It's often remarked that diplomacy is just warfare by other means. Our battles are no less desperate for being bloodless, but at least we get wine and finger food.
The moment I entered the bedroom with Barkspawn following me after finishing the chat questions, I was swarmed by the queens, which, surprisingly, included Hana. Shirone pulled me to the bed, only glaring at Bark slightly, as my familiar went to the bathroom and her bed. I sat on the edge of the bed, and Shirone climbed onto my lap, purring, while the others crowded around me. Then a new barrage of questions started as Rias demanded information on the White Scars, Murayama the Lion, Xenovia the Imperial Guard, Kuroka cheekily asked about the Felinids, Raynare the Mechanicus, and Ravel pushed for information on the Inquisition.
I answered some of their questions without giving too much away while Hana watched on, wearing a wide smile, yet Ingvild did something else. She suddenly wrapped her arms around my right arm before putting her head into the crook of my neck, purple hair flowing into my eyes as she whispered.
"So that's why you are so restless at night. Your partner is sharing her past with you during it. Sharing everything about this horrible place."
The others quieted, hearing that, and I got a small smile.
"She isn't doing that, Ingvild. My gear partner and I have walls up between us, and we don't share unless we want to. My restlessness is from something else."
Ingvild didn't believe that as she hugged me deeper and my arm wrapped around her waist. The others watched silently before Ingvild got out softly.
"Was there at least music in this awful place? Or was it truly hopeless?"
A smile crossed my face, and I squeezed Ingvild close.
"There was music there, Ing. It was just very different from what we were used to, as much of it was loud, militaristic, and bombastic, but some of it actually included pipe organs and choirs. Would you like to hear it?"
The offer lingered only for a second before Ingvild looked up at me curiously. Then she nodded, and I summoned the anvil before me and made a vox corder with multiple tracks from ten worlds during the Great Crusade. I set the thing on the side table and then pressed play for the first song. As the song started, the queens focused on it, listening with awe as the choir began, and my eyes fell on Hana, who blushed prettily when she noticed. We kept listening, and as the song drew to a close and the next began, I asked.
"You in here from now on, Hana-san, or just tonight?"
Hana's blush grew as her tails swung about.
"From now on. Rias-chan and Ravel-chan invited me in this afternoon when we got dresses, and I had already moved my stuff. But if that's not ok, I will…"
My free hand reached for hers and squeezed it gently.
"I'd love to have you in here. Just watch out for Kuroka and Shirone. The former snores loudly and the latter elbows you in her sleep."
That got an embarrassed squeak from Shirone while Kuroka just laughed and didn't deny it. Hana's blush grew again, but she was pleased by my answer as two of her tails wrapped around my left arm. The others drew close as the questions resumed, the music playing on.
The glee on my face was barely hidden as I delivered the latest progress report to our patron's representative. In the last five years, we had quickly overcome many of the early challenges of the project, and now it was getting easier and faster for us to solve new problems as they arose. The man looked at the tablet in his hands as he read its contents, then looked up at me. His robe-covered face showed little, except for his lips, which went through a series of emotions before widening into a pleased smile.
"Excellent work as always. We are ready to begin forming the subjects. I will have samples delivered to you in a few hours."
That made me blink before intellectual hunger grew as the possible subjects this would make had been massively theorized about yet considered impossible to make. However, I had done the impossible before.
"We will begin right away."
The man handed me the tablet, and his fingers were clammy as they touched mine, making me shiver.
A shiver ran across one of my arms, making me belatedly open my eyes to see the cause: Hana. The kitsune had eight of her tails wrapped around my right arm, along with her body, unconsciously stroking it, while the final one was wrapped around my waist. Hana's tail wasn't the only one on me, as sleeping in one of the crooks of my neck was Shirone in cat form, her tail wrapped around my neck, while Kuroka's in her regular form had hers around one of my legs. As my eyes blinked away the last of the sleep, I caught several funny sights from the others.
Rias was sleeping face down in Kuroka's breasts with her red hair splayed out in a halo, mixing with Kuroka's black. Next to them were Xenovia, Murayama, and Raynare, spooning with my pawn happily snoozing as the little spoon between the two swordswomen. Then there was the even funnier sight of Ravel and Ingvild together, with Ravel as the big spoon despite being slightly shorter than Ingvild. That brought out a near-silent laugh, which died when I saw that it was nearly eleven. Then came a very tired yip from the bathroom, and I sighed softly before I slowly began the arduous task of escaping from tails, arms, and cats.
Ten minutes later, after showering and dressing, a drowsy Barkspawn and I walked down the stairs towards the kitchen. The moment we crossed the threshold, we came upon Neri cooking waffles while she talked with Geros. My family's butler frowned at something Neri said, then raised an eyebrow at Barkspawn before quickly schooling his face.
"Good morning and wonderful timing, Heir Astaroth. I was just about to have the maid get you so I could inform you about the party this evening."
My eyes met Geros, and the butler stepped aside while he made a spell circle. The sound of food being poured into a bowl behind me came, and Barkspawn yipped and ran towards the sound, as Geros continued.
"The party will start at three this afternoon and continue till late evening. It will be an outdoor party. Please be down in the underworld in an hour so we can get you properly ready and do a refresher on protocol, especially since nearly all the NKF Pillars will be there."
That information made me gulp as it finally hit me.
"I would like a refresher. Will any of the Satans be there besides my Dad and possibly Lord Lucifer?"
Geros's professional face turned frowning.
"Lord Lucifer will be attending, as will Lord Asmodeus by proxy via one of his pawns. Sadly, Lady Leviathan is busy negotiating something with Heaven, with nearly all her people, and thus is unable to attend."
My nerves grew as I remembered Serafall's warning at the conference, and I gave the slightest of nods. Geros let his spell circle die as the dog food holder floated back to the cabinet, and he seemed to consider something, then thought better of it as he turned away.
"You should bring the Cerberus. It will help your prestige. I will be with Maéva in the head maid's office when you arrive."
