238 My promise for you

"Buchou, are we going to... the Phenex domain?" 

Issei took a deep breath and tried to endure the mixed feelings of fear, nervousness, hatred, and even killing intent from his heart when he mentioned Riser. However, as expected, it was impossible for him to acknowledge Riser as the new Lucifer. 

In his mind, the only one who was suitable to become Lucifer was Sirzech! 

There were no other devils that were more suitable than Sirzech!

Even if Sirzech had passed away, why didn't the other devils choose the champion?!

Why did it have to be Riser?! 

However, Issei didn't dare to say it out loud. He didn't want to die, so he could only endure everything. 

Still, how could Rias miss those mixed feelings from Issei?

Issei was stupid, and it was impossible for him to be crafty by masking his emotions. 

"Issei, I think I should leave—" 

"No, Buchou! Don't leave me! I will do well! I will be obedient and show respect to Lucifer-sama, so don't abandon me!" 

Watching Issei, who begged, Rias sighed, feeling a little helpless. 

There was no way for Issei to leave Rias alone. 

No, he wouldn't let that happen!

As her pawn, Issei vowed that he would protect Rias! 

The others didn't say anything, but to be honest, even if Rias had asked permission for Issei to follow to this gathering, they felt Issei should stay as they were afraid he might cause trouble. 

Sirzech was no longer around them; Rias was just the heiress of the Gremory instead of the little sister of Lucifer, and she no longer had the power to protect Issei from the anger of Riser Lucifer. 

"There are only two things that I want to ask you. Be quiet and lower your head. If you can't do that, then I will leave you." 

"Yes!" 

Issei nodded as he was happy that Rias would bring him to the gathering. 

As for the requirements asked by Rias, with his small brain, Issei had already forgotten. 

—or Issei simply forgot about it. 

Nevertheless, with this matter settled, everyone left for the gathering held at the Phenex Domain. 

"Asia, I leave Issei to you." 

"Yes, Buchou-san." 

Asia nodded as she pulled Issei, holding his hand tightly, afraid that he might do something stupid. She knew that Rias had done her best to save Issei, but if Issei was still stupid, then even Rias was unable to do anything, so she knew she needed to do her best to stop Issei's stupidity. 

However, Asia didn't have confidence in Issei's brain, so she thought the best way to keep him safe was to say, "Issei-san, no matter what, don't talk. Just keep quiet, okay?" 

Still, Asia didn't feel relieved, so she looked at Gasper. "Gasper-san, can you use your Sacred Gear to freeze Issei-san's time when he is about to say something?

"Eh?" Gasper was startled, but he quickly nodded. "Ye-Yes, Asia-senpai!" 

"......." Issei. 

Ignoring the two, Rias sighed as she felt worried, considering she had never heard anything from Riser after that day. The day she asked him permission for Issei, he no longer contacted her. She thought that he was busy and tried to understand it, but she realized that wasn't the case as she saw him going out with Akeno. 

Rias looked at Akeno, who sat quietly and asked in a low voice, "Akeno, did you hear anything from Riser?" 

"Eh?" Akeno was startled, but she shook her head. "No, after our outing, we haven't met each other." This time, she lied as Riser told him to do so. 

"Is that so?" Rias sighed and looked at the scenery outside, hoping to erase her uneasiness. She wasn't sure whether Akeno was lying or not, but when she thought how busy Riser was, she decided to believe Akeno. However, her effort and self-deception were meaningless, especially when Riser didn't accept her meeting when he finished his match against Bedeze Abaddon. 

'What's happening?' 

Everything should go smoothly, but why did she feel Riser was so far away?

However, she quickly cheered herself up, knowing she could meet him during this gathering. 

With the speed of the flying train, it didn't take long before they arrived at the Phenex domain. 

Unlike Akeno and Koneko, the rest were quite nervous, as it would be their second time visiting the Phenex Domain. However, unlike before, his status was much higher, and at the same time, their status was much lower. 

"Th-This is his domain...?" 

Issei was dumbfounded and unable to say a single word to describe how they were about to arrive at the Phenex domain. He might have come to this domain previously, but now, this domain has changed a lot, and it startled him. 

The beauty, charm, elegance, and exquisite architecture of this domain touched the hearts of everyone who saw it for the first time. 

Moreover, all the worries in their hearts disappeared, and there was one feeling that was born in their hearts. 

I want to live in this domain. 

Such a thought crossed everyone's mind as they saw the Phenex Domain for the first time. 

Like others, Rias wasn't immune to this feeling, but her feelings were far deeper. 

I want him. 

This thought was like a loop, and she couldn't get it out of her head. 

So what if he had a wife? So what if Akeno was his woman? So what about his womanizer nature?

Rias had made up her mind, and that was to make Riser into hers. 

Nevertheless, Rias' expression was seen by Issei once again. While he was entranced by the beauty of the architecture of the Phenex Domain, he still had resistance and disgust as he knew the one who owned everything in this place was Riser Lucifer. 

The man that Issei hated the most. 

Yet... yet... Issei knew.

While Issei didn't want to admit it, he was nothing but just a pebble on the side of the street in front of Riser's eyes. 

If Rias hadn't helped him previously, even Issei would have been unable to participate in this gathering, as simply participating in this event was nothing but suicide. 

Nevertheless, as Issei looked at Rias, who seemed to be smitten and obsessed, he clenched his hands tightly. 

'As expected, I can't forgive him!' 

Those gazes, those gentleness, and, more importantly, those boobs...

Everything should be his! 

'Buchou, look at me!' 

Yet, Issei didn't dare to say this feeling out loud. The trauma that he received from his first date with Yuuma Amano or Raynare still remains. His feeling was clumsy, and at the same time, it was also a little scary as his obsession was blind, and he would do anything for Rias even if he had to throw away his life. 

However, when Issei thinks about Riser's position and power, he feels despair as he knows there is nothing he can do. 

'Are you going to just give up, Partner?' 

'...Ddraig?' 

'You might not have the power now, but that doesn't mean you won't have it in the future. Also, are you just going to give up after working so hard? Are you alright by watching all the girls around you fall under his arms?' 

Issei suddenly thought at how Rias, Akeno, Asia, and even Koneko fell under Riser's arms, as they screamed in ecstasy as their bodies were conquered by him. Meanwhile, he could only watch from a distance and listen to their lewd cries, unable to do anything. 

'NOOOOOOOOOO!!!' 

It was like a scene from a nightmare. 

'However, as expected, you're not his opponent now, so endure. Endure it until you become strong enough, as only the strong can get everything.' 

Endure. 

It was a simple thing. 

Issei took a deep breath and was going to endure everything until he was strong enough to retrieve everything that should be his. 

'Buchou, I swear I will protect you!' 

Issei vowed as he stared in a daze at Rias' beautiful crimson hair.