Silver W. King
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Returning Welsh Dragon Hero - Chapter 21
🕑 Added 2024-07-22 09:16:00 +0000 UTCThis outing had been quite interesting and memorable thus far for Arthur Pendragon.
When he joined Bikou and Kuroka with his sister following along in witnessing the Heavenly Dragons' duel, he was excited but wasn't sure what to expect of the Red Dragon Emperor. Not much was known about him after all.
Only Vali had interacted with him, and he called him "interesting". Which was quite the compliment to those who know the battle loving half-devil.
Yet the more Arthur interacted with Issei, the more he felt this odd kinship with him. He was just explaining some basic history about his family, that anyone with the right book would find, yet the earnst curiosity and hidden excitement the Red Dragon Emperor showed made Arthur want to indulge him further.
It was just so easy to talk to Issei that it made Arthur want to show off a little by bringing out Caliburn for a demonstration.
His father would have lashed him with harsh words for such childish action.
Yet, it was Issei's expression upon being introduced to Excalibur Ruler that gave Arthur pause. There was an unexpected seriousness and almost a quiet reverence in his eyes.
"Oh... Excalibur really did break." Issei said after a moment.
The way he looked at the holy sword was with respect but... there was also indignation there?
"It seems you knowledgeable about this sword, although for Excalibur I guess its expected." It was King Arthur's most iconic blade after all. Arthur tried to lighten up the air with his words, but Issei continued to look solemn.
"Anyone who had ever heard of King Arthur would have heard of Excalibur." Issei said.
"Quite true." Arthur nodded. "So why do you seem surprised when you see this sword, Issei?" He said the question light-heartedly, yet Issei's expression and demeanor didn't change.
The Red Dragon Emperor's gaze was fixed on the holy blade carrying a fragment of Excalibur with a complicated pained expression.
"...May I?" Issei asked with a hand politely extended.
Arthur blinked as it took him a moment to realize what Issei's request was.
He wanted to hold the sword.
Normally this would have been met with great suspicion by Arthur. The value of this blade was such that anyone would try to robe, fight Arthur, or do anything to steal it.
Heck, the entire meet with White Dragon Emperor and the match could have been a ruse just for Red Dragon Emperor to have the chance to steal the sword, if one was paranoid enough to think so.
Simple fact is, giving your blade to someone you don't know was just plain idiotic.
Yet, Arthur just felt like he could trust Issei. His straightforward character didn't lend itself to a thief or a kleptomaniac, nor did he seem like someone taken with material possessions.
Was it a romanticization of the Arthur mythos, a childish wish to hold the Excalibur sword, or some personal reason? Regardless, none of it changed the deep respect Arthur could see in Issei's eyes for the blade.
Besides, can he call himself the Strongest Holy Sword User if he couldn't take back his own blade?
"Sure. Although I would like it back, so don't take it for your hoard." Arthur said, holding the blade sideways for Issei.
Issei laughed back, and took the sword holding it flat across his hands.
He gently handled the sword, resting the hilt on one palm, and the end of the blade before the tip, rested on the flat side against his other palm.
The way Issei held the sword was very careful, almost too gentle, almost like it was something fragile he feared breaking.
However, what took Arthur's attention was how Excalibur reacted. It pulsed with a familiar energy for a moment, resonating with something within Issei. A response Arthur was most familiar with, at it happened whenever he holds the sword.
Resonance between a Holy Sword and the Holy Factor, or Element, within a person.
Arthur was most shocked that Issei was natural-born Holy Sword wielder like himself. The holy element within the Hyoudou teen strong enough that he could actually wield the sword.
The unique characteristic about holy swords is that unless one held a holy element to resonate with the holy sword and bring out its special abilities, it plainly won't activate.
In the hands of those not bless with sufficient holy element, it would just be a lump of iron.
"When Ddraig told me about the original Excalibur breaking I was surprised. After all, this is the legendary Holy Sword. So even if I knew about it, logically I shouldn't be surprised but..." Issei's eyes held a mournful tone, that Arthur sympathized with. He too had often times wondered what Excalibur was like when it was whole. How powerful would it be? "It still threw me off, but well, seeing is believing as they say."
