The Duke had been quite busy as of late. Due to the succession going on, he was starting to prepare his handover, the issue was, things weren't going as planned. Staring out the large window in his office, he looked at the red sky with contempt.
"Nothing has changed."
A figure stepped out of the shadows behind him. "You forget a 'yet' at the end of that sentence, friend. I've not interfered as requested, but everything is starting to fall into place. Give me some time and I'll get the wheel rolling."
"It's not that I don't trust you, it's that I believe time is running out."
"How so?"
"I can feel the Demon God calling out to me, urging me to step forward. The longer I wait, the more urgent his feelings become."
The old man stood next to the Duke with a pensive look, both were secretively controlling the the succession by pulling very specific strings, ones nobody should notice. The ones that did didn't get to see the red sky again.
"Do you want me to act?"
The Duke took a moment to recollect his thoughts. "What's the current situation?"
"Agares has been defeated by my son, which was as expected, I didn't interfere too much. Agatha and Descartes have been defeated by Astaroph. Isale has Klaro's coin."
"Protaris?"
"If my sources are correct, Astaroph is working on a plan to get both Protaris and Isale's coin in a single move."
The Duke almost chuckled, finding it hard to believe such a thing was possible. He was aware that Protaris had a bet with Astaroph to compare their counties and see which one was better when it came to revenue, which was ridiculous to even agree upon.
"How accurate are those sources?"
"Very, Agatha's mansion has become his headquarters to protect her. They recently started to hire guards and they didn't do that many checks on the people soliciting. Either way, that human boy supposedly has a way to make people sick. The ability to create a plague."
Hearing that, certain things started to click into place. He received a report from Protaris that stated his fear that Duke Vesper was making a move by attacking his county, but the Duke was certain this wasn't the case. The origin clear, the Duke cared little for the damage, there was but one thing that mattered. "Is it under control?"
"Yes, there are already cures developed by the Guardians, but I've kept it under wraps for now. The funny thing is, we recently received a request for a patent on a cure from the new troublemakers."
As they were only active for a couple of months, the drug trade revitalized while brothels and casino's popped up around the capital. Some moved places after being shut down at first, but they started to find loopholes and gray areas in their laws. The overall quality of life dwindled as the poor, and drug addicted groups increased in size.
Spoken with a smile, it was as if the entire debacle, the worries and sorrows of the people, were but a means to an end. The Duke and his friend cared little for their people, despite protecting them from external threats, it was all just a big curtain to work behind. They knew where the money was being siphoned to, so they didn't put a stop on it, they even encouraged it for a period.
"Let them have it after they prove it in front of officials."
"Increasing their reputation and credibility, you are aware they will charge obscene prices to Protaris."
"Is this their supposed move to take him down? Just draining some of his finances won't matter all that much in the end."
The Duke's friend smiled as he knew the efforts Astaroph was making in Agatha's county, turning the dead land into a lively one, the land was agricultural blossoming, but that wasn't anywhere near enough to hold a stand against Protaris, who had plenty of business and trade.
Stepping back from the window, he tried to repress his impulses, "You can take action."
"Understood."
---
Almost two months had passed, giving Asta and Lucas little time to complete their bet with Alastor. Only a single month was left, the pressure was surely building up, yet the people in question were all smiles.
Taking advantage of their time, Agatha's county was reformed from the ground up. Thanks to the efforts of Klaro, things moved a lot faster. While the forces Lucas brought from the Underground were strong and competent troops, the vast land wasn't manageable by those few.
Most of it was thanks to the funds Augustinus brought in and Klaro, who had been very friendly and helpful. Sending men, materials, and funds over, Klaro personally helped revitalize the cities and roads, spreading his name and alliance with Agatha and Astaroph.
Long before anyone could even imagine it, the land blossomed, most of the poor were schooled and given work, homes, and a stable income from the produce they made. While still in the early stages, many people from the capital who saw no future were sent over.
Even Augustinus sent over some former slaves who bought their freedom. Slowly, but surely, a community was being shaped, one that focused not on the strong, but the weak.
The alliance between three candidates also didn't go unnoticed by many. To reform the land of Agatha, more than single miracle was necessary, yet they accomplished it together. In history, rarely did the half siblings actually work together. It was a sign of something new. Of course, many heard about the victory Alastor had over Agares and flocked to his side, leaving the trio in the dust.
Still, they remained in the back of their minds and hearts. For the weak who sought refuge, it was a paradise, creating an influx of people who sought opportunities, ones that weren't pushed away but accepted due to the lack of able people in the first place.
Agatha's mansion, formerly a destroyed estate, was completely rebuild. The cracked pavement and broken gate reformed to show respect to the people who lived there. Instead of people passing and spitting on the sidewalk, they only received light bows and nods as the guards stood strong.
After the plague had spread in Protaris' county, Augustinus started to sell the vaccine made from ingredients found in Agatha's county. Scalping Protaris for all he was worth, the money was used to pay off the massive debts she had, which eventually landed right back with them after Augustinus got money lenders addicted to gambling and drugs.
Behind the mansion, a newly built garden stretched far and wide. Most of it was open to the public, only a small sanctuary was private for the rulers of the land.
Lucas stood in the office with Nero at his side, things were starting to move in the right direction, enough for him to think about sending them back home. Their support proved invaluable, but they had to return home at a certain point, most men looked tired from being here.
Talking it over with Nero, he admitted there were some soldiers who had some homesickness. "Augustinus has already done his part, the funds we have right now is enough to maintain stability for some time. I think we can send you back, but this plan wasn't made by myself, I'll ask Asta what he thinks."
