Peace hangs on a tripwire.
I sat at my desk, looking at the instructor as they explained something. I was completely focused on them, yet I could also feel the gazes of multiple people on me. All of them were pure disgust for me. That feeling continued until the instructor slammed a shock baton across their desk, making a loud thud.
That thud made me groggily open my eyes and blink rapidly. Once I was fully awake, I saw the queens were still snoring away, and whatever the noise had been, it hadn't woken them. I slowly extract myself from being their body pillow, showering and getting dressed before stumbling downstairs.
Inside the kitchen, I find a blushing Issari and an amused Akeno cleaning up cookie batter under the direction of an annoyed Maéva. The batter is spread across most of the island counter, with a small amount on the fridge. My maid continues to glare at my best friend, who looks even more sheepishly, and I roll my still-tired eyes.
"I thought you had learned your lesson with the frying pans, but I guess not."
Issari blushed again and winced when Maéva's mechedendrites moved, showing said frying pans in warning, seeing her stop cleaning. Akeno started fufufuing as she cleaned a camera that was on a tripod.
"She is learning cooking, Miss Maid. Given how wonderful your stuff is, you were probably naturally good at it when you started."
Akeno played Maéva like a fiddle, destroying the rage. She became ultra proud and reveled in her sin while Akeno cleaned up the kitchen in but a moment. That amused me, and I only stopped my chuckle when Akeno got a serious look.
"Lex, when you see your father today, can you give this to him?"
Akeno pulled a CD out of her jeans pocket and slid the case over the clean part of the island. I took the case and knew what it was.
"I'll give it to him when I see him, Keno. I do think you have a good chance of it being approved."
Issari nodded her head quickly in support while grinning.
"Your helm cam was recording the whole time we fought his cadre at his bases and at the battle. It should be more than enough, hopefully, senpai."
Akeno took the encouragement as a hopeful smile crossed her face. I glanced at the clock to see it was close to ten thirty, and I sighed as if Ajuka would be here soon. The pressure of what might happen if the vote fails puts a nasty knot in my stomach. Doubts flood me as I imagine my plans with Lord Uvall failing. This doubt continues to grow and grow before I hear a loud shriek of delight.
I glance over my shoulder to see the front hall, Neri watching Alaric as the little boy rides on Aaron's shoulders. The robot still only has one arm, but that arm is gently holding the little boy steady. Alaric clapped in glee as he sat on the robot, and the sight made me lose my doubts. I turned my head back to the others, only to find a hot plate of eggs and sausage now on the island. Maéva was retracting a mechadendrite as she began cooking properly, and Issari and Akeno moved to the island's far side for their cookie-making.
Soon, the smell of food started to draw more people downstairs. The first to arrive were Rias and Shirone, followed by Raynare and Murayama. The four briefly stopped to watch Aaron with Alaric before they joined me at the island. Shirone took my lap while Rias and the others took seats around me. Rias wrapped her arm around mine, and after I finished a bite of food, my eyes hit hers.
"When is Aaron getting his new arm? I'd have thought Hetvia would have fixed him by now."
Rias looked back at Aaron as the robot tweeted something to Alaric.
"Hetvia is testing using devil-enhanced steel for Aaron's new arm. If it works, she wants to upgrade the current robots' bodies with it before she makes more of them."
That was interesting, and I was eager to see what Hetvia came up with. Rias was about to say more, but Maéva brought more food over, and the others started eating. Shirone wrapped her tail around my waist, chowing down on her food. As we ate, Xenovia and Ravel joined us for food, with only Kuroka missing from the queens. I would occasionally glance at the clock in worry, and by the time Rias and the others were finished, I only had forty-five minutes left before Ajuka arrived. Rias and the others grew excited when they realized I would be in a suit. They clustered around me as we started heading up the stairs. We were at the midway point of them when we saw Kiryuu coming down them. It seemed she was still tired, and she slunk down the stairs. She grunted a hello to me, and the sight was amusing for all of us.
When the seven of us entered our bedroom, we found Kuroka snoring her snot bubbles near the edge of the bed. That had all of us amused save Shirone, who glared at this improper thing. I was ready to tease her that she does that too but we were on a time limit. We tiptoed past Kuroka to the closest, and once inside, everyone began helping me get into my suit. Once it was on, the six of them eyed me appreciatively. I was near the closest entrance, facing a mirror on the door. I could see Xenovia liked the suit in particular. Her eyes flashed blue four times, and a wide smile crossed her lips, making Murayama guess.
"He wears this suit for some of our weddings?"
Xenovia shook her head.
"He will wear one that is far fancier than this for all of ours~"
This idea made everyone loudly sigh dreamily, and the noise made Kuroka's snot bubble pop, scaring her awake. All of us turned to see her land on the floor face-first with a thud as her tails jerked in multiple directions. That got a symphony of giggles, while Shirone looked smug now. It took a few moments for Kuroka to settle down her tails. Then she lifted her head off the floor and saw me.
My queen was still mostly sleep-drunk despite the scare and landing. Her only response to the suit was her tails slowly forming a heart shape. That got laughs from the others before Raynare and Murayama took pity on Kuroka. The two went to help her up, and I saved that memory for later before Ravel and Rias came close to me. Rias and Ravel kissed my cheeks, placing their hands in mine before Rias whispered.
"When you see my dad and mom expect a little bit of a hard time for last week."
I had expected that after Heniya's episode and squeezed her hand reassuringly. Rias put her head on my shoulder as I kissed her hair.
"I'll be ready for it. Do I face something similar with your brother Vel?"
Ravel shook her head in a no.
"Ruval knows I was not on the field."
I get ready for that before letting go of the two's hands. That wasn't a moment too soon as Neri's voice came from the other side of the door.
"Milord, your father is here."
With that, I kissed everyone's cheeks, including a now fully awake Kuroka, before I headed towards the door.
At the foot of the stairs, I found Ajuka waiting in his own suit. He gave me an approving look before I fell into step with him. The two of us made our way down the stairs, and just as we hit the basement, Ajuka turned to me slightly.
"The vote won't be called until the very end of the session. Be ready to be bored for a bit."
That made me grimace, slightly ruining my plan with Lord Uvall. Seeing my look, Ajuka continued on as we got ready to hit the teleporter pad.
"There will be an hour lunch break between the two halves of the session. That should be enough time to inform your allies of the upcoming vote and deal with the Uvalls. I have prepared my own offer for them should your attempt fail."
We step onto the pad and are whisked away to the underworld.
On the other end, the two of us continued our walk until we reached the manor's front door. We exited the building and walked up the cobblestone pathway toward the steel gate. A Skitarii opened the gate and saluted me while their eyes were downcast for Ajuka. When the gate was open, the two of us continued onto the street. Ajuka slowed for a moment before he said.
"I want to visit her grave today and have you there with me after the vote, whatever it is."
I could hear the slightest tremble in his voice, and I turned my head to his.
"I'd be happy to see her dad. I also have something for you from Akeno. She is wondering if this is enough for you or Sirzches to give her a battlefield promotion."
I pulled out the CD and handed it to Ajuka. He looked at the disk before he made a tiny nod.
"Sirzches and I will watch it later today."
He put the CD away before stretching out his hand and summoning a portal. I began making my way to it before looking back at Ajuka.
"I can't follow because of the image."
I understood what he meant, and I moved towards the portal that formed on the street. I stepped through the portal, ready for fun.
