Riser immediately became alert upon hearing Victorius's response. The Old Satan Faction was known for its extreme methods and loyalty to the old regime, which meant that any involvement of his father with them could be extremely dangerous and further complicate the situation.
"You will undo any agreement you have with this faction. I don't want any of them involved with our family or our businesses. You will end everything discreetly and effectively, without raising suspicions. Understood?" Riser ordered, maintaining his firm and authoritative tone.
Victorius, still under the effect of the potion, nodded without hesitation, his expression blank and resigned. "Yes, I will understand and comply," he responded, his voice devoid of emotion.
"You will not remember this conversation," Riser added, looking directly into his father's eyes. "You will believe you decided all this on your own. Understood?"
Victorius nodded again, his vacant gaze confirming that the potion was working as promised. Riser then turned to the man frozen in time next to his father.
Riser looked at the man frozen in time next to his father, quickly assessing the situation. He needed to ensure that any threat was immediately neutralized. With a quick motion, he withdrew the Blades of Chaos from his inventory.
Approaching the man, Riser positioned the blade against his chest. He knew that upon deactivating the time-stopping power, the attack needed to be instant and precise. With a firm and decisive movement, Riser thrust the Blade of Chaos deep into the man's chest, severely wounding him.
The moment the blade pierced the flesh, Riser undid the time-stopping power, allowing normal time flow to resume. The man's scream of pain echoed through the room but was quickly muffled as Riser activated teleportation magic, taking them both to a remote and isolated location away from the Phenex mansion.
They reappeared in a rocky underworld desert, the man now struggling to breathe, the wound in his chest bleeding profusely. Riser, maintaining an impassive expression, watched for a moment, ensuring the man no longer posed an immediate threat.
Meanwhile, back at the Phenex mansion, Victorius was momentarily confused to realize the man he had been talking to had disappeared. He blinked, trying to remember what had happened, but Riser's orders were firmly implanted in his mind. Without question, he began to act according to his son's instructions, discreetly ending any involvement with the Old Satan Faction and focusing on his new responsibilities.
In the desert, Riser looked at the wounded man before him. "You will inform the Old Satan Faction that any attempt to involve themselves with the Phenex family will result in devastating consequences," he said coldly. "Now go, and dare not return."
Riser teleported back to his mansion, leaving the man alone and severely wounded in the desert, the message clear and unmistakable.
Riser's Mansion in the Underworld
When Riser reappeared in his mansion, the atmosphere was peaceful. Sona and Romina were sitting on the living room sofa, quietly discussing the recent events. Hearing the sound of teleportation, they both looked towards Riser, their faces expressing concern mixed with relief to see him return unharmed.
"Everything is resolved," Riser announced, approaching them with a serious demeanor, but with a lightness in his step that wasn't there before.
Romina quickly stood up, approaching her son with eyes full of questions. "What did you do, Riser?"
"I just had a frank conversation with him. I managed to convince him that it would be better for everyone if he passed the leadership to me. He understood the points I presented and agreed that it's the best decision for the family."
Sona observed the interaction, noting the careful way Riser formulated his response. She knew there was more to the story than Riser was willing to share, but she respected his decision to keep certain details private.
Romina, relieved yet still slightly apprehensive, hugged her son. "I'm proud of you, my dear. I knew you would find a way to resolve things without resorting to extreme measures."
Riser returned the hug, feeling a wave of relief for keeping his promise to his mother not to resort to violence, even though the truth was a bit more complicated. "I will always try to do what's right for the family, Mom. Now, with this new position, I can ensure that all of us will be safer and that the Phenex family will continue to be strong."
Sona approached, placing a hand on Riser's shoulder. "If you need help managing the family or anything else, know that you can count on me. We are all in this together."
"I appreciate that, Sona. I'll need all the help I can get to ensure our family not only survives but also thrives under my leadership."
With a burst of light and a contagious laugh, Serefall appeared in the middle of the room, her radiant smile and relaxed posture starkly contrasting with the previously tense atmosphere.
"Riser-chan!" Serefall exclaimed, addressing Riser with an affectionate and playful tone, which only she could use without causing irritation. Riser, surprised by his sister-in-law's sudden arrival, couldn't help but smile at the familiar nickname.
"Serefall, to what do I owe the honor?" asked Riser, still smiling as he looked at Serefall's flamboyant figure, which spun around the room in a colorful dress that seemed to capture and reflect the room's lights.
Shifting her tone but keeping her smile, Serefall turned back to Riser. "Well, I really came here for a serious reason, Riser-chan. We need to take Merlin to Ajuka so she can receive her Evil Pieces. It'll be a big day for our dear Merlin!"
Riser nodded, understanding the significance of the moment for Merlin. "Of course, Serefall. I'll call her now."
With a quick gesture, Riser summoned Merlin, who appeared promptly in the room, slightly surprised by Serefall's vibrant presence.
"Merlin, it's time for us to go to Ajuka. You're going to receive your Evil Pieces," announced Riser, watching the mage nod in agreement.
"I'm ready, Riser-sama," responded Merlin, her voice firm despite the evident anxiety.
"Great!" exclaimed Serefall, stepping closer to Merlin and draping an arm around her shoulder. "We're going to turn you into a true Peerage leader today!"
With a wave goodbye to those present in the room, Serefall, Riser, and Merlin prepared to teleport.
"Sona-chan, take care of everything here while we're gone!" Serefall called out, still in a playful tone, as they prepared to leave.
Sona waved, an affectionate smile on her lips. "I'll take care of it, don't worry. Good luck, Merlin!"
With those encouraging words, the trio disappeared in a flash of light, leaving the mansion a bit quieter, but filled with a sense of new beginnings and future possibilities.
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