After leaving the hotel, Silas and Akeno took a leisurely walk back to his apartment.
Akeno clung to his arm the entire way, humming happily and occasionally resting her head on his shoulder.
But the moment they turned the corner onto his street, Silas stopped dead in his tracks.
His eyes widened.
"…Huh?"
What used to be a modest two-story apartment building was gone. In its place stood a stunning, elegant triple-story manor, dark crimson and black brickwork mixed with modern glass panels, beautiful arched windows, and a grand entrance with a sweeping staircase leading up to the front door.
The entire property had been expanded, now taking up nearly twice the original space with a small garden and courtyard in front.
Silas stared at it in complete disbelief.
Akeno giggled beside him, clearly not surprised at all.
Rias appeared on the second-floor balcony, leaning gracefully against the railing.
She wore a luxurious, flowing crimson gown that hugged her body perfectly, her long red hair cascading down her shoulders like liquid fire. She looked every bit the noble heiress she was.
"Welcome back," she called down with a sweet smile. Her eyes flicked between Silas and Akeno. "I take it you both had fun?"
Akeno grinned mischievously, pressing herself tighter against Silas's arm.
"We had more than fun~" she replied, voice dripping with satisfaction.
Rias's smile twitched. She turned away sharply, her gown swirling dramatically as she disappeared back inside without another word.
Akeno looked up at Silas, who was still frozen in shock.
"Where did the other tenants go?" he asked, still staring at the manor.
"Who cares?" Akeno laughed, tugging his arm. "Let's go inside."
The moment they stepped through the grand double doors, Silas was hit with another wave of disbelief.
The interior was breathtaking.
High vaulted ceilings with crystal chandeliers, polished dark wood floors, luxurious furniture that looked custom-made, and a massive living room that opened into a modern kitchen.
Sunlight streamed through tall windows, illuminating the elegant yet comfortable design. There was even a spiral staircase leading up to the second and third floors.
'Dating a heiress really has its perks…' Silas thought, slowly looking around in awe.
Rias was waiting for them in the living room, arms crossed under her chest, trying (and failing) to look casual.
"So?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "What do you think?"
Silas walked further in, running his hand along the back of a sleek black leather couch.
"…You really went all out."
Rias's expression softened into a proud smile.
"I told you I'd renovate it. Now it's big enough for all of us." She glanced at Akeno meaningfully. "No more cramped little apartment."
Akeno smiled innocently. "How thoughtful of you, President~"
The air between the two girls crackled with rivalry, but Rias simply walked over to Silas and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her body against him.
"You like it, right?"
Silas looked down at her, then at the luxurious manor around them, and let out a low chuckle.
"Yeah… I like it."
He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
Rias smiled victoriously while shooting Akeno a smug little look over his shoulder.
Akeno just rolled her eyes playfully and wandered further into the house, already claiming a room for herself in her mind.
Silas stood in the middle of his brand-new manor, one arm around Rias, thinking:
'This is going to get very loud… and very crowded.'
He didn't mind one bit.
Silas looked around the luxurious new manor once more before turning to Rias, who was still clinging to his side.
"Where is everyone else?" he asked.
Rias smiled sweetly, running her fingers through his hair.
"Oh, they said they wanted to earn their right to live here," she replied, her tone light but carrying a hint of mischief.
Silas raised an eyebrow.
"Do I have to have sex with them for that to happen?"
Rias simply nodded without hesitation.
Silas let out a long sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Well… I signed up for this," he muttered, half-amused, half-exasperated.
He walked over to the massive couch in the living room and dropped down onto it. Rias followed right after, sitting beside him before gently guiding his head down onto her soft lap.
Her fingers immediately returned to playing with his hair, stroking it soothingly.
"What are your plans?" she asked quietly, genuinely curious.
It was a surprising question. So far, Silas had mostly been going with the flow, letting things happen around him.
"Not sure," he answered honestly, staring up at the elegant ceiling. "I'll just wait for things to get exciting again, I guess. I'm sure another problem is bound to rise soon."
Rias continued running her fingers through his hair.
"And what will you do then?"
Silas's lips curved into a small, dangerous smirk.
"Do what I do best — beat the strongest. That's my goal for now. Fight the strongest being in your universe… even God himself if I have to."
Rias blinked, then let out a soft chuckle.
"Including my brother?"
"Yeah, definitely," he replied without hesitation. His smirk widened. "How else am I going to claim Grayfia as my own?"
Rias laughed, though there was a slightly nervous edge to it.
"With that attitude, I'm starting to think even my own mother isn't safe."
Hearing that, Silas's smirk turned positively devilish as he looked up at her.
"I guess we'll never know~"
Rias stared down at him for a moment, searching his face. She tried to laugh it off, but a small, doubtful voice whispered in the back of her mind.
'Mom's happily married… She won't fall for him, right?'
She quickly shook the thought away and leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead.
"You really are dangerous," she whispered fondly.
Silas simply closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of her thighs beneath his head and her gentle touch in his hair.
The new manor was quiet for now… but both of them knew it wouldn't stay that way for long.
....
Hyoudou Residence
Issei's room was dimly lit by the glow of his computer screen and the colorful flashes from the TV.
Clothes were scattered across the floor, empty snack wrappers lay everywhere, and the faint smell of instant ramen still lingered in the air.
Issei was sitting cross-legged on his bed, controller in hand, intensely focused on his game. Kiba sat on the floor leaning against the bed, quieter than usual.
Kiba's eyes drifted across the room until they landed on a framed photo sitting on Issei's shelf. In the picture, a younger Issei was proudly holding up a plastic toy sword but behind him, displayed on the wall, was a real sword. An old, elegant blade that looked far too sharp and well-crafted to be a simple decoration.
Kiba's golden eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at it.
The image stirred something deep inside him.
'That sword…' he thought, gaze hardening. 'I must have revenge.'
Memories of his past, the Holy Sword Project, the pain, the betrayal, the friends he had lost flashed through his mind. His hand unconsciously tightened into a fist on his knee.
Issei suddenly paused the game and glanced over at him, raising an eyebrow.
"Dude… you've been staring at that picture for like ten minutes straight," Issei said, sighing. "You good?"
Kiba blinked and looked away from the photo, forcing a small, polite smile.
"I'm fine."
Issei stared at him for a second longer, then shook his head and went back to his game.
'This guy really is weird…' Issei thought.
From inside the Boosted Gear, Ddraig's deep voice echoed in Issei's mind with clear amusement.
『I don't think you of all people should be calling anyone weird, Partner.』
Issei's face instantly soured.
'Shut up!'
Kiba raised an eyebrow at Issei's sudden outburst but didn't comment.
He simply leaned his head back against the bed and closed his eyes, the image of that sword still burned into his mind.
'One day… I'll destroy every last Holy Sword,' he thought darkly. 'No matter what it takes.'
The room fell quiet again, only broken by the sounds of explosions and gunfire from Issei's game.
While one boy dreamed of harem conquests and video game victories, the other silently sharpened his resolve for a much darker, bloodier goal.
TO BE CONTINUED