Before I knew it, Akeno had sidled up right next to me!
“Y-yeah. It is.”
Was I imagining things, or was she approaching me more often lately? Mmm. Those curves of hers were as irresistible as ever!
Out of nowhere, I sensed someone creeping up on me—or rather, approaching from in the water.
It was Ophis, floating in the bathtub on her back.
“Oh dear, if it isn’t Ophis. You can’t just dive into a bath like that, you know?” Akeno warned her.
Our resident mascot, however, merely brushed past… This Dragon God sure was one free spirit, really making the most of the moment.
When I brought up her stolen powers—used to create Lilith—her reaction had been surprisingly muted.
“If she is your enemy, I want to do something. I don’t want to cause trouble.”
That was all she said.
…I appreciated hearing that she cared about me. But come on, a showdown between two Ophises? It felt so sad…
If possible, I wanted to bring Lilith over to our side. I had only spoken to her once, but something told me Rizevim was just using her. Deep down, she was just like Ophis.
First the old Demon King regime and the hero faction had manipulated Ophis, and now Rizevim was doing the same with Lilith. There had to be a chance I could get through to her!
…Even in this steamy situation, I was mulling over some serious stuff! Yep, I had way too much on my mind to actually enjoy this shared bath!
This wouldn’t do. Here I was, the embodiment of pervy desires, going off on a tangent…
I shook my head—only to see Rias give me a heart-wrenching look.
“…”
She had been smiling while watching me bathe just moment ago, but now her expression had turned dark. I could sort of guess why.
“…Are you worried about Grayfia?” I asked.
“…Sorry,” she said, snapping back to herself and flashing me a forced smile. “You saw right through me. Yes, I’m concerned about her.”
…Grayfia was in a difficult position ever since her brother Euclid showed up. Apparently, she was effectively under house arrest at the Gremory castle.
She had been ordered to refrain from performing any official duties for Sirzechs and couldn’t even engage in any maid work for the Gremory household. It was like she had been banned from the political scene.
No doubt the other demon higher-ups suspected she had some kind of involvement in her brother’s plot. Maybe they thought she helped fake his death, that she was secretly working with Rizevim and had been pulling the wool over her husband Sirzechs’s eyes this whole time…
…As if she would ever do something like that! She was tough, sure, but no one with a smile as lovely as hers would ever betray us!
Still, it didn’t matter how I felt… The higher-ups’ suspicions just went to show how much they hated the old Lucifers and anyone even remotely connected to them. To them, Grayfia was a source of fear and awe.
“You haven’t heard from her since the incident, have you?” I asked.
Rias nodded. “I’m sure they’ve been giving her a hard time ever since it all blew up. I can’t even get in touch with my brother… Mother and Father are telling me not to worry, but all the same…”
…
So long as she had Rias’s parents supporting her, Grayfia probably didn’t need to fret too much. And of course, she had Millicas to keep her company.
Still, she had to be feeling despondent about it all. After all, a brother she thought long dead was alive and had turned against her and everyone else.
I couldn’t begin to imagine why that bastard was doing what he was, but did he even realize what he was putting his sister and those around her through…?
He had to be aware. And yet he was doing it anyway.
It was enough to reignite the feelings of rage churning inside me.
“…I’m pretty sure Grayfia’s brother will turn up again sooner or later. In fact, I’m certain,” I said.
“Even if it’s a fake, he has a copy of your Red Dragon Emperor armor, you know?” Rias pointed out.
I nodded.
Euclid was weirdly into my powers, probably because he was trying to master that Boosted Gear replica he had made.
And that was precisely why he wasn’t about to leave me alone. He was obsessed with using his replica to take down the real thing—in other words, me.
…As if I would let that happen. There would be no redeeming the name of the Red Dragon Emperor if I lost to a mere copy.
“I’m gonna beat him to a pulp and then hand him over to Sirzechs and Grayfia,” I declared confidently.
After all, the Red Dragon Emperor paid his debts.
“I won’t back down against a fake. I’m the real deal! The true Red Dragon Emperor!” I shouted, raising my clenched fists to my chest.
“…Issei.”
Rias’s eyes glistened as she sidled closer.
Ah! A heavenly sensation pressed up against my back!
“Oh-ho. You looked very dashing just now. It’s enough to make my heart flutter. You have an incredibly masculine charm, Issei…”
That was Akeno, all but jumping onto my back! Ah, her soft skin was clinging to my muscles!
Rias was caught off guard for a moment, but quickly fired back in protest. “Hold on, Akeno! This isn’t the time to be butting in! Issei was just about to come out with a declaration! I’m the one who should be swooping in for a hug!”
“Oh dear. But you know how it is. If you see an opening, you can’t stop yourself from taking a bite. You’ll have to stay on your toes, Rias. I’m not the only one you should be keeping an eye on.”
No sooner did Akeno say that than Rias and I glanced around.
Before we knew it, Asia, Xenovia, Irina, Koneko, Ravel, and even Ophis had us surrounded!
“I see.” Xenovia nodded, impressed. “Even if Issei is hitting on someone else, I’ve still got to take every chance I can. Rias’s and Akeno’s tactics are very instructive.”
Don’t try copying these two! And I wasn’t trying to hit on anyone! I was just straight-up telling Rias how I felt about the situation, that was all!
“…You’re going to have to be a little bolder to break through the ranking barrier, Koneko.”
“…I won’t hold back once I’m fully grown.”
Ravel and Koneko were off whispering to themselves, their eyes glowing in intensity!
Seriously, here I was surrounded by these beautiful girls, all of them in the nude! At this rate, I might suffer a lethal nosebleed! I wanted to get up close and personal with their breasts, but I was afraid I might bleed out! And on top of that, Akeno’s incredible figure was all but glued to my back!
I was pinching my nose, trying as best I could to calm myself down so I could enjoy this paradise for as long as possible.
Just as I was about to take a deep breath and savor the warm sensation of Akeno’s bosom, someone came marching toward me.
It was Rossweisse, wrapped in a bath towel!
It was rare for her to be joining us in a shared bath. In fact, she was usually pretty strict about this sort of thing…
There was no mistaking her splendid proportions, even beneath her towel.
“…Can I ask a favor, Rias?” she asked with a difficult look.
“Huh? It isn’t every day you ask me for something.”
That was true. Come to think of it, this might be the first time I had seen her ask Rias for anything. Normally, she was the kind to handle her affairs herself.
However, she seemed more pensive than usual since our return from Romania.
“You’re sure? No matter what it is?”
“I don’t know what you have in mind, but I’ll help as much as I can. After all, you’re an important member of my Familia.”
“I understand…” Rossweisse let out a deep sigh, then turned her attention to me. “Issei.”
“Huh? Y-yeah. You need my help?” I asked, pointing to myself.
Her face turned bright red, when she asked, “C-could you be my boyfriend?”
…
With that, everyone (except for Ophis) immediately froze.