P.S this story starts a few years before the start of our favorite DXD verse!
AND I DON'T OWN ANY DXD MATERIAL, ALL CREDIT TO THE ORIGINAL WRITERS!
"Talking out aloud"
'Thinking with ones mind'
"Spirits inside the sacred gears talking"
Without further delay, lets start the chapter!
Continuation
"Phoenix" Rias whispered in disdain.
"I have come to collect you my darling Rias" the man in question spoke with arrogance while lecherously looking at Rias's figure.
"Ano… who is that man?" Asia asked in a confused yet unsettled tone. Something about the newcomer, left Asia at a great unease.
Before anyone could respond to her question, Grayfia came forward to introduce the Devil in question, "This gentleman is Lord Riser Phoenix. He is a pure-blooded, High-class Devil and the third son of the Phoenix family." Grayfia introduced Asia to the unwelcome guests of the Occult research club.
"Phoenix family?" Issie inquired.
"He is also the fiancé of the Gremory family's heiress apparent," Grayfia dutifully explained.
"The Gremory family's heiress apparent?" Issie inquired again since he still wasn't made aware of the pillar families that reside in the underworld or the caste system under which the underworld is still governed.
"She means he is engaged to Rias Gremory Issie," Kenta spoke seriously as he took a second to sense the mood around the room. Both Akeno and Rias were visibly annoyed, while Grayfia Lucifage, the mother of his King, kept a completely stoic face, which Kenta guessed was because of her wanting to hide her hatred for the unwelcomed Devil. Both Marid and Sona also seemed to have sour looks on their faces.
Issie opened his mouth to make a comment regarding what he had just heard, but Yumi tightly gripped his hand, stopping him from making a spectacle and making things more complicated for Rias than they already were.
"Lady Sona and Lord Marid, I wasn't expecting to see you both here," Riser spoke in some surprise, clearly not expecting them to be in Rias's clubroom. "Would you both like to join us for tea? After all, it might be a while before you see Rias again after today." his words gave off a smug feeling.
Rias visibly twitched at the remark.
"Sure," Marid responded in an emotionless voice as he sat beside Sona on the sofa.
Soon Riser and a begrudging Rias took their seat on the other sofa while Grayfia and the other peerage members of the two Gremory Kings stood to side. The atmosphere in the room was suffocating since no one wanted Riser in the Occult research clubhouse, but they couldn't do anything to send him away. As if knowing the hatred for him, Riser arrogantly smiled at the occupants of the clubroom. The tension within the room reached an all time high when Riser draped his arms around Rias's shoulder before beginning to intimately play with her crimson hair. Rias, who wasn't amused one bit, had to grind her teeth in frustration to stop herself from lashing out against Riser which may make her situation far worse than it already was.
Due to Risers actions it looked like all the Devils in the room also wanted to pounce on Riser but Marid had subtly ordered both Yumi and Kenta to not retaliate to anything Riser does and to make sure neither did Rias peerage get themselves involved in the mess.
"I must ask Riser, what brings you here to the clubroom, last I remember you weren't part of this school neither as a faculty member nor as a student" Marid asked curiously. Even though he knew the answer to the question he had just asked he couldn't help but feel something else was at play here.
"I am here to take my bride back home so that we can get married" Riser stated as a matter of face causing most of the room to send the Phoenix scion nasty glares.
"From what I remember, Rias had till her graduation before she would be asked to fulfil her obligation of the marriage contract that was signed without her knowledge" Marid replied with a raised eyebrow.
"That condition of the contract was nullified by both the Lords of our houses and cosigned by the Great King himself" Riser arrogantly smirked at Marid.
"I imagine my omniscient of a grandfather would need an incredible reason to wave that clause of the contract" Marid eyes narrowed as he thought what kind of fuckery Zeoticus was causing now.
"Actually Lord Zeoticus doesn't believe your idea for forming actual peace with those pesky Gods is going to work. So in a situation where we do end up going to war with those Gods he wants the future of the Devil generation to be secured by forming marriages that will produce actual Devils rather than Defects" Risers arrogantly smirked in the end as he regarded the oldest son of the Lucifer who was well known among the Devils to be not able to wield the infamous power of destruction.
Unknown to Riser though, his words infuriated Grayfia and both Yumi and Kenta, however the years of discipline and silent request from Marid had them staying back.
'So they all want to bury my whole assassination attempt underneath news of Rias and Risers marriage. Not to mention, if this marriage does go through then I will lose the Seere valley' Marid thought furiously at that.
"Well played Zekram, well fucking played" Marid muttered in frustration.
"What did you say?" Riser asked in confusion, clearly not getting the fact that he was being used by the Great Satan Faction as their personal pawn. Not that he would have minded it since he was getting Rias as a result of the Great Kings political play.
"Nothing you need to worry about," Marid replied with an incredibly fake smile. "By the way, if you truly are here to finalize the contract, shouldn't Lord Phoenix be here with you? I assume Lady Grayfia is representing Lord Gremory here today," Marid asked curiously.
"I have been given permission to negotiate on behalf of my clan to ensure the completion of this contract" Riser gave Marid an arrogant smirk.
"I am sure you have given the authority to do what is necessary," Marid sarcastically retorted.
Riser's response died in his mouth as Akeno came around to serve the group some tea.
"My Rias, your Queen does prepare quite delicious tea" Riser for the first time genuinely complimented aloud as he drank the tea presented to him by Akeno.
'Its good but there is something different about this tea then the one Akeno usually makes' Marid thought internally.
"Thank you for the compliment but this tea was prepared by Lady Grayfia" Akeno replied without smiling before moving to stand next to the aforementioned maid.
