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Grayfia was at a loss for words, but remembering that the other party was likely not a reasonable person, she bit the bullet and continued.
"A few tons is really too much to ask. Even if you sold the entire Phoenix Family, you couldn't produce that much. How about ten bottles?"
Kaito's expression shifted instantly. 'Ten bottles? She's treating me like a beggar.'
He knew they couldn't produce several tons, but the entire Phoenix Family should have had at least a hundred bottles in stock.
A flash of killing intent crossed his eyes.
"You think I'm that easy to deal with? You're trying to fob me off with that little?"
Grayfia noticed the killing intent and quickly explained.
"It's not like that. Phoenix Tears are genuinely rare. Even the Phoenix Family doesn't have many on hand, and much of what exists is already reserved by other families. There really isn't much we can give."
The killing intent gradually faded.
"Thirty bottles. If you won't agree to that, start making funeral arrangements for this turkey."
"...Fine. On behalf of the Phoenix Family, I accept."
Grayfia agreed before he could add anything else.
"Good. Go back and prepare. On the day of the Rating Game, I'll bring this turkey to the Underworld."
Kaito's expression shifted into something more playful.
"You're welcome to try keeping me there afterwards, of course. I just wonder if you'd actually dare."
Grayfia's smile froze.
"Ha. We devils take our contracts very seriously."
"Sure you do. Diablo, show them out."
Diablo approached Grayfia with an elegant smile.
"Miss Maid, this way please."
Grayfia looked at the black-clad man in front of her and felt a genuine chill. Killing her would cost him nothing.
"I'll take my leave then. Lady Rias, the Rating Game begins in three days. Don't be late."
She cast her teleportation spell and got out of there as fast as she could.
Watching Grayfia go, Rias let out a long breath and sank heavily onto the sofa.
Akeno smiled and bowed slightly to Kaito.
"Kaito-sensei, thank you for helping Rias. She's been miserable because of this engagement for so long, it's been hard to watch. And honestly, she's been stopping herself from getting closer to you because she was afraid she'd just end up throwing herself at you!"
"Akeno!" Rias shot to her feet, face burning. "Why would you say that?! Kaito-sensei, don't listen to her. She's completely making things up!"
"Oh?" A voice came from the doorway. "Is that right? In that case, Kaito-sensei, would you like to try going out with me?"
Sona had pushed the door open and was watching Rias with an amused expression.
"Well, well. President Sona. Have you finally decided to drop the subtlety and just go for it?"
Kaito grinned.
"So, will Kaito-sensei give me a chance?"
Sona's cheeks colored, but she held his gaze without flinching.
"Sona, are you being serious right now?"
Kaito let the grin go. Something in her eyes told him she was.
He wasn't the type to take these things lightly. He liked beautiful girls, sure, but he was serious about relationships. He'd only been with three women this entire time, even with Testarossa openly chasing him. He hadn't said yes to her yet simply because he didn't feel they were there yet.
"I'm completely serious. Will you give me that chance?"
Sona pushed her glasses up, unwavering.
"Well..."
Kaito found himself genuinely stuck. A cute girl with glasses sincerely asking to pursue you, any normal man would have a hard time saying no.
He was just about to say they could give it a try when another voice cut in.
"No. I'm against it. If Kaito-sensei is going out with anyone, it should be me!"
Sona turned to Rias, expression perfectly composed.
"Rias, you just said not to take it seriously. So there's nothing wrong with me going after Sensei, is there?"
"That's..."
"Looks like Rias is stuck." Akeno's smile turned mischievous. She turned to Kaito and gave him a slow, deliberate wink. "In that case, Kaito-sensei, what do you think of me? I know quite a few things."
"Ahem, I just remembered I have things to take care of. You all carry on. Rimuru, Sakuya, let's go."
Kaito was out the door before anyone could say another word, Rimuru and Sakuya hurrying after him.
"Kaito-sensei actually ran away." Akeno covered her mouth and laughed. "That doesn't happen often."
"On that note, I'll be going too."
Diablo bowed cheerfully to everyone, grabbed the unconscious Riser with one hand, and disappeared in a burst of black mist.
"Good heavens, do all female devils just go after me? Testarossa I understand, but Rias and the others too!"
Kaito complained the moment they were outside, still looking genuinely rattled.
"Hehe. It's because Master has a charm all his own. People are drawn to it."
"Hmph. Kai-chan just flirts without thinking and then acts surprised when it works. He already belongs to someone, you know."
Kaito looked between the two of them and chose silence. Women were a hindrance to his peaceful, idle existence.
"Oh, right. Diablo."
"Kaito-sama!"
Diablo was at his side in an instant.
"Send someone to the Underworld to watch that turkey family. Once the Rating Game is done, wipe them out. Everyone."
Riser's words about Sakuya weren't something Kaito was going to let go. Offend Kaito and still expect to walk away? Not a chance.
Agreeing to the Rating Game was really just for the entertainment, and to give himself a tidy excuse to move on the Underworld.
He could go whenever he wanted without one, of course. But Kaito, committed HOI4 war criminal that he was, always felt that invading without justification was missing something.
So he'd lay the groundwork first. In short, the Jura-Tempest Federation was building its case for war against the Underworld.