The magical ink on contract was barely dry when the devil vultures descended.
I'd expected interest, hell, I'd counted on it...but this was like throwing chum into shark-infested waters and then jumping in wearing a meat suit.
Devil nobles swarmed around me in a crushing circle like civilians around the street vendor as they steered for closer position to me. Someone's elbow jabbed into my side hard enough as I bit back a curse.
"Motohama-san, my family would be honored to have you join our ranks!" An old devil with a face like a bulldog shoved a hand in my direction "I have three Evil Pieces remaining, a Knight, a Rook, and a Bishop. Surely you can pick one that would suit your talents perfectly!"
Before I could open my mouth to decline, a willowy woman with violet hair pushed him aside, nearly stepping on his foot in her haste "Nonsense! Young man, The Beleth family will offer you far superior accommodations and resources. My daughter is of marriageable age and would make an excellent match for someone of your... unique talents" She smiled, as she leaned closer to me "I'm certain you two would conceive a remarkable offspring"
"...."
"Actually" another voice added into the chaos, this one belonging to a blonde haired man whose mustache was waxed into points so sharp they could probably be classified as weapons "I believe exclusive distribution rights would be far more mutually beneficial. The Gusion family controls several major trade routes through—"
The offers kept coming, wave after wave, until they blurred together into an incomprehensible roar of business propositions, marriage contracts, and thinly veiled threats disguised as opportunities. My head swam with the sheer audacity of it all. These bastards weren't interested in partnership, they wanted to own me in one way or another with contracts and obligations until I couldn't take a piss without clearing it through three different noble houses first.
They were losing their sanity over the healing potions, treating them like the second coming of whatever devils worshipped, and I hadn't even introduced them the main product yet. The Honored One, the really dangerous stuff that would make these healing stuff look like an affordable candy at every store.
I forced my best smile, as I raised my both arms in the air "Everyone, Your offers are all incredibly generous" I said, keeping enough warmth into my voice to keep them from getting pissy of what I was about to say next "I'll certainly take time to consider each one's offer carefully"
I'm going to forget every single one of your names the second I'm out of this circle of hell.
I nodded with a smile as I slowly, carefully, worked my way through the press of bodies. It was like navigating a minefield where every mine packed the greater bang in it than the previous one.
Finally, I broke free of the mob and stumbled toward the edge of the ballroom where the air was blessedly cooler and significantly less with desperation. My lungs pulled in deep breaths as I straightened myself with a sigh of relief and walked towards Sona, who was near one of the floor-to-ceiling windows, backlit by the strange crimson light of the Underworld's artificial moon. She held a glass of what looked like juice.
When our eyes met, one corner of her mouth quirked upward in an expression that was somewhat of amusement and sympathy.
"How's your business venture progressing so far?" she asked "You seem to be generating quite a bit of... enthusiasm around devils in this party, that you ruined"
Tsubaki held out a glass of the same juice to me, her eyes flicking to mine before darting away, a flush creeping up her pale neck "Motohama-san" she said softly, her words barely above a murmur "You look like you could use this"
I took the glass, our fingers brushing for half a second. Her blush deepened as I watched with no small amount of satisfaction as she quickly pulled her hand back like I'd blessed her "Thanks, Tsubaki. You're a lifesaver"
The juice was cold and sweet with a faint tartness of some kind of Underworld fruit I didn't recognize but tasted vaguely like pomegranate crossed with lots of sugar. I downed half the glass in one go, feeling the coolness spread through my chest and settling my nerves.
"Most of the offers were..." I said, turning back to Sona with a wry smile "Lots of people were trying to bind me to their families through various means. Not so many actual business partnerships without strings attached"
Sona adjusted her glasses with one finger "Devil nobility operates on the principle that everything and everyone has a price. They've simply, approached you directly to determine yours"
Her expression shifted, the amusement fading into a more focused one. She set her glass down on a nearby table with a soft clink, then turned to face me fully "Speaking of opportunity, what's your strategy for defeating Riser Phenex?"
