60

- Bob reincarnated devil -

"So there I was minding my own business when all of a sudden the entire world flipped upside down. I shit you not that I genuinely thought the building flipped it happened so fast. next thing I know I woke up and a man is standing over me and he goes ' Congratulations you have been reincarnated. please do not resist. '." the giant demo- devil takes a big chug of some Ale and slams his cup down. "and so the first thing I do is to freak out and punch at him, then my hand is snapped backward. before I can even scream I was healed by some of that miracle juice of his, then he holds me by the shoulders and explains I am his employee."

I look around the room and most people are nodding along like this is normal, how can these people be so calm? we all died! I mean we legit all died and came back as some cracked-out devil things and now we do chores for pay. some of us even got devil fruits for good service and no one seems all that bothered by this. am I crazy?

"And so then I dropped off the box and I swear to you man, the inside of it was full of them. never thought I would see so much of it in my life." everyone takes turns cheering and I can help but wonder if this is how the world ends, a race that grows by murdering and absorbing others.

"Bob! you alright man? you look a little pale, maybe you should go lie down." I smack his hand away and stand up a little too quickly and draw attention. It's too late now, might as well speak my peace.

"how are all of you fine with this?! we are slaves! we died and got pulled into some massive takeover of our home world! you all just go about your day like obedient dogs and lick up whatever is tossed your way!" I breathe deep, my lungs feel on fire with the passion passing through me, no one makes a move or even coughs. "How are you all ok with this!? what about your old lives!?" the giant devil from before stands up and walks toward me, I flinch a bit thinking he will end me. but then I feel a hand pat my back as he looks at me with pity.

"I don't know about you friend, but I was going nowhere. I had been an intermediate rank for fifty years. after reincarnating I have made it to mid-higher and it hasn't even been long. for the service points I have saved up I will buy a devil fruit and then the sky is the limit. to me this is my life, without this opportunity I would have continued to rob and kill just to make enough to feed myself. don't get me started on the health care and free accommodations, Nova may have murdered me but he also gave me a life worth living." a few people holler in agreement but most are nodding. I don't want to admit it but he is on to something, I have never had an opportunity as I have now. I even got my mom healed up when Nova was practicing his new medicine to find the right dose for most wounds. she hasn't been able to walk in years but one drop of that stuff and she can stand on her own.

"You know, maybe I am just overthinking it. I mean it's not like I am blameless either, I did masturbate in public once or twice." quickly he drops his hands and steps back, I wince again feeling all the looks turn from kind and uplifting into judging glares.

-Tara POV- [Catherine's secretary - I spent hours looking for her real name but couldn't find it]

I have everything prepared for Catherine's return, she is to arrive any minute now. she set off to do nirvana and I received the signal from the magic communication device so she succeeded. that means I had to run around and cancel a bunch of plans that were put in place in case she failed. can't be too careful when one mistake in nirvana can end up with instant death.

As I tuck the last of the reports that need immediate attention I notice a carriage pulling into the side entrance of the palace. usually on her arrival, there would be a crowd of nobles to bow and kiss up so that they can try to push for their agendas. but not this time, only me and her even knew she left the capital, which is a feat in enough itself for the sole pillar of leadership in our empire to leave and no one knows.

Catherine makes it inside before dismissing everyone that was accompanying her, I notice Delia quickly head off. I wonder why she seems to be in a rush, I should look into it although I doubt she would be so obvious if it was nefarious but I can't be too careful.

"She is fine Tara, she is rushing off for personal matters. It's good to see you, did everything hold up ok?" I nod and look away from Delia and hand over some reports so she can check them for herself. she speeds through them at a pace that makes me envy a little bit, it would take me at least thirty minutes to look through all that yet she is breezing through it.

"Nova enterprises huh?" she looks at the sheet detailing everything we have on this rapidly expanding business. they are opening up multiple stories all over the three empires, it would have taken more time to even notice something like this if it wasn't for the fact all the stores had an ' opening day ' of selling a devil fruit of all things. that and good alcohol, but I haven't managed to try any myself.

"Yes that was one of the things I wanted to discuss with you before anything else along with the fact that Broc has gone to his fort and locked it down airtight." she nods and looks up from the document and removes her veil.

"Alright, let's head to my room there are some things I need to do real quick." I nod and we head toward her courtyard. It's more like a palace in the palace but that is to be excepted, if she didn't live in such a place people would look down on her. I also notice she looks really good after nirvana, she was already the most beautiful woman I have ever seen but now it just got enhanced. honestly, the Asmodeus family is cheating with that skill.

