Venelana POV
Everything looked perfect.
I was excited.
It was the second ti I was having a peerage mber of mine co visit my family. And of course, little Olga is coming along as well.
It was unfortunate that Wilhelm wouldn’t be here, but he was busy with sothing else. Regardless, the point was for them to et everyone else and to alleviate their worries.
This was a big change for them, and I wanted them to feel comfortable.
Ooh, this is great.
Is this how everyone else feels when they build their peerages? I never cared for it, and admittedly, I still don’t quite care to go searching for more. But now that soone else happened to fall into my lap, I can’t help but want to play the role.
"My King, I presu the ti is nigh."
"Oh, Mozart, you don’t need to be so dramatic." I chuckled. "It’s just a nice, happy gathering."
"But as a senior, I must set the mood." He held his hand up to the air. "I must show off my charming demonic side to our newest companion."
He flashed his wings for emphasis.
"Do not fret, my Demonic King." He did an exaggerated bow. "I shall do my utmost to welco them properly."
He was more theatrical than Wilhelm, but he also had a warm heart that wouldn’t do sothing to make them uncomfortable.
"You should have plenty to talk about." I said casually. "Considering your origins."
"Indeed." His eyes brightened. "While I never cared to visit the Clock Tower in my life, I was more than aware of its existence as a Magus myself. Though I was by far the traditional sort, even if I could be considered a genius even when not taking into account my musical abilities. But that may be a matter of debate depending on who hears it." He chuckled.
I don’t think I’ll ever quite understand that particular mindset.
What a ’proper’ magus entails.
Perhaps it’s just a human thing that I won’t ever understand.
"I’m sure it will be enough simply that you can sympathize with them. Coming from the sa place will be enough to ease their anxiety, I’m sure."
"As you say." He smiled. "Shall we fetch them, or will they co by so other hand? I have not noticed the presence of the Young Lord."
"Young Lord?" I tilted my head.
"Ah. The vernacular I have adopted, I believed it fitting for my position; don’t you think so? As your queen, I of course must treat your paramour with the utmost respect, and it is the title he is called by the Youkai."
I humd thoughtfully. "Well, you’re not wrong."
Considering he’s supposed to represent in social circles, it is proper that he respect Wilhelm as my lover and future partner. I can’t imagine that we continue as we are and we don’t get married in the future.
It’s funny that he pays more attention to those courtesies and social etiquette than I do.
"You know I only reincarnated you because I’m a fan. You don’t need to play the role if it’s too botherso. I’m happy that you’re helping with Trisha and Olga; that’s more than enough for ."
"Madam." He adopted a gentle smile as he took my hand and placed the back of it to his forehead. It was a gesture of respect rather than anything romantic. "I am forever grateful for this opportunity you have given to . I will fulfill my role as your queen to the best of my abilities for as long as you’ll have ."
"Part of just thinks you like playing the ’role.’" I eyed him.
He chuckled again. "I don’t deny it!"
I playfully swatted him away. "I’m appreciative nonetheless."
His eyes brightened as he perked up. "I believe they are arriving."
My own eyes followed his, and they found the Teleportation Circle on the ground. "How strange, I didn’t expect them to appear this way when Grandfather offered his assistance."
Did Zelretch hijack the Teleportation Circle?
Mozart rubbed his chin. "I can’t say I have any knowledge of True Magic, but to connect to an already established point in space, I presu, would prove easier than normal ans."
They appeared promptly, though the phenonon was nothing like the standard teleportation that we utilize. I suppose I shouldn’t have expected such for whom I asked.
Trisha appeared, as did Olga.
They perked up when they saw us.
"Welco." I greeted.
"Thank you for inviting us to your ho." Trisha politely bowed her head.
"Thank you for inviting to your ho." Olga did a little curtsy.
At the very least, they would fit into our social circles rather easily. From what I understood, what they usually navigate was perhaps even more cutthroat than our own.
She was very adorable.
"You both are more than welco." I smiled warmly. "And Olga, it looks like you dressed up; you look very beautiful." I knelt down slightly and gently patted her head.
I could see that her clothing was much more intricate and well-made than what she wore before. Sothing very clearly chosen ticulously to make her look her best.
The young girl flushed under the praise.
She truly has had very few positive complints, from what I’ve noticed.
"O-Of course!" She quickly regained her normal deanor.
I smiled and stood back up and looked towards my newest bishop. "Trisha, I’m happy you ca. I hope you enjoy your ti here; you can think of it as your second ho." I glanced at Olga. "That goes for both of you."
"I look forward to our stay, Lady Gremory." Trisha responded.
"Before we get to a tour and I introduce you to my family, first, let introduce you to your fellow peerage mber and my queen." I gestured to him.
"May I, my king?"
"Oh, by all ans." I stepped to the side.
"Good evening, ladies." He bowed, sweeping his arm under his chest in a big gesture. "I’m enthused to finally et your acquaintance. Caster Servant—Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, at your service."
Both of them had their eyes widen.
"A Heroic Spirit!?" Olga blurted out in a whisper.
I didn’t tell them because I thought it would be fun to see their reaction.
"Well, perhaps not quite a servant anymore." He gave a wink. "But all the sa, that was my original status before I asked Lady Gremory to turn into a devil. I’ve quite enjoyed my ti thus far, and I do believe you will as well."
"I...yes." Trisha pushed up her glasses. "I apologize for not returning the greeting imdiately; I was...startled. I am Trisha Fellows, from the side branch of the Animusphere Family, and Miss Olga’s teacher." She lightly gestured to Olga. "And I suppose...a Bishop?"
