"What? A light spear? Is this some interesting story Onee-sama doesn't know about?"
Seeing Bokue and Odin immediately discussing past events upon meeting, Serafall couldn't resist leaning in with curious inquiries.
"Wouldn't exactly call it interesting..."
Bokue exhaled softly.
Honestly, he didn't consider this the appropriate venue for discussing such history. However, with Odin bringing it up proactively—plus Serafall beside him blinking those expectant, curious eyes—after brief consideration, Bokue succinctly revisited the matter.
Namely: two months prior, how a certain vampire noble from the War King's Domain had recklessly pursued personal amusement, nearly causing his homeland—along with all of Eastern Europe—to vanish from the world map.
"Wow~"
Throughout the explanation, Serafall listened with rapt attention—nodding while providing indignant commentary.
"Smuggling terrorists they should've handled themselves onto Bokue-kun's territory, then directing those terrorists to kidnap Bokue-kun's girlfriend? That's absolutely outrageous..."
Then she suddenly turned toward Odin.
"Though this has nothing to do with you, right, Old Man Odin? Aren't you up in Norse territory?"
"Certainly nothing to do with me..."
Odin's mouth twitched slightly.
Having just been asked by Bokue whether "Norse wanted one too," he'd grown somewhat sensitive about this topic.
"I simply sensed that power from Asgard. Plus... truth be told, a significant portion of why I agreed so readily to these peace talks stems from that incident."
"Oh..."
Serafall nodded knowingly.
Though Odin's phrasing was somewhat cryptic, careful consideration revealed it wasn't particularly difficult to understand.
The core logic: "Because the First Primogenitor pissed off some big shot and nearly got himself plus his entire homeland obliterated."
Though most mythological factions currently maintained temporary peace, when they happened to encounter each other, fighting remained inevitable.
Especially if unlucky enough for that battle to occur precisely on Bokue-kun's territory—both sides would probably receive light spear gifts.
Then genuinely, permanently, no more fighting required.
Because they'd be gone.
Therefore, to avoid such situations, peace talks became extremely necessary operations.
At minimum, post-negotiations meant everyone became allies. Theoretically, allies didn't wage war—effectively preventing battles that accidentally trashed someone's territory, subsequently triggering retaliatory light spears.
"By the way, I haven't even asked your name yet."
After conversing this long, Odin suddenly realized he still didn't know the young man's name.
"I heard Lady Serafall calling you Keikain... something?"
"Bokue Keikain."
Bokue shrugged.
"Just call me Bokue. Formerly the acting head of the Keikain onmyouji family in Kyoto, Japan. Currently... the lord of Itogami Island, I suppose—though I don't actually manage anything."
"Uh... onmyouji?"
The white-haired old man—chief of Norse deities—performed a tactical lean-back.
Honestly, due to vast geographical distance, Odin didn't know what the Keikain family represented. However, he understood the "onmyouji" title to some degree.
Like how Japanese people didn't know which European mage families existed, yet mentioning "mage" alone could conjure rough impressions.
But saying someone capable of obliterating an entire continental plate with one light spear was actually an onmyouji... was that... correct?
While the three conversed pleasantly at the hall entrance, Sirzechs and company—previously atop the forward platform—also approached.
Bokue recognized three of them: Sirzechs, Azazel, and Archangel Michael.
Plus one green-haired man with slicked-back locks and rather bewitching features.
"You've arrived, Lord Odin."
Sirzechs led at the forefront, reaching Odin while smiling.
Beside him, Azazel and Michael also nodded acknowledgment.
"Yo, long time no see, old man Odin."
"Lord Odin's health remains remarkably robust."
"Hehehe, indeed—long time no see, everyone."
Odin returned smiles while responding, his gaze sweeping across the three before settling on the silent green-haired man.
"Though honestly, all of us gathering like this would've been unthinkable before. Seraph, Grigori Governor, three Maou..."
Eh? Three?
As if suddenly realizing something, Serafall tilted her head slightly—adjusting angles to direct her gaze toward the green-haired, bewitching man standing beside Sirzechs.
"Oh my? Ajuka, when did you arrive? I didn't see you at all when I was on the platform earlier..."
"Because I just got here myself."
The green-haired man called Ajuka spoke flatly. His gaze neither met Serafall's nor lingered on Odin—instead, candidly focusing on Bokue.
Naturally, Bokue was also observing him. After all, if memory served, during that evening banquet two days ago, Serafall had mentioned that the Diodora he'd sliced into over a thousand pieces was this generation's Beelzebub's blood relative.
This generation's Beelzebub bore the name—Ajuka Astaroth.
"First meeting, Lord Keikain."
Before the young man could speak, Ajuka initiated greetings.
"Exactly as you're likely thinking—my name is Ajuka Astaroth. This generation's Maou Beelzebub, and also Diodora Astaroth's blood relative. Beyond representing the demon realm in alliance negotiations with Lord Odin's Norse mythology, my other primary reason for coming was to apologize on House Astaroth's behalf for Diodora's disrespectful behavior two nights ago... though perhaps I lack that qualification."
Lack qualification? What does that mean?
"Well~ Ajuka's from an Astaroth branch family. Fundamentally not the same household as that Diodora."
Serafall smiled while providing supplementary explanation.
I see...
Bokue shook his head. "No matter. Diodora provoked me. Now that he's dead, the matter's concluded."
"Thank you for your understanding..."
Ajuka offered a sincere bow.
At this point, Sirzechs smiled while joining the conversation. "Alright, since everything's been clarified, let's officially begin the alliance ceremony. Please, everyone, join me on the platform."
"No need—you all go ahead."
However, Bokue waved dismissively before turning toward Rias and the assembled girls.
"I'm just here accompanying Rias and the others today. You handle your business."
"I see..."
Watching the young man's departing direction, Odin stroked his white beard thoughtfully before turning toward the silver-haired Valkyrie who'd stood guard-like beside him since earlier.
"Rossweisse, you've got nothing pressing anyway. Go chat with that Keikain fellow."
"Eh?"
The Valkyrie clearly froze.
"Wh-why should I chat with some boy? I'm your bodyguard, Lord Odin! I can't just abandon my post..."
About to launch into lengthy lectures.
Odin silently covered his face.
"Sigh~ precisely because you're this rigid that you still haven't caught even one hero by now."
"Sob sob sob I'm just a useless unwanted Valkyrie whose single duration equals her age anyway..."
Thus, while a certain Valkyrie's wailing echoed through the palace hall, a red graceful figure cloaked beneath wide gray robes quietly arrived at the demon realm capital Lilith's city entrance.
She lifted her head, gazing at the bustling, prosperous scenery along inner streets—exhaling softly.
So this is the demon realm's capital... definitely more prosperous than the Northern Lands...
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