"Alright, Big Brother... Ethan."
Ruruko Nimura felt a pang of regret, but she understood the gravity of the situation. After ensuring the girl reached home safely, Ethan headed straight back to his own mansion. After a bit of reflection, he finally remembered exactly who Diodora was.
Diodora Astaroth, a young noble of the modern generation. Despite being a Devil, his "fetish" was a fixation on nuns. Years ago, Asia had been expelled from the Church specifically because she had healed him—an event he had orchestrated just so he could eventually defile her innocence.
Ethan only remembered these bits from the anime he'd seen long ago; the later the plot went, the fuzzier it got. He hadn't expected that even with the world line shifting so much, this perverted nun-obsessive would still be fixated on Asia.
Back at home, Ethan gathered Rias and the other girls in the living room to explain the situation.
"Um... Mr. Ethan, President..." Asia lowered her eyes, speaking softly. "Actually, I ran into that man after school today as well."
"Asia, did he do anything to you?" Ethan asked, his voice sharp with annoyance. The thought of Diodora offering to trade his "collection" of nuns for Asia made Ethan's stomach churn. Even if he desired a woman, he would never use his own women as currency.
"No," Asia shook her head with a gentle smile. "I may not be the best at fighting, but I am already at the Demon King level. Even if he wanted to try something, he wouldn't have the power to do it."
While Diodora's escape methods were peculiar, his actual combat strength was merely that of an ordinary High-Tier Devil. Before finding Ethan, Diodora had cornered Asia to deliver a speech full of fake affection and "shared memories." It had failed utterly. When he tried to take a liberty with a hand-kissing gesture, Asia had physically repelled him. Only then did he go to Ethan with the trade proposal.
"He claimed he was the Devil I healed back then... that it was my debt to him, and he wanted to 'repay' me by making me his wife," Asia explained. She added quickly, sensing Ethan's brewing anger, "Of course, I refused him clearly. I didn't think he would go to you, Mr. Ethan..."
Ethan smiled and pulled Asia into his arms. The blonde nun leaned into him with a happy smile; his touch was more comforting than any words.
"Diodora is the next head of the Astaroth clan, the same noble house as the current Demon King Beelzebub," Rias said, resting her chin on her hand in thought. "I didn't realize he had a history with Asia."
Another 'Next Head' of a Demon King house... Ethan scoffed internally. He was right—this wasn't just some noble; he was a full-blown "Demon King Second Generation" brat.
"I don't really remember him well. Even his face is blurry to me," Asia admitted, blushing as she gently pulled away from the hug. "There were so many painful things happening back then..."
Rias, unaware of Diodora's true malicious nature, sighed. "To make such a promise to the girl who saved him... it sounds like Diodora's style as a pampered young master."
Ethan gave her a flat look. "That man isn't that simple. Everyone, stay alert lately."
The truth was that Diodora was simply bored with the nuns he currently "owned." A girl like Asia—who reached the Demon King level while still sincerely believing in God—was the ultimate aphrodisiac for a degenerate like him. Ethan decided not to expose the full extent of Diodora's filth just yet; it was better to let the girls see his true colors for themselves.
"Since everyone is here, I have an announcement," Rias said, her tone becoming serious. "Next week, a Rating Game will be held."
"A Rating Game? Against who?"
"It's not a single match, but a tournament," Rias explained. "A tournament to determine the strength of the young generation of Devils. It was supposed to happen right after the alliance was formed, but Loki's attack delayed it."
Ethan looked around. Almost everyone present was technically a "newcomer" Devil, but with their current power levels, participating felt like a "smurfing" expedition. Even Sairaorg, the strongest of the youth, would likely be no match for Ethan now.
"We won't be participating," Rias added, seeing Ethan's concern. "Our strength is on a different dimension now. Our fight with Loki proved that. It wouldn't be fair."
"What about Sairaorg? He'll crush everyone else," Ethan pointed out.
"Rating Games are about team strength. Sairaorg is a monster, but his servants are manageable," Rias said. "The reason I'm bringing this up is for you, Ethan. I want you to participate as a member of Sona's team."
Ethan realized her plan. "You want me to help Sona's council test their new strength?"
"Exactly. And," Rias smiled, "Diodora Astaroth will be participating too. If you're there, you can keep an eye on things. You won't have to worry about Asia here with us."
