Chapter 41: Frying Big Brother-in-Law's CPU (Patreon)

The absolutely immaculate and composed subordinate, Sakuya… oh no, that should be Grayfia, encountered the greatest challenge of her entire career today.

As the "Queen" within the peerage of Sirzechs Lucifer, one of the current Four Great Satans of the Underworld, Grayfia's capabilities were renowned. No matter how demanding the task, she could always complete it meticulously, flawlessly. Whether it was managing the household affairs with perfect order or leading the other peerage members to annihilate enemy forces, nothing was beyond her.

Yet today, this perfect maid, skilled in both intellectual and martial pursuits, virtually omnipotent, found herself stumped by the simple task of delivering a message.

Especially as a perfect maid possessing a proper sense of decorum and the highest professional standards, while she had managed to restrain herself and calmly observe the entire event unfold, it didn't mean she could recount the whole process now with the same detached calm.

Ultimately, however, Grayfia steeled herself and did it.

Also steeling himself as he listened was a certain young Satan who preferred to remain unnamed.

Truly, in every sense, the news was simply mind-blowing.

Although Grayfia had done her utmost to phrase her report delicately, a quick mental paraphrase stripped it down to an incredibly simple and blunt statement.

—Your sister got involved with someone… intimately. And she was the one who took the lead.

It's hard to say if, without that crucial second part, Sirzechs would have stiffened his resolve… or clenched his fists.

Getting involved with the sister of a Satan—that certainly required some courage.

After hearing Grayfia's account, Sirzechs remained silent for a full half minute before setting down his knife and fork, closing his eyes, and rubbing his temples.

"This… hmm… So, Grayfia, are you saying the other party only became suddenly proactive after you appeared, and then… that sort of thing… happened with Rias?"

"Yes."

Recalling the scene in the room again, the silver-haired maid's expression couldn't help but turn somewhat peculiar.

"Based on the situation at the time, Lady Rias seemed to abandon her original plan upon noticing my presence. Instead, it was that Hanakain Fubuki who, after hearing the purpose of my visit, resolutely chose to become involved with Lady Rias…"

"Yes, yes, yes, I already know that part."

With a quick chopping motion of his hand in the air to stop the maid from continuing, Sirzechs pressed a hand to his forehead, nursing a headache.

Honestly, he rarely showed such strain, not even during the most arduous period when he first ascended to the title of Satan.

But this situation… how to even describe it?

One could only say it was utterly explosive, enough to nearly fry Sirzechs's mental circuits for the first time in his life.

In contrast, Venelana, seated nearby, listened with growing curiosity.

"Ooh~ So, does this mean the boy named Hanakain Fubuki was Rias's own choice? Are there any pictures? I'd quite like to see."

"While I don't have photographs, I can extract the recording from my memory using magic. It's from when he was speaking with me…"

The light of magic began to glow in Grayfia's hand.

But before she could finish, Sirzechs raised a hand to stop her.

"The recording… never mind. If Mother insists on seeing it, Grayfia, just show it to her privately. I'll pass. I need to think carefully about how to handle this…"

"Understood."

Grayfia thoughtfully moved to Venelana's other side and, from an angle hidden from Sirzechs's view, materialized the magic screen and began playback.

Sigh…

The young Satan let out a long, internal sigh.

He didn't have the luxury of time Grayfia had to process everything; just hearing such staggering news and forcing himself to think calmly was already pushing his limits.

Now that it had happened, the first consequence was clear: the marriage contract with the Phenex family was undoubtedly void.

Actually, that wasn't a major issue. Since Rias had acted so decisively, it proved she truly held no affection for the third son of the Phenex family. Whether they refused the engagement due to simple lack of interest or because her heart now belonged elsewhere didn't fundamentally change the outcome for the Phenexes. If anything, the latter explanation served as stronger proof that the Gremory family held no particular animosity towards the Phenex family itself.

So, the sole remaining question revolved around the character of this Hanakain Fubuki.

With this thought, Sirzechs turned his head toward the silver-haired maid currently watching the recording with his mother.

"Grayfia, what was your impression of this Hanakain Fubuki?"

"Him…" Grayfia hesitated noticeably at the question. Summarizing a person concisely is never simple, given the multifaceted nature of people. Yet, her impression of Hanakain Fubuki was surprisingly straightforward and pure.

"If I had to put it in a single sentence," she stated after a moment, "it would likely be: someone who will follow through on his own will, no matter the cost."

Someone who follows through on his will… hmm.

Sirzechs wasn't surprised by this assessment. In truth, after hearing Grayfia relay Fubuki's words, he had already formed a rough outline of the young man's character. His question was merely to confirm his intuition.

And it seemed his intuition was quite accurate.

Firstly, choosing to solidify his relationship with Rias even after learning of her prior engagement to the Phenex family—fellow nobles of the 72 Pillars—was proof enough of Fubuki's determination to follow his own path.

Secondly, his utter lack of fear upon hearing Grayfia would report the matter to the Phenex family demonstrated confidence in his own strength.

Furthermore, his request for Grayfia to warn the Phenex family against resorting to underhanded tactics indicated he was an upright individual who preferred things out in the open.

As these thoughts coalesced, the young Satan felt his headache begin to subside slightly.

Just then, Venelana's rather satisfied voice chimed in from the adjacent chair.

"Well now~ Our Rias certainly has good taste, doesn't she? She's found quite a handsome boy, with a fine physique as well. Especially the way he held Rias while sitting on the bed talking—it instills such a strong sense of security."

Hmm, sounds like his appearance isn't lacking either, Sirzechs mused.

Although he hailed from the Gremory family, one of the 72 Pillar Nobles, and held the title of a Great Satan, his lofty position meant he no longer judged people solely by superficial beauty. Still, the basic instinct of attraction to beauty and aversion to ugliness was inherent in all creatures; even demons were no exception. Naturally, a pleasant appearance was preferable.

Thinking this, Sirzechs hesitated no longer and reached a conclusion.

"Very well. In that case, I shall personally pay a visit to the Phenex family. As for the resolution, I will convey it to Rias myself. Besides, it has been some time since I last saw Rias; a meeting would be good."