Raizer Phoenix sat in his study, golden eyes scanning through the neatly stacked reports Yubelluna had placed on his desk. He had tasked her with investigating Rias Gremory, his so-called "fiancée," after the Devil Council's announcement of their marriage decree. If the council thought they could tie him down to a life of quiet obedience through this alliance, they were gravely mistaken.
"Let's see what they're offering me," Raizer muttered, flipping open the latest report.
Yubelluna, standing nearby with her ever-present clipboard, observed his expression carefully. She had gone to great lengths to gather the information, and even she had been shocked by some of what she uncovered.
It wasn't long before Raizer's calm demeanor cracked just slightly. His eyebrows lifted in disbelief as he read through the details. "She wants to… live as a high school student in Japan?"
"Yes, my lord," Yubelluna replied, her tone even. "Apparently, she's enamored with Japanese culture—anime in particular. Her ultimate dream, according to this file, is to study at a human high school while pretending to be a normal teenager."
Raizer leaned back in his chair, the beginnings of a smirk tugging at his lips. "So let me get this straight. The Devil Council expects me to marry a spoiled, lazy narcissist who binge-watches anime, wants to cosplay her way through life, and has the maturity of a child?"
"That sums it up," Yubelluna replied with the faintest twitch of her lips. "She's also known for her… creative use of her charms to avoid responsibility."
Raizer raised an eyebrow. "Creative use?"
Yubelluna sighed. "She's reportedly adept at manipulating those around her, particularly using her appearance. Pouting, pleading, or strategically leaning on her 'assets' to get what she wants. It works more often than you'd think."
Raizer closed the file with a decisive snap, leaning forward. "This," he said, his voice calm but laced with sarcasm, "is what the Devil Council thinks will keep me in check. A spoiled anime princess with a dream of being a high schooler and the work ethic of a sloth."
Yubelluna's composure finally cracked, a faint smile gracing her lips. "It does seem… shortsighted."
Raizer stood and stretched, his smirk growing. "This is too good to keep to myself. Let's see what the others think about our future 'addition.'"
Calling the Peerage Together
It didn't take long for Raizer to gather his peerage in the grand hall. As usual, the room was alive with energy as his legendary team assembled.
Garp was doing one-handed pushups near the back of the hall, his booming laugh echoing as he barked at a group of recruits to join him. Shiki floated lazily above the gathering, puffing on his cigar and flicking ash onto the training mats below. Whitebeard stood near the center, his massive frame drawing attention as he quietly observed. Mihawk, as always, was in the corner, methodically sharpening his blade.
When Raizer entered, the room fell silent. His peerage might be a collection of some of the strongest beings in existence, but they respected him as their leader.
Raizer stepped forward, his hands in his pockets. "I've got some updates on our new 'alliance' with the Gremory family," he began, his voice calm and even. "Specifically, I've been looking into Rias Gremory."
"Oh, here we go," Shiki said with a grin, floating down to ground level. "What's the verdict, boss? Is she some kind of unstoppable prodigy, or is she secretly a dragon in disguise?"
Raizer smirked, crossing his arms. "She's worse. She's an anime addict who dreams of living as a high schooler in Japan, dragging her entire peerage along for the ride."
For a moment, there was silence as the group processed his words. Then the room exploded.
The Peerage Reacts
Garp, as expected, was the first to burst into laughter. "BAHAHAHA! A high school student? What, does she want to join the track team and make friends at the cafeteria? This is who they think can keep you in check? That's rich!"
Roger doubled over, clutching his sides. "I can see it now—Rias Gremory, anime club president, planning school festivals and swooning over her favorite characters. Maybe she'll make us all wear uniforms!"
Shiki, ever the jokester, floated back up, arms spread wide in mock reverence. "Oh, great Rias, teach us your ways! Show us how to dodge responsibility with a perfectly timed pout and a well-placed flick of your hair!"
Even Whitebeard chuckled, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. "This girl doesn't seem to understand what kind of world she's stepping into. If she thinks she can keep up with us, she's in for a rude awakening."
Mihawk, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. "Her habits are a liability. If she can't handle the demands of leadership, she'll only drag you down. The council's plan is poorly thought out."
Beckman, smoking in the corner, grinned. "They're playing checkers while Raizer's playing chess. Let her think she's the star of some high school romance. We'll keep doing the real work."
The Lazy Habits
As the laughter died down, Raizer decided to share more details. "She's also known for using her… assets to get out of trouble. Pouting, leaning on her looks, or just charming her way out of responsibility. And from what I've read, it works more often than it should."
Garp laughed even harder, slapping his knee. "BAHAHAHA! Imagine her trying that with me! 'Oh, Garp, training is soooo hard! Can't I skip today?' I'd toss her straight into the training field and make her do push-ups until sunrise!"
Roger grinned. "Or Mihawk! 'Oh, Mihawk, your swordsmanship is so scary!' I bet Mihawk would just stare at her until she gave up and left."
Shiki floated closer, his grin widening. "And if she tries it with me? I'll just float her in the air until she agrees to stop whining. I've got time."
Yubelluna, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. "It's almost comedic how little effort she puts into hiding her laziness. Were she anyone else, her peers would see her as a disgrace."
Raizer smirked. "Exactly. The council thinks they're sending me a leash, but they're really sending me a spoiled brat who thinks life is an anime."
The Secret Weapon
Raizer glanced around the room, his golden eyes sharp. "The best part of all this? No one outside this room knows the real strength of our peerage. The council thinks we're strong, but manageable. The general public doesn't even know half of your names. Rias? She has no idea what she's walking into."
Whitebeard nodded. "Let them continue underestimating us. It's to our advantage. When the time comes, the truth will speak for itself."
Mihawk added, "And when she does realize what she's dealing with, it will already be too late to turn back."
Shiki laughed, floating in a lazy circle. "Oh, I can't wait for that day. Her face is going to be priceless when she realizes she's surrounded by monsters."
Roger clapped Raizer on the shoulder. "Don't worry, kid. Whatever happens, we've got your back. Let her play her games—we'll keep things running."
Final Thoughts
As the meeting wound down, the peerage began to disperse, their laughter echoing through the hall. Raizer stayed behind, watching as each of them went their separate ways.
"They think they can control me through her," Raizer muttered, his smirk returning. "But they don't understand. This isn't their game to win."
Yubelluna approached him, her expression thoughtful. "What's the next step, my lord?"
Raizer leaned back against the throne, his golden eyes glinting. "We play along—for now. Let them think their plan is working. But when the time comes, we'll remind them who's really in control."
With that, he rose from his seat, his mind already racing with strategies. Rias Gremory might think she was walking into her own fairy tale, but Raizer Phoenix wasn't the kind of prince she'd imagined.
This expanded chapter includes more humor, deeper insights into the peerage's personalities, and Raizer's strategic perspective on the situation. Let me know if further refinements are needed!