It's almost ironic that my first foray into the Underworld starts with me clinging to my phone.
Not because I want to, but because I need to!
As it turns out, filling Takamagahara in on what I was planning on doing might not have been the best idea.
Especially if my phone's just going to get blown up as a result, constantly!
Thankfully, not literally. Yet.
Sure, a long while ago, I made a promise not to leave them, though more specifically, my mother, out of anything big I might have planned.
Honestly, I don't see how this is all such a big deal.
Sure, I'm planning to literally ask the Underworld Government for the location of a specific devil so I can murder them, while using said devil's little assistant to find out about the rest of the Khaos Brigade and such.
I've got my stockpile of bananas ready just in case, it'll be-
Hah! Nope, fuck you, Murphy! Not getting me this time!
Anyway, it's not as though my little meeting with the Satans coming up here is official or anything. It's between me, as a single entity, and them. Nobody else!
It's as unofficial as it can be, considering how I got it in the first place.
I'm not making any deals for Takamagahara, or anything like this. This is all purely for my own ends.
Unfortunately, I don't think my mother gets that, considering how much she keeps recommending I stay away from the Underworld entirely.
To a certain extent, I get it, really. If it came down to a fight, overall, I could kill half the Satans.
Sirzechs and Ajuka are the only outliers here. Sirzechs, more so than Ajuka, since I don't really use magic, his Kankara Formula isn't that big of a threat for me.
Though knowing him, he might figure out how to calculate sword swings purely to fuck with me regardless.
The point is that with those two, they simply vastly overpower me. They are both well within the Top 10 strongest beings in the world. I barely encroach upon their number at the moment.
In time, I'll surpass them all, but even then, none of this matters now.
I know Sirzechs, not personally, but who he is as a devil. At heart, he's a pacifist; he won't start a fight. I know that's simplifying him to a great extent, but that's all that needs to be said.
What I'm going to ask for, and about, wouldn't make him start a fight either. I'm not sure about Rizevim's status under the current Underworld Government, but I doubt it'll matter.
Whatever the case may be, I'll work my way around it to get what I want.
With a sigh, I silence and put away my phone in one smooth motion, as I finally raise my head.
First thing I notice immediately?
Purple. The whole damn sky is purple.
If Takamagahara made me feel like I had entered an 8k TV in real life, then the Underworld almost immediately made me feel like I was on just another planet entirely.
In said purple sky, a glowing orb radiated light. My eye twitched in irritation, naturally, by merely glancing at it.
Fake. It's all fake. My senses roared in the back of my mind in sheer unending outrage and offence.
I had to forcibly tear my gaze away from the thing in the sky and take a breath to regain my composure.
Thankfully, it was an easy thing to do, as I reminded myself how stupid it is to get pissed by a literal fake sun.
Now, where the hell had Rias sent me?
Behind me, I sensed a large swath of demonic powers, many devilish existences, all just there, but not one was around me.
I turned, looked back, and had my answer instantly.
I was standing on a balcony, connected to an absurdly large and fancy old-style gladiatorial arena.
Even though I couldn't see the actual arena itself, I could see the circular curvature of the building from my balcony, giving it away immediately.
It somewhat reminded me of images I'd see of the Colosseum, in fact. Just larger, fancier, and with space inside for parties and such before getting to the actual stands.
I hum, not recalling such a building existing in the light novels. Then again, it's not like such things were really touched on until the big Rating Game Tournament between all mythological systems, but still.
It wouldn't shock me if this place specifically was built to commemorate the winning of the 'war' against Kokopuffs and all.
Well, whatever the case may be, I have no idea where to go from here.
With a sigh, I walk toward the door separating the balcony from the rest of the building, my hand slipping back into my robe as I do.
I pull out my ticket here, the little flyer that Rias gave me just last night.
It reminded me of those summoning flyers that she and her Peerage hand out, but instead of summoning a devil to me, it worked in reverse and sent me here.
All I had to do was wish for it, or in other words, desire it really hard.
I frown, looking at the postcard-sized flyer with the Gremory circle featured prominently on the front.
