The following silence seemed to last an eternity.
The steam from the kettle was beginning to dissipate.
Rias, still trembling with frustration, clenched her fists, struggling to maintain her composure, her blue eyes shimmering with a mix of frustration, hurt, and conflicting emotions.
Kazuya remained seated in his armchair calmly, with a relaxed posture, a faint smile dancing on his lips.
Akeno Himejima, Kiba Yuuto, Koneko Toujou, and Issei Hyoudou, Rias's peerage, stood around, each reacting to the exchange of words with a mix of shock and hostility.
Rias, with a trembling voice, finally broke the silence, her eyes fixed on Kazuya, searching for something she herself couldn't name. "Kazuya… all those conversations we had, the work we did together at school, the moments we laughed, when we grew closer… was it all fake?"
Her voice carried a vulnerability that contrasted with her heiress demeanor. She was obsessed with him, fascinated by his strength and intelligence, and the idea that everything they shared could be a facade devastated her.
"Were you just pretending the whole time?"
Kazuya tilted his head, his smile softening for a moment. He leaned back in the chair, crossing his arms.
"Fake? No. I've always been who I am. Though I did pretend some things, like being ignorant about the supernatural world, which, by the way, I'm not, the rest was real."
He paused. His eyes narrowed, and his voice took on a sharper tone.
"But closeness? That was something only you wanted. Not me. For starters, I know it was your brother who arranged my transfer to Kuoh Academy. He found out I had a Sacred Gear and wanted to hand me over to you on a silver platter. Given that, did you really think I'd get close to someone who treated me like a commodity? A slave your brother tossed into your lap to help build your peerage?"
With a slight chuckle, he concluded.
"Sorry, princess, but I'm not the type to accept being anyone's slave, especially not someone spoiled and arrogant like you…"
Kazuya's words hit Rias like a dagger to her chest.
Her eyes widened, and for a moment longer than before, the confidence typical of the Gremory heiress wavered.
A part of her had always believed Kazuya saw her differently from others. He didn't seem to care that she was the most beautiful girl at Kuoh Academy, admired and desired by all, and best of all, he was unaware of her being the heiress of the Gremory House, the noble, the sister of one of the Four Maous. He treated her so differently from everyone else.
In the beginning, it was just a simple relationship. Two classmates who bumped into each other in the hallway, exchanged a few words, sometimes shared a comfortable silence—simple things. It was as if, for the first time, she could exist without carrying a title. Just… herself.
And that's when it started. Slowly, almost imperceptibly.
She found herself looking forward to their casual conversations, his unfiltered comments, the way he spoke to everyone as equals, including her. She caught herself smiling at the silly things he said, feeling her stomach flutter when their eyes met unexpectedly.
Silly things.
Simple things.
About anime they both loved.
About some assignment or a teacher's class.
Like a schoolgirl.
It seemed ridiculous. She, who grew up surrounded by power and formalities, who learned to hide her feelings to maintain her composure… now felt this way. In love, in the rawest sense of the word. Like an ordinary person, experiencing something she couldn't control.
And it was addictive.
Because it was different from everything else.
It wasn't the kind of attention she always received, full of ulterior motives or flattery. It wasn't someone trying to win her over out of interest, fear, or obligation. It was just him. A neutral gaze, an honest word, a presence that demanded nothing. And for that, perhaps, she wanted everything.
The kind of bond she had never had, free from titles, pressures, or expectations.
Over time, that feeling grew. To the point of becoming something more. Maybe it was obsession, yes, she recognized that now. An obsession with freedom, with being loved without the weight of her surname, and he was the embodiment of that freedom. Knowing that even Sirzechs saw in him the hope of freeing her from an arranged marriage only strengthened her certainty: Kazuya was her way out.
Her only way out of the cage that was her predetermined life.
That's why she wanted him. As a servant. As an ally. As someone who would always be by her side. She wanted him in every way she could have him.
But now, only the bitter taste of truth remained: she had been blind.
She ignored the report given by Sona at their first contact with Kazuya, thinking he had only awakened a Sacred Gear with the ability to create magical barriers, dismissing other possibilities because she genuinely believed in his surprise regarding the supernatural world. But that, too, was a lie.
