Volume 5, Life.1 It's summer break, let's Go to the Underworld!

This chapter is updated by wuxiaworld.eu

Part 1

“No, it was renovated. I was also shocked when I got up this morning. The house was renovated while we were sleeping.”

Breakfast set. At the table that had become five times wider than before, my father said that while wearing a smile all over his face. Gathered around the table were all the members of my new family, including myself, my parents, Buchou, Asia, Akeno-san and Xenovia.

I had questioned my father after we began eating. The short question, “What’s going on?”

My mother brought in the breakfast miso soup from the kitchen which had also become five times wider.

“Apparently Rias’s father does work related to construction as well and he said that he’d renovate this place free of charge as part of a model house.”

There’s no way that kind of story could be true! No, I could understand it if Buchou’s parents did it.

It was because she knew all this that Buchou was eating her meal calmly and silently.

Rather, let alone renovating, didn’t our lot area also expand? Haven't the neighbouring houses completely disappeared and been turned into the grounds of our new house…?

“Now that you mention it, it seems that Suzuki-san and Tamura-san next door have moved away. I hear that they suddenly obtained some favourable plots of land and then moved there.”

So said my father.

—! Buchou’s family was definitely involved with that! There was no mistake!

“It’s all right. It was a peaceful settlement. So that everyone could be happy.”

Next to me, Buchou smiled widely while whispering.

So this is the negotiation technique of Devils!? Since Buchou said so, the neighbours had surely ended up happy as well, but… How dreadful they are, the Gremory family!

My mother held out the house blueprints. It looked to be the room assignment chart.

“On the first floor are the guest rooms, living room, kitchen, and Japanese-style rooms. On the second floor are the rooms of Ise, Rias-san and Asia-chan. The arrangement has the other two adjacent to Ise’s room. It seems to be structured so that you can go between the rooms next to each other from inside.”

I see, so the second floor was entirely for Buchou’s selfishness. Uwah, my room seems to be more than four times bigger than before…Was the installation of furniture also from the Gremory’s possessions? Amazing…There was a huge television I’d never seen before in the living room. There was also a chandelier on the ceiling…

“On the third floor are your father’s and my room, the study, and the storeroom. On the fourth floor are Akeno-san’s and Xenovia’s rooms. There’s also the room for Koneko-chan, who will be coming later.”

When my eyes met with Akeno-san’s, she gave me a full-blown smile. For some reason, that smiling face looked more genuine than the smiles she usually wore…Recently, Akeno-san has had a wonderfully nice smiling face when with me.

It was different than her smiling face from before. It was difficult to explain, but could I call it her true smiling face? Akeno-san would show that face to me now. I felt closer to Akeno-san now, with her having a much gentler atmosphere compared to before.

I felt like she wasn’t an existence outside of reach anymore—. Though, for me, she was still someone far beyond my grasp…

As my heart was pounding, Buchou lightly pulled my cheek. Auu, Buchou has steadily become more severe too…I have no intention of having any master besides Buchou, though. She worries too much.

My mother continued her explanation of the room assignments.

“The fifth and sixth floors are entirely made of just vacant rooms. For the time being we intend to use them as guest rooms. Since Rias-san said she didn’t mind letting anyone have the rooms except for the second floor when we asked her.”

“Yes. This is the house of Ise’s mother and father. In the end, I and the others are just home-staying here.”

Buchou responded with words overflowing with grace.

Arere!? Buchou, didn’t you say “This is my and Ise’s house” earlier in my room!? What an about face!

“There is also an open-air garden on the roof. I will plant vegetables~”

My father said that as his eyes lit up! Aah, he has no doubts about it at all! There’s no mistake that his mind was numbed by the renovation of his dreams!

“Because we built it so sturdily, it won’t collapse even in the case of a war.”

“Hahahaha, you’re quite skilled at joking, Rias-san.”

This was the conversation between Buchou and my father…What Buchou says really is true. This house’s structure was seriously transformed so that it could withstand even a war. There couldn’t be things like cannons concealed somewhere, could there?

However, what did my father and Buchou’s father discuss during the parent visit the other day? I’m really worried about it. They couldn't have agreed on a discussion of selling me completely to the underworld or something, could they!?

There was no way that could be, but even so I felt that the eyes that my parents looked at me with had changed just a little since the day of that parent’s visit.

“There're also underground floors apparently.”

Xenovia said that while she was having a hard time with her chopsticks.

“Underground floors!?”

“Yeah, there are up to three underground floors.”

I was the one who cried out wildly. Buchou nodded and confirmed it. This house even has underground floors!?

“The first underground floor is a huge spacious room. Not only can it be used as a training room, it can also be used as a movie theatre. It’s also equipped with a large indoor bath. The second underground floor is used entirely for an indoor pool. It can also use warm water. In the third underground floor are a library and a storehouse.”

Buchou explained this while taking out additional blueprints.

…So my house even has an indoor pool…I don’t know what's what anymore…

“Since there’s also an elevator, you can smoothly get on and off from the sixth ground floor to the third underground floor.”

This house also has an elevator…It’s like a real building. I didn’t have any words left to say anymore.

In this way, my house was transformed into a palatial residence a few days after summer holidays began.

“You’re returning to the Underworld!?”

Breakfast had ended, and Buchou nodded at me as I sat in my room. All the members of the occult research club were gathered in my room.

All the members who were living together had rough appearances.

Kiba, Koneko-chan and Gasper had arrived at my house just a little while ago as well.

The first two were wearing casual clothes. Koneko-chan in a one-piece dress looked cute.

Even with this many people here, there was plenty of extra space in my room. Everyone sat on expensive-looking sofas.

Only Gasper got into a cardboard box he brought along, but…He was dressed in girl clothes! That’s also as usual! Yeah! The cross-dressing boy!

“I’m returning home now that the summer holidays have started. I do this every year. —Wait, what’s wrong, Ise? Your eyes are teary?”

I shed tears at Buchou’s words!

“Uu, because Buchou suddenly started talking about returning to the underworld, I thought of you leaving me behind and going back…”

I don’t want that! I don’t want Buchou to leave me behind and go back! When I think of Buchou’s breasts going somewhere far away, I feel sad, and I won’t be able to spend my summer holidays peacefully! I can’t imagine life without Buchou anymore!

“Geez, is that all? You and I will be together for hundreds, for thousands of years from now on, so put your mind at ease. I won’t do something like leaving you behind.”

Buchou then gave a wry smile while rubbing my cheek.

I see, we are Devils. We live longer than humans. So Buchou and I, as well as the other club members, will be together for a long time. When I think of that, I don’t feel lonely at all.

Surely, I’ll live much longer than Matsuda, Motohama, or my parents. When I think of it like that, it seems lonely…That separation that must eventually come.