I could really use some directions right about now.
Nothing. The flyer doesn't so much as glitter.
I snort, turning the thing around for good measure, even though I know there's nothing on the ba-
I stop, dead in my tracks, my eyebrow twitching. There, freshly shimmered into view, seemingly painted using sparkling red gloss, is text that simply reads, "You can figure it out~!" With a poorly drawn outline of a chibi Rias sticking her tongue out at me.
This cheeky little brat!
I throw the card back under my robe and walk straight through the door without a care in the world.
As expected of a party of the high class, stepping inside was like stepping into another world entirely. Again.
From an alien planet straight into a nearly medieval royal banquet. Everyone was dressed in absurdly complicated era-clashing fancy attire, standing around, drinking out of wine glasses ornate enough to buy a yacht or two if sold.
And I just walked in, wearing a robe and sandals.
I've been keeping my power on a tight leash this entire time. Obviously, I'm in the Underworld; everyone here is a Charizard to my Stone Edge. It would not be pleasant if I started letting out my power around these folks.
So it's no wonder they didn't sense me coming, if they even could do that.
No, my walking in was enough. I stood out badly.
It started as one devil, just glancing due to movement, catching me out of the corner of my eye.
He instantly stopped the conversation he was having with a woman and turned his head the full way to stare straight at me, completely flabbergasted.
The tidal wave of head turns that followed would be fascinating to watch if I weren't the cause…
Heh. Wait. Who am I kidding? I don't care at all.
With a half-lidded stare at the horde of devils looking at me like an exotic animal, I cast a cursory glance through my senses.
Everyone here was within the spectrum of high class, but no real stands out.
I don't recognize anyone here at all, either, just based on looks.
Thusly, I completely ignore them and stretch my senses out further…
Ah. There they are. Two of the strongest powers I can sense here, further in the building, but also up.
A glance around the room makes my eyes catch on a hallway, and without further ado, I walk off.
Shockingly, no one even tries to stop me.
Unfortunately, the hallway leads off into another party room, near identical to the first one.
Ahah. Hah. Rias?
I hope you loose you brat!
~ A New Sun ~
This particular meeting didn't have a set time, beyond being on the day of.
Still, Sirzechs was under the impression that his arrival would be directly here, at the location of the meeting, the luxury box overlooking the entire stadium that was broadcasting the Rating Game live, when it would begin.
Beyond himself and Serafall, who's here for diplomatic reasons, he made sure the box was mostly empty, with his Queen just outside the door, should that be where he appears.
Ah, Ria-tan. Sirzechs thought with slight amusement, So this is what you meant by last-minute adjustments?
Now, he looks up, past the glass of the luxury box, peering just outside of it.
It's still early in the day, the Rating Game hasn't even begun yet, but people were beginning to crowd into the stands regardless.
For a few reasons he'd rather not dwell on, the common devil rarely uses their wings to fly around willy nilly, especially in a stadium such as this.
If that alone gave away the figure before the glass as not being a devil, it was the halo of light at his back that settled the matter.
At his side, Serafall pouted, "Your Ria-tan did a thing, didn't she?"
Sirzechs chuckled, "Most likely, yes."
Serafall continued to grumble about procedure and such, which Sirzechs tuned out at this point. Things have settled since the other day when Sera barged into his office, so she's mostly back to normal.
And as for the son of the sun god before them?
Well, he doesn't look happy, not in a way one would usually expect of a slighted god.
In the back of his mind, Sirzechs had to correct himself; the young man before them technically isn't a god, and in fact was just a high schooler going on a year ago.
Technically, a high school dropout, if he wanted to be specific.
Well, that sounds rude in his head, but the point he's trying to reach is that the young man isn't a spiteful petty god, so there's nothing to really worry about.
In a flash of light, the young man appears within the luxury box itself, now right before them.
His sigh was palpable as it filled the room, an equal mix of relief and annoyance.
