"Hey, about the potion you used on Issei..." Rias asked; her curiosity was piqued. She had been thinking about it ever since the encounter.
Every fraction had its own way of healing their members or believers. For example, Devils had a phoenix tear, a rare and valuable item.
The Phoenix Tears were not something casually used, as they were strictly controlled by the noble phoenix family. It was a healing method monopolized by them, making it nearly impossible for other families to obtain them without some form of alliance or political agreement.
In fact, the monopoly on Phoenix Tears was one of the reasons why Rias's engagement to Riser Phoenix had been so strategically important.
As much as she hated the idea, the marriage arrangement was a calculated move to keep their respective families intertwined, ensuring continued access to these powerful healing items. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹~𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮~𝚗𝚎𝚝
However, the potion Arthur used back at the scene of Issei's attack—Rias knew instantly it was far superior to anything she had seen before, even compared to Phoenix Tears.
She'd seen that kind of potion only once before, when the Ancient One had made a monumental gesture during a politically charged time in the Underworld.
After Ancient One married both Grayfia and Serafall—two prominent figures of the Underworld—there was significant unrest among various factions of the Underworld.
To pacify the growing tension, Ancient One had gifted the Underworld a limited supply of Nazarick's healing potions.
These potions were unlike anything the Underworld had seen, capable of healing wounds and restoring life in ways that Phoenix Tears could never match. They were treasures.
And Arthur had just used one casually on Issei, a newly reincarnated devil.
"Ah, the potion?" Arthur responded with his usual carefree tone, glancing at her with a smirk. "What about it?"
"That was one of the rare potions made by the Ancient One, wasn't it?" she asked, her gaze piercing through him. "The ones he gave to the Underworld after his marriage to Grayfia and Serafall," Rias asked.
"Yes, it was one of those potions," Arthur said.
Hearing this, Rias stared at him in disbelief. "Then why would you use something that valuable on Issei?" she asked, "Those potions are beyond rare, and you just—just handed it over like it was nothing. We have cheaper means to heal him. Like....."
Arthur suddenly closed the distance between them and kissed her on the lips. The unexpected contact silenced her instantly, cutting off any argument she had prepared.
Her mind raced, momentarily overwhelmed by the abruptness of the gesture.
The kiss was brief but intense.
When Arthur pulled back, his expression was calm, and he looked down at her with an almost playful glint. "You talk too much sometimes."
Rias blinked, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and confusion. She opened her mouth to speak again but was at a loss for words.
"You were going to suggest other ways to heal him," Arthur continued, his tone now casual as if he hadn't just kissed her. "But just like I told you before, I don't like that other method. If you're looking for a way to repay me, though, how about you go on a date with me?"
Rias could only stare at him in shock.
The audacity, the nerve he had to suggest something so casual after what just happened—after using such a rare potion on Issei without a second thought.
Arthur, seeing her confused state, chuckled lightly. "Besides," he added, "don't get too worked up over a little potion. There's more where that came from."
Rias finally found her voice, though it was tinged with frustration. "More? You can't be serious! They are potions that make the impossible possible!"
Arthur just shrugged, his nonchalant attitude further irritating Rias. "True," he admitted. "But I have access to things you wouldn't believe, Rias. Nazarick isn't short on resources, trust me."
After dropping Rias back to her place. Arthur made his way back to his own place.
Just as he was enjoying his night walk, Friday's voice chimed in.
[Was it really necessary to scare her like that, sir?] Friday asked.
"Scared her?" He said that as the idea hadn't even crossed his mind. "I wasn't trying to scare her."
[You know exactly what I mean, Sir] Friday replied unamused at Arthur's answer.
[The way you spoke about making her powerful, the price she has to pay... It was all Ominous.]
Hearing this, Arthur just chuckled. "If I lay everything too simply, it won't be interesting. She needs to know that power comes at a cost. And a little fear can be useful motivation."
[Wasn't she already motivated?] Friday asked.
"Motivated, yes. But being motivated and being ready to do whatever it takes are two different things. She wants to break free of her engagement, to be strong enough to stand on her own. I'm simply giving her the chance to make that happen."
He paused for a moment. "If she can't handle a little tension now, she won't be able to handle what's coming later. She needs to be ready for everything. And I mean everything."
[So you are just playing with her, sir]
"Please don't make me a villain, Friday." Arthur said with a laugh.
[But you already are, sir.]
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