Then, without another word, Geros walked off toward the basement, and I sighed before looking at Bark. My familiar had just finished eating and gave a big puppy grin before I returned it, got my waffles, and started eating.
Almost as soon as I finished eating, the Queens started showing up in Murayama, Raynare, and Xenovia. The trio was discussing their dresses when they were momentarily joined by Shirone, Ingvild, and Kuroka, who was only slightly tired. Neri set out plates of waffles for everyone, and Kuroka took the seat next to me before popping her back and groaning.
"Hana-chan would like to talk to you, Greg, after you're done. When is the party starting, Nya?"
My lips grew amused as I got off the chair, headed toward the kitchen entrance, picked up Barkspawn, and called over my shoulder.
"I'll go talk to her in a minute. As for the party, it will start at three in the afternoon and then continue until late in the evening."
The moment the words left my mouth, the six of them froze. Then their eyes widened to saucer plates, and Murayama broke the silence.
"That soon?!! We need to get ready!!!!!!"
A panic broke out amongst the group, which was cute and funny, as they scarfed down waffles. And as I climbed the stairs, the five others started desperately asking Xenovia to look into the future to find the right way to wear their hair for maximum impression. Bark merely looked up at me, confused, and I pet her head as we hit the top of the stairs and headed towards the bedroom.
The moment I opened the door slightly, I found Rias and Ravel on the bed still in their sleepwear, talking to a nervous Hana. The kitsune's nine tails were wagging about, hitting the bed and pillows, and I held back from entering, hearing the edge of a sentence from Ravel.
"—don't have to do this, Hana. He will not push it if you're uncomfortable."
Hana looked at her lap.
"I know. But I don't want him to look any weaker at the party than he already will. He deserves a strong betrothed, and if I become one, I won't be the weak…"
Rias slammed into Hana, hugging the kitsune close to her chest.
"He took me, Hana-chan. I, who was the weakest member of the Pillars, whom he helped become strong in less than two months thanks to him. You're not weak, and he won't push it. If the nobles glare at you tonight for not being a devil, then they can face my chainsword."
Hana blinked at that from Rias's chest before a few tears came, and her tails wrapped around the other redhead. It was then that I pushed the door open, and the creak made the two break apart. Ravel looked at me as I set Bark down, and she padded off to the closet to sniff about, as I sat at the bottom of the bed.
"Rias-chan is right, Hana. I won't push it. If you want to be a kitsune forever, I will accept that. I will also glare at them for you if they say anything."
My words made Hana blush red, pleased, before I turned to the others.
"The party starts at three. I will likely be…"
I was interrupted by two ultra-loud gasps from Rias and Ravel before, like the others downstairs, they paled, then freaked out.
"We need to get ready!!!"
They sprang from the bed and ran to the bathroom, leaving Hana, me, and a large dust cloud behind them, then slammed the door. That amused Hana and me before several tails wrapped around my arm and squeezed, as the kitsune looked at me, letting loose a beautiful smile.
"Thank you Gregor-kun."
I moved my free hand to one of hers, and she took it before something seemed to settle in her eyes.
"I will reincarnate tonight when we get home. Mother was right, you are the noble hero of my dreams, with whom I can truly be safe. Someone who can be proud and happy to call my king."
Hana looked radiant at the end, in her joy, and, as in Er-Kyoto, the illusion of her glasses fell away, making her even more beautiful. The kitsune noticed them and got ready to hide them again when my hand squeezed hers hard.
"Keep them out, please. They make you look even more beautiful."
My words made Hana blush very red before she squeezed back.
"Maybe. I need to get ready."
Then, without another word, Hana let go of my hand and arm and scurried off towards the bathroom door, opening and shutting it quickly. I watched it for a few moments before there was a hip, and Barkspawn jumped from the floor to my lap. The puppy looked up at me and gave a big doggy grin before I started petting her middle head and murmuring to her.
"Good girl. Though you need to remain a good girl since you are apparently coming to the party tonight."
Bark yipped a question, and I chuckled before sharing with her mentally what the noble party was probably going to be like.
Forty-five minutes later, I emerged from the teleporter in the underworld manor, dressed in my suit and tie, my hair slicked and ready. Padding beside me was Barkspawn, who was practicing cutely how to walk gracefully. She was also trying her hardest not to bound off, especially when she saw several of my new maids and several who were clearly from my grandfather in the kitchen, cooking last-minute things. My familiar and I continued past them and soon came upon the head maid's office, where the door was slightly ajar, and three voices inside were discussing something.
The source of the voices became obvious when I pushed open the door: Geros, Grayfia, and Maéva were speaking together. My head maid was clearly stressed but was managing it well, and upon seeing me, she finished her talk with the older devils and walked away. The moment the door closed, I was set upon by Geros and Grayfia, who pushed me in a chair and then began cramming things down my throat.
It was overwhelming, but thankfully, I remembered most of the ins and outs and quirks of Pillar politics, and by the end of the first hour, I was caught up. Then came a brief crash course in what was to come, and at the half-hour-minute mark, Geros got up and started the unfun task of bathing Barkspawn. My familiar whimpered as she was scooped up, and I petted her middle head.
"It's ok, girl. Just think of all the scraps you can paw off everyone at the party."
That brightened up Barkspawn, who wagged her tail a bit more as she was carried away. The moment the door closed, Grayfia sighed softly.
"You shouldn't encourage her."
I shrugged.
"She's a puppy."
My starmother glared at me for a moment before her eyes softened.
"She is. She reminds me of the Cerberus that my brother Euclid and I had when we were children. A very well-behaved and loving girl."
There was grief in Grayfia's voice as she reminisced, and it made me not say the snarky thing I wanted to about her shit bag of a brother. The white-haired woman sighed a few moments later before her usual steel returned.
"There will be four additional guests at the party tonight. Last-minute invites for Lords Amon and Beleth and their Heirs. They are keen on joining the NKF because of the Peace Treaty signing."
