72 Why did they call themselves devils?

When the pressure that came from Riser slowly vanished, everyone felt relief, but their hearts still beat so fast, realizing how fearsome he was. Frankly, even though they thought of him as powerful, with his everyday conduct, they hardly felt scared of him since he was often quite laid back and gentle.

Yet, now, their opinion of him has changed.

Nevertheless, no one thought of blaming him; instead, they cursed Issei, who kept provoking Riser all the time. They knew that Riser was too lazy to talk with Issei, and who was the stalker between him and Rias?

Issei might not have been clear, but those who had been in his villa knew the truth.

Still, among everyone, the one who was surprised by his growth the most was Grayfia.

How did Riser grow so much stronger in such a short span of time?

Grayfia had seen how powerful Riser was, especially when he fought Issei in the yard of the Gremory castle previously, yet the impact brought by him now was on a completely different dimension from his previous self.

While she didn't want to admit it, she knew she didn't have a chance to defeat him.

That simple confrontation was enough to determine who was stronger between them, especially when her barrier was quickly melted by him.

Moreover, his control over his fire-related ability had reached a frightening level.

While it might be hard to believe, Grayfia didn't think it was wrong to say Riser's fire manipulation was on the same level as Sirzech's control over his power of destruction.

How old was Riser?

Riser was this young, yet he was this strong?

Grayfia had a cold sweat since she knew it was impossible to stop him. If he really went on berserk, killing everything, then her existence was meaningless. At that moment, she wanted to curse Issei for provoking Riser.

Riser, whose Demonic Power had increased by nine times, was no longer like before.

Facing Grayfia, whose power was just around Ultimate-Class Devil, Riser had never thought of her as an opponent.

As Riser had thought, Sirzech knew that his little sister went to visit Riser from time to time at his villa.

Sirzech also didn't stop and even let it go since he felt it was good, considering if Riser and Rias were together, then the relationship between them would be amended.

Nevertheless, they underestimated Issei's stupidity. Even though they had reminded him, it seemed that his brain was unable to understand any explanation of more than 20 words.

"Is this the hospitality of the Gremory family? This really opens my eyes, or it can be said that it is the way of the Gremory family saying that they are the master of the Underworld by insulting the prestige and face of the 72 pillars of the devil and the Great King?"

Anyway, they were enemies; even though they tried to amend their relationship with him, Riser was small-minded and petty. It was impossible for him to forgive them as they pretended nothing had happened after they dirtied his name like trash.

In this case, he might as well make the fire bigger by throwing gasoline.

Making the fire so big that everything would be burnt.

Riser might not be able to defeat Sirzech, but it didn't mean he couldn't bully his little sister and wife.

Everyone was shocked by Riser's accusation since the act of Issei mocking him became so huge that if the Gremory couldn't handle all of this, it would become the enemy of all the Underworld due to Issei.

Grayfia felt that her mouth was dry and didn't know what to say, but Rias was smart.

"Riser, I am sorry for my pawn's mistake. We have never had any intention to insult the prestige and the face of the 72 pillars and the Great King faction as we're part of it. Moreover, even if my brother might be Maou Lucifer, we have never thought of ourselves as the master of the Underworld.

"Please give me a chance to show you my sincerity and apologize to you and your family."

Her posture was low as she also tried to show her boobs to Riser.

"...."

Riser glanced at Gyafia and thought that compared to Rias, this woman might be only a vase. When something big happened, Grayfia was stiff and was unable to do anything, but Rias was quite flexible.

"Then, tell your maid to step away from there and let me kill your pawn. By then, I will forgive your family and won't mention this matter again."

"..."

His words were so at ease as if saying that he wanted her to treat him to dinner.

Rias felt so helpless at the moment, hoping to curse Issei for his stupidity.

If Issei's power was enough to destroy a planet, then even if he did a disrespectful act, no one would blame him.

However, was he strong enough to do that now? No.

Issei was just a weakling currently and just a low-class devil.

"I am sorry. I can't do that." Rias looked at Riser with a firm gaze. "Even though he is stupid, he is still my pawn. My servant. As the heir of the Gremory house, it is my duty to protect him."

Even though Issei was stupid, Rias had chosen him as part of her pawn. Even though he was the one who caused all of this, there was no way for her to sacrifice him. If that happened, then the foundation of the Gremory house would crumble.

After all, the Gremory house was known for their kindness toward their servant.

If she could sacrifice Issei, then wouldn't she be able to sacrifice others, too, in the future?

By then, trouble after trouble would jump up in her family.

"Buchou..." Issei was crying and moved by Rias's words, thinking that he was being loved by Rias once again.

"...then, what can you do?"

However, Riser wasn't moved by Rias; his voice was rather cold, and he wasn't even moved by Rias's words.

Frankly, Riser had to say that his perception of Rias also kept changing as they communicated with each other. Before, when they got engaged to each other, the original Riser only lusted at her body, and she disdained him.

Neither of them had a chance to know each other better at what kind of devil they were.

Hearing the impatience in his voice, Rias was also decisive. "Grayfia beat him."

Issei gloated when he heard Rias's order, thinking that Riser would be beaten by Grayfia, but—

*BOOOOM!*

Issei was beaten by Grayfia.

