"Excuse me… what's going on here? I seem to be a key player in all this." Arthas, watching the three girls chattering amongst themselves, to
"Excuse me… what's going on here? I seem to be a key player in all this."
Arthas, watching the three girls chattering amongst themselves, touched his nose and asked with a wry smile.
"Then let me explain."
Curtsying gracefully, displaying the perfect demeanor of a refined maid, Grayfia began.
"As Arthas is the familiar of both Miss Rias and Miss Souna, you understand their identities, yes? Miss Rias is the first in line to inherit the Gremory family, and Miss Souna is the first in line to inherit the Sitri family. Furthermore, Miss Rias's brother and Miss Souna's sister are Lucifer and Leviathan, two of the Four Great Satan Kings. It's not an exaggeration to call them princesses of the Underworld."
Arthas nodded in understanding.
"The reason Miss Rias acted so impulsively is because the Lord Phenex proposed marriage."
"A proposal… If Rias didn't want it, why not refuse? Lucifer's family wouldn't lack the courage to do so, would they?"
Arthas was puzzled and curious. Why make such a fuss over a simple refusal? If Lord Lucifer refused, the Phenex family wouldn't dare object, would they?
"That's true, but the Phenex family head and Lord Lucifer are long-time friends. It's a matter of face… and the Phenex family's third son is a promising devil, ranking highly in the Underworld ranking games. He's not someone completely unworthy of Miss Rias."
Grayfia explained earnestly, but Rias showed no signs of accepting this.
"I don't like him, that's all. I don't care how excellent he is. The Underworld is full of excellent devils. Does that mean I should marry just anyone who proposes? Besides, that Phenex third son is a shameless lecher. Just look at what he does with his familiars!"
"Cough…cough…cough… The Phenex family's third son's behavior is questionable, but I imagine he'd become more restrained after marriage?"
"I don't care! I don't like him. Let my brother and father marry him if they want."
"Should a daughter's and sister's happiness be sacrificed for the sake of face? The Gremory family and Lord Lucifer are no better than that?"
Arthas interjected, surprising Grayfia, who seemed angered by his criticism of the Gremory family and Lord Lucifer.
"Retract your words! You have no right to judge the Gremory family or Lord Lucifer!"
"What? Are you angry because I hit a nerve? I don't think I said anything wrong. The Gremory family and Lord Lucifer's actions are pathetic. As one of the Four Great Satan Kings, Lucifer can't even protect his own sister? Don't make me laugh."
"Arthas…"
Rias, touched but worried, gently shook Arthas. She knew he was doing this for her. She had been secretly saddened for a long time by her brother's decision.
But as a Gremory family maid, having served Lord Lucifer for generations, Grayfia wouldn't allow Arthas to defame her brother.
Sure enough, maintaining her cold demeanor, Grayfia attacked without warning. Just as Rias moved to protect Arthas, he pushed her aside.
"What… Can't win with words, so you resort to violence? That's not the behavior of a perfect maid… Miss Grayfia."
A cold aura accompanied Arthas's slightly flippant words, echoing in the room. Grayfia, wielding a silver short blade, was slightly surprised.
She hadn't intended to kill him, only to teach him a lesson, but she never expected her attack to be blocked.
A jet-black double-bladed greatsword, its blade etched with unknown runes, appeared in Arthas's hand. He wielded the oversized greatsword with one hand, in a position defying human anatomy, blocking Grayfia's short blade.
"Interesting… Is that your divine artifact?"
Grayfia showed interest in Arthas's weapon.
Potential was potential; it never equaled actual strength. No matter how much potential Arthas possessed, his current strength was more convincing.
The Gremory family and Lord Lucifer might consider potential, but it wouldn't truly move them. However, undeniable strength would change the outcome significantly.
A newcomer with immense, even frightening potential, possessing undeniable strength—that would be a powerful bargaining chip.
"Yes, my divine artifact, Frostmourne… My apologies, Miss Grayfia."
Arthas said with a faint smile, a demeanor both Rias and Souna found unfamiliar.
Was this the same dull, speechless Arthas who allowed them to do as they pleased?
"No apologies. A powerful divine artifact. Its aura commands respect and fear, perhaps rivaling the legendary Divine Destruction-class artifacts."
Sensing the overwhelming destructive power emanating from Frostmourne, Grayfia exclaimed. Perhaps she had underestimated Arthas when Rias revealed his reincarnation using eleven pieces, but now, having felt the power of his divine artifact firsthand, her attitude had completely changed.
Perhaps… he could indeed make the Gremory family change their mind and refuse the Phenex family's proposal?
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