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Alear entered the office in silence, closing the door behind him with a soft click.
The dim light of the Underworld filtered through the tall windows, casting a cold glow over the room and revealing the contours of his office.
He walked past the sofas and the front table before pulling out the chair behind the main desk. He sat down and slowly turned it until he was facing the window. Then, he tilted his head back, staring at the ornate ceiling with an unusually calm, almost empty expression...
His fingers tapped once against the armrest before stopping.
He was a pragmatic person; anyone would realize that after spending some time with him. But that did not mean he was a machine devoid of emotions. Right and wrong, to him, were concepts shaped by perspective. What truly mattered was not crossing the rules he had imposed upon himself.
Among them were simple principles: helping those he found in need, as long as doing so did not violate his own limits, and not clinging to the idea of "absolute justice" or the obligation to fix the world as a whole. He saw no point in carrying that kind of burden. He also did not mind getting involved with beautiful women, even if there were no pure intentions or deep feelings involved. He liked sex; that was a fact, something that had become even more evident since he had become a "Devil." Lust was probably the sin that affected him the most....
But his pragmatism and lack of ambition stemmed from his Origin, which had been both his Origin and his Element in his past life....
Simply put, an Origin was the starting point of an individual's existence, usually encapsulated in a single word or concept that defined the fundamental tendency of their life. It was deeply connected to the idea of the "Root." In other words, an Origin could be understood as the initial essence of a person, the thing that would remain as the primary direction of their existence if everything else were stripped away.
All human beings, in some way, acted according to their own Origin, and each one influenced their abilities and even their talent in Magecraft differently in his previous life, making it an extremely important factor in determining a mage's potential.
His Origin was "Mu."
A keyword with strong connotations in Buddhism, associated with "nothing," "absence," "non-existence," "negation," "without cause," "without form," "indefinition," "indifference," and even more extreme concepts such as "infinity," "incomparable," and "invincible," depending on the interpretation.
In essence, his Origin reflected an absolute void of fixed definition, an absence of limits and clear form.
It was, to a large extent, the reason for his abnormal talent and the fact that, as a mere human, he had managed to kill one of the Evils of Humanity in his previous life. And since most individuals tended to follow their Origin as an unconscious driving force, much of his behavior was influenced by it, even now.
Perhaps because of the [Fate Gacha], which seemed connected to the Root itself, or for some other unknown reason, he still followed that pattern.
And that inevitably made him someone difficult to fit into any simple definition.
He was like a bottomless chalice: anything poured into it simply disappeared, as though absorbed by an infinite void that could never truly be filled. Powers, experiences, pleasures, knowledge, everything could be accumulated in great quantities, yet nothing ever brought a genuine sense of completeness. That was why, consciously or not, he constantly sought to fill that space with new experiences and desires, as though one of them might eventually become the missing piece. However, deep down, he already knew the truth. He was a dull person, someone whose very core seemed incapable of being satisfied, no matter how far he advanced or how much he possessed.
But even with that constant sense of incompleteness, he still tried to become the best version of himself he could be. He established clear rules for his actions and sought, within them, to build a life that was at least somewhat stable and satisfying.
He wanted to achieve happiness.
And somehow, every moment he lived and every new experience in this world seemed to slowly push him in that direction, even if he still could not clearly see where that path would end.
That was simply who he was....
Amid many apparent contradictions, he could be considered complex. His Servants in Chaldea often said he was difficult to understand at first glance, and perhaps they were right.....
And that was exactly why he did not follow Venelana's plan.
Helping annul Rias' engagement to Riser simply because she had offered her body in exchange, believing she could manipulate him… that deeply displeased him. It was not a matter of puritan morality; he was no saint, and both of them knew that. It was a matter of respect; she had treated him like some foolish young man who could be seduced into doing whatever she wanted....
Speaking of her, the office door opened with a soft click.
Venelana entered the office with elegant steps, closing the door behind her with a gentle click. The dark red dress deliberately accentuated her mature curves, and her loose brown hair cascaded over her shoulders like silk. She stopped a few steps away from the desk and gave a slight, respectful bow, although the glimmer in her violet eyes betrayed a hint of tension.
