Chapter 156: Even the East Wind Is Arriving

Although Hyoudou Issei is quite the oddball, Azazel still seemed pretty satisfied with him.

"All the past Red and White Dragons were rough types obsessed with power. Not only did they stir up trouble all over the world, but they also frequently initiated Red-White showdowns on their own. They'd use Juggernaut Drive whenever they pleased, completely ignoring their surroundings, causing who knows how much trouble for others."

"They all just recklessly wielded that powerful and ferocious dragon force according to their whims, as if they'd never learn their lesson."

"But this time's hosts... I think they might be able to take a different path."

That's what Azazel said, prompting everyone to fall into thoughtful silence.

Even Kuroka, who had previously looked down on Hyoudou Issei, gave him a serious once-over and muttered:

"Indeed, this generation's Two Heavenly Dragons are both weirdos. They didn't even fight when they met. I thought the Red Dragon Emperor and the White Dragon Emperor would immediately start battling the moment they saw each other, nya."

According to Azazel, Vali had clearly already met Hyoudou Issei but showed no particular interest in him.

Hyoudou Issei was the same. Despite having met Vali, his mind was still filled with nothing but pervy thoughts.

Oddballs indeed, but the fact that both were more interested in things beyond each other was undoubtedly a good sign.

Azazel was hoping to guide them—to see if it was possible to lead two different kinds of Heavenly Dragon hosts and steer these two ultimate dragon-type Sacred Gears down the right path.

"By the way, you guys are...?"

Only then did Hyoudou Issei remember something very important—he still didn't know who Kaiser and the others were.

Azazel had only told him that someone wanted to see his Sacred Gear, which was why he had been brought here.

Originally, he had thought the person who wanted to see him was someone like Vali—someone who would get their hopes up about his Sacred Gear and then be disappointed when it didn't meet expectations. But now, it didn't seem that way...

So who exactly were these people?

Hyoudou Issei was confused.

However, Azazel didn't offer a detailed explanation.

"Just think of them as Sacred Gear users like yourself." Azazel patted Hyoudou Issei on the shoulder and said, "Especially the one standing at the front—he's a Longinus possessor just like you. And his Sacred Gear is even stronger than your Boosted Gear."

Hearing that, Hyoudou Issei was shocked.

"A Sacred Gear even stronger than my Boosted Gear?!"

Could that really be true?

Even though Hyoudou Issei was still a rookie, under Azazel's guidance he had already learned how to manifest his Sacred Gear. He had also tested out the Boosted Gear's abilities and experienced that fearsome power firsthand.

The ability to double his strength every ten seconds was practically cheating. Even a total novice like Hyoudou Issei could unleash terrifying power with it.

As long as he had enough time, and his body could withstand it, even an untalented ordinary person like him could exhibit strength on par with—or even exceeding—that of High-class Devils.

To Hyoudou Issei, something with such a power was already broken. He never expected that there could be an even more broken Sacred Gear, and it was now right in front of him.

While Hyoudou Issei was still reeling from that shock, Azazel, as if determined to blow his mind, continued:

"Not only is his Sacred Gear itself stronger than yours, but in terms of actual strength, you can't even catch a glimpse of his shadow right now." Azazel gave a slightly mischievous smile. "After all, even someone like Vali, who seems overwhelmingly powerful to you, isn't his match."

"W-What?!" Hyoudou Issei cried out in disbelief. "Even that arrogant Vali isn't his opponent?!"

Hyoudou Issei only knew about Vali's strength from rumors—he hadn't seen it firsthand.

But he would never forget the feeling he had when Vali appeared before him.

At the time, he had been overwhelmed with inexplicable nervousness and fear. The sheer pressure of Vali's presence had made the power gap between them feel crushing, causing his whole body to tremble uncontrollably.

It was the first time in his life he had ever felt that way—like he was being stared down by a true dragon.

Therefore, when facing Vali, Hyoudou Issei could clearly sense his strength and understand just how unfairly powerful he was.

To be honest, even Azazel, the Governor General of the Fallen Angels, hadn't given him such a sensation when demonstrating his power.

So Hyoudou Issei had always believed that Vali might even be stronger than Azazel, one of the highest-ranking Fallen Angels.

But now he was being told that someone like Vali wasn't even a match for this guy—this cool-looking man who seemed only a year or two older than him and walked around with two beautiful girls at his side?

"…Are there really that many strong people in this world?"

Hyoudou Issei voiced the thought aloud, making Azazel chuckle.

