Chapter 7: Rising Empire
The victory hall buzzed with a mixture of astonishment and calculated whispers. High-class devils from various noble houses watched as the Gremory peerage stood victorious in the center of the grand chamber. The artificial battlefield had dissolved, returning everyone to the neutral observation arena where Sirzechs Lucifer and other influential figures had observed the Rating Game.
Rias Gremory stood proudly at the Emperor's side, her hand resting openly on his arm — a clear public declaration that needed no words. The peerage formed a unified front behind them: Akeno with a satisfied, teasing smile; Kiba sheathing his swords with quiet respect; Koneko standing tall despite her petite frame; and Asia beaming with relief, her Twilight Healing still faintly glowing from the final heals.
Sirzechs Lucifer rose from his seat, his crimson hair and powerful aura commanding immediate attention. The Maou's expression held genuine intrigue rather than mere politeness. "A remarkable performance, Rias. And you, Issei Hyoudou… your tactics, your growth in such a short time, and the way you dismantled Riser's coordination were nothing short of exceptional. It appears the Gremory peerage has found a formidable guiding force."
The Emperor bowed his head slightly — respectful but not submissive. "Thank you, Lord Lucifer. I simply ensured that what belongs to us remains ours. Rias will not be used as a political tool."
Rias nodded firmly. "My decision is final, brother. The engagement is over. Issei has proven himself worthy of standing beside me — and leading when necessary."
Sirzechs studied the Emperor for a long moment, as if trying to pierce through the unusual aura surrounding him. "You speak with the confidence of someone who sees far more than a newly reincarnated devil should. The Phenex clan will not be pleased, but the result of the Rating Game is binding under our laws. I will handle the formalities with Lord Phenex."
In the background, Riser Phenex sat slumped in a recovery chair, his flamboyant attire scorched and his usual arrogance replaced by humiliated silence. His peerage members stood around him, some avoiding eye contact. Yubelluna's gaze occasionally drifted toward the Emperor with a mix of wariness and reluctant respect. Ravel Phenex, the blonde-haired Bishop with elegant features and sharp intelligence, watched the scene with wide eyes. Her usual tsundere composure had cracked during the match; the way the Emperor had strategically severed her brother's advantages left a deep impression.
The system chimed softly in the Emperor's mind:
**[Public Reputation Increased: "The Fate Thief" title emerging among devil nobility.]**
**[Fate Theft Passive Effect on Witnesses: 12% overall curiosity toward your path.]**
Riser finally stood, supported by Isabella. He glared at the Emperor, flames weakly flickering at his fingertips before dying out. "This isn't over, you thief. You stole my victory… my fiancée…"
The Emperor met his gaze coldly. "I didn't steal anything you truly owned, Phenex. Your arrogance made it easy to take. Next time you challenge what is mine, the consequences will be far worse than a lost game."
Riser's peerage shifted uncomfortably. Ravel bit her lip, her cheeks flushing slightly as she looked at the Emperor. The Phoenix Thread Theft skill had already begun working subtly during the match — small threads of loyalty and interest pulled from the Phenex lineage.
Sirzechs raised a hand to quell any further confrontation. "Enough. The Rating Game is concluded. Riser, return to your territory and reflect. Rias, we will discuss family matters privately later. For now, celebrate your well-earned victory."
As the hall began to clear, several high-class devils approached to offer congratulations — some sincere, others clearly probing for information about the "changed" Issei Hyoudou. The Emperor handled them with calm authority, never revealing too much while reinforcing the image of a rising power.
Back in the Gremory clubroom after returning through the magic circle, the atmosphere was lighter but charged with excitement. Asia hugged the Emperor impulsively. "Issei-san, you were amazing! Everyone fought so well because of your plans!"
Akeno leaned against the table, violet eyes sparkling. "Ara ara~ The way you cut through their coordination… it was quite thrilling to watch. You're becoming someone very hard to resist, Issei-kun."
Koneko nodded once. "Strong leader."
Kiba offered a respectful smile. "Your commands were precise. I felt the difference in every clash."
Rias smiled warmly, stepping closer to him. "You did more than win the game. You proved to the entire devil world that we are not to be trifled with."
The Emperor placed a hand on Rias's waist possessively, addressing the group. "This is only the first step. The Phenex defeat sends a message. More challenges will come — from fallen angels, other nobles, perhaps even greater threats. We continue training. We grow stronger. And we expand."
He activated the system mentally while speaking:
**[Main Quest Update: Build the Empire]**
**Objective: Solidify loyalty within the peerage and begin recruiting new pieces.**
**Current Progress: Rias — 100%. Peerage average loyalty rising.**
**New Skill Application: Phoenix Thread Theft (Beginner) — Minor regenerative concepts acquired from Riser's defeat. Can now apply limited phoenix-like recovery in emergencies.**
Later that evening, at the Emperor's house, Rias stayed with him as usual. Their time together was a deep reinforcement of dominance and shared ambition. He claimed her with steady control, whispering promises of the empire they would build — one where she stood not as a traded noblewoman, but as his queen at the center of power. Rias yielded completely, her crimson eyes reflecting absolute devotion as the stolen fate threads bound her tighter to him.
As they rested afterward, a soft knock echoed from the balcony. The Emperor sensed the familiar dark energy. "Come in, Raynare."
