High School DxD - Volume SS - Chapter 4.1

High School DxD: Rias in Wonderland 

—This may be a punishment given to me. 

Part 1 

This is an incident that happened to me, Rias Gremory, and Hyoudou Issei. 

“That is the only thing……I won’t be able to accept so modestly.” 

Ise, who usually will say “Yes” to my commands, didn’t agree to my order. 

The Devil’s job that is done late at night—. 

The leaflets with magic-circle on them, that we either post into people’s mailboxes or hand them out at the streets. The humans that receive them summon us Devils by making a wish to the leaflet. We then receive an equivalent price by listening to and granting their wish. 

This rule also applies to us, the High-class Devils, the Gremorys. 

The job of Devils should have ended as usual for today. However Hyoudou Issei, also known as Ise, who happens to be my servant Devil as well as my beloved speaks out his opinion. 

“Umm, it’s about the job Asia has to accomplish soon…… May I help her?” 

He gave his opinion regarding the job scheduled for Asia with her regular customer planned very soon. 

The job Asia must complete is to help her client move houses who lives in a splendid mansion. He must have thought that it will be uneasy for only the two of Asia and her client to do the task. 

I would usually have accepted Ise’s opinion right away. 

However, back then I disapproved it. 

“I won’t allow it. If Asia can’t accomplish at least this much, then it won’t be for her own good in the future.” 

“B-But we are talking about moving the belongings of a rich person here, you know? I heard that the helpers won’t be there because they took a day off, so I think it will be too much for only Asia and the client for such a task……” 

What Ise said was plausible. 

However, until this day, I was filled with dissatisfaction. 

Lately, I can’t help but think there are differences between how Ise treats me and those around us. 

During dinner, Ise would praise Akeno’s cooking more than mine. 

During shopping, Ise would support Asia, Xenovia, and Ravel, who are even more unfamiliar with Japan than me. I also want him to tag along with my shopping, even for a short time—. 

During weekends, he would always pay attention to Ophis and Koneko in the living room. 

Ise also talks to Irina about their childhood. I.…..don’t know about his childhood. 

Those are some of the dissatisfactions I have. Each one of them are things I won’t be that much bothered with—. 

I know that he is kind to everyone. I know that everyone loves him. I am in a position where I have to accept those girls’ feelings. 

Even so, the wish of having him treat me more importantly is getting stronger. ……Truly, even I think I am a selfish woman. 

Even though I lost him once already, I….. I don’t want to go through that experience ever again, and I want to forget about it—. I want him to fawn on me, and I also want to fawn on him. 

Everyone also feels the same, so I can’t be the only one to have such enjoyment. But……but…… 

Back then, I gave a “No” to him, that even I didn’t think I would. 

Even though I’m a [King] as well as the next heiress of House of Gremory, I acted due to my fury. 

And possibly due to my nature and my personality, I wasn’t able to change what I decided on, so I—. 

“I think this will be too hard for Asia alone, after all!” 

I reply back to him with a violent tone to him, who wasn’t trying to back down. 

“No! We can’t allow only Asia to go through special treatment. If you keep on being overprotective over Asia, then she would never be able to accomplish her work!” 

“……The usual Buchou…..no, the usual Rias would have said yes……but why? You are acting strange tonight!” 

—Strange. 

Strange? Me? My usual self……? 

Yes, I may not be my usual self. I may be acting strange. But, I can’t hold back my emotion once I release it—. 

“……Strange? ……What can you possibly understand about me? I am a [King]! I’m your Master, you know!? Don’t give me your opinion!” 

I hit the table and release my anger at Ise. 

He had a shocked expression, and he also had sad looking eyes. My servants around us are also watching our conversation with a complicated expression. 

“……I just wanted to……” 

He tried to say something, but became quiet after that. 

…………I just wanted him to realise it. That I wanted him to look at me even more. That’s the only thing I wanted—. 

……No, this is all my fault for not controlling myself. I’m such a pathetic woman. For me, the next heiress of House of Gremory to act like this over such a thing…… 

For throwing my crooked feelings against Ise and Asia……! 

……But, I…… 

The room becomes silent. Then a single communication-type magic-circle appears to my ear. 

What I receive from there is—. 

Hearing the information, I took a breath and cleared my head. 

“—The mission to hunt a Stray Devil has been given to us.” 

After receiving the order from the House of the Arch-Duke Agares, we went to the town three towns away, and started our hunt for the Stray Devil at the abandoned building. 

Unless it’s a severe case, the degree of difficulty for hunting isn’t that high for us who are continuing to increase our power. Even so, we can’t let our guard down……but for this day, we also accomplished our mission without difficulty. 

We have already eliminated the Stray Devil that has been damaging the human world, and the only thing left is to dispose of the body. 

After finishing the hunt, I released my strain, and my head got filled with the quarrel I had with Ise before. 

I can tell from their expression and attitude that Ise and my servants are paying attention so I won’t get upset. 

It’s a thing which can end if I simply say, “I’m sorry”. However, if I say that, then it means that I will acknowledge Ise’s denseness……and I don’t want that. 

No, I love everything about him, including his denseness. 

But, during this time, I was really stubborn. I start to hate the fact that I am more childish than I thought. 

Asia takes a step towards me and speaks. 

“U-Umm……Rias-oneesama……I……” 

She’s probably trying to apologise. She probably wants me to forgive Ise. 

She’s such a kind girl. She’s like a little sister to me. My lovely Asia. 

It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault for having Asia put on such a painful expression. I stroke Asia’s cheek, and then turn around–. 

“I’m sorry…… I will be heading home first.” 

I–just ran away. I don’t know why. I just didn’t want to stay here any longer. I wanted to be alone as soon as possible. I wanted time to cool myself. 

After I calm myself, I will definitely apologise. To Ise. To Asia. To everyone—. 

I activate the magic-circle to return to the room. 

The moment the light enveloped me and flashed—. 

The place I teleported to is—.