DXD SI : Chapter 40 : Self Revelations & Talks of Overcoming Inaction.... (Patreon)

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Bael Territory, Underworld

–Magdaran Bael–

Ah, yes, the Ancestral Hall, the place looked at with the most reverence in the entire Bael Territory. The place where the Original Pillar Bael lived, supposedly. Personally, he thought it was a rather stupid decision to advertise the location of your dwelling, especially since the person in question had a list of enemies longer than that of his allies. Even amongst his allies, there must be many who were only following him out of necessity. Or maybe Zekram never really lived here, and this was all just a fancy trap for his enemies. 

It made sense for the monster’s mindset since he didn’t trust anybody anyway, not even the hand picked head of the House, as evidenced by the vastly more powerful Devil acting as his secretary. He knew how to manipulate people properly as well, judging by his deliberate use of a female secretary to keep an eye on Zephyr. Hell, he probably had someone watching her and then someone watching the watcher as well, so was the paranoia and meticulousness of one Zekram Bael.

Which is why it confused him just how he managed to slip under the radar of this almost all knowing devil. Was it arrogance? Overconfidence? Carelessness? Or was he simply not worth his interest until he gained sufficient power?

He didn't know, and in the earlier days, when he had realised just what Zekram was, he had been terrified of the man someday swooping in and robbing him of what little personal agency he had, but the day never came, right up to the day he finally felt powerful enough to protect himself if Zekram ever made a move on him.

Even with that, he had been afraid, yes, afraid of Zekram and making a move on him and his power structure in the Bael House. He told himself that it would just create more problems for him, and rob him of what little anonymity and time he had. That becoming the Head of the Bael Clan would draw so much negative attention to him that it might even threaten his life, that he would find himself entangled in the sticky web of politics and not have enough time to strengthen himself.

While all of that might be true, it was not the whole reason he did not take action. The simple truth was that he was afraid.

That’s all there was to it. Zekram was an old monster, and having not only survived but thrived until now meant that the man couldn't be rid of. It was not like people would not have tried. It just meant that the bastard survived every attempt and that terrified him, for he knew he would not know a day of peace if he attacked Zekram and did not destroy his corpse with his own two hands.

Fear of not just Zekram, but what came after he finally took action and did something. Because once he got into that mindset, then he couldn't take a step back. He would have to keep on moving. If it was proven successfully that he could use his powers to get what he wanted without having to bide his time all the time and strike at the most opportune time, then he would have to keep doing that for his goals. Basically, creating a cycle of sorts that never ended simply because of his strength inviting conflict.

But that was then, and this was now. Somewhere along the way in his excursions out in the human world, he’d realised something pretty simple. Something that had eluded him so far.

That power without purpose was just useless. Yes, he had his Garden, and he felt the burning urge to avenge his mother every time he thought of her vacant, dead eyes staring at him, but lately, he had been feeling that couldn't be it, right?

There had to be something else. Something else he had to do in this world. He couldn't remain passive until the end of time, because that’s what the path he was taking would lead to. Right now, he was worried about Super Devil tier beings overpowering him, then once he crossed that threshold, he would be worried about someone like Thor misting him, then he would be worried about Odin, then the Hindu Gods, then Ophis, then Great Red, then the Trihexa, then whatever came beyond that.

The point was that his knowledge came at a cost, and it made him terribly indecisive and passive. Someone like Zekram was capable of outmanoeuvring not just Super Devils like Sirzechs, but multiple Gods as well, who were multiple times stronger than him. If Zekram could wreak havoc like that and still live, why should he be worried about responding to what was clearly a trap laid out for him.

Of course, his mindset being what it was, meant he didn’t immediately move onto the big fish. Thankfully, the tiny fish had delivered itself to him. Hopefully, Zephyr would not die immediately. It would not satisfy him. 

Today, he was going to fulfill one of his life’s goals. Find out what happened to his mother.

As he reached the gate of the Ancestral Hall, he sighed and, with a flex of his power, the gates disintegrated, the flash of protective wards vanishing under his power.

His power cared not if the wards were strong or weak, warning-only or defensive or offensive. He just wanted them gone, and then, they were gone.

Walking on the cobbled path, he felt the thrum of magical energy below him. Since it was not offensive in any manner, he let the wards be, eventually reaching the big building. Looking all around him, he noted the absolute absence of Devils, when there must be no less than a dozen devils all around the property, constantly working to make sure that everything looked spotless. They made sure the grass was trimmed at the exact height daily, that the bushes were hedged, that the path was clean, that the gate literally gleamed every time, that reflections were visible on every single pillar of the building in front of him.

Walking up the steps, he wondered just what awaited him here? He had made preparations before coming here. If he did not return to his garden, pulse his magical signature to the Mother Tree, and then have the Tree send out a deactivation pulse without it being blocked or tampered with by anything, then a series of letters would be sent out to multiple people.

After all, if he really did die here, to two worms, after all the years of enduring and hiding, then he might as well go with a bang.

Hopefully, they went the simplistic route and had something Holy prepared for him. That would be best. It would be quite pleasing to watch Zephyr’s face morph into the signature “Oh, fuck!” face.

Once again, the doors in his way were simply disintegrated as he walked in, revealing a giant hallway, many times bigger than the outside dimensions suggested, which made sense. It was opulent, even more so than the official Senate building near New Lilith. Hell, they could probably create enough seating here, even with the luxuries that most Pillar Devils wanted, and have the entire Senate seated here.

Knowing Zekram and his way of showcasing power, he might really have had meetings with his Senate allies here, and since they were in the majority right now, he must have—

“Welcome, son!” He looked up as Zephyr appeared in front of the stairs that led to the Throne at the top of the stairs. Ofcourse, Zekram would love to look down at anyone coming to him.

Zephyr had a smile on his face, but it was clearly fake. His eyes were darting behind him, then all around the room, and then at him, his body too stiff and him staying in one place despite spreading his arms as if asking for a hug clearly signified the man’s fear.

And it was good.

“I am here,” He chose to reply simply, standing in place with his hands in his pockets, radiating perfect nonchalance, or so he hoped. It clearly irked Zephyr, his face and eyes twitching as he slowly lowered his hands. Oh, this must be soooo humiliating for him.

Damn. Ragebating truly was fun, especially since he intended to kill the man anyway.

He made a show of looking around before asking, “Where’s the Ancestor?”

While he looked relaxed, he was anything but. Lifelong paranoia was hard to leave behind. His senses were on alert, and so was Zephyr there. 

See, he knew that was a hierarchy among Power of Destruction users. Sirzechs towered above all of them, which was obvious. Venelana being as strong as she was, was a surprise but made sense in hindsight, as she did birth both Sirzechs and Rias. All Power of Destruction users couldn't accurately gauge the tier of the Power of Destruction. It only worked top down.

So, he couldn't fathom how high Sirzechs Power was, just that it was high. He could, however, accurately gauge the Power of Destruction of devils lower than him. He could also use that sense as a sonar of sorts. That’s how he knew that aside from Zephyr here, there were no other users of Power of Destruction in the hall. 

Zekram could have feasibly built a way to hide that, but he had a hunch the old monster did not want to be here, for plausible deniability most probably, so that when Zephyr’s plan went up in smoke and he down in ashes, Zekram could distance himself from the whole fiasco.

After all, to the uninitiated, Zephyr was the one who ran the show. The same Zephyr whose power was tightly coiled, ready and waiting to lash out at anyone who came close.

Zephyr replied with gritted teeth, keeping a close eye on him as he casually walked into the hall, “He will be here soon.”