Damn, I don't think I've ever seen this many Power Stones on this story before! Thank you so much for the more than 250 Power Stones! I'm honestly really happy, even though we didn't quite reach the goal of 300 Power Stones. Still, as promised, here's the bonus chapter!
And if we reach 600 Power Stones, I'll post another extra chapter!
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Underworld, Capital — Lilith.
It was late afternoon when Alear left the Häagenti mansion accompanied by Mio and Maria. The sky of the Underworld took on a deep reddish hue as the sun slowly disappeared on the horizon, casting long shadows over the wide avenues of the capital.
The city of Lilith was truly impressive. Comparable in size to Tokyo in the human world, it was an immense metropolis where enormous buildings of Victorian architecture dominated the landscape, rising majestically against the sky. Despite the classical style of its constructions, the city was extremely modern. Its transportation system was highly developed, consisting of a vast network of magic-powered trains that crossed the different districts, in addition to floating portals that allowed the rapid movement of thousands of low- and middle-class devils between commercial, residential, industrial, and administrative areas.
The streets were filled with shops, restaurants, cafés, entertainment centers, theaters, shopping malls, and even public parks adorned with trees bearing black leaves and flowers of unusual colors. Even so, the biggest difference from the human world was not in the infrastructure, but in the atmosphere that enveloped the entire city. There was a constant aura of power and sophistication, as if magic itself permeated every building and every street. Nobles walked with elegance and an almost natural arrogance, while servants and devils of lower status maintained a much more humble posture, lowering their heads in respect whenever they crossed paths with someone of higher status.
Alear and the girls who came by train to the city got off in the noblest neighborhood of the city....
Although he had not yet made any official public appearance, his appearance was already widely known thanks to the video of his battle against the Smiling Coffin, recorded in the city of Agreas and quickly spread throughout the Underworld. For this reason, it was not strange that, as he walked through the streets, countless devils recognized him almost immediately and greeted him with deep respect, bowing their heads slightly or making way for his passage, as if they were in the presence of a major celebrity....
Faced with the enthusiasm of his fellow devils, Alear limited himself to responding with discreet nods, maintaining an indifferent expression as he walked between Mio and Maria. On the inside, however, he could not help but find the situation somewhat amusing. It was very likely that Sirzechs was still extremely irritated at that exact moment, after having all his proposals rejected and leaving the meeting without achieving anything at all. And, to top it off, there he was, casually strolling through the capital — precisely the territory administered by the Maou himself — as if nothing had happened. The mere thought brought a slight smile to the corner of his lips....
Mio and Maria, on the other hand, seemed somewhat uncomfortable with all the sudden attention, feeling the numerous curious glances falling upon the small group as they advanced through the bustling streets of Lilith.
At one point, Mio, clearly uncomfortable with all the attention, reached her limit. Without saying a word, she cast a cold look filled with murderous intent at some of the curious onlookers around them. The effect was immediate: several paled and quickly looked away, suddenly pretending to be interested in anything else. Her pink eyes scanned the crowd with a mixture of irritation and slight nervousness.
"...They're staring too much..." she murmured, squeezing Alear's arm more tightly, almost as if she wanted to use him as a shield. "It's not like we're some circus attraction. How annoying..."
Despite her words, her body remained very close to his, and the slight blush on her cheeks betrayed that, deep down, a small part of her liked walking beside him like this.
Maria, on the other hand, seemed to be having an immense amount of fun. She walked practically clinging to Alear's arm, pressing her body against his with every step while observing the passersby with a mischievous and provocative smile.
"Fufufu~ They're jealous, Mio-sama..." she commented in her sweet and malicious voice. "After all, our Master is the most coveted devil of the moment. And we are the lucky ones who get to walk clinging to him like this in public. Isn't it wonderful?"
"Maria!" Mio hissed, immediately turning to her with even redder cheeks. "Stop saying those things out loud! Have you no shame at all?!"
"Shame?" Maria tilted her head, feigning complete innocence before opening an amused smile. "Why would I? I'm just telling the truth. Besides, you're also clinging to him quite tightly, aren't you? Your hands are practically digging into Alear-sama's arm~"
Mio opened her mouth to respond, but no justification came to mind. She ended up simply huffing, turning her face to the other side in a frustrated attempt to hide her embarrassment... without, however, letting go of Alear's arm for even a second.
