Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 62: Rambunctious Marriage.
- Shin -
I woke up early today.
Sleeping late the previous night due to the party was nothing with my current level of stats. Normally, I would have stayed sleeping for a while longer but today was different.
I was getting married today.
The last minute preparations were finished as Sirzechs made this the same day that I gave a press conference after the ceremony.
Not only that, he and the other leaders also invited the guests of the One Piece world for this occasion to try and ease out the people about their existence slowly. They will be joining us as guests of the alliance and not just my private guests to avoid someone insulting them or tricking them into reincarnating..
However, they want to celebrate the wedding in the One Piece world as well.
Rias for one was over the moon with the idea.
Thus, I needed to bring them to this world as well.
The problem about Nami was solved by Ajuka's warning to Zeoticus and similar statements were made to everyone in the alliance because they signed a statement to protect the guests of that world too.
The arrangements, the entire venue was made specifically for this purpose and special measures for the security were taken everywhere because there would be several guests from the other pantheons too.
The matter became political because of the reveal of the other world and now many other beings wanted to see it for themselves. Serafall had been stopping them for the time being but I would have to face them in today's Press Conference.
But… none of it matters.
I was also alone on my bed today.
Last night, all the girls had taken Rias for a girl's only sleepover.
Azazel wanted to take me for a Bachelor's party too but was glared into the ground by several girls because his plan was one of the Fallen's Boob Clubs.
Ultimately, I went and picked up the people from the One Piece world where we partied all night and I fell asleep.
"You look very handsome, Shin. I am happy for you." Lily said while correcting the knot of my bowtie while I stood in front of her.
"Thank you."
"Rias is a very great and kind girl who loves you very much. Always keep her happy, Son."
"I will."
She put a hand on my chest lightly, thinking of what to say without making things awkward.
She was still on pins around me.
I put a hand around her and hugged her lightly. "Thank you for everything… Mom."
She stilled but returned my hug tightly. I could sense her sobbing lightly and didn't disturb her.
She wiped her tears and looked back at me.
A light knock on the door broke our quiet moment.
"Master. The guests have arrived. They are waiting." Sakuya's voice sounded and I looked at Lily who caressed my cheeks once more before we left the room.
The venue was decorated to the top and was full of several guests from many factions including extremely powerful Gods.
Azazel and Odin were with the guests from the One Piece world assisted by Rias and my peerage members while Serafall entertained the guests from other pantheons.
Everyone, including Whitebeard, dressed formally in suits.
Shanks rocked a formal suit.
I really wish Roger was here but knowing him, the guy wouldn't want to be disturbed anymore.
Rayleigh said so and so did Ace.
Still, he was the closest to a father figure I know in this new life.
My best man gave me a fist bump as we entered the hall.
Sairaorg was my best man for my wedding.
"Feeling excited?"
"A bit nervous maybe." I replied.
"You are a dumbass. You can smile like an idiot while going to war and you are nervous now?"
"The ones I go to war against don't stay with me for the rest of my life. I finish them and it's over. This is a commitment of a lifetime. You will know when you get married."
"Ughh… I don't know about that."
"Heh… I know about the looks Coriana throws at you sometimes. Don't pretend to be a dumbass anime protagonist."
"Sometimes I don't get your references."
Our squabbling stopped when the crowd looked in the other direction.
My Observation Haki caught this already and we looked in the direction to see my bride come out, escorted by Sirzechs.
Rias looked beautiful. There were just no other words I could think of. The white wedding gown flowing around her while her beautiful crimson hair tied partly on a bunch and partly flowing freely behind her. I found myself staring at her.
She looked at me and smiled lightly and I looked at her with a slightly open mouth. Despite having seen her so many times already, in all sorts of dresses or lack of them, this dress of hers made her look her best in my opinion.
"If you are done staring, would you like to go up for the ceremony?" Sairaorg teased me and I looked at him as I rolled my eyes
"Obviously I will stare. Do you think I will be able to see this every day? I am going to save every moment of this day in a super private folder inside of my mind."
"You can keep on staring at her after the ceremony."
"You bet, I will." I smiled before walking forward.
The entire hall became quiet as we walked up.
Rias chose Akeno as her Bridesmaid.
The ceremony was very peaceful.
The one presiding over the ceremony was Michael.
An Archangel marrying two devils.
World Peace at its best.
The ceremony completed with the usual, "You may now kiss the bride."
As if I needed his permission to do so.
I took her in my arms… and we kissed.
Not a small and quick one either.
She wrapped her arms around my neck and we went in for a long and passionate kiss without a care for the crowd surrounding the two of us.
I am pretty sure I heard the laughs from some of the pirate crew members.
We got off after a coughing sound from beside us.
Apparently Michael couldn't handle the heat.
Hidden Quest Completed
Wedding Delights
Objective: Get married within one year of starting 'The Game'.
Bonus Objective: Get 100 Affection with the Wife before Marriage.
Reward: One Random Skill Level Up for both husband and wife, Skill: Till Death Do Us Part.
Bonus Reward: Minor Limit Break Card.
[Till Death Do Us Part]
Either of the partners can revive the other once every year in case they die. The counter resets on the Anniversary every year. The counter is shared between the couple.
Skill Upgraded
[Fire God Slayer Magic (Mythical)] (Passive)
The ability to use black flames that can hurt even Gods. God Slayer Magic is an ancient lost magic that gives its users an extreme control of and resistance to fire.
