Chapter 38: 04 – New Guardian
In front of Nero was a young handsome looking man appearing in his early twenties with silver hair that is tied in a braided hairstyle. He wears a silver robe with detailed accessories.
This man behaves calmly like a nobleman, but when he smiles at the boy, his red eyes shine. The young man associates this look with his grandfather's, the conclusion is this new guardian is certainly a born manipulator.
The main problem was not in the look but in the identity of this man. Nero was aware of who is in front of him, that man is Euclid Lucifuge.
Euclid is one of the descendants of the Lucifuge clan, one of the Six Houses of Lucifer, also being the younger brother of the strongest queen of the underworld, Grayfia Lucifuge, and uncle of the current Lucifer's son, Milicas Gremory.
Like his sister, Euclid came from the noble House of Lucifuge and was also a part of the Old Satan Faction. In his youth, Euclid dearly loved his sister and admired Grayfia for her courage and strength as one of the strongest Devils of the Old Satan Faction. However, after Grayfia fell in love with Sirzechs and defected from the Old Satan Faction, effectively betraying the ideas of the Original Lucifer whom the Lucifuge Clan had sworn to loyally serve for generations, Euclid fell into despair and was completely heartbroken by his sister's betrayal. For centuries, this man was emotionally torn between strong familial love and intense anger toward Grayfia. But, unlike his big sister, he is unable to accept the pacifistic rule of the current Satans, as he completely despised the current Satans, particularly Sirzechs for usurping Lucifer's rulership over the Devils and for stealing his sister.
This man was indoctrinated by the former Lord Lucifuge to the point where he embodied the old generation mentality perfectly. He, like his father, believed that the original Satans' ambitions of world domination were correct and that serving Rizevim was the same as achieving the goals of the Lucifuge clan.
When Euclid went missing after the Old Satan Faction lost to the Anti-Satan Faction, which soon became the New Satan Faction, he was presumed dead by many, including his older sister.
At some point in time, he met Rizevim and told him about Ophis power, the Holy Grail contained in a longinus, the proof about the other world called E×E, and the 666 beast.
Yeah, this guy is the idiot who gave hope to end Rizevim's boredom. That's right, he will be a member of Khaos Brigade's Qlippoth, being the leader of the Magician Faction Nilrem, and considered to be Rizevim Livan Lucifer's right arm.
In other words, the man in front of Nero was a ruthless and manipulative siscon who follows Rizevim with blind loyalty and is willing to commit terrorism to prove his point.
Euclid was sitting on the couch in the guest room of the Lucifer mansion. He was reading some papers that were left behind by Rizevim. He had a serious expression on his face, as he was making sure that his master did not leave behind any documents that would cause problems for their future plans.
He was aware that Nero Lucifer, the grandson of Rizevim and the son of Razevan Lucifer, was also in the room, but Euclid ignored the boy presence after having smiled briefly when the boy entered the room.
The scene was awkward, as the two had nothing in common except their pure bloodline and their conection with Rizevim.
Considering the situation Nero decided to start the conversation. And the way he would act, even if not to his liking, would be necessary. After all, acting shameless never killed anyone, if he doesn't care about his actions it will be someone else who will be uncomfortable.
"Excuse me, sir." He spoke softly, his gaze downcast in a display of submission. "May I please have your permision to ask your name."
Euclid glanced at him with a raised eyebrow, clearly taken aback by his courteous demeanor. He was accustomed to children of satan's families boasting arrogantly rather than displaying such deference.
After a short moment's consideration, he huffed with a mix of coldness and arrogance. "Very well, you may speak. My name is Euclid Lucifuge, a descendant of one of the six houses of Lucifer and Lord Rivezim's right hand. Remember it well."
"Thank you, sir, for granting me permission." Nero bowed gracefully, his demeanor completely composed.
Euclid couldn't help but be taken aback by her display of manners. It was a rarity to encounter a young heir who carried himself with such poise; they usually act pompously or arrogantly even in his presence, which had always been a source of annoyance for him even if he not admit.
"You seem to possess quite a manner for a talentless heir." He remarked. "I believe you will not disappoint master Rizevim, for your own good."
"I would never disappoint my grandfather." Nero said in an excited voice as if he idolized the man in question, but mentally thought otherwise. 'At least not accidentally.'
