Chapter 13: Mistakes Were Made.


She sighed as she adjusted her bag on her shoulder for the fifth time, trying to locate the most comfortable spot. She kept moving. She walked as her hair fluttered in the morning's air, her new uniform wrapped perfectly around her body. Sae felt the warm wind caressing her skin, smoothing out the crinkles in her magenta skirt and fixed her brown hair.

"Another day, another school," Sae Toujou shook her head, "To think, that I'd be enrolled in a school which is considered one of the greatest among Japan. It's amazing." She hung her head. "A shame they had to close Ryoukuu, it received a lot of demands from the misfortunate parents."

Suddenly she staggered back when something struck her across her forehead. "W-watch it!" She squealed and massaged her newborn bruise, flinching.

"Ah, my mistake, I wasn't looking where I was going," Sae looked up at the sound of a kind-hearted, baritone voice. Emerald eyes squinting as she struggled to identify the person, the sunlight brightening behind his tall and shadowy figure.

Said person smiled and picked up a book that flew from her bag, dusting it off, "Is this yours, Sae Toujou?"

Her eyes widened slightly, quickly snatching her belonging from his grasp and taking a step back, gulping. "H-How do you know my name? We've barely met!"

The man laughed, she didn't know why, but it put her at… ease. "Calm yourself, I saw your name written up in your notebook's cover page, young lady."

The girl took a quick peek at the object wrapped in her arms, seeing he wasn't spitting lies. She glared at his green eyes which gave off an endless sort of feeling, her stance still defensive. Amazingly enough, his Japanese accent is perfect—just as his appearance—music to anyone's ears, plus he can read her language, too. The worst part is that his face doesn't carry features that resemble a Japanese person.

"A-Are you from here?" She blurted out—the squinted unnecessary eyebrows forced her to be more specific. "I-I mean, a-are you Japanese? Or are you visiting a family member or friend?"

"Oh? May I ask, why the sudden interrogation?"

The brunette winced, looking away as her hand rubbed her arm, "You don't look Japanese. European…?"

He shrugged, "My cousin showed me your people's cultures." He bowed, "It was a pleasure meeting you, but I'm in a hurry. Have a pleasant day in school."

Before she could ask for a name, the silver-haired man walked to a different direction and rounded the corner.

"Hm," she hummed, her cheeks reddening. "He's handsome." She spared a glance at her wristwatch, gasping. "Shoot! I'm going to be late for the interview!"

She pocketed her book and began ran to Kuoh, curses falling from her mouth, as she stumbled with whatever was in her way.


"So, this is Kuoh," Rudiger Rosenkreutz hummed after finally teleporting in front the entrance of the private school. No student roaming around the gates—which wasn't a big surprise—he thought. Around half an hour this place would be filled by girls. The sun wasn't even out, yet.

"If the information I've scavenged for is correct, then this is where Princess Cleria works as a headmistress." Not wasting a single second, he snapped his fingers and felt his demonic power wrap around his body, melting away after finishing tweaking Rudiger's appearance. Sighing, he passed a hand through his now brownish hair. "This'll do."

He sashayed like a waiter working in a five-star restaurant and his footfalls made no sound at all, he made sure to leave no trace of demonic power with a few seals of magic. While he knows a little of the school, he lacks knowledge about the town per se. Who knows, maybe there's a Stray Devil scurrying inside one of the rooms.

"Now, where is this supposed Student Council?" He massaged his chin, as he kept looking at the many installations, the sound of crickets chirping in the grass. "Is there a map at all?"

"Excuse me, but the school isn't open yet." A voice behind him said, breaking from his wonders and spinning around to face the stranger.

"Who are you?" Pater R.R.C. demanded, glaring at the black-eyed male, "You know this is an all-girl private school, correct? You shouldn't be here."

The man frowned, "I could say the same. You're trespassing." He countered. "As the secretary of this school, I ask you to turn around and walk away before I call the police."

Rudiger's eyes widened like saucers, "Wait a moment, secretary?" He asked, earning a doubtful nod, "Ah, perfect! I need to speak with the headmistress. It's about my daughter."

His frown deepened, "Your daughter studies here?"

"That's correct, mister."

He wasn't sold, he folded his arms, "What's her name?"

The Rosicrucian grinned, "Sae Toujou."

He glanced down, fumbling as he tried to remember the names on the list that was left on his desk weeks ago. Finally, he met his eyes. "I remember now. Today she was supposed to come earlier to the Student Council to check her papers, find a suitable classroom for her, and a small interview." He looked to the gate, then Rudiger's side, and finally the man before him, "Where is she?"

"My princess's ill," The silver-haired sighed sadly. "She has an atrocious fever. Even under a light cotton sheet, she was radiating heat like a brick right out of the oven! So, I decided to do her part in her stead."

"… Since this is her first day, it won't be punishable, especially when she's not feeling well." He assured him. "I just hope she'll get better tomorrow, she can't skip a lot of classes."

"You and me both," He gestured to the Kuoh's installations. "Shall we move, then? My daughter's alone in the house, I don't want to waste time sightseeing the academy."

"Of course," He bowed. "I'm Masaomi Yaegaki—call me Masaomi, there's no necessity for formalities," Masaomi said, peeking up. "If you follow me, Mr. Toujou, we'll approach Academy's student body and further talk about the matter in hand," not wasting a sweat, he spun around and began walking, his long black hair fluttering in the wind.

Rudiger, however, did not obey. "I want to talk with the headmistress, personally." He stated, freezing the black-haired man, "So, if you're kind enough to lead me the way, I'll be grateful."

Masaomi sighed, rubbing his neck, "I'm sorry, but the headmistress is occupied right now."

The Magician blinked before chuckling, "I don't think you understand." He shook his head, arms crawling behind, slithering closer. "But this is important. I need to speak with her. Now."

Masaomi scowled, dusting his attire, "Then give me the message and when she's available, I'll inform her as soon as possible." He saw the twitch from his brow, "I understand you're—"

Rudiger laid a finger across Masaomi's forehead, tapping on the demonic power within him, he sent a small chunk of energy to the Japanese man's brain.

The ebony haired man couldn't help it. He gazed into those green, swirling, spiral orbs, the windows to the soul, his very...alluring ... compelling... even possessive soul…

"…" Rudiger took a step back, sighing, studying Yaegaki's irises shading going from the usual radial to gradient—eyelids drop.

"Let's try this again," The German coughed behind a fist, "Secretary, would you kindly take me to headmistress' office?"

Masaomi's mouth hung slightly open, before nodding and spinning around, walking unusually slowly, almost robotically, as if his brain was struggling to tell each foot to take the next step.

"Thank you," Mammon's Bishop said, stiffer than a leopard who stalks their prey. He followed from behind, gaze downwards. "I apologize, but you left me with no choice."

No answer came from the puppet.


"Here we are," Rudiger muttered, standing in front of the doors, sparing a glance at his navigator. Immediately looking away after regarding those dull eyes staring back at him, awaiting his next command, "I… appreciate your assistance, deeply." He drawled.

"…"

The silver-haired man corrected his collar, clearing his throat, before forcefully facing his temporal pawn, "At the snap of my fingers, you shall go back to the Student Council, and when you sit, you'll return to your true self. My appearance, name, our conversation, everything about me will leave your mind. Understood?"

