Chapter 7: An explanation and a chance
If there was one word to describe the word on Issei's face, it would be bewilderment. He was so stunned his mouth became dry, and any words that would have come out of his mouth got caught in his throat.
"Issei, please hurry. I need you to take me now!" Rias then unzipped her skirt and let it fall into the bed, exposing her white panties; then tried to unbutton her shirt, but Issei grabbed her hands after she undid the first two buttons.
"Buchou, what's going on? And would you please stop taking off your clothes," Issei said after his voice.
"What's wrong? Am I not good enough?" She looked frustrated and tried to pull her hands away to resume removing her clothes.
"Rias, you mean the world to me! But this is not you." Issei retorted, then added. "While I would do anything for you. This is not something you really want. I can tell you're hurting, so please tell me what is wrong. So I can help you."
She stopped fighting him and looked into his eyes momentarily before bursting into tears and wrapping her arms around his neck. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Issei!" She continued crying into his shoulder, getting tear stains on his shirt. "I was just desperate."
He gently rubbed her head, trying to comfort her. Something was definitely wrong if it affected Rias this much to try to sleep with him. Pulling back, he used his thumbs to wipe away her tears, "it's not good to see someone as beautiful as you cry." He got off the bed and handed her skirt to her. "Let's go downstairs to the living room and talk," extending his hand to her, which she accepted after buttoning up her shirt and putting her skirt back on.
Issei led her out of the room and into the living room, where he asked her to sit on the couch while he went to make some green tea for the both of them. A few minutes later, he returned with two cups of tea, handed one over, and took a seat next to her. Rias looked ashamed at what she tried to do; after drinking some of her tea, they sat in silence. He could not tell what was bothering her but figured he might as well try. Putting his cup down on the table, he placed a hand on top of hers and gave a comforting smile to let her know he was there for her.
"Thank you, Issei," taking another sip of her tea, she put it on the table beside his. "Again, for what I tried to have you do. But at the time, I figured that if I was no longer a virgin, he wouldn't want me anymore."
"Why don't you start from the beginning? Because I have zero clue as to what is going on."
Then taking a deep breath, she began. "As you already know, the Devil community suffered greatly from what happened during the war with the Angels and Fallen Angels. Along with the four Maous who died, many of the high-level Devils died, and many belonged to the 72 pillars. In the end, 34 survived, yet the number of pureblood Devils and our low birth rates made it difficult for us to increase our numbers. So we were forced to rely on humans to survive by forming a contract or reincarnating them in Devils." Issei already knew this information from his mom when he was younger.
"Several of the remaining Higher Class Devils disagreed with the idea of using humans to ensure our survival and have them marry into the pureblood families. Though they had little choice but to accept this fact, to a certain extent, there remained the problem of trying to preserve the remaining pureblood lines of the Devil Houses. As a result, to keep as many of the old families as pure as possible, they decided that the remaining Houses should form alliances like marriage contracts."
"So let me guess. Because of your status as the next Head of the Gremory House, you're being forced to marry someone you don't want. But when did this happen? When we were kids, you weren't engaged to anyone. What changed?"
"A couple of years after you left, the Devil Council had a meeting to decide the current situation regarding the number of Devils around. Unfortunately, it was a scandal because they were desperate to have many pureblood Devils born into the world. As such, the idea of marriage contracts became more popular, and that was when multiple families started negotiating. Families like the Gremory House must do what it takes to ensure our kind's continuation, so my father signed a contract with another House."
For an odd reason, Issei felt like he had an idea of who she was being forced to marry or what House the person came from, but he hoped he was wrong. "You disagree with being a Gremory that much?"
"Never," she defended. "I love being a Gremory more than anything, but everywhere I go, that's all people see me as. . . The Heiress to Gremory House. They refuse to see me as anything else," the sadness in her voice was only matched, if not surpassed, the one on her face. "And he is no different."
"You hate him that much?"
"He is as vulgar as he is an arrogant pig," her sad demeanor did a one-eighty, and became angry. "The only thing he sees me as is an object for sexual pleasure and to make himself look better. He doesn't view me as a person, only as a prize to be shown around in public."
"I know I'm going to regret asking this as I have an idea of who your parents signed you up to marry. I only hope I'm wrong," his expression darkened as he had an idea who it was she had to marry and who that phoenix he saw hiding in the tress belonged to. "But does he have a phoenix as a familiar and refer to himself in the third person?"