The user gains the ability to eat fire and convert it into MP, SP however cannot be restored.
MP cost varies.
Deal [(MP cost)* 1.5+ (INT * 2)]
+500% extra damage to beings possessing Divinity.
[Divine Drive Mode]
As a Master of the art of Fire Godslaying, the user can temporarily embody the Divinity of Fire.
Massively Boosts the effects of the Fire God Slayer Magic.
Skill Gained
[Fire Affinity (Mythical)] (Passive)
200% extra damage to any fire based magic.
-80% cost to any fire based magic.
Skill Gained
[Fire Resistance (Divine)] (Passive)
Immunity to any fire up to Divine Rank and below.
[Minor Limit Break Card]
Adds extra levels to the existing Racial Level Cap.
The card appeared in front of us for everyone to see as I quickly grabbed it and used Observe to check its details.
This…
There were murmurs all around as everyone looked at the card.
In the meantime, Rias also felt the reward and looked at me questioningly. I nodded before using Observe on the Card.
I can easily break the limit of my Race with the Gamer System.
This card will be more useful to use on her.
Sirzechs came forward with an enquiring look and I assured him quickly. "A gift for our Wedding."
I gave the card to her. "Crush it."
She did so without any questions as the card broke into motes of light and got absorbed in her body easily.
"This is…"
"A congratulatory gift for our marriage. I think it will suit you the best."
As we were enjoying our moment together, a loud noise interrupted our time.
Looking at the side of the hall, we saw a familiar face coming in. "I challenge Shin Kageyami to a duel for the hand of Rias Gremory."
….
….
I feel like there is something very wrong with both his words and the plot. What in the name of Falbium's non-existent hair is going on?
The crowd murmured and looked at the situation as if it were a show.
I was about to voice out my question when a heavy aura burst out from my side followed soon by another.
Sai looked pissed and so did Sirzechs, although the latter controlled himself well.
"Choose your next words carefully, Riser Phenex." Sai wasn't even bothering to be subtle.
"Stop causing drama and apologise for your words, Riser and I will consider it a mistake made in a moment of heat."
Rias looked at the scene with a blank face but I knew her mood already so I took her hand in mine and caressed it lightly.
Fortunately Riser's brother was sane enough to intervene to stop him from making fun of himself.
Just when I thought things were going to be over, Zeoticus came in between them with a laugh.
"Don't be so serious. This is just entertainment."
"What is the meaning of this, Father?" Sirzechs asked, enraged.
"Oh, just a little bit of entertainment for my daughter's marriage." Zeoticus spoke and then turned towards the crowd. "As you all know, this marriage was rushed a bit due to the groom's request. This prevented me from arranging proper entertainment for guests from all over the world But, how could I let that happen. This is after all my only daughter's wedding. So, I thought of something. As many might know already, the Gremory House and the Phenex House have been allies for several centuries now. In fact, my daughter was previously engaged to the third son of the Phenex House, Riser Phenex. It's just that he lost to Shin in a Rating Game and under the bet, Shin asked for my daughter's hand. Such a thing definitely took everyone by surprise. Like It took me."
"Excuse me, Lord Gremory, but are you saying that you are against our marriage? Or are you saying that I was wrong in asking for Rias' hand in marriage whom minutes prior, this same Riser Phenex, in front of the entire underworld had insulted and threatened to make a slave out of her? Perhaps you had missed the Rating Game? You do realise that under the conditions of the bet he could have asked anything from me and I mean anything and thus I could do the same. The bet was with the Phenex House. I could by all means have enslaved them all under a magical contract and willfully wiped out an entire pillar for the previous insult of their insolent son whom you are backing up at this instant. Are you saying that me, taking the most non-violent route of just getting my friend out of a probable marriage that would have ruined her life… was wrong?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
His face sank in an instant. He was probably not expecting any retorts. Several Pillar Houses looked offended at me suggesting to wipe out a Pillar House while Ruval Phenex looked pale as fuck.
-20 Reputation with Zeoticus Gremory(-50/100)
The shameless bastard however continued unphased. "No no, how could that be? It was a bet, a deal and if anything, we devils keep our deal. Still, it is a bit harsh to take the words said during a fight as serious. After all, people are known to rile up their opponents with harsh words to find an opening in a battle to exploit. With us Pure Blooded Devils having such a low population, it would be such a waste to ruin the life of a young and talented child with such misunderstandings. Not to mention, the long time relationship between the Gremory and Phenex Houses. I am just asking you for a request."
Ruval tried to intervene but was stopped by his father while some other devil nobles whom I noticed were the posies of Zeoticus started making noise when Sirzechs stepped up.
"Lord Gremory has a point. The boy is marrying a Pure Blooded Devil heiress to begin with. He got so many things from the Devil Race. The least he could do is think about us." Someone shouted.
And other voices joined. Some were just jealous about a Reincarnated Devil getting to where I was and many others just wanted to get a piece of the pie that was the One Piece world.
The entire situation became
Zekram came in at that moment.
"I think you should agree to their request."
I narrowed my eyes and looked at the man. "Are you going back on the contract with my patron, Zekram?"
"The contract was only till you two got married. I completed my side of the deal already. I will have to think about my Devil Race now. Several houses were dissatisfied with the way things happened and are supporting Riser in this matter. I cannot let another Civil War happen due to this."
"So, you are backing down. Is this your final decision?" I asked, my voice neutral, my occlumency working at the fullest.
