DxD: The Dragon Oppai {Chapter 186: Azi Dahaka! ] (Patreon)

Sona frowned, her concern deepening. "I hope not... She's the White Dragon Empress. It would be exceptionally challenging to face off against a wielder of a heavenly dragon if she's indeed on their side. And if that's the case, it implies Tiamat is involved too."

Tsubasa offered a suggestion. "Do you think Issei-kun intends to confront them? He knows the identity of the Sekiryuutei... Perhaps he wants to protect him from their clutches?"

Rias sighed, her expression filled with uncertainty. "I don't know for certain, but I agree with Sona. We must report this to the Maou. Despite Issei's wishes, we can't turn a blind eye to such a grave situation."

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Outside of Kuoh Academy

Once they had intercepted Ingvild, the trio walked beyond the school's front gate, stepping into the open air. Issei quickly scanned their surroundings, ensuring that no prying eyes were watching them. He then turned to Saji, his tone serious. "Just to be absolutely clear... you didn't divulge any information to them, right?"

Saji shook his head, his expression resolute. "No, Issei. You were right. It would only put them in danger. They don't know about Ophis or my involvement."

"Why the hell did you even come to school today?" Issei growled, his frustration evident.

"I didn't have a choice. If I hadn't shown up for our peerage meeting, they would have suspected something was wrong, and that would have made things even more dangerous for them," Saji defended himself, attempting to justify his actions.

Issei sighed and shook his head. "Well, we'll have to discuss some things when we get back to my house."

Saji nodded, expressing remorse. "I'm sorry, Issei..."

"Let's find some cover so I can open a portal," Issei suggested wearily, leading them toward a nearby side street. As they navigated a few blocks away from the school, their attention was drawn to a stranger who appeared out of place.

All three of them regarded the man with curiosity. He seemed oddly familiar and emitted a distinct draconic aura. Issei instinctively raised his guard, studying the approaching individual intently.

The man had medium-length dark brownish hair, fiery red eyes, and a slightly darker complexion than most people. His attire, while seemingly ordinary, had a foreign quality to it.

Notably, his shirt bore an unusual script. Issei couldn't recognize the language, but it resembled Middle Eastern origins.

"Do you recognize this guy or the language on his shirt, Ddraig? He gives off the scent of a dragon I've encountered before," Issei inquired.

"Yes... that's Azi Dahaka. I almost forgot what his human form looked like beneath the mask. Don't let his lack of intimidation fool you, though. Azi is highly mentally unstable and incredibly powerful," Ddraig responded, caution lacing his voice.

Issei immediately tensed up. "Wait... so this is the same Azi Dahaka we encountered the other night? He looks like a teenager. And is that language on his shirt Persian? Can you decipher it? Any idea why he's here?"

"It's technically Persian, but not a modern version. It appears to be Avestan, an ancient Persian language—one of the oldest in the world, in fact. While I can only grasp fragments of its meaning, I do recognize the characters in the center. They spell 'Angra Mainyu'," Ddraig explained.

"What is Angra Mainyu?" Issei queried, seeking clarification.

"He... or rather, it is Azi Dahaka's father. Angra Mainyu, also known as Ahriman, was a deity associated with darkness, chaos, and other unpleasant aspects. I don't have much information beyond that, but I believe Tiamat could provide extensive insight. I vaguely recall her rambling about it when we were friends, although I wasn't paying much attention," Ddraig elaborated.

The stranger approached, coming to a halt just a meter away. Saji's anxiety heightened, and Issei was certain that Vritra must have already informed him about the man's identity.

"I would like to have a conversation with you, Issei Hyoudou," Azi spoke up, taking a few steps closer. Saji and Ingvild visibly tensed, but Issei maintained his composure, meeting the dragon's gaze head-on.

"If you're here, does that mean Ophis is with you?" Issei asked, his tone serious.

Azi shook his head, dispelling the notion. "No... I came on my own. The others have gone to retrieve Jormungandr, the Midgard Serpent, from Loki. My purpose here is to ask some questions and share information that you both should be aware of."

"So, is this some sort of sales pitch to persuade us to join your side?" Issei sighed, skeptical.

Azi shook his head once again. "No, it's more personal than that. You deserve answers, and I, too, am interested in learning more about you. This is simply an opportunity for a conversation."

"I find it surprising how composed he is right now. Azi Dahaka isn't known for his rationality or calm demeanor. But it might be worth giving him a chance to speak. Of course, it could also backfire if he says the wrong thing," Ddraig remarked, noting the unusual behavior.

"At this point, I don't even care if someone is watching us. They can see for themselves that I'm not aligning with Ophis," Issei thought to himself, his resolve firm.

"Alright, go ahead and ask your questions, Azi Dahaka," Issei consented, his tone steady.

"Tell me, Crimson Nightmare Dragon, what is your origin? I asked Tiamat and Vali, and to my surprise, neither of them knew. They mentioned that you have a dragon father. Who is he?" Azi inquired, his curiosity laced with calmness.

"Does it really matter? And why is my father of any concern to you?" Issei responded defensively.

Azi gazed at him for a moment before looking into the distance, lost in thought. "I suppose it doesn't truly matter, but I wanted to understand your origins. You are of Japanese descent, like Orochi, but neither he nor I could identify many powerful dragons from the Far East who could have been your father. Orochi speculated that your father might be Gozuryu, the dragon of Enoshima. Tiamat suggested that your dragon father could be from the Americas, which is why she didn't recognize him. She believes he might be Amaru from the Incan religion. Amaru was known for traversing between worlds and opening portals at will, much like your own powers. Apophis and I have come up with another possibility... We believe your father could be the horned dragon Pakhangba from India. It matches the red and gold colors described by Tiamat, as well as the advanced illusions that you possess. Pakhangba was also known for protecting weaker beings and was certainly powerful enough to have fathered someone like you. Notably, Pakhangba has been missing, which seems rather convenient."