DISCLAIMER: DxD does not belong to me~.

Garith Gremory(Riz-kun): Protagonist, Gremory, gamer, gaslight, gatekeep, guyboss! The nightmare in shape of a devil boy. Would make a good husband, actually. (Lvl. 99)

Hippolyta (Polly-tan): [QUEEN], the amazonian princess. Will not marry someone weaker than her, but she's in a relationship with training and being a good warrior. Grew fond of her King's nephew Millicas. (lvl. 93)

Ulysses (Yuri-kun): Garith's [BISHOP]. Yeah, he's still around, in fact, he's over there. Over there. (lvl. 46)

Rosinante (Rosey): Garith's [ROOK] Piece. Her enjoying herself of the Gremory's care and hospitality has become the best thing right now in her life. Hopefully she doesn't become fat. (lvl. 70)

Hello, everyone! Garith Gremory is…

"Engaged?" And there goes my introduction, followed by the cold, unpleasant reality I'm now facing.

Laying on a couch on the Gremory manor's living room, I lazily munch on some macaroons and chug some tea while some of my servants and nephew eyed me with puzzled, surprised looks. Yep, Garith Gremory, Underworld's #1 troublemaking youth is engaged, to the heiress of the King-ranking house of Paimon, no less. Truth be told, I've known this ever since I got myself my [EVIL PIECES] and reached maturity and noble debut, but always tried to ignore and brush off this little titbit of information, and now that I must face it again, my only reaction is…

… Meh.

"Yes, engaged. Hooked and chained. Nothing official yet, but it seems our parents have been planning this for quite a while." A sigh that doesn't even sound it comes from a person escapes my lips, yet little to get the minimal reaction of my [QUEEN], [ROOK], miss Grayfia or my nephew Millicas. What a drag, at this age and already paired with someone else, feels like a cheap xianxia novel.

I flip my phone, click on photos and lo and behold, I pick a photo of my bride, this beautiful, well-endowed, daring-looking lass that has the same fierce, strong gaze as me and just as superb sense of fashion. Looking at her pisses me off a bit, specially considering she is someone I'll have to spend the rest of my life with if I'm not careful enough. People also mention she's way wiser beyond her age, and guys and girls alike fall for her charms easily, and unfortunately, I am almost one of them.

"Layxa Paimon, the eldest daughter of three from the Paimon clan of devils, ranked King. She's a year and a half older than me and has her own set of [EVIL PIECES]. She's also a prodigy among her peers and… My bride." Those last words exit my mouth with the sourness of vomit, my tongue sticking out just to show how I find this idea unamusing. From their seats, Rosinante and Hippolyta pick the phone from my hands to take a look at the photo, and from them, a smile and a frown respectively.

""Is that your bride? She is so…" "

"… Beautiful and regal! I can almost palate the aura of class she exhales!"

"… Unassuming and frail looking, I point. Are the praises on her so warranted, I question?"

"Umah?"

"Hm?"

"She doesn't appear much, but she is a genius in the making and just one level under true prodigies like Iza-kun, Seek-chan and even Rias, just like me. Underestimating her is a mistake not worth taking out of pride." I pick my phone back from their hands and sit back on the couch, letting out an exhausted sigh and taking one more macaroon to vent some frustrations. "Her family also owns one of the biggest stations of communication in the whole Underworld and they're on par with the Gremory regarding territory, influence and riches. I wouldn't be surprised if she becomes an ultimate-class devil in a few decades."

"You say like those are not accomplishments nor reasons to engage yourself with her, I point out." Hippolyta, holding Millicas on her arms as if she's his babysitter or something, exclaims to me with a sharp yet curious gaze while her peerage compatriot nods, making me groan unamused. "Seeing how she has just the right assets and strengths for your likings, why do you feel uncompelling in setting the deal and marry this devil lady, I wonder."

"Well, she is a big-breasted, pretty, strong and curvy young woman with a novel personality, but still… Wouldn't that feel a bit unromantic?" I stick my tongue out in disgust and foul, earning myself a raised brow from all parties. "Our families are very well-off compared to the other surviving 72 and knowing that she is very similar to me in personality, I doubt she's in any hurry to get hooked as well. Personally, if we consider we don't have a big war with either heaven or the Grigori in centuries, I don't want to follow someone's wishes out of their own caprices, even if they're my dear parents. I'm… Too selfish for that."

"Whoa sire, how romantic! Only you to rise above the influence and set your own path to greatness!" Exclaimed my newest [ROOK] and centaur with a nice smile and upbeat tone, but seeing how alone she was in that decision, she soon retreated her enthusiasm a bit, although not to show any ounce of regret.

"Romance this, romance that; I fail to grasp even the true meaning of this word you so nonchalantly throw around like dandruff, I'm afraid. In fact, none of those words you have spoken so far have any meaningful connotations worth taking, I assume." Sighs the Amazonian princess, taking her time to ruff my nephew's hair who was sitting on her lap and rest her chin on the top of his head. "Hearken, lord Millicas, do not follow the footsteps of thy uncle, I advise, for he has no ground to stand and no place to head towards, I dread. You, of uncertain yet braver, future, trace your own way, I hope."

"That was harsh, Hippolyta~." I moan, a bit yet genuinely hurt of her words of harm, I feel like crying, specially since she doesn't seem to regret hurting my feelings. Also, isn't she too close to Millicas for his own good? Miss Grayfia, watch out, we might have a closet shotacon in our turf! Jokes aside, another annoyed groan from my mouth, and it contorts into an unsatisfied grimace. "So annoying~. We live for thousands of years and its very unlikely that either of us is gonna get killed, so why bother? I rather be the cool, weird, funny uncle that everybody says to stay away from."

"Unfortunately, out of all possible brides, Lady Layxa is the only one whose Lord and Lady Paimon were willing to offer to us." Miss Grayfia points out with a sigh and a hand on her temples, clearly having enough of my nonsense. "Ever since your defeat by the hands of Lord Riser, you were prohibited to even come closer to lady Ravel; lady Latia's position as secondary heiress does not align with a possible deal between the two clans, and Lord Agares… Said that he'll only have his name next to yours in the obituary for a homicide-suicide case."

