I apologize for the massive delay for such a short chapter, but unfortunately I've been extremely busy at work and haven't had much time to write or relax properly. On Friday, my brain was so fried that I couldn't get any writing done. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

After another grueling day of training, Issei had to hunt various rabbit and boar-like creatures in order to eat.

"Eating Pyra's cooking was nice while it lasted…" Issei moaned to himself.

"Issei!"

"I miss the girls' cooking so much, I'm starting to hear Asia's voice…"

"ISSEI!"

Issei looked in the direction he was hearing the sound and saw a large red wyvern flying in his direction with a violet-haired beauty riding on it as well as a blonde, both of whom he recognized as Melody and Asia, respectively.

"Why are you two riding a dragon?!" Issei exclaimed.

"This is actually wyvern." Melody corrected him. "Wyverns only have two limbs, dragons have four. This species is native to the Morag territory called a Magma Wyvern. This one I keep as one of my familiars. Anyway, we just stopped by so Asia could give you something personally."

"I made some more food for you, Issei." Asia said as she got off the wyvern and ran toward Issei.

"Thank you, Asia!" Issei cried with his tears flowing like a waterfall.

"Ah!"

Asia suddenly tripped over and when Issei reached out to her, his index fingers were extended out further compared to his other fingers and they were about to poke her in the breasts.

Luke had stealthily trailed Koneko through the forest until she had suddenly stopped and started looking around for something. She then noticed something and shifted her gaze in that direction.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" An unfamiliar voice spoke.

Without making a sound, a woman with black hair and cat ears wearing a black kimono appeared near Koneko.

"… It's you." Koneko uttered as her body shook.

"Shirone, is that any way to treat your Onee-chan?"

"Kuroka-neesama…"

That's Koneko's sister? Luke thought as he hid behind a tree. And she called her 'Shirone'. Was that Koneko's name before Rias took her in?

A black cat snuggled up to the feet of the woman Koneko referred to as Kuroka.

"Onee-chan is impressed you came this far after following this black cat from where you were doing your training, nya."

It sounds like Koneko's sister lured her here with that cat.

"Nee-sama, what is this about?" Koneko demanded from Kuroka with an angry tone.

"Don't make such a scary face." Kuroka just smiled at Koneko's reaction. "I was just curious about something and thought I would pay my cute little sister a visit. Nyan." She waved her hand like a cat and cutely winked.

"Hahahaha don't tell me this is a member of the Gremory group!" A familiar voice laughed.

Appearing next to Kuroka was one of Vali's allies, the monkey Youkai Bikou.

Wasn't he in the Khaos Brigade? Are they planning a terrorist attack close by?

Bikou turned in the direction where Luke was hiding. "Even if you erase your presence, you can't hide from us. Users of senjutsu like me and Kuroka can detect you with the smallest change in your qi."

Realizing that continuing to hide was futile, Luke came out from the tree he was using for cover and readied himself for a possible battle.

"… Luke-san." Koneko looked surprised to see him.

"I remember you." Luke looked at Bikou. "You're that monkey that escaped with Vali back at the peace conference."

"I was wondering why you look so familiar." Bikou had his hand rubbing his chin.

"Shirone-chan said your name was 'Luke', didn't she?" Kuroka inquired. "You must be the Sapphire Dragon Emperor that Vali mentioned."

"So what if I am?" Luke declined to answer.

"… So, this is what the aura of a Kaelian is like." Kuroka smiled with interest. "Now I see what Vali meant."

"No kidding." Bikou agreed. "I don't even need to read his qi to see that."

'Kaelian'… I think that's something that weird metal creature once said. "How do you know that word and what does it mean?"

"Vali thinks it will be more fun to find out for yourself, nya." Kuroka cutely dismissed.

Dammit! Looks like they have no intention of telling me. "Are you here plotting another terrorist attack?"

"Nah, we aren't here for anything like that." Bikou replied. "We were just told to remain here on standby in the Underworld. We got off duty and Kuroka was curious about her little sister. And because she wouldn't have come home easily, I had to tag along."

