The warmth of morning sunlight crept across Issei Hyoudou's face as his eyes fluttered open. He stirred slowly, muscles sore but relaxed, the scent of soft hair and floral shampoo filling his senses. Akeno's lithe form was draped against his chest, her breath steady and slow. To his left, Asia clung to his arm like a plush toy, her lips curled into a peaceful smile. At his back, Kuroka purred in her sleep, one tail lazily swaying. Koneko curled up like a cat near his legs, her brow twitching slightly. At the foot of the bed, Byakko—his tiger familiar—lay sprawled out, occasionally twitching a paw.
He exhaled softly.
"I'm going to need a bigger bed or room when I return home …"
Stretching his fingers and careful not to wake the girls, Issei tapped the Boosted Gear. He smiled and gently activated his Boosted Gear.
"Ddraig… how's the courting going with Quetzalcoatl and Tiamat?"
[Ddraig: [I'm making… progress with the ladies.]]
[Quetzalcoatl: [He snored in front of Tiamat, Issei. She nearly set his wings on fire.]]
[Ddraig: [Bah! I was meditating. Unlike you, feathered snake, I value dignity.]]
[Tiamat: [He talks big, but his wings trembled when I licked his cheek. He's a work-in-progress, but not hopeless.]]
Issei chuckled aloud, careful not to wake the others. "I thought you said you had no problem with the ladies, Ddraig."
[Ddraig: [You don't understand. These aren't just ladies. These are ancient dragons who believe in the old ways. If I can't overpower them, they'll kill me before they kiss me. The only good thing is… I'm regaining my full strength. Slowly. That's why I need to know—Host, how are you planning to act during this meeting with Riser?]]
Issei's expression turned serious.
"I don't know," he admitted. "I'll try to stay calm. As long as he doesn't say anything about Rias or the others… I'll be fine."
[Ddraig: [Then may your instincts remain sharp.]]
[Quetzalcoatl: [And your mind remains clear.]]
[Tiamat: [And your rage… properly aimed.]]
⸻
Later That Afternoon – Gremory Estate Courtyard
The meeting had been arranged in the center garden of the estate, a place of beauty and diplomacy. Grayfia stood off to the side, silver hair immaculate, eyes like sharpened steel.
Then, without warning, a column of fire struck the stone path ten feet ahead, erupting in a blazing geyser of Phoenix flame. The air shimmered with heat; the smell of sulfur and scorched roses choked the air. When the flames cleared, a young man emerged—tall, vain, and bathed in arrogance.
Riser Phenex wore a wine-red suit with his white shirt half-unbuttoned, exposing his chest. His golden eyes scanned the crowd with unhidden superiority before settling on Rias.
"My Rias," he said with a smirk, walking forward, "it's been far too long."
His gaze drifted toward Issei and instantly sharpened. Something in the closeness between Rias and Issei didn't sit right with him. The way Rias and her female peerage members looked at Issei didn't sit right with him. He has seen the same looks in girls' eyes as they look at him and it rubbed him the wrong way that his Rias was looking at someone else like that and it wasn't him.
His smile vanished as his voice chilled he asked. "Rias, who is this worm?" he demanded. "And what is his relationship with you?"
The air grew tense. Issei didn't move, though his jaw tightened. The others around him Kiba, Akeno, Koneko, even Asia stood still but bristled with restraint.
Rias stepped forward, calm yet cold. "He is my Pawn. The Red Dragon Emperor. And the only man I plan to marry."
The words echoed like thunder.
Riser's eyes widened. "What?!"
"You heard me, Riser and I will not repeat myself to the likes of you."
"You are to be my wife!" Riser shouted, voice rising like fire. "No one else! Do you understand, Rias? Or are you truly ready to defy your family… your marriage contract… our race for this commoner filth?"
[System: [Warning – Host anger levels rising above normal thresholds.]]
[Ddraig: [He did not just say that.]]
[Quetzalcoatl: [I'm going to pluck that bird's feathers.]]
[Tiamat: [I told you to aim your rage properly.]]
[System Notification:
New Task Generated – "Put the Bird Back in Its Cage"
Objective: Knock Riser unconscious before further escalation.
Reward: Mid-Level Regeneration Skill Unlocked.]
Riser moved first. His fist wreathed in golden flame. As he lunged forward.
