fighting Cao Cao, it's something I could never forget! He puffed some smoke.

"I want you to try stopping my staff with two of your fingers. Hold them up."

—!? I can't do that! There's no way! That's what I wanted to say, but I don't want him to think less of me. Uuuuuuuuuu! Okay! Let's do it!

I lifted my arm and held out two of my fingers to point in his direction. He lifted up his staff casually and pointed it at me.

"Extend, staff."

Byooo!

At that moment, the staff extended in a second. It sped straight towards my fingers as I concentrated on holding up against it. Unfortunately, the staff easily pushed my fingers back and my entire hand all the way back near to my face.

"Oto! That's enough there. If that had gone further you would have broken your fingers. Or rather your entire arm. Alright. First time is a fail. That's fine. We'll continue doing it until you reach the control level to focus the proper amount of power into each finger. Get ready, we're going again."

"Oh…"

The rest of the day continued with a similar regimen. Control, control, control. That's what all this training boils down to. Controlling the power I have and focusing it into whatever I have. Aiming concentrated amounts of power into striking boulders and splitting them perfectly in half. Using shockwaves to blow all the leaves off of trees without damaging them. Stopping Sun Wukong-sama's staff with my broken fingers after 50 tries. All about control.

And of course that lasted up until evening again.

"Good. Good progress today as well. Take a rest now. Tomorrow I will be returning a bit later in the morning so you can rest easy."

"Yes siiir~…."

I answered him in an exhausted voice as I laid on the ground. Sun Wukong-sama walked away while muttering to himself about a mischievous green brat. Ugh. Ddraig. Am I even getting stronger?

[In terms of power, you don't seem to increasing substantially. However, the lessons you are learning on control are indispensable. With every lesson taught I can feel the improvement in your technique. This is vital training, partner. Do not neglect it.]

Right. By the way, you sound like you've been in a happy mood lately. You haven't asked for your medicine in a while. Are you doing alright?

[Kukukuku….]

Ddraig?

[We are the God-Killing Sekiryuutei, partner. I have no need for such worthless "remedies".]

...Uh oh...Well, at least you feel better?...

[Kukukuku….]

….I decided to ignore Ddraig and head back into the castle. It was a bit difficult to find my way, but I wasn't lost like yesterday. Thanks to Kunou, and chasing children around in the night, I am now familiar with around half of the castle grounds. Hopefully, she'll get to show me more tomorrow.

"Ah, Ise! There you are!"

Hm? Up ahead of me I could see Kunou quickly approaching.

"Oh, hey Kunou— Eh?"

She grabbed onto my arm and started pulling me somewhere.

"Come on, come on! Something important is happening! Come on, you have to see!"

"Wait, what? What's happening?"

"Come on, come on!"

I followed Kunou through the castle as she pulled on me. I could hear what sounded like an infant's cries as we continued. She led me to a room on the first floor that had double doors. She burst in without hesitation.

"Excuse me!"

"Kunou! What did I say about coming in quiet—"

Yasaka-san paused when she saw me. Ah, we were in a room with a large bed and what looked like nurses around it. There was a woman sitting on the bed with some bundle in her arms. Yasaka-san smiled and greeted me.

"Ah, Issei-san. You are here at the perfect time. The baby has just been delivered."

"Baby?"

Yasaka-san walked to the woman's bedside. The woman gently handed Yasaka-san the bundle and she held it in her arms. It was a little Nekomata baby. That's...the baby boy that was said to be born soon? That woman just gave birth to him?

"Hello little one~"

Yasaka-san wiggled her finger in front of the baby's nose lightly. He remained curled up in his bundle with his eyes closed and little hands sticking out. But the little red ears on his head flicked in reaction to her movements.

"Looks like he's asleep still."

Kunou walked closer and Yasaka-san held the baby near her level. Kunou looked at the little baby in amazement as he slept. Kunou poked his nose lightly and his ears flicked cutely.

"He's so cute!"

Yasaka-san smiled as her daughter looked at the baby with stars in her eyes. Her gaze suddenly switched to me.

"Issei-san."

Eh? She motioned for me to get closer.

"Me?"

She nodded her head. I approached hesitantly. The moment I got close I leaned in to look at the baby. A cute little baby boy with a bit of red hair and red little feline ears.

"Would you like to hold him?"

—?! Yasaka-san asked me that, but I waved my hands frantically.

"No, no, no! Not someone like me! I-I couldn't possibly—!"

"Is it alright if he holds him?"

"Yes, of course, please!"

Yasaka-san asked the mother and she nodded her head as if she found it to be an honour.

"Issei-san."

Yasaka-san smiled and held the baby out a bit for me to hold. I hesitated, but slowly reached out for the baby with both arms. The baby was slowly placed into my arms and I held onto it as gently as I could. For some reason, my heart was beating extremely fast.

"..He...Hey little guy…"

I smirked nervously while holding him. He was so light and small. His little red ears flicked on his head as if he was listening. A baby….This is a baby boy…..I've never held one before….

"..H...Hi.."

I imitated Yasaka-san's earlier action and lightly wiggled my finger near the baby's nose. His ears flicked…..But—

Slide.

My world stopped.

The baby had wrapped his little hand around on my finger and held onto it tightly.

…

…

…

"...Ah.."

…

"...Ise?..."

I could hear Kunou call out to me in the silence.

Drip.

Droplets of water fell onto the floor below me. My vision was blurred by something. I brought my fingers up to my eyes.

"Ah."

—I was crying.

….

I quickly wiped my face and returned the baby to the mother.

"..I'm sorry…"

"I-Ise!"

I walked out without looking back.

—.

…..I was lying in the bed of my room, silently looking off into nothing ahead of me.

[Partner?]

I'm alright, Ddraig. I'm okay. I just…..I don't know what came over me. I was just reminded of the Devil children for some reason and I…..I don't know. It just happened without wanting it to….

Knock, knock

I heard a light knocking. The one who who opened my door slightly was Kunou.

"Ise? Are you alright?"

"Ah...Kunou. Yeah, I'm alright. Just a bit tired."

She fidgeted a bit before asking me something shyly.

"There is a celebration going on for the birth….would you like to join us?"

"...Mm….I don't know Kunou...I—"

Before I could continue, I could see a few heads poke out from the doorway. Ah, it's those little girls I played with. They were looking at me expectantly.

"Ah, girls…"

"Is Oppai Dragon coming?"

"Is Oppai Dragon okay?"

They were whispering to each other curiously. Hm? I saw another familiar little head. That's…

"Oppai Dragon…"

It's little Ryousuke. He's holding his thumb at me with a shy gaze. So he wants me to come out too huh…...sigh…

"...Well, if you look at me like that how am I supposed to say no?"

The children smiled as I brought myself out of bed. I ended up joining Kunou and the others in their celebration of the baby's birth. The celebration was actually much bigger than I initially thought. My first assumption was true, we were having a little party of food and drink in the same room we first relaxed in with the bunch of officials just yesterday. However, there was also an entire celebration for the magari going on in the capital. Everywhere around you could see Nekomata/magari Youkai celebrating and selling items at shops for half price. It was an odd sight, but somehow it was heartwarming. It resembled a festival honestly.

So right now, I'm in a similar situation to the other day, being surrounded by drinking and laughing officials. But this time, there are servants and residents of the castle joining us. I was sitting with Kunou on my right, Yasaka-san on my left, and a few children sitting all around me. A couple of them were just sitting against my side as they ate, one of them was sitting in my lap, and Ryousuke was eating silently on top of my shoulders.

The officials around joked in their drunk stupor.

"Nahahahaha! To believe the [fifth] was born so closely after the [fourth] Who would have thought they would be birthing so quickly one after another! Next thing you know, we'll be facing the [sixth] in less than a years time!"

"Indeed! Who knows! This may the start of a new age! The age of male Nekomata baby boomers!"

[Hahahahahahahaha!]

The large group of men laughed heartily as they toasted their drinks. Suddenly, they began to stand up and file out.

"Ah, let us go visit the magari shrine! Surely they are having a celebration there!"

"Yes, yes! Perhaps they have opened a venue for a show!"

The men began filing out. The people left were the majority female servants and their children around me. The female servants began picking up after the mess that was made.

"Ah, you can all have a break today. Go ahead and enjoy yourselves at the festival if you'd like. We'll take care of the children."

The servants glanced at each other with uncertainty. Their eyes landed on me. I tried to avoid eye contact as I awkwardly ate some food that was fed to me by one of the little girls. I could see them smiling at each other before they filed out as well. I guess they're fine with the leaving the kids up to me...they shouldn't be…

"I'm not hungry anymore! I wanna play!"

The girl in my lap jumped excitedly. The other kids around me looked up to me expectantly. Even Kunou was looking at me from the corner of her eye.

"...Sigh…"

Hehe…

"...Well….That's too bad….I really am still hungry….very….very….HUNGRY!"

[Kyaaaaah!]

The girls immediately began running away from me as I lifted my arms up. Even Kunou ran out with them. I brought Ryousuke off my shoulders.

"Okay, Ryousuke. You're my eyes and ears. Bring their locations to me and we will catch them together. Go!"

Little Ryosuke ran off with a blank expression in the same direction the girls went. Haha. He ran off the way a superhero does. I sat there a bit and waited for his return silently. Yasaka-san sipped her tea.

"Are you alright, Issei-san?"

I smiled bitterly while averting my gaze.

"...Yeah…"

Looks like she's asking about what happened before.

"I did not expect you to have such a reaction. Was there something that happened to trigger it?"

I felt my eyelids increase in weight as my expression became sullen. I looked in front of me distantly, as if there was something there, but it was just a wall.

"I just….I just couldn't help but think of all the Devil children who look up to me in the Underworld….even though they love me, I've been such a bad influence…...But even more than that…...I couldn't help but think of the fact that there are terrorists out there who aim to extinguish such existences…...something so pure and insignificant….I was born a human….But now I'm a Devil and a Dragon host….I'm all of these things, but I don't think that changes me in the way they think it should…...if anything, I was worse as just a human…..But above all that, when I was holding onto that baby…..I couldn't help but think…"

I could see the Devil children smiling in front of me. They were standing beside humans and even Youkai.