The question stayed between us with growing implications. Behind those violet eyes, I could see her running calculations, trying to predict my next move like this was some international level chess game.
I smiled and took another sip of juice "Now where would the fun be in spoiling the surprise?" I said "You'll just have to wait for the duel like everyone else, Sona"
For a moment, I thought she might push. But then she turned away her head, accepting the boundary I'd drawn.
"Fair enough" she said "I can respect your tactical secrecy"
I shifted my attention deliberately to Tsubaki, who'd been standing silently to the side, her posture calm and composed but her eyes carefully avoiding mine. The poor girl was trying so hard to maintain her composure, but every time I glanced her way, that blush came creeping back like a rising tide.
"So Tsubaki" I said "do all Queen pieces come with the ability to appear out of thin air with refreshments, or is that a special Sitri training thing?"
Her eyes went wide, and she opened her mouth, closed it, and opened it again like a fish gasping for air "I—that's not—I mean, I was just following the hospitality, but—" She cut herself off, the flush now spreading to her ears.
Sona looked at her Queen with genuine bewilderment, like she was seeing a completely different version of her normally unflappable second-in-command.
"Tsubaki" Sona said in a low tone, while facing her "Are you quite alright? You're acting... unusually flustered"
"I'm perfectly fine, Kaichou" Tsubaki said quickly, straightening herself and smoothing down her dress with hands that trembled just slightly "Completely fine!"
"Uh-huh" Sona's tone made it clear exactly how much she believed that.
I was about to make another comment, but Sona's gaze shifted to something behind me. Her expression flickered, going from amused to carefully neutral in the span of a heartbeat.
"It seems we're about to have company" she said quietly.
I turned, following her line of sight across the ballroom floor. The crowd parted like a curtain being drawn back, and Rias Gremory emerged from the gap with her peerage trailing behind her. Akeno walked on her right, that playful smile playing at her lips, her eyes keen with interest. Kiba flanked her left, his pretty-boy face set in an expression of polite attentiveness. And Koneko looked at me with her golden eyes with her usual stoic face.
But it was Rias herself who held my attention. She looked like someone who'd just been handed both a gift and a curse and couldn't figure out which to focus on first.
She opened her mouth, probably to launch into some speech about how grateful she was, how she didn't expect me to do this, how she'd find a way to repay me.
I cut her off before she could get started.
"Before you say whatever you're about to say, let's get something straight right now"
Rias blinked, clearly thrown off balance. Behind her, Akeno's smile widened fractionally, she knew something interesting was about to happen. Kiba's troubled expression deepened. Koneko just watched, still and silent.
I held Rias's gaze, making sure she could see I meant every word.
"I made this decision for my sake" I continued, not letting the silence stretch too long. "For my people. The Hero Faction is going to come after us sooner rather than later. I need power, connections, and I need the kind of reputation that makes assholes think twice before starting shit" I paused, letting that sink in before driving the final nail home "This duel? Challenging Riser? That's my choice, for my reason"
Rias's hands clenched into fists at her sides, as her expression held relief mixed with a strange flavor of disappointment.
She'd expected me to be like Issei. Expected some love-struck fool throwing himself into danger for her sake, motivated by romance and heroism and all that fairytale bullshit.
But I was far from that.
An opportunist who saw a strategic opening and took it with both hands. A calculating bastard who was using her engagement crisis as a stepping stone to build his own position in devil society. Someone who was willing to challenge a high-class devil not out of love or honor, but because the potential payoff was too good to pass up.
I took a sip of my juice, the sweet-tart flavor grounding me in the moment. The party sounds filtered back in, the laughter, conversation, the clink of glasses, the soft rustle of devil music in the background.
