Before leaving the academy, Kiyoshi decided to meet someone. His target was in the infirmary along with the others who had dropped out of the match. Entering the office, the half—demon could see both the Gremory and Phenex groups, as well as the Sitri, who were treating the injured.
The person who entered immediately attracted everyone's attention. The first to approach him was Raiser, accompanied by his sister.
— Is what you said to Ravel true? — the blond asked in a serious tone.
— That's true, — Zankoku confirmed, — but that doesn't mean anything. I have my own family and home. So I have nothing to do with your clan and the demons.
— I understand, but I still have to tell my father about this.
— Brother? — Ravel exclaimed upon hearing his words.
— I understand. I opened up fully aware of the consequences.
While the relatives were talking among themselves, surprised glances were directed at them. Just a moment ago, they were fighting each other, and now they were chatting calmly. Among all the people watching, one girl was looking straight at the leader of Hyakki Yakou.
Biting her lip in disappointment, Akeno was deep in thought. Kiyoshi only glanced at her briefly before turning away. Himejima could see the indifference in his gaze. This behavior of her lover appeared during the Rating Game, when she faced the queen of Riser. Only after the battle began, Akeno realized the reason for his cool attitude, and now she confirmed it. Before the game, he gave her advice that she did not pay attention to. Himejima did not think her opponent was strong, and she almost paid for it. The fight with Yubelluna turned out to be dangerous, if she had not already used the phoenix tears after Zankoku's attack, then Akeno could have lost. The girl understood — she completely screwed up.
Having finished the short conversation, Kiyoshi headed towards a certain bed on which the recently reincarnated demon lay. A former nun sat next to the unconscious boy, squeezing his right hand.
— How is he? — Zankoku's voice made the blonde shudder.
— His wounds have already been treated, but he spent too much energy, so he will sleep for a while longer. — The girl blurted out in excitement, afraid of the man in front of her. The bloody scenes in the church were fresh in her memory.
— I see, — the young man answered monosyllabically and touched Hyodo's left hand.
For a moment, Zankoku's eyes darkened, but when his vision returned, a completely different picture was already before him. Instead of an infirmary, there was a plain with a volcano in the center. Approaching the crater, the half—demon could see a huge silhouette calmly floating in a lake of lava.
Sensing the approach of the unknown, the dragon's head turned towards the troublemaker. A large European dragon covered in red scales emerged from its bath.
— You are not my host, — the dragon's voice boomed, — so why are you here?
— Greetings, Red Dragon Emperor. My name is Kiyoshi Zankoku, — the young man introduced himself, — and I am here to talk.
— And what do you wish to talk to me about?
— Let's say I have an idea on how to get you out of this machine.
After a brief silence, the mental landscape shook:
— GRRRRRR, — a terrifying roar emanated from Ddraig. — Do you understand what you are telling me, crossbreed? I was sealed by the Bible God and have spent many centuries searching for a way to free myself, — the dragon's voice was full of rage. — Do you really think that if I couldn't find a solution in centuries, then some demon-human hybrid who is a couple of decades old could?
"Pride of the dragons" — Kiyoshi chuckled to himself. The outburst of emotion from his interlocutor was not something surprising to the young man. He understood how it looked to Red, but that was why he continued:
— That's right, — he said with a condescending smile. In response, a clot of flame flew at him. — Fire cannot harm me.
— So you are the descendant of the fire chicken, then... — Ddraig took a deep breath and prepared to release his most destructive flame. Only the Dragon Gods and his eternal enemy can withstand it. — Incinerating Flame of Blazing Inferno.
Zankoku felt that if he were to get hit by this attack, he would instantly die. So he used the power of his mechanism. A wall of purple flames appeared in the path of the fire breath. Although it could not contain the power of the Dragon Emperor's attack, it gave Kiyoshi time to dodge.
— Holy Flame? — The dragon stopped in surprise. — Incinerating Hymn, but those with demon blood cannot use it. Unless...
Kiyoshi watched as Ddraig was lost in his thoughts, muttering something under his breath.
— HA-HA-HA. Wonderful! Just wonderful! — the dragon laughed cheerfully. — Kiyoshi, right? I'm ready to listen to your proposal.
Without paying much attention to his change of mood, the blond told his idea:
— I want to make a contract with you: in exchange for releasing you from the mechanism and resurrecting you, you will fulfill my three wishes.
— Hmmm... How confident are you in your method?
