After Akeno left, the room finally settled into a quiet calm. I leaned back against the pillows, letting my thoughts drift—until the door opened once more.
This time, the presence alone made the air feel heavier.
A tall figure with crimson hair stepped inside, wearing a relaxed smile that didn't quite hide the authority behind it.
"…Sirzechs-sama?" I said, blinking in surprise.
"Yo," he greeted casually, waving a hand as if he were just another visitor. "Mind if I come in?"
"Of course not," I replied quickly. "But… what brings you here?"
He chuckled and crossed his arms. "Can't I visit my brother-in-law?"
For some reason, a chill ran straight down my spine.
Brother-in-law.
The word echoed ominously in my head. My face must've betrayed my thoughts, because Sirzechs burst out laughing the moment he noticed my expression.
"Relax, relax," he said, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. "You look like you're about to fight a final boss."
"…With all due respect, Sirzechs-sama," I replied carefully, "you calling me that feels way more dangerous than any enemy I've fought."
That only made him laugh harder.
Then his expression softened, turning serious—but not cold. More… thoughtful.
"There was some discussion about you," he said. "Among the higher-ups."
My heart skipped a beat.
"Discussion?" I repeated.
"Yeah. About promoting you."
For a second, my mind went completely blank.
"…High-class?" I asked, unable to stop myself.
Sirzechs nodded slowly. "That was the proposal."
My eyes widened despite myself. High-class devil. The words carried weight—status, responsibility, and peerage of my own. A step closer to the path I'd been aiming for ever since I became a devil.
But then Sirzechs sighed.
"And that's where the conversation ended."
Just like that, the bubble popped.
"The motion was denied," he continued calmly. "Reason being—you don't have enough achievements yet."
I exhaled slowly, listening.
"Defeating Kokabiel was impressive," Sirzechs admitted. "No one denies that. But one major incident doesn't define a career. Especially not in devil society. They want consistency. Proof. Repeated results."
I clenched my fist slightly—not in anger, but resolve.
"I see," I said.
Sirzechs studied me for a moment, then smiled again. "You're taking this well."
"There's no point sulking," I replied evenly. "If I'm not there yet, then I'll get there."
That seemed to please him.
"Good answer," he said. "And don't misunderstand—this wasn't a rejection of you. It was a 'not yet.'"
He turned toward the door, then paused.
"Keep doing what you're doing. Protect your king. Grow stronger. Make your name unavoidable."
He glanced back at me, crimson eyes sharp and approving.
"When the time comes," Sirzechs added, "no one will be able to deny you."
Sirzechs paused at the doorway, hand resting lightly on the frame, as if something had just crossed his mind.
"Oh, right," he added casually, glancing back over his shoulder. "By the way—Serafall was really happy with what you did today for Sona."
That caught me off guard.
"…She was?" I asked.
He nodded, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "Very. You didn't just fight a Rating Game. You helped give my little sister confidence—proof that her path isn't wrong. Serafall noticed that. She values things like that more than titles or results."
I let out a quiet breath. "I didn't do it for praise. I just… thought Sona deserved it."
Sirzechs chuckled. "That answer alone tells me everything I need to know."
Then his gaze sharpened slightly—not threatening, but alert.
"I also heard," he continued, "that you're planning on visiting the Sitri household."
I nodded. "Yes. Sona invited me. Said her sister wanted to meet me."
For a brief moment, the air shifted.
Sirzechs stared at me in silence, his smile gone—not replaced by anger, but by something closer to concern. An older brother's concern.
"…I see," he finally said.
He straightened, his presence once again carrying the weight of a Maou.
"Then please be careful," Sirzechs said seriously.
Not watch yourself. Not behave. Just—be careful.
I met his gaze without flinching. "I will."
That seemed to satisfy him.
Sirzechs smiled again, this time softer. "Good. You've got a habit of walking straight into the center of things."
With that, he turned and walked out, the door closing quietly behind him.
I lay back against the bed, staring at the ceiling.
High-class devil… not yet.
But the road was clear.
~~~
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