Rizevim POV
"Lord Rizevim, I have good news." Katerea Leviathan barged into the room where I was looking over some research data.
"One moment please, Aži Dahāka." I politely told my companion. "It seems there is something worth interrupting us for."
For her sake at least, I do hope it is worth it.
The Dragon's human form just hummed noncommittal and didn't reject me.
Quite a polite Evil Dragon.
Perhaps the evil dragon with the most patience out of any I've met. Though, I suppose it takes patience to master magic to the degree that he did.
She somehow survived my little… clash with him, so she must have some sort of survivability instincts and know not to interrupt me when I'm busy.
"Speak, Katerea."
"Yes, Lord Rizevim." She swallowed. "One of our field reports came back. They found another seal that started to become active."
I raised an eyebrow. "That is in fact good news."
Though, I would question if it was worth interrupting me for.
"They say that the object—something part of the seal—was connected to several more seals that they were able to trace back and find their counterparts."
Oh?
Now she had my attention.
Finding one seal was, admittedly, almost worth a celebration. They were difficult to track down at the best of times.
Dear Old Grandfather made sure that they were well hidden.
But finding multiple in a small time frame?
Dare I say, I should offer praise?
"What object are you mentioning?" Aži Dahāka spoke up. "I read the documents on these seals, and none of them so far were objects. The seals use locations as a prison. If something were so easily removed, then they wouldn't have been proper seals."
He raised a good point.
"They said they're like Pearls, about the size of someone's head, but they hold the same corruption within them. The report says the team leader found the first one on a pillar, chained down."
Aži Dahāka's eyes lit up. "A Pearl? Was it close to a source of water?"
"It was an island." She nodded.
The dragon rubbed his chin. "That makes sense. What about any natural phenomena? Storms? Hurricanes? Was the island concealed in some way?"
"There were whirlpools surrounding it, so no mortals have stepped on the island," Katerea reported. "Though they disappeared once the Pearl was removed."
"Pearls are connected with the Sea. To use a pearl as a focus while the surrounding sea acts as the anchor to suppress it. "Clever," Aži Dahāka praised. "And you say there are more?"
The glint in his eyes seemed to intimidate her as she stiffened under his gaze.
"Y-yes, there are seven more."
"Eight in total? A strange number. Could it mean something, or was it random?" He muttered. "The Biblical God doesn't pick things like this by chance."
"Could it be a trap?" I asked.
"It's not impossible. But the Biblical God…why hasn't he placed any other traps until this point? It seems he put everything into seals and concealment."
Hmm.
Grandfather was never one for traps.
He was much more…direct.
Rather than trick you or trap you, he would have just had some sort of trigger on the island to smite intruders in the first place.
"Six is a powerful number, seven less so but still holds significance. Nine, as well, holds importance across many different philosophies. Eight does have some nuances to it, but it is significantly less than the others. I'm inclined to believe there is at least one more pearl missed." Aži Dahāka voiced out loud.
"Tell them to keep them separated for now. Bring the first Pearl here for us to inspect; send the others to separate strongholds," I ordered.
"Yes, Lord Rizevim." She immediately turned around to leave.
"A mystery," I hummed.
"One that piqued my interest. I was starting to get bored finishing up projects from others. As novel as some of these projects are, I like to work on my own projects." Aži Dahāka agreed. "I am annoyed that I was resurrected after all the competent magicians had disappeared."
I shrugged helplessly, earning a sigh from him.
"If you want to express your annoyance, you know who's responsible." I told him.
The dragon snorted. "I don't have a death wish. That brat of yours got far too strong too quickly."
Well, a dragon that isn't blinded by its own power—how quaint.
"I've never seen an Evil Dragon scared before." I couldn't help myself.
He glared rather dangerously my way. "Do not mistake my words for fear. I have no fear of death; I just want my death to have some meaning if it happens again. I despise waste."
Fair enough.
"Lord Rizevim." Katerea's voice returned, and with it, the prize held in her arms.
