Jin was also warmly welcomed within the Puppet clan territory.
"So then, what is your business with us today?" the Clan Chief, Maximus, asked.
The first to answer was Baldius, the Clan Chief of the All-Creation. "Since I am here, I imagine you have some inkling of the matter. It is about Istalis..."
"I see."
"How is Belialus faring?"
"How...? Well, he is spending his time as he always does."
At this point, Jin chimed in. "I apologize for the intrusion, but could you please call for Belialus?"
"That is no trouble at all....Hey, someone go and fetch Belialus."
Maximus spoke to a nearby attendant, who left to bring him. Belialus arrived shortly after. Upon seeing Jin’s group, his expression brightened slightly.
"My, my—Jin-dono, Elsa-dono... and Sion. Welcome." Belialus greeted them with a pleasant smile. "What brings you all here today?"
Jin spoke to him directly. "Are you aware of the news that Istalis has disappeared?"
"...Eh?"
Sensing that the slight pause was a bit unnatural, Jin waited for Belialus's next words.
"I-Istalis is gone?"
From his slightly... no, his very unnatural tone, Jin felt certain.
"Belialus, what do you know?"
"Eh... W-what could you possibly mean?" Belialus's behavior was so transparently forced that even Jin could see right through it.
"It's all right. I came here to try and rectify this misguided engagement. Belialus, you knew that Istalis didn't actually want this marriage, didn't you?"
"E-err..."
Here, Elsa spoke up. "Belialus-san, Jin-nii knows everything."
"Huh?"
"...A long time ago, I fled from an unwanted marriage. Jin-nii was the one who saved me. So, please, be honest with yourself as well."
"I..."
At this point, Maximus and Baldius were rendered speechless.
Jin turned back to Maximus and Baldius. "I understand that you both have the clan's best interests at heart. However, please try to consider the individuals themselves a little more."
Perhaps because his polite tone carried a heavy weight of pressure, the two chiefs flinched.
"Y-yes..."
"It is exactly as you say..."
Then, as if by mutual agreement:
"Maximus-dono, it seems we may have been a bit too hasty."
"Baldius-dono, I concur."
When they listened further, it became clear they had taken such drastic measures out of concern that the demon race population had dwindled even further after the recent turmoil.
"I believe that if we ensure there is no unnecessary conflict from now on and focus on improving our health, the population will naturally begin to increase," Elsa suggested, adding her own voice to the persuasion.
"...Truly."
"How shameful of us..."
It seemed Maximus and Baldius had finally realized they had been far too impatient.
"In that case, Belialus..."
"I... well, from the beginning, I haven't felt anything more for Istalis than the affection one feels for a fellow clan member..." Looking down, he finally stated his honest feelings.
"Now then, regarding Istalis," Jin said, bringing the conversation back to the primary topic. "This engagement is to be broken off... or rather, canceled."
"Indeed. That would be for the best."
"I have no objection."
Belialus himself, along with the Clan Chiefs Maximus and Baldius, all agreed to treat the engagement as if it had never happened.
"We will explain to everyone that the two of us were a bit too impulsive," Maximus added.
"We must do at least that much, or we could never face Istalis and Belialus again," said Baldius.
"I'm glad to hear that." Jin felt a wave of relief. Half of the purpose for this visit had been achieved. He decided to move on to the next step. "Furthermore, what are your thoughts regarding Netros?"
"What do you mean by that...?" Baldius looked puzzled.
"Well, in the All-Creation clan, is it ever permitted for a member to be with a servant?"
Jin intended to put it indirectly, but Baldius caught on immediately.
"Don't tell me... Istalis and Netros...?"
"It's true, Grandfather! Please, acknowledge Sister and Netros!" Sion, who had been silent until now, finally burst out.
"Hrmmm..." Baldius’s face clouded over. "To be sure, there have been several people who have married their servants. However, from the standpoint of the Clan Chief, there is no precedent for that, and I cannot simply permit it..."
Istalis was the eldest daughter of Ladeous and Rolona. As things stood, her husband was expected to become the next Clan Chief of the All-Creation.
"Oh, no..." Sion slumped. But she quickly raised her head and pressed her grandfather further. "T-then, wouldn't it be fine if my husband became the Clan Chief?"
She made the suggestion with her face turning bright red.
"Hrmmm, there would be no problem with that in theory, but... we don't have a candidate."
Candidate or not, Sion was only seventy-one years old, which was roughly equivalent to a fourteen-year-old human. According to demon race customs, she would not be treated as an adult for another nine years—until she reached eighty.
"It shouldn't really matter, should it? Give it ten or twenty years. Ladeous-dono is still around, after all," Maximus of the Puppet Clan added.
"Maximus, you have many grandchildren, so you likely don't have to worry about successors, but as for us..."
"Um..."
At this point, Belialus chimed in.
"Would... Sion-san and I be unacceptable?"
"Eh?"
"Pardon?"
Elsa and Jin were caught completely off guard by the unexpected proposal.
However...
"Wha—!?"
Sion jumped so high in surprise she nearly took flight. Her face turned even redder, looking like a ripe apulul.
"Sion-san, the truth is... I feel more for you than I ever did for your sister, Istalis."
"Eeh...? Eeeeeeeeeeeeh!!"
The scene descended into chaos at Belialus's confession, which no one could have predicted. But, surprisingly, Sion did not seem to dislike the idea.
"Um, I'm way more crude compared to Sister, though..."
"You aren't crude. You are just energetic."
"I'm not educated, either..."
"You don't need to be so humble."
"L-look, I'm, well, small in various ways..."
"That is still ahead of you. You're still growing."
"..."
Jin and Elsa could only watch the scene unfold, completely dumbfounded.