I frowned at the revelation but couldn't hold back the pleased expression that crept across my face as the GKF grew smaller.
"I will be a very good host for them."
Grayfia gave me a thankful look there.
"I know you will. Sirzches would also like to speak with you sometime during the party. About the Brigade and something else."
Hearing that made some of my sin leak out.
"Of course."
Vengeance was coming for them, and my look made Grayfia roll her eyes.
"You are a bad Starson. Now let me fix your suit. It's too modern for the underworld."
Then, in a microsecond, Grayfia pulled out a pair of scissors, extra cloth, and more sewing equipment and descended on me. Fifteen minutes later, Grayfia pulled back from me and produced a mirror, allowing me to see the damage. And it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. My suit now looked like something from the early Victorian era, and all that was missing was a beaver-pelt hat. Grayfia beamed now.
"Much better than before."
She then swept an imaginary speck of dirt off my shoulder, then sighed.
"You, Rias, and Lady Ravel will be the talk of the party. Don't overthink it as your father does. He never could quite get that parties were not places to conduct experiments."
That made a tiny sweat drop come before Grayfia returned to her hard-ass self and gestured to the door.
"Now, Heir Astaroth, please inform me of your accolades. For the herald."
I sighed and began telling her my various achievements and titles, leaving out the biggest one as we walked to the entrance hall. When we got there, the place was empty, as was the kitchen, when the sound of shoes clicking on the stone broke the silence. Then, from around the corner, came Geros holding a fully bathed Barkspawn whose fur glistened, and the hall lights made the emerald gems on the new collars around her three heads sparkle. My familiar yipped, seeing me, and Geros set the puppy down before the Cerberus scampered over to my side and sat regally. The sight made Grayfia smile slightly, while Geros looked rather pleased.
"Your familiar was very well behaved, Heir Astaroth. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to see to your grandfather. He will be arriving in five minutes and needs me."
I gave him a small nod, and Geros walked off towards the door before he disappeared through it with Grayfia behind him. Almost as soon as the door closed, a person appeared on the teleporter pad, and my body froze before my eyes widened to saucer plates.
It was Rias, and my redhead was beyond drop-dead gorgeous, dressed in a very flattering scarlet dress that also looked like it was from the early Victorian Era. Her hair was up in an elegant ponytail, and Rias beamed, seeing my shocked face; her supernova smile was on full display before the next person came through in Kuroka. My queen was in a beautiful black dress with holes for her two tails. She shot me a very sexy smirk and winked before stepping aside as Ravel came through, dressed gorgeously too, in an elegant gold-red dress, with her hair done not in her usual two drills but six. She also wore a pleased smirk before stepping aside.
Next through was Murayama, who had chosen a stunning brown dress and had her hair done up in a ponytail like Rias. She smiled widely, feeding her sin before stepping aside to let the next person in, Raynare, through. My pawn was in a gorgeous black dress, and she, like me, froze when she saw me. Then her violet eyes filled with joy before the next person through was Shirone. My cat princess was wearing a very princessy yellow dress that complemented her well and, like her sister, had a hole for her tail with her short white hair in a bun. She began feeding her lust too, seeing me, and came forward to make more room for the next person.
That being Xenovia, who, like Shirone, had done up her hair in a bun. The rook was in a very, very form-fitting brown dress that emphasized her hips, and she joined the sin feeding to let the next person through. Said person, being a nervous Hana, but the Kitsune, who had her glasses still out, soon beamed with joy, seeing my shock, and her nine tails haloed behind her, providing a sharp contrast against her red dress. Then the final person came through, an extremely nervous Ingvild, with her purple hair done up in six drills like Ravel's, wearing a blue-orange dress.
The sight of the nine of them there left me stunned, and an almost dream-like vision appeared before my eyes, showing my gorgeous queens all wearing sophisticated crowns. That made a new, burning-hot desire rise in me to win them those crowns, and my shock was only broken when Rias glided over to me, still wearing that supernova smile. The others followed her, with Ravel and a slightly blushing Hana beside her; they all curtsied as Rias asked cheekily.
"How do we look, my Lord~?"
Two could play that game as a massive smirk crossed my face.
"Like the brightest stars in our galaxy, tenfold."
My words made a sea of pleased blushes as the curtsies ended, and the nine closed in around me, arms reaching for me before finding a place. It was in that moment that I was the happiest I had ever been in my second life and took the love I had earned. We stayed like that for a few moments before Kuroka, being herself, grinned.
"I told you that your prince would look dashing tonight, Shirone~ But then again, he looks dashing most of the time, even when he broods nya~."
Shirone huffed and squeezed tighter while the others giggled, and I rolled my eyes before looking at them.
"I promise each of you at least one dance tonight. I want the noble shits to be jealous of you all."
That got pleased smiles from everyone before Ravel reluctantly let go of my side and went into full manager mode.
"Alright, ladies, just like we practiced. And remember, just because we are doing this, it doesn't mean that…"
Kuroka let go of me, taking a little extra time to slap me with her tails as she interrupted.
"Yeah, yeah, Birdy, we know. Play the lie for the nobles and all that, nya. I can be the nice subby reincarnated for a few hours."
Ravel frowned at that, while Rias laughed. The blonde sighed, and Xenovia grinned along with the others before they started moving into position. Rias, Ravel, and Hana took up position on my right, next to me, while Raynare, Murayama, Xenovia, Shirone, Kuroka, and Ingvild stood two paces behind us, and I hated this. Yet appearances matter, and I swore to definitely talk to my grandfather about proper betrothal contacts for the others.
No sooner had the last person in Raynare gotten into position than the door opened and Maéva walked over the threshold. The French woman took one look at us before saying.
"Almost all of the guests arrived earlier than expected, Young Master. It seems that they were very excited about this party. Be ready to move in six minutes."
I gave the maid a nod, and she walked back towards the kitchen before I sighed nervously. Rias slipped her hand into mine and squeezed it for a moment before it retracted. That settled some of my nerves before we waited.
