Hiyama's Mansion, Kuoh town –
POV: Shiori Oreki –
Monday and Tuesday blurred together in a haze of fatigue and frustration. Akeno, Raynare, and I continued to work tirelessly through the mountain of files Azazel had provided. We had fallen into an uneasy rhythm—I focused primarily on combing through Kokabiel's known contacts with Akeno, while Raynare sifted through potential hideouts that could still be in use.
Meanwhile, Kalawarner and Mittelt largely kept to the lab, working on various ways to track Hiyama using magic. Not that they'd had any more success than us.
Despite the lingering tension from Sunday's argument, Raynare and Akeno managed to work together without further conflict. They weren't exactly friendly, but at least they kept their verbal jabs to a minimum—most of the time.
By the time Tuesday night arrived, our progress had been painfully slow. The majority of Kokabiel's old contacts were either dead, missing, or had cut ties with him after his exile from Grigori. The hideouts weren't much better—most had already been raided, abandoned, or deemed too insignificant to warrant further investigation.
Frustration coiled inside me as I stared at yet another dead-end report. I threw the paper down onto the table, rubbing my temples. "We're not getting anywhere."
Akeno sighed, setting her pen down. "We knew this wouldn't be easy. If it were, Azazel would have already found something."
Raynare scowled, leaning back in her chair. "The bastard's a rat. He's not just going to leave a trail for us to follow. We need something more."
I clenched my fists, determination burning in my chest. "Then we keep looking."
No matter how long it took, I would not stop searching for Hiyama.
With that, we buried ourselves in our work once more, pushing through exhaustion as we continued the search.
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Occult Research Clubhouse, Kuoh Academy –
By the time Wednesday arrived, Akeno and I were both eager for a break from the seemingly endless piles of documents. Though the investigation had yielded nothing useful so far, we still had responsibilities outside of it—such as going to school and checking in with Rias.
Raynare stayed behind at the mansion to continue working, while we made their way to the Occult Research Club after school.
As soon as they entered, I immediately noticed that Rias seemed troubled. She sat at her desk, her fingers tapping idly against the wood, her expression unreadable. Kiba stood silently near the sealed Tosca, as he often did, while Koneko sat in her usual spot, munching on snacks. Issei was also there, leaning against the couch with a confused expression.
However, there was one additional person in the room—someone I didn't know.
A tall, regal-looking woman with silver hair and piercing gray eyes stood beside Rias. She carried herself with an air of authority that made it clear she wasn't just an ordinary devil.
Frowning slightly while sensing the sheer power radiating from her. "Who…?"
The woman turned her gaze to me, her expression unreadable. "I am Grayfia. Queen of Sirzechs Lucifer."
My breath hitched slightly. The Queen of Lucifer himself…? I had heard of the Four Great Satans, but I had never expected to meet someone directly connected to them outside of Rias and Sona.
Grayfia's gaze lingered on me before she spoke. "I suppose this is a prudent opportunity to tell you that Sirzechs-sama has launched an official investigation into Kokabiel."
I widened my eyes in shock and relief. "Sirzechs is investigating Kokabiel?"
Grayfia nodded. "Yes. Given the severity of what has transpired, he has deemed it necessary to deploy certain resources to track Kokabiel's movements. While we cannot guarantee immediate results, rest assured that we are making progress."
At that moment I felt a weight lift from my shoulders, even if just slightly. "That's… good to hear. Thank you."
Grayfia inclined her head slightly before shifting her gaze to Rias, who still hadn't spoken.
Noticing her silence, I frowned. She looked like something was wrong, "Rias… is something wrong?"
Rias hesitated before sighing, finally looking up at me. "It's… complicated."
I arched a brow. "Try me."
Rias glanced toward Grayfia, who nodded, as if giving permission for her to speak. Taking a deep breath, Rias finally said the words that made Shiori's stomach twist.
"My parents have arranged for me to marry Riser Phenex."
There was a beat of silence. Ah, I almost forgot that Hiyama was talking about helping Rias with her 'Riser' problem, this must be it.
Issei, who had been relatively quiet up until now, nearly choked. "Wait, what?! Rias, you're getting married?!"
Rias's expression darkened. "It's an engagement that I do not consent to."
