บท 100: The one who stood up for her dreams

The week training that was arranged had finally come to an end, it was getting late the girls were all dressed and ready while Masaru was helping them into the limousine one by one for the gathering of the Youths generation before the official party.

This was also the time where the youths declare their dreams to the nobles and the strange thing was the fact Masaru did not have a dream because he was already living it. A loving family, beautiful girls who will become his wives and finally chances to fight stronger opponents... He was not certain what else he could wish for, however, he knew having a goal would make his life even more interesting.

"This will be the official youth gathering huh?" Masaru spoke while looking out of the window watching how they're driving all the way to Capital City Lillith, ever since his debut as the Demon King the reporters never stopped coming to him for interviews,

"Fufu, it should be entertaining since Master has been preparing for this night after all" Akeno spoke happily, she became even more cheerful and clingy towards Masaru when she learnt vary things from her mother.

"Well it was only a backup plan since I have no desire to have anyone stop my plans from beginning tonight... But girls you never told me about your training week even now" Masaru spoke teasingly to the girls, he was truly curious what training the girls underwent as their aura was different, in quality.

"It was... Educational" Akeno answered vaguely, but when it came to Ingvild, she explained the books she read about her family's history locked in their manor.

Masaru was not surprised this girl will make such a choice as he knew better than anyone she was stronger than her kindness show, "I can say I finally understood that our power is not the sea but water, it is only called power over sea because of our talent in water power is so strong that it could easily manipulate sea waters..."

When it was Ichika's turn she only roughly explained about her meeting with her great grandfather because talking about how space works would become too long for a short duration trip, however, Masaru noticed that Ichika felt more relieved and her stoic face revealed much more emotions than before.

When it finally came to Stephani who was more cheerful than ever, "I moved on" .

Those three words meant much more than Masaru, he managed to investigate her family and knew that visiting would help her move on. he did also get the information of the people that were exiled if she wanted them gone but seeing her like this made him glad.

He felt all his girls managed to achieve something, and through their own choices, they managed to grow in strength both physically and mentally.

The cutest thing right now was Everest who was sleeping on his shoulder, according to her Tiamat was a real sadistic trainer that pushed her beyond her limits on many occasions. But she still smiled when she spoke of it.

'Seems the girls all started to find their centre, someday I too will have to find mine... But... It feels like I already have' Masaru watched over the girls who spoke among themselves while he was watching over them, from the day he came out of that capsule till today all those sufferings for this were worth it.

When they arrived at the massive building that appears to look like a party venue, Masaru and the girls were led inside, it was a hassle to answer the questions of the Reporters at a start but he managed to pull through when he saw Sairaorg and his peerage just arrived as well.

"Yo Masaru, you came on time" Hearing Sairaorg being sarcastic was really an eye-opener for Masaru.

Masaru burst out laughing but still greeted his friend, "How has it been Mr Muscle?"

Sairaorg smirked before smacking Masaru's shoulder but then he felt something strange, his friend's body felt tougher compared to before. "Your body feels like a dragon"

"Yep, I underwent a transformation thanks to Tiamat" Masaru explained to his friend what happened, Sairaorg was not bothered as he naturally came to understand his friend who was different from him. But the two of them shared something indistinct the same, both of them loved battling with their dreams as stake. Sairaorg still learnt quite a great deal of things from Masaru especially the Touki.

"Evening Ingvild, Akeno..." Kuisha greeted the girls of Masaru's peerage, it was a shame there was only girls in Masaru's peerage so the other guys of Sairaorg's peerage could only give a light greeting before the two groups went deeper inside of the venue.

"Have you heard that they intend to have us play a Youth Tournament?" Masaru asked with Sairaorg who looked quite eager for this tournament.

"I did, when it is our time to fight I hope that the two of us can give it everything we got" Sairaorg said with an earnest tone.

Masaru smirked at his friend who really just want to fight stronger people to train his body, well he himself is no different so he could relate "You best not lose till you meet me"

Diodora was together with his nun peerage who was wearing black robes over their nun outfits, it was quite a sight for Ichika and Yui who managed to see the eyes looking strange, oddly broken.

They did not keep staring at them for long however Masaru could see from a distance Diodora was looking at him with anger, probably because Masaru was not there to "stop" Rias and her peerage from ruining his plan to save Asia but he would not have stopped them anyway since it was not his territory. But this fool needed someone to take the blame and he chose Masaru instead of Rias.

'Wonder if Shalba is going to get rid of him once he outlives his usefulness?' Masaru thought while spotting Seekvaira waving at him so he went over to greet her.

