Rias tugged at my sleeve as we stepped out of the mansion, her crimson hair catching the faint glow of Lilith's artificial sun.
The streets of the capital buzzed with life unlike one would expect from Hell itself.
Devils of all kinds weaved through the crowd, some with wings, others with tails swaying lazily behind them.
If it weren't for these characteristics I might've thought I was in a foreign country instead.
The air carried a faint hum of demonic energy, mingling with the scent of street food.
"Where to first?" I asked, glancing at Rias. Her pout from earlier had softened, replaced by a spark of excitement she couldn't quite hide.
"The market square," she said decisively, pointing ahead. "They've got these little stalls with sweets from the human world—oh, and some devil specialties too. You've got to try the bloodberry tarts. They're my favorite."
"Bloodberry tarts?" I raised an eyebrow, "Is it actual blood or something?"
Rias shot me a sidelong glance, her lips twitching like she wanted to scold me but couldn't quite muster the effort. "No… they're made from a fruit that naturally grows in the Underworld. I said before, we Devils don't eat souls or drink blood! That's for the Vampires!"
"Vampires huh," I chuckled softly, falling into step beside her as we made our way through the bustling streets. "Fair enough. Lead the way, then."
The market square wasn't far, just a few twists through Lilith's labyrinthine roads, past towering buildings of black stone and glass that shimmered under the crimson sky.
When we arrived, the sight reminded me of some scenes from my childhood.
Stalls lined the open plaza, their awnings draped in vibrant fabrics, reds, purples, golds, each one brimming with goods.
Devils haggled over trinkets, spices, and strange glowing fruits I couldn't name. A vendor to my left waved a skewer of sizzling meat, its aroma sharp and tangy.
Rias darted ahead, her excitement pulling me along like a tether. She stopped at a small stall adorned with trays of pastries, their surfaces glistening with dark red glaze. The vendor, a wiry devil grinned at her.
"Lady Gremory! Back for the bloodberries, I see," he said, his voice warm. "And who's this with you? Wait! Don't tell me…" His eyes widened as they landed on me, recognition flickering across his face. "The Undying Immortal Devil himself? I'm a big fan!"
"Oh?" Seeing my confusion the vendor smiled.
"You see, I'm a Low-Class Devil as well but my King died a few centuries ago. I was taken in by the Noble Family he belonged to but they completely ignored my existence because of my weak strength. My human origins also caused me to be looked down upon." The Devil smiled sadly, "It was a stroke of luck I found an unattended bloodberry field. If not, perhaps I'd have been struggling to survive."
Rias didn't seem surprised by his story, I suppose if she was a regular she should've long known about this.
"Why can't you just go and live in the Human World? As a Devil, life should be pretty… easy there." This was something I didn't understand. With the powers a Devil has, Low-Class or not, they could live with luxury.
Did the Pure-blooded Devils have a sort of mechanism in place to prevent Reincarnated Devils from simply leaving?
The shopkeeper smiled bitterly, "Actually, who doesn't wish to simply live lavishly in the Human World? But that's only possible in two scenarios— First, be a Stray Devil and escape. Second, belong to a Master from either a weak household or a ruined household. Devils like me who are property of a decent Noble house will have to report ourselves every three months to the House and explain what we've been doing in detail. If we fail to show up more than twice a hunter team is dispatched to 'punish' us. It's life no different than a Stray's." The bitter smile on his face hung depressingly.
But there was a spark in his eyes as he looked at me.
"I watched your duel with Riser Phenex. I'm not really good with words but what I want to say is thank you for standing up for us Low-Class Devils." The vendor smiled brightly before extending two plates towards Rias and me, "On the house, please enjoy!"
Rias had a strange expression on her face, "I know your struggles Ojii-san and trust me, my brother and the current government is doing its best to make sure all Devils live equally without discrimination!"
"I believe you Lady Gremory." The vendor bowed politely before turning to other customers.
My gaze fell back to Rias.
