The air in the med bay was thick with tension, the lingering sting of power hanging in the aftermath of Ophis's quiet departure. Silence reigned, broken only by the steady beeping of medical instruments and the soft rustle of movement.
Then, the door swung open with a casual ease that belied the figure's significance.
Azazel — Governor General of the Grigori — strode in, his trademark grin firmly in place as his sharp eyes swept over the room's occupants.
The shift was immediate and palpable.
Rias's crimson gaze narrowed, her magic pulsing faintly in the air.
Akeno tensed beside Issei, her usual serene smile absent.
Koneko's golden eyes glimmered with wary light, while Kiba's hand instinctively hovered near his sword.
Even Sirzaria, ever composed, regarded the fallen angel leader with a piercing, guarded gaze.
"What do you want with Issei?" Rias demanded, her voice cold as winter steel.
Azazel raised a brow, his grin deepening into something both amused and oddly affectionate.
"What's so wrong with a godfather wanting to see his only godson?"
A stunned silence blanketed the room.
"Godson?" Rias echoed, her composure cracking for the first time since the battle.
Akeno's violet eyes widened, her lips parting in genuine surprise.
Even the normally impassive Sirzaria blinked, a flicker of confusion breaking her regal mask.
Issei smirked faintly, the corner of his mouth tugging upward.
"About time I met you in person, Azazel. Last time was just over a call, wasn't it?"
Azazel chuckled, his voice warm with nostalgia.
"You're just like your father when he was in college. Did you know he wanted to be a 'Harem King' back then? Before your mother swiftly put him in his place."
Issei snorted and shook his head.
"Figures. So what's this about, godfather?"
Azazel's grin turned sly, eyes glinting with mischief.
"Nothing much, young dragon. Just came to bring you a gift."
Issei arched a brow.
"What kind of gift does my influential godfather have for little old me?" he asked with a teasing, mockingly respectful tone.
Azazel snapped his fingers, and a small, ornately carved box materialized in his palm.
"The keys to your new lair, kid."
Issei's brow rose higher.
"My new lair…?"
Azazel nodded, his smile softening a touch.
"And before I forget — your parents are out of town. Off on a cruise. And Baraqiel wanted me to pass along a message."
His gaze shifted to Akeno, voice gentler.
"He hopes you'll at least ask properly for his daughter's hand in marriage."
Akeno's cheeks pinkened, her lips parting, though no words came. She lowered her head in a small, respectful nod.
Azazel's laughter was quiet, fond as he turned back to Issei.
"That's all I came to say. Enjoy the gift, my godson."
He gave a final wink, and in a shimmer of black feathers and light, vanished.
[Eden: {System Alert: Those keys are the reward for your new mansion. Would you like the rest of your rewards now?}]
Issei glanced down at the box in his hand, a small, knowing smile tugging at his lips.
"No… I'll claim the rest later."
Sirzaria stepped forward, her calm authority settling over the room like a regal mantle.
"That's settled, then," she said, her voice low and commanding. "We have a victory banquet to prepare for."
She paused, her gaze meeting Issei's, the weight of generations in her crimson stare.
"And our mother, Venelana, wishes to meet with you, Issei."
The room stilled at those words. Even the air itself seemed to shift, as though the name alone carried gravity.
Issei nodded slowly, hand tightening around the keys to his future.
"Understood."
Sirzaria's lips curved in a rare, genuine smile.
"Then rest for now, Red Dragon. Tonight, you'll be honored… and the next chapter of our story begins."