1 month later.
"Hey luci, luci, uh LUCIAN!" Jeanne shouted loosing patience with the bael for ignoring her.
"Yes Jeanne what is it?" Lucian finally responded after deciding it was best not to anger the eccentric knight whom he had grown to like in the last month of knowing her.
"Ya haven't told me where we are going yet" she spoke with a childish tone much to the amusement of the young bael prince
"Isn't it obvious" he replied causing Jeanne to stare at him dumbfounded "what?" Lucian questioned.
"We're in the backstreets of Dublin Lucian" Jeanne deadpanned.
"Touché" was all Lucian said before continuing on much to the annoyance of his knight. The pair trudged through the filthy backstreets a pungent lingering stench followed them silently as common vermin scurried to the safety that the crude dark shadows provided overcasted by the decaying brick boxes the locals confused for buildings it was in truth a wasteland of depravity as they had first found out upon their first encounter with the local populace, it is safe to say charm is not their fore play.
"Kinda sad huh" Jeanne voiced her thoughts out loud looking to her master for a response to which only silence followed "I mean the church was basic and the food geez it wouldn't kill them to season something once in a while hell even the water was dry but... atleast it was clean this is just, well terrible" Jeanne reminisced to which Lucian merely kept his cold composure before finally stopping at a run down wooden and stone structure the architecture appearing much older than the surrounding buildings each crumbling cobble telling a story rivalling the epics of Gilgamesh and the likes.
"Where here I think" Lucian spoke surprising Jeanne as he turned to look at her "a sacred gear user lives here I believe" Lucian finally explained to which Jeanne nodded.
"You or me" she asks pointing to the door to which Lucian confidently marched forward pressing his gloved hand against the ancient wooden door the pressure chipping the oak as it scraped across the broken tiles.
"Oh la vache!" Jeanne shouted as the stench the door held back was released causing Jeanne to get hit with the full blast of its poisonous nasal attack.
"Good lucifer it's more pungent that a phenexs arrogance" Lucian chimes in.
"And that is saying something" Jeanne replies earning a small chuckle from her king before the pair suddenly freeze upon hearing shuffling and eventually screaming coming from upstairs. "Do you think that's him if so he sounds in trouble" Jeanne reasoned earning a sharp nod once again before a slight smirk tugged at his lips.
"Then we've been gifted the best pitch possible for convincing him to join us" Lucian spoke his words coming out in a much more joyful way than before earning a sigh from Jeanne.
"Geez luci have some sympathy would ya" Jeanne spoke in a teasing manner however upon noticing Lucians unfocused face the knight pouted before making slowly for the stairs.
The duo slowly ascend the creaky and downtrodden wooden stairs with them caving in upon even the slightest of pressure. Once emerged they slowly made their way to the sounds passing old rooms rotten by the sands of time turning once delightfully carved spruce into nothing more than big houses the house had damn near become its own ecosystem in fact Lucian was confident Magdaran would probably discover an extinct or new species if he dug around enough.
"This is it" Lucian spoke Jeanne attempts to speak however is cut of by the voice of a seemingly old man with a thick Irish accent.
"Look Ah this boys the facking critter all cobbled up in his families shithole" A chorus of laughs echoed around the room the other voices joining in on the verbal onslaught being noticeably younger as they lacked the grit and rough edges of the first man.
"What have I done to you?" A teenagers voice bellowed shaking the already crippled house foundations however, this desperate question was only met with more mockery.
"You shadow demon we've seen you for what you truly are, a freak, an abomination you must be destroyed" a younger male voice shouted earning a sea of grunts of agreements from the others
"I don't know what this damn shadow is either help me please" the young man pleaded before cowering when the oldest among the group revealed a large blade a cross emblazoned upon the hilt.
"No you must be culled you have caused enough trouble do you have anything to say devil" the old man spoke before hearing a low chuckle emerge from the darkest corner of the room, purple eyes shone out from the darkness causing alarm to arise within the group.
"Quite a lot actually" Lucian voice boomed out as the Flawless young man stepped out from the darkness and into the light as the door creaked open revealing Jeanne adorned in her battle attire a set of finely crafted armour now gleaming upon her cloaks removal.
"Who the hell are you you?" One man questioned
"Aye how long hav ya been standing there like a fucking statue" another man chimes in all to Lucians amusement.
"Well correct me if I'm wrong but you did ask if the devil has any words so what better time to make my introduction to you fine gentlemen" he sarcastically replies waning a small giggle from Jeanne.
"And who's that whore" another man spoke as Jeanne had now stopped giggling and was staring daggers at the man.