She slowly nodded in confirmation, "he's the third son of the House of Phenex."
Issei's eyes widened considerably as the fire burned in his brown eyes. "Motherfucker! Out of all the Devil heirs, your parents sign you up to marry that guy! That arrogant, egotistical fried chicken?!" The anger in his voice spoke volumes and showed he knew who the person was.
Rias' eyes widened in surprise. "Wait. How do you know—"
She didn't get to finish as a white magic circle appeared before them. "Lady Rias." Grafia appeared in the room. "Do you really believe that doing something like this would break your engagement? If it was discovered that you gave your body to someone below your station, then both Lord Gremory and Sirzechs-sama would be saddened. At the very least, you should not be giving yourself to an unworthy, low-class Devil," she admonished.
Rias then stood up and stared angrily at her brother's Queen. "Do not call my cute servant unworthy or low. He is a better person than what my parents and onii-sama have chosen for me."
"Dang, Grayfia-san, I'm a little insulted that you think so low of me," Issei replied.
Grayfia blinked for a moment when she saw that it was Issei she had insulted. "My apologies for my rude behavior Issei. I was only looking after Rias," she bowed at him.
"No harm done," waving it off and stood up. "Grayfia-san, I promise you we didn't do anything. Even when Buchou demanded that I take her and my dragon side and hormones roared for me to take her then and there, I resisted out of respect for her and could tell she was scared and desperate," explaining what happened in his room. Then added, "we then came down here where she informed me about her engagement to the third son of the House of Phenex."
"Well, I appreciate you showing some restraint on that matter," she gave him a grateful nod, then turned to the angry crimson-haired girl beside him. "Anyhow, you should at least be more careful, my lady. Remember, you are the next head of the Gremory House, so please don't recklessly show skin to people of the opposite sex. Aside from Issei-san, whom you've been associated with since you were a child, is still a man."
'Cannot even argue with that,' the boy thought. He then replied, "pushing that aside, you cannot say you agree with her marrying that fried chicken, Riser. Come on, Grayfia-san, you know as well as I that he will turn her into a sex object and has no feelings for her."
"My opinion on the matter is irrelevant. Sirzechs-sama and Lord and Lady Gremory were the ones who made this decision." Even though she may have said that, her eyes said something different, like she agreed with him and was against the idea of Rias marrying Riser. Then turning her gaze away, "come, my lady, we should return to Gremory Estate."
"Grayfia, did you come here of your own free will? Did my parents tell you to bring me back? Or was it by Onii-sama's orders?" Rias asked.
"Yes. All the above," she easily replied.
Rias then said, "Grayfia, let's return to the Estate for the day, and tomorrow have a meeting in the club room. Would it be possible for me to have Akeno present at the meeting?"
"I have no objections to that. A King should always have their Queen present during meetings like this," Grayfia answered.
Before Rias could leave with her, Issei spoke. "Wait, Grayfia-san. Before the two of you leave. May I have two more minutes with Buchou? Please?"
Thinking for a minute, she replied, "very well. Just make it quick."
Issei's eyes met Rias's, "Buchou, I promise you that I will do everything in my power to get you out of your engagement to Riser. You have my word on that!"
"Thank you, my Issei," she warmly embraced him, eliciting a small smile from Grayfia. "Please bring Asia-san to the clubroom after completing your duties tomorrow morning." She kissed him on the cheek before leaving through the teleportation circle with Grayfia.
Plopping back down on the couch, Issei sighed, thinking about what he had just learned and silently cursing Sirzechs. Why would he put his own sister into a marriage contract with someone she clearly hates? This was not something he'd not normally do, or allow to happen, given how much he loves his onee-chan. As much as he wanted to head to the Gremory mansion and demand answers from Sirzechs and Lord Gremory, it would not do much good and might cause additional problems. Bearing that thought in mind, he needed to protect Rias. What a hell of a problem.
(0^0)
The next day Issei and Asia walked to school after completing their morning duties. Despite having a motorcycle, Issei felt it would be a good idea for them to walk. This would give him a chance to think. He understood why the higher-ups were desperate to preserve the pureblood lines and increase the Devil population, but that didn't make it right. More importantly, the old codgers have failed to realize that there are other ways to ensure their people's survival without forcing the children to take on such responsibilities. Because so many useless adults are stuck in their old ways, the children have to take up the mantle and clean up their mistakes. Entirely unfair.
