The decision was made. The visit to Issei's parents, strangely enough, had only pushed me towards it even more strongly. Their simple life, untainted by the realities of the supernatural, their sincere hospitality—all of it highlighted my own detachment. I was an outsider in the world of humans, but in the world of devils, I remained merely a spectator, a force everyone wanted to use, but no one truly understood. The invitation from the Phenex, even if dictated by politics and a desire to save face, was a step towards me. A chance to peek behind the curtain of one of the great clans, to understand their motives, and at the same time, my own place in this complex game.
I took the crimson parchment envelope and a small crystal—a teleportation coupon—from the folder. There were no instructions, but I assumed I just needed to activate it with willpower or a small infusion of energy. After informing Rias of my intention (she, though expressing concern, didn't try to talk me out of it, only asking me to be careful and stay in touch), I sequestered myself in the spacious living room of my new home.
Taking the crystal in hand, I focused. A light pulse of energy, and the crystal flared with a bright, orange-gold light. The room around me distorted, blurred, like a watercolor painting in the rain. The familiar physics of space ceased to exist. I was enveloped in a sensation of rapid falling and, simultaneously, flying through streams of pure energy. It was unlike the magic teleportation circles devils used—those were sharper, almost mechanical. This transport was... fiery, alive.
A few moments later, which could have been an eternity or a fraction of a second, the vortex of energy dissipated. I was standing on solid ground. But the world around me was completely different.
The first thing that caught my eye was the sky. It was neither blue like on Earth, nor crimson like in that training arena. It shimmered with every shade of violet and purple, with rare flashes of golden and orange clouds that looked like frozen flames. The air was warm, dry, with a faint smell of... sulfur? Or something like hot metal. Not unpleasant, but definitely alien.
I was standing on a wide plaza paved with reddish stone, in front of an enormous building. An estate. A palace. It was hard to find the right word. The architecture was majestic, but not as cold and severe as I expected from devils. Tall spires, decorated with intricate carvings, resembled tongues of flame reaching for the violet sky. The walls of dark red and golden stone shimmered in the light, as if covered in fine scales. Huge stained-glass windows depicted scenes from Phenex mythology—firebirds rising from ashes, battling monsters, soaring in the heavens. Everything here screamed of wealth, antiquity, and... fire. The territory of the Phenex clan in all its glory.
They were already waiting for me. At the main entrance, under a carved arch, stood two people. A man and a woman. Both were dressed with aristocratic elegance, but without excessive pomp. The man was tall, stately, with noble features framed by golden hair, just like Riser's, but with a much calmer and wiser gaze. The woman was strikingly beautiful, with the same fiery-gold hair gathered in an elegant updo, and eyes the color of molten gold. A powerful aura emanated from them, not aggressive, but rather... warming, like a flame in a hearth. Lord and Lady Phenex. Riser's parents.
"Izayoi Jin-sama," Lord Phenex's voice was deep and calm, without a shadow of the arrogance that was so irritating in his son. "We welcome you to our domain. We are glad you accepted our invitation."
"Thank you for the warm welcome, Lord Phenex, Lady Phenex," I replied, trying to speak evenly, although inwardly I still felt a slight nervousness from this formal setting.
"Please, there's no need for formalities," Lady Phenex smiled gently. Her smile was warm, but a hidden sadness could be read in her eyes. "We did not invite you for ceremonies. Let us go inside, where we can speak more comfortably."
They led me through enormous doors, decorated with gold and obsidian, into the palace. The hall was even more impressive than the facade. High, vaulted ceilings, columns entwined with garlands of magical fire that didn't burn but only glowed softly, tapestries depicting the history of the Phenex family, a fountain in the center from which jets of liquid golden light sprayed. The luxury here wasn't gaudy, like at the ceremony, but... majestic, emphasizing the clan's antiquity and power.
We were led into a spacious yet cozy sitting room, furnished with soft furniture in warm tones. Portraits of ancestors hung on the walls—stern warriors and beautiful women with fiery hair. Devil servants in livery silently served drinks—something resembling a spiced, hot juice.
When we were settled in the armchairs, Lord Phenex began the conversation.
"Izayoi-sama, allow us to once again express our deepest regret regarding the behavior of our son, Riser," his voice sounded sincere. "What happened in the human world, his arrogance, his unworthy actions towards Lady Rias and her friends, and his subsequent defeat in the duel... all of this has cast a shadow upon our clan's honor. We raised him as an heir, as a warrior, but alas, his pride and high-handedness overcame his reason."
"We offer you our apologies," Lady Phenex added, her voice trembling. "And we thank you for... stopping him. And for showing mercy in the arena. You could have killed him, but you did not."
I nodded silently, accepting their apologies. Arguing or being sarcastic now would be inappropriate. They looked genuinely upset and humiliated by their offspring's behavior.
"We hope," Lord Phenex continued, "that this incident will not become an insurmountable obstacle to establishing... mutual understanding between you and our family. Your strength, your honor—these are qualities we value highly. We would be glad to see you not as an enemy, but... perhaps, in the future, an ally."
"An ally?" I raised an eyebrow. "I already told your son and representatives of other clans that I am not looking for alliances and do not intend to serve anyone."
"We know," Lady Phenex said softly. "And we respect your position. We are not asking you for oaths of fealty or contracts. We are merely... hoping for the possibility of dialogue. That you will not see all Phenexes as enemies because of the mistake of one family member."
Their words sounded reasonable. Diplomatic. They were trying to smooth things over, save face, and perhaps leave the door open for future cooperation on my terms. Well, this was better than empty threats or flattery.