'Ma made it? That makes sense,' Marid internally mused as he turned his head around to the woman in question only to give her a silent compliment. Marid smirked as he saw his mother subtly nod at him while her stoic face gained an incredibly small smile.
"Cut it out already." Rias said, interrupting Marid's train of thought as she slapped Riser's hand away from her thigh before standing up and away from Riser's embrace. "Riser, I already told you last time that I don't intend to marry you."
"But Rias," Riser pretentiously began, "This isn't the time for you to be selfish. Both of our families agreed to this match for the good of our people. The entire devil nation struggles to preserve the lineages of pure-blooded devils after the loss of 39 extinct clans. Even some of the remaining members of the 33 pillars are sullying themselves" Riser finished, shooting a dirty look at both Sona and Marid who then gave their own scathing look in return.
"My family is worried over nothing. I will get married one day, but it will be to a man of my own choosing. That man will never be you, Riser." Rias firmly declared.
Riser's response was immediate, he quickly invaded Rias's personal space, cupping her chin between his fingers as he harshly whispered, "You realize that I am the face of the Phoenix Clan. I will not allow you to sully my honor and the honor of my family. I will take you back to the underworld, even if it means burning all your servants to ashes."
Riser's irises began to glow with an internal flame as Rias began to gather her own power.
"Buchou!" Issie yelled, ready to fight for his King while others in the room also tensed up, preparing for a battle. However, the entire room came to a standstill when incredibly cold air flooded into the room courtesy of the strongest queen in the underworld.
"Everyone, please calm down." Grayfia coolly stated, immediately calming the hostile environment by her presence alone. "Milady, Riser-sama, as I am here on the orders of Maō Lucifer, I do not intend to stand idly by and let you both bring dishonor to both of your clans."
"Who am I to argue with the mightiest queen?" Riser stilted with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Maō Lucifer expected that this might happen. As such, I have been charged to carry out a last resort measure if no agreement is reached." Grayfia stated as a matter-of-factly.
"You mean a rating game, don't you Grayfia?" Rias asked with a frown while stubbornly crossing her arms.
"Correct." Grayfia replied, "If you two cannot come to an agreement, then you're both welcome to settle the issue through a Rating Game."
"Rating Game?" Issie asked, unfamiliar with the term.
"Honestly, Rias. Did you not teach your Pawn anything at all?" both Marid and Sona thought in disbelief in almost perfect unison.
"It's a game that resembles chess." Kiba Yuuto helpfully explained, "where upper-class devils fight using their servants like chess pieces."
"Chess?" Hyoudou asked, still not understanding the concept.
"It's why our powers are similar to chess pieces. Which is why we are called Evil Pieces." Akeno clarified for their newest member.
"I have played many rating games before and won many times as well." Riser arrogantly boasted to Rias with a smirk. "You're not an officially qualified player, nor do you have any experience whatsoever. Rias, are you sure you wish to face off against me with so few servants of your own?" Riser asked with a dark chuckle and then snapped his fingers.
Another Phoenix Clan transportation circle appeared, and from within its orange flame came Riser's entire peerage one by one. Though neither Sona nor Marid had ever personally seen them before, they pretty much knew what to expect. A peerage made up of 15 young women and girls from nearly every perverted genre type that existed.
First came a voluptuous woman with long, wavy purple hair that fell down her back and matching eyes. At the front, the right side of her hair falls over her breast and covers her right eye, while the left side falls near the top of her skirt. Her attire was a dress consisting of a navy blue tunic top with gold accents and a pale blue skirt with open sides, black shoes, and over-matching thigh-high stockings with garter belts. The top revealed much of her cleavage and held with a gold choker with blue and red jewels. Over this, she wears a white overcoat with black and gold accents and matching pauldrons. For accessories, she wears a black headband with a red-orange jewel over her forehead to keep her long hair in place and has a staff-like scepter in battle strapped to her back. For cosmetics, she wears purple lipstick and nail polish, matching her eyes and hair.
Her name was Yubelluna, Riser's Queen.
Facing his peerage, Riser glanced over them all. His peerage AND Harem, all women he took with great joy to his bed, except for his Bishop, Ravel, who was his own sister. To introduce them, first, there was Ravel Phenex, his sister and bishop, a beautiful young girl with dark blue eyes, long blonde hair tied into twin tails with large, drill-like curls and blue ribbons keeping them in place. The front of her hair has several bangs hanging over her forehead, with a V-shaped fringe hanging over the bridge of her nose. Her outfit consisted of a light purple dress with dark purple accents and a blue bow at the front. At the back, three feather-like extensions mimicking a bird's tail protruding from the dress, which, when combined with her wings of fire, give her a bird-like appearance.
Then came his second bishop, Mihae, a young girl who is always seen wearing a Kimono with a color pattern of purple, orange, and pink with her black hair tied on the opposite side, with large, beautiful brown eyes.
Next came his knights, starting with Karlamine, a young woman with light brown hair and green eyes, wearing a full set of silver armor with black accents that appeared to be a cross between a European Knight and a Japanese Samurai, with a headband that goes across her hair and forehead. She is equipped with a broadsword and a dagger, both of which are held with brown belts slung across her hip. The broadsword is slung on her left hip, features a red jewel on the pommel, and has bandages across the handle for grip. The dagger, which is located behind her hip, features a gold hilt with bandages on the handle.
