NMHA Ch. 23 - Encounter
As Luna walked along one of the tables hosting food and drink, she couldn't help but admire the architecture the atrium of the Phenex estate. Even if she recognized it as the place that Issei would crash Rias's arranged marriage and proceed to pull a win over on Riser thanks to some holy water and the 'sacrifice' of an arm.
She reminded herself that as far as she was aware, Rias was free of any such marriage contracts, thanks to the brunette's own debut. Ruval hadn't mentioned anything about getting Lord and Lady Phenex to call their deal with Sirzechs off, mostly because Sirzechs had supposedly been quite careful with his words.
("For all that he may seem a personable individual, he is the face of the Underworld for a reason.") Luna recalled Ruval saying that, and she agreed wholeheartedly. It would be just in character for The Devil to use wordplay to make such a deal without providing necessary information.
But that was not the point. The point was, that after she delivered an unconscious Jae-heon to the authorities and confirmed with the chief of police that she'd captured every stray, Ruval pulled strings to throw another gala in celebration of 'Miss Bael's significant achievement in hunting down and returning all Strays seeking to evade their just punishment to the hands of those wronged by them'.
She wasn't quite keen on his wording, but figured it was to placate the conservatives who would insist that the very act of spilling noble blood was a grave offense, regardless of context.
Which led to her current situation; as she was technically still being courted by Ruval and was the topic of the party, the brunette had to take part. Though she'd taken a minute to walk onto one of the balconies from the atrium for some fresh air and some relative quiet compared to the horde of Devils trying to cozy up to her with well-wishes and congratulations.
It made her ill enough to need this moment of quiet. She could hardly stop the ugly snarl that formed on her face just thinking about it.
'Leeches, the lot of them.'
Luna could feel some gazes fall upon her without even glancing in the direction of such looks, and imagined that a few gazes may have trailed down her goldenrod dress, in much the same style as the one which she had first entered the high society of the Underworld in. There was still desire there, even moreso now that she had proven herself highly capable. She had seen them too, when she was fully taking part in the party.
But now, she had the backing of a political party, one she had headed onto the big stage personally, and had a not insignificant amount of favors owed thanks to her capturing every heir-killer known to the Underworld as alive.
No longer did the brunette have to hang on to the coattails of those two Satans who'd first showed up in her new life, nor the sheltering wings of the Phenex once she found herself flung out of the orbit of the two strongest Maous.
If she wanted to, Luna felt as though she could stand on her own now, at least insofar as she was no longer nearly so vulnerable to the depredations of those Devils that would use her to produce an heir and nothing more.
She might have tied herself to the FFP and the political field of the Underworld in doing so, but even so she felt more free than she had in a long while. Even if that freedom was tinged with guilt for damning the two or three Strays that she felt didn't deserve to be labeled as such.
'No, thinking about that's no good. What's done is done, just enjoy the fruits of your labor. You got a lot done so quickly, you should be proud of that.'
Her lips found themselves inching upward, even as her eyes shifted down to give a brief glance at herself.
...Yeah. Let the 'admirers' look, it didn't matter. They couldn't touch her now, not if they wanted to avoid being utterly eviscerated.
Part of her almost wanted them to try. Hell, maybe she'd try something more... tantalizing, next time, just so that opportunity would be more likely to happen.
Was that Devil baiting? Was that a crime? She'd have to look it up.
"You look rather pleased by something." Luna's head turned to see a svelte ravenette join her in stepping out onto the balcony. Jaspal glanced at her and smiled the Worldweaver's way before lifting a wineglass to her own lips.
Luna let her eyes drift shut, tilting her head up as the growing smirk continued to make its way across her face. "I suppose I am. Somewhat hard to believe that it's only been two years since Lord Beelzebub revealed my bloodline."
"And look at you now. Youngest leader of the youngest party, courting the Blue Phenex, and having succeeded in an undertaking that would prove deadly to most high-class Devils. Combine that with your unique ability, and I would be flabbergasted if you were not offered the opportunity to receive a set of Evils Pieces. Very soon, at that. I'm still surprised you haven't gotten them already."
One eye opened to peer at the Valac heiress, the smirk on her face growing somewhat teasing. "Your own bloodline ability certainly served you well, huh?"
"You joke, but I would agree wholeheartedly." Jaspal lifted a hand to politely laugh. "I still owe you much for helping me earn enough approval to get my parents off my back."
"I mean absolutely no offense, but your father can shove his arranged marriage proposals down the porcelain throne with all the other... ehem." Luna cleared her throat, knowing that she couldn't exactly say what she wanted to in high-class company. She said enough for the other woman to get it, though.
"None taken. I am not quite sure of your choice of words, but... I find it flattering, actually, that you would be so passionate about allowing me that sort of freedom of choice." Indeed, there was a light dusting of pink across the ravenette's cheeks for a few moments. "Father is... distressingly conservative when it comes to gender roles."
"You mean he's incredibly sexist for someone who's supposedly a liberal."
Jaspal glanced away with her eyes half-closed and her lips pursed.
"Your words, not mine. But you are not wrong, either." Her gaze returned to the Worldweaver. "He knows success when he sees it though, so even if his opinion of you is not the highest Father at least respects your competence."
'Go figure. Sexist fucking pig, I'd like to see how he likes getting shafted-'
Luna shook her head and chuckled, nudging Jaspal with her glass of cider good-naturedly. "Hey, at least you don't have to deal with that any more, now that you've gone and gotten yourself some useful allies. Speaking of which, have you been practicing on combat applications for Golden Eye?"
"When I have the spare time, yes." Jaspal hummed, letting her off-red eyes slide shut. "I cannot say that I'm anywhere near ready to use it in something like a Rating Game, but if I focus on someone long enough I am able to get pretty accurate readings after a few minutes. Lord Astaroth ended up helping me out with that, and I had no idea his talents laid in such an esoteric territory."
