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Chapter 66: Pandora The Peacekeeper
🕑 Added 2024-09-20 12:01:14 +0000 UTC10+ Advance Chapters: patreon.com/Accel14
Discord Link: KQAtTw9u7x
500 Power Stones = Extra Chapter
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The servants of the West Youkai Faction had sat down Serafall in the main hall, having prepared a table alongside an array of dishes for the Satan to choose from in order to display their hospitality.
The Leviathan, Yasaka, and Takauji were all seated opposite one another on three sides, the Dragon quietly observing Serafall as per Yasaka's instruction to let her do the talking.
"The food is excellent, Yasaka-sama. I hope you wouldn't mind sharing a few recipes here and there some time in the future?" Serafall complimented, thoroughly enjoying the delicacies she had been offered.
"Haha, you flatter me Leviathan-dono. I'd be more than happy to exchange them with you."
Takauji was tempted to roll his eyes, painfully aware of the usual song and dance that occurred between negotiating leaders. Only the fear of not getting any cuddle-time from Yasaka kept his urges at bay.
The small talk between the two ladies continued on for a while, eventually stopping once the time to discuss business had finally arrived.
"I imagine you're already aware of why I'm here?" Serafall said.
"Mhm, the alliance wishes to bring up the matter of bringing my faction into the fold, correct?" The Kyuubi didn't allow her opinion on the subject to be heard through her voice.
"Indeed, as per the threat of the Khaos Brigade having become more evident as of late, we feel it necessary to make the collective effort to combat them as effective as possible." In other words, the destruction of the Hero Faction had furthered their desire to recruit their help.
Serafall's hand at the table was the support of the Underworld, and Yasaka's was both that of Kyoto's ability to act as a bastion, as the walking weapon of mass destruction that was Pandora.
"I understand the sentiment, believe me. However, as you already know my faction has proven more than capable of handling their efforts to attack us, hence I struggle to find sufficient rationale to convince my people that joining with the Underworld or Heaven would be in our interests."
Serafall's lip twitched for a split-second, having recognised what Yasaka had just done. Instead of making the conversation about her opinion towards the alliance, she had made it one about what her people thought about it. Muddying Serafall's ability to negotiate a little.
But she wasn't a Satan for nothing.
"With all due respect, admirable as your repelling of the Hero Faction was, was it not the sole efforts of Pandora and Azazel's successor that made it so?"
Takauji's brow lifted, surprised that she had the boldness to say something like that so openly. But, he didn't intervene, trusting that Yasaka knew how to handle the situation appropriately.
"I mean no disrespect Yasaka-sama, but wouldn't you prefer it if your Youkai themselves were empowered to handle such a threat should it come to pass again?"
Takauji exhaled, a small amount of respect welling within him for Serafall. A small amount.
"Do elaborate." Yasaka motioned.
"Our research and development sector has much to offer, we're more than capable and prepared to assist your Youkai in developing their [Senjutsu], and by no small margin. Not to mention that the cooperation of Grigori would enable us to start creating Artificial Sacred Gears for your people to wield, I'm happy to inform you that both Azazel and Ajuka have already agreed to give your Faction their full support in whatever form you may require it in."
Azazel's help wasn't too surprising considering his relationship with Takauji, however Ajuka's was. Having someone of his caliber assisting her Faction was not something Yasaka could gloss over, not when considering the benefits his support could result in.
"I have to confess, it's rather bold of you to assume you could develop my people's [Senjutsu] to a greater extent than I can. Do you have any evidence to back this claim?"
Serafall smiled.
"I'm not sure if you've been made aware of this, but Sun Wukong has agreed to cooperate with our alliance, as a matter of fact he's already begun to seek out certain notable members of the Khaos Brigade while we speak."
Both Yasaka and Takauji were momentarily stunned, but maintaining one's composure was a priority.
"That is certainly noteworthy, but if he is busy dealing with the Khaos Brigade as you say, then how would he have the time to come and tutor my people?"
"Sun Wukong himself may not be able to, but both the first-generation Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing are available."