I narrowed my eyes, looking with suspicion and disgust at Grayfia. "Arranged marriage?"
Grayfia nodded. "Yes. Riser Phenex is a noble from the House of Phenex, a high-ranking clan in the Underworld. This engagement was arranged between both families to ensure the continuation of pure-blooded Devil lineages."
I folded her arms over my chest. "That sounds… restrictive."
Rias scoffed. "That's one way to put it. I have no interest in Riser. He's arrogant, self-absorbed, and treats women like trophies."
I exhaled deeply in exasperation. "So, what's the plan? Are you going to fight it?"
Rias gave her a worried smile. "That depends."
Grayfia then spoke up, "I suppose now would be a good time to begin the negotiations."
Before anyone could respond, a teleportation circle appeared in the empty side of the room
A confident, cocky voice filled the room.
"Rias, my darling, I've come to see you."
I turned my head sharply toward the area—where a blonde-haired devil stood. He exuded arrogance, his smirk practically radiating self-importance.
Riser Phenex.
Rias' jaw clenched, her expression darkening instantly.
"Well, well," Riser said smoothly, stepping inside as if he owned the place. "It's so good to see you again, my dear Rias."
I immediately disliked him. I could tell, just from the way he carried himself, that he was the type of man who always got what he wanted.
Riser's gaze flickered toward Issei, and his smirk widened. "Oh? And who is this? Another one of your little servants?"
Issei bristled. "Hey! Who the hell are you calling a servant, bird boy?"
Riser chuckled, as if Issei's anger amused him. "Oh, how adorable. A lowly pawn thinks he can talk back to me? A noble? A Phenex?"
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. This guy is insufferable.
Rias stood up, her expression hard. "What do you want, Riser?"
Riser placed a hand on his chest as if he were hurt by her tone. "Why, I simply came to check on my lovely fiancée. And perhaps… remind you of our engagement." His smirk grew. "After all, the wedding is fast approaching."
Rias' hands clenched into fists. "I will never marry you."
Riser sighed dramatically. "Oh, Rias, must we go through this again? You know how these things work. You have no choice in the matter."
I took a protective step forward, unable to hold back anymore. "Maybe she should have a choice."
Riser finally turned his gaze on her, raising a brow. "And who are you supposed to be?"
"Shiori Oreki." She met his gaze without flinching. "And I think it's disgusting that you're forcing Rias into this."
Riser chuckled, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Oh, how bold. But this isn't your concern, little human."
Shiori's eyes flashed dangerously. "It is my concern when my friend is being treated like property."
Riser's amusement faded, his expression darkening slightly. "I don't care whether I have to incinerate everyone in this room. Rias is mine."
Tension thickened in the air, but before Riser could escalate further, Grayfia finally spoke, her voice cutting through the tension like steel.
"Sirzechs-sama has proposed a solution."
Riser turned to her, mildly annoyed. "Oh?"
"A Rating Game," Grayfia stated. "If Rias wins, the engagement is nullified. If you win, she will marry you."
Riser's smirk returned. "A Rating Game, huh? Fine. Though I don't like your chances dear Rias, after all I have a complete set."
He snapped his fingers, and suddenly a teleportation circle appeared again.
As Riser's peerage appeared behind him, the sheer number difference between them and Rias' peerage became painfully obvious. His peerage was composed of beautiful women, each one standing confidently behind their master. Among them, one woman stood close to Riser—tall, elegant, and clad in a revealing sorceress-like outfit with deep purple hues.
Riser smirked as he draped an arm around the woman, pulling her close to his side. "Ah, allow me to introduce my Queen, Yubelluna, the Bomb Queen. She is an absolute delight, isn't she?"
Issei's eyes nearly bulged out of his head as he took in the sheer number of beautiful women surrounding Riser. His expression twisted into one of envy and frustration.
"A whole harem…" Issei muttered under his breath before suddenly shouting, "What the hell, man?! You already have all these hot girls, and now you're forcing Rias to marry you too?! That's not fair!"
Riser laughed, his grip on Yubelluna tightening as he nuzzled against her cheek. "Oh, my dear boy, this is what it means to be a true noble. Power, prestige… and of course, the company of beautiful women."
