Chapter 44: Young Devils Gather!

At the dinner table.

"Enjoy yourselves without restraint," Zeoticus said, kicking off the feast.

A massive, elongated table stretched before us. A dazzling chandelier hung from the ceiling, and the chairs screamed luxury.

Our assigned room was just as grand—equipped with a bath, toilet, fridge, TV, kitchen, the works. Miu's request to share a room as siblings left plenty of space to spare. It's like a house within a house. Honestly, our room's probably as big as my old place before it got renovated.

Back to the dinner. A spread of lavish dishes lay before me. I deftly wielded my knife and fork, savoring each bite.

Delicious!

Insanely delicious!

It reminds me of the other world—meals in the castle were like this, weren't they? Alice drilled table manners into me, and who'd have thought they'd come in handy here? Gotta thank her later.

Miu, sitting beside me, ate with grace. As expected of the Demon King's daughter, the demon princess—she's been trained well.

"Hmm. Rias's retainers, consider this your home," Zeoticus said warmly. "Miu, too. You're new to the Underworld, so if you need anything, just say so."

His cheerful tone made me think—what more could I want? Wait… would they throw in a maid if I asked? A night companion, maybe?

"Big brother, you're grinning like a creep," Miu said.

Whoops, caught by Miu. Sharing a room with her kills that fantasy anyway.

"By the way, Issei Hyoudou," Zeoticus said, turning to me.

"Yes?" I replied.

"How are your parents?"

"Oh, they're doing great! They wanted to come to the Underworld, but work got in the way…"

"I see. Tell them to visit whenever they're free. I gave your father my contact info, so just let me know, and I'll send someone to fetch them."

News to me! Dad's got Zeoticus's contact? Must've been when Zeoticus and Sirzechs visited our house.

That reminds me—I've got something to hand over. "Uh, my dad sent this as a gift…" I pulled a paper bag from under the table.

"What's this?" Zeoticus asked.

"Pickles. Dad got them on a work trip to Kyoto."

Pickles… for nobles? Dad, really?

"Oh! Splendid!" Zeoticus's eyes lit up. "Let's have Japanese breakfast tomorrow. Can you arrange it?"

"Of course, Master," the butler replied.

Breakfast settled? Zeoticus loves pickles that much? Even Venelana's thrilled! Come to think of it, Rias loves pickles at home too. Is the Gremory family a pickle fan club?

"Oh, Issei-kun, may I call you Issei?" Zeoticus asked.

"Sure, everyone does," I said. Sirzechs and the others call me that too.

Zeoticus and Venelana beamed at my response. "So, Issei, know you're quite the talk of the Underworld?" Zeoticus said.

"Uh, yeah…" I mumbled.

Somehow, I'm a celebrity here. Newspapers and Underworld TV shows covered the tri-faction peace talks, spotlighting me. Footage of my fight with Vali aired, with newscasters hailing me as the hero who stopped terrorism and secured peace.

It's embarrassing! They're hyping me up too much. Sure, I beat Kokabiel and Vali, but this circus? Overkill. I know who's to blame—Sirzechs and Serafall, gushing about me at the talks, fueling the media frenzy.

Now I can barely walk the streets. So much for sightseeing with Miu…

I forced a wry smile. "Didn't expect to be such a big deal…"

"It's only natural," Zeoticus said. "Your feats are remarkable." Everyone nodded in agreement.

Really? I've been through so much, I can't gauge what's "impressive" anymore. I just did what I could.

"Issei, take care of Rias," Zeoticus said.

"Absolutely! I'll protect Rias-sama with everything I've got!" I declared.

Zeoticus and Venelana smiled, satisfied. Rias, though, turned beet red for some reason.

The next day at the Gremory estate.

"So, for high-class devils, the social scene is…" The lecture on devil society and nobility droned on. Rias's parents set this up, but why just me?

It's a good chance to learn about the Underworld, and the tutor answers my questions patiently, but I'm scribbling notes like crazy to keep up. Ugh, studying's not my thing!

Millicas, sitting beside me, took it seriously despite his age. When I was that young, I was all about soccer and dodgeball with friends.

The others are off sightseeing in Gremory territory. Lucky jerks! I wanted to go too!

"Young Master, do you know devil script?" the tutor asked.

"A bit. Rias-sama taught me," I said.

