Endless Plunder in High School DxD

a little silence, and the Duke Phenex on the high seat finally spoke:

“When did you awaken your Sacred Gear’s power?”

“I awakened it when Mother was still alive,” Tenraku replied.

The whole room fell into silence again and Duke Phenex on the high seat looked on with a complicated look on his face, and he felt that he couldn’t see through his child now.

No, maybe he didn’t see through from the beginning…

“Your Sacred Gear and identity have been exposed.
In the future, pay attention to those guys from the Angel and Church faction.
If you can’t stop them then come back to the family.”

“I know.”

“Go back if you have nothing else to say, don’t let your fiancée and that girl wait for a long time.”

“Yes.”

The conversation between father and son was as short as ever, Tenraku nodded without saying anything else, and walked out of the hall.
Yubelluna and the other girls bowed and immediately followed Tenraku.

However, just as Tenraku and the girls were about to walk out of the hall, the voice of Duke Phenex suddenly came:

“That Sirzechs, be careful of him from now on.”

Not understanding what this means, being careful about Sirzechs Demon King’s identity or of his unknown strength? When Tenraku looked back, Duke Phenex had closed his eyes and seemed not wanting to say more.
In the end, Tenraku could only remember the words in his heart with doubts…

After coming out of the hall, a waiter told Tenraku that Rias and her Queen were waiting for him in the living room.
Tenraku took Yubelluna and others and prepared to go there, but on the way, they happened to meet Madam Phenex who was taking care of Riser.

“Madam.”

Tenraku stopped and spoke, and Yubelluna and the girls behind him bowed and saluted.

“Ohh, Little Tenraku has grown up.
If Tamako knew about it, she would have been proud of you.”

Beautiful and noble, the Lady Phenex looked at Tenraku and said softly with some emotion in her voice.

The words from his stepmother warmed Tenraku’s heart, and at the same time, he felt a little apologetic——

“Sorry, Madam, about Riser.”

Her own child was beaten like that by Tenraku in the duel, any mother would feel distressed, even if Lady Phenex resented him from now on, it would not be surprising, and that was the reward he deserved.

But Tenraku never regretted what he did.

“Riser’s life has been going too smoothly since he was a child.
This setback is a good thing for him.
You don’t need to take it to heart.”

“I also heard about the marriage contract.
The Gremory Princess is a good girl, you must cherish her and not let her down.”

“Go ahead, don’t let them wait for long.”

To Tenraku’s astonishment, Madam Phenex shook her head, not blaming him for Riser and instead she comforted him.

“Yes, Mother.”

Tenraku shouted before he became stunned, but since he shouted out, he couldn’t take it back.

Tenraku smiled bitterly, and it seemed that he would have to change his mind in the future.

After giving another gesture towards Madam Phenex, Tenraku took Yubelluna and the other girls and continued towards the living room.
What Tenraku didn’t know was that there were tears in Madam Phenex eyes and she also had a small smile on her face——

That child is finally willing to call her Mother…