"Um, Issei," Asia said, breaking him out of his thoughts. "You're making a scary face. Is everything okay?"
"Just thinking," waving off her concern. "I got a lot on my mind, is all."
"Are you sure? Because you—"
"Hey, Kiba. How's it going?" Issei cut her off when they ran into the Knight at the front of the school's entrance.
"Morning, Issei-kun, Asia-san. And yes, everything is all right. Well, for the most part, anyway," Kiba responded. "According to the email I received this morning from Buchou, there's to be an important meeting in the club room."
"Hardly a surprise after what she and I discussed last night when she came to my house," Issei said with a slight edge laced in his voice. "This meeting is not something either of us should miss."
"You make a point," Kiba agreed. "Initially, I thought her worries were attributed to the House of Gremory drama. But now I'm sure something is up," he surmised upon hearing the edge in his friend's voice.
"Do you guys think, Akeno-san knows?" Asked Asia.
Kiba replied, "she is her right-hand lady. So, it's highly likely she does know what's going on."
The three walked into the club room to see that the others and Grayfia were already present. Grayfia and Akeno were standing near an agitated Rias, who was sitting behind her desk.
"Well, everyone's here. . ." she stood up with an angry scowl on her face. "Good. . ." her tone indicated that she was not in a mood to be messed with at the minute.
"My lady, may I have your permission to deliver the announcement?" Grayfia asked though Rias held up a hand to stop her.
"If it's all the same. I'll tell them my—"
She was cut off when a big magic circle appeared by the door. Unlike the red one used by Rias and the members of her Peerage; this one was fiery orange. Issei and Rias angrily glared at the familiar symbol in the circle's center. Large flames erupted from the magic circle, and the room's temperature spiked.
"Tch," clicking his tongue. "The Phenex crest. Fool always has to be dramatic."
Standing at the center of the flames was a silhouette of a man. The flames disappear as he swings his arm to the side.
"Ah, and Riser has arrived in the human world, human's world." The man who appeared in the room looked like he was in his early twenties and had short blond hair and dark blue, wearing a burgundy suit and matching pants. Underneath his suit was a not fully buttoned white shirt that exposed the top part of his chest. However, he had an arrogant vibe to him.
The guy turned around the room and smirked when his eyes fell on Rias. "My lovely Rias. I've come for you."
Then when he turned his head and saw a familiar brunette, his arrogant smile quickly became one of anger, and he cringed. "You!" He stared loathingly at Issei. "What are you doing here, Hyoudou?"
"Glad to see the fried chicken remembers me," Issei glared back. "How long has it been since I kicked your fuckin' ass?"
"You dare insult the mighty Riser Phenex!" The temperature in the room spiked again, only this time it became more heated. "And you got lucky last time because I made mistakes. Riser promises that he is a lot stronger than before and promises that the next time we battle, only one of us will survive."
"Would you stop referring to yourself in the third person? It's annoying. Then again, it seems like your arrogance has increased along with your ego," Issei bit back. "But how's this? Me and you, one-on-one. Dragon vs. Phoenix. I will show you that a Dragon is superior!"
"Bring it, Hyoudou," a large ball of fire appeared in his hands as Issei's Boosted Gear materialized.
Grayfia quickly intervened, "the both of you stand down!" She ordered.
The two could tell she meant it and were not willing to test her. They quickly pulled back and stared at each other with intense fire in their eyes.
"Dragon trash."
"Overcooked chicken."
Ending the stare-down, Riser smirked again when his eyes settled on Rias.
"I've come all this way to see you. . . My beloved Rias!"
"I-Issei-san, who is this, and how do you know him?" A nervous and slightly scared Asia asked.
"Long story," was all Issei said.
Asia then looked at Rias. "Buchou, who are these people?" She asked.
Grayfia quickly answered Asia's question. "I'm sorry. My name is Grayfia Lucifuge. I am the maid of the House of the Gremory. This gentleman here is the third son of the House of Phenex. Riser Phoenix-sama. He is Lady Rias's. . ." Grayfia was then interrupted by Riser.
"Rias is my fiancé." Riser continued to smirk as he approached her. "Now then, Rias. Let's go and take a look at the ceremony hall. Since the date of ceremony has been decided, we need to go and check them." He grabbed onto Rias's hand and started pulling her.
"Let go of me, Riser," Rias jerked her hand back.
"That is not how you treat a lady like Buchou," Issei added. "Then again, you wouldn't know about that being the pig that you."
