As Sirzechs and Falbium remained silent, Serafall blinked her eyes and disrupted the atmosphere:
"I recall the SDS Supreme Chairwoman is also female?"
Then, with a pitiful expression, she added:
"You're not expecting me to fight one against three, are you?"
'It was you who insisted on female-versus-female and male-versus-male matchups...'
Sirzechs' cheek twitched before he sighed:
"So the diplomatic strategy towards the Second World remains unchanged?"
Ajuka nodded at this point and began explaining the policy approach:
"Close observation, cautious engagement, technological exchange, war avoidance."
"I strongly advise against provoking an entire world's worth of enemies when pureblood demon families have already suffered over fifty per cent casualties."
"Even if the Second World lacks the mythological races present in our world, considering it's an entire world..."
Ajuka paused here, then tentatively posed a question:
"I've been wondering whether both sides might actually be equivalent in high-end combat power?"
Hearing "equivalent", Serafall immediately felt her scalp tingle and said with a miserable expression:
"Given the number of female powerhouses in the Second World, could there possibly be a woman as strong as Ophis over there?"
Instead of dismissing Serafall's dramatic remark, Ajuka pondered seriously before responding:
"That possibility cannot be ruled out."
"Er..."
Serafall immediately shut her mouth. She had only meant to emphasise their numerical disadvantage to discourage rash declarations of war, not for Ajuka to actually demoralise her~
At that moment, Sirzechs turned to the other three Satans:
"So our course remains preventing the Demon Council's recklessness. I trust no one objects?"
"Even if... it may require sacrificing an entire demon army."
Hearing this, Serafall, Falbium, and Ajuka remained silent.
Understanding their stance, Sirzechs sighed and massaged his temples:
"Then let's discuss more pressing matters - the grand gift from the SDS's new Director."
At this, both Serafall and Falbium showed puzzled expressions.
They were well aware that Ajuka would inevitably make contact with the powerful figures of that world, but the concept of a grand gift was beyond their comprehension.
Apart from the so-called Class system, what else in that world held such immense value?
At that moment, Ajuka took a deep breath and solemnly stated:
"According to the intelligence provided by Director Luo Shu, Lilin has formed an organisation called the Khaos Brigade. Moreover, under the condition of opposing Great Red, he has secured Ophis's alliance."
"Unfortunately, our enemies have grown stronger once again."
Hearing this, Serafall's scalp tingled, her expression instantly crumbling:
"What is this, an upgraded version of 'between a rock and a hard place'? Now it's 'between a tiger and a dragon'?"
"Maybe I should just resign, go home to the family, and take my little sister to star in a tokusatsu series~"
Listening to Serafall's grumbling, Sirzechs couldn't help but chuckle:
"You always say that, yet you always fight the fiercest."
"You also started last time's conflict with Twin Wings. How can you even mention resigning with a straight face?"
Pretending not to hear Sirzechs, Serafall changed the subject:
"So, our next focus is dealing with the Khaos Brigade?"
"No, our priority remains the Second World."
"Although the Khaos Brigade poses great danger, if Lilin can use his power to win over Ophis, there's no reason we can't do the same."
"But in terms of strength, the gap between Lilin and me isn't actually that wide. In my view, the only way to widen that gap might require the power of the Second World..."
At this point, Sirzechs said with grave expression:
"I have a premonition that perhaps the Classes of the Second World are the path to our future."
After a pause, he added:
"From my previous battle with Twin Wings, I realised something. My Demonic Power was over twenty times greater than hers, and whether in physical strength, magical energy, or destructive power, I should have held overwhelming superiority."
"Yet, my attacks were suppressed by Twin Wings. No matter how much Demonic Power I used, the opponent's sword Qi always maintained a qualitative superiority over me."
"This phenomenon can't be explained by current demon knowledge. After much thought, the only possible reason is that Class."
"So you had numerical advantage but were crushed in quality..." Serafall hesitated slightly. "Why is the power of those Classes so exaggerated?"
Beside her, Falbium looked equally surprised:
"Aren't those Classes a core secret technique of major factions in the Second World? Has some faction agreed to trade with us?"
Serafall immediately turned her accusations towards Ajuka:
"Hmph, if Falbium says so, then you must have done something again, Ajuka?"
Hearing this, Ajuka paused before replying:
"I did indeed trade with the Hell Sect of the Second World for a Class suitable for demons. However, it still requires verification."
"Let me test it," Sirzechs said with a smile. "After all, I am a Satan, am I not?"
"Among us, your control over power is indeed the strongest, but that's no reason to take such risks."
As Ajuka spoke, his gaze shifted to Serafall.
Following Ajuka's lead, Sirzechs and Falbium also looked her way.
"Me trying it~ Well, it's not impossible~ Since I handle diplomacy, I rarely need to demonstrate power anyway..."
Just as Serafall said this, Ajuka shook his head:
"Even so, it's still not safe enough."
"Oh? Then what do you mean?" Serafall's eyebrows twitched as she regarded Ajuka warily.
"Go to the Second World, Serafall," Ajuka said calmly. "Among the Satans, your power control is second only to me and Sirzechs. And though the reason is unclear, female powerhouses in the Second World seem to possess advantages we don't understand."
"Therefore, sending you to study there is the most suitable solution in my opinion."
