It was a lazy holiday morning.
"Long time no see, everyone! I'm Millicas Gremory!"
A red-haired boy with a backpack stood before us, bowing politely.
That's right—Millicas had come to visit my house!
Millicas is the son of Sirzechs Lucifer, the current Demon King, and Grayfia, the strongest Queen in the Underworld. Since the Demon King title isn't hereditary, he's set to become the next head of the Gremory family after Rias.
A bona fide prince, through and through.
Rias had mentioned we'd have a guest from the Gremory family today, but I'd assumed it would be Sirzechs or Grayfia. Never would've guessed it'd be Millicas!
The last time we met was at the party celebrating my promotion to high-ranking devil. Even now, his greetings and demeanor ooze refinement—like a proper young master from a noble family.
Well, I guess that's exactly what he is.
"Here's your tea," Akeno said, setting a cup before Millicas. "Two sugar cubes, right?"
"Yes, thank you, Big Sis Akeno!" Millicas replied, taking the cup.
He calls Akeno "Big Sis Akeno." Makes sense—she's Rias's longest-serving retainer, so they've probably spent plenty of time together.
Millicas took a sip of tea, his eyes sparkling. "Big Bro Issei, congratulations on your promotion! Skipping ranks like that is amazing!"
Whoa, he switched to full-on kid mode in a flash!
He'd already congratulated me at the party, but hearing it again was nice.
"Thanks, Millicas. I was pretty shocked about the rank-skip myself. Who'd have thought a newbie devil like me would get promoted so fast?" I said, rubbing the back of my neck.
"You're a hero of the Underworld, Big Bro Issei! It's only natural!" Millicas beamed. "I want to grow up to be a cool guy like you!"
A hero, huh? Man, getting praised so earnestly makes me a little embarrassed.
As I scratched my cheek, Rias smiled warmly. "Millicas looks up to you, Issei. Why don't you tell everyone why you're here today, Millicas?"
"Right!" Millicas leaned forward, his face lit up with excitement. "I came to observe how devils live in the human world!"
The human world, huh? So, he's here to see how we handle our devil duties?
Rias stood and placed a hand on Millicas's shoulder. "Millicas will eventually form his own retinue and make contracts with humans. He wanted to see how we live and work in the human world firsthand."
"I've heard all about how famous you all are in the Underworld!" Millicas added. "I want to see your lives up close!"
Got it. The future-future head of the Gremory family is already thinking about what it means to be a devil at such a young age, and he's taking action to learn more. That's impressive.
When I was his age, I wasn't thinking about the future at all. My head was full of nothing but… well, boobs.
…Not that much has changed, I guess.
"Man, that's amazing," Miu said. "When I was your age, I was basically a shut-in…"
"I hated studying so much, I'd sneak out of the castle to play," Alice added. "Got an earful from everyone afterward, though."
Hearing Miu and Alice, I couldn't help but think—my retinue's a mess! The King's a boob-obsessed pervert, the Queen's a runaway, and the Bishop's a former shut-in! Miu had her reasons, sure, but Alice? What were you doing!?
They say the younger generation steps up when the older one's a mess. Maybe that's why Nina's so capable. I remember her helping Alice catch up on a ton of piled-up work.
Meanwhile, with Nina…
Achoo!
"You okay, Nina? Catching a cold?" Morris asked.
"Hmm, no fever or anything," Nina replied. "Maybe someone's talking about me?"
"Probably Issei," Morris chuckled.
"Hehe, I hope so! By the way, I wonder if Big Sis is getting along with Big Bro?" Nina mused.
"Who knows? Knowing that guy, he's probably fawning over someone right now," Morris said with a grin.
And so, Nina and Morris continued their chat.
Back to the Present
Achoo!
"Alice-san, are you catching a cold?" Asia asked, concerned.
"Not again!" I groaned.
"No fever, so I'm fine," Alice said. "Maybe someone's gossiping about me?"
Gossip, huh? Well, as long as it's not a cold, we're good.
"So, Millicas will be staying with us for a few days to live and learn alongside us," Rias announced. "Please make him feel welcome."
"I'm in your care!" Millicas said, bowing again.
Everyone smiled and nodded back. No reason to say no, and honestly, I wanted to support the kid's enthusiasm.
"Looking forward to it, Big Bro Issei!" Millicas said, bowing to me specifically.
"Same here, Millicas. My retinue and I are happy to have you," I replied.
"Nice to meet you!" Miu added.
"Likewise!" Alice chimed in.