The other side of the portal was in what was a big room complete with a desk and several chairs. Emblazoned on the front of the desk was the emblem of House Astaroth, and behind the desk was Ajarken, also in a suit. He had been writing something when I stepped out and looked up at me. His eyes fell on my scar, and he seemed to linger on it as he spoke.
"I see that the rumors of you suffering an injury were true."
My eyes met his, and I shrugged my shoulders slightly.
"I proudly wear this scar. I gave much worse ones to the fallen who made it."
That put a slight smirk on Ajarkan before he began to get up off the chair he was in.
"I can believe that. Are you ready for your first time public appearance in our parliament?"
I want to roll my eyes yet barely hold that in. However, some of my snark crept into my voice.
"Absolutely. I aim to please, after all."
That made Ajarkan want to snort, but he held it in. He moved around the desk, and I fell into step with him. The two of us reached the door, and I asked with a cautious voice.
"Where exactly is the parliament? That didn't come up with Geros."
Ajarkan stopped his hand at the doorknob.
"The parliament is in the small city of Lucifane. It is one of five places in the underworld ruled directly by the Satans. The city was built after the Civil War when the fighting leveled the old capital Lucifaad."
That news made me nod, and Ajarkan opened the door for us. As we exited his office, I glanced around to see the emblem of several pillars starting with the letter A above the other doors. For Pillars like the Alocer, which were extinct, the door with their emblem was painted half black. We were about to start moving down the hall when the door for the Agares opened and out stepped Seekvaria and a man who was clearly her father.
Seekvaria saw me, and an especially eager look entered her eyes, though her facial expressions were schooled. Her father was the same, and I bowed to the two as did Ajarkan, as expected of us by the ranking of the pillars, though I voiced it for us.
"Lord Agares. Heiress Agares."
Lord Agares eyed me in approval before he tilted his head, saying he accepted the greeting.
"Lord Astaroth. Heir Astaroth."
With the greetings out of the way, Lord Agares and my grandfather fell into step with each other, and Seekvaria and I followed them a step further back. Seekvaria eyed me again as we walked, and she sighed softly.
"Heir Astaroth, I see the rumors of your injury are true."
My eyes hit her own, and I shrug.
"I have not kept up with said rumors, so you probably know more than me, Heiress Agares. I'd be happy to confirm or deny them when we get to lunch if you want?"
Seekvaria nodded her head as we continued down the hall. We then took a right into a massive open area filled with other nobles and/or guards, with the emblem of one of the four Satans scattered about the hall.
"I would like that, Heir Astaroth. I also have questions about how fast you trained Rias to that level of deadliness in such a short time."
We continued on towards twenty guards standing in front of a massive door. Just as we were about to hit that door, I smirked at Seekvaria.
"I can share some of it with you, but parts of it are a secret that I use for my peerage, too."
Seekvaria's interest grew as she nodded, and her pink eyes told me to keep that promise. As soon as we were in front of the door, I saw that of the twenty guards in front of us; five were from each of the Satans: the ones for Lucifer and Beelzebub on the right and the ones for Leviathan and Asmodeus on the left. Two guards on the left and right opened the door, and inside, I saw a massive hall.
At the front of the hall were four massive thrones of gold on a platform under a white banner with a falling star approaching the ground. The four thrones were facing towards the booths of seats on either side of the hall and then one smaller one in the middle between the two. Above the booths on both sides of the room were two more banners, this time showing four shiny crowns on the left side, and the right had the symbol of House Bael. Ajarkan and Lord Agares moved toward the booths before breaking apart. Lord Agares went towards the center booth, with Seekvaria while Ajarkan moved towards the left booth as I followed him. Ajarkan and I climbed a few steps before entering the booth and sat in a pair of seats with the Astaroth emblem. Ajarkan's seat was a bit taller than mine, and I looked out to see the rest of the room.
On the other side of the room, in a chair facing us, was Lord Uvall, and next to him was his son. The two had been discussing something quietly before Lord Uvall caught sight of me. The man who had black hair sneered at Ajarkan and me as his violet eyes narrowed on me in particular. Ajarkan started sneering back at the other while Lord Uvall's son, who looked to be in his late twenties, looked everywhere except us. The two continued their sneer off, and that was only broken when the sound of heels clicking was heard, and my eyes were drawn from the scene.
There, approaching us, was Sona in an elegant black dress. She walked between two people who were clearly her parents. Sona's father had short hair like his second daughter, while her mother had long hair like Serafall. Sona caught sight of me, too, and her violet eyes lingered on my scar. Her parents continued to climb the stairs, and their eyes, too, fell on me. Both were curious, and neither commented on me as they and Sona continued climbing the stairs. More and more of the nobility began making their way into the room, and I saw several faces I recognized among them.
Coming our way was a cocky and very smug Zephyrdor, with his pointed ears twitching every so often. He was next to a woman who was clearly his mother as they shared the same hair and ears. On the other side of the room, two men who were more fish than man climbing the stairs dressed in pirate outfit suits.
Following him were two men with long white hair. One of these men was wearing a crimson and gold mage outfit was, none other than Diehauser Belial. He, his obvious father, and the fishmen take seats. Then I saw another familiar face in Lady Paimon and a young man resembling Azura sittingin the middle booth next to Seekvaria. Lady Paimon and Lord Agares begantalking, but the sight was soon blocked by five people making their way towardsthe box. Three of the five people were Heniya, Venelana, and Zeoticus Gremory. Venelana and Heniya were in stunning crimson dresses, while Zeoticus was in a well-tailored suit of purple and red. He caught sight of me and glared for a few seconds before Heniya bumped him, making the man slightly lessen it. Venelana had a somewhat hard look at me, too, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been.
Zeoticus and Venelana glared for a few more seconds before the trio moved up the stairs. The sound of footsteps showed that behind them was Ruval and an unknown woman with curly blonde hair. They continued past me, and the
room continued to fill with people.
Then, the front hall doors opened, and two people entered the room. One was Lord Bael, who was wearing a face of annoyance, and the other was Sairarog Bael. Sairarog was exactly like his canon self-buff, and all other than wearing a bored face till he caught sight of me. Then, a slight smirk crossed his face, making Lord Bael look in that direction. His face took on a sneer as he glared at me, walking with the Sairarog up the steps till the two sat at the top of the box.
Lord Bael continued glaring at me while Sairarog's smirk grew wider and wider. As that happens, the last of the pillar heads and their heirs or heiresses arrive and take their seats. One of those said people sat next to Lord Bael, and the brown-haired man leaned close to the other. They continued whispering as four very loud trumpets started playing.
The sound made everyone in the room stand and face towards the thrones. A side door close to the throne platform opened, and then out came Sirzches in his gold and brass warrior armor, and then came Ajuka, still in his suit. Following him came Serafall in a stunning purple dress, and finally out popped Faibium, who was wearing warrior armor of his own. That look for him was slightly ruined by his face, which showed he was extremely tired. The four sit on the thrones, and finally, out came Grayfia, who was in her maid outfit. She took a place close to the right side of the platform and waited for something as the trumpets started dying down.
Once they died down completely, Sirzches looked around the room and raised his voice.
"Sit under his gaze."
That made the nobility sit, and Grayfia unfolded a scroll and then cast a spell that made it and a now-here quill start floating. The quill began writing something down, and Grayfia called to the hall.
"Are there any pre-business issues that must be addressed before we start this session?"
The room was silent momentarily before the man beside Lord Bael stood. I saw an emblem on his chair that showed he was from the Sallos.
