After those consecutive and heavy questions, Irina fell into a well of self-doubt, 'Can I really keep things from my Lord? Can I take the risk of everyone hating me and losing my current position for Kisuke?'
Seeing her reaction, Akeno took a step back and told her, "Please go back. We're done here." She then started walking towards the shop, not minding Irina anymore. Even if what they talked about today were to be leaked, it would be fine, because there wasn't really any real information in what she said to Irina. She could just say that she was talking nonsense so that Irina wouldn't live in the shop.
But after taking out the keys and opening the door, Akeno realized that someone was behind her and immediately turned around, "Why are you still here?" Irina was silently standing behind her.
"To take on that risk that you're so proud of!", answered Irina and let out a smug smile once again.
Akeno, quite angry, retorted, "Stop joking around! Both of us could come into danger! Don't think that this is just a simple thing!"
Irina's smug face disappeared and was replaced by a serious one, "Please don't insult me. Of course, I'm aware that this isn't a simple thing. After all, the crimes on Kisuke's head are very heavy and some of the major factions are after them. However, I do believe that he wouldn't do something like that... At least from how I know him."
"But what about your faith!? You're not just a believer now, but also a reincarnated Angel! One simple mistake and Heaven's system will reject you!"
"I know. But I'm still willing to take that risk. Describe it as blind faith, but I do believe with all my heart that Kisuke is innocent. And even if that isn't true and would be revealed later, I'm willing to receive my punishment and it'll be me who'll go after him." Irina said with great conviction.
Akeno gritted her teeth and wanted to say something, but after a minute or two, she only heaved a large sigh and wasn't able to think of any words to refute her, "Why? He's just your childhood friend."
"It's precisely because he's my childhood friend. I only have two and when one of them is in trouble, it's only natural for me to help out. And besides, he already saved me one time and even made me realize something important. It's my turn to return the gesture." Irina replied.
"Fine... Do whatever you want." Akeno then glared at her, "However, if by chance that any secrets about Kisuke-kun are leaked, I'll insist that you're also an accomplice. Even if you're not convicted of any crimes, the doubts about your loyalty would never disappear."
Irina swallowed her saliva and replied, "...I know."
Akeno then continued opening the door while thinking, 'Well, it's not like she'll discover anything relevant this early. Serafall will be busy for a while, while Ophis' movements are restricted. I can use a few days to convince her again to leave.'
But as the two of them entered the shop and reached the living area, they found a goth loli, playing cards with another loli with grey hair and grey eyes through a magic circle projection. The goth loli was using magic to transport the cards back and forth making it possible for them to play even with an interdimensional distance, "Uno!" was shouted by the goth loli as she excitedly placed down a card.
"N-no way... When did you become so good at this, Phi-chan?", muttered Claire in despair as she looked down at her six remaining cards, but none of them could change the result of their battle.
Ophis didn't say anything, but the smug smile on her face said everything, "...I'm strong."
Akeno couldn't help but cover her face as her wish wasn't granted by the Dragon God of Infinity, 'Why now of all times?'
Akeno took a peek at Irina's reaction and just as she expected, she was shocked. After the moment when Ophis appeared in front of Serafall and the other leaders of the Three Great Factions, the current form she had taken became known to everyone with relatively high positions within their organization. Irina was the 'Ace' of Michael, so it was normal for her to have seen Ophis' photo or something equivalent.
However, Akeno's expectations didn't follow through as Irina's first words were, "You can play Uno with just two people? How does that even work?"
Claire, from the other side, heard Irina's voice and immediately asked, "Phi-chan, is someone else there?"
Ophis looked towards them, but she immediately disregarded Irina's presence and replied to Claire, "The Sister with black hair and big boobs."
Akeno almost tripped when she heard Ophis' reply. She couldn't get used to it. However, what was more tragic for her was the fact that Claire immediately understood what she meant, "Ah, Akeno-neechan. Welcome home~."
Akeno ignored Claire for now and complained to Ophis, "Ophis, please call me Akeno."
"W-wait... What do you mean Ophis?", asked Irina suddenly from the side while looking intently at the goth lolita.
'Ara? Did I just blow my chance to feign ignorance and hide Ophis' identity?', thought Akeno to herself.
A few seconds later, a certain photo flashed through Irina's mind and it was the photo of the leader of the most wanted terrorist organization which was wreaking havoc throughout the whole world, trying to change the world order, "T-that little girl... Why does she look like the one in the circulating photo of the Khaos Brigade's leader?"
Akeno suddenly grabbed Irina's shoulders and turned her towards her with a threatening glare, "You're in this now. There's no backing out."