"…"

Rudiger gulped, "R-Right." He snapped his fingers, his minion immediately obeying his command. Clashing shoulders with Rudiger as he resumed his weak steps, turning the corner, leaving his 'master' alone in the hall.

He felt his demonic energy once again work on his hair, turning to its previous color. He moved closer to the doorway.

The door stood towering above him—he let out a shaky breath. The dread and anxiety deadened his mind and body. In his frozen state, he sewed his jaded eyes, massaging his temples. "Calm yourself. You're doing this for Ludwig, nothing else." He mentally patted himself on the back and knocked on the door.

He waited.

"Who's there?" A female voice answered from the other side.

"It's me, Rudiger." He replied. "May I come in? I need to speak with you, Princess Cleria."

"…Umm." Cleria Belial trailed off, that's not a good signal for him. "… While I'm shocked you came here, to Kuoh nonetheless, I'm… kind of occupied."

He planted his hand on the door, "Wait! It's important, please!"

He heard her groans, "I'm doing something important, too!"

"Like what?!"

Her feet shuffled behind the door, "… trying to, uh, take a nap."

He stared at the entrance, aghast, "… Are you serious?" She didn't reply, "Listen, this is an important subject, valuable for us. It's about your cousin, Prince Danhauser."

"… What's wrong with Danny?"

"It's about his strange case," Rudiger responded, "I need to know what you think about it."

The silence of the corridor made his blood as cold as the air that crept through an open window, but suddenly, he sighed in relief when the knob twisted with a soft click, followed by the door softly opening, "Come in." Cleria moved aside.

Muttering his gratitude, the Magician flew inside Cleria's office, pausing in the middle of the room to appreciate his new surroundings.

"Like it?" Cleria said with a yawn, walking past him and sitting with all the elegance of a sack of fresh potatoes. Her body seemed to adjust to the structure of the desk chair, even her face appeared to loosen and drop as if yanked by invisible strings gently downward.

"You don't look great," Rudiger commented after sitting so securely and with such a straight spine that he gave off the hallucination of being a particularly authoritarian school teacher.

Cleria glared behind her heavy eyes, "You really know how to make a woman blush."

He winced, raising both hands, "I didn't mean to offend!"

"… It's fine, no worries," Cleria tried to soothe him, repetitively tapping her fingers on the desk, trying all she could to keep her eyes open. "So, what's wrong with my youngest cousin?"

The Upsetting Sorcerer clasped both hands, "I'll make this quick as possible, Princess Cleria," He closed his eyes and breathed, "In essence, have you seen any characteristic change or permanent alteration about your relative?"

Her eyes narrowed, accommodating her body as she leered at the Reincarnated Devil, "Why are you curious about Danny?"

He opened his eyes, "Diehauser gave me wide knowledge about his brother's case, and I had already discussed with the latter about his problem. Unfortunately, he has amnesia," He held the urge to scoff, "… This made it difficult to get appropriate answers. Hence the reason of why I came here so quickly, seeking high and low around the House of Belial." He nodded at her, "You're the last person who hasn't shared her thoughts with me."

Like rain on a glass pane, the strumming of her fingers was as ruthless as it was loud. Each drum of the polished nails on the table mirrored the tumultuous thudding of her heartbeat. She looked down and then up, her mouth open and ready to respond, but no answer came, much to his dismay.

At last, she laid a leg on the other. "Yes. He has changed. A lot… In a good way."

"… You don't sound too gleeful about this development."

She heaved a sigh, arms under her bust. "The current Danny is by far different—which is a good signal." She blew a few strands away, "But still, he's not the one that I cheered for."

"Huh," he maneuvered his elbows over the armchairs, "Kindly, keep going…"

Cleria bit her lip, "Pretty sure everyone told you when his Lazarus Syndrome struck, he became awkward and quiet. Previously he was the opposite—cheerful and sociable, he loved to play a lot… and he was really racist to anything that was not a Devil." Her shoulders slumped slightly. "I don't even know how he befriended Tannin's son."

"Your cousin no longer harvesting hatred to different races is indeed a fresh breath, however, him losing the positive traits is really that worrisome?"

She chuckled, "Not at all. There's nothing wrong about that, in fact, I find it cute, and it's justifiable. He did just come back from the dead." Her smile dropped, "The problem is... he's fixated on one thing."

"Like what?"

"Training." Using his silence for her own ends, she continued. "After vaulting out of his coffin, he asked Diehauser to train him in hand-to-hand combat and Worthlessness, even when the doctor advised him to lie down. When Uncle Coda came to pay us a visit he asked him is to teach him the way of the spear and the Malebranche's House trait!" She buried her face in her palms, groaning. "It's like he's getting ready to fight a boss!"

"A Training Maniac?" The German blurted out, earning a sluggish nod. "Hopefully, you have comments and suggestions from different parties…?"

"Everyone knows about this." She laid her hands once again on the desk, "Calcabrina told me because Diehauser is a role model for Danny to look up to. Diehauser stated that he's preparing himself for the incoming Devil Gathering. Uncle Coda said he's training to become the new Champion of the Rating Games. Gilles' thoughts are—!"

"What about yours?" Rudiger's smile wobbled slightly, "What do you think about this?"

Cleria frowned and slouched in the desk chair. "… At first, I thought he had bigorexia—maybe he does, who knows." She sank further into her seat. "I just want to spend more time with my cousins, you know? Unfortunately, one of them is the Head Senator and the other is a Training Maniac… the only thing I have here is just a bunch of exorcists." She laughed weakly, making the German wince at the lack of emotion. "… I know it's none of my business, but still…"

Then again, she did ask for it. She knew that by moving away from the Belial Territory and building a new life with humans in Japan, she would be separated from her family. Sometimes it's great, those moments are when she doesn't need to smell the repugnance of Noble Devils, the bad ones are when she can no longer stay with her Clan, she's stuck here, like her family, she has an important role to benefit the House of Belial.

At least Masaomi is here to make things fun.

"What?" Rudiger stared as if she just grew a pair of horns, her previous words slapping him. "There are exorcists on these streets, and you are by yourself?!"

"Well, yeah…" The gray-haired devil straightened up, "But it's fine, really! They can't touch me, nor I can lay a finger on them…"

"… Cleria, if you wish I can put a few magic seals on your house's entrance and the school gates, to keep you alarmed when something dangerous happens."

She rolled her eyes with a faint smile, a beautiful sight to behold, "Thanks, dad, but as I said, I'm fine." She clasped her hands together, "We're drifting away from the subject." Her smile vanished and her gray eyes honed. "Now, I ask you. What do you think? Who do you agree with?"

The Rosicrucian froze and looked down at his balled fists, "What if…?"

Cleria focused on the Magician, her curiosity growing like a cat adjusted upon its prey. "Rudiger… are you alright?"

He looked away from his clenched hands, startling the woman. "Princess Cleria, I know this may sound impossible to believe, but Prince Danhauser is not himself. He's an entirely a new person."

Cleria's face fell faster than a pair of cement boots. At that minute her skin paled slightly, her mouth hung with lips slightly parted and her eyes were as large as they could strain. She shook her head. "W-What?"

"There's a spirit and a soul inside of him. They have fused thus creating a new being." Rudiger explained, "I need your help, Princess Cleria. I need you to bring him here, so I can take the soul out of his body."

