We reached today's power stones goal! So this is a bonus chapter, Enjoy!
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"We will soon be passing through the dimensional barrier. We will soon be passing through the dimensional barrier." Reynald's voice came through the train's speaker system.
Rias turned to everyone with a small smile. "Take a look outside."
They did as she said and looked through the windows.
The pitch-black darkness outside began to change. Slowly, it was replaced by a vibrant purple light that spread across the scenery.
Issei pressed his face close to the window, his eyes shining. "Mountains! Trees! Hahaha! Whoa, this is awesome!"
Asia leaned also leaned forward from her booth, her expression filled with wonder. "It's beautiful… incredible."
Beyond the window, the train seemed to be coming out of something like a black hole floating in the air. That was the dimensional barrier, it was the system that connected the Underworld to the human realm.
"This territory belongs to the House of Gremory," Rias said with pride.
"So all of this is your family's land?" Xenovia asked, looking outside. "Even the railway line?"
Mary stared out the window with quiet surprise. "It is far larger than I expected."
Adrien wasn't shocked. He simply looked out at the scenery, his mind drifting somewhere else. Then he felt a soft weight against him, Akeno had sat on his lap again. Her face was slightly red as she leaned back against him.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked softly.
Adrien glanced down at her. "Nothing much."
Issei looked away from the window and turned to Rias. "How much territory does the House of Gremory actually have?"
From another booth, Kiba looked up and answered calmly, "If we compare it to Japan, I believe it is around the same size as Honshu."
"H-Honshu?!" Issei cried out in shock.
Honshu was Japan's main island, home to most of the country's biggest cities and cultural sites. It was around 227,960 square kilometers.
"The Underworld is around the same size as the human realm," Rias explained. "But the population is much lower, and there is far more available land since there are no seas or oceans. So yes, this territory may be similar in size to Honshu, but most of it is still untouched wilderness."
Then Rias seemed to remember something and turned toward Issei and Asia.
"Ah, I almost forgot. Issei, Asia, all of you will be granted your own territories later, so please tell me what kind of places you would like."
"O-our own territories?!" Issei stammered.
"Of course," Rias said with a proud smile. "You are all members of the Familia of the next head of the Gremory family. You will be free to live within your own territories. Akeno, Yuuto, Koneko, and Gasper already have theirs."
Adrien glanced at his own girls. "Ah, right. Same for you."
The girls turned toward him.
"When we go to my territory, you'll have to choose your own lands too," Adrien said casually. "My mom will help you choose, so don't worry about it for now."
Saeko blinked, genuinely surprised. "Wait… we get territories?"
"Yeah, of course," Adrien said, sounding completely uninterested. "You're my servants. You'll each get territory, a castle, and servants of your own."
Mary remained calm, but even she looked slightly taken aback. "A castle and servants… That is not a small reward."
"So becoming your Knight also comes with land ownership. I see." Xenovia nodded seriously.
"A-a castle…? For each of us?" Mahiru looked slightly shaken.
Another announcement echoed through the train.
"We will soon be arriving at the main Gremory residence. We will soon be arriving at the main Gremory residence. Thank you for riding with us today."
Everyone turned to the windows and looked toward their destination. In the distance, a huge crowd was waiting at the platform. Some of them were dressed in military uniforms.
Thud.
The train came to a stop, and Rias led everyone out through the doors.
Azazel, however, showed no sign of getting up.
"Huh? Aren't you coming, Teach?" Issei asked.
"Ah, no," Azazel said lazily, waving one hand. "I'm heading to the Demon King's territory first. I've got a meeting with Sirzechs and the others. I'll stop by the main Gremory residence after I'm done."
"Please give my brother my regards, Azazel," Rias said.
Azazel then looked at Adrien. "Don't forget what we talked about."
Adrien stepped out of the train without even turning back. "I said I'd help, but in due time."
The moment they got off—
"Lady Rias, welcome home!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Fireworks burst across the sky. The soldiers gave a formal gun salute, and a band of musicians began to play a celebratory tune. Above them, a group of military riders flew through the air on winged creatures while waving huge flags.
"Ahhh… t-there are too many people…" Gasper whimpered, shrinking back and hiding behind Issei.
The butlers and maids bowed their heads together as Rias approached. "Lady Rias, welcome home," they said in unison.
"Thank you, everyone," Rias replied with a bright smile.
Then the head butler looked past her and noticed Adrien. His eyes widened at once. "Prince Agares! It is a pleasure to see you."
The people nearby immediately froze. In the next second, all attention shifted from Rias to Adrien.
"Prince Agares..."
"Is that really him...?"
"He's the one who defeated that ten-winged Fallen Angel, right?"
"That's Adrien Agares!"
An uproar spread through the crowd in an instant.
The noise grew louder and louder as more people turned to look. Girls and women of all ages pushed forward, trying to get a better look at the prince of House Agares, the prodigy rumored to be the strongest of the new generation.
"Priiiinceee Adrieeennn!"
"Look this way, pleeease!"
"Prince Adrien! Over here!"
Some waved their hands wildly, some called his name at the top of their lungs, and others were nearly jumping in place just to catch his attention. Even some of the soldiers and servants were staring at him in shock or admiration.
Adrien rarely made public appearances, and after the Kokabiel incident, his name had suddenly spread throughout the Underworld. Because of that, not many people actually knew what he looked like. Even among the younger generation of High-Class devils, Adrien's strength had been more of a rumor than something real.
It was then that a familiar face stepped forward: the silver-haired maid, Grayfia.
"Welcome home, Lady Rias. Welcome, Lord Adrien," she said with perfect composure. "You arrived earlier than expected. I am delighted to see that both of your Familias made it here safely. If you would please board the carriages waiting for you, we will take you to the main residence."
Grayfia then led them toward a luxurious horse-drawn carriage, while the maids began carrying away their luggage.
The two Familias separated and got into different carriages. Once everyone was seated, the carriage started moving.
Looking out at the scenery, they saw a paved road lined with rows of neatly trimmed trees. The path stretched straight ahead, and at the end of it stood a ridiculously huge castle.
Mahiru pointed at it, her eyes wide. "Look at that castle..."
"It's the Gremory's main residence." Adrien said as he watched the scenery outside.
"I knew you were high-ranked," Saeko said, staring at Adrien, "but why didn't you tell us you were a prince?"
"Because I'm not really a prince."
Mahiru blinked. "But everyone was calling you one…"
"That's just how people talk in the Underworld," Adrien explained. "Devil territories are huge, so the rulers of major territories are treated like kings and queens by the people living there. The Agares clan are Archdukes. We're high-ranking nobles, but we're not the real royal family. The closest thing to real kings would be the Bael clan, the clan of Rias's mother."
"So Rias is a real princess?" Xenovia asked
"Yeah, something like that."
"A title is still a title. Whether official or not, people clearly see you that way." Mary said sitting calmly by the window.
"That's exactly why I don't go out and make public appearances that much, it's annoying as fuck."
They arrived outside the castle, where a beautiful garden was in full bloom. Colorful flowers covered the area, expertly crafted fountains poured clear water into shining basins, and birds of every color fluttered through the air.
The carriages slowly came to a stop, and everyone stepped out.
Maids and butlers stood in perfect lines on both sides of the path. A red carpet had been laid down the center, leading straight toward the enormous castle.
Then, with a heavy sound, the castle gates slowly swung open.
Grayfia stepped forward and gave a formal bow.
"Lady Rias, Lord Adrien, everyone. Please step forward."
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if we reach 170 power stones tomorrow I'll drop a bonus chapter tomorrow too!