Riser Phenex isn't a villain

Chapter 207: Dear Friend

When the meeting ended, everyone was still in a state of disbelief as many things were hard for them to believe, yet nothing could be changed as everyone had agreed.

However, this wasn't the end since the result of this meeting needed to be announced to the public to calm everyone down.

With many things happening, like what everyone discussed during the meeting, the public needed someone who could become their light during their darkest moment.

Nevertheless, the peace between the three factions surprised many, especially when some of them could not accept it as they were enemies with an angel and a fallen angel previously.

While many could accept it quickly, some were unable as their families, loved ones, friends, or acquaintances were killed by either the fallen angel or angel, so it was hard for them to accept everything so quickly.

However, in front of the threat named "Khaos Brigade," everyone accepted this peace.

Younger generations aside, the older generation still remembers the cruelty of the Old Satan faction that bombed a city, killing everyone regardless of their identity during the Devil Civil War.

In other words, the moment they let the Khaos Brigade win against them, their lives were as good as over, especially when the Old Satan faction treated them as nothing but livestock.

If they wished to maintain their peace, they had to support this peace.

Yet, compared to the peace, the last news they heard startled them the most.

Riser Phenex is going to become the next Lucifer.

"...."

When this news was announced, it was like a giant boulder thrown into a calm lake or a bomb detonated in front of their faces. It was so unbelievable, making them think that they were dreaming, yet they also didn't feel surprised somehow.

Nevertheless, many showed various reactions.

The ignorant commoners somehow had blind faith in him, but it was all due to the work of Riser's family and everyone, who made it possible as his good deeds and power were being subtly announced, so their acceptance toward him was high.

After all, unlike the main characters, who often forget about Riser's power and what kind of punishment they had received from Riser, so they kept fighting him, those commoners didn't have such a short-term memory loss, and they knew how powerful Riser was, especially when the video of his battle with Kokabiel, Vali, Azazel, and Tanin still existed.

Moreover, if Riser could win against Vali, who had killed Sirzech, they felt Riser was suitable to become a Lucifer even though he was young.

Unexpectedly, everyone's confidence in him was rather high, and they were full of faith in their future due to Riser being chosen as the new Lucifer, yet it was all different for Tannin and all the dragons under him.

Due to the previous conflict between Riser and Tannin, all the dragons became aggressive, especially when they couldn't freely gain access to the Dragon Apple. Everything was limited, and the amount was so small that they could not feel satisfied. Moreover, they also needed to pay!

Nevertheless, their king told them to endure.

While they couldn't accept it, facing the might of their king, they could only accept it since they weren't Tannin's opponent, but what about Riser?

They might not be able to defeat Riser alone, but what if they were together?

Many secretly created a meeting to assassinate Riser, so the source of their misfortune ended.

While Tannin wished to stop it, he couldn't, as he would be lying if he didn't wish to take Riser's life. Yet, the terror that he felt that day still existed, so he didn't dare to bet and only told everyone to endure as they only needed to wait for a year.

A year might be long for a human, but it was nothing for a dragon.

However, when the news that Riser would become a new Lucifer, a new despair came to befall them.

"He-He is going to become the new Lucifer..."

"No-No way..."

"Tell me that this is a dream!"

Their imaginary enemy, whom they wished to kill every day, suddenly stood above all the devils and became the new Lucifer, giving them fright and terror as well as confusion as to what they had to do.

However, among them, a single dragon was still deviant.

"Hmph! What are you afraid of!? As long as—" Bova Tannin was about to continue, but he was beaten up by his father.

"SHUT UP!"

Tannin shuddered when he heard this news, thinking what he shouldn't think before looking at his followers and saying, "Endure! Just one year! We need to endure!"

Even if he had lost his pride as a Dragon King, so what?

As long as he and his race were still alive, they could accept this punishment after all; if they fought him again, the result wouldn't be just mere harassment.

---

Heaven.

Naturally, as an ally of the devil, they received the news of Riser's appointment as the new Lucifer. While they were surprised at how fast it was for the devil to decide on the new Lucifer after the death of Sirzech, Michael also didn't feel surprised as he had seen Riser's power.

