The meeting took place on Sunday.
I idly drummed my fingers against my thighs, one leg crossed over the other as I stared at the wall across from me, just over Issei’s shoulder. The ORC was filled to the brim, with every member of our peerage sans Gasper taking up seats in the room. Issei, Aika, and Koneko claimed the couch across from me, while Kiba and I sat together, with Akeno standing just to the side, arms folded under her chest.
My girlfriend gave me an amused look as she noticed my fidgeting. “Are you nervous, Nero?”
I shook my head. “Not so much nervous as impatient. You’d think the heir to one of the most important families in the Underworld would know better than to put off a meeting for nearly half an hour.”
Rias, who was standing by the window with her arms crossed, turned to face us, annoyance plain on her face. “It’s entirely likely that he’s being late on purpose. He probably thinks making me wait is a power move on his part. Either that, or he just wants to make a ‘stylish’ entrance.”
Across the room, Issei snorted from his spot on the couch. “What a jackass.”
Koneko nodded beside him, and I found myself mimicking her. Rias giggled. “That’s one word for him. Nicer than the ones I’d pick.”
“Is he really that bad?” Aika asked curiously, and Rias’s face darkened at the question.
“He’s worse,” she said gravely. “Riser is like a spoiled child. Imagine someone who’s never been told ‘no’ a day in his life, and you’ll only scratch the surface of what dealing with him is like. He views everyone around him as either a possession to be acquired or an obstacle to be removed. And women...” She trailed off, disgust plain on her face. “Well, you’ll see. Needless to say, chivalry is dead, as far as he is concerned.”
Issei’s expression darkened at that. “Sounds like a real piece of work.”
Akeno’s smile turned sharp, her eyes glinting with something dangerous. “I’ve had the displeasure of meeting him once before. He has a habit of letting his hands wander. To his detriment.”
I raised an eyebrow at that, making a mental note to ask about that particular encounter later.
Before anyone could say anything else, the atmosphere in the room shifted. A wave of magic washed over us, settling on our skin as the temperature in the room shot up a few dozen degrees in an instant. It was like standing next to a bonfire, and I felt sweat break out on the back of my neck as a magic circle burned to life along the edge of the room, casting us all in an orange glow.
At the edge of the room, a magic circle blazed to life. It burned a bright, brilliant orange, emblazoned with a vaguely familiar crest—no doubt the Phenex family sigil.
Rias straightened, her posture becoming rigid as her expression turned serious. “He’s here.”
The light from the magic circle intensified, forcing me to squint as the temperature in the room climbed even higher. Through the blaze, a single silhouette took form.
When the glow finally dimmed enough to see clearly, I found myself staring at a tall man with blonde hair that seemed to almost shimmer in the lingering light. He was dressed in an elaborate burgundy suit with gold trim, the kind of outfit that screamed expensive. His face was handsome, I’d admit, but it was marred by the self-satisfied smirk curled across his lips.
Behind him, several more figures stepped out of the flames, filling the room around him. All of them were female and each and every one of them was a different class of beauty. They were all here, from Yubelluna and Ravel to the catgirl twins I couldn’t even remember the names of.
Strangely, the moment that those two stepped out of the magic circle, they froze. Their shoulders tensed and their eyes dilated, as if something had instantly put them on edge. Slowly, their eyes roamed around the room before locking onto me, and I was surprised at the primal fear in their eyes.
It was a similar reaction to what had happened when I first met Koneko, and I realized that those two could probably smell the difference between me and the others. I didn't know how different a Nekomata’ senses were from a Nekoshou, by apparently they were similar enough.
Riser seemingly noticed his Pawns’ reaction and raised an eyebrow as he followed their gaze to me. I met his eyes solidly, and his brow furrowed, as if he wasn't entirely sure what he was looking at.
After a moment, his gaze shifted to something more leering.His eyes roved over my body and I fought not to shift under his stare as his disgusting gaze slid to my legs and skirt. After he drank his fill, his smirk widened before he turned his attention to Rias.
“I apologize for the delay, my dear Rias,” he said, spreading his arms wide. “But I am a busy man with many obligations. You should understand that my time is precious.”
His voice was smooth, confident, and utterly insufferable. I could already feel my eye twitching. That smug tone was so much worse in person.
Rias’s expression remained neutral, though her eyes narrowed slightly at his words. “Riser. I wasn’t aware you were bringing guests.”
Riser waved a hand dismissively. “My lovely peerage wished to see the object of my affection. I saw no reason to refuse them.” He took a step closer to Rias, his smirk growing. “I trust that you have reconsidered the generous proposal?”
The women behind him giggled, covering their mouths with delicate hands. One of them, a brunette in a revealing maid outfit, stepped forward slightly.
“We’re so excited to welcome you to the family, Rias-sama,” she cooed. “We’ll be such good sisters.”
