What she said sounded like someone who had no choice but to agree. But, why was she smiling? This should be disadvantageous to you.
But who knew what Serafall was thinking? Because while others would see peril, she saw an opportunity…an opportunity to get rid of a few members from the Old Satan Faction.
Legally of course.
[The halls had been getting a bit too full over the years.]
.
|DxD|
.
After weighing the pros and cons, Serafall eventually decided to take the plunge and sign the amended non-aggression pact. Compared to the lives of a few worthless old farts, pulling the last two Aryans towards their camp was undoubtedly more important.
In the end, all the agreements were signed under one master contract that each attending party held a copy of. Of course, Serafall had no thoughts that a piece of paper would restrain Igor when it came down to it.
As such, even if she received their signatures, there was still much work to be done. The absolute last thing she needed was stupid members of her race needlessly antagonizing him or his sister. As much as she was willing to sacrifice the lives of a few hard-headed old stooges, there were limits that if exceeded, would force them as satans to dissolve this alliance.
And so when everything was concluded and hands were shaken, she wasted no time in leaving Kuoh for the Underworld. The terms of the contract were a bit ridiculous, but the benefits would far outweigh the costs.
.
|DxD|
.
"Well, that went well."
Serafall had just left, leaving the rest of them seated around the table. Igor was satisfied with this outcome, happy that he could now legally retaliate should anyone harm his sister.
"My lord."
Aurelia began with a hint of concern.
"Was that not…excessive?"
The terms of the non-aggression pact were too unfavourable for the devils. They essentially held powers somewhat similar to monarchs, meaning they could legally eliminate devils without care. Of course there were terms stating there must be suitable reason and evidence, but that was gibberish.
Those terms meant nothing the moment Serafall agreed to this amended pact. It was the same as putting a green stop sign.
"Sister."
Igor looked at her with a smile.
"Maybe you'll hate me for this, but I still would've done what needed to be done, regardless of what a few squiggly lines on a piece of paper say."
"..."
Sigh…
It was then that Aurelia knew it was hopeless. She could only be thankful he raised this issue before there were sudden surprises.
[To think I'd live to see such an…agreement…]
Not even the satans had the same leeway to be blatant like him. At the very least, they had to care about their reputation. Aurelia had a feeling Igor didn't even know what the word 'reputation' meant.
She couldn't help but feel a little shy and embarrassed as the beneficiary of such a very odd agreement. Perhaps it was the first of its kind and would no doubt raise many eyebrows when it came to light.
"Hehe~. I'd expect no less of you, brother. I've learnt a lot from this meeting."
Atid didn't expect Igor would be so bold as to claim before a satan that he would kill one of their people should the need arise. It was an arrogant statement truly befitting someone of his station.
"Well, what did you expect me to do, Atid? If some random guy you don't know suddenly called you a cunt, wouldn't you want to kill him?"
"..."
Sitting on the side, Shuri subtly shook her head.
[No, Dimori-kun. No normal sane person has those thoughts.]
At most you'd want to hit them. Killing was excessive. Too excessive.
"Of course, brother. I'm not disputing your point. I fully understand what you mean. If someone, especially someone weak called me a bunch of names, I'd kill them without hesitation as well."
"..."
Aurelia now knew where Igor's wayward thoughts came from.
[He spent too much time with gods, to the extent that he absorbed their distorted logic.]
Indra was a war god. Atid was the son of a war god. There were more gods and other powerful entities under Indra's command. Of course Igor would be led astray. Only gods would kill someone for something as puny as an insult.
[Fortunately, the room was sealed in advance. Asia and Akeno are not ready for this side of Igor-]
"Oh right. Before I forget. Aunty. Sister. The reason I came with Atid here is because I'm leaving for the Heavenly Realm today for a war against Lord Shiva."
"*Cough!*"
"..."
Can you…not say it so casually? Aurelia was not surprised that Shuri suddenly choked on her spit. Igor wasn't even subtle about it. In fact, he chose the worst possible time to elaborate. Preferably, it would've been better if he omitted the last part of his sentence.
"*Cough!*, w-what?!"
Uncaring for her dignity, Shuri hastily grabbed Igor by the shoulder and looked him right in the eye.
