Hyoudou Residence — Early Morning
The scent of brewing coffee mingled with freshly steamed rice, filling the modest Hyoudou kitchen. Miki Hyoudou hummed softly, flipping pancakes while Gorou adjusted his reading glasses, peering over the daily paper.
A crimson magic circle shimmered in the living room.
"Mom. Dad," Issei called, his voice steady but softer than usual.
They turned as Rias stepped forward, her expression a careful blend of warmth and seriousness. Asia Argento stood behind them, hands clasped, eyes nervous and hopeful.
Miki smiled instantly. "Oh! Another pretty girl, Issei-chan. Is this one your girlfriend too?"
"M-Mrs. Hyoudou!" Asia flushed scarlet, hands waving frantically. "N-No! I mean… um… I…"
Rias chuckled. "Actually, we wanted to talk to you about her."
Issei scratched the back of his head. "It's serious, Mom. Dad. Asia doesn't have a home anymore. The people she lived with… weren't kind."
Miki's face fell. Gorou set down his paper. Silence hung for a beat.
"She saved us," Issei continued, voice tight with memory. "And… we saved her. But it isn't safe for her out there alone. So… would it be okay if she lived with us?"
Asia looked down. "I… I don't want to be a burden. I…"
Before she could finish, Miki crossed the room and wrapped the girl in a tight, motherly hug. "Honey, you're already family if my boy brought you here."
Asia stiffened in shock, then burst into tears, clinging to Miki like a lifeline.
Gorou came over, ruffling her hair gently. "You've got a home here as long as you want it, Asia-chan. And if you'd like… we'd be honored to adopt you as our daughter."
Fresh tears streamed down her cheeks. "R-Really?"
Miki beamed. "Of course. Every house needs a gentle heart in it. And you're ours now."
Rias smiled, misty-eyed. Issei felt his throat tighten.
[System Notice: Emotional Bond Strengthened: Asia Argento.]
[Eden: That was wholesome. Let me just jot this down as a highlight in your divine event log — definitely harem heartwarming material, boss.]
"Thanks, Mom… Dad," Issei murmured.
⸻
Hyoudou Residence — Upstairs, Issei's Room
A flicker of light bloomed at Issei's wrist. The Eden interface shimmered into view, runic glyphs swirling around a diamond-shaped core.
[Eden: You've accumulated quite a stockpile of System Points, boss. Time to start spending them!]
Issei blinked. "Okay, run it by me one more time."
[Eden: Divine karma tokens — basically cosmic credit points. You earn them through battles, major events, and deep connections. Use them to forge new gear, unlock abilities, or even gain territory. Your legend, your investment account.]
"Alright… forge me something good."
[Eden: Let's unlock the Forge of the Sunborn. It's portable, bound to your aura, and tuned to your dragon bloodline. Enjoy!]
[System Notice: Forge of the Sunborn Acquired.]
[Eden: Oh, and you got some starter ores too — Sunsteel, Stormsilver, and Dragonbone Iron. Let's heat things up, shall we?]
A shimmering circle flared beside his desk, an obsidian forge assembling itself from pure light and flame. Its core radiated heat like the heart of a dying star.
A sultry, amused voice purred beside him.
[Quetzalcoatl: Mmm… Now this is the sort of forge that would make even a goddess sigh.]
Issei turned to see her ephemeral form coalescing in a wash of gold and turquoise. She leaned against the forge, golden eyes half-lidded in pleasure.
"Didn't think you'd show up," he teased.
[Quetzalcoatl: Where there's fire, there's me. And let's be honest, niño… you're forging more than just steel tonight.]
He grinned, pulling out the ores. "I'm making something for Akeno."
[Quetzalcoatl: An offering to your thunder priestess? I like that. She'll feel it in her soul.]
The hammer struck the anvil with a sound like rolling thunder. Molten metal glowed, shaped by his will. Divine lightning crackled through his fingertips, folding power into the alloy.
[Quetzalcoatl: Hah… you're already speaking her language without knowing it. Good.]
Hours passed. The final shape emerged: a slender naginata, its blade forged of Stormsilver etched with Sunsteel runes. Its haft gleamed obsidian-black, wrapped in serpent-scaled leather.
[System Notice: Weapon Crafted — Stormkiss.]
[Classification: Lightning-Tier Divine Armament]
[Effect: Empowers Akeno Himejima's lightning spells by 50%, doubles elemental penetration, and unlocks a passive shield when bonded with her mana.]
Issei exhaled. "A gift for my Queen."
[Eden: Also… your bond with Akeno just hit a milestone. She's officially your First Mate — soul-linked. Congratulations, lover boy.]
He blinked. "Wait, really?"
[Quetzalcoatl: Oh, niño… you're in for quite a storm.]
