The normally calm and quiet Bull-oak woods shook from a violent impact. Dirt and rubble scattered as a wave of compressed air rushed through the trees, causing their branches to twist and clatter against each other.
At the center of the explosion were two people; One, a boy of around nine years old, standing at 139 centimeters with wild silver hair, Vali Lucifer had grown considerably from the time he and Romulus had first met nearly three years beforehand.
The Titanius Head himself had changed even more than the white dragon emperor, standing at an impressive 142 centimeters, nearly half a foot more than an average nine year old Romulus had shown a larger number of physical changes, his eyes, once a pale hazel color now shined a vibrant amethyst to match his shining wings, visible from his back, and his hair had shortened, now resting softly on his head. He was wearing a pair of short pants and a purple shirt to match his swaying wings. He was breathing heavily, scrapes and bruises littered his body from the long fight with his rival and friend, but he wore a satisfied smile on his face as he watched his rival's arm hang limply at his side, showing that his last attack had worked.
Vali was gritting his teeth, gaze alternating rapidly between his hanging left arm and his opponent. The last attack that had paralyzed his arm had been a feint, a weakness he had exploited in Romulus' shield had left his nerve clusters exposed, primed for his rival to attack and render half his upper body useless. That wouldn't stop him, however, prior to that day he had been ahead of Romulus by one victory, and he was determined to increase that difference through their latest weekly bout.
His hope was not to be realized at Romulus seemed to faze out of existence, forcing Vali to dive to the right as Romulus' fist slammed into the ground where he had once stood, causing another smaller explosion from the force behind the attack. The white dragon emperor skidded on the ground before angling his body and swinging to his feet inches away from a denser, near impassable, part of the forest.
Vali, made a move forward, using his legs to push off and his wings to propel him and give power to his attack, he slammed into a shield, softening the impact with his numb left arm and activated his gear.
"Divide!"
Albion's announcement of his power rang through the clearing as the shield lost half of its power, transferring to the gear's host. The spell shattered, leaving the Romulus exposed at Vali swung a punch with his right arm. The attack came within inches of hitting the young devil, and only at the last moment did Vali realize his mistake, with his slowed speed and immobile left arm Romulus had the advantage in mobility and flexibility, diverting the attack and catching the arm, pushing it and Vali to the ground.
Romulus forced his knee into the small of Vali's back causing his friend to gasp out in shock and pain as he pinned the struggling smaller boy underneath him.
"Enough!" A voice resonated around them and both boys looked to the edge of the newly made crater. The dragon king Tannin stood on the ledge of the new crater looking on at the sparring boys with a critical eye.
"Romulus, you've won, now let Vali up."
Romulus was sporting a satisfied grin, slowly getting off his rival before offering his hand to his downed opponent. Vali scowled slightly at his loss but reached up to take his friend's hand, being pulled to his feet a second latter.
"Lord Tannin, I could have gotten out of that." The white dragon emperor complained even as he rubbed his back where his friend's knee had hit.
"Even if that was true, Romulus would have gotten you down again soon enough. It appears you are back to a stale-mate. Adrianna, update the board."
Off to the side Adrianna Lorelei floated, her weight supported by a set of magical circles that acted as a chair for her to lounge in. To her right was a chalk board divided into three parts, with a flick of her wrist a piece of white chalk rose into the air scratching a tally onto one of the sides, labeled 'Romulus'
"That's forty four for Romulus, forty four for Vali and sixty three ties." She called out as the chalk lowered back down and she sipped on a drink.
The young female magician had shown the least change of the course of the three years, only her height increasing and her hair becoming a slightly more vibrant shade of gold. She was wearing a green shirt and long black sports pants that ended in a pair of white sports shoes.
"Thank you Ms. Lorelei. Now the both of you, return to the healers and get yourselves fixed up, you have maybe half an hour before Azazel comes to pick Vali up from this little play date."
Both boys groaned loudly.
"Mr. Tannin don't call it a playdate, it's a training session." Vali nodded sagely alongside his friend, frustrated at the lack of respect he was given by the dragon king.
"I'll call it a playdate if I want kid now get going, Adrianna, go with them."
The two grumbled under their breath, complaining to each other about idiot dragons and stupid crows. Their wings began to glow, pushing them into the sky where they met Adrianna. Her own magical chair had transformed, becoming a single circle that showed various magical glyphs. The three flew off together to the main castle, ready to relax after a hard fought battle.