"Low-class scum like you should learn your place and then to get involved in situations with your betters," Riser sneered. "Rias is my fiancé and will later become my wife, whom I will be able to do what I please with."
"If you really believe that, then your more of an idiot than I give you credit for," Issei said.
"Testosterone in the room are rising," Koneko said from her seat on the couch. She then got up and went to stand behind the sofa with the others as Rias and Riser sat on the couch opposite of them.
Akeno, who had an expressionless mask, served the two something to drink. "Lovely. . .the tea made by my Rias's Queen is quite delicious." Riser praised Akeno's tea.
"Thank you very much." Even though Akeno smiled at the compliment, her voice eyes and voice showed nothing but coldness.
Growing agitated by how Riser fiddled with her hair Rias finally snapped and declared. "Stop it already, Riser! I told you before, and I'll say it again, I will not marry you!" She stood up from her seat and shouted.
"I heard that before. But Rias, that won't do, you know? I think the situation of your household is quite serious." The smirk on Riser's face grew.
Rias then fiercely retorted. "That is none of your business! If I'm the next heiress of the House of Gremory, then I will choose my own husband. My father, brother, and everyone in my clan are rushing it! Also, it was a promise that I would be free until I graduate from university in the human world!"
Either Riser did not hear her or pretended not to as he continued with a smug expression. The newly produced Devils—The ones like your servants, the reincarnated Devils, are expanding in terms of strength, but that would make us, the High-class Devils with old history background, lose our place. There are old nobles who get close to the reincarnated Devils because they are very powerful. Well, that might be alright. The newly produced Devils are also important for our future. But we can't allow the pure-blood Devils to go extinct right? You and I were chosen to prevent the pure-bloods from going extinct. My House is safe because I have my older brothers. But there are only two siblings in your House. And your brother is someone who left the House. Then there would only be you, Rias, who can inherit the House of Gremory. If you don't take a husband, the House of Gremory will go extinct in your generation. Are you trying to crush the household that has been continuing for a very long time? Because of the past war, there is not even half the number of Devils who were referred to as '72 pillars'. This marriage has the future of the Devils on the line."
"I will not crush my house! And I am willing to take a husband!" Rias firmly declared.
"Ah, as I have expected from Rias! Then let's go get mar—" Riser smiled after finishing his tea.
Rias cut him off before he could finish his sentence. "But I will never marry you, Riser! I will marry someone I acknowledge. Even Devils from the old noble house have the right to choose!" Stealing a glance at Issei, silently hoping he would intervene soon because, on the inside, she was scared.
Riser, who had grown tired of hearing her rejection, now had an unpleasant expression as he stood up and used his fingers to point her chin, so he could look her dead in the eyes.
". . .You know what, Rias. I, too, am a Devil who carries the name of the House of Phoenix behind me. I can't have that name get tarnished. I don't even want to come to this tiny old building in the human world! I am the proud Phenex who resembles and rules fire and wind! However, fire and wind in this world is filthy! For me, someone in a High-class to visit this disgusting place. I can't stand it! Besmirching our good name is unacceptable!" Hardening his gaze.
Flames.
Riser was surrounded by the flames. There was killing intent and hostility emanating from Riser, and everyone in the room, save for Issei and Grayfia, took a fighting stance. Asia was holding onto the former's arm and hiding behind him.
"Rias, I will take you back to the Underworld, even if I have to burn all your servants!"
"Don't you ever threaten my servants!" Rias began channeling her own demonic power.
Before another word could be said, a red gauntlet appeared next to Riser's face. The two High-class Devils turned their attention to Issei, who had heard enough and was only seconds away from launching an attack. He then wrapped his hand around Rias' waist and held her protectively close. "I will tell you this only once. So listen up, birdbrain. If you try to harm Buchou or any of my friends, I will ensure you experience what true gates of hell have to offer. The likes of which that will leave Hades himself at a loss of words!"
Rias had forgotten her anger at Riser as she was consumed by the warmth of Issei's body.
Both Riser and Issei started increasing their powers. Riser's fire started to cover his body, going around his back and forming wings of fire. He then raises his right hand up while the fire starts to accumulate and coat on his hand. He then brought his hand aiming at Issei. Meanwhile, the brunette was being surrounded by red-orange flames, and his Boosted Gear started beeping rapidly.
