The outcome of the battle was not beyond Serafall's expectations.
Even as one of the elite among Super Demon Lord level beings, when Serafall faced both Zeroy and Patchouli at once, she quickly fell into disadvantage and began to be beaten back.
Of course, that was only a figurative way of speaking. The fight was fierce, with attacks and counters traded back and forth, and both Zeroy and Patchouli gained considerable experience from it.
Serafall remained on the losing side throughout; but, being at a disadvantage did not mean she was passively beaten. As the strongest female devil who inherited the name of Leviathan, her trump cards and methods were endless. Even while in a bad position, she did not fall easily.
After all, since there wasn't an overwhelming difference in strength between the two sides, the fight was not a simple contest of power. Even if there were such a difference, there were still cases of mortals managing to slay gods.
After the battle with Serafall ended, the fight between Rias and Riser soon followed. After lending out H.A.M.P, Zeroy had given two options: she could substitute in, or Rias could pilot H.A.M.P herself. Rias chose to practice piloting H.A.M.P on her own.
That required time, so logically, she would have only challenged Riser to a Rating Game in the last day or two. Yet at this moment, Riser happened to come seeking her out on his own.
"Rias, it seems you've finally come to your senses. Are you ready to fulfill our engagement?" Having heard of Rias's return to the Underworld, the blond, arrogant man paid a visit to the Gremory household.
"As your future husband, I'm glad you've come to understand. Though you are a little late, I am willing to be forgiving."
"Rias—"
As Zeroy pushed open the door, she saw the scene inside the living room. Rias and the blond man sat opposite each other, with Rias's followers gathered around.
"Hm? A guest?"
"Hm, more like an unwanted guest." Rias showed Zeroy a helpless expression.
"?" Zeroy raised an eyebrow. She had planned to leave and wait until Rias was free before bringing up her matter. Yet when she heard the words "unwanted guest," she had to ask.
"Mind if I intrude?"
"Of course not. This is my house, after all." Rias replied with a smile. As for Riser's opinion? It didn't matter. This was her home, and Riser was an unwanted guest; his feelings didn't need to be considered.
"Good, I was just looking for a place to rest for a bit." Zeroy smiled and walked in, casually sitting down beside Rias. She gave not the slightest courtesy to the other blond man.
"Hm?" At first, Riser frowned, clearly displeased by the intrusion. Yet when his eyes landed on the newcomer's face, his impatience instantly shifted.
A strikingly beautiful girl—blond hair, emerald eyes, an indifferent expression carrying an undeniable sharpness. His gaze lingered for a moment before the corner of his lips curled into a frivolous smile, a predatory gleam flashing in his eyes.
"Hoho, Rias, is this your new follower?" His tone dripped with mockery and insolence.
"..." Zeroy didn't respond, only narrowing her eyes slowly.
In that instant, the air seemed to freeze. Riser's grin froze, the mockery in his eyes instantly vanishing, replaced by unspeakable terror. His pupils shrank violently, as though he had fallen into a bottomless abyss. His hands shot up to clutch his own throat, his face turning ashen from suffocation and dread, his body trembling as if struggling against some nightmarish illusion.
It was fear from the depths of the soul—the screams of countless lives converging into pure dread. It bore no killing intent, yet was enough to shatter one's sanity.
However, just as quickly as it came, it vanished. Zeroy withdrew her gaze, shutting down the intimidation effect of her Title, as if nothing had happened.
Riser suddenly released his throat, collapsing against the edge of the sofa, gasping desperately for air like a drowning man breaking the surface. All trace of arrogance was gone from his face, leaving only fear and humiliation.
"I don't like the way you look at me." Zeroy's tone was cold, her voice calm, yet it cut like an icy blade. "Take it back."
Judging from the verdicts of Hellfire and Evil Slayer, he wasn't a man deserving of death—nevertheless, he was certainly no good man either. So when offended, Zeroy saw no reason to be polite, especially when he was Rias's unwanted guest.
She had also recognized who he was. At first she hadn't, though once she heard his voice, she remembered.
This was Rias's fiancé—not any particularly special character, except for the fact that his voice actor was the same as the infamous Dio. The moment he opened his mouth, one could almost picture that blond vampire, the villainous savior. That was why Zeroy remembered him.
"You… you—" Riser, humiliated and furious, opened his mouth to retort—only to meet Zeroy's eyes again. This time she hadn't even activated her intimidation, yet terror still flickered across his face, and he curled up on the sofa in a pitiful heap.
"That's enough, Riser. Zeroy is my friend and an honored guest of the Gremory family. You should show her respect."
"Rias…" Riser grit his teeth at being scolded. First he had been humiliated by a stranger, then rebuked by his fiancée, and now he looked utterly disgraced.
As proud as he was, how could he not be enraged? Even so, he dared not breathe a word of defiance.
How to put it—reason told him there was no need to be afraid. He was the third son of the Phenex family, a rising star ranked among the top ten in the Rating Games. So what if the opponent was stronger? If she dared lay hands on him, would the Phenex family let it go? Would the Gremory family just sit by?
Yet his body screamed back: No—you are afraid. He didn't even dare to glance Zeroy's way now. If his eyes so much as wandered toward her, his mind would instantly be flooded by the vision of that world of flesh—and the giant eye ruling over it, blotting out the sky.
His pride and family honor would not allow him to flee in disgrace. So he bit down hard, drew courage by biting his own tongue, and forced himself to lift his head. Then he turned his face away, adopting a ridiculous posture to face only Rias—this way he could look at her without seeing the girl sitting at her side.
"Let's return to the matter at hand, Rias. You're ready to marry me, aren't you?" Riser's voice was still stiff.
"No. I'll say it again—I will never marry you, Riser. I will only be with the one I love."
...
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