"You know it's been three years and I still get surprised by how those two act more like brothers than friends."
Tannin chuckled, turning to the new voice.
"Really Azazel, you think it's that surprising?"
"Of course, Vali's always been closed off, what happened with him and his family really did a number on him. I didn't think he'd be so open with anyone, he's even more candid with Romulus than with me."
"Talk to Mephisto about that, he'll have a better theory. Right now I have to head to the dragon apple forests, there's been some unrest between some of the eastern and western dragon factions."
"Well, have fun then Tannin, I'll see you."
"Going to check up on your dragon?"
"Nah, I'll let them have some more time to be kids. In our line of work it's not a role they'll be able to play for long."
"No, I suppose they won't."
The three children sat on a series of lounge chairs in a richly decorated room. Laying on his back, his head hanging upside down staring at his two friends Romulus was feeling bored. Training was over and the healers had managed to finish restoring him and Vali to perfect health. Said friend was also lounging on a large couch, but instead was tossing a ball up and down, entertaining himself somewhat by using his wings to catch the ball instead of his hands.
"I'm bored."
"So what?"
"So lets do something."
A snort sounded from another corner of the room. Adrianna was sitting in a reclining chair, a spellbook open and her eyes rapidly scanning the pages, with a flicker of magic shooting across her eyes like lightning appearing every so often, showing the effects of her Sacred Gear.
Seeing the spark in his friend's eye and shifting his eyes to Vali's glowing blue wings amongst his black devil wings an idea formed.
"I've got it!"
"Hm?"
Both gear wielders turned over to the young devil.
"You've got what?" Asked Adrianna, her eyes never leaving her book.
"I know what we're gonna do today."
"We've already done something today." Pointed out Vali
"I mean something else."
"Like what."
"Looking at Sacred Gears."
Both Longinus users turned to their friend, Adrianna with curiosity and Vali with intrigue mixed with a strange look of hunger.
"Why?" Asked Adrianna.
"Both of you have Sacred Gears, wouldn't it be cool to see some of the others out there. I mean Mr. Azazel's been spending so much time talking to Mephisto about them."
Vali's face scrunched up a bit, remembering sitting in on one of their discussions. He'd run out to study spells with Romulus out of boredom and had met Adrianna in the process. Not a bad day in hindsight but with the way his mentor had been obsessing with Christian God's creations he didn't really feel like spending time looking at old drawings of gears in an old book.
Seeing his friends hesitation Romulus played to the one angle that always got Vali on board with any idea.
"I bet there're some really strong ones, like the Absolute Demise or Incinerate Anthem."
Vali's expression changed, becoming once again one of intrigue, the idea appealing as knowledge of strong opponents could be useful.
Seeing his friend wavering, Romulus played his ace in the hole.
"Maybe they have one on the Boosted gear."
Vali's uncertainty gave way to a pointed look, his eyes suddenly hungry at the mention of the white dragon emperor's eternal rival. From her seat Adrianna rolled her eyes at the white haired boy, knowing that Romulus had won simply by bringing up the red dragon emperor.
"Fine, let's go." Vali got up and marched out of the room, leaving his friend to show a satisfied smirk as he cast a glance at the seated female member of their trio.
Adrianna looked from her book to Romulus, contemplating staying in the room and ignoring the two boys, but in the end her thirst for knowledge overcame her desire for peace and quiet and so with a sigh she got up and walked past her best friend, following after Vali towards Mephisto's personal library.
The hallways were sparsely populated, the occasional acolyte passing them on the way to one errand or another but for the three it was peaceful, and peace meant the time to talk.
"I still don't get why you want to look at Sacred Gears, you don't even have one." Said Adrianna, walking with he book clutched to her chest.
"But you guys do. I don't get why you don't spend all your time looking them up." Romulus shook his head as he turned around and walked backwards, looking at his two friends. "If I had one I'd want to know everything about it, and you guys have Longinuses, that makes it so much cooler. Don't you want to know all about the super awesome moves you can do."
"First of all Romulus, my gear is passive in case you hadn't noticed." Adrianna said. "And I already read everything about all of those gears, do you want me to recite it from memory?"