"We'll be going back now, but I'll be taking Shirone with me." Kuroka said. "I left her behind last time and I won't make that mistake again."

"Come on! If you do that, Vali will get really mad!"

"You may be right, but still…"

A creepy grin appeared on Kuroka's face and Koneko visibly shivered in terror. Noticing this, Luke stepped in between the two cat sisters.

"If you really cared about Koneko, you wouldn't have caused her so much trouble in the first place." Luke leered at Kuroka. "If Sirzechs hadn't intervened, she would have been put to death."

"That's quite brave of you, but you don't stand a chance against me and Kuroka." Bikou stated. "Let's make this easy. Just hand over the girl and we'll leave lickety split."

"Koneko is a member of the Gremory peerage." Luke proclaimed. "She's not going anywhere with you."

"Hahahahaha!" Kuroka burst into laughter. "She's my sister. Compared to me, you're just a stranger to her and I won't let you have her."

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the forest changed and Kuroka smirked.

"How annoying." Kuroka growled with a smirk. "If you weren't so interesting, I'd kill you right here."

What is this feeling? It's like we're now somewhere else entirely even though everything looks the same!

"I might not have learned how to manipulate time yet, but space I can handle." Kuroka said. "Once you realize it's similar to barrier spells, it's child's play. I've cut off this forest from the outside. There's no escape and no matter how much we cut loose, no one will notice, so don't expect help either."

Shit! I might've gotten stronger, but I don't think I'm ready to take both of them on my own just yet.

"Then it's good that I followed him here."

Even though the voice was more assertive than usual, Luke immediately knew who that voice belonged to. Landing from the sky between Luke and Vali's allies was Jade, her majestic emerald dragon wings sprouting from her back.

"Jade!"

"… Luke-san, who is this?" Koneko asked as she turned to Luke. "Her power feels similar to yours."

"I am Jade, the Emerald Dragon Emperor." Jade casually introduced herself to Koneko.

"You just said that like it's nothing!" Luke exclaimed. "And what are you doing here? I thought your home was in the Dragon Mountain."

"After meeting you, I became curious about the world beyond those mountains." Jade faced back to Kuroka and Bikou. "They are giving off a rather hostile aura."

"Now things are getting interesting!" Bikou cheered. "Looks like we can go all out!"

"It would be wise not to underestimate me." Jade leered at her opponents. "As much as I prefer to avoid fighting, that doesn't mean I am lacking in strength."

Jade was giving off a calming presence when we met, but now it's the complete opposite. She did mention Tannin adopted her, so she must have received a lot of training from him over the years.

"Luke, I will do battle with the monkey youkai." Jade said. "While he's occupied, you will have better odds against the Nekoshou."

"Fine by me! Jīndǒu Yún!" Bikou summoned a golden cloud beneath his feet and it started carrying him into the air.

With a single beat of her draconic wings, Jade flew into the sky with such speed that it only took a millisecond to reach the same height as Bikou. She then took in a deep breath and puffed out her chest before releasing an intense flame from her mouth. Bikou barely dodged the fire before extending his staff toward Jade, only for her to block it with her arm which was now covered in emerald dragon scales. The strike sent shockwaves throughout Bikou's body and Jade used this opportunity to counterattack. Electricity began crackling through her hands before she punched Bikou in the chest and sent him flying backwards a bit.

"These are abilities used by various species of dragons." Jade started explaining. "I first blocked your attack by taking on the armor of the Monk Dragon. I then countered using the power of the Lightning Dragon."

"Wait, are you saying you're those kind of dragons?"

"No. I have analyzed many dragons during my time in the Dragon Mountain using the power I inherited from my father. The Sapphire Dragon Emperor creates new abilities, whereas the Emerald Dragon Emperor mimics the abilities of others."

Jade's power is the opposite of mine. That's a terrifying ability. I'm glad she has no desire to fight me.

I see that Eupherio and Tannin trained her well. Opheria spoke to Luke through their minds. If the two of you ended up fighting, her victory would be swift and decisive.

