[29] : Welsh Dragon VS Phoenix

Draconic Deus.

Underworld.

Territory of the Phenex House.

[***]

The hall filled with noise as soon as Issei appeared.

Aiden, Kotori, and Nia exchanged a glance before fixing their eyes on Sirzechs, who stood far away without saying a word.

"Could he really be this brazen...?" murmured Kotori, clearly confused.

She had no idea how Issei had suddenly arrived there, but she could bet that Lucifer had pulled some strings.

It wasn't hard to deduce for anyone with a bit of brains.

"Well, yes, he's very brazen," Nia replied, pointing forward. "Look, this is a bit... ha, poor Ravel-chan."

Both watched as the hall guards were 'neutralized' by Rias Gremory's servants, who were also present.

"Hey, you! Do you know where you're standing? This is an insolent act before so many pureblood devils!" shouted a guard, approaching Issei to stop him.

But before he could do anything, Rias's [Knight], Kiba, dressed elegantly in a tuxedo, intercepted him.

"Ise-kun! Leave this to us! Just go save Buchou."

The [Rook] Koneko and the [Queen] Akeno also joined the action, allowing Issei to advance without further trouble in a hall full of devils much stronger than them.

Off to the side, Aiden scratched his white hair in visible discomfort.

"Even though I don't support either side since it's not my problem, this is really embarrassing to watch... ugh. And no one says anything either... I guess that's what you'd expect from a Maou."

Although technically it wasn't his business and there wasn't a clear 'villain' in this situation, the whole spectacle was irritating, especially when he remembered Ravel's happy expression.

"Buchou, Rias Gremory-sama's virginity belongs to me!" Issei declared with a confidence that left everyone stunned.

The comment didn't take long to have an effect:

Aiden noticed how Riser's face twisted into an unpleasant scowl, and small flames began to emerge from his body.

"What does this mean, Lucifer-sama?" someone asked, clearly annoyed.

"Hey, Rias Gremory! What's going on here?"

Discontent and confusion filled the hall, something completely natural considering that a mere servant was doing whatever he wanted.

However, just as the chaos threatened to spiral out of control, a voice silenced everyone.

"It's an event I organized myself."

The red-haired Sirzechs Lucifer stepped forward, and his words quieted the crowd.

Aiden, Kotori, and Nia rolled their eyes in unison, as did several other devils present.

"I wanted to see the power of the Welsh Dragon, so I asked Grayfia for help," Sirzechs explained calmly.

"Sirzechs-sama, you can't do something so irresponsible!" Ravel protested with an indignant tone. "Onii-sama has already won all the trials given to him!"

Sirzechs looked at her calmly before replying:

"It should be fine. The last Rating Game was entertaining, but it wasn't entirely fair. My sister didn't have all the members of her peerage, nor did she have enough experience to face Riser-kun, who is a prodigy of the Phenex house."

"So you're saying the last game wasn't fair...?" Ravel asked, clenching her hands tightly.

"No, no, not at all," Sirzechs replied with a measured smile. 

"If a Maou like me said something like that, it would make Riser-kun look bad. After all, the connection between high-class devils is important."

Then, a red-haired man, Rias's father, Zeoticus, asked:

"So, Sirzechs, what do you want to do?"

"Father, I want my adorable sister's engagement party to be spectacular. Dragon versus Phoenix. Don't you think that's the most thrilling event imaginable? Spicing up the party with a battle between legendary creatures. There's no entertainment that could surpass this," Sirzechs said with a smile.

The room fell silent after those words, and the Maou turned his gaze to Issei.

"Issei-kun. You have our permission."

Sirzechs then shifted his attention to Riser, who was glaring at him with barely concealed fury.

And how could he not be?

Meanwhile, Rias watched Issei with visible concern.

"Riser-kun, could you show me your strength once more before all the guests present?"

It was practically a provocation, and Riser, as proud as ever, wasn't about to refuse.

He was confident he could defeat the servant again.

"Very well. There's no way I can refuse if Sirzechs-sama is asking me. This Riser will deliver his final performance before getting married!"

"Onii-sama?!" Ravel protested, visibly worried.

"It's fine, little sister. Just watch as Riser wins again," he said confidently, heading toward the stage.

Afterward, Sirzechs made an offer to Issei: what did he want if he won?

That question caused murmurs to spread throughout the room, with Ravel being the most vocal in her criticism.

Curiously, the rest of the Phenex family didn't seem overly concerned.

Issei responded firmly:

"I ask you to return Rias Gremory-sama to me."

Sirzechs accepted immediately, completely ignoring the opinions of everyone else.

[*]

Aiden watched as Issei and Riser stood face-to-face.

The hall was spacious enough to host the fight about to break out, although magical barriers were being raised to prevent any damage from affecting the wedding preparations.

"Does that perverted boy have a dragon inside him? Does he possess one of those [Sacred Gear]?" Kotori asked, arms crossed, a mix of curiosity and skepticism in her tone.

"Yes, specifically the [Boosted Gear], which has the Welsh Dragon sealed within it—or as they call him, the Heavenly Dragon. It's one of the thirteen [Longinus]," Aiden replied calmly. 