"I have kept my side of the bargain already. This is something I have to do now."
"Good. I will keep it in mind… And I sincerely hope that you do that as well. Do remember what you chose here, today and that it was not me who started this."
So, this was his plan.
Get us married and then attack so as to make the marriage nothing but a sham.
I took a deep breath and looked at Rias who sensed my gaze and looked back at me.
No words were said between us but at that moment no words were needed either.
We nodded at each other and I walked forward towards the chaos.
I walked beside Sirzechs who was currently arguing with the nobles, looking on the verge of snapping.
Too bad for him. I was reaching my limit faster.
He looked up at me and I only said two words and he stilled.
- Serafall -
Serafall could feel the Haki of most of the people from the other world bubbling as the atmosphere grew tenser.
This was not how it was supposed to go dammit.
She was going to do a press conference and announce the details of his business which would have stopped many in their tracks. All this happening now, meant that someone who knew of their plans was involved.
She looked at Shin directly and saw his neural looking face as he looked at Zekram.
Why was Zekram backing these people?
He knew what Shin was going to introduce in his business and how revolutionary it would be for the entire underworld… Ah…
So, that's why.
Someone who was that close to the four of them and possessing more influence and power to move the entire Underworld, would easily shift the odds heavily in the favour of the Satans, especially now after the Peace Conference when the other factions were already working with the Satans closely.
Shin wasn't someone who would interfere with anyone unless provoked but Zekram was not someone who would let an uncontrollable factor stay in the Underworld. He wanted something to hold over Shin.
But as much as Serafall understood the thinking, she knew that such a thing would only lead to Shin retaliating.
She looked around and noticed that not all houses were clamouring.
There were around a dozen houses which stayed quiet.
Basically the Archduke faction was staying on the side and watching the game.
At least most of them.
Barbatos was actually looking incensed at the behaviour of the other houses.
Healing the arm of the Barbatos Head turned out to be a boon for Shin because Septus Barbatos was not a man to repay gratitude with treachery.
Her own parents, Astaroth, Glasya-Labolas, Oriax, Dantalion, Sallos, Paimon and Agreas and surprisingly Belial, were all trying to diffuse the situation but the other party looked as if they had planned it for a while.
"Excuse me. I will go and handle the situation." She said to the group and left quickly but not before she heard Whitebeard's words.
"That brat is the saviour of our world, Serafall. If he decides on something we will follow him even if it's just to repay our debt."
She stopped and looked at the crowd who were practically glaring at the commotion.
"Please don't do anything rash. It's not everyone. Just a few people who are trying to take advantage of the situation. We will not let anything bad happen to Shin. I assure you of this. But if you all take action, they might try to use this as an excuse to escalate the situation."
… Or was that their goal from the start? To goad them to make a move and use this as an excuse to force Shin to give them some form of concession, or maybe access to the other world.
*Clap* Clap*
The sound of claps attracted her attention.
She saw Shin walking towards Zeoticus with a smile on his face.
"Alright. I will entertain you. So tell me, what exactly is this entertainment you propose?"
Serafall felt alarm bells ring in her mind as she heard those words.
They had kept Shin's power a secret to avoid problems and now these idiots were provoking someone who can fight almost half the Underworld with his peerage.
Not to mention, the support of the alliance would always be with him. Michael would side with him in an instant.
That bitc….Gabriel looked at him as if he was the reincarnation of her late father. Not to mention Odin and other Pantheons. They will even try to bring him to their own faction using this.
A large part of Serafall's brain told her that it would be for the better if he joined other factions. He would be happy. But, she was a Satan and it was her duty to think about her race first.
This conflict had been eating her up for the last few months.
She knew that she was being attracted to him but her position made it impossible for her to be in a relationship with someone like Shin and not be partial towards him. He just had too much to offer to any race and the Satan in her just couldn't let it go even though she hated herself for thinking anything like that, even when she was not actually doing anything bad there.
It was why she tried to avoid him until she sorted out her feelings for him.
Among the four Satans, she was the one who was closest to Shin and understood his character very well. He would simply not laugh and bow down before such bullying.
Her thoughts were solidified when she heard Crocus talk to Rayleigh.
"Rayleigh… the boy has that smile. The last time I remember him having that smile was on the day the World Government tried to hide his existence and he went out and blew up the Red Line. Something bad is going to happen. I know it."
He was whispering but for someone like her it might as well have been a statement made in a loudspeaker near both her ears.
"Hahahaha see, we can all get along if we only try. I just want you to have a Rating Game against Riser. See, it's quite simple. It's so that we can let bygones be bygones. No matter who wins or loses, no one will be able to complain about being tricked."
"Hmm, quite reasonable."
"It is."
"So, I assume that just like the last time, there would be bets involved in the Rating game too."
"It's only reasonable or the Game itself would be useless."
"Fair Enough. Now, the only problem is if I can get something of equal value. I will not agree to anything less."
She saw a frown on Zeoticus' face as he paused.
The pause however was broken by Riser. "Of course, the Phenex House can pay for anything."
Shin looked at him with a neutral gaze. "Are you the Lord of the Phenex House? Are you the Heir? Who gave you the permission to speak representing the Phenex House?"
Riser looked purple but Lord Phenex intervened. "The Phenex House agrees to pay whatever you require. A small price to pay to keep an ancient alliance."
"Good good. Now, what are we betting on?"
