Chapter 236: Dust Settled
Faced with Riser on the verge of collapse, others might not dare to deliver the final blow...
Actually, there was no need to go for the kill. Members of the Phenex family usually surrendered voluntarily when they were certain they couldn't win.
But this time was different—Riser simply refused to concede.
Due to the nature of his immortality, as long as he wasn't dead, he couldn't lose his combat ability. Thus, the only option was to beat him to death.
None of the spectators were fools; Rias's intention was clear.
Since Riser was playing dirty, he couldn't blame her if he ended up dead.
Deaths in the game weren't unheard of, and she had already warned him. If Riser died, it would simply be treated as an accident.
"I, the Princess of Ruin, clad in forbidden night and true darkness..."
Rias's eyes narrowed slightly as her clear, melodious chant filled the air. Magical energy brimming with destructive power gradually coalesced into a pitch-black, shadowy sphere.
"Grant absolute destruction upon the enemy before me!"
As the final line of the incantation concluded, the sphere, resembling a black hole, shot toward Riser at high speed.
Feeling the terrifying and dreadful fluctuations of magical energy, Riser felt as if his very soul had frozen. He couldn't muster any response.
He would die... In his current state, taking this hit would undoubtedly mean death...
Born into the Phenex family, Riser had never imagined death would come for him.
But when truly faced with death, he realized the sheer magnitude of the fear.
He didn't want to die. He was the third son of the Phenex family, with an infinitely bright and promising future ahead of him.
Even without Rias, he would never lack for women, let alone inexhaustible wealth and revered status.
The subtle influences that once clouded his mind had completely dissipated amidst the terror between life and death. Riser had never felt more clear-headed than at this moment.
Only by living could there be hope; death meant losing everything.
"I surr—"
He tried to concede, but Rias' attack had already been unleashed, impossible to halt.
Before the final word could escape his lips, excruciating pain cut him off. Just as he awaited death in despair, the battle space distorted, and the attack poised to obliterate his body and spirit instantly vanished.
[Confirmation: Lord Riser has forfeited the game. Victory goes to Lady Rias Gremory.]
"What was that just now..."
Haruto's expression turned grave. The entire space had been disrupted moments earlier, and the momentary pressure far surpassed what he had felt from Azazel.
"It was the Devil King," Akeno replied with a light laugh. "Most likely, the Phenex family spectators intervened to surrender on his behalf. Obviously, sacrificing Riser's life in a Rating Game isn't worth it."
Haruto felt some regret that Riser hadn't died, but there were still advantages to be gained.
From limited intelligence, if he wanted to acquire the Phenex family's bloodline talents, only two candidates existed—Ravel and her mother.
Had Riser died here, Haruto could basically forget about that possibility.
Killing someone's beloved brother or son—even if not by his own hand—would make him the root cause. Getting revenge would be the least they'd do; expecting dual cultivation? He might as well wash up and go to bed early—dreams were where such fantasies belonged.
With the Rating Game concluded, Riser was teleported out to receive treatment alongside his peerage.
Maintaining the battle space consumed resources, so it would be dismantled post-game. Thus, Haruto's group followed shortly after, teleporting back.
However, they didn't return to the Occult Research Club's activity room, instead appearing at the medical team's location.
"After every battle, there's a treatment session," Rias explained, noticing Haruto's confusion. "Typically, both sides have combatants unable to continue, so this serves as a gathering point."
Haruto nodded, instinctively glancing at the beds filled with stunningly beautiful girls.
In intense combat, clothing destruction was commonplace. Only due to their overwhelming strength had Akeno and the others avoided exposure.
As for Riser's female peerage members before them, most were essentially nude.
Beyond the earlier broadcast, numerous male demons surrounded them, yet everyone appeared utterly unfazed.
After careful observation, Haruto concluded that demons genuinely didn't care.
Not just demons—after inquiring with Yuuma and the other two fallen angels, they were completely indifferent to such matters too.
It made sense. Judging by Yuuma's battle form, her leather outfit might as well not exist. In some ways, it probably excited opponents more.
One could only say: truly demons, or at least demons based in the Japan region.