It was quite large.
Well, I'll be, it does certainly have the beast's malevolent energy confined within it.
"What do you make of it?" After giving it a quick look, I handed it over to the Dragon.
He looked around it, as if trying to find anything wrong.
And then his expression went blank for a moment. "Fuck."
Just as he said that, an audible crack ripped through across the surface of the pearl, and a faint light shined out from underneath.
Without hesitation, he threw it to the side and cast several shields up around us.
The world was filled with light, fire, ice, lightning, and every manner of effects that I lost count.
I was fairly sure a piece of a blade also shot past my head.
Once the commotion died out, the dragon lowered his shield, and we stood on the only patch of ground in the vicinity.
The entire compound had been reduced to dust; the sky of the Dimension Gap greeted us.
Katerea was lucky again; she was close enough to be shielded by the dragon's spells.
"Well," I voiced.
"It was a bomb." The Dragon's expression was unreadable.
"Katerea, dear. I told you to send the others to other bases, yes?" I looked at her.
"Y-yes."
"And you followed my orders?"
"Yes, Lord Rizevim."
"How…unfortunate."
I couldn't even blame her because she followed my orders. Frankly, I believe it would be my fault in this case.
There goes another batch of minions.
I picked up a piece of the pearl that remained off the ground.
It was starting to disintegrate in my hand before I crushed the remnants. "Aži Dahāka, please start investigating the one responsible."
[Line Break]
Wilhelm POV
"I don't wear a full suit often." I adjusted my tie a little.
"You look good in it." Venelana stepped next to me in front of the mirror. "And it's not a normal suit."
"True."
It was a dress suit, not the type of suit you wear casually.
…for those who wear them casually, that is.
I honestly prefer to forget the jacket and stick with just a vest.
I don't hate wearing the jacket, but, yeah.
"But you look much better." I took her arm and playfully spun her once.
She let out a cute giggle. "You're more than welcome to take a better look if you want." She winked, lifting up the hem of her dress ever so slightly.
Ignoring the temptation, it was very cute.
Regardless, I did like dressing up.
Frankly, I don't even know where it came from. Sure, Zelretch's memories have him being a certain way about forward presentation. A man of his stature, of his position, you had to at least look the part.
But I was a tad more on the particular side about it.
Just one of my many quirks, I suppose.
One of the little things that makes me, me.
"Did you already say goodbyes to everyone?"
"Of course. We're ready when you are." Venelana told me. "Though, if you don't mind, I have the method ready."
"Then by all means." I held up my hand for a moment. "Wait, nearly forgot the most important part. I grabbed my divine sword, pulled it out of its sheath to inspect it before sliding it in, and then tied it to my waist. "Does it look off?"
I was taking their advice to heart.
I was going to keep it out, on me, and just with me as I went about my normal life. It felt weird having my authority 'activated' without using it, but it was definitely something I should get used to.
"My, you look dashing." She reached over and slightly adjusted my collar. "Very handsome, if I do say so myself."
The Underworld isn't really a place I'm on good terms with either. So having my sword out, even if I'm not using it, it sets a certain image.
She threw down a teleportation circle. And technically, I was hijacking it with my own magic because my magic resistance wouldn't let it work otherwise, but it was more or less the same conclusion.
I was holding the door to her car open.
That's how I liked to think about it.
We stepped through, and I looked up to see the blue sky above.
Fake, obviously.
Now that I saw it again, it really did remind me of that world I visited briefly with Yasaka. Though, that one gave me a much more annoyed feeling. It felt more like a cage than just a simple false sky.
Still, whoever created the fake sky here did a phenomenal job.
Credit where it was due: it was quality craftsmanship.
We just hopped right over to a massive stadium.
"My King!"
I recognized the voice.
"My Queen." Venelana played along.
"Hello, Mozart." I held my hand out, and he took it readily.
