Chapter 236
Igor fulfilled his role exceptionally well. He never showed it, Ajuka always wanted his people to reach for higher heights. Igor has shown himself to be the key to that and no matter what, he would always remember that.
"Thank you, esteemed elders."
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|DxD|
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The rest of the meeting seemed to have passed by in a blur. Serafall went on and reported the current state of affairs and the progress of several alliances that fell, passed, or are still in progress.
Sirzechs took the moment to time to explain the circumstances behind Eunice's death and seemed very mournful of her loss. Everyone knew that was nonsensical.
While the satans continued leading this gathering forward, Aurelia had lost all will to pay attention. No matter how she tried to silence her thoughts, she couldn't forget how Igor seemed too invested in this venture.
Particularly, this statement had her glancing at him every once in a while.
'You can hide at your clans. I will personally travel to find you and kill you right in front of your sons.'
She wasn't sure if Igor meant it or was bluffing, but she was almost sure it was the former. From her knowledge, Igor was not one for empty threats. If he said he would kill the father in front of the son, then he would do it.
But could he take that leap? Could he callously kill someone who was possibly innocent? Or was he banking on that the sons would be just as rotten as their fathers? She didn't know what to think. All she knew however, was that Igor had gone dark.
If Igor was taking this matter of the elders personally, then she had to find a way to-
"Esteemed Elders. This concludes today's weekly gathering. We offer our sincere gratitude for sparing the time to come and we 'hope' we can see you next Sunday."
She looked up in a daze when she heard the sound of feet shuffling towards the doors. The Elders were despondent as they walked out. None of them caused any noise and absolutely none of them looked back.
When she turned to face Igor, he seemed impassive as ever. But if she looked closely enough, she could see the veiled abhorrence he held for the elders.
"..."
She had to deal with this. It would not do good for him if he became too invested. She would rather end this whole alliance than see him get stained by the blood of worthless beings.
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|DxD|
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Remote Location, Devil Territory, Underworld
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In a dimly lit room, Zelefam Bael sat behind a curtain of darkness that shrouded his figure. The only visible appendage was his pale hand adorned in various rings. He sat quietly with a lit cigar stick gently wafting smoke from its tip.
Soon, his peace was disrupted by a masked subordinate appearing in front of his desk like the wind.
"Lord Bael. I come with an urgent report. Elder Zelithor has met an unfortunate end within the confines of the parliament hall. Reports and eyewitness accounts suggest he was killed by the Aryan known as Igor von Dimori."
"..."
A brief period of silence entered before slowly, red eyes glowed in the darkness before dimming again.
"Oh? Tell me more."
"Yes, Lord Bael. Emissaries from the Vapula were sent to the False Lucifer to demand an explanation. In return, they received the severed heads of those emissaries as an explanation."
"Did Sirzechs kill them?"
"No, my lord. It is reported that the Aryan was responsible for doing so."
"Hmmm…"
His hand disappeared behind the curtain of darkness. In the silence, Zelefam drew upon his cigar before letting his hand see the light once more.
"Tell me, Number Three. How likely is it that the person behind those two surges of power was him?"
"Reporting, Lord Bael. The first surge in Kuoh was unclear, but the second surge happened right in the Parliament Halls. We have yet to find an opportunity to directly converse with some of the elders under our ranks, but we are ninety-percent sure the surge of power was caused by the Aryans and seventy-percent sure it was caused by Igor von Dimori."
"..."
Zelefam sunk into his thoughts once more. The power he felt from the capital managed to reach him all the way here in such a remote location. Igor was undoubtedly powerful, more powerful than Sirzechs or Ajuka.
"This is indeed…troubling."
An unknown variable with unknown affiliation has entered the political scene through Sirzechs. And it seems they had no qualms in eliminating the opposition.
"How troubling. Might I suppose you have any ideas, Number Three?"
"Reporting, Lord Bael. Everyone has a weakness that can be exploited. I humbly suggest that we find the Aryan's weakness and use it against him."
"Mm. A simple plan, but I suppose it is the only mode of action for now."
Zelefam quietly stretched his finger and tapped it on his desk three times.
Thump Thump Thump
It was slight, but a faint trickle of demonic power would leak with every tap like a sonar. It didn't take long before soon, the magic circle of the Nebiros appeared on the ground.
Vwong!
In a purple flash of light, a masked subordinate appeared. There was no time for pleasantries. The moment he appeared, Zelefam spoke.
"Number Thirty-Seven. I hope you have worthwhile news for me."
#37 did not dally and got down on one knee.
"Y-yes, Lord Bael. We have received news from the Naberius that Igor von Dimori has killed elders Zelithor Bael and Dagan Vapula and crippled Luzan Phenex. The exact method of crippling Elder Luzan is unclear, but everyone witnessed his demonic power leave his body. He has lost all of his demonic power and his immortality. A further report states that delegates from the Vapula clan were beheaded by the Aryan when they went to seek an explanation from Sirzechs Gremory."
