The Prince of Sloth [DxD]

After the conclusion of the Devil Civil War, which occurred around five to six centuries ago, and the formation of a new government under the leadership of the four Maou of the new generation, along with the Great King Faction, the Devil-kind side of the Underworld had mostly settled into a period of peace. While everyone was gradually working toward a better future for both the Underworld and the Devil Kind, political divisions still persisted. These divisions were rooted in differing ideas, ideologies, opinions, interests, alignment, ambitions, wealth, social status, traditions, and several other factors.

While there exist countless Devils, each with their own set of personal interests and motivations, the political structure of the modern Underworld is defined by four major factions, each playing a pivotal role in shaping its current landscape.

The most prominent and influential political faction in the Underworld is the Great King Faction, also known as the Great Royal Faction. This faction was established and led by Zekram Bael, the first Great King, following the demise of the original Maous, with the goal of consolidating power and expanding the influence of the House of Great King.

Comprising the Great King Faction are some of the pillar houses of the remaining 32 Pillars that didn't go extinct and continue to function to this day. The Great King Faction wields immense control over Underworld politics. It champions the preservation of traditional Devil aristocracy, emphasizing the importance of blood purity and the continuation of noble Devil society.

Among the faction's most notable figures are Diehauser Belial, the Champion; Ruval Phenex, heir to the House of Phenex; and Bedeze Abaddon, the formidable third ranker. Their presence further cements the faction's dominance and its pivotal role in shaping the Underworld's political landscape.

The second most prominent faction, rivaling the Great King Faction in power and influence, is the New-Maou Faction. It is led by the four Maou of the new generation: Sirzechs Lucifer, Ajuka Beelzebub, Serafall Leviathan, and Falbium Asmodeus.

This faction draws support from several distinguished Devil Houses, including Gremory, Astaroth, Sitri, and Glasya-Labolas, as well as the sole Lucifuge that remains in the Underworld. Additionally, they have the backing of a significant portion of the common populace and the remaining half-blood or impure-blood descendants of many extinct Devil houses.

The New-Maou Faction represents a more progressive vision for the Underworld, standing as a counterbalance to the traditionalist ideals upheld by the Great King Faction.

The third major political faction is the Old-Maou Faction, comprised of some of the most historically significant Devil Houses, including Lucifer, Beelzebub, Leviathan, Asmodeus, Nebiros, Agaliarept, Satanachia, Fleurety, and Sargatanas. It also includes sympathizers of the original four Maou, who harbor dissatisfaction with the current Maou for various reasons.

This faction is led by the descendants of the previous Maou, with Shalba Beelzebub, Katerea Leviathan, and Creuserey Asmodeus serving as its prominent leaders.

Although the Old-Maou Faction suffered a significant loss of political and military power during the Devil Civil War and was pushed to the fringes of the Underworld, their status as direct descendants of the original Maou grants them enduring influence and a notable number of sympathizers.

They openly oppose the Great King Faction but reserve their deepest enmity for the New-Maou Faction, blaming them for usurping the roles of the true Maou and relegating the Old-Maou faction to the periphery of the Underworld's political sphere.

Lastly, there is the True Extra Demon Faction, composed of Devil Houses that exist outside the traditional hierarchy, such as Belphegor, Abaddon, Mammon, Na'amah, and Bat Mahlat, among others. While the Extra Demon Faction isn't led by anyone in particular, Roygun Belphegor and Mephisto Pheles are some of the prominent figures of this group.

This faction takes minimal interest in Underworld politics, focusing instead on their own interests and survival. They remain largely detached from the political struggles of other factions, prioritizing independence and personal interests over political influence.

Within the Underworld, these four political factions, each with its own interests and agendas, coexist in a delicate balance. As in any society, where there are people, there is conflict, and where political factions exist, political conflicts are inevitable.

In fact, the friction extends beyond politics, encompassing a wide range of disputes, from ideological clashes to deeply personal rivalries. Due to these reasons, no two factions are willing to fully align with one another, as their goals and priorities often conflict. However, as you might expect, there are times when these factions do manage to work together on certain matters.

