"So, not only are you now an official Hero, but you have also managed to snag that S-rank…" Aphrodite remarked, her tone a mix of amusement and approval as she smiled at Issei and turned the small card that was his Hero License over in her hand to check his ranking details. "Quite the accomplishment, I must say."
"Thanks. Cid and the Japanese Hero Council took every job I have done with them into consideration, so I guess that helped me skip some steps." Issei said, chuckling a little as he swept the racket in his hands through the water of the swimming pool before him to fish out another leaf.
It had been a little over a week since the Jeju Raid, and Issei had settled back into his normal daily routine, completing every Daily and Recurring Quests the System gave him, attending classes and hanging out with his friends at school during the day, then living his life as a reincarnated Devil in the afternoon and evening. He also squeezed in as much training as he could whenever he had time to do so but now that he had started his career as a Hero of the Hero Faction with lots of works and assignments to do, most of usual his Devil Jobs had been canceled to help balance his schedule and give him a bit of breathing room.
The only one he still had was his contract with Aphrodite, who had hired him to work for her again that Saturday morning of the weekend. Not that Issei really minded, but some of her requests could be rather dull at times. That said, working as her pool boy was one of the many jobs he thoroughly enjoyed, mostly because it always meant she would be out by the pool in the backyard of her house in Kuoh wearing one of her signature bikinis, which, in his opinion, were the ultimate outfits for a Goddess who seemed to have a natural way of turning even the most concealing piece of clothing she wore into something sexually enticing.
Even now, as she lay there on a chaise lounge beside the pool, the sling bikini she was wearing did nothing to cover the salacious curves of her lewd, erotically voluptuous body, the most prominent of them all being those of her enormous breasts, which rose and fell gently with each relaxed breath. To say that Issei was appreciating the view would be an understatement. He barely had time for himself or to indulge in his old hobbies these days, so moments like this made all the hard work he had put in feel truly worth it.
"So, now that you have gotten your dream job, what's next for the great Sekiryuutei?" Aphrodite then asked as she handed Issei back his Hero License and picked up the glass of iced lemonade on the glass table next to her.
"To be honest, I don't know. I haven't really thought that far yet." Issei admitted with a small laugh, scratching the side of his cheek. "I originally wanted to become a Hero because Sieghart inspired me to become one. I guess somewhere along the way, that goal turned into something bigger than that. I guess my main goal right now is to earn enough credits to qualify for a High-class Devil promotion. Sirzechs-san told me that I should be able to reach the required amount by next month if I keep at this pace. Once that happens, I'll finally get my own set of Evil Pieces and be able to start building my own Peerage."
"Well, you do you, Ise. Just make sure you don't burn yourself out in the process." Aphrodite said with a smile, leaning back on her chaise lounge before asking him. "By the way, have you met Hephaestus yet? I heard from Aglaea he was interested in becoming your Patron God, if having one is something you're considering."
"Yeah, I have." Issei answered with a nod. "It was just a few days ago. I told him I'd think it over, but honestly… having someone like him as a patron would be amazing."
"Well? You've made up your mind then?" Aphrodite raised an eyebrow.
"I haven't. Not really…" He shook his head and paused for a moment before looking over to Aphrodite. "Aphrodite, do you have any heroes under your patronage right now?"
"I do, actually. A handful of them, though they're all in support work. Nothing too flashy, you know what I mean. Not that I would ever want them putting themselves in any kind of danger either." Aphrodite answered, taking another sip from her lemonade for a moment before she froze, the straw slipping from her lips as she widened her eyes in realization and sat up, her gaze locking fully on Issei. "Hold on, why do you…"
"Well, I have been thinking about it. We've known each other for a while, right?" Issei asked "And this whole patronage thing is just some kind of traditional formality anyway, so I figured, why not ask you? You're one of the only two deities that I know, and I thought it'd be great if you could be my patron."