"I have one that needs to be addressed. Our noble institution is being sullied by its presence. I demand that the halfbreed filth be removed from this hall."
The hall stilled as the Satans watched on with blank faces. I saw an angry look cross Ajuka's face for a microsecond before he was back to the blank. The demand, however, had my grandfather pissed, as were all the NKF Lords. To my surprise, multiple GKF Lords looked slightly uncomfortable about that demand. Lord Agares and Lady Paimon said nothing while Seekvaria had a look of anger cross her face. Grayfia kept her blank face and had the quill automatically write something before Sirzches asked in a bored voice.
"On what grounds do you make this demand?"
All eyes in the room fell on Sirzches, and the question seemed to make Lord Sallos stumble for a second before he grew furious and blustered.
"My grounds are that he is a mongrel of diluted blood defiling this prestigious gathering! His presence here and as a 'Heir' insults the Morning Star and our nobility!"
The room began rumbling on both sides, growing louder and louder. Just as the screaming match was about to begin, Grayfia stopped it by making a horn spell that shook the room. When the noise stopped, the room was silent as the GKF and NKF glared at each other. My grandfather was death-glaring at Lord Sallos, who was doing the same to me. Sirzches replied in that same bored voice.
"That is not grounds for a dismissal or removal as it has no legal case of reference to support it. The request is denied."
That sent Lord Sallos and several others from the GKF into a rage as they got ready to shout. Lord Bael was not one of them, however, despite the fact he had a massive sneer. Instead, he had turned this mostly on Lord Sallos. Just as Lord Sallos was about to speak again, Grayfia made the horn sound again, making the noise stop. She looked at the GKF with a tiny hint of disappointment, and then I remembered something that had come up in the extra research I had done for the devil law code. I tilted my head to my grandfather, and he caught the move. He grew curious and then gave the slightest nod, making me slowly stand. All eyes on the room fell on me, and Sirzechs's eyes fell on me.
"You have something to say, Heir Astaroth?"
My red eyes met Sirzches and then Lord Sallos and Lord Bael.
"I do, Lord Lucifer. I want to point out for Lord Sallos that according to a law that was passed in 1732 by this August body, the new Heir or Heiress of a Pillar, once confirmed by the Lord or Lady above them, is required to report to this body for the first parliament after that confirmation and sit through the session. I would dishonor our hallowed laws as would Lord Sallos from this request."
After I finished talking and sat, the hall stilled again, and none of the Satans showed anything on their faces. My grandfather got a smirk, and Grayfia raised her white eyebrow for a half-second before it went down again as my grandfather stood.
"I know the law he is referencing."
That made the GKF hardliners pissed. Lord Bael was glaring at me but I saw the
barest hint of respect in his eyes now. Another GKF Lord stood and snarled out.
"The halfbreed filth is lying! There is no such law on record!"
The room got ready for another shouting match when the horn noise came again from Grayfia, making the about-to-start fight stop. She snapped her fingers, and a massive rack of scrolls came down from the ceiling. It soon reached Grayfia, and the room watched eagerly for my claim to be confirmed or denied. The Satans watched all and Grayfia soon pulled out a scroll.
She opened it and began reading. The silence continued, and the sneers from the two sides grew until Grayfia reached a part of the scroll and stopped in place. The woman read the bit before turning the long scroll around and casting a spell illuminating this passage for the room.
The passage showed my claim as clear as day in writing, and I wanted to smirk but didn't. Grayfia had her eyes meet Lord Sallos's.
"Heir Astaroth is correct in his reference, my Lords and Ladies."
Sirzches let a slight smirk cross his face as he looked at Lord Sallos and the other GKF Lord, whose faces were now a mix of pale white and tomato red.
"The request is denied now and permanently from now on should it be raised again. Now that this is settled, let us get into business. We will begin with a bill that was proposed by…."
Sirzches then laid out the first bill of the session. It would require the Pillars to second four percent of their levies to the Satans rather than two. The issue immediately became bogged down as the GKF and NKF fought over every detail. The gridlock was worse than I had imagined, and every single part of the bill was fought over. Eventually, the vote was called, and the bill was defeated as Lord Agares voted GKF along with an NKF Lord from the Stolas.
The rest of the NKF glared at the man while Lord Bael proposed the next bill to reduce taxes on the Pillars. Again, the two sides fought over the details, which lasted an hour. The bill was passed when the vote was called, thanks to Lord Agares, who again voted GKF. The following four bills were much the same. NKF ones failed, and GKF ones passed as Lord Agares voted. Finally, after three more hours of this, Grayfia called the recess. People glared at each other before getting up from chairs and heading for another side door on the throne platform's left side. Ajarkan got up with me and followed him. I felt a shadow fall over my shoulder, and I turned to see Zeoticus and Velelana with Heniya beside them. As we walked to the door, Zeocutus had his glare return for me.
"You put my little girl in danger."
I didn't deny that as we walked.
"I did and kept my promise to her that I would support her in anything she wished. She wanted to be on that field and I wouldn't stop her want."
Zeoticus's glare softened a tiny before it returned as Venelana sighed.
"Rias did indeed tell us that last week. She said she saw how you wanted to beg her not to go into the battle but held it in."
The five of us crossed the doorway into an elegant dining hall with multiple tables and chairs. As we walked, Heniya looked at her father, who was still glaring at me and came to my defense.
"He ensured that Rias was protected well with armor and other things. She also now has a familiar thanks to him, and the familiar is deadly, having helped protect her too."
There was still some bitterness in her voice, but it seemed the week had helped thaw most of Heniya's anger with me as she took pride in Rias. That made Zeoticus and Venelana blink rapidly as the redhead man tilted his head.
"A familiar?"
It was my turn to smirk while my grandfather, who had been listening silently, raised an eyebrow. As the five of us approached a pair of tables, I shrugged.
"Rias has a familiar now in one of my new Castallan robots that was built specifically for her."
Zeoticus blinked again before Venelana got a half smile.
"I see. If this robot is as deadly as the one from your ratings game, then perhaps we judged you too harshly here."
I sigh.
"He is and loves Rias to death. As for the judgment, I deserve it, yet Rias was beyond certain about this, and I will support her as I said regardless."
Zeoticus, Venelana, Heniya, and Ajarkan sat down, and I was about to join them when I heard a cough behind me. I glanced over my shoulder to see Seekvaria, who had an eager grin on her face. I get ready to ask my grandfather for permission, only for Ajarkan to smile slightly.
"Enjoy yourself for a bit. Parliament won't be getting any better."
With that, he pulled Zeoticus and Venelana into a conversation while Heniya approached Ruval with a camera. I turned to Seekvaria and followed her to Sona's table. As we walked towards it past multiple nobles who looked at me in interest or hate, I leaned in close to Seekvaria and whispered.
"The favor is being called in. There will be a vote near the end of the session. You will know it when you hear it, so please let your father know."
Seekvaria didn't react to my words other than a slight nod before we reached the table. Sona, who had been looking at a menu, heard our footsteps and glanced at us.
"Heir Astaroth."
Seekvaria and I sat down, with Seekvaria on my left and Sona on my right as I returned the greeting.
"Heiress Sitri."
As soon as I was in my seat, Seekvaria turned her head to me, and I could see her excited face.
"You promised me information about Rias's training. My knight, Bafeel Furcas, was there when we watched the videos in awe, saying that the swordplay Rias was using was especially deadly. She said that killing blows and even maiming ones were extremely easy to miss. Where did she learn that, and from whom?
