The warmth of morning sunlight crept across Issei Hyoudou's face as his eyes fluttered open. Muscles sore yet relaxed, he inhaled deeply, the scent of soft hair and floral shampoo filling his senses. Akeno's lithe form was draped against his chest, her breath steady and slow. To his left, Asia clung to his arm like a plush toy, her lips curled into a peaceful smile. At his back, Kuroka purred in her sleep, one tail lazily swaying. Koneko curled up near his legs, her brow twitching faintly. At the foot of the bed, Byakko—his tiger familiar—lay sprawled out, occasionally twitching a paw.
He exhaled softly.
"I'm going to need a bigger bed… or a whole new room."
Careful not to wake the girls, he reached for his Boosted Gear. A crimson glow pulsed softly.
"Ddraig… how's the courting going with Quetzalcoatl and Tiamat?"
[Ddraig: [I'm making… progress with the ladies.]]
[Quetzalcoatl: [He snored in front of Tiamat, Issei. She nearly set his wings on fire.]]
[Ddraig: [Bah! I was meditating. Unlike you, feathered serpent, I value dignity.]]
[Tiamat: [He talks big, but his wings trembled when I licked his cheek. He's a work in progress, but not hopeless.]]
Issei chuckled quietly, mindful not to stir the sleeping beauties beside him. "I thought you said you had no problem with the ladies, Ddraig."
[Ddraig: [You don't understand. These aren't just ladies. They're ancient dragons who believe in the old ways. If I can't overpower them, they'll kill me before they kiss me. The only good thing is… I'm regaining my full strength. Slowly. That's why I need to know—Host, how are you planning to act during this meeting with Riser?]]
Issei's smile faded, his eyes hardening.
"I'll try to stay calm. As long as he doesn't say anything about Rias or the others… I'll be fine."
[Ddraig: [Then may your instincts remain sharp.]]
[Quetzalcoatl: [And your mind remain clear.]]
[Tiamat: [And your rage… properly aimed.]]
⸻
Later That Afternoon – Gremory Estate Courtyard
The meeting took place in the center garden, a place of beauty and diplomacy. Grayfia stood off to the side, her silver hair immaculate, eyes like sharpened steel.
Without warning, a column of fire struck the stone path ten feet ahead, erupting in a blazing geyser of Phoenix flame. The air shimmered with heat, the scent of sulfur and scorched roses thick in the air. When the flames cleared, a young man emerged—tall, vain, and dripping arrogance.
Riser Phenex wore a wine-red suit, his white shirt half-unbuttoned to expose a toned chest. His golden eyes scanned the gathered crowd before settling on Rias.
"My Rias," he said, lips curling in a smirk as he approached, "it's been far too long."
But his gaze quickly shifted to Issei, his smile turning cold. The way Rias and her female peerage members looked at Issei didn't sit right with him. He'd seen those same looks in girls' eyes before—but never directed at someone else.
His voice dropped to a snarl. "Rias… who is this worm? And what is his relationship to you?"
The air turned brittle with tension. Kiba, Akeno, Koneko, and Asia all stood poised, bristling but silent.
Rias stepped forward, calm yet unyielding. "He is my Pawn. The Red Dragon Emperor. And the only man I plan to marry."
The words echoed like thunder.
Riser's eyes widened. "What?!"
"You heard me, Riser. And I won't repeat myself to the likes of you."
Riser's face twisted in fury. "You're to be my wife! No one else! Do you understand, Rias? Or are you truly ready to defy your family… your marriage contract… our race for this… commoner filth?"
[System: [Warning – Host anger levels rising above normal thresholds.]]
[Ddraig: [He did not just say that.]]
[Quetzalcoatl: [I'm going to pluck that bird's feathers.]]
[Tiamat: [I told you to aim your rage properly.]]
[System Notification:
New Task Generated – "Put the Bird Back in Its Cage"
Objective: Knock Riser unconscious before further escalation.
Reward: Mid-Level Regeneration Skill Unlocked.]
Riser moved first, his fist wreathed in golden flame as he lunged forward.
Issei dodged fluidly, responding with a single, devastating punch enhanced by his Fire, Lava, and Lightning affinities. His fist cracked against Riser's jaw like a warhammer, launching the Phenex heir backward. Riser tumbled across the stone path, dazed and bruised.
In an instant, Riser's peerage flared into readiness, magic circles blazing.
Rias' peerage stepped forward, crimson hair and determination shining like a battle banner.
The two sides faced off.
And then—
"Enough."
The word dropped like a glacier into molten lava. Grayfia's power surged, her presence alone halting both sides in their tracks.
She swept her gaze across the gathered devils. "My master, Sirzaria Lucifer, and the head of the Gremory family, Zeoticus Gremory, anticipated this… outcome. Therefore, a formal Rating Game has been approved to settle this."
Rias and Riser exchanged cold nods.
"We'll settle this tomorrow night," Rias said.
"Fine by me," Riser spat, clutching his bruised jaw. "Try not to cry when your Pawn is turned to ash."
As his teleportation circle lit up beneath him, Issei smirked. "Looking forward to trying cooked Phoenix. Wonder if you taste like overcooked chicken."
Riser's glare promised violence. "You'll regret crossing the Phenex bloodline, you damn commoner."
⸻
Later – Gremory Estate Training Grounds
The sun dipped low on the horizon. Flames erupted from Issei's fists as he trained alone, each strike splitting the air and tearing gouges into the earth.
He didn't notice the others approaching until Rias' voice reached him.
"Are you okay?"