"Good. Let's review and build on that."

"Uh, one question first," I said. "What's with this 'Young Master' thing?"

Since last night, the maids, butlers, and now the tutor call me that. "Let's start with writing practice," the tutor said, dodging.

That's suspicious. Why Young Master? Shouldn't Asia and Xenovia, fellow newbie devils, be here too?

The door opened, and Venelana walked in. "Grandma!" Millicas chirped. To me, she looks like Rias's older sister.

"How's studying going?" she asked with a gentle smile, glancing at my sloppy devil script. "As Sirzechs reported, your writing's rough, but your effort shines through."

She poured us tea—delicious! "Rias-sama will be back soon," she said. "Today's the young devils' gathering."

Right, the event where Rias's peers—noble heirs and big shots—meet to exchange greetings. Even us retainers have to attend. Studying, meetings, training… the Underworld's keeping me busy.

After Rias and the others returned from sightseeing, we took a train to the Demon Lord's territory. (Miu stayed at the Gremory manor.)

Three hours later, we arrived in a modern city. The buildings had a unique Underworld flair but felt cutting-edge. Naturally, I zeroed in on the arcade and fast-food joint by the station.

Sirzechs really built those, huh?

"This is Luciferard, the old Underworld capital where the original Demon Lord Lucifer resided," Kiba explained.

So, Vali's family was here… "We'll take the subway to avoid a scene," Kiba added.

Subway? The Underworld's just like the human world.

"Kyaaa! Princess Rias-sama!" A sudden cheer startled me. The platform was packed with devils, screaming like fans at an idol concert.

"Rias is the Demon Lord's sister and a beauty, so she's adored by lower and middle-class devils," Akeno explained.

Of course, Rias is a star here, just like at school.

Then I heard more chatter. "Didn't Rias-sama's retainer have the red dragon?" "Yeah, I saw it on TV! Which one is he?" "Hyoudou… Issei, right?"

They're talking about me! I'm really famous here…

Rias spoke to a suited escort. "This is troublesome. Let's hurry underground. The private train's ready, right?"

"Yes, follow me," the escort said.

Bodyguards, huh? "Partner, you don't need those," Ddraig chimed in. True, but Rias is the Gremory princess—protocol, probably. They seem capable enough.

We followed the bodyguards to the subway.

Minutes later, we arrived at a grand hall beneath the city's largest building. The bodyguards couldn't enter, so we parted at the elevator.

"Everyone, stay calm no matter what," Rias said, her voice sharp with battle-ready intensity. "Those we're meeting are our future rivals. Don't show weakness."

I glanced at Asia, swallowing hard, clearly nervous. "You okay, Asia?" I asked.

"I-I'm nervous, but I'll be fine!" she said, stiff as a board.

Should I hold her hand? Before I could, the elevator stopped, and the doors opened to a vast hall. A servant bowed. "Welcome, Gremory-sama. This way."

Following the servant, we spotted figures ahead. "Sairaorg!" Rias called out.

A friend? He approached—a ruggedly handsome guy, our age, with short black hair, rare purple eyes, and a pro-wrestler's build. His aura was intense, maybe like mine in a fight.

"Been a while, Rias," he said, shaking her hand warmly.

"Indeed, Sairaorg. You look well," Rias said. "Some are new here. This is Sairaorg Bael, my cousin on my mother's side."

Cousin, huh? He does resemble Sirzechs a bit. So Venelana's from the Bael family?

"I'm Sairaorg Bael, heir to the Great King Bael family," he said.

Great King—second only to Demon Lords. His gaze shifted to me, so I introduced myself. "Nice to meet you. I'm Issei Hyoudou, Rias-sama's pawn."

His retainers gasped, and Sairaorg nodded, as if confirming something. "So it's you. That honed body and unique aura gave it away. I've heard of your valor—defeating Kokabiel and the strongest White Dragon Emperor at the peace talks."

"Uh, yeah," I mumbled. My rep's spreading everywhere…

Rias turned to him. "What were you doing in the hallway?"

"It's boring, so I stepped out," Sairaorg said.

"Boring? Are the others here?" Rias asked.

"Agares and Astaroth are here. Even Zephyrdol," he said.

Rias nodded, as if that explained everything. What's going on?