Issei dodged fluidly and responded with his own punch, enhanced by his portion of his full strength coated in Fire, Lava, and Lightning. As his fist cracked against Riser's jaw like a Warhammer, launching the Phenex heir backward, his body tumbling across the stone path.
In an instant, Riser's peerage appeared in a flare of magic circles, ready to retaliate.
But Rias' peerage stepped forward as one, their leader's crimson hair blazing like a banner in war.
The two sides faced off.
And then…
"Enough."
The word froze the air. Grayfia's power surged like a glacial avalanche, her presence alone halting both sides in their tracks.
Her eyes narrowed.
"My master, the current Maou—Sirzaria Lucifer and the head of the Gremory family Zeoticus Gremory anticipated this… outcome. Therefore, a formal Rating Game has been approved to settle this."
Both Rias and Riser looked toward Grayfia, then nodded.
"We'll settle this tomorrow night," Rias said.
"Fine by me," Riser spat, holding his bruised jaw. "Try not to cry when your Pawn is turned to ash."
Before his teleportation circle took him and his peerage away, Issei smirked and threw one final jab.
"Looking forward to trying cooked Phoenix. Wonder if you taste like overcooked chicken."
Riser glared. "You'll regret crossing the Phenex bloodline, you damn commoner."
⸻
Later – Gremory Estate Training Grounds
The sun dipped below the horizon. Flames erupted from Issei's fists as he trained alone, punching through air and earth with unrestrained fury.
He didn't notice the other's approach until Rias' voice reached him.
"Are you okay?"
Issei looked up.
Rias, Kiba, Akeno, Koneko, Asia, Kuroka, Byakko, and Mio. They'd all come. They all stood by him.
He nodded.
"I'm better than okay."
[System Notification:
New Skill Acquired – "Mid-Level Regeneration"
Effect: Wounds close faster, fatigue reduced by 50%, minor tissue damage repaired passively.]
⸻
That Night
The moon hung full and bright over the Gremory estate. Stars shimmered like memories long forgotten. A quiet hush had fallen over the gardens as each member of the team rested, reflecting on their trials.
Issei sat alone beneath a sakura tree, petals drifting like snow around him.
[Ddraig: [You've come far, partner. But tomorrow… we stand against tradition, against legacy, against pride. Show me you're worthy of my flames.]]
[Quetzalcoatl: [And my storm.]]
[Tiamat: [And my wrath.]]
The Boosted Gear pulsed faintly—no longer just a weapon, but a shrine for three mighty dragons.
Kuroka appeared beside him, quiet this time.
"Tomorrow's gonna change everything, isn't it?" she whispered.
Issei didn't speak for a moment. Then nodded.
"I just hope the world's ready."
Later That Night – Gremory Estate, Great Hall
In the heart of the estate's great hall, reserved only for meetings of great importance of the Gremory clan, a heavy silence blanketed the meeting room. The candlelight flickered against the obsidian walls, casting sharp shadows over the tense gathering.
Sirzaria Lucifer stood by the window, arms folded, staring into the night sky. Her crimson eyes shimmered with fury barely contained. Mio sat across from her, legs crossed, a barely restrained growl in her throat. Venelana Gremory poured herself a glass of wine with slow, deliberate grace, while Zeoticus Gremory stood behind the long table, rubbing his temple in exasperation.
The events of the day—the clash, the declaration, the fallout—lingered in the air like smoke after battle.
Sirzaria turned sharply, voice cutting through the tension like a whip.
"I'm calling for an emergency session of the full Devil Council."
Zeoticus looked up, startled. "What?"
"I'm tired of these old fucks thinking they can bully my baby sister just because she refuses to marry some inbred peacock with a healing factor. I won't let them tame her. I won't let them tame me."
Mio bared her teeth, her tone lethal. "Let me wipe out the Phenex clan, sister. Just one night. I'll start with that spoiled bird and see how far I get."
"Mio…" Venelana warned softly.
But Sirzaria didn't flinch. "I'm tempted to let you."
Zeoticus slammed his fist down. "Enough. We don't need more enemies—"
Venelana's voice cut in cold and sharp. "Is this what you wanted, Zeoticus?"
All eyes turned to her.
"Are you happy now?" she continued. "This is your fault. We're from two of the strongest families of the 72 Pillars and we can't even protect our own daughter? What's the point of all our power, all our influence, if we can't protect her from being sold off like cattle?"
