27

The training camp wound up being extended by a week because of all the progress people were making. It ended with only a week before my Rating Game with Riser. I was confident in my victory. With the Grail, and Lavinia, at my side, it was really the most probable option. Getting everyone new to my peerage enrolled in Kuoh Academy wasn't that much of a hassle. The only exceptions were Alcina and Bulma. Bulma already had several doctorates to her name, and Alcina was an educated noble woman from the 19th century.

The final week before the Rating Game was spent on strategy. We had a number of meetings where we went in depth on how to dismantle Riser's peerage. Toga's infiltration abilities would be valuable in the coming battle. The same went for Mavis' mobility and Valerie's healing ability and barriers. I was looking forward to seeing the look on the Pure Blooded Devils' faces when I showed up with the Holy Grail in my peerage. Alcina would be holding the line, her magic ability giving her an advantage over most physically specced rooks.

Bulma, Lavinia, and I would be the heavy hitters for our side. Since we were allowed items in the Rating Game, Bulma was taking full advantage of that rule. Some of the inventions she came up with were downright scary. The less said about her Molecular Shredder Beam, the better. I was correct when I thought that giving Bulma access to magic would promote the rise of the next Ajuka Beelzebub. Given preparation time, she might actually be the scariest member of my peerage. And that was after taking into account Warp abilities, a witch who thought reaching absolute zero was a goal, and the Holy fucking Grail.

The day of the Rating Game came with little fanfare. Before we could get to the actual fighting though, we had to do something I hated. Politicking. Gathered in the viewing area of the arena, the lords and ladies of various Pure Blooded houses stood chatting. As the man of the hour, I was expecting to introduce myself to them all. Most of the noble devils were inconsequential, not even bit players in the grand scheme of things.

The ones that mattered though, those were the ones that I had to pay attention to. The Agares, Astaroth, Sitri, and of course my opponent and host of today's events, respectively, Phenex and Gremory. I'm sure Sairaorg was around somewhere, as well. He wasn't the type to miss a Rating Game for any reason, not even his unofficial exile.

This was the first time I had talked to Sona for any extended length of time, "Taylor-san, I do hope you are prepared for this fight."

"Of course, heiress Sitri. I wouldn't think of endangering the freedom of our dear Rias." I replied.

"Of course," Sona said with a stiff nod, "I would like to ask you about your plans concerning the revival of house Valefor. I feel that the Sitri's could be a valuable ally in any of your future endeavors."

I wasn't actually opposed to getting closer to Sona, so I replied in kind, "We should talk further at a later date. House Valefor is certainly in need of future allies, and house Sitri would be a powerful form of support."

The talks with the Gremory's were made easy, because of the support of Rias, "Lord Valefor, I was unaware that the contract between your clan and mine was still active. If I was, I would have never pursued house Phenex for matters of my Rias' hand in marriage." said Lord Gremory. He seemed genuinely sorry about going back on the contract between our clans. The Gremory luck had finally betrayed him, with my meta appearance messing up a number of his previous plans. Even with all of that, he seemed like a nice guy. I'd be happy to have him as a father in law, despite his flaws.

Venelana greeted me even more fondly, "Dear Taylor, I'm sorry to hear about the death of your family. I'm not sure how you survived, but I'm again sorry that I wasn't able to uphold my end of the contract. It all worked out for the best though, my Rias is a treat for anyone who wins her hand. With what Rias has told me about you, I'll be rooting for you." Venelana winked as she said the last bit. It seemed that I already had unexpected allies amongst the Pure Blooded Devils. I wouldn't have thought that the woman contacted to marry me would like me, but apparently I was wrong.

Seekvaira was talking enthusiastically with Rias and Sona. From what I managed to over hear, she was ranting about a mecha figurine she had bought and was disappointed in. I couldn't pay too much attention to their conversation, because Warp Observation allowed me to see Diodora had cornered Asia and was hitting on her. Asia looked uncomfortable with the attention but was obviously too nice to blow him off.

