Aftermath – Underworld Ceremony Hall]
The arena's shimmering barrier faded, leaving scorch marks and cracked marble as a reminder of the battle. Riser lay groaning, clutching his side where Andrew's last strike had landed, his once-arrogant expression replaced with disbelief.
Rias stood frozen for a moment, the weight of the situation finally sinking in. Then she stepped forward, her crimson hair swaying behind her as she met Andrew's eyes.
Rias: "You… you actually did it."
Andrew exhaled, rolling his shoulders like the fight had been nothing more than an intense workout. "Told you I'd keep my promise. Nobody's forcing you into a marriage you don't want."
Grafiya approached, her usual stoic expression softening just slightly as she raised her voice.
Grafiya: "By the terms of the agreement, Riser Phenex is defeated. The engagement is nullified."
Gasps rippled through the crowd of devils, whispers filling the hall. Some spoke of Riser's humiliation, others about the human — if he even was human — who had stood against a Phenex and won.
From the corner, Ravel rushed to her brother's side, glaring at Andrew but saying nothing. She knew Riser had brought this on himself.
Issei, bandaged and still sore from his own fight, stepped forward. "Heh… knew you'd pull it off. Guess that crazy training of yours really does work."
Andrew smirked. "Guess so. But this isn't just about winning. It's about protecting the people I care about."
Rias hesitated, then gave him a small bow of her head — a gesture of genuine respect. "Thank you, Andrew. Truly."
[Elsewhere – Shadows Beyond the Underworld]
Two figures observed the aftermath through a swirling, dark-blue portal.
Mira: "So that's him… the Saiyan this era produced. Strong, but holding back. Even in this fight, he didn't use his full power."
Towa: (smiling faintly) "Exactly. His energy… it's untainted by the usual chaos of this timeline. He's grown through discipline, not shortcuts. A rarity among mortals."
Mira: "You want to recruit him?"
Towa: "No. Not yet. If we move too soon, he'll reject the offer outright. But… perhaps a little nudge here, a manipulated event there, could push him toward a path more… aligned with our interests."
Her eyes glimmered with intrigue. "Besides, the look on Vali's face when they meet again will be delicious."
The portal shimmered shut, leaving only the faint echo of their voices in the void.
[Back in the Underworld – End of Ceremony]
With the crowd dispersing, Rias and the rest of the ORC gathered around Andrew. Koneko simply gave him a quiet nod — her version of approval. Akeno, on the other hand, smiled mischievously.
Akeno: "You've certainly made a name for yourself among devils today… I'm curious to see how you'll handle the attention."
Andrew shrugged, his gi still torn from the fight. "Let 'em talk. I'm not here for fame. Just want to make sure nothing like this happens again."
As they walked out, Andrew glanced up at the dark, star-filled sky of the Underworld. Somewhere out there, he could feel… something watching. It wasn't hostile — not yet — but it was powerful.
He made a mental note. Next time he trained, he'd push harder. If there were others out there sizing him up, he wanted to be ready.