We walked a bit further away and Rias smiled wryly, "He hasn't told the full truth. I guess he must've thought you'd know but when he said he has to report back he also has to pay the house he's serving a certain amount of Merit Points. Merit points are the digital currency used in the Underworld managed by the Underworld Economic Bureau. Merit Points can be gained by salary and doing jobs like fulfilling contracts etc. Devils that lose their Master also lose their right to a salary."
Rias bit into her Bloodberry tart.
"The current Beelzebub created the Underworld Economic Bureau to modernize devil society post-war. He introduced a unified currency and credit system, enabling economic growth and stability. Though Devils jokingly call it 'Ajuka Credits'. I really hope one day the Underworld will change and everyone can live happily."
There was determination in her eyes that blazed beautifully as she chewed on the tart.
The idea was completely naive.
Every human was slightly different from the other, and every Devil was slightly different from the other. Where there were differences discrimination would follow.
It was a cruel reality.
But… if I killed everyone, there'd be no one left to discriminate, right? In a twisted way, that'd fulfill her wish.
I was lost in her eyes and absentmindedly took a bite of the tart.
Its warmth seeped into my lips, and I couldn't help but notice how her eyes lingered on me as I took a bite. The flavor hit me all at once—sweet, tart, with a faint metallic edge that reminded me of iron.
Strange, but good.
I guess the name is justified.
"Well?" Rias asked, her tone teasing as she nibbled at her own.
"Not bad," I admitted, wiping a crumb from my lip. "You've got good taste."
She beamed at that, though she quickly turned away, pretending to study the next stall over. "Come on, there's more to see."
We wandered through the square, picking at little treats, some spicy, some sweet, while Rias pointed out her favorite spots.
Everything was paid by her as I still didn't have a bank account registered.
She talked about the time she'd come here with Akeno as kids, sneaking candy under Sirzechs's nose, and I found myself listening more than I expected to.
Her voice was soft but lively.
As we neared a fountain carved with serpentine figures, a small group of devil children scampered over, their wings fluttering with excitement.
Their eyes were wide, glowing faintly in the dim light, and one of them, a girl with pigtails and a gap-toothed grin, tugged at my sleeve.
"Are you really the Undying Immortal Devil? You're so pretty!!!" she asked, her voice a mix of awe and disbelief.
I crouched down to her level, keeping my tone gentle. "I am. What's your name?"
"Lila!" she chirped, bouncing on her heels. "Can I have your autograph? Please? My friends won't believe I met you!"
The others crowded in, clutching scraps of paper and pens they'd scavenged from who-knows-where. I glanced at Rias, who watched with a faint smile, her arms crossed like she was trying not to look too amused.
"Alright, Lila," I said, taking the first paper. "But only because you asked so nicely."
The kids erupted into cheers as I scribbled my name, nothing fancy, just "Tatsuya" in quick, sharp strokes.
They giggled and whispered to each other, crowding my bent legs in a circular manner.
I heard a few clicks that quite awfully sounded like a camera. I quickly turned my head only to see Rias staring at the sky whistling a random tune with her hands behind her back.
This girl…
A smile involuntarily crept up my lips as the children began darting off once they'd all gotten their prize.
Sirzechs sure has marketed me greatly. Surprising because it's only day three of me being a Devil.
"Didn't know you had such a soft spot," Rias said quietly, stepping closer as I stood. Her tone was casual, but there was something softer in her eyes, something she didn't say out loud.
"They're just kids," I replied, shrugging it off. "Not much to it."
She hummed, not pressing further, and we kept walking.
We stopped by a stall selling tiny glass figurines, and I picked out a dragon-shaped one for her, its scales shimmering red under the light. She took it with a shy "thanks," tucking it into her pocket like it was something precious.
Though it was a bit embarrassing, I was gifting her something with her own money.
After some wandering, we reached a raised overlook. The city sprawled below, a sea of flickering lights. Rias leaned against the railing, her hair fluttering in the breeze, and I stood beside her.