Sirzechs had to resist the urge to give him a good-natured chuckle, doing so just long enough for Serafall to hop onto her feet, clasping her hands together, "Lord Kusanagi~! Welcome!" She bowed respectfully, "I hope you didn't have a difficult time finding your way here?" She asked, even though the answer seemed obvious.
The halo of light faded from behind him as he answered, "I wouldn't say difficult, more like…annoying." He huffs out, running a hand through his obsidian black hair, before turning and looking at Sirzechs himself, "Your sister is way more petty than I thought she could be."
At that, Sirzechs could help but bark out a short laugh, a little grin stretched across his face, "You would be surprised, I think."
He snorted before answering plainly, "Not anymore."
Sirzechs nearly started laughing again, but Serafall crossed her arms and started pouting, causing the young man to turn to her instead, "By the by, Lady Leviathan? I appreciate the effort for formalities, but they aren't required. At all."
Without further ado, he flops down into a chair and leans back in it without a care in the world, "So can we cut the lord this, lady that, and all the bowing that comes with it? It'd make this vastly more enjoyable for me."
It took Serafall a moment to process that, and considering how the last meeting with the Shinto went, Sirzechs isn't exactly surprised.
This young man is definitely completely different compared to his uncle, isn't he?
When it does click, however, Serafall shifts instantly, letting out a sigh and unwinding almost entirely. She smiles and leans down to him, her arms wrapped behind her back, "Well, in that case, you can call me Levia-tan, if I can call you Nori-chan~!"
Ah, Kusanagi-san's first name is Noriaki, isn't it?
The young man in question simply stares back at Serafall, his golden eyes meeting her blue ones for a moment, "Huh. Alright, that's cute. Go ahead." He answers with a nod.
"Yay~!" Serafall exclaims, whilst falling right back into a seat beside him.
Both Sirzechs and Noriaki found themselves chuckling at that before looking at each other.
"Sirzechs is fine." He gave first, to which Noriaki nodded.
"Noriaki, then." Sirzechs nodded back at him.
Ah, he wishes every conversation with important figures could be so easy.
"Right, then!" Noriaki stretched in his chair, "Let's get this show on the road! I'll be staying for the Rating Game, of course, but I figured it'd be a good idea to get the heavier stuff out of the way first before then, ya know?"
At that, both Serafall and Sirzechs nodded. Briefly, Sirzechs contemplated asking Noriaki why he wanted to talk with them specifically, as part of whatever deal he had with his little sister.
Well, in a way, he supposed he was about to find out why.
"Rizevim Livan Lucifer."
Sirzechs and Serafall both freeze, despite how casually the young man stated that devil's name.
"Where is he?"
…Ah.
Well, that's certainly heavy, isn't it?
~ A New Sun ~
Ah~, just got here, and already, these two look thrown for a loop.
Right, so, first things first!
I am very happy Sirzechs isn't wearing that monstrosity of a cloak with axe blade pauldrons. I don't think I could stop myself from pointing them out. Instead, he's simply wearing a fashionable pure white button-up suit and pants combo, with dark high boots, and a dark blue "fluffy" tie at his collar.
I, uh, don't know what else to call it, alright? I'm not fancy enough for that.
On the other hand, I'm pretty damn depressed, because Serafall isn't wearing her sexy magical girl uniform, and also went for something far more formal. A long-sleeved dark green dress shirt, with a long dark skirt and cute little dark boots, with a pink "fluffy" tie at her collar.
Seriously, what is with devil nobles and fluffy ties? Are they fancier than normal ties?
Anyway.
It takes a moment for them to recover, and the first to do so is Levia-tan herself, who scowls.
"Alright, what did he do…" She grounds out through barely gritted teeth, all her cheer gone. Sirzechs nods gravely at his fellow Satan's words.
I, on the other hand, simply shake my head, "Nothing," I answer, "that I know of anyway." Both look immediately confused by this, so I quickly follow up, "It isn't exactly him I'm looking for, it's someone that works for him. The easiest way to find him is through that old spawn of the Devil himself."
Serafall blinked at that, "So, wait, is that super old meanie making moves or not?" She asks for clarification.
