A Worthy Opponent

(Heartfelt thanks to 'Lei Xiang', 'Eternal Chaos Truth', 'Kyoukai no Shizisha', 'Wutong Immortal', and 'Luohua Youdao' for the tips!)

"Huh?"

Inside the Occult Research Club, Rias stared at Noah in utter astonishment.

"You want to challenge my brother?"

Not just Rias—Akeno, Koneko, Asia, Xenovia, Irina, Revelle, Yuto Kiba, and the others were all stunned on the spot.

"My, my..." The ever-graceful Akeno looked somewhat bewildered.

"What is going on?"

"Te... Teacher..." Asia panicked outright.

"Did you and Lord Sirzechs have some kind of misunderstanding?"

"No, you're all overthinking it." Noah shook his head with a wry smile.

"I simply want to challenge Sirzechs."

"Challenge the Demon King?" Xenovia stared blankly at Noah.

"But you're both a Godslayer and the Red Dragon Emperor. Your previous battles have already proven that you're no weaker than any god or Demon King. Why do you still want to challenge one?"

"Just like Asia said, is there some misunderstanding?" Irina timidly raised her hand.

"Actually, everyone could sit down and talk things out properly..."

"Please don't act rashly, Lord Noah!" Even Revelle panicked. Forgetting her usual tsundere demeanor, she almost incoherently cried out.

"If you hurt Lord Sirzechs, all the devils will get angry!"

Koneko did not say much. She merely kept staring at Noah with doubtful eyes, as though trying to discern something from his expression. She was unusually serious.

One could only imagine how shocking Noah's words were.

Challenge Sirzechs.

That was indeed astonishing.

Clearly, there was no conflict between Noah and Sirzechs, so why did Noah suddenly want to challenge him?

"Sorry, Teacher. Although I don't know what you're planning, could you please reconsider?" Rias's brows had already knitted tightly together.

"My brother is the Demon King. Maintaining order in the Underworld already takes up all his effort. Besides, the three great