While Arthur was on his way back to his house, he was humming softly under his breath, a faint tune that seemed too relaxed for someone who had just provoked a Phoenix heir. Asia, walking beside him, tilted her head curiously.
"You seem happy, Arthur-san," she said gently, her hands clasped together in front of her chest.
Arthur glanced at her, his lips curving into an amused smile.
"Oh, I am," he replied. "It's not every day you get to call a spoiled chicken exactly what he is to his face. Makes the tea taste better afterward."
Asia blinked at him, confused for a moment before her eyes widened. "You mean… Riser-san?"
Arthur chuckled under his breath, his hands slipping into his pockets. "Mm. Honestly, I'm curious how long it would take him to realize fire doesn't scare me."
Asia's eyes softened, though there was still worry in them. "But… weren't you afraid? He seemed so strong. His aura was… scary."
Arthur gave her a sidelong glance, his tone quieter now, but not any less firm.
"Asia, strength isn't about how much fire you can spit out or how loud you can make the room shake. It's about control. Riser loses himself the moment his pride is hurt. That alone tells me everything I need to know about him."
Asia's lips parted slightly as she absorbed his words. She lowered her gaze, a small smile forming as she walked.
"Art-san, For some reason you talk like the priest back at my previous church."
Arthur slowed his pace just a little, looking at her for a second longer than usual before smirking faintly. "Is that so, Well, I'll take that as a compliment. But don't get too used to it. I'm not always this nice."
Asia giggled softly, the sound light and genuine.
🔹🔹🔹
The sun had already set far off in the west, leaving only the silver glow of the moon draped over Kouh Town like a thin veil.
Inside Celestial Brew, the air was still, broken only by the faint crackle of the hearth and the whisper of leaves brushing against the windows. Most of the residents had long since gone to sleep; well, Asia sure did.
Only Rias and Arthur remained awake, seated across from one another at a small table in the corner. The shadows of the room stretched long, making their conversation feel heavier.
Rias leaned forward, her crimson hair falling like silk curtains around her face; her tone was more serious than usual.
"What should I do, Arthur?"
Arthur, lazily swirling the last bit of tea in his cup, raised a brow. "What do you mean?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Don't joke with me. You know what I mean." She exhaled, her shoulders tense. "The Rating Game. Can I even win it at all?" Her voice dropped into something more fragile, betraying the weight pressing against her. "What does your foresight tell you?"
Arthur let the silence stretch, watching her with a faint smile that wasn't quite mocking but wasn't comforting either. He leaned back in his chair, tapping a finger against the porcelain cup before setting it down with a quiet clink.
"Foresight, huh?" He tilted his head, eyes gleaming faintly in the dim light. "Let me tell you something, Rias. The future isn't a straight road—it's a thousand branching paths. I've seen where some of them lead. But your question… Can I even win it at all? That's the wrong question."
Her brows furrowed. "Then what's the right one?"
He leaned forward now, their faces close enough for her to see the mischievous glint in his eyes. "The real question is: How do I win? The Rating Game isn't about victory—it's about proving whether you're strong enough to spit in the face of what others decided for you. Or am I wrong?"
Hearinf that, Rias let out a deep sigh, calming herself. "Alright, we made a deal that you make me stronger, right?"
"Yes, that we did." Arthur replied.
"Then make me and my peerage strong enough to win this rating." Rias said.
Arthur leaned back, watching her with a seriousness that broke through his usual mirth.
"You know, since Riser gave his consent about me joining the Rating Game, you can just request me to defeat him. You don't have to move a finger." Arthur said with a serious face. He looks Rias in her eyes.
Rias almost faltered. "Really? Are you strong enough to..." Rias paused mid-sentence. "No... What you said earlier is correct. This isn't about winning—it's about proving whether I am strong enough to defy what others decided for me. So even if you have the power to defeat Riser at the end, it will all be pointless. I want to achieve this victory by my own hand with my peerage support. And even if I lose, I can proudly say that I fought to change my destiny."
Arthur couldn't help but chuckle softly at her words. He rested his chin against his hand, studying Rias as though she were a puzzle that had just revealed a hidden piece.
Yep, she changed a lot from her anime self. He thought to himself.
"Good," he said finally, his voice low and firm. "That's the answer I was waiting to hear. Not the scared little princess hoping for a knight to sweep in and fix everything. But the King, who's ready to stand on her own feet, even if it means bleeding for it."
Rias's lips curved into a small, proud smile, though her eyes were still weighed with doubt. "Then… will you help me?"
Arthur leaned back, folding his arms, his smile widening into something sharper. "Help? Of course. I'll train you and your peerage until your bodies scream, until your minds are sharpened like blades. But let me be clear, Rias… I won't hand you victory. I'll only give you the tools to carve it out yourself. Whether you rise or fall depends entirely on you."
Well, you will win after that passionate speech of yours. I will make sure of it.
Rias nodded, her crimson hair shimmering faintly in the moonlight filtering through the window. "That's enough. That's all I ask for."
"And I will ask the price after your victory." Arthur softly said.
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