Sona now had the same face of curiosity, and I picked up my menu to look at it. Around us at other tables were several other nobles, mainly from NKF Houses, including one that had Zephyrdor, though three tables were GKF ones, so I grinned mysteriously.
"I taught her it via a special way. I can't say more as it is part of my peerage and now hers way of training."
Seekvaria huffed in understanding and frustration as she saw the other nobles leaning in to eavesdrop.
"That is fair. Can you at least tell me who or what the inspiration for it was? The style looked like it had a hint of Asian in it, according to Bafeel."
The nobles leaned in closer, trying not to look obvious but failing. I put my menu down slightly.
"The inspiration comes from a man named Jaghatai Khan. He was a warrior of extraordinary skill and was like his style easy to miss."
Seekvaria and Sona were now very curious. The two thought about this revelation, and I heard what sounded like quills from the nearby tables, which made me eye Sona.
"I have something for you, Heiress Sitri."
Sona broke from thinking, turning her violet eyes on me.
"Oh? What is it?"
I opened my pocket spell and handed her Tsubaki's letter. Sona takes it as I explain.
"Your queen has someone eager to hear from her. They are responsible for your favorite type of movies."
Seekvaria was still deep in thought over Jagahati, and Sona frowned momentarily before her eyes lit up. Then she puts it into a pocket spell and grins.
"I'll give this to her tonight, which reminds me of something myself. I would like to meet with you this Friday at the school. I would also like to meet all of your peerage who will be attending so that I have names and faces."
I shrug.
"I'd be happy to meet with you then."
At that moment, a devil butler came by and asked what we wanted to eat. I ordered a steak, Sona, a shrimp pasta, and a now-done thinking Seekvaria ordered a Gyoza. The three of us started making small talk before food arrived. As we ate, Seekvaria told me all of the rumors that had been making the rounds in the underworld last week, and I answered a few questions for her about our training regimen. All of the rumors she told me about were outlandish to a degree, but there was one that took the cake. In that one, I somehow had seduced all the female fallen in Kokabiel's cadre during the battle and now had a new ultra-massive harem of fallen angels. Sona shook her head in disapproval of the rumor, and I shook my head before saying that it was utterly untrue.
With each rumor Seekvaria told me, I wanted to belly laugh more and more and could see Sona had the beginnings of a smile on her face, too. Seekvaria was about to tell me another rumor when a shadow crossed our table. The nearby tables fell silent as I turned from my nearly finished steak to see that the shadow belonged to Sairarog.
The young Bael was smirking wide before his eyes landed on mine.
"Heir Astaroth."
My eyes didn't back down from Sairarog.
"Heir Bael."
Sairarog kept smirking as his eyes studied me with his eyes. That smirk grew again.
"I must say I'm very impressed by what I have seen of your performance during your ratings game. It has raised many questions, and your battle topside last week did the same."
My eyes watched that smirk, not saying anything as he continued.
"I would like to see that performance firsthand and in person. Would you, at some point, perhaps be interested in doing a ratings game between your peerage and mine? Maybe even today?"
His smirk began to show teeth, revealing that he was beyond eager for that possibility, and I watched him carefully.
"Perhaps in the future, Heir Bael. I'm still recovering from the battle last week."
It seemed that Saiarog was still a battle fanatic because he understood my unspoken words about giving it all for that potential future fight. His teeth were now on full display, and he took my answer.
"I understand. Apologies for the interruption."
With that, he turned and walked away, though there was a slight spring in his step. As he walked away, the tables around us returned to talking, and Sona leaned in close.
"Be careful with him. He is regarded as the strongest young devil in the nobility."
I took the warning and was about to say something when Seekvaria chimed in.
"He is said to be a prodigy with the power of destruction."
That made me freeze for a second. He had what! The shock must have been on my face because Seekvaria got a small frown.
"His peerage is no joke either; all of them are highly exceptional purebloods, with several of them being surviving members of extinct pillars."
That news was the same, and now I watch Saiarog's retreating form with a new caution. He was still as jacked as he was in Cannon, so that meant his work ethic was the same here. I would need to do massive upgrades to prepare for a possible future fight with him. One in particular would help with him, and Koriel grunted. She would start that design as she had a free bit of time. I began making a list for further upgrades as Seekvaria restarted telling me the rumors. That lessens the serious mood, and I appreciate Seekvaria.
We continued talking with her, telling me rumors, and I either denied them or confirmed the accurate parts for most of the rest of the break. The tables around us began to empty, and soon, we were practically alone. Our talk ended when Sona saw her father and mother talking with another pair of devils, whom I learned were her uncle and aunt from another of the pillars. She excused herself, making Seekvaria lean close and whisper to me that she would tell her father. She then stood and left to find him. I was about to stand myself when another shadow fell over my shoulder. I turned to see it was the Heir to the Uvalls.
The young man with the same black hair as his father looked around nervously. His eyes finally landed on mine.
"Heir Astaroth. My father would like to speak with you before the break ends. Please follow me."
I get ready for this and slowly get up.
"Of course, Heir Uvall. Let me get up."
The other man backed away and allowed me to stand. Then I slowly fell into step with him, and the two of us moved away from the cluster of nobles towards a window here. Neither I nor Heir Uvall spoke as we walked, and each step made my heart jump into my throat. Soon, I saw the lynchpin of everything.
Lord Uvall was staring out the window, and I could see his clenched fist and tense posture. Soon, his son's footsteps and mine were heard, and the man turned our way. His face had a massive and cruel sneer, and the look made his son flinch while I was not bothered by it. The fist clenched harder and harder as we approached before Heir Uvall stepped next to his father and me, a respectful distance from the two.
Lord Uvall glared at me with hate, and the look made his son flinch again before his mouth opened, and he growled at me.
"Halfbreed filth."
I saw wrath on his face and knew immediately that this was Lord Uvall's sin. He continued to glare at me, and I returned the greeting.
"Lord Uvall."
The man was beyond pissed and growled out.
"Give me that sword, vermin."
Heir Uvall froze and looked questioningly at his father while I shrugged.
"Why should I? I took it off a fallen on my battlefield. I have the spoils of war rights to it."
Lord Uvall looked ready to punch me in the face and was only held back from it by his son asking.
"What sword are you talking about father?"
The man glared at my face.
"Our family's sword made for us by the Morningstar."
Heir Uvall gaped now, and his father went on the attack.
"Give me that sword halfbreed filth! You are exactly like your shit-stain father and grandfather! You think you can taunt me like they do and that you are immune to retribution! You sully our race by your very existence and should have been strangled in your crib! Give me that sword!"
Lord Uvall got ready to throw a punch and was only stopped when my bored face answered.
"It wasn't a taunt."
That stopped Lord Uvall in his tracks, and I continued.
"I intend to give you the sword back as I understand its significance and other blades like it to the Pillars. However, I want something in exchange for the sword."
Lord Uvall got ready to throw hands again and was stopped by his son asking.
"What do you want for the sword?"
My eyes fell on the younger man and then his father.
"I want your vote."
Lord Uvall looked at me in shocked rage and was about to snarl wrath when I interrupted him again.
"The key word is vote. I want only one vote from you. After that vote, you can continue to vote GKF and never worry about me again. After this session, and when you make that vote, I will return the sword to you."
Lord Uvall clenched his hands into fists, ready to punch me in the head. He got ready to do something, and again, only his son stopped him by getting in the way slightly.
"What bill?"
