You're quite a stubborn demon.
I warned you that I cannot be deceived by illusions.
You're a mere mortal... How?
Still, I know all too well the solitude you live in,
Dantalion, Grand Duke of Demons.
You know nothing, Solomon!
Foolish, pitiful soul.
Join me and become mine.
We're more alike than you realize.
This will be...
the signature on our contract.
Twining was top of the class again, huh?
He's really something.
I guess it's no surprise, considering his lineage.
Folks like us can't compete with that kind of money and pedigree.
My name is William Twining.
As the legitimate son of a line that predates
even the British Royal Family,
I am an elite with superior intellect
and the brightest of futures ahead of me.
Congrats, William!
Isaac?
It's nothing to make a fuss over.
If I were to balk at such a simple exam,
it would sully the good name of Twining.
Cool and composed as ever, I see.
I suppose.
First I graduate public school at the top of the class,
with full marks on my A-level exams,
and then it's straight on to Oxbridge.
After university, it's either political office or law.
But you were nodding off during mass! That's got to stop!
Mass?
What's the point in worshiping a nonexistent god?
I've better things to do with my time.
What are you saying?! Of course God exists!
Angels, demons, trolls, elves, goblins, dwarves,
pixies, kolbolds, they're all real!
That unscientific nonsense again...
I leave milk and cookies by my pillow every night
so the fairies will grant my wishes—
Isaac - Third from the bottom
Unfortunately, it appears your wish for higher grades was not granted, Isaac.
Holiday starts tomorrow. Do some studying.
Wishes...
Twining.
Your tuition for next semester hasn't been paid yet.
That's absurd! My uncle and guardian takes proper care of my finances!
I need to find out what's happened.
Hello, the master's home!
Kevin!
Isn't anyone here?
Young master William!
When did you return?
Couldn't you come to meet me at the gate?
Do you realize what a long walk it is from the gate to here?
You should work on your stamina, young master.
Quiet, you!
I don't need stamina.
I have the kind of brain that should be a protected national treasure!
Wait, those clothes...
Why are you working out in the fields?
You're our butler.
I'm afraid...
there's been a bit of a situation.
What?
Master Barton, your uncle, made some bad investments...
and went bankrupt.
Bankrupt?
Since your mother and father passed away,
your uncle has been managing the family's fortune...
In other words, nearly everything has been taken by debt collectors.
As you can see, we've been cleaned out.
Fortunately, we managed to keep the house...
Wh—
What of my grand and glorious future?!
Straight down the path to society's elite!
And what of my uncle?
He's disappeared.
Knowing him, I'm sure he's in no danger...
Indeed...
What about the other servants?!
Everyone except me has left.
Right...
It's not like I can pay their salaries.
I guess you're free, too.
I have no intention of leaving.
The Cecil family has served the Twinings for generations.
I shall remain ever at your side.
Kevin...
Thanks.
Not at all.
Besides...
I'm staking everything on that big brain of yours!
Please grow up to make a fortune off bribes!
What am I, your lotto ticket?
That's right, my tuition! If I can't pay, I'll have to quit school!
Damn, isn't there anything left that's worth money?
Kevin.
Do you know if there's anything like a hidden safe or secret room?
Maybe a hidden door?
Come now, this isn't a fairy tale. Such things...
...do exist.
I had no idea there was a door like this in the basement.
The Twining family's hidden treasure?
Or maybe...
What are you going to do?
If it won't open, I'll break it down.
Here goes!
Young master!
Ow...
That was reckless!
Look, you're bleeding!
It's just a little scrape.
We finally meet, bearer of Solomon's soul.
Wh-Who are you?!
Surely you haven't forgotten me?
I am Dantalion, Grand Duke of the 36 Armies of Hell,
and the most suitable candidate to rule over all Hell!
Now, elect me!
So my ancestor was King Solomon, who subjugated 72 demons called pillars,
and sealed them in some vessel, you say?
Correct.
Sorry. I haven't read much of the Bible.
Is that from the New Testament?
King Solomon was in the Old Testament.
Damn it! If you weren't the Elector,
I'd steal your soul this instant!
Seized
Silence, unlawful intruder.
Just listen to me!
We demons live in a hierarchical society just like humans!
The emperor, Lucifer, rules over Hell.
He is served by the seven demon kings,
who are served by twenty-four demon dukes, and so forth.
The only one who can choose a new king to rule in His Highness Lucifer's place
is the Elector granted authority by His Highness!
I see.
Is that all you wish to say?
What's the meaning of this?
How dare you treat a demon duke—
Ridiculous.
Did you really expect me
to believe all that blather about Hell and Solomon and whatnot?
Vile con artist.
What'd you call me?!
I'm so sorry.
The young master is a hard-line realist with a love for modern science.
There is nothing in this world that can't be explained with a formula.
Honestly, I thought I'd find something I could make money off of,
and all I get is this useless bum.
Useless Bum!
You impertinent...
You capture the great Dantalion,
and then have the gall to call me useless?!
That's right.
The only thing I need right now is tuition for next semester,
and that's it.
Listen to what I'm—
What kind of trick did he use?
There must be a secret room under the floor somewhere.
It'd be too expensive to dig it up, though.
Kevin, didn't my father have a ring he was really protective of?
Young master, that ring...
Don't tell me they took that, too?!
No...
Kevin?
Young master, behind you!
Young master!
Young master...
Where am I?
My, my. What a rare visitor we have here.
A goat?!
Oh, a costume party, right?
But why is there a costume party under my basement?
I'm dreaming!
You have a talent for coming to the easiest conclusion.
Sir William Twining.
Have you come to call on my master?
Master?
Yes, sir.