— 80-90 percent that everything will be successful. Only I cannot guarantee the survival of your current host, — Kiyoshi decided to clarify right away.
— Too bad. Although he is weak, his will is strong. I need time to think.
— Okay, but please keep everything said here a secret from the others, — the young man asked. — If any of the demons find out about this, they can hinder me or get rid of me altogether.
— I Ddraig Goh, the Red Dragon Emperor, swear that I will not tell about our conversation, — the dragon said majestically. — Is that enough?
— Yes, Ddraig. More than enough, — Kiyoshi smiled. — Then I bid you farewell. As soon as you decide, let me know.
Opening his eyes, Zankoku found himself in the real world again. Despite the long conversation in Hyodo's subconscious, only a couple of seconds had passed in reality.
— Get away from him! — Rias said, approaching Issei's bed. — Why did you even come here? — the demoness looked at the blond with anger. — You were talking so nicely with Raiser. You probably conspired with him and want to harm my servant as well.
— Rias, calm down, — Sona tried to stop her friend. — You're emotional right now.
— What, Rias?! You saw how he talked to them as if nothing had happened.
— Ehh, — Kiyoshi sighed heavily. He was fed up with everything. He gave vent to his irritation:
— Listen to me, girl: if you're having a bad day and, in general, your life is crap — don't take it out on me. Use your brain, if you have one. Why would I harm your servant in front of so many witnesses? — the young man looked at Rias, not hiding his disgust for her. — When you lack strength and intelligence, you shouldn't blame others for it.
Not wanting to stay in this place any longer, the half—demon went to the exit. Catching Grayfia's gaze, he spoke to her:
— I fulfilled my part of the contract. I'm waiting for my reward at my house tomorrow, — receiving a nod from the maid, Kiyoshi turned to his brother and sister, — Bye Raiser and good luck with such a bride. Bye Ravel.
Raiser smiled crookedly, looking at his angry sister. Before calling her by name, Kiyoshi mouthed "auntie", which enraged the girl.
***
Kiyoshi sprawled in his chair and twirled a card in his hands. A couple of days ago, along with his reward, he received an invitation to a wedding from the head of the Phoenix family himself. It was this invitation that was now in the hands of the half-demon. Having finished playing around, he poured his demonic power into the summoning seal. An identical magic circle lit up on the floor in the room.
— You finally summoned me. I thought you weren't coming, — said Raiser, who had appeared. He looked around, — Are you alone?
— Yes. I don't want to risk taking my family with me, — Zankoku answered bluntly. — You know, demons shouldn't be trusted at all. I know from my own experience, — the young man added with a chuckle.
— Ha, as you wish. Shall we go? — Kiyoshi silently stood next to his uncle in response and they moved.
They both found themselves in a luxuriously furnished room. After which Raiser led him through the castle to another office, giving him a tour along the way. The end point of the route was the clan leader's office. Together with the owner of the office himself, his other sons were in the room.
After a short verbal prelude, the conversation itself moved on to the main topic:
— As I said earlier: I only nominally belong to the Phenex clan because of the blood flowing in my veins. In fact, I have no ties to your house and I don't plan to, — the half-demon shared his position. — I am Kiyoshi Zankoku, the leader of Hyakki Yakou, one of the confidants of the leader of the Youkai faction, as well as the Shinto faction.
— So the underworld and demons mean nothing to you? — asked the eldest son and heir of the house.
— Absolutely! — Kiyoshi confirmed with a smile. — Since such a lucky opportunity with the rating game came up, I decided to clarify everything right away so that there would be no misunderstandings in the future.
— Okay. Then we'll end it here, — concluded the head of the clan. After which he showed a good—natured smile. — Please stay for the ceremony and enjoy the evening.
— I don't mind, but you understand that with Sirzechs' character, everything won't be that simple, right?
— Yes. Many people know that Lucifer, as well as Leviathan, are obsessed with their sisters.
— Then I'll gladly stay for the rest of the evening.
A large number of guests had arrived for the wedding ceremony. It's not every day that such important families form an alliance. The aristocrats and their entourage had gathered in the large banquet hall, waiting for the ceremony to begin. Zankoku was also among this crowd, simply enjoying the food and drinks offered to the guests.
He didn't care about the demons present here. The only ones he could have a profitable partnership with were the Phoenixes. Their phoenix tears were one of the best healing products in the entire supernatural world, and Kiyoshi wouldn't mind getting them at his disposal. Even a small amount on a regular basis would be very useful for the youkai and the Shinto faction.
