Chapter 39: Letter

The Underworld is rather strange place, being roughly the same size as Earth but significantly missing the vast oceans that separated landmasses. But even then, the majority of the surface was covered in a vaster forest that took up every bit of space available that teemed with vicious life. Beasts not seen in the Human world for years were loping through the land, hunting, hiding, migrating and in general just living their lives despite their harsh environment. In fact, they thrived. These creatures were much bigger and more demonic in nature after spending so many generations away from the natural world.

Despite these harsh forests, there were sections of land people have cut out for themselves and their families. Multiple, large octagonal walls enclosed on bustling cities filled to the brim with Devils. If a modern human would've saw these streets, then they would've greatly confused as they didn't look any different from the roads back on Earth. Modern in design, people could be seen walking with a type of swagger that most didn't even know they had.

In the center of 1 of these enclosed cities, a single castle stood out like some kind of crowning jewel. The castle had an old Victorian feel too it and honestly looked like it would find a better place in those old black and white vampire movies. As though to mock it's outward appearance, the inside looked incredibly modern with a large red rug that was edged with golden lettering. Paintings and statues lined the wall as a single figure could be seen walking primly through the halls.

She was what could be described as a beauty without measure with her long silver hair that had 2 braids on the front of her voluptuous body. Those cold red eyes and expression matched perfectly with the tight maids' uniform, all adding together to give off the appearance 1 very scary looking maid. In her hands, she carried a single letter that felt as though it weighed a ton and with each step, only grew heavier.

Things had not been good the last couple of weeks. Her husband had essentially locked himself in the his office and barely even took meals ever since 'that' bit of news came out.

'The Heavenly Demon had returned.'

Just thinking of the man sent a shiver down her spine as memories of the Civil War came to mind. He had been a terror on the battle field all those years ago, causing a lot of trouble for the Old Satans and their faction. From direct confrontations that resulted in heavy casualties, to destroying supply lines and he even did 'assassinations'. Usually those types of jobs requires a form of stealth and expertise but no, he would just kill anyone around his target and call it a done day.

The group had done an awfully lot that would've been jotted down as war-crimes and frankly, she was glad to enjoy the peace that passed after the man had just disapeared 1 day.

'I guess that's over now…'

Grayfia sighed and noticing the upcoming door growing larger in her vision, deftly unbuttoned the top button of the much too tight maid uniform. Exposing a valley of creamy skin out to the world. Knocking once, she entered the room without waiting for an answer in kind and stood stock still as a flash of regret spiked through her.

Her husband, as handsome as always, sat behind a large wooden desk fighting a losing war against the army of paperwork before him. His usually pristine crimson locks had splayed elegantly across those strong shoulders, now laid in disarray. Those bright orb of blue that made her fall in love all those years ago now drooped and had deep, dark bags underneath them. His face, the kind of thing to cause her heart to palpitate, looked a bit thin and sallow then.

Wearing a black suit jacket with an orange vest that somehow worked exceptionally well with that obnoxious green tie of his. Despite the colors not really going well together, he somehow pulled it off.

"Ah," His eyes rolled up sleepily from the document in his hands," Grayfia, my dearest wife. Have you come to save your poor, old husband from this torture?"

She wanted to crack a smile, a smirk or really anything at her husband. No matter how much time had passed or the situation, he always found time to joke and play around. But sadly, she had to keep up an image with the unexpected visitor that sat languidly on a love seat before the desk.

The guest was a tall and slender woman with long brown hair that flowed like a chocolate river, dark skin glistening healthily under the overhead light and pupiless black eyes. A gaze that made it seem like the woman was some kind of predator waiting to pounce.

Just looking at the brunette, a spike of disgust nearly billowed up from her throat and instantly wishing she could re-button up her uniform as those black orbs honed in on the exposed valley. But ignoring that gaze, she took a few steps forward and gently placed the letter right ontop of the file he was busy with. Red met blue as they locked gazes, years of marriage granting them a type of telepathy that single people could only hope to accomplish.

'What is he doing here?'

'I don't know,' His eyes seem to say,' But they could useful in this.'

'I don't like them.' Her red orbs stated, an unwillingness so strong that it took all her self control not to drown the woman under a barrage of spells that most assuredly would flatten this entire castle and the nearby city in the process. But she wasn't known as the 'Strongest Queen' for no reason and had the self control to not act rashly on her desires, even if she oh so badly wanted to.

'I know.' Sirzechs comforted his wife with nothing but his azure eyes,' Thank you. I'll try to make it quick.'

And with that, Grayfia stepped back a respectful distance from the pair. Seeming in to blend into the background like any good maid should.

"That's never stopped being creepy." The woman commented, her willowy and seductive voice gave the impression of some sort of predator plant that sent out an attractive aroma only for those interested parties to be gobbled up slowly.

"It's the magic of being married."

Sirzechs chuckled tiredly, his fingers gingerly picking up the sealed letter. With a flare of crimson energy that still sent a shiver down Grayfia's spine despite all these years, and the seal simply 'disappeared'. His eyes ran over the letter within in a lazy manner that slowly but surely got faster and more attentive as it went on, until eventually that grin that remained affixed to his face vanished just like the seal.

"How accurate is this?"

He asked, donning all the authority of a Satan like a heavy cape.

"I've verified through multiple channels," The gray haired woman bowed gravely," It matches with the content Yasaka sent all those weeks ago."

"Yasaka sent me a letter?" Now he looked confused," Why haven't I seen it?"

Now her own mind blanked as she looked at her husband like he was the biggest idiot imaginable. She knew he was careless sometimes, but to not read a Faction leader's letters? That was a whole new level of carelessness.

"….Yes." Grayfia said carefully, still aware of their guest and refraining from scolding the man-child," Besides the routine letter every decade or so, she sent another letter that forced everyone to act."

"Oh.." He couldn't meet her eyes," I guess I didn't read it then…."