Buchou gracefully drank tea as she said that. —Wait, we’re also going to the Underworld!?

“Eh!? We’re going to the Underworld too!?”

“That’s right. Since you’re all servant devils in my family, it’s only natural for you to accompany your master. You’re coming to my home together with me. Now that I think of it, this is also the first time for Asia and Xenovia, right?”

Asia nodded at Buchou’s question.

“Y-Yes! I’m nervous about going to hell while alive! I-I thought I’d like to go there with the intention of dying!”

Asia! I don’t understand what you mean at all!

“Yes. I've been interested in the underworld—in hell for a long time. However, for the sake of going to heaven, I had to serve the Lord…But now that I’m a Devil, there shouldn’t be any possibility of me going to heaven…I feel irony in setting foot in the same world as those who have been sent to hell as divine punishment. Hell, huh. It suits a former believer who became a Devil.”

Ah, you’re once again becoming depressed over futile worries, Xenovia…

“We will spend the remainder of the summer holidays there until after the 20th of August. It seems like we’ll be returning here at the end of the month. The plan is to train and attend various kinds of events at the underworld.”

Buchou thus told us the schedule. I see, so our group is going to spend time in the underworld until the end of summer. I went to the Underworld for a little bit during the battle with the Phoenix family…I don’t know anything about it besides the fact that the sky there is purple.

Also, it seems to be the place where the souls of the dead arrive at as well, and the field of business management also seems to be popular there.

But, if I spend the summer holidays there, won’t the schedule that I made fail?

“Ah, but, there are things I want to do this summer.”

I let out a sigh as I spoke.

The three of us, me, Matsuda and Motohama, all powerfully promised each other, “This year, let’s get girlfriends and have ero-ero experiences during the summer!”

We would go to the sea and to the pool this summer, where we would pick up girls! Or that was what we decided. I didn’t have a girlfriend…I had one before, but I was killed by my former girlfriend…

I’ll enjoy myself this summer! Or so I had thought.

“Ara, Ise. Did you also have plans to go somewhere?”

Buchou asked me that dubiously.

“Yes. I was going to go to the sea and the pool.”

“There aren’t any seas in the underworld, but there are huge lakes. There are also pools in this house and at my parents’ home as well, you know? There’s also hot springs there, but is that no good?”

If I thought about it, wouldn’t I get tens and hundreds of times more enjoyment at the underworld lakes and pools with Buchou and the others than going with Matsuda and Motohama to the sea!? Moreover, there’s hot springs over there!

Inside my brain, I fantasised about the stark naked forms of Buchou, Akeno-san, Asia, Xenovia and Koneko-chan going inside the steam! A b-b-b-breasts steam festival!?

Applying oil and peeping into the hot springs…Or will it be mixed baths!?

I want to rub Buchou’s and Akeno-san’s breasts! And massage them! Fully, with my hands!

“…Disgusting delusions are prohibited.”

I was verbally jabbed at by Koneko-chan with half-opened eyes! As expected of Koneko-sama! She really can see into my mind!

After she jabbed at me, Koneko-chan let out a deep sigh, and for some reason looked off with distant eyes.

Huh? Now that I think about it, her tsukkomi’s sharpness seemed slightly weaker than usual.[1]

“Ise-kun, you have a face that is hornier than I could imagine.”

“You seem to have an abundant imagination and seem to be enjoying yourself, senpai…I envy you…”

Kiba spoke refreshingly, and Gasper murmured in what seemed to be envy from the depths of his heart.

“Why don’t you guys go on dates with girls this summer?”

Those two have better faces than me. If you had those intentions, couldn’t you enjoy the best summer!?

“It’s because I have training.”

You damn Mr. Diligent! Kiba deserves to be punished for not putting his good looks to good use!

“I’m fine…I’m a hikikomori, so I’m fine if I stay indoors and put on cute clothes while surfing the net at my house…”

You damn hikikomori cross-dresser! Gasper is useless! From head to toe, he’s a useless child just waiting for a tsukkomi!

“Then, Ise. Go on a date with me in the Underworld. There should be time for just a date…”

As a servant, I cried at Buchou’s proposal! Buchou really does spoil me!

“Buchoooooou! I’ll come! I’ll come with all my strength!”

“Ara-ara. In that case, I’ll spend time with Ise in the bedroom. While doing ecchi things that Buchou can’t seem to do.”

Akeno-san spoke while lewdly tracing around her chest with her finger!

Buh! Blood spurted from my nose at Akeno-san’s stimulating words! …That’s erotic! That’s sexy, Akeno-onee-sama! Just what kinds of things will you do to me in the bedroom!?

“I forbid it.”

“I refuse.”

Buchou and Akeno-san locked eyes on each other as sparks flew! Aaaaah! They’ve resumed the fight from earlier this morning! Why do these two quarrel over their affection for their kouhai!?

“I’m also going to the Underworld.”

[!?]

Before we became aware of it, a good-looking black-haired man was sitting on a seat in the corner. —It was Azazel-sensei.

All the club members were taken aback by sensei’s sudden appearance.

As the Governor of the Fallen Angel organisation that opposed the Devils, he had been present at the peace conference the other day between Devils, Angels and Fallen Angels. For some reason, only this person stayed at Kuou Academy and started as a teacher there. What’s more, he’s now the advisor of our occult research club. It was an unimaginable situation just from the face of it.

Seriously, where did this person come in from? I didn’t sense his presence at all. Or rather, I was ignorant when it came to that field. Even so, not even Buchou or Kiba had noticed him.

Well, since he was the Fallen Angel Governor, he would be a last boss-like existence depending on the situation. It’s amazing that we have such a person as an ally.

“W-Where did you come in from?”

Buchou asked that to sensei while blinking in surprise.

“Hmm? Isn’t it normally from the front door?”

Sensei answered calmly.

“…I didn’t even feel your presence.”

Kiba voiced his feelings honestly. As I thought, even Kiba who had attained Balance Breaker couldn’t sense him…

“That’s just due to your lack of training. I just came in normally. More importantly, you’re returning to the underworld, right? Then, I’ll go too. I’m your [teacher], after all.”

Yes, he had taken up the role of our [teacher]. Since he has an abundance of knowledge on Sacred Gears, it seems he’ll be teaching us our battle styles from now on.

He had only taught us a little so far, but it seemed like the Sacred Gear owners in this group, including me, had managed to grasp something thanks to him. More than just using power or leading, this person was certainly good at teaching most of all.

He’s amazingly skilled at explaining. I think he’s definitely suited to be a teacher or lecturer.

Sensei took out a notepad from his pocket and read out loud as he opened it.

“The schedule for the Underworld is…first, a visit to Rias’s parents, and the introduction of the servant Devils to the current head of the family. After that, there’s the annual meeting of new young Devils. And then there’s your training over there. I’m mainly going along with you for your training. While you’re all at the Gremory house, I’ll be meeting with Sirzechs. Geez, so troublesome.”