"Hmm." The brunette glanced up in thought. "...Have you hit a wall as far as repurposing your bloodline power?"
Jaspal's eyes reopened, brow furrowing together in consternation and contemplation, arms crossing together as she took another sip of her drink.
"It's... more like it is slow going," she admitted, once the wineglass left her lips. "If I had to liken it to something else, I imagine it is similar to how a human would learn an entirely different language. Given enough time I may come to be fluent, but for now it takes me too long to make sense of the details, if I understand them at all."
"Still some pretty good progress, all things considered. You've never really been growing up to be a fighter, so it wouldn't make sense to use your bloodline that way." Luna leaned down and to the side to give a sideways beam to the Valac heiress. "But even now, you're getting more and more proficient with it, yeah? Just give it some time; I'm sure you'll end up being amazed at your own growth."
"I never said I needed encouragement." The ravenette huffed and looked away, but then turned back with a small smile on her face. "But it is appreciated nonetheless."
With a nod, Luna turned back to see one of the Phenex servants - a hired housekeeper, not a Peerage member - approaching, bowing to her before speaking. "Miss Bael, Lord Ruval requests your presence back in the atrium for an announcement."
Ah, she'd taken a bit too long on her break, it seemed. Unfortunate, but at least she'd gotten a moment to breathe. She certainly hoped it would be enough.
It didn't stop her from worrying about what would happen though, based on prior experience with such announcements.
"I'll see you around, alright Jaspal?"
The Valac heiress smiled, taking the opportunity to head back inside as well. "Take care."
The blonde noble at Luna's side brought his glass up, a smile on his face as he twisted in place, gesturing to everyone around him. "A toast to Miss Bael's accomplishments; may she bring many more good tidings to the Underworld!"
As the Devils around her lifted their wineglasses in cheers of agreement, Lunarunn let her head dip downward in a nod of gratitude. The very air of the gala, she'd noted, was a bit different from the one she'd been to before. Where her debut had been a celebratory party, this had a more triumphant energy to it. It was a small change, but a welcome one.
Especially as it was about her.
Huh.
So she had a little bit of a vain streak.
It was fine though, especially considering that her recognition was well-deserved in this case.
Still, the brunette couldn't help but wonder just how quickly these Devils who were now drinking to her success would turn on her if the opportunity arose. She was, after all, just a commoner. One in good relations to one of the strongest newer generation Devils and in possession of a pretty power, granted, but still a commoner nonetheless.
It really went to show how these nobles and other high-class individuals were cheering for what she had done, rather than for the brunette herself.
No matter. Just as she would let them put her on a pedestal, she'd make use of them to finally get that Evil Piece set and begin making her Peerage. It had been too damn long, and she could really use the allowances offered by being a high-class Devil.
Her eyes shifted over to Ruval, who'd lowered his drink by now and was nodding at her. "Do you have anything you'd like to say for yourself, Luna?"
The context of using her first name in public like that wasn't lost on the brunette, but considering the act they were putting up she simply smiled and went along with the script.
"After spending the majority of the year training and hunting down heir-killers I wouldn't be against taking a week or two to unwind, go on vacation, and such. But the Underworld never sleeps, and there is always something for an up-and-comer like me to do." Her smile split into a grin. "No rest for the wicked, am I right?"
That got some laughter and smiles from the audience, so Luna figured she did something right there. "That being said, I am glad to have had the opportunity to prove my competence to the Underworld as a whole, even if the conservative branch wanted me to produce an heir beforehand in the event that I have an... untimely demise. I can understand their concerns, but I refuse to have a child who loses their mother early, and I refuse to let myself be unable to act because I end up having a child, either."
Her grin had dropped by that point, and the Worldweaver inclined her head. "So, to those of you from the conservative side of the aisle, I hope that my showing has proved sufficient to allay any fears you may have regarding the threat to the Worldweave bloodline, and to those of you who supported my declaration with your vote in the Underworld Assembly, I thank you."
She let that sink in for a moment, letting the Devils murmur among themselves before continuing. "For those who are curious about my next actions, I will continue to do my part as the speaker for the Forgotten Front Party, but outside of that I plan to entreat the government for elevation to High Class. As the host of a new bloodline, as an individual of notable combat-related renown, as the speaker for the third parliamentary party, and as someone who has completed a task significant enough to be recorded in the annals of Devil history, I believe it is time I start talking about formalizing my position among the Pillars and other Devils of similar repute."
"Then that makes my errand easier."
Luna blinked, gaze turning to the side as she noticed shocked murmurs from that side of the crowd, watching as the Devils parted for another, walking up to the front with hardly any resistance, and up to the Worldweaver.
Immediately she was struck by the sheer presence of the Devil in question. It was as if the strength of his existence washed out everyone else's, as if just by being there, this Devil made every other Devil seem... lesser, in comparison. Even Ruval, whom Luna was sure she'd hardly be able to beat in a straight fight even with an absurd amount of luck, seemed smaller in comparison.
Violet eyes gazed into her own, searing in their intensity and depth of perception, as though if angered they could scourge her very soul. Yet, as they were now those eyes remained warm, patronizing yet in such a way that she knew he meant no insult by it.
It reminded her of her first encounter with Ulan, whose very being was so immense that it commanded respect, yet with this Devil it also took the reins of one's discipline and obedience. With the former alone, Luna would say that her conceptual patron would outstrip this Devil, yet with the other two included she found herself overwhelmed, barely able to keep herself from kneeling like many of the Devils in the crowd already were.
A memory from over a year ago flashed across Luna's briefly stunned consciousness, jolting her out of her rapture with the realization of who this particular Devil was.
