Kuoh Academy.
The sound of footsteps echoed rhythmically through the empty corridor leading to the academy's conference room. Parents' Day had already ended a couple hours ago, and the entire area was already covered by closed fields and surrounded by guards of angels, fallen and demons. The sun had already started to leave the firmament, making a beautiful scarlet sunset visible outside the windows.
All the time until the meeting, I preferred to lie at home in Tia's arms. Of course, my cell phone wouldn't stop vibrating with incoming calls from Sona, since I wasn't at work. True, they were all ignored due to more pressing matters. That said, I called Azazel and asked him to share some information about the Nasurverse.
When I reached the door to the conference room, I entered without ceremony, as if it were my home, which attracted the attention of the personalities present.
The conference hall was a spacious rectangular room with a round table in the middle. Behind it sat Michael, Gabriel, Azazel, Sirzechs, and Serafall. And behind their backs were Griselda, Vali, Barakiel, and Greyfia. At the same time along the wall stood Rias and Sona with their retinues, well, and Zenobia and Irina.
Under their raised gazes and cheerful smirks, I made my way to the center of the room and took the vacant chair that was obviously meant for me.
- Hmm? What's the reaction? - I asked, making myself comfortable - Don't tell me I got the date wrong.
- You didn't get the date wrong, just the time. The meeting's been going on for an hour, you know. We thought you weren't coming," Azazel grinned, and then pointed behind me, "Who's that with you?
I didn't have time to answer as the man behind me beat me to it.
- What an entertaining sight, husband. So many important figures gathered in one room, and all of them waiting just for you. I am impressed. - Morgan said in a tone filled with amusement and intrigue, and created a chair beside me and sat down on it.
- Husband?! - Issei and Saji exclaimed.
I rubbed my temples.
They stared at Morgan openly, trying to figure out who she was. And of all of them, only Gabrielle, Griselda, and Akeno stood out. The archangel's eyes widened and his lips quivered as he realized who was seated next to me.
Akeno and Griselda, on the other hand... they were naturally starting to reek of... jealousy? Okay, Akeno, she had already started showing signs of attention long ago, but Griselda? Quite unexpected. They bit their lower lip and stared directly at Morgan. Of course, the latter noticed this and, smirking smugly, put her arm around my waist and rested her head on my shoulder, causing them to clench their hands into a fist.
- And you are quick, my husband. How many other women have fallen before you? - giggled the Fairy Queen, looking at Akeno and Griselda.
- Who is she, Romani-san? - Sirzechs inquired, choosing to ignore the scene before him.
- And why does she call you 'husband'? - Akeno hissed, causing all of Rias' entourage and herself to stare at her in surprise.
- Can we get back to the subject at hand? - I asked with a twitch of an eyebrow.
- Well, I'd like to know the answer to Sirzechs's question, too," Michael said in his usual tone, "Your companion smells of great power.
- She smells... magical..." Koneko added, drawing attention to herself, "Like a fairy...
- A fairy? - Serafall mumbled thoughtfully - It's been centuries since I last saw them.
Looking around, I noticed that those present had decided to focus their attention on Morgan, causing a tired sigh to come out of my throat.
Yeah... Can't they just ignore Morgan and focus on the case? I more or less understand Akeno and Griselda's concern, but the others? When did my relationship become more important than a peace treaty?
- Okay," I started and clapped my hands, thus attracting attention, "Yes, she's a fairy. And yes, I am her 'husband'. Though not willingly.
- What? How? - Issei shrieked in surprise - Don't tell me she just forced you to accept it?
- Oh? What a bright little dragon," Morgan smirked, "But the husband was very happy about it, wasn't he?
- Like a shot to the head... - I practically whispered.
- Did you say something? - With a grim smile on her face, she asked, her axe staff appearing in her left hand.
- No, Your Majesty.
At this scene, I heard a clear giggle from Azazel's side and clenched teeth from Griselda and Akeno. The rest of them were just watching the scene with interest. By the way...
- Everyone is aware of my circumstances, right? - I asked, looking around, to which they nodded briefly - Then I suggest we get right down to business.
- And you have nothing to say about your power? – Sirzechs raised an eyebrow - Azazel mentioned that you are much stronger than your local counterpart, and I wonder how much.