The initial rush of sealing the contract, the chaos of the noble feeding frenzy, the strategic conversation with Sona—all of it had been interesting, engaging, worth my time. But now we were into the emotional aftermath, the processing and the feelings, and, I had better things to do than stand around watching people going through their complicated thoughts about my motives.
Then.
A figure pushed through the crowd with the kind of self-assured arrogance. He was tall, built like someone who spent more time admiring himself in mirrors than actually training, with dark hair slicked back so severely it looked like it might crack if he turned his head too fast. His clothes screamed wealth, all rich fabrics and unnecessary embellishments, the kind of outfit that would cost more than most people's monthly rent and looked half as good.
But it was the smirk that screamed like his name and bloodline meant people should just roll over and let him do whatever he wanted.
Oh great. Another one.
He stopped in front of me, His eyes analysed me with open disdain, the kind of look you'd give something you found stuck to the bottom of your shoe.
"You're the potion maker, correct?" He said "I am Zephyrdor Glasya-Labolas, of the seventy-two pillars, Extra Demon class" He said his name like it should mean something, like I was supposed to drop to my knees and kiss his ring or some shit "I believe you still have healing potions you've been distributing. I'll take one as well"
Not a request. Not even a polite demand. Just a statement of fact, like my decision was a foregone conclusion.
I looked at him as he gave an arrogant tilt to his chin, his fingers tapping against his thigh with impatience, the expectation written in every line of his posture.
Why is every devil noble in this place acting like the world owes them something?
"No" I said simply.
Zephyrdor's smirk faltered, confusion flickering across his face like he'd just been told water was dry "Excuse me?"
"I said no" I kept my tone pleasant, conversational even "The samples I distributed earlier were for demonstration purposes. They weren't free handouts for anyone who wanders up and demands one. If you want one, then wait until they are available in markets"
His face darkened, confusion morphing into offense and then into genuine anger. The air around him started to cover with demonic energy oppressively "You dare refuse me?" His voice rose, drawing more attention from the surrounding nobles "Do you know who I am? The heir to Glasya-Labolas family, the-"
"I don't care if you're related to the original Satans" I cut him off before he could ramble further "You should act like someone who actually understands how commerce works instead of a spoiled child who thinks his family name entitles him to whatever he wants like that Phenex brat"
GASP!
The collective gasps of surprise and disbelief from the surrounding nobles was almost comical. Several hands flew to mouths. Others looked like they were watching a trainwreck in slow motion, unable to look away even though they knew it was going to end badly.
Zephyrdor's face went from red to purple, rage twisting his features into something ugly and uglier than ugly. His hand shot out faster than a normal human eyes could track, demonic strength propelling him forward as he grabbed my collar and hauled me closer as I felt the heat of his power radiating off him in waves.
"You insignificant worm" he snarled, his face inches away from mine, venom laced with each word "I'll teach you how to respect your betters!"
Time seemed to slow down around me as an overwhelming urge to knock this clown washed over me. I pushed him away as he dropped to his ass, as everyone around us laughed at his fall off.
Wrong move, asshole.
Zephyrdor picked himself up and straight up lunged at me with his demonic energy surged fist aimed at my chest.
I cocked my fist back, drawing my arm across my body in just a fraction of second. The air around my knuckles began to vibrate, then warped around like a giant air bubble.
I drove my fist forward at his aimed punch with every ounce of strength I had.
CRACCCCKKKK!
Space itself shattered like a pane of glass struck by a hammer. Visible fractures spread outward from my fist in a spiderweb pattern, reality breaking under the pressure of the Gura Gura no Mi's power.
BOOOOOOOOOM!
The shockwave exploded outward in a sphere of pure destructive force, the sound so loud it felt like it was coming from inside my skull. Zephyrdor disappeared from my sight as he was launched backward like a missile, his body piercing through the air, destroying the ground along the way, before he crashed through the first table.
CRASSHHHHH!