"Good morning, Alear-sama....." she said in a soft, controlled voice.
Alear, who had sensed her approach through his sharpened senses, slowly turned to face her. His expression remained calm, almost indifferent.
"Good morning, Venelana....." he replied casually...
Venelana hesitated for a second, as though measuring his tone. Then, with a smile that did not reach her eyes, she continued:
"...Although we do have work to do. Before that.... May I ask if the plan failed? If you had done what we discussed before the meeting with the Phenex Family, my husband would have already received the formal proposal to cancel Rias' engagement by now. Did something happen?"
Alear observed her in silence for a moment. Then, he gestured toward the sofa.
"Sit down. Let's talk...."
Venelana obeyed, gracefully sitting on the sofa and slowly crossing her legs. The dress rose slightly, revealing part of her soft thighs, yet she maintained her composed posture.
Alear stood from his chair and sat on the sofa opposite her. He rested his elbows on his knees, interlacing his fingers before looking directly at her.
"Well, about that… I'll get straight to the point." His voice remained calm and steady. "I decided not to follow the plan you proposed."
He paused briefly before continuing:
"The Häagenti Family has a genuine friendship with the Phenex Family. My late father and Lord Phenex were good friends. Because of that, I could not stab them in the back in that manner, trying to take advantage of their situation, even indirectly....."
Venelana remained silent for a few seconds. A strained smile appeared on her red lips, filled with disappointment and slight irritation.
"...Is that so? I never thought you were the type of person to break your own word, Alear-sama."
In the very next instant, the atmosphere changed.
Alear's magenta-pink eyes narrowed slightly as he released his "bloodlust" and directed it toward the audacious woman before him....
Venelana turned pale instantly. Her body stiffened abruptly, as though trapped by invisible chains. In the blink of an eye, her mind was invaded by involuntary and vivid flashes: her own death at his hands, repeated in different ways, all equally swift, inevitable, and cruel! A deep chill ran down her spine. Her heart seemed to sink into her chest, and for a moment she felt as though her very existence was being "observed" and judged by something far above her.....
She was shocked.
How could someone so young carry such overwhelming killing intent? It did not even compare to the pressure she had felt from Sirzechs during his moments of fury; this was something on an entirely different level, a presence that transcended everything she knew.
It was one of the most terrifying sensations she had ever experienced in her entire life.
At that moment, it felt as though she were standing before the God of Death himself; an existence capable of erasing her from the world with a mere thought!
She felt sweat running down her back as her body involuntarily froze....
"Be careful with your words, Venelana..." Alear said in a tone carrying a clear threat. "Our relationship is one of employer and employee. I never promised you anything. The only thing I said was that I would listen to your plans, not that I would follow them...."
Venelana swallowed hard, forcing a strained smile onto her lips, though her voice came out slightly intoxicated with emotion....
"...Understood, Alear-sama. I… overstepped my boundaries a little."
The oppressive aura gradually began to fade, as though it had never existed at all.
Alear leaned back against the sofa, returning to his previous calm expression before continuing in the same low, steady tone:
"Well, now that we've made our positions clear, we can continue this conversation. It wasn't only because of the friendship between Lord Phenex and my father that I decided not to follow your plan. The truth is that you've been trying to use me ever since you became my secretary. And I didn't mind that. In fact… I even liked you a little. And I also greatly appreciated the sexual favors you offered me. You are very good at that, I must admit."
Venelana felt her face warm slightly, but she did not dare interrupt him. Her violet eyes remained fixed on him, attentive and cautious.
"But that doesn't mean I forgot what our relationship actually is..." Alear continued, his voice soft yet cutting. "You are a married woman. And above all, my secretary. Yes, we are lovers in practice… but that does not change the fact that you tried to use my goodwill toward the Gremory Family for your own benefit...."
He looked directly at her.
"The moment you offered your body while simultaneously planning to act against the Phenex Family, I felt disrespected. Did you really see me as some foolish boy who would be easy to manipulate?"
"Although I rejected your advances at first and showed little reaction, that only awakened your competitive side and hurt your pride. In other words, my indifference made you become increasingly bolder. Even so, at no point did you stop trying to manipulate me… and you eventually came to believe you had me firmly enough in your grasp to start using me for your own benefit...."