"Of course, sir Starborn. Even if I did say that some didn't want to stay here, we are still soldiers in the end. A single command is enough to clear our doubts."
"You all still have families back in the Empire, no? It's about time," walking out of the office he moved to the garden. As he stepped outside, he heard the light laughter from a few people. In the shade, he looked forward to find Agatha, Klaro, and Asta laughing about something. The pure smile on Agatha's face was infectious.
Even Asta, who had been quite rigid in the beginning was holding a light smile, one so rare even Lucas had only seen it a few times. His body wanted to move forward, but for once, both sides of Lucas agreed to not interfere. Turning around, he left the trio enjoy each other's company, his own emotions impossible to read.
Asta saw Lucas leave at the last moment, but also didn't want to get up and leave Klaro and Agatha alone.
A bitter feeling arose in Lucas' heart, he had been working non stop to achieve the goals he set for himself, even risking his life in making this plan viable. Everything was perfectly placed and ready to activate, yet the sourness in his mind made him forget it.
Standing in the hallway, Lucas let out a sigh. He wasn't exactly tired, but seeing how things were moving, it looked like Asta wasn't going to move forward on the path like he had hoped. When he became the new duke, would they still stay together? Lucas eventually wanted to go back to Aurora, once he was sufficiently strong enough to handle the ones after his life.
Would one of his only friends be willing to give the things he had here up for him? He had already given up Thurin so that Augustinus wouldn't make a fuss. Losing another would hurt him deeply. In the past they studied and trained together, even when returning from the temple, they continued their training. Yet the last couple of weeks, it was just Lucas who was training by himself.
Asta enjoyed being with Klaro and Agatha, something Lucas supported, yet he couldn't deny the feeling that he didn't belong.
Making the decision himself, he decided to pull everyone from the Underground out, with Klaro's forces, things should stabilize themselves over time. Some things would be hard to keep, like the entire empire Augustinus built, but it was designed to throw away at a certain point.
'He's already sucked Protaris dry with all the vaccines, we should focus on making Agatha's county a culinary expert with all the different agricultural efforts we have.'
'...'
'After that, we'll have won against him after we trigger it, then we just have Isale left to deal with. We should start making preparations for Alastor as well. He's most likely the toughest opponent yet.'
'...'
'...what is it? If you have to say something, say it!'
'Go back and talk to them,' the rougher part of Lucas was an observer for most of the time, yet Lucas felt something twist in the deepest part of him.
'No, they're having a family moment. That's no place for us to interfere in, leaving them alone is the best we can do.'
'Shut up and listen to me, I know best, go back.'
'I've already shown myself, walking in there now would be extremely awkward. I can't...'
'Then let me do it.'
'...'
Taking control, Lucas turned around with determination in his eyes. Opening the door to the outside again, he saw the trio laugh among themselves, clearly enjoying their lives. Taking a step forward, Lucas wasn't going to back down.
Stepping close, he called him out, "Asta, we need to talk."
The laughter died as Klaro and Agatha looked to them. Asta slowly stood up and excused himself. Bringing him to the, now empty, office, Lucas explained his feelings as best he could.
"Asta, when you're Duke, you'll stay here, yes?", spoken with a low voice, Lucas wasn't showing any of his normal behavior. It wasn't hard for Asta to pick up on his tone and behavior, making him choose his words carefully.
"When I get the seat, I will reform the lands and establish a new system, one that doesn't focus on the might of an individual, but on the aid one gives to another."
"So you'll abandon the path?", extremely direct, the cold stare from Lucas' eyes somehow pissed Asta off.
"Never would I do such a thing. Magic is what rules the world, if I reform the system, I'll need power to do so. The path is the only way to get that."
"If you're going to change the world, I doubt you'll be able to focus on your training."
Seeing where the conversation was headed, Asta held his hands up and took a step back. "Lucas, if you're worried I would leave you behind or not help you in some way, put those thoughts away. I'm not planning on staying on Sabaoth forever since moving on the path requires us to go back to Aurora in the first place. I came back here to set things right, then I'll go back to Aurora, with or without you."
"How long would you be here to change the entire system."
"As long as it needs. But just because I'm working on that doesn't mean I won't have time to walk alongside you. In fact, the favor you're doing me requires an almost lifetime worth of time to repay it. You've changed my fate and destiny for the better. You can live here together with me on Sabaoth for as long as you like."
Drowning the room in silence, Lucas stared at Asta until his shoulders fell down a bit, "There, that answer all your questions?", Lucas said, but not to Asta.
Asta almost answered before smiling to himself. Seeing the sudden change in posture, Asta was certain. "If you have any doubts or questions, don't hesitate to ask. I might not have the answers you want, but I'll always have one for you."
Placing his hand over his own face, Lucas' emotions were hard to read, "It's not often I lose control over my emotions. It's been too long since I fought, I believe my aura is starting to eat away at me. Asta, I'm going to send all our visitors back home."
"That's fine, we have enough men to substitute for them."
Lucas nodded, trying to regain his composure, "Phase 1, infiltration, was successful. Phase 2, demolition, should be started as soon as possible. I don't think the mask will be able to hold for long. After that we should also get phase 3 active as soon as possible."
Closing his eyes for a moment, Asta steeled his resolve, 'This is all to achieve our end goal, a minority has to sacrifice themselves for the greater good.'
Feeling ready, Asta was determined, "I'll prepare the array, and send them the message."
"Time for the mask to slip."