Highschool DxD: Dryadic Dragon

Chapter 16: Contemplation & Development

Ultimately, I ended up purchasing a chess set that featured an interesting humanoid design for the pieces, rather than the standard version. It should make for a compelling finished product once I've added my own dryadic flair into the equation.

As for my offer to help Sairaorg pick out a present of his own, we decided to head towards Lilith's central mall. The sight of the capital's Central Tower coming into view as we strolled down the streets was a sight I simply couldn't help but marvel at.

So that's where the Four Great Satans reside. Part of me wondered if some of them were standing at the windows of the fortress, looking down on the bustling crowd below while we all remained none the wiser.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Sairaorg remarked while walking beside me. Thora and Kushia, his Queen, were doing the same a few paces in front of us. Probably gossiping about our habits to one another.

Come to think of it, Thora's also had to live a relatively secluded life because of her position, hasn't she? I'm glad she's able to do some bonding of her own outside of our territory.

"Impressive is an understatement if you ask me." The structure's presence alone was almost inspiring in a way, maybe that was the motive behind its design in the first place.

"Haha, I won't argue with you there." A glint of determination burned through his fiery gaze as he opened his fist, pointing towards the uppermost compartment of the bastion. "One day, I'm going to make that place my residence."

My eyebrows were quick to lift, shocked to hear such a statement from the Bael Clan's Heir of all people.

"You wish to become a Satan? Wouldn't that mean you'd have to cast away your family name?" 

"Man, if I had a penny for every time I got a reaction like that." He dipped his head, sighing to himself. "The thing is… that name isn't nearly as glamorous as people seem to think. Not where it really counts, at least. Besides, there are some things in the Underworld I'd like to change—and I don't think becoming the Bael Clan's Patriarch is the right path to changing them. Only through becoming a Satan can I make my wishes come true."

I felt something stirred within me as I looked at his expression of apparent conflict, my gut telling me that I didn't need to use Senjutsu to read what he was feeling at present.

This guy… I recognize that look on his face better than anyone when he talked about his family. A soft smile crept up the corners of my mouth.

Sairaorg Bael. The "defect" born without his family's esteemed Clan Trait, the Power of Destruction, the same Clan Trait wielded by the current Satan Lucifer. Yet, he's still chosen to walk down such a demanding path that only four amongst a countless ocean of hopefuls can reach the end of.

I'm not sure whether to call him courageous or foolish.

Then again, even without the blessing of demonic power, he's still got a presence like that. I can also detect flickers of Ki coursing through him. I doubt he's got the same level of Senjutsu prowess as I and Martha—however, it's highly possible for him to have achieved Touki through a near-suicidal amount of training.

"My father told me a lot about the Bael Clan." 

"None of it good, I imagine." He said regretfully.

"I'll admit… he had a rather colorful description of your family." I nodded stiffly, doing my best to sound as respectful as possible. "However, I know for a fact that you don't match the things he said about them. You're a determined fool, that's for sure—but maybe that's exactly the kind of person the Underworld needs at the forefront."

"I'm… honestly not sure how to respond to that." He blinked repeatedly, making it clear to me that he hadn't heard those words before.

"It's the type of compliment someone who struggles with compliments would give you if you're confused, I learnt that from her." I gestured towards Thora. "Granted, I am interested to hear you elaborate on those changes you believe the Underworld needs."

"It's simple, well, at least it is on paper. I want to create an Underworld where every devil can work towards their dreams regardless of their background." 

He spread his arms wide. 

"Take a look around you, the bare minimum prerequisite to even step foot into Lilith is to be a considerably well-off Middle Class Devil. Someone unfortunate enough to be born with the title of Low Class would never be able to view the Central Tower the same way we can."

"That's only partially true though isn't it? Promotional exams exist for a reason after all." I said, despite knowing full well that the exams were absurdly flawed. I just wanted to hear him talk more, for one reason or another.

"Even so, the exams are unequal because of the Underworld's education standards. People born into better families will always have access to higher quality tutoring than those in lower wealth brackets, giving them a clear cut advantage in the exams—especially the written section, forever maintaining the current status quo."

I shot him a toothy grin. "I see, you wish to break that status quo. However, you should know that becoming a Satan would only be the first step in that ambitious dream of yours."

There's a reason the current Four Great Satans haven't been able to create such a society already, despite their pro-equality stance.

"Yeah, I'll have to oppose the traditionalist values my family has enforced for centuries upon centuries." He spoke with firm, kindling resolve. "It's nothing new, I've been clashing with them from the moment I was conceived in my mother's womb. If continuing that battle is what's necessary for me to accomplish my goals, then so be it."

It seems you've made up your mind then, if walking a path that'll lead you to clash with that political behemoth is what you wish for—then I have no right to dissuade your determination.