"You must have thought something like: 'If I give him enough benefits and use our relationship, maybe I can save my daughter.' Of course, I won't say your intention was bad. You are a good mother. But the way you tried to achieve that goal was… quite unpleasant. You are a Devil, just like me, so I never expected a truly noble attitude from you. Even so, after all the time we spent together, I thought that, at the very least, you would have developed some genuine respect for me… but apparently that wasn't the case, since you still felt comfortable trying to manipulate and disrespect me in that way...."
He paused briefly before continuing:
"You admitted that day that you were trying to use me for that. At the very least, I'll acknowledge that you were honest. But that doesn't change the fact that you tried to make a fool out of me. Perhaps I'm being petty or too prideful for caring so much about it… however, I am still a Devil. And being prideful is something relatively natural for our species..."
The silence that followed was heavy.
Venelana swallowed hard. For the first time since she began working for him, she clearly felt the difference in status between the two of them. Until now, she had never truly taken it seriously. In her mind, she believed she simply had an attractive young man with whom she could enjoy herself in bed while, at the same time, saving her own family.....
"…I understand," she finally murmured. "I… was too presumptuous. I thought I could use our intimacy to influence your decisions. That was my mistake, Alear-sama. I accept any punishment...."
"I am not going to punish you, Venelana," Alear replied casually.
Those words made her blink in surprise. A slight sense of relief began to emerge in her chest, but it did not last long...
"However," he continued calmly, "I will dissolve the contract we made. I will reclaim all the territories of the Gäap Family that were ceded to the administration of the Gremory Family, along with the profits derived from them. And you… will no longer need to work as my secretary...."
Venelana felt as though the ground had vanished beneath her feet.
Before she could say anything, Alear casually raised his right hand. A pink magic circle appeared above his palm, glowing with complex runes. Within it, the magical contract they had signed materialized, the document that formalized both the territorial agreement and her position as his secretary.
With a simple snap of his fingers, the circle ignited.
The flames consumed the parchment within seconds. The fire emitted no heat, yet Venelana clearly felt the magical bond unraveling within her, as though an invisible cord tying her to him had been abruptly severed.
Her eyes widened.
"No…!"
The word escaped her lips before she could stop herself.
Desperation overtook her face. Her skin visibly paled, and she leaned forward on the sofa as though she could still stop something that had already happened.
"Alear-sama… please… wait—"
Her voice came out hoarse, almost pleading. The contract turned into magical ashes that dissipated into the air, leaving behind only a residual glow that vanished moments later.
It was too late.....
Venelana felt her chest tighten.
Reality crashed down upon her like an avalanche.
Without the contract, she was not only losing her position as secretary. She was losing her direct access to him, the influence she had fought so hard to build, and the closeness she had used in her attempt to save her family. And above all… she was losing the man who had gradually become far more important to her than she wanted to admit.....
Desperation washed over her like an icy wave....
She knew it was too late; he had already burned that contract. She knew that very well... and yet, she still could not stop herself.
"Alear-sama… please…" Her voice came out low, almost trembling, as she leaned slightly farther forward on the sofa. "I… I was honest. It wasn't just strategy. I really did begin to like you. The time we spent together, our conversations, the way you… treat me. I didn't want to lose you. That's why I was honest that day. I know I was wrong to try to use that to help my family, but… I didn't want to lose you."
The words came out hurriedly, filled with an urgency she could no longer hide. Tears threatened to form at the corners of her eyes, but she held them back through sheer force of will, biting the inside of her cheek until she tasted blood.
Alear observed her silently for a few seconds, his expression still calm, almost indifferent. Then he spoke in a calm and distant tone:
"Address me as Archduke Häagenti."
Venelana froze.
"We are no longer close enough for you to continue calling me by my name....." he continued, without the slightest emotion in his voice. "Our relationship is now strictly that of two nobles from different families… or rather, it will be, should you manage to convince me to make a new contract."
The words struck Venelana like a physical blow.