Next, he had Siris, a tall young woman with long black hair with a dark blue tint, and brown eyes. Her hair features five thin ponytails going around her head, which are held up by a golden hair accessory on top of her head. Her outfit consists of a white top with black accents that is modeled after a Chinese cheongsam, red shorts, and armored, knee-high boots with matching gauntlets. The top features a diamond shape on the chest area, giving a view of her breasts and cleavage. And of course, the giant Zweihänder which is mounted on her back features a black blade with silver edges and has a black hilt with a red handle.
Next came his rooks, the first being Isabela, a voluptuous woman with short, light brown hair and grey eyes. Her hair has three red highlights across and wears a plain white mask that covers the right side of her face. Her outfit consists of a black jacket and matching jeans. The jacket has wide shoulders and a wide collar and features three leather straps on both her arms. It is also slightly open, revealing her rather large breasts and cleavage, and it is cut off at her midriff. Her jeans have a section on her right pant leg cut off, revealing some of her thighs and rear end, and also feature three leather straps on her calves, just below the ankles, and two extra straps on her right pant leg to keep it in place. She also wears black fighting gloves and boots to enhance her blows.
Next, he had his final rook, Xuelan, a well-endowed young woman of Chinese descent with shoulder-length black hair and blue-green eyes. Her hair has two Chinese-style buns on both sides of her head, while the front features bangs that form a slight V-shape across her forehead.
Her outfit consisted of a navy blue qipao with gold accents, a white sash around her stomach, and black, low-heeled shoes. The qipao is open at the chest area, giving a view of Xuelan's breasts and cleavage. She also wears black armguards over her forearms. However, the most striking feature that Riser himself enjoys is the fact she wears no undergarments.
Next came his pawns, specifically, the first set of twins he has among them, Ile and Nel. Two very young girls - Riser made sure to check they were actually of age before doing anything, and sure enough, they just had very youthful appearances. - with turquoise hair, which they keep tied to one side of their head with a yellow ribbon, on opposite ends to one another, and blue eyes. Both of their outfits consisted of gym uniforms; t-shirts with blue accents, black leggings, and blue sneakers over knee-high socks. They also wear an orange wristband on their left wrist.
Both of the girls wielded chainsaws colored blue, but they carried them in different-colored gym bags when not in use, Ile a blue one and Nel a red one.
The next pair of twins were Ni and Li. Two young girls, appearing to be in their teens - but again, Riser checked! He was many things, but not a fucking pedophile! - Being twins, they sport similar appearances, with the major difference being Ni's red eyes and blue hair, in contrast to Li's blue eyes and red hair. Also, Ni ties her hair in a ponytail, while Li has hers in a braid with a pink bow tied at the end.
Riser also was in luck with them, as the twins were Nekomata, Youkai with quite a bit of respect among their own, as proven by their trademark light brown cat ears with black stripes. They also wear piercings on their ears, with Li having two gold earrings on her left ear and Ni having blue-colored ones on her right. Similarly, both of them have a fang sticking out of their mouths, with Ni having hers to her left, and Li having hers to her right, thus mirroring each other.
Both of them wear short skimpy, white sailor uniforms that reveal their abdomen, shoulders, and lower breasts, and wear short black skirts. They also tie their orange ascots in different ways respectively.
Next up is his next pawn, Marion, a young girl with shoulder-length light brown hair and dark brown eyes, dressed in a buttoned, sleeveless, French maid uniform with a white laced design, along with a standard maid headpiece, cuffs, and a white half-apron to go with the set. She also wears light grey tights. Now, Riser was very glad with her, as both her and his other pawn ARE actually French, and do come from long lines of maids.
But speaking of, his next maid/pawn was Bulent, a young girl with shoulder-length brown hair and blue eyes, dressed in a sleeveless French maid uniform that exposes her cleavage, with a white laced design on the edges, as well as a maid headpiece, half-apron, and forearm length fingerless gloves.
Next up he has the exotic beauty of his pawn set, Shuriya, a young woman with long pale blue hair and amber eyes. She has tanned skin and wears a bikini made up of a metallic underwire brassier and a silk loincloth that exposes her sides. She also wears a silver-colored tiara and neck rings with a ruby and blue gem respectively. Other accessories that she wears include ruby orb earrings, neck rings with a blue gem, a snake-themed bracelet on her upper arm, and a transparent pink veil across both her arms. Shuriya, notably, has purple highlights around her eyes.
And lastly, there is Mira, who is arguably his best pawn. A young girl with blue hair and light brown eyes - whom he also had to check to be safe with - with her hair styled with six short ponytails, with four of the six on the back of her head. The front of her hair features split bangs going across her forehead, with side bangs framing her face. Her outfit consisted of a white haori with a red obi, which is worn under a red Happi coat. She wears bandages on her forearms and shins and wears black guards over her hands which subtly helped hide the medium sized Bo staff on her back.
"Behold, my ultimate harem peerage." Riser exclaimed proudly as he presented his servants for everyone's inspection.
"Ahhhhhh!" Issie loudly shouted, causing everyone in the entire room to look at him in surprise. "Fifteen Beautiful Girls! He's Got Them All! Maid Girls, Chinese Girls, Dark Skinned Girls, Samurai Girls, Western Sword Girls, Kimono Girls, Girls With Huge Breasts, Girls With Small Breasts, Loli's, TWO SETS OF TWINS!" Issei shouted out loud with tears pouring down his eyes. "What A True Man! I'm so jealous."
Even Riser Phoenix was taken aback by Issie's outburst. "H-Hey Rias that servant of yours is crying out loud while looking at me." He uncomfortably observed.
"Forming a harem is his dream." Rias embarrassingly admitted as Issei continued to cry in the background.
"That's creepy." said a small devil whose blonde pigtails spiraled down like drill bits.
