Chapter 38: The Vanishing Dragon
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Deciding that he wanted to enjoy Kuoh a little more before he inevitably made his departure, Takauji decided to walk the rest of the way home instead of teleporting back.
"I guess this is where we part ways," he held his sword in his hand. Raising it up to his face as he observed the multitude of cracks in the alloy, the blade itself looking like it could shatter any minute now. The power of both himself and Fafnir being charged at the same time had proven to be too much for the weapon, and judging by the state of it, repairing it wouldn't be much use either.
"Thank you for your service," he opened up his pocket dimension with [Vacio] and tossed the blade inside it. Officially parting with his first ever weapon.
["Don't look so down, Azazel will make you a proper one this time, one that you wouldn't be able to break even a decade from now."]
Is that your attempt at trying to cheer me up?
["Maybe. Did it work?"]
A little.
He put his remaining hand in his pocket, enjoying the sensation of a gentle breeze brushing against his face as he continued his walk. Thoroughly basking in the afterglow of having beaten a truly powerful opponent.
His first proper Ultimate-Class fight had ended in victory, and it had only been a few weeks since he had awakened his power.
"Yo," Takauji halted. Looking up at a strange figure that had appeared in front of him, their back rested against one of the trees planted in the park.
It was a handsome young man with light silver hair and hazel-colored pupils, wearing a dark green shirt and a black leather jacket with its collar up. Like he was trying to appear as a delinquent or something.
And with Takauji's [Mana Sense] he was able to distinguish three things about the figure just from looking at him alone.
A Devil, a human, and a Dragon?
["Spot on."]
"I watched you fight Kokabiel, you performed pretty well out there. Much better than those brats around you at least." He started to approach Takauji, but the latter didn't react, sensing no hostile intent from the man.
"Who are you?"
The silver-haired youth seemed surprised.
"Azazel didn't tell you about me?" He tilted his head.
"I'm afraid not." Takauji found it a little strange that a Devil supposedly had some sort of a connection to Azazel.
"How unfortunate," he sighed. "My name is Vali Lucifer, surely that should ring some bells?"
Takauji's eyelids lifted a little, carefully examining the young man in front of him. That name had indeed jolted his memory somewhat.
"I see, so you're the current White Dragon Emperor." Vali nodded. "I'd ask you what you're doing in Kuoh, but seeing as Issei-kun's here I doubt that's necessary."
"I am indeed here to meet my destined rival, but that isn't the only reason. Actually, Azazel told me a bit about you, and also mentioned that you would be fighting Kokabiel today so I decided to go take a look."
"You're working with Azazel? That's surprising."
"Haha, so I've heard. Actually I've been with Azazel for quite a long time, ever since I was just a brat myself to be exact." Vali's expression seemed to be one of nostalgia. Recalling the many moments he had spent with the Governor-General.
"So he basically raised you or something? I guess that makes sense considering you have a Longinus." If Vali had Azazel on his side while learning how to use [Divine Dividing] since he was a child, then his strength would pose a serious challenge for Issei to even think about matching.
"Pretty much, after watching you fight Kokabiel I was going to challenge you to a duel, but I'm not sure how I feel about going up against a cripple." Vali glanced at his missing left arm.
"It'll grow back soon, as you can probably sense I'm not exactly a human, or at least not anymore."
The White Dragon Emperor narrowed his eyes.
"Yeah, you're definitely not a human. Or any race that I recognise for that matter, what exactly are you supposed to be?" Vali had fought people from all sorts of backgrounds throughout his life as a battle-junkie, but Takauji's scent remained a mystery to him.
"I don't know," he shrugged. Causing Vali to frown a little. "Both me and Azazel are still in the process of figuring out what I am. The best he's come up with so far is Demon, so you can use that if you like."
"Demon?" Vali scratched his chin. "If you're able to regrow limbs without even needing the use of a Phoenix Tear, then I'd say that's a pretty accurate way to describe you."
Takauji could only chuckle, taking it as a compliment rather than an insult.
Phoenix Tears were a highly sought after medicine, only being able to be made by a Pure-blooded Devil of the Phenex Household. Requiring the chosen Devil to go through a ritual that had a suboptimal success rate, making the medicine a very sparse resource, and increasing its value considerably.
Moreover, Phoenix Tears weren't actually capable of restoring lost limbs on their own. They could only reattach limbs if the user still had the detached ones around. Making it evident just how remarkable the body Takauji had obtained really was.
"If you want to meet Issei-kun, he's probably gone back to his house already. Just keep in mind that his friends are a rather rowdy bunch, so if you appear out of nowhere it'll probably get chaotic pretty fast."
"Noted. However, I have no intention of meeting him right now, not with his meager strength."
"That's fair, he seems to be struggling to gain Ddraig's acknowledgement at the moment, so it'll probably be a while before you see any genuine progress." Takauji paused for a moment. "Then again, growth isn't always a gentle slope, sometimes it's explosive."
He was a prime example of this, going from High-Class to Ultimate-Class in a single instant.
"Then he better hurry up and explode, Albion's been nagging me to just kill him and wait for another host. But I have no idea how long that might take so I'm still deliberating on it."
"He's no Belzard that's for sure," Takauji and Vali both shared a chuckle. "But, in a way he might be a better Dragon host than both you and me."
