Tannin.
It is a creature that appears in the Hebrew Bible's Book of Genesis.
Yet, in this world, he is called the Blaze Meteor Dragon.
He was also one of the five Dragon Kings but was reincarnated by Mephisto Pheles, becoming a Devil.
While it might be strange, considering how selfish, stubborn, and prideful a creature known as a dragon was, Tannin had two reasons to become a devil.
The first was to participate in the Rating Games; the second was for the Dragon Apples, a fruit that now exists only in the Underworld, which a certain race of Dragons needs to eat in order to survive.
After all, Tannin was quite different from the other Dragon Kings, as he was cornered about the other dragons and the continuation of their races.
Nevertheless, as a Dragon King, his power was undoubted as he became one of the top ten on the "Rating Game" and became an Ultimate-Class Devil, where he gained the right to receive his own territory and chose the area where the Dragon Apples grew.
There was no doubt that Tannin was a respectable and mighty dragon.
Yet, such a legendary dragon was going to become Riser's opponent in the "Rating Game," so whether Tannin's story would move someone or not, Riser didn't care as he thought of Tannin as nothing but just a stepping stone for him to achieve his ambition.
Nevertheless, no matter how amazing the Dragon King was, in the end, Tannin became nothing but Sirzech's lackey.
Even the two Heavenly Dragons, two powerful dragons whose might could kill even Satans and Gods, became nothing but a Sacred Gear, a tool used by humans.
In the end, a dragon was nothing but an animal.
A dragon is nothing but just another beast.
Facing an intelligent creature, they could only either bow down or adapt to become an intelligent creature.
A strong power was necessary, but having a good brain was even more important so people wouldn't use them.
Once again, the most common example was Issei.
After all, Issei didn't have a brain. The only thing he had was just guts and power, so he was being used by many without him noticing it. Even more, he was happy to help them and would help them with all of his might, even if it cost him his life.
Yet Vali Lucifer was even worse as his pride got the better of him and almost cost him his life.
If Vali didn't have anyone who wished to protect him, Riser was sure that he could kill Vali that day.
Nevertheless, Riser felt that he was similar.
After all, as long as he apologized, he could gain promotion into the class that the majority of the devil could only dream of in their lives.
Yet, he chose the most troublesome way to get his promotion.
Moreover, his method also troubled everyone in his surroundings and destroyed his plan to have a return "Rating Game" match next year.
Due to his pride, he caused many troubles, whether it was toward him or his surroundings.
Yet, at the same time, he didn't think his method was wrong.
Instead, since he had chosen to become aggressive, he couldn't change his method and needed to become aggressive all the way so the enemies that he had made wouldn't dare to attack him.
Riser needed to make himself like a hedgehog.
Still, before the match was about to start, he needed to attend the press conference.
It might be weird for him to suddenly mention a press conference, but a "Rating Game" was also a form of entertainment.
Moreover, whether it was him or Tannin, they were all famous figures.
Tannin aside, as he was in the top 10 within the "Rating Game" and had many fans, Riser's popularity wasn't lost.
Riser might not enter the "Rating Game" as much as Tannin as he only had participated ten times. Moreover, in those ten matches, he didn't have a perfect victory as he lost two matches due to the connection of his family with the nobles' family.
It was also probably due to this that everyone in his family was confused.
When he could give up two victories for two nobles' families that had a connection with his house, he didn't want to apologize to Sirzech so he could get a promotion to become an "Ultimate-Class Devil."
While they were confused, there was nothing they could do as he was different from what he was previously.
Still, with his popularity, it was impossible for him to lose a deliberate loss anymore, especially after he had defeated Kokabiel, Vali, and Azazel.
Frankly, it wouldn't be weird if either Vali or Azazel targeted those two nobles' houses that had won against him on the "Rating Game" and destroyed them so they could clear up their reputation.
As for Kokabiel?
That guy had already passed away, so it didn't matter.
Still, for those whom he had defeated, he had never thought of them as his opponents.
Moreover, instead of worrying about those matters, he needed to handle the press conference.
The press conference between his match and Tannin will be held at the most luxurious hotel within the Phenex Domain.
However, this press conference was handled by his family, so he didn't need to do anything.
After all, it was also a chance for them to advertise the Phenex Domain, so no one within his family dared to let go of this chance. Even if they thought that he might lose, the traffic they received from this match alone was worth it.
Frankly, by now, they wondered whether this return to "Rating Game" was his scheme to promote the Phenex Domain. Nevertheless, no one let go of this chance, and whether it was his first or second older brothers, they made the entire Underworld focus on his match and Tannin.
Due to the surge in economic gains of the Phenex Domain, Sitri House also quickly changed its attitude and hoped Riser would hold his match in their domain.
It might be impossible now, but in his next match, it was possible, right?
Still, everyone was speechless by Riser's conduct, but they could only bite their thumb, hoping that they could receive some soups from the Phenex House.
Nevertheless, whether it was the Phenex House, the Sitri House, or everyone who was involved with those two houses worked together to advertise this match.
It wouldn't be weird to say that Riser and Tannin became the talk of all the residents of the Underworld.
Moreover, they also prepared an eye-catching catchphrase.
Phoenix Versus Dragon.
Those words were enough to make all the residents of the darkness filled with excitement about this match.
'Arigatou, Sirzech-sama.'
Some of them thought as they copied Sirzech's catchphrase without shame.
Nevertheless, Riser knew that no one expected that he would win. Even though he had defeated Kokabiel, Vali, and Azazel, and all of them had seen how he had won against them, compared to Tannin, they felt that all of them were weaker, including him, who had defeated them.
Yet, when one had to compare a creature 15 meters in height and Riser, whose height was just above average, the answer was obvious, right?
Everyone felt that Riser would lose.
Nevertheless, the hype of the match was unstoppable, and everyone wanted to see the might of Riser, who had defeated Kokabiel, Vali, and Azazel against Tannin, the Dragon King.
Yet, with all of the talk within Underworld, Riser ignored all of that and showed a new business that he had prepared in front of his parents.
"What is this?"
Lord Phenex and Lady Phenex looked at the thing that was shown by their son.
"Energy drink."
"...what?" 2x
"Energy drink."
When everyone talked about his match with Tannin, Riser calmly planned to enter an energy drink business.
---
This week, while there is a fight, it will be a fight of argument. While you might feel impatient, or some of you might hate me for being so slow, it is also a substantial plot and part of his conspiracy, so bear with it.
However, if you feel impatient, you can check the link below.
https://www.patreón.com/akikan40
There are 30 advanced chapters, and he is having a war with a certain famous race.