Chapter 159: There’s Actually a Deal This Good?

Underworld, Gremory Family's rear mountain, halfway up the slope.

Here stood a villa, apparently built to provide rest for those training or relaxing in the mountain.

Lately, Rias Gremory's peerage had been living here. They had only stayed at the main castle on their first day in the Underworld. After that, they never went back.

At this moment, on the first floor of the villa, inside a reception room, Kaiser was sitting comfortably on a sofa.

"…Please, have some."

Now fully dressed in Kuoh Academy's school uniform, Akeno Himejima served tea to Kaiser, her expression one of begrudging obligation.

And it wasn't just Akeno. Even Koneko Toujou stood behind Rias with a tight-lipped expression, like a vigilant bodyguard—her usually emotionless face visibly tense.

Yuuto Kiba had returned as well. He had been off training elsewhere while the girls were in the hot spring, but rushed back as soon as Akeno informed him. Now, he stood silently behind Rias.

As for Rias, naturally, she was seated directly across from Kaiser.

"So you're saying you used our club's teleportation magic circle to transfer into the Underworld… and arrived right in front of the Gremory family's estate gates?"

Arms crossed and legs elegantly crossed as well, Rias frowned deeply, glaring at Kaiser with clear displeasure now that she understood the situation.

"No wonder there was a commotion at the estate. I'll need to find a way to explain this later."

Akeno sighed as she spoke.

"I had no choice," Kaiser said casually, sipping his tea. "I don't have any other method of teleportation."

"Even so, couldn't you have used a more appropriate approach?" Rias snapped. "What's truly unacceptable is that you broke into our old school building and entered our clubroom without permission!"

"What's the issue?" Kaiser said with a faint smile. "If that place is so important, why isn't it protected by a barrier or something?"

"If there's no barrier, then it's fair game, right?"

"In the human world, that's called trespassing," Rias retorted. "And I did leave familiars in the clubroom."

At that, her expression shifted.

"Don't tell me… you did something to my familiars?"

It seemed she was imagining the worst.

"You're overthinking it," Kaiser rolled his eyes. "Those familiars were too weak to even notice me. Why would I bother doing anything to them?"

The magic formation carved on Kaiser's hand was designed to conceal his presence, so the familiars in the clubroom never even noticed him.

"Even so…"

Rias looked slightly more at ease, but still grumbled in frustration.

"Enough. Stop fussing over minor details," Kaiser cut her off bluntly. "I've already shown you enough courtesy. If I had barged in without restraint, I might've clashed with your family already. Is that what you want?"

Rias immediately fell silent.

If Kaiser had fought the Gremory family, that would've been the worst-case scenario.

In theory, the Gremorys—one of the 72 Pillars—were high-ranking and powerful within the Devil world. Any outsider clashing with such a prestigious pure-blood family would face serious consequences.

But if Kaiser were that outsider… it'd be the Gremory family that was in danger.

After all, his Holy Spear was a devastating weapon to devils. No one would willingly face it. Not to mention his god-slaying power, his ability to manifest divine will, and the feared "Truth Idea."

Even the entire 72 Pillars combined would be forced to fear that kind of power.

Just look at the Astaroth family, blood relatives of current Demon King Beelzebub—after Kaiser's battle with Vali, and once the intelligence had been reported back, they immediately quieted down.

Faced with god-slaying power, even Beelzebub himself had to keep his distance. What fool would dare provoke that?

They didn't want to be purified by the Holy Spear, or worse—erased by the infamous Longinus.

The risk was too high. Pure-blood devils were notoriously self-preserving. Fighting Kaiser was out of the question.

Even the Astaroth family, who only received a report, chose to retreat—how much more cautious must Rias be, who saw it firsthand?

Let Kaiser fight the Gremorys?

No thanks. Rias didn't want her entire house wiped off the Devil world's map.

"So what is your real reason for coming?" Rias frowned again. "Don't tell me it really is to help with our training."

