As the days passed, Kuoh gradually began to regain an appearance of normalcy. The humans continued following their routines without remembering the barrier, the spears of light, or the battle that had nearly turned Kuoh Academy into a battlefield.
Sona also returned to her position as student council president. Tomoe's death still left traces in her eyes, but the Sitri heiress did not allow herself to abandon her responsibilities for long.
Meanwhile, Asia joined Xenovia, Selene, and Koneko during the adaptation lessons organized by Ravel. Even though she had lived outside the Church longer than Xenovia, Asia still had a limited view of the ordinary world, devil contracts, and social life outside a religious institution.
Koneko followed everything in silence. Part of her was there to help Asia, but another part seemed simply curious to see how long Xenovia would last before asking another absurd question.
For Gasper, that brief period should have been peaceful.
It should have been.
Peace, however, was interrupted by a simple piece of news: Sirzechs Lucifer would personally visit the Gremory Mansion.
GREMORY MANSION – LIVING ROOM
Gasper was sitting beside Rias on the main sofa in the living room. Akeno occupied a nearby armchair, wearing a smile far too calm for someone who was clearly waiting for an opportunity to tease the two of them.
Rias was holding Gasper's hand, but the tightness of her fingers revealed her uneasiness. Ever since Sirzechs's call, she had been unable to fully relax.
'If Sirzechs is coming to speak with Rias personally, then it must be something important.'
Gasper kept a neutral expression as he considered the possibilities. Kokabiel, Azraelion, the barrier, the Old Satan Faction, and the Three Factions Conference were still connected by threads he could not fully see.
"Ara, ara, Gasper-kun." Akeno tilted her head slightly, taking advantage of his serious expression. "Why that look? Are you thinking Sirzechs-sama came to arrange your marriage with Rias?"
Rias immediately blushed.
"Akeno."
Gasper looked at Akeno without showing any embarrassment.
"I'm not afraid of marriage." He intertwined his fingers with Rias's and spoke naturally. "If Rias is ready, then so am I."
Rias's face turned even redder, and Akeno brought a hand to her lips to hide her laughter. The teasing had turned against her far too easily.
"Stop joking around, Akeno." Rias tried to recover her composure while squeezing Gasper's hand. "Judging by my brother's tone on the call, this is something serious."
"And your marriage wouldn't be something serious?" Akeno asked with a teasing gleam in her eyes.
"Of course it would." Rias looked away for a moment before regaining her firmness. "But only after school."
Gasper fell silent.
'School... what purpose does that even serve for us devils?'
The question crossed his mind sincerely. Most of the people present were already dealing with supernatural politics, battles against fallen angels, and threats capable of destroying cities, yet they still had to pretend to care about classes and grades.
Before he could continue that thought, the crest of House Gremory appeared on the floor of the room. Red energy spread in precise lines, and the magical pressure immediately changed.
'Sirzechs and Grayfia.'
The circle shone brightly.
SHUUUN!
Sirzechs Lucifer appeared in the center of the room beside Grayfia. The Maou wore the same gentle smile as always, while Grayfia maintained her flawless, cold, and respectful posture.
Rias stood up almost immediately.
"Onii-sama!"
Lucifer's powerful expression vanished in front of his sister. The absolute ruler of the Underworld opened his arms and welcomed Rias as if he were not one of the Four Great Maous, but merely an older brother happy to see his little sister.
"Rias, my dear little sister." Sirzechs embraced her affectionately and turned slightly, completely ignoring the dignity expected of a Maou. "It's so good to see you're safe."
"Onii-sama, stop that." Rias tried to maintain some composure, but she couldn't hide her smile.
"After everything that happened in Kuoh, your brother has the right to personally confirm that you're safe." Sirzechs held her shoulders and examined his sister's face. "You look tired."
"I am tired," Rias replied honestly. "But I'm fine."
"That's what matters most." Sirzechs briefly stroked her hair before letting her go.
Grayfia remained a few steps behind, as though the scene did not involve her husband completely abandoning his Lucifer persona in front of his sister. She simply inclined her head in greeting toward Gasper and Akeno.
"Grayfia-sama." Gasper returned the gesture respectfully.
"Grayfia-sama." Akeno also greeted her, maintaining her elegance as she watched the exchange between the siblings.
After separating from Rias, Sirzechs walked toward Gasper. His smile remained gentle, but there was a more serious attentiveness behind his eyes.
"Gasper-kun."
"Sirzechs-sama." Gasper stood and slightly inclined his head.
"I see you've been taking good care of my sister." Sirzechs briefly glanced at Gasper and Rias's still-linked hands. "That pleases me."
Rias blushed again, but did not interrupt. For once, the teasing was not coming from Akeno, but from her own brother.
"I'm fulfilling my duties as her boyfriend and as a member of her peerage," Gasper replied with enough formality to leave no opening.
"Good." Sirzechs smiled as if that answer had been exactly what he wanted to hear. "Keep it up."
Akeno turned her face away to hide a smile, while Rias took a deep breath to regain control of the conversation.
"So, Onii-sama." Rias looked at her brother more seriously. "What brought you here personally?"
The atmosphere in the room changed with the question.
Sirzechs allowed his brotherly expression to soften, though it did not disappear completely. He gestured toward the sofas, and everyone sat down before Grayfia positioned herself beside him.
"I came to talk about the Three Factions Peace Conference." Sirzechs rested his hands on his knees as he looked at Rias, Gasper, and Akeno. "After the events involving Kokabiel, we've decided to move forward with the meeting between devils, angels, and fallen angels."