I shrug, "I need his guy for a side project he got involved in. I'm sure you all have caught wind of an organization called the Khaos Brigade, yeah?"
Serafall immediately groaned, falling back into her seat, while Sirzechs sighed.
"Unfortunately so." He stated, rubbing his head as though a headache was coming on, "Beyond their name, we know little else. We believe they somewhat supported Kokabiel's Rebellion, but beyond that…" He trailed off.
I'm not going to lie, I almost flinched hearing Kokopuff's true name again. It's been so long, it actually almost caught me off guard.
"Well," I lean forward, "I'm willing to give what I know, if you'll tell me what I need to know. Sound good?"
Serafall huffed, "If only we knew where that guy is holding himself up."
Ah, shit.
Sirzechs gave me an apologetic smile before explaining, "Ever since the Civil War, Rizevim and his followers fled the capital and went into hiding somewhere in the Underworld. We've been trying to find out exactly where, mostly just to keep an eye on him, but so far we only have an idea of where he's not."
I tilt my head, "I can work with that."
Sirzechs blinked at that and took a second to reply, "...are you sure?"
I nod, casual and assuredly, "Oh yeah, I can look for him myself. If I know where not to look first, it'll make finding him much quicker." I pause, before snapping my fingers and adding, "Right, you guys don't mind if I kill him upright?"
Sirzechs' blink was even longer this time, and he took even longer to reply, "I…some might?" He answered, before clarifying, "Big supporters of the old government, but they aren't within ours, so you wouldn't need to worry about us. Officially."
"Okay! Wait! Time out!" Serafall claps her hands together, drawing both our attention, "Nori-chan! I don't think this is a good idea, really!"
Now, it was my turn to blink slowly. "I am well aware of Rizevim's strength. I can kill him. I defeated a primordial god. I wiped out two whole factions in the Balkans." I shrug, "I can handle it."
Serafall gawked at me, and I could feel Sirzechs' eyes widen and focus on me.
"A Primordial Go-" Serafall started to shout, only to stop, as though realizing something. All of a sudden, her gaze grew far more intense. "Wait. Nori-chan?"
She reached over, placing a hand on my shoulder.
It felt cold.
"Which. Factions." She asks with a positively blistering smile.
Hmm, I can't quite place it, but I feel as though I'm supposed to feel in danger at the moment.
"U-Uh, Sera-" Sirzechs starts to say, only to stop himself as her head jerks and she looks at him.
You know what? I'll take the bait, Murphy.
"The Carmilla and Tepes Vampire Factions, of cou-" My vision goes white, not because I passed out or anything, no, I'm still very much conscious.
It's just that, suddenly, I'm encased in ice. Flash frozen nigh instantly.
I hear muffled shouting to my other side, likely Sirzechs saying something, but whatever it is, it's not enough.
The world outside is blurry, but I can see it as it abruptly moves, stutters, and twists, and I feel myself free-falling.
I soar across the sky like an icy comet, and the impact is the same as one too.
I blink frost, ice, and dust out of my eyes, as I sit up in the crater I was freshly deposited in.
My senses tell me everything I need to know. I'm out in the middle of nowhere now.
Nice.
Another icy comet comes crashing down a good distance away from me.
From it, fresh in her sexy pink magical girl outfit, the staff brandished, it is Serafall herself. She points her staff directly at me, "Youuuuuu!" She cries, "This magical girl won't let your evil persist any longer! For your vile deeds in perpetuating PAPERWORK, I must end you! Here and now!"
All around her, frost starts covering the ground, inching across the dirt and rock like an infection. Her eyes and breathing look manic, and her Demonic Power chills the very air itself, her aura crashing across the field like a chaotic avalanche. Already, my breath is mist, and the cold air is causing a massive fog to form all around us.
I couldn't help myself.
"Just a sec." I hold up a finger before I pull out my phone and snap a picture of Serafall.
Before sending it straight to Sona.
"Alright!" I put my phone away. "Now, we can get this show on the road."
I look up, and - ah, that's an ice block the size of a house heading straight for me.
Murphy sure does know how to treat me, huh?