"And to you, my young friend. A wonderful day to meet again. I was happy to hear that you would be joining in on the festivities." He seemed excited.
"Festivities, huh?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Why, what else would it be? A celebration of my King's daughter's freedom from an arranged marriage! I feel the inspiration coming on already; I've been practicing with my saxophone."
I gave Venelana a look, but she just seemed amused by it all.
I'm glad she had a peerage that she liked.
I didn't care for it and even disliked the concept of it, but it wasn't something I could comment on. If someone made the willing choice to become a devil, who was I to dissuade them? Everyone is free to make their choices with all the consequences or benefits that come with them.
That being said, I'm still happy for her.
"Is it only Mozart?"
"Are you expecting someone else?" Venelana looked at me with a coy smile. "Don't worry, she's somewhere around here…ah. Trisha~"
I followed her gaze; there were a few people here already, so it took me a moment to find the right person.
She was talking with someone but looked like she quickly, albeit politely, excused herself and quickly came over.
"Lady Venelana," Trisha curtsied.
"I told you that you don't have to go that far." Venelana was speaking about the overt show of respect.
"It's a habit," Trisha replied.
"Back home, it's ingrained, even in private, to show that differential attitude and acknowledge a superior's status." I said casually.
"Is that so?" Venelana tapped her chin. "If you want to do it, I won't mind. I just want you to know that you don't have to." She pulled Trisha into a quick hug, much to the other woman's chagrin.
"I-I will keep that in mind, Lady Venelana."
Flustered her on purpose, I'd say.
Magi aren't used to physical affection.
That's when I noticed the person I was looking for.
A little head of white hair peeked up over a seat, and next to her, to my surprise, a red head of hair was right next to her.
"Big Brother!" Millicas called out before coming running over and actually dragging little Olga with him.
He ran up, practically with stars in his eyes as he stared at me.
It was still strange to have a brother like this. But to also know that he looked up to me with such admiration.
I hesitated for a moment, but I eventually reached out and ruffled his head. "It's been awhile, huh?"
I caught Venelana's smile warming from the corner of my eye.
"I see you've become friends with Olga too. Have you been taking good care of her?"
Olga too was slightly flustered.
"Yeah, we've been playing a lot! All my friends like her too." He nodded excitedly.
I noticed that Olga was wearing a dress this time, and she looked absolutely adorable.
Must resist the urge to pat her head.
"L-Lord Schweinorg." She did a curtsy.
Cute.
Venelana grabbed Millicas into her arms. "Little Millicas here got into a bit of trouble because he snuck out taking Olga along with him. Imagine our surprise when we find out he was fighting against some Stray Devil."
I raised an eyebrow.
"We beat him." Millicas said heroically. "Olga was amazing; she beat him up with us!"
"Ah!?" Olga looked like she didn't know what to say, and as he praised her, she just got even more embarrassed.
"Should I congratulate him or give him a stern talk? I'm conflicted." I looked to Venelana.
"Don't worry, he got plenty of scoldings from his mother." She was reassured.
"In that case." I put my hands on his shoulders. "Well done."
If someone was scolding him, then that means I didn't have to feel guilty about praising him.
Speaking of scoldings.
I noticed someone coming our way.
A certain maid.
"Millicas, what did I tell you about running off on your own? A lot of important people are going to be present; you need to be on your best behavior."
Grayfia Lucifuge.
I don't think I would ever forget her face.
Though, it's not like this is the first time meeting her since I was just a kid. It certainly dredged up some unpleasant memories and emotions, but I wasn't so young anymore that I was going to act out on impulse.
"Aww, Mom. I wanted to play with Olga," Millicas whined.
"You can play with her later. Come along, Millicas." Grayfia held her hand out, and Millicas reluctantly moved to her side. "Madam Gremory." She greeted Venelana.
"Grayfia." Venelana played along as well, like she had been used to this song and dance for a very long time.
Despite being her daughter in law, the woman insists on doing this properly, it seems.
She looked at me.
