Chapter 418: Demon Cardinal Council
Each of the Four Great Satans governed a region of the Underworld, somewhat resembling four separate countries.
However, due to external pressures and the vastness of the Three Realms, there were no conflicts typical between nations—at most, some interest entanglements like political marriages.
One commonality was that each region under a Satan's rule had its own unique circumstances.
Compared to Sirzechs and Serafall, who relied on pure-blood families and their own formidable strength, Leohart's situation was far more complex.
The most distinctive difference was that, despite being a Satan, he was still constrained by an institution called the Demon Cardinal Council, with both sides subtly opposing each other.
The Demon Cardinal Council was controlled by several elder-level ancient demons who held contemptuous and disdainful attitudes toward humans and other races.
The new generation of demons closely resembled humans, as did angels and Fallen Angels.
Katerea didn't describe the council's elder demons in detail, but if they matched Haruto's memories, those beings—aside from having one head and two legs—bore no resemblance to human form whatsoever.
In fact, compared to Katerea's Old Satan Faction, these old fossils were the true ancient demons.
After all, the so-called Old Satan Faction only ideologically supports the former Four Great Satans, with ninety percent of its members actually being new-generation demons.
However, the Demon Cardinal Institute under Leohart is different. These old cowards clinging to power and afraid of death have nearly exhausted demons' almost limitless lifespans.
Their appearances also most closely resemble the grotesque features of the first artificially created demons.
Old creatures who refuse to die become thieves.
With Leohart's rise to power, these old fools' authority became unstable. Having long maintained intricate connections with the Old Satan Faction, they now outright defected to them.
Their goal is singular: after the Old Satan Faction secretly replaces Leohart, they want to preserve the Cardinal Institute and their privileges, allowing them to wantonly oppress common demons.
If there's anywhere most dangerous in the current Underworld, it would undoubtedly be the Demon Lord's Castle where Leohart resides.
Which also happens to be where these old relics of the Demon Cardinal Institute are located.
According to incomplete statistics, thousands of young female demons go missing there annually, not to mention other persecuted demons.
Had Haruto not intervened promptly, the Naruse Couple would have been among them.
Though Satan Leohart turns a blind eye, other demons who disapprove find it difficult to intervene.
This situation somewhat resembles international relations between countries.
As the saying goes, every country has its own circumstances...
In reality, it's not that Leohart doesn't care, but rather that over the years, the Cardinal Institute's old guard has infiltrated every aspect of governance.
Rashly eliminating these old fools without preparation could cause the entire "nation's" economy and livelihood to collapse completely.
Should that happen, common demons would suffer even more, and Leohart himself would be eternally condemned.
As for why the Cardinal Institute suddenly grew desperate enough to ally with the Old Satan Faction against Leohart, it's simply because they're running out of time.
Since assuming power, Leohart has been cultivating his own faction while gradually reclaiming authority. While the Cardinal Institute schemes against him, he hasn't forgotten to counterattack.
Holding the position of Satan with power far surpassing those cowardly old relics, he maintains significant advantages.
Seeing their window closing, even these timid old fools had no choice but to gamble everything.
Ironically, it's precisely their hesitant, incompetent behavior that made it easier for Leohart to consolidate power.
Even with the Old Satan Faction's support, they must operate covertly.
Internal power struggles are one thing, but with the Old Satan Faction involved, the other three Satans would have justification to intervene.
In that scenario, even if Leohart falls, the Cardinal Institute's old guard would meet terrible ends.
Now that Haruto has learned about the Cardinal Institute's alliance with the Old Satan Faction, he could directly involve the Gremory family to profit from the situation.
But before he could decide how to approach Rias, Mio Naruse received a letter from the Underworld.
The letter's content was simple: expressing desire to meet the former Satan's daughter, and suggesting she return to the Underworld due to her special status.
Apparently worried Mio might ignore it, the letter was personally written by her uncle—though whether he did so voluntarily remains unclear.
Had it been before receiving the news about Katerea, Haruto might still have been somewhat puzzled. But now, with just a slight turn of thought, he grasped the crux of the matter.
Apart from Zolgear, many of the old fools in the Cardinal's Council still coveted the power within Mio Naruse.
After dealing with Zolgear back then, Haruto, leveraging his foreknowledge from memory, had specifically strengthened the protection around Mio.
But whether it was because Mio had become much stronger than in the original timeline or because she had formed a contract with Haruto, thus becoming tied to the Gremory family, no demons had come after Mio since then.