'He even has his little sister in his peerage?' Sona realized, recognizing Ravel Phoenix by her reputation. 'That's what I would call creepy' Marid unknowingly finished Sona's thoughts in his own mind.
"Oh, I see what's bothering your servant." Riser darkly chuckled before calling his Queen over. "Yubelluna."
"Yes, Riser-sama." The purple-haired devil, known as the Bomb Queen, replied as she obediently approached her King.
Riser turned to his Queen and cupped her chin before lewdly kissing her deeply in front of everyone. Everyone in the room were shocked by his display of affection, and quite honestly Sona felt a bit of revulsion from the scene. Riser continued to ignore them all until the kiss ended, and he turned to Issei while vulgarly groping Yubelluna in front of him.
"Hey, kid." Riser taunted with an arrogant smile, "You'll never be able to do things like this, you'll probably die a virgin."
Issie's face visibly twitched and grew red in anger at that last remark. "Shut Up! How dare you flirt with other girls even after saying you plan on marrying Buchou!"
"Issie, you're in no position to judge him. Your life's dream is to have a harem." Marid suddenly spoke up, incredulous at what Issie actually had said. "What exactly do you think happens in a harem?"
Issie's bluster fizzled out as he realized that being in a harem literally meant being in a relationship with multiple girls at the same time. "I don't care." He then shouted, shaking himself out of his stump before getting into a fight stance. "We don't need a rating game, I'll take this chicken shit down right here!"
"Mira!" Riser called out, gaining the attention of a small blue haired girl wearing a white haori with a red obi. The devil, Mira, jumped out from Riser's peerage and stared at Issei with her light brown eyes, clearly unimpressed by what she saw.
"Wait, I can't hurt a girl." Issei said out loud to himself as he faced off against the petite bluenette.
'Idiot.' Sona thought, recalling all the times Issie had been beaten by nearly every single female club member at Kuoh Academy.
"Hyaahh" Mira shouted as she tried to impale her staff in Issie's stomach.
Luckily for him, Kenta easily caught the staff with his bare hands before proceeding to make a fist with his free hands. His intention to knockout Riser's pawn was clear to everyone watching the scene.
"Kenta don't hit her" Marid sternly commanded Kenta, whose punch was in mid swing and was barely a few inches from an astonished Mira's face causing her hair to blow back as result of the punch. "I have no desire to get into this debacle and you knocking out Riser's pawn, no matter how honorable your action might be, will do just that" everyone including Riser was stunned by Marids proclamation.
After all, Riser was informed by his father and the Great King that Marid would do something to stop this wedding from happening. Which is why all three of them had come up with various plans to ensure that Marid wont interfere with the planning, one of those plans being having one of Marid's peerage members attacking either him or any of his peerage members. This way the Great Satan faction could lawfully completely isolate Marid and by extension Sirzech Lucifer himself from doing anything regarding Rias and her marriage contract. But now the situation was changing since Riser quickly understood that Marid was adapting to the situation, meaning he would have to do the same.
"How dare you try and attack one of my servants you low class filth. I would burn you to ashes right now," Riser bellowed at Kenta in fury. Kenta himself let out an animalistic growl before unconsciously summoning his sacred gear, Ignis Imperium, in their ring form.
Before anything could happen, Marid stood in front Riser before frostily speaking to him, "You should be very careful when you are talking to one of my peerage members Riser Phoenix. No one was hurt, so there is no point in kicking such a fuss over something that hasn't happened yet. However, if you try and hurt my peerage members then I swear on my family, I will kill you myself" at that point Marids lightning blue eyes shimmered with power as the rooms temperature dropped down to artic levels causing most of the Devils to shiver at the sensation.
Riser Phoenix, who himself was now livid started to amass his own power to attack Marid but suddenly stopped when potent killing intent slowly started to seep into the room.
"If we could stay on the topic that would be great" Grayfia calmly interrupted while also dispelling the artic wave that her son had produced. Though Marid wasn't facing his mother, he didn't needed someone to tell him that his mother had been glaring at him for almost causing a fight.
"If that is the wish of the strongest Queen" Riser glared at Marid before looking at Rias angrily, "If you want to die making your fruitless last stand on a rating game then so be it! I am sure Lady Grayfia could arrange the rating game by tonight. After I knock you down from the pedestal of yours then I will drag you back to the underworld to make you my bride" Riser spoke harshly.
"Rating game tonight! You can't be serious!" Rias paled at the thought of facing Riser and his peerage without the chance prepare.
"Damn! You really are scared aren't you" Marid couldn't help commenting aloud with a chuckle.
"What did you say?" Riser snapped his head back to face an amused Marid. A sight that infuriated him to no end.
"I said you truly are scared if you are unwilling to give Rias even a day to prepare for the rating game" Marid replied fearlessly before taking a step towards Riser, getting into his personal space.
"Or is it your masters who have ordered you to take Rias as your bride as soon as possible. Perhaps they are the ones who are scared of something! Making you do all your dirty work like the rabid dog you are" the harshness in Marids words caused an uproar in the room almost instantaneously escalated into a brawl.
"How dare you insult Riser-sama" Yubelluna, Risers queen, glared at Marid before proceeding to create a magic circle to attack him.
"I wouldn't if I were you," a calm voice from her side stopped Yubelluna in her tracks. As she quickly turned her head, she came face with Yumi who had already summoned a sword made out of her own magic, barely an inch away from her neck.
"I would advice everyone to take a deep breath before you all decide to fight here and spoil your families name" Grayfia's stern words cut through the entire room as a breeze of cold magic washed over the entire room yet again. Everything magic-related was suddenly dispelled, much to the shock of everyone present. "This is the only warning you all will get, that's include you too Lord Marid. Any acts of provocation will not be tolerated here. This situation is extremely volatile as it is."
