"Gwahahaha! Your name is Issei, right? Care to go a round with me?" Veldora appeared out of thin air, his entire being shrouded in an absurd, overwhelming amount of magicules.
Issei simply smiled.
"If I recall correctly, your name is Veldora, isn't it? One of the four True Dragons of this world."
"Hahaha! As expected of me! To think my fame has even reached those from another world!" Veldora puffed out his muscular chest with immense pride.
"I told you, that's not it!" Rimuru snapped, landing a sharp smack on Veldora's side.
"Wait, really?"
"Of course! You two just met today. There's no way he'd know about you naturally!"
"Oh... I see." Veldora's excitement deflated instantly, letting out a heavy, dejected sigh.
"You two are certainly close," Issei remarked.
"Now that you mention it, I suppose we are best friends," Rimuru replied with a satisfied smile.
Hearing that, Veldora puffed his chest out once more, looking visibly proud that someone else recognized his deep bond with Rimuru. Issei chuckled, his gaze lingering casually on the True Dragon.
"I don't mind sparring with you. After all, my partner is also curious about the strength of a True Dragon from another world."
"Partner?"
"Ah, I forgot to introduce him to you all. Ddraig, it's your time to shine."
Flash!
In an instant, the Boosted Gear manifested on Issei's left arm. Veldora narrowed his eyes, while Rimuru felt a visible shiver run down his spine from the sheer power radiating from the gauntlet.
"Hahaha! My name is Ddraig. I am this man's partner and one of the two Heavenly Dragons of the DxD World." Ddraig's voice boomed, its resonance vibrating through the very depths of Rimuru's soul.
"Why is there another entity inside your left arm? And a 'Heavenly Dragon'? I've never heard of such a dragon race before." Cold sweat trickled down Rimuru's cheek.
The fact that Rimuru can sweat like a human despite being a slime is strange indeed, but that's just how he is.
"If you've never heard of it, then it simply means there are no Heavenly Dragons in your world."
"Ugh, fair point."
"Ddraig, what about you? Are you the strongest in the DxD World?" Veldora asked, his curiosity peaked.
"Hahaha! If I were the strongest, do you think I would end up looking like this?"
"Ah, you're right. I can only sense your soul... what happened to your physical body?"
"It was destroyed long ago by the Gods, Fallen Angels, and Devils."
"Eh? How could you be defeated?" Veldora leaned in, looking more enthusiastic by the second.
Rather than making the situation more complicated, the circumstances seemed to align perfectly. Being fellow dragons, the two hit it off instantly. It was a rare stroke of luck for Veldora, whose only draconic 'company' had been his two terrifying older sisters; meeting another dragon with power that could rival his own filled him with an irrepressible excitement.
Issei and Rimuru, sensing Veldora's joy, simply stepped back and let him chat with Ddraig. However, Rimuru couldn't help but eavesdrop, his curiosity getting the better of him. Even the Tempest Executives were straining their ears, maintaining a respectful distance while trying to catch every word.
Ddraig began recounting his legendary battles against Albion. Veldora grew even more animated as he heard how Ddraig and Albion fought against the combined forces of Gods, Fallen Angels, and Devils. Even though the fight ended in their defeat, their tale had become a living legend.
Rimuru reacted when Ddraig mentioned names he recognized—specifically deities from Japanese mythology.
"Wait... so the Gods Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo actually exist?"
Issei nodded gently. "They do. Though I haven't met them personally."
"Why not? Don't you live in Japan?"
"Each mythology has its own domain located in a different dimension. For the longest time, it was impossible for a Devil to enter the territory of another mythology, especially one ruled by a God."
"That makes sense."
"But that's an old story now. These days, Devils can travel to other mythological realms—or even Heaven—as long as they consult with the Heavenly administrators first."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you remember the Angel who came with me?"
Rimuru nodded.
"Why do you think an Angel and a Devil can walk side-by-side like that?"
"Is it because... you've formed an alliance?"
Issei gave another subtle nod.
Rimuru took a sip of his green tea, held his breath for a moment, and then sighed. "Maybe I shouldn't say this, but your world is seriously weird."
"Hahaha! Isn't yours the same?"
"So far, the Devils and Angels here haven't shown any intention of forming an alliance."
Issei blinked, then flashed a mysterious smile. "Not yet. But in the future? Who knows?"
Rimuru fell silent for a moment. "For some reason, I get the feeling you already know exactly what's going to happen to my world."
Issei maintained a relaxed, perfect poker face, making it impossible for Rimuru to truly doubt him.
"Is that your assumption, or an assumption made by your Skill?"
Rimuru's gaze sharpened. He remained silent and took another sip of his tea. "Just as I thought. You know way too much about me."
Issei's mysterious smile didn't fade.
Finally, Rimuru exhaled, relaxing his posture. "Forget it. I don't sense any malice from you anyway."
Rimuru simply waved, and shortly after, Shuna arrived carrying a bottle of wine, elegantly pouring it into the glasses set before Issei and Rimuru.
"This is a new product. I can guarantee the taste," he said.
"Hahaha! This is what I've been waiting for—"
CRASH!
Issei's glass shattered into a thousand sparkling shards.
Both Issei and Rimuru froze, turning their heads in unison to see Rias standing there. She was smiling sweetly, but a terrifying aura of Destruction was radiating from her curvaceous body.
"No drinking until you're twenty, remember?"
"Ah... you're right, Rias."
Rimuru nodded rapidly in agreement, not daring to say a word.
To be continued...Anvanced Chapter p*tre*n.com/AgamYupi02