[Azazel Side]
I'm in the heart of the Carmilla faction's territory, a castle town with modern buildings encircling the True Ancestor Carmilla's castle. Homes are contemporary, with souvenir shops and cafes scattered about. No arcades, though.
Vampire town—few windows, all shuttered to block sunlight. Thick fog blankets everything, ensuring daylight never reaches the streets. It's noon, but vampires, nocturnal by nature, are asleep. Those awake wear heavy clothing to shield their skin.
The town's amenities and possessions mirror the human world—most residents are former humans, after all. The fog is a vampire ability, used as a barrier and for scouting. Not as unique as Georg's Dimension Lost, but covering an entire town shows serious power.
I parted ways with Rias and entered Carmilla's territory alone—a secluded space in the mountains, cut off from humanity and other mythologies by a vast barrier. Now, I'm sipping coffee in a cafe, watching the scenery.
"Geez…"
I'm here alone for a reason. I tried to meet Carmilla herself, but her timing's off—she's stuck in a long meeting, dealing with movements from the Tepes faction. My meeting's delayed, so I've been here a few days.
Oh, and I'm not entirely alone. A man sits nearby—my watcher. The town's been buzzing with surveillance since I arrived.
But suddenly, his presence vanishes. I glance over—he's slumped on the table.
"Geez… what do you want, Vali?" I say as he approaches.
"Just passing by, felt a familiar presence," Vali replies, joined by Bikou, Arthur, and Fenrir.
"Hey, Governor—er, Supervisor now?" Bikou grins.
"Same old monkey. You put him to sleep?" I nod at the watcher.
Bikou chuckles. Probably used senjutsu or youjutsu. They move freely in this fog—experts at evasion, dodging pursuers from every mythology. A team of elites.
"So, what's up?" I ask.
"Evil dragons," Vali says.
He talks about their run-in with Azi Dahaka. After Grendel, another troublesome dragon's revived.
I sigh and ask, "How strong was Azi Dahaka?"
"More fun than Pluto," Vali replies.
Stronger than Pluto, then.
Bikou adds, "Crazy strong. Toughest we've fought. Wouldn't stay down. Pain in the ass."
"Quite enjoyable," Arthur chimes in, battle-maniac like Vali.
If these thrill-seekers say this, Azi Dahaka's power is exceptional.
Arthur mentions, "Heard Grendel appeared on your end."
"Word travels fast. We beat it, but it was tough. Issei used nearly all his tricks, and Grendel kept getting up."
Ignis could've erased it, but her power's a last resort—too destructive, and it burns Issei's arm. Plus, those mini-dragons born from Grendel's blood and Issei's odd reaction to them worry me. I haven't seen it myself or heard from him directly, so I can't say much.
"Things are looking bad," I mutter.
Vali raises an eyebrow. "The Holy Grail's behind the evil dragons' revival? It manipulates life—can it resurrect the dead?"
I nod. "Exactly. The Grail can twist life's laws. Souls vary by religion, but clean resurrection? Impossible. Once a soul's gone, it doesn't return easily."
Exceptions exist—like devil or angel reincarnation—but those need fresh corpses.
Vali narrows his eyes. "Evil dragons are different?"
"They're stubborn—body and soul. Vritra, sliced to bits, revived through gathered Sacred Gear fragments. With the Grail, especially a subspecies Balance Breaker…"
"It's on another level," Vali finishes.
Bikou leans on his hand. "So, the Tepes vampires with the Grail are tied to Khaos Brigade?"
"Logically, yeah."
Tepes vampires with the Grail and Khaos Brigade reviving evil dragons—connections form naturally. Carmilla likely knows this, realized they can't handle it alone, and reached out to us, targeting Gasper due to his ties with Valerie. They thought he'd lower Tepes' guard.
Too bad their envoy got trashed by Issei's second wife.
Gasper, your friend's caught in something big. Hope it doesn't go south…
Then it hits me. "Where's the bad cat and witch girl?"
Vali shrugs. "With Issei Hyoudou."
"What? Dumped? Should've paid more attention, or he stole them!"
"Maybe," Vali says, unbothered.
Is this guy okay? His lack of interest in women is unreal. Not a hater, but… come on, find a girl! I'm worried, especially seeing Issei's growing harem. How many kids will that guy have?
Bikou laughs. "Kuroka and Le Fay will come if we need them. They're having fun with the Red Dragon Emperor. Arthur's cool with it."
