Two months later.
Phoenix Territory – Phoenix Castle – Living Room.
Appearing in the hall was Marianne, lightly holding her slightly swollen stomach—clear signs of her pregnancy.
Marianne walked calmly down the corridor before noticing some bottles and glasses being prepared in the living room, which made her frown.
She looked at the maids preparing the setup.
Marianne: "What is going on here?" – she asked seriously, staring at the maids, who froze in place and bowed their heads.
"Oh, my dear Marianne… I prepared this myself…"
Marianne turned to face her "husband," who was coming down another hallway, smiling as he approached.
Lord Phoenix leaned in to kiss her, but she stepped back, much to his frustration.
Marianne: "Care to explain? Guests, without discussing it with me?" – she asked seriously, curious as to what gave him the nerve to do such a thing.
Lord Phoenix sighed. She didn't understand… he thought she had warmed up to him since that time, but no. Not even because she now carried his future "child."
He looked at the maids, who quickly left after catching his signal.
Marianne's frown deepened.
Lord Phoenix: "I'm trying to save our son…" – he said seriously.
Marianne looked at him, confused.
Lord Phoenix: "You know that Lord Rizevim has taken custody of him, and he hasn't let us see him ever since he fell unconscious fighting the Heavenly Dragons…" – he explained, hoping she understood.
Marianne scoffed mockingly.
Marianne: "Rizevim is our leader now, and he only cares about our son's well-being. There's no problem there, don't you think? … Hilda and Yolda are close to Naruto and have been sending me reports about his care. Besides, we Phoenixes fully support the Lucifers, and since the loss of Lucifer-sama, our loyalty lies with his son." – she declared firmly.
Lord Phoenix clenched his fists, his gaze sharpening.
Lord Phoenix: "You don't understand anything… he should never have taken our son. He is a Phoenix." – he growled.
Marianne said nothing.
Lord Phoenix sighed again.
Lord Phoenix: "We can't allow this to continue, it's been two months already…" – he tried to explain.
Marianne: "Do you think I look like an idiot?" – her words made Lord Phoenix flinch. – "I know you're planning something. I've heard rumors and whispers that not everyone is happy with the new leaders. The border Phoenixes have been slowly distancing themselves from the Lucifers' forces, and you've been seen often with Lord Gremory lately. And although I wouldn't care about that, you are a Phoenix… we are popular… don't even try—"
She didn't finish, as the main door opened.
Azula walked in, two girls at her side. She glanced coldly at her father and "stepmother" before moving past them.
Marianne's eyes narrowed.
Marianne: "Seems someone forgot her manners…" – she said scathingly, grabbing Azula's arm. Azula looked at her out of the corner of her eye.
Marianne's eyes turned cold, and her free hand ignited in flames as she moved to slap Azula. But her hand was caught mid-air by Lord Phoenix.
Marianne: "How dare you?!" – she growled, flames now covering her arm, flames which Lord Phoenix mirrored.
Azula's companions swallowed nervously.
Marianne grunted, suddenly wincing and bending over, clutching her stomach.
Azula smiled faintly.
Marianne: "You'll regret this…" – she growled before walking away, holding her belly in discomfort.
Lord Phoenix watched her, worried, before sighing. Marianne was impossible… she didn't understand, and even less so now with her delicate pregnancy.
Azula coldly watched where the once-imposing Marianne had left, now reduced to a pitiful figure.
Lord Phoenix: "Azula…" – he whispered softly to his daughter before sighing. He knew he hadn't done right by her… Marianne had never accepted his daughter, but that was going to change. He would make sure of it.
Azula: "Your guests have arrived, Father." – she said without looking at him.
Azula: "Follow me, Mai, Ty Lee." – she ordered, and the two girls quickly bowed to Lord Phoenix and followed her.
Lord Phoenix sighed, hurrying to open the main door. Not far away, he saw Lord Gremory, Lord Sitri, Lord Bael, Lord Astaroth, and Lord Agares approaching—his comrades-in-arms. A smile spread across his face as he went to greet them.
---
Gremory Territory – Gremory Castle – Lord Gremory's Office.
