It was in the best interest of the upper clans if his momentum was curbed and they would use any means necessary to 'chip' the spear of Belial, even if that meant targeting him through his weakness.
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|DxD| Chapter 9.5- Consequences 2
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Diehauser watched Cleria go through several facial expressions. Her emotions were clear as day. In their world, this was a weakness that could be exploited. The politics of the Underworld were far more cutthroat than reality let on.
Far too many people had met their ends just by taking a single step in the wrong direction. Opportunities to correct that deviation were often few and far in between, sometimes nonexistent. Even if there were, opponents would be far too quick to capitalize.
Diehauser had a very intricate understanding of the Underworld. When he inherited the patriarch position, he knew very well what needed to be done and how to do it. He set a precedent and became a shining beacon many would wish to snuff out.
Cleria's honest mistake would have become the loose thread pulled to unravel their clan into a pile of useless fabric. The word 'human' alone in her first letter would have become that loose thread.
His little cousin, the one he held in his arms when she was an infant, was born before this turbulent century. Perhaps it was because she spent more time amongst humans, but she believed herself to be seasoned and logically, had learnt all that she needed to learn.
But she was young, at least to him. She had seen bloodshed with her own eyes, and that hardened her. But, looking underneath the 'underneath' was something she had yet to learn. That war five decades ago had more hidden reasons than what was stated, and it all tied down to politics.
[This moment will serve as a strong cautionary lesson for her.]
He waited for her, to let her work through all the conjectures sprouting in her head. Cleria was smart. She was intelligent and very capable. All she lacked was wisdom and that could only be gained through experience. As long as he nudged her in the right direction, she would solve the puzzle in front of her and receive wisdom as a reward. She did not disappoint.
Cleria suddenly sat up with a start. The leather on her chair creaked due to the sudden rubbing movement. Her eyes trembled and her mouth quivered.
"T-T-T-Treason?"
"..."
[She really is smart.]
Diehauser suppressed his smile. While being charged with treason is one of the likelihoods, it was indeed a possibility many would go for…along with a few others.
"You are correct, Cleria. Treason is a crime you could be charged with, but it is a last resort. You are a devil of a pillar clan. It wouldn't be quite easy to stifle you with such a crime, though it wouldn't be difficult as well."
Diehauser leaned back into the chair. His little cousin finally got the point so there was no need for him to be so serious.
"Let us get into practical guarantees that would definitely occur in the hypothetical scenario I wasn't there to intercept your letters."
He smiled meaningfully.
"If you don't listen, you'll never get married."
"..."
It was Cleria's turn to be quiet. She felt as if she'd been teleported through a poorly designed magic circle. The experience was like her stomach and lungs swapping places. She stared at Diehauser incredulously. Her mouth hung slightly open in disbelief and shock.
"You still have a time for jokes?!"
She couldn't comprehend his sudden shift in attitude. Her eyes were watery with tears of devastation and he felt the need to make jokes of her marriage prospects?
"Calm down, cousin. All of that before was just to scare you. As long as you understand, we can revert back to normal and discuss things like intellectuals. Think of it as a class."
"..."
Cleria had no words. Her fists clenched so hard they were shaking. She had almost doomed herself for centuries to come and he treated it as a class? Words could not describe the tumultuous thoughts in her head. She was caught between the grip of fear at what could've been, and relief that none of it happened.
"Cleria. Relax. Sit down. Nothing will happen. So calm down and we can go over this so it will never happen again."
"..."
Cleria released a breath she didn't even know she was holding. It took her a moment, but her clenched hands relaxed and she took a deep breath.
[Right. None of this will happen.]
She closed her eyes momentarily and when she opened them, they were clear. She regained the aura of a lady. She took a seat and placed her elbows on the table.
"Alright, cousin. I'm listening."
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|DxD|
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The trip to the clothing store didn't take long. It was still morning so only a few people were there. Still, Igor was uncomfortable around strangers so Shuri picked a few changes of clothes for him before leaving. The grocery shopping was a quick affair and after loading everything in the car, only forty minutes had passed since their arrival.
One of the key reasons to bring Igor here was to find something that could take his mind off, something that would be normal for children his age. Before he surprised her with his ability to read, she had considered getting him some of those famous consoles she saw being advertised on television. But now, she reckoned it was better to get him a book. Conveniently, there was a store nearby so she could take him to browse.
As soon as they got to the store, they were greeted with the sight of rows upon rows of books. Light novels, manga, and even VHS of more prominent manga adaptations. What truly stood out from the store were the promotional banners and streaks all over. There were sales posters and discount bundle deals.
Shuri was a bit overwhelmed because she'd almost stepped on a fallen figurine of a green man in a turban and because Akeno would shift in her arms and keep reaching out for things.
"Apologies, ojo-san. I didn't see how that fell."
A clerk in his twenties quickly bowed slightly before picking up the figurine. It was part of a line-up of character figures placed on a display table.
"Don't worry. I don't mind. Though do tell me what is all of this?"
"Oh?"
The young man perked up so suddenly his glasses almost slipped off. He quickly adjusted them, however his shock and surprise remained for a few seconds more.
"You really don't know who Son Goku is?"
"The name is familiar, though I supposed you'll tell me more, Nagasaki-san?"
The lad briefly wondered how she knew his surname before realising he had a name tag. He also understood from her tone he had been unprofessional by questioning her knowledge.
"My sincerest apologies, ojo-san. It was not my intent to…"
The words got caught in his throat, but Shuri waved him off.
"Hai, hai. I am curious about this Goku figure. He's a character from this Dragon Ball animation, correct?"
"I-Indeed, ojo-san. Are you looking to buy for that boy behind you?"
Shuri glanced over her shoulder. Igor was still standing by the doorway looking at the large poster. From the faint translucence, Shuri could tell it depicted a clash between a fighter with golden hair and a white humanoid reptilian-like entity with gem-like purple marks on his body.
Igor was so engrossed in the poster he didn't seem to notice being addressed. His stance was rather neutral, but there was no hiding the faint shimmer in his eyes. His eyes hadn't brightened this much when she took him through the toy aisle in the supermarket.
[Finally…he's acting his age.]
It was warming to see him show such wonder. It seemed all boys, regardless of race, colour, or heritage, all shared one thing in common. Shuri cemented that sight in her eyes before turning to face the young man with a smile.
"Nagasaki-san. Can you please package volumes one to the latest release? He seems very interested in this Goku."
"?!"
Nagasaki Shou was briefly caught off-guard before he quickly snapped out of it. His eyes brightened like stars. This was definitely a big spender!
"At once, ojo-san! Please take a seat while I go fetch them from the back. The complete listing of volumes are already wrapped in packaging so it will be easier to carry."
Shou did not linger and quickly went towards the backroom. In less than two minutes, he came out holding a large cardboard box. He brought it down and placed it before Shuri.
"Please look through it, ojo-san. There are 25 volumes in total. They are divided into bundles of five each."
Shuri looked at the volumes neatly wrapped in clear plastic. She took one bundle in hand and observed it. The books were small A5s, with appealing cover art.
"If you want, I can include an extra set of posters and character figures with a one-thousand yen discount. And because there's a bundle deal for volumes 20 to 25, I can include that along with your original bulk purchase."
Shuri considered it briefly. This could be her gift for Igor to remember her by once he left her care.
"Alright, Nagasaki-san. Please wrap it all up for me."
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AN: I'm curious if Igor can do the kamehameha. I wonder if he even has the reserves to make it.
That said, chapter 10 is available to read on my p@treon for free. Just look for HolyGambler.
Chapter 9.5
END