Two years prior, an exhausted Diehauser Belial found himself deep in contemplation in his room. Since the death of his cousin Cleria Belial, former head of Kuoh, he had relentlessly pursued an investigation into her demise, only to have his efforts stifled by his own clan. As he pondered his next move, a packet unexpectedly landed on his bed, igniting a sense of anticipation.
The notorious figure known as the Robin Hood of the underworld had unveiled numerous dark secrets within their realm. Despite widespread awareness of her identity, none could substantiate accusations against her, especially given her affiliation with Riser Phenex, scion of the Phenex Clan and one of the wealthiest families in the underworld. The Phenex Tears, a prized commodity, further shielded Riser from scrutiny, rendering him untouchable without concrete proof. Moreover, Riser's marital ties to the Gremory family, through which he was linked to Sirzechs Lucifer, the mightiest Satan and super devil, fortified his position.
Examining the contents of the packet, Diehauser unearthed correspondence and trails of evidence proving Cleria Belial's death was not accidental but a deliberate assassination. A letter within bore a cryptic message: "This will burn once you have read it."
With each revelation, clarity dawned upon Diehauser, aligning the scattered pieces of the puzzle. The sender had instructed him to meet covertly within the mountains of the Phenex Domain, marking the genesis of their alliance.
"Thank you, Riser-kun, for aiding me in identifying the culprits. This evidence will allow us to bring them to justice," Diehauser expressed gratefully, but Riser shook his head solemnly. "This is your vengeance, Diehauser-san. The next move is yours," Riser replied.
Diehauser couldn't fathom how he could repay such a monumental favor merely with training. However, as he trained Riser and his peerage, he soon realized their shared passion for competition. "He loves the thrill of battle just like me," Diehauser mused, feeling adrenaline surge through his veins during their rigorous sessions.
Rating games had become Diehauser's livelihood, supporting his declining family. Riser not only saved him but transformed Diehauser into something more than just another Belial. Through Riser's support, Diehauser established the Diehauser Rating Game Institute, a premier platform for rating game simulations, merchandise, and streaming on DeviTube. The institute not only honed devil talents under Diehauser's mentorship but also served as a recruitment ground for Riser's Phenex House, bolstering their political influence in the underworld.
The intervention of the Phenex Clan exposed the crimes of the Bael clan, casting a shadow over the once-mighty Great King faction. With Sairaorg Bael assuming control amidst the elders' incapacitation, the Phenex began to ascend in underworld politics. Zekram Bael, renowned for his political acumen, realized too late that his power had been usurped.
Attempts to oppose the Phenex were swiftly met with sanctions, including exorbitant taxes on Phenex Tears. The law now barred any clan from interfering with Phenex Tears, effectively consolidating Riser's influence. Zekram, seething with frustration, recognized Riser's unyielding resolve but dared not confront him directly, knowing the consequences.
Diehauser, witnessing Riser's ruthless maneuvers, was initially taken aback. However, Riser's underlying motive, rooted in loyalty to Cleria, moved him deeply. "You called me your younger brother, making Cleria my adoptive sister, doesn't it? This is for her," Riser declared.
In the underworld court, Diehauser presented irrefutable evidence of the Bael clan's crimes, igniting Lord Bael's fury. "My sister was murdered. This changes nothing. An eye for an eye, a head for a head," Diehauser proclaimed, demanding retribution and reparations from the Bael clan.
Cleria Belial, the ex-head of the Belial Clan and overseer of Kuoh was the cousin of Diehauser Belial and he considered Cleria as his own sister. Cleria Belial had fallen in love with a member of the Protestant Church, Masaomi Yaegeki and their love for each other was genuine. They loved despite being aware that they were of opposing factions. Taking advantage of this fact and to increase their influence within the Netherworld politics, the Great King Faction assassinated Cleria Belial, a gentle and progressive leader, throwing the blame onto the church.
Lord Bael attempted negotiation, citing their sponsorship of Diehauser's rating games, but Diehauser rebuffed him. "I've found a new supporter: the Phenex," he declared, leaving Lord Bael visibly shaken.
An elder from the Bael clan lashed out, accusing Cleria of loving an enemy of their race, only to be silenced when new evidence surfaced implicating the Bael clan in colluding against the Nekomata and falsely attributing Cleria's death to the church. Sirzechs Lucifer and the other Satans unanimously approved a formal investigation into the Bael clan's misdeeds, further crippling their standing.
Under Riser's strategic direction, Phenex financial institutions froze Bael clan assets, revealing extensive illicit operations. The Bael's attempts to wage war were futile without access to Phenex Tears for their casualties. Facing imminent defeat, they begrudgingly yielded, vowing to prevent further pureblood losses.
"The funds and documents were traced through the magic trace of the Royal Bank of Ethiopia which oversees monetary flow of the supernatural in the human world. The money was sent through illegal channels to the Swiss banks and offshore accounts in various tax havens. We have coordinated with the Phenex associates at the Swiss to seize any transactions by the Bael. Hong Kong and Monaco financial Institutions have reported an influx of funds from the Bael and they have been seized." The head of financial institutions reported.
The Phenex who had laid in wait integrating themselves into the banking sector had bared their fangs swallowing their enemies as whole. The entire operation of expansion in the sector of finance falling under Riser. Within ten years, Riser had infiltrated the banks and gained control of them without letting a shred of information leak to his opponents.
"The traps have worked. We have baited them successfully. Riser-kun's strategy has paid off," Sirzechs acknowledged, as the investigation team detailed the unraveling of Bael's clandestine financial network. "These idiots have accounts within the Vatican banks too. There must be some church official who must have been colluding with the Baels."
"We need to make amends with the Youkai faction for our incompetence with the Nekomata massacre issue," Serafall interjected, prompting a consensus among the Satans to rectify diplomatic rifts caused by the Bael clan's machinations. "Moreover the OECD, a human organization allowed us to retrieve stolen goods to its rightful owners. Seems like we owe Riser kun a favor for allowing a smooth investigation by speaking to the human counterparts."
Thus, the balance of power in the underworld shifted decisively, with the Phenex asserting dominance in political spheres once controlled by the Great King faction and the Satans assuming the role of the true leaders of the Underworld.
"Perhaps their daughter will be happier in Riser kun's peerage. Claire Belial, I wonder how she will change the Underworld if she is anything like her mother. Diehauser chan has gone to meet his niece." Serafall Leviathan, another satan said and they got back to their work.