The Swarm Of Iron (6/6)

The Gremory estate was big. Composed of multiple castle-like buildings, the construction that towered over the Gremory territory, an area as big as Japan, was impressive. The wealth of a Duke family of Hell was not comparable to human's companies. It was extremely easy for devils that could theoretically live forever to hoard resources and wealth over time. Moreover, even among the duke families left alive in the Underworld, the Gremory family was one of the richest. Zeoticus Gremory, current Patriarch of the family was not known for his strength, although his power was nothing to scoff at, he was reputed for his insight in trade. He took the already rich Gremory family from the hands of his father and turned it into one of the biggest players in the field, even earning the acknowledgement from the Great King family. Although everyone knew that Zekram's move to marry Venelana Bael and Zeoticus Gremory was a way to grasp some of the power of the rising family, nothing could be done against the Great King family, even Zeoticus and his insight couldn't get out of this situation.

During the years, the two devils joined together by a political marriage got to know each other and fell in love, but it didn't diminish the firm hand the Bael family had over the Gremory family, especially with the heirs showing the signature power of the Great King Pillar of Hell. Anyone that had this power was considered a Bael, no matter what was their last name. This was why both Sirzechs and Rias were present in the family registry of the Bael family.

At this moment, the Crimson Satan went through a multitude of emotions without stopping. In front of him was his little sister, his precious ruby, with her hair cut and nearly burned down, her face showing cuts that would, without doubt, produce scars. He could not be truly angered at his little angel... or devil for that matter, but it was probably the closest he was to blow up in front of his sister. Perhaps the fact that very little remorse was shown on her face was what made him tick in anger.

She was sitting down on the very expensive couch in the room that Sirzechs used before becoming a Maou and having to move out of the Gremory estate. She seemed calm and sipped on a cup of tea produced by her brother's queen. As much as she loved her queen's tea, Grayfia remained undefeated. She sighed, knowing that the time had come to talk about this to her brother. He had already gotten all the information about what happened from her peerage member, but she was responsible for what happened so she defended her peerage members, otherwise, she seriously doubted they would still be alive when Sirzechs saw Rias' state.

" I'm sorry. " said Rias, though there was only a moderate amount of guilt in her tone, " I am responsible for everything that happened. My arrogance and shortsightedness allowed such a mess to happen. I shouldn't have left my only way to get help home. " she added, reinforcing the fact that she alone should be punished for what happened. Sirzechs, on the other hand, seemed to shift through multiple phases of anger and worry before sighing and drinking his tea in one go.

" Rias." started Sirzechs. This tone was one that he never used on his little sister and even if he hoped that he would never have to use it on her, it seemed that tonight he would have to break this rule. Rias shivered a bit and was afraid to meet her brother's eyes. Even if she felt barely any remorse at her actions, it didn't mean she didn't know that what she did was stupid and should not be repeated. What she feared was the type of punishment that she would receive. Her freedom away from the Underworld and away from her family and her responsibility as an heiress was supposed to be momentary and under many conditions. She only recently understood that she should not run away from her responsibilities and her arranged marriage, she should instead fight for what she wants, but her blunder this time could cost her everything and put a serious wrench in her plans.

" After a discussion with father... " continued Sirzechs. This sentence confirmed Rias' worst fear. If her father had a say in what her punishment would be, she would immediately be whored off to Riser, never to be seen again. " Wait! " she interrupted. She simply could not let this happen. She had barely started to take her life seriously again, but she would not let one moment of overconfidence stop her. She needed to be able to continue to go to the human world. The moment she looked into Sirzechs' eyes and saw the anger in it, she knew that what she was about to say was going to blow in one way or another but she had no choice left. She decided for the first time in her life to do something reckless and not live in an environment that would let her decay in comfort. Her next words were ones that she practised so many times, but under the eye of her brother, she could not get rid of the lump that got stuck in her throat. Eventually, she garnered the courage to speak, " I... "

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A knocking sound could be heard inside Zeoticus' private room. It was where he worked on his multiple businesses most of his time. The red-haired men could be seen on his chair, sitting near his desk, writing a letter that could be described as ancient in today's age. Only old nobles used this way to communicate, but habits are hard to change. The recipient was Lord Phenex, as it was written on the top of the letter. Zeoticus finally managed to corner her daughter, although it was regrettable that she had to nearly die in the process, all that mattered was the result, she would come to regard his decision as honourable in the future when she would realize what are the benefits of this marriage.

