Chapter 187: Goodbye

"Koneko, how long are you going to sit on his lap?"

While Akeno was happy that Koneko would definitely keep their secret, she also felt jealous and resentful since Koneko hadn't moved from Riser's lap.

After they had eaten lunch, Koneko didn't move from his lap and continued to sit there as they watched the television together. Even if Akeno asked her to move, she didn't do so and continued to sit there as if showing her resistance.

"What are you being jealous of?"

Riser stared at Akeno speechlessly since, unlike his relationship with Akeno, he had never thought much of Koneko. Instead, he felt like she was similar to a pet or a little sister somehow. "Didn't you often sit on me?"

Akeno's face flushed red as she lightly chided him. "That sit, and this is different!"

"Hmm?" Koneko looked at the two with a subtle gaze as she had seen what they had been doing, and she knew Riser didn't lie as Akeno often sat on him. No, instead of sitting, it should be riding.

Akeno was like a matador who sat on the top of a fierce bull, handling with care and love.

Still, Koneko suddenly became curious.

Did it really feel that good?

"How long are you going to stay?" Akeno suddenly asked as if she tried to change the awkwardness between them. Nevertheless, this question also cornered her as she wished for him to stay for longer.

Koneko also looked up at him curiously and clutched his shirt, showing a pitiful expression since she would feel disappointed if Riser left so early.

Riser rubbed Koneko's head carelessly and said, "I will go back tomorrow." It wasn't that he didn't want to stay a little longer, but he knew the meeting of the three factions would be held soon. When this meeting was about to start, he planned to return to Sona's house before returning to the Underworld.

As for attending this meeting?

Don't be kidding.

Unlike Sirzech and the rest, Riser wasn't interested in this meeting.

Even if the three factions were still at war, it didn't change his life that much. Moreover, he had taken down the Grigori, so there was nothing that he had to do. Lastly, with what was about to happen in the meeting, he didn't plan to join at all since he knew it would be troublesome.

Nevertheless, he thought that everyone was so desperate for peace.

Well, it wasn't that he didn't hate peace, as living a peaceful, lazy life was his dream, and soon, that dream was about to be realized.

"Is that so?" Akeno was slightly disappointed as Riser would leave tomorrow, but she didn't force him, especially when she thought about what to do later.

"What's wrong?" Riser asked as he noticed something on Akeno's expression.

"You should know the meeting of the three factions, right?"

"Is there something wrong?"

"Sirzech-sama had told me that the leader of heaven, Michael-sama, would come to visit me and asked me to help him purify the Holy Sword, Ascalon."

"Holy Sword, Ascalon? What's the use of it? Are you going to give it to Rias' knight?" Riser was confused as he didn't think that Kiba had such a significant value that Sirzech would do his best to help him gain a holy sword from Michael, the leader of heaven.

"It's not for Kiba, but for..."

"Oh, for that pervert?"

"...um."

Akeno knew that Riser hated Issei so much, so she didn't mention Issei in front of him. To be honest, she didn't want to help as she also didn't like Issei due to his conduct and her relationship with Riser. It was also due to this hate that even though Issei was troubled by the Red Dragon Emperor who ravaged his body due to the forceful "Balance Breaker," which he did during Riser's engagement with Rias that day, she didn't do anything, pretending that she didn't know anything.

In the end, Rias could only ask for Sirzech's help, and Sirzech quickly acted by giving Issei a bracelet to calm down Issei's arm that had been sacrificed to gain a power that he shouldn't have.

As for where this bracelet came from, Riser didn't need to ask since he knew where this bracelet probably came from. It was also because of this reason that he knew that he needed to erase that noisy guy.

That guy might not be powerful, even weak, and a coward who didn't have a shred of pride, but Riser knew this guy was like a cockroach, which was disgusting.

"It's okay. You don't need to worry about me. I am not small enough to get angry with you due to this. You can't reject it after all."

"Thank you." Akeno hugged him happily.

With her situation, how could she reject Sirzech's request?

The memory of where Sirzech massacred all the devils that followed him that day still remained in her memory.

If she refused, would Sirzech treat her the same way?

Nevertheless, Riser felt that Akeno thought too much, considering her identity. Yet, he also understood that if Akeno's father was just an average fallen angel, would she be Rias' "Queen"?

The answer was obvious, right?

However, Riser felt that Sirzech really pampered Issei so much.

In Sirzech's mind, Issei was probably the hope that he had been waiting for.

Moreover, Issei's dream was to become a harem king, so as long as he became the strongest and married all the women from various factions in the supernatural world, peace could be gained.

As for this meeting, this was the start of everything.

So, it was all due to this; nothing could go wrong.

Nevertheless, it had nothing to do with him, and as he had talked before, he went home the next day and went to play with Sona and Xenovia before it was time for him to go back to the Underworld.

Before he left, Akeno sent him a text that the matter of the Ascalon had ended, and she wondered whether he would play for a while at her house, which he agreed to.

There was no doubt his stay in the human world was great, but when he was about to return to the Underworld by train, he happened to meet Serafall and Sirzech.

"Riser-chan~!"

Serafall jumped into him as usual, as if the awkwardness they had previously never existed. It was said that time would smooth out a relationship, so she thought everyone would go back like before as long as time passed, but—

"Onee-chan."

Riser smiled as he patted Serafall's back. He appeared gentle and kind, but she could tell their relationship wouldn't return to how it used to be, which made her heart ache. Still, she quickly thought of something and then smiled at Sirzech. "Sirzech-chan! Sirzech-chan!"

Serafall winked at Sirzech, clearly reminding him of their previous conversation.

As long as Sirzech apologized, everything would be okay.

However, Sirzech didn't seem to notice Serafall's wink. Instead, he completely ignored it and just walked away without talking as he emitted an aura that befitted the title of the Lucifer.

Because of this, everyone had a cold sweat, and they could only lower their heads due to Sirzech's presence.

Yet, Riser was calm as usual.

But Serafall panicked. "Sirzech-chan!"

Yet Sirzech never turned and just left.

Serafall stomped her feet, showing her frustration, but she knew it was useless since Sirzech didn't have any intention of apologizing. Then, she looked at Riser awkwardly. "Ri-Riser-chan..."

"You don't need to persuade me more, Onee-chan. I will go back to the Underworld soon after all."

"You are not going to stay?"

"If I stay, then I am afraid nothing will be peaceful."

"..."

Serafall wanted to persuade him, but Riser was stubborn and just left like Sirzech.

"Then, goodbye."

Strangely enough, when Riser left, his voice was rather loud. It wasn't to the point that it was unnatural. Still, it could be heard by Sirzech, who had walked away.

Nevertheless, no one had much thought and thought that Riser had just left as he acquiesced the peace which they longed for.

—only... they knew the crack between Riser and Sirzech was impossible to mend.

Serafall, Sona, Rias, and the others looked at Riser's back helplessly, but they knew they needed to focus, considering what they would have to face after this.

Then, along with Riser's return to the Underworld, the meeting of the three factions started.