Even though Ren Kuroda didn't personally know anyone from the Phoenix family, the na "Phoenix Tears" was hardly unfamiliar to him by now.
Because of those so-called Phoenix Tears, the family held an exceptionally high status in the Underworld. Even among the descendants of the Seventy-Two Pillars, they ranked near the very top.
But even so—
Did Ren care?
Obviously not.
As his grip slowly tightened, Riser's struggling grew more frantic. His body thrashed, his limbs flailing—and from lack of oxygen, his eyes were already beginning to roll back.
"Please, stop!"
A voice suddenly cut through the tension.
"While my brother's actions were indeed inappropriate, they don't warrant death. Since you possess such strength, I ask that you also show the generosity befitting it—please forgive him this once.
"I offer my apology on his behalf. Whatever compensation you require, the Phoenix family will do its utmost to provide it. Please… spare his life."
As Riser teetered on the edge of suffocation, a small figure broke from the crowd and rushed forward, dropping to her knees before Ren.
She had long golden hair and a petite fra.
Her na was Ravel Phoenix—the fourth daughter of the Phoenix family, and in other words, Riser's younger sister. Like him, she was a pure-blood high-ranking devil.
That didn't an Riser was depraved enough to include his own sister in his harem. Ravel had been doted on since childhood, and her interests were… sowhat unusual.
Despite being a high-ranking devil capable of obtaining Evil Pieces herself, she seed to take a peculiar delight in serving as soone else's peerage mber and participating in Rating Gas.
Riser might have been a shaless womanizer, but as an older brother, he was beyond reproach.
So now, seeing him in mortal danger, Ravel stepped forward without hesitation to plead for his life.
"Sir… you must be the one Lady Rias often speaks of—Ren-sama, correct?"
After Ravel, Grayfia also spoke.
"Miss Ravel is correct. While Riser's actions were indeed offensive, I ask that you show rcy.
"He ca here today due to matters concerning the Gremory family. If sothing were to happen to him here, it would inevitably bring trouble upon the Gremory household.
"Since you are a friend of Lady Rias, I ask that you consider her position as well."
Among everyone present, Grayfia was likely the only one who had clearly seen how Ren moved just now.
And she could have stopped him earlier.
But she hadn't.
Part of the reason was simple—she, too, had found Riser's behavior irritating. A little lesson wasn't unwelco.
The other reason was more pragmatic.
Compared to offending the third son of the Phoenix family, offending the rumored "Strongest Yokai" was a far worse prospect.
And there was sothing else—
The mont she saw Ren, even Grayfia couldn't say with certainty that she would win against him.
"Ren-sensei…"
Seeing the conflicted expression on Rias's face—and the earnest plea in Ravel's eyes—Ren let out a quiet sigh.
Then, at last, he released his grip.
The pressure around his throat vanished instantly. Riser collapsed to the ground, gasping greedily for air, dragging breath after breath back into his lungs.
As oxygen returned and control over his body was restored, his expression quickly twisted back into anger. He shot Ren a furious glare.
As a pure-blood devil of the Phoenix line, Riser had inherited their defining traits.
The direct bloodline of the Phoenix family possessed all the characteristics of the mythical bird—
Near-immortality. Regeneration from any injury. Blood that could grant agelessness. Tears that could heal all wounds.
Riser might have been arrogant, but relying on these traits, he had defeated many powerful opponents over the years.
The reason he had been subdued so easily just now was simple—
Ren had gone straight for his throat.
Phoenix regeneration could heal physical injuries, but Ren's attack hadn't inflicted conventional damage.
"So-called immortality" was only relative, after all.
No matter how extraordinary the Phoenix traits were, as long as he remained a living being, he still needed to breathe.
If Ren hadn't exploited that weakness…
If they had fought head-on…
Riser believed he would never have lost so easily.
At least—that's what he told himself.
Because of that belief, the mont he regained his footing, he prepared to charge at Ren again, intent on reclaiming his pride.
But before he could act—
He was stopped.
By two people.
The first was his sister, Ravel.
The young girl rushed in front of him, spreading her arms wide to block his path, warning him that if he caused any more trouble, she would report everything to their mother.
The second was Grayfia.
The "Silver-Haired Queen of Annihilation" fixed him with a cold, serious gaze.
She spoke without hesitation.
"I have already invoked Lady Rias's favor once to plead on your behalf. If you continue down this path and et your end here, it will have nothing to do with the Gremory family."
She paused briefly, then added—clearly aware of the source of his confidence:
"The Phoenix family's regenerative traits may indeed be formidable. However… they may hold little aning against this individual.
"Ren-sama is known as the 'Strongest Yokai.' Despite only recently erging, he has already defeated the White Dragon Emperor in Balance Breaker form, as well as a fallen angel cadre possessing ten wings."
Riser and Ravel might not have known much about Ren.
But Grayfia did.
In fact, among all the noble houses, the Gremory and Sitri families were likely the most inford about him.
Every battle Ren had fought, every ability he had displayed—they had gathered intelligence on it all.
After analysis by several current Maou, a conclusion had been reached—
Ren Kuroda possessed power at least on the level of a Maou.
Hearing this, Ravel's lips parted slightly in shock.
Even Riser, who had been so arrogant monts ago, turned his head away with a reluctant click of his tongue.
He was prideful—
But not foolish enough to challenge a Maou.
Having lost face, Riser no longer had the nerve to remain here. He prepared to leave, intending to settle the score another day.
However—
Just as Riser and Grayfia were about to depart—
Rias, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke.
"Grayfia… Father and Mother said it themselves, didn't they?"
Her voice was steady, yet resolute.
"If I couldn't find a suitable partner on my own, then they would arrange an engagent for ."
She took a step forward.
"But the truth is… I already have."
Her gaze landed firmly on Ren.
"The person I've fallen for… is Ren-sensei, standing right in front of you."
Ren Kuroda: (╯°Д°）╯━━━!?
...
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