The grand hall of the Gremory castle buzzed with a tense, expectant energy. At the very center of the assembled Great Devil Families, positioned on a raised dais, were Rin, Rias, and Sona, the reluctant focal points of the impending political storm. Dominating the room, however, was Rias's elder brother, Sirzechs Lucifer, the current head of the Gremory clan and one of the Four Great Satans. His crimson hair seemed to absorb the light, a vibrant beacon of power and authority.
Sirzechs, his voice deep and resonant, finally began the meeting. "Esteemed Lords and Ladies, we are gathered today to address the recent… complications surrounding the engagement of my sister, Rias Gremory, and Lord Riser Phenex."
One by one, the complaints began to erupt. Initially, they were veiled in polite diplomatic language, but the underlying sentiment was clear: Rias must marry Riser, for Riser had technically won the Rating Game. They spoke of tradition, of honor, of maintaining the delicate balance of power within the Underworld. Yet, amidst the clamor, dissenting voices rose. Some families, perhaps influenced by the sheer spectacle of Riser's defeat, or perhaps genuinely sympathetic to Rias's plight, argued that the victory was tainted, that Rias should not be forced into a union she so vehemently rejected.
The discussion spiraled, arguments taking turns, shifting from formal debate to barely suppressed bickering. On the adult side, a veneer of civility was maintained, preventing outright magical skirmishes. But among the younger devils present, caught in the escalating tension, patience frayed. Whispers escalated into heated exchanges, which then, inevitably, erupted into a flurry of low-level magic and shouted insults. A minor brawl erupted, quickly involving several young nobles. Fortunately, a few older devils, well-versed in maintaining order, intervened swiftly, quashing the altercation before it could fully destabilize the meeting.
The hubbub eventually died down, and all eyes turned back to Sirzechs. He was the star of this meeting, the one whose decision would carry the greatest weight.
Sirzechs, maintaining his calm demeanor, began. "First, I must extend my sincerest apologies to the Phenex family, and especially to Lady Phenex, for the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Lord Riser." He paused, his gaze briefly meeting the matriarch of the Phenex clan. "However, the outcome of the Rating Game, while technically a victory for Lord Riser, also revealed certain… deficiencies. My sister's fiancé, despite his power, was utterly defeated by a human. A human who, until that moment, possessed no inherent demonic power. This is a matter that Lord Riser himself must address." Sirzechs's words were delivered with a measured tone, a careful attempt to appear unbiased, yet the subtle implication was clear: Riser's failure was his own.
Lady Phenex, a woman of striking beauty with an air of aristocratic grace, remained perfectly calm. Not a flicker of anger crossed her features. In fact, she looked like nothing more than a refined lady next door, sipping her tea. But her next words, delivered with a saccharine smile and a voice dripping with mock concern, betrayed her true feelings. "Indeed, Sirzechs-sama. My poor Riser. To think, he would be so… misunderstood by a mere human. Perhaps your sister should consider a partner who can better appreciate the delicate nuances of our power." The sarcasm was thick enough to cut with a demon blade.
Other Great Families, sensing an opening, were about to interject, to pivot the conversation towards their own agendas. But Sirzechs's next words, spoken without raising his voice, sent a ripple of shock through the room.
"Of course," Sirzechs said, his eyes subtly sweeping across the faces of those who had been most vocal in their complaints. "And perhaps we should also discuss the various outstanding debts owed to the Gremory and Lucifer houses. Or the pending trade agreements regarding rare magical components, which I believe certain families were hoping to secure with… additional benefits. Not to mention, the allocation of territories for new peerages, which some may find… re-evaluated should the current arrangements prove… inconvenient."
The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air. Sirzechs was telling them, indirectly but undeniably, to be quiet, or he would move against them, leveraging his immense power and influence. The faces of several key family heads paled. The collective desire to see Rias married to Riser, while strong, was not worth incurring the wrath of a Lucifer. One by one, the other Great Families backed down, their objections dying on their lips. The conversation with Lady Phenex continued, but now, the room was silent save for their exchange.
Meanwhile, Rin, seated beside Rias, was having an immensely enjoyable time watching the show. His gaze lingered on Lady Phenex. As expected, she's beautiful, just like Venelana, he mused, a new target already forming in his mind. In terms of seductive presence, she's even greater than Venelana. Venelana, after all, is more the embodiment of a mother now.
Without hesitation, Rin began his own subtle manipulations.
Sirzechs Lucifer: Masochistic Tendency -> 95/100. Rin implanted the trait, knowing Sirzechs would feel nothing now, the effect manifesting only when triggered.
As for Lady Phenex, Rin focused on building a bridge for their future encounters. Lady Phenex: Trust (towards Rin Takakura) -> 95/100. This would be crucial for their first proper meeting. He also began to chip away at her existing loyalties. Lady Phenex: Romantic Love (towards Lord Phenex) -> 20/100. Their long history would prevent a complete erasure, but enough to create a significant void.
The meeting continued, the diplomatic dance playing out with Sirzechs slowly but surely cornering Lady Phenex. Finally, it was Rias's turn to speak.
Rias rose, her chin held high, her crimson eyes burning with a fierce determination. She looked out at the assembled devils, her voice clear and unwavering. "I will never marry Riser Phenex."
It was a short, unequivocal declaration, a defiant statement that resonated through the hall. Several of the Great Families, those who still clung to the old ways, frowned deeply. One older, particularly gruff-looking devil, belonging to a minor but traditional house, sneered, "You spoiled brat! You disgrace your family! You're nothing more than a—"
Before the words could fully leave his lips, Rin, who had been silently observing, moved. A blur of motion. In an instant, he was beside the cursing devil, his hand gripping the man's arm. There was a sickening snap. The devil roared, clutching his now-severed hand, which lay on the polished floor, gushing black blood.
Silence. Absolute, terrifying silence descended upon the hall. Every single devil, from the highest-ranking Satans to the lowliest servants, stared in stunned horror at the scene, then at Rin, who stood calmly, his expression utterly impassive, a faint trail of blood on his hand from the severed limb.
"Anyone else have something nonsensical to spout towards Rias?" Rin's voice, calm and cutting, echoed through the suddenly still hall. "I suggest you think carefully before you speak. Because the next one to insult my girlfriend will lose more than just a hand."