Michael also explained to everyone his views about Riser and told them that Riser wasn't someone who could be underestimated and definitely was on the same level as Sirzech.

While everyone was surprised, they also believed Michael as there was no need for Michael.

"Gabriel, what's wrong?" Michael noticed Gabriel's expression was somewhat wrong.

"Ah, um..." Gabriel was a little awkward as she knew that she couldn't take her eyes away from the screen that showed the picture of Riser. "It-It's nothing."

"Is that so? Then, let's continue our meeting."

Everyone nodded but didn't notice; a slight taint spot emerged on Gabriel's beautiful angel wings, but it quickly disappeared due to Gabriel's purity.

---

Grigori.

"...."

Unlike the heave, the Grigori fell in silence as they were unable to say a single word. Nevertheless, they also didn't feel surprised, especially by what their hidden boss had done previously.

"As expected of the boss of the Grigoriii!" Armaros thundered, breaking the awkward mood.

"Armaros..."

Everyone looked at Armoros speechlessly.

"Anyway, he isn't doing anything that harms us. Our goal is to align as we want to kill Vali Lucifer and protect our races from the Khaos Brigade and other supernatural groups. Having a strong boss is better, right? Or do any of you want to fight him?"

Armaros knew that no matter how much they grew, it was impossible to defeat Riser, especially when Riser was immortal. Moreover, with the high temperature of heat that was emitted from Riser's body, was it even possible for them to attack before they passed away?

Everyone fell in silence and decided to give up since there was no meaning to have a conflict with Riser anymore, especially when Riser's position had become high in the devil, too.

Somehow, they wouldn't be surprised if, in the future, Riser was going to conquer heaven too.

However, not everyone could be like Armaros and the others, especially Azazel and the members of the Slash Dog team. They were in a daze as they were unable to believe whether this was a reality or not, yet due to this sudden promotion, their suspicion toward Riser was even higher, but at this point, was there anything that they could do?

'Vali...

---

Occult Research Clubroom

"That bastard..."

Issei, who was in the human world, also heard the news announced by Rias' father.

Everyone was clear that Riser was going to become the new Lucifer, yet Issei couldn't believe it, and he also couldn't accept it since it was just yesterday that Sirzech had died; then everyone was going to choose the next Lucifer just like this?

Moreover, that person was Riser!

Issei was furious and also at a loss.

Were they going to forget about Sirzech just like that?

Issei was unable to accept it and was about to complain to Rias, but she slapped his cheek.

*Slap!*

"..."

"Bu-Buchou..." Issei looked at Rias in disbelief as he clutched his cheek.

"Issei..." Rias looked at Issei with grief before she shook her head and left. "You need to grow up."

"Rias!"

Akeno quickly followed Rias, but inwardly, her heart was beating so fast when she thought her man had risen above everyone just like this.

Koneko was the same as she sat in her seat, unable to believe what she had just heard.

However, Asia, Kiba, and Gasper talked to Issei as they needed to educate him, or else they were afraid Issei would be killed.

Nevertheless, Issei didn't say anything and just wondered whether all of his work was just meaningless.

Was it really impossible for him to defeat Riser?

Issei just didn't know.

---

"No way..."

"Is this for real?"

"A-Amazing..."

Vali could hear the voices around him, but he just fell into silence. Even though he was the killer of Sirzech, some stayed and followed him, but when he saw Riser, who gained all the glory while hiding in the dark like a rat on the sewer, an indescribable feeling wasborn within his heart.

Even Albion couldn't say anything since he knew how fearsome Riser was.

Vali was unable to hear it any longer and left.

"Oi, Vali!"

"Just leave him a little space."

"But..."

"Is there something that we can do for him?"

"......."

Everyone looked at each other and sighed as they felt that Vali had hidden something from them, but they were also helpless as they were unable to do anything.

---

Standing in front of the graveyard of his dear friend, Ajuka put the bouquet of red roses on Sirzech's tomb.

"Sirzech, I will definitely avenge you."

Not only Vali, but Ajuka was going to kill the person as he was going to make him lose everything, like how he lost his dear friend.