Issei and Mililicas had received their proper punishments, and when Hyoudou's vacation ended, they were finally heading back home.
"It seems you've grown attached to me." (Issei)
"True." (Koneko)
Koneko was in her Nekomata form while sitting on Issei's lap. She was licking a lollipop and clearly enjoying it, something everyone else found extremely cute.
"I'm grateful that my collection is intact." (Serafall)
"My original intention was to burn it too." (Issei)
Serafall shot the boy a murderous glare when she heard that he had wanted to set her Mahou Shoujo Spiral collection on fire.
"So, what are you going to do now?" (Rias)
"I'm going to train. I need to get stronger, or I'll lose to Vali again." (Issei)
Issei was highly motivated to train. He wanted to push himself to the limit for the battle that would inevitably happen between him and Vali.
"It seems you really like training." (Rias)
"I like training, and I like you all." (Issei)
Issei started flirting with Rias and the other girls. He didn't forget to give Koneko attention as he continued flirting.
...
...
...
Issei arrived at his house and froze in shock. It had turned into a luxury mansion with multiple floors. He even removed his blindfold just to make sure it was real.
"I think I'm at the wrong house." (Issei)
Hyoudou thought he had somehow slept for a week after the duel with Vali and that two months had passed since then, but that was far from reality.
"I remodeled the house with my family's help." (Rias)
Issei was extremely happy when he saw the house. It was finally a place worthy of an emperor, worthy of him.
"This is the King's house." (Issei)
"I like this place." (Qin)
"Now we're heading to another world." (Issei)
"Yes, we're heading toward an even better world." (Qin)
"I'm happy that we started this journey." (Issei)
"I'm happy about it too." (Qin)
Issei admired the house and liked his room even more, but he found it strange when he saw a wardrobe filled with feminine clothes.
"What are these clothes?" (Issei)
"We're staying in the same room." (Rias)
"And privacy?" (Issei)
"It's dead." (Rias)
Issei felt slightly irritated at the thought of having no privacy while sleeping. He would have to share the bed with everyone.
"It's a good love nest." (Akeno)
"I agree." (Issei)
"We can do many things..." (Akeno)
Issei felt a little tempted but decided to restrain himself for the night. He didn't like doing those things during the day.
...
...
...
Issei returned to school, and everything seemed normal until the teacher announced that two transfer students from a distant place would be joining them.
"I am Irina Shidou." (Irina)
"I am Serafall Sitri." (Serafall)
Both were wearing the school uniform, which made them look very beautiful. Issei had to admit they were stunning.
"I heard you got mixed up with the mafia and ran away for a while." (Matsuda)
"I heard all the mafias in Japan are looking for you." (Motohama)
Issei spent a long time explaining that it was all a lie and that no mafia was after him.
"Spending all that time in the hospital must've been rough. You probably didn't even touch a boob." (Matsuda)
"You guys should get girlfriends." (Issei)
"We try and try, but we can't." (Motohama)
Matsuda and Motohama were depressed at the thought that their friend had turned into an ikemen while they were still stuck at square one with girls.
"Introduce us to some girls." (Matsuda)
"Alright. I'll see if any of them are willing to go out with you, but behave yourselves or it won't matter." (Issei)
Issei's perverted friends were thrilled at the possibility of going out with real girls and finally getting girlfriends.
"I heard you went to the hospital." (Aika)
"Was it bad?" (Katase)
Katase and Aika were worried about Issei's situation, but he managed to handle it and got lost flirting with them. He really liked those two girls.
...
...
...
Everyone gathered in the Occult Research Club with Irina and Serafall. The Sitri girl seemed like she wanted to stay by Sona's side, but her duty was to keep an eye on a certain blindfolded troublemaker.
"So you became an angel?" (Xenovia)
"Can humans become angels?" (Asia)
Irina explained to Xenovia and Asia that she became an angel after returning and that her faith had not wavered, even after discovering God's death during the battle against Kokabiel.
"As expected from an angel of Heaven." (Azazel)
Azazel appeared inside a magic circle and caught everyone's attention as he sat in Rias's seat.
Issei was too busy sitting on the couch, thinking about how he could train more and gain even more power.
"I want to become stronger." (Issei)
"For now, we need to think about how to reach the third level." (Qin)
"It'll be difficult." (Issei)
"Very difficult." (Qin)
Irina talked about angels wanting to participate in Rating Games against devils, her faith in Michael, and various other things that bored Issei, so he didn't pay much attention. He preferred talking to Qin.
"It looks like I'll be competing together with Asia in the three-legged race." (Issei)
"You'd better not lose." (Qin)
"I need a concentrated victory to feel success." (Issei)
"Yes, we need victories or we'll never become anything." (Qin)
Issei was poked by Koneko as she spoke, and Rias seemed to be drawing his attention to something important.
"Our next opponent is Diodora Astaroth." (Rias)
Issei didn't have a positive or negative impression of the man. He only thought he was above average for having resisted his aura and remained standing.
"I hope he's strong. I really do." (Issei)
Issei ended his day complaining about the girls in his bed. He didn't like their habits.
...
...
...
Asia and Issei were training normally when they went to practice the three-legged race they would participate in during the school festival.
"You're doing really well." (Issei)
"Thank you." (Asia)
Asia seemed worried about something as she thought about Diodora being their next opponent. He had caught her attention.
"I'm happy he's fine. I thought something had happened to him after I healed him." (Asia)
Issei discovered later, while living with Asia, that she had been excommunicated from the Church for healing a certain devil. That devil turned out to be Diodora.
"You're making me a little jealous." (Issei)
"It's just concern. My heart belongs entirely to Issei-san." (Asia)
Issei and Asia flirted a little while joking about Diodora. Hyoudou didn't feel any real jealousy toward the man. He was just teasing Asia to get her attention.
"Let's go do some things." (Issei)
Issei went to a certain place with a blushing Asia. He couldn't hide for long from Xenovia, who joined them, and they were almost caught by Irina.
...
...
Issei arrived at the club with Asia and Xenovia, and everyone seemed focused on something important.
"Sairaorg defeated Zephyrdor." (Rias)
Rias thought Sairaorg's match against the delinquent was easy, which was expected of the leader of the young devils.
"It was expected." (Issei)
Issei didn't underestimate Zephyrdor because of his behavior or anything else, but he thought the man was very limited compared to Sairaorg, for whom Issei felt a certain admiration.
The group watched the match between Sairaorg and Zephyrdor while giving their own analyses. Issei fell asleep, finding the result too predictable.
Some time passed after everyone finished watching. A man with a gentle gaze and calm voice was now in the room while Issei slept.
"Hello." (Diodora)
"Astaroth." (Rias)
Rias looked at Astaroth with curiosity. She wanted to know why he had come here.
"I am Diodora Astaroth, and I wish to propose a Bishop exchange. I am in love with Asia Argento, the woman who saved me and stole my very being." (Diodora)
Rias raised an eyebrow at his words. She didn't like the way he spoke. Everything about it felt false.
"I have no interest. Asia is a valued companion of mine." (Rias)
Diodora seemed slightly irritated, but no one noticed except Issei and Rias. Those two were very good at detecting noble subtleties.
"This guy looks like a snake ready to strike." (Issei)
"I will not give up on my beloved. I will have her at any cost." (Diodora)
Issei laughed internally at the thought that this so-called "beloved" had already been taken. Asia Argento was his girlfriend and future mother of his children. She would never belong to House Astaroth or anyone else.
"I'll take my leave." (Diodora)
Diodora sensed the tension rising and quickly withdrew. The members of the Occult Research Club didn't think much of it and found it normal for someone to have a crush on Asia. She was beautiful and kind.
...
...
Issei was walking calmly through the night to fulfill a contract when he was approached by someone he knew very well.
"It seems you got a new eye." (Issei)
"Your arm would look better the way I left it." (Vali)
Issei and Vali exchanged friendly jabs about losing an arm and an eye, but it soon ended with mutual smiles.
"It seems you've gotten stronger." (Vali)
"I'm strong, but not strong enough to force you to use 100%." (Issei)
Vali realized that Issei had a grasp of his true hidden strength.
"I think you can bring out something close to it now." (Vali)
"I like that compliment about my strength." (Issei)
The two rivals analyzed each other while talking, but decided not to waste time when the real topic finally came up.