A fight would have broken out then had Grayfia not stepped in. "Issei-san, Riser-sama. Please calm down," Grayfia ordered in a calm yet cold and dangerous voice. "If either of you do something rash, then I will not be able to sit idly by any longer." Her stoic demeanor then changed into a dark and serious one. "I will definitely not hold back for Sirzechs-sama's honor."
"By your wish, Grayfia-san," Issei began to lower his Boosted Gear and stop his aura from expanding outward.
". . .To be told that by the 'Strongest Queen,' even Riser would be scared. . . I definitely wouldn't want to fight the people from Sirzechs-sama's Peerage. They are known for being absolute monsters." Riser's flames diminished.
"My Master anticipated that a conflict of sorts would arise. As such, he had a last resort implemented into the agreement made by both Houses," Grayfia said.
"So, there is a way for Buchou's engagement to be annulled. Would you care to elaborate on what it is?" Issei requested. He then leaned into Rias' ear. "This might be your chance," he whispered.
"If Lady Rias is insistent about annulling her engagement to Riser-sama, then the two will have the opportunity to settle their dispute through a Rating Game."
"Let me see if I got this straight here," Issei perked up, removing his hand from Rias. "If Buchou wins, then she goes free, right?"
"Yes, if Lady Rias is the victor, then she will be able to do whatever she wishes," Grayfia confirmed.
"Then I accept," came Rias. "Me and my servant will win," she stood next to Issei, holding his hand.
"Very well," Grayfia nodded. "Just as you know, only mature Devils can participate in official Rating Games. But if it's an unofficial match between pure-blood Devils, even immature Devils can participate." She then turned to Riser. "And you, Riser-sama? What do you say to this?"
"Hee, if Rias is accepting it, I don't mind. Since I'm already a mature Devil and have already participated in a handful of official games. I have already won. . . and have secured victories for myself. Unfortunately, my inexperienced bride has never even participated in an official game. You have no chance of victory," Riser arrogantly stated.
"Very well, then," Grayfia acknowledged. "I shall inform the two households."
"Oh, and Rias. Are all the people in this room a part of your Peerage? They're all you have?" Riser asked, surveying the group.
"And what if they are? What's wrong with that?" Rias sharply retorted.
Riser then released a booming laugh filled with superiority. "Then this match will be a laugh. "You only have four servants. Only your Queen, the Priestess of Thunder, and your Pawn, this disgusting Dragon half-breed filth, have a chance of competing against my servants."
He then snapped his fingers, and the same magic circle Riser used to arrive appeared in the room. In a burst of flames, fifteen beautiful young women appeared in the room.
"Riser has fifteen pieces. . . In other words, I have a complete set," Riser proudly boasted. Rias quickly lost her confidence at seeing how many pieces he had at his disposal. He had a big advantage against her, seeing as she only had five people in her corner. "What's the matter? Did you lose your confidence?" Riser mocked, then walked over to the most mature person in his Peerage.
A beautiful busty woman with long wavy purple hair. Her attire is a navy blue tunic top with gold accents, a pale blue skirt with open sides, black shoes, and over-matching thigh-high stockings with garter belts. The top reveals much of her cleavage and is held with a gold choker with blue and red jewels. Over this, she wears a white overcoat with black and gold accents and matching pauldrons. The voluptuous woman's accessories consisted of a black headband with a red-orange jewel over her forehead to keep her long hair in place, and she possess a staff-like scepter. She wore purple lipstick and nail polish for cosmetics, matching her eyes and hair. He then pulled her into a deep kiss and started groping her chest in front of everyone.
'Seriously, the guy is engaged and is doing something like that in front of his fiancé? Just how much of an ass has he become? No damn respect,' Issei thought as he watched Riser separate from what he assumed was his Queen, given the amount of power he was sensing from her. Definitely, a magic user if anything.
Issei then looked at his Pawns, Knights, Rooks, and Bishops, but his eyes widened when they settled on someone he hadn't seen for some time. Similar to Riser, she had deep blue eyes and blond hair. Her long blond hair was tied into twin tails with large, drill-like curls and blue ribbons keeping them in place. The girl's attire consisted of a light purple dress with dark purple accents and a blue bow at the front. At the back, three feather-like extensions mimicking a bird's tail protruding from the dress. In short, she looked like a little princess. She definitely had air around her.
"Ravel? Is that you?" Issei found it hard to believe that she was a member of her brother's Peerage.
