"I see, so we are in another world, Master?" Ignoring Otto's initial reaction and very unnecessary nickname, Merlin listened to Otto's explanation of his current situation.
It was unusual, especially since Otto somehow managed to connect to the Throne of Heroes from all the way in this universe, but he was intrigued.
Merlin was especially intrigued about his new master, a human if he could even call him that to begin with.
With the number of years he has lived along with his experience, he could already tell that Otto wasn't exactly a human, not at the base at least.
"Yes, I randomly summoned, sadly I got you" Otto said with a disappointed sigh.
Merlin's lips twitched in annoyance.
He was Merlin! The mage of flowers! Otto should have had at least some respect for him.
But no, there was none.
"Fufu~ well sorry to disappoint master but I am all you got" Merlin teased, earning an annoyed snort from Otto.
"So tell me, Master. What is your goal?" Merlin suddenly asked.
Otto raised his eyebrows in surprise, not expecting this type of question from him.
'hmm well, I guess he still is the legendary Merlin, even if he got dumbed down for entertainment' Otto thought in amusement.
"My goal, huh? That's a tough one, I have many so it'll be hard to answer" Otto answered honestly.
"Yes, but what's your most important goal? The very thing that drives you forward, the thing that keeps that flame kindling inside of you" Merlin's Violet eyes looked attentively at Otto, almost as if trying to look at his soul.
"Hmmm well, I guess...it's to protect all of those I care about and...to kill those filthy Pendriggers!" Otto said with spite in his voice.
"...Eh?"
As Merlin looked at Otto with a completely stunned face, the phone in Otto's pocket suddenly began to ring.
Otto quickly answered, ignoring the stupid mage.
{Hey, boy. How you've been?} Asked Azazel through the phone.
"I'm fine, I'm just dealing with the world's most obnoxious man" Otto sighed, earning a chuckle from Azazel through the phone.
"Anyways, what do you need?"
{Kokabiel, do you know where he is?} Azazel suddenly asked through the phone.
Usually, finding out where Kokabiel's locations was shouldn't be difficult for Azazel.
Especially with his large information network and a little something called magic.
But sadly for Azazel, Otto completely cut him off from finding any of Kokabiel's tracks. Including the factor that he didn't have Vali on his side in this timeline, Otto didn't want things to deviate from the original because of Azazels personal interference.
Otto also asked Rias to keep quiet about the whole 'Turning a fallen back to an angel' situation from his brother.
Of course, she happily complied...although Rias did haggle a bit and managed to get a One Piece Volume one month before it's actual release.
From what Otto made Rias tell her brother, Sirzechs, he should think that Otto took Kokabiel into his custody at Rias's request.
She also didn't tell him about Irina and Xenovia joining Otto's side.
"Don't worry old man, Kokabiel is safe and sound here at my place" Otto replied, earning a sigh of relief from Kokabiel.
{Good, that's all I needed to hear. There's also one more thing, Kid}
"What is it?"
{Because of Kokabiel's attack on the Gremory kid, the tension between heaven, the fallen, and the devil's has risen even more than it already was} Kokabiel explained.
"I know about that already Azazel, you should know that well enough by now" Otto chuckled.
{Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. Super evil genius. All is according to my plan, blah blah blah} Azazel said mockingly.
"Get to the point before I hang up on you" Otto threatened.
{*Sigh* Like I was saying, because of this there will be a peace talk between the three factions. And I want you to come with me}
"Huh?" This time, Otto was confused. Yes he wanted to come to the peace talkings, but he planned to go with Rias when she announced them to him.
"Why me? I'm not part of Grigori?" This was the THREE faction peace talks.
Not the Three Faction Peace talks and Otto.
{Becuase I can already feel that you will put your grubby evil hands in this situation. And if you are, I'd rather have you on my side. Plus, who is a better bodyguard than you~}
Otto raised his eyebrows in surprise, he didn't think that Azazel would be so perceptive. He was slightly impressed with the old pervert's keen intuition.
