Anger, rage, fury and loathing.
Every hateful emotion one could possibly comprehend was rampaging within Riser Phenex.
He thought he'd get off lightly but now his own sister would have to pay the price for his actions.
The worst thing about it was that the King of Devils had already agreed to this request! Meaning there was nothing he could do about it.
Riser was about to object, when another blond spoke up. Apparently, Riser wasn't the only one who was opposed to this decision.
"I object!" The refuting cry came. Everyone turned their gaze toward the one who spoke. And they were surprised to see who it was.
"It's him! The Spear Hero!" One of the onlookers exclaimed. And true to his word, it was Motoyasu Kitamura Phenex that raised his voice.
He glared at Issei hatefully before fixing his gaze upon the King of Devils." I have kept quite throughout this entire event. But no more! My King, Ravel is my betrothed. My fiancee! Do you really intend to allow this? After I swore my service to Hell and worked so diligently to protect it. Do you wish to have the only thing I have ever requested, taken from me by this...this atrocious man!?" He pointed at Issei with loathing ever present on his face.
Sirzechs looked to Motoyasu and shook his head." Spear Hero, while I can understand your plight. Understand that according to Devil law, Ravel is Riser's servant. Even if she is of the same house and status. Being apart of his peerage marks her as his servant.
And under that same law, Issei is entitled to request her as compensation for the crime Riser committed." Sirzechs replied.
"So I'm just suppose to sit back as he takes my bride!? Forgive me my king, but I can not abide by this. Surely there must be a way to stop this. If there is, please convey it to me. You're subject humbly requests of his king for his assistance." Motoyasu bowed as a testament to his sincerity.
Sirzechs looked at Motoyasu and smiled lightly. Though it was a roundabout method, he had finally obtained a good source of entertainment.
'So why not keep the show on a little while longer?' He thought amused.
"Indeed. There is a way. According to the law pertaining to marriages, if a master or a devil of high status wishes to wed another devil's servant, then they must either receive the master's permission or challenge the master for the right to free the servant and wed them afterward." Sirzechs declared.
Issei took a glance at the Devil King and could tell at first glance.' He planned for this, didn't he!?' Unknowingly, Issei frowned. The mere thought that he was nothing more than entertainment to this man made his pride shake!
A sudden urge to fight the red haired devil filled Issei, but that was soon suppressed by the [Calm Mind] skill.
A subtle sigh escaped his lips as he realised he was on the edge of charging at the King of Devils!
'I didn't think it would have this strong an effect. My transitioning into a perfect dragon vessel is causing all my dragonic traits to heighten.
My emotions are also becoming more intense. Luckily I have the shield to protect my mind from influence, otherwise I might get overwhelmed by it all.' Issei thought as he realised the true danger of his cultivation technique.
"Now just imagine what it is like to be a REAL dragon! Your emotions are so intense that small matters that would usually irritate you causes you to go on a rampage!
It's one of the reason's I am glad to be in a spiritual form. Free from the influence of my dragon body, I can finally think and act freely." Ddraig commented.
While Issei was having his internal discussion with Ddraig, both Riser and Motoyasu took a glance at both their betrothed. Their desire for their betrothed was only matched with their hatred for the man that stood in their way.
As they turned to Issei, both Riser and Motoyasu smirked." He is nothing more than a man. Defeating him will be no more than child's play." Riser declared.
" Indeed but the question now, is which of us will challenge him first? Surely, the law will allow him to face us at different times and settings, thus only one of us will be able to challenge him now." Motoyasu voiced his concerns.
Riser snickered." Why do you speak as though you know not the answer. Of course Riser will be the first to challenge him!" Riser narrowed his eyes at Motoyasu. Clearly he wasn't going to debate the matter. This was his wedding after all. It would be humiliating for him to have to postpone the wedding and apologise to all the guests.
His pride would never allow it!
But Motoyasu was concerned for another matter." While I understand your position, I implore you to remember, Ravel will still have to go with him even if you win. She'll have to stay with him until I challenge him.
She is your sister. While I can understand you not wanting to lose face in front of the underworld, Rias is but merely your betrothed. Being separated from her for a while longer will not change a thing.
But Ravel...she is already paying for your crimes, do you really intend to choose Rias over your own after you placed her in this predicament?" Motoyasu questioned his future brother-in-law.
The entire weight of this decision was placed on Riser's shoulders.
Choosing his betrothed would mean he'll be perceived as the one who had forsaken his own blood.
Choosing his sister would mean he'd have to cancel his wedding and humble himself to apologise to the guests. He'd be known as the one who had his wife stolen at his own wedding and become the laughing stock of the underworld.
