AN: Sorry for missing chapters on Thursday and Friday last week, some jackass ran his car into my garage and tore off without saying anything. Been stuck moving crap around and supporting the wall that they nearly took down. Things are safe and stable now, but I have to find a local contractor to fix the wall and put a concrete post in to prevent it from happening in the future. That said, chapters may be sporadic for the next week while I phone around and meet with contractors to get quotes.
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—Cole POV, Special Region—
Dragging Leviathan out of her countryside manor, I took the four women to see a friend of Celestial who would be making their clothing. The pink-haired elf, Helena, was among the most highly praised designers and seamstresses in the Special Region due to the high quality work she delivered. Thanks in part to influences from several different worlds, she developed dozens of different designs that skyrocketed her to fame in the MHA world and beyond.
"Helena, we are here for the appointment I booked.", I called out as we entered her shop.
"I am just finishing up a dress, I will be out in a moment!", she replied from the backroom.
Having the women look at the displays she had out on the floor, the four of them were surprised by the quality of the items. Comparing them to Devil tailors and seamstresses I had never heard of, the four seemed a bit relieved that we were not buying mass-produced clothing. Knowing that their relief would be short lived, once they got into the fitting room with Helena, I stood back and waited for her to come out.
"Sorry about that, I had to finish up a dress for a client in England. She has a wedding in a few weeks, and had been breathing down my neck to get it out the door ASAP.", Helena laughed as she walked into the showroom, "What a moment…I thought you were only bringing one woman in today for a dress. Where did the other three come from?"
"We apologize for the inconvenience, our nobles made a decision to send the four of us today.", Misla apologized, "If that is a problem, Lady Lilith should be the only one to get a dress."
"Nah, it is not a problem. Cole gives me a shit ton of business as he only buys clothing for his wives from me.", Helena snickered with a grin, "I will do the four dresses today as a service for you, but it will cost you extra."
"When has your work ever not cost me more than the quote?", I sighed with a smile, "Also, please try not to get overly excited with them. They are not my wives, and I do not think they would appreciate your usual acts."
Giving me a hurt look, Helena told me to just trust her before turning to the women. Studying them for a few moments, she had them turn around slowly so she could visualize outfits for them in her mind. Getting a few ideas for their clothing, Helena quickly drew up designs for the ladies to review and choose from. Waving the women over when she finished, they cautiously walked forward and looked at what she had.
"Oh snap!!", Serafell said with excitement, "You are really good!"
"Mhm, I agree with Serafell on this. These designs are quite unusual, but they are also beautiful.", Lilith agreed homing in on a steampunk, gothic dress, "This one in particular interests me greatly."
Having them pick the dresses they liked, Misla chose an ornate yellow sundress, Leviathan picked a violet, salsa-styled dress, Serafell picked relaxed jean shorts and dress top, and Lilith went for the steampunk, gothic dress. With their outfits chosen, Helena went back to ready the materials and then called them back when she was ready. Walking toward the door to the fitting area, they stopped when they realized I was not following them.
"Are you not coming with us?", Leviathan inquired with confusion, "I assumed you would try ogling us while being sized or something like that."
"No I am fine.", I replied with a smile, "You ladies enjoy yourselves…try not to fight Helena either, please. She may not look like it, but she is a former Elven Elite Warrior."
Asking me why they would have a reason for fighting her, I told them to just do as I asked. Hesitantly moving forward now, they entered the room and closed the door behind them. Hearing the lock click, Helena demanded that they strip down to nothing with an evil cackle. Acknowledging her request with a hint of nervousness, as soon as they were done, Helena revealed her true colors.
"Oh, how adorable these little things are.", Helena said before I heard a soft moan.
"Wait a moment!!", Lilith shouted with embarrassment, "What do you think you are doing!? Stop squeezing them like toys, and they are not that small!!"
"Of course they are not!", Helena replied as the sound of a hand smacking a butt echoed through the back, "You are not lacking in the butt department though, good thing you have something. Being with that guy means you need to have assets, have you seen his wives?"
"I beg your pardon!?", Lilith spat, "Do not smack my regal buttock!!"
Having a very…handsy personality, Helena often grabbed, smacked, and fondled women's bodies in the name of making the perfect dress for them. Knowing that it was just an excuse for her to touch people's bodies, as she was a closet pervert, I knew the four would have a lot to say about this after it was all over.
