Izashi's gaze sharpened as he met Rias's eyes, his expression so intense that it made her heart race with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. "Rias-chan," he began, his voice steady, "do you trust me? Can you promise to keep what I'm about to tell you a secret, something just between the two of us?"
Rias didn't hesitate; her trust in him was absolute. "Of course, Izashi-kun. I trust you more than anyone. I swear on the Gremory blood that flows through my veins, I won't reveal this to anyone."
Izashi's lips twitched into a faint smile, though he maintained a serious demeanor. "Rias-chan, I've been thinking… I want you to be my Queen piece."
Rias blinked, confusion knitting her brow. "Izashi-kun, isn't that impossible? I'm a King just like you. How could your Evil Piece work on me?"
Izashi's smile grew, though his eyes remained contemplative. "To be honest, I'm not sure. It might not work at all; the piece could be rejected. But I want to try, just to see if it's possible."
For a brief moment, doubt flickered in Rias's mind. She knew what he was asking was unorthodox, even risky. But just as quickly, Izashi's next words erased any hesitation she had. "And here I thought my Rias-chan would do anything for me," he murmured, his tone soft yet laced with disappointment. "Just as I would do anything for her."
Those words struck a chord deep within Rias. The idea that Izashi was willing to do anything for her made her heart swell with emotion. How could she refuse him now? With renewed determination, she nodded and laid down on the bed, her voice soft but resolute. "Alright, Izashi-kun. You can try it on me. I won't breathe a word to anyone."
Izashi's serious expression softened into a genuine smile. "Thank you, Rias-chan. Let's begin." His eagerness was palpable as he reached for the box containing the Evil Pieces. If his theory was correct, not only would he gain Rias as his servant, but he would also command her peerage. It was a brilliant strategy—one that would allow him to conserve his own pieces while expanding his influence.
He carefully lifted the Queen piece from the box, his movements deliberate as he placed it gently on Rias's chest. Her body began to absorb the piece, and Izashi placed his hand over the spot where it had entered. With a deep breath, he channeled a small amount of his energy from the King Piece within him. A golden light flared as the energy flowed into Rias, merging with the Queen piece.
The piece began to glow, its proportions shifting as it was infused with a power far beyond its original design. Izashi could feel it—a surge of energy that resonated with his own. This was no ordinary Evil Piece; this was a Mutant Piece, a rare and powerful variation.
Rias gasped as the energy coursed through her, her body tingling with newfound strength. She felt a surge of power, a doubling—no, tripling—of her previous abilities. Her physical strength, her speed, her magical prowess—all had been magnified. She could barely contain the exhilaration that filled her as she opened her eyes and looked at Izashi.
"Did it… Did it work?" she asked, her voice shaky with anticipation.
Izashi's smile was warm and reassuring as he nodded. "Yes, Rias-chan. It worked perfectly. You're my Queen now, and you can make Akeno your Queen if you wish."
Rias's eyes widened in surprise and delight. She had always wanted Akeno by her side, but she had never expressed this desire openly, knowing Akeno's feelings for Izashi. Now, the opportunity was within her grasp.
"Thank you, Izashi-kun!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement. She leaped off the bed, eager to find Akeno. But before she left, Izashi called out to her, his voice gentle but firm.
"Rias-chan, if Akeno hesitates or refuses, just tell her that I want her to be your Queen. Tell her that if she doesn't, I won't have her by my side."
Rias's heart fluttered at his words, the intensity of his desire for Akeno's loyalty echoing in her chest. She nodded, determination blazing in her eyes. "I understand, Izashi-kun. I'll go talk to her right away."
With that, Rias hurried out of the room, leaving Izashi alone with his thoughts. He leaned back, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. Everything was falling into place perfectly.
~~
Meanwhile, in a room assigned to her by the Gremory family, Akeno sat alone, lost in thought. A knock on the door startled her, and she called out, "Come in, please!"
To her surprise, it was Rias who entered the room. Akeno couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Rias's uncharacteristically polite entrance. Normally, Rias would have just barged in.
"Rias… Did you finish your secret talk with Izashi-kun already? What brings you here?" Akeno's voice carried a hint of jealousy, though she tried to keep it light. The thought of Izashi and Rias sharing a secret made her feel a twinge of insecurity.
Rias, oblivious to Akeno's feelings, nodded. "Yes, we finished talking. I actually came here to ask you something important." She took a deep breath before continuing, "Akeno, I want you to be my Queen."
Akeno's heart skipped a beat. She had always dreamed of being Izashi's Queen, of standing by his side as his most trusted companion. She looked at Rias, her expression conflicted. "Rias, you're my best friend. But you know how I feel about Izashi-kun. I've always wanted to be his Queen, to protect him, to support him…"
Rias's heart sank at Akeno's words, but she had expected this. She knew how deep Akeno's feelings for Izashi ran, and she couldn't fault her for it. It stung a little, but she understood.
But then, Akeno continued, "If Izashi-kun were here asking me himself, I wouldn't hesitate to become your Queen."
Rias's spirits lifted slightly at that, though she knew she couldn't leave this to chance. She cleared her throat and spoke with a mix of urgency and sincerity. "Akeno, Izashi-kun asked me to make you my Queen. He said he wants you to be my Queen, or else… he won't have you by his side anymore."
Akeno's breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding in her chest. The idea of Izashi distancing himself from her was unbearable. She hesitated for only a moment before nodding, her voice steady. "Alright, Rias. I'll become your Queen."
Rias felt a wave of relief wash over her as she nodded back. She mimicked the process Izashi had used on her, taking out the Queen piece and placing it on Akeno's chest. As the piece was absorbed into Akeno's body, a golden energy—Izashi's energy—surged through the connection.
The Queen piece glowed with a brilliant golden light, just as it had with Rias, and Akeno felt a similar surge of power. Her bond with Rias solidified, but there was something more—a connection to Izashi, as if a part of him now resided within her.
Izashi, still in his room, felt the connection snap into place. He could sense Akeno and Rias, their positions and their well-being. This was beyond what normal Evil Pieces could do; it was a unique ability of his Mutant Pieces, and he knew it would be invaluable.
~~
The next morning, Akeno and Rias stood in Izashi's room, the air between them charged with anticipation. Izashi looked at them both, his expression calm yet serious. "Akeno-chan," he began, his tone gentle, "I've decided to share a secret with you. It's something only Rias and I know about, and I'm trusting you to keep it that way."
Akeno nodded, her face reflecting her determination. "I promise, Izashi-kun. I won't tell anyone unless you give me permission."
Izashi smiled, a warm, reassuring smile that made Akeno's heart flutter. "Thank you, Akeno-chan. Now, sit on the bed, and I'll explain everything." He then turned his gaze to Rias. "You too, Rias-chan."