Now, with this sudden invitation to the Underworld and the hope for her to return as a 'princess,' it was clear someone was scheming again.
As for why they chose this timing, it was naturally because they planned to take care of Mio alongside their move against Leohart.
Then they could pin it all on the Old Satan Faction, washing their hands clean of the matter. Even if the Gremory family grew suspicious, without evidence, there would be nothing they could do.
Having figured it all out, Haruto sneered contemptuously.
Evidence or not, if anything happened to Mio, none of those old fools would live to see another day.
In the bedroom, Rias, Mio Naruse, Akeno, and Sheila listened to Haruto's explanation, their expressions shifting constantly.
"I never thought those old fools would still be so relentlessly ambitious," Sheila frowned, her cute, delicate lolita face showing a maturity that didn't match her stature but suited her age.
"Actually, I've long suspected that Wilbert's death was orchestrated by the College of Cardinals," Akeno said with a smile, crossing her arms and looking relaxed.
"Ara ara, since we've confirmed the Old Satan Faction's involvement, why not contact President Sona and, along with His Majesty Leohart, have the three Satans join forces..."
"That wouldn't be wise. It might expose Katerea, and a cornered beast will struggle desperately. It's better to resolve this matter discreetly," Rias shook her head. "It might not affect us, but it would definitely bring disaster to the lower-class demons."
Rias was right. When the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer. In the supernatural world, conflicts among the powerful often come at the expense of the common folk.
"Well, there's a perfect opportunity right in front of us," Haruto chuckled. "Mio, just reply saying you want to bring friends along to visit. If they disagree, then you won't go."
The letter writer, probably afraid that Haruto and Rias would accompany her, had subtly emphasized that the 'princess' should return alone, with attendants and maids all arranged on their end.
Since the other side wanted to play word games, they would repay them in kind.
Mio wouldn't bring attendants or bodyguards—she would bring friends.
As a princess, bringing a friend or two to visit another world was perfectly reasonable, wasn't it?
"What if they disagree?" Mio asked, smoothing her red twin tails.
With the Naruse couple still alive, she had no interest in getting involved with that side. But if Haruto needed it, she would be more than willing to help.
"If they disagree, then you just don't go. If those old fools can give up on this scheme, they might live a few more days," Haruto spread his hands and sneered. "But I doubt those power-hungry bastards will ever give up."
After further discussion, everyone decided to proceed with this plan.
Haruto had already reached god-class, while Rias and Naruse Mio were at the peak of SSS-class, on the verge of reaching Satan-Class. Even if the Old Satan Faction deployed all their forces, they still had the strength to fight.
Moreover, according to the intelligence revealed by Katerea, the Old Satan Faction wasn't particularly powerful—otherwise, they wouldn't have collaborated with those old fools from the Cardinal Council.
Haruto brought Mio to the female demon who had delivered the message and conveyed their demands.
The demon girl in charge of delivering the message looked troubled. Her orders were to bring only Naruse Mio back.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible..."
"If it's not possible, then forget it. I don't care about that so-called princess title."
Mio lifted her head proudly, her already impressive chest appearing even more prominent, making the messenger demon girl envious.
The demon girl cast a pleading glance at Haruto and Rias.
"Red Dragon Emperor, and Lady Rias, could you please persuade Lady Naruse? The Demon King's Castle is no place for sightseeing or tourism."
"Oh? Really? How come I was able to bring friends when I visited a Demon King's Castle?"
Rias deliberately feigned curiosity and said, "Could it be that your Demon King's Castle is more impressive than... ahem, than Lord Lucifer's?"
Haruto added, "Or perhaps there's something shady hidden in your Demon King's Castle?"
There was nothing shady—just a bunch of psychologically twisted, ancient beings who couldn't stand the light of day.
The messenger demon girl's expression soured. She had almost forgotten the status of the people before her.
Compared to Leohart, who was constantly at odds with the Cardinal Council and didn't even have full control over the authority of a Demon King, the Gremory family's Demon King clearly held more prestige.
There was no point in bullying a mere messenger demon. After a few sharp retorts, Haruto waved his hand to dismiss her.
"That's it. There's no way we're letting Mio return to the Underworld alone."
"Understood... I'll go back and seek further instructions."
The demon girl sighed. The mission wasn't completed, but it wasn't a complete failure either, so she likely wouldn't face severe punishment.
After all, the one who sent her was Ramusas—Mio's uncle—not the Cardinal Council.
Ramusas was a man of few words, with the rigid demeanor of an old-fashioned noble, but he wasn't harsh toward his subordinates.