Although both of them could simply use a magical teleportation circle and reach their destination in seconds, Alear had insisted on using human means during their stay in the human world. When he mentioned this earlier, Venelana merely raised an eyebrow, finding it somewhat unnecessary, but accepted it without complaint. Deep down, she didn't mind. Walking beside him, holding his arm like an ordinary companion, had its own "charm"...
She felt like a teenager again. There had been a time when her husband tried to win her over, taking her out through the capital of the Underworld in that very same way. But that was before everything changed—before the marriage, the children, and eventually the moment when he began to build his own harem of maids, preferring their company over hers. Over time, she too had been reduced to a mere piece in political arrangements. Remembering this brought a slight tightness to her chest. Alear was different. And, being honest with herself, it was dangerously easy to grow attached to him...
But setting her dangerous thoughts aside, they bought their tickets at the automatic machines and went down to the platform. The subway they took to Setagaya was incredibly empty for the time of day; there were only a few passengers scattered across the cars, most with headphones on or looking at their phones.
The train departed with a gentle sway, and the journey lasted just over ten minutes. The sound of it moving along the tracks was the only thing filling the comfortable silence between them.
When they got off at Setagaya Station, the air felt a little calmer.
The neighborhood was residential and tree-lined, with wider streets than the bustling center of Tokyo, houses and apartments mixed with small convenience stores, cafés, and discreet temples hidden among the trees. The cherry trees still held a few late blossoms, and the light breeze carried a soft scent of greenery and sun-warmed asphalt.
It was a pleasant contrast to the earlier bustle—quieter, almost suburban, yet still lively enough not to feel isolated.
Venelana adjusted her cardigan over her shoulders as they exited the station, still calmly holding Alear's arm.
"It's more residential than I imagined..." she commented casually, looking around.
Alear nodded, walking beside her calmly.
"It seems like a good place for someone who wants a bit of peace without being completely isolated."
They continued along the neighborhood's main street, passing a small square with benches and a fountain, then a row of convenience stores and a bakery that exuded the smell of fresh bread. A few students in uniform hurried past, probably late for supplementary classes or club activities.
Venelana observed everything with discreet interest, but her attention kept returning to Alear's face, thinking about something he had said earlier.
"Do you really intend to enroll here in the future?" she asked, her tone light but carrying genuine curiosity underneath. "Or is that also part of your… guess?"
Alear gave a half-smile without looking directly at her.
"Who knows. It might be useful to have a more stable base in the human world."
Venelana laughed softly, lightly squeezing his arm.
"And once again you dodged my question. But that's fine… I like that mysterious side of yours. Just don't forget to take me along when you decide to 'study.' I can pass myself off as a very convincing private tutor, you know?" She winked playfully at him.
Alear glanced at her from the side, the half-smile still on his lips.
"I'm sure you can..."
He suddenly stopped. The two of them were passing in front of an elegant and nearly empty café located on a quiet corner of the neighborhood. The façade was discreet, with frosted glass doors and a dark wooden sign that conveyed sophistication without being flashy. The soft aroma of roasted coffee and fresh pastries drifted out through the half-open door.
It was a good place...
"Let's go in..." he said, extending his hand to open the door for her. "We can continue the conversation more calmly."
Venelana blinked, surprised by the sudden initiative, but an amused smile curved her lips.
"Well, what a gentleman..." she teased, stepping in first with a graceful stride. "Careful, Alear-sama. If you keep this up, I might get used to it."
He entered right behind her, replying calmly as a waiter approached:
"Although I have a purpose with this trip, that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the company of a beautiful woman."
Venelana paused for a moment, her cheeks gaining a light rosy tint. She covered her mouth with her fingers, laughing softly.
"Oh my... now you're really making me blush."
Alear simply smiled, a light and genuine smile that reached his magenta-pink eyes.
"You look cute when you blush..."
Venelana's heart skipped a beat in her chest. Warmth slowly rose along her neck, tinting her skin with a subtle flush, but before she could resort to one of her usual teasing replies, the waiter approached. With a professional and discreet smile, he led them to a more secluded table, offering them a bit more privacy. Once seated, they placed their orders: a straight espresso for him and a lightly foamed latte for her, accompanied by light sweets—an almond croissant and a delicate slice of strawberry cheesecake.