"Good evening Masaru!" Seekvaira greeted each of the girls afterwards before returning her attention to Masaru which was oddly vigorous.

"Masaru! Did you create that Magical Girl transformation bracelet!?"Seekvaira asked with an excited tone but kept it soft enough so others could not hear it.

Masaru was wondering what in the world could make this girl so excited but to think it was Magical Girl, he was truly surprised once again that this serious girl was such a huge fan of magical girl but unlike Sona, she was open about it. "You want one?"

Seekvaira nodded like a hen pecker at Masaru's question, Masaru smiled wryly as he said "Just call them and get them to call one of the girls and they will process your order first"

Seekvaira would have jumped and hugged Masaru if it was not for the surrounding public. "Thank you!"

Even her peerage was looking at her with warm eyes since they knew she was really a massive Magical Girl fan, they did not forget to give their thanks to Masaru who was always being kind to their master.

Zephyrdor also arrived with his peerage but unlike the first time he met Masaru, he was quite well behaved since the moment Masaru's peerage all spotted him their eyes were looking at him oddly like he was a walking punching bag which made him felt a strange dread feeling he should not cause trouble tonight.

Soon Rias and her peerage entered as well, the attention that was on Masaru's girls were now pulled towards Rias, which Masaru was grateful for so now he could relaxedly chat with Seekvaira in hopes to gain her cooperation in order to create a time stopping inventory bracelet like the one he has.

"Strange seeing the two of you speaking quite eagerly tonight" Although it had a trace of envy in the tone because of the Stoic face it was hard to discern how this girl at times felt like this, Sona glanced at Masaru.

"Evening Sona, you look beautiful tonight" Sona looked at Masaru, it held a trace of pity but also wanted to laugh since she knew her sister pulled him regardless into her anime show, and now she had no idea how to face him.

"Evening Masaru, or is it now Demon King" Sona said with a gentle smile, Masaru smiled warmer than the other title so he did not feel embarrassed other than wearing tights as a costume.

"Heh, at least I got rid of the annoying title" Sona giggled before she carried on to greet the rest.

Masaru went to stand with his girls chatting with them leisurely since it was only a meet and greet for the younger generation and it appears the troublemakers were all behaving since the last time a Zephyrdor punching bag displayed to them what happens when they cause trouble in a party.

"Evening Ingvild, Ichika, Sakura, Akeno..." Rias came to greet the girls and Issei was next to them,

"Go-Good Evening Masaru-sama" Masaru looked at Issei nodded, he was surprised to see his stupid disciple learnt some manners.

"Evening Issei, it appears your training did you some good... Hope my father-in-law did not burn you did he?" Masaru said as he knew that Tannin trained Issei during this holiday

Issei was a bit confused but Masaru answered it for him, "Tannin, Everest is the daughter of Tannin"

"Eh!? She is the daughter of Old man Tannin?" Issei glanced at Everest in surprise, this was the last thing he expected to learn at the party.

Masaru chuckled calling a ex-Dragon King an old man surely suits him from the manner he acts, "Yeah, so how are you holding up with the learning of our world?"

Issei rubbed the back of his head with a troubled expression "Difficult, too difficult... I can only be thankful for the fact most customs are similar to how it is back at my home so some things I could grasp easily"

Masaru nodded as he understood the pain to learn all these things, it was lucky he learnt all this while he was young through Calfa "Since you know, then you best take your studies seriously and train hard. You don't want to embarrass Rias, right?"

Issei nodded slamming his fist against his chest, "I will become the strongest pawn for Buchou.... For Rias Gremory"

Masaru could see a trace of fear in this boy's eyes, he chose to ignore as it was not his job to get involved in situations like this so when Rias went with Issei to greet the others Masaru stood behind Ingvild and embraced her silently, "Eh? Masaru, Something wrong?"

Masaru shook his head with a wry smile, "No, but if I ever show a fearful face when looking at you girls... Please slap me out of it"

Masaru muttered softly closing his eyes, Ingvild glanced at Masaru as she knew he felt a bit worried for Issei who was fearful of girls despite saying he wanted to become a Harem King. It could not be helped, since the number of male friends Masaru had close to his age, were few although a pervert was included in there.

After a while, everyone was called into a theatre with a stage where one of the announcers was standing, on the second floor was the chairs where all the high ranking noble Devils were sitting and the lower Ranking Nobles was on the ground floor behind the younger generation kings and their peerages.

"Now then before we head off to our peace treaty party where we can celebrate the start of our Alliance of Peace between the three factions we have to first look at our younger generations... Each of them come from promising families and displayed a variety of talents!" The Announcer spoke, normally it would have been Sirzech but he was currently dealing with something more important.

