Lord Agares observed the young man in front of him for a long moment, his fingers interlaced over the table. The tea was still steaming in the cups, but the air between them had subtly changed.
At last, he spoke, his voice calm and indifferent, without haste:
"Let's get straight to the point, then… I offer my full support to the Gäap-Häagenti House. Not only commercial. Political as well. My influence within the Seventy-Two Pillars can be used to protect your territories from any… unwanted pressure. I can guarantee that no minor house will try to take advantage of your current transitional situation…"
"In exchange, I ask that you marry my daughter."
— Pff—!
The sound was dry and completely out of place.
The tea that Alear had just brought to his mouth was not swallowed. He turned his face slightly on reflex, spitting the liquid to the side, yet with impressive control for someone caught off guard.
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Alear brought his hand to his mouth, coughing lightly once, before fully regaining his composure. His eyes returned to Agares, now with a faint trace of surprise… something rare.
"…I apologize."
His voice returned to normal in seconds.
"I had considered that possibility." He calmly picked up a handkerchief, discreetly wiping his lips. "But… you were too direct. It caught me off guard…"
Lord Agares did not seem offended. In fact, a faint, tired smile appeared on his lips, as if he had already expected some similar reaction.
"I understand that it is sudden…" He replied, tilting his head in an almost apologetic gesture. "But I see no reason to beat around the bush, since that is the real purpose of this meeting. You are already engaged to Lady Serafall Leviathan, one of the Four Great Satans. For most families, that would be an insurmountable obstacle. But I am not most families…"
"My daughter is young, talented, and has considerable potential. I would not offer her to just anyone. But you… you carry three different lineage traits. Your bloodline is unique. Not to mention that you are the bearer of the second strongest Longinus in the world… Your potential to reach the pinnacle of the world is very great. And, above all, you do not belong to the Great King Faction. That, to me, is worth more than any title…"
"Even so…" Alear replied calmly, "you really don't mind your daughter marrying a man who is already committed to a Satan?"
Lord Agares let out a long, almost resigned sigh. For the first time since the beginning of the conversation, his perfect posture seemed to yield a little…
"I don't have much choice…" He admitted, his voice lower. "The Bael Family is pressing hard. They want to form an alliance through a political marriage. And the candidate they have indicated… is Lord Bael himself, who is centuries older than my daughter…"
Alear showed no surprise. His expression remained neutral, almost indifferent.
"Age is not a problem for us Devils…" He commented simply.
Lord Agares shook his head slowly.
"It's not just the age…" He said, his tone laden with bitterness. "The current Lord Bael is extremely proud, even by the standards of the family. He has never shown any paternal love for his children. He was furious when Sairaorg was born without the [Power of Destruction]. But the worst… is that, despite being the nominal head of the Bael House, he never makes a decision alone. Whether in political or family matters, he always consults the First-Generation Bael. In other words… he is merely Zekram Bael's dog."
The silence that followed was dense.
Alear did not answer immediately. His fingers tapped lightly on the table as he absorbed the words. The mention of Zekram Bael brought back that old distrust he had carried since he awakened—the feeling that the fall of his own family had not been merely the work of chance—especially because he could read what was going on in the mind of Lord Agares in front of him and knew, more or less, the reason for the meeting at that moment...
Was he a telepath?
Not exactly. What he possessed was an extremely refined sensitivity to the "intentions" that manifested through someone's [Demonic Power]. For him, emotions, impulses, and even directed thoughts were not completely hidden; they left traces, subtle variations in the energy that could be perceived by those who knew how to observe. It was this same principle that allowed him to grasp what was going on in the mind of the man in front of him—not as clear words, but as intentions clear enough to be interpreted.
This ability was not uncommon among high-level mages in his original world. Surviving in that environment required more than raw talent; it required perception. Mages who could not sense when they were being watched, analyzed, or targeted by hostile intentions often ended up dead, many of them reduced to mere resources in rogue mages' experiments. He had survived precisely because he was not one of them. And in that world, this sensitivity became even more effective. Since Devils were essentially beings formed by [Demonic Power], their emotions and thoughts left even more evident marks. For him, it was as if they were constantly "speaking," even in silence—something he could perceive clearly… even while sleeping.
At last, he spoke calmly:
"I understand the situation. But why me?"
