Bonus chapter for reaching the goal of 500 Power Stones! Want another bonus chapter? If we reach 900 Power Stones, I'll post it!
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Alear remained seated for a few more seconds, keeping his gaze fixed on the empty space where Sirzechs and Grayfia had disappeared. Then, he stood up calmly, walked over to the main chair behind the desk, and took his place. He leaned back against the backrest, slowly spinning the chair while staring at the ceiling, letting his thoughts flow in silence.
Finally, the problem with the Gremory Family had come to an end...
In the beginning, he had shown goodwill toward the Gremorys for purely practical reasons. After waking up from the coma, he needed to achieve financial stability as quickly as possible and find someone experienced enough to guide him in the complex world of demonic nobility. The partnership with the Gremory Family provided him with exactly that: a consistent source of income in the early days and, above all, Venelana's support. In addition to having a beautiful woman he could take to bed whenever he wanted, she possessed vast knowledge of politics, administration, and the structure of the Underworld. During the period they worked together, he took every opportunity to absorb as much as possible from her teachings, quickly learning the inner workings of demonic society, the relationships between the noble houses, and the countless subtleties of diplomacy in the Underworld...
He would have maintained that agreement for much longer if it weren't for Venelana's attitude. She had treated him like a naive young man, easy to manipulate. She tried to turn him into a tool to resolve Rias's arranged marriage without showing any genuine consideration for him. She even used her own body as a bargaining chip to convince him. That was the breaking point. It wasn't just wounded pride, but a matter of respect. Someone willing to manipulate him so blatantly did not deserve to remain by his side as a 'partner'...
It had been a purely pragmatic decision to take the situation to its conclusion and completely remove the Gremory Family from the businesses in the Gäap Family's territory. The process ended up being more complicated than he expected because of Sirzechs' intervention, and he had most likely made a new enemy that day. Even so, that didn't make much difference to him. It was just one more reason to accelerate his own growth. He needed to become stronger as soon as possible and at least reach the Balance Breaker of one of his Longinus...
Additionally, he had even considered giving up one of his future businesses to help the Gremory Family. But for that, they would have to earn it. After everything that had happened, that possibility had been practically discarded. Still, it wouldn't be surprising if, in the future, Venelana showed up at his door when the Gremory Family's financial situation became unsustainable. Or even Grayfia. After all, he had planted a small "seed of hope" by suggesting that deal in exchange for a night with her. Of course, he had never had the slightest intention of actually going through with that proposal; it had merely been a way to destabilize Sirzechs, strike at his pride, and make him lose his composure. And honestly, after that conversation, his impression of the Satan had only worsened. Sirzechs seemed to him like an excessively proud, arrogant man, accustomed to believing that everything would eventually bend to his will. He simply could not stand people like that and always took pleasure in humiliating them and putting them in their proper place...
...Why was he thinking so much about them?
Alear let out a discreet sigh and shook his head.
He should let it go. There were much more important matters he needed to worry about now.
He stopped spinning the chair and remained looking at the ceiling for a few moments. Then, he decided to use his daily attempt on the [Fate Gacha].
After managing to summon Nobunaga, he hadn't drawn anything really interesting in the next attempt — just the usual 'strange items'. This time, however, it was different. To his surprise, he obtained [Riding] at the highest level. Originally, it was a Class Skill, but when adapted to the rules of this world, it had transformed into an extraordinary talent, capable of allowing him to pilot practically any vehicle or ride any creature. It was an absurdly versatile ability... although the last part of the description sounded far too strange when said out loud. After all, saying that someone was capable of 'riding anything' was definitely not a phrase a man liked to hear used to describe his piloting and riding skills...
He smiled ironically and closed the [Fate Gacha] interface, deciding not to think about it anymore. In the end, he had still come out ahead. At least he hadn't received the famous super-spicy Mapo Tofu from Kirei again. That stuff was practically a biological weapon disguised as food. Just remembering that he had hundreds of portions of that dish stored away gave him a slight shiver. Even so, perhaps one day he would offer it to someone to try... preferably someone from whom he wanted to draw a memorable reaction...
...Wait.
Could that be used as a method of torture?
He spent a few seconds reflecting on the idea before shaking his head, amused with himself.
If he ever needed to keep someone imprisoned... perhaps the daily menu could be exactly that infernal Mapo Tofu. After a few days, anyone would probably beg for mercy...
Well, setting aside the suffering of his future enemies, it was time to work. On the desk, there were several stacks of documents awaiting his attention. They were the reports from all the employees previously hired by the Gremory Family to extract the ores from the Gäap Family's territory. Most were low-class devils with no ties to the nobility. Many were illegitimate sons of nobles with maids or commoners, condemned to live on the margins of demonic society. Ironically, even with the severe fertility crisis afflicting devils, those who did not belong to the nobility were treated little better than servants. To survive, they had no choice but to accept heavy and dangerous work, such as mining. In the end, it wasn't so different from the human world, where big businessmen often saw ordinary workers merely as tools to generate profit... the difference was that in the Underworld, this inequality was much worse...
He had already decided that he would keep those employees. After all, they were experienced people who knew the territory, the mines, and all the logistics of the region. He had even discussed this matter previously with Lord Agares, who had agreed with the idea. The real challenge, however, was to prepare a truly fair proposal to convince them to stay.
The truth was that the Gremory Family had a good reputation when it came to their employees. They usually treated their servants with respect, almost like members of their own family, and it was precisely because of this that many of the workers were loyal to them or, at the very least, performed their duties willingly. Now, with the change in administration, it was natural that uncertainties would arise. Many would probably fear losing their jobs, and even those willing to continue would certainly wonder if they would be well treated by the new family responsible for the territory.
