Chapter 31: Cast Down Your Kings (Part 4)

"Uh oh. Have I done something offend the two of you?"

Zeotichus and Venelana's cold stares could have frozen fresh magma in their intensity, Harris fighting back the urge to smile as they lounged in the man's private study within the confines of the Gremory estate.

Any expression of mirth on his part would doubtlessly just make things worse.

"Then again my smarminess is just about the worst offender in that regard, no sense in causing things to be worse by adding facial expressions to the mix."

"Your plans did exactly what you suggested they wouldn't. Where are we now? Locked into a doomed and unwinnable battle as our children are offered up and moved around like disposable pieces to fulfill an agenda, expected to either die fulfilling that role or live long enough to see everything they knew forced into exile and inconspicuousness…if we are lucky."

Lacing his hands behind his head and displaying nothing but lazy contentment the shapeshifter replied to the mother's furious whisper with a nonchalant, "Admitting defeat before we've even arrived at the main field of battle? That seems a rather odd stance for the man and woman who managed to become one of Lucifer's most renowned allies. Almost boring, if we were among less polite company."

Zeotichus' eyes flashed with barely repressed fury, voice naught but a hiss as he retorted, "The moment we entered Lucifaad and sponsored your insane scheme we were never supposed to win!"

The Devil dropped his head into his hands, fingers kneading his scalp in obvious distress.

"For whatever reason Lucifer interpreted our attempt at mitigating the damage you would cause as a statement of defiance or rebellion…failing that he viewed it as an inexcusable mistake, bringing you into the fold. And this is our punishment."

His hands tightened into fists as Venelana's lips pursed into a nearly invisible line.

"To have our precious Sirzechs sent off to an unwinnable campaign under the watch of a Lucifuuge who will concoct any manner of false - or true, it matters not - charges that will implicate them and you as traitors to Lucifer's cause. I imagine the Sitri, cold as they may be, will not look all that kindly upon Serafall sharing a similar fate."

"All of that's assuming I lose this supposedly unwinnable battle. And let me assure you, the only times I lose a battle are to win the war."

"Are you even listening to us?!"

The female Devil finally seemed to lose her composure, wisps of black and crimson energy leaking through her skin and formerly kind eyes now dancing with murder.

"It doesn't matter if you win or lose! Lucifer decided the moment you stepped before him that you cannot be trusted, that you conspire to dethrone or murder him just as you did to Charlemagne! Your reputation sealed your fate and…"

She sagged, fury spent and instead replaced with melancholy.

"And now it's too late. With the benefit of hindsight it's all too easy to see that our ploy would seem like a slight or direct challenge to Lucifer, sponsoring and housing you."

"While I agree with all that you've said, don't you think it's also a point against Lucifer that he's so utterly idiotic and inept, that his intentions are transparent and plain to see with zero effort?"

A morbid snort escaped Zeotichus, the Devil grumbling, "What need for secrecy and cloaked intentions does Lord Lucifer require? There exist houses that would be more than happy to see ours fall for whatever reason there may be, justified or not. The same goes for the Sitri and while the Phenex are long time friends and allies I would not expect them willing or able to stem the tide, to be dragged down alongside us. Lucifer cannot be deposd, not as he is."

A genuine, bright smile appeared on Harris' features.

"Ah. Now THERE is a fascinating little detail I'm more than passingly familiar with. The aura and reputation of invincibility and promised victory. That no matter what you do, no matter how weak I may seem or powerful you may feel…any attempt at fighting back will end in defeat."

It's what had kept him from being turned into a charcoal broquet by Amaterasu. What had stayed Beelzebub's hand from extracting retribution. What had fooled Gremory, Charlemagne and the younger Beelzebub into playing out their parts without issue. The belief of people that you knew what you were doing and were best left to do it was more potent an armor than any mythical metal could hope to be…and he knew just how to circumnavigate such a bit of notoriety, find the proverbial chinks in the armor.

After all, Lucifer was apparently only aware of half of the equation, completely and utterly botching the arguably more important part.

Harris had always set himself up as an asset, someone who - despite whatever threat or danger he posed - always had something to offer whatever party he decided to interact with. Lucifer had set himself up as a threat.

And it was a rare day indeed when someone treated the slightly sketchy pizza delivery boy at their front door with more animosity than they did the deranged serial killer.

"You know I think the two of you are overlooking a rather golden opportunity here, consumed only by what Lucifer wants you to think rather than the reality of what is."

Both Devils glared at him with open suspicion, Harris smiling at the reaction.

