With a sigh, I rose from my seat, pushing the chair back without haste. The murmurs around me shifted, heads turning as if expecting fireworks. Calmly, I extended my right hand, fingers relaxed. Crimson mist spiraled outward, weaving through the air like smoke caught in a breeze, then rushing toward the chaos.
In an instant, the Beelzebub devil's slash — a jagged lance of dark energy — evaporated as if it had never existed.
A hush fell over the onlookers.
I walked toward the scene with a smile that could disarm the sharpest blade. "Let's not spoil the party, shall we?" I said softly, the warmth in my voice contrasting with the tension. "There's no need to escalate things any further."
The Orias heir, pale and trembling, let out a breath of relief and nodded, his eyes brimming with gratitude.
But the Beelzebub devil's eyes ignited like coal. His jaw tightened so fiercely I could see the tendons twitch in his neck. "You interfered!" he snarled, spitting each word like venom. "Fight me!"
I turned to him and met his burning gaze with an expression so blank, so devoid of concern, it was as if I hadn't even heard him. His face darkened to crimson — how that was even physically possible, I'll never know.
Still, I gave a subtle nod. "Very well," I said, my voice steady. "Let's get this over with."
I shifted into a relaxed stance — one foot casually forward, arms loose by my sides. He, by contrast, seethed like a storm about to erupt, eyes darting wildly as if to prove himself.
With a roar that shook nearby tables, the Beelzebub devil launched his first wave — sharp, serrated shards of corrupted energy that screeched through the air like swarming insects. They twisted toward me in jagged spirals, each trailing sparks of dark magic.
Without moving more than an inch, I raised my palm. A thin veil of crimson shimmered outward, and the shards disintegrated before they reached me — fading like dead leaves in the wind.
The devil growled, teeth bared. He conjured a second attack, this time an arc of brutal spikes raining from above, spiraling like a cyclone. I barely lifted an eyebrow, and the spikes shattered mid-air, their fragments dissolving like dust motes.
The devil's eyes flared wider. He bellowed, releasing a third wave — a dark wave of crushing pressure meant to pin me to the ground. I simply shifted my weight, a faint aura flaring from my fingertips. The wave collapsed harmlessly, swirling into nothingness.
Around us, whispers turned to stifled laughter. A few devil heirs covered their mouths, exchanging amused glances.
Serafall's eyes twinkled. "He's toying with him…" she whispered, barely containing her grin.
Ajuka smirked, resting his chin on his hand. "I believe this is entertainment."
Falbium yawned, as if the fight were nothing more than background noise.
The Beelzebub devil's frustration boiled over. In desperation, he thrust both hands into the air and screamed his signature incantation. A vortex of flies — thick, buzzing, and malevolent — erupted from the ground. The swarm coalesced into a grotesque monstrosity with iridescent wings and needle-sharp legs. The King of Flies roared and lunged toward the crowd, its stench unbearable even from afar.
I sighed, barely restraining a smirk. "Seriously?" I thought, rolling my eyes. This guy's got a few screws loose.
With a lazy wave of my arm, crimson energy burst outward in a sweeping arc. The monstrous fly shattered instantly, fragments of its wings spiraling like embers into the air before vanishing entirely.
The crowd collectively exhaled, some with awe, others with barely concealed laughter.
The Beelzebub devil's face contorted in disbelief, as if I'd performed some unfathomable sorcery. His hands clenched into fists, but his resolve wavered. I let him stew, watching the futile rage burn across his features, my lips curling into an amused smile.
The tension broke like a snapped string, but I knew the real entertainment had only just begun.
But before we could resume our "duel," a commanding voice cut through the room like a blade slicing through silk.
"Enough!" Grayfia Lucifuge's voice rang out — sharp, unwavering, and cold as winter steel.
The two combatants froze mid-motion. Even the murmuring crowd fell silent. Without looking back, she gestured with a subtle motion, and the tension unraveled. "Stand down," she ordered, her tone final and absolute.
I allowed a soft smile to play across my lips and gave her a respectful nod. "Understood," I said calmly before stepping back, letting the moment pass without drama.
The Beelzebub devil's face twisted into a snarl. His eyes locked onto mine, burning with hatred as if I'd personally slain his bloodline. His fists clenched tighter, and for a brief moment, it seemed he might explode in fury. But with nowhere left to turn and all eyes upon him, he ground his teeth and withdrew, the rage barely contained within his trembling frame.
I returned to my seat, feeling the weight of dozens of eyes burning into me. The atmosphere had changed — thicker, more charged, as if every guest now measured me more carefully. Serafall's lips curled into a mischievous grin as she flashed a thumbs-up. "That was… impressive," she whispered, eyes sparkling with admiration.
Ajuka, ever the cool strategist, leaned forward and commented dryly, "Looks like your power's increased again. At this rate, you'll have half the room bowing before you."
Falbium, perched lazily at the edge of the table with his eyelids drooping, gave a tired smile. "Honestly… you're the only reason I'm awake right now," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
We exchanged polite words with the other devil heirs, their eyes still lingering on me. Some whispered among themselves, others smiled awkwardly, but none could hide their curiosity. Once the formalities were done, we stepped out of the palace's grand hall, the festivities continuing behind us.
As we moved toward the exit, Grayfia approached me directly. Her silver hair shimmered under the chandeliers, and her red eyes, sharp and discerning, locked onto mine without hesitation.
"You handled that well," she said, her expression unreadable but her tone approving. "Though I hope next time you'll avoid drawing unnecessary attention."
I bowed slightly. "Your guidance is always appreciated, Lady Grayfia."
Her lips curved into the faintest smirk. "See that you remain mindful. Strength without restraint breeds chaos."
Before I could respond, a familiar voice cut in from behind her — smooth, playful, and laced with amusement.
"Well done, Sirzechs," Rizevim Lucifer said, stepping closer with his signature cocky grin. His sharp red eyes glinted like polished rubies. "You've got quite the flair for drama."
Grayfia shot him a look sharp enough to cut glass. "Must you always inject theatrics where discipline is required?"
Rizevim chuckled softly. "Ah, but what's the point of a gathering if not to spice it up? Besides, it's entertaining."
I fought back a smirk. "As long as the entertainment doesn't end with more… unnecessary violence."
Rizevim's eyes twinkled. "Touché, Crimson Heir."
Grayfia's expression remained composed, but I caught the briefest flash of amusement before she turned away.
I smiled to myself once more. Let them have their roles — disciplinarian, provocateur, or spectator. I was here to play the game on my own terms.