— — — — — —
Kyoto, Underworld Railway Station—
On the platform, Rias Gremory stood waiting for the incoming train alongside her Queen, Akeno Himejima, and her Rook, Koneko Toujou.
Gathered around them were the younger generation of Devils who had already arrived in Kyoto.
Sona Sitri, second daughter of the Sitri clan.
Seekvaira Agares, heiress to the Agreas family.
Riser Phenex and his younger sister Ravel Phenex.
And many others...
All of them stood quietly on the platform, waiting to receive their guest.
"Koneko, still can't get Gasper out?"
Rias looked helplessly at her small white-haired servant.
This gathering of the younger generation was important enough that she'd summoned all her peerage members.
Among them, Gasper was the one specifically requested.
Unfortunately, the shut-in half-vampire was nowhere to be seen.
"Gasper absolutely refused to come out of his cardboard box." Koneko answered calmly. "I could only leave the box at the hotel. I wasn't able to bring him."
"Why didn't you just bring the box?" Rias asked.
"Rias," Akeno immediately shot her a reproachful look. "You can't exactly bring a cardboard box to meet the Governor."
"That's true, but still... of all times."
Rias bit her fingernail, clearly irritated.
At that moment, a somewhat familiar male voice spoke up, "Excuse me, Rias, but how much longer are we supposed to wait?"
Riser Phenex approached with Ravel at his side.
His usual tone sounded lighthearted, but anyone paying attention could hear the tension underneath.
"If that person doesn't arrive soon, the pressure alone is going to squeeze the pee right out of me."
Rias glanced at him, "Riser, honestly, nobody would care if you just left."
"Heh."
Riser ran a hand through his hair.
Was leaving even an option?
The moment he stepped off this platform, his father and grandfather would skin him alive.
"Sure, we've had our disagreements in the past, but our families go way back." He looked at her almost pleadingly. "Give us something about Ryo-sama."
"His personality, habits, likes, dislikes, anything. We are seriously panicking here."
Using their family connections as leverage left Rias unable to dismiss him outright.
"Sorry." She shook her head. "Without permission, I can't reveal even the slightest detail about the Governor."
"Rias, are you still holding a grudge over that matter?" Ravel looked genuinely surprised by her refusal.
"That matter?" Rias glanced at her, her expression softening slightly. "If you're referring to the engagement between Riser and me..."
The moment the word engagement left her mouth, Riser nearly jumped out of his skin.
"Wait!"
He waved both hands frantically, "What engagement? What are you talking about? Our families never had any engagement arrangement whatsoever! Please don't make things up!"
The reaction stunned everyone nearby.
Ravel stared at him.
Even Sona and Seekvaira turned to look.
"Ara~ Ara~" Akeno covered her mouth, unable to hide her amusement. "Your expression and tone are overflowing with terror."
She giggled, "Our King has become a walking superweapon. How frightening~"
Rias's face immediately darkened. She knew that, because of her relationship with Ryo, she'd become something of a taboo topic within the Phenex family. But she hadn't realized it was this bad.
Riser wouldn't even acknowledge their former engagement. Just hearing her mention it had turned his face white.
After a moment, she sighed, "Fine. I won't bring it up again. But please stop asking me for information about Governor Ryo."
"Deal!"
Riser answered immediately.
Without another word, he grabbed Ravel and practically fled to the opposite side of the platform, terrified that Rias might accidentally say the word engagement again.
If Ryo somehow overheard and concluded that Riser intended to compete with him for a woman... Riser was convinced he'd be beaten to death on the spot.
...
"Brother..." Once they were out of earshot, Ravel spoke nervously. "If Rias won't tell us anything, how are we supposed to get closer to Ryo-sama? And what if she says bad things about us in front of him instead?"
"Please stop." Riser wiped sweat from his forehead. "Keep talking and I really am going to pee myself."
His voice was shaking. "Listen carefully. If I end up getting beaten up… or even killed later, don't say anything. Got it?"
"But… aren't you maybe overreacting? How about—" Ravel's expression was clearly frightened as she spoke.
"It's fine." Riser forced a smile.
"I might be worthless, but I can at least serve the family one last time. If that means being sacrificed, so be it. I'm a Phenex. I'll accept whatever fate awaits me."
His tone was serious, though the fear on his face remained obvious.
WOOOOOOO—
The distinctive howl of the Underworld train echoed through the station.
The train was arriving. And the gathered young Devils immediately straightened up. Everyone stood at attention.
The train gradually slowed.
The whistle faded.
Then the doors opened.
Countless eyes turned toward the exit as a black blur suddenly shot out.
It flew straight toward Sona Sitri.
"Sonaaaaaa-chaaaaaan!"
Accompanied by a shrill cry, Sona froze in alarm.
Instinctively, she reached out and caught the surprisingly heavy body.
"Ahh, just as adorable as ever. My precious Sona!"
Serafall buried her face against her younger sister's and rubbed enthusiastically.
"Big Sis!" Sona panicked. "Why are you on this train? Where is Governor Ryo?"
"Because my love for Sona-chan is endless~~!"
Serafall rubbed even harder.
If she didn't take advantage now, Sona would kick her away the moment she recovered.
"Let's ignore that unwanted nonsense for the moment." Sona struggled desperately to pry her sister off. "Where is Governor Ryo?"
The phrase unwanted nonsense instantly dealt critical emotional damage.
Serafall's eyes became watery.
She released Sona and staggered toward the train door before burying her face against Ryo's chest.
"So cruel..." She sniffled. "Sona said my love is unwanted nonsense."
"You just give her too much of it." Ryo patted her back helplessly. "A spoiled kid just needs a good spanking."
Then he looked over the crowd gathered on the platform.
"I see. The younger generation was sent to receive me. Ajuka came up with a pretty good idea."
"..."
"So that's him..." Seekvaira Agreas stared at him, nervous and apprehensive.
Nearby, Riser Phenex had gone completely rigid.
His teeth chattered audibly.
"F-Fallen Angel Governor... new Satan Lucifer... Supreme Leader of the Three Factions... His Majesty Ryo Yagami!"
"Oh?" Hearing someone address him by all his titles along with his name, Ryo turned toward the voice with a curious look.
His gaze landed directly on Riser.
Then he smiled. A perfectly friendly smile.
A smile with all his teeth showing, gleaming softly.
Riser shuddered violently.
He really had pissed himself.
.
.
.