The cavern fell silent except for Tiamat's breathing—each exhale washing over
me like opening an industrial oven, carrying enough heat to make my eyeballs feel like they were sweating.
Well. This is what I get for following a dog into a fucking cave.
My mind was doing that thing where it runs a million miles per hour while my body stays frozen like a deer in headlights. Except the headlights were attached to a Dragon King who could probably use my skeleton as a toothpick.
Blue flames still flickered across my palm—looking about as intimidating as a lighter at a volcano convention. Sure, Cremation had turned those wolves into carbon confetti earlier, but this scaled monstrosity? She probably used hotter flames to warm up her morning coffee. If dragons drank coffee. Did dragons drink coffee?
Focus, you idiot. You're about to die.
That massive eye kept staring at me, pupil contracting until I could see my own reflection in it—one terrified blonde teenager who'd fucked around and was rapidly approaching the "find out" phase.
Options scrolled through my brain like the world's worst menu:
Option A: Fight. HAHAHAHA—no. I'd get vaporized faster than my dignity at a family reunion.
Option B: Run. Even funnier. I'd maybe get three steps before becoming a Yuuto-shaped scorch mark. Future archaeologists would find my remains and go "wow, this guy was really stupid."
Option C: Beg. Grovel. Cry maybe? Except dragons probably respected strength, not waterworks. Plus, crying would be embarrassing, and I'd rather die with some shred of dignity intact.
Option D: ...Talk? Somehow convince a literal Dragon King that killing me would be boring?
Yeah. Option D was insane.
Then again, I was currently standing in a Dragon King's lair after my familiar led me here like some kind of suicidal GPS.
Insane seemed to be my brand today.
Alright. Here goes absolutely nothing.
I killed the flames—slowly, deliberately, the universal "please don't murder me" gesture. Then, channeling every ounce of borrowed courage from Muichiro's memories (thanks dead Hashira boy), I straightened up and met that planet-sized eye directly.
"Tiamat-sama. I'm Yuuto Kiba, Knight of Rias Gremory" My voice came out steady, which was a goddamn miracle considering my heart was trying to escape through my chest "I apologize for barging into your territory, It wasn't my intention to disturb your peace"
Please let the Gremory name mean something. Please let it buy me some time.
The rumbling in her chest stopped.
Oh shit, is that good or bad?
The eye narrowed—not in anger exactly, but with sudden sharp interest. Like I'd just said something that actually caught her attention.
"Gremory." She tested the name slowly "That name... Sirzechs Lucifer, he was born a Gremory, was he not?"
My heart jumped. She recognized it! "Yes! Rias Gremory is his younger sister. She reincarnated me as her Knight, and I—"
"That still does not give you permission to trespass in my territory."
The temperature spiked so suddenly I flinched. Heat slammed into me like opening an oven door directly in my face.
"I sense no other presence nearby" Tiamat continued, voice dropping to something colder, more dangerous "Only familiars searching for bonds. Which means you wandered in here alone. Got lost, perhaps? Followed some creature into my domain without knowing whose territory you violated?"
Fuck. She's not buying it as an excuse.
"Your lineage connection to the current Lucifer is... noted." Her massive head lowered, bringing that eye so close I could see my terrified reflection in crystalline detail "But it will not save you from the consequences of disturbing my rest. Sirzechs Lucifer is powerful, yes. But he is not here, to save you from your fate"
The stone beneath my boots started glowing dull red, heat seeping through the soles.
"So I ask again, Knight of Gremory—do you have any final words before I incinerate you?"
SHIT. SHIT SHIT SHIT.
The Gremory card didn't work! She acknowledged it but doesn't CARE! Brain, NOW would be a GREAT time for another idea!
Then it hit me—a memory from the light novels, the kind of meta knowledge that had kept me alive so far. Tiamat had a grudge. A centuries-long, civilization-outlasting grudge against Ddraig over some borrowed treasures that never got returned.
It was a desperate gamble. The kind of gamble that either saved your life or got you killed slightly faster.
But desperate was all I had right now.
"Wait!" I blurted out "I can bring you the Boosted Gear wielder!"
Silence.
Not regular silence. The kind of silence that happens right before a bomb goes off or a Dragon King decides your fate.
Then her head snapped toward me so fast it created a sonic boom that rattled my teeth. That massive eye bore into me with enough intensity to make my bones vibrate.
