"Alright, Kazuki, time to make the rounds!"
Rias took his arm, dragging him into the lion's den of noble politics. After his victories over Kokabiel and the White Dragon Empress, Kazuki had become something of a celebrity among devil nobility.
Thankfully, Venelana's brutal etiquette training kept him from embarrassing himself—though by the time they finished, he felt like a wrung-out towel.
Meanwhile, Rias, ever the socialite, looked completely unfazed as she chatted away with a group of noble girls, Akeno at her side.
"You look exhausted, senpai!! Here…"
Xenovia handed him a drink, which he gulped down gratefully.
The entire peerage was feeling the strain. Being part of Rias' inner circle meant constant scrutiny—without Akeno and Yumi's experience, they might have crashed and burned.
Just as Kazuki caught his breath—
"My, my~ Long time no see, Guyver!!"
A familiar, haughty voice cut through the chatter.
Ravel Phoenix.
The younger sister of Riser Phoenix, the man whose pride Kazuki had crushed in the Rating Game.
"Ravel. How's your brother these days?"
"Oh, dear brother is still moping after losing to you and having Lady Rias stolen away. Pathetic, really~!!"
She sighed dramatically, fanning herself—not a trace of resentment in her tone.
"Ravel… you were his Bishop, weren't you? You don't hate me for what happened?"
"Tch. Don't flatter yourself. Defeat in the Rating Game simply means you were stronger. It was a valuable lesson for my fool of a brother." She smirked.
"Besides, I'm no longer his servant. Mother traded for me—I'm her Bishop now."
'Wait, High-Class Devils can trade pieces?'
That was news to Kazuki.
"So you needn't worry, Guyver-san~"
"Drop the 'Guyver.' I told you before—it's Kazuki Fuwa."
Ravel's blue eyes widened, her cheeks suddenly flushing pink.
"Ehh!? I-I can call you by your name!? T-Then… Kazuki-sama, it is!!"
'Why the hell is she using honorifics when I'm not!?'
Before he could question it further—
"Pardon the interruption. Kazuki, Sirzechs-sama has requested your presence."
Grayfia's icy voice cut in.
Ravel immediately curtsied, her skirt fluttering.
"Well then, Kazuki-sama, I shall take my leave. Do attend our next tea party—I'll bake you a cake myself~ Farewell!"
With that, she pranced off, her steps suspiciously giddy.
'That reaction… No way. She can't possibly!'
"Sigh… Again, senpai?"
"That Yakitori princess…"
Yumi and Shirone groaned in unison.
Kazuki decided retreat was the better part of valor.
"Lead the way, Grayfia-san."
"Of course. But first—" Her glacial stare pinned him in place.
"Do try to behave."
"…Yes, ma'am."
Under Grayfia's quiet yet commanding presence, Kazuki could only nod in acquiescence.
He was led to a VIP room on the second floor of the venue, where not only Sirzechs and Serafall were present, but also Rias and the entire Gremory household had gathered.
"Ah, you've arrived, Kazuki-kun. Well then, shall we begin?" Sirzechs, along with Serafall, moved toward the balcony.
From there, the entire venue was visible, and as soon as the crowd noticed the appearance of the Maou, thunderous applause and cheers erupted.
"My friends! I thank you all for gathering here tonight!"
Raising his right hand to quiet the cheers, Sirzechs began his speech.
"Under normal circumstances, I would prefer to deepen our bonds as we do every year. However, before that, there is something I must address. Surely, it remains fresh in your memories—the foolish crimes committed by high-ranking devils, beginning with the House of Naberius."
The crowd reacted in various ways—some wore pained expressions, others scowled in displeasure, while a few openly displayed their anger.
"Pure-blooded devils now make up barely 10% of our population. We must all recognize that our kind can no longer survive without integrating the blood of other races. As the rulers of the Underworld, we, the Four Great Satans, vow to ensure that such idiotic crimes by the nobility never happen again!"
Next, Serafall Leviathan spoke with a dignity that bore no trace of her usual carefree demeanor. Her beauty drew sighs of admiration from across the venue, and once again, the hall was filled with applause and cheers.
"Now then, there is someone I would like to introduce to you all. Rias, Kazuki-kun, come here."
Once the cheers had settled somewhat, Sirzechs beckoned for Kazuki and Rias to step forward.
"Allow me to introduce my sister, Rias Gremory, and her servant—the [Guyver], Kazuki Fuwa!"
The venue buzzed with murmurs, countless gazes piercing into Kazuki.
"Some of you may have already heard rumors of him. He has achieved numerous feats—defeating the fallen angel executive Kokabiel, subduing the terrorist group Khaos Brigade's former Satan faction member, Katerea Leviathan, and even the White Dragon Empress. His combat prowess far surpasses that of an average high-class devil."
The stares directed at him were a mix of awe and admiration—as well as suspicion and jealousy. Not that he could blame them, since most hadn't witnessed his strength firsthand.
"Given the recent turmoil—the Khaos Brigade's schemes, the exposure of noble corruption—the Underworld is in dire need of strength. Thus, by the authority of us, the Four Great Satans, we hereby grant Kazuki Fuwa an exceptional promotion to the rank of High-Class Devil!"
The hall erupted in shock. Everyone—from Issei and the other servants, to Sona and Ravel, to complete strangers—was stunned. Even Kazuki and Rias were taken aback by the sudden announcement.
The only ones who remained unfazed were likely the Gremory parents, Serafall, and Grayfia, who must have known beforehand.
But the surprises didn't end there.
Sirzechs continued…
"And furthermore, I hereby declare the formal engagement between him and my sister, Rias Gremory—!"
The biggest bombshell of the night detonated, sending the venue into an uproar.
"This is your reward. Do you approve?"
Sirzechs wore a mischievous grin, like a child who had successfully pulled off a prank.
Kazuki had expected many things, but never something he had longed for so deeply…
Truly, this man was impossible to resist.
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