"What opportunity?" Rias asked, her eyebrows furrowed.
"This is about restoring balance to the world," Azazel replied with a deep voice. "The Khaos Brigade keeps gathering power using Ophis, and it has grown to the point where it can oppose the alliances of major powers. If we let it continue, the world will inevitably fall into chaos."
"Well, the world is already quite chaotic as it is," Someone remarked.
"That's why I thought that if the Khaos Brigade loses Ophis, they would lose their primary source of power. They won't be able to absorb new power in the name of Ophis, and their expansion will be curtailed, if not reduced," Azazel explained logically.
Tenraku and the women nodded in agreement, but there was still an important question that he hadn't addressed.
"While what you're saying makes sense, do we really need to bring Ophis over to our side?" Ophis was considered as dangerous as nuclear weapons in the human world. While it wouldn't explode easily, once it did, no one would be able to handle it. Even the most daring individuals wouldn't want to keep such a dangerous entity in their home.
"Well… I don't see any other option," Azazel sighed. "Even though the major powers have formed alliances now, these relationships are fragile at best. Regardless of where we place Ophis, it will likely undermine all our efforts."
"Even if we do nothing, she's still a troublesome presence," Azazel added with a frustrated expression.
Meanwhile, Ophis, the central figure of this discussion, continued to quietly add sugar to her tea as if she had nothing to do with it.
"So, you're just passing this trouble on to us?" Tenraku couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the reasoning.
"Your place is the only one I can think of that can accept Ophis without disrupting the alliances of the major powers. Besides, Ophis herself seems interested in your place," Azazel said, nodding. But he didn't mention that Vali, that guy, also strongly recommended bringing Ophis to Tenraku and his group.
"Ophis, are you really interested in our place?" Tenraku asked with some surprise, patting Ophis, who was sitting on his lap.
"Yes, Ddraig and Albion are here," Ophis replied calmly, still adding sugar to her tea. "And you're my friend."
Although Tenraku had called himself her friend when he first met Ophis, he never expected that her great Dragon God mind would understand the concept of friendship.
"Friend gives me tasty food," She added.
Well, hearing Ophis's response, Rias and the other women couldn't help but chuckle, and even Tenraku couldn't resist patting his forehead. He had hoped for too much; it seemed that anyone who fed her could be considered her friend in Ophis's eyes!
However, Tenraku couldn't help but ask, "Ophis, didn't anyone in the Khaos Brigade give you food?"
"No," Ophis replied calmly while adding sugar to her tea.
Although someone like Ophis didn't care whether she ate or not, hearing her response, Tenraku and the women fell silent. Even the kind-hearted Asia couldn't help but show sympathy. Those villains from the Khaos Brigade were truly heartless for not even providing Ophis with food. Ophis was so pitiful.
"All right, it's decided. Ophis will stay with us," Tenraku said, sighing.
"Haha, kid, I knew I made the right choice with you!" Azazel laughed heartily, while Rias was once again filled with excitement.
"Rias, you heard it too. The best choice is to keep Ophis with us."
"But… but… this is too risky. What if she harms everyone…"
"As for that…" Indeed, this was something that needed consideration. Tenraku thought for a moment and then raised Ophis into the air, saying, "Ophis, you will temporarily stay with us until you return to the Infinite Dimension – Dimensional Gap. But you must promise that you will never harm anyone here."
"Okay." Ophis looked around and nodded.
"Now, is that acceptable, Rias?" Tenraku smiled at Rias after gently placing Ophis back on the ground.
"What can I say when you put it that way?" Rias sighed with a helpless expression. Rather than believing in Ophis's promise, she believed in Tenraku, as did Akeno and Yubelluna, the other women.
"So, it's settled then. Ophis, from now on, you're our family mascot!" In high spirits, while others might fear Ophis, Tenraku wasn't afraid at all. To him, Azazel sending Ophis over was like a hidden treasure! Pure, innocent, and possessing overwhelming power, with a little influence from Tenraku, Ophis could become a super pet and a formidable ally!
"Mascot? What does that mean?" Tilting her head, Ophis seemed to not understand the term, and Rias and her group grew instantly nervous.
"A mascot means that we'll take care of you, feed you delicious food and drinks, and in return, you'll bring good luck to everyone in our home." Tenraku ruffled Ophis's forehead, answering with a warm smile.
"Good luck? This mistress only bestows power, not luck." Ophis showed a slightly troubled expression, still not fully grasping the concept.
"Well, well, just by staying here, you'll naturally bring us good luck. Don't worry about it," Tenraku reassured her.
"Oh." Since Tenraku said so, Ophis couldn't be bothered to think about it anymore and accepted her role as their mascot.
Rias and her group breathed a sigh of relief, and even Azazel wiped his brow. Tenraku really knew how to be intimidating. If he had angered Ophis, they would all have been in big trouble.
However, there was someone who looked at Tenraku with immense admiration, a young magic user named Le Fay. He dared to make the invincible Ophis her family's mascot. Tenraku was truly amazing!
"Now that it's decided, Le Fay, you will stay here to help take care of Ophis. You will also be the liaison with Vali's group, in case there are any developments on the Khaos Brigade side, Vali will contact you to relay the information to us."
"Tenraku-Sama, senior members, I will be in your care from now on," Azazel pointed to Le Fay, and she stepped forward, bowing to everyone politely.
Polite and courteous, unlike Ophis, who exuded immense pressure, everyone naturally welcomed Le Fay.
"Marion, Burent, please prepare lunch. Let's welcome Ophis and Le Fay."
"Azazel, join us for lunch before you go."
"I'll pass. I have matters to attend to in the Underworld; I need to return immediately."
"Gasper, we're leaving."
Finally shaking off the responsibility of Ophis, Azazel was still worried that Tenraku and the others might change their minds. He dragged the reluctant Gasper into the teleportation vortex and disappeared.
To be continued…
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