"Stay away you freak!!", Leviathan shouted.
"Hehe, let me help you!!", Serafell laughed evidently joining in with Helena, "Come her Levi-chan!!"
"COLE!!!", Leviathan cried out, "Help me!! You did not warn us about this!!"
'Not my problem now…', I thought as I browsed the lingerie and envisioned what would look good on my wives, 'I think Rumi needs some lace in her life, preferably white or scarlet.'
Tuning the three women's cries for help out, I let Helena work her magic. Even though she was a pervert, her work was unparalleled and this excitement would loosen them up a bit.
—An Hour Later—
"Alright, here is your change Cole.", Helena told me as I paid the tab, "Make sure you tell Celestial to come by the shop with the little munchkin. I want to make more clothing for her adorable baby boy!!"
"You realize he is my son too…right?", I remarked with an irritated expression, "You do this every time I come without one of them…"
"Meh, he is too cute to be related to you.", Helena teased me as she stuck out her tongue.
Snapping my fingers, I encased her in a block of ice to reflect on her actions. Suggesting we go ahead and leave no, as we walked out, I flipped the door sign to closed and locked the door behind us. Stepping out into the Market Square, we immediately went shopping for anything that caught their eye.
"She was rather…eccentric…", Lilith said with a flushed red face, "As you mentioned early on, she is truly an unparalleled seamstress. I have never worn such comfortable clothing in my life, and these undergarments are simply amazing. She called them bras and panties, right? Would it be possible to set up trading for just these items? I would love to have several pairs for any occasion in the future."
"We can discuss it in the future, absolutely.", I told her with a smile, "Let us save the business talks for later, enjoy the break and relax a bit."
Agreeing to my request, the five of us began wandering around the market together.
—3rd Person POV, DxD World—
Having been turned down by every faction and group they had met with so far, the three Shinto Gods were beginning to realize the task they were given was nearly impossible. Offering blessings and support to anyone who would enter a pact with them, so far, no one had shown the slightest interest in their offers. Met with anger and disdain, the people told them they were already in negotiations with the Youkai to relocate to their lands.
Hearing the blessings, protection, and wealth that were being bestowed upon the Youkai, smaller factions were jealous of their position. Having been there when Yasaka groveled at Cole's feet for aid, none of them could have imagined that he would go above and beyond for her people like he was now. When word got out that they had accepted the Dwarves, Elves, and Succubi into their ranks…all hell broke loose among the factions. Realizing that they could enjoy those benefits under the Youkai Faction, dozens of nearly extinct factions were desperately seeking audiences with Yasaka for approval to join them.
"Damn that cunning fox!", Susanoo spat as they rode on a cloud to the next group on their list, "Her bloody kindness has ruined not only our Pantheon but threatened several others as well. Does she not realize she will be on the receiving end of our wrath?"
"Are you seriously still going on about this?!", Hachiman snapped, "None of the Pantheons will do anything to stop her now, everyone is petrified of upsetting Cole. The Pantheons are improving their treatment of their subordinates, but it is too little too late for most. Before long, we will be at each other's throats fighting for the few factions too proud to live under the Youkai."
"Who are we visiting next?", Takemikazuchi asked changing the subject.
Opening the notebook that he was given, Hachiman flipped through the pages and looked for the next group on the list.
"Hmm…looks like the High Kobolds.", Hachiman answered him, "They did not make a pact with any Pantheon during the war, and hid deep underground. Amaterasu is hoping we can strike a reasonable deal with them as they are returning to the surface for the first time in centuries."
"That might be difficult…", Susanoo remarked looking ahead of them.
"What are you going on about now?!", Hachiman hissed, "You going to tell us that you cannot handle furry women or something stupid like that?"
"I do not like them, but that is not what I meant.", Susanoo replied pointing to other groups ahead of them, "It would seem we are not the only ones heading their way."
Seeing several Buddhas ahead of them along with a few members of the Hindu Pantheon, Hachiman's face cramped up. Having hoped to be the first there to greet them, he was not happy about being in a race against them. As it stood, they were at a severe disadvantage as they were no match for the deities ahead of them. Understanding that a fight may be imminent, Hachiman told them to be ready to move at a moment's notice.