"No." Both boys said at the same time, smirking at each other. Adrianna was somewhat of a know it all, and given that she had a photographic memory and a sacred gear that was built for acquiring knowledge she could rattle off facts until the heat death of the universe.
"Fine." She pouted. "Be that way. See if I help you pass your written tests ever again."
Romulus' eyes widened to comical proportions. Adrianna did not make idle threats.
"No. Wait. I would love to listen to the whole dictionary if it came from you."
"That's what I thought." Adrianna leaned over Romulus' back, wapping her arms around his neck and patting his cheek.
"How are you so whipped?" Vali asked his oldest friend, He had no idea what whipped meant but Azazel had used it to describe Romulus' relationship with Adrianna a couple of times and it sounded kind of insulting.
"What does whipped mean?" He asked, turning to the girl on his back.
"I don't know, I don't think it's good though."
"Wanna ask Tannin later?"
"Sure, now be a good boy and carry me."
Romulus blushed slightly as Adrianna smiled at him sweetly.
"Oh god. This is so sick." Vali looked at the two.
"Romulus." The three children, who were crowded around a copy of 'A guide to all known forms of Sacred Gears'. The same book Adrianna had been given from Mephisto's personal library three years ago.
"Mr Mephisto. Is everything ok?"
"Of course, I just need to collect Vali, Azazel is here for him."
"Oh... ok. See you next week Vali."
"See you. Look out next week 'cause I'm gonna win."
"No way, I'll win. I won this week."
"I won last week."
"Yeah, but you lost this week."
"I'll get you back."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah." The two boys good-naturedly bumped shoulders, smiling and laughing even as they traded childish insults.
"You'll have all week to work in order to gain back your lead Vali. And Romulus, you'll have several test for your defense magic classes. I believe you also have your apprentice blacksmithing exams."
"Ok. See you Vali."
"Bye Romulus, Bye Adrianna."
"Bye."
The three exchanged a quick hug and waved as Vali was escorted by Mephisto out of the library.
"Soooooo." Romulus drawled out looking nervously at Adrianna. "Can you help me study, I have a few written tests for my magic exams."
"Huh." Adrianna sighed but smiled at the young devil. "Fine."
Mephisto returned to the library room to find his charge studying vigorously under the watchful eye of his newest student. Not for the first time Mephisto praised his engineering of their meeting those three years ago. The two had become the best of friends, and with Vali included in their little group Romulus already had the basis for a powerful personal alliance and a growing list of allies in the supernatural world.
"What are you two studying?"
Adrianna and Romulus' heads snapped up, surprised by the devil's quick return "Lord Mephisto." Adrianna bowed her head. "I was just helping Romulus with some of his studying for his magic exams."
"Thank you for helping him Adrianna, but you also have class work to attend to, best be off."
"Yes my lord."
Adrianna turned to Romulus, who was scribbling answers and notes to his questions, his tongue sticking slightly out of the side of his mouth. Adrianna gave the boy a wave, which he reciprocated with one of his own once he looked up.
"See you later."
"See you."
The girl seemed to skip out of the library, her arms and hair swaying in the air as she moved. Romulus looked up from his work long enough to see her turn the corner and disappear down a different hallway.
"Are you finished staring?"
"Wha?"
Romulus' head snapped over to Mephisto, who was standing with a slight smile on his face and his arms crossed over his chest.
"What do you mean Mr Mephisto, I wasn't staring."
"Of course you weren't."
"I wasn't."
"Romulus I am over seven thousand years old, I've seen and done more than most will ever believe possible. I know when a boy is staring at a girl he likes."
"Likes? Of course I like her, she's my friend, like Vali."
"I think she's a bit different than Vali Romulus. What's the phrase you kids are using... ah yes. You like-like her."
Romulus blushed. "Ew, no I don't, that's so gross."
"What's going on here?" Tannin asked as he stomped into the room.
"Nothing Mr Tannin."
"Well now I know it's something. Mephisto?"
"We were just discussing Romulus' little crush on Ms. Lorelei."
"Mr Mephisto." Romulus groaned, burying his head in his hands as his face turned a bright red.
"Oh, that old news? Albion, Azazel and I have a bet about when those two are gonna start sucking face. I say as soon as they hit puberty. Albion thinks it'll happen sooner, Azazel thinks by the time they're fifteen they'll be mating."
