Chapter 101 - Arm Wrestling

"..and so now I am the Youkai Faction's Protector now.", I said getting my family up to speed, "Not exactly how I wanted my day to go, but I couldn't leave them to die."

Giving them a moment to process the information, I glanced over at Eri who was playing on her tablet. She was currently trying to play Connect 4 with Gabriel and was handily being beaten by her. Even though she was doing a good job of hiding it, it was plain to see Eri was frustrated by her continued losses. Gabriel must have noticed Eri's frustration as the scorecard showed that Eri had won a few games against her. If it weren't for those victories, she might have already switched to another game.

"So basically the Devil Faction is making peace impossible because their Founder is a giant asshat.", Rumi stated nodding her head, "Usually I wouldn't say this, but couldn't you have just killed the leadership and solved all the problems? Seems like this is a much more roundabout way to get the same result."

"Yes, but that would have sparked a civil war. Half of the noblemen want war while the others want peace, it's only the respect for their Founder that keeps the peacemakers from rebelling at this point. Killing the four of them will only cause the pent-up frustrations the two groups have to flare up, and countless more people will die. While I frankly could care less about the nobility killing each other, the fighting will spread to the civilians who are desperate for peace.", I remarked, "Believe me I strongly considered killing them, and ending this mess when Lucifer started running his mouth. Had he lashed out at Eri…he would be pushing up daisies right now."

"You should have killed them and taken over like you did my nation.", Arosta giggled with amusement, "That said, you already have a lot on your plate with both Melromarc and the Special Region. I understand your hesitation to add yet another territory to your management worries."

Agreeing with her assessment, I stated I had no interest in taking over more territory at this point. The territory in Melromarc I had received would need a lot of tender love and care for the foreseeable future as people started coming together there. Once I was certain the territory could be self-sufficient and would have minimal racial disputes, only then would I consider adding more territory to my plate. I didn't want to half-ass my work and ruin people's lives over this.

"You going to send her people some food supplies?", Aria asked with a calm expression, "They must be starving to death at this point, and could really use it."

"I already have a package ready to go, however, you are more concerned about the Mystic Sake aren't you?", I teased her, "When we were dating, it was all you talked about."

Surprised by my accusation, she pretended not to understand what I meant and said she only cared about the people. Even though she was saying that her tails told a different story as they whipped around like a hurricane. I couldn't blame her though, Mystic Sake was an incredibly hard beverage to find as the Brewmasters that made it took the recipe to the grave with them. It was an unfortunate consequence of war and starvation…

"I believed you up till you said you were only concerned about the people.", Repune snickered, "All of us know that is a flat-out lie, there is no way you have no interest in the spirits. You have told us countless times about the days when you used to help your grandmother brew it, but you can't recall the recipe now. I guarantee you see this as a golden opportunity to rebuild the legacy your grandmother left behind."

"Yeah, you are even more proud of your heritage than I am!", Gearnia laughed.

With everyone calling her out, Aria quickly changed her tune and conceded she was eager to have the sake as well. She hoped that she could recreate her family's secret recipe based on what she learned from Yasaka's offering. Aria's plan was to bring back her family's lost art and preserve it so our children could continue the tradition for generations to come.

"So we are all clear, we split four jugs and the fifth is just for me right?", Aria inquired with a smile, "I will need a large sample size to increase my chances after all."

"Now you hold on there!!", Purlin hissed defensively, "You aren't getting a whole jug for yourself!!"

Listening to them argue over how much everyone would get, I sent the care package over and was about to text Yasaka when someone knocked on our door. Getting up to answer it, as my wives were too busy negotiating, I went over and opened the door. Seeing L'Arc outside our carriage, he gave me a firm handshake and thanked me again for saving all of them from being sucked out into an icy-cold death.

"We are holding a celebration throughout the capital to mark the occasion, would all of you care to join?", he inquired.

"Sure, I think I can add a few barrels of lager to the pile.", I chuckled.

"Oh no need, we went back and got a bunch of supplies they had been hoarding.", L'Arc stated, "The festivities will start shortly, I thought opening with an Arm Wrestling competition would be a great way to start things off! Meliodas and Ban are already getting warmed up."

I was about to tell him to count me in, but I quickly recalled what occurred every time those two arm wrestled.

"Where are you holding the competition…", I questioned with a cramped expression, "Ban and Meliodas are forbidden from participating."

"It's in the castle hall, why are you forbidding it?", he remarked with a confused look.

"Clearly Elaine and Elizabeth didn't mention what happened last time they arm wrestled.", I sighed, "They don't understand the word restraint when they are having fun."

"What do you-", he started to say before a loud crashing noise shook the city.

Poking my head out of the carriage to look at the castle, we watched the front portion of the building collapse into the courtyard. Watching the color in his face drain away, I suggested he break out the booze now as it was going to be a long night.

—3rd POV—

Calling for an emergency family meeting, after his departure from the ceasefire talks, Zekram Bael's family dropped what they were doing and immediately came to his residence. Taking seats around the family table, everyone could tell that something bad had happened during the negotiations. Giving her father a chance to collect his thoughts, Venelana was the first to speak as her father looked terrible.

"Father, please don't keep us waiting any longer. What caused you to have such a terrible demeanor tonight?", Venelana questioned with a worried tone, "Did the talks not well?"

"I fear a new enemy has appeared, and our race may be facing extinction if nothing is done. As I am sure you are all aware, earlier today a disturbance happened near the Conference Hall where several entities from another universe broke through the World Barrier. One of them, a man named Cole Bolt, killed the other entities with ease and he has now allied himself with the Youkai Faction.", he informed everyone.

"Surely the Devil Kings and our forces should be sufficient enough to fight him.", his son remarked.

"Son, you couldn't be more wrong about him.", Zekram explained, "Cole effortlessly killed Lord Lucifer with a playful smack across the face. I watched his lifeless body spasm on the ground before Cole resurrected him after telling Lady Lilith to find a better husband. Do you understand the gap between us…he doesn't even see us as a minor annoyance."

Hearing the tone in his voice, everyone in the room understood now why he was worried. It was well known that several prominent Devils preferred using Youkai as test subjects. Most scientists could be convinced to stop, but Rizevim was one that wouldn't stop easily. Like his father, Rizevim was a proud and stubborn man who could care less if his actions caused problems for everyone else. His stubbornness could lead to the extinction of their race if nothing was done about it.

"Ajuka and I can try reasoning with him tomorrow.", Sirzechs offered, "We aren't especially close with him, but he may heed our calls with a small show of force. While I don't want to cause a fight with Lord Lucifer, we may need to consider removing Rizevim."

"As much as I don't want to, I agree with you. Try your best to reason with him and if he won't listen, eliminate him. I will take care of any blowback that may come from it.", Zekram assured him, "In the meantime, I want to see about getting someone close to Cole. The Archangel Gabriel has already taken a liking to Cole and his daughter, we need to establish friendly ties and show not all of us want more conflict."

"There are plenty of unwed and widowed women among us, surely we can find one that suits his taste.", Zeoticus suggested, "If you can set up a meeting with Yasaka, I can try speaking with Cole myself and see if we can't match him with someone. If all else fails, maybe there is something material wise that we could offer him that would stay his hand."

"That is a good starting point, I will see about setting something up. Sirzechs, do what you need to do for our kind.", Zekram said.