For instance, when addressing the Old-Maou Faction, the Great King Faction often collaborates closely with the New-Maou Faction. However, when it comes to matters of personal interest, the welfare of Devil-kind as a whole, or exerting influence over the Rating Games, things are different. Due to the Great King Faction's focus on preserving tradition, maintaining the Devil aristocracy, and emphasizing blood purity to uphold Devil society, and the New Maou Faction's commitment to change, growth, and merit-based promotion, the two factions are often at odds with one another.

These persistent disagreements, tensions, and conflicts over various issues contribute to a constant undercurrent of unrest in the Underworld, keeping its political landscape perpetually unstable.

But despite this instability, no major conflicts broke out why is that the case?

The Rating Games certainly play a significant role in resolving conflicts and disagreements among individuals, families, and factions. However, there are situations where the Rating Games fall short, such as disputes over where a game representing two opposing factions should take place. In such cases, organizing another Rating Game is not a viable solution. Instead, alternative methods must be employed to address or mediate these conflicts effectively.

This is just one example. There are countless other issues that cannot be resolved simply by organizing Rating Games. For such matters, an alternative method of resolution and mediation is needed.

Fortunately, such a method does exist—and it falls within the domain of House of Agares' responsibilities.

Yes, the second-highest ranking Devil House, holding the court rank of Archduke, is responsible for acting as a moderator between different families, households, and factions. They are highly skilled at their role, as evidenced by the fact that no major conflicts have occurred within the Underworld since the conclusion of the Civil War.

Of course, in addition to moderating conflicts, the Agares House also has other important responsibilities, such as managing the hunts for renegade reincarnated Devils who betray their masters or kill them in an attempt to run away from the Underworld or regain freedom, traitors to the Devil Kind, and fugitives on the loose, as well as providing the resources necessary for the production of Evil Pieces, among other tasks.

In some ways, Agares could even be considered the household that represents the Supreme Court of the Devils.

'Or maybe that would be a bit of an exaggeration since the House of Agares doesn't seem to preside over the Judiciary…'

One thing remains undeniable: while the House of Agares may not wield as much influence as the Baels or hold the ruling power of the Underworld like the four Great Maous, it is still an incredibly important household.

And now, a member of that very household stood before Seir, introducing herself. "Etto…" She paused, recalling the words she had been taught, then spoke gracefully while curtseying, "I am Seekvaira Agares. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance…"

Indeed, the Agares introducing herself to Seir is none other than Seekvaira Agares, a familiar name from the canon and one of the Rookies Four. However, this version of Seekvaira is notably different. Currently, she is just a four-year-old child, with small, greenish-blonde hair, long, slit-like pink eyes, and fair skin. Unlike her canon counterpart, she doesn't wear spectacles yet, but her 'extremely cold and strict persona' is already evident.

'It's probably a result of watching her father shoulder the immense responsibilities of being the Head of the House of Agares,' Seir speculated silently.

'If I count Sairaorg, I've already met two of the Four Rookies… Well, as for the remaining two, they're still infants, so there's no helping that,' Seir mused.

Among the Four Rookies, Seekvaira Agares is often considered the least impressive, which she totally is. However, she remains one of the most talented young Devils of her generation and eventually rises to the rank of Ultimate-Class Devil at a very young age. Most importantly, Seekvaira is the wielder of the Agares' [Time] trait—a fact that immediately piqued Seir's interest. After all, [Time] is an element of utmost importance to him.

'If there's a way to gain more time, I'd certainly want to learn it,' Seir thought, deciding to return Seekvaira's greeting with a favorable response.

"The pleasure is all mine. I am Seirios Vandegor Belphegor," Seir replied with a polite smile and a slight bow. He then added, "But you can call me Seir—that's what everyone calls me."

"In that case, you can call me either Seek or Aira… those are the names my father and mother often use for me," Seekvaira replied thoughtfully, attempting to return the gesture. However, she paused mid-sentence, shaking her head. "Actually, forget that. Just call me Seekvaira. Yes, Seekvaira sounds much better. But, well… if you really want—like really, really want—then I wouldn't mind if you call me either Seek or Aira."

'Girl, can you please make up your mind? Should I call you Seek, Aira, or Seekvaira? Why are you changing your mind every other second?' Seir thought, suppressing an exasperated sigh.

