The grand hall, still thrumming with the aftershocks of Rin's raw power, settled into a strained silence. The meeting, which had devolved into a spectacle of political maneuvering and a brief, chaotic brawl, now returned to a semblance of order, but its focus had irrevocably shifted. No longer was the debate centered on Rias's forced marriage to Riser, but rather on the unprecedented enigma that was Rin Takakura.
"Given the… extraordinary display," Sirzechs Lucifer's voice cut through the tension, his gaze lingering on Rin with a mixture of respect and cautious curiosity, "it has become abundantly clear that the previous arrangements are no longer viable."
Lady Phenex, who had maintained a placid, almost unreadable expression throughout Rin's demonstration, finally allowed a flicker of irritation to cross her face. The meticulously planned agenda, designed to corner Rias and cement the union, had been utterly derailed. She had hoped to leverage the formal setting to ensure the marriage, but Rin's intervention, and now Sirzechs's pronouncements, had thrown everything into disarray.
"However," a voice from one of the elder Gremory council members interjected, "the honor of House Phenex demands satisfaction. Lord Riser was… disgraced."
Sirzechs nodded slowly. "Indeed. And it is precisely for that reason that a new challenge has been proposed." His eyes swept across the room, finally resting on Lady Phenex. "Lord Riser must challenge Rin Takakura to a duel. Himself."
A subtle frown creased Lady Phenex's brow. Riser wasn't even present at this meeting, having fled in terror after his last encounter with Rin. She had already attempted to persuade her son to face Rin again just a few days prior, only for him to retreat to his room in a fit of panic at the mere mention of the human's name. This decision, to demand a direct duel from Riser himself, was far from her desired outcome. It would be a nightmare to drag him back. With a sour taste in her mouth, she rose from her seat, a picture of aristocratic displeasure, and excused herself from the meeting area. Her strategy had failed spectacularly.
The meeting concluded shortly after, the remaining discussions a formality. As the assembled devils dispersed, their hushed whispers filled the hall, the name "Rin Takakura" echoing like a new, powerful mantra.
Rias, walking beside Rin as they made their way out, felt an immense lightness in her chest. She had stood firm, declared her defiance, and with Rin's undeniable support, the shackles of her arranged marriage had been broken. "I can't believe it," she murmured, a genuine smile gracing her lips. "I actually said it. In front of everyone. I'm not marrying Riser."
Sona, trailing a few steps behind, let out a long, shaky breath. "Despite not being directly questioned, I felt like I was fighting for my life in there." She adjusted her glasses, a weary but relieved expression on her face.
"The only problem now," Rias mused, a tiny worry line appearing between her brows, "is whether Riser will actually challenge you, Rin-kun."
Rin chuckled softly, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Don't worry, Rias. Riser will never challenge me." He knew the fear he had instilled in the arrogant devil was profound and lasting. "So, my current problem is solved."
As they arrived back at Rin's mansion in the human world, a sense of quiet calm settled over him. Tonight, he would return to the Tensura world. He was used to the process, entering his system before sleep. As he opened the familiar interface, however, he froze.
His eyes widened in surprise. Instead of the single world option he was accustomed to, "Tensura," there was now a second world displayed: "Random." A wave of confusion washed over him. A second world? He had no recollection of this. Why was it appearing now?
Driven by a sudden, intense curiosity, Rin decided to investigate his system. He delved into the unfamiliar settings, scrolling through lines of cryptic text until he found the explanation. If he entered the "Random" world, the system would then locate another anime world for him to travel to.
He was genuinely surprised. The thought of exploring other anime worlds, like Tensura, was an exhilarating prospect. The possibilities were endless. Yet, he quickly reined in his burgeoning curiosity. There would be time for that later. For now, his focus was on the familiar. He chose "Tensura" and closed his eyes, drifting into sleep.
The gentle sounds of a riverside morning greeted Rin as he awoke. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the wooden floor of his small house. He was back. His riverside house in the Tempest.
His first instinct was to head into the city, to see how Rimuru and the others were doing. As soon as he arrived at the bustling entrance, however, two familiar figures materialized before him, blocking his path with practiced ease.
It was Souei and Benimaru.
Before Rin could even offer a greeting, the two Kijin moved with swift, silent purpose, guiding him away from the town, deeper into a secluded patch of forest. They walked in silence for several minutes, the air thick with unspoken questions.
Finally, Benimaru stopped, his expression unusually serious. He placed a heavy hand on Rin's shoulder, his fiery red eyes fixed on him. "Rin," he began, his voice low, "what is your relationship with my sister and Shion?"
Rin, reading Benimaru's mind, understood immediately. The hot-headed Kijin had accidentally overheard Shuna and Shion talking about him. Benimaru was fiercely protective of Shuna, his beloved sister, and deeply cared for Shion, his trusted friend. He was trying to reconcile what he had heard with his understanding of Rin.
Taking a deep breath, Rin decided to tell the truth. There was no point in hiding it. "They are both my lovers."
Souei, ever stoic, registered the information with only a subtle widening of his eyes. He didn't show surprise, nor did it seem to bother him. In fact, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips. He was simply content that a woman like Shion had found a partner, even if that partner was a human.
Benimaru, however, was a different story. His aura flared, a crimson storm gathering around him, his expression twisting into one of furious anger. He was about to erupt, to demand answers, to threaten violence. But Rin, anticipating this, subtly channeled his system's power. Benimaru's internal rage, which had been boiling over, suddenly began to subside. He found himself calmer than he had expected, the fiery tempest within him cooling to a manageable warmth.
Rin further reinforced the trust of both Souei and Benimaru. "You don't need to worry," he stated, his voice firm and reassuring. "I will make both of them happy."
Souei and Benimaru exchanged a confused glance. They couldn't explain it, but they felt an undeniable surge of trust in Rin, a feeling akin to the implicit faith they placed in Rimuru himself. Believing in their instincts, they decided to accept his words.
Benimaru, still attempting to maintain some semblance of his usual strict demeanor, pointed a warning finger at Rin. "If you make my sister cry," he growled, though the fire had gone out of his voice, "I will make sure I beat you up."
Rin, knowing exactly what the Kijin was thinking, grinned. "Yes, brother-in-law."
A palpable "sting" seemed to hit Benimaru, a moment of bewildered shock, before a faint blush crept onto his cheeks. Souei, a rare hint of amusement in his eyes, simply shook his head. With the impromptu interrogation concluded, the two Kijin left Rin alone, heading back towards the city. Rin watched them go, a satisfied smirk on his face. The initial hurdle was cleared. Now, for the rest of his return to Tempest.