"I understand mothe…. Lady Grayfia," Marid quickly caught himself. "But I just wanted to remind Riser of his own cowardice and potential consequences should he continue following the path he was walking on. Like I have said before, I have no desire to get my self involved in this mess for no reason" Marid nodded as he took his seat back beside an astonished Sona.
"Good" Grayfia regarded her son with a strange look before looking towards Riser and Rias, "I assume rating game is the option you both will be taking?"
"Yes," Rias responded almost immediately.
"Then perhaps it would be for the best if I were to begin scheduling the rating game," Grayfia stoically announced to the group.
"Yes, please do that in the meantime I will begin start training my peerage" Rias responded with determination in her eyes before she eyed her own nephew. "Marid will help me with the training of my peers."
'If Marid can fight against Zill and his alckeys so easily, not to mention his skills as a teacher considering how powerful Yumi is even though she has been part of the supernatural world for barely a decade. he should be able to train me and my peerage to the point we would be able to stand up to Riser' Rias thought with some hope finally forming in her brain.
"Nuh uh… Like I just said, I don't plan to get involved in this mess Rias" Marid responded resolutely.
"Please Marid I am begging you! Help me" Rias begged Marid again, this time her head touched the floor in her bow to show her sincerity, no matter how desperate it may been.
Marid looked at Rias with an unreadable expression before looking towards Sona who just spoke one thing within her mind hoping Marid could somehow hear her words, 'Please, Help her.' His gaze then shifted to her mother, who like always had a stoic expression planted on her face, and then shifted to Riser where his eyes gained that mischievous look they usually had.
"Rias, my dear. Stop begging in front of the defect for help. It's unbecoming of a person with your station and, quite frankly, embarrassing." Riser haughtily scolded. His words again almost reignited the conflict but the fear of the strongest queen kept peace within the clubroom for the moment.
Without saying anything, Marid abruptly left Sona's side and rose from the couch, startling the entire room. Rias and Sona's alarm quickly turned to curiosity as they watched their nephew/childhood friend walk past the entire group and headed straight for Rias's desk. Riser, Rias, Sona, Grayfia and all three peerages bewilderingly observed as he began scribbling a few words on a piece of scrap paper with a pen before folding the paper in half and marching up to Rias.
"There's nothing you have that I want." Marid began before reluctantly adding, "But you do have something that I need."
Rias looked up at him for a moment before focusing on the piece of paper he held; hope filled her eyes as if that scrap of paper held her salvation.
"This is going to be a contract, a contract between you and me, Rias." Marid heavily explained, holding the paper in front of Rias yet out of her reach. "I will help you breakout of your marriage contract with Riser but all of this comes with a price. This is what I need." He said, waving the paper in front of her. Rias reached to grab it, but Marid continued to hold onto it firmly, not letting go until he fully explained himself. "There will be no negotiating. It's either this or I walk out of here. If you accept this contract, then I'll expect my payment within 24 hours of the nullification of your marriage contract. Do you accept?" Marid offered Rias the paper with his demand scribbled on it.
Sona was at a complete loss on what her childhood friend wanted, 'No, not wanted, needed' she corrected herself.
Rias seemed a bit confused herself, but opened the paper and went pale as she read the contents. Her eyes went wide, her mouth was open in astonishment, and she looked up to Marid only to abruptly close her mouth with an audible 'click' when she saw him checking the time on his pocket watch as if he had more important places to be.
"And are you sure you could get me out of my marriage?" Rias asked slowly as she again regarded Marids demand.
"I can" Marid replied absolute confidence.
All the occupants of the room watched in complete astonishment as Rias actually hesitated before agreeing. 'Just what the hell is on that paper?' was the thought on everyone's mind.
Rias looked down at the note again, as if the words would somehow change into something different a second time. "I-I..." She stuttered before closing her eyes tightly and shouting out "I accept!".
The moment Rias uttered those words, a small Gremory magic circle appeared on both Rias and Marids hand before disappearing entirely. While the newer Devils were confused on the implications, the older Devils knew that it meant that Rias had lawfully agreed to Marids terms and was now honor bound to fulfil them unless she wanted to be marked as an oath breaker throughout the entire supernatural world.
The entire room held a moment of silence. Both Sona and Grayfia noted that even Marid seemed surprised that Rias had accepted his offer before smiling and turning his attention to Riser Phoenix.
"Well Phoenix looks like I will be taking charge to destroy this marriage contract. Your chances at getting Rias as a bride just went down to basically zero" Marid spoke with an amused tone as he regarded a confused Riser Phoenix.
"This has nothing to do with you, Lord Marid. This is a wedding between Riser Onee-sama and Rias Gremory!" Ravel sternly responded to Marid's teasing, entering the conversation for the first time. She had been incredibly displeased as to how unsuccessful their attempt to take Rias had been and how Marid was getting involved in this mess.
"Oh! Mademoiselle Ravel Phoenix, Marid Gremory at your service" Marid's tone made a quick turn around as he faced Ravel with the most charming smile he had given any Devil followed by a light bow. The action was so sudden that it actually caught Ravel off guard. So much so she didn't know how to respond to either Marids tone or when Marid grabbed her hand to kiss her knuckles, which caused her blush to intensify.
Everyone in the room including Grayfia was left stunned as they hadn't expected Marid to do something like that. Their shock lasted until Riser finally got a hold of his bearings and realized what Marid had done.
"How dare you touch my baby sister like that!" Riser bellowed at Marid.
