Sirzechs Lucifer, Satan of Domestic Affairs and one of the most powerful beings in the Underworld, was losing a battle against an enemy no amount of Power of Destruction could vanquish: paperwork.
The stack on his desk had grown to a precarious height that threatened to topple at any moment. Reports from various territories, budget proposals, infrastructure projects, and endless petitions from noble houses—all requiring his review and signature. His crimson hair, usually perfectly styled, now had several strands out of place from the number of times he'd run his fingers through it in frustration.
He glanced at the ornate clock on the wall. Three hours since he'd started, and the pile seemed to have multiplied rather than diminished. Grayfia had made it abundantly clear this morning that he was not to leave his office until he'd made "significant progress." Her silver eyes had held that particular gleam that promised consequences if he failed to comply.
Sirzechs sighed and leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms above his head. The motion sent a small avalanche of papers sliding across his desk.
"Perfect," he muttered, watching as several documents fluttered to the floor.
As he bent to retrieve them, a thought occurred to him. Grayfia had said he couldn't leave his office—she hadn't specified that he couldn't have visitors. Or make calls.
A smile spread across his face as he straightened, leaving the fallen papers where they lay. He reached for the communication circle on his desk, his fingers tracing the familiar pattern that would connect him to his oldest friend.
The circle glowed briefly before projecting a three-dimensional image of Ajuka Beelzebub. The green-haired Satan appeared to be in his laboratory, surrounded by floating magical equations and half-assembled devices.
"Sirzechs," Ajuka acknowledged without looking up from whatever he was tinkering with. "This is unexpected."
"Ajuka! My dearest friend!" Sirzechs beamed, propping his feet on his desk and knocking over yet another stack of papers. He ignored them completely. "I was just thinking about that fascinating project you mentioned last week. The one with the, ah..." He waved his hand vaguely. "The thing. With the other thing."
Ajuka finally looked up, one elegant green eyebrow raised. "Which 'thing' specifically? I believe I mentioned seventeen distinct research projects during our last conversation."
"Exactly! That's precisely why I called. I wanted an update on all seventeen." Sirzechs nodded enthusiastically. "In great detail, if possible. Perhaps starting with the most complex ones?"
"I see." Ajuka set down the device he'd been working on, his light blue eyes studying Sirzechs with the same analytical precision he applied to his experiments. "Grayfia has you on paperwork duty, doesn't she?"
Sirzechs deflated slightly. "Is it that obvious?"
"You have an ink smudge on your cheek, your hair looks like you've been electrocuted, and you're suddenly interested in the mathematical principles behind my dimensional storage compression theory." Ajuka's lips quirked in a rare hint of amusement. "Yes, it's rather obvious."
"Well, I wouldn't say I'm not interested in your theories," Sirzechs protested, quickly sitting up straighter and attempting to smooth his hair. "I'm simply... prioritizing my educational development over these mundane administrative tasks."
"Of course." Ajuka nodded, not believing him for a second. "And if Grayfia happens to walk in, you can claim you're discussing important Satan business."
"Precisely!" Sirzechs grinned, pointing at his friend. "This is why we work so well together. You always understand my vision."
Before Ajuka could respond, the communication circle pulsed with another incoming call. Sirzechs quickly accepted it, and a second projection appeared—this one showing Serafall Leviathan in what appeared to be a magical girl costume complete with wand and ribbons.
"Sirzechs-chan! Ajuka-chan! ★" Serafall twirled, her twin tails swinging wildly. "I felt a disturbance in the Satan force! Are we having an emergency meeting without me? Mou, so mean! ★"
Sirzechs laughed, genuine delight crossing his features. "Serafall! Perfect timing. We were just having an important discussion about..." He glanced at the papers on his desk, grabbing one at random. "The, ah, infrastructure development in the eastern territories."
"No, we weren't," Ajuka stated flatly.
"Sirzechs is avoiding his paperwork," he continued, ignoring the betrayed look Sirzechs shot him. "And attempting to use me as his alibi."
Serafall gasped dramatically, pressing her wand to her cheek. "Paperwork avoidance? That's a serious crime, Sirzechs-chan! As the star of Magical Girl Levia-tan, I must uphold justice and proper administrative procedures! ★"
She struck a pose that involved pointing her wand directly at the projection of Sirzechs, who raised his hands in surrender.
"I plead guilty to all charges," he admitted with a theatrical sigh. "But in my defense, have you seen how much paperwork accumulates when you're in charge of domestic affairs? It's inhumane."
