"Pum-pum-pum-pum," I hummed as I walked into the club room, not meeting a soul in the building. All members of Gremory's entourage and, oddly enough, Citri, had already been moved to the spectator stands and were preparing for the start of the match. Not wanting to show off in front of unknown demons who might be there, or my sister or mother, I asked Graffia to create an illusion that would broadcast what was happening directly to our living room (they would understand if they saw something unpleasant), and my paranoia took over. Now they would be able to watch everything from the comfort of their home.
Another tune was playing on the player, and my mood was jumping from anticipation to simple excitement.
"Something's bothering you, partner," the red one said thoughtfully, "and it started recently. You've been having strange mood swings."
"It all started after he opened my 'aura', unlocking the curse, and then when he accidentally activated it (the aura), he took on part of my character. The very part that is responsible for the 'darkness of my soul', or have you forgotten that I am the creator of sin, its quintessence. So Verg took over that part of me, although the merger happened abruptly, which is why there was a sudden change in behaviour," the fallen shrugged, drawing a landscape on his imaginary canvas. It looks hyper-realistic.
"So that's why he doesn't get nervous like he does when training with Azazel or us, but just craves a fight," I can see the light bulb above the dragon's head, "You," he pointed accusingly at me with his claw, "don't see any enemies in the retinue, only mannequins for practising your spells, rather nasty spells, I might add."
"It finally got through to this scaly little bag," the angel remarked indifferently, putting the finishing touches on his painting... and starting a new one. "Need I remind you what I did when I was the ruler of hell?" The dragon grimaced, "Oh, blood, guts, and gore were the most common and purest things. That's why his desire, which he doesn't resist because of his origins, and I'm talking about his soul now, is quite natural. He may possess light, but the darkness of his soul has not yet escaped, has not balanced the scales of his powers."
"Will he become like you?" asked Ddraig, posing the most important question.
"Almost," confirmed the dragon Lyuts' suspicions, "but not quite, because I am not a dominant personality, so all my desires, sins and habits will be changed by his prism of perception." "How does he manage to draw like that, it's just charcoal, isn't it?"
"Well, okay," waved the red one with his paw, "excessive cruelty isn't the worst thing that can happen, and being a 'creator of sin' can be considered a bonus, because that's where you draw your strength from. The more sinful those around you are, the stronger you become."
"You're quick on the uptake, scaly," the fallen one chuckled good-naturedly. "You've finally grown up. All it took was a year of living with me in a confined space and finding a normal host."
At this remark, the dragon angrily breathed a small jet of fire at Lucifer, destroying his creation, which angered the angel, who rushed at the Welshman with a fury worthy of a better cause. He even changed his appearance in the heat of battle, looking more and more like a demon.
I shook my head, trying to distract myself from the migraine caused by the loud explosions and roars, but it didn't help much. Because of this, my mood sank below rock bottom and remained that way until I entered Rias's office, where Greifia was already waiting for me, standing up when I appeared.
Her prim face, on which a small smile was visible, lifted my spirits a little, and the anticipation of the coming carnage raised them even higher. So I quickly caught up with the maid and spun her around to the beat of the melody playing in my headphones.
"That... was sudden," the woman breathed, adjusting her dress and returning to her usual expression, although a slight smile flashed across her face when she thought I wasn't looking. Emotions don't lie. Ugh, I've really neglected my wife, Sazex, getting bogged down in work. I can't let this continue, or else she'll react to such a simple gesture.
"I'm not in a very combative mood today, but it's better than it was," I said, taking off my headphones. "The colour of that dress really suits your eyes, such a contrast." I paid her a small compliment, because the dress really was nice. The green and black outfit emphasised the woman's charms, but perfectly concealed everything that needed to be concealed.
"It's not often you give compliments, and you didn't even say anything like that to Serafall," Greyfia replied with a slight sneer and a slightly raised corner of her lips."I only say it when there's a reason," I said, raising my finger instructively. "You have to earn a compliment from me, and you've done that perfectly.
"It looks like Sazex needs to start getting jealous," her lips curved into a smile, causing her eyes to narrow slightly, "What a rascal you are, I'm a married woman." She was even mocking him.
