svetikya Page 195
Page 195
"Just as Ye said, in this world... strength ultimately reigns supreme."
The moment she uttered those words, Rias felt as if a heavy shackle on her body had been shattered.
The family honor and aristocratic responsibilities instilled in them all along proved to be so fragile in the face of harsh reality...
True glory does not come from bloodline or surname, but from absolute strength that makes one feel "comfortable".
Having figured this out, her eyes regained their clarity.
only……
When her gaze fell on Zhou Ye again, and she saw the smiling Nami beside him, the dashing Saeko Busujima, and his best friend Akeno Himejima, who always concealed her cunning nature with a gentle smile...
Rias's face flushed bright red instantly.
She suddenly remembered the words her brother Sazex had whispered in her ear before he left, in a tone that said, "I understand you, brother."
[Little sister, this Zhou Ye is quite good. He's strong, has great potential, and most importantly...]
[I can tell that even though he's surrounded by so many beautiful girls, he's still a virgin himself! You'd better seize the opportunity and strike first!]
Otherwise, before you can even firmly establish yourself as the "official wife," your best friend will steal your place!
【boom--!】
Her brother's teasing, which seemed to thrive on chaos, resonated in Rias's mind.
She glanced at Himejima Akeno subconsciously, who was also smiling at her, her eyes seeming to say, "Oh, Rias, you've finally come to your senses? Then let's start competing fairly, okay?"
My brother is right!
In Rias's mind, a bold idea, so daring that it made her blush and her heart race, began to grow wildly.
[We must strike first!] 1.7
[With so many girls eyeing him covetously, Ye is still... a virgin...]
She felt her cheeks were so hot they could fry an egg on them.
"Well... as the rightful 'first wife,' I should naturally be the one to drink this first bowl of soup!"
[Absolutely! We absolutely cannot let Akeno and the others beat us to it!]
At this moment, the girl's thoughts instantly shifted from a grand narrative about the world's格局 (geju, a concept encompassing overall situation, overall situation, and overall situation) to the ultimate strategy concerning her own happiness.
"Oh my, Rias," Akeno Himejima's voice drifted in, breaking her reverie, "Why is your face so red? Are you thinking about something... naughty?"
Rias was startled and jumped to her feet like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"No...no! I just...I just feel a little hot!"
Chapter 163 Best Friends Battle
Her attempt to cover up her blunder, her panicked attempt to conceal something obvious, instantly made the atmosphere in the living room ambiguous and strange.
Nami rested her chin on one hand, while the fingers of her other hand tapped rhythmically on the table. Her eyes, which seemed to see through all value, swept back and forth between Rias and Zhou Ye, a mischievous "I understand" smile playing on her lips.
Saeko Busujima silently hugged her sword to her chest, closed her eyes, and pondered whether or not to launch a night raid. She knew perfectly well what those vixens were up to.
As for Himejima Akeno, she had "I'm watching the show" written all over her face.
"Really? It's just hot?"
She moved gracefully to Rias's side, deliberately leaning close to her ear and breathing softly in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"I thought Rias had finally awakened and was preparing to do something that the main wife should do to Ye."
【boom! 】
This statement was even more damaging than Sazex's direct mockery.
Liya felt like steam was rising from the top of her head. She took a step back to distance herself from her scheming best friend, her cheeks as red as ripe apples.
[My brother was right! Akane is indeed a formidable rival!]
No! I can't let her lead me by the nose like this!
A strong sense of crisis made Rias's mind race. She forcibly suppressed the shyness and panic in her heart, took a deep breath, and tried her best to put on the dignified posture that the next head of the Gremory family should have.
Although her slightly trembling voice betrayed her nervousness.
She cleared her throat, her gaze swept across the room, and finally deliberately lingered on Zhou Ye. In a tone that was as dignified and considerate as possible, she spoke ambiguously, half-truthfully.
"It's getting late, Ye should rest."
"He has been working so hard for us for so long without getting a proper rest. He still has Kirkbor to deal with in the future, so he needs to maintain enough energy to win."
These words were spoken in a grand and respectable manner, full of concern for Zhou Ye, perfectly positioning herself as a "virtuous wife".
[Oh wow? You've learned to take the initiative now?]
Zhou Ye held his cup, inwardly cheering wildly.