She looked to for confirmation, and I nodded.
Calling herself a bishop was not strange terminology here, and if anything, it was recognizable and descriptive.
"And I am thrilled to et you; I’m a fan of your works." She added.
Mozart’s eyes lit up. "I’m always happy to et a fan!" He let out a laugh that eased a bit of tension in the room. "And of course, you must be the young lady Animusphere."
"Y-Yes!" Olga nodded before correcting herself. "I an, I am Olga Marie Animusphere." She stood up straight. "I am the head of the Animusphere Family of the Astromancy Departnt."
"My, how impressive. At your age, I could barely even cast a spell, let alone handle a family with such a grand history and manage an entire departnt. Your reputation precedes you, Young Lady Animusphere."
I had to hold back a laugh as Olga flushed in embarrassnt again.
It was never going to stop being adorable.
"Yes! Your praise is unneeded, but I accept your good will." She did her best to keep herself calm. "I’m honored to et such a famous musician and magus such as yourself."
"Oh? It wasn’t widely known that I was a Magus in life, or was it just because of my class that you assud?" He rubbed his chin.
"It’s covered in several texts that list historical figures that were Magi." She explained.
He just nodded as if it explained everything. "Regardless, the pleasure of this eting is certainly all mine, and I’m sure we will continue to have a wonderful ti together in the future."
For all the historical records and talks about how uncouth and how much of a potty mouth he was during his life, he certainly knew when to act properly and to good effect.
"If you don’t have any questions or concerns, why don’t I take you to et my family?" I spoke up as the initial greetings finally finished.
"That would be lovely." Trisha replied.
There wasn’t much more to say.
From our previous talks, they more or less know what they should and shouldn’t say to protect Wilhelm’s secrets.
While what he does is a known quantity for them, it’s most certainly not one here, and I fear what would happen if word of it got out.
I know that there would be many in the world, both considered good and bad, that would covet what he has and demand it of him through whatever ans necessary.
I led them out of the teleportation room and through the house.
The decor wasn’t exciting, I would presu, for people of their caliber. They’ve probably seen just the sa in their own hos or that of those they visited in the past.
"Mom!"
"Hello, Rias." I smiled as she dove to for a hug.
She’s already so old, yet she acts like a young girl still.
But as a mother, I wouldn’t have it any different.
"I heard you had fun with Wilhelm?" I asked.
She pursed her lips. "That’s one way to call it."
Well, she was the one who inford . Though, she didn’t give all the details.
"He gave Koneko a cannon, Mom!"
I blinked. "A gun?"
"Then she shot him!"
I held a hand in front of my mouth as I let out a laugh. "That does sound like sothing he would do."
Well, it isn’t against the rules of the rating ga. If Wilhelm gave her a gun like that, then either it was for a joke or it was a good idea. Perhaps even both in this case.
I’m sure it won’t have any negative effect on Rias’s Rating Ga; I know Wilhelm wouldn’t sabotage her like that.
"Who’s this?" Rias peeked around my shoulder.
"I told you already." I lightly chided her; she can be rather scatterbrained.
"Oh, right!" She nodded to herself. "Who’s my mom’s newest peerage mber?" She asked, looking at both of them.
Trisha was about to speak, but I held up a hand. "Rias, dear, let’s go to the others so poor Trisha and Olga here don’t have to keep introducing themselves to everyone."
"Oh, alright." She rolled her eyes. "Hey Mozart, I really liked the concert that you played last week." She shot him a thumbs up.
"I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it." He smiled happily. "I do so find that I have fallen in love with my saxophone."
I just shook my head with a sigh.
This daughter of mine.
"Co along, dears." I had to be a bit forceful because she would just chatter away. I pulled on her arm gently to bring her with us.
The others were already waiting. Sirzechs, Grayfia, Zeo, and surprisingly, Ajuka were here too. But most importantly, Millicas was here with them too.
"Hello everyone." I greeted. "Ajuka, I’m surprised you’re here."
"It’s not every day you get a new peerage mber." He responded, shooting a glance at Mozart. "After the...surprise of your last one, I was intrigued."
Yes, I’m sure you are.
"Alright everyone, introductions." I clapped my hands, not wanting to waste ti, as I knew it would make things a bit more awkward for everyone. "Zeo, Dear, you first."
"My first?" He let out a little laugh. "My fair ladies." He lightly tilted his head in acknowledgent. "I am Zeoticus Gremory, head of the Gremory family. I’m pleased to know that Venelana here has found herself another peerage mber to accompany her."
He’s always such a sweetheart.
"No need to be stiff, Dad." Sirzechs stepped forward. "It’s Mom’s peerage mber; it’s not like we’re announcing ourselves at a ball." He smiled as he turned to them. "Nice to et you both; I’m Sirzechs Lucifer, one of the Four Satans."
Olga and Trisha both stiffened but nodded politely.
They were aware that it was a title, not that my son was actually our ancestor.
But even so, it’s not every day that you can et a person who can claim the na of Lucifer as his.
"I’m Grayfia Lucifuge, his maid, his queen, and his wife." Grayfia was precise and to the point without any extra words.
"Hello, I’m Ajuka Beelzebub, one of the other Satans." Ajuka, likewise, wasn’t soone to waste words.
"And you just t , but I’m Rias Gremory." Rias waved happily to them.
And lastly.