Aphrodite blinked at him, the corners of her lips twitching into a small, surprised smile. "You're serious?" She asked, with Issei nodding his head to her in response before she continued. "But you do realize I might not be the best choice for a warrior like you, right? Sure, I can offer my counsel, but I'm still the Goddess of Love. I can't exactly give you blessings to make you stronger like some other gods can, you know."
Issei chuckled, waving a hand in front of him. "I don't really care about that. I want to keep pushing myself using my own strength, and honestly, your advice alone is already invaluable to me. Besides, having my reputation reflecting well on yours is also a fantastic way for me to repay you back for everything you have done to help me with my problems. It was also thanks to you that I was able to get to Middle Rank so quickly."
Issei said. What he had just pointed out was the basic principle of how the Patronage system worked between a Hero and their Patron God, who would gain reputation and popularity among other deities based on the accomplishments their chosen Heroes were able to achieve. It was an old tradition dating all the way back to Ancient Greece, where the Heroes of old were chosen by the gods as their champions and sent on legendary quests to prove their worth and bring glory to their patrons. That desire for prestige had carried on into the modern age, shaping how Heroes and gods usually interacted even now, with Patronage serving as both a mark of honor and a system of mutual benefits for both parties.
Nevertheless, if combat wasn't the main focus, then any Hero would be lucky to have Aphrodite as their patron, for she was one of the most influential figures on Olympus, serving as its diplomat, and love was the power that could sway even the world… as Ravel had pointed out to Issei when he discussed with her the possibility of picking Aphrodite as his patron. While it might seem unusual, no one would question him for making that choice, mostly because even their patrons wouldn't dare to upset Aphrodite.
For the same reason, no other deity would take offense if he chose Aphrodite over them either. It was essentially a win-win situation from his perspective.
"This isn't because you're trying to quickly pay back all the favors you owe me, right?" Aphrodite asked jokingly, but Issei still shook his head regardless. For a moment, Aphrodite just sat there and stared at him, making Issei feel a little hot under the collar, though it was mostly because of the view he was getting from where he was standing. Having two hot girlfriends was one thing, but the Goddess of beauty and lust herself in an extremely revealing bikini was a completely different story.
"So…" He began, once that the silence began to get a little uncomfortable for him.
"You know, I did think about asking you to pick me as your Patron as a way to get one of the favors you still owe me, but it would feel like I'm taking advantage of our relationship. Not to mention I didn't think there was much I could offer you either, besides dating tips, of course." Aphrodite said, earning a chuckle from both of them before she continued, her tone softening. "Very well then. If that's what you want, I'd be happy to become your Patron. I'll contact Cid and Sirzechs later to let them know. Like you said, it's mostly a traditional formality, so all we need to do is sign a few papers, and it'll be official."
"Thanks so much, Aphrodite." Issei grinned before fishing his phone out of the pocket of his shorts to check the time. Seeing that it was almost time for him to leave, he looked back up to tell her, only to freeze in place with his eyes widening when he saw that the blonde was already standing in front of him, one hand resting on her hip while the other slowly toyed with the strap of her scanty swimwear. Issei swallowed hard as his gaze instinctively drifted downward for a brief moment before he managed to force it back up to meet her eyes.
"Now, is there anything this patron Goddess can do for you first, hmm?" Aphrodite asked, leaning slightly closer with a playful smile gracing her lips.
"Actually, there is." Issei nodded, answering with a beaming smile that made Aphrodite blink at him.
"Hey, sorry to keep you girls waiting!"
Issei called out as he ran toward the front gate of Kuoh Academy, where he had asked his girlfriends to meet him for their date. It had been some time since he last went on a date with either of them, so with a free weekend, Issei had decided to take them both out, giving them a chance to relax and spend some time together outside of school and his usual busy schedule.
"No, not at all, Ise." Rias, wearing a simple white blouse tucked into dark blue fitted jeans that emphasized her amazing figure, welcomed him with a warm smile.
