The shift of the wind in the Underworld has changed. Ruval Phenex, the heir of the Phenex Clan, renounced his claim to become the Head of the Phenex Clan.
Instead, it fell to his youngest brother, Riser Phenex, who took on the mantle of Adolf Riser's name after shedding his old one.
Every devil who had participated in the recent war had witnessed this man's rise.
They saw him charge into battle alongside them with unmatched bravery, even as blinding light rained down upon him, leaving him gravely injured yet undeterred. His courage in the face of death was undeniable.
Those who were injured and forced to retreat from the frontlines found themselves flocking to the Phenex Clan's side.
They pledged their loyalty to Riser, eager to become part of his growing faction.
The Underworld was rife with rumors—many devils longed to join Adolf Riser's peerage, seeing him as a symbol of strength and leadership.
His charm was infectious. He was the only noble who stood at the frontlines, while others cowered behind closed doors, too frightened to fight.
He was a leader in every sense, taking on challenges headfirst without hesitation.
But this wasn't the only shocking news to stir the Underworld. Word had spread of Riser's ongoing engagement to Lady Rias Gremory, who was still grieving the loss of her friends.
Despite her sorrow, she had been locked away by her family, forbidden from participating in the war. Her brother, Sirzechs, had sought peace, not wishing for his people to continue sacrificing themselves in a senseless conflict that threatened to consume them all.
Yet, the Underworld didn't want peace—they craved the drama, the scandal, the salacious gossip.
And that was exactly what Adolf Riser provided.
Whispers of his relationship with Le Fay Pendragon, a prodigy of the Chaos Brigade, were spreading like wildfire.
Was Riser planning to annul his engagement to Rias Gremory in favor of the Le Fay Pendragon?
No one knew for sure, but they were desperate to find out.
And so, the Underworld flocked to the banquet Riser had arranged—a grand event where not only the Gremory family was invited but all devils who wished to witness this dramatic declaration could attend.
Would Riser openly declare his intentions? Would he betray his engagement with Rias?
The intrigue was too much to resist.
Ignorant of what had truly transpired, Rias cast her gaze at Riser, who stood at the head of the table with a longing look in her eyes.
The way he carried himself—his posture, the way he sat, and his confident demeanor—radiated power and authority.
Every aspect of him screamed dominance, charisma, and self-assuredness, making him far more attractive than he had been when they first spoke.
Back then, he had seemed like just another inexperienced boy, but now, he was something much more.
Compared to her own existence, confined under the watchful control of her brother, barred from engaging in politics, and denied the chance to avenge her friend's death, Riser was a stark contrast.
He was defiant at heart, a man who pursued what he believed was right without hesitation.
He had the courage to rebel, to leave his home, and to forge himself anew.
He fought for his ideals with reckless abandon, even when doing so came at the cost of his own safety and well-being.
She had never missed the stories of his development. Despite the isolation forced upon her, she had heard whispers of his achievements, and she yearned to live a life like his.
Yet, deep down, she knew her courage could never match his. While she obeyed her brother, her family, and the shackles they placed upon her, Riser refused to surrender.
He fought until the bitter end, unapologetically standing for what he believed to be right.
When he decided to become a painter, he pursued it with unrelenting determination, eventually becoming famous in Vienna for his art.
When he chose to fight for the devils and avenge his race, who had been trampled underfoot by the fallen angels, he threw himself into the battlefield without hesitation.
He fought valiantly, even sustaining serious injuries as a result.
And what about her? She often screamed for freedom in the silence of her heart but took no action to achieve it.
She desired vengeance for her friends, yet she allowed herself to be locked away by her family, submitting to their will and forfeiting the freedom she so desperately craved.
She had been born into a better house, blessed with better talent, and given a head start in life compared to him.
And yet, despite all her advantages, she had utterly lost when compared to her fiancé.
Despite knowing so little about him, she longed for him.
She looked up to him, hoping their engagement would work out and that he might somehow lead her to the freedom she had never been brave enough to claim for herself.
But there was so much she didn't know. Her brother hadn't told her the full story, and neither had her family.
They had locked her away, isolating her from the world and from the man she was supposed to marry.
Now, all she could do was watch as her fiancé clapped his hands, drawing the attention of everyone present.
He took the center stage, standing tall and commanding the room as his sharp gaze swept across the guests before him.