Chapter 74: Gathering of the Youth

"I am Seekvaira Agares. The next head of the Agares family, rank Archduke"

The beautiful bispectacle woman from before greeted as she stood in front of Rias and the others with a stoic expression on her face while stealing glances at Lucias' direction.

The banquet hall was now fixed with the help of Lucias who turned the time around the entire building back before the incident happened causing a massive disturbance among the magic staff due to his inexhaustible mana to control such a powerful magic at such a large scale.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Rias Gremory, the next head of the Gremory family"

"I'm Sona Sitri, the next head of the Sitri family"

Both of them respectfully introduced as they sat down on their respective chair with their servants and peerage standing behind them.

"I'm Sairaorg Bael, I'm the next head of the Bael family, rank Great King"

Sairaorg majestically introduced as Lucias suddenly sat down on the same table as them.

"I'm Diodora Astaroth, the next head of the Astaroth family. Please take care of me, everyone"

A gentle looking young man introduced with a smile on his face which made him look innocent to some of the people around the table.

Issei on the other hand look at him in confusion since from what he have heard, Astaroth isn't suppose to be the next of their clan.

"The Glaysa-Labolas family seemed to have had some family trouble the other day. The person who was supposed to be the next head of the family just had an unforeseen accidental death. Zephyrdol from just before is said to have become the new candidate for the next head

Sairaorg explained to Issei who had a look of confusion on his face causing him to nod his head in understanding.

"How about you? Care to introduce yourself?"

Astaroth said to Lucias who grabbed a cup of wine from the tray that the waiter was carrying around the lobby.

"Lucias Frey, no one special. It's a pleasure to meet you"

Lucias introduced with a light smile on his face causing Sairaorg to look at him in interest before starting to ask him questions.

"Lucias-san... You're not a human right?"

Sairaorg asked causing Lucias to nod his head in response.

"Then... How come I can't sense any mana nor power from your body?"

He asked out of pure curiosity causing Lucias to smile before taking off his gloves to show them the 9 rings on his finger that now had chains on their base connecting to the mettalic bracelet on his wrist. They had to modify the durability and strength of the sealing rings due the massive increase in his status a few days ago.

"This rings seal at least 80% of my total power and all of my aura, I don't want to be recognized that much, that's why most of the time I hide my strength from others"

Lucias explained causing Sairaorg and the other devils except for Sona and Rias to look at him in surprise, not understanding why he would do such a thing.

"... I don't really want too much attention on me"

Lucias said with a light smile on his face causing Sairaorg to look at him with respect visible in his eyes.

"If it's alright with you... Would you spar with me some time in the future, Lucias-san?"

Sairaorg said in an excited tone, waiting for his answer in anticipation.

"Hmm... Sure, but it might take a while to set a date for our spar since I'm quite busy with my work"

Lucias answered causing Sairaorg to smile from receiving a positive response.

"I'm looking forward to it, Lucias-san"

Sairaorg said in a grateful voice while Lucias suddenly took out a bottle of green pills from his inventory before giving it to Sairaorg who looked at him in confusion.

"What's this?"

"It's kind of like an antidote for the sleeping disease, feed it to your mother and I can assure you that she'll recover by tomorrow"

Lucias explained causing Rias, Sona, and Seekvaira to stand up from their seats in surprise from the unbelievable explanation that Lucias gave them.

"Lucias-sama, will you please follow us? Sirzechs-sama request for your presence"

A waiter whispered close to him causing him to frown before gazing at Sirzechs who was waving his hand at him.

"Let's go"

Lucias said as he stood from his seat before following the waiter with an annoyed expression on his face.

"W-Wait!"

Sairaorg shouted causing Lucias to stop in his tracks before turning his head to look him in confusion.

"I-Is what you said t-true?"

"Yes, just give it to her and she'll recover. That's how I cured the sleeping disease of Ingvild Leviathan"

Lucias said as he made his way towards his table without looking back, ignoring the shocked expression of the young devils behind him.

"Also, don't try and study how it is made since it's impossible to dissect it's refinement method. I am the only one who can make such medicine"

Lucias reminded as he waved his hand at them before sitting down on his seat at the table where various big shots were gathered at.

"Sorry for making you all wait for so long. —Everyone is waiting"

The announcer stated causing all of the devils in the banquet hall to quite down in their seats while Rias and the other 6 candidates as the next head of their respective clans stood up from their seats with their respective peerage.

