"Come in," Rias said, her stern demeanor softening slightly as she forced a smile for Roy and the others.
Grayfia's gaze settled on Roy and Asia, then shifted to Rias. "Humans? Two of them?" she said, her expression unreadable. "Rias, involving humans in this matter—are you serious?"
"I know my own affairs, Grayfia. I don't need your guidance," Rias snapped, her eyes sharpening as she met Grayfia's stare.
"You misunderstand," Grayfia said, bowing slightly, her tone neither servile nor arrogant. "Some matters shouldn't be discussed with outsiders. Using these humans to stall is futile."
"I'm not stalling," Rias retorted, her voice edged with irritation.
"Then ask them to leave. Our discussion isn't finished," Grayfia said calmly.
"No. They're my people and have a right to know," Rias said, flatly rejecting the suggestion. "Or do you have an issue with my choice of friends?"
Rias's gaze held firm.
"As the next head of the Gremory clan, your social circle is beyond my critique," Grayfia said, lowering her head to avoid Rias's stare. "If you choose to include these humans, I won't object further."
"Hmph," Rias scoffed, her tone biting. "My stance is clear. I won't agree to the marriage with the Phenex clan. I'll never marry Riser Phenex."
"Are you serious?" Grayfia asked, her eyes narrowing with a chilling intensity, dropping formalities. The air grew heavy with her presence.
"I've told my clan repeatedly—I want this engagement canceled," Rias said, unflinching.
"You'd defy the will of your father and Lord Lucifer?" Grayfia asked, her voice deceptively light.
The mention darkened not only Rias's expression but also those of Akeno, Koneko, and Yuuto.
"Lord Lucifer?" Asia whispered, startled. As a former saint, she knew the weight of that name. In the Bible, Lucifer was a towering figure—a high-ranking angel who fell, leading a third of heaven's angels to become devils, the Underworld's first Satan.
"Rias's older brother is the current Satan Lucifer," Koneko explained quietly to Asia.
"Her brother?" Asia's eyes widened, glancing at Rias.
Rias gave a bitter smile, nodding. "I'd rather not lean on my brother's name if I can help it."
"I understand, but even without that title, you're still the Gremory heiress," Grayfia said evenly. "Please don't bring shame to the clan."
"So they can force me to marry someone I don't love?" Rias's face twisted with anger.
"It's part of your duty as a Gremory," Grayfia replied, unmoved.
"I know my duties, but I won't sacrifice my happiness for them," Rias said, her tone resolute. "Tell my father and brother I've found someone to spend my life with. If they keep pushing Riser, I won't return to the clan until they drop it."
"Someone for life?" Grayfia's composed facade cracked, a flicker of emotion breaking through. "You're the Gremory heiress. Your actions reflect on the clan. With an existing engagement to the Phenex clan, this choice could harm the Gremory name."
"Don't lecture me about the clan. I know what I'm doing," Rias said coldly. "As the next head, I have the right to choose who I love."
"Who is he?" Grayfia asked, her voice icy.
"No need to tell you," Rias said, a flash of regret crossing her face. She'd spoken too soon. Waiting until a pregnancy could've shielded Roy from scrutiny, securing him under Gremory protection.
"It's me," Roy said, stepping to Rias's side. He wouldn't let her face this alone.
Grayfia stared, stunned for a moment, then spoke with disbelief. "Rias, even to defy your clan, choosing a human? If your father and Lord Lucifer learn you've picked someone so… insignificant—"
"Enough, Grayfia," Rias cut in, her face cold. "You have no right to judge Roy like that."
"You're being reckless," Grayfia said, her calm giving way to an elder's reprimand. "Letting a human meddle in a marriage between two devil clans? Do you want him dead? There's still time to reconsider before the Phenex clan finds out."
"I won't let anything happen to him," Rias said, her voice unwavering.
"This marriage was decided by both clans. A human can't disrupt it," Grayfia said, sighing. "Do you think you can challenge their combined power? Even if the Gremory clan holds back, the Phenex clan's strength is beyond you."
"I've given myself to Roy completely," Rias said with a faint chuckle. "If you count the hours, a child isn't out of the question."
Last night's fervor might've borne fruit.
Pure-blood devil pregnancies were rare, but human-devil pairings had higher odds.
If needed, she'd keep trying until it happened—a child would silence objections.
The room's attention snapped to Roy. Grayfia's gaze turned razor-sharp, as if she could tear him apart.
"Human, your name is Roy?" Grayfia asked, swiftly regaining her composure, her maid's poise impeccable.
"You heard me," Grayfia said. "You must know something of devil affairs to have Rias's trust. You're in grave danger—your life, even your family's, is at risk. Abandon Rias now, and I'll ensure the Gremory clan neutralizes those threats."
"No way I'd abandon someone I love," Roy said, gently wrapping an arm around Rias's waist.
"Do you grasp the danger you're facing?" Grayfia asked, her tone steady but pressing.
"Grayfia, stop intimidating him," Rias snapped.
"May I speak, Lady Grayfia?" Akeno said, smiling. With Grayfia's nod, she continued,
"Roy is the host of a Sacred Gear—the Boosted Gear, wielded by the Sekiryuutei."
"Boosted Gear…" Grayfia's composure faltered, surprise flickering across her face. Roy's aura was strong, but she hadn't pegged him for the Sekiryuutei.
A massive magic circle flared in the clubroom's corner, pulsing with light and vibrating the air. A bird-like emblem with outstretched wings materialized at its center.
"What's that?" Asia whispered, eyes wide.
Flames erupted along the circle's edge, and a figure emerged from the blaze.
Rias's expression darkened, her eyes narrowing with hostility.
"The human world's air is filthy as ever, Rias…" Riser, clad in his flamboyant red suit, stepped from the circle, head bowed in a theatrical pose.
His words cut off mid-sentence as his eyes locked on Roy.
"Why are you here?" he barked, his voice a mix of shock and indignation.
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