Then, at two minutes till, Maéva returned and opened the door for us, and we walked forward, and almost immediately, I was hit by a strange sight as we stepped out onto the porch. A massive, very well-trimmed hedge wall, in a long line that ran across the yard from one side of my yard to the other, with two small entrances on the sides and one large one in the center.
Beyond that entryway was a large sea of tables and chairs, a large square area for dancing, and, as we drew closer, the sounds of talking and a collection of musicians playing for those inside wafted over the hedge. As we approached, Rias grew nervous before she straightened up after looking at me. When we finally arrived at the entrance and started passing through it, I prepared for the worst, and just as we were about to reach the very last part of the shadows, a pair of very loud trumpets started playing, silencing the noise and music.
The moment my right foot touched the light on the other side, I felt all eyes from over a hundred nobles turn our way before a loud male voice exclaimed.
"Presenting his Lordship, the future Duke of House Astaroth, He who is the Gorgan, the Lord of Iron, King of the Warriors of Mars, Leader of the Legio Solar, Victor of the Last Battle of the Great War, the Slayer of the Angel of the Stars, Chikatetsu no eiyū of Japan, and one of the Heroes of Er-Kyoto, Gregor Astaroth!"
My face had come into the light after that finished, and there to my right was a smartly dressed footman bearing the emblem of the Astaroths. Almost immediately after, there was a loud wave of clapping from the nobles here, which I saw included Sona, in a sophisticated blue dress, with her father and mother. Next to them was Seekvaria, in a green-gold dress, with her dad, Lady Paimon, and her son, who was glowering. Near them, standing at a table, were Zeoticus and Venelana, who wore a stunning purple dress; Heniya, in a red dress; and Millicas, in a small suit. Next to them were Zephyrdor and his folks, along with Lord Amon, his son, Lord Beleth, and his son, who were all talking to my grandfather. The claps only paused briefly as Barkspawn came into sight beside me, main head held high, and my grandfather got a proud and greedy look seeing the Cerberus. Barkspawn's appearance prompted a new stream of gossip, which drowned out something else the footman said that only I could hear.
"He who is the Omnissiah, Beloved by us commoners. Our champion."
Those words echoed beside me, and, along with the loud clapping, pleased me more than they should have as I basked in the applause and admiration. The feeling was wonderful, and I heard the herald preparing to speak again on behalf of Rias and the others, so I stepped forward. The introductions after me were less impressive, yet the nobility clapped enthusiastically for Ravel and Rias, but stared at Hana in surprise, apparently because my betrothal to her was not yet common knowledge.
Then came the introductions of the others, and they made me barely hold back a sneer as I heard for the first time what the reincarnated concubines of devil nobles were called. The collection. That was beyond disgusting, but I did get to enjoy the slightly scandalized looks of some of the nobles when Kuroka was introduced. Despite that slight hiccup, soon the ten of us, plus Barkspawn, moved out onto the party floor and then towards multiple tables, where almost immediately multiple nobles surrounded us as the music started again. One of the nobles, an older gentleman who wore the badge of House Valac on his cuffs, drew close.
"Where did you find a Cerberus Heir Astaroth? They haven't been seen since the Civil War."
The other nobles nodded in agreement as their eyes swept up and down on Barkspawn and me. Bark was preening under the attention, and that made a slight smile cross my face.
"I found her in an OSF base here in the underworld a few weeks ago. A base that I, along with my levy, easily destroyed."
My words made the surrounding nobles freeze for a microsecond, then vindictive looks appeared on their faces, with several nobles feeding their sin of wrath as a new flurry of questions began. They ranged from how many OSF there were, where they had been, and, somewhat annoyingly, an offer to buy Bark off me from an arrogant noblewoman from the Shax. I answered them with ease, and after almost two hours of grilling, the discussion finally shifted from Bark to the city and the various odd things, for devils, they saw as they came here.
Things like the streetlamps, the larger-than-normal carriage-sized streets, and the rumor of lights that could be summoned on command in every home and building. The answers to those questions shocked many of the nobles before a few grew greedy, and, to my surprise, it seemed only the families of the New Kings had ever considered the idea of electronic devices or even electricity. Seeing greed grow on their faces as I described several machines like washers and dryers, I pounced on them by idly saying.
"I could arrange for these and many other electronic devices to be made here in Ryza. Along with what are called cars, all of which are something that only the richest of the rich humans' topside can buy."
That little white lie set greed into overdrive among the nobles, and my grandfather, who had drifted closer to us through the discussion, grew even more pleased before he said slightly gloatingly.
"My castle already has a washing machine and dryer."
The smirk on Ajarkan's face of smug superiority over them made the nobles look at each other and narrow their eyes, now desperate to secure the next status symbols. Something that amused me and a few of the queens, along with a far-off Grayfia near the gate. Most of the queens were like me, surrounded by their own horde of nobles, though theirs consisted of the cousins, the few second daughters, and even rarer third daughters, fishing for ways to try to get accepted into my 'collection.' Ravel, Rias, and Hana were the ones holding court there, and Ravel knew just the right ways to nip the unsubtle attempts to seduce me while the others were talking to Sona and Seekvaria.
Finally, the uneasy tension amongst the nobles cracked as they started trying to shout down the others, and a somewhat big sweat drop appeared on the back of my head. It was pure chaos, and the noise touched something that made me ready to snarl when two more trumpets blared. Their din made the bidding stop, and all eyes turned to the front gates, where two more footmen in Astaroth colors, along with Grayfia, and to my surprise, Nikola stood in a more modern suit. The white-haired maid barely let the noise dim before announcing loudly as the gates opened.
"Presenting his royal grace. He who is the Great King of the Underworld, Embodiment of Destruction, Defeater of the Tyrant Bidleid Beelzebub, Lord of Progress and Tamer of Bahmut, Sirzches Lucifer!"
The moment Grayfia finished, Sirzches walked in, dressed in an immaculate black-and-red suit, his long hair slicked back. Not even a second later, the trumpets blared again, and once they ended, Nikola stood up extra proudly.
