The trip to the Underworld was nothing like my team had expected. Instead of some gothic nightmare on rails, it resembled a luxury express with plush velvet seats and ornate fixtures that wouldn't look out of place in a five-star hotel.
I took another sip of the surprisingly good fruit juice they'd provided, watching the strange landscape blur past the window. The sky had shifted from normal blue to an ominous red-orange gradient as we descended deeper into supernatural territory.
"For someone going to hell, you look quite happy," Yoruichi observed from her perch on the seat beside me. Her black cat form was curled up comfortably, golden eyes fixed on me with typical feline intensity. "Have you been there before?"
I set the glass down and turned to face her. "Once, briefly. Business meeting with the Satans." I couldn't help but smile slightly. "Turns out the Underworld has excellent hospitality when you're not being tortured for eternity."
"The Satans," she repeated, ears twitching with interest. "You really do collect powerful allies, don't you?"
"It's more like they collect me." I glanced around the compartment, noting how Xenovia was methodically checking her sword for the third time, while Asia sat quietly reading what looked like a religious text. Valerie had claimed the window seat across from us and was staring out at the increasingly alien landscape with wide eyes.
The compartment door slid open with a soft hiss, and Azazel stepped inside with Benemune close behind. The Fallen Angel Governor looked as casually confident as always, though I caught the subtle tension in his posture that suggested he was more alert than usual.
"Hope the accommodations are to your liking," Azazel said, settling into one of the empty seats. "Devil transportation tends to be a bit more... theatrical than necessary."
"Can't complain about the service," I replied. "Though I'm still not entirely sure why you decided to assign me a bodyguard for this summit."
Benemune took the remaining seat, her expression carefully neutral. "Because Azazel-sama has a vested interest in keeping you alive, and summits tend to be politically volatile environments even under the best circumstances."
"Plus," Azazel added with a grin, "having a Cadre as your official escort sends a message about which factions are backing you. Politics in the supernatural world is all about showing strength through alliance."
"And if Hades tries something?"
"Then he'll find himself facing not just you, but representatives from multiple factions simultaneously." Azazel's expression grew more serious. "That said, don't get overconfident. Gods don't typically back down unless they have something else planned."
Exactly what I was afraid of.*
"Any intelligence on what that something might be?"
"Nothing concrete. But Hades has been unusually quiet lately, which is never a good sign with him." Azazel leaned forward. "Whatever he's planning, he's keeping it close to the vest."
"Wonderful." I took another sip of juice, mind already running through contingencies. "At least I'll have good company when everything goes sideways."
"That's the spirit," Azazel said with a laugh. "Try not to accidentally start any wars while you're there."
"I make no promises."
The main hall of Satan territory was exactly as impressive as I remembered – soaring ceilings, elaborate architectural details, and an atmosphere of casual power that made it clear this was a place where gods and devils conducted their business. The massive space could have held several hundred people comfortably, though for the moment it contained only a scattered handful of supernatural dignitaries.
I spotted Ajuka Beelzebub immediately. The green-haired Satan was examining some kind of complex magical diagram that hovered in the air before him, occasionally making small adjustments with precise finger movements. Even from across the hall, I could feel the incredible concentration of power radiating from whatever he was working on.
He looked up as we approached, and his face brightened with what appeared to be genuine pleasure.
"Ah, good to see you again" he said, dismissing the magical construct with a wave. "Right on time, as always."
"Ajuka-san" I replied, accepting his offered handshake. "Thanks for hosting this gathering. I hope the political ramifications aren't too complicated."
"Not at all. Any excuse to bring together brilliant minds is worthwhile." His eyes gleamed with intellectual curiosity. "I trust you've brought this month's supply?"
I produced a small dimensional storage device and handed it over. "Five bottles of Holy Water of Life, as agreed. It's about twenty percent more effective than the previous batch."
"Excellent." Ajuka pocketed the device with obvious satisfaction. "The progress we've made treating Devil's sleeping disease has been remarkable since we started this arrangement. Several of our researchers are calling it a medical breakthrough."
Good to know my contributions are making a difference.*
"Any interesting developments on your end?"
"Actually, yes." He gestured toward one of the side chambers. "I've been working on improvements to the Evil Piece enhancement process based on some of your suggestions. The results have been... fascinating."
Before I could respond, a familiar voice called out from across the hall.
"Akira!"
I had approximately half a second to brace myself before Chysis crashed into me with enough force to knock most normal humans unconscious. Her enthusiasm was as overwhelming as always with the tackle-hug she'd just executed.
"Chysis," I managed, returning the hug while trying not to fall over. "Good to see you too."
"I missed you so much! It's been like, forever since we got to hang out!" She pulled back slightly, hands still on my shoulders. "Are you eating enough? You look a little thin. Have the girls been taking good care of you?"
"I'm fine," I assured her, noting the amused looks from my team. "Just been busy with territory management."
"Well, you're here now, and that's what matters!" She beamed at me. "This summit is going to be so much fun! Well, except for the part where we might have to fight a Greek god, but other than that, totally fun!"
Only Chysis could make a potentially deadly political gathering sound like a school festival.*
"Speaking of which," Ajuka interjected diplomatically, "perhaps we should discuss the security arrangements before the other faction leaders arrive."
"Right!" Chysis's expression shifted to something resembling seriousness, though her grip on my arm remained possessive. "We've got contingency plans for pretty much everything Hades might try, but it's always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared."
As they began outlining the various defensive measures they'd put in place, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of gratitude and apprehension. Having powerful allies was reassuring, but it also meant that any trouble I attracted would have far-reaching consequences.
No pressure at all.*
The sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the hall, signaling the arrival of more participants. The real summit was about to begin, and with it, whatever Cao Cao had planned for his revenge with Hades.
I just hoped my backup plans would be enough.