Grayfia looked at her hand for a few seconds before a small healing spell closed the wound.
Then she raised her eyes and looked at the two of them.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"Enough."
Her voice was not loud.
But everyone immediately fell silent.
Even Rizer.
Even Issei.
"I do not care who started this, who insulted whom, or who was right." Grayfia declared coldly. "This conflict ends here."
Rizer clicked his tongue.
"Tch."
Issei crossed his arms.
"Tch."
Grayfia looked at the two of them.
"...Why did you both make the same sound?"
Neither of them answered.
The maid sighed.
These two had the maturity of children.
"Lord Rizer, control your temper."
"Hmph."
"Hyoudou Issei, put away your weapons."
The last red particles from the stakes disappeared.
"Done."
Grayfia then turned toward Rias.
"Now, regarding the reason for my visit."
Rias's expression became serious.
"Your engagement to Lord Rizer remains valid."
She clenched her fists.
"But..."
Grayfia continued.
"An alternative has been granted."
Rizer smiled.
"A Rating Game."
The room fell silent.
Asia tilted her head.
"Rating... Game?"
Akeno smiled.
"It's a kind of chess game between devils, Asia."
"Chess?"
"That's right. Each piece represents a member of a devil's peerage."
Grayfia nodded.
"The winner of the game will have their wishes granted."
She looked at Rias.
"If Miss Rias wins, the engagement will be canceled."
Rias's eyes widened.
"I... can really do that?"
"Yes."
Rizer crossed his arms.
"And if I win, the marriage will take place immediately."
The atmosphere became heavy.
Rias bit her lip.
She knew Rizer's strength.
His peerage consisted of experienced members.
Her own group...
Was still young.
Then she looked at Issei.
He was distracted.
"...So, does this game have food?" he asked Asia.
"I don't know..." the nun replied.
Rias nearly fell over.
But then she remembered something.
The stakes.
That absurd power.
The speed.
The way he had nearly killed Rizer before anyone noticed.
If he participated...
Maybe...
"Grayfia."
"Yes?"
"I want Hyoudou Issei to participate."
The entire room fell silent.
"Me?"
Issei pointed at himself.
Grayfia frowned.
"That is not possible."
"Why?"
"Because he is not a devil."
Rias opened her mouth.
"But..."
"The rules of a Rating Game require the participants to be members of a devil's peerage."
She looked at Issei.
"And Hyoudou Issei is not a devil piece."
The boy tilted his head.
"So I don't have to participate?"
"No."
"Cool."
He went back to hugging Asia.
"Let's go, Asia."
"Eh?"
"There are weird people here."
A vein popped on Rizer's forehead.
"Wait."
Everyone looked at him.
The smile on the Phoenix heir's face was dangerous.
"I want that commoner in the game."
Grayfia blinked.
"Lord Rizer?"
"I insist."
He pointed at Issei.
"That bastard insulted me, attacked me, and called me a pigeon."
"You're very sensitive," Issei commented.
"SHUT UP!"
Flames erupted around Rizer once again.
Grayfia sighed.
"Lord Rizer..."
"I want to fight him."
He smiled.
"I want to defeat him in front of the entire Underworld."
His smile became cruel.
"I'll crush him before everyone's eyes."
Grayfia thought for a few seconds.
"...There is a possibility."
Everyone looked at her.
"There is an old clause."
Rias's eyes widened.
"A clause?"
"Yes. A non-devil may participate as a guest piece if both Kings agree."
She looked at Rizer.
"Do you accept?"
"Gladly."
Then she looked at Rias.
"And you, Miss Rias?"
Rias hesitated.
She looked at Issei.
He was still hugging Asia.
He didn't seem to understand the seriousness of the situation.
But...
She remembered the stakes.
That monstrous power.
And the feeling she had experienced.
For a moment...
It had truly seemed as if Rizer was going to die.
"...I accept."
Grayfia nodded.
"Then it is decided."
She looked at Issei.
"Hyoudou Issei."
"Hm?"
"You will participate in the Rating Game between House Gremory and House Phoenix."
Silence.
"...What's a Rating Game?"
The entire room went quiet.
Even Grayfia blinked.
"You... weren't listening?"
"No."
"..."
She massaged her forehead.
For the first time since entering the room, she looked tired.
"In short, it will be a battle."
Issei's eyes lit up.
"A fight?"
"Yes."
"Against that pigeon?"
Rizer gritted his teeth.
"Yes."
Issei thought for a few seconds.
Then he smiled.
"That could be fun."
A smile also appeared on Rizer's face.
'I'll crush him.'
Meanwhile, Issei had a completely different thought.
'Finally, I'll get to fight an immortal pigeon.'
Vlad sighed.
-I fear this boy's priorities.-
Satanta started laughing.
Ddraig merely groaned.
(Partner... I have a feeling this game is going to end in disaster.)