DxD: The Dragon Oppai {Chapter 187: What Are You Then?! ] (Patreon)

"It seems he hasn't heard about my former wielder killing Pakhangba. I hope Ophis doesn't resurrect him... Pakhangba is as strong as a Dragon King," Ddraig commented, sharing his knowledge.

"Whether it's one of them or not, do you really think I would disclose that information to you?" Issei scoffed, his skepticism apparent.

"I suppose you wouldn't, but the evidence suggests that he might be one of them. All three of those dragons were missing during our recruitment," Azi stated with conviction.

"Right," Issei replied flatly, neither confirming nor denying anything.

Azi turned his gaze back to Issei, his question hanging in the air. "My next question is: what are your goals? What do you aspire to achieve as a dragon? I've noticed that you surround yourself with interesting company. Are you similar to Tiamat, seeking to befriend anyone and everyone? Are you gathering shields and allies to protect yourself from ending up as a Sacred Gear?"

"I'm not like Tiamat. I'm just a dragon who wants to live my life on my own terms, free from the shackles of others' expectations. I know how to handle people who overstep their boundaries, but I have no desire to engage in unnecessary fights. I couldn't care less about the politics of the mythological world. Tiamat seems to believe that Ophis has some vested interest in helping dragonkind. She's delusional... and so is anyone who thinks the Dragon Gods care about the mundane affairs of this world," Issei responded firmly, his tone resolute.

Azi's lips curled into a faint smile of approval. "You're astute... I, too, have come to realize that Ophis doesn't truly value our kind. There's more to her than any of us truly comprehend."

"In that case, why do you follow her? What has Ophis offered you in exchange for your allegiance? Power? A promise of revenge? What are your goals? They label you as an evil dragon... is that accurate?" Issei countered, now posing his own question.

"Evil dragon... it's a damning label, but I won't deny its truth. However, if someone or something is condemned as a monster repeatedly, eventually it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The gods themselves branded us as evil, and many of us harbored bitterness and hatred for being hunted down as sport or exterminated due to our chaotic power. Only a few of us have managed to move beyond our past grievances. Nidhoggr, Grendel, and especially Ladon remain unchanged. Others like Apophis, Orochi, and Tiamat have tempered their malevolent nature... but they have now found purpose in Ophis' cause. Crom Cruach follows Ophis merely because she surpasses him in power... we had to coerce both him and Vali to join us. As for myself, I am different. I did seek power and revenge from Ophis, but not for the reasons you might assume. My desire for vengeance is connected to something far greater that I seek from her. I asked her assistance in freeing my father from Cocytus," Azi Dahaka revealed, his words measured and deliberate.

"Your... father? Why is he imprisoned in Cocytus?" Issei couldn't help but inquire, his curiosity piqued.

Saji's expression turned to one of horror upon hearing this revelation, his gaze slowly shifting towards Issei. Despite his evident concern, he remained silent.

"My father is the evil god in the Zoroastrian pantheon, Angra Mainyu. He is also known as Ahriman in other religions and pantheons. As you may be aware, Cocytus is the most severe prison in Hell, reserved for formidable beings deemed too powerful to be slain and too dangerous to be kept elsewhere," Azi explained, shedding light on his father's predicament.

"So, you intend to liberate an evil god from the most formidable prison in Hell? Why? That seems like a perilous undertaking... unless you plan on bringing about the destruction of the world or something," Issei shrugged, unable to comprehend the reasoning behind such a risky endeavor.

Azi let out a weary sigh. "He is not as inherently evil as many people believe... that is merely what the zealous followers of Ahura Mazda proclaimed. My father is the brother of Ahura Mazda, the supreme god in their pantheon. They represent duality and balance, or at least that is what Angra Mainyu has told me. Complete order or complete chaos are both unreasonable states of existence. Both must coexist in harmony for life to thrive. However, the Zoroastrian religion disagreed and painted him as the embodiment of all evil, darkness, and negativity... but these aspects of existence are necessary. A perfect world does not exist, and while many would brand Angra Mainyu as the great deceiver, the truth is quite the opposite. He possesses profound knowledge about this universe—truths that I wish to share. My goals extend far beyond seeking petty vengeance against ignorant gods. I strive to restore my father's name and dismantle the colossal lie that has ensnared all deities."

"So... your father is a god, and you're a dragon? What does that make you?" Issei inquired, attempting to make sense of Azi's unique lineage.

"In a sense, I am also a god," Azi clarified. "Similar to Apophis, I am a hybrid of god and dragon. That is why we possess such immense power compared to our kin. The heavenly dragons, too, are endowed with formidable abilities. However, these distinctions ultimately hold little significance. We are all different manifestations of the same underlying power. Think of it as how various atoms in the material universe combine to form different elements on the periodic table. Most gods are born from the principles of order and divine energy, while most dragons originate from chaos, entropy, and remnants of creation. Some of us are born with a fusion of both."

Issei's curiosity piqued further as he asked, "What about giants then? How do they fit into this intricate web of beings?"