Lord Uvall looked ready to turn his fists on his son and was about to growl out something when I spoke.
"The last bill of the session. Vote on it, and the sword is yours. Don't, and I keep it. That is my one and only offer. I won't taunt you or remind you constantly that you owe me. The issue will be settled after the vote is made. I will not tell my grandfather I have the sword so that he will do the same. Deal?"
Lord Uvall was shaking in rage and disbelief, his face red at my offer. He was ready to deny this, so great was his wrath. He clenched and unclenched his fists, and he looked at me with hate. His son was studying my face intently, and just as his father was about to turn and leave, his son put a hand on his shoulder.
"I believe him, Dad."
Lord Uvall was ready to snarl when I said something to his face, breaking a little of my mask.
"I am not my father or grandfather. I honor deals to the letter and don't renege on them. I want this one vote. Give me that, and the sword is yours."
Lord Uvall stared into my eyes with hate momentarily before he saw something on my face and snarled out reluctantly.
"Fine."
With that, the man turned away, and power walked away from me, still shaking in rage. Heir Uvall sighed.
"He has very good reasons to hate you and your family. Please don't be lying here."
I watched Lord Uvall's retreating form.
"I understand that. I'm not lying about the deal. Make him keep the promise, and I will return the blade."
Heir Uvall nodded before he followed after his father, and I looked out the window. That wrath was ultra-strong, and his reluctance to agree worried me. That worry lingered as I began to return to where the now smaller crowd of the remaining nobles stood. As I walked back towards where my grandfather, Zeoticus, Heniya, and Venelana were near the doorway, the worry continued to build. When I reached my grandfather's side, he frowned.
"I saw Heiress Agares leaving earlier, but you weren't with her. Where were you?"
His voice worried me, and I let out a hint of a smirk to cover my worry.
"The bathroom. I was not used to the ones here."
Ajarkan relaxed before he let out a tired sigh.
"I see. I hope you enjoyed this bit of relaxing. The next half of the session will probably be even more rough than the first half."
I wear my smirk and shrug.
"We will see. Perhaps it might get easier."
Ajarkan, it seems, didn't believe that.
"It won't. The second half of the sessions is when the very important votes are called. Get ready for more screaming."
He began going to the door, and I followed him. The two of us passed through the door, following the Gremorys, leaving an empty room.
No sooner were Ajarkan and I back standing before our seats than the trumpets blared again. The Satans walked out of the side room with Grayfia. The four took their seats, and it seemed Fabium was trying to stay awake now. Sirzches eyed the room before he again uttered the words.
"Sit under his gaze."
The room did so, and then Sirzcehs took a scroll from Fabium, twisted a finger, making the bill jump to life in front of the room, and began the debate. The room soon became a screaming match as the NKF and GKF started to fight over the bill. It was a very tiny thing, which was the worst part. It was whether or not they should mint a new coin to replace the image of the Morning Star on it. The GKF called it an attack on tradition. The NKF called it necessary. The fighting grew worse and worse before. Finally, Grayfia blew the horn and made the crowd stop.
She then called the vote. The bill failed as Lord Agares voted GKF. Grayfia recorded the vote result as the room was now very pissed or smug. Then, Serafall proposed the next bill. The bill for her was a simple one, too, in whether or not the underworld would raise money for veterans of the Civil War. Although it was very conservative for the NKF in how that money would be spent, it failed when Lord Agares voted against it. Grayfia recorded the vote and let her quill write down the result. Then Ajuka proposed his bill. It was an infrastructure bill to try and start a new road system between the pillars. It was beyond generous to every pillar, and as the bill details were laid out, I saw many GKF Lords looking at its contents with glee. They almost looked ready to vote for it.
However, when the vote was called, Lord Bael gave those Lords a stern glare as he had noticed that, too. That look had made them vote against the bill reluctantly, and I get a new bit of hate for the Baels here as this was such grox shit. Grayfia called the result for her quill and scroll, and I clenched my fist because Lord Uvall was close to Lord Bael and glared at me nonstop. He was still pissed and, every so often, would shake in rage. The room prepared for Sirzches to present his bill. His eyes traced the room before he pulled his scroll out and then unfolded it. He looked at it momentarily before he made the copy be shown to the room.
The room gasped altogether as Sirzches read out the bill's title.
"An End to the Great War."
The room suddenly erupted into the worst screaming match so far as Lord Bael snarled out to everyone.
"End the Great War! And dishonor the billions who died fighting against the ones who sought our destruction! No now, No later, and No forever!"
The GKF hardliners took up that cry while a few less dedicated ones flinched. Lady Paimon and Agares looked at the bill in shock. Lady Paimon, a practiced player, had one of her eyes barely move towards mine, and I gave her the briefest of nods. She didn't respond to that and began reading the bill proposal along with Lord Agares, who was being elbowed and whispered to by Seekvaria.
The NKF looked at the bill in shock, and some looked hesitant, before a look from Ajuka stiffened all of them, and then a snarl came from one of the NKF Lords.
"The war has been all but over for three centuries, and we all have known that! Why continue to fight something that is dead already? End the War now for the Children here and to come!"
That became the NKF chant, and soon, the two chants were being screamed at each other. The room's noise kept growing louder and louder as the chants hit both sides like a raging hurricane. Strangely, Grayfia allowed this to happen as she watched the room with her blank face. Several GKF houses looked like they agreed with the NKF as they looked at their oftentimes young heirs or heiresses, but the roars from Lord Bael's hardliners made them reluctantly join in. Soon, spells began forming in hands for both sides, and they were about to be thrown. Again, Grayfia did nothing. She didn't need to do anything, as the worst pressure I have ever felt slammed into everyone in the room.
It was from Sirzches as he had risen from his throne and was glaring at the room hard. His pressure made several people start gasping for air and one of the heirs from the GKF fainted. Sirzches glared at the room and the pressure increased again before he said in a deathly whisper.
"If spells are made or thrown there will be hell to pay for the one who breaks the rule of this hallowed body. Is that clear? Read the bill."
Every single person nodded, and spells disappeared. Even Lord Bael was intimidated by Sirzches and said nothing while Sarairog was eyeing Sirzches in his battle fanatic way finally done being bored. The tension in the room began to dwindle for a second though the rage was still there. All eyes began reading the bill and the GKF hardliners grew more and more pissed as they read on. I read too and I was beyond impressed by Sirzches and the others the more I read. The bill was ironclad in its clauses on everything. I see that Ajuka had been in his genius mode fully when he wrote this as it closed down every single way active and passive that could break the proposed peace. It had serious teeth too for those who tried to break it and I could see that feeling of anger spreading in the GKF hardliners as they read.
No stone for violating was left unturned and it clearly was a masterful stroke by all four of the Satans as each of them had contributed to this in their own ways. The room tension grew and grew and the only reason a screaming match didn't break out again was Sirzches glaring at everyone with his presence mostly muted. Lord Bael was still pissed but a slow sense of smugness was starting to creep into his face. He continued letting it in as he read and soon a very massive smug smirk was on his face.
He looked around the room and let his smugness be seen by his people and the NKF. The smirk made several NKF Lords who had been certain lose that as the rage left them and they remembered the GKF majority. They grew nervous before, once again my dad glared at them and they steadied themselves. However, the GKF hardliners were soon matching Lord Bael's smirk. The non hardliners too were sort of joining that save for Diehauser, his father Lord Uvall, and his son. Lord Uvall was death glaring at me and Lord Bael finally said smugness incarnate as his sin was now on full display with his pride as he got ready to destroy this.