Damn, he's still angry about the wig, huh?

"… Making Lady Layxa the only possible candidate for your bride as the next heiress of the Paimon. She is also very uncomplicated about those matters." The maid stands from her seat to offer me some tea, and like the dumbass that I am, I pick the teacup and let its content into my mouth, but since it was open agap in an unsatisfied grimace, it just slid down my lips onto the floor. I don't care anyway anymore, whatever. "Even as someone as troubling and free-spirited like her is very agreeable with the prospects of marriage. She is also said to be kind, understandable and good-hearted despite her position and duties as I heard of. Lord Garith, if a chance is given, I'm sure you two will make a good couple… At least I'm sure you'll a bit more willing than Rias with the heir of Phenex."

"Hhhhhhhhhhhhhh." Another growl that isn't supposed to come from a sapient being escapes my mouth, and from here I can see that both miss Grayfia and Hippolyta had twitching lips, probably holding the urge to jump me, while Rosinante dearest comes closer to pat me on the head, in a way to try to comfort me. Another stray look down my phone, and seeing the heiress photo on it made me focus a bit more, even if I'm still a bit peeved about this whole ordeal. I clean my lips from the drool and tea, sit straight on the couch and focus my gaze on miss Grayfia. Our eyes meet. "I have no doubt that Layxa-chan is a type of heiress that is just like of my liking, either physical or mental, and you're right, maybe if we were to meet, I would be completely enamoured by her. Just from here, I'm sure she's strong but kind, but even so… I won't marry her, ever."

"But why…?"

"Because… Marrying her would lower my value as a person." I explain with conviction, and that answer made everyone in the room, even young Millicas, be taken back. With no jokes or jests, I turn my eyes towards my dear in-law and frown my brow to show how serious I am. "I am already the heir of Gremory and the younger brother of the demon lord Sirzechs. Being someone else's beau aside from all of that… I already have enough individuality yet none at all because of those, so marrying someone and add something as downgrading as 'Layxa Paimon's husband', I feel it will lower my overall value as an individual. My pride will not allow myself to marry just to be labelled as someone else's, nor I will threaten my own freedom over it. That is final."

"Once again, your reasoning is very esoteric. As expected from his little brother, you truly have a rebellious spirit." Miss Grayfia arcs her head backwards while a hand lands on top of her beautiful face, clearly holding the urge to let out a rude sigh of designation. However, in a spam of less than a second, she arcs her head back and from a small gap between her fingers, I see a satisfied smile. "Do not think I do not appreciate that trait of yours, au contraire, I can appreciate it in moderation."

"Heh." I open a daring grin, and I'm glad that I got myself to be heard. I look around, and Rosinante is pumping her fists up and down with a bright glare, while with a neutral expression, the Amazonian princess hold my nephew's ears shut from my own speech and lectures him to not follow the inconsequential steps of his dear uncle.

"So, what's your next move my King, I question." She asks, probably an idle question since she's too busy humouring my nephew Millicas to even look at me. Despite her blasé disposition, I shrug, standing up from my own seat and give her a thumbs up.

"Nothing else to do… But to go there and give Layxa-chan a piece of my mind." I assure her, and while she remains silent and deadpan, my newest [ROOK] and nephew both starts to clap to my determination and coolness while miss Grayfia sighs but with a ghost of a smile at me.

Yeah, I was already a pushover doormat back then, I will not let myself be thrown around like a ragdoll ever again, either be in this life or the next one. As Garith Gremory, this time around, I have enough power and autonomy to take my own decisions and its consequences, no longer I will be subjected of someone else's whims, no matter how much they mean to me. Even so, I know the path for freedom is not an easy one, so I need to psyche myself, and face this Layxa Paimon girl.

Which brings us to now.

Visiting the Paimon manor, this enormous piece of establishment that stands like a sore thumb among other less vulgar houses and mansions, carrying a bouquet of flowers I plucked myself from the Phenex manor and a box of homemade macaroons, I take my way to the entrails of this alien space alongside miss Grayfia, she came so I wouldn't cause too much ruckus on my stay on the Paimon manor, greeted by a true battalion of maids and butlers whom so kindly guided me to the sitting room where we would wait for my bride-to-be.

I got bored, I got tired, weary, ate my own macaroons and started making noises, so much so Miss Grayfia had to shake myself awake so that I wouldn't look unbecoming in front of my… Bride. Eventually, the girl known as Laxya Paimon comes into the picture, this girl of long silver wrapped in a braided bun and skin so fair she looks she's glowing and eyes as shiny as sapphires with a rather novel flowery pattern, probably a trait from her clan. She presents herself with a blond figure almost as twice as her size wearing a paladin getup, and once locking her gaze upon me, she smiles and sits on the sofa facing me.

Layxa Paimon, the heiress of the Paimon King clan of devils, the eldest daughter of three and [KING] of her own peerage, the knight next to her probably being her [QUEEN]. She is nauseatingly very similar to me, and somehow that pisses me off. A daring smile, a sharp gaze, strong poise and an aura that is very powerful but subtle, no wonder people think we're a good match. Still, I have my own reasons to not want to marry this girl…

"You should be more lenient with little old me, Garith. After all, that's no way to treat your cute, beautiful bride now, is it?" I grimace to her empty, challenging words, the sides of my mouth twitching uncomfortably to her despite my best in trying to maintain a smile. Getting under people's nerves seem to be also another trait we share, and I honestly don't know what to think about it. "But I think making my groom wait for me, even for a moment too late, is rude for someone of my status. I suppose I owe you an apology, no? you must feel so special for it, Garith…"

"I kinda do, thank you very much." I give her my own sardonic words, and for my troubles I get a troubled gaze from the blond knight and a rabid slap on the back of my head, courtesy of the strongest [QUEEN]. The tension lingered for a bit but after a moment or two, it lowered to normal levels. I take a deep breath, sit properly on the couch and scratched the back of my neck, trying to find the right words. A wandering gaze to the screen above her head.

