Riser stared at everyone who had made their decision and fell into silence for a moment.
He suddenly thought of the original Riser.
Even though the original Riser might be pictured as a bad guy, considering he was the first strong opponent that was faced by the protagonist, the truth was he wasn't bad at all.
Even though many works pictured him as a scumbag and evil, forcing cute girls and beautiful women into his peerage members, the truth wasn't like that at all.
Instead, Riser had never forced anyone to become his peerage member.
He asked them to become his peerage members, giving them some benefits.
If they didn't want to, he wouldn't force them and just leave as he didn't lack anything in his life.
Life in this world was hard.
This was the case with Issei, who could only be a tool to fight all dangerous beings in the world.
The others were in the same situation.
While this world might appear like a happy harem comedy work, many living beings were living worse than social animals who worked 12 hours a day and six days a week. Those who were affiliated with the supernatural world also weren't an exception.
With modernization, the life of supernatural beings wasn't as good as it seemed.
The number of humans increased, and it made supernatural beings lose their homes, like an animal who lost their habitat due to the development of a human.
Moreover, the supernatural world was a place where the strong ate the weak.
It was a survival in the fittest world.
The same case was with his peerage members.
Except for their supernatural power, what could they rely upon?
Did they want to live as criminals and hide in the sewer like a rat?
Being invited into Riser's peerage members and living as his harem member was definitely better.
The original Riser was handsome and talented, and his prowess on the bed was amazing as he was coming from the Phenex House. Moreover, he was rich enough to make all of them live a comfortable life.
Then, what about him?
There was no doubt he was even better.
It might sound narcissistic, but as he had said before, having "Sex Mastery," "Command T," "Healthy Body," and "Immorality" turned him into the ultimate weapon to defeat a woman.
Still, as they had decided to follow him, he needed to remind them.
"As you have decided not to leave and follow me, then you need to be prepared for this "Rating Game" definitely isn't easy."
"Are you going to fight the Emperor, Riser-sama?"
Ile, the chainsaw user, asked with a joking tone, but her eyes were a little nervous.
The rest was also the same as they waited for his answer.
Riser shook his head. "No. Probably not."
Hearing his answer, they sighed in relief, but Ravel asked, "Why can't our opponent be the Emperor, Onii-sama?" She wondered how he could be so sure as she was convinced that Sirzech would make trouble for them.
"It is because the Emperor, Diehauser Belial, is part of the Great King Faction."
Riser was sure that his opponent in the "Rating Game" definitely wasn't Diehauser Bellial, the Emperor, the number one champion of the Rating Game.
There were many titles for Diehauser, showing how strong he was and how he had been unbeatable for hundreds of years.
There was no doubt Diehauser's power was at Maou's level.
While Diehauser might not be as strong as Ajuka or Sirzech, he was the closest existence to the two irrationally of the devil. Still, if he fought Serafall or Falbium Asmodeus, there might be a chance for him to win.
However, there was no doubt it was impossible for Diahauser to be Riser's opponent on his return to "Rating Game."
—or rather, it was impossible for his opponents to be any players within the top five!
Why?
It was because all the top five within the Rating Game were part of the Great King Faction.
While there was a chance Sirzech might ask the help of Diehauser, the chance he wouldn't do it was higher, as if he did so, he would owe a favor to the leader of the Great King Faction, Zekram Bael.
As the two factions were opposite of each other and they were in a competitive relationship, having to owe a favor to Zekram Bael was definitely a foolish move.
While Riser knew that Sirzech's way of thinking was weird, he knew that Sirzech wasn't so stupid to make such a move, but at the same time, he also wouldn't be surprised if Sirzech did so either.
The world was fair.
When one had a certain advantage, they would lose something.
Sirzech might be ten times stronger than the original Lucifer, but his head wasn't good enough, especially when he was moving under his emotions.
Nevertheless, even if Sirzech's head wasn't good, he could still cause Riser trouble, and there was no doubt that he would target Riser on his return to the "Rating Game."
Riser's purpose in participating in this return "Rating Game" was to show his might to everyone in the Underworld.
When all of them saw his power, even if they tried to stop his promotion, it was impossible.
If possible, he wished to have a weak opponent, showing everyone the difference in his power to everyone.
However, he was sure that Sirzech wouldn't let him and definitely would manipulate his game, giving him a strong opponent.
The problem was, who was his opponent?
There was no doubt that his opponents would be within the top ten of the Rating Game, as everyone in the top ten was an "Ultimate-Class Devil."
Well, not all of them, but most of them were the "Ultimate-Class Devil."
His older brother, Ruval Phenex, also happened to be within the top 10, but he was still a "High-Class Devil" as his achievement wasn't enough to raise his rank.
However, Riser's achievement was enough as he had faced many legendary figures to protect the territories of the devils.
The only reason why Sirzech's cliques opposed his promotion was due to their doubt, as they hadn't seen his power.
However, if he showed his power on this return "Rating Game," it would be impossible for them to oppose his promotion, and his promotion would be a default.
Riser thought for a moment and said, "If I have to guess, it will be Rudiger Rosenkreutz or Tannin."
"...Rudiger Rosenkreutz or Tannin."
All of them murmured those names while Xenovia was confused, "Who are they?"
Riser wasn't surprised by her confusion and explained.
Rudiger Rosenkreutz.
While this figure might not be famous in the human world, he was famous in the Underworld as he was in the top ten in the Rating Game. With his ingenious strategy, mastery over the psychological of the opponents, and witty methods, he gained the title of "Upsetting Sorcerer."
Rudiger might not be the most powerful, but his strategy, mind, and deep research on his opponents make him a powerful foe in the "Rating Game."
Still, instead of Rudiger, they were more worried about Tannin.
While Rudiger might be smart, all of them felt that Riser was smarter, especially when Riser had made various techniques, magic, and unique tricks.
However, Tannin was different as he was one of the Five Dragon Kings, which were unique Dragons recognized for their strength and nobility. Their highly destructive powers rival those of Ultimate-Class Devils or even the Four Great Satans.
Tannin was one of those Five Dragon Kings.
"While there is a chance Rugider might be our enemy in the "Rating Game," I believe that Tannin will be our opponent."
Especially when Sirzech wanted to see the fight between the Phoenix and the Dragon during Riser's previous engagement with Rias.
Sirzech's sick hobby definitely continued with Riser's return to "Rating Game."
Riser might be able to defeat Issei, the Oppai Dragon, but what about Tannin?
Blaze Meteor Dragon.
Would Riser be stronger than Tannin?
After all, compared to Kokabiel, Vali, or Azazel, there was no doubt Tannin was stronger.
Riser looked at everyone's expression, then asked, "Are you scared?"
"..."
They wanted to say "no," but they weren't sure.
"You don't need to worry. I have prepared several strategies, and I will make sure that we will win.
As for Tannin? I will fight him alone to show everyone that way. No one can stop me from getting a promotion to the "Ultimate Class Devil."
"..."
They were in a daze for a moment as they thought his figure was so dazzling.
"Yes, Riser-sama!"
A man with ambition.
There was no doubt Riser was the most charming at this moment.
Still, all of them felt quite envious of Ni, Li, and Xenovia, who could see his fight against all the legendary beings with their own eyes, but then again, they believed those fights wouldn't be the last time they would see him fighting against those strong legendary beings.
Due to that, they knew they needed to become stronger so they could become his strength.