Chapter 253: Childish
As Masa guided Sona to the empty room to rest, his engagement party was about to be held, and all the invitations were sent, but as expected, Sirzech, despite being gentle and kind, never thought to remain silent about Masa's provocation, so he made everything huge.
Masa Vapula vs Sirzech Lucifer.
This had become a stir, and everyone knew that the heir of the House of Vapula had provoked Sirzech and wished to fight Sirzech during his engagement party.
"What a stupid boy!"
"Has he become so arrogant after defeating the Red Dragon Emperor?"
"But... aren't you curious whether he can defeat our Lucifer or not?"
Yet, unexpectedly, the result wasn't something that Sirzech wished for.
Yes, Sirzech was powerful, and it had been hundreds of years since he had become Lucifer, a title that a devil could only get as one became the strongest. Unfortunately, his influence on society wasn't that strong despite having such a title.
Instead, Masa's influence on society was strong, especially when he was quite evil, considering he was a loan shark and had many monopolies over a variety of important sectors within the Underworld, whether it was food, media, energy, water, and many others.
More importantly, Masa's aunt was the queen of the Underworld, as Misla had married the head of the House of Bael, and he was also close to Serafall.
So, at this moment, the influence that Masa had been hiding was shown, and despite those who were under him thinking that it was impossible to defeat Sirzech, no one thought to give full support to Sirzech.
After all, it was something admirable that a young generation wanted to become ambitious, wishing to challenge Sirzech Lucifer to become the new pillar of the devil, so how could they try to dissuade him?
Everyone knew that the strength of the devils had become low due to the "Devil Civil War" and the "Sleeping Disease," and there were also many creatures who wished to take over the Underworld, such as Hades, as he wanted to fully occupy the Underworld under him despite how impossible it was.
So, under that pretext, many started to support Masa, and even if he lost, no one would blame him, especially when he was young and eager to become strong.
Still, under those guises, the fact that this duel also worked as a fight for influence between the Four Great Satans Faction and the Great King Faction.
Masa was, without a doubt, part of the Great King Faction as his aunt was the wife of the current Great King, Lord Bael, so if he could develop further, it would be great for the Great King Faction.
Frankly, at this point, Sirzech's situation was far from good as he was viewed as a small-minded, egoist who never thought about the future of the devil as a whole despite being Lucifer.
If possible, Sirzech wanted to kill all of those who mocked him, but he knew well that the Underworld couldn't live without those lice and scabies, so he could only hold on despite the fact that he was the one who wanted to make everything into a huge problem.
Still, this situation didn't last for long since Ajuka decided to help Sirzech, so the situation could be said to be 50:50, as half supported Masa and the other half supported Sirzech.
Yet, without a doubt, everyone anticipated this duel between Masa and Sirzech that would happen at Masa's engagement party.
"You are really childish."
These were Ajuka's words when he looked at Sirzech for the first time after a while. He had been busy with many things, but this best friend of his caused him trouble.
Still, Sirzech didn't say anything and just pouted.
Shaking his head, Ajuka asked, "Do you even need to involve everyone in this small matter?" He had seen Masa in the past, and he knew that Masa's limit was only that of the Ultimate Class Devil.
It might be high in the eyes of others, but for Ajuka and Sirzech, it was nothing.
Ajuka thought so, but did Sirzech think differently?
"I thought the same at first, and he was close to Serafall, after all, but unexpectedly, that guy was..."
Sirzech had to admit that it was so annoying for Masa to annoy him like this. He was Lucifer, after all, so shouldn't Masa follow everything that he asked him for?
Why the fuck does this guy think that he could challenge him?
"Is he stronger than you imagine?"
In Ajuka's eyes, it didn't matter how much influence one could get since, in the supernatural world, only the might mattered. Even if your personality was shitty, perverted, and even had many other defects, as long as one was powerful, their position would be high.
