The Underworld.
- "Sensei..." began Sona, looking at me with a puzzled expression. "Why did you want to be here instead of..."
- "Because I wanted to. Don't ask stupid questions, So-tan," I chuckled.
- "But... Lord Lucifer said that..." continued Sona.
- "I promised him I'd come, and I did, didn't I? Nothing else matters," I shrugged. "What, you don't like sitting next to ordinary demons? Oh dear, So-tan. You're such an unpleasant girl."
What was she talking about? Well, instead of ending up in the VIP box for Sirzechs and his ilk, we were transported to the regular stands of a massive arena in the capital of the Underworld, because I had slightly redirected her portal. For this reason, it was noisy around us, so I covered us with a closed field, making us look like ordinary onlookers and drowning out unnecessary sounds.
A huge number of demons, occupying not only the seats but also the stairwells and any other free space, excitedly discussed the upcoming battle and were afraid of missing any details. Moreover, this scene was no different from what one might see at any world-class tournament in the human world. Men, women, children, old people... A complete diversity in every way, but at the same time, if you didn't know that they were demons, anyone who saw them would think that they were all humans.
Of course, most of their words were about Rias and Sairaorg, who were already in the center of the arena with their entourages, chatting about something. The main topic of discussion was the power of the heirs and their entourages, or more precisely, Issei with his Boosted Gear.
As expected, the onlookers actively discussed his joining Rias and, consequently, the Underworld. Against this backdrop, they began to talk about reborn demons, the growth of the race's power, and so on.
However, as I overheard, ordinary demons were unaware that their ancestors, although from another world, had returned and were now putting local affairs in order. At the same time, Goetia's invisible hand, so to speak, was putting the Underworld in order, as indicated by the conversations of ordinary demons and their rejoicing on this subject.
- "Ha... Well, I've done my part," she sighed wearily and rubbed her temples. "Anyway, what did you want to talk to me about?"
- "Are you in a hurry, So-tan?" I asked with interest. "Since it's a rating game between the heirs, are you participating too? Do you want to prepare?"
- "I already lost," Sona replied curtly.
- "To whom?"
- "Sairaorg. And it was obvious that I couldn't beat him," she shrugged and looked at me with slight irritation. "So, what did you want to talk about? I'm sure it's not to discuss my successes."
- "Well, why not? That's exactly what I wanted to talk about," I grinned, and in response, Sona turned her gaze sharply toward me with wide eyes. "Oh? What's that reaction? You're looking at me like it's my fault that normal anime series don't get sequels."
- "The way you said that... You weren't lying," she said slowly. "And that's scary."
- "That was rude, but I don't care," I shrugged. "You know, you're the only heir who hasn't asked for anything as a reward for the Rating Game."
- "But..." Sona lowered her gaze.
- "Yes, I know," I interrupted her. "But for all the work you've done and the few fun moments, I'm willing to make some concessions."
- "What do you mean?"
- "Since neither Serafall nor you have contacted me about that situation, I assume you didn't find anything," I began, to which she gave me a short, slightly nervous nod. "To be honest, I really like you."
- "Wh-what?!" Sona blushed immediately, but then quickly calmed down, taking a few quick breaths. "So you and I..."
- "That's what I wanted to talk about," I interrupted her again, focusing all of Sona's attention on myself. "I'll say it again, I like you. You know how to think for yourself and take responsibility, you don't have demonic pride stuck up your ass, and you're pretty good-looking too."
- "Um... Thanks?"
- "However, you lack self-confidence," I continued, and she fell silent, her hair hiding her eyes. "So let's do this. Prove to me that you can act without looking back at anyone else. Especially Serafall. Then I'll accept you, and your debt to your family will be paid."
In fact, I really didn't mind someone like Sona. Ever since I watched the anime, she had impressed me more than the main cast led by Rias. At that moment, when I became more open due to the situation with Yasaka, it seemed to me that it would be nice to start taking action with Sona as well. However, there was one caveat, or rather two.
