From Chapter 57 onward, prepare for a major upgrade—writing, cleaner grammar, and a more immersive story!
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~ I added an Auxiliary Chapter that will Register Future Information Regarding the MC Status & Harem
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By the time Sirzechs left, they'd already confirmed the time and location for the battle.
After all, being the Satan, he was not only tied down by official business but also had to maintain the neutrality of a realm administrator. Even though he was backing his sister, he couldn't participate in tactical discussions or actual combat itself.
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Scene Shift: Back in the Old Schoolhouse
With Sirzechs gone, only Rias, Bokue Keikain, and their companions remained. The furniture in the reception room had reverted to its usual arrangement.
On the right sofa, Rias sat next to Bokue, wearing a somewhat serious expression.
"Now that we know the results of the negotiation," she said, "the next thing is to decide how we'll handle what comes next."
"Um…" From Bokue's other side, Asia timidly raised her hand. "A-are we… preparing for a fight with them?"
"Yes. Though we never wanted this outcome," Rias replied with a nod, "it's obvious from the other side's attitude that conflict was inevitable from the start."
The two sides had entirely different goals. Rias wanted a peaceful resolution if possible—both parties stepping back, with Phenex softening its stance while Gremory gave suitable reparations. But the Phenex side had shown zero interest in real negotiations, using "talks" more like a tool to pressure the Gremory family.
Hence, battle was the only choice. In a sense, Bokue's provocative words simply sped up the process, avoiding any prolonged tug-of-war.
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"Whatever. There's nothing to stress about," Bokue remarked.
Compared to Rias, who looked visibly concerned, he seemed utterly unbothered—lounging in the couch, hands shoved in his pockets. "It's just meeting them for a brawl, right? Whoever's got the heavier fists wins—"
"It's not that simple…"
Rias's forehead twitched. This "life or death, who cares, let's fight" attitude gave her mixed feelings of anger and exasperation.
No matter how you looked at it, the Phenex family was one of the Seventy-Two Pillars in the Underworld—an ancient pureblood devil clan with formidable strength.
Sighing, she raked a hand through her crimson hair. "The main issue is this so-called Rating Game…"
"Oh, right." Bokue recalled that near the end of their video call, that "roast-chicken guy" had rattled on about a "Rating Game." He'd essentially tuned out everything as rubbish talk at the time.
"Tell me what's special about it," he said.
Rias took a moment to gather her thoughts. "The Rating Game is basically still a fight, but it's an official system designed by one of my brother's friends—also a Satan—named Ajuka Beelzebub. It goes along with the retainer system I mentioned before."
"In a Rating Game, the 'King' leads their 'Queen,' 'Bishop,' 'Knight,' 'Rook,' and so forth—up to fourteen total—to battle an opposing team. But right now, I only have Koneko, Akeno, and myself as capable fighters. Meanwhile, Riser Phenex already has sixteen retainers...."
"Great. We've got the upper hand!" Bokue quipped, sounding eager to fight.
"You—be serious!"
Rias pressed two fingers into his side, intending to twist him—then thinking better of it, gave him a light poke.
"The problem is the retainer system. You're not my servant; you're not even a devil."
"What, so you gotta be a devil to play?"
Bokue frowned.
"Well, I'm not entirely sure," Rias admitted with a small cough. "To my knowledge, these games only occur in the Underworld, so bringing in external allies—especially humans—has no precedent."
"Doesn't matter."
Bokue shrugged again.
"If they won't let me join, I'll just flatten the Phenex territory with one stomp. Then even if the rules don't allow it, so what? They'll have no recourse left."
"Y-you…"
Rias' free hand went to her forehead. She could picture how that might pan out—like if people were quietly playing chess on a park stone table, and you flew in with a vicious high kick that sent the board flying, then spat on them and slapped them. No one was playing anymore; you'd forced them into a real fight right then.
"Anyway, don't worry so much. Just leave it to me."
Bokue slid an arm around her waist.
"I can handle all of them alone—single-handedly."
Her face heated at his casual assurance. It was natural to plan together, but his gestures could be so distractingly intimate—woah!
Suddenly, Rias's body gave a subtle tremor, and she sat up straighter.
What… what was that?
Perhaps no one else saw anything unusual, but Rias was acutely aware of her own body—and the faint current that ran through her just then…
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"What's wrong, Rias?"
Sensing the restless movement at her waist, Bokue asked curiously.
"N-nothing," she whispered, cheeks flushing, "Your arm just… felt kind of uncomfortable pressed into my side. And Akeno's watching, you know."
"Oh, sorry."
Without protest, Bokue withdrew his arm from her back.
Freed from that contact, Rias felt that teasing, tingly wave subside. She managed a small exhale and continued:
"So next, about our trip back to the Underworld… er…"
She trailed off in hesitation.
Living among humans for so long made her almost unconsciously think, 'We should find a hotel,' but the Underworld's political climate made that idea absurd. She was Gremory's heiress—not using her own estate upon returning would be bizarre, and everyone would notice her presence anyway.
Which meant no messing around—straight to her family home.
'Which basically means meeting the parents.' She thought, somewhat nervously.
At length, Rias lifted her head again:
"Bokue, Akeno… we'll need to prepare some gifts before heading back to the Underworld. That task is yours."
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