(If we manage to reach 250 Power Stones by noon tomorrow, I'll release another bonus chapter! Remember, I usually publish only one or two chapters per week on Webnovel at most, so take advantage of this opportunity to unlock the extra chapter! 👀🔥)
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The glass tubes began to open one after another, releasing the homunculi who, despite having just awakened, already possessed completely developed bodies capable of functioning normally. They also had enough intellect to be even more intelligent than a normal person, although they did not have an 'ego' and were more similar to an artificial intelligence than anything else.
Alear provided suitable clothing for each of them and, to facilitate identification and organization, assigned individual numbers to each homunculus, avoiding any confusion between them.
After briefly explaining their responsibilities, he led the group to the third underground floor of the workshop, where the main area for 'potion production' would be located.
He had already prepared all the necessary materials in advance for large-scale production. His idea was not limited to just producing the [Sleep Disease Cure Potion]; he already had several other formulas in mind, with effects that were practically self-explanatory from their names, such as the [Fertility Potion] and the [Rejuvenation Potion], in addition to various other creations that, in his view, had the potential to completely revolutionize the potion market.
Thanks to the resources he had accumulated and his own creation methods, he possessed enough ingredients to manufacture at least thirty thousand units of the [Sleep Disease Cure Potion], as well as an equally considerable quantity of the [Fertility Potion] and [Rejuvenation Potion].
As soon as the homunculi began working on the production of the potions, Alear remained for a few hours supervising the entire process, ensuring that each step was carried out correctly and that no problems arose during production. After confirming that everything was working as planned, he decided to transfer responsibility to "Little Fifteen," the homunculus he had created to be the leader in his absence. Although he could simply create an avatar to supervise the production in his place, he chose not to do so at that moment.
He would have an important meeting soon, and since creating an avatar through the [Unit] required dividing a part of his soul to form a secondary ego, his power would be temporarily reduced by half while that manifestation existed. For that reason, he decided not to take any unnecessary risks in case something unexpected happened.
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Astaroth Family Territory — Main Mansion, Meeting Room.
This was a spacious room located in one of the most reserved wings of the Astaroth mansion. The floor was covered by a high-quality dark red carpet adorned with subtle golden patterns. On the walls, panels of noble wood contrasted with ancient works of art and discreet bookshelves filled with old tomes. In the center of the space, two luxurious black leather sofas, with impeccable finishes and soft cushions, were positioned facing each other, separated by a low glass table where a bottle of aged demonic wine and two glasses rested.
Alear was sitting comfortably on one of the sofas, maintaining a relaxed yet elegant posture. He wore a formal white suit, appropriate for an important business meeting.
On the other side, sitting with impeccable posture, was Lord Astaroth. He had a distinctive and refined appearance: well-combed dark green hair, with some strands falling lightly over his forehead, and a pair of thin-rimmed glasses that gave his face an intellectual and elegant air. His features were similar to those of Ajuka Beelzebub, although his expression was more severe. He wore an impeccable black suit with dark green details, perfectly matching his image as someone belonging to one of the most influential families in the Underworld.
Alear slightly tilted his head in a sign of respect before speaking:
"Lord Astaroth, I thank you for the invitation and for reserving time in your schedule for this meeting. I know your position demands a great deal of your attention, so I am grateful for the opportunity to speak with you in person."
Lord Astaroth discreetly adjusted his glasses with his index finger, while a slight polite smile appeared on his lips. His voice was calm, clear, and filled with genuine respect.
"Archduke Häangenti, please, there is no need to thank me. In fact, I believe I am the one who should express my gratitude. It is not every day that an Archduke accepts my invitation and is willing to come personally to my residence to discuss a possible cooperation. The honor is entirely mine."
He paused briefly, observing the young man before him with evident interest and caution. Despite his position as one of the most influential Lords in the Underworld and the pride he felt in carrying such a title, he knew how to recognize when he was facing someone who occupied a much higher position in the political power hierarchy—something that distinguished him from many other nobles who allowed their own pride to interfere with their judgment. Alear was, without a doubt, the kind of person that any individual with the slightest common sense would avoid turning into an enemy. After all, a family of great prestige like the Gremory Family had come to the brink of bankruptcy after entering into conflict with and offending the young man before him.
Although his various achievements had already caused most people to stop underestimating the boy before him, the incident involving the Gremory Family had practically confirmed what many suspected: he was like a lion that remained calm as long as it was not provoked, but that would not hesitate to show its fangs if someone dared to offend him or challenge his position. Even a Satan, if they made the mistake of crossing that line, could still end up feeling their throat being torn by his fangs.