"Lucifer mentioned it earlier. This will be a duel of Dragon versus Phoenix."

"This should inspire me for my manga… though now I just feel like smashing someone's head. On second thought, maybe I should draw a scene like this instead," Nia mused aloud, getting lost in her thoughts.

"I wonder who'll win: the playboy or the pervert?" Kotori said pensively.

The referee raised their hands, announcing the start of the match.

"Riser is most likely to win," Aiden observed carefully, "but that boy, Issei… It seems the Welsh Dragon, Ddraig, is helping him. I can sense the draconic power in his left hand, though he hasn't activated the [Boosted Gear]. Maybe he made some kind of deal or something…"

"Begin!" the referee announced, stepping off the stage.

Issei turned his head toward Rias, who was watching from afar alongside her family and peerage.

"Buchou, I'll finish this in ten seconds!" he said confidently.

"Ise?" Rias frowned, clearly doubting his words.

"You talk too much, claiming you'll finish in ten seconds. Then I'll do it in five. This won't be like last time, [Pawn] of Rias!" Riser retorted with an arrogant grin.

Issei looked at him seriously, determined to defeat him.

"Buchou, allow me to use [Promotion]!"

Rias nodded firmly.

"[Promotion]! [Queen]!"

"Buchou!" Issei cried, his voice filled with emotion.

"I don't have sword skills like Kiba! I'm not a genius with demonic power like Akeno-san! I don't have Koneko-chan's incredible strength or Asia's healing powers! But I'll become the strongest [Pawn]!"

Issei's words echoed through the hall.

"For you, I'll even defeat God! With this [Boosted Gear], my only weapon, I'll make sure to protect you!"

"Aaahh! [Balance Breaker]!" Issei shouted with all his might.

A pillar of flames rose around him as he summoned his red gauntlet.

"[Welsh Dragon]!"

The green jewel on the gauntlet glowed brightly, illuminating the entire hall.

The deep voice of the Welsh Dragon, Ddraig, resounded throughout the place.

"[Balance Breaker]!"

Flames completely engulfed Issei, and as they dissipated, everyone could see a crimson armor adorned with green jewels strategically placed across his body.

From afar, Aiden observed Issei as he delivered his speech. 

He couldn't help but give a thumbs-up in approval.

He admitted it was kind of cool, and the armor looked impressive too.

He never would have expected this perverted kid to come out with those words.

"It'd be even cooler if he hadn't said what he did upon entering the hall: 'Take Rias Gremory's virginity in front of everyone like a degenerate,'" Kotori remarked with clear disdain.

"Well… at least the kid has guts. I bet no one told him this whole thing might be rigged or something, and yet he still came to take his… girlfriend? Whatever kind of relationship they have, I don't know," Aiden responded, arms crossed as he watched the spectacle.

[*]

"Here I come, Riser! I won't let Buchou be sad; I'll take her with me even if I have to sacrifice my entire body to the Dragon sleeping within my soul!"

"[Boost]!"

—Bang!

As the voice rang out, Issei shot forward at high speed.

From his back, thrusters emerged from his crimson armor, launching him straight at Riser.

—Fwooosh!

Wings of fire appeared on Riser's back as flames gathered in his hands.

With a fierce thrust, he launched a blazing ray that struck Issei head-on.

—Boom!

The flames spread across the entire stage.

From within the fire, Issei emerged, though visibly hurt.

However, he managed to appear right in front of Riser, who deftly dodged and countered with a punch charged with demonic power.

Despite the blow, Issei didn't stop.

He only had 10 seconds in [Balance Breaker] mode, and every second counted.

His fists connected with Riser's body, destroying it over and over, but the phoenix's regeneration gave no respite.

Riser's clothes, however, weren't as fortunate and were left in tatters.

Soaring into the air with his flaming wings, Riser spun like a tornado.

"Damn Sekiryuutei brat! I won't hold back anymore! As much as it pains me to admit it, pervert… right now, you're a damn monster!"

Suddenly, an immense phoenix-shaped figure appeared behind Riser.

"Feel the hellfire of our clan! Feel it with your own body! Burn and turn to ashes!"

—Fwoosh!

Riser dived down, engulfed in flames, like an infernal comet.

"There's no way I'll die in a fire like yours!"

"[Boost]!"

In an instant, a massive ball of demonic power formed in Issei's right palm.

He quickly hurled it at Riser.

—Boom!

The explosion shook the area as Riser dodged and crashed into the ceiling.

Issei didn't let the opportunity slip and used his thrusters to launch himself straight at him.

—Bang! Punch!

Both struck each other's faces simultaneously, generating a shockwave that reverberated against the stage's barrier.

From that moment on, the two exchanged frantic blows.

Flames engulfed Issei's body, burning him even through his armor.

But the pain wasn't enough to stop him or deter him.

However, Riser noticed something.

"Are you scared!? Are you afraid of me!? Of course! You're nothing but trash without the [Boosted Gear]! If you didn't have that armor, you would've perished before my fist even reached you! That's right! Without that gauntlet, you're worthless!"

