Chapter 53: The Surface of Truth
About an hour or two had gone by since Lady Gremory arrived at my residence. Most of which was spent allowing her and Rias to enjoy some mother-daughter bonding time over dinner, which was quite the heartwarming sight for me to behold.
This whole time, I had assumed both her mother and father were in on shipping her off to House Phenex. But now it's clear that whole fiasco was a one-sided affair on Duke Gremory's behalf.
Unfortunately for him, his plan has absolutely no chance whatsoever of coming to fruition with me around. By the time I'm done with my lovely little group of students, they'll be able to squash Riser and his lust-brained groupies with both hands tied behind their backs.
Especially Gasper, I have a pretty strong feeling he's going to prove himself to be quite the MVP when the time comes.
I mean, I obviously want them all to have an opportunity to really show what they're made of. But realistically speaking, there's no way I'll be able to make everyone shining-star quality by the time Riser shows his face, whenever that may be. I might be making better progress than I thought I'd be, but some of Rias' subordinates are going to need a lot more time to truly flourish.
Honestly, no matter how skilled one is, I think the absolute best a teacher can do is help their student find the path that suits them best. Sure, I can teach them how to weave, punch, slash, and cast. But what use is all the training I give them if they're unable to stand on their own two feet when it's time for me to move on?
At that point, I might as well be babysitting them rather than teaching. As a rookie mentor, I know that my guidance won't be anywhere near perfect. However, I still want to do my utmost to give them the best assistance I can.
Not just because I promised Lord Lucifer that I would, but because I genuinely enjoyed myself when I was training them. I might've been harsh, more so to some than others, but I think that's because I really do want to see them succeed. Not just in their inevitable Rating Game, but beyond that.
I can't really put it into words, but something within me can't help but feel compelled to see them grow. Like an instinctual attachment of sorts.
Heh. I guess they've already started to grow on me.
"I'm glad you're finally starting to agree with me on the importance of acquiring one's path." My dragon's smug voice interrupted my train of thought.
Yeah, yeah. No need to gloat. I rolled my eyes.
"You say that as if you wouldn't do the exact same in my position." His dry chuckle echoed through my mind.
Good grief, I'm not sure what's worse. The fact that he's clearly enjoying himself a little too much, or the fact that he's literally incapable of being wrong about anything involving me.
"You know you're that much better off for it," even though I wasn't in my mindscape, I was 99% sure he had a shit-eating grin on his face. "In all seriousness, I'm glad that you're able to feel a genuine sense of fulfilment from training your students rather than seeing them as yet another burden. Lucifer knows you're shouldering enough of those."
Fair point. I hummed my approval.
I'll acknowledge that this second life of mine has come with a considerable amount of negatives, but it'd be foolish of me not to acknowledge all the positives it's provided me with as well.
Beyond still being alive, of course.
"And as long as you keep moving forward, there'll be plenty more of them to come."
Here's to hoping.
At the moment, I was standing in my backyard, taking a short breather from all the rowdy but enjoyable festivities taking place inside.
"Uh-huh. A 'breather'."
Yeah, that's not entirely true.
I knew you were going to point it out at some point, is it strange that I'm still kinda pissed that you did? I heaved a deep, audible sigh. I suppose the happy thoughts can only last for so long.
"No, it's not strange at all. The fact that you're 'pissed' as you so aptly put it, proves that this is something you care about. Which makes it worth addressing."
The truth is that I can't stand to look and Rias and Lady Gremory for another second.
Ah, 'can't stand' sounds a little hateful, doesn't it? I don't hold so much as a modicum of hate for either of them. It'd be more accurate to say I can't bear to look at them any longer.
Why? Because I envy them.
Man, do I envy them. The beautiful relationship they share as mother and daughter, as a parent and child. The longer I observe it, the more my heart aches. As if the sight of them twists a rusty knife deeper and deeper into my chest, infecting it with envy to the point where it's like I'm about to be swallowed whole.