Grayfia also didn't hold back and kept beating him without mercy, even breaking his bones and causing heavy injuries.

Issei was unable to do anything as he faced the Ultimate-Class Devil's existence.

"Issei-san!"

Asia cried and panicked as she saw Issei mercilessly beaten, but Koneko held her tightly since she feared that Asia might get involved in this matter.

Unlike Asia, Koneko knew the cruelty of the Underworld. After all, she was almost killed before, so if they weren't careful, they might be killed too.

Koneko knew that she was cruel for letting Issei be beaten, but what could she do?

She could only close her eyes in fear as she hugged Asia tightly.

"Issei-san! Issei-san! Issei-san!"

Asia kept crying before Grayfia stopped, leaving Issei half-dead.

Still, Issei maintained his consciousness, but he could only moan painfully.

"Rias-sama. Riser-sama."

Grayfia stopped her actions as she bowed respectfully again.

"Do you think you can forgive us now?" Rias asked with a complicated mood.

Everyone who saw this realized the cruelty of society, but at the same time, they knew it was also a reminder for them not to mess around since the difference in status meant everything to the devil.

If they didn't want to end up like Issei, then they needed to be obedient.

Yet—

"Not enough."

"..."

"...what do you want?" Even if Rias's temper was good, this was already on her limit.

"Castrate him."

"...." Everyone.

Rias hesitated and fell into deep thought. If Riser was the one who caused trouble, then she could ignore it, but Issei was the one who had caused trouble!

Moreover, Riser had made this matter so big that everything might be out of hand.

Lastly, Riser didn't ask her to kill Issei, which was still within her acceptable limit.

Grayfia stayed in silence, waiting for Rias's decision since she was only the maid, and she would follow Rias's decision since Grayfia knew that she wasn't good at matters of politics.

However, the rest couldn't calm down.

Their hearts were beating so fast, and Issei, who hadn't passed out, started to act, trying to fight back since if he was castrated, then it meant his dream would be over!

However, as a protagonist, someone had always come out to save him.

Still, Grayfia beat Issei up so he would pass out since she was afraid that he might cause more trouble.

"Pl-Please forgive Issei-san!"

Asia clutched into Riser desperately, trying to apologize. "I-I know that his words might have hurt you, but... but... he isn't a bad guy. He... He is just worried about Buchou.

Please don't castrate him, Riser-sama. I... I will do anything!"

As Issei had saved her, Asia also wished to save Issei.

Watching Asia desperately apologize, Koneko was also desperate since she didn't expect that Asia would run into Riser. Still, her fear didn't allow her to move, and she stood in a place, especially when he glanced at her for a moment.

"You want me to forgive him?"

"Ye-Yes!"

Asia knew whether Issei could be saved or not; it depended on Riser, so she would do her best to make him forgive Issei.

Frankly, she was scared, especially when he was tall and just standing by his side was so intimidating, yet... yet she held him tightly, hoping he would change his decision.

"If I forgive him, do you think he will forgive me for bullying him, Rias-san, you, and the others?" He asked calmly

"He-He will! I-I will make sure that Issei won't cause any more trouble!"

"How?"

"That-That's..."

Even Asia knew how stubborn Issei was, so it was hard for her to make a promise, but—

"Pl-Please believe in me! If... If he really won't forgive you, then... then I will be the one who beat him!"

"You will beat him? How?" He asked curiously. "He is Sekiryuutei, you know?"

Asia was even more flustered, but she still raised her arms, showing her non-existent muscles. "I-I am training now! I-I will be very strong, so I can beat Issei-san for you!"

"...."

How to say... due to the nativity of this girl, the atmosphere was eased.

"Don't worry. I might be a devil, but I am not that cruel. However, he had insulted all of the aristocratic family. I had heard that he was dying before, right? If he didn't become a devil, then his life would be over. You could see how impudent he was, right? Even though his life was saved by the devil, he was ignorant and ungrateful. Do you think it is worth it to save him?"

"It is! It is!"

Asia nodded firmly. "After all... it isn't because of Issei-san, I-I might not be here... As for how ungrateful his conduct is, while you might not believe in my words... I-I will do my best to make him better. I won't let him mock you again. I won't let him tarnish the reputation of the noble again.

"So-So please forgive him."

Asia was sincere, only hoping for him to forgive Issei.

"Husband..." Sona tucked the hem of his shirt, hoping this matter was over.

However—

"Sorry, I can't believe you."

"Wha—"

Asia was staring at him even more desperately.

"However, I won't kill him or castrate him. You don't need to worry."

Hearing that, Asia felt relieved.

The rest also felt relieved.

"I will just make sure that he won't disrespect me again."

He snapped his fingers, causing their bodies to be tense, but then, they could see nothing.

"Okay, that's enough."

Riser smiled. "Sona, let's go."

Sona nodded and linked their arms together intimately. "Rias, I will leave first."

"Yes."

Rias nodded at Sona with jealousy for being able to hold such a strong man but then sighed in relief since the matter was over.

Everyone also felt relief since nothing big was happening, but then again, why did he snap his fingers before?

They didn't know, but everything was over, so everything was good.

Right?

---

There are many words in this single chapter.

It reminds me of a single chapter on "I Refuse to Become a Scumbag in Tokyo."