"Lord Bael." Even Ruval bowed his head in respectful greeting, as though deferring to a superior. In a sense, he was; the Blue Phenex was, after all, part of a Marquise speaking to the highest Pillar in the Underworld. "We were not expecting you. Had we been notified we'd have sought to make suitable arrangements."
This was Zekram Bael? This was the person whose world the Forgotten Front was trying to change?
She knew that he was a political mastermind and an exceptionally dangerous Ultimate-Class Devil. The fact that he was called the Great King, and practically ruled the Underworld even from 'retirement' was testament to that.
The brunette didn't realize that the moniker would be so accurate.
Those searing violet eyes turned away, allowing Luna to let out the breath she didn't realize she had been holding.
Sirzechs might be the Strongest Devil... but right then and there Luna decided that there was no contest whom was the more dangerous of the two.
"That is quite alright. This gala is not intended for me, after all." The voice, rich and low, resonated throughout the hall. Zekram's gaze shifted back to Luna, and graced her with a smile. "It would not be right to steal the celebration of a grand feat from someone who has done the Underworld a great favor."
This... this was the son of a Demon. Not just any demon either, but the First King of Hell. There was no other way to describe it, and suddenly the Worldweaver found herself feeling very intimidated.
Her body, however, had other ideas how to interpret that presence. Which meant she had to struggle to get herself under control, as she fought to not bow, not kneel, not submit to her better and hope he takes favor of her-
"Focus. Breathe in. Breathe out." Another voice made itself known in Luna's mind, jolting her out of the struggle between her body and her mind. "You have dealt with me, I would be most disappointed if you are unable to deal with this."
There was a marked difference when her body itself wanted to do as most Devils in the crowd did when Zekram made himself known and kneel-
"And how will you expect him to respect your place if you crumple like a wet paper bag the moment he so much as looks at you?"
That, however, was something Luna's entirety seemed able to agree on, and with it the urge to submit grew less... intoxicating. It was still potent to the point of being nearly a compulsion, but with those words from her patron she found it in herself to remain on her feet.
"...Perhaps I misjudged how potent the Id of a Devil is, particularly in the presence of the direct child of one of the strongest Demons."
Wouldn't be the first time Ulan was taken aback by something.
"I much appreciate your magnanimity, Lord Bael," she started, voice trembling a little as she fought to speak. "But... I'm afraid your very appearance may well have done that on its own."
Zekram looked around, lifting a brow before looking back at Lunarunn. "Ah, so I have. My apologies. Please, everyone, back on your feet, as you were. I am only here on an errand for the sake of one of my family members, no more. I plan to deliver a message, then be on my way."
Almost immediately that same pressure Luna had been feeling since Zekram's appearance lifted, as though his very words dispelled the pressure to kneel.
Granted, he was still quite imposing, and it did nothing to lessen the intensity of his gaze, but at least the brunette wasn't struggling to so much as speak without permission anymore.
...She planned to sock Diodora in the face for understating how powerful the Great King's aura was.
Considering that she was the only 'family member' of note, Luna lifted a hand and pointed to herself. "...Is it safe to assume by that you mean me, Lo- milord?" The brunette corrected herself, just to make sure that she didn't accidentally commit a faux pas. She wasn't nobility, after all.
"When is it ever 'safe to assume'?" he pinned the Worldweaver in place with a brief frown before his good cheer returned. "But you are not incorrect. Neither here, nor in your declaration that you are in a position that elicits discussion of ascension to the High Class of Devilkind."
Zekram looked around to see other Devils nodding, but paid them no mind as he continued. "In the course of under a year, you have delivered on a promise most Peerages would find themselves reluctant to complete in five. I am curious how you managed to do so."
"A lot of preparation. To make something worthwhile you require a strong foundation, and the same applies to goals," she replied, almost automatically. It was practiced, but it wasn't wrong either. "I would not have declared that I would hunt down every heir-killer unless I was certain I could."
"You came close to failing that goal, though. Only... five days, before your time ran out? Were you not nervous?"
"I was more concerned about locating them than actually bringing them down." Luna smiled, though it lacked any humor. "Worldweave is a dangerous ability. I am sure it would be difficult to find something quite like the ability to project one's will out to the world around them and create a physical effect."
"Is that so?" Zekram smiled back, though unlike Luna's it was amused. "Ah, to have such a power back when the Great War was in full swing. It would have been quite useful for an ally to be able to replicate Yahweh's feats on the battlefield, even to a lesser degree."
The name caused Luna to briefly lift a hand toward her head as Heaven's System drove in the nail, as did the Devils closest to the Great King, but Zekram himself appeared unaffected and went on. "Even if your strength has already fully matured, I can see even now that the versatility your ability possesses is far beyond what anyone save perhaps Ajuka Astaroth can bring to the table."
"I plan to stagnate only when I die, milord. Otherwise, I mean to keep growing," Luna scowled at the very notion, silently noting Zekram's calling Ajuka by his birth family name rather than Beelzebub.
The Great King's smile widened.
"And that is why I want to offer you an unprecedented opportunity, equal to your continued existence after that ritual gone wrong, and the accomplishment which is impetus for this gala."
The stunned murmurs that ran throughout the crowd returned in force, and Lunarunn herself was baffled by the innocuous sentence. An unprecedented opportunity? ...What did he mean by that? She just wanted to get to high class and get an Evil Piece set.
Still, to deny him outright would be the height of idiocy. As such... "Your errand is an offer?"
"Of course. I keep my ear to the ground for promising individual, so imagine my... amazement when I hear that one of my distant kin was, and is, making such waves in the Underworld. And for her to head a party so quickly... why, it's almost uncanny just how smoothly it all came together."