Euclid watched the boy trying to find what caught Rizevim's interest. He was curious how this weak and harmless young man managed to make his master interested. So he decided to pressure the boy, to see his true colors.
"Good. I have a question for you. You wouldn't mind to answer me, right?"
"Of course not, sir. Just ask, I will do my best to give you an answer."
"If you say so then I won't be shy. I wonder, what is your opinion about the government of the current satans?"
"The satans are making a stable government with their proposals for peace." The pressure of Lucifuge's gaze made Nero freeze for a few seconds before continuing. "Sure being kind is good for the people but they're too naive."
"I have to disagree with the idea of them making a good government, they are only making our race weaker in the eyes of other factions. They don't deserve to be in power, they are mere usurpers."
"Deserving is not the point, they won the Civil War and that's why they got the titles. The real problem is they act as figure heads in fear of causing another Civil War. For Lucifer's sake, four of the strongest beings of our race do not have the initiative to act. They are tarnishing the four satans names being cowards." Nero noticed the frustration in his guardian's expression when the victory in the Civil War was mentioned, but the older man's expression changed when he heard the mockery about the current satans.
"Indeed. Those fakes hold no real political power, they are always suppressed by Zekram Bael's faction or our faction. Yet, they always try to pacify things instead of solving them."
"Yeah, our race operates based on strength. Their fear of imposing their power and causing new problems prevents them from governing." Nero shakes his head looking disappointed.
"It's an interesting point of view. And how about your grandfather, what do you think about him?" The male Lucifuge smirks waiting for the boy to feign enthusiasm for his grandfather.
"He is following a path that I personally consider more productive for a ruler."
Such a brief and vague answer makes Euclid more curious, and he cannot control himself. He just asks the boy to go deeper in the subject.
"Could you explain?"
"A wise human once said words that I agree regarding the attitudes of a ruler. Being loved is good, but it is preferable to be feared: fear prevents revolt. Love is fickle, and the trust of love allows revolt. It's not all bad to have some love from the people, but it's better to be feared, because he who fears does not rise up against."
"So you also believe in Lord Rizevim's way?"
The only thing Euclid thought was. Of course you believe it. Lord Rizevim is the person who will guide our people to greatness. He will make the world understand and fear the nature of devils.
"No. In my eyes he is also wrong. He is hated by all factions including the majority of ours. Hate one day will lead to betrayal. There is a similar problem with the new satans: they hold so much strenght, but are still being held back by their morals. Their kindness will lead to disorder through impunity and lack of fear."
"So what do you really think about the matter? Who would be the best ruler to you." Euclid asks with a strange smile, waiting for a side to be taken.
But in the end he was surprised by what he heard from Nero.
"Both have their positive points and their flaws, but in the end they are quite pathetic in my eyes. Being hated or disrespected will not help anyone. Neither Sirzechs nor my grandfather are the best to represent our species. Our race does not need kind rulers or hated rulers, we need a tyrant who cares about his people and is willing to impose his power without any sign of madness." Nero spoke with conviction throwing away all the pretense of subservience.
"So you think everyone is wrong? Very bold of you, little Lucifer."
"Yes. I believe that currently no one fits my ideal, but everyone has at least something usable in their ideas."
"I see you've stopped pretending to be obedient. Lord Rizevim had told me that you were interesting, so it would be impossible for you to be so obedient."
"Sometimes you have to lie to survive."
"It's like they say, the strong rule and the weak bow."
"The weak bows down until the moment he can overcome the stronger." Nero adds to the reasoning, receiving a smile from Euclid.
"You intrigue me boy. So I have another question for you."
Nero just nods his head waiting for him to say the question.
"What's a devil to you? What makes a devil a devil, what characterizes him. Well, what would be inherent in the being to make someone a devil?" Euclid asked, waiting for the boys answer with curiosity.
Euclid was interested if the would recognize the true face of a devil just like Rizevim. Or if he would propose another path, just as he did with the government.
Like the Lucifuge family, he has always been faithful to the devils. Not to the false ones, as he himself describes, but to those who act as he and Rizevim preach. But if someone is able to give a different view of Rizevim's evil ideal or Sirzechs' peaceful ideal, he would respect that person.
