"Fucking Vali of all people. Why the hell am I not allowed to just go on a simple mission?" Issei groaned as he and the rest of Team Royal were sat in a gold carriage that was being pulled into the sky by Nut, to which Sairaorg just chuckled as Saji patted him on the back.
"We're the Boss' subordinates. The world already fucks with him so I suppose it wants to fuck with us as well."
"It is as the blonde says. Wherever Azathoth goes, chaos can't help but follow along and since you are allied with him, it appears the effects have latched onto you all as well." Xenovia said in agreement with Saji's words, the blonde chuckling as Issei just grumbled before turning to Sairaorg as he spoke.
"I assume this Vali is either an annoying foe or someone you all knew personally?"
"More like an annoyance I don't want to deal with. He's the wielder of Divine Dividing, the White Dragon Emperor."
"Ah, I can see why you want to stay away from him. And did he have a team with him when you last saw him?" Sairaorg asked and Issei frowned in thought before he shook his head.
"No, the last time we fought, I kind of stole an orb from his Balance Breaker and created my own Divine Dividing in the form of a gauntlet. Then I beat him up and he disappeared with a teleportation crest, though it was a gold one and not the silver one he used during our fights."
"Then we have to assume the one who teleported him away is most likely with him today. Also, did you say you created your own Divine Dividing?" Sairaorg asked with a raised eyebrow before his eyes widened as a white gauntlet with an azure gem on the back covered Issei's right hand while the Boosted Gear appeared on his left.
"Yep! According to Ddraig, it's not as strong as the original, but it's more than enough to give me the edge over him."
"Hmm, you and I have to spar when we get back. It would be nice to see how you fare in comparison to those I've fought before." Saji just smirked at Sairaorg's proposal as Issei gave a sheepish smile and nodded before the group turned at Xenovia's scoff.
"Devils and their need for wanton violence."
"I don't think you're one to talk about wanton violence when you're wielding the embodiment of Holy violence." Saji said with a smirk and Xenovia just frowned at him before glaring at her partner as Irina giggled.
"What? He's not wrong, is he?"
"You're lucky you're my friend. So, you. Who are you?" Xenovia asked as she turned to Regulus, who smirked in amusement as he turned to Sairaorg.
"Keep it silent or not. You know I don't care for that kind of stuff."
"…I am Regulus, the Nemean Lion and the Pawn of seven to Master Bael."
"Regulus as in Regulus Nemea?! The Longinus Sacred Gear?!" Irina exclaimed with wide eyes, the others just as surprised as both Sairaorg & Regulus smiled and nodded.
"The very same."
"Wait, Sacred Gears can be made into devils?"
"If they use an avatar and are capable of surviving without a host, then yes." Regulus answered Issei's the question, the devil just slowly nodding before Regulus turned as Nut spoke up.
"I was wondering why your aura felt so familiar and now I know why. The son of Lady Echidna and Lord Typhon. It is a pleasure and an honour to meet you."
"It is a pleasure and an honour to meet you as well, Lady Nut, but I do not associate with my family any longer. They…let's just say they didn't have my best interest at heart." Regulus answered with a smile and their seating vibrated as Nut giggled at his words.
"Of course, Regulus and please, Nut is okay. Now then, you all must get ready. We will be arriving soon."
"Good. I was wondering how this Egyptian heaven is supposed to look." Xenovia said with a smirk as she sat upright, the others just shaking their heads as Sairaorg chuckled.
"The same, Xenovia, but everyone has to remember. We are merely messengers, so don't start anything. Understood?"
"Yes, Lord Bael/ Sure, devil/ Okay!" The devils, Xenovia and Irina agreed respectively, Sairaorg just laughing at the exorcists' words while Regulus shook his head with an amused smile.
"Oh, this is going to be a long work-in-progress."
"Is Heaven as good as this?" Saji asked Xenovia as they all stared in awe at the beautiful city laid out in front of them, the exorcist unable to answer as she was just as stunned as the others.
With buildings made out of the most beautiful sandstone that had various hieroglyphs engraved onto them, numerous species that were both humanoid & non-humanoid walked to and fro through its streets, conversing and laughing in joy.
A massive river separated the city from them and on both sides of it, reeds made out of the purest gold swayed with elegance in the cool summer's breeze that blew across the heavens.
"Hmm, it's as beautiful as the books make it out to be." Sairaorg spoke with a smile as they climbed down from Nut's back, the goddess swiftly shrinking back into a more humanoid & feminine form as she giggled.
"We thank you for the kind words, Heir Bael. Now then, our Lord is waiting so I shall escort you to him."
"No need, Nut. I am here to escort them." An elderly voice spoke over Nut's, the group turning before Nut's eyes widened at the sight of a hunched-over, elderly man whose bald head was a deep blue and a long braided beard.
