I had an unusual schedule in the afternoon today.

Someone actually messaged the email I handed out at the Party, and they scheduled a meeting.

Lizel and Hisoka were the ones taking care of the logistics of everything, so I've had no contact with whoever it is until now, but I was told who I was going to meet.

Astarte Line. Or rather, Aspite's mother.

To be honest, I don't really want to meet the mother of the first opponent I faced in the Devil King War. She seemed like a good person in the Party, but who can say if that wasn't just because we were in public?

At the same time, I can't really ignore her, since she went through the whole trouble of scheduling and everything. I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet. Hopefully she wasn't just pretending to be nice.

"Welcome, master Yuuto."

Not long after I arrived, a beautiful girl with long gray hair came to receive me. She looked about as old as I am, so I have to guess she's Aspite's cousin or something, since I know he doesn't have any siblings.

Having someone about the same age as me call me master doesn't feel right, but I suppose that is the etiquette for noble devils. When in Rome, I guess.

By the way, the mansion I was visiting now was not the same as the one I had invaded when I thought Aspite had kidnapped Lizel. I guess this is the main Line house.

The girl guided me inside the mansion. I was taken to a room where Aspite's mom was waiting.

"Excuse my intrusion."

"Not at all. Please sit down."

I sat down on the sofa in front of Astarte. She asked the girl to bring us tea and snacks.

Once we were alone, Astarte began to talk.

"I hope you weren't too busy, but I wanted to talk to you as soon as possible."

"Not at all. You're actually the first person to get in contact with me."

"Oh, I suppose that makes sense. Everyone is probably too afraid right now. I trust that you understand what I mean."

"Yes."

Aspite's mom then told me how, about a week ago, someone came to her to try and convince her to join a group of nobles who were going to send Hierophant against me.

Well, I already expected as much, but I guess this basically confirms it.

Still, it leaves me with a certain question in mind.

"Why are you risking yourself by getting in contact with me?"

Maybe your first thought would be that this is a trap, but that wouldn't make sense. Even if Hierophant had the perfect plan to kill and me they were lying in wait, I could probably still kill her before that if I doubted her. There's no reason for her to put herself in harm's way.

But, if that's not it, then why would she take this risk?

"I have two reasons. The first is that, as you can probably guess, I have no intention of joining them. On the off-chance you weren't yet aware of it, I'd warn you about them. … If I'm being honest, I had my doubts about which side to pick, but my son assured me you would come out on top. So I decided to place my trust in you. Besides, I am grateful for you knocking him down from his pedestal and becoming his friend."

Huh, I didn't expect Aspite to place that much faith in me. I wonder if his thought process was "you beat me, so you can't lose to anyone."

"Speaking of, where's Aspite?"

"He helped me prepare for today, but he isn't here. He said you'd enjoy being surrounded by only beautiful women."

He… either understands me really well, or has the completely wrong idea. And, depending on his thought process, I have to wonder why he let his mother meet me alone in the first place.

Anyway, Astarte went back to explaining her reasoning.

"The second reason is that, if I'm going to side with you, I figured I should try to gain some early points. I did some digging, talked with some friends, and Aspite also helped me. I thought that setting aside some time so we could talk and get to know each other would be a good way to do that."

Wow, this is… normal. I'm not used to this.

I'll be honest that I expected people to show me a row of beautiful girls and go "take your pick" expecting that to get them on my good side.

It's so nice to have an actual normal conversation. Maybe the noble devils aren't as hopeless as I thought after all.

As I was thinking that, the girl from before came back. She was carrying a tray with two cups of tea and snacks. She put it down on the table between me and Astarte.

Astarte took a cup and I took the other. There's no way I have to worry about poison by now, and even if it was the case, Regenerate would save me.

The tea was quite good, I also tasted some of the snacks and it was quite good.

"Fufu, are you enjoying it, master Yuuto?"

Before I noticed it, the girl had sat down beside me. She was really close, to the point where her chest was rubbing against my arm. From how it feels, the dress is really thin, and is she not wearing a bra?

"This girl is Sophia Line, she's Aspite's cousin, and I believe you're both the same age. She doesn't have any marriage plans, so, if she's to your liking, you may have her."

"... Eh?"

Where did the normal conversation go? Why did this suddenly go the way I originally thought it would?

"Like I said, I did some digging and talked with some friends. I also have some contact with Rumi Kouma, so I asked her for suggestions. She told me to get to know you through conversation, but to also prepare a way to get you into the family. Oh, but she also told me you enjoy having both mother and daughter. Unfortunately, Sophia's mother is married, but I'm a widow, so I wouldn't mind taking her place if that's what it takes."

"Master Yuuto, I'm inexperienced, but I will do my best to serve you."

"W-wait, please, let's slow down a bit."

What was Rumi thinking?! Is this revenge since she can't come because of the risk with Hierophant?!

I had to calmly explain things to both of them. That there was no need to do something like prepare a political engagement, that we could just talk and get to know each other. But mainly, that I'm not like what the rumors say of me.

Astarte pointed out my relation with Miyako and Rumi, so that threw my whole argument down the drain. Still, I couldn't give up and continued trying to convince her. I'm not sure how successful I was, but she eventually gave up.

"I understand. Then, should I call off the engagement between you two?"

"No! Please, master Yuuto, I don't want to get married to someone I don't even know."

I'm pretty sure we met just a few minutes ago and we've barely had a conversation. And since when were we engaged? Ah, but those puppy eyes are so cute. She's a good actress.

"... What would happen if we called it off?"

"Sophia would go back to waiting for another good marriage opportunity."

So basically, she'll be used as a political tool. I guess the Lines are also nobles.

It's this kind of thing that I want to get rid of, but that's still a ways off. Should I keep the engagement so that she's not used as a tool? But wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse? And again, since when were we engaged?!

This is making me confused!

"Whatever! Just pretend I didn't say anything from before."

"Understood. Then, we'll continue with the original plan."

"Yay! Thank you, master Yuuto. I promise to do my best for you."

Whatever. I just have to explain things to her properly and let her live her life as she wishes. Or, if by the time I'm Devil King, she has someone she truly loves, I can use my power to let them live their lives.

Thankfully, after this, the conversation went back to normal. If not for Sophia pressing her chest on my arm, I could even forget what had happened before.

It seems that Astarte truly is a good person. A bit wrapped by the values she was taught as a noble, but generally good. She's someone I wouldn't mind having around when I'm Devil King.

"I-I should probably get going now."

After a while, I decided to leave before things got weird again. My cue for that was Sophia saying she had a few friends who would like to get to know me. Better to quit while I'm ahead, or rather before I change my mind on the Line family.

Leaving early meant that I had some time left. I considered going home, but then I remembered some people I hadn't seen in a while, the Koiwais. I figured I could pay them a visit.

I used Transite to teleport to the mansion I once visited back when Reina was having problems with her previous body.

I came quite suddenly, but surprisingly, the Koiwais received me. The same old-looking butler from last time guided me to a room, and, after a little while, Reina's father came to meet me.

"What business brought you here?"

… Rude. But I'll let it slide since it was me who just suddenly dropped into his house.

"You didn't come to my Party nor sent anyone to represent the Koiwai family, but I'm sure you know what I said there. I don't really plan to go after anyone, but this time I'm making an exception. She might not say it, but Reina still really loves this family."

"So that homunculus is still alive. How in the world did you manage to fix her?"

"It wasn't with your help, that's for sure."

If he's going to be passive-aggressive this much, then I'll do the same. I'm only doing this because of Reina.

The silver-haired man seemed annoyed. I guess he decided to drop any facade.

"Maybe you haven't realized it, but the Koiwais have no intention of being subordinates to a human. That's why we didn't even bother to respond to your invitation. As for that homunculus, you can do as you please. My daughter died years ago anyway."

"And maybe you haven't realized it, but I don't care about you, your wife or anyone else. The only person that matters to me is Aina. Since it doesn't seem like we can settle this peacefully, I'll tell you my demands. I want you to leave Aina at my mansion every weekend for her and Reina to have time to get to know each other. I also won't tolerate that you teach her that humans or mixed-blood devils are inferior to you nobles."

Yes, the reason why I'm going through all this trouble is Aina, Reina's beloved little sister. She is the child that was born to substitute the deceased devil Reina.

