Riser Phenex isn't a villain

Unlike other devils, Rias Gremory's identity was special. Not only was she the heiress of the Gremory House, but her older brother was also Maou, Sirzech Lucifer.

Now, what is Maou?

Maou is the strongest devil.

The one who stands on the top among the devils.

Moreover, Rias was being pampered by the two. As long as it was within their power, they would do anything to make her happy. Naturally, if she didn't have power, then everything was meaningless. Fortunately, she had an idiotic pawn who would do anything for her, willing to give everything, even his life, to save her.

When he thought about it, was he willing to give his everything to Rias? No. He only came to this world in just a few moments, so how could he give his life to Rias? She might be beautiful, but his life was more important, so that's why no one should know that he wasn't the real Riser.

Well, though, he was sure everyone could tell he had changed somehow.

This change... no one knew whether it was good or not, but Riser's family felt he had become mature now. Many might see him as arrogant, but this was pride as someone that came from a pure-blooded, high-class devil.

Facing a reincarnated devil, even if this person was Sekiryuutei, one should be able to lift their head courageously.

Still, Sirzech had a headache watching Issei, who slumped on the ground and was unable to stand up. He also didn't expect Riser's sudden move that he was willing to kill Issei without any precautions. Yet, when he was about to stand up for Issei, Riser suddenly stopped and made him unable to do anything. It was like he was hitting cotton, feeling extremely helpless.

Frankly, he wanted to make the two fight each other.

A phoenix against a dragon.

With that gimmick, he would make Riser agree to the duel, and Issei, who would win the duel, would be able to get Rias back.

That's the case, but watching Issei, who was in fear, Sirzech felt that it was over, yet how could he give up easily? He doted on his little sister a lot, and when he thought Rias was about to marry someone she didn't like, he also didn't want it since he wanted her to be happy.

Riser might be someone brimming with talent, especially among the young devils.

Even Sirzech could see that.

Moreover, the significance of this marriage was also extremely important as devils were small in numbers, especially after that war, so having two pure devils marry each other would bring a boost and confidence to everyone.

Yet... yet...

His little sister's happiness was the most important.

'Issei-kun, are you going to give up?'

'H-Huh?'

Issei, who was sitting on the ground because of fear, was dumbfounded.

"Who-Who are you?"

Issei was surprised since he could hear the voice of someone in his mind, so he answered this question out loud subconsciously.

Everyone was confused and thought that this guy had gone crazy.

However, Riser stared at the devilish handsome devil with crimson red hair like Rias.

Still, as a devil, Sirzech was also shameless, so he just ignored Riser's stare as he continued to talk with Issei through telepathy.

'Do you want Rias to marry him? Do you want to see Rias's virginity eaten by him? Do you want to see your beloved's master's breasts are going to be played by him every day? Issei-kun, are you going to give up? Issei-kun, are you alright with this?'

"NOOOOOOO!"

As expected of the protagonist, Issei quickly stood up from his stupor, especially when he thought Rias's body would be played by Riser every day!

That thought alone was enough to kill him!

Dammit!

I won't let him!

I won't let this guy succeed!

"Buchou's virginity is mine!"

Issei roared once again, causing the audience to fall into silence.

Riser stared at Issei for a while, then looked at Rias, whose expression was complicated. "So, what do you think?"

"Ah, um, eh?" Rias was stunned since she didn't expect to be questioned by Riser.

"Your slave told everyone that your body is his. What do you think about this?"

"...."

Rias didn't know what to say at that moment.

Or rather, what should she say?

Frankly, she felt that Riser had changed, and it was so hard to tell what he was thinking.

As for Issei? It was hard to say if she was moved since Issei's words were just too vulgar. However, there was no doubt Issei's words were rude, especially when it was said in front of all the people with high positions in the devil world.

Her mind was a mess as she was unable to answer this question.

"I..."

"You bastard!"

Issei was stupid. He didn't know anything, but for one thing, he knew that Riser had made Rias cry!

So he wouldn't forgive him for that!

Moreover... moreover... that bastard had stolen Rias's first kiss!

"Lady Rias, what's the meaning of this?"

Everyone started to question Rias as, at this moment, she appeared incompetent for not being able to control her slave.

Yes, a slave.

For the devils with a high position, those reincarnated devils were nothing but slaves.

Issei might be Sekiryuutei, the owner of the Boosted Gear, but in the eyes of the pure-blood devils, he was nothing but a slave.

Issei also thought so and even felt proud of it as he could become the slave of Rias Gremory.

"I..."

Still, without a doubt, not being able to control her slave and even let him cause trouble for this important event meant that she was incompetent in the eyes of everyone.

"It's an event that I organized."

Sirzech, who had been talking with Issei, suddenly talked, trying to help his little sister.

"Onii-sama."

Rias looked at Sirzech in surprise, but Issei was dumbfounded since he didn't expect Sirzech to be Rias's older brother.

"I wanted to see the power of the Dragon, so I asked Grayfia."

Grayfia.

Riser looked at the silver-haired beauty in a maid uniform while standing at the back.

Grayfia also noticed Riser's gaze and bowed her head.

He rolled his eyes and thought that he might as well cut this engagement because of how troublesome it was.

"S-Sirzech-sama?! You can't do something irresponsible like this!"

Yes, irresponsible.

While only some voiced their opinions, everyone looked at Sirzech with panic and displeased.

However, Sirzech's power was there.

As a supernatural being, the most important thing was power, so Sirzech, who was the strongest, made everyone feel helpless.

"That should be fine. The [Rating Game] from last time was very entertaining. But it was a bit of a disadvantage for my little sister, who had no game experience, to face off against Riser-kun, a prodigy from the House of Phenex."

Everyone wasn't stupid, and they could tell the meaning behind his words.

"...so Sirzech-sama, you are saying that the last game wasn't fair?"

"No, no, not at all. If a Maou such as myself says such a thing, then I would make the old nobles appear in disgrace. The connection between high-class devils is important after all."

Sirzech said those words with a smile, but everyone could tell that he was trying to help Rias.

"Then, Sirzech. What do you want to do about it?"

A middle-aged man with crimson hair asked Sirzech.

From his appearance, it was easy to tell that he was Rias's father.

"Father. I want to make my cute little sister's engagement party into a flashy one. A battle of a dragon versus a phoenix. Don't you think it's the ultimate event? Stir up the party by having a battle between legendary creatures. There isn't any entertainment which can surpass this."

Sirzech then looked at Issei. "Sekiryuutei-kun. You have our permission." Then he looked at Riser. "Riser, can you show me your power once more right in front of Rias and me?"

Hearing Sirzech's wish, Riser shook his head and said, "No, I refuse."

"........" Sirzech.

---

Frankly, while Riser is the villain in the beginning, I feel sorry for this guy's life in the novel somehow.