Chapter 32 Koneko's shadow. Release your power!
Ever since Kiba saved Issei and himself from the sudden ambush by Qlippoth, the brown haired teen could happily say that Kiba's confidence had been fully restored. The red dragon emperor felt relief slowly flow out of his body as he soaked it in hot soothing water.
Issei felt that things were finally beginning to return back to normal now.
After all, slowly but surely his comrades were getting ready to battle by his side again. Many members of the Gremory household were hard at work honing and improving their skills for the next oncoming evil that is threatening both the human world and the underworld.
Kiba and Xenovia are sparring together in order to get a better idea of how each other fought this would give them both intel and experience. Which would greatly assist them for when the moment arose that they would jump into battle back to back.
Issei also caught glimpses of Akeno and Asia improving their magic power and their stamina as to prevent their tanks emptying too quickly.
Issei grinned as he remembered catching a glimpse of Asia trying to increase the range of her healing power and Akeno hard at work changing the shape of her lightning attacks. Which like Kiba's newest technique, resembled that of a dragon.
Even the King herself was hard at work. Rias was working on a new technique to further improve her arsenal of destructive magical attacks to combat against the threatening Qlippoth group.
It was at that moment when images of Rias Gremory overran Issei's train of thought and monopolised his mind.
"Do your best. But I promise to you that I will also continue to grow stronger so I can protect you Rias." Issei said with conviction and determination.
"Rias...." Issei said again as he began to lean back further.
Suddenly, Issei felt something soft behind his head as opposed to the hard tiles that were normally in the place he leaned back towards.
"Yes?" A voice said making Issei startled by the sudden intrusion in his head.
"Ri....Ri....Rias?!" Issei said clearly startled by Rias' sudden arrival.
"You looked like you were thinking quite deeply about something Issei." Rias said to the boy who was currently leaning against her chest.
"Rias? Since when were you in here with me?" Issei said as he tilted his head to look at her.
"I'm sorry Issei, when I saw you head towards the bath, I couldn't help but want to join my cute little pawn and wash his back for him." Rias said as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"No it's not a problem Rias. You just surprised me that's all. You're certainly getting better at masking your presence." Issei said as he struggled to decipher how she managed to escape his senses.
"You're so mean Issei. You've been spending so much time with everyone else, that your cute fiancée has been very lonely. So I won't let you go anywhere." Rias said with a mischievous grin as she greedily held him tight.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting Rias. But I had to return everyone back to normal before I could happily face you alone." Issei said as Rias now held him close to herself.
"It's okay Issei, I expected as much from you. But just remember, we all care about you. So please don't push yourself too hard.
"I understand Rias. I promise to be careful." Issei said feeling he could finally relax and enjoy his time with the crimson princess.
"Speaking of hard, you seem to be enjoying your time with me Issei." Rias said as her hand trailed his abdomen line.
"That's because..." Issei went to say but he was immediately silenced by Rias' lips on his own.
"It's okay Issei, it makes me happy that you're always looking at me." Rias said as she attempted to tease him.
"Anyway, you came here to wash yourself. So let's get out. I'll wash your back for you." Rias said as she took his hand and led him to the stalls.
Issei did as he was requested and left his back to Rias to attend to.
Rias grinned with a face of lust as she pressed her bare soaped up chest against Issei's back.
"Well Issei? Does it feel good to have my breasts wash up against your back?" Rias asked whilst her hands got to work on washing his chest.
"It's the best! I always welcome the opportunity that I am blessed with to see your beautiful form Rias." Issei said making Rias smile.
"But, I can tell there is something on your mind besides bathing Rias."
"I've been found out have I? Geez Issei you always see right through me." Rias said clearly surprised by Issei's discovery.
"You know that you can always lean on me anytime Rias. So tell me what's on your mind and I'll do whatever I can to help you." Issei said as Rias resumed washing him.
"Thank you Issei. In that case, can I make a request? Is that okay?" Rias said as she draped her arms around his neck and embraced him from behind.
"Of course, what do you need from me?" Issei asked having a hunch what this was going to be about.
"Somebody in my peerage has been feeling down lately and I'm worried how to cheer her up and how to help her."