Don't remind me.

"Meow."

Luke refocused his attention on Kuroka who was smiling as her body was surrounded in a malicious black aura. Before anything could start, Koneko stepped in between them.

"… Nee-sama, I'll go with you. So, please don't hurt Luke-san."

"What are you saying, Koneko?" Luke questioned her actions. "Do you know how everyone would feel if you just up and left like this?"

"… It's useless. I best understand nee-sama's power. If she wasn't a Stray, she would rank as an Ultimate-Class Devil. Even if you have the assistance of another dragon, you would not be able to overpower her genjutsu and senjutsu."

"Your sister didn't even try to help you when you were nearly sentenced to death."

"A Youkai cannot help another youkai." Kuroka stated. "However, this time I simply want Shirone so I can control her. I better understand her power than that red-haired woman, you know."

"… No, I don't want to use that power." Koneko started shaking and tearing up. "A power so dark… that it only brings misfortune onto others…"

Watching Koneko fall apart, Luke could feel his blood boiling and tightly clenched his fists.

"Kuroka…" Luke growled at her. "My older brother told me that the eldest siblings are supposed to look out for their younger siblings, especially if the parents are unable to. Yet as you were consumed by your power and killed your master, you left your younger sister behind and scarred her for the rest of her life! People thought she would turn out just like you and wanted her executed! She emotionally shut down! Koneko trusted you and you betrayed that trust! That is something me, President, and everyone in the Gremory peerage will never do! We'll make sure she experiences the joys of life and regains her emotions!"

Koneko looked at Luke for a long moment before finally turning back to her older sister. "… I don't want to go. I am Koneko Toujou. Kuroka-neesama, I don't want to go with you! I want to live with Rias-buchou! I want to live!"

After Koneko cried out for her own desires, Kuroka looked especially displeased.

"Then you can die."

Suddenly, an ominous mist sprung up from Kuroka's feet and spread out, continuing on even after it reached Luke and Koneko.

Don't tell me this is poison! Luke quickly tried covering his mouth and held his breath.

"… This is…" Koneko dropped to her knees while covering her mouth.

Koneko!

"Hmm?" Kuroka seemed perplexed as she looked at Luke while sitting on a tree branch. "This mist must not affect you because you harbor a Heavenly Dragon. This is a poison mist that only works on Devil and Youkai, nya. Due to it being so thin, it will slowly kill you as it spreads throughout the body. Your deaths will be slow and painful, nya."

How cruel… But at least I don't have to worry about this mist. Luke lowered his hand now that he knew the poison mist didn't affect him. "Magaru!"

With a flick of his hand, Luke used his demonic power to create small bursts of wind that dispersed the mist immediately around them. One of the gusts even hit Kuroka, but she immediately vanished when the attack hit and multiple Kurokas suddenly appeared all around Luke and Koneko, all of them looking completely identical and coated in the same aura.

"That wasn't a bad idea, but you'll need more than that to defeat me." Kuroka's voice echoed throughout the forest. "I can use basic genjutsu to easily create clones of myself."

"… If you can't read the opponent's ki, you won't be able to deal with genjutsu users." A pained Koneko was now on her hands and knees.

If only Fumiko were here, she might be able to heal the poison. I might need to create a new ability if I want to keep Koneko from dying.

As Luke was trying to imagine a new ability, nothing was happening.

Art Creation won't activate.

Really?! Now?!

Due to your training, the Sacred Gear has entered a neutral state.

What's that supposed to mean?!

To put it simply, you have reached a crossroad. It will change with one more push, but I am not sure if that change will be Balance Breaker or a normal power-up. There are so many different possibilities to evolve that Art Creation's system cannot decide which route to take.

And both the Balance Breaker and normal power-up options look good to it?

Yes. If it decides on a normal power-up, this battle is yours, but if a dramatic change within you doesn't occur, you might not attain Balance Breaker. Right now, you have an opportunity to unlock it and that depends on you.

