WebNovels

Chapter 21 - Chapter 21: Rias: Are You Okay?

After Rias used the magical device to craft a short story and tweak Issei Hyoudou's memories, she looked up to see Roy rubbing his eyes, his face etched with confusion.

"What's wrong?"

Roy glanced at the note again. "Rias, I think I've stumbled onto something big."

"What is it?"

"Sona likes me."

"???"

Are you okay?

Rias's eye twitched, a rare wave of speechlessness washing over her.

After a few seconds of staring at her retainer, she took a deep breath and spoke.

"I know some of Sona's preferences. I'll compile a list and send it to you later."

"I think you've misunderstood."

"No misunderstanding here. Go for it—I don't restrict my team's love lives."

"…"

She's still missing the point.

Roy raised an eyebrow but didn't argue further.

Let her misunderstand.

Sona liking him was a bonus anyway—he'd welcome a few more like her.

Max out the new entry's multiplier, and that's +1200% training speed.

Add the Athlete entry, and a 1500% boost would send him soaring.

Though… the "falling for you" criteria felt a bit tricky.

Thoughtfully rubbing his chin, Roy looked at the girl before him.

"Rias, didn't you mention having a fiancé?"

"Yeah, family arrangement."

Rias sighed. "They've been pushing me to finalize the engagement lately. Such a hassle."

"Need a hand?"

"Huh?"

"I recall you saying Rating Games are a trendy way to settle disputes among devils these days."

Roy suggested, "Challenge your fiancé to one. Bet on it—if you win, the engagement's off."

"…That might actually work."

Rias's interest piqued.

Her family had paired her with Riser Phenex, the third son of the Phenex clan.

As a pure-blood devil from the Phenex family, Riser was strong.

But with Roy's help, handling him wouldn't be an issue.

High-class devil base strength, boosted by a Longinus.

Given enough time, Roy could even tap into power rivaling top-tier devils or Devil Kings.

Against that gap, even immortality couldn't turn the tide.

Still…

"Out of nowhere, why offer to fix my engagement mess?"

Rias eyed Roy suspiciously, then seemed to connect the dots. "Oh—you're banking a favor so I'll help you win over Sona?"

"Nope. My target's you."

"Eh?"

Rias froze.

"Devils allow polygamy. A few extra wings shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Well… no, it's not."

"Then it's settled. Pick a time to talk to your family—I'll handle the rest."

As a high-class devil, Riser Phenex should drop a purple entry.

Plus his horde of retainers—at least ten green entries, maybe some blues if luck's good.

Whether this nets Rias's affection or not, Roy wouldn't lose out.

Waving to a dazed Rias, Roy hauled Issei out of the church.

"Welcome home, Master."

Back at his place, Shoko Toyokawa was cleaning in her maid outfit.

After twenty-plus days, Shoko had settled into the maid role.

From addressing Roy to the finer points of her tasks, she'd smoothed out a lot since the start.

"Shoko, what do you think of me?"

"Which part, Master?"

"All of it. Give me your raw take."

What's this weird game now?

Shoko paused her work, her expression odd.

Roy had been tossing her quirky questions for days.

Over time, she'd gotten used to it.

After a moment's serious thought, she answered honestly.

"Workout nut, filthy rich, generous, friendly—seems like a good guy to me."

Also pretty handsome.

Her gaze lingered on Roy's face for two seconds before she swallowed the potentially awkward add-on.

For some reason, Roy seemed more charming today than usual.

"Downsides?"

"Too much exercise. I feel like I'm teetering on death's edge every day."

Shoko's face turned dead serious.

Those first two weeks of enhancement training? She'd blacked out mid-session daily.

Lately, she could just barely stay conscious through it, but it still felt like ascension was imminent.

Good thing Roy patched her up.

At that intensity, without healing, she'd be three pounds tops—urn included.

"Master, any more questions?"

"Nah, get back to work."

Roy sank into thought.

Shoko's training was too brutal—she'd already pigeonholed him.

Spending time to win her over would yield slim returns.

For wing candidates, Rias—someone he could fight alongside while wooing—was the better pick.

Fail, no loss. Win, big profit.

Decision made, Roy opened his entry inventory.

Lately, smashing evil spirits had stocked him up.

With today's church haul, he'd hit the quota.

Now, the question: unlock a new slot or upgrade a blue entry to purple?

Scanning his stash, Roy settled on an answer.

New slot.

He didn't lack high-tier entries—what he needed were slots to equip them.

Ticking off a batch of entries, Roy hit confirm, unlocking his eighth slot.

Equipping the Boosted Gear and other newbies, Roy's entry panel got a fresh update.

[Roy]

[Race: Dragon, Devil]

[Strength: Level 3]

[Entries: Spirit Healing Bracelet (Blue), Seasoned Athlete (Purple), Soldier (Purple), Immortal Art (Purple), Power of Destruction (Red), You're All My Wings (Red), Boosted Gear of the Red Dragon Emperor (Gold), Infinite Potential (Rainbow)]

Aside from the Spirit Healing Bracelet—his go-to for daily use and swapping—Roy's core lineup was three purples, two reds, one gold, and one rainbow. Luxurious as hell.

"Next up, you."

Gazing at the red gauntlet on his right arm, Roy sank his consciousness into it.

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