Lord Agares observed Alear for a long moment, his fingers still interlaced over the table. The tea continued to steam in the cups, but the air between them had grown denser, more serious. Finally, he replied, his voice low and direct, without any flourish:
"As I said before… at present, you are at the top of the list of son-in-law candidates for practically all the heads of the noble families in the Underworld. Including mine." He unclasped his fingers and leaned back slightly in his chair, his dark-blue eyes fixed on the young man in front of him. "Whether for pure potential or for the political power you represent… you are, without a doubt, the young man who possesses the most of both. A Devil who awakened from the Sleeping Sickness after seven years, lord of two ancient houses, bearer of a Longinus, with three distinct lineage traits running through his veins… and on top of that, engaged to one of the Four Great Satans. Any ambitious father would look at you and see the future of his own house guaranteed."
He made a short pause, his gaze hardening slightly.
"Between an old man who is practically Zekram Bael's dog and you… it was obvious who I would prefer."
Alear remained silent for a moment.
His magenta-pink eyes narrowed slightly, his expression calm but with a cold glint that had not been there before. He brought the cup to his lips, took a slow sip of the still-hot tea, as if he needed time to organize his thoughts. When he lowered the cup, his voice came out low, almost casual, but laden with certainty:
"It's not just that."
Lord Agares raised an eyebrow but did not interrupt him.
Alear continued, twirling the cup between his fingers with lazy movements:
"You suspect that Zekram Bael was responsible for the decline of my family. The 'sleeping sickness' that decimated my lineage… you believe it was not something natural. And since I also do not belong to the Great King Faction, and I still have so much potential, I have become a useful piece. Someone who can be used against Zekram… or, at the very least, someone he would not be able to control easily."
The silence that followed was heavy.
Lord Agares did not deny it. He did not smile. He merely tilted his head very slightly, as if acknowledging that the young man in front of him had just hit the target dead center.
"…Has anyone ever told you that you're scary, Lord Häagenti?" He murmured, almost to himself. "I'd like to know how your mind works…"
He really had not expected the young man in front of him to be so sharp. He seemed to see patterns and intentions with a perception that did not match his age or his supposed inexperience. It was as if he was always one step ahead, even when he showed no effort to do so. Even more impressive was the reach of his deductions. Reaching the conclusion that Zekram might have had influence in the decline of the Häagenti family would already have been remarkable in itself. But perceiving that he himself was considering that possibility, without it ever being mentioned, elevated it to another level. For a moment, he even wondered whether it was merely keen intellect… or something closer to truly supernatural intuition. In any case, one thing was certain: the mind of that young man sitting calmly in front of him was something extraordinary and potentially dangerous.
He took a deep breath and straightened his posture.
"Yes. I suspect that Zekram had a hand in the fall of your house. I have no concrete proof… but the signs are there. The disease appeared far too conveniently, at the exact moment when your family was beginning to stand out again. And now, with you alive and awakening traits that no one else possesses… you have become a potential threat to him. A threat I would like to have on my side."
Alear did not answer immediately. His fingers stopped twirling the cup. He simply looked at Lord Agares, his expression serene, almost indifferent, but his eyes carried a coldness.
"I understand…" He said at last, his voice low. "If I am already his potential target, why not increase my threat even further by having your daughter marry me? In other words, you intend to use me as a shield…"
Lord Agares nodded slowly.
"Exactly. I won't lie to you: this is a political alliance, but it is also a way to protect my daughter—the only truly effective way to do so. At the moment, you are the best shield available, especially considering your engagement to Serafall. As long as she is by your side, Zekram will not be able to act directly against you. For my part, I will give all possible support, alongside her; protecting you directly will not be difficult… but we cannot predict what he will do in the shadows…"
Alear remained silent once more.
It was not a bad deal; on the contrary. From a political point of view, the benefits were evident: with direct support from House Agares, his position would become much more stable, allowing him to navigate the complex dynamics of the Underworld with a considerably greater margin of safety. It was a shame he could not simply eliminate Zekram at that moment; as a Ultimate-Class Devil, he was still beyond the reach of his current capabilities, no matter how much that was his preferred solution. Precisely because of that, the proposal gained even more certainty of being accepted in his eyes. Besides, that conversation only confirmed a suspicion that had already been taking shape in his mind: the fall of his family had hardly been the work of chance… and Zekram Bael was almost certainly at the center of it all.
