The heavy doors to Sirzechs' private study eased shut behind Lucien and Grayfia, the echo of their meeting still trailing like smoke in his mind. The weight of old names and older sins clung to his shoulders. The air in the hallway felt thicker than before, lit by hovering witch lights that pulsed in time with the estate's ancient magic. Power didn't just shape this place — it watched.
Lucien's spine stayed straight, but a slow breath escaped, measured and controlled. Grayfia walked beside him in practiced silence.
"You handled yourself well," she said at last, her voice even but not unkind.
Lucien offered a faint smile. "I learned from you, didn't I?"
"You listened to what was said — and what wasn't. That's a start."
They turned the corner of the marble corridor just as an explosion of pink sparkles erupted ahead of them. A shimmer of magic warned him a half-second before the inevitable tingling across his skin — and then the booming voice arrived.
"There's my hell son!"
Serafall Leviathan zipped toward them in a streak of glittering violet and silver. Before Lucien could react, he was engulfed in sparkles — and then soft, suffocating warmth. His face was instantly buried in her ample cleavage, muffling his response.
"Gck—Serafall—can't breathe—again!"
"Oh hush, Lu Lu~ You always act like you don't like it," she chimed, spinning him around and aggressively ruffling his hair before finally letting him go with a mischievous grin.
"Surprise maternal ambush. Again."
"Aww," she pouted. "You used to love your hell momma's hugs."
"I also used to think worms were dragons. I've evolved."
Just behind Serafall, her younger sister Sona arrived — poised, refined, and already exasperated. Her uniform was crisp despite the journey, and her expression tightened as she took in Lucien's glitter-smeared state.
"Rias invited me," Sona said by way of greeting. "Didn't she tell you I was coming by, Luci?"
"I think she mumbled something like that," he muttered, brushing glitter from his shoulder. "I've been blessed with a maternal sneak attack."
Sona adjusted her glasses. "You survived."
"I'll be scheduling therapy."
"I'll send the form."
"I heard you had a chat with Sirzechs," Serafall said, eyes twinkling. "And judging by the serious little pout you were wearing when I got here, it wasn't about your upcoming debut ball."
Lucien glanced at Grayfia, who gave a subtle nod. It was his call.
"I asked him to find a stray devil."
Sona's brow arched. "A stray? Are you considering recruiting one for your peerage?"
Even Serafall seemed caught off guard for half a second. "Lu Lu… you're not usually the reckless type."
Lucien straightened. "Her name is Kuroka. She's a Nekomata — strong, smart, dangerous… and Koneko's older sister."
Sona's eyes narrowed. "Koneko-chan has a sister?"
"She does," Lucien said. "And Koneko's holding herself back because of what happened to her. She refuses to use Senjutsu, Ki, Youjutsu — anything that ties her to her past."
He looked between them. "But if Kuroka came back… she could teach Koneko how to accept it. How to own what she is, instead of hiding from it."
Serafall was silent for a moment.
Lucien continued, "I know what the records say. That she killed her master. She fled. But something about it doesn't add up. I'm not asking anyone to pardon her — at least not yet. I just want to find her. Talk to her. See if the truth is deeper than what the files show."
Serafall's lips curled into a sly, delighted grin. "So… a kitty-kat's caught my Lu Lu's eye, has she?"
Lucien sighed. "Not like that."
"Oh, sure. You want to save the broken beauty with a tail and a tragic backstory. Classic noble devil romance setup~"
"She's dangerous, Lucien," Sona said, her voice taut. "People died."
Lucien nodded. "I know. I've accounted for it."
Sona crossed her arms. "You realize word of this will spread," she said quietly. "A Gremory-Lucifuge heir chasing strays won't go unnoticed. Ideals have a cost — especially in politics."
"What if she loses control again?" she asked.
"Then I'll take responsibility," Lucien said without hesitation. "I'll bind her directly to me. If she falls, I fall."
Even Grayfia blinked at that.
Serafall's teasing grin returned, wicked and warm. "Oooh, now I have to help. My sweet hell son's growing up so fast, getting all noble and reckless. It's adorable."
"Don't get used to it."
"Too late." Serafall leaned close, voice dropping, the glitter in her eyes sharper now, carrying weight beneath the sparkle. "And don't worry, Lu Lu — I'll start moving some pieces. You're not the only one who knows where the old guard likes to bury their sins."
Lucien wasn't fooled. Behind the glitter and innuendo, Serafall's power was watching the room, calculating outcomes. The Leviathan mask never slipped, but the soldier beneath was already shifting pieces across the board.
They reached the grand hall just as Rias herself arrived, her crimson hair catching the light like strands of silk, a faint edge of curiosity in her expression.
"There you are," she greeted, eyes flicking between Lucien, Serafall, and Sona. "I thought I felt a familiar surge of glittery chaos. What's going on?"
"Plotting," Serafall chimed, throwing an arm around Lucien's shoulder. "Our Lu Lu's recruiting strays and making noble declarations of doom and honor."
Lucien sighed. "Slight exaggeration."
"Only slightly," Sona noted.
Rias smiled faintly, but there was a glint in her eyes Lucien recognized — a silent acknowledgment of the debt neither of them spoke aloud. The last two pieces had come from his suggestions, too. Only they knew.
"Since we're on the subject," Rias said carefully, "you wouldn't happen to have any more advice for me, would you? I still need to find members."
Lucien's lips curved. "As a matter of fact… I do. I've come across a couple of prospects you should keep an eye out for."
"Oh?" Rias arched a brow. "Do tell."
"First, you'll want a swordsman. Blonde. Young. Carries the weight of something broken from their past. Their Sacred Gear is called Sword Birth. If you can reach them before it consumes them, you'll have a Knight faster than anyone else in your generation."
Rias's eyes gleamed with interest.
"Second… a half-breed. Dhampir. Quiet, withdrawn. Terrified of his own power. Gray eyes like storm clouds before the rain. When he panics, time bends around him. He's dangerous now, but with the right hand to guide him? He'll be priceless. Not just for his ability, but because he's a good person underneath the fear. His Sacred Gear is Forbidden Balor View."
Sona's brows lifted slightly. "That's… quite a find."
"I thought so," Lucien said. "I haven't approached them directly, but if you're smart, you'll start looking soon. Before someone else does."
Rias gave a slow, approving nod. "Thanks, Lucien. I'll keep my eyes open."
"And when you land them," Lucien teased, "just remember who gave you the tip."
"You'll want a favor, won't you?"
"Obviously."
Serafall grinned, eyes twinkling. "My Lulu bear is already playing kingmaker. I'm so proud."
Even Grayfia allowed a small, approving smile.
Serafall leaned in one last time as they moved down the hall. "And if you find a nine-tailed kitsune out there, call dibs — I've got a shrine maiden fantasy that needs fulfilling."
Lucien groaned. "You're impossible."
"Admit it — you'd miss me if I weren't."
"Maybe."
The pieces kept falling into place. Quietly. Precisely. Lucien could feel it.
And somewhere out there, so was the first shadow that would try to stop him.