Suddenly, a different magic circle lit up in the middle of the clubroom floor.
Crimson flames erupted, spiraling upward, and a tall silhouette stepped out from within.
With a sharp flick of his arm, the flames dissipated, leaving behind a man dressed in a striking red suit.
He wore it almost mockingly—no tie, top buttons undone, his chest exposed like he was in some kind of flashy drama.
He looked to be in his early twenties, with sharp features and a dangerous aura radiating off him.
His hands casually slid into his pockets, but there was nothing casual about the tension he brought with him.
Honestly, he looked like he'd just walked straight out of a host club.
A host demon?
That was the only way my brain could rationalize it.
And his face… ugh.
He had the kind of pretty-boy charm that always rubbed me the wrong way.
If Kiba was the refined prince, then this guy was the wild rogue.
Not that it mattered—at least he wasn't better looking than everyone else here.
Though… maybe, just maybe, he was a tiny, teeny, little bit more handsome than me.
A fact I instantly shoved down into the darkest corner of my mind.
Still, the real issue wasn't his looks.
It was the sheer anger simmering behind his expression as his eyes swept across the room.
Why was he here?
And more importantly, why did it feel like he was ready to explode?
His eyes suddenly lock on Rias.
"Rias — what is the meaning of this?! Why did you cheat on me?! And with a filthy, lowly human?!" he snarls, stalking forward.
Rias meets him calmly, cold as ice.
"Riser, it's up to me who I end up with. You have no right. And how many times must I tell you that I never agreed to this engagement?!"
…wow, look — birds are chirping outside…
NO!!! Don't escape reality, you idiot!
There's still a chance to fix this.
First, calm down and think it through.
Apparently, he and Rias are supposed to be engaged or going to be engaged, but Rias doesn't want it, so they're not a thing yet.
From his side, it looks like she "cheated," but from hers, it's forced.
And yes… with their conversation, it sounds like Rias already "cheated" on him with a human — me.
I mean… I, uh… checked.
Her virginity myself.
So it couldn't be anyone else.
Anyway, because of me, a potential engagement has turned into an affair, or at least a scandal.
How do I know all this?
I read enough manga.
This is one of those scenes: the heroine doesn't want to marry, but is being forced to.
…Then I just need to kill him, right?
Wait! You idiot, you're being emotional!
Remember — even in those anime and manga, they didn't just kill the rival outright because it would create some political bullshit.
And me?
I'm weak in this department.
All I can rely on is the experience I picked up from countless novels and manga.
But then… what should I do?
The only real problem here is that Rias's reputation might get stained.
And that's something I'd absolutely hate.
Which means — like it or not — I have to be directly involved and make it my problem instead of hers.
The good part is that Rias's displeasure and disgust toward him aren't hidden at all.
That means all I have to do is prove that I'm several times better than him in the eyes of her family.
Right?
I think.
Probably.
After all, if the story gets out that the evil demon was trying to force her to marry, and I saved her, then she won't have any stain on her reputation.
It may even turn into something enjoyable to talk about, like forbidden love or something?
They're devils, after all.
So what matters most to them? Strength? Greed?
Or maybe it's just about who can best satisfy their sins.
While I was still running through scenarios in my head, Riser suddenly grabbed Rias by the collar.
"Don't fuck with me! You've already stained my reputation — do you think I'll forgive you?! You've gone too far this time! I waited, hoping you'd come to understand there was no escape, but you dared to cheat on me!"
That was it.
I yanked a steel pipe straight out of my inventory and slammed it across his hand, knocking it away from her.
You know what?
Screw all that careful thinking.
Forget politics, forget caution.
Let's just show this world exactly what they're in for.
Riser's burning eyes locked onto me, overflowing with hate.
"You, human… what do you think you're doing?! …Wait—" his face twisted in rage as realization struck, "you're that human! The one who slept with her! I'll kill you!"
I met his glare with a cold stare of my own, voice cutting like steel.
"Kill? Sure. Come at me. I'll slaughter you."
But before either of us could move, Rias stepped in front of me, crimson hair swaying like a banner of defiance.
"Riser, if you so much as try to hurt him, I will declare war on you!"
The tension thickened instantly — so heavy it was as though the air itself would shatter under the weight.
The entire room went silent; I couldn't even hear the others breathing.
But I was too consumed by anger to care about the atmosphere.
Then — without warning — a magic circle lit up on the floor.
From it, a figure emerged: the silver-haired maid, stepping forth with an expression as calm as ice.
"Lady Rias, Lord Riser, please calm yourselves. I won't be able to stand by if you both keep this up. For the sake of Lord Sirzechs's name and honor, I will not hold back."
Grayfia's voice was quiet, yet it carried an unshakable weight.
Both Rias and Riser froze, their expressions stiffening immediately.
It was clear now — Grayfia was someone to be feared.
The flames that had been dancing across Riser's body flickered out, and with a deep sigh, he shook his head.
"…I have no intention of crossing the woman praised as the strongest Queen alive. And I certainly don't want to make enemies of those monsters who serve under Sirzechs."
So, Rias's brother truly was a powerful figure.
I heard from her about him one time that he is Satan.
Rias, too, allowed her crimson aura to fade, lowering her stance with reluctance.
It seemed the worst had passed.
Me? Well, I also calmed down for now.
Seeing that both sides were standing down, Grayfia continued, her expression as calm and unreadable as ever.
"His Lordship, Lord Sirzechs, along with the House of Phenex, anticipated that matters could reach this point. These discussions were intended to be the final attempt at resolution. However, knowing the possibility of failure, they devised an alternative solution. Yet, Lady Rias, your defiance has altered the course."
"…What exactly do you mean, Grayfia?" Rias asked, her voice wary.
Grayfia drew a measured breath before delivering the verdict.
"Originally, the decision was whether the engagement stood or was annulled. But because of your impulsiveness, great commotion has been stirred. Therefore, it has been decided that you will settle this matter with Lord Riser through a Rating Game."
She paused only a moment before declaring the harsh condition.
"The loser must grant everything the winner demands."
"—?!"
Rias's eyes widened, her composure faltering at last.
This time, she was truly shaken.
Then, Grayfia's gaze shifted to me.
She stepped forward with measured grace until she was standing directly before me.
"Lord Zevion," she said evenly, her silver eyes sharp as blades.
"Lord Sirzechs has personally permitted you to join Lady Rias's team as an exception, given that you are the primary cause of the current situation and Lady Rias doesn't have a full set. Naturally, should you and Lady Rias emerge victorious, you too will be entitled to demand anything from the defeated."
Her words sank into the tense silence of the room like a weight dropped into still water.
"Furthermore," she continued, her tone allowing no room for argument, "everyone present must now agree on the time and date of the Rating Game."
With that, she inclined her head slightly and stepped aside, her posture perfectly composed once more.
She had said what needed to be said, and now the burden of choice rested upon us.
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