The air felt heavy. Silence filled the room, broken only by the crackling of the flames surrounding Riser.
Soon, a tearing sound disrupted the stillness: two massive wings burst from Daniel's back. The duel disk on his arm was already glowing as he fixed a cold stare on the blond devil.
Beside him, Issei refused to fall behind. He materialized his gauntlet, though the pressure Riser exerted was overwhelming. Even so, it was nothing compared to the aura the dragon had unleashed the previous time.
Their movements triggered a chain reaction: Kiba had already drawn his sword, Koneko cracked her knuckles, and Akeno's hands sparked with lightning. Even Asia stepped forward as everyone slowly surrounded the blond.
Riser looked at them with a mix of surprise and humiliation. Those miserable reincarnated devils dared to challenge him? If he had been annoyed before, now he was seething with rage.
Grayfia, on the other hand, nodded silently, pleased by the loyalty Rias's servants had shown. However, she had no desire for the situation to escalate further and prepared to intervene.
Before she could act, she heard Rias's voice. It didn't sound angry; in fact, Grayfia detected a faint tone of hidden satisfaction.
—"May I take those words as a threat to the Gremory House?"—the redhead asked, her voice calm and cold.
Riser frowned.
—"What?"
Rias continued:
—"Your words… are they backed by the Phenex House, or are they yours alone?"
Riser looked confused. Didn't Rias realize the situation she was in? What was with all these questions?
Grayfia, however, immediately understood what the young woman was planning.
The heiress elegantly crossed her legs and went on:
—"Riser, there's something you seem to misunderstand. It's not me marrying you; it's you marrying into the Gremory House,"—she said, taking a sip of tea.—"No matter what happens, I remain the heir of my family. Being threatened by someone who's supposed to become the 'son-in-law' is a grave offense. I plan to report this disrespect directly to my parents and my brother."
Riser began to understand, but the realization only fueled his anger.
Rias, unshaken, continued:
—"Your arrogance, your lack of tact and grace, only prove that you are unworthy of entering the Gremory family—much less of being my husband."
Grayfia discreetly nodded. It was a masterful political maneuver. Rias's composure wasn't by chance; she had waited for the perfect moment to expose Riser's arrogance and gain a legitimate reason to request the annulment of the engagement.
The silver-haired maid acknowledged the validity of the claim. As the future matriarch of the Gremory House, Rias needed a reliable partner. If her fiancé threatened or harmed her servants out of whim, it would bring shame upon her family's honor.
Riser was disqualified as a candidate, regardless of the marriage's supposed political importance. If his attitude endangered the internal stability of the house, Rias had every right to formally ask the elders of both families to reconsider the arrangement.
Grayfia grew thoughtful. That was unlike Rias's usual demeanor. Who had advised her? Perhaps the Sitri heiress? It was possible, given Sona's political wit. Yet as her gaze drifted across Rias's servants, her eyes paused on the gray-haired young man.
Was it him?
Rias sighed inwardly, struggling to contain her emotions. The plan Daniel had proposed the previous night was working perfectly. Riser's arrogance was well-known within the devil community, so the gray-haired young man decided to use it to their advantage—and it seemed to be working.
The redhead restrained a smile upon seeing Riser's expression. She had never liked the blond; every time they met, she felt he saw her only as a trophy. However, Daniel's words had made her realize something: she held more political and social power within that engagement and could use it to her benefit.
—"Rias! I've never been humiliated like this!"—Riser shouted through gritted teeth.—"Don't think your petty wordplay or complaints to your parents will let you cancel this engagement! It was a deal between our families; you have no say in the matter!"
The mask of elegance cracked. Rias was angry too. She had endured it for the sake of the plan, but Riser truly believed she wouldn't stand up for herself.
—"It doesn't matter what you say! That only proves you're not worthy of marrying me! Admit it, Riser!"—she yelled, her devilish power flaring.
Rias's servants had already surrounded the blond. The air felt charged; a single spark could ignite a battle at any moment.
Grayfia stepped in calmly.
—"Ojou-sama, Riser-sama, please, calm down. If you continue, I'll have no choice but to intervene."
Riser and Rias hesitated but eventually suppressed their power; neither wanted to face the wrath of the strongest "Queen."
—"Everyone knew this was coming,"—Grayfia said evenly.—"Both Sirzechs-sama and the Phenex family were aware this meeting would be a last resort. But since the disagreement persists and no resolution has been reached, a final option has been decided."
