Capítulo 254: Chapter 254
"Everyone. Thank you for welcoming us. Your sincerity gives us hope for a better path forward."
Sirzechs offered a warm smile to one camera before moving forward along with his compatriots. If he was speaking honestly, he was on tenterhooks today. Today was a big day, a very important day. One misstep and everything could be ruined.
Today, not only would they be discussing the Peerage Overhaul Policy, but also the effects of the Nekomata Massacre. The most critical part? Yasaka, the leader of the Yokai Faction would be present.
Vwong!
Speak of the yokai and she shall arrive.
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|DxD|
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Previous Day…
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Igor was unsure whether he wanted to kill or thank Nandi. After hours of torture, the strength of his soul had risen. He could feel it. Enduring torture under that bell placed him further up the totem pole of Spirit Control.
Still, he wasn't about to say it was worth it. If it was only through his own efforts, he was sure he could achieve the same results in a month or three.
"..."
Okay. Maybe it was worth it.
"And that marks the end of our session, Young Dimori. We may not have achieved our goal, but I believe reaching the third multiplier shall suffice for now."
"..."
Suffice? Suffice???
[It's a bloody miracle I made it this far! I want to see YOU focus when your head feels like it's being split in half!]
He really wanted to throw that bell across the forest right now. No matter the circumstance, he was not willing to endure that chime again. From now on, it was his worst enemy.
"Don't look at me like that, Young Dimori. For a beginner, you made splendid progress. Why I'm almost tempted to push on with this sess-"
"Nope! Nope nope nope nope NOPE!"
His head was still throbbing in pain. Going through another session was not something he was looking forward to.
"Oh? Then I shall reserve this for another day. Your level of endurance still needs a bit of work, but it is quite substantial for someone so young. For comparison's sake, the strength of your soul roughly matches those who have lived two centuries. Your ability to focus and push onwards to the third multiplier is worthy of commendment. Truthfully, I am impressed, Young Dimori."
Nandi stretched out his staff and hovered it over Igor's head. A brief flash of light covered his form before suddenly, Igor felt his headache vanish.
"While I would recommend letting the tears on your soul heal by themselves, I'm afraid this option is currently not feasible. You may not be aware, Young Dimori, but tumultuous events have taken place and from the appearance of things, they may require your immediate attention."
"??"
Igor's elation at his headache disappearing vanished.
"What happened?"
He stood up on both legs, not bothering to dust off the leaf litter clinging to his rear.
"Is someone targeting my family?"
Come rain or fire, he would deal with whatever threats that came…in a permanent fashion.
"No, Young Dimori. Your family is safe. These events pertain to certain disruptions in the Underworld. You will learn more details from your partner. She has a certain level of involvement in these events and as we speak, she is eagerly awaiting your retur-"
Su!
Igor vanished from the scene without hesitation. He headed straight for the barrier where upon reaching it, he vanished.
"..."
Nandi couldn't help but smile lightly to himself.
"Always so willing to charge ahead. Isn't that right, my lord?"
Vwong!
"He's a good lad."
Shiva faded into existence, as if he was previously camouflaged. He was topless with only two golden bracers on his arms. Apart from some bit of dust on his pants, he was fine.
Nandi wasn't surprised by his presence since he knew Shiva was always there.
"My lord. What do you think of Young Dimori's involvement with the devils?"
"Whether he involves himself or not is of no concern to me."
"But the devils might seek to take advantage of his connection to you, my lord. I've also received news that Young Indra plans on sending his son to the Underworld tomorrow."
"Oh? Is Indra planning on opening up trade with the devils?"
Shiva assumed that after the originial Lucifer disrespected Indra, the Asura would never lift their embargo against the devils.
"Not exactly my lord. Officially, he will be travelling alongside Young Sun as delegates of the Shinto Pantheon. Given our close relations with the Shinto Pantheon, Young Atid's presence raises no point for dispute."
"I see. And unofficially?"
A small smile spread on Nandi's face.
"Indra aims for his son to establish a reputation in the supernatural world like Young Dimori's."
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|DxD|
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Devil Territory, Underworld
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Aurelia was not on Earth. Igor had checked. So the only possibility was she's in the Underworld. Finding her energy signature was not difficult so without hesitation, he went to her.
Tswii…
Unfortunately for him, he seemed to have teleported himself right into a meeting that reeks of politics. Fortunately for the participants in the room, the blonde was the person they needed the most right now.
Igor's relief in spotting Aurelia safe and sound was brief when Sirzechs spoke.
"No time to waste, Dimori-san. Please take a seat."
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|DxD|
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All the Four Satans, Aurelia, and Grayfia were in a secret room located in of the city's tallest towers. There was no door or window. The only method to enter was through teleportation.