Issei returned sword to Arthur who took it slowly off Issei's hand, unconsciously mirroring the gentle care Issei treated the sword with, before sheathing it.
"Issei," Arthur asked after a moment with an intrigued look. A certain thought started circulating in his head for a while now, and his instinct told him that he might be right about it. "Perchance are you a swordsman?"
"Hmm, yeah. I think I can call myself a 'swordsman'." Issei said after making a thoughtful hum.
"Oh?" Arthur raised an eyebrow in interest. "You have experience in using weapons?"
"Yeah," he chuckled. "I'd say I'm good with a sword or spear, decent a hammer or axe. And," he grunted in annoyance. "I know how to use bows and guns." He said. "But above all I just prefer my fists. It's simpler."
"Hmm, then maybe we should have a match sometime." Arthur offered with a smile.
"Pretty sure Vali will always try to cut to the front of the line." Issei joked.
"Then I request the next match afterwards then."
"Haha, sure, but I don't have a sword."
"I'm sure that can be easily fixed. My sister could use some trangfiguration to create a blade, if there's no other recourse. Although I should warn you, Bikou is likely to whine and request a match as well."
"Oi, is this the magical WWE where everyone wants to fight the guy with the belt?!"
Arthur laughed in genuine mirth.
===x===
"You go on ahead, Asia. I'll come along after a minute." Issei said to Asia at the steps of the hotel he stayed at.
"Okay! I'll go meet up and tell Mama Miki and Papa Gorou about the fun day we had!" Asia said with a bright smile that had Issei smile back.
After watching to see her enter the hotel, Issei turned to Vali he stood behind.
Issei and Asia said their goodbyes to the Vali Team, as they all went their separate ways, and only Vali stayed behind walking with Issei and Asia back to where they stayed with the Hyoudou parents.
"Today was fun, you're gonna stick around for the rest of the activities when Golden Week starts?" Issei asked.
"No. I'm not interested in festivities." Vali shook his head. "I'll be training for our next match. You enjoy your vacation, then you'll have defeat at my hands." Vali said with a smirk.
"Wow, you really don't lose your motivation, do you?" Issei laughed at smiled back.
[Vali.] Albion spoke up.
"Right," Vali nodded, a serious look on his face. "Albion had been patient about finding out, and so have I, but we now want to know. Are you going to explain it, that thing that you did at the end? How did you shut down my Divine Dividing?"
[Ddraig, have you concede that my power is superior thus made a technique emulating it?] Albion taunted with amusement in his voice.
[If that's really the case then it's sad how easily you can be taken down with your own ability.] Ddraig said back with a grin.
[Hey! You just caught me by surprise with how shameless you were!] Albion protested.
[Issei.] Ddraig ignored his rival to annoy him, as he addressed Issei with a more solemn tone. [I know you don't wish to keep telling this story, but this is Albion. He and his partner deserve some clarification.]
Issei sighed. "Alright. Sure go ahead, but keep it short, let's keep the full story for later." He asked. After all, it was late and they weren't about to have an hour long conversation on a sidewalk.
Ddraig grunted and Issei felt the dragon's agreement in his mind.
[Albion,] Ddraig began. [Nearly a month ago, Issei had live a completely mundane life without any knowledge of the supernatural world.] Vali blinked at that, and could even feel Albion's surprise. For Issei to go from a normal human, so someone that could overpower Vali in a month, that was beyond talented or heavenly lucky or ordained, it was just plain absurd. [Then he was accosted by a Fallen Angel and killed.]
"What?" Vali's eyes widened as he looked at Issei all over again, trying to match the person in the story with the one in front of him.
Issei smiled, scoffed and looked aside at Ddraig's storytelling.
[Or rather that's what would have logically happen.] Ddraig chuckled. [But the most unlikely, idiotic and insane set of events happened that changed everything.] The Red Dragon said. [As Issei said, it would take too long to retell the whole thing. So to keep it simple, Issei's soul was sent to another world, and naturally as I was attached, I followed.]