"How was work for Lady Aphrodite, Issei-kun?" Akeno asked, tilting her head slightly, curiosity in her eyes. Much like her best friend, she was dressed for the occasion, her outfit being a flowing purple dress that reached just above her knees, the lightweight fabric moving slightly in the breeze. Her long, dark hair was also let down, framing her face and giving her the refined air of a young woman her age.
"It was fun. I also asked her if she could become my patron and she agreed." Issei said, causing both Rias and Akeno to widen their eyes in surprise before breaking into smiles.
"Congratulations, Ise. I'm glad it worked out." Rias beamed.
"We're happy for you, Ise." Akeno chimed in, making Issei grin at them.
"Well, we can talk more about it later. For now, I just want to give you girls a good time."
Issei said, and before either Rias or Akeno could ask where they would go first, the sound of powerful wings cutting through the air above their heads drew their attention. At once, both girls turned their heads up, eyes widening in surprise as they saw an elegant carriage descending toward them, drawn by two magnificent Pegasi. Their white wings shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight as they landed, sending a tiny cloud of dust around hooves and wheels before the carriage came to a smooth stop before them.
"Well, I asked Aphrodite for advice on where to take you girls." Issei said while Rias and Akeno were left to look at him in surprise. "We've been to every place in Kuoh town already, so she suggested I could take you two to Olympus… and even let us borrow her carriage to get there."
Rias and Akeno exchanged a brief glance, then both smiled, clearly impressed.
"Hop in, ladies." Issei grinned, stepping on ahead to open the carriage door for his girlfriends, making them beam at him before they slid into the carriage with effortless grace, with Rias making her way in first and Akeno following closely behind.
Issei stepped in after them, closing the door with a soft click and taking his seat opposite the girls. The Pegasi let out a powerful neigh before flaring their wings to take off into the morning sky. In the blink of an eye, Kuoh town vanished from view, rooftops and streets slipping away beneath a layer of clouds as the carriage passed through a hovering portal that carried them directly above Olympus. The city of Olympia soon came into full view, its golden towers gleaming under the sun, radiating a majesty that left both Rias and Akeno momentarily speechless, their eyes wide with awe.
"Well, shall we get going?" Issei asked, once that the carriage had completed its descent near the center of the city. Issei stepped out first, holding his arms out for Rias and Akeno, who both took his hands as they followed him.
For the next half an hour or so, they wandered through Olympus, taking in the sights as they explored the city. Their first stop was a bustling market, where vendors offered a wide variety of products. Issei guided them from stall to stall, occasionally pausing so they could watch artisans at work or inspect the glittering displays. From there, they wandered into a café with a terrace overlooking a broad avenue, where a large fountain shot water that took on the shape of sea creatures high into the air. Rias and Akeno stood near the railing, laughing and beaming as they took selfies with the avenue in the background, capturing the moment they stayed at the table behind them, watching them have fun with a smile on his face while enjoying a simple cup of coffee.
After leaving the café, the three headed outside to stroll along the avenue, passing small shops selling colorful ornaments and sweet treats, occasionally stopping to peek at a display or sample a snack. Their route naturally led them to a floating garden, where platforms lined with vibrant flowers hovered just above the streets. Rias stepped carefully across, Akeno following close behind, and Issei held their hands to keep them steady when needed, keeping them steady while they laughed and teased each other.
As Issei continued to take Rias and Akeno around Olympia, it didn't take it long for him to understand why Aphrodite had assured him he would have a much better time there with his girlfriends than anywhere else. It wasn't because of the breathtaking scenery or the grandeur of the city, but the fact that few bystanders paid them any real attention, and those who did seemed unbothered. Occasionally, Issei would notice young men sneaking jealous glances when they saw him with two beautiful women, but almost immediately they looked away to return to their daily life and their own business. It gave Issei the space to enjoy the date fully, without worrying about unwanted attention or interruptions.
"Hey, how about I buy you girls something there?" Issei suggested, pointing at a nearby clothing store, the same one Aphrodite had recommended before sending him its GPS address. He had never been there before, but something about the place gave him a sense of familiarity.
