Emiya Residence.
Everything that happened after meeting Rizevim-chan happened on complete autopilot. I didn't notice how I got home, how I ate my portion of the lunch Emiya had prepared, and how I found myself on the couch waiting for my appointment time. That segment of the day had simply fallen out of my memory while my thoughts hovered somewhere in another galaxy.
Rizevim-chan, even before I turned her into a woman, wasn't exactly intelligent as it was, but now her insanity had become an absolute. At first glance, one might say that she has fallen in love with me, however, that is not the case. What she feels for me is far from love, a no-no, but a terrifyingly pure obsession.
Her priority, her purpose in life, has shifted in my direction. Plunging the world into turmoil and chaos has been sidelined, and now I am what she craves with all her being.
That phrase of hers made it clear how wrong her mind was. If I joined her, she would give me all of herself, which meant she needed all of me. Not some separate part like attention or approval, but all of me. So that my gaze, my desire, my goals, every cell of my body is devoted to her and only her. She absolutely sees no value in anyone but herself and me.
Obviously, these are typical signs of a yandere. And dealing with this type of woman, if they don't make you feel particularly romantic, is pretty easy. However, if such a person is someone like Rizevim-chan, who can be characterized as an ancient, intelligent, powerful, influential, strong, manipulative, and capable demoness? This is where the problems come in.
This woman will use anything to achieve her goal, no matter how many resources and time she has to spend. If before she was still somehow restrained in abusing them, now... Say, if she manages to make me think twice about joining her even for a moment, she'll send the entire faction of past Demon Lords and the entire Chaos Brigade to their deaths without a second thought. The funny thing is, Ophis may well turn a blind eye to this, since it's now up to Tia to banish the Great Red.
And, of course, let's not forget the fact that Rezivim-chan knows that I can't do anything to her, yet. Her reasons are unknown to her, and they are unlikely to cease to be, but that doesn't change anything. At the end of the day, all I have to do is brace myself for her antics.
- "Are you all right, my king?"
When I looked up, I saw a concerned Rea-chan standing in front of me, with Greyfia standing behind her. Apparently, my attention had been so distracted that their presence right next to me had gone unnoticed to me. Only now, turning my head, did I realize that there was no one else in the living room besides me, Rea-chan, and Greyfia. Except Gil and Enkidu, who were sitting at the dining table, waiting for something.
- "Yeah, never mind," I waved them away, "I take it it's time?"
- "You're right, Romani-san," Greyfia nodded, "I've come to get you."
- "Good. Then from…"
- "We're with you," Gil interrupted me, walking closer to us, "This reception sounds like something worth my attention."
- "How about you?" Greyfia asked, trying to recognize his identity.
- "If you can't recognize me with your own eyes, you're not worthy of hearing my name, mongrel." Gil stated, to which he received a twitching eyebrow from Greyfia, then she shifted her gaze to me. As if I was to blame for Gil's temper.
- "Anyway, I suggest we get going. It's not a problem if three more people come with us, is it?" I said and shrugged.
- "Three?"
- "These two and Rea-chan." I pointed to Gil and Enkidu, and then to my maid. The latter widened her eyes a little in surprise, but nodded meekly. Grayfia, on the other hand, froze for a few moments, then sighed defeatedly.
Why would I bring her along? It is often, if not always, stuffy at any event of this sort of society, and I don't want to choke alone. Gil and Enkidu are their own separate group, and I need someone to just talk to. And since there's no one around but Rea-chan, she's the one who's going to help me do that. Runeas and Goetia aren't here, though they'd be fine too. However, the former won't want to show her face, and the latter... he'd just be bored.
- "...If you wish it, Romani-san." Sirzechs's Queen said and bowed. A silver magic circle glowed beneath us and transported us.
Let's see how things turn out, and why I was summoned.
-0-
Lucifer's Castle.
When the lights went out, we found ourselves in a spacious room with the typical rich furniture and style of demons. Here waiting patiently for us was Sirzechs, who occupied one of the chairs, dressed in formal clothes with a large cloak over his shoulders.
- "Romani-san," he nodded when he saw us, and Greyfia obediently stood behind his shoulder, "I'm glad you accepted my invitation."
- "Uh-huh. I need to unwind a bit." I waved him off and sat down on the couch across from him.
