Chapter 20: Before The Duel (1)
Itachi Uchiha stepped through the grand entrance, his black cloak emblazoned with red clouds drawing immediate attention. Conversations faltered as hundreds of eyes turned to him, their gazes a mixture of curiosity, disdain, and wariness.
A human daring to challenge a noble family like Phenex, he thought, unflinching under the weight of their scrutiny.
The room was filled with some of the most powerful beings in the Underworld—no fewer than 100 Ultimate-class devils, hundreds of High-class devils, and all four Devil Kings. The oppressive aura was palpable, yet Itachi's composure remained intact, even as a bead of sweat rolled down his temple.
So many Ultimate-class devils... Itachi's thoughts were calm but calculating. Not even the light novel hinted at this level of presence.
His gaze swept across the room, pausing briefly on the four Devil Kings seated on elevated thrones at the far end of the hall. Sirzechs Lucifer, Ajuka Beelzebub, Falbium Asmodeus, and Serafall Leviathan radiated authority and power that made the rest of the gathering seem insignificant by comparison.
It was Serafall who broke the tense silence.
"Look at you!" she exclaimed, standing abruptly. Her bright, childlike voice cut through the heavy atmosphere, catching everyone off guard. She pointed at Itachi's Akatsuki cloak. "What's with the outfit? Are you cosplaying? I love it!"
The sudden shift in mood was jarring, murmurs spreading through the crowd. Itachi gave her a polite nod, his face betraying no emotion.
"You could say that."
Serafall, undeterred by his curt reply, practically skipped down from her throne, stopping directly in front of him. Her inquisitive eyes studied him intently. "It's got this whole ominous vibe, but it's also kinda cool! Is it a symbol of your power or something?"
"It's... an organizational outfit," Itachi said vaguely, sidestepping the question.
Before Serafall could press further, the arrival of the Phenex family diverted the room's attention. Lord Phenex, accompanied by his wife, their two sons, and Ravel Phenex, entered with the grace and poise expected of Underworld nobility. They approached the Devil Kings first, offering formal greetings before turning to Itachi.
Lord Phenex's sharp eyes studied him for a moment before offering a polite bow. "Itachi Uchiha, I presume? An honor to finally meet you."
"The honor is mine, Lord Phenex," Itachi replied with a slight bow, his tone calm and measured.
Lady Phenex stepped forward next, her tone warm but curious. "You've certainly made an impression. It's rare for someone from the human world to prompt such an event."
Ravel, standing slightly behind her parents, seemed torn between curiosity and suspicion, her sharp eyes darting between her father and Itachi.
---
The conversation turned as Lord Phenex addressed the Devil Kings. "Your presence here, all four of you, is... unexpected. May I inquire about the occasion?"
Serafall was the first to respond, her cheerful demeanor replaced by a sharp edge. "When 100 Phenex Tears are at stake, we can't exactly stay away, can we?"
The room stirred at her words, whispers rippling through the gathered devils. Phenex Tears were legendary for their unparalleled healing properties, and offering so many was no trivial matter.
Lord Phenex's expression remained composed, though a flicker of amusement crossed his eyes. "I see. You believe the stakes warrant such attention. Understandable, though we are confident in our victory."
Serafall smirked, her playful tone returning. "Confident, are we? You Phenex sure love a challenge. If Itachi here had asked for a thousand more Tears, I'm sure you'd have agreed, wouldn't you? Despite reports claiming you only have ninety left."
Lord Phenex chuckled lightly, his tone even. "If he had, we might have considered it. After all, the outcome of this game is certain. And, for the record, we truly only possess ninety Phenex Tears. Rest assured, this human will lose."
---
As the evening progressed, conversations ebbed and flowed. Itachi found himself at the center of attention more often than he liked, fielding questions from devils curious about his abilities, his intentions, and what they perceived as arrogance. He wished fervently for the fight to begin.
Serafall, in particular, seemed determined to engage him at every opportunity. Her enthusiasm was both overwhelming and strangely endearing. "So, Itachi, do you think humans and devils can truly coexist? Or are we just fooling ourselves with all this diplomacy?"
Itachi met her gaze, his tone steady. "Coexistence is possible, but only if both sides are willing to acknowledge their flaws and work past them."
Her eyes lit up. "That's such a diplomatic answer! You'd make a great ambassador. Ever thought of joining the Underworld's council?"
Before Itachi could respond, Ajuka Beelzebub interjected from his seat. "Serafall, give the man some space. He's barely been here an hour, and you're already recruiting him."
The room erupted in polite laughter, but Itachi remained focused. His mind was already piecing together the intricate layers of devil hierarchy and politics.