Chapter 39: Path of Domination

~ Third Person - Sirzechs' Office ~

Sirzechs frowned, sitting on his desk with his chin resting on his hand, his fingers tapping away at his desk in frustration.

His meeting with the Juvenile Red Dragon Emperor could have gone... better.

It went downhill from the beginning, him and Grayfia were used to coming and going without notice due to the fact that they were powerful enough that objections were hard to raise against them, it was a move to establish who was in charge of the negotiations.

That move, however, only worked if the target actually respected your power. And he had forgotten to consider that the Juvenile Dragon Emperor was not one of subjects, he held no power over him and he did not seem to fear him using brute force.

Which made the move just seem rude and annoying rather than imposing and domineering.

Perhaps he had relied on Rias' thoughts on the boy too much when imagining him instead of what he was. He had treated the boy like a diamond in the rough who refused to join Rias out of pride not knowing how wide the world was.

His original plan was simple, and he had done it before too. Teleport into their hose to establish his position, and show them the danger, that strong people could appear before him at any time before making the offer to join the devil race to receive both protection and status.

But the boy hadn't budged, he was hostile from the beginning, refusing to comply one bit. Seeing through their plays and calling them out on it. Those weren't the eyes of an ignorant diamond in the rough but someone who knew what his value was and what people could do.

So he let Grayfia act hostile, albeit too much, it allowed him to show him the disparity between them without making himself look like the bad guy so they could still negotiate after they showed him where he stood, albeit at the cost of making Grayfia out to be a villain.

Although he did not like using direct fear like that, sometimes it had to be done.

He, however, hadn't expected the sheer hostility of Grayfia, she pushed him too far.

Perhaps even further than he would expect from something like that. Grayfia really seemed to touch a sore spot, to the extent that if she had gone any further he feared he might have gone full Juggernaut Drive.

There was a reason why Azazel went ahead and took care of problematic high-tier sacred gear users if they were unstable individuals. Because the ones that go off the deep end with a longinus are threats to the entire world.

Anyway, that's when it all went from downhill to abyss.

Sirzechs hadn't done his homework and now he was dealing with a very very angsty Red Dragon Emperor Alchemist. He only had the choice of recruiting him now, he entertained the idea of eliminating him and picking someone else untraceable to join Rias' team but the boy had read through that too.

Depending on how deeply he was known in the Grigori and his contingencies, the peace between the 3 factions he was trying to push could go from an uneasy understanding to all-out war if he killed him.

Letting him be was not an option either, he knew how capable he was from Rias, how much he had accomplished in such a short period of time. If he let him be, there would be someone with a mind comparable to Ajuka wielding a Longinus that bore a grudge against the Devil Race.

He did not want to imagine a mind like Ajuka against the Devil race. Just the chance of such a scenario had to be shut down at all costs.

Then there was his condition. That Grayfia became his servant for 10 years. On paper, it was a great deal, too good even, he would be a devil which meant Grayfia wouldn't really be changing sides. In exchange for her service, they would have a Red Dragon Emperor capable of Miracles on their side and guarantee they wouldn't have to face him.

But he did not like the prospect of leaving his wife and queen in the hands of a vengeful teenager for 10 years. Regardless of whether the crux of this mess being her fault.

Releasing a weary sigh he turned toward Grayfia who stood still like a statue.

"What do you think Grayfia? What should we do?" Although he said this he knew there was little choice, he had seen those eyes, those were not the eyes of someone open to negotiation.

"...I think we should accept." Sirzechs looked at Grayfia for a second.

"Are you sure Grayfia?"

Grayfia nodded again.

"Yes, Sirzechs-sama. Don't worry, he might try to act otherwise but he is still simply a teen, he is simply throwing a tantrum. If I am with him I can keep an eye on him for you and guide him in the right direction. He will realize how foolish he was." Grayfia said sternly, Sirzechs could see her point. Grayfia could be really scary when she wanted to.

But there was still something that really nagged at him.

"Grayfia you do realize he is a teenage boy right?"

Grayfia sighed.

"I am aware Sirzechs, and I am aware of what may happen and what he may do. But I can handle a teenage boy Sirzechs, 10 years is not as long of a time as he realizes."

Hearing the reluctant acceptance in Grayfia's Sirzechs closed his eyes in frustration. Trying to move his mind away from the implications. Grayfia was thinking too lightly of the dragon boy and underestimating him, which is what started this mess in the first place.

But reluctantly, he had to agree. No matter how much he might dislike leaving his wife in the hands of a teenage boy he had to. Grayfia thought the same, with her motto being "Maid first, wife second" it wasn't a surprise.

Besides, she was right, Grayfia could handle one boy, he had seen how scary she was firsthand numerous times.

So he swallowed his regrets down like always.

"...Alright Grayfia, I guess we should prepare for tomorrow." A hint of hurt flashed across Grayfia's face at how easily Sirzechs accepted the deal but Sirzechs missed it.

Grayfia steadied her spirit, she was a maid, and a maid must be willing to do anything for her master. No matter how much she disliked the prospect of being in the hands of an angsty teen.

After Grayfia left the room to prepare her briefcases Sirzechs pulled out some liqueur from a hidden compartment in his desk and took a swing, feeling the alcohol run down his throat he put the bottle down on the desk.

Even though he may dislike it, this was his job. He had a duty to his people, his race that he fought tooth and nail for in the civil war, it was his job and responsibility to lead them. And it was his job and duty as a Satan. He had to make difficult decisions for the good of his race. He was a Satan before he was Sirzechs.

