Chapter 29

"This tea made by your queen is delicious." Riser said after drinking his tea.

"Thank you" Akeno responded. A smile still present on her face but Issei could tell it was not genuine as she came back to stand near him and the rest of the peerage.

Riser carelessly sat next to Rias and is holding her shoulder. Despite her attempts at shaking his hands off, he still kept touching her hair, shoulders and hands. He clearly didn't understand the concept of personal space. Matsuda looked like he was about to blow up in anger really soon but he wasn't the only one.

"Would you stop it already!" Rias angry voice echoed around the room. She had gotten up from the sofa and glared sharply at Riser who was smirking like usual.

"Riser! I told you before! I will not marry you!"

"Yeah, I have heard that before. But Rias, that won't do, you know? I think the situation of your household is quite serious."

"That's none of your concern! If I'm the next heiress for the House of Gremory, then I will choose who will become my husband! My father, brother, and everyone in the clan are rushing it! In addition, I was also promised that I will be free until I graduate from university of the human world!"

"That's right. You will basically be free. You can go to college and you can do whatever you like with your servants. But your Otou-sama and Sirzechs-sama are worried. They are afraid that your household will become extinct. We lost a great number of pure-blood Devils in the last war. Even if the war has ended, our rivalry with the Fallen Angels and God hasn't ended yet. It's not rare for the successors of pure-blood Devil to get killed in the worthless battle against them, which leads to the household becoming extinct. Therefore, for a pure-blood Devil that are also happens to be a High-class Devil, getting together would be the obvious solution for the forces of Devils. A pure-blood High-class Devil. Even you know that these children will be important from now on, right?"

Riser starting talking about the importance of pure bloods after the losses during the Great war. He then continues speaking

"The newly produced Devils. The ones like your and my servants, the reincarnated Devils, are expanding in terms of strength but that would make us, the High-class Devils with old history background, lose our place. There are old nobles who gets close to the reincarnated Devils because they are very powerful. Well, that might be alright. The newly produced Devils are also important for our future. But we can't allow the pure-blood Devils to go extinct right? You and I were chosen in order to prevent the pure-bloods from going extinct. My house is safe because I have my older brothers. But there are only two siblings in your house. And your brother is someone who left the house. Then there would only be you, Rias, who can inherit the House of Gremory. If you don't take a husband, the House of Gremory will go extinct in your generation. Are you trying to crush the household that has been continuing for a very long time? Because of the past war, there is not even half the number of Devils who were once referred to as "72 pillars." This marriage has the future of the Devils on the line."

"I will not crush my household. I am willing to take a husband but I won't marry you Riser. I will marry someone that I acknowledge. I have the right to choose who I will marry." Rias said it clearly to Riser.

Hearing that, Riser became unpleasant as his eyes became sharper and he himself stood from his seat.

"Listen here Rias. I am also a devil who carries the name of the House of Phoenix behind me and I will not allow anything to tarnish it. You've been given enough freedom to do as you like but I will not allow you disgrace me. You will return with me or else, I will burn all your peerage to ashes." He threatened as his flames started spreading and was directed towards them. Koneko and Kiba prepared defensive positions ready to strike back. Matsuda moved Asia in back of him so to protect her. Akeno was the only one who wasn't really worried considering who was next to her.

Issei, on the other hand, felt anything but calm. That bastard dared to threaten not only his friends but his mate and even had the audacity to launch an attack towards them.

Using his power, he easily nullified the flames and they dissipated into nothingness.

Riser was very surprised when he saw his own flames disappear and only now did he notice the additional person inside the room. How had he not sensed him before?

"Who is he Rias? Is he part of your peerage as well?" Riser asked as he glared at Issei.

"No, he is not but he is a good friend of ours." She answered.

"hmf. If that is the case, then he shouldn't even be here. You should leave what ever your name is, as this does not concern you." Riser ordered wanting him to leave the place immediately. However, Issei was having none of that.

"My name is Issei Hyoudou and of course this concerns me."

"Oh and pray tell how it concerns a non-devil?"

"I am Akeno's boyfriend and everyone here is my friend so I will not allow you to threaten them in my presence." Issei glared at him. Riser simply smirked.

"Really! Well not for long! Isn't that right Rias." He acted all high and mighty making Issei raise a brow

"What does he mean by that, Rias?" he asked as Rias sighed.

"After we get married, he will also gain some control over my peerage as well." Issei couldn't believe the words that came out of Rias mouth. So, this asshole would be able to do whatever he wanted with his beloved Akeno.

"Over my dead body" he yelled as he started leaking aura and was moments away from simply destroying Riser right here and now.

"Oh! and what's a weakling like you going to do about it!" he mocked Issei.

"Oh, and pray tell how do you know I am weak?" he mocked Riser back.

"Simple, I do not sense much aura coming from you, in fact it feels as if you have barely any at all, which makes me come to the conclusion that you are very weak." He says that despite the fact that Issei had literally dissipated his flames mere moments ago.

