Chapter 114 - Mahiro, What The Hell Are You Planning!
"Because you're too weak!"
"Really?"
Ravel looked at Mahiro, her indigo-blue eyes meeting his. In his gaze, she saw no hesitation—just a calmness that made her uneasy, an unshakable conviction.
As Ravel stared at him, Mahiro smiled.
'That's why I hate humans—they always try to act tough and attempt crap they can't possibly do.'
Ravel blushed and quickly looked away, turning her head as if she couldn't stand it. She put a hand on her hip and huffed.
Mahiro chuckled and shook his head, not taking this arrogant girl too seriously. She kind of believed what he said, but she'd never admit it.
After a brief silence, Ravel spoke again. "Hey, did Rias Gremory trick you or something?"
"Why do you say that?" Mahiro asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Ravel grinned like she had it all figured out. "Rias knows our strength. Even if she and her whole peerage joined in, they'd still get beaten. Even if something unexpected happened, her chances of winning are pretty much zero."
"Yeah, I guess that's true," Mahiro admitted.
Compared to Riser, Rias was definitely at a disadvantage. Especially now, with Issei and Asia still missing like in the anime, her team was even weaker. If there was a rating game, no doubt Rias would lose to Riser.
"Knowing this, you still agreed to fight my brother. Aren't you being an idiot?" Ravel said, clearly annoyed.
"Does your brother usually smack you for talking like that?" Mahiro sighed.
"He wouldn't dare!" Ravel snapped back, then realized she might've said too much. She glared at Mahiro, her face turning red. "That has nothing to do with what I said!"
She coughed lightly, trying to regain her composure. "It's obvious that if Rias Gremory chose to settle this with a rating game, her chances of winning would be better than yours alone. Going up against our peerage by yourself is the dumbest move ever."
She continued confidently, "You might be strong, but against us, you've got no chance. Rias must not have told you how powerful we are, did she?"
"Is that what you think?" Mahiro chuckled.
"If not, then what?" Ravel retorted.
"Ravel, do you have someone you absolutely can't stand?" Mahiro asked suddenly.
"Why are you asking that?" Ravel replied.
"If your family forced you to marry someone you totally despise, what would you do?"
Ravel fell silent. She honestly didn't know how to answer. Unlike Rias, the Phenex clan hadn't set up any marriage for her. With three older brothers, she was the only daughter, cherished and protected. Her family just wanted her to grow up happy, without any political nonsense.
"If you were forced to marry him, and even your beloved family was pressuring you, how would you feel when you're all alone and helpless?" Mahiro pressed on.
Ravel stayed quiet. Would she resist? Even if she did, it might be pointless. She'd feel helpless. She'd feel despair.
"Just like in those stories, if a princess is threatened by a dragon, would you want her to be locked up forever, or would you hope a hero swoops in to save her?" Mahiro continued.
Ravel wanted to say she'd obviously want the hero to come, defeat the dragon, and rescue the princess.
"My brother isn't a dragon!" Ravel mumbled defensively.
But deep down, she started to think her brother might actually be playing the villain here, which made her uncomfortable.
"Seems like you get it," Mahiro smiled slightly. "At this point, someone needs to step up, hero or not."
"As the one Rias chose, it's my responsibility. No matter how strong the enemy is, I can't back down. I can't just watch someone I care about be forced into something she doesn't want. If even I run away, Rias will be left in despair."
Ravel was stunned for a moment, her expression dazed as if remembering something. Then she snorted softly, "What are you even talking about? It doesn't make any sense."
"Mahiro, right? If you lose, I'll ask my brother to spare your life," Ravel said, looking at him with an unreadable expression.
"There won't be a need for that," Mahiro shook his head.
As they kept talking, the countdown above them ticked down to zero.
"The rating game officially begins," Grayfia's voice echoed, announcing the start of the duel.
"Now we're enemies," Mahiro's smile faded as he looked at everyone with cold indifference.
"Fine," Ravel nodded, then added generously, "Since we ran into each other by accident, I'll give you time to hide. So hurry up and disappear."
"You've got it wrong. I'm here to get you to come at me." Mahiro walked past Ravel and looked directly at Isabela. "You can inform the others and bring them all here, right?"
"Huh?" Isabela was a bit taken aback.
Giving Mahiro time to escape and hide might've been unwise, but that was Ravel's order, so she had to follow it. She just didn't expect him not to appreciate it.
"Mahiro, what the hell are you planning?!" Ravel stomped her foot in frustration.
"Obviously, I'm gonna take you all down," Mahiro said like it was no big deal.
"You...!" Ravel fumed. "Fine, do whatever you want."
"Then, I'll inform Riser-sama," Isabela said as she tapped her ear, relaying the situation.
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