(TPD) Chapter 48: The Next Era

Chapter 48: The Next Era

After an awfully lengthy, and questionably detailed explanation from Avalon. Venelana finally started to grasp what was about to happen not only in the Underworld, but Heaven, and the Human World as well.

Not that knowing what was going on made it any easier to come to terms with, for the three main factions to all come together out of the blue, with the backing of the Greek Pantheon—wasn't something she expected to see happen in her lifetime.

And less than a decade after the Supremacy War, no less.

"You and Lady Leviathan already agreed to this?" But standing there in silent stupor wasn't going to clear anything up for her, so she forced herself to remain composed.

"Lady Leviathan?" He tilted his head, "Who's that?"

She breathed an exasperated sigh, "Levi-tan."

"Oh," he nodded his understanding. "Yeah, we both agreed."

"Don't you think making a decision like that on the fly was a little rash?"

"Rash? How so?"

"Levi-tan might not encounter any issues, since peace is something your brother's been wanting for a long time now." She pinched her nose-bridge, "However, don't you think Zekram might have an issue or two with you springing this on her without prior confrontation? You're going to have to get the Great King Faction on board as well after all."

He furrowed his brow, proceeding to scratch his chin and seemingly fall deep into thought, something everyone around him wished he'd do more often.

"No, it'll be fine."

"What makes you say that?"

"It just will," he replied with unwavering confidence and a bright smile.

I can't even find it in me to be surprised anymore, she deadpanned, ultimately deciding it was for the best to just leave the matter to the debate intellect of her son and Serafall, and shift the conversation to something that was more of a personal issue.

"Well, she's your wife, so I'll just trust that you know what you're doing." She exhaled, "About Rias—"

"I know," Avalon interjected, carrying a significantly more somber demeanor with him. "It'll be tough, extremely tough for her in the future. Everyone will expect her to follow the same path as us three, regardless of what she wants to do."

She fidgeted a little, "Is there anything we can do?"

"Well, there is the option of keeping her sheltered from the outside world, but that'll just lead to even more issues in the long run."

Venelana nodded her agreement, as much as she wanted to keep her daughter protected from the pressure she was bound to face, that method wasn't one a responsible parent would entertain.

"If I'm being honest, I think it's for the best that she's prepared for the position of Archduke as much as possible. Even if she's not as physically gifted, if she becomes an exceptional Archduke, nobody will be able to complain."

"And if she doesn't want to be Archduke?"

He sighed, "We both know how the Underworld works, if you truly want to have the freedom to do as you please, you need to be exceptionally strong." He deliberated for a moment, "Or more accurately, you need to be perceived as strong."

Avalon obviously planned to change the Underworld for the better, especially the rampant classism that prevented Low Class Devils from even having a chance to prove themselves—however, the concept of the strong deserving to have everything wasn't something he could change.

He could improve everyone's lives as much as they wanted, the Devil genome would always adore strength, now and forever.

"It sounds like you have an idea," she noticed his suggestive tone.

"If she can have a strong enough peerage, and make her way into at least the Top 10," he hummed in reconsideration. "No, the Top 5 of the Rating Games—then that should be enough of a feat to allow herself to choose a path other than that of Archduke, without being shamed by the public."

"I can see the logic in that," she hesitated. "But that's much easier said than done, you're suggesting that she find a strong enough peerage to compensate aren't you?"

"Yes, maybe having you pass on some wisdom on nurturing a peerage to her would prove useful. She's still young, so there's plenty of time to get her prepared."

"You do realize you're only 5 years older than her right?" Venelana raised her brow.

I'm technically 34 now if I combine both my lives, but I see your point.

"Fair enough, but the point is she'll have a different landscape to deal with when she's older from what me and Adaloth had," he just hoped that his efforts would make it a much better one. "She'll have different challenges to tackle, and different skills that she'll need to acquire."

There was still a long time before her journey would officially begin, so while now was a good time to start thinking about her future, it wasn't yet time to act on it.

"If that doesn't end up being feasible, then the final option is to try to help her become a Super Devil from scratch." His posture made it clear that he didn't have a whole lot of faith in his suggestion.

"Is such a thing even possible?"

"Only in theory, and usually those with the potential to do so are born with some kind of condition that could be nurtured to that degree." He began to recollect what he learned from Ajuka, "Diehauser was a candidate at some point in time, but his strength has plateaued for a while now. Besides him, the only other person we've been looking at is Sairaorg."

"Misla's son?" It took her moment to recall that Sairaorg was being trained by Avalon.

"He has a peculiar mutation, and though it isn't one that puts him immediately on the same level as a Super Devil, we think with the proper training, and some external aid—he might be the first one to pull it off."

"So it all comes down to circumstance," Venelana exhaled.

