Perched at the very edge of Agreas Island, my legs dangling above the endless sea of clouds, I watch the world stretch out beneath me like a dream. The great floating landmass drifts silently in the sky, its cliffs plunging downward where silver waterfalls spill endlessly into the mist below. Above the cliffs rises a serene city of pale stone towers, shining softly in the sunlight, surrounded by patches of green terraces and elegant domed buildings that seem almost too peaceful to be real. Smaller islands hover nearby like scattered fragments of a forgotten continent, some tethered by long cables that disappear into the fog beneath them. The wind moves gently through the air, carrying the distant sound of water and the quiet hum of a city suspended between earth and Hell, making it feel as if the island itself is breathing slowly in the sky.
I watched the sky below peacefully, taking a slow drag from my cigarette, the smoke curling lazily into the wind as it drifts away into the clouds.
"You promised me you would stop smoking."
A soft voice called out from behind me, I didn't need to look to know who it was.
I took another drag then threw the cigarette into the world below.
"I'm a devil, a cigarette won't kill me."
She let out a quiet sigh, the sound soft but heavy with familiarity.
"That's not the point."
She stepped closer until the wind tugged gently at her.
"Just because it won't kill you doesn't mean you should keep doing it."
I crossed my arms, glancing down at the tiny ember of the cigarette disappearing into the clouds far below.
"Anyways... what do you want?"
Seekvaira sighed softly at my blunt question, though the reaction didn't surprise her. The wind tugged lightly at her hair as she stepped closer to the edge, her expression calm but carrying the quiet authority of an older sister.
"Father is calling for you," she said evenly.
I glanced at her from the corner of my eye but didn't immediately move. The clouds below drifted slowly while the distant waterfalls of the floating island roared faintly in the background.
Seekvaira folded her arms, watching me carefully. She knew that look on my face—the one that meant I was considering ignoring the summons.
I let out a slow breath through my nose and shifted slightly where I sat on the cliff's edge.
Seekvaira studied me for another moment before adding, a faint hint of curiosity slipping into her voice, "He didn't say why he wanted to see you… but knowing Father, it's probably important."
She tilted her head slightly.
"So," she finished, "are you going to keep sitting here, or are you coming?"
"Fine! Fine! I'll go."
I pushed myself off the edge of the cliff and landed back on solid ground, brushing the dust from my pants.
Seekvaira let out a quiet breath, something between relief and mild annoyance.
"Good," she said simply.
She turned and began walking toward the path leading back to the Agares estate, clearly expecting me to follow without further argument. The wind continued to sweep across the edge of the floating island as she walked ahead with the composed elegance typical of an Agares noble.
I followed behind Seekvaira along the stone path that curved away from the cliffside, my hands tucked lazily into my pockets as the cool wind of Agreas Island brushed against my clothes.
Ahead of us, the Agares estate rose like a monument of quiet authority. The vast mansion was built from smooth white stone that shimmered faintly in the sunlight, its tall towers and wide balconies overlooking the floating gardens surrounding it. Elegant arches framed the entrance while long crimson banners bearing the Agares crest hung from the upper walls, swaying gently in the wind. The entire estate carried an air of ancient nobility—grand, serene, and powerful—standing proudly at the heart of Agreas Island.
I stepped through the tall doors of the estate and into the cool quiet of the interior, the sounds of the wind outside fading the moment the doors closed behind me. My footsteps echoed softly against the polished marble floor as I walked down the long corridor toward the main hall. Tall pillars lined the hallway on both sides, their surfaces carved with intricate demonic patterns that told the long history of the Agares clan. Sunlight filtered through towering stained-glass windows, casting shifting colors across the floor as I passed beneath them. Servants moved quietly along the edges of the corridor, lowering their heads respectfully as I walked by, while the distant doors of the main hall slowly grew larger ahead of me with each step.
The massive doors of the main hall opened slowly as I pushed them inward, revealing a vast chamber of polished marble and towering columns that stretched up toward a high vaulted ceiling. Tall windows along the sides allowed pale light to spill across the floor, illuminating the long crimson carpet that led straight to the raised platform at the far end of the room. Banners bearing the Agares crest hung from the walls, their fabric barely moving in the still air of the hall.
Standing at the end of the chamber was my father, his presence commanding the room without effort. He carried the refined features of the Agares bloodline—long pale-green hair flowing neatly down his back, sharp crimson eyes, and a composed expression that radiated quiet authority. Dressed in an elegant noble uniform with gold accents, he stood with his hands behind his back, posture perfectly straight, the calm but unmistakable aura of a Devil King noble making it clear why the entire territory answered to him.
I stopped a few steps before the platform.
"What is it, Father?"
He studied me quietly for a moment before speaking.
"I have received a message from the capital," he said in his calm, measured voice. "From Sirzechs Lucifer himself."
My father's crimson eyes remained steady on me.
"It appears the Maou intends to visit Agreas Island soon," he continued. "And the purpose of his visit… is you."
"Did he tell you what he wants?"
He slowly shook his head.
"No," he replied calmly. "The message was… brief."
His hands remained clasped behind his back as he continued in the same composed tone.
"He simply informed me that he intends to visit Agreas Island personally in the near future and that he wishes to speak with you."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"When the Maou himself takes the time to travel across the Underworld for a meeting," my father added, "it is rarely something trivial."
The hall fell quiet again for a moment before he spoke once more.
"Which is why," he said evenly, "I would like to know if there is something you wish to tell me first."
My father remained still as I answered, his expression unreadable for a moment.
"Nah, nothing that comes to mind."
For a few seconds the hall was silent, the only sound the faint echo of distant wind brushing against the tall windows of the estate. His crimson eyes lingered on me as if trying to determine whether I was hiding something.
Then he adjusted his glasses slightly.
"…I see."
There was no accusation in his voice, but the weight behind it made it clear he wasn't entirely convinced.
"Very well," he continued calmly. "Then we will wait for the Maou's arrival."
He turned slightly, his cloak shifting behind him as he looked out toward the distant windows overlooking Agreas Island.
"Sirzechs Lucifer does not make unnecessary visits," my father added. "Whatever his reason is… we will learn it soon enough."
After a moment, his gaze returned to me.
"Until then," he said, his tone returning to that quiet authority, "do try not to cause any incidents that would embarrass this family."
"Hey, have I ever done anything to embarrass you?" I smirked.
The faintest crease appeared between his brows as he adjusted his glasses again, clearly unimpressed by my expression.
"For the sake of family harmony," he said calmly, "I will pretend that question was rhetorical."
He let the words sit in the air for a moment before continuing.
"However," he added in the same composed tone, "if you truly require an answer, I can have the household records brought in. I am certain the list would be… extensive."
I couldn't tell if he was joking or not.
Knowing my father, he probably wasn't.
After a brief pause, his expression softened just slightly, though the authority in his voice remained.
"Regardless," he said, "Sirzechs Lucifer will be arriving soon. When he does, you will conduct yourself properly."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You are still an Agares."