"Lord Schweinorg."
Huh.
I thought we were just going to politely ignore each other and pretend the other didn't exist.
At least that's what I had decided upon in my own mind.
Truthfully my first instinct was to say something sarcastic or backhanded.
"Miss Lucifuge."
Ever so slightly, I think there was a phantom of a smile that gradually formed as I said that. "Say goodbye, Millicas."
"Bye, Grandma. Bye, Big Brother. Bye, Olga." Millicas waved as Grayfia very firmly grabbed his hand and all but dragged him away.
"He's always such a sweetheart. " Venelana cooed.
"Lady Gremory, if you don't mind, we will go find out seats," Trisha stated.
"Go ahead, I'm going to talk to some friends." Venelana gave her the okay.
Trisha, like a mother, took Olga's hand as she went off, and Mozart followed behind, seemingly wanting to get his seat as well.
I was about to say something, but I was cut off by Venelana grabbing my hand and giving me an affectionate kiss on the cheek.
"I'm very happy right now. Thank you for being nice."
Well, even if it wasn't for that reason, I would have done so in hindsight.
I rubbed my cheek and found myself being bashful for some reason. I don't know what it is, but she can really bring that out of me for some reason.
"Come on, I want to show you off to my friends."
It seems like it was my turn to be dragged away.
I hadn't actually met her friends before. This was an important step, right?
There was a blonde-haired woman and a black-haired woman that she was dragging me right towards.
They both brightened up upon seeing Venelana.
"Oh, Venelana, I didn't think you would make it. I thought for sure that you would be at home, getting ready to console your daughter after her loss." The blonde-haired woman held a hand up in front of her mouth as she giggled.
"My, how adorable! You're still in denial that you think your son is going to win." Venelana copied her mannerisms, putting a hand over her mouth as she laughed.
Weirdly, I didn't feel like they were actually snipping at each other. More like, it was a playful thing they were doing between friends?
"Are you going to introduce us, Venelana?" The black-haired woman spoke up.
The way she spoke, that tone—I had a sneaking suspicion I knew who she was.
"Wilhelm, this is Reina Phenex—Lady Phenex. And this is Sophia Sitri – Lady Sitri. Girls, this is my man, Wilhelm Henry Schweinorg. "Venelana did the introductions.
"Ladies, it's a pleasure to meet you." I swept my arm under me, doing a polite bow to them.
They were Venelana's friends; I wanted to at least show I had manners.
Lady Sitri looked at me the exact same way her daughter did. That sort of resting, judgmental face. Not quite the same as resting bitch face, but the same general concept. "My daughter has told me about you."
"Who's your daughter again?" I said playfully.
Her lips curled up. "Yes, I definitely see how you get on her nerves. Both of them."
"You're the young man who…tossed my son out a window?" Lady Phenex eyed me.
"He deserved it?" I offered in consolation.
I felt like saying something blatantly false would be inappropriate.
She clicked her tongue and let out a sigh. "Probably. That boy has his head lodged far too deep up his own—"
"We get the graphic imagery." Lady Sitri cut her off. "Riser is an idiot, we know."
"Watch it, Sitri."
"Splish Splash, does the little firebird want a bath?"
Venelana just laughed at the two of them arguing. "Come now, don't embarrass yourselves."
"I think you're already doing enough of that yourself." Lady Sitri put her hands on her hips.
"Your own grandson, Venelana, really?" The Phenex matriarch joined in.
Venezuela's expression changed immediately. "How is your cousin doing, Reina? Oh, I'm sorry, I mean your husband?"
The Phenex matriarch's eye twitched.
"And Sophia." Venelana looked her up and down. "How unfortunate."
"And what does that mean?" Sophia narrowed her eyes.
"I'm just saying… It must have been a long time since someone took interest in you, huh?" Venelana pushed against my side. "Unlike me. I have a handsome young man who just loves putting his hands on me."
The two of them were silently fuming at this point.