"Sure, lead the way," Rias said, and Akeno quickly agreed. The three of them walked toward the store together, laughing lightly as Issei held their hands to guide them across the street before they entered the building. Inside, the three were greeted by an interior that was well-lit with soft, ambient lighting that highlighted the rows of mannequins dressed in elegant outfits and the racks of vibrant clothing neatly arranged throughout the space. Soft music played in the background, creating a relaxing atmosphere as customers browsed through the selection.
"Oh wow, look at them all!" Akeno let out a soft, bewildered gasp as she was gravitated towards a section filled with beautiful dresses, her fingers trailing over the soft fabrics as she marveled at some of them before taking a dress off the rack to put it in front of her as she turned to her best friend. "Rias, what do you think?"
"I think it would look great on you, Akeno!" Rias replied as she nodded her head in approval, making Akeno beam in response before she turned to Issei, her eyes filled with hope as she looked for the same kind of response.
"Yeah, that looks really nice. You should try it on, Akeno." He praised, giving her a thumbs-up. Akeno giggled softly, and she and Rias started moving through the store together, examining different outfits and chatting excitedly while Issei was left to browse for a new jacket, finding one with a red inner lining that caught his eye. He could hear Rias and Akeno chatting and teasing each other nearby, their laughter carrying softly through the store.
"Need a hand with anything?"
Just as Issei was about to put the jacket on to see how it felt, a familiar voice spoke from behind, causing Issei to turn around to see a familiar golden haired woman walking toward him with a warm smile on her face. "Aglaea-san!" He exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise before relaxing into a pleasant smile as he turned to the woman.
"Lady Aphrodite told me you'd be here, so I decided to drop by." Aglaea said cheerfully, her gaze flicking over to Rias and Akeno, who were laughing together on the far end of the store as they browsed another rack of dresses.
Issei smiled before glancing around the store, a flicker of realization crossing his face. "No wonder this place felt so familiar. This is your store, isn't it?"
"One of the many, yes," Aglaea replied with a small smile. "I like to keep a few shops open around Olympus so visitors from other places have somewhere comfortable to browse. How's your date with the girls going so far, by the way? Having a good time, I hope?"
Issei laughed softly, glancing toward Rias and Akeno before he answered. "Yeah, it's been amazing. They're really enjoying themselves."
"I'm glad to hear that," Aglaea said warmly. "As the Grace of Love, nothing pleases me more than seeing those in love happy. I really hope the three of you will continue to share many more days like this together."
Issei grinned. "Thanks, Aglaea-sama. That means a lot coming from you."
Smiling, Aglaea reached into the handbag at her side and pulled out a sleek, diamond-colored card, holding it out to him. "Here. Lady Aphrodite also told me to give you this."
"What is it?" Issei asked, curiosity piqued as he took the card from Aglaea. Overall, the thing looked like a credit card, with a smooth, reflective surface that seemed to shimmer faintly under the light.
"It's a credit card for the top restaurant here on Olympus," Aglaea explained with a small smile. "It's just around the corner. You can use it to get access to their VIP rooms and enjoy a premium full-course service. Most customers have to book months in advance just to get a table."
"Oh wow. Seriously?" Issei said, blinking in disbelief.
Aglaea nodded, clearly pleased by his reaction. "Our lady wants you to have it as a token of her gratitude for choosing her as your patron, and perhaps, something to make your date a little more enjoyable."
"I don't really know what to say…" Issei smiled as he put the card into his wallet "Please tell her I'm grateful. I'll make sure it doesn't go to waste."
"I'm sure she already knows." Aglaea beamed, glancing over to the jacket in his hands before she said "And the jacket will be on the house. You'll still have to pay for whatever items the girls are gonna buy, though."
Issei chuckled softly. "Fair enough. That's already more than generous."
"Well, go on then. Don't let me keep you." Aglaea said with a knowing smile. "I'm sure the girls are eager to show off what they've picked."
