“Pssh. As if I want to lead a platoon. They’ll just hold me back.”


    “Yes…because you’re so much of a liability the squad will spend more time trying to put you in line than completing the mission.”


    “...”


    Looking down at Atid’s annoying grin, Igor wished he could slap it off.


    “Yeah. Whatever. I don’t need a squad. I go on my own mission.”


    .


    |DxD|


    .


    Devil Territory, Underworld


    .


    Once again, Sirzechs was sunken into a sea of paperwork. One pile of paperwork was on his desk when his wife, Grayfia placed another stack on his left side.


    “Sirzechs-sama. Here are some of the more immediate documents that require your permission.”


    The table groaned under the weight of the papers, but Sirzech’s heart sunk at Grayfia’s next words.


    “This needs to be done by today.”


    “...”


    He took a glance at the two piles. Unfortunate experience told him just from a glance that there were over three-hundred documents.


    “Grayfia…”


    He wondered if she took a sick pleasure in seeing him like this.


    “Can we take a break…?”


    Sirzechs was a smart man. He knew a pointless battle when he saw it. These documents…he wouldn’t be able to conquer them. Not today.


    “Unfortunately that is not possible, Sirzechs-sama. I have placed some of the more urgent proposals on top since by midday, the relevant departments need to have an answer.”


    “...”


    Sigh…


    When Grayfia was like this, there was no fighting her. His ever-dutiful wife stood silently behind him, always on the ready to dish out punishment should he slack off.


    “...”


    Taking a glance at her out of the corner of his eye, Sirzechs wondered if he should get her drunk somehow-


    “Sirzech-sama. Time is wasting away. Please begin.”


    “...yes, honey-ouch!”


    Feeling her nails dig into his ear, he swiftly changed his tune.


    “Yes, Grayfia! Yes, Grayfia!”


    Finally letting go of his ear, Grayfia brushed away a strand of her silver hair before standing properly. But not before releasing a dignified huff.


    “Please maintain professionalism, Sirzechs-sama.”


    “...”


    Sirzechs idly wondered if that maid dress of hers was a cursed item or something. She always wanted to be prim and proper whenever she wore it.


    Either way, from the subtle look his wife was showing, he had about five seconds to get back to work or else he might get an impromptu pierce on his ear.


    Sigh…


    Picking up his pen, he took the first document and began reading through it-


    Vwong!


    “...”


    Sirzechs swore he would build an altar for whoever told Serafall to come to his office. His friend appeared in her typical skimpy magical girl outfit, an attire that Grayfia found distasteful…


    “Hey Zechs-chan!”


    …and her voice even more distasteful. Unfortunately for Grayfia, Sirzechs was immensely happy at her timely arrival. But he didn’t show it. It was important he didn’t show it.


    Propping himself on the desk with his elbows, he enquired curiously.


    “Serafall. How did it go?”


    “Here.”


    Instead of answering, Serafall handed the few papers documenting the details. Taking them with interest, he began reading them while Serafall took a seat.


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    “I did everything I could, Zechsy. But Dimori-san wouldn’t sign unless we changed a few things.”


    “...”


    Sirzechs nodded slightly as he read through the documents.


    “I see…”


    When he got to the parts outlining the pact of non-aggression, his brows furrowed slightly before they straightened. He quickly read through the rest of the papers before finally putting them down.


    There were some terms that made him slightly uncomfortable, but not to the point that he would back down.


    Taking his unique pen, he unhesitantly placed his signature along with a stamp of his approval.


    Stamp!


    ““?!””


    Apparently it wasn’t just Serafall, even Grayfia was quite surprised by this sudden development. She had figured he would refuse what appeared to be ludicrous terms outlined underneath the non-aggression pact.


    For him to unhesitantly offer his signature and stamp? She knew this alliance was important but…this was too much.


    “Sirzechs-sama. Is this…are you sure?”


    “I’m sure.”


    “...”


    The moment he offered his signature, there was no going back. Grayfia was afraid he had taken the decision too quickly. However, she couldn’t have been more wrong.


    “Grayfia. Serafall.”


    Sirzechs closed his eyes, wondering how to phrase his words. He knew their worries and he carefully had to address them.


    “When you get to a certain level of power…certain things and events become intolerable to you.”


    He looked at them each in the eye in order to make sure his words sunk in.


    “The reality of the situation is that we are the beggars. We are the ones that want this alliance, not them. Another reality is that Igor has become too powerful.”


    Sirzechs was neither jealous nor angry. He did not harbour dark thoughts or view Igor as a threat. He only felt…regret.