"...Aren't we all just the same?..."

…

…

Suddenly, I felt soft hands land on my head and I was brought into the gentle embrace of Yasaka-san's bosom.

Pomf.

"I no longer have any doubts."

That was all Yasaka-san said as she held onto my head with the sweetest smile I had ever seen. Even though I was in between her breasts, the thing only thing I could think about was the gentle feeling of motherhood cast over me. I could feel my heart lighten and peace of mind in myself…..

…..We stayed that way for a couple minutes until Yasaka-san released me and stroked my cheek.

"What a sweet boy. Kunou should hurry up and grow faster. Otherwise, you'll be snatched away by other candidates. Ah, I don't mean myself of course. Although, I certainly wouldn't mind if it was a man such as yourself~"

"E-Ehehehe.."

I could only scratch the back of my head bashfully while Yasaka-san leaned against my shoulder teasingly. W-Who knew the Kyuubi was so flirtatious?

"!"

I suddenly had an idea. A devilish idea…

"...Yasaka-san…"

She sat back in her original position casually.

"Hm? What is it?"

I grew a devilish smile.

"...Do you happen to know what the red dragon's favorite meal is?..."

She tilted her head curiously.

"Pardon?"

I lifted my hands up and made a groping gesture.

"...Little girls have always been the red dragon's favorite….But, the mature ones are always more…..plump and juicy…."

She smiled nervously.

"I-Issei-san? Are you alright?"

"...Neh, Yasaka-san…..did you know?...as long as you find the right spot...that all girls….are a bit—"

"Eep!"

Yasaka-san squealed as I suddenly grabbed onto her bare foot with my fingers. She pulled it away immediately. My smile grew darker.

"..Ticklish~"

She began scooting away bit by bit with a fearful smile.

"I-Issei-san...you can't possibly.."

"...A gorgeous, mature Kyuubi-sama….all ripe for the taking…"

"I-Issei-san, that's something— you should be playing with kids. Not someone like me. An old woman like me is—"

"Nine fluffy tails…..nine spots for tickling…."

"I-Issei-sama?"

"...Iiiiii-taaaaaa-daaaaaaaki— MAAAAAAASSUU!"

"Kyaaaaaah!"

Yasaka-san instantly started running around the room as I chased her. We circled the table as I occasionally poked at her sides when I got close.

"I-Issei-san! Wait! Stop!"

"Kyuubi-saaaaaaaan~! Where are you gooooooing~? The red dragon is still hungryyyyyyy~!"

"Issei-san, that is enough! I am a grown woman! You should be chasing after the children, not me!"

"Ara, ara, ara, ara~! Wasn't it you who said you would accommodate your hero~? Come on now~ The hero is hungry, so won't you feed him~?"

"Hyaaah!— No! Stay away! I am a lady! This is no way for a lady to act!"

"This would all be over if you just proved to me you weren't ticklish~! Huh, how about that, huh~! Can you prove it to me~?"

"This is ridiculous! I am the leader of the East Youkai Faction! I have no obligation to prove anything to y—!"

"Caught you!"

"Kyaaaaaaaah!"

"Ora, Ora, Ora, Ora!"

"Hyaaaahaha!—Stop!—Aaaahn~!—No!"

"Oya, oya! Those are some interesting noises you're making Yasaka-san! Could it be that this Kyuubi-sama is actually a naughty girl on the inside~?!"

"Hyaaah!—No! Don't say such things!—Kya!—Let go of my sides! Please! I beg you! Sekiryuutei-dono!"

"Bahahahahaha! Bow before the might of the God-slaying Sekiryuutei! Hahahahahahahaha!"

Just as I was tickling Yasaka-san's stomach, on the floor from behind (quite a suggestive position now that I think about it), I ended up being interrupted by the children at the entrance.

"Hahaue!"

"The red dragon is attacking Yasaka-sama!"

"Save Yasaka-sama!"

"Eh? Ah, wait! Wait! Guys hold on—!"

I was suddenly dogpiled and attacked by a bunch of kids.

"Aaaaaaahh!"

"Save Yasaka-sama!"

"Take down the red dragon!"

"No, no, no! Wait, children! We were just playing! It's alright! Let him go!"

Yasaka-san was able to convince the children to let me go. I was left face down on the floor like a dead body.

"Issei-san? Are you alright?"

Even though my face was mushed to the floor, I spoke clearly.

"...It seems….that my prey….have brought themselves TO ME!"

[Kyaaaaah!]

All of the girls ran away as I shot up with a maniacal laugh.

"Nahahahahahahahaha! The red dragon has a feast to attend toooo~!"

The girls all filed out of the room while squealing. Yasaka-san let out a sigh of relief as she fixed her hair a bit.

"...Yasaka-saaaan~..."

I stood over her with the same devilish grin. Her smile twitched nervously.

"..Y...You can't be serious…"

"...Iiiiiiii-taaaaaaa-daaaaaaki—"

"Kyaaaaaaaaah!"

"—MAAAAAAAAASSUUU!"

And just like that, I spent a whole night chasing little girls, the Kyuubi, and her daughter around an entire castle relentlessly. Ah, I suppose that makes me sound like a criminal doesn't it? I…..have no defense...

Part 4

Knock knock

The next morning I received a knock on my door. The one who knocked was Kunou.

"Um. Now that you have extra time this morning, w-would you like to go out and explore the capital with me?"

I gladly accepted.

"Of course!"

And with a bright smile, Kunou led me through the capital with great enthusiasm. She took me sightseeing to many hot spots like shrines and shops with different things in them. A bit like when we were in normal Kyoto, but a lot of the places were more absurd and filled with exotic looking things.

Kunou stopped us when we were walking in a market area with multiple shops side by side each other.

"Ah, are you hungry? I'll get us some fried Nightmare eyes!"

I flinched.

"Fried Nightmare eyes?..."

She pointed to a shop that was selling "Nightmares on a stick". Those are the things I saw at the abandoned castle where I found Medusa. The big flying eyes with bat wings. Bleh! They eat those?!

"Would you like some?"

Kunou looked at me with sparkling eyes…..Ueeeh.

"Yeah...sure…"

"Okay!"

Kunou ran off excitedly to get us some Nightmares on a stick….Oh I don't want to eat them….but if it is for Kunou's sake…

"Ah, Oppai Dragon!"

Hm? A child suddenly began running up to me.

"Hey, little one."

Before I could even pat her head when she reached me—

"No! Don't get near him!"

She was pulled away by her mother. Her mother whispered to her.

"You can't go near him. He is dangerous, understand?"

"But why Okaa?"

"Because he is a dangerous existence. You can't be getting near something like him, understand? I'm sorry, she doesn't know what she's doing. I-I hope she didn't bother you..."

The mother apologized to me with a weak smile….I could see the genuine fear in her eyes….why?...

[I'm sorry, partner. This is something that simply takes place when something so drastic has been done. A God-Killing existence like yourself casually strolling through the capital streets, even if the majority of people look to you without animosity, there will always be a fraction that will gaze at you in fear.]

….I felt my hand slowly lower to my side.

"...No...It's alright…"

I turned to walk away while holding my head down to mask my expression. I could feel the painful smile on my face. Haha. Why? Why does it hurt? Hahaha. How pathetic.

"!—Honey!"

Something grabbed onto my leg. I looked down and saw the little girl hugging onto me. She looked up to me with a sad pout.

"Don't be sad!"

….

"C-Come on now~ We shouldn't bother him when he's busy, right? Excuse us."

The mother pulled her daughter and walked away.

[To believe that I found joy in this reputation of yours previously, I didn't consider your feelings, partner. How ironic. Forgive me for failing as a partner.]

…..No….I failed you first. This is just a taste of my own medicine….

[...]

"Ise?"

I turned around. Kunou was there with our Kabob looking food.

"Are you alright?..."

I smiled.

"Yep!"

We continued on with our excursion. Unfortunately, that wasn't the only incident like that. When we entered another restaurant, there was an owner who was an Oni (Ogre) that didn't want to serve us….No, me.

"I will serve the princess without issue. I won't serve him."

The large Oni said that while crossing his arms. A younger looking Oni, most likely his son, pulled at his sleeve while whispering.

"Oi, kuso-oyaji! Are you insane?! He's a God-Killer! This guy could kill us in a second!"

"If he does that then he is only proving my point."

"You wanna bet our lives on that?!"

"Yes. For an existence like him who is known for extinguishing such important figures, I don't support him being near the Kyuubi-sama. If it is for the sake of the Kyuubi-sama, then it is for the sake of Kyoto as well. So that's why I'd bet my life to prove this point."

Kunou stood up from her seat.

"Such insolence! How dare you treat the hero who saved Kyoto in such a way!"

"I'm afraid that I did not witness such an event."

The Oni narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Kunou flinched. That's right, the event of Yasaka-san's kidnapping was not public information. It was kept under wraps in order to avoid an uproar at that time. Only those affiliated with her and the officials know of such a thing. Not the average inhabitant.

"Regardless of what he may be considered in the eyes of the princess, he is an unpredictable existence. We don't know what he is capable of. And I do not support the idea of having him walk so leisurely through our streets and in Kyuubi-sama's presence. That is all."

….I see...

"Let's go, Kunou."

I stood from my seat while facing away from them.

"Wha-? Ise, we can't just leave! You don't deserve this treatment! Hear me! By my order as princess I command you—"

"Kunou."

I interrupted her before she could continue.

"This is his establishment. He should have the right to deny anyone he wants. If I'm not wanted here, then that's all there is to it…"

I could hear some little voices in background.

"Mama! Why is the Oppai Dragon getting kicked out?! I don't want to eat here anymore!"

There were a few children complaining about situation. I would've hoped that we left without incident. I don't want to cause trouble. Kunou walked to my side and held my hand as we were beginning to leave. She pointed straight at the Oni.

