Returning Back

As the ceremony continued, a vibrant energy filled the air, reflecting the anticipation of those present. The grand hall, adorned with ancient symbols of the devil clans, was bathed in a crimson glow from the chandeliers hanging high above.

Nobles and dignitaries from various houses had gathered to witness the crowning of the new generation of devils, a tradition steeped in history and significance.

Izashi stood off to the side, observing the proceedings with a calm demeanor. His sharp eyes took in the intricate details of the ceremony—the solemn expressions of the elders, the murmurs of the guests, and the proud stance of Rias as she was crowned.

The elder from the Bael Clan, a figure of authority and power, stepped forward with a crown in hand, placing it delicately on Rias's head. The crown shimmered with a dark red light, a manifestation of the Power of Destruction that ran through her veins.

As the crown settled, Rias's aura flared briefly, a testament to her newfound status.

The onlookers nodded in approval, recognizing the strength that would soon be at her command. Rias turned toward the crowd, her face beaming with excitement.

The journey she had embarked on since childhood was now entering a new phase, and she couldn't wait to explore the possibilities her Evil Pieces would bring.

From his vantage point, Izashi couldn't help but smile at Rias's joy. She had worked hard to get to this point, and her happiness was well deserved.

However, his attention was soon drawn to a young girl nearby who was watching him intently, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Woah!" she exclaimed, her voice cutting through the quiet murmur of the hall. "I didn't know that Izashi-kun was so cute! I should have come to meet you sooner."

Izashi glanced at the girl—Serafall Leviathan, one of the Four Maou. Her vibrant energy and childlike enthusiasm were at odds with her immense power and authority. She twirled on the spot, her flowing outfit spinning around her as she struck a playful pose. "I'm the one and only magical girl from the show 'Miracle Leviatan~!'" she declared with a wink.

Izashi, knowing full well who she was and what she represented, simply offered her a kind smile in return. There was no need to engage further—especially not now, when his name was being called.

"Izashi Gremory, step forward," a voice boomed through the hall, drawing the attention of all present.

Izashi walked forward, ignoring Serafall's curious expression as he approached the elders from the Bael Clan. Their gaze was piercing, as if they were measuring his worth with every step he took. The elder who had crowned Rias moments ago now stood before him, holding another crown—a symbol of the power and responsibility that would soon be his.

As the elder placed the crown on his head, Izashi heard a low murmur from one of the other elders. "Let's hope the devil population is replenished soon… We need strong devils to take over the heavens. Long live Satan!"

Izashi's expression remained neutral, though his mind noted the comment. 'Interesting. They're already planning ahead.' But such thoughts were not his concern for now. His focus was on the crown and the ceremony at hand.

The elder began speaking in a grave tone, addressing Izashi directly. "We crown you with your set of Evil Pieces. But remember, the day you use them against us devils is the day you will be stripped of their power."

Izashi barely contained a smirk at the elder's words. 'It sounds more like a monologue than a warning,' he mused internally. He knew the power dynamics at play—he was well aware that these pieces were more than just tools; they were symbols of his potential influence in the devil world.

As the crown rested on his head, it suddenly began to glow, emitting a bright red light that bathed Izashi in an eerie luminescence. The next moment, the crown seemed to dissolve, its light seeping into his body and disappearing from view. Izashi's eyes fluttered closed as his consciousness was drawn inward, deep into his own mind.

In this familiar inner space, Izashi watched as the crown drifted toward a mass of swirling red energy—his Power of Destruction. The crown was quickly enveloped, its form merging with the energy as it was absorbed into his being. However, a thought crossed Izashi's mind, a curiosity that urged him to take the experiment one step further.

He carefully guided a tiny strand of golden energy—his Dragon Bloodline—toward the crown. The moment the golden energy touched the crown, a reaction occurred. The crown's size and power surged, expanding rapidly as it glowed with an even more intense light. The golden energy intertwined with the crown's essence, transforming it into something far greater than before.

Izashi watched in awe as the crown's presence became almost overwhelming. It radiated a majestic power that was undeniable. 'This… this is far more powerful than the original,' he realized. The crown had not just absorbed his power; it had amplified it, becoming a true representation of his potential.

As his consciousness returned to the real world, Izashi opened his eyes and took a steady breath. He was now fully aware of the power he held within him—power that could change the course of his life and those around him.

Stepping forward, he approached the monument that stood at the center of the hall, an ancient structure made from the same material as the Evil Pieces. The monument, a towering obelisk, was engraved with the symbols of the Four Great Devil Clans, and it pulsed with a faint, otherworldly energy.

Izashi placed a hand on the cool surface of the monument, feeling the energy resonate with the crown piece within him. 'So, this thing is made from the same material as the King Piece,' he thought, his heart beating a little faster with excitement. 'Or should I say, the true King Piece.'

A moment later, one of the elders approached, holding a beautifully ornate box in his hands. Izashi knew what was inside—the Evil Pieces that would soon become his to command. He had plans for these pieces, but he wasn't going to rush into using them just yet. He wanted to carefully select his peerage, ensuring that each member was someone with significant potential—preferably someone who would fit well into the harem he intended to build.

There was no way he would waste his pieces on men or low-potential candidates. *My peerage will be composed of strong, beautiful women—each one a valuable addition to my power.*

Bowing slightly to the elders, Izashi spoke with respect, "I shall take my leave now, elders."

