The 72 pillars of the Underworld.
A long time ago there were 72 Devils that held a peerage, and each clan had dozens of armies, but most of them died in the war with heaven.
And yes, in this world's sense, those 72 were pure blood, which means they were once angels who fell from Heaven or were direct children of Lilith.
So from Arthur's point of view, he can't say the current underworld noble consists of pure-blooded Devil-like how Riser claimed.
Even Sirzech doesn't have a direct blood relation with the original Lucifer, but even with that, he became the devil king.
And of course, all the devils from this world are totally different from the ones for Yggdrasil; there is no doubt about it.
And Rias's clan is one of the important 'pure'-blood Devils that survived the war—the holy war, not the civil war.
What nobody knows is that after the war, most of the pure-blooded devils were almost extinct, and so the solution that the surviving family took was to make children with low-class devils and dispose of them after the need.
Of course, it was a long time ago, even before Rias's grandparents' era.
And this piece of history of the underworld is buried along with many others.
🔹🔹🔹
Hearing Riser, Rias said.
"I'm not going to crush my house. And I am willing to take a husband."
Hearing Rias, Raiser makes a big smile.
"Oh, to be expected from Rias! Then let's—"
"But I won't marry you, Raiser. I will marry the one I acknowledge. Even the Devils from the old noble house have the right to choose."
Rias talks over Raiser and says it clearly.
Hearing that, Raiser suddenly becomes unpleasant. His eyes become sharper, and he even makes a noise with his tongue.
"...You know, Rias. I'm also a Devil who carries the name of the House of Phoenix behind me. I can't let that name get tarnished. I didn't even want to come to a small old building like this in the human world. Rather, I don't like the human world that much. The fire and wind of this world are filthy. For a devil like me who rules fire and wind, I can't stand it!"
FLAME!
There are flames around Raiser. There are small bits of fire around the room.
"I will take you back to the underworld, even if I have to burn all of your servants."
CHILLS.
His hostility and killing intent fill the room. The pressure from Raiser's body comes right at Rias and her peerage.
Kiba and Koneko-chan aren't trembling, but they are getting ready to fight any time.
"Oh, I don't think you can do that if both your hands and legs are cut off." Arthur said while he drank the tea with such a relaxed expression that anyone would think that he was not serious at all.
"A servant should stay in a servant's place. You only talk to me if your master tells you to." Riser said.
Oh, he thought I was a servant to Rias. Arthur thought to himself. Well, let's change that.
Just as Arthur is about to cast a spell on Riser.
The room temperature once again dropped.
"Riser-sama, it's between you and Rias-sama, and Arthur-sama is not Rias-sama's servant either. Arthur-sama is… an independent party. He does not serve Rias-sama, nor does he answer to her peerage."
Riser's brows twitched. "Independent?" He scoffed. "Then why is he even here during a family matter of the House of Gremory?"
Arthur gently set his teacup down on the table, the faint clink echoing in the tense room. His lips curved in the faintest smirk.
"Maybe I'm here because I was invited. Or maybe," he tilted his head slightly, eyes locking on Riser with deliberate laziness, "because for Rias, I am more important than you."
Koneko's lips twitched in the corner, and even Kiba's serious face faltered for a split second.
Riser's flames flared higher. "Watch your tongue—"
"Arthur-sama, please stop making Riser-sama angry." Grayfia said as she looked at Arthur.
Arthur let out a sigh, "Alright."
Then she continues.
"Sirzechs-sama, and those from the House of Phoenix knew it would turn out like this. To tell you the truth, this was to be the last discussion meeting. Everyone knew that it wouldn't be solved, so they decided to make a last resort."
"Last resort? What do you mean, Grayfia?"
"Ojou-sama, if you wish to push your opinion forward, then how about you settle it by having a [Rating Game] against Raiser-sama?
"...!?"
Rias becomes speechless hearing Grayfia. She seems to be very shocked.
[Rating Game]? What's that? Issei asked from behind.
"It's a game that is played by the Devils with peerage, and they compete by making their servants battle."
Kiba explains it to him.
Grayfia continues her explanation and answers my questions.
"Just as you know, Ojou-sama, only mature-aged devils can participate in the official [Rating Game]. But if it's an unofficial match between pure-blood Devils, even immature Devils can participate. However, in this case—"
"When it involves the family and household problems."
Rias continues to talk while making a sigh.
"In other words, Otou-sama and the others decided to have a game as a last resort if I were to decline, right? ... Just how far are they intending to interfere with my life to feel satisfied...!"
'Well, that's the disadvantage of being a noble, I guess.' Arthur thought to himself.
Rias is really ticked off.
"Then, Ojou-sama, you are saying you would also decline to participate in the game?"
"No, I won't, since this is a chance. Alright then. Let's settle this with a game, Raiser."
Raiser smirks after Rias's provocative words.
"Hee, so you're accepting it. I don't mind. But I'm already a mature Devil, and I have already participated in the official game. Right now I have won most of the games. Even so, you still want to play, Rias?"
Raiser replied back with even more provocative words. Rias sends back a fearless smile.
"I will. I will blow you away, Raiser!"
"Fine. If you win, do whatever you like. But if I win, you will marry me immediately."
Both of them glare at each other. They are both glaring at each other with scary eyes. Oh, their glares are so intense that a low-class devil like myself can't butt in!
"Understood. I, Grayfia, have confirmed both sides' opinions. I will be in charge of the game between the two households. Is that okay?"
"Yes."
"Yeah."
Rias and Raiser both agree to Grayfia's approval.
"Understood. I will inform the two households then."
Grayfia bows her head after confirming.
Then Riser looked at Arthur. "And you, I will allow you to participate in the Rating Game." He said to Arthur as if he were already participating from Rias's side.
Grayfia was surprised at the statement. And Arthur has a wide grin hearing that.
"Riser-sama, are you sure about that?" Grayfia asked.
"Yes, I am. I will teach this little worm here what happens when they mess with me."
"If that's what you wish," Grafia said.
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