"If the lady pleases, I can do everything in my power and even more." — Add more sparkle to your eyes and a smile from Luc. Take that, no more teasing. The girl blushed slightly and looked away, but after a moment she looked back. But she was met with the same sparkling eyes and mocking smile.
"Hmm," they looked me over with a studying gaze, ignoring their blush, but then, coming to their senses, Greifia said, "We don't have much time left. The match is about to start, so we need to move. Stand next to me, I'll carry you to the field. Your side is Cozite, and Rizer will have Dite.
"Oh, you picked the most convenient spot for yourself, you jerk," I said with a laugh. "By the way, who will be there to watch?
"Gremory, Fenex, Sazex, Seraphall, Rias and Sona's entourage. Your family will be watching through an illusion," the girl listed. "Oh yes, Azazel has been invited to watch you.
"Did he volunteer?" I narrowed my eyes suspiciously.
"Yes," the maid sighed, massaging her temple. "It caused a lot of problems, but they let him in, and everyone who sees him will be asked to keep their mouths shut. Even the Fenix will remain silent, as they sell tears to the fallen. Even if it's through the black market.
"So you knew?" I was astonished.
"Pff, did you really think something like that would get past us?" The demoness smiled and raised an eyebrow. "In the end, it was just a simple agreement to gain influence for both factions before the upcoming summit."
"Hmm," I scratched my chin, "I didn't think of that. Oh well, I don't like politics anyway." I waved my hand dismissively. "Let's get started, or we'll be talking forever."
Greifia approached and activated the transfer circle, which teleported me to the centre of the icy lake. All around me were illusions of the wailing souls of sinners, who were experiencing indescribable torment, which made me feel a deep warmth inside. I didn't care that they were just illusions, because the same thing was happening down there in hell.
"You're a bad influence on him," laughed the red suitcase, dodging the fallen man's spear.
"I'm better than you or his entourage," Lyuts growled angrily. "Nothing but soft-hearted, lazy degenerates. Where is their mother taking the world? Why don't they shove Indra's head up his own arse? Why do they tolerate the Chaos Brigade and these Heroes?" There was plenty of venom in the fallen warrior's voice. "When I was around, there was no such nonsense. Everyone would have been found and slaughtered or sent to the ritualists to be used as artefacts and ingredients. Ugh, you've gone soft."
"You've really lost it," Ddraig said thoughtfully, "I was joking, actually, but there's some truth in what you say."
***
In the hall itself, where everyone who knew about the upcoming game had gathered, a relaxed conversation was taking place between the leaders of the two factions.
"What can we expect from him?" asked Satan, taking a sip of wine from his glass.
"As far as I know him, and considering the strength of Raizer's entourage, I dare say that Vergil will not use his trump cards," Azazel replied hintingly, arousing Serapholl's curiosity, who was dying to know what trump cards they were talking about. "Most likely, Scandinavian magic. He's quite knowledgeable about it, or perhaps something from his own research."
"Do you happen to know about his inventions?" the demon decided to find out about the young man's successes.
"No," the fallen angel shook his head and smiled, "He doesn't even keep a journal, he keeps everything in his head, so I can't find out about his results. And getting anything out of him is no easy task. I managed to bribe him with an artifact, but in return I learned about a modified plague spell." The angel shrugged. The memories were not the most pleasant.
"Is it that bad?" The red-haired man raised an eyebrow. "What kind of modification is that?
"If we're unlucky, you'll see for yourself," Azazel took a sip from his glass.
Hearing this, the entourage was surprised by such a statement from the leader Grigori. Many knew that praise from such a person was quite a high honour. Sona wanted more and more to get to know the guy better, preferably to bind him to herself, just like Rias, but the red-haired girl was driven not only by mercenary desire, but also by a budding feeling that caused the notorious sensation of butterflies fluttering in her stomach. The girl had read enough novels to understand what was happening to her. Only a short time had passed since last night, but she had already made up her mind. She would not let him go and would do everything in her power to make him marry her.
Somewhere in the arena, Vergilius shuddered.