That's right... she was distantly related to Zekram. That didn't exactly fill her with confidence.
Wait, was he insinuating that she was a figurehead?
Luna's brow furrowed. "Is there a problem with me effecting such change with a wedge faction?"
A subtle jab, implying that his Underworld could be unbalanced by a small outside factor. He picked up on it even faster than she, eyes gleaming with recognition at the subtext and a faint additional uptick of the sides of his mouth.
"Not at all. Though the aristocracy should lead the people of the Underworld, if a person outside it makes such beneficial strides then they deserve to be commended for their competence, not punished."
Zekram lifted a hand upward, palm facing the ceiling, turning to all the Devils present with a calculating glint. "Yet, we do see an unprecedented situation here. A commoner breaking bread with those not of her blood nor station? It is true that Miss Bael's actions deserve commendation, that her position among the aristocrats is deserved, yet the fact still stands that she is just that: a commoner. Someone not born among us, an outsider."
As the murmurs of the other Devils intensified, the Great King turned back to Lunarunn.
"Yet, while you are a commoner, that does not mean you are without noble blood. Every Devil born a Devil is descended from a Demon; even if their blood isn't pure, that does not mean it is completely without legacy."
'Wait, is he suggesting...?'
"After I received word of your accomplishments and your rank, I made the decision of looking through your genealogy. As the former Lord Bael, it was little issue. As it so happens, you have blood from both sides of your family leading back up to another Pillar. An extinct one, at that."
That drew a lot of attention, particularly from Ruval, who looked at her then back at Zekram with increasing realization. "Are you saying that Luna could be lifted to the aristocracy through reclaiming an extinct Pillar?"
Luna's eyes widened at the same realization. Was the history of her family really that serendipitous? It fell together almost too easily.
...Or was Zekram lying for some reason? Because... yeah, it fell together way too smoothly.
Whatever the case, it was news for certain, and an offer she could hardly dismiss outright.
The irony of her being distantly related to Leraje in some way, shape, or form wasn't lost on her, so the brunette hoped that he wouldn't declare her a lost heiress or something of the like.
"I am saying that exactly, Heir Phenex," The Great King confirmed, looking around to the rest of the Devils as he raised his voice. "Does Miss Bael not represent an opportunity to reclaim lost dignity? Does she not offer a truly impressive degree of competence for someone so early in their years? Does she not bear a degree of accomplishments to inspire our youth, for them to aspire to match or even overcome? Her actions still lack little history, her presence in the Assembly still infantile in age, yet if Luna continues to prove herself a dynamic and exceptional Devil then how would it be a good idea to leave an inheritance she bears strong claim toward to continue gathering dust?"
By now he had captivated the crowd, and Zekram continued unabashed with his impromptu speech. "Ours is a people of instinct, of power, of ambition! Moreover, ours are a people who see deeds rightfully returned! Miss Bael, in her quest to bring all heir-killers to justice, has proven that her instincts are true, in spite of her soul's human origin! By showing herself capable of doing so in the span of a year she has proven herself a Devil whose strength and intellect are worthy of respect and recognition! By taking the reins of a wedge party, and deftly using her small share of votes to change the narrative of bills going through the Assembly even during her quest to capture all heir-killers, her high ambitions and cunning are shown!
"Lunarunn has shown herself to not only competently perform the work of an aristocrat despite her humble beginnings... but to excel in it, and thrive. Her soul now may once have been human, but her body has always borne the blood of our ancestors." Zekram spread his arms. "Does that not mean that she too, can become one of the few, one of the proud, should she continue to prove her worth in such a magnificent manner? I say that the exceptional be rewarded for their service, especially those birthed true to Devils, and Miss Bael has proven herself both exceptional and true!"
While watching the crowd, and the way they seemed to near-unanimously agree with Zekram, Luna's mind raced. Well, she could at least hear him out... "If I may ask, milord, I am curious what your offer is. I would be most pleased to become High-Class. But I was not aware of having claim to any Pillar."
"My offer is a simple one." The Great King lowered his arms and turned back to Lunarunn. "Already, I have obtained permission to disclose unto you a confirmation regarding your ascension to High Class. In recognition of your explosive rise to prominence, the Great Houses have seen fit to promote you to High Class under the rank of baronet. With it will come a small estate in unowned territory, currently held by the Underworld government for those not already of a peerage that express exemplary service to our people, and the opportunity to form a Peerage to assist you going forward. The ceremony to elevate you to such a position will occur sixteen days from now."
'...Finally. Finally! It's about fucking time!'
Granted, it was still lower than even Jaspal, but the fact that she was getting a noble title to begin with was already an incredible boon.
Still...
"If that's what I'm going to receive anyway, what is the offer that you wish to give me?"
There laid the rub. Luna had a feeling that the violet-eyed Devil was leading up to something big.
"Indeed. While you are all but guaranteed the rank of minor nobility, you still would remain a noble without a true name to lend credence to your family. Without history, you will find your leverage lacking beyond your personal accomplishments. While impressive nonetheless, you may find yourself struggling to form... long-term relationships with families. It is true that interpersonal ones have the most immediate effect, it would be wise for you to also consider long-term ramifications of being a nameless aristocrat in an already-established system."
"So... you want me to do something for you in return for your support in returning a Pillar to the public?"
"Indeed. Quid quo pro is a natural affair here. You could certainly try to do so on your own, but to have support for your ascension would clear an all but impassable road significantly." The Great King lifted a hand, palm-up. "If I am to support you in reclaiming an extinct Pillar, I want to ensure that the Pillar truly belongs to nobility once more, and that it not only survives, but flourishes in this new era. As such, you would be taking full responsibility of the Pillar's name, legacy, assets, and must do everything in your power in order to make it prosper."
