"It's not like we need to actually do anything to damn them. We simply need to covertly prepare to pick up the pieces and reorganize things once Jun-kun's envoys sweep through." Serafall pointed out.
"Well . . . It certainly does not feel good but it is indeed the best option." Sirzechs finally agreed.
"Moving on to the specifics however . . . We need to prepare ourselves for what is coming." He got started on the next topic.
"Right. Even if we're not going to directly interfere with their actions, since we know things will turn sour, readying countermeasures is definitely a necessity." Ajuka nodded in agreement.
"I had our forces ready themselves just in case things hostilities broke out so changing their deployment to one focused on suppressing the coming chaos should be relatively simple." Fabius said.
"Excellent. Serafall, you should get ready for the political fallout that will follow Jun's group's actions." Sirzechs directed.
"If we are to take advantage of the situation to further unify the will of our people then preparing to take over and fill the vacuum left the the casualties from the coming conflict is key." He added.
"Very well. SOmeone will need to take over the escort duties for our "guests" however." Serafall agreed but mentioned a slight issue posed by her new directive.
"Grayfia." Sirzechs turned towards his wife.
"Leave it to me my lords." Grayfia bowed, ever polite and professional despite being pretty much an equal to Satans.
"Yes, that is the best option. Ajuka and Falbius are not really fitting to entertain guest and Sirzechs . . . Well, that would just be provoking them. Grayfia seems to be held in some regard by their group though so she is fitting in terms of status, capabilities and general relations." Serafall gave her wholehearted approval.
"Right then. Falbius will ready our forces, Serafall will make the preparations for the takeover, Grayfia will accompany our guest while Ajuka and I will take charge of the official meeting itself." Sirzechs reiterated everyone's roles and with a collective nod, they all got to work.
A few hours passed with everyone in preparations and then the appointed time arrived.
The official meeting was to be held in Lilith, as in the current capital of the Devil Territory in the Underworld, not the original Devil Jun was planning on stealing.
It was a city ruled by Sirzechs where he thus held even more power than usual, a move to keep things under control but also a very safe choice since the capital was an obvious place for such and important gathering.
Before Morgan and her escorts came in however, a sort of pre-meeting was taking place, where the various bigwigs of the underworld discussed the situation. Though "discuss", might not be the most accurate word to represent the situation.
There were three factions present in the meeting. The New Satans Faction led by Sirzechs with lords like his father Zeoticus Gremory, Lord Phenex and his wife, Ajuka his fellow Satan, among others.
Then there was the Great King Faction, led by Lord Bael as his father, Zekram Bael and the true leader of the faction was officially retired and thus, did not show himself for such public functions Lord Belial who was Cleria's uncle was also present by his side as a member of the faction.
Lastly, there was the Old Satan Faction, with three leaders who were descendents of the Original Satans except Lucifer as his rightful heir, Rizevim Lucifer, Valia's grandfather, was woefully uninterested in such matters and thus stayed out of the faction.
As for the three leaders, they were Katerea Leviathan, Creuserey Asmodeus and Shalba Beelzebub, being the most talented descendents produced by the Old Satan clans in quite a long time.
While the Great King Faction lobbied for greater political power, influence and authority, they were, in the end, in line with the current regime.
The Old Stan Faction on the other hand, was different, they seeked to depose the current Satans who they thought of as unworthy disgraces to the names they currently bore and take over.
It was both out of frustration for having their perceived birthright stolen and out of a desire to fulfil their ancestors' ideals, something which ran completely opposite with the current direction of the Devil Race.
Lacking in power however, they never made overt moves to oppose the current regime as despite their supremacist beliefs, they knew full well that the current Four Satans would demolish them in an open conflict if it came to that.
With the Khaos Brigade riling things up and giving them the power they so desperately seeking however, things were taking a turn and they were getting bolder.
The meeting was seen as a chance by both the Great King Faction and the Old Satan Faction to further their agendas.
The former wished to prevent any travesty to the old ways they held sacred as they believed in blood purity amongst high class devils and Riser and Ravel who were captured fit this profile. If they could use this incident to bring the Phenex House into their fold, even better.
As for the Old Satan Faction, they were thinking of criticizing the "weak" and pacifist approach the New Satans would definitely be going for so as to undermine them and, under the covert direction as well as support from the Khaos Brigade, they aimed to spark a conflict that would enable them to perform a cleaner coup.
Amidst this environment, the pre-meeting started . . . As Morgan tracelessly spied on the whole of the proceedings . . .
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P.a.t.r.e.o.n is officially up!
The link is: https://www.p.a.t.r.e.o.n.com/lusoba without the extra dots of course.
You'll get to read up to FOUR week ahead, a full month, but I'll still post here.
There's also my other novel Archon of DanMachi, do check it out!
I would greatly appreciate any support since this is going to be my breadwinner.