They all then all then took one step forward as the audience placed their attention on the 6 young devils standing in the middle of the banquet hall.

"Good, you have gathered. In order to check the faces of you all, who will carry the burden of the next generation, you have been gathered here. This is also a meeting that is performed over a regular cycle, so that we can ascertain the young devils"

A middle aged announcer said as he gazed upon the 6 young devils below him.

"What happened to the council? Weren't they're the ones that are suppose to hold this banquet?"

"What happened?"

Whispers started to echo throughout the room causing Serafall and Sirzechs to look at Lucias who was innocently smiling like he wasn't involved by their sudden dissapearance.

"Quiet"

The announcer stated causing all of them to quite down as silenece started to devour the room once again.

"You six are all devils of the next generation that have pedigree and true ability that no objection can be raised against. That's why, I want you to compete together before your debuts and increase your power in this way"

Sirzechs loudly stated as he stood up from his seat causing some of the devils below to gasp from his sudden announcement but the 6 young devils only nodded their head in understanding.

"Will we also eventually be sent out in the war against the [Khaos Brigade] and Xaosis?"

Sairaorg suddenly asked causing Lucias to smile in amusement.

"I don't know. However, I don't want to send out young devils if possible"

Sirzechs answered causing Sairaorg to raise his eyebrows like he couldn't comprehend what Sirzechs have just said.

"Why? Even if we're young, we carry part of the responsibility of devils. If we just receive kindness from our predecessors even at this age and nothing further is done—"

"Sairaorg, I acknowledge your bravery. However, you're reckless. Above all, I'd like to avoid sending you all, who are still in the midst of growing, to the battlefield. Besides, it would be too great a loss if we lost the devils of the next generation. I want you to understand. You are all more of a treasure to us than you think. That's why I want you to experience important things step by step and grow"

Sirzechs immediately cut him off causing Sairaorg to bite his lips in frustration.

"I understand"

He said with a dissatisfied expression on his face before he glanced at Lucias who was watching him in amusement.

"Now then, I apologise for keeping you with this long talk. Well, we all see our dreams and hopes in you young ones. I want you to understand at least that. You are the treasures of the underworld"

Sirzechs said with a kind and gentle voice as he gazed at the young devils below them with a gentle expression on his face.

"To finish things, will you now let us hear your respective future goals?"

Sirzechs asked causing some of the young devils to contemplate while Sairaorg immediately answered his question.

"My dream is to become Maou"

Sairaorg said without hesitation causing some of the higher ups to gasp while Lucias looked at him with a large smile on his face due to the confidence that he had when he said those words.

"It's unprecedented for a devil from the Great King family to leave it"

One of the higher ups muttered while staring at his direction.

"When the people of the underworld feel that there's no choice but for me to become Maou, I will become one"

He stated with confidence causing some of the younger devils to look at him in admiration.

Rias who was about to answer quickly stopped her words as she quickly glanced at Lucias with a longing gaze before shaking her head to the side like she was trying to get rid of the thought in her mind.

"My goal for the near future is to live as the next Gremory head, and to win in each Rating Game battle"

Rias answered after a long pause with a stoic expression on her face.

"I wish to build a school for the Rating Games in the Underworld"

Sona answered causing some of the devils to look at her with a strange expression on their faces.

"If it's learning about Rating Games, isn't there already one for that?"

One of the higher ups asked causing Sona to silently close her eyes before answering his question.

"That is just a school where only high-class devils and devils of privileged rank are accepted. The school that I want to build is one where low-class devils and reincarnated devils can also attend without any distinction"

She blandly answered causing a long silence to devour the hall.

"Pfft- HAHAHAHAHAHAHA"

Suddenly loud laughter devoured the entire lobby as some higher ups started sarcastically praising her dreams with a nasty smile on their faces.

"That's impossible!"

"This is just brilliant!"

"I see! So you're a little girl who dreams!"

"It's good to be young! However, for the next head of the Sitri family to state such a dream, I have to say thank goodness that it was here at this place of introduction before your debut"

All of them sarcastically shouted at her direction causing Issei to frown in confusion as he didn't understand why they ridiculed Sona's dream.

"Even if the current Underworld has changed much from the past, discrimination between the high-class devils, low-class devils, and reincarnated devils still exists. There are also still a lot of people who believe that to be natural as well"

Kiba blandly explained as he saw the confused expression that Issei had on his face.

