After a brief wait, Serafall entered carrying a black wooden box with both hands. The Leviathan quickly showed her respect to both hostesses, bowing her head toward the two women. She had set aside her usual energetic personality in favor of the maturity expected from one of the Four Great Maou.
"Lady Amaterasu. Lady Yasaka."
Yasaka immediately took control of the unexpected meeting. She returned the Maou's greeting with a polite inclination of her head before gesturing toward the empty cushion beside the tea table. "Please, take a seat."
"Thank you."
Serafall carefully settled onto the cushion before placing the wooden box beside her. For several seconds, none of the three women said a single word. Yasaka studied Serafall's unusually serious expression, while Amaterasu did the same from the opposite side of the table.
For her part, Serafall was already facing her own dilemma. Honestly, she had not expected to find Amaterasu there. She would have preferred to speak with Yasaka alone, especially since she had a much closer relationship with the kitsune. However, asking the leader of the Shinto Pantheon to leave the room was not exactly a reasonable option.
Finally, Yasaka broke the silence with a courteous smile.
"I must admit that I wasn't expecting a personal visit without prior notice from one of the Four Great Maou. Especially after all the news currently circulating throughout the supernatural world." Her expression softened slightly before she continued. "I hope things are improving for you and your faction, Lady Serafall."
The kitsune had spoken with complete courtesy, making her goodwill toward the Maou clear despite everything that had happened between their respective factions.
Serafall let out an awkward laugh while rubbing the back of her neck, a display of embarrassment that was rather unusual for her.
"Uhhh... thank you, Lady Yasaka. To be honest, I wasn't expecting to visit you either, but you know how these things are. Sometimes one has to do what is necessary, not what one truly wants." Serafall's smile tightened slightly before she continued. "And regarding the Underworld... well, you are absolutely right. If someone had told me a few weeks ago that I would be here representing it under these circumstances, I probably would have called them insane."
The Maou's answer brought a small smile of understanding to Yasaka's face. If anyone understood that feeling of helplessness, it was her. She had always preferred to avoid violence whenever possible, not because she lacked strength, but because she understood her position within the supernatural world perfectly. Yasaka was powerful, especially within Kyoto, but she also knew that there were beings in the world capable of destroying everything she had built if she made the mistake of provoking the wrong person.
Because of that, she had preferred to maintain peace and avoid unnecessary conflicts for years. Unfortunately, that strategy had not proven particularly effective, and trouble had found her anyway. At least those problems had remained manageable thanks to the protection of the Shinto Pantheon, which had been essential in preserving her faction's independence. Without that support, Yasaka was certain that the yokai under her command would have been conquered or absorbed by another faction long ago.
"Yes, I understand you perfectly," the kitsune replied sincerely. "I have found myself in similar situations before."
Serafall's smile faltered slightly. She understood exactly what Yasaka meant, especially considering that her own faction had been involved in one of the worst problems the kitsune had ever been forced to face.
Serafall tried to push those thoughts aside as her hands tightened gently over her lap.
"...Yes. It is a rather unfortunate situation," the devil replied quietly.
"I'm certain you have a reason for coming all the way here, Serafall," Amaterasu intervened firmly. "So it would be best if we began."
The Sun Goddess's voice made Serafall flinch slightly. The Maou immediately emerged from her thoughts and straightened her back as a much more serious expression appeared on her face.
"As you suggest, Amaterasu-sama, it would be best if I went straight to the point." Serafall rested both hands over her lap before looking toward Yasaka. "Even so, I must admit that I have been thinking about how to begin this conversation since I left the Underworld. Every approach I imagined sounded either too formal or completely insensitive."
Amaterasu noticed the discomfort coming from the violet-eyed woman and responded in a slightly less firm tone.
"It isn't that I want to rush you. I simply prefer that we move directly to the main subject. After all, all three of us are busy women." The Sun Goddess paused briefly before adding, "But if you need a few moments to organize your thoughts, there is no problem."