"WHAT?!" Romulus shouted at his mentor, his face burning an even brighter red. "Wait... what's 'sucking face' mean and what's mating?"
"HAHAHA! 'Sucking face' means kissing kid. As for mating, we'll wait to explain that one."
"EWWWW!"
"Ah." Mephisto pondered, stroking his chin with his hand. "How much? I'd like to get in on that action."
"Mr Mephisto!" Romulus protested.
"I'm sorry Romulus, but I am a devil, and I have to get my sin in somewhere. So how much to get in on the bet?"
"Ten thousand."
"I'll match that. I bet they'll kiss after they turn thirteen and as for the 'mating'... I'll leave that bet for another time."
"AHHHH! Please stop. Can I go and punch the bull-oak trees instead of listening to you."
"Apologies Romulus, we'll stop talking about it, at least while you're here. On another note. We've received a betrothal request."
Tannin started laughing even harder than before. Romulus just looked at his guardian in confusion.
"A what?"
"A request for you to marry someone Romulus."
"WHAT?! WHY?"
"Who's it from?" Tannin quieted his laughter long enough to ask.
"The Phenex clan."
"Heh." Tannin scoffed. "Just reject it right now."
"I thought we should, and I believe this might be a good opportunity to test Romulus against others his age, at least besides Vali and Adrianna. The marriage contract names Ravel Phenex as the one who Romulus will wed but should it be rejected it lists her brother Riser as the one who will fight on her behalf. Not totally unreasonable since Ravel is only seven years old but-"
"But I was training from six and you said I was as strong as a devil twice my age. By the time I was seven you said I was as strong as some of the adult devils."
"That I did Romulus, though you are somewhat of a special case. That extra king piece gives you quite the advantage but I do have to say that without your training you would still be quite weak."
"So what do I do? I don't want to get married yet... and not to her."
"Oh? Perhaps you would prefer another. Perhaps a blonde magician whom we all know."
"S-stop it Mr Mephisto. I didn't mean it like that. But why do I have to fight someone if I don't want to get married?"
"It is a matter of strength Romulus." Mephisto instructed.
"Wha?"
"See kid, devils value strength and any devil who isn't strong enough just ends up getting pushed around." Tannin lectured the boy. "To reject their offer you'll be insulting 'em; sayin' their girl's too weak to be your wife. You have to prove that you're strong enough to go against the Phenex clan and to do that you'll have to fight."
"Ok, I think I get it. So if anyone tells me to do something I don't want to do I just have to beat them up?"
"Not exactly Romulus." Mephisto said to him.
"No that's exactly right." Tannin nodded.
"Tannin! We do not want Romulus' head to be filled with such ideas. Brute force is not the solution to every problem."
"It is when people are askin' you to marry their daughters."
Mephisto sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his fingers to soothe the headache he could practically feel coming on.
"Either way, as for now if we refuse the contract you will have to fight the young lord Riser, and he is already thirteen years old."
"I don't care. I'll fight him, and I'll beat him. Besides, you said I needed to fight others around my age outside of Vali."
"I admire your vigor Romulus but still, Riser has a number of advantages over you, first he has his phenex flames and second the beginnings of a peerage."
"That might be a problem." Tannin said, looking rather thoughtful. "One on one I'm sure our little titan would win but with a peerage backing him up there'll be a lot of unknown factors we can't predict."
"What's a peerage?" Asked Romulus.
The two older devils looked at the boy as if he'd grown a second head.
"You have a king piece inside you and thirty evil pieces already and you still don't know what a peerage is?" Tannin asked, incredulous.
"Well Tannin to be fair to the boy we hadn't covered that yet."
"He'll be old enough to get his own set in just half a year. How did we not discuss this with him?"
"I was busy training." Romulus interjected, trying to be helpful.
Mephisto sighed.
"Well, we might as well explain now, we might be welcoming new devils sometime soon if we reject their proposal." Mephisto ushered Romulus to a chair, taking a seat across the table from the boy once he had gotten comfortable.
"Romulus, a peerage is a group of reincarnated devils that a high class devil gathers in their service. Additionally devils alongside their peerage engage in contests known as rating games to determine their strength. Tannin is a member of my Peerage, he holds the rank of my queen."
"But Mr Tannin is a boy... isn't he?"