He lifted that hand to his chin, scrutinizing Lunarunn. "Consider it a... litmus test, of sorts. Right now, you are the greatest Devil of your generation. If you prove an inspiration to your peers - that is, the Devils of your generation and onward - and a competent head of a Pillar, then perhaps the old guard may find it in themselves to be more compromising toward the new, perhaps even 'radical' ideas that you seem to enjoy setting forth. We have many, many, years ahead of us still, but we are aging nonetheless. It would do many of us good, I feel, to be comfortable enough to leave our good names in the hands of our youth."
'Hang on. If I am to revive a Pillar...'
Luna's brow drew together. "I assume this will include coming to bear an heir?"
Zekram smiled. "Of course. What would the point be to bring an extinct Pillar back to life, if it is to only possess one member, and die off once more when she does?"
His gaze shifted to Ruval, and nodded once, as though recognizing that he had greatest 'claim' toward making an heir. "It seems as though you were going to act along those lines anyway, so I am surprised you asked to begin with."
'...Ugh, fuck. That's... gonna be a problem, isn't it?'
"Simple curiosity," she omitted through her teeth, though she hid it behind a demure smile. "This is... a tempting offer. However, I would like some time to think it over, before I decide either way. I hope this is acceptable, milord."
"That is a given; it is not a decision to be made lightly. After all, to carry the name of a Pillar is a great undertaking, and to bring one back to greatness even more so." Zekram stepped away. "Though I would hope you do agree to return a Pillar to life. It would be such a shame, to let your bloodline remain extinct and the Marchosias estate little more than a memorial, to say nothing of the example you would set for your generation of Devils in doing so."
Immediately, Lunarunn picked up on the subtext, even as the Devils in the crowd recognized the Pillar name with widening eyes and gasps.
'Oh that son of a... motherfucker!'
Considering she'd made a name of herself hunting Strays that had killed heirs... and in the case of some even ending Pillars outright...
That kind of 'hypocrisy' would leave her wide open to be shredded by the rest of the Assembly.
The Worldweaver couldn't help but let out an amazed chuckle. In the span of a single interaction, Zekram had all but solidified the political necessity of obtaining his support to revive the... Marchosias family, was it?
Including bearing an heir.
To some... guy...
It was only because of Serafall's years of training that Luna didn't make an expression of disgust. That was a deal breaker, yet all the same...
"I will be sure to keep that in mind, milord. Thank you for giving me the time to think on your offer."
"Okay, what the fuck was that?!"
Ruval stepped forward, onto the rail of the balcony next to the irate Worldweaver. "That, was Zekram Bael. I knew his political acumen was revered by the elders of the Underworld, but to see him take control of the conversation so effortlessly and put that much pressure on you to take the mantle of Marchosias? That was some impressive wordplay."
"Yeah, I know. I'm the one who got played like a damned fiddle!" Luna grimaced, holding her hand to her head and tilting it back. "Shit, what do I do? If I say no, my career as a politician gets dragged through the dirt if not gutted outright, but if I do that's got it's own can of worms."
"I can imagine." The Phenex heir crossed his arms and sighed. "Being lifted to a Pillar status would give the FFP an additional vote in the Assembly, but it will also raise concerns of personal interest, to say nothing of what the commoners may do regarding the 'distant bloodline' talk that Zekram used to justify restoring the Pillar. I know that personal interest is not an issue when it comes to you, but many may not. Even agreeing, your reputation will take a hit. And then there's the reaction that the elders might have at the idea. Even if your claim is strong, reviving a Pillar is another truly unprecedented event to your already unique existence. I can only wonder what his plans are for stirring the pot like this."
The brunette's hand lowered, as did her head, lips pursing as she turned her gaze down below the balcony. "Yeah, exactly. My big goal for a long time was to get to high class, but I don't want to burn bridges doing so, y'know? I was never really aiming to recreate a freaking Pillar, either."
"Mh." The blonde nodded in understanding. "The last thing you need right now is additional complications, when you are already walking a tightrope."
Half a minute passed before they spoke again.
"...Say, tell me a bit about my supposed 'bloodline'?"
"Of course." Ruval obliged, nodding once before lifting his glass to his lips. "The Marchosias were a family that specialized in the art of combat, and were by nature honest and loyal Devils. It is truly a shame that the last named Marchosias died in the Devil Civil War."
"Which side did they fight on?"
"The True Satan Faction." Ruval circled his glass with a finger after setting it back on the balcony, looking out of the balcony while servants cleaned up after the gala, doors closed so he and she could speak in private. "Even after the demon kings died, the Marchosias family was so loyal to their legacy they were willing to fight for the children of said demon kings... even if they vehemently agreed with the Great King Faction. Only the Paimon family was more dedicated to the Old Satans. Despite their disagreements with the TSF, the Marchosias fought to the last."
Luna stopped, turning her head to look at the Phenex heir from the corner of her eye. "...It sounds like you knew some of them personally."
The blonde let out a slow sigh and stepped back from the wineglass. "I did. Many Devils of my generation, at least those born before the Civil War, were trained by members of the Marchosias family. Myself included. Among all the Pillars they had a reputation for fairness and respect in addition to their natural combat prowess, which won them much approval from most of those who interacted with them. Again, myself included. I always wondered if you were related to them; as I mentioned, trust and mutual respect were a large part of their personal culture."
"I've always been like that, though, even when I was a human," the brunette pointed out, watching Ruval as he walked to the other side of the balcony.
"Cambions - that is, human-Devil hybrids - do exist, they have for thousands of years," he reasoned. "It is possible that a Marchosias bastard ended up having children in the human world, and that eventually led to you. It might even lend credence to the idea that your claim to their name is stronger than any other Devil still alive."