"Another world..." Vali muttered, blinking in fascination at those words. "But if he was just a soul then what does it matter? And..." Vali's eyes widened as a thought came to him. "How much time did you spend there? And how much time passed here?"
[And what state was that world in?] Albion asked.
"Hmm?" Vali blinked at his dragon at that.
[What challenges he faced to cause Hyoudou Issei as well as, in his own words, for Ddraig to also grow? What kind of opponents were there?] At Albion's words, Vali gained a interested grin, and hidden behind it was excitement.
[Heh. You always were perceptive when you wanted to be annoying.] Ddraig said back.
[It's not my fault if you're slow and needed time to catch up to me.]
Ddraig snorted. [Regardless. Back to the matter. To answer your question, Vali Lucifer, Issei gained a body of magic matter called Ether. As for the state of that world? It had ended.]
"'End'? Wait, what?" Vali said, taken aback. "What the hell does that mean?"
[It means that world was in a state where the King of Demon Gods in that world had succeeded in destroying it.] Ddraig said with a shock and intrigue of Vali and Albion. [However, against all expectation and logic, the humans there didn't lose hope, and actually found their own way to keep fighting. Even win and bit by bit take back the world that was stolen from them. Issei and I joined their cause.] There was a clear tone to pride and fondness as Ddraig said this.
Vali looked toward Issei intrigued, tilting his head as if asking him to confirm this.
"How long were you there?" Vali repeated the question, now asking it with more intent, rather than off-hand.
"One year and two months." Issei said with a tired tone, even though he was smiling fondly. "In that time I fought against and by the side of heroes from history." He shook his head at the speculation Vali immediately formed. "Not reincarnation, not Spirit Inheritor, but the actual Heroes of history and mythology." A look of pure joy overcame Vali's expression. Such a child-like smile that it was unusual to see on his face. "I faced Heracles, it was against him that I developed the Red Scales."
"How did it fare?" An excited Vali asked.
"Barely did shit." Issei said bluntly, an unintended chuckle left him. "I mean sure, this time I wasn't taken out of the fight in one hit, but good god do I wish he had just knocked me out. Managing to stay in the fight that time meant pain, pain and more pain." He sighed in annoyance. "And the fights afterwards didn't get easier. I swear, just once I wished there was an actually boss enemy I could overpower, but nope! It's always an uphill battle every single time."
"Then how did you win against True Heracles?" Vali asked with a relaxed smile.
"I didn't. It was pure luck. We literally had to bash him with the Arc of the Covenant to kill him." Issei said with a sigh.
"How does—Never mind." Vali shook his head, as he caught himself wanting to get into this story, but having already agreed to get the abridged version for now. "What else?"
"A fought Nikola Tesla controlling the heavens and their lightning over London. I fought a Cu Chulainn made by a wish of the Queen of Connacht, who wanted a monster as her lover and champion, a King of Massacre." Issei met Vali's gaze. "That was the first time I slipped into the Juggernaut Drive." Vali's eyes widened, before settling into respectful silence. "Cu Alter did... something I considered unforgiveable, so I showed him what real destruction was."
"Hmm. Good job." Vali nodded, to which Issei returned in a moment of quiet solidarity between Dragon Emperors.
"After that," Issei sighed, running his hand through his hair. "Things just got even more difficult."
[We ended up fighting gods.] Ddraig took over explaining, catching Vali's rabid attention. [And worse.]
"Worse than gods?" Vali asked with a wide smile.
[That is when you develop that power? Nega-Supremacy, I recall.] Albion commented.
[Negation of Supremacy is the full name. I simply titled it in that way as respect to the opponent I faced.] Ddraig said sombrely.
[Ddraig...] Albion could the heavy emotion Ddraig held at the mention of this opponent. [They were really that strong?]
[I want you to imagine yourself at your strongest, White Dragon.] Ddraig spoke with utter graveness. [Imagine yourself on your best day, with all of your powers at the tip of your claws. Now go even further and imagine yourself fighting bathed in Imperial Wrath.]
