The old devils' mocking laughter filled the chamber.
"Impossible!"
"How amusing! Has today become April Fool's Day?"
"Nothing but a girl's silly dream!"
"Young people these days! To think the Sitri heiress would speak of such fantasies. Be grateful this is merely a preliminary meeting before your formal debut. If you'd said this publicly, the entire underworld would mock you."
Their condescending chuckles echoed through the hall, treating Sona's lifelong ambition as nothing more than a child's delusion.
Then, without warning,
Shink!
A golden blade materialized from thin air, piercing straight through the chest of the devil who'd laughed most presumptuously.
"What?!"
The old devil stared in horror at the golden sword embedded in his chest. As it dissolved into golden particles, he collapsed to the ground, his legs giving out beneath him.
"Hey! Are you alright? What happened?"
The demon beside him rushed forward to check his condition.
"My... my magic power vanished..."
Terror filled the old devil's eyes. He was a pure-blooded demon at the pinnacle of the highest devil class! How could his power simply disappear?
Could it be... that golden sword?
"It's gone... completely gone!"
The devil examining him swallowed hard. Not only had the victim's magic vanished entirely, but even his physical strength had been reduced to that of a mere human, the very beings they looked down upon!
"Who dares, "
Another old devil shot to his feet, ready to unleash his fury.
But the moment he stood, everyone noticed something deeply wrong. He remained frozen in place, unnaturally still.
Something was definitely amiss! He'd been frozen in time!
Was it a time-stopping Sacred Gear? But Takeyo's artifact was supposed to be the Longinus "World Dragon's Sacred Heart," wasn't it?
Shink!
While time remained frozen, another golden sword pierced through him. As the golden particles dispersed, this devil too collapsed into his seat.
"Perhaps you'd all prefer to observe proper meeting etiquette?" Takeyo casually examined the golden sword in his hand. "Otherwise, my role as defender of order becomes rather challenging."
Just as he could instantly defeat intermediate devils when he'd been at the low class, now at the peak of high-class devil strength, he could easily dispatch ultimate-class devils in seconds.
Silence fell across the chamber. No one dared speak, fearing they'd become the next target. They had no idea how many others might support Takeyo if they acted.
After all, while Takeyo's early ascension had been predetermined long ago, this premature confrontation meant uncertain allegiances. Too few allies stepping forward would make them sitting ducks.
If only a handful emerged, wouldn't they become perfect targets?
"Continue, Sona," Takeyo said, the golden sword dissolving into particles.
"Yes!" Sona nodded firmly.
"I'm completely serious. This is my life's ambition."
Even facing the entire underworld's upper echelon, Sona stood her ground.
Better yet, seeing Takeyo single-handedly silence all opposition, she struggled not to laugh.
Serafall vigorously nodded her approval, though her position as Satan prevented her from openly supporting her sister. Still, worry was evident in her eyes.
Ten seconds passed after Sona's declaration with no response, everyone still wary of Takeyo's potential retaliation.
Finally, another so-called dignitary stepped forward.
"Miss Sona Sitri. Lower-class and reincarnated devils exist to serve higher-class devils, discovering their talents through service to their masters. This is common sense."
"Establishing such an educational institution would undermine families that value tradition and dignity, wouldn't it? Even in this age of reform, some things can change while others cannot. The idea of educating mere lower-class devils has never, "
Just as he gained confidence from Takeyo's silence, someone unexpected interrupted.
"What's wrong with this idea?"
"Giving hope to reincarnated devils beyond pure-bloods, that's how the underworld can truly prosper, isn't it?"
Sairaorg crossed his arms confidently.
"I, Sairaorg, support Sona Sitri's dream. I believe this is an essential path for the underworld's future!"
Sairaorg made his position clear.
Technically, as the current representative of the Great King's interests, he shouldn't have taken sides.
"I also recognize Sona's dream!"
A red-haired girl stepped forward. Since Sairaorg had already declared himself, how could she, as Sona's best friend, remain silent?
Well... despite having stolen her best friend's man...
"Does Miss Rias think so too?"
The united front of Rias, Sona, and Sairaorg made some uncomfortable.
While one young devil might be dismissed, these three each had powerful backing.
The lower tiers erupted in hushed discussion.
Perhaps due to Takeyo's earlier intimidation, they kept their voices low.
Seeing the disdain and contempt on their faces, Serafall finally reached her limit.
Though Ajuka kept signaling with his eyes to let Takeyo handle everything, she stood up decisively.
