Highschool DxD : The Time Devil

Chapter 8: The Weight of Politics

"Well, son, today I will first tell you about the different factions of us Devils," my father, Augustus Agares, the head of the Agares clan, began. His voice was calm but carried the weight of generations of tradition. The study room, filled with books and artifacts of our long history, was the perfect setting for such a lesson. I sat across from him, eager to learn more about the world I was born into, a world that seemed to operate on a foundation of raw power.

I listened as he explained, "The world may mostly run on might, but the current Four Satans are pacifists. They seek to create balance within the world, which is why the devils, despite being the strongest of the Three Factions—devils, angels, and fallen angels—haven't declared war. However, this peace gives rise to different political powers within the underworld."

He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing, "The major factions right now can be considered the Satan Faction, headed by Sirzechs Lucifer and the other Satans. Sirzechs, being the strongest, is the de facto leader. For now, they are peaceful and don't wish to initiate any wars. But then, there's the Great King Faction, led by the Bael clan, with Zekram Bael at its head. They believe devils are supreme and should take over both angels and fallen angels."

I nodded. It made sense. Even within a single race, there would always be divisions, those who sought peace and those who craved dominance. The politics of devils were more complex than the simple narratives I had grown up watching.

"Our Agares clan is currently aligned with the Satan Faction. We hold the rank of Archduke, and given your high talent and our clan's strength, your engagement to Rias Gremory should make more sense to you now. She is the sister of the leader of the Satan Faction. By aligning ourselves with her, we've cemented our place within that faction," my father explained, his voice tinged with the gravity of such alliances.

"Of course, this was not done without deep consideration. The incident at your birth, the way you distorted space and time, could not go unnoticed. Stronger beings sensed the disturbance immediately, and as soon as the Great King Faction heard about it, they spread the word throughout the underworld."

I took a deep breath, trying to remain composed. I had always known that my birth had caused some sort of commotion, but to hear it laid out so clearly was unsettling. My very existence had drawn attention from some of the most powerful beings in this world.

My thoughts briefly drifted away. This world I now found myself in was incredibly intricate. The anime had barely scratched the surface. How in the world did this complex web of politics, power struggles, and intricate world-building turn into an ecchi story? It felt almost disrespectful to the depth and potential this universe held. I couldn't help but shake my head in disbelief.

Returning my attention to my father, I listened as he continued, "Your talent rivals that of Sirzechs Lucifer. The Great King Faction didn't want another super devil to rise within the Satan Faction, so they spread the news of you talent far and wide. This was, in a way, their attempt to silence you before you could grow into a threat by borrowing the hands of other factions."

His words carried a cold truth. The Great King Faction, led by Zekram Bael, was not just a political opponent—they actively sought my destruction. Though I wasn't yet a super devil, my potential was enough to provoke fear in them.

"The Agares clan is strong," he said, his voice firm, "but even we cannot protect you from the highest-level threats if they decide to move against you with all their might. Your engagement to Rias isn't just a political alignment; it's a shield. As her future husband, you are tied to the strongest devil in the underworld. This makes the Great King Faction think twice before attempting anything. A genius who hasn't grown is still vulnerable, but with this engagement, you've gained the protection of the most powerful devil in existence."

I remained silent, understanding now the true significance of my engagement. It was far more than a familial bond; it was a move on the chessboard of devil politics. With Rias by my side, the Great King Faction would be forced to reconsider any plans against me. I wasn't just a lone prodigy—I was the future brother-in-law of Sirzechs Lucifer, of course I also had my own confidence that I can handle it all on my own but I can't deny that this protection hasn't helped me for now.

"There is one more faction of devils to mention," my father said, his tone softening. "The Old Satan Faction. However, they are no longer a real threat. They're just a defeated group of fanatics clinging to the old ways. They resort to terrorist activities now and then, but they are more of a nuisance than anything else. Like loud flies—irritating, but quick to run when confronted with real power."

The Old Satan Faction. I had heard of them, read about their attempts to restore the old ways where devils ruled over all, but they seemed like relics of a bygone era. My father's words confirmed as much. They could cause trouble, but they didn't hold the same influence or strength as the other factions.

"That about sums it up for us devils," my father said, his voice returning to its usual calm. "We fall under the Biblical Faction, one of the largest and most powerful factions in the world. This includes the angels of Heaven and the fallen angels of Grigori, all of whom were originally under the Biblical God."

I noticed the slight hesitation in his voice as he mentioned the Biblical God. He didn't need to say it outright, but I knew the truth from the original work—the Biblical God was dead. However, this fact was hidden from the younger generation, and for now, my father had to maintain the facade.

"Well, that's all for today," he said, standing from his seat. "I will tell you more about the other pantheons later, as well as the broader political landscape of the underworld. For now, you can rest."

With that, we left the study. My father's lesson was over, but the weight of the information stayed with me. Today's talk had opened my eyes to the true complexity of the underworld's political landscape. It was no longer just about strength. There were factions plotting, alliances forming, and enemies lurking in the shadows. And I, with my talent and potential, had already attracted attention—both good and bad.

As I walked back to my quarters, I thought again about the Great King Faction. They wanted me dead. But that would not be the end of this. I would investigate them myself, and when I was strong enough, they would face retribution for their plans against me. It was only a matter of time. Creating the eternal sanctuary had boosted my confidence by quite a bit, although I didn't tell about it to anyone including my family as it can be considered my secret ace, but for now even if I don't have Sirzechs Lucifer's protection, it is enough to save myself and retaliate, soon I will be as strong as a Satan then I won't have to worry much about them.

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