"You're going to war? To WAR?!?!"
"..."
Igor was a bit confused by her worry. It was just war. What was she worried about?*
"Yes, aunty. It's time for the monthly war."
"..."
Shuri focused on the word…
"...monthly?"
Her immense worry was replaced by her profound confusion.
"Yes. Every month or so, there's a war that I fight in."
"..."
Sigh…
Atid couldn't help but sigh in exasperation. Sometimes, Igor could be deviously cunning and sometimes, he'd be irredeemably stupid.
"Your lack of explanation is confusing your poor aunt, brother. So allow me to do so. Madam Shuri. In my Heavenly Realm, my father, Lord Indra and his opponent, Lord Shiva, have a war they fight every month in which their armies battle to decide the victor. While casualties are inevitable, please worry less since every fallen member will be resurrected as soon as the victor is decided."
"?!"
Shuri widened her eyes as she gripped Igor's shoulders even more. This prompted a look of confusion from Atid.
"..."
She...she did hear him mention the part about resurrection, right? Why is she still shaking like a leaf?
[Women are confusing.]
How would he know that Shuri's concern lay in the fact that this was a real war? When she heard "monthly", she figured it was some tournament event labelled as a war. Who knew that it was in fact a real war?
"No no no no no. Y-you can't go. You won't go!"
She held him tightly. She couldn't believe her ears. He had to go through real war every month? Well no more. Glaring at Atid with venomous eyes, she hissed.
"I won't let you take him."
Like a mother hen protecting her chick, she dared Atid to say something in retaliation.
"..."
Atid could only look at her in more confusion. It wasn't that he was stupid. He just really couldn't understand what was wrong. All the deva women he knew or heard of were always eager to send their sons to war because there was no risk of a permanent death.
He never expected Shuri to vehemently decline and even push back. She looked at him like he was the one forcing Igor to come when Igor was the one with the most enthusiasm between them.
And that enthusiasm couldn't have chosen a worse time to show itself.
"Aunty. Stop worrying so much."
Gently pushing her off his chest, he smiled warmly at her.
"War is fun."
""…""
There was no need to say or do more. Aurelia knew that if she didn't do anything, Shuri would lose it.
"Shuri-sama. Please remain calm and allow me to speak on behalf of my lord."
Prying Igor from Shuri, she indicated that he must leave while she solved this mess. These two were so warped beyond measure that if they were allowed to remain any longer, Shuri would have a heart attack.
.
|DxD|
.
Igor and Atid were outside. Both teens stood underneath the tree with equally confused expressions. For the absolute life of them, they couldn't really understand why Shuri reacted the way she did.
"Brother Igor. I'm afraid I've fallen to your level of stupidity."
Instead of being angry, Igor just shrugged.
"Welcome to the club, brother. Atleast you'll find life to be easier when you don't think so much."
"Pfft hehehe.That's a good one, brother. Unfortunately, my situation requires me to have that little bit of extra IQ."
"Oh right. Uncle Indra is grooming you to be a general, right?"
Igor vaguely remembered something like that. He was pretty sure he was still reliving the battle while Atid received the award so his memories were a bit fuzzy.
Sigh…
Releasing a breath as he sat down against the tree, Atid nodded.
"Yes, brother. Since I've reached the latter stages of god class, father has been training me to lead armies. I don't suggest you do it though, Igor."
"Pssh. As if I want to lead a platoon. They'll just hold me back."
"Yes…because you're so much of a liability the squad will spend more time trying to put you in line than completing the mission."
"..."
Looking down at Atid's annoying grin, Igor wished he could slap it off.
"Yeah. Whatever. I don't need a squad. I go on my own mission."
.
AN
.
Igor was a bit confused by her worry. It was just war. What was she worried about?*
Explanation: At this point, we have to accept that his common sense has been warped beyond measure. We happen to know that Igor has been fighting simulated, but very real wars every month for three years, atleast we assume he fought every month. At some point, war became something natural to him. Just like how some people would freak out if we told them we received beatings as children.
Today is Friday and if you're interested in reading ahead, you're welcome to become my patron. You can find my name there.