He knew from the start his position as a servant carefully prepared by her brother. And yet, he pretended…
For the first time, she doubted whether he ever saw her the way she saw him. Maybe it was all just an act. And, ironically, she was the one who now felt manipulated.
But even so… she understood. She understood why he hated her. It wasn't irrational. Not after everything she knew.
But that didn't make it easier to accept.
She didn't want to be hated by him. Not like that.
However, her "understanding" of his opinion of her didn't last long. The initial shock was replaced by a burning wave of indignation. Her heart pounded, not from pain, but from anger. From wounded pride.
How dare he look at her with disdain?
How could he spit out such cold, cruel words without even hesitating?
She was Rias Gremory.
She had always been treated with reverence, admiration, even submission. She was used to being heard, desired, in control of the situation. So why did everything go wrong with him? Why did he say those words about her being spoiled? She wasn't! Did he have any idea how much she had suffered?!
But before Rias could say anything, Akeno took a step forward, her electric aura crackling in the air, her eyes gleaming with a mix of indignation and sadism.
"You talk too much, Kazuya-kun," she said, her voice sweet but laced with menace. "Do you think you can throw those words in my master's face and walk away unscathed?"
Without warning, she raised her hand, and a bolt of electricity sliced through the air toward Kazuya, illuminating the mansion's room with a blinding flash.
But before the attack could reach him, a figure materialized in front of Kazuya, blocking the bolt with a golden spear that shone with an almost divine light.
The electric impact dissipated against the weapon, and the figure revealed itself.
He was a young man with long, white, disheveled hair, almost translucent. His gaze was sharp as a steel blade, with a red gem embedded in his chest projecting a mesmerizing glow. But what stood out most was the set of golden armor fused with him, emitting a divine radiance. Though each part was beautiful on its own, once combined with him, they exuded far more ferocity than attractiveness. The red cape hanging from his shoulders swayed lightly, and the spear in his hands seemed to radiate divine energy.
He stood impassive, as if blocking Akeno's attack was as trivial as swatting a fly.
"Reckless," he said, without raising his tone, his voice echoing with respectful firmness. "Attacking my master without warning… even in the name of a friend, that is unworthy."
This was Karna, the Servant of the Lancer class!
Kazuya looked at the Legendary Hero of the Sun with a gleam in his eyes. In the past week, he had summoned Karna, the Hero of Charity, something that filled him with indescribable joy.
In his first life, Karna had always been his favorite Servant, a figure he admired. Now, having summoned him and being able to talk to him as a friend was an experience that surpassed his wildest expectations. Of course, this wasn't the first time, as the memories of his previous life as Ritsuka Fujimaru were still vivid in his mind. In that existence as Ritsuka, the Hero of the Sun had been more than a battle companion; he had been one of the most loyal and closest friends Kazuya ever had. Reuniting with him now, in his new life, was, at the very least, thrilling for him.
Akeno took a step back, feeling the crushing weight of the Legendary Hero of the Sun's presence. His gaze wasn't cruel. But it was firm. Unshakable.
"You—… you are…?" Issei stammered, almost tripping over his words.
Meanwhile, Kiba summoned a demonic sword, assuming a defensive stance, while Koneko clenched her fists, her Nekomata aura pulsing.
But before anyone could act, a melodious and provocative laugh echoed through the room.
Shuten Douji materialized beside Koneko. Her purple hair fell in soft waves, and her eyes gleamed with a mix of amusement and malice. Dressed in her revealing kimono, she exuded a seductive yet deadly aura, holding a sake gourd in her hand.
"Well, well, kitten…" she said calmly, leaning toward Koneko with a mocking smile, her voice sweet but dripping with sarcasm. "Calm down, okay? Just because you're small and feisty doesn't mean you can go around hitting everyone. Why don't you have some sake with your onee-san here and relax, hm?"
She winked charmingly, but in the next instant, the atmosphere in the room shifted.
Shuten's magical energy subtly exploded around her, not with brute force but like a dense, intoxicating, overwhelming perfume, pressing lightly against the girl.
Koneko gasped, taking a step back, her eyes wide.
Her entire body froze for a moment, her skin prickling, her heart beating erratically. She felt like prey cornered. As if, suddenly, the ground had become hunting territory, and Shuten was the smiling predator before her.