"Listen here! I don't care what you think about Ise, but just know that when the time comes, even if you treat him this way he will still protect you! That's because that is just the type of man he is! When that happens you can apologize to him! And even if I don't agree with it, he will forgive you! Because he is that type of man! [God-Killing Sekiryuutei] or not, he is not a danger to anyone here, especially children! Ise is not a murderer! Ise is a gentle Sekiryuutei—!"

"—That's enough, Kunou."

I interrupted her before she could continue. At that time, I didn't know why I had reacted immediately the moment she spoke those words, but my subconscious did. Those words were not hers alone. You had once said that to me before, hadn't you, Koneko-chan?

"Let's…"

I turned to her with a pained smile as I kept my eyes shut, most likely to prevent anything from falling out of them.

"Let's just go, yeah?.."

"...Okay.."

Kunou and I took a step forward to walk out. However, the voice of the Oni stopped us.

"Wait."

We stopped. I peered over my shoulder without revealing my face. There was no longer any animosity in his expression. Instead, he looked to me with a solemn understanding.

"I've seen that expression before…"

He brought out a notepad for taking orders.

"That's enough for me."

Kunou smiled up at me. I let out a sigh of absolute relief I didn't even know I held.

"So what can I getcha?"

"...Does a place like this even have Udon?"

The Oni smirked.

"We'll see what we can scrounge up. Get back in the kitchen boy!"

"Yeah, yeah. Kuso-oyaji (shitty dad)."

Thankfully, the second incident felt less heavier than the first.

-DxD-

"Breathe slowly."

That same day. I was back in the forest with Sun Wukong-sama. This time, I'm sitting and meditating while Sun Wukong-sama gives me instructions. Apparently, today we're working on my aura. He says that part of controlling my power is to have a good control over the base of my power which is my aura. Though I have low demonic power, and as a result weak demonic aura, he says I have a great amount of Dragon aura. Or "aura of the Sekiryuutei". Since I'm a Devil, my main source of my power outside of my body is meant to be my demonic power, but that's only true for Bishop promotion. In my Rook or Knight promotion, there is really no need for demonic power since I just boost myself.

Sun Wukong-sama says that outside of boosting, I'm neglecting my Dragon power. He says that it's possible to lessen the damage and effects suffered by holy elements if I were to have a high potency of Dragon power overpowering my demonic power. That's already the case because of how low my demonic power is, but he says if I can gain control over my power and aura directly than I can use it to defend against such elements much easier. He even says that one day I could become proficient enough at using it so that, inside of my armor, I could practically receive no damage from almost all holy elements. And that would be great, because if my Dragon power was large enough to keep holy elements from affecting me inside of my armor, then as long as I don't break the armor I would essentially be invincible!

"You are distracted, boy. Focus."

"Ah, right! Sorry!"

I shut my eyes and concentrated my aura around my body.

"Huuu…"

I took deep breaths.

"Good. Now maintain control over your aura at all times. Don't lose your focus over any outside interferences."

I listened to his instructions and held the aura around my body calmly. I felt something lightly tap my head. That is...the bottom of his staff? No, wait. Focus. Don't worry about it. Just focus….

Ooohhhmmm…..

I could feel the aura around my body begin to fluctuate. Did he use Senjutsu to disrupt the flow? Wait. It feels like it's growing. It's getting bigger. Oh no. It's starting to get out of control. Shit. Focus. Control. Oh shit. I've never thought about being able to control it if it went rampant like this. I always moved according to my emotions. If it ever came off of my body it's because my emotion overcame me.

Shit. Shit. I don't know how to control it. Fuck.

"Control, boy. This aura is yours, is it not?"

"Y-Yes."

"In that case, control it. Treat it as if it is a part of your body. Imagine something subtle and calm. Imagine it flowing over you like the calm stream of a river. Or, since you are a Dragon, imagine it sitting on you like a fire. Think of it as gentle flames flowing off your limbs and body. Act as if you can control the intensity of the flames like the intensity of your emotions. Control."

Flames?...I began to imagine my body being covered in flames…...Flames…..these are flames…..I can feel them moving….it's flowing off of my skin….it's part of my body...lessen the degree of flames….make the flames go down….gentle flames….gentle like….

…..the flames of a Phoenix wing….

Sss…

I heard the light sound of sizzling. My arms felt a bit like they were heating up? No, don't think about that. Focus. Control your aura. Yeah….just like that…..gentle….gentle flames.

"Hoooh~"

I heard Sun Wukong-sama make a sound that seemed like he was impressed. I guess I'm doing good then?

"So he's still slumbering in there I see…..Alright. Prepare yourself boy. I'm going to see if I can wake up what's left of him."

?- Sun Wukong-sama said that as he touched my chest with his staff. What is…? The last thing I heard was what sounded like a single drop of water in a puddle.

Dwoop…

At that moment, my mind was invaded— what felt like thousands of images and sounds crashed into my subconscious, things resembling memories.

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECCCHHHH!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

I clutched at my head as I rolled on the ground. A clashing of existence was somehow taking place in the depths of my being.

Z̠͙̺̜̪̱̪̑͑̈̒͂͞ͅu̷͍͔̻̣͛̿͐ͨ͢e̢̜̙͋͒̀ͬͫ͌s͖̠͇͉̙̬̽̾͒ͮ́

̗Ȯ̳͚͔̬̳̠ͪ͗̑̑l̝̓͒̔͑̅ͫy̵̶̢͈̣͍̼̰̰̙̮̓̑́ͧm̩̻̞̙̪̳̦̥̯̍̐̈́̅p̢̧͓̖̺͌̅̽ů͚̯̮͐̋͛ͦ͛̀ṡ̢̨̮͈̱̩̥̚

T̷̰̰̙̟͓̼͕̰ͦ̕͠i̶̮̯̜͍̹̦͋̐̆͢ṯ̙̜͓̹̃â͙̫̦̲͎̝̲̯͉̂̉̽̏̄̽̚̕͠ṋ̴̯͇͉͚̙̌ͫ͗̇o̷̢̩͎̩͕̩͍̹̞̊̋ͪ͘m̤̘̙͛̈́͘͜a̬͉̯̹̩̪̿̈͝c̴͍̖̘̜̪ͥ̃́̓h̨̼̩̥̟̣̖̠͎̏̒̾͆̀ͯ̀ͬy̜̠̞̘̅̒̀̈̂ͭ́̃̍

̠T͑ͪ͒̚͘͏̠̗̟̗̹̞̫̗̮͠h̢̧̥̞̬̲́̎̈́͟é͈̹̺̳ͩ̉̀́̚͝ ̤̹̺̼̞͈͌̽ͦ̃ͤͦͅH̫̻̫̟̤͆ͯ͗̂́ȩ̵̣͎͋͒̕a̯̘͈̲̤̟ͪ̿̽̓̐͟͜͞ṿ̹̉ͦ͂̓̑ͯ̎͋̾̕e̟͙̙͍̔͌̍̉̾̀n̖̖ͯ͋̀̽ͣͣ̔̚s͈͕̭̓̚͘

M̴̻̪̑̽̎͋͜ỵ̩̪̝̼̗ͮ͗ͩ̓̀ͅ ̘̓ͭ̒̈̈͌͌s̷̖̼̏̆̍͆̿ͥ̓̿̚o̢͎̰̗̣̫̊̒ͤ̉̏̓ṇ̵͇͙̦ͤͪ̈́̃ͯ̂͂ͤ

A̡̤̞̟͇̘̩͚͉ͭ̃ͤ̇ͧ͒͆̉̀͢T̯̭̰̻̜͕̺̠̹̣̺͚͇̣̟̝͖̄ͧ͐ͩ͛͛ͪ̏̓́ͅL̸̨͗ͥ͂̒̏̐͏̡̦̱͓̥̟͜Ä̶̧̛̟̱̙̟͈̗́̅ͤͦ̓͛̄ͭ͆ͩ̊̂́S̸̶̞͇̬͓͉͉̳̤̫̘͉͙̲̞̞̐ͧ̿͐͒̽̓̾̔ͤͬ̚

.

.

In the midst of the turmoil in my soul, I felt Sun Wukong-sama's staff tap my head lightly.

"Embraced by the grace of the Heavens, let the golden clouds cushion your soul."

The conflict immediately ceased. My body relaxed and dropped.

"Haaah!...Hah!...Haah!"

I let out heaves of breath as my body collapsed from the stress. What….the fuck was that?...

"Hm. Alright. Let's try this out. Stand up."

Huh? He said that while puffing. He tells me to stand up right after that? That's harsh. Can't at least get a break?

"Ugh…"

I brought myself up with a struggle. I stood up unsteadily. Sun Wukong-sama lifted his staff and pointed it at me. I was suddenly surrounded by an oddly colored sphere and trapped within it.

"Alright. Concentrate your aura into blowing out of your body uncontrollably. Do it until you break forth from this barrier. Use your dragon power if you so wish. Just don't use any physical attacks."

Huh? Break out of this barrier? I pressed my hands against it. Oh. This is actually a pretty strong one. I would be able to break out by punching it with Scale Mail. Ah, but destroying it with nothing but my aura? Isn't that kind of ridiculous? That sounds crazy. Can I really do it just by burst ping with power? It reminds me of Atlas. I bet he could burst through something like this without breaking a sweat thanks to the pressure released from his body.

[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!]

I donned my armor and began increasing the aura around my body boosting my power.

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

The pressure around my body increased as my aura flared from the burst of power. This isn't enough. I can't break out like this. I need more.

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

OOOOOHHHHHHHMMMMMMM!

The aura bursting forth from my body released an incredible pressure. Yet, it still wasn't enough to even crack the barrier. No! I need more!

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

[Partner. I do not think you are yet at the level of control to focus your aura into destroying the barrier properly. Theoretically, we could break through if you just keep boosting until it breaks, but I find that implausible. As it is now, you are only bleeding through stamina and nothing more. Somehow, I feel as if this isn't the point of the lesson.]

Then what is it?!

[I do not know.]

"Aaaaaaaaaaargghhh! Fucking Hell!"

I began to feel enraged for some reason.

"You're the God-Killing Sekiryuutei aren't you?! Can't you break out of one fucking barrieeeeeeer?!"

