Ch 27: A King’s Claim

Warmth.

The soft, intoxicating heat of bare skin pressed against his on either side pulled Issei Hyoudou from the depths of sleep. Morning light poured through the tall windows of his room in gentle shafts, illuminating crimson strands spilling across his chest and midnight tresses draped over his shoulder.

His eyes cracked open to a sight most men would sell their souls for.

Akeno Himejima lay to his left, a serene smile curving her lips even in slumber, one hand possessively splayed across his abdomen. On his right, Rias Gremory — his crimson-haired princess — curled closer, her long lashes fluttering as she dreamed, the steady rise and fall of her bare chest matching his own.

Both of them, utterly and gloriously naked.

Issei blinked, his heart stumbling for a beat before a stupid grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Okay… when the hell did I become the main character in an eroge?

A familiar mechanical chime echoed in his mind.

⸻

[System Notification]

Ding!

Rias Gremory has officially joined your Harem as your Second Bonded Partner.

Effects applied: Minor affinity boost with bonded members. Exclusive abilities unlocked upon future awakening.

Congratulations, Host.

⸻

Issei grinned at the ceiling. About damn time.

Carefully, so as not to disturb the sleeping goddesses beside him, he closed his eyes and reached inward — toward the vast inner space where Ddraig's consciousness typically resided. The scarlet dragon's sardonic presence had been oddly silent since the chaos of the previous night.

Oi, Ddraig. You alive in there?

Silence.

Frowning, Issei probed deeper, brushing against the regal, mischievous spark of Quetzalcoatl's essence and the ancient, imperious soul of Tiamat.

Nothing.

Then — a soft, feminine moan.

Followed by a deep, guttural growl of pleasure.

And another breathless cry.

A bead of sweat slid down Issei's temple.

"…Bout damn time, Ddraig," he muttered aloud, shaking his head with a crooked grin. Looks like someone's enjoying their new 'spiritual form' privileges.

Deciding it was probably best not to dwell on the implications of three primordial dragons having a spirited "reunion" inside his Sacred Gear, he cleared his throat and turned to the matter at hand.

"Eden," Issei murmured. "Drop my pending rewards."

The crisp, melodic voice of his ever-sardonic system answered, part teasing, part clinical.

[Yes, Host.] Commencing integration of queued abilities and talents. Please brace for minor discomfort.

Issei straightened as a cascade of notifications unfurled before him.

⸻

[Reward Integration: Talent-Finding Eyes of the Gremory Clan]

Effect: Host can perceive latent talents, combat potential, and bloodline traits at a glance.

Visual: Eyes glow crimson when active.

A warm, pleasant heat bloomed behind his eyes. The world subtly shifted — Akeno and Rias practically shimmered with dazzling auras, their untapped potential now visible to him in living color.

Then came the next surge.

⸻

[Reward Integration: Power of Destruction (Bael Clan Variant)]

Effect: Host gains innate affinity and control over Destruction Energy.

Ability Unlocked: Destructive Orb — Condense pure destruction into a focused sphere.

A heavy, electric heat pooled in his chest, raw, unrelenting force licking along his bones like liquid flame. His fists clenched, the room almost seeming to pulse with the weight of his power.

And then, the final gift.

⸻

[Reward Integration: Yujiro Hanma's Combat Mastery]

Effect: Host's martial instinct, reflexive movement, and close-quarters aptitude have exponentially increased.

Note: Body will gradually adapt to the limit-breaking strain.

An onslaught of primal, brutal combat memories — battles he'd never fought — seared across his mind. His body moved on instinct, forming perfect, loose fists, every muscle knowing its place.

He let out a slow, steady breath.

"Damn," he muttered. "Now that's a good morning."

A soft rustle warned him Rias had stirred, her cheek brushing his shoulder as a contented sigh escaped her lips. Akeno's fingers flexed possessively across his stomach.

Issei grinned.

Things are about to get very interesting.

⸻

The Morning After

The scent of grilled fish, fresh rice, and miso soup filled the dining room of the Hyoudou Residence. Sunlight spilled across polished floors, laughter and teasing flowing as naturally as the breeze through open windows.

