Some time has passed since Riser Phenex first stepped foot in Kuoh.
He had arrived a prince. Powerful. But untested.
Now?
He was Governor Phenex no longer just the prodigy of the Phenex Clan, but a name whispered with reverence or fear across factions. Kuoh, once a sleepy town nestled in the folds of Japan, had become a beacon. A jewel of influence.
And at the center of it all was him.
The Phenex Dominion
The skyline had changed. Where once stood family homes and modest businesses, new towers rose elegant, obsidian colored structures inlaid with golden runes and ancient sigils.
Kuoh wasn't merely modernized. It was enchanted.
People walked the streets with ease. There were no robberies. No supernatural incursions. No chaos. Merlin's runes weaved subtly into the foundations of every new building radiated tranquility, lowering aggression, promoting serenity. Most residents never noticed, but they felt it. Peace.
And the crown jewel?
The Phenex Rose Resort.
"Five star?" Rias once asked, during a late evening stroll through its gold veined marble halls.
"Five realms," Riser had answered with a grin.
Hidden lounges catered to fallen, devils, yokai, and even gods on neutral visits. Pools fed by open leyline convergence points offered rejuvenation and clarity. Entertainers ranged from sirens to fae illusionists. And Riser? He often held court there not as a ruler, but as a host.
It was in that space, veiled in luxury and layered magic, that political alliances were born. Battles were won before they began because every king knows the greatest weapon is control of the board, not the blade.
Later a Meeting with the Mayor was due
Kuoh Municipal Hall had changed as well. The human government still operated, of course Riser insisted on the illusion of human still having little if any control. But now, the building had its own warding, subtle demonic surveillance, and a magical elevator that descended to an entire underground wing built for supernatural administration.
Mayor Tanaka stood at the top floor conference room, nervously adjusting his tie as the doors opened.
Riser entered with slow, deliberate steps, coat billowing like flame. Behind him were Artoria and Thalia silent, armored, radiant with a presence that made even trained security lower their eyes.
"Lord Phenex," Mayor Tanaka said, bowing. "A pleasure, as always."
Riser's golden eyes flicked to him, sharp and amused. "Let's skip the pleasantries, shall we?"
A tense silence.
Mayor Tanaka swallowed, but nodded. "Very well."
Riser stepped to the table, conjuring a glowing map above it with a wave. "You govern the day," he said simply. "You keep the humans happy. The elections, the schools, the television. But when night falls, my law rules. That includes supernatural events, territory disputes, religious ceremonies, magical markets, and any non human activity."
Tanaka hesitated. "We, We've already given you law enforcement support, and city surveillance integration. Do you truly need formal recognition? The people…"
"The people," Riser interrupted gently, "are thriving. Crime is down 87%. Tourism up 600%. Small businesses are booming under my protection. Would you prefer the days when Fallen Angels and strays murdered teenagers in back alleys?"
"No," Tanaka admitted, exhaling.
"Then we have an accord."
The mayor looked at the projection once more, then slowly extended his hand. "For the sake of peace," he said.
Riser took it, firm and final. "For the sake of progress."
The Citadel Command it
The Phoenix Citadel rose just beyond the city an architectural marvel of obsidian and flame tempered steel, guarded by magical sentinels and bounded by leyline anchored wards that pulsed like a heartbeat.
Inside, Riser stood in his strategy chamber, surrounded by his peerage.
Above them, a three dimensional magical map of Kuoh shimmered, showing magical flows, trade routes, demonic energy hotspots, and leyline clusters.
"We control the city," Riser said, arms crossed. "But control is not secure at much I want it to be. Not yet."
He gestured to a glowing region near the eastern shrine.
"I want a new hotel here. Modest. Not as grand as the Phoenix Rose. Think exclusivity shrine spirits, divine diplomats, Shinto visitors."
"On it," Kaijin said, scratching notes on a metallic scroll. "I'll pull the land deeds tonight."
"Another hotel here," Riser pointed to the financial district. "Upscale. Business focused. Merlin make sure it channels subtle ambition. Let visitors want to make deals here."
Merlin lazily floated above the room in a semi transparent projection, sipping wine. "So you want them ambitious but calm, competitive but not hostile , hmmm, that's a tricky spell, darling. But I am brilliant."
"Just make it happen," Riser said with a smirk.
He turned to Rias and Akeno, both standing nearby in enchanted uniforms stylized attire mixed with courtly trim.
"You'll assist her. Start by weaving protective enchantments on the club's main stage. I want the leyline flow direct and stable. No instability when gods walk in for drinks."
Akeno bowed, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. "As you command, my Governor."
Rias hesitated, then added, "We'll make sure it shines, Riser."
Their eyes met for a moment just a flicker but it said much. She was proud. Curious. Still wary of how far he might go.
"Thalia, Artoria," Riser said next. "Scout the port city to the west. Quietly. I want assessments: defenses, infrastructure, leadership weaknesses. We move without bloodshed, but make no mistaken it will be ours."
Thalia gave a sharp nod. "It will be done."
Artoria tilted her head. "And if they resist?"
"Then we offer prosperity," Riser said coolly. "And if that fails we remind them what fire means."
Daryun you're with me always by my side protecting me from the shadows.
As my king commands it he said
The Phenex Legacy
That night, Lord Phenex the patriarch himself visited.
No parade. No announcement.
He walked the streets of Kuoh alone, marveling at the mix of ancient magic and sleek technology. He passed a child eating ice cream outside a yokai friendly shop, and a trio of Fallen Angels sipping sake at a human bar.
When he reached the Citadel gates, they opened silently. No guards dared stop him.
Inside, Riser stood waiting, alone in his throne room. He wore no armor just a black shirt and gold trim vest, his eyes glowing faintly.
"Father," he said with a nod.
"My boy," Lord Phenex replied, gazing at the chamber's burning braziers and enchanted banners. "This is beyond what I imagined."
"You doubted me?"
"How can I, you came from me." He laughed
Riser stepped down from the dais, standing level with the man who once ruled over him. "This is just one city," he said. "A seed. I'll use it to grow influence. Control the Rating Games. Guide noble devils. Ally with gods. Reshape the Underworld."
The older man chuckled softly. "Through fear?"
"No," Riser said, eyes hard. "Through order. Through prosperity. Through offering the one thing none of them can deny, a better world."
Lord Phenex studied him for a long moment. Then smiled.
"You will become more than I ever dreamed, my son."
Riser turned, looking out the window as the city shimmered under the stars.
"No," he said softly. "I will become more than this world has ever dared imagine."