"Y-you mean that's the real last boss?" Irina asked what she thought was an unbelievable question, "You're in league with a terrorist organization's boss? And why is she playing Uno!?" The resolution that she gathered earlier seemed so insignificant after this sudden revelation. The last question in particular messed up her perception.
"I already told you. It's risky.", replied Akeno with a grin.
"I didn't know that it was this risky! And why is she here!? Are you helping the Khaos Brigade!? I thought you supported the fact that Kisuke is innocent!?"
Irina tried to struggle away from Akeno's grasp, but Akeno didn't let her go so easily. Having no choice, she decided to explain everything to this reincarnated Angel, "Listen to the whole story first. I promise you, it's not what you think."
Irina knew that she walked into something she shouldn't have, but since she was already here, she decided to give Akeno a chance, "Fine... But please tell me everything and how this is connected to Kisuke."
Akeno nodded, "Alright, however, let me first clarify this. I'm not helping the Khaos Brigade and Ophis is actually Kisuke's acquaintance."
"...What?"
"Yep... He's an acquaintance of the last boss. Don't ask me how. I also don't know how that happened, but I heard that they're pretty close. For the rest of the story, please follow me to another room." Akeno then faced Ophis and Claire's projection, "You two enjoy yourselves. I'll prepare some snacks that you can eat while you play."
"Yaay!" Claire cheered, while Ophis replied with her usual deadpan expression, "I want chocolate doughnuts."
Akeno first led Irina to one of the rooms and said, "This will be your room. You can unpack first while I serve them some snacks." She then walked towards the exit of the room without any intention of hearing Irina's complaints. But before she left completely, she took a peek at her and added, "No escaping. I'll ask Ophis to activate the magic formation throughout the whole place and you should know what this means, since this is that guy's place. I'm telling you, it's way worse than his own house. He 'loves' his shop way too much."
The threat became very effective as Irina recalled the time she stayed in Kisuke's place. Although she was not the victim, she knew how pitiful one could get if getting caught, 'And she said this place is way worse... Just what the heck are you doing, Kisuke-kun?'
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Editors:
28th00: I'm curious as to why Ophis even knows Claire, but she did track the smell of Kisuke's candy to Serafall, through multiple dimensions, damn near instantly… Never doubt a Dragon Loli's nose. I bet she smelt Kisuke's mom and met Claire that way, and they're around the same mental age too… I guess that's good for Phis-chama? She's breaking so many rules of magic just to play interdimensional Uno with a… 6 year old? How old is everyone anyways? Kisuke is 17-18 atm, and they saved his aunt Cleria when they were… 10-12 years old, right? It's been soooo long since those beginning chapters that I can't honestly remember.
Alexander: They met when Kisuke sent Claire's to his home. I'm honestly surprised that you can't remember the loli-feeds-loli cookie session.
28th00: I'm surprised I forgot about it too! Honestly did! HOW DID I FORGET SUCH A PRECIOUS MOMENT!?
After serving Ophis and Claire some snacks, Akeno returned to Irina and started telling her how she met Ophis and how the boss of the terrorist organization made contact with one of the Devil Kings due to Kisuke's influence.
"You mean the story of Ophis suddenly appearing in front of Serafall-sama? But I heard, she claimed that Ophis didn't come to her after that one time and she only demanded to hand over something.", said Irina.
"That's a lie that Serafall told everyone so that they would get off her case. Of course, not everyone was convinced by it, but Ophis really never appeared in front of her when there were other people around.", explained Akeno to her.
"Then what is that 'something' that she demanded from Serafall-sama for her to appear in front of her and other leaders?"
Akeno looked away and whispered, "...late ...ar."
"Hmm?" Irina got closer, "I couldn't hear you."
"...colate ...bars.", whispered Akeno again.
Irina managed to piece her words together, but the contents were unbelievable, so she got even closer and said, "I still couldn't hear you! Say it louder! Or is it some big secret that can't be spoken loudly of?"
'Yes!', answered Akeno in her mind. For her, this was a big secret. Who knew that you could lure a transcendent being with 'that'. But after sighing, she finally answered with a normal voice, "Chocolate bars."
"Hmm? Pardon?" Irina still thought that her ears weren't working right.
Akeno knew that it was hard to believe and said it again, "Ophis came to Serafall-sama because of the chocolate bars that Kisuke-kun left for her."
Irina looked straight into Akeno's eyes and said, "...You're kidding me."
"...I wish I was."
Irina knew that Akeno didn't have any reason to tell such a ridiculous lie. Between a ridiculous lie or ridiculous truth, it was almost always the latter, 'I mean there's no way you couldn't have thought a more believable lie unless that's really the truth!', thought Irina while she held her head. It was really hard to believe that one of the most feared beings in the world was after some sweets, 'Is this why Kisuke set up this sweets shop?'