"So I was thinking that we should get involved in this Nova enterprises so we can try to get some control over it before anyone else. if there are not already under one for the two empires, they are spreading so fast it almost seems like a coordinated attack, it started in the fallen angel empire so there the likely culprit. more specifically the dark moon, there is talk about a ' Nova ' but we admittedly don't have many people there since it's not that important of an estate." Catherine has a rare smile on as we make our way through her garden.

"Well, you could say I already formed a partnership of sorts with Nova enterprises." I momentarily pause before swiftly keeping pace.

"You did?" she nods and her smile spreads a little more.

"I did, a bit unexpected but I have no complaint. I plan on having a guest from them come over soon, maybe tomorrow. I need to get everything caught up with what time is left today and then I can invite him over tomorrow."

"They are close to the capital?" there has been no news of them being close to the capital yet. if that's the case I need to look into this more, their movements are suspiciously fast!

"No, but he can be quickly if need be. but let's put that aside for now I need to prepare some things before I head into my office. help me get some things ready and then we will get started, make sure I am clear for all day tomorrow and that no one is nearby for any reason." I am confused at this turn of events but I agree anyway as we head into her bedroom...wait what are we preparing in her bedroom for a meeting?!

- Teris POV -

"Alright, so other than that everything is going to be completed on schedule with the plan?" the demon kneeling before me quickly nods. "good, have you been able to secure any of the devil fruits from the market? the more the better, I want to meet the one behind all of this and have him join us or we will have to get rid of them. they are small-time shops sprouting up all over the place selling all kinds of hit items, whoever is behind this has a vast amount of resources that I want to get under control. they are already buying massive amounts of land in bloody empire even with me trying to put a stop to it behind the scenes."

"We have managed to find two of them after they were already bought and convince the buyer to resell. they should arrive soon, it's a pity the long-term plan in the dark moon failed to succeed. losing the realm king fruit was unexpected, but there are always other options." there certainly are, but that is going to cost me quite a bit to get the dark elemental king to agree to my request. it's degrading to me and more importantly my master, but I need to break through soon.

"Alright, for now, keep looking into who is behind it and bring them into blood fall at all costs or eliminate them."

- Obsidian POV -

"Isabella, what is this? how can someone working with Shea accomplish something like this without us knowing about it?" I can't believe that this Nova was not a human as earlier reported and is a stupid rich mutant elf or something of that nature. all reports told me he was a powerless human but now all assassins I have sent have disappeared, even a great demon king went missing!

"He is exceedingly good at hiding his albites, I even saw him in person to get his account on the Allen and Joseph incident and detected nothing. either it's a powerful secret method or he is a demon overlord." I clench my fists, Shea can not be allowed to build up momentum! this has to be stopped now before it goes too far!

"Send a demon overlord to ambush him somewhere, I can't kill Shea for fear of General Georges's revolt but I can certainly kill her supporters!" seeing her nod I feel a bit better, the crux of this is that damn artifacts fault for not picking me. "is there news from that elite craftsmen? he was supposed to observe the artifact soon and try to find a new way to use it. with the artifact, in hand, the empire will firmly be under my control, even if Shea tries to start trouble she won't find support."

"He will be here within a week or two, he sent word that he needed to prepare some rare ingredients." I nod and dismiss her, I need to relieve some stress soon or I might snap at someone.

- Georges's POV -

"He seems like a good husband for Athena." Gloria and I walk arm in arm as we enjoy each other's company. I smile thinking about my daughter's smile while talking about Nova, as long as she is happy I have no problems.

"Yea he seems a good man, barely meets the recruitments if you ask me though." Gloria giggles as she snuggles into my side.

"Yea right, he is at least a demon emperor and even got Athena up to emperor tier. she lacks territory but so do we for the most part." I nod and then remember he handed me a ring with some ' gifts ' he said would be able to help us advance.

taking out the ring I peek inside and see some black colored potions and take one out. turning it to see the label we both still as we read it.

"Is that real?" I pop the cork and smell it, not feeling anything off I trust in my new son-in-law and take a sip. instantly I feel my spirit power that has been stuck for a while begin to climb.

"Yea, it's real. he gave me two sets so we both have a set to use."

"That explains the power up Athena had I guess, still there has to be more for such a big jump for her. I mean it was three whole realms in like two weeks." I nod as I finish the bottle and wrap my arm around my wife and head toward the hotel.