Lucifer's Castle.
After waiting for a while, when most of the guests had arrived, I made my way to the banquet hall that Greyfia had explained to me. Gil and Enkidu followed me, looking around at the interior of the building.
Sirzechs never explained exactly what he was planning, but I have some educated guesses. If I'm right, he wants to show my power, or rather, the pointlessness of opposing me and showing aggression towards me. I don't know how it's going to play out, but it's going to be a simple demonstration.
After spending two minutes on the way, we found ourselves at a double high door guarded by two demon guards. When they saw me, they jumped up and stood at attention with serious and slightly nervous expressions on their faces.
- "Lord Solo… Lord Archaman," they greeted me in unison, but I preferred to ignore the way they were going to address me first. Besides, Rea-chan was completely ignored, "Lord Lucifer had warned us of your arrival. Should we announce you?"
- "No need to," I waved it off, "As far as I'm concerned, it's too pompous and old-fashioned. And relax, I'm not as aggressive as you've probably been told."
- "As you wish. Enjoy your stay, my lord." They looked at each other more calmly and opened the doors. I covered myself and Rea-chan with a closed field so that I wouldn't be seen. I wanted to walk around a bit and find some familiar faces. Gil and Enkidu entered the ghostly form, apparently just to observe or whatever was born in Caster's mind.
The hall was very spacious and richly decorated. The high ceilings were covered with various patterns of gold, and a single massive crystal chandelier adorned with gemstones illuminated the surroundings with an unnaturally strong but not blinding light. The walls had an understated but solemn look, decorated with golden ornaments. Along one wall were massive windows with luxurious curtains and a couple of exits leading to a balcony bounded by a curb.
Among the large number of demons dressed in lavish gowns and costumes, I quickly found what I was looking for. It was a small group of particularly distinguished persons, including Rias and Sona and their Queens. In addition to them were Sairaorg Bael, Seekvaira Agares, and Zephyrdor Glasya-Labolas, if memory serves me correctly. The protagonist of some Chinese short story who, lacking a generally superior power, developed another and shut up the offenders, an alternate version of Sona with a huge mecha fetish and a member of the masses respectively.
Sairaorg is a very tall guy with short black hair and purple eyes, as well as having a pumped up body. Calm Noble. Seekvaira - A medium height girl with greenish blonde long hair with a visible hairpin in it and pink eyes. Serious and sharp of tongue. Zephyrdor - A guy with blue protruding hair, green eyes, and elf ears. A bully and cannon fodder.
Moreover, the clothes fit that description perfectly. Sairaorg was dressed in what looked like a Chinese outfit meant for training or fighting. Seekvaira wore something between Kuoh's school uniform and nobleman's garb. The latter's attire was a noble costume adjusted for the eccentricity of demons in half-tiger coloring.
- "So, is he coming, Rias?" Seekvaira's businesslike voice rang out, and I decided to listen to their conversation.
- "He?" Ms. Tomato didn't understand at first, and after a couple of seconds she creased her face a little, "I can only say that he is aware of the event and invited. "
- "So, it's safe to say he's coming after all, isn't it? I can't wait to see him in person and have a few words with him."
- "For Satan's sake..." Rias sighed and shook her head, "I have to say, I don't understand your enthusiasm."
- "He's the reincarnation of Solomon," Sairaorg said, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm sure he's a worthy adversary and can offer some advice. I want to learn his power and try to fight him."
- "That's nothing new," Seekvaira grinned, "All you have on your mind is muscle, eh?"
- "I understand, Sairaorg," Sona interjected, "I'd like to try my luck against him too."
- "Sona?" Rias was surprised.
- "What?" Sona shrugged, "He's right about that. Who better than him to make you use everything you've learned. Feel the progress, if you want."
- "That's true, but..."
- "I'm sure I can beat him." Zephyrdor stated arrogantly, to which he received raised eyebrows from Seekvaira, Sona, and Rias, and Sairaorg smiled cheerfully.
- "I hate to dash your hopes, Zephyrdor, but you're going to lose in the first second. Unless, of course, Romani-sensei wants you to." Sona shook her head, and Rias nodded reluctantly.
- "Did you say something, Sitri?" Zephyrdor asked threateningly, "I'm not interested in the opinions of weaklings."
- "Perhaps," Sona said diplomatically, and then smiled snidely and smugly, "Neither do I."
Rias, Seekvaira and Sairaorg stared at her in surprise, while Zephyrdor growled and clenched his fists.
- "Are we sure it's Sona?" Seekvaira squinted her eyes.