Sensei sighed. He seriously finds it bothersome to do. I think this Governor of an organisation is so bad with that because this person receives a lot of support from his subordinates.

Once in a while, Fallen Angels whose names I didn’t know would come to meet with sensei. They would say things like “Please decide on a secretary!”, “Look after your personal appearance while in the human world!”, or “You absolutely need to have personal bodyguards!” when they visited. They all seemed tremendously worried about Azazel-sensei being in this town. I heard there were some top officials among the Fallen Angels who visited as well.

He would always send all those members back with the words, “It’s fine, so go back. That’s an order.” I think that we’re lucky to have that kind of Fallen Angel teaching us how to get stronger.

Alright, I’ll get even a little closer to my rival Hakuryuukou Vali, using this opportunity!

Since it seems like I’ll just be decisively defeated by him as I am now…I absolutely don’t want to die before I do ecchi things with Buchou and Akeno-san!

“Then, Azazel—Sensei, you’ll be accompanying us, right? Shall we make the travel reservations for you?”

Sensei nodded at Buchou’s question.

“Yes, please do. It’s my first time entering the Underworld through the Devils’ route. I’m looking forward to it. Since, I usually use the route of the Fallen Angels’ side.”

The Underworld, huh. How will we go there? As expected, will it be by magic circle? The Underworld is divided between the world of the Devils and the world of the Fallen Angels. It seems the fence between the two has disappeared with the establishment of peace, and cultural interaction has started, though…

The ignorant me couldn’t imagine that place at all.

For the time being, I sent a mail to Matsuda and Motohama.

[I’m passing on going to the beach this summer! Because, I’m going to the hot springs with Buchou and the others!]

They quickly responded back.

[Die!]

[Go to hell!]

Yeah, I am going to hell—to the Underworld. You’re surprisingly on the mark, my close friends.

Part 2

The day we set off. The first place we headed to was—the nearest station. Everyone was wearing Kuou Academy’s summer uniform. Buchou said that, if we were entering the Underworld, this was our best uniform.

This was the station where people usually took the train…Why were we going to the underworld from here? I was full of questions, but Buchou and Akeno-san determinedly headed towards the elevator installed within the station.

I remembered that it was a small elevator that could only hold five people at most.

Buchou and Akeno-san entered it first, and then spoke.

“Then, please come in first, Ise, Asia and Xenovia. We’ll be going down from here.”

“G-Going down?”

I was puzzled by Buchou’s words. After all, this station could only go up.

“Come on, stop blinking in surprise like that and come in.”

Buchou beckoned us while smiling wryly. While those of us in the new devils group exchanged glances with each other, we complied with Buchou’s words.

“Yuuto and the rest of you who are used to it, please come together with Azazel afterwards.”

“Yes, Buchou.”

Kiba answered to Buchou, and then the elevator doors closed.

Since we had some big luggage with us, the inside was quite small as a result.

As I thought, the floor display only had floors “1” and “2”, but…Buchou took out what seemed to be a card from her skirt pocket and turned it towards an electronic panel.

Pi.

Some kind of electronic sound…It had reacted to the card, and then.

Gakun.

I was seized by a sensation of going down! Eh!? There was a bottom!? Asia and I couldn’t hide our surprise! Xenovia just tilted her head as a small reaction. Buchou and Akeno-san saw the shocked state of Asia and I, and giggled a little at us.

“Beneath this station, there is a secret level.”

“Buchou, even though I grew up in this town, this is the first time I’m hearing of such a thing!”

“That’s only natural. It’s a route that is exclusively for devils. Ordinary humans can’t arrive here even if they struggle their whole lives. Areas for the exclusive-use of devils are hidden within the town in this way, you know?”

There seems to be many places I don’t know about in my town. Just how far has the devils’ business world penetrated into this town?

We kept descending for another minute. At last, the elevator stopped.

After the doors opened, Buchou urged us forward with a “Go ahead”, and what confronted my sight as I went out first was—a vast artificial space! It was some kind of huge cave!

Rather, it seemed to have the structure of a station platform. Though there were a few differences from the design and structure of those in the human world…Wait, there were train tracks! As I thought, is this a station?

After we waited a little, we were also joined by Kiba and the others from the elevator.

“Now that all of us are here, we’ll walk to platform three.”

With Buchou and Akeno-san in the lead, we began to walk.

Hah. But what a vast space. I felt that this place was several times the size of the station we usually used. The ceiling above was also distant. It seemed like your voice would echo if you yelled out “Hey!”

There was no one else here besides us. The wall lamps that illuminated this place gave off a magic-like mysterious glow.

Before I realised it, Akeno-san came to my side—and suddenly grasped my hand! Does she intend to walk while holding hands? I was shocked, but for some reason I grasped her hand back like I always did with Asia.

“—”

Though that was all I did, Akeno-san’s face turned red and seemed happy! Eh!? Is this okay!? Aaaaah, but, when she has such a girlish reaction, even I don’t know what I might do! Even though she is usually very erotic, she sometimes acts like a young girl. That difference provokes my male instincts!

“……”

“…*sob*”

Uu, Buchou and Asia’s gazes were sharp…Asia even had teary eyes. Sorry, Asia.

After taking passages left and right, we came out into an open space again.

Oh! Ooooooh! There was what seemed to be a train in front of us! I say “seemed to” because its form was more peculiar than the trains I knew.

There were many devil-representing patterns carved into it at acute angles…Ah, it’s the Gremory pattern! And there was also Sirzechs-sama’s pattern! Could this be—.

“It’s a train owned by the Gremory family.”

Buchou answered without hesitation! Amazing, so the Gremory family also owns trains…

Bushu.

While I was surprised, the train doors opened automatically. With Buchou in the lead, we entered the train.

I had once again reconfirmed my master’s huge scale, but that was just the prologue.

Riiiiiiiiiiiing.

The departure whistle sounded, and the train began to move.

We had gone to sit down in the centre of the train. Buchou was in the first train car ahead of us, and it appeared that the rest of our group had to sit in the central train car behind it. I thought that there were surprisingly minor customisations.

Asia and I sat together on the seats facing away from the train’s motion, and Akeno-san and Xenovia took the seats facing us.

Koneko-chan, Gasper and Kiba took the seats next to us. And there was Azazel-sensei sitting at the end of the car, but—he had already entered sleep mode.

The train started running for several minutes. The train advanced down the dark tunnel. I’d been told that this train was powered by a unique fuel that existed in the Underworld. There were a lot of things I didn’t know about the world, weren’t there?

“How long till we get there?”

I asked Akeno-san that.

“We’ll arrive in about an hour. Since it seems that this train passes through the dimensional barrier using official means before it eventually arrives at the Underworld.”

