Chapter 114

The Underworld.

- "I wasn't expecting your visit, Romani-san. What can I do for you?" Sirzechs asked, sitting across from me in one of the living rooms of the Gremory mansion, with Greyfia standing behind him as usual. Also, a couple of familiar demons outside the room.

After a day of lull that I spent resting and some reflection on current events in Tia's arms, a rather interesting idea popped into my head. Several factors had influenced it, one of which was Alaia's absence for so long.

Even Grandpa, who was impossible to hide from, couldn't even sense her, much less find her. And he is, please note, an agent of the Counter-Force, as a Grand Servant. The beasts couldn't help either. Goetia had scoured the entire Underworld, Tia the Earth, and Fou the Textures he could penetrate, but all to no avail. Nothing at all. It's like she just vanished and that's it.

And since that was the case, I decided to try a workaround. Or so it seemed to me, at least. Her words about Lilith being 'unreachable' made me wonder if it was possible that the Mother of Demons was out of Alaya's reach. That is, if what was meant was that the Collective Unconscious Will of humanity is simply unable to influence Lilith? Sounds crazy, of course, but at least it's something.

And for that, I need Sirzechs, or rather, what he can do for me. He wasn't at Lucifer's castle, so I had to come here, where Rias's entourage and herself were still there.

- "I want you to do something."

- "What is it?" Sirzechs asked with a smile on his face.

- "I want ALL the information you can get on Lilith. It doesn't matter how old or scrappy it is. I want basically everything." I said, to which he looked surprised, then thought for a moment.

I could get it myself, but lo and behold, how much time and effort would it take? The area of the Underworld is about the same size as Earth. Each clan has its own archives, and Lucifer may have several where he kept records.

Creating demons is not a quick process. Lucifer had to conduct a decent number of experiments, that is, to use the method of trial and error. If my theory is correct, he had to explore the Underworld up and down to dig up the powers of the INHERENT demons, and I'm not even talking about Lilith.

What exactly does the title 'Mother of Demons' refer to? Normal human birth with carrying a fetus falls away immediately. The process is too long and unstable when you consider the birth rate of current demons. I'd be more inclined to believe that Lucifer raised them using the magical equivalent of a test tube, thus increasing the likelihood of success. Lilith most likely had some special body that allowed him to accomplish his goal.

It is commonly thought that the first woman was Eve, except that she was the second, not the first, unlike Lilith. That is, the latter had a high level of fertility, and with a hundred percent chance of success, because God tried to create these two "perfect" people, since they were the first.

To summarize, instead of stressing yourself and your Servants, this job can be dumped on Sirzechs. And he'll do it, since Sirzechs owes me two favors, if I remember correctly. Yes, Rizevim could fulfill my request, too, and with particular zeal, except that she's quite involved in the plot at this point.

- "It may take time, Romani-san. The records of that time are mostly lost or hidden. And I can't say if it's in my power to fulfill this request."

- "Just do what you can. I only want results." I shrugged, to which he gave a short nod.

- "Good. Then that part of my duty will be considered fulfilled when you get what you asked for. However, may I ask what is the importance of this case? I understand that you are very interested in the outcome." Sirzechs asked a little suspiciously.

- "Something important to me. You don't need to know more than that," I said, and then grinned, "Now that that's over with, how did the Diadora case go? Fun, I guess?"

- "Did you know?" He asked seriously after a couple seconds, to which I just smiled, "In that case..."

- "Why didn't I say anything? Have you forgotten that I am NEUTRAL to the demon race?"

- "But His Majesty…" Greyfia was about to start as I interrupted her.

- "His purpose is to preserve the Underworld. So, as long as there's no threat of its destruction, he won't interfere. Diadora's a psychopath obsessed with nuns. He's just a lowlife who acts like a perfectly normal demon. By the way, what exactly happened?"

Sirzechs frowned upon hearing my words, but still told what I asked.

It went about the same as in canon. The ranking game took Rias's entourage to a false dimension, where they were attacked by Diadora and a faction of the old Demon Lords, while outside there were other battles involving Cruiserius and some other statistic that wanted revenge for Shalba and took his place. And everyone was dealt with by Azazel, Sairaorg, and Sirzechs himself.

All of this was followed by Asia's disappearance into the Space Between Dimensions, causing Issei to enter the Juggernaut Drive under the influence of emotion, threatening to kill even his friends. And, as in canon, Rias was able to calm him down.

The difference was that the battles were faster due to the more capable Rias and her retinue. And now only Rizevim, Euclid, and their subordinate demons remained in the faction of the old Demon Lords. That is, even despite the deviations of some elements, this canonical event has been preserved almost perfectly.

- "I understand," I nodded and straightened up, "Let me know as soon as you're done. I know it could take weeks, but I'd like to get the results as soon as possible."

- "Okay. I'll do what I can."

Sirzechs realizes that he MUST comply with my request, and not just because of duty. After all, his power over demons hasn't gone anywhere. His family is his priority, though, and I'm sure Sirzechs is aware of the reasoning behind my relative assistance to Rias. I mean, if he doesn't do what I want him to do, it's not like I have to kidnap and brainwash Issei, leaving everyone else out in the cold. Of course, that doesn't include Alaya, who he doesn't know about.

- "Odd, then…" I was just about to teleport back home when the two demons eavesdropping on us entered the living room.

- "Not so fast, Sensei," the newly arrived Rias said, "I heard everything. Why didn't you say anything if you knew everything? Your words that a teacher cares for his students are lies?"

However, what Sirzechs understands, his dear little sister doesn't. She's still too naive, even with her personal growth. And I understand Akeno hasn't told her anything about what happened in the gazebo of Gremory's garden.

- "Eavesdropping is not good, tomato-san," I grinned, "And you heard everything yourself."

- "But..."

- "Aye-aye-aye, tomato-san. You're making the same mistake you made before again. No one is obligated to make your life easier even if they can. By choice? Flag on flag, as they say, but not otherwise. And I didn't lie. I care about you, but more specifically, I only care about keeping you on your toes," I said calmly, and turned to Sirzechs, who looked a little embarrassed, "Teach her to read between the lines, finally, and to recognize inaccurate words or actions. You're a pro at that."

Sirzechs smiled awkwardly, and Rias just didn't know what she should say at the moment. Akeno, who was with her, just shook her head and looked at me, even though she was supposed to be paying attention to Rias. However, after a moment, the tomato-san did something that would have been unthinkable for the past version of herself, but quite expected from the current one.

- "You can spare some time for me, can't you, brother? I want to kick sensei's ass for thinking I'm stupid and naive."

- "Of course! Whenever and wherever!" Sirzechs's enthusiasm practically squeaked out, and Rias nodded, Greyfia's eyebrow twitched, I grinned, and Akeno shook her head.

- "Thank you," Rias smiled at Sirzechs, causing him to grin and practically sprawl across the table, then turned to me, "Can I borrow some of your time, Sensei?"

- "Huh? Why?"

- "Akeno wants to talk to you. And I would really appreciate it if you would at least listen to her." Rias stated calmly, to which Akeno blushed and hid her eyes from Sirzechs and Greyfia.

I raised an eyebrow and then shrugged.

Another attempt? Commendable persistence. It might not be Akeno's fault that my reaction to her proximity is rather questionable, but isn't it time to give up and just move on, hmm?

-0-

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