A powerful pressure started releasing from my body. It seemed to heat up my armor.

OOOOOOHHHHMMMMMMM!

Break out! Break out! Break out! This can't contain me! Nothing can contain me! I am the Red Dragon of Domination! There is no prison that can hold me! Not even the weight of the Heavens!

"Raaaaaaaaaaaaghhh!"

My rage reached a peak. The word "barrier" echoed in my head.

"Break! This! Fucking! Barrieeeeeeeer!"

.

.

.

.

《There is no longer a prison that can hold me.》

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"

At that moment, the barrier broke into pieces.

PIIIIIIIKA!

"Extend, staff."

The instant I broke out, Sun Wukong-sama sent his staff towards my chest and my aura and armor dispelled.

PYOOM!

I fell to my knees.

"Haaah! Hah! Cough, cough!"

I coughed a bit and caught my breath. Ah, my head….what did I just do?

"Hohohohoho!"

Sun Wukong-sama laughed heartily.

"Well done, boy. I see, I see. Alright. Let's continue with aura stabilization. Time for more control lessons, boy."

We continued the lesson as per usual. Well, it would be wrong to call any of these training regimen usual. But hey, at least it's effective.

—.

"Rest until tomorrow, boy. Good progress today as well."

"Thank you very much~..."

I thanked Sun Wukong-sama as he walked away. Well, now I gotta go back to the castle in this exhausted state….alone….yaaay…

"Ugh."

I got up and walked towards the castle like usual.

"Ah, my neck is fucking killing me."

I rubbed the back of my neck with my hand.

"Are?"

I couldn't help but notice the odd burn marks on my arms? Did I get burned somewhere during that training?

"Ara, could that be the Sekiryuutei-dono himself?"

Hm? I turned around at the sound of an unfamiliar voice. A woman? It was a mature (big breasted) looking fox lady. Is she related to Yasaka-san? No, that's not it. She just happens to be another fox lady. She only has one tail and her hair/fur is all white. She's wearing a blue and white kimono with an orange Obi. I heard that all fox Nekomata are somehow related to the Kyuubi in some way. Maybe they're distant relatives then.

"Um, hello?"

She came up to shake my hand. I shook it as respectfully as I could.

"I am Yorimitsu. Ah, I hope you don't find my introduction disrespectful."

"Ah, no, no. Same here. It's nice to meet you, um, Yorimitsu-san? Are? Yorimitsu, Raiko? Wait, like Minamoto no Yorimitsu?"

"Indeed. Though, there is obviously no relation. And it's just Yorimitsu of course."

"R-Right, right. Um, well, nice to meet you. I am Hyoudou Issei. This generation's current Sekiryuutei. Ah, maybe you already knew that?"

Yorimitsu-san giggled at my awkwardness. She giggles a lot like Yasaka-san. Hm, maybe they are related. Or maybe they just spend a lot of time together since they live here.

"Sekiryuutei-dono, or may I call you Issei-dono?"

"Ah, there's really no need. You can just call me Ise."

"Very well, Ise-dono."

"E-Ehehehe. You ended up going with it anyway…"

"Would you like to join me for a drink, Ise-dono?"

"Eh? A drink? Ah, I'm underage so…"

"Oh. For a chat then?"

"Um….sure…"

I'm not really sure how I was supposed to deny that without being rude so I decided just to accept. Yorimitsu-san led me a bit around the first floor and brought me to one of the many rooms that resemble each other. We sat near a Kotatsu in the middle of the room as Yorimitsu brought out a bottle of Sake and began drinking it from a bowl.

"So, Ise-dono, how have you been enjoying your stay?"

"Oh, um, pretty good. Training with Sun Wukong-sama is an honour and I love playing with the kids on my down time."

"Ara, no need to be so tense. Just a friendly little chat is all I'm looking for."

"R-Right."

I realized my body was a bit tense and tried relaxing it. I also switched my positions from Sazen to crossing my legs. That does feel kinda better.

"So, the children. You seem to have quite the connection when it comes to the young ones."

"Ah, yeah huh. Well, I had never really liked kids growing up, but they always seemed to attach themselves to me for some reason. I'm sure if I wasn't a terrible pervert, people would've let me hang out with their kids all the time."

"Oh, well, that's just a part of being young. Most boys tend to be like that in some way. Even Sun Wukong-sama was quite mischievous when he was a youngster."

"Eh? Sun Wukong-sama was? Really?"

"Mhmm. Yes, indeed. He was such a troublemaker that there was once a time that the Buddha himself had to seal him under a mountain as punishment for his antics."

"W-Woah! The Buddha-sama himself had to?! No way! He was really like that?"

"Mhmm."

Woah. So even Sun Wukong-sama was troublesome at a young age huh. That's nuts. Looking at him now, it's a bit hard to imagine it.

"Ah, but, even so…..it's….I still feel bad having been the way I was. Just being a pervert without thinking about it…..It caused a lot more trouble than needed…...Maybe if I had changed somewhere along the line like Sun Wukong-sama….Maybe things would have been different."

Yorimitsu-san raised a brow at my little confession.

"Ara, I did not expect this side from a happy go lucky Sekiryuutei like yourself."

"...Yeah….No one does…"

"..."

Yorimitsu-san placed down her Sake and looked at me seriously.

"They are calling you a God killer you know?"

I visibly flinched at her words.

"There were many who started doubting your existence after watching that footage. There were many who simply didn't understand the depth of the situation, and in their uncertainty, they found fear. Those who are completely ignorant, like the children, they pay no mind to it. However, the sensible majority can't help but feel a slight sense of unease when your image enters their minds. What was once known as the [Oppai Dragon] for children, it's now an existence that eliminated a highly significant mythological existence ruthlessly. It filled them with a sense of unpredictability. 'If he can do this without hesitation, then what else can he do?'. That was the question. That became the seed of doubt."

…..I see…..Yes, it's only logical that they would react that way. Just a couple months— No, even just a couple weeks ago, I was still just the same Oppai Dragon. Except now I was fighting a bunch of different monsters and boosting my popularity to mainstream audiences thanks to most parents being okay with non perverted content. But then, one of my episodes randomly airs with no editing tricks like music or dramatic effects. It's just raw footage. Raw footage of me being beaten down brutally by an Evil existence with the strength of a God. There was no way we could show that to children freely. Could you imagine, a child sitting in front of his TV screen, waiting for his show to start excitedly while holding onto an Oppai Dragon figurine in his hand - then, out of nowhere, he's watching nothing but 10 minutes of brutality against his favorite hero with no sort of portrayal that he is a hero fighting against Evil. Instead, he's just fighting to survive and the main priority is running away because victory is not possible? It's just not right. It's too hefty for a child's mind to weigh in on. It's too real.

And the worst part is, at the end of the program, the enemy of the hero is killed without remorse right in front of their eyes - uncut death…...I'm glad that most children were not able to see that. There may have been kids hearing about it from around, but at the very least, none of them should be able to view the raw footage at this point.

….the God-Killing Sekiryuutei….I wonder how many of them have asked their parents why I as referred to with such a name…..they still don't understand the sense of unease the people around them have….

"But you know something?"

Yorimitsu-san snapped me out of my thoughts.

"That girl. The little one. Even though she watched the footage alongside of her mother, even though she didn't understand the full scope of what had happened, there was not a single shred of doubt within her."

The little one?...Kunou…

"Even though her mother herself had felt a sense of unease and doubt, her daughter stayed true. She believed that for whatever reason, that what you did was something necessary. She believed in her heart that it was something that needed to be done. Even though she didn't comprehend the full conflict herself, she decided to believe in 'her hero' wholeheartedly. That sweet little girl. If I had to say so myself, I'd say you have more than proven yourself. Even Yasaka herself seems to no longer have doubts about you. It seems like she trusts you completely. That's a hard thing to do, to earn the Kyuubi-sama's trust. There aren't many who have it. Even and old woman like me took years to earn it. Quite the accomplishment."

...Yasaka-san trusts me? Completely? But...why? And Kunou….

"Well that's all I wanted to say about that hefty subject. I prefer to have more light hearted chats. Talking about the serious stuff makes me feel like an old hag. So, I hope you don't mind if I want to change topics."

Yorimitsu-san drank some more Sake from her bowl while handing me a box. Hm? What's this? Chocolates?

"Go ahead, have one. They're quite delicious."

"E-Eh? Ah, of course. T-Thank you….Um, whatever do you want to talk about then?…"

I ate a couple chocolates from the box. Mm. They are good.

"How about you ask me something? I've been babbling on and asked you some things, but perhaps you're curious about something?"

Ask her something? Hm. Well, if I had to ask her anything, it's gotta be that.

"Um, are you related to Yasaka-san in some way?"

"Ah well, considering that I am a Kitsune, in some ways yes. However, when it comes to blood relation, there is truly not much. I am simply a distant cousin of the little one."

"A distant cousin of Kunou? How is that possible? In that case, you really are young aren't you?"

"Ufufufu. Oh, you flatter me."

She giggled while placing her hand over her mouth. Is this person really not Yasaka-san's sister or something? Also, am I feeling dizzy or is that just me?

"No, well, it's not flattery. You're just seriously young. You don't look like you're far from my age at all. You could pass for one of the younger teachers at my school, at best. There's no way you look above mid twenties."

Hm? I am feeling dizzy. And my vision is just a tiny bit fuzzy. What is..?

"Oh my, who knew the Sekiryuutei-dono was such a flirt? I knew you were lecherous, but the idea of you talking so smoothly never crossed my mind. Who knows? I might just get eaten up by the big, scary red Dragon~"

Yorimitsu-san says that in a seductive tone….Are? Is she pulling at the kimono near her chest area? Maybe I'm just fantasizing? Ah, why does my head feel kinda heavy? What the Hell is wrong with me?...

"Sekiryuutei-dono…."

Suddenly, Yorimitsu-san dropped her bowl of Sake and pulled at the chest are of her kimono, giving me full view of her cleavage.

"—! Wha-?! What are you doing Yorimitsu-san?!"

