Perhaps forgetting to check the almanac before leaving today—something about "ill-omened for travel"—Bokue had arrived at this banquet hall less than ten minutes ago yet already produced one death, one casualty.
Both initiated by the other party.
Just... no helping it.
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Two minutes later, Bokue's group finally found an empty table in the banquet hall to settle down. The first thing Serafall did after sitting was pour herself a massive goblet of red wine before tilting her head back to drain it entirely.
"Ahh~ honestly, what's with everyone today? Our dear Bokue-kun's first time here and he encounters this nonsense."
Chugging that massive wine goblet, Serafall's complexion visibly flushed several shades rosier.
"Though speaking of which, Bokue-kun, you really do seem to attract these situations. When we first met, you were brutally beating Riser for Rias's engagement. Now barely a day back in the demon realm, this happens again. Could this be your luck stat?"
Beside her, Sona couldn't help quietly reminding: "Onee-sama, drink slower. If you throw a drunken tantrum here, no one can restrain you..."
"Mm? Impossible."
Serafall pouted, exhaling a breath heavy with wine's rich aroma.
"Even if Rias and the others can't stop me, there's still Bokue-kun. If Onee-sama throws a tantrum, at least Bokue-kun can step in—firmly taking me down, then packaging both me and our dear Sona-chan together back to the Gremory estate..."
The remaining explosive words were cut off as Sona's hand clamped firmly over her mouth.
Too mortifying—absolutely cannot let her finish that sentence.
"Onee-sama, you're already drunk. No more drinking... Tsubaki, fetch some sobering soup for Onee-sama."
"Understood."
"Let... go~ Onee-sama's not drunk!"
Struggling free from her sister's blockade in three moves, the newly re-seated Serafall huffed indignantly.
"Seems we'll need to visit House Astaroth these next few days."
Recalling events at the entrance, Rias pressed her temples.
"Astaroth?"
Apparently not expecting Rias to suddenly say this, Kuroka—who'd been sitting improperly in her chair while leaning against Bokue—swiveled her gaze, looking at her strangely.
"Wasn't that the little punk who got himself killed showing off in front of Bokue, nya? Why visit his family? Oh... planning to prevent future revenge by wiping out his entire household? Then remember to call me too. Anyone who dares speak to Bokue like that definitely makes me angry, nya~"
As the designated childhood friend who'd accompanied the young man across half of Divine Land—spending days fighting and nights warming beds—Kuroka was intimately familiar with this routine.
Swift vengeance, eradicating roots—never leaving oneself even half a loose end.
"Of course not!"
Rias's mouth twitched.
"Just to negotiate with their family. Regardless, that Diodora was House Astaroth's designated heir. Can't just kill someone without any response whatsoever—that would..."
"Rias-chan~"
Before the red-haired girl finished, Serafall gently interrupted her.
"Uh... what is it, Lady Serafall?"
Rias blinked, clearly not understanding why she'd suddenly called her name.
Seeing the red-haired girl's continued bewilderment, Serafall set down her wine goblet while sighing softly.
"Rias-chan, take Onee-sama's advice. Keep going like this, and you'll put tremendous pressure on Bokue-kun, you know?"
"Pressure?"
Rias grew even more confused.
What does 'putting pressure on Bokue' mean? I'm just planning to negotiate with House Astaroth. Why would that pressure him?
"Still don't get it?"
Serafall spread her hands.
"In that earlier situation, Bokue-kun had to act. That Diodora's behavior was genuinely suicidal. At minimum, if the victim had been me instead, I'd probably have taken the same action as Bokue-kun."
"Mm, I agree."
Sairaorg nodded lightly, indicating that if he had a woman he loved and someone attempted such disrespect, he'd also mercilessly strike them down with a single punch.
"But Rias-chan, now you're trying to negotiate with House Astaroth."
Serafall continued explaining.
"Rias-chan, do you know what that means to Bokue-kun? It's like saying he did nothing wrong, yet you're proactively seeking others to apologize. If you really did that, guess what Bokue-kun would think?"
"B-but..."
With things stated this plainly, Rias realized the impropriety of her intended actions.
"That Diodora makes me uncomfortable too, but regardless, he's Maou Beelzebub's blood relative—plus House Astaroth's designated next head. Saying nothing at all seems too..."
"That's why I'm telling you, Rias-chan, no need to worry so much."
Serafall propped her cheek while pursing her lips.
"Ajuka's side—just have Sirzechs-chan say something. Plus, though they're blood relatives, from what I know, Ajuka doesn't particularly feel affectionate toward this designated heir of his family. Honestly, I didn't like that Diodora either—always gave off creepy, unsettling vibes... And truthfully, Rias-chan, you could rely on Bokue-kun far more. Be more willful. More domineering."
Rias: "..."
Relying was one thing, but what about that "willful" and "domineering" part? Those didn't sound like compliments.
"Look, Onee-sama will put it this way—with Bokue-kun around, even if Rias-chan demanded the demon realm capital immediately relocate to Gremory territory, those old farts on the council wouldn't dare object."
"..."
Seems... that's actually true?
"Though ultimately, the problem lies in some 72 Pillar families remaining unclear about the Gremory household's current strength. Otherwise, today's similar situations wouldn't occur."
Sairaorg set down his wine goblet.
"However, I have a good solution for this."
"What solution?"
Though already vaguely guessing Sairaorg's intentions, Serafall still played straight man professionally.
"Very simple—"
Sairaorg's mouth curved upward. He turned toward the young man—who'd practically developed a resolve-face—purple eyes blazing with battle-hungry radiance.
"Let's have a Rating Game! A proper showdown under everyone's watchful eyes! Believe after that, the entire demon realm will gain fresh understanding of the Gremory household's strength!"
'So that was your ultimate goal all along...'
Bokue thought to himself.
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