As the Pleiades arrived with wet towels and refreshments to tend to the scorched and embarrassed warriors, Reinhardt surveyed the damage.
"You guys need to fix the mess you made," he said, his tone firm but fair. "Do this until we secure our own territory. We can't have the Bael estate looking like a meteor crash site." The legendary heroes, from the Shogun to the Knight of Treachery, nodded sheepishly and began the manual labor of restoring the grounds.
Turning to Venelana and Misla, Reinhardt pulled them aside. "Lana, I'm giving you 2 billion Devil Coins. I want you and Misla to start a commerce empire. Your skills are far too great to be wasted just cooking for this mansion."
Venelana and Misla shared a warm smile. "We appreciate the trust, Rein," Venelana replied, "but even if we build the greatest merchant guild in the Underworld, we still want to cook for you. We'll work alongside Yuri and the others." Reinhardt sighed in mock defeat, unable to argue with their devotion, and agreed.
The Call from the Great King
Suddenly, Reinhardt's communication crystal glowed. The grim face of Zeckram Bael appeared.
"Rein, it's started. The Asmodeus and Beelzebub heirs are at each other's throats, and the Leviathan faction has jumped into the fray to scavenge what they can."
"Grandpa," Reinhardt asked, his eyes narrowing, "what about the other Leviathan descendants? Ingvild or Katerea?"
Zeckram sighed heavily. "We have Ingvild in our custody. She is suffering from the 'Sleeping Disease.' The current Leviathan head actually sold her to us in exchange for military supplies."
Reinhardt's aura flickered with cold rage. "I didn't hear you clearly, Grandpa. Did you say they sold their own kin like a piece of equipment?"
"I wish I were joking," Zeckram replied, massaging his temples. "They crave power to the point of insanity. As for Katerea, she's being used as a political bargaining chip by the heir, who views her as a nuisance."
"Buy her, Grandpa," Reinhardt commanded. "I want her as one of the pillars of my future clan. Also, tell Uncle Darius and Luther to triple the price of any Bael products sold to the Old Satan factions. If they want to ruin themselves in this war, let them pay us for the privilege."
Zeckram let out a dark, proud chuckle. "I've already given the order. The Bael coffers are overflowing while they bleed. I'll have Katerea sent to you shortly. As for Ingvild, she stays in the high-security hospital in the Sitri domain for now."
"Leave Ingvild for now," Reinhardt agreed. "Just tell me one thing, Grandpa. When the war officially breaks out... when do we move?"
Zeckram's eyes turned cold, reflecting the same fire as his grandson. "I am waiting for that moment just as much as you are, Rein. We will remove every piece of trash involved in Astarion's death. I will call you the second the first official shot is fired. Be ready."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[Quest Update: The Leviathan Pawn]
New Ally Incoming: Katerea Leviathan (Status: Sold/Bargained).
Economic Warfare: Bael Trade Profits increased by 300%.
Ingvild Leviathan: Secured in Sitri Hospital (Potential 'Holy Grail' or 'Nereid' Awakening).
A few days later, the air inside the mansion shifted as a new presence arrived. Katerea Leviathan stood in the foyer, her posture stiff and her eyes vacant, devoid of the fire one would expect from a descendant of the original Satans.
"Hello there, Katerea," Reinhardt greeted her smoothly.
"What can I do for you... Master?" she replied, her voice hollow. The way she said it—as if she were nothing more than a sold commodity—made the room feel cold.
Reinhardt didn't offer a lecture. Instead, he moved forward with a smirk and delivered a sharp, unexpected slap to her backside. The sudden contact broke her trance; Katerea let out a surprised moan, her face instantly flushing a deep, vivid red as her "dead" eyes finally sparked with life.
"Just be yourself, Katerea," Reinhardt said, his tone turning warm. "That's what I want. You aren't a tool here. You're part of this family now—one that will actually watch your back."
Katerea stood stunned, her hand drifting to where he had struck her. For the first time in years, the crushing weight of being a "political chip" vanished, replaced by a strange sense of belonging. She nodded shakily, a small, genuine smile touching her lips, and began introducing herself to the rest of the household.
The Birth of Ashborn
With Katerea settling in, Venelana approached Reinhardt with a tablet displaying market projections and logistics routes.
"The 2 billion coins are already moving, Rein," she said, her business mind sharp. "But we need a name. What should we call the company that will dominate the Underworld economy?"
Reinhardt looked at the flickering shadows in the room and the rising power of his mansion. "Name it Ashborn."
Venelana nodded, the name tasting of power and rebirth. "Ashborn Enterprises. I like it."
Within hours, Venelana used her extensive connections and the Bael family's influence to launch the brand. Ashborn Enterprises didn't just sell goods; it began buying up the supply chains for magic crystals, medicine, and steel. By controlling the "veins" of the Underworld, Venelana ensured that while the factions fought, the profit always flowed back to the mansion.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[New Pillar Added: Katerea Leviathan]
Role: Strategist / High-Tier Mage.
Loyalty: Rising (The 'Dead Eyes' trait has been removed).
[Ashborn Enterprises Established]
Daily Passive Income: +50,000,000 Devil Coins.
Current Balance: 3.43 Billion Devil Coins (after initial setup costs).
[World Event: The Border War]
The Beelzebub and Asmodeus conflict has reached a stalemate. Both sides are now desperately reaching out to Ashborn Enterprises for emergency supplies.