Dressed in satin robes, he looked like a pharaoh as he supported himself using a was-sceptre, Nut quickly bowing her head before standing up as the old man spoke.
"He wants you to stay at the gates with Horus and Thoth, since the baboon is currently trying to set him up with you again."
"Again? Oh my us. Of course, Lord Ptah. Until we meet again."
"Of course, Lady Nut, and thank you for the flight. It was an interesting journey." Sairaorg thanked her with a nod, Nut smiling as the others nodded in agreement before she transformed back into her animal form and took off to the south.
"Now then, kids, let's get you guys to that old sun idiot or else, he might come looking for you all. I'm guessing you're not with the brats that have already arrived, are you?" Ptah asked as he turned around and began walking, Sairaorg frowning as he shook his head.
"No, Lord Ptah. They are with the organization that is trying to destroy the world. They call themselves-!"
"The Khaos Brigade, an amalgamation of members from different pantheons that are dissatisfied with the current status quo. Yes, we know because when you have an idiot that has a world-wide spy network, you tend to hear bits & bobs that flow past you down the river." Ptah explained at everyone's surprised looks, Sairaorg letting out a chuckle as his shock disappeared and nodded.
"I see. Then, let us not keep your lord waiting, Lord Ptah."
"Bah! The idiot can wait a few more minutes, you know? Why don't we go see if my favourite shop doesn't have Basbousa for you kids?"
"So, what are you fiends doing here?" Cao Cao asked with a smirk as he sat in an exquisite chair with Georg & Le Fay sitting on either side of him, Rias not answering as she along with Seekvaira and Sona glared at him.
"What makes you think I will answer your question?"
"You're talking right now, so you might as well." Cao Cao said with a shrug as he leaned back, tilting his head just as a small spark of destruction energy barely missed his head while Rias smirked as a shield of destruction energy blocked a small fireball from touching her.
"It appears your friend is not as cool-headed as you are." Rias said as she glanced at Georg, smirking at the glare the magician was giving her before huffing as Sona spoke.
"Would you stop antagonizing them? You've already given then more attention than they deserve."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just that she should spend her time thinking of talking points for the meeting instead of wasting her time with meagre humans such as you."
"This meagre human can send you to the Dimensional Gap to be disintegrated like the piece of trash that you are." Georg said as he turned his glare to Sona, who just raised an eyebrow as Seekvaira let out a haughty giggle.
"Oh, humans are so amusing. Take your Sacred Gear away and what's left? A meagre magician that rides on the coattails of his ancestor's name to appear strong."
"Um, could we please stop the insults?" Le Fay's voice cut through the tension and both Cao Cao & Georg just frowned as they leaned back into their seats, disappointing the devils before Rias smiled at the witch.
"What is a witch such as yourself doing with fools like these?"
"Well, we are kind of in the same organization, but not in the same team though! I'm with my brother and his friends, but they're busy on an important mission." Le Fay explained, to which Rias just gave a polite smile as she nodded while Seekvaira smirked at the bit of information she got from the brief interaction before they all turned as the door to the meeting room they were in opened.
"Introducing the Secret Chief of the Golden Dawn and Supreme Magus, Lord Rudeus Mathers." That shocked the devils as they watched MacGregor walk in along with a man that looked to be nearing his mid 40's.
With short brown hair and a matching short beard, Rudeus looked like an older version of MacGregor as the old mage walked past them to sit down at the head of the table while MacGregor sat down next to Rias with an amused smirk.
"I hope the two groups have been peaceful?" Was the first thing Rudeus asked as he started the meeting and despite the easygoing smirk on his face, Rias couldn't help but be nervous as the man turned his gaze towards her.
It wasn't until he huffed in amusement and looked away that she realized she wasn't breathing, taking slow yet deep breaths while feeling a bit of satisfaction as even Cao Cao looked hesitant to look the man directly in the eyes for longer than a few moments.
"I know you young devils are wondering what my connection with MacGregor is. He's my grandfather."
'And just like that, we have a way in.' Rias thought with a triumphant smirk aimed at Cao Cao, who had already connected the dots as the human grimaced.
"Wipe that smirk off your face before I do it for you, little she-devil. Just because my grandfather is part of the devils doesn't mean we'll automatically join your side." Rudeus was quick to wipe the smirk off of Rias' face as he frowned at her, the girl looking a bit mortified as her friends let out soft sighs while Cao Cao snickered before quickly straightening up as Rudeus turned his frown to him.