"Presenting, his royal grace, He who is the Maker of the Evil Piece System, Savior of the Devil Race, Master who Controls Techniques and Laws, Defeater of the Tyrantess Tsufaame Leviathan, and the Creator of the Purple Sun of the Underworld, Ajuka Beelzebub!"
My dad stepped into view there in a suit similar to Sirzches's, surveying the party grounds, bored, before he saw me. His face seemed to transform there as a small smile crossed it, and he and Sirzches came forward with the gate closing behind them. The two made their way to the food, and the nobles turned back to me, ready to shout, but I cut them off.
"One at a time, please, and orderly."
My words made several nobles blanch and get ready to say something. Yet something must have been on my face as they thought better about it. Thus, they started telling me their orders one by one while I mentally jotted each down.
This process took almost half an hour before the last person finally moved off to the tables, leaving my grandfather and me. He was deeply feeding his sin, and I let him do that before he finished and gave me a massive smile of approval.
"You did well, Gregor. They were eating out of your hands like hellhounds. I am glad to see that I was right to support your city, as the money alone from this will pay for it and triple our profits this year."
I give Ajarkan a smirk and shrug.
"We will get more than that once other things come online, grandfather. And this will be a year-on-year gain when we start selling to the humans too. None of this is magical and is vastly better than what they have topside."
Ajarkan's greed there almost made him get dollar signs in his eyes when he heard that. Almost. He took that news and then straightened himself up.
"I will hold you to that, Gregor. Perhaps if you do that, then I can finally retire and enjoy our wine without feeling bad."
I get ready to deny that I was ready for that, only for a trumpet to sound and announce the first dance. Ravel, who had been talking with her brother Ruval and his wife, a pregnant, blue-haired woman, glided over to the dance floor. Others were heading there too, and Ajarkan gently pushed me that way.
"The first dance is mandatory for the host. Enjoy yourself."
That made me gulp before I saw Ravel waiting eagerly, and I made my way to her and took her hand. Ravel squeezed it, and I led her out to the floor, and then we faced each other. Then a slow waltz began, and, remembering my dance lessons, I started by moving my left foot. Ravel matched me with her right foot, and we danced.
Slowly but surely, other couples began to join us, including Ruval and his pregnant wife, Zeoticus and Venelana, Sirzches and Grayfia, and many others. It was a surreal experience, and I must have been doing well as Ravel leaned heavily on my chest and whispered.
"You're actually good at this. Like so many other things. What aren't you good at, Greg?"
That made me laugh quietly.
"Probably a lot of things I haven't discovered yet. But I had good teachers and seeing you like this tells me that it was worth it."
Ravel blushed slightly at that as the dance continued. We kept the pace well, but soon the music began to slow down, and Ravel looked down for a moment before I whispered.
"I'd be happy for more dances tonight."
That brightened up the blonde before we made the last twirl and stepped back, and I bowed low, and she curtsied. There was a stream of applause before Ravel gave me a look and swept off the dance floor with a few others while Rias strode forward. I wrapped my hands with hers just as another waltz began.
This routine continued for the next three hours as I danced with each of the queens multiple times. All of them did great, save Raynare, who, it seemed, was born with two left feet. Yet despite that, I easily covered her mistakes as I felt all eyes on me throughout the dances, with the most pressing coming from Ajuka, Sirzches, Grayfia, and my grandfather. Yet despite the eyes on us, the queens and I had fun, and it was there I decided I didn't mind these parties.
My last dance was with Hana, and the kitsune was beyond happy as she admitted to me.
"They don't stare at me. For the glasses. Every party in Mother's palace, the nobles would be….."
She stopped there, and I squeezed her hand as I twirled her. When I caught her again, I shrugged.
"You're even more beautiful with them, Hana-chan. Glasses are not strange for devils."
I guided us a bit to where we could see Sona and Seekvaria, who were close to a table talking with the others.
"Both of them have glasses and are strong and intelligent people. Rias puts them on when she reads too. Glasses aren't something to be ashamed of, Hana-chan."
Hana stared at the group, watching them with a bit of awe, before she turned back to me.
"Maybe they aren't."
That made us both smile before we approached the last part of the waltz. Then I ended it just as the music did with a bow before the round of claps came from the watchers. Hana beamed, and then I escorted her to the table where the others were starting to sit. As we approached, the conversation between Seekvaria and Sona and the queens seemed to wrap up, and Seekvaria gave me an eager look but was dragged away by a bemused Sona. The sight of Seekvaria's pouting made Rias and Ingvild giggle before I took a seat at the table, where Ajarkan soon joined us. He was wearing a particularly smug face over something, and before I could ask, a mouth-watering scent hit my nose.
Then several more after that, and all of us looked over to the source of the smell and saw Maéva and Geros, along with multiple other maids and several butlers, wheeling carts out with a horde of food through the main entrance. Just as they reached us, I gambled, turning to my grandfather.
"I would actually like to speak to you about them. Is it possible to draw up betrothal contracts for them?"
Ajarkan looked at me strangely, hearing that, and got ready to ask why, and it was then I struck.
"The more official wives I have, according to the law, the more tax breaks we get. It will also increase our prestige as it shows we are committed totally to repopulating, and the highest number of wives after me would be the six from House Purson's Heir."
That stopped Ajarkan's possible rebuttal as he considered that. Geros brought over the first plate, which looked like lamb and potatoes, and set it before him. Ajarkan took a bite of meat and hummed in approval before he shrugged.
"Those are very good points, and the tax breaks from number seven and nine will definitely help us. I can start the process tomorrow."
Massive smiles crossed everyone's faces, and that drew Ajarkan's eyes to them. Seeing the questioning look, I began with introductions as Geros brought more food over to the table.