"I call the vote."
Sirzches nodded his head, and the votes began as Lord Bael stood and voted against. Then Zeoticus stood and voted for. Slowly but surely the votes came in for and or against with each vote making the room's energy grow heavier and heavier. The tension in the room continued growing and growing then spiked again when the NKF had a few lords hesitate the more they heard the GKF vote against it. Yet again Ajuka glared at them and once more steadied them as they voted. Soon it comes down to the last five votes as the tension grew thicker and was soon becoming like a miasma for all.
Finally, the last NKF Lord in Ruval voted yes and the second to last GKF Lord in Diehauser's dad reluctantly voted no. All eyes were now on Lord Agares, Lady Paimon and Lord Uvall. The three eye each other their heirs or heiress and the rest of the room. The tension grew thicker and thicker, and Lord Bael kept his smug ass smirk. Finally, Lord Agares makes a move. He looked at the room in total and then at his daughter. He then stood and once more looked around the room. Everyone leaned in as Lord Agares spoke.
"This vote is the once-in-a-lifetime vote. So much rides on it for us as nobility and
others below us. That is why I must choose carefully and follow my gut and my fellows."
Lord Bael's smirk grew as Lord Agares stopped. Lord Agares then looked directly at Sirzches and the other Satans.
"I vote for. And ask to join the NKF for future votes. My daughter and I have something special on the way for us, thanks to someone, and I want to live to see it."
That made a loud gasp go through the room as almost everyone had their mouths drop to the floor save me Seekvaria and the Satans. Seekvaria was now in her greed high for knights with her father and Lord Bael now had a face full of betrayal. Sirzches gave a nod and Lord Agares smiled wide before he and Seekvaria stood up and levitated their chairs from the middle booths to the NKF side and then set them down before retaking their seats.
The room was dumbfounded at the sight before Lord Bael, the GKF, and the NKF turned their eyes on Lady Paimon. The woman had been blank-faced, watching the room, and now Lord Bael turned his eyes to her. In them, I saw a tiny sliver of fear, but mostly just promises to reward Lady Paimon very well if she voted for the GKF. Lady Paimon slowly rose and looked at the room with a nonchalant look.
"You all know very well that I don't vote unless there is something in it for me. I have heard all of your offers and promises, your deals, and other ways you have tried to buy my vote. None of you knew what I truly wanted. Now I have that thanks to a person who had faith with and was honest with me along with doing the impossible. They have earned my vote. I vote for and like my good friend in Lord Agares ask to join the NKF."
By the end of that, Lady Paimon was smiling wide, and her son had a grouchy face across him for a second before his Mama Bear glared at him, and he sweat dropped. Then he nodded enthusiastically in support of his mother and Sirzches now had a bigger smirk on his face as did the other Satans. Lady Paimon and her son stood up and floated their chairs to the NKF side and sat down as the room continued to have mouths open like fish.
Lord Bael's fear grew again, and he got ready to scream something. Then he
sighed in relief as he remembered who the last vote would come from. He turned
along with all eyes in the room on Lord Uvall.
The man had been glaring at me shaking in wrath and steam was beginning to appear out of his ears. He was beyond enraged and looked ready to get up from his seat to grab something and throw it at me. My eyes were staring straight at him telling him silently to keep to our deal as wrath entered them. Lord Bael didn't see that. He was instead staring straight at Lord Uvall's eyes, and he spoke loud now.
"Constance what are you doing! Vote now and end this pathetic attempt! Vote now and show them that mocked you their dream dies!"
The other GKF hardliners picked up that chant of Vote Now and it grew louder when the NKF saw Lord Uvall was struggling. The room filled with noise as the two sides urged him to vote. The noise grew louder and louder as they chanted vote now. The noise continued to grow louder and louder as Lord Uvall glared at me and the steam rose higher and higher. His rage was legendary, and his body shook as his and my eyes glared at each other. Grayfia got ready to blow the horn again when Lord Uvall roared to the room.
"Shut up all of you! I'll make my damn vote! I vote for!"
That did indeed make the room shut up. The chants died down and all were looking at the man like he was crazy. Lord Bael's face was filled with so much betrayal that it was almost as bad as Istvan III's Loyalists. He looked at Lord Uvall and before he could put pressure on the other to rescind the vote Grayfia made the call with a slight grin on her face."
"The vote passes as agreed upon by this body."
Lord Bael got ready to object, gathering air in his lungs, but it was too late. The quill had finished writing down the result and Sirzches and the others now openly wear smiles on their faces. The hall stilled before a whoop of joy came from an NKF Lord and that set off the others. Cheers began breaking from the NKF and as they continued, I looked at Lord Uvall and gave him a slight nod of my head before a smirk crossed my face.
The faces of the devastated and now scared looks of Lord Bael and the GKF
hardliners as they stared at the ground would feed my wrath well for a long
while. The cheers from the NKF continued growing louder and louder only for
Sirzches to raise his hand and that made the cheers stop. The room was silent
for only a moment before Sirzches called it.
"That concludes this session of parliament. Rise as he did and rule."
With that Sirzches and the others rose from their thrones and made their way to the side room while Grayfia rolled up the scroll and placed it on the massive rack to the ceiling letting it go up. When it was up Grayfia walked towards the side room and the Pillars, and their heirs began getting up. Lord Agares and Lady Paimon were being swarmed by NKF Lords and Ladies welcoming them into the party, and many were also digging for the reason why they had finally joined. The two wore secretive smiles and gave nothing away, even when I passed by with Ajarkan. The GKF was still mostly in shock from this, though some were glaring at Lord Uvall in hate. The man wasn't paying attention to that, though his son was. Lord Uvall was too glaring at me as he and his son began to get up off their seats along with a few other GKF Lords.
Ajarkan and I walked past Zeoticus, Venelana and Heniya as they chatted with Lord and Lady Sitri while Sona stayed silent. Zeoticus and Lord Sitri were bragging about how they would be drinking tonight. I saw Sona catch my eyes and in Sona's eyes she had a hint that this victory was because of me. Ajarkan and I moved towards the entrance to the hall and Ajarkan put his hand on my shoulder.
"You were right. It did get better."
That was said quietly, and I shrugged my shoulders. I saw Lord Uvall and his son were close behind us. Just as Ajarkan and I stepped out of the parliament room past the twenty levy soldiers of the Satans, the Beelzebub ones put a hand over their hearts, as there was Ajuka. He smiled and smirked at me and Ajarkan.
"I will escort him home. He and I have some important business to take care of tonight."
Ajarkan shrugged.
"I see. I have some business I need to wrap up with one of our vassals. Have a good night, Gregor and I am proud of you for what I saw today in there."
I smirked and saw out of the corner of my eye that Lord Uvall and his son were on the other side of the hall talking reluctantly with each other. Ajarkan smirked having seen that too and sent that look at Lord Uvall. The man glared at my grandfather and then me before Ajarkan enjoyed his smug superiority and walked away. As he walked I quietly asked Ajuka.
"What is the cause for the feud besides our wine?"
Ajuka replied as he and I began moving up a nearby deserted hall.
"The root cause is that Lord Uvall and my father loved the same woman in your grandmother. She was undecided on who she wanted and went back and forth until she decided. Lord Uvall has hated us ever since."
That was actually sad, and I feel a tiny bit of pity for the man. Soon Ajuka and I were halfway up the hall when two more sets of footsteps were heard, and I hear a growl behind me. I looked over my shoulders to see Lord Uvall and his son. The older man had his fists clenched again and had his violet eyes staring at me in hate.