Riser clenched his teeth. No matter which way he decided to go, he'd still lose face.
But seeing them bickering over who'd get to fight him, Issei decided to put an end to the fiasco entirely.
"Enough already!" Issei commanded and immediately drew the attention of his two challengers.
Staring them down with annoyance ever present in his eyes, Issei spoke." If you are that worried about who'd get to fight me, then I'll do you both a favor and take you both on!" He declared.
This proclamation evoked gasped reactions from the crowds.
Whispers and chatter filled the hall as the quests voiced their thoughts regarding Issei's bold proclamation
"This man...this single man, is going to take on both the heir to the house of Phenex and the infamous Spear Hero!" The first guest exclaimed in disbelieve.
"He must be either crazy strong or crazy stupid to challenge both of them..." One of the guests remarked.
"If you ask me, I think he is underestimating the Phenex heir and the Spear Hero." A council member added.
"Is he serious!?"
"Does he have a secret that'll allow him to take them both on?"
"I think that may be the case."
And so the guests continued questioning Issei's choice and pondering over wether or not he had a secret that gave him such confidence before his two adversaries.
But the two challengers weren't as awestruck as the audience. In fact, they were fuming with rage.
"Clearly he is mocking us!" Riser declared in outrage.
"Wether he is or not, he'll pay for the insult. Only one of us is needed to finish him off. But both? We'll destroy him completely!" Motoyasu added as he clenched his spear harder.
Issei chuckled at their reply before turning to the King of Devils with amusement ever present on his face." Well then. What are we waiting for?" His smirked was met with a smile.
~♡~
The underworld gazed on as three warriors took up their places in a synthetic world.
A realm crafted for combat, expanding over a distance of ten kilometres with an ancient arena at its centre.
The combat arena in this separate space was where Issei, Riser and Motoyasu found themselves.
Riser was clad in his Phenex armor consisting of golden shoulder guards a golden chest plate bearing the face of a Phenex, forearm guards as well as leg guards. The white leather suit beneath his armor was thin and yet durable, and only added to his regal appearance.
Next to him stood Motoyasu. Clad in his own armor consisting out of his white suit with red highlights, armor guards for his shoulder, arms, legs and feet. He grasped his spear in his right hand. Gripping it tightly as he readied himself for combat.
Opposite of the two blonds, Issei stood in the same suit he wore when he came to the wedding. His hands rested behind his back as his green eyes stared at his two adversaries with amusement.
Seeing their adversary not even dawning any armor or weapon, made Riser and Motoyasu sneer.
"Tell me. You who comes to our residence and dares to steal our betrothed. Who are you? Who are you to come here and disrupt the peace of the Phenex household!? Who are you to come and attempt to dishonor the Phenex name!? Who are you, that even the Devil King spoke of highly!? Who are you, that his majesty would allow a man to make demands in the underworld!?
Tell me, who are you!!?" Motoyasu questioned Issei.
This was a question that laid on the hearts of not only the two Phenex clan members, but also the audience watching on from above.
No one knew who Issei truly was and that has caused them to be cautious.
He saved the princesses of both the Gremory and Sitri clans. He saved their territory from demise. He is acknowledged by the King of Devils. And he has the confidence to walk into a gathering of highly powerful devils and dares to make demands.
Either he is extremely powerful, or utterly suicidal!
But as they pondered on this, Issei replied." Motoyasu, you have been a devil so long that you can't even recognise one of your own? Why don't you take a look with your observation, and tell them who I am!" He told his adversary.
Motoyasu rose a brow at his statement.' One of my own...?' He thought as he narrowed his eyes, activating his observation skill and glancing at the status bars that floated above Issei's head.
Almost instantly, his eyes widened. But no more than a second later, he burst out laughing!
"So that's why you possess such confidence. You are the Shield Hero!" He exclaimed and caused another wave of shock to spread throughout the hall.
"The Shield Hero! Are you kidding!"
"No wonder he was so arrogant. Poor fool, does he even know that the shield is the weakest among the four heroes?"
"Hahahahahaha.....you're...telling me, that we were cautious of that weakling?"
"I wouldn't underestimate a Cardinal Hero, but the shield is known for being the weakest. On top of that, it isn't known to grant its holder any offensive skills. Only defensive ones. So he really shouldn't have been so arrogant." One of the elders threw in her opinion.
The audience continued to criticize the Shield and Issei for being its bearer. Non spoke in favor of the Shield. Rather, they started praising their luck and the Devil King's wisdom for obtaining the Spear Hero, who has always been known to be the most powerful among the Four Heroes.
