"Your point is indeed the same as mine. I stayed even though I didn't know much about my brother. I allowed him to have his way with me despite how unfamiliar we had become after being separated for so long. Maybe... this is what they call love." Ravel Phenex curled her lips into a soft, tender smile as she reminisced about their previous shared adventure.
Her thoughts drifted back to that scene, right here in this very room, where her brother had pinned her down on this very table.
It was the scene he claimed her virginity, making her his in every sense of the word.
It wasn't the kind of romantic tale one might read in a novel, but to her, it was profound, raw, and deeply personal.
It was something she had yearned for, something buried deep within her heart since those lonely days when she realized how much she missed his presence.
Becoming one with him, in body and spirit, was her way of reclaiming what she had lost so long ago.
After he disappeared from their lives, she never thought she would come to understand the pain of losing someone she cherished.
She had once taken his presence for granted, believing he would always be there, but his sudden departure shattered that illusion.
She would never have imagined the grief, the emptiness that followed, nor the lengths she would go to bridge that chasm between them.
Now, even if it meant maintaining this forbidden relationship, she was willing to do whatever it took to keep him close. No cost was too high—not even this.
As Ravel's soft, wistful smile lingered, Le Fay shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
The casual acceptance of incest by the girl sitting across from her made her stomach twist in unease.
As a human, this was not only morally reprehensible but also deeply unsettling.
Yet, even with her discomfort, she couldn't entirely ignore the complexity of the situation.
The bond between Ravel and her brother was not something she could easily untangle or judge outright.
Le Fay hesitated, her mind a flurry of conflicted emotions, before finally replying, "Maybe..."
Her voice was soft, uncertain, and laden with the weight of her inner turmoil.
She knew she had to face the reality of her boyfriend's actions, no matter how much they clashed with her own beliefs.
Meanwhile, in the scene where Riser met his mother, Lady Phenex gazed at her son with eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow, confusion, and frustration.
Her heart ached as countless questions swirled in her mind, questions she desperately wanted to ask but found herself unable to voice.
Why had he disappeared without a word? Why had he returned, not as her proud son of noble standing, but disguised as Adolf Riser, complete with a growing mustache?
Why had he chosen to participate in a war that wasn't meant for those of noble birth like him, but rather for the low-class and middle-class devils?
And why had he thrown himself into a conflict that left him scarred, both physically and emotionally?
The longer she looked at him, the harder it became to reconcile the person standing before her with the son she once knew.
It was as though the boy she had raised was gone, replaced by a man she barely recognized.
Acceptance of this harsh reality made her feel increasingly uneasy.
Especially troubling was the fact that Riser said nothing to explain himself.
He remained silent about his reasons, choosing instead to be reclusive and distant, refusing to confront his family or share the burden of his thoughts.
In the end, the only word that escaped Lady Phenex's trembling lips was a single, plaintive question:
"Why?"
Riser's expression remained calm, almost detached. "I did what I thought was right, Mother."
Her frown deepened, and the weight of her emotions spilled into her voice. "So, abandoning your family, renouncing your noble name, becoming a painter, living a meager life in Vienna, and participating in a war that nearly cost you your senses—that's what you call right?"
"My dream has always been to become a painter," Riser replied, his tone firm. "I never wanted to be caught up in politics, to endure an arranged marriage, or to indulge in the hedonistic habits of my past. I craved freedom, Mother. I wanted to know what it truly meant to live humbly, away from the suffocating expectations and aristocratic treatment I endured as a Phenex."
He paused for a moment, his gaze unwavering. "But sometimes, a boy must grow into a man. When my kind needed me—when devils needed my help—I took up arms. I was willing to die for our race, for the pride of the Phenex name. We are noble devils, Mother, and I refused to dishonor that legacy. Even if it meant losing everything, even my life, I would honor it."
He straightened his posture, his eyes reflecting unshakable resolve. "This is who I am now, Mother. Adolf Riser. I have renounced my former name as a Phenex, shredded my incompetent self, and become a new man."
