Chapter 48: Bitter Truth and Agreement.

Alex and Ingvild got angry and speechless regarding the statement made by both Corey and Ruval. Ingvild gathered her bearing and asked, "Lord Phenex and Heir Phenex, can you hear yourselves what you are saying. It is more like a thug threatening others with his and his loved ones safety. It is not like you are speaking to a family member at all."

Alex pitched in, "After hearing you, we feel like forcefully dragging Riser with us, even if he decided to stay back. If we let him stay here, then we will not be able to forgive ourselves. I know the devils are cruel but as far as I have heard, you guys said that you are starting to change. But it seems like now you are using emotional torture rather physical one. And that seems to be the change I reckon."

Corey and Ruval got angry but Caitlyn just yelled, "ENOUGH!!!" All those present were stunned because Caitlyn was a peaceful person. And they have never seen her getting angry. Caitlyn then turned to Riser with tears in her eyes and asked, "I know I have lost you the moment I saw the look on you face when I failed to answer such simple questions about you. But before you end everything, can you let me know what was the reason."

All present have bewildered look on their face except for Alex and Ingvild, who noticed the look on Caitlyn's face earlier. Riser managed to get his emotions in check. He then sighed and said, "Let me tell you a story of a boy. A boy born in a great family.

The Boy had loving parents and two awesome brothers. And to add to that he was talented and was able to understand and learn anything his family taught him. His family was proud of him and started to encourage him to explore and learn whatever he wanted and they were there to guide him when he took a wrong path.

As his life went by, few months after his 6th birthday, he was informed he will be getting a new sibling. And everything started to change after he got a new sister. But the poor boy did not understand it. He was informed that his sister was born weak and needed lot of attention and care. So, they started to put more effort in taking care of his sister and started to neglect him. He too put all his effort in taking care of his sister.

But as the boy was smart, he started to notice the anomaly as no one was paying attention to him. But the boy misunderstood the neglect and thought his family wanted to learn and explore the knowledge by himself. If there was someone correcting him when he took the wrong path, it would've been a beautiful moment of character development. But sadly, for him, there was no one to point out his wrong choices.

As his family was a big one with vassals, he started to learn from their subordinate family. And the subordinate family were bunch of people who had no morals and started to teach him about how the old generation lived and acted. The boy took that as a norm and started to behave like one.

But his family found out too late and the approach to correct him was too violent. By the age of 12 the boy started to have multiple fights with his father and brothers, whereas his mother was too busy with taking care of his sister. But this boy only thought that his family was pushing him to grow up quickly. So, when he asked his father on how to grow up quickly, his father was busy with upper class families. When he asked his mother, she was busy taking care of her daughter. When he asked his first brother, he was busy with competitions. When he asked his second brother, he was busy with his business.

So out of options, he asked his initial source. They sent him in the direction of women. But as per the teaching that he received from his family in earlier years he sought out good women instead of those who take advantage of him. By the time his family found out, he was 13 with 3 women by his side. That started another round of fight with his father, while his mother was again busy with her daughter, first brother with his competitions and second brother with his business.

So, he went out of his home and started to Join other kids to play. On that time, he was given a chance to go out of his hometown and visit a neighboring country. And there he met with people with different kind of reactions to his arrogant attitude. Till now he was always pleased by the people who knew of his status. But there in that country he got his ass handed to him by two 8-year-old kids. 

And by the help of the two kids, he met his master. His master taught him the general understanding of the world and what wrong choices he made. He was able to change most of his bad habits but he was unable to let go of his Casanova attitude. By the age of 16 he had a harem of 10 girls.

That was when his father called him to inform him that he was betrothed to a girl from an upper-class family and he ordered him to please her so that she will marry the boy. But now the boy was able to understand what his parents failed to notice. His parents only viewed him as a tool rather than a son. But due to the wanting to be acknowledged, he followed his father's orders.

But the girl from the upper-class family was not very happy to be betrothed to the boy. She constantly belittled him and his lovers in various way. All the steps he took to get to know her was not reciprocated. The girl did not take a single effort to talk to him in a civilized manner. Not to mention his got threats from the girl's brother to leave his lovers and threats from the girl's mother to stop pestering her. And the Girl's father only looked at him like a tool just like his father and the girl's sister-in-law looked at him like vermin.

