Building Relationships
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"I respect you, Lord Vael."
I blinked, caught off guard by Riser's words. Did I hear that right?
Riser Phenex, respecting me?
I had expected arrogance, maybe some rivalry, but not this. I smiled, curious.
"And why is that, Riser?"
He rubbed the back of his head before answering.
"Well, you're the strongest of our generation… and you even have Lady Leviathan in your harem!"
(A/N: Vael looks like a young adult)
'Damn kids spreading rumors about everything…'
I burst into laughter. "Ahahaha! No, Lady Leviathan is not in my harem. And for the record, I don't even have a harem."
"Oh, really? But that's the rumor among devils our age. I heard you're even planning to add Rias to it."
Rias?
"And Lady Sona… and since Lady Seekvaira is already your fiancée—"
I raised a hand, stopping him.
"Alright, alright. I don't know where you're hearing these rumors, but they're all false."
I paused, then smirked. "But aren't you mad? People are saying Rias is in my so-called 'harem.'"
...Fuck, what was I even saying? I was in early puberty. Riser was in mid-puberty. This conversation was taking a weird turn.
Riser just shrugged. "Nah. I actually don't like Rias like that. She's a brat. Most devil heirs are, but still. Hell, even I can admit I'm an arrogant prick, so I guess that's just what being a devil means."
I nodded. Most devils were arrogant and spoiled. At least, Rias was just spoiled.
"You play video games?" Riser suddenly asked.
And just like that, the conversation of real men began.
A while later, Riser and I sat in one of the private rooms, drinking.
Devil culture was… well, devilish. Drinking at nine years old? No problem. Though I kept it formal at official gatherings, I drank freely in human territory.
This was life as a devil.
And to my surprise, I found that Riser was actually pretty chill. He was just like any other teenager—drinking, chasing girls, doing things he probably shouldn't be doing.
Even human kids did that kind of stuff. We were devils. It was expected.
Yubelluna, Riser's Queen, was also with us, relaxed and sipping her own drink. I didn't care—she was a part of his peerage, after all.
Then—
KNOCK KNOCK.
"We're coming in," came Rias's voice from behind the door.
The door opened, and in walked Rias, Seekvaira, and Sona.
I grinned. "Yo~ Sona."
She gave a small smile. "Hey, Vael."
Riser, a little tipsy, bowed slightly. "Greetings, Lady Sona."
Sona returned the bow.
Then Riser leaned toward me, attempting to whisper—
"Damn, bro. Your harem's here to get you. Bahaha."
...Yup. He failed.
I turned to look at the girls. They definitely heard that.
They didn't blush. They didn't react. They just deadpanned.
...And so did I.
"I hope we're not interrupting your 'boys' talk,'" Seekvaira said, her tone slightly strict.
We shook our heads quickly.
"You three are always welcome," I said smoothly.
That earned me a trio of soft smiles.
Rias turned to Yubelluna. "You can sit down, Riser's Queen."
Yubelluna nodded and took a seat.
Sona folded her arms. "How's your territory been?"
"Fairly manageable," I answered. "No major threats, no creatures swooping around, so it's been easy."
Everyone nodded.
Riser leaned forward. "Your territory is that town, isn't it?"
I nodded.
The reason it was called that town was simple—the 'murder' of Cleria Belial and her peerage.
The atmosphere grew somber.
So, I changed the topic.
"You guys want a drink?"
The girls shook their heads.
"Nah, we're not like you—always drinking," Rias teased, laughing.
Riser, now drinking aggressively, suddenly stood up and pointed at Rias.
"Rias, I don't wanna marry you either!" he declared. "I think you suit Vael more! Your red hair complements his white hair—"
'He's talking nonsense.'
BONK.
With a flicker of Touki covered fist, I knocked him out cold.
He hit the floor with a thud.
"Sorry, Yubelluna. I had to do it."
She just chuckled, placing his head on her lap and running her fingers through his hair.
She looked fond.
'She must really love him.'
The others must have thought the same, judging by their faces.
Yubelluna suddenly looked up, a bit flustered. "Oh, I'm sorry. This must be unsightly for you all."
Sona, of all people—the one who always followed rules—shook her head.
"Of course not, Yubelluna."
I raised a brow. She remembered her name?
'Good job, Sona.'
It was something I could respect.
"So..."
Our topics differed to others and soon Riser got up again. We talked more and soon the main banquet was going to start.
"I think that would not work because-
As Seekvaira was talking, I felt a rather young but strong [Lifeforce] from outside the room.
KNOCK KNOCK!
The door opened and as I had expected there, he was Sairaorg Bael. He and Riser were of the same age- fourteen. The rumors about his strength had started probably six months prior when he was revealed to be the heir of Bael again and I could feel it-
His raw strength.
His Touki was overwhelming; even stronger than mine, the raw power that seemed to radiate from him. He could give me a good fight.
A grin escaped my face. Sairaorg also directly looked at me as he released his Aura, his Touki alone generated winds.
None of the Devils here could move as Sairaorg's gaze locked in with mine.
My grin widened and I overwhelmed Sairog.
Mixing my Touki along with Demonic Power and even the Power of Fear. My aura eclipsed his.
"...You are strong." Sairaorg commented and I nodded "So are you."
And then we both said the same words-
"Let's spar!"
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