Mephisto smiled slightly, giving a rather unsophisticated snort as an answer while the dragon seemed to pout.
"Yes Romulus he is a boy. Queen is just a title stating that he has the powers of a queen piece is chess."
"Oh, so that's what those weird chess pieces mommy and daddy gave me are for? To make a peerage?"
"Yes and no. Normally a parent's evil pieces are not passed on when they die and instead simply destroy themselves, save for any that exist within members of their peerage. Your parents' pieces are once again a special case. Based on what you told us I believe that your parents allowed your demonic power to overwhelm theirs voluntarily, allowing the pieces to be transferred over to you. Once you are ten years old however you will be allowed to receive a peerage set of your own, provided you join the main devil faction."
"So I can have forty-five servants?"
"You could but it would raise too many questions. Really in most circumstances your extra pieces would be useless but luckily for us I have been researching the Evil pieces since Ajuka introduced them to me for testing in the late sixteenth century. I believe that if we have all of your pieces we can combine them, or transform them. We'll have to wait until we get your pieces but for now let's set about studying up on the Phenex clan, it won't be long after our refusal that they'll demand their match.
"Damn it all!"
"Calm yourself Sirzechs."
"How can I, those damn birds have fucked everything up."
The four Satans were gathered, as they did every week, in the grand hall of the Maous to discuss matters of their state. Ajuka Beelzebub looked over at his oldest friend with a raised eyebrow.
"I fail to see how they have 'fucked everything up' to quote you."
"They sent out a marriage proposal to Romulus Titanius."
The other Satans paused. Ajuka's eyes widened and Serafall looked angry... and a tad jealous.
"That does complicate things."
"They sent out their proposal before me?"
"Serafall? You sent a proposal as well?"
"Oh don't look at me like that Zechy-chan, I know you just finished writing yours this morning."
Sirzechs recoiled at the Leviathan's accusation sweating nervously under his green-haired colleague's sharp stare.
"So both of you tried to have him marry your sisters? or some member of your house?"
"Yep." Serafall smiled innocently, obviously not seeing anything wrong with the move.
"I did." By contrast Sirzechs was far more composed and serious with his admittance.
"So now all of the underworld is going to know that Romulus Titanius is up for grabs." Falbium Asmodeus chuckled. "Finally some good entertainment. I've got to grab some popcorn and watch the betrothals fall like rain."
"This is serious Falbium." Ajuka snapped before rounding on his two fellow leaders. "Do you two realise how volatile you could have made this situation. Now we have the Phenex to pin the rush on but if either of you have been a bit faster this would have fallen on us."
"I don't get what the big idea is." Serafall shrugged. "It's been three years, that's more than enough time to let the suspicions of the extra-demons die down, and we haven't heard a wiff of rebellion from them since. We're in the clear."
"First of all Serafall, we are not 'in the clear'. We will never be in the clear until Romulus is bound to us."
"And he will be, once he rejects the Phenexs and accepts his marriage to my little So-tan."
"And second... I had dibs."
Serafall tensed, as did Sirzechs.
"Hehe... Aju-chan, you said it was fake."
"Y-yeah, you said it was just so we didn't do anything stupid."
"You two did do something stupid. You sent off betrothal requests, and you broke dibs. You know what the inter-mythology dibs protocol has to say about that."
"N-now now Ajuka, I think we can let this go, just this once... right?"
"Yeah yeah Aju-chan, we can work something out."
"Oh we will but first we have to deal with those immortal fire birds."
The Lord of the House of Phenex was not used to being rejected. He was not pleased with being rejected. His mood was made no better by the fact that he had been summoned to appear before the four Maous.
The leader of the Phenex family was a patient, kind and humble man by most accounts, who wanted the best for his children and grandchildren, and desired the progression of his clan to the upper echelons of the devil government. It was because of this that he had already arranged a marriage between his youngest son Riser and the Gremory princess Rias, which was to take place within the decade.
He had just made his first step in establishing another marriage that would further his line with his proposal to Romulus Titanius.
Everyone knew of the clan's all but destruction by way of a short but bloody civil war. The only survivor had been the clan heir, and only because he had not been at the clan compound when the battle took place. Rumours had of course circulated, rumours about who had 'really' killed the Titanius clan, but such preposterous and malicious things were beneath his station.