"But you know—
Yes, I know that I'll probably never be able to achieve such a thing with Martha. The care I hold for her is one-sided, and more likely than not, will forever remain that way.
Sometimes I like to close my eyes and envision a world where me, Martha, and Sebastian were family. Not just in blood, but in bond as well. It's both an awfully pathetic and childish habit of mine, but I can't bring myself to resist despite knowing that.
Funnily enough, I can actually believe such a version of Sebastian existing. But Martha? No matter how hard I try, I cannot create a selfishly-idealistic version of her in my mind. I can't even get close.
I want to believe that the three of us will embody that fantasy to some extent, someday in the future, but deep down, I know that's just wishful thinking. Yet, some part of me continues to yearn to see that fantasy become a reality.
Haha, what a frustrating woman you are, Martha Sallos. Making your own son languish over you like this, have you no shame?
"You know the answer to that."
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," I was broken out of my stupor by the sound of Lady Gremory's heels crunching against the grass, her footsteps encroaching behind me.
"No, not at all." I replied with a placid smile, my eyes magnetized to the ethereal allure of the human world's moon hovering above in the night sky, so very, very far away.
It's strange. The Underworld's artificial moon looks the exact same as it does, I mean, that's obviously the whole intent of its design in the first place, but that's not my point. My point is that the way they feel couldn't be more different.
The Underworld's moon is nice to look at all, but it doesn't calm me down like the real thing does. Even as all these thoughts about Martha surge through my head, I'm not experiencing so much as a hint of anxiety, confusion, or stress. My mind is perfectly serene, when it has every reason not to be.
All the envy I felt swelling up within me as I watched Lady Gremory and Rias? It vanished the nanosecond I locked eyes with the moon. I know for a fact I felt it, but the sensation was far more distant to me than it had any right to be.
"Moongazing are we?" She stood beside me and tracked my gaze. "Can't say I blame you, I couldn't help but do the same the first time I arrived in the human world."
Moongazing, huh? I hummed. "I have a gut-feeling it might be the other way around."
She turned to me and blinked. "What do you mean?"
"No clue. Hopefully I'll figure it out someday." I shrugged.
I could tell that she was dissatisfied with my nonsensical response, but her expression told me she decided to let it go.
I know this feeling has something to do with that 'child of the moon' thing my dragon keeps mentioning and stubbornly refusing to elaborate on. No matter how much times passes, be it one year or a thousand, I don't think I'll ever forget what it felt like to sit on the lake before I reawakened as Alduin. To be void of any and all company save for the moon's looming radiance for who knows how long.
It's you, isn't it? My face softened as I allowed my eyes to linger on the shining grey orb. You're the same moon that was watching over me back then. I can feel it in my bones. I sighed inwardly as my dragon maintained radio-silence, and respectfully redirected my attention to Lady Gremory. I wonder if you'll ever reach out to me. I'd love nothing more than to speak to you face-to-face if that's at all possible. To know what exactly our connection is.
"Sorry about that, I'm not sure what came over me." I breathed a sheepish chuckle and scratched my nape. "Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?"
She lifted an eyebrow with an expression that said, 'I think you know the answer to that.'
"Fair enough," I nodded and raised my hand, creating a sound-suppressing barrier around us. It was glaringly obvious that we were going to need some privacy.
"Your control over Wind Magic is quite refined," she observed with an approving smile. "Would it be safe to assume you can control all four basic elements like your mother?"
"Indeed, and I appreciate the compliment. Though my expertise is naught more than child's play in comparison to hers."
"I was only giving credit where it's due, and don't you think it's a little unfair to compare yourself to her? She's had nearly a thousand years to perfect her craft." Her voice quietened. "Not to mention that she was my generation's golden child."
Huh, so she really is that old. I guess I ought to start drafting up some hag-related insults when I have time.
Also, am I imagining it? Or did I just detect an undertone of bitterness in Lady Gremory's voice?
"No, you are not imagining it."
Interesting.
"So she was some kind of a prodigy? That doesn't surprise me."
