Sirzechs wore a mischievous grin, like a child who had successfully pulled off a prank.
Kazuki had expected many things, but never something he had longed for so deeply…
Truly, this man was impossible to resist.
"Yes. It's perfect."
He answered and then turned his gaze to Rias beside him. She had both hands pressed to her mouth, her wide eyes brimming with tears.
"Seems like I'll be able to fulfill my promise sooner than expected. —Rias, will you become my wife?"
"—Yes, I will, Kazuki. I'll be your wife—"
Just as he moved to embrace her,
"Hold it right there, Satan-sama!!"
An angry shout echoed through the venue.
"Please wait, Satan-sama! Even if we were to reluctantly accept that man's promotion, why must it be an engagement with Princess Rias!?"
"Exactly! This is unacceptable!!"
"No, I can't even accept the promotion! Let us witness his strength firsthand!!"
"Is he even truly strong!? Kokabiel and Katerea were just relics, and who knows if the White Dragon Empress was even as powerful as the rumors claimed!?"
Looking around, Kazuki saw young nobles in the crowd voicing their discontent.
Upon closer inspection, they were the same ones who had swarmed Rias the moment she entered the venue—the ones who had been glaring at him with resentment.
"Oh? So you dare question the decision of the Demon King?"
Sirzechs's smile carried a quiet, overwhelming pressure as he observed the dissenting nobles.
Though they faltered for a moment under his gaze, they quickly rallied each other and continued their protests.
"W-We mean no disrespect, but this is too much! Handing Lady Rias to that man… We simply cannot accept it!!"
"Moreover, becoming a high-class devil means joining our ranks as nobility, does it not!?"
"Hmm… Whether you accept it or not is irrelevant… but what say you, Kazuki-kun?"
Sirzechs left the decision to Kazuki.
"It's fine. Even if they won't accept it, they'll at least understand once I show them my strength."
Kazuki scanned the grumbling nobles. 'Thirteen of them, huh?' Knocking them all out would be easy, but leaving behind grudges would be a pain… Alright!
"Lord Gremory, may I?"
He whispered his plan to Lord Zeoticus, seeking permission.
"…Hmph, very well. Do as you please."
Having received the household head's approval, Kazuki nodded.
"I'll be right back."
With the casual tone of someone going for a stroll, he spoke.
"Mhm, go get them."
Rias smiled as she saw him off. Returning her smile, Kazuki leaped down from the balcony.
————
"I'll show you the power you wanted so badly. Follow me."
Kazuki led the noblemen from the venue to the balcony. Rias and the others hurried down as well, but the balcony was already packed with spectators.
"Rias, over here!"
Sona waved at her. As they approached, the crowd parted to let them through, and they regrouped with Sona and her peerage.
On the balcony, aside from the grumbling nobles, were Rias' peerage, Sona's peerage, and Ravel.
"Where's Kazuki?"
"Right there."
Sona pointed toward the sky, where Kazuki soared with his wings spread wide. 'What in the world is he planning…?'
As Rias wondered, Kazuki's body suddenly erupted in a crimson aura, transforming. The crowd buzzed as he donned his Guyver armor.
"That bastard… What the hell does he think he's doing?"
One of the young nobles muttered in irritation. Clearly, they hadn't been told what Kazuki was about to unleash.
Soon, Kazuki hovered motionless in the sky. 'What's his plan? There's nothing ahead but mountains.'
Then, an overwhelming surge of demonic energy erupted from Kazuki, his body radiating blinding light. The next instant—the world turned white.
It was his ultimate attack—[Mega Smasher: Chest Particle Cannon]. A flood of searing light engulfed the surroundings, followed by a deafening explosion.
Grayfia barely managed to erect a barrier in time to shield the hotel, but even then, the shockwave made the shield flicker violently. When the chaos finally subsided, the sight before them left them speechless.
"Th-The Mountains… They're just… gone?"
Someone muttered in disbelief—but it was true. Where a range of 1000-meter peaks once stood, there was now nothing. Only empty air remained.
"This… is even more insane than last time."
Ravel's whisper earned Rias' fervent agreement. Since the battle with stronger foes after the Riser Rating Game, Kazuki had grown far beyond what they'd seen before.
The young nobles, witnessing this power firsthand, could only stand in stunned silence.
"Impossible… What kind of strength is this?"
"Now you understand, don't you? The reason I pushed for his promotion, even as an exception. We can't afford to let power like this go to waste. Are we clear?"
"Y-Yes… As much as it pains me, I have no choice but to acknowledge it."
It seemed they had no choice but to accept Kazuki's might. And not just them—anyone who saw this tonight would have no choice but to recognize it.
The power of Kazuki Fuwa—the man Rias loved.
As he descended, shedding his armor, Rias spread her arms wide to welcome him back.
"Welcome back, Kazuki!"
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