Chapter 5: Flames of the Phoenix
The announcement came the very next morning through an official magic circle in the Occult Research Club room. Grayfia Lucifuge appeared once more, her silver hair and maid uniform impeccable as always. Her expression remained neutral, but her eyes carried a hint of professional curiosity when they landed on the Emperor.
"Rias-sama, Issei Hyoudou," she began formally. "Following the disruption at the gathering, Lord Sirzechs has approved an official Rating Game between the Gremory peerage and the Phenex peerage. The match is scheduled in ten days. The venue will be a replicated battlefield modeled after a ruined castle and surrounding forest — standard rules apply. Victory conditions: defeat the opposing King or force surrender."
Rias stood tall beside the Emperor, her hand resting lightly on his arm in a show of unity. "We accept."
Riser's image flickered into view through a secondary projection, his arrogant grin wide and flames dancing at his fingertips. "Finally! I'll enjoy crushing this delusional low-class devil and reclaiming what's rightfully mine, Rias. My peerage is complete and experienced. Yours is still half-empty and led by a fool who talks big."
The Emperor met Riser's gaze through the projection without a trace of anger — only cold calculation. "Talk is cheap, Phenex. In ten days, I'll show you what happens when someone tries to take what I've already claimed. Your immortality won't save your fate from being stolen."
Riser laughed mockingly. "Big words from a Pawn. See you on the battlefield, boy."
The projections faded. Grayfia bowed slightly. "Preparations will be sent to you. Good luck, Rias-sama." She vanished, leaving the room in focused silence.
The Emperor turned to the gathered peerage. "Ten days. We use every hour. This isn't just a game — it's the first public declaration that the old paths no longer apply. Riser treats his servants as disposable tools. We fight as something greater."
Akeno smiled, lightning crackling faintly around her fingers. "Ara ara~ I'm looking forward to seeing you in action again, Issei-kun. Especially after how you handled that fallen angel."
Asia clasped her hands, determination shining in her green eyes. "I'll support everyone with my healing! I won't let anyone get hurt badly."
Koneko cracked her knuckles quietly. "I'll punch hard."
Kiba drew his sword slightly, testing the edge. "My swords are ready. Your strategy will guide us."
Rias nodded, her crimson hair catching the light. "We train as one. Issei leads the plan."
Over the next several days, the training intensified. The Emperor divided sessions carefully. Mornings focused on individual growth. He sparred personally with each member, using his Level 3 stats and Emperor's Boost to push them beyond their limits while analyzing their styles.
With Kiba, he emphasized adaptability. "Your Sword Birth is powerful, but predict the opponent's regeneration. Cut deeper than flesh — cut their momentum."
With Akeno, he tested her lightning against his boosted defense. "Your power is elegant and destructive. Use it to control the field, not just attack. Make them fear the storm you command."
Koneko received close-quarters drills, her raw strength meeting his enhanced durability. "You're small but your power is immense. Channel it with purpose — protect the team, break their formation."
Asia practiced healing under pressure while the Emperor simulated light injuries. "Your Twilight Healing is rare and valuable. Stay protected, but never hesitate to support from the front when needed. You are not fragile."
Rias trained directly with him in the evenings. Their sessions blended combat practice with private reinforcement of their bond. In the quiet of his room, after exhausting drills, he claimed her again with the same controlled dominance that had first shifted her loyalty. Every touch and whispered promise of shared empire deepened the stolen threads. She responded with growing passion and absolute trust, her noble pride now intertwined with devotion to the Emperor.
"You've changed everything," she murmured one night, lying beside him, her body still warm from their encounter. "I no longer dread the future. I look forward to it — at your side."
The system responded positively:
**[Rias Gremory Bond: Deepened]**
**Canon Engagement Thread: Severed by 82%**
**EXP: 920 / 1500 (Level 3)**
On the fifth night of preparation, a shadow appeared at the window of the Emperor's house. Black wings folded as Raynare landed lightly on the balcony, her purple twin-tails swaying and golden eyes gleaming with a mix of arrogance and curiosity.
The Emperor stepped outside to meet her, Rias following close behind, her demonic aura alert but restrained by his earlier command.
"You again," he said evenly. "Decided to watch the show up close?"
Raynare crossed her arms, her revealing outfit catching the moonlight. "I saw your little performance at the gathering. Delaying the engagement, talking down to Riser Phenex like he's nothing… You're either insanely confident or suicidal. I like it. Most devils grovel or beg. You command."