"For the future of our world will be in their hands... So let's hear them state their dreams or goals they wish to achieve for the future!" The Announcer called out allowing the Nobles to all applause, this was actually only a stage set up for the Younger Devils to garner support form Families in order to pursue their dreams or goals if the families could get benefits from it.

Several younger devils were called including Zephyrdor, each of them was quite monotone about becoming the head of the family nothing new but when Diodora came on the stage, "I want to build a mansion which will hold my Nun collections"

The nobles were applauding quite loudly at this, Masaru turned his head around to mark them who was applauding so he could investigate them. 'No matter how much I look at this, this is simply too strange. To dare say such a thing while we have a treaty with Heaven?'

Masaru was quite perplexed about the strange atmosphere, next was Sairaorg, just as he was honest and blunt "I will become a Devil King!"

Short and powerful, he did not add any fancy lines or anything. Just a simple goal and dream that he will attain not hope to. That was so like him.

The atmosphere became more comfortable when Sairaorg spoke, so it was not so gloomy so Rias could go up the stage and declare she would become the Rating Game champion but this time the Nobles applaud but the voices of how Masaru held the same goal was definitely heard, this meant the nobles had to choose between the two.

However it was finally Sona's turn, she went onto the stage and declared her dream "I will start a Rating Game School".

One of the nobles raised his hand before speaking "We already have them, what would make yours different?"

"Mine will be for the Low and Mid-Class Devils" Sona explained,

When the nobles heard this they began to laugh while mocking it, what they did not take note of was Masaru who stood up as he planned since he knew it would happen, since the day Sona first shared her dream with him he knew, she would face such harsh opposition.

Saji and Sona's peerage were all enduring this humiliation as Sona already told them it would happen, Saji wanted to stand up but Masaru pushed him back down shaking his head as Saji understood he was only a pawn and a reincarnated devil, him standing up will only cause troubles.

"Ara ara" Akeno sighed while Rias was surprised at Masaru who stood up walking onto the stage,

"What is Masaru doing?" Rias asked with a surprised voice.

Ichika was the one to answer in Akeno's place, "What he already planned to do from the start"

The girls were watching Masaru walking onto the stage, he glanced disdainfully at the nobles while releasing his killing intent to silence the entire hallway. The room temperature dropped by several degrees, although many could endure Masaru's killing intent's pressure it was still a shocking sight to see him challenge them so openly.

"So this is the nobles of the Devils?" Masaru asked, he knew this would happen but he still could not help becoming colder when he witnessed it.

"You know, I find it funny... How you all are acting just like the old satan faction heads did when we challenged their rule..." Masaru said with a mocking smile, looking at the nobles like they were fools.

Normally they would argue but to be compared with the hated enemy they faced to survive? "They too mocked you all like weakling bugs, they could step on any time they want... Never would you have a chance to become heads of families or even create extra families as you know the old Pillar Family will not allow any other than their families to grow into nobles".

The atmosphere became quite heavier than before, the topic of the internal war was something not openly talked of and being compared with the old satan lords was not a good feeling for the nobles. Because the fact that it did suit this occassion too perfectly. "You know what makes it worse, you fools applaud to someone who declares making nuns his collection, not women, not lover, but a collection like toys. And that is knowing the fact we have a peace alliance with Heavens, are you guys looking down on the Devil Kings? on Heavens? or the entire Alliance?"

Sona who was enduring not to cry as she knew this too would happen that they would mock her yet... 'Why? Why is it when I am in trouble you would always come out... and save me again'

She who chose to ignore her feelings of love in order to become a true head for the Family in order to make her family and sister proud, for the first time placed her dreams first instead of the family despite the consequences as this was her wish.

Her very own first wish she thought for herself the day Rias pulled her to go to a human school, she fell in love with it, liberty in Education. No status, all equally holding rights to study as students. Even Serafall was about to stand up but when she saw Masaru, she waited to see what this boy would do but to think he would remind the nobles of their history.

"Now you all, are doing the same thing again... I wonder as a younger generation will history repeat itself? Will the current nobles lead our kind to another bloodshed because of their so stuck up on their titles that they forgot their history..." Masaru looked at the nobles who averted their eyes,

"You must be wondering why am I, an heir talking down on you? Because I hold enough power and influence to do so, I have seen the heads who mocked this girl's head. So I will say it here, you will not have any part in participating in her dream as I will support it fully... And by the time you realize the potential this dream hold if you imitate it in any way? It will be crushed" Masaru said with a cold voice with his killing intent fully exposed.