As the time approached for the ceremony to begin, the half-demon noticed Rias's entourage slowly moving towards the entrance. At that moment, the huge closed doors swung open, revealing a single figure.
— President! — Hyoudou Issei appeared, shouting at the top of his lungs.
The murmurs of the nobles spread throughout the hall. Issei was tried to be detained by the guards, but Kiba and Akeno stood in their way. After his path was clear, the bearer of the boosted gear shouted one of his stupidities:
— The virginity of the president, Rias Gremory-sama, belongs to me!
At that moment, Kiyoshi fought the urge to just shoot this idiot on the spot. He couldn't understand how someone could be such a perverted cretin.
The guests present became animated, trying to figure out the essence of what was happening before their eyes.
— This performance was organized by me, — the Demon Lord said, calming the guests.
— What does this mean? — the head of the Phenex clan asked angrily.
— I want to make my little sister's engagement party a little more beautiful. Dragon versus Phoenix. The confrontation of legendary creatures. I think it will be the best show for everyone.
After Satan's words, the entire hall fell silent, and then he turned to Hyodo:
— Dragon Bearer, you have my permission. Raiser, can you show off your power for me and those around you one more time?
— Of course, — the blond replied with a smile, trying to hide his irritation. — How can I refuse when you ask in person. You will see the best show before I finally marry and make my betrothed happy tonight.
They set up a battlefield. Before it began, Satan asked Issei:
— Dragon Bearer, what prize do you want if you win?
— Sirzechs-sama! What are you saying?! — Lord Phenex asked indignantly.
— He is also a devil. And for the fulfillment of our wish, we must offer a corresponding reward. So ask for whatever you wish.
Issei was silent for a moment before answering:
— I want this engagement to be called off.
— So be it, — the scarlet—haired man clapped his hands with a smile. — Now, begin...
— Wait! — a voice interrupted the Demon Lord. Everyone turned their attention to the speaker. It was a silver-haired youth, but almost no one present knew his identity. — If the one who interfered with the ceremony receives a reward, then the other side should also receive a reward if they win. Right? Or at least compensation for such a rude appearance for the House of Phenex. Is that fair, or do you have special treatment for Rias Gremory's servant, Sirzechs Lucifer-sama? — Kiyoshi asked with a smile, emphasizing the scarlet-haired man's title. After all, when becoming a Demon Lord, the candidate renounces his family, becoming neutral to everyone.
A confirming hum was heard among the demons, causing Sirzechs to smile wryly.
— That's right, — the Demon Lord nodded kindly, — What do you want if you win, Raiser?
The blond looked at Zankoku with gratitude before answering:
— I want to leave my request for the future.
— Okay. Then begin.
The center of the huge hall was cleared and became the arena for the battle. The high demons present had cast many barriers to protect the surrounding area from stray projectiles. Everyone was eagerly awaiting the upcoming battle.
In the center, Raiser Phenex and Hyoudou Issei stood opposite each other. The signal to begin was given. The brown-haired man declared that he would defeat Raiser in ten seconds. His left arm with the amplification mechanism glowed red. After a blinding flash, Issei appeared in full closed red armor. At the moment of transformation, Kiyoshi felt the energy of a dragon from Hyoudou's hand, not a demon like before.
After the forced activation of the balance breaker, Hyoudou became many times stronger. He began to attack Raiser at an incredible speed. Each of his blows carried enormous force, destroying the enemy's body. However, all his efforts were in vain. The blond calmly regenerated the damage and attacked in response.
Ten seconds passed. The armor dissipated, and they switched places. Now Raiser mercilessly beat Issei, dealing numerous blows to his opponent's body. In the end, he grabbed Hyodo by the neck again. At that moment, the teenager smiled maliciously and struck with a cross clutched in his fist.
The demons watching the fight were caught off guard. They did not understand how a lower demon could hold and use such things. Even more surprising was the holy water in the hands of Ddraig's bearer. Issei enhanced its property with his mechanism and splashed it on Raiser's face.
The blond could not hold back a scream from the burning pain. His regeneration could not cope with this. The fire flared up in an attempt to heal, but quickly died down due to the enhanced properties of the water. The match ended there, allowing Raiser to be taken away for healing.
Zankoku didn't bother to watch the winner. Instead, he headed towards his uncle. The half-demon wasn't going to let this guy suffer unjustly.