"Only a fool bases their judgement on appearances but what can one expect from a fried chicken such as yourself." He stated. Riser, however was beyond furious

"How dare you insult a high class being such as Riser!" he rebuked. Issei comically lifted his hand over his mouth

"Oh, my sincere apologies, I had no idea you were a high class fried chicken. Sounds delicious" This statement earned many chuckles amongst the people in the room and if you paid close attention to Grayfia, you would have noticed a small smile appearing on her face before she became serious once again, although only Issei seemed to notice it.

"I AM A HIGH CLASS DEVIL, SWINE" Riser was seriously starting to lose his patience but issei just kept going

"Oh, a high class devil pig! I didn't notice that but what is so great about that? I feel being a high class fried chicken suits you much better." Akeno, just straight up, started laughing followed by the rest of Rias peerage as they could not hold it in any longer.

"you, you, you damned insect, I'll burn you to a crisp." Riser raised his fists and activated his abilities as wings of fire spread behind him. Issei just smirks and taunts at him

"You can go ahead and try! Come closer and I'll cook you just right." However, before things could escalate into a fight, Grayfia took this moment to step in raising her aura.

"That is enough! Riser-sama and Issei-sama, please calm yourselves. If you continue this than I will have no choice but to intervene as Sirzechs-sama queen." The atmosphere around them suddenly became chilly as her aura manifested around the room in the form of frost. Everyone, except Issei, started shivering. Despite the fact that she had no killing intent, her power was enough to pressure everyone. Riser, immediately calmed his flame down and since Issei didn't want to cause trouble, he lowered his power as well. Grayfia found it interesting that Issei didn't seem the least bit scared of her which did intrigue her but for now, she focused on the matter at hand.

"Sirzechs-sama and those from the House of Phoenix knew that it might have turned out like this which is why they came up an alternative solution."

"What sort of solution, Grayfia?"

"Ojou-sama, if you wish to not marry the 3rd son of the House of Phoenix then you will need to settle it by having a Rating game against Riser-sama." Grayfia explained what each of their household decided. Rias seemed speechless after hearing Grayfia. Rather, she was shocked. The reason being that only mature devils were allowed to participate in official rating games so she was still too young to partake.

"Just as you know, only matured devils are allowed to participate in official Rating games which is why both households have decided to hold an unofficial game between the both of you to settle the matter." Grayfia explained.

"In other words, Otou-sama and the others wanted to have a game in the event that I declined right? … just how far are they willing to interfere with life until they are satisfied." Everyone could tell that Rias seemed ticked off. She had every right to be when her life is being manipulated to such an extent.

"Does that mean that you are declining to participate in a rating game?"

"No, I won't because this might be the only chance, I have to get out of this arranged marriage. We will settle this with a game, Riser!"

Riser smirks at her provocative words.

"hoh, so you are accepting it then. Fine by me. However, as I'm sure you're already aware my dear Rias, I've already participated in multiple rating games throughout my career and have won almost all of them. Knowing this, do you still want to play." He replied back with his own provocative words. However, Rias was not the least bit intimidated.

"Do not underestimate me Riser. I will blow you away."

"Very well! In that case, should you win you get to do whatever you want but should I win, then we will get married immediately." They both glared at one another fiercely.

"Understood! I Grayfia Lucifuge, have confirmed both sides opinion. I will be in charge of this rating game. Is that okay with the both of you?"

"Yeah" "Yes" They both accepted her proposal.

"By the way, Rias! Besides this interloper here" Riser pointed at Issei "Are the rest of them your servants?"

"Yes they are!" Riser starts laughing making Rias even more furious.

"What is so funny!" she yelled.

"This situation is funny my lovely Rias. If these are your servants then this match will be more one sided than I originally thought. Only your queen is able to fight on par with my cute servants and you only have a few members while I have a full peerage." Riser clicked his fingers and a magic circle suddenly appears near him. The circle had the emblem of the Phenix household. From it emerged multiple people.

"These are my servants" Around Riser were all 15 of his servants who gathered around him and of course, they were all females. Even though he shouldn't be, Matsuda was extremely jealous of the playboy because he had a harem full of beautiful girls, something he has yet to have.

Issei, on the other hand, was looking at each of them sensing how strong they were and while they were indeed weaker than him, he could tell that some of the members would be troublesome for Rias peerage to deal with. The strongest of the bunch was definitely the queen who seemed to be on par with Akeno. Also, the small blond girl with curled hair smelled like the Yakitori so she must also be a member of the Phenix household.

"As you can see, I hold a full set. Not only that but each of them have experienced countless Rating games and have come out victorious. You stand no chance against us." Riser mocks Rias. That was the last straw as Matsuda interrupted.

"How dare you mock Buchou, you yakitori bastard!" he raged as he summoned his boosted gear.

"Screw a rating game! I will just defeat you with my boosted gear right here and now."

["Boost"] The sound could be heard coming from the jewel as Matsuda's power doubled. However, Riser didn't seem the least bit intimidated as he shifted his attention towards one of his servants

"Mira. Teach this fool the difference between us." He ordered his servant.

