The study room felt smaller with three people in it, even if one of them was technically a cat. Benemune sat behind the ornate desk looking unusually serious, while I took the chair across from her. Yoruichi had claimed the space between us, sitting on the desk itself with that feline grace.
"What's the emergency?" I asked. "Did something happen with Georg?"
Benemune nodded grimly. "It's about Georg's movements around Carmilla Territory. Or rather, the complete lack thereof."
I raised an eyebrow. "He's backing off?"
"All surveillance indicates he's completely withdrawn from the area. No agents, no reconnaissance, no preparation for the assault we were expecting." She leaned forward. "At first, we thought it might be a feint, but our intelligence suggests otherwise."
That seems... too convenient.*
"What changed his mind?"
"Lord Odin contacted Hades directly about the upcoming summit. Made it very clear that you're under the protection of multiple faction leaders now." Benemune's expression was carefully neutral. "Apparently, targeting you here would be seen as an act of aggression against the Norse, Devil, Angel, and Fallen Angel factions simultaneously."
I blinked. "Hades actually backed down because of political pressure?"
"It appears so. With three Faction Leaders and a Norse God backing you, even Hades decided the potential consequences outweighed the benefits of revenge."
That seems way too reasonable for a Greek god with a grudge.*
"You don't sound convinced."
"Because I'm not." Benemune's smile was sharp. "Hades isn't known for backing down from fights, regardless of the political ramifications. This feels like a tactical withdrawal rather than a genuine retreat."
"He's probably planning something for the summit itself," I said, the pieces clicking together. "Harder to attack me here without starting a war, but at a gathering of faction leaders..."
"Exactly." Benemune nodded approvingly. "Which is why you need to attend the summit. If he's planning something, you'll have allies present to help deal with it. If you stay here, you risk facing him and his remaining supporters alone."
Great. So my choice is either hide here and wait for Hades to get bored of politics, or walk into what might be an elaborate trap surrounded by the most powerful beings in multiple dimensions. Leaving this place in the hands of my shadow clone would be enough to fend off against my enemies, beside I still got Shadow Exchange for travelling literally anywhere. It's best to leave for summit and direct the attack there rather here*
"When do we leave?"
"Tonight. I've already made all the arrangements for you and your team's transportation to the Underworld." Benemune's smile returned, though it didn't reach her eyes. "The Fallen Angels will handle security for Carmilla Territory while you're gone."
"Thoughtful of them." I stood up, mind already running through contingencies. "I'll get everyone ready."
"One more thing," Benemune said as I headed for the door. "Try not to start any unintentional incidents at the summit. The following paperwork would be disastrous."
"I'll do my best," I said dryly. "But you know how these things usually go for me."
After Benemune left through her teleportation circle, Yoruichi transformed back to human form, somehow managing to look thoughtful despite being naked again.
"You're pretty popular with the ladies," she observed. "Must be all that brooding hero energy."
"Chaos attracts chaos," I replied. "And apparently, chaos is really attractive to supernatural women."
She smirked. "So why the sudden change of heart? Thought you were all gung-ho about hunting down Georg and ending this before it escalated."
I moved to the window, looking out at the territory I'd somehow become responsible for. "Because Georg and his people want me dead specifically. They targeted this place because I was here, figuring they could take me out without involving the other factions." I turned back to face her. "But now that multiple gods and faction leaders are publicly backing me, attacking here means starting a war none of them are ready for."
"So you're using yourself as bait."
"I'm using myself as bait," I confirmed. "At the summit, I'll have allies present if Hades tries anything. Here, I'd be risking everyone I care about for the sake of a fight that might be avoidable."
"Smart. Cowardly, but smart." Yoruichi's golden eyes studied me intently. "Are you scared?"
"I'm cautious," I corrected. "There's a difference. Even with all my power and all these alliances, walking unprepared into a fight with a Greek god seems like a fast way to become a cautionary tale."
"You remind me of someone from my world," she said quietly.
"Let me guess—Urahara?"
"Bingo. Though you're significantly less annoying than he is." She paused. "Most of the time."
High praise, coming from someone who's known both of us.*
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"You should. Kisuke might be infuriating, but he's also one of the smartest people I've ever met. And like you, he never goes into a fight without at least three backup plans."
Only three? Still more than what I'm going with.*
"Well then," I said, heading for the door. "Let's go get ready for the most politically dangerous dinner party in supernatural history."
"This should be fun," Yoruichi said, following behind me in cat form. "I haven't crashed social gathering in decades."