PoV — Gilgamesh
I looked at Rias Gremory with clear disdain.
A spoiled, foolish girl like her was unworthy of respect. She was nothing more than a selfish princess playing dress-up in the prestige of her family name. It was unfortunate that only Venelana Gremory kept any real restraint on her behavior. With no one else capable of guiding her, she had grown into the stereotypical rebellious noble — privileged, sheltered, and painfully naive.
"Are you deaf, little girl?"
"What do you mean, Gilgamesh-kun? I don't understand the hostility you're directing at me."
Rias forced a stiff smile as she replied.
I snorted coldly, my gaze drilling into her.
"You know exactly what I mean. I've already said it once — you can't keep hiding behind that innocent mask anymore. Did you truly believe I was unaware of your plan to have me killed?"
"But I never—"
"—had such an insidious plan?" I interrupted.
"Then what should I call your attempt to stage my death at the hands of Fallen Angels? Was that not your doing?"
"But… that wasn't me. How can you accuse me without—"
[Rias… are you sure about this?]
The room froze.
A voice echoed throughout the Occult Research Club office.
Akeno's eyes widened the most — it was her voice.
My right hand remained raised at chest level, palm open. Above it floated a tiny crimson magic circle, no larger than my palm.
The voice originated from that circle.
The day I followed Issei's meeting with Raynare, I planted a magical construct — disguised as a ladybug — within the ORC. It recorded everything as instructed.
The playback continued.
[I have no other choice. This is the only way I can think of.]
Rias's voice.
Then Akeno again.
[I understand that orchestrating their death will earn their loyalty after reincarnation. But what if they learn the truth? That you abandoned them? Why not choose a safer method?]
Rias responded.
[There is another way, but they wouldn't trust me immediately. Trust between Master and Servant takes time — and time is what we lack. If they discover the truth later, it may become a problem… but my care and affection should lessen the impact. The Gremory family is known for treating servants as family. Even if the truth emerges, they will accept it. I'm sure of it.]
The recording ended.
The magic circle vanished.
I lowered my hand and stared into Rias's stunned expression.
"And to satisfy your curiosity," I said coldly, "I wasn't bluffing when I said I would gladly enjoy a battle with your brother."
"Never dare disrespect my brother, Gilgamesh."
Her voice was sharp — poisonous.
"Disrespect?" I scoffed.
"Was it not you who disrespected everything your brother fought for during the Devil Civil War?"
Confusion crossed her face.
So I continued.
"Do you truly believe your scheme — killing someone to enslave them — is any different from the atrocities committed by devils of the past? Have you considered how hypocritical you sound while defending your brother's legacy yet trampling over his sacrifices?"
My voice sharpened.
"Think. Stop acting like a selfish child and consider the consequences beyond your own desires. Devils are greedy by nature — but excessive greed breeds disaster. You are living proof of that."
Rias bit her lip, frustration burning in her tear-filled eyes.
She couldn't argue.
And I refused to give her time to recover.
I pressed forward relentlessly.
"Your recklessness does not endanger only yourself. Your servants, your family — even your brother — may be dragged into consequences far beyond your control. Do not assume his strength makes him invincible. There are monsters in this world capable of erasing him without effort."
Silence filled the room.
Tears gathered in Rias's eyes — anger and helplessness intertwining.
Even Sona listened closely, absorbing every word.
And I continued.
"I know of your engagement to House Phenex. It is hardly a secret in the Underworld. I also know how strongly you oppose it."
"But have you ever considered that it is your responsibility as heir?"
"The House of Gremory is respected for kindness toward servants — yet in the Underworld, kindness is often mistaken for weakness. Without strong political backing, that perception becomes dangerous."
I paused, letting the weight of those words settle.
"Your family's recent generations have produced little of note within devil society. Your brother's achievements are credited to Lucifer's lineage — not to Gremory itself. The marriage contract exists to secure alliances and stabilize your house's position."
I exhaled slowly.
Discussing Underworld politics was tiresome — but the truth needed to be spoken.
"And your duty as future head is to preserve your house."
"T-there must be another way!" Rias shouted, voice trembling. "I will protect my family and still break this ridiculous engagement!"
I laughed.
Loudly.
Mockingly.
"And how exactly do you intend to accomplish that?"
"Are you as powerful as your brother? Do you possess the intellect of the Sitri heir standing beside you? Can you endure years of suffering and growth like the Bael heir?"
"Will tears solve political reality?"
"I… I will become a Rating Game Champion!" she declared, forcing conviction into her voice. "I will achieve my dream!"
Yet the tears on her face betrayed the strength of those words.
I tilted my head slightly.
"How long?"
"There is…?"
Her confusion earned only a scoff from me.
-------------------------------
Read upto 30 advanced Chapters on www.---patreon.com/Regulus_dragneel
Starting at $5 Remove "---" from link
-------------------------------