— — — — — —
After hearing Sirzechs's request, Ryo thought it over for a moment, then nodded.
"Sure."
A ceasefire between the three factions would make things easier for him. With a formal truce in place, he could probe the angels' side. If the opportunity appeared, he could even move in and take them in one go, then worry about Indra and the matter of subduing the Indian and Greek pantheons afterward.
Seeing Ryo agree, Sirzechs's eyes lit up. He pressed on immediately.
"I hope the peace talks can be held in Kyoto. Ideally, at Yasaka Shrine."
"I'd also like to ask for the yokai faction's understanding on this."
Holding the talks in Kyoto meant placing them squarely inside yokai territory. If fighting broke out, or if someone tried to sabotage the meeting, the Kyoto yokai would inevitably be dragged into it.
But from the devils' perspective, they badly needed a neutral intermediary, and the yokai fit the role perfectly.
First, their strength wasn't bad. They had several Ultimate-class fighters. Nothing extraordinary, but then there was Ryo Yagami.
Second, the yokai had territorial disputes with both the fallen angels and the devils. They'd taken over Kyoto. If not for the matter still being under wraps and the devils not officially responding, the two sides would already be open enemies.
As long as Ryo's identity as Governor-General of the fallen angels remained hidden, the angels wouldn't suspect the yokai of setting a trap. That would make them more inclined to attend.
And once they showed up, if they refused the terms, it would naturally turn into a justified three-sided encirclement.
In short, dig a pit and let the angels jump.
Force them into negotiations by any means necessary. Ideally, before they learned the resurrection conditions of the Creator God, nail that monster's coffin shut. At worst, push the angels into a direct clash with Indra.
After all, the Spear of Longinus was in Indra's hands, and he was secretly trying to invade the core of Heaven's system. If anyone deserved to be a target, it was him.
The plan neatly boxed in both the angels and Indra. The only catch was speed. Everything had to happen before Ryo's identity as the new fallen angel governor became public.
"In Kyoto…" Ryo rubbed his chin.
Wasn't that stealing Kuoh Town's role? Stealing Rias's spotlight?
After all, Rias originally stepped into high-level politics because the three-faction talks were held in her territory. Now he was about to mess that up.
But after thinking it over, Ryo decided it didn't matter.
"Works for me. Kyoto it is."
"Good. I'm grateful for your agreement."
Sirzechs relaxed, but at the same time, something felt off.
Why did he unconsciously feel like he was one level beneath Ryo? Like Ryo was the superior and he was the subordinate?
The feeling was oddly familiar.
Wait… he'd felt this before. Where?
Suddenly, someone came to mind.
A certain existence who had built a palace near Satan's castle and treated devils with distant indifference.
The Devil Progenitor, Lilith.
Ryo gave him the exact same sensation.
Sirzechs's expression stiffened.
His movements became more restrained, his demeanor more cautious. He even found himself worrying that the "monster" there might notice him and get angry.
Yes. A monster.
Even though many devils and pantheon leaders called Sirzechs a monster, in his eyes, Lilith, Ophis the Infinite Dragon God, the Creator God, and Great Red were the real monsters.
And now, another name might need to be added.
Ryo Yagami.
Damn.
Lilth had never acknowledged the status of the old Lucifer family. Grayfia had always insisted the former Lucifer was a hypocrite, a false king. Rizevim was called the fake crown prince. And that Lilith had never even had a marital relationship with Lucifer.
Could this be the reason?
Sirzechs's eyelids twitched as he looked at Ryo.
If this man was the real Lucifer, Lilith's true husband, then everything made sense.
Rizevim Livan Lucifer really could be false.
After all, Lilith was that powerful. It would be strange if her husband were weak. Ancient devils respected only strength.
And most importantly, the first-generation Satan Lucifer hadn't even been handsome. He clearly didn't meet Lilith's standards for "beauty."
Connecting the dots, Sirzechs suddenly understood why he felt so restrained around Ryo.
Good grief.
Lilith was the source of devil bloodlines. The ancestor in their veins.
If the true Lucifer who married her shared that same essence, wouldn't fear be instinctive?
Aside from their direct children, every devil was born from their blood. Of course they'd feel pressured.
"Then it's settled. Go back and inform everyone. Move quickly."
Ryo paused, then looked at Azazel. "I'll need you to make a trip to the angels."
Azazel immediately looked miserable. But since this was Ryo's first order, he couldn't refuse.
"Fine, fine. I'll carry a coffin up to Heaven. I don't believe those old friends would really kill me."
Ryo rolled his eyes. If you want insurance, just say so. That makes it sound like I'm forcing you to your death.
"Then I'll give you a coffin-shaped life-saving item."
Azazel froze, then his mouth twitched. "As long as you're happy with the design."
Am I really going to Heaven carrying a coffin?
That'd be humiliating on a global scale.
Damn it. He shouldn't have mentioned a coffin.
Seeing Azazel's bitter face, Ryo kept a straight face, though he was laughing inside. He turned with a faint smirk and looked at Sirzechs.
"Your sister should be arriving soon. Take her back with you. Staying here isn't exactly a good thing."
Sirzechs stood and said with a polite smile. "You joke. It's Rias's honor to stay here with you."
Rias, who had just reached the doorway, heard that sentence.
She froze.
.
.
.