“I thought that we could just jump with a magic circle and enter the Underworld like that.”

“Usually that’s fine, but if Ise-kun and the other new household devils don’t enter at least once by the official route, you’ll be punished for illegally entering. That’s why Ise-kun and the others have to properly finish the official entry procedure.”

“Eh!? Seriously!? But I’ve jumped using the magic circle and entered Buchou’s engagement party before!?"

Yes, I had entered Buchou’s engagement party in the Underworld with a transfer magic circle given to me by Grayfia-san.

Was I going to be punished!? There wouldn’t be any police who were going to cuff me as soon as I arrived at the Underworld, right!?

Akeno-san gave a small smile despite my worries.

“It seems that was a special case because you were transported with Sirzechs-sama’s back-door magic circle, you know? Of course, doing it twice is impossible.”

“I-Is that so…So my instant ticket to jail for going there has been pardoned…”

I was a little relieved. It’s because I’m ignorant of the rules of devils even though I’m a devil myself. Not only was I unskilled, my devil knowledge was even more limited than Asia and Xenovia. I had survived up to now like this.

“Since it was a special case, the matter of the back-door magic circle is fine. However, you may be punished for sexual contact with your master.”

Akeno-san touched her cheek with her hand and said this while giggling.

“What!?”

Hey, hey, hey! It’s quite serious if that’s true! I had touched Buchou’s body a fair amount, you know!?

I had rubbed her breasts several times, and had stroked her thighs several times as well! At the school pool before summer vacation, I’d also applied oil all over her bare body, you know!?

Ah, this is bad. I was being stimulated from remembering that sensation. Buchou’s body had been so soft and smooth. And yet, it had been elastic too, so it was amazing when I touched her skin…

Fuwa. While I was repeating that delusion, someone had gotten on my lap—wait, Akeno-san!? She was bringing her face close and was looking at me with an erotic gaze!

Akeno-san took my hand, and…

“There’s no problem with skinship between servants. Like this—”

She guided my hand to her thiiiiiighs! Nuha! Akeno-san’s leg had the best softness and affected my brain! A nosebleed spurted out!

And then my hand was—led to under her skirt! T-That’s… forbidden territory…I gulped. Because! Because, if I keep going like this, my hand will reach into her skirt…it will reach Akeno-san’s panties! Was she fine with that!? Was Akeno-san okay with me going all the way to her panties!?

The instant my hand went beneath Akeno-san’s skirt—.

Asia’s hand appeared from the side and grabbed my hand with a tug.

Asia appealed with teary eyes as her mouth pouted in the shape of the “he” character.[2]

“Akeno-san’s influence is too strong, Ise-san will become a pervert…”

“Ara-ara. Asia-chan, isn’t it healthy for young men to be a bit perverted?”

Arere? Based on the conversation just now, had it been decided that I was a pervert? But, if I can touch Akeno-san’s body, I don’t mind being a pervert!

Ara? Koneko-chan would usually make a sharp retort at this timing, but…when I looked over at her, I saw Koneko-chan’s form looking out the window. She was completely ignoring us even though we were making so much noise! She doesn’t seem to be the usual Koneko-chan…Next to her, Gasper also seemed to have trouble speaking out.

And then—.

“Look who’s talking, Asia. Generally, skinship between master and servant is quite natural.”

—. This voice is…When I turned my gaze, my master was there, a red aura enveloping her entire body! She was angry! And extremely pretty! Why was she here!? Didn’t she have to be in the first train car ahead!?

B-Buchou! This is bad! Akeno-san was on my lap while having a lewd look on her face! My hand was on the verge of venturing inside her skirt!

I tried to free my hand, but Akeno-san brought my hand to her mouth.

Nuchu.

My middle finger made a watery sound, and went inside Akeno-san’s mouth! Uhaa! The sensation of the inside of a girl’s mouth made my brain melt! It was warm and slippery, and furthermore, my finger was wrapped around by her tongue! Moreover, she sucked it! It seemed like various things were being sucked up!

When Akeno-san pulled my finger out from her mouth, a trail of saliva could be erotically seen connecting to my finger!

“Stealing from the master gets me fired up.”

Akeno-san smiled at Buchou with a defiant gaze! S-Scary! Erotic, but scary!

“A-Akeno, that’s en—”

“Princess Rias. Communication with your servants is fine, but isn’t an example of procedure also good?”

Buchou’s angry voice was interrupted, and a third person had unexpectedly appeared. It was an elderly man. He had the appearance of a train conductor. Was he the conductor? His white beard was dandy.

“I-I’m sorry…”

“Ho-ho-ho. For the little princess to be concerned with the topic of men and women. I’ve lived a long life.”

Buchou’s face turned a deep red at the man’s happy laugh.

Taking off his hat again, he bowed his head to us.

“Nice to meet you, all of the princess’ new servant devils. I am Reynaldo, the conductor of the Gremory private train. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

We also stood up and bowed at his polite greeting.

“N-Nice to meet you as well! I am Buchou Rias Gremory-sama’s [Pawn], Hyoudou Issei! Please treat me well!”

“I’m Asia Argento! Her [Bishop]! Please treat me well!”

“I’m Xenovia. [Knight]. Please treat me well from now on.”

All us new devils greeted him.

Akeno-san had also returned to her seat before I was aware of it. She seemed a bit disappointed at having to part. Akeno-san’s ero-attack was dreadful! Even I couldn’t move! Could my chastity be stolen before I know it!? She’s amazing, our [Queen]! Though her occasional girlish behaviour was even more intense!

With the greetings finished, the conductor—Reynaldo-san took out a unique machine for some reason, and captured us on what seemed to be a monitor.

“U-Umm…?”

Me, Asia and Xenovia were troubled by this reaction. Buchou and Akeno-san seemed to know what it was.

“This is a machine from the Devil world that checks and compares you. The fact that this train is formally entering the Underworld is important and therefore all modes of transport require inspection. It would be a serious matter in the case that there is some fabrication. In the current time, it would be quite serious if someone occupied the train.”

I see. So he was confirming whether we were the real thing with that machine.

Buchou told us while smiling.

“Your records give your piece designations, and when transmitted it is registered as data in the Underworld. That’s why they check it with this machine. There’s no problem. Since everyone here is who they say they are.”

Though she said that, it let out a “BI-BI!” alarm over me, which didn’t mean “ IMPOSTOR!”, right? I was slightly afraid, but then it let out a light “PIKON” sound, and our checking was passed.

“Princess, with this both the checking and the formalities for the entry of the new faces here are finished. Now you can all rest and relax until we arrive at the scheduled station. There are also beds to sleep in and places where you can have a meal, so please use them until we reach our destination.”

