Chapter 223

"An impressive deduction, Aurelia-san. But yes. It is indeed the case."

"It is indeed, Lucifer-san. But that isn't enough for you to turn on your relative, no?"

"..."

The light smile Sirzechs had gradually faded as the tiniest hint of murderous intent emanated from him.

"You are once again correct, Aurelia-san. My…aunt, wanted to sell my sister."

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|DxD|

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Aurelia couldn't help but widen her eyes. It was not a secret to the supernatural world that Sirzechs absolutely doted on his sister. To think that someone would attempt to use Rias as a bargaining chip, perhaps only a family member would have the guts to do that.

But now, it seemed Sirzechs's ruthlessness did not discriminate.

"Hey, Lucifer. This aunt of yours…how strong is she?"

"?"

It was a question that took both parties by surprise.

"Why do you ask, Dimori-san?"

"I'm curious. You love your little sister, right?"

Without hesitating, Sirzechs replied.

"More than you can imagine."

"I see."

Then, Igor levelled a calm gaze at him.

"Then why is that woman still breathing?"

"..."

Catching Sirzechs tongue-tied, Igor continued.

"I understand that you use politics to keep everything stable, Sirzechs. But there should be limits to everything."

He then stood right in front of Sirzechs and looked him in the eye.

"As far as I'm concerned…"

He placed a finger on Sirzechs's chest.

"...you are the strongest person in the Underworld alongside Beelzebub. From what I can feel from your power, you can lay waste to the entire Underworld should you wish. With that amount of power, why do you let weaklings disrespect you to the point of walking over you?"

Igor couldn't help but get agitated.

"You're the Crimson Satan goddamnit! Is that name for show? You were completely willing to kill me and my sister for kidnapping your sister. So tell me, Lucifer."

In his angered state, his eyes turned red.

"Why is that bloody aunt of yours still alive!"

Igor couldn't understand. If someone, ANYONE tried to forcefully sell Asia under the guise of an arranged marriage, the very, very least that would befall them would be the loss of two limbs. So if Sirzechs truly loved Rias…

"Why is she still alive?!"

"My lord. Please calm down."

Aurelia placed her hand on his chest and gently pulled him back.

"How can I calm down? He has power on par with gods yet he's taking nonsense from someone…someone who can't even withstand one punch from him! It's infuriating!"

The Sirzechs he saw in the Underworld was strong. After the situation was diffused, Igor came to admire him for his strength. But now…now?

"Tch!"

He couldn't stand him. To be precise, Igor couldn't stand his actions. From the little information Aurelia told him, he knew almost all of those supposed elders had never gone above High-Class in power. Sirzechs already had power at the peak of God Class without assuming his true form. The difference was clear.

"Dimori-san. I will not hide it from you. Yes, I do possess the power but I lack the capability."

A self-deprecating smile formed as Sirzechs lowered his head.

Sigh…

"I wish it were easy, Dimori-san."

Seeing Sirzechs's helpless sigh, Aurelia took the initiative to speak.

"My lord. It is true that the Four Satans possess abnormal strength far surpassing the average devil. Unfortunately, too many prominent families, particularly the Bael clan in the Underworld used the discord sowed by the Civil War to firmly cement themselves into a position where even just uprooting them would cause widespread destabilization. In simpler terms, if Lucifer was to engage in wanton killing like his predecessors, the Underworld may see another Civil War."

Sirzechs took this moment to also interject.

"And we cannot afford a Civil War, Dimori-san. The repercussions are not something I can bear. At the time, even if I establish a dictatorship, the other factions will take the initiative to eliminate us completely from Earth."

With the peerage system, the Devils were no longer presented with a pressing population issue. However, if the Old Satan Faction pulled strings and another Civil War happened, the inner turmoil would result in many devil territories on Earth to be vacated. Other factions would use this opportunity to occupy those territories and completely bar the devils from gaining a foothold on Earth ever again.

Of course, such an occurrence is rare, but that was only if Sirzechs never pushed.

"If I started brutally eliminating everyone, public opinion would place me and all the other satans in a bad light. At that point, our dismissal would be called for. But no matter what, the end result would be a civil war."

If the Old Satan Faction came into power, there is a very high likelihood that reincarnated devils would be oppressed like slaves. The number of stray devils would skyrocket, causing the hatred of devils by other factions to also rise.

