"....."
Riser felt all the happiness in his heart disappear and quickly turn into a calmness, analyzing his situation. While Sirzech appeared friendly, it was impossible for him to be deceived. It was impossible for Sirzech not to hold a grudge.
Frankly, if possible, he wanted to become as strong as possible, so there was no need to worry about this double-standard bastard.
While he felt a bit annoyed by his weakness, he knew that it was only time for him to become stronger, especially when he had a system.
Sirzech might be able to smile like nothing now, but inwardly?
Still, if possible, Riser hoped that a disaster-like creature would appear in this world, then Sirzech was forced to fight it, then passed away. By then, he could control the Underworld with politics, money, and military might.
Or he hoped to get a mind-reading ability, so he wouldn't be troubled by this confrontation.
Suddenly, he wondered what would happen if the system gave options.
Would he receive the mind-reading ability reward that he currently needs the most?
—or would he be asked to do a crazy thing, such as taking down Sirzech's mother and wife?
When such a possibility existed, he was glad that the system decided to give him a break.
"Thank you, Sirzech-sama."
Unlike Riser, who was thinking many things and had an emotional burden, Sona didn't think too much and happily accepted Sirzech's congratulations.
"Thank you for coming, Sirzech-sama. "
However, Riser couldn't do that.
If he thanked Sirzech like that, what would it mean?
It meant that he acknowledged Sirzech's mistake and made it as if he was proud of his actions, even though this action had caused great trouble to Sirzech and the Gremory family.
Frankly, Riser wanted to say that everything was their fault, but he knew that he needed to give them a face since he didn't have enough power to ignore them.
Nevertheless, if Riser could handle this situation with his hypocritical mask and lie, then it was all good since the act and words were cheap. If Sirzech and the Gremory family could be deceived by his words and acts, then everything was worth it, so at this moment, he worked hard.
Still, the meaning of his words, even though it was a simple greeting, also told Sirzech and his family that he was glad that they didn't hold a grudge against him and thanked them for their magnanimity for coming to his wedding.
However, Riser knew that it was impossible for them not to say anything about his wedding, especially when his wedding happened so fast. It had just been a while since he divorced Rias, then he suddenly married Sona.
Even though this marriage was good for the future of devils, it was impossible for them not to show their dissatisfaction, especially when he was just a younger generation.
Moreover, wasn't it the right of the older generation to bully the younger generation?
However, Riser still had his trump card!
Still, hearing Riser's greetings, Sirzech, Lord Gremory, Lady Gremory, and Grayfia nodded, but then—
"Sirzech-chan! Uncle Gremory! Venelana-oneechan! Grayfia-chan!"
Serafall came like a hero who came when one needed to the most.
No, she should be a magical girl who saved a victim that was caught by a disgusting tentacle monster.
Riser wanted to raise his thumb when Serafall and even almost cried.
"Serafall, it's been a while." Zeoticus Gremory greeted Serafall with a smile.
"It's been a while since we met Serafall." Venelana Gremory also showed a gentle smile at Serafall's entrance.
Grayfia also nodded at Serafall's greeting.
"Hehehe, I miss you two!" Serafall acted childishly like a child, but without a doubt, her appearance eased the tension in this place. "Come on, Sirzech-chan! Uncle Gremory! Venelana-oneechan! Grayfia-chan! Let me show you the best cuisine of the Sitri house!"
It was hard to refuse Serafall's invitation; so after they congratulated Riser and Sona, they went along with Serafall.
However—
"I hope you have a happy marriage, Riser-kun."
Sirzech said those words with a gentle smile.
"Thank you, Sirzech-sama."
Riser also answered with a gentle smile.
As for what the two were genuinely thinking, who knows?
Yet, this wasn't the end since it was Rias's turn to cause trouble.
Meanwhile, Akeno, who was Rias's Queen, also submissively followed behind Rias.
"Congratulations on your wedding, Sona, Riser."
Even though Rias said so, she had been looking at Riser instead of Sona as if she had been ignoring Sona.
Sona only raised her brows and didn't say anything.
Like Rias, who was the lady of the Gremory, Sona also had her pride. If Rias wanted to continue to have a cold war, then she didn't mind. Moreover, Rias hadn't apologized for her previous provocation, yet she tried to provoke her again, especially like how Rias dressed today.
Rias's dress was so beautiful, and she was like a proud peacock who announced to everyone that she was the most beautiful in this place.