- "Prove it?" Sona asked. "How?"
- "That's up to you."
- "You're not telling me everything, are you?"
- "Maybe," I shrugged. "But that's not really important to you right now, is it?"
Sona fell silent and thought about it, while I shifted my gaze to the center of the arena.
The first nuance was her self-confidence, and the second was her own choice to follow this path. I am not a supporter of forcing anyone to do anything against their will or choice. And if Sona could overcome her main and only flaw, only then would she be able to understand what she really wanted.
There was no point in asking her about it now, because her thoughts were not focused on her own choice, but only on her duty to her family and the demon race. The current Sona did not even consider the possibility of giving up all of this and simply living her life.
I made a cup of coffee and took a sip.
Well, now all I could do was wait. I had given her hints, but would she take advantage of them? That was a completely different question.
- "May I sit down here?" I suddenly heard the voice of a mature woman next to me and turned my head toward the source. There I was greeted by a demoness I already knew, or rather...
- "Misla Bael?" I raised an eyebrow, looking at her now healthy body and the soft smile on her face.
She looked much better now than the last time I saw her, and I must say, she is beautiful. And I'm not talking about her being sexually attractive or anything like that, but about her presence, calm and warm.
But how did she find me? Only a couple of entities in all of DxD can break through my closed field. And, come to think of it, the only way that could have been possible would be...
- "Have a seat," I nodded, and Misha took a seat next to me, while Sona moved over a little. "I suppose a lioness gave you directions, Lady Bael?"
- "You are correct, Lord Archaman. A great ancestor guided me," she replied, then bowed her head in a deep bow.
- "I wanted to thank you for what you did for me and Sai. You have no idea how much it means to us."
- "You need not thank me, Lady Misla. Your son merely reaped the rewards of his own deeds," I shrugged, and she straightened up and smiled. "Thank him, not me."
- "You are exactly as Sai described you," she said softly, and I simply waved it away, then turned my gaze to Sona. "You are Sona Sitri, aren't you? He told me about you."
- "Yes," Sona replied. "This is our first meeting, but I am glad you were able to overcome your illness."
- "It's all thanks to Lord Archaman," said Misla, turning her attention back to me. "Thank you for coming today. Sai wanted to show you his growth and gratitude with this fight. It means a lot to him."
- "I see. How are you feeling?" I asked. "And what did you mean by 'this fight'?"
- "Everything's fine, I feel just great," she began, then smiled mischievously. "You'll see the answer to the second question for yourself."
- "Hm?"
- "Sairaorg Bael and Rias Gremory have come to an agreement," Grayfia's voice rang out from the arena's speakers. "The rules of the Rating Game have been changed. Instead of duels between the chosen Kings' entourage members, there will be a single battle where both Kings will put forward their strongest fighter."
I raised an eyebrow.
Oh? So that's how they decided, huh?
- "Rias Gremory will field Hyoudou Issei, Emperor of the Red Dragons and wielder of the Boosted Gear," Grayfia announced, and immediately loud cries rang out from the crowd.
- "Sairagorg Bael, heir to the Bael clan and holder of the title 'King of Destruction', will fight."
This news caused a new wave of cheers, while I smiled and looked at Misha.
- "So that's what he wanted?" I asked.
- "Yes... But that's not all," Misha replied and pointed to the arena. "Look."
And when I did, my gaze met Sairaorg's, who was looking at me straight through the closed field. In his eyes, I saw confidence, pride, and gratitude that overshadowed the first two emotions. It was as if he was saying to me, "Look, it's all thanks to you", and so on. It was flattering, but he wasn't capable of breaking through the closed field on his own. Unless, like Misla, he had help from someone.
I smiled.
Apparently, the demons had run wild in my absence. They felt free, allowing themselves to do such things. And that's why...
I giggled, causing Sona and Misla to flinch for a moment, then glance at me in confusion.
Later, I'll meet with Goetia to "talk" about this. Heh heh. Since my father isn't teaching them discipline, why shouldn't I? Mm?
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