Chapter 87: White Dragon Empress!

Hey guys if u like the fanfic and want to read 23+ chapters ahead or just want to support take a visit on my patreon.

(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)

http://patreon.com/Marin_kitawaga

------

23+ advanced chapter on my patr(e)on.

-----

Issei's face contorted into an expression of utter disbelief, his mouth hanging open in a mute 'what'. "You're telling me that Vali, who was already complicated enough to deal with, is the White Dragon Empress?"

Akeno nodded, a flicker of relief crossing her face that he was finally grasping the gravity of the situation. "Exactly. When you told us that Tiamat and Vali were searching for the Red Dragon Emperor, the pieces all fell into place. It would also explain why Tiamat, a dragon, would ally with a devil like Vali. Both are in some way connected to you—the Red Dragon Emperor."

Issei shook his head, as if the motion could somehow negate the surreal reality thrust upon him. "And you're absolutely sure about this?!"

Akeno looked almost apologetic as she responded. "Grayfia-san conveyed this information directly to Rias and Sona. This isn't idle gossip. But it's also information you're not supposed to know, so keep it to yourself. I'm telling you out of respect for how much you've helped Rias."

His face flushed with anger, Issei almost spat out his next words. "And why, may I ask, wasn't I supposed to be informed of this vital information?!"

Akeno hesitated, her eyes averting. "The Maou specifically ordered Rias and Sona to keep this from you. I can't say why, but it didn't sit right with me. After everything you've done for Rias, keeping something of this magnitude from you felt... wrong."

Issei felt his internal dialogue with Ddraig become frantic. 'How could you not sense this? How did the devils get this information before us? What the hell is going on, Ddraig?'

Ddraig's mental voice reflected a certain troubled contemplation. 'The only explanation I can think of is that Albion, and thus Vali, must have some way to shield themselves from detection. As to how the devils found out before we did, that's an enigma. But we have an advantage now. We won't be blindsided.'

Issei sighed internally, 'Well, this just cranks up the stakes. Vali and Tiamat have become nuisances; I won't mind putting them in their place.'

Ddraig chuckled within his mind, 'Albion will lose his feathers when he discovers you've accessed the power of Great Red. This confrontation will be legendary.'

Issei allowed himself a small internal smile at Ddraig's enthusiasm. 'You always know how to find a silver lining, don't you?'

Akeno's voice pulled Issei back to the present, laden with caution and earnest concern. "If you're still in contact with the Red Dragon Emperor, I'd suggest you warn him to stay clear of Kuoh for a while. A confrontation between the two Heavenly Dragons in this town would not just be catastrophic; it could trigger a political crisis capable of reigniting the Great War. Neither of us wants that to happen, right?"

Issei offered a sincere nod and a quick wave to Akeno as he turned to leave. "Thanks for the heads-up, Himejima-san. I appreciate the honesty. You've earned some good points with me. See you around."

Akeno called after him, her voice tinged with a newfound warmth. "Feel free to call me Akeno."

Issei heard her but didn't respond, his thoughts already racing as he made his way to his motorcycle. 

'What's next on our agenda, Issei?' Ddraig's voice inquired within his mind.

'Reality check, Ddraig. We've got homework. The rest of this...it's a storm we'll have to weather later,' Issei mentally replied, attempting to shelve the enormity of the recent revelations.

----------

The next morning, Issei was jolted awake by the disconcerting sound of a chainsaw emanating from his alarm clock. A distorted female voice cackled, "Is that another woman I see in your bed?! You're mine, all mine! Time to get up, or I'll make sure you're covered in her blood!"

Slamming his hand down to silence the alarm, Issei shook his head in disbelief. 'These daily alarm personas are becoming increasingly bizarre. A yandere today, of all things.'

Issei pulled himself out of bed and proceeded through his routine, his thoughts lingering on the surreal turn his life had taken. It had been a relatively quiet week at Kuoh Academy since the explosive encounter with the devils.

True to their word, they'd left him alone, something for which he was deeply grateful. But the peace felt fragile, especially in the light of the revelation about Vali.

His relationship with Vali and Tiamat had undergone a subtle but unmistakable shift ever since Irina and Xenovia joined the school.

The interactions were civil but tinged with a distance he couldn't ignore. And every time he met them, it took an enormous effort to maintain a facade of normality. 

Deep down, Issei harbored no personal animosity towards Vali for her true identity. Yet, the weight of their destinies, seemingly entangled in an inevitable conflict, created an emotional gulf between them.

That gulf had widened further when he discovered that Vali and Tiamat were likely targeting the same powerful entity—Red—as part of the Khaos Brigade.

These recent events complicated the battlefield that lay ahead. Not only were Vali and Tiamat already formidable opponents, but if they'd received enhancements from Ophis, the stakes would be astronomically higher.

Over the past few days, he'd toyed with the idea of somehow persuading them to abandon their allegiance to Ophis.

It was a lofty notion, one fraught with so many unknowns and variables that it felt almost Quixotic.

Issei found that having Irina and Xenovia around enriched his daily school life in unexpected ways.

Both girls had quickly become integrated into his routine, accompanying him on his motorcycle ride to class and spending much of their free time with him.

Impressively, despite their unconventional upbringings, they both excelled academically.

Xenovia particularly shone in subjects like history, writing, and—unsurprisingly—physical education.

She was a prodigy in almost everything, it seemed. Yet her humility, displayed in a sort of serene detachment, only magnified his respect for her.

Irina, although a bit scatterbrained at times, had a talent for math that even outshone his own abilities. He reckoned that both of them would easily rank within the top five among their second-year peers.

The best part? No more awkward, solitary moments during group projects. The days of his primary school experiences—sitting alone, flush with embarrassment as classmates paired off—felt like a bad dream from which he had finally awoken.