As the members of Ars Goetia continued to speculate about the loud explosions they were hearing I was about to speak on it and explain.
But just before I could all the doors to the meeting chamber slammed open, multiple armed devils running inside, their weapons and demonic power at the ready.
Everyone in the room turned their attention to the soldiers the moment this happened.
'So they had people in place just in case their army was stalled our stopped completely. Well played.' I thought.
But then again most of the leaders of the Maou faction did fight and survive in the Great War after all. So they are no slouches when it comes to battle tactics and strategies.
However, neither am I.
"What is the meaning of this?" A pillar clan head shouted.
One of the armed devils turned to the head and started raising her demonic power.
But before she could even launch an attack I created a several thorns under her, bound her body, and then had one rip off her head, sending blood flying everywhere.
"Glory to the Maou!" One of the armed devils shouted.
But again before him our his cohorts could act I waved my hands and several giant thorns sprung from the ground and killed them all. Severing limbs, and piercing them straight through their bodies.
In an instant it was over.
Once it was I commanded the thorns I had summoned to close the chamber doors. Then once they did I created thorn shields on the outside of the chamber doors and on the inside, making sure anyone who tried to enter or leave would be torn apart by the thorns.
Just as I finished everyone turned their attention to me.
"As you can see, those devils were diehard supporters of the Maou faction. They came in here with the intention of killing as many of us as possible." I explained. "That should impress upon you even more the need for us to fight. Also, worry not about that explosion earlier I know the cause." I said.
I then summoned a Lacrima from a dimensional storage space to my right hand. The moment I did a video screen projected into the air.
This is one of the inventions I've been saving until the war began. Or rather, for after it.
The vision Lacrima.
I am going to bring television to the underworld.
Most devils already have the ego of big television stars, all they need is a platform and I am going to give it to them.
But again, that's after the civil war comes to an end.
Moving on, once the vision Lacrima activated it immediately connected to a separate one I had installed upon the Iscariot.
My own private flying battleship/mobile command fortress.
To date it's my biggest achievement yet.
As to why I named it Iscariot. It's because it's an apt name. Iscariot literally means traitor, and since our former Leader Lucifer is the biggest traitor in history, it felt perfect. Also Iscariot is the last name of Jesus's disciple Judas who betrayed him, so naming my ship after him is also a giant middle finger to Heaven and the Church.
I am also not going to change it, even after we obtain peace.
It's mine after all.
Anyway, once the feed was established it showed Kaido and the Iscariot decimating the troops just outside Luucifad's walls.
Grayfia told me the exact location they would be in days ago. Then as soon as she did I took appropriate countermeasures.
"What you are witnessing now is the Anti-Maou faction first victory in this war." I began. "That flying dragon is a personal attendant of mine named Kaido. He has been with me for decades and I trust him with my life. As for that strange flying ship you see, it is also mine. It is called the Iscariot, and it is my command cruiser." I said. "Right now they are just outside the walls of Luucifad decimating soldiers from the personal army of the Beelzebub clan. We received intel from one of our contacts that they were going to be there, and that they planned to slaughter all of us in Ars Goetia, no matter the cost. Even if they had to kill civilians to do it." I explained.
I then clenched my fist in true anger. "Once again we cannot let people like this lead us. We must defeat them, rise up, and make things better for devil society as a whole. So I ask you once more, are you with us?"
"Yes!" Everyone shouted.
I nodded. "Excellent." I said.
*Slam! Slam!*
The entire chamber went silent once more as we heard all the doors to the room being slammed on with incredible force. Even so they did not break.
"It's the Maou forces." Killian said. "What are we going to do?" He asked. "Trying to fight our way out is suicide, but running into the city will bring civilian casualties."
"You are absolutely right." I said. "That's why I've already put an escape plan in place." I said. I then activated my demonic power.
As soon as I did the seeds I had placed throughout the city of Luucifad over the years sprouted. Then once they did they started releasing pollen into the air. Pollen that induces sleep and mild paralysis in its victims, the latter of which only occurs the higher their demonic power reserves are.
