21 Ch. 21 Days off in Azura
Since I've managed to accomplish my immediate goals and then some, I decided to spend time with my new charges and lady love during the next few days.
I could do that since I'm not stupid enough to not set up a proper supporting staff which would take on a good amount of my work load. Brainwashing does wonder against corruption and fuck ups, with great compensation and benefits helping.
And everything was going swimmingly since the upsurge in immigrants and settlers slowed down once we reached around 3 millions, with about a tenth belonging to my military forces.
A lot of former houses of Lucifer and Satan soldiers had moved to my lands after the houses went down after all.
I actually put in place a limit of 20 legions, each containing 10'000 devils, purely so we could focus on quality moving forward. The rest would be placed in the reserves, training or improving to reach the legions themselves. This was a long term project to continue stimulating the troops during peace time in all honesty, so that they could at least have internal competition and inter-legionary competition to satisfy larger scale desires.
But all that was being handled by Horuth on the day-to-day.
Meanwhile the City/town/village guards were caped at around 50'000 in total, not being counted towards my true military forces since they should never be deployed unless we face complete destruction. All being handled by my Guard Captain.
The Finances were being handled by Gila's department, which was both stressful and fulfilling due to having to properly balance taxes for the various regions, merchant groups and the budding guilds popping up like the Chef's, Smith's, Healer's, Builder's, Craftsmen's and Researcher's Guilds. It helped to have a more centralized authority under myself to handle the scattered individuals and streamline how everything is handled. People pay a yearly fee depending on ranking and reported earnings, in exchange for arbitration of conflicts, better supplies and ressources, safety nets, and a place to pick up jobs or requests related to their crafts when none find their way to their doors.
There are other benefits and requirements, but it varies from to guild to guild. But they are all under me and the staff is under my banner to preemptively curb any sort of abuse of authority by high ranking guild officials. We even put in place term limits just to make sure no one would get any kind of funny ideas.
It's not like I could brainwash every single person in my territory after all, that would simply take far too long and would be a futile effort. Control people in key positions while inserting agents in various levels to broaden the net, that will catch pretty much everything that might slip through my own ability to feel everything in my domain.
But I ignored all this to go out with Mana today.
We train and talk a lot together, but it was always nice to find different things to do together and know more about each other.
"Today we're going to do something different." I told the teenage girl.
"I am ready Lith-sama." She replied as if I was going to send her off on a do or die mission.
"I am going to teach you one of the best ways to relax your mind, body and soul." I said to her apparent confusion.
"But what about training?" She asked with a small head tilt.
"*Sigh* Mana, you have already shown me how talented and hard working you are, and although I am not sure if this is what is driving you, but I will never abandon you. I have already decided that you shall become my pawn once I get one last thing for you." I told the girl, which seemed to really lift her mood as her eyes widened.
Maybe a bit to much of an effect really since she performed a deep bow.
"Thank for this honor Lith-sama! I will not betray your trust!" She immediately declared with much more emotion than she usually does.
"Mana, please don't bow to me." I softly but sternly said to the girl as I raise her head, "Becoming part of my peerage, to me, means that you will become family in all but blood. My most trusted advisor and powerful force. I don't want you to believe yourself so far below me."
"But, but, but, You're a lord while I'm a commoner. No matter what you should be shown respect by those bellow." She replied as my own more modern ideals conflicted with her own understanding of the world.
It is difficult for most modern people of my past life and those in the future to understand, but feudalism and concepts of nobility being superior were deeply ingrained in pretty much every society that ever existed and it affected those living in it to the core. The concept of equality was revolutionary for a reason after all, and it caused a lot of bloodshed because many did not believe in it.
"But that changed once you have been confirmed to be a peerage member, simply because joining it makes you a member of House Azaroth in all but blood.
You may not be in the line of succession, but you will hold power and responsibility to aid me and my people.
In the future they will look to you, as you do to me now." I tell her seriously as she listens to every word, "And I will be proud to say are part of my family once you become that shining beacon for them."
"Lith-sama!!" The girl cried out as her emotions burst and she hugged.
I was still much taller than her, but I gently brought her into my chest to let her get everything out of her system.
"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." She kept repeating as I softly stroked her head and smooth hair. "Thank you for trusting a person such as I so much."
"Now now. None of that. From now on you're my little sister and anyone who disagree's is going to have a bad day." I declared as she looked up at me with teary eyes. "So no more putting yourself down or Lith-sama since that'll look bad on me if my little sister says stuff like that. From now on it's Lith nii-san, Lith Aniki, Lith ani-ue or Nii-sama if you really need it."
