The All-Father Arrives

Underworld, Gremory Territory, Alaverus Estate.

A day has passed since the Khaos Brigade attacked the [Rating Game] arena. Currently, James and his peerage are reading a report on the attack and its aftermath. After the attack, it was decided that the [Rating Games] scheduled in the near future would not be rescheduled. Instead, those [Games] would be broadcast to the entire Underworld. Unfortunately for James and his peerage, their match against Diodora Astaroth was deemed invalid. Which made sense. The young devils of this year were expected to face each of the other six competitors once before they were allowed to compete in the [Rating Games], officially. And since James would be the only one who faced Diodora, due to his crime of treason, it was the only fair thing to do.

*Bang!*

James' peerage had just received the news of their match with Diodora's invalidation. Unsurprisingly, none of them were happy about it. However, the one who lost their temper and slammed their fist into the table was not one of the young devils in the room. Instead, it was Leona who was also reading the notice.

"This is bullshit!" Leona exclaimed unhappily. "You all performed so well. They're basically spitting on your efforts."

"Double standard much?" James asked. "She swears, nothing happens. I swear and I get popped in the head."

"That's because I'm the parent, Sweetheart." Leona said with a bright smile.

The rest of the group decided that it was not worth engaging. Instead, they focused on what Leona said initially.

"Did we really put in any effort, though?" Mizore asked innocently. "I mean, as soon as the match started, it was over. It almost felt like our opponents didn't train at all."

With Mizore's comment, everyone stopped to think about how the battle actually went. Due to the Khaos Brigade's attack after the [Rating Game], they did not think much of the match with Diodora.

"Now that you mention it." Moka said after considering the [Rating Game]. "We really did not have to push ourselves very hard, yesterday."

"Very hard?" Dante asked sarcastically. "Try at all."

"To be honest." Scathach said after putting down the report. "In terms of strength, none among the young devils are your match. However, you should never allow yourselves to grow complacent. If you do, then your path to power will end prematurely."

Everyone nodded in agreement to Scathach's words.

"That's right." James said with a smile. "Even if we are stronger than our opponents, giving our all is the minimum respect we can show them."

Once again, the members of James' peerage nodded in agreement.

"Therefore, if any of us, including me, show signs of complacency, please make us regret it, Master." James said as he bowed politely with a resolute expression on his face.

Once again, James' peerage began to bow. Until they registered what it was that James said. When they did, they hurriedly stopped and looked at Scathach with a hint of fear in their eyes. And that was something that Scathach did not miss. So, with a ferocious smile, she replied to James.

"I hear and obey, my [King]." Scathach said in a serious tone.

With that, James' peerage all made the resolution to give every [Rating Game] their full attention. Unfortunately for them, Scathach would also apply this to battles outside of the [Rating Games]. But that would be a story for another day.

"Anyway." James said, casually shaking off the awkward atmosphere. "Are you all interested in watching the match between Ri Ri and Sona?"

Most of the peerage agreed to watch as they were friends with both Rias and Sona. As well as most of their peerages. Dante and Lady, however, decided to return to the Human World. If they were lucky, they could complete a job or two before their next [Rating Game]. Surprisingly, Scathach was the most interested in the upcoming [Rating Game]. As it turns out she was interested in the strategies the girls would employ, rather than the actual battles that would occur.

Underworld, Gremory Territory, Gremory Estate.

At the same time, Rias and her peerage were also reading the report on the Khaos Brigade's attack and its aftermath. Then, out of nowhere, the quiet atmosphere was broken.

"Hahahaha!" Issei laughed and threw his copy of the report into the air. "James-Senpai's win was invalidated. Serves that lucky bastard right."

Instead of reprimanding him, Rias, Akeno, Koneko, and Mio rolled their eyes at the immaturity Issei showed. Asia looked at Issei as if she wanted to stop him but did not know how. While Yuuto, Gasper, and Xenovia did not seem to have much of an opinion about Issei's outburst.