However, despite maintaining a cautious posture and showing due respect for the young man before him, Lord Astaroth was genuinely excited about the fact that Alear had accepted his invitation for that meeting.
Alear nodded politely, accepting the mutual respect shown by the Lord. After a brief moment of courteous silence, he went straight to the point, keeping his tone calm and professional:
"Since we are both busy men, let us not waste time with unnecessary formalities. We can get straight to business."
Lord Astaroth slightly tilted his head, showing approval.
"I fully agree. Please, continue."
Alear elegantly crossed his legs and went straight to the core of the proposal:
"I would like to sign an exclusivity agreement with the Astaroth Family. I want all the magical materials that your family produces to be sold exclusively to the Häangenti Family. No exceptions, no parallel sales on the open market."
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Lord Astaroth blinked once, clearly surprised by the proposal. Shortly afterward, an expression of genuine interest and excitement appeared on his face, although he tried to maintain his aristocratic composure.
"A proposal for total exclusivity…" he murmured, adjusting his glasses again. His eyes sparkled as he performed a quick mental analysis of the proposal. The Astaroth Family possessed one of the largest networks for the production and supply of magical materials in the Underworld, being responsible for supplying countless sectors that depended on high-quality resources. However, even with all its influence and productive capacity, there was a problem that had been dragging on for years: their production frequently exceeded market demand, causing a considerable portion of the materials to remain without a suitable destination.
Although a good part of this surplus was directed toward Ajuka Beelzebub's projects, which ultimately benefited the family in ways other than financial returns, a significant amount of resources still remained underutilized, representing a considerable loss of profit potential.
The proposal presented by Alear solved exactly that problem. Instead of depending exclusively on traditional buyers, the Astaroth Family could establish a direct commercial partnership with the Häangenti Family, guaranteeing a constant flow of sales for materials that previously remained in stock or had little use. This contract would not only significantly increase the family's profits but would also strengthen its position in the Underworld. After all, they would be forming a commercial alliance with an Archduke, whose influence and power could further increase the prestige of House Astaroth! That fact was the most important.
For the Astaroth Family, although Ajuka was the greatest pride in their history and irrefutable proof of the grandeur of the Astaroth name, there were still concerns regarding the future of the family lineage. Ajuka had never shown any interest in the opposite sex. In practice, he behaved like someone asexual, dedicating practically all his time to research and experiments that piqued his curiosity. As a consequence, he had never had direct heirs. In fact, as far as the family itself knew, he had never gone to bed with a woman in his entire life—something that deeply worried the members of House Astaroth. After all, for one of the Great Houses of the Underworld, ensuring the continuity of the lineage was a responsibility as important as preserving its prestige and influence.
In truth, this view was not limited to the Astaroth Family alone. Among the old nobility of the Underworld, Ajuka was frequently seen as someone even more lamentable than Serafall, who for many years carried the reputation of a "spinster" before her engagement to Alear. At least she, despite the pure and innocent image she cultivated in her magical girl shows, had already had sexual relationships with some men in the past. Ajuka, on the other hand, had never shown any interest in that aspect, becoming a constant target of malicious comments and being considered by many aristocrats a failure when it came to fulfilling the duty of perpetuating the lineage of one of the Great Houses of the Underworld.
Fortunately, Ajuka rarely made public appearances for long periods, which allowed the Astaroth Family to keep some distance from such criticism.
Honestly, when it came to descendants, the Astaroth Family seemed to have incredible bad luck. On one side, there was Ajuka, an unparalleled genius who simply completely ignored his responsibilities to produce an heir to continue the family lineage. On the other, there was Diadora, the former heir of House Astaroth. Although he had already been expelled from the family and removed from the line of succession, the scandal involving his name had caused enormous damage to the house's reputation. That trash had not only embarrassed his relatives with his crimes and deplorable conduct but had also further tarnished the prestige that the Astaroth Family had taken generations to build. Faced with this scenario, restoring the family's image and ensuring a future for its lineage had become absolute priorities!
It was precisely for this reason that he decided to turn to Alear G. Häangenti. It would be enough for some woman from the Astaroth Family to have a child with him; that child could later be recognized as the heir of the house, solving at once the problem of lineage continuity and, at the same time, tightening the bonds between the two families. This, in fact, was one of the main reasons for inviting the Archduke to that meeting.
