NOVEL NEXT Chapter 35: Crash the Wedding
Issei Hyoudou passed through the magic circle drawn on the invitation he received from Grayfia.
What awaited him was an extravagant wedding venue.
'So, Rias and Riser are in here, huh? Riser, this time, I'm definitely getting my revenge!' the boy thought.
Finally, the day of the wedding had arrived.
Rias Gremory, now in her pure white wedding dress, was being assisted by the attendants for a touch-up.
Even though a wedding dress is supposed to be the eternal dream of every girl, her heart was clouded, contrasting with the dress's brilliance.
Being born into a noble family meant there was a limit to how much one could assert one's own will. Her father, brother, and the other surrounding nobles saw her as nothing more than a tool for a political marriage.
"Lady Rias, the preparations for the ceremony are complete. It's time for your meeting with the groom," one of the maids said as she urged her out of the room.
When she entered the next room, there stood Riser Phoenix in a pristine white tuxedo.
"Oh, my bride, Rias! You've grown even more beautiful!" Riser exclaimed, showering her with compliments.
'As if I'd ever be your bride. How fake,' Rias thought bitterly.
"The union of the Phoenix and Gremory families will now flourish even more! We'll meet again at the ceremony!" Riser said before turning on his heel and walking away.
As the door closed, Rias let out a long sigh.
The time for the reception finally arrived.
Akeno, Riser's servants, and other attendees, all dressed in their finest, were engaged in casual conversation with the surrounding devils. Rias' father and Riser's father were laughing over wine, completely oblivious to her inner turmoil.
However, there was one person missing from the ceremony—the one younger than her, but who always stood by her side, the one she held dear to her heart.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting! The bride and groom will now make their grand entrance!" The announcer called, and the doors were opened.
As Rias quietly walked down the aisle alongside Riser, she couldn't help but overhear the whispers of the nobles.
"How stunning, Lady Gremory."
"With this, the pureblood devils will be preserved."
Rias and Riser stood before the priest.
"Now, please, share your vows with a kiss," the priest instructed.
"Heh, I've been waiting for this," Riser's cold, disinterested gaze fixed on Rias as his face drew closer.
'Help me... Issei!!' Rias thought desperately.
And then…
Bang!!!
At that moment, the doors burst open with a loud crash.
"Hold it right there!!!" a voice came out.
'That voice... Issei!' Rias thought.
"You better not have forgotten about me! You think you can just go ahead and do this without me?!" Issei's sudden entrance threw the entire venue into chaos like a hornet's nest being disturbed.
'Phew, I made it just in time! Looks like I managed to stop this fucking bastard.'
"What's the meaning of this, Lord Gremory?!"
"What is that attire? Reincarnated devils have no class!"
"Is this some kind of performance at the reception?"
The once solemn venue quickly became a whirlwind of confusion after Issei's appearance.
"My name is Issei Hyoudou! Rias Gremory's Pawn and the Red Dragon Emperor! And Rias is my wife, mine!!"
With those words, the commotion in the room escalated even further as guards surrounded him.
"You! What are you trying to pull?!"
"Leave this place at once!"
Issei, with all his might, shouted back; "Rias Gremory's virginity already belongs to me!!"
"Whoooooaaaaaa!!!" The room erupted, reaching a fever pitch.
"Oh, Issei! What on earth are you saying, Baka?!" Rias blushed deeply, her embarrassment laid bare.
Akeno laughed, Kiba gave a wry smile, Asia turned red, and Koneko glared at him with half-closed eyes.
"You bastard! You won't stop interfering with me, will you?!" Riser glared at Issei, furious.
Just then, a red-haired man appeared…
"This is all part of the entertainment I arranged," the man said calmly.
"O-older brother!"
"L-Lucifer-sama!"
Yes, the red-haired man was none other than Sirzechs Lucifer, one of the Four Great Satans and Rias' elder brother.
"Step back! Stand down, all of you!" Sirzechs' commanding voice filled with authority made the guards surrounding Issei shrink back in fear and withdraw.
"I thoroughly enjoyed the recent Rating Game. The power of the Red Dragon Emperor truly excited me," Sirzechs remarked, his voice brimming with admiration.
Riser immediately interrupted, his tone bristling with indignation; "I must object! Even though you are Lucifer, showing such favoritism towards your family is unbecoming!"
"...Oh?" Sirzechs replied, his gaze shifting to Riser with amusement; "He chose my sister as his prize. A devil must pay a fair price for what they seek. Or, Riser, are you afraid of a dragon?" he added.
"Wh-what?!"
Sirzechs then turned to Lord Gremory, Rias' father, with a plan in mind. "Father, in an effort to make this reception even more thrilling, I propose an event. A battle between 'Dragon vs. Phoenix.' What could be more exhilarating than a clash of legendary powers?"
The room fell silent as the noble devils pondered Sirzechs' suggestion.
"Riser," Sirzechs continued, "will you show me your flames once again?"
"...Very well. If Lucifer himself asks, I cannot refuse," Riser replied, bowing deeply, though his expression was tense.
"And you, Red Dragon Emperor," Sirzechs said, turning to Issei. "What is it you desire? A title? Or perhaps the most beautiful woman in the world?"
Issei, resolved and determined, looked Sirzechs straight in the eye. "Give me back my King Rias!"
"...Very well," Sirzechs agreed after a brief pause. "If you win, this engagement will be annulled."
"Thank you!!" Issei exclaimed, bowing in gratitude.
With a snap of Sirzechs' fingers, Issei and Riser were transported to a specially prepared battlefield.
"I've set the stage for your fight. You won't damage the venue, so go all out," Sirzechs declared.
Once again, Issei and Riser faced off.
----------To Be Continued----------
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