“Hmph, appearing to the place where I am invited to as the way I live. Besides, I’m here as an escort today.”
“As an escort?”
I become curious but the person who is enters the changing room from the direction Raiser is gazing towards is ——— a familiar lady. “Hyoudou Issei-san, how do you do? You have become a High-class Devil so I wanted to formally give you my words of congratulation.”
Ravel’s mom! The wife of the current Head of the House of Phoenix! “O-Oh my, if this isn’t Ravel’s mother! It really has been awhile! And thank you!”
I respond by bowing my head down! I never expected for Ravel’s mom to come! I can’t feel grateful enough! Even Ravel is shocked at this. “O-Okaa-sama! You came! ?”
“Yes, I came here while bringing Raiser with me. We were standing at the side of the hall.”
Ah, that’s why I couldn’t see them. Ravel’s mom then moves into another topic to get to the main point. “Now then, Hyoudou Issei-san. Do you remember the promise we made earlier?”
“Umm……”
Ravel’s mom chuckles when she sees me who am totally clueless at what’s she’s talking about. “The trade. Regarding Ravel who is both my daughter and servant. I definitely am sure I asked you for a trade once you become a High-class Devil.”
“Ah! Yes we certainly did. I am positive we made such promise……I think.”
We had such discussion over the telecommunication magic-circle when it was decided that Ravel would be staying at the Hyoudou residence……I think! My memory is vague since many things had happened. Ravel’s mom makes a proposal as if she found the right time to say it. “Then let us begin out trade right away. Did you know that it’s better to do these soon as possible? It’s also hard for me to make time so I don’t know when is the next time I can meet you.”
I can only be shocked at the suggestion of doing the trade. But here is even more suprise! Rias also gets involved! “Yes, this certainlu may be the right time. ———Then I shall do a trade as well. Asia and Xenovia that is.”
[———!?] All of us are shocked at this! Of course! A sudden trade for Ravel was shocking enough! But now it’s also for Asia and Xenovia! Rias then says it to the two of them. “Asia, Xenovia. I had been saying it since last year but you do remember about our discussing regarding the trade once Ise becomes a High-class Devil right?”
“Y-Yes!”
“Of course.”
Asia and Xenovia responds. Yeah, rather than about the trade the two of them certainly did declare that they will follow me once I become a High-class Devil. Though that means that the trade with Rias is the requirement…… This topic is something which had been discussed among us since last year. However. When it’s about to turn into reality, Asia and I can only be confused. Then Rias starts to draw what looks like to be a trading-purpose magic-circle with Ravel’s mom on the floor. “Then let’s get started.”
Asia then speaks in a perplexed manner as the preparation of the trade is on progress. “B-But……”
Rias stops her procedure for once. She then hugs Asia. She speaks to Asia kindly as if she’s trying to calm her. “You don’t need to worry about it. It’s not like we will be living apart from each other. And the feeling between us isn’t something which will change just with a trade, is it?”
“Y-Yes! Of course! The gratitude and respect I have for Rias-oneesama will never change!”
Rias says it fondly as she pats Asia’s head. “Likewise for me, Asia. Then it means nothing will change even after you have become Ise’s servant. Except, please support Ise while being under him. There are things which can only be done by you. And that is something which is impossible for me. It’s a wonderful task which is only capable by you, okay?”
Rias brings Xenovia towards her and hugs her along with Asia. “I ask the same for you too, Xenovia. Please become Ise’s sword.”
Xenovia responds to her hug with a peaceful expression. “Yeah, roger that. Former Buchou, Rias. Thank you……thank you very much for looking after me! Uuugh~!”
Xenovia suddenly cries. She starts to shed many tears. Rias makes a bitter smile seeing that. “Hey, don’t start crying. It’s not like our lifestyle is going to change…… Only your [King] will change so nothing else will change you know……?”
That’s right. I’ve become a [King] but it’s not like I will be living seperately from Rias right now. I will be living by myself once I become a High-class Devil! That will not happen. It was a sudden promotion to a High-class Devil so I couldn’t even prepare time to become independent. Well, from here I can gradually prepare to become independent as I look at my career path. It’s just that the order of things changed a bit. So it’s not like everyones lifestyle will change suddenly. Kiba then says. “Well, in a big way we can still call all of us the “Rias Gremory’s peerage”. As long as Ise-kun doesn’t move out right now then nothing will change visibly.”
Koneko-chan continues after him. “……Ise-senpai will be summoned as Rias former-buchou’s [Pawn] once she participates in the Underworld’s Rating Game after all.”
Yeah, that’s what it must mean. When Rias participates in the professional Rating Game I simply have to join as her [Pawn]. And so, the ritual for the trade goes on.The magic-circle which apears on the floor of the changing room. Rias, Ravel’s mom, and I stand at the side of the magic-circle. Asia, Xenovia, and Ravel stands at the centre of the magic-circle. Among the Evil-Pieces which I had just received earlier, I am holding onto the unused pieces consisted of two [Bishops] and one [Knight]. Rias and Ravel’s mom closes their eyes and increase their aura while putting their hand forward. Then the Devil symbols written on the magic-circle starts to circulate. Then there are changes happening to the girls. What happens first is Asia and Xenovia’s body shining as if it responded to the shine from Rias’s aura. Then next, my body starts to shine and each of my [Bishop] and [Knight] that I am holding onto shines one after another. The flow of the aura changes gradually as it bypasses the magic-circle where the Evil Pieces I’m holding onto starts to synchro with Rias’s glow. Then this time Asia and Xenovia synchros with my aura. And at the end Ravel’s mom and Ravel starts to glow while my last [Bishop] piece also glows. Ravel and I synchro through the magic-circle where my [Bishop] piece synchros with Ravel’s mom. Once this whole ritual ended——— Rias and Ravel’s mom stopped their aura and the magic-circle on the floor dissapears. And then Rias picks up each of the [Bishop] and the [Knight] piece which originally belonged to me. Ravel’s mom picks up the remaining [Bishop] piece. Rias then says it with a smile on her face. “Alright, it’s all done now. Asia, Xenovia. From now on you are “Hyoudou Issei’s Peerage”.”
Oh really!? So this is trading! It was quite simple. ———Then Asia jumps into my arms. “Ise-san! Ise-san, Ise-san, Ise-san!”
The way how Asia is overjoyed was shocking.