Even though several minutes had passed, Venelana showed no signs of stopping her shouting at Rias, going on and on while Rias found it utterly impossible not to shed a few tears.
It wasn't just because of the slap from Lady Venelana, but also due to Issei's imminent defeat. Just remembering the moment they promised each other to be together forever, now that promise was simply shattering into pieces.
Eren: "Is everyone okay?"
He asked his siblings with some concern, noticing their expressions of sorrow and pity. They assured him they were fine, though they found it sad and even uncomfortable to watch Venelana continue scolding Rias.
Turning around to observe the situation, he remarked that it was something that had to happen either way.
Ravel: "Are you serious?"
She said, looking at him with a face full of sadness, pity, and a hint of annoyance and anger at his comment.
Raicer: "We've been scolded too."
Eren: "I know, I remember it perfectly. But it was because of that we learned manners, order, and how to follow the rules."
Raicer: "Yes, we know that perfectly well, brother. But what will people say about their family and ours after this incident?"
Lady Phoenix: "Please, son…"
She said as she approached Eren and caressed his cheek. He merely furrowed his brow, took his mother's hand, and with a deep sigh, offered her a tired smile.
Eren: "Alright, I'll do it…"
His words cheered his siblings, and he quickly walked toward the two women to try and stop Venelana's outburst and anger.
Eren: "Lady Venelana…! I ask that you not waste your energy on reprimands that will lead nowhere…"
He spoke in a neutral tone. She glanced around, realizing she might have lost her composure.
Venelana: "Fine! Alright, all I wanted was for her to understand that she has her duties, and as such…"
Eren: "And I completely agree… But I also understand her. Something like this isn't easy to accept, which is why I'll be the one to take care of her."
Venelana: "I see. In that case, there's nothing more to see here… Let's go!"
Lady Phoenix: "In that case, we'll go too… Come on!"
She said, and with that, both pairs departed, leaving behind the Occult Research Club and the trio of siblings.
Raicer: "Are you really going to take care of her…?"
He asked curiously. Eren looked at him seriously, causing Raicer to fall silent.
Eren: "Of course… But not until after the wedding. Let's go…"
Ravel: "But what about Rias?"
Upon hearing his sister, Eren glanced briefly at Rias, noticing how her companions were starting to gather around her.
Eren: "She'll be fine. After all, she's not alone…"
He said as he prepared to leave, his siblings following him as they departed through a magic circle back to the Underworld.
Days passed, and the wedding day arrived. Unfortunately, Issei remained unconscious, and with Venelana absent from the Underworld and Sirzechs unavailable to permit another Rating Game, the situation remained unchanged.
They could do nothing more than attend the wedding and simply enjoy the party afterward.
As the minutes passed, Rias would look around in all directions but wouldn't find her friends anywhere. She moved through the crowd, greeting the guests—some offering her fake smiles, while others looked at her with naivety or curiosity. Amidst it all, she ended up running into her cousin, Sairaorg.
Sairaorg: "Rias!! Honestly, I didn't expect to see you—or, well, not now, in this beautiful white dress, haha!"
Rias: "Well, neither did I, but… tell me, how are you…?"
Sairaorg: "I'm doing great, but… where's Issei…?"
He asked, somewhat excited to see him again, noticing the Phoenix siblings were present. What shocked him the most, however, was seeing the eldest approach and wrap an arm around Rias's waist.
Eren: "Sairaorg! It's been a while, hasn't it? How are you… How's your mother…?"
He said while noticing Sairaorg struggling to process the situation, as he hadn't witnessed the fight and only knew that Rias was getting married.
Sairaorg: "WOW, forgive me, but WOW, I didn't expect Rias to have married *you*. Sorry! But I really didn't see that coming."
Eren: "I know, it caught me off guard too. I didn't expect it either, but everything happened so fast…"
Rias: "Excuse me."
She said in a low, annoyed tone. Both men watched as she quickly walked away from them, and they immediately picked up on the discomfort permeating the room.
