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Diablo clicked his tongue softly. "It really is unfortunate. These damn Primordials just don't know how to listen."
Haru blinked. "What are you talking aboutâ?"
Before he could finish, three figures drifted into view, their presence heavy enough to chill the air. Ultima, Zonda, and Veyron stepped forward, their steps calm, deliberate, and impossible to ignore.
Diablo began walking toward them, hands in his pockets. "Violet, I thought I instructed your little subordinates that I do not want to be interrupted. Or," he tilted his head slightly, "did they fail to relay my warning?"
Veyron adjusted his glasses. "No. I did relay the message. It was ignored."
"I see," Diablo said, sounding completely unsurprised. "I didn't expect much better."
His eyes turned to Ultima. "Violet, I don't have time for you or your tantrums."
Ultima scoffed, crossing her arms. "Shut up, Noir. The world does not revolve around you. I'm not here for you."
"Oh? Is that so?" Diablo asked with a faint smile. "Then why are you here?"
Ultima didn't answer him. She simply brushed past him as though he were a wall, walking straight toward Haru.
Haru felt the weight of her presence settle over him like a mountain.
Damn! I can't beat her. As I am now, I definitely cannot beat her. What is it with Primordials and their unending power⊠Diablo, Carrera, Ultima, if I moved even a muscle right now, I'd die.
Ultima stopped right in front of him. Though she was shorter, her gaze made him feel much smaller. She pointed directly at him.
"I'm here for this demon."
Diablo raised an eyebrow. "Oh, how interesting."
Haru pointed at himself. "Me?" His voice cracked in disbelief.
"Yes," Ultima said plainly. "That's what I said."
Haru swallowed. "What could you possibly want with me?"
Ultima circled him slowly, inspecting him like an object she wasn't sure was safe to touch. Her eyes narrowed. "What are you?"
"Huh?" Haru said.
Ultima clicked her tongue. "I don't like repeating myself."
"Oh, uh, I'm a demon, I guess."
Ultima frowned at him. "I can see that. I have eyes. What I mean is: what are you really?"
Haru's confusion only deepened. "I really don't know how to answer your questionâŠ"
Ultima leaned closer. "Your eyes. Your eyes. You are not a normal demon."
"Oh, that." Haru rubbed the back of his neck with a weak laugh. "Well, even I don't know what that's about."
Ultima stepped back slightly, still studying him. "Interesting."
Diablo spoke again, tone dismissive. "Well then, Violet, if you are done, you may leave. We are still quite busy here."
Ultima ignored him. Instead, she looked Haru up and down with an expression that made him uneasy.
"You are like a new unique toy."
Haru stiffened. "Toy??"
Zonda immediately panicked. "Violet-sama, your wording is a little⊠bashful."
Veyron simply placed a hand over his face with a long, suffering sigh.
Ultima snapped her fingers lightly. "Okay. I've decided. You are going to marry me."
Everyone froze. Even Diablo's eyes narrowed slightly.
Haru choked on his own breath. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Ultima said, as if announcing the weather. "I've been thinking about it for a while. What kind of Princess doesn't have a Prince? But when I look around the Underworld, no one was worthy of me."
Haru pointed at himself again. "âŠAnd I am?"
"No," Ultima said flatly. "You are bottom of the barrel as well. But at least you're unique."
Veyron stepped forward. "Violet-sama, are you not being way too hasty?"
Before she could respond, Diablo cut in with a sigh. "Too bad, Violet. I've already claimed him for myself."
Ultima glared. "Diablo, you should really shut up, or else I'll kill you."
"Oh, I'd love to see you try," Diablo replied calmly.
Haru threw his hands up. "Sorry, but I don't belong to nobody. I don't know where these misconceptions are coming from."
Diablo shrugged. "Oh? How aggressive. I was merely trying to get you out of the clutches of Violet, but oh well."
Haru's eye twitched. Shit. Diablo was trying to assist me.
Ultima ignored Diablo and stared down Haru. "Weaklings in the Underworld don't get to decide. From today, you and I are husband and wife. You are to report to my castle within the next week."
Haru quickly raised his hands defensively. "Violet, you're very beautiful and all, but I'm not really focused on such things right now. I'm focused on my training, so I can't entertain your demands."
Ultima's eye twitched dangerously. "Are you trying to die?"
Diablo let out a pleased hum. "Oh, I'd love to see you try."
Ultima whirled toward him, ready to attack, but Zonda and Veyron both rushed in front of her.
Zonda bowed deeply. "Violet-sama, I think we should let him finish whatever training he's doing, and then maybe come and get him."
Veyron nodded. "I agree. There is no need for fighting over something that can be resolved peacefully."
Ultima turned back to Haru, arms crossed. "How long will this take?"
In Haru's mind, panic spiraled. There's no way Ultima is being serious about this⊠right? What kind of plot is this?
Before he could answer, Diablo did it for him. "It's going to take at least three years."
"Way too long," Ultima snapped. "Finish it in one."
Diablo smirked. "Oh? And who made you the queen here?"
Ultima's eyebrow twitched. "You know, Noir⊠you get on my last nerves. You really are infuriating."
"Well, it's in my nature," Diablo chuckled.
---
Far awayâ
In the Cardinal World, in the icy lands of the North, Guy Crimson sat in silence, lost deep in thought.
Misery approached him quietly. "Guy-sama, you are so deep in thought. Is something the matter?"
Guy looked at her. "No, not really. It's just⊠I'm getting a really bad feeling. The balance of the world is about to get shaken soon."
Velzard, sitting across from him, waved her hand lazily. "That's just in your head. Worrying about the balance of the world all the time will make you go crazy."
Guy shook his head. "No, Velzard. This feeling is real."
Misery bowed slightly. "Then should we investigate if something is happening somewhere?"
Guy leaned back, eyes narrowing. "No. Don't bother. Even I don't know what's making me feel so uneasy."
"Very well," Misery replied.
Guy stared out across the frozen landscape.
I do not like this feeling.