"Come now, do I need to spell it out? Lucifer intends to chastise and marginalize you, to make it so that you fail and suffer for your assumed crimes. And in doing so he thinks he's won, creating a situation that you can only fail in as he stopped your 'schemes' in their tracks."

He raised a palm upwards as if to grasp some kind of nebulous subject.

"So why just meekly admit defeat? Why not become what he fears and overthrow the moron, beating him at a game of his own making? The rite of conquest is a subject Devils ascribe to, yes?"

The briefest of glances was shared between the married duo, Zeotichus swiftly responding, "You're delusional. Lucifer is invincible in an outright fight to all but another Satan or a few others of significant skill, none of whom would be able to fight at their peak thanks to the Lucifaage clan guarding Lucifer day and night. Then you must consider his base cruelty and malice, which while alienating many have also created a significant block of power who benefit from said capriciousness."

A tired sigh left the Devil.

"There simply aren't enough willing to risk so much rebelling against Lucifer. Not when the odds are so lopsided and the consequences of failure would be terrifying beyond imagination."

A hearty chuckle left the shapeshifter, both Devils narrowing their eyes at his seeming irrelevance as he asked, "Let's change the way we think about things. Knife to your throat, would you admit that Lucifer is quite possibly one of the least desirable and worthwhile rulers for you to offer your loyalty to? What was his reward for your diligence and work ethic? For attempting to make his life easier by curbing my more dramatic attempts at earning his attention?"

Their utterly neutral expressions were answer enough, Harris smirking as he concluded, "The opposite of a reward. Your children used as bargaining chips and sacrificial lambs, imperiously tossed aside as a punishment for completely and utterly imagined slights against his person and legitimacy. The actions of someone with an analytical and sound mind, yes?"

Venelana didn't so much as blink, simply responding, "Reality cares little for what should be. We can no more wish for a favorable set of circumstances than we can snuff out the sun."

"It's a good thing we don't need to wish and can simply bring about that scenario through our own hands. And it's nice to know that you don't disagree with my conclusion about Lucifer."

Neither Devil offered any kind of protest as the man steepled his fingers, cheerfully explaining, "Why don't we think of this as a turning point? A golden opportunity that had the bad luck to arrive packaged as misfortune."

The most faint beginnings of intrigue, the shapeshifter resisting the urge to grin.

And there it was, what always happened when he plied his craft. Desperate or under pressure people fully aware of just how dangerous and unpredictable he was…but either lacking in alternatives or willing to gamble on his skills and talents to get them what he wanted.

Showing himself to be a friend and ally, not a threat.

Well…at least not a threat to the people he saw potential in.

"In attempting to hold onto his power and influence by nipping rebellion in the bud Lucifer did what every half-cocked tyrant throughout history has done…create their own worst enemies."

Doubt once more appeared on the Devil's features but that didn't deter the shapeshifter in the slightest, continuing with, "If you need further convincing feel free to think of it this way…either you gamble on the restoration of your house, prestige and influence - as well as the future of Sirzechs - on fighting against the very authority that decided you would have none of those things, or you completely turn me in to the fool and hope he takes that into account."

He didn't even bother hiding his smirk.

"Although I do seem to remember a certain someone saying that it would be naive thinking for Lucifer to leave things as they were…"

Both Zeotichus and Venelana simmered in frustrated silence, Harris tossing them a bone as he said, "Relax, I have a plan. A plan you were right to assume would cause widespread destruction and societal upheaval throughout your entire species."

Both Devils froze, not arrogant or ignorant enough to think he was lying or trying to be dramatic.

"Don't you love being right?"

While geography had been a subject of far less competency compared to history Harris knew enough of the world map to know that Lombardy in this day and age was quite different from the one in his original time, the large and sprawling map placed on the meeting room's table no doubt magically constructed considering its incredibly fine detail.

It never ceased to be interesting, seeing ancient history placed before him as the present.

"As it stands you have two enemies-"

"We have two enemies."

"-you have two enemies, the legions of Heaven aiming to retake Lombardy and the Leraje family already entrenched within."

The group - sans Sirzechs and Serafall, looking predictably sullen at the moment - gave Grayfia an amused stare as the woman remained insistent that they weren't in this together, that she was some kind of separate entity to what they were trying to accomplish.

The opposite was true but no sense in trying to convince her otherwise when she didn't even know she was an accessory to their crimes. Although Harris had to wonder if she had been assigned to seduce him or something along those lines, which while an oddly proactive move by Lucifer was still unexpected.