Most likely in a century, growing dissent would result in reincarnated devils to launch a rebellion. By then, external forces would most likely fund this rebellion but by then, the devils would be completely done for.

"I don't want that, Dimori-san. If all it takes is enduring to make sure we survive, then I will do so."

"..."

Faced with such dreadful facts, even Igor found himself sympathizing with the plight Sirzechs was faced with.

"Tch! Damn politics…"

Seeing Igor frown as he crossed his arms, Sirzechs couldn't help but sport a smile.

"Indeed they are annoying, Dimori-san. Which is why I need you as someone who is both not a devil, and someone who doesn't care about 'annoying politics'."

A look of interest flashed on Igor's face.

"Oh? What would you need me for?"

"I won't hide it from the both of you, especially you, Dimori-san. Part of us in agreeing to your use of lethal force should the need arise is that we need your help in placing some of the more fanatical members of my people into a permanent rest. If either of us do so, we risk destabilizing the Underworld. But if you do…well, you do have full right to kill any assassins, don't you?"

After listening carefully, Aurelia was not pleased with this arrangement.

"No. Apologies, Lucifer-san. But my lord's reputation would be tarnished if-"

"Bah! What do I care about what weak people say about me?"

Cracking his knuckles, Igor pointed his thumb at his chest.

"Let me be arrogant this once, sister. Me strong. Them weak. Them talk nonsense. Me break skulls."

"..."

Aurelia was rendered mute by his…enlightening words.

"Lucifer. I like you. You're a good guy: you and your friends. If you want me to kill whoever's on this list for you, I'll do it. But you'll owe me a fight. A proper fight. Of course, I'll do it once your mind is clear. I can't get a proper fight when you're thinking about other things."

"Hahaha. You have my word, Dimori-san."

"Good. I'll hold you to it, Lucifer. But…"

He glanced at the picture of Eunice once more. She looked like a middle-aged woman with long red hair tied in a ponytail. With her glasses, she looked rather stern.

"...are you sure you want your aunt dead? Maybe cutting off her limb would send a better message."

"Your methods are surprising, Dimori-san. But there is no need to burden her with the task of breathing any longer."

"I…I see."

Igor tried to restrain a chuckle. Sirzechs truly was ruthless.

"Lucifer-san. What shall you do about negative public opinion if my lord interferes? Will the Old Satan Faction not subtly promote messages that speak of your incompetence? The authority you've given my lord is quite high."

Sirzechs sported a smile as if he was directly waiting for that question.

"That is where you come in, Aurelia-san. If possible, please allow us to enlist your services. It is a plan that has been long since in the making, but we are planning to establish a service that allows members of a peerage to maintain a further degree of freedom. Ajuka already has the method, but we have yet to propose it due to the opposition we would face."

"Hmmm…"

Aurelia quietly pondered.

"In short, you want me to advertise my services as someone who can lessen the restrictions placed by becoming a member of a peerage? What restrictions, per say?"

"A few, but the key restriction is the dependency on the king."

"..."

This…

"Lucifer-san. Do you know what you're proposing? There would be upheaval."

"From the various kings and upper echelons only, Aurelia-san. The common populace would be jubilant. You see, over the centuries, reincarnated devils have come to get along with the rest of the devils. This is especially because devils have come to sympathize with the former. Normal devils without any clans or backing have a hard life but reincarnated devils have it much worse. Unfortunately for the deluded members of noble society, people who suffer together bond."

A small smile formed as Sirzechs spoke, as if he was remembering a fond memory.

"There have been secret marriages between reincarnated devils and normal devils over the years and the number only increased as the years passed, especially in this century. If the method to solve the king's dependency was released as part of your skillset, the news alone would completely undermine any deaths Dimori-san causes."

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AN

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I am partially confused by this talk of the Old Satan Faction. To my knowledge, there are three factions. The Old Satan Faction led by the descendants of the original satans, the Great King Faction led by Zekram Bael, and the New Satan Faction led by the current Four Satans.

From how Sirzechs is speaking, I'm questioning whether he's treating the Great King Faction and the Old Satan Faction as one entity or if the Great King Faction doesn't exist here. Hopefully we'll gain a proper understanding as the story progresses.

Should you wish, there are five more chapters to read on p.a.t.r.e.o.n with my name.