New Stage

Before this meeting started, Zekram and Riser had made several simulations where Zekram would announce his proposal to make Riser take the position of Lucifer on the Four Great Maous. 

When Zekram made an announcement, Riser would refuse. 

It might seem weird why Riser would refuse even though the two of them had agreed beforehand, but if he appeared excited and would take this position happily like it was something that he had been longing for, it would make his situation troublesome as he needed to answer everyone's expectations. 

Even though he got his hand on the name of the strongest Maou, his action would be restricted as many would watch over him to see whether he was suitable or not, so when he made a mistake, they would all blame him. 

So, at this moment, Riser needed to refuse since that way, they were the ones who begged him to take Lucifer's position. 

To beg and to receive were two different things. 

When Riser received the position of Lucifer from everyone, there was no need for him to answer an expectation, and he didn't need to do anything, only maintaining the status quo. Naturally, he could also do shady things, so his authority or wealth could be increased even further during his reign as the new Lucifer. 

Everything was within the consideration of Zekram and Riser, but, in that simulation, Zekram and Riser thought that Ajuka would refute him and wouldn't agree for him to become a Lucifer, especially when Sirzech was Ajuka's best friend, so when Ajuka suddenly agreed to this proposal Zekram and Riser were surprised. 

'What is he planning to do?' Riser thought. 

Unlike Serafall and Falbium, the weight that came from Ajuka's acceptance was much different, especially when Ajuka's power matched that of Sirzech's.

Nevertheless, Riser quickly calmed himself as he thought about why Ajuka agreed. He thought for a moment and could find several reasons, but there was no doubt his answer was still the same. 

"Thank you for your words, Zekram-sama and Ajuka-sama, but I think that I am not fit to take the Lucifer position, especially when I am still inexperienced. Moreover, with my qualifications, I don't think that I am qualified. Lastly, isn't it too early for us to choose someone to take Lucifer's position?" 

If there was a reason why Ajuka would agree to let Riser take the position of Lucifer, Riser thought that Ajuka wished for the man behind the darkness to come out, or was it Ajuka's plan to prove that he was involved in Sirzech's death?

Either way, Riser knew he couldn't back down. Instead, he should take this challenge as his alibi was perfect, and no one could prove that he was the criminal except for Vali Lucifer. 

Yet, was there anyone who could trust Vali's words?

There might be, but could they do something when Riser had stood above all of them?

Moreover, Sirzech had died. 

What was the point of thinking of death?

Except for Gremory House and Ajuka, who happened to be Sirzech's best friend, no one paid attention to Sirzech anymore. It might be cruel, but even their father, the original Lucifer, was forgotten, too.

Sirzech was just a fake Lucifer; the moment he died, everything was over. 

In the end, everyone's wish was just to have a stable life, and they didn't care who could provide them with this life. 

Nevertheless, due to his words, everyone also had woken up from their stupor as they couldn't believe that Zekram and Ajuka wanted to make Riser take the position of Lucifer. They might have expected this, but the rise of Riser was too fast! 

Before, Riser was just a high-class devil, then he grew into an ultimate-class devil, but now?

Riser was going to take the position of Maou Lucifer! 

Whether it was Lord Bael, Serafall, Falbium, Lord Phenex, Lord Sitri, Lord Gremory, or many were stunned as they were unable to believe what they had just heard. 

Yet, at the same time, even though some of them had a hard time admitting it, they also didn't feel surprised. After all, except for Riser, no one was suitable to take this position. 

Still, many were dumbfounded when they heard Riser's answer as he refused to take Lucifer's position, but when they heard his answer, they also agreed inwardly. 

Riser might have had power, but he was far too inexperienced, considering how young he was. 

Yet—

"No, no. I think that there is no suitable person other than you to take this position, Riser-kun." Ajuka shook his head, telling Riser that he was the perfect someone who could take Lucifer's position. 

"Moreover, what one needs to take this position is a power." 

Ajuka's eyes narrowed at Riser and said, "You might be young, but your power is comparable to me and Sirzech, or probably slightly above the two of us. If Sirzech is still alive and you two are fighting each other, I believe that you have a high chance of winning." 

"You jest. I don't think that I am a match for Sirzech-sama." 

Was this Ajuka's way of testing him?

"However, there is no doubt that we need a symbol of hope. We need someone who can take the position of Maou Lucifer, and except for you, no one else is suitable, Riser-kun." Ajuka looked at Zekram and asked, "Don't you think so too, Zekram-sama?" 

Zekram fell in silence as he stared at Ajuka, wondering whether Ajuka tried to antagonize Riser, but even if there was a conflict between Riser and Ajuka, it had nothing to do with him. Moreover, what he needed to do was only one thing, and that was to be in the middle position, watching them fight, and just stay with the winner. 

So—

"I agree." Zekram nodded. "With the death of Sirzech Gremory, we need someone who can take his position, so it will give new hope to everyone." 

If Riser loses, then that's it. 

If Ajuka loses, then that's it. 

In the end, Zekram lost nothing, as his investment was nothing but his approval. 

"See? Even Zekram-sama had said so." Ajuka showed his gentlest smile at Riser. "If you are worried whether you can take this position well, then you don't need to worry, right? You have the support of Zekram-sama, your sister-in-law, Serafall Leviathan, and many powerful noble houses supporting you. 

"Except for you, no one else can take this position." 

Even Diehauser, the champion, couldn't take this position as the champion of the "Rating Game" meant nothing in front of the power of authority of government. Moreover, he was a miser and poor. Lastly, his support was nothing but the Great King Faction, and he didn't have any involvement with the current Four Great Maous, so it was impossible for Serafall, Falbium, Ajuka, and those houses that were involved with them to agree. 

In other words, only Riser was suitable as he had a connection with many. 

Nevertheless, when everyone realized it, they couldn't help but was in a daze as they realized how strong this young man had grown in such a short moment. 

Even Diehauser, who had a conflict with Riser previously, had a complicated gaze at this young man. 

Riser could feel all the gazes on him, waiting for his response. 

Whether it was Serafall, his father, his father-in-law, or many others, all of them waited for his answer. 

Nevertheless, unlike them, who thought that this position was a chance, an opportunity to stand above everyone, Riser knew how dangerous this position could be. 

No doubt, as long as he took this position, he would be the target of everyone since it would be hard for everyone to be convinced of his power, especially when his killing counts were still minimal. 

Riser's feats were still small compared to Sirzech's. 

Moreover, this was also a plot made by Ajuka. 

Lastly, he couldn't rely on anyone; even Serafall was helpless in this situation. 

Yet, the delicious meat was meat presented before him. It was an A5 meat, the best meat out there, grilled by the best chef in the whole world, but there was a high chance for this meat to contain poison. 

However, it was unfortunate for them that Riser was immune to poison as all the poison would be burnt inside his body. 

While facing Ajuka, Riser answered firmly, "If you have such a belief in me, then I will take this position. 

"I will be the Lucifer for everyone." 

With that answer, the world of the devil entered a new stage that no one could predict. 

---

If you wish to see advanced chapters, you can check the link below: https://www.patreón.com/akikan40