The Ripper of Kuoh - High School DxD x Record of Ragnarok

...the abyss devours you

3rd Person POV

"Rias dear, you should teach manners to your servants."

"T-they are-"

"Oi, listen close and listen well, cock jockey. The last one who called me 'servant' got a fucking building dropped on them, so you're the one who should have manners on someone else's turf. Oh, one last thing."

Issei summons the Boosted Gear.

"I'm the Red Dragon Emperor, so shut your nonsense before I wipe the floor with your ass and paint the walls with your blood, m'kay?"

You could feel Ddraig's proud noises at his hatchling's disposition.

"Sir, while I do believe that we may seem Miss Gremory's servants - or, as the correct way of saying might be, 'part of her team' - I found your behiavior unbecoming of someone who should lead the masses as a noble. You're here to reclaim Rias Gremory as your contracted wife, yes?"

"Riser is. On his pride, Riser won't let anyone interfere in this matter, and will personally burn all of you to a crisp will he deem necessary to do so."

"I'd like to see you-"

"Ise."

The temperature drops as he puts a hand on his brother's shoulder, to then make his way to Akeno while humming a nursery tone and smiling.

"Miss Akeno, I would be delighted if we could prepare tea together. We should make our guest feel comfortable."

From his tone, Akeno felt that she had no other option than go along with it.

Our POV

"I can see why he is so troublesome, Miss Akeno." I begin, preparing the kettle and a couple of cookies on a little plate.

"Yeah." She gets in a little chuckle. "He's arrogant, spoiled. With no respect for other human beings except for himself and maybe his sister. He's also stupidly powerful, and Satan forbid he manages to have his way with Rias."

One little detail caught my attention. "Sister?"

"Ravel Phenex. Like him, she's cocky, but her cockiness is merely a reflection of her belief her brother is better than anyone else. They share the power of invulnerability that is the namesake of the Phenex household."

"The legendary bird, impressive..."

"Riser! I won't marry you! Why can't you just be happy with your harem!?"

"Rias dear, you're so hilarious! Riser and his family have everything set up with your family, and you will be Riser's bride! For the better of the species as a whole."

Hearing this makes me sigh...humans and devils are truly alike.

"You know, Miss Akeno...you can hate or love people like Sir Riser, but you have to give him credit for one thing."

"What for? What is there to admire from scum like him?"

"One of the most important teachings life has to offer. Remaining true to yourself. Sir Riser knows himself, and is not afraid of who he his, of his heritage, his inherent pride as nobility. While corrupted on how he interacts with others, he doesn't play Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide...I can say this because I hated who I was."

She hiccups, and then asks, voice shaking. "W-what? Why?"

"The awakening of my power caused my parents' death. They died at the hands of the person they loved the most in the world...but I don't grieve on it anymore. My powers are part of who I am, and blaming them would be not accepting myself. I am who I am, and this powers are an inseparable part of my eccentric self."