"Fine then! If my Sona wins beautifully in a Rating Game, everyone will accept it, right? Great achievements in the games can accomplish anything!"
Serafall's sudden proposal shocked everyone present.
As for Serafall herself, she puffed her cheeks indignantly.
"Really! All you old uncles ganging up on our Sona! My patience has limits! Bully her too much and I'll bully you right back!"
With tears threatening in her eyes, Serafall protested to the elder devils, genuinely upset as if she herself had been bullied.
The devils facing Satan Leviathan's fury were completely flustered, eyes wide with confusion. As for Sona, she was covering her face in embarrassment.
Sister... why are you always like this?
They'd probably lived too long, their minds grown rigid.
"Perfect timing for a game then. A tournament between the new generation."
Sirzechs smiled diplomatically.
"Rias Gremory, Sona Sitri, Sairaorg Bael, Diodora Astaroth..."
"How about the six of you compete?"
"I'd originally planned to arrange a game for Rias soon anyway. Additionally, Azazel has been recruiting Rating Game enthusiasts from various factions to observe exhibition matches before the new generation's formal debut. The timing couldn't be better."
"Let them present spectacular games, it's important for determining how the devil industry and outside world view us."
Rias exhaled with relief, then smiled provocatively at Sona. The president's expression turned equally competitive! She showed her full fighting spirit!
They both knew they'd meet eventually.
Because Takeyo had registered with Ajuka as belonging to both their peerages.
As long as Takeyo participated, neither could lose.
So their confrontation was inevitable.
"Speaking of which, this could also settle the marriage contract between the Sitri heiress and the young master Astaroth," an old devil on the second floor added.
His words had barely finished when brilliant golden light erupted from above!
Takeyo's eyes narrowed dangerously. He was certain he'd heard correctly.
Sirzechs had mentioned playing games.
Then this fool mentioned a lady from House Sitri and someone from House Astaroth?
There was only one possible interpretation!
"Sona?" Takeyo's questioning gaze turned to her.
Why had she never mentioned this?
An engagement?
Hadn't Sona already broken her original engagement through chess, declaring she'd never marry someone less intelligent than herself?
So... Diodora had arranged a marriage contract with Sona after that?
"Yes."
Facing Takeyo's confusion, Sona nodded gently.
Actually, she'd tried to tell him after final exams. She'd thought about explaining everything then.
Unfortunately, Takeyo had finished early and gone off happily with Xenovia.
After waiting, with unexpected events occurring, Sona had panicked and postponed the discussion.
Seeing Sona's confirmation, Takeyo shook his head helplessly.
Really... why hadn't he noticed sooner?
Perhaps he'd been too focused on studying and searching for Ingvild lately, or perhaps because he hadn't used Krishna's power to read Sona's heart.
"Indeed... recently, Diodora Astaroth formally requested a marriage contract with House Sitri, and the Sitri patriarch personally agreed," someone explained.
Diodora stepped forward, bowing elegantly to the assembly.
His refined manners might fool first impressions into thinking him a perfect gentleman.
But Takeyo knew the filth hiding beneath that facade, corruption so vile he wouldn't bother reading it even with Krishna's power.
The very thought disgusted him.
This wasn't actually their first encounter.
When he'd met Asia and Ophis earlier, he'd noticed Diodora lurking nearby, watching.
However, considering potential future benefits, he hadn't eliminated him then.
Now the pest had delivered himself.
Moreover, unlike the original timeline, Diodora had somehow negotiated a marriage contract with the Sitri patriarch without Takeyo's knowledge?
Quite the proactive little schemer.
Presumably, he planned to kill Takeyo during the Rating Game, right? He simply hadn't expected the Satan to decide on games before Sona could inform Takeyo.
"Your Excellency Takeyo, would you compete with me for Lady Sitri's hand?"
Diodora smiled graciously.
"Since Lady Sitri seems to disagree with our marriage contract, I hope to demonstrate in battle that I possess the strength to win her heart."
"So we're determining Sona's future through a game? Since she's set these terms, I won't interfere."
Takeyo smiled back.
He knew Sona must have exhausted other options before resorting to this ultimatum.
And Diodora had sought out the Sitri patriarch for this marriage contract specifically to ensure he'd face Takeyo.
As for why House Sitri agreed?
Takeyo didn't need to think hard about that.
Obviously, they knew Sona was competing with Rias, and Rias had already dramatically stolen Takeyo at her engagement party, while Sona's side remained quiet.
"Such meaningless scheming," Takeyo muttered internally.