"D-don't call me kitten…" Koneko murmured, her voice faltering, her legs nearly giving way under the pressure.
"Oh, looks like we have a brave one here. This onee-san is going to love playing with you~"
Koneko felt even more terrified. Shuten Douji's smile seemed to amplify her magical energy even further, a force that could evoke visceral fear even in other Servants. For Koneko, a Nekomata with heightened feline instincts, Shuten's aura was like facing a predator…
At the same time, a dense and silent shadow formed in the air, distorting space. In an instant, he was there, between Kiba—who had reacted and was about to help Koneko—and his path, as if he had always belonged in that scene.
He was a handsome man, his silver hair flowing lightly. He wore an elegant gray-green suit, perfectly tailored to his body, paired with a dark blue tie secured by a golden brooch that gleamed under the room's cold light. Over his shoulders, a striking dark blue cape billowed in an almost theatrical manner, accentuating his figure further. A hat, matching the suit's shade, and meticulously polished shoes completed the ensemble, giving him the air of a man who, even shrouded in shadows, insisted on maintaining his dignity intact.
This was the Servant of the Avenger class, Edmond Dantès.
The Count of Monte Cristo.
Another of the Servants Kazuya had managed to summon during the past week, who also remembered his past life as [Ritsuka Fujimaru]. Honestly, he thought Edmond was badass as hell! He was among his favorites. His reserved personality, that disdain for the world, that presence blending class and menace in perfect measure… Everything about him was incredible, and despite his antisocial demeanor, he had been one of the few in Chaldea who truly understood him. One of the few Kazuya genuinely trusted.
"Kid…" Edmond spoke after appearing in front of Kiba, his deep voice dripping with disdain. "Put that sword away before I turn it to ashes."
At the end of his words, black flames danced around him, and the magical energy emanating from him was like a suffocating abyss, pressing down on Kiba with a force that seemed to crush his soul.
Kiba, normally composed, felt sweat trickle down his forehead, his knees trembling as he gripped his sword tighter, trying to resist the terror overwhelming him.
"Who… who are you?" he asked, his voice hoarse, his body paralyzed by the fear of facing something far beyond his comprehension.
Not bothering to answer the boy, Edmond turned his gaze to Kazuya and gave a slight nod, saying, "Master, it seems these demons need to learn to respect you."
Rias felt her heart pounding, her indignation growing alongside her confusion. She was about to demand explanations, to know who, in the name of all that was holy, these figures appearing one after another in front of her were, when her crimson aura began to pulse around her body, scarlet threads of energy snaking through the room.
But before she could take a step, Akeno advanced.
Lightning crackled between her fingers, the electricity taking form as a sadistic smile spread across her face, a cruel contrast to the fury burning in her eyes.
"You and your friends are crossing the line, Kazuya-kun…" she said, her sadistic smile clashing with the rage in her eyes.
But before she could attack, a golden light flooded the room, and Ishtar materialized, floating above Akeno in her celestial vessel, Maanna. Her black hair billowed, and her ruby-red eyes were narrowed. She pointed a finger at Akeno, her gaze filled with divine arrogance, as her finger began to glow with magical energy that could vaporize the girl with a single shot—but she held back, awaiting her beloved master and husband's orders.
"Seriously, girl? You think you can throw your cheap lightning at my master?" Ishtar said, her voice dripping with disdain but tinged with possessive jealousy when mentioning Kazuya. "Stay in your lane, or I'll turn you into stardust."
As she spoke, her magical energy pressed down on Akeno like a crushing weight.
Akeno felt the air ripped from her lungs, her heart racing, her body trembling as divine terror overwhelmed her.
But it got worse when Ereshkigal, the goddess of the underworld, appeared silently. Her blonde hair fell in soft waves, and her reddish-brown eyes gleamed with cold melancholy as she held her spear, Meslamtaea. Her magical energy, a dark and oppressive force, enveloped Akeno like a freezing chain, making her feel as if she were on the edge of death.
Akeno, normally confident, froze as she felt the spear's touch, sweat dripping down her face, her body trembling with fear as she struggled to maintain her composure.