Those names held only slightly less importance than Wukong's, both being Youkai that had also ascended to Buddhahood, and accompanied the Monkey King during his Journey to the West.
"Aren't they supposed to be retired?" Yasaka asked.
"They were, but Wukong managed to convince them that the current situation warranted their resurgence, thus they are now both ready to return to active duty, and can act as a mentor for your people while Wukong continues his current task."
Yasaka fell into the thought, forced to consider the deal when Serafall was offering such bountiful resources to her faction.
"Let me get this straight, you're offering the Underworld's support, including that of Beezlebub-dono's in a direct capacity, and the help of Bajie-sama and Wujing-sama just for my faction to join the alliance?" It seemed too good to be true.
"Well, there is one more thing we'd like in exchange for such extensive generosity."
"And that would be?"
Serafall turned to Takauji, the Dragon tilting his head in return.
"We would like Pandora."
Devils really never cease to surprise me, I'll give them that.
Though the proposition shocked Takauji a little, he still didn't feel the need to get involved in the conversation just yet.
"Pandora is our faction's Guardian, I'm not sure how I feel about just handing him off."
"You misunderstand Yasaka-sama, we do not wish for Pandora to cut ties with your faction, nor directly become a part of the Underworld. Instead, we'd like for him to take the role of an ambassador alongside me."
"An ambassador?"
"Yes, right now on top of the Khaos Brigade there are other factions that have yet to be brought into the fold, or some that are still at odds with us as individuals, forcing us to spread our resources when we'd much rather focus all of them on dealing with the terrorists. Sirzechs, Ajuka, Falbium, and Michael are all remaining in the Underworld and Heaven to handle local affairs, and I've been sent to handle the foreign ones, which is why I'm the one talking to you right now."
Doesn't that just mean they think you're the least useful? Poor girl.
"I see, but as a Satan you have both the physical prowess and political influence to handle such a position on your lonesome do you not? I don't understand why you'd need Pandora to go along with you."
Yasaka, you're overthinking it. That's just codeword for "Serafall needs a babysitter."
"Pandora's position as your faction's protector, as well as his reputation earned from defeating the Hero Faction have earned him a great deal of influence. Moreover, Azazel directly recommended him as the best fit for the role, both situationally and in terms of capability."
Of course it was him, I suppose this is what I get for agreeing to let him contract me. But me as a traveling ambassador? Really? Even I'm aware that I don't exactly have the same level of composure I did back when I was a human.
Even though Takauji's intelligence had improved drastically, how he decided to use that intelligence, and what he decided to use it for, had changed significantly. His mindset had become a lot more instinctual than calculative.
"That's an interesting request and all," Takauji finally decided to speak up. "However, grateful as I am for the support Yasaka will be getting, if you want my direct involvement then you'll have to directly give me something in return. I'm not going to work for you based on a proxy deal alone." Collaborating with the alliance didn't bother him too much since he was already in cahoots with Azazel, it was what form that collaboration took that mattered to him.
Serafall nodded approvingly, having expected as much.
"I believe the payment we've prepared will be to your satisfaction." Serafall summoned what looked to be a purple-colored apple, Yasaka finding the fruit to be only mildly of value thanks to the presence of Mana swirling through it.
But Takauji on the other hand found the aroma extremely enticing, like he was staring at a 5 star michelin grade full meal course.
"What is that?" He asked eagerly.
"It's called a Dragon Apple, a scarce resource produced only in the former Dragon King Tannin's territory." She tossed the apple towards Takauji, the latter effortlessly catching it in his mouth and chewing down on it.
His eyes soon widened in shock, his Draconic Aura starting to surge from his body as he felt a surprising phenomena take place.
My growth phase is accelerating! I can't believe this, the prerequisite to achieve such a thing for my body should be huge, but this fruit achieved it with such ease!
"We can provide you with up to five of them per week, would that suffice?"
At that rate I might be able to become a Heavenly Dragon sooner than I had expected, I have to hand it to you Devils, you're good at negotiating.