"What I did was perfectly reasonable. After all I am her fiancé" Marid calmly informed the group leading to everyone's jaws to hit the floor.
"WHAT?!?" Sona, Riser and Ravel screamed in outrage and surprise at the same time.
Grayfia, who was still standing nearby, was barely able to hide her smile as she realized what Marid was doing. 'What kind of a devious Devil did I birth' Grayfia mused to herself, choosing to observe the scene for now rather than intervene to bring the meeting back to order.
"Hey, don't look at me like that. After all it was your parents who came up with the marriage contract for me and Ravel" Marid clearly amused, summoned a copy of the marriage contract out of his personal storage.
Ravel snatched the contract from the mid air before reading it thoroughly. By the end of her second read of the contract, Ravel felt numb, "I have never seen this contract. How could Mother and Father could do this to me. How could mother let this go through?" Ravel muttered in shock as she slightly trembled where she stood.
Marid actually felt bad at how much he was manipulating the situation but to save Rias and to get what he wanted he had to do it. For the greater good, as the people would say.
"I guess you now know how it feels" Rias spoke sadly while looking at Ravel.
Ravel who heard Rias words couldn't help but look at her with different light.
"I…. I " Ravel tried to form words but nothing came out. For the first time in her life, Ravel Phoenix was completely speechless.
"You let go of my sister and eradicate this contract right now or else I will beat you right this second" Riser Phoenix bellowed at Marid at full volume.
Marid, as if without a care in the world, just smiled, "I am not even going to try and come up with a sarcastic response to your threat, but before you begin to act on your assumption that you could beat me up, please be reminded that Ms. Grayfia has been instructed by Maō Lucifer and Lords of both of our houses, to ensure that this meeting remains peaceful." With that Marid simply pointed to the queen to the current Lucifer.
Riser visibly flinched at that reminder before cautiously looking over to Grayfia to confirm what the alchemist said was true.
The maid simply nodded in reply to his unspoken question.
"Relax Riser, this is a great opportunity for you." Marid cheerfully said with a smile, drawing Riser's attention back to him. "Today you get to be the hero in your sisters eyes, the one who saved her from an unwanted marriage. "
"What do you want?" Riser barked out.
"All I want you to do is to back out of the marriage contract between yourself and Rias."
"What?!?" Riser exclaimed in shock.
"That's the deal, Riser! A contract for a contract! I am sure you will be able to find a pure-blooded Devil who would not only appreciate you but also support your relationship with your peerage."
"I cant do that" Riser muttered, his voice barely over a whisper.
"Why not? Didn't you say you have been given authority to represent the house of Phoenix at this meeting. Cancelling the marriage contract should be well within your rights. That's to say if you don't really have any authority and are just being controlled by someone else as their pet dog" Marid grinned in the end.
Other Devils in the room could only look on in shock as Riser quietly seethed while also not rising to take the bait. Everyone knew, Marid had gotten Riser by his balls, anything he does will confirm Marids call out, that he was indeed being used as a pet dog by someone else, and by someone else being the Great Satan Faction.
"Onee-sama.." Ravel begun as she looked at her brother with a pleading look. Riser turned to look at her desperate look. The look that begged him to save her from the marriage.
After a long time Riser finally sighed before returning Marids amused look with his own scorching glare, "I can't just cancel the marriage contract for either mine nor Ravel. The marriage contract was drafted by the heads of both clans and cosigned by the Great King, Zekram Bael himself. To cancel the contract, it would require a mutual agreement from all of them or if any of the nullification clauses are met"
Marids smile grew at that, "Then why don't we just nullify the contract through official means"
"You mean" Riser eyes gained a vicious look when he realized what Marid was getting at.
"A rating game" Marid chuckled when he saw a savage look came over Risers face.
"I will be more than happy to pummel you into the ground for using my baby sister as a trading chip against me" Riser replied viciously.
Marid couldn't stop himself from laughing out aloud after hearing Risers declaration, "That's cute but I was talking about a rating game between yourself and Rias. After all, a rating game between us won't do us any good since the nullification clause within your and Rias's marriage contract talks about Rias beating you in a rating game and not me beating you. While mine and Ravel's marriage contract has no nullification clause"
"That's one way to chicken out of the rating game" Riser frowned at that. He was truly looking forward to fighting the oldest son of the current Lucifer.
"Oh please, there is no reality that exists out there where you can beat me in a rating game. The only people in the House of Phoenix that could genuinely challenge me in a fight is either your oldest brother and heir to your family, Ruval Phoenix, who is also a top 10 rating game player, or your mother, Rosalina Phoenix who wields power that could rival the current Satans… Well, everyone until Dad or Uncle Ajuka go into their true forms. That's when even Gods shit themselves" Marid chuckled before looking at Riser in a cool gaze.
Marid just continued, not giving Riser even a second to respond to his blatant comment about how weak Riser was compared to his mother and brother, "Well if you truly want to put your money where your mouth is then start by giving Rias a little time prepare for your rating game"
"2 days," Riser replied immediately.
"A month" Marid countered.
"None of the primary signatories will agree to that time frame. They want the wedding to be held before the start of your ridiculous meeting with those pesky Greek Gods. Five days" Riser countered arrogantly. In his arrogance, he spilled the beans about the strict time frame of the wedding.
'Well played Zekram but you would have to do better than that to get that Seere Valley off me. That little plot of land is mine' Marid thought seriously as Risers words indirectly confirmed his suspicions about the Great King faction wanting to resolve the wedding before the Olympic meeting. If what he thought was right then Zekram Bael would have Zeoticus Gremory give Riser the Seere Valley, a property in the underworld Marid desperately wanted, as a wedding gift. Since House of Phoenix was not involved in the Olympus issue, Marid could bet everything he owned that they would simply refuse giving him the property should he be successful in bringing peace to the underworld.
