"Simplicity is the easiest path to true beauty."
— Seishū Handa, Barakamon
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With Grayfia's declaration of the match's end, Ravel glanced at Roy with a complex expression, then she and Karlamine were teleported away.
Roy and his peerage were also transported back to the arena.
The Rating Game between Roy and Riser had concluded.
The audience was in an uproar.
They couldn't believe that Riser Phenex had been so thoroughly defeated.
He had been completely dominated throughout the match. By the end, he hadn't managed to defeat a single member of Roy's peerage.
Even his vaunted immortality had been useless.
This unexpected outcome sparked a flurry of discussion among the Devils.
"I can't believe Riser was defeated so easily!"
"Roy is incredibly strong!"
"I heard someone called him a failure before. What an idiot!"
"Haha, I don't know if Roy was a failure before, but Riser will definitely be known as one now."
"Riser was too conceited!"
...
The Devils hadn't forgotten the wager between Roy and Riser. Whoever lost had to admit to being a failure.
Although the Rating Game was over, the repercussions were far from over.
News of Roy's victory spread throughout the Underworld like wildfire.
Sairaorg Bael, the leader of The Young Generation was once a "failure" who couldn't use magic.
However, through relentless training, he gained immense strength and speed, becoming known as the "Lion King."
Upon hearing about Roy's victory, Sairaorg became interested in him.
As a fellow "failure" who had defied expectations, he expressed his desire to challenge Roy to a Rating Game.
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This News caused another wave of commotion in the Underworld.
Another individual who took a keen interest in Roy was Diodora Astaroth, a Young Devil with black hair and perpetually half-closed eyes.
He was a blood relative of the current Beelzebub and had a twisted obsession with nuns, taking pleasure in torturing them.
In the original story, he had set his sights on Asia Argento, who was a nun at the time.
He had feigned a serious injury to lure Asia into healing him, then, after being exiled from the Church, he had attempted to take advantage of her. However, Roy had intervened and thwarted his plans.
Now, seeing Asia again, Diodora's sinister thoughts resurfaced.
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Meanwhile, after returning from the subspace, Roy invited Rias and Sona back to his castle for a celebration.
The girls chattered excitedly, their voices filled with joy over their victory in the Rating Game.
Shizuka, Saeko, and Kanae went to prepare dinner.
Roy, Rias, Sona, and the others gathered in the living room.
Roy also informed Grayfia, inviting her to join the celebration.
...
In the living room, Rias and Akeno whispered to each other, occasionally glancing at Roy.
Rias cheeks were flushed, a beautiful sight.
Sona, however, seemed preoccupied, quietly sipping her tea.
Roy noticed that Asia seemed a bit down.
"Asia, what's wrong?" he asked. "Shouldn't you be happy about winning the Rating Game?"
"But... I didn't do anything to help..." Asia replied, her eyes welling up with tears.
Roy was amused by her concern.
He gently patted her head. "Silly, how could you not have helped? You're the team's Healer!"
Asia blushed at the term "Healer."
Then, she said with worry, "But I didn't even use Twilight Healing."
"That's even better. It means no one was injured," Roy explained.
Asia's eyes widened in realization.
"Do you understand now?"
"Yes!"
Although Asia had grown up in the Church and hadn't received formal education, she quickly grasped the simple logic.
...
The celebration began that evening.
Everyone was in high spirits, enjoying the food and drinks.
Even Roy, who usually didn't drink, had a few glasses.
Slightly tipsy, he retired to his room to rest.
Just as he lay down, two figures slipped into his bed and snuggled up to him.
Roy, still drowsy, instinctively wrapped his arms around them.
A faint, sweet fragrance tickled his nose, bringing him closer to wakefulness.
It was Shinobu and Kanae. Roy was familiar with the unique scent of each girl and wouldn't mistake them for anyone else.
He was surprised, though. Why were the Kocho sisters here?
Shouldn't it be Saeko or one of the others?
Roy didn't know that Kanae had taken the initiative and dragged Shinobu along.
Back in the Demon Slayer world, Shinobu had promised Roy that if he saved her sister, she would let him "Devour" her.
Roy had indeed saved Kanae, but he didn't want to take advantage of her vulnerability.
He also didn't like forcing anyone, so he hadn't made any moves.
However, Kanae was worried. She knew how much her sister liked Roy.
But neither of them addressed the issue, so Kanae, as the elder sister, decided to take matters into her own hands.
She hadn't expected Shinobu to be unwilling to go alone, insisting on bringing Kanae along.
Roy was unaware of all this. He simply couldn't resist the temptation of the delicious "meal" presented to him. He pulled the two girls closer and...
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Three days passed quickly.
Today was the day of his engagement ceremony with Rias.
Roy and the girls boarded the train to the Underworld. Unlike ordinary trains, this one was luxurious, with an interior like a private jet. It was also incredibly fast.
They soon arrived at the castle where the ceremony would be held.
The castle was packed with guests.
Grayfia pulled Roy along, introducing him to various Devils and guiding him through the tedious formalities and etiquette.
Roy finally breathed a sigh of relief when the engagement ceremony ended and the banquet began.
He led Rias, now officially his fiancée, to a quiet corner.
Looking at the blushing Rias, Roy smiled.
After all the twists and turns, Rias was finally his.
However, the other girls weren't as thrilled.
