Chapter 25: Riser Phoenix
The magic circle in the center of the club room began to glow, and from it appeared a man who looked like a washed-up host.
"Ah... It's been a while since I've breathed the air of the human world."
As soon as the man saw Rias, he added, "I've come to see you, my beloved Rias."
His pretentious way of speaking annoyed me.
"Who are you? What's your relationship with President Rias?" I yelled.
"Who are you? Don't you know how to speak properly?" the man answered.
Both of us were ready for a fight, glaring at each other.
Clap clap
"Issei-kun. Please be quiet." At that moment, Grayfia clapped her hands to calm the situation.
"This gentleman is Riser Phoenix, the third son of the Phoenix family. He is also Lady Rias's fiancé." She said.
'W-What?! Her fiancé?!' As I stood there in shock, Riser flashed a triumphant smile. Then, he looked in a certain direction and said:
"Hey Rias, why are there fallen angels here?" he said glaring at Raynare and her group, his glare made them shrink back.
Oh, right. Even though we've made peace with Raynare and her group, devils and fallen angels are still at odds.
"Fallen angels, there are important matters to discuss within the devil faction, so could you please leave?" Grayfia urged Raynare and her group to leave the room.
They complied and exited the club room.
Rias and Riser sat on the sofa, with us, her servants, standing behind our King. Grayfia stood between Rias and Riser, acting as an attendant.
As for the marriage proposal... both sides completely disagreed and remained at an impasse.
"No! I've told you many times, I'm not getting married while I'm still in high school!" Rias shouted.
"But Rias, this marriage proposal is beneficial for both families. Marry me." Riser replied.
"Absolutely not! I'll choose my fiancé on my own terms!" Rias's stubborn refusal exasperated Riser.
"Rias! You're not a child who can always have her way! I bear the Phoenix family name! I'll take you with me, even if I have to burn all your servants to ashes!"
That remark angered me once again.
"Hey, grilled chicken! What did you just say?"
Before I knew it, I was standing in front of Riser, my body moving faster than my thoughts.
"G-Grilled chicken!? Who the fuck do you think you are!? How dare a mere servant talk back to me?! Rias, haven't you taught your peerage any manners?!" Riser yelled at Rias completely annoyed by my words.
"There's no need to teach them every little thing." Rias retorted with an annoyed expression.
I stepped forward to introduce myself to Riser.
"I am Issei Hyoudou, a Pawn of Rias Gremory and the Red Dragon Emperor!"
"Hmph! Red Dragon Emperor? Don't make me laugh!" Riser and I glared at each other again.
"Both of you! Calm down! If you continue any further, I won't stand by quietly...!!" Grayfia, who had been watching from the side, released an invisible aura that intimidated us.
"...Whew. I don't want to fight someone known as the 'Strongest Queen.'"
I relaxed my stance, and Riser, albeit reluctantly, did the same.
"I anticipated that your opinions would clash. Allow me to make a suggestion... How about settling this with a 'Rating Game'?"
'A Rating Game? What's that?' I thought.
"This is a perfect opportunity. I'll accept that challenge." Rias spoke with determination.
"Kiba, what's a 'Rating Game'?" I whispered to Kiba, who was standing next to me.
"Issei, you know that 'Evil Pieces' are modeled after chess, right? It's essentially human chess."
The Rating Game is a noble devil's pastime, but it also carries the risk of death, so participants must be over 20 years old.
Riser looked at Rias with a confident expression.
"Hmph. I've already participated in Rating Games and have a record of 8 wins and 2 losses. And Rias, it looks like you only have five servants." Riser's egotism continued.
"Come forth, my servants!" Riser said.
Flames erupted again, and numerous figures appeared behind Riser. There were 15 in total, making a full team of 16 including Riser. All of his servants were women.
'Damn it! This guy has already built a harem before me, and they're all high-level!' I thought.
I was internally shedding tears of blood.
"What's with that face? You look so envious."
"His dream is to build a huge harem of beautiful wives," Rias said, with a blush.
"If that's the case, come here, Yubelluna." A beautiful big busty woman called Yubelluna approached Riser silently.
Then,
Chu, chu, chulululu
Riser and Yubelluna shared a passionate deep kiss right in front of us.
"Mmm... Lord Riser... That was very passionate..." Yubelluna stepped back with unsteady steps.
We were all internally cringing.
Riser then provoked me again.
"How was my technique? You could never achieve that in a lifetime!" he added.
I clenched my teeth in frustration. I wanted to hit him right then, but acting rashly would only play into his hands and lower Rias's reputation.
"Enough with the charades, Rias Gremory. Beating an undeveloped opponent won't bring any glory. The showdown will be in ten days. As a handicap, I'll wait for ten days. Get stronger by then and entertain me!" he said.
"I accept! I'll blow your fucking egoism away!" Rias accepted Riser's proposal without hesitation.
Honestly, ten days is just a quick fix, but any longer would devalue Rias.
And then Grayfia spoke, "Understood. I have received your words. The Rating Game will be held ten days from today, at night. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes."
"Fine by me."
Rias and Riser confirmed Grayfia's question.
"I will report to the heads of both clans, so please excuse me."
With those words, Grayfia entered the teleportation magic circle and disappeared.
"Rias, I'll see you in ten days. Get as strong as you can by then!" With those words, Riser and his servants vanished using the teleportation magic circle.
Only the six of us remained.
Rias's expression was filled with discomfort.
No, it wasn't just Rias. Akeno and Koneko also didn't hide their disgust. If Rias married Riser, Akeno and the others would fall into his clutches as well.
Even Kiba's usually composed face was contorted with hatred. On the other hand, Asia, still not fully grasping the situation, was flustered throughout.
"Everyone, for the next ten days, we will have an intensive training camp at my villa. Asia, please call the fallen angels." Rias said.
"Y-Yes!" Surprised by being suddenly called, Asia left the clubroom.
In ten days, our fate will be decided. To overturn this unwanted destiny, our training begins.
----------To Be Continued----------
Next time, the training arc begins.
Will the Gremory Peerage become stronger?
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