The Player is a Part-Timer

Chapter 17: Dark Storm Brewing (part 2)

That's how he managed to gather his current group. The Peerage, and Family he created by his craft.

"I planned to expand our little group anyway; I still have a few pieces I can use." He was just waiting for the right people to appear. No way he wanted to waste his pieces on an unworthy candidate who he couldn't trust or not meet his expectations.

"Unfortunately, I can't do that." Sirzechs sighed, defeated.

[Why not? You are plenty strong; I guess... who would stop you?]

"Even as a Maou, I have duties and rules to obey. When I took this mantle, like all other current Maous, we agreed to be neutral in all cases that pose no threat towards the existence of devilkind as a whole — Internal matters more so. Be it political or power play; we pledged to stay out of it. Else, the catastrophe that the original Satan's ambition caused will be repeated once more. This is a solution Lady Paimon proposed when the civil war ended."

True, all four Maou's had their own faction and political parties who supported them — they as well competed with each other when it came to followers, scientific and other advancements. But all this competition served devilkind as a whole. This was set in stone when they created their new constitution after the civil war.

[So, you can't help?]

"Unfortunately, in this case, no. I can't help. Even if it were my family, the Gremory clan, I would have to stay out of the matter."

[Yet, you still manipulated the strings so your sister would win that match. You're a clever bastard, aren't you?] Grinned the player smugly.

"H-He did what?!" Dominus almost shouted. "Lo-Lord Sirzechs. I-It was you?"

If it was the Maou himself who initiated this "trade". Then, does he even have the right to issue the challenge?

"Ah! That? That was just an innocent request, nothing more. Hahahaha!" Sirzechs laughed awkwardly, not expecting this detail to be revealed.

"My Lord!" Dominus hesitated for a moment before garnering his guts and resolve. "Th-That still doesn't change the fact she accepted the offer and dared to desecrate the sacred rite of a Rating Game. We must restore order, or the pillars of our society will crumble!"

[Aren't devils kinda allergic to sacred things?] Deadpanned Gillian, making all the present devils just stare at her, confused and blank. [What? Devils are supposed to be crafty, use every tool in their arsenal to win. Right? In that regard, aren't you supposed to be praising my craft?]

"That's... That's not the point!" Fumed Dominus, taken aback by the twisted logic of the girl. "Regardless of the situation, you humiliated, made fun and mocked both my fellow devil nobles and me. Moreover, you even refused to apologise for your mocking behaviour!"

[So... You want an apology?] The student rolled her eyes, starting to get bored by this little game the boy was playing with her.

"Yes!"

[Fine then. I apologise. I am sorry you are a pampered pussy who can't even bear the consequences of their bad decision. Satisfied?]

"!" Everyone tensed, Dominus could only gape in astonishment at what this human dared to say.

"Oh! This will not end well," Sirzechs muttered. This is heading in the most unfavorable direction he can imagine.

"Yo-You... how dare you?! You miserable cretin! You low cast garbage! You good for nothing whore! You..."

As Dominus' verbal assault continued, Sirzechs glanced towards Rorschach subtly, seeing a slight tremble in his hand and whole body. It was like a mighty beast was about to burst out from its restraining cage, held only by the sheer will that incited it to devastate his opponent at the right moment.