Several days passed in the blink of an eye, and finally, the day of the showdown between Tenraku and Rias arrived. The competition was set to take place in the territory of the House of Sitri.
Sirzechs had sent the coordinates of the arena, and Le Fay, Ophis, and Raynare were left at home to keep watch. Tenraku, Rias, and their entourage were transported directly using a transmission formation.
There were still a few hours before the competition started. When Tenraku and Rias arrived at their destination, they found themselves in a spacious and luxurious hall where it seemed like a banquet was being held.
“Tenraku-Sama, Rias, everyone!”
Gasper had arrived early with Azazel from Grigori. Upon seeing Tenraku and the others, he hurried over.
As Rias’s Bishop, Gasper naturally would participate in the competition. Besides Gasper, there were many other familiar faces in the hall: Sirzechs, Grayfia, Serafall, Duke Sitri, Sitrimadam, as well as President-Sama, Sairaorg, Seekvaira, and their respective Peerage, and so on.
However, what surprised Tenraku was—
“Father, Mother, you’re here too?”
Spotting the figures of Duke and Madam Phenex in the crowd, Ravel cheered and rushed into her mother’s arms. Tenraku also showed surprise.
“There are some matters to discuss with Duke Sitri,” Father spoke in his usual concise and clear manner, and his rugged face didn’t reveal any emotion.
“Today is an important match for little Tenraku, so of course, we couldn’t miss it.” Stroking Ravel’s head, Mother Phenex smiled and then turned her gaze towards Rias.
“Rias, it must be tough on you, but you’ll forever be recognized as a daughter-in-law of our Phenex family.”
“N-Not at all…”
Blushing, Rias clearly seemed very happy to have gained the approval of Mother Phenex.
“Little Tenraku, you absolutely can’t lose today’s match.”
“Let’s go for a walk, Ravel. The rest of you, go say hello to your friends.”
Mother Phenex blinked meaningfully at Tenraku and then walked away with Ravel.
A look of astonishment crossed Tenraku’s face. His mother seemed a bit strange today. According to her usual character, she would have surely admonished him not to bully Rias or something. Why did she suddenly insist that he must not lose the match?
Moreover, the conversation just now between Mother and Rias was also a bit odd. It seemed like there was something he didn’t know…
“Rias, are you hiding something from me?” Tenraku looked at Rias and asked.
“N-No…” Unable to meet Tenraku’s gaze, Rias shifted her gaze to the side.
Her guilty expression clearly gave her away.
“Sigh… let’s forget it. Let’s go say hello to Sirzechs and Serafall.” With a vein popping on his forehead, Tenraku ultimately sighed and decided not to press further.
Apparently, Rias and the others were keeping something from him, but Tenraku trusted that neither Mother nor Rias would do anything to harm him.
Next, Tenraku and Rias greeted Sirzechs and the others, including Duke Sitri and Sitrimadam.
Since the competition was taking place in the territory of the House of Sitri, Duke Sitri and Sitrimadam could be considered the hosts. They were responsible for overseeing this event, including the banquet. Tenraku had met them when he visited the House of Sitri before, so he wasn’t entirely unfamiliar with them.
However, whether it was Tenraku’s imagination or not, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Duke Sitri and Sitrimadam’s gazes held a hint of strangeness, as if…
“Kamiya Tenraku, Rias.” Sairaorg’s voice, accompanied by Seekvaira and President-Sama, brought their respective Peerage over to Tenraku and Rias.
“Sairaorg, Seekvaira, don’t you have matters to attend to in your family’s territory? You still have time to come watch my match with Rias?” Tenraku bumped fists with Sairaorg and smiled as he spoke.
“We’ve just come through a war, and there are indeed many matters in the territory that need handling. However, we can spare some time to watch your match.” Sairaorg replied heartily, and Seekvaira beside him also spoke up: “Kamiya Tenraku, Rias, I’m also looking forward to your match.”
“Both sides, please cheer on, but from a female perspective—”
“Rias, show Kamiya Tenraku your strength and let him see what you’re made of!”
That was quite a straightforward encouragement. Tenraku was a bit speechless, but Rias, encouraged by Seekvaira’s words, was visibly pumped up.
“I will, Seekvaira!”
They were all old acquaintances, so there was no need for formalities. They chatted about recent events and even things from the previous war. The atmosphere was quite pleasant.
“Sona, are you alright? You seem unusually quiet today.”
Noticing that President Sama hadn’t spoken much, Tenraku couldn’t help but express concern.
“I’m conserving my energy.” Giving Tenraku a glance, President Sama replied calmly.
“Conserving your energy, so you can cheer me on later?” Tenraku couldn’t help but find the reason amusing.
“I think you’re misunderstanding, Kamiya Tenraku. I won’t be cheering you on today.”
“…”
Looking at President-Sama’s serious expression, Tenraku suddenly felt like he was missing something.
Sona was acting quite strange today!
“Tenraku-kun, Rias, the match is about to begin. You should go prepare.” Just then, Sirzechs approached Tenraku and Rias and said.
Looking at the time, it was indeed getting late. Tenraku and Rias bid farewell to everyone and followed the attendants to their respective private resting rooms to prepare for the upcoming match.
However—
“Red Dragon Emperor!”
A lively shout, and Serafall, hands on hips, blocked the path of Tenraku and the Yubelluna sisters.
Along with Serafall, her Peerage followed, all of them adorable magic girls.
“What’s wrong, Serafall-Sama?”
This Demon King suddenly bursting out with such momentum startled even Tenraku.
“You’re not allowed to win today’s match, mark my words!”
Pointing her magic staff at Tenraku, Serafall declared sternly.
“Why am I not allowed to win?”
Tenraku couldn’t help but be astonished.
“There’s no why. You’re just not allowed to win! That’s my order as a Demon King!”
“Oye Oye, Serafall Sama, this isn’t a good way to handle things. It might affect your reputation.”
“Besides, this is mine and Rias’s match. What does it have to do with you?”
“Who said it has nothing to do with me? It’s all because of you…”
“Hmph, anyway, you’re not allowed to win. Otherwise, I won’t let you off!”
After sternly threatening Tenraku, Serafall left with her Peerage. It was truly baffling and made no sense.
“Tenraku-Sama, we…”
Yubelluna looked worried. Clearly, she was also taken aback by Serafall’s actions.
The Rating Game emphasized absolute fairness and justice. Yet, the match hadn’t even started, and the Demon King was already privately threatening them, forbidding them to win. Wasn’t this a bit too overbearing and audacious?!
“That Demon King seems to have taken the wrong medicine today. Pay no mind to her.” Tenraku said with a touch of exasperation, not taking Serafall’s threat seriously at all.
Strange things happen every year, but today seemed to have an abundance of them. Tenraku was already accustomed to such oddities.
“Let’s go. We need to prepare. We can’t afford to lose today’s match.”
“Yes, Tenraku-Sama.”
To be continued…
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