"Wow, jealousy is really ugly." Maria said in her usual cheerful tone.

With that, Issei flinched. Then, he looked at the expressions of everyone around him.

"*Sigh* I'm sorry about that." Issei said with a genuinely regretful expression. "But James-Senpai has everything I want."

Everyone could understand what Issei meant. It was no secret that Issei wanted to be the king of his own harem of beautiful girls more than anything. They also understood that seeing James living the life he dreamed of must be tough. Even so, they had no sympathy for the perverted idiot.

"Anyway, are you all ready for tonight's [Game]?" Rias asked after putting Isseis idiocy out of her mind. "Sona won't be an easy opponent."

"But we out number her." Issei said with a confused tone. "Shouldn't this be a breeze?"

"Not necessarily, Issei-Kun." Akeno said with a smile. "Even though we out number them, Sona is a better strategist than Rias. No offense."

"None taken." Rias said calmly. "It's true that she's a better strategist than I am. On top of that, they have all been through Master Scathach's training. In terms of battle awareness, I'm sure they are ahead of all of us."

"If that's the case, then what should we do?" Gasper asked in a nervous tone.

"We use our versatility." Rias said with a confident smile. "We have more varied ways to attack. Which means we have more varied ways to win."

Hearing their [King's] words, Rias' peerage confidence was raised.

Underworld, Sitri territory, Sitri Estate.

Like James and Rias, Sona and her peerage were also reading the report on the Khaos Brigade's attack and the aftermath of that attack.

"So, what do you all think?" Sona asked.

"James is not going to be happy." Tsubaki replied. "Even if the victory was an easy one for them, it was something they earned."

Hearing that, the rest of Sona's peerage nodded in agreement.

"And unfortunately for the rest of the teams, he's going to take it out on all of us." Sona said while adjusting her glasses.

Sona's peerage shuddered when they thought about James and his peerage going all out against them.

"Even if that's the case." Sona said as she stood from her seat. "We'll show them and the entire Underworld that we are not to be taken lightly."

"Yeah!" the rest of Sona's peerage cheered in unison.

Seeing the enthusiasm of her peerage, Sona was more than satisfied. She knew that she had to show that she was strong enough to make her words and opinions heard In the Underworld. And she would use her match with Rias to take her first step toward fulfilling her dream.

"Now, let's discuss our basic strategy for tonight's [Rating Game]." Sona said as she took her seat again.

And for the next few hours, Sona and her peerage discussed their strengths and weaknesses along with Rias and her peerage's strengths and weaknesses. After that, they discussed possible countermeasures.

Underworld, Satan Territory, Capital City, Lilith.

In the Satan's meeting room, Sirzechs, Grayfia, and Serafall were waiting for some guests. They were planning to discuss extending their alliance while watching their younger sisters' [rating Game].

"They should be here soon." Sirzechs said with a smile. "I hope these negotiations will go well."

"There should be no problem." Serafall said with a cheerful smile. "That old man has been advocating for peace for like, ever."

"I hope you're right." Sirzechs said. "We need all the help we can get against the Khaos Brigade."

At that, Grayfia and Serafall nodded in agreement.

"Either way, I'm looking forward to So-Tan's debut." Serafall said in a bubbly tone. "And when she gets her first win tonight, I'll celebrate with her."

Hearing that, Sirzechs eyebrow twitched.

"I think you may be getting ahead of yourself Serafall." Sirzechs said with a smile. "Rias has a complete peerage, after all."

"Numbers are important, but strategy can make up for the difference." Sona said, maintaining her smile.

"That may be true." Sirzechs said as his smile faded slightly. "But the difference in firepower is a big factor as well."

"I agree." Serafall said with a smile that had also diminished slightly. "But the breadth of training is important as well. And since So-Tan and her peerage have trained with Master Scathach, they have the advantage."

Like that, Sirzechs and Serafall tried to explain why their own sister was in the superior position going into the upcoming [Rating Game]. And as time went by, their smiles faded, and their arguments became more childish.

