[Azazel Side]

Vampire territory.

In Romania, we drove through rugged mountain paths, the unpaved road jolting the car.

Should've brought a custom vehicle.

Rias and I will part ways soon. I'm visiting Carmilla; she's headed to the Vlad family. I'll rejoin her after.

Things are already messy. Hope it doesn't escalate to calling Issei's crew.

Wonder how Asia and Fafnir are doing? Ophis's mediation helped, but contracting a dragon king on the first try? Her talent for taming dragons is terrifying.

She might become the world's greatest dragon tamer.

…Though the pantsu price is absurd.

Why pantsu!?

I offered gold, swords, gems—normal stuff!

Fafnir calling her "Asia-tan" and saying "wanna lick" is beyond me.

Where did it go wrong?

Sure, I thought, "Dragon king, sturdy, let's experiment!" and did some reckless tests, but… not my fault. Probably.

Asia attracts dragons—Rassei, Ophis, Fafnir. Meeting Issei in Japan was fated.

Her growth is worth watching.

Glancing at the rearview, Rias seemed lost in thought.

"Worried about your crush?" I teased.

"…Yeah. Compared to those two, I'm behind. And the other girls are so bold," she admitted.

Miu and Alice, huh? They stand out among Issei's girls.

Rias has built strong trust with him, no less than anyone else.

But Miu and Alice's time with Issei is long and deep. Their bond makes sense.

Still…

"Go hug him when we're back. Take a page from Miu and step up," I said.

"Ugh, I know," she mumbled.

Bold yet hesitant, huh?

Heard her mom gave her a push, but she's missing that final step.

Miu took a leap, confessing despite their sibling-like bond. That took guts.

"Get some spine. You're a Switch Princess, right?" I grinned.

"Does that even apply!?" Rias snapped.

"It does. The original Switch Princess produced milk for Issei—his emergency food. Produce something yourself."

"Produce what!?" Her shout echoed, face red.

Fret not, Rias. Issei's aiming for Harem King; you'll get your turn.

"Fifteen minutes until we meet the vampire staff," Kiba said, studying a map and demonic compass.

Rias asked, "What about Cao Cao? Heard something yesterday?"

"Indra reported after the fact. He punished Hero Faction's Cao Cao, Georg, and Leonardo—Longinus wielders. Confiscated the spear and sent them to Hades," I explained.

Probably kept Georg's mist and Leonardo's beasts too.

Officially, Indra finished the Hero Faction, claiming their Longinus as his "right."

We got Hercules and Jeanne to spill Indra's ties, but how far that'll go…

That bastard swooped in for the prize!

"Using Medusa's eye, only to end up in Hades," Kiba mused.

Indra's voice echoed in my mind: "He didn't know what he wanted. Pretending to be a hero backfired. Laugh it off—he's a clown now. Monster-slaying's for human heroes, not some kid turned vulgar."

If Cao Cao stuck to his humanity, the holy spear might've backed him.

But he'd still lose to Issei.

Cao Cao had youth, a desire to be a hero.

Wanting to be something is youthful.

But he misunderstood "hero."

Issei knows its true meaning—and its burdens.

That's the gap between Issei, who understands, and Cao Cao, who just wished.

Indra likely fanned that ambition.

"What's Indra after? Egging on Cao Cao, provoking Hades, stirring chaos," Rias asked.

"He wants someone to rival Shiva. Believes war breeds stronger warriors," I replied.

Typical Indra. He'd do anything to beat Shiva.

A communication circle appeared. Raynare, from Kuoh Town.

"Trouble?" I asked.

"Yes. Actually—" Raynare began.

I couldn't believe her report.

"Grendel… Lucifugus…?" I muttered.

What!? While I'm away, this insanity happens!?

Grendel's long gone!

And Khaos Brigade!?

"Also, familiars appeared from Grendel," she added.

"What!?" I gasped.

Like Roseweisse's?

Grendel had no such ability.

"Confirmed?" I asked.

"We fought them. We're confused too. Keeping it quiet for now," Raynare said.

"Good. Leaks would cause trouble."

My mind raced.

Vampires with the Grail, rogue wizards, reorganized Khaos Brigade, their members at Vali's investigation, a Lucifugus survivor, a revived dragon…

Connected? Too perfect for coincidence.

Why are otherworldly things here?

Too soon to conclude. Not enough info.

But this is bad.

And Eugrid Lucifugus.

I'd seen devil records. During the devil civil war—old government versus Sirzechs and Ajuka—Grayfia's brother, Eugrid, went missing, presumed dead. Grayfia said so herself.

He's not Khaos Brigade's leader, per the report.

Who's the mastermind?

Who unified Khaos Brigade so fast?

It takes charisma, a boss's presence.

Someone using Ophis's stolen power to create a new Ophis?

Possible. The Hero Faction tried that.

But that needs a formidable controller.

Khaos Brigade, a group of outcasts and hated figures, needs a puppet strongman or a deranged lunatic as leader.

What's happening?

Who's pulling the strings?

"Rias, Kiba, things are getting messy," I warned.

[Azazel Side Out]

▽

"Gah… hah…!" I coughed, spitting blood, collapsing to my knees.

Blood dripped through my fingers, unstoppable.

This is… bad…!

"Onii-chan!?" Miu cried.

"Issei!?" Alice shouted.

