Fanfiction by: Echless.
Narrative (Reality) Manipulator in DxD.
Chapter 10
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
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"By the way, Kiba, yesterday, what do you mean by what you said?"
Yesterday, he'd been sent home by Rias without any explanation whatsoever, so he was actually troubled by this.
Fueled by his constant paranoia, he wanted to know at all cost.
"Well, even I don't know the full details."
Kiba said that with a shake of his head. He and Asia had been on the way to their clubroom when they'd stumbled across Kiba.
With nothing better to do, the three had walked side by side to the clubroom.
"Would Akeno-san know?"
"She's the President's right-hand woman, after all. She should know a thing or two."
Hearing that, Issei nodded. It only made sense. From there on, they'd continued in silence, and by the time they'd neared the door, Kiba paused.
"..."
"What's up?"
"I think she's here…"
She's here? Issei tilted his head, but going by that tone Kiba used, there was no doubt about it. It had to be that woman.
The same one from yesterday.
Realizing this, without much thought, he'd opened the door and waltzed in.
Inside were Rias, Akeno, Koneko, and the silver-haired maid, Grayfia. She was looking just as composed as she had been yesterday.
The newcomers could tell by her expression alone—like yesterday—Rias was plainly in a sour mood.
Akeno wore her usual smile, but there was a cold sort of aura emanating from her.
Koneko was sitting quietly on the sofa in the corner of the room. It was clear that she didn't want to get involved with whatever was going on.
The tension was palpable, even with the room devoid of conversation.
…This was yesterday's set-up, wasn't it? Which meant to Issei that whatever the engagement—or whatever it was—is actually a big deal.
'Could it be…?'
For what can be said to be the first time in a long time, Issei was actually thinking.
For sure, he hadn't guessed right, but his trail of thoughts were along the right path. Still, he remained silent for now.
"Not good."
Kiba muttered that behind him, as he and Asia entered.
Asia, no doubt also sensing the strained atmosphere, gripped the edge of Issei's sleeve with an uneasy look.
Looking back at her, he patted her on the head to silently reassure her.
As everybody was currently present, Rias turned to look at all of them.
"I see we're all here. Before we get started, there's something we have to discuss."
"Perhaps I should explain the situation, Lady Rias?" Grayfia suggested.
Rias raised a hand to stop her. "The truth is—"
But no sooner did she begin to speak than the magic circle in the center of the room let out a flash of light.
Everybody's brows furrowed as they saw this—Rias being the most pissed. Akeno's smile deepened, but he could tell it wasn't a friendly smile.
Rather, it was one that bothered displeasure in a way or two.
Issei's guess was increasingly hitting the mark as the magic symbol on the ground morphed into a pattern that was not of the Gremory's, as with Grayfia when she went away yesterday.
"A phoenix."
Kiba whispered to him.
Although he was relatively new to the Devil business and all, he had an idea that clans existed within the Underworld—and, going by the situation…
Light engulfed the room, and a figure formed from within the circle.
Burst!
Flames erupted out of the insignia, filling the room with roiling heat.
"Who let the dog out its cage…?"
Issei genuinely thought that as he used his hand to shield his face—and Asia behind him—from the searing heat.
However, his comment had been heard by Kiba, who tried stifling the laugh.
Still, this did not interrupt the narratives in any way.
The silhouette of a man appeared in the flames. As he swung his arm to his side, the conflagration subsided.
"Heh. It's been a while since I last visited the human realm."
This man was garbed in a red suit. He sported it casually; he had no necktie, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone, exposing his chest.
Judging by his appearance, he looked like he was in his early twenties.
While possessing well-cut features, he had the aura of a reprobate. Immediately, the man buried his hands in his pockets.
To Issei, the male had a really punchable face. And oh, he couldn't wait to start boxing should Rias command so.
But really, the other reason he felt like the male had a punchable face was probably because the dude seemed like nothing more than a guy from a host club.
To top things off, he had that kind of pretty-boy face that always got on his nerves. If Kiba was the epitome of the gentle guy, then this new arrival was the wild type.
For those reasons alone, Issei was plenty pissed with him.
But if there's anything Ren Augustus Luceris had taught him… it was patience. Everything will come back in full circle soon enough.
Not minding Issei, the man cast his gaze around the room, then broke out in a smirk as it landed on Rias.
"My dear Rias. I came to see you."
'D-Dear?' Issei's lips twitched violently.
Rias stared across at him, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. She certainly didn't look happy to see him.
The pretty boy clearly didn't care about that, though, and continued toward her.
"Now then, Rias. Let's go take a look at the venue. The date is all settled, so the sooner we get this over with, the better."
Saying that, he then grabbed her hands.
"…Let go of me, Riser."
Rias's voice was uncharacteristically low. She flicked his hand away, but Riser didn't seem to mind this.
Issei couldn't help but feel his agitation surge once more. He couldn't then help but think what someone like him would do in this situation.
Were that person the real person he saw in that dream, what would he do?
'Patience, Issei, you have dealt with far worse,' he thought as his eyes subconsciously veered to Grayfia, and yup, the woman's eyes were coldly focused on him.
GULP~!
He gulped down, releasing his clenched fist.
As he did that, he could have sworn the woman let out a sigh.