"Why is that so hard to believe?" Kaiser said indifferently. "Is it so impossible that I actually came here for that?"

"I think you just came to mess with me," Rias stared at him sharply. "Don't forget—you're a member of that terrorist group, the Khaos Brigade."

Rias knew quite a bit about the Khaos Brigade.

The intel Kaiser had handed over to Sirzechs and the others wasn't fully disclosed, but parts of it were released to the public—so quite a few people had heard.

And since Rias had witnessed the exchange, and learned about the Brigade directly from Kaiser, she knew more than most.

She knew the Khaos Brigade was a dangerous threat to the Devils and the Three Factions alike—an enemy bound to clash with them in the future.

Sirzechs and the others had taken many precautions, made many moves—some in the open, some in secret—and had already clashed with the Brigade several times.

Rias's urgent desire to grow stronger stemmed in part from this looming danger—so she could protect herself and those close to her when the storm came.

Given all that, Kaiser's appearance—as a member of the Khaos Brigade—already warranted a battle.

The only reason they were sitting here talking was because her brother, along with the other faction leaders, believed Kaiser's alignment wasn't entirely hostile. They wanted to avoid making an enemy of him if possible.

If the legendary Holy Spear wielder became an enemy of devils, that would be a nightmare scenario.

The Holy Spear didn't harm angels or fallen angels, but devils were its natural prey. That was hardly fair.

Not that the other two factions were any better off.

Kaiser's Balance Breaker—never mind the god-slaying power—even just the manifested divine will was enough to overwhelm anyone faithful.

Hadn't Michael and those two Holy Sword users nearly collapsed?

Fallen angels weren't spared either. As beings who betrayed God, they were even more susceptible to divine will. Even Azazel had struggled to resist—what chance did the others have?

In short, all three factions had unofficially agreed not to treat Kaiser as an enemy—and instead to rope him in where possible.

Sirzechs had explained the gravity of the situation to the other Demon Kings and high-ranking pure-blood families, and despite opposition, had managed to push this policy through.

That's why Rias hadn't attacked Kaiser on sight. Instead, she was willing to talk. But she still couldn't believe he came to help with their training out of goodwill.

What reason could he possibly have?

At least—that's how Rias saw it.

Kaiser, on the other hand, couldn't be bothered to explain.

"Just assume I was bored and came looking for some fun. Wanted to play with a few beautiful girls."

That was the excuse he tossed out.

"…Looking for pretty girls to play with, huh?" Rias's expression grew even more annoyed. With a mocking smile, she replied, "Fine. I'll have the estate send a few female devils to entertain you."

…There's actually a deal this good?

Wait, no—what's with that sarcastic tone?

"I've already got a wild cat in my house that flirts without asking. Don't need any more."

As he spoke words that made even Koneko want to bite him, Kaiser stood up.

"Let's head outside. I'll show you whether I really came to help you train."

With that, he left the reception room and headed out of the villa.

"President?"

"President…"

Yuuto and Koneko looked toward Rias.

"Rias…"

Akeno also stepped in front of her, waiting for direction.

"…Let's follow him."

Still frowning in disbelief, Rias stood up and followed Kaiser out.

The rest quickly followed.

Before long, the group of five arrived outside the villa, entering the mountainous terrain nearby.

"What exactly do you plan to do?"

Rias asked, hands on her hips.

In response, Kaiser simply gave a meaningful smile.

"Simple—create a perfect environment for your training."

As he spoke, a weapon activator appeared in his hand.

Zheng!

A purple Urm-Manadyte crystal shone brilliantly as mana was released, forming the massive shaft and blood-red blade of a scythe.

BOOM—

In the next instant, a heavy blast echoed through the air, and a violet halo erupted.

Crushing gravity descended from the heavens, slamming down on Rias and the others, pinning them to the ground instantly.

(End of Chapter)