GREMORY MANSION – UNDERWORLD
Morning had already advanced in the underworld, and the movement inside the mansion was far smaller than it had been the previous night. Gasper's promotion ceremony had ended as an absolute success for the Gremory House, and now the atmosphere carried that calmer feeling that always came after a major political event. Even so, no one there seemed completely relaxed, because too much had changed in just a single day.
The group waited in the main hall while the final preparations for the return were completed. The servants had already organized the luggage, and even the movement of the maids decreased as time passed.
Asia looked around for a moment before turning her attention back to Gasper, clearly trying to understand why they were still waiting.
"Gasper-kun… what are we waiting for?" She tilted her head slightly, keeping her innocent tone.
"Ravel." Gasper answered without hesitation, keeping his arms crossed while observing the surroundings. "Remember the conversation from that day? I accepted her into my peerage."
Asia blinked a few times, processing the information before the reaction truly appeared.
"So she's going to live with us?"
"She is." Gasper answered in the same rhythm. "She should arrive now."
Rias slowly let out a breath beside him, already anticipating the kind of problems that coexistence could create inside the mansion, while Akeno kept a light smile, clearly more interested in the situation than worried about it.
"This is going to be fun." Akeno tilted her head slightly. "A little Phenex princess living together with us."
"You call everything fun." Rias answered without taking her eyes off her.
Before Akeno could respond, demonic energy emerged at the center of the hall.
SHUUUN.
The magical crest of the Phenex family opened on the floor, spreading golden light throughout the room before Ravel's figure appeared in the middle of the magic circle. She appeared adjusting her posture instantly, but as soon as she saw Gasper, she completely abandoned formality and quickly walked toward him.
"Sorry for the delay, Gasper." Ravel stopped in front of him without hiding her haste. "My mother took longer than I expected."
"It's fine." Gasper answered without changing his tone. "We just finished the preparations."
Rias crossed her arms right after, looking directly at Ravel without softening her own position.
"Just don't do it again." Her tone remained firm. "I don't like delays."
Ravel looked at her for a second, clearly holding back her response before simply giving a slight nod.
"Understood."
Gasper let out a small sigh through his nose while observing the two of them.
'This is going to be complicated…'
The conclusion came automatically, because the tension between Rias and Ravel already existed before they had even officially started living together, and now that would become part of the mansion's routine.
The sound of footsteps drew attention soon after, and Venelana appeared accompanied by Millicas, both approaching the group before the final departure.
Millicas ran to Rias first, hugging his aunt without hesitation while she immediately patted his head.
"You're leaving already…" Millicas complained quietly.
"I have school, Millicas." Rias answered more gently than before. "I can't stay here forever."
Venelana observed the scene for a moment before turning her attention back to Gasper, and her gaze subtly changed, becoming more direct.
"Gasper-kun." She kept her calm tone. "Take good care of Rias."
Rias reacted immediately, turning toward her mother with clear dissatisfaction.
"Mother." She narrowed her eyes slightly. "Stop talking like I'm a problem."
Akeno couldn't hold back the quiet laugh beside her.
"Ara ara… so you know you're difficult."
"Akeno." Rias answered immediately, already losing patience.
Gasper observed the two of them for a moment before answering Venelana simply, but directly.
"You can leave it to me."
Venelana smiled slightly, clearly satisfied with the answer, while Millicas finally released Rias, still looking unhappy about the farewell.
Venelana smiled slightly, clearly satisfied with the answer, while Millicas finally released Rias, still looking unhappy about the farewell.
Grayfia noticed the conversation had ended and stepped forward, calling everyone closer without needing to raise her voice. Kiba, Saji, Koneko, and Asia approached soon after, forming the group around the magic circle while demonic power began to emerge from the floor.
Venelana hugged Rias again before the departure, holding her daughter's face for a moment.
"Take care."
"You too." Rias answered without losing her composure, though without hiding the affection.
The teleport activated immediately afterward.
SHUUUN.
Red light enveloped the entire group before the scenery changed completely.
__
GREMORY EXPRESS STATION – UNDERWORLD
The group appeared on the station's main platform, surrounded by the metallic sound of the rails and the constant movement of demonic servants organizing shipments and cargo around the enormous black train of the Gremory House.
Reynaldo was already waiting near the entrance to the main carriage.
"Rias-sama." He made an elegant bow as soon as the group approached.
Rias gave a slight nod, accepting the courtesy without interrupting the rhythm of her walk.
Grayfia remained standing on the platform, not advancing with them this time.
"I won't be able to accompany you to Kuoh." She maintained her impeccable posture. "I still have unfinished matters in the underworld."
Rias partially turned toward her.
"I understand." She nodded slightly. "Thank you for everything, Grayfia."
Grayfia respectfully inclined her head.
"Whenever you need me, Rias-sama."
Boarding began soon after, and the group entered the Gremory Express while the heavy sound of the doors echoed through the carriages. The interior maintained the same refined luxury of the Gremory family, with golden lighting, wide corridors, and private cabins spread throughout the train.
As soon as they crossed the main corridor, Rias grabbed Gasper's arm without hesitation.
"Gasper, come with me."
He looked at her for a moment before answering, already understanding the intention.
"Ravel." Gasper shifted his gaze toward her. "Behave yourself and stay with Asia and Koneko."
Akeno tilted her head slightly at the exact same moment.
"Ara ara… and why can Ravel stay with them, but not with me?" She kept her light smile while observing him with interest.
"There's no specific reason." Gasper answered without changing his tone. "I just want her to stay with people her age."
Ravel didn't like the answer, and it showed in her eyes immediately, but the memory of her mother's words came before any complaint.
'If I turn Rias into an enemy… I lose.'
The conclusion came quickly, forcing her to control her posture before lowering her head slightly in acceptance.
"Understood."
The gesture of submission caught Gasper's attention for a moment.
'Strange… yesterday she was much more persistent.'
He didn't deepen the thought, because Rias was already pulling him by the arm without giving room for delay.
The two crossed the corridor into another carriage, leaving the rest of the group behind.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Rias let out a light sigh before throwing herself onto the sofa near the window.
"Finally alone…" She crossed her legs while looking at him. "At least until Sona arrives with her peerage."
Gasper sighed quietly as he immediately understood what that meant.
'So this train is still going to stop in Sitri territory.'
Rias led Gasper to one of the seats near the window, occupying the space beside him without leaving unnecessary distance between them. The train continued advancing along the rails of the underworld while the dark scenery passed outside, illuminated only by the distant lights of the demonic cities scattered throughout the territory.
"You look tired." Rias rested her face on her hand while observing him more closely. "Did the ceremony wear you out that much?"
"Mentally more than physically." Gasper answered without exaggeration. "Too many people talking to me at the same time."
Rias let out a soft laugh.
"You'll have to get used to it." She kept her eyes on him. "You're now a High-Class Devil."
Gasper looked away toward the window for a moment before answering.
"That's exactly what worries me."
Rias didn't answer immediately, because she understood the meaning without needing to ask. His position now meant more freedom, but also more attention, more responsibility, and more people trying to approach him.
"You'll handle it well." She finally answered, keeping her tone firm. "You always do."
The silence that came afterward wasn't uncomfortable. The constant sound of the train filled the space while the two remained close, without needing to keep talking the entire time.
After a few minutes, the train slowed down.
The metallic sound of the rails changed rhythm, and soon afterward came the light vibration indicating the stop at the next station.
"We've reached Sitri territory." Rias slowly let out a breath, already knowing what would come next.
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