"… B-but what you're saying… wouldn't that hurt him… kill him?" She whispered, gasping behind her hands. "R-Rudiger, we can't…! You need to calm—!"

She was silenced by a digit pressed on her forehead, and before she could express her confusion, she felt the sudden changes around the dilation over her pupil; they grew and shortened, she couldn't move, blink, scream, or defend herself, her hands and feet straining involuntarily against an unrecognizable force.

It wasn't just a modest tingle that travels underneath her brain. Not at all. It was as though someone had attached a live wire to each and every one of her nerves and her body convulsed as the turbulent energy pulsed through her.

She felt like a void. A dark void. A never-ending dark void that feeds on everything, left feeling nothing. Empty.

Finally, Rudiger reclaimed his finger, stood up, turned around, and walked away.

Rudiger paused at the doorway—hand over the knob, letting his orbs roam over the room. He'd have to get out, he knew he would, but for an odd reason, he couldn't, he just gritted his teeth and balled his hand around the knob.

His green pools rambled over Cleria's heavy eyelids, breaking eye contact right away. His inner-self arise to defend his actions. "You're just doing this for your son Ludwig. He didn't deserve to have difficulty in childbirth. He was born with a curse. You're doing the right thing." But still, it bothered him, the lonely woman who thirsts for her cousin's company, she who trusted him enough to offer some information and a seat, was not enough to wipe out the sin called guilt.

He turned back, lips halfway open for an honest apology, but as he got a better look on the devil, her forehead dropped on the desk with a harsh thud, ending the staring contest. His mouth clenched, turning back to the door and twisting the knob completely, leaving the scene.

As he stood behind the door, he saw two school girls passing through the corridors, their faces relaxed as they discussed a new terrible song on the internet. They weren't taxed with guilt—nothing disturbed them from their world. Their eyes landed on him. Grinning, they doubled their movements, shifting closer to one another and giggling as they spare constant glances over him. Oblivious to what happened to their beloved headmistress.

Rudiger Rosenkreutz had done his job well.


As the broad recognition, and the result of his previous misdemeanors, finally sank in, the abyss of his stomach whisked, and he collapsed onto the gray couch. From out of the very depths of his essence, flowed all his emotions, and as the groaning flow passed his throat, it became a cry of admittance, a wail reaching out for atonement.

"Can you shut up, Malacoda?" Matanbuchus Belial snapped, putting to a brief end to the conversation between father and sons. "Your whining is getting annoying."

Evil Tail tumbled the back side of his palm over his temple and howled louder.

"If it makes you feel better, uncle. I never meant to punch you hard," Diehauser Belial explained. "Adrenaline possessed me."

Malacoda's eyes popped out, "Whoa! Hol' up!" He sat on the couch's folded pleats cross-legged. Far less stress, far more comfortable as he'd always say. "This isn't your fault, kid!" He said, rubbing where his nephew conveniently had laid his last punch, wincing. He nodded at his red-colored apparel. "Hey, let me use your coat. Left my jacket in the arena."

"But, it's cold."

His uncle's retorts were silenced by a blanket landing over his head. He yanked it down and glared at his brother-in-law. An undignified grunt escapes his mouth, the sound misshapen at the point of impact. "Fine, I'll shut up."

"Good," Diehauser's father said, once again facing his two sons—mostly Danhauser—finding a proper seat ontop his desk, "Something you need to know is that we're spirits made of magic and a specific element that differs us from other creatures. " He gestured at his son with a hand's sway, "What's our element, Dan?"

"… Demonic Power?"

"Correct. It's Demonic Power," He repeated. "Pure Angels' element is Light. Fallen Angels? Just like the latter. Vampires? Shadows. Dragons? Outrage and so on…" He flexed his fingers. "True Form is not an ability centralized only to Devils. ALL mythical creatures can obtain one. Humans, can't. Hybrids can, too."

"Why name it True Form?" Danhauser blurted out, watching his father sigh, pass a hand through his hair, and stand up with an arm stretch.

"Because that's literally our True Form." He responded, kneeling in front of his son, his hands sliding across Danhauser's cheeks, yanking them. "This is just skin—not our real form. A mere camouflage to mingle ourselves with humankind, perhaps to also lock all the condensed energy within us."

Danhauser's eyes widened, massaging his aching cheeks subconsciously. Realization struck him. "Wait. What Diehauser fought was…?"

He smirked, standing up, "That's right. Your brother had brawled against Coda's spirit, the way he really looks, his real appearance, Malacoda Malebranche is an abomination made of the repugnant and stickiest Resin."

"Fuck off," Malacoda scoffed, wrapping the warm sheet around his upper body.

He ignored him. "In truth, his spirit is made of Demonic Power, identical to all Devilkin. But the power of imagination forcefully turned him into the thing that he was closely related to—Pitch Resin."

"Father, what can True Form do?"

"… True Form lets you unleash and amplify your hidden power and abilities to the fullest and incredible magnitude through sheer force of will. True Form grants the user the power that lies within their spirit, granting them feats that unbound the laws of magic, science, logic, and divinity and is independent of such forces, for true power is at it's the purest capability unimaginable."

"He stretched like rubber during the fight," mumbled Danhauser. The fight of Titans between The Emperor and Evil Tail recorded before his gray eyes. Not only Malacoda could stretch, he did many things that made the Belial's head burn like a marshmallow on fire. Something he noted about his uncle's Resin Form, is that Diehauser's punches weren't tickling him at all, but when The Emperor engulfed his fists with Demonic Power, that was a different story. Does Demonic Power need to be superior to Malacoda's? "That's one of his feats, isn't it?"

"Exactly. When our uncle tapped into his True Form, he could not only manipulate Resin. His control over Resin enhanced by a wide margin, he could stretch, regenerate, absorb damage, mold himself—and many other things." Diehauser answered for his father. "When the user liberates their True Form, they are able to do anything that is tied to their abilities to unplumbed achievements, and the power is so dominant that if the user is ever done with it, it is never truly gone, but merely locked away once again. If the user successfully unlocks it again, the powers that were supposed to be lost are reawakened and perhaps stronger than before. That's True Form. You could say it's very much alike to a Sacred Gear's Balance Breaker."

"…" Danhauser stayed quiet and glanced down at his pale-gray hands, clenching them. He had lacked knowledge about the matter at hand, even if he went to dig in the humongous library, there wasn't a book where it explained such frightening power. If only he knew Malacoda had True Form, then he wouldn't have wasted his time by searching old notes all over the Belial Territory.

"Wait. They know what a Balance Breaker is?" He held the urge to openly facepalm, "I'm an idiot."

If Matanbuchus spilled the truth, then the spirit of a Vampire is made of Shadows. While the spirit of a Devil is made of Demonic Energy.

Behind his skin, muscles and veins hid the dormant demonic power that is begging to be unleashed. Danhauser sees such ability in its purest form. How do you define it? The answer is like defining an atom. Demonic Power is the building block of which all other spells form. It's like some sort of metaphysical clay, supercharged with electricity.

In a sense, demonic power does not summon fire or ice—it becomes demonic fire and demonic ice with the appropriate use of imagination. Just as atoms can be built and changed, to become molecules, and molecules can become elements, and so on—Demonic power's possibilities are, possibly, limitless.