"What. Did. You. Say?" Each word was quiet. Dangerously quiet. The calm before an apocalypse.
Oh god, I've either saved my life or speedrun my death.
"The Heavenly Dragon, Ddraig" I forced my voice to stay level despite every nerve screaming. "The one who borrowed your treasures and lost them when he got sealed into the Boosted Gear. I know who has it now. I can bring him to you."
"How—" her voice dropped to a whisper that somehow carried more menace than shouting "—does a mere devil Knight know about that? About Ddraig. About my treasures."
The temperature spiked again. The stone beneath my boots started glowing dull red. The air tasted like ozone and dragon rage barely contained.
"Speak. Carefully. Your next words determine whether you die quickly or very, very slowly."
SHIT. Think of something believable! Something that doesn't sound like "I read light novels in my previous life"!
My brain scrambled through options faster than a caffeinated hamster on a wheel.
Can't say I read about it—no way those books exist here.
Can't say Rias told me—why would she know?
Can't say I overheard it—from WHO exactly?
Wait. My Sacred Gear. That could work!
"My Sacred Gear," I said, pulling on just enough truth to sell the lie. "I don't know what it's called, but it also gives me a flash of memory from the other individual's negative emotion....It's random as hell and I barely understand it. But I just saw a glimpse of you being mad at him, for loosing the treasure he borrowed, before he was sealed in a boosted gear"
I met her eye directly, channeling every bit of Muichiro's "I'm too tired for your bullshit" energy "That's how I know about you. About the Dragon King Tiamat. About the Chaos Karma Dragon. About treasures lost by the Red Dragon Emperor, Isn't that right?"
It was close enough to truth to feel real. Sacred Gears DID weird shit sometimes. The fact that my actual source was meta knowledge from being reincarnated stayed safely hidden behind a plausible explanation.
Please buy it. Please buy it. I don't want to become a Yuuto-kebab.
Tiamat stared at me for what felt like seventeen eternities.
"A Sacred Gear that grants knowledge from negative emotion" she finally said. "Unusual. But not unprecedented. Some Sacred Gears develop unexpected abilities. And it's not something, many individuals know, so you're indeed speaking truth"
The temperature lowered a fraction. Still "uncomfortably hot" but no longer "about to become ash" hot.
Progress!
"However—" and her voice hardened like steel "—that doesn't explain WHY you revealed this. Why mention the Boosted Gear wielder at all? What do you want?"
Alright. Here's the pitch. Don't fuck this up, Yuuto.
"A deal." I shifted my stance—not quite kneeling because that felt too much like begging, but respectful. Eye contact maintained because breaking it now would show weakness. "Let me leave alive, and I'll bring you the Boosted Gear wielder. You can confront Ddraig directly about your treasures. That's my word as a Knight."
I put everything into those words—determination, sincerity, the absolute conviction of someone who'd follow through or die trying. No cowering. No groveling. Just a straightforward promise from someone stupid enough to mean it.
Tiamat's eye narrowed, examining me with intelligence that had probably forgotten more than I'd ever learn.
"Your word. As a Knight." She repeated it slowly, like tasting wine. "You would bring the wielder of a Heavenly Dragon—into the presence of a Dragon King who wants to burn him alive. And you think he'll agree to this?"
"That's my problem to figure out," I said firmly. "What matters is my promise. Let me go, and I'll bring him here. No tricks. No bullshit. You have my word."
Silence stretched like taffy being pulled to its breaking point.
I could feel my heartbeat in my ears, taste copper from biting my tongue, sense the raw power radiating from Tiamat as she considered whether to accept or just vaporize me for being annoying.
Then something shifted in her expression. The murderous intent faded, replaced by... amusement?
Oh no. That's either really good or really bad.
"How curious," Tiamat said, and I swear there was a smile in her voice "A devil Knight standing before a Dragon King, making deals with the confidence of someone who has actual leverage. You look me in the eye and make promises like you can actually fulfill it"
Her massive form began shifting. Scales rippling. Body compacting. Magic saturating the air with enough force to make my devil senses scream in frequencies that probably caused nosebleeds.
Light flared—pale blue and brilliant—forcing me to squeeze my eyes shut.
When I opened them and lowered my arm—
Oh fuck me sideways.
Where the colossal dragon had been now, stood a woman.
