In the great hall of the Underworld, the silence following Grayfia's announcement was so profound it was deafening. No one moved. The nobles, who just minutes before had been shouting in support of the Phoenix Clan, stared at the screen with pale faces, watching the image of the destroyed clock tower with Raiser embedded in it.
In the royal box, Ajuka Beelzebub stood, his eyes fixed on a magic circle displaying erratic lines of data. "It's inconceivable," Ajuka murmured, his voice, for the first time, carrying genuine emotion. "The power that young man unleashed wasn't merely accumulated magical energy; it was a transfer of concepts. He manipulated Raiser's own energy to destroy him from within. Sirzechs, your sister didn't just win a Rating Game … she's found the most dangerous Dragon wielder in history."
Sirzechs Lucifer remained seated, but his hand gripped the armrest of his throne so tightly that the metal groaned. A small smile, a mixture of pride and concern, crossed his face. "That boy..." Sirzechs said softly. "I knew he was strong, but what he did was a complete humiliation of one of the pillars of the Underworld. He not only defeated Raiser, he shattered the notion that noble blood is superior."
"This is an outrage!" shouted an elder of the council, rising abruptly. "That human used a forbidden power! We demand an immediate investigation! The Phoenix Clan cannot be defeated by a mere human!"
Sirzechs rose slowly, and the pressure of his Power of Destruction instantly filled the room, silencing the councilors' shouts. His red eyes gleamed with unquestionable authority. "The result is official," the Maou declared. "The marriage contract is nullified. My sister is free by right of combat. And as for young Hyoudou Issei... from this day forward, any house that attempts to touch or investigate him without my permission will face the wrath of Lucifer."
Ajuka glanced at his friend, then returned to the screen where Issei was helping Rias to her feet. "This is going to change everything, Sirzechs. The other clans are going to be terrified. You've just introduced the world to a human who can 'kill' immortality." "I know, Ajuka," Sirzechs replied, relaxing his aura. "And for that very reason, the Underworld will never be the same again."
Meanwhile, on the screens, Issei could be seen walking towards the camera with a calm expression, as if he had just finished a routine training session, completely unaware that he had just brought the supernatural world to its knees.
The crimson magic circle vanished in the center of the clubroom, giving way to the familiar, tranquil atmosphere of Kuoh Academy. The contrast was stark: they had come from a world of fire and purple dimensions to the peace of a spring afternoon.
Rias was the first to step out of the circle. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes as a tear of pure relief rolled down her cheek. She was no longer a pawn in a political contract; she was, for the first time in her life, the master of her own destiny. "We did it..." she whispered, turning to her entourage.
Kiba, Koneko, and Akeno looked tired, their uniforms somewhat worn, but their faces radiated a satisfaction they had never felt before. They looked at each other, acknowledging that Issei's hellish training had not only made them stronger, but had also united them as a true fighting family.
Issei left last, with his usual calm, as if he'd just been for a stroll. As he crossed the academy gate to head home, he encountered a scene that made him genuinely smile. "Issei-san! President!" Asia's shout broke the silence of the late afternoon.
The little nun ran toward them, her eyes brimming with tears, closely followed by Raynare, Mittelt, and Kalawarner, who watched Issei with a mixture of terror and a newfound, absolute respect. They had felt the shockwave of the Boosted Gear even from the human world; now they knew, beyond any doubt, that their "Master" was a monster capable of crushing the highest nobility.
Asia threw herself into Issei's arms, sobbing with joy. "I knew you'd be okay! I prayed for you the whole time!" "It's okay, Asia. I told you we'd come back," Issei said, stroking her hair as he looked at the three fallen girls. "And you... you did a great job keeping the house safe."
The three bowed deeply, almost in a military gesture. "Welcome, Master," they said in unison, making Rias let out a small giggle at the surreal nature of the situation.
After Asia's warm welcome and the submission of the fallen, the group finally arrived at the old school building to disband. The silence of the night in Kuoh was comforting. Rias, with a serenity that belied her new status as a free woman, turned to her subjects. "Akeno, Kiba, Koneko... you've done an incredible job. Today you proved that you are the strongest nobility in the Underworld," Rias said proudly. "Please go and rest. You've earned a deep and carefree sleep."
The three nodded, bidding Issei farewell with grateful glances before leaving the two of them alone in the club, under the dim light of the lamps. Issei leaned against the window frame, gazing at the moon, until he felt Rias approaching. "Issei..." she whispered, stopping just inches away. Her voice was no longer that of a Student Council President, but that of a girl who had just been rescued from the brink of despair. "I have no words to thank you for what you did. You gave me so much more than a victory in a game; you gave me back my life."
Issei turned to look at her. The moonlight bathed his crimson hair, giving it an almost supernatural glow. "You don't have to thank me for anything, Rias. I told you that night in the forest: no one has the right to decide your fate but you. I was just the tool to remind you."
Rias lowered her gaze for a second, then looked at him with a determination that made Issei's heart leap. "No, Issei. You were so much more than that. You were my hope. These ten days... the way you took care of me, the way you believed in me when I didn't even believe in myself..."
She took a final step, closing the distance between them, and placed her hands on Issei's chest. She could feel the powerful, rhythmic beating of the dragon's heart. "Issei, I... I want to be yours. Not because a piece of paper says so, nor because of a demon contract. I want to be yours because my heart decided it on that battlefield."
Issei wrapped his arms around her waist, gently pulling her closer. Rias closed her eyes, tilting her face upward, and finally their lips met in a kiss that sealed the promise made under the stars. It was a kiss filled with relief, with fire, and with a devotion that transcended time and space.
At that moment, Issei knew that all the training, the pain of the past, and the weight of the future had been worth it for that instant alone. "You did it, partner," Ddraig whispered with solemn respect. "You have claimed your treasure."
They slowly separated, their foreheads pressed together, sharing the same air in the silence of the night. "I love you, Issei," Rias whispered with a peaceful smile. "And I love you, Rias," he replied, sealing the beginning of their true life together.