"By the way, partner, a heads-up," Ddraig said.
"If Albion hadn't been stuck with a host as useless as mine was, he'd likely be awake by now."
"From our past clashes, I'd bet this generation's Albion host has already mastered the Balance Breaker."
Ddraig didn't elaborate on the Balance Breaker or question Roy's knowledge of his prior host, Hyoudou Issei.
To a Sacred Gear, such details were irrelevant—only the host's ability to wield it mattered.
Roy's skill in extracting the Boosted Gear implied he understood advanced concepts like the Balance Breaker, sparing Ddraig the need for basic explanations.
"Vali Lucifer, this generation's White Dragon Emperor? He's a real threat," Roy added.
Vali far outshone Issei's initial mediocrity.
Gifted and driven, Vali was deemed the strongest White Dragon Emperor ever by Azazel.
By now, barring story disruptions, Vali had likely mastered the Balance Breaker and was working toward the Juggernaut Drive.
Roy felt the weight of the challenge.
Even with his full arsenal, including the Boosted Gear's nine boosts, he doubted he could match Vali's current power.
The Balance Breaker, a Sacred Gear's ultimate state, granted temporary strength rivaling a Satan-class.
Roy was far from that level.
"Feeling the pressure, partner?" Ddraig asked, sensing Roy's unease.
As a Sacred Gear fueled by the host's will, he was attuned to emotional shifts.
"He's strong, no doubt. But give me time, and I'll surpass him," Roy sighed, tone slightly cold.
"That's the spirit worthy of my host," Ddraig chuckled heartily.
"If I'm right, Albion's already sensed my awakening," Ddraig added, his voice turning serious.
An early awakening allowed a Heavenly Dragon to hone their host's power and detect their rival's activation.
Roy's acquisition of the Boosted Gear had triggered this connection.
"Time's tight, then," Roy said, his eyes alight with confidence and anticipation.
"I don't know this generation's White Dragon Emperor, but you'd better power up fast and unlock the Balance Breaker," Ddraig urged.
"If he comes knocking, you'll need enough strength to hold your own."
Burdened by Issei's dormancy, Ddraig's awakening had lagged behind Albion's.
Roy's strength, while impressive, paled against Vali's.
Historically, hosts sometimes tried to eliminate their rival early, but Red Dragon Emperor's and White Dragon Emperor's awakenings were usually close enough in timing that neither could dominate.
This generation's gap, however, was unprecedented, with Vali far ahead.
"Don't worry, Ddraig. Vali won't take me out."
By the time Vali confronted him, Roy's Dimensional Points would likely have doubled, expanding his replication options.
Worst case, he could go to another world, master Balance Breaker, and return ready to fight.
"Stay sharp, regardless," Ddraig laughed, sensing Roy's confidence.
He didn't pry into its source—Roy's ability to match a Middle-Class at his age hinted at secrets Ddraig, had no interest in uncovering.
With that, Ddraig fell silent.
The room quieted, save for Roy's steady breathing.
"White Dragon Emperor, huh?" Roy murmured, lounging on the sofa with his eyes closed.
Snatching the Boosted Gear from Issei had inherited its rivalry with the White Dragon Emperor.
But Roy wasn't overly concerned about Vali.
Vali fixated on worthy opponents.
Based on Roy's knowledge of DxD, Vali would likely dismiss Roy's current strength, perhaps even granting him time to grow—a twisted take on a three-year duel trope.
Even if the story shifted and Vali came early with a changed demeanor, Roy had an escape: world travel via the system.
"System, how many Dimensional Points for world travel?" Roy asked mentally.
[Each travel consumes 100,000 Dimensional Points and is random.]
"Random?" Roy's mouth twitched.
"What about returning to this world?"
[DxD is your designated main world, with fixed coordinates.]
[Traveling to other worlds costs Dimensional Points, but returning here is free.]
[Revisiting a previously visited world also incurs no cost after setting its coordinates.]
Read advance chapters at:
200 Stones = 1 chapter
400 Stones = 2 chapter