The following hour was spent eating and listening to Ajarkan talk/interrogate the queens while I threw in a comment every so often. Everyone did well with him, though he was very interested in Xenovia and Ingvild. Xenovia because she was a holy sword wielder and Ingvild because she was a singer. His face had actually grown melancholic, as a few tears formed before he forced them down. Seeing my look of concern, he sighed.
"I am fine. It's just that your grandmother was also a singer. The first time I heard her voice at a party like this for another noble, I knew then and there I would love her forever. I miss her."
Those words made everyone feel bad for Ajarkan before his eyes fell on the others.
"They are a good collection, Gregor. I think as soon as you all move into the castle properly, the place will come to life again. Diodora was always more interested in the family books, and his peerage is much the same."
I barely hid the scowl yet again hearing that damn word and that bitch's name. My grandfather didn't seem to notice that, but Kuroka did, and one of her tails moved into my hand and wrapped around my wrist. She squeezed gently, stopping the nasty remark I wanted to say before I grunted.
"I am eager to see the castle, grandfather, as I am sure the others are too."
The queens eagerly nodded there, making Ajarkan beam before he reached for his wine. I glanced over his shoulder to see that almost all of the nobles were having an enjoyable time. They were spread out between eating, gossiping about the future and the new washers and dryers, dancing on the dance floor in the case of Zeoticus, Venelana and Sona's parents, or in the case of Lords Amon and Beleth, politicking with Sirzches and Ajuka. It really seemed like the party was going well, and I held back a smirk before expertly moving some of my lamb and tossing it to Barkspawn under the table.
Bark pounced on the lamb and scarfed it down. Everyone but Shirone had been tossing her stuff, and just as she finished, she peeked out from under the table before she caught sight of something. Then growled low. I looked over in that direction and saw a woman with long black hair eating at a table with Nikola and Grayfia jovially. Yet her eyes never left the back of my head, and I immediately didn't like her. Grayfia caught sight of me and tilted her head towards Sirzches and Ajuka's table, and I got the message before mouthing give me five. I turned back to my mostly finished food to see that Ajarkhan was gone and now was talking with other nobles again before smiling at everyone.
"Miladies, would you like another dance after I finish something?"
That elicited massive, excited smiles from everyone before they began debating who would get the first dance. I finished up most of the remaining food before tossing the last of the lamb to Bark before getting up and making my way to the Satans' table. As I passed through the sea of tables, I gave compliments and was given compliments from the nobles before finally getting to the table. Just in time to see Ajuka reach out to Lord Amon and shake the other devil's hand, then Lord Beleth's.
"Welcome to the NKF, Lords Amon and Beleth. With your help, perhaps this time we will pass the infrastructure bill."
My dad's words made Lord Amon feed his pride, while Lord Beleth got a simpering look.
"Of course, Lord Beelzebub. We will do our utmost to get it passed! For the New Kings!"
That made my dad frown and take a breath to say something, only for Sirzches to break into his good-natured smile.
"Heir Astaroth. Just the man I wanted to see."
His words made Lords Amon and Beleth look my way, and Lord Beleth got ready to start simpering for me, only for Ajuka to cough and gesture to another table.
"Come, my Lords. I would like to… enlighten you to what is expected of members of the NKF."
Lord Beleth looked ready to object, but Lord Amon, who must have known the other for a long time, shoved the other man gently towards the table. Ajuka followed after them, leaving Sirzches and me, and the man gestured to me to sit. I sat across from him and saw out of the corner of my eye Grayfia lurking nearby. She made a tiny spell circle, and the noise from the music and the party guests dimmed slightly, and Sirzches sighed. His mask went down, and I thought I saw something that looked like regret in his eyes before he looked over my shoulder.
"You have done much for us, Gregor. You have, in less than four months, turned our situation in the underworld around from near-hopeless to being in a position of strength, pushed us out of being pariahs in the supernatural, and made my baby sister extremely happy. For that you have my eternal thanks."
I looked over my shoulder to see that Sirzches was looking at Rias, who was beaming while talking to Seekvaria and Sona, and shrugged at that.
"Happy to help. Though by the sound of your voice there is more you need of me."
Sirzches sighed deeply.
"Yes. Yes, we do. The other Satans and I reached an agreement on Saturday. We are demobilizing most of the DMZ troops and a quarter of our personal levies each. To show Grigori we are serious about the treaty enduring and to save money for finally rebuilding our society properly. However, the OSF still needs to be destroyed, especially after they attacked the conference and then joined this Chaos Brigade. That, and the fact that we have next to no up-to-date information on the topside, leads me to this. We want to use the Legio as our proxy in fighting them. In exchange for this, we are willing to fund the Legio fully and second forces from our levies who still want to fight or have serious grudges against the OSF to expand it."
My eyebrow raised at that as that was indeed something. Still, I would be stupid to turn this down.
"We would be more than happy to help, as we are actually preparing to do several raids on OSF and hopefully Nilrem facilities this week. Though your levies will have to accept the humans in the Legio as equals."
Sirzches let out a sigh of relief there and nodded.
"I will inform them of that. And thank you. There is another thing I would like for you to do for me. Recently I was approached for something regarding the peace treaty..."
Whatever Sirzches was about to say was interrupted by the sound of the trumpets blaring behind us, making both of us jump slightly and turn towards the sound, as did everyone else at the party—no sooner had the trumpets ended than a footman's voice called out automatically yet unsure.
"Presenting His Lordship, the spare of House Astaroth Diodora Astaroth and his Queen Alexia Baden!"
My jaw dropped to the floor hearing that, as there standing at the partly open front gate, smiling seemingly genuinely while appearing and dressed like his canonical self, with a very pretty blonde next to him, was really the asshole of the decade, Diodora.
The evening sun was setting over the base of the Legio Solar, and for a pair of people, the night promised to be a long one, for they were two of the four unlucky sods who had gotten the short straws and were on perimeter patrol that night. One of the duo sighed before he and the woman next to him began walking from the armory, after suiting up down the rows of barracks, towards the front gate. When they reached the gate and began walking counterclockwise, the man eyed the woman walking next to him, who was in a good mood. Not even three days ago, he would have shot her for being an excommunicated exorcist working for Grigori, yet he now called her a comrade. The world was now very strange, and this comrade, a French woman named Elisabeth, smiled his way, speaking in accented English.
