Rhodes didn't dwell on it. There would be plenty of opportunities later.
"So, what's your name? I'm the Satan Leviathan of the Underworld, Serafall Leviathan. But you can call me Sera-chan! ~~~" Serafall tilted her head and gave a peace sign.
"Rhodes. Sera-chan," Rhodes said, nodding slightly. He didn't have much integrity left, but he wasn't about to be as hyperactive as she was. In front of strangers, he liked to think he was quite composed.
Serafall's eyes lit up. "Eh? You actually called me that?!"
"I really love that name, and I've told so many people they can use it, but they always use those stiff, formal titles instead. You're the first person to actually call me that!"
Just like that, Serafall's favorability of Rhodes skyrocketed.
"Sister, if you call yourself a Satan, that outfit is far too strange! As a Satan, cosplaying a character from a human anime is completely inappropriate!" Sona was deeply embarrassed. To her, the Satans represented the face of the Underworld. She felt her sister was throwing away every bit of Satanic dignity!
"Eh? Why do you say that? This outfit is quite popular in this country."
"It is not popular! You remembered wrong, Sister!"
"Well, alright. But I like it. By the way, Little Rhodes, why are you wearing sunglasses inside?"
"I have an eye condition," Rhodes said without blinking.
Yes, the condition where my eyes automatically 'auto-aim' whenever a girl with a great figure is nearby. To prevent people from thinking he was a creep, he had to wear the shades.
"Oh, wow! Is it some kind of ocular power?" Serafall asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Maybe." Rhodes didn't deny it; he just wanted to move past the topic.
"Now, I believe it's my turn," Sirzechs said kindly, his eyes full of appreciation as he looked at Rhodes. As a Satan, he valued talent, and in his eyes, Rhodes was a rare find. However, he knew that if Rhodes had reached this level of power without joining a faction, he must have his own convictions. He wanted to recruit him, but he wouldn't push the issue.
"Brother, please stop adding 'Little' before my name," Rias snapped, glaring at Sirzechs.
Sirzechs looked utterly devastated. "How can this be? Little Rias, you used to follow me around calling 'Brother, Brother' non-stop. Wherever I went, you followed. I see... has the rebellious phase hit at sixteen?"
"Enough, Brother! That was a long time ago! I don't even remember it!" Rias's face was beet-red. If Sirzechs weren't her brother and a Satan, she would have started swinging by now.
Suddenly, Sirzechs pulled out a camera and snapped a photo of her. "Oh, it's so rare to see Little Rias make a face like that. I got a great shot! Father and Mother told me to bring back as many photos of her as possible before I left. Mission accomplished."
Sirzechs looked perfectly satisfied. It was clear half of his teasing had been intentional.
"Honestly, Brother!" Rias huffed. She knew her brother's private personality was incredibly playful, nothing like the serious front he maintained. Being teased by him was a common occurrence.
Beside Rhodes, Akeno whispered softly, "Actually, the Satans I've met are all quite interesting people. However, their siblings are usually very serious. I think it's because the Satans are so free-spirited that the rest of the family feels they have to act extra dignified to balance it out."
"Rias used to be like that for the same reason. She worked very hard."
"She did work hard," Rhodes noted. "But she worked hard in the wrong direction."
Rhodes knew Akeno was trying to smooth things over. She likely thought he had a low opinion of Rias. She was a good friend, thinking even that far ahead. Actually, Rhodes didn't dislike Rias; aside from her misguided efforts and obsession with saving face, she was quite alright.
"Haha, seeing Little Rias so happy in the Human Realm puts my mind at ease," Sirzechs said, putting his camera away. He then turned back to Rhodes. "Since this visit was sudden, I didn't prepare a gift."
"Don't mention it. I was just doing what I felt was right."
"But saving Little Rias is a fact. According to our father's wishes, we have allocated a portion of Gremory territory as a reward for your intervention. It's not huge—perhaps about the size of Tokyo—but the castle and facilities are all in order, and there are servants managing it daily."
"Since you are so sincere, I would be honored to accept," Rhodes said immediately.
Sirzechs: "..."
Where did that 'lofty integrity' go? He'd thought Rhodes might be humble about it. But he also understood Rhodes was a mercenary. Granting him a title would be inappropriate for his status, and giving money was too gauche, so land was the perfect middle ground. For the Gremory House, land and money were never an issue; they owned vast tracts of primeval forest that were virtually uninhabited. Giving a piece away didn't hurt at all.
Serafall then stepped in on behalf of the Sitri House to express her thanks, granting Rhodes another piece of land. Rhodes didn't refuse; he accepted it all with a smile. He wasn't like those "noble" types who turned down rewards. If it was offered, he took it. If it was useful but not offered, he'd find a way to get it anyway.
As the meal wound down, Sirzechs suddenly changed the subject. "Rias, there is something you need to know."
"What is it?" Rias looked at her brother warily. Whenever he used that serious tone, it usually wasn't good news. Is it about the engagement again? At the thought, she felt her blood pressure rise. She was absolutely not marrying that playboy from the Phenex family!
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High School DxD : Reincarnated into the Multiverse, but it's High School DxD (216 Chapters – Ongoing)
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