Functional armor and clothing but designed with a few key features that were doubtlessly intended to entice and draw his attention, things that he imagined most warriors on the battlefield wouldn't approve of.

A tight-fitting undersuit that revealed a toned and flat midriff, alongside athletic thighs and slim shoulders while the rest of her body was covered with gleaming silver, Harris inwardly approving of the ensemble.

Some kind of slutty bikini armor or ballroom dress would have been a bit too obvious as well as tasteless, this managed to both hint at greater things to come as well as a professional sense of beauty.

"She probably picked this thing out on her own, then. I doubt Lucifer has the class to come up with a scheme or presentation like this."

Internally shrugging at those errant thoughts Harris instead turned to the map as the silver-haired Devil placed a few markers and sculptures on the map, stylized in the likes of both Devils and Angels.

"Heaven has evidently decided to make Lombardy the sight of their next attempt to reclaim Charlemagne's old territories, devoting many of their resources to its subjugation. On the order of nine thousand Angels, led by the ten-winged Eae. While not overwhelmingly powerful even with aforementioned wings her leadership is not to be underestimated, even Beelzebub and Asmodeus were beaten through strategy rather than brute force in previous campaigns."

"Is that so? Well this Eae has my undivided attention…how'd she pull off those wins?"

"While both Satans predictably tried to keep their losses and the details from becoming widespread knowledge some things are known for certain."

"Such as?"

Robin's keen interest in the subject was expected, Harris noted with no shortage of amusement. She would no doubt be very excited to match wits with another strategist and this Angel was shaping up to be quite the promising contender.

"When engaging Beelzebub in the Byzantine Empire she made ample use of the Human's societal issues and discourses to open the way for information channels to be made, for Beelzebub's plans to be deciphered and responded to. While it's unknown how she did so the Satan's disregard for Humanity made them a prime source of second-hand information, enough for a more complete picture to be made manifest."

The Lucifuuge shrugged, stating, "Armed with Beelzebub's troop formations she was able to soundly defeat him, avoiding a direct confrontation and forcing Satan to retreat. She was even able to take advantage of that fact and bring about the possibility of a union between Empress Irene and Charlemagne, before you killed him."

Nodding in understanding Harris asked, "Did Eae's move with the Humans have anything to do with the worship of idols or something similar?"

Grayfia hesitated, Sirzechs and Serafall also giving him odd looks as the silver-haired Devil slowly responded, "Yes, that was the case…do you have an explanation as to what occurred?"

"Iconoclasm."

At Grayfia's furrowed brow he elaborated with, "There was a sharp divide between the Humans of the empire when they had been banned from venerating objects or similar things as religious or representative of god. Empress Irene loosened those restrictions and I imagine Eae was able to leverage both sides of the conflict while Beelzebub did the opposite, no doubt ignoring and casting aside any possibility of the Humans holding worth, right?"

"...You're correct."

Smirking at Grayfia's confirmation Serafall asked, "What does that have to do with how that Angel won though? I can see why Beelzebub disregarding the Humans was a blatant ignoring of resources but…"

Robin took over the conversation, already having put the pieces together as she explained, "Beelzebub would have naturally assumed he could take advantage of or enslave those that believed in the casting down or destruction of religious icons, since that sounds like the more heretical activity. Eae saw the opportunity and nuance in that belief, since just because you don't think worshiping two sticks of wood nailed together is a worthwhile form of veneration doesn't mean you want a Demon to ravish and take from you without limit in exchange for nebulous forms of power."

The beginnings of comprehension formed in the trio of Devils, the tactician concluding her brief spiel with, "I imagine the Angel had some who believed in Yahweh or Heaven act as spies or perhaps not even anything as grand as that, simply going about their lives as Beelzebub had his forces contact and attempt to beguile them. Once a proper chain of information was established it would have become much easier to pick apart his forces."

"Ah. Beelzebub's forces wouldn't consider the Humans who were filled with 'sin' to be working for the Angels until it was too late, would they?"

Sirzechs' minor epiphany had Merlin shaking her head, cheerfully responding, "Nope~! Ordinarily I would ask why someone so stupid was in charge of such a crucial operation and planning buuuuut you just get used to those sorts of things as you get older."

Harris nodded in agreement. During his younger years he'd often found himself stumped at just how inept some of his targets could be, of how idiotic people could act and was often jumping at shadows because there was simply now way that things were as stupid as they appeared to be.

