Chapter 11: Breaking Through and Recruiting a Queen
I felt the energy inside my body running chaotically, swirling and growing uncontrollably. After a grueling year of hard work, I was finally about to break through. The entire dimension I had secluded myself in was shaking, distorting with the sheer space-time energy I emitted. It was as though reality itself couldn't handle what was happening, the laws of nature bending around me.
This dimension was one I'd stumbled upon while experimenting with my space element, hopping between dimensions and trying to find somewhere remote for intense training. It had been my haven for almost a year now—a void where time flowed irregularly, with no living souls around to disturb me. It was perfect for what was happening right now.
I had spent nearly the entire year working my ass off, pushing myself beyond limits, and checking off goals like they were chores. I'd mastered creating controlled black holes and even perfected my space-time blade technique, both achievements that would easily put me above most Satan-class beings. All of this was done while my energy level remained at the Ultimate rank. But now, with this breakthrough, my strength was skyrocketing at an unprecedented pace.
I looked around the chaotic dimension. It was full of distorted black holes, space rifts swirling like dark whirlpools, feeding off the energy I was giving off. I couldn't help but be thankful for my decision to leave the Agares estate for this. If I had attempted this breakthrough there, I might've wiped out the entire dukedom.
Over the past year, I'd also set a few subordinates to work, tracking down two important individuals: Lavinia and Kuroka. Lavinia was found first, though she still had her parents at the time. That changed just four days ago. I had a plan to visit her soon, knowing full well that her loneliness would make her more... receptive to recruitment. But my sudden breakthrough had forced me to delay that little trip. First things first—becoming a Satan-rank devil was clearly more important.
Lavinia was a perfect candidate for my Queen. She was only a year younger than me and had tremendous growth potential, not to mention being the wielder of the Longinus, Absolute Demise. That alone was enough to make her indispensable. Though the fact that she lived in Italy, a territory controlled by the Church and Heaven, had made her search more complicated, now, with my newfound strength and the nature of my power, sneaking in would be a breeze.
With my evolution complete, why not celebrate by recruiting my first peerage member? I could go home later. Priorities, right?
I teleported out of the Underworld and found myself hovering above Earth. The blue-green planet spun below me, half-lit by the sun, while city lights flickered on the darker side. The sight was mesmerizing, but I didn't linger. I had work to do. Focusing my energy, I located Rome and vanished from the sky.
I reappeared outside the modest home where Lavinia lived. It was a small, unassuming place, but the energy within felt heavy—like the lingering sadness of recent loss. I walked inside unobstructed, my presence unnoticed. The interior was quiet, save for the faint sounds of muffled sobs.
I found her sitting on her bed, clutching a doll. Tears had left trails on her cheeks, though now they had dried, leaving only the evidence of her silent grief. She was small, fragile, her spirit crushed under the weight of her parents' recent death. The poor girl had cried herself out. No one was there to comfort her—no friends, no relatives. In fact, her remaining family seemed to actively avoid her, fearful of the "white doll" she claimed to see, something none of them could.
It worked perfectly in my favor. They thought she was cursed, maybe even the reason her parents had died. I couldn't have asked for better circumstances. She hadn't been found by the magician organization she was a part of in the original work yet, leaving me the perfect opportunity to swoop in.
Now, all I had to do was win over a vulnerable nine-year-old... Yeah, that sounds bad when you say it like that, but hey, I'm literally the devil here. And if whispering dark offers to a child isn't on-brand, I don't know what is. Hmm, maybe I should've brought some cookies.
"Hey there," I said, trying to break the silence. "Why are you crying, little one?"
She looked up at me, surprised. Behind her, I noticed a large white doll —Absolute Demise in its dormant form. It was just as I remembered from the stories.
"Who... are you?" she asked, her voice small and wary. Still, her curiosity won over her fear, as I we were the same age.
"Me? I was just wandering around and heard the quiet cries of a beautiful young lady. Thought I'd come check on her." I cracked a small smile, hoping to lighten the mood. It worked, as a faint smile tugged at her lips.
We chatted for a while. Surprisingly, it didn't take long for her to warm up to me. I guess even nine-year-olds appreciate good company when they're lonely. Before we knew it, over an hour had passed.
"Don't you think, like everyone else, that my parents died because of me?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Because only I can see Whitey? They said I'm a witch... they all stay away from me. You're the only one who isn't scared of me."
This was it. This was the moment. The right answer here, and she was mine. Fortunately, I had rehearsed this moment, planned it down to the perfect response.
"Of course not," I said softly. "How could someone as cute as you be a witch? And it's even more ridiculous to think you could harm your parents. By the way, when you say 'Whitey,' you mean that big white doll behind you, right? Because... well, I can see it clearly."
Her eyes widened. "You can see Whitey? Really?"
"Yep. It's made of ice, right? Crystal-like, and beautiful—just like you."
She giggled, her mood lifted. "But how can you see it? No one else could. They thought I was lying."
"Well, that's probably because I'm not exactly human." I said, finally steering the conversation toward my goal.
Her curiosity piqued. "Not human? But you look human... except, well, I've never seen anyone as good-looking as you." Her voice trailed off, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
I gave her a playful smirk. "I'm a big, bad devil." I put on my best "scary" face, making her laugh.
"Oh! Then how do I become a devil?" she asked, her eyes shining with excitement.
Oh, Lavinia, my dear, innocent Lavinia... you just handed yourself over on a silver platter before I could even set the trap.
"Well... if you want to become a devil, you can join my family," I said, pretending to ponder hard on the matter.
"Really? I can become a devil? And what does it mean to join your family?" she asked, practically bouncing with excitement.
"It means joining my peerage, becoming my family. Of course, I'm too young right now, so you can officially join when I turn twelve."
That dampened her mood a bit. "What?! How old are you now? I want to join now. No one cares about me here... they tell me it would be better if I just disappeared."
I saw her eyes welling up again.
"I'm ten," I said, quickly trying to salvage the situation. "But of course, you don't have to wait. You can come with me right now if you want. The peerage stuff is just for formality. You're my peerage member from now itself. I've already reserved a spot for you."
"Really?" Her eyes sparkled with hope, searching mine for sincerity.
"Yup."
Before I knew it, she jumped into my arms, hugging me tightly.
"Let's go! Right now!" she shouted, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Right now?" I chuckled. "Okay, sure. Do you want to take anything with you?"
She ran off, then returned with a small framed picture of her and her parents. I smiled slightly, understanding its significance.
"Ready?" I asked, making sure one last time. "You sure you don't want to say goodbye to anyone?"
She glanced around the house, then shook her head. "No, let's go."
I felt a wave of triumph wash over me. My queen had delivered herself right into my hands. But of course, I kept my composure, opening a portal to the Agares estate.
"Oh, and Lavinia-chan..." I smirked, holding out a cookie. "Here, have a cookie"
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