"The most important thing for a devil to be a devil... hmmmn... it is an interesting question. If we look at the view of humans, for them we are devils when we are evil beings, the more evil we are, the more we get closer to the concept of a devil from Big G's holy book. So the aspect that would be inherent to our essence would be the evil. And for you, Lord Euclid, what makes a devil a devil?" Nero speaks slowly as he try to make his logic make sense.
"It's the same for me. Lord Rizevim gave me a similar answer when I questioned him in the past. But from your expression I believe you didn't finish your logic."
"This view may be the one that would bring us closest to an authentic devil, but I have a different opinion. A devil would classically be the most evil creature; however, I believe we are mutable beings, and a definition of millennia does not suit our current situation." Nero speaks calmly, attracting the attention of the dangerous man in front of him.
"So what would be the current definition?" Euclid asks.
"Devils, for me, are adaptable beings. See, the relationships between our clans allow our bloodlines to strengthen each other. For example, the Gremory clan initially had only high control and refinement of demonic energy, but after uniting with the Bael family, the two descendants carry the「Power of Destruction」 and have insane talents. One of them even bears the title Lucifer, having the power to carry it but not having the necessary pure nobility or the decisiveness." Nero moves the conversation to a dangerous topic, as the man in front of him certainly hates the Gremory clan for Sirzechs' presence.
Since Euclid did not get crazy when speaking generally of current Satans, it must be okay to speak of the Crimson Satan individually. In Nero's mind, even if he makes the guy get angry, he won't receive any attacks while answering the question.
Nero moved the conversation to break his guardian's sense of control and get him out of his mind. It was a risky move, but he was aware of one fact. Euclid Lucifuge was certainly one of the people who hated Sirzechs Lucifer the most, the man who stole his beloved older sister and the title of Lucifer that belonged to the family he served.
This stupid siscon was so obsessed with his sister that he hated the color red because it reminded him of Sirzechs.
And the reaction of the strongest queen of the underworld's little brother did not disappoint.
"Gremory… they really produced a very good new generation," Euclid said, gritting his teeth. "But what about the other families? Many clans do not have heirs capable of inheriting the bloodlines' innate powers, such as Saraiorg Bael."
"It is a misfortune that Saraiorg does not inherit the skill of the Bael nor that of the Vespula family. But even with all the restrictions he managed to increase his power with effort." Nero counters.
"Indeed, but there is something that afflicts our species. And that problem is the creation of Ajuka Astaroth, those Evil Pieces. Our race purity fell after the creation of the evil pieces, and we have more cases of descendants of the 72 pillars who did not inherit powers."
"You are correct, there has been an increase in cases of births without the power of the clan, but we have to take into account that this is also due to the birth rate being higher between a reincarnated devil and a pureblood than between two purebloods. Besides, the evil pieces may be contrary to our notion of purity, but they fit perfectly with the idea of a devil that you agree with." Nero said.
"How would that fit in?"
"Simple. The evil pieces lead to beings that are not gods or buddhas reincarnating as reincarnated devils. These beings are submissive to a noble family that has possession of the pieces, and they must serve their masters; otherwise, they will be labeled as insane criminals. Wouldn't that be the perfect definition of slavery?"
"Tell me more." Euclid smiled seeing where the boy was taking the conversation.
"The New Devil King Faction and The Great King Faction argue that the evil pieces are necessary to repopulate our race, which has a very low reproduction rate. I, on the other hand, believe that it is just a mechanism to reaffirm our intrinsic nature of evil. Just think: these reincarnated people could have accepted an offer or been forcibly compelled to submit their strength to their master. If they betray him, they will be classified as stray devils who will be hunted everywhere, including in the territories of other races, as we claim that by betraying their masters they are insane. But what is the problem with this betrayal? They are only following the nature of a devil, but since they hurt someone of nobler blood, they must be punished. In other words, these pieces only demonstrate our dominance over other races that submit to our will. Those who become reincarnated devils want to impose themselves on others with the same slave system. The promise of having their own peerage upon reaching a certain level of power leads the reincarnated to bond even more to our customs. Don't you think so?"
"I see. I never saw things that way. It will be an interesting topic to talk with Lord Rizevim," Euclid was evidently happy with the conversation.
'In the name of my ancestor Lucifer and Big G, please don't mess up the timeline by giving my grandfather the idea of forming a peerage. I just wanted a justification in case I wanted to create one for myself in the future.' Nero mentally shed imaginary tears while maintaining an obedient expression.