The tremor from my punch rippled outward across the ballroom floor, reality itself shaking from the impact. Marble tiles cracked in spiderweb patterns, cracks spreading out from ground like veins of lightning frozen in stone. The cracks branched and split, covering easily twenty feet in all directions, the sound of breaking stone mixing with the fading echoes of the initial explosion.
*SHATTER! SHATTER! SHATTER!*
Glassware detonated in waves, champagne bottles and wine glasses exploding on tables throughout the vicinity. The destruction spread outward, each table's worth of glass going off like a chain of tiny bombs. Crystal rained down onto the floor in a glittering shower, mixing with spilled drinks and making the marble painted in liquid and broken shards.
Above our heads, the massive crystal chandeliers swung violently on their chains, the metal groaning with the strain. Crystals broke loose from their settings and fell, tinkling against the floor like a deadly rain. Some of the larger pieces crashed down onto tables, shattering plates and making nobles scramble backward with undignified yelps.
Wood splintered as devil nobles scattered from the path of his doom. Food and drinks went flying in all directions, painting the air with debris of royalty. But he didn't stop there.
His momentum carried him through the wreckage and into a decorative pillar, marble cracking under the impact with a sound like thunder. The pillar shuddered, cracks racing up its length, and then he was flying again, tumbling end over end until he slammed into a second table with enough force to reduce it to kindling.
The nobles themselves stumbled and fell as the floor shook beneath them, their balance destroyed by the tremor. Screams cut through the air, some of fear, some of shock, some of pure outrage. They grabbed onto each other, onto furniture, onto anything that seemed stable, their earlier dignity forgotten in the face of genuine destruction.
Devils who'd been standing near me were thrown onto their asses, their expensive clothes getting soaked with spilled champagne and liquor. One particularly pompous-looking bastard face-planted directly into what used to be a chocolate fountain.
The wave of destruction dissipated just before it reached the walls, the destructive force bleeding off into the air instead of bringing down the entire building. I learned that lesson the hard way during training, raw power was worthless if you couldn't aim it.
SILENCE
Dead crushing silence fell over the ballroom. Every single noble froze in place, their eyes locked on me with expressions ranging from horror to awe to fear. The ambient noise of the party, the conversation, the laughter, the music, all of it had died the instant my fist connected with the arrogant bastard's face.
Zephyrdor lay in the rubble of the second table, smoke rising around the debris like he'd been hit by a bomb. Which, in a way, he had. While he was alive, but very much unconscious, his eyes rolled back in his head and his mouth hanging open. Drool leaked from the corner of his lips, mixing with the blood from where he'd bitten his tongue on impact.
The nobles who'd been dismissing me as "just a human" now stared at me in disbelief. Some had their hands halfway to their faces, frozen in the act of covering their mouths. Others had stumbled backward unconsciously, putting distance between themselves and the crater of destruction I'd created.
FLASHH!
Grayfia Lucifuge appeared between me and the crowd in a burst of displaced air, her presence hitting the room like a physical force of air.
She turned to me first, those eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that would've made simp men crumble "Motohama-san," she said sternly "while you were within your rights to defend yourself from physical assault, I must request that you refrain from destroying any Devil property in the future"
I nodded, keeping my own expression neutral "Understood. My apologies for the collateral damage"
Satisfied that I wasn't going to cause more problems, she shifted her gaze to Zephyrdor's unconscious form. Her eyes narrowed fractionally, and the temperature dropped another few degrees. When she spoke again, her voice could've flash-frozen steel.
"Assaulting either Riser Phenex or Motohama san before their duel carries severe consequences" she said looking around the room at other devils, then back at fallen devil "Lord Glasya-Labolas will be informed of his son's disgraceful behavior. I expect he will be... displeased"
SNAP!
She gestured once, and a guard appeared out from the shadows at the room's corner. It tossed Zephyrdor's limp body over his shoulder and began immediate damage control, cleaning up the broken glass, removing the shattered furniture, covering the cracked marble with transport circles to minimize the visible destruction.
The moment Grayfia's attention shifted away from the crowd, the whispers started. Low at first, barely audible, but building in volume like an approaching storm.
"What was that power?"
"Did you see the air crack? Like he shattered the reality itself—"
"A human did that to a high-class devil?!"
The speculation swirled through the room, growing more frantic with each passing second. I could pretty much see the rapid reassessment of who I was, not an ordinary potion merchant with useful products, but a legitimate threat, someone who could back up his words with devastating force.
Across the room, Lord Phenex's expression had shifted from calculated interest to genuine concern. His earlier smugness was gone, replaced by the focused attention of someone who'd just realized they might have underestimated their opponent. He leaned toward one of his advisors, murmuring something I couldn't hear, but the tension in his shoulders told me everything I needed to know.
Riser himself stood annoyed replacing his usual annoying smirk. For the first time since I'd laid eyes on him, he looked like he was actually considering the possibility that he will be having a tough opponent in the upcoming duel.
Sirzechs Lucifer sat in his place of honor, and if I hadn't been watching carefully, I might have missed the way his smile widened. There was genuine amusement dancing in his eyes, barely concealed delight at the chaos I'd unleashed. He caught my gaze across the room and nodded in acknowledgment of my strength display.
Sona stepped forward smoothly, her composure back in place like she'd never lost it. But I could see the shock lurking behind her glasses, the way her fingers trembled just slightly as she adjusted them. When she spoke, her voice was perfectly controlled, revealing nothing.
"I believe it's time for my guest to retire from the party" she said clearly, projecting her words across the ballroom "Before any more... unfortunate incidents occur"
I dusted off my hands casually, brushing away imaginary dirt from my knuckles. The gesture was deliberately dismissive, a final fuck-you to anyone still thinking about testing me "Yeah, I think I've made my point. Accomplished what I came for anyway"
As I turned toward the exit, Sona and Tsubaki walked into step beside me, the rest of the peerage following behind as the crowd parted like the Red Sea before Moses. Devils stumbled over themselves to get out of my path, pressing back against walls and tables, their earlier aggression replaced with something closer to self-preservation. None of them dared to block my way or even met my eyes as I passed.
I walked through the corridor they'd created, my footsteps echoing against the cracked marble, and behind me I could hear the whispers starting up again, louder this time, more frantic.
The last thing I saw before we left the ballroom was the destruction I'd left behind, the shattered tables, the cracked floor, the broken crystal scattered across expensive marble like diamonds on a battlefield. A clear message written in property damage and unconscious nobility.
---
"ISN'T HE AMAZING, SONA DEAR?"
Her hand came down on my back with enough force to nearly knock me forward, and I stumbled slightly, catching my balance at the last second. She laughed, the sound filling the entrance hall and probably echoed through half the mansion, completely delighted by whatever chaos she'd heard about from the party.
She was grinning like a maniac, her violet eyes sparkling with unholy glee as she looked between me and her daughter "He never ceases to amuse us! First he pushes me to my limits in our little spar, and now, on his very first day in the Underworld, he challenges Riser Phenex to a duel and puts an arrogant noble in his place!" She gripped me tighter "You're one of the most entertaining humans I've ever met, Motohama-san!"
At least someone's having fun with this whole drama.
I'd gotten somewhat used to her enthusiastic antics over the days, the woman had all the restraint of a caffeinated golden retriever and about twice the energy. But standing there with my ears still ringing from the party and my knuckles still tingling asking for more arrogant noble brats, her enthusiasm felt like someone was using my mind as a playground.
"Lady Sitri" I said, managing a smile that was only slightly strained "I appreciate the warm welcome. Do you happen to know if I can have a training space for the upcoming duel here, or should I start looking for it elsewhere?"
Before Sona could answer, her mother's eyes lit up with a gleam that I immediately recognized as dangerous. It was the same look she got right before suggesting something completely outrageous during our sparring sessions.