"Hold my earrings; I need to strangle a bitch."
"I'm going to drown her first."
The Phenex and Sitri ladies were giving death looks.
But all of the sudden, all three of them just started giggling together.
"Look at him; he probably thought we were going to fight." The Phenex woman pointed at me.
"He cleans up nicely." Sophia Sitri gave me another once over. "I can see why you picked him; he checks a lot of your boxes, doesn't he?"
"I was surprised too." Venelana smacked her lips. "And I admit, it's been…fun in other ways."
"Oh my." Phenex playfully fanned her face. "Dear Venelana, speaking that way about her own grandson."
"It seems like you all get along very well." I couldn't help but say it.
"We've been friends since we were kids." Venelana explained.
"Ah, the good old days of running across battlefields trying not to die. Only a few of us huddled together because there was no one else we could trust." Lady Phenex reminisced, somewhat sarcastically, but it did paint a picture.
There was an announcement, like a bell or something.
They all looked like they understood what it meant, but I was in the dark.
"Looks like we're getting ready to start." Lady Sitri stated. "Venelana, you should bring him around more. Dinner, drinks, bedroom. I'd be fine with any of those."
"I'm sure you would be." Venelana deadpanned.
She smirked in response. "Bye~" she waved to me.
"She is such a slut." Lady Phenex shook her head. "It was nice to meet you. Please be gentle with Riser in the future if he does something stupid."
"I'll be sure to be nice." I was amused by the way she worded that.
Definitely sounded like a mom who loved her son but recognized he was a dumbass.
"Come on, the show is about to start." Venelana interlocked her arm with mine.
"Your friends were… nice."
"They're a lot, but thank you for meeting them. It means a lot to me. I don't have many friends these days."
"Of course." I didn't think I needed to be thanked for that; it's what partners do. Though, I'm surprised Riser's mom was so…lackadaisical about everything? Is she not upset that you're against the marriage or not wanting Rias to marry Riser?"
"Well…it's sort of complicated. Honestly, we're just letting whatever happens happen. Let the kids settle it as they say. No point in ruining our relationship over something we can't control." She just smiled. "It was Zeo and her husband that made the marriage contract in the first place. I can't say I'm happy about it, but it's not like it's a strange thing in our society."
That was a rather mature way to handle it between friends.
"We have a booth down here." She led me to some stairs that opened to a very expensive-looking room.
It really did remind me of a large sports stadium, complete with the VIP booths.
"Vene!"
"Zeo," Venelana greeted him warmly. "I brought Wilhelm with me."
"I noticed. Welcome, my grandson. I believe this is your first rating game?" He held his hand out, and I shook it.
I didn't really have any bad relationship with this man besides who he's related to. But if I could get past that with Venelana, I saw no reason why I had to hold it against him.
"It is indeed my first rating game." I decided just to treat it exactly like a sporting event. Not the cultural phenomena that they seem to revere it as.
I noticed that their son wasn't present; presumably he was with the other leaders. However, Mozart, Olga and Trisha all had seats here too.
It seems like they were settling into things quite well if they were already mingling with the Gremorys like this.
But, just as I thought that, the booth door opened.
"Momma Gremory, I heard you were here; I brought Zechy with me so we could—" Serafall stopped dead in her tracks while staring at me.
That's right, my father was there right next to her as well.
"You!" She pointed at me in exclamation.
Now, I could continue to be mature.
But…
"Who are you again?" I asked in confusion.
She immediately got angry.
Heh, never gets old.
[Line Break]
A/N
Rating game starting.
It shouldn't last more than a chapter? But yeah, we're finally here! Almost three million words, and it's finally Rias's Rating Game! Woo!
So, a new Looking Glass Chapter is up for subs on my p.a.t.r.e.o.n. I'll do another string of chapters for it, but I'm waiting until they get one head before posting it over here.
If you want to read 10 chapters ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / astoryforone
I also have a boosty if you can't use the above under the same name