Chapter 76: The True Heir

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Some time had passed since Takauji had brought Millicas home, the latter unpacking, eating, and changing into sportswear as he headed towards the outdoor training area that had been prepared for them. 

Venelana, Chysis, and one other figure were all watching from a set of chairs as Takauji and Millicas stood opposite one another. 

He was a middle-aged, handsome man with long crimson hair tied into a loose ponytail by a black hairband. He had bright blue eyes just like Chysis, and a goatee with two strange protrusions on it, like horns or fangs. 

Zeoticus Gremory, the current head of the Gremory Household after Chysis had passed on the title to him. Who had just come back from a meeting with Lord Sitri.

"So that's the Dragon my son hired," he scratched his chin. "Is he really the same age as my daughter?" 

"That's what we're both wondering." Venelana replied. "Then again, our ages aren't exactly conveyed through our appearances either so who are we to judge?" 

"Fair point." 

"I also have my doubts about Pandora-sama's age," all three of the onlookers jolted in their seats. Startled by Alucard deciding to appear out of nowhere. 

"Who's this?" Zeoticus asked. 

"My name is Alucard, I am Pandora-sama's servant." She introduced herself. "I hope I didn't startle you too much, Lord Zeoticus Gremory." 

"Only a little," he didn't want to admit that his heart nearly jumped out of his chest in front of his wife. "Are you the Vampire my wife was telling me about?" 

"That is indeed me," she looked towards where Millicas and Takauji were standing. "Ah, it would seem they're about to begin." 

Everyone but Alucard felt a bit of unease welling in their stomachs, hoping nothing bad would happen to Millicas. 

"What would you say is the most important factor that determines one's strength?" Takauji started off by asking. Intending to give Millicas as much time as he needed to ponder. 

"I mean, strength is the culmination of numerous factors coming together isn't it?" 

"Yes, and I'm asking you which of those factors is the most important." 

"Talent?" 

"Mhm, talent is a big one. But if talent were the most important then Saiaorg Bael wouldn't exist." 

"Then what about control?" 

"Control is also a good one, control is what enables us to make proper use of the tools we're given. Control is what allows us to make our power do what we want it to, and not the other way around." 

"But that's not the most important either?" 

Takauji shook his head. "No, it isn't. Sometimes too much control, or the fear of a lack of it holds people back from realizing their true potential. Control is close to the answer, but it's not it." 

Using the hint he had been given, Millicas wracked his brain. Trying to connect the dots and figure out what Takauji was looking for. 

And then it clicked. 

"Instinct?" 

Everyone noticed Takauji's face lit up with pride, an expression he very rarely wore. 

It actually made him appear warmer than usual.

"Yes!" He ruffled Millicas's hair. "Instinct can make all the difference even between two people with the exact same skill-set, with instinct you can attain perfect control without so much as breaking a sweat. With instinct you can surpass talent with nothing but your body and mind. Instinct is a very powerful thing Millicas, those who can master it are destined for success." 

"But how do you master instinct? Isn't it something you're just born with?" 

"It varies, for some creatures it's as easy as breathing, for others not so much." 

"What about you?" 

Takauji let out an eerie smile. 

His instincts were potent, and he made good use of them. 

However, at the end of the day he was despair. If he truly gave into his instincts without any control whatsoever, everything around him would end up rotting just like his flames. 

Dragons who had lost all restraint were put into two categories. 

One, they were an Evil Dragon. 

Or two, they had entered [Outrage]. 

And with Takauji's constitution, him entering [Outrage] would be nothing short of an absolute disaster. 

Maybe even calamitous enough to wake up the real Midgardsormr.

"You'll have to earn that answer I'm afraid, I can't give out too many freebies now can I?" Millicas grumbled, able to sense that he wouldn't budge on that matter. "Now then, let's do some practical learning." 

He looked at Alucard, getting an affirmative nod from his servant. 

The pentagrams on the back of their hands ignited, an ominous presence crawling out of his shadow as the sound of ferocious growling polluted the atmosphere. 

He had summoned a Baskerville, one of the demonic hounds Alucard had used against him during their battle. 

Takauji put his hand on the hound's head, petting it lightly. "He'll be your training partner for today, since we're starting off simple all you have to do is beat him with whatever method you please." 

"Is that safe?" Venelana asked, a justifiable worry plastered all over her face as she looked at Alucard. 

"You needn't worry, Pandora-sama wouldn't make use of one if he didn't believe your grandson was capable." 

Millicas took a deep breath, he was rather inexperienced when it came to actual combat since he seldom engaged in it. But that didn't mean he wasn't incapable of it. 

"If you think it's too much for you I can find something else for you to fight." Takauji said with a knowing smile. 

"No, I'll do it." He replied with a resolute expression. 

"Very well." Takauji stepped back, motioning with his hand for the Baskerville to do as it pleased. 

As per its carnal nature, the hound wasted no time initiating the fight. Sprinting towards Millicas at 90 km/h, speed rivaling that of a cheetah.

But the child didn't waver, summoning multiple orbs created from his [Power of Destruction] behind him and creating a finger gun with his hand. 

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

With control far beyond anyone his age should be capable of, Millicas accurately hit the hound square in the torso with three spheres of destruction, not missing a single shot. 

"Don't get complacent just yet." Takauji cautioned. 

