บท 39: Chapter 37
"I am sure that by now, all of you are aware of the objectives of today's meeting," Satan Ajuka stood up and glanced at all the members of the Devil Council. "Let's start with something lighthearted." He gave the faintest of smiles and waved his hand.
Soon, a transparent screen appeared in the centre of the Ring, allowing everyone to take a good look at it.
"This is the new Rating Game Model. 27 Different Games, testing the Peerages in Magic, Intellect, Raw Power, Coordination, Stress Management, and Trust..."
One by one, each game and its details were displayed on the screens with demos. Some of the Old Games were still part of the new Model, but most had been tweaked and revised by the Satan Blue.
The new Top Ten of the Rating Games, Diehauser Belial, Ruval Phenex, Sabien Valefor, Guren Paimon, Arion Beleth, Rudiger Rozenkreutz, Agatha Pheles, Zavius Pheles, Tannin, and Ravon Phenex, all had already approved this new Model.
Raizel was quite intrigued to see the names of Agatha and Zavius Pheles in the top ten. They were the children of Mephisto Pheles, from the former Extra Devil House of Pheles, and now part of the Ars Goetia.
Agatha and Zavius were married to each other, and one thing that they both had in common was their dissatisfaction with their father, who mingled with the Humans a little too much and even lived on Arz, much to their dislike.
Both served as the Heads of the House Pheles, and it was because of their efforts that the Pheles managed to enter the Pillar Houses.
However, the most interesting thing about them was their fierce rivalry.
Despite being siblings and husband and wife, they both were motivated by bettering each other, and he found it quite funny that the first match in the New Model was between the two of them.
Agatha was going to defend her Seventh Ranking against Zavius, who had challenged her.
"Does anyone have any objections to the new Model?"
No one responded for a few seconds but then a voice rose.
"Are we going to keep allowing the Reincarnated Devils to get their own Evil Pieces and even participate in the Rating Games?"
It was Lord Andrealphus, the man with colourful hair of blue, green, and white, and whose eyes were red.
"What's the issue?" Zeoticus Gremory lazily raised his brow at him.
"The issue? Our pride? Do you not see how the Reincarnated Devils have started believing that they are real Devils? Some have even started acting like they are our equals. Have you not seen how flamboyant Rudiger Rozenkreutz is?"
"How many of these Reincarnated Devils, who have their own Peerages, are in the Top 20? Let's do Top 50. Not many, right? There are not even 5 of them."
The colourful-haired Lord frowned, and Lord Gremory continued.
"Barys, I am sure you understand that these people are very valuable to the Devildom..."
"They are Tools! Our Assets! And they should not forget it. We blessed them with access to Demonic Power, made them more than they could ever be, and now they have started to believe that they are our equals. It's ridiculous!" The man spat those words, and his expressions were clearly showing his disgust towards the Reincarnated Devils.
Deep down everyone knew that he only disgusted the ones with human heritage.
A lot of other people, in fact, the majority of them, shared the same sentiments, but they were clear how important these Reincarnated Devils were for the Devildom. Their existence was necessary, at least, for the moment.
"Lord Andrealphus," Raizel called out to the man, who curiously, but respectfully answered.
"Yes, Prince?"
"Correct me if I am wrong, but a Reincarnated Devil can only stay a Part-Devil as long as they have the Evil Piece in their body."
"Yes." He frowned.
"In case a Master dies, the potential of the Servants takes a hit."
"Yes."
"So, they are not truly independent are they? The source of their Power isn't completely their own." He smiled. "How can they be compared to us?"
"They can not, but some have started thinking that they are equal to us."
"And whose fault is that? Theirs or ours?"
"What do you mean, My Prince?"
"Do you know why Rudiger Rozenkreutz is in the Top 10 of the Rating Games? It's not because of his strength, is it?"
"No. He's smart and a good strategist."
"No, Lord Andrealphus. He's intelligent and a brilliant strategist. Give credit where it is due. However, the most impressive thing is his vivid imagination, which makes him a very tricky opponent."
The man frowned, not liking such a high evaluation of a former human.
"And yet, he can never win a battle against Diehauser, Ruval, Sabien, Guren, Arion, Zavius and Agatha here," Raizel glanced at the Head of House Pheles. "Can you tell me why?"
Slowly, everyone started to see his point, and as they started thinking over it, their minds cleared up.
"He can never have the potential of a Pureblood Devil..." Lord Vapula whispered, but everyone heard his words.
"Precisely. Even Sairaorg, who is unable to manifest his Demonic Power, has way more potential than him. The Former Heir of the Bael Clan is already stronger than Rudiger Rozenkreutz." He informed the council, and though some were sceptical, most believed his words.
He had no reason to lie.
"Therefore, the reason why he sits that high on the Ranking Table is not only because of his Intellect and imagination but because of our Race's laziness and the lack of interest in working on something worthwhile. Ask yourselves. How many Devils around you are truly working on improving themselves?"
Raizel gave them a moment, and then knowingly smiled.
"I am sure quite a few faces of Reincarnated Devils and Lesser Devils have crossed your minds." He said, and some eyes widened in surprise. "That's because they have something to prove in their lives. The Nobles are just not interested enough. Most treat Rating Games as a playground where they can have fun and have an occasional spar. A lot of Noble Devils are not even interested in finding Servants worthy of being Reincarnated Devils or Servants that would make them and their House more powerful. Some just want to fill their Peerages with pretty girls to bed and to flaunt their collection to their friends and rivals."
