To my dear esteemed lord and Master.

Sorry for the convenience but something has come up at the manor. Something important. Many of our lower subjects has been disappearing as of yet. With no reasonable cause. We already have the ninja's look into this, but I would feel much more secure if you my lord, will look into things. I have brought this to your father's attention, but he shakes it off as nothing. He has barely been around as of late, and it makes your mother, the esteemed madam Henrietta furious to say the least. She asks about you.

"However, considered your circumstances with this celestial contract, Sorano told me about, I believe it might not be a good idea to come home.

Just please meet with the ninjas. Moon says he has found something dreadful, that even he wouldn't show to our high lord.

Forever yours.

Julia Krystal.

Ps. The Fuma branch and the secret Satan soul crew is behind you all the way.

Declan ran through the landscape of the human world, while following the trace of the crystal in his hand. Julia had been clever in leaving this particular crystal in the letter. It would only react to Declan's own demon signature, since she made it for him years ago, while at the same time infusing it with her own, as well as the two ninja's now. While it did concern Declan a great deal, that Julia had been snooping around at his room at the manor, he must admit this was an excellent tracker. That said, Julia was known as a rule breaker, but at the same time very loyal to Declan himself. He knew he could count on Julia and her crew if needed. He just hoped he could finish whatever matter he was supposed to see and solve. All so he could get back to his beloved Gili. If he could, he would have taken her with him, but it was illegal to bring humans into the demon world. Unless he asked for the demon king's permission himself. The same with angels. After Jack Atlas's bold attempt in meeting with the demon king years... was its years... ago, the demon king banded that too. It was like he didn't wanted anyone unfamiliar to approach him. Declan hummed at that. Had Sorano been right in him being depressed? And if so, why? Did he know about the rebellion or was there another reason for this? Declan shook his head a little. It wasn't the time to think about that. He had more pressing matters to think about. But a little thought did enter his mind though. Why did the demon king want him to enter the inner circle of the court? Surely not to take Yuto's place...

"My lord. Down here!" a voice then shouted as Declan caught something flicker in the scenery.

It looked almost as a light coming from a glass or shiny surface. Declan hummed thoughtfully. If the ninjas truly had used their camouflage skills in this entire area, something really bad must be up. Declan did, however, follow the light and soon landed at a forest hill. Two ninjas dressed in a black ninja get up were kneeling in front of him. They were brothers, identical twins and the only reason Declan could notice the difference between them, was because they each were wearing a different colored scarf. The ninja called Moon shadow were wearing a blue scarf that covered most of his face, while his brother Sun shadow were wearing red.

"My lord. We are pleased that you would take your time for this meeting" Moon shadow said as he got up "We know you are busy, but...".

"Something has come up my lord" Sun Shadow continued and got up as well. Both were sharing glances with each other Declan noticed. They apparently were hesitant to share whatever further information they were having with him.

"I know. Julia informed me" Declan replied as he were holding up the letter "Tell me why you have this whole area under an illusion".

"To keep the humans ignorant of the event. It would be hard making our own investigation if their own law enforcers appear" Moon shadow replied.

"You mean the Order?" Declan mused out "I had a run in with an apprentice...".

"This is not the order. Or at least we believe so" Sun shadow replied, "Unless they have become heartless... you better see for yourself My lord". With a flick of his wrist, the illusion around them broke and a grotesque sight met Declan's eyes.

"What the hell is the meaning of this?!" Declan uttered in pure distress as he was staring at the display in front of him.

Or in this case wasn't there. Because right in front of him was a giant crater, along with several in the background. The forest who was once there, was half evaporated as well, but that was not what made Declan pissed off. It was the grotesque creatures lying in them. Some cut in half, others more brutally murdered, leaving barely any pieces of limbs left, while others were piles of ashes. What was even worse was that they were all members of his clan. The pride clan, which left Declan with clenched hands and a furious expression.

"That we do not know" Moon shadow replied.

"We know no one who has this ferocity in killing demons. Besides his majesty of course" Sun shadow said. His hands were clenched as well.

"But we know it is not our king. Rumour has it, that he shut himself out from our world and refuses to talk to anyone at the court. Besides his offsprings" Moon shadow complied "We meet prince Yuya the other day. He didn't look happy".

"That is indeed weird" Declan mused "Sorano did say the situation had escalated since my last visit. Does he know about the rebellion and are taking precautions...?".

"Could be. We can look into that if you want my lord?" Moon shadow suggested.