The elders nodded in return, their faces betraying no emotion. As transportation symbols with various devil crests appeared above their heads, they disappeared from the hall, leaving Izashi standing alone.

As he turned around, a wide smile spread across his face at the sight before him. Akeno and Serafall were chatting animatedly, their voices filled with excitement. He couldn't hear their conversation clearly, but he had a good idea of what they were discussing—most likely him.

Rias, still buzzing with excitement after receiving her Evil Pieces, caught sight of Izashi and her face lit up with joy. Without a second thought, she ran toward him, her red hair flowing behind her as she leaped into his arms. "We finally have our Evil Pieces, Izashi-kun!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with pure elation.

As she pressed herself against him, her developing chest brushed against his own, sending a spark of warmth through his body.

Izashi didn't mind the contact at all; in fact, he relished it. His hand moved slowly around her back, gently caressing her in a way that made her blush.

With a soft and caring tone, Izashi whispered in her ear, "Yes, Rias-chan. I'm very happy for you as well. You know, there's something I want to try out later. Will you help me with it? You're the only one who can."

Rias's heart fluttered at his words, and she looked up at him with wide, trusting eyes. "Of course, Izashi-kun! I'll help you with whatever you need," she replied, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.

Izashi's smile widened as he hugged her back, his thoughts racing with possibilities. "Good, then. Very good."

As he held her close, he noticed Serafall leaving the hall, her presence no longer looming over them.

With her gone, Akeno finally had the chance to express her own feelings. Without warning, she launched herself at Izashi, tackling him to the ground with surprising force.

The impact caused all three of them to topple over, with Rias and Akeno landing on top of Izashi in a tangled heap.

Izashi's hands instinctively reached out to steady himself, but instead of finding purchase on the floor, they ended up grabbing something soft and warm.

Realization dawned on him as he opened his eyes to see where his hands had landed. His fingers were resting on Rias's and Akeno's rears, both of which felt incredibly soft to the touch.

Embarrassed but unable to deny the satisfaction he felt, Izashi quickly released his grip and tried to maintain his composure.

"Get up now," he said in a slightly flustered tone, his voice strained from the awkward position they were in.

Rias and Akeno, both blushing but seemingly unbothered by the accidental touch, nodded and scrambled to their feet. Neither of them mentioned the incident, instead focusing on what came next.

Akeno, her eyes sparkling with excitement, was the first to speak.

"So, Izashi-kun, does this mean you can turn me into a devil? Please do it! I want to be a member of your peerage," she pleaded, her voice filled with eagerness.

Izashi looked at her with a gentle smile, appreciating her enthusiasm. "Let's talk about that tomorrow. There's something I want to try out first, okay?"

Akeno's expression faltered slightly, a hint of disappointment creeping in, but she quickly nodded in agreement. "Alright, Izashi-kun. But if it doesn't work out, you have to promise to make me one of your pieces, okay?"

Izashi chuckled softly, his voice filled with warmth. "I promise, Akeno. If what I'm planning doesn't go well, you'll be the first I turn into a devil."

Though she wasn't sure whether to hope for his experiment's success or failure, Akeno decided not to dwell on it. There would be plenty of time to discuss it later. For now, they all needed to return to the Gremory household, where a celebration awaited them.

The teleportation symbols with the Gremory seal glowed brightly as the three of them were transported back to their home. The grand Gremory mansion was alive with activity, as the staff and guests prepared for the evening's festivities.

Venelana, Sirzechs, and Zeoticus were busy managing the party, ensuring that everything was perfect for the occasion. They had tasked Grayfia with taking care of Rias and Izashi when they returned, knowing that the two would need some guidance after their important ceremony.

As the teleportation completed, Grayfia appeared before them, her expression as neutral as ever.

Despite her calm demeanor, there was a subtle warmth in her voice as she greeted them, "Congratulations on becoming Kings, Rias-sama, Izashi-sama."

Rias beamed at her with a wide grin, replying with enthusiasm, "Thank you, sister!"

Izashi, ever composed, simply nodded in acknowledgment, a small smile playing on his lips. "Thank you, Grayfia."

After exchanging pleasantries, Izashi turned to Grayfia and Akeno, his tone polite but firm. "Could you both please leave us for a moment? I need to speak with Rias-chan alone."

Grayfia showed no reaction as she bowed her head slightly. "Of course, Izashi-sama."

Akeno, on the other hand, couldn't hide her curiosity and slight disappointment. She had hoped to be part of whatever discussion was about to take place, but she knew better than to argue.

As the two left the room, Akeno cast a glance over her shoulder at Izashi, her mind racing with questions. 'What does he want to talk to Rias about?' she wondered. But she decided to hold off on her curiosity for now. There would be plenty of time to ask him later.

Once they were alone, Rias turned to Izashi, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. She had no idea what he wanted to talk about, but the serious tone in his voice made her feel that it was important.

"So, Izashi-kun," she began, trying to keep her voice steady, "what did you want to talk about?"

Izashi stepped closer to her, his expression soft yet serious. "Rias-chan, there's something I want to try—something that could be really important for both of us." His eyes locked onto hers, conveying a sense of urgency and determination.

Rias felt a thrill of anticipation run through her. Whatever it was, she could tell it meant a lot to him. And if it meant a lot to him, it meant a lot to her. "I'm listening, Izashi-kun. Tell me what you need."