—"A final option? What do you mean, Grayfia?"—Rias asked, uneasy. She trusted Daniel's plan.
Grayfia observed her, reading her thoughts. The idea of nullifying the engagement was clever and well-founded, but the Phenex family wasn't naïve. They could argue that Riser was simply young and immature, scold him, and still proceed with the engagement—only with a more obedient Riser.
If Rias truly cared for family stability, it would be excellent news. But it was evident these were mere excuses to avoid the marriage.
—"Ojou-sama, if you wish to defend your position, why not settle this with a 'Rating Game' against Riser-sama?"
—"...?"
Rias tried to reply but was silenced by Grayfia's stern gaze.
Riser smirked inwardly before speaking with arrogance.
—"See? Even the Gremory House desires this marriage. Oh? Do you really think you can defeat me that way?"—he sneered, glancing at Rias's servants.—"The Priestess of Thunder is the only one worth noting; the rest… heh."
Rias's anger flared. She wouldn't allow her servants to be insulted.
The blond snapped his fingers, and a magic circle appeared on the floor behind him. Soon, several female figures emerged.
Fifteen young women materialized before them.
—"These are my beautiful servants,"—he said proudly.
Issei, watching from the side, was overcome with envy. The blond had the maximum number of servants—and all of them were stunning!
Riser noticed the intense gaze the brown-haired boy gave his servants and frowned.
—"What's wrong with your servant?"—he asked, visibly irritated.
Rias rubbed her forehead, debating whether explaining was worth the trouble.
Riser's girls frowned in disgust at Issei's gaze.
—"Riser-sama, that person makes me uncomfortable!"—one of the young women exclaimed.
Riser calmed her by drawing close.
—"Don't say that, my lovely girls,"—he whispered into her ear before cupping her face and kissing her passionately.
The girl let out a soft moan, wrapping one leg around Riser's waist.
Issei clenched his teeth. "So unfair," he thought, as the blond pulled away, a silvery thread still connecting their lips, and smirked at him.
—"You could never do something like this."
Issei couldn't take it anymore.
—"So unfa—! Ahem! A womanizer like you doesn't deserve Buchou!"
Riser raised an eyebrow.
—"Huh? Are you calling me a womanizer?"
Issei nodded with false righteousness.
—"You flirt with other girls while claiming you want to marry Buchou."
Rias, listening, was slightly touched. She hadn't expected Issei to defend her—though she would've preferred someone else to do it first.
Her eyes drifted to Daniel beside her, and she frowned upon seeing him.
Asia had turned so red she looked ready to explode.
—"Hau…"—she whimpered, gazing shyly at the gray-haired young man beside her.
Daniel gently comforted her, holding her hand. Rias clicked her tongue in irritation at their flirtation.
A bit annoyed, she turned her attention back to Issei and Riser, who looked ready to fight.
—"You're a bird-man! Fire bird? Phoenix? Hahahaha! You're just like a fried chicken!"—the brown-haired boy taunted.
Riser's expression darkened instantly.
—"Fried chicken? You insolent slave! Don't boast! That's no way to address a high-class devil!"—he shouted, turning angrily toward the redhead.—"Rias! Control your slaves!"
She, more focused on Daniel than on the argument, replied indifferently:
—"I don't care."
Issei took that as support and grew bolder.
—"Hey, fried chicken! I'll beat you with my Boosted Gear!"
Riser stepped forward, but a small girl moved in front of him.
—"He's not worth it, Riser-sama. Please, allow me."
The blond glanced at his Pawn—a petite girl dressed in martial arts attire, wielding a staff. After a moment's thought, he smirked and nodded.
—"Hehe, go ahead, Mira."
The girl spun her staff skillfully and lunged at Issei, aiming straight for his stomach with full confidence.
Unexpectedly, Issei deflected the attack with his gauntlet and countered, forcing Mira to defend herself.
Riser's mocking expression faded as he watched Issei's performance with interest.
—"You're not as useless as you look,"—he commented, though he wasn't about to let it end there. Turning to Rias, he added—"How about a little warm-up before the real Rating Game?"
The redhead hesitated. She didn't believe her team was ready yet, but Issei nodded with determination—his eyes clearly said, "accept it."
Rias sighed and finally nodded.
Riser cast a resentful glance at the brown-haired youth as everyone began heading toward the gym under Grayfia's supervision.