Everyone gradually sported smiles. As expected of Zekram Bael. Such efficient and meticulate planning was something very few could do. In face of potential defeat, he provided them all a way to turn the situation.
[As expected of the First Generation Progenitor.]
Khalios couldn't help but remark in his mind. They were only separated by a generation, but Zekram continued to surprise him even after thousands of years.
[Looks like my descendant will have to endure a setback once more. I'm curious how he will handle it.]
.
|DxD|
.
The plan was a great success. The Four Satans managed to push forward a plan that would represent the beginning of change. Sirzechs was so happy that he was just one stage away from laughing out loud like a madman. If he wasn't afraid Igor would kill him, he would've hugged the blonde to death. He didn't even want to mention Aurelia. He knew something was going on between those two.
But that didn't prevent him from hugging his wife.
Vwong
When Grayfia teleported into their lounge, she was suddenly caught in her husband's embrace. He wrapped her tightly in his arms and spun her around, uncaring for his image as a Satan.
"Hahahahahaha!"
"Sir-Sirzechs-sama!"
She tried to pry his arms off but they weren't budging from her waist. In fact, his hold only grew tighter.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
Indeed, Sirzechs cared for nothing at this moment. He knew Aurelia, Igor, Serafall, and Ajuka were giving him varying looks, but he didn't care. His dream, their dream, and the dreams of many others would gradually be realised.
"Hey, Lucy. You'll squeeze her to death, you know?"
"Hahaha! My wife is stronger than she looks, Dimori-san!"
Still, he did put her down after some time, but not until after he gave her a deep kiss on her lips.
Chuu~
[?!]
The sudden show of affection stupefied her to the point that any admonishments she had died in her throat.
"Dimori-san. I want you to meet my wife Grayfia."
"I think she needs to reboot first, Sirzechs."
"Oh?"
He turned around to see Grayfia was still rooted to the spot. Her hands were clasped firmly around the helms of her dress, her face redder than a monkey's buttcheeks.
"She'll be fine."
He casually dismissed her and turned to face Igor and Aurelia with enthusiastic eyes.
"Speak, Dimori-san. Aurelia-san. What do you want as payment? I'll do my absolute best to satisfy you!"
"Calm down, Sirzechs."
It was Ajuka who spoke. He felt if he remained still, Sirzechs might just offer the entire Underworld as gratitude. His friend could be so excitable at times.
"I do share the same sentiments as Sirzechs. Your help has made such an impact that I find myself lacking the words to describe the gratitude I feel. While I may not radiate the same enthusiasm as my friend here, trust me when I say that I will do my best to satisfy any demands you might have."
"Aju-chan! Stop trying to score brownie points!"
Serafall couldn't stay silent any longer. Her green-haired friend was lazy when he needed to be conniving and conniving when he needed to be lazy. While she was signing this contract, he was lazying around his lab!
"Dimori-chan! Aurelia-chan! Don't listen to these two. I have the ability to get things even the Underworld doesn't have."
"Really? Can you get me Lord Shiva's earring?"
"..."
"""..."""
.
.
.
Silence…
"Mouuu! Dimori-chan is bullying me!"
The little satan crossed her arms in mock anger. Get the God of Destruction's earring? They'd have better luck finding Igor's mother and taking HER earring.
Still, everyone had a good laugh after Igor's little joke. It was truly a happy day and no matter what, Igor and Aurelia's help would never be forgotten.
Igor didn't have anything specific he wanted, but Aurelia did. She asked for resources to develop the land she received under the contract terms. She didn't ask for builders or monetary funds, but various amounts of precious materials.
The Satans were curious why but didn't ask. Only Aurelia knew the reason why she wanted these materials since even Igor appeared confused. But Aurelia knew that these territories would be extremely valuable in the next century for she planned to populate it with the second generation of Aryans.
Her continuous research in the time chamber has allowed her to obtain an intermediate understanding of the second seal. The first seal that restrained a human's potential was something she could break easily…in theory.
She still had plans of using the Dimensional Gap as an experimental ground and the materials that she will receive from the devils would be of immense help in building a small enclosure to safely conduct experiments.
And when those experiments were done, the Underworld would become their new home. As long as the alliance with the devils stands, the chances of her people being attacked once again would diminish, especially if there is also a formal alliance with Grigori.
