"HELL YEA- Ahem, I mean... Yeah, they won, very cool." Jinrang shouted before he realized who he was sitting with, and tried to save the situation.
Sirzechs stifled a laugh, before he got up and walked towards Jinrang, with a gentle smile on his face. "Thank you, for helping my sister with her predicament." Sirzechs placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I-It's not a big deal, we are close friends, I'll obviously do my all when it comes to helping them."
"I see... my sister is blessed to have a friend like you. If there comes a time when you need my help, contact me, I won't be able to help you as 'Sirzechs Lucifer', but I'll help as just 'Sirzechs', Rias's older brother." Sirzechs said seriously.
"T-Thank you, I guess..." Jinrang muttered avoiding eye contact, while looking at the door.
In Jinrang's mind, the image of Sirzechs changed, he wasn't some arrogant asshole who'd kill you just for breathing wrong, he wasn't condescending, he didn't look down on anyone, from what Jinrang gathered from today, was that the Lucifer was a kind person, cared deeply for his family, but still... there was one question he just had to ask, even if it could be taken as an insult.
"I apologize, Lord Lucifer, but I... can't help but wonder, why didn't you help Rias cancel the marriage? You're her older brother... and the leader of the entire devil race, couldn't you have... stopped this from happening?" Jinrang asked.
"I couldn't as much as I wanted to. You see, when you take on the position of a 'Satan' you cut all ties with your family, of course I can still visit and such, but I can't involve in similar affairs, some would consider that as me favoring the Gremory household, and misusing the power granted to me. The population and other influential households would demand that I vacate the position of 'Lucifer'. But, let's say that I helped Rias, and I cancelled the engagement, the Phoenix household would take that as an insult, and given how prideful noble devils are, they'd make the situation difficult for the Gremory household."
Jinrang was left speechless, hearing just how complex and difficult being a 'Satan' is.
"But... what about the Gremory head?"
"Hmmm... father himself had an arranged marriage with my mother, however it worked well for them and they love each other very much, because of that, he thought that maybe the same could happen with Rias and Riser. to simplify it, marriage first, love later."
"I see, thank you for explaining it to me, Lord Lucifer. Admittedly, I'm not that smart when it comes to that kind of stuff." Jinrang chuckled.
"I used to be like that as well, but I guess it comes with age?" Sirzechs laughed, smacking Jinrang on the shoulder lightly.
"Anyways, drop the whole 'Lord Lucifer', call me Sirzechs, a precious friend of Rias is a precious friend of mine."
"Bu-"
"But nothing, I insist."
"A-Alright, S-Sirzechs."
"There we go, wasn't so hard was it?"
Sirzechs smiled once more, "Now, let's go visit the victors shall we?"
.
.
.
.
After the Gremory group got transported into the infirmary, Rias took a deep breath and sat down on the bed.
Issei and Kiba were getting healed by Asia, Koneko didn't really need any because when she first got there, a phoenix tear was used to heal her severe burns.
The Phoenix Tear is quite a powerful item, the burns were gone as if they were never there in the first place. When it comes to healing, if we don't count The Sacred gear which is in Asia Argento's hands, the Phoenix Tear has no equal.
"Akeno... this isn't a dream, right?" She asked, still in disbelief that she actually won and regained her freedom.
"No, Rias it isn't. You've won, no one will dare doubt your capabilities again." Akeno answered, and took a seat next to her dearest friend.
"I guess... but it feels too good to be true I don't know why... I feel like I'm dreaming."
Akeno listened wholeheartedly, and chuckled.
"What is it?"
"I've been thinking, ever since Jinrang came into our lives, everything seems to be going great."
"Jinrang? Akeno, here I am opening my heart to you, and you're over here thinking about your boyfriend? Some friend you are."
"Hehe. I guess I'm a bit too infatuated with him."
"What a hopeless girl, but... you're right, he definitely has had an impact on us, mostly Issei and you. Speaking of that, don't you think... that you and him moved... a bit too fast maybe?"
"Possibly, but I don't think you should talk about moving fast, tell me how's it going with Issei?" Akeno turned the tables swiftly.
"W-Wha-" Rias stuttered.
"Oh, I guess the situation's looking pretty bad then..."
"Y-Yeah… he just doesn't seem to take the VERY OBVIOUS hints."
"My my... Rias...Let me give you some advice, drop those 'Strategic books' you were reading if you want to win his heart make the first move, be direct be bold. 100% success guaranteed."
Before the two could continue to bicker, the door to the infirmary opened.
"Hello everyone."
It was Sirzechs Lucifer, Rias' older brother, he walked in and immediately all eyes turned towards him.
Kiba, Akeno and Koneko bowed immediately to show their respect, Issei just stood there dumbly for a second before he bowed as well.
Jinrang walked in, right after Sirzechs and silently waved. "Hey guys, it was a great fight, I'm proud of you all." He spoke, looking at eveyone, but his gaze lingered on Akeno and Issei for a second longer.
Sirzechs clapped, regaining everyone's attention. "I have a couple things to say. Firstly, congratulations everyone, you've fought splendidly and scored a victory against Riser, that is no small feat. Be proud of it. Secondly, tomorrow The Gremory house will hold a private banquet to congratulate your win, I won't bother you guys anymore, get some rest you all deserve it."
"Brother, why would mom and dad… hold a banquet for us? I broke the engagement…"
Sirzechs understood what her precious sister was asking.
"Dear Rias, we can talk in private right now, if you want to."
"Yes, that would be great." Rias immediately got up and followed
Rias and Sirzechs walked out, leaving the room in silence.
"Wonder what that's about." Issei asked, shattering the silence.
"Best we leave that subject, it's not our business." Jinrang responded.
"J-Jinrang, how was your meeting with Sirzechs?" Surprisingly it was Asia who asked.
The thing is, the two didn't really interact much, mostly because Asia was still intimidated by Jinrang, but was slowly getting over it. So it was a bit surprising when she took the initiative.
"Well… he is not what I was expecting, he's friendly, kind, polite and humble, not what you'd expect from The Lucifer, my assumptions were proven wrong."
"Careful there, someone might think you're crushing on him." Issei smirked.
"I very clearly am into women, if that wasn't obvious from mine and Akeno's relationship."
"Anyways, once again you've all done well, great job on executing the plan. Akeno, I'm very proud… you know why."
Jinrang said, while wrapping his arms around his beloved.
"Mm… Then you know… what I'm going to ask in return, right?~" a mischevious smile climbed on her face.
"I have… a couple of ideas." Jinrang gulped, looking at her.
Seeing their interaction, Asia became slightly envious, as she glanced at Issei.
"Go get a room and leave us single folk be, we don't need to watch your lovey-dovey couple acts." Issei spoke angrily.
Jinrang and Akeno chuckled and separated.
"U-Uhm, what should we do now?" Asia questioned.
"We can teleport home, I believe Rias will be here for much longer." Kiba said
"Sounds good." Koneko agreed.
"Yeah, that would be fantastic I want nothing more than to lay in bed and sleep right now… and this infirmary bed just doesn't do it."
"I agree, nothing is better than your own bed." Jinrang agreed.
Akeno quickly nodded as well.
"Alright then, I'll take care of Asia and Issei, see you all tomorrow." Kiba said and waved.
And with that, the devils and Jinrang split up, each going home, and let's just say Jinrang didn't get much rest that night.
Not that he was complaining of course.