"You lying little halfbreed filth. I knew you would double cross me. Come here so I
can….."
He had made to unleash his wrath fully and finally on me despite Ajuka being here. He was about to jump forward and punch me in the head even though his son was getting ready to stop him. He was just about to do it when the sound of a pocket spell was heard, and the sword came out. Lord Uvall stopped his almost jump as I held the sword then turned to face him and his son. I turn the blade to show the hilt of it and then leaned it over to Lord Uvall.
"My father is here for another thing. Here is the blade as promised. My word is as good as steel."
Lord Uvall looked at me dumbfounded and then at the sword that was in front of him. Some of the wrath left him and I again pushed it forward. The black-haired man slowly extended his hand as if expecting me to pull it away from him. When his hand touched the blade hilt, he grabbed it and the scabbard pulling it quickly to him again expecting treachery. I let go of the blade and looked him dead in the eye. Lord Uvall now had no wrath in him as he held that sword like it was the most beautiful of things. Ajuka had witnessed it and said nothing about this. However, he did look at Heir Uvall.
"Your son is ten yes Heir Uvall?"
Heir Uvall blinked twice.
"He is why does that….."
Ajuka keeps his blue eyes on the younger man.
"Drop by my labs tomorrow with him. I have ten new unattuned evil piece sets and he can have one of them for free. Consider it as my own gift to your family for what you did in that hall. Like my son my word too will start being as good as steel."
Heir Uvall was bewildered beyond belief and so was Lord Uvall who looked up from the blade. He didn't believe it still to bitter and remembering the past. However, his son did.
"I will bring him. Thank you, Lord Beelzebub. Heir Astaroth. Now come on Dad let's leave and put that back where it belongs."
Heir Uvall began leading his bitter ass of an old man away and I turned my eyes to my own father.
"You didn't have to do that. We had everything we needed from them."
Ajuka shrugged.
"I didn't. But despite my dislike of the Uvalls, we would have possibly had another swing vote here if I had not been the way I was with them. I realize that now. I will start being like my son who has shown that he is a better man than I am."
He was indeed proud of me, and I shake my head.
"I get it from mom."
That made Ajuka let out a small chuckle as his right hand went into his suit pocket and clutched something.
"You do. Now let's go get ready to see her."
With that the two of us walked back up the hall towards where I learned Ajuka had his private office and once inside he opened a portal to Ryza.
The two of us exited it and as we walked towards my manor Ajuka put a hand on my shoulder. I looked up at him and I could see he was feeding his sin heavily. His smile smirk was wide and soon I matched it as we walked. It was just as we reached the gate to the manor that we found nearly all of my levy all clustered around the front gatehouse. Trina nervously looks at my dad and I before she asked me.
"Milord, we heard a strange rumor not even five minutes ago from one of the food suppliers from Lucifane. He said that the Great War is almost over now truly thanks to some bill. Is this true?"
My entire levy waited with bated breath and my smile smirk along with Ajuka's were massive.
"It is Trina. The victory you all helped with and those who died last week for this was not for nothing. You all made this possible with me"
The levy was stunned for a moment before a loud cheer came from Trina's second as his cyborg eye flashed multiple times in his excitement. That cheer made the others quickly join in as massive smiles crossed everyone and the noise only settled for a moment when I coughed gently.
"As of right now most of you are welcome to relax for the rest of the day. You earned this and are heroes now and forever. I will make sure that this fact and truth is never forgotten."
My levy let out another cheer and began moving out of the way of the gate. The man who had been inside the guard house opened the steel gate and Ajuka and I walked through. The two of us continued into the house and to the teleporter.
On the other side Ajuka and I continued walking up the stairs and the two of us found a silent house. We continued out the front door to the front yard and soon entered the small clump of trees at the corner of the property. Ajuka made a portal once more to the cemetery.
We exited out of this portal onto a pure green field next to the foot of a small hill. There were dozens of other graves around the hill. Ajuka started to walk up the hill. I followed him and we enjoyed a comfortable silence. As we approached the top of the hill Ajuka grew more and more solemn. Midway up he had a deep sadness break through the mask now it was the two of us alone When we reached the top of the hill I saw Nomie's grave. It was a Gorin-tō pagoda of pure white marble with writing on its central column. The pagoda was underneath a young Sakura tree. On the column written in Japanese Kanji was the words.
Nomie Mason. A daughter of the Rising Sun returned home.
There were several sets of flowers already at the grave that were beginning to wilt. Ajuka used a spell to revive them as he and I looked at the grave together in silence. As we looked at it, I saw tears in Ajuka's blue eyes. He let one of them fall to the ground before he steeled himself. There was silence between the two of us as we looked at the grave. I felt Nomie behind us watching as she came over to the two of us. She wrapped her arms around Ajuka hard, and my dad took that ghost hug. We were silent looking at the grave for a couple of minutes more. Ajuka clutches something in his pocket before he then whispers something.
"I will believe in you that rebuilt and saved my world."
My father joined the faith in that moment, and he let more tears down his face. When he opened them again, he looked at the grave again with much less sadness. He eventually looked at me with his blue eyes.
"The maid was right about this feeling, and I also get why you said to think about it."
Ajuka enjoyed the feeling of our God looking down on us. He seemed to take on a new brighter smile smirk than ever before he again looked at the grave.
"I'm sorry for running Nomie. From you, Alex, and the many problems I have. I won't run anymore and actually be Lord Beelzebub. The one you always believed I could be."
Nomie hugged Ajuka harder, and she said he was that already. He had just needed to start believing. Ajuka took the ghostly hug again before he smile smirked setting off my own. He and I sat next to Nomie's grave. Then we began to talk about science.
An hour later the sun was starting to set as Ajuka, and I were moving back down the hill in a genuine good mood. In that hour he and I had shared ideas with one another over various scientific things. It has been especially fun talking about theoretical science in Deitolagy. Ajuka had asked to meet Mittelt to read her early draft for the field when it was made and when he learned about Azazel.
"The man might be a giant pervert, but his scientific work is beyond sound. He was always the person I respected most from Grigori."
I smirked as the two of us hit the bottom of the hill.
"According to Mittelt your well respected over in Grigori's scientific departments Dad. They can't even get heads or tails of the evil piece system every time they try to reverse engineer it."
Aujuka chuckled while smile smirking wider.
"It's been made that way for many reasons. That's interesting to hear that the respect is somewhat mutual. Perhaps now that this peace might really fall through properly now, my peerage and I can finally have a few long scientific debates with him and his people. I'd like to talk with your robot pawn too. Thanks to your mechedendrites I have pretty much caught up on paperwork and Sirzches has told me today to tell you that he also wants a pack."
I snicker.
"He just wants one so he can slack off and gush about Heniya and Rias more often."
Ajuka smiled wide too before he sighed.
"He does indeed want that. Fia would slap him if he did that, but she would also like more time with him as would Milicas. My Starson wants to meet his new hero in you soon."
I shake my head amused.
"I'd like to meet him too maybe soon."
My dad checked his watch.
I'll get the manor furnished."
My dad opened a portal back to the house. I turned to him while walking through.
"I'd actually like to talk to Grandfather about getting unused furniture from the castle…."
My dad has a wide smile as he interrupted me.
"It will be new furniture. Your grandfather is extremely proud of our furniture as it was handcrafted in the Renaissance, and he won't agree to that. I'll have this new furniture placed this Saturday."
