"An absurd ability... where did you even get it?"
Issei gave a faint smile.
Rias immediately understood that she wouldn't be receiving a direct answer to her question.
"Does anyone else know about this ability of yours?"
"There are others, though I didn't explain it to them directly."
"Others?"
Issei went silent for a moment, let out a light sigh, and then explained the existence of Reinare, Kalawarna, and Mittelt.
Rias's expression turned turbulent.
"So, you've had three other women behind my back?"
An Aura of Destruction began to radiate from her body.
"I didn't intend to hide them; I just didn't know when the right time was to tell you."
Issei gave a wry smile, trying his best to explain and reassure her.
Rias's aura weakened quickly until it vanished completely.
"Do you love them?"
"A little."
"A little?"
Rias tilted her head, her expression skeptical.
"I bound them as slaves before they could cause chaos in Kuoh Town."
Rias narrowed her beautiful eyes, sighed, and muttered softly,
"I see. So the disappearance of the Fallen Angel cases was your doing."
Issei nodded gently, confirming her suspicion.
"And since then, you've been with them... making love every single night without fail?"
Issei shook his head quickly.
"Not every day. Besides, I'm always sleeping with you every night."
Rias smiled slightly.
"True. There are moments when you disappear, but it doesn't happen every day."
Issei nodded again.
"You said you bound them as slaves. What exactly do you mean by that?"
Issei immediately explained the Lover Ranking System, which was classified by his ability.
There were only three ranks.
The first and most restricted rank was the Sex Slave.
A lover at this rank cannot betray Issei and will automatically act for his benefit—to them, this is considered a form of happiness and a blessing.
"Quite cruel," Rias commented.
Issei nodded in agreement.
"That's why this rank is only given to criminals."
"I see. In that case, I find this classification to be more humane."
"Reinare, Kalawarna, and Mittelt are at this rank. You can think of them as slaves I can use at my whim. Even so, I'm not cruel enough to order them to die or to hate them after the relationship we've built."
Rias exhaled and nodded in understanding.
The second rank was Ordinary.
This was for women who did not meet the requirements to be a Queen. Their freedom was not restricted, but their ability to increase their strength was limited.
The third rank was Queen.
Only women who met specific criteria were classified into this rank. Rias was one of those who met the requirements and had officially become a Queen since last night.
"With this ability, you could build an invincible harem army. Is that your goal?"
"To be honest? Yes. But I'll only gather more women once I feel I'm capable of it."
Rias smiled thinly, findng Issei's honesty somewhat entertaining.
"I understand. Thank you for sharing such important information with me."
"Rias, you are my lover. At the very least, you deserve to know this much."
Rias smiled softly, stood up, and kissed Issei on the lips.
"Eh?"
Rias licked her lips with a mischievous expression.
"My strength has recovered... didn't you want to start round two?"
Gulp...
Issei swallowed hard, his heart racing with nerves.
Rias laughed lightly before they both dove back into their passionate session.
...
Gorou Hyoudou, who was busy reading the newspaper, looked up in confusion after hearing strange noises coming from the second floor.
Fortunately, Asia was out, so she wasn't disturbed by Issei and Rias's "activities."
...
At 12 midnight, something massive occurred.
(World Merger complete. Those possessing power equivalent to a Demon King or an Awakened Demon King may now travel between the two worlds!)
Along with the system notification, Issei felt a strange wave of energy radiating from the sky.
It wasn't just Issei; every being with power at or above the level of a Demon King felt the same ripple.
Sirzechs Lucifer of the Underworld.
Hades of Tartarus.
Indra of Mount Meru.
Michael of Heaven.
Ophis of the Underworld.
Great Red of the Dimensional Gap.
There were many more beings who felt that pulse, too many to name.
One thing was certain: this event would change the world's trajectory, making it far more unpredictable.
No one knew what the future held, but tonight's event was undoubtedly the catalyst for everything to come.
To be continued...