He thought that the concern was ridiculous, but that was the reality of the situation.
So...was it selfish for Rias-san to push back against her family in this situation? When the creation of more 'pure' devils would reassure a large chunk of the population?
"...Yeah. You are being selfish." Naruto finally said seriously.
The Gremory heiress eyes stayed downcast...so she really was...
"But why is that suddenly a bad thing?"
Rias' eyes snapped back to the blond, confused.
"...Well. You said it yourself right? Devils are inherently selfish creatures, even more so than humans. But being selfish by itself isn't exactly bad. It depends on how you use it right? Like protecting people you care about because they make you happy isn't bad right? Maybe not exactly the best of reasons...but not bad." Naruto said reasonably, confused on why this was a big deal.
"Besides, aren't your parents being far more selfish? Pushing something on their child without their consent? If you agreed to the marriage before and then decided at the last minute to decline it...then you'd be in the wrong. But that's not the case right? So I'd say that you have every right to push against this marriage." Naruto finished decisively, sure that he managed to answer her question to the best of his abilities.
The high-class devil stared at the blond next to her.
She never even thought about her situation in such a way before.
She felt her heart soar, that question was eating at her for the longest time...whether her actions were justified or not. Whether she should accept the arranged marriage as a child of the Gremory family or whether she could rebel against it as an independent teenager.
A weight was lifted off her shoulders.
"...Thank you, Naruto. I needed to hear that." Rias spoke gratefully, glad to know that she had some sort of moral standing in this.
The blond grinned in return, he just gave her the most honest answer he could have managed. Nothing to thank him for, really.
But just as quickly as Rias' weight was lifted, another took it's place.
"...I still need to find a way out of this marriage however. I don't have that many options left, unfortunately. At this rate...I only see one way." Rias spoke solemnly, a frown marring her face.
The only way...was to lose her virginity. She may become 'spoiled goods' in the eyes of high-class society and may even disgrace herself, but at least she may have a chance to get out of this predicament.
A far better alternative.
"Woah woah...you made this plan of yours sound pretty damn final, so before you do that...tell me about this arrangement. Maybe I can do something about it?" Naruto interrupted quickly, not sure he was liking how solemn her idea sounded.
Rias glanced at the blond, then nodded quickly. Not like she had anything to lose.
"The marriage was concluded between Lord Gremory and Lord Phenex, as an attempt to create more pure devils for the next generation. It was just as much a publicity stunt at it was a necessary measure, as it would prove to every devil that the Phenex and the Gremory clan were taking steps to fix the issue at hand. That is to say, the dangerously low amount of pure devils left alive. The marriage could only be cancelled if the two who initially agreed to the arrangement came together to cancel it or whether the two who were going to get married got together to cancel it." Rias explained, speaking like a drone who has rehearsed those lines over and over.
She then gave the blond a dry glance as she realized that he only managed to understand up to half of what she said.
"...Basically, only my father and Lord Phenex or Riser and I could cancel the marriage officially." the high-class devil reiterated in a simplified version.
Naruto finally nodded in understanding. That was really all he needed to know.
He thought about it, obviously this Riser-bastard didn't want to cancel the marriage. Maybe the blond could trick the guy into canceling the marriage? But then the guy could call foul play...which could cancel out the blond's own meddling.
So what could be done...
Then something clicked.
"Hey Rias-san. Is it possible to make another contract? Like the one that your father made?" Naruto asked, his eyes gleaming with a certain something.
She recognized that gleam, he had a devious idea no doubt.
"...I suppose. But it would have to be based on Riser' and my own consent. That would be impossible with Riser..." Rias trailed off sadly, shaking her head.
The man may be arrogant to a fault, but he wasn't stupid. He had a first-class education just like her.
Naruto only grinned. "I see. Well then, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. I think I've got an idea. Do you have any idea when this Riser-guy is coming by?"
Rias frowned, but thought about it.
"I have no idea. Perhaps I could ask Grayfia when she comes by to report about those women you've captured. I'll ask her then...but what do you have in mind exactly?" the red-head asked cautiously, this boy in front of her was dangerous in more ways than one.
The blond just gave her a foxy grin. "Don't worry your pretty little head about it. Just follow my lead when the time comes, alright?"
Rias stared at him carefully, before sighing.
She did need his help. So while she wasn't sure that trusting him to get her out of this mess was entirely smart...she didn't really have any better options.
"...Ok. I will."
"...I see your...'hobbies' have finally caught up to you. I was wondering when you would suffer such an injury. Though I must admit...I thought that the injury would've been...lower on your body."
Diodora Astaroth grit his teeth imperceptibly, at least as much as he could with the right-side of his jaw. He was kneeling in front of his lord and master, so he couldn't make any disrespectful gestures towards him.
Not unless he wanted to die.
"Milord...I have made personal contact with Uzumaki Naruto." the green haired man spoke, a slight lisp to his voice due to the fact that half of his jaw was not exactly...in working order.
Said superior devil raised an eyebrow in interest. He has been hearing that name more and more often recently...
"...Your opinion then? Be warned...I don't take the concept of liars too well..."
Diodora gulped.
"...He's extremely powerful milord. A protector fitting for that girl; Naruse Mio, that you've been targeting. I think that a test of his abilities should be in order."
The powerful devil turned away from the little cretin and thought about it. As much as he knew that the little Astaroth was trying to use him to get back at this Uzumaki...he also knew that he was truly a threat.
He needed Naruse Mio's inherited power. Pure and simple.
Uzumaki Naruto stood in the way. They would come to blows one way or another. Sooner or later.
So for now...he'd tolerate his foolish subordinate's actions...up until his abilities were no longer required.
"...I suppose you have a solution to my dilemma? Diodora Astaroth?"
The younger heir of the Astaroth clan grinned. "I have heard some interesting things during my spying activities in the Gremory summer home...Lucifer-sama."
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