That made her blush a lot, which was adorable considering how she usually doesn't show many emotions on her face.
"A-um That is, Nii-nii, um, Nii-sama." She stammered out with teary hazel eyes and such a cute, embarrassed but hopeful expression that I almost couldn't stop myself from glomping her.
"Yes Mana." I replied as I brought her in for a proper hug. "Now let this Nii-sama of yours show you how he relaxes sometimes."
She didn't say anything due to being really embarrassed, but she nodded and went along with it nonetheless.
What followed was Mana being surprised and then enthralled by the guitar I had made for myself and the songs I remembered from my past life.
It might sound odd, but music had always been an important thing for me. It allowed me to escape my own mind, my goals, all my problems and just focus on letting the harmonic sound waves flow through me. This being the only thing that ever succeeded, with no other art form, activity or even the drugs in had tried and created coming close, to making me focus on one thing.
It was a blessing for someone who could not actually stop thinking or quiet his thoughts due to a perfect memory boosted by my personality constantly thinking about plan after plan. Music was the one thing which could fully occupy my mind, because even when high or plastered it wouldn't stop. There was even a time when I suffered from severe insomnia because of this.
And that's something I wanted to share with Mana. So I began to slowly teach her how to play and it became something just for us as we met every few days to enjoy the wonders of music together.
It helped her, who had trouble properly expressing herself due to her life up till now, have an emotional outlet which didn't revolve around combat or training too. Something I was happy to see.
A few days after my upgrading of Mana to little sisterhood, I managed to arrange some time with Yasaka.
It was difficult to do since she was rather shy around me, unlike her older sister who is a lot more outgoing.
Although I believe that Tamamo acts this way mainly because she had suffered through either subtle or outright discrimination due to her 'curse' and wanting to find people who would accept her. I believe that in time she will realize that this isn't needed anymore and that Serafall and myself are at least her friends.
Meanwhile Yasaka is mostly shy because of her upbringing on Japanese views regarding noble girls and women. She's had little to no interactions with men, including her father, and had only truly begun to be taught how to lead the Youkais in the future since it was thought that there was plenty of time anyway. So overall her education centered on the womanly crafts and household management. It was only recently that her studies took a different turn, but she seemed to enjoy learning the subjects of 'men' a lot.
It would take time to break the mindset she set for herself to become a true leader.
As evident when I asked her in what way she would feel comfortable spending some time together and she answered with 'Tea ceremony'.
So here I was in a similar Kimono to when I first met her, sitting in the separate Japanese style house I had made for them in an enclosed space like the H.A.H, watching her gracefully prepare the tea for us.
This was not an aspect of Japanese culture I wasn't truly familiar with, due to finding it a bit ridiculous how long a ceremony could last while everyone had to constantly be acting in certain ways. But if this is how Yasaka would feel most comfortable then I would go along with it.
She was only a young girl experiencing much and this might be her way to calm her own mind and spirit. I shouldn't disrespect that.
Taking our time to enjoy the tea, something which I rarely do when it's not for a get together with my future mother-in-law or when discussion some matters with the nobles I have good relationships with.
"That was delicious Yasaka." I complimented as it really was a different experience from the European way, but in a good way, "You looked quite elegant preparing everything as well."
"Thank you Azaroth-sama." She replied with a light blush, "This is the least I could do for everything you've done for my sister and I."
"I will not say think nothing of it, because that would be putting down your own feelings on the matter, but I would like to ask you why you believe I am doing this." I responded, "Think of it as a small exercise as a future leader."
"Hmm. I believe it was mostly out of honor and responsibility, while also wanting to have some form of tie with Amaterasu-sama." She answered carefully as she looked at me with some uncertainty.
"While partially right, it would seem you have a misconstrued my character from my actions." I casually reply.
"Please enlighten this one Azaroth-sama." She said humbly as she did during our one-on-one lessons in leadership and territorial management.
I usually take her with me so she can get a feel for how things could be run and how to handle various situation. And although the societal values, conduct and structure are different, the problems are always the same in pretty much any society.
"You seem to believe I am some kind of honorable lord, and while it is true that I do not feel like I should not act when I see injustice, the actions I take are based on the benefits and costs of said actions.
To rush in blindly on emotions and so-called justice could not only hurt me, but also everyone behind me as well." I explain to her a as she had a bit of a sour look.
