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High School DxD: The Day Before the Rating Game
"Kai-chan, is this the Underworld? It doesn't seem much different from the Human World!"
Rimuru looked out at the green vegetation covering the land and the clear blue sky, her small face filled with surprise.
"Hehe, Rimuru, what did you imagine the Underworld would be like?"
Rias looked at Rimuru with a smile, curious about her impression.
"A pitch-black sky, lava everywhere, and monsters spread across the whole place."
Rimuru thought for a moment and laid out her preconceived notions.
"That is indeed the common image people have when they don't know the actual situation. But the Underworld has changed. The Devil Kings are all reformists now, so policies have become much more open-minded."
Rias thought of her brother, a proud expression crossing her face as she explained.
"Rias, setting everything else aside, this train of yours is quite something. I'll have to get a few for myself someday."
Kaito pushed the window open. A breeze blew into the carriage, and he narrowed his eyes contentedly.
As the train moved on, unique Underworld buildings began to appear in the distance, their architecture carrying a genuinely exotic charm.
"Rimuru-sama, please have some tea. I've prepared it especially for you."
"Thank you, Diablo!"
Rimuru took the black tea from Diablo and had a small sip. His tea-making skills had improved noticeably. She looked at him with a puzzled expression.
Diablo seemed to understand and quickly explained.
"My tea-making was taught to me by a master."
"A master?"
Not just Rimuru but even Kaito looked at him in surprise. He had never heard of Diablo having a master.
"Master Sakuya!"
"Sakuya? Ah, that makes sense."
Those who knew Diablo well stopped finding it strange. As someone who considered serving Kaito and Rimuru his highest purpose, Diablo would do anything to serve them better.
"The black tea really is quite good. I wouldn't mind some red tea someday!"
A lazy yet elegant female voice drifted into everyone's ears.
"This is tea I prepared for Rimuru-sama! Know your place!"
A sharp glint crossed Diablo's eyes, his tone going cold.
"Oh my, how scary. Master, look at him, he's scolding me!"
Testarossa showed no concern at all. Instead, she leaned closer to Kaito, pressing up against his left arm.
"Diablo, leave it. It's just a cup of tea. If she wants some, let her have it."
Kaito looked at the woman beside him, wearing her usual cunning smile, and found himself completely helpless.
"Um, I've been meaning to ask, why does this young lady call Kaito-sensei 'Master'?"
Rias studied the elegant, noble-looking Testarossa, and a hint of nervousness crept into her expression.
"Hehe, let me introduce her! This is Testarossa, the diplomatic officer of the Jura-Tempest Federation!"
Milim announced this with a mouth full of dessert, words slightly muffled.
"The Jura-Tempest Federation? That's the second time I've heard that name. Are all of you from that country, Kaito-sensei? I've gone through every source I could find and haven't turned up a single piece of information about it."
Hearing Rias's confusion, Kaito gave a knowing smile.
"You'll find out soon enough."
Rias understood that he didn't want to say more, so she wisely let it go.
After a little over ten minutes, the train's announcement chimed.
"We are now arriving at the Gremory Main Family Mansion. We are now arriving at the Gremory Main Family Mansion. Thank you for riding with us."
"Kaito-sensei, we're here. Let's get off."
Kaito and the others gathered themselves and prepared to disembark. The train slowed to a stop, and they stepped off through the opened doors under Rias's guidance.
"Welcome home, Young Lady Rias!"
A roar of cheers erupted around them. Bang, bang, bang, bang! Fireworks burst across the sky, soldiers fired into the air in salute, and a band struck up all at once. Soldiers riding unknown creatures circled overhead, waving flags. Among the crowd, butlers and maids lined up in rows, bowing in unison as Rias walked toward them.
Rimuru watched with wide eyes and tugged at Kaito's sleeve.
"Kai-chan, I'm an Empress, right?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Then why have I never had anything like this?"
Kaito blinked. He looked at the scene in front of them.
Then he placed both hands on Rimuru's shoulders and looked at her with great seriousness.
"Rimuru, these are all external things. Superficial. Grand displays and such... grand displays and such..."
His voice grew quieter and quieter, and then, with a slight crack...
"I want one too! Why doesn't a prince like me get a grand display?! Waaah waaah waaah... Rimuru... waaah waaah waaah..."
"Kai-chan... waaah waaah waaah, why... waaah waaah waaah..."
Everyone around them stared in exasperation as the two suddenly threw their arms around each other and burst into tears, completely baffled by the display.
"Master, Rimuru-sama, everyone is waiting. Please mind the occasion."
Sakuya finally stepped forward, unable to watch any longer.
"sniffle... Alright... alright..."
The two composed themselves, tucked away their embarrassing performance, and followed everyone to Rias's home.
Upon arriving, they were warmly welcomed by Rias's parents. Sirzechs, unfortunately, was absent due to official duties.
Grayfia also exchanged thirty bottles of Phoenix Tears with Kaito for the half-dead Riser.
One Day Later: The Rating Game
"Is this the man who swindled our family out of so many treasures?"
The Head of the Phoenix Family looked grimly at Kaito and the others sitting in the special guest seats.
"Lord Devil Kings, please uphold justice for my Phoenix Family. My son is now a cripple. This Rating Game is an insult to him!"
Sirzechs frowned slightly at the outburst.
Serafall, dressed in a magical girl outfit, glanced over at Sona with a doting expression. The other two Devil Kings, Beelzebub and Asmodeus, remained silent and noncommittal.
"Lord Devil Kings!"
Seeing no response, the Head of the Phoenix Family pressed again, growing anxious.
"Head of the Phoenix Family, if there are grievances to air, let's discuss them after the match. For now, let's watch the game."
Sirzechs did his best to keep things calm.
"This... yes."
The Head of the Phoenix Family still looked like he had more to say, but relented at Sirzechs's displeased expression.
In the arena, Rias stepped into the barrier constructed around Kuoh Academy and the Rating Game began.