Reynaldo-san smiled pleasantly. Ooh, so our entry is finished with that! That machine really is convenient.

“Thank you, Reynaldo. Is Azazel next?”

Buchou turned to look at sensei, but he was sleeping soundly.

“…What nerve that guy has, sleeping in the train of a race that were his enemies till just the other day.”

Buchou had a face of amazement, but she was smiling a little.

“Ho-ho-ho. The Governor of the Fallen Angels really is peaceful.”

Reynaldo-sama also laughed pleasantly.

Really, whether you call him courageous or just audacious, Azazel-sensei was a Fallen Angel Governor that got agitated by nothing.

The check was finished while sensei kept sleeping, and the safe entry process of all club members was completed.

Part 3

About forty minutes after our departure, we heard an announcement while we were killing time by playing cards.

[We will momentarily be breaking through the dimensional wall. We will momentarily be breaking through the dimensional wall.]

“Try looking outside.”

Buchou said this to me, Asia and Xenovia. Originally, Buchou seemed to have had to sit in the front train car as a high-class devil, but she seemed to have been lonely by herself and had passed the time in our car instead.

Following Buchou’s words, I pushed my face against the window along with Asia. And then—.

The scenery changed from the darkness of before, and a landscape appeared! Ooh! A purple sky! And also—.

“Mountains! And trees too! Hahahaha! Amazing! Amaziiiiiiiing!”

I unintentionally babbled excitedly in a loud voice. But next to me, Asia was also feeling excited with her cries of “Amazing, amazing!”! Because! We’re having fun, naturally!

Because there was the landscape of a world we didn’t know there!

“It’s fine if you open the window now.”

Buchou had given permission, so I opened the window. Wind came in! I had also breathed in the air of the Underworld last time, but it was somehow different from that of the human world! Rather than a slimy kind of feeling, I felt something peculiar! However, the temperature outside was just right, I felt. Neither hot, nor cold.

When I took my face away from the window and looked back, it seemed that the train had come out of what appeared to be a black hole.

That’s the dimensional wall? The dimensional tunnel? At any rate, that seems to be a hole that connects to the human world. We came out from there. And now we’ve entered the Underworld!

I could see the landscape of the Underworld from my seat. There were mountains and rivers as well. Trees also grew in abundance, and there were even forests. Ah! A town! There are houses too! They had a peculiar shape, but devils lived in them, right?

Amazing! Thinking about it, I hadn’t gone abroad before. This might be my first time coming in contact with a foreign culture and country.

It’s hard to believe that my first cultural exchange is in another world. My life really is strange.

“This area is already within Gremory territory.”

Buchou spoke proudly.

“Then, is everything including these train tracks we’ve been running on until now on the land of Buchou’s family!?”

Buchou nodded at my shocked question. Seriously!? What a shocking thing! So the mountains, rivers the town we passed before are part of her family’s territory? Then, were the people living in that town the vassals of this fiefdom?

I once more looked at Buchou with a look of respect and envy.

Amazing! My master was really rich! The scale was so different!

“How large is the Gremory’s territory?”

That was my question. To be honest, I was very interested in how big it was. About the size of the district of Tokyo?

Kiba suddenly showed his face over my seat and answered my question.

“If I remember correctly, it’s about the size of Honshu in Japan.”[3]

………Eh? I couldn’t believe my ears for a moment at that unexpected answer. But, I soon understood.

“H-Honshuuuuuuu!?”

I shouted out in a loud voice! Both Buchou and Kiba nodded.

“The Underworld has the same amount of surface area as the human world, but the population here isn’t the same as the human world. Even with Devils, Fallen Angels, and other races, it isn’t that high. And since there are no oceans, the land is also spacious.”

Buchou explained that.

Seriously!? Wait, just how many times have I used the words “seriously” and “amazing” today!? When hearing such information, it’s only natural to be shocked!

I-In other words, if it was in my world, the Gremory’s territory would engulf almost all of Japan…I-It must be because Buchou is a “princess”! She really is that super-rich!? The scale is also amazing!

“Even if you say it’s the size of Honshu, isn’t it mostly unused space? It’s mostly just forest and mountains.”

B-Buchou, even if you say that, it already exceeds my imagination and I don’t know how to react anymore…

Next to me, Asia was also in a state of “?????”. As for Xenovia, she had stopped considering her surroundings and had started talking about the swords of the Underworld with Kiba.

Buchou clapped her hands together as she remembered something.

“That’s right. Ise, Asia, Xenovia. Since part of my territory will be given to you all later, please tell me what places you want.”

“W-We can have our own territory!?”

“You’re all the servant devils of the next family head. Living in my territory as part of the Gremory group is permitted. Akeno, Yuuto, Koneko, and even Gasper possess land within my territory.”

With a “PON!” sound, Buchou made a map appear in the air with magic and then expanded it and showed it to us.

It’s geography that I don’t know, but it seems to be a map of Gremory territory.

Buchou spoke with a pleasant smile.

“The red areas are places that have already been taken, so they’re no good, but anywhere else is okay. Now then, please point at the land you like. I’ll give it to you.”

Father, mother, I’m having an amazing time in this strange new land…

Part 4

For some ten-odd minutes after that, the train continued through this world that was unknown to me.

In the end, an area that was abundant with nature such as mountains and lakes was my personal territory. Well, since management of my land was still some time away in the future, I finished with just choosing it for now.

It was then that another announcement came out.

[We will soon be arriving at the Gremory main residence. We will soon be arriving at the Gremory main residence. Everyone, thank you for riding this train.]

Ooh, it’s the last stop!

I stuck my body out from the window and turned my gazed ahead of us. Then…for some reason, there was a huge crowd of people there! What’s with that!? When I strained my eyes, I saw that they were soldiers dressed in soldier clothing. Could these people be the Gremory family’s troops!?

“Ise, we’re almost there. Close the window.”

“Y-Yes, Buchou.”

As suggested by Buchou, we began to prepare to disembark. The train’s speed gradually slowed down and eventually stopped.

Gakun.

After it had quietly stopped, we exited from the open door with Buchou in the lead.

However, only Azazel-sensei didn’t look like he was getting off.

“A-re, you’re not getting off, sensei?”

“Yeah, I plan to keep going through Gremory territory like this and go to the Maou’s territory. I have a meeting with Sirzechs and the others there. A so-called “invitation”. Since it faces the main residence of the Gremory's, I’ll come after I go see them and finish my greetings.”

Azazel-sensei waved his hand and explained this. I see, since sensei is the leader of an organisation, his schedule was busy by coming here.

“Then, see you later, sensei.”

“Say hi to my brother for me, Azazel.”

Sensei waved his hand in response to my and Buchou’s words.

The instant that I once again came down to the station’s home with the other club members minus sensei—.

[Welcome home, Rias-ojou-sama!]