"One thing the winner can ask anything from the loser." Riser answered.
"Good. But unfortunately that is not a fair or equal trade." Shin walked towards an empty area and continued. "You see Riser Cock… Phenex. People have different values at different times of their lives. A billionaire might have more value than a street rat but his value might fall if he goes bankrupt. Back then, a favour on both sides might have been equal but now… how can you even think of comparing, " She saw Shin take on a mocking and disdainful look on his face, "a two bit nobody like you to someone like me?" He waved a hand and the entire area, approximately as large as two football fields, was covered in gold and treasure of all kinds.
Chaos ensured.
- Shin -
With today's incident, I understood one fact about Devils.
They don't respond well to humble and cooperative people.
If that's the case, I will give them a classic Xianxia Young Master if that will shut them up.
"This is just something I keep with myself at all times. Apart from this, I have lands bigger than the half of the Underworld under the Devil's territory, five moons which are inhabitable and colonizable, above fifty artifacts with power and potential comparable to Longinuses, my own Skills in Artifact Making along with several others, my position as the Champion of Death, an army of my own and a major part of the wealth and resources of an entire world. Compared to that, what does a mere Phenex House even have? Do you think I am insane enough to bet an 800 carat diamond for dog shit? Please, have some sense. You will not be my equal even if you sell yourself off as a slave."
His demonic power burst and I used Observe on him.
A King Piece mutated with Ophis' snake.
His power was increased by several times, making him comparable to Serafall's previous power level.
I didn't even bother and looked at Zeoticus.
"You see, he has nothing he can offer me." He opened his mouth to say something but found himself unable to do so.
He did after a second. "Surely, you don't think like that."
"Oh, but I do. He could ask me anything, my wealth, my life, or worst case even make me a slave if I lost, getting everything from me in one go but what would I get if I won? Pocket change? Obviously not a good deal. Not interested. You… on the other hand do…"
"Me?"
"Yes, you. You are the one who wants to have this so-called entertainment of yours. Isn't it obvious that you pay for this too. I mean what kind of shitty host invites the guests and makes them pay for their own meal. Surely, the esteemed Lord Zeoticus Gremory isn't that cheap?"
I smiled seeing him frown.
"Yes. You want to soothe your House' relationships, obviously you would pay. As for what the price would be? … Hmm let's see, what can you give me? Okay, how about, if I win, how about you give me something."
"What things?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
"If I win the Rating Game, you will fight Rias in a Rating Game for the position of Head of House Gremory for the winner right after the match. This should be good enough… I mean a thousand above old Devil like you wouldn't be afraid of your daughter who is barely eighteen years old, right? Not to mention, she is already the Heiress and the House was going to her anyway, so changing it a few years earlier wouldn't even be a problem. See, I am actually taking your side. You are getting off with barely anything. What do you say, Rias? It's fair, right? Surely, the great Lord Zeoticus Gremory would agree to this much for the sake of the so-called ancient alliance. You see, I would agree to it without any payment but… I can't let any Tom, Dick and and pfft… obviously Harry bully me. You understand that, don't you… Father-in-Law."
Since we were tearing faces, there was no need to hold back.
This man had more pride than he was worth.
As expected I saw rage in his eyes but he agreed nonetheless.
"Good, let's have the details written in a binding contract, shall we?" I suggested.
"Sorry Rias, I did all this. I should have remained calmer back there."
"No. I was about to kill some of them to send a message. I realise that it might have caused a problem."
"You are very calm about all this. I… didn't ask you and put you in a spot with that bet."
"Shin… we are married now. You can make decisions for me. Tell me, if I had been the one to make this bet, would you have backed off?"
"No."
"Then how can you expect me to back off in this situation? It will also help me free Mother from the contract as well as show some people their places. I don't mind it."
I looked at her for a moment and nodded.
"But I want you to promise me something?"
"Anything."
"Don't hold back and give that piece of crap… Hell."
….
….
"Okay."
With that said, I walked towards the Rating Game venue.
Surprisingly, someone was standing in front of the gate.
"Shin. Please don't do anything crazy." Serafall looked extremely conflicted.
"I am not doing anything crazy, Serafall. They wanted a fight, right. I will give them a fight. Since it came to this, I will take action."
"Please… this is not a Game, Shin." She pleaded.
….
….
"Oh but you are wrong there, Serafall. This has always been a Game. This time, they started it… and I will end it… and until I do so, The Game Must Go On." With that said, I walked towards the Rating Game Stadium.
- Azazel -
"Hahahaha these people know exactly how to make a fool of themselves. Really, such a waste for such a person to be found by Devils." Azazel heard Indra laugh while looking at the scene.
Gods were spiteful and envious beings.
"I wonder if he would join me if I offered. I have heard that he is interested in women. It's not like we have a shortage of women."
Several Gods murmured.
Odin looked at the situation with a frown.
These people really didn't know what they were messing with.
It was their collective decision to keep all of Shin's powers a secret until it could be revealed publically to avoid any trouble in advance.
Now, these idiots were jumping on the situation like moths to flame.
He looked at the man who was probably behind all of this.
Zekram Bael.
The cautious devil who played the entire Devil race like a fiddle really messed up with the worst kind of person this time.
"Azazel brat. If he wants to leave the Devil faction after this mess. I will give him a place in Valhalla. He is very close to Rossweisse and he would easily be accepted by everyone in Valhalla too. Do you have a problem with it?"
