On this particular evening, August found himself in the company of Hilda and Yolda, lounging in the living room while pretending to watch TV.
Of course, the TV was merely a facade; the real purpose was something everyone present was well aware of.
*Ding Dong*
Suddenly, the doorbell chimed, catching August off guard.
It was the first time someone had rung his doorbell. Most of the visitors to his home were women who possessed keys to his place, and if it was Azazel, he'd simply knock... never ring.
August remained still as Yolda went to answer the door.
Before long, a man and a woman entered.
It was Sirzechs, with his vibrant scarlet hair identical to Rias's, accompanied by a silver-haired woman clad in maid attire, Grayfia.
"Long time no see, August."
"Sirzechs? What brings you here?"
"We're here for the upcoming meeting of the Three Factions, and since Rias and you are here, I decided to drop by early."
"Rias definitely doesn't know about this."
"I didn't tell her. Wanted to give her a surprise."
"More like a shock."
August rolled his eyes. Although Sirzechs was an extreme siscon, unlike Serafall, he didn't display it openly. Only those who knew him well understood how deeply he doted on Rias.
As for Grayfia, August spared her only a fleeting glance.
While he appreciated beautiful women, August had his limits. Sirzechs was his friend, and bro before hoes, a principle he upheld.
Seeing the Satan's arrival, Hilda and Yolda rose to their feet. They were indifferent to outsiders, but with guests, they assumed an air of deference.
"Thanks for looking after Rias."
"Cut the act. You orchestrated all this. You think I don't know? "
August shot Sirzechs a knowing look. Just as in the original story where Issei Hyoudou was chosen by him, this time, Sirzechs had chosen August.
To make his sister happy, Sirzechs had gone to great lengths, all without Rias's knowledge.
And he did so to preserve her dignity and pride.
August couldn't help but respect him for that.
"Lord Lucifer, please have some tea."
Hilda served up the brewed tea, not just for Sirzechs but for Grayfia as well.
Although she was a maid, Grayfia was also Sirzechs's wife, his queen, and a formidable entity in her own right.
"Thank you~"
Watching Hilda, Sirzechs expressed his gratitude, leaving her utterly astonished.
This was the Satan Lucifer, the highest authority in the Underworld, thanking a mere demon maid. It was truly unbelievable.
But Hilda understood. It was all because of August. Because she was August's maid, this was possible.
"August, you've managed to secure the two best demon maids in the Underworld. Do you know how many envy you for that?"
"Hmph, a bunch of clowns. They can't measure up, so they bark behind our backs."
"Your words are as ruthless as ever."
"Alright, enough chatter. Coming over to my place at this hour seriously disrupts my nocturnal activities. Watch out, or I'll toss you out."
As August spoke so brazenly, Hilda and Yolda couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
'My Lord, he's the Satan Lucifer; please rein it in a bit.'
Grayfia, on the other hand, paid no mind. She was one of the few who understood the relationship between August and Sirzechs.
These two individuals shared a friendship that outsiders found hard to comprehend.
August never gave Sirzechs, the Satan Lucifer, any respect, yet Sirzechs trusted him implicitly. He was even willing to entrust his sister Rias to him, a fact that baffled Grayfia.
"Your house was handpicked by me, yet now you act as if you don't recognize me."
"Lord Sirzechs, I selected this apartment, and I handled all the procedures. You've never seen it before, have you?"
"Grayfia~"
Sirzechs's face turned awkward, glancing helplessly at his queen.
Grayfia paid him no heed, leaving Sirzechs thoroughly embarrassed.
August observed Sirzechs with a smirk. Looks like your wife stole the spotlight from you. Caught you pretending here.
"Enough with the emotional drama. Let's get down to business. I have important matters to attend to."
"Important matters?"
"For the continuation of the House of Demon."
With that sentence, Hilda and Yolda stiffened, their faces flushed crimson.
Sirzechs and Grayfia paid no mind to them. Instead, it was the two of them who tensed momentarily.
August keenly noticed this, sensing that something was amiss between Sirzechs and Grayfia.
However, Sirzechs quickly resumed his usual smile, a facade most people wouldn't see through.
Except August. Watching Sirzechs and Grayfia, he couldn't help but feel curious. There was definitely something going on between these two, something significant.
"Cough~ Anyway, let's not discuss private matters. It's not appropriate."
"Stop it. You're married; why shy away from such topics?"
After delivering his plan, August's gaze remained fixed on the pair.
Sure enough, although brief, their emotions fluctuated noticeably. There was trouble brewing.
"August, I've come to see you about something."
"No need for small talk. Get to the point."
"As you may already know, the Three Factions... Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels are about to convene. The sole agenda this time is addressing the hostile relations between the three factions."
"Why beat around the bush? You're here to sign a peace treaty."
"You guessed it."
"With the massive casualties in the Great War, there are few pureblood devils left. The Angels are unable to produce new ones, and the numbers of Fallen Angels are also restricted. If things continue like this, one day, all three factions will become history."
"It's good that you understand."
"What's your point?"
"Though you reside in the Underworld and hold the title of duke, you are ultimately not a devil."
"Get to the point."
"I hope that, at this upcoming Three Factions meeting, you can support the signing of a peace treaty as the House of Demon and the Red Dragon Emperor."
Sirzechs laid out his purpose plainly... to bring about peace. And the reason for using the identities of the House of Demon and the Red Dragon Emperor was simple: it represented strength. In this world, strength was paramount. If you wanted a say, you needed power.
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