Three days later…
The sky of the Underworld stretched vast and clear, tinged with soft shades of pale blue and gold, like an eternal morning that never progressed into evening. Thin clouds floated slowly, almost motionless, as if time itself had been slowed in that place. The diffuse light illuminated everything with an artificial yet beautiful calm… a curious contrast for a world ruled by demons.
And, suspended in that sky, rose the City of Agreas.
A massive floating island, majestic and imposing, defying any common logic. Elegant modern structures blended with ancient constructions, forming a unique harmony worthy of being one of the most prestigious destinations among Devils. But Agreas was far from being just a tourist spot. The city played an essential role: it was responsible for controlling the air flow throughout the entire Underworld. Located in the territory of the Agares Family, on that day it was receiving a special guest—someone who had recently become the center of attention across the Underworld…
In one part of the City stood the Government Office. A colossal skyscraper with a unique design that seemed crafted more by magic than engineering, though it was equally astonishing.
At the top of the tower…
The highest floor was reserved exclusively for the most important matters of Agreas, and there stood a wide, silent, and absurdly luxurious meeting room. The floor, made of a dark polished material, softly reflected the ambient light like an opaque mirror, while the partially transparent walls offered a panoramic view of the entire city and the sky around it. In the center, a long table of black wood, perfectly smooth, extended across the space, surrounded by chairs upholstered in light, refined fabric—completing an atmosphere of elegance and luxury befitting the second most important family in the Underworld…
At the head of the table sat Lord Agares, a man who appeared to be in the prime of his thirties. His beauty was refined, almost aristocratic, with well-defined features and a naturally serene expression. His hair, a light greenish-blond, was carefully combed, while his deep blue eyes remained fixed on the young man before him, carrying a profound calm and a subtle glint of complexity. He wore formal attire of the highest quality: a long garment, predominantly light in tone, adorned with discreet golden and silver details along the edges of the fabric. The layers were well-structured, conveying natural authority without falling into ostentation.
Across from him, seated with impeccable posture, was Alear—participating in his first official political meeting alone. His magenta-pink hair contrasted softly with the surroundings, falling naturally yet perfectly aligned. His eyes, the same shade, remained calm but carried a depth that was hard to ignore. He wore a dark formal suit, precisely tailored to his body, with subtle details in tones matching his eyes—reinforcing a presence that was both restrained and striking.
…Lord Agares was the first to break the silence.
"I thank you for accepting this meeting…" He inclined his head slightly in a polite gesture before continuing. "Tell me… should I address you as Lord Gäap… or Lord Häagenti?"
Alear didn't take long to respond; a faint smile appeared on his lips as he answered calmly: "You can simply call me Alear. In terms of position… I believe you outrank me as an Archduke…"
For a brief instant, silence returned to the room.
Then Lord Agares shook his head lightly.
"I don't believe that would be accurate…" His eyes remained fixed on Alear, assessing him with genuine interest. "The Häagenti family also carries the title of Archduke. Even having lost prestige and power… even standing on the brink of extinction… that does not change the title…"
Historically speaking, the Häagenti family once occupied an even higher position than many were willing to admit. It was the first among all noble houses to achieve the rank of Archduke, setting a precedent later followed by the Bael family and, subsequently, by the Agares family itself. However, with the emergence of the so-called "Sleeping Disease" that slowly afflicted members of the Häagenti lineage across generations, their influence began to deteriorate. As more heirs succumbed to that state and the family edged dangerously close to extinction, their prestige faded almost inevitably, becoming little more than an empty title in the eyes of most. Meanwhile, the Bael family consolidated its position as the dominant force in the Underworld, filling the void left by its predecessors. Still, for anyone paying attention, it was hard to believe such a monumental shift had occurred entirely naturally… and he was definitely not naive enough to ignore the possibility that Zekram Bael had directly influenced that prolonged decline…
He knew that man far too well to harbor any illusions about him. That was a devil in the most literal sense—not just by race, but by essence. Ambition, for him, was an absolute principle guiding every decision. There were no clear limits, no moral lines that could not be crossed if gain was involved. Political power, influence, control… everything was currency in his hands. And within that twisted logic, even blood ties lost value. Zekram would not hesitate to sacrifice anything or anyone if it meant advancing one more step toward the top—let alone the Häagenti Family, whose former position he had always envied…
Unaware of Lord Agares's thoughts, Alear observed him for a moment before replying…
"Indeed…" He rested his chin lightly on his hand, relaxed. "I can't find words to refute that…"
Lord Agares maintained his calm expression, but his eyes showed a faint approval at the response.
"Even so…" he began, in a cordial tone, "I believe proper etiquette should be maintained."
He paused briefly before continuing, with a slight tilt of his head.
"Lord Häagenti. I thank you again for agreeing to meet with me."
Alear held his gaze for an instant before replying with the same measure of courtesy.
"I could not refuse an invitation from someone so important. I must confess, however… that I am curious." His magenta eyes met Agares's directly. "What exactly do you wish to discuss?"
Lord Agares did not answer immediately.
Instead, he relaxed slightly in his chair, as if completely at ease in the situation.
"There is no need to rush." His voice came out calm, almost gentle. "We have time…"
Without breaking eye contact, he made a small gesture with his hand.
The door opened silently shortly afterward.
