I took a deep breath, smoothing down my already impeccable suit. "Finally, time to see my future wife," I said, injecting just enough of Riser's characteristic arrogance into my voice.
"Yes, Riser-sama," the maid replied as she bowed deeply when I opened the door.
The maid led me through ornate corridors of the Phenex family estate, where the wedding was being held. The architecture was a stunning blend of classical European elegance and otherworldly elements that subtly reminded me that this was the Underworld, home of devils, not humans. Crystal chandeliers illuminated our path, casting prismatic reflections across marble floors and gold-accented walls.
With each step closer to the ceremonial hall, I felt the eyes of servants and early guests tracking my movement. Maintaining Riser's confident swagger while processing everything that had happened was more challenging than anticipated. My mind raced through what I knew of the series' timeline, This wedding should be interrupted by Issei, leading to a Rating Game that the original Riser was destined to lose.
But I'm not the original Riser.
The grand doors to the ceremonial hall opened, revealing hundreds of elegantly dressed devils from the most prestigious houses of the Underworld. The room fell silent as I entered, all eyes turning to the groom. The pressure of their collective gaze was almost physical.
Among the crowd, I recognized figures from the anime, stern-faced elders of various devil houses, members of the Phenex family with their distinctive blonde hair, and near the front, Sirzechs Lucifer himself, wearing the pleasant smile that concealed his immeasurable power.
I approached the altar with measured steps, my heart pounding but my face a mask of aristocratic composure. The officiator, a distinguished elderly devil in ceremonial robes, nodded respectfully as I took my position.
Facing the assembled guests, I raised my hands in a welcoming gesture, channeling every ounce of charismatic confidence I could muster.
"It is I, your host, Riser Phenex, who welcomes you all to this grand event connecting two houses through the marriage of two high-class devils."
My voice rang across the hall, strong and clear. The guests responded with enthusiastic applause and cheers, raising their glasses of champagne in celebration. I caught sight of my "parents" in the front row, Lord and Lady Phenex, watching with pride, completely unaware that their son was no longer entirely their son.
When the applause subsided, I continued with the scripted announcement, "Now, let us welcome my future wife, Rias Gremory."
Every head turned toward the entrance as the doors swung open once more. A collective gasp of appreciation swept through the hall as Rias Gremory appeared, resplendent in her wedding gown. The white dress was a masterpiece of lace and silk, accentuating her figure while maintaining the dignity befitting of her status. Her crimson hair, the hallmark of the Gremory clan, cascaded down her back in elegant waves, crowned with a diamond tiara that caught the light with every movement.
Her beauty was breathtaking, even more striking in person than in the anime. However, what struck me the most was the barely concealed fury in her blue-green eyes as they met mine across the hall. This wasn't the image of a willing bride approaching her beloved; instead, it was a proud young woman being forced into an arrangement she despised.
I smirked when our eyes met, partly playing the role of the arrogant Riser and also recognizing the game between us. My expression agitated her further; her smile became more strained, and her steps grew slightly more rigid as she processed down the aisle, flanked by her Queen, Akeno, and the rest of her peerage, minus one notable member.
As Rias took her place beside me at the altar, I could feel the tension radiating from her. Her brother, Sirzechs Lucifer, one of the four Satans and arguably the most powerful devil in the room, approached to begin the ceremony.
With a warm, serene smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, Sirzechs began reading the traditional devil marriage vows. I half-listened to the formal language of binding houses and bloodlines, my senses instead heightened and alert for what I knew was coming.
"Okay, it's about to happen," I thought as Sirzechs reached the midpoint of the ceremony. The timing would be critical; in the original timeline, Issei burst in at the dramatic moment, just before the vows were completed.
As if on cue, the massive doors at the rear of the hall burst open with a thunderous crash. A lone figure stood silhouetted in the entrance, breathing heavily, his left arm encased in a red gauntlet that glowed with ominous power.
"BUCHOUUUU!" the voice bellowed across the suddenly silent hall.
I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. 'So annoying,' I thought, but maintained my expression of surprised outrage, the expected reaction from Riser in this situation.
The intruder stepped into the light, revealing a disheveled young man in a tattered school uniform. His face was scratched and dirty, evidence of the challenges he faced to reach this point.
"To all high-class individuals and to the brother of the president," he announced with surprising formality given his dramatic entrance, "my name is Hyoudou Issei. I have come to take Rias Gremory-sama away, Buchou."
Gasps and murmurs echoed throughout the hall as nobles exchanged looks of shock and indignation at this unprecedented breach of protocol. Guards moved forward, prepared to apprehend the intruder, but Sirzechs raised a hand to stop them. His expression was unreadable as he observed the unfolding situation.
I felt Rias tense beside me, hope and worry in her expression as she gazed at her Pawn. I turned slightly to study Issei more carefully, the protagonist, the future Red Dragon Emperor who would eventually become one of the most powerful beings in this universe.
But right now? He was just a novice devil with borrowed power, running on determination and the blessing of plot armor.
And I had the speed of light at my command.
I stepped forward, placing myself between Rias and Issei, my movements deliberately casual yet precise. The flames around my ankles flickered briefly, not the golden phoenix fire everyone would expect, but something else, something new that caused several of the more observant devils to frown in confusion.
"So," I drawled, letting Riser's arrogance color my tone while I assessed the situation with new eyes, "the lowly Pawn comes to challenge a King." I raised an eyebrow, a cold smile playing on my lips. "You're either very brave or very foolish, Hyoudou Issei."
The Dragon gauntlet on his arm glowed brighter as Issei clenched his fist. "I don't care what you think! I'm here to save Buchou!"
I chuckled, the sound echoing through the silent hall. "Save her? From what, exactly? A political marriage that would strengthen both our houses? That would ensure the future of pure-blooded devils?" I gestured around the room. "You're disrupting centuries of tradition for what? A schoolboy crush?"
Issei's face flushed with anger. "It's not like that! Buchou should be free to choose her own future!"
I could feel the eyes of every devil in the room focused on us; this confrontation had become the main event. Behind me, I sensed Sirzechs watching intently, likely already planning how to manipulate the situation to secure his sister's freedom while still maintaining the appearance of upholding devil traditions.
But I had no intention of following the original script. With the power of Shinra flowing through me, combined with the natural abilities of a Phenex, I stood at a crossroads of possibility.
The flames around my ankles burned brighter, and I felt a new confidence surging through me, not the hollow arrogance of the original Riser, but something genuine.
"You want to challenge me for Rias?" I asked, my voice carrying across the hall. "Then let's make it interesting."