    “We waited too long to form an official alliance with him. If his power was still the same as before, the terms of this alliance would’ve been more favourable for us. Unfortunately, his power increased far beyond our estimations. We could not afford to wait any longer. Grayfia. As much as you might not like the terms of this alliance, believe me when I say the benefits we gain in a century will far outweigh the losses we will have to bear in a year.”


    ““...””


    They both silently absorbed his words, but there was one thing Serafall couldn’t understand.


    “Sirzechs. What did you mean when you said certain things become intolerable once you reach a certain level of power?”


    “...”


    He wondered how they would take his next words, especially his wife. But he wouldn’t hide it from them.


    “Serafall. Grayfia. I trust the both of you and I hope what I say will never leave this office.”


    ““…””


    They both looked at each other in concern, but they both nodded their heads. Getting their agreement, Sirzechs sat up properly.


    “Alright. As I said, as you climb up in power, certain things become intolerable to you. It is because I have reached my current level of power that I understand Igor’s demands.”


    A faint pressure emanated from him.


    “After all, not a single time goes by when I enter that building, see those decrepit elders…”


    For a moment, his eyes glowed red.


    “...and not wish to kill them all.”


    .


    |DxD|


    .


    Serafall appeared in her office with a sigh. She…she had no idea that Sirzechs held such dark thoughts in his head.


    [To think that none of us knew…]


    No. Maybe he and Ajuka confided in each other about this. They were both the strongest of their race so it would make sense if they confided in each other. And it would make more sense why Ajuka was so reclusive.


    [Just how close is he to…breaking?]


    Serafall didn’t want to consider the possibility, but she had seen the budding maliciousness in his eyes. There was only one other time she had seen him have those eyes.


    [I’ve never seen him like this since the decision was made to support the fight against the Aryans.]


    Thinking of her father who was still suffering from sleep disease made her wish to go back in time and fulfil Sirzech’s wish. If the majority did not vote in favour of the decision, her precious So-tan wouldn’t be groomed for the position of leader so early in her life.


    “Tch!”


    For the first time, Serafall let her mask fall for the briefest of moments. She understood Sirzech’s thoughts and desires.


    [That old bastard is the reason we can’t move forward!]


    None of the respect she usually intoned remained as she thought of Zekram Bael. Because the people under him were supporters of the previous satans, they were as stupid as their revered leaders- always willing to plunge the entire devil race into unnecessary wars.


    [And they don’t…LEARN!]


    She might not completely understand Sirzechs, but she understood that a steadily growing part of her wanted to kill off the older generation.


    [No. Calm down, Serafall. Calm down.]


    Unfortunately, going on a killing spree would cripple their society drastically. As much as she hated to admit it, the Great King Faction controlled most of the essential resources in the Underworld. The Bael clan itself was popular, especially with the older populace who received their help after the Civil War.


    Even she, Falbium, Ajuka, and Sirzechs were very thankful to Zekram, not realising they were thanking a snake.


    [We were too young back then…too naive.]


    If not because all four of them had the backing of their clans, they would’ve become figureheads without any real power. The war with the Aryans allowed them to regain a bit more influence, but at what cost?


    Her father didn’t even get to witness his daughter’s birth before sleep overtook him once more, all while those idiots who voted ‘for’ still acted pompous in the council hall.


    “Tch…”


    She couldn’t do anything to them, nor could Sirzechs, Ajuka, or Falbium. But Igor? He could. She was thankful the council agreed to forming an alliance with him, though begrudgingly. Their eyes were blinded by the greed of possessing Aryan weapons that they didn’t bother understanding who Igor was.


    Of course, a few documents of falsified information might’ve influenced their decision making. After all, who would believe a child advanced from high-class to god class in less than five years?


    [For once, their stupidity became useful.]


    Their short-sightedness made them allow a tiger into their homes. And because this was supposed to be an alliance with only two people, their signatures weren’t required.


    [They did say we could use ANY method.]


    The Four Satans were known to be pacifistic, but they were still devils in the end. The word ‘Any’ was to never be used with a devil.


    [Unfortunately for them, letting Igor hold partial martial law was the only method we could use for him to sign.]


    Those foolish elders would never expect such a turn of events. As long as she and the rest of her friends carefully controlled the situation, Igor could be used to cull off the parasites that are detrimental to devilkind. It was a harsh solution, but this would kickstart a new period, a new evolution for the devils.


    And as unfortunate as it may be, a new period never once ushered in without a little bit of blood as a sacrifice.


    .


    |DxD|


    .


    So the Four Satans are engaging in some political byplay with Igor as their weapon. I can only imagine the storm that would brew if our friendly blonde finds out he is being manipulated.


    Pardon the late update. It wasn’t intentional by any means. My internet provider faced some problems but we’re all good now.


    Hope you enjoy the next three chapters.