A massive crash echoed from deeper in the hall. Seriously? Rias and Sairaorg sighed, heading toward the noise, and we followed. The room was trashed—tables and chairs obliterated. Two figures stood at the center, their respective devil factions glaring, weapons drawn, ready to brawl.

"Zephyrdol, starting a fight here? Are you an idiot? Should I just kill you now?" a bespectacled beauty snapped.

"Ha! Keep talking, bitch! I'm doing you a favor by taking you to a private room to make you a woman! Agares's big sis is too guarded. Still a virgin, huh? That's why I'm offering to break you in!" a yankee-like guy with magical tattoos retorted.

Devils have yankees too?

At the room's edge, a boyish devil sipped tea elegantly, his retainers behind him. He seemed gentle but kept eyeing Asia creepily. I stepped between them to block his view. He glared at me briefly—better keep an eye on him.

"This was meant to be a casual greeting for young devils, but hot-blooded ones turned it into this," Sairaorg said beside me.

What now? Those two need to be stopped. I stepped forward to intervene, but Sairaorg grabbed my shoulder. "I'll handle this. It's the Bael heir's job to step in."

He strode toward the brawlers. "Seekvaira Agares, Zephyrdol Glasya-Labolas, any more and I'm your opponent. This is your final warning."

A crackling pressure radiated from Sairaorg. Same generation as Rias? This guy's intense!

"Who're you calling a problem child, Bael's failure?!" the yankee lunged at Sairaorg.

BOOM! A heavy strike sent the yankee crashing into the wall. Predictable outcome—he's lucky he tried.

"I warned you," Sairaorg said.

"You bastard!" "Damn Bael!" The yankee's retainers moved, but Sairaorg's words stopped them. "We have an important event ahead. Heal your master."

They froze, then rushed to their fallen leader.

"How'd he seem to you, Issei?" Rias asked, meaning Sairaorg.

"Honestly? Crazy strong," I said. "You've got a wild rival, Buchou."

Rias gave a wry smile.

The elders arrived, and the young devils, minus the yankee, gathered in the restored hall. "I'm Seekvaira Agares, heir to Archduke Agares. Sorry for the earlier display," the glasses girl said.

So she's the Archduke's heir, giving orders in place of Demon Lords. They do other stuff now, though.

"Greetings. I'm Rias Gremory, heir to the Gremory family," Rias said.

"I'm Sona Sitri, heir to the Sitri family," Sona said.

"I'm Sairaorg Bael, heir to the Great King Bael family," Sairaorg said.

"I'm Diodora Astaroth, heir to the Astaroth family. Nice to meet you all," the tea-sipping boy said.

The heirs greeted one by one. We retainers stood behind our masters. That yankee's an heir too? Is that okay?

"Glasya-Labolas had a family dispute," Sairaorg explained. "Their original heir died in an accident. Zephyrdol's the new candidate."

Yikes, Glasya-Labolas is a mess. But that guy as heir? I'm not the only one thinking this, right?

What a lineup—Gremory for Lucifer, Sitri for Leviathan, Astaroth for Beelzebub, Glasya-Labolas for Asmodeus, plus Great King and Archduke. Dream team vibes.

"You nervous, Hyoudou?" Saji asked.

"Nah, I'm good. Just sleepy from studying devil stuff all morning," I said.

"Dude, that's bad. Don't yawn," Saji said.

"I know. I'm fighting myself here," I said.

"Don't lose," he said.

I'll try. I'm a guy who gets it done!

A servant entered. "Thank you for waiting. The event is ready."

Showtime.

The venue had an eerie vibe. We retainers lined up behind our masters. Above us, seats held elderly high-class devils. Higher still sat Sirzechs, Serafall, Ajuka, and another Demon Lord—probably Asmodeus, yawning. These four Demon Lords look like slightly older siblings, not ancient rulers.

An elder spoke with a commanding tone. "Welcome, young devils of the next generation. This gathering is to confirm each other's existence and acknowledge future rivals."

"You already made quite an impression," another elder sneered, referencing the destroyed hall.

Fair point. Wrecking the place right off the bat…

Sirzechs spoke. "Your lineage and skills are impeccable. Compete and grow before your debut."

Sairaorg raised his hand. "Will we young devils be sent to fight the Khaos Brigade?"

Bold question! "We'd rather not involve you in war," Sirzechs said.

