The Player is a Part-Timer

Chapter 12: Deserved Rest/Disturbing Guests

"Haah! Thanks, I guess. Although, this victory feels hollow."

Looking at the side, seemingly everyone enjoyed the party.

As usual, Kiba, Akeno, and Koneko were surrounded by their branch of fans. Albeit, Koneko looked a little depressed due to how easily she was eliminated, her mood visibly started to improve thanks to all the food around and all the cheers she received from the people.

"I understand." Hummed Sona while nodding, understanding her friend's situation. After she defeated her original fiancé in chess and canceled her engagement, she also felt the same emptiness. It was just an unsatisfying victory; she put little to no effort. "Gillian didn't come, did she?"

"No, as she said, she rather dislikes big crowds. Why do you ask? Don't say you wanted... Oh!" Rias chuckled lowly, offering an impish smile. Since the party started, it was her first honest smile.

"I-It is nothing like that!" Sona stammered, adorably turning her head away after hearing her friend's slight tease. Her red face and the blue dress she wore really fit together.

"Be-Besides, I-I didn't even tell my parents, less Onee-sama who it is... If they get to know..." It would surely cause an uproar.

"You know you can't drag this on forever. Sooner or later, you need to tell your family. Else they will take up the mantle to figure it out by themselves. You don't want them to come to the human world and start their investigation, do you? Especially not your sister..."

"N-No..." The always collected and apt Sona started to shutter uncontrollably — even thinking of the possibility filled her with dread and uncertainty.

"Alternatively, you can always say those matches are just for entertainment, and you would not bet your hand on them, and that's it. But of course, you already told your parents about it. So, it is already too late to take it back. My condolences..." she shook her head, her face still carried the same gentle yet teasing smile.

"Ughh...!" Sona's bare shoulders shuddered before dropping, releasing a sight. "I messed up big time, didn't I?"

"Pretty much..." Rias tilted her head, her smile turning from teasing to an almost grimace. Her girlfriend really made a big mistake challenging that girl.

Unfortunately, Sona dug a grave by herself with the bet between her and her parents, and she now had to suffer the consequences. No matter how Rias wanted to help, she was helpless in this situation.

"Wonder how they will look once they figure out it was a human who beat her, more so it was the same person who took care of Riser so badly."

Knowing somewhat of Sona's family, Rias can imagine their reaction.

"Hahh... Maybe it's for the best. Many lost a great deal thanks to this match. If they get to know it was her who was hiding behind that armor..." Sona didn't even need to continue.

"It would end badly for her, and maybe us as well..."

Some parties would go even that far to send nasty people after Gillian. Now, both Rias and Sona were extra glad the girl didn't reveal her face, it would make it hard to trace her.

"Gillian not being part of any peerage makes it hard to protect her if anyone decides to go after her." Albeit Rias doubted she really needs any protection, it is better to be safe than sorry.

"If she were part of any of our Peerages, or even if her engagement with Sona was officially confirmed, the influence of our families would be enough to deter anyone from attacking her, but like this?"

Even if Gillian is attacked in the open, other devils could say she was just a human who posed a threat to their species as a whole, and they just dispatched this threat before growing greater.