"Uh… alright, I'll stick with Seekvaira," Seir said with a small nod, deciding to avoid the dilemma altogether.

"Yes, that would be fine, Seirios," Seekvaira replied with a nod. However, instead of calling him 'Seir' as he had suggested, she deliberately used his full name, 'Seirios,' causing his eyebrow to twitch in mild annoyance.

'Why do you sound annoyed? Did you want me to call you Seek or Aira? If that was the case, you should have said so!' Seir wondered with a sigh, unsure of how to handle this peculiar girl who had gone quiet and annoyed after introducing herself.

As if looking for help, Seir discreetly glanced over to where his mother and Seekvaira's mother were and noticed that they were engaged in conversation, their discussion seemingly endless, 'They probably wouldn't help me out here.' His eyes then shifted to the field, where the clock continued its reverse countdown. There were still about 15 minutes remaining before the finals would commence.

'Ugh… can't they just start already?' Seir thought, feeling a pang of helpless impatience before reluctantly shifting his gaze back to Seekvaira.

'Sigh… I need to fulfill Mother's condition and become friends with her if I want to officially begin my magic training. Guess I can't just sit here quietly ignoring her completely and hope for the finals to start, huh?'

With that in mind, he considered his options. 'In that case, I'll need to start a conversation… but what could I possibly talk about with this sharp-tongued Agares to win her over?' Seir mulled over potential topics, searching for a way to break the ice and make a good impression.

Seir observed Seekvaira from the corner of his eye, racking his brain for something to say. He tried to recall any information he had about her. 'Hmm, if I remember correctly, she's a Mecha-otaku or something, right? And that hair accessory of hers… isn't that…?'

Suddenly, an idea struck him, and his eyes lit up. "Seekvaira, by any chance, are you a Transformers fan?" he asked with genuine curiosity.

"Hm? Transformers? You know about them?" Seekvaira's eyes widened in surprise. She hesitated for a moment before adding, "A-and what made you think I'm a Transformers fan?"

Seir pointed to her hair accessory with a knowing smile. "That's Optimus Prime, isn't it?"

Her expression shifted from surprise to delight as she instinctively touched the accessory. "Yes, this one is Optimus Prime…" she confirmed, clearly pleased that he recognized the heroic leader of the Autobots.

"A girl using a hair accessory like that? It's obvious she's a Transformers fan, right?" Seir remarked with a casual shrug.

Seekvaira's cheeks flushed slightly as she mumbled, "Father brought this for me when he returned from a trip to the States…"

"Oh? So your father is also a Transformers fan?" Seir asked though he was already piecing things together in his mind. 'If I recall correctly, it was indeed the Archduke who turned his daughter into a Mecha-otaku.'

"Yes," Seekvaira confirmed, a hint of pride in her tone. "Father is also a big fan of Transformers. In fact, we have recently started building a theme park for Mechas and Transformers."

"A theme park for Mechas and Transformers? That sounds amazing," Seir said, genuinely impressed.

"Right? When it's finished, you should visit Agareth. I'll give you a personal tour," Seekvaira offered with a small smile.

"Oh? Well, I'd be honored," Seir replied with a polite nod. Then, with curiosity sparking in his eyes, he asked, "So, what is it about Transformers that you like so much?"

"Are you kidding me?" Seekvaira exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she began to ramble excitedly. "What's not to like about Transformers? They're Mechas! And they can transform into all sorts of things! The Autobots turn into land-based vehicles, while the Decepticons can transform into all kinds of amazing stuff ranging from Fighter Jets to satellites. They can do stuff like shoot bullets and laser beams, scan any electronic device, transform into them, hack into anything, and so much more… Haah… I just can't get enough of them! Imagine if all the cars, trucks, other vehicles, and all the electronic devices in the Underworld were Transformers—wouldn't that be so cool?"

She barely paused for breath before continuing, "Not only would you have intelligent, self-controlled vehicles and electrical appliances, but they could also fight! I'd have my very own personal Transformer! And you know what? I'd make them part of my future peerage. No, wait—scratch that! I'd make all of them members of my peerage!"