Issei sat at the head of the table, radiating the smug, satisfied energy of a man who'd woken between two of the most beautiful women in the Underworld.

Rias sat to his right, glowing. Akeno to his left, wearing a knowing smirk.

"I see someone's in a good mood," Akeno teased.

"Could be the food. Could be the view," Issei shot back.

Koneko snorted over her third rice ball.

Rias' peerage had gathered, the table lively: Kiba leaning against the wall, Asia beaming, Kuroka lazily nibbling fish, Ravel elegant in her morning dress, and Mio Gremory with her Queen Maria at the far end. Even Sirzaria Lucifer sat near the window, coolly sipping coffee.

"Actually," Issei set down his chopsticks, "I've got something to ask."

Silence fell.

"Azazel gifted me a mansion. Big enough for all of us. I want you all to move in."

Rias blinked. "You're serious?"

"Dead serious. I want my family close — not scattered across territories. The place makes the Gremory estate look like a guest house. Training halls, forge, hot springs. Even an observatory."

A beat of stunned silence. Then Sirzaria chuckled. "Now you're thinking like a Dragon King."

"To new beginnings," Issei toasted.

They echoed him.

Family.

⸻

Hyoudou Manor

The limousine rolled to a stop along a tree-lined approach.

Hyoudou Manor stretched before them — a high-fantasy noble estate fused with sci-fi brilliance. Zen gardens, koi ponds, stained wood, crimson rooftops, and shimmering holographic wards. Courtyards, training fields, and an underground forge hissing with arcane fire.

At its heart: the Training Nexus — a dome of glass and alloy, etched with crimson runes.

"Welcome to the Training Nexus," Issei grinned.

"Ise… this is beyond anything I imagined," Rias whispered.

He smiled softly. "You're my family. I don't half-ass for my family."

⸻

Devil Fruits of Legend

Within the manor's sunlit living room, Issei gathered them. A system screen shimmered midair.

⸻

[Reward Distribution: Devil Fruits of Legend]

Eligible Recipients: Issei, Rias, Akeno, Asia, Kiba, Koneko, Kuroka, Ravel, White Saber, Boosted Gear

⸻

One by one, Issei presented them:

• Gura Gura no Mi for himself.

• Yami Yami no Mi for Rias.

• Rumble Rumble no Mi for Akeno.

• Pika Pika no Mi for Kiba.

• Nikyu Nikyu no Mi for Koneko.

• Ope Ope no Mi for Kuroka.

• Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Suzaku for Ravel.

• Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Byakko for White Saber.

• Hebi Hebi no Mi, Model: Quetzalcoatl for Boosted Gear.

And then, carefully, he lifted a pearlescent white fig, its skin marked by faint golden feather-like patterns.

"And for you, Asia."

He offered it with warmth that softened his usual bravado.

"Hiso Hiso no Mi, Model: Seraph. A Mythical Zoan. You'll be able to talk to beasts — but also manifest angelic abilities. Flight. Divine light. Powerful healing auras. And someday… a full Seraphic transformation."

Asia's hands trembled as she took it. "A… Seraph?"

He nodded. "You're the kindest soul in our family. Now you'll have the wings to match."

She smiled, radiant, tear-bright, and took a brave bite.

Golden light ignited around her, delicate, translucent wings unfurling from her back, feathers shimmering like stardust. The scent of lilies filled the air.

"Whoa," Koneko breathed.

Akeno placed a hand to her heart. "Ara… beautiful."

Even Sirzaria leaned forward, intrigued.

Asia gazed at herself, halos of light drifting around her. "I feel… peaceful."

Issei grinned. "You're not just our healer anymore, Asia. You're our Seraph."

⸻

Then Mio claimed her Storm-Storm Fruit, and Sirzaria her Tatsu Tatsu no Mi, Model: Nidhogg.

As they bit in, power rippled through the manor.

⸻

[Devil Fruit weaknesses nullified in this realm. Additional fruits available in System Store.]

Issei cracked his knuckles, the room alive with power.

"Alright," he grinned. "Let's see what these bad boys can do."