"What's with that? But weren't we welcomed normally by Buchou's family?"

"Issei-kun. The Gremorys are a family that has profound affection. They don't really discriminate against humans or low-class devils"

He explained causing Issei to frown before glancing at Sona with a worried expression on his face but to his surprise Sona was unscathed by their ridicule as she just cooly ignored their words.

"L-Lucias-san, P-Please calm yourself"

Sirzechs immediately tried to explain knowing his relationship with Sona but was caught by surprise when he wasn't fazed at all even when the higher ups ridiculed his fiancée.

"Y-You're not angry?"

Sirzechs asked, finding it strange that he wasn't mad when his fiancée was getting ridculed in front of him.

"Oh please, Sirzechs... angry isn't enough to describe what I'm feeling right now.

Lucias said with a light 'smile' on his face while staring at Sona who was ignoring their ridicule with a calm expression on his face.

"But... I made a promise with her that I won't interfere too much when it comes to achieving her goal. I need place a challenge for her if I want to actually help her with her dream"

Lucias said remembering the stubborn personality of Sona when it comes to her dreams, she doesn't want someone to babysit her to achieve her dream but she wants achieve it herself. To prove that she is worthy of standing beside Lucias.

"How very unlike you, Lucias"

"She had a point... She can prove herself with his and this challenges brings up trust and mutual growth between us, two of the most important aspect to maintain a long term relationship"

Lucias said causing Sirzechs to bow his head down with a guilty expression on his face, remembering his deceased wife.

"She'll never pass the test of my fiancées if she relies on me too much since she needs to have an ability to support me in difficult situation... especially in politics"

"How about Cerberus and Kuroka? From what I've remember you resolve everything for them"

The 'creator' casually asked causing Lucias to awkwardly scratch his head in response.

'... They're only good at two things... Combat and hunting... They helped me a lot in the past in the instant dungeon and... complicated stuff like dealing with internal and external affairs, and human relations is their main weakness... So I had no choice but to fill in that weakness of theirs myself'

Lucias said before catching a glance of Ravel who was shyly waving her arm at his direction.

"'creator'... How did Ravel pass my fiancée's test anyway?"

"Hmm... Her pheonix flames have incredible potential when cultivated properly, but maybe the most notable reason why she was accepted is because of her love for you... That is comparable to most of the girls of your harem thus she hold no greed and only wants to be with you"

The 'creator' answered causing him to look at Ravel in surprise.

"Lu-chan"

Serafall called with a pout, looking at him with a displeased expression on her face since he didn't decide to punish the higher ups who were ridiculing his precious little sister.

"... I'll give them a taste of my anger for one night"

Lucias muttered causing Serafall beam a wide smile at his direction as she gave him a thumbs up to show her approval for his actions.

"I'm serious"

Sona blandly said while looking at the devils above with unfazed eyes.

"...Sona Sitri-dono. Low-class devils and reincarnated devils merely work for their high-class devil masters and are only selected for their talent. Wouldn't building such a training institution make the old families, who value tradition and pride, lose face? No matter how much people say that the world of devils has entered a period of change, change can be both good and bad. Something like teaching mere low-class devils really is nothing of your concern…"

One of the higher ups cooly asked with a sarcastic smile on his face.

"In that case! If my Sona-chan wins magnificently in the games, you won't have any complaints, right? Since many things are granted by saving up good results in the games!"

Serafall shouted with a pissed expression on her face as she glared at the devils who were provoking Sona, much to their surprise.

"No need, Serafall. I'll handle this myself. I don't think it's that easy to convince this selfish pricks with a simple rating game"

Lucias said in a casual tone causing both Sona and Sirzechs to look at him in surprise.

"Lu-chan..."

Serafall called out as tears started to accumulate at the corner of her eyes before hugging Lucias in her embrace.

"You! Get off me!"

Lucias shouted as he tried to peel the magic girl off his body with an helpless expression on his face.

"Lu-chan! Thank you! If it's you I don't think those oji-samas will complain about her dream anymore!"

She said as she started rubbing her cheeks at Lucias who was struggling to push her away without hurting her while Sirzechs tried to help him out by pulling her off his body.

"Onee-sama...."

Sona lowered her head in embarrassment seeing the antics of her older sister in front of the large audience of devils present in the banquet.

