They lost. Not as badly as it had gone in the original timeline, this time, they fought properly. Coordinated attacks, better positioning, fewer careless mistakes. The training had clearly made a difference.
But it still wasn't enough.
On the screen, the final moments of the Rating Game played out. The decisive blow. The collapse of Rias's remaining pieces. The announcement of defeat.
Silas watched it all from the lounge, the glow of the TV reflecting faintly in his violet eyes.
He sighed.
'That's disappointing,' he thought, leaning back as he switched the TV off. 'They need to train more after this.'
They had potential. That much was obvious. But potential alone didn't win battles. He laid back on the bed in the guest room, one arm behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling.
'They put on a good fight though,' he admitted internally. 'I'm not mad at them for losing.'
….
A day passed and now it was time for Rias Gremory and Riser Phenex wedding.
Silas, however, remained exactly where he was. Lying back on the bed, relaxed as ever, one leg slightly bent, completely unbothered by the gravity of the situation.
The room was silent.
A magic circle appeared.
Faint light spread across the floor as Grayfia Lucifuge stepped through once more, her presence immediately shifting the air in the room.
Her gaze landed on him instantly.
"You seem unbothered," she said calmly as she walked toward the bed, her steps measured and precise.
Silas didn't move, only glancing at her briefly. "I am. Why are you here?"
Grayfia stopped beside the bed and sat on the edge with perfect posture, hands resting lightly on her lap.
"I thought you might want to crash the wedding," she said, tone neutral. "Seeing as you and Rias-sama are in that kind of relationship."
That made him chuckle.
"I wouldn't say that," he replied as he pushed himself up from the bed and sat beside her, close but not invading her space. "I'm single and ready to mingle… or whatever people say."
Grayfia didn't react immediately, but her eyes shifted slightly toward him, studying his expression.
"You are aware of what this wedding means," she said.
"I am."
"And yet you choose to remain here."
Silas shrugged lightly. "If she wanted me there, she would've asked."
There was no bitterness in his tone. Just a simple statement.
Grayfia watched him for a moment longer. "You're either very confident… or very indifferent."
"Maybe both."
Silence settled between them again.
Then, slowly, Silas leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"So," he said, glancing sideways at her, "are you here to observe me again… or are you here because you're curious?"
Grayfia didn't answer immediately. She stared out at the valley for a long moment, the cool night breeze gently lifting strands of her silver hair.
Then, quietly but firmly, she spoke.
"I want you to crash their wedding."
Silas's eyebrows rose in genuine surprise.
"Oh? I didn't think you cared much about Rias and what happens to her."
Grayfia turned to face him fully, her silver eyes steady and resolute.
"She is my sister-in-law, after all," she said, voice soft but laced with rare emotion. "And I will not allow her to be forced into marrying that arrogant tyrant. Not while I still have power to act."
Silas studied her for a second, then let out a low chuckle.
"Well… if you insist."
He raised his hand and casually snapped his fingers.
*Snap.*
In an instant, his casual clothes vanished and were replaced by an immaculate black suit perfectly tailored, sharp and elegant. The jacket hugged his broad shoulders and toned frame, the white dress shirt underneath unbuttoned at the top just enough to look effortlessly stylish. He looked dangerously handsome.
"I'm ready," he said with a confident smirk, adjusting his cuffs.
Grayfia stood up as well, stepping closer until they were only inches apart. Her eyes slowly traveled up and down his body, taking in the sight of him in formal wear. For a brief moment, her usual icy mask slipped, and something warmer flickered in her gaze.
'He really is quite the looker…' she thought, a faint warmth blooming in her chest.
She quickly composed herself and gave a small nod.
"Let's go then."
A intricate crimson-and-silver magic circle expanded beneath their feet, glowing brightly. Powerful energy swirled around them as the circle spun faster.
In the next second, both of them vanished from the balcony in a flash of light.
...
The grand hall of the Phenex family's main estate was overflowing with opulence.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, golden decorations adorned every pillar, and hundreds of high-class devils filled the seats, murmuring excitedly.
At the altar stood Riser Phenex in his flamboyant white suit, smirking arrogantly as he waited for his bride. Rias was nowhere in sight yet, the ceremony had only just begun.
A bright flash suddenly erupted near the back of the grand hall.
When the light faded, Silas stood tall in his sharp black suit, hands in his pockets, looking completely relaxed. Beside him was Grayfia, now dressed in a stunning, form-fitting silver evening gown that accentuated her regal beauty.
Gasps and shocked whispers rippled through the crowd like wildfire.
Riser's eyes widened in fury the moment he spotted Silas.
"You…!" he snarled, flames flickering dangerously around his fists.
Sirzechs Lucifer, seated in the VIP section, raised an eyebrow in mild surprise, while many other devil nobles stared in open confusion.
Silas simply scanned the room with a lazy grin, then locked eyes with Riser across the hall.
"So…" he called out, voice carrying effortlessly through the stunned silence, "I heard there's a wedding happening. Mind if we crash it?"
Grayfia stood beside him with perfect poise, but the smallest, almost invisible smile touched her lips as she watched the chaos begin to unfold.
The entire grand hall erupted into stunned silence for half a second then exploded into noise.
**BAM!**
Riser Phenex launched himself from the altar in a furious leap, landing hard in the center aisle. The marble floor cracked violently beneath his feet as flames exploded around his body, his arrogant face twisted in pure rage.
Silas stood casually in the middle of the aisle, hands still in his pockets, that infuriating smirk plastered on his face. He glanced sideways at Grayfia.
"You might wanna step aside," he said calmly.
Grayfia gave a single elegant nod and gracefully moved a few meters away, her silver gown shimmering as she did.
Now only Silas and Riser stood facing each other in the wide-open space. Hundreds of noble devils watched with wide eyes, the tension thick enough to choke on.
Suddenly, a squad of elite Phenex guards charged at Silas from behind, spears raised and flames roaring.
He didn't even turn around.
*BOOM.*
An invisible, overwhelming pressure slammed down on them like a mountain. The guards were crushed flat against the floor in an instant armor crumpling, bodies driven into the marble with sickening force. None of them moved again.
Shocked gasps and outraged shouts filled the hall.
"Who is this mortal?! He dares interrupt this sacred wedding?!" one noble screamed.
"In front of the Devil King himself! This is unacceptable!" another yelled.
Zeoticus and Venelana Gremory watched from their seats with wide eyes. Venelana leaned slightly toward her husband, a curious gleam in her eyes.
'So… he's the one Rias is in love with,' she thought, a small, intrigued smile forming on her lips.
Sirzechs Lucifer slowly rose from the VIP platform, his crimson hair glowing under the chandeliers. The entire hall quieted as the Maou spoke.
"Everyone, calm down," he said, his voice carrying effortless authority. "This person is someone I personally invited. I thought it would be entertaining to have a little… demonstration during the wedding. We can all witness for ourselves just how powerful the Phenex heir truly is."
The nobles murmured among themselves before many began nodding in agreement.
"Well, that's actually a great idea!"
"Only Lord Sirzechs would think of such entertainment!"
"Bravo, Devil King!"
Sirzechs smiled calmly on the surface, but his eyes burned with sharp interest as he stared at Silas.
'I want to see it for myself… just how strong you really are. So-called God of Destruction.'
TO BE CONTINUED