At last, after all the mettings were over, it was the time for Zekram to invite Magdaran.
The chamber Zekram Bael chose was not accidental. He tried showcasing his authority and power with that move.
It lay far beneath Bael territory, buried under layers of ancient stone and even older authority.
This was not a meeting hall.
It was a reminder.
The sudden emergence of Magdaran Bael as a super devil was celebrated by the entire Great King faction, but the same could not be said for Zekram.
Now, for the first time, there was a clash in the Great King faction about who is the leader of the faction.
Although Zekram Bael had always been the leader, but the significance of the term Super Devil was enough to challenge that.
And Zekram knew that the support was mostly on Magdaran's side for now, so he decided to make up for his weakness with theatrics.
Massive pillars rose from the floor like blackened spines, etched with sigils that predated the current devil system, symbols of conquest, dominion, and inheritance.
Thrones of obsidian lined the far wall, each bearing the crest of a Bael who had once held absolute power.
At the center sat Zekram Bael.
He did not rise when Magdaran entered.
This was another show of his pride.
Magdaran stepped into the hall calmly, hands in his pockets, expression neutral, his footsteps echoing softly against the stone.
Beside him walked Scáthach, her presence restrained but unmistakable, crimson eyes sweeping across the chamber with mild curiosity rather than reverence.
Zekram observed them both in silence.
Then he smiled.
"Magdaran Bael," he said warmly, voice smooth and practiced. "Congratulations are long overdue."
Magdaran stopped several steps from the throne.
"If this is about my breakthrough," he replied evenly, "you're late."
Zekram chuckled. "Direct. I see power hasn't dulled your manners."
Scáthach tilted her head slightly. "He's being polite," she said. She was watching everything carefully, and she understood that Zekram was trying to assert dominance.
She did not like that, according to her, although Magdaran was powerful, he was far too young, too innocent.
Old fogeys like Zekram might manipulate him.
Zekram's gaze flicked toward her for the briefest instant, measuring, calculating, then returned to Magdaran.
"Queen of the Land of Shadows," he said. "Reborn as a devil. A fascinating development."
"You noticed," Scáthach replied calmly. "Most people stare longer."
Zekram smiled faintly. "I have learned the value of restraint."
Magdaran exhaled softly.
"Let's skip the ceremonial nonsense," he said. "Surely you didn't summon me here to compliment my choice in women."
Zekram laughed again, rising slowly from his throne.
"Very well," he said. "Let us speak honestly then."
He descended the steps with measured confidence, stopping a short distance away.
"You have done something unprecedented," Zekram continued. "A Super Devil, born not from ancient or forgotten eras, but from this generation, specially of the faction of the Great King."
"I nearly died," Magdaran replied flatly. "That tends to help."
Zekram waved a hand dismissively. "All breakthroughs require some sacrifice."
Magdaran's eyes sharpened slightly. Scáthach noticed.
"You now stand above nearly every devil alive," Zekram said. "And that changes the structure of our society."
"I'm aware," Magdaran replied.
"And yet," Zekram continued, voice lowering, "you returned quietly. No declarations. No demands."
"That disappoints you?"
Zekram smiled. "It concerns me."
He clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace slowly around Magdaran, maintaining a careful distance.
"The Maou faction has grown complacent," Zekram said. "Sirzechs Lucifer governs through sentiment. Ajuka Beelzebub through logic and indifference.
Both believe themselves indispensable."
Magdaran did not respond to his words and continued listening.
"With you," Zekram continued, "the Great King faction finally has the leverage to correct that imbalance."
Scáthach sighed softly.
"Here it comes," she muttered.
Magdaran turned his head slightly. "You're suggesting I oppose them."
"I'm suggesting you balance them," Zekram replied smoothly. "A Super Devil aligned with the Great King faction would ensure that no single ideology dominates devil society."
Magdaran stared at him.
Then he laughed.
Not loudly.
Not mockingly.
Just… amused.
"You're not even subtle at your attempts," he said.
Zekram stopped pacing.
"You misunderstand," he said calmly. "This is not manipulation. This is necessity. For the continued growth of Devils, it is essential that we do this."
"No," Magdaran replied. "This is you trying to put a leash on something you don't understand."
Zekram's smile thinned.
"You underestimate the consequences of unchecked power."
Magdaran took a step forward.
"So do you."
The air shifted slightly.
Not pressure.
Not yet.
"I already spoke to Sirzechs and Ajuka," Magdaran said. "About all of this."
Zekram's eyes narrowed. "And?"
"And I told them the same thing I'm telling you," Magdaran replied. "I have no interest in fighting them."
Zekram stared at him.
Then his expression hardened.
"You're naïve," he said. "Power invites conflict whether you want it or not."
"No, it is not power which does that." Magdaran corrected. "Greed does it."
Zekram's voice sharpened. "You are still planning on that nonsensical idea of yours?
Last time I thought it was the ramblings of a child who doesn't know anything about the world.
But you are now a Super Devil, you don't have the luxury of being a child.
