Kuoh Academy.
The pleasant aroma of coffee coming from my cup wafted through the dilapidated conference room. Broken glass, cracks in the floor and walls, and a giant hole practically in the center of the room did not embarrass those present. The soft light of the sunset sun penetrated the room and gave the atmosphere a kind of artistry. And the uncertain looks on their faces were still on my figure, as if I had done something ridiculous.
After Shalba's attack, everyone sat down at the table again to continue the meeting. A certain dhampir with a paper bag on his head was now standing near Rias, hiding behind his king like a small child. Morgan, thinking she had gotten what she wanted, returned to the Emiya residence. Katerea stood behind my shoulder. Her presence was like... Greyfia? Yes, roughly like that.
The stoic and serious expression never left her face. Speaking of which, I decided to change her into a maid's uniform since she wanted to serve me. The funny thing is that Katerea didn't raise any objections, and now she was wearing a long black skirt, a long-sleeved white blouse, a lace headband, and white tights with black high boots. Also...
- Lord Lucifer, stop undressing my maid with your eyes. You have your own, you know. Besides, I suggest you look around. Your maid fetish is a little underwhelming. - I said with a kind smile on my face, looking at Sirzechs.
At my words he slowly and carefully turned his head, where he was met by Greyfia's murderous sharp gaze. And noticing him, Sirzechs flinched and smiled awkwardly. That didn't save him from what seemed to be a very painful pinch that followed a second later.
- Ouch! That hurt, Grayfia! - he shrieked, to which he received another pinch - I get it! I won't do it again!
- Heh," Azazel grinned, "Marriage can be painful, huh?
- And how did he become a Demon Lord... - Katerea shook her head, throwing an unpleasant glance at Sirzechs.
- By the way, Rea-tan," Serafall began, drawing attention to herself, "Why did you decide to change sides? We're friends now, right?
- Don't get me wrong, Sitri," Katerea said stoically, "I still consider the current Lords incompetent and have no intention of becoming friends with you. My loyalty belongs only to King Solomon and the Great Ancestor. And the reasons are none of your concern.
- Bullshit! - came an angry shout from below - You betrayed your ancestor! And how can you serve an inferior man!
- Hm? Did someone hear something? - I said casually, completely unaffected by the tired looks in my direction.
- It's probably just the wind, my king. - Katerea remarked.
- Indeed. The wind can be very noisy. - I supported her and took a sip of my coffee.
- I will kill you! All of you! I swear! - There was another shout, which, of course, was ignored by both me and Catharine.
- Um... Romani-sensei... You do realize it's not the wind, right? - Sona said with a twitching eye.
- But, Sona, it can't be my chair, right? Chairs don't talk, you know.
- I'm not your chair, you wretched man! Quickly let me go and beg for mercy-.
SLAPPING
I slapped my rather talkative chair, ending its bickering. Of course, the function of the chair was performed by Shalba Beelzebub. My magic fixed his body position in a dog's pose, completely immobilizing him, but leaving him able to speak and listen.
The battle ended very quickly. All of the minions turned to decay in seconds from my trick. And when Shalba saw that things were getting fried, he made a mad dash to escape.
At first I planned to hand the case over to Emiya, ready to fire at my command, but then I thought it would be foolish to just let him go. Let the demons interrogate him later. See what comes of it, and see if Diadora's business is solved.
- So what are we talking about? Oh, yeah, the meeting. Where were we? - Smiling sweetly, I asked the others, ignoring their stares.
- In public," Azazel answered and shrugged, "I understand what you're getting at, but I don't see what can be done. Even if we keep an eye on our subordinates, incidents will still happen. Besides, what about the other mythologies?
- It's enough to control their people in their territories - I waved away his words - And I'm not stupid. I know very well that every herd has its own white crow. All I'm suggesting is to introduce a more severe system of punishment and compensation for the victims. That's more than enough.
- But we're already doing that, aren't we? - Sirzechs raised an eyebrow.
- You mean "just wipe the memory and give money"? - I rolled my eyes - Too weak.
- Then what do you want, Romani-san? - Michael asked.
- The same thing, but with a preliminary explanation of the situation. And later, if desired, offer a place in the faction, taking them under protection.
- Wouldn't we be putting them in danger that way? - Serafall asked, and the others nodded in agreement.
- That's true. But it will be their choice. A stupid choice, but a choice. Most will indeed choose to forget the mystical part of the world and remain in ignorance. But there are some people who are sick of the gray, ordinary world. Home, family, work and on and on. No colors, no emotional roller coaster, no challenge. It's enough to give them a little information and magic, and they are ready to step on an extremely dangerous road with childlike enthusiasm.
At my words, those present began to ponder in silence. But none of them began to deny what I had said.
