[271] Prepare

After the incident, Kuoh Academy had to close temporarily.

There was no other choice; the entire academy was in ruins, with a massive crater where the back hill used to be. To the public, it was explained as a meteorite impact, which just happened to land on Kuoh Academy and completely destroyed it.

As a result, the academy had to close early, waiting for further notices about reopening. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Sitri and Gremory families, they easily managed to control the situation in a country where capital holds sway over everything.

Meanwhile, August relocated to a more suburban area. He established a massive apartment complex there and used spatial magic to expand the interior space.

On the outside, it looked like a slightly extravagant apartment building, but inside, it was a structure comparable to a luxurious castle. Each person's bedroom was an independent living space.

The reason for this was simple: upon Sirzechs' suggestion, Rias, Sona, and all their respective peerages moved in. This effectively turned August's residence into a grand harem. Besides Rias, Akeno, Koneko, and Xenovia, all the other women were August's. As for Rias's two male peerage members, Yuuto Kiba and Gasper Vladi, they stayed elsewhere. No other men were allowed to live within August's domain.

As more people moved in, August's life became increasingly indulgent. With Hilda and Yolda as maids attending to him, he enjoyed a life of luxury where he didn't even have to lift a finger.

During these days, the most significant event involved Asia. After the Khaos Brigade's attack, Asia slowly began to recover from the impact of believing her god was dead. With her faith shattered and her heart devoid of support, August decided it was the perfect time to turn Asia into his peerage. Her lost pillar of faith was replaced by August, an act that, while somewhat deceitful, was the most effective solution. August was no saint; he was a demon lord.

One day, August took Hilda to the inner world he had created, to witness its transformation.

In just a few days, with Katerea constantly draining magical and mental energy, and with the Holy Grail two-thirds filled by Azazel, all of this was channeled into the World Tree sapling.

The inner world had now expanded to 10,000 square meters, a substantial increase.

"Papa~"

As soon as they arrived, the soft, sweet voice of the World Tree sapling echoed, making August smile.

Not far away, Katerea lay in a weakened state, perpetually drained of her energy. Even with large life potions and large mana potions to sustain her, she wouldn't last long at this rate.

August was indifferent to her plight, determined to extract every bit of benefit he could.

At that moment, a small white light floated up from the World Tree sapling and hovered in front of August.

This was a little trick of the World Tree sapling. The small light was a kind of minor magic that allowed her to communicate. She had only recently learned this ability.

"Have you been behaving?"

"Papa~ I've been very good~"

"Such a good girl."

August gently touched the little light, a small smile playing on his lips as he felt a surge of anticipation. The sapling had told him that as she matured, she would eventually be able to take human form. When that day came, they could truly meet and live together.

August looked forward to that day, though he knew it would be a long wait.

The World Tree needed nourishment to grow. In a complete world, the World Tree could draw on the world's power to grow rapidly and eventually support an entire realm. However, this miniature world was far too small, limiting her growth.

August often regretted this limitation, but the sapling didn't share his concerns. To her, growing in August's world meant she could always be with him, and that was her happiness.

Hilda, observing August, couldn't help but wonder if giving birth to a child for him would make her just as cherished. The thought once surfaced and quickly became an unwavering desire: she wanted to bear August's child.

Footsteps echoed through the small world.

"My lord, the new area has been prepared. Would you like to inspect it?"

The head maid of the demon maids in the inner world approached. Laura, once the second daughter of a medium-sized family in the underworld, had seen her family fall into decline due to various issues. They spent their remaining wealth to secure her a place in August's domain. With exceptional skills in territory management and planning, she had been nurtured and eventually brought into the small world by August.

Because of her outstanding management abilities, August appointed her as head maid. She was responsible for all the maids there.

"No need for now. There are no immediate plans, so just maintain it well. In the future, this place will become a paradise, the world's only pure land."

"Understood, My lord."

This world had the potential to grow, supported by the World Tree, with limitless possibilities. Although still small, August believed it would one day become a home for many.

Therefore, August didn't plan to develop it extensively in the short term. Once the world reached a certain size, he intended to create his own paradise here.

After chatting with the World Tree sapling for a while and giving her a significant portion of his magic, August finally stood up and left.

Upon returning to the apartment, he found everyone gathered in the living room.

"August, you're finally back. We've been waiting for you to make a decision." Rias smiling with relief as she saw him.

"What's going on?"

"Since it will take some time to rebuild Kuoh Academy, we decided to return to the underworld for a while."

"Return to the underworld?"

August was taken aback. He had only been in the human world for less than three months, and they were already planning to go back? Then he remembered that he had only spent a day or two in the underworld before coming to Kuoh Town.

"Going back is fine with me."

"That's great! My parents want to meet you."

Meet the parents. The phrase immediately popped into August's head.

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