Serapholl was always interested in new figures on the board. Especially chaotic ones like the mercenary that Sazex had recommended to her. When they met in person, she sensed a well-hidden strength in him, which she detected only thanks to her experience and intuition. She was curious to know what had so interested her colleague in Vergilius. Now she would see for herself.
"Attention, please. — Graffia's voice rang out across the field, disappearing into the distant icy desert. "My name is Graffia Lucifer, and I am the judge and announcer for today's match between Ryzer Fenex of the House of Fenex and Rias Gremory of the House of Gremory. Each side has taken their positions, with Fenex on the side of the city of Dit and Vergil on the side of Cozite. Once again, I remind you of the established rules, the violation of which will result in immediate disqualification. One minute until the start of the match.
Azazel shifted his gaze from the burning city in the distance to his nephew. Although, after all his genetic experiments, their relationship was more like that of brothers, which frightened the angel. He did not know how the lineage of the Father of Sin had affected his relative, but he could say for sure that it was nothing good.
He noticed a smile slowly distorting the young man's handsome face, making him look like... him. He remembered that smirk well; its former owner wore it when he began torturing another angel or a demon who had gotten too big for his boots. With it, Lucifer stormed the gates of heaven, and with it, he skinned his sister, who dared to go against his will. And now, now he sees it again on the most unexpected person. "Damn it!" the fallen one cursed to himself and, disregarding propriety, opened a bottle of whisky and drained it under Satan's bewildered gaze.
"Um, Az?" Sazex rarely saw such emotions on the fallen one's face, and what was happening now did not please him.
"Don't mind me, just remembered something bad," the angel said with a hint of extra ears, silencing the demon with a single glance. "Later," he said mentally to his companion. Sazex just nodded and turned away.
The ringing of a bell signalled the start of the battle. Vergil put on his headphones, ignoring the pawns running towards him, which were hard to miss. Pressing the same button over and over, the guy finally found a song he liked and, with a smooth gait, dancing slightly, walked towards his opponent.
"The secret side of me. I never let you see." When the distance to the pawns was two hundred metres, the guy created a small bright blue rune circle, and creatures sensitive to magic could feel the cold of the underworld emanating from the spell.
"That's the spell I was talking about," Azazel exhaled, settling into a more comfortable chair. All the demons, young and old, moved closer to the screens, wanting to see the circle more closely.
"I keep it caged but I can't control it. So stay away from me: the beast is ugly. I feel the rage and I just can't hold it. Heh-heh-heh." The spell was activated, and everything within a radius of five hundred metres was hit by an invisible wind that didn't even slow down the running demons, who just smiled at his "attempt".
"What was that?" Serafall, who was knowledgeable in magic, moved even closer. The wave was barely perceptible, but there had to be some result.
"Just wait and see," sighed the fallen angel.
Suddenly, the running pawns shuddered and fell to the ground. Heavy coughing and convulsions began to torment their bodies, not even allowing them to breathe. This continued for a long thirty seconds until the one closest to the epicentre began to spit out pieces of her lungs. First small, then larger and larger, then blood began to flow from their ears and eyes, their flesh turning green and turning into rotting clots. The cries of pain and agony made the younger generation shudder, and they turned away from the scenes before them. But the sound still echoed in their ears. The older generation watched what was happening without changing their expressions, although a hint of a smile and satisfaction could be seen on the faces of Lord Gremory and Fenix. They were old demons who had witnessed the order of ancient times.
"O-o-o," Leviathan drawled, striking his fist against his palm, "So that's what 'modified plague' is. Clever, especially against a multitude of weak opponents. How did he come up with that?
"You won't believe it," the fallen demon chuckled, "he said he was inspired by some game, I don't remember the name. But there was also a plague, demons, elves and some other monsters." He frowned slightly, trying to remember, "No, I can't remember."
Meanwhile, having lost about forty percent of their meat, the pawns were carried to the infirmary, clearing the way for the mercenary to advance.
"Hmm, there are two groups ahead. A rook, a knight, and an elephant," Sona noticed the movement. "They want to trap us? Good tactic. But I doubt it will work."