"What did you call me?" Jeanne spoke in a voice that only a mother could love her tone earning a gulp from Lucian who prepares for the eventual onslaught which would befall that poor soul. Jeanne twists her head in a unnatural demeanour looking to Lucian "you only want Father Time over there alive right" she says whilst pointing to the perceived leader of the group.
"Correct" Lucian responded where in the blink of an eye the man's head was rolling on the floor with Jeanne looking as though she had never even moved such was the speed of her strike.
"I am a pure maiden!" Jeanne shouts at the remaining trembling men "who just so happens to be a devil and knight of the future great king of the underworld" she spoke the last part somewhat sheepishly earning a slight giggle from Lucian who tried his best to cover it up.
"Jeanne since your in the mood would you mind taking care of the rest?" Lucian offhandedly asked.
"Yeh sure luci" Jeanne nonchalantly readied her rapier at the fleeing men.
"Wai-" one man tried to reason before a small treacle of blood pored from his head as this quickly grew into a puddle when his limp body collapsed upon the decayed floor. The other two men escape attempts were futile as they were both cut down in a second as Jeanne reappears beside Lucian whom had forced the old man to his knees before turning his full attention to the quivering boy in the corner appearing around a year younger than Lucian with his most noticeable features being his unkept and rough appearance complete with torn cloths and cracked glasses the boy looked as though he had survived a war and then some. Lucian kneeled in front of the boy before showing a small smile.
"Greetings I'm Lucian Bael future great king of the underworld my accomplice over there is Jeanne former holy maiden now strongest my rather emotional knight May I know your name?. Lucian spoke in a tone showcasing kindness yet also highlighting their differing places in society as his tone was much more noble and prince like than any common drunk the boy had ever heard.
"Connla" the boy spoke in a whisper still fearing the impossibility of the situation that he has just been placed into.
"Connla interesting, tell me why do these people fear you?" Lucian questioned intrigued by the boys powers as the notes to which lead to the boy were mysterious to say the least.
"Please I do t know what it is and I don't want to hurt you it's acted on its own before it's... killed people before" this only earns a chuckle from Lucian which confused Connla greatly.
"I'm not someone you should be concerned about harming show me Connla" hesitantly Connla focused his body as started to become clouded in a dark shadowy substance further intriguing the young Bael. "It's almost like armour the way it wraps around you interesting"
"I can't t control it for much longer please go" on queue the shadow enveloped Connla and spread onto Lucian who watched as the shadow attempted to devour him. Sprouting a flame from his finger proved extremely effective In dispersing the shadow as it darted back quickly violently hissing at the small flame. Lucian moved closer and hovered the flame over Connla the shadow peeling back revealing the boys terrified face. "How are you doing that it should have devoured you"
"If I was human perhaps however, it seems flames prove to be extremely effective they are natural opposites after all perhaps when coating yourself imagine yourself as a flame maybe it won't override your cognitive functions" Lucian suggested which Connla took on board the advice with surprising results as the shadows seemed somewhat tamed by the revelation. "Do you know what that is Connla?" Lucian quizzed.
"A demon curse" Connla replied earning a chuckle from Lucian.
"Well it's ironic isn't it that the one whom created this is none other than God" Lucian replied mockingly. "Yes in fact devils are lacking quite a bit in the evil inventions I'm sorry to say I assure you ajuka is making up for it however" earning a confused look from connla.
"So your telling me I'm not cursed but in fact been gifted something by God" Connla asks.
"A sacred gear is what their called there all different with some such as the thirteen Longinus being god killers at their peak it'll be interesting to find out what yours is" Lucian scanned connla before looking to the old man now beaten by Jeanne with blood soaking his withered clothes. "Do you know why he hates you?" Lucian asked to which connla searched for an appropriate answer"
"Because the believe I'm evil" he responded only to see Lucian shake his head in disapproval.
"No because unlike him you are special" Lucian responded coldly.
"I'm what but why would they want to kill me for being special" Connla asked puzzled.
"Ordinary people are useless so when someone with greater potential comes along they disrupt the normality of their life threatens their reality when they see someone that can shine far greater than them individually so they group together that is the only way they can protect their pathetic lives" Lucian remarked before stomping on the old man's head.
"What I don't understand" Connla spoke before hearing a grunt from the largely quiet Jeanne.
"Hey dumbass He's saying your special" Jeanne remarked tired of the boys confusion.
"Become a devil connla" Lucian offered holding three pawn pieces i front of the boy "grow strong Connla realise how special you are"
"I can't become a devil" connla fired back before pointing to Jeanne "your a holy maiden right why are you a devil?"
