Azazel and Odin's quarrel did not continue for long. Sirzechs stood up with a smile and stepped in to smooth things over.
"It has been a long time, Lord Odin."
"So it's Sirzechs. I came to the Underworld at your invitation, but you really do have it rough. The one who should have inherited the name of Lucifer was the White Dragon Emperor, yet he ended up becoming a terrorist. The future of the Underworld does not look promising."
After taking a jab at Sirzechs, Odin turned to Serafall.
"Serafall, what exactly is that outfit you're wearing?"
As fellow Maou, Sirzechs was dressed in formal Maou robes, while Serafall's outfit was gaudy and over the top, with a magic wand still clutched in her hand.
"Oh my, Lord Odin, don't you know? This is a magical girl, which is very popular in the human world right now~"
Serafall struck a peace-sign pose and acted cute.
"Mmm, very nice. Young people these days really ought to learn from you, Serafall, and wear more uniforms like that. Looks good. Old men like me enjoy seeing it."
At that moment, Rossweisse stepped in front of Odin again.
"Lord Odin! Mind the occasion! You are disgracing the name of Valhalla!"
"All right, all right, I get it."
Odin sighed, then looked at Sirzechs and said, "Still, you really do know how to pick the timing, Sirzechs. To make such a big occasion out of things just for your precious little sister? Won't your subordinates grow dissatisfied?"
"It hasn't reached the point of satisfaction or dissatisfaction," Sirzechs replied with a faint smile. "After all, this is mainly a matter between our two houses. If the younger generation can settle it in their own way, then that would be for the best. As elders, we're merely providing them with a platform and an opportunity."
"Still, after arriving here, I made a few inquiries. The opponent your sister is facing is rather strong. There's a very real chance she could lose."
"If she cannot overcome even this degree of obstacle, then there will be no hope for the future of devils. Besides, I do not believe Rias will lose. After all, during this time, both she and her peerage have been receiving guidance from Mr. Rod."
As he spoke, Sirzechs looked toward Rod, who was making Gabriel laugh.
"By the way, Mr. Rod, why do you keep looking at me? And while wearing sunglasses, too?"
Gabriel wore a faint smile as she looked at Rod.
"When a flower is at its fullest bloom, if I don't admire it, that would be rather lacking in appreciation."
"Eh?"
Gabriel blinked, not quite understanding what Rod meant.
Angels tended to be simple-minded, and from a certain point of view, Gabriel, as a Seraph, was frighteningly pure and kindhearted.
Rod's words completely went over her head.
Gabriel might not have understood, but Xenovia and Irina caught every bit of it.
One of them immediately stepped between Gabriel and Rod, while the other reached out as if to cover Rod's mouth.
"Whoa! Don't say something like that to Lady Gabriel all of a sudden!"
Seeing how flustered they were, Rod shrugged.
She did not understand it anyway, so what harm was there in saying a little more?
At that moment, Rod suddenly noticed Azazel shooting him a look full of envy, jealousy, and resentment.
Rod remembered that the earliest fallen angels had fallen because they lost themselves in the warmth of women.
As for which woman it had been, that was unclear.
Still, Rod guessed that old perverts like Azazel had probably spent their days with Gabriel walking around in front of them with that massive chest, able to look but never touch. Over time, it was only natural they turned mentally twisted, then fell the moment some other woman gave them the slightest temptation.
That said, Rod could understand Azazel's feelings.
If it were him, he would not have been able to endure it either.
With that thought, Rod nodded toward Azazel.
The man opposite him looked a little baffled. Even now, Azazel still held a grudge against Rod.
After all, Rod had killed two of his fallen angel cadres and made him lose some dignity, to the point that everyone among the Three Factions now knew he had lost to this guy.
Still, since Rod had shown goodwill first, it would have been awkward for him to keep sulking, so Azazel gave a small nod in return.
A mutual understanding between two men.
This meeting was not an official one.
The reason Rod had been invited was only because he had shown up in the Underworld at Rias's invitation, and when Sirzechs learned of it, he immediately sent someone to bring him over.
What was discussed at the meeting had little to do with Rod. The main topic was still peace, as always.
Of course, this time the true focus was more on Odin.
He had personally come to investigate with the intention of saving Norse mythology, and after seeing that the Three Factions, who had once fought to the point of spilling each other's brains, could now actually shake hands and push development together on every front, Odin was immediately tempted by the idea of an alliance.
The Three Factions and Odin talked for around twenty minutes. All four sides seemed quite pleased, and Odin looked as though he had finally glimpsed the hope of Norse mythology continuing on.
"Well then, everyone, please continue your tour of our Underworld, and at the same time, look forward to my younger sister's Rating Game tomorrow."
After that, the meeting broke up.
With nothing better to do, Rod was planning to head back as well.
But Gabriel curiously followed after him.
"Mr. Rod, before tomorrow arrives, would you be willing to tour the Underworld with me? Although I am a guest, the Underworld still feels somewhat oppressive for an angel. It would be best if I could have an acquaintance with me."
With a busty Seraph personally inviting him, Rod naturally had no reason to refuse.
It was Xenovia and Irina who grew wary instead, watching him like he was some kind of flood beast.
Gabriel was far too innocent. If they let Rod eat Lady Gabriel while they were not paying attention, that would be a disaster.
"As it happens, I brought Asia along too. If she gets to see a Seraph in person, she'll definitely be thrilled."
After saying that, Rod was just about to take them to find Lavinia and the other two when, at the elevator entrance, Odin and Rossweisse were already waiting there.
"Lady Gabriel, Lord Rod."
Rossweisse spoke politely.
"Lord Odin says he has something he wishes to discuss with Lord Rod."
"Then should I give you some privacy?"
Gabriel blinked and asked gently.
"No need. It's actually nothing major. I just want to ask the lad for a favor."
Odin shook his head.
"You should have heard what I said earlier about the predicament of Norse mythology."
"To prepare for the dark age that may be coming, I've been trying to find a way through our troubles. That is precisely why I left Asgard and came here to seek cooperation with you all. But not everyone agreed with that decision. Before I left, there were already people trying to stop me from leaving the Norse pantheon."
"Though I still managed to come, those people certainly won't let the matter drop."
"So, lad, for the next little while, I'd like to hire you."
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