Grinning to her, Issei then walked off to rejoin Rias and Akeno, who both recognized Aglaea as she had accompanied Hephaestus during his meeting with Issei a few days ago. The three of them spent the next hour in the store, with Rias and Akeno trying on a variety of outfits and showing them off to Issei before settling on their final choices.
Once the purchases were settled, the three of them stepped out of the boutique and onto the marble street outside. Summoning two Shadow Troopers, Issei handed them the shopping bags to bring home before turning his attention back to his girlfriends to ask them with a wide grin.
"Is anyone hungry? How about we go have lunch? I know a place just…"
"Ah, so the rumors of you dating both your master and her Queen are all true. I have to say… not bad at all, Sekiryuutei brat!"
Before Issei could finish his sentence, a gruff, amused voice interrupted him, drawing his attention to an elderly man approaching from across the street. He had long gray hair, a matching beard, and a gold and white monocle resting over his left eye. His outfit consisted of a short blue robe trimmed with gold along the collar and sleeves, paired with a golden-and-black hat that was divided into five ornate sections, each adorned with faintly glowing orbs.
"Um, do we know you?" Issei asked, his head tilting slightly in confusion as he looked at the elderly man. There was something about him that felt familiar, though he couldn't quite place where he'd seen him before.
"Tch, seriously. Youngsters these days…" The old man grumbled, though the amused smirk curling across his lips betrayed the irritation in his tone. His single eye gleamed with mischief as he studied Issei for a moment before turning his gaze toward Rias and Akeno, whose eyes widened in recognition.
"Lord Odin." The two greeted in unison, bowing their heads respectfully to the Chief God of the Norse Pantheon.
"Odin?" Issei repeated. It was only then that realization dawned on him as he recalled the match against the Sitri Peerage. "Oh, right! You're that old man who came to watch our Rating Game matches! No wonder you looked so familiar." He said, snapping his fingers as the memory surfaced.
"You've got some nerves talking to me like that, brat, remind me of a certain son of mine." Odin said with a low chuckle, clearly more amused than offended as his hand stroked at his beard.
"LORD ODIN!"
Issei opened his mouth to ask him, but before any word could leave his mouth, another voice could be heard. This one was feminine, coming from a young, white haired woman who was dressed in a formal business suit. Issei recognized her, believing that her name was Rossweisse. She was the Valkyrie who served Odin as his personal assistant and bodyguard, and he remembered seeing her alongside him during both of their Rating Games against the Sitri and Astaroth Peerages.
However, it was the man following closely at her side that caught his attention. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with black hair and a matching beard. He wore a dark green bodysuit that outlined his muscular frame, secured around his waist by a large brown belt. A thick brown cloak was draped over his shoulders and fastened at his chest by a silver clasp, its ends brushing against the marble street with each step he took.
"Lord Odin! There you are!" Rossweisse called as she hurriedly crossed the street to make her way over to Odin, who turned to her with a look of displeasure. "Please stop wandering off without telling anyone like that."
"Tch, what a killjoy!" Odin remarked with a scoff "You think I'm just an old man who doesn't know where he's going? I only came here because I heard rumors the Sekiryuutei kid was nearby."
"Regardless, it's unwise for you to—"
The other man began, his tone calm but firm. However, his words trailed off the moment his eyes landed on Akeno. It was only then that Issei noticed her standing behind him, half-hidden from view. Her hands were clasped tightly against his back, her lips pressed into a thin line as if she was trying to hold her anger.
"Akeno?" Issei called out as he looked at her from over his shoulders.
"Akeno." The other man said, his eyes widening slightly as she took a step toward them "What are you…"
"Don't you dare say my name like that." Akeno snapped, her voice trembling with restrained anger as she glared hatefully at the other man. "You have no right to."
For a moment, the man said nothing. His expression softened, guilt flickering behind his stern features as he took a cautious step forward. "Akeno, please, I just want to…"
Before his hand could reach her, Issei took a step forward to stand between them.