'Not likely, given my true origins. Still...'
"Still, I'm not sure how I feel about my personality traits being attributed to a family that I may-" she allowed Ruval to at least entertain the idea, "-or may not be distantly related to."
"...My apologies. I meant no offense."
The apology hung in the air for multiple seconds.
"There's more to a person than their blood, you know." Lunarunn turned to Ruval fully, leaning back on the balcony. "Sure, bloodlines may make people more predisposed to certain personality traits, but that's not everything."
The Phenex heir furrowed his brow. "I know that."
"Then why does it seem like you fall back on the idea that blood is more important than who a person is, even without their name?"
"Because..." He closed his mouth, eyes widening briefly before looking down in deep contemplation.
"It's because you've absorbed that context from the world you grew up in, right?" Lunarunn turned back around. "...Y'know. The development of a person, be it human, Devil, youkai, or anything else, it's all a mixture of nature and nurture."
"Of course." He knew that much, at least.
The brunette continued, seeing that he'd replied. "Yet, the aristocracy these days seems so focused on 'nature' that many only even pretend to give a damn when someone like me, whose development comes from my experiences, does something grand enough they wouldn't even consider trying it themselves. Their arrogance by and large... well, blinds them to the concerns of their people."
"That's... not untrue, but it is not quite the same thing as being outright neglectful toward their subjects like you seem to imply."
Like what some of the FFP bills suggested, such as the Non-consensual Peerage Conscription Restriction Act, Luna interpreted.
"When you consider someone as something lower than you, you're always going to treat them with some level of prejudice, even if you are acting on the best of intentions. But most of the time... people are selfish. Devils even more so."
Luna shrugged and tilted her head, a slanted smile forming on her face. "I helped the Forgotten Front party make its way into the political arena because the people there come from all walks of life. Soldiers, commoners, nobles, it doesn't matter where anybody is from to the FFP. Yet, when I look at the GKF or the OSF, for the most part it's all about purity of blood. Even for the GKF, someone who doesn't have the necessary bloodline needs to pour blood, sweat, and tears of effort into even a scrap of recognition from the Pillar families running it."
"But we do recognize individuals of great ability."
"And what do you do for them?" Luna's smile fell into an accusatory scowl. "You add them to your Peerages. If they're lucky, they get the chance to become high class themselves one day. But do they, by and large, get a chance to speak their minds in the Assembly? Do they get a chance to throw their lot in a vote? Do they get the opportunity to push for laws beyond lobbying their Kings, who may well decide to further their own interests even if it means completely ignoring those beneath them?"
Ruval didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
'...I can't believe that the light novel was as naive as it was.'
Lunarunn turned away in disgust, unable to look at the dawning realization on the Phenex's face. "That just proves my point; I'm the exception, not the rule. The OSF may see commoners as livestock, and humans as below even that, but the GKF sees themselves as shepherds. One thinks others beneath them, and the other sees themselves as ascendant or above. They might be at odds, but ultimately the line of thinking leads to the same style of rule; one where the few with good blood get to decide the fate of everyone else."
In a sense, she almost wondered if Sirzechs had fallen victim to the same line of thinking. He did, after all, throw her away like currency to purchase his sister's freedom. That he did so without telling her, by having his allies manipulate her into playing the part he made for her perfectly, suggested a lack of respect for her own autonomy.
She grit her teeth. Even now, it was still not easy to think back on that night.
The brunette's voice fell. "Can't you see just how... how broken that is? Would Zekram have even offered me the chance to become Luna Marchosias if I didn't bear that blood? Would he have even cared to do anything about me at all? Or would he have tried undermining me instead, to drive me out of the government he made as to keep it 'pure'?"
"Is that why you hesitated to accept your heritage?" Ruval finally found his voice.
"...Partially." Luna turned back to the railing, looking out. "The other part is... a bit more selfish."
"I'm listening."
Even when they disagreed, he always listened.
She really did appreciate that about Ruval.
"I... don't know if I could stand the duties of being the sole member of the Marchosias family," she confessed. "Especially when it comes to... bearing an heir."
"...I can see how that might be... troubling, to you."
The Worldweaver closed her eyes, breathed in... and breathed out a shaky sigh. "When the Assembly came together to try and force me to have a child to ensure the continuation of my bloodline, I was... I was terrified. I wasn't sure what I'd do if the motion to make me have a kid before going after the heir-killers had passed. Would I... have run away? Would I be chased down, hunted like a Stray just because I can't... can't stand the idea of having to raise a kid? Of bearing one? Of being forced to conceive one?"
"...I can't say I can even come close to understanding."
"Yeah. It'd be so much easier, were I straight." Luna laughed, but it was completely devoid of humor. Ironic; she technically was straight, but just had the wrong body for it. "If only I'd ended up liking dick, then everything would be so much easier. Our relationship, my situation with Worldweave, my fears about becoming a Marchosias..."
Her knuckles turned white against the railing. "But that's not me. Not yet. Might not ever be. That's... just not... me."
"...You're afraid of losing yourself in it all."
It was starting to become frightening how he was able to read her. Was she really that transparent?
'...When did transparency become a bad thing?'
She tried to speak, but found her throat tightened. So instead, Lunarunn nodded, taking a moment to collect herself, even as she felt her eyes start to water.
"How much do I have to bend to survive in this damned place?" the Worldweaver whispered. "How is it that every single time I start to feel even a little good about myself, feel more capable than before, feel even a little more free to be me, something comes and drags me back down by the throat? I tried to be a good Devil, put aside my morals when it came to those Strays that deserved to be free, and did the same to work with bigots, racists, and supremacists, and even if I was able to feel good about coming so far so quickly... I still feel guilty."
She could still hear the way Jae-heon's voice cracked when he replied to her, about the quiet, well-off life he lead in the overworld, memory clear as day.