"I'm sorry, Sekiryuutei-dono! But I can no longer hold myself!"

—?! Yorimitsu-san suddenly began crawling towards me with a red face! What?! Her tail is all fluffy and she even looks like she is drooling!? What's happening?! Did she do something to my body?!

I looked to the box of chocolates from before—?! Alcoholic chocolates?! You mean I'm drunk?! No, this can't be! I only had two or three! Maybe I'm just tipsy! Even so, does this mean I'm being attacked?!

"Usually, a mature Nekomata like myself can control myself during these mating seasons, but somehow I can't hold myself back! It's as if the enticing, overbearing aura of the Sekiryuutei has dulled my senses! I can only move on instinct! And my instinct now is to breed!"

B-B-Breed?! Mating season?! Like with cats?! An actual mating season?! You mean even Nekomata have those?! Wait—MY AURA?! You're saying this is because of my aura?! —! It's because I fucking trained with it all day! It's because all of today's lessons were on my aura so now it's having this sort of effect on her!? Sun Wukong-sama what have you done to meeeeeeeeeee?!

"Sekiryuutei-donooooo~!"

"Aah!"

Yorimitsu-san suddenly jumped on me. Oh no! I'm being held down by her! I don't know how to get free without hurting her because of the alcohol influencing my brain! I'm afraid I won't be able to hold back against her! Oh shit! Yorimitsu-san sat on top of me sensually with her fluffy tail wagging behind her. Her panties are exposed from below!

"Sekiryuutei-donooo~"

She was sitting right on my lower half! Is this it?! Is this how I'm gonna lose my first time?! Taken by some random Kitsune during my training trip in Kyoto?! That's quite a story to tell! But—! But I—!

Yorimitsu-san brought her face closer to mine. Slowly, her lips were approaching my own.

—An image of marshmallow soft, pink lips flashed through my mind.

"Ise-sama"

-[!]-

I placed my hands on her shoulders and held Yorimitsu-san back.

"Help! Someone help!"

It only took a few moments before guards with his masks jumped into the room. They immediately took notice of Yorimitsu-san.

"Ah, Sekiryuutei-donooo!"

She struggled as they lifted her from me and began carrying her off. The next one to enter was Yasaka-san.

"What's going on?"

She saw the guards holding Yorimitsu-san and approached them. Yasaka-san placed her hand on the back of Yorimitsu-san's neck. Yorimitsu-san seemed to fall asleep right after.

"Place in her room to rest."

The guards nodded and walked away while carrying Yorimitsu-san. What just happened?...Yasaka-san walked over to me and gave me a hand up.

"Are you alright, Issei-san?"

"A-Ah, yeah. I'm okay."

"I'm sorry about that. It seems she couldn't control herself for some reason. You seem a bit unbalanced."

"Ah, yeah. Um, I think she tricked me into eating some alcoholic chocolates, so I think I'm a bit tipsy."

"I'm truly sorry about that. Most older Nekomata can control themselves during mating season. It seems she was set off by something. Hm. It must have been because of this aura you are exuding."

Yasaka-san motioned towards my body. Ah, I guess I was right after all.

"Hm. Yes, I understand. During that season, this certainly would be enticing…"

Yasaka-san says that in an intrigued manner as she slides her hand down my arm…..Um…

"A...Ano...Yasaka-san?"

"Hm? Ah!"

She shook her head a few times.

"Forgive me, I just got lost in thought for a minute. Anyway, you should head off to rest. I'm sure you're feeling dizzy from the alcohol."

"...Um...Okay…Don't you have anything like what you did with Yorimitsu-san that will take this away?"

She giggled.

"Mm. Well, maybe you should sleep it off. Especially that."

Hm? That? She was pointing downwards. I looked down my lower half and—

"AH!"

I covered my lower half in extreme embarrassment. Nooooooooooo! Yasaka-san saw my erection! It's so embarrassing that I want to diieeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

"I'M SO SORRRRRRYYYYYYY!"

"Ufufufu~ Don't be so embarrassed about it. It's natural for a young boy such as yourself. It's better just to go and take care of that when you're by yourself, no? Don't worry. I won't tell anyone~"

She puts a finger up to her lip and makes the "shh" symbol. Uuuuuuuuuuu! I want to diiieeeeeeeeeeee!

"Now, run along. It's better you get to your room before any of the children see you."

"...Ueeh…"

I started walked away defeatedly with exhaustion and my hands covering my lower half. Please don't see me like this, children.

"Though, I could easily get rid of it for you~..."

"Eh? What was that?"

"Nothing~"

I was able to sneak back to my room without being caught by any of the children. If Kunou had caught me, I would have actually, truly died right then and there. I never did find out what Yasaka-san said though.

Part 5

The next day. I was walking towards the forest to meet up with Sun Wukong-sama like usual. However, I ended up seeing something very large and green moving above the trees above me. What the Hell is that? I made it to our usual spot.

"I already told you, oji-saru! I can only eat so much you know! I'm tired of eating! I want to do something adventurous! Wasn't there any missions we have to take over?! I feel like I will die here from boredom!"

"Yare, yare. For a retired Dragon-King you sure do complain about relaxing don't you?"

"I've been relaxing for a month! I have grown tired of it! Let me fight something! Something interesting! Something like—!"

"—Ah."

I walked into a conversation between Sun Wukong-sama and the Jade Dragon Yu-long.

…..

"Boy, today your lesson is flight control."

Just as Sun Wukong-sama said that, Yu-long began to breathe in air through his mouth, as if he was about to breath fire…...No…..you're joking….

Suuuuu!

His mouth puffed up! You've got to be shitting me!

[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!]

"Try not to kill him, green brat."

Oh come the fuck ooooooooooooooon!

FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMM!

—.

"Haaah! Hah! Haaah!"

I was breathing heavily with my armor broken in multiple places and Ascalon in my hand. My helmet was gone along pieces from my abdomen and my forearm. I've been "fighting" Yu-long for only about 2 hours and I feel like it's been all fucking day. It hasn't even reached noon yet and I am exhausted as shit. So this is the strength of a Dragon-King huh? It's reminiscent of Tannin-Ossan, but with less pure power and more grace and technique. This is the youngest of the Dragon-Kings? He acts like it, but he certainly doesn't fight like it!

"Come at me again, Ddraig! I am having a lot of fun!"

He says that to me with a joyful tone. Well, at least one of us is enjoying this.

[Do you not find this spar as enjoyable partner?]

Well, it's hard to feel like I'm having fun when it's someone so much stronger than me you know? I usually had fun when it came to weaker enemies that I had to defeat while keeping certain conditions in mind. Those were fun.

[So you only find comfort in the certainty of victory?]

Well, it's not like I was certain of victory…

[Whether or not you could fulfil the conditions of the trials is not what I'm referring to. What I mean is that those enemies were always weaker than you to a certain extent, whether it was in your Balance Breaker form or Triaina. You were technically always at the advantage should things become dangerous. So, victory was something that was ensured whether you failed the trial or not. I'm asking if that's what you find comfort in.]

Well….I mean, that's….

[Enough of that, partner. There are times when you must fight those that are above your strength. To find enjoyment only in the battles which victory is ensured it the way of a coward, not a warrior, and most especially not a Dragon. You are stuck with this fight, are you not? In that case, learn to enjoy it. A chance like this may never come again, and if you have no way to avoid it either way, why not enjoy if while it lasts?]

…...Well….Fuck!

"If it's for my partner then I'll do it!"

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

[Jet!]

I boosted straight towards Yu-long with Ascalon in hand. My best strategy of attack has been to use my size to my advantage. In other words, zip around Yu-long while slashing at his body with Ascalon. I don't have much stamina so I can't be recklessly using the Knight form. The best I can do for right now is attack him as is while boosting power into Ascalon!

PSHYOOOOO!

I began flying around Yu-long while cutting into his skin. Shit! As I thought, these cuts aren't fuckin deep at all! How much power do I have to transfer to Ascalon?! I need some myself to keep my speed up you know!?

"Okay, then spin!"

Yu-long suddenly started spinning his long body in the air at a crazy fast speed. The pressure from the wind ended up pushing me back. Shit! The pressure is too strong! I can't stay near him unless I'm faster! I can't do it unless I have the Knight!

"Fuck! Promotion! Welsh Sonic Boost Knight!"

[Change Star Sonic!]

"Armour release!"

My armor reformed and then shaved itself off again to change forms into a more aerodynamic version. Yu-long whipped his long body around happily.

"Alrighty! Let's go, speedy form is the best!"

He began spewing green flames at me. Yes, even this bastards flames are green. Apparently he has the ability to change the color.

FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMM!

I easily evaded the flames and flew around in a circle above the forest. Yu-long's flames followed me all the way around until a circle of green fire sat in the sky above the forest. After avoiding all of the flames I shot towards him and zipped around his body while slashing. The cuts still aren't deep, but if I can keep circling and cutting into the same places again and again, then soon enough they'll become deep cuts!

"Woah! Too fast, too small, and too close! You are like a mosquito taking my blood! In that case!"

Yu-long took breath into his lungs.

Suuuuu!

Then, he began spewing fire onto himself while spinning his body like before, essentially surrounding us both in a spiral cone of flames.

FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!

"Gah!"

The flames were strong, but not in my normal armor. The problem was I was fucking wearing the slimmed down version! My armor began to crack in various places and I felt the burn on my skin.

"Ah, Fuck!"

I pulled back and jumped out from the flames. Fuck! It was too much for me to take! If I had stayed longer my armor would have been destroyed! If only this armor somehow took up less stamina! Or maybe if the jetpack released more power naturally without needing to be boosted! If only it was like when I had Hermes blessing—!

….

Ddraig….I have an idea…

[What is it?]

….

"T….."

I shouted into the sky.

"T-Triaina Caduceus! The Bird Of Hermes!"

It went silent.

….

"Oi, Oji-saru, I think he's lost it. Is he okay?"

"Quiet brat. Let him concentrate."

…..

Ddraig, it didn't work.

