Chapter 248
Underworld, Gremory Main Residence –
“I heard that Rossweisse-San used to be the guard of Odin-Sama. It’s really delightful that Rias can have such an excellent Peerage member,” Venelana remarked.
“The pleasure is all mine. Rias is a very generous employer,” Rossweisse replied.
“Hehehe… Then I’ll rely on Rossweisse-San to take care of our Rias in the future, as well as Kuroka-San. Please help Rias like Koneko-Chan does,” Venelana requested.
“No problem, meow.”
In the luxurious hall, Venelana, Rossweisse, and the other women enjoyed their tea and chatted. Since Rias had just formed contracts with two new Peerage members, she brought them home to introduce them to her parents. It was a customary practice in the Gremory family.
Ile and Nel were playfully wrestling on Tenraku’s lap, while Tenraku leisurely sipped his tea. As the future son-in-law of the Gremory family, Tenraku was considered a half-owner of the place.
When Rias returned, Tenraku naturally followed. However, this time they were only back temporarily, spending one night before returning to the Human World. So, Yubelluna and Ravel stayed behind at the residence, while Ile and Nel, the two little lolis, insisted on coming down to play.
“Tenraku-Kun, I heard Sirzechs talking about your recent achievements. You actually defeated Loki. Tenraku-Kun, you’re getting more and more impressive,” Venelana’s voice suddenly sounded in Tenraku’s ears and he couldn’t help but be taken aback, but Venelana was still conversing happily with Rossweisse as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
Was that a transmission of Magic Power? Although Tenraku didn’t know what his future mother-in-law wanted to do, he replied in his mind:
“Aunt, you flatter me. It was just luck.”
“Hehehe… Tenraku-Kun, your modesty is also quite adorable. But what I really want to say is that there seem to be more and more women around you, even Rias’ Queen, Bishop, and two Knights have been ‘eaten’ by Tenraku-Kun, right?”
“Cough, cough, cough…”
No wonder she used Magic Power transmission. She wanted to talk about this with him. Caught off guard, Tenraku choked on his tea, causing a fit of coughing.
“Tenraku-Sama, are you okay?” Ile and Nel hurriedly patted his chest and wiped the corners of his mouth. Even Rias and the other women looked at him with concerned eyes.
“I’m fine, I’m fine. Carry on,” Tenraku gestured to the women that he was okay. However, he was sweating profusely in his heart. Seeing Venelana smiling at him, he could only force a reply: “Aunt, even if I have more women, I will never let Rias down.”
At times like this, finding any excuse would be foolish behavior. So, Tenraku directly made his promise.
“Hehehe… As expected of Tenraku-Kun. No wonder you can deceive so many girls. You’re quite cunning,” Venelana chuckled.
“I believe in Tenraku-Kun, but…”
“While it’s normal for outstanding boys to be popular with women, if Tenraku-Kun were to neglect our Rias because of that, Okaa-Sama won’t let you off easily,” Venelana said in a relaxed tone. Although Venelana seemed to be joking, Tenraku didn’t feel a hint of jest in her tone. He quickly reassured her repeatedly that he would never neglect Rias.
Although Tenraku didn’t think he would let Rias down, it didn’t diminish the wariness of his future mother-in-law. Speaking of which, the women in the Gremory family were not easy to handle.
Whether it was the 【Flaxen-haired Madame of Extinction】, the
【Silver-haired Queen of Annihilation】, or the 【Crimson-haired Ruin Princess】, they were all formidable. Just listening to their titles was enough to strike fear into the hearts of many, just like that 【Queen Prohibited from Contact】. Their nicknames alone were sufficient to intimidate a group of people.
“Madam, Sirzechs-Sama and the others have returned,” A servant reported, and not long after, Sirzechs, Grayfia, and a black-haired young man, Sairaorg, walked in.
Everyone greeted and exchanged pleasantries, and then Tenraku and Sairaorg bumped their fists together.
“Sairaorg, why did you come here?”
“The fruits from the Bael territory are ripe, so I brought some over for Uncle and Aunt. Since you’re here, you can also take some back later,” Sairaorg explained.
“Hey, hey, Sairaorg, I didn’t expect you to understand these social courtesies. I thought you were just a musclehead,” Tenraku teased.
