Rias, Gremory, and Phenex (Please Vote)

(Sincere thanks to 'I Want to Transmigrate, Don't Stop Me', 'Xuanyuan Sword 9', 'Life Ends When You Die', 'Bit Kick', and 'Pokémon' for their donations!)

When Noah appeared at the door of the Occult Research Club with Asia, Rias immediately cried out in surprise.

"Teacher? Why are you here?"

"You said that the last time too. Can't you come up with something new?" Noah shrugged, glanced at the maid who had been staring at him, and smiled faintly.

"I just noticed that it seemed like guests had arrived, so I came by to pay a visit."

Before Rias could say anything in response, the beautiful silver-haired maid turned her eyes toward Rias and spoke expressionlessly.

"Lady Rias, are you planning to let a human interfere in this matter?"

"I know perfectly well what I should do. I don't need you questioning it." Rias frowned and stared directly at the silver-haired maid with a somewhat sharp gaze.

"Or are you saying, Grayfia, that I can no longer make even this kind of decision for myself?"

"No, that is not what I meant." The maid named Grayfia bowed slightly toward Rias. Her attitude was exceedingly deferential, yet her words carried neither servility nor arrogance.

"You are the next head of the Gremory Family. Naturally, it is not my place to oppose your decisions."

"You don't oppose them?" Rias spoke with rare mockery.

"Then why did you come before me when I raised objections to the family's decision?"

"That was not my intention, naturally," Grayfia replied blandly.

"I came here only under the orders of the master and Demon King Lucifer."

At those words, not only Rias, but also Akeno Himejima and Koneko, who were present, all darkened their expressions.

"Demon King Lucifer?" Asia was frightened by that title.

Not just Asia—even Noah