"Don't make any sudden moves," Ereshkigal said, her voice soft but laced with deadly menace, the tip of her spear inches from Akeno's back. "I don't want to dirty my master's room with unnecessary blood."
Rias, about to unleash her demonic aura, was interrupted by a black and golden flash. Artoria Pendragon Alter, the dark Saber, materialized at her side, Excalibur Morgan—her black sword wrapped in a malevolent aura—positioned mere inches from Rias's neck. Her blonde, almost white hair was tied in a bun, and her golden eyes gleamed with coldness. Dressed in her black armor, she exuded a tyrannical authority that made Rias freeze completely in terror.
"Do not move, demon," said Artoria Alter, her voice low and cutting, leaving no room for negotiation. "You have no idea who you're dealing with. Daring to disrespect my Master is a mistake I will not allow."
Rias swallowed hard as she felt the sword almost burning her throat from how close it was, her spine was frozen, and the fear made her legs feel like jelly...
Issei, completely stunned, pointed at the Servants, stammering. "W-who are these people?! Where did they come from?!"
Looking at the legendary corrupted King Arthur, he remembered her summoning during the past week and the memories of his past life alongside her that were created thanks to the programming he made in his first life—just like with all the other Servants he had summoned... But he quickly pushed those thoughts aside and turned his gaze to the other Servants, who were casually restraining the devils. Kazuya let out a long sigh, his eyes slightly narrowed as he observed the scene in front of him. He had already grown used to the extravagant—and sometimes excessive—ways of his Servants. But something about that protective, almost instinctive attitude always touched him more than he wanted to admit.
Akeno's attack? It wouldn't have hit him. And even if it had… it wouldn't have caused a scratch. They knew that. Yet they still placed themselves between him and any threat, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. As if protecting him was something they did without thinking—or perhaps precisely because they thought too much.
It was a simple gesture, perhaps common for someone surrounded by loyal allies. But for him… it was new. In his first life, no one had ever protected him like that.
No one treated him as something worth protecting.
And no matter how strong he had become—stronger than anyone could imagine—it still struck deep. In the kind of place you don't show. That you only feel.
He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to push away the warmth quietly rising in his chest.
But something bothered him. Something curious.
The way his Servants used their magical energy to intimidate the weaker ones intrigued him. They were sustained by his "magical energy," but was it really just fuel for their own mana? To use an analogy, it was like firewood for a bonfire; the firewood was his magical energy, and the bonfire was his Servants' magical energy.
And what truly shaped the "fire" was each Servant's core—their soul, their memories, their convictions. That's what turned the simple act of releasing magical energy into something unique for each one. For example, Berserker (Heracles) in *Fate/stay night* is described as having such a monstrous presence that it instills immediate fear in Shirou Emiya, even without attacking directly. His aura was so oppressive that it paralyzed someone as foolish as the aspiring hero of justice, who didn't kill the person assaulting his best friend, who was in love with him, simply by being near.
Not out of cowardice, but instinct. Like an animal facing a predator who lived and died a thousand times in battle.
This "intimidation" ability is a combination of the emitted magical energy and the Servant's nature. Servants like Gilgamesh, with his absolute kingly demeanor, can make weaker enemies feel crushed just by his presence. Magical pressure serves as a form of nonverbal communication, conveying authority and power without the need for words or direct actions.
Well, setting that aside, he didn't bother answering Issei, who was too terrified to do anything, but soon his attention turned back to the Demon King's little sister.
Rias, still under the pressure of Excalibur Morgan, was breathing heavily, her obsession with Kazuya warring with fear and humiliation.
"Who… who are these people?" she demanded, her voice trembling, trying to reclaim her authority, looking directly at Kazuya for answers.
"I don't owe you any answers about that," Kazuya replied calmly, tilting his head with an ironic smile. "You still think the world revolves around you after everything I've said? Trying to hold onto your pride when you have nothing to be proud of."
"You know what I find most pathetic about your whole situation? It's not your arrogance or the fact that you're a spoiled little girl. It's that you do nothing to change it and expect some knight in shining armor to save you… You should obviously train, but in your situation, you still have time to waste being a schoolgirl in the human world? Shouldn't you be training? Your spoiled princess syndrome is truly revolting…"
"It's time to grow up."
