148 Meeting of the Young Devils III

Underworld, Satan Territory, Capital City, Lilith.

Returning to the Devil Council's Meeting Hall, James, Rias, Koneko, and Scathach arrived just in time. Most of the attendees had made their way up to the second floor of the venue. The only ones left on the ground floor were the seven young devils who were eligible to start their careers in the [Rating Games] and their peerages.

After entering the venue, James and Scathach split away from Rias and Koneko and joined the rest of his peerage. Then, like the other [Kings] he lined up with his peerage and faced the balcony where the upper echelons of devil society sat.

As James took his place in the center of the young devils, he looked to his left and right. Unsurprisingly, the people he saw were Sairaorg to his right and a beautiful young lady with greenish blond hair, long pink slit eyes, and glasses that made her give off a cold expression.

'Oh, it's Seekvaira.' James thought to himself. 'I didn't see her earlier, I thought she wasn't here.'

Seekvaira Agares, heiress of the Agares House with the rank of Archduke. Seekvaira usually gives off a cold impression. But she is usually very kind to those she considers as friends or comrades. Also, at an event they both attended James found out that she was a mecha genre otaku when she happened to see some of the sketches he had drawn accidentally. Needless to say, she also made him swear to keep it a secret.

Noticing James next to her, Seekvaira snorted when she saw him smiling at her. Then, she turned her head up toward the balcony where the Four Great Satans and the members of the Devil Council were entering the venue. Once the new arrivals were seated, Sirzechs stood and stepped forward to address everyone in the hall.

"Before we begin, I have two announcements to make." Sirzechs said in a voice that could be easily heard by everyone in the hall. "First, The Four Great Satans and the Devil Council have come to a unanimous decision and have decided to promote James Alaverus from High-Class to Ultimate-Class. With the work he's done and the missions he's completed since becoming High-Class, there is no way that we could deny his promotion. Please, give him a round of applause."

And just as Sirzechs requested, everyone in the venue clapped for the newly promoted Ultimate-Class devil. However, it was clear to see that not everyone was happy about it. Looking around the venue with a smile on his face, James thought to himself.

'Oh, joy. They're basically painting a target on my back for these pure-blood supremacists.' James thought as he looked around the venue. 'It looks like I'm gonna have to go into my Chinese novel protagonist mode and slap some faces.'

And just as James' thought, there was a member of one of the Pillar Houses on the second floor who could not hold it in.

"With all due respect, I cannot agree with this decision." The middle-aged devil said. "What business does a half-devil have, being so highly ranked in a society that only values strength."

"Says a high-rank being with Ultimate-Class status." James said with a snort. "If it weren't for your clan, you would have never been promoted to Ultimate-Class."

The room fell silent from James' retort. Then, the middle-aged man who disagreed with the promotion spoke angrily.

"You, impudent child!" the middle-aged devil shouted. "It is clear you have no respect for your elders or betters. This is why a dirty half---"

Before that man could finish what he was saying, James unleashed his full demonic power. When he did, the atmosphere inside the hall changed. Everyone in the hall felt as if the air was shaking. Also, minute cracks began to appear on many of the hall's walls and floors.

"Disrespecting an elder, okay I can give you that one." James said coldly. "But to presume yourself my better, laughable. Can you not feel the difference in our power? I, an eighteen-year-old who is firmly seated in the minor god-rank, or you, a man of how many centuries, who has yet to break into the ultimate-rank. I think the position of better is clear."

Everyone in the venue was surprised by the power that James displayed. However, the first to snap out of it was Sirzechs.

"James, please calm down." Sirzechs said. "I' sure---."

"Well spoken, my disciple." Scathach said from behind James. "In a world like ours, only personal might gives you the right to speak. And those without it who speak loudly will eventually be crushed by those who find them irritating."

As Scathach spoke, her eyes were firmly set on the middle-aged man who had belittled James. With her intent to kill on full display, that man was pale as a ghost with a water fall of cold sweat running down his forehead.

At that moment, another fool, this time from the Devil Council, was unable to read the mood.

"You lowly reincarnated devil!" The member of the Devil Council shouted in rage. "Who do you think you are? To speak to a member of the 72 Pillar houses in that way."

"Would you imply that a mere high-rank being deserves this Scathach's respect?" Scathach asked as she directed her killing intent at the new victim. "To think that I have been training the youngsters of such ingrates for the last seven years."

With that, the hall broke into a clamor. No one believed that the woman before them was the Scathach from the legends.

"But that's not possible." the Devil Councilman said in a shaky tone. "Scathach is supposed to be bound to the Land of Shadows. There's no way she could be here."

"Indeed." Another member of the Council chimed in. "We should have this woman executed for the crime of impersonating one of our allies!"

"And that half-breed boy should be stripped of his rank for bringing someone like that before us." A third Devil Councilman added.

While Sirzechs attempted to calm everyone down, many of the members of the Council fanned the flames, calling for James' demotion and Scathach's execution. There was even one among the young devils who stared at James with disdain.

'Why is the heir of Astaroth looking at me like that?' James thought to himself. 'Well, I guess he's just another of those pure-blood supremacists. Or maybe he thinks himself superior because Ajuka is his older brother. It doesn't really matter, I guess. If he steps up, he'll get put in his place like all the others.'

After waiting for a while, James remembered the faces of all the council members who made a ruckus for no other reason than his lineage as a half-devil., then he signaled Scathach to speak once again.

"Zekram Bael." Scathach said calmly while she looked into the original Bael's eyes. "What is your opinion on these foolish words of your colleagues."

Hearing Scathach address the leader of their faction by name without hesitation, those pure-blood supremacists were out raged once again. However, they were silenced by Zekram's reply.

