In the warm light of the Sitri lounge, Serafall looked at her parents with a hint of worry. "Mama, Papa... won't we get into trouble for cutting their supplies?"
Byron snorted, leaning back. "Nope. The Old Satan Faction only helps those descendants for power and wealth. There is no true loyalty there."
Serafall's eyes lit up with an idea. "Then... I can bring Rein-chan into my faction! The Anti-Maou faction would be so much stronger with him!"
"No, he won't join," Byron said flatly.
"Why not? I know his grandfather heads the Great King Faction, but I can still ask, right?" Serafall pouted.
Melina smiled sadly and shook her head. "He won't, Sera. I know how Rein thinks. He isn't the type to follow someone else's banner."
Defeated, Serafall slumped into her chair. Melina leaned forward. "Tell me in more detail, Sera. What did you feel at the ball?"
Serafall described it again, her voice hushed. "The pressure... it was suffocating. He didn't care what they said about him, or who talked behind his back. But the moment they touched his father's name or his clan... it was like a god of wrath had descended. He told them clearly: insult his father, and they face him."
Byron let out a proud, booming laugh. "So, a lion gives birth to another lion cub, not a house cat! I am glad to hear it."
"Was Reinhardt's father really that strong?" Serafall asked quietly.
"He was, Sera," Byron said, his eyes glazing over with memory. "Astarion Bael was Zeckram's firstborn and his greatest pride. He was the strongest user of the Power of Destruction in history. They called him the 'Beast.' He was friends with everyone, and his death left a hole no one can fill. Reinhardt has more backing than your entire Anti-Maou faction combined, Sera."
Serafall blinked. "Besides Bael, Phenex, and the Great King... is there more?"
"The Agares family," Byron revealed. "His aunt is the current Matriarch and his godmother. She adores him. With Agares supporting him, why would he ever need to join a faction?"
Serafall sighed, realizing the scale of her "Rein-chan's" influence. "So... asking him to join me was a pretty dumb question, wasn't it?"
Byron smiled gently. "If we wanted, Sera, your mother and I could have stayed neutral in the Great King Faction. But we saw your dream. We wanted to support your goal, so we chose to leave the safety of neutrality for your Anti-Maou cause."
Serafall was stunned. "But Papa, we don't have the same weight as—"
"We have power and wealth, Sera," Melina interrupted, pulling her daughter into a hug. "That is enough. We love our daughter's cause, so we chose to stand behind her."
Serafall squeezed them both tight, her eyes watering. "Thank you, Papa. Thank you, Mama." Both parents patted her head, holding their daughter close in the quiet mansion.
Reinhardt's Secret Influence Network
Pillar
Connection Type
Influence Level
House Bael
Bloodline (Grandfather/Uncle)
Absolute
House Phenex
Bloodline (Grandfather/Uncle)
Absolute
House Agares
Godmother (Aunt)
High
House Sitri
Family Friends (Byron/Melina)
High (Secret Logistical Support)
House Lucifuge
Romantic/Political (Grayfia/Valerius)
Critical (Hidden Asset)
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[Status Check: 480,000,000 Devil Coins]
[World Event: The Logistics War has begun. The Old Satan Faction is losing 15% of its supply efficiency due to Sitri "accidents."]
Reinhardt is currently having breakfast when a secret message from Serafall arrives on his phone: "Rein-chan! I'm coming over today! Prepare snacks!"
Reinhardt was halfway through a piece of toast when his phone buzzed. He read the message and let out a long, dramatic sigh.
"Venelana, Misla," Reinhardt said, rubbing his temples. "Brace yourselves. The magical girl storm is approaching. Serafall is coming over."
Venelana and Misla shared a look and burst into giggles. "Of course, Rein-sama. We'll get the high-grade sugar ready," Misla teased.
A few minutes later, a bright, sparkly teleportation circle appeared in the center of the lounge. Out stepped the heiress of the Sitri clan, striking a dramatic pose with her hand over her heart. "Ta-da! This is Magical Girl Sera-chan! Did you miss me, Rein-chan?"
The room went dead silent.
Artoria (Lancer), Morgan, and Scáthach stared at the energetic girl with various expressions of confusion and judgment. Artoria nudged Morgan with her elbow. "Hey, Bookworm. Someone as strange as you just arrived."
Morgan's eye twitched. "I have eyes and I can see perfectly, you gluttonous pig," she snapped.
"What did you call me?!" Artoria's grip tightened on her spear.
The two sisters immediately began their daily round of bickering until Reinhardt sharply clapped his hands together. The sound echoed with a hint of Haki, making the air vibrate. "Lancer, Morgan. Enough. We have a guest."
Both sisters let out a synchronized "Humph!" and turned away from each other.
"Everyone," Reinhardt announced, "this is Serafall Sitri. Sera, you already know Venelana and Misla. The others are my guards: Lancer, Morgan, and Scáthach."
The summons gave curt nods of greeting, but Serafall wasn't paying much attention to them. Her eyes were locked on the mountain of snacks Venelana had just placed on the table. Without a hint of hesitation, Serafall grabbed a plate of strawberry tarts, skipped over to Reinhardt, and sat directly on his lap.
The room froze again.
Artoria leaned in, narrowed her eyes, and started mentally taking notes. So... that's how you establish dominance in the household? Interesting.
"Brainless woman," Morgan muttered, though she looked slightly envious. Scáthach just sighed, watching the "sisters" begin to glare at each other again while Venelana and Misla wisely retreated to the kitchen to prepare lunch.
Reinhardt looked down at the girl currently munching happily on his lap. He shook his head and reached out, gently patting her head. Serafall made a soft, happy sound, leaning into his touch like a satisfied kitten, before picking up a cookie and holding it to his mouth.
"Say 'ahhh', Rein-chan! You need energy for all that brooding you do!"
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[Event: The Sitri Invasion]
Affection Gained: Serafall Sitri (Rising rapidly). Observation: Artoria (Lancer) is planning to copy Serafall's "Lap-Sitting" technique later.
As Serafall feeds you snacks, she whispers something in your ear that makes your eyes narrow.