69 Chapter 69: Vali isn't just a mere devil... she's–!

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From the side, Kuroka's mocking laughter sliced through the tension. "Isn't it a bit rich? Here you are, touting your disinterest in our politics, yet resorting to blackmail to play the hero for a damsel," she taunted.

Issei's gaze shifted abruptly towards Kuroka, fire dancing in his eyes. "I suggest you keep that sharp tongue in check, or I'll ensure you regret mocking me, Nekomata," he warned with palpable hostility.

Kuroka's lips curled into a playful smirk, her eyes dancing with mischief. "I must admit, I only found the initial part of your statement appealing," she admitted, her giggle echoing lightly. The members of the Hero Faction exchanged exasperated glances, clearly unamused by her antics.

Cao Cao's patience, already worn thin, finally snapped. "Enough of your frivolous behavior, devil," he admonished sharply. "Your continued presence here hinges solely on Arthur and Le Fay's insistence about your potential contribution. Push me any further, and I might reconsider their judgment."

Kuroka's playful demeanor faded, replaced by a momentary flash of anger. Without a word, she pivoted on her heel, making her way to stand beside Arthur and Le Fay, her posture stiff with indignation.

The air around them grew tense until Le Fay, the blonde magician with an ever-curious disposition, ventured a question, seeking to change the subject. "Issei, you claim to know Vali. Is that really true?"

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Issei confirmed, "Yes, she's a student at my school. We cross paths more often than I'd like."

Arthur, brows furrowed in thought, probed further, "You mentioned earlier that Vali disclosed details about the Khaos Brigade to you. I find it perplexing. Why would someone of Vali's stature see fit to rope you into our affairs?"

Issei shrugged, his arms crossed defensively over his chest. "I've stopped trying to decipher her motives. But, for what it's worth, she's one of the more reasonable devils I've encountered."

Arthur began, his voice dripping with seriousness, "Vali isn't just a mere devil... she's–"

"Half-human and directly descended from Lucifer," Issei interrupted, his voice laced with confidence. "She's been quite forthcoming about her lineage."

Arthur's gaze grew sharper, studying Issei for a moment. "I see. So she's shared that much with you," he muttered, sounding a mix of surprise and mild annoyance.

Shifting the atmosphere back to the palpable tension, Cao Cao leveled his gaze at Issei, his voice cold and threatening, "Your knowledge might be extensive, but it's useless if you're not around to share it. Remember that."

The very next instant, a transformation overtook Issei. A pair of crimson wings burst from his back, unfurling menacingly. As his distinct draconic aura surrounded him, it was impossible to ignore the waves of power emanating from him. Several among the crowd hesitated, their heartbeats quickening. However, the more prominent figures - Arthur, Le Fay, Crom, and Cao Cao - remained unmoved, their resolve evident.

Smiling with an unsettling calm, Cao Cao reminded Issei of the odds, "You're clearly outmatched and outnumbered. Don't allow your pride to be your downfall." Around him, members of the Hero Faction gripped their weapons tighter, preparing to activate their sacred gears.

Crom Cruach, always one to appreciate a good show of strength, barked out a hearty laugh, "I have to give it to you, kid. You're brimming with audacity!"

Cao Cao shot Crom a look of pure exasperation, "Why, in the first place, did you even bring him into our midst?"

Crom, with a careless toss of his head, replied nonchalantly, "He seemed eager to fight for the youkai's sake. I merely granted his wish and offered him an opportunity."

"Your thoughtlessness has landed us in this mess," Cao Cao rebuked, his voice tinged with exasperation, directing his gaze pointedly at Crom.

In the palpable tension that followed, Issei slowly raised his arm. The very gesture made every eye in the vicinity fixate on him, a mix of bewilderment and suspicion written across their faces. Speaking with a level of serenity that contrasted sharply with his earlier bravado, he revealed, "To elude Gabriel's perception, I always maintain an illusion around me. But if you test my patience, I can drop that veil in an instant, beckoning her here. Or, even simpler, I could just use my phone to ping my exact location to Serafall Leviathan. So, I ask, do you wish to accelerate the onset of your war?"

Cao Cao's usually unflappable demeanor crumbled for a split second, his eyes widening in disbelief. "You can't be serious..." he whispered, taken aback.

Issei smirked, his confidence evident. "Seems the tables have turned, doesn't it?"

Crom Cruach, always one for confrontation, gave a disapproving scowl, arms folded across his chest. "You're taking the easy way out, using such tactics. I had you pegged as someone ready to take us all on."

Issei's gaze remained unwavering, "Oh, I'm more than capable. But why exhaust myself when there's a smarter way out?"

Crom Cruach couldn't help but chuckle, even if it was tinted with derision. "Well, Cao Cao, the young dragon here seems to have outmaneuvered you. If he does summon his allies, we're compromised."

Cao Cao's face was a mask of barely concealed frustration. "It's intriguing, Issei. For someone who asserts he stands alone, your connections run deep within the upper echelons of Heaven and Hell."

Issei shrugged nonchalantly, "Being neutral has its perks. I've made acquaintances in high and low places alike. You lot can go ahead with your suicide mission against Red for all I care. But using Yasaka and Kunou in your schemes? That's where I draw the line. Hand them over and disappear. In return, I'll ensure your secrets remain safe with me."

There was a palpable pause before Siegfried turned to Cao Cao, a frown etching his face, "Can we truly trust his word? What guarantees he won't just summon Gabriel on a whim?"

Crom Cruach, ever the pragmatist, interjected, "It's clear as day that he's not bluffing. If secrecy is our utmost priority, then take his deal. Yasaka and Kunou aren't vital for our Dragon Gate ambitions."