"Hi, I’m Millicas!" My grandson smiled brightly as he looked at Olga. "I like the ribbons in your hair."
"Eh?!" Olga was taken aback by the complint and caught off guard by it. "T-thank you?"
Trisha put a reassuring hand on Olga’s back. It must have been a strange situation they found themselves in, and they were doing their best to acclimate. "I’m Trisha Fellows, a magician. It’s wonderful to et you all; thank you for having ."
She rembered to call herself a magician; that’s good.
"I’m Olga Marie Animusphere." Olga did her best to project confidence. "I’m a magician and head of the Animusphere family!" She puffed up as she said it.
Well, I wasn’t the only one who picked up on her mannerisms here and how she was trying her best, but everyone was polite enough not to say sothing.
There was a mont of silence that followed as if each and everyone else was waiting for soone to talk.
"What kind of magic do you know?" Milicas was the one to break the silence with his innocence.
"Magic?" Olga repeated, and her brow furrowed as if trying to decide how to answer that question. "The Animusphere family has been practicing astromancy for generations."
"Oh? Astromancy?" Ajuka chid in. "That’s not a common practice these days."
"What’s Astromany?" Rias asked.
"It’s the study of the stars and planets." Ajuka answered easily. "I believe its primary strength is in predicting the future?"
Olga just nodded. "Y-yes, that is correct. We observe the stars and are able to predict future phenona if needed."
"You can see the future; that’s so cool!" Millicas’s eyes lit up.
"Erm, well... It’s more complicated than that." Olga flushed again.
"And how about you, Miss Trisha? I’m curious what about you caught Venelana’s attention to have her want you to join with her." Zeo joined in.
Trisha smiled politely, looking down at Olga. "I suppose it won’t be much of a secret. I am from a branch family of the Animusphere, so we have similar concepts of spellcasting. However, from a notable perspective, I have...Magic Eyes that allow to peer into the future."
They went quiet.
"Magic Eyes!?" Rias all but blurted out. "Like a Sacred Gear?"
Hmm, I barely covered sacred gears.
"No, they’re innate." I interjected. "The terminology they use is ’Mystic Eyes.’" I helped her out.
She shot a thankful look while adjusting her glasses. "Yes, they’re called Mystic Eyes of Precognition. I can catch glimpses of the future, though I’m ashad to say that I can never see an entire ’picture’ but more pieces of a future."
"Don’t sell yourself short, madam. Mystic Eyes of such caliber are hard to co by." Mozart was praised.
I put a hand on Trisha’s shoulder. "Go ahead and brag; it’s the best ti for it. Everyone here is family; your secrets are safe here." It was tradition in a sense. At least, with regard to introducing yourself to your fellow peerage mbers or direct family mbers.
She hesitated for a mont, and I knew it went against her ideology from before, but she wasn’t human anymore.
She was a devil.
She swallowed a little. "I am adequate in most basic forms of Mage—Magic. I have been trained in combat since a young age to act as Miss Olga’s guard in an ergency. In order to be a suitable tutor, I also have a wide array of knowledge regarding the magical arts of primary use. I was born with the Elent of [Water], but I changed my affinity to [Imaginary Numbers]."
"To whatsit?" Rias blinked.
Trisha pushed up her glasses, taking a breath. "Imaginary Numbers." She reiterated again.
"Oh, you changed your Elent. That’s not an easy task to accomplish." Mozart nodded in understanding.
"I’m lost. What do you an? I an, I know humans have like an elent they’re good with or sothing...." Rias looked confused.
Trisha was about to open her mouth, but Ajuka interrupted. "Allow ; I am familiar with human magic and concepts enough to grasp the understanding. Humans are born with an elent they’re predisposed to; there are a large array of elents, not just ’Water’ or ’Fire’ or ’Wind’ or such and such. Devils, generally, are born with an affinity simply for Demonic Energy, which translates to being able to utilize all ’elents,’ as it were, in the sa way. There are exceptions, such as the Sitri being predisposed to water and ice, similar to the original Leviathan having a monstrous affinity for water as well."
Rias nodded along absentmindedly. "I know that much."
"Well..." Ajuka rubbed his chin as he eyed Trisha. "I can’t say I’ve heard about soone changing their born elent. I’ve known so magicians in the past that forwent their born affinities because they simply chose other paths, but never one who changed it. How curious."
I smiled, looking towards Trisha and Olga. "Ajuka here is the foremost expert on magical concepts in the Underworld."
They both sort of nodded absentmindedly, just like Rias did.
It was a strange situation all around.
"Ah, they’re unfamiliar with ?" Ajuka blinked. "Or the Underworld in general, I suppose. No matter, yes. I am an expert in nearly every form of magic, be it devil or human. The position of Satan I hold was won through my magical skill, not strength like Sirzechs."
"Ajuka, it’s not like you to admit you’re weaker than ." My son teased.
Ajuka rolled his eyes. "Ignore him; he couldn’t cast spells to escape a paper bag if his life depended on it. Now, where was I? Yes, I believe I was saying that changing one’s elental affinity was not sothing I was aware you could do, but not being a human, it wasn’t a field I ever researched. How curious; I’m pleased to have discovered this. Now that I think about it, I believe I could devise several ways to do so off the top of my head."
"Don’t mind him; he gets lost in thought when sothing catches his interest, and he can’t focus until he resolves whatever questions are on his mind." I told them.
"But what’s the imaginary thingy?" Rias asked.