Declan were about to answer when he spotted something in the horizon. With quick steps he teleported towards it, and were soon bowing down in the ground, picking up a very familiar item. The two ninjas soon joined him as well.

"A cross?" Moon shadow mused "Are you saying someone religious is involved?".

"Is it the order then?" Sun shadow questioned.

"No" Declan mused as he clenched his fist around the cross. No pain emitted through him which just confirmed his theory "This cross has lost its shine. Meaning either this person was once religious or is pretending to be. I believe in the second option".

"I do not understand my lord" Moon shadow began, but Declan cut him off.

"This is the residue of a former demon ritual. Someone was summoning demons here, and by the look of the environment, has no care for life itself" Declan mused out as he got up "Not only that but they are targeting the pride clan specifically".

"Are you saying this is a highly skilled demon worshipper?" Sun shadow questioned.

"If that is the case, why target lower demons?" Moon Shadow questioned.

"So, they wouldn't catch our attentions" Declan mused as he rubbed his fingers through the soil of one of the defeated demons. It tasted burned for some weird reason. It concerned Declan even more.

"But I do not understand. No matter how skilled you are, demons, even lesser, would be appearing at random" Moon shadow then said.

"You are right brother. The pride clan, along with Envy and Wrath share in between contracts to be able to feed all of us. To target the pride clan..." Sun shadow began.

"Not if he had their true names" Declan hissed as his fist collided with the ground now "It all makes sense now. Why my father has no regard for the clan whatsoever. Only he has access to every of our clan's members and their true names. Not even I have that. Only he. That is why this worshipper isn't targeting any of us nobles".

"N-o. No! My lord. There must be a mistake..." Moon Shadow uttered shocked.

"Yes. Why would the high lord of our clan sell us out to a mere human..." Sun Shadow also added in pure horror.

"I wish it weren't. I truly do. Sorano has been warning me for years that my father's disregard towards our king had been concerning" Declan hissed out in anger "I believe that is what Sorano wanted to talk to me about. That is what he meant by repercussions. My father is part of the rebellion to overthrow the demon king, and as his son he expects my participation in this. Isn't this just hellish?!".

"My lord... I don't know what to say" Moon Shadow replied slowly.

"But... why would your father ally himself with a random human?" Sun shadow questioned "No matter how powerful this demon sorcerer is, it would hurt his pride to degrade himself and get help from humans...". Declan hummed at that for a while.

"Not if this human already is contracted to a demon lord" he then mused out "Sorano asked Herk to look into the Sloth clan's activities since we had our suspicions. If that hunch is indeed true, then my father, this human and the leader of the Sloth clan, alias Jean Michel Roget are in it together. Although that is only my suspicions".

"What are you intending to do my lord? Are you confronting your father about this?" Moon Shadow then asked.

"No. Without any proof it would be almost suicidal" Declan mused slowly.

"Then... My lord, what do you acquire from us" Sun shadow said as both him and Moon Shadow kneeled down respectfully "We are at your disposal".

"Yes. We serve the true lord of the pride clan now" Moon Shadow added in. Declan hummed at the display of loyalty to him. Not many, regardless his father's actions, would sway from the current leader of the clan. Unless his father decided to step down, which was something Declan believed would not happen any time soon.

"Well, one of you have to keep tabs on my father for me. I have a human contractor to care for and cannot return home at the moment" Declan then responded "The other will keep in contract with Sorano. Give him a message that I understand and want to join him in the rebellion. They will...".

Whatever Declan had been about to say, got killed the moment he felt this warmth run through his body. Along with the feeling of pure dread that almost swallowed Declan whole. But only almost. Pain soon followed and Declan let out a groan as he fell down on one knee gasping for air for at least some seconds.

"My lord! Are you okay?!" the ninjas uttered in unison and were instantly at his side.

"My contractor is calling me" Declan hissed and got up, clenching his chest. "My Gili is in danger. Someone else touched the mark I gave to her, meaning someone has her and is using her as bait to get to me".

A,N: well that was that chapter. Getting interesting, I hope. Declan really discovered something alright. His father's betrayal. Must be kinda hard on him I am sure. As for Roget being in the sloth clan, I thought that was fitting really, since he in arc v show barely duels, and lifts a finger to do his own work. He has his minions for that. So yeah. Lol. The next chapter, we get Gili's perspective of the events and what happens to her. Hope that sounds interesting. Please comment on what you think.