"Quite frankly, if it were not for the requests from my grandfather and Le Fay here, who was my favourite student, I would have sealed off the Golden Dawn and the entirety of London from the rest of the world and waited out this war. So, I shall give each side five minutes to convince me why I should join their side. If I find both sides disappointing, I shall expel all of you. Now then, boy! Begin!" Rudeus barked as he sat forward and crossed his hands in front of his face while staring at Cao Cao, who put on his best business smirk as he stood up.
"I thank you for the opportunity to go first, Lord Mathers. Now then, before I start, I assume you already know who I am and what organization I represent."
"The Khaos Brigade, under the command of the Infinity Dragon God Ophis. You command one of the factions in this organization called the Hero Faction, a group made out of pure humans that are either reincarnations of past heroes and/ or wielders of Sacred Gears. Yes, we do our research on everyone that's interests us." Rudeus explained and Cao Cao smiled as he nodded.
"Then I'm sure you also know that most of the magicians all throughout the human world have already joined up with us and are currently working alongside my faction."
"You mean all other than the Golden Dawn under my command, the Hexennacht under Mephisto and the Rosenkreuzer under Rudiger Rosenkreutz? The three top Magician organizations that also has the best & strongest magicians?" Rudeus asked with a raised eyebrow before blinking as Cao Cao chuckled.
"That was before Lady Ophis have deemed the other magicians under our command worthy of being granted a snake's worth of power, which is enough to make their highest ranked mages go from High-Class to Ultimate-Class."Georg answered for Cao Cao, the devils' eyes widening as Rudeus just hummed.
"That is not all, Lord Mathers, as I didn't come here without anything to give. This…is a vial which is enough to turn you, the Satan-Class mage, into a God-Class mage. A present from Lady Ophis to show how much she wants you in her organization." Cao Cao said as Georg placed a hand on the table, Rias frowning & gritting her teeth slightly as a magic crest appeared in front of the patient Rudeus before a vial filled with a purple miasma appeared floating in the air in front of him.
"She has also agreed to whatever demands you want as long as you join the organization."
"What if I wish for every magician in my organization to also get snakes?"
"Then they shall receive them." Cao Cao answered with a simple smile, Rudeus humming as he nodded and watched the vial sinking back into the magic crest before nodding at Cao Cao.
"A good proposal. Ms. Gremory, I assume you have something more tantalizing than his offer?"
"You're actually considering his?" Rias asked in shock and Rudeus raised an eyebrow as he nodded.
"I am. Most human mages take years before they can reach High-Class except for those that are blessed by mana from birth and even then, it takes them a while before they can call themselves High-Class magicians. With this, I could have an army of them within the next hour. So, I ask once again. Do you have a better offer, Ms. Gremory?" Rudeus asked once again, waiting as Rias bit her lip while racking her brain for an answer before turning as MacGregor let out a sigh.
"Hah, I suppose I can answer that question. Here you go, Lady Rias. Satan Asmodeus forgot to give you these." MacGregor said with a smile as a document appeared in his hand and he passed it onto Seekvaira, who took a swift glance at it before her eyes widened as she passed on to Rias.
Rias looked down at the document along with Sona before their eyes widened at the words written on it, the redhead quickly looking at an amused MacGregor who shrugged as Rudeus frowned.
"Well? What do you have to offer?"
"A-Ah, yes. I-In exchange for your alliance in a non-violence peace & trade treaty, we are willing to give you a shipment of 10kg Agreasite annually." That immediately caught Rudeus' attention as his eyes widened slightly in shock before he sat upright, Cao Cao frowning in confusion as both Le Fay and Georg looked shocked at Rias' words.
"O-On top of that, Lord Ajuka is also willing to share all of his work on how the Bishop Evil Piece is used to boost the average human's ability to use magic and…Lord Azazel is willing to share every bit of knowledge he has on Sacred Gears."
"…Fuck." Rias couldn't help but grin at Cao Cao's soft curse as Rudeus glanced between the two groups for a while before finally speaking.
"Our meeting for today is adjourned. I need to convene with my council and tomorrow, I shall give you an answer. However, I will not force you all to find accommodation as I'm sure MacGregor and Le Fay will show you to the living quarters we use for visitors. I will see you all tomorrow."
A/N: Another short chapter and before anyone asks, yes, this arc consisted of short chapters because I kind of hit a writer's lag here if I can call it that. I was struggling to write out something for this because I didn't know what direction to take it but now I do so the few arcs after this are going to be a lot longer.
Like always, you can go to my Pat-reon-.-com-/-KingCrimsonNova for 10 chapters ahead on this story, seven on King of Hellish Gravity and seven of Perfection. If you want to, you are free to, but if you don't want, all's good as I will still be uploading here. This is just me trying to get some extra cash.
As always, read, enjoy, review and until next week...
Ba-Bye~!