"Imaginary Numbers." Ajuka snapped back. "It’s a concept derived from separating the universe into two distinctions in this context, I believe. There are many human concepts that speak of it, even from the mundane side. However, here, consider the universe separated into two halves. One is the Real Number Space; the other is the Imaginary Number Space. The Real Number Space constitutes ’Reality’ in a physical sense. While the Imaginary Number Space is the ’not real,’ such as the Dinsion Gap. From a mathematical standpoint, it involves the Fourth-Dinsional Space that exists separate from the Primary Universe, which surprises that it could be an ’elent.’"
"...I understood so of those words."
Mozart cleared his throat. "Allow , Madam. Imaginary numbers have to do with ’void’ or other dinsions, essentially. If it were to be ’dumbed down,’ as it were."
"So your elent is Dinsion Manipulation!?" Rias’s eyes sparkled.
Trisha was startled at her excitent. "That isn’t...entirely incorrect."
I was thankful she kept it simple for Rias’s sake.
"That’s so cool!" Rias exclaid.
This ti, I think Trisha flushed in embarrassnt at being praised like that.
"Your ’credentials,’ I believe, are not in question." Zeo spoke up next. "But I am curious, how did you et Venelana? She isn’t one to go for a peerage mber simply because they are sufficiently qualified."
"That..." Trisha went quiet for a mont. "Lady Gremory saved my life."
"Sounds like Mom." My son chuckled.
"Oh hush, you." I rolled my eyes. "She makes it sound more glorious than it was. I was simply there, and I had the ability to save her, so I did. Now, you all interrogated her enough; no more of that." I chastised them all. I knew it was going to happen, but it was enough now. "Let’s all get along, shall we?"
"Grandma, can I take Olga to go play?" Millicas asked.
[Line Break]
Olga Marie Animusphere POV
"Grandma, can I take Olga to go play?"
What!?
"That sounds like a good idea." She smiled. "We’re going to be just talking about all the boring stuff; why don’t you kids go run off and have fun? Show Olga around."
"I—I suppose a tour would not be r-remiss...?" I said as he grabbed my hand and pulled away like a brute!
Trisha?
Why are you not helping?
Why are you looking at like that!?
Before I knew it, he had already pulled away from Trisha!
I was alone now, with a devil!!
A...boy.
What was I supposed to do?
How do you ’play’?
"This is my room." He said happily as he pushed the door open.
"Your room!?" I’m being taken to a boy’s room!?
I’m not ready for this!
This level of debauchery! I’m not a devil; I’m a human!
Trisha said that this is only allowed when I’m older!!
No! Even if he looks nice and I like the color of his eyes, this is moving too quickly! From all the books I read, you’re supposed to know soone before doing this! You’re supposed to go on outings, and spend ti together, and hold hands first!
"Look, this is my sword!"
"Eh?" I peeked through my finger-covered eyes.
"It’s only a wooden sword for now. Okita says that I have to practice with a wood sword until I earn the right to use a real one. Though, when I’m exercising, he does make carry around a real sword to get used to the weight."
"Y-y-you!"
"Is sothing wrong?" He tilted his head.
"Nothing!" I quickly corrected myself. I wasn’t blushing! "It is a...nice...sword?" So he wasn’t bringing here for...for unspeakable reasons.
...I’ve never been in a boy’s room before.
It looked normal...I think? I had nothing to compare it to... and he wasn’t human, but it looked kind of human.
"What’s....that?" I asked incredulously, pointing to the figure on the shelf.
"Oh, it’s my brother’s action figure!" He smiled happily, picking it up and handing it to .
"Action figure?" I repeated. "It’s a doll of Lord Schweinorg...?!"
"No!! It’s an action figure!" He reiterated. "See, it even has a sword."
The doll did have a small replica of one of the swords I saw him use.
The arms rotated, and it seed to be made of firm but pliable rubber and plastic. You could shift it around to make it stand in different ways.
"You like it? You can have it; I have more." He smiled.
"Eh?" What? Why is he giving sothing? I didn’t prepare a gift to give in response! "B-but it’s a doll of Lord Schweinorg, I don’t...!?"
"You’ve t big brother too, right? Grandma said she was going on a magic train ride with Big Brother, and then she ca back with Miss Trisha as a new peerage mber. So you were there too, right? Did you et Big Brother?"
"Yes." I nodded absentmindedly. "I was honored to et Lord Schweinorg and beco acquainted with him."
To et and beco acquainted with a magician is a high honor! I even had many of my departnt aides behaving better when they found out that I was acquainted with Lord Schweinorg!
"My big brother is the best, isn’t he? I want to be just like him; that’s why I was learning how to use a sword and learning magic." He swung his wooden sword around.
I noticed that it was a Mystic Code too.
Who turns a wooden practice sword into a Mystic Code!?
But....
"...Can I really keep this?" I asked quietly.
"Sure!"
I looked at the doll and felt sothing strange in my chest. He didn’t seem to be wanting anything in return from or expecting a gift exchange, as is proper etiquette.
...no one other than Trisha ever gave a gift before without expectations.
"Are you okay? You look red?"
"I’m fine!"
Trisha was right; all boys are stupid!
"Want to see a secret of mine?" He asked. "Not even my mom knows; I made it a while ago, and I use it secretly." He said in a whisper.
"A secret?" I whispered along with him. "I...am not sure I am worthy of your trust?" He just t ; why is he trusting with his secrets?
"It’s okay, we’re friends!" He just smiled happily.