("It was supposed to be my son's.")
"And then Zekram fucking Bael, the most dangerous Devil in the Underworld, decides to drop by and so thoroughly lead me by the nose in his five minutes here that if I want to keep going this way I only have the one choice; take up the mantle of Marchosias, bear an heir, and become another cog in his machine."
She breathed in, and out again, shuddering. "I want to help people. I want to make the Underworld a better place for everybody. I want to be a good person. This should have been a good thing. As an actual Pillar member I'd be able to make even more of a difference. But the more I try to change the system, the more it seems to try to change me. And the worst part is, I... I think it's working."
Lunarunn wiped her eyes quickly, getting rid of the buildup before she actually started spilling tears.
"When I first woke up as a Devil I would never have felt good about damning people, yet during the party, I was elated to have completed such a difficult task," she elaborated. "There were three Devils, Strays in the eyes of the government, that didn't deserve to be turned in and executed. People who had been betrayed, people whose only sin was to make matters right in a world where they would be punished for it."
"But they killed heirs." Ruval's voice was flat, making it difficult to tell if he was defending the government, or just reciting their argument.
"But they didn't do so without reason!" The brunette spun around, incensed by the argument that had damned those three. "For one, it was self-defense. If they hadn't they'd have been drugged and raped until they didn't even know their own name. For another, it was because their King would have killed them in an act of cowardice, literally leaving them to die against the Fallen Angels approaching their position just for a slightly better chance for the King himself to live! It wasn't asked of them, the fucker took off without telling anyone! And for the third... it was because he was lied to, by someone who could have brought his son back to life in return for service, but didn't, and was the one to kill said son in the first place."
She stood still, breathing heavily, before slumping when she noticed Ruval looking away with a conflicted expression on his face.
"I... didn't want to kill those people, those three Strays. Bringing them in, in this case, was an even crueler punishment." Luna turned back around, body shaking. "I... Even if I felt freer than I had in a long time, it still felt... dirty. Most of the Strays deserved to be brought to justice, but those three...? I tried to ignore it, tried telling myself would be for a good cause, and I even succeeded for a little bit. But, I played with the last one because I wanted a good fight instead of just doing my duty. I damned him for things I myself would have done in their place.
"I never wanted to be a hypocrite. I never wanted to act so callously because I was being selfish. But I am now, and I... I hate it." The Worldweaver's shuddering breath shook the first couple tears off her eyelashes, dropping to the ground below. "And as more and more of this shit keeps piling up, as the Underworld keeps expecting me to fit the mold more and more... I can only wonder how much fucking more I can take before I either give up, give in, or just... go insane. Just how much more, before I lose sight of myself? How long, before I wake up one day and forget who I am?"
From where she was, Lunarunn could hear Ruval shifting, but deigned to neither act on it nor turn around. The brunette took the silence to gather herself again, but even so she felt... dirty. So very dirty. The kind that showers would do nothing to clean, even if she scrubbed herself raw.
"I hate it," she whispered again, wiping her eyes once more. "All of it. The posturing. The hypocrisy. The lies. What the Underworld is making me. What the Underworld itself is today. I saw it through rose-tinted glasses, at least until Ajuka and Sirzechs fucked me over. But now... it just seems so rotten to me. So diseased I'm scared that by trying to make it better, I'm just being made sick myself. It's almost... funny just how fake the 'noble' surface is."
The brunette closed her eyes and grinned, tilting her head up. But even she could tell that it was a manic one, not borne of happiness but of something far darker. Part of her was glad she was looking away. Part of her wanted to turn to Ruval just to show him the face she wore now. "And the funniest bit of it all is, I'm not even sure why I'm bothering."
More silence.
"Hah. Ha ha ha. Yeah, that's right. Y'know, maybe that's why I feel like my soul's being stained black the longer I'm in this godforsaken place. Maybe I'm just a vessel for what the world around me offers, and now that I've been in such a twisted setting so long I'm starting to match."
"You're wrong."
"Am I? Am I, really?" The rising malice in her voice changed to something more pleading. "How can you be so sure about who I am when I don't even know myself? How can you say that I'm wrong when I can look at myself from two years ago and myself today, and see just how much more fucked up I've become? Where is my line? When can I say that enough is enough? Just what is my purpose? Why am I even here, Ruval? Why!?"
Ulan was conspicuously absent. She had been, ever since she helped Luna get a hold of herself when Zekram first showed up.
Luna was worried what that meant about her mental state.
She was almost scared what the Phenex heir might say, as someone who'd been completely up-front and honest with her, someone she should be able to trust, and perhaps even did.
Yet... he was a Devil.
Yet... he was also literally the only person she could talk to.
Ulan wouldn't stand for just how pathetic she knew she was right now.
Diodora was just... no, she wouldn't share this with him.
Masaomi was in the overworld doing the big guy's work who-knows-where.
Jaspal was also out. For... selfish reasons. It was stupid, but Luna wasn't exactly thinking straight and didn't care.
Like it or not, Ruval was her only real option to be brutally honest with someone. And herself.
At the same time... she felt so vulnerable that she wasn't sure how she'd react if he said something she didn't like.
No, that wasn't quite right. 'Almost' didn't belong there. She wasn't 'almost' scared.
But she'd asked anyway.
As though she was willing to let him decide for her.
'No. No, no. Not happening.'
"F-forget it." The brunette spoke up before he could say anything. "I... I'll figure it out. I'll figure it out. Somehow."
He could spare her the pity that way. And he wouldn't have to deal with her baggage then and start resenting her.
She was too selfish to ruin one of the only true outlets she had.
Luna blinked in surprise when an arm stretched out to block her from hurrying past him. Her gaze, slow though it may have been, looked up at Ruval with confusion.
