The next morning came with a smile on my face and a plan in my mind.
Issei had spent the night processing his new reality as a Devil, and by my calculations, Rias should already be desperately searching for him. After all, she had lost her potential pawn to an unknown competitor.
How delicious.
"Good morning, Anos-kun," Akeno greeted me as I entered the occult club classroom. "You're early today."
"I was looking forward to seeing the surprised faces," I replied naturally, taking a seat in my usual spot.
Rias was clearly agitated. Her crimson eyes showed frustration and confusion, while Kiba looked tense as if expecting trouble. Koneko was watching me more intensely than usual.
"Anos-kun," Rias finally said, "did you notice anything strange last night? Any... unusual magical activity?"
"Why do you ask?" I feigned innocent curiosity.
—Someone interfered with an important matter. A human who should have been... recruited... disappeared.
Before he could answer, the door opened.
"Excuse me for interrupting," Issei said, walking in with a confidence he definitely didn't have before. "Is this the Occult Research Club?"
The silence was absolute.
Rias slowly stood up, her eyes fixed on Issei as if she had seen a ghost.
—Issei Hyoudou... How is it possible that you are...?
"Alive?" Issei smiled, and I could see the exact moment he activated his demonic vision. "Let's just say I had a very generous savior."
All eyes turned towards me.
"Anos-kun..." Rias's voice was dangerously low. "What do you know about this?"
I stood up slowly, adjusting my uniform with deliberate movements.
—Well, since you insist on knowing... —I snapped my fingers.
The room transformed instantly. The walls turned black marble with purple veins, Gothic pillars rose from the floor, and an imposing throne appeared behind me. The air itself thickened with magical power so dense it was almost visible.
"My real name is Anos Voldigoad," I declared, my voice resonating with absolute authority. "And I am the Demon King of Tyranny."
Kiba had instinctively drawn his sword. Koneko was in a fighting stance. Akeno had lightning dancing between her fingers. But Rias... Rias just stared at me with a mixture of shock and recognition.
"Impossible..." he whispered. "The original Demon Kings were sealed millennia ago..."
"Sealed, not destroyed." I ran my hand down the back of the throne. "And certainly not for long, considering I'm here."
"Why?" Rias asked. "Why did you infiltrate my territory? Why did you take my pawn?"
I smiled, and for the first time since my reincarnation, I let my real presence shine through. Not enough to hurt them, but enough for them to understand exactly who they were talking to.
The magical pressure was instantaneous. Kiba fell to his knees, struggling to breathe. Koneko collapsed, trembling. Akeno managed to stay on her feet, but only just. Only Rias held on, though cold sweat ran down her forehead.
"Because I got bored," I said simply. "It's been four years of watching, learning, waiting. And finally, something interesting is about to happen."
I reduced my presence back to normal levels, and everyone could breathe again.
"Besides," I continued, sitting down on the throne, "technically, I didn't steal your pawn. I saved him from death and made him my subordinate. If you wanted to claim him, you should have done so before a fallen angel impaled him with a spear of light."
Rias clenched her fists.
-What do you want?
"Entertainment." I leaned back in my throne. "This world has become... predictable. The three powers balancing, petty skirmishes, boring demonic politics. It needs some... chaos."
—And you think you can just show up and change everything?
My smile grew wider.
"Rias, darling, I'm not going to change anything." I held up a finger. "I'm going to improve it."
At that moment, a magic circle materialized in the center of the room. The Gremory family symbol shone brightly before a familiar figure appeared: Sirzechs Lucifer.
—Rias, I received your emergency call about a possible—
He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw me.
The current Demon King of the Underworld and I stared at each other for a long moment. I could see the instant recognition in his eyes, followed by a careful threat assessment.
"Well, well," I said, standing up from the throne. "Sirzechs Lucifer himself. Or should I say… Sirzechs Gremory using the title Lucifer."
"You..." his power began to manifest, but stopped when he saw that I didn't flinch. "Who are you really?"
—I already introduced myself, but out of courtesy I'll repeat it. Anos Voldigoad, the Demon King of Tyranny. The original, not an imitation.
—The original Demon Kings are dead.
"Clearly not all of them." I walked toward him. "And I have a proposal I think will interest you."
Sirzechs tensed.
—What kind of proposal?
—The kind that benefits both. You see, I have no interest in claiming territory or dethroning anyone. That would be... tedious. But I do want to participate in the games ahead.
-Games?
—The Rating Games, of course. Rias here is going to need all the help she can get for what's coming, isn't she?
I saw both Rias and Sirzechs exchange meaningful glances.
—How do you know about...?
—I know a lot of things. Including the fact that a certain fried chicken is going to be a problem very soon.
Sirzechs frowned.
-Fried chicken?
—Riser Phenex. Really, Sirzechs, you should pay more attention to the nicknames people use.
Understanding dawned on his face.
—Do you propose to help Rias in her Rating Game against Riser?
"I propose something better." I returned to my throne. "I propose a demonstration of why the current balance of power needs... recognition from new players."
—And if I refuse?
My smile turned icy.
—Then I'll show you why I'm called the Demon King of Tyranny, and you're not going to enjoy the experience.
The air thickened again, but this time Sirzechs didn't back down.
—Threats?
"Promises." I stood up. "But I prefer cooperation. It's more civilized."
After a moment of tension, Sirzechs nodded slowly.
—Very well. But with conditions.
—I'm listening.
—First, do not interfere in underworld politics without consulting me. Second, any action you take must be aligned with the current peace. Third, if you prove to be a threat to stability...
"You'll face me. Yes, yes, I understand." I waved my hand. "I accept your terms. For now."
-For now?
—Sirzechs, you don't really think I'm going to limit myself permanently, do you? I'm too powerful and too ancient for eternal promises. But I can promise you this: as long as the world remains interesting, you'll have no trouble with me.
He considered this for a moment.
—What if the world becomes... boring?
—Then I'll make it interesting again. But don't worry, I have a feeling that won't be a problem anytime soon.
Sirzechs looked at his sister, who had been watching the entire exchange with growing understanding.
—Rias, are you okay with this?
Rias looked me straight in the eyes.
—Will you really help us against Riser?
—Darling, when I'm done with you, Riser is going to wish he'd stayed in his palace eating fried chicken forever.
For the first time since this conversation had started, Rias smiled.
—Then I accept.
Sirzechs sighed.
—Very well. But any trouble you cause...
—It will be spectacular, I promise.
After Sirzechs left and the room returned to normal, I turned towards the occult club.
—Well, now that that's settled, does anyone want some tea? We have a lot of training to do and very little time.
Akeno was the first to speak.
—Are you really an original Demon King?
—As real as your sadism, Akeno-chan.
She blushed and smiled.
—And you're really going to train us?
—I'm going to turn them into a team that makes Riser wonder why he didn't retire before he was born.
Kiba approached, still somewhat shaky.
—How do we know we can trust you?
"You can't," I answered honestly. "But you can trust that I want to see Riser humiliated as much as you do. And that, for now, is enough."
Issei finally spoke.
"What does this mean for me? Am I your servant or Rias's?"
I smiled.
—For now, both. Consider this a... temporary collaboration.
Rias approached.
—When do we start?
"Right now." I snapped my fingers, and the room transformed into a training ground. "Because, my dears, you are about to learn what it means to train with a true Demon King."