[LAYXA PAIMON]

[LVL. 101]

Another nervous laugh off my lips. She's stronger and more skill than me, if just by a little, and knowing she is not one of the original Rookie Four makes me assume all her talents are innate, her arrogant standing and pristine form only enhancing that notion. Truly, some people are just born and build different, but that's a bit too much. I wonder if people are aware of the gap between us or they think we're evenly matched, considering how we never fought…

Back to her eyes, a bit too low down her breasts, and then back to her eyes. She smiles, I grin, but no words coming from either of us. Awkward…

"You wish some privacy in our matters? Sure, why not? Carin, my dearest, leave us be for a moment, why don't you? Go help Landy or Ariel with their chores." She turns to her gigantic blond knight and clapped her hands to call for her attention and order her away from the room. The knight, her name being Carin, gasped and tried to persuade her to change her mind, but if we are all that similar, then she has her way with words to make her settle down. And then she did, leaving the place with a tired and regretful sigh, but not before shotting one last poisonous glare at us.

"Miss Grayfia, if you would be so kind, I also ask for you to leave for a second for me to talk to Layxa-chan. Don't worry, I won't cause a ruckus, I promise." I turn to my own guardian and after sharing a moment and a gaze, she politely nods and leaves as well without much complains.

Now, here we are, in this reclusive side of the world, just the two of us, like that song goes. My eyes divert away from her, and I start to get a bit too sleepy, no wanting to be here anymore, not wanting to face this conundrum anymore. She was the first to act, standing from her seat, walking around the table between us and finally taking a place right next to me on the touch, a bit too close for my tastes. She sits herself properly, she smells quite nice too, serves herself a macaroon and another moment of silence between us.

"So… Garith, huh? That's a neat name." She starts, and for that, I lost any motivation to go on with any conversation from now on. what kind of ice breaker is that? Another moment of silence since I refuse to go on after that one, and with another bite from a macaroon, Layxa-chan takes a moment. "So… Garith… Garith… Riz… -kun?"

"Yes?" I turn to her to humour some of her hints of wanting.

"Let's get married."

"No."

"Kyaaaaan~, so cold~!" She then shots her head backwards with an uncontrollable giggle to my dry, succinct answer while I remain unmotivated. After her fit ends, she shots herself back and comes even closer, to the point one of her shoulders touch with mine. "That was so cold, Riz-kun, you shouldn't treat a lady like that~. But since I am feeling quite good today, I'll let that slide as for being my groom. I jest, of course."

"…"

"That aside, that aside… Let's get married, Riz-kun."

"I said no."

"Why not? Don't you want a cute, beautiful, busty, rich wife like me?" She pouts with puppy dog eyes, and I divert my gaze elsewhere to not be caught by her words or face. She comes closer to try to cup my face, but I slightly tilt it to a side to avoid touch, making her sigh. "Meanie. Any other devil would fight and die for a chance to at least be so close to me, and you're here being a horrible person and refusing to be my groom. That hurts, just so you know."

"I have my own motives for not wanting to marry you, Layxa-chan. It's not a you-problem." I admit with a shrug, and she pouts even harder, but her eyes confessing she is taking it in strides. I have my own reasons and motives to not marry this rich, busty, incredibly attractive and cute young woman, but trying to explain it might melt her brain and drive insane considering how Lovecraftian the idea of being a character in a story is. Therefore, my current reasoning is that I just am that prideful, I hope she understands. "After all, the Gremory already have a Demon Lord among their ranks and Rias' evolution is way beyond a normal high-class, so I don't understand while they keep pushing this marriage nonsense onto us. We are already set for everything, so no reasoning for it."

"Well, I don't mind marrying you."

"Eh?"

"Hm?" She turns herself to me as I whip my head back to her. What was that again? She shrugs to herself. "I said I don't mind marrying you. The second son of Gremory of difficult temper and troublemaking behaviour, I know a bit about you as much as you know about me, but honestly, this arrangement is something that doesn't bother me considering I got myself a pretty sweet deal. It's not like anyone else is too eager to marry someone like you, so you don't have that many options, either. I have an eye for that sorta of things, hohoho."

"You…"

"… Furthermore, I am… Curious." She winks a lovely one at me, again coming way too close for my taste, to the point her breath started to tickle my lips. Too close, too close, I palm her face to push her away, and she laughs once again, giving me some space as a result. "Just curious, you see. After all, when we get married, we're going to have the opportunity to do… 'That', you know? 'That'."

"Oh, 'that'. I see." She quenched my curiosity quite rapidly, and from here I can see her cheeks lightening up in a bright crimson, so dreamily cupping her own face and doing an embarrassed dance. Well, of course we'll be able to do… 'That', continuing our bloodline and the devil population are the priorities in this engagement, our consent in the matters be damned. Honestly, even though I am not thrilled about it either, but she seems into it for some reason, despite us being devils, that's our shtick. "Is that what you're curious about? 'That'?"

"Exactement! I am curious about 'that'!" She turns to me with a bright smile and finger guns pointed at me, but then the sexually curious heiress of the Paimon deflate from her curious stance and draws a tired, pouty face, crossing her arms. "For you it must not be a problem, but for us, devil heiresses, our 'chastity' is considered sacred and precious, therefore we must abstain ourselves from lewd acts until marriage. Sure, I can still have a wonderful time with my dears, but to truly break my purity is… Unthinkable, forbidden. Therefore, if we were to marry, we will eventually have our honeymoon, and then and only then, I would be able to relish in the pleasures between a man and a woman, in other words… 'That'!"