Arthur nods. "Le Fay's safer with him. I want her back in the mundane world, or at least in the special zone of his home. Supervisor, you'll ensure that, right?"
"Don't worry. No one touches them there," I assure him.
Arthur bows. "Thank you."
A bit of a sis-con, but saner than the ones around me.
Bikou pulls out instant noodles. "Red or green? Yakisoba or ramen?"
Nice selection, all Japanese. Japan's instant noodles are the best.
"Green. I like soba," I say.
"Japan-savvy, huh? Vali, Arthur?"
Vali grabs yakisoba, Arthur the red one.
"White Dragon Emperor eating instant noodles? No one cooks?" I ask.
Bikou waves dismissively. "Le Fay can, but without her, it's instant food. We don't mind."
Fenrir has a noodle cup tossed in front of him, radiating displeasure. They ignore it. A legendary beast, treated like this? Too harsh…
Tears well up. Issei's eating homemade meals from his wives and lovers…
Did I raise Vali wrong?
"What's wrong?" Vali asks.
"Blaming my past self…"
"?"
Don't worry, Vali. You're young. There's time… I hope. Get a girlfriend.
I change topics. "How's Albion?"
The white dragon sealed in Vali's Sacred Gear, dubbed "Butt Dragon Emperor" by Odin, second to Ddraig's "Oppai Dragon."
Vali closes his eyes. "He hopes to fight Issei again and get used to it."
Albion chimes in, "Impossible, degozaru."
Adding "degozaru"? That's how bad it is.
"How'd counseling go?" I ask. I'd found a dragon counselor—Sandalphon, the Buddha of Merit, a.k.a. Tripitaka—after much effort.
Vali slurps yakisoba. "Listened well, prescribed medicine. Said Ddraig shares Albion's pain."
"Talking with Ddraig was advised. He has similar… no, greater struggles," Albion adds.
True. Ddraig deals with "Oppai Dragon" and Ignis' dragon SM play. Worse than Albion's plight. I'm partly to blame for "Oppai Dragon," so I'll stay quiet.
If Albion meets Ignis, same fate. Dragon SM play? Never heard of it!
"Talk to Ddraig," I suggest.
"I must face it without looking away," Albion mutters, resolving to talk.
Could this end the Heavenly Dragons' rivalry? Unexpected.
Vali's expression darkens. "Azazel, Eugrid Lucifugus told me directly—about the mastermind."
"What…?"
They told Vali?
His eyes blaze with hatred. "That scum is behind this!"
Only one person draws this much hate from him. If true, the damage could be catastrophic.
But why surface now?
[Azazel Side Out]
Next day, living room
The church trio stares silently. Koneko and Ravel, too. Akeno smiles, but it's intense.
The air's heavy! Prickly glares all morning—mentally draining!
I'm kneeling on the sofa with Reyna. Ophis sits on my lap, eating a banana.
Le Fay (confused): "What's wrong?"
Kuroka: "Lots going on, nyaa. Right, Red Dragon Emperor-chin?"
Don't drag me into this! Only Miu, Alice, Tiamat, and Dilmunid are calm. Rossweisse is at a new 100-yen shop—obsessed much?
Xenovia: "I've seen this before."
Asia: "During the school trip."
Irina: "It was Miu then."
Their eyes are serious! Asia, smile, please! Why so stern!?
Akeno: "Issei-kun, answer honestly."
Issei: "Y-Yes."
Akeno: "What did you and Reyna do last night?"
Straight to the point!
I glance at Miu—she gives a thumbs-up. For what!? Alice is watching TV—useless!
Hiding's pointless. The girls are sharp about this stuff. Our vibe today gave it away. Reyna's been cheery, clinging to me.
Issei & Reyna (in unison): "We got slippery last night."
We spill everything afterward.
Last Night's Rias-tan
Rias: "!?"
Subordinate: "Something wrong, President?"
Rias: "Nothing…"
She brushes it off, but something's up.
(That feeling… Issei's with someone again? I'm… late again…)
Rias senses Issei's actions in Japan, feeling down.
(No, why mope? Next time! I'll make my move when I'm back!)
She burns with resolve in a foreign land.
Last Night's Rias-tan, End
Rias has Newtype vibes (lol). New arc next!
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The battle isn't over... and the truth has yet to be revealed. Read the next chapter now on Patreon! [patreon.com/Greyhounds]