Kuoh Academy felt eerily quiet that day.
Part of it was because it was the weekend—but the more important reason was that the student council had personally evacuated all boarding students and faculty.
Although the peace conference between the three factions would take place inside a "Ga Space" mirroring Kuoh Academy one-to-one, the existence of angels and devils was not sothing that could be openly witnessed by ordinary humans.
To ensure the negotiations remained discreet, each participant was allowed to bring only a single attendant.
Standing behind the Archangel Michael was Irina, now reborn as an angel. Behind the fallen angel governor Azazel stood the White Dragon Emperor, Vali.
And the final figure—a young man with striking red hair, an overwhelmingly powerful presence, and an almost unfairly handso face—was the one Ren Kuroda had long heard of by reputation alone: the "Crimson-Haired Demon King," Sazex Lucifer.
It seed the Gremory family had a habit of deriving titles from hair color.
Rias herself was known as the "Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess." Her older brother, Sazex, was the "Crimson-Haired Demon King." And his wife—who also served as his Queen—Grayfia was called the "Silver-Haired Annihilation Queen."
Yes—Ren had only learned today that the maid Grayfia, who had appeared in the Occult Research Club before, was actually Sazex's wife… and Rias's sister-in-law.
However, due to Grayfia's ticulous personality, she only regarded herself as Sazex's wife during her days off. On regular working days, she strictly acted as the Gremory family's head maid, addressing Rias with full honorifics and maintaining proper decorum.
—
This was Ren's first ti eting Sazex Lucifer in person.
As Ren observed him, Sazex was also observing Ren—but the nature of their gazes couldn't have been more different.
At a single glance, Ren could tell: the man before him was absurdly powerful.
In fact, he might very well be the strongest being Ren had encountered since arriving in this world.
Azazel, Michael—even Vali in his Balance Breaker state—none of them felt like they were on the sa level as Sazex.
And that raised a question Ren couldn't ignore.
Weren't the Governor-General of the Fallen Angels, the Archangel, and a Dragon King supposed to be roughly on par with a Demon King?
Then why was Sazex so overwhelmingly stronger?
If all Seven Demon Kings of the Underworld were at this level, they could easily crush both Heaven and the Fallen Angels outright. So why go through the trouble of signing sothing like the Kuoh Agreent?
—
Unlike Ren, Sazex's attention lingered on him for quite a different reason.
Rather than probing Ren's strength, Sazex seed more interested in… his appearance. His deanor. Even his background.
And then, with a warm smile, Sazex extended his hand.
Ren returned the gesture without hesitation, gripping it firmly.
"I've heard much about you, Demon King," Ren said calmly. "I'm quite interested in your strength. If you ever have the ti, how about a spar?"
Even though Sazex concealed his aura extrely well, Ren's instincts—sharpened through countless battles—were screaming at him.
This man was strong.
How strong?
If Ren didn't rely on his almost unfair, rule-defying ability—Simulated Star Creation: Hyakki Yakō—there was a real possibility he could be killed.
Sazex chuckled lightly.
"I've heard quite a bit about you as well," he said. "Just as the rumors claim—the 'Strongest Yokai' is a true battle enthusiast."
"But being fond of combat isn't necessarily a bad thing. After all… the world we live in is far from peaceful, isn't it?"
Then, as if rembering sothing, Sazex added casually:
"Ah, Grayfia already told . I must say—Rias has far better taste than either Father or I."
"While you may not be a pure-blood devil, your strength is undeniable. If such powerful blood could be passed on…"
Ren froze.
His expression locked up completely.
He had just been trying to arrange a spar.
And sohow, the conversation had taken a catastrophic detour straight into marriage talks with Rias.
If Ren rembered correctly… he had never actually agreed to anything. Back then, when Rias made her declaration, he had simply stayed silent.
So how had things escalated to the point where Sazex was already discussing their future children?
"According to Grayfia," huh?
Ren had a sudden, overwhelming urge to turn around and ask the stoic silver-haired maid exactly what version of events she had reported.
—
Seeing Ren's stunned expression, Sazex simply smiled knowingly and gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder.
"Regarding Rias's marriage, even I, as her brother, cannot override Father's decision," he explained.
"And the Phoenix family is highly प्रतिष्ठित in the Underworld. This matter has already strained relations between the two houses."
"In the end, at the suggestion of the other Demon Kings, it has been decided—you will face Riser Phoenix, the third son of the Phoenix family, in an official Rating Ga."
"The victor… will beco Rias's husband."
Ren: "..."
Oh, it got worse.
"Considering your strength," Sazex continued, completely unfazed, "the Underworld has approved Riser's use of his entire peerage in the match."
"To be honest, I was a bit concerned at first. After all, this concerns Rias's lifelong happiness."
"But now that I've t you in person… I feel quite reassured."
"Even with his full peerage, Riser shouldn't be a match for you, correct?"
Ren: "..."
"Sincerely, do your best, Ren-kun," Sazex added warmly. "Father may still be undecided due to prior agreents… but Mother and I are firmly on your side."
—
After that, Sazex greeted Azazel and Michael with an easy smile, leading Grayfia away with him.
As for how he left Ren's side…
Ren had absolutely no idea.
Because at that mont, his mind had already gone completely blank.
—
He had once believed that Yamato Miku—Kuka's mother—was the most outrageous future mother-in-law he would ever encounter.
But now?
Rias's family had completely shattered that record.
At least with Kuka, he had actually gone to her house… and even pretended to be her boyfriend.
But here?
All he had done was remain silent—and sohow, that had been interpreted as full acceptance of a romantic relationship.
Worse yet, without his knowledge, a duel had already been arranged between him and Riser Phoenix.
A duel.
For marriage.
—
Ren wanted to refuse.
He really did.
But according to Sazex, news of the match had already spread throughout the entire Underworld.
Even Odin, the chief god of Norse mythology, had reportedly been invited as a spectator.
If Ren backed out now…
Rias would lose face across the entire Underworld.
And worse—
The Gremory family, along with Sazex himself, might very well turn him into a mortal enemy.
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