"Hahahahaha… Princess Rias, look at your fiancé! He's so pathetic, he won't even accept my challenge!"
Diodora's shrill laughter sliced through the stunned silence, echoing off the marble pillars in waves of mockery.
Tenra Kamiyo, the so-called miracle child of House Phenex, had just refused a public challenge. In the world of devils, it didn't matter how powerful you were or how noble your blood—if you backed down from a challenge, you were nothing but a coward. Scorned by all.
Sure enough, as Diodora's laughter rang out, the guests' gazes turned sharp and judgmental. Some sneered openly, others looked away in disappointment.
So much for the legend. Trash is trash after all…
"Onii-chan…"
"Tenra…"
Ravel's voice trembled, eyes brimming with tears. Sairaorg, Rias, and the other girls stared at Tenra, confusion and worry etched across their faces.
They knew Tenra wasn't a coward. So why…?
Tenra gently brushed Ravel's forehead, quietly reassuring her. Then he stepped forward, the easy smile vanishing from his lips. His eyes hardened.
"Diodora, you're mistaken. I didn't refuse because I'm afraid of you—I refused because your conditions are unacceptable."
"Rias belongs to herself. Her happiness is hers to decide, not something for you to gamble with."
"You want to challenge me? Fine. But the stake isn't Rias's happiness—it's me. Everything I am. If you can defeat me, you can do whatever you want—humiliate me, kill me, it's all yours."
A gasp swept through the crowd.
He hadn't refused out of fear, but because he valued Rias's happiness above his own dignity and life?
Foolish. Ridiculous. Impossible to understand.
But Tenra stood tall, meeting every skeptical gaze with calm defiance.
He never weighed Rias's happiness against his own pride or safety. He simply refused to let her be collateral damage in his fight.
If he lost, and a woman's happiness had to pay the price for his failure—then he really would be a coward. He'd never forgive himself.
If Diodora wanted a fight, he'd get one. Tenra would stake his own dignity, his own life. If he lost, he'd accept the consequences.
"Hahahahaha…"
Sairaorg burst out laughing, his battle spirit blazing. "Kamiyo Tenra, you really are someone worth respecting!"
He'd love to fight Tenra himself, but today he'd let Diodora have his chance.
Ravel wiped her tears, pride shining in her eyes—her Tenra was no coward.
Seekvaira, Sona, and the other girls watched Tenra closely, something new and electric flickering in their gazes.
This man was different. Special.
Rias, meanwhile, stood frozen.
She wasn't a pawn for marriage or a prize to be wagered. She was Rias Gremory—her happiness, her future, were hers alone to decide.
Tenra's words echoed through her mind, striking deep.
If his protective stance earlier had stirred her heart, now his declaration unleashed a tidal wave.
"Kamiyo Tenra, you said it yourself!"
Diodora sneered, eyes gleaming with vicious delight. He hadn't expected Tenra to stake his own dignity and life so recklessly.
Ever since Tenra had cut out his rotten core, Diodora had lost all interest in women. Even the nuns and maidens he'd collected—he only tortured them for their screams, never touched them. The thought disgusted him.
Rias meant nothing to him. She was just bait to provoke Tenra into accepting the match. Now, seeing Tenra walk right into his trap, Diodora could barely contain his glee.
With Tenra's terms, he could humiliate, torment, and even kill him—neither Maou Lucifer nor House Phenex could object.
"Yes, those are my words. But Diodora—what about your stake?"
"I'll wager everything I have!"
Hatred had twisted Diodora into madness. He didn't hesitate to put everything on the line.
But Tenra shook his head.
"I don't want anything of yours. Your dignity, your life—they mean nothing to me. If you lose, you only need to do one thing—apologize to my fiancée, Rias Gremory."
Diodora froze, then his face contorted in rage.
"Kamiyo Tenra!!!"
It sounded like mercy, but it was pure humiliation.
Tenra ignored Diodora's rabid fury and turned to Sirzechs.
"Lord Sirzechs, I know I'm asking a lot, but please permit this match. If I lose, I'll accept whatever fate Diodora chooses—without complaint."
Tenra's voice was steady, his resolve crystal clear.
"Lord Lucifer, I request the same—please allow my Rating Game with Kamiyo Tenra!"
Diodora echoed, unwilling to be outdone.
Sirzechs watched them both, sighing inwardly. If he couldn't see the grudge between these two by now, he'd be a fool.
Handled poorly, this would hurt not just Tenra and Diodora, but Rias and all of House Gremory. That was unacceptable.
A flash of determination crossed Sirzechs's eyes.
"Neither of you officially qualifies for a Rating Game yet—but since you've both shown such resolve, I'll make an exception."
"Kamiyo Tenra, Diodora Astaroth—by my authority as Maou Lucifer, I grant permission for your Rating Game!"
His words sent shockwaves through the hall. Tenra and Diodora locked eyes, bloodlust and cold resolve burning between them.
Revenge or not—their first Rating Game would be a battle to the bitter end.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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