Alear simply smiled faintly, making no comment.
The three continued their walk and, shortly afterward, entered an even busier commercial district. As they moved away from the noble area, the flow of people increased considerably. Stalls sold typical Underworld sweets, jewelry stores displayed magical artifacts behind impeccable glass windows, street musicians played enchanted instruments whose melodies echoed softly through the air, while couples, families, and groups of friends strolled leisurely along the wide sidewalks.
Mio walked beside Alear, still discreetly holding his arm, although she pretended it was merely for convenience. Her pink eyes roamed over the illuminated shop windows. She maintained an apparently indifferent expression, but every now and then she would linger a few extra seconds observing some elegant piece of clothing, a refined accessory, or a delicate jewel, quickly looking away afterward as if she didn't want to be caught showing interest.
Maria, on the other hand, did exactly the opposite.
"Wow... the Underworld really knows how to spend money..." she commented, looking around with an amused smile. "These shop windows are more extravagant than many mansions in the human world. Fufufu... even I feel like shopping."
"You always feel like shopping..." Mio replied in a resigned tone.
"Of course. I'm a girl, Mio-sama."
"You're a problematic succubus."
"That too." Without even minding being called a problematic succubus, Maria simply agreed and turned her attention to a luxurious confectionery. In the window, various colorful sweets displayed a subtle magical glow, slowly shifting in hue like tiny living jewels.
She pressed her face closer to the glass, completely fascinated.
"These little cakes... do they really change color?"
The vendor, who was watching the scene from behind the counter, smiled politely.
"Depending on the flavor, yes. Some also have quite interesting magical effects..."
Maria's eyes practically sparkled.
"Can I try some?"
Before Alear could even respond, she had already turned to him with an almost pleading look, clasping her hands in front of her chest.
Alear let out a brief laugh.
"You can choose whatever you want."
"Really?"
"Today is a stroll. There's no need to worry about that."
The smile that appeared on Maria's face was so spontaneous that she practically ran into the confectionery.
While Maria was having fun choosing the sweets, Mio watched her in silence, a faint smile forming at the corner of her lips without her realizing it. No matter how much she complained about her adoptive sister's provocations and inconvenient behavior, the truth was that she cared deeply for her. Seeing Maria so excited and carefree made her feel genuinely happy. After everything they had been through together, she believed Maria deserved to smile like that, even if it was because of some sweets...
One more thing she could be grateful to Alear for. Her eyes rested discreetly on him for a moment before returning to scan the city.
"...I still find all of this impressive. It's quite different from what I imagined. Looking at it this way... it just seems like another big city."
"That's exactly what it is," Alear replied calmly. "Most devils lead a relatively ordinary life. They work, study, start families, and follow their routines. What really changes is the social structure."
Mio nodded silently. After observing the city more closely, she perfectly understood what he meant...
A few minutes later, Maria came out of the confectionery carrying an elegant box decorated with golden ribbons.
"Look at this!"
She opened the lid enthusiastically, revealing a variety of small, perfectly aligned sweets.
There were cakes shaped like black roses that slowly shifted from red to blue, macarons that emitted a faint silver glow, small chocolates that floated a few centimeters above the packaging, and tarts covered with crystallized fruits that seemed to emit luminous particles.
"They're beautiful..." Mio murmured, surprised.
"And apparently delicious!" Maria replied, already picking up one of the sweets. "The vendor also said that each flavor produces a different visual effect!"
Without waiting for a response, she put one in her mouth.
In the next instant, small golden sparks began to appear around her head like luminous fireflies.
"Eh?" Maria blinked several times. "Little stars appeared!"
Alear smiled ironically:
"They're just temporary magical effects. Why the excitement?"
"It's so cute!"
Maria smiled from ear to ear as she spun in place, watching the little lights follow her movements.
Mio brought her hand to her forehead, sighing.
"You look like a child..."
"But it's fun!"
She quickly picked up another sweet and offered it to Mio.
"Try it!"
"..."
Mio hesitated for a few seconds. In the end, she accepted. As soon as she finished chewing, delicate black petals began to appear around her, slowly disappearing before touching the ground.
Maria widened her eyes.
"It looks beautiful!"