Demonic Power cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

"Then to reach such power… I need to transform my spirit?" He pursed his lips. Suddenly, a question brightened his brain. "If I somehow found a way to use True Form, which one would I have? Worthlessness or Pitch Resin?"

"… I don't know," Matanbuchus trailed off after sitting on top of his desk once again, "True Form is such an anomaly. Only three Devils have obtained it, two of them are alive, the other one is dead." He bit his thumb, fishing for understandable words, "… It's impossible to give you a concrete answer. Since professionals don't have the chance to study this subject deeper, left only with crumbs." He nodded at Malacoda, "They've tried to take blood samples while he was in that state and guess what they got?"

"Resin!" Malacoda chirped. "Literally, all my insides were made of Resin."

"And don't get me started with Sirzechs Lucifer." Matanbuchus shuddered. "Besides, who knows if your brother is correct or even myself. I've just told you what I heard long ago."

Danhauser clicked his tongue. Could it be one of his two Clan Traits or maybe they'll fuse in True Form mode? Or he'll be allowed to use which one whenever he wants? If he had to choose, then Worthlessness all the way.

Finally, he asked the one million dollar question. "How can I trigger my True Form?"

"…" Matanbuchus sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose, signaling to Malacoda. "You know what to do."

"Aye, aye!" Malacoda clasped both hands to steal his nephew's attention, "Look! The way to activate your True Form is by possessing 'Immense demonic levels,' control it, and have your body strong enough to withstand the increased power and transformation!"

"... I see," Danhauser said after a brief silence. It was obvious he needed at most Ultimate Demonic Powers to obtain his True Form. He stared at his brother. "You know, you can actually do the same, right?"

"Of course he can!" Malacoda answered for Diehauser, "But… there's a small problem."

"What?"

"…It's actually prohibited to have a True Form—"

"You're kidding, right?" Looking at the deadpan stare of Diehauser was sufficient to shatter his excitement, "Did you just forget you just fought uncle in his True Form? And that the current Lucifer also has one?"

"Their respective government allowed them to use it," Diehauser explained nonchalantly. "As I was saying. True Form is prohibited unless you have permission from the higher-ups. I never said it was banned."

"Something like a driver's license?"

"Pretty much."

Danhauser bit his cheek, arms folded, "Still, I don't see anything wrong with it…"

"There's an old saying of Archmage Merlin Ambrosius... Control your thirst for magic... an unending thirst it is." Diehauser quoted. "Any kind of magic is corrupting and addictive. True Form is not an exception. Just picture this, every time you cast it, your whole body is morphing and when you go back to your normal state… you think you'll be one hundred percent the one you were back then? There must be something that has changed for good. From appearance or worse—your mentality." He grimaced. "Plus, it's a threatening ability, a great example is Crimson Satan, by only releasing a fragment of Power of Destruction, he could make earthquakes—"

Matanbuchus scoffed, "Look who's talking."

"…Across the Underworld and inflict permanent damage."

His father then nodded. "Even Malacoda, who appears to have dominance over his True Form, it had been frowned by the citizens of Dis. Nonetheless, through favorable circumstances, they bestowed upon him the ability to cast such frightening transformation around the Empire of Divine Comedy and Malebolge."

"It… makes sense," Danhauser blew air from his nose. He didn't even need to ask what his uncle could do. Perhaps sink the whole city of Dis with a lake of Resin. "Can I have permission to have my True Form, please?"

The three adults shared glances, staring suddenly becoming their only pattern of communication. They shrugged, nodded, tilted their heads, and groaned, leaving Danhauser standing impatiently in the background.

Finally, The Emperor sighed and turned to his brother. "We will see."

Danhauser's shoulders slumped slightly, it was either a yes or a no. It seems he has to prove them he has the capabilities to wield properly True Form.

Challenge accepted.

Danhauser hummed and faced his brother. "Can I at least know the requisites, please?"

"You need the green lights of the Senate, a Maou, and Lord Bael or the first Great King, Zekram Bael," Diehauser replied. "When you have received their blessings, you can freely use your True Form IN Ars Goetia's Territory. You can't use it on Dis, Malebolge, or Extra Demons' grounds. For that, you need their approval, too."

He frowned and slowly nodded, his mind was still a surging perplexity. Knowing the government, it may take YEARS for the headquarters of the 72 Pillars to approve this, that doesn't mean that he can't set up his training.

Matanbuchus perceived this. "Since Dis' districts are governed by the wealthiest people—you need to seek for the richest Houses encompassing the Citadel." He bit his lip and stood up, staring at the clock hanging on the wall. "Well, it seems it's time for you three to move back to Ars Goetia. Wish we could speak more and properly, but unfortunately, I have some business to attend with some unpleasant guests."

"Finally," Danhauser had to endure the impulse of screaming his thoughts out, not because of his father's first impression, but the city, in general, is a complete piece of shit, it still baffles him how children could live in an environment like this one, regardless of how much fortune the Houses make around the Empire of Divine Comedy, it isn't a place to let toddlers wander around, especially when they have enemies behind those humongous walls.

But all in all, it was worth it. He finally gathered enough information, all this adventure was worth it.

"I understand," Danhauser shifted closer and wrapped his arms around his father. "It was great meeting you, dad."

He felt a palm brushing off his hair, followed by a pained chuckle, "The pleasure is all mine, Dan. You don't know how much it relieves me to know you're breathing and blinking."

Danhauser just broke the hug and gave an awkward wave. He spun around and walked to the doors.

"Diehauser, before you go, I need to speak with you, alone." He had heard to his father's last words, "I think we both know what issue is, so, make yourself comfortable."

The Emperor breathed out heavily but nodded. "You two get back to the train."

"Sure," Malacoda replied, pushing the door open to let his nephew move outside, hastily locking the door. "Let's leave the two big guys to mind their business and go back to the train, Capisci?"

Danhauser just bobbed his head and chased after his uncle's tail.


"There you go!" Evil Tail cheered for the young Belial, sitting in front of him, arms behind his neck, watching his nephew manipulate practice with his House Trait.

Danhauser bit his tongue but made sure to offer a drop to express his gratitude, he kept his hands in the air, as if he was praising an omnipotent being residing in the gates of Heaven. "W-What now?" He wheezed out, arms trembling, struggling to not stare the window's train to distract himself.

"Stay like that until you're exhausted," Diehauser suggested, watching how the table wears the Belial symbol proudly, large enough to touch its corners. "Try making some resin from the circle."

Danhauser sucked a poor lump of air and carefully rolled his shoulders in hopes to keep them painless. Finally, he jerked his fingers upwards, as if he was fishing with only his digits inside the sigil. His efforts bore fruits. In the middle of the gray sigil, stood the tip of his spell, like a small plant began to emerge and eventually break through the soil.

But it wasn't enough—he grounded his teeth and yanked harshly in an attempt to extract his complete creation.

"Nice work!" His uncle complimented him, eyeing the tendril as it stood as straight as a tree. "It's not huge as I would imagine, but good enough for a newbie!"

Danhauser groaned shamelessly but still kept his aching hands in the air. Since he'd saw the battle between his brother and uncle, Danhauser had the urge to enhance his second unique ability. Belial kept working out until his skin takes on a glossy shine and the salty drops invade his eye. He had thought it'd be as easy as drinking gallons of water.

