She couldn't be bothered to move or think of the consequences of her actions. Her duvet would need a quick wash, but she'd clean it using magic…along with her garments.
Sigh…
She could fall asleep right here--
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
"Mama? Can we get some phoenix tears please?"
"..."
.
|DxD|
.
2000/05/17- May 26th, 2000 (Friday), Devil Territory, Underworld
.
The Underworld had entered a prosperous period. After the events of 1999, the second millennium saw a drastic boost in economy, culture, and overall citizen satisfaction.
The Devilnet was still rife with activity and testimonials from freed devils. Secret Aurelia fan pages and continuously grew in number and hedonistic content involving Igor continued to see thousands of viewers a day.
Old devils enjoyed this new rising sun brought about by the change of times, grateful that change came while they still lived. Still, this prosperity could all be taken away by the very blonde who helped bring it to them.
The young may not know, but the old understood what the Four Satans did was a very massive risk. Letting such a powerful entity hold such influence came with its own risks. They could only hope the Son of Dimori would not bear his fangs upon them. However, their silent wishes might just take a dark turn.
Tswii!
Today was Friday, leaving only five days until Igor would leave to begin his training with Shiva. Before he left, he needed to sort out some affairs…and those affairs involved getting certain parties in line.
The devils were a wildcard he couldn't bring himself to trust. No matter how many times Sirzechs smiled, he'd never trust the man…because he was weak.
Weaklings could never be trusted for when the going gets tough, they will be the first to betray you. He needed to remind Sirzechs and his friends that in his time of absence, they better not try any tricks. The Underworld? He had no qualms in destroying it.
He hovered in the skies, his golden gaze stretched across the horizon. He sensed Sirzechs just a few dozen kilometres away. The man was travelling to his office…and he couldn't sense someone was watching him.
"His instincts have waned, if he had any."
For months, Igor advised Sirzechs to train, but it's clear the crimson satan and his friends were too lazy to do so. Atleast Souji was willing to train harder.
"Let's get this over with. I still need to see the old man."
Su!
.
.
.
Su!
He appeared inside a rather large office. It looked like a banker's office from the 16th century and was decorated with red. Sirzechs had taste. Igor could admit that much. He wasn't a fan of all those modern techy things.
Krrr…
He pulled the chair, intentionally scraping it across the floor so the guards outside would hear someone was insid--
BANG!
The door burst open and armoured men wielding spears charged in. Magic circles formed on the tips of their spears, ready to deal with the intruder. But…
""?!?!""
…once they saw that shade of blonde hair and that unique blue coat, they immediately lowered their weapons and bowed their heads.
""We humbly salute you, Lord Dimori!""
"Mm."
He only gave them a cursory glance before looking forward again. Where the seat was empty, Sirzechs sat on it once more with a smile. The guards would never be able to see him, but Sirzechs's fluid motion were completely visible in his eyes.
"You two may leave."
Sirzechs idly commanded the two men to leave. This was the tenth time Igor slipped past his guards.
"Yes!"
"Yes, Lord Lucifer!"
They closed the door behind them and resumed standing guard outside. With their departure, the time for talks arrived.
"I wonder what you're here for, Dimori-kun."
Igor didn't reply, but closed his eyes. He spread his senses outward, looking to find a suitably sparse location before speaking.
"Not here. Rooftop."
Su!
He vanished without giving Sirzechs a chance to reply. The satan only chuckled lightly before following behind him.
Su!
.
|DxD|
.
When Sirzechs appeared, he found Igor to be standing on the precipice of the tower. His hair blew in the wind, unbound from its usual ponytail. From behind or even a slight sideview, Igor could genuinely be mistaken for a beauty. Though he doubted few could live to tell the tale after that insinuation.
"What is it you need to talk about, Dimori-kun?"
He didn't reply. He only took a deep breath, savouring the prosperous view before him. This city really was beautiful.
"Lucifer. I've always had this question I wanted to ask you."
"...what is it?"
Sirzechs had terrible premonition.
"If I wanted to destroy all of this, what would you do?"
"..."
Upon Sirzechs's silence, Igor turned to give him a sideways glance. His golden gaze was tainted with red as demi-ki circulated throughout his body.
"If I perhaps woke up on the wrong side of the bed and decided to wipe out the entire devil race, what protocols do you have?"
It was time for the stick.
"A powerful seal? I can break that. The four of you? You can't defeat me. Mobilise your army? Not even worth cannon fodder. Kidnap my sisters? You better be faster than me. Ask for allies? More cannon fodder."
Igor slowly turned to face Sirzechs. The killing intent he mustered over the years made itself known in the form of a subtle, yet overwhelming force of power and pressure.
"Sirzechs Lucifer. What cards do you have to stop me from destroying your people, your family, and everyone you hold dear?"
"..."
Igor touched upon a reverse scale. He levied Sirzechs's weaknesses right in front of him. Family…to be more precise, Rias was a subject Igor touched. It was well-known how much the Crimson Satan loved his sister.
"Dimori-kun. What are you trying to say?"
He maintained his composure, but his clenched fists revealed the anger he contained deep within.
"You are weak."
Congratulations could be given to Sirzechs for not flinching when the voice came from behind him.
"In your state, you can forget about protecting anyone."
Igor had his arms crossed, his back almost touching Sirzechs's. He was so fast Sirzechs didn't even notice him.
"You, Ajuka, Serafall, and Falbium---all of you are weak."
Left unsaid were two other Super Devils he sensed.
"There was a time when I could barely match you. Then came a time where I was equals with you. Then I surpassed you. Then I became strong enough to fight all four of you. Now? I can kill all of you."
"..."
A blatant threat. This was a blatant threat. Sirzechs had to hold back every single nerve of his body from launching an attack. These words Igor said…they infuriated him!
But he had to keep calm. Igor most likely wouldn't launch a meaningless attack. He must have some agenda other than wanton destruction.
"State your intentions."
"..."
Igor wasn't one to sneer for such a disgusting smile belonged to politicians, but he almost laughed condescendingly when Sirzechs still tried to TALK his way out of this.
[He has no liver. His guts are dry. Scheming took the place of pride.]
If the roles were reversed, he'd have attacked on sight. No one could threaten him with Asia to his face like this.
"I will be direct with you, Sirzechs. At some point in the future, be it ten, hundred, or a thousand years from now, my strength will continue to reach higher and higher peaks. Should I still be alive by then, there will come a point where the devils will consider me a threat. YOU will consider me a threat to your superiority."
For a long time, Igor had thought this through.
"My continuous increase in power will soon make you restless, if it already hasn't."
His gaze narrowed at the last part.
"Sirzechs. You and your friends are good people as far as I'm concerned, but the supernatural world changes people. All four of you can end up betraying me and our people, be it coerced or willingly. The only constant in this world of ours in strength. I can never trust you until you wield sufficient strength."
In an instant, Igor appeared in front of Sirzechs and grabbed his shoulder. His previously neutral expression now displayed cold ferocity.
The heinous amount of killing intent spilling out of him made Sirzechs feel true fear for the first time in centuries. Behind Igor, a massive silhouette of an indiscernible beast formed.
"Sirzechs. I do not take kindly to plots. The moment you endeavour to harm my family, I will destroy everything you've ever loved…and leave you for last."
.
AN
.
Isn't this too excessive? This is no longer a stick. This is an iron rod. The carrot might not be enough to wash away the grievance at this point.