Gremory Castle
Venelana honestly never thought she would find herself in a situation like this, the Bael thought as she walked through the halls of Gremory Castle. Almost no one was really in the castle now, and honestly, Venelana had nothing against those who had left or were too busy dealing with what had happened. Who knew how many of the people who worked there had lost a family member today?
She was sure that absolutely everyone in the Underworld, if not the entire supernatural world, had already learned that the Biblical Underworld had been completely defeated by an ancient Greek god. That was why she did not blame people for being alarmed, but that was a luxury she could not currently allow herself.
Venelana released a low sigh. How she wished she could be supporting her daughter right now. Rias was surely having a breakdown after seeing Sirzechs's condition, and that was something Venelana blamed herself for, something she had also scolded Zeoticus about many times. Rias, despite her age, was not prepared for the real world. That was one of the reasons Venelana firmly refused to let her go live in a city in the human world just because of a whim. Her daughter was intelligent, talented, and loved, yes, but she had also grown far too protected under Sirzechs's shadow.
The Bael kept her back straight and her expression somewhat discouraged while thinking about her daughter, but her thoughts quickly shifted to something else. Her mind could not stop returning to the moment Zekram Bael had presented himself before Damon.
The war, if it could even be called a war, because the reality was that it had been more of a massacre, had ended almost immediately after that, to the brown-haired woman's relief. She was certain the Underworld had no way of stopping the Greek god. In moments like that, Venelana was truly grateful for the knowledge and age of the elder Bael. Even so, she had never imagined seeing the Great King, the ancestor of her lineage, lowering his head with a respect Venelana never thought possible.
She could still remember his words, and she would probably never forget them. "I know you very well, Lord Damon. Not many know of you, but I am one of the few who knows the man who fought in the Great War against Elohim and the Celestial Dragons."
To say Venelana had been surprised would be an understatement. In that instant, the fear that was already on the edge multiplied by a hundred. And no one would blame her for that. After all, the man in front of her was not simply a powerful god who had decided to make his presence known at that moment, proving more than capable of doing so. No. He was someone who truly belonged to an ancient legend. Stories many had heard at some point, but that, with the passage of time, ended up being treated as simple exaggerations or myths distorted by the centuries.
And yet, Zekram Bael had just confirmed to her that all of it had been a reality that the vast majority had never dared to accept. After all, how many stories existed about someone unknown simply appearing in the middle of a war and literally facing everyone? The truth was, not many.
Venelana lightly tightened her fingers against the fabric of her dress while continuing down the hall. Imagining those stories were real was already enough to make her shiver, but the fact that her family, her faction, and her own son had ended up provoking that very same person made it much harder to bear. It was clear that the Greek god had done all of this for amusement. Venelana was more than certain that, if he had truly wanted to, he could have destroyed the entire Underworld in minutes, or even seconds. But the reality was that everything had merely been a humiliating warning.
While some devils and leaders began to regain consciousness, and the existing and available pillars tried to at least make themselves as useful as possible, Zekram brought order with a speed that demonstrated why he remained such a respected figure in the Underworld, despite being a relic of the past. No one argued with the old devil's reforms. Not even the proudest among them. No one truly wanted to provoke his wrath, much less Damon's.
But what currently left the Bael most uneasy was the conversation she had with him afterward. The old Bael did not have to say it directly, but his words had been clear.
"The Gremory House must demonstrate sincerity, Venelana. Not only with simple promises. Lord Damon cannot be satisfied with common compensations. We must show more than that. Apart from his demands, it is vital that we end this on the best possible terms. He allowed your son and your husband to live, and the Gremory House remains intact despite the fact that this falls on Sirzechs's shoulders. As my descendant and as the lady of Gremory, you must understand that certain debts require something more personal. Our duty is to serve the Underworld in every way."
Venelana closed her eyes. There was no need to be naive. She knew exactly what the Great King was referring to and, truthfully, she could not say she was happy with it. But even so, more than anyone, she knew that devil nobility had never been a clean world. While there were payments that could be made with things like gold, the reality was that Damon was a god. Something like gold could not simply earn the favor of an existence like him.
If that was what she had to do to keep her family safe, then she would do it.
Venelana released a low, almost imperceptible sigh. Not long ago, she had met with Millicas. The child did not fully understand what was happening. His questions about Sirzechs and Grayfia still hurt her chest. The Bael had only smiled at him, stroked his hair, and told him everything would be fine. It was a very bitter lie, truthfully. But in the end, all of this had happened because they had underestimated Damon.
And now she was walking toward the room where he was waiting for her.
When she reached the door, Venelana took a slow breath. For several seconds, her hand remained on the handle without turning it. Finally, she opened the door and entered the large room.
The first thing she saw was Damon, seated comfortably in an armchair as if Gremory Castle belonged to him. His posture was relaxed, almost unconcerned, but the presence he exuded made it clear who had control without needing to show his power. Venelana entered the room and closed the door behind her.
For a moment, neither of them said anything. Damon simply observed the woman with purple eyes, taking in her rigid posture and the way she tried to maintain her dignity despite the situation. The redhead smiled subtly. "I must say, the Gremory certainly have a very beautiful territory," he finally said, breaking the silence in the room.