- "His madness has caught up with you after all, eh?" Rias shook her head.
- "Interesting." A smiling Sairaorg declared.
- "How about we go out and sort it out, eh, Sitri? Or are you afraid?" Zephyrdor asked.
- "No, thank you. I have enough sense not to make a nuisance of myself at Lord Lucifer's reception. And you, Glasya-Labolas?" Sona challenged, looking at him with superiority.
- "Tch." Zephyrdor clucked and turned and disappeared into the crowd of guests.
Their conversation didn't end there, but I decided to move on.
Listening to them, only Sona and Sairaorg could be distinguished. The former has become more straightforward and confident, something she lacked in canon. Now she's become someone who would be perfect for the lead role, instead of Rias, say. Even if Tomato went for a fix, there's not much to her besides looks. At least in my opinion.
Earlier, she had aroused feelings of resentment and mild dislike, but now, Rias has sort of gone neutral, that is, average and ordinary. Status as an heiress? A retinue? Character? Appearance? Too sweet and typical for my taste. And I'm not even talking about her goals yet. Perhaps some will say this is a very biased point of view, and maybe that's the way it is, but it's silly to deny Sona's attractiveness against Rias.
Sairaorg stands out for her steely will and character. As one iconic video game character said, he snatched his life from the clutches of death, which definitely would have caught up with him if Sairaorg had given up at some point. A demon without demonic power is an outcast and trash. No one would waste resources and time on such an individual, as any other options are simply preferable. But now here he is, one of the strongest demons of this generation, if not the strongest.
- "What do you think of them, Rea-chan?" I asked casually, moving between the guests.
- "Zekram is a fool," she said confidently, "Even if his magic reserves aren't impressive, that doesn't negate the boy's strength. He would be a good clan head, as his leadership skills are also sufficient. The others on the other hand... they're average. Except that Sitri and Agares seem like suitable heirs to me."
- "You know that because of the, uh."
- "The Chaos Brigade, of course. Lady Lucifer had a tendency to gather information and sort through it, noting important details and subtleties. A dossier had been compiled on every member of the Pillars and other important individuals in order to come up with an acceptable plan. After all, you know she's smart, my king."
- "Well, I can't argue with that."
I wonder if she's prepared something for tonight, with me here. It might turn out to be something unpleasant, ah-ah-ah-ah.
Upon reaching the edge of the hall, I found a group of Phenexes consisting of Riser, his queen, and Ravel. They were just standing there watching the others, glasses in hand. And since they had nothing better to do, they're the ones I'll join. I would have chosen Odin and his Valkyrie, but the Phenexes are preferable.
- "Do you mind if I stand with you?" I asked as I stopped beside them and dispelled the closed field, causing them to jump slightly in surprise and alarm. But when they saw me, they breathed a sigh of relief. Riser smiled politely, Yubelluna, his Queen, bowed, and Ravel looked nervous as she adjusted her dress and hair.
- "Of course not, Romani-san. You are always welcome in our family." Without showy pompousness or arrogance, Riser said. It must be because we were relatively far away from the others.
- "Y-yes, my brother's right," Ravel added excitedly, "How was the reception?"
- "Pretty stuffy. That's why I brought Rea-chan with me." I answered and pointed at her.
- "Lady Leviathan." Ravel and Riser greeted her, to which she nodded briefly.
- "Anyway, does anyone know what kind of program is planned for the reception? Well, except for Odin's greeting, of course." I asked, picking up a couple of appetizers from the table.
- "I can't say, but there will be something for sure," Riser shook his head. "After the Council meeting yesterday, my father mentioned that Lord Lucifer had specially invited several of its members here. And since you're here, it's definitely related to you."
- "Uh-huh," Ravel nodded, "Are you going to be alright?"
- "You bet." I smiled and stroked her head, at which she blushed and lowered her gaze, while Riser and Yubelluna smiled softly.
This tiny lady is cute. She felt like a little sister that was nice to be pampered. Something similar to Ophis, but a little different. Did she have romantic feelings for me? I don't doubt it, but not in love yet. I guess. Still, it's pretty hard to ignore her cuteness, no matter how hard I try.
Well, as long as Sirzechs isn't here yet, I can relax. Gil and Enkidu haven't come out of their ghostly form yet. Apparently, Caster hasn't found something fun to do yet.
I created a cup of coffee and mopped up the snacks with it, running my eyes over the guests.
However, that doesn't change the feeling that something unpleasant is about to happen. Also, someone's been watching me. From the moment I stepped through the doors of the hall. I wonder who it is.
-0-
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