The fallen angel slipped inside through the window, her black wings folding neatly. She wore a confident smirk, but her golden eyes showed clear interest and a hint of submission. The Rating Game victory had pushed her fate theft significantly.
"You actually crushed him," she said, circling the room slowly. "Riser Phenex, the immortal pretty boy, humiliated in front of everyone. And the way you did it — not brute force alone, but by breaking their trust and coordination… That was impressive. Almost… kingly."
The Emperor sat up, his presence commanding. "You watched. Good. Now decide. Serve me, and you gain protection, power, and a place in something greater. Continue playing games, and you risk becoming another faded thread."
Raynare stopped in front of him, her usual vicious attitude tempered. "I don't kneel easily. But… I'm tired of being discarded by my own kind. If you can keep winning like that, maybe serving the 'Fate Thief Emperor' isn't the worst option."
**[Fate Theft on Raynare: 78%]**
**Recruitment Opportunity: High**
**Potential Role: Future Knight or independent operative.**
Rias watched from the bed without jealousy — her loyalty made her accept the Emperor's vision of expansion. "If she proves useful, she can stay. But she must understand who she answers to."
Raynare smirked at Rias but bowed her head slightly toward the Emperor. "Fine. Consider this a trial. I'll provide information on fallen angel movements around Kuoh. In return… show me more of this power you keep stealing."
The Emperor nodded. "Welcome to the beginning of the empire, Raynare. Betray me, and your fate ends quickly."
She left with a flutter of wings, a new thread of loyalty beginning to form.
The next morning brought another development. During a strategy meeting in the clubroom, a formal letter arrived via magic circle from the Phenex household. Ravel Phenex requested a private meeting with the Gremory peerage — specifically mentioning interest in "discussing future relations after the Rating Game."
The Emperor allowed a faint smile. "Ravel. Intelligent, strategic, and now questioning her brother's superiority. This is an opportunity."
Akeno tilted her head. "Ara~ Another phoenix? You really do aim high, Issei-kun."
Asia looked a bit nervous but supportive. "If she wants to talk peacefully, maybe she can become a friend?"
Koneko muttered, "More fire."
The Emperor addressed them all. "We meet her on our terms. If she shows potential, we begin stealing her thread as well. The Phenex clan's influence is valuable — and Ravel could become a powerful Bishop in time."
That afternoon, Ravel arrived at the old school building, dressed elegantly in a Phenex-style outfit. Her blonde hair was styled perfectly, and she carried herself with noble poise, though a faint blush and tsundere hesitation appeared when she faced the Emperor directly.
"I… came to congratulate you on the victory," she said, trying to maintain composure. "My brother is… recovering. Your tactics were unexpected. You didn't just win — you made his immortality seem irrelevant."
The Emperor met her eyes steadily, activating Charm Theft and Phoenix Thread Theft subtly. "It wasn't luck, Ravel. It was destiny shifting. Your brother treated his peerage as tools. I treat mine as foundations of an empire. You're too intelligent to stay chained to a losing path."
Ravel's cheeks reddened further. She looked away, but her voice carried genuine curiosity. "You speak as if you can change fates themselves. It's… arrogant. But after what I saw… perhaps not entirely wrong."
**[Fate Theft on Ravel Phenex: 35%]**
**Tsundere Interest Thread Acquired.**
**Potential: High strategic value.**
The conversation continued productively. Ravel shared minor insights about Phenex politics without fully betraying her family, clearly testing the waters. The Emperor responded with calculated vision, planting seeds of admiration.
As she prepared to leave, Ravel paused at the door. "I may request another meeting… to discuss magic and strategy. Purely professional, of course."
"Of course," the Emperor replied with a knowing smile. "You're always welcome here, Ravel."
After she departed, the system updated:
**[Level 4 Progress: 620 / 2000 EXP]**
**Peerage Expansion Path Opening.**
**Overall Empire Influence: Growing rapidly.**
That night, as the Emperor stood on the rooftop overlooking Kuoh, Rias beside him and the faint presence of Raynare watching from afar, he felt the weight and thrill of conquest.
"The weak Issei is gone," he murmured. "Now the Emperor rises. Rias is secured. Raynare bends. Ravel wavers. Soon Akeno, Asia, and the rest will follow completely. Then we target greater pieces — fallen angels, perhaps even from other factions."
Rias leaned against him. "And I will be there for every step."
He pulled her closer. "As my queen. The first of many."
In the distance, Ddraig rumbled approvingly within the Boosted Gear. [This path leads to domination, not mere heroism. Continue, Emperor. I wish to see how high you can steal.]
**Chapter End Teaser**
With the Rating Game victory solidifying his reputation, the Emperor's next moves would draw even more attention. Sirzechs requested a private audience soon. Ravel's interest hinted at future recruitment. Raynare began providing small pieces of fallen angel intelligence.
But not all eyes were friendly. Whispers of an "anomaly" in Kuoh reached certain fallen angel leaders and even the shadows of the Khaos Brigade.
How would the Emperor handle Sirzechs's scrutiny? Would he begin claiming the hearts of the remaining peerage members more aggressively? And what new quest would the Fate Thief System issue as his power and harem ambitions expanded?
The empire was rising — and the supernatural world was beginning to tremble.