"You…" I sigh, quietly exasperated by her reasoning. I can't blame her very much, I've been a teenager once, and those sorts of crude curiosity are expected to come wrapped in the mess that is adolescence filled with hormones, although I was never able to quench those myself *SOB*. I expect girls to be equally curious about those lewd matters, but unlike a normal highschooler, she has an image to uphold and a name to carry, unlike me who has no agency in those that much. "You're pretty honest about those feelings, aren't you? For a devil heiress of one of the biggest clans to have such lewd thoughts, I guess its novelty is a plus…"

"Right? And in exchange, you'll get your own cute, beautiful, rich busty wife to explore in any way, shape or form. We'll inherit our parents' riches and prestige, make ourselves the best… Caham, second best couple in the Underworld, honouring my future Lucifer in-law, and then we can do whatever we want from there. Won't that be a dream?" She laughs with an upright face and high determination, having her own little reverie of our possible future as a couple, and honestly, I kind of can see from where she's coming from: our predicament is a bit more positive than between Riser and my sister, we don't actually hate each other, and as far as we know, we're quite a catch for each other. I'll have a cute trophy wife and she'll quench her perverted fantasies. Truly, a win-win situation for all sides. "So, I ask you again, Riz-kun… Let's get married! How about it? Become mine, and I shall become yours, Garith Gremory."

"…"

"…?"

…

"No."

"Ah, ah, tough cookie like expected. I guess few things can break a Gremory's pride." Despite my rejection, Layxa-chan's didn't faulter much, although her face adopted a more melancholic light and some of the shine in her eyes dulled. Didn't need anything else, that one actually hurt her pride and her heart if just by a bit. I see a twitch from her rosy lips, but then she turns around to avoid facing me for that exact reason. I guess she's mad now, huh, even I feel a little bad. "Oh, boo-woo, woe is me. Me, whom have been waiting for this opportunity ever since it presented itself to me, only to be so coldly rejected by the arrogant, ignorant Garith Gremory. They are known to treat their servants as family, but why so harsh and cruel to fellow nobles like us, boo-boo-hoo-woo~…"

"Don't do that, please. It's embarrassing, for both of us."

"Bleh. I jest, of course." She turns around with a tongue sticking out in a mocking manner and an unamused expression. Emotional manipulation, how old does she think I am? No, does she think I break all that easily? I'm done being manipulated or tossed around by people, I won't budge. Once the act was over, she turned herself to me and sat back on her place on the couch, again too close, so much so she rested her head on my shoulder, but for that, I sighed and let her have her way. I bit of skinship can't hurt. "You see, it's not like I hate the idea either. Sure, be bind by marriage might be a pain and there is actually no love between us, but it's not like we hate each other or anything. We can get married and from there, get along and discover a thing or two that we like and try to bloom it from here. Going on dates, having talks while sharing some snacks, doing 'that' and having a child, maybe that also will work to bring us closer."

"…"

"No hurries, no worries, we're rich and powerful and stuff, we don't have to worry about paying the bills or running out of things to work with, plus as heirs we have lots of people to throw our chores to do while we can work on our relationship, who knows, maybe days under the sheets to frolic or fool around. Living someone else's dreams like it is: a dream. Wouldn't that be nice?"

"It would." I sigh. This is one of those moments our toes become the most important and interesting things in the whole Underworld, but I'm still listening to her, if absentmindedly. An arranged marriage that we can work things out since, unlike Rias and Iza-kun, we don't hate the idea nor each other, or aren't compatible in a way. Who knows, it might be fun and nice to have a person whom I have no hard feelings about. She is really pretty too, its not hard to stare for how much of a head turner she is, and if I were to say 'yes', it'll be all mine. Still. "Still, I rather face reality as it is, and the reality that I want is the one only I tell me what to do, including marrying in someone else. I have nothing against you, Layxa-chan, but I won't marry you, at least for a while."

If I were to marry this girl, Iza-kun won't have more excuses to push his own marriage with my sister even further, which in return won't push the red dragon emperor even further into evolution nor make Rias have any incentive to make her moves and eventually fall for him. Assuming the fried chicken is not pettier or more arrogant than he is portrayed as, it is still a dangerous gambit, especially considering I just can't change history, and even if I could, there is no way for me to predict what will happen next, nor if it'll favourably for me or the entire world.

It has been more than a decade, I must always remind myself that, by the end of the day, I'm an anomaly, an intruder in this world. I don't belong here, and anything I do might compromise the entire story and actually get me and everyone I love and then some more killed.

"Oh well, that's unfortunate." She moans, reaching for one of the macaroons on the table and taking a bite off it. she licks her lips and then her sugared fingers. Despite her words, she doesn't have any malice on her glare, and after that, she simply blows a kiss at me. "But, oh no, it's not like you can do anything about it, anyway. Our parents already decided how things will go, and unless we elope and find our happiness with someone or somewhere else, I guess the engagement is the final line for us."

"You wish. I guess, since all of my bases are covered, I have no other choice but to give you an ultimatum." I sigh, stretching myself and standing up from my sitting as she almost loses her balance with no support. I knew things could come down to this, she has been so insisting on the matters, but I really, really tried to work things around our circumstances. Man, I did say I love novelty, but she gives me no choice but to repeat one of the novel's first important events, unbelievable~. I sharpen myself, turn back to her and point a finger at her. "Layxa Paimon, in exchange for my freedom and to break free from this engagement, I challenge you to a [RATING GAME]!"

"I refuse!"

"…"

"…"

…

"Eh?" did I hear this right, or does my ears deceive me? Did she just… Refuse a Rating game with me? You… You can't do that! Yet she did! What the hell! Containing my urge to scream, I lower my grandiose pose and kneel in front of her. "Come again? Layxa-chan, I… I challenge you to a Rating Gam-…?"

"I refuse!"

SHE SAID IT AGAIN, WHAT THE HEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLL…!

"You… You can't refuse a Rating Game, Layxa-chan, that's not how it works~." I bemoan, the adrenaline vanishing from my body as only catatonia takes place, but she remains with a confident smile on her lips. She is not supposed to refuse a rating Game, not even in a million years! That is not how it works! That's just cheating!