What counts as a dramatic change?! What the hell do I have to do?! I should've asked Yuuto what it was like when he unlocked his Balance Breaker before I started this training! Opheria, what happens if I decide to go for the basic power-up? Could I unlock Balance Breaker the next time?

You may not have another chance for months, maybe even years.

Dammit! I'm not good with on the spot decisions like this! I need to decide quick or else I'm as good as dead!

"My, my, is the Sapphire Dragon Emperor unable to use his Sacred Gear? But I'm going to attack, nya."

One of the illusions of Kuroka stretched out her hand and fired bullets of demonic power at the immobilized Koneko. Without thinking, Luke rushed to Koneko and acted as a shield from Kuroka's attacks, blowing away the front of his shirt and blood dripping from the wounds.

"Luke-san…" Koneko tried to get up, but the poison was making it difficult to lift up her own body.

"Don't worry about me, Koneko." Luke's speech was somewhat strained from the pain. "What matters is you're-"

Luke was hit by another demonic bullet and because he wasn't prepared for it, the pain was especially excruciating and he fell to his knees.

"How disappointing." Kuroka sighed. "I was expecting much more from you after what Vali told me about Roman."

Luke then remembered that the people who attacked him before coming to the Underworld had referred to their god as 'Roman'.

"Who is this Roman?" Luke demanded to know. "And Vali knows him?!"

"Again, it would be more interesting if you found out for yourself." Kuroka dismissed his question.

She's just avoiding the question, but this isn't the time to be asking questions. Those can wait until after I've beaten her… but I'm not sure if I'm able to do that as I currently am.

Another bullet of demonic power struck Luke from behind, blowing away the rest of his shirt and knocking him against a huge tree.

This hurts… but… Luke crawled along the ground toward Koneko. "I don't care if you're her sister… I won't forgive anyone who makes a woman cry!"

"You know, that doesn't seem very manly coming from someone as weak as you." Kuroka sneered. "I feel bad for you, Shirone. When you need a gallant knight in shining armor, you get this bloodied fool."

"… Luke-san." Koneko muttered.

"Koneko…" Luke was struggling to speak. "I might be a vessel to a legendary dragon, but I really am nothing but a disappointment… If only I had been stronger… Hana wouldn't have died… and I had to pay a heavy price to save Rias… And now I can't stop Kuroka from taking you away from us… I may be stronger now than I have been before… but I just ended up being useless… Vali acquired Balance Breaker so early… And I'm sure Issei has already managed to get his by now… Everyone has such high expectations of me because I'm the Sapphire Dragon Emperor… and I only let them all down… I'm so sorry, Koneko… there's nothing I can do…"

Koneko shook her head. "You aren't a disappointment, Luke-san… Most of the Heavenly Dragons might have acquired power early in their lives… but they died early as well. They drowned in their power and paid the ultimate price. I don't want you to suffer the same fate, Luke-san… When you told me your dream of making women happy, I could sense that its source wasn't out of lust, but sadness… However, there was still a genuine kindness to your words. That's the kind of Heavenly Dragon I want you to be. Be a kind and gentle Heavenly Dragon."

"Koneko…" Luke's lips then curled into a smile. "Thank you." He started to get back up and face Kuroka, although it was a slight struggle due to his injuries. "I was in such a rush to gain power, that I forgot something fundamental about myself. My dream is to make women happy! And I'll start by keeping Koneko out of your filthy paws!"

At that moment, Luke felt something mysterious within himself.

You've done it, Luke!

Luke's body became enveloped in a sapphire glow.

Paradise Dragon Balance Breaker!

Energy wrapped around Luke's body and took the form of the sapphire dragon armor he had used during his battle against Riser Phenex.

"This is it!" Luke exclaimed, his voice echoing from within the armor. "My Balance Breaker! Art Creation Scale Mail!"

Luke's aura had released a powerful shockwave that leveled the ground around him and blew away the poison mist.

Does this thing still last for only ten seconds or has it improved? Luke asked Opheria through their mental connection.

