章 24: Chapter 23
The Underworld. Phenex Mansion.
When I arrived, I was convinced that demons, or rather representatives of the seventy-two pillars, were spenders.
The circle teleported me and Ravel into the lobby of the mansion. And it looked damn rich: white marble, emblems of the Phenex clan, made of gold and jewelry, high ceilings and silk curtains.
- My descendants have taste. - I heard the Phenex demon mutter.
Well, not that he was entirely wrong. Though the decorations looked rich, they weren't flashy, at least not overly so. The harmonious combination of white and gold colors gave the interior a sense of style.
While I was looking at the lobby, a man's voice came from the staircase.
- Romani-san, we're glad you visited our mansion.
I turned around and saw a man in his thirties standing on the stairs. Apparently, he is the current head of the Phenex clan and the father of Ravel and Riser. However, he wasn't the only one there. The entire Phenex clan was there, but without the entourage. He himself, the woman beside him, and the three young men stared at me intently as they stood there.
And frankly, I was shocked. Riser and Ravel told them about the dream too? And their parents just took their word for it? They're aristocrats, right? Not trusting words is their rule, right? So why the hell are they looking at me with those glowing eyes?!
- Ravel, can you tell me why they're looking at me like that? - I asked, trying to maintain a polite smile.
- A couple days ago, the Great Ancestor appeared in the dreams of all of us, not just my brother," she replied easily, "So they all want to greet you personally.
My eyebrow twitched. That damn bird doesn't trifle, does it?
- You're welcome. - Phenex's voice echoed in my head again.
- Just shut up. - hissing like a snake, I said.
- Romani-san? Did we displease you in some way? - Lord Phenex asked cautiously.
And apparently, I said the words to Phenex out loud.
- Don't worry, Lord Phenex. There are times when I hear voices in my head... It's nothing like that," I shook my head and waved it away, "Anyway, my name is Romani Archaman, Wizard. Thank you for the invitation.
- It's a pleasure to meet you in person, Romani-san. - He said and bowed.
Romani-san?
- My name is Annikk Phenex, the current head of the Phenex clan. This is my consort, Leyla Phenex. And my sons Ruval, Rylan and Riser. And you've already met Rival, as well as Riser. - He introduced himself, and then his family, pointing and naming names one by one. And they made a respectful bow as they heard their names during the introductions.
Wellll... Do they have a boner for names with an "R" in them? I can't explain that they named their kids with names that start with that letter.
And when the show was over, we were transported, I realized, to the hospitality room and seated there. Lord Phenex and his wife sat on one couch, their children on the other two, and no one but me sat on the one I occupied. And my carcass taking up quite a long piece of furniture looked ridiculous, to say the least.
- Once again, we welcome you to our humble abode, Romani-san," Lord Phenex began, after we had sat in silence for a few minutes, "And as I see, you follow the rules of etiquette. It's good to know that it's not extinct in human society yet.
Heh. It's more like common courtesy. Etiquette says the host speaks first, then the guest. And since they're aristocrats, why not follow the signs?
- Well, that's how demon society works. And it would be an insult not to follow the rules of this place, right? - I shrugged my shoulders and said, "Besides, I don't mind.
- I see," he nodded, a polite smile on his face, "You're here about the marriage contract, right? You're interested in the details.
- Was I that obvious? - I raised an eyebrow - I'm not really interested in the details, though, since I more or less know the whole background. 'Immortality' and 'Power of Destruction' blah... A child possessing those two powers blah blah... 'Power equals 'Status' blah blah blah blah... and everything in that vein. Rather, I'd like to talk to Riser and get his thoughts on the matter.
- You're... surprisingly accurate, Romani-san. Vulgar but accurate," Lady Phenex said, "But why Riser? Because he's directly involved in this?
By the way...
- May I ask why you are addressing me using 'san'? As far as I know, the demon society is attuned to the European style, and this suffix is used exclusively in Japanese culture.
- We thought that since you live in Japan, we should use it," she replied, "Is that not okay with you?
- No, it's fine," I shook my head. "What about Riser? I'd like to talk to him alone. Unless, of course, he and you are okay with the idea.
- We're fine with it," Lord Phenex nodded and looked at his son, "Riser?
- There's nothing I can't handle," he said confidently, "Much less a normal conversation.
- Good, then we will leave you," Lord Phenex said and stood up. Followed by the rest of the family - And I hope you will stay for dinner.
- That will depend on the length of the conversation, Lord Phenex. But thank you for the invitation.
- I understand. In any case, remember that you are always welcome in our home. And, Riser, be... respectful to our guest. We don't want to offend the Great Ancestor. - he said and left with his family.
I waited a couple minutes for them to move away from the room and activated the closed field.
- What did you want to talk to me about Romani... san? I don't think you are interested in my thoughts about marrying my beloved Rias, considering what you said last time. - He asked, glaring at me and adding a suffix to my name.
- Oya? You can stop acting like a pompous rooster and speak as you wish. I put up a barrier completely blocking sounds and sights from the room.
- I don't know what you mean. - He replied with an impenetrable face.
