194 Kuoh Treaty

Still, if there was one who was unable to believe the situation as much as Grayfia and Issei, it would be Serafall. 

The friendship between Serafall and Sirzech had gone so long, and they had known each other before they even became the Four Great Maous, so she was unable to believe that the strongest devil that had even been born and bore the name of Lucifer from the Four Great Maous had passed away like this. 

Was this meeting wrong?

When Serafall thought about her conversation with Riser at that time in his villa, she wondered whether the peace they sought was wrong. After all, if this meeting wasn't there, would Sirzech have died?

Moreover, if she had been a little faster before, she should have been able to save Sirzech, yet everything was too late now. 

"Are you okay?" 

"Ri-Riser-chan..." 

Her eyes reddened as she saw him. When he wasn't around, she had to be strong as she needed to protect everyone, but when he appeared, there was no need for her to pretend as she could rely on him. 

"It's okay. Just leave everything to me." 

As she felt his gentle caress, she couldn't help but fall into it. 

"Um."

Watching her older sister hug her husband, Sona didn't say anything since she knew Serafall's mood was far from calm. 

Yet, Serafall was Maou Leviathan; it was impossible for her to stay weak all the time, especially when the meeting was far from over. Still, when Riser was there, she was like his support. 

"Are you Michael, one of the Seraphs?" 

"Yes, you are Riser Phenex-kun, right? It's nice to know you, Phenex-kun." 

"You can call me Riser, Michael." 

"Then, Riser-kun." 

Even though Michael was much older than Riser, and with Riser's position, it wouldn't be weird for him to add the "-sama" suffix to Michael to show his respect; his power was above all of them, so such a proper and polite address was unnecessary.

Moreover, due to the death of Sirzech, if Riser called Michael by a polite address, it would make the devil appear weak. 

Lastly, Michael also didn't hate to call Riser in such an intimate way, as it showed that Riser didn't have hostility toward them. 

"I know that it might be sudden, but what do you think to make an alliance between us." 

"....." 

Everyone fell into silence due to his words. 

"...what do you mean, Riser-kun?" 

While Michael wished for this, he was surprised as he didn't expect Riser to take the initiative. 

"My meaning is clear. With the "Khaos Brigade" looming, hiding, and ready to attack us anytime, we need to make an alliance together so we can erase this cancer from this world, or... do you wish to face this danger by yourselves?" 

"No, no. If that's what the devil wishes for, then we, from heaven, will agree with this alliance." 

There was no way for Michael to let go of this opportunity as this was what he wished to do, especially when he came to make an alliance with the devil and the fallen angel. Moreover, even if the devils didn't agree, it didn't matter since having Riser alone as an ally was worth it. 

In the end, what mattered the most was the power of an individual. 

Riser had a power that was enough to crush all of them, and that made him the greatest ally. Moreover, he also had a connection with the factions of Serafall Leviathan, the Phenex House, the Sitri House, and the Great King Faction. 

Riser had enough authority to represent the entire devil to propose this alliance. 

With the alliance between Riser and Michael being made, the two shook their hands. 

"We will work together to protect each other and erase this terrorist from this world." 

"Together." 

"As you have become our ally, I will heal all of your subordinates." 

With just a tap of his foot, the comfortable breeze could be felt by all the angels, and all of their injuries, wounds, and even stamina recovered. 

"......." 

At this moment, the angels were in a daze since, as holy beings, they felt like their healing magic, which was something they were proud of, was inferior to Riser, which made them lost for words. However, this also amazed them since not only his firepower but his ability to support was frightening. 

However, when Riser and Michael entered a honeymoon period due to their alliance, Azazel was desperate as neither of them mentioned peace with the fallen angel. 

"Hey, did you ignore us deliberately? You two are cold! We, the fallen angel, will also join this alliance!" Azazel quickly said, but when he said those words, Rias, who had been trying to calm down Grayfia, put their cold gazes at Azazel. 

Not only Rias, but the others also did the same. 

This gaze, not only at Azazel but all the fallen angels that came with Azazel, along with the cadres that came due to the emergency call which was made by Azazel, also felt nervous. 

"Sorry, I can't trust you." 

The words that came out from Riser were like a drop of cold water poured into the heads of all the fallen angels, including Azazel, as they were staring at him in disbelief. 

