Inside the dim interior of a love hotel, Issei held Akeno tightly in his arms. He pressed a deep kiss against her crimson lips while his hands roamed downward, firmly kneading the soft curves of her rear.
"Hngh..." Akeno let out a soft, airy moan. Her large, misty eyes fluttered, clearly yearning for something more.
Issei pushed her back onto the bed, hovering over her with a dominant air.
"Akeno..."
"Issei-kun..."
Clink!
Just as they were about to cross the final threshold, a silver magic circle suddenly manifested beside them.
A miniature-sized Grayfia Lucifuge opened her eyes, only to freeze at the ambiguous sight of Issei pinning Akeno down. Grayfia's usually stoic, doll-like face erupted in a deep crimson flush—the sight was, quite frankly, incredibly moe.
Grayfia seemed at a complete loss for words. On the other hand, Issei felt a surge of pure irritation; he was reaching his limit with these constant interruptions during his "good moments." He knew Grayfia hadn't done it on purpose, but the frustration remained.
Akeno suddenly pushed Issei away, smoothing her clothes and looking at Grayfia with a gentle expression, acting as if nothing had happened at all.
"Grayfia-san, is something the matter?" Akeno asked.
Grayfia composed herself, struggling to hide the lingering blush on her cheeks.
"Ahem! There is an emergency. Sirzechs Lucifer requested that I contact you immediately, Issei-san."
"Me? What happened?"
Grayfia's expression turned grim.
"It appears that villains from another world have slipped into this realm and joined forces with someone from ours. According to the latest intel, they have successfully brought the wielder of the Holy Spear over to their side."
"What? They took down Cao Cao? Is this information reliable?!"
Grayfia nodded solemnly.
"We've received confirmation from Mount Meru."
"Mount Meru... I see. So, what do you need me to do?"
Grayfia glanced toward Akeno.
"Issei-san, you are requested to come to the Underworld immediately. I am truly sorry for intruding upon your... private time."
Her apology was sincere, filled with a regret that words could barely describe.
Akeno bit her lower lip with a wry, bittersweet smile.
Seeing her like that, Issei considered refusing the call to the Underworld, but his mind changed the moment Akeno gave him a small, supportive nod.
"Are you sure?"
"If the situation is truly that dire, you have to go. We can save... this... for later," Akeno replied understandingly.
"Akeno..." Touched by her selflessness, Issei leaned in to kiss her forehead. "Alright. We'll save the best for later. I'll talk to Rias Gremory afterward; I'm sure she'll understand."
"Mm... Issei-kun, I love you."
"I love you too."
The two shared a gaze full of affection. Standing nearby, Grayfia didn't know where to look. Their sweet moment made her feel a pang of envy. She had a partner too, though their relationship was currently so strained they might as well have been strangers.
"I'll head over after I drop Akeno off at home. Just wait for me there."
Grayfia snapped out of her thoughts at Issei's statement.
"Understood. I shall wait for you."
The magic circle flickered and died, and the tiny Grayfia vanished from sight.
"Issei-kun, I can head home on my own," Akeno offered.
Issei gave her a gentle smile and teased, "Do you want to go home via a teleportation circle, or walk back with me?"
Akeno's eyes widened in surprise before her cheeks flushed.
"I'd prefer the second option."
"Heh, then let's go."
Issei took Akeno's hand, and they walked out of the love hotel under the bewildered gaze of the receptionist.
The moment they arrived home, Akeno was immediately intercepted by Rias and the others.
"Rias, I'm heading out."
"Eh? Where are you going?!"
Issei simply waved his hand at Rias before being swallowed by a teleportation circle.
"Akeno, what's going on with Issei?"
"Today wasn't exactly what you think... we were interrupted twice right when we were about to do it."
"Twice? By whom?"
"First by a maid at the restaurant we visited. Then by your family's head maid, Grayfia-san. Right now, Issei should be arriving in the Underworld."
"...Did something happen?"
Rias's tone shifted to one of dead seriousness.
Akeno nodded softly.
"I don't know the details, but it's clear that something bad is brewing. Rias, we should prepare for any possibility."
"I know."
Elsewhere, within the Dimensional Gap, Rizevim Livan Lucifer and Feldway stood at a distance, observing the massive silhouette of Great Red.
"The True Dragon, Great Red. He is the pinnacle of power in this world. Even Ophis ranks below him," Rizevim explained to Feldway.
Looking at Great Red, Feldway felt as though he could sense the majesty of his own master. A daring, reckless thought crossed Feldway's mind: If I can do something about Great Red, perhaps Veldanava can be brought back to life.
It was a wild gamble, a mere crackpot theory, but he desperately wanted to confirm it for himself.
Whatever Feldway was planning, it boded ill for the DxD world. He would have to be stopped before his ambitions spiraled out of control.
To be continued...