Zeoticus's shoulders slumped. "I thought… I thought it would be a good match. Rias would be like us—birthing a new, stronger breed of devils. Secure, protected, powerful."
Venelana's eyes narrowed, venom in her voice. "At what cost, Zeoticus? Our daughter's happiness?"
Sirzaria's tone was mocking now. "What's next, Father? Starfall froze the balls off the last devil who tried to force Sona into a marriage. Want me to go pay Phenex a visit and finish the job?"
Mio smirked. "I'll bring the salt."
Zeoticus's jaw tightened. "I am the family head. I don't get the luxury of thinking about only what's best for you… or myself. I have to think about what ensures the Gremory name survives—how we maintain our standing among the Pillars."
Mio's eyes sharpened.
"Then answer me honestly, Dad. If Sirzaria, Rias, and I all wanted to marry the same person… would you support it? Or would we need the Council's blessing just to love someone?"
Venelana sipped her wine, silently watching.
Zeoticus frowned. "Who is this person?"
Sirzaria's lips quirked upward. "I wouldn't exactly call him a devil."
Mio leaned forward, smug. "He's more like a dragon who got reborn as a devil."
Zeoticus's eye twitched. "You're not talking about… Rias' Pawn?"
Both daughters answered as one:
"Yes."
Sirzaria's voice followed quickly, sharp and unwavering. "I've already said I would marry him—if he succeeds in breaking off Rias' engagement."
"You—" Zeoticus gaped. "You of all people! Sirzaria, you're the Lucifer! One of the Four Maou! You know how important your image is to the Council. To the Underworld! Your status isn't just yours—it's a symbol!"
He turned, furious, to his wife.
"Did you know?"
Venelana set her wine down carefully. "I had hints. But I confirmed it last night."
Zeoticus stared at her.
Venelana's voice was soft now, almost wistful. "We weren't forced to marry each other, Zeoticus. You chose me. I chose you. I've never questioned your decisions. I've never said a word about any of your mistresses or concubines. But I will say this now—as a wife, and as a mother…"
She looked at him fully, eyes shining not with anger, but quiet certainty.
"Shouldn't we want our daughters to be happy? Shouldn't they be free to choose someone who makes them happy? Isn't that what we fought for in the first place?"
The room fell silent.
Sirzaria returned to the window, gazing at the stars.
Mio cracked her knuckles. "This is going to get messy, isn't it?"
Venelana exhaled slowly. "It already is."
Zeoticus looked between them—the women in his life, fierce, brilliant, terrifying—and for once, he had no words.
Sirzaria spoke last.
"We gave Rias the power to choose. Now we all have to live with the consequences."
She turned her crimson gaze back to her parents, voice low and final.
"And I've already chosen my side."
His voice came out low—rasped like old parchment.
"You truly intend to go through with this… all of you? All three of you?"
Sirzaria's answer was simple. "If he wins tomorrow, he earns the right."
"And if he doesn't?"
Venelana raised an eyebrow. "Then perhaps we weren't meant to be dragons' mates after all."
Mio smirked. "I'm not backing down, Father. Not from you. Not from the Council. And sure as hell not from some overcooked chicken."
Zeoticus exhaled, his tone dropping into a mutter so cold it chilled even the candlelight.
"You better pray to Maou your pick wins… or so help me…"
He turned on his heel, voice a final growl.
"This wedding will take place."
With that, the head of the Gremory clan stormed out, leaving behind three women more dangerous than any army.
As the great hall doors slammed shut behind him…
⸻
[System Notification – Hidden Affection Parameters Updated]
• [Mio Gremory: Affection Level – 60. Status: Actively interested.]
• [Sirzaria Lucifer: Affection Level – 75. Status: Intensifying. Rapid emotional growth detected.]
[System Alert – New Major Task Generated]
"Heart of the Crimson House"
Objective: Win the hearts of all three daughters of the Gremory Clan – Rias Gremory, Mio Gremory, and Sirzaria Lucifer.
Status: 1/3 Claimed.
Rewards Upon Completion:
• [Power of Destruction – Inherited Technique of the Gremory Bloodline]
• [Familiar Summoning Scroll – Unique Variant]
• [Innate Ability: Gremory's Talent-Finding Eye – Unlocks hidden potential in allies and artifacts]
[System Message: Eden awaits your next move, Host. You've won a battle… but tomorrow, you fight for fate.]