Meeting the All-Father

Underworld, Satan Territory, Capital City, Lilith.

"Anyway, let's forget about the girl whose never had a boyfriend." Odin said with a laugh. "This will be the first [Rating Game] I've ever seen. Who are the participants?"

"Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri." Azazel said as he glanced at Sirzechs and Serafall. "Younger sisters of two out of the Four Great Satans."

"Oh, this could be interesting." Odin said as he stroked his beard.

Then, until the [Rating Game] started, the Four Great Satans, Michael, Azazel, and Odin engaged in small talk. Although most of Odin's chatter revolved around flirting with Serafall. While Serafall rejected his advances mercilessly with a cheerful smile on her face.

"It's time." Grayfia said quietly.

After hearing Grayfia's voice, the leaders stopped their chatter and turned their attentions to the screen that would display the [Rating Game] between Sona and Rias.

"{Ladies and gentlemen!}" The announcer shouted across the broadcast system. "{Once again I would like to welcome you to a match between this year's young devils.}"

Through the monitor, everyone could see that the crowd in the arena was excited.

"It still amazes me how willing those people are to flock back to the site of a terrorist attack." Azazel said with his usual shit eating grin on his face. "But if they showed up because they are expecting a match like yesterday's [Game], they're going to be disappointed."

"Oh, I heard about the attack from the.... What do you call them? Khaos Brigade?" Odin said as Azazel's speech drew his attention. "But what do you mean by a match like yesterday's [Game]'?"

With that, Azazel began to tell the story of James' match. Though he purposefully left the identities of his peerage a secret. And when he was done, Odin's next words made Azazel's smile widen.

"I think I'd like to meet that young man." Odin said while stroking his long beard. "Would it be possible to call him here?"

Hearing that, Sirzechs, Serafall, Ajuka, and Grayfia all raised an eyebrow. Michael on the other hand did not change his expression, maintaining that kind smile on his face. Then, Azazel nodded his head.

"I can make the request." Azazel said. "But there is no guarantee he will show up."

"What? You can just order a brat like that to show up, right?" Odin asked.

"In most cases, yes." Sirzechs replied.

"But Jay-Kun just made Ultimate-Class a few days ago." Serafall followed up.

"So, unless it's a matter of great importance, we cannot just order him around." Ajuka said, finishing the explanation.

"Are you telling me this young man is already Ultimate-Class?" Odin asked, his curiosity about the young, James Alaverus, intensifying. "Well, go ahead and make the request. I can only hope that he accepts."

Underworld, Gremory Territory, alaverus Estate.

"Well, the [Rating Game] should start soon." James said while watching the television in the living room with the rest of his peerage and his parents. "Any predictions?"

"I know of Sona and her peerage's abilities." Scathach said. "However, I am unfamiliar with Rias' teams' capabilities, so I will refrain from making any predictions."

Everyone nodded in understanding at Scathach's statement.

"Well, I'd have to go with..." Cu Chulainn began to say before he was interrupted.

"Sona." everyone said simultaneously.

Cu Chulainn could feel his eyebrow twitching involuntarily when everyone stated his prediction before he could say it.

"Your expression is asking 'how did we all know?'" James said with a smile. "It's quite simple, actually. It's because Tsubaki is on that team. So, we know where your heart is leaning."

Everyone nodded in agreement with James' statement. Then, when Cu Chulainn's lip began to twitch, everyone laughed at his expression.

"Anyway, does anyone else have a prediction...?" James said. He began to trail off, however, when a communication magic circle appeared next to his right ear.

When everyone else noticed the magic circle, they fell silent. Then, after checking the crest on the magic circle, James brought his right hand to the magic circle and injected a strand of his demonic power into it to activate it.

"Hello." James said as if he were answering a telephone.

"{Good evening, James. This is Grayfia.}" Grayfia said from the other side of the magic circle.

"Hey, what can I do for you, Grayfia?" James asked casually.

"{Your presence has been requested to meet with a guest.}" Grayfia replied "{If possible, you and your [Queen] Should make your way to the Devil Council Building.}"

"Is this an important guest?" James asked, thinking he should know what kind of attitude he should take.

