Chapter 235: Refusing to Admit Defeat
In the courtyard, Ravel manifested two wings formed of flames behind her back, slowly floating over to Riser's side.
It had to be said, if members of the Phenex family didn't announce they were demons themselves, their appearance bore no resemblance to demons whatsoever.
At least Rias and the others retained a pair of pitch-black wings. Although they differed significantly from bat wings, they still maintained some demonic characteristics.
But the Phenex family possessed phoenix bloodline, to the extent that even their wings had transformed into flaming feathered wings.
When Haruto and Rias arrived in the courtyard, Akeno and the other girls had spread their slender black wings, surrounding the Phenex siblings in an encirclement.
Looking at the siblings' flaming wings, Haruto felt an even stronger desire for the Phenex family's bloodline talents.
Imagining himself manifesting multiple pairs of elegant flaming wings when fighting at full power in the future, he unconsciously licked his lips.
Forget about strength for a moment - looking cool was a lifetime matter.
However, to achieve that level, the prerequisite was perfectly integrating all bloodline talents.
Whether it was due to his missing parents or insufficient strength, Haruto's demon form showed some atavistic traits, and he couldn't perfectly master two powers simultaneously like natural purebloods such as Akeno.
He could only switch between demonic power and fallen angel power, just like Yuuma and the other two.
Even when transforming into half-demon, half-fallen angel, it merely accelerated the switching speed - completely different from Akeno's ability to transform lightning into radiant light.
"Riser, you've lost." Rias passed through the group and flew to stand before Riser.
Haruto and Asia didn't approach, instead chatting with the girls nearby about the recent battle.
"Ah, the opponents were too weak, couldn't feel any pressure at all."
"I think we were just too strong..."
Through their back-and-forth conversation, Haruto quickly understood the battle situation.
To his surprise, aside from the Phenex siblings, the opposing side didn't have a single S-class member.
But thinking about it, that made sense. If demons had that many S-class members, then fallen angels and angels would be similar. In that case, the human world would have no capacity for resistance whatsoever.
The three major races had great potential, but they equally needed time to grow.
Among the younger generation of demons, SS-class was essentially nonexistent. Even Rias and Sona, as next-generation leaders of the Four Great Satans families, were only S+.
Well, thanks to Haruto's unrelenting efforts, Rias had now reached SS+, rightfully the undisputed top of her generation.
With such a vast disparity in strength, there wasn't even a tense, confrontational atmosphere.
Listening to the playful banter from Haruto's side, the cheerful golden-haired twin-tailed young lady secretly longed to join in, her beautiful eyes occasionally glancing their way.
"Rias, it's too early to say I've lost."
Riser knew victory was impossible, but he would never admit defeat.
Not just for his pride as a man, but also for the reputation of the Phenex family.
He glanced at Ravel, whose thoughts had clearly wandered elsewhere, and not wanting his younger sister to get hurt, he simply had her withdraw from the match.
[One of Riser-sama's bishops, retired]
As the announcement ended, Riser's eyes sharpened. He began recklessly deploying the full arsenal of weapons and items he had prepared before the match, sparing no expense.
Though he was the one surrounded, his immortal body allowed him to momentarily overwhelm Akeno and the others.
Facing Riser, who completely abandoned defense and fought as if trading lives, Rias found herself temporarily helpless.
She could suppress him, but she couldn't block all his attacks, especially the disposable items and magic scrolls.
Having promised Rias, Haruto continuously dodged Riser's attacks.
While evading, he carefully observed this blond rooster.
The guy had a dissolute personality but didn't seem like a sore loser. His refusal to admit defeat likely had some underlying reason.
After a moment, Haruto noticed Riser occasionally glancing at the sky and seemed to understand why.
"President, have Akeno-senpai and the others pretend to be overwhelmed and voluntarily withdraw," he communicated with Rias through their soul network. "A complete shutout would be too humiliating. Let's give the Phenex family some face."
Rias immediately understood Haruto's meaning.
She was actually more familiar with these noble formalities than Haruto, but this being her first Rating Game, combined with her excitement about imminent victory and freedom from the engagement, she had momentarily forgotten.