Sairaorg: "It's because of what happened with Sirzechs, isn't it?"
Eren: "Yes… But if there had been another way, I would've taken it…"
Sairaorg: "I understand, but… she should've married someone else."
Eren: "I know, I know… Most of Lady Venelana's guests have reminded me of that, but believe me, I'm used to these kinds of situations."
Sairaorg: "Yeah, I know, but…"
Eren: "She'll never be happy with me, don't worry, I've heard that too…"
Sairaorg: "That's not what I was going to say, actually. What I meant was… good luck, and take good care of her, brother."
Eren: "The good news is we're family now, right…?"
Sairaorg: "Legally… Yes, yes… I have to go…"
He said, quickly excusing himself. Eren was left alone, surrounded by what felt like strangers. Letting out a sigh, he began to walk.
Rias: "Guys! How are you? Have they been treating you well?"
Asia: "Uh, the truth is, yes, they've treated us well."
Kiba: "But what about you? How do you feel?"
Rias: "Me? Fine! I feel fine."
Xenovia: "That's not true, Rias."
She said, causing Rias to drop her pretense. With a sigh and an uncomfortable, slightly sad expression, she revealed she was still affected.
Rias: "I know, but… what else could I do? In the end, I'll be with a man I barely know, one I'll never love the way I love Issei."
She said, shedding a few tears, which saddened the club.
Xenovia: "You should've married Issei."
Koneko: "Xenovia…!"
She said, trying to hush her, but Xenovia made her frustration and displeasure with the injustice clear.
Xenovia: "No, seriously, and even though it bothers me, it should've been Issei as your husband, not that guy!"
She said, a sentiment Koneko and the others agreed with. To avoid another awkward moment, Rias quickly excused herself to the bathroom.
Meanwhile, outside the venue, near the gardens, Eren sat on the edge of a planter, his face pensive and somewhat dejected.
?: "And now you're the new Maou, huh?"
A figure emerged from the shadows—a man with dark green hair slicked back and blue eyes, staring at Eren with a cold expression.
At the same time, from the other side of the garden, Serafall watched as Eren's expression turned completely serious. He stood up, holding his head high.
Eren: "Correction! I'm nothing more than a substitute for Sirzechs, because… as you heard, he's still alive! I'll just handle his affairs while he recovers."
He said, approaching the man in the same manner, the two locking eyes closely without showing fear or weakness.
Ajuka: "I noticed something in your fight. You didn't follow the rules of the Evil Pieces—in fact, it was the complete opposite. Just… savage."
Eren: "They were perfect for a time long past, but… in a real fight, they'd be dead in seconds. Besides, the ranking system is too simplistic."
Tension began to rise between them, one itching to strike while the other waited eagerly to retaliate.
Serafall: "It's a day of celebration! There's no need for a pointless fight!"
She said, glaring at them with annoyance, clenching her fists and stomping her foot in a cute, frustrated manner.
Ajuka simply turned and walked away from the party.
Ajuka: "In that case, I'll see you at tomorrow's meeting."
He said, departing through a magic circle, leaving the two alone in the garden.
Serafall: "No matter, give Rias my regards, and I hope Sirzechs-chan recovers!"
She said, heading back to the party. Eren sat back down, gazing at the garden once more.
Minutes later, Ravel walked hurriedly, searching for her brother. She eventually found him—not inside, but outside the mansion, still sitting in the garden.
Ravel: "Brother? What are you doing out here?"
Eren: "Oh, Ravel… I just got tired of being in there."
Ravel: "Honestly, it wasn't just you. Raicer, me, and even Mom and Dad decided to leave too."
Eren: "And Raicer? Where is he?"
Ravel: "He left with them."
Eren: "I see. Well, it's to be expected. Just think about it—forcing someone into an engagement and possibly ruining their life?"
Ravel: "I know that won't happen, right, little brother?"
