Apology

As Sona's school held a class visiting event, it was impossible for Serafall to miss such an event. After all, Sona was her precious little sister. 

However, as Sona's husband, it was also impossible for him to miss it either. 

So, even if they were quite awkward to each other, they went to the human world together. 

Frankly, the one who took the initiative to go together was Serafall. 

Riser didn't do anything, and he just went to the station, but before he left, Serafall suddenly appeared by his side, like she had anticipated his trip, joining him as if nothing. 

Yet, when they were inside the train, alone, together, the awkwardness was impossible to hide. 

Nevertheless, Riser was as calm as ever, reading his book quietly. 

However, Serafall was different, as it was impossible for her to jump into him like before. 

The careless action, the intimate exchanges, and the happy laugh she shared with him were impossible to happen again as their relationship had changed due to her actions. 

Even if they couldn't sit together, like before, she sat on his opposite side, glancing at him from time to time. She also didn't hide his gaze as if she was waiting for him to notice. 

Yet, she underestimated him. 

He had completely ignored Serafall, and the awkwardness was nothing compared to the death and life situation that he had encountered. 

All the guys that had fought with her would probably apologize, bowing their heads, giving up due to the beauty and the plumpness of Serafall's thighs. 

Yet, even if Serafall was indeed a beauty, Riser's heart wasn't unperturbed, especially when Misla and Ravel had helped him. 

Moreover, as a man, he needed to have a spine and know how to reject a woman instead of becoming a slave of desire. 

"...are you still angry?" 

Serafall suddenly asked timidly, waiting for his answer, but he didn't say anything. 

"Riser?" 

"Did you talk to me?" Riser looked up at Serafall. 

"...." Serafall. 

"What did you say?" 

Serafall pursed her lips and asked once again, "Are you still angry at me?" 

"Why should I get angry at you?" 

"That's because... because I stopped you." 

"Do you think I will get angry because of that?" 

"Then... you are not angry?" 

"I am not angry." 

"You are lying! You are clearly angry!" Serafall couldn't be fooled as she knew he was angry. 

"Why do you think so?" Riser asked calmly instead of refuting. 

"Because... because it's weird! Usually, you would jump into me, hug me, kiss me, and call me "Onee-chan~! Onee-chan~!" Something like that! But... but you are now so cold! Onee-chan is almost freezing of your coldness~!" 

"..." 

Riser stared at Serafall, who was full of smiles as she anticipated something. Usually, in this situation, he would sigh and show a helpless expression before she hugged him tightly like before, but it was different now since her existence was quite a burden for him. 

Serafall wasn't his wife, she was just his sister-in-law. 

Even though her presence helped him with many things, including making Falbium Asmodeus came during his promotion to the "Ultimate-Class Devil," as if telling him even if he had joined the "Great King Faction," she still cared about him and there was no way for her to abandon him. 

Yet, he knew no matter what, it was impossible for her to support him to defeat Sirzech. 

Instead, if he really tried to fight Sirzech, she would do her best to stop him even if she used her life. 

Frankly, among all the women he knew, everyone would do their best to please him, but only Serafall was different. 

However, he also didn't feel surprised since she was older and different.

What about Misla?

Misla was different; she was by his side when he needed someone most. 

However, Serafall was different, as her focus on life was something more significant than mere love. It was also due to this that she never married or had a relationship with anyone, even if many came to court her. 

—or rather, except for Sirzech, none of the members of the Four Great Satans had married as they had a greater purpose other than their lower bodies. 

"Onee-chan, we're a sibling-in-law. Do you think it is appropriate for us to do something like that?"

Due to that, Riser might as well stop having an illusion where he could sway Serafall with feelings. Instead, he might as well focus on his ambition and purposes for the human world instead of facing Serafall. 

