The Phoenix estate had never been busier. With the success of Raizer's negotiations with the Naga Kingdom and the expansion of Phoenix Star Enterprises into multiple supernatural territories, the estate's halls buzzed with activity. Servants rushed to and fro, delivering reports and preparing for upcoming business ventures, while Raizer's peerage met regularly to strategize the next steps.
However, Raizer's rise had not gone unnoticed, and his rapid growth had begun to draw ire from certain factions within the devil society. Among them were lords and nobles from other powerful devil houses—houses that had long enjoyed unchallenged influence in the underworld's economy and politics.
As Raizer continued to grow his empire, these houses began to see him not just as a rising star but as a direct threat to their power. And in the world of devils, threats were rarely tolerated.
Whispers in the Shadows
The plotting began subtly, as was often the case among devils. In the opulent halls of rival estates and the smoky backrooms of exclusive devil clubs, whispers spread like wildfire.
"Have you heard about Raizer Phoenix? They say he spends more time seducing women than running his business."
"I heard he flaunts his wealth shamelessly, throwing parties and wasting his fortune on indulgence."
"Typical of the Phoenix Clan—arrogant and entitled. He thinks he can waltz into our society and take over."
The rumors were carefully crafted to paint Raizer as a playboy and a self-absorbed dandy. To the uninitiated, these whispers seemed plausible. After all, the Phoenix family was known for its luxurious lifestyle and fiery temperaments.
The goal was clear: tarnish Raizer's image in the eyes of the devil elite. If enough people began to doubt his character, it could weaken his influence and slow the momentum of his meteoric rise.
The First Signs of Trouble
Raizer first became aware of the rumors during a routine meeting with Yubelluna in his private study. She was going over the latest reports from their various business ventures when she paused, her usually calm expression tinged with concern.
"Lord Raizer," she began, placing a folder on his desk, "we've received reports that certain devil houses are spreading rumors about you in high society."
Raizer leaned back in his chair, his golden eyes narrowing. "What kind of rumors?"
Yubelluna hesitated for a moment before replying. "They're accusing you of being a playboy, a self-absorbed figure who prioritizes indulgence over responsibility. They claim you're using Phoenix Star Enterprises as a front to flaunt your wealth and power."
Raizer's expression darkened. "Typical. They can't challenge me directly, so they resort to petty slander."
Yubelluna nodded. "It's a calculated move. If these rumors gain traction, they could damage your reputation among the devil elite. Business partners might begin to question your reliability, and potential allies could hesitate to align themselves with you."
Raizer remained silent for a moment, his mind racing. "Which houses are behind this?"
"We're still gathering evidence," Yubelluna replied. "But the main suspects are House Bael, House Astaroth, and House Glasya-Labolas. All three have been wary of your rapid growth."
Confronting the Peerage
Later that day, Raizer gathered his peerage in the estate's grand strategy room. The mood was tense as he explained the situation, his voice calm but edged with steel.
"Certain houses are trying to destroy my reputation," Raizer said, pacing in front of the table. "They're spreading rumors to make me look like a fool—a playboy who's unworthy of his position."
Garp, ever the blunt one, scoffed. "BAHAHAHA! Let 'em talk. When they see your fists, they'll shut up real quick."
Mihawk, seated with his arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. "While brute force has its place, this is a battle of perception. Fighting rumors requires a different kind of strategy."
Ben Beckman, leaning casually against the wall, nodded. "Mihawk's right. If we go in swinging, it'll only make you look worse. We need to control the narrative."
Raizer stopped pacing, his gaze settling on Beckman. "What do you suggest?"
Beckman took a drag from his cigarette, exhaling slowly before answering. "First, we identify the source of the rumors. Once we have concrete evidence, we expose them for the manipulators they are. Second, we counter their narrative with one of our own. Host an event, make a public statement—something that shows the truth about who you are."
Whitebeard, seated at the far end of the table, stroked his chin thoughtfully. "An event could work. Something grand, where your accomplishments speak louder than their lies."
Gol D. Roger grinned, leaning forward. "Make it flashy. Show them you're not just some spoiled noble—you're a force to be reckoned with."
Raizer nodded slowly, his mind piecing together a plan. "Then that's what we'll do. But first, we need to gather proof of who's behind this."
Uncovering the Culprits
Yubelluna, with her unmatched organizational skills, led the effort to track the origins of the rumors. Over the next few weeks, her network of contacts and spies worked tirelessly, gathering information from high society gatherings, informal devil councils, and even whispers in the streets.
Their findings confirmed what Raizer suspected: Houses Bael, Astaroth, and Glasya-Labolas were the primary culprits.
"Each house has its own reasons," Yubelluna explained during a briefing. "House Bael sees you as a competitor for influence. House Astaroth is wary of your connections with the supernatural communities outside the underworld. And House Glasya-Labolas… well, they've never liked the Phoenix Clan's growing prominence."
Raizer's expression hardened. "Then we deal with them all. We'll expose their schemes and show the devil society who they really are."
Turning the Tables
With the evidence in hand, Raizer and his team began crafting their response. They planned a grand event at the Phoenix estate—a celebration of Phoenix Star Enterprises' recent successes. The guest list included prominent devils, business leaders, and representatives from allied supernatural communities.
But the event wasn't just a celebration—it was a stage.
The Grand Event
The night of the event arrived, and the Phoenix estate was transformed into a spectacle of elegance and grandeur. Guests marveled at the opulent decorations, the flowing fountains of enchanted wine, and the performances that celebrated the cultural diversity of Raizer's business ventures.
Raizer, dressed in a sharp black suit accented with golden embroidery, greeted his guests with the confidence of a man who knew exactly what he was doing.
As the night progressed, Raizer took the stage to address the crowd. The hall fell silent as his golden eyes swept over the audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice calm but commanding, "thank you for joining us tonight to celebrate the success of Phoenix Star Enterprises. This company was built not on the arrogance of privilege but on hard work, innovation, and mutual respect.
"Recently, certain rumors have been circulating—rumors meant to tarnish my reputation and undermine what we've built together. Tonight, I want to address those rumors directly."
The room buzzed with anticipation as Raizer gestured to Yubelluna, who activated a magical projection displaying evidence of the rival houses' involvement.
"These are the facts," Raizer continued, his voice steady. "Houses Bael, Astaroth, and Glasya-Labolas have orchestrated a campaign of slander against me. Their intent is clear: to hinder the progress of Phoenix Star Enterprises and sow doubt among our allies.
"But let me make one thing clear—I will not be intimidated. Phoenix Star Enterprises stands for integrity, and we will continue to rise, no matter the opposition."
The audience erupted into applause, their admiration for Raizer's transparency and confidence evident.
The Aftermath
In the days that followed, the tables turned against the rival houses. Their manipulation exposed, they faced backlash from other devils who saw their actions as dishonorable. Meanwhile, Raizer's reputation only grew stronger, solidifying his position as a rising force in the underworld.
As Raizer stood on the balcony of his estate, looking out over the glowing lights of his empire, Yubelluna joined him.
"You handled that masterfully," she said, a hint of pride in her voice.
Raizer nodded, his expression calm. "Let them come. The more they try to bring me down, the stronger we'll become."
And with that, the Phoenix rose higher than ever before.
This concludes Chapter 13, focusing on the rival devil houses' attempts to undermine Raizer's reputation and his successful counter-strategy. Let me know if you'd like further expansions or adjustments!