Chapter 47: Everyone’s Surprise

"So, it's come to this after all…"

Rias sighed at Akeno's words, her expression momentarily darkening.

She had expected this would happen—just not this soon.

Still, she had no intention of backing down.

"We'll handle this," she said, regaining her composure. "You go ahead—"

"Not happening."

Renji's voice cut her off immediately.

She turned, only to see his calm, unwavering gaze locked onto hers.

"I'm coming with you," he stated.

Rias hesitated but then nodded.

Her fingers tightened slightly around his arm.

A silent show of trust.

With that, the group made their way toward the Occult Research Club's headquarters.

At the front—Renji and Rias.

Behind them—Akeno, Koneko, and Asia.

This was a battle they would face together.

---

The moment Renji stepped into the old school building, his gaze immediately locked onto two figures waiting inside.

The first was Kiba Yuuto, Rias's Knight.

The second…

A silver-haired woman dressed in a formal maid outfit, her regal aura filling the room.

Despite the elegant attire, there was nothing soft about her presence.

She radiated power—unquestionable, overwhelming power.

Grayfia Lucifuge.

The Strongest Queen.

The moment Renji saw her, his instincts flared.

She's strong.

Even without using his abilities, he could feel it.

Her magic energy was like a storm, barely contained beneath the surface.

This wasn't just any devil.

This was a peak Ultimate-Class Devil, perhaps even stronger.

Someone far beyond what he could handle—at least for now.

Rias's grip on his arm tightened slightly.

A silent warning.

But Renji had already decided.

He wasn't going to back down.

---

"Lady Rias," Grayfia said at last, her tone as cold and sharp as ice.

"Do you understand what you've done?"

Her silver gaze fell upon Rias, unblinking.

"What you've done is a disgrace to the Gremory name."

The air grew heavy.

Grayfia's presence alone was enough to make the weaker members of the group tense instinctively.

But Rias didn't falter.

"I know exactly what I'm doing," she answered.

Her voice was steady.

"If the only way for our family to thrive is to sacrifice me to a political marriage…"

She lifted her chin.

"Then maybe such a family doesn't deserve to survive."

A sharp silence followed.

Even Grayfia's gaze narrowed slightly at her words.

That was when Renji finally stepped forward.

"And if a family can't even give freedom to their own, can it really be called a 'family' at all?"

His words carried through the room, laced with an unmistakable challenge.

Everyone—Grayfia included—turned to look at him.

Even Akeno and Koneko gave him curious glances.

The tension thickened.

Then—

Grayfia's gaze locked onto his.

"So, you are the one Lady Rias has chosen?" she murmured.

Her voice remained calm—yet there was a quiet edge beneath it.

"You realize that what you just said…"

Her magic flared instantly, filling the room with an immense crimson aura.

"…is a direct insult to the Gremory family?"

In an instant—

The entire building shook under the weight of her power.

A crimson storm erupted around her, surging outward in a suffocating wave of energy.

The sheer pressure forced Rias, Akeno, and the others to stagger back.

Even Kiba gritted his teeth, struggling against the overwhelming force.

Koneko lowered her stance, her small frame trembling slightly under the weight of the aura.

Asia, lacking any real combat ability, nearly collapsed.

It was as if the air itself had become unbearably heavy.

But then—

Renji stepped forward.

And released his own power.

---

A massive wave of energy erupted from Renji's body.

Golden-red light clashed against Grayfia's crimson aura—pushing back the oppressive force that had been suffocating the room.

The pressure instantly vanished.

The moment it did—

Rias, Akeno, and the others felt their bodies relax, no longer weighed down by Grayfia's magic.

For a second, no one spoke.

Then—

Rias's eyes widened in shock.

Even Akeno, who always remained playful, looked at Renji with undeniable surprise.

His energy…

It wasn't just strong.

It was on par with an Ultimate-Class Devil.

Grayfia's expression remained unreadable, but her interest in Renji had visibly deepened.

For the first time, she truly looked at him.

And she understood.

He was no ordinary human.

"Interesting…" she murmured.

"You are far stronger than I expected."

Renji didn't respond.

He simply stared back at her, completely unfazed.

In that moment—

Grayfia knew.

He wasn't just talking big.

He was ready to fight if necessary.

A dangerous trait, especially for a human standing against the devil aristocracy.

And yet—

It was that very trait that made her acknowledge him.

Grayfia did not leave.

She simply stood her ground, watching him carefully.

Because this wasn't over.

Not yet.

=====

Support and read advance chapters on Patreon.com/Zexxxxy