章 208: Chapter 208

"But it doesn't matter, Aurelia-san. As long as I carry the title of Baraquiel's woman, he will never accept me. And I have…accepted that."

Even if she divorced Baraquiel a hundred times over, he would never touch her because the man he respects was once her husband.

"Shuri-sama. I have a way to remedy that."

"..."

Silence…

"?!"

|DxD|

Shuri and Aurelia sat next to each other on the couch. The living room was sealed by a a barrier, ensuring that sound could enter, but not leave. The atmosphere was tense, especially after Aurelia's previous words.

Shuri who had already entertained hopes of giving up couldn't help but look at Aurelia with a sense of urgency.

"How?"

The stigma of having been a wife to a man she barely remembers was something she wanted to rid herself of.

"..."

Aurelia knew she had to choose her words carefully here. She had touched upon Shuri's sore point and had to tread carefully.

"Shuri-sama. Unlike most, I am aware that you truly died that night. I have had chances in the past to observe you whenever I was sent to Kuoh. You still retain some of your intrinsic mannerisms, but your aura has changed."

Maybe Igor glossed over it out of convenience, but Aurelia had some inkling into how death works for denizens under the Shinto Gods.

"When my lord told me of that day, Amaterasu-sama had said that your soul had already been cleansed before she retrieved it."

Shuri nodded quietly. Along with the possibility of recovering her memories being very slim, Amaterasu did indeed say her soul had been cleansed.

"Shuri-sama. If your soul had been cleansed, then it is not wrong to say you were not revived, but reincarnated into your original body."

If nothing had happened, Shuri's soul may have ventured into the afterlife where she would finally experience true peace. Why Amaterasu would commit such a taboo and wrench a cleansed soul eluded her.

"Shuri-sama. It is long overdue, but what we need to do is let everyone realise that you are a new person, a reincarnation. And I will help you with that."

|DxD|

Heavenly Realm

Two days passed without issue. Skirmishes still occurred and supplies like armour and artifacts were either retrieved or stolen. Many youths made their names known, but one special case was a youth who called himself Cao Cao. With his True Longinus, no one, not even other deva dared to underestimate him. Human or not, one stab was all it took for one to die.

Further news that made the circles was Igor switching camp and joining Shiva's side. Contrary to belief, none of them called him a traitor…atleast not out loud. His volatile temper was well-known throughout Indra's camp and no one wanted to offend someone who could teleport right in front of them.

At Shiva's camp, the reaction to Igor's reception was somewhat mixed. There were a few who were very excited. They were the generals at the upper-end of god class. Having an asset like Igor would prove to be monumental in the wars to come.

Some felt apprehension. After all, quite a lot died under Igor's hand and a few held some resentment. It wasn't resentment that they were killed, but how they were killed. It was one thing to die to a blade after a hard-fought battle. It was another thing entirely to die to a stray ki blast.

Regardless, nothing could be done nor would anyone complain. One thing that was true was that Igor was strong. And if rumours were to be believed, he had recently obtained the power of a Supreme Class. With Indra's son also having recently obtained the power of Supreme Class, having Igor would be a great help.

During this time, no one seemed to have seen the blonde over the past two days. There were rumours circulating that he was undergoing secret training with Lord Shiva. Others said he ran off while others only folded their arms and waited.

Whatever the reason was, Igor would have to show himself sooner or later. Several generals were already debating on who could have him in his regiment. Having a powerful person like Igor under their command would undoubtedly increase their prestige.

Unfortunately, as the hour of war drew closer, no one saw Igor. The armies had already assumed their formations on the horizon. All of them were waiting for the commanders in the realm of Supreme Class to appear in the skies before they could finally march.

Logically speaking, Igor was still in the realm of god class so it didn't make sense for him to not appear.

"Where is he?"

"I don't know?"

"Did he not come?"

"This is bad."

Murmurs spread across the army. Many were curious about where Igor was, but one general at the peak of god class silenced them.

"QUIET! THE COMMANDERS AND LORD SHIVA ARE ABOUT TO ARRIVE!"

That silenced the murmurs completely. No one wanted to offend the commanders. Who knew if they might not be resurrected? It was not worth taking the chance.

FUUUSHHH!

It then happened. A massive portal opened in the skies before slowly, the elite of the elite poured out. Hundreds of warriors in silver-like armour were the first to come out. All of them radiated the aura of the Supreme Class. They each held their spears firmly at their side as they spread out to form neat rows.

Soon after, Mahabali came out with his hands behind his back. He led the procession from the front as various other entities at the realm of Supreme Class followed behind. They calmly flew between the passage the armoured warriors had purposefully left open.

Once a suitable distance formed between them and the portal, the group behind Mahabali splintered off to the side while he remained in front. Puffing up his chest, he looked at the army below and proclaimed.

"LORD SHIVA HAS ARRIVED! PAY YOUR RESPECTS"

Instantly, all weapons were sheathed. Everyone cupped their fists as they awaited for the arrival of the God of Destruction.

"""WE PAY OUR RESPECTS TO LORD SHIVA"""

A chorus of yells resonated throughout the valley. The ground trembled at the massive number of proclamations. Mahabali turned around and also cupped his fists, his head lowered in respect. Soon, four powerful elders at the peak of Supreme Class appeared. Their faces were covered by their golden robes, leaving only their long white beards visible.

They had their hands clasped together with simple wooden beads between them. They flew higher into the sky where they would remain until the end of the war.

"""WE PAY OUR RESPECTS TO LORD SHIVA"""

The shouts did not recede in the slightest. In fact, they got louder, more fervent. Shiva would appear any moment now and many people were looking forward to seeing the strongest god once more.

FUUUUUSH!

A massive pressure suddenly descended upon the region, instantly quieting everyone's yell. Everyone silently looked up at the skies in anticipation, everyone too afraid to wipe off their sweat in case they missed seeing their god.

Soon…

Vwong!

Shiva slowly flew out of the portal. He took on the form of a man adorned with very elegant robes. His hands were behind his back as he flew ahead calmly, his eyes raking over his army.

His ever-trusted attendant was at his side with his staff. Nandi always seemed to have a small smile on his face, as if everything he saw amused him. He also looked down at the army, his smile not falling in the slightest.

However, the biggest surprise that shocked everyone was Igor. Garbed in a dark blue haori, he also flew next to Shiva. What was surprising was not the red aura gently emanating from him, but the power of the Supreme Class he was releasing.

No one expected this. No…no one expected he would be granted the privilege of being at Shiva's side. His crimson gaze hovered over them with indifference before gazing at the horizon before him.

The procession continued. No matter how surprised people were, no one dared not to show respect. If they did, those four old men might let their soul slip into the afterlife. Igor joining the commanders was surprising, but no one voiced their comments.

Besides…

Vwong!

The appearance of Indra meant that the time for stray thoughts was over. Indra's army was massive and had only grown over the past few years. However, this didn't mean they would back down.

Igor looked straight at Atid, his eyes not once diverting from his. Atid had his sacred gear active while a gentle golden aura emanated from him.

[Hmph.]

Perhaps it was because they had been friends for so long, but the war no longer mattered to them. All they wanted was to embrace the Saiyan ways and fight each other.

"SOLDIERS! CHARGE!!!"