- Hmm? Are you interested in something specific? Say, demon control? - I grinned, to which Sirzechs and Serafall shuddered and nodded - Don't worry, I can't do that.
Sirzechs, Serafall and the rest of the demons sighed in relief and looked like they had solved the riddle of the universe, to which I shrugged.
To be more specific, it's Goetia's job, not mine. It's rather amusing to know how understatements can affect the answer.
The other leaders, however, glanced among themselves and looked at me with disapproval. After all, I had revealed Goetia to them. The time of Beast I has not yet come, at least it seems that way to me.
- Then, let's get back to business," I began, clapping my hands in front of me, "I assume you've discussed everything among yourselves, but I'd like to hear the conclusion.
- Me, Michael and Sirzechs agree to sign a peace treaty. That's pretty much it. - Azazel shrugged his shoulders.
- Oya? That's all well and good, of course, and so on, but have any of you thought about the ordinary people?
- What's wrong with them? - Vali spoke up, oddly enough.
- The fights between factions are allowed, but it doesn't change the number of innocent people affected. And I doubt you took that point into account when you negotiated this matter.
- There's no need for that," Sirzechs said, "We always take care of the civilians.
- Oya? Interesting wording, Lord Lucifer. Very vague, - I grinned - Not entirely wrong, though. However, is it worth mentioning the casualties among these very civilians from your existence? And I don't mean supernatural beings, but ordinary people. Demon renegades are pretty commonplace. So are the Fallen, for that matter. How many lives will they ruin before they are caught and eliminated?
- But-" Serafall was about to object, but I interrupted her.
-Take Kuoh, for example. I've lived here for, what, five years? I think so. Every intruder has at least five victims. And that's without going into detail. How do you comment on that?
- They're very secretive," Sona took a step forward, "Unless they use their powers, they're untraceable.
- I doubt that very much. In both a normal reincarnated demon and a renegade demon, there is a figure of evil that is quite possible to trace. It's very strange that there's no such problem with non-renegade demons, isn't it? - I rolled my eyes, to which the demons chose to remain silent. Then my gaze drifted to the sky - Heh. I think we'll leave that conversation for later.
- What do you mean? - Michael asked puzzled.
Suddenly the colors around them changed to a combination of red and black, and the birds flying outside the window froze like a painting. The leaders in the room instantly became alert and began to look around for danger, while the rest of the room froze, falling under the effects of the Holy Mechanism of the locked elephant Rias.
- Has time... stopped? - Gabrielle asked thoughtfully.
- Heh," I grinned and snapped my fingers, causing a closed field to form around us, which reset the effect, "Sounds a lot like some kind of dhampir, doesn't it?
A couple seconds later, Rias had the same realization as the other demons, and then she was looking around anxiously, looking extremely worried.
- Gasper! What? How-
But she couldn't continue asking questions as magical circles began to appear around the academy, with demons, fallen and mages coming out of them. And a couple seconds later, an orange circle formed right in front of the mirror, from which Katerea slowly floated out.
And I wouldn't have paid much attention to her if it weren't for her subsequent actions. Or rather, her lack of them. All she did was stare at me, completely ignoring everyone else. Her unblinking eyes never took their eyes off me, and in her gaze I sensed only... anticipation with a dash of... recognition? I don't know how to describe it. Also, the look she was sending me was firm and confident, which puzzled me more than a little.
What's the matter? Where are the ill-considered shouts and statements about the superiority of demons? The threats out there, all that stuff?
- Katerea Leviathan," Sirzehcs began, looking at her, "Are you behind this attack? It's treason.
But she safely ignored him and nodded to herself and then, breaking the glass, slowly made her way down to us. Under the stares from our group, and the stunned ones from her own, Katerea walked over to me at the same leisurely pace and stopped.
- Can I help you? - I asked casually, meeting her eyes.
She knelt down in front of me and bowed her head in one confident motion, to which I raised an eyebrow, and the others were surprised.
- Katerea Leviathan is ready to serve you, King Solomon.
Heh. Seems like something went wrong, huh?
-0-
A/N: How's the chapter? Give us your opinion. You may well be able to influence future chapters.
My Patreon: Patreon.com/mirzael
You'll be able to read more chapters there.