⸻
Gremory Mountain Estate — That Evening
The club gathered in the estate's war room: Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Kiba, and Asia. The visiting Gremory sisters, Sirzaria and Mio, flanked by Grayfia and Maria, sat at the long table. Kuroka lounged on a couch, tail flicking lazily.
Rias leaned forward. "Alright, Issei… you said you had something to tell us."
Issei took a breath.
"I have a system."
He explained everything — the Outer God of Stories, the Supreme Task System, Eden, and the forge. Kuroka backed him up, smirking as jaws dropped.
Asia gasped, clutching her chest. "A-A god chose you…?"
"Yes."
Akeno and Rias exchanged a knowing glance.
Issei hesitated, feeling a spike of dread in his chest. "And there's… one more thing."
He glanced at Akeno.
[Eden: Rip it off like a bandage, boss.]
"According to the system… Akeno's my first official mate."
The room fell silent.
Akeno blinked. "Wait, what?"
Issei rushed ahead. "It doesn't mean control. It means our souls are tied. Power-sharing, telepathy in battle, destiny-bound."
Akeno's lips parted… then curved into a slow, predatory smile. "Well," she purred, standing and leaning over him, "I suppose someone has to keep you in line."
Rias folded her arms. "And this system says others might follow?"
[Eden: Confirmed. Fate-linked harems adjust to personal bonds and destiny. Top contenders right now: Rias Gremory, Kuroka, Asia Argento, Mio Gremory, and Sirzaria Lucifer.]
Kuroka snickered. "Told ya, nya."
Rias sighed. "Then we'll face it together. No more secrets."
"None," he promised.
[Eden: Oho, your harem's growing fast, boss. Don't forget to send me a thank-you card when you're emperor of dragon-lovers.]
He exhaled. "There's more. Freed Sellzen — the man who hurt Asia and killed one of Koneko's pact holders… I killed him."
A heavy silence followed.
Issei met Asia's gaze, his voice steady but shadowed. "He needed to be stopped. I didn't hesitate."
Asia's eyes shimmered, but she didn't flinch. She nodded, a soft, almost reverent "thank you" on her lips.
He turned to Koneko. "And it's time you all knew why Kuroka really left."
Kuroka stepped forward, face solemn. "I didn't go rogue. Our master — a Nebiros offshoot — was experimenting on us."
Koneko stiffened, wide-eyed.
"They wanted to make a super-devil, strong enough to kill the Four Great Maou. Or worse — enslave them."
She pulled a slender silver hairpin from her cloak. "Our mother's memories are inside this. She died protecting us. If you check it, you'll see the truth."
Koneko took the relic, her hands trembling.
Rias's voice was a whisper. "If this is true…"
A familiar warm, golden light flickered as Quetzalcoatl's form appeared, regal and watchful.
[Quetzalcoatl: Finally dragging the rot into the light. Good. About time, chico.]
Sirzaria stepped forward, taking the hairpin with reverent care. Her crimson eyes burned with something ancient and terrible.
"If the Nebiros clan dared to enslave Serafall… or lay claim to me…"
The air itself seemed to buckle under the pressure.
A crimson vortex of pure Destruction magic roared around Sirzaria. Marble cracked under her feet.
Grayfia raised a defensive glyph, shielding the others. Even seasoned devils paled.
"Then they will beg for death."
Mio's aura flared. Maria's voice was soft but lethal. "Parasites should be burned out."
Issei stepped forward, his Crimson Sun aura igniting to meet Sirzaria's fury without flinching.
"We'll stand with you," he said simply. "They'll regret hurting your family."
Sirzaria's power receded like a tide. She regarded Issei with newfound respect. "You withstood my wrath without bowing," she murmured. "Most devils would have."
Issei grinned. "If I can survive Akeno's teasing and Eden's sass, I figured I had a shot."
[Eden: My sass is legendary, thank you.]
Sirzaria actually laughed — a sharp, ringing sound like tempered steel. "You're stronger than I thought. Just don't break Rias's heart — or I'll break your spine."
Rias smirked. "He likes it when strong women threaten him. Part of the appeal."
"Rias!"
Mio snorted. Maria rolled her eyes. Even Grayfia's lips twitched.
Sirzaria's gaze returned to the hairpin, the crimson glow in her palm softening. "If this proves true… Nebiros will burn in Lucifer's name."
⸻
Hyoudou Residence — Private Moment
Later, in the quiet of Issei's room, Koneko found him alone.
She stepped inside, small fingers clenching. "Issei… about everything tonight."
He met her gaze, soft but unyielding. "I'm here for you, Koneko."
She hesitated — then nodded once. "I trust you… and Kuroka. No more running."
Just a flicker of a smile between them, small and warm.
Issei slumped onto his bed, muscles aching. The tension in the house hadn't fully faded, but the truth, at last, had been spoken. And for the first time, the war ahead felt personal.
⸻
Far away, hidden in shadows, Valerie Lucifer watched through the veil of night.
Her golden eyes gleamed.
"He's almost ready."