"Abel-nii, can drinking this really give me special abilities?" Kanao opened the bottle and looked at the bubbling green liquid inside, asking with some uncertainty.
Abel said with a smile, "Of course."
Haruno curiously picked up the mask and examined it carefully, while Yukino looked at the Snow-Snow Fruit, her eyes full of anticipation.
"Then I'll drink it."
Kanao gritted her teeth and downed the green liquid. Her whole body seemed to burn and turn red, and sweat began to form on her forehead. But this feeling came and went quickly.
Soon, Kanao noticed a difference. She slightly raised her hand, and a small flower appeared.
She could now control plants!
Meanwhile, Yukino looked at the strange, entirely blue fruit in her hand and took a bite. Her expression changed as soon as it entered her mouth.
An indescribable taste flooded her oral cavity. But adhering to the principle of not wasting, she continued to eat it.
By the time Abel turned his head, she had already finished it.
"What's wrong?" Yukino asked.
"Nothing." Abel shook his head.
He felt that he didn't need to mention that one only needed to take a single bite to gain the ability.
Let that secret remain hidden.
After Yukino finished the devil fruit, she felt a cold current surging through her body.
She raised her hand and snowflakes appeared at her fingertips.
"It really is amazing." Yukino murmured to herself.
Haruno looked at her younger sister, then put on the mask. Her appearance began to change, transforming into Yukino's likeness, and she could also release snowflakes with a raised hand.
"Wow, Yukino's ability is really good, isn't it?" Haruno said with a smile.
Looking at the three of them, Abel nodded.
They could now be considered to have some self-preservation abilities.
"Oh, right, if you have time, you can go to this new world to gain some experience."
As the gifts were distributed, Abel looked at the lonely Grayfia, then spread his hands and smiled. "A hug?"
Looking at the man who hadn't appeared for some time, Grayfia's eyes were full of resentment. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she murmured, "It's not proper."
But she walked towards Abel and opened her arms.
Abel smiled and embraced Grayfia. "Did you miss me?"
The other four took Shizuka, who was oblivious, out of the room. Now, only Grayfia and Abel remained in the room.
"Yes." Grayfia whispered.
The corner of Abel's lips curled up, "Since that's the case, may my queen share the bed with her king?"
Before Grayfia could answer, Abel picked her up by the waist and walked towards the room.
...
The next day, Abel sat up from the bed, feeling refreshed.
Due to Abel's movement, Grayfia slowly woke up as well. "Good morning, Abel."
"Good morning. Want to sleep a bit more?"
Grayfia shook her head. "No. As a maid, I can't lie in bed."
Soon, she had changed into a standard maid uniform.
"Abel, what would you like for breakfast?"
"Anything you make is fine."
Grayfia nodded. "Then I'll go prepare it."
She walked towards the kitchen.
Abel stretched and got up to wash up.
When he walked into the living room, the table was already filled with breakfast, and the aroma filled the air.
The Kocho sisters, Yukinoshita sisters, and the lone wolf Shizuka were already at the dining table.
"Let's eat."
"Coming."
He had been in Esdeath's world for over a month, wasn't it time to return to the Underworld to check on things?
His beloved Peerage members were training under his elder brother, it was time to visit them. After all, it had been a long time since he had returned.
"Everyone, do you want to go to the Underworld with me?"
Upon hearing this, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at each other.
The Yukinoshita sisters's eyes sparkled with curiosity. The Kocho sisters and Shizuka also hadn't seen Kanae and Saeko for a long time.
Similarly, the five of them were quite curious about the Underworld, as they had never been there before.
"Yes. I've never been to the Underworld. And I miss Saeko-chan."
"Mm, I miss nee-san too."
Abel nodded with satisfaction, having received their responses.
"Then finish eating quickly, and we'll set off soon."
...
In a void, the sound of a train rumbled.
A pure white train was traveling through the passage between the human world and the Underworld.
Each clan had its own train leading to its respective territory, this train belonged to the Astaroth branch family.
"Wow! What an amazing train!"
Shizuka curiously looked left and right on the train, then ran to the window to gaze at the scenery outside.
Yukino, sitting by the window, sighed, "The Underworld uses trains too."
