"Adrien, there's something I want to talk to you about," Rias said.
Adrien studied her expression for a moment, then glanced at Xenovia.
"Can you take Asia to Mahiru? I think it'd be good if the two of them trained together."
Reading the mood immediately, Xenovia gave a short nod, took Asia with her, and left the area. That left Rias, Adrien, and Akeno alone. As Rias's Queen, Akeno naturally stayed by her side.
Rias lowered her voice. "We already know Azazel, the Governor of the Fallen Angels, is in Kuoh. From what I can tell, he's taken an interest in Sacred Gears. He summoned Issei because of the Boosted Gear."
"And you're telling me this because I have Excalibur Genesis and Sanctum Veil in my Familia, huh?"
Rias nodded. "I thought you should know. He may try to approach them."
"I see… hmm." Adrien thought for a moment. "Rias, can you arrange for my Familia to sleep in the old school building? I'd rather keep them close, though I doubt Azazel would try anything reckless."
"I can do that," Rias replied. "Will you stay with them?"
"Nah. If they're with you, he won't approach them so easily. I'd rather stay here. It's peaceful, and there's no city noise."
"Is that so..." Rias shot a glance between Adrien and Akeno.
Akeno reading her mind said, "for now there's nothing between us." she chuckled slightly.
"For now?" Rias asked, then she sighed, "Akeno... really?"
--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>
"What's your type, Mahiru?"
"I usually train with weights and by swinging my sword over and over."
"Hey, leave me a slice!"
Rias and Adrien's Familias were gathered inside the Occult Research Club room, which was now so crowded it could barely hold everyone. Small groups had formed naturally. Some were talking about relationships and normal teenage things, while the sword fighters were discussing blades and training with each other.
For a moment, it looked like an ordinary gathering of friends.
Since the battle against Kokabiel, both Familias had grown much closer. Irina had already left and returned to the Vatican.
"The attacker who killed six people yesterday in a busy shopping district in Shinjuku has now taken eight hostages inside this daycare center, including children and teachers."
Rias, Akeno, and Adrien were sitting on the sofas, watching the TV. A hostage situation was being broadcast live.
"The police have now identified the suspect as 42-year-old Kurou Otoharada, unemployed. Negotiations with the suspect will begin shortly."
"And they say devils are evil, when mankind is the most evil of all," Rias said, frowning at the screen.
"This has been a report from the scene."
"Thank you very much. What do you think, Mr. Hashimoto?"
"Well, I'm hoping for a quick resolution."
Adrien who was scrolling on his phone, glanced at the tv for a second.
"Just a minute! There seems to be something happening."
"The hostages are coming out! They all seem to be fine!"
On the screen, the figure of children and adults escaping from the daycare appeared.
"It looks like the SWAT team is entering! has the suspect been arrested!?"
"Yes! We just received word that the suspect died inside the daycare center! The suspect is dead! The police are strongly denying that they shot the suspect!"
"That's weird..." Akeno said.
Everyone in the room had shifted their attention to what was happening on the news.
"How did he die?" Saeko asked to no one in particular.
"According to one of the hostages, 'the suspect just suddenly collapsed.'"
"A heart attack?" Kiba said.
"What are the chances!?" Asia replied, she joined her hands together as if she was about to pray.
"Do you think it's supernatural?" Rias asked, looking at Adrien.
Adrien didn't answer, he just shrugged then returned to his phone.
--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>
"Tomorrow is the open house for Kuoh Academy," Akeno said as they walked back to the shrine.
Adrien had said he wanted to walk there, so Akeno decided to join him—though not before receiving sharp glares from the girls of his Familia. Even Rias had given her a suspicious look.
"Is that so? Ours will be in around two weeks," Adrien replied.
"We've been taking walks together at night quite a lot recently, haven't we?"
"Yeah, it's pretty obvious you're stalking me," Adrien said with a smirk.
"Ara~, what makes you think that?" Akeno replied playfully. "Couldn't it be that I simply wanted to walk home and enjoy the moonlight? We devils are at our strongest at night, after all."
"Yeah, yeah. If you say so."
They continued walking at a slow pace through the lit streets of Kuoh. Akeno kept talking about this and that, while Adrien mostly just listened. Then he suddenly turned onto the wrong path.
Just as Akeno was about to point it out, Adrien reached out, grabbed her hand, and interlocked their fingers. He looked at her and smiled.
Her eyes widened, and her heartbeat quickened. She wanted to tease him like usual, but no words came out. Instead, she quietly smiled and moved closer until their shoulders touched as they walked.
They walked through the streets of Kuoh for around ten minutes before Adrien suddenly stopped. They had reached a quiet area of town, a park where people rarely passed even during the day. At night, the place was completely empty.
Akeno looked at Adrien, her cheeks were red. She closed the distance between them pressing her large chest against him.
Adrien suddenly looked behind him, surprising Akeno slightly.
"If you think I can't sense you, then you're a complete idiot," he said, sounding completely unbothered.
A handsome young man with dark silver hair stepped out from the small forest near the park. He walked toward them calmly and stopped a few meters away from Adrien.
"I suppose this is our second meeting, Adrien Agares."
Akeno's eyes widened. She was about to move, but Adrien raised a hand to stop her.