"Fourteen days Riser! Take it or leave it. If you refuse this offer then I guess I would be meeting you at the same altar with my bride to be" Marid winked at Ravel at the end, who herself had paled at the thought of being forced to marry Marid.
"You have a deal but none of your servants will interfere in this rating game" Riser put up his own condition.
"What the…" "Done" Rias wanted to object to the Risers senseless demand but was cut off by her own nephew. She quietly frowned since she was already planning strategies that would incorporate both Kenta and Yumi in the rating game. Given how powerful and versatile they both were, having Marids peerage members would greatly increase her chances at victory. Even though she was over the moon at how Marid had masterfully handled the negotiations, she was still gutted at not being able to use her nephews peerage members in the game.
"See you in fourteen days Rias. Hopefully by that point you would have finally come to the realization at how foolishly selfish you are and how I am the only that you should be with" Riser regarded Rias for a moment before disappearing with his magic circle alongside his peerage.
"What the hell was that!!!!" Issie finally screamed aloud. Having been held back by Yumi majority of the meeting, he now wanted some answers since most of the stuff that happened with Marid and Riser went straight over his head.
"Lord Riser Phoenix will be facing Lady Rias Gremory in a rating game in fourteen days with the rule being that none of Lord Marids peerage members would be part of the rating game" Grayfia summarized the entire meeting for the confused pawn.
However, any further conversation was halted when an ice cold voice of Sona Sitri echoed in the room. "Why didn't you tell me you were already in a marriage contract Marid" Marid stiffened in response as he saw the only woman he feared looking at him murderously.
"Now now there is no need to be this angry" Marid waved his arms in surrender, "After all the marriage contract was a sham to begin with" Marid announced much to the shock of everyone in the room.
"WHAT?!?" Everyone in the room par Yumi and Grayfia exclaimed at Marid. The former two were already aware of the expiration of said contract but that didn't meant that they were happy at how Marid manipulated the situation.
"Oh yeah the contract is already expired and has been for a long time" Marid repeated himself.
"Then those signatures…" Rias asked her nephew in shock.
"I never said the contract was fabricated Rias. I only said it was expired, or perhaps already cancelled would be the right word. Dear Grandpa Zeoticus had drawn both of our marriage contract before our battle for heirship for the house of Gremory. After my defeat he swiftly cancelled mine. I was able to get my hands on an uncancelled copy of mine and Ravels marriage contract. That's what convinced both Riser and Ravel about the legitimacy of the contract because it was at one point in time a legit marriage contract between House Gremory and Pheonix" Marid told the group the truth behind the contract.
However, his careless expression turned to a deep frown when he realized as he saw Rias teary expression. He was pretty sure Rias had connected the dots as to why Zeoticus had given her the crown of Gremory to defeat him in their battle.
'Father, you manipulated my life to such a degree to get your greed? You told me that you believed in me which is why you were giving me the crown of Gremory for my fight against Marid. So all of that was a lie? It was to satisfy your own greed? To ensure you had a in with the Great Satan Faction?' Rias thought to herself depressingly as tears welled up in her eyes.
But she took in a deep breath to calm herself before willing herself to take revenge against her own father by nullifying the marriage contract he had so delicately crafted.
"I shall go inform Lord Sirzech Lucifer and Lord Zeoticus Gremory of the outcome of this meeting" Grayfia gave the group one final formal bow before teleporting away.
"We should go train to I guess" Kiba suggested to the group.
"Not today, I have some things I need to take care of before I can commit myself to training you guys for the next two weeks" Marid spoke aloud as he stood up to head out.
"Same here. I have to do something tonight. You guys can rest today since from tomorrow you guys will be training till your bones crack" Rias willed a smile onto her face before looking towards her childhood friend, "Sona could take care of the paperwork since me and my peerage won't be attending school for the next two weeks"
"Sure" Sona nodded.
"Thanks I owe you one" Rias smiled before teleporting away.
"I guess we should go too," Kenta whispered to Yumi as he saw others leave.
"Where do you think you are going?" Marid stopped Kenta in his tracks with that one.
"Home?" Kenta replied with some confusion.
"Did you really think I will let you off that easily after you almost got yourself and by extension me in a mess that not only would have resulted me being kicked off from getting involved with Rias or her case but also could have resulted in me being kicked off the delegation for the Greek Gods which in of itself would have caused me a fortune" Marid scolded his Rook fiercely.
"Sorry?" Kenta offered an apology, but an evil smirk on Marids face told him that his apology had been denied.
"You my friend are going to be facing punishment for your actions" Marid spoke with an amused look before conjuring a magic circle in his hand.
Kenta, who was confused and, in some form, nervous, looked around the room for some help but couldn't find anything other than Yumi giving him a sympathetic look and Akeno sending him a look that would tell him that she was going to really enjoy this.
"Now time for your punishment" Marids words brought Kenta out of his inner musing. Soon a sudden coldness over took his senses as his eyes widened in fear after knowing what will be happening to him.
Elsewhere
Grayfia stoically walked through the halls of the castle that belonged to her husband and King, Maō Lucifer, as she reflected on all that had transpired. She knew before leaving for Earth that preparing Rias for her engagement would be a difficult assignment, but nothing could have prepared her for what awaited her. The way her son had handled the situation, evil it may have been, he had almost singlehandedly cancelled Rias's wedding contract on his own just by his pure skills in negotiations. It was something even her husband wasn't able to do. Another one of the reason Marid should be part of the Greek Delegation that would be probably departing to foreign shores very soon.