Abel explained, "Of course. Even the Underworld has to keep up with technological progress. This train was made by nii-san, and its safety performance is maximized."
"Moreover, as my new Peerage members who haven't been to the Underworld, you must enter through a proper route like the Underworld train."
Haruno nodded. "This is different from the Underworld I imagined."
Abel asked, "How so? What do you think the Underworld should look like?"
"I thought the Underworld would be a gloomy place, full of mystery and strangeness, not one with such modern trains."
Abel smiled. "Hmm… you're not wrong. After all, a hundred years ago, the Underworld was basically ravaged by war, with corpses strewn everywhere. Now, it has changed a lot. The current Underworld is developing, and many places have incorporated modern elements. However, some ancient areas still retain their original appearance."
At this moment, the train announcement sounded.
"This train is about to pass through the Dimensional Wall."
"Dimensional Wall?"
"Its the connection point between the human world and the Underworld."
The door connecting the carriages opened, and a well-built man with obvious muscles walked out.
"Long time no see, Abel."
"Oh, it's Sairaorg. Long time no see."
Sairaorg looked at the five people behind Abel and said with a smile, "Found new Peerage members?"
"Of course. After all, the Rating Game is about to begin, and relying on that perverted nun-lover is a lost case. Astaroth can't afford to be embarrassed. What's more, the position of the heir still needs to be contended for."
"I see. Compared to the pervert of the Astaroth main family, I have more faith in you. Abel, I look forward to fighting you in the Rating Game."
"Of course, I won't lose."
Abel and Sairaorg looked at each other, their fighting spirits high.
"Alright, see you at the Rating Game."
"See you at the Rating Game."
After speaking, Sairaorg returned to his carriage.
With Sairaorg's departure, Shinobu and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief. That man's pressure was too strong just now.
"Master, that man is so strong."
Abel said naturally, "Of course. Sairaorg took the position of the Great King Bael Clan's heir with his own fists."
"Wow, how amazing!" Shizuka exclaimed.
At this moment, the train announcement sounded.
"We are about to arrive at the Astaroth territory!"
As the train passed through the Dimensional Wall, what came into view was the territory of the Astaroth House.
The size of the entire territory was twice that of the Gremory House.
Soon, the train stopped. The doors opened, and a unique aura wafted over.
Abel was the first to disembark.
"Uncle Abel, long time no see."
Hearing this address, Abel's face fell.
He was only 18 years old, why call him uncle?
Abel turned around. Behind him stood a beautiful girl with long golden hair with blue tips, who wore 20th-century European clothing.
The girl's full name was Latia Astaroth, and she was the same age as Abel. By seniority, this girl was his niece.
Watching Abel's expression, Latia's lips curved slightly. Teasing her so-called uncle was quite enjoyable.
"Master, who is this?" Shinobu asked.
Abel was about to introduce her, but Latia spoke first, "My name is Latia Astaroth. So you're my uncle's Peerage, huh? Please take care of me from now on."
"Hello, Latia-san, please take care of us too from now on."
"Hello, Latia-san..."
Latia's gaze swept over the Peerage, then she looked at Abel with a playful expression.
"I didn't expect that my uncle, who used to be so detached, now has a Peerage full of beautiful girls. I wonder what the difference is between uncle and Riser."
Abel was completely immune to this remark.
Instead, he said with great pride, "It's the nature of a man to be lustful."
"Uncle has really changed a lot."
Just then, Grayfia emerged from the carriage.
The moment she saw Grayfia, Latia's lips curved upwards. "Grayfia-nee, long time no see."
Grayfia said seriously, "Long time no see, Latia."
Then Latia held Grayfia's arm and whispered to her.
Abel looked at Grayfia and Latia and asked, "By the way, Latia, why are you here?"
"Of course, Uncle Ajuka sent me to pick you up."
Abel nodded.
After all, he was riding on the train his eldest brother had made, it would be strange if he didn't know.
After everyone chatted for a while, two carriages approached.
"Abel-sama, Latia-sama, please get in the carriage."
Abel led his Peerage towards the carriage, with Latia and Grayfia walking beside them.
Once in the carriage, Abel, Grayfia, and Latia sat in one, while Abel's Peerage sat in the other. The carriage then drove towards a certain place.