Chapter 173: Dogeza!

Before Riser did anything, Serafall made her move.

Unlike the others, Serafall didn't like Issei.

Why?

Wasn't it obvious?

Serafall felt that Issei was just a jumping clown, but even so, Sirzech trusted this pervert so much. Frankly, she didn't understand. If she had to be honest, she felt that they might as well kill the Red Dragon Emperor and the White Dragon Emperor as they had nothing but caused them trouble.

Moreover, she could see that Issei was asking for trouble when Riser did nothing.

Lastly, if this guy didn't exist, would Riser and Sirzech fight each other?

In other words, Issei was the source of trouble!

Serafall thought that she might as well kill Issei so all the problems were solved, and it would be easier for Riser and Sirzech to make up.

Sirzech aside, if it was the others, Serafall didn't hesitate to kill them, especially those who had caused trouble to Riser.

Even if Serafall didn't focus her aura on Aika and Asia, the two felt the immense killing aura emitted from Serafall's body.

While Aika plopped to the ground as her legs gave up and her eyes widened in fear, Asia still held on as she didn't wish to see Issei dead.

Asia wished to say something, begging, yet she was unable to let out her voice as her throat was choked by something, and except for standing while trembling like a newborn fawn, there was nothing she could do.

'Anyone, please! Please! Save, Issei-san!'

Asia knew that Issei might cause trouble, but even so, there was no way for her to let him die, especially when he was the one who had saved her.

'Please! Please! Please!'

"Serafall!"

As expected, someone came and stopped her.

"Sirzech-chan~!"

Serafall still maintained her smile and, like the act of killing which she had done previously, was nothing.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

Issei, who could breathe, coughed in pain as he breathed the air greedily. He wanted to look up, angry, panicked, afraid, annoyed; all of them were mixed together, yet there was no doubt what he felt the most at this moment was fear as he knew he was almost dead.

Nevertheless, he wanted to see the person who had beaten him, but before his head could rise, his head was pushed to the ground by Sirzech.

Not only Sirzech but Lord Gremory, Rias, Sona, and the others also came as Serafall's aura was so intense.

"I am not sure what made you angry at him, but can you forgive him, Serafall? As you can see, he is regretting his actions."

"Serafall-dono, we, the Gremoy House, will do our best to educate our servant again, so can you give us a chance?"

If it was Riser, Sirzech might argue and even try to provoke, but Serafall was different as she was his best friend. Moreover, with what would happen soon, if possible, he didn't want to fight since if he made Serafall into an enemy, would the peace he sought after be possible?

Moreover, he knew Serafall's personality well, and he knew it was hard for her to get angry, yet she got angry and even wished to kill Issei directly, so there must be something wrong with Issei.

Meanwhile, while Lord Gremory didn't know what had happened, Sirzech wished to protect Issei so he could follow up even if he might anger Serafall.

As for Rias, Sona, and the others, they didn't have a right to talk in this situation.

Nevertheless, it was a good chance for Serafall to complain, but she was stopped by Riser.

"Let's go, Onee-chan."

"But—"

"Let's go. Aren't we here to visit Sona? There is no need to waste your time with trash."

"..."

Serafall pouted and then stopped before she followed Riser while greeting Sona with a cheerful smile.

"Sona-chan~!"

She jumped into Sona and hugged her tightly as she wished to recover from her bad mood.

Usually, Sona would push Serafall away, but this time, she didn't do anything and asked quietly. "Are you okay, Onee-sama?"

"Un, I am good now~!"

"Dear?" Sona looked at Riser, wanting to hear an answer.

"It's okay. It's just the usual."

The usual...

Even though Riser didn't clearly explain, everyone could tell what Issei did. At this moment, whether it was Rias or the others, they could only feel that this guy was really an idiot.

Still, there were a few people who were staring at him longingly, yet as expected, he ignored them.

Yet, Issei, who coughed hard, heard Riser's words and couldn't help but get angry.

Trash?

Who was the trash?

"Hey! You Grilled—"

Before Issei finished his words, he was slapped harshly by Asia.

"A-Asia-chan...?"

Issei looked at Asia in disbelief.

Nevertheless, Asia didn't regret her action and looked at Issei in tears before she lowered her head and apologized. "Please forgive his rudeness, Riser-sama."