Upon receiving Rias's instruction, the girls exchanged glances. Eventually, Yuuto, Asia, Mittelt, and Kalawarna pretended to be defeated and voluntarily surrendered.
Sure enough, as Grayfia's announcement echoed through the arena, Riser's expression noticeably relaxed, and even his attacks slowed down.
"Riser, how many more items do you have? Continuing like this will only bring you more shame."
Seeing the timing was right, Rias decided not to prolong things further. If he still refused to surrender, she would have to crush him forcefully.
Riser put away his disposable items but kept his armor, helmet, and other equipment active.
He assumed a combat stance. "Rias, our marriage concerns the future of pure-blooded demons. Have you really thought this through?"
"I don't mind that you've already given your first time to—"
"Shut up, Riser." Rias didn't care if people knew about her relationship with Haruto, but saying it in this context was infuriating.
Her emerald eyes filled with murderous intent. "You talk as if you've been chaste yourself. Besides, I've already given you plenty of face. Don't blame me for what comes next."
As she spoke, black-red magical energy brimming with destructive power surged from Rias's body like dancing giant pythons. Her crimson hair flowed wildly in the magical turbulence.
"Bzzzt bzzzt bzzzt—"
More magic circles than when Akeno fought Yubelluna surrounded Riser completely. The difference was that all these magic circles were identical.
As Rias chanted, countless blood-red laser-like magical energies struck Riser violently.
Riser was completely defenseless, even the flaming wings on his back were shattered, and he fell from the sky in tatters.
But within just a few seconds, flames continuously overflowed from his body, and his terrifying wounds healed in the blink of an eye, even his broken limbs restored to their original state.
By the time he crashed to the ground, aside from looking disheveled, almost no injuries could be seen on Riser.
This outcome was within Rias's expectations. The black-red magical energy continued to flow, and the next wave of attacks was quickly prepared.
After five rounds of bombardment, during which Riser was even turned to ashes several times, the limits of his immortality were finally revealed.
The flames still repaired the injuries on his body, but the speed had noticeably slowed, and some minor wounds already showed the color of flesh, no longer regenerating.
This indicated that Riser's mental energy was severely depleted. When even fatal wounds could no longer be repaired, it was a sign that his mental energy had reached its limit.
Her full chest heaving heavily, the red-haired demon beauty landed back on the ground, and the magic circles covering the battle space dissipated one by one.
Rias's magical energy was also nearly exhausted. Looking at Riser, who could barely maintain his mobility, she couldn't help but frown.
"Riser, even at this point, are you still going to rely on the rules to continue?"
Riser curled his lips into a grim smile and cast a dark glance at Haruto, who had not made a move the entire time.
What a pity. He had originally planned to teach Haruto a lesson before dying, but he never expected the other to stay so far away.
Not only could he not teach him a lesson, but he couldn't even trade his life for Haruto's in a desperate move.
If Riser died at Haruto's hands, even in a Rating Game, even if Riser brought it upon himself...
Unless the Gremory family went to war with the Phenex family, Haruto would likely not survive.
Riser wouldn't normally think this way, but as his mental energy depleted, he found it increasingly difficult to resist the subtle, abnormal influence.
Every time he saw Haruto, he couldn't help but feel boundless hatred and disgust.
When he thought of Rias losing her purity to Haruto, this feeling peaked, making him repeatedly consider a desperate trade.
Haruto didn't know about Riser's condition, and even if he did, he could only shrug.
Clearly, you're the one with the yellow hair, so why does it feel like I stole your girl...
Ahem, setting aside Rias's own feelings, on the surface, he did indeed steal someone else's fiancée.
But then again, Rias never liked Riser to begin with, so it shouldn't count as "netorare."
Yeah, it doesn't count.
Ignoring Riser's glare, Haruto continued to ponder how to obtain the bloodline of the Phenex family.
This ability is truly remarkable. If he could successfully replicate it and pair it with his immensely powerful soul, the effects would surely be even more terrifying than the original.
After waiting a long time for Riser's response, Rias took a deep breath and looked up at the sky of the battle space.
"Lord Lucifer, and all the esteemed spectators..."
She said solemnly, "I hope you will promptly transfer Riser out."