….
"I… don't have any problem." Azazel sighed. "Shin's position would make it so that everyone would try to control him or take advantage of him. The only ones I can think of who would treat him fairly are Michael and your faction. But Heaven's ways are not compatible with Shin. There is a high chance that things will change today. If the Satans cannot keep up with it, it would be better if you take him with you."
These idiots have let their bias towards Reincarnated Devils and their greed overpower their rationale completely that there was no saving them.
"And why isn't the Shinto a good place for him?" Amaterasu asked as both Azazel and Odin looked to the other side to avoid answering the question.
She continued. "The Old pervert already has his son Thor as one of the Top Ten Strongest Beings of the world. Their Faction is holding strong. Our Shinto on the other hand could use a support like Shin. His ability to change into a Nekoshou or any other Race can be a boon for the Youkai too. And it's not like he isn't close to Kuroka. Moreover, he is someone who likes to tinker in peace and a place like Valhalla full of muscle-headed brutes won't be good for him."
"And isn't Kuroka also reaching my son's level with her new gift? You also got a spirit of another Nine Tailed Fox and a promise of other Divine Beast and Buddha Type beings. And if my people are Muscle-heads, then what is your brother Susanno, you shut-in Goddess?" Odin retorted, making the Goddess snort in annoyance.
The Rating game began and Azazel noticed a difference.
"This…"
- Rias -
She looked at the 50 pages rules book for the Rating Game attached with the contract and started going over it.
"What is the meaning of this, Lord Phenex? Those people are not a part of Riser's Peerage. Are you trying to cheat in this Rating Game?" Sairaorg shouted at the scene of the Rating Game.
"But, how can we do so? They are a part of Riser's Peerage now. He traded them right before the Rating Game. There are no violations of rules."
"So this was your trick? You want these people to assist Riser to win the Rating Game."
"There is no trick. If he had asked for Riser's Peerage members, we would have told him obviously but he didn't ask. Riser didn't want to lose a fight due to the inexperience of his peerage members. He went and took care of the problem. It's called smart thinking."
"And you are a part of it too, Bedeze Abaddon?"
"Hey hey, I am just helping a child fight for his dream. And even if I was, what of it? What will you do?" Bedeze Abaddon mocked. "If he loses, he is just an untalented weakling."
"You…" Sairaorg's aura burst causing more than half the people to crumble to their knees while Bedeze took on a defensive position.
She just looked at the document on her hand as two parts caught her eye. "These two points about the Rating Game being ended and player retirements only being allowed when both the Kings agree to it. This matter will only remain between the families of the participants and nobody, not even the Satans themselves, are allowed to stop the fight. Doing so would be considered as a sign of war against the houses. This is a new addition to the rules, correct?"
"And he signed it." Lord Phenex looked smug.
"So if Riser were to capture any of Shin's peerage members and blackmail him into giving up, would it be his win?"
"As a top class Rating Game player, I know that it's not against the rules. Deaths happen in Rating Games. If the boy gives up, it will. He shouldn't take bets he cannot keep." Bedeze shrugged.
"Good. In that case, don't mind me as Shin's family, enforcing the rule."
The guy scoffed at her statement but she ignored him.
Sairaorg was probably the only one who realised the problem in the situation and looked at her in shock.
"Akeno."
"Yes."
"Bring my peerage members back. If anyone… and I mean anyone tries to interfere or stop the match… Kill them." She made sure that her voice was heard.
The people looked at her with different kinds of expressions. Some with mockery, some with shock and with blatant anger. Yet, no one stepped forward as they were all watching the scene.
Well, no one except one.
"Rias!" Lady Serafall came quickly upon hearing her words. "Calm down."
"I am very calm, Lady Serafall. I believe I am just taking the steps that I am legally allowed to. It's not like I am attacking someone without any reason. As long as no one interferes in the fight, no one dies. If they do, then I will do as I have stated. My husband has been insulted previously because of me and he always laughed it off or even bore it with a smile but there is a limit to everything. If I don't do this, people will take us as easy targets."
"We can solve this. Just give us some time. If you both lose your cool, things will get more complicated."
"As long as they don't break the rules or the contract signed, we will not take any steps. If they do so however, we will not hold back either. The Rating Game is starting."
- Shin -
Today's Rating Game needed no plans.
I had observed the peerage members who were following Riser. Everyone was in the Ultimate Class Range.
Good for a normal peerage but hopelessly weak against us.
My peerage members sat along with me in the room.
Jibril and Shion were bubbling with rage and were just waiting to kill anything they got their hands on directly.
I looked at the time. Only thirty seconds left for the Game to start.
"Merlin, make a Perfect Cube around Asia. Make sure no one can take her as a hostage. They will try to do so without a doubt. They even made rules to make sure that it happens. Leave Riser to me. All the others are free for all."
Merlin nodded and I got up walking towards the door before I stopped and looked back.
"Oh, and don't hold back. That's an order."
The counter reached zero and the game started.
My Observation Haki spread. There were ten members in the opponent's peerage excluding Riser.
I walked to the centre of the stadium where Riser was hovering up in the air.
What greeted me was a massive blast of fire, completely destroying everything in the area.
"Today, you will pay for making a mockery of Riser."
I heard a loud voice and all I could think at the time was… 'Attacking me with fire… how foolish.'
– Sona Sitri –
The entire hall was silenced by the attack. The power behind the attack was far beyond anything Riser was capable of. The entire arena had turned into a sea of fire.
