As Issei walked home, deep in thought about his earlier versation with Rias, his emotions were flicted. On one hand, he wao help his friend, but oher, he couldn't go against Rias' orders of non-interference. Asia had already left for his house, and he found himself alone for the first time in a while.

  Suddenly, Issei felt the atmosphere shift around him. His training with Ddraig had sharpened his instincts, especially with the dragon stantly warning him about someone called the "White One." Issei didn’t uand the specifics but ko trust his instincts. He summoned his Boosted Gear and took a bat stance, sing the area warily.

  The sound of s cttering in every dire filled the air. Issei's pulse quied, and in his mind, he shouted, *"Ddraig! Where are you? Help me! I 't tact the others!"*

  But there was no response from Ddraig. Unknown to Issei, the Heavenly Dragon of Domination was trembling in fear, reizing the terrifying mana signature that had trapped them. Ddraig feared that Roxanne had e to punish him for their st enter, still haunted by her previous threat.

  Suddenly, a fireball shot toward Issei, and he narrowly dodged it, only to be met with a sword aimed at him. He mao avoid it, and simir attacks tinued for the few minutes before abruptly stopping.

  Breathing heavily, Issei surveyed his surroundings with heightened vigince. "Who are you, and why are you attag me?" he called out, but his only answer was silence. Just as he prepared to call again, he heard footsteps approag.

  A figure emerged from the shadows. Cloaked in bck with s hanging from her outfit, her every step made the s rattle ominously. Her presence was cold, exuding an aura of death. She stopped just in front of Issei and spoke in a calm, eerie voice.

  "You have good instincts, Red Dragon Emperor, Issei Hyoudou. As for why I attacked you, sider it a trial to see if you survive your destined rivalry."

  Issei, fused and disorieried to piece together her cryptic words. *"Destined rival? What does she mean? And survive what?"* Before he could ask, the figure tinued, "You’d be better off learning about him from your dragon. He knows more about this rivalry than I do."

  She paused, Issei's bewilderment. "I came here to give you some help with your current problem. Your king, Rias, ’t spare the resources for this church situation, so I’ve brought you this." She handed Issei a file. "In it, you’ll find the locations where the swords are most likely hidden. You evehose two exorcists to help if you show them this. As for the Cadre... I'll deal with him myself."

  Issei blinked in disbelief. He was receiving help from this stranger? Why? What was her motive? Almost as if reading his thoughts, the figure replied, "You’re lucky. You have my attention and that of my team."

  Still fused and frustrated by the ck of clear answers, Issei couldn't hold back. "At least tell me your name!"

  The figure hesitated for a moment before spreading her arms wide. "Remember my name, Issei Hyoudou. I am Shaltier, leader and founder of Shadow Garden."

  With that, Shaltier spread her wi pairs in total—unfurling a terrifying, overwhelming aura. For the first time, Issei felt true awe. He had never been this overwhelmed by someone's presenot even his favorite anime characters. In that moment, standing before Shaltier, he felt as if death itself was staring him down.

  As he tried to calm his rag mind, Shaltier observed him with a calm, almost amused expression. "It’s been fun chatting, but I have to leave. If Kokabiel causes any trouble, call me." She threw a card to Issei. "el yito this card, and it will notify me of an emergency. Oh, and if I were you, I’d ask your petty white dragon friend for help with the iigation. And feel free to use my o crify those dots."

  With that, her form disied into a swarm of crows, which scattered into the night, leaving Issei alone ireet. The barrier that had surrounded him vanished, and the world around him returo normal.

  Looking down at the files she had given him, Issei sighed deeply. He began to make his way home, trying to tact Ddraig, who remained eerily quiet.

  Little did Issei know, Shaltier was watg him from a nearby rooftop, her gaze following him as he disappeared into the distance.

  Roxanne POV

  As I watch Issei walk away, I ’t help but be impressed. For someone of his level, dodging my attacks purely on instinct is no small feat. Most low-ranking devils would have been lightly injured or worse, especially without the be of a knight's speed.

  'Ciel, did you hahat dragon?'{Yes, master. I put him through a Tsukuyomi and gave him a sterure, threatening to inform Tiamat of his whereabouts.}

  I smirked at the thought. While I was talking to Issei, I had Ciel deal with Ddraig. That dragon didn’t seem to take my previous warning seriously. What I learned was amusing—he's absolutely terrified of Tiamat. Apparently, Ddraig has nightmares about her taking the Boosted Gear for herself, g it as her treasure.

  'So, Ciel, how's our pn shaping up?'{Master, everything is proceeding smoothly. All that remains is for Kokabiel to make his move, and that will give us the perfect opportunity to draw attention to the uping peace talks.}

  Everything is going acc to pn. Over the years of my travels, I realized that the best way to reveal myself would be as a worldwide merary. So I created my own team, Shadow Garden, and built a global spy work, which Ciel manages expertly. With this work in pce, I have eyes and ears in every er of the world. Thanks to that, I’ve earhe reputation of being "the one who knows all."

  As Shaltier, the leader of Shadow Garden, I’ve made tact with various pantheons, being someohey trust for accurate information a deals. My influence is solid, and the intel I provide is invaluable. Helping Issei in his current situation is just aep in ensuring I’m in a prime position for the peace meeting. After all, stopping a war before it starts practically guarantees my invitation.

  {Master, what should we do about the White Dragon Emperor? He’s likely to interfere at some point.}

  'Let him be, for now, Ciel. He's bound to e for Kokabiel, so g with him is iable. Besides.. ' I chuckle, my eyes gleaming with curiosity. " I’m rather ied iing my family member."

  .

  .

  .

  .

  .

  .

  If you want to read up to 15 advanced chapters go to my Patreon At.

  patreon./Nauty_Manu