Sitting at the lord's desk was Venelana, signing acceptance papers for the displaced victims of this cold stage of war after the loss of the Maous and even Elohim himself.
She set aside the Gremory seal, leaned back in her chair, and smiled. She couldn't help it… the Gremorys were profiting greatly from this situation and from Naruto's unconscious state. With Marianne's pregnancy, Lord Phoenix had been turning away and closing doors to many affected families, leaving them desperate. That's when her public declaration came: the Gremorys were opening their doors. Many had migrated, found work, and accepted them as saviors.
Venelana: "Marianne, Marianne, Marianne…" – she murmured with a smile. If Marianne kept on like this, she'd lose control, and everything would go according to her and the Baels' plans. Her son Sirzechs was also being recognized for leading the demons back with a new evolution alongside his friend Ajuka, keeping the Fallen and Angels at bay. Simply excellent.
Venelana: "Although…" – she thought, the new Maous weren't very popular with their desire to resume the war. Multiple factions had refused to follow them, others hadn't, and the general population was in chaos.
Venelana: "To survive, it's better to replace them…" – she considered, though she knew they didn't yet have the strength to do so. But… what if an alliance capable of it were formed?
She contemplated the idea for a second before resuming her paperwork, taking advantage of Lord Phoenix's support. The Gremorys would become one of the most important pillars of the Underworld.
---
City of Lilith – Streets.
Walking calmly in plain sight were the so-called Super Devils, who had reached a power level above normal devils and had led the forces back safely from the battlefield. These were none other than Sirzechs Gremory, heir of the Gremory house, and Ajuka Astaroth, heir of the Astaroth house.
Their presence drew the eyes of passing demons and those watching from their homes.
Ajuka: "Why walk?" – he whispered to his friend. He didn't understand—why attract so much attention? Their business was done; it would be better to teleport back.
Sirzechs smiled at some demonesses watching from afar.
Sirzechs: "Don't worry…" – he dismissed his friend's concern.
Ajuka sweatdropped. Those demonesses were watching only out of curiosity, not interest.
"Everyone return to your homes, no one in the streets—orders of the Maous!"
A shout rang out as several guards dispersed the crowd, closing shops.
Sirzechs frowned.
Ajuka sighed as he saw the guards approach.
"Stand down!"
The leader of the guards barked the order upon recognizing Sirzechs and Ajuka, though fear lingered in his eyes.
Sirzechs: "Why are you closing everything? It's still early, and people—"
"Orders of the Maous, that's all!" – the guard barked, cutting him off.
Sirzechs glared coldly, making them step back.
Ajuka: "Sirzechs…" – he said seriously, but his friend exhaled and stepped forward, and the guards immediately cleared the way.
Ajuka followed, while the guards clenched their fists and ground their teeth as the two left.
Ajuka: "What was that back there, Sirzechs?" – he asked firmly.
Sirzechs: "Showing them their place." – he replied calmly.
Ajuka: "No, that wasn't showing them their place. That was open rebellion. What's wrong with you?" – he asked, growing stern.
Sirzechs glanced at him from the corner of his eye.
Sirzechs: "You know what's happening. We can't allow these 'Maous' to start a war that could wipe us all out, not after Lucifer-sama's loss. Our presence here is a clear statement of opposition to their orders. As Super Devils, we have a reputation to uphold." – he explained calmly.
Ajuka shook his head.
Ajuka: "I understand, but not like this. We're acting far too aggressively. We don't even have Naruto's support, and the Phoenixes support the Lucifers. Naruto alone stopped those monsters, and his power…" – he trailed off, staring at his trembling hand. That heat… Lucifer-sama once wondered aloud if Naruto was a Phoenix or the sun itself before them.
Sirzechs frowned. If Naruto hadn't shown that strange mutation…
Ajuka: "Don't act rashly, or you'll start something we can't handle." – he warned.
Sirzechs didn't respond. He knew his father was speaking with the Phoenixes about Naruto, and Lord Phoenix had promised their help. So there was nothing to worry about. They would just drive out the weak Maous, and everything would fall in line. He would show his indomitable power… after all, the power of Destruction surpasses flame.