"Very well," I nodded. "I accept your apologies. And I do not hold a grudge against your entire family because of one arrogant idiot."
Lord and Lady Phenex relaxed visibly. Relief appeared on their faces.
"We thank you, Izayoi-sama," the Lord said. "That means a great deal to us."
At that moment, the door to the sitting room quietly opened, and a girl entered. Young, almost my age, maybe slightly younger. She had the same golden hair as Riser, but it was braided into two lush, springy "drill" curls that fell at her sides. Her blue eyes looked daring, almost defiant. She was dressed in an elegant but severe dark red dress. Ravel Phenex. Riser's younger sister. His former Bishop.
She approached her parents, gave a slight curtsy, and then turned to me. Her gaze was cold, appraising, with obvious dislike.
"Father, Mother, you called for me?" her voice was melodious but sharp. "Ah, so this is the infamous... Izayoi Jin? The one who dared to humiliate my brother?"
"Ravel!" Lord Phenex said sternly. "Behave yourself! Izayoi-sama is our guest. And we have just offered him our apologies for Riser's unworthy behavior."
"Apologies?" Ravel huffed, her cheeks flushing slightly. She measured me with a scornful look from head to toe. "Brother may have been rash, but he is a Phenex! And this... this..." she faltered, searching for the word, "...he's just some human! He won unfairly! He used some kind of trick!"
I watched this scene silently, raising an eyebrow slightly. The girl was... cute. Visually. Those "drill" curls, that stubbornly upturned nose, those cheeks flushing with indignation. A typical tsundere aristocrat, defending her family's honor and her disgraced brother. Her hostility amused me more than it irritated me. She was like an angry kitten trying to hiss at a tiger.
"Unfairly?" I repeated calmly, a slight smirk in my voice. "I was simply stronger. Your brother was too overconfident and predictable. His vaunted immortality didn't save him from humiliation. That's all."
My calmness and directness seemed to infuriate her even more.
"How dare you speak of my brother like that!" she shouted, taking a step toward me. "You... you..."
"Ravel, that is enough!" Lady Phenex's voice was soft but commanding. She placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Izayoi-sama is our guest. And he is right. Riser lost honorably. And Izayoi-sama showed nobility in sparing his life. We should be grateful, not casting blame."
Ravel bit her lip, her eyes glittering with tears of offense and anger. She shot me one more withering look but remained silent and retreated to her parents, turning away demonstratively.
Lord Phenex sighed heavily.
"Forgive her behavior, Izayoi-sama. Ravel is very attached to her brother, and she is finding it difficult to accept his... condition after the duel."
"Condition?" I caught the note of concern in his voice. "What's wrong with him? Shouldn't his regeneration have fixed everything?"
Lord and Lady Phenex exchanged a look. The shadow of sadness and... helplessness returned to their faces.
"Physically... yes, physically Riser has almost fully recovered," Lord Phenex began slowly. "His body healed, as it always does. But... his spirit is broken."
"Broken?" I didn't quite understand.
"After your match, Izayoi-sama," Lady Phenex took over, her voice trembling, "Riser... changed. He locked himself in his chambers. He barely speaks to anyone. He... is afraid."
"Afraid? Of what? Me?" I still couldn't believe it. The arrogant, immortal Phenex... afraid?
"Not just of you," the Lord shook his head. "He is afraid... of everything related to that power. He saw your overwhelming might. And it... broke him. His pride, his confidence in his own invulnerability—it all shattered. Now he flinches at any loud noise, refuses to train, avoids even the mention of battles. He... has fallen into a deep depression. He has lost the will to live."
Ravel, standing nearby, let out a quiet sob upon hearing this. Her hostility toward me was momentarily replaced by pain for her brother.
I was silent, processing what I'd heard. Riser Phenex, psychologically broken? The same peacock who thought himself a god? That was... unexpected. And, in a way, even just. His arrogance was punished not with physical pain, but with fear.
"And that is why," Lord Phenex looked at me with pleading in his eyes, "we invited you here. Not just for apologies. But also... with a request."
"A request?" I became wary.
"We don't know what to do, Izayoi-sama," Lady Phenex's voice was full of despair. "The healers are powerless, the psychologists can't get through to him. He is locked away in his fear. But you... you are the one who dealt him this defeat. You are the one whose power broke him. Perhaps... perhaps, only you can somehow... influence him? Talk to him? Show him... I donT know... that not all is lost? That one can rise even after such a defeat?"
They were asking me to help their son. The same bastard I had enjoyed breaking in the arena. Asking me, his enemy, to become his... psychotherapist? It was absurd. Ridiculous. And completely outside my plans.
I looked at Lord and Lady Phenex, at their pleading eyes. I looked at Ravel, who, forgetting her hostility, was staring at me with desperate hope.
Help Riser? Why? He deserved what he got. His fear was his problem.
But... something stirred within me. Not pity. No. More like... curiosity. Could I, the one who broke him, somehow influence him? Could I pull him out of this pit? Or would I just look at his pathetic state and walk away?
And also... Ravel. This little, proud tsundere, who so desperately loves her worthless brother. Her tear-filled eyes... something about them was captivating.
"You are asking me to help Riser get out of his depression?" I asked slowly, weighing every word. "The same Riser who wanted to take Rias by force and threatened her friends? The same one I nearly obliterated? Are you sure I am the right candidate for this role?"
Lord Phenex sighed heavily.
"We no longer know who to turn to, Izayoi-sama. You are his fear. But, perhaps, you are also his only chance."