"Then why have you done so much for myself and my sister?" She asked as if trying to find a hole to convince me I was lying.
"You see, it may have looked like a lot to you, but what I have done for both of you is rather simple for me.
Like I said before, the benefits of my actions far outweighed the costs." I replied smoothly as she seemed to disagree.
"How can all you have done be considered simple?
You built us a home such as this one so we would not be uncomfortable, give us the best training environment possible and have the best trainers available, we are free to do as we please outside of lessons and trainings, receive an allowance far greater than we should, experience luxury beyond anything even the emperor would, and you even take your own time to teach us, while trying to make sure we can make friends and be happy." She rapidly responded as she become flushed due to her emotions.
"That is simple. It is because I consider any problem which merely requires money an easy one. And in exchange for spending this money now and spend some time with you, which I will admit I do enjoy teaching you and your sister, I gain much from this in the future." I said to her as she calmed herself.
"Fine then Azaroth-sama. Please tell me the benefits in your eyes." She finally said.
"There are multiple my dear, but the main one is your gratitude." I told her plainly as she looked surprised.
"My gratitude is worth all this?" She asked as she gestured to the house.
"Not you per say, but the future you. The you who will become the leader of youkais and if I haven't judged your potential alongside Amaterasu-Sama and my blessings it will be all youkai." I answered her with a small smile.
"So it's all an investment?" She asked with a small edge to her voice.
"Mainly. Just like anyone who will support you in future, it will be for some form of gain. Whether it will be for monetary, influential or even physical benefits, they will expect something in return, no matter how small." I answered her seriously since this is the reality of having power.
"Then what else do you have to gain?" She questioned as her emotions started to get the better of her.
"Possibly your friendship and a friend for Serafall in your sister and yourself." I simply answered with a bit of an amused smile at her confused expression.
"Wait a moment Azaroth-sama. You are telling me that you wish to become friends with myself and my sister?" She asked incredulously.
"Yes. Why not?" I asked her in return.
"Why not? You have just directly told me that you wish to profit of my returning to lead the Youkais." She responded with some disbelief.
"Indeed, but I never said how I would profit on you claiming your birth right now have I?" I teased as she began to understand that we might have different definitions on things.
"Then please explain Azaroth-sama." She responded with some exasperation.
"To satisfy my greed for friends and allies mostly, which then opens up the door for many possibilities regarding the dealing of problems for both sides.
Which means you need gain your rightful position so that we can both develop and flourish in Japan." I answered her, "And it is my belief that for people to be true friends, they need to hold at least some similar status or strength. If not then one party will feel inferior just like you do now in regards to myself."
"So you wish for me to become stronger and earn an influential position so you could become friends with me and develop a positive between my future forces and base of operation and yours? Seeing my current stay as an investment?" She asked to clarify what I had said to her.
"Pretty much. We are very long lived after all and thinking about things in the long term is a must. And if my investments and desires align with my general morals, all the better." I easily answered.
"But how can we be friends when you are basically using me?" She bitterly asked this time.
"Yasaka, before this we were total strangers, and every relationship needs to start from somewhere. I decided that you would be an investment, but your character tells me you would also be a worthwhile friend. We have a lot of time to see if we can be, but I thought being honest with you would be a good start." I told her as I stood up. "Whether we become friends is entirely up to you."
I left the the girl in contemplation as I took my leave.
It wasn't exactly what I wanted to do by spending time with Yasaka today, but this would become a lesson which she would need to learn. And learning it from me when there are no actual risks or consequences is a lot better than later learning it from betrayal.
It took Yasaka a few days before she managed to be comfortable around me again, realizing that everything was up to her to decide now that things were out in the open.
For the most part I simply acted as before our conversation, but we started to spend more time simply talking about things over tea. It helped her more than me, with sometimes things turning into small lessons.
Overall, it was helping close the distance between us, but we were more master and student than friends at this time.
I am sure things would change as Yasaka grew stronger and older, gaining her own pride and confidence. I was looking forward to seeing how the little fox girl would grow.
Then one day I had quite the surprise visit from my lovely Sera.
"Let's get married!" She yelled as my office door burst open to reveal a high strung Serafall.
"Sure. When?" I simply replied due to only having waited this long on the actual ceremony so Sera would feel comfortable with everything.
"Wait. You're fine with just doing it?" She asked out of surprise.
"Of course. I was only waiting on you love. Your mother and i have had almost everything planned for years. We were only waiting for you so you can decide what kind of dress you want since that'll affect the decor and whatnot." I happily answered the stunned satan.
"How come you never told me?" She asked with a pout as she hopped into her favorite position, my lap.
"Because I didn't want to put any pressure on you love. I've been ready to marry you since the day we were betrothed, but this was all new to you so I wanted you to decide when we would actually get married." I gently explained to as she rested her head on my chest. "It is going to change things after all."
"Change them how?" She curiously asked.
"Well, you know, we have to do what all married couples do and… consummate our newly evolved relationship." I answered with a roguish smile as I rubbed her soft and smooth thighs, causing her breathing to grow a bit heavier.
But my answer made her blush completely out of control.
"I-I don't mind if it's you." She quietly replied as she tried to push herself into my chest.
"And I can't wait to eat you up." I told her with some heat in my voice as a thought crossed my mind, "But why the sudden desire?"
That apparently made her mood drop as she made a unpleasant face.
"Ugh! Stupid Aphrodite and her stupid horny pantheon. Kept saying she was curious about who could make a clueless girl like me fall in love and wanted to see what he was made of. And then that man hater Artemis started yelling something about strong women not needing men or something. Then Zeus tried to hit on me! In front of Hera! Saying nothing was official yet!" She answered as she got more agitated.
'Looks like I'll need to give Zeus a lesson on eying my woman.' I coldly thought as I decided to put some extra effort into my training.
Hades is the strongest god in that pantheon and if Sirzechs can give him a beating in his true form then I'll be able to curb stump that horny pikachu.
"There there love. Don't you worry about them. They're infamous for that crap." I told her as I stood up with her in princess carry, "let's go get some food and have a date night to get your mind off of them. We can talk about our wedding tomorrow ok?"
"That sounds good." She mumbled into my chest as she just let me do everything.
Serafall was just enjoying the perks of having a great fiancé: Getting pampered and filled with fuzzy, warms feelings of love.
A nice way to destress from a long day of dealing with overpowered children who hold far too much authority.
We spent the night enjoying a nice meal prepared at a homely restaurant, followed by a small theatrical show which used intricate props and magic to bring everything to life like a live action movie, and then relaxed by the fireplace in the H.A.H in each other's arms as we read stories to one another.
Ending our day as we slept together peacefully and with smiles on our faces.
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EXTRA AUTHOR NOTES:
So people have asked for general power levels to understand better how things stand in dxd verse or my version of it since I did make tweets when I decided that Satan-classes can take on at least some gods or it would just be bullshit.
This is all based on actual power levels, which are judged by energy quantity and quality, and combat prowess.
-Low-class: New devils or supernatural beings with low energy quality and quantity. Their combat prowess can be matched by some strong humans if they have the right equipment even though they have better physical abilities. (Includes base devils and angels. I say strong humans because Mil-tan took down some devils and I'm pretty sure he isn't a real magical girl.)
-Mid-class: Trained soldiers and fighters. They are usually the back bone of supernatural fighting forces as they make up the majority of the actual armies, with low-class usually being more fodder. (Skilled magicians and humans with some form of sacred gear should generally fall in this category by default)
-High-class: Elite forces in supernatural world. Most noble devils are born with unique Powers and the required quality and quantity standards to reach this level innately. This usually is the peek of what most beings can actually reach and where one needs to surpass human limits if not holding a scared gear.
-Ultimate-class: the strongest forces below gods. They are the absolute peak fighters of any force, usually only below the leading figures of the Pantheons. They can even take on weaker gods should the match up be good. Only those surpassing humanity can reach this level without external aid, like Vasco Strada.
Satan-class: The realm of the gods. Usually leading or important figures within pantheons are at this level, which is a significant gap between ultimate and satan-class, and even shows that there can be a wide gap between people of this level itself.
Super Devil: The strongest forces in the world under the two dragons. Only the top ten can stand on the same stage, but wide gaps can also exist as demonstrated by the Hindu gods and Hades.
Conceptional beings: Surpassing the life and death, they reach true immortality as they embody concepts of reality itself. The more I tune with the concept, the stronger one his at this level. Great Red and Ophis are in this realm. (I call bull on Great Red being permanently dead since to truly kill it you would need to destroy what it represents. Much more likely that it's physical representation was destroyed and that after some time passes it will return.)
These could change as things develop and this is all without looking at the hacks called Longinus and exceptional beings who can jump levels like Lith himself. I'm not even sure if everything I wrote has even been consistent with how I've made things happen so far.