Seir chuckled at her enthusiasm and nodded thoughtfully. "Well, I don't know about making all the Transformers and Mechas part of my peerage. That might not be the best idea. But… the concept of having Transformers as vehicles and electronic devices? That does sound pretty interesting."

"Haha! When I grow up, I'm definitely going to have my own personal Transformer!" declared Seekvaira proudly, puffing out her chest. "It's one of my dreams!"

"Oh? Then count me in," Seir said thoughtfully, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I wouldn't mind working on something like that. It sounds like an interesting project."

Seekvaira's eyes widened in surprise, and she asked, "You'd want to work on them with me? Are you also a big Mecha fan?"

Seir shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with Mechas or Transformers in particular, but I do have some interest in them."

"Some interest?" Seekvaira repeated, looking a little disappointed but also curious. "What exactly makes you interested in them?"

"Megan Fox," Seir murmured under his breath, his voice barely audible.

"Hm? I didn't catch that. Could you repeat it?" Seekvaira asked, her expression tinged with confusion.

"Oh, it's nothing," Seir replied quickly, shaking his head to dismiss her curiosity. He then added, "I was just saying that the concept of Transformers is what really interests me. I'm not exactly a huge Mecha fan, in particular, but the idea of vehicles and electronic devices that can transform into powerful beings is fascinating. It's a really intriguing concept."

"I see…" Seekvaira said with an enthusiastic nod. "In that case, we absolutely have to work on this project together—to create a real intelligent Transformer!"

"Yeah, I'm all in," Seir agreed with a nod, matching her enthusiasm.

Although Seir wasn't as captivated by Transformers or Mechas as Seekvaira—his real interest leaning more toward genetics and bloodline—the idea of creating real Transformers intrigued him. Back in his time on modern-day Earth, Transformers existed only in media, toys, and Legos, creating real-life Transformers was impossible, as technology hadn't yet advanced to that level.

However, in Draconic Deus, where the technological landscape was bizarrely skewed and remarkably advanced in certain areas alongside the existence of Sacred Gears like [Unknown Dictator], the possibility of building a Transformer didn't seem entirely out of reach. For that reason, Seir was open to collaborating with Seekvaira on the project. Besides, while assisting her, he could potentially enlist her help with her [Time] trait. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement—a win-win for both of them.

Of course, that was a plan for the future. For now, all Seir could do was discuss the Transformers project with Seekvaira while waiting for the final to begin.

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While Seir and Seekvaira excitedly discussed Project Transformers, their mothers observed them with warm smiles. Sephie commented, "Well, it seems they've become friends."

"That does seem to be the case," Zarathis Agares replied with a relieved expression. "I'm truly glad. I've been so worried about her…"

She paused for a moment before continuing, "Although she's just a child, she's already witnessed her father's work and begun to understand the immense responsibilities she'll have as the future Archduchess. Because of that, Seekvaira has already started expressing her intentions of wanting to start her formal training in politics, management, and diplomacy. Although we did comply with her request since she has nothing better to do and it's good to start early; her father and I can't stop feeling concerned about whether she can handle all this pressure. It's far too much for someone so young. Even Regaros, with his centuries of experience, sometimes feels exhausted and burdened by it all…" She sighed deeply, then added, "I was really worried that if she continued on this path, she might never be able to make any friends, always having to maintain her neutrality… and end up alone forever…"

Sephie nodded in understanding. "I completely get how you feel, Zarathis. My Seir has been far too mature for his own good, too. He rarely does anything a normal child his age would do. While I'm not too concerned about his studies or progress—since he's overly dedicated to those things—it bothers me that he's not experiencing a typical childhood because of how mature he is. At this rate, he'll miss out on everything a normal child goes through, and that really saddens me…" She paused before adding, "You know, just a couple of months ago, Seir was sitting on the rooftop of the castle, worrying about the future. I mean, it's good that he's concerned, but what three-year-old worries about that? And it gets worse… when we were planning to show him around the Belphegor Domain a few days ago, instead of enjoying the moment as he traveled with the family and learning about the area, the boy was looking forward to his magical training."

"I don't know what it is about the future that's weighing so heavily on him, especially at such a young age. At his age, he should be thinking about candies, swings, and other childlike things—not stressing over his future! He has millennia to worry about that!"

