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After leaving the meeting room, Ajuka bid farewell to attend to some follow-up matters in his own territory. Meanwhile, Tenraku, Rias, and Sona pondered whether they should return to the Human World.
"Tenraku, Rias, Sona, it's already late today. You can rest here for the night. Additionally, since the opportunity is rare, Otou-Sama also wants to invite you to our home," Seekvaira suggested, prompting Tenraku, Rias, and Sona to exchange glances.
"Since it's Duke-Sama's invitation, we accept," They replied, understanding that it wouldn't be polite to refuse the kind offer. Besides, they didn't have any urgent matters to attend to at the moment.
"Rest here for a while. I'll come to escort you before dinner," Seekvaira said with a smile, adjusting her glasses. Seeing Tenraku and the others agree, a smile appeared on Seekvaira's face.
After exchanging greetings with Tenraku and the others, Seekvaira left with her Peerage. Meanwhile, Tenraku, Rias, and Sona entered the nearby resting room, where Yubelluna, Akeno, Shinra Tsubaki, and Ravel were also resting.
However, to their surprise, there was an unfamiliar figure in the room besides Yubelluna's group. It was a tall and elegant woman with long, silvery-blue hair, emanating a noble and icy aura reminiscent of a queen. Moreover, she didn't conceal the prominent features of her aura— a powerful Dragon Race!
The women in the room seemed somewhat awed by this Dragon Race woman, even the usually proud Ravel sat quietly on the side, while Asia and Valerie served tea to the woman.
"Tenraku-sama, Rias-sama, Sona-sama," The women in the room visibly relaxed upon seeing them enter, quickly coming forward to greet them.
"Who is she?" Tenraku, Rias, and Sona's gazes fell on the silver-haired woman.
"Tenraku-sama, this is Miss Tiamat," Asia quickly introduced them, standing between the two parties.
Upon hearing Asia mention her name, Tenraku, Rias, and Sona all showed a hint of surprise in their eyes, inwardly acknowledging their suspicions.
Tiamat, the legendary Chaos Karma Dragon, is the only female among the Five Dragon Kings, and also the strongest among them!
"Hello, Miss Tiamat."
"Greetings, Red Dragon Emperor Kamiya Tenraku, Princess Rias of the Gremory family, and Princess Sona of the House of Sitri."
Having heard many legends about the Dragon King in front of them and knowing that she was now in a cooperative relationship with Demon King Ajuka, Tenraku and the two women respectfully greeted Tiamat, who nodded faintly in return.
"It's been a while, Ddraig, Albion," Tiamat said, her gaze shifting to Tenraku.
"It's been a while, Tiamat."
"Hā...HāHā... So, it's Tiamat."
Two dragon-shaped insignias appeared on Tenraku's left and right hands, followed by the voices of Albion and Ddraig.
While Albion seemed normal, Ddraig's tone seemed a bit nervous, as if he had encountered his creditor.
"Ddraig, when are you going to return my treasures?"
In the next moment, Tiamat cut straight to the chase, leaving Tenraku with a twitch of his lips.
Ddraig, this guy, really met his creditor!
"W-Well, Tiamat, as you can see, I'm already dead and only my soul remains housed within the Sacred Gear. And as for your treasures, they have been lost, so, you know..." Ddraig replied awkwardly, and the atmosphere in the room became peculiar, with Tenraku and the women struggling to suppress their urge to laugh.
The Red Dragon Emperor, of all people, being chased for debts, seemed quite comical!
"I see, then—"
"Red Dragon Emperor, as the host of Ddraig, it's your responsibility to shoulder the debts owed by Ddraig," Tiamat said, nodding before fixing her gaze on Tenraku.
A stiff expression appeared on Tenraku's face as he felt a bit bewildered. How did it suddenly come to him to bear some debt? Just as he was about to refuse, Ddraig's voice echoed in his mind:
"Partner, I'm truly sorry, but please help me out this time."
"If we don't settle things with Tiamat, she won't let it go easily."
It was the first time Ddraig had requested something with such a pleading tone. Tenraku couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. So, even the so-called two Heavenly Dragons feared their creditors!
"Cough, Cough, Miss Tiamat, since Ddraig owes you something, it's only natural for me, as her host, to repay it. However, could you please tell me what Ddraig owes you?" Tenraku asked after clearing his throat.
"It's fine to tell you..."
Seeing that Tenraku seemed cooperative, Tiamat showed a hint of satisfaction and proceeded to explain what Ddraig owed her.
It turned out that during the era of the clash between the two Heavenly Dragons a long time ago, Ddraig had borrowed some treasures from Tiamat to battle Albion.
However, the battle between the two Berserker Dragons had caused massive destruction, and they were subsequently besieged by the three major factions— Angels, Fallen Angels, and Devils. Ddraig's body was ruined, his soul sealed within the Sacred Gear, and the treasures he had borrowed from Tiamat were naturally lost.
"I see..."
"Miss Tiamat, could you estimate the value of those treasures? Then, I could compensate you with equivalent items like the Tears of Phenex or other treasures," Tenraku proposed, thinking of ways to settle the debt.
Though he didn't possess many treasures himself besides the Sacred Gear, the Phenex family had some, and if needed, Rias and Sona could contribute as well.
However, Tiamat shook her head.
"No, my treasures are unique. I only want them back."
Both Tenraku and Rias' group felt a bit speechless at Tiamat's insistence. She was hundreds, if not thousands, of years old, yet she was being unreasonable.
It was like a child breaking another child's beloved toy, and when offered compensation, they cried and refused, insisting on getting the original one back.
Her treasures had been lost for centuries. Where could they possibly find them now?
"Miss Tiamat, this puts me in a difficult position. Your treasures have been lost for so long; it would be like finding a needle in a haystack to retrieve them. Could you propose other terms for repayment?" Tenraku sighed.
Furrowing her brows, Tiamat seemed displeased, but after glancing at Tenraku and then at Asia beside him, she eventually nodded.
"I can if you agree to one condition."
To be continued...