Rias didn’t respond immediately. Her eyes flicked to me, and I caught the subtle shift in her posture. She uncrossed her arms and straightened her spine.
“Actually,” Rias said, “I’ve called you here for a different reason.”
Riser’s smirk faltered slightly. “Oh? You wished to discuss the wedding arrangements? I am happy to accommodate any requests—”
“No, Riser” Rias cut him off. “I didn't call you hear to discuss anything of the sort. I called you here to challenge you.”
The room went silent. Riser’s peerage stopped their giggling, and Riser’s handsome face twisted into confusion.
“A challenge?” he repeated, as if the word was foreign to him. “You are challenging me? To what, precisely?”
Rias smiled, and it was not a kind smile. “A Rating Game, Riser. You and your peerage against mine.” She took a step forward, meeting his gaze evenly. “If you win, I’ll honor the engagement without complaint. But if I win...” Her smile sharpened. “The marriage contract is null and void. Permanently.”
Riser stared at her for a long moment, and for a second, it looked like he might laugh in her face. It was clear he thought the idea of her challenging him like this was absolutely ludicrous.
But then, he took a look around, and his face–so confident and practically bursting at the seams with arrogance–seemed to become pensive.
I wasn't sure what exactly he saw or even felt, but as his gaze moved from Akeno to me, to Kiba and then Koneko, his confidence seemed to leave him. It was as if he had somehow noticed the disparity between ourselves and his own peerage, the differences not just in demeanor, but in power as well.
He realized we're actually a threat, I realized.
That… was unfortunate. I had been hoping that he would underestimate us until we were on the field, but it seemed that the pompous prick was a bit more aware than he appeared
When Riser turned back to Rias, there was an edge to his voice and steel in his expression. He was still smirking, but it wasn't quite as easy as before.
“I accept your challenge, Rias Gremory,” he spoke, drawing himself to his full height. He stepped forward, stopping just in front of Rias and staring down at her. “Though I must admit, I am curious. What exactly prompted this boldness? Have you finally accepted your fate and simply wish to go down fighting? I must admit, I never thought you one for public humiliation.”
“I’m not going down at all, Riser,” Rias declared. “My parents refuse to see reason, so I’m simply taking things into my own hands.
Riser’s eyes narrowed and he studied Rias intently, searching her defiant expression. “I see, you actually thing you have a chance.”
He turned, gaze scanning over the room. “I’ll admit, your peerage has grown since last we spoke. There are a few new faces among the dregs.”
His eyes swept across all of us, pausing to take in each of us in turn. He seemed to disregard Issei and Aika completely, but as he took in the rest of us–Kiba, Akeno, Koneko, and I–his gaze flickered with wariness.
“You’ve been busy,” he said. “Though I question the wisdom of adding so many humans to your peerage. Those two especially do not look particularly dangerous. I doubt they’ll be able to out up much of a fight
I could see Issei tensing at the dismissal, but I shot him a look and he kept his mouth shut. Rias gave me a thankful glance out of the corner of her eye as Riser turned back to her.
“Even so, if it is a rating game you want, then a Rating Game you shall have. I look forward to crushing these welps and finally joining our great houses.”
He stepped closer to Rias, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face. She didn't move, but her eyes hardened at the contact. “And when I win, I will enjoy finally claiming what is owed to me.”
This time, there was no stopping it. Issei shot to his feet, his fists clenched at his sides. “Hey! Keep your hands off her, you bastard!”
Riser turned slowly, his hand dropping from Rias's hair as he regarded Issei with cool disdain.
“Rias, I would advice you put a muzzle on your mutt,” he said. “A low-class wretch such as him should know better than to speak to his betters like that. I’d hate to have to teach him a lesson in proper respect.”
Issei's face flushed red. “I’d like to see you try, you pompous–”
“Issei,” Rias’s voice cut through his anger. She stared at him, expression hard. “That’s enough.”
Issei hesitated, his jaw tight as he glared at Riser. For a moment, I thought he might actually ignore Rias's command. But then he sank back onto the couch, his fists still clenched tightly on his knees.
Riser watched the exchange with mild interest before turning his attention back to Rias. “Your servants are spirited, at least. That much hasn't changed. I look forward to breaking them in our game.”
“You won't be breaking anything,” I spoke up, drawing Riser's gaze to me. “Except maybe your winning streak.”
Riser’s smirk returned. “Dangerous words. I’m sure I can find a place for you among my harem when you fail to back them up.”
Akeno smiled dangerously, and I knew she was imagining all kinds of painful torment she could inflict on him.
“I'm not interested in being anyone's possession," I said flatly. “And neither are Rias or Akeno. Keep that in mind.”
Riser laughed again, though there was a harder edge to it now. “Spirited and bold. I appreciate fire in a woman.”