By the way, Miu and Alice haven't made any contracts yet. They've started doing devil work, but it's mostly handing out flyers for now. I remember my flyer days—地味 but surprisingly tough. Good times, though.
They'll probably start taking contracts soon enough.
And so, Millicas settled in to observe our devil work for a while.
Later That Night
"Alright, time for a thousand swings!" Xenovia called out.
"Got it, Coach!" the client replied.
It was late at night on a riverbank, at a field used for amateur baseball. Xenovia was swinging a bat, while a young man in a baseball cap and uniform eagerly caught the balls she hit.
He's one of Xenovia's regular clients.
Millicas, Miu, Alice, and I were watching Xenovia's work in action. Miu and Alice tagged along to learn about devil duties for their future roles, and we were also here to keep an eye on Millicas.
Xenovia's jobs usually involve physical tasks—helping with construction, sparring, or acting as a practice partner for sports. It suits her perfectly, since she loves staying active.
"Go, Xenovia! You've got this!" Asia cheered, dressed in a cheerleader outfit complete with pom-poms.
Apparently, the client had requested a "cheerleader to root for him" in addition to a practice partner, so Asia stepped in to help.
Man, Asia's cheerleader look is adorable! The way she waves those pom-poms with all her heart is just too cute!
"It's not what I expected from devil work," Alice remarked, watching Xenovia and Asia. "I thought it'd be more… occult, like curses or something."
"I get that," I said. "I thought the same when I first became a devil."
Big jobs, like breaking curses or fighting monsters, usually go to high-ranking devils like Rias. Even after my promotion, I'm not exactly cut out for dispelling curses. I mostly handle monster-slaying gigs.
That said, I still take on client requests. Sure, some of them are weirdos, but I'm happy they specifically ask for me. I plan to keep those contracts going.
…Though, I'd rather Millicas not see my jobs. My clients tend to be… eccentric. Like Mil-tan. If Millicas met him, he'd probably cry on the spot.
"Alright, time for ten thousand swings!" the client shouted.
"Yes, sir!" Xenovia replied.
Whoa, slow down, buddy! You'll kill yourself pushing that hard! Please don't cause any trouble…
"It looks so fun," Millicas said, watching Xenovia with a smile. "I want my future retinue to enjoy their work like this."
The client was having a blast, and Xenovia's grin showed she was, too.
I want Miu and Alice to enjoy devil life as well. Sure, we get dragged into battles sometimes, but there's also a lot of fun—crazy clients, silly moments, and good times.
I want them to have those experiences, even if I've only been a devil for a little over a year myself.
"Hey, Millicas, got any candidates in mind for your retinue?" I asked.
"Not yet," he said. "I have some goals, though."
"Like Rias's retinue?" I figured that's why he was here, to study us.
Millicas tilted his head. "Well, Big Sis Rias's retinue is amazing, and I really admire you, Big Bro Issei. But my real goal is my dad's retinue."
Sirzechs's retinue, huh? Yeah, that tracks.
The strongest in the Underworld, Sirzechs Lucifer's retinue is on another level. I saw them during the Beast Riot—Grayfia, their Queen, leading a group radiating insane power. Even Rias's retinue, myself included, can't hold a candle to them.
As I recalled that scene, Millicas asked, "So, Big Bro Issei, have you decided on the rest of your retinue? You've got Alice-san as your Queen and Miu-san as your Bishop, right?"
I exchanged glances with Miu and Alice. We've been discussing the rest of my pieces. With Queen and one Bishop taken, I've got two Rooks, two Knights, one Bishop, and eight Pawns left. Plenty of room.
"I've got a few people in mind," I said. "But they'd have to agree first."
"You haven't asked them yet?" Millicas asked.
"Nah, they're busy. Probably won't hear from them for a while," I said with a wry smile.
I'm pretty sure they'd say yes, but they've got their own stuff going on.
"Still, even then, I've got a ton of pieces left," I added.
"What about Tia?" Miu asked, pointing to where Tia and Ophis were playing catch with Asia's familiar, Rassei.
Those two (and one dragon) came along because they had nothing better to do. Ophis tossed a ball, and Rassei caught it in his mouth, returning it to her. Over and over.
"I'm training Rassei," Ophis declared.
"Grah!" Rassei chirped back.
Training Rassei!? The former Dragon God herself!?
"I suppose I'll train Rassei, too," Tia added. "With the right training, he could become a Dragon King someday."
The strongest Dragon King's joining in!? That's one overqualified coaching staff! Asia's familiar might actually become a future Dragon King!