[Wait, what?!] Albion was thrown off by that last remark. It's one thing to be told that you're fighting at your best, but to fight someone while fully falling into rage, how tough was this imaginary opponent. [No. Not imaginary.] He thought to himself.
[And then imagine your opponent is the Ouroboros Dragon.]
And with that statement all fantasy and enjoyment left Vali, and slammed Albion with utter shock.
[Do you think you can win?] Ddraig asked.
[...How did you?] Albion asked.
[We used everything we could think off against the Primordial Sea. The goal wasn't even to defeat her, but to drag her to the Underworld, for she could not be killed in the land of the living.] Ddraig let out a sigh. [I thought that despite everything, if given the chance to actually fight myself we wouldn't actually be in a perilous spot.
[Rather, I would show those humans who fought by our side and believe in mine and Issei's strength what the Dragon of Domination can do.] He chuckled. [So Issei came up with an idiotic plan.]
"If it works its not stupid." Issei rebutted.
[Using a goddess's weapon, we managed to create a world that reflected the inner realm of the Longinus prison, and pulled the Goddess of Beginnings into it. I fought her with everything, gave it my all.] The listeners could imagine the look of exasperation on the Red Dragon's face. [And utterly failed to slay her. ] Even if Vali and Albion expected it, it still felt shocking to hear Ddraig admit it. [She was too strong, too resilient and everything I did she would adapt to.
[It reached a point where I realized, where I had to accept... I wasn't strong enough.] A heavy conviction entered the Red Dragon's voice. [And for the first time in a long time, I wished for strength, and so I dug within myself, and forged it.] He said. [And regardless of the form it took, I wielded it for the sake of Iseei and those humans who put their faith in me.] Ddraig let out mirthless chuckle. [Even then, in the end the best I could do was follow Chaldea's, the humans', plan to drag Nammu down to the Underworld and keep her there till our allies, the First Hassan ibn Sabbah and the King of Heroes, slayed her.]
[...I see.] Albion said after a long quiet moment. [Vali, we're done here.]
"Albion?" Vali blinked at his dragon's sudden quiet, firm tone.
[It's late. Ddraig and his partner already promised to tell us the full story later. It's best we get on our way as well.] And with that Albion went silent, ending the conversation from his side, as he sat in Divine Dividing in reflection.
"Hmm." Vali nodded. "Then I guess I'll see you next week for our rematch." He smirked. "Don't think it will end the same way."
"'Next week'? What are you talking about?" Issei looked at his rival in confusion.
"What do you mean?" Vali looked back in equal confusion. "That's when our rematch will be before your school restarts? You're not chickening out now, are you?" He frowned.
"No, I mean, what makes you think you're not gonna be around for the festival in town? My parents sure as well will be asking about you." Issei replied.
"Ah, um, err..." Vali was thrown on the back foot. "I'm gonna be training?"
"Dude, it's only a few hours a day, just schedule around it." Issei said with a dry look.
"Just... tell them I'll be busy." Vali almost sounded like he was starting to whine.
"Oh no, since it's so important, you tell them."
The two argued back and forth, and with great reluctance Vali agree to join the Hyoudou family when they went to the festivals in town during Golden Week.
===x===
Issei reached the door to his parent's hotel room, to meet up with them so they could hang out with him and Asia for a bit, as well as to tell them that Vali might not be around in his and Issei's hotel room, as he'd be out training.
"And then after we ate, I got to have ice cream, and we walked around the shops setting up for the Erimo Festival for Greenery Day." Asia finished up her tale in excitement. "Ms. Le Fay even helped me get some magic tomes for barrier spells." She said showing off the books she bought with the Pendragon magician.
"That's wonderful, Asia." Miki said with a kind smile, as she patted the blonde girl's head.
However Issei couldn't help but feel a dreadful aura around his parents the moment he entered the room.
"Hey guys, Asia told you about our trip with Vali today? We met his friends. Can you imagine, he actually had those?" Issei joked.