He shook his head and put his whole attention back on his invention, smiling. It was as if he was a snake charmer that succeeded in hypnotizing his cobra. Every time he clenched his hands, the tendril of resin would obey by curling. Whenever he moved his hand to the left side, it'd follow his master's movements, like a puppet.

He was in love. Magic is by far, the most amazing thing in the whole world. Period. Sure, the pile of resin he had just invoked may look pathetic in the eyes of professionals, but still. To cast spells by weaving demonic energy around the roots of your fingers is something that he would never get tired of. For him, this is better than grasping a gun or driving a private jet.

Suddenly, a joint spurt around his arm, his own demonic power backfiring on him. He crumbled his assiduous work, the Belial insignia vanishing by its master's sharp command.

"You distracted yourself," The voice said, as he massaged his wrists in hopes of healing the aching muscles. "Every time you're using the demonic power you have to keep your mind clean from other thoughts."

"Sorry," Danhauser said after his uncle ended his reprimands. "I got excited."

Malacoda lifted both shoulders up, "Its fine to get thrilled, just don't make that mistake in a deadly fight. Capisci?" He heard Danhauser hum. "As you can see, you can make magic circles and from there summon a decent chunk of resin and control it, even if you're far away from your circle." He pressed a hand against the wall beside him, and immediately took it away, a limb made of resin pursuing after him, "You just need obstruction to make your seals and summon the Malebranche's trait. It doesn't work on skin, though."

"…" Diehauser saw the conversation drop and lay deeper on his seat, his fingers initially migrating to the table before ending on his toned stomach, leaving the porcelain like-plate in the hands of his brother to practice magic with. He distracted himself with the failed attempts of Danhauser, his face as passive as it would be in slumber, but he would slip out a chuckle now and then, much to Danhauser's irritation.

Diehauser lifted an arm, moving closer, shaking Danhauser's shoulder lightly. Though he was conscious, he fluttered open his eyes as if from a wide sleep and smiled that same smile he wore after accomplishing something by himself. His voice tumbled out softly, "Yes?"

"You should rest," Diehauser said, "You'll be really exhausted if you keep training so much, you did more than enough."

Danhauser bit his cheek and examined his fingers, then at his brother before abruptly looking once again down at his digits, repeating the same process. He sighed and erased the grey sigil from the table, "Fine…" He shifted for a comfortable spot on his seat. "Wake me up when we reach home, okay?"

"Sure."

"Father changed," Diehauser said, smiling.

Malacoda grinned and smashed a fist proudly over his chest. "Told you! The man was a grumpy ass back then, the only thing that made him happy was both of you and sis, The Pillars' government had him limping!" He shot him a wink. "I'm surprised you're still all calm, after all, you're filling your daddy's shoes now."

Diehauser rubbed his face. "Honestly? The first days were okay, but now they've turned tiring." He looked at his uncle's light-red eyes. "Sometimes, I wished Lord Bael would let me do my job at my own pace and get out of… nevermind."

Evil Tail grinned until his eyes seemed to close. "Go on, say it! Don't hold back, 'Hauser!"

The Emperor bit his lip and thought about it, quickly shaking his head. "I can't, mom doesn't like—!"

"Seriously?" Malacoda groaned, pinching his nose. "Come on! Sister isn't here! Heck, you're old enough to curse! But if that worries you, then sis won't know, I promise!"

His lips twitched, "… I wish Lord Bael would climb down off my ass."

"There you go!" His uncle playfully punched his shoulder—the grin hasn't waned a little. "Feels good, yeah?"

Diehauser rolled his eyes, smiling a little. "I guess so."

"What are your plans for today, Uncle?" Diehauser asked, observing Danhauser's relaxed state. "Are you still going to stay a few more days or leave?"

"Nope. I'm only accompanying you guys back to Ars Goetia, after that, I have to stay with Buchus. He's going to have a chit-chat with a bunch of asses." His barbed tail began to wave slowly. "For all one knows, this Faction could be a huge benefactor for the District of Lucifuge."

"Who?"

"I think you know who."

"Not really."

His smile disappeared. "… The Fourth King of Tepes," said Malacoda with hesitance. "The Nosferatu is back, and he's in Dis."

Diehauser frowned. "And my father is alone with someone like him?"

"Don't sweat your underwear." He pointed himself. "A Malebranche doesn't hide with his tail between his legs. The bloodsucker's done for if he pulls a hair out of Buchus' head. I promise."

"That's all I needed to hear, thank you."

"That's what family is for, Diehauser." His uncle saluted and whacked Danhauser with his tail. "So, what's up, brat? Are you dropping the act now or…?"

"… You knew?" Danhauser mumbled as he rubbed his head.

"That we did," Diehauser replied.

Danhauser winced at the stares of both Ultimate-Devils. "Uh, sorry for eavesdropping…"

"It's fine, don't worry." The Emperor shrugged, "Everyone has done it before." He poked his brother's forehead. "Just don't do it again and don't overthink about the Vampires' subject thing too much, you have school. I want you concentrated. Now get back to sleep."

Danhauser smiled faintly and obeyed.


Tobio Ikuse clicked his tongue,"So, vampires?" He repeated. "That doesn't sound great."

"Relax," said Danhauser Belial as he took a seat and rolled his neck. "I highly doubt we're going to be in contact with them. Only with the city where my father works."

"Even then, it's good to be informed what's happening outside the Belial Territory," Siegfried added his two cents. "It's still worrisome, though. Why the vampires are fixated on that city?"

"…I'm in the dark as you are," Danhauser admitted. A part of him shivering when he had heard the word Tepes taking off his uncle's mouth, his heart nearly sank like a boat. Mostly because Lucifer's son maybe has already shaken hands with the Tepes Faction, or to be more specific, with Marius Tepes, Valerie Tepes' half-brother.

Or maybe Marius hasn't met up with Rizevim, yet?

"Then there's not much to discuss of this." Siegfried's voice snapped him back. "But for safe measure, if anyone of you is alone with a vampire, don't run away, they're fast, just yank their fangs out." He paused. "I speak from experience."

Danhauser and Tobio shared a glance before turning back at the exorcist.

Siegfried caught their stares. "Vampires are part of the family tree of the undead, their organs are weaker than that of a human, they need blood to keep them functioning Their fangs' purpose is to transport blood directly to the heart and keep it from pumping." He chuckled and smiled slightly. "If they lose their precious teeth, they'll slowly and painfully die either from blood loss or hunger."

"… Right," said Tobio after an awkward silence. "I'll keep that in mind if in some way I spot a vampire in Japan."

"Please do so," The swordsman said, those red eyes meandering all over the room. "Master, may I ask what are we doing here? Are we supposed to expect someone in the main room?"

The King clasped both hands, "… Yes, we are waiting for a special guest."

"Bova?" Tobio tried to guess, in which Danhauser merely shook his head. "Who?"

"Siegfried's best friend," Danhauser quickly replied after kneading his temple with a sigh. "Hopefully, we'll end this as fast as possible."

The silver-haired blinked, "Refresh my mind, but as far as I have been here, I hadn't interacted with any servant traipsing around the manor."