"Oh-oh...." Serafall felt that her chest was so tight, as if it was crushed by something. She lowered her head so he wouldn't see her red eyes. It might be her wish for him to call her "Onee-chan," but when she got it, she had never thought the word "Onee-chan" could appear so cold and distant. 

She knew that their relationship was no longer the same, and it was she who destroyed it. 

Yet... yet... she knew she had to bear with it as she was probably going to disappoint him again. 

"Um... Ri-Riser-chan..." 

"What's wrong, Onee-chan?" 

"...you... you might not know, but we're about to have a meeting with three factions." 

"Meeting of three factions? You mean with the angels and fallen angels?" 

"Yes." 

Riser looked at Serafall and asked, "What's the meeting for?" 

"It... it was about the attack on Kokabiel and the others on Kuoh Town previously." 

"I see." Riser nodded. "So, how are the fallen angels going to pay?" He knew that no one knew he had conquered the Grigori, and he also wouldn't mention it to anyone as it was troublesome. Nevertheless, he wanted to see what Sirzech and Serafall were going to do with Grigori after what they had done to him and the others previously. 

"...." 

Serafall felt that she had lost her voice, but she forced herself to talk. "They... they probably won't have to pay anything." 

Nevertheless, he was as calm as ever. "Can I ask why?" 

"It's... it's for peace." 

"Peace?" 

"Yes, peace." Probably due to this, she gained her courage, but her tone betrayed her as she faltered from time to time. "You... you should know that our race is in crisis due to low numbers after the Devil Civil War. We can't afford to have a war anymore, so... so, peace is necessary. 

"There is no need for us to have a meaningless fight with the angels and the fallen angels, so... so, we need... we need peace." 

"Okay." 

His answer was simple, as if he had expected this. 

There was no rise in his tone or anger. 

He only appeared indifferent, as if he had completely given up. 

Still, Serafall was about to say something again, but she couldn't say anything. 

"If you are worried about me messing up this meeting, then you don't need to worry since I won't mess up anything. You can have these three factions meeting in peace as I won't stop you, but don't force me to come or agree to your idea, as I definitely don't like this type of peace where you tolerate others, forgive them, sacrifice the other in the name of the big picture.

"So, I won't join you at this three factions meeting." 

"...okay." 

This was his biggest concession. 

If she forced him, no one knew what he was going to do as she knew she took advantage of her position as his sister-in-law to make him forgive the fallen angels. 

By then, no one talked, and he just continued to talk as if ignoring her, but Serafall couldn't hold it anymore. 

"Ri-Riser-chan." 

"Hmm?" 

"Can-Can you forgive Sirzech-chan?" 

"You want me to forgive, Sirzech?" Riser looked at Serafall curiously. 

"Um." Serafall nodded, and the words she kept started to overflow, "There is no need for you to fight anymore, right? As long as you make peace with him, you can do anything. You won't be stopped by anyone, especially when you have the support of the Great King Faction and the Four Great Satans." 

Do anything?

Even getting Grayfia?

Yet, he kept those words in his heart and only stared at Serafall in silence. 

Due to this stare, Serafall shut her mouth and didn't continue to talk. Probably, she thought that she had made him angry. 

But—

"Sure." 

"Eh?" Serafall was surprised. "Really?" 

"Yes, it's because you asked me that." 

Just kidding, how could he forgive Sirzech?

However, Riser thought about what Sirzech had asked him previously and thought to have a slight mischief. 

As for his quest to defeat Sirzech, he had his own plan for that. 

"Th-That's great!" 

Watching Serafall's happy smile, Riser also said with a gentle smile, "Yes, but only if he apologizes." 

"Apo-Apologize?" Serafall was dumbfounded. 

"What? Is it something difficult?" Riser was calm, yet he had this smirk as he thought about the past. "I don't need him to apologize openly and in public like how the others asked me to apologize to him. I only ask him to apologize to me. 

"Sincerely.

"—or he can't do that?" 

"..." 

Serafall didn't doubt that Riser hated Sirzech so much.