"Yes, Riser-sama" Mira nodded. Matsuda went to strike Raiser but he was intercepted by Mira, who easily struck his stomach and sent him flying in the air. Before Matsuda even realized it, he hit the ground.

"Aah" he screamed in pain as he clutched his stomach unaware of what just happened.

"Matsuda-san" Asia quickly ran towards him and used her sacred gear to start healing him.

Having accomplished her task, Mira put her weapon away and returned to her group while Riser simply laughed and berated Matsuda.

"You are weak." His words made Matsuda clench his fists.

"The one who gave you a thrashing is my pawn, Mira. She is the weakest member of my peerage but she is still leagues ahead of you in terms of talent and experience. Also, I have to say that I'm extremely disappointed that this is all you can muster while having the legendary Boosted gear. It is certainly one of the most dangerous sacred gears in existence, capable of killing Maous and God class beings. However, there hasn't been any case where the possessor has ever accomplished such a feat. Do you know why?" Riser than laughs very loudly.

"It's because all of the possessors have been weaklings and haven't been able to use it to its full capabilities. You are one such example; however, I dare say that you might be one of the weakest possessors in history considering you weren't even able to handle my weakest member. I'm actually starting to feel bad for the heavenly dragon, being stuck with such an incompetent wielder." Riser kept mocking Matsuda, who clenched his teeth and fists, unable to say anything back. Even Ddraig himself was outraged inside the boosted gear. He so wished he could release himself from this cage and teach this worm a lesson but all he could do was take it like his wielder.

"Don't you dare insult my pawn, Riser" Rias released her aura of destruction, enraged at his blatant insult towards her precious pawn but Riser, once more, didn't seem the least bit intimidated.

"Hah. I am only speaking the truth. This little bout showed just how outclassed you and your servants are against me. The match wouldn't be any fun for me if we battled it now." He rubbed his chin as he thought of something interesting.

"Rias, we will have the match in 10 days. So, use that time to train your servants. If it's you, then you should be able to improve your servants."

"You are giving me a handicap." To accept any form of charity from Riser made her blood boil even though she knew it was necessary in order to buy time to train.

"Are you against it? You find it humiliating to be given something from me? A rating game isn't something so simple you can with only your feelings. If you aren't able to use your servants to their full potential then you will immediately lose. I've seen many matches where Devils lost without being able to utilize all their power to their limits. So use this time wisely and train yourself and your servants so you can at least be able to entertain before we move on to our wedding." Rias was biting her lower lip trying to keep herself from lashing out at Riser so she simply glared at him. That glare that silently stated that she would not lose to him and it seem Riser caught it as he simply smirked.

He then conjured a magic circle beneath him and his peerage.

"The next time we meet Rias will be at the game." He parted with those last words before the circle enveloped them and sent them back home.

After Riser and his peerage left, Issei asked Rias if she had a place in mind to train.

"I was thinking of bringing everyone to the mountain. The Gremory family has a mansion located there and it would offer us a vast amount of space to train" she explained to Issei who simply nodded.

"Very well, you were given 10 days to train as much as possible and I will help you as much as I can" he told her. Rias thanked him and Grayfia took this moment to leave.

"I will be taking my leave ojou-sama in order to inform Sirczech-sama and the House of Pheonix of the arrangements." She bowed towards her then looked towards Issei

"I will leave them in your care Issei-sama. If you require anything, please let me know.". Issei gave her the thumbs up as she left the room via her magic circle.

"Alright, since we do not have a lot of time, we should get started immediately. I will use every single day to help you guys become as strong as possible." Issei explained and everyone nodded.

"Great so Rias, can you teleport us at the base of the mountain where your villa is located?"

"Sure although shouldn't I teleport us directly to the villa." Asked a confused Rias.

"Oh don't worry about that. I know what I'm doing" he replied with a smirk which kind of scared everyone thinking what he had in store for them.

"Oh and before I forget, can all of you please change into these." Issei conjured what seemed to be tracksuits. He gave each of them one piece and although they looked perplexed, they did what he asked and quickly went to change into them.

After they changed, Rias proceeded to teleport them at the base of the mountain as Issei asked her to do. Now situated at the bottom of the mountain, Issei surveyed the mountain and saw that it was actually smaller than the ones located in the Dragon Territory. It was approximately around 200 meters high but it was sufficient for the training he had planned for the team.

"So, why did you ask Buchou to teleport us here, instead of the villa. Is our training going to be taking place here?" asked Matsuda who started doing a but of stretches getting ready for training.

"Yes and no" answered Issei causing Rias to raise a brow

"What do you mean Issei-kun?" she asked the question in everyone's mind, to which Issei simply turned to them and smiled; however, that smile gave them an awful feeling that they were not going to like the answer.

"It's simple." Issei pointed at the mountain "The first part of your training is to climb this mountain." He explained making everyone go wide eyed in shock

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT" they all shouted at the same time.