Later, Alear was seated at the noble wooden table in the main garden of the Häagenti mansion, under the soft and constant light of the Underworld. The air was fresh, filled with the fragrance of exotic flowers that lined the stone paths. To his right, Mio Naruse remained silent, her posture straight and slightly tense, wearing a simple yet elegant dress. Her long crimson hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and she cast discreet glances at the guest in front of them.
On the other side of the table sat Sairaorg Bael.
The heir of House Bael was an imposing young man, standing at 194 cm tall with a muscular build that seemed sculpted by years of brutal training. His black hair was short and well-kept, and his violet eyes conveyed a fierce and honest determination. He wore casual clothes—a tight black shirt that highlighted his broad chest and defined arms, dark pants, and sturdy boots.
Beside him, standing with impeccable posture, was his Queen: Kuisha Abaddon. A beautiful young woman with blonde hair tied in a high ponytail, piercing blue eyes, and refined features. Her outfit was bold and revealing, with a top open at the chest that generously displayed the cleavage between her ample breasts and part of her toned abdomen, open sleeves at the shoulders, a wide belt at her waist, and long pants that accentuated her long legs.
Sairaorg slightly inclined his head in a respectful greeting.
"Archduke Häagenti, I deeply appreciate you taking the time to receive me so early. I know your schedule must be quite busy after everything that has happened recently."
Alear nodded calmly, his face as indifferent as ever.
"No need to thank me, heir of the Bael family. Venelana told me the likely reason for your visit. If I were in your position, I would do exactly the same."
Sairaorg gave a slight smile, a straightforward and honest expression that matched his reputation as a frank warrior.
"In that case, the conversation will be quicker. I'll get straight to the point." He leaned slightly forward, his eyes fixed on Alear. "How did you awaken from the sleeping coma? According to all records, no one has ever awakened after so long. Your family... your very lineage was considered extinct because of it. Yet you managed to perform this miracle."
Mio, beside Alear, tensed, her fingers lightly gripping the edge of the table. She was still not used to this kind of direct and political conversation.
Alear maintained his calm and direct tone, without beating around the bush.
"It was due to the unique characteristic of the Häagenti Clan. The trait of transmutation of organic and inorganic matter. My body used this ability on an unprecedented scale to keep me alive during the seven years of coma. When I reached my limit and was about to truly die, the power manifested even more strongly, restoring my body to its ideal state and forcing me to awaken. It was instinctive. Even I didn't know it was possible until I woke up..."
Sairaorg remained silent for a few seconds, absorbing the words. His eyes gleamed with a mix of interest.
"...I see. So it was the Häagenti lineage trait itself that saved you." He took a deep breath, as if gathering courage for the next question. "My mother, Misla Bael... she suffers from the same sleeping illness. It's been years. The doctors say her case is severe, but not yet fatal. I came here because... if there is any chance, any information that could help her wake up... I need to know."
Kuisha, beside him, remained silent, but her gaze was attentive and respectful.
Alear observed Sairaorg for a moment. The young Bael heir was known for his brute strength and honorable character, but at that moment, it was possible to see the genuine concern he carried.
"I can't promise anything..." Alear replied sincerely. "My case was unique. But if you want, I can try to see how your mother's condition is and attempt to use my family's [Transmutation] to heal her condition..."
Sairaorg inclined his head in a deep and genuine bow.
"...I would be very grateful. In fact, that is already more than I expected. When can we do this? And what do you want in return?"
Alear observed Sairaorg for a moment, noticing the restrained tension in the Bael heir's broad shoulders. He replied in the same calm and direct tone as before:
"We can do it next weekend, if that's not a problem for you. Tomorrow I have a formal meeting with the Phenex family, and the entire week promises to be quite busy with matters from both houses. But on Saturday or Sunday I should have enough time to carefully examine your mother's condition."
Sairaorg visibly restrained the anxiety shining in his violet eyes. His clenched fists relaxed slightly on the table, and he nodded firmly, almost immediately.
"...Understood. I will adjust my schedule. Any day that is convenient for you will work for me. Thank you once again."
Alear lightly shook his head, dismissing the excessive gratitude.
"As for the price... there is none. Even if I manage to do something for your mother, this will not be a transaction. Consider it simply a favor between friends. But let me be very honest. I don't want you to build too many expectations. Her condition is complicated, and what worked in my case may not repeat itself in the same way. Furthermore, technically I will be using my [Transmutation] ability—although I have become quite proficient in it, I still haven't tried manipulating the body of a living being. I am being sincere so as not to create false expectations..."
Sairaorg blinked, clearly surprised by the response. A slow and genuine smile formed on his face, and he let out a low, sincere laugh from deep within his chest—the kind of laugh that revealed relief and gratitude at the same time.
"You really are different from what I imagined... I heard many rumors about the new Archduke of Houses Häagenti and Gäap, but none of them mentioned this surprisingly kind side of yours." He laughed once more, shaking his head. "If you manage to help my mother, you will have my eternal gratitude and my sincere friendship. Without a doubt. And even if you can't... I already consider you a friend. Few nobles would speak with such honesty and without asking anything in return. That is rare in the Underworld."
Kuisha, beside him, inclined her head with a slight respectful smile, clearly approving her King's words.
Mio, who had remained silent the entire time, watched the conversation with her pink eyes slightly widened. She did not expect Alear to be so direct and uninterested in political gain. A strange, warm feeling stirred in her chest—something between admiration and a subtle jealousy at seeing someone else receive so much of his attention...
Alear simply shrugged, maintaining his calm expression.
"Having friends is useful. I don't have many demon peers my age who are worth befriending. If you are as honorable as they say, then that is already enough for me."
Sairaorg extended his large, calloused hand across the table. Alear shook it firmly, sealing the informal agreement.