"By the way, are these your servants?" Riser, oblivious to everything around him, looked around unimpressed. His eyes only brightened when they fell on Akeno.
"Oh~ The priestess of thunder looks as exquisite as ever."
Saying that, even Kiba felt the slightest pissed at his words.
"Fufu~, thank you for your 'kind' words, Lord Riser."
Akeno responded, all smiles. And Riser thought his compliments worked, but those that knew her, even for the shortest of time, knew she didn't wholeheartedly accept it.
There was that emphasis on a certain part of her words.
"In that case, it seems you haven't mentioned me to your servants? And here I thought there wasn't a demon alive who didn't know my name. You were reborn as a demon, right? Even so…"
"There was no need to tell them."
Rias said acidly, as though she'd eaten sour grapes.
"Ah, you sound as bitter as ever. Heh…"
The guy's smirk shifted into a low laugh. But it was at that point, Grayfia interceded, getting into character.
"Issei Hyoudou."
"Yes?"
Issei turned his head to her, who motioned a hand to the male near Rias.
"This is Riser Phenex. He is a pure-blooded high-class demon and the third son of the distinguished House of Phenex."
A noble, a high-class demon of the House of Phenex. The name Phenex bore an obvious similarity to a mythical, immortal bird that had something to do with fire.
"He is also the fiancé of the next head of the House of Gremory. He is engaged to Lady Rias."
Silence befell the room.
Then from there—KNOCK! KNOCK!
A knock came from the door, then, "Come in." It was specifically a request that this person had to be here. And it was none other than—
Sona Sitri, and her vice-president, Tsubaki Shinra.
"Well, well, if it isn't the Sitri's heir. It's an honor to be in your presence today."
"Enough with the flattery. I am only here since my friend invited me, nothing more."
Riser's brow raised up amusedly, but he didn't linger on it any longer. Until he now remembered something.
"By the way, I have heard the Sitri heir has finally found the person she's engaged to. I extend—"
"Thank you very much."
Sona cut him off before he continued, leaving him frozen in place, and at the same time she said that, her eyes veered towards Issei.
Everybody in the room too did the same. They knew what was going on between the two.
However, this time, Issei wasn't showing signs of losing it. His condition was definitely getting better.
"Ahem, a-anyways."
Riser cleared his throat, seeing he'd been ignored for the pawn. He did this to regain the attention.
And by the time he'd regained the attention he wanted, Rias, wanting to ride on the momentum, also spoke coolly, arms crossed.
"I've said it again before and I'll say it once more: no."
"Sure, you've said so before, but that isn't how it works, Rias. You know that. I think you understand just how serious your family's situation is, don't you?"
"Your concern is noted! But as the heir of the House of Gremory, I will be the one to decide whom I am to marry! My father, my brother, and everyone else are being too impatient! Besides, they agreed that I was free to spend my time as I pleased in this world up until I graduate from a human university!"
"Sure, you're essentially free. You can go to college and do whatever you like with your servants. But that won't stop your father and your dear brother, Sirzechs, from worrying."
After all, even these all-powerful Devils are afraid your House and your very lineage are facing extinction.
Many pure-blooded demons died in the last war. Even now that it's over, they are still at odds with the fallen angels and the forces of God.
"It isn't uncommon for once-proud households to lose their heirs to meaningless conflicts with our enemies. Should that happen, the Gremory bloodline will come to an end."
"With that in mind, doesn't it make sense for two pure-blooded, high-class demons to unite? Surely you understand how valuable the offspring of such a union would be."
The conversation had taken a turn Issei hadn't quite anticipated.
Not that it mattered to him. He understood the weight of the marriage perfectly well—but so what?
It was obvious Rias didn't want this engagement…!
"No matter what you say, I'm not marrying you."
Riser's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing sharply as he let out an annoyed click of the tongue.
"… Do you understand what it means to bear the name of House Phenex, Rias? I won't allow anyone to tarnish that legacy."
"You think I came here willingly? To this dingy, pathetic corner of the human world? I loathe this place. The fire and air reek. As someone who wields both, it's insufferable."
Whoosh!
A spiral of fire erupted, coiling around Riser's body. The air shimmered as glowing embers floated around.
"I'll burn your servants to cinders and haul you back to the Underworld if I have to."
His words dripped with venom, and the sheer pressure of his demonic energy began to weigh heavily on the room.
Sona's gaze darkened, her displeasure obvious. And she wasn't alone.
Yet before anyone could speak, something unexpected broke the silence.
"So this is what they call a high-class devil, huh? Compared to him, this is just gravel. Not even close to that overwhelming presence we felt."
The feeling of being stabbed by him as deeply ingrained into Him. As it would be, Riser's words made Issei snap, and it wasn't the good one.
"Issei!"
"Issei!!!" "Ise-san!" "Issei-kun!"
They all shouted his name despite the risen temperature. Normally, he should be trembling, but he'd seen the worst ain't he.
Sure, Riser was still stronger, but he had once face the killing intent of someone stronger. His mental toughness had grown.
But physically, much was still left to be worked on.
He was still low-class. Perhaps with his maximum boost, he could reach middle-class to mid middle-class, but that's about it.
Riser was a High-class through and through, so even if they faced off now…
That said, despite knowing this, the entire clubroom were still happy that Issei had stood up for them.
After all, Riser did quite insult them.