Well, he had no real problem accepting the proposal. From a practical standpoint, it was a advantageous alliance, and on a personal level, there was also no reason for refusal. According to the original story, Lord Agares's daughter was known for her beauty and elegant bearing, although she carried a curious peculiarity for Underworld standards. She had a rather specific taste: she was an openly admitted otaku with an intense passion for mecha anime. An unusual trait for a young woman from such a prestigious house, but one that, in a way, made the situation even more interesting...
So he let out a low, almost resigned sigh and placed the cup back on the saucer with a soft clink.
"…I accept the marriage," he said, direct and without beating around the bush. "But I would like to meet my future wife first. I want to see if she is willing to marry me."
Lord Agares smiled. It was not a wide or triumphant smile, but a satisfied, relieved one, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"She has already been informed of everything…" He replied, making a small gesture with his right hand.
The door to the room opened silently.
A young woman entered with elegant and controlled steps.
Seekvaira Agares.
She was a beautiful young woman in the late stages of adolescence, with long, light blond-greenish hair that fell in soft waves to the middle of her back. Her eyes were almond-shaped pink, bright and intelligent, framed by thin glasses that gave her an air of intellectual coolness rather than mere elegance. Her body was naturally seductive: well-defined curves, a slim waist, rounded hips, and a generous bust that the formal dress could not completely hide. She wore clothes very appropriate for a noble—a sophisticated ensemble with green and gold details, a miniskirt that accentuated her long legs, and knee-high boots that matched the refined style perfectly, all adorned with the seal of the Agares Family.
She stopped in front of the table, performed an impeccable bow, and raised her gaze with absolute composure.
"I am Seekvaira Agares," she said, her voice clear and polite, without any tremor. "The next head of the Agares Family, with the title of Archduke. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Häagenti-Gäap."
Alear held her gaze for a few seconds. He noticed the slight nervousness hidden behind her perfect posture, the way her fingers subtly gripped the hem of her clothes, the curious glint in her pink eyes. He tilted his head in a respectful greeting.
"The pleasure is mine, Lady Seekvaira."
Lord Agares observed the two of them for a long moment, his dark-blue eyes carrying a mixture of relief and caution. Finally, he rose from his chair with elegance, adjusting his light suit with an almost automatic gesture.
"Then it is decided…" He said, his voice calm but with a definitive tone. "I will leave you two alone. It is better that you talk without the presence of an old and worried father."
He tilted his head slightly toward Alear, then toward his daughter.
"Take a walk around the city. Get to know each other better. Agreas is large and beautiful… and you have time."
Seekvaira made a small bow to her father, her face still maintaining that cold and intellectual composure.
"As you wish, Father."
Alear also stood up, tilting his head in a polite greeting.
"Thank you for the hospitality, Lord Agares."
The older man merely smiled faintly—a tired but sincere smile—before turning and walking toward the door. When it closed behind him with a soft click, the silence in the room became lighter, almost intimate.
Alear looked at Seekvaira. She remained standing, her delicate hands gently clasped in front of her body, her thin glasses reflecting the soft light entering through the transparent walls. Despite her impeccable posture, there was a slight nervousness in the fingers gripping the hem of her clothes.
He spoke calmly, without forcing intimacy:
"I am interested in getting to know a bit of the city. It would be an honor if you could accompany me and show me the most important places. If it is not inconvenient, of course."
Seekvaira blinked once, surprised by the direct courtesy. Then a small, polite smile appeared on her lips.
"It is an honor. I would be happy to guide you."
The two left the room together. The wide corridor on the highest floor was silent, with polished floors that reflected their silhouettes. Seekvaira walked beside him, her knee-high boots clicking softly against the floor. The sophisticated dress, with green and gold details, moved with elegance, the miniskirt revealing long, well-toned legs with every step.
They reached the panoramic elevator. The doors opened with a low, soft sound. As they entered, Seekvaira touched the panel with the Agares family seal, and the elevator began to descend smoothly, the transparent walls revealing the impressive view of the City of Agreas opening up below them.
Alear was interested in finding out how the meeting with his "future fiancée" would go…? Even though it was not yet formalized with a contract and everything else.
___________________
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