This way the civilians will remained mostly unharmed, and the enemy forces in the city are going to be a drooling mess for a few hours.
I quickly explained my plan to everyone.
Then a few minutes passed before the slamming on the doors stopped. Once they did I nodded to Sirzechs and Ruval.
The two of them nodded back.
A second later Ruval summoned a torrent of wind and flames. Meanwhile Sirzechs conjured several spheres of Power of Destruction or POD for short around himself. The two of them then made a giant hole in the chamber room, blasting us an exit big enough for everyone to move through.
Once that happened Serafall and Ajuka led the group from the front, meanwhile Diehauser, my father, and Falbium covered it from the sides. As for the rest of us we stayed behind to make sure everyone evacuated.
Then once they did we were out.
As we all started to move through the city I summoned vines walls to protect us, and eventually everyone made it out.
Kaido and the Iscariot moving to cover us immediately after we did.
Then when everyone was at a safe enough distance they all started returning to their territories. Mostly to prepare their armies for war.
My family and I doing the same.
Standing on the hill I looked at the city of Luucifad.
Knowing that in a few months time it would be in our hands.
Then we could make it a place truly worthy of being the place known as the Devil capital.
-------------------------------------
(3rd Person: POV)
Sitting in a room, the three children of the Maou, along with the heads of the Six Houses of Lucifer watched a recording of todays events in Luucifad.
When it ended Bidleid smashed his fist on the table in front of him, destroying it. A look of pure rage on his face.
"Those fucking traitors." Bidleid shouted, his demonic power rising in concert. "How dare they! After all we have done for them, they dare to stand against us!" He raged.
Ignoring his old friends outburst Damaidosu played with locks of his hair. "Bidleid no need to get so upset. Now that they have shown their true colors, we can slaughter the lot of them. Simple as that."
"Yes." Tsufamme mused. She placed a hand on her cheeks and licked her lips, a hint of pink starting to mare her face. "Even if they beg for us to stop, even if they plead for forgiveness, even if they lick the heel of our shoes we will show them no mercy at all. Ah, it's making me so hot." She purred, putting a sadistic grin on her face.
The heads of the six houses said nothing.
They had pledged their allegiance to the Maou family's and their descendants, and would follow them no matter. So the matter of whether they would participate in the upcoming battles has already been decided.
Even within the Lucifuge family.
Despite the other five heads actions towards him in recent years, sir Lucifuge would stand with them.
Even though the current heir to the Lucifer house mostly likely wouldn't.
As the three Maou children started discussing their plans, suddenly they stopped when a new presence entered the room.
But one everyone was familiar with.
He strolled into the room with his usual grin on his face.
The person who just entered was none other than Rizevim Livian Lucfier. The only son and direct heir to Lucifer himself, and currently one of the strongest devils alive.
Even the other three Maou children didn't have power on the level of Rizevim despite them all being the same age.
He was in a whole other league.
But despite this Rizevim hardly ever used his power except when it came to something that interested him. For years he had ignored his duty as Lucifer's son and chosen not to concern himself with devil society like his other fellow Maou children.
Even now, the man is wearing an unconcerned expression, despite the tension obvious in the air of the room he just walked into.
"So, what's going on guys?" Rizevim asked his fellow Maou children.
Bidleid glared at Rizevim, but even so the Lucifer's usual grin did not falter in the slightest.
"Hey Bidleid stop staring at me so hard. I only for for women you know. I am not looking to experiment with men ever." Rizevim joked.
"Why are you here Rizevim?" Damaidosu asked.
"Well I heard you guys were getting together, and so I came to see what it was about." Rizevim explained. "So, what's it about?"
"Did Lord Lucifuge not already inform of what is happening?" Damaidosu asked.
"He did, but old Elias is so stiff when he talks I forget almost all of what he said. All I heard was meeting and so here I am." Rizevim explained with a straight face.
Meanwhile Elias Lucifuge, the current head of the Lucifuge house let out a sigh.
He seriously had no idea why the son of his great and glorious leader turned into such a worthy person. It made him want to cry.