"I'm sorry, Riz-kun, but I just don't like the idea of Rating Games. I just feel it's too barbaric for my tastes and little heart. I'm not a violent person, so those kind of games are not for me, nor should." She claps her hands and starts lecturing me with a saccharine tone. "Plus, don't you feel they're a bit too counterproductive for the primary reason of the [EVIL PIECE] system? A barbaric and violent clash between two peerages, one that might end up injury and even death, when those same pieces were supposed to be used to repopulate our dying race? I find it quite distasteful for nobles like us, plus, other factions might think we're just recruiting cannon folders or trinkets to look good and fight our own battles. I… Shall not humour that notion, not at all."

Oh no, she's using logic and common sense, the novels' worst enemies. She's worst than I've imagined: she's the smart-type.

Of all the dumb heiresses I could've been engaged to, they had to choose someone I can't bullshit my way out. Now I know how Rias will feel regarding the Phenex heir… Unbelievable.

"As right as you might be, Layxa-chan, unless you want to disgrace the name of your family and break out of the engagement due to inadequacy, you must accept this challenge. You don't want to tarnish your good clan and appear as a coward for everyone involved, including your own dear pieces, right?" I shrug as it is my time to grin audaciously at her but despite it, she remains calm and collected, much to my confusion. She reaches for another macaroon to eat it once more, and then turns to me.

"I won't back down the challenge, but I won't humour your request either, Riz-kun." She says with her usual quiet, demure tone despite her sharpen gaze. "I have an eye for that sort of thing, and I think you must know, the most important piece in a [RATING GAME] is the [KING], no? if the [KING] falls, so does the other pieces, no exception. Therefore, instead of a barbaric game, let us decide our engagement with something even more romantic: a [DUEL], you and me, 1-on-1, no items, final destination."

[BOSS BATTLE!]

[THE CHARISMATIC VOID BRIDE, LAYXA PAIMON]

[FINAL MATCH!]

[ARE YOU READY? FIGHT!]

…

This one, seriously…

It's making me really, really hard to reject her.

"A duel, you say?" My eyes go up to the ceiling, clapping my hands in a pensive pose despite the fact that both of us already decided the outcome of this event, but I shall humour her little spirits a bit. This can be fun, specially considering she's so novel to me compared to the other girls… Heh, 'novel', how ironic. My eyes turn back to her. "Fine then, let us have a duel to decide the outcome of our engagement. As much as it pains me to lay my hands on a fellow heir, if there's no other way, I guess we can arrange a fight for the keeps."

"I'm glad to hear that at least we can agree on something. Too bad things have come to this." She sighs with a smile, standing up from her position and, adjusting her clothes and dusting her skirt, Layxa-chan turns to and walks towards me with a confident grin until she was close enough to make me a bit uncomfortable. Before I could escape, she reaches a hand for the back of my head and pulls me closer so we're touching foreheads. "Ah-ah, so sad, so sad, to think I couldn't charm the conceited second son of Gremory, instead having to rely on barbaric ways for him to understand~."

"…"

"I jest, of course… If Layxa Paimon were to fight anyone or anything for that matter, she won't lose, at all. I am pretty strong." Her grin turns a lot darker, and the tone of voice becomes lower in order to drive the point home. She is strong, I know that very much, specially sensing how overwhelming her aura is compared to everyone else I know, except the likes of Sairaorg, Rias and Seek-chan, some true prodigies. "I really wish I wouldn't have to humiliate my dearest groom before sealing our vows, but oh well, mayhap the sweet taste of victory shall be enough for a compensation gift from the Gremory, no? Hohohoh…"

"Layxa-chan…" And as her laugh echoes on the living room, I also reach for the back of her head to lock our foreheads even tighter, and feeling the pressure between us, she halts all laughter and looks back at me, my own determined gaze reflected on her orbs. "Don't underestimate the Gremory either. I too am pretty strong, and regardless of the results, don't think it'll be an easy victory, if even that. I will show you what a troublemaker like me is capable of."

"Oh, confident and handsome. I like that. Please, not this close, I might damp this gorgeous skirt." She giggles within my reach. Gross, unbecoming of a heiress such as herself, that's not all that sexy at all. She is a fun lass, but that's not the occasion for that, specially since we're engaged, but not for long! A moment, she blinks, then chuckles some more. "I jest, of course."

"Heheheh." A sardonic laugh, expressing any other emotion but joy. In the end, we pull ourselves away and I shrug, turning my back away from her figure to appear as blasé as possible. "Then, it is settled: let us decide this engagement stuff with a Rating Game, or rather, a duel. Winner takes it all, loser goes home without anything. If that's okay with you, then I'll be going."

"Aw~, already leaving, mon chéri? Even if we're not married yet, we should at least enjoy each other's company, you know." She baby whines, and giving her a side-glance from the back, I see her with crossed arms and pouty lips. That's a spoiled, pampered heiress for you, I guess. I turn to her to humour some of her loneliness, and with a smile, she approaches me for a hug, which I received without fuss. She smells nice, and her body is very soft. "Can't little me do something else to change that mind of yours? I'm really starting to like you, Riz-kun."

"No, never. Doesn't mean we can't be friends, Layxa-chan." I sigh. It's not me, it's the rules and flows of this world that only me can predict. Like the flap of a butterfly can cause a storm, a single mistake of mine as an intruder, an invader, can and will completely override the cause of events in the story, and for my sake and everyone else's, I have to let things happen like they did in canon, otherwise who knows what will happen. She moans again within my grasp, why be such a hardhead? in the end, a defeated pout, and her grip on me grows tighter.

"Fine, then. Even so, we should enjoy each other, even as 'friends." She states, and drawing herself closer, she lands a kiss on one of my eyelids, making me blink. I take one step back, and once a few inches of distance, she bows herself once more. "We still have some time alone, I doubt any of our servants will miss us, or at least you, in any shape or form. So, what's on your mind, do you want to do something? Of course, reminder that I must remain a virgin, teehee."

"Let's sit down and eat the macaroons. Deciding my future is exhausting, after all." I yawn tiredly with indifference, turning away from her to sit on the couch near the snack table and pick myself a macaroon. She pouts, but then takes another seat next to me, again leaning on my shoulder to pick and munch on another piece of confectionary.