A drop-dead gorgeous woman with long, straight pale blue hair cascading past her shoulders, dark blue eyes still holding that ancient "I've seen empires fall" power, and a cold aura that made the air feel heavy despite her human size.
Also completely, utterly, absolutely buck-ass naked.
NOPE. EYES UP. MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT. DO NOT PASS OUT.
My face went nuclear. I could feel heat crawling up my neck that had nothing to do with dragon fire and everything to do with oh god oh fuck there's a naked Dragon King right there.
Every instinct screamed to look away, but looking away meant showing weakness, and showing weakness to Tiamat seemed like a phenomenally bad life choice.
So I locked my eyes on hers with the intensity of someone whose continued existence depended on it.
Because it absolutely did.
Think of something else. Anything else. Dead puppies. Tax forms. Akeno's breasts. That time I walked in on—NO. NOT HELPING.
Muichiro's memories, bless that oblivious Hashira, provided zero help because apparently Mist Boy had never encountered a naked woman and had all the sexual awareness of a scarecrow.
Tiamat's lips curved into a smile that was equal parts amused and dangerous. She took a step forward, and I went rigid like someone had replaced my spine with a steel rod.
"Most devils would have looked away by now," she said, voice carrying that same dangerous amusement. "Or stared inappropriately. You do neither. Interesting."
THAT'S BECAUSE I'M HAVING AN INTERNAL CRISIS AND CHANNELING A DEAD SWORDSMAN WHO HAD THE EMOTIONAL RANGE OF FOG.
"So, Knight of Gremory," Tiamat continued, taking another step closer. The cold aura radiating from her was palpable, creating visible mist in the warm cavern air. "You offer to bring me the Boosted Gear wielder. Bold. But I need... assurance."
She raised one hand, and a magic circle materialized—complex, ancient, pulsing with power that made my Sacred Gear resonate uncomfortably in my chest.
"A contract," Tiamat said simply. "Magical binding. You bring the Boosted Gear wielder to me within one month. In exchange, I'll let you leave alive"
Her eyes gleamed with predatory interest. "However—if you fail..."
One month to convince Issei to meet an angry Dragon King who wanted to barbecue Ddraig. Fantastic. Just wonderful. My life was going GREAT.
But looking at those ancient eyes, I knew refusing meant death right now. Accepting meant possible death later.
Later is better than now.
"I accept" I said without hesitation.
"Excellent." Tiamat's smile widened, and something mischievous flickered across her features that made my danger senses tingle. "Then let us seal this contract... properly."
She stepped forward—close enough that I could feel the chill radiating from her skin—and raised her right hand, placing it over her own chest.
Her very naked chest.
Oh no.
"Place your right hand on my chest," she instructed, voice carrying that dangerous amusement again. "And I'll place mine on yours. That's how this binding completes."
My brain flatlined.
Error 404: Yuuto.exe has stopped responding.
WHAT.
WHAT?!
She's naked. She wants me to put my hand on HER chest. Her NAKED chest. While she puts her hand on MY chest. This is—this is—
I saw the gleam intensify in her eyes. She was ENJOYING this. She was testing me. Seeing if the "composed Knight" would finally crack like a fucking egg.
Well CONGRATULATIONS TIAMAT, I'M CRACKING. INTERNALLY. LIKE AN EGG IN A HYDRAULIC PRESS.
But I'd rather spontaneously combust than give her the satisfaction of watching me completely lose it.
I raised my right hand, keeping my eyes locked on hers with the determination of someone who'd rather fight Upper Rank One again than deal with this absolute nightmare scenario.
Don't look down. Eyes on hers. Just... just do it quickly and get this over with.
"Ready," I said, voice only slightly strangled.
Tiamat's smile turned absolutely wicked. "Are you?"
She stepped closer—so close I could feel the cold aura washing over me like winter wind, close enough that I could count individual strands of that pale blue hair.
Then she moved.
Her right hand pressed against my chest—palm flat, fingers spread slightly, cold enough that I felt it even through my shirt. The contact sent a jolt of magical energy through my entire body like grabbing a live wire.
But that wasn't even the main problem.
The main problem was that my hand was now hovering in the air between us, and she was waiting, and I had to—
Fuck my life. Fuck this entire situation.
I pressed my right hand against her chest.
Soft. Warm despite the cold aura. My entire face went supernova hot.
