บท 228: What About James' Rewards?

Underworld, Satan Territory, Capital City, Lilith.

Shortly after the battle between James and the three Evil Dragons ended, the Four Great Satans and the Devil Council were made aware of the happenings at Sona's [Rating Game] School. In response to the reports received, both groups met separately. While the Devil council was meeting in their large meeting room, the Satans met in their own meeting room.

"To think James has grown so much that he can dominate three minor god-ranked Evil Dragons in combat." Ajuka said while re-reading the battle report. "The devils received quite the boon in this generation."

"Yeah, Jay-Kun is probably stronger than me now." Serafall said cheerfully.

"There's no probably." Ajuka replied. "James is definitely stronger than you."

"Boo. Ajuka-Chan, you're so mean." Serafall said with a pout while puffing out her cheeks. "Can't you be more delicate when you speak to a lady?"

"Lady? Where?" Ajuka said while looking around the room in a comical fashion.

While Serafall continued to pester Ajuka about his choice of words and lack of delicacy while speaking to a lady, Sirzechs continued to read the report tirelessly. By now, he had read the report four times without saying a word.

'How can this be?' Sirzechs thought to himself. 'Could I fight like that when I was only at the minor god-rank? No, I couldn't. This cannot continue. If it does, James is going to surpass me.'

The other member of the Four Great Satans, Falbium Asmodeus, had also not spoken during this meeting. Though his reason for staying silent was much different than Sirzechs' reason. However, he did find it interesting to observe the changes in Sirzechs' expression.

'I wonder if I ask him, will he finally slip up and tell us the truth?' falbium thought with his eyes half closed, looking as though he would fall asleep any moment. 'He probably thinks that we can't see through his façade.'

"Sirzechs, you've been reading the report so fervently." Falbium said. "A penny for your thoughts?"

Visibly flinching at Falbium's call, Sirzechs was clearly surprised to be interrupted. At the same time, Ajuka and Serafall also turned their attention toward him, interested in hearing what he had to say about the report.

"Actually, I'm concerned about this part." Sirzechs said, turning the report toward the other three and pointing at the part of the report in question. "It seems that James main sin is that of wrath. I'm afraid that could be dangerous. If his wrath were to run out of control, he could become a danger to the Underworld."

"*Sigh*" Three of the four Great Satans audibly sighed at Sirzechs' hypocritical response.

"So, his wrath could put the Underworld in danger, huh?" Falbium asked as he opened his eyes slightly wider. "Like you'r pride did when it came to the Devil Council?"

"What was that?" Sirzechs asked in a threatening tone.

"That's enough." Ajuka said calmly. "More importantly, for the time being at least, we need to reward James for his deeds."

"What do you mean we need to decide on rewards for James deeds?" Sirzechs asked with a slight frown. "Didn't we decide that we would grant him a territory of his own?"

This time, even Serafall and Falbium looked at Ajuka with some confusion.

"Sirzechs, Serafall, do you really want to see those disappointed looks from your younger sisters when they find out that we rewarded James with something that he should have received long ago?" Ajuka asked while shaking his head. "And not only your younger sisters. Anyone who knows the laws of the Underworld would scorn us for that reward. It would make it look like we, the Great Satans, were afraid of the rising star of the Underworld."

With just the first part of Ajuka's explanation, Sirzechs and Serafall began to shudder violently. Just the thought of their sisters looking at them with gazes of disappointment scared them to no end. However, when Sirzechs heard that the populace may grow to scorn him, he was mortified. His pride would not allow that to happen.

"What do you suggest, ajuka?" Falbium asked since he was not nearly as affected by Ajuka's explanation as the other two were.

"A second peerage." Ajuka replied calmly.

"A what!?" Sirzechs and Serafall exclaimed in unison.

Although Falbium did not shout in surprise like Sirzechs and Serafall, he was also caught off guard. No one expected that Ajuka would suggest something that they considered to be impossible.

"Is that even possible, Ajuka?" Sirzechs asked, a little upset that he was not the first one this treatment was suggested for.

"Not until recently." Ajuka replied. "However, after we came up with that rather... lackluster reward for James' capture of Euclid, I started considering something more."

"But what made you consider a second peerage?" Falbium asked.

Instead of answering immediately, Ajuka ran his gaze over Sirzechs and Serafall again.

"I'm sure the two of you are aware that the only reason your sister's peerages were filled up so quickly was due to the fact that James did not have enough room in his, correct?" Ajuka asked calmly.

Even though the two sis-con's gritted their teeth at that question, they both nodded their heads, as it was no secret.

"At least four lost opportunities because he did not have enough [Pieces]." Ajuka stated. "On top of that, there are several powerful guests living in James estate right now. If he could convince them to join his peerage and become devils, this could strengthen the Underworld and devil society as a whole."

After Ajuka finished speaking, the room fell silent. After a few minutes of contemplation, falbium was the first to speak once again.

"I agree." Falbium said, then he closed his eyes and fell asleep immediately afterward.

"Fal-Chan lasted much longer than he usually does." Serafall said while poking Falbium's bald head with a finger. After having her fun, Serafall turned her attention back to Ajuka. Then, with a tilt of her head, she asked the question that was on her mind. "I wanna agree, too. But is it safe to connect a second peerage to one person?"

"With the correct modifications, it shouldn't be a problem." Ajuka replied. "And according to the simulations I've run, at the worst, the second set of [Evil Pieces] simply won't form a connection with James, instead of causing some kind of backlash."

"In that case, I agree too." Serafall said with a cheerful smile.

Sirzechs, on the other hand did not respond so quickly. Instead, he began to consider things from a different angle.