That was why Alear needed to offer more than just promises. Competitive salaries, decent housing, quality food, and good working conditions would be just the basics. He also intended to create a genuine development program for his employees. Those who demonstrated talent for magic or combat should not waste their lives working in the mines forever. They would receive training, education, and the opportunity to rise socially, being able to join the territory's guard or take on other more important roles. In this way, in addition to ensuring loyal and motivated labor, he would show that, under his command, effort and talent would truly be rewarded...
He reached out to pick up the first folder when the office door opened with a soft click.
Ravel entered. Her long blonde hair was impeccably combed, tied in the traditional side braids that ended in large, well-defined curls adorned with blue ribbons. Her bangs fell delicately over her forehead, while a "V"-shaped strand descended to the height of her nose, framing her delicate face. Her dark blue eyes quickly scanned the office before fixing on Alear. There was a discreet look of concern on her expression.
"Alear-sama..." she began, approaching the desk with her elegant steps. "Are you all right? I happened to see Maou Lucifer and Queen Grayfia leaving the mansion. Their expressions were quite dark and they seemed very irritated. I was worried that they had done something to you..."
Alear lifted his gaze from the documents and offered her a calm smile, dispelling any lingering trace of tension in the environment.
"I'm fine, Ravel. There's no need to worry. The meeting was just a bit tiring."
Upon hearing that response, Ravel visibly relaxed. Her shoulders lost their stiffness and she let out a small sigh of relief.
"May I ask how the meeting went?"
Alear leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other before answering naturally.
"Sirzechs tried to use his position as Satan to pressure me and force a division of the Gäap Family's territories. His proposal was to allocate thirty percent to the Gremory Family, thirty percent to the Agares Family, and forty percent to the Häagenti Family, claiming it would be the most beneficial solution for everyone. In the end, however, he got absolutely nothing. The agreement between the Häagenti Family and the Gremory Family was terminated definitively. So yes... that probably explains why he left here with such a dark expression."
Ravel's eyes widened, reflecting a mixture of surprise and genuine admiration.
"He... really tried to use his position as Maou to pressure you? And even so, you refused?" She placed one hand on her chest, still processing what she had just heard. "As expected of Alear-sama... Very few nobles would have the courage to confront a Satan in that way and, on top of that, emerge victorious from a negotiation like this..."
Inside, her heart beat a little faster. She had spent enough time with Alear to know both his extraordinary strength and his intelligence. Even if Sirzechs was recognized as the most powerful devil of the current era, Ravel believed deep in her heart that Alear would not lose in a direct confrontation. Moreover, with Serafall Leviathan as his fiancée, hardly anyone would dare to act against him openly. The real danger was not in a frontal attack, but in political conspiracies, rumors, and alliances formed in the shadows.
"Even so..." she continued, now in a lower and more serious voice, "please be careful, Alear-sama. I heard from my father that Sirzechs is an extremely proud man. None of them accept defeat easily. He may not do anything directly... but he could very well try to act from the shadows."
Alear observed her for a few moments, appreciating the genuine concern on her face. A light, warm smile appeared on his lips.
"All right, I'll be careful..."
Then, he made a small gesture with his hand, inviting her to sit on his lap. Ravel blinked, surprised for a brief instant, but did not hesitate to obey. She approached the desk with elegant steps and gracefully settled onto his lap, leaning lightly against his chest. Her dark blue eyes soon turned to the stack of documents spread across the desk.
"There's quite a lot of work piled up today..." she murmured, quickly analyzing some of the papers. "I have some experience with this kind of thing. My brother used to leave most of the Phenex Family's administration in my hands whenever he wanted to escape his own responsibilities. If you want, I can help you, Alear-sama..."
Alear wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her a little closer while reaching for the first folder and opening it.
"I would love your help. In fact, it came at the perfect time..."
Ravel's eyes sparkled discreetly upon hearing those words. Satisfied at being able to be useful, she picked up another folder, organizing the documents with quick and precise movements before beginning to analyze them with the efficiency of someone already accustomed to handling administrative matters. While leafing through the reports on the miners' conditions, she leaned slightly forward to read some sections better, causing her ass to move subtly against him. At first, they were just innocent movements, simple posture adjustments while she read and talked. However, the more focused she became on the proposal she was drafting, the more she shifted positions without even realizing it...
"...I think we could offer a three-month retention bonus, in addition to a subsidized housing plan. That would reduce turnover and increase loyalty. What do you think, Alear-sama?" she asked, turning another page and moving her hips again as she leaned to reach another folder. But when she sat back, her body stiffened as she felt something hard pressing insistently against her buttocks. An intense blush rose from her neck to cover her cheeks...
"A-Alear-sama..." she stammered, her voice faltering. Her dark blue eyes widened slightly. "I... I felt something... poking my ass..."
Alear replied with his usual naturalness.
"Sorry about that. It was just a physiological reaction..."
Ravel became even redder as she understood what he meant. She bit her lower lip lightly. Despite the evident shyness, there was no rejection in her expression, only a mixture of embarrassment and excitement. She remained silent for a moment before turning her face slightly to look at him.
"...So... do you want me to take care of it for you?" she murmured in a low and slightly trembling tone, making it clear that she was offering herself.
Alear did not hesitate for even a second.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
Ravel took a deep breath, slid gracefully off his lap, and knelt elegantly between his legs. Her knees touched the office floor as she slowly raised her gaze to meet his. Her expression was filled with a mixture of nervousness and determination. She moistened her lips once and, without taking her eyes off him, whispered:
"Leave it to me, Alear-sama..."
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