A magic circle flared beneath Sirzechs and Ajuka. Ajuka sighed. He understood… even with the overwhelming power Naruto awakened in the desperation of war, he remained an enigma, someone he could not defeat. Why fight him? If Naruto didn't agree, none of this should begin.
Ajuka sighed again, lost in thought, not realizing… maybe he wasn't thinking for himself anymore.
---
Lucifer Castle – Meeting Room.
Around a round table sat the current Maous of the Underworld.
Rizevim Livan Lucifer – current leader of the Underworld, sitting in Lucifer's seat.
Shalba Beelzebub – descendant of the original Beelzebub, head of the Beelzebub clan, current Maou Beelzebub.
Katerea Leviathan – descendant of the original Leviathan, current Maou Leviathan.
Creuserey Asmodeus – descendant of the original Asmodeus, current Maou Asmodeus.
Euclid Lucifuge – Grayfia's younger brother, key ally of the Maous, servant of Rizevim.
These were the current ruling powers of the Underworld.
Katerea slammed her fist on the table.
Katerea: "Those damned Gremorys and Astaroths don't know their place! They're opposing us and gaining support… They refuse to join the war and lend their power to finally conquer this world!" – she growled.
Katerea: "We must act…" – she declared, glaring at the others.
Shalba nodded.
Shalba: "I agree. If we let their opposition continue, they'll create a huge rift in the Underworld." – he said seriously.
Creuserey nodded as well.
Rizevim simply kept his eyes closed in silence.
Euclid: "My lords, you need not worry. As long as we have Lord Naruto in the castle, they won't do anything. His influence is great among the people. It doesn't matter if they're Super Devils; Naruto-sama is greater, and stronger. He stopped the Biblical War for an hour with his own power… They won't move, and I doubt the Angels or Fallen would risk their people for Naruto-sama's existence. I suggest sending suicide troops to ignite the spark. Once war begins, like it or not, everyone will have to participate." – he said calmly.
The Maous listened in silence. Servant or not, Euclid sometimes spoke with Rizevim's voice, and his ideas were often good.
Shalba: "That sounds good." – he agreed.
Creuserey hesitated, wondering who would be chosen as the "suicides."
Katerea: "Speaking of Naruto, has he not awakened yet? He was showing signs, then suddenly worsened. He won't die, will he?" – she asked, frowning. Alive, he was much more useful.
Rizevim slowly opened his eyes, staring solemnly at the others.
Rizevim: "Don't ask about Naruto." – he said calmly, but all understood the threat in his words.
Katerea swallowed nervously. She had only seen that boy once, unconscious, before Rizevim jealously forbade it. He must be hiding something.
Rizevim: "As for the rest, continue displaying your warlike image to everyone. I'm investigating something, and I don't wish to be disturbed unless it's important." – he said firmly, rising from his seat and leaving, Euclid following behind.
The others didn't mind, nor were they offended. Rizevim gave them freedom and power—it was up to them to use it.
Katerea: "Then let's prepare to crush those pigeons, and any opposition as well." – she said seriously.
The other two nodded.
The trio soon left the room.
---
North Wing of the Castle – Forbidden Room.
Inside the room, forbidden to castle servants, were three beautiful maids. Two sisters—Yolda and Hilda of the Phoenix clan—and Matsui, a trusted maid of Rizevim himself.
Matsui had short light-brown hair and striking purple eyes. She wore a standard maid uniform.
The trio were tasked with caring for the fourth person in the room, resting on the large king-sized bed: Naruto himself.
Matsui frowned, noticing the faint dark aura emanating from Lord Naruto.
Hilda pursed her lips.
Yolda: "That strange energy grows stronger… it seems uncontrolled, as if his container is inactive and it acts freely." – she explained seriously. It had already been a month since the doctors said he was close to awakening.
The three jolted as Naruto stirred, sweat covering his body.
Hilda looked on, worried. She didn't understand what was happening to her lord, but he had to wake soon—or things would turn for the worse. Her lady was beginning to lose control of the clan under Lord Phoenix's pressure… her pregnancy could become a curse in these times, especially with Naruto-sama unconscious.
" Mnnnn …"
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TO BE CONTINUED
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