Ultimately that night, Bokue still didn't make it to Venelana's side.
Time shifted—next day, eight AM.
When Bokue awoke... no, didn't awaken.
Accurately speaking, Rias forcibly yanked him from the covers mid-sleep. Eyes not yet open, his ears already rang with a certain red-haired girl's anxious urgings.
"Quick—get up already! Time's running short. We still need to attend the palace meeting this morning!"
"...Palace?"
Bokue opened his eyes bewilderedly.
In demon realm morning light filtering hazily through curtains into the room, Rias—clad in a semi-transparent sheer silk nightgown—straddled him with her face close. The girl's pale, slender neck still bore faint red marks from last night's overnight stay.
Honestly, Rias in this outfit looked incredibly attractive. Hard not to consider starting a round.
But speaking of which, why go to the palace today?
Wasn't the alliance ceremony yesterday?
"Jeez..."
Seeing the young man still appearing clueless, Rias inhaled deeply while pursing her lips.
"Don't tell me you forgot yesterday's palace events, Bokue? Though that evil god Loki was temporarily sealed by Lord Beelzebub, it can only delay one day maximum."
"Oh, right..."
Bokue blinked.
"So yesterday Azazel and the others already said they'd help devise solutions. Isn't having them enough?"
"Definitely not enough!"
Rias yanked off the covers, forcefully collecting scattered clothing from the floor before stuffing them into the young man's arms—speaking earnestly.
"If things were as simple as described, he should've been captured in the hall yesterday. Yet Lord Beelzebub only chose temporary sealing. Plus, ultimately... this remains the demon realm."
Emmm~
"This remains the demon realm"—though initially sounding odd, careful consideration revealed the meaning.
Bluntly put, the demon realm fundamentally remained devil territory. Even after the... oh no, four-way alliance nowadays, neither angels nor fallen angels could possibly exert themselves like defending their own headquarters.
At least when genuinely encountering life-threatening moments, probably everyone would scatter.
Cut and run.
But... even excluding angels and fallen angels, didn't the demon realm still have seventy-one other Pillars?
Really can't assemble even one proper raid party without the Gremory household?
Bokue desperately wanted to retort. However, Rias had already gotten out of bed, turning to enter the bathroom.
Simultaneously, Kuroka's groggy voice drifted from beside him.
"Is Bokue awake? Quickly get inside Onee-sama..."
But clearly, today's morning exercise plans were being postponed.
❁❁❁❁
As time reached nine AM, when Bokue and an extremely reluctant Kuroka were dragged by Rias to the palace, the hall that had hosted the alliance ceremony was fully assembled.
Sirzechs, Azazel, Michael, plus Ajuka Beelzebub.
Even that silver-haired Valkyrie who'd arrived with old man Odin during yesterday's ceremony was present.
Except compared to yesterday's secretary-styled business suit, today Rossweisse had switched to full Valkyrie battle armor—appearing ready to lead troops into battle any moment.
But what most surprised Bokue was even Akeno, Koneko, Asia, Busujima-senpai, and the assembled girls had already arrived.
???
Bokue felt momentarily lost.
Was this right? Even he had just been yanked from bed by Rias. Yet upon their arrival, other girls had already arrived early?
What's going on? This feeling like only he's out of the loop.jpg
"Ah, good morning, Bokue-san. Also Rias-san and Kuroka-san—you're here."
Noticing the three finally arriving, the blonde nun smiled while waving greetings.
"Here, here..."
Bokue reached Asia while surveying surroundings—glancing once toward the stage before returning his gaze to her.
"So why are you all here too, Asia?"
"Eh? Ah, well—didn't Rias-san tell Bokue-san?"
Asia raised her pretty face, adorably blinking.
"Actually, last night after dinner, Rias-san specifically found us. She hoped we could jointly persuade Bokue-san to agree letting us participate in today's Loki subjugation battle—considering it verification of our recent growth."
"..."
Last night after dinner?
Bokue briefly recalled.
Mm, during that period, he'd been in Lady Sheila's room with both Lady Sheila and Lady Venelana... high-intensity three-player ranked.
Indeed didn't know.
With their arrival, everyone in the hall had now assembled.
On the forward stage, Sirzechs lifted the microphone while reading from prepared notes, speaking loudly.
"Yesterday's palace situation, everyone understands clearly. Though my friend Ajuka successfully sealed evil god Loki temporarily, this condition can only maintain momentarily. Today, we face evil god Loki's resurgence. Lord Odin currently returns to Valhalla retrieving Mjolnir. So before Mjolnir's arrival, we must stall him!"
"Now announcing subjugation team roster. First, the main team—led by Captain Rias Gremory, members including Asia Argento..."
Alright, no need to hear the rest.
Bokue silently covered his face.
Simultaneously, a certain Maou girl's voice suddenly drifted from behind—tone carrying teasing notes.
"Well~ though knowing Bokue-kun dislikes getting involved in troublesome matters, you can't ignore girls' wishes by arbitrarily deciding for them. Because everyone possesses rights to realize self-worth."
Turning revealed Serafall had also arrived at the scene today. Somehow weaving through crowds, she'd already reached behind him—hands clasped behind her back, grinning broadly.
Bokue scratched his hair while clicking his tongue lightly. His voice carried threads of exasperation.
"That's what you say. I just don't want them getting hurt..."
"If regarding safety concerns, please don't worry excessively."
A familiar voice entered his ears. Dazzling pure golden twin-drills instantly burst into the young man's vision.
Ravel Phoenix—she'd also arrived at today's meeting venue. Still wearing formal dress, projecting noble, elegant impressions. Reaching Bokue, she performed a standard curtsy.
"Today's battle, I'll also participate in support capacity. As Phoenix household representative, I'm friendship-gifting three Phoenix tears for today's subjugation campaign."
Finishing, she produced an exquisite box from thin air like magic. Opening it revealed three containers storing Phoenix tears resting quietly inside.
Quite thoroughly prepared. Just to indulge your sister's whims...
Bokue thought this while looking up once more toward the young red-haired Maou onstage.
As if sensing the young man's gaze from below, Sirzechs—still reading pre-battle mobilization speeches aloud onstage—reflexively redirected his sight. Meeting Bokue's distant gaze, he smiled faintly.
As if saying—sorry, my sister requested this.
Bokue silently rolled his eyes toward him.
Sorry your ass...
Then he flashed onstage. Before anyone present could react, he backhanded an elbow strike—launching the young red-haired Maou flying. Smoothly catching the microphone mid-air while discarding notes, his gaze swept below. Casual tone carried unquestionable flavor.
"Tch... if doing this, do it thoroughly. Don't say spineless crap like 'stalling.' What we're doing is killing that Norse evil god in the demon realm before Mjolnir arrives. Understood?"
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