"Why?" asked Serafall. "Well, yes, there's no queen, but they're not that weak.
"Something tells me that won't help them," the green-faced girl exhaled, trying to push away memories of flesh falling in shreds and ignoring her sister's grunt.
Azazel watched his nephew's face intently as he made his way further with the same smile. He was disturbed by the ease with which the boy made the girls suffer, because he could have done it quickly and less painfully. Virgil seemed to enjoy the suffering of others, just like HIM.
"Lucius once mentioned that he could draw strength from sins and suffering. Is it possible that Vergilius has acquired a similar ability?" The fallen angel couldn't help but frown, for this promised many problems. He needed to talk to his nephew, who was now possibly his brother.
Songs followed one after another, helping the young man keep track of time as he walked along, singing along, until he suddenly changed course, closing in on the first group of horse-ships and elephants.
"You are at the epicentre of this lie, You will pay for them with your life. There's a rat race going on, they need to trade you. He sang, looking at the horse from which he had taken the sword and stabbed her in the stomach with it. The girl looked into his eyes, burning with sadistic pleasure, not noticing how the steel left her body and, with a sharp stroke, deprived her of her sight. In an instant, the girl was sent for treatment, leaving the elephant behind her, which quickly fell victim to three more sword strokes that severed its limbs. The magical seal and the rook fell to its knees, scratching its throat, trying to breathe.
The first group was gone, and the last one remained. It arrived at the worst possible moment, and the boat tore its neck in an attempt to breathe.
"Y-you're a m-monster!" cried the pig-tailed girl in a fancy dress with drill-like hair.
"Huh?" The mercenary turned his burning gaze to the blonde, who flinched and backed away, causing concern among her family watching her. "I'm a demon, it would be strange if I weren't an 'evil monster'," he said, lifting the corners of his lips in a very ordinary smile, which had a wonderful effect, causing the whole group to retreat in fear. "You're Fenex, right? Yes, I can feel it. You're 'immortal,' and I have some ve-ry interesting spells I want to try out." He looked her over strangely, as if trying to figure out the best way to dissect an unknown creature. "According to the rules, you have to take significant damage to leave the field, but you're not in danger of that, are you?" the guy sang cheerfully.
"Don't touch her!" cried the female knight, angering the mercenary, who simply threw the sword in his hand with such force that it pinned the girl to the rock like a butterfly with a needle. "Kha, kha..." The knight couldn't even move because her spine was shattered.
"Now only she stands between you and me," he pointed to the elephant, which was trembling like a leaf in the wind, another rune circle appeared, and the girl's heart stopped for half a minute. "They'll get her out if they do everything right. And now..." He turned to Ravel, but was interrupted by the queen, who flew in and began to bombard him with explosive spells.
"Leave the field," shouted the queen, "it is Lord Raizer's order.
The blonde wanted to argue, but fear got the better of her, and she disappeared in a blue glow.
"Wonderful, the girl is gone and won't interfere. I wouldn't want to ruin relations with the whole pillar because of beating up the head's daughter. And she seems normal, too," the guy exhaled, leaving everyone stunned.
"What?" the queen asked, confused.
"She would have gotten involved in our fight, so we had to scare her off so she wouldn't get in the way. I don't know what's going on in her head, but I'd bet my wings that the little one would have decided to help you. I could see it on her face when she teleported. The guy shrugged, not removing the barrier protecting him from the spells of Yubelonna, the Queen of Bombs.
She got this title only because of her special magic, which is like hundreds of bombs exploding at once, wearing down barriers at high speed.
"Oh, come on, don't talk during a beating, I mean, battle," the guy waved his hand, and a chunk of ice fell from the sky, which the demoness dodged with difficulty, only to be scorched by a wave of fire that burned part of her hair.
"You monster!" the girl screams furiously, using her magic even more frequently, which shatters against the barrier.
"Okay, it's fun playing with you, your reactions are amusing, but I think that's enough." The mercenary snapped his fingers and a rune circle appeared, releasing spores of the same plague that had previously destroyed the pawns at the girl.
Virgil walked past the agonising body towards the city of Ditt, where his prize awaited him among the fiery streets: Rizer Fenex, a regenerating horseradish with enormous self-esteem. Now he could get his revenge.