Especially Asia, who was pouting like a hamster with its cheeks stuffed with food, glaring at Rias.
Roy chuckled at her jealousy.
Just then, a tall, imposing figure approached them.
"Yo, Sairaorg," Roy greeted him with a wave.
He had met Sairaorg, thanks to Grayfia's introductions.
"Yo, Roy," Sairaorg replied.
"Roy, I'd like to formally challenge you to a Rating Game."
Sairaorg's declaration drew the attention of those around them.
"A Rating Game? Why?" Roy was confused.
"Don't misunderstand. I'm simply interested in fighting you," Sairaorg explained.
Roy understood.
Sairaorg was a battle maniac.
Having witnessed Roy's overwhelming victory against Riser, another Heavenly King, it was natural for him to be interested in a match.
'So he sees me as Prey, huh?' Roy thought with amusement.
"Very well, I accept your challenge. When will the match be held?" he agreed readily.
Sairaorg didn't answer immediately. "I heard you don't have a Queen yet," he said instead.
"That's correct," Roy confirmed.
He hadn't revealed that Grayfia was his Queen.
"Then we'll schedule the match after you find a Queen."
Roy smiled. Sairaorg was a true warrior.
Knowing that Roy lacked a Queen, he postponed the match until Roy had a complete peerage.
"No problem," Roy agreed.
Their conversation sparked another wave of discussion among the Devils.
"Sairaorg has challenged Roy to a Rating Game!"
"I wonder who's stronger, Sairaorg or Roy"
"I can't wait for their match!"
"I think Sairaorg will win. After all, he's The Strongest of The Young Generation."
"Haha, I think Roy is stronger. He completely crushed Riser Phenex."
...
Rias, hearing Roy admit to not having a Queen, was confused.
They all knew that Grayfia was his Queen.
"If Nee-san participated, it wouldn't be a fair fight. But if she doesn't, that guy's pride would be hurt, and he might refuse the match. So, I had to do this," Roy explained with a shrug, seeing their puzzled expressions.
'It seems I'll need to find another Queen,' he thought to himself.
As for the Rating Game against Sairaorg, he wasn't concerned about the timing.
The girls understood.
Just then, another person approached them.
It was Diodora Astaroth, with his black hair, red eyes, and perpetually half-closed eyes.
They say those with half-closed eyes are never up to any good, and this guy was no exception.
"Roy-san, I am Diodora Astaroth. I have a small request," Diodora said, bowing politely.
"Oh? If it's an unwelcome request, then don't bother. It's better for everyone that way," Roy replied casually, not even bothering to get up.
He didn't look at Diodora directly and continued sipping his tea.
Roy hadn't forgotten how this guy had tried to harm Asia. Now, he was here again, clearly up to no good.
Diodora was enraged by Roy's dismissive attitude but maintained his composure.
"I'll be frank. I'd like to exchange Bishops with you," he proposed with a smile.
Asia, Shizuka, and the other Bishops glared at him, as did the rest of the girls.
They considered each other family. How could they be used as bargaining chips?
However, the final decision rested with Roy, so they all looked at him expectantly.
"No way. Get lost," Roy said, waving him away dismissively.
Diodora's expression remained unchanged despite the insult.
"I understand," he said with a smile, as if he had genuinely given up.
But instead of leaving, he approached Asia and reached for her hand.
Slash!
A flash of cold light, and Diodora's hand was severed before he could even touch Asia.
Blood splattered, and Diodora finally reacted.
"AAAAAGH!" he screamed in agony.
The commotion drew the attention of the surrounding Devils.
"Master!" Several girls with vacant expressions, dressed in maid outfits, rushed to Diodora's side.
These were the nuns and saints Diodora had abducted and tortured.
They were all mentally broken.
"Roy Lucifuge, why you..." Diodora clutched his severed hand, glaring at Roy in disbelief.
He hadn't expected Roy to suddenly attack him.
Roy shrugged nonchalantly. "I told you to get lost, but you didn't listen. And you even tried to lay your hands on my Asia. You're playing with fire!"
His attitude enraged Diodora.
But he didn't retaliate. Those present at the engagement party were all allies of the Gremory and Lucifuge clans.
If he attacked, he would undoubtedly suffer severe consequences.
In the end, Diodora could only leave with his servants, defeated and humiliated.
"I don't think he'll let this go," Sairaorg commented, standing beside Roy.
"Neither will I," Roy replied, his eyes narrowing with killing intent as he watched Diodora depart.
He wouldn't forgive Diodora for what he had done to Asia and for his continued lecherous intentions towards her.
However, he couldn't openly initiate a conflict.
Since the deaths of God and the original Maous, the Devil population had dwindled.
To prevent further losses, the current Maous had established rules prohibiting Devils from killing each other.
That's why Roy hadn't killed Diodora outright.
He wasn't powerful enough to disregard the rules of the Underworld yet.
But that didn't mean he wouldn't eliminate Diodora. If Diodora sought revenge, he would likely collude with the Khaos Brigade to obtain the power of the "Dragon."
Roy would deal with him then.
"Roy..." Asia's eyes filled with tears of gratitude, seeing how he had defended her.
"Haha, Asia belongs to me forever. I won't let anyone take you away," Roy reassured her, patting her head.
"Waaah!" Asia was deeply touched.
After the engagement party, Roy returned to his normal life.
Rias also moved into his castle.
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