Sairaorg wasn't satisfied. "Why? Some here fought terrorists and survived. As devils, we want to serve the Underworld—"

"Sairaorg, your courage is admirable, but it's reckless," Sirzechs said. "Losing promising youths like you would be a great loss. You're our treasures. Grow steadily."

Sairaorg reluctantly nodded. "Understood."

The elders' complex talks and Demon Lords' game discussions followed—gibberish to a newbie like me. I fought back yawns constantly.

"Sorry for the long talk," Sirzechs said. "We have high hopes for you. What are your goals?"

Sairaorg went first. "My dream is to become a Demon Lord."

Bold! The elders gasped. "A Great King as Demon Lord? Unprecedented," one said.

"If the Underworld deems me worthy, it'll happen," Sairaorg said.

So cool! Sirzechs, you asked me about being a Demon Lord, but Sairaorg's the real deal.

Rias was next. "I'll live as the Gremory heir and dominate the Rating Games. That's my near-future goal."

First I've heard, but it's so Rias. We'll support her all the way.

Others shared their goals, then Sona's turn came. "My goal is to build a Rating Game school in the Underworld."

A school? Nice dream! Saji beamed proudly, but the elders frowned.

"There are already schools for Rating Games," one said.

"Those are for high-class or special devils," Sona said. "I want a school where commoners, low-class, and reincarnated devils can learn equally."

Hell yeah, Sona! A school without discrimination—perfect for the Underworld's future. But the elders laughed like it was a joke.

"Dreamy maiden, huh? Hilarious!" one said.

"Young idealism! Good thing this is just a pre-debut meeting," another mocked.

Why laugh at Sona's dream? "They see class divides as normal, so they dismiss her," Kiba said coolly.

Got it. They think it's fine, so they mock her.

Anger boiled in me. Sona declared, "I'm serious."

"You'd shame traditional houses," an elder said coldly. "Even in reform, teaching low-class devils is…"

Saji snapped before I could. "Why mock Sona-sama's dream? It's not impossible!"

"Mind your tongue, reincarnated devil," an elder snapped. "Sona Sitri, control your servant."

"…I'll discipline him later," Sona said, expressionless.

Saji wasn't done. "President! Why stay silent? They mocked your dream—our dream!"

The elder snorted. "Like master, like servant. Typical reincarnated human."

These guys are rotten. I apologized to Rias in my head and stepped forward. "What right do you have to deny someone's dream?"

Eyes shifted from Saji to me. "Who permitted you to speak? Rias Gremory, discipline your servant," an elder said.

"Don't care about that," I said. "I'm asking—what right do you have to deny her dream?"

An elder roared, "Know your place, brat! Want to be erased?"

"Try it. But you'd better be ready for the consequences," I said.

My aura flooded the hall, forming a red dragon behind me. Its eyes glowed, glaring at the elders. "This is…!?" one gasped.

"Listen, I don't want to fight or rebel," I said. "But mock my friends again, and I won't hold back. Remember that."

"Right!" Serafall chimed in, teary-eyed. "You ganged up on Sona-chan! I'm at my limit! Keep it up, and I'll bully you with Red Dragon Emperor-kun!" Her massive magical power surged. She adores Sona, so no surprise she's pissed.

Caught between my aura and Serafall's, the elders faltered. Sirzechs stepped in. "Serafall, Issei, I get it, but calm down. Elders, don't crush their dreams. They're their driving force."

We eased our auras, and the elders apologized to Sona. "Sona-chan should win Rating Games!" Serafall said. "Good results make dreams come true!"

"Good idea," Sirzechs said. "Rias, Sona, how about a game?"

Whoa, didn't see that coming! Rias and Sona blinked at each other. "We planned a young devils' game soon," Sirzechs said. "Azazel's gathering fans from all factions to watch pre-debut matches."

Gremory versus Sitri? Kuoh Academy devils duking it out! Rias smirked challengingly, and Sona gave a cool smile. "Even if unofficial, facing you feels like fate, Rias," Sona said.

"I won't lose, Sona," Rias replied.

Sparks flew! They're pumped! "Rias-chan versus Sona-chan? I'm hyped!" Serafall cheered.

"The match is August 20, human time," Sirzechs said. "Until then, do as you please. Details later."

And so, Rias and Sona's Rating Game was set!