Lord Phenex had not been bothered with such farfetched theories, instead only sending his heartfelt condolences and wishes of comfort and prosperity to the young boy. He'd even met Romulus Titanius once to offer his sympathies at his family's funeral. He'd seemed nice enough, saddened as anyone would be over the loss of so many loved ones, but none the less exquisitely polite and well-mannered. Even his two guardians; Mephistopheles and Tannin, who were both present at the funeral and constantly at the boy's side, were cordial to everyone.
But three years had passed since that day, and everyone who was anyone was talking about when the boy would become engaged. For a family as endangered at the Titanius it was almost a scandal that the boy was not engaged to at least a dozen women to reseed his bloodline. The underworld was known for polygamy and polyamorous relations, and even if the boy was not of the straight persuasion devils had never shied away from the fluid nature of sexuality.
Finally it appeared that the first stone would be cast. Lord Phenex had made sure that his request would be the first to reach Mephisto's domain. Surely with his clan's famous strength and future political power the young heir would no doubt accept his offer under the old devils guidance. Not to mention that the animosity that had existed between his and Romulus' clan could be settled with no need for any kind of fight. It was a splendid offer for all parties involved.
What he had not expected was for his proposal to be rejected and returned the very same day it had been received.
Now he was standing in front of four of the most powerful devils in the underworld, unsure of why he had been called and already very unhappy.
"You have summoned me, Lord Satans."
"We have, Lord Phenex. We have called you to appear here with regards to your betrothal request to Romulus Titanius."
'Ah' The man thought. 'That is what this is about? I suppose they must have heard of my sending my request. But why make a fuss like this? Perhaps they suspect foul play, or maybe they are unhappy their own requests were not first.'
"Lord Satans, I do not understand what this meeting is for. I sent Romulus Titanius a request for a betrothal to by young daughter Ravel, she is around his age and will certainly make a fine first bride for the boy. What seems to be the problem?"
Serafall Leviathan stood up from her chair, her hair floating behind her and her face becoming covered in darkness as her eyes flashed like torchlights.
"You sent your proposal before ME!" She yelled childishly. "Rom-chan was supposed to marry my So-tan."
There was a soft cough, coming from Ajuka Beelzebub, who glared at the former Sitri devil until she sat down, looking rather depressed. Lord Phenex looked between the Maous with a raised eyebrow. There was none of the unity present that they normally advertised. In fact, each member seemed to be acting like they were in a completely different meeting.
Serafall Leviathan was giving him a death glare to end all death glares, it would have been intimidating had she not been in the form of a young girl in a magical girl outfit with her cheeks puffed out to look a squirrel who had stuffed their face with acorns. Sirzechs Lucifer also seemed upset but seemed more concerned with Ajuka Beelzebub, who was alternating between glaring Serafall into submission, a mission he was succeeding in if her cowed state after a few minutes of shifting her glare from the Phenex lord to her fellow Satan was any indicator, and looking at him. Finally Falbium Asmodeus was perhaps the most interesting. He was leaning back in his chair with a bowl of popcorn in his hands, munching on the treat as he watched the other three.
"Lord Phenex." Ajuka finally addressed the old devil. "We have called you to know whether you have received a reply from young Romulus."
"My lord Satans, I have only sent out the request this morning."
Ajuka Beelzebub leaned forward, his eyes flashing at the non-answer.
"You are avoiding the question Lord Phenex. That leads me to believe that you have received a response. Please be honest with us."
'Damn.' Thought the older devil. He took a deep breath, it seems he would have to air out his shame in front of four of the most powerful devils to ever live. One of whom seemed to be actively against his plans.
"I have."
"May we know what it was?"
"He has rejected it, but he has accepted my son Riser's challenge for his sister's honor."
"Ha!" Serafall laughed. "Of course they'd reject you, they're waiting for my So-tan to meet him."
"Serafall." Ajuka snapped. The foreign affairs Maou visibly flinched at her fellow's harsh tone, something Lord Phenex filed away for later, counting the Lord Beelzebub as a potential ally.
"We thank you for your honesty Lord Phenex." Ajuka addressed him again. "You are excuse-"
There was a loud knocking on the door to the Satan's chambers.
"What is it now?" Ajuka groaned.