Ignoring that fact, at least for now, Irina continued to ask, "Then how can I be sure that you lot have nothing to do with the Khaos Brigade?"
Akeno's expression returned to normal and answered seriously, "Serafall figured it out from the way Ophis talks about her organization. She's something like a decorated leader."
"What do you mean?"
"First, let me tell you this. Ophis doesn't have any other goal or desire other than kicking Great Red out of the Dimensional Gap."
Irina's eyes widened, "But if she were to successfully do that, the world as we knew it might cease to exist!"
"I know. But Ophis, the Dragon God of Infinity, doesn't care about such 'triviality'. She only wanted to attain peace and quiet within the Dimensional Gap for eternity."
Irina couldn't help but smile wryly, "Trivial... Right... Something like that is trivial for her." Shaking her head to clear those thoughts away, she continued to ask, "What does it have to do with the Khaos Brigade."
"The Khaos Brigade used that desire of hers to let her grant them powers. Since Ophis doesn't really care about the method, once you've promised to work towards her goal, she'll grant you her blessing and in some cases, your wish. In addition to that, they also used her name to recruit more people to their cause. Nothing makes this organization stronger than their leader being the strongest being the world. Because of this, the first rule of the house is to never ask Ophis for more power. That's what separates us from the Khaos Brigade." Akeno explained firmly.
Irina stayed silent for a minute to process what Akeno just said, "I see... If that's the case, then this Dragon God of Infinity is quite a child."
Akeno shook her head, "She comes of as a 'child', but she never was a child. Although she is very naive and innocent, that is only with the ways of common sense. However, if we were to ask if she has the proper mentality of an ancient and all-powerful being, the answer is yes."
"I think I get your point. Since she really doesn't care about anything aside from one thing, then she also wouldn't care about any of the experiences, discarding them as she goes on with her life."
"Correct. That's why we should never take advantage of her, or else, we won't be that different from the Khaos Brigade."
Irina nodded at her. Some of her worries disappeared and she went to the next point, "Then my next question is, how is she related to Kisuke's and other's safety? Although you can justify yourself not being involved with the Khaos Brigade, Ophis' connection to all of this eludes me."
"Both me and Serafall-sama don't know how Kisuke Urahara is connected to Ophis. All we know is that the Dragon God took quite an interest in that fellow. Ophis is a being that doesn't lie so she's our best bet in finding Kisuke and the others. Unfortunately, even with our efforts, we still don't know where they are or how they are doing right now."
"Nothing? Not even a single clue?"
Akeno shook her head, "Nothing. Though Ophis has a suggestion, we can't do it."
"What is it?" Irina asked curiously.
"Get the help of Great Red, the True Dragon of Illusions and Dreams. She said we might be able to find him by asking Great Red to connect to his 'dream'."
"O-oh..." Irina could only react with twitching lips, "T-that's Ophis for you... I also understand that she won't be doing that herself because she doesn't like that guy."
"Exactly. That's why we're looking for other ways to find him." Akeno sighed.
Irina stayed silent for another few minutes, before giving Akeno a big smile, "If that's the case, let me help you!"
But Akeno only harrumphed at her, "That's obvious! I won't allow freeloaders in this place! The moment you came here, the only choice left for you was to help out or be silenced!"
"Don't be so stuck up! You only got into this because of your strange maid fetish!"
"Huh!? Who has a strange fetish!? And why would a maid fetish be strange!? And if I can get into this, then having a maid fetish is better than being a childhood friend!"
"What was that, you half-baked Devil!?"
"I just said it! Don't make me repeat myself, self-proclaimed Angel!"
"What!? I'm a real Angel!"
"And I'm a proud halfling!"
While the two of them started bickering with each other, Serafall, who had been watching from the door while hiding her presence, asked Ophis, who was also peeking like her, "Why did they start fighting now? Their discussion was going well until now."
Even though Ophis didn't really understand it, she instinctively felt what the answer was and answered, "They want the 'hat'."
With only that, Serafall immediately misunderstood Ophis. She thought that Ophis was referring to Kisuke's hat, which was in her possession and protested, "What!? There's no way I'm going to hand that over!" Little did she know that Ophis was actually referring to the hat's owner, but she didn't bother to explain it to her.
"And I'm going to use this hat to add another character to my show!", added Serafall proudly.
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Editors:
28th00: Oh man, Ophis being an idiot savant in regards to interpersonal relationships, with Serafall being the exact opposite. Serafall wanting to make the most wanted man in the world, a character on her show… Well, she's the most controversial Devil for a reason! She's too pure for this world, even Ophis understands, and she's the epitome of Naive.
Alexander: They could do a manzai show together. So, maid fetish is apparently not strange. Seems as if Kisuke's education was successful. The only thing left is the fight for seniority between her and Medusa.
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