[Not bad, not bad, you've improved. You know how to use the moral high ground to expel people now. I give this move an eight out of ten.]
Seeing that Zhou Ye didn't refute her, Rias was overjoyed, feeling that she had gained the upper hand. She straightened her chest, preparing to say something more, such as "I'll stay and take care of him," to completely implement her intentions.
However, she underestimated her best friend's level of skill.
"Oh, that's how it is."
Himejima Akeno's gentle and melodious voice, with a hint of sudden realization, rang out lightly.
She gave Liya a playful smile, then turned to Zhou Ye and bowed slightly.
"Ye, it's getting late, you really should get some rest. After all, you have class tomorrow."
She paused, then straightened up and looked at Rias beside her with a smile.
"Let's go, Rias. We can't disturb Ye's rest."
【puff--!】
Zhou Ye almost spat out his tea.
Holy crap! That's a pro! That's a real pro!
[Following your lead, we'll pack you up and send you away too! A complete rout!]
[Rias, take note, this is called a dimensional reduction attack!]
Rias froze completely.
Her carefully constructed "considerate" persona was shattered by a single, casual remark from Himejima Akeno.
reject?
How to refuse?
She just used "letting Ye rest properly" as an excuse, but now she's staying, isn't that just contradicting herself?!
At this moment, Rias felt like a hero who had just left the beginner village and encountered a max-level demon king, who delivered the most cruel blow with the gentlest tone.
She opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a single word. All she could do was glare at Himejima Akeno, who was smiling like a cat that had just stolen some cream, with eyes that seemed to be spitting fire.
In the midst of this awkward and frozen atmosphere, Cangnasi Di, who had been silent all along, stepped forward.
She pushed up her glasses, the lenses reflecting a rational light.
"Zhu Nai is right."
She first affirmed Himejima Akeno's suggestion, and then bowed solemnly to Zhou Ye.
"We are grateful for Zhou Yejun's guidance in the House of Time and Spirit. The Xidi family will always remember this kindness."
Her tone was serious and her attitude was upright, instantly pulling the atmosphere from the ambiguous palace intrigue back to the serious level of family negotiations.
"Then I won't disturb your rest any longer."
She straightened up and looked at her family members, and Rias and Akeno beside her.
"Rias, Akeno, Tsubaki, we should go."
Sona's intervention was like a final whistle, completely sealing the failure of the first phase of Rias's "Night Raid Plan." 427
She activated a dark blue magic circle here, with intricate runes flowing across the ground.
She led her retinue, including Shinra Tsubaki, into the magic circle first. Before disappearing, she glanced at Zhou Ye one last time, her eyes filled with complex emotions—gratitude, awe, and a hint of indescribable curiosity.
With the departure of Sona and her group, only Zhou Ye and his girls, as well as Rias and Akeno Himejima, remained in the living room.
Himejima Akeno continued to smile as she looked at Rias, her eyes filled with the composure and mockery of a victor.
Rias puffed up her cheeks in anger and glared at her best friend.
It's so annoying!
Why does this woman always seem to know what I'm going to do?
But she didn't say anything more. She just walked to the magic circle, turned back and looked at Zhou Ye deeply. Her crimson eyes were filled with resentment and a different kind of determination.
I will not give up!
[You just wait, Himejima Akeno!]
I'll be back again tonight, around midnight!
Rias made a vow in her heart, then turned and disappeared into the light of the magic circle with Akeno Himejima without looking back.
Chapter 164 The Alliance in the Night Raid
As the pale blue magic circle dissipated on the floor of the Supernatural Research Department, Rias felt that what she brought back was not only physical exhaustion, but also a heart that had been completely ignited and was now restless with excitement.
"Hakuin, Yuto."
She turned around, her voice more composed than usual, carrying an unquestionable tone of command.
"You've worked hard. Go back to the apartments I bought for you and rest. You'll each be staying in the next room. Remember, you played two games against the Phoenix family today. Although Ye Jun played in the second game, we can't rule out the possibility that they might be sore losers and come back for revenge. Be careful."
A rare flicker of emotion appeared on Toujou Shirone's usually expressionless face. She glanced at Rias and nodded gently.
"Yes, Minister."
Yuto Kiba smiled and replied, "Understood, Captain. We'll be careful."