"You were the one who had invited Vai to this place, and due to your action, you made our leader, Sirzech Lucifer-sama, pass away. To be honest, I suspect that you are a member of the Khaos Brigade, and the reason why you joined this alliance is so you can spy on us. Today, it was Sirzech-sama; what about next time? Is it Michael? Me? Or someone else?" 

When those words fell, the hostility between the angels and the devils was impossible to hide, and all of them were staring at all the fallen angels as if they were ready to erase them soon. 

No one liked a traitor. 

Even if Azazel might not be one, there was a chance that he might be one. 

Nevertheless, there was no doubt Azazel was also responsible for Sirzech's death. 

Similarly, Michael, who knew about the plan beforehand, also couldn't trust Azazel. Nevertheless, he felt complicated as he had trusted him so much. While he didn't think Azazel would do something like kill Sirzech, he still had suspicion as Vali was brought by Azazel. Moreover, with Azazel's reputation, Azazel definitely wasn't a good person. 

Still, the one that was full of hatred was definitely Rias and Grayfia, as they were ready to use their everything to kill Azazel. They might not be able to find Vali, but they could kill Azazel. 

At this moment, all the fallen angels were panicked, and they wanted to scream, asking for the help of Riser, yelling, saying that they were working under him, but when they saw his indifferent expression, they felt like their mouth was choked by something as they were unable to talk, which made them even desperate, but suddenly Azazel summoned a spear of light startled them. 

The movement of Azazel made them tense, and they were ready to attack all the fallen angels, but suddenly, Azazel's action startled all of them. 

Azazel cut his own left leg without hesitation as he dropped to the ground and kowtowed to the ground, ignoring the blood that tainted the earthy ground. 

"We, the Grigori, have never been involved in the Khaos Brigade. I know that due to my actions, I have made the leader of the devil, Sirzech Lucifer-sama, pass away, and this sin is definitely not something that can't be forgiven, but believe me, we, the Grigori, are not involved in anything with this. 

"To prove that, we will make Vali Lucifer the target of our organization, and we all will kill him without hesitation when we meet him.

"This leg is a symbol of my sincerity. If you ask me to take my life to feel my sincerity, then please wait until I kill Vali Lucifer. 

"Moreover, I will step down as the governor of the Grigori, and from now on, the governor position will be taken by Baraqiel." 

Those words made a reaction on Rias and Akeno. 

As for the fallen angels, no one said anything, and they just quietly listened anxiously, hoping they could get out of this quagmire. Nevertheless, many cried as they saw their leader would kowtow so low as this, making them realize how weak they were. 

"Lastly, I will do my best to compensate the Gremory House for this mistake. I know that you might not be able to forgive me, but let me atone for all of the sins that I have caused." 

Azazel said all of that in one go as he kowtowed to Riser, but—

"I am not the one whom you should apologize to." Riser looked at Rias and asked, "Rias Gremory, what do you think?" 

At this moment, Rias Gremory was the center of everything as she could feel every gaze on her. She knew that her decision would determine the life or death of the fallen angels. She then looked at Riser as he was also looking at her. 

When their eyes met, she hoped to see something inside him, a feeling, an affection, yet unfortunately, she couldn't since all she could see was a callousness that made her almost cry, but she knew she couldn't appear weak as she also knew what her current situation would be. 

So, she could only make this decision as she stared at Azazel with hatred. 

"...I hope you can keep your promise." 

"Thank you." Azazel sighed in relief. 

"Rias!" Grayfia looked at Rias in disbelief. 

"This is my decision as the heiress of the Gremory House, Grayfia-oneesama. Don't question it." 

Rias said those words in a heavy voice, clearly showing that she was holding her anger. 

Grayfia grounded her teeth, feeling frustrated as she was ready to destroy everything, but while her feeling was a mess, she also understood why Rias made this decision. After all, unlike before, the Gremory House no longer had the protection of Sirzech Lucifer.

July 20XX AD—

Heaven's representative, Head Angel Michael, Governor Baraqiel of the fallen angel central organization [Grigori], and Underworld's representative Maou Serafall Leviathan, with these representatives of the three great powers, a peace treaty was signed. 

Thereafter, disputes between the three great powers were prohibited in the framework of cooperation—. 

This treaty adopted the name of the school, which became its stage and was called the "Kuoh Treaty." 

As Riser stood next to Serafall, he thought that his peaceful life was about to begin.