They all sat around the table with grim expressions on their face, especially Sirzechs and Serafall. The death of the Nekomata resulted in the Yokai almost declaring war upon them. Only the extermination of the Naberius and Aurelia's words were barely enough to calm the situation.
Now, they were faced with a new issue. Tomorrow, not only a meeting to vote on the Overhaul Policy would take place, but reparations for what happened to the Nekomata would have to be discussed.
Normally, such arrangements would be discussed by the devils in private, but Yasaka made it absolutely clear that not only did she want to be present during the vote, but that reparations would also be discussed in her presence.
Such drastic changes required Igor to be updated on all of them.
"Aurelia. Are you sure there is absolutely no way to contact him?"
It was Sirzechs who asked. This whole mess required changes to the plan for tomorrow.
"I can't find him, Sirzechs. He may be in the Heavenly Realm."
Sigh…
Things were not looking good. The two Nekoshou were secretly captured by Falbium and would be released to Yasaka…who would also arrive tomorrow. This conundrum was why Sirzechs arranged such a meeting and Igor absolutely needed to be here-
Tswii!
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Silenc-
"No time to waste, Dimori-san. Please take a seat."
Sirzechs got over his surprise very quickly and directed Igor to take his seat. As the last person required, talks could finally begin…much to Igor's dismay.
His whole purpose was to verify his sister's safety, not engage in politics.
"..."
Sigh…
Still, Sirzechs's grave expression told him this was of some importance. So unwillingly, he took his seat and readied himself to endure hours of political drawl.
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|DxD|
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The Nekomata Massacre, the Yokai's retaliation, the Overhaul Policy…everything was discussed late into the night. The crux of the matter this time were the Yokais. The Nekomata were rare species and an estimated ninety-five-percent made their residence here in the Underworld.
Losing such a vital population to a race of people who were supposed to be their caretakers no doubt set the yokai on edge. What was more concerning was that Yasaka would not arrive as the leader of the Yokai, but as a delegate of the Shinto.
That meant the devils weren't now just dealing with the Yokai. They were dealing with the entire Shinto Pantheon. The stakes were much, much higher and only careful steps from now on could exterminate their isolation or worse…their extermination.
The fodder for the flames of war was ready and only the extermination of the Naberius prevented it from being immediately lit.
Tomorrow and with no room for negotiation, Yasaka and a few others would make a trip to the Underworld for talks. Serafall could not get information on who might be accompanying her, but that was not important.
What was important was showing the Yokai their sincerity. It might be devious, but Yasaka's presence could be used to push forward votes in favour of the Peerage Overhaul Policy.
Not only would that show their sincerity, but it might pressure the other clan heads to vote in favour of passing the policy.
As for Yasaka being a foreigner---who would have the guts to dispute that? There was a war looming the horizon and under Falbium's advice, they aimed to publicise that fact.
If this succeeded, not only could the Four Satans pressure the clan heads to vote in favour, but they could also earn some goodwill from the yokai. Their gamble might expose the ugly side of their politics, but it was much better than further straining relations with the Yokai and the Shinto by extension.
As for Igor's role in all of this, he had to memorise some new names and laws. Fortunately for all of them, the old satans had some 'obscure' laws that allowed them to get away with murder.
Igor might be a foreigner, but the stipulated words in the alliance contract allowed the Aryans to not only attend parliamentary meetings that might relate to them, but to retaliate on any perceived threats to their sovereignty.*
It might be a gory and humiliating display in front of their 'visitors', but Sirzechs was willing to let such actions happen. His authority as leader might be dampened, but as long as his people could move forward, he'd endure.
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|DxD|
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Present Day…
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Vwong!
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Silence…
There were no camera clutters. There were no quiet murmurs. There were no scrambling footsteps. The only sounds that could be heard was the gentle rustling of trees spurned by the wind. Everyone's eyes were locked on the figures who appeared, specifically the one in the middle.
Yasaka, Leader of the Yokai Faction and Priestess of Amaterasu. A nine-tailed fox with power equal to the satans. Her presence brought a silent pressure to the vicinity. It was her first appearance in the Underworld, and it was not for good reasons.
Once again, people silently cursed the Naberius. Whatever they gained from eliminating the Nekomata paled to the troubles that they brought---for this seemingly kind woman now held the power to perhaps…eliminate them.
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AN
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Igor might be a foreigner, but the stipulated words in the alliance contract allowed the Aryans to not only attend parliamentary meetings that might relate to them, but to retaliate on any perceived threats to their sovereignty.*
Explanation: The parliamentary meetings involved peerages. Peerages are reincarnated devils that can be recruited from possibly any sentient race. There "may" be a future where Aryans are reincarnated so based on that vague fact, Igor and Aurelia can attend without room for rebuttal.
I'm assuming this privilege is currently only allowed to the Aryans. That's as much as I can infer from what we've seen. The specifics aren't there yet.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder