"Alright, Kazuki, time to make the rounds!"
Rias took his arm, dragging him into the lion's den of noble politics. After his victories over Kokabiel and the White Dragon Empress, Kazuki had become something of a celebrity among devil nobility.
Thankfully, Venelana's brutal etiquette training kept him from embarrassing himself—though by the time they finished, he felt like a wrung-out towel.
Meanwhile, Rias, ever the socialite, looked completely unfazed as she chatted away with a group of noble girls, Akeno at her side.
"You look exhausted, senpai!! Here…"
Xenovia handed him a drink, which he gulped down gratefully.
The entire peerage was feeling the strain. Being part of Rias' inner circle meant constant scrutiny—without Akeno and Yumi's experience, they might have crashed and burned.
Just as Kazuki caught his breath—
"My, my~ Long time no see, Guyver!!"
A familiar, haughty voice cut through the chatter.
Ravel Phoenix.
The younger sister of Riser Phoenix, the man whose pride Kazuki had crushed in the Rating Game.
"Ravel. How's your brother these days?"
"Oh, dear brother is still moping after losing to you and having Lady Rias stolen away. Pathetic, really~!!"
She sighed dramatically, fanning herself—not a trace of resentment in her tone.
"Ravel… you were his Bishop, weren't you? You don't hate me for what happened?"
"Tch. Don't flatter yourself. Defeat in the Rating Game simply means you were stronger. It was a valuable lesson for my fool of a brother." She smirked.
"Besides, I'm no longer his servant. Mother traded for me—I'm her Bishop now."
'Wait, High-Class Devils can trade pieces?'
That was news to Kazuki.
"So you needn't worry, Guyver-san~"
"Drop the 'Guyver.' I told you before—it's Kazuki Fuwa."
Ravel's blue eyes widened, her cheeks suddenly flushing pink.
"Ehh!? I-I can call you by your name!? T-Then… Kazuki-sama, it is!!"
'Why the hell is she using honorifics when I'm not!?'
Before he could question it further—
"Pardon the interruption. Kazuki, Sirzechs-sama has requested your presence."
Grayfia's icy voice cut in.
Ravel immediately curtsied, her skirt fluttering.
"Well then, Kazuki-sama, I shall take my leave. Do attend our next tea party—I'll bake you a cake myself~ Farewell!"
With that, she pranced off, her steps suspiciously giddy.
'That reaction… No way. She can't possibly!'
"Sigh… Again, senpai?"
"That Yakitori princess…"
Yumi and Shirone groaned in unison.
Kazuki decided retreat was the better part of valor.
"Lead the way, Grayfia-san."
"Of course. But first—" Her glacial stare pinned him in place.
"Do try to behave."
"…Yes, ma'am."
Under Grayfia's quiet yet commanding presence, Kazuki could only nod in acquiescence.
He was led to a VIP room on the second floor of the venue, where not only Sirzechs and Serafall were present, but also Rias and the entire Gremory household had gathered.
"Ah, you've arrived, Kazuki-kun. Well then, shall we begin?" Sirzechs, along with Serafall, moved toward the balcony.
From there, the entire venue was visible, and as soon as the crowd noticed the appearance of the Maou, thunderous applause and cheers erupted.
"My friends! I thank you all for gathering here tonight!"
Raising his right hand to quiet the cheers, Sirzechs began his speech.
"Under normal circumstances, I would prefer to deepen our bonds as we do every year. However, before that, there is something I must address. Surely, it remains fresh in your memories—the foolish crimes committed by high-ranking devils, beginning with the House of Naberius."
The crowd reacted in various ways—some wore pained expressions, others scowled in displeasure, while a few openly displayed their anger.
"Pure-blooded devils now make up barely 10% of our population. We must all recognize that our kind can no longer survive without integrating the blood of other races. As the rulers of the Underworld, we, the Four Great Satans, vow to ensure that such idiotic crimes by the nobility never happen again!"
Next, Serafall Leviathan spoke with a dignity that bore no trace of her usual carefree demeanor. Her beauty drew sighs of admiration from across the venue, and once again, the hall was filled with applause and cheers.
"Now then, there is someone I would like to introduce to you all. Rias, Kazuki-kun, come here."
Once the cheers had settled somewhat, Sirzechs beckoned for Kazuki and Rias to step forward.
"Allow me to introduce my sister, Rias Gremory, and her servant—the [Guyver], Kazuki Fuwa!"
The venue buzzed with murmurs, countless gazes piercing into Kazuki.
"Some of you may have already heard rumors of him. He has achieved numerous feats—defeating the fallen angel executive Kokabiel, subduing the terrorist group Khaos Brigade's former Satan faction member, Katerea Leviathan, and even the White Dragon Empress. His combat prowess far surpasses that of an average high-class devil."
The stares directed at him were a mix of awe and admiration—as well as suspicion and jealousy. Not that he could blame them, since most hadn't witnessed his strength firsthand.
"Given the recent turmoil—the Khaos Brigade's schemes, the exposure of noble corruption—the Underworld is in dire need of strength. Thus, by the authority of us, the Four Great Satans, we hereby grant Kazuki Fuwa an exceptional promotion to the rank of High-Class Devil!"