Even though the hound's toros had been split in two, its blood and flesh started to mend with one another again. Reattaching its mangled body whole again, the creature snickering like a hyena as it glared at Millicas. 

"Pandora-sama really is an interesting master, my Baskervilles grew in intelligence as a result of me binding myself to him. Before they were only capable of acting like rabid dogs without my input." Alucard added, not doing much to ease Venelana's worry. 

"How did it reattach its body like that?" Chysis asked. 

"My Baskerville's share my ability to use [Blood Manipulation], allowing them to heal wounds and injuries that would otherwise be impossible." 

"Wait, you aren't telling me they're immortal are you?" 

"Of course not, if the entirety of their body is destroyed in one go they won't be able to regenerate. [Holy Power] and [Light Magic] also serve as a great detriment to this ability, granted the density used is potent enough." 

"Even so, isn't that a bit too much for Millicas to handle?" 

Alucard shook her head. "It's like I said Lady Chysis, he has great faith in Lord Millicas's abilities." 

"Why? This is his first time meeting him. How would he know what he is and isn't capable of already?" 

"I assure you, his eyes are capable of seeing a great deal. I believe it best for you to observe Lord Millicas's performance for yourself, that should make it easier to understand." 

Millicas thought of using his [Power of Destruction] again, but with the Baskerville's speed it wouldn't be possible to prepare and aim and attack strong enough to get rid of its entire body in one go. 

But that wouldn't stop him, as long as he could guarantee a direct hit he could win.

Instead of using the power he had inherited from his paternal side, he decided to make use of his maternal side. 

Magic circles started to appear around the charging Baskerville, crimson chains created from his [Demonic Power] binding in its place as the creature struggled to break free. A binding spell called [Ligare] he had learned from his mother. 

But the hound grinned, ripping off chunks of its own body in an attempt to break free and regenerate itself afterwards with [Blood Manipulation], an idea it wouldn't have been able to come up with on its own if not for Takauji. 

"You're underestimating me." 

Millicas made a pose with his hands that would make Makima proud, the chains starting to twist and coil around the hound's body, making it progressively harder and harder for it to move. 

And then the chains lit up, being infused with his [Power of Destruction] and digging into its body. Thoroughly annihilating the hound from the inside out.

"See? You should have more faith in Lord Millicas." Alucard remarked. 

The spectators were left somewhat speechless, they all knew Millicas was strong. He was the son of the Crimson Satan and the Strongest Queen after all. 

But seeing him actually use his strength in a battle scenario was different, serving as a good wake-up call for them. 

This is what genuine talent looked like. 

"Well done." Takauji clapped slowly as he approached his student. "Your control over you [Demonic Power] is exceptional, it'll serve you well." 

"Thank you." 

"Tell me Millicas, what is your goal? What are you hoping to achieve in the future?" 

"I want to be a Satan, like my father." He responded without hesitation. 

Takauji smiled, if he had settled for something as meaningless as the head of the Gremory Household he probably would've slugged him, child or not. 

"That's a good goal, I can say with certainty that you have the physical talent needed for the role. But I'm sure you already know that strength alone isn't enough?" 

"Yes, father has been teaching me the qualities needed for a Satan when he has time." 

"And what are those qualities?" 

"Belief in your people." 

"Mhm." 

"A good sense of justice." 

"Definitely, a good leader must be just."

"Strength of the mind." 

"Indeed, without resolve leading an entire race just isn't possible." 

"But most importantly, wisdom." 

Takauji smiled again, nodding with fierce approval. "Absolutely, without wisdom one cannot differentiate leadership between privilege and responsibility. You were taught well. Have you started to form your peerage yet?" 

"My peerage? No, I haven't received my Evil Pieces yet."

Takauji lifted his eyebrows, genuinely shocked. "What? Why not?" 

"I'm not sure, I think it's because I'm still too young?" He scratched his cheek with equal confusion. 

"Nonsense. If you want to become a Satan it's important you get your pieces now, once you start nurturing your own servants you'll be able to understand what leadership is in greater depth than you already do." 

Rias Gremory could have Evil Pieces with her subpar talent and mediocre leadership, but Millicas couldn't with his undeniable superiority in both fields? Not on his watch. 

Takauji pulled out his phone, fiercely tapping away for some reason.

"What are you doing?" 

"Arranging a meeting so I can yell at your father." Millicas wrote it off as a joke, but Takauji was dead-serious. "You should go get some rest for now, I have a good grasp on what you need working on so I'll have a training menu prepared for you by morning." 

"Thank you for the lesson." He bowed. 

"And thank you for giving me the pleasure of teaching you." He smiled warmly, waving Millicas off as he went to get ready for bed. 

Takauji then used [Vanishing Step] to approach the spectators, his speed making him look like he teleported from their perspective.

"Your grandson shows immense promise." 

"You like him?" Venelana asked. 

"Yeah, I see a lot of value in training him." His expression hardened a little. "So, anyone planning on telling me why such a promising student hasn't received his Evil Pieces already?" 

A sense of dread lingered over them, Takauji looking like he was about to burn each of them to a crisp. 

Out of a stark sense of self-preservation, both Venelana and Chysis pointed to Zeoticus. 

"Eh? Me? Wait–"

"I see." Takauji grabbed him by the collar, dragging him away like a serial killer. "Let's have a chat shall we?"