"{He is.}" grayfia replied. "{However, this is an informal meeting, and he isn't one for formalities.}"

"I see." James said with a nod. "We'll be there in about ten minutes."

"{Thank you, James."}" Grayfia said, a smile could be heard clearly from her tone. "{I will meet you outside of the main entrance.}"

Then, Grayfia ended the communication magic. After that, James looked toward Scathach.

"Master, mind taking a trip with me?" James asked with a smile. "It seems the higher ups want us to meet someone."

"Hmm, this could be interesting." Scathach said without changing her expression. "When do we leave?"

"Let me put on something a little more presentable, then we'll go." James said as he stood to his feet.

After that, James walked to his bedroom and picked out a light grey suit, black dress shirt, black leather dress shoes, and a black tie with silver and red accents. Five minutes later, he returned to the living room.

"Alright, let's go." James said.

Scathach then stood from her seat and used magic to change into her battle attire. Then, with her spear in hand, she stood next to James, who created a teleportation magic circle. A moment later, James and Scathach disappeared from the living room.

Underworld, Satan Territory, capital city, Lilith.

After grayfia ended her communication with James, she excused herself from the small meeting room. Then, she walked through the Devil Council Building, nodding in greeting to anyone who greeted her. After a few minutes, she reached the building's entrance. Waiting patiently, grayfia began to imagine the expression Odin would make when he saw Scathach.

'Seeing Master Scathach should help that old man to keep his eye to himself.' Grayfia thought. 'I'm sure he'll be a little better behaved after seeing her.'

With that thought, a smile crept onto Grayfia's face unconsciously. At the same time, a teleportation magic circle appeared on the ground in front of her. Then, James and Scathach appeared from the magic circle. And of course, they caught sight of Grayfia's happy smile.

"Hey, Grayfia." James said with a smile. "You really should smile more often. Your smile is really quite beautiful."

Instead of replying, Grayfia erased the smile from her face and nodded.

"Please, James, Master Scathach, follow me." Grayfia said as she turned toward the building.

Although James did not notice anything, Scathach could see that the tips of Grayfia's ears had turned red. Then, from behind James she slightly smiled.

'That woman is quite cute.' Scathach thought to herself. Not intending to embarrass the proud woman.

Then, as Grayfia retraced the route she used to reach the building's entrance, James and Scathach followed her. After a few minutes, they reached the door to the meeting room where the leaders of the Three-Way Alliance were hosting their guest.

*Knock!* *knock!*

"Lord Lucifer, I've arrived with James Alaverus." Grayfia announced her arrival after knocking.

"Please, come in." Sirzechs reply came from the other side of the door.

Upon receiving permission, Grayfia opened the door. Then, she gestured for James and Scathach to enter. Nodding to Grayfia, James led Scathach into the room. Then, once he was inside, he scanned the room briefly. Noticing two unfamiliar faces, James assumed that the old man sitting next to Azazel was the important guest.

As James entered, Odin's eye focused on him.

'Is this boy really only eighteen?' Odin thought to himself. 'He's in the latter half of the minor god-rank.'

Then, Odin noticed the woman standing behind him, and is complexion paled.

"You, what are you doing here?" Odin asked as he pointed a finger at Scathach. "How did you get out of the Land of Shadows?"

"All-Father, it has been a while." Scathach said without changing her expression. "To make a long story short, my geass with the Celtic pantheon has been completed."

"I guess that answers the question of how you are here." Odin said, turning his attention back to James. "So, you're the undisputed strongest devil of the younger generation, James Alaverus, huh?"

"And you're the All-Father of the Norse pantheon, Odin." James said with a polite bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise." Odin said as he waved off the show of etiquette. "Oh, and this is my bodyguard, Rossweisse."

"Well met." Rossweisse said as she tapped her right fist on the left side of her breast plate twice.

After the introductions, James and Scathach were offered seats. Once seated, Azazel with a mischievous expression asked James a question.