Lord Phenex embarrassedly lowered his head as his third son's face appeared in his mind. It was the same for Lord Astaroth, who was reminded of Diodora.
"Now I ask again. Whose fault is it, Lord Andrealphus?"
The man sighed before sinking back in his chair.
"Ours."
"Yes. Now that we have cleared up the subject, let's find solutions for it. We certainly can not afford to let Reincarnated Devils outshine the Pureblood in the future. It will create some severe political consequences for us if they, one day, happen to gain too many spots on the leaderboards."
Everyone, including the Four Satans, turned to look at him in surprise.
"What do you have in mind?" Ajuka interestedly asked, not denying or arguing over his assessment.
"Close the Rating Games to people who treat them as a game to play in their leisure time. Nobles included." He glanced around at the table.
"Oh?"
"Lock the Leaderboard to just the Top 100. Divide it into three Leagues. 1-20, 21-50, and 51-100. Different rules in each League. Anyone who wishes to participate in the Rating Games will require a License. A total of 100 Licenses. New Masters and their Peerages will challenge the Peerages ranked 91-100 for the rights of the Licenses. If they lose, they can not challenge the same team again and will have to wait for a while before issuing another challenge to a team from the bottom ten. Since the bottom 10 will always be at risk of losing their privileges, it will push them to climb up the Ranking Table, fueling the competition amongst the lower-ranked Peerages. More competition will garner more interest in the games, especially if these Rating Game Licenses hold some exclusive Perks....."
The lighthearted objective that Ajuka chose to start the meeting with, ended up taking hours to finalise.
"So, once we have developed more interest, we will create more Leagues." Agatha nodded her head, smiling.
"Yes, but it will take decades before we reach those levels..." Someone spoke, lost deep in their thoughts.
"I propose that the Heads of Pureblood Houses, as well as people in the Government, be allowed to hold special Licenses so that they don't have to participate in the Official Rating Games..."
"Agreed..."
"Before someone can be declared the official Heir of a Noble Hosue, they must enter the Top 50 Ranking of the Rating Games..."
"I second that..."
"Before any Noble can hold a Territory, they must enter the Top 100 Ranking of the Rating Games..."
....
...
..
.
Finally, after four hours of discussion, the New Model of the Rating Games was finalised.
"Those who approve of this Model, please raise your hands."
Without exception, everyone raised their hands in the air, and just like that, the New Model was approved by the Devil Council.
"The second objective of today's meeting is regarding the eligibility of Mixed Heritage Devils and Half-Devils to claim the Hierships of Noble Houses..."
As soon as Falbium's voice fell, there was a ruckus in the Hall.
Most Heads did not shy away from expressing their dissatisfaction at this even being brought to the table.
"I don't think it should be an issue if the Mixed Heritage Devil or a Half Devil inherits the Clan Trait." Lady Mammon painfully said, and people narrowed their eyes at her, immediately understanding who brought this issue to the meeting.
"It's about your son who was sired by your Knight?" Lord Amon narrowed his eyes at her, and the woman's face showed hints of anger.
"He's my son."
"But not sired by your husband. Everyone in the Underworld knows about your dalliances with your Peerage Members. We can tell at a glance who the father of that child is."
"That's enough!" Ambeth Mammon slammed her hand on the table, but Lord Amon did not back down.
His younger brother was Ambeth's Husband, and he was not going to tolerate this disrespect towards his Blood.
He knew his brother was timid and that this woman had him wrapped around her fingers, and he would be dammed if he saw an illegitimate child sitting on the seat of the next Head of the Mammon Clan.
"Do not make a mistake here, Ambeth. We don't speak because we still hold some respect for your late Father, but we will not allow you to trample the dignity of the Pureblood Devils!" Lord Andrealphus raged, and the atmosphere in the Hall suddenly coagulated.
"That's it." Sirzechs stood up, and his light words were enough to put everyone back in their places. "Those in favour of letting Mixed Heritage Devils and Half Devils hold Heirships, raise your hands."
Except for Ambeth, no one dared to raise their hands. There were a few who kept their hands lowered just to save their face, but everyone was already aware of their circumstances.
"Cowards!"
Raizel amusedly watched the outburst of the Lady of Mammon Family and curiously looked forward to seeing what would happen next.
"So, who's going to be the next Head of the Mammon Family?" Lord Valefor mischievously asked.
"It will be my son. I will see to it."
"Why not your nephew?" Lord Sitri suddenly asked, and everyone respectfully looked at him.
He was one of the most respected Devils in the Underworld.
"He's a Pureblood. Child of your Younger Sister. Both his Parents and Grandparents were Mammon, all bearing your Clan's Trait: Plunder. He's very talented and our reports tell us that he is even more talented than your son. There should not be an issue." He lightly smiled. "We make our choices, our personal lives are personal to us all. However, naming a Heir, a future Head of a Noble House, is not a personal matter. I hope you understand it."
Lord Sitri's calm reminder made her clench her fists.
"Of course, you can still try getting pregnant with your husband. We will have no objections to a legitimate child or a Pureblood Child whom you can pass as your legitimate child..."
"I can't birth more children," She painfully informed the council and then took a deep breath. "And my Son will be the Heir. You only have objections because his father is a Reincarnated Devil, right? I will approach Queen Darcaedes tomorrow and ask her for help."
Her words caused everyone in the Hall to furrow their brows, and inadvertently, a lot of people looked towards Raizel.
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