"What makes you say that?" Albion and Fafnir had also started to listen in.
"He's got some serious wrath burning inside him, though he rarely ever shows it. According to Azazel, rage is apparently the best fuel for a Dragon. I've got nothing but greed in me, and although I'm not sure what you have, it certainly isn't wrath I'm sensing from you."
Vali hummed, sharing a short internal conversation with Albion.
"My Dragon is convinced that Hyoudou Issei is the weakest Red Dragon Emperor to date. However, he also says if what you're saying is true, then there may be some merit in him holding the [Boosted Gear] for a little longer."
"Well, you're infinitely more experienced with Dragons than I am, so I'll just have to take your word for it."
Not having any more words to exchange with the Vanishing Dragon, Takauji decided to continue on his stroll towards his house.
"Hey, do you mind if I ask you a favor?" Vali inquired.
"Sure."
"Can I crash at your place for a little bit? I plan on staying in Kuoh for a while longer, and I'd also like to meet up with Azazel if he's around."
Takauji thought about it for a moment, finding the fact that the monster in front of him was conversing with him so casually.
Then again, Takauji was a monster himself now.
"Alright, if you're with Azazel then he'll probably be glad to see you anyways." From what he had heard, Vali's relationship with the Governor seemed awfully close.
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"I'm home," Takauji and Vali both kicked off their shoes. The sound of hurried footsteps quickly approaching them as the Mage braced himself for impact.
"Takauji-sama!" Raynare slammed into his chest like usual. "How did your fight— YOUR ARM!" It took her a moment to notice Takauji's missing limb, causing her to recoil, horrified at what she was seeing.
"Calm down, it'll be back soon." This was the third time he had made that clarification. Though the confidence in his voice did calm Raynare down somewhat.
"I hope so," she turned to his left. "Vali? What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that, I thought Azazel would've killed you for acting on your own by now." Her mood took an immediate hit, recalling the scolding she had received from him when Azazel invited Takauji to their first meeting.
"You two know each other?" Takauji questioned with a raised brow.
"I've seen Vali around a few times in Grigori, but my gosh how you've grown, I remember when you barely reached my kneecap." Raynare gestured, causing Takauji to chuckle as he saw Vali's face redden in embarrassment.
"Can we not talk about that? Also, you still haven't told me what you're doing here." Vali desperately wanted to change the subject.
"I'm working for Takauji-sama now," she replied cheerfully. Latching onto Takauji's arm as she showed Vali the number on the back of her hand.
"You made Raynare a servant of all people? Did Azazel force you to or something?" Raynare punched Vali on the shoulder, surprising the latter as he genuinely felt some impact from the Fallen Angel.
"She was pretty weak when I first got her, but she's come a long way. She even has a Sacred Gear of her own now."
The last part of that statement had Vali fairly intrigued.
"A Sacred Gear? But she has no human blood, how's that possible?"
Raynare grinned, summoning [Twilight Healing] in its base form. Showing Vali the two silver rings on her left and right hand.
"I took it from some nun girl I came across." She said without an ounce of shame.
"So you stole it?" He pinched his nose bridge. "Well, that sounds like something you'd do. It's probably the only reason Azazel let you live to begin with."
A vein bulged out of the Fallen Angel's forehead.
"You still have no idea how to talk to women I see, let me guess, you're still single aren't you? Vali Lucifer the Virgin Dragon Emperor."
Vali's fingers twitched out of irritation.
"Are you tryna take this outside?"
Raynare let out a mischievous smile, running into Takauji's back and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Kya! The White Dragon of Virginity is after me! Protect me darling!" She giggled as she nuzzled into him, Vali taking a few steps forward with a furious look on his face.
"I just fought a Cadre, I don't have the energy for this." He sighed, holding Vali back with his remaining arm and using his teeth to grab Raynare by the back of her shirt, like a mother cat picking up a kitten. "Can we please just call it a night? You two can butt heads all you want tomorrow."
["Hehehe, the Great Demon King has been reduced to a mere babysitter. How truly pitiful."]
You be quiet. Can't you tell Albion to calm him down or something?
["Eh? Albion's scary, I don't wanna talk to him."]
Some Dragon you are.
The difference between a Dragon King and a Heavenly Dragon was much larger than Takauji imagined.
"It would seem that the Ashikaga household has gotten even livelier." Vali stopped, turning around to face the extremely familiar voice that had appeared behind him. "You doing well? Vali."
"So you really were here, Azazel."
Takauji heaved a sigh of relief, putting Raynare down as she immediately decided to cling to him.
"Yeah," he turned to Takauji. "It looks like you ended up winning against Kokabiel, good work."
The Mage nodded, using [Vacio] and throwing Fafnir towards him.
"Thanks. Also, if you want I can just make a new arm for you, it'll probably be even better than the one you had before."
"No need, it'll grow back." That made four times.
"Oh? That's some regeneration you got there." Azazel contemplated testing Takauji's body for a moment. "Anyhow, you all should probably get some rest. I'm going to start talking with the other bigwigs to see how the after effects of this situation are going to be handled."
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Rest in piece fake Kyoka-Suigetsu. You will be missed 🕊️
Quick question, who do you like more (hosts aside) Ddraig or Albion?
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Word Count: 2117
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