In the original timeline's Rating Games, the Breast Dragon Emperor's [Dress Break] had exposed Riser's peerage to full view.
Then, out of embarrassment, they covered their vital areas, unable to resist until being knocked unconscious.
On the other hand, Akeno, Koneko, and even Rias were also experiencing various wardrobe malfunctions—and this was being broadcast live...
While secretly delighted to see such scenes through the screen, now facing the reality, Haruto could only sincerely advise the girls to find more durable clothing and avoid having their clothes torn so easily.
He enjoyed seeing other women exposed, but he absolutely refused to let his own women be seen by others.
The girls exchanged smiles, quite pleased with Haruto's seemingly jealous behavior.
"Haruto…"
After a light laugh, Rias spoke with a hint of helplessness, "I understand how you feel, but materials like that aren't easy to come by, let alone craft into clothing."
The stronger one's power, the greater the destructive force, making it increasingly difficult to obtain weapons and armor of the same level.
Weapons were somewhat easier, requiring fewer materials and simpler craftsmanship.
But to prevent clothes from tearing would mean making them impervious to opponents' attacks—just thinking about it showed how challenging that would be.
This was why bikini-style armor wasn't without merit: it was easier to produce and required fewer materials.
"Then from now on, I'll handle the fights. You all don't need to lift a finger."
"Don't be ridiculous."
Rias rolled her eyes at Haruto. "You never complained when you were watching other people."
Of course, Haruto was only joking—there was no way he would forbid Rias and the others from ever fighting again.
Since obtaining such armor seemed impossible, the only solution was to continue strengthening the girls' abilities.
As demonstrated today, as long as they overpowered their opponents, even if their clothes tore, at least they wouldn't be exposed.
As long as nothing was revealed, Haruto wasn't overly obsessive—he didn't have some extreme purity complex.
In daily life, whether the girls wore black stockings, hot pants, or miniskirts...
He never said a word.
In fact, he'd be thrilled if the girls around him dressed like that every day—it was both pleasing to the eye and convenient.
Haruto and the group soon left the medical team. Aside from significant magical depletion, they had sustained no real injuries.
"Lady Rias."
Just as they were about to return to the Occult Research Club, the silver-haired beauty in a maid outfit appeared once more.
"Regarding the wager with Lord Riser, Lord Sirzechs hopes you can handle it... diplomatically."
"So it's not 'Devil King Lucifer' this time?"
Rias snorted discontentedly, offering a mild retort.
"Don't worry, I don't intend to make any excessive demands of Riser. I only want him to annul the engagement."
"Then shall we set the wager as the Phenex family voluntarily withdrawing from the marriage? How does that sound?"
Grayfia maintained her usual composure, unbothered by Rias's subtle jab.
Rias still couldn't quite figure out her brother's intentions, but since her goal was achieved either way...
"Fine."
She nodded and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."
Grayfia gracefully stepped aside, bowing her head slightly.
...
Three days had passed since the Rating Game. Riser and his servants had fully recovered after treatment.
At the same time, the matter of the annulment was officially settled.
Since the Phenex family initiated the withdrawal, the Gremory family even received additional compensation.
Being publicly rejected did carry a stigma, which was why Riser had repeatedly invoked the "honor of the Phenex family."
However, the higher-ups in the Underworld were well aware of the circumstances, and could only offer silent sympathy to the Phenex family.
Having lost face and still having to compensate others, anyone would feel upset in such a situation.
By this point, everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction.
However, as the saying goes, misfortune lies where fortune resides, and fortune lurks within misfortune.
The exaggerated progress in strength made by Akeno and the others had caught the attention of the higher-ups in the Underworld.
After a brief investigation, the reason behind it was easily uncovered.
"Send someone to make contact with the current successor of the Red Dragon Emperor. Oh, and remember to ask him if the dual cultivation can be used with someone of the same sex..."
"Pick a few beautiful females from the family and test whether it's really true."
"Bring gifts and ask if the Red Dragon Emperor's successor is willing to change his contracted partner."
Similar conversations kept happening among the upper echelons of the Underworld, and even the Phenex family was no exception.
"I remember Ravel and Rias are quite close..."
Ravel's older brother, the current head of the Phenex family, thought to himself.