"I don't mind as long as I can call Sona-chan every day~"
Serafall blinked innocently:
"But who would be willing to teach me such a vital thing?"
At that moment, Ajuka suddenly murmured:
"According to intelligence submitted by Mammon, Director Luo Shu of the SDS seems interested in recruiting Ravel into his Familia."
"I plan to persuade Ravel to accept this invitation."
Hearing this, Serafall looked at Ajuka with disdain:
"Little Ravel?"
"Wasn't she accidentally sent to that world because of your experiment mishap?"
"Isn't it too much to keep bullying her like this?"
Ajuka stiffly explained: "I never expected her to appear above my secret research facility in the first place..."
"Alright, enough. This isn't the time for such discussions."
Sirzechs promptly intervened:
"Ajuka, what we need is guidance regarding Classes, correct?"
"Surely we don't need to send Serafall for something like this?"
"And what if complications arise? Wouldn't that create more trouble?"
"Are you sure sending this problem girl over won't cause chaos?"
"Out of us Four Great Satans, Serafall is the most unruly one!"
Upon hearing this, Ajuka unusually furrowed his brows.
Noticing this, Falbium, who had been staring at the screen for a while, remarked quietly:
"Speaking of which, why is Director Luo Shu surrounded entirely by women?"
Hearing this, Sirzechs instinctively asked: "Is that strange? Some demons only recruit female Familia members, don't they?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Sirzechs immediately sensed something amiss and turned to look at Ajuka's uncomfortable expression, then said with a peculiar look:
"Ajuka, do you know something?"
Meanwhile, Serafall reacted even faster than Sirzechs:
"Hey, hey, hey, don't tell me your plan is actually for me to seduce him?"
"No way, no way?"
"You actually..."
Sirzechs and Falbium immediately adopted defensive stances, but before they could react, Serafall said excitedly:
"You're actually this creative~"
Sirzechs: "..."
Falbium: "..."
'We who expected this female demon to have a normal brain... truly have no face left to meet our elders.'
As the two twitched at the corners of their mouths, Serafall's eyes sparkled as she said:
"An evil organisation executive from another world plotting against a Magical Girl... feels super fitting for the current situation~~"
Sirzechs couldn't help but retort: "...No, Director Luo Shu has probably never even seen you before, nor does he know what a Magical Girl is, let alone anything about evil organisation executives."
However, Serafall seemed not to hear this at all, directly dispersing the communication and leaving only a few parting words:
"I'll go pack my luggage now~"
"Wait for me to conquer the evil executive with my charm and return victorious~"
"This woman..."
Watching Serafall's disappearing figure, Sirzechs twitched his mouth, then turned to look at Ajuka:
"So, Ajuka, what exactly are you scheming? Even going so far as to have Serafall probe him?"
At this, Ajuka admitted frankly: "I just suspect that Director Luo Shu's Class might be related to the quantity and quality of women around him."
Hearing this, Sirzechs and Falbium were dumbfounded:
"You're kidding? There's actually such an enviable Class?" X2
"I said it's just a suspicion." Ajuka sighed, then added: "That's why I wanted Serafall to make contact."
"On one hand, she's in charge of diplomacy anyway and at least knows boundaries. On the other hand, it's to test Director Luo Shu's reaction."
"If he actually tries to recruit Serafall... then the answer would probably be self-evident."
"But there's no need for Serafall to sacrifice..." Falbium felt the price was too high: "Couldn't we just find a trustworthy female demon who doesn't need to be too strong?"
Upon hearing this, Falbium immediately felt Sirzechs' murderous gaze.
Noticing this look, Falbium suddenly realised - currently, the only female demon fitting that description would be Sirzechs and Serafall's younger sister?... And these two Satans both seemed to be siscons? And each more severe than the other...
"Alright, forget I said anything." Falbium immediately shut his mouth.
Witnessing this, Ajuka couldn't help but admire Falbium's courage.
He had suggested sending Serafall precisely because he understood the situation - with her involvement, things could still be controlled. If Rias or Sona were sent instead, neither Sirzechs nor Serafall would remain rational.
Sirzechs had already been forced by political circumstances to tacitly accept his family arranging Rias' marriage to the Phenex family. Asking him to actively pressure his sister into pursuing another match would be suicidal.
As for Sona, Serafall treated that child as her very life. Merely mentioning the idea would likely make Serafall turn hostile.
Under these circumstances, wasn't Serafall the only viable choice?
Rubbing his temples in frustration, Sirzechs finally sighed:
"Fine. Since Serafall already has her own ideas about this, let her handle it."
"We should focus on dealing with current matters first."
"Whether it's the Demon Council's plans to invade the Second World or the Khaos Brigade - both are troublesome issues."
"There's every chance we'll end up fighting several battles before this is over."
"Everyone, prepare yourselves mentally!"
After these words, Ajuka and Falbium remained silent for a moment before dispersing their projections.
Left alone in the empty room, Sirzechs thought of his sister and sighed once more.
...
Adachi Ward, Tokyo.
Deep within the park, among the trees.
The Three-Eyed Spider hung from a branch, observing the silver-haired girl led by Enigma. All three eyes on its back focused intently on the girl's figure.
A lost royal bloodline of Aldegia?
If Enigma wasn't playing tricks, then the time for completing her mission wouldn't be far off...