"Still no trace of Ophis?"
In the DxD Underworld.
Within the secret meeting chamber of the Four Great Satans.
Ajuka frowned as he posed the question, to which Sirzechs could only respond with a wry smile:
"The Council seems to have noticed our movements. The operatives I sent out encountered some interference."
"Those old bastards..." Ajuka's expression darkened. Though they held the titles of Satans, the Demon Council wasn't to be underestimated.
Behind the Demon Council stood ancient beings—survivors from the era when the previous Satan, Lucifer, and the Mother of Devils, Lilith, established the 72 Pillars of the Demon Clan. These pureblood progenitors had participated in the ancient war between the God of the Bible and the Fallen Angels.
Even as Satans, Ajuka and the others were mere great-grandchildren in the eyes of these ancients.
While Sirzechs and Ajuka could overpower most of them, certain particularly ancient survivors remained threats whose full capabilities even Ajuka's vast intelligence network couldn't ascertain.
As Ajuka stewed in frustration, the silent purple-robed, bald Satan Falbium suddenly spoke:
"Recently, a strange organisation calling itself the Demon Cult has appeared in multiple Underworld cities."
"They claim to want to create a true hell, returning demons to their primordial state with the progenitors ruling again."
"My forces have detected many mixed-blood newborns attempting to contact this group."
When Falbium mentioned an unfamiliar organisation at this moment, Sirzechs found it somewhat strange:
"A cult worshipping the progenitor Lilith? Is this the doing of the minority faction in the Council?"
"Within the Demon Council, only a handful of old relics still remember that progenitor."
Ajuka sneered coldly at this point:
"Those old relics probably still resent progenitor Lilith for leading them into war against the God of the Bible. Why would they establish a cult in her name?"
"Moreover, when you think about it, demons participating in such cults as believers is inherently bizarre."
What are they?
Demons!!
There are only cases of demons running cults to deceive mortals - never examples of demons being deceived by cults.
Sirzechs also looked surprised upon hearing this:
"That is indeed rather odd... I'm certain I included religious studies in the education curriculum for the new generation of demons..."
Concerned that the new generation of pureblood and hybrid demons might not understand how to cultivate human subordinates, Sirzechs and Ajuka had implemented numerous so-called 'religious literacy' courses in Underworld society's schools.
If demons could still be deceived by religion under these circumstances, then this Demon Cult must have something special about it.
After all, given demon nature, they wouldn't believe in anything without benefits.
Realising this, Sirzechs immediately understood Falbium's intention in mentioning this cult - no doubt his fellow Satan, who commanded legions, had detected something amiss.
Falbium didn't beat around the bush either, stating directly:
"What I find strange is firstly that this cult seems to be attempting to spread its belief among the lower ranks of the legions."
"And secondly, it's the progenitor this cult worships."
At this point, Falbium frowned, his tone carrying some confusion:
"The progenitor worshipped by this cult appears to have a male form."
"It gives me the impression of a hybrid between the first Lucifer and progenitor Lilith."
"This..."
Hearing this, Sirzechs and Ajuka exchanged glances immediately.
Lucifer and Lilith mixed together? Wouldn't Lilin and that line of pureblood demons go mad?
After all, having one's father and mother merged into a single person...
But wait - in standard demon education, only Lilith is clearly identified as the progenitor demon, which all pureblood demons acknowledge.
As for Satan Lucifer, he was actually a Fallen Angel.
That's why the direct lineage of the Lucifer household can possess both demon and Fallen Angel power traits.
Yet now, some demons had created a male-female hybrid demon progenitor.
This wasn't right. This was a hundred thousand percent not right.
Organisations venerating progenitor demons weren't unknown to Sirzechs and the others, but one like this was truly unprecedented.
Finally, Sirzechs scratched his cheek and said helplessly:
"Since everyone finds it strange, let's arrange an investigation."
"To be honest, Falbium, I understand your concern. After all, this cult wanting to create a true hell makes us rather sensitive."
Especially since that demon Apostle who repelled their Underworld Satans and forced them to seal the world channels had come from True Hell.
It was only natural for Falbium to be wary upon hearing about a demon organisation aiming to create a 'true hell'.
"In that case, both Ajuka and Falbium should deploy your people to investigate. We'll share intelligence at the next meeting."
Hearing this, Falbium nodded without dwelling on the matter. After all, in his view, this was merely an organisation developing among low-ranking demon soldiers that had been detected early, so the situation wasn't too severe yet.
Compared to this demon organisation, the real headaches remained the Khaos Brigade and that demon Apostle from True Hell who had set their sights on them.
Against those two threats, a mere demon organisation wasn't worth excessive concern.
At this thought, Falbium's gaze drifted to the empty seat among the Four Great Satans - Serafall's usual spot. He couldn't help but ask:
"Speaking of which, Serafall has been over there for some time now. Ajuka, has she sent any messages back?"
"I was just about to mention that."
Ajuka suddenly sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he continued:
"Just yesterday, Serafall sent word."
"She asked us to inform her younger sister Sona that she plans to take Sona along as part of her marriage!!"
Sirzechs: "..."
Falbium: "..."
This reply left both Satans utterly speechless.
After a long pause, Falbium finally spoke with a peculiar expression:
"While I'd like to suspect Serafall has been controlled by some organisation over there... I can't help feeling this is exactly the sort of thing that madwoman would say!"
Sirzechs nodded in agreement, his own expression equally odd as he remarked:
"It seems there's some truly remarkable, brave soul in that world!"
To dare marry that troublemaker Serafall... now that's extraordinary courage!!