"Ho ho ho, that's why I'm visiting Japan!" Odin chuckled in the VIP room on the top floor of the Hyoudou residence.
The entire Gremory peerage was gathered, along with Azazel-sensei. For some reason, Dad, Mom, and Miu were there too. Why?
Apparently, Odin had business in Japan and stopped by this town, safer under the joint rule of devils, angels, and fallen angels than other places.
…Still, I'm annoyed my first time with Akeno-san got interrupted.
I'm back to calling her "Akeno-san" now—our "Akeno" deal was for when we're alone.
After regrouping with Buchou, the girls tailing us pinched my cheeks, shocked I princess-carried Akeno-san. If my carry's enough, I'd do it anytime!
Akeno-san, usually smiling, was now visibly upset since meeting her father, Barachiel. She wouldn't even look at him, though he's here too.
I'd heard about Barachiel from Azazel-sensei. A stern, martial fallen angel, as strong as Azazel, with unmatched single-strike power among fallen angels.
"Here's tea," Mom said, placing a cup before Odin.
Mom's serving a god—calmly!
Show some surprise!
"Thanks. Never had a human serve me tea before," Odin said.
No kidding! I never imagined Mom serving a god!
Mom sat on the sofa. "A god visiting our home? A rare chance. Gotta experience it!"
"Still, gods dress so normal. Expected fancier clothes. Kinda reminds me of Hayashi-san's grandpa who passed last year…" Dad added.
Tense up, you two! This is a Norse chief god, not some casual old man!
Who's Hayashi-san!?
Ugh, I'm done retorting… Ignoring them.
"Hmm, quite the assets," Odin muttered, leering at the girls' chests.
Perverted old man! Touch them, and I'll smack you with Tenbu Xenon! Ddraig, prep for it!
Sigh… Ddraig groaned dramatically.
Whack!
"No, Odin-sama! Stop ogling! She's Lucifer-sama's sister!" Rossweisse, the Valkyrie, smacked Odin's head with a paper fan.
I gave a mental fist-pump. Her retorts are sharp, like in the Underworld hospital!
"Such a stickler. Sairaorg's sister is a glamorous beauty, so of course I'd look again. This is my Valkyrie, named—" Odin began.
"Rossweisse. I'll be in your care during my stay in Japan," she said.
Without her Underworld armor, she looks different but gorgeous. Around our age?
"Boyfriend-less, virgin Valkyrie, age equals single years," Odin teased.
Rossweisse panicked, tears welling. "T-That's irrelevant! I didn't choose to stay single or a virgin!"
She collapsed, pounding the floor.
I feel you, Rossweisse! I'm not choosing to be a virgin either!
"Poor Valkyrie," Odin sighed.
Our eyes met. He clapped, an idea sparking. "Red Dragon Emperor, how about taking her as a bride?"
"Huh?" Rossweisse and I said in unison.
What's this old man saying?
"Azazel says you're quite the pervert. Rossweisse's got looks, so I thought she'd suit you," Odin continued.
Marry her just like that!? She's stunning, sure, but this is too sudden!
"Odin-sama!?" Rossweisse gasped.
"Why not? The Red Dragon Emperor's young but capable, acknowledged by Sairaorg and others. Rossweisse, you'll stay single forever otherwise," Odin said.
She froze, clearly hit hard.
She's not old enough to worry about marriage! Still young!
Rossweisse's shoulders shook, then—
"Mind your own business!" she yelled, smacking Odin's head with her fan.
"What a mess," Azazel-sensei said, chuckling.
"Not my fault. She spurns kindness," Odin grumbled, a compress on his forehead.
Yeah, Odin's in the wrong. Rossweisse's anger is fair.
…Though, it wasn't a bad offer, I guess.
Azazel spoke up. "While Odin's in Japan, we're his escorts. Barachiel's the fallen angel backup. I'm busy, and Issei's not at full strength, so Barachiel's staying in town temporarily."
"Count on me," Barachiel said curtly.
"Wasn't your visit scheduled later? You're here to negotiate with Japanese gods, with Michael and Sairaorg mediating and me attending, right?" Azazel asked, sipping tea.
"I came early for a reason. Some trouble back home—critics of my methods. I acted to preempt issues," Odin said, stroking his beard.
"Trouble? Vanir gods after you? Don't start Ragnarok on your own," Azazel teased.
No clue what they're talking about.
