"Here's some tea."
Leading Ophis and her group into the VIP room, Akeno-senpai nervously served tea and snacks.
Ophis sipped her tea with an expressionless face, while Le Fay beamed with excitement. As a fan of the Oppai Dragon, this must've felt like visiting a celebrity's house. She even managed to sneak an autograph from Issei while Akeno was still pouring the tea.
Fenrir, meanwhile, let out a big yawn, lounging close to Le Fay.
Everyone else in the room looked tense and alert.
In the midst of that strange atmosphere, Azazel-sensei and Issei were whispering to each other—though, let's be honest, Ophis could probably hear them just fine. Not that it mattered.
So, uh, what exactly am I supposed to talk about? 'A Fun Talk Show with the Dragon God!'? Yeah, I don't think I can pull that off!
"(Relax. She seems interested in you. Just answer her questions if she asks anything. It's a rare opportunity to learn more about her. Trust me—Ophis, on her own, wouldn't pick a fight with anyone besides Great Red. If she really wanted to go against the world, she wouldn't need the roundabout mess that is the Khaos Brigade. She could end everything alone. Just having this tea party is already a miracle in itself. So do your best to make it a good one!)"
Sensei, this is way too much pressure. I think I'm gonna cry...
While Issei prepared to hold a conversation that might decide the fate of the world, I stood behind him with the others—Rias-senpai, her peerage, Irina, and a few of us standing by for support.
Yuuto looked ready to spring into action, his weight subtly shifted to his toes. Kuroka, on the other hand, had dragged a chair over and was watching everything like she was at a show.
As for me? I was standing with my hands gently patting the heads of Shirone and Ravel, who stood on either side of me.
They had both insisted, "I'm the one who gets head pats!" and wouldn't budge, so I had no choice but to do both at once. It's rare to need both arms just to pet someone.
Man, seeing their eyes narrow happily like that really melts the tension...
While I was floating in that blissful little bubble, Yuuto turned and whispered with a wry smile.
"[You don't seem too wary of her, Ikki. Why's that?]"
"[Remember what Vali said during the Three Factions Summit? That the Khaos Brigade just latched onto her name without permission? Judging from her behavior, I doubt she's ever given any direct orders to those terrorists. Besides, even if we were on high alert, if Ophis really wanted us dead, she could've wiped us out before we even realized it. So... what's the point in worrying? It's a lame reason, I know.]"
Even if I could keep my [Ittou Shura] mode active nonstop, maybe I'd have a chance to react—but yeah, not happening.
Yuuto didn't seem satisfied.
"[So basically, we're not even worth her attention?]"
"[Brutally put... yeah. If that bothers you, then the only answer is to get stronger. In our world, strength speaks louder than anything else. If you can at least reach god-class, you'll be able to resist a little—maybe act as a decoy to let others escape. Unless... you're content with your current strength?]"
"[Nope. I hate that idea. Tonight's training—can I spar with you?]"
"[Sure. I want to be strong enough to at least beat up a god myself.]"
Thankfully, Ophis isn't hostile. But if someone of her level were, we'd be negotiating from a severe disadvantage. Strength always backs negotiation—like Perry and his Black Ships.
"[Oh my~ When someone like you, who could probably stalemate a god with the right setup, says they want to 'at least beat a god,' it really does hit different.]"
I appreciate the compliment, but I'd rather win outright. Going down together isn't exactly a solid strategy.
Back to the VIP room, Issei nervously began the conversation.
"U-Um... So, what exactly do you want to ask me?"
It looked like the discussion was finally starting.
Ophis gently set her teacup down and spoke:
"Will you stop Ddraig?"
The question was so blunt and cryptic that Issei's forced smile froze on his face.
She continued calmly, unfazed by his hesitation.
"Your soul, different from past hosts. Grows differently. Curious. Same with Vali. Different growth. So I want to ask—what will Ddraig become? What will Albion become? Will you stop the Heavenly Dragons?"
A green gem appeared on the back of Issei's left hand—Ddraig had awakened to answer.
"I don't know, Ophis. I don't know what he wants to become. Probably the same for Albion. But... this host of mine is definitely growing in ways I never expected. That's why, even though I don't understand it, I want to see where it leads."
Ophis nodded slightly and moved to the next question.
"…The Two Heavenly Dragons. I gave you 'Infinity.' Gave Great Red 'Imagination.' Why did you use us in the chant of 'Domination'? We are not 'Domination.'"
"Those born strong will never understand what 'Domination' really means. You and Great Red could claim it as easily as picking up a pebble... but you never wanted it. That's understandable. I, on the other hand, spent my whole life seeking only domination, never realizing there were other paths. So let me ask you, Ophis—what do you feel in this world? Why do you wish to return to the Dimensional Gap?"
"Question. Ddraig, different existence now. Is now... Boob Dragon? If you press boobs, do you stop being a Heavenly Dragon? If you suck boobs, can you surpass Heavenly Dragons? Ddraig... Dragon of Boobs now?"
The exchange was so surreal that I couldn't tell if they were connecting or completely missing each other. But when Ophis asked if Ddraig now governs boobs, the gem on Issei's hand began to flicker wildly.
"Nooooooo! Even YOU'RE saying that to me now?! Haaah! Haaah! Partner! I need tranquilizers! Meds! Drug me up, PLEASE!!"
Ddraig, buddy—that was the cry of a full-blown junkie in mental collapse!
Issei hurriedly pulled out the calming ointment prescribed by his new dragon therapist (apparently found by Azazel-sensei) and slathered it onto the gem.
"H-H-Hey, calm down, Ddraig! Here's your medicine! Deep breaths, okay!?"
"Wheeze, wheeze, wheeze, wheeze, wheeze—"
"Draaaiiiig! You sound like you're dying! Deep breaths! Hey, Ophis! Look, Ddraig's going through a sensitive time right now, okay!? Can we lay off the boob talk for a while?! Please!"
As Issei desperately tried to soothe his partner, Ophis tilted her head slightly—still expressionless, but giving off an air of curiosity—and nodded.
"I don't really get it... but okay. Instead, I want to keep watching Ddraig and his host."
Maybe Ddraig heard her promise in the back of his mind, because his breathing started to stabilize.
Azazel added a suggestion.
"Actually, that was one of her wishes from the start. Mind if she stays here a few days? She just wants to watch, after all."
"Well... as long as she doesn't interfere with my exam prep, I don't mind."
"Same here. If Issei says it's okay, then I'm fine with it too."
And so, the most powerful Dragon God in existence joined us for a sleepover.
======
A few days later…
We were all gathered again at Issei's house, studying for exams. But even as everyone stared at their textbooks and notes, their eyes kept drifting toward the corner of the room.
There sat Ophis, staring at us silently—just like she said she would.
Honestly, even without her title as the Dragon God, anyone would feel awkward under that kind of scrutiny.
Ophis didn't do much aside from occasionally nibbling on snacks, but everyone else was reacting to her in various ways.
Le Fay and Fenrir had taken over a room in the Hyoudou house basement, and she'd sometimes have Ophis sitting on her lap with a big smile. Asia brought more tea and sweets, and Irina apparently tried inviting her to play cards.
Oh—and me? I got roped into Le Fay's "Ophis Fashion Show" as one of the judges.
Apparently, she thought, "It's thanks to you that Lady Ophis discovered fashion, so I wanted your opinion!"
...Though, I doubt Ophis has actually developed an interest in fashion. Still, I guess anything's better than her old creepy goth-loli look.