Why did my words sound like that? It has to do with "Wisdom," the very thing for which Solomon was recognized by God himself. It has nothing to do with wise words or handling all sorts of situations - those are just corollaries.
"Wisdom" is about accepting the structure of the world itself. That is exactly what Solomon did. He accepted the world as it was. He did not fight against the system, but simply followed it.
Custer Gilgamesh is a case in point. Being an Archer, he sought immortality. In this way he tried to confront the world and prove that he was above it. But it was only when, in a tiny moment of his distraction, some random snake swallowed an herb capable of granting that very immortality that he had an epiphany.
Was the snake "random"? Nope. Gilgamesh realized that no matter what he did, he would never achieve this goal, and he resigned himself to it, accepting peace. And it was when he returned to Uruk, which was in ruins and dust, that he changed from a tyrant king to a wise king.
Now he was no longer distracted by the idea of his own mortality, as he had been before finding the herb of immortality, but only the prosperity of his kingdom and people. He wanted to do the most he could for them. And that commanded respect. Even Emiya, who hates Gilgamesh to the bone, respects him. Really, only Caster's version, who, to the incredible irony, died of overwork.
I grinned and looked at Vali, whose gaze never wavered from me.
- By the way, when do you plan to act, white lizard, hmm? The attack is already over, sort of. - I said, to which those present looked at me incomprehensibly, and a wild grin appeared on Vali's face.
- How about... NOW!!!! - Unfolding Albion's wings, he rushed towards me with an outstretched fist.
Heh. And why is everyone aiming right at my face? That's a rather strange practice.
He was fast, and it was impossible for normal human eyes to catch his movements. But with the Reinforcement? It was quite simple.
After waiting until his fist almost reached my face, I deflected my head to the left, causing him to fly past me. Then, grabbing him by his surprised face, I threw him outside through the hole in the wall that Shalba had made. Vali didn't fall to the ground, but grouped himself in the air and began to float with an anticipatory smile on his face.
- What does that mean, Vali? - Azazel asked, looking at his adopted son - Are you betraying me? For the sake of what?
- As I said before, I am only interested in strong opponents. And this way there will be more of them," Vali replied, "I thought the host of Dryg would be a strong worthy opponent, but all I see is a useless pervert. Solomon's reincarnation looks much better.
- Really? - I asked, and then mentally contacted Archer and snapped my fingers, after which a visible closed field formed around us - If you wanted a strong opponent, you would have said so.
- What do you mean? - Vali asked interested, to which I said nothing and raised my index finger as if to ask him to wait.
A second later, he turned around sharply and put his hands in front of him to block the blow. The red comet, whose speed had broken the sound barrier, slammed into him, causing a deafening explosion. A huge cloud of smoke covered the academy, blowing away nearby trees, and the windows, unprotected by the closed field, burst from the shockwave. The ground shook from the explosion, and some young demons could not stand on their feet and fell.
- What was that!!! - Rias shouted, helping Asia stand up.
- Are we still under attack! - Griselda was worried, drawing her sword.
After another snap of my fingers, Archer appeared beside me with his arms crossed on his chest.
- Archer-sensei?! - The students were surprised.
- You didn't kill him, did you? - Ignoring the shouts, I asked Emiya.
- I lowered the power like you asked. So no, I don't think so. - Archer shrugged his shoulders.
The smoke slowly cleared, revealing Vali in the Balance Crusher. And he looked a little shabby: part of his wing was destroyed, the armor on his arms was cracked, and his breathing was heavy.
Seeing Vali in such a state, everyone present rounded their eyes. Their gaze darted between Vali and Archer, as if unable to believe what was happening. The students who were trained by Emiya looked especially shocked. Their hands trembled, their legs went under, and their faces became like masks. The glasses on Sona's face fell and shattered, something even she herself didn't notice.
-Wow, alive," I said and started applauding, "You survived Noble Phantasm without the Juggernaut drive. Wow.
- It was a Noble Phantasm! - Serafall exclaimed - And it damaged the Balance Crusher even in its weakened form!
- Uh-huh. Besides, Hrunting isn't the most powerful Noble Phantasm. Caladbolg would be more powerful. - I shrugged, to which a collective stunned cry was heard.
- What!
- Caladbolg?!
- Hrunting?!
- King Beowulf's sword?!
- What are you doing there, dragon of the white emperors? Do you need tissues to clean yourself up?
In response to my words, his armor began to slowly recover, and when it was done, the helmet retracted, revealing Vali's face.
- Beautiful!!! I've wanted a good fight for a long time! - He cried out excitedly and looked at Archer - Show me what you're worth, hero of antiquity!
A cocky grin appeared on Emiya's face, and in his hands appeared Kansho and Bakuya. I, on the other hand, just sat down in my 'talking' chair and took a sip of coffee, ready to watch the show.
Well, let's see a hero and dragon battle, shall we?
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