"You know, Sona" she said, her voice taking on that casual tone that meant she was absolutely not being casual "you should just marry him. And then we both can have sparring sessions every single day!"
Sona choked on her water as flush crept up her neck and into her cheeks, her eyes going wide behind her glasses "Mother, that's completely inappropriate and—and—" She cut herself off, clearly struggling to find words that adequately conveyed her mortification.
Lady Sitri just laughed more, clearly enjoying her daughter's reaction immensely "What? He's strong, intelligent, strategically minded, and he doesn't bore you to tears like most of your suitors do. Seems like perfect husband material to me! Ah, If only I had met him in my younger years"
It was kind of adorable, seeing the normally unflappable heiress completely thrown off balance by her mother's casual marriage suggestion.
"I am showing him to the training facilities," Sona said finally, her voice carefully controlled as she forcibly wrestled her composure back into place "Nothing more. We can discuss... this matter... never" The last word came out with finality, like she was trying to seal a tomb.
She turned to me, her face still slightly flushed but her expression otherwise back to its usual composed mask "Follow me, please. Before my mother says anything else inappropriate"
I nodded and carefully got myself out from Lady Sitri's enthusiastic grasp, which took more effort than it should have because the woman had a grip like a vice "I'll see you later, Lady Sitri"
"Anytime, Motohama-kun!" she called after us, still grinning like she'd just won the lottery. "And Sona, think about what I said!"
"I won't!" Sona called back, walking slightly faster down the corridor.
I followed her through elegant hallways lined with portraits of previous Sitri family members, all of them still looking down with various expressions ranging from stern disapproval to amusement. Our footsteps echoed against the empty halls, filling the silence between us.
"Your mother is something else"
"That's one way of putting it" Sona replied, pushing up her glasses "She means well, but her definition of being 'helpful' often diverges significantly from reality"
We descended a staircase that spiraled down into the lower levels of the mansion, the air growing cooler and drier as we went deeper underground. The walls here were reinforced with some kind of magical formula I didn't recognize, glowing lines of magic circles running along the stone walls.
Finally, we reached a set of massive double doors that looked like they could withstand a nuclear blast. Sona placed her palm against a crystalline panel, and the doors swung open with a deep, resonant groan.
WOOOOSH!
The space beyond took my breath away.
It was huge! Easily the size of a football field, with a ceiling so high I couldn't see the top through the magical lighting. Different terrain landscapes were covering up throughout the space, a rocky area that looked like a mountain range in miniature, a water ground, an open sandy section that could pass for a desert.
Combat dummies stood in neat rows along one wall, some humanoid, some shaped like various mecha monsters. Environmental controls were built into panels at regular intervals, with settings for temperature, gravity, atmospheric composition, and half a dozen other ones I didn't immediately recognize.
"Damn!" I breathed, walking into the center of the space and slowly turning to take it all in "This is incredible, Sona!"
Sona's expression softened slightly, pride bleeding through her usual composure "The Sitri family has always valued practical training over theoretical study. This facility can simulate nearly any combat environment and is completely soundproofed and shielded from outside observation" She gestured to the walls "The reinforcement spells can withstand attacks from Ultimate Class devils without sustaining permanent damage"
This makes me feel like a poor guy who came to visit his rich girlfriend in her mansion.
"I'll now leave to your training, Motohama san. If you require anything, just press that button and I'll provide it" I nodded, as she summoned the magic circle beneath her and left me to myself.
I stared at the countdown, watching the seconds tick away on the blue screen that was bigger than I was used to. Seventy-one hours. Three days to prepare for a fight against someone who could literally regenerate from nearly any injury, who'd been training in combat since before I was in this world.
I cracked my knuckles, seeing the training facility stretched out around me, vast and empty and my full potential waiting to be unleashed.
I'd win.
. . .
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