Chapter 28: Presenting a New Satan to the Devil Race
Lucius had not even finished processing his thoughts when he heard the system prompt again.
[Ding!~]
[Congratulations, Host, for triggering the Villain Sign-in!]
[Sign-in Level: Colorful]
[Sign-in Type: Event Sign-in]
[Sign-in Event: Presenting a New Satan to the Devil Race]
[Event Requirements: Marry the current Satan's sister, Rias Gremory, and make Grayfia your peerage member.]
[The Devil race respects strength above all else. The current Satans defeated the former Satans, solidifying their legitimacy and power by diminishing and marrying into the remnants of the old Satan bloodline.]
[Thus, if the old Satan faction seeks revival, what should they do?]
[That's right—they must marry into the bloodline of the current Satans to claim legitimacy.]
[Just as the Ming Dynasty succeeded the Yuan Dynasty, and the Qing Dynasty succeeded the Ming, despite overthrowing their predecessors, they still claimed their lineage for legitimacy.]
[Conquer or claim Rias (Gold), conquer or claim Grayfia (Colorful), marry both, acquire legitimacy, and become the new Satan (Colorful).]
Lucius' expression turned odd as he read through the system's notification.
"Sirzechs just said… that I can ask for anything I need."
"Well, now I actually have a need, and it's been created out of nowhere."
"I can't possibly go up to him and say: 'I don't want anything else—just your sister and your wife,' right?"
After a few seconds, Lucius composed himself and spoke calmly.
"Grayfia, as it happens, there is something I would like to ask Sirzechs for."
"What would that be? You may speak freely, Lucius-sama."
"I want his permission—to marry his sister, Rias Gremory."
"I… want to be Rias' fiancé."
Lucius had already planned a fake engagement with Rias.
Now, with the system assigning him a task related to becoming Satan, he had an even stronger reason to make the marriage real.
Grayfia, as expected of the Queen of the Underworld, did not flinch at this explosive declaration.
She merely cast a long, deep look at Rias.
With her level of political acumen and understanding of Rias, she instantly realized that Rias had to be in on this.
"Lucius-sama, is this Rias' idea, or is it your own?"
Grayfia went straight to the point.
Lucius replied without hesitation.
"It is Rias' idea, and it is also my idea."
"Lucius-sama, you should understand that neither the upper echelons of the Underworld nor the House of Phoenix will simply abandon the existing engagement just because you and Rias are mutually interested in each other," Grayfia reminded him.
"I am well aware of that." Lucius nodded.
"No! I don't understand! Grayfia, I think this matter can be negotiated!" Rias interjected.
"Sona told me she didn't want to marry Lucius."
"She refused the engagement, so I'll accept it!"
"The fiancé she doesn't want, I do!"
"I know that the upper echelons of the Underworld have different expectations for young devils like us."
"Sona's role is to merge with the old Satan bloodline, while my role is to produce pure-blood devil offspring."
"Since neither Sona nor I are satisfied with the arrangements, then why not switch?!"
"I will merge with the old Satan bloodline, and Sona can focus on producing pure-blood offspring!"
"Sona wants a husband whose strength and intelligence match hers, and she can only find that among pure-blooded devils."
"As for me, I… I have feelings for Lucius-sama. I don't care about pure bloodlines."
"So, the best solution is—swapping engagements!"
Rias' explanation made Grayfia pause in contemplation.
If Sona was indeed willing… then this might actually work?
"Lucius-sama, if I am not mistaken, this must have been your idea," Grayfia turned back to him.
"Grayfia, does it really matter whose idea it was? Isn't the important thing whether or not it is feasible?" Lucius spread his hands in exasperation.
"Besides, when did I say I wanted to switch engagements?"
"Eh?"
Rias turned to Lucius in shock.
"Lucius, how can you change your mind at the last second?!"
"Rias, calm down."
Look at her, so impatient.
"All I said was that I don't want to swap engagements—that doesn't mean I don't want to marry you."
"Then… Lucius-sama, what exactly do you mean?" Grayfia narrowed her eyes slightly.
"I mean that, as per the ancient customs of the Devil race, I will let my strength do the talking."
"Lucius-sama, by saying this, you are implying that you are ready to fight Phoenix for Rias' hand. May I interpret it this way?" Grayfia asked for confirmation.
"You may. No problem with that."
"Very well, if that is the case, then consider this test a warm-up before your battle against the Phoenix."
Grayfia activated a teleportation formation, inviting Lucius in.
Looking at the handsome young man within the magical array, Grayfia's mind was filled with countless emotions.
Lucius had accompanied her for a time even longer than Sirzechs had.
If not for Lucius helping her train, she might have perished in the Devil Civil War.
If not for Lucius, she would not have her current level of power.
To her, Lucius held an extraordinary place in her heart.
However, when Lucius took on a humanoid form, he did not inherit her or Sirzechs' bloodline.
If Lucius had inherited either of their bloodlines, even if he had been a failure, she would never have abandoned him.
But he had instead been marked with the Leviathan bloodline, and he had turned Sirzechs into… that.
No matter how talented he was, he had to be discarded.
Living out his days peacefully was, perhaps, the best outcome.
At least, that was what Grayfia had originally thought.
But now, reality had once again caught her off guard—Lucius had defeated Sona!
Even if he had used a beast, a victory was still a victory.
Grayfia fell into deep thought.
After a long moment, she made a decision.
[He has regained his strength. That means fate has not abandoned him.]
[If that is the case, then I, too, should give him a chance. This will be… my small way of repaying him.]
Grayfia made her choice.
She would not report this.
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