"Unfortunately—yes, becoming a Super Devil whether it's through birth, or sheer effort, will always require a bit of luck sprinkled in there." If everyone could be a Super-Class being just through hard-work alone, then the Old Satan Faction would have crushed the Anti-Satan Faction during the Civil War because of the time they had lived in comparison to most of those fighting against them.

"I guess I should start looking for some good potential peerage candidates, it's a shame a certain someone just had to take all the young talent for himself." She playfully jabbed him.

"Guilty as charged," he chuckled, sheepishly scratching his cheek.

"How long are you two going to spend here whispering to each other?" Adaloth approached them, with an irritable expression on her face as a result of the lack of food in her stomach.

"Where's Rias?" Venelana queried.

"She fell asleep out of nowhere," Adaloth shrugged. "I think she might have some kind of illness or something."

"It's normal for children to take naps," Venelana shook her head. "It's you two who were born with an abnormal amount of energy for your age."

Adaloth mused, children are strange creatures. The one I create however, will have no such defects.

"Anyhow, I'm sure you're both quite famished from all the traveling you've been doing. So let's have some lunch shall we?"

Their stomachs appeared to be quite fond of the idea.

---

Even though it had only been a little over a day since Avalon had departed from the Bael Clan's Castle, yet the imposing structure's master found the out of character silence, and distinct lack of painstaking trouble his presence brought—somewhat discomforting.

Like an uneven slice taken out of a cake, it didn't really mean all that much, but it still bothered her to an unnatural degree.

No, I should be glad that I have some peace and quiet. Well deserved peace and quiet, might I add.

Zekram reclined into her chair, her posture softening as she calmly took a sip of herbal-tea that Albedo had prepared for her in order to ease her nerves.

What could possibly require someone of her caliber to require a relaxant?

Well, the answer lied no further than the silver-haired woman sitting opposite her, Rizevim Livan Lucifer herself.

And while her presence was already enough of an annoyance from Zekram's perspective, the news she had brought with her only worsened her discontent.

As per her character, Rizevim fancied herself a bit of a snitch, telling Zekram about what Avalon had agreed to during the meeting that Oshino had arranged, merely for the sake of the self-satisfaction his wife's reaction brought her.

"I see, so he agreed to an alliance on behalf of the Great King Faction, without my consent." She took another sip from her cup, a cold, threatening smile creeping up her face shortly after. "I guess I have been a little too lenient with him, as it would seem, some admonishment is required."

Rizevim did everything to withhold a smile, the venom in Zekram's tone being nothing but music to her ears.

Sorry Avalon, but I just couldn't pass on the opportunity to get a rise out of my half-sister, watching her get mad is just far too entertaining.

"I'll admit, he's quite the character, even by my standards." Rizevim chuckled, "However, I never pegged you for the type to marry someone so—cordial." Her tone shifted, as if there was a hint of spite laced amongst her words.

Zekram sighed, "Times have changed Rizevim. No one's interested in Lucifer's doctrine on how a Devil should behave anymore, you should've realized that when someone of Sirzechs' temperament assumed the throne. Empathy, for better or for worse, now has a place in the Underworld."

"Empathy is nothing but a self-inflicted weak spot," she narrowed her eyes. "However, while the new generation might not understand that basic concept, I didn't think you of all people would humor such a person."

Zekram paused, setting her teacup aside and meeting Rizevim's statement with a threatening glare.

"You aren't suggesting that I've gone soft have you?" The very notion of it alone was more than enough to infuriate the Bael Ancestor.

"Maybe not soft in general, but I wouldn't discard the possibility that you've gone soft for him," naturally—Rizevim's confidence in her own strength left her free to speak her mind as much as she pleased. "After all, you had your last husband whipped like a dog, before you killed him that is. Avalon on the other hand doesn't seem to be as chained as I imagined he'd be from marrying you."

That was an understatement, from the way Avalon had behaved during the meeting, Rizevim was confident he was as free as could be, something that wasn't supposed to go hand in hand when you were involved with Zekram—and certainly not to the degree that he was involved with her.

"He's got the same genome as you, and his brother's just as infuriatingly strong as you are, if not more. Do you honestly believe I'd be foolish enough to try something with those circumstances taken into account?"

Rizevim hummed thoughtfully, drumming her fingers across her armrest while carefully scrutinizing her half-sister's posture.

"Then I can only conclude that you've gone soft, the Zekram I know would never use a tool she didn't have complete control over."

"If that's what you believe, then you clearly don't know me well enough."

Tap! Tap! Tap!

All of a sudden, they heard the sound of something tapping against the window beside them, the corners of Rizevim's mouth curling upwards for some reason.

Zekram leaned to her side, prying open the curtains, and immediately greeting herself with a sight that seemed to drain all the color from her face.

"Honey! I'm back! Did you miss me? No! You don't need to answer that! I know you did!"