Although the Gremory Patriarch knew that he was not that present in his children's lives due to the workload he had to assume every day, he still wished that Rias would have inherited more of his business sense, but that was not the case. She didn't see what are the reasons and the benefits for this association with the Phenex family. Everything Zeoticus did was for the family, it has always been the case and it would not change in the future. If Rias was half the businessman and noble he was, she would have supported his decision, he was sure. Alas, the current era of peace softened too much the younger generation. Without the fear of dying every night or the fear of being thrown into war every day, they would not develop the pragmatism those that went through such times now had. And Zeoticus was torn on whether or not this was a good thing.

" Enter. " said Zeoticus after stopping his writing. His elder son entered the room with a complicated expression. A little bit of annoyance entered Zeoticus' mind since it must mean that Rias was somehow disobedient once again. Although Sirzechs hated the arranged marriage his sister was forced into, he understood the reason for it. This and the fact that he was a Maou were the only reasons not only this deal was still on, but also the reason why Riser has not disappeared from this world yet.

" What happened? " the father asked his son. Carefully studying the expression of the Crimson Maou, Zeoticus sighed before asking the maid that was standing dutifully at the door to leave. The moment Sirzechs confirmed that nobody could listen to this conversation, he sighed and started to talk.

" Father, the one that attacked Rias was using the same techniques as Malekh. " said softly Sirzechs, with a little bit of anger at the end. Zeoticus' eyes widened a bit before he narrowed them in worry and confusion. " How? " was the simple question Zeoticus had, but Sirzechs did not answer.

It seemed that there were more important things to do now that a descendant of Malekh appeared. Zeoticus threw the letter he was writing to the chimney, " The Iron Swarm has returned? " asked carefully Zeoticus. This was a crucial question in his mind.

" Yes. It is even possible that Malekh himself is somehow back." said Sirzechs. A heavy silence descended upon the room, as the implications of such a thing were passing through both's minds. " It's impossible. The entire Underworld confirmed his death. " said Zeoticus, scoffing a bit. Unfortunately, his son's answer did not reassure him, " I hope so " said Sirzechs, closing his eyes.

" Sirzechs." started Zeoticus in a tone that exited the authority of the Patriarch of one of the biggest family of the Underworld. " You know the consequences if it becomes known that the most dangerous stray of the Underworld, one that originated from the strongest Maou, is somehow alive right now. " Zeoticus didn't let Sirzechs speak as he continued, " Your role is to be an idol to the masses, a target that allows the devils to not suffer the wrath of the various pantheon. You cannot fail. As the main publicity for the peerage set, I think I don't need to explain what would happen if it were known that the Swarm Of Iron was a stray from your peerage. "

" I know. " said Sirzechs in a serious tone. This was his responsibility and that was why the Crimson Satan could not help but feel guilty when he heard Rias' explanations of who their enemy was. He would have to hunt down the stray down by himself. Alas, the Council would not hesitate to destroy him if they knew what happened, essentially blackmailing him to become their slave.

" Good. On that note, what was Rias' reaction to her punishment? " asked Zeoticus, trying not to think about Malekh and instead shifting the conversation to what he considered as one of his plans finally succeeding. But Sirzechs' nervous laugh only confused the Gremory Patriarch.

Sirzechs looked straight into the eyes of his father as he informed him of his sister's latest declaration and could not help but feel a little better at Zeoticus' reaction and anger. He was a petty man that was angered by his father's move to sell out his sister, so while he wanted to bash his sister in the hand for that reckless move, he couldn't help but wonder what was her plans for the future as it seemed that Rias was not done yet, as he enjoyed Zeoticus' emotions ramping into fury.

' Still, I really need to pay this mister Aellias a visit one of these days. ' thought Sirzechs.

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I walked through the forest, not knowing how far I was from civilization. My orientation senses were quite good and were improved upon changing my bloodline, but even then I didn't know exactly where I was as I simply didn't know the area that much.

I silently shifted through nature as I took advantage of the time I wasted in this forest to train my replacement skills. I was excessively heavy, due to my bloodline, so I had to move in a particular way.

The moment I walked into a clear area of the forest where I could finally see the moon as the thick leaves of the trees didn't block the vision of the sky anymore, I picked something up with my senses. It was quite similar to the werewolf I fought earlier, even the smell of wood-burning was present.

But it was much more dangerous.

I automatically entered into my fighting mindset and discarded all of my other thoughts to concentrate on the enemy that just appeared on my radar. He was extremely fast and he appeared not too far from me in a matter of seconds when he barely entered my range before.

This would be a losing fight, but that didn't stop me from smiling dangerously.

He would be a worthy food for my growth.