The Underworld's grand council chamber was a cathedral of towering obsidian pillars and softly burning braziers, filling the air with the mingled scents of brimstone and ceremonial incense. In the vast, amphitheater-like hall, the noble houses of the Underworld were gathered—lords and ladies in elegant attire, their advisors and retainers standing in silent attendance—all arrayed according to their deep-seated factional leanings. Upon the dais, the four Satans presided over the session with quiet authority.
For once, nearly all were in attendance. Only the notable absence of Rizevim Livan Lucifer lingered like a shadow—he seldom wasted time on politics unless mischief was on the agenda.
The announcer, a cloaked figure at the center podium, presented the next matter with a formal bow.
"The following issue concerns the heiress of the Gremory Clan, Lady Rias Gremory, and her engagement to Riser Phenex. Lord Phenex has requested to advance the date of marriage. Lady Rias is… opposed to this alteration. Both families have agreed to resolve the dispute through a Rating Game."
A wave of discontent rippled through the chamber. Such a private, familial dispute being aired before the full council was a breach of decorum, and the disapproving whispers rose like a tide.
An elderly noble from the Old King Faction rose, his cane clacking sharply against the marble floor.
"Hmph! A marriage quarrel brought before this body? Ridiculous," he stated, his voice dry with contempt. "The girl should honor her betrothal. Her duty is to the preservation of her bloodline, not her personal schedule."
Another joined in, his voice harsh and dismissive.
"Indeed. The heiress of Gremory should not trifle with tradition. Let her wed and produce heirs, as is expected. It is unbecoming to waste this council's time."
Across the hall, a younger lord aligned with the New Faction countered smoothly.
"And yet, is it not equally unbecoming to rush her into this marriage? Lady Rias is younger than her intended, with fewer years to build her peerage. By the very spirit of the Rating Game system, this haste is unusual and puts her at a distinct disadvantage."
Sona Sitri leaned forward, observing intently. Her father, Lord Sitri, had brought her to witness firsthand how devil politics unfolded. He stroked his beard as he watched the factions trade barbs.
"See, Sona. This is how the old guard moves," he murmured to her. "Their instinct is always to preserve bloodline purity. But notice how the younger lords press for fairness and adherence to the system—there lies the divide between the Old King and New Factions."
Before further debate could spiral, the announcer raised his voice again.
"There is… an additional request. Lady Rias Gremory petitions the council for permission to employ an outside contract—an individual not of her peerage—to participate in the Rating Game on her behalf."
The chamber's quiet disapproval erupted into a chorus of indignant objections.
"Absurd!"
"A flagrant disregard for the rules!"
"Who does she think she is, bending tradition to her fancy?!"
The uproar swelled until Sirzechs Lucifer stirred. For the first time that session, the crimson-haired Satan let a fraction of his power bleed into the air. It was not a wave, but a gravitational collapse. The air grew dense and cold, the light from the braziers seemed to shrink, and the very shadows deepened, clinging to the floor like pools of ink. The noise died instantly.
"Let the announcer finish."
His words carried absolute authority. Even the most stubborn of nobles sank into silence.
Across the aisle, Lord Bael, patriarch of the Bael Clan and head of the Old King Faction, raised his deep, gravelly voice.
"Lucifer speaks truth. Let us hear the petition in full."
Sona's father leaned closer to his daughter, voice low. "Watch carefully, Sona. By addressing Sirzechs without the '-sama' honorific, he subtly asserts his own standing while appearing to agree. A masterclass in political maneuvering. He signals strength to his allies and courtesy to a rival, all in three words."
The announcer cleared his throat and pressed on. "Lady Rias reminds the council that minor debt are owed to her person, and requests that these favors be repaid now—specifically, by granting her permission to take one external ally into the Game."
The chamber shifted into low, strategic discussion. The outrage was replaced by calculation.
"It is only one ally," a New Faction noble spoke cautiously. "Given her age and lack of a complete peerage, should this not be considered reasonable?"
Another replied, voice sharp with suspicion. "Reasonable? What if this ally is of such strength that the contest ceases to be fair? An Ultimate-Class being would make the game entirely moot. This is no small matter."
An older devil from the Old Faction snorted. "There is no precedent. If we allow this once, others will demand the same. A dangerous path."
Lord Sitri glanced down at his daughter. "See their hesitation? The New Faction favors leniency but fears precedent. The Old Faction clings to law. Yet both sides circle the same worry—maintaining the integrity of the system."
The discussion continued until a compromise was murmured into form: "If the council allows this request, the chosen outsider must be evaluated. Their power cannot exceed Lady Rias herself. Only then can the integrity of the Rating Game be preserved."
Murmurs of assent rippled through both camps. The question remained: who would judge this evaluation?
It was then Lord Bael rose again. His voice rumbled through the hall. "Then let Lord Lucifer himself be the arbiter. Who else could weigh the matter without bias?"
The chamber fell into silence, all eyes turning to Sirzechs.
Sona frowned and whispered, "Why would Lord Bael nominate Lord Lucifer? Wouldn't that risk Sirzechs favoring his sister?"
Her father smiled thinly. "That is precisely why. It is a perfect political trap. If Sirzechs shows favoritism, he loses credibility. If he rules fairly, Bael gains prestige for proposing the solution. He has put Sirzechs in the spotlight, and either outcome benefits his own position. Clever, isn't it?"
Sona nodded slowly, the pieces clicking into place.
Her father's eyes narrowed as the debate subsided. "What puzzles me, though, is why Lady Rias brought this matter before the council at all. By doing so, she makes her defiance public. A private request to Sirzechs could have avoided all this. His hands are now tied."
"Her true motive in this… I suppose I will have to ascertain that from her directly," Sona offered, her tone thoughtful.
Her father studied her face, then exhaled with a faint smile. "Maybe. Whatever her reason, she has shown the council her resolve to stand on her own feet. In this hall, such a display of will is remembered. Good for her."
As the matter closed, father and daughter turned their eyes back to the dais, watching the next agenda rise into the chamber.