In the quiet luxury of the Lucifuge study, Grayfia looked at her father with a lingering question. "Father, you mentioned Rein's parents were close to the Sitri house. But at the ball, it seemed like he and Serafall were meeting for the very first time."
Valerius nodded slowly. "That is to be expected, Fia. After Seraphina Phenex passed away during childbirth, Astarion Bael raised Reinhardt in relative seclusion. His grandfathers, Zeckram and Caelus, along with his uncle Rhaziel, made sure he had everything he needed within the safety of the estate. He didn't venture into the social circles of other heirs until he was of age."
Grayfia nodded, absorbing the history, then asked the question weighing on her mind. "Which faction do you think he supports?"
"He supports no one," Valerius replied firmly.
Grayfia's brow furrowed in confusion. "I understand why he wouldn't support the Old Satan Faction—they are responsible for his father's death. But why not the others? Why not the Anti-Maou Faction?"
"Because Reinhardt is playing a different game," Valerius explained. "Think about it. After Astarion died, House Bael went silent. Zeckram, a man I have known for decades, lost his greatest pride and his most beloved son. Yet, he showed no hint of retaliation. Then, suddenly, there is a massive fire surge at the outskirts. Reinhardt will avenge his father during the chaos of the Civil War. He will show them all that no one insults his clan or his father and gets away with it. He isn't joining a faction; he is making himself a name."
Grayfia sat stunned, the magnitude of Reinhardt's solitary path finally hitting her. "But why can't he just join the Anti-Maou Faction? Their cause is just."
Valerius looked at his daughter with a gaze full of wisdom. "This is my last lesson to you, Fia: never believe people's words until you see their heart with your own eyes. The concept of the Anti-Maou Faction is good, but power and greed corrupt. I don't know about Sirzechs, but his father, Zeoticus Gremory? I don't trust him for an inch. He doesn't fight for a 'better world.' He, and many like him, will use the power they gain during the war to swallow territory and wealth once the fighting stops."
He sighed, his voice heavy. "Clans like Bael, Agares, Phenex, and Sitri already have power and connections—they don't need to steal more. But others will use the faction as a ladder. There are very few people who truly care for the future of the Devil race like Zeckram does."
Grayfia was silent, shocked by the cold reality of the political landscape. The lesson settled deep in her heart. Valerius reached out and patted her head gently. "Just go and sleep peacefully, Fia."
Grayfia stood and threw her arms around her father, hugging him tightly. Valerius held her back, brushing her silver hair with a father's tenderness. As she held him, Grayfia began to cry. She was terrified of the coming storm, terrified of losing the only family she had left, and heartbroken by the thought that after the Civil War, she might never see her father's smile again.
The Current Political Landscape
To visualize the web of influence Reinhardt is navigating, here is the breakdown of the factions as they stand:
Faction
Leadership/Key Figures
Primary Motivation
Reinhardt's Stance
Old Satan Faction
Descendants of the Original Satans (e.g., Rizevim Lucifer)
Traditional Supremacy, War with other races.
Hostile. (The target of his revenge).
Anti-Maou Faction
Gremory (Zeoticus), Sitri, etc.
Overthrowing the Old Satans, Reformation.
Neutral/Wary. (Views them as opportunistic).
Great King Faction
Zeckram Bael
Preservation of the Devil Race, Neutrality.
Ally. (Secretly backed by Zeckram).
The "New" Clan
Reinhardt Phenex Bael
Absolute Sovereignty, Family Honor.
Self. (The hidden third pillar).
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[Emotional Resonance: Grayfia Lucifuge]
State: Heartbroken but Determined. New Priority: Protecting her father and following Reinhardt's independent path.
In the Sitri Mansion, the atmosphere was far more lively. Serafall practically bounced through the front doors, her eyes sparkling with leftover excitement from the gala.
"I'm home!" she chirped, greeting her parents. Her father, Lord Lord Byron Sitri, and her mother, Lady Melina Sitri, were waiting in the lounge.
"Welcome back, Sera," Byron replied, leaning back. "How was the ball? I hope you didn't cause too much trouble for the organizers."
"It was great! And you won't believe it—I met the most handsome guy ever!" Serafall gushed, clasping her hands together.
Byron's face went pale, then turned a shade of protective red. "Hell no! You are not allowed to meet any guy for at least a few more decades! I won't have some smooth-talker—"
Twist!
Melina reached over and firmly gripped Byron's ear, pulling it back. "Ow, ow, ow! Dear, let go! Not the ear!"
"Don't you dare try to control our daughter's love life, Byron," Melina said with a sweet, terrifying smile. As Byron slumped to the ground in defeat, nursing his ear, Melina turned back to her daughter. "So, did you see Reinhardt Bael Phenex at the ball?"
Serafall froze, her eyes wide. "Wait, how do you know Reinhardt? And yes! He was there! The handsome guy I'm talking about is Rein-chan, Mama!"
Melina's face lit up with genuine delight. "Oh, that's wonderful! Your father and I were very close friends with Reinhardt's parents, Astarion and Seraphina."
"What?! Why didn't I know this?!" Serafall shouted, looking between her parents.
Byron, still slumped on the floor, sighed. "After Seraphina Phenex died during childbirth, my old friend Astarion became... understandably overprotective. Rein stayed at his mansion for years. Your mother and I only visited once or twice a year to check on them."
Serafall pouted, her cheeks puffing out. "Father, you are so mean!"
"Sera, please—"
"You went to his mansion and didn't take me with you even once!" She stomped her foot.
Melina reached out and poked Serafall's forehead gently. "Young lady, every time we were about to ask you to come along, you were already out playing with your friends or off on some adventure."
Serafall pouted even harder. "Still! You should have just grabbed me and taken me anyway!"
"Next time, for sure," Melina promised, her expression turning more serious. "But tell me, is it true? Did Rein really break both of the Asmodeus descendant's upper limbs?"
Serafall nodded vigorously and recounted the entire scene—how the arrogant heir demanded Rein join him, the refusal, and then the fatal mistake of insulting Astarion Bael. She described the chilling pressure and the effortless way Reinhardt snapped the heir's joints.
As she finished, the room's temperature seemed to drop. Byron Sitri was no longer the goofy, defeated father; he was a Lord of the Underworld whose brother-in-arms had been insulted. "That brat... he dares to insult Astarion? Astarion was a brother to me."
He looked at Melina, his eyes cold. "I think it's time we find a way to cut off some of the vital supplies we send to the Old Satan Faction—specifically the ones who ordered that messenger to speak."
Melina was smiling, but it was the kind of smile that made even Serafall shiver. "Yes, honey. Let's do exactly that."
Serafall watched them, stunned. She had always known her father was a powerful Lord, but seeing him so ready to sabotage a major faction for Reinhardt's father made her realize just how deep the bond went. Rein-chan really is part of the family, she thought, a small, determined smile appearing on her face.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[Alliance Solidified: The Sitri Connection]
Byron & Melina Sitri: Now actively sabotaging your enemies' logistics. Serafall Sitri: Looking for any excuse to visit "Rein-chan."