After practically giving up any hope that Ajuka would one day give them a descendant, the only option left was to seek another solution. And, considering the current situation in the Underworld, there was no better candidate than Alear. Young, powerful, owner of an extraordinary lineage, and already surrounded by women of the highest level, he was seen, in an almost unanimous tone among part of the nobility, as the best "breeding bull" available on the market.
If they could get a woman from the Astaroth Family into Alear's bed and make her pregnant, a good part of the problems related to the future of the house would be solved at once. After all, in addition to guaranteeing an heir to continue the family lineage, they would also create a blood tie with House Häangenti, enormously strengthening the political position of the Astaroth Family.
Although Latia was the current heir of the family and, in theory, the ideal candidate for this mission, there was an obvious problem. Alear already had three fiancées, and it was unlikely that he would easily accept taking on a fourth official commitment merely for political convenience.
For that reason, he had devised a much more subtle plan.
He intended to send one of his daughters who was not directly in the line of succession to join Alear's nobility. Living with him daily, she would have time to win him over naturally and, when the opportunity arose, take him to bed. If everything went well and she became pregnant, the child could later be recognized as the heir of House Astaroth, solving at once the succession problem that so worried the family.
Now, with that commercial agreement practically on its way, all that remained was to find an elegant way to introduce this proposal during the negotiations, without revealing that one of the true objectives of the Astaroth Family was, in practice, to use Alear as the father of the next generation of their lineage.
Thinking up to this point, Lord Astaroth slightly leaned his body forward, demonstrating that he had already made his decision. A discreet smile appeared on his lips before he responded in a firm and decisive tone:
"I am willing to accept this exclusivity contract, Archduke Häangenti. From now on, the Astaroth Family will sell all its production of magical materials exclusively to the Häangenti Family, naturally with the exception of the portion destined for Satan Beelzebub and the projects under his responsibility. It will be a pleasure to formalize this agreement."
Alear nodded slightly, satisfied to see that the negotiation had progressed without major obstacles. However, before he could continue discussing the details of the contract, Lord Astaroth elegantly raised one hand, interrupting him for a moment.
"However… I have only one condition."
Alear discreetly arched an eyebrow, showing no discomfort with the interruption.
"I'm listening."
Lord Astaroth adopted a warmer and more paternal expression, assuming the posture of a father genuinely concerned with his daughter's future.
"I have a daughter who is a great admirer of yours, Archduke. Ever since she heard about your feats, she has been following everything related to you with enormous interest. Not long ago, she confided in me that she dreams of serving you personally as a member of your nobility. As a father, I naturally wish to offer her the best possible opportunity. If this does not cause you any inconvenience, I would like you to consider accepting her among your servants."
He smiled serenely before continuing.
"Unfortunately, she was unable to secure a place in the main line of succession of the Astaroth Family. Remaining here would most likely mean living an ordinary life by the standards of our nobility. In contrast, serving an Archduke like yourself would open doors that few devils could even dream of crossing. In addition to following someone she deeply admires, she would become part of one of the most promising families in the Underworld. For her, honestly, it would be an opportunity capable of completely changing her life."
His tone remained affectionate and convincing, conveying the image of a father who only wished to see his daughter achieve a better future.
Despite this, Alear discreetly raised an eyebrow and remained observing Lord Astaroth for a few moments. It was obvious that there was much more behind that request than a simple paternal desire. An experienced patriarch like him would never make a decision of such importance driven solely by his daughter's admiration. Even so, he had no intention of exposing his true interests. As long as the proposal did not harm his own plans, he preferred to treat the negotiation as if facing a perfectly legitimate request.
"What an unexpected condition…" he commented in a calm tone. "Indeed, my nobility still has some vacant positions. If the candidate you intend to present truly possesses the talent and potential to join my nobility, I see no reason to refuse…"
Upon hearing the positive response, Lord Astaroth opened a satisfied smile, clearly relieved by the direction the conversation had taken.
"I am very happy to hear that, Archduke. You can rest assured, she is far from being an ordinary young woman. She possesses extraordinary talent and potential that, in my opinion, is not inferior to that of Mio Naruse, the daughter of Wilbert, who already belongs to your nobility. I am convinced that you will not regret accepting her." He paused briefly, letting an even more confident smile escape, as if he could already see the benefits that this rapprochement would bring to both families. "But, naturally, words have little value before one's own eyes. The best thing will be to meet her in person. I am certain she will make a good impression."
The compliments sparked Alear's interest. A girl with potential comparable to Mio's? That truly surprised him.
