Hyoudou Manor Courtyard — Nightfall
Issei's Talent-Finding Eyes shimmered crimson once more as a fresh system alert chimed in his mind.
[High Compatibility Detected — Saeko Busujima]
Status: Ace | Kuoh Academy Kendo Club | Potential Knight | Contact: Immediate
A flicker of motion under the moonlight caught his eye.
"Been waiting for you," Issei muttered with a grin.
From beneath the branches of a blooming sakura, Saeko Busujima stepped into view. Moonlight caught in her violet hair, the sharp glint of her bamboo practice sword slung over one shoulder. Her gaze was sharp, calm, and utterly lethal.
"You've been searching for me, Hyoudou," she said coolly, violet eyes narrowing. "Word is you're gathering strong fighters. I don't bow to weak kings."
Issei's grin sharpened. "I don't need pawns. I need warriors. Duel me. If I win — you join my banner. If you win — I'll never bother you again."
Saeko's lips quirked in a razor-thin smile. "If you can defeat me in a duel of blades… I'll follow you."
The night hung heavy and silent as they moved to the open courtyard beneath the sakura canopy. Issei conjured a crimson-forged training sword, its edge gleaming unnaturally. The clash of steel and aura flared like lightning between them.
Saeko was a storm of perfect, ruthless strikes — her movements swift, fluid, and merciless. But Issei's enhanced combat mastery and unrelenting power let him hold ground. Every blow, parry, and counter sang with lethal grace.
A final, bone-jarring clash sent Saeko's weapon spinning from her grasp.
Panting, she grinned.
"Well done, Hyoudou."
He extended a hand. "What's it going to be?"
Saeko took it with a fierce gleam in her eyes. "I'll follow you… as long as you don't grow weak."
[System Notification: Knight Candidate Accepted — Reincarnation Recommended]
⸻
Reincarnation Ritual Chamber
The chamber shimmered with ancient, draconic magic. Issei placed the crimson Knight Piece to Saeko's chest. A surge of violet and crimson light engulfed her.
When the glow faded, Saeko stood taller, draconic horns curling from her dark hair. A new weapon gleamed in her hands — the cursed Murasame Blade from Issei's system cache.
"This… feels natural," she murmured, sliding the blade into its sheath.
⸻
The Return of Rias and Akeno
A ripple of dimensional magic flared as Rias, Akeno, and Gasper materialized just outside the manor.
"Ise!" Rias called, jogging forward — only to freeze when she saw Saeko beside him.
Her gaze darted between them, eyes narrowing. "You've added more already?!"
Issei shrugged, grinning. "What can I say? I'm popular."
Akeno smirked. "Ara~ dangerous beauties are drawn to dangerous men."
Rias sighed heavily. "You officially have more peerage members than me now. You realize you're only a duel and a coronation away from being declared a Maou, right?"
Issei grinned wider. "Guess you'd better pick up the pace, Buchou."
⸻
Kuroka's Message — Valerie's Challenge
Kuroka appeared in a shimmer of shadows, flicking a sigil between her fingers.
"Word from Valerie, nya. Midnight tomorrow. Old cathedral ruins outside Kuoh."
Issei's grin turned predatory. "Perfect."
⸻
The Facility — Lara Kenny and Loona
The ruined compound reeked of blood and ozone. Shattered containment tubes lined the walls. Issei moved through the wreckage with Saeko at his side.
His Talent-Finding Eyes flared again.
[High Compatibility Detected — Lara Kenny | Potential Pawn]
[High Compatibility Detected — Loona | Potential Pawn]
A snarl from ahead.
A tall, silver-furred hellhound woman stepped from the shadows, crimson eyes sharp and hungry.
"Name's Loona," she growled. "You're the dragon bastard messing with devils."
Issei met her gaze without flinching. "Name's Issei. I'm building something bigger than any one faction. Join me — or stay here and rot."
Loona cracked her knuckles. "I work for the highest bidder."
He smirked. "Power. Freedom. And as much blood as you want."
She grinned, sharp and vicious. "You had me at 'blood.'"
[Loona has agreed to join your peerage as a Pawn.]
A door slammed open. A feral-looking woman with dark blonde hair and adamantium claws stalked out — Lara Kenny.
"You the boss?" she snarled.
"King of this district," Issei said evenly. "And soon enough, beyond."
Lara's grin was pure predator. "Good. I'm in."
[Lara Kenny has agreed to join your peerage as a Pawn.]
⸻
Hyoudou Manor — Reincarnation Ceremony
The courtyard shimmered with magic. Issei stood before them, three Dragon Evil Pieces in hand.
"Let's make this official."
He placed the Knight Piece against Saeko's chest. Violet light burst around her.
[Reincarnation Complete — Knight: Saeko Busujima]
Next, the Pawn Pieces against Lara and Loona.
[Reincarnation Complete — Pawn: Lara Kenny]
[Reincarnation Complete — Pawn: Loona]
All three radiated new, draconic power.
⸻
Reunion at the Manor
Issei, Saeko, Lara, and Loona returned through the teleportation circle.
Rias's jaw dropped. "You've got to be kidding me."
Akeno laughed softly. "Ara~ another three?"
Rias scowled, crossing her arms. "You realize you now officially have more peerage members than I do, right? You're one duel away from Maou status."
Issei shrugged smugly. "Guess you better hustle, Buchou."
Lara eyed Saeko. "This guy always like this?"
"Earned it," Saeko admitted with a grin.
Loona smirked, flicking a claw. "So when's the bloodshed?"
"Soon," Issei promised. "Valerie's duel is tomorrow at midnight. And after that — we start taking Kuoh piece by piece."
⸻
Ruined Facility — Kokabiel's Arrival
At the smoldering ruins, Kokabiel descended, black wings unfurled.
His sharp eyes scanned the corpses and wreckage, a sneer curling his lips. He pulled a black-glass communicator from his coat.
"Your assets are dead. Hyoudou's gathering monsters."
A distorted, feminine voice replied.
"Good. Let them gather. The bigger the climb, the harder the fall."
Kokabiel's grin gleamed like a dagger in the dark.
"Then let the game begin."