Her heart felt as though it had split in two. A painful emptiness opened in her chest, making her breath catch in her throat. She panicked internally upon realizing the intensity of the pain she felt. At first, she tried to convince herself that it was merely desperation over her family's possible downfall, fear of losing the power, stability, and influence she had gained by his side. However, the more she reflected on it, the harder it became to ignore the possibility that the true reason for her suffering was something far more personal: the fear of losing Alear himself.
The idea of never being able to touch him again, never feeling his body against hers, never hearing that calm voice calling her name again… terrified her in a way she had not expected. Her fingers gripped the skirt of her dress so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
She wanted to cry. She wanted to beg on her knees. But years of noble upbringing and pride prevented her from doing so. Instead, she lowered her head slightly, her voice coming out hoarse and controlled, though utterly broken inside:
"…Understood, Archduke Häagenti."
Alear noticed her emotional turmoil. He narrowed his eyes for a moment before continuing in the same calm tone:
"I may consider making a new contract. But I am in a bad mood right now. The Gremory Family tried to take advantage of my goodwill. Because of that, you will have to offer me far greater benefits than before. Otherwise… in one week, I will take back all the remaining territories and sell them to the Agares Family...."
"I understand.... I… will do whatever is necessary..."
"Good. Then go speak with your husband about what you can offer me. I'll give you only three days...."
Alear nodded and calmly stood up, returning to his chair behind the office desk.
No longer wishing to remain in that place, Venelana slowly rose from the sofa. She gave a deep bow, low enough to demonstrate submission, yet the gesture carried an emotional weight she could not conceal.....
"…As you wish, Archduke Häagenti," she murmured in a voice intoxicated with emotion. "I will return in three days with the Gremory Family's proposal."
Without waiting for a response, she activated a teleportation magic circle beneath her feet. Crimson-red light enveloped her body for a second, and then she vanished, leaving behind only a faint residual glow in the air that soon dissipated.
The office fell into absolute silence.
Alear remained seated for a few seconds, staring at the spot where she had disappeared. A long, heavy sigh escaped his lips as he rested his head against the back of the chair, closing his eyes for a moment.
"…What a mess..." he muttered to himself in an almost tired tone.
He felt no pleasure in having been so harsh. Even so, he did not regret it either. Venelana needed to understand that he owed her nothing and had no obligation whatsoever to help her. At some point, she had forgotten the position both she and the Gremory Family held before him....
Even so, the hurt look in her eyes remained etched into his mind.
Alear opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling once again, tapping his fingers against the armrest of the chair.
"Perhaps I was a little too cruel..." he thought out loud before shaking his head. "No. She needed to hear that."
In any case, there were more important matters he needed to deal with. He could not remain trapped by this for too long....
It was time to begin the training of his peerage!
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(A/N: Well… this chapter ended up being pretty intense lol.
As many of you probably noticed, this is the beginning of a major development arc for Venelana. Yes, she will eventually become one of Alear's "official lovers," so don't worry too much… this is only the beginning, relax.
I also hope this chapter made Alear's personality a bit clearer. He genuinely does not mind being used if he is also benefiting from the situation. He's pragmatic enough for that. However, what he absolutely hates more than anything is when people think they can make a fool out of him or manipulate him like he's an idiot. That is probably the thing he despises the most, and yes… there is a reason behind it.
I think of Alear as something like an onion full of layers. He's a very complex character, and this chapter was important because I finally revealed the reason behind his pragmatism. His Origin is extremely important to his character and future development, so remember it well. I'll be slowly developing and exploring that side of him over time.
As for the next chapters, they'll focus more on the training of his peerage and Ravel, while also giving more development to Alear's relationships with Maria, Mio, and Ravel. There will probably be some lemon scenes too.
Regarding the Gremory Family situation… I've been thinking about involving Sirzechs and Grayfia more deeply in all of this. I was actually planning to have the protagonist slowly corrupt Grayfia despite how proud and proper she is, and honestly… I'm really tempted to go in that direction. What do you guys think?
Ah, and before the Gremory Family appears again and I create a solution for this whole situation (I have many ideas for it), Alear will summon a Servant. After seeing all the suggestions and discussions, I already know exactly who would be the ideal Servant for him to summon.
See you in the next chapter.
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