Friends!?
We’re friends?
I...never had a friend before?
Is it that easy?
He pulled the rug up on the floor, and it revealed a large magic circle. "Look, I made my own Teleportation Circle! I use it to sneak away and go play with my friends. We have a secret clubhouse; I’ll take you there, and we can all play together!"
"Ah!?"
A Teleportation Circle!??!
Is that sothing a Devil Child can do so easily? That’s sothing bordering true magic!!
"Here we go!"
"No, wait! I didn’t agree to this!" I scread as the light enveloped us.
[Line Break]
"Where are we!? What did you do?" I cautiously looked around.
"Don’t worry, we’re at the secret clubhouse!" He puffed up his chest, his wooden sword in hand.
I looked around, and it seed like a normal building. I looked out the window and scrunched my nose because the area wasn’t....it looked like a slum.
Do they have slums in hell?
"That doesn’t answer anything!" I huffed in annoyance. "I—I want to go back!"
"Oh..." He imdiately looked downcast. "Sorry, I just thought you’d want to play with . I’m sorry, I’ll take you back ho."
"I....." Why did my chest hurt? "I suppose...I can ’play’ for a little while...." Trisha needs to handle her affairs.
Yes, she needs privacy to handle her private affairs!
I should give her ti to handle everything she needs to privately.
He imdiately brightened up. "Really? That’s great! My friends should be coming soon! They can see when we teleported over."
Almost as soon as he said that, two more of those ’Teleportation Circles’ appeared, and two more boys appeared.
"Millicas!"
"Who’s that?"
Two new boys joined in.
"Hey guys, this is my new friend, Olga." He said excitedly. "And these are Aurelian Barbatos—"
The boy he was pointing to wore a cape like so kind of stereotypical vampire from a bad novel.
"Like the Roman Emperor?" I scrunched my brow.
"My parents were friends with him, so they nad after him." He said casually.
...why are Devils so absurd?
The other boy had a guitar on his back and pulled it over his shoulder, running his hands across the strings in a very pleasant way. "I’m Geedie Gamigin." His voice sounded very pleasant to hear too. "I like music."
"He uses music to do magic." Millicas stated.
They were all staring at so...enthusiastically. "I’m Olga Marie Animusphere."
"She’s my new friend." Millicas nodded. "And she’s human."
"Human!? That’s cool! I don’t have any human friends; I’ve barely t any humans! My parents won’t even let go make contracts in the human world yet." Aurelian Barbatos spoke quickly.
"Aweso! I love human music. Who’s your favorite artist!?" Geedie started, nearly talking over his friend.
"Um...." I didn’t know what to say. Why were they acting like we were acquainted already?
"My mom just got a new Peerage mber, and she’s Olga’s, um..."
"Tutor." I spoke up to add in for him. "And...nanny..."
"Wow, that’s great; that ans we have a new mber of our group. Good job, Millicas!" Aurelian shot him a thumbs up.
"She’s also a magician, so that ans she’s strong." Millicas nodded.
"Really? That’s great!" Geedie smiled along.
"I—I suppose I am..petent." I muttered.
I very quickly learned that I had misunderstood what they ant by "play" as we left the building and took to the streets.
"We should start the patrol." Millicas said seriously, planting his wooden sword against the ground like a banner.
"Patrol?" I repeated weakly.
"Yeah." Aurelian nodded, adjusting his cape like it was armor. "We do a loop around the neighborhood. We make sure nothing weird is happening. We protect the neighborhood!"
"That’s our job." Geedie added, strumming his guitar once, the sound carrying faint magical resonance. "Gotta keep things peaceful for all the Devils here."
"...Why?" I asked.
All three of them looked at like I had asked why the sun ca up.
"Because this is our territory." Aurelian said simply. "And we’re Nobles. It’s our duty." He puffed up his chest. "That’s what my parents say, that as Noble Devils, it ans we have to protect the Devils under us."
"It’s dangerous sotis." Millicas added. "So we watch it and make sure no one hurts the Devils under our protection." He said while puffing up his chest heroically.
I looked out at the street again.
The buildings were old. So were cracked, others patched together with mismatched stone and tal. It was not what I thought of when I was told that I was going to visit hell. I’ve driven through bad parts of London enough tis to see the similarities.
This was... a poor district, to put it politely.
"You... patrol this?" I asked carefully. "By yourselves?" It sounded incredulous to . As a noble, shouldn’t you be staying away from the lowlifes? Not andering through the dirty streets.
"Of course." Millicas nodded. "We’ve been doing it for a while."
I wanted to protest. Loudly. Preferably while running back ho.
But before I could—
"Ah! Young Master Millicas!"
An older Devil woman waved at us from her doorstep, her devil wings disappearing neatly behind her back just as I caught her in my sight. She was carrying a basket.
Millicas straightened instantly. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Halvine!"
"You’re out early today." She chuckled warmly. "And I see you brought a new friend."
All eyes turned to .
I stiffened. "I—I’m Olga Marie Animusphere." I bowed reflexively. "It’s nice to et you." I don’t know why I did; she was...a lowborn even by their standards. Why was I being polite to soone so far below my status?
"Oh my, how polite." She laughed. "A human child? She slls human."
Do I sll!?
"Yes, ma’am." Millicas said proudly. "She’s under our protection today."
"...Protection?" I echoed.
I don’t need protection! I am Olga Marie Animusphere!
Hmph.