“Kamiya Tenraku, don’t underestimate me. I’m the type that’s rough on the surface but delicate on the inside!” Sairaorg declared.
“Wow, that really surprises me, hahaha…” Teraku chuckled as he spoke. “You and I have become quite good friends. Joking around is no problem at all.”
Seemingly thinking of something, Sairaorg said, “Kamiya Tenraku, I’ve already asked Sirzechs-Sama to arrange a match between us. I’ve been looking forward to fighting against you for a long time.”
“I’ve been looking forward to it too, but let’s make it clear: I won’t go easy on you. Don’t feel embarrassed when I bring you down,” Tenraku replied.
“Hahaha… If you went easy on me, it would actually trouble me. Let’s fight with all our might and see who’s stronger!” Sairaorg exclaimed.
“Agreed!”
Tenraku was indeed excited about having a match against Sairaorg. As former “Underworld two cripples,” it could be considered their destined encounter.
Afterward, they all enjoyed a lavish dinner together. Sairaorg took his leave after dinner, as he had to return to the Bael territory with the ripe fruits. Sirzechs, too, had other matters to attend to. Only Tenraku and the women of the Gremory family remained, planning to return to the Human World the next day.
In the luxurious and spacious bathhouse, Tenraku relaxed by himself in the hot spring. While he usually bathed together with Rias and the others at home and even had occasional water battles with the girls, he felt it would be better to behave himself in the Gremory family’s residence.
After soaking for a while and letting out a yawn, Tenraku thought it was time to go to sleep. However, with a click, the entire bathroom plunged into darkness.
His gaze focused, but in the next moment, a smile appeared on Tenraku’s lips. “Grayfia-San, couldn’t you choose a different way to make an entrance? And why did you choose this place?”
“I would be discovered in other places,” A cold voice seem to chrome from everywhere, followed by a beautiful figure emerging from the darkness.
Standing above the water, looking down at Tenraku, it was Grayfia herself!
“Discovered by whom? What aren’t you telling me, Grayfia-San?” Tenraku narrowed his eyes, trying to discern something from her expression.
“I cannot tell you yet. You are still too weak,” Grayfia replied with an expressionless look in her eyes.
Tenraku couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Unless Grayfia herself volunteered the information, it was indeed difficult to glean anything from the icy maid’s face.
“Grayfia-San, even you wouldn’t be able to guarantee victory over me, do you still see me as weak? Is that how you perceive me?” Tenraku rubbed his forehead and could only helplessly say.
“Hmph, you can currently surpass me in strength, but it’s still not enough. Far from it. You must become stronger, even stronger!” Grayfia declared.
“Even if you say that, Grayfia-San, it doesn’t mean much to me. If you won’t tell me anything and just want me to become stronger then what am I to do with that? Is there some formidable enemy lurking around?” Tenraku questioned.
“And besides, just because someone is an enemy of Grayfia-San doesn’t necessarily make them my enemy, right? Why should I go all out for something so vague?” Although Tenraku was curious about Grayfia’s situation, her continuous evasiveness left him dissatisfied.
“You won’t tell me, huh? Well, I’m not interested!” Tenraku spoke in a serious tone.
Seeing Tenraku’s reaction, Grayfia’s cold face twisted into a sinister smile as she spoke. “Kamiya Tenraku, he is not only my enemy but undoubtedly yours as well. That much, I can guarantee.”
“Strive to become stronger, and when you reach a realm beyond the Demon King, I will tell you everything.”
Staring at the beautiful yet icy woman before him, Tenraku couldn’t help but feel a sense of gravity. It seemed that she had no reason to deceive him, and simply making him stronger wouldn’t benefit her in any way. Moreover, given Grayfia’s status and position, she had no need to resort to such tactics.
In other words, there really might be an unknown and powerful enemy lurking in the shadows!
Lost in thought for a moment, Tenraku eventually nodded. “I will work hard to become stronger, but Grayfia-San, please keep your promise and tell me everything when the time comes.”
“I will keep my promise. However, we don’t have much time left. Take care of yourself, Kamiya Tenraku,” Grayfia replied with a deep gaze, then turned and disappeared into the darkness.
The radiance returned to the bathhouse, but apart from Tenraku’s pensive and serious expression, everything seemed as if nothing had happened at all…
To be continued…