That was not something he was capable of a few months ago. That attack was at the level of her sister before her training. There was something extremely wrong with that level of power.
She looked as her sister was leaking her demonic power in her anger.
"What exactly does this mean, Lord Phenex. What kind of doping is Riser using? This is not according to the rules of the game."
She observed that Ruval Phenex looked completely surprised as well so it was likely that he was not aware of what was going on.
The one who answered her was not Lord Phenex or anyone related to him.
"The rule about not using doping was removed from the contract. So was the deal of any accountability in case of deaths. Everything in the match is according to the rules." Rias answered the question with a dangerously even tone. To be honest, Sona was extremely unnerved by Rias' behaviour. She was always the one to act on her emotions no matter what the situation. It made her who she was… but now, looking at her like this, Sona had a very bad premonition.
And as if to mock her, Lord Gremory spoke. "See. There have been no violations of rules." Much to the rage of her sister.
Tsubaki on the other side was getting extremely worried about her boyfriend.
She knew that such an attack wouldn't do anything to Shin but it still didn't prevent her from being worried.
"Is he?" She looked at her and asked.
"Don't worry about Shin. If a little bit of doping was enough to defeat him, he wouldn't be who he is. Keep watching." Sairaorg spoke upon hearing her queen.
And just as he had predicted, several announcements rang through the place.
Riser Phenex's Queen has been eliminated.
Riser Phenex's Bishop has been eliminated.
Riser Phenex's Bishop has been eliminated.
Riser Phenex's Knight has been eliminated.
Riser Phenex's Knight has been eliminated.
Riser Phenex's Rook has been eliminated.
Riser Phenex's Rook has been eliminated.
Riser Phenex's Pawn has been eliminated.
Riser Phenex's Pawn has been eliminated.
Riser Phenex's Pawn has been eliminated.
She looked at the scene as the sea of flames were sucked towards the middle of the field and finally all into Shin's mouth until there was nothing left.
Sona, despite having gotten used to all of Shin's antics, was still left with her jaw hanging.
What remained when all the flames subsided was someone who looked like Shin but for the life of her, Sona didn't want to associate those two figures as one.
She had heard from her sister about the true form of Sirzechs Lucifer. A form in which he could exert all of his power. A form in which he becomes a personification of the Power of Destruction itself and loses all his sanity.
If Sirzechs Lucifer was a personification of Destruction, Shin was a personification of Death.
His short black hair had grown till down below his waist. His twelve wings had withered and what was left of them were bones in the shape of wings with black flames making a thin film between them. The Power of Destruction crawled on his skin as if tribal tattoos and shadows became his attire as his power kept on rising but all these were not the most dangerous thing about him. No, for Sona, what was sacrier about this Shin, even more so than the insane amounts of Demonic Power, several times higher than her sister, were his eyes.
The normal green eyes of Shin which were probably his most attractive feature was now replaced but the cold blue ones with a reddish ring around the pupils.
Those eyes made her feel a primal fear just by looking into them. It was as if something was trying to suffocate her, clutching her heart and ready to crush it at an instant. Her legs began to shake and she found herself short of breath. The world spun around her.
Just before she was about to fall, she was caught by a hand.
"Don't look into those eyes. Even beings with divinity will find it hard to meet those eyes. They embody the concept of Death itself." She heard a voice.
The owner of the voice was a young boy.
Sona closed her eyes and took deep breaths as she tried to calm herself.
She was supposed to have become stronger and yet….she couldn't even meet his eyes. She knew that Shin was stronger than any of them but, was the difference really this much? She….was she still this weak that she was afraid to even meet his eyes?
"It's not a shame to be afraid, child. Someone of your age will always find facing death a challenge because you have not even experienced life in its fullest. Don't be ashamed of it. Learn from it and you will grow."
She collected herself in a few minutes and bowed lightly, thanking him for help. "Thank you. Umm… who are you, Sir?"
"Just a guest." He replied before turning towards the screen to watch the games.
She noticed as everyone in the vicinity froze at the boy's presence.
Her sister came forward tensely and greeted the boy. "Lord Shiva. I apologise for this show if we have offended you somehow, I am extremely sorry."
And then she understood who the being was.
Shiva, the Hindu God of Destruction. The strongest being in the world after Ophis and Great Red.
"This situation reminds me of my own past. My first wife's father despised me. Thought of me as a beggar, a vagabond. Not untrue either. He once organised a great ceremony to honour all Gods but I was not invited. I didn't mind. My wife did. She tried to talk to her father but the man was stubborn. My wife on the other hand, couldn't fight against her father due to her filial piety but couldn't take the insult that her family had made towards me. She commited suicide in the ritual fires of the ceremony. Although she was later reborn as Parvati and we were reunited, this situation… brings back some unpleasant memories."
She listened in silence as she watched the God's eyes take one a slightly pained look for a moment.
"A being embodying death and destruction mocked and insulted by her wife's father. This time however, he chose to fight instead of not caring. I wish to see how it turns out. Perhaps, this Champion of Death will be more interesting than I had thought."
Things just got more complicated… if that was somehow even possible.
- Shin -
It was not a fight.
One moment, the flames attacked me, the other, the whole area was covered in Law's Room and my peerage members were deployed beside each of the opponent's peerage.
All it took was just one attack.
Shion bifurcated the opponent's rook in a single attack.