"Savoureux. Those are very tasty. Homemade?" She turns to me, and for that I nod. I can only asks for the chefs back at the Gremory manor so many times before mother scolds me, so I decided to prepare my own set of macaroons and other sweet stuff. Unlike Ichirou, Garith does not need to worry about ingredients or lack of time, so its easier to cook some snacks for myself and, as shown right now, people I will spend some time with. "Mom doesn't want me to eat too much candy because it's unladylike, but if it's a present, it's fair play. When we get married, you'll be my personal chef and cook all those tasty treats for me and me alone."

"You wish." I counter her claims with this statement, and another unsatisfied hum from her, before another beaming smile after her second macaroon.

No more marriage matters after this one, we just chit chat idly like friends, enjoying each other's company while also having to deal with the typical frustrations of youth, our ties, love and dissatisfactions for our clans, discussing our plans for the future while as well colliding ideas and dreams. Feisty, pampered, spoiled and whimsical as only us, as the evening passed, we covered each other's bodies with marks, accompanied by the taste of blood, teary eyes, uneven breaths, sore lips and broken fingers…

Suffice to say, it was a pleasant evening.

And like good things, it came to an end once night fell. I bid my last goodbyes to the heiress of Paimon and followed my way to the Gremory manor with miss Grayfia, not a single word uttered by either of us since I was in a foul mood and I didn't want her to smell the foul breath of mine. Once there, I gathered all of my pieces and family members for an emergency meeting, and with all of them around me, I put the cards down on how I would proceed with this whole ordeal, the feelings being mixed at best.

"I see. So, you insist of being wrong throughout this whole ordeal instead of relenting to our wishes, despite our best efforts to find the perfect bride for you." My mother Venelana holds her temples and groans in pain for my decisions, and making my eyes hover around, I nod. Another frustrated breath from the matriarch of the Gremory. "Is this the so-called 'rebellious phase'? Like always, you're always such a handful, my son."

"I cannot blame Garith for following his whims on the matter, and since the heiress of Paimon agreed with the duel arrangement, I guess it is a good way to showcase the strength of both clans and our resolution to the cause. After all, we're in no hurry." Spoke my father Zeoticus, flashing me a half-hearted grin to show he's half-proud, half-disappointed to my duel with Layxa-chan. A quick venomous look from mother however and he laughs nervously with a sheepish scratch on the back of his head. "Still, no need to be so reckless, Riz. We arranged that you wouldn't need to marry until you reach maturity, you could've used this meantime to get closer and maybe even start to like her."

"I already like her very much, Layxa-chan is… Very nice, and she's such a headturner, I know whoever marries her will be very happy." I say with no hesitation, the image of her little head floating around me with a toothy grin and crooked fangs I notice she has. They turned their puzzled gaze at my direction in surprised, and so I was forced to answer their muted question. "I don't dislike the idea of marrying her, but! I like the idea to be both myself and a Gremory more, that's why I rather not marry her, not even from now on. I have my own pride to keep, plus, she's not very much my type…"

"Negotiations are much over anyway, dear. The heiress of Paimon already agreed with the duel, therefore the arrangements are already set. Nothing else we can do but to see it unfold or break yet another vow between the clans."

"So it seems." My mother Venelana sighs once again with a hand shadowing her eyes, and with a final puff of breath out of her system, she turns to me to walk forward in my direction. For a moment I thought she would slap my arrogance off and for that I flinch, but instead, I feel a soft hand right on top of my hair to lightly ruff it, like I'm some kind of pet. I turn back to her and, despite the growing aura around her, my mother smiles with twitchy lips and nods fondly. "Very well, then. Riz, be a good devil and show what the Gremories are capable of. Make your mother proud."

"Y-Yes… Yes, of course!" I was hesitant for a bit, but hearing her words of encouragement and strength made me double take and come out more resolute than ever before. Mother's smiles become a little more genuine, and with a massage on her temples and a small pinch on my cheeks, and removes herself from the quarters, probably half-satisfied and half-vexed, and honestly, I can't blame her, specially considering what Rias will pull when eventually will be her time. I turn to my father Zeoticus, and I see him grinning ear to ear, giving me a thumbs up.

"Be good, Riz, papa is rooting for you!" He says, and for those words I couldn't feel more blessed. That's the bond between men, after all. Eventually, he also leaves the room and let me be alone with my peerage, whom were all curious about the current events. A few moments of silence, and picking a biscuit for myself, and take a bite off it.

"Now, I know what you guys are thinking: 'Geez, Garith, what were you thinking about settling things with a barbaric duel?'. Now, to be fair, I gave her plenty of chances to call off the wedding and make me go free. Now, what's done is done, and I'll have to fight my pretty-pretty wifey-to-be-no-more." I shrug, seeing Rosinante nod and Hippolyta roll her eyes and cross her eyes, sitting next to me.

"I would rather prefer for this so-called [RATING GAME] to take place and for me to test my abilities against fellow devils, I admit. What a wasteful opportunity, specially considering the differences we could've measured between our groups." The princess of Themiskyra says, crossing her legs and making a thinking pose, judging me with her glare alone.

"Not my fault this time, she's the one whom wanted a one-on-one instead of a proper game, something about 'being too barbaric for her heart' or some stuff." I pout at her as innocently as possible. "Like a proper Gremory, I trust my servants and believe they can defeat anything and anyone, but throwing them against a single enemy is cowardice as well, and that would paint us in a bad light. so the only thing I can do now is fight all alone and hope for the best. You will be cheering for me, no?"

"Of course, sire! I shall trust you the same way you trust me!" The centaur girl replies with a beaming smile, her horse tail wiggling left and right to indicate how excited she is about this whole ordeal. I bet she was also eager to crush some skulls herself, but maybe next time, for a devil who's up for a less humiliating beatdown. I feel a soft knuckle on my cheek, and see Hippolyta lightly pushing her fist into my face.