"Now I'm curious to meet this daughter of yours, Lord Astaroth. From the way you speak of her, I imagine you have quite a bit of confidence in her abilities…" he commented casually, a slight ironic gleam appearing in his eyes. "May I assume that you are not the type of father who sells his own daughter in exchange for political benefits…"
Lord Astaroth merely smiled serenely, showing not the slightest sign of discomfort at the provocation.
"If that were the case, Archduke, I would simply be insulting your intelligence." His response came out calm and firm. "I would never place before you a young woman whom I myself did not deem worthy of the highest esteem. My daughter is an extraordinary girl, and I have genuine pride in the qualities she possesses."
He discreetly raised one hand, drawing the attention of one of the maids waiting outside the room. A few moments later, the door opened silently, and an elegantly dressed maid entered, bowing in an impeccable curtsy.
"Call my daughter," ordered Lord Astaroth in a calm but firm tone. "Inform her that Archduke Häangenti wishes to meet her in person."
The maid bowed respectfully again.
"Yes, my lord."
As soon as she left the room, Lord Astaroth turned his attention back to Alear, maintaining the refined and serene posture expected of the patriarch of one of the Great Houses of the Underworld.
"She shouldn't take long. Ever since she learned of the possibility of your visit, she has been quite anxious to meet you in person. After all, it is not every day that an Archduke visits our family's residence."
While waiting for her arrival, Lord Astaroth served wine for both of them again and steered the conversation toward lighter topics, commenting on the trade of magical materials, recent changes in the Underworld, and some projects of the Astaroth Family. Despite the cordiality and tranquility with which he conversed, it was evident from the satisfied gleam in his eyes that he was quite pleased with the direction of that meeting. Up to that moment, everything was happening exactly as he had planned…
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(A/N: Good afternoon, everyone. Here is the last chapter of this week, and it will probably also be the last one focused on this part of the political meetings, negotiations for commercial contracts, and all of that more diplomatic side of the story.
I have followed a certain direction since the beginning of this arc, going through the Gremory Family, the Agares Family, the Phenex Family, and now the Astaroth Family. All of this political aspect was meant to build allies for Alear while also showing how highly he is regarded by the Underworld's high society.
I hope this meeting makes one point even clearer: practically every noble who considers themselves important would like to turn Alear into a "breeding stallion." Power attracts people in DxD, and this is something that the original work itself makes clear. Just look at Issei, who possesses the power of the Red Dragon Emperor. Do you really think all the women around him are with him only because of his appearance or kindness? No. If he didn't have Ddraig, he would probably have ended up arrested for harassment at some point.
Anyway, leaving that discussion aside...
I would say that the real story begins now. This Underworld arc is reaching its final stages, and there will be a two-month Time Skip afterward. During that period, I will finish the last world-building aspects of the Underworld and begin expanding the story into the rest of the supernatural world.
I hope you enjoy it!
The servants I have thought about for Alear so far:
King: Alear G. Haängenti
Queen: Makima [Probable]
Bishop: Mio Naruse
Bishop: Daughter of Lord Astaroth [Will be revealed in the next chapter]
Rook: Maria Naruse
Rook: Kuroka [Probable]
Knight: Edelweiss [Probable]
Knight: [Give me suggestions]
Pawn: Valerie Tepes
Pawn: Ingvild Leviathan
Pawn: Lavinia Reni [Probable]
Pawn: Suzaku Himejima [Probable]
Pawn: Rossweisse [Probable]
Pawn: Meredith Ordinton [Probable]
Pawn: Rin Tohsaka [Probable] (I thought about summoning her through [Fate Gacha]. She probably wouldn't be able to resist the temptation of using real magic...)
Pawn: [Give me suggestions]
Familiars [Servants] <1/12>
(Yes, I am thinking about bringing twelve Servants by the end of the story. Although I may decide to add more in the future, depending on how the story develops.)
Archer: Oda Nobunaga, Zenobia
Saber: Saber Alter (Artoria) [Probable]
Lancer: Karna, Artoria Lancer
Assassin: Scathách
Rider: Ishtar [Probable]
Berserker: Minamoto no Raikou
Caster: Skadi [Probable]
Other Classes (or Others): [Give me suggestions]
Want to get ahead?
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If you can't wait for what comes next — the plot twists, power progressions, and those insane lucky (or unlucky) summons — this is the best time to jump in.
Light spoiler: his luck might be terrible… but the story only gets better from here.
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