In his eyes laid sympathy.
"I can't answer that for you, Luna. If I did, that would make me no better than Zekram, whose actions clearly exacerbated how cornered and suffocated you feel. But I do know one thing; you need that break you mentioned far more than you let on during the gala."
"...I know. It's pretty pathetic." She looked down with a small, self-deprecating smile.
"No, it's not." The firmness to Ruval's voice had the brunette looking up at him again. "You've been doing something over the course of a year that has forced you to abandon your morality entirely to complete the task you set before yourself, and more just keeps coming. I understand how heavily that can weigh on you. You said it yourself; you're not sure how much more you can take from the Underworld's politics before something gives. You need a break. And regardless of what the others in the Assembly may think, you deserve time to pull yourself back together."
"I... can't just up and leave, though," the brunette murmured, shaking her head. "I'm the speaker of the FFP, any time the Assembly is gathered I need to be there to take part so my bloc doesn't fall out of touch with the arena and get blown off entirely going forward."
"You do have a deputy speaker, don't you?"
Diodora.
"Y-yeah, but even so..."
"No buts. You need a break. So you are going to take one. End of story."
Eh?
Something about that rubbed Luna the wrong way, and she reared back with a snarl on her face as that ugly feel inside rose up. "End of story? End of story? Who the hell are you to decide that for me!?"
Yet, despite her flash of anger, Ruval remained steady, save for an exasperated frown. "Someone who, believe it or not, gives a damn about you Lunarunn, and not just because we're courting."
Oh. Perhaps he wasn't quite as in control as she'd expected, given the bared teeth and glare that formed halfway through his response.
He jabbed the index finger of his non-stretched hand forward accusingly, poking Luna directly where the pendant he gifted her was hanging. "Especially since you don't seem to know how to stop working until you finally do break down, and I refuse to stand by and let someone I care for destroy themselves like that!"
The Phenex heir stepped forward, bearing down on her. "Do you understand? I. Refuse. To let you be eaten alive by the expectations of the Underworld. Especially without giving you a chance to put yourself back together. Am I clear?"
Ruval, the Blue Phenex, a noble and collected individual who practically embodied all the qualities someone in his position should strive to be.
And he, he had finally lost his patience with Luna.
The Worldweaver could only laugh at herself, after several seconds of coming to grasp what he'd said.
"Hahahahaha...!"
She inhaled sharply. "...Fuck, I really am messed up right now, aren't I?"
As if she hadn't admitted to that already.
"You need a break, otherwise you will break," he replied, softly, temper settling once more as he stepped back, hands setting themselves on Luna's shoulders. "I'll talk to Diodora about him taking your place for a little while, so you can pull yourself back together."
...She didn't realize how cold she felt until he'd actually made contact with her.
Part of her longed for more of that warmth.
But Luna knew that she couldn't.
Not right now.
"...I..." The brunette shook her head. "I... really appreciate it, Ruval. Bu-"
"No buts."
"B-bu... uh-ugh." Luna bowed her head. After a few seconds, her lips curled up again. "...Alright... Fine... Fine. You win this time, you fried chicken fuck. I'll take a break, figure myself out, pull myself back together."
She couldn't see it, but she knew just then that Ruval was smiling. "...There is your spirit. Take all the time you need, alright? I will take care of everything that comes up while you are away. Everything Diodora cannot handle on his own."
He was putting more work on his plate. A lot of it too. For her sake.
Just what did he get out of this?
...
Best not ask about it. She'd figure out what he was aiming for afterwards.
If he was aiming for anything at all.
Damn. She really did need to step away and figure stuff out.
"...Thank you."
A/N -
Sorry for the late upload. Family's moving across the country, so most of my weekend was taken up by a combination of party stuff and looking after my uncle's overexcited, super anxious 86-pound puppy. Nooooot a great combination, imo. Then I had to sleep on this chapter, because I want to make sure the beats land like they should and wanted some distance to reread it. Then I realized it could use some more fleshing out to help maintain the semi-realism, and ended up putting more detail into the story. Still wonder about the chapter, but at the same time I've already put enough work into it and getting stuck in a single place would end poorly.
Word count result? Insert DBZ meme here.
Over ten thousand, even. Hopefully that justifies the wait.
Anyway, so now Luna's under a lot of pressure to take a poisoned apple of an offering. Sure, she'll be raised to her goal of high class either way... but at what cost? There's going to be fallout, regardless of what happens.
At least she gets time to prepare for it all thanks to Ruval being the chadliest noble on the block. No offense to Diodora of course, but he's not technically courting Luna or helping her through her struggles like Ruval is so he doesn't have as many opportunities to show off his own chadliness.
TL;DR - don't underestimate Zekram, yo. Even his most innocuous sentences can craft a net to pin you down more thoroughly than a line of gatling guns.
The angst these past couple chapters have definitely been cranked up compared to other chapters, but it's important to show how Luna has deteriorated over the course of trying to make things work in the Underworld. I've implied it before but I'll say it now: she has yet to find a 'true' motivation. Love? She's not close enough to anyone to fight for them through thick or thin. Faith? In what, the government that fucked her over? She's more likely to burn it all down. Recognition? She likes to be recognized for the work she does, but that's not the reason she's in a dark place at this point in the story.
There are a lot of things driving her in that direction coming from the outside, while internally Luna is still in the process of figuring out just what the hell she is trying to be, or do, or become. As a result, she's being constantly pushed off-balance, and it's getting to her in a bad way. I even hinted to it as such in the last chapter with her thoughts, expressions, and internal conversations to herself.
It'll get brighter soon though. Some actual sunlight will do Luna a lot of good, I'll say that much.
Tempura Wizard out.