"Then it's settled," Sairaorg said, his tone lighter now. "Next weekend. I'll have Kuisha come pick you up to take you to where my mother's hospital is..."
Alear observed Sairaorg for a moment, the corner of his lips curving slightly into a calm and interested smile.
"Then I will rely on my new friend's Queen to guide me there..." he said calmly, turning his gaze to Kuisha with a polite nod.
Kuisha returned the gesture with an elegant and respectful bow.
"It will be an honor, Archduke Häagenti."
Sairaorg, still with an animated smile on his face, seemed to remember something else. He straightened slightly in his chair, his violet eyes shining with almost childlike excitement.
"Actually, there is another matter I would like to discuss with you..."
Alear raised an eyebrow, curious.
"What would that be?"
Sairaorg struck his clenched fist against the palm of his other hand, his smile widening.
"I've heard many rumors about your strength. They say you awakened the second most powerful Longinus in the world and that you defeated several high-level assassins alone in Agreas... I love fighting strong opponents. I want to face you! As your friend, I believe I have that privilege—we can get to know each other better through our fists!"
Kuisha let out a long, resigned sigh beside him, covering her face with one hand for a brief second.
"...Sairaorg-sama, please restrain yourself a little. We just scheduled a medical consultation for your mother..."
Mio, who had remained silent until then, couldn't hold back. She leaned forward with a concerned and slightly irritated expression, her voice sharper than she intended.
"Hey, wait a moment! How did this even get to this point? You can't just show up and challenge him out of nowhere!"
Her posture was protective, her pink eyes fixed on Sairaorg with clear disapproval. There was a possessive and worried glint there—the kind of look from someone who had already decided that Alear was "hers" to protect, even if she had not yet admitted it out loud.
Sairaorg blinked, looking at the crimson-haired girl with a genuinely confused expression, as if he had only just now truly noticed her presence.
"...Hm? And you are...?"
Mio froze. Her face turned red with both embarrassment and irritation. She opened and closed her mouth, unsure how to react to that casual oversight.
Alear coughed lightly, drawing both of their attention.
"I forgot to make the formal introductions. This is Mio Naruse, my Bishop. She is the daughter of Wilbert Bael..."
Sairaorg's eyes widened for a second, clearly surprised. The name "Wilbert" was quite famous! So she was that fugitive, huh?
"Daughter of Wilbert...? I see..." He partially stood and made a more respectful bow this time. "Forgive my rudeness. I was so focused on the possibility of helping my mother that I completely ignored who was beside the Archduke. That was discourteous of me."
Mio, still slightly red, quickly shook her head.
"It's... it's fine. I understand. You were worried about your mother."
Sairaorg seemed relieved by the response. He sat back down and looked at Alear with the same excited gleam as before.
"So... about the fight. Do you accept?"
Alear remained silent for a few seconds, as if considering. A slight smile appeared on his lips.
"Why not? A fight against the strongest young demon of the new generation seems like a good way to test my current limits, so I accept..."
Mio immediately turned her head toward him, eyes wide.
"H-hey! Alear... you don't have to accept this! Aren't you tired from fighting those fallen angels yesterday? I don't want you to get hurt..." Her voice trailed off at the end, almost fading into a soft murmur.
Alear simply smiled gently before replying, "It will just be a friendly match, don't worry so much, Mio... I'm strong, remember?"
Mio remained silent. Yes, she knew he was strong—there was no doubt about that—but even so, her heart could not stop tightening with worry.
Meanwhile, Sairaorg, although clearly interested in learning more about the fallen angels, had his attention much more focused on the idea of combat. He let out a loud, firm, and enthusiastic laugh, visibly pleased with the opportunity.
"Great! Where can we find space for a fight? I think we'd end up destroying the garden if we got too carried away..."
Alear stood up from the table calmly, gesturing for Sairaorg to follow him.
"Let's go somewhere more appropriate. There is a secluded training area at the back of the property. We'll have enough space there."
Sairaorg stood up immediately, his eyes shining with genuine excitement. A wide, fierce smile spread across his face.
"Perfect! I can't wait."
The two began walking side by side along the garden's stone path, with Alear leading the way. Kuisha and Mio stayed behind, standing beside the table.
Mio clasped her hands tightly, her face visibly worried. Her pink eyes followed Alear with a mixture of anxiety and irritation.
Kuisha, beside her, let out a long, resigned sigh, crossing her arms beneath her chest. Her gaze carried her usual patience, tinged with slight exasperation.
"That is my King's way... When he encounters someone he considers strong, reason simply disappears. I apologize for his impulsive behavior, Naruse-sama."
Mio huffed softly, also crossing her arms, though she could not hide her concern.
"Is he always like this? It must be a headache dealing with that, isn't it?"
Kuisha looked away for a moment, letting out another sigh.
"Don't even get me started..."
"..."
"..."
Mio was the first to break the silence:
"Shall we follow them?"
Kuisha nodded lightly.
"That would be best..."
Without wasting any more time, the two began walking quickly after them. When they arrived, Alear and Sairaorg had already reached the wide training field.
The two stopped facing each other at the center of the field, separated by about ten meters.
Sairaorg rolled his shoulders, flexing the muscles of his arms and chest, displaying a fierce and excited smile. His demonic aura began to expand slowly—heavy and oppressive, like a mountain about to collapse.
"Finally... I'm really excited. It's been a long time since I've met someone of my generation who seems truly worth fighting."
Alear remained with his hands in the pockets of his casual pants, his expression serene, almost indifferent. Even so, his rose-magenta eyes carried a sharp glint of interest.
"Then don't hold back. I want to see what the 'strongest young demon' is truly capable of."
Mio and Kuisha, who had just arrived, remained at the side of the field, attentively watching the beginning of the confrontation between the two.
___________________
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