From Chapter 57 onward, prepare for a major upgrade—writing, cleaner grammar, and a more immersive story!
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~ Next chapter coming in an hour!
~ I added an Auxiliary Chapter that will Register Future Information Regarding the MC Status & Harem
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The process of connecting was similar to making a video call on a smartphone.
No one knew whether the Underworld had "Signal Towers", but Bokue Keikain didn't much care about the magical mechanics behind such a video feed.
As long as they could connect, that was enough.
Sure enough, after a few seconds of "Connecting…" text on the magical display, the words changed to "Connection Successful," and the other side's image appeared.
Though it was magic-based, the clarity was on par with cutting-edge human tech.
On the screen was a blond young man sitting on a sofa in a lavish residence. He had one leg crossed over the other and lightly swirled a glass of red wine in his hand.
Despite also being blond, his hair was more of a brassy gold than Asia's gentle, almost holy shade. The center spike of his forelock and the deliberately open shirt collar—revealing some solid pecs—evoked the image of a "strutting little rooster."
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"Ah, looks like we're connected. It's been a while, Rias."
He raised his wineglass with a mischievous grin.
"…No need to call my name so familiarly."
Seeing the man's flashy attitude—and recalling how she'd once been engaged to him—Rias couldn't help the trace of disgust that crept onto her face. Her voice turned colder by the moment:
"Riser Phenex."
It was uncommon for Rias to address people by their full name. Usually she'd use either a given name or surname alone. Using both like this was an unmistakable gesture of rejection.
Riser seemed to notice her hostility, but he only shrugged as if unbothered.
"Hey now, no need for the frosty reception. We do have an engagement, no sense acting at each other's throats from the get-go, right? Well, either way, I need to thank Lord Lucifer for granting this chance at mediation."
So saying, he stood up in the video feed, bowing toward Sirzechs, who was perched on the couch from this end, and then, on receiving a nod, plopped back down.
"All right, so let's get to the point—about our engagement, Rias."
"Great. I was just about to talk about that."
Rias sat upright, slightly nudging closer to Bokue at her side. Her tone was calm, but resolute.
"Riser Phenex, our so-called betrothal was nothing more than an arrangement between our fathers. Even my father had no right to decide my life; but at the same time, the Gremory clan isn't unreasonable. I, Rias Gremory, as heir, can assure you we'll offer an appropriate compensation within reason."
Rias's words were firm and resonant, confirming her legitimate grounds for refusing the marriage while also acknowledging that the Gremory side technically was the one breaking it.
She made it clear they'd give reparation for that breach—an approach worthy of Gremory's future head.
From his seat, Sirzechs couldn't help but show a small, proud smile at his sister's skillful negotiation.
But then—
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"…Heh, compensation?"
It was like Riser had just heard the funniest joke in the world. His shoulders trembled lightly as he let out a laugh.
"Rias, you still don't seem to grasp your family's situation here. You can't just refuse and expect it to end with a single 'No, I don't want it.' Don't you get that?"
"But never mind—I'll name my price now."
He paused briefly, gaze shifting from Rias to Bokue, positioned at the center of the sofa. The corners of his mouth twisted in a cruel, predatory smirk.
"Rias, I want you to kill that little nobody you picked up in the Human world—right in front of me. Then you'll come immediately back to the Underworld and marry me. In that case, I'll pretend none of this ever happened. Good deal, no?"
"Riser Phenex! Don't you dare go too far!"
All semblance of calm dissolved in an instant. Rias slammed her hand on the table, jabbing a finger at the screen in fury. The red aura of Power of Destruction flared up around her, stirring her scarlet hair as if blown by a fierce wind.
But the next second, a hand from beside her settled on her shoulder. That familiar, solid warmth washed away her rage and tension in a blink.
Bokue patted her shoulder, gently urging her back down to the couch, then rose himself—walking unhurriedly to stand before the large screen.
He spoke with a faint air of condescension:
"When people negotiate, it's to find an outcome both sides can accept. But from your attitude, there's nothing to discuss. That's fine—"
"Rias wants to handle this diplomatically, but I don't."
"If there's no talking to be done—we'll fight."
Three concise sentences, effectively shattering what little remained of the negotiation's fragile atmosphere. Even Sirzechs, who'd stayed silent so far, arched an eyebrow in mild surprise.
What a negotiation whiz…
As for Riser, the mocking grin he'd worn vanished. His face darkened, eyes narrowing dangerously.
"You realize what you're saying, Human—?"
"Fuck off."
Bokue didn't even let him finish. The terse, forceful words made the gold-haired man's eyes flash with bloodshot veins. But he controlled his temper quickly, forcibly stifling it.
"Fine—fine! So be it. War, then, Rias Gremory! Bring all your servants. We'll settle this in a Rating Game!"
Click—
He ended the call on his side, the magical screen flickering before plunging into darkness.
Huh. So that was basically a "Rage quit."
Out of curiosity, Bokue glanced at Sirzechs on the side sofa.
"Seems the other party cut the line."
Sirzechs rose from the couch, walking to the empty screen. "Well, the outcome's a bit unexpected, but in some sense the negotiation served its purpose. And since a Rating Game was proposed, you all need to decide the location for your match."
Though outwardly addressing the entire group, he kept his eyes mostly on Bokue.
"In the Underworld—The Phenex estate."
Bokue's answer was succinct.
"Very well."
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