Mrs. Halvine smiled indulgently. "How gallant."
She reached into her basket and pulled out several wrapped sweets, handing them over.
"For your patrol." She winked. "Don’t work too hard."
"Thank you!" Geedie said cheerfully.
"We’ll keep the area safe." Aurelian added with solemn authority.
"I’m sure you will." She waved us off. "Be careful, dears."
As we walked away, I glanced back.
She was smiling. Are all Devils really this nice? Was it just a trick to let my guard down? Why was this so much different than everything I expected?
We continued down the street.
More people waved. So nodded. A shopkeeper raised a hand. Soone tossed a greeting.
It felt like... so type of devil neighborhood watch.
Except the watch was being done by children.
"This is absurd." I muttered.
But...it was nice. Seeing people waving and greeting us. They didn’t even know who I was, but they smiled towards without any hostility or hidden desires behind fake greetings.
Is this how most Devils lived, or were we just in the only bad places? They said that there weren’t that many Devils; it was hard to imagine that most of them lived in such poverty.
"Hey!" Millicas suddenly shouted, and imdiately the others noticed too. "Put that down; you have to pay for it!"
A man across the street was startled; he was standing in front of several food stands with various fruits, so I recognized, so I didn’t. But as soon as he was called out, he suddenly ran with a bulge in his pocket from having clearly just stolen sothing.
"After him!" Geedie shouted.
They all charged at him, and not wanting to be left alone, I reluctantly followed along.
"Fuck off, you damn brats!" He shouted angrily, nearly knocking soone over as he ran past them.
"Surrender! If you apologize, then we’ll stop chasing you." Millicas shouted back.
"Screw off!"
"Let help." Geedie took out his guitar and strumd it. "Wind Song." And I felt a faint breeze hit my back, and suddenly my pace quickened quite a bit.
In fact, all of us suddenly ran faster.
Did he just cast a spell on so easily?
It wasn’t harmful in the slightest, so my innate protections didn’t register it and fight against it with the sa fury they normally would.
Nor did my protective Mystic Codes trigger.
But it was a single-word activation.
Wait, where did the other one go?
I looked up to see him leap from one of the rooftops, as if he teleported, and tackle the man.
The Barbatos boy tumbled with him across the ground but was flung off as they rolled a few tis.
"Stupid fucking kids!" He growled. "You’re going to fucking ruin everything!"
"You won’t escape." Millicas tried to hit him with his sword, but the man dodged and kicked Millicas to the side before pulling a dagger out of his jacket.
I...didn’t want to get involved in sothing like this!
"Gandr!" I shouted as the spell actualized and slamd into his chest, knocking him back. He stumbled slightly, so I increased the power of it and shot again. "Gandr!"
That one was three tis as powerful, and it completely knocked him off his feet and sent him sliding backwards.
"Woah!"
"That was aweso!"
"Is he going to be okay?
"I—it wasn’t overly harmful." I said quickly. "It’s just a curse spell that makes the body think it’s sick to be debilitating." Though, it would be increased to be lethal if needed....
"That’s amazing!"
"Magicians are so cool!"
"Thanks, Olga, you’re the best!"
Stop praising , you stupid idiots! You’re the ones who suddenly started this whole ss in the first place!
...but it was nice to be recognized.
Suddenly though, they froze, staring at . No, behind .
I slowly turned around to see what was behind , and it was Millicas’s mom. I was starting to think that devils may not be so scary, but the look on her face sent a shiver down my back.
"Run!" Millicas shouted, and the boys imdiately ran away.
I stared at the woman, and she looked down at .
I don’t know why, but I ran away as fast as I could too.
[Line Break]
Wilhelm POV
I dragged a certain stupid devil with , gagged and tied up, of course.
He had been sitting in the Youkai prison for a good number of days now, and I almost forgot about him, if I were to be honest.
"Hades, Odin, Zekram." I greeted the three people as I entered our super-secret room for our super-secret organization. "I brought a gift."
I tossed the devil to the center.
"If you’re giving a devil to torture. I will say it’s a rather crass gift, but I will accept it nonetheless." Hades said dryly.
I snorted, but... "Well, you’re not entirely wrong. I’m sure you heard that I had a run-in with the dumbass."
"Rizevim." Zekram stated.
"I reiterate, dumbass."
"He’s not wrong." Odin grunted in agreent. "I t the dumbass in the past; he truly encapsulates the word."
The Devil looked positively terrified at the mont, being surrounded by all of us.
"I presu there’s a reason you brought him?" Hades asked.
I kicked him over towards Hades. "Yeah, I found him with a bunch of other Devils—the Old Satan Faction—ssing with a Trihexa Seal. Which, I’ll say, I found over in Scandinavia. There were even large stones erected over it warning of a ’demon’ being sealed there, more or less."
Odin visibly gripped his walking stick as he looked down at the Devil. "Is that so?"
Nobody likes soone else causing trouble in their backyard.
"Did Odin ntion anything about Japan too?"
"I didn’t say anything." Odin shook his head. "Figured it would be rude of to say it."
Well, despite his personality, he does recognize propriety on sensitive matters.
"Right, Onogoro Island, the first land that Izzy and her ex created. It’s been left alone for thousands of years, according to her. Apparently, soti in the past, Big G used it as a seal on Trihexa." I briefly explained.
"Clever." Hades tapped his finger against the table.
"Izzy wasn’t amused."
"I wouldn’t be either. But objectively, I will recognize the Biblical God’s cleverness, along with his ruthlessness." Hades responded pointedly.