'Should I go with Rias or Azazel?' Otto pondered the question.
On one side, going with Rias will garner Otto a more favorable impression with Sirzechs, Rias's brother and the current head honcho of the Devil's. But it will also make heaven like him less.
not like they will like him any better considering that Otto has Rita, Sirzechs long-lost little sister, under his command.
And if Ottos predictions are correct, they will most likely ask for her to come back, or brive Otto to give her to them something that he will NEVER do.
Otto would rather slaughter Sirzechs right in front of RIas than give Rita back.
The Angels should also have more beef with the Devil faction rather than the Fallen Angel Faction.
But there's also the option of going with Azazel. Besides the fact that Otto has known him for a long time, Grigori and Shicksal are also secret allies.
The point lies in the word "Secret". No one besides Azazel knows of this alliance, per the request of Otto.
Azazel may not be as strong as any of Shicksal top members, but his intelligence and political influence, including his huge roster of experienced Fallen angels under his command, are useful and worth having an alliance with.
Azazel also benefits from this despite the "Benefits" being watered down SEVERELY.
Otto basically has the 1250.76 update while Azazel has 12.1 Update technology wise.
Advanced Technology ranging from special tools, analysis technology, and much more, are constantly requested by Azazel to assist with his Sacred Gear research.
Now here comes the downside, Heaven and the Devil faction will know about Shicksal. It wasn't really a problem for Otto but it took away his ability to move around more easily when doing something he shouldn't.
In simple words, all eyes will be on him and everyone else that he cares about. Not like they are weak either but he wouldn't take any chances.
After thinking about it for a bit, Otto answered "Fine, I'll go with you"
{Yessssss!- cough, I mean, alright I'll send you the time and place later} Azazel said before he hung up.
Otto shook his head in amusement at Azazels antics.
"Three-way faction, huh? Sounds important master" Merlin said, coming out of his previous stupor.
Especially hearing that this meeting was between Heaven, The Devil's, and The Fallen Angels.
To Otto, dealing with these factions and interacting with them is a casual Tuesday for him. But to Merlin, this was the most excitement he's had in a long time.
If his hypothesis was correct, then it means that Otto's world was still in the Age of Gods, an Era that had already passed in Merlin's world.
To think that Gods still exist and interact with others in such a modern setting and timeline also surprised him.
"Tell me more~" Merlin looked at Otto with expectant eyes.
Otto merely rolled his eyes at the adult trying to look cute...but since he's here, then maybe he should take advantage of it.
An evil grin manifested on Otto's mouth, wiping off Merlin's curious expression from the face of the earth, and turning it into a concerned one.
Otto quickly dialed another phone number into his phone
{Otto? Need something?} Asked a voice through the phone.
"Arthur, where are you?"
{I'm at the Flame Chasers orphanage, Le Fey wanted to hang out with Elysia and Eden so I came with her}
"Alright, I'll be arriving in a few" Otto said before hanging up.
---
It wasn't as grandeur as Otto's orphanage but it was quite nice, it reminded Otto of his orphanage when it was still being solely funded by Azza.
It was a nice big house, almost a small mansion with a huge backyard, obviously for the kids of the orphanage.
"So where is this, master~?" Merlin by his side asked.
Otto never really explained what he wanted to do so it kinda put him on edge.
"It's where a friend lives" Otto replied as he knocked on the front door.
'Now that I think about it, this is the first time I've come here' Otto thought
The door quickly opened, drawing Otto's attention from his thoughts.
"Hey-..." Otto's eyes contacted as he looked at the person who had answered the door. His breath became more raged and more labored.
He couldn't help but clench his chest, hoping to catch his breath.
Otto didn't know why but there was this...sinking anxiety he couldn't contain when he looked at her. As if his whole body has been submerged under water, making it hard for him to breathe.
She had long white hair tied into a single side braid, her deep azure eyes looking straight at him.
"Kallen..." Otto softly whispered as he recognized the person In front of him, how could he not?