Underworld. The Bael Territory.
The Bael Territory was the largest domain of influence in the Underworld, its borders stretching wide through corridors shrouded in crimson mist, guarded by jagged mountains and loyal demons stationed like sentinels. Only a select few were permitted to dwell within this land; the majority of devils were allowed entry only through the triangular gates—after presenting official credentials or possessing a special status.
Zekram Bael's influence was like an unseen shadow that ruled the Underworld from behind the curtain, commanding absolute authority. It was said that merely uttering his name could make even the noblest of devils straighten themselves. He was not just the head of a noble house—he was the founder of the Great King Faction and one of the most cunning and seasoned political figures among the devils.
Despite the rise of the "new Four Great Satans," Zekram remained one of the unshakable pillars, a cornerstone upon which the balance of power rested. His influence easily rivaled that of Sirzechs Lucifer himself—perhaps even surpassing it in certain ancient circles that still believed in pure blood and traditional power.
Within the walls of the Bael Palace—constructed from flawless black stone and adorned with flickers of blue flame—the air was thick with the scent of authority and secrets... secrets revealed only to the true heirs of the throne.
… And on that day, the silence was unnatural. Something was about to happen—something that would shake the Underworld to its core.
"So... you're Misaki's son." — Zekram spoke in a calm tone, staring deeply at Ren, who stood before him with an air of nonchalance, with Misaki and Venelana standing behind him.
Ren wore modern clothes, hands tucked into his pockets, his blue eyes—clear like crystal—gazing at Zekram without the slightest sign of tension, as if he were observing something trivial.
Zekram, on the other hand, resembled a matured version of Venelana: a handsome man in his late twenties, with neatly styled brown hair and glowing purple eyes. Eyes that held a quiet storm.
Buzz—!
A sudden surge of dense magical power burst from Zekram's body, rising like a seismic wave that rattled the palace. The walls trembled under the weight of his pressure, and the ground groaned in silence. His title of "Ultimate-Class Devil" was not mere decoration—he was one of the pillars of the devil world, and far older than he appeared.
Yet… this immense pressure had no effect on the three standing before him. Ren had expanded the boundaries of his "Infinity" to envelop Misaki and Venelana, preventing the crushing force from reaching them. Perhaps Misaki could have endured for a while… but Venelana—with all her refinement—would have been ruthlessly flattened under Zekram's might without Ren's intervention.
"Not bad." — Something flickered in Zekram's eyes—a genuine acknowledgment with a touch of pride. He hadn't expected such a jewel to emerge from a lineage he believed had degenerated long ago. The Bael Clan had lost its former glory… but Ren seemed to be the spark no one saw coming.
"You too, old man." — Ren replied with a side-smirk, as if returning the compliment. He knew full well that the man before him wasn't just a high-ranking devil—he was Maou-class in power. Still, he was nowhere near Yamamoto, the only person Ren considered among the top fifty in the world.
BOOM—!
A second wave of pressure surged, this time from Ren himself, as he unleashed his power without warning, pressing back against Zekram with overwhelming force. It wasn't just a reaction—but a message. Ren was not one to bow to anyone's authority, not even to his direct ancestor. Especially not during their first meeting… in a place he felt no attachment to.
The great hall of the palace turned in an instant into an arena for a clash of generations: the immovable power of the past against the boundless force of the present.
The air—heavy as lead, charged with unbearable tension. The floor cracked from the clashing waves of pressure… and had any outside devil entered at that moment, they would have fallen instantly—without even understanding what hit them.
Misaki showed no real excitement. She blinked calmly, as if she had expected all this. She stood beside Ren with the certainty of a mother who knew exactly what her son brought into the world. As for Venelana, despite being shielded, she looked at Ren—eyes wide with shock… and something else she never expected to feel: fascination.
The blood connection was clear… but she never imagined such power could run stronger than even some of the legendary devils.
Zekram, despite the crushing force pressing against him, did not falter. His seasoned body remained intact, and his purple eyes never wavered from Ren… not with anger, but with calculation and a hint of concealed wonder.
"You seem… rather indifferent." — he said in a low voice, as if savoring his words.
Ren's smile expanded slightly—not mocking, not polite… simply confident.
"I wasn't particularly excited about coming here in the first place." — he replied with a small grin, pulling his hand out of his pocket and glancing around the hall, still straining under the dueling pressures.
"Hahaha… fascinating indeed!" — Suddenly, the crushing pressure Zekram had unleashed vanished, as if it had never been. Then he burst into wild laughter, deep and genuine, echoing throughout the stone palace.
It wasn't a harsh or scornful laugh—it was the laugh of a man who had finally found something worth his patience. There was pure joy gleaming in his eyes, a fierce delight as he gazed at Ren as though witnessing a priceless gem no one else had seen.
"I didn't expect… to find this kind of blood in my lineage again." — he said with a proud smile, his formal demeanor slipping away for a moment.
Even Misaki raised an eyebrow slightly, watching as Zekram suddenly seemed like a young man discovering a new toy.
And through it all…
Ren remained standing with utter indifference—shoulders relaxed, wearing a faint smile like a silent challenge.
...
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