Seeing Rias on the verge of an outburst, Sirzechs quickly clarified his purpose. It wasn't about the engagement, but rather the aftermath of the attack.
"On the night after the Kokabiel incident, the Governor General of the Fallen Angels, Azazel, contacted us."
"That bastard leader? He has the nerve to contact the Underworld?" Even if it wasn't about the wedding, Rias still gnashed her teeth. If it weren't for Rhodes, she'd have been buried along with the rest of Kuoh Town.
"Little Rias, I was just as angry at first! I even gathered the army to launch a strike against the Fallen Angels! But that guy Azazel claimed he had no idea about it and washed his hands of the whole thing!" Serafall puffed her cheeks out.
Sona couldn't help but chime in. "If you had actually attacked, you would have walked right into Kokabiel's trap!"
"But for Sona-chan, I'd do anything! ~~~"
"I'd rather you didn't..."
"Eh? Why?!"
Sirzechs ignored the sisters' bickering and continued. "It wasn't just us; Azazel also contacted the Heavens." He looked toward Xenovia and Irina. "Since you're still here, I assume you've received similar news?"
The two girls remained silent. Sirzechs didn't mind. "We held a brief online conference with Azazel and Michael. We've decided to hold a high-level summit between the Angels, Fallen Angels, and Devils next Friday. The location will be at your school, Kuoh Academy."
"Huh? Why haven't I heard about this?" Rias's expression shifted.
"That's why I'm here to tell you today. Holding the summit at any of our respective headquarters wouldn't be ideal. Kuoh Town is currently the most suitable neutral ground. Sorry, Little Rias; it happened so fast we didn't have time to notify you earlier."
Seeing her brother's sincere apology, Rias had no reason to be angry. "Fine." She knew this was a massive event and accepted it gracefully, though she was still a bit annoyed. Kuoh was her territory, and before the meeting, all three factions would send people to scout and set up barriers. It was going to be a chaotic mess that would definitely disrupt her life.
"Rias, Sona, you two should also be prepared. You were the actual witnesses to the incident."
As soon as they heard that, Rias and Sona knew they'd be spending the night writing reports.
"Also..." Sirzechs turned his gaze toward Rhodes. "Mr. Rhodes, since you were the one who killed Kokabiel, it's only right that you be present. Would you be willing to attend?"
Rhodes wasn't part of their faction, so Sirzechs could only ask. Rhodes thought about it; attending the summit fit his plans perfectly. Katerea was bound to make her move at the right time, and while he'd told her what to do, there was always the risk of a wildcard. He'd been wondering how to sneak in; now he didn't have to.
"I'll be there."
Sirzechs beamed. Actually, inviting Rhodes wasn't entirely his idea; it had been a request from Azazel. Though the Fallen Angel leader hadn't given a reason, it was obvious he wanted to see who had killed one of his top officials. Sirzechs expected Azazel might try to make things difficult for Rhodes, and when that happened, he and the sister-obsessed Serafall would step in to back Rhodes up. It would be a great way to win more favor with the human.
He had also looked into his sister's recent activities. Apparently, Akeno and Koneko were training with Rhodes and had shown remarkable progress. He assumed this was Rhodes' idea to help with the engagement. If they could boost the peerage's strength, they might have a chance in a Rating Game. Sirzechs cared deeply about his sister's plight, but as her brother, he had to be more mindful of her feelings than Rhodes did.
"Rias, if the summit goes well, the Three Worlds will be much more peaceful. However, that will inevitably invite outside interference. If you want to keep your place in the Human Realm, you need to be more vigilant."
Rias didn't quite understand. Was he just telling her to stay safe? Even a child knew that.
"Actually, what Sirzechs means is that you need to increase your own strength," Rhodes cut in. "Setting Kokabiel aside, even Akeno is probably around your level now, right?"
The girls in the room all turned to look at Rhodes. Sona and Tsubaki looked shocked. Was he subtly calling Rias weak? Even if Akeno was her Queen, her rank was still that of a Low-class Devil, while Rias was a genuine High-class Devil and the heir to the Power of Destruction. Rias was the sister of the strongest Lucifer; her potential should be immense, but her current strength was... well, average.
"Before long, even Koneko might be stronger than you," Rhodes added.
Koneko stiffened and gave Rhodes a resentful look. Don't bring me into this, thanks.
"I... I've been practicing with my Power of Destruction recently," Rias stammered. In reality, she'd only practiced for a few days before being swamped with paperwork and traveling between the Underworld and the Human Realm. She hadn't had the time.
"Don't just talk. If you want to get stronger, you have to take action."
"I... I know. I'll... take action."
"Speak up, I can't hear you."
"I'll definitely work hard!"
"Still can't hear you."
"I will work hard to become stronger! I'll master the Power of Destruction and crush that roast turkey from the Phenex family in the Rating Game! I'll make everyone see me in a new light!" Rias shouted, her fighting spirit ignited.
"Good! Plenty of spirit!" Rhodes shouted back.
Everyone in the room, Sirzechs included, looked at Rhodes with newfound respect. Sirzechs knew his sister's temper best. If the family told her what to do, she'd snap back about having her own ideas. Even he, her brother, couldn't tell her what to do. But Rhodes had managed to tame her with just a few sentences. He was the Gremory family's savior!
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High School DxD : Reincarnated into the Multiverse, but it's High School DxD (216 Chapters – Ongoing)
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