Birdie's third flight (2)

He then glanced at me and spoke. "By the way, Riser. Is everything ready for your meeting later?"

I responded. "Yes, everything is fine. You don't need to worry. I'll be on my best behaviour to appease Rias. I'll make sure to come back home with good news, Father." 'Nope, that's not the case. You should be worried. I'll be on my shittiest behaviour to earn Rias' fury. I'll be sure to return with a rating game challenge from her.

He looked at me for a time before nodding. "That's good, make me proud. Riser."

Will do, but not what you're looking for.

I agreed, hoping to end the topic quickly. I stood up and spoke. "Then, I'll take my leave."

…

[Kuoh Academy, Occult Research Club]

"Buchou, is there something going on today?" Hyoudou Issei inquired, unsure of what to expect. Even Grayfia was present, standing by Rias.

He does, however, want to know what happened when she visited him at home yesterday. However, given the sensitive the atmosphere around the research club, he believes that now is not the time to ask for that. Hyoudou Issei may be ignorant and perverted, but even he understands when not to ask questions. Sometimes.

"Lady Rias, would it be more appropriate for you to provide an explanation, or shall I do so instead?" Grayfia inquired, maintaining her steady gaze.

Rias responded, "Let me."

Rias Gremory chewed her lips, still angered by her pawn's indecision. They could have done it there and then, but her pawn began spewing cheesy comments out of character. She undoubtedly would have liked to hear it in normal circumstances, but yesterday was not a typical day.

She sighs and says, "There will be a visitor today, Ise." Most of Rias' peers are undoubtedly aware of who it will be, with the exception of Hyoudou Issei, whom she does not blame because he is a recently reincarnated devil.

As they spoke, a magical crest appeared on the floor, and a flash of flame erupted, flooding the room with colour. As the flames died down, two people appeared in the centre of the area and began to move towards them.

"Hello, Rias! My lovely fiancee."

…

[Riser PoV]

As the flame dissipated in front of my eyes, I noticed Rias and her peerage, with the exception of one, looking at me and Yubelluna cautiously. My, my. Am I really hated here? My heart is so vulnerable that I might cry here, you know?

As I approached them, I gently smiled and said, "Hello, Rias! My lovely fiancee." Rias stared at me as if she wanted to choke my throat, which was terrifying.

"Riser, don't call me your fiancee," Rias shouted vehemently. "I never agreed to be engaged with you."

'Same here, for real, for real,' I remarked sarcastically, looking at her as if she were a dumb bitch, which she was. I never agreed to be engaged with you, but did you notice me complaining? Seriously, how could I have had a crush on her before? Was it because I had been groomed to be her husband since I was a child?

"Buchou, he was your fiance?" a brown-haired boy, possibly Hyoudou Issei, inquired abruptly.

I glanced at Ria's and said. "Oh? You didn't even tell anything about me to your new servant, did you? You wound my heart, Rias."

"Ise, this man here is Riser of the House Phenex." She glared at me before explaining to her [Pawn]. "As you heard… he is my fiance."

Rias then looked at me and spoke. "But… as I always told you before, Riser. I would never marry you!"

"Come on, Rias, this engagement between us two from the pillar family is unavoidable." This is not a lie, given the demise of other pillar clans during the previous conflict. Children from noble families are expected to marry someone of the same position (noble) and give birth to the next generation, the sooner the better.

There are even fewer pure-blood devils from noble families than those of commoner blood. I thought it was funny that commoners have a greater birth rate than nobles. Was it because the noble family was stronger than them? It's definitely a sad sight.

"You would bring shame to house Gremory if you continue your childishness," I said.

"I won't bring shame on my clan," she screamed.

'You are already doing it though.'

"My parents and the clan are rushing this so much. But no matter what, I won't marry you, Riser. I would only marry someone I loved. Even if I needed to fight you for it."

'Why didn't you then?'

"That's funny, Rias." I answered quietly. "But you don't have a choice; your peerage isn't even complete yet, whereas mine is, except for one bishop." I intended to make Ravel my bishop before, but that would be foolish. The boost would not even work on her because she was already a pure-blood devil. The enhancement would only be applicable if the person being reborn is human or of another weaker race.

Outside of the reincarnation mechanism, the [Evil Piece] isn't really noteworthy; the so-called boost is merely a template for the people who will be reborn. Making it simple to build strength in that one area. After all, if filling oneself full of chess pieces may make you stronger, why would you do it to someone else?

"Hmmph, my peerage can easily defeat yours." Rias gave me a mocking glance. I suppose being the same age as her, as opposed to the dream in which I am an older and more experienced demon, gave her confidence in her peerage.

"I see, then…" I stated frankly to her. "Can I take that as a challenge for a [Rating Game]?"

She stared at me with a surprised expression on her face. Rias couldn't help but speak. "Y-you."

"What? I thought your peerage could beat mine?" I teased her with a smile. I then looked to Grayfia on the side, who had not spoken anything since the beginning. I suppose she doesn't need to say anything here now that I've provoked Rias with a Rating Game. This is identical to their initial plan.

"I'm really tired of this shit, Rias," I stated firmly. "Even I have a reputation to uphold as the son of the House Phenex. Why don't we make a bet? If I win, the marriage will happen immediately and if I lose, you're free."

"So?" I stood up and asked, my aura intensified.