"Ria-Tan is taller!" Sirzechs shouted.

"So-Tan is cuter!" Serafall shouted in return.

"Ria-Tan has bigger boobs!" Sirzechs shouted, determined not to lose.

As the childish argument continued, Grayfia stood behind Sirzechs with an impassive expression on her face. However, her lips and eyebrows would twitch from time to time as she was forced to listen to this stupidity.

'How can the leaders of an entire race be so childish?' Grayfia asked herself internally as she watched her husband and longtime friend/rival argue about their younger sisters. 'I mean, Serafall has always acted like this, but Sirzechs turns into a completely different person whenever Rias is involved.'

At that moment, Grayfia was saved from her torment. A communication magic circle appeared next to her right ear. Using her right hand to block out the noisy argument, Grayfia listened to the voice on the other side of the magic circle.

"{Grayfia, I will arrive shortly with Michael.}" Ajuka said in a casual tone. "{I'm sure you're about to lose your mind because of those two sis-cons. But they should stop their bickering when the guests begin to arrive.}"

"Thank you, Lord Ajuka." Grayfia said. "I'll inform them right away."

Then, the communication was cut. After that, Grayfia turned her attention to the childish sis-con duo, who were still arguing like grade schoolers.

"Lord Lucifer, Lady Leviathan, Lord Beelzebub will arrive shortly with Michael of the Four Great Seraphs." Grayfia announced.

Hearing Grayfia's announcement, Sirzechs and Serafall froze for a moment. Then, they both snorted and looked away.

"The outcome will speak for itself." Sirzechs said in a huff.

"That's right.!"Serafall replied.

Then, a few moments later, they were both calm and ready to greet the guests. A few minutes later, the door to the meeting room was opened and Ajuka led Michael into the room.

"Michael, it's good to see you again." Sirzechs said with a friendly smile. "How are things in Heaven?"

"Everything is going well." Michael replied with a kind smile. "And how are you, Sirzechs, Serafall. Oh, and Miss Grayfia as well."

While Grayfia only nodded respectfully, serafall replied energetically.

"I've been great." Serafall said with a cheerful smile. "Especially since Jay-Kun released his Sailor Moon manga."

"It would seem that young man has many talents." Michael replied with that same kind smile. "It would seem your sisters have both found a wonderful partner."

Serafall smiled brightly as she had fully accepted James' relationship with Sona over the years. Sirzechs on the other hand, also smiled. However, his smile was a bit forced. He was quite supportive of James and Rias' relationship as well. However, James' ambition to surpass him has made him uncomfortable lately.

Before Sirzechs could reply, however, the door to the room was opend again. Walking through the open door was Azazel leading two people.

The first was an elderly man with long grey hair and a matching beard and a gold and white monocle covering his left eye. On his tall and bulky body, he wore a short white robe with gold and blue lining on his collar, cuffs, and the front of the robe. On his head he wore a black and gold hat.

The second of the new arrivals was a beautiful young woman with long straight silver hair and aqua-blue eyes. Standing at 5'8" (1.73 m) she was clad in a white breastplate, hip guards, fingerless gauntlets, boots, and wing shaped hair clips, all with gold and pale blue accents. Under the armor, she wore a black leotard, thigh-high stockings, and a pale blue cloth wrap wrapped around her waist and hips.

"Good, we're not late." The elderly man said as he wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead.

"We wouldn't have had to worry about being late if you hadn't lost track of time, Lord Odin.

"You need to learn how to loosen up, Rossweisse." The elderly man, Odin, former chief deity of the Norse pantheon, said to his bodyguard. "If you're always so stiff, you'll never find a man."

With that, the young woman, Rossweisse, who served the role of Odin's Valkyrie bodyguard, fell to her knees and began to sob.

"It's not like I want to be single!" Rossweisse cried. "It's not my fault all the good men in Valhalla are taken."

Hearing that, Odin laughed uproariously while everyone else could feel cold sweat forming on their backs.