She circled him slowly, light spears faintly glowing at her fingertips before dissipating. "That fallen angel you sensed before? That was me testing the waters. Your power feels wrong — like you're taking pieces that don't belong to you. It's… intriguing. Dangerous. Addictive, even."
The Emperor activated a subtle pulse of Charm Theft combined with his growing presence. "The old Issei is dead. I steal fates. Loyalties. Hearts. Even fallen angels who see the winning side. Join me willingly, Raynare, and you won't be discarded like your superiors planned in the original path. Betray me, and you'll fade faster than you can beg."
Raynare's eyes flashed with her signature vicious streak, but there was hesitation — the system's theft already nibbling at her canon arrogance and self-preservation.
**[Fate Theft on Raynare: 48%]**
**Canon Path (Betrayal and Death): Heavily Disrupted**
**New Thread: Ambition / Attraction — 41%**
She laughed, but it sounded less mocking than before. "Bold. I don't serve easily. But if you actually beat Riser and his immortal flock… I might consider a trial run. Don't die pathetically, Emperor. I hate wasting my time."
With a flap of her wings, she vanished into the night, leaving behind a faint trail of dark feathers.
Rias watched her go, then turned to him. "She's dangerous. Treacherous by nature."
"She is," he agreed, pulling Rias close. "But useful if bent to my will. Every strong piece I claim makes the empire stronger. Weak ones get replaced."
The final days of training flew by. The Emperor unlocked partial Fate Sight during a deep meditation session, granting brief glimpses:
- Riser's destiny: Arrogant victories followed by eventual humbling, with his peerage treated as expendable.
- Yubelluna (Bomb Queen): Loyal but frustrated by Riser's attitude.
- Ravel Phenex: Intelligent, strategic, currently serving as Bishop in her brother's peerage.
He adjusted strategies accordingly. "We target their coordination. Riser relies on numbers and regeneration. We break their formation early and isolate the King."
On the eve of the Rating Game, the peerage gathered in the clubroom for final preparations. The Emperor addressed them with quiet authority.
"Tomorrow, the supernatural world watches. Riser sees us as weak. We prove him wrong. Fight smart. Protect each other. I will lead from the front and steal their momentum piece by piece. Rias is not a prize — she is our Buchou and my Queen. Today we begin building something unstoppable."
The group responded with renewed energy. Akeno's smile carried excitement. Asia's eyes shone with faith. Even Koneko offered a small nod of approval.
That night, the Emperor and Rias shared one final intimate moment before the battle. It was intense yet focused — a reinforcement of dominance and unity. He reminded her of the empire they would forge, and she surrendered completely to the vision, her loyalty now ironclad.
As dawn approached, the system delivered a powerful update:
**Main Quest: Defeat Riser Phenex in Rating Game**
**Objective: Win the match and publicly solidify claim over Rias while disrupting Phenex influence.**
**Reward: Massive EXP (Potential Level 4+), New Skill — Phoenix Thread Theft (Steal regenerative concepts or loyalty from phoenix lineage), Significant Fate Points.**
**Bonus: Public recognition across devil society.**
A final side notification appeared:
**Raynare Observation: Watching the match from shadows. Recruitment window opening.**
The Emperor stood at the window, gazing toward the impending battlefield. "The flames of the phoenix will burn out today. Their immortality is just another destiny to steal."
Rias joined him, dressed in her combat attire. "Together."
"Together," he confirmed, his voice carrying the weight of an emperor. "And after victory, the real conquest accelerates."
In a distant viewing area, Sirzechs Lucifer observed preparations with a thoughtful expression. "This boy… he carries the aura of change. Let us see how far he rewrites the script."
Riser, surrounded by his full peerage — Yubelluna the Bomb Queen, Ravel, Karlamine, Isabela, and the others — laughed confidently. "Ten days was generous. I'll end this quickly and take back my fiancée."
Unknown to all, Raynare perched high above, golden eyes fixed on the Emperor. "Show me something worth serving… or I'll enjoy watching you fall."
The battlefield awaited. The Rating Game was about to begin.
**Chapter End Teaser**
The Rating Game field materialized around them — a vast ruined castle surrounded by dense forest and strategic chokepoints. Riser's full peerage deployed with arrogant precision. The Emperor led his team forward, Boosted Gear glowing.
Would the coordinated strikes of Gremory prevail against the immortal phoenix and his experienced servants? Could the Emperor steal key loyalties mid-battle? And what move would Raynare make when the outcome hung in the balance?
The first clash would decide more than a simple game — it would signal the rise of a new power in the devil world.