Avalon was hanging down from a thread spiderman style, happily waving at Zekram through the window with a pink teddy bear in his hands.

"It's awfully windy today," Zekram said to herself in a robotic tone, immediately closing the curtains. "It's almost like the breeze is trying to speak to me."

"Mou! That wasn't very nice Honey!" But the second she turned around, Avalon's pouting figure was somehow already standing right beside her.

How in the actual fu—

But before she could even finish her thought, she was wrapped in a tight hug by her husband who seemed to practically be ignoring Rizevim's presence. "Look! I got a present for you!" He put the teddy bear in her arms, a teddy bear, that had a blindfold around it for some reason.

His hair has gone full white… Sigh, I guess it's better to be mono-colored than have that abomination of a pattern he was sporting before.

"What is this even supposed to be?" She frowned, awkwardly holding the stuffed animal in her hand.

"It's me obviously! So you don't get lonely while I'm gone," he smiled triumphantly, tightening his hug while rubbing his cheek against hers'.

"First of all, you were only gone a day. Second of all, I don't get lonely, quite the opposite really. And third of all," she pinched his ear, dragging his head downwards. "Where did you get the idea that you could agree to a tri-faction alliance on the Great King Faction's behalf without my consent?"

"Owowowowowow! Peace is a good thing isn't it? I thought it'd be fine."

She pulled harder, "You were sent up there to listen, and relay what you learned back to me so we could decide together. Not to force us into a world-changing situation."

"Then are you saying we'd be able to take down Ophis, the Old Satan Faction, the Malebranche, and the Longinus down all by ourselves?" He raised his brow, bringing up a fairly solid point. "We both know that's not possible, and besides, why have enemies when we can have friends instead?"

From the start, Zekram had always known why Avalon accepted the position of Great King.

And now that reason was showing itself.

The world was going to change, and he was going to support it with all his strength if it was the last thing he did.

The only thing she hadn't anticipated, was how quick that change had come.

Good grief, Zekram exhaled. Our lives last for millenia, yet you insist on living yours like you hardly even have a decade left. You're destined to crash and burn if you don't pace yourself, my foolishly empathetic husband.

"Since you've given me no other choice, I'll have to arrange a meeting for the Great King Faction while Serafall and your brother get the rest of the government on board," she narrowed her eyes. "Can I trust you not to stir up any more trouble in the meantime?"

He saluted, "Yes, Ma'am!"

"Also," Zekram glanced from side to side. "Where's Adaloth?" It was very uncharacteristic of the Ruin Empress not to be clinging to Avalon's side 24/7.

"Adaloth?" He scratched his temple, "Oh, I think I left her at the store where I picked up the teddy bear."

At least she'll be able to take out the frustration you've brought me on my behalf.

---

The following day, five gatherings were adjourned.

One for Heaven, where all of the Seraphs were summoned by Michael to discuss what Oshino had proposed, alongside the agreement written by himself, Azazel, and Serafall.

One for the Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox Church led by Sylvia Strada, who wasn't confident that she'd be able to get them on board, but at the very least was determined to keep them from rioting.

One for Grigori, where Azazel and his remaining Cadres were given a chance to discuss not only the terms that had been written up, but the confirmed existence of True Longinus, and Annihilation Maker being in the hands of the opposition.

One for the Underworld's Four Great Satans, where Serafall relayed everything that had been organized in Naoetsu Town—which naturally ended up being strongly backed by Sirzechs, granted, Falbium and Ajuka didn't really seem to care what happened either way.

And last but not least, the Underworld's Great King Faction, led by Zekram Bael and the current Great King, Avalon Bael. Naturally, none of them were even remotely fond of the idea of collaborating with their age-old enemies—however, none of them wanted to meet the same alleged fate of Sylas Bael, which led them to ultimately fall in line.

And the announcement came, an announcement that shook all three realms, as well as the currently uninvolved Pantheons who invariably received the news from afar.

The Longinus.

The remnants of the Old Satan Faction.

The Malebranche.

And last but not least, the Infinity Dragon, the only being said to rival the Red Dream itself, Ophis.

Fear, confusion, disbelief, anger—every emotion on every side of the scale could be felt, in the blink of an eye, the world had been met with the revelation that chaos had been brewing right beneath their noses, and for quite some time.

The message was clear, unification, or mutual annihilation. Leaving the question of whether people valued their hatred of each other more than their own self-preservation.

A question, which only had one answer for a sane mind.

"Are you kidding me? I'm not about to sit here and let some Dragon and a bunch of old fogeys wipe me out!"

You couldn't hate if you were dead after all.

Therefore, a more official, binding conference was called. One that would take place in the Greek Pantheon, signaling the first time in history, that all three factions would actually be on the same page as one another.

--

I kinda felt like I was writing a massive nothing burger as of late, so I think it's time we kick up the pace.

Plot mode engaged!