She chuckled as if I had said something foolish. "No, 'prodigy' is a grave understatement. Your father is what we defined as a prodigy. Your mother was something else entirely."
Oh? Now this I've got to hear.
"How so?"
"I'm not sure, and I don't think I ever will be." I hope she's not just saying that to get back at me for my comment on the moon. "I'm being honest, Alduin. Back when we were all children, she was just always better than us. In might, in technique, in intellect, in comprehension of any subject she decided to pursue. Frankly speaking, she understood our own abilities better than we ever could."
I scratched my temple. "Isn't that the definition of a prodigy?"
She shook her head. "No, take Sebastian, for example. We all understood why he was better than us. We know we could never best him in hand-to-hand combat, or hope to surpass the raw physical might he possessed thanks to his seemingly boundless draconic strength. His talent for those two aspects was extraordinarily potent."
Alright, I can kinda see where she's going with this, but it's not really helping me make heads or tails of what she's trying to say.
"But you couldn't understand why mother was?"
"None of us could. Not me. Not my husband. Not Sona's parents. Not Sairaorg's. She just didn't make sense to us." She pinched her nose-bridge, her demeanour brimming with gravity. "Listen, you absolutely cannot repeat what I'm about to tell you to anyone. No matter how much you trust them. No matter how much you think they deserve to know."
"Understood," I agreed without hesitation. If anyone's good at keeping secrets, it's me.
"You possess both Wood Manipulation and your mother's healing power, Dryadic Blessing, I believe it's called?"
"I do."
She exhaled deeply. "Well, you and your mother are the only Sallos's in the Underworld's history to possess them. Or at least the only known Sallos's to have them."
I paused, blinking repeatedly with my mouth open a little.
"…Huh?"
"Before your mother came around, there were no reports of any member of House Sallos possessing either ability. In fact, they were similar to my husband's lineage, being declared not to have any Clan Trait at all. Only a surprisingly strong affinity for Senjutsu."
Woah.
Woah.
Wouldn't that mean Martha has a—
"At first, we assumed she had a mutation. Like my son, whose Power of Destruction exists in a realm we don't even fully understand yet. Like Serafall, who's the only Sitri in existence to possess Ice Manipulation. Like Falbium, who's the only Glasya-Labolas with Absolute Defence. Or even Ajuka, the only devil to ever transform the very nature of his demonic power itself from imaginative to calculative. There weren't nearly as many of them back then as there are now, but they did exist to a smaller degree."
"At first," I repeated.
I could see the rising conflict on her face, her lips pressing together as she seemingly deliberated whether to continue or not.
"A few years after your mother was born, House Sallos itself seemed to just up and vanish. As hard as I imagine that is to believe, it's the truth. In almost a thousand years, not one Sallos clansman or clanswoman has made a public appearance, nor have there been any rumours about private ones. The territory they once owned was handed off to a minor clan by the name of Valefor, who are now extinct."
"Then who owns the territory now?"
"My family. House Bael."
I'm not sure if Lady Gremory noticed or not, by as she spoke, I was forming a mental conspiracy board, noting down every single word that left her mouth.
This is the first time I'm actually hearing something of concrete value regarding Martha's background, and I'll be damned if I let it go to waste.
Wait, if House Bael owns the territory, then—
"I know what you're thinking, you probably think I can give you access to the Sallos compound that still resides in the territory."
"You can't?" I failed to hide my disappointment. Who knows what secrets could be lurking within the confines of that woman's home?
"Unfortunately not, the territory's under House Bael's banner, yes. But it's not under the universal oversight of the clan. Whether it's me, my nephews Sairaorg and Magdaran, or their father. None of us are allowed access into that compound."
Oh boy. There's only one name on the Bael list she didn't mention. The only one that gives even Sebastian the creeps.
"Zekram," I murmured.
Should I or should I not be surprised that he's somehow involved in all this?
"Yes, my ancestors' personally watching over the compound. Other than him, I think it's safe to assume your mother's the only one who's allowed entry."