Such bellowing voices! Ooh! I was surprised! Soon after that—.

Panpanpanpan!

Fireworks were set off, soldiers aimed their guns at the sky and fired, and people that looked as if they were from an orchestra band began to play simultaneously! A soldier who rode on top of a mysterious creature flew in the sky above, and waved a flag.

Asia and I didn’t know what to do in the face of this entirely unexpected event and just huddled together as if we were out of place. Kiba and the others seemed to be accustomed to this, but for the new Asia and I, it was an incredible phenomenon! Xenovia just kept blinking her eyes!

“Hiiiiii…So many people…”

Gasper was terrified by the large number of people here and hid behind my back.

Looking carefully, there were a lot of butlers and maids among them too. When Buchou approached them, they simultaneously bowed their heads and then,

[Welcome back, Rias-ojou-sama.]

They welcomed her.

“Thank you, everyone. I’m home. I’ve returned.”

Buchou also responded with a smile covering her whole face. Seeing that, the butlers and maids also smiled back.

And then a lady with a face I recognised appeared.

—It was the silver-haired maid, Grayfia-san!

“Welcome back, ojou-sama. You arrived early. Above all, it’s good that you were safe while traveling. Now then, all family members, please board the carriage. We’ll be going to the main residence with this.”

We were led by Grayfia to a gorgeous-looking carriage! The horse also didn’t seem to be a normal horse, as they had a glint in their eyes in its big frame that was sharper than the ones I knew. Was this an Underworld horse?

Our baggage was still in the train, but—. When I turned my eyes back to the train, maids were carrying our baggage out from the train. Ooh, so thorough!

“I will go with the servants. Since Ise and Asia seem anxious, as this is their first time.”

“Understood. I’ve prepared a few vehicles, so please board whichever pleases you.”

Grayfia-san consented to Buchou’s request.

Me, Buchou, Asia, Akeno-san, Xenovia and Grayfia-san boarded the first carriage in front of us. The other members who stayed back took the next carriage.

Once we had boarded it, the carriage begun to move forward while the horse’s hooves made the sound of “Pakarapakara”.

Amazing. I’m riding in a carriage for the first time!

Looking at the scenery, there were paved roads and beautifully pruned trees. The path stretched straight ahead…What, there was something on the path ahead…

A huge structure suddenly burst into my view.

“Bu-Bu-Bu-Bu-Buchou…W-What is that huge castle…?”

I was so shocked that my eyes leapt out of their sockets, and I pointed my finger at what seemed to be a huge castle from the window.

“That’s the main residences of one of my homes.”

With a pleasant smile on her face, Buchou unexpectedly said “one of my homes”.

…Was I perhaps part of an amazing family of upper class devils?

Looking outside, beautiful flowers bloomed, water flowed out of a magnificently modelled fountain, and birds of various colours flew about. The carriage was advancing through what seemed to be the garden of Buchou’s home.

“We seem to have arrived.”

After Buchou murmured that, the carriage door opened. A butler-like man made a slight bow.

Buchou disembarked first, and then the rest of us followed from behind as well. The second carriage had also arrived, and Kiba and the others were getting off too.

The maids and butlers stood in line on both sides of us and made a path! A red carpet stretched out towards the huge castle, and the huge castle gate made a “Gigigi” noise as it opened.

“Ojou-sama, and all the members of her group. Please, advance forward.”

Grayfia made a slight bow and urged us forward.

“Come on, let’s go.”

It was when Buchou started walking on the carpet. A small silhouette broke out from the line of maids and ran towards Buchou.

“Rias-nee-sama! Welcome back!”

A cute-looking young boy with red hair embraced Buchou.

“Millicas! I’m back. You’ve gotten big, haven’t you?’

Buchou also lovingly hugged the boy back.

“U-Umm, Buchou. Who is this child?”

When I asked, Buchou introduced the boy once more.

“This child is Millicas Gremory. The son of my brother—Sirzechs Lucifer-sama. He’s my nephew.”

—Sirzechs-sama’s son!

In other words, the Maou’s son! Uoh! Isn’t he a true prince then!?

“Come on, Millicas. Greet them. This boy is a new member of my group.”

“Yes. I am Millicas Gremory, nice to meet you.”

“I-I accept your polite greeting! I-I’m…No, I am Hyoudou Issei!”[4]

Uwaaaaaah, I was tense and about to blow a fuse with a child smaller than me!

Buchou also spoke while giving an amused smile.

“Because only the person himself who succeeded the title of Maou can retain the name, this child is a Gremory even though he’s my brother’s son. He’s also next in line for family head after me.”

Heh, so he’s next in line after Buchou. Certainly, he’s the son of the family’s eldest son. Sirzechs-sama may have left the family, but his son is an heir of the important Gremory family.

Rather, who was Sirzechs-sama’s wife? Since he has a child, he should also have a partner…

“Come on, let’s go into the residence.”

Buchou held hands with Millicas-sama and headed towards the gate. Asia and I just followed them, desperate not to be left behind. Gasper stuck to my back and didn’t let go either.

We passed through the huge gate and went inside. The inner castle gates also opened one by one.

We then arrived at what seemed to be the entry hall. There were stairs which led to the second floor in front of us! There was a huge chandelier on the ceiling! Huge! This hall was huge! So huge that there was room to house an athletics meet!

“Ojou-sama, I’d like to show everyone to their rooms at once.”

Grayfia-san raised her hand and some maids gathered with us. The maids were all beautiful women! Was this part of the service!?

“You’re right, I have to go greet mother and father after coming home as well.”

Buchou gave a “Hmm” as she seemed to think of things to do after this.

“The master is out at present. He’s expected to return by this evening. He said that he would meet together with you while dining with everyone together at supper.”

“I see, I understand, Grayfia. Then, I suppose we’ll let everyone rest in their respective rooms for now. Has the baggage been carried in already?”

“Yes. There should be no problem with using your room right now.”

Ah, so we can finally rest. Somehow, my body and mind felt tired after just arriving at this castle…Whether it was because I had come to a world I didn’t know and shown such unreal things of such a huge scale one after another or not, I felt dizzy. Asia was also unsteady on her feet beside me.

“Ara, Rias. So you’ve returned.”

At that moment, a woman’s voice was heard from above.

An amazingly beautiful young woman wearing a dress came down the stairs. I thought that she wasn’t that much older than us. Her breasts were huge!

…Huh? She was very similar to Buchou. The colour of her hair was flaxen, but besides that she was almost identical to Buchou! Her eyes were a bit narrower, however…

Could she be Rias’s older sister? But the people of Rias’s family basically only had red hair…Uwah, Buchou’s sister was incredibly beautiful. I felt like I was in love…

As soon as she saw that person, Buchou smiled.

“Mother. I’ve returned home.”