"I’ll reluctantly agree with bone daddy." Odin spoke up as well, earning an annoyed huff from Hades. "I reinforced the seal there as best I could, but I had to be delicate. Figured out a thing or two. You probably won’t find any other Seals in Japan if you go looking because that place was acting as a giant vacuum, sucking up all the malevolent aura from that thing and using that place as a plug on it."
"Could it be used to our benefit?" Zekram asked.
"I wouldn’t try to ss with it. Even with my added spells, I was...hesitant." Odin shook his head.
"Unfortunately, there aren’t many places like that still left in the world, if I’m not mistaken." I clicked my tongue in annoyance. "Comparing the ones we’ve found so far. Pandora’s box, which.... I’m not sure if that was even a ’seal’? But the one under the Vatican. The one in Japan and the one hidden away in the remote regions of Scandinavia. It’s hard to correlate what they have in common."
"Other than sites of so kind of mystical presence." Zekram added. "If that one in Scandinavia is as I assu."
I nodded. "It held a good amount of old magics in the place. But that seal was significantly...weaker, compared to the others. Not just the seal, I an, but the presence being sealed."
I still feel like I’m blind, looking at an incomplete picture of what’s happening. And I wasn’t hesitant to go looking for more Seals on the off chance that it draws eyes to them by ssing around.
At least for now.
I would much rather have a ga plan first.
And it doesn’t help that we’re on the defensive here while our enemies can just pop in, blow sothing up, and run away, leaving us to have to sohow pick up the pieces, if we can even do that.
"I recall a few words in the exchange with him." Zekram crossed his arms, looking contemplative. "He used an analogy. As if the world were a sphere filled with air, and the beast is constantly trying to poke at it. So holes are larger, so are smaller, but each one needs to be sealed tight, lest it can eventually force its way eventually."
Leave it to the deity with the strongest future sight to use a balloon analogy before the concept is even created.
Odin let out a sigh. "The unanswered question is, how many tis can the world be poked before it finally can break free?"
666 seals—that number is obviously important. I doubt Big G would just do that for the aesthetic. Though, we couldn’t ignore the possibility that he did it to mislead everyone too.
"It’s likely that not all the seals need to be broken, only a certain portion of them, each expediting the process exponentially." Hades voiced the sa thought I was having. "Just as not all bars on a prison need to be removed for one to escape, it simply requires that many bars to prevent any escapes."
Odin stretched his back. "Well, sitting here moping about impending doom isn’t going to solve anything; I’ve done that enough in my life already." His words alleviated the dreary atmosphere.
It was true too; however it happened, whatever cosmic stars aligned to thread the needle, they escaped Ragnarok, their fated end.
It would be insulting for him and any of Asgard’s people to give up or wait for an ’inevitable’ defeat.
I took out all the papers and so of the equipnt from before the dumbass showed up, slapping them on the table. "This is what I managed to steal before everything went to shit. I looked over so of it; it’s amateurish, if I’m being honest. But having the source material as a reference should be beneficial."
Hades lifted up a few of the docunts, glancing over them. "I’ll have to study them in depth. I presu you’re giving the devil then to get any last bits of information out of him."
I nodded. "Figured it was better than nothing. There was that other idiot there, the Leviathan girl who seems overly obsessed with her ancestor."
"Katerea Leviathan." Zekram nad her. "She has an inflated sense of self-worth."
"You could say that about nearly every devil." Hades drawled.
Zekram didn’t respond to that with anger or annoyance; if anything, he seed to look thoughtful at that statent.
"Yeah, she fucked off sowhere as the fighting started. I could have probably grabbed her, but to be honest, I picked one of the random idiots actually doing the work over the other idiot who had her head up her ass." I said flippantly.
"Probably a good decision." Zekram acknowledged. "Katerea is not the most.....intellectual among her peers."
"Though, if you want my opinion, based on what I saw and read, it seems clear to that they were trying to use that seal in particular to set up a ans to track the others." I flipped through the papers until I found so relevant data to back it up, pointing to it. "They were trying to find a type of energy to resonate with it at first; presumably, if I had to make an educated guess, their end goal was to create so kind of locator."
They all silently looked through what I had brought. Odin was inspecting a magical device, seemingly understanding it at a few glances but being thorough nonetheless.
"The bright side here is that they’re a bunch of idiots. It genuinely felt like they were scraping the bottom of the barrel. The dumbass made a comnt about his right hand being taken out by so ti ago when I rescued Venelana and my half-brother. There were also a few hundred magicians with him—mostly human—and I killed them too. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was their whole ’R&D’ departnt."
"Small rcies then." Hades stated, still looking at the papers. "We can accept victories wherever they may co."
I looked down at the Devil, still gagged.
Strangely, by the look on his face, I think I hit the mark on everything so far.
"Oh, and before I forget. I’m hesitant to take them out, but I got so eyes that seem to be able to see the location of the Seals? Kind of, like they’re threads that bridge out all over the world; I just have to follow one. They have so other use, I’m sure of it, but I have no idea."
"I can vouch for there. And I suggest not looking at them. They even gave a headache when I tried to pry into their existence." Odin spoke in confirmation.
"Beneficial, and I shall take your word for it." Hades nodded.
He wasn’t the type that micromanaged others outside his domain.
If soone was competent and he trusted them, he would accept their words. Despite any differences I and Odin have with him, I think, in this mont, he trusted us.