They rushed to me, rubbing my back, but the blood kept flowing.

Nosebleed now too…

My hand, covering my mouth, was soaked red.

This is bad… it won't stop…

Vision blurring…

"You two… sorry. This might be it…" I rasped.

"No… not here…!" Miu gripped my hand, tears streaming.

I shook my head, tears in my eyes. "I was happy… to be seen off by two cute girls… I'm content."

"Don't say that!" Alice sobbed.

Yeah…

Miu and Alice. My familiars. My beloved…

I was lucky to have them.

In a trembling voice, I said, "Thank… you…"

WHAM!

"Gah!" I yelped.

Alice's punch exploded on my head.

"Stop overreacting to our cat-ear underwear!" she snapped.

"It's not overreacting! Your outfits are too cute! Trying to kill me!?" I protested, clutching my nosebleed.

Hours ago, we wrapped up the aftermath and returned home.

After dinner and a bath, I entered my room to find—

Miu and Alice in cat-ear underwear!

White lingerie, fluffy wrist and ankle warmers, cat headbands—sexy and adorable.

They greeted me with a synchronized "Nya!" and beckoning paws.

I spat blood, nosebled, and nearly ascended! Saw my grandpa waving from the other side.

"You'll catch a cold sleeping there," Miu said.

"Yeah… but why this outfit?" I asked, stuffing tissues in my nose.

Alice looked away, shy. "…You seemed to want to see it again. And as your servant, it's my duty to serve…"

Ugh, so loyal! I'm tearing up from感动!

But I don't force my familiars into this!

I'm thrilled, though. Beyond thrilled.

"Why you, Miu?" I asked.

"Alice asked me to join—" Miu started.

"Nooo! Don't say that! It's embarrassing!" Alice wailed.

"Haha, I wanted you to see me too," Miu admitted.

So Alice was too shy to do it alone and roped in Miu. Like friends joining an idol audition to ease nerves.

I washed off the blood and sat on the bed. "Thanks, you two. My day's fatigue is gone."

"It's not that big a deal…" Alice mumbled, fidgeting.

So cute!

Miu's outfit fits perfectly, her chest nearly spilling out. Erotic eye candy!

I patted the bed. "Lie down, both of you."

"Okay?" Miu said, puzzled.

They lay face-down. I placed my hands on their backs, easing their aura flow, pressing acupoints to smooth their energy circulation.

My special massage.

"You both did great today. A reward from your master. Not much, but…" I said.

"No, it's great," Miu replied.

"So warm…" Alice sighed.

It relaxes and relieves fatigue.

Their first battle as my familiars—they saved me. They deserve rest.

"You were amazing. Keep it up," I said.

"I'll work harder to help you," Miu promised.

"I've got your back, so relax," Alice boasted.

Haha, Alice's confidence is unreal. I rely on her tons.

Miu asked, "Did you talk to Ravel about becoming your familiar?"

…

…

Crap! I forgot!

The clubroom was the perfect moment! The mood was right!

But my condition and thoughts distracted me…

"Pathetic," Alice deadpanned.

"Sorry…" I mumbled.

"But making Ravel a familiar means telling her about us, right?" Miu said.

Ravel's the only one unaware of the otherworld stuff, including Miu and Alice's origins.

I continued massaging. "Yeah, I'll tell her soon, whether she joins or not. She said she wants to stay by my side as my manager."

She trusts me, and I trust her. She deserves to know.

Might be reckless, but it's how I feel.

"Just a matter of when," I added.

Will she believe it? She'll be shocked, at least.

"It'll work out. You live together; there's plenty of time," Miu said.

True. With wizard contracts and Oppai Dragon events, I'll have chances to talk.

It'll be fine… maybe.

"Can you do our fronts too?" Miu asked.

"Me too," Alice added.

"Sure, lie on your backs," I said.

…

"Nn… ah…" Miu moaned.

"Ah… there…" Alice gasped.

They squirmed, cheeks flushed, bodies soft.

I'm just massaging their stomachs, arms, thighs—normal stuff!

No sensitive spots, no aura tweaks.

Noticing my confusion, Miu said, "N… just your touch… does this to me…"

"That's exaggerating! You were fine earlier!" I protested.

"I was holding back… but face-to-face… my body won't listen…" Miu grabbed my hand, guiding it to her chest—bare, under her lingerie.

Her soft, smooth breasts!

"So bold…" she whispered.

Too bold!

Her breasts are so soft, my fingers sink in!

As I savored Miu's chest, my left hand felt softness too.

"Touch mine too…" Alice urged, also bare.

Her breasts grew bigger!

"Not as big as Miu-chan's, but mine are growing," she said, eyes glistening.

Gah! That look—

I can't stop!

Click

"Issei-sama, about today—" Ravel began.

"""Huh?"""

"Ah…" Ravel froze.

Time stopped.

…

No way…

Seriously!?

Ravel walked in!

She saw me groping Miu and Alice's breasts!

And my hands won't stop!

What the hell!

"S-S-S-Sorry! I-I-I'll come back!" Ravel stammered, face redder than ever.

She turned to leave.

This'll make things awkward later!

Change the subject, Issei!

Think fast!

"Ravel! Become my familiar!" I blurted.

""What!? You say that now!?"" Miu and Alice snapped.

-------------------------------------------

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