"My lord." One of the many employees who worked in the building entered with his head bowed and a deferential manner. "Lord Mephisto Pheles, alongside his queen Lord Tannin and Romulus Titanius are here to request an early admittance into the rating games system."
The assembled group of high-ranked devils shared a look between themselves.
"For what reason?"
"Lord Pheles was vague my lord, and wished to speak with you personally. He did state that there was an informal rating game that had to be prepared for."
Lord Phenex grumbled under his breath as the four Maous turned to look at him. This latest development could prove to complicate things. His son Riser's peerage was not fully developed, but for a boy of just thirteen he did have a good number of pieces. Had the young Titanius faced off against such a force alone the head of the Phenex clan was certain that his son would prevail, but should the Titanius heir gather pieces of his own to rival Riser there would be some doubt as to the outcome.
"Well, This meeting was just about over. Please inform Lord Pheles and the young lord Titanius that I will be in to see them soon."
The servant bowed his head. "At once my lord, is there anything else you will be needing."
"Escort them to the fourth meeting hall on the second floor, I will receive them there."
"Of course sir."
The green-haired devil stood up from his seat, an action that seemed to prompt the room's other occupants to do the same.
"Lord Phenex, I thank you for your cooperation and wish you and your son the best of luck in your upcoming endeavours."
'If that is true you will reject Lord Romulus' request.' The clan head thought with a trace of bitterness.
"My Lord, will you be accepting Lord Mephisto and Lord Titanius' request?"
The Maou Beelzebub rubbed his chin for a moment.
"That depends on how good of a case they make for the young lord's inclusion. Good day, lord Phenex."
The four satans left him standing the room, exiting together before he himself was allowed to leave. Once they had vacated the room Lord Phenex flared his powers. Fire and demonic magic filled the room, burning and throwing the furniture around the room, making an enormous crashing noise.
"Damn."
"Oh man Aju-chan, I thought he was gonna lose it when you joked about giving Rom-chan his peerage early."
"I wasn't joking Serafall."
The three Maous behind him stopped dead in their tracks, staring at Ajuka's back.
"What?" Sirzechs asked, running up to his friend. "You can't do that, do you know what kind of accusations we could be saddled with once people realise that we also have requests pending. People are going to think that we are working to sabotage the Phenexs and bind Romulus to ourselves."
"That is what you two were planning to do, and I just need to clear something up. It will look exactly like that and it will prevent either of the two of you from trying to marry him off to one of your sisters."
His two friends looked aghast while Falbium simply smirked.
"This will be your penalty for breaking the dibs and will keep both of your sis-con hands to yourselves. Once the heat dies down it'll be the Agares clan that sends in their own proposal."
Falbium looked between the three, his smirk evolving into a full grin.
"The Agreas clan is sworn to you Ajuka, everyone knows that, it won't look any better if you include Romulus early than if it was Sirzechs or Serafall."
The two levied victorious grins at the Beelzebub, who just returned them.
"Oh don't worry about all that Falbium, I already have it all planned out. For now I'm off to meet with head of a very influenceable clan."
Romulus was fidgeting nervously as he say on one of the couches in the Maous waiting room.
Sitting opposite him his mentor and guardian Mephisto sat, cool as a cucumber flipping through a newspaper about the underworld's economy.
"Mr Mephisto."
"Yes Romulus."
"Why am I here?"
"To get your peerage set so you can fight an even battle against Riser Phenex."
"I know but… why do I have to be here?"
"You will need to be present to undergo the ceremony and to physically receive your pieces Romulus."
"Can't you do it for me?"
"What's wrong kid?" Tannin interrupted.
"I.. I just… I'm nervous. We're in Maou territory, and the Maous… they-"
Romulus was cut off when Tannin subtly placed his hands over the boy's mouth.
"I understand that meeting the Maous can be a jarring concept." Mephisto did not look up from his magazine but his eyes flickered to meet Romulus'.
'Not here, not now.' Romulus heard his mentor's voice in his head. 'We will discuss this later, for now understand that we are being watched, do not speak of what you know.'
"But they are just devils like any other Romulus, and you are here with both of us for a good reason."
"Ok."
The door to the meeting room opened and in walked Ajuka Beelzebub.
"Mephisto. How are you my old friend?"
The two men embraced, Mephisto's face morphing into a small smile.