"Come on, Gill, I'm not going to bite."
Gillard McDonald, known by the others as Gill, eyed the French woman in distrust before he hefted the still unfamiliar weapon that he and the many other Church exorcists still couldn't believe was a laser gun over his shoulder.
"Ya served crows, frog."
Elisabeth shrugged, hefting her lasgun a little more easily on her shoulder.
"I served them because the Pope wrongfully excommunicated me. For daring to suggest that instead of being yes men, we actually protect all of the Lord Reborn's people. Many of us here were like that, and we now have vindication knowing they were illegitimate, and now that the Omnissiah is looking out for us unlike the churches."
Gill felt a slight flush hit him and got ready to snap at the frog like any good Scot Protestant would, only to look at his newly returned right arm. And for the spirit of his older sister, taken from him by a Fae in his gun, to gently reprimand him. Those things made the stubborn Scotsman grunt.
"He does look out for us."
That concession made Elisabeth beam even more as they rounded the base and started walking up the west side of the chain-link fence. The two continued their patrol in silence, and neither expected action tonight, especially after the Crimson Dragon of Rightness had come today to strengthen the wards again. However, just as they were about to hit the midway point next to a halfway repaired cut in the fence, Gill, who was closest to the fence, heard a twig snap in the forest outside the chain-link fence and wards. He looked that way, with an immediately suspicious gun coming off his shoulder, and pointed that way. Elisabeth turned too, though she wasn't as concerned.
"Probably just a deer. Mike told me a large herd of them was in the area this morning."
Gill, however, didn't trust that.
"That was no wee deer frog. Too heavy of a snap."
Elisabeth looked at the Scotsman before he elaborated.
"Ah, lived next door to a forest in Scotland. Ah, know deer."
Gill kept sweeping the tree line and listening. After a few moments, he holstered the gun.
"Maybe you were right."
The concession had barely left his mouth when Elisabeth got ready to reassure him it was fine, when, all of a sudden, there was a whine from the ground next to the hole in the fence. Gill was confused by that noise, but Elisabeth wasn't, and immediately moved her gun and flicked off the safety just in time for a stone to pop up from the ground.
The stone then started to crack, and Elisabeth shouted to Gill as she got ready to slap her armor faceplate down.
"Get on the comms now and tell them we are under attack!"
No sooner had that been said than from the forest treetops five ultra-fast objects flew towards the fence, Gill, and Elisabeth. Three of the objects bounced off the carapace armor harmlessly while a fourth hit the ward stone and exploded, while the final object hit the fence hole and did the same. Shrapnel flew, sending both Gill and Elisabeth to the ground as the ward scheme flickered; then a large hole opened up.
Gill spat out dirt and then slapped his faceplate down just as a very deep whining sound came from the trees, and he shouted into the vox.
"Mayday, mayday, we are under attack! Send help to west side fence now!"
No sooner had this been shouted than over fifteen shadowy figures jumped out of the tree line and hit the ground, while another fifteen jumped out of the treetops into the air, spreading completely black glider wings. The fifteen on the ground charged towards the now open hole in the fence, with many of them drawing swords while a few threw more of the objects. The gliders' riders were doing the same, and just as the first five figures were about to hit the ground, Elisabeth raised her gun and fired twice.
The las shots slammed into the first two figures and popped their heads, making the bodies drop. The three others hit the ground rolling and then threw over a dozen objects that hit various places on Elisabeth's armor. Objects that made the Frenchwoman blink as they were shrunken and kunai. More glider figures landed behind the Skitarii and charged forwards drawing swords, but the sound of another snap hiss came blasting a red-hot hole in one of the two closest figures still in front of the two.
The body dropped, yet gave the last foe a chance to bring their sword down on Elisabeth's helmet. The sword clanged off it, and the Frenchwoman fired again, missing the figure who dodged quickly, then moved for another attack. Only for Gill to charge and slam the butt of his gun into the figure's red-tinted, almost astronaut-like helmet. The blow staggers the figure, and Gill flipped the gun and fired into their head, popping them.
The last figure lunged, drawing a pistol and getting ready to fire it into Gill's head at close range, only for the sound of a chainsword to roar to life from Elisabeth. Then more shouts came from behind the attackers before all of a sudden, several las shots flew towards the breach.
Several of the figures went down with red-hot holes in them while one lost a leg and tumbled to the ground screaming. Another las shot silenced them, and the ten other gliders now saw they faced more foes. The fifteen figures behind them saw that too and bolted back towards the trees, having only gotten halfway across the field. The remaining glider figures immediately tried to buy time for their fellows as they charged towards the now approaching reinforcements with swords and pistols drawn before a command came across the vox.
"Try to capture one of them, Alpha Primus's orders!"
Elisabeth swung her sword towards the foe and made them back up before they tried swiping their sword towards her guts. The blade clanged off her armor, and Gill fired two shots, aiming for the legs or arms. Both shots missed, as this one seemed much faster than the others, before they fired their pistol five times in rapid yet accurate succession. The bullets clanged off places that, had there been no armor, would have been kill shots as the bullets hit the ground uselessly, and that sight made the foe let loose a small growl, which was the first actual noise from the all but silent warriors.
A growl that Gill echoed as he lunged forward, racing towards the foe, gun raised. The enemy got their sword ready and moved to stab it through the lens of the helmet, only for a cry to come from Gill's left.
"For the Lord Reborn and the Omnissiah!"
Elisabeth slammed into the figure and swiped a few times with her sword, making the figure dodge them, only for the Frenchwoman to do an unexpected thing. She slammed her helmet forward in a headbutt into the figure, shattering the red-tinted helmet on the foe's right side along with staggering and stunning the enemy, allowing Gill to fire his gun. The shot blew off the figure's left leg, getting a scream as they tumbled to the ground, and the face of a woman with snow-white hair and feathers around her eye looked up at them.
