The Red Beast Of DxD

Chapter 5

"The price," Rias began, lowering her phone to give the boy a serious look.

"The price is that you reincarnate as a devil, and join my peerage."

"Peerage?" Arata asks, head cocked to the side in confusion, obviously not understanding what she was saying.

"Ah," Asia was the one who spoke up nervously. "It means…"

As the newest devil in the room spoke to the boy, Rias pursed her lips, considering him as well. She had heard of prices like this. It wasn't uncommon at all, actually.

Not all people had the same worth, and the price for some could be different from others, even if they had the same wish.

Sometimes, to serve under the devil who was granting it was the best price to be had.

It usually happened to someone of great skill, or who had a specific talent, or Sacred Gear.

If someone like that, who had an ability, made a wish of some magnitude, then to serve the devil who granted it was the best price for them.

The thing was, she couldn't sense anything from the boy.

Even as she studied him, no Sacred Gear presence revealed itself, no secret or special trait became clear.

He was just an ordinary person, one who had probably been just lucky enough to have some slight knowledge about the supernatural.

It was unlikely that he had done anything heroic, or had any great hidden talent.

And yet still, the price remained the same. It wasn't impossible for her. She had the necessary Evil Pieces left.

Even if reincarnating Issei, her pawn, had taken six pawns she had two left. She still had a rook and a knight as well.

Despite the fact that she could see no reason for it, she found herself curious.

What made the boy special enough that the only price for helping the girl was that he serve her?

"Well?" she finally asked as Asia finished explaining just what a peerage was to the boy.

"You know the price. Are you still willing?"

"Ah," Asia chimed in, putting her hands in front of her earnestly.

"It's not that bad, mister client! Rias-sama is very kind, and she has taken good care of me since I turned too!"

Arata looked at her, conflict obvious in his eyes. And then, he looked at the girl in the bed one more time. The conflict disappeared.

"Do it," he told her, turning back with resolute eyes.

"I don't care if you're the kindest person in the world or the cruelest. I'll do it. Even if I have to serve you forever, that's a cheap price to pay to save her."

"What fine resolution," Rias beamed at him.

Even if he didn't have any outstanding features that she could see, she found herself approving of his attitude.

He was a man who was willing to follow through with his ideals, who cared enough about others to even put himself at risk.

Someone with an attitude like that, who cared so strongly, someone like that would be a fine addition to her peerage!

She could always find someone to train him later, or help him develop the skills he needed to fight in the Rating Games.

"What's your name, you who are soon to serve me?"