Chapter 76: Heiresses of the Underworld
[Grayfia's POV]
"I take that's a no, please don't be offended. I know exactly how prideful dragons are about their scales, but… with how exotic yours are, I needed to ask, an opportunity like this won't come ever again, if the mythical Ophis and Great Red were in front of me, I'd still ask them for their scales even if it cost me my life~" The God stated proudly.
"Hmph! Your passion for smithing may cost you your immortal life one day, Hephaestus" Master huffed in irritation, unwilling to say another word.
I held my thumbing chest, feeling it inside me, covering my demon heart like a protective shield, master's scale. I know it is something vital for him, even more than his treasures, and yet... he gave me one.
My master, in front of most of their stunned gazes, took a cup of wine and head somewhere else, he hadn't moved from this seat even since the banquet started.
"Grayfia, you speak on my behest," He said, waving his hand and taking a sip.
"Yes, master" I bowed, understanding that he had enough of the questioning.
Several gazes locked him up as he went away upstairs to another spot of the hall.
**
**
[Richter's POV]
Parties are nice and all but such a bustling atmosphere is not something I'm fond of, I don't like being the centre of attention. Something odd to say considering I'm a Golden Dragon. But I almost never left my cave.
Me coming here should have told them that I needed some time for myself before going back, but… some of them seemed like they were too interested to let go of the chance.
The first of them was the light yellow-haired girl.
Seekvaira Agares.
I was leaning on the big window and she ended up doing the same.
"What a coincidence. We meet again, Lord Dragon God" her voice was serious but not threatening, I'm still awed that she doesn't fear me like the rest, not because she should, but because of her disposition.
"You can just call me Richter" I took a sip of wine.
"Then, Richter… do you really... feel nothing?"
"Hmn?"
"For all the people, devils... everyone that died, nothing?"
"When you see civilisations rise and fall, it is difficult to feel awed about the common phenomenon that is life. However, that doesn't mean I would destroy it sportily, it was a mistake, Seekvaira".
"Do you think we are important?"
"In what sense?"
"As if... we devils... should exist". She looked at the moon hanging up, her hair waved with the wind, and she was wearing a beautiful purple dress.
"Everything that exists forms part of the flow of fate... therefore, everything that exists is important in a scale to the universe... human life withers fast, but together they form a chain of generations that can transcend even gods... sometimes... through their existence, humans as one can create and give birth to even better than things many gods... in the case of you devils. I have not seen a city as advanced as this one ever, that should tell you whether you're important or not. We could even go back to the conversation with that Smithing God... faith is received through the worshipping of the myriad races, if they were not important, why would we, gods, need their faith?~"
Her eyes widened in consideration for several seconds.
"I see... thanks for your answer, Richter" she smiled; looking charming what conclusion she reached was unknown to me.
"It is not good to be impolite, Seek-chan, even if Richter-sama suggests so himself" A voice resonated from the side, the redhead girl, Sirzechs' younger sister. Arguably the most breathtaking at this party.
Her crimson hair hung loosely, voluminous... just like Monique's except that Rias' was messier and unruly, she had a crimson long-sleeved dress with sparkles and burgundy gloves.
"Rias…" Seekvaira addressed the newcomer and the redhead intended to extend her hand forward until she realised her place with an anxious blush, she ended up bowing towards me.
"I hope we're not making you uncomfortable, Richter-sama," she said with a light smile, taking her place beside Seekvaira as the music inside began to play, calling for their brief attention.
"Aren't you afraid of me like everyone else?~" I asked the two of them, it might be something I keep paying attention to, however... what I appreciate the most is to be addressed normally and with respect rather than being worshipped.
Those that meet me covet my treasures or fear me. It was a breath of fresh air to see these ladies behave normally.
"I think I somehow understand how you are" the redhead giggled, immediately gaining my attention.
"Ho?~" I prepared for whatever she had to say.
"In simple terms… and as paradoxical as it sounds given your power, Richter-sama, you don't like displays or strength, right?~"
"…" my brows furrowed with a sassy smile, awaiting the continuation of her tale.
"Either people overestimating you, or underestimating you… it is better for you if people merely address you straightforwardly, right?"
"That would be somehow correct, girl. As long as I don't sense any intentions for you to undermine me or take what's mine, I have no reason to erase you from existence".
"You also don't know how to hold back your words~" Both the Agares and Gremory girls laughed heartily, slanting a chuckle from me.
"Erase… that's an interesting choice of words, Richter-sama" Sona Sitri arrived next, her short hair was odd yet charming and she had a knee-length blue dress that contrasted her eyes.
"What an interesting circle, I hope you don't mind me joining~"
When the dark-haired girl with horns arrived, Seekvaira and Rias' visages immediately soured, catching my attention, there seems to be some feud between these girls.
"I believe we haven't been introduced, Richter-sama… I'm Albedo Astaroth, though whether I will be the heiress of the Astaroth clan or not is yet undecided, pleased to make your acquaintance" She bowed with a gentle smile; out of everyone she had perhaps the most provocative dress, it was white with white gloves and golden contours, however, the sides were exposed, allowing me to see her hips and outline of her butt, it was also tight against her body.
"Looked enough, Richter-sama?~ do you like what you see?" She giggled and approached me much to her peers' outrage.
"Yes, enough. I like indeed~ that's a surprise… why wouldn't someone as strong as you be chosen as the heir?~" My crimson eyes shone and she noticed it.
!!!
Everyone's gaze immediately switches from my silhouette to hers, as if awaiting an explanation.
Albedo looked at me with furrowed brows before giggling and holding her cheek cutely.
"Richter-sama must be jesting, how could the weak me ever hope to overcome my cousin Diodora? I'm, after all, a mere Nephilim~"
'Richter-sama…' She sent me a mental message just as her words finished, I was expecting as much.
'…'
'Would you keep this a secret?~ a little secret between us' She requested while Rias and Seekvaira interrogated her, meanwhile, Sona just frowned and looked at me as well, she knows something.
These girls are quite the bunch, nothing escapes their sight.
'…' I remained silent, not giving Albedo an answer yet.
'I mean no harm to the Lucifuge Clan, moreover... I'm their ally!'
'And I should believe you?'
'I have no need to lie to Richter-sama… I stand for fallen angels, angels and Nephilim. With my strength, how could I possibly avoid punishments for my transgressions were I to do so?~' She lowered herself, shrewd indeed.
I sighed and refused to answer, but Albedo took that as a 'yes'.
"So, will you girls tell me more about yourselves? You go first, Seekvaira Agares".
"Please, just call me Seekvaira. I thought my rudimentary looks didn't catch your eye, Lord Dragon God" There was sarcasm and poison in this girl's words, I kind of liked her unruly ways.
"The four of you have caught my eye… especially you two" I pointed at the redhead and the horned girl.
Rias Gremory and Albedo Astaroth.
Among the heiresses of this pitiful underworld, they're treasures.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone