The Red Hope (Highschool DxD AU)

"What's the deal?"

It took some time before the embrace ended, and he was once again the calm and composed Dad I knew.

"Right... so we must talk..."

We were silent for some time. Then, quite suddenly, "Millicas, you knew about the Red Dragon Emperor, right? How he is becoming famous?"

"Just the other day Grandmom took me to watch his premiere show at the theater. She even got me his figurine!"

"Well, uh... that's nice. Say, if this Sekiryuutei and Satan Red were to be pitted against each other, which do you think will win?"

Oh, so you still remember it, huh, Dad?

Satan Red was a character I used to like when I was littler; but now I knew that it was probably him playing it out for me. He is, after all, the 'Crimson Satan'.

So it was like, "Hey, son, what's the deal? Who will win: I, the Maou, or that country bumpkin?"

I smiled bravely and said it, loud and clear:

"The Sekiryuutei, I'm sure!"

Yes. Even though he's strong, the Maou's never really been there for me, all this years. My accepting his apology doesn't mean letting his errors just slip--unless he could prove himself one more time.

So what of the country bumpkin? I've seen him. I knew he would have been nice to me, and he is in the service of someone I love. For the moment, this is where my support lay.

Hearing my response, Dad's expression seemed to freeze.

"...I see."

"The Sekiryuutei's been through a lot of Rating Games, that's what made him strong!"

"Will you believe me if I say Satan Red might someday beat this current champion of Lilith?"

"Well that remains to be seen. This Satan Red, as far as I know, has had no Games at all."

"Oh? But his team is strong, you once said so."

"You asked about Satan Red alone, so that was my answer. If it's about teams, well... yes, perhaps the Sekiryuutei won't be a match."

"I see." There was a strange glow in his eyes as he said this.

Hmm... knowing Dad, I hope I haven't taunted him into anything rash...