A magic circle bloomed in the center of the room, casting soft, radiant light across every surface.
"Ojou-sama, Tenra-sama, the teleportation array is ready. Please accompany me to the Underworld."
Grayfia's voice was calm and flawless, her silver hair and impeccable poise giving her an air of absolute perfection.
It had been several days since Sirzechs's last message. Rumor had it preparations in the Underworld were complete for Tenra and Rias's engagement ceremony. Now, by Sirzechs's order, Grayfia herself had arrived to escort them.
Akeno and Koneko, as Rias's loyal servants, would naturally join them. On Tenra's side, Asia, Gasper, and Yubelluna's group were coming along as well.
Raynare, Mittelt, and Kalawarner had been left behind at the house. With devils and fallen angels still at odds, bringing them into devil territory would only stir up trouble. The same went for Undine and the other familiars—they would remain behind, quietly distributing devil contract flyers laced with the hidden [Codex of Divinitas et Diabolus], continuing to recruit believers for Tenra while he was away.
"When you see my father and mother later… please, just don't say anything that could be misunderstood," Rias murmured, her cheeks tinged pink.
Tenra suppressed a laugh, nodding in agreement. No matter how many times he saw the Gremory princess flustered and nervous, it never failed to amuse him.
"Don't worry, Tenra. The Duke and Duchess are both quite easygoing," Akeno assured him, gently squeezing his hand.
Meeting the future in-laws wasn't nerve-wracking for Tenra. He gave Akeno a reassuring nod, then followed the others into the teleportation circle.
Grayfia dipped her head, stepped in, and with a shimmer of light, the group vanished.
The Underworld — Gremory Main Estate
As one of the seventy-two pillars—and the ancestral home of the current Maou Lucifer—the Gremory family commanded immense prestige in the Underworld.
Wealth and splendor were everywhere: soaring towers, lavish furnishings, and uniformed servants moving with quiet efficiency through the castle's grand halls. Every detail spoke of the family's honor and power.
A flash of light, and Tenra, Rias, and their companions emerged from the teleportation circle.
"Master, Madam, and Sirzechs-sama are waiting in the parlor. Please follow me," Grayfia said, pushing open the castle's ornate doors and gesturing them inside.
"Welcome home, Rias-ojousama!"
The greeting echoed as they entered, hundreds of attendants and maids lining the corridor, bowing in perfect unison to welcome their princess home.
Rias nodded, leading the group onward. Suddenly, a red-haired boy appeared at the far end of the hall, sprinting toward them.
"Rias onee-sama, welcome back!"
Rias's eyes softened. "Hehe… I'm home, Millicas. You've grown so much since I last saw you."
The boy hugged her tightly, and Rias ruffled his hair with sisterly affection.
"Rias, who's this?" Tenra asked, though the answer was obvious.
"My brother Sirzechs's son—Millicas," Rias replied. "Go on, Millicas, say hello."
"I'm Millicas Gremory. Pleased to meet you all." The boy bowed with perfect manners, then turned to Tenra, eyes shining. "I've heard about you, Tenra-nii-san. I really admire you. Someday, I want to become a true devil as strong as you."
There was a fierce determination in his young face, so earnest and pure it was impossible not to like him.
"You'll get there, Millicas. I'm sure of it," Tenra said, ruffling the boy's hair. Yet as he did, a strange flicker passed through his eyes.
From the moment he'd seen Millicas, the [Codex of Divinitas et Diabolus] inside him had begun to tremble and hum—a reaction he didn't understand, but one that made it clear: this Maou's son was anything but ordinary.
"Please, come this way," Grayfia called from ahead.
Tenra and the others followed her, entering a grand, sunlit parlor with Millicas at their side.
"Tenra-kun, Rias, you finally made it."
Sirzechs greeted them with a warm smile, no trace of Maou formality in his tone.
"Sirzechs-sama."
"Onii-sama!"
Tenra and Yubelluna's group bowed respectfully, while Rias shot her brother a huffy glare—he'd certainly gone above and beyond arranging her engagement.
Sirzechs only laughed, feigning ignorance of her annoyance. Two more figures stood beside him: a red-haired, dignified man and a strikingly beautiful woman with noble bearing. Tenra didn't need to ask who they were.
Rias's parents.
"Good afternoon, Uncle, Aunt. I'm Tenra Kamiyo, fourth son of the Phoenix family," Tenra said, bowing politely.
The Gremory couple exchanged a glance, clearly approving of his composure.
"No need for such formality. You're the child of Lord Phoenix and that human woman, aren't you? Hard to believe how quickly you've grown," Rias's father said, his smile warm and genuine. "I've heard of your achievements. You've done well."
Rias's mother stepped forward, introducing herself with a gentle smile. "I'm Venelana Gremory, Rias's mother."
Her flaxen hair was styled with care, and her features were so similar to Rias's that, standing together, they could easily be mistaken for sisters. But where Rias was bold and lively, Venelana radiated a graceful authority—and a mature elegance her daughter had yet to match.
"So you're little Tenra from the Phoenix family. Phoenix-san is always telling me how wonderful her little Tenra is," Venelana said, her eyes twinkling. "And I must say, you haven't disappointed. You're outstanding in every way, and a perfect match for my Rias."
Tenra felt a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. Why did all these mothers insist on calling him "little Tenra"? And apparently his own mother had been bragging about him to his future mother-in-law.
"Ah, you're too kind, Aunt…" he managed, coughing awkwardly.
"Mother!" Rias protested, face flushed as she glared at her mother.
Venelana only laughed, her amusement ringing through the room.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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