"That wouldn't happen to be a lowball offer would it?" There was still the possibility that they had prepared more for him, but initially had chosen to offer less to make the deal less costly.
"No, it took a great deal of effort to make Tannin agree to trading the Apples at all to begin with, we are physically incapable of offering you any more than that." Serafall felt a bit of sweat start to build up on the back of her neck, a result of Takauji peering into her with all four of his reptilian eyes.
You're not lying, good, I would've burned you on the spot if you had.
Trying to deceive someone who could read your emotional state was the worst strategy available.
"I see, I definitely see the value in these Dragon Apples, but I'd still like to know how long you plan on having me act as an ambassador?"
Serafall swallowed a nervous gulp.
"Truthfully, we'd like you to do so until Khaos Brigade has been dealt with entirely."
Ah, there's the catch.
"That's a rather tall ask, Serafall." He said, increasing the tension in the atmosphere. "The weaker parts of the Khaos Brigade have practically been dealt with, but the Old Satan Faction and Hades especially will take a while, a long while. I'm sure you understand that."
The full scope of the major threats within the Khaos Brigade had still yet to be fully revealed, meaning that there was a high chance even more top-level threats would appear along the way.
"Then again, they did have the audacity to attack my territory, so I'm not opposed to getting rid of them with my own hands." Dragons assumed wasp-like vengeance when it came to someone intruding on their territory, Takauji was no exception.
There was that, and he had still had his promise to Great Red he needed to fulfill regarding Ophis.
Takauji was well aware of the Khaos Brigade's sentiment towards Ophis thanks to Azazel's information network, despite her being their leader, they found her a nuisance since they couldn't control her power nor direct it at whatever they pleased. After all joining the Khaos Brigade was just a cover for people like the Old Satan's to further their own goals, truthfully no one cared about defeating Great Red, it wasn't like she took any active role in the world's affairs.
Luckily Samael was now in his possession, so they lacked a direct means of harming the Dragon God thanks to Cao Cao's blunder. However, there was still a chance they had another ace up their sleeve, and if that was so, Takauji had to reach Ophis before they did.
"What do you think?" He turned to Yasaka. "Protection wise I'm more than confident the faction will be safe, I'll even keep Sayafushi here in case you need to reach out to me for anything."
"Are you sure? What if you end up needing Sayafushi for something?"
"I already have a plentiful supply of copies he made for me with his [Replication] magic, I'll be fine. But I doubt I'll be present here again for quite some time." As much as he'd rather stay with Yasaka, he still had his duty to fulfill as Pandora, and had yet to complete his growth. Both things he could not afford to ignore.
"I understand both the benefits and the importance of the task," Yasaka admitted. "But what about Raynare?"
"She isn't a child, now that all the heavy hitters are getting involved, her strength is the bare minimum required to deal with the Khaos Brigade. It's vital that she continues to train with Masa as much as possible." This time of course, he'd explain everything before he set off.
"And what about you? Is this something you want to do?" She asked.
I have to do it anyway, but if I can get some extra benefits from doing so then who am I to refuse?
"Yeah, it is."
Yasaka sighed, if someone as clingy as Takauji was willing to part, then there was no use in trying to stop him.
"Then you should do it," she turned to Serafall. "I accept the deal."
"So do I," Takauji added. The Leviathan heaving a sigh of relief and smiling.
"I'm glad to hear it, Bajie and Wujing will be here first thing tomorrow, and at the same time me and Pandora will set off for our first task."
"That being?" He asked.
"Right now the alliance is still engaging in conflict with the Vampires over in Romania, and we'd rather not continue wasting resources facing them instead of directing them towards the effort against the terrorists. Therefore we'll be going over there to quell the dispute."
"Quell it how exactly?" There was the velvet glove, and then the iron hand.
"That's for us to decide when we get there."
"Sounds good," he stood up. "I'll start making my preparations, I look forward to working with you, Serafall Leviathan." Having been impressed by the Satan, Takauji had shockingly decided to set aside his grievances, at least for now.
"Likewise."