Yet, there was no doubt Masa was smart, especially after Ajuka got Masa's report and what he had been doing for the past years. Frankly, it was easy for him to get it as Masa didn't really hide anything except for those in secret.
More importantly, Masa's childhood feats weren't something that attracted people the most, nor did he try to advertise himself, so unless one had an interest in him, they wouldn't know.
Even with the rampage of the Red Dragon Emperor, Masa's reputation wasn't as high as Sirzech tried to make the problem smaller, considering he still wished for Issei to become part of his little sister's peerage member.
However, finally, the tamed lion, that one thought of as lazy, docile, and even shut-in, showed its fangs and directly tried to devour Sirzech, the strongest devil.
With Ajuka's understanding of Masa based on the report, he knew that it was impossible for Masa to challenge Sirzech if Masa didn't have confidence.
"He won't ask Serafall's help, right?"
"No, he won't. He might be shitty, but I have to acknowledge his character."
A man, probably, this is how to describe Masa's personality even if Sirzech hated Masa.
If there was a problem, it was at how Sirzech handled Masa, thinking that Masa would be obedient to him like others, and he knew that well, but how could he, as a leader, admit such a mistake?
After all, it had been ingrained that the subordinates' achievements were the superior's achievements, but the mistakes of the superiors were the mistakes of the subordinates, right?
"But his power should be more or less about Serafall and Falbium."
Ajuka raised his brows and asked, "Then, is it okay to send your wife to fight him?"
"It's fine. He is just a young man. He lacks experience, and he isn't worthy to fight me yet."
"You are right."
Regardless, while what Masa had done was something so outrageous that no one could think of, without a doubt, his youth saved him.
"You should make up with your wife. Be kind to her and divorce your second wife."
Meanwhile, as Ajuka and Sirzech had their conversations, Lord Bael could only show a respectful expression toward his father, the ancestor of the House of Bael, Zekram Bael.
Masa's strength was obvious, and he should have reached the Satan Class, so of course, Zekram felt that his son should be closer to his first wife despite being a failed descendant.
"I know."
Lord Bael didn't care about his wives and only thought about his position as the Great King, so he knew well that he needed a powerful devil under him. Masa was a perfect candidate, as Masa was his nephew.
As for how his new wife felt about it, Lord Bael didn't care.
This was politics, only interests mattered, and feelings were a secondary matter.
"But that bitch doesn't want to go back to me and keeps saying an excuse that she isn't healthy yet. She is all healthy, yet she isn't going back and just staying at her family's home. Does she not know the duty as the wife of Lord Bael?!"
When Lord Bael thought about Misla, who refused to go back, it made him angry and annoyed, wishing to slap that stupid woman.
"Then, use this chance to take her and educate her, but at least, in front of her nephew, you should be gentle and kind."
"I understand, Father."
No one thought much about Misla since she was just a woman, and the two of them thought that as Misla could wake up from her "Sleeping Disease," she should show her duty as the wife of Lord Bael instead of returning to her family's home.
It was fortunate that the "Sleeping Disease" on her body hadn't been cured, so her excuse to stay at the domain of the House of Vapula to recuperate didn't embarrass Lord Bael.
"His engagement party is about to start, so hurry up and divorce your current wife."
"Yes, Father."
Lord Bael nodded, but then he yawned.
Zekram raised his brows and said coldly, "You're sure courageous to yawn in front of me."
"I am sorry, Father! I-I haven't fallen asleep yesterday!"
"...stop playing around for a moment. How old are you, and do you need me to remind you like this?"
"I am sorry."
Lord Bael sighed, but he knew well no matter how high his status was, he gained all of them through his father, the ancestor of the House of Bael, so he was all obedient since he wanted to continue to become a king.
"Then, go."
"Okay."
As Lord Bael left, Zekram also yawned, but he didn't think too much, thinking that he was affected by his son's yawn, but the two never expected these simple yawns would be the start of every mess.