Rias's eyes widened, her heart racing, Kazuya's words cutting like blades. Her obsession with him mixed with deep humiliation. She wanted him to respect her, to see her as worthy, but every word he spoke tore down her facade. Her lips trembled, her eyes shimmering with tears she fought to hold back.
"You… you have no right…" she began, her voice faltering, but she was interrupted again.
Kazuya cut her off, his smile now cold. "Right? Rias, I don't owe you anything. You came here, to my house, trying to recruit me, and you can't even handle the truth? You want my respect, but you don't even respect yourself. You talk about freedom, but you're chained to your surname, your brother, your own insecurities. That's not being a leader. It's just being spoiled and arrogant. Swallow your pride and grow up…"
Rias bit her lip hard. As she was about to speak, Salter pressed the blade lightly against her neck, and she fell silent. The humiliation was unbearable; every word from Kazuya tore at her chest and plunged her into countless thoughts.
Her peerage stood frozen, their eyes wide, torn between shock and anger. Akeno clenched her fists, but the presence of Ishtar and Ereshkigal kept her from acting. Kiba lowered his sword, his eyes burning with hatred, but he didn't move with Edmond standing before him, arms crossed. Koneko huffed but didn't dare challenge Shuten.
Issei, still trembling, looked at Rias, confused and helpless.
"Get out."
In the end, Kazuya spoke calmly. He had achieved his goals with this conversation and felt relieved to unload his frustration about the situation he found himself in upon being reborn in this world on one of those responsible.
He stretched as if he had just woken from a particularly comfortable nap, which only made everything worse. His demeanor said, "This was no effort at all," while Rias's entire group seemed emotionally run over by a truck.
"You and your… slaves…" he said, with a nod toward the group. The disdain in the word was as cold as ice. "You're no longer welcome here."
And then, as if he hadn't just morally destroyed the heiress of one of the underworld's most powerful families.
"Get out of my mansion."
After hearing his words and the explicit threat in the gazes of all those figures who appeared out of nowhere, Rias turned in silence. Her long crimson hair followed the movement, swaying lightly, in cruel contrast to the weight she carried on her shoulders. Each step toward the door was slow, deliberate, as if walking with dignity was the last thing she could still control.
The humiliation burned beneath her skin, but she refused to break down there, in front of him.
The others followed her, one by one, without a word.
Akeno passed by Kazuya with narrowed eyes and a tense jaw. She murmured something inaudible, low, but laced with venom, as if etching a promise into the air.
Kiba walked with his jaw clenched. The sword he had summoned vanished from his hand, but his fist remained closed, white with tension. He didn't need to say anything. The hatred in his gaze was clear, cold, precise.
Koneko hesitated for a moment. Her eyes were fixed on Shuten Douji, who stopped pressuring her as the others had when they saw they wanted to leave, her body rigid as if fighting a silent battle against fear and instinct. The look she shot at the Oni was fierce, almost defiant, but even she quickened her pace and fled, like someone escaping a fire.
And then there was Issei.
He stood still for a few seconds, his eyes lost between Rias and Kazuya, confused. When he finally moved, it was with a heavy body, as if his feet carried him against his will. He didn't look at anyone.
The door closed behind them with a dull thud.
And then, silence fell.
_____________________
📌 Writer's Note
Hey everyone! Just dropping by real quick to apologize for the lack of a chapter yesterday. 😅 I know a lot of you were waiting — and rightfully so! — but I ended up counting Kazuya's Profile as this week's "chapter," since it swallowed almost 4,000 words and a good chunk of my time. (Anyone who's written a detailed character sheet knows it's a bottomless pit...)
Still, I should've warned you in advance, so here's my sincere apology. 💙
I also want to take this chance to thank everyone who subscribed to Patreon from the bottom of my heart! Seriously, you make a HUGE difference and are the reason I keep writing with so much dedication. Every bit of support there is a major push to keep delivering my best. Thank you so much!
Oh, and speaking of which… Chapter 41 (with nearly 10,000 words, basically the size of five normal chapters) will be posted later today on Patreon. Even if I have to pull an all-nighter, it's going up. Writer's word! 💪🔥
Thank you for following, for your patience, and for being part of this journey. You're all amazing.
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