A maid entered with light, perfectly controlled steps, carrying a refined tray. On it was an impeccable tea set: a clear porcelain teapot with golden details, delicate cups, and a faint mist of steam rising gently. She approached the table without making any unnecessary sound. With precise movements, she served tea first to Lord Agares, then to Alear, maintaining impeccable posture throughout the process.
The aroma spread through the room… soft, elegant, with lightly sweet notes.
Once finished, she gave a small bow and withdrew in absolute silence, closing the door behind her.
The room returned to its previous silence.
Alear brought the cup to his lips without haste. The tea was perfectly hot, its subtle aroma filling his senses pleasantly. He took a small sip, keeping his expression tranquil, as if this meeting were not a political encounter but a casual conversation.
Across from him, Lord Agares did the same. His movements were refined, almost methodical. He brought the cup to his lips, took a small sip, and set it back on the saucer with impeccable precision, without making any sound.
The silence between them was not uncomfortable.
Then, finally, Lord Agares decided to steer the conversation.
"Let us get to the main point…" His voice sounded calm but laden with intent. "The territory of the Gäap family."
Alear's eyes shifted slightly, focusing on him with greater attention, though his posture remained relaxed.
"The relationship between our families is not recent." Lord Agares continued, interlacing his fingers on the table. "For centuries, the Agares family has acquired ores from lands under the dominion of the Gäap family."
He paused briefly, as if carefully organizing his next words.
"I imagine this might seem… contradictory." His blue eyes met Alear's directly. "The City of Agreas is widely known for its special ores, especially those used in the creation of Evil Pieces. And yet, despite that dominance… we continue negotiating with other families to acquire different types of ore. Doesn't that strike you as… curious?"
Alear did not respond immediately.
He twirled the cup lightly between his fingers, observing the amber liquid inside before raising his eyes again.
"I wouldn't say it's confusing. Though it directly concerns the Agares family… it is, in fact, exactly what one would expect. A family that dominates a specific sector has no interest in allowing others to easily enter that same market. Quite the contrary… it controls, regulates, and, when necessary, restricts. The fact that the Agares family acquires ores from other territories is something I would do to maintain a dominant position in the Underworld…"
The corner of Lord Agares's lips curved almost imperceptibly. The response had been… very good.
But Alear wasn't finished yet.
"By centralizing distribution, you not only maintain control over the special ores… but also directly influence the resource flow of other families. This doesn't just avoid competition… it turns potential rivals into dependents."
Lord Agares let out a light sigh… not of weariness, but of satisfaction.
"Impressive…" His voice came out low, almost like genuine acknowledgment. "You understood with ease."
Internally, he was far more surprised than his expression revealed. For someone who had spent years in a coma, treated until recently as little more than a "child" within the Underworld's political scene, the young man before him demonstrated an uncommon clarity of thought and grasp of power—even among experienced nobles. It wasn't particularly difficult to deduce why his family maintained trade relations with other territories, but that question had never been intended to elicit a complex answer. From the beginning, it had been a simple test… a discreet probe to verify whether the rumors circulating about Alear—that he was a naive, easily manipulable newcomer—held any truth. The response, however, was more than sufficient to dispel any doubt. Far from being unprepared, the young man before his eyes showed sharp perception and precise analytical ability, revealing not only understanding but also political instinct. At that moment, he couldn't help but mentally revise his assessment: he was not dealing with an inexperienced novice, but with something far more dangerous… someone who, in essence, reminded him of an old fox hidden beneath the appearance of youth…
For a few instants, Lord Agares remained silent, observing Alear with interest. But before he could steer the conversation further—
"Now that the test is over…" Alear's voice calmly interrupted his train of thought, as if commenting on something trivial. "Can we get straight to the main topic?"
The silence that followed was… different.
Lord Agares's eyes narrowed slightly, and for the first time since the meeting began, his perfect composure suffered a small crack.
"…Pardon?" The question escaped almost automatically.
Alear rested his chin on his hand again, maintaining the same relaxed posture as before, as if nothing had changed.
"It's not hard to perceive your intentions, Lord Agares." He replied with a slight shrug. "Considering my situation… years in a coma, complete absence from the political scene, suddenly emerging with a high title and territories under control… the most natural assumption would be that I'm easy to manipulate. Anyone in your position would conduct a simple test, like the question you used, just to check whether the rumors about me are true or not. It's very straightforward logic…"
For a brief moment, silence hung in the air.
Then Lord Agares let out a light sigh, leaning slightly back in his chair. There was no irritation in his expression… only a clear trace of recognition.
"…Indeed." His voice came out lower this time, carrying a subtle tone of admiration. His eyes remained fixed on Alear, now without any attempt at probing or testing. "You really are… far more intelligent than the rumors suggested."
The corner of his lips curved into a discreet, almost imperceptible smile.
"I confess I expected some level of perception… but not to the point of anticipating even my intentions." He tilted his head slightly in a gesture that, though subtle, carried genuine respect. "It's… impressive."
"Since we are not dealing with a novice in politics…" he continued now in a more direct tone, while still maintaining his characteristic elegance, "I believe there is no longer any need for circumlocution between us."
His fingers interlaced once more on the table, posture firm, gaze steady.
"We can, then… get down to business."
___________________
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