ABORT. ABORT. BRAIN SHUTTING DOWN. EMERGENCY PROTOCOLS FAILING.
Don't think about it. Don't think about where your hand is. Don't think about the fact that she's STILL NAKED and you're literally—
"What an Honorable knight" Tiamat observed, barely containing laughter. "How amusing"
I'm going to die. Not from dragon fire. From sheer embarrassment. My tombstone will read "Here lies Yuuto Kiba, killed by awkward physical contact with a naked Dragon King."
The magic circle expanded, encompassing both of us. Power sank into my being—heavy, absolute, binding itself to my soul like a brand made of pure contract law.
But Tiamat didn't step back.
She leaned in slightly, still maintaining that hand contact, breath cold against my ear. "You know, most beings would have fainted by now. Or combusted. Or at least broken eye contact."
Her voice carried genuine amusement. "But you maintained composure the entire time. Either you have incredible discipline, or you're far more innocent than you appear. Which is it, I wonder?"
NEITHER. I'M JUST STUBBORN AND REFUSING TO GIVE YOU THE SATISFACTION OF WATCHING ME LOSE IT COMPLETELY.
"The binding is complete," Tiamat finally said, stepping back.
And—thank every deity in every pantheon—clothing materialized on her body. Navy blue skirt, matching top, all in deep blue tones that complemented her hair and eyes.
THANK YOU. CLOTHED DRAGON KING. SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, feeling like I'd just survived a different kind of death threat.
Tiamat actually laughed—a sound like wind chimes made of ice and schadenfreude. "Oh, that was delightful. The look on your face was worth the transformation alone."
"Glad I could be... entertaining," I managed, face still burning hot enough to forge swords on.
"You were." She waved her hand dismissively. "One month, Knight of Gremory. Bring me the Boosted Gear wielder, or return to face consequences. And ensure he understands this isn't a social visit. I will have words with Ddraig. As for our contract, I'll set you free when you bring him here, it's a word from the Chaos Karma Dragon"
Unlike Selfish human bastards, a word of dragon was far more trustworthy.
"Understood."
"Good." Her expression shifted to something more businesslike. "Now leave my territory. Follow the main passage back. Don't deviate, don't touch anything, and don't return without the Boosted Gear wielder."
"Yes, Tiamat-sama." I bowed respectfully. "Thank you for... not killing me."
"Not killing you yet," she corrected with a smile. "The month isn't over. Though I must say, watching Ddraig's face when his current wielder brings him here will be satisfying. Almost as satisfying as your expression during that binding ceremony."
She's never letting me live that down, is she?
"Now go before I decide to test your composure further."
I didn't need to be told twice. Bowing once more, I turned and walked toward the passage with measured steps—not running, because running showed fear, but definitely moving with purpose.
As I reached the tunnel entrance, Tiamat's voice called out:
"Oh, and Knight of Gremory?"
I paused, glancing back.
Those dark blue eyes gleamed with amusement "You handled yourself better than most beings with centuries of experience. Perhaps you're more interesting than you appear."
She paused, smirk widening "If you bring him before the month ends" She leaned forward as they juggled in the air "I might let you touch them"
With that offer, hanging in the air, she waved her hand. A gentle force pushed me forward, and suddenly I was at the cave entrance—the same place my familiar had led me.
The oppressive weight of Tiamat's presence faded, replaced by a normal magical forest atmosphere.
I leaned against a tree, arms shaking as the adrenaline crash hit.
Holy shit. I just negotiated with a Dragon King. Made a magical contract with Tiamat. Promised to bring Issei to her within a month.
I shook my head violently, trying to dislodge certain images before they became permanently burned into my brain.
Focus. Priorities. I'm alive. That's what matters. No Nine-Headed Hydra for now, but I'm alive and Tiamat won't murder me or my peerage for the next month.
Now I just had to convince Issei to voluntarily meet an angry Dragon King.
And never, EVER tell anyone about that binding ceremony.
Especially not Rias.
I pushed off the tree and started back through the forest.
"Sorry for the delay, everyone. Got lost, couldn't find the stronger familiar, definitely didn't almost die meeting a Dragon King. How's Asia's familiar search going?"
Yeah. That would work.
My life had just gotten significantly more complicated.
And significantly more embarrassing.
But hey, at least I was alive to be embarrassed about it.
. . .
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