"So, James, who do you think will be the winner in this [Rating Game] between your two fiancées?" Azazel asked as he glanced at James.

Hearing this question, Sirzechs and Serafall's eyes lit up. The intensity of the light in their eyes was strong enough to burn holes through most solid objects. And, of course, without even looking, James could feel those gazes locked onto his body.

'That damn crow has nothing better to do than to cause trouble for me, huh?' James thought to himself as he gazed at Azazel without losing his smile.

"Well, I'll hold my judgement until we know what kind of [Game] they'll be playing." James replied. "After all, Ri Ri and Sona each have advantages and disadvantages that will show in different situations."

Hearing that, everyone nodded in agreement. Unfortunately, Azazel was not yet done starting trouble.

"Well, if they were to match up against you, what would be their chances of winning." Azazel asked.

"Zero." James replied without hesitation. "Even though Ri Ri has enough fire power to compete with most of my peerage, when it comes to strategy and tactics, I'm better. Not to mention, I also out class her by quite a bit in terms of power. And even though Sona is skilled enough as a strategist to give me trouble, my peerage's power is more than her strategies could stop."

Hearing James' explanation, everyone nodded. Though, Sirzechs and Serafall had bitter expressions. It was clear that they would retort to James' assessment if they could.

"However, that's assuming that Master did not participate." James said with a smile. "If Master were participating, it would be even worse. First, I would leave the team's strategy to her, since she is better at it than I am. And second, adding another minor god-rank who can compete with and kill those at the major god-rank, wouldn't be fair, would it?"

Once again, everyone in the room nodded. Then, Odin asked a question.

"So, both those girls are engaged to you, right?" Odin asked, clearly more interested in his new topic than discussing a topic related to battle.

"That's right." James replied with a nod and a smile.

"So, having two girls, huh?" Odin said with a smile that most men would be able to understand. "it's nice, right?"

"Uh... Sure?" James answered awkwardly.

"What's with that expression?" Odin asked with a slight frown. "Don't tell me you haven't had them yet."

*Cough!*

Because of Odin's crude question, Sirzechs coughed violently. Serafall on the other hand blushed. She could not help it. She remembered the time when she intruded on James and Sona's private time. James on the other hand maintained his awkward smile.

"Two... is inaccurate." James replied after a moment.

Hearing that, Odin's eye widened while Rossweisse looked at James with curiosity.

"Really, how many?" Odin asked as he leaned forward toward James unconsciously.

Before James could answer, however, Michael interrupted.

"Rias and Sona are making their entrances." Michael said without losing his smile. "The type of [Game] should be chosen soon."

With that, the conversation came to an end. But out of the corner of his eye, Odin could see that James was holding up three fingers on his left hand and four on his right. Then, Odin's eye widened in surprise.

'I doubt the number is in the double digits yet.' Odin thought to himself. 'Even so, seven at his age is rather impressive.'

At the same time in the [Rating Game] Arena, Rias and Sona had both led their peerages to their respective platforms. Then, like with James and Diodora, the platforms began to rise. When they reached their zenith, a bridge extended from each. And when they met in the middle, a pedestal rose.

Then, Rias and Sona began to walk toward the pedestal. When they arrived, neither wasted any time placing a hand on the pedestal. Then, the roulette wheel appeared. While it spun, Rias and Sona spoke quietly.

"So, we're really doing this, right?" Rias asked excitedly.

"that's right." Sona replied with a nod and a serious expression. "The winner gets the title of first wife."

A moment later, the roulette wheel stopped.

"{Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's [Game] will be [Point Defense]!}" The announcer shouted excitedly. "{For those of you who are unfamiliar with the rules, allow me to explain. One side will be set as the defending side while the other will be on offense. The defending team will have three points to defend. The offense must occupy and hold all three spots for a minute each before the time limit of four hours runs out. And the defensive side must prevent that from happening for the duration of the [Game]. Naturally, the game can be ended early if either [King] is retired.}"

While the announcer was explaining the rules, it was decided that Sona would be the defending team.

"{Now, both teams, please enter your teleportation circles. We will begin the [Game] momentarily.}"