His eyes lingered on me for a moment longer before he turned back to Rias. “I grow bored of this posturing. When shall this Rating Game take place? I have no desire to waste my valuable time.”
Rias straightened, her expression becoming businesslike. “We will hold it this weekend. That should give both sides adequate time to prepare.”
“Six days?” Riser raised an eyebrow. “Very well. However, as the challenged party, I assert my privilege to set the location and terms of engagement.”
Rias nodded. “That is your right, but the terms remain as I stated. If I win, the engagement is permanently dissolved. No appeals, no renegotiations. My family will have no claim to force this union, and neither will you.”
Riser’s peerage shifted uneasily behind him, several of them exchanging glances. Riser seemed completely undisturbed, regarding Rias with a smirk.
“And if I win?”
Rias’s expression hardened, though she kept her voice steady. “Then I will honor the engagement. I will become your wife and join your… harem, without complaint.”
Riser’s smirk widened, satisfaction evident in his expression. “These terms are acceptable.”
Rias nodded, her face tense. “I’ll have the official documents sent to your family estate tomorrow.”
Riser waved a hand dismissively. “I have no doubt that your family will be pleased to hear of this development. They have been most eager to see this union finalized.” He stepped back, his peerage gathering around him once more. “Enjoy your week of freedom, Rias. I suggest you use it wisely. Perhaps spend some time preparing your servants for the crushing defeat that awaits them.”
His eyes swept across us one final time, pausing on each of us with varying degrees of disdain. When his gaze reached Issei again, he let out a soft laugh.
“And you, boy. I suggest you learn your place before the game begins. It would be unfortunate if you embarrassed yourself in front of such a large audience.” His smirk turned cruel. “Though I suppose that would be entertaining in its own way.”
Issei’s jaw clenched, a vein pulsing in his temple. Thankfully, he remained silent, though I could practically feel the anger radiating off him.
Riser turned back to Rias one final time. “Six days. Then, I look forward to finally claiming my bride.”
With that, the magic circle beneath his feet flared to life once more. The heat in the room spiked, and Riser and his peerage vanished in a flash of fire and light.
The moment they were gone, Issei let out an explosive breath. “That guy! I wanted to punch him so bad!”
“Join the club,” I muttered, finally letting myself relax now that the prick was gone.
Akeno nodded. “He hasn’t changed at all since I last saw him. If anything, he’s become more insufferable.” She turned to Rias, her expression softening with concern. “Are you alright, Rias?”
Rias let out a slow breath, her shoulders relaxing as she moved away from the window. “I’m fine. Dealing with Riser is never pleasant, but it had to be done.” She looked around at all of us, a small but genuine smile forming on her lips. “Thank you all for restraining yourselves. I know it wasn’t easy.”
“Does he always act like that?” Aika asked, wrinkling her nose.
“Always,” Rias confirmed with a weary nod. “He believes his status puts him above everyone else. In a way, it does, though not in the manner he intends.”
“So,” I said, leaning back in my seat, “that went about as well as expected.”
Kiba crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. “We don't have much time to prepare. We’ve improved significantly during our training, but facing a peerage as full as his is still not going to be easy.”
I nodded in agreement, my face grave. “He's not dismissing us out of hand like I thought he would. Maybe he sensed our strength or felt something was different. Those twins he has definitely smelled something was up with me, just like Koneko did.”
“You smell dangerous,” Koneko nodded. “It's not as bad now that you're a Devil, but if I wasn't used to it, I'd definitely be on edge.”
Rias bit her lip, a worried expression slipping over her face. “Do you think that will be a problem?” She asked me.
I thought for a moment. “Honestly, I'm not sure. Overall, his peerage is pretty weak. Even Issei and Aika should be able to hold their own against most of them.”
“Glad that we're the bar,” Aika said with a bemused expression. I gave her a sheepish grin.
“Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. You guys have been training super hard. The only real threats are Yubelluna, Ravel, and Riser himself…” I bit my lip. “The first two shouldn't be too hard to deal with as long as we're careful. Yubelluna is strong but kind of a glass cannon, and I don't actually remember Ravel being that good of a fighter.”
I glanced at Rias. “I guess the question is, do you think you can take on Riser if it comes down to it?”
The question hung in the air between us, and I could tell instantly from the look on her face that she truly had no idea.
“I'm not sure,” she admitted with a frown.
I nodded, having expected as much. No matter how much of a joke Riser was in the show, the fact remained that here, he was a powerful Devil and had literally never lost a Rating Game for as long as he'd lived. Though I—and I'm sure the others—had faith in Rias's abilities, it was understandable that she wouldn't be so sure.
“Well in that case,” I said, thinking of the days ahead. “I guess we better make the most of the next few days until you are.”