High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

The next morning—filming day.

We'd head to the Underworld after lunch, so I was in the Hyoudou basement training room, sparring with Kiba and Xenovia.

"Haaa!" Xenovia swung Durandal, its blade radiating holy aura—lethal to most demons. One touch could burn.

I activated Renkan Keikikou, coating my fist in hard qigong, and struck Durandal.

Clang!

"You blocked Durandal barehanded!?" Xenovia gasped.

"Your power's uneven. Too inconsistent," I explained.

Durandal's power surpassed my Ascalon from Michael, and Xenovia herself was strong. But uncontrolled power was useless. I'd targeted a weak spot in her aura, easily disrupting her stance.

She'd improved since summer training, but still needed work.

As I thought this, swords materialized around me—Kiba's holy-demonic blades, flying straight at me.

I gathered qi in my fist and swung horizontally, the shockwave scattering them.

"There!" Kiba charged, low and fast, exploiting my swing's opening.

A decoy!

Without his weights, Kiba's speed was unreal—faster than before. Good timing, but—

"Facing a stronger opponent head-on is a bad move, Kiba. Didn't we cover this?" I kicked his holy-demonic sword upward.

Kiba flinched but summoned two new blades, using his Knight speed to overwhelm me. He and Xenovia, with a glance, attacked in sync.

When did they learn this combo?

Not perfect, but their coordination was tight—one attacked while the other covered gaps. Both Knights, they were fast.

Time to step up.

I boosted Renkan Keikikou, red aura flaring. "Here I go!"

"!?" They froze.

I kicked off, outpacing both. Their eyes tracked me, but their bodies couldn't keep up.

First, Xenovia. "Take a fall!" I knocked Durandal away with a roundhouse kick.

She leaped back to dodge, but I was already at her landing spot, striking her chest with a palm strike.

"Guh!" She dropped to her knees.

Sorry, Xenovia, didn't mean to touch your chest!

A presence behind—Kiba, aiming for my blind spot.

"Too slow!" I flashed behind him.

To Kiba, I'd vanished. I tapped his neck with a light chop.

"I surrender, Issei-kun…" Kiba said, ending the mock battle.

"Here, towels and sports drinks," I tossed to Kiba and Xenovia, both sweating heavily.

"When'd you two learn that combo?" I asked.

Xenovia wiped her sweat. "Morning training. Rias suggested Knights could overwhelm with speed. We've been syncing with the others too."

Smart move, Buchou. I never trained combos—Renkan Keikikou was solo, and my spars with Tiamat are one-on-one.

Should I try combos with someone?

"Few can match your moves, partner. Stick with what works for now," Ddraig said.

Fair point. I'd think about it later.

"What about that thing?" I asked Ddraig.

"Sorted out. Faster than expected."

"Really?"

"Yeah. The demon pieces helped, and your daily training with the Dragon King paid off."

Guess sparring with a Dragon King does boost growth. Time to test it out?

"Sounds good," Ddraig agreed.

The door opened—Miu. "Knew you'd be here. Training done?"

"Just finished. What's up?"

"Mom sent me. Lunch is ready. We're heading to the Underworld after, right?"

"Already? Got it. I'll shower and be up. Wait with the others."

"Okay!" Miu headed upstairs.

"Let's clean up. Sweat's sticking to my clothes," I said.

"Yeah, let's," Kiba agreed.

An hour later, after lunch, the Gremory peerage teleported to the Underworld via magic circle, arriving in a city building's basement.

Staff greeted us. "Welcome, Rias Gremory-sama and peerage. This way."

We took an elevator upstairs. The building felt human-like but had differences—magic-powered devices and props. A poster of Rias adorned the hall, looking like an idol.

From the corridor, a group approached, led by Sairaorg Bael, heir of the Bael family, exuding regal confidence in noble attire. Behind him was his blonde, ponytail-wearing Queen—stunning.

"Rias, here for the interview?" Sairaorg asked.

"Yes. You done?" Rias replied.

"Just starting. Different studio, probably. I saw your match—impressive win against tough odds. Can't let my guard down with you."

"You were overwhelming yourself. Worthy of the top young demon," Rias countered.

They smiled, but their eyes burned with rivalry.

Sairaorg's gaze shifted to me. "Issei Hyoudou. Heard you're not in the Rating Game. Shame."

He sounded genuinely disappointed, then fixed me with a direct stare. "I want to fight you someday. Test the Heavenly Dragon's fist the Maous praise. Not now, but will you accept my challenge?"

He extended his hand, scarred from intense training.

My answer was obvious. I gripped his hand. "Absolutely. I want to face the top young demon too. Show me your strength."

Sairaorg grinned. "Thanks for accepting, Issei. I'm thrilled—my blood's boiling."

