Chapter 110 – Meeting the In-Laws!
Under Grayfia's guidance, Shin Akira sat across from the man and woman who were the head and lady of the Gremory household.
The atmosphere… was oddly familiar.
It felt just like that unspoken rite of passage—when a potential son-in-law sits face-to-face with the parents of his girlfriend, under the silent weight of judgment.
Akira was confident in many things, but this was still his first time experiencing something like this. A trace of awkwardness was inevitable.
"A few days from now, there will be a grand banquet at the Devil Castle. You've heard about it, haven't you?" Zeoticus Gremory asked in a warm tone, though there was meaning layered beneath his words.
He had been away from the Gremory estate precisely to oversee preparations for this event.
This banquet wasn't just any social gathering—it would be a grand affair attended by the most prominent noble houses of the Underworld.
The Four Great Satans themselves would be present, and several important announcements were set to be made during the occasion.
As head of the Gremory family and a central figure in the Underworld's power structure, Zeoticus was naturally among those leading the planning meetings.
"Yes, Azazel told me about it," Akira replied politely.
"You'll be attending as the Gremory family's prospective son-in-law, and you'll remain by Rias' side throughout the evening. I expect you not to disgrace our family name."
"Of course. Please rest assured, Father. Personally, I believe that among the current generation of young devils, there isn't a single one who can stand on equal footing with me."
Zeoticus laughed heartily.
"True enough. To have reached Maou-class strength at such a young age… even Sirzechs couldn't match that when he was your age."
It wasn't empty flattery—he spoke from fact.
Back then, Sirzechs was indeed considered a prodigy, but at fifteen he was still only at the upper ranks of a High-class Devil. He reached the peak of High-class at seventeen—a feat so remarkable that the Underworld dubbed him its "Rising Star."
Akira, however, was something else entirely. His growth was extraordinary, and—perhaps more impressively—he had never undergone the Devil Reincarnation process.
Zeoticus recalled what Sirzechs had told him: Akira was still technically human, and he had flatly refused any offer to reincarnate as a devil.
As a father, Zeoticus didn't particularly care about race or status… but the fleeting lifespan of a human was another matter entirely.
"Shin Akira, there's one thing I'd like to discuss with you," he said slowly.
"Please, Father. I'm listening."
"It's true—you're strong. Young, yet already beyond the reach of most living beings. But precisely because of that… your one glaring weakness as a human stands out."
"You're suggesting that I should undergo Devil Reincarnation?"
"I'm not suggesting it. I'm merely voicing a father's concern. Rias is only just entering adulthood. It would be a tragedy if she were to lose her life partner simply because of a human's short lifespan."
Zeoticus' voice softened—not as the head of a noble house, but as a father speaking about his precious daughter.
"I appreciate your concern, Father. But… you don't need to worry. I may be human, but I'm no ordinary one. My lifespan… will not end at a mere hundred years."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"It is. I value my life greatly. In the future, I plan to seize power, wealth, and love. How could I possibly allow myself to fade into dust at the end of a mortal's clock?"
Zeoticus burst into laughter.
"Good! In that case, I won't pry into your personal secrets."
"Thank you for your understanding, Father."
They exchanged smiles. On the side, Venelana—who had been quietly observing—also let her lips curl into a genuine smile. She knew her husband had just accepted Akira as part of the family.
Personally, she already held a favorable impression of him.
A handsome face, overwhelming power, limitless potential, and a sharp understanding of social grace and etiquette.
Some time ago, she had even asked a servant to bring back a book from the human world—a light novel titled My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected, authored by Akira himself.
Though it was "just" a light novel, Venelana had been pleasantly surprised by the depth and elegance of its portrayal of human relationships.
If Akira and Rias were to marry and lead the Gremory family together one day… the future of their house would be brighter than ever.
Akira, of course, had no idea that his standing in his future mother-in-law's eyes had skyrocketed… all thanks to a plagiarized work he'd brought from another world.
After a bit more casual conversation, the first official meeting between future son-in-law and in-laws ended on an extremely positive note.
— — —
When Akira left the room, Zeoticus glanced at Grayfia.
"Grayfia, what do you think of that boy?"
The head maid replied in her usual calm, steady voice.
"Exceptional. Just a few months ago, his strength was only on par with a Mid-class Devil. Now… he's reached a realm that most beings will never touch in their entire lives."
Zeoticus nodded slowly.
"Yes… which is exactly why I'm curious. Just how did he do it…"
His voice carried a faint shadow. He himself had been stuck at the peak of Ultimate-class for decades, yet that final step into Maou-class remained out of reach.
Fortunately, his son—Sirzechs—had long since surpassed him by an overwhelming margin.
"Still not giving up?" Venelana asked, glancing at her husband.
After all these years, she knew his greatest desire wasn't political power… but personal strength.
"Perhaps… there's still a sliver of hope," Zeoticus murmured.
"Don't be reckless. Akira may seem easygoing and friendly… but I can feel his pride. And his relationship with Rias is still unofficial."
"I know. I have no intention of doing anything."
"It's better that way."
Venelana's tone sharpened.
To her, a future son-in-law like Akira was a rare blessing. If her husband ever did something to jeopardize that relationship, she wouldn't hesitate to drag him into the Gremory family's private torture chamber.
— — —
Meanwhile, Akira returned to his room, replaying the meeting with Rias' parents in his mind. For now at least… he'd made a good first impression.
— — —
Far away, in another corner of the world…
A deep explosion rolled through a secluded valley, shaking the earth and sending shockwaves rippling through the air.
Three figures stood at the cliff's edge—two men and one woman.
"Still not coming out? Is he planning to hole up in there forever?" the woman asked, her tone flat yet tinged with impatience.
"Two defeats in a row… that must've been a heavy blow to Vali," the man beside her replied.
"So… the man Shirone chose is that strong?" she asked, narrowing her eyes with interest.
"A real monster," the other man answered. "He beat Vali twice, each time with a different Sacred Gear. That's… not something a normal human could ever achieve."
"So… when he beat Vali, he wasn't even using his Boosted Gear?" the woman muttered, a glimmer of excitement flashing in her eyes.
"Correct. Not even once. That's why Vali's so furious—he felt like he was being underestimated."
The woman's lips curved into a faint smile.
Her eyes now held curiosity… and a hint of desire.
Not long ago, Vali had told her something shocking: his younger sister, Shirone, who had always kept her distance, had finally forgiven him.
And the one responsible… was a certain man.
The same man who had told her to go to Kuoh Town and meet Shirone face-to-face.
She wanted to go—desperately—but there were still missions and personal matters she couldn't abandon. For now, she could only restrain her growing anticipation.
"Soon… we'll meet again, Shirone…"
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