……Eh? M-M-M-Mother…? That beautiful young woman is? Buchou’s?

“M-M-Motheeeeeeeeeeeer!? But, no matter how you look at her, this young woman is not that much older than Buchou!”

I was shocked to the point that my eyes bulged and I shouted out unintentionally. No, no, no matter how you look her, she’s an older sister! She doesn’t feel like a mother! She was more like Buchou’s older sister!

“Ara, to say such a happy thing, that I’m a young woman.”

Buchou’s…mother touched her cheek with her hand and smiled. Uah, her smiling face is also pretty!

“As years go by, devils can freely change their appearances with magic. My mother always has the appearance of the same age as the current me.”

I see, I see. Wait, she may be her mother, but…no matter how you look at her, she looks like an onee-sama whose age doesn’t change that much from Buchou’s. This is bad! Though my favourite woman is normally Buchou, I like onee-samas even more! My heart throbbed! Buchou’s breasts were inherited from her mother! I cried at this wonderful thing! Hurray for genetics!

Buchou pinched my cheek.

“…You know nothing will come out of it even if you make hot eyes at my mother, right?”

Auu, it seems my onee-sama read my mind…Because, with such a beautiful lady, I couldn’t help but look!

“Ara, Rias. This boy is Hyoudou Issei, right?”

“You know about m-me — me?”[5]

Buchou’s mother nodded at my question.

“Yes, I snuck a look at your face at my daughter’s engagement party, since I’m her mother.”

Ah…This is bad. So she was at that party. I was too absorbed in rescuing Buchou, so I didn’t notice…

I had marched into her daughter’s important engagement party, destroyed everything, and took Buchou away! Was I going to be scolded!? Or punished!?

I was terrified, but Buchou’s mother just gave a small smile.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Rias’s mother, Venerana Gremory. Please treat me well from now on, Hyoudou Issei-kun.”

Part 5

Several hours after that meeting in the entrance hall, we were in the dining room. An extravagant meal so large that I could never eat it all was piled on top of expensive-looking plates, and I didn’t know where to start. It all seemed so incredibly delicious!

We servant devils and our master Buchou took a seat at the table. And then, we were followed by Buchou’s father, mother, and then Millicas-sama.

Dinner time—I suppose it could be called that. Apparently, there seemed to be “night” in the originally sunless and moonless Underworld as well.

The sky was also dark. When I looked up at the sky, there was a false moon floating up there. They said that it wasn’t the real one, but it had been reproduced using magic. The night’s darkness in the Underworld was made the same as back home. Apparently it was originally purple in this world. Then, when I entered this place before, it was daytime in this world, huh.

The flow of time here seemed to match the human world. It seemed that the underworld had its own flow of time here, but it seemed that, for the sake of reincarnated devils and those that lived in the human world, the Maous had adjusted it to match using a special method. So that it wouldn’t be an “Urashima Taro situation”[6] for them. The reverse of that as well. The Fallen Angel region of this world also seems to be the same.

I was relieved that I wasn’t in a situation where “hundreds of years have passed when I return” or “though I was in the Underworld for hundreds of years, only a few days have passed in the human world”.

“Please enjoy yourselves without holding back.”

That is how dinner began with a word from Buchou’s father.

A huge oblong table, an extravagant chandelier on the ceiling, even the chairs we sat on were covered in expensive-looking ornaments…Right now I just looked at the chandelier. Were there chandeliers on the ceilings of guest rooms that had been prepared for us as well? No, ordinary lamps seemed nostalgic now.

The canopy bed was also huge. It was too big for just me to sleep in!

The insides of the rooms were many tatami-mats wide…Each of the rooms also seemed to have all the necessities needed to live in a bath, toilet, refrigerator, television, and kitchen. I think there were also a bedroom, living room, and other rooms in them…Asia and Xenovia were also impressed when they came to my place at almost the same time immediately after we had been shown to our rooms.

“Hauuu, t-this room is way too big for just one person!”

“…I can’t settle down. Sorry, but can I stay in Ise’s room? Asia can come too.”

For these two who had lived simple lives at the church, the size of the rooms seemed to have been a serious shock, and because they couldn’t calm down about it they had taken their entire luggage to my room and asked to move in.

After that, it was organised so that Asia and Xenovia would stay in my room through Grayfia-san’s arrangements, but…well, it still felt like there was extra space in the room even then, so it was fine. Since I had no confidence that I could use up all that room by myself, having more people with me calmed me down.

I turned my thoughts back to my seat at dinner, but…no, but how I am supposed to eat all this cuisine before me? I could ask all the butlers and maids that were constantly standing behind us, but the other club members hadn’t asked about anything in particular…

I held my fork and knife without putting them to the extravagant cooking that I beheld for the first time. I was hungry. But if I ate crudely here, Buchou would completely lose face. Ah, Kiba and Akeno-san were eating gracefully. As expected of the [Queen] and [Knight].

Asia and Xenovia were also having a hard time, though they still looked good. These two had, like me, introduced themselves in this place not that long ago, because we were newcomers.

The little Millicas-sama was eating skilfully. As I thought, he’d been trained in this. As someone from an ordinary household, I couldn’t follow the life style of the aristocracy at all!

When I casually turned my gaze to Gasper in front of me, he was eating with watery eyes that were squeezed shut. Today may have been a tough day for the hikikomori, after coming to a place with lots of people here in the Underworld.

Koneko-chan—hadn’t starting eating at all. Even though, usually, she would have been the first to heartily dig into the meal…Koneko-chan had been acting strange somehow since the other day.

Our eyes met, and I waved my hand, but she averted her eyes while remaining expressionless. She always showed little emotion on her face, but there was even less reaction than usual. Muu, what’s wrong, Koneko-chan…?

Azazel-sensei hadn’t made it for the meal. It seems that the meeting couldn’t help lasting a long time.

“*Clear throat*. Members of Rias’ group, please think of this place as your home. Having just come to the Underworld, you’re in an environment you don’t understand. If there’s something you want, please say so to the housemaids without reserve. They’ll prepare it right away.”

Buchou’s father cheerfully told us this. No, there’s nothing in particular that I want anymore. Ah! Is it okay if I borrow the maid onee-sans for a night? I want ecchi service from the maids! Of course, it’d be the best if they could attend to me all night!

—As if. I’ve been looking at too many Galge[7] and manga, haven’t I…?

“By the way, Hyoudou Issei-kun.”

Buchou’s father turned to face me. Uwah, I’m nervous! What will he ask?

“Y-Yes!”

However, the topic Buchou’s father brought up was unexpected.

“Have your parents been well?”

“Y-Yes! The two of them are fine! W-When I told them that I was going to Buchou’s…Rias-sama’s hometown; they just expected a souvenir from me! F-For them to say such a thing after their house was so wonderfully rebuilt, they really are selfish parents…Ahaha.”

