That day's outburst had completely drained Akeno's strength, and she ended up sleeping for a long time.
When she finally woke, it was as if she remembered nothing—wearing the same smiling expression as always. Although she still treated Baraqiel with indifference, at least the deep-seated hostility—and even killing intent—had vanished.
"I really have to thank you, Yoru. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have known how to face Akeno," said Azazel, having found an opportunity to gather the three of them together. The usually flippant Governor of the Fallen Angels spoke with genuine gratitude.
"I just did what I had to. I didn't want to see her in pain any longer. Of course, the rest is up to Lord Baraqiel—you'll have to work hard yourself. I don't think it's impossible for her to forgive you completely."
"…I understand. Thank you," the silent Baraqiel replied with a slight bow.
"Thank you for what you've done for Akeno. I also hope you'll treat her well in the future."
"Don't say it like that. There's really nothing between me and Akeno…"
Seeing Baraqiel give him a strange look, Yoru awkwardly cleared his throat.
"…Well, maybe she is a little interested in me. But I don't want to force her. For now, helping her move past her mother's shadow is what matters most."
Baraqiel nodded lightly. He had no intention of pushing Yoru. After all, he knew well enough that there were already too many women connected to Yoru—like the younger sister of the Demon Lord Lucifer, the next head of House Gremory, who was also his daughter's master, Rias; and the younger sister of Demon Lord Leviathan, the next head of House Sitri, Sona. Even just these two were formidable rivals.
Baraqiel didn't expect full forgiveness anymore. As a father, his only wish now was for his daughter to be happy.
◇
A few days after Odin's arrival in Japan…
At night, a carriage drawn by Sleipnir—the eight-legged warhorse—sped along. Inside, Odin sat with a lecherous grin.
"That was very enjoyable. As expected of Azazel."
"Japan's Yamato Nadeshiko are wonderful. The geisha were the best."
The shameless old man laughed in satisfaction, while Azazel sat beside him. Tomorrow was the meeting with Japan's deities, and they were setting out together that night.
Across from them sat Rias and Yoru, while her other servants rode outside as escort.
"Odin-sama! The meeting with the Japanese gods is tomorrow—please, get out of this vacation mood. People will be angry when we return home if you keep this up. And as the chief god, you shouldn't be going to those kinds of places in the first place, let alone bragging about it!"
Although Rossweisse, the valkyrie, had spent these past days staying at the Gremory villa, being left behind was one thing—but to hear such shameless talk was too much. The veins on her forehead bulged as she stormed up to him.
"Oh, you really don't understand how to enjoy yourself. Why not relax a little? Maybe then you could even land yourself a man. Keep being so uptight and you'll end up alone. How about staying here and becoming that Gremory soldier boy's woman?"
"I—I only do my duty! I'm not uptight, ahhh!"
The fragile valkyrie collapsed to the floor crying, and everyone else in the carriage was beyond the point of even commenting.
"Is everything ready on your end? I hear Sirzechs and Michael will be attending as well. This meeting doesn't need to be so complicated. If they agree, I'll just say yes—peace is fine. After all, I've come to like this country."
"Don't think of it as trouble—just procedure. Last time, our peace talks were completely manipulated by the Khaos Brigade. Who knows if the same will happen again?" Azazel replied casually, but his expression was grim.
"The Khaos Brigade, with their Longinus-wielding heroes… if they all went Balance Breaker, it'd be terrifying."
"Indeed. From recent intel, it seems many of those hero faction members can reach Balance Breaker. Such a forbidden power becoming so widespread… with the god who created it gone, things are truly lawless now."
"Ah, trouble here, trouble there… I wonder when things will finally calm down. Then I could visit that—"
Thunk!Creeeak—!
Suddenly, the speeding carriage stopped, cutting off Odin's words. A strange, ominous aura spread quickly.
Rossweisse immediately stopped crying and shifted into high alert.
Azazel and Odin both frowned, looking ahead of the carriage.
A lone figure hovered there—a young-looking man dressed entirely in black, exuding an aura of pure malice.
Yoru's brow furrowed. He recognized this aura all too well—identical to the evil energy within his own body that he still hadn't fully tamed: the sin known as This World's Evil.
Rossweisse's expression turned to shock, and Azazel clicked his tongue—they clearly knew the man.
The man flicked his cloak dramatically and smirked.
"A pleasure to meet you all for the first time. I am the evil god of Norse mythology—Loki!"
Azazel stepped out of the carriage, black wings unfurled, while Odin stood as well.
"Lord Loki, meeting here truly is a coincidence. What business do you have? Riding in this carriage is the Norse chief god, Odin. Did you act knowing this?" Azazel asked calmly.
Loki folded his arms.
"Oh, nothing much. But seeing our chief god mingling with other pantheons… the pain of it is unbearable. I couldn't stand it, so I came to cause trouble."
His mocking tone was laced with raw hostility, like a mire seeping outward.
"How honest of you, Loki," Azazel replied, his voice tinged with anger.
Loki laughed.
"Hahaha! So, the Governor of the Fallen Angels himself. I'd rather not have to meet you and the devils here… but oh well. I'll just wipe you all out along with Odin."
"You're fine with interacting with other pantheons? Contradictory, isn't it?"
"If I destroy the other pantheons, the problem's solved. I can't understand why we'd make peace—especially when they've stepped into our territory to spread their holy scripture."
"Don't say that to me—tell it to Michael or the dead god from that scripture."
Azazel's wings shifted as he took a battle stance.
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