'If things were to go wrong in the process, James progress would be slowed significantly.' Sirzechs thought darkly. 'Unfortunately, with Ajuka handling it, the chances of that are slim. But on the off chance that something does go wrong, I won't have to worry about James progressing past me anymore.'

"I agree as well." Sirzechs said as he ended his contemplations.

Human World, Japan, Kuoh.

While the Satans were discussing the incident, the news had found its way to Leona, Venelana, and Rhea, who along with Grayfia were having an early evening drink at the bar in the Alaverus Estate. Seeing that the four devil ladies were having a drink, Irene, Evangeline, Akua, and Kahlua, decided to join them for an impromptu girls' day.

"Did I under estimate James, or did I over estimate myself?" Irene asked as she before taking a long drink from her glass. "I'm certain that even if I went all out, I would have been unable to kill Grendel one on one."

"I know what you mean." Evangeline said while patting Irene on the shoulder. "Even at night, I would have probably lost to Grendel one on one."

"And your freak of nature of a son not only defeated him." Venelana said with a giggle. "But he also killed him and fended off two more Evil Dragons in the process. How do you feel about that, Leona?"

"Momma is proud!" Leona said, standing up with her drink in her hand. "And to show it, I dedicate this drink to my James."

Then, without hesitation, Leona tilted her head back with her glass to her lips and began to chug the contents of her glass. Naturally, as they had all been drinking for most of the afternoon, the rest of the ladies began to cheer on Leona's display.

Eventually, Leona finished her drink and slammed the empty glass on the bar. Then, like a hooligan, she roared in triumph.

"What kind of reward do you think James will receive for this?" Venelana asked as she prepared another drink for Leona. "They haven't even rewarded him for capturing Euclid yet. Will they combine the rewards or will they reward him for each feat separately?"

"Hmph!" Grayfia snorted as the subject was changed to the topic of james' rewards.

"Grayfia?" Rhea asked. "Is something wrong?"

With that, the rest of the ladies turned their attention to Grayfia. Usually, Grayfia would keep what happens in the Satans' meeting room to herself regardless of how much she disagreed with it. However, as her discontent with Sirzechs' actions was stacking up,plus the influence of the alcohol, Grayfia responded in a tone that was much more aggressive than the tone she usually takes when she speaks.

"Those shameless devils were actually considering granting James a territory as a reward for capturing Euclid!" Grayfia shouted as she brought her drink to her lips.

While Leona, Venelana, and rhea frowned at Grayfia's outburst, Irene, Evangeline, and Akua were confused. Kahlua, on the other hand, was too busy trying to hug Evangeline and convince her to take her child form. However, the three noticed the discontent on Leona, Venelana, and Rhea's faces not long after.

"What's wrong with granting territory as a reward?" Irene asked. "In most societies, it's considered to be one of the highest forms of reward."

"And in most societies, it would be an appropriate reward." Rhea said with a frown on her face.

"However, in devil society, things are a little different." Venelana added. "Devils, upon promoting to High-Class are supposed to receive a territory of their own if they are not part of another devil's peerage."

"Then, why would they reward James with something that he already has?" Evangeline asked while running her hand through Kahlua's hair, who passed out while clinging to her in a drunken stupor.

"They are trying to reward him with something he should have received years ago." Grayfia said angrily.

"James was only fourteen when he was promoted to High-Class." Venelana said. "And he was promoted because he brokered a deal with Master Scathach to train young devils when he was only... eleven?"

Before the conversation could continue, a potent killing intent covered the room and a good part of the house.

"And here I was thinking that James never received his territory because he was following the orders he received from the Council and the Satans to act as the guard for Rias and Sona." Leona said in a dangerous tone. "I think I need to have a talk with Sirzechs and Serafall about this."

"What... The hell?" Evangeline asked, completely confused by the amount of killing intent Leona released.

"*Sigh* Leona, could you please stop insinuating that you're going to kill my oldest child?" Rhea asked before taking a drink from her glass.

"Oops." Leona said, realizing that she was getting out of hand. "Sorry about that, It's the alcohol."

"Well, it's easy to see that you and James' actions are governed by the same sin." Venelana said. "Either way, you're not strong enough to make a difference if they try to cheat him. So, just let James handle it."

"*Sigh* I know." Leona said, instantly deflating.

"The worst thing about this reward..." Grayfia said before taking another sip of her drink. "Sirzechs was the one most in favor of it. *Sigh* What happened to the man I fell in love with? It really feels like he doesn't exist anymore."

With that, no one knew how to console Grayfia. However, before the mood could fall any lower, a teleportation circle appeared in the entrance to the bar. When it vanished, a beautiful woman with blond hair, a pair of fox ears, and nine wagging fox tails appeared. Then, before anyone could react, she threw herself at Leona and grabbed her by the shoulders.

"Leona! You have a video of James' battle with the Evil Dragons, right?" Yasaka, the leader of the Kyoto Youkai, asked excitedly. "I know you do! Hurry up and send it to me. I need it for me and Kunou's scrap book of James most notable events."

"How are you even here?" Leona asked in dumbfounded amazement. "I thought you couldn't leave Kyoto."

Hearing Leona's question, Yasaka began to pout.

"Can you believe it, Amaterasu-Sama has been hiding the fact that I can leave for up to seventy-two hours every now and then." Yasaka said in an aggrieved tone.

Although unintentional, yasaka's appearance managed to sweep away the gloomy atmosphere that had been created when the topic of James' reward was brought up. Instead, the ladies managed to drink themselves into a stupor, to the point that all of them passed out on the bar.