"That's amazing, Issei, hahaha." Gorou said with a smile and a fake laugh. "Almost as amazing as finding out that you two were actually planning on having some shounen battle this whole time."
And suddenly the scary aura around his parents made sense. Asia had inadvertently ratted him and Vali out. Not like he actually told her not to tell them.
Asia had the look of a kid that suddenly realized they might have gotten their sibling in trouble and didn't mean to.
"Err, what are you guys talking about? Shounen battle? Haha, that's silly." Issei tried to casually grin back.
Miki opened the TV to a new channel.
"...And currently, officials and still consulting with marine experts on what caused this whirlpool, seven miles off the coast of Hokkaido, to be formed. It's a mystery as to the reason of the underwater cave-in that could have occurred, despite no signs of ocean floor seismic activities." The news reporter spoke, the camera showing them at the beaches of the town they were in.
"Errr, it was Vali's idea!" Issei immediately threw his rival under the bus. He hoped Vali would forgive him. He was strong enough to handle a bit of scolding.
"Asia told us that you both were eager and happy to participate in this idea." Miki said back with a smile.
"Uuuuh, Ddraig?" Issei asked for help.
[He's completely guilty. Yep.] Issei was thrown under the bus.
"Ddraig!" Issei couldn't believe this betrayal.
"Son," Gorou had walked up to Issei as he was crying out as Ddraig selling him out, and placed a hand on Issei's shoulder. "Come sit down, your mother and I want to talk to you about responsibly using your powers with the environment."
Issei let his head fall down in defeat, and went to take his chastisement like a man.
===x===
"You want me to what?" Arthur asked Vali.
The Vali Team had returned to their headquarters within the Khaos Brigade. They had a secure place to themselves away from the main operations of the terrorist organization. Not that they participated in their missions to really be called a part of them.
"I want you to stab me with Excalibur Ruler and take away my ability to call on Divine Dividing. Then we'll fight." Vali said back.
"May I asked what brought on this... unique training idea?" Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"My rival has a power to shut down my Longinus, I need to train to resist it and find a countermeasure." Vali said plainly.
[It would be an interesting challenge for me as well.] Albion added.
"...Very well then." Arthur knew that his friend and leader can be eccentric in his quest for power, but at least things are never boring around him.
===
AN: Changed "nearly three months ago" to "nearly a month ago" because checking a lot of notes about the DxD timeline, it would not have worked.
Comments
Benxenofan
Hey cheer up Ddraig it was said it took something as powerful as the bull of heaven to even slow down Tiamat and that thing took both Gilgamesh and Enkidu in their primes to kill
Silver W. King
It's an Anti-Buff Skill. It's power is to reduce an opponent to their base stats and abilities without anything that give them "buffs", such as Sacred Gears, power transformations, etc. If it ain't their power in their normal state, then its gone.
Silver W. King
His reaction is muted because he doesn't have any personal attachments to this Excalibur but still feels the sword deserved better than to be reforged from shards of the original. Might make him want to gather the swords and reforge it at some point in the future.
Silver W. King
Well he is gonna participate in the SERAPH event. Kinda. BB does makes a digital copy of him.
Luis
Does nega supremacy effect gods domain/authority like does it cut it off from the weaker gods,and hinder the stronger?
KAFFING
Huh, thought that Issei would have a much more drastic reaction to Excaliur. Issei may acknowledge it as a Holy Sword named "Excalibur" but seeing the Nasuverse one up cose and personal, words are almost unfitting to describe its presence as the Sword of Promised Victory. Which makes sense considering their origins drastically differe between the Nasuverse and DXD.
Cybresamurai
I really like the idea that Ddraig really grew to respect Humanity’s Heroes and everyone during the Grand Order, I kind of want Issei to show up during SERAPH, if only because if he doesn’t it’s a huge missed opportunity. Kiara might just be one of his own natural enemies. (Also he might develop that Devotion ability while facing her to prevent her from breaking him like she did the demon pillar.)
Luis
All these bits of info Issei laying sounds amazing I hope we get to see them in full