I wonder, if I'm able to grow Partial Hypnosis to a certain extent, would I be able to sneak into the compound? The only alternatives I can think of are getting Martha's or Zekram's permission to enter. I'm 100% sure the former is impossible, and I'm not sure I want to take the risk of approaching the latter.
Zekram Bael doesn't strike me as someone you stand before without a foolproof plan, and at least five other contingencies for good measure.
"Listen," she continued in a somber tone. "I know it sounds like I'm trying to cast suspicion on and villainize your mother, but I just want you to be a little more informed—"
"Lady Gremory, I know you mean well, but there's no need to sugarcoat who she is for me." She seemed surprised by the blunt response. "I may be in the dark about my mother's past, but I assure you, I'm perfectly aware of her character." The translation being, 'I know her personality isn't exactly all sunshine and rainbows.'
"…I see," she sighed, her voice carrying an undertone of pity that I wasn't sure whether to be insulted by or appreciative of.
Regardless, I desperately wanted this conversation to continue. No, I needed it to continue. I must keep moving forward, I must keep seeking answers.
"Back to what you were saying earlier, about her 'mutation', would you mind elaborating on that?"
"Ah, right," she cleared her throat before resuming. "We tried investigating House Sallos for any information regarding her upbringing, of which we knew next to nothing about, only to find out that all the documents on the house had been sealed by none other than Zekram himself. Mind you, this was long before we started storing information digitally."
I knitted my brow, humming thoughtfully. "So the digital seal, would it be safe to assume that's also Zekram's work?"
"Yes."
Zekram Bael.
Despite Sebastian's insistence to avoid that man at all costs, and my personal reluctance to interact with him. It would seem that as long as I continue pursuing the truth about who exactly my mother is, the convergence of our paths is inevitable.
Can't say I'm looking forward to it. Such is life, I suppose.
"Sorry, I'm still a little confused. How exactly does this tie into your doubts about the authenticity of her—or I guess, our mutation?"
"I don't have concrete evidence that it isn't one, however, don't you think it's all a little suspicious? The second the super-genius that was your mother appeared amongst us, House Sallos itself just vanishes out of thin air, every last member disappears like they never even existed in the first place, and a lid is put on all information about the house? Oh, and let's not forget that she doesn't possess 'a' mutation. She has two. And don't even get me started on how out of every mutation-possessor in the Underworld's history, she's the only one to have successfully passed her mutation down to her offspring." She stammered towards the end, noticing that her tone had grown considerably heated. "Apologies, I didn't mean that as a slight against you."
"No worries, I didn't think you did," I reassured her. "I'm grateful that you're willing to inform me about my mother at all, Lady Gremory. Though I have to ask," I narrowed my eyes. "Why exactly are you telling me all this?"
She doesn't strike me as a fool. I highly doubt she's simply handing me all this information on a silver platter just because she's in a giving mood. She came here with an 'urgent matter' on her mind, which means there's some angle she's playing at.
"Why wouldn't I? Whether she wants to admit it or not, your and Martha's lives are intertwined. I thought it was only proper that you had at least somewhat of an understanding of your mother's background."
I crossed my arms, not failing to notice her slip-up. "Oh? You were aware of my lack of knowledge beforehand? That's quite impressive, Lady Gremory." It was awfully faint, but with eyes like mine, I spotted the brief flicker of realization on her face. "Especially when I haven't told your daughter, nor your son, that I was in the dark regarding mother's past."
"I think you might be jumping to conclusions there, Alduin. The confusion you demonstrated when I first started talking about your mother was more than enough to tell me that."
Hehe. Nice recovery, I see Sebastian's remark about you being the Gremory's true backbone was right after all.
Unfortunately, I can use Senjutsu, and she can't. Therefore, any attempts to lie to me really aren't going to get her anywhere.
"Really? Because I can think of two other possibilities," I kept my tone light. I'm not actually angry at Lady Gremory per se, I'm just exceptionally eager to extract as much information out of her as possible. "One, mother herself told you that I don't know anything, which I highly, highly doubt. Or two, you know the woman far better than you're letting on. You speak as if she were merely your generation's shining star to you, but if that was all, there's no way Martha would ever let you get close enough to her to know her in as much depth as you seem to."