Lady Phenex's voice trembled with both anger and grief. "But why did it have to be so extreme, Riser? Did we fail you as parents? Did we do something so wrong that you felt the need to cast us aside completely? You didn't have to go this far. You could have used the Phenex name to achieve your dreams, to participate in the war if that was your choice. We would have supported you—stood behind you. The Phenex Clan has always been your family. Why… why did you choose this path?"
Her voice cracked, the pain of a mother who couldn't understand her son's choices evident in every word.
She couldn't comprehend why he had refused their help so completely, why he had gone to such great lengths to avoid them, to sever ties so harshly.
Looking at his mother's sorrowful expression, Riser let out a heavy sigh, unsure of how to put his complicated feelings into words.
How could he possibly express that the betrayal his family had inflicted upon him in his previous timelines still lingered like an open wound, festering deep within his heart?
Even now, the sting of their actions was as raw as ever.
Especially when he thought about how undeserving he was of such treachery.
In those timelines, he hadn't done anything wrong, yet they stood firmly by Issei's side. They labeled him—their own blood—as the immature one, the disappointment, the lesser son.
And yet, in a cruel twist of irony, when they lost him in this timeline, they grieved for him.
Suddenly, they no longer dared to cast immature labels upon him, nor did they side with outsiders over their own family ever again.
The regret they carried now was palpable, but the bitterness within Riser remained like a poisoned thorn embedded in his chest.
His mother, however, was right about one thing. Despite the resentment and pain, Riser wanted to help his people.
He wanted to aid his race, no matter the cost. The tide of war loomed heavy, and the devils needed strength to reclaim their greatness.
For that vision to become reality, he needed his family's support, no matter how bitter the taste it left in his mouth.
"Since you want to help, I have a condition, Mother," Riser said, his tone calm but steely.
"I need the Phenex Clan to support the war faction. I want you and Father to send reinforcements to Lady Serafall. Help her secure victory against the crows."
His words hung heavy in the air, carrying both determination and the weight of his underlying bitterness.
Lady Phenex listened intently, her expression unreadable for a moment.
Then, with a deep breath, she stood, her hands clasping each other tightly as if to steady her resolve. "You'll need to speak with your brother. If Ruval agrees to relinquish his position as heir to you, then you may do as you wish. You may support whomever you wish to support. Remember this, Riser—the Phenex Clan will always stand behind you."
Her voice was laced with resignation and the unyielding firmness of a mother who both loved and understood the complexities of her child.
She reached out and patted his shoulder gently, her eyes softening. "I also recognize your ambition. I know you don't just want to win this war. You seek something more—something beyond what I can fully comprehend. We can give you our support, but you must first handle things delicately. Don't break your brother's heart. Convince Ruval to support you, to relinquish his claim as heir, and this will all be yours."
Riser's lips curved into a small smile, gratitude flashing briefly in his eyes. "Thank you, Mother."
"It's too early to thank me, Riser. You haven't convinced Ruval yet," Lady Phenex replied, her firm expression softening into a gentle smile.
She looked at her son with a mixture of pride and hope, relieved to see him beginning to embrace his family again, even if it wasn't wholehearted acceptance just yet.
Riser nodded and thanked her once more before turning to leave.
As he stepped out of the study room, the determination in his stride was evident—he was ready to confront Ruval.
Lady Phenex remained standing, her gaze following his retreating form as he disappeared into the distance.
Her son's silhouette grew smaller and smaller until he vanished entirely from her sight.
With a weary sigh, she whispered to herself, "I only hope I don't come to regret this decision."
However, no one truly understood that this decision would not only alter the very structure of Phenex leadership but also reshape the entire world in ways unimaginable.
It marked the beginning of Adolf Riser's journey to fully gaining unparalleled authority within the underworld—a level of power that came with not only true influence but also an number of loyal followers ready to obey his every command.