.
|DxD|
.
Igor and Aurelia stayed for a few more hours at the Gremory Household until it was time to leave. Rias was reluctant to let Akeno and Asia leave, but all good things had to come to an end.
The only one who was happy that Asia and Akeno were leaving was Isaiah. The young blonde thought he and Asia could become friends, but who imagined that the girl treated him like a younger brother? It was not fair!
So when all the visitors were ready to be escorted by Serafall back to Kuoh, he was very happy and even had the guts to make a face at Asia just as the teleportation circle flashed.
"Mnyeh!"
"Ah-"
Vwong!
[Hmph! Serves you right.]
He maintained his haughty expression and walked towards the library. He didn't notice the eyes that were looking at him, but he did notice the pitter-patter of feet following after him.
"Aya-chan! Let's go play!"
"?!"
He almost stumbled over his feet when he heard the nickname Rias made for him.
"My name is Isaiah! Not Aya, Lady Rias!"
Rias caught up to him and crossed her arms with a huff.
"Then play with me or else I'll call you Aya for…for three weeks!"
"..."
Isaiah considered it…and decided it wasn't worth it.
"No. Do what you want, Lady Gremory."
Su!
Just like that, he vanished from sight. Only a fool would consider playing with Rias. Getting put in dresses certainly wasn't an activity that interested him. He would rather study about his sensei in the library.
"Hey! Don't run away!"
Rias ran to where she knew she would find him. She might not be able to catch up, but she was pretty determined.
.
|DxD|
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Kuoh Town, Japan
.
At the Himejima household, the sun cast a beautiful orange glow as it slowly set on the horizon. Streaks of the sun's radiance penetrated the trees and cast their light upon a lone figure who was standing in the middle of the yard. Shuri was the beneficiary of this light, but she was not there to enjoy it.
Strapped to her side was a sword and a dagger, each in its own scabbard. She was garmed in a long black skirt that was secured to her waste with a sash. Her top figure was covered in a pink floral-patterned blouse. The sleeves were long like curtains, perfectly accentuating her elegant figure.
She stood quietly outside the yard with her hands joined together at her stomach. The only time she showed signs of movement was when a large teleportation circle formed a few metres from her.
Vwong!
When the flash vanished to reveal everyone, an unexpected seen happened.
"Mama-"
Fuuuush
A heavy pressure descended upon the vicinity. Aurelia held back the children while Igor glared with some hint of murder at Shuri. His eyes were completely red, all while a gentle flame of red demi-ki shrouded him.
His expression was slowly morphing into a vicious snarl and the formation of canines was not aiding in diminishing his appearance of a beast ready to pounce. The moment he saw Shuri, he was over 90% sure that this was an impostor- an impostor he would kill.
Without warning, he charged at her.
Su!
He reached her in an instant and wrapped her in a dangerous one-armed hug. His right hand was on her stomach with serious intent to blast a hole through her should she be an impostor.
Sniff Sniff Sniff Sniff
Igor sniffed her neck a few times. It seemed like sexual harassment from an outsider's perspective, but it was this action that prevented him from outright crippling this woman in his grasp…because her energy signature was different.
Shuri did nothing in retaliation. She did not fight his energy that flowed through her body like tentacles or his perverse actions of sniffing his neck.
She expected he would perform this action…because she had changed a lot in the last twenty-four-hours.
"Woah!"
As if a switch had been flicked, Igor's aggressive behavior suddenly stopped.
"When did you get so strong, aunty?"
Igor asked with so much enthusiasm and curiosity that one would be hard-pressed to be believe he didn't just almost kill her a few moments prior.
He backed away slightly and observed her with admiration. He could feel her power.
"I mean...Ultimate Class? That's a massive power jump."
"Thank you for your praise, Dimori-kun. I will willingly tell you everything…"
Shiiing!
"...when you defeat me."
Uncaring for the confusion her words caused, she charged forward.
Su!
.
AN
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Shuri got some upgrades from Amaterasu (maybe). It was a pretty close call though. Does anyone else think it's creepy that he sniffed her neck like that? Baraquiel would have a fit if he found out…maybe.
Either way, thank you for the support and until the next chapter. For those interested, you can read five additional chapters on my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.