EPHS-Chapter 416 Burdened Secrets

"Hā... This makes it nearly impossible for Vampires to join the alliance. My older brother explicitly entrusted me to try and bring them into the fold." Rias signed and said after the Vampire envoys left.

"Those Vampires are too arrogant and completely self-centered. It might be troublesome to have them join, even if we beg them." Sona Sitri spoke calmly, her dislike for Vampires escalating to disgust after the recent negotiations. 

Rias nodded in agreement. The audacity of the Vampires to use a peace treaty as leverage to demand Gasper's surrender angered Rias. It was something she could never accept.

"Tenraku, you mentioned that Gasper harbors another power within him. What is this about?" Remembering the earlier revelation, Rias inquired, and the others in the room turned their attention to Tenraku.

"Besides the Evil Eye that Stops the World - Forbidden Balor View, this foolish kid also harbors a potent and dark power."

"If I'm not mistaken, Gasper should be the reincarnation of the Demon God Balor."

Tenraku explained while patting Gasper's head.

"Balor, the Evil God from Celtic Mythology?!"

Hearing Tenraku's words, shock registered on the faces of Rias and her companions. In Celtic Mythology, Balor was an Evil God who had caused much trouble for the gods, undefeated in battle. It took the Sun God Lugh, exploiting a weakness, to finally defeat him.

Despite this, Balor's power was unquestionable, ranking among the top-tier even when compared to the Gods from various present god systems.

"Indeed, with a similar Evil Eye, and that dark and ruinous Magic Power, the possibility is quite high."

In contemplation, Azazel nodded beside them.

"W-What's going on? Why is everyone looking at me?" Seeing everyone staring at him, Gasper shrunk back, displaying a fearful expression on his face.

Rias and her companions fell into silence. The reincarnation of a notorious Demon God seemed like a huge cosmic joke. 

"Rias, no matter how he was in his past life, now he's just Gasper. I hope you all can remember that."

"I understand, Tenraku."

Tenraku spoke, and Rias nodded. They were surprised by Gasper's origin, but it wouldn't change how they treated him in the future. 

Regardless of his past, he was simply the Gasper they knew, a family member and comrade.

"Furthermore, I plan to visit the Vampire territory."

"Gasper, you're coming with me."

"Yeah, I'll go too, Lord Tenraku!"

Tenraku looked at Gasper, who nodded with determination. They were going to save Valerie; it was a commitment they had made long ago!

Although everyone was a bit surprised by Tenraku's decision, they understood after hearing his explanation. 

Besides Valerie's connection to Tenraku, bringing the Holy Grail of the Secluded World - Sephiroth Graal to the alliance's side was beneficial. 

According to the information provided by Elmenhilde, leaving the Sephiroth Graal in Vampire territory posed a significant threat to the world's balance.

After the meeting, Tenraku and the girls returned home. Gasper continued to stay with Azazel until they set off for the Vampire territory, where they would reunite with Tenraku and the others.

---

**Location: Kamiya Family Residence**

"Hā..."

"Sona, come to my room later." Tenraku said.

The entire hall fell silent, and the girls looked at Sona Sitri with a hint of ambiguity in their eyes.

"I'm not going."

A faint blush appeared on Sona Sitri's cheeks, but she unhesitatingly refused. She wasn't going to be eaten up by this guy in his room now!

"What are you thinking, Sona? I just have something to discuss with you."

"Akeno, come over too. I'll be waiting for you both in my room."

With a wry smile, Tenraku shouted to Akeno beside him, then went back to his room.

"Hē Hē Hē…"

...

"Tenraku, we're coming in."

Soon after, Akeno and Sona entered Tenraku's room. Akeno directly sat on Tenraku's lap, but Sona had a cold expression.

"Speak quickly."

Due to this guy, she had just been teased by Rias and the others outside, so Sona didn't feel like giving him a friendly face.

"Sona, we're wedded. It's normal to share a room at night, isn't it?"

"Or is it that you're afraid, Sona?"

Leaning into the girl's ear, holding President-sama in his arms, Tenraku whispered mischievously.

"I-I'm not..."

Flashing a hint of panic in her eyes, Sona turned her head away. Though she said otherwise, even she could hear how lacking in confidence she was.

Chuckling, Tenraku didn't continue teasing the girl. He cast a barrier enveloping the entire room, and his face returned to seriousness.

"Akeno, Sona, what I'm about to tell you is an extremely confidential matter. You must not reveal it to anyone afterwards."

Tenraku, usually carefree, looked surprisingly solemn as he spoke of this and Akeno and Sona couldn't help but be astonished. What was Tenraku going to tell them that warranted such seriousness?

"Grayfia, come out."

With the two women prepared, Tenraku called out. Under the gaze of Akeno and Sona, Grayfia emerged from Tenraku's shadow.

"G-Grayfia San!"

"Why is Vali Lucifer's Queen here?!"

Seeing Grayfia, the two women were surprised.

"Are you going to tell them about that?"

Expressionless, Grayfia asked, her tone indifferent.

"Yes, because there are some things that require the cooperation of Akeno and Sona."

Tenraku nodded and explained to Akeno and Sona about Grayfia, Sirzechs, and certain aspects of the God of the Holy Bible.

"Holy… the Holy Bible's God…"

"The real Sirzechs has long been dead…"

After listening to Tenraku's narrative, the two women were profoundly shaken. The supposedly deceased God of the Holy Bible had infiltrated the Devil's ranks, becoming a beloved Demon King. 

It was beyond unbelievable; it was horrifying! If it weren't for Tenraku conveying this information, and Grayfia personally confirming it, Akeno and Sona would never have believed such a thing!

"Akeno, Sona, I know it's hard for you to accept, but these are the facts."

"These secrets must not be revealed, especially to Rias. You both understand how cruel these truths are for her."

Tenraku spoke while gently stroking the hair of the two women. Akeno and Sona fell into silence. These truths were indeed too harsh for Rias, and it was unimaginable how painful it would be for her to learn them.

"Why are you telling us all this?"

Raising her head, Sona looked directly at Tenraku. The weight of this secret was overwhelming, even for her, someone usually calm and collected.

"Next, I'm going to the Vampire territory for a while. So, I need you to be on guard against 'Sirzechs,' especially ensuring Rias doesn't get close to him. You both are the ones Rias is closest to and trusts the most; only you can handle this."

Sighing, Tenraku explained. After hearing his explanation, Akeno and Sona understood Tenraku's purpose.

"We know what to do."

To be continued...