And although the heads of the other Six Houses kept silent they understood his pain. Even though no words were said.
"If you must know we're about to go to war with the pillar clans." Tsufamme explained. "That old man Zekram, and those other pillar clans that formed their Anti-Maou faction just rallied the remaining pillars and quite a few nobles to their cause. So now, it's war." She explained.
Rivzevim nodded. "Got it. Thanks for the explanation Tsu Tsu." He said.
A spear of water immediately passed by Rizevim's head the moment he stopped speaking.
Tsufamme has an intense aura around her, and was glaring at Rizevim with murderous eyes. "How many times to I have to tell you you fucking white haired lazy ass, don't ever call me Tsu Tsu unless you want me to use a water jet to slice your dick and balls off and feed them to you. Got that, you sorry excuse for a Lucifer?!"
"Yes, Yes, I understand. Tsu Tsu." Rizevim said.
Tsufamme hates the nickname Tsu Tsu. She always has and always will, and anyone who calls her by it will be tortured to death in all manners by her no questions asked. The only one brave enough to call her it and toy with her is Rizevim.
He is a man who is not afraid to court death.
"I'll kill you!" Tsufamme shouted, her demonic power rising even further.
But Rizevim simply kept grinning at her like a maniac.
"Enough!" Bidleid shouted.
When he did Tsufamme calmed down.
"Rizevim, let me ask you. What are you going to do about the war?" Bidleid said.
"Nothing. "He revealed. "This war sounds boring so I'll skip out. I wish you all luck though." He said.
Everyone expected that answer, but still they had to ask.
They all knew Rizevim's personality, but they were hoping this time he might actually be responsible.
How wrong they were.
At least they were not too disappointed.
"Well this was nice, but I'm done here. Good luck and I hope you all survive until the end. And if not. Well nice knowing you." Rizevim said.
He then left the room, whistling a tune.
Once he did the remaining Maou children and the six heads began discussing their upcoming plants for the war.
Even though they did not know, this would be the last war many of them would ever fight.
------------------------------------------
(MC: POV)
Sitting in one of the sitting rooms of the Belial mansion I looked outside the window and up at the sky.
Letting my mind wander.
It's been a few hours since we returned from Luucifad and explained the situation to the rest of the family.
Once we did my father went to work putting the Belial territory on high alert, and put in wartime measures.
Meanwhile my Diehauser and I readied the troops and informed the Dryads, Treants, and Gigantos clan of what was coming.
All of them volunteered to help defend the territory.
I thanked them for this, and told them it would never be forgotten.
Once all was said and done I found myself here, needing a minute to collect my thoughts before the real work began.
*Creak*
I was brought back to reality when I heard the door to the room open.
Turning I saw Roygun enter and close the door behind her. She then walked up to me and sat on my lap, planting a kiss on my lips right after she did.
"Hey." I said to her.
"Hey." She replied, placing her head into the crook of my neck. "So listen Aster, I need to tell you something." She said.
"Sure, go ahead." I told her.
Despite all that's going on I will always have time for my wives, lovers, and family. No matter what I will always put them first.
Roygun looked me in the eyes. She then didn't say anything for several seconds. Instead she picked up my left hand and placed it on her belly.
When she did my eyes widened.
That's because inside of her I felt a blooming unique demonic power signature.
But she hasn't been cursed or hit with an attack powerful enough to leave such a trace. So that only leaves me one option.
When devil woman get pregnant, babies start emitting their own unique power signature right away. This way their power can grow as their bodies develop both inside and outside the womb.
I looked Roygun in the eye. "Roygun are you...?"
She nodded.
"That's right Aster. We're going to be parents." She told me, smiling happily.
This is the reason she got so weird at dinner the other night.
She is pregnant.
Roygun is going to be a mother.
But more importantly I am going to be a father.
A father.
...
...
...
...
Standing up I moved Roygun over to the couch.
Then once I did I promptly began blacking out.
Because the news I just got is the scariest news I have ever gotten in either of my lives.
And the most wonderful.