Yasaka nodded gently, making it clear that she shared the same opinion. Serafall thanked both women for their understanding with a slight bow of her head before directing her gaze back toward the wooden box.
"As you are already aware, a few days ago the Underworld was on the verge of being destroyed by the King of the Greek Pantheon," Serafall began. "One of the reasons that did not happen was the meeting we held with him and the other leaders of our faction."
The Maou paused briefly while her fingers pressed lightly against the lid of the box.
"During that meeting, Lord Damon spoke about what happened to the Nekoshou and demanded that those responsible be punished. More specifically... he ordered the complete extermination of the Neberius Clan."
The room fell completely silent at the revelation. Yasaka's expression did not change much, although the slight movement of her ears revealed the surprise the news had caused. Amaterasu, meanwhile, continued drinking her tea while hiding the small smile threatening to appear on her lips behind the cup.
"Lord Damon did not give us any room to negotiate," Serafall continued seriously. "He made it clear that refusing was not an option and that he would not accept a single member of that clan remaining alive."
A faint sadness appeared on the Leviathan's face. Yasaka and Amaterasu immediately understood what she was attempting to do. Serafall was not lying; being placed under such an order must have been humiliating for any leader. However, both women knew perfectly well that people tended to seek sympathy when they found themselves at their lowest, especially if doing so could improve their position during a conversation.
For that reason, neither of them said anything. Yasaka maintained her calm expression while Amaterasu continued holding her cup. They merely exchanged a brief look before allowing Serafall to continue speaking.
The Maou let out a sigh when she did not receive the reaction she had expected.
"It was not a simple situation," the Maou admitted rather meekly.
Amaterasu rolled her eyes slightly upon hearing her. Serafall had not shown that same consideration when the Nekoshou were hunted down and massacred by devils. Now that her own faction had been placed in a position of helplessness, she suddenly expected everyone to understand her suffering.
Pfft. Perhaps that tactic would have worked on the angels, but not on her.
Without adding anything else, the Maou carefully opened the black wooden box and turned it toward Yasaka, allowing her to see what she had personally come to deliver.
Inside rested the severed head of the former leader of the Neberius Clan. It had been preserved well enough for his face to remain recognizable, leaving no doubt about his identity.
Yasaka's golden eyes immediately settled on the head. She recognized that face at once. She would never forget the unpleasant expression that man had shown her when he managed to get his way, protected by his position and by a society that had preferred to ignore everything that was happening.
For years, he had lived comfortably behind his noble title and the Underworld's refusal to interfere in the internal affairs of one of its houses. Meanwhile, the Nekoshou had been hunted and nearly driven to extinction because of his actions.
Now all that influence meant absolutely nothing.
Yasaka could not deny that the sight gave her a faint sense of satisfaction. She was not happy; that man's death would not bring back the Nekoshou who had lost their lives or erase the suffering of the survivors. Even so, she was not going to mourn his fate either. At the very least, he would never hurt anyone again.
The kitsune slowly extended one hand and closed the lid of the box. Her fingers remained resting over the wood for several moments as she released a sigh that seemed to have been trapped inside her for years.
"So... it is finally over."
Serafall immediately understood what Yasaka wanted to know and nodded.
"That's right. Everything is over for the Neberius. The Underworld made certain that no survivors remained."
That last part was not something Serafall could be completely certain of. However, upon remembering Damon's warning, she did not even want to consider the possibility that someone might have managed to escape.
"Hm. We appreciate the act of retribution shown by the devil faction," Amaterasu intervened, finally breaking the silence.
The Sun Goddess had decided to offer the Maou a small amount of recognition. Not much, but enough to see what she would do with it.
Serafall straightened almost immediately at the slightest expression of gratitude. The uncertainty she had shown moments earlier quickly disappeared, replaced by the confidence of a leader who had just found an opportunity.
"Thank you, Lady Amaterasu. The devil faction truly regrets what happened, and this is our way of demonstrating that we are willing to change." Serafall paused briefly before continuing. "Precisely because of that, and on behalf of the Underworld, I believe this could be a good time to begin a new relationship between our factions."
