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"Brother."
Rias forced out a smile. Her tone was hesitant, uncertain.
"What were you just talking about with Governor Ryo?"
Her voice sounded strained, like a cat whose fur had bristled after being provoked, ready to pounce at any second. Still, since this was her own brother, she held back her temper. She deliberately addressed Ryo as "Governor," a subtle reminder to Sirzechs of Ryo's identity.
Part of her worried Ryo might be hiding his position as the Fallen Angel Governor, waiting to ambush Sirzechs later.
Governor…
But when Sirzechs heard Rias call Ryo that, his mouth twitched. It only confirmed his suspicion that she had known all along and kept quiet.
Good grief. Such crucial intel, and you didn't report it to the family? I'll definitely tell mother.
Sirzechs complained internally, but on the outside he put on the gentle older-brother act, spreading his arms as if to hug her.
"Rias, did you enjoy your Kyoto sightseeing?"
Rias stepped back without a word, dodging the incoming bear hug. Her expression turned faintly exasperated. "If you'd arrived earlier, I probably would have."
Enjoy Kyoto sightseeing? She's basically been under house arrest.
He said, "It's Rias's honor to stay here?" then abruptly changed the subject. And now he wanted to smooth things over with a smile?
Not a chance.
"?"
Sirzechs, whose hug had been dodged in full view, looked awkward. At the same time, a giant question mark formed in his mind.
What's going on? You hid things from the family and I didn't even call you out, so why are you mad at me?
Still, remembering how terrifying their mother could be when angry, Sirzechs decided not to provoke her further. He apologized first.
"Yes, yes, I came late. Can't be helped, work's been busy."
He chuckled sheepishly, but Rias only stared at him with a flat look. The smile slowly stiffened, then faded altogether. Finally, Sirzechs straightened his expression.
"Rias. What do you think of Kyoto?"
"It's… fine."
She didn't know why he suddenly asked that, but she shot a quick glance at Ryo and gave a vague answer. No way she'd criticize Kyoto in front of the local boss. She wasn't that reckless.
"Want to stay a few more days?"
Sirzechs asked tentatively. When he noticed her expression shifting, he hurried to add, "I've signed a tourism development project with Mr. Yagami on behalf of the Underworld. Spend the next few days touring Kyoto with him. Visit some attractions."
"If possible, invite a few Underworld travel companies over. They can film promotional material and help advertise."
The more Rias listened, the stranger her expression became. Her face even started to pale.
Had her brother lost his mind? Tourism development? Promotional videos?
A Satan of the Underworld cooperating with the Fallen Angel Governor to develop Kyoto in the human world? The whole thing sounded bizarre.
Wait…
Her expression changed again as a possibility flashed through her mind.
Her capture must have already reached the Devil Council. Those old fossils were probably moving behind the scenes, preparing to target the Gremory family.
It was even possible rumors about her capture were already circulating across the Underworld.
She didn't doubt it. Even the human world had entered an information society obsessed with entertainment. The more advanced Underworld would be even worse.
With Ajuka's communication technologies, television and new media had flourished. News could spread across the entire Underworld in half a day.
Her brother's visit, then, was likely to repair the damage to the Gremory family.
And the method was obvious.
Have Underworld media spin the story. Turn "captured by the enemy" into "mutual affection with the enemy leader." The so-called promotional video would publicly confirm their relationship, restoring the family's reputation.
Of course, a marriage between the Fallen Angel Governor and the Gremory heir would never pass the Devil Council.
But times had changed. Younger devils strongly opposed war. The middle generation, including the Four Great Satan, had long advocated ending the three-way conflict, though consensus never came.
If she, Rias, fell in love with the Fallen Angel Governor, the Four Satan could join forces, raise the banner of a three-faction ceasefire, and pressure the Devil Council into yielding.
And in the end, she would become a symbol. A modern devil woman bravely pursuing love despite prejudice.
The thought sent chills down her spine.
Had she just been sold?
By her own brother?
Unable to hold back, she asked again, "Brother… what exactly did you discuss with Governor Ryo?"
Sirzechs's expression changed.
A three-way ceasefire. The suspected revival of the Creator God. Indra invading the system. Fallen angels and devils joining forces to pressure the angels.
None of that could be revealed, not even to Rias, at least not until everything was settled.
But Sirzechs had never lied to his sister. After hesitating, he chose to refuse.
"There are things you're better off not knowing. But I promise, once it's over, if you don't want it, I won't let you come to any harm."
He intended for Rias to serve as a bridge between himself and Ryo, and as a witness to the three-faction talks. It would give her valuable credentials when she inherited the Gremory family.
Of course, there were risks. If negotiations failed and fighting broke out, Rias, at ground zero, could be in danger.
All Sirzechs could offer was his word that she wouldn't be hurt.
"..."
Across from him, Rias's expression changed again.
Wait… what?
Was her brother planning to let her break up with Ryo after using her as a symbol?
If that happened, even with a ceasefire signed, devils and fallen angels might fall out again.
He was... willing to make that sacrifice for her?
Thinking that, Rias suddenly felt maybe accepting her fate wasn't so bad.
As the future head of the Gremory family, she would eventually enter a political marriage anyway. The only difference was the partner.
Ryo or someone else didn't matter much. As long as he wasn't unbearable.
She'd known this since childhood. It was the destiny of noble families.
Compared to marrying some pureblood devil solely for heirs, marrying the Fallen Angel Governor sounded far better.
At least Ryo was infinitely preferable to the Phoenix heir her family had once hinted at, that notorious playboy.
Rias kept piling up reasons, convincing herself. Eventually, she really did.
She lifted the corners of her lips and smiled.
"In that case… I'm willing to accept whatever arrangements you make."
Sirzechs patted her shoulder, visibly relieved.
"You've worked hard."
Her willingness to cooperate without being told the full story showed growth. She was becoming more like their mother, he thought.
Rias's smile deepened slightly. She then turned to Ryo, imitating her mother's elegance.
"Hmm?" Ryo's eyebrow twitched.
He sensed a change in her demeanor, but couldn't figure out why. That smile felt suspicious somehow. Was she plotting something?
While he wondered, Sirzechs turned to him. "Then, during the preparation period, I'll leave my sister in your care, Mr. Yagami."
"No problem."
Ryo stood and extended his hand, "Pleasure working with you."
"Likewise."
Under Rias's composed smile, their hands met across the desk.
.
.
.