Your training has really paid off. As of now, you can maintain your Balance Breaker state for thirty minutes. That's quite the improvement for such a short length of time. However, that doesn't mean you can just go crazy with the abilities for a period of time. Each ability created will reduce the remaining time. The same holds true for abilities you've already created, but those won't drain the time limit as much and those have received a significant boost in power as well as your specs. Try casting a spell on that Nekomata."

Very well. Luke held out his hand. "Agilao!"

A medium-sized ball of fire was shot out of Luke's hand and flew right past Kuroka before disappearing into the forest.

Baaaaaaaang!

A fiery explosion appeared from deeper in the forest, from the same direction where Luke's fireball went. The force of the blast caused the remaining poisonous fog in the area to dissipate into nothingness.

"Such power…" Jade said to herself as she watched the battle from above. "That fire attack hit the barrier and destroyed it. So, this is the power of the Sapphire Dragon Emperor…"

"Hey, we're still fighting, ya know?" Bikou tried to strike at Jade with his Ruyi Jingu Bang.

"I'm aware."

However, Jade grabbed the staff and kicked Bikou directly in the stomach.

"If the barrier's gone now, that must mean Karlel and Pyra must have heard what's going on." Luke said before looking down at Koneko. "Don't worry, Koneko. Once help arrives, we'll get rid of that poison and you'll be all right."

"Hahaha!" Kuroka laughed in delight. "Now this is getting fun! Now I just need to see that other power you're hiding and my curiosity will be satisfied!"

'Other power'?

"How about I try mixing youjutsu and senjutsu?" Kuroka channeled two different forms of energy in each of her fists.

Kuroka threw waves of energy at Luke, but they just bounced off of his armor without taking any damage.

"Wow, that didn't even tickle!" Luke exclaimed.

Kuroka's eyes widened in shock. "They had no effect?! Impossible! I put so much energy into those attacks!"

Luke formed Aymr in his hands and charged at Kuroka.

"Don't get cocky, you damned brat!" Kuroka threw more waves of energy at Luke.

However, Luke just swatted them to the side like they were nothing as he approached. He swung Aymr forward and stopped it just short of Kuroka's nose, the air quaking all around them and she was frozen in awe while breaking into a cold sweat.

"Don't make my friend cry ever again."

Kuroka was rendered speechless.

"If you come after Koneko again, you won't be so lucky. Even if you're Koneko's sister, you're my enemy."

"Ohohoho! Now we're talking!" Bikou laughed in excitement. "Two Heavenly Dragons! I'm enjoying this now!"

"Don't you and Vali have interests besides fighting?!" Luke questioned in exasperation.

Before the battle could continue, a rift opened up in the air near them and walking out was a bespectacled young man with blonde hair and dressed in a suit with a sword in his hand surrounded in an incredible holy aura.

That's a Holy Sword, no doubt about it.

"That's enough, Bikou, Kuroka." The young man said. "The Fallen Angel governor's daughter and the Aegis are aware of your presence."

Bikou glided to the ground. "You're Vali's attendant, right?"

The man sighed. "Kuroka was taking longer than anticipated, so I came to check on her. And now I find you here, too, Bikou? What were you two doing?"

I really don't want to fight that guy. Just looking at that Holy Sword is freaking me out.

Good instinct. That's the Holy Sword Collbrande, also known as Caliburn. Without question, it is the most powerful Holy Sword. To think it is on the side of the White Dragon Emperor.

Hold on, there's another Holy Sword! Luke noticed the other sword sheathed on the young man's waist.

The young man motioned to the sword as he realized Luke was looking at it. "This is the recently discovered final Excalibur, the most powerful among all seven, Excalibur Ruler."

He actually found the last Excalibur! Now I really don't want to fight this guy right now.

"Are you fine with telling this boy that?" Kuroka questioned her ally.

"Yes. Truthfully, I've been quite interested in the Gremory peerage." The man nodded. "Sapphire Dragon Emperor, please pass on my greetings to your Holy Demon Sword wielder and the lady with Durandal. I would like to face them myself one day, one swordsman to another. The same goes for you, Wielder of the Aegis. Now then, let's be off."