Yubelluna let out a soft chuckle, clearly accustomed to Riser's antics. "Riser-sama spoils us all," she said sweetly before pressing a lingering kiss against his lips.
I felt her stomach churn at the display, but it was Issei who snapped first. His face burned red, and his hands clenched into fists. "You arrogant bastard!"
Riser smirked as he pulled away from Yubelluna, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "Jealous, are we, little Pawn? You should know your place. A weakling like you could never hope to have what I have."
Issei gritted his teeth, his body shaking with fury. "You… You piece of crap! You're not a man! You're just a spoiled brat who has everything handed to him!"
Riser's smirk grew cruel. "And what do you have, lowly Pawn? You think barking like a mongrel will make you more than the dirt beneath my feet?"
Issei took a step forward, but before he could say anything else, Riser lifted a single finger.
"Mira," Riser said lazily, addressing one of his Pawns. "Put this mutt in his place."
A blue-haired girl wielding a staff stepped forward. Mira, one of Riser's Pawns, smirked as she raised her weapon. "With pleasure, Riser-sama."
Mira surged forward, her staff glowing with flames, as she aimed to slam it into Issei's gut—
CRACK!
The sound of snapping wood filled the air as Mira's attack was stopped in its tracks.
I stood in front of Issei, tightly gripping Mira's staff. The weapon splintered in my grasp before shattering completely, leaving Mira holding nothing but a broken stick.
Mira's eyes widened in shock, but before she could react, I swiftly brought up her leg and delivered a powerful kick straight to her stomach. The force sent Mira skidding backward, coughing as she struggled to catch her breath.
I didn't stop there. In a fluid motion, I summoned Clarent, the silver blade materializing in my grasp with a bright, fiery red glow.
I leveled the sword toward Riser and his peerage, with a dark expression.
"I suggest you watch yourself, Riser," I said coldly. "I don't take kindly to people threatening my allies." The room had very clearly noted that I was wielding a holy sword, especially Riser.
Riser's smirk faltered ever so slightly, but he quickly regained his composure, letting out an amused chuckle. "Oh? And what are you going to do, little human? Do you really think you stand a chance against me?"
I gripped on Clarent tighter, the air around me humming with red electrical power. "Try me, and find out."
The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a blade. Mira groaned as she pushed herself up, glaring daggers at me, but she wisely didn't move to attack again.
Rias, who had been watching the scene unfold, finally stepped forward. "That's enough," she said, her voice firm. "Riser, we have agreed to settle this through a Rating Game. If you're so confident in your strength, then prove it there."
Riser stared at her for a moment before laughing. "Hah! Fine, Rias. I accept your challenge. But don't think for a second that you'll come out of this victorious. And I expect to see that pitiful human on the battlefield as well so I can crush her myself."
With that, Riser turned on his heel, motioning for his peerage to follow. "Come, my lovely ladies. We have a game to prepare for."
As his peerage gathered around him, a teleportation circle flared beneath them, and in an instant, they were gone.
The room remained silent for a few moments before Issei let out a deep breath, still seething. "That bastard…"
I lowered Clarent, the energy around it fading as I released a slow breath. "Yeah. He's a bastard, alright."
Rias sighed, rubbing her temples. "At least now, we have a chance to fight back."
Grayfia turned to Rias. "I will inform Sirzechs-sama that the Rating Game has been accepted. You should begin preparing immediately."
Rias nodded, though her expression was still tense.
I sighed again, casting a glance toward Issei. "Are you alright?"
Issei nodded, though he still looked rattled. "Yeah. Thanks for stopping that attack."
I gave him a small cocky smirk. "Someone's gotta keep you from getting your ass kicked."
Issei let out a huff, though there was a faint hint of appreciation in his eyes.
As the conversation shifted toward preparation for the Rating Game, I remained silent, my mind already spinning with thoughts.
She had originally come here to talk about Hiyama, but now another conflict had surfaced. It was a commitment that Hiyama made to help Rias with, so I feel obligated to help out. And while the Rating Game was important, she couldn't afford to let herself get distracted.
Hiyama was still out there.
And she was going to find him.
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A/N: So what do you guys think? Any constructive criticism is welcome. Also, be sure to leave a review and power stones as that is my motivation.