In the courtyard, Ravel's back sprouted two wings formed of fire, and she slowly floated toward Riser.
It must be said that if members of the Phenex family didn't explicitly state that they were Devils, their appearance would suggest no relation to Devils at all.
Rias and the others at least retained a pair of black wings, which, although significantly different from bat wings, still somewhat resembled the Devil form.
However, the Phenex family possessed the Phoenix bloodline, and even their wings were transformed into fiery plumage.
When Ethan and Rias arrived in the courtyard, Akeno Himejima and the other girls spread their slender black wings, forming a circle around the two Phenex siblings.
Gazing at the siblings' fiery wings, Ethan felt an even stronger desire for the Phenex family's bloodline talent.
The thought of manifesting several pairs of graceful, fiery wings behind him when fighting at full power made him instinctively lick his lips.
Never mind how powerful it was, being cool was forever.
However, achieving that level required the perfect fusion of all bloodline talents.
Whether due to his missing parents or his lack of strength, Ethan's Devil form showed signs of atavism, and he couldn't perfectly master two powers simultaneously like the naturally pure-blooded Akeno Himejima.
He could only switch between Devil power and Fallen Angel power, like Yuma Amano and the other two.
Even when transforming into a half-Devil, half-Fallen Angel state, it only sped up the switching process; it was completely different from Akeno Himejima's transformation of lightning into Holy Lightning.
"Riser, you've lost." Rias walked through the crowd and flew in front of Riser.
Ethan and Asia did not step forward, instead staying close to the girls and chatting about the recent battles.
"Ah, the opponents were too weak. I didn't feel any pressure at all."
"I think we're just too strong..."
Amidst their casual conversation, Ethan quickly pieced together the situation of the battle.
To his surprise, apart from the Phenex siblings, none of the opponents were S-Class.
But it made sense. If Devils had so many S-Class members, then Fallen Angels and Angels would also be similar, and in that case, the human world would have no chance of resistance.
The three major races had great potential but also needed time to grow.
Among the younger generation of Devils, SS-Class was virtually non-existent. Even Rias and Sona Shitori, as the presumptive heads of the Four Great Pure-Blooded Devil families, were only S+.
Ahem, thanks to Ethan's relentless efforts, Rias was now SS+, rightfully the strongest among her peers.
The power gap was too immense, eliminating any trace of a tense atmosphere.
Listening to the playful chatter on Ethan's side, Ravel, whose personality was actually quite lively, yearned to join in, her beautiful eyes constantly glancing over.
"Rias, it's too early to say I've lost."
Riser knew he couldn't win, but he absolutely refused to surrender.
This was not only for his masculine pride but also for the reputation of the Phenex family.
He glanced at Ravel, whose thoughts were clearly elsewhere, and, not wanting his younger sister to get hurt, he simply had her retire immediately.
[Lord Riser's Bishop, one member, retired.]
As the broadcast ended, Riser's eyes narrowed. He began throwing out his complete set of gear and prepared tools without restraint.
Although he was the one surrounded, relying on his Immortality, he momentarily put Akeno Himejima's group in a frantic scramble.
Facing Riser, who completely disregarded defense and adopted a life-for-a-life posture, Rias was momentarily helpless.
She could suppress him, but she couldn't block all of his attacks, especially one-time use items and magic scrolls.
Since he had promised Rias, Ethan was also constantly dodging Riser's attacks.
While evading, he kept observing the 'blonde fire chicken'.
This guy was libertine, but didn't seem like the type to be a sore loser. His refusal to surrender must be due to some underlying reason.
A moment later, Ethan noticed Riser's frequent glances towards the sky, and he seemed to figure out the reason.
"President, have Akeno-senpai and the others feign defeat and retire."
He communicated with Rias through the soul network. "Being zero-gamed is too embarrassing. Give the Phenex family some face."
Rias instantly understood Ethan's intention.
She was actually more familiar with these aristocratic maneuverings than Ethan, but this was her first Rating Game, and the victory was so close—freedom from the engagement was imminent—that her excitement had clouded her judgment.
Receiving Rias's instruction, the girls exchanged glances. Finally, Yuuto Kiba, Asia, Mitelut, and Kalawarna feigned defeat and willingly surrendered.