Ravel's blue eyes twinkled as a big smile crossed her face, and she approached the older boy. "Issei-sama! It's been a while. You've certainly changed from the last time I saw you. You're much taller now." She looked him over.
Issei sighed, as some habits will never die. "How many times do I have to tell you that you don't need to be so formal with me? Either Issei or Ise will be fine."
"I can't do that," she denied. "A person of your caliber deserves to be treated with respect."
He would have retorted that statement but brushed it aside. "Anyway, forgive me for saying this, but your brother here," gesturing to an angry Riser. "Needs to get a refresher course of reality. Truthfully, I find it hard to believe that you are a member of his Peerage."
"Get away from him, Ravel," Riser ordered. "That filthy peasant is not worthy to be speaking to a member of the House of Phenex." He then turned his eyes to Issei. "As for you hybrid trash, you think having my sister in my Peerage is bad? You're just jealous of Riser. She's in my Peerage because she needed something to do. You had best remember your place, or Riser will turn you into a steaming pile of ash."
An embarrassed Ravel turned to her brother. "Onii-sama, would you stop embarrassing me? Also, do you not know who this is?" Ravel's face was red as she narrowed her eyes. "This is the Red Dragon Emperor. Many of the other High-Ranking Devil families have been trying to recruit him. Even mother expressed an interest in his abilities."
She then turned back to Issei. "Please forgive my onii-sama. He can be a handful and a real pain every now and then," offering him a quick bow. "Still, I'm surprised to see that you are a member of Rias-sama's household. What I can't understand is why?" Looking at him with a curious look. "You've had offers before. Had my mother not already used all her Pawn pieces, I would have asked her to make you a part of her household."
Rias instantly became worried as she clung tightened her grip around Issei's hand. Was it true? Did Issei really receive requests to join other households before joining her? Would he leave her for someone else?
Feeling her grip on his hand, Issei cast a quick glance at Rias before responding to Ravel's question. "I am a part of Rias Gremory's peerage for a multitude of reasons," he said. "One: this is where I belong, as I have grown to care for the people in this room. Two: She is very special to me, and I will die before I leave her," he said in a firm voice that made everyone in the Gremory household smile. Rias felt her heart soar as Issei just declared she was important to him, and he would never leave her.
Ravel gave him a sad smile, "well, I am disappointed. I do understand. Your loyalty toward your Master is admirable, and the Gremories are well-known for treating their servants like family."
"Now, I have a question for you," he looked pointedly at her. "And only you can answer this. How do you and Lady Phenex feel about Buchou marrying your brother?"
"This is for the good of all Devil—"
"That is not what I mean," he interrupted her. "I am not asking you as a daughter of the House of Phenex. But as a person who has their own opinion."
Ravel became silent as it was rare for someone to ask her what she thought about things as important as this. After a minute, she released a breath, "honestly, I am not a big fan of it. Neither was my mother," she admitted. "Mother was furious when she found out what Father and Lord Gremory were talking about the engagement and banished him to the living room couch. For the next two weeks, he would wake up feeling stiff and had to cater to her desires."
Issei chuckled. "Guess it's true what they say then. The man may be in charge of the house, but the woman is in charge of the bedroom." The members of the Gremory household laughed while Grayfia looked momentarily amused before schooling her features. "Lady Phenex is a very sensible woman. I'd listen to her more often if I were you."
"I will tell her you said that," she turned to leave and walked back to the others, but Issei stopped her.
"Also, please send Lady Phenex my best and tell her I miss our tea time sessions."
Before Ravel could respond, Riser snapped. "That's it! Mira, do it!"
"Yes, Riser-sama," the short blue-haired girl who wore a white haori with a red obi, which is worn under a red Happi coat. She wears bandages on her forearms and shins and wears black guards over her hands. For footwear, she wears a pair of zōri. Took out her Bo staff and raced toward Issei to thrust it into his stomach.
However, the girl greatly underestimated Issei. To him, she was far too slow as he caught her Bo staff in his left hand and punched through it with his right. As the girl looked surprised, Issei quickly knocked the wind out of her with a hard punch to the stomach, then materialized his tail and tightly wrapped it around her. Bringing the girl to his face, "you should know better than to pick a fight with a dragon."
He then slammed her multiple times on the ground before crashing her into the coffee table. "Issei!" Rias scolded.