If I remember right, Aina should only be about 4 years old. She's still an innocent child, so I can't let them corrupt her. And it's probably the only bond with the Koiwais that I can salvage for Reina.

"You!"

He reacted about as I expected. He took a step to close the distance between us and opened his Storage, probably to take out a Devil Sword.

Unfortunately for him, he's nothing compared to a Devil King Candidate. I was a step ahead and summoned Tenka Fubu before he noticed.

I parried his attack and, while he was still surprised, pointed the tip of my sword to his neck.

{Geh, what's this? I don't want to see old men.}

Just stay obedient for now.

I had to use a lot of mana to keep Tenka Fubu from taking over my body, but it also worked as a threat.

"Kneel."

"... I'll call the guards."

"Feel free, I'll cut off your head long before they arrive."

The man clicked his tongue. His life is the most precious thing to him, he won't lose it over this.

He did as I told him and kneeled. I still kept the tip of Tenka Fubu pointed to his neck.

"You heard me before. What's your answer?"

"..."

Silence? Then, I'll have to respond accordingly.

I slightly pushed Tenka Fubu forward. A bit of blood came out from his neck.

"... I understand. I'll do as you said."

"Good. Just so you know, I hate people who try to deceive me. I'm already at the limit of my patience with you, so don't make me regret not cutting you down here."

I put Tenka Fubu away. The man got up. He clearly considered attacking me again, but gave up. Smart choice.

With this, I guess I can say that I got Reina a chance to reconnect with her sister. The path to it could have been better, but I'll say this is one of the cases where the ends justify the means.

I didn't have anything else to do here, so I was going to leave. Before that though, the man talked to me again.

"You should watch your back. You never know when someone might put a target on it."

"I will. Ah, by the way, you can start taking Aina to my mansion after I've dealt with Hierophant. Wouldn't want to risk her getting caught in the middle."

A veiled threat. I'm willing to bet the Koiwais were one of the families that joined the group that sent Hierophant after me.

As I was leaving, I happened to look through a window where I saw Aina playing. She also happened to see me, so I waved at her.

She waved back. I guess she remembers me from before. Her mother noticed it and took her away.

Well, that's fine for now. It won't be long before I'll make sure that Aina won't be corrupted by this family.

After I left the mansion, I used Transite to go home. I should probably give Reina the news.

That same day, at night.

"Ken, what do you make of the report the Koiwais sent?"

"The fact that he used so much mana on his sword is what catches my attention. It seems like it was just a threat, but was that really it? Hinata, wasn't there something about that sword?"

Ken asked Hinata, but she didn't answer. It was as if her mind was somewhere else.

"Hinata?"

"Y-yes? Ah, about Yuuto's Devil Swords."

She only responded after her brother called to her.

"Yuuto has 2 different Devil Swords. The first one is called Tenka Fubu, it was made by the former Justice Candidate, Seigi. It doesn't seem to have any special abilities, but it seems to have taken control over Yuuto's body a few times. His other sword is a mystery. It was pulled out of Lovers Arcana in the Labyrinth Battle Royale, but there's not much that is known about it."

While Hinata did give the information she was asked for, she clearly didn't answer what she was asked. Still, no one felt like pointing that out.

"In all likelihood, that mana he used was a way of not having his body taken over. Interesting. It would seem that the best strategy is to force Yuuto into a resistance battle with Tenka Fubu while avoiding him using that other mysterious sword."

"The problem is figuring out when he summons that other sword. Since he pulled it from his Arcana, is it a Characteristic Magic? If we don't tread carefully, it might end up backfiring."

Even the Hiraizumis had things they didn't know. However, given enough time, they would probably figure out about Yuuto's last Characteristic Magic.

The problem is that they are running out of time. They know Yuuto grows stronger with each passing day, so, if they wait too long, they will lose any chance of winning.

"Let's call off the meeting. I'm going to compile all our known information and come up with a plan, which I will then hand to the family head and Devil King for their approval. I hope that we'll fight Lovers' team in a few days at most."

Yes, that was the thing Hirono was sure above all else. The more they waited, the less chances of winning they had.

Of course, everyone else thought the same. So they left Hirono alone while he made plans on his head.

By the time morning came, Hirono had already submitted his plan of attack.