He'd grown out of that mindset quickly enough. In his experience not many people were actually stupid. No, people were lazy. Or cheap. Or unmotivated. Or simply in a line of work that some other skill had landed them in rather than any kind of actual competency in the field. It was a rare day indeed when you came across someone running something that was actually an idiot. It was just as rare that you came across someone who was a veritable master at their job and he'd learned to steer clear of that particular subset.

"Beelzebub and his cronies no doubt didn't believe that a bunch of Humans were both capable of fooling them and getting worthwhile information back to Heaven. The only question left is if he still feels that way."

"A question outside the scope of what we're here to do, if you don't mind me interjecting."

Grayfia quickly shut down that line of thought as Harris merely smiled at her, Est unleashing an adorable yawn before letting her eyes droop from where she was perched on a nearby couch, clearly losing interest in the proceedings.

"So what are our available forces meant to be, then?"

Sirzechs' inquiry had Grayfia moving a much smaller collection of figures to the outskirts of Lombardy's border.

"Ourselves and two hundred members of the Extra Legions."

A collection of groans and quiet curses left the pair of assumedly younger Devils, Robin idly remarking, "That doesn't sound like curses of excitement. What's the issue with these Extra Legions?"

"Oh, no issue whatsoever…just that we've been granted the damned mules for our execution march."

The duo sent Harris and his group looks that were rapidly approaching resentful, rightly assuming he was responsible for every scrap of misfortune now headed their way. Thankfully Grayfia was willing to expand on the subject as she said, "Those of the Extra Legion are those borne of unfortunate or lesser circumstances, their mothers typically slaves or prisoners that - for a myriad of reasons - were permitted to give birth. They carry within them unclean and tainted blood."

A disappointed sigh left the tactician, tone wry as she said, "Don't tell me, let me guess. Considering their subpar and likely miserable circumstances military service is probably one of - if not the only - means of bettering their lot in life, if only slightly."

"That or serving as some noble's sleeve of choice. Can't forget about that option~!"

Merlin's cheerful words didn't match her lopsided smirk, clearly not any real fan of the idea.

"And while I say military service considering the fact that they're being sent to us on this particular assignment I assume they're typically used as cannon fodder or expendable bodies?"

To the shapeshifter's surprise there was the briefest hints of disgruntlement on Grayfia's face, albeit not directed at them.

"While there are better uses for their kind…yes, that is an accurate summary."

While it wasn't a clear cut response it was intriguing enough that the woman didn't approve of the way the Extra Legions were used. Either because it was wasteful or genuine sympathy was to be determined but it was a start. For the moment he tabled that thought and faced the other Devils in the room, asking, "What's your take on this?"

"While I can sympathize with the Extra Legions and their circumstances the reality is that the Extra Legions are insubordination and lax discipline incarnate. Add in the fact that they will be serving under those they would consider the source of all their problems - Serafall, Lucifuuge and myself - and I wager that we would be better off acting by ourselves."

Smiling as he gave Est an affectionate head rub from where she dozed upright Harris mused, "Where you see liability I see possibility. How many of the Extra Legion are there in society as a whole?"

"Anywhere from five thousand to ten."

Grayfia paused before adding, "They have high attrition rates."

"I'll bet they do."

Robin, Merlin and Harris all shared knowing smirks, the Magus chirping, "Well this is actually going to be quite interesting. I'll have you know that I'm rather adept at dealing with and organizing bands of misfits from all walks of life."

"You're the one who's adept at that? Shall I name every Shepherd that I had to coral like a herd of cats every day of the week?"

"Your merry band was unified in purpose, mine had about seventy competing-"

"So before the two ladies get into a sausage measuring contest-"

Said ladies gave him an unimpressed look at his phrasing.

"-why don't we focus on our overall plan of action? Although before we get too in depth we'll have to capture some of Heaven's forces and figure out what Eae is planning. If she's a smart cookie then we're going to have to be smarter."

Grayfia raised a skeptical eyebrow, archly asking, "And just how will you do that? Casually abduct a high-ranking Angel and politely ask them to tell you what they know?"

"You make it sound like I haven't gotten Heaven to dance to my tune before. Besides, that's the boring part of my plan. Lucifer wants Lombardy to be under his control, yes?"

Grayfia slowly nodded, her jaw clenched as Sirzechs and Serafall tensed, no doubt expecting some kind of horrific twist to be sprung.

"How angry would he be if I left it under Human control when all is said and done, with our Extra Legions as co-owners?"

The utter silence that greeted him was answer enough.