Venelana released a nervous laugh, more out of courtesy than any real calm. "Yes… thank you, my lord."
Damon tilted his head a little when he saw how tense she was. "This is your home, Venelana. There is no need for you to be tense." His eyes remained fixed on her. "If you want me to leave, I will leave."
Venelana did not dare respond. He said it naturally, as if he were truly giving her an option, but Venelana was not naive. She knew perfectly well that, even if Damon said it, asking him to leave would not be advisable.
The Bael lowered her gaze slightly, tightening her fingers against the fabric of her dress before forcing herself to regain her composure. "No," she finally replied, her voice soft. "I do not wish for you to leave."
Damon carefully weighed what the Bael had said, measuring how much of that answer truly came from her own will. Then he leaned back in his seat calmly. "Then take a seat. Do not just stand there," the god said, pointing to the armchair in front of him.
Venelana obeyed the order. She walked toward the armchair with controlled steps, the sound of her heels echoing clearly in the silent room. When she sat down, she kept her back straight and her hands on her lap, trying not to show her nervousness.
Damon observed her for a few more seconds before speaking. "The devils made their own demands. I have mine, and one of them has to do with the Gremory." Venelana felt her chest tighten. "What do you desire, Lord Damon?" she asked carefully, keeping her back straight and her hands on her lap.
"Kuoh," the god replied without hesitation. The instant she heard that, Venelana could not completely hide her surprise. "Kuoh…" she repeated quietly. Damon smiled, noticing her reaction. "I see you know which territory I am talking about." Venelana swallowed, trying to regain her calm before answering. "Yes. It is currently under Gremory administration." Damon did not look away from her. "I know. That is why I am asking you for it."
That simple answer made it clear to the brown-haired woman that Damon was not beating around the bush. Honestly, Kuoh was an important territory for the Gremory House. After obtaining it from the yokai, and after the territory was taken from Cleria Belial's hands, the Gremory House, with Sirzechs's support, had planned to give it to Rias as part of her development. It was a place that belonged to them, something prepared for her daughter and her future. But now…
Venelana pressed her lips together slightly. "My lord, I would not dare deny your right to demand Kuoh. However, it is a delicate territory for our house. There were plans to give it to my daughter in the future. In addition, we would also have to speak with the Shinto and—"
"None of that matters to me, Venelana," Damon interrupted calmly. "And regarding the Shinto, you do not need to worry. My relationship with them is closer than you think. I am sure they will be happy that I am taking control of the territory."
The answer was direct, leaving no room for discussion. Venelana lowered her gaze a little, thinking about what the god had said. She had no way to refuse, even if she wanted to. But even so, thinking of Rias losing something she wanted so much did not sit well with the Bael. Even if she did not truly support her daughter leaving the Underworld, the last thing she wanted right now was to restrict her more than necessary, especially after everything that had happened.
After a few seconds, the Bael took a deep breath. "I understand," she finally said. "But I would like to ask that, in the future, my daughter be allowed to reside there under your supervision or under whatever conditions you consider appropriate." She said it quietly, not daring to look him directly in the face.
Damon remained silent, and that made Venelana feel the need to continue before losing all her courage. "Rias is a good girl. I assure you she will not cause you problems." Venelana lowered her gaze even more. "I want my daughter to have a chance, my lord," was the last thing the Bael said.
Damon rested one arm over the back of the armchair. "You understand what you are asking me, right?" The Bael felt the weight of those words, but she did not deny it. "Yes." Damon continued, his tone completely firm. "This entire conflict began because a devil wanted to reincarnate someone under my protection. What assures me that your daughter will not try the same thing?"
Venelana was left speechless.
The god kept his gaze fixed on the Bael. "And lastly, why should I grant you favors? I can simply say no and leave it at that."
Venelana felt her hopes vanish. And the worst part was that she could not argue with Damon, because she knew he was right. He had no reason to grant her anything. The Bael's pride screamed at her not to say anything else, to accept defeat, get up, and leave the room with the little dignity she still had left.
But the Bael had other intentions. "I can pay you," the purple-eyed woman said.
Damon waved his hand dismissively. "I do not need any monetary payment or anything like that. You can keep it for yourself."
"I am not talking about that," Venelana replied, her voice lower.
A deathly silence fell over the room while the Bael looked the Greek god directly in the eyes. The tension in the air rose instantly. Venelana knew that, after this, there would be no going back.
Damon raised an eyebrow, amused. "Careful, Venelana. Are you sure you understand what you are offering?"
"Yes," Venelana replied, though her heart was pounding hard in her chest.
"You could get up and leave this room right now," the redhead said calmly. "I do not need to force you into anything."
Venelana quickly shook her head, somewhat embarrassed. "I cannot. I have to do this for my family and for my daughter's wishes. If this is what is necessary for her to be able to go to Kuoh…" The Bael swallowed, forcing herself to hold his gaze. "Then please, Lord Damon… take me right now."
Damon blinked, a little surprised by the brown-haired woman's confession. For a moment, he said nothing, giving her one last chance to regret it. But when Venelana did not move, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"If that is what you want," Damon said, without taking his eyes off her, "How could I possibly say no to a woman like you? Come here…"
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