She said, sitting beside him and hugging him. He returned the embrace as they both looked toward the venue.
Eren: "Can I ask you something?"
Ravel: "Tell me."
Eren: "Can you come with me to the place where I'll be living?"
Ravel: "Wait, you're not waiting for Rias?"
Eren: "If I ask her to leave in front of everyone, they'll take it the wrong way. If I pull her aside, it'll be the same. But… if she stays with her friends, which I see she is, nothing will happen—they'll see I'm not trying to separate them."
Ravel: "Alright, shall we go?"
Eren: "Yes."
With that, the two departed through a magic circle she created, arriving at a mansion in the Underworld—a wedding gift from Venelana and Zeoticus.
Eren: "Take care, little sister."
Ravel: "You too."
She said, leaving through another circle. Eren sat alone at the entrance of the place.
Rias: "Guys, have you seen Eren?"
Akeno: "Now that you mention it, we haven't seen him since… well, your wedding."
Rias: "Yeah, but… in that case, has anyone seen him?"
Kiba: "N-no, wasn't he with you?"
Koneko: "We haven't seen him."
This left Rias somewhat confused. She also noticed the other Phoenix family members and Raicer's harem were gone too.
Rias: "It doesn't matter. Akeno."
Akeno: "Yes?"
Rias: "You all can go rest."
Kiba: "Are you sure, Rias?"
Rias: "Yes, besides, if he's not here, I don't care. I'll head home on my own."
Asia: "But will you really be okay?"
Asia asked, worried for her, as were the others. Rias nodded, and once they left, she formed a magic circle to arrive at the front of her new home. Seeing the lights on, she assumed he'd gone ahead. Entering without hesitation, she headed straight to her bedroom.
After taking a bath and slipping into bed, wrapping herself in the sheets, she heard the door open. Clutching the sheets tightly with fear, she pretended to be asleep as Eren looked at her.
Eren: "Rest well…"
He said, adjusting another blanket over her and turning off the remaining lights. He left the room, switching off more lights as he went to sleep elsewhere.
This left Rias confused, but despite not letting her guard down, she managed to fall asleep.
---
*The next day…*
In a grand hall filled with demons, a table stood in the center where the four leaders, or Maous, of the Underworld were gathered.
Ajuka: "Well?"
He said somewhat impatiently, looking at Eren, who was seated with a folder on the table—a detail that surprised the other two leaders.
Eren: "Well, I don't have much to say, as you all know, and for obvious reasons, I'll take over the responsibilities Sirzechs handled. Additionally, I'll…"
Ajuka: "I think it's ridiculous…"
Serafall: "Enough already!"
She said, annoyed at hearing him again.
Ajuka: "You all know it too—it's absurd that because of an accident he had, it was necessary to force a young woman to be with some guy who just showed up from who-knows-where for the rest of her life, and on top of that, to step up as a leader so easily. We can't be this lenient!"
He said, his face showing clear irritation as he looked at the others. Serafall recalled something she'd discussed with Eren before leaving.
*Flashback:*
Eren: "Serafall."
Serafall: "What? What's wrong?"
She said as Eren gently grabbed her arm but quickly let go. She simply listened.
Eren: "You know I'm not doing this because I want to. I'm doing it because it's my duty."
Serafall: "Yes, I know, but at the same time, I don't know—it's complicated."
Eren: "Don't worry, but please, do it for Sirzechs, his son Millicas, and even more so that Grayfia's death doesn't go unpunished."
*End of flashback:*
Serafall: "Please, at least let him explain what he has to tell us, and we can all come to an agreement, okay?"
Eren: "Thank you very much. Well, please, I'd like to speak—just with you all."
He said, but none of the soldiers obeyed until Serafall and the other leader repeated the order. The rest of the demons quickly complied, leaving the room with just the four of them.
Eren: "I'm afraid this is worse than you think."
He said, placing some images in the center—photos of charred bodies, particularly one of a woman, which caught the attention of all three leaders as they examined each one closely.