As I made my way over to rescue Asia, I made use of a rarely used aspect of my Warp abilities. A subtle touch of telepathy, guided by the Mage, let me implant a memory into Diodora's mind. I wasn't in a very forgiving mood, so I chose to fabricate a memory of a nun who was really into CBT and happened to bear a more than passing resemblance to Asia. Diodora's face paled dramatically when my false memory took hold. He even started twitching as he made an attempt to excuse himself from the conversation. I wasn't having any of that. This man needed to suffer for what he had planned for my sweet ex-nun.

"Heir Astaroth," I said, planting a firm hand on his shoulder so he couldn't leave, "A pleasure to finally meet you. And I see you've met my dear friend Asia, as well."

"Oh, Taylor!" I'm sure Diodora was seething with jealousy at the way Asia's face lit up when she saw me. "This is Diodora. We've actually met before. He was the devil that I healed before coming to Kuoh."

I raised an eyebrow, "Really now? And how did you come to find yourself in Church territory, Diodora? And injured badly enough to need healing, no less." I sent a small shock of demonic energy through my hand into Diodora's shoulder. Not enough to hurt the sadistic bastard, but enough to let him know I was on to him.

Diodora squeaked and cleared his throat, "I-ahem-I was doing research-yes that's it-research on certain unusual Church activity. I, unfortunately, encountered some resistance that left me gravely wounded and in need of healing. If it weren't for Asia's assistance, I might not have made it out alive." Diodora's silver tongue failed him at the start, but he recovered well enough to pass muster. If I didn't know better, I might have even believed him. Obviously, I did, and his proximity to my Asia was starting to test my patience.

Asia beamed at the apparent praise, and I couldn't help but feel proud of her despite Diodora's set up. She didn't know Diodora was trying to scam her. She just saw someone in need of her help, and helped. The Church really fucked up in letting her go, and even if Diodora was responsible for that, I didn't have to like the slimeball.

"I have to thank you, Diodora. If it weren't for your scheme, Asia would have never fallen into my life. Even still, if you ever harbor any ill intentions towards her again, I will find you, and I will crucify you, and I will burn you alive. Not even your allies will be able to bring you back to life." I whispered in Diodora's ear, heavily implying that I knew he was in bed with the Khaos Brigade.

Diodora obviously understood my message, because he swiftly excused himself and left. He tried to make it seem like he wasn't fleeing, but he nearly broke out into an all out run to get away from the scary CBT nun and the powerful devil who somehow knew too much. I escorted Asia over to where Kiba stood guard over Koneko, who was raiding the passing trays of hors d'oeuvre. I left Kiba with instructions to keep an eye on Asia, and continued my tour of the party.

I left greeting Lord and Lady Phenex for last. Riser got a stiff nod that he returned in kind. I shook Lord Phenex's hand, and kissed the backs of Ravel's and Lady Phenex's hands. I gave them all my best charming smile, which, with the Breeder essence, was pretty damn charming. Ravel seemed to be in a constant state of swooning in my presence, and even Lady Phenex had her hand to her cheek and her interest in me burning in her eyes.

"Lord Phenex. I hope I didn't step on your toes too badly with the reveal of my claim to marry Rias. A series of fortunate coincidences brought the two of us together, and I have grown fond of her. I would hate to part with her because of this."

"There are no hard feelings, Lord Valefor. Though I do hope that you will respect the nature of the agreement if you lose."

"Of course, I am a man of my word. Though I don't plan to lose, I will honor the deal I made with Riser. Rias might have her own objections to the marriage, but I'm sure you'll be able to work things out between yourselves, if it does come to that."

I had a plan for if I did lose to Riser. If it came down to that, Rias would either elope with me or challenge Riser to another Rating Game. And at their current strength, Rias' peerage would stomp Riser's. Knowing Rias as I did now, I knew the main problem she had with marrying Riser was what would happen with her peerage. she would rather die than submit her self-made family to Riser's whims.