"It's about Koneko isn't it?"
"Eh Issei you knew?"
"Yes. I noticed Koneko has been down since the beginning of this week. But it's not just that, I can sense her innate fear of something."
"So you know about Koneko's secret Issei?"
"Yes. I learned about it during the incident where all of your memories were manipulated by Ryuu's sacred gear. You see, Ryuu's sacred gear failed to work on Hybrids and it was then that Akeno revealed to me, that Koneko was a Nekomata."
"Yes and she has a sister who fully accepted the power and as a result became corrupted and evil."
"Kuroka."
"Eh Issei you know about Koneko's sister?"
"Yes. You see after the battle ended, I went to the underworld and spoke to Sirzechs. And he told me all about Koneko's past and how her older sister betrayed their master and murdered them."
"Yes that's right. And ever since then, Koneko has been suffering because she has been trying to suppress the Nekomata power and is trying to fight with her strength alone." Rias replied with a sad look on her face.
"Don't worry Rias, I swear I will do something about this. Please just leave Koneko-Chan to me." Issei said as he turned to face her and looked her straight in the eyes.
"Thank you Issei." Rias said as she suddenly relaxed into his toned chest.
"You know, I can't seem to remember a time when I didn't depend on you so much Issei. Am I a selfish devil?" Rias said to which Issei responded with a smile.
"You be selfish and rely on me all you want. I'm your pawn after all." Issei said suddenly kissing her on the lips and then pulled her close to himself.
"Geez Issei, why did I have to go so many years without you?" Rias said feeling at peace in his arms.
"I feel the same way. But don't worry, I'm not going anywhere." Issei said as he carried on embracing her.
"Well then, promise me this Issei, once you have helped Koneko, you will let me have you to myself for a whole day?" Rias asked with hope in her eyes.
"I promise Rias. Once this is settled, I will take you out on a date and I will give you all my time." Issei said as he left the bath house arm in arm with her.
After Rias and Issei returned to his bedroom to discuss strategy and attack against Qlippoth, suddenly Rias received a call.
"Big brother? What's wrong?" Rias suddenly said making Issei stop his research.
"Eh you want me and my peerage to return to the underworld for a leader's summit? Okay I understand. What? And Issei has to activate his cardinal crimson just as he enters the underworld?" Rias said making Issei activate his sacred gear.
"I see, so Qlippoth really could attack at any time. I understand we'll make preparations to leave right away." Rias said as she finally hung up the call.
"Issei."
"I'm ready whenever you are president Rias." Issei said with his sacred gear now on full display.
As ordered by the demon lord, the Gremories immediately rendezvoused in the living room and then from there transported through the front door of the underworld.
Upon entry, Issei obeyed the demon lord's orders and began to chant.
"I, who is about to awaken, am the Red Dragon Emperor who has discarded the principles of domination. I shall walk the road of righteousness by having infinite hopes and dreams. I shall become the king of crimson dragon. And I promise you all! I shall show you the future which shines in true crimson light!" Issei chanted causing a huge beam of crimson light to shoot out of all the gems on his scale mail.
"No matter how many times I see it, it's still such an amazing increase in power" Kiba said with a smile and a face that no longer showed any sign of fear or hesitation.
"Issei-senpai is so cool!" Gasper said in awe of Issei's strongest armour.
However, there was one person who secretly felt nervous and afraid when she felt that power emit from the red dragon emperor.
To the point where if she would not be afraid to have her tail out, it would at this moment be tucked between her legs in fear.
"It's okay, Issei-senpai isn't like big sister. I'm sure he won't let the power consume him." Koneko thought to herself as her feet struggled to press onward.
"Koneko-Chan are you okay?" A concerned bishop asked her as she stopped to see to the timid rook.
"I'm okay. But thank you Asia-Senpai." Koneko replied trying her best to keep her emotions hidden.
"Come to think of it, Asia-senpai has been very strong since the last battle we had. I expected her to be upset and hesitate to approach Issei-senpai again. But it had the opposite effect. It gave her the push to further improve herself and instead of pouting and feeling guilty, she asked the vice president to strengthen and improve her abilities. Meanwhile I remain the same. I refuse to grow stronger. I can't afford to hurt my friends!" Koneko thought to herself as her and the Gremories opened the doors to the underworld.