"Since we’re giving updates. Asgard has made so good progress in our recruitnt. I even managed to swindle so Sacred Gears from the Grigori brat with vague statents of ’alliances’ when Asgard is back on its feet. Sothing decades or so down the line." Odin waved off.
"I would much rather those infernal things be in your hands than the Fallen Pigeon’s, All-Father.’ Hades grunted. "I heard the situation regarding the humans from the Faerie lands has been settled?"
"Just waiting on the brat there to bring them ho." Odin jabbed his thumb at .
I rolled my eyes. "I’ll hop over there after this and get to it. I know the sooner it’s settled, the better. But don’t bla for taking too long; all your big egos in one room were not helping things. Yasaka specifically asked to co over to help because all of you were causing her problems."
Odin threw his hands up. "Don’t bla , brat. I had to play my part, you know that."
"I know, I know." I let out a sigh. "I just don’t like Yasaka having to deal with the stress. But regardless, I’ll hop back over to Kyoto, and we can settle that. The humans that want to go to Asgard will be helpful; they’re fairly strong, and with so proper training, they can go even further."
"Shall I go now?’ Zekram asked, though it was rhetorical. "I have been watching the location of the Shroud of Turin long enough. I have been devising a plan, for stealing it without alerting them."
"Your restraint for not simply bargaining in is comndable." Hades gave rare praise, I think. Half mocking half praise? Well, it was a jab at devils as a whole I think.
"If we are to remain in the shadows, subtle is the prerogative. I would rather bite my tongue and stifle my pride to lower myself to observe those humans for hours upon hours to find a safe and silent way to achieve our goal."
"They don’t know what they have, do they?" I humd. "It’s not just a matter of stealing it before they know it’s stolen. It’s stealing it so they don’t know it was stolen and thus can’t investigate what it was and thus can’t raise any alarms after the fact."
"I have also awakened Runeas." Zekram said bluntly.
"I discovered that as well." I looked at him dryly.
Zekram coughed awkwardly. "Yes, you t her, did you not?"
"She was extraordinarily happy to see another Gremory with the family bloodline, you know, the Power of Destruction. That was after she propositioned several tis for sex." I deadpanned.
Zekram let out a long-suffering sigh.
I felt pity, actually.
"She is important." He said simply. "The Underworld is not without its own ans, but I cannot do things alone."
"It is what it is." I waved it off. "Despite her eccentricities, she was kind and warm."
"I have nothing to add. My realm has remained untouched for eons; it is ready to battle should the need arise. However, I have noticed so peculiarities upon Olympus; I will be investigating."
Odin narrowed his eyes. "What kind of ’peculiarities,’ bone daddy?"
Hades grunted at the nickna. "Many of the lesser gods have been acting...strange. I only have noticed because I have been watching Ares after my father gave a warning."
"It’s always sothing, isn’t it?" I said softly. "I know you would reject it on principle, but out of politeness, I will say we’re here to help."
"What the brat said."
Hades nodded. "I acknowledge the offer but politely reject it."
As expected.
Most people wouldn’t want soone else to co into their house and start cleaning it for them.
I looked to Zekram. "Venelana got a new Peerage mber. Soone from my neck of the woods. She’s most likely going to be accompanied by a young human girl. If possible, make sure no idiots get any ideas. No one will like it if sothing happens to either of them."
Zekram just nodded. "I will do my best to dissuade any foolish minds from the act."
"That reminds , I gave Rias, Venelana’s daughter, a bunch of potions to use for her Rating Ga. It’s going to be broadcast, from what I heard. So, the potions will most likely beco more popular than they already are. Odin, since the war is over, Yasaka is going to have a lot of surplus, and our own supply has gotten up and running. So, you can go to her more overtly to get so trading going without raising any alarms."
Odin nodded without saying anything.
He didn’t need a novel to explain to him what I was doing with that in his favor.
There were already rumors and knowledge of our potions, but we hadn’t been selling them. After they get popular through Rias and her rating ga, Yasaka can start selling them publicly, and Odin can claim he ’got there first,’ which everyone will most likely believe since he’s my blood brother and we have a good relationship with Asgard.
Since we’re doing our best to keep Asgard’s growth underreported, I figured it was a good way to kill two birds when giving Rias help.
"And the last matter, I think we’re all having it on our minds. What to do about the seals—it’s our one advantage right now. Our original goal was to bring back Big G, but Trihexa appearing in the world isn’t sothing any of us want and is equally important."
They were silent because I don’t think they had a good plan either.
What exactly were we supposed to do? It was hard to be proactive; they were seals, not sothing we could destroy or take and hide.
We could obviously reinforce the seals, but that was just prolonging the inevitable.
There was perhaps one good option.
And Odin smiled. "Why don’t you leave that to ? We’ve constantly been getting hit in the dark. Loki and his Titans, the World Tree. You lot with your interference in the war. It’s ti for us to strike back, don’t you think?"
Hades smiled. "If the Ruthless God of War says it, then let it be so."
"I will leave it in your capable hands then." Zekram nodded.
"We’re at your disposal, Odin."
It’s one thing off my plate.
But now, let’s finally go finish up with the Fae Lands; I would like to never have to go there again.
[Line Break]
A/N
If you want to read 10 Chapters ahead or support , visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / astoryforone
I also have a boosty if you can’t use the above under the sa na.
Should be doing a brand new world soon. And we got two Kunou Chapters up over on the above.
A second Chapter should be coming out later today as well.
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