And finally, without any choice, the boy talked to his family. To his father, mother, brothers and even to his sister. All he got was scolding and ridicule. And as his final straw, he talked with his master and his family. The boy went there expecting the same scolding and ridicule. But what he got was comforting and various choices. That was the first day in all of his 17 years he cried like a baby.

After that he stated to concentrate on the minor league of the same competition that his brother was participating. His training and effort paid off and he remained undefeated. But someone was jealous of his victory and started rumors regarding his lovers. And the girl whom he was betrothed fanned the flames and her and his family did nothing to stop the rumors. So, he took this as a lesson and slowly started to find likeminded people. He grew his connections and finally was able to set foot in the same league as his brother.

But right on time his father urged him to marry the girl like he never heard of all the complaints that the boy placed. But the boy did what he always does. He started his journey to visit the girl for another round of insults and disrespect. But on his way to meet the girl, he got the news that she tried to cheat on him with a servant that the girl recently hired. And from the source of the information, he learned that the girl fell in love with that servant.

If anything, he was happy for her to find her love. But he was given an ultimatum by his father that, if he was unable to marry that girl, his father with disown him. He was torn between what to decide. He can go ahead and cancel the engagement or pressure her to marry him. But ultimately, he chose to be selfish for once in his life.

But he was not understood by his own sister who followed him, whom he taught about everything he knows, who saw him struggle through all the defamation and insults. When he went to meet with girl, he was met with same insults but this time she went one step further and let her servant insult and disrespect the boy and his lovers. When asked for explanation, she got angry and admitted that she tried to cheat.

So, the boy went back to release his sister from holding her back. He went to his home to see his mother so that she can take her daughter back. He had a tiny hope of his mother noticing his distress, his father acknowledging his struggles, his brothers taking his complaint seriously and his sister to understand him after seeing the meeting. But unfortunately for him, no such thing happened. 

But when he met his master, his master and his family was able to notice the all the things he wished for. They helped him understand that his life matters. They helped him to get through his troubles and find his answers. They helped him understand he too has people that cares for him."

Riser was able to see myriad of emotions in everybody's face. He then looked sharper and asked, "So tell me Lord Phenex and Lady Phenex, if you were able to teach Ruval and Razer about governing and business why can't you do the same for me? If you were able teach them how to behave, why not do the same for me? If you can show care and love for all your children, why can't you do the same for me.

Tell me Heir Phenex, if you can take care of your siblings, why did you not take care of me. And moreover, you were even ashamed to introduce your wife to me. This is the first time I'm seeing her. Are you so busy that you don't have an hour to talk to me about your wisdom?

Tell me Media Mogul of underworld, if you can change the opinion of a mass murderer into a hero, why did you not clear my name. If you have a wide information network, why can't you help me with my Rating games? Is it only reserved for Ruval and Ravel?

Tell me Princess of Phenex, if you have IQ of 170, why can't you understand my plight. If you can learn all the knowledge I taught me, why did you choose to ignore all the insults I received but only report my wrong doings to your parents.

So, tell me the verdict Phenex and Gremory. What will it be?"

Caitlyn and Ravel were in tears. Ravel now understood that her third brother disowned the family and not the other way around. But she was unable to think of a solution. If only Riser gave them a chance, they will make sure that he is not neglected. But Caitlyn understood Riser had given up on them. And she has no right to ask for a chance to be his mother after all the pain she has caused him.

Corey was having his face and respect shredded mercilessly. And the thing is he was unable to make any comment for saving it. Rather he is chosen not to save his face at this time. He now understood what he lost. And he knows that he has no chance of recovering it. Ruval and Razer were ashamed and unable to defend themselves. They just stood there, head lowered and unsure what to do. It was daunting for Thalmia too, as she was one them who believed the rumors and spread it to her friends and relatives. Now she was so ashamed that she treated her family like that.

But suddenly there was a loud shout, "Hey fried chicken! It is very bad to make your parents cry. And it is very bad to make them feel bad. If it is their fault, just let them know and forgive them. They are the ones that gave birth to you. And as your brother said, only family stick with till you die." Issei was mesmerised by Caitlyn and Ravel's beauty and seeing them cry made him want to beat Riser.