Amaterasu narrowed her eyes slightly, immediately understanding where the conversation was heading. "A new relationship?" she asked calmly.
"An alliance," Serafall clarified without letting the opportunity pass. "I believe it would be the best way to demonstrate our goodwill and make it clear that the devils do not wish to repeat the mistakes of the past."
The Maou's intention was rather clear. They had lost Kuoh because of Damon, but that did not mean they could not reach a new agreement with the yokai and secure another zone of influence within Japan. After all, Kuoh was not the only province in the country.
It was an intelligent tactic, surely prepared carefully by Ajuka and Zekram. With Yasaka alone, it probably would have had a genuine chance of succeeding. The kitsune preferred diplomacy and always sought to avoid unnecessary conflicts, especially if an agreement could strengthen Kyoto's security.
However, from the moment Serafall found Amaterasu inside the room, that plan had been practically doomed.
The Sun Goddess had no reason to allow the devils to regain a presence within Japan after everything that had happened. Much less by using the death of the Neberius as a gesture of goodwill when, in reality, they had only followed an order they had not dared to refuse.
It was at that moment that Amaterasu decided to take control of the conversation. She straightened in her seat and fixed her gaze on the Maou.
"Then let me see if I understand correctly." Amaterasu's voice remained calm, but the firmness in her tone was clear. "First, the devils allowed the Neberius to massacre the Nekoshou, ignored the problem for years, and only acted after Damon threatened to destroy the Underworld."
Serafall opened her mouth to respond, but Amaterasu did not give her the chance.
"Now you come to Kyoto with the head of their leader, call it a demonstration of goodwill, and expect us to allow the devils to regain territory within Japan in return."
Serafall's expression tightened slightly. She had not expected the goddess to reach that conclusion so quickly, and she immediately attempted to deny it.
"Uhhh, Lady Amaterasu, we are not demanding any territory. I am only proposing an alliance that could benefit both factions."
"Then you already have my answer: N-o," the Sun Goddess replied instantly, causing even Yasaka to blink in surprise at the sheer force of her rejection.
Serafall did not know what to say, clearly just as surprised as the kitsune by the direct refusal.
"Amaterasu-sama," Yasaka intervened calmly, attempting to prevent the conversation from becoming too hostile. "Perhaps we could at least hear the terms before making a final decision."
Amaterasu fixed her gaze on Yasaka and shook her head.
"My dear Yasaka, there are no terms to hear."
Yasaka shifted uncomfortably. Her gaze remained on Amaterasu as she processed the firmness with which the proposal had been rejected.
"I understand your concern, Amaterasu-sama, but rejecting any possibility of cooperation without even discussing it could create more tension than necessary."
Amaterasu raised one of her delicate eyebrows before answering immediately. "That is exactly what you said when the devils first began extending their influence over Kuoh."
Amaterasu's words caused Yasaka to fall silent.
The Sun Goddess had not raised her voice, but she did not need to. Yasaka immediately understood what she meant. At the time, she had preferred to avoid a direct confrontation. Allowing the devils to maintain a presence in Kuoh had seemed like a simple way to preserve the peace and prevent two factions from clashing within Japan.
In the end, that decision had only allowed them to establish themselves, gain influence, and act as though that part of the country belonged to them. Yasaka could not deny that reality, even if her friend's words were more direct than she would have preferred.
Serafall took advantage of the brief silence to intervene. "Lady Amaterasu, I understand why you feel that way, but you must also understand my position. It is my duty to protect the interests of the Underworld. You cannot blame me for attempting to find a new opportunity for my faction."
Amaterasu turned her gaze back toward her, leaving Yasaka to reflect on her words. "Yes, I understand, and I do not blame you for trying. You are a good girl, Serafall."
The response caused Serafall to relax her shoulders slightly, but not for long.
"But the reality is that one cannot always do whatever one wants," the goddess continued. "So I am making it clear that I will not allow it."
>>>>>>>>>>>>
Thank You for reading )
2413 Words