"Be careful with Astaroth. He's suspicious." (Vali)
Vali walked away, disappearing in the opposite direction. The blindfolded man also vanished elsewhere, smiling to himself.
"I'll be careful, rival." (Issei)
...
...
Issei quickly researched Diodora's past battles and noticed something extremely suspicious.
"He had an explosive increase in power." (Issei)
"That kind of increase is impossible." (Qin)
"Yes. He should have shown signs of gradual progress, but instead it's just an absurd power-up." (Issei)
"This man is very suspicious." (Qin)
"Let's talk to Rias and the others." (Issei)
"It's better to discuss this as a group. There are certain things we don't understand yet." (Qin)
Issei gathered everyone from the Occult Research Club along with Azazel to talk about what Vali had warned him about.
"So this young Astaroth must be connected to the Chaos Brigade and Ophis, the Dragon Goddess of Infinity, whom even God feared." (Azazel)
Azazel quickly caught on to Vali's hint. He was sure Astaroth was linked to the Old Maou faction and the Chaos Brigade.
"So what are we going to do?" (Asia)
Asia felt conflicted hearing that the gentle black-haired boy was part of a terrorist group.
"We'll crush him until he reveals his true face." (Rias)
"I'm excited to punish that treacherous snake." (Akeno)
"Another one to be purged by my sword." (Kiba)
"I'll investigate further and handle things behind the scenes." (Azazel)
Azazel would manage matters from the shadows, knowing how dangerous Diodora could be if the Chaos Brigade interfered in a Rating Game. The three factions needed an answer.
"Let's stop talking about that and discuss our television appearance." (Rias)
Issei remembered very well when he had appeared on television. He had enjoyed pretending to be part of the Chaos Brigade.
"I've been on it a few times. It's interesting." (Akeno)
"It's kind of uncomfortable." (Kiba)
They talked about their experiences, helping the group understand how it worked. They would give an interview, something even Issei had never done before.
"I'm finally getting the spotlight I deserve." (Issei)
"Don't cause trouble this time." (Rias)
"Okay." (Issei)
The group broke into a cold sweat thinking about Issei causing trouble. He was notorious for doing whatever he wanted.
...
...
The Gremory Group arrived for an interview in the Underworld, all seated with their nameplates. Hyoudou wasn't nervous, as he considered this normal for a king.
"What do you think about this match, Hyoudou-kun?" (Reporter)
"I think our opponent is powerful, but has no chance of winning." (Issei)
"Are you saying you're stronger than Diodora?" (Reporter)
"Are you stronger than everyone in House Astaroth combined?" (Reporter)
"Yes. I'm saying that, and I'll prove it when the Rating Game begins." (Issei)
The reporters were shocked by the boy's words. He sounded quite arrogant in his confidence.
"Is it true that you're involved with the members of the Gremory group?" (Reporter)
"I'm not involved with them. I have a very stable relationship. I treat them as my queens." (Issei)
The girls blushed deeply as Issei admitted on live television that he loved them and considered them his girlfriends.
The reporters were thrilled with this confirmed bombshell, already thinking about the headlines.
The girls confirmed it themselves, embarrassed yet happy that he had claimed them publicly.
...
...
As Issei was leaving, he was stopped by Ravel holding a cake. She looked very happy.
"That looks delicious." (Issei)
"Try it." (Ravel)
Issei tasted the cake and found it incredible. It melted in his mouth in an indescribable way.
"The man who marries you will be very lucky." (Issei)
He laughed loudly as he said it. Ravel blushed, thinking about who that person might be.
"M-m-maybe it'll be you?" (Ravel)
Ravel stuttered as she left in embarrassment. Issei smiled, thinking he had taken another step with the girl. He felt a certain attraction toward her from the time they stayed at the Phoenix household.
"I'm glad you love me. I'll do everything to make your world come true." (Issei)
Issei walked off in another direction, where he encountered Sairaorg leaving a similar interview.
"I really want to fight you." (Issei)
"So do I." (Sairaorg)
"My dream will prevail." (Issei)
"We'll see about that." (Sairaorg)
They parted ways, both smiling even more, thinking about when they would finally clash in a one-on-one duel they had wanted since the day they met.
"The greatest battle is yet to come." (Issei)
"He is the final proof of whether my dream will come true or not." (Sairaorg)