"Isn't it just like the human world?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yeah," I agreed, though my eyes weren't on the city.
Noticing that I was looking at her, her eyes shifted nervously, "What is it?"
"Our engagement next week... what do you think about it?"
"Oh uhm, I mean it's a formality, no?" As she spoke her voice turned softer and softer.
"I suppose it is." I turned to look at the city below, "Lord Lucifer proposed I acted as your fake fiancé till you eventually find someone you truly like."
Rias didn't respond, however, it was clear she wanted to say something if her lips parting and closing again and again were to indicate anything.
"Do you know, at the engagement ceremony we'll have to kiss in front of everyone."
"A-Ah!? Rias was taken aback and her face flushed crimson, "I guess we do…"
"It's fine if you want to save your first kiss for someon—"
"Shut up!"
Hmm?
Rias finally snapped, provoked by my words, "Just shut up!"
She forcefully intruded into my personal space and grabbed my collar in anger.
"You promised! You vowed!" She gritted her teeth, "You said you'd stay by my side forever! You said that even if I had no one in the world to support me you'd be there! Were you lying!?"
She was practically screaming in my face, all her conflicted emotions burst forth.
I deliberately mentioned the idea of letting her find someone else to provoke her like this. To show her that I wasn't opposed to the idea of her trying to find someone other to love.
With the instruction I gave Tiamat to provoke her, Rias was in a weird but constant state of anxiety.
Perhaps, the idea that I wasn't attracted to her anymore due to Tiamat was lingering in the back of her head.
After all, why else would I mention the idea of her trying to find someone else?
My eyes slowly turned gentle as I looked at the red-headed devil enveloped in a storm of emotions.
I raised my hand and softly stroked her cheek.
"I wasn't lying."
"Then what I want is you!" She declared, yanking my collar and pressing her lips to mine in an awkward, impulsive kiss.
She… kissed me.
My eyes widened slightly but before I could even process what happened our lips parted as Rias looked at me in a daze.
Slowly steam began rising on top of her head and her eyes turned into anxious swirls as she realised what she had just done.
"Oh uhm I— We have to kiss at the engagement right? Right! So I was just p-practicing. I don't want to embarrass the G-Gremory family as the sole h-heiress after all!" Rias' face turned tomato red long ago as she flailed her fingers trying to explain her actions.
"..."
Rias couldn't take it anymore and her wings burst forth, wanting to fly away to hide her embarrassment.
"Waaaah!?"
But before she could fly off I roughly pulled her leg and she crashed into me. We tumbled for a bit before steadying. Rias trembled as her wings and back pressed against my chest. I held her by her arms and deliberately stayed silent for a little while.
I could practically hear her heart drumming against her chest in a nervous flutter.
I kept her back to my chest so that she wouldn't try to escape again seeing my face.
Finally, as Rias seemed to be relaxing a bit one of my arms slid across her stomach and I pulled her in tightly.
"H-Hey!" Rias tried to complain but a chuckle escaped my lips.
"Practice you say?" My words caused her to tremble again, probably embarrassed again, probably wondering why she was so impulsive.
"You seem far too nervous still," I whispered into her ear and my breath seemed to have caused her to shiver, "I think we need to practice more."
I flipped her around abruptly.
My lips crashed into hers, hard and hungry, without any hesitation.
Rias gasped into my mouth, her body stiffening before melting against me, her fingers digging into my shoulders.
I shoved her back against the railing, the metal biting into her hips as I pressed myself flush against her, tongue forcing its way past her lips.
She tasted sweet and as my tongue began exploring the insides of her wet mouth she moaned, loud and unrestrained.
I gripped her waist, yanking her closer, my hands sliding down to squeeze her ass through her skirt.
She arched into me, her nails raking my neck, her breath hot and ragged as our tongues tangled in a wet, messy fight.
"W-Wait!" she stammered between kisses, but I bit her lower lip, shutting her up.
My thigh wedged between her legs, pressing up hard, and she whimpered, grinding against me instinctively.
