(Previously)
Diodora tried to grab Ravel's arm, his expression becoming more desperate as he tried to convince her to reconsider her refusal. However, before he could reach her, Riser suddenly appeared next to Diodora, firmly holding his arm.
Diodora turned to face Riser, surprised by his unexpected intervention. Before he could say anything, Merlin snapped his fingers, and in an instant, Asia and Ravel disappeared from the hall, teleported elsewhere.
Noticing the sudden absence of Ravel and Asia, Diodora turned his attention back to Riser.
"May I know what the Astaroth family's worm wanted with my sister?" asked Riser, his Haoshoku Haki radiating a dominant aura.
(Back to the present)
Diodora felt tense with Riser's dominant presence by his side, but he couldn't back down now. He took a deep breath.
"Riser, don't meddle where you're not called," retorted Diodora, trying to keep his voice firm despite the growing nervousness. "I was just trying to talk to Ravel. It's none of your business."
Riser let out a contemptuous laugh, his expression confident as he looked at Diodora.
"You, trying to talk to Ravel?" said Riser, his voice tinged with disdain. "Don't make me laugh, Diodora. You know as well as I do that your intentions with my sister are not pure."
Diodora clenched his fists, struggling to maintain composure in the face of Riser's provocations.
"You have no idea what you're talking about, Riser," he retorted, his voice laden with irritation. "I just wanted to clarify some points with Ravel. There was nothing wrong with that."
Riser tilted his head to the side, his piercing gaze fixed on Diodora.
Riser tightened his grip on Diodora's arm, his expression serious as he confronted the other.
"Don't lie to me," he demanded, his voice carrying authority. In a sudden gesture, Riser slapped Diodora across the face, the sound echoing through the hall.
"Smack"
Diodora put his hand on his face in disbelief, feeling the heat of the slap spread. The people around the party were perplexed by the sudden development of the confusion, watching with undisguised interest.
Rias and Akeno looked at the scene with a mixture of joy and confusion, their expressions revealing a mix of surprise and curiosity at the confrontation between the two heirs.
Lara, sensing the tension in the air, ran to Diodora, concerned for his safety. She looked disapprovingly at Riser, her voice urgent as she tried to intervene in the situation.
"Diodora-sama, are you okay?" she asked, her concern evident in her voice.
Diodora stood up from the ground, ignoring Lara's outstretched hand as he faced Riser with determination. "Get away from me, Lara," he said, his voice laden with irritation. "And you, Riser Phenex, how dare you..."
"Smack"
Diodora received another slap in the face, his head spinning with the sudden impact. He put his hand on his face, feeling the burn of the slap spread as he cast a furious glance at Riser.
Riser's Haoshoku Haki reverberated throughout the room, drawing the attention of all present. As he spoke, his voice carried an undeniable authority, instilling fear in those who dared to oppose him.
"No matter who you are," declared Riser, his gaze sweeping the crowd, "anyone who dares to lay a hand on my sister," he paused to emphasize, "or even approach me with ill intentions, will be my enemy."
The intensity of his words sent shivers down the spines of many devils nearby. Some stumbled backward, overwhelmed by the strength of Riser's presence, while others cowered in fear, realizing the gravity of his threat.
Among the spectators, Rias and Akeno exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the power that Riser wielded. They knew not to underestimate him, especially when it came to protecting his family.
Meanwhile, Diodora stood firm, his pride wounded but his determination intact. Despite the humiliation of taking two slaps in front of the gathered crowd, he refused to back down. He cast a furious glance at Riser, his hands twitching with the urge to cast a spell against the other.
"You'll regret this, Riser," snarled Diodora, his voice laden with threat.
Riser just smiled indulgently, his relaxed posture contrasting with the tension still lingering in the air. "I don't regret anything I do to protect my family," he replied calmly, his gaze fixed on Diodora.
Diodora, still seething with humiliation from Riser, clenched his fists, ready to attack the Phenex heir.
But before he could do anything, Merlin snapped his fingers and teleported Diodora and Lara to some random place in the underworld.
"Well done, Merlin," said Riser, pleased. "Now help Yubelluna dismiss everyone from the party."
"It will be done, Riser-sama," replied Merlin, stepping away to fulfill the order.
Sona, Tsubaki, and Seekvaira approached Riser with serious expressions, their voices laden with concern as they confronted the Phenex heir.
"Husband, did you really just humiliate the Astaroth heir, who is the younger brother of Ajuka Beelzebub?" said Sona, her voice firm but gentle.
Riser looked at Sona with a playful smile, his expression exuding confidence.
"Why do I feel like you're not surprised?" he asked, his smile widening. "It seems like you were expecting it."
With how easily you pick fights, it's no surprise", Sona sighed as she watched Riser with a tired expression. "Lucky for us, unlike Sirzechs and Serafall, Ajuka doesn't care about his brother."
Riser chuckled indulgently, his posture relaxed as he contrasted with the tension that still permeated the atmosphere. "Oh, Sona, my dear wife, you know I don't seek out fights. I just reinforce boundaries when necessary."
"Reinforcing boundaries?" Sona arched an eyebrow, incredulous. "You call that reinforcing boundaries? It seemed more like an unnecessary show of authority."
Tsubaki, beside Sona, nodded in agreement. "I agree with Sona-sama. The situation could have been resolved more diplomatically."
Riser shook his head with a laugh. "Diplomacy is for the weak, my dear Tsubaki. Sometimes, a little firmness is needed to ensure respect."
"Respect gained through fear is not true respect," Seekvaira interjected, her voice calm but firm. "It's just forced submission."
Rias, Akeno, and Koneko approached the group, watching the conversation with interest. They exchanged quick glances, silently sharing their own concerns about the situation.
Meanwhile, Yubelluna and Merlin began to apologize and say that the party was over, trying to dissipate the tension that hung in the air.
"Apologies for any inconvenience, everyone," said Yubelluna, her voice gentle as she bowed in respect. "The party ended abruptly, but we hope everyone enjoyed the time they spent here."
Merlin nodded in agreement, adding, "Please, have a good night and a safe journey back home."
The guests began to disperse slowly, still commenting on the incident between Riser and Diodora. Some whispers and murmurs could be heard as people left the hall, each sharing their own interpretations of the events that had just occurred.
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