"You---" Masaru smiled at the first noble who lost his control over his anger,

"Yes, me. Do you all really think mocking the sister of a Devil King comes without consequences?" Masaru said with a sneer,

Hearing this question they soon realized who this girl they mocked, they knew it but were reminded since they were to focused on her ridiculous dreams they forgot, Serafall Leviathan that would attack heavens for her sister, all of them had a cold sweat running down their backs realizing their troubles.

"Yes! You all dare to insult my So-Tan don't make me come blast you all with the Magical Bomb I learnt recently!" Serafall screamed with tears at the corner of her eyes, the nobles were troubled to accept if this girl was serious or joking form how she acted. But they knew instinctively this woman was dead serious.

It was troubling how they should express it on their faces, being faced this way made their once gloating feeling become complicated.

"The Devil Kings are only three teams who have to protect the devil world, but there are more than 60 territories around the world of Devils" Masaru said with a bright smile, his underlining meaning was a silent warning to say if enemies attack the devil kings could simply ignore their lands to protect other important places.

Masaru turned around to Sona nodding towards her "Even if no one approves of your dreams, know that I, Masaru Belial approves of it. because this era needs it"

Masaru turned around after saying that, heading down the stage, Sona soon followed after him as she whispered "Thank you"

Masaru simply smiled but he was called back on the stage again.

"To think I have to declare my dream right after a lecture" Masaru spoke while having a troubled face but the nobles who did not mock Sona were all laughing at him, he was really a wonder child making a tense atmosphere become so relaxed with a simple joke.

"My dream is simple but difficult... I will reach the top, not rating games... not politic ranks... I will reach the top where ranks and politics no longer matter to me. And become the strongest above Ophis herself" Masaru declared.

Masaru bowed before heading down the stage, although the nobles were applauding but to hear a devil wants to become stronger than Ophis? Is this kid alright in his head?

"You dare mock my dream!? I challenge you to a Rating Game!" Diodora called out just as Masaru was on the first step down, Masaru stopped looked at him smiling quite excitedly.

Sirzech stood up as he already received information of Diodora's betrayal, now the man gave himself up for a beating he will naturally grasp it "This is a good idea, We can have two exhibition matches before the official Younger generation Rating Games. We can have Rias against Sona in a match, and Masaru against Diodora"

Masaru who heard this thought 'You really can read my mind, just what I was hoping for'

The target of his speech was Diodora, the reason for this was Masaru wanted to scan the snake which Ophis gave to everyone in Khaos Brigade but he could not scan the three... No two remaining original Satan descendants, He wanted to know how this snake works within the body and how to stop it or perhaps... Imitate it.

"YEAH! My So-tan will show you all how strong she is and shut you all up!" Serafall made sure to get her to say in since she was thoroughly furious at this old nobles especially when she heard Masaru's speech held the truth in it.

Especially the Diodora part as Serafall was certain if Ajuka was not reported dead so he could hide in the shadows Diodora would not have been so bold to say such things in the open.

>\/<

"Oh! That boy is going to fight in a Rating game huh? You do have a seat for me right?" Odin spoke with Sirzech as he wanted to see Masaru in action, however, he was interested in the Red dragon as well

"The two matches will be held separately in two days so we can watch both matches" Sirzech explained making Odin feel quite satisfied with the arrangement, there was one more party they had to attend for him to sign the peace treaty with the Devils before he will sign it with the local gods of Japan in order to trade.

"But to think that boy would do something you all were meant to do... Will he be fine?" Odin asked,

"Just as he said, he has enough power and influence. This was the reason we supported him and his family to grow strong enough was all for this day, besides nothing he said was wrong just... a Reminder" Sirzech said with a sly smile.

Odin laughed his butt off, "Reminder? That boy threatened the Nobles into realizing if enemies attacked they might go down first because they mocked a sister of a devil king!"

Sirzech chuckled since it was the truth, after the four devil kings were also lectured by Masaru about how they should manage the devil world and how to make it a reality where the status would not be used for suppression. Cullings may be required as the last resort. "I would do it if they mocked Rias... Serafall will do it as well..."

Michael who there was feeling quite amused and thankful for Masaru, "I approve of this boy, I just hope you can deal with this"

Sirzech nodded, "I will have Masaru check the state of the girls first, once we have the information we can then move from there. Hopefully, we can save them, although we will have Ajuka research a way to return them back to being humans."

Michael nodded feeling satisfied this boy stood up for them and the alliance, but more so for Heavens. He smiled thinking it was really, ironic. A Devil stood up for their archnemesis in such way. Just how much more interesting can this world become, now that God was gone.