"Akeno, teleport back to the shrine."
"Wait, what… no wa—" before she could finish, Adrien touched her shoulder and she vanished instantly.
"Interesting. Was that an instant teleportation technique? You used it without any visible demonic energy… no, it must have been an extremely tiny amount."
"So you're the White Dragon," Adrien said calmly. "Did you really think I wouldn't notice you watching us?"
"No. I knew you would," the young man replied. "And I was counting on it."
Adrien had sensed Vali observing them since he was still inside the old school building. Because of that, he chose to walk back to the shrine instead.
What he had not expected was Akeno suddenly deciding to accompany him. He had no intention of telling everyone that the Vanishing Dragon was nearby, so he simply let her come along—then guided the situation until they reached a secluded area.
"Do you usually stalk people like that?"
"No," Vali replied flatly. "Only the ones who seem worth my time. I was checking what kind of person you are."
"Checking me out? Look, I'm not gay—"
"That's not what I meant," Vali said, sounding mildly annoyed. "Stop screwing around."
His gaze stayed fixed on Adrien. "Adrien, where do you think you stand among the strongest beings in this world?"
Before Adrien could answer, Vali continued on his own. "From what I've seen so far, maybe you make the top forty. That's me being generous."
"Hmm, top forty? If you say so," Adrien replied with a shrug.
"There are a lot of monsters in this world," Vali said calmly. "Even the Crimson Satan—your Sirzechs Lucifer—doesn't make the top ten. But there's one position no one argues about, first place has never changed."
"Is that so?"
"You'll learn soon enough."
Adrien gave him a bored look. "Did you come here just to talk nonsense and leave? If you've got something to say, then say it. I don't have all night."
Vali's expression did not change. "What makes you think I'm not here to kill you on Azazel's behalf? You did kill one of his leaders."
"Because if you were really here to kill me, you'd have come in your Balance Breaker," Adrien replied casually. "If this is your attempt, then you've severely underestimated me."
"I have?" A faint hint of amusement entered Vali's voice. "From what I see, you're nothing more than an Ultimate-class devil with an oversized ego. Killing a washed-up weakling like Kokabiel isn't something worth praising."
"Now, now, let's stop the bickering."
A voice came from above them. Both Adrien and Vali had sensed the newcomer before he spoke, yet neither had taken their eyes off the other. If one moved while the other's guard was lowered, even for an instant, it would create an opening.
Floating in the sky was a tall man who looked to be in his mid-twenties, with black hair streaked by golden bangs. Twelve wings spread from his back.
The man descended and landed between the two young men.
"Sorry for the trouble, Adrien," he said casually. "Vali's obsessed with fighting. He came to see you on his own."
Adrien gave a cold smirk. "Azazel, don't you know how to control your pets? First that Astral lapdog of a leader you had, and now this brat walks up here acting like he's got big balls."
"You really do have a way with words," Azazel said with a crooked grin. "For the record, Kokabiel wasn't exactly taking orders from me. That idiot stopped listening a long time ago. If anything, you saved me the trouble of dealing with him myself."
He then glanced toward Vali. "And you—quit picking fights every time you catch the scent of someone strong. You're making me look like a terrible boss."
"That had nothing to do with you, Azazel," Vali replied coldly, still glaring at Adrien after the insult.
"Didn't you say Adrien didn't interest you?" Azazel asked with a smirk. "Change your mind?"
Vali gave no answer. Instead, luminous wings spread from his back. With a sharp burst of speed, he shot upward into the night sky and vanished almost instantly.
Azazel turned to Adrien. "I've heard quite a lot about you. The last time I saw Thor, he had plenty to say about you."
"Send him my regards if you see him again," Adrien said. "And tell him he still owes me a weapon."
Azazel burst out laughing. "There's one more thing before I go. Can I meet the wielders of Excalibur Genesis and Sanctum Veil? As you may have heard, I'm a pretty passionate Sacred Gear researcher, and both of those are very rare."
Adrien studied Azazel's face, carefully reading his expression. After about half a minute of silence, he finally spoke.
"They're staying in the old school building at Kuoh Academy, Rias's place. If you manage to sneak in, you can probably meet them."
Azazel raised an eyebrow. "That's unexpected. I thought you'd reject my request."
"You accepted my request to take Tokyo," Adrien replied. "It'd be rude of me to refuse. On your way there, help them out a little with their Sacred Gears. You're probably more knowledgeable than me when it comes to that stuff."
"So that's what you were really after. I don't mind, but why do you trust me?"
"Kokabiel acted on his own with that ridiculous plan after you'd probably already rejected him several times, so I figured you want peace just as much as we do."
"I see. You're right," Azazel said. "I prefer the world as it is now over the old days of war. Well then, it was a pleasure talking to you. See you around."
With that, Azazel turned around and walked away.
This had been Adrien's plan from the start.
He wanted Azazel to meet Mahiru and Mary, but he did not want them meeting him alone. Adrien was also going to be busy over the next few days, so he would not be able to stay with them all the time. So when Rias came to speak with him earlier that day, he got the idea to send his group to her place instead. That way, Azazel could meet Mahiru and Mary there while several other people were around.
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if we reach 90 Power stones by tomorrow I'll drop another two.
The next mini arc gonna be fun.