He decided to distract the last male Lucifuge by changing the topic while mentally begging Euclid not to bring this idea to his master.
"But it's not our nobility that interests me; what intrigues me most is our magic system. Our magic comes from our imagination, something so simple that allows us to create whatever we want, unlike human magic, which is governed by rigid rules and calculations."
"The power of imagination really is special, but angels and fallen angels are also capable of creating weapons through their imagination," Euclid said as he picked up the cup of tea that was on the table and took a sip.
"They can create weapon projections made of light, but that's it. They are limited to the basics, with a few exceptions such as Uriel's sacred fire or Baraquiel's sacred lightning." Nero acted uninterested in the topic.
"What about humans? They were created by God to be the race with the greatest evolutionary potential. As is already known, they even have sacred gear to help them in their evolution process." Euclid said calmly, but the boy noticed contempt in his expression as he exalted the race he hated.
"Humans truly have unlimited potential." When Nero said the first sentence, he noticed the cold look of his temporary guardian. "But we were created by my ancestor to fight the army of angels and their lord. If humans were created in the image and likeness of the Big G, we devils were created in the image of Lucifer's imagination."
"Intriguing. I like your way of thinking, young Lucifer. But I still prefer what your grandfather proposed to me in the past."
Euclid stopped looking at the boy with initial contempt and started to respect him, even if minimally. Both answers please him, as Rizevim said, this young man really is interesting.
"No problem, everyone has their own opinion and must do their best to prove it correct." Nero smiled.
"Everyone has their ideals. But your grandfather's are precious to me." Euclid replies.
"May I ask the reason?" Nero asked directly.
"My loyalty to his ideology has many reasons, Nero Lucifer. My discontent with the current government and questions I have for my older sister were the reasons that led me to isolation. During this period I asked myself, what is a devil? The only person who could answer my question clearly was your grandfather."
"So his ideology motivated you in your lowest time?"
"Yes it did. I will show everyone what "Devils" are through Rizevim. I will make them realise it. I want them to realise just how brutal and dangerous the evil species called "Devils" are. For me, I don't really care about ruling and politics. No, that is the same for Rizevim-sama. At the final stage, I want to show what "Devils" are to the human world as well." Euclid spoke with a gleam of insanity in his eyes.
Oh shit, here we go again. Another insane old man wanting to cause trouble in the world.
"Your motivation is admirable, Lord Euclid." Nero forced a smile.
"Your notion of devil is also commendable. It amazes me that someone your age focuses on complex issues. Even for someone whose body is so weak at least your mind is worthy of carrying the name Lucifer."
"I'll take that as a compliment, so I thank you."
"Great, that was actually a compliment. By the way, can you tell me if your grandfather left any documents other than those in his office?" Euclid asked, even without expecting anything positive.
"My grandfather wouldn't let anyone other than him touch the documents, not even my father. So I believe that's all." Nero said as he walked over and glanced at the paper on the table from the corner of his eye.
The document had several small letters, but the name written in emphasis was 'deal', 'new', 'subject' and 'Naberius'. Nero was aware that this was one of the 72 pillars, but according to the memories of the DxD novel he knew about the incident that would occur there.
Euclid quickly covered the papers preventing Nero from obtaining any more information.
"There is no need for you to look at the documents. Since the servant has already brought everything necessary, we are done here"
"I understand sir."
"Great, know that I will stay here for a week until a permanent guardian is chosen by Rizevim-sama." Euclid decided to give the information after being entertained by the boy's answers.
"Then I will leave you alone, after all you must be busy."
Nero bows respectfully, since Euclid has been alive for centuries and is so close to Rizevim, then acting respectfully is the minimum of etiquette even though he hates the two lunatics.
Pride is important, but it takes power to be worthy of bearing this sin. Right now, he knows he is not in the position to have these feelings against the strongest. So, to maintain dignity it is important to take pride in good manners.
Then Nero starts to leave after seeing the man nod to his bow.
When Nero put his hand on the doorknob he heard a last murmur of regret coming from Euclid.
"I want to go home, I need to see my little sister."
What the fuck? What little sister? Weren't he and Grayfia the only Lucifuges alive?
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