Mio observed the petals for a few moments and, although she tried to maintain a serious expression, a small smile eventually escaped.
"...It really isn't bad."
Excited to try other sweets, Maria observed the box for a few moments, her eyes shining with curiosity. Soon she found a small silver dragon-shaped sweet that slowly shifted from silver to a golden tone.
"Hmm... this one looks special..." she murmured, reading the small plaque next to the packaging. A mischievous smile appeared on her lips. "Oh? It says it causes a random and harmless magical effect for a few minutes..."
She held the sweet up in front of Alear.
"Alear-sama~"
"Hm?"
"Try this one."
Alear looked at the sweet, then at Maria's suspiciously innocent smile.
"That smile tells me you're hiding something."
"Never." She placed one hand on her chest, pretending to be offended. "I'm just curious to find out what the effect is."
Mio crossed her arms.
"I wouldn't trust her."
"What a lack of trust, Mio-sama. Please, Alear-sama. Pretty please~"
Alear sighed, taking the sweet she offered and putting it in his mouth.
Maria and Mio held their breath for a few seconds, waiting for the result.
Nothing happened.
"See?" Alear commented. "I think it didn't have any effe—"
Before he could finish the sentence, two small fluffy ears, similar to those of a black cat, appeared on the top of his head.
There was a brief silence.
Maria widened her eyes.
Mio blinked twice.
Alear frowned.
"...What is it?"
Maria brought both hands to her mouth to contain her laughter.
"N-no... it's..."
She failed miserably.
"Pff..."
"Pfft..."
A few seconds later, both she and Mio were already laughing.
"Hahaha!"
"Pff... sorry... hahaha..."
Even Mio, who normally maintained her composure, had to turn her face away for a few moments to try to regain control, but just looking at Alear again was enough for another laugh to escape.
"You... you have cat ears..." she managed to say between laughs.
Alear brought his hand to the top of his head and actually felt two soft ears moving slightly when he touched them. A strange expression appeared on his face....
"...Seriously?"
Maria was practically doubled over with laughter.
"A-Alear-sama... it really suits you! Fufufufu... no... hahaha... it looks so cute!"
"Does it?" Alear let out a resigned sigh. For a brief moment, he thought this might end up being a small problem. If many people saw him like this, his image as the leader of the Häagenti Family would certainly suffer a bit. As if fate itself had decided to mock him, some devils passing by on the street at that exact moment noticed the scene.
"...Is he wearing a magical artifact?"
"Even with cat ears he still looks elegant..."
"What a peculiar style..."
Maria completely lost control and started laughing even louder.
"Hahahaha! They thought it was on purpose!"
Even Mio ended up giving in, covering her mouth while a rare smile lit up her face.
"...Sorry... I really can't take you seriously like this."
Alear let out a resigned sigh.
"Are you done?"
"Almost..." Maria replied, discreetly wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. "But I'm going to treasure this memory forever."
A few minutes later, the effect finally disappeared, causing the feline ears to dissolve into small luminous particles.
"Anyway..." Alear said, adjusting the collar of his shirt as if nothing had happened. "Can we continue the stroll now?"
"We can!" Maria replied immediately, still smiling.
"Yes..." Mio agreed, taking a deep breath to regain her composure. "And I promise not to laugh anymore."
"You just laughed while saying that."
"...That was the last time."
"Sure."
The three left the confectionery and resumed walking through the bustling streets of Lilith. Along the way, they visited various shops. Maria practically dragged Alear and Mio into a clothing boutique, where she spent several minutes admiring luxurious dresses and extravagant accessories. Afterward, they went to a bookstore specializing in grimoires and historical books, where Alear found some interesting volumes on the history of the Underworld, while Mio discreetly took interest in a section dedicated to legendary swords and combat techniques. Next, they passed by a jewelry store full of refined magical artifacts, a shop of enchanted musical instruments, and even an art gallery with paintings capable of subtly altering their landscapes according to the mood of the observer.
Without realizing how time passed, the three simply enjoyed the rest of the afternoon exploring the city. When night fell, at the little succubus's suggestion, they decided to extend the stroll and head to a five-star 'motel'. After spending a few hours there, they returned home only in the early morning, ending the day after a long sequence of 'pleasant' moments together.
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(A/N: Want to get ahead?
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