[Sigh. If you were going to do something like a drastic change to the armor then you should have warned me. Yelling out a name won't do anything.]

...S...So you're saying it's possible.

[If you put your heart and soul into it. It won't just come naturally. You have to make it a part of yourself. Feel it first. If you can feel it, then grab it. You should be good from there.]

Feel it?...Feel it….

"...What's he doing?"

"Shh! Quiet, brat!"

…..Feel it…..at that time….I had Hermes blessing….it was fast….crazy fast…..imagine that speed…..Feel it…...my strikes were insanely fast…...the power from my jetpack was immeasurable….it took less stamina to use that form…...it took less boosts to increase my speed….Give me that….in order to get that….

Feel it.

"...Triaina Caduceus."

Feel it.

"I am…."

—The shining symbol of Caduceus flashed through my mind.

"...The Bird of Hermes."

SHIIIIIIIINNNNN!

My armor began releasing a bright light. Ddraig! Is it happening?!

[It is! Do not lose that feeling partner! Keep it going! Say the name You desire with your heart!]

Fuck, alright! I shouted with all of my heart!

"Triaina Caduceus! Bird of Hermes!"

My armor made an announcement I'd never heard.

[Change Olympic Messenger!]

SHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNN!

"Woah! He's shining brightly! What's up with that!?"

"Hohohohohoho!"

As the light began dying down, I could feel that there was a change in my armor.

"Woah! He's got a new look doesn't he?! That ain't like what it used to be!"

"Hahahahaha! Nicely done, boy! I did not expect you to master that form through an evolution. You must have a good imagination after all then."

I looked down to my armor. It looked as if it had become sharper. The claws were deadly sharp and the edges of the armor were pointing back in the same direction, almost like it was given an even more aerodynamic design rather than just less armor. The black suited armor underneath the red had an odd hexagonal design with the shape all over it. It….felt easier to breath in this. For some reason, I get the impression that it's designed like this to give me resistance to fire and heat. Why did this happen? Is it because of I was thinking of the pressure Atlas' body would release when I was fighting him?

Ddraig, what has changed?

[First, you have already observed the physical design change. It has become even more aerodynamic than before and thanks to that sharper as well. Second, you were right about the design of the under skin armor. Thanks to the change you have received a better resistance to heat in this form despite it not being the most durable form. Lastly, I can't be sure, but I believe that your jetpack has undergone a change. It has even more propulsion sections and there are even minor ones on your legs and arms. From the looks of it, I believe it would consume less stamina to propel yourself forward, just as desired. This form has essentially evolved. I didn't think that you would be able to accomplish such a thing.]

Ah, well, thanks for believing in me.

[Forgive me, partner. I have a tendency for doubting the nigh impossible. I should have already learned that you are the host of possibility. Of course you did it. Also, I'm not sure you noticed the final detail of your armor.]

Hm? I looked over my armor again. —! There were little golden wings the same color as my horns resting on the sides of my legs and helmet.

"Boy!"

Sun Wukong-sama called out to me from below.

"How is your stamina?"

"Um, low!"

"Is that so? Extend, staff."

Sun Wukong-sama extended his staff up towards me. The moment it touched my chest I felt like I was hit with a rejuvenation spell. My stamina has returned!

"That should cover you for the day."

"Thanks, Oji-saru!— I mean, Sun Wukong-sama!"

He waved his hand casually.

"That's fine as well."

"Yeah! Just call him oji-saru! That's what I call him!"

"You be silent, disrespectful brat."

He's alright with me calling him that?! But that seems so disrespectful!

"Isn't it a great disrespect to call you that?"

"Bah. I was never one who thought so highly of himself to cry about it. You have earned my respect. I don't mind."

—! Gasp! I've earned his respect! I'm so happy! I earned the respect of the great First Generation Sun Wukong!

"Okay! Enough talking! I want to try this new form!"

[Oh, it looks like Yu-long has become impatient. Let's oblige him, shall we, partner?]

"Let's go, chuugokugo Tokage-san (chinese lizard)!"

"That's the spirit, Ruby brat!"

[Yu-long. This isn't ruby, it's—]

Unfortunately, the battle had started before Ddraig had a chance to complain further.

—.

"Hahahahaha! What a fun day!"

"Fun day my ass!"

Yu-long laughed happily as I sat on the floor, on my ass. His long body was covered in a bunch of scratches and a few of them were even bleeding a lot. Meanwhile, my armor just disappeared from exhaustion. It was already night time. I didn't even train the usual amount, like until evening, we just fought all the way into the night and now I feel like I'm dying.

"Alright! That should cover me for a while! Thanks for the spar, ruby brat!"

Yu-long flew off with that, leaving Sun Wukong and I alone.

"Alright boy. Good progress today as well. From tomorrow onward we will be implementing all the lessons you've learned into one test. You'll have the remaining days to pass it."

Sun Wukong said that as he walked away from me. I waved my hand back lazily.

"Thank you for your hard work~..."

Due to the exhaustion in my body, I was forced to crawl to the castle this time. Unfortunately, Sun Wukong said that he couldn't give me another stamina jump because it would have a heavy toll on my body. So, at least my arms still work.

"Oppai Dragon?"

Ah, as soon as I entered the castle there was a group of children looking down at me curiously.

"...Hey kids…"

—.

"Ah, what about this one then?"

"No, no. Surely that would take too much time."

I heard voices as I approached a doorway. Inside the room was Yasaka-san and her two advisors. I passed by.

"Well if we made sure to—"

They stopped mid conversation upon seeing me. That's because I'm being I'm being dragged on the floor past the doorway by a group of kids while my body is out of commission.

"Hello~..."

I waved as I slid past. There was no sound coming from that room for a while.

-DxD-

The next day.

"Alright boy. Here is your test."

Sun Wukong drew a circle on the floor with his staff, around his body.

"Your test, for today, is to get me to move from this spot."

"Get you to move? Like, attack you until you move?"

"However you can. Attack me or use your mind. Either way, the goal is the same, moving me from this spot."

Get him to move out from the circle huh? That seems easy.

3 hours pass…

I was wrong.

"Hahahahaha! What's wrong, what's wrong? Aren't you known for destruction? What is this situation then?"

Sun Wukong laughed as I heaved breath. The "situation" that he's referring to is the environment. That's because the environment around Sun Wukong is nothing but a giant crater, except for the small piece of the land that he originally stood on holding him up like a pillar.

How?! How the Hell does that even happen?! I literally shot right at him and attacked him a shitload of times! How the Hell is that piece of land still standing undamaged?! Every time I attacked him directly he would just dodge it with ease! Without moving from his spot! What is he?!

"Come on now! That can't be all you have! I still haven't moved an inch since we originally started!"

"Grrrrrrrr! Ddraig! We're going all in!"

[Roger!]

"Let's go, Oji-saru!"

After that, the last 3 days of my training flew right by me, along with all of the events that took place in them.

[—]

The next day, I was finally able to get him to move from his spot by forcing him to dodge an attack.

"Hahahahaha! Job well done boy! Alright! Next test! Try to take these bells I have in my hand from me!"

"Whaaaaaaaaaat?!"

I was able to accomplish that in 3 hours using my newfound speed increase from my "new form", [Triaina Caduceus].

"Okay, good progress as usual. I didn't expect you to do it today, but you surprised me. Alright. Let's get started with tomorrow's test right now shall we? Now, try to catch me!"

"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah?!"

I was able to catch him in 5 hours. But—

"Good work again! Now, try to land a successful hit on me!"

"Aw, goddammit!"

[—]

"Oppai Dragon, play with us!"

The children pulled at my arms as I tried walking to my room in exhaustion.

"Uuuu...not today kids. I'm exhausted from training…"

"Play with us!" "Please play with us!"

"Now, now, children. Issei-san has had a hard day. Let's let him rest shall we?"

Gasp! Yasaka-san! The kids listened to her instructions.

[Okaaaay~]

"Yasaka-san, you're my savior! Thank yoooooou~!"

I held Yasaka-san's hands in my own while shedding comical tears. What a truly kind maiden!

"Oh, no, no. It's no big deal. Now you go rest, I'll take care of the children."

"Thank yoooooou~..."

I thanked her weakly as I walked off to my room. I could hear one of Yasaka-san's advisors start speaking with her about something I didn't listen to.

"Yasaka-sama, about these papers."

"..."

"Yasaka-sama?"

"Eh? Ah, yes. Forgive me, I was distracted. What is it?"

"Your mind seems to be occupied with something. Or is it—"

"No. It is of no concern."

[—]

The last day of my training. I was standing in the forest with Sun Wukong like always. Tomorrow I leave Kyoto and return to base. After that, there's only about a week until the game.

"Alright, boy. Now it's time for the final test."

"I'm ready."

"Heh."

Sun Wukong smirked as he puffed some smoke.

Whoosh!

He made a cool stance with his staff.

"Face me."

—?! Face him?! A fight?! My final test is a fight?! A fight with the Great Monkey Buddha?!

"Wait, what's my condition for winning?"

He smirked again.

"You win when I bleed."

—! THAT WAS SO FUCKING COOL.

[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!]

I made my own stance. Are you ready Ddraig!

[Let's do it, partner!]

"Okay, Oji-saru! Show me what the Great Monkey Buddha from the West has got!"

"Hahahahahaha! Good speech, boy! Very well. The same to you. Show me exactly what the first God-slaying Longinus user, the [God-Killing Sekiryuutei], is made of!"

"Ooorryyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

—.

"Thank you for everything up until now!"

I bowed gratefully to Sun Wukong as he dusted himself off. My body was damaged heavily, meanwhile he only had dirt and a light amount of blood in certain areas.

"Mm. Think nothing of it. It has been a fine while since I've enjoyed training a student. It was a good week."

I lifted myself and asked him with uncertainty.

"Um, do you think I've become stronger?"

He scoffed.

"Hmph. Well, if you are training with me, then it is impossible for it not to be so. However, I am more aware of your rapid increase in skill rather than power. Control. That area of yours has certainly been strengthened beyond any of what you had before. Though you most likely don't realize it yet because of constantly training it only with me, it will certainly become obvious once you are in a real battle."