The hall erupted in shock. Everyone—from Issei and the other servants, to Sona and Ravel, to complete strangers—was stunned. Even Kazuki and Rias were taken aback by the sudden announcement.
The only ones who remained unfazed were likely the Gremory parents, Serafall, and Grayfia, who must have known beforehand.
But the surprises didn't end there.
Sirzechs continued…
"And furthermore, I hereby declare the formal engagement between him and my sister, Rias Gremory—!"
The biggest bombshell of the night detonated, sending the venue into an uproar.
"This is your reward. Do you approve?"
Sirzechs wore a mischievous grin, like a child who had successfully pulled off a prank.
Kazuki had expected many things, but never something he had longed for so deeply…
Truly, this man was impossible to resist.
"Yes. It's perfect."
He answered and then turned his gaze to Rias beside him. She had both hands pressed to her mouth, her wide eyes brimming with tears.
"Seems like I'll be able to fulfill my promise sooner than expected. —Rias, will you become my wife?"
"—Yes, I will, Kazuki. I'll be your wife—"
Just as he moved to embrace her,
"Hold it right there, Satan-sama!!"
An angry shout echoed through the venue.
"Please wait, Satan-sama! Even if we were to reluctantly accept that man's promotion, why must it be an engagement with Princess Rias!?"
"Exactly! This is unacceptable!!"
"No, I can't even accept the promotion! Let us witness his strength firsthand!!"
"Is he even truly strong!? Kokabiel and Katerea were just relics, and who knows if the White Dragon Empress was even as powerful as the rumors claimed!?"
Looking around, Kazuki saw young nobles in the crowd voicing their discontent.
Upon closer inspection, they were the same ones who had swarmed Rias the moment she entered the venue—the ones who had been glaring at him with resentment.
"Oh? So you dare question the decision of the Devil King?"
Sirzechs's smile carried a quiet, overwhelming pressure as he observed the dissenting nobles.
Though they faltered for a moment under his gaze, they quickly rallied each other and continued their protests.
"W-We mean no disrespect, but this is too much! Handing Lady Rias to that man… We simply cannot accept it!!"
"Moreover, becoming a high-class devil means joining our ranks as nobility, does it not!?"
"Hmm… Whether you accept it or not is irrelevant… but what say you, Kazuki-kun?"
Sirzechs left the decision to Kazuki.
"It's fine. Even if they won't accept it, they'll at least understand once I show them my strength."
Kazuki scanned the grumbling nobles. 'Thirteen of them, huh?' Knocking them all out would be easy, but leaving behind grudges would be a pain… Alright!
"Lord Gremory, may I?"
He whispered his plan to Lord Zeoticus, seeking permission.
"…Hmph, very well. Do as you please."
Having received the household head's approval, Kazuki nodded.
"I'll be right back."
With the casual tone of someone going for a stroll, he spoke.
"Mhm, go get them."
Rias smiled as she saw him off. Returning her smile, Kazuki leaped down from the balcony.
————
"I'll show you the power you wanted so badly. Follow me."
Kazuki led the noblemen from the venue to the balcony. Rias and the others hurried down as well, but the balcony was already packed with spectators.
"Rias, over here!"
Sona waved at her. As they approached, the crowd parted to let them through, and they regrouped with Sona and her peerage.
On the balcony, aside from the grumbling nobles, were Rias' peerage, Sona's peerage, and Ravel.
"Where's Kazuki?"
"Right there."
Sona pointed toward the sky, where Kazuki soared with his wings spread wide. 'What in the world is he planning…?'
As Rias wondered, Kazuki's body suddenly erupted in a crimson aura, transforming. The crowd buzzed as he donned his Guyver armor.
"That bastard… What the hell does he think he's doing?"
One of the young nobles muttered in irritation. Clearly, they hadn't been told what Kazuki was about to unleash.
Soon, Kazuki hovered motionless in the sky. 'What's his plan? There's nothing ahead but mountains.'
Then, an overwhelming surge of devilic energy erupted from Kazuki, his body radiating blinding light. The next instant—the world turned white.
It was his ultimate attack—[Mega Smasher: Chest Particle Cannon]. A flood of searing light engulfed the surroundings, followed by a deafening explosion.
Grayfia barely managed to erect a barrier in time to shield the hotel, but even then, the shockwave made the shield flicker violently. When the chaos finally subsided, the sight before them left them speechless.
"Th-The Mountains… They're just… gone?"
Someone muttered in disbelief—but it was true. Where a range of 1000-meter peaks once stood, there was now nothing. Only empty air remained.
"This… is even more insane than last time."
Ravel's whisper earned Rias' fervent agreement. Since the battle with stronger foes after the Riser Rating Game, Kazuki had grown far beyond what they'd seen before.
The young nobles, witnessing this power firsthand, could only stand in stunned silence.
"Impossible… What kind of strength is this?"
"Now you understand, don't you? The reason I pushed for his promotion, even as an exception. We can't afford to let power like this go to waste. Are we clear?"
"Y-Yes… As much as it pains me, I have no choice but to acknowledge it."
It seemed they had no choice but to accept Kazuki's might. And not just them—anyone who saw this tonight would have no choice but to recognize it.
The power of Kazuki Fuwa—the man Rias loved.
As he descended, shedding his armor, Rias spread her arms wide to welcome him back.
"Welcome back, Kazuki!"