Meanwhile, in the Underworld, Diodora sat in his study, his eyes cold. "Asia Argento... I won't give up." The tournament was the perfect opportunity, but since Asia wasn't competing, he needed a different plan.
Three days later, a green magic circle flickered in the Occult Research Club room.
"Astaroth..." Rias muttered, putting down her book. Asia tensed up immediately. Despite her power, her heart remained gentle and easily unsettled by her dark past.
"Greetings, ladies. I am Diodora Astaroth," he said with a squinty-eyed smile. "I'll get straight to it: I wish to trade Bishops."
Asia blinked. After failing with Ethan, he was now trying to negotiate with Rias. In the Devil world, servants could be traded or leased—something Ethan had only recently learned. But Rias would never treat her friends as property.
"You want Asia, don't you?" Rias asked coldly.
"Hehe, you're so quick to understand." Diodora flicked his fingers, projecting images of two elegant, high-class girls. "This is a fair trade. I have prepared—"
"I'm not interested," Rias interrupted. "Asia is my precious friend and like a sister to me."
"President...!" Asia was moved to tears.
"To try and 'trade' for a woman you claim to love... do you even understand what a proposal means?" Rias felt a surge of Ethan's previous protective fury.
Diodora's mask slipped. His fake smile vanished, and his eyes opened slightly, revealing blood-red pupils. "I see. I'll leave for today, but I won't give up." He tried to move toward Asia, but Rias's mana blocked him.
"Asia, our meeting was destiny. Even if the world denies us, I will overcome everything. I love you, Asia," he called out. Asia didn't respond. He had to leave before Ethan arrived; he didn't want to waste another precious "life-saving" ability.
In the depths of the Abyss, Diodora met with Shalba Beelzebub. "Have you decided?" the older Devil asked.
"Yes," Diodora hissed. "But when the attack starts, you must help me eliminate the Red Dragon Emperor first."
"Don't worry. He was always part of the plan."
"Then it's settled. Four days from now. Here are the spatial coordinates for the tournament."
A day later, Ethan met with the dark-skinned beauty, Katerea Leviathan. "Good work. This information is very useful. What reward do you want?"
Katerea blushed, her long, toned legs pressing together instinctively. "Not today... I had to sneak out. If I'm caught, it'll be trouble."
"You won't have to hide for long," Ethan said, his eyes sharp. "This time, I'm going to wipe out the Old Maou Faction once and for all. Then you can live in the light, just like Vali."
"Ethan..." Katerea hesitated. "Will you... spare the others of the Leviathan house?"
"I'll do my best," Ethan promised. It was mostly a gesture to keep his "informant" loyal, ensuring she felt valued rather than just used.
After she left, Ethan went straight to the Underworld to meet Sirzechs and Serafall. He laid out the entire plot: the alliance between Diodora, the Old Maou Faction, and the Khaos Brigade.
"How did you get such detailed intelligence?" Sirzechs asked, stunned.
"Uh... do I have to say?" Ethan felt a bit embarrassed. Everyone knew he had captured Katerea, but no one knew he had turned her into a brain-melted "doll" spy.
Sirzechs and Serafall shared a curious look but didn't push him. "Your info matches what we've heard, but it's much more detailed. It's credible," Sirzechs said. "Diodora's mana has been increasing unnaturally, and we've heard whispers from the Fallen Angels and the Norse."
"Is it Ophis's power?" Serafall's expression darkened. Ethan's report mentioned that the Infinite Dragon God, Ophis—also known as the Ouroboros—had granted "Snakes" to the Old Maou Faction. These snakes granted God-level mana to their hosts.
"I will coordinate with Odin and Michael," Sirzechs said seriously. If Ophis was involved, even a prepared Underworld might struggle.
"This means Rias and the others will have to participate in the tournament after all," Serafall said, looking at Ethan with a smirk. "Since you're here, you can break the news to them. Just make up a good reason."
"Fine..." Ethan sighed. "This tournament is cursed. First Loki, now Ophis. Can't we just have a normal game?"
"Haha! Don't worry, this will be the last one," Serafall laughed.
Ethan bid them farewell. Back at home, he gave the girls a vague reason for the change in plans, but used his "soul network" to hint at the danger to Rias and the others. It was better they were mentally prepared.