"Delegation exists for a reason," Ajuka pointed out.
"Grayfia says I delegate too much already." Sirzechs pouted, looking remarkably like his son Millicas when denied a second dessert. "Something about 'responsibility' and 'setting an example'.'"
Serafall giggled, twirling her wand between her fingers. "Grayfia-chan is so strict! But that's why we love her! ★"
"Speaking of responsibilities," Ajuka said, his tone shifting to something more business-like, "I've recently completed the latest batch of Evil Pieces for distribution."
"Oh?" Sirzechs perked up, genuinely interested now. "Any notable recipients?"
"Several from minor houses." Ajuka's fingers moved through the air, manipulating unseen data. "And one set I delivered personally to Dante Valac's father."
Sirzechs nearly choked on nothing. "You gave Evil Pieces to Alexius's son?"
"Indeed." Ajuka nodded, seemingly unperturbed by Sirzechs's reaction.
"Dante? ★" Serafall's pink eyes suddenly blazed with interest, all playfulness vanishing as she leaned closer to her projection. "You gave Evil Pieces to Da-chan?"
Sirzechs and Ajuka exchanged a look. Serafall's sudden intensity was notable—she typically maintained her bubbly persona even during serious discussions.
"Yes," Ajuka confirmed. "He qualified easily. In fact, his evaluation scores were among the highest I've seen in decades. Comparable to Sairaorg Bael, though through different metrics."
"That's... surprising," Sirzechs admitted, leaning back in his chair. His blue eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "I was under the impression he was rather... unremarkable. Talented enough, certainly, but not exceptional."
"A common misconception," Ajuka said. "One I suspect he deliberately cultivates. His actual capabilities are quite impressive. Moreover, I've noticed he's been spending considerable time with my niece, Latia."
"Ohooo! ★" Serafall's playfulness returned full force, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. "Romance is blooming! How scandalous! The Valac heir and the Astaroth princess! ★"
"I wouldn't go that far," Ajuka replied, though there was something in his tone that suggested otherwise. "They appear to share intellectual interests. Latia has mentioned several theoretical discussions they've had regarding magical formula manipulation."
"'Theoretical discussions,'?" Sirzechs grinned, momentarily forgetting his paperwork woes. "And here I thought young Dante was more interested in... less academic pursuits."
"His reputation for frivolity is exaggerated," Ajuka said. "Though not entirely undeserved. Regardless, he's now in possession of a complete set of Evil Pieces."
Serafall had gone uncharacteristically quiet, her pink eyes distant as if considering something. Then, suddenly, she clapped her hands together, her face lighting up with excitement.
"I have the most magical idea! ★" She twirled again, ribbons fluttering around her. "Da-chan needs a base of operations for his peerage activities, right? Somewhere with access to potential recruits, somewhere already under devil management... somewhere like Kuoh Academy! ★"
Sirzechs straightened in his chair, a slow smile spreading across his face. "That's... actually brilliant, Serafall."
"Of course it is! I'm a magical genius! ★" She preened.
"Kuoh is currently under the joint management of Rias and Sona," Sirzechs mused, tapping his fingers on his desk. "Adding a third devil heir to the mix could create an interesting dynamic."
"By 'interesting,' you mean 'chaotic,'" Ajuka observed dryly.
"Potentially." Sirzechs didn't deny it. "But it also creates opportunities. Young Dante would have access to a territory already secured against most supernatural threats, with established infrastructure for devil operations."
"And So-tan would have company! ★" Serafall added, her eyes sparkling. "My precious little sister and Da-chan in the same place! It's perfect! ★"
"Isn't there some... history between Dante and Sona?" Ajuka asked, his perfect memory recalling details from years ago. "Something involving a chess match and an unfortunate comment about physical attributes?"
Serafall's expression darkened momentarily. "A minor misunderstanding! Water under the bridge! ★" Her smile returned, though it seemed slightly forced. "So-tan is a professional. She can work with Da-chan for the greater good!"
"And there's Rias to consider," Sirzechs added, his blue eyes gleaming with calculation that belied his casual demeanor. "Perhaps they might find common ground."
"Oh?" Serafall tilted her head. "Sirzechs-chan, are you playing matchmaker? ★"
"Not at all," he protested. "I'm simply thinking of potential alliances. The Gremory and Valac houses haven't had close ties in a while. It might be beneficial to change that."
"Especially given Rias's current engagement situation," Ajuka noted perceptively.
Sirzechs's expression tightened slightly. "Yes. That... arrangement with Riser Phenex is something. If Rias could find an alternative solution..."