But little did Issei know, Sirzechs was up to his old tricks again.
"Look! It's the Crimson dragon!" A little boy said staring in awe at the armoured devil who now walked in his direction.
"Amazing it really is!" Said another child who abandoned his activity to gaze at the Sekiryutei who for some reason was well known.
"The Crimson dragon is the greatest!" other children shouted which on closer inspection, Issei realised were wearing hats with his balance breaker scale mail form on.
"Don't lose to anyone Crimson Dragon!" A little female devil piped in catching sight of him as well.
"Hey Crimson dragon don't let the bad guys take princess Rias!" Said another little girl when Rias walked beside him.
In fact, Issei noticed that most of the children were holding onto one item which seemed like merchandise of him.
Some kids were wearing boosted gear gauntlets which turned out to be toys.
Whereas, others were holding items like, Sekiryutei drink bottles, t-shirts and even action figures which Issei couldn't help but feel embarrassed when he saw them.
As he walked past, he heard the same action figures speaking in his own voice saying catch phrases like boosted gear, I will protect Rias, I won't forgive you and balance break!
"It seems like my older brother is up to his old tricks again." Rias said pointing Issei towards a poster of Issei's balance breaker armour above the words
(Watch the exciting adventures of the saviour of the underworld and his crimson haired princess on the big screen! Crimson dragon awakens! The path of the Sekiryutei!)
The other Gremory members could tell Issei was embarrassed even with his helmet on as he stared at the movie poster.
Issei pressed onwards happily complying with children who asked for autographs and shook hands with any who asked for it. Until finally when he and the rest of the Gremories reached the meeting room.
Sirzechs greeted them with a huge grin on his face.
"Ah welcome Crimson Dragon the saviour of the underworld!" Sirzechs said as Issei entered.
"Ah geez give me a break. Can I at least open my helmet now?" Issei asked as he felt it was rude to have it equipped in the presence of Ajuka and the other leaders.
"Ah don't be like that Issei-Kun, the children all love you! You're their hero." Sirzechs said making Issei smile.
"A hero huh? I didn't think I deserved that title. But it certainly sounds nicer than the fallen angel assassin night wing." Issei said with a smile.
Rias hugged his armoured arm and apologised to him.
"I'm sorry Issei, big brother made me swear not to tell you about this until he could tell you himself."
Issei smiled and pulled Rias close to him.
"Don't be silly Rias, it's to be expected from Sirzechs." Issei said making Sirzechs chime in again.
"Geez Issei-kun, how many times have I told you to call me big brother! After all you are going to be Rias' husband in the future." Sirzechs said making Rias blush and smile.
"Sirzechs how about we get to the real reason you summoned us here." Issei said disrupting the relaxed atmosphere.
"Of course. Please all of you sit down."
Everyone complied and took a seat as the meeting finally went underway.
"Our outside team has informed us that Vali's team is on the move in the underworld." Sirzechs said making everyone alert.
"Do you know what he is after?" Rias asked taking on her role as leader.
"We're not sure. All we know is that he was spotted with a holy sword user, the staff user you already encountered Bikou and a woman with long black hair with the power of a Nekomata." Sirzechs said making Koneko clench her fists and slightly shiver.
"Until we are sure of their objective, we ask that you return to the Gremory castle and be prepared for them to show themselves again." Sirzechs said in which Rias nodded.
"Big sister Kuroka." Koneko mumbled to herself as she attempted to hide her anxiety.
Meanwhile, a suspicious individual makes their way towards the Gremories and their meeting hall.
"What are we doing here exactly Kuroka?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm here to collect my little sister, it's been so long since I've seen her and I can personally vouch for her traits to be useful for our cause."
"Whatever, I just want to fight against the Sekiryutei. So when do we strike?" Bikou asked getting excited.
"We wait until night fall. Then we will make our move. Wait for me Shirone." Kuroka said as she retreated back into the woods after gazing at the building her little sister was currently inside.