The Underworld.
It was still the same evening, still in the same garden of the Gremory mansion, and still at the same table, silence reigned. And that was true, except for the cheerfully humming demoness sitting across from me.
Runeas Gremory, one of the original pillar demons of this world, created by Lucifer. One that chose to fall into a deep sleep after the war with Heaven to avoid intrigue and conspiracies. Zekram Bael is also the original, but he's perfectly content to simmer in this cauldron.
I glance at her, to which she smiled sweetly and waved, playing the cheerful young girl.
Her appearance matched that image, though. I'd give her about eighteen or twenty. She had long scarlet hair, tied back in two ponytails and secured with black ribbons, with a small bow tied around her bangs. Pink eyes, snow-white skin, and normal, exactly normal, breasts.
She was wearing the school uniform of Kuoh Academy. Apparently Runeas had borrowed one of Rias's kits when she was younger. She wore a black cape with brown fur around the edges.
All in all, I'd even call her a nice young lady if I didn't know who she really was. And from what I understand, her personality isn't bad either, as there isn't the usual demon arrogance or anything like that.
I nodded briefly and took a sip of my already cooled coffee.
- Oh? Are you done studying me, Romani? - She asked cheerfully when she saw my nod, "I can tell you're definitely not surprised that I'm alive and well, but rather that I'm here now. You knew about me, didn't you?
- I shrugged, "You're supposed to be hibernating, aren't you? Did that stale crust wake you up?
- You mean you? - Goetia put in stoically.
- Wow, have you learned how to turn the tables, drama god king?
- Are you trying to imply something, Magician? - Goetia raised an eyebrow.
- I'm not hinting, I'm telling you directly about your pens, handy.
- I'm heartily glad you're paying attention to me, magician, but you're not my type.
- I'm not surprised. You're a long way from a figure like me. - I smiled cheekily, to which Goetia clucked his tongue loudly.
And Beast I is indeed evolving. He didn't bicker with me before. At least not like this. He has become independent and has developed a, how shall I say... personality? Previously, Goetia was already showing the first signs, and now he was starting to look like someone who had just transcended childhood.
Let's just say that before the story began, he never left my body at all, his phrases were short and detached, and his emotions were practically nonexistent, save for brief flashes of curiosity or incomprehension. Right now, Goetia was interested in something. If he were the man he was before at this moment, it was likely that Runeas would simply be consumed by him.
To summarize, he's quite the man now. Though young.
- Hee-hee..." Runeas chuckled softly, looking at us.
- Do you have something to say, second Gremory? - Goetia turned his attention to her.
- Why so rude, Your Majesty," she smiled cheerfully back, "But yes, I do have something to say. You and Romani definitely have a soulful relationship, there's no doubt about that.
- Soulful? - Goetia tilted his head to the side - Are you trying to insult me?
- But it is," she raised a finger in the air and shook it from side to side, "I don't sense any hostility or aggression between the two of you - only irritation and humility. I'd even call you longtime friends, you know.
- You-
- You're absolutely right! At least someone realized that! High five! - I exclaimed and straightened my arm, palm facing her.
- Hey!" she laughed and high-fived me.
I like Runeas. She has that freedom that I appreciate. She doesn't care about anything but preserving her flight. She chose to brush aside the affairs of the demon race and just fall into slumber. And preserving her soul's youth is only second on her list of priorities. All the intrigue, strife, and power are of no interest to her.
As far as I remember, she has an agreement with her clan in which they are to entertain her and she will help them in a time of dire need. It is noteworthy precisely because no one knows when exactly she wakes up and under what conditions. Does it depend on the energy of the Underworld? I don't know, I don't know.
- I'm surrounded by idiots..." Goetia sighed irritably and rubbed his temples when he saw that we had found common ground without even talking to each other.
- Anyway," I said, ignoring Beast I and sitting down normally at the table, "You never answered my question, Runeas.
- Well, as a matter of fact, you weren't wrong. His Majesty woke me up.
- And you came here at once? You didn't want to show yourself to your descendants?
- Why? It suits me fine. I don't think the entertainment provided by them will be better than what His Majesty offered.
- What do you mean? - I raised an eyebrow at the strange wording.
- I'll stay with you. You don't mind, do you, Romani? - She asked, pretending to be a sweet and shy girl.
I froze, and then stared at Goetia naturally.
- Why? - Without turning my head, I turned to Runeas, "What did that bastard offer you?
- You have a descendant of Leviathan as your maid, and she was a good friend to me. Besides, according to His Majesty, you have a lot of fun at home," she said thoughtfully, tapping her forefinger on her chin, "I promise I won't cause trouble.
I remained silent and created a new cup of coffee, then sipped it.
That sounded...not so bad.
She wasn't lying when she said it. So she really wants to hang out with Katerea. And the atmosphere in the Emiya residence is only calm when the Servants are busy doing their own things outside. And Runeas doesn't seem like the type to cause trouble.
- Hmm..." I mumbled, "In principle, I don't mind. But I'd like you to tell me something.
- Sure, no problem.
- How many other primordials are alive and well? Besides Zekram, I mean," I started, and she thought for a moment, "I doubt very much that you two are the only ones who are that smart.
- I don't know," Runeas replied after a while, "It was just a business relationship between us, nothing more. The only people I spent time with were Leviathan, young Zekram, and Dantalion. But the latter has already left us, unfortunately.
- I see. - I nodded.
Well, I didn't really get any answer. But it doesn't really matter, because Goetia will find them wherever they hide. If necessary, of course.
In addition, I would like to know the fate of Lilith, Adam's first wife and the one they call the Mother of Demons.
No information on whether she helped Lucifer willingly, why she did, or if she's still alive. It would have made for a very informative conversation with her if a conversation had been struck up between us. It would have provided missing pieces of the lore of this world, as so much doesn't match up with canon. I can still remember the shock I had at discovering the truth about Ophis, the Great Red, and Tia.
And I missed one tiny point.
- By the way," I began, drawing the attention of both demons, "How did our Gremory react to you? Given your personality, I doubt she was all that pleased.
- Hee hee..." she giggled, but didn't answer. And Goetia rubbed his forehead and closed his eyes before answering for her.
- The Pillar of Gremory is... out of sorts.
- That's an understatement, Your Majesty - the Phenex symbol lit up next to him - She's depressed and doesn't talk to anyone.
- Huh?" I didn't understand. "Excuse me?
- It's Bael's fault. - Furfur said as his symbol appeared.
- What?
- As you know, Magician, Bael likes to bicker with Gremory. And when we learned what kind of personality the local version of her has, it got very noisy. - Barbatos explained.
- Heh. So you're saying that was enough to make the pillar demon depressed? - I asked in a skeptical tone.
- To be fair, we weren't all expecting something like that. - Sitri was now joining in.
- Hey! It's not my fault your version of me is such a prude! - Runeas exclaimed - As if she didn't want to have fun and be young once in a while!
- Oh? - Phenex said after a couple of seconds - I think Gremory has cried again. I suggest we calm her down.
- It was me last time, so deal with it yourself. - Sitri stated, and then his symbol in the air disappeared.
- Without me. - Phenex supported him and disappeared as well. And the rest of the group followed him.
- Ah... I guess I'll have to do it," Goetia said tiredly and returned to my body, then added, "Don't bother me for a while and I'll do the same.
- Sure, sure, sure. - I shrugged and looked at Runeas - Shall we go?
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