You think unification is possible? That old grudges will vanish because you say so?"
"Yes. I think devils are tired of pretending division is stability," Magdaran replied.
Zekram scoffed. "You speak like one of those naive Maou."
"No," Magdaran said calmly. "I speak like someone who doesn't want to clean up a civil war."
That word lingered.
Zekram stopped moving.
"A civil war," he repeated. "You are exaggerating."
"Do I?" Magdaran asked.
"The Great King faction finally gets a Super Devil.
The Maou lose their monopoly on force. Someone gets ambitious. Someone panics. Someone strikes first.
Once I reached the Super Devil level, I was able to understand, that even a peak level Satan is a joke before this power.
The reason that the Maou have never retaliated before, was that in their eyes, you and the great king faction, are nothing but a joke.
Now things have changed. There would be open retaliation."
He shrugged.
"Devils would die. More than we desire or can control."
Scáthach folded her arms. "It could get really messy."
Zekram's jaw tightened.
"And you believe merging factions solves this?"
"It prevents idiots from thinking violence is profitable," Magdaran replied.
Zekram laughed sharply. "You would erase centuries of structure because you dislike inconvenience?"
"I would erase it because it no longer serves its purpose, not like you had much of 'power' going on before.
Your orders were mostly regarded as suggestions by the four Maou." Magdaran replied.
Zekram's patience snapped.
Energy surged as Zekram Bael released his aura, the full weight of a Great King unleashed without restraint. The air thickened instantly, pressure crashing down like an invisible ocean.
The stone floor groaned.
The pillars cracked.
The sigils burned brighter as they struggled to contain the surge.
This was authority.
This was domination.
Scáthach did not move.
Magdaran smirked.
"…That's cute?"
Zekram's aura intensified, focused directly at him.
"You forget your place," Zekram said coldly. "You may be powerful, but this is my domain."
Magdaran looked up.
And smiled.
Then he released his aura.
Not outward.
Not explosively.
He focused it.
Every fragment of his presence condensed into a single direction.
At Zekram Bael.
The effect was instantaneous.
Zekram's aura shattered like glass.
The chamber screamed as the pressure reversed violently. Zekram staggered, blood bursting from his nose, streaking down his face as his knees buckled.
The thrones cracked.
The ancient sigils burned out completely.
Zekram dropped to one knee, gasping, blood leaking from his eyes as his body screamed under the weight of something fundamentally superior.
Magdaran walked forward slowly.
"You don't get to pressure me," he said quietly.
Zekram trembled, barely conscious.
Magdaran leaned down, voice calm.
"This wasn't a threat," he said. "This was me being patient. And it was just a reminder, to help you understand, the kind of power you are up against.
If you think the current times are same as that of time of rules of the original Satans, then you are sorely mistaken.
The original Satans, were weak. And so are you. Outdated and weak."
He straightened, aura vanishing instantly.
Zekram collapsed forward, gasping.
Scáthach glanced down at him.
"You should be grateful," she said. "He is very kind."
Magdaran turned away.
"Next time," he added, "try honesty instead of ambition."
And then he left.
The meeting with Zekram Bael was unpleasant, but atleast it made boundaries clear.
Magdaran had decided to take things into his own hands and merge the two factions into one,
With him standing at the peak of devils, and Great king faction nobles having higher authorities and benefits, it was much more beneficial than being a separate faction.
The maou would have no legitimate reason to actively oppose them after this, and unity would bolster the strength of devils as a whole.
With a sigh, Magdaran decided to stop thinking about Zekram for now, they could reconcile later, for now, it was necessary to make his stance clear.
"Scathach, we are going to Kouh town now, in the last meeting Sirzechs told me about Rias throwing some tantrums due to my absense." Magdaran turned towards Scathach and spoke with a sigh.
"Ohh, your fiancee? Let's go then." Scathach replied with a smile.
"Hmm, then let's go right now, I think a surprise visit would be better." Magdaran chuckled.
With his spatial prowess, there was no need for magic circles or elaborate magic, a single thought was enough.
He took Scathach's hand in his and the two vanished from the place.
Kuoh Town looked…ordinary.
That was Magdaran's first thought as space folded back into place and the familiar skyline settled before his eyes. The streets were quiet, bathed in afternoon light, students walking home in loose clusters, laughter drifting lazily through the air.
Normal.
Scáthach noticed.
"This place," she said quietly, eyes scanning the town with interest, "feels fragile."
Magdaran chuckled. "It is. But that's the charm."
She tilted her head. "Your fiancee governs this place? It seems rather ordinary... why would the sister of the Maou be sent here?"
"It is quite good in fact, although these are the outskirts, this is still Tokyo, and close to the seat of the Shinto Pantheon, getting this place is more of a symbol of dominance, you don't think the Shinto willingly gave this place, do you?" he replied.
They appeared just outside the mansion, wards recognizing Magdaran instantly and parting without resistance. The moment they stepped through the grounds, however, the silence didn't last.
The front doors exploded open.
"MAGDARAN!"
Red hair blurred across the space between them.