I know what it sounds like when someone speaks of a simple acquaintance of theirs, and what it sounds like when they talk of someone they have a genuine bond with, regardless of whether it's a negative or positive one.
You don't just know Martha, do you? You know Martha.
An awkward silence enveloped the space around us, our eyes locked onto one another as we patiently waited for the other to be the first to speak up.
"Goodness, that perception of yours really takes me back." She sighed in resignation. "I should've known you inherited more than just her bloodline."
My posture softened. "Now would you mind telling me what your real relationship to my mother is?"
She took a deep breath before answering.
"She's my cousin."
"…"
Bzzt!
I think something in my head just short-circuited.
"Not by blood, of course. If she wielded the Power of Destruction on top of everything she already has, then we'd all be in serious trouble."
'START WITH THAT FIRST WOMAN!'—is what I would've yelled if I didn't remind myself that I was standing in the presence of House Gremory's Matriarch, and the mother of both my boss and student.
Seriously, though, I nearly just had a heart attack!
"She was my adoptive older cousin by two years. Zekram was the one to bring her into our house when your mother was around thirteen years old, if my memory serves me correctly, and declared himself her foster father." She stroked her chin. "Come to think of it, I guess that makes you his spiritual grandson in a way."
Yup, I think I can feel the heart attack coming back on.
"Though I don't think that's legally binding since your mother never took the Bael name. So, there's nothing for you to worry about on that front."
That's easy for you to say! From what I've heard about the enigmatic ancestor, he could have those papers up and officialised today if he so pleased.
Although, if all the rumours about him are to be believed. Then wouldn't that explain a lot about why Martha's personality is the way it is?
"That's… quite the revelation." I wasn't sure how else to respond. "Did Zekram ever tell you why he decided to adopt her?"
"No, and I asked him countless times, believe me, almost every scarce moment when he freely showed his face around the mansion, at least one member of the household would ask him something regarding your mother. Well, at least the ones with the courage to approach him." She smirked proudly. "But every time, the answer remained the same. It was either a flat-out 'it's none of your business', or a frustrating 'you'll know when the time's right'. Like we were somehow supposed to be satisfied with that answer."
This is definitely one of those situations where for every answer I receive, two more questions will pop up to prolong my tireless search for the truth.
"Honestly speaking, I don't think there's anyone in the Underworld, both past and present, who received as much affection from Zekram as your mother did. Not his closest aides, not any of his descendants, probably not even his own wife. Hell, until your mother came around, I didn't even know he was capable of affection in the first place."
"I mean, he'd have to be pretty damn attached for a figure like that to adopt someone."
She hummed her affirmation.
"She remained in the Bael Mansion for about two centuries before deciding to go out and about to explore the world. I can't remember it perfectly, but I know she travelled to some kind of sacred Senjutsu land—"
"Ryuichi Cave," I continued for her. "The home of the White Snake Sage."
"She told you about that?"
I chuckled. "She did more than just tell me about it," I tugged at my kimono, signalling for Sylvie to slither up and poke her head out of my collar. "She gave me an unbelievably helpful memento from the place."
"Pleassse master, you needn't flatter me with your complimentsss." Sylvie said, clearly enjoying her well-deserved praise.
"Oh my," I felt Lady Gremory take an internal step back. Her eyes clearly recognized just how dangerous Sylvie really was underneath her unfathomably adorable scales. "You must've impressed her quite a bit for her to gift you a familiar of that calibre."
"You could say that," I gave Sylvie a light pat, letting her return into the snug comfort of my kimono.
I might've impressed Martha, but it was for all the wrong reasons. Granted, it's only the sentiment behind the gift that I have a problem with. The gift itself, on the other hand? I wouldn't trade her for the world.