Timeskip

"... Serafall, relay this to Sona"

Lucias said while fixing his suit before glancing at Serafall who had half of her body frozen on the table.

"Lu-chan~"

Serafall called as she started to melt the ice around her body using the initiate ability of her clan.

"Tell her that... if she and her peerage can reach the strength of a high-class devil and successfully beat a one of my subordinates in a spar. I'll give her all of the land that I own in the underworld. If she can beat someone from my faction, I'm sure that those higher ups of yours won't say a word when she builds the school"

Lucias said causing Serafall to energetically nod her head in response.

"I'll visit the Gremory's for tonight so I might come back late, so take care of Kate for me"

Lucias said causing Sirzechs to look at him with a helpless smile on his face as Lucias prepared to leave the banquet to contact the headquarters but was stopped by a loud voice who suddenly shouted his name.

"Lucias Frey! Since we can choose who are opponents are then... I challenge you to a rating game!"

Astaroth declared causing both Serafall and Sirzechs to look at Lucias with a nervous expression on their faces.

"Hmm... Diodora Astaroth, tell me the reason why I should accept?"

Lucias asked with an amused expression on his face.

"I saw it... when I was at Kuoh I saw you walking together with my saviour. The woman who healed my injuries in the past and gave me another life... I fell in love with her gentle nature and kindness even if she knew that I was a devil despite being a nun... Lucias Frey, I challenge you in a rating game with Asia Argento on the line!!"

He shouted as an incredible terrfying killing intent started to spread out inside the entire banquet hall, causing most of the devils to fall on the ground in terror while Astaroth just smiled at him, unfazed by his bloodlust.

"You have some guts, Diodora Astaroth. It makes me want to kill you here on the spot"

Lucias said with a terrfying expression on his face, shocking both Sona and Rias who never saw such an expression on his face in the past.

"In exchange, I shall give you everything I have if ever I lose. My life is in your hands, Lucias Frey. If you win"

Astaroth added as the ground below Lucias started to crack while both Serafall and Sirzechs tried to calm him down.

"[Lucias, Accept it]"

Asia's voice suddenly echoed in his earpiece causing Lucias to click his tongue in irritation.

"And what treat you as an object that I can bet? Asia don't-"

"[It's not what it looks like, Lucias... I am ready to bet myself because I know you will not lose to him... If what he said was true then we can save and free the holy maidens in his grasp]"

"Asia... I accepted every decisions, every favours, every request that you had in the past but... this is the only request that I can't accept"

Lucias said before glancing at Sirzechs who was looking at him in fear.

"Sirzechs Lucifer... You don't mind if he dissapeare do you?"

Lucias asked causing Sirzechs to look at him with a difficult expression on his face.

"You can't Lucias-san or else the entire devil faction will retaliate. Me and Serafall aren't enough to pacify the anger of the mass for allow one of the four promising youths in our faction to get killed"

Sirzechs said causing Lucias to click his tongue as the hatred that he had for the devil faction started to resurface in his mind causing his bloodlust to increase, pressure all of the devils inside the banquet hall.

"You are all insignificant in my eyes and if the entire devil faction dissapear, it will not affect me nor it will affect the supernatural world because of my existence"

Lucias said as his eyes started to turn blood red due to the effects of [Mad Enhancement] but still retained his sanity thanks to the rune of [Patience].

"I should've wiped all of you when I had the chance"

He muttered but froze when he saw Sona who was hugging Kate in her arms causing him to hesitate as he knew Sona would look at him like a monster if he did so. 

Even if he didn't care how people saw him, he cared a lot on how the people that he loved saw him. He will never want them to look at him in fear or hatred.

"[Lucias, calm down and listen to me... With this we can obtain the Evil Piece technology of the underworld and use it as our own... and we can save the holy maidens that are suffering in his hands without shedding blood... So please Lucias. I am not truly placing myself on the line since we have the upperhand before it even began]"

"..."

"[Do it before he finds out about our identity and back off... I can just kill him myself if ever he does something that hindered your appearance during the rating game and won because of that... If he tarnishes the name of the faction with petty trick then our faction can retaliate without angering the mass because we have a logical reason to do so]"

"Tch..."

Lucias clicked his tongue as what she said did made sense, no matter the situation, it was always in their favour.

"Diodora Astaroth, I accept your challenge, and I'll make sure that you'll regret provoking me. I'll give you 2 hours to prepare so be quick. My patience is running dry"