"It has been more than fifteen hundred years since you were last seen." Zekram said calmly. "It is no surprise that these youngsters are unaware of the Warrior-Queen's appearance."

Not only the members of the Council, but even Sirzechs, Ajuka, and Falbium were shocked by Zekram Bael's words. Then, the three Satans looked at Serafall who was watching the events with a smile.

"Serafall, did you already know who she was?" Sirzechs asked.

"Yup!" Serafall said happily. "I met her yesterday. You should have seen Az-Chan and Tannin-Chan's faces when they saw her."

"And you didn't think it necessary to let us know about her?" Sirzechs asked while massaging his temples. "Wait if you met her yesterday, does that mean that Grayfia did, too?"

"That's right." Serafall said with a smile. Then, she tilted her head. "Since when is it necessary for us to report on Jay-Kun's new acquisitions to his peerage, though?"

Although what Serafall said was true someone as powerful as Scathach just showing up in the Underworld could be trouble if no one knew about it.

"Besides, the only reason I was there was because Jay-Kun brought her into the Underworld through the official channel." Serafall said while tilting her head. "If I'm not mistaken, we should have all received reports about it, right?"

With that, Sirzechs, Ajuka, and Falbium froze. They had indeed received a report about a woman named Scathach entering the Underworld as James' [Queen]. However, they were unable to connect the dots at the time.

Meanwhile, while the Satans discussed Scathach's entry into the Underworld, the members of the Devil Council were flabbergasted. If what Zekram said were to be believed, they had just insulted and wished for the execution of one of the strongest and most blood thirsty women in all the realms.

"Then, Zekram Bael, how should we settle the matter of your colleagues disrespecting myself and my [King]?" Scathach asked while maintaining eye contact with Zekram.

"The most common way to settle things would be through a duel." Zekram said calmly.

"Good." James, instead of Scathach, replied in a cold tone. "Then, for this disrespect, you should all expect formal duel invitations to arrive shortly after this meeting concludes."

After James spoke, Zekram looked down at him with praise in his eyes.

'This boy put up with the mocking and jeering of those fools with an inflated sense of self for years.' Zekram thought to himself while observing the young man below. 'Then, as soon as he had the power, position, and opportunity he was ready to strike. This is what it means to be a devil. I really need to find a chance to speak with him.'

After James' declaration, the room quieted down again. Seeing that no one else planned to speak on the matter, Sirzechs did his best to get things back on track.

"Like I said, we have two announcements." Sirzechs said with an awkward tone. "The first was about James' promotion, which was an official matter of the Underworld. The second is more personal. Ahem! It has been decided by both the Gremory House and the Alaverus family that my younger sister, Rias, and the son of Alaverus, James, are to be wed in the future."

Needless to say, this announcement was not discussed as loudly as the first. After James declared his intention to duel with many of the members of the Devil Council, an arranged marriage meant next to nothing to the spectators. Eventually, someone spoke up and congratulated the new couple. After the first, a second quickly followed. Then a third and fourth. Eventually, the entire hall was filled with congratulations and applause.

"All right." Sirzechs said loudly. "Now that the announcements are out of the way, let us get back to the Meeting of Young Devils."

And with that, like they do every year, the Council spoke of what was expected of all the young devils present, now that they were considered adults. Then, they asked to hear of each [King's] dreams for the future. For what most of the youths said, the older generation devils expected it. However, there were three that stood out.

First, Sairaorg Bael's declaration that he would one day challenge and overcome one of the Four Great Satans to take their place was met with ridicule from many older devils. However, used to being looked down upon due to not inheriting the Bael Clan's [Power of Destruction], Sairaorg knew it was better to let his actions speak for him in the future.

Second was Sona's desire to create a [Rating Game] School that would teach anyone, not just those of high status. Sona, like Sairaorg was also mocked for her dream. However, unlike Sairaorg, James stepped in and reprimanded those who would mock her.

"For a species that is supposed to respect strength above all else, the sure are a lot of you that would hold someone down just because of their bloodline or lack of bloodline ability even if they showed potential." James said angrily. "Fools like you are the reason why we were in a deadlock with the angels and fallen angels for so many years."

No one in the hall retorted to James' sharp words this time. Especially after seeing that Zekram Bael nodded in agreement.

And the last of the goals for the future that were different than the rest was James' own dream.

"I wish to become the strongest being in this world." James said proudly. "The strongest across all the realms."

No one knew what to say in response. No one believed that he could achieve this goal. However, at the same time, there were few present who were strong enough to say otherwise. On top of that, James was young, and devils had long lifespans. When they thought like that, James' dream did not sound so far-fetched.

After that, the young devils were informed that there would be a set of [Rating Games] scheduled for them. That way, they would be used to the [Rating Games] when their careers started. After that, they received their schedules. Not long later, the Meeting of Young Devils concluded.

"So, Ri Ri and Sona are going to face off, huh?" James said as he looked over the schedule.

Rias and Sona, instead of replying, stared at their shared fiancé. Not hearing a response, James looked toward Rias and Sona.

"What's wrong?" James asked curiously.

"You planned for all that to happen, didn't you?" Rias asked.

"No, not really." James said while shaking his head. "But I took the opportunity presented to me. Besides, I was tired of being jerked around by those high-born bigoted fossils. So, why not put them in their places, right?"

"Sigh, this is gonna cause a huge stir in the Underworld when this gets out." Rias said exasperatedly.

"I agree." Sona said. "But like James said, the thing that a devil should respect most is strength. When did bloodline purity become the standard in the Underworld."

"Well said, young Sitri." A male voice that they had heard recently said from behind.

Hearing that voice, they all turned. When they saw who spoke to them, they were surprised. Then, in unison, they greeted the new arrival.

"Lord Bael."