Sure enough, as Grayfia's voice announced the retirement, Riser's expression visibly relaxed, and his offensive slowed down.
"Riser, how many more items do you have? Continuing this will only bring you more shame."
Seeing that enough time had passed, Rias decided not to prolong the fight. If he still wouldn't surrender, she would have to defeat him by force.
Riser put away his one-time use items, but kept his armor, helmet, and other gear on.
He adopted a fighting stance. "Rias, our marriage is about the future of the pure-blooded Devils. Have you truly considered this?"
"I'm willing to overlook that you've already lost your virginity to him..."
"Shut up, Riser." Rias didn't care about others knowing her relationship with Ethan, but having it brought up this way in this setting was infuriating.
Her emerald eyes filled with killing intent. "You talk as if you're so virtuous. And I've already given you enough face. Don't blame me for what happens next."
As she spoke, black and red magic power, charged with a destructive aura, surged from Rias's body like a dancing giant python. Her crimson hair floated in the wind, whipped by the magical current.
"Buzz, buzz, buzz—"
Even more magic circles than those used by Akeno Himejima against Yubelluna surrounded Riser, but the difference was that all these magic circles were identical.
Following Rias's incantation, countless blood-red, laser-like beams of magic power violently struck Riser.
Riser was utterly helpless. Even the fiery wings on his back were disintegrated, and his entire body was left tattered as he fell from the sky.
But in those few short seconds, fire continuously surged from him. The horrific, ghastly wounds healed in an instant, and even severed limbs were restored to their original state.
When he crashed to the ground, Riser showed almost no injury, apart from looking a bit disheveled.
This outcome was expected by Rias. The black and red magic power continued to flow, and the next wave of attack was quickly brewing.
After five rounds of bombardment, in which Riser was turned to ash a few times, she finally saw the limits of his Immortality.
The flames still repaired the wounds on his body, but the speed was noticeably slower, and some less severe injuries were only showing raw flesh and were no longer regenerating.
This signified that Riser's mental power was being severely depleted. When even fatal injuries could no longer be instantly healed, it would mean his spirit had reached its limit.
The beautiful red-haired Devil girl returned to the ground, her chest heaving violently, and the magic circles that covered the combat space dissipated one by one.
Rias's magic power was also mostly depleted. Looking at Riser, who could barely maintain mobility, her lovely brows couldn't help but furrow.
"Riser, even at this point, are you still going to rely on the rules and continue?"
Riser curled his lips into a sneer, casting a dark glance at Ethan, who hadn't stepped in at all.
What a pity. He had intended to teach Ethan a lesson before dying, but the opponent was dodging too far away.
Not only couldn't he teach him a lesson, but he couldn't even manage a suicide-exchange with his own life.
If Riser had died at Ethan's hands, even in a Rating Game, and even if Riser was asking for it...
Unless the Gremory family and the Phenex family went to war, Ethan's life would most likely be forfeit.
Riser wouldn't normally think this way, but as his mental energy was depleted, he became increasingly unable to resist the abnormal influence looming over him.
Every time he saw Ethan, an uncontrollable surge of hatred and disgust arose in his heart.
This feeling peaked when he thought of Rias losing her purity to Ethan, making him want to go for an extreme life-for-a-life exchange more than once.
Ethan was unaware of Riser's condition. Even if he knew, he could only shrug.
You're the blonde cuckolder, but why do I feel like I'm the one who cuckolded you...
Cough, cough. Setting aside Rias's own feelings, on the surface, he did indeed sleep with someone else's fiancée this time.
But since Rias never liked Riser, it probably didn't count as Netorare (Cuckolding/Cheating).
Mmm, it didn't count.
Ethan ignored Riser's glare and continued to ponder how to get his hands on the Phenex bloodline.
This ability was truly incredible. If he successfully copied it, combined with his incredibly powerful soul, the resulting effect would surely be even more terrifying than the original.
Waiting for a long time for Riser's answer, Rias took a deep breath and looked up at the sky of the combat space.
"Lord Lucifer, and all observing dignitaries..."
She said gravely, "I hope you transfer Riser out promptly."