The man used Caliburn to cut another spatial rift in front of him that was wide enough for several people to walk through.

"Farewell for now, Sapphire Dragon Emperor."

As soon as he arrived, the man with glasses left through the rift along with Bikou and Kuroka before Karlel and Pyra could arrive.

When Karlel and Pyra arrived on the scene, they took Luke and Koneko back to the cottage for immediate medical attention. Due to his wounds and the exhaustion of awakening his Balance Breaker, Luke was lying on a bed, unwilling to so much as roll on his side.

"Congratulations, Naughty Boy!" Karlel smiled as she sat in a chair next to his bed. "You've finally attained your Balance Breaker, and in only a little over two weeks of your training. Very impressive."

"I feel like I'm made entirely of lead." Luke commented.

"Well, once Rias and Fumiko come to heal your words, you should be getting some sleep." Karlel stood up. "We'll be heading early in the morning to Genesis headquarters for the last part of your training."

Karlel left the room and Luke was alone, except for Koneko who was on the bed right across from him.

"Are you still in pain, Koneko?" Luke asked as he turned his head to her. "You must have been in so much from that poison."

"… Once you blew away the mist, the poison was starting to lose its effect." Koneko answered. "I'm feeling better now. Thank you, Luke-san… for stopping me from going with nee-sama."

"I need to thank you, too. If you hadn't told me to be a gentle Heavenly Dragon, I wouldn't have attained my Balance Breaker."

"… Luke-san?"

"Yes?"

"… You called me a woman… Did you mean it?"

"Of course I did."

"But… my boobs aren't big. Not like Rias-buchou, Akeno-senpai and Fumiko-san."

"A woman isn't defined by the size of her chest. A woman is defined by her strength, and you're strong, Koneko."

A warm smile appeared on Koneko's face. "… Thank you, Luke-san."

"Luke! Koneko!"

Rias burst into the room and looked like she was on the brink of tears.

"I'm so glad you're both safe!" Rias nearly cried out.

"Uuummm…" Fumiko blinked as she walked in. "Who should I heal first?"

A/N: That's the end of the chapter! Luke has finally unlocked his Balance Breaker! And Issei unlocked his, by poking Asia's breasts.

It seems like Vali's group knows something about Luke, but unfortunately I can't reveal what that is right now. You'll all know soon enough.

I'm keeping this short because my brain is struggling to come up with stuff, I'm so mentally drained. I hope you all enjoy! Stay tuned for next time!

Luke Harem: Rias Gremory, Karlel, Daphiel, Annabelle Wright, Akeno Himejima, Fumiko Kazuya, Melody Morag, Setsuna Kazama, Kayoko Kita, Xenovia Quarta, Emery Belmont, Roygun Belphegor

Issei Harem: Misaki Shirayuki, Asia Argento, Hikaru Ueda, Akira Kazuya, Kiyome Abe, Seekvaira Agares, Azusa Hirano

Rias Gremory Peerage: Rias Gremory (King), Akeno Himejima (Queen), Yuuto Kiba (Knight), Xenovia Quarta (Knight), Koneko Toujo (Rook), Fumiko Kazuya (Bishop), Gasper Vladi (Bishop), Luke Sigmund (8 Pawns)

Seth Sigmund Peerage: Seth Sigmund (King), Annabelle Wright (Queen), Alastair Wright (Rook), Emery Belmont (Rook), Hana Sakuya (2 Bishops), Setsuna Kazama (Knight), Primoir Talraxen (Knight), Grencin Korin (8 Pawns)

Melody Morag Peerage: Melody Morag (King), Misaki Shirayuki (Queen), Katherine Petrova (Knight), Spiral Hirano (Knight), Azusa Hirano (Rook), Akira Kazuya (Rook), Hikaru Ueda (Bishop), Asia Argento (Bishop), Issei Hyoudou (8 Pawns)