"You're overthinking it. Even on a global scale, this guy is one of the top. Even facing gods from the various mythologies, he might not lose."

Azazel gave him a dose of reality, followed by a bit of encouragement to soften the blow.

"Don't dwell on it. Right now, even someone with a half-decent name is stronger than you. What you need to do most is get stronger—don't bring shame to the Heavenly Dragon inside you."

Then, in a tone almost like a temptation, Azazel added:

"Didn't you want to become a Harem King? Didn't you want to lose your virginity?"

"As long as you get stronger, all of that will come to you."

"Beautiful Fallen Angel onee-sans… want one?"

At those words, Hyoudou Issei instantly ignited.

"So all I have to do is get stronger? I'll do it!"

Just moments ago he had been discouraged and lacking in confidence, but now he was like a man injected with adrenaline. The aura he released was still weak, yet it gave off a strangely oppressive feeling.

"…So easy to fool."

Kuroka muttered under her breath, prompting Asia nearby to chuckle awkwardly.

Kaiser also smiled and shook his head, feeling that this original protagonist had been completely played by Azazel, the cunning Fallen Angel.

Well, with Azazel around, even if this kid didn't become Rias's servant or join the Devils' faction, he'd probably still have a good life.

There were plenty of beautiful, wicked women among the Fallen Angels. With Azazel guiding him, Hyoudou Issei wouldn't have to worry about getting tricked. He might even develop in a way that didn't fall short of the original storyline.

The only question was—without this powerful servant, what would happen to Rias's side?

There were quite a few problematic members in the Gremory peerage, each with painful pasts. If it weren't for this pervy, hot-blooded main character recklessly charging ahead, they might never have found redemption.

Even Rias herself was no exception.

"Come to think of it, didn't she have a fiancé?"

Kaiser suddenly recalled this detail.

In the original story, it was Hyoudou Issei who disrupted Rias's engagement. Now that he wasn't part of the Gremory peerage, wouldn't that cause trouble?

"…I'll contact Sirzechs later."

After all, she was a girl he had taken advantage of. Even if it was just a moment of impulse, Kaiser didn't regret it.

Since that's the case, he might as well meddle a little—it could count as compensation for stealing her first kiss.

After making a mental note of that, Kaiser returned to the main topic.

"Your Sacred Gear—" Kaiser said to Hyoudou Issei, "Let me see it."

Hyoudou Issei was momentarily stunned and looked toward Azazel.

"Remember the technique I taught you last time?" Azazel nodded. "Just do the same thing as you did then."

Hearing that, Hyoudou Issei took a deep breath.

"Come forth! Boosted Gear!"

He shouted, clenched his right fist, and swung it forward with force.

"Clang!"

Immediately, his hand lit up and transformed into a Sacred Gear.

It was a gauntlet shaped like a dragon's claw—fierce and intimidating in appearance.

The gauntlet was a dark crimson with a metallic sheen, adorned with golden spikes. Embedded in the back of the hand was a green jewel, within which light flowed.

"This is…"

Both Kuroka and Asia were instantly drawn in by the sight.

"The Boosted Gear."

Kaiser's eyes lit up, and he smiled.

He had originally planned to find Hyoudou Issei to help awaken his Sacred Gear and accomplish his own objective in the process. But now, it looked like that wouldn't be necessary.

"What now?" Hyoudou Issei raised his fierce-looking gauntlet. "What should I do?"

"Nothing at all." Kaiser shook his head. "The next part is my job."

As he said this, Kaiser suddenly stepped forward and, with a hand covered in Touki, chopped down fiercely on Hyoudou Issei's arm.

"Bang!"

Hyoudou Issei didn't even have time to react before he saw a flash of white light—and the back of his Boosted Gear was destroyed.

"W-What are you doing?!"

Clutching the broken gauntlet, Hyoudou Issei cried out in shock.

"Relax. Sacred Gears auto-repair. It'll be back to normal soon."

Kaiser tossed out the words as he caught the green gem that had flown into the air.

"That's what you were after?" Azazel had been watching the whole time. Seeing Kaiser take the jewel from the Boosted Gear, he looked baffled.

"And something about the Twice Critical."

Kaiser stored the jewel and looked at Azazel.

"It's here."

Though somewhat unsure of what Kaiser was planning, Azazel still handed him the prepared list.

Holding the list, Kaiser looked over the information on each Twice Critical wielder and smiled.

Everything was ready. Even the east wind had arrived.

It was time for his third Longinus to be born.