"I see….well, nevertheless, thank you for everything!"

I bowed again. He only chuckled.

"Heh. There is no need to do it again."

"Ah, well….I'm sorry. I'm just very thankful."

Sun Wukong began to walk off. He waved back at me.

"Good luck with your match, boy. I'll be sure to watch it."

"Yes! Thank you for everything!"

I waved goodbye to Sun Wukong as he walked out from what was left of the forest…..I guess that concludes all my training with him. Wow…..I trained with Sun Wukong-sama himself for a week…...How is this only now sinking in?

[Say, partner.]

Hm? What's up, Ddraig?

[Do you think they'll notice?]

Notice what?

[The forest.]

Ah. I looked around the forest. Over 90% of it was gone.

"...Ah…"

Well…..maybe….

[—]

It was my last night here in Kyoto. Right now I'm just sitting on a porch on one side of this building, looking up at the sky.

I leave this place tomorrow. After Sun Wukong left I cleaned myself up and got ready for bed, but, I couldn't really sleep. I'm...actually kinda sad. I enjoyed my time here. I learned a lot of things and saw a lot new places. Plus, I spent time with everyone in this castle. Those kids really are a blast…..How long will it be until I get to see them again?

"Ise?"

Ah, Kunou appeared behind me with a pillow in her arms. Uwah. She's wearing some really cute pajamas.

"Ah, Kunou. You're not asleep yet?"

She shook her head while looking away.

"I couldn't…."

"How come?"

"Because…"

She just glanced at me a few times.

"Wanna sit with me?"

"...Mm.."

She walked up and sat down beside me. It went silent.

"..."

"...I leave tomorrow.."

"...Mm…"

"I'm not sure when I'll come back again, but I had fun here. I hope it'll be soon."

"...Me too..."

It went silent again. After a few seconds, Kunou leaned against my shoulder and laid her head on me.

"Kunou?"

She held her pillow up near her mouth and spoke in a quiet voice.

"...I will miss you.."

….

"Yeah. I'll miss you too."

"R..….Really?"

"...Yeah. I will."

She curled up a bit and hugged her pillow. Then she laid her head into my lap and shut her eyes. She looked like a baby.

"K-Kunou?"

"...Please...just for tonight…"

"...O..Okay…"

Kunou laid there and gradually fell asleep. My hand slowly lowered onto her head...and I gently stroked her hair. I looked up to the night sky.

"...Yeah….I'll miss you too…"

Even though I said that, there was an odd sense of comfort I felt in the idea of returning to Grigori. I would be returning. Returning to…

"...Heh….I'm such a scumbag.."

In the end, I feel happy thinking about seeing you again, Ravel…

Little did I know, there was someone else observing Kunou and I, with similar feelings as us.

Part 6

"Thank you all for everything up until now!"

I bowed as I thanked the people in front of me. I was standing in front of the castle with Kunou, Yasaka-san, their personal guards, and the children who live here. It was time for my departure. I had a slip in my hand that was apparently given to me by Azazel without noticing. It was for teleporting me back to Grigori. In case you're wondering why I was transported to a train station and had to take it to Kyoto when I first arrived instead of being teleported, it's because Azazel thought it was funny to have a dramatic effect when I realized where I was going.

Anyway, it's my time to go now and I'm giving my final goodbyes.

"When will Oppai Dragon come back?"

One of the children asked me with a thumb up to their mouth. It was the usually quiet Ryousuke. I smiled and ruffled his hair.

"As soon as I can!"

For the first time since being here, I got to see a small smile on his face. Yasaka-san picked Ryousuke up and smiled.

"That's right. He'll be back as soon as he can. But don't worry. You'll be able to see him very soon~ okay?"

Ryousuke nodded to Yasaka-san's comforting. That's right. I'll try to come back as soon as I can. I don't know if it'll be very soon, but I'll try to make it that way. Though, I can't help but feel an odd implication in Yasaka-san's words.

"Make sure you win against that other guy okay! I'll be cheering for you, so you better not lose, got it!"

Kunou said that to me with a stern pout. I smiled.

"Got it."

Yasaka-san directed her smile to me.

"Do come back soon, Issei-san. Our home is your home. You are always welcome here."

"W-What?! That's much too high of an honour for someone like me!"

She giggled.

"Ufufufu~ There are many who would disagree with that opinion, remember~?"

Ah. I realized I had no argument as she said those familiar words to me. Right. Hehe. Also, because I am Japanese I felt compelled to offer hospitality despite it being unnecessary as well. I bounced my fist off my chest.

"Well, the same goes for me! You guys are always welcome in my home as well—Er. What am I saying, there's no way you would go there?"

For some reason, Yasaka-san laughed as if she found it extremely amusing.

"Ufufufufu~ is that so? That's very nice to hear. Fufufufufufu~"

"...Y...Yeah…okay..."

Anyway, I brought up my slip and prepared to tear it.

"Goodbye. Thank you for everything."

"The same to you, Issei-san."

I tore the paper in half and a magic circle appeared beneath me. Kunou called out to me with teary eyes as I disappeared.

"Ise! You better come back okay! You definitely have to come back! Got it!"

"Yeah. I've got it, Kunou."

"And—And—Make sure to win the match! Okay!"

"Yes ma'am."

"G-Goodbye!"

"Goodbye. No..."

No, that's wrong. I gave Kunou wide grin.

"See you soon!"

Kunou smiled back.

"Yes! See you soon!"

Shiiin!

With that, I was enveloped by light and transported back to Grigori.

—.

Shiiin!

When I opened my eyes, I was back in the facility.

"Ah, you're back, Ise."

Ah, the person I was greeted by was Azazel. Oh, is this his office? I was transported straight here huh?

"Welcome back."

Azazel patted my back as he moved to another table to continue working on whatever he was working on….um..

"...Is that it?.."

"Hm? Is what it?"

….Wow….what an unceremonious welcome. I feel back home already.

"You should go rest in your room for today. Ravel's been waiting there for you for a while."

—! Ravel! I immediately ran to the door.

"Ise."

Azazel stopped me as I was about to exit the room. He looked at me with a serious expression.

"I'm afraid that you'll only have today to rest. You'll have to get back on the 'treadmill' tomorrow. Somewhere far from here. You'll be there for five days."

—?! Even though Azazel said something shocking, I couldn't object to him. If he's this serious about it, then it must be important.

"Where to?"

He covered his mouth in contemplation.

"To be honest with you, I'm not entirely sure. This is similar to the last trial with Sun Wukong in which someone else makes the decisions. Though, this someone is….all I can tell you is that it's related to that last thing you requested on your original list for trials. But don't worry, this time, I have emergency procedures in place."

Something related to the last thing I requested? You mean….it's related to that person? Was he really able to fulfill such a ridiculous request? I wasn't even sure what I was thinking at the time of deciding that. So if he somehow got it, then….

"Alright."

I turned to leave, but he called out to me once more.

"Ise."

I looked back. He was smirking.

"You have the aura of a sleeping monster."

"Heh. Thanks."

I ran off towards my room with that. I couldn't give any attention to the people trying to greet me. My mind was too occupied. I'm home. I'm back, Ravel.

Dakun.

I opened the door to my room. Ravel was sitting on the bed while looking at some photos with tired eyes. My photos. Ah, but they were all close up shots.

"It felt like Ise-sama was really looking at me through the photos."

"...Ravel."

I called out to her and she took notice of me. She stood up, not bothering to hide the photos.

"Ise-sama..!"

I opened my mouth to speak, but I suddenly realized—I had nothing to say.

…

We stood there in silence. I ran here without thinking. I was too occupied with seeing her that I didn't think about what to say. I could only have my mind brought back to our last interaction. My senses were flooded by the sensations of our previous encounter….Her taste. Her smell. Her sounds. Her lips.

I couldn't think of anything else….

…...

Gulp.

I swallowed a lump in my throat as approached her. Her body seemed to tense up. I halted in front of her. It's only now that I feel so conscious of the height difference.

"...Um, you look tired…"

"...Yes...I...have not slept well…"

"H-How come?"

She went silent for a bit.

"...I'm sorry…"

"Hm? Why are you apologizing?...If anything….I..should be apologizing…."

She shook her head lightly and kept her gaze down. She spoke in a quiet voice.

"...The truth is….I haven't slept…..because you were not here with me….but…..that's just being selfish….I was just thinking about myself…."

…

I grabbed onto Ravel's hand gently.

"...Since I'm here….would you like me to rest here with you today….Ravel?"

Ravel nodded with a teary smile.

"Yes…."

Ravel apologized as we got onto the bed.

"I'm sorry for being selfish…"

"...No….I'm also being selfish here…"

Without even thinking about it, Ravel snuggled into my arms as we lied down together…..Yeah…..just for today….let's both be selfish.

With that, Ravel and I drifted off to sleep.

Part 7

The next day. I stood silently on top of a small mountain here in the Underworld. I'm only about 2 kilometers away from Grigori. Apparently, I'm here to meet someone. The person in charge of handling my last trial. Someone related to the very last suggestion I had on my original list. If that's true….then….

[He's here.]

Just a Ddraig said that, I could see the head of a figure appear in my line of sight, ascending up the mountain, straight ahead of me. As I thought, that's..!

"Heh. It has been a while, Hyoudou Issei."

"Vali!"

Indeed. The person who stopped just a few meters ahead of me, with a familiar handsome smirk, was none other than Vali Lucifer. My rival.

"Yo, Hyoudou Issei. I heard Azazel was interested in getting us to meet for some reason. Luckily for him, I happened to be interested in his proposal not too long after it was given. So, I've decided to meet with you."

"Interested in meeting? What was it that got you to agree to meeting with me?"

He crossed his arms.

"Heh. Well, you didn't possibly think I could refrain from pursuing you after what happened with the Titan-God did you?"

"Ah, so you're interested in a fight then?"

"Hmph. A fight. Isn't that what you had originally requested of Azazel before? It's what he suggested to me. No. That's not what I'm interested in. Something like that—"

His blue eyes glimmered subtly.