"Welcome back, my dear." Sirzech Lucifer welcomed his wife with a smile as he sat behind his desk and a mountain of papers. "How did everything go with Rias-chan?"
'I doubt he's actually done a single bit of work since I left.' Grayfia frowned in thought as she considered her husband's work habits. "Lady Rias has activated the rating game clause of the contract. She would be facing Lord Riser Phoenix in two weeks times"
"I see." Sirzech replied with a frown of his own. "I've done all I can to help her, though I doubt she has much of a chance to defeat Riser."
"Our son has agreed to help Lady Rias" Grayfia announced much to her husbands shock.
Sirzech looked at his wife in shock before remembering that Marid in fact does live in Kuoh.
'Isnt this a fortunate turn of events' Sirzech thought in jubilation. He could now see a path where her sister might be free from that sham of a marriage obligation.
"Why did he agree to help her?" Sirzech asked with a chuckle, clearly relieved at the thought that now her sister has more of a chance of defeating Riser.
"He's charging her an exorbitant amount for the job." Grayfia replied before handing her husband the slip of paper with her son's handwriting.
"Oh dear the entire valley? Seems our son has a bit of cunning as well. Father won't be happy about losing the summer house." Sirzechs commented with amusement. "Though I think he might feel worse when he finds out what me and the rest of the Satan's had planned for that property"
"You plan to tell Lord Gremory of the fact that you and the rest of the Satans have already completed appropriate paperwork to transfer that property to Marid, despite Lord Gremory or Great Kings protest?" Grayfia curiously asked.
"Not yet." Sirzechs replied with a smile. "But I do plan to announce it to the public soon enough. Perhaps I could do it after the Greek meeting"
"Do you think he can help Rias? Is he going to take part in the rating game himself or is he loaning Rias his pieces" Sirzechs inquired, privately wondering about political implications of his son helping out his sister to get out of her unwanted marriage.
"Neither, Lord Marid instead is going to be personally preparing Lady Rias and her peerage for the next two weeks for the rating game. Lord Riser was insistent that Lord Marid wont loan any of his pieces to Lady Rias for the duration of the rating game" Grayfia answered her husband while also giving him a meaningful look.
"So much for not wanting to get involved in the underworlds politics" Sirzech chuckled as he quickly connected the dots as to what his son had done. "Well, this rating game appears to have gotten more interesting"
"Indeed. Now, I have to inform Lord Gremory what his daughter is giving up in exchange for dissolving the engagement he's been looking forward to." Grayfia replied, dreading that burden.
"If you'll excuse me" She said, before giving her husband a bow and made her way out the room as she mentally prepared herself for not killing Lord Gremory when he eventually starts cursing out her oldest son.
At the same time
Perched upon the snow kissed mountains, a pristine white tiled castle proudly stood, showcasing its ethereal beauty for the world to see. Like an eagle's eyrie, it commanded the heights, offering breathtaking vistas. In the courtyard, a majestic phoenix statue, wings ablaze with fiery artistry, stands sentinel against the icy winds. Moreover, the mountain sanctuary marries the elegance of snow-laden branches with the mythical grace of the phoenix, creating a harmonious symphony of nature and magic within its enchanting walls. Yet also creating an intimidating effect for all its visitors.
One of such visitors was Rias Gremory, heiress to the Gremory Clan, who had found herself waiting in the waiting room of the mansion of a Devil of great importance. After so long she had finally decided to take the required steps to meet the said Devil. Perhaps the most powerful Devil out there who isn't a Satan.
"Lady Rias Gremory, My Mistress is ready to see you now" a maid wearing a perfect pristine white maid attire brought Rias out of her thoughts before leading her down the hall. Hall which was littered with images and accolades belonging to Devils of great importance who once stood proudly under the banner of the Phoenix clan.
"Mistress, I have brought Lady Rias Gremory just as you have asked" the maid bowed to her mistress who couldn't be described as anything but beautiful.
The Devil in question wore an prestigious fiery red gown that complimented her blonde hair and blue eyes, not to mention her incredibly curvaceous figure that would make her very desirable for anyone attracted to the female form. Her hair was done very high with ornate hair decorations while her face wore a expression of tranquility and compassion. Despite the incredible aura of pure raw power and superiority that emitted from around her.
Rias who was truly caught off guard by the aura of the Devil in question, didn't even notice the maid leaving, leaving her alone with the Lady of the House of Phoenix. Rias quickly coughed in her hand, trying to compose herself when she noticed the mother of her future husband giving her an expecting look.
"T-thank you for accepting my request on such a short notice Lady Phoenix" Rias quickly bowed to the lady of the house.
Rosalina Phoenix regarded Rias with an unreadable look before uttering the words that would bring the conversation onto the main reason behind Rias sudden visit to her, "So Rias Gremory, what can I do for you" Rosalina Phoenix smiled in such a way that it told Rias that she knew exactly why Rias was there.
Mentally preparing herself for a verbal chess match, Rias took in a deep breath before regarding the older Phoenix with a serious look.
Chapter End
Hopefully you liked this chapter. I put in a lot of hours perfecting this chapter. Next chapter we will move onto the training trip where there might be a surprising new guest waiting for them. Not to mention the conversation that are meant enlighten both Rias and her peerage members not only on different fighting techniques but also on the politics around Rias's marriage contract.
BTW…. THIS CHAPTER IS OVER 9000!!!!!! Hmm sorry had to do it for the memes lol!
Until then stay safe and have fun!
DGZalama out!
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