"I'll buy you a new one," he replied before returning to the girl still in his grasp. He squeezed his tail tighter around her, making it hard for her to breathe. "Let this serve as a warning to you, child! The next time you decide to attack me, you best be ready to deal with the consequences, as next time, I will not be so lenient." The dark look he was giving terrified her, and she fearfully nodded her head. Issei then threw her into Rias' desk, destroying it.
Rias gave him a stern glare. "A new desk as well."
"Please and thank you," a small smile appeared on her lips.
Then turning to Grayfia, who had an even sterner look on her face. "Don't give me that. She attacked me."
"Valid point," she reluctantly replied before addressing Riser and the rest of his Peerage. "If there is another unprovoked attack, then I will intervene. Am I understood?"
All of the girls nodded their heads as two of them went to go help their comrade. Riser, who wanted to attack Issei, backed off. "Mira is the weakest member of my household, so don't think that just because you defeated her, you'll beat anyone else." An idea then popped into his head as he arrogantly smiled. "Consider this an early wedding present, my beloved Rias. You may have ten days to train for the upcoming match. That should be long enough for you to say goodbye because once you lose, they will be long to Riser. Your precious Pawn will not survive to see you in your wedding dress."
Riser and his Peerage left the club room through a magic circle. Just when Grayfia was about to leave as well, Issei spoke. "Grayfia-san." She turned around. "I like you to give Sirzechs-sama a message for me. Tell him that I wish to speak with him before the Rating Game. This is a Code Omega situation."
"I will inform him," with a white magic circle, she exited the room.
Rias then grabbed Issei's collar and pulled him down. "You scared me to death. Do you understand the situation we're in? We have only ten days to train before the Rating Game, and I only have the four pieces while he has a complete set." Her eyes then started to fill with tears. "We are at a huge disadvantage. If he wins, he'll kill you and take everyone away." She pounded her fists into his chest and cried into his shirt.
Issei quickly glanced at the others and could see the looks of worry on their faces. He then looked back at Rias. "Buchou, look at me," lifting her head up, he could see tears coming out of her eyes. "I am not going anywhere, and neither is anyone else here. I promised to stay by your side, and I intend to do just that. If the arrogant fried chicken wishes to take you and the others, then he'll have to do it over my dead body."
"But how can we win? You saw the number of pieces he has, and I never entered a Rating Game before," she said. "It's hopeless. We're doomed."
"Like hell we are!" Issei vehemently declared. "If the goal is to defeat him, then we will defeat him."
"Issei-kun is right," Kiba stepped in with determination. "Buchou, as your loyal Knight, I will fight for you until I can no longer raise my sword," he declared.
"The same with me," Akeno came forward. "You are not alone in this."
"They will fall before our might," Koneko cracked her knuckles.
"I will do everything I can to help," Asia added.
Issei then turned back to Rias. "We're all with you!"
Drying her eyes, "thank you, everyone. Yes, we shall win!" She then turned her head, "but Issei, please tell me. Do we actually have a fighting chance?"
"We do," he unwaveringly declared. "The fool gave us ten days. So we use that time to prepare. Is there anywhere we can train away from prying eyes?"
"The Gremory's have a villa on top of a mountain outside of Kuoh."
"All right, that's a start," nodding his head. "Everyone grab whatever you need from home and meet at the base of the mountain in an hour. We have a match to win!"
A/N: Issei stopped Rias from doing something she might have been a mistake. After the two went downstairs, she explained her situation regarding her arranged marriage to Riser Phenex. It was quite clear that she didn't want to marry him and was desperate to find a way out. Desperation can make a person do crazy and risky things. Luckily, Issei stopped her, and she was able to elaborate on the situation she was in. Otherwise, there would have been a real problem.
Riser makes his first appearance and can be seen as an arrogant and egotistical bastard who has shown to be an overprivileged brat. It shouldn't come as a surprise that Issei and Riser would know each other, given the former's line of work, but at least he is on friendly terms with Ravel and Lady Phoenix. In addition, it should be expected that Issei would be headhunted for the prospect of joining other Peerages. Being that he works for Sirzechs, it should not come as a shock that he wouldn't speak highly of him.
Rias now has the opportunity to annul her marriage to Riser by winning a Rating Game, though her chances are slim as she has no experience and only has four people in her corner, so she has a right to be concerned. However, with Issei on her team, her odds of coming out on top have improved her chances. Yet will it be enough to allow her a victory? Also, what do you think Issei has up his sleeve when he meets with Sirzechs when he goes to speak with him?
Next Chapter: Training begins, and the proposals