What incredible faces! What dream members! I see, this is the reason why these young devils are so promising. Certainly, these members who will apparently take responsibility for the future could be called promising. Perhaps because they were in the world of the high-class, they all had a different kind of behaviour and aura. So what did the old families and the high-class devil leaders want to see by gathering these members here? “Hey, Issei. Don’t show a stupid face.”
Saji said this to me while sighing. “But, isn’t this a meeting of high-class devils? I can’t help being tense. They all seem strong.”
“What are you saying? You’re the Sekiryuutei, right? Shouldn’t you be a bit more dignified?”
“Even if you say that…Wait, why are you getting angry about it, Saji?”
“The servant devils have to behave with dignity in this place. Since the opponents are watching not only the masters, but their subordinates as well. So if you act like that, you’re being rude to senpai as well. Be a bit more aware, you’re the Sekiryuutei of the Gremory group, after all.”
I was a bit astonished at getting such fierce comments from Saji. “It’s because you’re senpai’s prided servant. Even I would like to be the pride of Kaichou.”
Saji gave a bitter smile, but…What is it? What had happened to him? As I felt like asking, a door opened over there and an employee came in. “Sorry for making you all wait for so long. —Everyone is waiting.”
At last, the function was starting! The room that we young devils were all led to had a strange atmosphere about it. There were seats placed in very high places here, and there were distinguished-looking people sitting there. What’s more, there were distinguished-looking devils on the level above that as well. There was a face I recognised on the next level above that—Maou Sirzechs-sama. Beside him was Serafall-sama. She wasn’t dressed as a Maou shoujo today. Beside those two were…faces I didn’t know, but could they be Beelzebub-sama and Asmodeus-sama? Since even I could feel their powerful magic power from here, my idea didn’t seem to be incorrect. However, both of their appearances were very young. We were in a situation where we were being looked down upon by the higher-ups from a position high above us. Honestly, it wasn’t a very pleasant feeling. Because it was like the higher-ups were looking at us with condescending eyes. I hated this feeling. We were standing by in line behind Buchou. Though, we’re not really doing anything in particular. Even so, we were tense. Because it was so extremely silent…Since I couldn’t stand it, I looked at girls from other families. There seemed to be beast girls and former human girls as well. It’d be best if I could improve my relationship with them later. As I was secretly going full throttle like that, the six young people, including Buchou, moved forward by one step. The delinquent had also recovered and stepped forward as well. The swelling of his cheek didn’t seem to have gone away yet and a vivid mark still remained. Well, it was that strong of a punch. Unless Asia’s healing Sacred Gear was used on it, it wouldn’t disappear for a while. Rather, I would never let Asia near that guy. Who knows what he might do. “Good, you have gathered. In order to check the faces of you all, who will carry the burden of the next generation, you have been gathered here. This is also a meeting that is performed over a regular cycle, so that we can ascertain the young devils.”
An elderly male devil spoke with a solemn voice while clasping his hands together. “They seem to have fought right away, though…”
This time a full-moustached male devil spoke out sarcastically. He was referring to the matter from before. They really had fought right away. I was also surprised. Was this youthful indiscretion? “You six are all devils of the next generation that have pedigree and true ability that no objection can be raised against. That’s why, I want you to compete together before your debuts and increase your power in this way.”
Sirzechs-sama said this from his seat on the topmost level. So in other words, they’ll be doing Rating Games with their servant devils here? Now that you mention it, Azazel-sensei talked about it, about them setting Rating Games during our training camp in the underworld. Could this be what he meant? “Will we also eventually be sent out in the battle against the [Khaos Brigade]?”
Sairaorg-san suddenly asked that straight out. What an amazing thing to ask. “I don’t know. However, I don’t want to send out young devils if possible.”
Sirzechs-sama answered as such. Sairaorg-san raised his eyebrows in seeming incomprehension at that answer. “Why? Even if we’re young, we carry part of the responsibility of devils. If we just receive kindness from our predecessors even at this age and nothing further is done—”
“Sairaorg, I acknowledge your bravery. However, you’re reckless. Above all, I’d like to avoid sending you all, who are still in the midst of growing, to the battlefield. Besides, it would be too great a loss if we lost the devils of the next generation. I want you to understand. You are all more of a treasure to us than you think. That’s why I want you to experience important things step by step and grow.”
Sairaorg-san said “I understand” to Sirzechs-sama’s words, and seemed to consent to his words. But, his expression seemed dissatisfied. After that, the difficult talk continued about difficult words from the higher-ups and about the upcoming games from the Maou-sama. It was all incomprehensible to me and my head felt like it would burst. So it wouldn’t be ending soon. Wait, I’ll have no time to rest even when it ends, as the training will start for the training camp. But I’d like to face the training after I’ve had a short sleep in bed. “Now then, I apologise for keeping you with this long talk. Well, we all see our dreams and hopes in you young ones. I want you to understand at least that. You are the treasures of the underworld.”
Everyone hung on Sirzechs-sama’s words. I understood that there were no lies in the Maou-sama’s words as I listened. As expected of Buchou’s onii-san. He was a fundamentally kind person. He was a candid and interesting person by nature. “To finish things, will you now let us hear your respective future goals?”
The first to respond to Sirzechs-sama’s request was Sairaorg-san. “My dream is to become Maou.”
—! He declared that kind of thing suddenly! Amazing! [Hoh…]
The higher-ups also let out breaths of wonder at Sairaorg’s goal, which he had declared upfront without hesitation. “It’s unprecedented for a devil from the Great King family to leave it.”
A male devil higher-up said this. “When the people of the underworld feel that there’s no choice but for me to become Maou, I will become one.”
He declared even further! He really is amazing, this person! With no time for me to be surprised, Buchou spoke next.