"Because being a holy maiden ain't all its cracked up to be to the church your an object not a person however since joining Lucian I have freedom for the first time in my life a life that should have been set out for me is now my own decisions " Jeanne explained before smiling gently at connla "ya don't have to join but just think of what you could miss out on this is the definition of a once in a lifetime opportunity connla" Jeanne grabbed Lucian by the arm her serious demeanour slowly fading back into her usual happy self "plus big bad luci over here May seem scary but he's just a big softie at heart who's going through a bit of an emo phase it seems" silence surrounded the boy leaving Jeanne feeling dejected as her humour once again proved to be her great downfall as Lucians eyes withered in disappointment however, Connla hadn't moved his mind deep in thought his ticket to a better life yet locked behind becoming a devil was this bad he didn't know the only thing he knew was that he was special and he had people willing to help him and only an Unambitious idiot would reject such a proposal.
"I shall become yours make me a devil and as thanks my life shall be yours" no words were needed as a smirking Lucius inserted the three pawn pieces into the boys chest his new life was just starting and Lucian had just gained a new loyal member. "Please allow me to deal with the trash my lord" connla spoke whilst pointing at the petrified man this action appeased Lucian greatly as him and Jeanne exited the building hearing only a bloodcurdling scream before connla silently joined back with them.
"So connie ya like pastries?" Jean excitingly questioned her new piece however her innocent questions took a much bleaker turn
"Unfortunately I could never afford them" Connla said whilst looking down in shame creating an incredibly awkward atmosphere
"Haha ...cool" Jeanne responded unsure of where to take the conversation so instead settled for the awkward silence making even the lord of bael uncomfortable
"Here should be fine" Lucian cut the tension by beginning to draw a transportation circle when in the corner of Jeanne eye spotted three looming figures cloaked in shadow surrounded by purple mist raising the guard of the peerage.
"Who's there" Jeanne shouted
"Shame it seems you got her before me just as I thought I was getting a new member today" the figure then stepped forward revealing an attractive young man around Lucians age wielding a great spear his demeanour exuded arrogance, flanking him a boy wearing magician robes with glasses and to the other side a boy with white hair dressed in standard exorcist attire "ya know I got my information from Indra I'd hate to know who you got yours off" the mysterious boy joked.
"Oh forgive me for not knowing you were coming perhaps make a reservation next time" Lucian replied calmly forcing an eye twitch from the boy "I am Lucian bael future great king of the underworld and you are?" Lucian almost asked mockingly.
"Cao cao holder of the great Longinus and great descendant of the legendary Chinese king cao cao leader of the hero faction" he spoke with pride.
"Hero faction creative name, now then cao cao the great descendant I will be leaving perhaps wake up earlier next time" Lucian mocked but was forced to react quickly when a spear comes flying his way Lucian retaliates with a barrage of pod scorching some of cao cao clothes his annoyance ever increasing.
"Your good I'll give you that however next time I will kill you" cao cao threatens wielding a smirk this action was then copied by Lucian as both men marched to each other.
"Well see how far you get little king just know there are many humans who claim to be descendant from great kings yet in the underworld there is only one" and with that both faction teleported off with cao cao being enveloped in purple mist and the bael along with his peerage getting flashed with purple light before arriving back at bael castle.
"Wow it's huge you live here?" Connla asks bewildered by the magnitude of the gargantuan structure a maid noticing the threes presence quickly walks over to them
"Thank lucifer your back the guests were getting bored your presence is required right away the maid spoke frantically.
"I wasn't expecting anyone today who is it?" Lucian asked confused.
"Lord Zekram bael himself demands your presence he brings lord Magdaran and bastard" the maid spoke disdain apparent in her voice upon the mention of sairaorg.
"Huh very well" a tired sigh escaping his lips before turning back to connla offering him a warm smile "Jeanne will help you get settled and a relative layout of the place I shall speak more with you tomorrow I do hope you find your arrangements suitable" with that Lucian began storming towards the grand hall.
"Shouldn't you be the e one to give him the tour luci I got lost just yesterday remember" Jeanne remarked
"Think of it as practice plus I've learnt to not keep the first bael waiting for to long" Lucian shuddered at the thought despite being Zekrams favourite he still held little remorse for Lucian tardiness.
"Uh so do you know where the bathroom is?" Connla interjected quietly causing Jeanne to sigh
"No but I'm sure we can find it together come on" and with that both parties departed though Jeanne quest was much less smooth truthfully having no idea where she was going.