For a second I stopped, letting her catch her breath.
"Y-Yamamoto—" She trembled and turned her face away, panting from the slightly aggressive exchange.
"Don't worry," I rubbed my thumb over her lips, "It's for the Gremory Family, don't think too much."
"But!"
I kissed her again.
Again and again and again.
Whether she tried to stop, say something, or even push me away, I never stopped.
We continued to kiss for the next ten minutes.
For ten whole minutes, I didn't let her go.
I thoroughly broke whatever hesitations or concerns she had.
By the sixth minute mark Rias had stopped resisting completely, kissing me back sloppily in a daze.
Even as we separated, forming a thin string of saliva between our lips, she listlessly looked at me. She seemed to be absentminded.
"Rias?" I poked her forehead curiously and she began to fall.
"Woah, ah!" I quickly caught her.
"She's unconscious…?" This was something I didn't expect. Was the stimulation too much for this virgin Devil?
Or maybe she forced this state because she didn't want to face me after the steamy session. Given her shyness in these matters, I wouldn't be surprised.
I slowly lowered her and sat cross-legged on the ground.
Thankfully the balcony was private and only accessible to VIPs like Rias.
Placing Rias' head softly onto my lap I summoned Kaguya.
"Had your fun?" Kaguya chuckled and I rolled my eyes, "Show my profile."
She merged back into my body and the familiar System screen appeared.
[Host- Yamamoto Tatsuya (Adrian Frost)
Age- 16 (22)
Race- Devil
Demonic Energy- 24,576 units
World Essence- 26,061 units]
Hmm…
"First things first, Amplify!"
The Demonic Energy inside me began to rage, crashing against the interior of my body as if wanting to break out.
But Kaguya kept it under control, not letting anything leak out.
As for me?
I was immersed in the blissful sensation.
The sheer force bubbling inside me made my head swell with satisfaction.
[Demonic Energy- 49,152]
[World Essence- 9,677]
Now, even without any of my abilities, just with my Demonic Energy alone I could destroy a country.
But this just filled me with dread instead.
If I was already so strong then what about Ajuka who had more than ten times my base strength? Or even the Dragon Gods that should have mana in the millions?
Even with the Hollow Mask my Demonic Energy was only 196,608 units.
A single attack and I could destroy continents alone. I suppose it's not in vain that the Dragon Gods can destroy planets.
As for Beings even stronger than them...
I…
I'm still an ant, huh?
Let's not think about that.
Spin the Wheel.
I mentally commanded and watched as 2,000 World Essence was drained.
Please be something good…
[Congratulations! You've got a Summoning Card!]
Ah…?
A rush of memories filled my mind.
I could feel my heart thump with anger.
Tatsumaki…
"There will be no complications this time," Kaguya appeared beside me, "Back then I was barely conscious and had no idea what exactly was going on before you upgraded the System. My drowsy state resulted in a lack of control over the summoned character. This time you'll have full control over the soul of whomever is summoned. Suicide or betrayal will no longer be an option."
"...That's good to hear."
I never really blamed Kaguya for what happened back then. It was my own ignorance and arrogance that led to that result.
"Let's hope your luck is good. I wasn't inclined to give you a Summoning Card because of the stir it causes in the bridge but since the Heavenly Spirit is already aware of us and won't act it should be safe to do it once."
I see.
It wasn't a surprise that bringing another whole person was much more impactful than a simple ability or item.
Actually, a Summoning Card was what I always wished for in my heart.
I just hope someone useful is summoned.
"You can hide the fluctuations or appearance, no?"
"Rest assured," Kaguya's voice drifted and I flipped my palm over.
A golden card with a luxurious 'S' carved on it appeared.
To use the card I had to just think of it.
A bright light erupted from my palm
And I eagerly looked at the human visage forming.
__________________
[A/N— Haven't done a slice of life episode in a while. It was quite fun to write since I don't do this often. It also solidified Rias' and Tatsuya's relationship.]
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