The Phenomenal Grand Duke of Hell, His Excellency Dantalion.
You mean...
That costumed buffoon?!
Master, why are you sneaking around outside?
We should just break in and wrap this up quickly!
Silence, Amon, Mammon, before I spit roast you both!
The Elector is bad enough, but his butler is—
Oh?
Where have you taken my young master, you sneak thief?!
Super Art Instant Rope Binding Jutsu
That's what I want to know!
I searched the entire basement and didn't find so much as a hair!
He couldn't be...
Stop! Where are you—
It's better than my chef's!
I am honored and humbled by your approval.
But why is my basement connected to that costumed fool's house?
Is there some kind of secret passage?
No, not exactly.
Oh, also,
if you're that man's butler,
tell him not to set foot in my house again.
He did nothing but ramble about nonsense.
It was infuriating.
It sounds as though you didn't believe him...
There are numerous factions within Hell,
each with its own candidate to become interim ruler.
So it's a turf war.
That's a bit blunt, but yes.
But if they're talking about replacements,
what is the current ruler doing?
Does he have nothing to say?
The current emperor of Hell, His Highness Lucifer,
is currently in a deep slumber.
The higher a demon's rank in Hell, they longer they must sleep.
And you need an interim ruler until he wakes up.
You don't believe me.
I'm a realist who loves science.
Demons, you say?
Silliness.
Who in this day and age still believes in demons—
Umm..
What just happened?
Hi!
Pardon the intrusion.
Gilles de Rais.
My apologies, but the master is currently out.
Is he now?
Gilles de Rais?
What a shame.
I thought today would be the day I'd get to
destroy His Excellency's soul and raise my standing.
Hmm?
A human, you're a human, yes?
How nostalgic.
What brings you here?
Was the leader of us Nephilim, Dantalion, getting homesick?
N-Nephilim?
What are you, a new kind of terrorist?
Well, if he's not here, he's not here.
I'll just take this boy instead.
Did he put you up to this?!
It's only been 400 years since I died.
We newcomers need to do whatever we can to increase our status.
Don't bother.
If you want the boy back unharmed,
tell Dantalion to meet me at Cocytus.
Impossible, this can't be real!
Someone...
Kevi—
Take your hands...
...off him!
He belongs to me!
You hurt?
N-No...
Hey, I didn't call for you!
Excuse me?!
I just saved your life, you ingrate!
Who asked you to?
Master.
Don't worry.
What happened? Was that a dream within a dream?
You still don't believe us?
Of course not!
This is the modern age, demon's don't—
We do.
It's been too long, Dantalion.
Leave now and I'll forget this happened.
I'm afraid I can't do that now.
What?
That human...
I couldn't fathom why you'd invite a human to your abode.
Then it hit me.
He's the Elector.
A descendant of Solomon himself.
Silence!
Once I figured that out, I simply had to have him for myself!
Duke Baalberith will be thrilled if I bring him back.
He wants the replacement to be one of his followers, after all.
You blue-faced clown.
Fine, I'll roast you again, if that's what you want.
Just like your beloved virgin!
Don't you dare speak of her with that filthy mouth!
Get back, William!
I will crush you to dust, Dantalion!
Is this real life?
Sir William, this way!
That man...
He serves Grand Duke Baalberith,
another faction leader who is vying for the emperor's throne.
Basically, they are political rivals.
That's a pretty intense rivalry.
The fastest way to raise one's status is to announce candidacy
by killing a demon of greater power.
That is how Hell operates.
Done already?
I don't want to believe that.
Rest easy, then!
I'll take extra special care of you now.
I think that cleared my head a little.
You really are strong.
I can see why His Highness Lucifer favors you.
But how many human souls did you send to him to gain such power,
Your Excellency Dantalion?
We're the same, after all, aren't we?
We're both Nephilim, demons who were once human.
Humans who were mass murderers.
Silence.
Enough victims to color the ocean red.
Shut up!
This is bad. If the master uses his true power now,
the dimensional space will distort.
What?
That would mean you'd be stuck here.
Quit joking around, you stupid goat!
Goat, you say?
I'm a butler.
I don't care, just fix it! He's your master!
I'm afraid I've no way to stop them with my meager abilities...
Damn it, I'm not going to be stuck in this incomprehensible place!
I want to go home!
No!
Die!
Stop, Dantalion!
My powers...
Sir William, what did you do?
No idea!
Hey! If you have to go on a rampage, send me home first!
I need to find a way to pay my tuition.
I've got no time to watch you two fight!
Interesting. I see the Elector is more than a normal human.
I must inform Sir Baalberith.
I'll take my leave for today, but we'll meet again soon.
He vanished...
Solomon!
Huh? My name is William Twining.
No! You are...
This is the pits.
Demons, Electors...
I got dragged around by those incomprehensible freaks,
and had no time to raise money to pay my tuition.
Hey, William! How was your break?
It was the worst experience of my life.
That's awful!
You must be haunted by a malevolent spirit!
Should I use white magic? A talisman? Which would you prefer?
I've been summoned by the principal.
I don't have time for your occult nonsense.
It's been paid?!
I should've expected as much from England's most prestigious family!
Your lineage is matched only by your net worth!
Not since the school was founded have we received such a generous donation!
Who could it have been? My uncle?
No, I haven't even been able to contact him...
Quiet down, everyone.
I'd like to introduce our new transfer student.
A transfer student?
That's odd at this point in the year.
Come in, Huber.
Hello, my name is Dantalion Huber.
Pleased to meet you all.
My name is William Twining.
I'm brilliant, handsome, and well-mannered.
Perfect in every way. So perfect, in fact, that it scares me!
You have scary dreams?
I'll lie beside you, but wouldn't that be scarier?