The more Sephie and Zarathis talked about their respective children, the more they realized how similar they were. At the same time, both women felt increasingly glad they had used this opportunity to introduce their children to each other and they were also pleased to see that their children seemed to be getting along well.

'Hopefully, this meeting will lead to a budding friendship, and the two of them won't grow up as lonely children…'

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As the conversation continued, the clock slowly ticked down, leaving only one minute. Seir and Seekvaira shifted their focus from discussing Project Transformers to the Arena, eagerly waiting for Naud Gamigin to take the stage and call the two participants for the Championship finals. With the final moments of the countdown approaching, Seir couldn't help but wonder to himself, 'Where's Sairaorg?'

The final was about to begin, yet there was no sign of Sairaorg, despite the promise the two made to watch it together.

Curious, Seir turned to his mother. "Mother?"

"Yes, dear?" Sephie replied with a gentle smile, turning her attention to him.

"Is Sairaorg not going to join us?" Seir asked.

As soon as Seir mentioned Sairaorg's name, Sephie's smile faltered. She hesitated before answering. "Well, I did speak with Vizel… I mean, Lord Bael… but it seems young Bael's physical condition isn't the best at the moment. Unfortunately, he won't be able to join us here to watch the finals."

"Hm… is that so?" Seir mumbled a hint of doubt in his voice. He fixed his gaze on her and asked again, "And is that the truth?"

Noting Seir's suspicions, Sephie's eyes widened for a moment before she let out a soft sigh and replied, "This is what Sairaorg's father told me…"

"I see. I understand, Mother. If those are indeed Lord Bael's words, then there's nothing to be done," Seir replied with a nod, choosing to let the matter rest.

Sephie gave her son a sad smile, touched by his mature demeanor, and gently caressed his head in silence.

Although it wasn't impossible for Sairaorg to genuinely be in poor health, the circumstances surrounding the explanation left Seir doubtful. Considering it was Sairaorg's father who had passed the message to Sephie, Seir had enough reason to believe that the Great King Bael was likely the one keeping Sairaorg confined at the Bael Castle. It made sense—the Great King is a prideful person, and he would definitely want to keep Sairaorg confined and not make any public appearances to ensure that Sairaorg's lack of Demonic Power and failure to inherit the [Power of Destruction] remained a secret from the public so that the Bael's reputation doesn't get tarnished.

If it is as he thinks, and Sairaorg is indeed being restricted, there was little Seir could do about it at the moment. No, perhaps even in the future, there would be nothing he could do. The Bael family was far too powerful for him—a mere three-year-old—to challenge in any meaningful way. Seir personally doesn't want to cause trouble for the House of Belphegor out of his selfishness.

Besides, even if Seir had the resources and power, why would he intervene?

'Why should I even care?' he mused to himself. 'We've only met once… And while it's true we played together for a while and also made a promise, is that enough for us to be considered friends?'

To Seir, Sairaorg was more of an acquaintance than a friend. While there was a possibility that the two might grow closer and become friends in the future, that wasn't the case at the moment. Seir saw no reason to put in so much effort to help an acquaintance, especially when he lacked the means to do so.

'Forget it,' he thought, 'there's no point dwelling on Sairaorg's misfortune right now. I should focus on my elder sister's Rating Game match, even if I already know how it would end.'

With that resolution, Seir shifted his attention back to the Arena. The countdown had nearly run its course, with only three seconds remaining.

The entire stadium waited with bated breath as the final three seconds ticked away. The crowd joined in, counting down together, "3… 2… 1!" The moment the timer hit zero, a thunderous cheer erupted, reverberating throughout the Agreas.

As the excitement reached its peak, a flamboyant man wearing a microphone in his ear appeared on the massive screen. His charismatic voice boomed across the stadium, instantly commanding everyone's attention.

[Good evening, everyone!] he announced. [I am Naud Gamigin, and it is an honor to serve as the announcer for tonight's thrilling Rating Game match—the grand finale of the Ninth Underworld Rating Game Championship! Let's all hope tonight's Rating Game match is truly unforgettable, shall we?]

The stadium erupted in a thunderous roar of cheers!

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Author's Note:

That's it for this Chapter. Enjoy reading it.

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