Zeoticus and Venelena Gremory returned to their domain with grim expressions. Furious at their daughter's behavior, they were immediately summoned to a family meeting.
"What happened, Father?" asked Sirzechs Lucifer, the eldest of the Gremory family. Zeoticus, letting his aura flare, replied, "That idiot child! Sirzechs, you want to know what happened? I will tell you what happened. Despite Riser taking his time to visit Rias, he was not only disrespected but that dumb kid, the red dragon emperor of this generation, insulted the entire House of Phenex by calling them chickens."
Sirzechs sighed, already feeling a headache coming on. "Father, let me investigate this matter," he said, trying to buy some time for his sister. But Zeoticus threw a small crystal towards him. "No point, Sirzechs. Venelena and Lady Phenex had Riser carry a crystal ball. Not only did the dumb kid insult Riser, but he also attacked him."
Sirzechs watched the recording, his face contorting with disgust. Even Grayfia, Sirzech's wife and secretary, was shocked. "Father, can't we talk to Riser-kun and resolve this peacefully?" Grayfia asked, but Venelena interrupted her sharply.
"Grayfia, you and Sirzechs have always supported Rias. But not anymore. This engagement will happen, and you cannot deny Riser's achievements in the underworld. He has found a temporary cure for the sleeping curse, and everyone knows of the Hood's secret mission to expose dirty secrets despite lacking evidence. The murder of the Nekoshou race has been exposed, and it was Riser-kun who mediated and handled talks with the Yokai faction. To Riser, this marriage contract is very important, and Rias breaking it will not only sully our name but also incur the ire of the Phenex."
"Bring that foolish girl here. This is why I told you to wait, Zeoticus. At 18 years, she is just a hormonal girl who knows nothing," Venelena said, and Zeoticus sighed. Grayfia left to get Rias. "What did Riser-kun say, Father?" Sirzechs asked, and Zeoticus looked hopeful. "He said he needed some time to think. He said he tried, and he left to train."
When Rias arrived with her peerage, she started to whine only to receive a huge slap, leaving the hall in silence. "You foolish girl. Your actions today have strained the relations between the Gremory and the Phenex," Venelena said coldly. Even Zeoticus was silent, taken aback by Venelena's harsh tone. After all, the kind woman was not any ordinary lady, but Venelena Bael of the Bael Clan.
"I do not want to marry him," Rias yelled, and Venelena shook her head. "Tell me three good reasons why you won't marry him. And you, brown-haired boy, stand back or I will erase you from existence. It's an honor that you are standing here after you insulted the Phenex by calling them chickens," Venelena said, shooting a bullet of destruction at his feet, obliterating it completely, making Rias widen her eyes in fear.
Before she could yell, Venelena slapped her once again. "I need reasons. I am your mother, not your friend at this moment. Out with your nonsensical reasons," Venelena demanded, and Rias clenched her fists. "He is—" But the more she thought, the less valid reasons she found.
Rias, in denial, spouted, "He is arrogant, prideful, and a womanizer. His peerage is composed of women." Venelena, having expected nonsense, slapped her a third time.
"He is prideful because he has the reason to be so. He is a Phenex and has consistently placed in the top 10 of the rating games. His peerage is filled with women? Don't **** with me, Rias. Have you even seen his peerage? He trained them from low-class devils to peak high-class devils in just three years, with three even being in the Ultimate Class tier. They have placed in the rating game rankings consistently. He negotiated with the Youkai to forgive us for the Nekomata incidents and has been cleaning up after your mess with the fallen angels in Kuoh."
Rias was shocked. Her parents knew about that? Venelena scoffed at her surprised look. "You had no idea, did you? Riser has been bearing the brunt of the Youkai faction for your territorial mismanagement. He has been cleaning up after your mess for the past three years. He wanted you to not lose confidence in yourself and told us to keep it a secret," Venelena revealed, leaving Rias confused.
"He came to Kuoh after finishing his business in the underworld to get to know you. Yet this dumb kid not only insulted him but insulted the Phenex with whom we have shared a long relationship since the era of Runeas Gremory? If you don't marry Riser, whom shall you marry?" Venelena asked, releasing her Power of Destruction, making Rias pale.
Rias's peerage, who had kept quiet, felt the pressure and Issei crapped his pants once again. Rias scrambled for answers until a crazy idea popped into her mind. "Issei is this generation's red dragon emperor. He can definitely beat Riser." Everyone except Rias was dumbfounded.
"You want the man who can go toe to toe with Zechs to fight a dumb kid? Alright. Let us arrange a rating game. The Dragon versus The Phoenix. Let's see who is stronger. The match will be a death match." Before anyone could object, Venelena's sweet smile made Sirzechs back down. "Zechs, you might be Lucifer, but this is the fate of the Gremory. Your decisions are not welcome here. Interfere, and I will personally gut my children like a fish and hang your skin out to dry."
"President, you don't have to worry. I will definitely win," Issei said, but Rias's confidence faltered when she saw her queen's grim look. "Rias, as your friend and your Queen, please watch Riser's previous fights. I understand you are confident, but I need you to watch them on DeviTube. There is a reason why Riser is a hot topic in rating games," Akeno advised, shaking her head as she walked away.
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On the 10th day from today, a rating game shall be conducted between the Trojan Horse Riser Phenex and the Red Dragon Emperor of Gremory. This shall be a 'DEATH MATCH'."
Commentators: Diehauser Belial and Roygun Belphegor
Special Guests: The Leader of the Youkai, Yasaka, and the Leader of Shinto, Goddess Amaterasu.
Venue: New District, Schweiz, The Phenex Domain
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