"Once a fool, always a fool, I state. But you trust me as your [QUEEN], therefore I trust you as my [KING]… For the time being, I conclude." She states with no hesitation, and despite the harshness, I know she has my back. It makes me happy, to know my servants trust me that much. Once that was over, she removes her hand from my face to sit straight once more. "Seeing you so confident, this Paimon heiress might be not as strong as master Grayfia hypes her to be, I suppose. Is she really worth the trouble, I wonder?"

"Layxa-chan? Well…"

"On the contrary, my fellow devil servant." A rough, coarse voice echoes into the room, and we all turn our attention to the source of that voice. Lo and behold, the owner of that guttural growling was tied into a hand-truck, straightjacketed and muzzled, his pale complexion almost mixing with the white of his restraints, red eyes in a contemptuous gaze and unruly greying hair falling down on them. Once he gathered our attention, he continues after a quick laugh. "Layxa Paimon, the eldest daughter of the Paimon clan, is one of genius of the current generation. Her intellect is unparalleled for her grades in Lilith academy, and she is a prodigy in both academics and physical condition, as she is the first to fully master her clan's [CHARISMA] inherited skill in more than a millennium. She is a natural born monster as people said, and even compared to you, she is the closest to a future Demon Lord than even Garith over here. She is not someone to be underestimated, for it will only result in an early demise."

"…"

"…"

…

"I'm sorry, who are you?"

"Well, that is just rude…"

"That's Ulysses, Garith." Responded my [QUEEN] with a roll of her eyes, and turning my attention back to the Hannibal Lecter wannabe across the room, he happily singsongs as if she answered correctly. "He was discharged not long ago from the Serafall memorial hospital, however, as lord Ajuka stated, he tried to hack into the Underworld's data from the establishment's computers, and was forced to be restrained into this state for his troubles, I declare. He was brought to the Gremory manor in this manner ever since."

"You don't say." I let out a small chuckle. I'm not being sarcastic here, trying hacking into Lord Ajuka's data and systems is a bold move considering, well, he is a genius and the only thing waiting for the hacker is either a nasty trap or just a broken computer.

"I must say, Ajuka Beelzebub makes just of his title as a demon lord, for hacking into his systems was not easy feat. However, as you can see, a genius like me is clearly a threat to him. Hohohohoh…" The straightjacketed [BISHOP] laughs arrogantly for his own accomplishments, while I can only think Lord Ajuka did what he did so that an annoyance like him wouldn't compromise the hospital's own computers. "And with the data I could collect, I was able to search what kind of person you shall be dealing with, oh cap'n my cap'n. What a pickle you found yourself in, hohohohoh…"

"Says you." I laugh, and despite wearing a muzzle like a psycho, I can see that from laughter, the Hellenistic descendant groans and pouts. He's not the one to call anyone a pickle, when suddenly, I feel warm blood running down my nose, and a headache strikes me once more, forcing me to lay down on the couch I was sitting on and rest a bit, feeling my world become so distant and bright, painful too, specially painful. Rosinante was kind enough to see if I was okay, but once that was cleared, I smiled at her and gave her a thumbs up, only to try to manage the pain here.

"Is that true, I question. Is she really that strong?" Hippolyta asks me, and with an eye peeking between my eyes shielding them from the light above, I take a look at her.

"Layxa Paimon…" I start. "… She is on the same level as me, but unlike me, she's a born genius like Iza-kun or my big brother. She is naturally strong, charismatic, intelligent and athletic without having to work a single day on her life. Truth be told, if she even bothered, she could become an ultimate-class devil even before reaching adulthood, and if I were to guess, as she is now… She is unparalleled to anyone and everything. Moreover, she is the first to master her clan's [CHARISMA] ability since its conception from the first Paimon, combined with other arms she likes to use, and you have someone not even adult devils dare to mess with. My pretty, strong, wise wife-to-be-no-more… Suffice to say, I'm in for a doozy."

"Hm. So she is strong."

"Yes."

Yes indeed. Layxa-chan… Is very strong.

Well, that went well, didn't it?

Couldn't convince the heir of Gremory to become mine, and now we must settle this dispute in a duel to the death. I jest, of course, killing him will make this whole engagement null and I am not too eager to marry a corpse even for the sake of my clan. But then again, a corpse can't say 'no'.

I jest, of course.

"So, you met with that Gremory guy? I heard he's a menace and everybody, but his family hates his guts. Hopefully, he didn't try to attack you, Lexa." I feel a chill down my spine with that voice on my ear, followed by a playful bite on my lobe as artistic, swift hands massage my breasts, tracing circles on my nipples and rubbing her own on my back.

"No worries, Landy. In fact, he was a nice lad. I have an eye for that sort of thing, and I know for a fact that he talks big, but he's otherwise harmless." I joke, looking up to see the blond, tanned beauty who was giving me a special massage after a tiring day, sitting on her lap on the edge of our bed. I am not joking or humouring her doubts, though, I had a good time with Riz-kun, and after we get married, I hope we can have more of those talks. "He still refuses to marry me, though. Couldn't convince him, what a shame."

"Hah! What a loser, to reject you of all people, boss." Landy laughs, pressing a kiss on my exposed neck while her slender hands become more unruly and bold, fondling me while the other reaches lower and lower to touch me so intimately. "But that's a point for me~. That means I can still have you all for me. Your body, mind and soul…"

"Now, now, Landy. Remember that you can't be selfish. I'm woman enough for more than one, you know." I jest, and hearing a pouty sigh, I turn my head to her and cup her face to pull her closer for a deep, wet kiss. As we touch lips, tongue and share saliva, her caressing becomes intense as deepened our link, becoming more and more entranced into each other's flesh. Eventually, we stop for air, and with a nod, I reassure her as best as I can. "And I know that I have more than enough to share among you."

"Lexa…"

"Woof, woof~❤. Lady Layxa, woof, woof~❤."

