"...Shirone, can you do that kind of thing too, as a Senjutsu user?"
"Even Kuroka-san can't. When it comes to manipulating the body, Ikkki-senpai's skill is just abnormal."
"Issei! Mastering a specific branch of Senjutsu makes you better at studying—this'll be on the test, so make sure you remember it!"
"There's no way that'd ever show up on a test! If it did, I'd tear that thing up right on the spot!"
As we were joking around like idiots, President Rias and the others brought in sandwiches. Makes sense—easy to grab and eat.
Though... why is Azazel-sensei walking in behind them?
"Sorry for showing up so late. I wanted to ask Rias for permission to bring a guest here tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? That's pretty sudden."
"Yeah, it took a lot to coordinate the timing. Let's just say... there are circumstances."
Azazel-sensei's usually playful demeanor was gone, replaced with a serious air. That clued everyone in—this wasn't a normal situation. We all started thinking hard about who the guest could be.
"You're all definitely going to have a problem with this guest. Honestly, if you're not careful, you might attack them on sight."
"Is it Vali and his team? Or—no way—you're not talking about Cao Cao and his group, are you?"
Issei asked hesitantly. Yeah, if it's Cao Cao, I'd rather pass.
"Half-right. Vali's team is part of it. But there's more to it. No point in going into detail now—it's better if you just meet them. All I ask is that you don't attack or antagonize them. Just talk to them. That's all I'm asking… Please."
Everyone was taken aback by Azazel-sensei bowing his head. Even Rias, moved by the gesture, nodded in agreement.
"Understood. We'll gather here in the morning."
"Thanks. I'll bring them first thing… Oh, and I almost forgot—Akeno, about that matter we discussed. Baraqiel has agreed."
"My father has...? Understood. I can't stay stagnant forever. I need to not only make up for my weaknesses with magic, but also work on enhancing my strengths, or I'll just become a burden."
Akeno-senpai responded firmly.
I'm a bit fuzzy on the details after the anime, but if it involves Baraqiel, then it's probably some kind of lightning training?
After Azazel left, we all got back to studying late into the night, though our minds kept drifting to the mysterious guest arriving tomorrow.
========
The Next Morning
Because we were expecting a potentially hostile visitor, we limited morning training to just the basics. At the designated time, we gathered in the living room of Issei's house. The doorbell rang.
As for Issei's parents—they'd conveniently been scheduled for an early outing today, thanks to Azazel tweaking their company's work schedule or something. Later, they'd receive coupons for massage parlors and local shops as a subtle apology, disguised as coincidence.
Issei opened the door—and there stood a tiny gothic lolita girl.
A dragon god, no less.
Her dress was a proper, dignified one.
"Ddraig, it has been a while."
"O-Oh… O-Oh-Oh-Oh-OPHIS!?"
We were all behind Issei in the wide entrance hall, but the moment the most powerful Dragon God and former leader of the terrorist organization Khaos Brigade showed up, everyone instantly shifted into battle mode.
Hmmm. Maybe it's up to me to ease the tension a bit.
"Hey Issei, she greeted you—so return the greeting properly. That's just basic social etiquette. Long time no see, Ophis. Do you remember me?"
"Arima Ikki. I remember. It has been a while."
Then Issei grabbed my shoulder, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"Wait wait wait wait! Ikki, how are you so calm!? That's the strongest Dragon God standing right there! We're enemies, remember!?"
"But think about it, Issei. If Azazel-sensei made such a big deal about it, the only ones it could be are Ophis, maybe Kokabiel, or Loki. I figured it might be one of them—and I wanted to be mentally prepared."
We're not officially at war with Hades yet, so by process of elimination, those three made the most sense.
"...After what Ikki-senpai said yesterday, I had a bad feeling, but I never imagined the Ophis, the Infinite Dragon God, would actually show up... This time, I truly wish I had been wrong."
I'd mentioned it casually last night before bed, so at least Shirone, Kuroka, and Ravel were minimally on guard.
Kuroka didn't seem especially disturbed—maybe because she used to be an outlaw herself?
"Come on, you lot, don't just crowd the entrance. Let's get inside."
Azazel-sensei ushered us in. Rias, though, was still staring daggers. But thanks to my and Issei's little exchange, she exhaled deeply and tried to compose herself.
"Azazel, let me ask you two things. First—are you doing this without the knowledge of the Four Great Satans or Archangel Michael? And second—you believe this is truly necessary for peace?"
Azazel-sensei nodded solemnly.
"That's right. Michael and Sirzechs don't know. I've lied to several organizations to pull this off… but I believe this could be the move that crumbles the Khaos Brigade from within. Once again—I apologize. But please, hear her out."
For the second day in a row, Azazel bowed deeply, and that gesture seemed to drain the hostility from everyone.
"I'm fine with it. I trust Sensei."
Of course Issei would say something hot-blooded like that.
"I owe Sensei a lot, too. So… I'll hold off on slicing her with Durandal. For now."
Honestly, even if you did, I doubt it would leave a scratch.