"I am well Ajuka, still trying to find all those little 'features' you placed in the evil pieces. By the way, the mutation and evolution features: just brilliant. A wonderful way to reward devils who strengthen their peerages."
"Ah so you found that one did you?"
"Of course, of course. I still have many to discover, It's a wonderful puzzle."
"Well the pieces are always changing so let's hope it's a puzzle that'll never be completely solved."
"Hear, hear."
There was a cough behind the two as Tannin placed his hand on Romulus' shoulder.
"Ah, of course, how silly of me. Ajuka, I am sorry but this isn't just a social visit. We came to request for Romulus to be entered early into the rating game system."
"Any specific reason? He's only six months from being officially allowed to participate."
"We received a betrothal and the challenger has a peerage. We're hoping to even the odds, but you already knew that didn't you?"
"You overestimate me my friend."
"Oh I doubt that Ajuka. Your lack of surprise gives you away."
"Ah… hehe." The man chuckled. "You always could see through me master."
"It is a teacher's duty to know when his student is trying to keep something from him. I didn't spend all that time teaching you magic for you to be able to fool me so easily."
Ajuka laughed, his voice light and airy.
"Fine, fine. We got word about Lord Phenex's betrothal request. We actually just finished a meeting with him about his son Riser's betrothal to lady Rias."
"Getting ambitious aren't they."
"Lord Phenex is a kind man, but by no means immune to the sin of devils, he's just more subtle about it."
"Well now you see our dilemma, if it's not too much trouble we would very much appreciate this little gesture to aid out young friend."
"It is possible but I just have to know, does he already have candidates for his peerage? If not there may be some accusations of favouritism as opposed to a necessary means to level the playing field."
"Oh we have a few ideas, Tannin and I haven't neglected to find members for our young protégé."
"Well, I suppose six months won't make too much difference, and Sirzechs and Serafall have been strong-arming me into allowing Romulus into the system since we found out this morning. I would suggest you keep an eye out for their requests to marry him to either Sona or Rias."
"Isn't the young lady Gremory already engaged to Riser Phenex."
"Come now Mephisto, I think you know about the underworld's propensity for polygamy and harems. I'm sure you aren't all that surprised that Lord and Lady Gremory would try to gather one for their daughter."
"True enough, but Romulus has his sights set on his own lady love." Mephisto and Tannin laughed as Romulus blushed heavily and glared at the two of them. "Isn't that right Romulus?"
"Shut up Mr Mephisto, I do not."
Ajuka laughed along with the two other devils. It seemed the boy was recovering well from the massacre. Taking a moment Ajuka tried very discreetly to probe the boy's mind. He trusted Grayfia but it never hurt to double check.
"Feeling the boy's mind he tried to enter it, attempting to look through his memories. He was instead met with a brick wall of mental barriers.
Ajuka retreated. He wouldn't be able to penetrate those barriers without everyone noticing, but their mere presence ignited his suspicions.
'So you've taken steps Mephisto, but what is worth hiding in a child's mind? Perhaps a truth that could endanger him?'
"So the young Titanius is already chasing skirts, I see that your queen has instructed him well."
Tannin burst into laughter, louder than before.
"Hey you little brat. I'm not part of the race that's built to embody sin."
"Actually my friend you are. Don't you remember? my queen piece is inside you?"
"I am a dragon Mephisto, no evil piece or demonic power says different."
"Fine, fine." Mephisto waved off his queen with a chuckle of amusement. "Well Ajuka, do you agree? Will Romulus get his chance at a fair fight?"
"I suppose, Come boy, we'll get you registered and you'll get your pieces within the week."
WOW. This took almost literally a year. The funny thing is that I've had at least a quarter of it done for the last seven months and was planning on releasing it sooner but shit happened and I was too busy to finish it all. I know I don't have that great of a track record but I promise I will try to get the next chapter out sooner than this one. Also look over the last few chapters because I have done extensive edits to flesh them out and make them longer so there's that. I already have half of chapter 6 done as of my posting this so I hope to post it by mid-May and the next one soon after that, stay tuned and I hope you enjoy.
Romulus height (142 cm, 4 feet 8 inches) age 9 years 6 months
Vali height (139 cm, 4 feet 6 inches) 9 years
Adrianna height (132 cm, 4 feet, 4 inches) 9 years 5 months