Chapter: 96
It was the next day, and we had visitors in the Underworld. Baraqiel and I were meeting them in a private meeting room.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Layla! If that dummy Azazel had gotten you hurt, then I don't know what I would have done!" Gabriel said as she wrapped me in a tight hug. She didn't let me go for almost a minute straight.
At least until Michael politely coughed and she begrudgingly let me go.
Gabriel really was as described. She was argued by many to be the most beautiful woman in the entire world, and I could definitely see it. She was definitely a beauty that could topple nations. Thankfully, I had no weird feelings for her. To me, she was just my older sister. One that was very overprotective of her family.
To most people, she was a sweet and kind being, but that's the front she puts on. In wartime, Gabriel was one of the most devoted and ruthless Angels. She probably has a higher body count than any other Angel as she would routinely burn down entire Devil villages in the underworld!
"Yes, I am also glad you're okay, Layla." Michael–the leader of Heaven–said in a much more calm tone. If someone described Michael as one of the most chill and nicest guys in existence, they wouldn't be wrong. He also is one of the strongest. Those gold wings he inherited aren't just for show. Sirzechs Lucifer might think he's the top dog of our pantheon, but he's dead wrong. Michael's gold wings allow him to draw upon the power of Heaven to drastically enhance his own already crazy power. I have no doubt that the calm guy in front could destroy the entire planet.
"Our leader isn't so irresponsible. It didn't take him long to get her back." Baraqiel replied to Gabriel. I could tell he was a bit nervous at having the number 1 and 2 of Heaven in the Grigori HQ, especially with Azazel and Penemue gone. Baraqiel would have no chance against Michael and Gabriel if they attacked. Not that they ever would.
The butterfly effect was a real thing, and it might be arrogant to say, but my existence has definitely chilled Heaven and the Grigori out from constantly being at each other's throats.
Instead, we all chose to hate the devils together!
[Hurray for collective racism!]
'I hate the way you phrased that…but yeah.'
[I know…]
"Uh huh… sure." Gabriel replied back to Baraqiel noncommittally. "I'm sure Layla being spirited away to who knows where for a month had nothing to do with him…" She said sarcastically.
"Sister, I'm sure it was an accident. If anything, it worked out for Layla. I can feel she is much stronger now. And she has 2 Sacred Gears! I didn't think that was even possible!" Michael said happily before frowning slightly. "Although one of them feels… off."
"That's probably Azazel's artificial gear. I'm not sure what he made it out of, and I had to add a focus piece from Earth Marvel to get it working right." I explained.
"Earth Marvel?" Michael asked.
So then I explained to them what I had gone through since I disappeared. I told them of ending up back in our true home universe and living on the half of the world that was left behind.
At the mention of so many people being left behind, Michael and Gabriel looked guilty.
"Remarkable. The people of that Earth haven't seen a single angel for over 1000 years, and they still hold their faith!" Gabriel said while clapping. "I can't wait for the world to unite again. An influx of billions of more believers would be so hopeful to Heaven."
Michael, however, didn't look too sure. "The system is already struggling with the current number of humans. 1000 years ago, the human population wasn't even 1 billion. Now it's at 8. If it suddenly jumped to 16… I have no doubt it would collapse." Michael lamented.
That didn't sound good.
"And what would that entail?" Baraqiel asked. "How bad could a crash of Heaven's system be?"
Michael shuddered. "Well, for one, prayers will no longer be heard or answered. Secondly, the Sacred Gear reincarnation system would also end. And third… We Angels require faith to sustain ourselves. Without it…" Michael trailed off.
"We'll figure something out, Michael. This isn't the first crisis we've faced," Gabriel said. "I'm more worried about the reaction the other pantheons will have. Sure, they'll be happy to have double the territories, but there will also be inevitable conflict that arises when the people from two different Earths are forced to live together. It's a good thing Layla is already getting on top of the gravity issue. You have a really smart human friend for him to have thought of that. That could have been devastating." Gabriel explained as she paced the room. She gave Michael a reassuring smile that seemed to calm him down.
"I suppose it's time we got to the real reason we're here today." Gabriel said as she looked at me seriously.
"Hmm? Wasn't it because of the letter I sent you about Asia? How Diodora Astaroth has been bribing higher-ups in the church?" I asked.
Gabriel grimaced but shook her head. "No. That will be dealt with… but it's not the reason. Although I will personally apologize to Asia myself later. And when the Brave Saints system is complete, I would be more than happy to allow her to become an angel."
I smiled. "That's good. She deserves it."
Michael nodded. "Indeed. But the reason we're here is because of the bounty the devils have placed on your group." He said seriously.
I have a bounty?
I couldn't help but laugh. All I needed now was a straw hat and a ship!
"This is serious, Layla," Gabriel said in a no-nonsense tone. "The bounty was issued by Sirzechs himself. $50 billion for you to be brought to him alive. $10 billion for Akeno's return…"
"Over my dead body!" Baraqiel stood up angrily and shouted.
Michael nodded to the man. "Quite so. Your friend who claims to be the goddess Sif has a bounty of $15 billion, and finally, a Fallen Angel named Raynare has a bounty of $1 billion. Thankfully, Asia wasn't issued a bounty as well at least. Sirzechs had, however, privately contacted me and asked about her potentially joining his sister's peerage." Michael finished.
"Of course, we told him that she was no longer part of our faction and was with the Grigori." Gabriel added slyly. I gave her a thumbs up for that one.
Ha! I must have really pissed the devil's off! Serves them right. Although, even for supernaturals, those bounties were an absolute shit ton of liquid capital to throw around. The second I stepped outside the HQ, I'd probably have every kind of supernatural coming for me. All except the youkai who hate the devils for wiping out the Nekoshou at least. That was if I was planning to stick around Earth DxD…
I was not.
I had too much to do back on Earth Marvel, and I was heading back there anyway. Let them search for me all they wanted! They'd never find me across the dimensional gap!
I voiced these thoughts to my siblings.
"That's a good idea. Obviously, you'll be taking Sif back with you, but would you consider taking Asia and Akeno as well?" Michael suggested.
Baraqiel grimaced. "As loath as I am to separate from my daughter so soon after reuniting with her… that might be for the best. No doubt the spoiled Gremory Princess is causing a huge ruckus after losing my daughter as her queen." Baraqiel said.
"As for Asia… I heard about Raynare trying to steal her sacred gear. For shame. What can I expect from a sister who fell due to envy though…" Gabriel said with a sad sigh.
Well, at least they didn't ask me to take Raynare with me as well...
"Ok… it's decided then." I said. "I'll take Asia and Akeno with me when I go back."
They nodded. "Now then…" Gabriel looked at me with stars in her eyes and an excited grin. "What's this news I heard about my baby sister developing a harem!?"
"…"
XXX
--------------------------------------------------
Read 10+ chapters in advance over on my Pat.reon.
Pat.reon.com/StarWaves (Remove the first .)