The Mother of the Half Demons.

It had been 2 weeks ever since Ishtar attacked the Japanese Faction, and things were getting back to normal for the members of it. That was, until they received a notice from one of the members serving in the main base of the Council of Lucifer.

"Mother's coming?" - Flora said as she sat next to her brother Marth - "That's weird, I thought she was busy with the prisoners in Tartarus" -

"She said she wants to discuss adding a new Enforcer to the Faction, as well as a plan of action for fighting against Surtr" - Marth answered with a stern look.

"Surtr? Did they finally find him?" -

"Not yet, but Mother thinks he's here in Japan, and wants to discuss what to do with us" -

"I'm always nervous whenever she comes over, I just hope she's…" -

Before the girl could finish speaking, both of them felt a shiver going down their spine and a huge surge in power coming from outside the barrier that protected the Diet Building. Such energy could only be coming from one person…

"Let the others know that they have to prepare. I'll meet her first" - Marth said as he and Flora quickly got up from their seats.

"Thanks for taking the bullet this time" -

As Flora left the room, Marth teleported to the source of the power to meet his Mother. There, he found her, dressed in her usual attire.

"Ah, my dear child, so good to see you again" - she said with a maternal tone of voice.

"Mother, it's a pleasure for me as well" - he answered, trying to remain as calm as possible.

"I see you've been working hard to improve the Faction. You and your sister have done a truly marvelous job" -

"We appreciate your praises" -

Marth stayed silent for a few seconds, as Mother made no sound either, until her worried voice filled his ears.

"Please, no need for such professional talk, my dear son. You're my child, not my servant. We can talk like regular people" -

Despite this, he couldn't help but be wary of his words towards her. He knew that under that initial motherly persona lay a dangerous and powerful woman. However, those were her orders, and so he did as she told him.

"I'm sorry Mother, the stress sometimes is too much" -

"Oh, poor child. I know such a feeling well. If you wish so, you could take a few days to rest inside our main base, it would help you release all your stress" -

As Marth and his Mother spoke, Flora was busy preparing everything for her arrival, enlisting the help of Chaldea and the rest of the demons and humans working with the Faction to do so.

"I'm curious to meet this 'Mother' of theirs. The way we're working makes me think she's super strict or something like that" - Mordred said as she and the rest of the Knights of the Round cleaned a room.

"Flora seems nervous about her coming. I hope she's not hard to deal with" - Percival answered.

While the Servants worked, Ritsuka was curious about Mother's visit, and so he went to Flora with the intent of finding out more about her, yet just as he did…

"Wow, you're here early. Are you this eager to meet Mother?" - Flora said - "Well, you're in luck. She's just entered the grounds of the Faction" -

Her steps echoed around the building as she and Marth walked together towards the entrance. Everyone stopped what they were doing and rushed to see her, many of them kneeling. The Servants soon reunited with their Master in time to see her approaching both him and Flora.

She dressed in a black suit with a red tie, complementing her dark crimson hair. Her eyes were the color of gold. She towered over both Marth and Flora, walking proudly alongside him.

With every step she took closer to him, Ritsuka felt a powerful urge to drop to his knees, something he had to fight with all of his strength. Eventually, she stopped and spoke.

"First of all, you all have my most sincere congratulations. Driving away Ishtar's army is an accomplishment that very few can claim to have done. Feel proud, Japanese Faction" -

With those words, the Faction's grounds erupted with cheers and applause, which she stopped by simply raising her hand.

"Second, I was informed that you received outsiders not too long ago. Chaldea, if I remember correctly, and that they helped during the fight against Ishtar" -

"Correct, Mother" - Marth spoke afterwards - "Chaldea aided us greatly during the battle, helping to keep her forces in check in the absence of the other Enforcers"-

Maria remained silent for a few seconds until speaking again - "They have quite a few gods among their ranks, interesting. And they all seem to be bound to someone" -

She took a few steps towards Ritsuka, stopping just in front of him - "You seem to be the one that controls the rest of them. What's your name, young man?" -

"I'm… Ritsuka, Ritsuka Fujimaru" -

After hearing the name, Maria let out a small chuckle - "Oh, you're the human that attacked Ishtar while she had her back turned. When my son told me, I couldn't help but laugh" -

"Uh… What?" -

"You seem like an interesting person, Fujimaru. While I'm staying here, I'd like to get to know you a bit more" -

"I appreciate the compliment but… Why the laugh exactly?" -

Maria smiled before explaining - "Ishtar is one of the most feared gods in Chaos' ranks. Even our most powerful Enforcers have to think twice before engaging her. So when my son told me about someone striking her from behind, a human no less, I thought he was merely joking. I didn't thought someone so brave, or so stupid, could exist" -

"Wait, he said nearly the exact same thing" -

"Like mother, like child" - Maria answered before walking past Ritsuka, sparing one last glance at him - "Come see me later. I'd love to hear more about where you and the others originally come from" -

As she left, everyone returned to what they were doing prior to her arrival, including Chaldea's members.

"Well, she asked for your presence. You better not disappoint her" - Flora said as she placed her hand on Fujimaru's shoulder.

"Any advice you two can give me?" -

"Just one. Make sure to stay on her good side" -