- "I see," Sirzechs said and looked at Gil and Enkidu, "And these?"
- "Servants. Caster just wanted to come, and Lancer is his friend," I shrugged, "Anyway, when does the reception start?"
- "In an hour. The guests are just starting to arrive, so you can rest for now."
- "I understand you have something to talk about since you picked me up so early."
- "You're right, Romani-san. It concerns what I'm planning for the reception and what your role is in it."
Aha. So, he called me here for a reason. Nothing unexpected, though. It's too unlikely that my presence is suddenly needed at an event like this for nothing. His guests are members of the Pillar families, envoys from the Demon Council, and Odin and his lone Valkyrie. Basically, it's the perfect stage to show or prove something, well, or put pressure. And I already have an idea what it's gonna be.
- "Oh?" I grinned, "You want to use me? Aren't you afraid that my hand will suddenly shake?"
- "I don't know if you're brave or insane, Gremory." Rea-chan grinned.
- "It will be beneficial for both me and you," he said calmly, "There will be a couple of Council members at the reception. The part of the Council that is radicalized against you. What I'm planning will be a bit of a free-for-all for me, and for you as well."
I rolled my eyes.
His phrasing gave a pretty clear indication of what he was going to get. As I suspected, Sirzechs wants to put pressure on the Council, to increase his reputation and therefore his leeway.
Now he, like the rest of the Demon Lords, is really a "dog" of the Council. His actions must be approved, and only then can he do something about it. Demon Lords are essentially symbols of power, indicators of authority in the external politics of the race. Internal politics and affairs are handled solely by the Council, with few exceptions.
It's not about power, it's about influence. Infrastructure, finance, logistics, and everything that concerns governance is subordinate to the Council. Sirzechs, for all its power, trivially cannot shut it all down. There's not enough power, time or resources.
And that's why, as I understand it, he needs me. He needs an outside factor that will directly or indirectly support him and the other Lords. Someone powerful whose authority demons can't ignore on every level. Like Solomon, who was able to command an entire race with a simple word. Well, Goetia, to be exact.
- "Your favor is clear to me, but not mine."
- "The Council may not have done anything yet, and you may not be inconvenienced, but that will not last forever. The only thing you value, Mr. Romani is stability. And it will be disrupted as soon as the Council decides to get a little bolder. I suggest we eliminate that possibility from the demon race. You can just 'screw us' and focus on other things."
- "Oh? Beautifully spoken, sis-con," I grinned, listening to the not-so-hidden manipulation. Gil did the same, Rea-chan made a face, Grayfia kept her composure, and Enkidu just smiled, "And yet you didn't deny that you planned to use me."
My magic left my body, filling the entire castle and making it shake. Cracks appeared in the walls, plaster sprinkled, furniture shook, and windows flew open. A protective dome appeared around Sirzechs, covering him and Greyfia, but the Demon Lord's face remained calm and smiled politely.
- "That is indeed true, but you can't help but see the benefit to yourself, right, reincarnation of Solomon?"
I grinned.
Then it ended abruptly, as the magic retracted back in. But the damage to the interior remained, which Sirzechs paid no attention to, though, and waited for my response.
Not very pleasant to be a tool, yes, but like he said, it's hard not to see the upside. Given my circumstances, where it's very undesirable to change the faction structure due to possible plot collapse, I suppose I'll have to take him up on his offer. Plus, I'll really be more comfortable not being distracted by the antics of the Council, well, or the demon race.
- "Okay, you win," I said, and got a cheerful smile from Sirzechs, "Let's see what happens."
- "Don't worry, it's going to work out great!"
- "But I want a favor in return. One more besides the one your sister promised me."
At those words, he stopped smiling and grimaced. After a few seconds of thought, weighing the pros and cons, Sirzechs nodded briefly.
- "Good. I'll owe two favors then. I think it's worth it."
- "Fine." I summarized and took a sip of the coffee I had just created.
An interesting start to the evening. And I hope it doesn't escalate into something more... unpleasant. I really hope so...
-0-
A/N: How's the chapter? Give us your opinion. You may well be able to influence future chapters.
My P.a.t.r.e.o.n: P.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m/mirzael
You'll be able to read more chapters there.