"Now then, I think we've talked about your mother enough for one night, at least in this regard. I believe it's time I discuss what I originally came here to talk to you about." I happened to disagree, but I don't think it'd be wise of me to recklessly push her for answers if she's unwilling.
It'd probably have taken me months, if not years, to figure out the information she just told me on my lonesome. I'm not going to forget this gesture of goodwill she's shown me, that's for sure.
"Very well," I agreed and maintained my attentiveness.
"It's about the digital seal Zekram placed on House Sallos' history," once those words left her mouth, I immediately knew what this conversation was going to entail. "It's come to my attention that my daughter requested information that technically falls under that seal's preview. Very basic information, mind you, barebones at most, but the request was made nonetheless."
Bingo.
But that wasn't the only immediate conclusion I reached.
She's speaking as if she's going to genuinely question me about this, rather than launch a full-on interrogation on me.
Which means, Rias chose not to spill the beans.
I owe her big time, don't I?
"No kidding."
I let out a heavy exhale, rubbing my forehead to seem genuinely disturbed by the news.
"If that's true, then I'm pretty sure I know where this is going." I offered her a knowing look. "You think my mother's 'attitude', shall we say? It might put your daughter in harm's way. Either that, or you're worried about Zekram attempting something even while she's up here in the human world."
"It's a mix of both, though I'm significantly less worried about Zekram. He can be ruthless, yes, but his ruthlessness is bound by his own logic. Which is, fortunately, quite reasonable. Since my daughter didn't actually obtain any information from her request, he won't see any reason to hand her any kind of punishment. Especially with my son around, the most she'd get is a light verbal warning."
For both you and Rias' sake, I hope you're not making the same mistake I did by underestimating Martha.
"But you believe my mother will be offended by the attempt alone."
"Yes," she said in a mildly regretful tone of voice. "Alduin, I need you to tell me if I should be worried for Rias' safety or not. This town might have my son's political protection, but it does not have his physical presence. If you think my daughter's truly in danger, I must know immediately so I can bring her back home. Even if it's against her wishes, her safety is everything to me."
I scratched my cheek. "I don't understand. You've known my mother for centuries, and it's abundantly clear to me that you understand her far better than I do. Aren't you more qualified to make that judgment call than I am?"
"I haven't spoken to your mother in over three centuries," reminiscence was written all over her face. "I knew the 'her' back then exceptionally well, but people change with time, some don't experience changes that are nearly as large as others, but change happens regardless. When it comes to the current version of your mother, there is no one who understands her better than you do. There's no one who can."
"Not even my father?" I couldn't help but ask.
And in return, I got a soft, pitiful look of understanding from Lady Gremory in return.
Ah. It seems she knows what the current Sebastian's become.
Oh well, it didn't hurt to check.
"Haha, that was rather silly of me to ask, wasn't it?" We exchanged our silent agreement. "Alright then. If it's my opinion you want, then I'll gladly give it to you." My gaze steeled as I wore a stone-faced expression that wouldn't budge even under the pressure of a bonafide Dragon King. "No, I do not believe Rias is in any danger from my mother's pettiness. I can't use Zekram's logic as a reference since I've never met the man, but I think she's intelligent enough to understand how colossally screwed she'd be if your son were ever to approach her with vengeance on his mind."
Technically, I'm not lying.
Because Martha's already done something.
She sighed in relief, planting her hand on her chest. "Yes, I was of the same opinion. I'm just happy to hear it from your mouth as well." She readjusted her posture, evidently calmed.
"I'm glad that I was able to offer you some peace of mind, Lady Gremory."
"Come now, you needn't use honorifics with me. 'Venelana' will do just fine. 'Mama-Lana' is also acceptable if you're feeling up to it, you have both my son and daughter's trust, that practically makes you family in my book."
I beamed. "Now I can't help but wonder if Zekram's adoption papers are the ones I should truly be afraid of?" We both shared a laugh at that.
'Family', huh?
After what I've done, and the things I'm probably going to do in the future. I think I'm the last person you want to slap that title on, Venelana.
———
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