Not only Issei but the others were startled by Asia's action as they had never thought this gentle girl would do such violence. After all, she was the embodiment of kindness, and for her to do such a thing was definitely out of the ordinary.

Yet, no one blamed her, and Rias even wanted to praise her.

Nevertheless, Riser turned and stared at Issei.

This brought another tension to everyone as they didn't know what he planned to do.

If Riser had just ignored Issei like before, they would have felt relief, but he stopped and stared at Issei.

Even if he didn't say anything, their hearts were beating so fast that they were unable to move, like they were facing an animal from a higher food chain and they were just his prey.

Even Kiba, who had made a promise to protect Issei, was unable to move a single of his muscles.

Still, while Lord Gremory was nervous, Sirzech was prepared to move as he knew Riser definitely wasn't an opponent that he could take on lightly.

Nevertheless, as Riser's target, Issei was unable to say anything, and he could feel as if death was in front of him. At this moment, he wondered why he always forgot this feeling and kept provoking him, but—

*Chuckle!*

"...."

Riser chuckled.

"....."

Everyone was at a loss for a moment.

"You know, as you are a Red Dragon Emperor, I thought that you were an idiot like the White Dragon Emperor, who provoked me even though you knew the gap between our power and status."

In other words, it was impossible for Issei to reach his level, yet did anyone argue? No.

The reality was like this.

Riser was above everyone, and his power was at the same level as that of Maous.

Even if Issei had the potential, Riser could crush him like an ant at this moment.

"However, it seems you are smarter than him."

Riser smiled kindly. "So do your best to act like an honest puppy in front of me since if you ever provoke me, no one can save you."

"Are you ignoring me, Riser?" Sirzech asked while frowning.

"Oh, I am not, but can you protect this idiot for 24 hours, seven days a week, and 366 days a year? If not, then I will kill him, not only him, but I will kill his parents, families, and all the people he cares about, so don't test me."

"...."

Everyone fell into silence, and they knew Riser would really do it as long as Issei provoked him again.

Issei was shocked and could feel his body drenched in sweat, yet at the same time, a flame of rage burst out from his heart since if Riser really dared to do that, then—

"Issei-kun, go and apologize."

Sirzech suddenly said.

"Wha—"

"Don't make me repeat myself." Sirzech just wanted to have three factions meeting in peace and no more troubles. Moreover, as Riser said, he couldn't protect Issei and his family and the others forever. He thought that this might be a good lesson for Issei, telling him that the weak didn't have the right.

Issei looked around, trying to search for support, but no one came to help him, and everyone fell into silence. He felt he was betrayed, but at the same time, he was also scared as he knew no one could help him, so there was only one thing that he could do.

Issei ground his teeth as he clenched his fists tightly, and they almost bled.

"I am sorry..."

Yet—

"Not enough."

"....."

"Riser...." Sirzech wanted to say something, but Riser cut Sirzech's words. "I don't hear any sincerity from him."

Then, suddenly, Riser thought of something and said, "I have heard that there is a good tradition in this country. What is the name again? Oh, right, Dogeza! Yeah, I have heard this is how the people in this country sincerely apologize, so do that, and I will forgive you."

"...do-dogeza?!"

Issei was shocked as the unwillingness and hatred in his heart were blazing even hotter.

"Issei-kun, do it."

"What?!"

Issei looked at Sirzech in shock, yet when he saw Sirzech's coldness, he didn't dare to fight and could only follow Sirzech's words with extreme unwillingness. It took some time, but he groveled on the dirty ground unwillingly, putting on his head as if he had lost his soul.

"...I am sorry, Riser-sama."

It was his first time receiving such humiliation, and his heart was almost crushed due to it.

Nevertheless, Riser lost his interest and didn't bother him again. "Let's go."

This time, no one said anything and just left following him since they felt relief as everything ended just like this.

Yet, when Issei was about to stand up as he was unable to hold his temper, getting angry at everyone who had betrayed him, but Sirzech said, "Remember this feeling well as in this side of the world, the weak have no right, so get stronger Issei-kun, or else, even I can't protect you."

"..."

At that moment, Issei was unable to hold anymore, so he cried.

"Yes!"

Issei swore.

He swore that he was going to become stronger so he could wash away this humiliation!