"Keeping this from Lord Michael… But if it might lead to peace, perhaps we should stand by quietly?"
As long as there's no wicked intent, keeping secrets from an archangel doesn't lead to falling, right? No sign of black wings or flickering halos, so…
"We can't win in a fight against her anyway. This may be the best outcome."
"We'll maintain a minimal level of caution."
Akeno-senpai and Yuuto gave the most grounded, rational responses—as usual. Without them, Gremory's peerage would have no brakes.
...Though Akeno-senpai does snap sometimes, so maybe only Yuuto's is reliable.
"She greeted Ikki-san like it was totally normal, so maybe she's not that scary after all. Still, I think Issei-san and Rias-oneesama should make the final decision. I'm okay with it."
"Uuu… I-I'm still a little scared… Is it okay if I keep a cardboard box nearby so I can hide inside?"
Asia's logic is sound, but Gasper, come on—what's a cardboard box gonna do against a Dragon God!?
"If Ikki-sama can greet her so casually, then as his future wife, I must show equal composure."
"Same here."
Sorry, Shirone, Ravel. Let's be honest—you weren't shocked because you already figured it out. Like, 99%.
"Hmmm... Maybe it was bound to turn out like this-nya?"
What are you even talking about, Kuroka?
Anyway, after hearing all the cautious-but-accepting responses, Rias finally made her decision.
"Fine. Like Yuuto said, we'll maintain a minimum alert level. So? Should I invite her in and make tea?"
"Yes, please. Just a conversation, that's all. Also—I said the Vali Team would be coming, right? I wanted you to meet Ophis first, but... come on in."
Azazel contacted someone via a light-based communication magic circle, and another magic circle appeared in the living room.
Out stepped a girl in a pointed blue witch hat and cape—Le Fay Pendragon, and a large gray wolf about the size of a horse.
No doubt about it. That was Fenrir.
Less intimidating than before, but still on par with most gods. And those fangs were still very much intact.
When I focused on the aura from his fangs alone, it felt just like last time—unchanged and dangerous.
"Greetings, everyone! I'm Le Fay Pendragon. Thank you for everything back in Kyoto. This is Fenrir-chan. Pleased to meet you all!"
She gave a cheerful bow.
Then Fenrir walked right up to me—and gave me the smuggest look I've ever seen.
Wait... I know what this is about!
"Your shoulder horns... they're gone!!"
Fenrir was absolutely beaming. His smugness was almost radiant.
Maybe I went too far last time, but no—I was right to comment on them!
"Those shoulder horns were designed by the god Loki himself, so I could only hide them temporarily with illusion magic. But every time Fenrir-chan powered up in battle, the illusion would break… I didn't know what to do. Then Ophis-sama, who was sitting on my lap, created a small serpent that could alter Fenrir-chan's appearance!"
So to give the God-Eater Wolf a makeover, you need a being that governs infinity, chaos, and nothingness!?
That's... one hell of a cosmetic surgery bill.
I couldn't help but reach out to pet his head—only for him to chomp down on my hand.
"OWWWW!!"
That damn mutt bit me!
"Oh! Don't worry! After finding out Ikki-san would be here, Fenrir-chan practiced a special 'non-injurious bite' just for today! He trained really hard… using Bikou as a test dummy."
So I'm on Fenrir's personal hate list, huh… Damn it!
RIP Bikou… he's probably wrapped in bandages head to toe.
"I want... to talk."
Ophis's quiet words filled the room.
"Get the tea ready. Just listen to her. I've lied to every major faction to get her here—if this fails, I'm literally a dead man."
At Azazel's urging, we invited Ophis, Le Fay, and Fenrir inside. On the way to the guest room, Kuroka tried to cheer me up.
"Well, well, Ikki. Let's be honest—you had the lowest favorability score with Fenrir out of all of us. Honestly, you were kind of a jerk last time."
True. During our last battle, he only ever came after me...
But with that smug look and good mood, I thought he'd moved on!
"I-Ikki-sama! If you want to pet someone's head, you can always pet mine! Anytime!"
Wow. That's ridiculously adorable, Ravel.
But then Shirone stepped in.
"Ravel doesn't have animal ears. If you want a similar experience, Ikki-senpai should pet my head."
"By that logic, mine should work too, right? I don't mind once in a while~."
"Nooo! Wait! I just realized—out of all of Ikki-sama's future wives, I'm the only one without animal ears!"
Ravel looked absolutely devastated.
Now that you mention it... yeah, 3 out of 4 have animal ears.
"Does this mean I can't get my head petted unless I have animal ears!? Would fake ones work!? I'll buy cat or fox ear headbands today if I have to!"
Ravel, don't beg me with those tearful eyes!
"You don't need to go that far! I'll pet your head as much as you want, ears or not!"
...Though I am a little curious what Ravel would look like in animal ear accessories.
"Damn it, Ikki! Can you please take this more seriously!? And stop flirting like that—it's making me jealous, damn you!!"
And so, after being scolded by Issei, we finally arrived at the VIP room.
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