Issei looked up.
Rias, Kiba, Akeno, Koneko, Asia, Kuroka, Byakko, and Mio. They'd all come. They all stood with him.
He nodded.
"I'm better than okay."
[System Notification:
New Skill Acquired – "Mid-Level Regeneration"
Effect: Wounds close faster, fatigue reduced by 50%, minor tissue damage repaired passively.]
⸻
That Night – Beneath the Sakura Tree
The moon hung full and bright over the Gremory estate. Sakura petals drifted like snow around Issei as he sat beneath the ancient tree, silent and resolute.
[Ddraig: [You've come far, partner. But tomorrow… we stand against tradition, against legacy, against pride. Show me you're worthy of my flames.]]
[Quetzalcoatl: [And my storm.]]
[Tiamat: [And my wrath.]]
The Boosted Gear pulsed faintly, a shrine for three mighty dragons.
Kuroka slipped beside him, her voice soft.
"Tomorrow's gonna change everything, isn't it?"
He nodded, eyes never leaving the moon.
"I just hope the world's ready."
⸻
Later That Night – Gremory Estate, Great Hall
In the great hall of the Gremory estate, a heavy silence reigned. Candlelight flickered across obsidian walls, casting jagged shadows over the assembled family.
Sirzaria Lucifer stood by the window, arms folded, her crimson eyes blazing. Mio sat across from her, legs crossed, a predatory smirk on her lips. Venelana Gremory sipped her wine with deliberate calm, while Zeoticus Gremory stood rigid behind the long table, shoulders tense.
The fallout of the day's clash hung in the air like the last note of a funeral dirge.
Sirzaria turned, her voice sharp as a blade. "I'm calling for an emergency session of the full Devil Council."
Zeoticus looked up, startled. "What?"
"I'm done with these old bastards thinking they can bully my baby sister just because she won't marry some inbred peacock with a healing factor," she snapped. "I won't let them tame her. I won't let them tame me."
Mio's lips parted in a wolfish grin. "Let me wipe out the Phenex clan, sister. One night. I'll start with that spoiled bird and see how far I get."
"Mio…" Venelana warned softly.
Sirzaria's tone was cool steel. "I'm tempted to let you."
Zeoticus slammed his fist down. "Enough. We don't need more enemies—"
Venelana's eyes narrowed, her voice cutting ice. "Is this what you wanted, Zeoticus? Are you happy now? We're from two of the strongest families of the 72 Pillars, yet we can't even protect our own daughter? What's the point of all this power if we can't keep her safe from being sold off like cattle?"
Zeoticus flinched. "I thought… it would be a good match. Rias would be secure. She'd be powerful."
Venelana's voice was soft but unyielding. "At what cost, Zeoticus? Our daughter's happiness?"
Sirzaria's tone turned mocking. "What's next, Father? Want me to go finish the job Starfall did on the last devil who tried to force Sona into a marriage?"
Mio snorted. "I'll bring the salt."
Zeoticus's jaw tightened. "I am the family head. I don't get the luxury of thinking only of you. I have to consider what ensures the Gremory name survives… how we keep our standing among the Pillars."
Mio's eyes flashed. "Then answer me, Father. If Sirzaria, Rias, and I all wanted to marry the same person… would you support it? Or would we need the Council's blessing just to love someone?"
Venelana watched him quietly, her expression unreadable.
Zeoticus swallowed. "Who is this person?"
Sirzaria's lips curved faintly. "Not exactly a devil."
Mio leaned forward, all feline grace. "More like a dragon reborn as a devil."
Zeoticus's eye twitched. "You're not talking about… Rias' Pawn?"
Both daughters answered at once: "Yes."
Sirzaria's voice was unwavering. "I've already said I would marry him—if he breaks Rias' engagement."
"You—" Zeoticus stared. "You of all people, Sirzaria! You're Lucifer. One of the Four Maou! Your status isn't just yours—it's a symbol!"
He turned to Venelana, aghast. "Did you know?"
Venelana set down her wine. "I had hints. I confirmed it last night."
Zeoticus's shoulders slumped. "I… I thought… he's just a boy."
Venelana's voice turned gentle, the final blow. "We weren't forced to marry each other, Zeoticus. We chose each other. Shouldn't we want that for our daughters? Shouldn't they have that same freedom… that same happiness?"
The room fell silent.
Sirzaria turned back to the window, her voice a quiet promise. "We gave Rias the power to choose. Now we have to live with the consequences."
Mio cracked her knuckles. "This is going to get messy, isn't it?"
Venelana exhaled. "It already is."
Zeoticus looked at the fierce, brilliant women he called family… and found no words.
Sirzaria's voice was final. "If he wins tomorrow, he earns the right."
"And if he doesn't?" Zeoticus rasped.
Venelana's eyebrow arched. "Then perhaps our daughters weren't meant to be dragons' mates after all."
Mio grinned. "I'm not backing down, Father. Not from you. Not from the Council. And sure as hell not from some overcooked chicken."
Zeoticus's shoulders stiffened, his voice dropping low, cold as the void. "You better pray to Maou your pick wins… or so help me…"
He turned and stalked from the room, leaving behind three women more dangerous than any army.
As the great hall doors slammed shut behind him, the fate of the Gremory family hung in the balance.
⸻
[System Notification – Hidden Affection Parameters Updated]
• [Mio Gremory: Affection Level – 60. Status: Actively interested.]
• [Sirzaria Lucifer: Affection Level – 75. Status: Intensifying. Rapid emotional growth detected.]