Rias remained still for a few seconds.
"In Kuoh?"
"Yes." Sirzechs confirmed without hesitation. "Kuoh Academy will be used as the main location for the conference."
Gasper maintained a neutral expression.
'In the end, just like in the anime.'
The difference was that almost nothing around him was following exactly the same path. Kokabiel was alive, Azraelion was alive as well, Tomoe had died, Xenovia was now part of his peerage, and the Old Satan Faction had already acted from the shadows.
Sirzechs noticed the silence and continued.
"The choice of Kuoh has political and strategic reasons. The human world functions as neutral territory, and the city is already connected to both the Gremory and Sitri families." He looked at Rias. "You and Sona will be responsible for part of the local security."
Rias immediately straightened her posture.
"I understand."
"This will be important for you as the Gremory heiress." Sirzechs kept his tone serious. "Not only because of protecting the conference, but because of how you handle representatives from other factions, protocols, and possible incidents."
Rias nodded, although Gasper noticed the tension in her fingers.
"Will Sona participate as well?" Akeno asked.
"Yes," Grayfia answered this time. "Sona-sama has already been informed. Despite the recent events, she has returned to her duties and agreed to participate in the organization."
Rias fell silent for a moment, and Gasper immediately knew her thoughts had returned to Tomoe. Even so, Rias did not allow her concern to take over the conversation.
"She won't have to do it alone," Rias replied. "I'll help her with whatever is necessary."
"I know." Sirzechs smiled faintly. "That's why I trust both of you."
His gaze then shifted toward Gasper.
"And there is also considerable expectation surrounding you, Gasper-kun."
Gasper did not look away.
"Me?"
"You captured Kokabiel and Azraelion alongside Grayfia." Sirzechs spoke without exaggeration, but the weight behind the statement was clear. "Besides, you're now a High-Class Devil with a peerage of your own. Your presence at the conference will be watched by many people."
Gasper understood the meaning behind those words. He would not be there merely as Rias's servant or her boyfriend. He would be there as a rising political figure.
"You can count on me," Gasper replied formally. "I'll protect Rias, assist with security, and follow whatever instructions are necessary to prevent problems."
"Excellent." Sirzechs seemed satisfied. "I also want to personally thank you for what you did in Kuoh. If Sona and the others survived, it was because you and Grayfia arrived in time."
"We arrived too late for Tomoe." Gasper did not try to turn the victory into something absolute.
The room became quieter for a moment.
Sirzechs met his gaze with respect.
"Yes." The Maou did not deny it. "But that does not erase those who were saved."
Rias squeezed Gasper's hand beneath the table. Akeno also remained silent, understanding that those words were not merely a diplomatic response.
Sirzechs took a deep breath and returned to the main topic.
"During the conference, Michael will represent the angels, Azazel will represent the fallen angels, and I will represent the devils. Security will be reinforced, but there is still a risk of interference from the Old Satan Faction."
Grayfia completed the explanation.
"The barrier used by Kokabiel was provided by that faction. That indicates they have a direct interest in Kuoh or in someone currently here."
Gasper understood the unspoken part.
Him.
Perhaps Rias.
Perhaps the conference itself.
But the possibility that he had been watched from even earlier bothered him more than he wanted to show.
"I'll reinforce my bats throughout the city." Gasper made the decision without waiting for an order. "I can also use shadows in blind spots near the Academy."
"Do that." Sirzechs nodded. "But don't interfere with the humans' daily lives beyond what's necessary."
"Understood."
The meeting continued for several more minutes. Sirzechs explained dates, basic protocols, which areas of the school would be isolated, and how the human students would be kept away without drawing attention.
Once everything had been clarified, he stood up.
"I'll return soon to oversee the final preparations." Sirzechs looked at Rias affectionately. "Take care of yourself, Rias."
"You too, Onii-sama."
Grayfia approached the magic circle and inclined her head toward those present.
"Gasper, remain attentive to your control over the Forbidden Balor View." She directed her gaze toward him for a moment. "The conference will gather individuals far too powerful for any careless use."
"Yes, Grayfia-sama."
Sirzechs smiled one last time before activating the circle with Grayfia.
SHUUUN!
Red light surrounded the two of them before disappearing, leaving the room quieter than before.
Rias remained seated for several seconds, still holding Gasper's hand. Akeno watched the two of them without making any new jokes, because even she understood that the situation was too serious for immediate teasing.
Gasper looked toward the spot where Sirzechs and Grayfia had disappeared.
'In the anime, they tried to kidnap me during this arc.'
The memory passed through his mind like a cold blade.
'But now everything has changed. Kokabiel is imprisoned, Xenovia is with me, my power has grown, and the Old Satan Faction has already made its move before the conference.'
He slowly clenched his hand.
'Even so... will they try to come after me again?'
Rias noticed the change in his expression.
"Gasper-kun?"
"It's nothing." Gasper turned his attention back to her and lightly squeezed her hand. "I was just thinking that this conference is going to be a lot of work."
Akeno recovered part of her smile.
"Ara, ara. Then perhaps the wedding really will have to wait."
Rias gave her a quick look, but did not let go of Gasper's hand.
Gasper did not respond to the teasing. His mind was already mapping out bats, shadows, escape routes, and possible attack points around Kuoh Academy.
Peace had not lasted long.
Now Kuoh would once again become the center of the supernatural world.
Support here: patreon.com/22Mirko22
Thank you so much for reading - see you in the next chapter!