"Yes, yes. Don't worry, I'll give you a treat too, dear Carin." I singsong, turning to Landy's opposite direction and, with a pull of a leash, my dearest [QUEEN] yelps in total arousal. Squatting in front of me, wearing nothing but a leash around her neck, a tiara with dog ears and a tail plug shoved in her posterior, the knight whom not long ago was stoically guiding me and standing proud in front of our guests now salivates and pants like a real canine, her nether regions leaking nonstop with this whole ordeal. I reach a hand to affectionately pet her on her golden locks, which she graciously took it with another dreamy moan. "Yeah, you like that, don't you? Who's a good doggie? Who's a good doggie? You are, yes you are~!"

"Woof, woof~❤!" The doggie happily barks, her derriere shaking wildly as she tries to make the plugged tail wiggle like a real dog would. Cute, so cute, my cute doggie~! Seeing the eagerness in her eyes, I spread my legs to show my own flower to her, and she turns to it, panting even more. not being enough, Landy use her fingers to reach for its entrance and spread it even further, showcasing its pink bloom. "Woof, woof~❤!"

"You want it? you want this treat? Then be a good doggie and beg!" I command, and without hesitation, the noble knight wastes no time to lower herself on all-fours and down her head in a supplication pose. No words, no mind, only craving and pants of anticipation. A few seconds later, and with a pull on her leash, I let her resume. "Good girl, good girl. You can eat now, come here and enjoy~❤."

"Wan!"

With no hesitation, Carin reached for me and started to lick me down here, all the desperation, all the anticipation came like an explosion as she munched on my femininity like a hungry wolf, burying deep between my legs as holding me by the thighs as if to not let me escape. So sudden, I moan and hold her by the blond hair, wanting to feel every single sensation she could offer me. Of course, not just her, Landy didn't lose momentum to continue to fondle me and pinch my clit to compete some affection points down there. Oh my, oh dear Lilith, those servants of mine are the best~!

Didn't take long for me to reach the perfect climax, reaching for Landy for a deep, muting kiss to share my extasy as I pulled Carin and soaked her on my love fluids, splashing all over her eager face whom drank it all and loving every second of it. Lost between our bodies, where we don't know where it begins and where it ends, I spend another wonderful afternoon with very good company. In this secluded room, protected by a soundproof magical barrier, is where I let my wildest wishes go array and indulge in the pleasures of flesh between my dear servants. And it wasn't over just yet, au contraire, the night is still young, after all.

Even so, even during these moments, remembering Riz-kun, I can't stop being so curious about it…

"A duel, you say? That's so unlike you, Lexa. Why not a [RATING GAME]? You know we can squash whatever that pipsqueak troublemaker throws at us!"

"Didn't I say for you to not be conceited, Landy? He might not look like it for you, but Riz… Garith is stronger than he lets on. Chu~."

"W-Wooooof~, wooooooff~❤…!"

And Carin howls even louder as she's trapped between Landy and I, legs trapped between our tights as we do as we please with her body, sucking on her erect nipples and toying with her own flower. Exposed like that, taking in her natural scent, it was making me horny too, her own love juices flooding my hands and running all over my arm as we discuss the matters at hand detail by detail.

"Is that so? Haaah~❤… Lexa, you always say you have an eye for that, Hyaaah~❤, but knowing that little loser… H-He doesn't seem all that much…"

"If there's an absolute rule in the Underworld is that you don't mess with a Gremory if you value your life. The older brother who's the Lucifer, the prodigy that is sweet Rias. No, even compared to them, he's… Something else."

And I kiss my [BISHOP] and we hug each other tightly. Tired, sweaty, but not out of lust or love, we embrace with me on top of her, squishing and fondling onto each other's bodies, as if we wanted to become a single individual, tasting each other's saliva and exploring every curve, every cranny of our beings, leaving no place untouched.

"The second son of Gremory, my groom… He is the heir of the clan of Gremory, and thanks to his mother, inheritor of the [POWER OF THE DESTRUCTION], from the Great King clan of Bael. Not just that, but while he is not strong as his brother or sister, he is on a level higher compared to other heirs, even me or the third son of Phenex. Not just that, he has Underworld's top swordsman as his blade master, trains physically with his cousin Sairaorg and, as you all might have notice, is sharp as is unpredictable, a wild card, a troublemaker if you will. Whoever faces him is in for a world of pain, and I won't be any different."

"If Lady Layxa says he's something, then it must be true. Woof, woof~❤."

Sitting on her face and burying it into my most intimate parts, I use the leash to pull my [QUEEN] deeper and deeper to lick and play with her favourite treat, while her own flower kisses Landy's, interlocking their crotches and rubbing and stimulating each other. Taking advantage from this position, I lean forward to kiss my [BISHOP] as my [QUEEN] sinks deeper and deeper into me.

"S-So… You're saying that… That Gremory guy… Is strong?"

"Hmmm." And once we were finally done, having reached the perfect climax and exhausted each other to their bodily limits, we embrace and share heat for a while as lovers do before I decide to stand up, cover myself and head towards the bathing rooms for a shower and then a goodnight of sleep. Taking her own time to rest, Landy asks me before I leave, and gathering my thoughts, I smile. "Yes."

Yes indeed. Riz-kun… Is very strong.

"So, what you're wondering, I wonder…"

"Lexa, are you saying…"

"… You might lose?"

"…"

"…"

…

"Nah, I'd win."

And that's another wrap, and oh boy, here is where things start to get better and a lot easier to write.

Hello, DxD, here's Houki Minami with another overdue chapter due to some IRL factions taking place and leaving me a bit too busy for ff, specially now with this whole new policy and problems ff net is going through, making it even harder to write stuff, but here it is, the clash and start of the two people war between the Gremory and Paimon. Again, too hard to write, but I feel like it is starts right here when things become easier to write, fortunately another chapgter soonish.

I'm sorry if I disappointed anyone wanting a Rating Game, but while Riz does not like the idea of repeat story, Layxa chan does not want her pieces to get hurt. So win-win I guess. But I hope you all liked this chapter and wait for the next one, specially when things start getting a lot more in motion, and another spicy moment between Layxa and her girls for a bit of service.

Until next chapter. Greetings from Houki Minami~.