While they waited, the conversation flowed in a surprisingly casual way, far removed from politics, duties, or any mention of the Underworld. It was almost strange, and at the same time comforting, to be immersed in such an ordinary moment.
Alear, in an unusual manner, showed genuine interest in her as a person. His questions were simple but direct, about preferences, hobbies, small daily peculiarities that generally went unnoticed. It caught her off guard. For a brief moment, she didn't know how to react. Still, she answered honestly, inadvertently realizing that something within her was beginning to change. A different feeling was emerging—silent, but present. How long had it been since someone had listened to her like that? The simple fact of truly being heard made a gentle warmth settle in her chest—a genuine warmth, almost nostalgic… and, in a way, dangerous...
When the drinks and sweets arrived, Alear took a slow sip of his coffee, appreciating the balance of bitterness. Venelana did the same, cutting a small piece of cheesecake with her fork and bringing it to her mouth with elegance, allowing herself to savor not only the delicate sweetness but also that rare moment of tranquility.
After a few minutes of light conversation about the neighborhood and human architecture, he calmly raised his hand over the table, as if merely stretching his fingers.
In the air above his palm, several droplets of water appeared out of nowhere, shining like small liquid jewels. They stretched and twisted, taking the form of elegant, translucent serpents. Quickly, the serpents multiplied—ten, twenty, thirty—sliding silently across the surface of the table, passing through the wood as if it didn't exist and moving through the café wall in different directions, disappearing toward the neighborhood streets.
No one seemed to notice them...
Venelana froze with her fork halfway to her mouth, her violet eyes widening in genuine surprise.
"...Leviathan Clan trait?!... What kind of magic is this? Weren't we supposed to follow traditional human methods while we're in the human world...?"
Alear lowered his hand slowly, keeping his gaze calm.
"Yes... about that..." he replied, with a faint, almost imperceptible sigh. "It may seem contradictory, but I'm only gathering information through magic. When I mentioned it earlier, I was referring to using human means for transportation and direct interaction. As for the rest... I don't see a problem in optimizing certain processes."
He paused briefly, tilting his head slightly.
"You're also free to use your magic in other situations if you find it necessary."
"Hm, 'gathering information'...?" Venelana repeated, giving him a more attentive look, her curiosity now evident.
Alear held her gaze for a moment before answering.
"Basically, I used the Serpent of the End as a base to create avatars formed from condensed [Demonic Power]. Each one contains a minimal fraction of my consciousness, just enough for recognition and surveillance. These water serpents don't interact, don't interfere. They only observe, collect, and relay information back to me in real time." A faint smile appeared on his lips. "It's an original spell. I call it 'Search of the Countless Leviathans.'"
He looked at the last serpent still visible, disappearing at the corner of the street, and Venelana unconsciously followed his gaze. In the next instant, it dissolved into molecules of pure water, becoming completely invisible and undetectable.
"As you can see, they also blend into the environment like vapor or natural humidity. No one can sense them, track them, or block them easily. It's like having eyes and ears all over the city at the same time, without leaving traces of active magic..."
Venelana remained silent for a few seconds, watching the spot where the last serpent had vanished. A glimmer of admiration—and something deeper—appeared in her gaze.
"Impressive... You really never stop surprising me, Alear-sama."
Alear took another sip of coffee before replying simply:
"I've been training quite a lot lately. I'm still far from what I consider acceptable, but it's a start."
He then looked at her plate, tilting his head slightly.
"How's the cheesecake? Is it good?"
Venelana blinked, still slightly distracted by the display of magic, but smiled as she cut a perfect small piece with her fork. She extended her arm across the table, offering it directly to him.
"Try it yourself."
Alear leaned forward without hesitation and accepted the piece directly from her fork. His lips lightly brushed the utensil as he tasted it.
"It's good..." he said, nodding with genuine approval. "Whoever makes the cakes here has great talent..."
Before she could pull the fork back, Alear took his own, cut a small piece of the cheesecake, and extended it toward her exactly as she had done. The gesture was calm and natural, yet carried a surprising intimacy.
Venelana felt her face warm again. She leaned slightly forward, accepting the offered bite. Her lips closed delicately around the fork, and the blush on her cheeks deepened almost inevitably.