"Mm."
Zelefam nodded contently. So far, everything #37 said to him matched with what #3 said to him. What he was undoubtedly interested in was Igor's ability to strip a devil of their power. Such an ability would solidify his clan's position as overlord.
Now more than anything, he wanted to meet the boy. But first, he needed to find a way to bring him here.
"Any reports on the task I gave you, Thirty-Seven?"
"Reporting, my lord. We have launched an investigation by looking into Dimori's close relationships. We particularly analysed the identities of Asia Argento and Akeno Himejima. T-The time was short, but we have managed to gather enough data to compile into dossiers."
Number Thirty-Seven was very nervous when he took out the dossiers. He was afraid that Zelefam would be dissatisfied and kill him on the spot. But what could he do? Not even a full two days had passed since his lord issued him with this task.
"..."
Quietly, Zelefam received the dossiers and opened them.
…
File ID: #1105199221215145
Date Issued: 27 August 1999
Classification: Lord
...(Next Page)
Name: Asia
Surname: Argento
Race: Human
Familial Status: Abandoned Orphan
Born: 11 May, 1992
Existing Relations: Vasco Strada, Igor von Dimori (Suspected)
Current Residence: Kuoh, Japan (Suspected)
Sacred Gear: Twilight Healing
Power: (
…(Next Page)
Summary: Asia Argento is an orphan abandoned by her parents. In 1996, she was picked up by Vasco Strada after her sacred gear was revealed.
For the past three years, she was the catalyst for many of the Vatican's movements and rapid expansion.
She is highly suspected to be the root cause behind the False Alarm Incident in 1996 where there is reasonable suspicion that it was her first encounter with Igor von Dimori.
A month ago, she suddenly vanished from the Vatican which coincided with when Vasco Strada started taking a hardline stance against his rivals.
She arrived together with the Aryan siblings at the Gremory Household, casting the light that she might've taken residence in Kuoh.
It is beyond suspicion to the point of complete assurance that Asia Argento is very precious to Igor von Dimori.
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After reading the summary, Zelefam turned a few more pages where further information about Asia as well as her pictures were printed on the page. Since she wasn't a combatant, there wasn't much information about her.
So he took the second dossier and gave it a cursory read.
…
File ID: #2107199002010311
Date Issued: 27 August 1999
Classification: Lord
...(Next Page)
Name: Akeno
Surname: Himejima
Race: Human-Fallen Hybrid
Familial Status: Existent
Born: 11 May, 1992
Existing Relations: Shuri Himejima (Mother?), Igor von Dimori (Suspected)
Current Residence: Kuoh, Japan
Sacred Gear: Nonexistent
Power: (
…(Next Page)
Summary: Akeno Himejima is suspected to be the union between Shuri Himejima and an unknown fallen angel. Records show she has been attending school in Kuoh since she was very young but it is unclear whether Shuri Himejima is posing as her mother or is truly her mother. Nonexistent DNA confirmation leave this conclusion up for debate.
It was observed that she appeared to be rather close to Igor upon their arrival at the Gremory Manor. Her reluctance to part from him suggests a sibling sort of relationship.
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Zelefam paged on but there wasn't any significant information about Akeno. Her nature from the report revealed her to be extremely wary around devils while Asia was the opposite.
"Hmm…"
Asia's unnatural kindness was relatively easy to find information on. Hundreds and thousands had been healed by her and they all spoke volumes of her kindness. On paper, she would be easier to kidnap than Akeno, but the risks were still there.
"Is this all? Could you not identify other avenues we could use to 'approach' the Aryan?"
"Apologies, my lord. But those are the only two viable candidates. Shuri Himejima was also up for consideration, but she never leaves Kuoh. Not only would our agents be detected if they tried to enter the barrier, Falbium Glaysa-Labolas would be quick to respond. We had received word that he departed for Kuoh by one of our spies."
"Oh?"
Was this the Satans' way of sending a message? The children were in the Gremory Manor and Falbium had personally gone to Kuoh. No matter what, a single attempt would result in failure.
"We are not pressed for time."
He placed the dossiers on the table.
"Continue to analyse the situation appropriately. As long as we can secure either of these children, we will be able to place the Aryan under our control. While both targets are reasonable, why don't we deal with two birds with one stone?"
His intentions were glaringly obvious.
"Thirty-Seven. Here is your new mission objective. You and Number Three will coordinate together to find a method to obtain Asia Argento. Use all available resources to complete this mission."
Gradually, two red eyes glowed in the darkness.
"By any means necessary."
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AN
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Sooo…any wagers on how long the Underworld lasts?