*3rd POV

In her box quite away from the lines for common crowds, Rias stared open-mouthed at the scene before her, her thoughts raging. So were most of her family members that happened to be present, including Millicas and his grandparents.

This is what should have happened back at the Match! He more than deserved it...

For all his brags, Kouya didn't end up disposing of Issei-niisama, huh...

This... might well be the start in the decline of our 'Red Dragon' myth...

Such were some of their thoughts as they watched the lone figure striding by, under the salutations of 'Paleface!', repeated several times with clenched fists thrust upwards at each chant.

"My one-time tea-bearer is that tough, huh... What do you know, indeed."

Venelana commented.

"I believe you haven't seen the last of them, Vene."

She snorted. "You know, Rias, I'm beginning to wonder if your victory in the Match was real at all..."

"It was real, Okaa-sama. It would be improbable for you not to have heard the announcement--unless, of course, you were not part of the audience back then."

"Oh, you would not expect me to miss my own daughter's Match, now, would you--especially when we were the hosts. I'm just saying, I did not expect your so-called champion to be beaten so easily."

"I would not blame him too much for that," Rias crossed her arms. "Issei did begin the challenge, and he had now lost it. Kouya was right to accept it, and he went through it in much better shape than we feared. It's all fair and square."

"...What's wrong with you, Rias? You didn't choose to defend one of yours this time?"

"What will happen to my integrity if I did? That challenge was declared before witnesses, and we all know Issei started first. On top of all, I'd have to be strict to my members; that is, to make sure that discipline is properly observed. Isn't that what you have taught me, Okaa-sama? Or are you telling me to go back on that now?"

"Said no such nonsense, dear."

"Well then, just be quiet," Zeoticus cut in. "A worthy laurel to adorn his last day of service here--don't you agree, Millicas?"

"Couldn't agree more, Grandpa."

"Besides," Lord Gremory added, "unless my judgement had faltered so badly, Kouya is at the lowest step in one of Vladista's outer ring of valet teams, it seems."

"Oh, I beg to differ there, Otou-sama," Grayfia--as a maid--interceded. "Kouya is indeed at the lowest level, but his mistress is Lady Erissa Vladista, daughter to Lord Grimm Vladista to whom Your Majesties had had to bend the knees about two decades ago."

"What--him?" Venelana's shock was almost tangible.

"That is correct, my lady."

"As in Grimm, husband to The Dragoness who had done so far as to slap me with her own fist?"

"Himself."

Rias too was moved. "Then... that would mean I had begun to probe into Vladista's inner-circle teams, have I not? And such a team would perhaps be only one strip before their own current leader..."

"No."

"...What do you mean, Father? 'No'?"

"No, I repeat; you were wrong. Before you could even get to face Grimm himself and his team--even then I could not say for sure whether you'll come out of such an encounter alive--you may have to contend with the team of his heir-apparent, Erissa's brother. His name is... let's see... Areena?"

"T-that would be incredible! For your information, Erissa's team had incurred mine five losses to none of their own in that Match--just how powerful will this Areena's team be?! Not to mention Grimm's..."

"They are not of your current level, lock that in mind," Venelana scoffed. "I bet you'd all be on your knees, trembling at the mere touch of their aura... or, worse, even take damage from it."

"In that case... wouldn't Onii-sama's valet team be something closer to a match for them? His is the strongest that we have to offer..."

"Oh, I wouldn't even contemplate opposing them directly, Lady Rias... if we could afford it, that is."

"...This from the Silver Queen of Devourer herself?"

"You could say so. Issei-san might well be glorified as a 'Dragon' in our terms; but before The Dragoness... phew, he would be less than a hatchling--and I am not overestimating."

"I-is that so... If this is indeed the case, Mom and Dad, then I may have something to suggest--back at the residence, if you shall oblige."