"—couldn't possibly satisfy me."

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously.

"What are you plotting?..."

"Heh. I had heard from Bikou that you trained with the legendary Sun Wukong and Yu-long for some time."

"...How did you find that out?"

"We have our ways."

"Hmph. Same shitty vague answer all the supervillains give."

"Hehe. In many eyes, it is you who has now become the potential supervillain, God-slayer."

I flinched. He chuckled at that. This is the most I've seen him smiling and laughing. It's as if he enjoys our interaction immensely, unlike the times before. In fact, the way he speaks is more respectful in a way. It's less as if he's looking down on me, like he used to, and more like he now finds amusement in our talk. Has his whole opinion of me shifted?

No, more than that. He now looks at me constantly with battle hungry eyes. I've never seen so much bloodlust from him. It almost gives me the chills. He truly wants to fight me to the death.

"You still haven't answered my question. If you're not looking just for a fight, then what are you planning to do?"

He chuckled again. No, he straight up laughed.

"Hehehehe. Hahahahahahaha!"

I could feel an unnerving level of unease rise up in myself. I've….never heard him laugh before. What the fuck…...He looked back down at me with the smile of the Devil. Literally.

"Well, I am no wise master, but I am certainly a good impersonator."

He said something I didn't understand. Then suddenly—

Shiiin!

Blue magic circles that I've never seen anything like before appeared underneath both Vali and I.

-[?!]-

What?! Magic circles?! This type—! It's attached to me! I'm being forcefully transferred somewhere!

"This is a special magic circle that only goes to a certain place. You should be grateful. I went to great lengths to obtain it."

"Vali! Where are you taking us?!"

The magic circles enveloped us in light. The last thing I saw before shutting my eyes, were Vali's own.

"To Hell."

SHIIIN!

….

….

I felt a sudden loss of feeling before I opened my eyes. It was as if my senses were abruptly dulled to an extreme level. I opened my eyes. The moment I did, I heard an abundance of blood curdling screams.

[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!]

-[!]-

"What…..what is this place?..."

The place I was in…..The sky was red. No, it was just a sky covered in nothing but red clouds, no sky. Purple lightning sparked throughout them. The place was divided into 3 large rings. From the looks of it, we were in the innermost ring. I could see far out to the other rings divided by a circular wall of black rock. Something that I noticed every ring had in them…..I was standing on a small island…..and surrounding me….was a boiling sea of blood and fire. And there were people in it.

[AAAAAAAAHHAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!]

In the outermost ring was where I could see the most people. That place was nothing but the sea of building blood with people in it. They looked like they were burning alive. The second ring also had the same sea around, but there was no people in it. Instead I see many small islands like the one I'm standing on, but they have many black bushes and trees. There were odd creatures feasting on them. I've seen those before. This are called….harpies, right? But more than that….there are people being chased by demonic looking dogs on the islands….and they're being eaten alive…..yet they don't seem to die…..actually, that goes for everyone here. Even though they look like they're dying from various things, they don't die….

In this ring, I was sitting on a small barren island made from sand. Surrounding me was the red boiling sea. There were people struggling to swim to the island while burning. A man made it to the island and placed his hand on the sand.

PPOOOM!

—?! His hand burst into flames.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

His whole body caught fire within the pool as he released his grip on the island. He began drifting away in flames. The final detail I noticed was the rain. There was a rain falling from the sky, but it only fell onto the island. It was oddly colored, almost like oil, and it didn't even touch me. It wouldn't make contact with my skin. It just seems to disappear before touching me, as if I was protected by a force field, but there's nothing around me….

This…..is Hell...

"...What….the fuck...is this place?.."

Vali answered from behind me.

"This is the seventh circle. Violence."

I whipped around. Vali stood there looking out into the terrible place. The seventh circle?...

"Are you familiar with the story of [Dante's inferno], Hyoudou Issei?"

"...Dante's inferno?...Isn't that a story about a poet going to the 'Nine circles of Hell'?.."

Vali nodded. But….Isn't that a fictional story? Just as I thought that, Vali spoke.

"A story based in reality, I'm afraid."

—?!

"You mean...There are nine circles of Hell?..."

"Indeed. The anatomy of the Underworld is a section by section type of set up. There's the Devil's and Fallen Angels Underworld that you are familiar with, which happens to be the largest and most general section. In that place, there are major conditions set upon any of those who visit or reside there. That is why so many Reincarnated Devils who were just humans can adapt just fine. It is essentially no different in feeling compared to the human world, despite the environmental differences. Then, beside that is Hades. Hades is sectioned off by black mountains, but there are much different conditions in that place. Not to mention, there are certain souls that end up there and not others. Beside Hades is the Underworld ruled by the Egyptian Gods. Then of course, there are other sections controlled by minor pantheons as their versions of Hell. Essentially, the Underworld is a large mashup of many underworlds from different mythologies. Ah, the Norse Hel is not a part of it though. That resides elsewhere."

"...You mean to tell me….that all this time….There were so many parts to the Underworld like that existing at one time?..."

"Hmph. Of course there was. You just never saw them. Isn't it foolish to assume you had seen it all?"

He's right….I shouldn't be shocked by that….this however, I have every right to be shocked about.

"So then….what does that have to do with this place existing?"

"Hm. Well, a certain time long before the great war between the 3 powers, the Underworld was not the place used as 'Hell' for Christian Mythology. These nine circles were. However, after a certain time, these places became obsolete. It was somewhere around the time that my Great Grandfather escaped from his prison of ice in the ninth circle. After that, these places were no longer used. It had become an outdated and unnecessary Hell. Especially since the Devil had escaped."

"...So, this place always existed?"

He nodded.

"It was the Hell before Hell, or in this case the Underworld, for Christian Mythology. After it became obsolete however, it was no longer used anymore. As of now, the only ones who are trapped here are those from a past long forgotten. Long lost souls from thousands of years ago. No new souls can enter anymore. Instead, new souls are sent elsewhere in the Underworld. It is the same with purgatory. Purgatory stopped being used after the death of God of the Bible. Unfortunately, just like purgatory, this place is forever. After the deaths of God and Satan, and the end of the great war, attempts to free the damned souls were made. The same in purgatory, but they were all unsuccessful. God had condemned them truly, the seal he placed up in their souls was too hefty and could never be removed. Purgatory is empty, because luckily, any of the trapped souls were automatically released to Heaven after paying their sins and no new souls could enter after God's death. But these souls, there is no saving them. They have no redemption. They are trapped here. For eternity."

I felt chills as he said that…..this….this is all too much to take in…..what the fuck?

"[The Seventh Circle of Hell is divided into three rings. The Outer Ring houses murderers and others who were violent to other people and property. Here, Dante sees Alexander the Great, Dionysius I of Syracuse, Guy de Montfort and many other notable historical and mythological figures such as the Centaurus, sank into a river of boiling blood and fire. In the Middle Ring, the poet sees suicides who have been turned into trees and bushes which are fed upon by harpies. But he also sees here profligates, chased and torn to pieces by dogs. In the Inner Ring are blasphemers and sodomites, residing in a desert of burning sand and burning rain falling from the sky.] That is the proper description of where we are. The Seventh circle. Violence. A place filled with those who were violent and full of bloodlust. A fitting place no?"

Vali ends his dump of world bending information with that. What the fuck? Is this real? Am I having a nightmare? This can't be real….

"Burning sands….burning rain….that's where we're at…"

I reached out with my hand to touch the rain, but none of it landed on my skin.

"The rain won't affect us, because we are not sodomites. However, the sand most likely will."

The sand. I leaned down and lightly placed a finger on the sand. Before I could even touch it, I was pulled up by my collar by Vali. But I could still feel a burn on my fingertip.

Sss!

"AH!"

"Don't touch it, fool. We are Devils. Our existence is the representation of blasphemy. If you would have made physical contact your body would have burst into flames."

Holy shit. That was stupid. I almost just died. I need to be more careful. But more importantly—

"Why in the world are we here, Vali?"

Vali regained his smirk from not too long ago.

"Hmph. I may not be able to spar with you as expertly as the First Generation Sun Wukong, but I can certainly give you a battle for your life."

….

"What do you mean by that, Vali?..."

The smirk of the Devil returned.

[Vanishing Dragon Balance Breaker!]

"There are 9 days before your match with the heir of Bael. We will be returned from this place in one week. If you die in this place, your soul will remained trapped here forever. The only way to survive this place is to fight death. Can you survive in this place, or will you be killed by me?"

-[!]-

[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!]

"Vali! You can't be—!"

"Hahahahahahaha! Let us see if the two Heavenly Dragons can last together in such a place, Hyoudou Issei!"

Trapped within the Seventh circle of Hell, I was forced into battle with my eternal rival. Fight - or die. My last trial had finally begun.

End

---

That's all for this one! Left you on a cliffhanger! Next chapter is it boys! Cannon! Ah, of course, I will show what happens here in that chapter, I won't just cut it out, but trust me when I say you won't necessarily expect what's coming. I know you didn't even expect almost all of the shit in this chapter in general.

Anyway, I kind of decided to implement the story of Dante's inferno into the DxD universe in a way that it fit because of how interesting the concept was. I had always wanted to put it in one of my stories, but I didn't know where. This ended up being a good place. Hopefully, this was an interesting turn. It makes sense that Vali would do something so batshit crazy after Issei's accomplishment. One battle wouldn't have been enough for him.

So yeah, Kyoto, Sun Wukong, Vali. Too many things to talk about. It's late. I'll just get this out as quickly as i can. Tell me what you guys thought.

What do you think is the current state of Ravel and Issei's relationship? Did you like Issei's return to Kyoto? Did you enjoy the character developments Issei went through in Kyoto? What do you think about the developments he made with the Kyuubi mother and daughter? Were the lessons Sun Wukong provided compelling? How much do you think Issei will have improved thanks to those lessons? What do you think of the new Knight form Issei created to replace his previous one? What do you think will happen with Vali and Issei who are temporarily trapped in the Seventh circle of Hell together?

Read, Rate, Review go crazy.

Stay frosty.