***
The city greeted me with loud roars of flame, heat that made my clothes smoulder, and the cries of illusory human souls. Nice.
The walk didn't take long, because as soon as I stepped onto the main square, a descendant of the fiery bird descended upon me from above, as if it were Jesus himself.
"So you managed to defeat my retinue," the blond began haughtily, "that was surprising. Perhaps you are good at something, but I am not like them, I am a higher demon, my strength and regeneration have made me invincible..." "Don't crucify me!" the guy ranted, getting more and more heated (ha, pun intended!) and trying to overwhelm me with the magic he was emitting. I won't argue that he's not bad, but I've met four-winged ones much stronger than him.
"Don't ignore me!" — oh, he realised that no one had been listening to him for three minutes, "— I'll turn you to ash.I quickly closed the distance between us, summoning the bracelet to my hand and quickly putting it on Fenix's wrist.
"What did you do to me?" he tried to remove the artefact.
"I blocked your magic," I shrugged, "But you still have regeneration, since it doesn't depend on your magical power." My smile widened, threatening to break my face. "I hope you understand what I'm getting at."
Raiser swallowed hard, and I pushed him, causing him to fall onto his back. I sat on top of him and began to stretch my arms.
"Now the good doctor will test the limits of your regeneration," I said in a tone used to address the mentally ill.
"No, you wouldn't dare, I'm the heir to the Fenex family!" he said, trying to sound authoritative. "They'll avenge me!"
"Mmm," I pretend to think, "No." I punch him in the jaw and watch as the flames heal the wound. "Damn, that was fast! You have flames instead of blood, that's cool."
"Prek..." I don't let him say anything and hit him again. And again, and again, and again.
The beating continued for about ten minutes until I noticed the flames weakening, which meant the wounds were healing worse. Oh, results, let's continue the experiment. But it didn't last long. I heard Graffia's voice acknowledging Fenex's defeat and separating us, teleporting us to different rooms. He was taken to the infirmary, and I was taken to Sazex, who congratulated me on my victory with a satisfied look on his face.
A minor annoyance for me was Azazel's desire to "grind me down," and his gaze did not promise an easy conversation.
Rias's reaction was strange. She watched me with red cheeks, and judging by her emotions, she liked what had happened. In the canon, she was much kinder, and she made peace with Fenix, but now I don't know what will happen.
Sona and Sera were not far behind the redhead, and judging by their emotions, they were now actively thinking about me, not even afraid of my cruelty. Demons are demons. The same cannot be said for the converted, who watched my movements with caution. Some were frightened, especially one non-comatose who stood out against the background, staring at my back with an unreadable expression. And you can understand them, until recently, they were all people with an established worldview. And changing it and adapting to demons is so difficult and takes so long.
Lilith, on the other hand... it's Lilith, everything is clear here, that fanatical look and the emotions boiling in her wild head, it all hit me like strong alcohol. I waved to the pretty girl, made a gesture to "see you later" and distracted myself.
The Fenix bowed and left the room, taking the bodies of the entire retinue and their son home with them. As I understood it, they weren't angry with me, so everything was fine on that front. The Greymores did the same, leaving Rias in her brother's care.
"I'll pass on the figures as agreed," whispered Sazex. "Now let Graffia take you back to the club office." Satan smiled cheerfully, pleased that his plan had succeeded. No one had lost influence or respect, everything was within the bounds of norms and rules, and his sister was free.
"Take off the bracelets that block the curse," Lutz made a strange request as soon as Graffia and I moved into the office.
"Why?"
"I need to check something," the fallen angel replied vaguely, but I took off the bracelets anyway.
"And?" I asked, still not understanding the reason.
"Turn around," was his only reply.
Turning around, I saw Graphy blushing, looking at me with slightly glassy eyes.
"How I hate you, Lucifer," I sighed heavily, which only made the fallen one laugh, and the dragon joined in. "What am I supposed to do with this now?" I asked the ceiling, putting the bracelets back on, because the effect didn't disappear with the aura. But the ceiling remained silent.
***
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