"Like a handsome, newly-minted King with his own peerage? ★" Serafall suggested innocently.
"It would certainly present options," Sirzechs agreed, careful to keep his tone neutral. "But ultimately, it would be Rias's decision. I merely want to ensure she has choices available to her."
"Of course, of course! Just creating opportunities! ★" Serafall nodded vigorously. "So it's settled! We'll arrange for Da-chan to establish his base at Kuoh! I'll handle the paperwork! ★"
"I haven't agreed to this," Ajuka pointed out.
"But you're not objecting either," Sirzechs countered. "And I notice you haven't mentioned any concerns about your niece's involvement with someone who might soon be operating in territory controlled by the sisters of two Satans."
Ajuka's lips thinned slightly. "Latia is quite capable of managing her own affairs. And her interest in Dante appears to be genuinely intellectual, at least in part."
"At least in part," Sirzechs repeated, grinning. "The rest being...?"
"Not relevant to this discussion," Ajuka finished smoothly.
"So we're all agreed! ★" Serafall clapped her hands again. "Operation 'Da-chan Goes to School' is officially launched! ★"
"We should approach this carefully," Sirzechs cautioned, though he couldn't keep the excitement from his voice. "Draft the proposal as a special opportunity for exceptional young devils to gain real-world experience. Make it sound like an honor rather than an imposition."
"Leave the diplomatic framing to me! ★" Serafall winked. "Foreign Affairs is my specialty, after all! ★"
The three Satans nodded in agreement, the plan taking shape in their minds. Then, after a moment of satisfied silence, Ajuka raised the question they'd all been avoiding.
"So," he said calmly, "who's going to inform Alexius Valac that we're relocating his son and heir to a human school run by the sisters of the two Satans he's most antagonistic toward?"
The silence that followed was deafening.
Sirzechs cleared his throat. "Well—"
"Not it! ★" Serafall declared, touching her wand to her nose.
"This was primarily your idea, Serafall," Ajuka pointed out reasonably.
"But you're the one who gave Da-chan his Evil Pieces! ★" she countered. "And you've known Alexius the longest! ★"
"I'm not the one planning to place his son in proximity to my sister as a potential marriage candidate," Ajuka replied, glancing meaningfully at Sirzechs.
"That's not—I never said—" Sirzechs sputtered, then sighed in defeat. "Fine. I'll call Alexius. But I'm bringing Grayfia with me."
"Hiding behind your wife? How brave, Sirzechs-chan! ★" Serafall teased.
"It's not hiding, it's tactical deployment," Sirzechs defended. "Alexius has always been... respectful toward Grayfia, despite his issues with me."
"I wonder why," Ajuka murmured, too low for Sirzechs to hear clearly.
"What was that?"
"Nothing of consequence." Ajuka straightened some papers on his desk. "If we're finished planning this potential diplomatic incident, I have actual work to return to."
"As do I," Sirzechs sighed, looking forlornly at the mountain of paperwork still awaiting his attention. "Though I suppose now I'll need to prepare for a meeting with Alexius as well."
"Just tell him it's a great honor! ★" Serafall suggested. "Devils love having their vanity stroked! ★"
"I'll consider my approach carefully," Sirzechs promised. "But first..." He gestured at the documents surrounding him. "I should probably make some progress on this before Grayfia returns."
"A wise decision," Ajuka agreed. "Good luck with both your paperwork and with Alexius."
"Thank you for your overwhelming support," Sirzechs replied dryly.
"You're welcome! ★" Serafall beamed, missing or ignoring his sarcasm. "This is going to be so exciting! Da-chan, So-tan, and Rias-chan all together! What could possibly go wrong? ★"
As the communication ended and the projections faded, Sirzechs was left alone with his paperwork once more. But now, at least, he had something far more interesting to think about. Plans within plans began forming in his mind—ways to turn this situation to everyone's advantage, particularly Rias's.
If young Dante Valac was half as talented as Ajuka suggested, and if he could be properly motivated... perhaps Rias's engagement problem might solve itself. It was a long shot, certainly, but Sirzechs had built his career on turning unlikely possibilities into reality.
He picked up his pen with renewed purpose. The sooner he finished this paperwork, the sooner he could begin laying the groundwork for Operation "Da-chan Goes to School."
Grayfia would probably disapprove of his meddling. But then, what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her. At least not until it was too late to stop it.
Sirzechs smiled to himself. Sometimes, being Satan had its advantages.