"Don't interfere. You'll die."
He said those few words and vanished into the skies once more.
Su!
The fight in the sky continued like nothing ever happened. The boys paid no attention to her, and this made Kuroka desire their power even more.
[I want it…]
Kuroka still felt muddle-headed even as Yasaka held her. The concerned voices around her grew weak, but she already knew what she wanted in her heart.
[I want…strength.]
.
|DxD|
.
Kuroka did not know long she'd been asleep. The moment she came to, she felt she was in her bed. She slowly sat up and rested her back against the headboard.
The skies were darkening outside. The few fauna she spotted told her she was still in the Underworld. She pushed off the covers and stepped onto the wooden floor.
"?"
She was still groggy, but she could sense several figures downstairs. Their presence lit up like lightbulbs, an indicator of their power and vitality.
There were four more presences she sensed and three of them were devils. The bald man that caught her was also amongst them. Why so many powerful people were clustered under one roof confounded her, but she dared not think about it further.
[I must see Shirone.]
Gu. Gu. Gu. Gu. Gu.
Her feet thumped on the floor as she walked towards the door. There was no doubt they already knew she was awake, especially Igor. He's the only one who briefly turned to look in her direction.
Just as she reached to open the door, her hand froze. Raising her arm brought about a phantom pain in her stomach.
[Right. I was injured.]
She was not struck in any manner. Not a single finger was placed on her. She was only unlucky to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was injured just from the aftershocks of a fight between two powerful people.
[Power…]
…an alluring prospect many desired, yet few could understand. Power came in various forms. Money, connections, political, all of that were forms of power. But true power, true power was power over life and death---to easily decide someone's fate, to easily do things others would dare not do.
That was the power Kuroka desired. She thought her power as an Ultimate Class was substantial, but it was nothing more than air in front of those two. The powerful blow she suffered erased any semblance of arrogance and pride she had.
[I must get it.]
Her goal did not fade. It only increased in intensity.
Dakaang~
For the power to protect herself and Shirone, she would do anything, even if it meant getting on her knees or…offering her body. As long as she could get it, her purity could freely be offered.
.
|DxD|
.
Two boys in damaged clothing ate together in the kitchen. Luxurious antique lighting illuminated the array of food on the table. Two maids stood dutifully to the side ready to serve the two boys whatever dish they wanted.
Igor and Atid ate enthusiastically, though Igor certainly ate like a machine. His hands were whirlwinds that rapidly shoved chunks of food into his mouth.
"Gnom gnom gnom gnom. Mm! So good!"
The blonde was merciless. A whole chicken thigh entered his mouth and out came only the bone. Not even the cartilage was spared! His teeth worked like industrial grinders that crushed anything and everything to oblivion.
All of these separate parts came together to create one efficient system that worked to recover the calories drained in the prior fight.
"Brother. The food isn't running awa-don't take that piece! It's mine!"
Atid ate a bit more moderately than Igor. As such, he was blindsided when the drumstick he'd been saving for last was suddenly snatched away.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The plates and cups rattled as Atid wrestled with Igor for a juicy chicken thigh. The maids dared not interfere. They could only try to save the few plates and bowls skirting dangerously close to the table's edge.
As for these two behemoths? Please. They still had some sense of self-preservation.
.
|DxD|
.
In another room, eight individuals gathered around a table. From the Yokai, they were Sun Wukong, Yasaka, and Shirone who sat on the former's lap. Aurelia was present as a representative of the Aryans and the Four Satans were also present.
The room was covered in Aurelia's barrier. Sound could come in but not out. As such, their meeting was interrupted by the grunts and curses of the two boys beyond the wall.
"""..."""
Black lines sprouted across Sun Wukong's forehead. He really wanted to whack those two miscreants with his staff.
[They're always causing trouble!]
Sirzechs maintained a calm smile while Aurelia blushed slightly from embarrassment. Yasaka and Serafall found this situation amusing and Falbium was worried about the damages these two would cost him. Only Ajuka was neutral in this matter
There was no need to speak. Everyone had the same consensus. As amusing as their fight could be to witness, this informal meeting needed to continue without unnecessary interruptions.
Vwong!
The barrier shimmered slightly before the noise slowly faded into nothingness. Aurelia lowered her hand once more and adjusted her posture. The topic was currently on how the Nekomata survived and under Yasaka's behest, she continued to explain the process.
"As I was saying, I'd asked Cleria-san to keep an eye on the situation in the Underworld for me."
Left unsaid was Aurelia also sought Azazel's help. The man's intelligence network really couldn't be underestimated.
"I knew the changes Sirzechs wanted to implement would cause radical shifts, so I paid attention to the news behind the scenes. When I heard of Kuroka-san's escape, I knew the situation had the potential to reach previously inconceivable proportions. So I took the time to secretly travel to the Village of Nekomata and brief the chiefs on the situation."
Aurelia continued to elaborate on how she convinced them to have the village evacuated. In place of the Nekomata were clones created from blood samples. The clones could only last thirty-minutes upon creation and would disappear after.
The reason corpses could be found and even touched is because of a highly-advanced illusion magic barrier set to target all five senses. Under this barrier, even a rock can feel like a limb.
"The illusion can last for about a week outside the barrier. As such, please don't be surprised when some of the corpses collected turn into various animals. The Nekomata are safe and are willing to continue working alongside the devils once more after hearing of your actions, Sirzechs."
"!"
Sirzechs had to restrain himself from jumping up in celebration. The news of the Nekomata's survival would be great for everyone involved. Thousands of lost jobs would be regained. Relief funds could be redirected towards further streamlining the Overhaul Policy. Their economy coul-
"Woooo! Aurelia-chan!"
Serafall did not bother restraining herself. Unlike Sirzechs, she had no such reservations. She was tired from work, but this news served to reinvigorate her.
She blitzed towards Aurelia and wrapped her in a tight hug. Her eyes quite literally had sparkles in them.
"I love you, I love you, I love you!"
Serafall rubbed her cheek against the confused silverette and was just short of kissing her when Ajuka grabbed her by the scruff of her neck.
"Apologies, Aurelia-san. I had no idea she'd be this…excited."
"Mouuu! Let go, Aju-chan!"
Serafall tried to scramble towards Aurelia like a dog floundering for a steak, but her height worked against her. Up in the air, she had no leverage. So she could only be carried back to her seat like a disobedient child.
"Fufufu~."
Yasaka giggled heartily. The atmosphere was rather jubilant and even stone-faced people like Falbium and Sun Wukong revealed a smile or two.
Time passed and further arrangements were made. It was soon agreed upon that after the village is rebuilt, the Nekomata would return and previous transactions with the devils would continue to function in the same manner as previously.
In the meantime, it was time to satisfy everyone's curiosity. Personally seeing the yokai was out of the question. It was obvious the Naberius clan was manipulated into starting the massacre. Whether it was the Nebiros, the Baels, or a coalition of the two, no one knew.
Without knowing the enemy's means, it was too risky to visit the Nekomata while the world still thought they were extinct---because someone might turn that lie into reality.
.
|DxD|
.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Back in the kitchen, two pairs of eyes narrowed in on one pair. Igor was still processing the words this girl just said.
"You want us to what?"
Kuroka nervously clutched her skirt in nervousness. Under the gaze of these two behemoths, she forced herself not to back down.
"I-I want to be strong. Please train me!"
.
AN
.
Thanks for reading. Your support, your likes, and comments are greatly appreciated. If you want to read further, head over to my p.a.t.r.e.o.n. Just search for HolyGambler.
Until the next chapter.