Oh, right, back to Tia joining my retinue. "I asked her once," I said. "She turned me down."
"Why?" Miu asked.
Tia, overhearing, walked over. "I take pride in being a dragon," she said. "Being with Issei is fun, and I feel at ease with him. But I want to live as a dragon, to fully embrace that life. Sorry, Issei."
I shook my head. "No worries. We don't have to be master and retainer to stick together. I'm happy with things as they are—my training partner and strongest Dragon King."
"That means a lot," Tia said with a smile.
Exactly. She's my familiar and sparring buddy. That's more than enough.
"So, yeah," I continued, pouring tea from a thermos into a cup for Millicas. "I just got promoted, so there's no rush. Becoming a retainer is a big deal—for me and them. Once someone's reincarnated, there's no going back. So, I want to choose carefully."
Millicas took the cup, nodding thoughtfully. "You're right. Once someone becomes a retainer, changing masters is rare, except through trades. You have to think about their happiness, too."
I bet Millicas will be fine. Growing up watching Rias and Sirzechs, he'll never let his retinue down.
"Xenovia! Asia-san! I got sports drinks from the convenience store!" Irina called, running up with a shopping bag.
Irina's been watching Xenovia's job, too, staying out of the way like us. Helping with devil work is technically a no-go for an angel, but bringing refreshments seems to be fine. The rules are kinda murky.
"Nice, a delivery from the self-proclaimed angel!" Xenovia teased.
"I'm not self-proclaimed! I'm a real angel!" Irina huffed, puffing out her cheeks.
Lately, Irina's been called "self-proclaimed" angel thanks to Xenovia's teasing. Her pouty reaction is adorable, though.
"Looks like Xenovia's wrapping up," I said.
"I'm starving…" Alice groaned.
"Starving, huh? At this hour, there aren't many places open—" I stopped, standing abruptly and scanning the area.
I'd felt a gaze. No hostility or killing intent, but… something. The moment I moved, it vanished.
Surveillance?
Everyone looked at me, puzzled. "Big Bro Issei?" Millicas asked.
"…Nah, it's nothing," I said, waving it off.
The presence was gone, and chasing it blindly seemed pointless. I'd let it slide for now.
Still, what was that? It felt… sad, almost mournful. My imagination?
"Phew, I'm hungry," Xenovia said, holding her stomach and a sports drink. The client was sprawled out, stomach growling loudly. No surprise—he'd been going hard.
"Alright, how about we hit up a ramen stall? Some are open this late," I suggested.
"Count me in!" everyone cheered, fists raised.
Guess we're all starving. My mouth's already watering for ramen.
"Let's go!" I said.
"On Issei's tab!" Xenovia added.
"Me!?" I yelped.
"Of course, our mighty King!" she grinned.
Does being King have anything to do with this!? Whatever, I don't mind.
So, we all headed to a nearby ramen stall—where, for some reason, we found a tokusatsu hero mask lying on the ground.
[??? Side]
Phew, that was close.
I almost got caught.
Who'd have thought they'd show up at this ramen stall?
Just like at the riverbank, Issei-kun noticed my presence. Sharp as ever.
Millicas… his eyes were sparkling with excitement. I'm thrilled he's so eager to learn about devil life in the human world, and I hope he grows into a man like Issei-kun.
But…
"Ugh… Millicas… you prefer Oppai Dragon over me…" I sobbed, collapsing onto the table. "I'm… I'm jealous of Issei-kun as Satan Red!"
I can't forget my son's words: he likes Oppai Dragon more than Satan Ranger. Arghhh!
I just wanted him to say, "Satan Ranger's way cooler!" Is Oppai Dragon really what all the Underworld kids are into these days? Is Satan Ranger not good enough!?
Issei-kun's unfair! Coming up with new armors one after another! No wonder his merchandise flies off the shelves! Oppai Dragon dominates the Underworld's tokusatsu market! It's a massive hit, and that's fine!
But… but…!
Underworld kids, please watch Satan Ranger toooo!
"Hey, you startled me, hiding like that," the stall owner said. "Got something on your mind? Spill it—I'll listen. Here, this drink's on me."
A glass was set before me, and the owner poured some sake.
"Master…!" I choked up.
"Sometimes you gotta let the booze do the talking, buddy," he said.
"Sorry…" I mumbled.
"By the way, what's with the weird getup? You some kinda struggling street performer?" he asked.
"…"
[??? Side Out]
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Greyhounds
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