I said all that as a joke, but…

“Hmm. A souvenir, huh. I see.”

Buchou’s father rang a hand bell beside him. A butler-like person then immediately approached.

“What is your order, master?”

“Yes. Prepare a castle for Hyoudou Issei-kun’s parents.”

A caaaaaaaastle!? A castle as a souvenir!? What the heck is that!? Is this some kind of Underworld joke!?

“Yes. Shall it be Western-style? Or Japanese-style?”

The butler also responded normally! Is it normal to give a castle as a present!?

“What a worrisome choice.”

“P-Please wait a moment! G-Going that far for a souvenir is a little too much!”

I quickly tried to restrain Buchou’s father. O-Our cultures and living levels are too different!

“Dear, since the land in Japan is too small, it’s impossible for a commoner to have a castle.”

That was the voice of Buchou’s mother. Thank you very much for your help! Yes, I’m just a commoner!

“What? Certainly, Japan is small. Hmm, if a castle is no good, I wonder what else would be a good present…”

“Father, worrying about it that much will just trouble them. Ise’s parents don’t possess strong worldly desires anyway.”

So said Buchou! Yeah, because Buchou knew my father and mother well, her words were persuasive!

Buchou’s father also said “I see” and nodded deeply. Thank goodness. The castle was averted. My family wouldn’t know what to do with a castle, and it would have surely become a hot topic of conversation among people!

Please don’t make my family stand out like that…

“Hyoudou Issei-kun.”

“Y-Yes!”

For some reason, Buchou’s father kept calling out to me. Was he very interested in me? Because I possessed the power of the Sekiryuutei? Besides that, I don’t really have any characteristics that make me stand out.

“You may call me “father-in-law” from today on.”

What unexpected words. Now that I think of it, hadn’t Sirzechs-sama also asked me to call him “onii-san”? Was this the same thing?

“C-Call you “father”[8]…? T-That’s too great an honour for me!”

I waved both of my hands from the side and showed my restrained will. As expected, such an honour was impossible for me!

“Dear, you’re being too fast. There’s such a thing as order first.”

Buchou’s mother scolded her husband.

“Y-Yeah. However, it’s even crimson and red. Doesn’t it make you happy?”

“Dear, I said that it’s still too early to celebrate.”

“That’s true. It seems I just tend to be too hasty.”

Buchou’s father let out a deep breath. It seemed that he was completely dominated by his wife.

So the words of Buchou’s mother had a lot of power in this household. If I watch Buchou’s family closely, tonight’s dinner may be a huge profit for me.

The person in question, Buchou, was in a state of embarrassment and didn’t continue eating.

“Hyoudou Issei-san. Is it fine if I can call you Issei-san?”

Buchou’s mother asked this. Somehow, it seems I was the centre of attention at tonight’s dinner!

“Y-Yes! Of course!”

Naturally, I had no particular problem with it, so I consented!

“Will you be staying here for a while?”

“Yes. While Buchou…Rias-sama is here, I’ll be here too…But, what about it?”

“I see. That’s perfect. Since I have to have you acquire gentlemanly behaviour as well. You’ll study manners a little while here.”

Huh? I have to acquire gentlemanly behaviour? What do you mean by that?

Bang!

The sound of the table being hit! When I looked over, Buchou had stood up at her seat.

“Father! Mother! I’ve been listening quietly until now, but what kind of thing are you trying to advance while leaving me out of it!?”

Buchou’s mother narrowed her eyes at those words. There was none of the smiling face from when she had pleasantly greeted us before.

“Be silent, Rias. You already canceled your engagement with Raiser, remember? The fact that we just permitted it should be thought of as special treatment. How much effort do you think your father and Sirzechs had to put in in order to take care of things with the other high-class devils? Do you know that he told one noble that “my selfish daughter canceled her engagement using the legendary dragon”? You may be the younger sister of the Maou, but there is still a limit.”

—My selfish daughter canceled her engagement using the legendary dragon.

Based on the words of Buchou’s mother, that party that I barged into was being thought of like that…Did I do something selfish?

But I didn’t want Buchou to be taken away by him, and Buchou also said that she didn’t want to marry Raiser either. But, the action I took then—was it right? No, I’d like to think that it was right.

“Onii-sama has nothing to—”

Buchou’s face became clouded by anger and she tried to speak out, but Buchou’s mother didn’t let her.

“You mean Sirzechs is unrelated to what you do? Officially, that is true. However, everyone sees you as the Maou’s younger sister. Right now, when the three great powers have formed an alliance, your position is known even by the lower classes of the other powers. You can’t behave selfishly as you have in the past. And, above all else, everyone will pay attention to you from now on. Rias, you have been placed into that kind of position, you know? There will be no second instance of that kind of selfishness. Do not carry any spoiled thoughts. Understood?”

Buchou seem to be mortified by those words and couldn’t retort back. Still looking unconvinced, she forcefully sat down in her seat.

After letting out a single breath, Buchou’s mother turned to us with a smile.

“I’ve shown something ugly to Rias’ group members, haven’t I? Getting back to the topic, you will go through special training during your stay here, Issei-san. Since, you have to experience the upper society and nobility even if only a little.”

Seriously? I have to learn what it means to be a noble? Then what about Kiba? And Gasper? Why only me? Could it possibly have something to do with the discussion my parents had with Buchou’s father the other day? Like “Please teach our stupid son about the refined world”?

…Whether it was because of my parents or not, I can’t gauge the true intentions of Buchou’s family. I pointed at myself and asked.

“U-Umm, why me?”

Then, Buchou’s mother stopped smiling and spoke to me frankly with a serious expression.

“You—are the last bit of selfishness of my daughter, the next family head. As parents we bear the responsibility right until the end.”

When I turned to look at Buchou, her gaze met with mine and then she turned her face away, which had become red.

It’s no good. I don’t understand it all! Just what kind of situation was I in…?

Notes:

1. Tsukkomi basically means a retort, the kind used by the straight man in a comedy act. Left in the original Japanese to keep close to the original meaning.

2. The "he" character looks like this へ, which on a face is like a pout with the lips turned upwards.

3. Honshu is the largest island among the islands of Japan.

4. Note that that the hesitation in the last sentence is because he switches from the rougher "I" (おれ) to the politer "I" (ぼく).

5. Once again, switching from rough "I" to polite "I".

6. Urashima Taro is a character from an ancient Japanese tale, who after spending three days in a castle under the sea returned to find 300 hundred years had passed in the real world.

7. Galge are visual novel games that focus on the game character developing romantic relationships with various girls, particularly in a sexual and erotic way.

8. Note: The kanji used by Ise here is different than the one used by Rias's father; while both words are pronounced as とう, the first means "father-in-law", while the one used by Ise just means "father".

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