Rias slammed into him at full speed, arms wrapping around his neck, momentum nearly knocking him off balance as she buried her face against his chest.
"You idiot." she muttered into his clothes. Then caught his collar, and started shouting,
"You disappeared without any message!!
I only learnt from Kuroka that you texted about being back in a few days. You didn't even send me a personal text!
Then I heard the news that you became a Super Devil, and when you returned, you didn't even visit me first.
I heard from brother that you went to all meetings and all! You should have met me first!"
He laughed, hands coming up to steady her. "Missed you too." And closed in to kiss her, shutting her up.
She pulled back just enough to glare at him, eyes shining with equal parts anger and relief.
"You smell like another woman," she accused.
Scáthach raised an eyebrow.
"That was fast."
Magdaran sighed. "Rias-"
Rias finally noticed the tall purple-haired woman standing calmly beside him, crimson eyes sharp and amused.
The air… shifted.
Akeno stepped out onto the veranda behind her, eyes narrowing with interest.
Kuroka popped up from behind a pillar. "Oooh~"
Rias straightened slowly.
"…Who," she asked carefully, "is she?"
Magdaran didn't hesitate.
"Kuroka and the others didn't tell you? They were back yesterday, right?
Anyways, Rias, this is Scáthach." he said evenly. "My Queen. And a lover too."
Silence.
Complete, absolute silence.
Then-
"YOUR WHAT?"
Rias' wings flared instinctively.
Akeno's smile widened. "Ara~"
Kuroka's ears twitched violently. "Oh this is juicy. I made Shirone and Kuisha keep this a secret just to see this scene."
Scáthach, to her credit, didn't flinch.
She stepped forward, posture relaxed, gaze meeting Rias' head-on.
"Scáthach," she said calmly. "Former Queen of the Land of Shadows. Current Queen of his peerage."
Rias stared.
Then stared harder.
"…You're serious."
Magdaran nodded. "Very."
Rias' shoulders slumped.
"…I miss you for a few weeks," she muttered, "and you come back with a legendary warrior goddess. And you even managed to add her in your harem."
Scáthach leaned closer slightly. "To be fair, he nearly died."
Rias snapped her head up. "You nearly died?!"
Magdaran winced. "We're not starting with that."
Akeno finally stepped forward, eyes gleaming with curiosity rather than hostility.
"So," she said pleasantly, "you must be incredibly strong."
Scáthach smiled faintly. "Strong enough."
Kuroka zipped over instantly, circling Scáthach like an excited cat. "Mag-chan, she's scary! I like her already!"
Rias pinched the bridge of her nose.
"…Why do you always escalate things?"
Magdaran grinned. "It's a talent."
Rias shot him a look. "You owe me time."
"Agreed."
"You owe me explanations."
"Later."
"You owe me attention."
He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Definitely."
She froze.
Then huffed, cheeks slightly pink. "T-That's not enough."
Scáthach watched the exchange with open curiosity.
"So this is her," she murmured. "The one who rules your heart loudly."
Rias puffed up. "I do not rule-"
Magdaran laughed. "She absolutely does."
That broke the tension. Barely.
They moved inside soon after, the atmosphere slowly easing as introductions settled into something resembling familiarity. Scáthach answered questions bluntly, without arrogance or false humility, and surprisingly, the peerage adapted quickly.
A warrior queen respected strength.
Devils respected strength too.
It worked out perfectly.
Eventually, the noise died down enough for Rias to corner Magdaran near the window, arms crossed.
"You're leaving again, aren't you?" she said quietly.
He met her gaze. "Not immediately."
She studied him.
"…You've changed slightly."
"Yeah."
"Stronger?"
"Much."
"Busier?"
"…Unfortunately."
She sighed, leaning against him. "I don't like sharing you with politics."
He smiled softly.
"Then don't. I don't plan to cheat on you with politics."
She blinked. "What?"
"I owe you time," he said.
She searched his face. "And you plan to give it how?"
Magdaran's eyes lit up. The best way to remedy things in any Rom-com slice of life anime, which his weeb of a fiancée would eat up happily.
"…Beach."
Rias froze.
"…What."
"A vacation," he clarified. "You, Me. And our peerages."
Akeno's ears perked. "Oh?"
Rias gasped. "BEACH EPISODE?!"
Then hesitated. "But we can't just go to a local beach-"
"I know," Magdaran replied. "Too public. Too boring."
He grinned.
"Bali. It's a good place to visit. We could get an island for ourselves and enjoy all we want."
Silence.
Then-
"…You're serious."
"Sun, ocean, sandy beaches, no politics. And specially, all of you in Bikinis."
Akeno smiled dangerously. "That sounds delightful."
Kuroka cheered. "MAG-CHAN YOU'RE THE BEST!"
Rias stared at him, then smiled despite herself.
"…You really are impossible."
He leaned closer. "So… forgiveness?"
She pretended to think, then nodded. "Conditional."
"Name it."
She pulled him down by the collar and kissed him.
"Make it unforgettable."