Akira stared at Grayfia Lucifuge, now standing just a few paces away from him—and he had to admit something silently in his heart.

The difference between them was still enormous.

And what made it even more terrifying was the fact that this woman wasn't your average Maou-class Devil. Grayfia hailed from the Lucifuge clan—the main branch that had long served the House of Lucifer as its most elite retainers.

She had once taken part in the Underworld's Civil War, standing with the reformist faction against the Old Maou bloodlines. Her power and battlefield exploits earned her recognition across the entire Underworld.

Her reputation wasn't just for show. She was not only a Queen-class Devil who had served directly under Sirzechs Lucifer but also the strongest Queen in the history of the Rating Game.

It was said that her relationship with Sirzechs hadn't come from love at first sight, but had been forged through countless battles and hardships—an unshakable bond formed in the fires of war.

Even Serafall Leviathan, the current Maou Leviathan, had once been her rival. The two competed fiercely for the title of "Strongest Female Devil" in the Underworld.

In both strength and status, Grayfia was indisputably one of the most elite beings in existence.

"Grayfia… why are you here?" Rias asked, keeping her voice composed despite the suffocating pressure in the air.

Among everyone in the room, only Rias managed to stay calm. Then again, she was Grayfia's master in name—and more importantly, the younger sister of Sirzechs Lucifer, Grayfia's husband. Their bond was familial as well as political.

"This situation was already anticipated by both Lord Gremory and Lord Lucifer," Grayfia replied calmly. "If Lady Rias insists on rejecting her arranged engagement, then the fairest way to settle this is through a Rating Game."

"A… Rating Game?"

Rias instinctively turned her eyes toward Akira. In this moment, he was her one and only hope.

And not just Rias—Riser's gaze also locked onto Akira with a sharp, dangerous intensity.

He was eager. Eager to crush Rias's hopes right before her eyes. Eager to humiliate the human who dared to defy him.

"I'm not a Devil," Akira said coolly, "but can I still participate in this Rating Game as an external fighter?"

All eyes turned toward him.

Akira's gaze didn't waver. He looked directly at Grayfia, his eyes steady and full of resolve.

Grayfia stared back in silence, her silver eyes unreadable. But in their depths, there was a faint flicker of approval. She had read every report available about Shin Akira before coming here.

He wasn't a native of either Japan or the Underworld. His connection to the Sitri family was thin at best, and his attendance at Kuoh Academy was thanks only to a temporary arrangement—he had no formal status within Devil society.

However, this man wielded two Sacred Gears. One of them was a Longinus, a God-class Sacred Gear. The other was a chain-type Sacred Gear—one that had proven highly adaptable and lethal.

He had even once stood toe-to-toe with Azazel, former Governor-General of the Fallen Angels.

And he survived.

Even though Azazel had clearly held back, the fact that Akira had walked away from that clash was proof enough of his caliber.

"…That decision rests with Riser-sama," Grayfia finally answered. "This is, after all, a Rating Game between Riser Phenex and Rias Gremory."

Everyone turned to Riser.

"I accept. Of course I accept!" Riser laughed, loud and mocking.

"Consider yourself lucky, human. Participating in a Rating Game among High-Class Devils is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Savor it while you can."

His tone was dripping with sarcasm. To Riser, Akira was nothing. A mongrel with no bloodline, no prestige, no title. Without Rias, he wouldn't have even warranted a glance.

"Well then, I suppose I should thank you," Akira replied casually. "I'll make sure to return the favor… thoroughly."

"Hmph. I'll be waiting, human."

A dangerous spark flared between them. Whatever the original reason for this match had been—it no longer mattered.

Now, it was about pride. About domination. Two men, locked in a challenge to utterly defeat and humiliate each other.

"Even with this little human on your side, Rias… is this really all you've got?" Riser sneered, casting a mocking glance around the room.

Rias, Akira, Koneko, Akeno, and Asia—barely five of them. And Asia wasn't even a full peerage member yet. Their numbers were pathetic compared to his.

With a cocky grin, Riser snapped his fingers.

A pillar of flame erupted, and a burning magic circle flared to life in the middle of the room. One by one, his peerage members appeared—fourteen Devils in total.

With Yubelluna at his side, that made fifteen. Every Evil Piece in his set had been used to fill his peerage.

But therein lay another issue: most of his servants were weak.

Especially the Pawns—eight of them, each only worth a single piece. Their low ranks were telling.

"Quantity means nothing if the quality's trash," Rias said coolly. "If I wanted to, I could gather a stronger peerage than this in no time."

"You dare say that, Rias?"

Riser raised an eyebrow, but his voice wasn't angry. He didn't care.

His peerage wasn't a tactical unit—it was a harem. A personalized collection of women who fit every possible archetype he enjoyed.

Power? That was secondary. He believed he alone could carry any Rating Game on his back.

"Tch. You're disgustingly greedy, Turkey Boy," Akira muttered.

"Besides the maid at your side and that fire-haired girl in the back, the rest are basically background props. Don't even compare them to Rias, Akeno… heck, they don't even measure up to ten percent of Koneko's ability."

"You dare insult my peerage, human?!" Riser snapped.

It was one thing to be mocked by Rias—they were equals in status and power. But from a mere human?

"Oh? Did that sting a little?"

"HOW DARE YOU!!"

Riser's body erupted in flames, and a stream of burning phoenix fire shot straight toward Akira's face.

But Akira didn't flinch. He stood perfectly still, watching the flames draw closer—calm, unreadable.

Then—

Grayfia stepped in front of him with a single smooth motion.

She flicked her fingers.

The flames scattered and vanished, like dust swept away by a breeze. Gone. As if they had never existed.

"If you wish to fight, Riser-sama," Grayfia said in an icy voice, "please wait until the Rating Game begins."

"…Tch. Fine. Since the Silver-Haired Queen of Annihilation herself asked… I'll let it slide."

"Thank you for your understanding."

Riser turned back to Akira, his eyes narrowing.

"Treasure what's left of your life, human. Because soon, it won't belong to you anymore."

Once more, fire surged around Riser's group. A towering blaze enveloped all fifteen of them.

And in a flash—they vanished, whisked away by teleportation magic.

Because of official rules, a Rating Game couldn't be held on the spot. It required registration, venue approval, and referee assignment. The entire process would take several days.

And for now, Riser was gone.

But everyone in that room knew one thing:

The battle was already set.

And the day of reckoning… was drawing near.

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