Before anyone could say anything, Yubelluna flashed in front of Issei and held him by his neck. She said in a cold tone, "Of all the people who can criticize my King, you do not even rank the last. I did a background check and you have made your parents bow head to others more than what anyone could count. And what gave you the right to raise your voice against my Master."

But the will of the world has already influenced the others. Zeoticus flared his power to pressure Yubelluna saying, "How dare a mere servant raise her voice in the meeting between Pure devils!!!"

Ingvild had enough of it. She raised her power to cancel out Zeoticus and said in a mocking tone, "Double-standards much? It is like you were saying that That idiot is not a servant but Yubelluna is? Where is the comparison in that. Do you really..."

Riser has reached a boiling point. He held back Ingvild speaking further and said, "Luna come back. Don't touch that disgusting piece of shit. You will get infected. It seems we are not welcomed here." He then faced Zeoticus and asked coldly, "So what will it be Lord Gremory. Will my demands be met or do you need more time to consider."

Everybody felt a chill from Riser's cold tone. And Phenex family realizes that any sort of chances that were open to have to reconnect was closed after Issei's shout. All except Ravel. She thought that it was very heroic about Issei that he stood up for them. 

Rias too felt that her choice of partner was not wrong as Issei was able to go against a powerful opponent for justice. They were slowly getting influenced by world will by seeing whatever issei did was right. But even if the world will did not influence, Rias will stand up for Issei rather that Riser. But Ravel would've been released from the influence if Riser stayed by her side. But too bad that will not happen.

Zeoticus was not sure what got to him to do that but he gathered his bearings and said, "Boy don't be arrogant. I was just disciplining…."

Alex just cut him off by saying, "Yeah, yeah! Whatever! Just say that you agree or not. If not both the recording from yesterday and today will make news in devitube tomorrow. We have already wasted time here and we had enough of Riser being disrespected again and again. And that too from a perverted leacher."

Before issei could say anything there was a pressure that descended from Alex. Issei was unable to breathe. He felt like he will die if he spoke a word wrongly. Alex the said in a cold tone, "I had enough of you looking at my wife obscenely. If you open you moth again, get ready to say goodbye to the living world."

Rias wanted to defend Issei but Zeoticus started to talk first, "We agree to the condition. After the Rating games that will be held after 10 days, if you win, all your demands will be met with." 

Riser looked at Zeoticus as if he were looking at a stupid person and said, "When did I agree to have the Rating game after 10 days. I have an official Rating game in 12 days and I would like to get this over fast and move on with my life. We are having the Rating game day after tomorrow. One day is enough for you to make arrangement and send invitations if you wish to invite someone."

This time all those who heard this was stunned. Rias then shouted, "We don't have necessary training to go against you. We need time to prepare. We still have not trained our powers to an acceptable level."

Riser looked at Rias without emotion and said, "All I see are your problems, I don't see any problem from my side. If you have not trained till now, that does not concern me. All I wanted was to win and if I have the advantage, I will make full use of it. I'm not arrogant enough to think that I will defeat you even if you have one months' time to train. I don't like variable. You have one day time to get ready. Even if I'm called a coward I don't care. All I wanted was to win. And I will win with any chance I get. Sign the agreement of you agree. If not, get ready to deal with the recording."

After a defeated sigh from Rias, everyone agreed. Still Sirzechs was glaring at Riser with murderous intent and Riser did not even give a singe f**k. Once the contract was signed, Vanalena asked, "Can we now talk about my second son. Can you please tell me about his whereabouts. Can you at least ask him to meet me?" She said with a desperate tone.

Ingvild raised her brows and asked, "And why should we do that? I mean, you Gremory's are more disgusting than the Phenex. At least they were not aware of hurting Riser. But you voluntarily gave him up and even went far as to erase his memory. So please tell me Lady Gremory. With what face are you coming here to ask about your second son. 

It is not Like we are hiding him. But he is the one that chose not to appear before you. If he decided he will come before you." After saying her piece, Ingvild along with Alex, Riser and Yubelluna vanished before they can take any action.