- Oh, come on. You think I don't know what you really think about all this? - I grinned, at which I received a raised eyebrow from Riser - Your acting skills are amazing, I admit, but did you really think no one could see through your facade?
- What do you mean by that?
Wow, that's some stamina. He's not bad.
- You've definitely met with Sirzechs, I'm sure of it, just like I'm sure he realized you were playing the part," I sat back down and a cup of lukewarm coffee appeared in my hand as I wanted to wet my throat and sipped from it.
He stared at me intently for a moment, and then sighed.
- What makes you think that Lord Lucifer, understood my actions?
- Heh. You're still playing the fool. Aya-aya-aya, Riser-kun.
- Just answer the question.
- You're smart, Riser. Think about it, a random teleport to the church grounds, a surprise attack by the Fallen when you started to gather your retinue, and subtle pressure from the other nobles don't tell you anything? - I began and took a sip. But there was no surprise on Riser's face. Generally - As I mentioned earlier, demon society is attuned to the European style and thus its value system. You are the third son, not the heir to the clan like Rias. And you'll only become one if something happens to your brothers. Your statuses are not equal to each other.
- But-
- That's right. You demons value strength above all else. And let's face it, Ruval is much stronger than you. Then you say his age isn't right for Rias, but... does your council really care about that?
- And that's when my parents compromised and nominated me.
- That's right. And even though you weren't thrilled with the idea either, going against the council and your parents would have been foolish and unproductive. And when you started having "accidental" failures, it all made sense. Again, you're smart. You figured out that someone was trying to ruin your reputation, and your family's as well. And maybe kill you or weaken you at the very least.
- At that point, I decided to take a different course of action: pretending. - He finished and nodded his head.
- You see, you know everything.
- But I don't understand your interest in me. Why are you telling me what I already know?
- Оh? It's very simple. What are you going to do after all this? After all, your strength has already reached the peak of a high class.
His eyes opened wide when I said that. And his strength flashed for a moment. Six wings? That's not bad.
And that's another deviation from canon besides my presence in this world. That Riser alone could scatter Rias's entire retinue. That's considering that Issei can already use the Balance Breaker.
However, this is the fault of Sirzechs's machinations, as they forced Riser to grow faster. The situation he's in is similar to Sairaorg, Rias' cousin, but in a lighter form.
And how does Alaya want to keep the canon intact if it's already in the shitter?
- You know about that too, eh? - Riser said tiredly and leaned back in the chair he was sitting in, "Honestly, I don't know. When my power is revealed, Rias's reputation will be jeopardized, because she won't be a match for me, not the other way around. And I don't want to get caught up in 'random' mishaps again, as you put it.
- So there's no plan? - I raised an eyebrow.
- No plan. - He shook his head and rubbed his temples.
And there was silence in the room. Until "someone" decided to intervene.
- There is a way out. Just explain it away with the fact that you were trained by him.
We turned sharply in the direction of the voice, where we saw something that looked like a column or pillar. At its center shone brightly the symbol of the Phenex clan.
- A great ancestor?! H-how is that possible?! H-how can you be here?! You're dead! - Riser jumped up, raising a finger in Phenex's direction.
Yeah. That damn bird decided to show itself after all. And Riser was stunned beyond belief.
- Dead? I wonder," the demon said in a businesslike tone, "Is the one who was created by Lucifer dead, or the one who existed long before him, Riser Phenex?
- Created?! What do you mean?!
- What he means is that your ancestors were created, and he is the original demon born at the same time as Heaven. Or did you think that before the fall of Lucifer, demons didn't exist at all?
He froze, and his gaze darted between me and his ancestor, as if looking for signs of deception or a joke.
Well, I'm not lying. As I was able to learn, the original demons existed, but had no form here in the DxD world. It wasn't until Lucifer came to the underworld that they gained bodies and consciousness. They were kind of hibernating, or on autopilot to be more precise. Besides, who would check the story if the demons of Beast I were standing right in front of them?
- Anyway, don't give it a second thought, it's not worth it," I said casually, "Just ignore the asshole causing the inconvenience.
- Asshole?! How dare you say such a thing about the Great Ancestor?! - Riser shrieked, and his six fiery wings flared up and burst into fierce flames.
Oh, how aggressive we are.
- Don't mind him, Riser. This is normal behavior for a Magician. - said Phenex.
-But... Why are you defending him? He's only human, isn't he? - Riser asked, pointing at me.
- Yes, why are you protecting me? - I added.
- I, like all the original demons, only obeyed one person. - Phenex said in a calm tone and fell silent.
And after a few seconds, I saw a realization in Riser's eyes. He slowly turned in my direction, and his badly shaking hand rose, pointing in my direction.
- S-solomon. - In a trembling voice, he whispered.
- Or rather, his reincarnation. Nice to meet you. - I said sarcastically - Now, sit down. We're not done yet.
Riser sat back in his chair and stared at me in silence.
I rubbed my whiskey and took a swig of my coffee, which had already gone cold.
Well, I hadn't counted on that.
-0-
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