Taking one more drink of his secret stash Sirzechs put it back and resumed his work, he had many things to set up now that he had accepted Takumi's deal.

✧—•✦•—✧—•✦•—✧—•✦•—✧

~ Takumi ~

Letting myself sink into my medicated bath I let my muscles relax, trying to coax out the exhaustion inside me. I felt both thrilled and exhausted.

There was the sensation of elation at the fact that I showed and asserted my dominance in front of Grayfia and Sirzechs, not willing to bow down to either of them and having the last word.

Then there was the sensation of cold anger and irritation. I was humiliated and attacked. They treated me like an ignorant child who needs their help, then a fucking animal, someone who needed to "know their place".

Though I said such things to Sirzechs in haste I do not have regret for them. I was fully aware of what I was doing after all. I will not let people walk over me, not now, not ever.

As for becoming a devil, well that was fine. I am not particularly against becoming a devil despite the fervour I showed to Sirzechs and Grayfia. Sure, I do not want to, but with enough benefits provided, I cannot reject.

Honestly, the perk I would get in exchange for joining was basically the best one I could have possibly gotten.

I get to take my sweet and savoury revenge against the humiliation I suffered in her hands. Plus there is the humongous benefit of her being, you know, a smoking hot Maid Milf.

You can hardly check off more boxes in my list than that.

I will enjoy letting her "Know her place".

To be honest, there was a still voice telling me to tear her apart, burn her corpse down and dance in the ashes, perhaps the draconic inside of me influencing my already agitated emotions.

Wincing I rubbed my throat, being forced to remember... that time.

I do not want to be reminded of that, I took great pride in forcing myself to get past that. And I was vengeful toward her for forcing me to relive that.

Personal vendetta aside there was a practical benefit that was beyond anything else I could else I could have asked for.

An Ultimate Class Devil ingredient factory.

I am salivating.

Oh, and also the bodyguard aspect for it but I am sure as hell am not putting the safety of my fleshy body in the hands of a woman who probably wants nothing more than to reduce me into a pile of censored gore.

There was also the fact I was pretty sure I could turn to my side after my revenge was done, getting a Satan-class maid is never a bad idea. 10 years may not seem like a long time to her but it is in fact very much, a lot can change in such a period of time. Especially because by that time I would be a godlike being, I was confident in that much.

Well, because if I hadn't reached that level by that time I would have the experience of getting all of my orifices stuffed by all the gods that seem to want to kill everyone.

There is a certain desire in my heart, telling me to conquer her. And honestly? My logic and heart are on the same page for once. And this is probably the result of that.

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Updating...

Iter Melius has been altered.

You have achieved Sub-Species Balance Breaker: ~{Path of Domination}~

It's in your blood and your soul, domination runs through your being, You who are the Dragon Emperor who has inherited the Principle of Domination.

Prove the Draconic Power stirring in your veins. Show the world your power. Ascend and become a true dragon.

~{Principle of Domination}~ Has been partially unlocked.

The storage function of the Boosted Gear has been linked to Iter Melius.

Ability [Draconic Aura] has been unlocked

[Draconic Aura Lv.1]

You can emit aura from your soul. You emanate an aura of dominance, allowing you to resist attacks against your mind and being while also suppressing those with a will weaker than yours. Does not work on people

Quest added [Maid of Vengance]

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I nodded, the same thing happened when I took on the Boosted Gear too. It seems too radical of changes can majorly influence the Iter Melius, though I don't think I did anything TOO radical for Iter Melius to change this much. At least compared to stuffing a Longinus inside of me.

And it felt like this change was very fundamental too, like something deep inside me had changed. No, it wasn't that it changed me, it is more like it opened a door of possibilities in the depths of my soul.

I summoned the boosted gear in my hand to ask Ddraig what was up. After a brief summary(I mean, he had a front-row seat to watch what I went through).

{Yes, I did notice the changes too, partner. I don't know how exactly to describe it but it feels like you have become more in tune with the Boosted Gear. That Iter Melius as you call it, seems like it has started matching wavelengths with the Boosted Gear. I wouldn't go so far as to say they have fused but in all my years of existence, I can say I have never seen something like this before.}

So, you mean to say that Iter Melius has gone from treating the Boosted Gear as a separate entity to now linking up with it fully?

{Just about so yes, I do not know what effects this will have on you, there has never been someone to be so in tune with the Boosted Gear, by design. After all, it's supposed to be passed on from person to person, yet it seems like you started fully integrating it into your roots. I myself can feel my connection to you grow stronger too. But don't worry partner.}

{I trust you. You are capable. Perhaps it's your fate, the Boosted Gear already fit you like a glove after all. Now let me sleep, after that whole Devil fiasco I am quite tired.} I could hear Ddraig grin, making me smile.

What a reliable partner.

Now though? I really look forward to the future.

A/N: Things are now really kicking into high gear, the Dragon will begin his ascent.

What do you guys think about the new evolution of Iter Melius? Previously there was a real distance between it and Boosted Gear due to the tier difference between the two but now Iter Melius has somehow linked itself properly to the Boosted Gear and itself has been boosted by it. Whatever does that mean? We will see. I would love to know what you think about it though.

Takumi looks forward to his revenge and new servant. Sirzechs was checkmated, he has no other option but to give Takumi what he wants even if he doesn't like to, he will do it for the greater good.

What did you guys think about this chapter? I would love to hear about it.

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