"Plus, there's are literally no one from our age around here," Tobio supplemented as he dropped next to his master, Jin following suit. "I'm not saying that you can't make friends with a geezer, but still…"

The knock came quietly first and then there was silence. The three huddled on the sofa, the black dog whimpering quietly. The knock was louder and faster this time, they stood next to Danhauser who stared at the door, unmoving. "Stop making this as if we're in a horror movie. Just come in."

A giggle slipped before the door finally unlocked. "Ah, Young Master! I apologize for my tardiness—I was assisting your dear mother with something essential." He bowed. "Welcome home, by the way."

Siegfried gasped, "You!" He growled, pointing a finger at the French Butler. "What the hell are you doing here, bastard?"

Gilles de Rais stood up properly, smiling, "Now, now. A filthy pig should only squeak when the butcher is yanking its tail off, so, why are you squeaking? You miserable animal."

Tobio stared at his King, "So, best friends?"

"Okay, okay!" Danhauser jumped in front of the enraged Knight with Tobio gripping his arm. "Gilles, I have invited you here for another reason, one of them doesn't involve headbutting my servant, understood?"

The blue-haired man sighed, "Unfortunate, but I shall concede, let us get to the point, then." The man closed the door and moved closer, pulling a sheet of paper from his armor. "Here are all the ingredients I need you to obtain in Rosenkreutzer."

Siegfried broke free from the brunet's grasp. "What's this nonsense, master?" Once again, he pointed an accusing finger at the amused Queen, "What business do you have with the likes of him?"

"In a nutshell—he has personal data of a Magician called Rudiger. He will only tell me if I accepted his quest which involves buying things that can be only found in Rudiger's Institute."

"Honestly, I was expecting only you, Young Master." He eyed the two Knights and the growling dog, grinning wickedly. "But three weaponless young boys, and the only exit right behind me?" He laid a hand on his chest. "Oh my, my, is today my birthday? Heh."

"What's that supposed to mean…?" Tobio whispered to the silver-haired.

Siegfried just kept glaring daggers.

Unfortunately, Gilles heard him, "Ah, I think it would be wise to arrange some introductions, first." He bowed. "I salute you, young man. I am Gilles de Rais. Queen of the Emperor."

"Wait a moment," The Ex-exorcist drawled, eyes wide. "Are you the infamous Bluebeard?! The one who had been accused by the Church of the murder thousands of children?!"

"Wait, what?!" Tobio jumped back. "A child murderer is in a room with us?"

"Why oui, that would be a perfect statement," Gilles giggled behind his hand. "Who would have thought? Popularity stalks me even after my execution."

After analyzing the nest of trouble they had jumped in, Tobio's eyes widened, not hesitating on shooting his Master a sharp glare.

Danhauser in return curved an eyebrow. "What?"

"Why did you bring us here?"

"… You guys are in my Peerage. I need you by my side no matter what, especially when I'm facing danger." He nodded at Gilles, who was having a staring contest with Siegfried. "… The talk I'm about to have with Gilles is also important. I prefer if you two—" Jin barked. "Three paid attention to this."

Tobio's glare didn't falter. "In other words, you're using us as meatshields?"

Danhauser winced. "Whoa there, if I were using you as a meatshield, I would not be here, and I would have forced you guys to fetch the information for me."

"True that," Tobio nodded, but the stare was still there. "… no offense, I don't care about the history of a Magician," continued the brunet. "All I care is about the kidnapped students and teachers of my former school."

Danhauser kept his lips sealed and shrugged, breaking eye contact—he wasn't going to have a discussion with his Knight. "Fair enough."

Siegfried, on the other hand, focused on the source of his anger. "I can't believe someone like you has been bestowed a second chance."

Gilles gripped his chest. "Please stop offending me, I am close to tears!"

"… You're not taking this seriously, are you?" Siegfried didn't wait for his response. "Don't you understand how many lives you have ruined with your wrongdoings? Have you regretted all the sins you have committed, murderer?"

Gilles' cheerfulness disappeared, he glanced down at his nails. "They ruined me first, Siegfried." He said in a low tone. "They took away from me the purest Being that this world had to offer," Danhauser swore to see a genuine smile bloom on his face, but it vanished immediately by a bitter laugh. "This Creature was the only one who could soften my heart of stone. She burned at the stake and with Her, burned my last warm feelings for humanity."

"… Gilles," Danhauser called softly, in complete optimism of not triggering a damaged circuit from his brain. "We're here to talk about Rudiger's past, remember?"

Belial's words hadn't made any sort of effect. Danhauser spoke out again but this time a little louder. Finally, Gilles' eyes blinked faster than light itself, successfully breaking from his temporal trance. He regained his posture and coughed behind a clenched fist. "As you wish."


"For Maou's sake!" Danhauser nearly screamed and yanked his hair out. "I just want to speak with him!"

The man adjusted his glasses, glaring down at the Devil. "For the last time, Pater R.R.C., doesn't have time to interact with youngsters." The Queen stated harshly. "Neither is he in the mood to be visited by strangers, either give me the message or kindly leave."

Danhauser rubbed his face. The moment when Bluebeard had told him everything about the Rosicrucian's past was the moment he understood Rudiger's persistence on demanding for his name during that day. Now, he's here in Germany, or to be more specific, in Rosenkreutzer, interesting enough, not so far away is the Grauzauberer, where Chairman Mephisto Pheles currently is trying to keep things organized.

The Heir of Belial has a neutral relationship with nature, but he understood why many people are fawning over it, Rosenkreutzer is a great example of it. When they stepped in front of the building, it looked more like a dome, connected with more domes. The organization was very well hidden from civilization. The inside was where the show commenced, it took the appearance of a garden or greenhouses, trees that nearly touched the roof and bushes growing fruits that were unknown by Danhauser, as well as a river with bridges for people to cross. He had tried to look up and study the ceiling, but he'd always looked away when the powerful light poked his eyes. With the small glimpses he had caught, they were gigantic sunflowers pointing downwards, brightening the whole Academy.

Definitely, Rudiger and his students—or commonly known as the Rosicrucians—have a deep fondness for Mother Nature, hence their notable abuse of Alchemy and studies on Botany to bring back extinct plants or trees, and who knows? Invent their own vegetation, unlike the other Academies. In fact, every time Danhauser's in school he would always spot Magdaran Bael with a book written by them.

Perhaps if Rudiger wandered around the City of Dis, he would faint right on the spot.

To reach this place was easier than he thought, maybe because of Gilles' assistance. The Frenchman had to lie to convince his King of letting Danhauser go to the organization. It worked, but he had immediately faced Calcabrina's reproachings for leaving 'school homework' at the last minute, Diehauser was annoyed, too. His brother obviously accompanied him, not wishing to let his young brother wander around without someone watching over him, even if the institute belongs to a friend of his. The Emperor, however, decided to stay slightly behind to buy some things from the institute, something that his mother urged him to collect.

He was now definitely scared of Gilles de Rais. For an obvious reason, he lied to his King, just for the purpose of letting Danhauser visit Rudiger's Academy and buy the ingredients that Gilles had wrote for Belial. Danhauser had tried to take a peek at the list, he had ultimately given up when he read the first component on the note. It was a word beyond his vocabulary, heck, he doubts it's even in the dictionary! Perhaps a new element solely discovered in the Supernatural World that Rudiger had found who knows when and how?