Law did the same.
Meridith decapitated her opponent with her strings and Sakuya with her Demonic Sword.
Morgiana literally shattered the head of her opponent with a kick.
Merlin and Rossweisse blasted off the opponent's heads too.
Lavinia froze her opponent and Ingvild's water dragon's tore through hers.
Jibril… well, nothing was left of her opponent.
Within less than ten seconds, the entirety of the opponent's peerage was destroyed while some of mine didn't even move from their starting position.
Riser's flames didn't hurt me.
They contained a trace of divinity, extremely minute. I would have missed it if it hadn't been for the fire element and my sensitivity to Fire Magic and Divinity itself due to my Fire God Slayer Magic's upgrade.
I opened my mouth and sucked the flames in.
These were slightly lower than the Divine Flames of Suzaku but were still plenty good. My Demonic Power rose.
Divine Drive Mode.
The pinnacle of the God Slayer Magic where the user can temporarily gain some divinity and mimic a God of their element.
For me though, this bit of Divinity worked very differently. Like for starters, it changed my Rank for the first time since I gained the system. I added to it the new move, True Form. It basically breaks the limits of the Stats for the Devil Race and adds 1,000 Points to all my Stats.
Shin Kageyami
Title: Jack of All Trades
Level: 950
Class: Thief – LVL 60/100 [40%]
Race: Divine Devil(Pseudo-Divinity)
Rank: Veteran
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
HP: 585,000 [97,500 per minute]
MP: 2,360,000 [580,000 per minute]
SP-: 585,000 [97,500 per minute]
STR: 4,000
END: 3,900
DEX: 4,200
INT: 5,900
WIS: 5,800
CHA: 2,800
LUK: 2,470
Divinity is amazing.
How does the Rank work for me, Game?
The Host needs to unlock Divinity to get better ranks.
Even Divinity has many Ranks. A Pseudo-Divinity like yours is the lowest. Above that is Demigod, Minor God, Major God, God King, etc. They each provide different Ranks. You will have to unlock them to know about the next Rank.
With the Rank Boost, my stats were directly doubled.
This power… felt amazing. I could feel my magic as an extension of myself. I raised my hand and my shadows moved according to my thoughts. Even the shadows around the area were completely under my control.
I looked at Riser who looked as if he was in a bad dream while looking at me.
"The attack was good and all but you missed one thing about me… Fire Magic doesn't work on me. Anything other than high Ranked Divine Fire is not only useless against me but also becomes a source of power for me."
"You lie. Riser's flames are the strongest." he shouted, hurling several fireballs at me.
It was true that his flames had become stronger but it was nowhere near as strong as the flames needed to overpower me.
I just stood there in the flames without even moving a muscle.
My Peerage Members had erected a barrier around us.
"Strongest flames? Hahahaha a frog in the well indeed? Or is it a cockroach? You see Riser, no matter how many drugs a cockroach uses, it still remains a cockroach. But it looks as if you have forgotten about this simple fact. Then let me remind you of it."
His shadows bound him again.
I saw his eyes widen and pushed the image of the previous Rating Game in his mind, sending him in a panic mode.
His demonic power soared and flames covered the entire place but it was for naught as the flames collided against the barrier and were stopped dead in their tracks.
"Did you know an interesting fact about shadows is that… they exist inside our bodies." I latched my demonic power to the shadow under his eyelids and two shadow spikes ran through his head.
He opened his mouth to shout and his entire mouth and the next instant his entire body was made into a pin-cushion from the shadow spikes inside his body. His wounds healed obviously but it was just followed by another round of attacks.
I used the curses to elevate his sensitivity to pain and continued.
"When you asked me to bet my life on this game, you should have been prepared to face the same end. You eyed my wife, my family. You crossed my bottom line. Did you think I would just laugh it all off? Did you think I was afraid of your tiny Phenex House? I am not afraid of your house. I am not afraid of any of those dogs trying to make a fuss outside. I just don't like trouble in general. But you people are hell bent on challenging my bottomline, then so be it."
I stopped the shadows impaling his body.
"But before I do that, tell me something. This power, I recognize it as Ophis' snakes. Where did you get it from? Answer me and I will let you live."
He looked at me with blood red eyes, "... neve… Arghhhhhhhhh!"
The impalement started once more. "Wrong answer. Try again."
- Akeno -
She watched in amazement at the new form Shin had taken. She had heard of the True Form before but Shin said that he was still trying to form his own and was not done yet.
These people had truly kicked the iron plate this time.
She remembered the last time when she had questioned his relationship with Rias and him snapping back at her. Back then she hadn't realised everything about the situation.
Later on, when she found out more about his life, she understood.
Shin was alone in this whole world back then and Rias was the first person who approached him open heartedly and he latched on to her.
It was something she was very familiar with.
So, when they tried to pull this foolishness and today at that, she already knew what was going to happen in the Rating Game.
And now, seeing this form she realised that her thoughts were on point.
"This power…. it's far beyond that of even Sirzechs, almost double." She heard Lord Falbium whisper.
The entire atmosphere had calmed down when the announcements of the eliminations ran out. Poor Bedeze Abaddon had been too stunned to do anything.
The sheer power emanating from the stadium had stunned everyone into silence. The sky above the stadium had cracked as several members of the peerage were using their Conqueror's Haki.
