The Greedy Frog
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DxD: The Sorcery System Chapter 50
🕑 Added 2024-08-24 17:53:36 +0000 UTCChapter 50: Finally a Breather
[Lucifer’s Office, Lilith]
{Rias Gremory}
Standing outside my brother's office, I felt my nerves on edge.
I’ve always been childish—I know that. Maybe I still am.
It was my fault that Reo was in trouble, and now my brother had to deal with everything.
No, if anything, it was time for me to step up and take responsibility.
I reached for the door and closed my eyes, trying to steady my heart.
But just as I was about to knock, I sensed a presence.
It was unfamiliar.
Who was it?
Was—because the presence vanished as soon as I felt it.
No, I couldn’t let myself get distracted. I needed to focus on the task at hand.
So, I knocked.
“Brother?” I called out. “It’s me.”
There was no response for a moment; maybe he hadn’t heard me.
“Brother?” I knocked again, and finally, he answered.
“Ah, Rias!” His voice came from inside. “Come in.”
I twisted the knob, opening the door to find my brother and Reo sitting across from each other.
“Rias?” Reo looked at me, surprised. “Why are you here?”
My brother had the same concern. “You still haven’t fully recovered, Rias. You shouldn’t be moving around so much.”
My health didn’t matter right now.
“I’m fine, brother,” I assured him, then turned to Reo. “But Reo... how are you?”
He had fought Riser, and no matter what magic or medicine was used, some injuries would surely take time to heal.
But that wasn’t the case with Reo.
“See for yourself,” he said with a smile, raising his arms and turning them around. “Not even a scratch.”
I stared at him, both shocked and amazed.
“But how?” It didn’t make sense. How could someone be fine after facing a High-Class Phenex Devil? Especially a human?
“Did you hear about the situation, Rias?” my brother asked. “Mother should have informed you by now.”
I nodded, prompting him to continue. “Reo’s defensive magic, which he used instinctively, prevented him from being harmed by Riser while injuring Riser quite severely.”
I had heard that Riser lost a hand, which put Reo in a difficult situation.
“I…” I lowered my eyes, too embarrassed to meet theirs. “It’s all because of me.”
It was my fault that Reo was in this position, and it was my fault that my brother had to bear the burden of fixing everything.
But instead of being angry or disappointed, they both offered me comfort.
“Don’t blame yourself,” Reo said. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“I should be the one apologizing,” my brother sighed. “I should have handled things before they escalated to this point.”
They... they still weren’t blaming me.
I didn’t know how to feel.
I clenched my fists behind my back, feeling weak but determined not to show it.
“I should be thanking you instead, Rias,” Reo said as he stood up. “Thanks to you, I’ve received an offer from Lord Lucifer that I can’t refuse.”
“We can’t share the details just yet, Rias,” my brother added, “but rest assured, all the issues have been resolved. Reo can continue his life, and you’re free.”
“I—”
I felt weak.
I wanted to say so much, to apologize.
But all I could do was nod.
“I see.”
“Rias?” Reo moved closer to me. “How about we take a walk? I could use some fresh air after everything that’s happened.”
Surprisingly, my brother agreed.
“I think that’s a great idea. You both need time to relax, and I know there’s a lot you want to discuss.” He gave a bright smile. “So go, enjoy yourselves. You both deserve it.”
I wasn’t sure if I deserved it, but Reo certainly did.
It was because of him that I didn’t have to marry Riser.
So if he wanted to go for a walk, that was the least I could do.
…
…
[Unknown Time — Unknown Location]
“My lord,” a sly voice echoed in the emptiness, “the Devils might be arranging a peace meeting.”
This news didn’t surprise the one being addressed. He had anticipated such an outcome.
“The lowly fools fell to the Devils,” his deep voice overshadowed the other’s, “that foolish priest, Freed, died by their hands.”
The other figure kept his head lowered, not daring to meet his leader’s gaze.
“Not one, not two, but three of our carefully laid plans have been ruined by their incompetence,” his voice dripped with disappointment. “And now, all our efforts have been wasted because of them.”