"...You really know how to leave a woman speechless sometimes..." she murmured in a low tone after swallowing.
Her heart was beating faster than she would like to admit. It was a simple gesture, almost trivial, yet filled with unexpected intimacy. And precisely because of that, it stirred emotions within her that she wasn't prepared to face. Feeling his gaze resting on her, she looked away for a moment, trying to hide her slight embarrassment.
"So... what are your plans for the future, Alear-sama?" she asked, changing the subject, adopting a more serious tone, though still gentle. "We've never really talked about that honestly. I imagine someone like you doesn't live without ambitions, right?"
As she spoke, she kept her gaze fixed on him, maintaining a composure that contrasted with the silent turmoil within her.
Alear raised an eyebrow, clearly somewhat surprised by the sudden question. He leaned back in his chair, slowly rotating the coffee cup between his fingers.
"I don't have great ambitions, actually..." he answered honestly. "I just want to become stronger. I believe that only strength provides the means to obtain what one desires... But I don't have grand dreams. I don't seek to dominate the Underworld, nor to become a Satan, nor anything like that."
Venelana blinked, visibly surprised. She tilted her head, studying his face carefully.
"You don't seem like someone without ambition... Don't you desire women? Status? Power? Any devil your age usually dreams of a massive harem, vast territories, influence..." She paused, her tone more curious than accusatory. "Although I've already noticed you're quite different since I started spending time with you, I still thought you had many hidden ambitions."
Alear let out a short, almost resigned sigh, but without irritation.
"In fact, I do seem like someone with a lot of ambition, considering how much effort I put in... Women? Obviously, I won't deny that I want many. Status? I won't refuse what I already have or what comes naturally. But to pursue all of that avidly... isn't it futile?" He shrugged, his gaze completely calm and distant. "Does someone need great ambitions to live a worthy life? I don't think so. I want enough strength to protect what is mine and live the way I want. As for the rest, well... I believe I'll find it along the way..."
Venelana remained silent for a few seconds, processing his words. She smiled—a slow, thoughtful smile—as she cut another piece of cheesecake.
"You really are someone incredible, you know?" she murmured, more to herself than to him. "The more I spend time with you, the harder it becomes to understand what goes on in your head. Whenever I think I understand you, you show me a completely different side of yourself that always ends up impressing me..."
Alear looked at her for a moment, the corner of his lips curling slightly.
"Is that so..." he murmured, almost as if agreeing with himself.
He finished the rest of his espresso in one last slow sip, placing the empty cup on the saucer with a soft clink. Venelana was still watching him, her fork paused between her fingers, waiting for him to say something deeper. But Alear simply raised his hand, calling the waiter with a discreet gesture.
The young man approached quickly. Alear paid the bill for both of them without hesitation, leaving a generous tip. When the waiter stepped away with a polite thank you, Alear leaned back in his chair for a second, as if confirming something internally.
Then he turned his gaze to Venelana.
"I found what I was looking for..." he said, his voice low and calm. "Stay here for a while. I'll be back in an hour at most."
Venelana blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden statement, but was soon overtaken by curiosity and slight concern.
"Already?" she asked, leaning slightly forward. "What exactly did you find? Have the serpents already brought some information?"
Alear merely gave an enigmatic half-smile, standing up from the chair with that naturally elegant posture.
"Let's just say one of them found something interesting. Don't worry, I won't take long. If you want to order anything else, feel free. I'll pay when I return." He extended his hand and lightly touched her shoulder for a brief moment—a gesture almost affectionate, contrasting with the practical coldness of his words. "Wait for me here, Venelana—consider this an order from your boss..."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and left the café with calm steps, disappearing through the frosted glass door. Venelana remained seated, looking at the spot where he had been just seconds before. Her fingers lightly tightened around the handle of her cup.
"...Always so mysterious," she murmured to herself, a soft sigh escaping her lips.
Even so, a small, resigned smile appeared on her face. She cut another piece of cheesecake, bringing it slowly to her mouth as she gazed out the window, waiting.
_________________
(A/N: I'm thinking about adding Chainsaw Man, specifically Makima. I'd like her to be the Queen of Alear's Nobility—what do you think of the idea?
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