The Satans had all stopped arguing with the Lords of the other houses. Lord Sirzechs who looked like he was about to snap at them any instant calmed down as well and moments later Lord Odin joined as well followed by Lady Amaterasu, Azazel, Lord Michael and Lady Gabriel who were all stunned into silence at the scene.
"This boy… he has divinity." She heard Lady Amaterasu whisper, causing the other Gods to look closer at the entire scene.
….
"He somehow does." Odin confirmed.
"He somehow devoured the traces of Ophis' divinity in the fire and created a Pseudo Divinity of sorts." The boy, whom she later found out to be the Hindu God of Destruction, Shiva relayed. "It probably has something to do with his power to eat fire. His strength is indeed good enough for a God. I think that he matches Indra in terms of sheer power right now. Although, the question remains, why would someone like Ophis be involved?"
"Ophis was till recently involved with a terrorist organization who gained power from it. The members contained several humans with Longinuses as well as the members of several supernatural factions, even Gods. The Old Satan Faction was also a part of it. We managed to get Ophis on our side but some of her snakes remained with them. They have attacked us on multiple occasions, even during our Peace Conference where we faced a decently large army. This Riser… he either is a part of the Old Satan Faction or the Khaos Brigade." Odin answered, looking serious. "Sirzechs, I hope you will investigate this incident properly."
Lord Sirzechs however didn't need to be reminded and he nodded lightly, still looking at the scene.
"Stop this madness, right now." Lord Phenex lost all colour in his face and ran forward towards the stadium.
She shot a coin laced with Holy Lightning, directly tearing off his legs.
The man fell to the ground and screamed as several devils took an attacking stance against her while her own fellow peerage members took a stance as well.
They however weren't able to make any moves.
Several overwhelming auras blasted out instantly.
"Everything is according to the rules. The match will not stop." The Lucifer ordered and for the first time in several centuries, the look in his eyes dared anyone to challenge him
Everyone stagnated.
"Sirzechs!" Zekram began.
"Be quiet!" The old devil held his tongue immediately, seeing the look in the Lucifer's eyes and the whole atmosphere descended into a period of silence again.
The one who broke the silence at this point was surprisingly Rias. "I asked you to kill anyone who tries to interfere in the match, Akeno. Next time… don't miss."
There was no inflection in her voice as she said that. And somehow no one questioned it either.
The shouts of Riser continued to echo in the place until he begged for mercy.
"Tell me, who gave you this power?"
"D… Diodora Astaroth!"
Shin brought out a vial from his pocket. "This is a Truth Potion. One of the many things I am planning to sell in my business." He opened Riser's mouth and poured it in, forcing him to drink the potion and asked again. "Now, tell me again, who gave you this power?"
"D-Diodora Astaroth. He… he wanted the Holy Maiden in your peerage in exchange." Riser huffed.
"Now, why would he do that?"
"He… has a peerage full of holy maidens and nuns that he had plotted away from the church. He enjoys b-breaking them. Your p-peerage member was also tricked by him but was recruited by the Fallen Angels first. He wants her back."
"I see. Who else knew about this?"
Riser paused and the next instant, his arm was blown away.
"I am running out of patience. Be quick."
"M-my father, Zeoticus Gremory and their friends."
"The other members of your family?"
"No." he breathed out, desperately holding a stump of his arm which was not regenerating anymore.
The next instant the remaining three limbs and crotch of Riser were covered in the Power of Destruction and erased.
"Go on. I can spare your life. Beg me to end this game."
Even amidst his shouts, he managed to breathe out a please.
The game ended and Ruval Phenex ran towards the stadium to pick up his brother while his younger brother remained with their father.
Rias got up from her chair. "Please get into the stadium, Lord Gremory. You have already delayed it a lot but I do have a wedding night after this. Let's get done with this farce already."
As if everyone was broken from their trances, they looked at the bride walking towards the Rating Game stadium.
"Rias… you… will you go so far?" He tried to argue but she paid no mind and walked towards the stadium.
Shin was coming out and she went first.
"Sirzechs…" Zekram tried to speak up but was met with an impassive face. The old devil continued nonetheless. "A lot has happened already. Don't let the Devil Race become a mockery in front of everyone."
Akeno had the urge to roll her eyes.
The Devil Race had already become a mockery in front of everyone.
He got no answer and was about to continue when a voice was heard from behind.
"Do as was decided. It is a matter of the Gremory House's pride. If Zeoticus Gremory doesn't fulfill his end of the deal, he will be disowned from the Gremory House."
She looked behind to see Lady Venelana following a young girl with crimson coloured twin tailed hair and deep purple eyes. She observed Zekram and Lord Gremory both looking stunned on seeing the little girl's face.
"Hello Zekram, little Zeo… I heard you have been a naughty child. It seems like you need to be punished."
"Runeas!"
_x_x_
Beta Reader: LuluViBritania(FF.N, SB, WN and QQ)/-LuluViB|99th Britannian Emperor(Discord)
Author's Note:
Someone snapped. Or rather, more than one person did.
And now, they devils will realise that they cannot get everything just by whining to the Satans.
I thought about writing the Rating Game scenes in detail but there wouldn't be anything of a fight because the difference in power was too much.
The Shiva bit was from the real Hindu Mythology and I just added it there because there were many parallels in the scene.
This chapter was supposed to be longer but I divided the chapter into two parts.
We will find the reasons for everyone's actions and what was happening behind the scenes in the next chapter.
Enjoy the new chapter.
Good Day. Peace Out.