After hearing Ravel's plea, Rias and the others snapped out of their daze. They exchanged glances, feeling both joyous and somewhat strange.
They hadn't expected events to unfold in this manner.
"Riser, you've even turned your own sister into a servant. Damn. But you know what, I've always had a soft spot for cute girls. What do you suggest I do?"
Blake looked at the fallen Riser with a peculiar expression, feigning deliberation.
Ravel froze at his words, then lowered her head, not daring to look at him. This was the first time a stranger had so openly called her "cute."
Seeing Ravel's fear subsiding, Blake quietly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled slightly. Evidently, his words had successfully eased the tension.
Riser, however, was silent. He secretly clenched his teeth in frustration.
This guy really had the audacity to say that. Back when he ruthlessly took down all thirteen of Riser's servants, he didn't even blink, as cold-blooded as one could be.
Rias, Akeno, and Koneko all shot Blake disapproving glares. Did he seriously plan to flirt with the enemy's sister in public?
Finally, Riser, pale-faced and defeated, bit his lip. His eyes dimmed with unwillingness as he reluctantly uttered those words.
He wanted to keep fighting, but to continue would only mean enduring more humiliation, further shaming the House of Phenex. What stung the most was knowing that his survival was due to his sister's plea for mercy.
"Riser Phenex has surrendered. The winner of this Rating Game is Rias Gremory," declared Grayfia, her steady voice carrying a subtle tremor as she announced the outcome.
Mission complete: Defeat Riser Phenex. Reward: 100 luck points. Current luck points: 396.
In Blake's mind, the system's notification echoed, causing a slight flicker in his crystal-blue eyes as he nodded with satisfaction.
Before Rias and the others could react, everyone in the arena was enveloped by shimmering lights and transported out of the artificial dimension.
The scene shifted swiftly, and in an instant, Blake and his companions found themselves back in the Occult Research Club's room.
"...I will keep my promise. Goodbye," Riser said, leaving behind these parting words before activating a magic circle and vanishing. His abrupt departure left Rias and the others momentarily stunned.
As Riser left, Ravel, feeling out of place, quickly conjured her own magic circle in an attempt to leave. Just as she was about to disappear, Blake's voice rang out.
"Hey, little birdy. Leaving so soon? I see you next time."
"It's Ravel! Ravel Phenex! Lord Blake, I look forward to our next meeting," she retorted with a trace of annoyance, clearly displeased with his nickname for her. With a graceful curtsey, she lifted the edges of her princess-like dress and disappeared into her magic circle.
"Blake, are you planning to pursue miss Ravel?" Akeno's teasing voice broke the silence, her playful tone carrying a dangerous edge.
"Blake, you're my boyfriend. How could you possibly consider other girls?" Rias, having been momentarily lost in the joy of victory, quickly expressed her displeasure, her eyes glinting with intensity.
"Senpai, that's low," Koneko added with her usual monotone.
"Waaaah!" Asia teared up, her eyes misty with confusion.
"Big brother Blake, are you planning to abandon Kanna?" Kanna tugged at Blake's sleeve, her tone accusatory.
Only Kiba remained silent, staring intently at Blake with an unreadable expression.
"Alright, alright! Don't overthink it. Besides, shouldn't we be celebrating? We just won!"
Sensing the atmosphere growing tense, Blake hastily raised his voice, steering the conversation away from impending chaos.
"You're right. This is a time for celebration. As the hero of this victory, we'll let you off this time," Rias finally relented, her face softening with excitement.
The others quickly followed suit, their earlier irritation melting into shared joy.
Relieved, Blake exhaled quietly.
While the Occult Research Club basked in their triumphant celebration, the underworld's aristocrats and high-ranking officials were in turmoil over Blake and Riser's battle.
The publicly recognized defeat of the Phenex family's third son by an heir to Silva family had sparked a storm of outrage. The loss was perceived as a humiliation to the underworld.
Many were enraged, though perhaps some of that anger stemmed from embarrassment. After all, they had been so confident of Riser's victory before the match began, only to be thoroughly humiliated.
However, not all reactions were the same.
For instance, Sona Sitri, the president of Kuoh Academy's student council and Rias's childhood friend, felt a deep curiosity about Blake and a sense of relief for Rias.
Her sister, Serafall Leviathan, was even more intrigued and eager to meet Blake in the human world. Yet, her deputy managed to restrain her enthusiasm, reminding her of her responsibilities as a Great Satan.
"Grayfia, it seems you were right. I misjudged him," Rias's father admitted with a wry smile, his eyes still tinged with shock.
"You overestimate me, Lord Gremory. I merely guessed. Still, I didn't expect him to possess that sword," Grayfia replied, shaking her head with a sigh.
"The legendary sword at the pinnacle of the Holy blade series Excalibur. It was thought to have vanished into the history. Why has it suddenly reappeared, and in his hands?"
Sirzechs's voice carried a heavy note of suspicion. His brows furrowed deeply, unable to hide his astonishment.
Even the Excalibur replicas, created with alchemy during the ancient wars, were formidable enough to rank among the strongest sacred weapons. The original was on an entirely different level.
According to legend, the original Excalibur disappeared following King Arthur's death. It had never been seen or obtained since.
"Could he be the reincarnation of King Arthur?"
At that moment, Rias's mother Venelana Gremory suddenly spoke, causing everyone present to shrink their pupils in shock.
🍊 Boost This Fanfic! 🍊
Every 500 Power Stones gets 2 bonus Chapters! 🚀
Want faster updates? Show your support by dropping Power Stones, leaving reviews, and sharing your thoughts in the comments! Your engagement keeps the story going strong!
[🔥🔥 You can find 20 Chapters ahead here
Support link: pat reon.com/RioRaRyu
Also another exciting fanfic available 🔥🔥]