In the Underworld
In a certain castle in Hell, where the Ministry of Internal Affairs operates, Sirzechs Lucifer, the current 'Lucifer' of Hell and the head of the Ministry, was currently doing some paperwork in his office.
Sirzechs was a handsome man who appeared to be in his late twenties. He had shoulder-length crimson red hair and green eyes inherited from his father.
The room featured a large wooden desk with a formal-looking but comfortable chair, several bookshelves filled and organized in a specific way at the back of the room, a few framed paintings and pictures on the left wall along with a sofa and a small table in the middle used for serving guests drinks and snacks, and a window that overlooked the beautiful scenery of a town, suggesting this office was located quite high up.
Sirzechs looked up upon hearing a knock at his office door.
"Come in."
The door opened and in walked a beautiful young woman, appearing to be in her early twenties, with long silver hair down to her back, braided on both sides with small blue ribbons at the ends. The rest flowed freely in two braids, and her red eyes gleamed. She wore a blue and white French maid outfit with long sleeves and a white maid headband. Her red lipstick served as a makeup accent.
This woman was Grayfia Lucifuge, wife and Queen of Sirzechs Lucifer, sister-in-law to Rias Gremory, and the mother of their only son.
"I heard you called for me?" Grayfia asked her husband, slightly confused.
She had come from the Gremory mansion after Sirzechs had suddenly summoned her without prior notice.
"Yes. I want you to go to the human world, specifically to Kuoh Town." Sirzechs put aside the paperwork he was working on and looked at his wife seriously.
"Rias's town? Has something happened?"
Grayfia felt a bit concerned—Sirzechs would never give her a trivial mission, and this was her sister-in-law's territory they were talking about.
"My sister's Pawn is the current wielder of the Boosted Gear." Sirzechs said.
"One of the Longinus." Grayfia frowned upon hearing this. This should have been good news, with a quality addition to Rias's peerage, but both Sirzechs and Grayfia felt uneasy upon learning this.
"You're worried that he might show up in Kuoh?" Grayfia asked.
"That's right. If it gets out that the Sekiryuutei is currently in Kuoh, I fear he might come looking… and with Rias's personality, I'm afraid a battle might break out." Sirzechs sighed as he reviewed the reports.
"Should I stay in Kuoh just in case the 'Berserk Lion' shows up?" Grayfia asked. Not long ago, there had been multiple reports about a madman who went around challenging Longinus users and defeating them. The only known details were that he had golden hair, a handsome appearance, wore golden armor, and wielded a holy sword. Even the Church had no intel on this mysterious young man, only that he seemed insanely delighted by battle. Thus, the name 'Berserk Lion' was born—based on his appearance and passion for fighting.
"There's no need. Just warn Rias to act cautiously." Sirzechs said as he handed Grayfia a report, which contained some information about the one known as the 'Berserk Lion'.
"Be careful." Sirzechs told his wife. She nodded at him and left.
———
Richard suddenly sneezed, sensing that someone was talking about him. He then walked over to get another plate of cookies for the black-haired loli in front of him. He grabbed another plate and could see a bit of excitement in her expression. The girl happily devoured everything. After finishing the second plate, she was about to ask for a third. Richard sighed, not expecting someone of her level to behave like this.
"That's enough."
Richard could sense the disappointment in her eyes. He could only sigh again and said, "I'll get you some ice cream."
He patted her head and, just as he expected, she didn't react—her attention focused more on what he said.
"Ice cream?"
Richard already knew how to answer her. "It's food." She continued to stare at him, now with a bit of anticipation.
Richard took out a box of cold chocolate ice cream and opened the lid. Her eyes sparkled—she now trusted Richard because he had given her delicious food. Seeing something new, she couldn't help but feel excited.
Richard scooped the ice cream with a spoon and brought it close to her mouth, but he paused, causing the girl to glance at him.
"You can call me Richard. What's your name, little one?"
She tilted her head and said, "…Ophis."
"Ophis-chan, huh? What a cute name.~ Here, your ice cream." Richard fed her the spoonful. Ophis's eyes sparkled oddly as she tasted the chocolate flavor—this was probably the first time she'd eaten something so delicious.
'Ophis… Ophis… Where have I heard that name before?'
Richard scooped another bite and Ophis opened her mouth, but he stopped midway and asked,
"What's your race, Ophis-chan?"
Ophis noticed his hand stop when he asked a question, so she understood she had to answer to get more ice cream. She quickly said, "Dragon."
"A dragon? That's awesome. Here's your cream, little one.~" Richard resumed feeding her while thinking,
'What is Vali's boss doing here?'
"O… Ophis-chan, are you also known as the Ouroboros Dragon?" He paused his hand in the air again after asking, and Ophis answered,
"Yes." She then created a magic circle in the shape of two serpents devouring each other, forming an infinity symbol.
Richard kept smiling. He had confirmed Ophis's identity, and he couldn't help but wonder why she had come to him. 'Did she get lost?'
"Ophis-chan, what are you doing here?" Richard asked while offering her another spoonful.
"I want to invite you." Ophis replied before opening her mouth again for the ice cream.
"Invite me? Oh, you mean to Khaos Brigade?" Richard knew about the organization and that their boss was the Ouroboros Dragon, but he hadn't looked into why she had formed the group. He assumed Ophis must be some villain… definitely not a cute girl like this.
"Yes." Ophis nodded in confirmation.
"Why are you inviting me?"
"Because you're strong."
"I'm strong, huh~ Thanks. I didn't think one of the two strongest beings would praise me.~" Richard said cheerfully and fed her another bite.
"So, what's your goal in forming Khaos Brigade?" Richard asked.
"To help me drive away Baka Red. I want my silence." Ophis replied, then looked at Richard, wondering if he'd join her organization.
"To be honest, I'm not joining you." Richard said. He figured someone like her might be getting used because of her personality, and he wasn't interested in joining the group anyway. Ophis nodded at his refusal and continued enjoying her ice cream. Suddenly, she tilted her head like she was thinking about something.
"Why are you willing to work with him but not help me?"
"Oh, so you know him too?" Richard raised an eyebrow.
"Yes." Ophis nodded. "I went to see that god before coming here."
"Hmmm, well I only said I wouldn't join Khaos Brigade. I didn't say I wouldn't help you~ Besides, I don't work for him. We're just cooperating, that's all~" Richard answered honestly.
'After all, he did offer me a partnership after learning I came from another world~'