If this was another event, then it might be okay, but this was a wedding!
As it was a wedding, it was natural for the bride to be the one with the most beautiful appearance. It was the silent etiquette shared by everyone, yet Rias tried to challenge Sona.
Even though this battle was quiet and subtle, the scent of gunpowder spread in every direction.
With one wrong move, one would die in an explosion.
"Thank you for coming, Gremory-san."
Riser's acting was good, and he didn't seem like Rias's former fiance, only an acquaintance.
"I hope that you have a happy marriage, okay?"
"...what do you mean by that, Rias?" Sona raised her brows.
"I mean nothing." Rias showed a meaningful smile and then smiled at Sona. "I am happy for you two." Leaving those words, she left.
Akeno also left after she bowed her head, telling them that she also congratulated them, but her eyes inadvertently glanced in Riser's direction.
"...."
Riser tried his best to ignore it since his wife had been staring at him like an eagle hunting her prey. He then sighed and said, "Your husband is too popular."
"...." Sona.
"You don't feel anything at your former fiancee?"
"Why do I?" Riser looked at Sona and asked, "Do you know what I am thinking?"
"What?"
"I want this reception to be over as soon as possible, so I can bring you to our room now."
"....."
Sona was speechless before blushing and shyly saying, "...be patient, okay?"
Riser nodded like a good student.
Fortunately, after Sirzech, the Gremory, and Rias, the rest were quite decent guests, especially this person.
"Sona, congratulations on your wedding."
Riser looked at the young man in front of him.
This young man had short black hair and a rather muscular frame.
Still, the weirdest thing was that this young man seemed more interested in him than Sona.
"Thank you, Sairaorg." Sona nodded, then looked at her husband. "Husband, this is Sairaorg. He is in the same school as me, along with Rias and Seekvaria, when I am in the Underworld."
"Nice to meet you, Sairaorg. My name is—"
"I know you. You are Riser Phenex, right? The Blue Phenex."
"You can call me Riser. I will get embarrassed if you call me the Blue Phenex."
"Haha..." Sairaorg laughed.
They talked for a while before Sairaorg excused himself.
"Riser, if possible, let's meet again in the future."
"Yes. I hope so."
Riser nodded as he watched Sairaorg leave.
"You seem to have an interest in him." Sona looked at her husband curiously.
"He is the heir of the Great King. It's good to know him."
"Well, that's true."
Even if the Maou faction seemed to be at an advantage, the Great King faction couldn't be defeated so easily. The two factions were in equilibrium positions as they pushed each other, trying to take advantage of each other.
Nevertheless, knowing Sairaog wasn't a bad thing since he seemed to be quite a decent guy.
"It's almost over."
"Um..."
Sona lowered her head shyly since she knew she was about to be eaten.
---
Around the corner, Sirzech and Serafall stood next to each other as they ate pasta.
"Serafall, don't you think it is weird of him to ask your little sister for marriage during this time?" Sirzech questioned his doubts.
"Yes, it's weird." Serafall nodded in a bubbly way.
"Then—"
"But Sona has chosen him. She has chosen him as her husband, so it doesn't matter, right?"
Even Serafall knew that the timing for Riser to choose this marriage was quite weird, especially after he had just divorced Rias. However, she knew that his intention wasn't bad, and he probably just wanted to have her backing.
It was kind of cute, though.
Still, like Sirzech, Serafall was a sis-con, so as long as it made her little sister happy, she would do anything.
Riser could make Sona happy, so Serafall was going to support him.
Similarly, Sirzech was the same, so as long as someone caused trouble to his little sister, he would take care of them.
"So, don't bully him, okay, Sirzech-chan? He is my little brother-in-law, after all." Serafall smiled innocently at Sirzech.
The two stared at each other for a moment before Sirzech sighed.
"I know."
Sirzech knew and gave up since he didn't want to ruin his relationship with Serafall, thinking that it might be a lesson for Rias.
"You are a good boy, Sirzech-chan." Serafall smiled kindly as he patted Sirzech's head.
As the two made peace, this matter was over.
Yet, was it really over?
Sirzech might not know; someone else was holding a grudge against him.
After all, as a certain Chinese protagonist's novel says.
"Thirty years east, thirty years west, don't you dare bully me because I'm poor now!"
When Riser was strong and rich, he was going to bully Sirzech back!
However, Riser was going to let go of Sirzech now since his first night was more important.