"Vanir's irrelevant. Anyway, Azazel, the Khaos Brigade's increasing Balance Breaker users. Rare, no?" Odin said.
We peerage members exchanged shocked looks. That topic, suddenly?
"Yeah, rare. But some idiot's using a brutal, obvious method to mass-produce them. Reports are coming in," Azazel said.
"Like we discussed?" I asked.
Azazel nodded. "Pretty much. Gather Sacred Gear users worldwide, mostly by abduction. Brainwash them. Send them to key supernatural hubs like this town. Keep going until Balance Breakers emerge, then recall them via magic circles. That shadow user you fought was likely one."
So that's it…
Azazel sipped tea, continuing. "No faction would dare this. If I did it pre-alliance, it'd spark war. They don't want that, nor do others. But terrorists like them can."
Troublesome bunch. No telling what they'll do next.
"Who are they?" Kiba asked.
"The Hero Faction—descendants of legendary heroes. Physically on par with angels and devils, wielding Sacred Gears or legendary weapons. If those reach Balance Breaker or include God-slaying Longinus, it's beyond double trouble. They avoid Ophis's snakes for boosts, but they're bad news," Azazel said.
Heroes doing inhumane things? Do they even understand "hero"?
"They're planning something big with more Balance Breakers. Best to crush them early," Odin said, sipping tea casually despite the gravity.
Optimistic old man.
"I agree, but we lack info. No point speculating now," Azazel said, ending the talk.
We sipped tea. Dad left for work, Mom for dinner prep.
What now? Homework's done. TV?
"Hey, old man, anywhere you wanna go?" Azazel asked.
Odin rubbed his fingers with a lecherous grin. "Oppai pub!"
"Haha, that's our chief god! Nice and straightforward! My girls opened a VIP spot nearby. Let's treat you!" Azazel said.
"Uho ho ho! Azazel, you get it!" Odin cheered.
"Follow me, you old perv! Welcome to Japan! Wanna try unwinding a kimono? Gotta do it once here!" Azazel said.
"Thrilling!" Odin replied.
Rias facepalmed, frowning. They're both perverts! Erotic leadership!
They left, hyped. I wanted to go, but the girls' glares stopped me. I'll sneak there later.
Later, after Odin and Azazel headed to the oppai pub.
"Akeno, we need to talk," Barachiel's voice echoed from the fifth-floor hallway.
I peeked and saw Akeno and Barachiel arguing.
"Don't call me that," Akeno said coldly, her tone icy.
"What's with you and the Red Dragon Emperor?" Barachiel asked.
My name!? Eavesdropping's bad, but I'm curious.
"It's my business. Why do you care?" Akeno retorted.
"I hear he's shameless. Called the 'Breast Dragon Emperor,'" Barachiel said.
That rumor!? Azazel and Sairaorg made that nickname! Not my fault!
…Okay, I'm shameless, but still.
"Heh, heh… My name's everywhere. No place left for me…" Ddraig moaned.
Ddraig, hold it together! It's not that bad!
"…I'm done…" Ddraig collapsed.
"I'm worried you're being… defiled," Barachiel said.
He doesn't seem bad—just a concerned dad, genuinely worried for Akeno.
"Don't badmouth him. Issei-kun's… perverted, sure, but kind and reliable. He protects us. Judging him by rumors without knowing him is low," Akeno said.
"I'm your father—"
"Don't act like one! You let Mom die! I'll never forgive you!" Akeno snapped.
Let her mom die? What?
Barachiel fell silent.
Our eyes met. "Issei-kun… you heard?" Akeno said.
Caught. I was lost in thought.
Gotta own up. I stepped out.
"You! Eavesdropping? Shameless! Defiling my daughter? I won't allow this!" Barachiel roared.
Whoa, calm down! Eavesdropping and "defiling" aren't related!
…I've done and received some naughty stuff, but saying that'll make it worse.
Crackle! Barachiel sparked lightning.
Listen to me!
Akeno stepped between us, hugging me protectively. "Don't hurt him. I need him… Get out! You're not my father!"
Her cry stopped Barachiel's lightning. He closed his eyes. "Sorry."
He left, his broad back looking small and lonely.
Akeno clung to me, trembling. "Please… don't say anything. Just stay like this… Please, Issei."
I don't know what happened between her and Barachiel, or what I can do.
But I want to help.
Loss can come suddenly. Never seeing or hearing someone again—I know that pain.
I want them to reconcile before it's too late.
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