Fear tried to creep into Issei's heart, but he forcefully cast it aside by thinking of Rias.

Without hesitation, he pulled something from his gauntlet and, with all his determination, struck Riser's face hard.

—Bang!

"That won't work on—" Riser couldn't finish his words.

"Cough!" Blood gushed from his mouth this time.

Riser couldn't believe what was happening.

When he looked up, he saw what Issei was holding in his hand.

"A cross? You're holding a cross!?"

The shock was evident on his face and on the faces of many devils present in the hall.

The cross, an object that weakens devils, had been used by Issei to strike him.

"I punched you while amplifying the cross's effect with my [Sacred Gear]. A sacred attack this enhanced can even harm high-class devils. Even you, the immortal Phoenix, won't be able to heal from this easily, right?" Issei said with a defiant smile.

"Absurd! Crosses cause unbearable suffering to devils! Even if you're wearing a dragon's armor, touching it is madness…" Riser stopped abruptly, noticing something strange.

[*]

"Did he give his arm to the Welsh Dragon?" Nia asked, watching the battle with wide eyes.

"He's crazy," Kotori murmured, though she couldn't help but think that the pervert had guts.

"If that arm doesn't look like armor, then… yeah, it seems like he sold it to the Welsh Dragon," Aiden commented.

[*]

"You gave your… left arm to the dragon residing in the gauntlet? So that's the reason for your insane powers!" Riser shouted, trembling with rage.

"[Boost]!"

"That's right. I gave up my left arm to use this power temporarily. Now, my arm is that of a real dragon, and that's why a cross doesn't affect me."

Issei quickly advanced and struck Riser in the stomach.

—Punch!

"Cough!" This time, Riser spat even more blood.

"If you sacrifice your arm, it'll never be the same again. Are you insane!?" Riser exclaimed.

"If Buchou returns with me, it's a cheap price to pay!" Issei roared.

"[Boost]!"

Riser looked at him with a mixture of horror and respect.

"You're insane…! But you're terrifying… For the first time, I respect you. That's why I'll give you everything I've got."

—Fwoosh!

Riser's body was engulfed in flames.

The floor had already completely vanished, and in an instant, he appeared in front of Issei, throwing his fist with all his strength.

"Uoooooo!!"

"[Boost]!"

Issei charged as well, concentrating all his power into the sacred cross as his armor glowed intensely.

—Boom!

The explosion of power illuminated the entire place, and when the light dissipated, Issei's armor had vanished.

"The [Balance Breaker] is over…" he murmured, panting.

Riser grabbed him by the neck, beginning to strangle him.

"Congratulations, you did a great job for a [Pawn]. Honestly, I didn't expect you to get this far. The power of the Dragon… I felt it firsthand. If you had six months to get used to it, I would have lost."

Riser paused and then continued with a touch of condescension.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of. I'll train you once I become Rias's fiancé. You'll be a strong devil."

His words only fueled Issei's rage, but Riser didn't stop.

"It's time to put you to sleep. You'll lose consciousness for a while. When you wake up, the ceremony will be over without any problems. You don't want to suffer anymore, right? I'm not a sadist, so I'll end this quickly."

Riser was convinced victory was his, but suddenly, he heard Issei's strained voice.

"To put out fire… you need water, right?"

"Huh? What the hell are you talking about now? Did I hit your head too hard?" Riser said, frowning, but Issei didn't stop.

"Then… to put out a devil's fire… you need holy water!"

With those words, Issei pulled a flask from his gauntlet and quickly threw it at Riser.

"Take all my power!"

"[Transfer]!"

Issei maximized the effects of the holy water, and the impact was immediate.

"Ugaaaaaaaa!!!"

The sound of the liquid evaporating echoed throughout the hall as the holy water burned Riser's skin.

Issei picked up the cross with his gauntlet and approached Riser, who was writhing in pain.

"devils are weak to holy water and sacred objects, like the cross, right? So amplifying the effect of both at the same time would cause devastating damage, wouldn't it?"

"[Boost]!"

"Wait! Do you know what you're doing? This engagement is crucial for the future of the devils! This isn't something a bratty devil like you can interfere with!"

"I don't know anything complicated. But I remember something vague from when I lost to you and passed out. Buchou was crying. She was crying! And she did before too! That's enough for me to beat you up!"

Issei gathered all his power and transferred it once more to the holy water and the cross.

"[Transfer]!!"

—Bang!

His fist hit Riser's face with incredible force, sending him flying several meters.

"…"

Riser didn't get back up.

[***]

End of the chapter.

(•_•)

A/N:

Honestly, this has been the chapter I enjoyed writing the least, but at least it turned out well in my opinion.

Although, well, it's literally a summary of what really happened.

Anyway, in the next chapter, the wedding will already be over, there'll be a short monologue about what happened after this battle, and that's it.

Honestly, I'm too lazy to write all the remaining drama.

There may be no chapter tomorrow, as I haven't written anything yet.

Besides, I have to start writing the scripts for the next episodes.

I ask for a little patience, my writing is slow and, to top it off, I do it all from my cell phone.

Thanks for reading~!

*