"Haha, same here. Let's fight someday."

We parted ways.

I'm not a battle junkie, but I like his type—straightforward, pushing limits through sheer grit. We're alike in that.

"Impressive, accepting Sairaorg's challenge," Rias said.

"Really?"

"Yes. I couldn't take his challenge so eagerly. The power gap's too wide."

True, Rias couldn't beat Sairaorg yet, despite her growth since meeting me. He's on another level.

"I'll defeat him someday," she said.

"I'll back you up, all the way," I promised.

"Thanks, Issei."

We were led to a studio still being prepped. An announcer, a woman, greeted Rias. "First time meeting. I'm with Underworld's First Broadcasting."

"Pleased to meet you," Rias replied, shaking hands.

They began discussing the show. The studio had rows of audience seats, like a human variety show.

"…I-I-I wanna go home…" Gasper trembled behind me.

TV's rough for a shut-in. Even Asia looked nervous. Gotta encourage our Bishops.

"Don't worry, peerage members will get some questions, but stay relaxed," a staff member said.

"Kiba Yuto and Himejima Akeno?" they called.

"That's me," Kiba said, raising his hand.

"I'm Himejima Akeno," Akeno added.

"You two will get several questions. Your popularity's rising," the staff said.

"Seriously?" I blurted.

The staff nodded. "Kiba's got female fans; Himejima, male fans."

Handsome guy, beautiful woman—makes sense. The Sitri match, broadcast across the Underworld, boosted their fame.

Damn you, Kiba! I'm jealous! If I'd played, maybe I'd be popular with girls! Should I beg the demon higher-ups now?

"Issei Hyoudou?" the staff called.

"Me," I said, pointing to myself.

"Oh! I saw you in the news, but your armor's so iconic I didn't recognize you."

Yeah, the newspaper Venerana showed me had my armored form. My real face aired too, but the armor's what sticks.

"After filming, we'll take you to the first meeting room. Don't leave," the staff said.

"Meeting room? What's that about?"

The announcer checked her notes. "You're joining a project. Maou Sirzechs Lucifer and Governor Azazel requested you."

Sirzechs and Azazel? Just me? Weird.

"Got it. After filming, then," I said.

The meeting wrapped, and filming began.

Post-filming, I was led to a meeting room. The staff knocked. "Issei Hyoudou is here."

"Come in," Sirzechs's voice replied.

Inside, Sirzechs, Azazel, a producer-looking guy, and suited executives sat around a round table.

"Hey, take a seat," Azazel said.

I sat. "Sorry for the summons, Issei-kun," Sirzechs said.

"It's fine, but… what's up?"

"We're planning a hero show with you as the star. That's why you're here."

"A hero show!? For me!?" I shouted, stunned.

A hero show, starring me? Of course I'm shocked!

"Calm down," Azazel said, flipping through papers. "There's a reason. Post-war, the Underworld's at peace. Now, we need to inspire and nurture the next generation. Got it?"

I nodded.

"But the Underworld lacks entertainment. So, we want something kids can dream about," Azazel continued.

"A hero show?" I asked.

"Exactly."

I used to play hero with Irina as a kid, dreaming of being one. A show like that would excite kids.

"Got it. But why me?"

Sirzechs answered. "You're a hot topic, Issei-kun. You defeated Kokabiel, shone at the conference, and stopped that party terror attack."

Terror attack? And wasn't Sirzechs the reason I got famous?

"We want you to be a hero for kids, giving them hope. Will you take it on?"

Kids' hope… I remembered Milicas's bright smile when he asked for a handshake.

If I could inspire kids, that'd be worth it.

After thinking, I answered, "If I'm good enough, I'll do it. I'd love to give Underworld kids dreams."

"Thank you, Issei-kun," Sirzechs said.

Azazel slid two documents over, both marked "Top Secret." "Knew you'd say yes. These are the show's plans. We brainstormed names that fit you, narrowing it to these two."

My hero name, huh? Exciting, but embarrassing—kids will call me that.

I opened the documents and froze.

Option 1: Breast Dragon Emperor Oppai Dragon

Option 2: Little Sister Dragon Emperor Siscon Dragon

…

…What?

"They fit you, right?" Azazel said. "Option 1's from when you triggered Balance Breaker by touching a nipple. Perfect for the 'oppai' guy. Option 2's from how you treat Miu. I think Option 1's catchier, better for merch. What do you think, star?"

I faced an impossible choice.

Ultimately, the show was named Breast Dragon Emperor Oppai Dragon.

Azazel's reasoning, plus Option 2 overlapping with Sirzechs and Serafall's personas, sealed it.

Honestly, I barely understood how it happened.

And when the name was decided, Ddraig cried.