“W-We still have resources,” the underling stammered without looking up. “We might still succeed.”
But the stronger of the two only laughed.
“Succeed with that?” His laughter echoed, filling the void. “This was never about winning or losing. There is only one inevitable outcome, and it will be reached no matter what anyone does.”
He had been meticulously weaving a web of events, leading everyone to the stage they were now at.
“No matter who fails or how badly they falter,” he knew the failures were just minor setbacks in a much larger plan, “we will reach the climax of this story.”
All his efforts, all the events he had orchestrated under the noses of his enemies, had been for this singular purpose.
A purpose he discovered after the fall.
“Oh, this story will have a spectacular end,” his voice reverberated through the empty space, “an end that was promised!”
Years of work, years of planning, and years of pulling the strings would finally bear fruit.
He knew it.
He believed it.
Kokabiel believed it.
…
…
[Late Evening — Outskirts of Gremory Estate]
It didn’t take a genius to understand how she felt.
“Rias.”
She felt sad, embarrassed, and like a failure.
I’ve felt like that too—many times—like I was nothing but a failure.
“Yeah?”
And in those moments, all I needed was someone to listen to me, to tell me it was alright, that everything would be okay, and that I was doing fine.
“You know I was the first to jump in and help you, right?” I asked, sensing that she was still blaming herself. “So if anyone’s to blame for this mess, it should be me.”
“Thank you, Reo.” She smiled softly. “I know you’re saying that to make me feel better, but everything you’ve done—from helping with the Fallens to taking such a risk to free me—I don’t think I can ever repay you.”
“Eh?” I shrugged, trying to lighten the mood. “It’s not like it was all for nothing. I learned a lot about the supernatural world, earned the favor of Satan Lucifer himself, and now he’s even helping me establish a position in this world.”
She didn’t ask about what Lucifer and I had discussed. Instead, she walked closer to me, our arms touching, our footsteps in sync.
“In a way, I should be thanking you,” I said sincerely. “Since meeting you, I’ve been introduced to so many new things and people, and my life has changed for the better.”
Meeting Azazel and her brother—all thanks to Rias. And because of her, I can now provide a better life for my mother, which is the best thing that’s happened to me.
Sure, I might have achieved these things on my own, but because of Rias, everything sped up. She helped me climb the social ladder faster than I ever thought possible, allowing me to protect myself and my mother.
“You’re too kind, you know?” she said, her mood lightening a bit. “You could, no, you should be a bit more selfish.”
I smiled at that. “I think I’m plenty selfish. It’s because I’m selfish that I didn’t turn down any of the offers or benefits that came my way.”
“And it’s because you’re too nice that you jump in to help everyone and end up getting hurt.” She frowned. “I just hope… that you’ll be a little more careful.”
“You seem worried about me,” I joked, but her response was serious.
“I am,” she said firmly. “I worry about you. I know whatever I say won’t stop you, and you’ll keep helping everyone… but I just hope you’ll think about yourself first.”
Rias… she was so different from when I first met her.
She didn’t just cozy up to me—she had changed. She cared more, she was less pretentious, more humble, and honestly, pretty hard working.
She was a proper heiress now.
At least, in my opinion.
“I’ll try.”
When I said that, she turned and looked straight at me.
“You better.”
And then, without warning, she wrapped her arms around me.
“And once again… thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
This time, I hugged her back.
“Always.”
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[A/N: Tbf, I could have easily moved this towards a smut. But it just didn't feel right. Rias is one of the main girls, using this event to move towards that scene felt cheap. If MC would have advanced with Rias using this chapter, then it would have just been the MC being opportunistic.
As for the next arc, it will be the Shinto arc (a little different from canon as it is currently much earlier than the og plot.). Also, before Shinto arc we will be relaxing a little with family time, dealing with the Fallen housemaids, a little student council work and then we move towards Shinto arc and the school event. And yes, I haven't forgotten the Holy Swords arc, it will be soon.
But we will now be watching multiple plots unfolding and the romances slowly being built as we explore new factions, pantheons and regions.]]