His smirk was wide, and I sighed as we walked towards the front door.
"I see. I appreciate it dad."
Ajuka put his hand on my shoulder again and squeezed it hard.
"You make me beyond proud Alex. This all would have failed if not for you."
I shook my head.
"We all did this dad together as cogs in the machine."
My dad was amused by the analogy, but his face showed he really thought it was just me. The two of us entered the door and I had barely closed it when Ajuka leaned in for a deep hug which I returned. When we broke apart, I saw behind him my peerage and Rias's save a missing Akeno and Kiba along with Maéva and Neri standing at the entrance to the kitchen all with hopeful faces. Ajuka, it seemed also saw them and he smirked
"Enjoy your night, Alex. You deserve it."
With that Ajuka left and began heading down the stairs towards the teleporter leaving me with the others. I smirked and then said to Maéva.
"You and Neri are to enjoy the night off. We are going out to dinner for the night as my treat since it passed."
That made everyone still before a very loud let out a loud cheer and Maéva did a small jig before she dragged Neri off to watch soup operas. My peerage and Rias's crowded around close and soon we were discussing what place to go to before we all settled on that Italian place and slowly made our way down the bricked road. The queens swarmed me, and, in that moment, I actually was happy for a bit.
Zekram Bael had very much enjoyed himself today. He had seen the entire parliamentary session and had been expecting another boring but good day of the political machine he had built in the last few centuries win or defeat more bills.
Then the first interesting thing had happened as his son fumbling through a proxy tried to remove Gregor Astaroth from the room. The motion had failed as his son's proxy had forgotten the first rule of this kind of motion. Never not have a reference. Yes, there had never been a halfbreed heir before but there were dozens of laws that could have worked by implications.
Instead, the attempt failed and Zekram had been even more impressed by the halfbreed. He countered the motion with a well-referenced law showing he had done his research. That had excited Zekram as he watched on in curiosity from a hidden booth that was behind a one-way glass wall placed above the parliament.
The session had returned to being boring but slightly enjoyable. Then the excitement in him started to grow as the final vote was introduced. The bill had at first shocked him but then he settled in for a very satisfying defeat to come only to be surprised again. Lord Agares had voted for the bill. In his short speech before casting his vote the man had made an error. He had for but a micro moment glanced at Gregor Astaroth before Lord Agares schooled himself and then joined the NKF. This had told Zekram the truth and made the man smile.
Then came Lady Paimon. She had voted for the bill and then joined the NKF. Again, however she had glanced at Gregor Astaroth. This had built the excitement in him and then all eyes had fallen on Lord Uvall.
When the man voted for the bill, he had been glaring at Gregor Astaroth. Zekram had seen something in Lord Uvall's eyes as he glared at the other. Grudging respect as they who shared the same sin could only do. Zekram was now very greedy as his first sin showed through. He had greed to face a a fellow master puppeteer. He now finally had that and while his second sin of pride was wounded by this defeat for his party and what it means now for the underworld plus the later news he had heard. Lord Uvall had suddenly decided to abdicate his Lordship to his son.
The new Lord Uvall had switched to the NKF for safety from his father's former allies. His centuries streak of winning was over. The table had been turned completely in just one session, yet Zekram couldn't have been happier. He finally had a challenge in the parliament and the institution was about to be fun again. He had a plan to counter the victory here in the parliament and as he began to plan it that led him to his next problem.
How to steal the halfbreed's stuff or gain information on his new rival. Every attempt by his peerage and agents to steal something had failed to produce results. He had even tasked his agents to let slip to the Naberius that they might be let back into the GKF if they managed to steal information. That had been a lie, but they too had failed and Zekram had been a little bit disheartened before he got an idea. The halfbreed Astaroth was following in his father's footsteps in multiple ways according to what information he had been able to gather. Thus he summoned someone to his office.
The pictures of Gregor Astaroth that had been released today to the nobility had made many people decide to do what they had been considering doing last week. They all began writing letters and then having them sent to this heir along with multiple other now desperate people.
Across the underworld the news that the Great War was now closer than ever before to being over had caused another wave of shock and awe once again in the commoners and the reincarnated. Commoners of all pillars again silently thanked the one they believed had made this possible in Gregor Astaroth.
In the reincarnated more and more were whispering openly about something new that was rising in the shadows. This Cult of the Cog. Tales of miracles were spreading among them like hell fire leading more and more to their gatherings. To an every growing and returning dream of freedom for if the The Omnissiah could make such wonderus machines he might be able to make something that might free them. This hope and the idea of something called The Great Work now drew in dozens of new people to the gatherings. This cult and its creed reached the ears of a person who was almost broken by their king.
Azazel looked at the missive he had been given by his daughter who had just came from the DMZ. It was from Sirzches Lucifer showing the newly passed bill's title and a request to meet for a possible peace conference. As he read it he sighed.
"Tell Vali he and his team they are to finish their current mission in South Korea then move to Japan. They are to scout Kuoh for a base there for us and for this now very likely to happen peace conference."
Peneume nods with a worried face.
"I'll tell him dad, but we need to find out where Mitt is. Keep calling her."
Azazel sighed again as a look of shame crossed his face.
"We do and I will. I just hope she can forgive me for not trying to help get her out of his cadre."
Peneume put a hand on Azazel's shoulder in support as she too felt the same. The two hope that they could fix the mistake they had made.
Vali grunted when he saw the new orders from Peneume on his phone. He and his people were to move to Kuoh after their mission and scout the city for places for a Grigori base there and for the coming talks. Vali was both slightly dismayed and very eager now by the order.
He could properly search for his rivals and see if perhaps he could arrange for
a way to fight them. His planning was broken when the backdoor to their current
hideout opened as Le Fay and Arthur entered the old bookstore they had claimed
in Seoul. The twin blondes were talking to one another about something when
Vali grunted to them.
"We are moving out on Thursday."
The two blinked before another voice came.
"And here I was finishing getting to know the locals. Where are we going Vali?"
Vali turned to the young woman with vermillion hair who had appeared from behind the cash register.
"Kuoh Sha. Pops wants us to scout the place for the now certain peace talks."
Sha heard Vail's frown at the word peace while Le Fay froze for a second before she got stars in her eyes.
"We might get to meet the Lord of Iron at the talks!"
Vali grunted while imagining a possible fight with him.
"He's an ass Fay and is just like the rest of the idiots in your former group."
That didn't stop Le Fay's eagerness to meet her hero. Vali rolled his eyes as did Sha while Arthur smiled happy for his sister before he sighed.
"I'll start packing Vali."
Vali grunted and Arthur led Le Fay off. Sha was silent before she started moving towards the pharmacy and Vail grunts at her.
"Wake Bikou and tell him the news."
Sha shrugged before she walked off to pack. Despite his words to Le Fay Vali would give some credit to the Astaroth. He put his money where his mouth was. Vali was soon back to feeding his sin imagining a battle between the three of them that was soon to be coming.
The agent smiled in relief that she had finally made a breakthrough. She now knew where the halfbreed lived. She had managed to pick up a rumor from a devil noble that had led her to a set of neighborhoods and there she had seen him with his harem and peerage on their way to a celebratory dinner at an Italian place here in the city. She had cautiously followed them back after the meal to a manor house. However, her relief soon left her when she felt the ward strength at the manor. It was above masters in terms of power. She frowned before she felt the ward scheme again and then sighed in relief. There was a way in.