“So Raiser….hasn’t recovered since then.”
Ravel nods at Buchou’s words. It wouldn’t have been unusual for Ravel to say “It’s your fault!” in terms of the position we are in, but it doesn’t seem like she is going to say that. Well, that’s something I have been thinking every time I met her in the Underworld, but it seems like Ravel doesn’t blame us for it. Instead, she even told me that it’s a good lesson for her brother Raiser. Even though she said that, it’s an obvious thing to worry about your family. Ravel then says, after drinking her tea. “……..Naturally, it might be wrong for me to come here. But when I asked for opinions in different places, there were suggestions that I should consult with Rias-sama. Even treatments that have been tried, didn’t give any results……”
“With me? What do you mean?”
Ravel clearly answers Buchou’s question. “To fix my brother’s heart………my brother’s mentality, I received suggestions that…… 'Maybe it’s better to learn the thing called ‘guts’ that the servants of Rias-sama have? '”
All of us and Buchou made a dumb face for a moment when we heard the answer "guts", but soon there were a couple of laughs in the living room. Hahaha….....Guts huh. Certainly everyone in our group, including me, all have guts. Wait, why is everyone looking at me? Yeah yeah, I just move ahead with only guts! Under this lightened atmosphere, Ravel spits out all the things she kept within herself. “The fact is, my brother is pathetic! For him to stay depressed for six months after a single defeat…..! It seems like he’s afraid of Dragons you know? He hasn’t participated in a Rating Game since then and he’s been written about in a gossip magazine, where they wrote things however they wanted! He has trauma after being defeated by Ise-sama and he doesn’t talk about anything related to Dragons. I would understand if he holds a grudge instead. But he’s scared you know? If he’s a man, he should learn from his defeat and move on! He’s really pathetic, just pathetic!”
…….Everyone opened their eyes wide at her super machine-gun talk. She has so much stress huh. So is that guy Raiser in such a bad state? “…….Though, he’s still my brother.”
So deep in her heart, she’s actually very worried about him. Buchou, who is being consulted, must feel quite complicated. The first thing is, she won’t be able to decline it and Ravel didn’t come to push the responsibility on us; she came, purely because she is worried about her brother. ……..Yeah. As I thought, that’s the only way. I decided to say what was on my mind. “Leave it to me, Ravel. I will do something about it.”
Ravel and everyone else, looked at me. I continued while scratching my cheek. “W-Well, it’s something that I did, so I think I have to fix it as well. And you want ‘guts’ right? Leave it to me. If you say guts, then I’m your man. Even though I’m a Devil, I do things like living in the mountains and I’ve been through a lot of harsh things. I’m used to those kinds of things.”
“…….He’s an embodiment of guts both in a good and bad way.”
That’s exactly right, Koneko-chan! “Ise, this is my…”
It sounded like Buchou was going to say “I will do it”, so I stopped her with my hand. “It’s okay. I have a plan.”
It's not a bluff. I actually do have an idea. There was something which crossed my mind, that can put "guts" inside him and also train both his body and soul. Hahaha, since I’ve just been training, my mind has adapted to think like that. Not having any talents can be useful at times. When I looked at Ravel, she had a very bright expression, but she coughed after she realised it. “I..I..It can’t be helped then. I don’t mind asking Ise-sama. So please work hard for the High-class Devils. …….I…I will give my thanks in advance.”
Yeah yeah. I’ll do my best then. Buchou took a breath, then nodded her head. “I understand. We will start the strategy to make Raiser stand up again, by having Ise act as his therapist.”
Hence it was decided, that we will fix that Yakitori-bastard. “Haaa……….It’s huuuuuuuuuge~.”
I was overwhelmed by the big castle which stands right in front of my eyes. Right now we, "the Gremory Group + Irina", have come to visit the residence of the House of Phoenix. When we transferred to Gremory territory from the human world, we arrived here through a magic circle by doing many 'jumps'….. The castle is huge! Buchou’s house is also big but there is no comparison. I heard that they made lots of profit from the healing items “Phoenix Tears” and judging from this they sure have been making lots of money! The castle’s gate opens while making a heavy sound and all of us went inside. After we went past the garden of the castle, we arrived at the residential area where the people from the House of Phoenix live. In front of a gorgeous looking door, Ravel who is wearing a dress and several servants were waiting for us. “How do you do, welcome to the House of Phoenix.”
“How do you do, Ravel. If I remember, Raiser lives here right?”
Buchou asked her. I see, it appears Buchou came here when she was a child, so she’s familiar with the inside of the castle. “Yes, we can go straight to his room from here.”
With Ravel’s guidance we proceed inside, passing through the door. Oh, the ceiling is so high up! And the chandelier looks amazing! There are expensive looking statutes and paintings everywhere! It sure doesn’t lose to Buchou’s house. “If this isn’t Rias-sama. It has been a very long time. And it’s been a while since we last met, Sekiryuutei.”
A new voice. When I looked, a person I am familiar with was standing in front of some stairs. It’s the woman who has a half mask on her face, Isabela-san. She’s Raiser’s servant. “It’s been a while. Isabela-san.”
“I have heard many rumours. Even if I fight again seriously, I won’t be able to win.”
Didn’t she say the same thing before? This person is the only one among Raiser’s servants who has a good impression of me. “My master is over here. Please follow me.”
We followed Isabela-san up the stairs and progressed through the spacious building. “So what does Raiser…..-san usually do?”
I ask while we are walking. Isabela-san answers while making a sigh. “He hides himself in his room and he either does a virtual Rating Game, or he calls some commoners who are good at chess, all the way here, so he can have a chess match against them.”
So he’s a hikikomori. For that show off, good-looking guy to become a hikikomori. I really can’t imagine it. We walked for ten minutes. It’s huge. It’s too huge! I also thought the same thing at Buchou’s house, but the houses of High-class Devils are too huge! And the number of rooms is insane! I don’t even have the slightest confidence that I can find my way back, once I get lost in here! While I was thinking that, Isabela-san and Ravel stop in front of a door. It’s a huge door. A splendid looking relief of a fire bird is engraved on it. KNOCK KNOCK
Ravel knocks on the door. “Onii-sama, I have some guests for you.”
…….No response. Is he sleeping?