The moon hung high over the Underworld, its cold light casting long shadows over a desolate manor. The once-proud stronghold of the Altheron Clan, an influential pureblood devil family, now lay in ruins. Julian Kaiser Mercury stood amidst the wreckage, his silver eyes gleaming as firelight reflected from the devastation he had orchestrated. Bodies of Altheron devils and their vassals littered the estate grounds, a grim testament to the devastating efficiency of Julian's peerage.
The Altherons had been among the families who had supported the New Satan Faction during their rise to power, benefiting from the betrayal that annihilated the Mercury Clan. They had grown complacent in their ill-gotten power, believing their wealth and influence would shield them. Tonight, Julian had disabused them of that notion.
The assault had been swift and merciless. Julian's peerage moved like phantoms, striking with surgical precision. Simo Häyhä eliminated key guards from a distance, his white cloak blending seamlessly into the shadows. Tesla and Einstein created a vortex of chaos, disrupting magical defenses with bursts of electricity and altered gravity. Napoleon and Darwin led the main strike force, adapting their strategy in real-time to counter the Altherons' desperate attempts at resistance.
Julian himself remained a calm presence amidst the carnage, his Reflection ability nullifying every attack thrown his way. He allowed his peerage to handle the main assault, observing their execution with a cold detachment. Each victory was a step closer to his ultimate goal: the complete dismantling of the New Satan Faction.
The aftermath was a picture of devastation. As the flames consumed the last remnants of the Altheron estate, Julian turned to his peerage. "Another stone in their foundation has been shattered," he said, his voice steady. "This is only the beginning."
With the Altherons dealt with, Julian shifted his focus to the next phase of his plan. The Satans—those who had risen to power following the Civil War—represented the pinnacle of the new order in the Underworld. To strike at them directly would be folly, but Julian had no intention of engaging in open war. Instead, he planned to break them from within, starting with their families.
Kuoh Town, a seemingly ordinary human settlement, was a nexus of supernatural activity. It was here that the younger sisters of Sirzechs Lucifer and Serafall Leviathan—Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri—had established their footholds. Julian's research had revealed much about them: Rias, with her fierce determination and passion, and Sona, with her sharp intellect and calculated demeanor. They were strong, ambitious, and deeply loyal to their brothers—the perfect targets for Julian's scheme.
"I will make them trust me," Julian murmured as he studied the documents spread across his desk. Maps of Kuoh, profiles of key figures, and records of recent events formed a web of information that Julian had painstakingly compiled. "I will make them care. And then I will break them."
Julian's arrival in Kuoh was unassuming. Disguised as a transfer student, he seamlessly blended into the mundane flow of high school life. His charm and charisma quickly earned him attention, but Julian was careful not to overplay his hand. He observed from the shadows, learning the dynamics of Kuoh Academy and positioning himself to approach Rias and Sona.
His first encounter with Rias occurred in the school's Occult Research Club room. The air was charged as Rias regarded him with suspicion, her crimson hair glowing in the afternoon light. "You're not an ordinary student," she said, her tone cautious.
Julian met her gaze with a faint smile. "Neither are you, Rias Gremory."
Their conversation was a delicate dance of words, with Julian revealing just enough to pique her curiosity without giving away his true intentions. By the end of their exchange, Rias was intrigued, unaware of the true danger lurking behind Julian's polished demeanor.
As the days passed, Julian began weaving his web. He positioned himself as an ally, a confidant, and—most importantly—a potential friend to Rias and Sona. His interactions were calculated, his words chosen with care to exploit their vulnerabilities and foster their trust.
For Rias, he became a source of encouragement, supporting her desire to break free from her arranged engagement and forge her own path. For Sona, he became a challenger and intellectual equal, engaging her in debates that stimulated her strategic mind.
But behind the mask of camaraderie, Julian's heart remained cold. Every smile he offered, every kind word he spoke, was a tool in his arsenal. He knew the path he had chosen was a dark one, but he felt no hesitation. The Satans had played a role in the rise of the New Satan Faction, and Julian would ensure they suffered as he had.
Julian stands alone in the Kuoh Academy courtyard, the setting sun casting long shadows across the ground. He held the Mercury sigil in his hand, its faint glow a reminder of his purpose.
"This is only the first move," Julian whispered, his voice barely audible over the rustling of leaves. "Before this game is over, they will see what it means to lose everything."