Dear Maou. First Cleria's unknown relationship with the exorcist Masaomi, then the group of terrorists that, sooner or later, would commence their hunting season, the two preys being Tobio and Sae. Rudiger's actions, the strange case of the Tepes Faction, and out-of-nowhere Gilles de Rais riding the same boat?

When he had discovered Gilles de Rais' existence, he had to fathom something wrong was going to occur which involves the blue-haired Frenchman pulling the strings. He had talked with Diehauser about this, the latter knowing from Gilles' past and assured him that he's reformed now, hence the reason of why his Queen became Danhauser's babysitter back then.

All in all, whatever Gilles is scheming, is not something great, the blue-haired man, however, guaranteed him that it won't disturb the House of Belial or the whole world. Danhauser doubts it.

Danhauser shook his head and returned the stare to the supposed Queen of Rudiger. "Sorry, but this is personal." Belial apologized, arms folded. "I won't move from here until I can speak face to face with Pater R.R.C."

He paid no mind to the vein shaping on his temple. The bespectacled man was about to snap until something interrupted him. "Let him enter." A familiar voice came from a buzzer.

The man stared wide-eyed, mouth slightly open. Slowly, he fixed back on the Devil who was staring back at him with an eyebrow lifted. He fumbled and moved aside.

"Thank you," Danhauser approached the door with a nervous twitch in his step. Somehow, he knew this wasn't going to be easy. Danhauser and Rudiger hadn't had a positive conversation the last time they met, and Maou knows how the time apart has changed his mind. But Danhauser hardened himself—he can't leave things the way they are now. Especially when this is a misunderstanding.

Taking a deep breath, Danhauser tapped the buzzer beside the door. Just barely audible over the howl of the frozen winds that are attacking the walls from outside. A moment passed before a small holoscreen next to the door shuddered to life, showing him the familiar face of the natural Magician. His natural, kind-hearted attitude, replaced by a weary, sad look.

"Greetings… Prince Danhauser," He said, angling the camera to the face. "I knew sooner or later, you'd come to talk. I'll unlock the door, Come on down."

The screen ends inelegantly, followed by a click from the door. A magic circle bustles, sliding it out of the way and revealing a small landing inside, leading into a spiraling stairway down. Looks like the hovel topside is nothing more than an entrance to an underground office. Danhauser stepped inside and looked down, groaning under his breath.

"I hate stairs," With one last self-steadying breath, he made his way down. Sparing constant glances at the walls while he kept himself secured on the handrail, sometimes he would caress the walls decorated with vines until his fingers reached the red petals of a rose. The workstation must be eight feet underground—he thought, and the stairs dumped him into a small but comfortable office behind a colorful cloth curtain, controlled by a half-circle couch facing a glass table and a holoscreen that dominates the eastern wall. There, at the desk, was Rudiger focused on the sheets below his hands, the scribbles coming from his pen was enough to answer Belial's curiosity.

Nervousness.

This was the emotion that resided in Danhauser. He wasn't surprised when the goosebumps began roaming across his grayish skin. After all, he had finished talking with Gilles for one or half an hour. He has little arguments. He came to Rosenkreutzer with limited words and comebacks, he barely had time to digest everything that the Queen had told him.

Diehauser came, too, but he stayed behind, buying things from their mother, leaving Danhauser alone on this frightening quest. Much to his relief.

Obviously, he has to keep things neutral with Rudiger Rosenkreutz. Danhauser doesn't think that there's going to be a friendly relationship after this talk is concluded.

He had seen a corpse in front of his own eyes, nearly had a fight against a werewolf, if it wasn't for the Marshall of Belial. But from all those previous experiences, it can't be matched with this matter in hand. He's going to fight—verbally—with perhaps the strongest Reincarnated Devil that the Underworld had ever seen, even written tales of him throughout his road to becoming the 7th Champion of the Rating Games.

Not even Tannin, a Dragon King whose powers is on par with the Four Great Satans, can outduel the Upsetting Sorcerer.

"Welcome to Rosenkreutzer," He said after suspending his handwriting. "I apologize if the place looks as if a hurricane had stepped inside."

"It's fine," was Danhauser's response, the man once again resuming his writing.

A moment had passed with Danhauser eying Rudiger with sidelong glances before he sighed and rested a hand on his neck. "So… um… right." The gray-haired started, biting his lip to stifle another awkward sigh. "Damn it. I had a whole thing I've been thinking since I left Belial Territory, and now…. I'm lost for words. Ha." He chuckled humorlessly. "Look, I... I don't even know what to think about anything now. Since the day you paid my brother a visit, I had been thinking about our previous conversation, you were all this time inside my head, I don't know if that's what you wanted and… yeah. Somehow, of all the things I ever imagined you to be, a man searching for the impossible wasn't one of them. "

From the moment the Heir of Belial began to bring incoherency, the silver-haired man had left his pen away. He tilted his head slightly. "What are you babbling about, Prince Danhauser?"

"Playing the dumb card now, really?" The youth Devil just rolled his head back, letting his grayish hair mask his face from Rudiger. "I'm sure you have a lot you want to say, too, but I need to get this off my chest first: I am not Ludwig Rosenkreutz."

Danhauser looked down once more at the green eyes of the Magician, surprised to see the same facial expression.

"Is that all?" Rudiger finally asked, once again resuming his work.

"…Yes, that's all."

"Hm. So it seems."

Danhauser felt like a stick in the middle of a sword fight, but at least he got the job done. When the heavy silence settled over them, the gray-haired youth's unsettled eyes sauntered unceremoniously around to have a better view of the many bookshelves, he doesn't know the location, but he could hear a chimney roaring with fire somewhere. He grasped his hands and played with his thumbs, slowly shuffling his feet against the wooden floor while small grunts escaped from Rudiger's throat.

"Apologies for everything I have done." Rudiger broke the heavy atmosphere, pushing aside the tower of signed papers. The Magician now spotlighting the stunned Devil, a smile breaking from his face. The smile was… different. It hurt Danhauser's heart a little. "Back then, it seems we had started on the wrong track. Me accusing you of… you know what. By talking with multiple people known by you, it seems all of them do not see something worrisome about your change of personality. After contemplating it and with the help of different opinions and thinking the sinful actions I have done during my research, I summarize you're not Ludwig, you're the youngest member of the Belial Clan!"

"…" Danhauser's mouth was almost too dried to speak. He nodded like an idiot.

"You don't know how much it overjoys me to find you fooling death itself. Seeing the House of Belial once again in a bright mood is refreshing!" He laughed and stood up, moving in front of his desk. "Months have passed since that day, correct? Hopefully, they've made a celebration for your return!"

"… Not really."

"Oh, that's a shame." He smiled sadly. "I would, but, I have to start from zero you see." He gestured at the door behind Danhauser. "My son, Ludwig, is somewhere hidden in this world. I cannot rest while the most important thing in my life is waiting for me."

It took Belial a while to properly understand Rudiger's words, but after echoing the same sentence over and over again, he connected the dots. "What?" Was all he could say.

The Rosicrucian flashed him a grin. "Shocking, I know." He snapped his fingers, a magic circle shaping under his palm. "But, all I speak is only the truth, Prince Danhauser. Ludwig is trapped in the body of someone else, which one? I don't know, but I won't give up! When Ludwig lays his eyes on me, he'll remember me, that's how Reincarnation works, your body changes, but your soul doesn't, thus your memories remain intact." A book finally landed on his hand. "If you wish, you could read it. Page one hundred twenty-four."