I'm not much better either, I'm also a fool who chose to pursue a slim chance that could easily put me six feet under. 

But that's why the two of us have decided to keep going, isn't it? Because we know for a fact that there is a chance we'll get what we yearn for, and that's motivation enough.

"What about you? Alduin. What's your goal?" He folded his arms, patiently awaiting my answer. 

"I have quite a number of short-term ones, but I know that's not what you're interested in." I scratched my chin, attempting to come up with an appropriate response. "I guess wanting to live a life I wouldn't regret would be the most apt way I could put it."

"Isn't that what everyone wants?" Sairaorg tilted his head. I found his confusion understandable, but it was still hard for me to provide him with a proper explanation.

After all, I'm probably the only one who's actually lost a life before. 

"Maybe I just desire it more than anyone else in the Underworld, much more." I added, my gaze gravitating towards the Central Tower for some reason unbeknownst to even me.

Is someone watching me? 

"You're a strange guy, Alduin. You know that?" 

I beamed, the atmosphere between us lit up after a hearty conversation.

"As if you're any different." 

"Hah! You got me there." 

I'm glad I chose to make this trip to Lilith. When I'm in the Buné Manor, it feels like anvils are pressing down on my shoulders at all times. Out here, the pressure's lightened considerably.

After a pleasant cruise through the capital city's scenic route, we finally arrived at the heavily acclaimed center mall. The size of which was grandiose enough to make our residence seem like a cottage in comparison. 

The parking lot bustled with hundreds of vehicles searching for an open spot, and there were definitely not enough staff to manage the traffic.

You'd think a King's coronation was happening with how many people were trying to find a place. Sheesh, I'm seriously glad we chose to walk.

"Saira!" Kushia ran up to him, pointing at one of the nearby billboards. "Look! They've opened a new ice cream place! And they've got a special Levia-tan promotion flavour!" 

"Aren't we supposed to be looking for Sona's gift though?" He scratched his cheek, unsure whether to go along with his Queen's sudden whim.

Sigh. You dense bastard, she's trying to hang out with you for fuck sake! Take a hint! 

"I don't see a problem with a little interim break." I chimed in. "It's still bright and early, the shops won't close for quite some time. There's plenty of room for some ice cream in between."

Of course, I can't actually eat any of it because of my meddlesome Clan Traits.

Kushia and I exchanged a knowing wink, it seemed that we both shared difficulties in getting our target to drop their business-like attitudes. 

"If you say so." He shrugged, ultimately deciding to go with the flow. 

Thora smouldered. "Young Lord, should we really be wasting time like this—" 

"You're outnumbered three to one, Thora. I wouldn't bother trying to fight back if I were you." I put my hand on my shoulder, a devilish smile encroaching upon my face shortly after.

"Young Lord!" She flinched as I slowly slid my hand down her arm, purposefully making the process of our fingers interlocking as drawn out as possible.

"What? It's a crowded place, I'm just making sure we don't get lost."

I turned around while pulling Thora's dazed expression along to the mall's entrance, sticking my tongue out halfway at Kushia who was observing us with unparalleled shock written all over her face.

Heh, this is how a professional gets it done. 

It didn't take long for the bickering to begin.

"Saira! You nincompoop!"

"Eh? What did I do?" 

"Dunderhead!" 

"I don't even know what that means!" 

"Exactly! You don't understand a thing! Useless Saira!" 

"Young Lord, you did that on purpose didn't you?" She squinted at me, her face judgmental as an unamused capybara.

"That's only half-true, regardless of whether they were here, I wouldn't pass up on a chance to make such a move on you." 

I'm surprised I haven't thought about it until now, but I think being away from home is making me a lot less restrictive with my demeanor. Granted, I'm not really all that reserved at home, considering how openly I like to take jabs at Martha and Sebastian. 

Still, that effect feels intensified out here.

"Young Lord."

"Yes?" 

Woah! 

All of a sudden, she grabbed me by the wrist, effortlessly stopping me in place and bringing her mouth up to my ear. The sensation of her warm breath hitching against my skin caused a rush of adrenaline to surge through me. 

"You should save such words for a more private setting. Rumors spread like wildfire, no matter how small the ember." 

She reeled back, a playful smile plastered on her face. 

She caught me by complete surprise! 

"Oh my." She cupped her mouth, giggling to herself. "I do happen to find that expression on your face simply adorable. Who knew the Young Lord had it in him to appear so flustered from such a small provocation?" 

I'd be lying if I said my face didn't feel hotter than usual.

"Hmph, laugh while you can. I hope you know that my provocations are going to increase tenfold thanks to this." I huffed, closing my eyes and averting my gaze.

"Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from you." She clenched her fingers, tightening her clasp. "But don't start complaining once it becomes a two-way street." 

———

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