Gill kicked away the pistol and sword slightly from the foe and aimed his gun at the woman's face.
"Surrender, Eun. Ye are surrounded."
The woman's blue eyes narrowed in hate despite the pain.
"Never! We will be remembered long past you!"
Gill got ready to slam the butt of his gun into the woman's face, only for her to suddenly bite down. Foam began forming and then spilling from her lips as her body shook violently and began thrashing for a few seconds, before falling still as the light left the woman's exposed eye. Gill looked down at her, pissed, before looking over the body. They were dressed in a form-fitted black body glove like the one under the carapace, with no sign of who they served. The Scot then looked at Elisabeth, who was slightly wobbly from the headbutt, and Gill moved to her side, putting his arm around her.
"That was a hell of a Glasgow kiss there, frog."
Elisabeth let loose a shaky laugh.
"The Crimson Dragon of Righteous taught me that a good headbutt can win most fights if timed right."
Gill laughed at that, and it was then that all the other chainswords, save for Elisabeth's, fell silent, and he looked over his shoulder. Ten more black body-gloved forms were strewn across the ground, three of them missing arms or legs. None of the foes had surrendered, which was eerie for Gill. Above the bodies, over a dozen Skitarii with several more running towards them, guns at the ready. The sole Alpha, marked by a black helm, here flipped up their faceplate to reveal a dour-looking Dane man who looked at Gill and Elisabeth.
"You both ok?"
Gill got ready to say he was fine, only for the smell of something foul burning to reach his nose. He and Elisabeth looked down at the body and immediately took a step back. The corpse was melting away into sludge, and a glance at the others showed they were doing the same. As were all the swords and pistols near their bodies.
Gill immediately moved and tried to kick away the gun and sword which had been next to the woman. The kicks, however, were too slow to save the sword as it melted into slag while barely saving the gun as everything but the tiniest part of the stock's bottom dissolved. The remnants of the gun hit the Alpha's armored boot, and he knelt to grab the stock.
"Good work."
Gill grunted, and he, along with Elisabeth, came over to the man, and the three peered down at the bottom of the front grip. To see a halfway melted emblem of some animal with multiple legs. The Alpha stared at it for a moment before he attached it to his mag lock waist and shouted to the others here.
"Three of you get mops and clean up this mess. The rest of you stand guard here, and someone by the Lord Reborn get the Marshal as we need a replacement wardstone ten minutes ago."
Skitarii moved, and several grumbled before the Alpha looked at Gill and Elisabeth.
"You two go rest. I will have your Alpha grant the day off for you both."
Then, without another word, the man turned and moved towards the command center, leaving Elisabeth and Gill alone. Before they, too, moved, ready to enjoy freedom from this shit evening.
Deeper in the forest, in a clearing, waiting with four of his sub-faction magicians was Aj, and the Australian was nervous beyond belief. He had thought long and hard about how to do this and had concluded that if going loud hadn't worked, then silence might. He thus called in several favors and managed to secure help, though he was peeved that he couldn't get Killian to help him further.
The boss had assigned her a new task to ensure they had enough subjects for Project Rebirth. Aj still had no idea what the hell that was, and he didn't want to know. He had learned early on that any project they did was usually very gruesome.
A twig snapped, and Aj looked up from the ground, blinking as two of the six teams' captains stood before him. Two of the swan youkai from the special clan they used to train and lead their stealth spec ops had their red-tinted helmets dimmed to show angry faces. The center one, who had very few feathers on her face signifying her relative youth, spat out.
"The tech failed."
Aj blinked, then scowled.
"What do you mean it failed?! Where are the other….."
The swan to the right snarled.
"They and their teams are dead! Because the tech failed to jam their communications and the scum brought in reinforcements!"
The first swan drew her katana, making the other magicians back up slightly, but Aj stood his ground, making a spell circle.
"That's fauking impossible. You must have fauked it up. Try again."
The swans were not impressed, and the one with the sword advanced, ready to gut the Australian. She drew back her blade and was about to swipe, only for a kunai to fly past her and Aj's face, hitting the tree beside them hard. That made the two freeze as a voice came from the treeline.
"Hina-chan."
Aj, the magicians, and the swans turned to see another woman emerge with her helmet dimmed, showing a swan youkai with extensive feathers on her face, along with crows' feet. The younger swan's sword wobbled, and the elder stepped forward silently before her hand reached the sword and forced it down. Aj was about to smirk at the bitch, only for a kunai to be at his throat from the older swan in a flash.
"You got three of my granddaughters and several of our best Shadows killed. You are lucky sparkle thrower, you are of the Hand; otherwise, I would jam this into your pathetic throat right now. Justify to me their deaths. Or else."
Her black eyes glared at him as she pushed the edge against the skin near his Adam's apple, getting a tiny prick of blood. Aj breathed slowly, and when one of the magicians behind him got ready to cast a spell, only for Aj to move a finger, stopping them.
"There is something in the crates that the boss wants. Something that will lead to Ascension."
The older swan youaki and her two younger kin froze as the older swan drew back the knife, awe in her eyes.
"Ascension. The prophecy."
She was still for a moment, then turned ultra-fast and threw her kunai. Not at AJ but at a tree next to him with such force that most of the tree's bark became a spiderweb, spooking the magicians. The matriarch of the Weeping Snow clan then whirled on her two granddaughters.
"Begin scouting that base again. I will summon more teams. No price is too great for Ascension."
There was pure zeal on her face. Zeal that was echoed on her granddaughters' faces as they bowed deeply.
"Yes, Matriarch!"
Their helms went back to red, and they ran off to their teams as the Matriarch returned her gaze to a smug Aj.
"He shall have it. Nothing will stop our Ascension."
Then she spun and opened a portal leaving Aj with the five magicians. The Australian let out a sigh of relief before he saw the curious looks in the apprentices. He shrugged and then began explaining.