"I'm sorry, sir." Issei said, his tone polite but firm. "But I think you should give her some space for now."
At that, the man cast his gaze over to Issei, looking him over before his eyes narrowed. The Sekiryuutei could almost read the threat between them. The man was telling him to move out of the way, or else… but Issei stood his ground and met his gaze confidently. He could tell there was no hostility between those.
This was simply a test.
"… I see, so you are Issei Hyoudou. The Sekiryuutei of this generation." The man said, and it was then that he became a bit more relaxed, allowing Issei to do the same, though he continued to stand between him and Akeno. "Allow me to introduce myself then. My name is Baraquiel, one of the current leaders of Grigori. I'm currently serving as Lord Odin's escort and bodyguard during his business here on Olympus."
His gaze then shifted briefly toward Akeno, softening slightly. "And, as you've likely already known… I'm also Akeno Himejima's father."
Name: Issei Hyoudou
Race: Reincarnated Devil / Dragon
Class: Level 50 Dragonsworn / Level 42 Shadow Monarch
HP: 26,241/26,241
MP [Current Attribute: Draconic/Demonic] : 9250/9250
Link Gauge: 120/120
Title: Champion of the Dragons
Strength: 280 (28)
Vitality: 224 (22)
Intelligence: 247 (25)
Dexterity: 229 (23)
Perception: 204 (21)
Charisma: 200 (21)
Unique Class Skills: Fire Imbue (LV3), Shadow Extraction (LV1), Shadow Storage (LV1), Karma (LV1), Shadow Exchange (LV1).
Active skills: Doubling (LV4), Transfer (LV4), Penetrate (LV4), Sprint (Max Level), Vital Slash (LV1), Observe (LV2), Ruler's Hands (LV1), Phoenix Shift (LV2).
Active spells: Fire balls (LV4 - Fire Dragon Pact Affected), Firewall (LV4 - Fire Dragon Pact Affected), Lightning Strike (LV2 – Lightning Dragon Pact Affected), Water Blast (LV2 - Water Dragon Pact Affected), Earth Shield (LV1), ...
Current Pacts: Y Ddraig Goch (Fire) – Pact LV3, Chaos Karma Dragon Tiamat (Fire) – Pact LV1, Rassei (Lightning) – Pact LV1, Ingvild Leviathan (Water) – Pact LV4
Current Shadows: 520 / 520 (Wolves 29. Panthers 18. Shadow Troopers 118. Shadow Elementals 27. Magicians 34. Shadow Elves 42. Fallen Angels 13. Orcs 69, Soldier Ants 170)
Elite Shadows: Asterius (Knight), Vulcan (Knight), Tempest (Knight), Lycaon (Elite Knight), Tora (Elite Knight), Blade (Elite Knight), Gladio (Elite Knight), Glacia (Elite Knight), Katerea (Elite Knight), Aegis (Elite Knight).
Exclusive Items: Boosted Gear (LV5), Razan's Blade (LVMAX), Magitek General's Helmet (LVMAX), [High-ranking Demon] Armor Set (LV1), [Obsidian] Jewelry Set (LV1), Kamish's Awaken (LV?), Key to the Demon's Castle, Ascalon R1 – repaired (LV40), Staff of Avarice (Given to Glacia), Yarn of Ariadne.
Potions: Healing Potions x15, Mana Potions x15, Greater Healing Potions x10, Greater Mana Potions x10, Miracle Potions x3…
Gold: 10.123.320 (G)
Ultimate: Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker – Boosted Gear Crimson Scale Mail (LV.2 – Pact Affected), Soul Link (LV1).
Finisher: Rage of the Fire Dragon (Crimson Scale Mail), Twinflare (Soul Link – Bishop Promotion), Hammer and Anvil (Soul Link – Rook Promotion), Draconic Assault (Soul Link – Knight Promotion)
Tower of Ascension sigils: Sigil of the Shadow Commander – Igirs (Incomplete), Sigil of the Shadow Ice Bear -Tank (Incomplete).
End of Chapter 41