Scene 1
Tenebris POV
"Are you ready?"
Glancing over to Serafall, who was trying to sort out her formal dress for this meeting, I watched as she failed to figure it out while the maids watched on in embarrassment at their princess.
"Yes, just give me a second."
Finally fixing herself, I shook my head at her childishness despite her older appearance than normal.
Offering her my elbow, we entered the chambers of an ongoing party of young Devils. A gathering for the newly established Leviathan and Asmodeus factions, as numerous Minor to Duke-ranked families came to curry favor with either Falbium or Serafall.
Although I can't attest to the methods of leadership Falbium leads with, once the eyes of Serafall's followers landed on us, many paled as Serafall waved at everyone as if it wasn't already decided who was inside the inner circle.
The Star Clan heir, Alexi Star, and her older sister followed behind. Leading the Ethos, Sein, Mute, and other clans she's placed within the military of the Leviathan forces. Even our resident con artist was among our entourage.
"Introducing! Serafall Leviathan."
Nodding my head to the announcer, we entered deeper into the ballroom. The eyes centered on us as we entered the room, while Falbium stood surrounded by members of his own faction.
"So they weren't rumors. Serafall has a fiancé."
"Judging by the looks from her faction, there isn't much love between this fiancé and those not in their entourage."
"A couple of clans have started making moves around them again, so expect her faction to lose most of its people."
Nodding my head to the assumptions, a majority was just chatter between gossiping women, as Serafall practically had a shield of naivety around her while she waved to Falbium.
His face looked refreshed at her bubbly aura entering an otherwise depressing environment. His back hair touched the ground as he wore plain clothing, as if he couldn't be bothered to dress lavishly either.
Taking my choice of eastern wear due to its simplicity, he almost wore a robe suitable for bed right after.
With twin pentagrams shining deep in his eyes, I could see why he's placed among the trio of leading figures. As Serafall made it obvious, she's the weak link. Whether through ignorance or lack of care, her allowing the voices around us was already an issue.
"Sera."
Speaking plainly as we walked up to him, Serafall began to bounce around, ignoring the looks we were receiving.
"Fal! This is Ten. You two will get along much better than Ajuka!"
Watching his face barely move, he continued to look seconds away from falling asleep if he wasn't held up by two women.
"Slow down, Sera. Let's introduce the one with a spotlight on him tonight. The supposed terrorist of Sirzechs' new territory."
Watching as the redhead on the right, wearing an equally red dress, stepped forward as she hugged Serafall, who turned to me as the groups behind us had already stepped away.
"I'm a terrorist now? That's pretty interesting when I'm the one not gaining much from this war. Ajuka has a worse reputation than me."
Earning a look from Falbium, who focused on me as he smirked barely enough to call it any movement.
"The only ones with decent reputations are Serafall and Falbium. The rest of this generation of leaders are self-serving to the point that the Lucifer heir might've been a better choice over the other two."
Receiving a nod from the blonde-haired woman on Falbium's left as she gave a wave to Serafall.
"I've heard enough about the Sloth of the New Satans. Besides sleeping, there isn't much to get him involved. Just as my idiot likes to play friend politics with lesser clans. Neither one is really bad, just their natures. The real question is if taking Lucifer's name like Sirzechs plans will put a target on his back."
Earning a nod from Falbium as he motioned for us to sit at the main table to eat.
Scene 2
"Sabnock and Asmodeus heiresses. Seems like the information was true about Falbium and Sirzechs conserving the most forces."
Grabbing my cup as the food was being served, I glanced at the three opposite me.
"There's no need to frame it as if you haven't verified it prior to coming. If you left people in Lucifer territory, then there's no doubt some among us."
Listening to the blonde Sabnock wife of Falbium, I shook my head.
"That's the perk of using methods others don't. You won't believe me either way on whether I have people inside these lands, but I don't."
Grinning before taking a sip, Serafall grinned wider.
"He already promised me that he wouldn't take action unless someone targets him. Sirzechs is still pushing for the marriage of clans."
Watching the two women across from us frown as the Sabnock heir leaked demonic energy, Falbium laid his hand on her shoulder.
"Allies are rare, and unlike subordinates, there's no need to pressure you into correct form. Just cutting off dead weight. Something we all can agree on as leaders."
Watching the groan on both women's faces form as even Serafall's fell, Falbium formed a larger smile as he went to speak.
"Yes. I had to learn this recently as well. Friendship isn't the same as usefulness to the grand plan."
"Whose grand plan is always the final question."
Nodding my head to his words, the silence throughout the room was enough to know the Devils below were focused on every word here.
"Indeed. In this case, Bael or Sirzechs didn't matter when it's my interest at risk. Do you understand the kind of snake you've led into your ranks?"
Nodding my head as I sipped my drink.
"No point in name-calling, but yes. Kind of hard to be over a million years old and not play in kingdom building."
Accepting food, the both of us let our conversation drop as the red-haired Asmodeus heiress pulled Sera into a lighter conversation that filled the gap.
Scene 3
"Hey, you lazy bastard. Time to wake up."
Patting the head of Tí, as I knew it was just sleeping now. With me back in Minor God Rank, the burden of carrying my Stellar Heart had lessened with the increase in rank.
Watching as its eye snapped open before yawning, I heard several of the maids jumping back. The fear could be felt off them as this beast was essentially a Minor Sun God on its own.
Compared to its sister, who was a Moon Beast, Gus' trusted nature was to devour Gods of the Sun.
Communicating silently with him not to play with the Devils like he did any of the Gods with Cerberus, as both have learned to stick around my palace with Abi and Yin.
"Good. Then you can start feeding me back my Sun, you little bastard."
Understanding it was an attempt to save me, as I channeled the excess energy back into me.
"You captured this beast?"
Listening to Marie as I rubbed the wolf's head.