"Is master going to be alright?" Rimuru asked Eto as they too, watched on from the audience. Rimuru was knew to Issei's team and hadn't yet witnessed his master's strength. Which is why seeing Issei up against two individuals as powerful as Riser and Motoyasu, made him a bit worried.
Knowing this, Eto replied." You haven't yet witnessed his strength. That's why you are questioning his abilities. But do not forget. You are a slime. Weakest among all the supernatural races. And yet, he made you so powerful that you can even defeat demons, who stand entire realms above the slimes.
In all of creation there is only one of you. No other. And it is due to him. Your master.
If he can make the weakest being so powerful, just think of how powerful he himself must be." She concluded with a smile and ruffled Rimuru's hair before turning back to look at the arena.
"Just wait and watch. Master will be fine." She added. Rimuru's looked at the confident smile plastered on Eto's face before he too, turned his gaze to the arena.
And even then, his gaze fell upon the confident smile of his master. He didn't notice it at first, but once he regained his self awareness, he realised he too was smiling. And the worry that momentarily clouded his heart, had vanished. Now replaced with deep seated calm and eagerness to witness the strength of his master.
On the other side of the hall, the Gremory peerage members were making their way up to their president as she too, watched the arena with great anticipation.
Rias stood with her arms folded beneath her bosom, gazing up at the screen visible to all. She was deeply concerned as to wether or not Issei could come out victorious.
'The plan was for him to take me away from here as his servant! Why did brother intervene!? And why did he accept!? On top of it all, instead of challenging one of the two he decided to take on both! Does he realise both my and my peerage's fates reside within his hands!?' She thought disturbed at Issei's course of action.
She had agreed to being his servant, because she'd have the backing of both him and his entire group. Ruling over Kuoh would be a simple matter if all the forces within it gathered to support her. Thus she didn't see this as a loss. And if she finds someone she'd want to marry, all she'd had to do is ask Issei to free her from his mark.
Of course she didn't think he'd let an asset like her go that easily, but she'd be willing to offer him whatever he'd want in exchange for it.
That is how she had envisioned the future. But now this happened and immediately she was uncertain of her security.
"President, was it wise to submit yourself to him? Even if it gives us a second chance at getting you out of this marriage, don't you think it might have been a bit too extreme?" Kiba inquired as they reached her.
Rias turned her gaze to her peerage members and sighed." It was the only way I could see for us to be free. I couldn't exactly stand by and watch as my servants got turned into a playboy devil's playthings, now could I? It was a gamble. But it paid off. And now, should Issei win, it'll guarantee our freedom." She replied before turning her gaze back to the screen.
"Life doesn't always leave us with the desired outcome for all our problems. But it does provide a solution. Even if we don't necessarily like it." She added.
The three peerage members glanced at one another with a solemn expression before turning to the screen. Looking at the man that carried their fate upon his shoulders, each member couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards him.
Especially a certain white haired nekomata.' I don't think I'd mind being Issei's servant.' Koneko thought as an image of her in a maids outfit appeared in her mind and instantly caused her to blush.
Her head fell in embarrassment soon after, hiding her blush behind her hair. She thought it went unnoticed, but one person did take note of her sudden behaviour, and smiled.
'It would seem someone is aroused by the idea of being a servent. Guess I'm not the only one hahahahahaha~' Akeno thought to herself as she laughed behind her hand in a mischievous manner.
~♡~
Back in the arena, Issei heard the various mocks and taunts of the audience through his connection to Eto and Rimuru.
But none of it bothered him. In fact, it was a pleasant surprise!
[The negative perk {Looked Down Upon} has been activated!]
[-10 Reputation points with all who support the Spear Hero!]
[-1 000 000 Reputation points in total!]
[Host receives the temporary status: {Underestimated}]
Issei smirked.' This is my first time using this perk. Let's see if it is worth it.' He thought and summoned his shield on his right hand.
" Don't forget partner, you are still limited to the power of the sacred gears. Don't utilise your innate power, otherwise the seal will break." Ddraig reminded his partner.
Issei smiled.' Yeah, I know. But using only the shield to defeat both of them is gonna be tough. I want to hide my identity as the Red dragon emperor for a little while longer so I can't use the boosted gear in this match.' Issei replied.
Certainly it was going to be a tough fight. Both his adversaries were coming at him with their full power, which wasn't a joke mind you:
[Riser Phenex LV89]
[Motoyasu Kitamura Phenex LV75]
Issei was already up for a tough fight. But now, being restrained by the seal and having to hide his power as the Red dragon emperor, will Issei be able to defeat his two adversaries with only the power of his shield?
Find out on the next chapter of The Rising of the Red Dragon Hero!