Danhauser traveled a hand through his swept-back hair three times in rapid succession and fixed the German a gentle stare. "Pater R.R.C., I'm sorry for what I'm going to say, but, you need to stop this. As much as it pains me to say, Ludwig is in a better place now. It's over."

As expected, Rudiger's greeting smile was altered by an uncharacteristic grim line, the encyclopedia magically gone. He gave the Devil the cold shoulder—Danhauser saw an eye-roll during the middle of the twirl. He conveniently began patting his wooden desk. "It's late—shouldn't you be sleeping right now? Tomorrow you have school, and a good night sleep is vital for scoring high grades."

"Don't change the subject," Danhauser snapped, reaching for the zipper of his jacket, pulling it out. "What's your plan? Kidnap the children from someone's family just because he showed signs identical to your son?! Wake up already!" He balled the jacket up in his hands, poured some demonic energy on it, and pelt it at the back of Rudiger's head.

The German scoffed loudly after sensing the approaching object, he worthlessly faced the gray-haired youth once more and slapped the projectile boringly to the sidelines. "This is not affecting you in the slightest now, you're out of the map." He sharply gestured behind the devil. "The exit is right behind you. You know what to do."

"You're right. It's no longer affecting me," Danhauser agreed. "But you'll affect someone from my family, my brother." He saw his green eyes widening. "No, he doesn't know, yet. But sooner or later, he'll find out and when he does, he'll be standing here and face you." He paused. "Unfortunately, seeing how you're acting stubbornly, I'm a hundred percent sure that it's not going to end well between you two."

"…"

"Diehauser only has two close friends as far as I know." The gray-haired boy glared up. "You're one of them."

"… You don't seem to understand, no one does." Rudiger murmured. "Unfortunately, Diehauser won't, either."

"Why? What's the matter?" asked Danhauser.

"Your mother nearly walked through the same road as me, but thankfully, you came back and brought her hope once more." Rudiger ignored him. "I spent so much time here, in the world, always thinking about the previous years, my old life. The weird thing is now—I'm where most Magicians wanted to be. I am the founder of my own Academy—Rosenkreutzer, but that matters less and less to me. I've always dreamed of having a child. You're the proof that my son is still alive, but in another body, begging to be once again in the arms of his father. I can't give up, not when I'm so close obtaining it."

Danhauser gritted his teeth, "Rudiger, look—!"

"Why you were brought back to life, I wonder?" He suddenly asked. "Don't get me wrong, it's a relief you're breathing once more, but… why didn't this Lazarus Syndrome strike Ludwig, too? Are you the chosen one of a prophecy that no one has ever heard about?"

Danhauser's mouth stayed slightly open, why has he reincarnated? "I-I don't—"

He laughed quietly and smiled knowingly. "Or is it because you're Danhauser Belial, heir of the Belial Clan while Ludwig was the son of a Reincarnated Devil and nothing more?"

"…"

"… Look, Prince Danhauser. I just haven't quite been myself lately. I haven't been myself at all, isn't it? Ha-ha. You're a great boy, you know? Always wipe that nose clean, and nothing will ever stop you." He dropped to one knee. "So, do me a favor, at this precise moment, what I need is for you to get out of my ass. Can you do that? Can you listen to this old man's wish? Would you kindly, just once, stop wasting my time and let me try to feel alive once more? I'd appreciate it. I really would."

Danhauser blinked in surprise, his eyes refocusing on the man walking once more to the desk. His words felt like a sharp slap to his cheek, how is he still standing straight is beyond him. "I have heard people with a streak of bad luck, but yours is something else." No effect came from the man. "Long ago, your ex-wife demanded divorce the moment when Ludwig was born."

Rudiger froze. "Who told you this?"

"You two separated. You were only with Ludwig and years later the bane of his life awakened: a Sacred Gear."

He shot Danhauser a stare that could have frozen the Pacific. He snarled more than spoke. "Who told you this?"

Danhauser dropped his gaze to his shirt and hooked his thumbs into his pants. "It amazes me. When you knew about it, you tried to find a cure to rescue your son, unfortunately, you failed, but…" He bit his trembling lip. "Since the beginning, you had the antidote to save him, y-you only needed the courage to do so."

He felt his chest tightened into a knot like a cramp and a quiet rage built inside. His palm cackled with sparks. "W-What are you trying to say…?"

Danhauser gulped and invoked demonic energy on one of his hands, stealing constant glances where his jacket was slapped away.

The Alchemist took a step toward his visitor, a vein almost popping in his temple and his fist clenched with lightning. "Look at me!"

The grey youth stayed right where he was—finally he met Rudiger's green eyes. "You should have killed him."

That was the last straw. Rudiger held his hand out and took aim. However, before anything could happen, a wet grip yanked his leg out, tripping him over.

Rudiger groaned, grabbing the side of his head, making him wince, once his blurred eyesight disappeared, he looked over his leg, spotting a black tendril of who-knows-what.

"Resin?!" He held back a gasp. He also inherited the Malebranche's Trait?! "But how…?" Finally, his eyes locked on the jacket, now it made sense. "There was a magic circle in there… I... I've been fooled."

Once more, the German glared at the roots of his anger, Danhauser's arm was raised, trembling slightly, with a deep breath. Belial grabbed his own wrist and forced his limb down, the Resin crawling back inside the jacket. "You don't seem to understand, Rudiger." He trailed off, breaking eye contact. "Since day one, Ludwig was suffering, too sick for school, to enjoy a meal, to give smiles. All his life he was lying in bed, too tired to get up. You cleaned up after him. He… he was… um… some dead child, artificially alive just, no. That's how you remember him. That's the worst part."

He looked back when someone chuckled bitterly, his near bloodshot eyes and tears were a giveaway. "What's wrong with you?"

Danhauser remained silent.

Rudiger pressed a hand on the desk and pushed himself up. "A fifteen-years-old telling me that I should have killed my own toddler like some stray dog, without fighting to find a solution? Amazing." Dusting himself, he looked down on Danhauser. "I heard more than enough. I want you out of here, starting tomorrow, you are prohibited to stay near Rosenkreutzer, if you disobey, I won't hold back, even if you're Diehauser's brother."

Danhauser just shot him one last glare, and moved to the doors, he burned enough time with him already, and Diehauser may worry because of his lateness, plus he needed to buy Gilles de Rais' materials. He tried to speak some sense to him, for both Diehauser's and Rudiger's sake, but it seems his impossible mission is blinding him from the truth. A pity—he thought, he seemed like a nice guy to drink coffee with.

At least the Upsetting Sorcerer is not going to annoy him anymore. Unfortunately, from here on, their relationship isn't going to be neutral.


Hopefully, the way I brought True Form in my fanfic makes sense. I had been PM'ing with someone about this long ago, grabblers, since he has a top-notch view when it involves powers and so on. It was supposed to be more complex. But I was afraid that it would be confusing, so that's how I brought it.

Nothing much to say here, other than a small warning. Next chapter isn't going to be around Danhauser's point of view, it's from someone else's perspective. Cheers.


Next Chapter: A Feast of Blood and Wine.