Following the fallout of Rias's anger, the party resumed without any further major disruptions.
Issei approached Diodora, leaning in to mutter in a low, chilling voice,
"You got lucky this time. But if you ever show your face in front of me again, you're dead."
His tone was flat, completely devoid of emotion.
Diodora gnashed his teeth in silent frustration.
Ignoring him entirely, Issei returned to Asia's side and quickly cheered her up with a joke. Thanks to his quick thinking, Asia's bright smile returned, and she was able to enjoy the rest of the party with the others.
"Damn it... what's so wrong with being Reincarnated Devils anyway?" Saji muttered, his fist trembling with emotion.
Kiba let out a soft, melodic laugh.
"Saji-kun, you'll get used to it eventually."
"Kiba! Doesn't it piss you off? Being looked down on like that?!"
Kiba simply shrugged, his voice calm and pragmatic. "It's just a fact. We are Reincarnated Devils."
"You—" Saji started to retort, but Kiba cut him off.
"That said," Kiba added, a dark, wicked smirk crossing his handsome face, "I'm fairly certain I wouldn't lose if I had to go up against any of the nobles in this room."
Saji actually shivered, feeling a sudden prickle of Kiba's predatory aura.
"Hahaha! Kiba's right," Issei chimed in, intentionally raising his voice so the surrounding nobles could hear. "We might be Reincarnated Devils, but when it comes to raw combat power, we're leagues above most of the 'blue bloods' here."
Not a single noble dared to speak up.
The young Devils present were well-connected; they knew exactly what had happened during the duel between Issei and Riser Phenex. If Riser could be handled like a child by this man, what hope did they have? They didn't even want to imagine it.
Issei's attention was soon drawn to a petite young Devil with blonde hair tied into twin-drills. He recognized her instantly: Ravel Phenex, Riser's younger sister.
"Red Dragon Emperor, it has been a long time," Ravel greeted him politely, acting as if they were old acquaintances.
"Yeah, it has. How's Riser doing? Is he alright?"
"Well, thanks to the mental breakdown you handed him, my brother refused to leave his room for days."
"Refused? So he's out now?"
"Yes. Lord Tannin eventually forced him out, dragged him to the mountains for training, and returned him to the family once his depression cleared up."
"Hmm..." Issei scanned the room, looking for Riser's silhouette.
"It's no use. Onii-sama isn't here."
"Why? Don't tell me he's scared to see me?"
Ravel paused, then nodded with a soft expression. "Perhaps. But the main reason is that he is currently being trained by Ruval-niisama."
"Ah, the eldest son of the Phenex clan? I heard he's a genius at Rating Games."
"Ufufu, Ruval-niisama is truly magnificent. He is even greater than the Red Dragon Emperor," Ravel declared, puffing out her developing chest with immense pride.
"Ehem... please, stop calling me 'Red Dragon Emperor.' Just Issei is fine."
"Very well, Issei-sama. Perhaps we could have tea together sometime?"
"I won't allow it."
A white silhouette suddenly blurred into motion, standing directly between Issei and Ravel.
Ravel's expression shifted instantly. She snapped her hands to her hips, scolding the newcomer.
"Who are you? Don't interrupt my time with Issei-sama!"
"Hmph! I won't let you. Issei-senpai doesn't have time for the likes of you," Koneko replied, turning her head away with a blatant pout.
"Um, Koneko-chan? Why are you so worked up?" Issei asked.
Koneko's eyes grew misty as she glanced pointedly at the "extra weight" on Ravel's chest. In that split second, Issei understood exactly where her anxiety was coming from.
He sighed, leaned down, and whispered directly into Koneko's ear.
"Koneko is plenty cute at the size she is now. I like it."
The whisper shattered Koneko's defenses. Her heart hammered against her ribs, and her face turned tomato-red. Her cat ears and tail twitched uncontrollably—a dead giveaway of her sudden joy.
Ravel pouted, looking jealous of their intimacy. Before things could escalate into a full-blown argument, Issei mediated the situation by promising to attend Ravel's tea party eventually.
Ravel left looking satisfied, while Koneko remained, her cheeks puffed out like round meat buns.
Issei reached out, pinched her cheeks playfully for a moment, and smiled.
"Don't worry. You are forever irreplaceable in my heart, Koneko."
Koneko's face turned bright crimson again, caught between embarrassment and overwhelming happiness.
"Senpai..." she whispered, burying her face in his chest as she cried tears of relief.
Issei gently stroked her head, letting her relax until the tears subsided.
This small, tender moment marked the end of the gathering. As the party concluded, the young Devils began their journeys back to their respective homes.
To be continued...
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