The day of our meeting with Ajuka Beelzebub arrived.
Since it was a weekend and we still had plenty of time before the appointed hour, everyone was spending their morning as they pleased. Once we finished our individual preparations, we were scheduled to gather at the teleportation circle in the Hyoudou basement and head to the coordinates specified by Ajuka-san.
Thirsty, I headed into the living room to grab some tea. I found Dad on the sofa, meticulously polishing his fishing rod. He looked up and gave me a bright smile.
"Oh, Issei! Want to go fishing with me today? Just a father and son, out on the water. What do you say?"
Just a father and son, huh?
Come to think of it, I hadn't gone fishing with Dad in ages. The last time was right after Miu came to live with us. Dad, Mom, and I had put together a whole itinerary to show Miu what life here was like, and fishing had been one of the stops. That was back in the summer of my third year of middle school.
Unfortunately, I didn't have that kind of time today. I had a heavy discussion waiting with a Great Satan. As a member of D×D and the leader of my own peerage, I couldn't just skip out.
I scratched the back of my head, feeling a genuine pang of guilt. "Sorry, Dad. I've got a meeting with a Demon King today. It's pretty important stuff—I can't really miss it."
"…I see. Yeah, of course," Dad said, his expression falling ever so slightly. "You're a busier man than I am these days, even though I'm the one with the full-time job. I just thought it'd be a nice break for you. Sorry for bugging you."
"No, no! Don't apologize, Dad," I said, waving my hands frantically. "I'm the one who should be sorry. Thanks for the invite, though."
"It's fine! We'll just go another time. Actually, let's take the whole family next time! It'll be more fun with everyone there anyway."
"Yeah. I'll let you know as soon as I have a free day. Let's definitely go then."
"Got it. Give my regards to the Demon King."
Give my regards to the Demon King, he says… Dad really has grown a thick skin lately.
As I finished talking to Dad, Mom approached me.
"Your father has been feeling a bit lonely lately because you two don't talk as much as you used to," she whispered. "I know it's not common for high school boys to hang out with their parents, but sometimes a father just wants to have a man-to-man talk with his son. Just like I do with Miu and the girls."
"…I guess you're right."
"But you have your own responsibilities. I'll keep your father company today, so you go take care of your business." She looked at me as I sipped my tea. "I know you're busy, Issei, but please find some time for him when you can. He's more of a lonely soul than he lets on."
The time came.
Gathered in the basement were my own peerage, the Gremory peerage, the Sitri peerage, Griselda-san, and Azazel-sensei.
Dulio was on guard duty in Heaven, and Ikuse-san was away on a different mission. Team Vali wasn't present either; Kuroka and Le Fay had been summoned back to their squad, so they were currently out as well.
Our "Gluttonous Hero," Diarmuid, was staying behind to watch the house, and Ophis, our household mascot, was last seen eating tangerines in the living room, though she mentioned she'd go check on the dragon egg later.
Maurice, the "Old Man" who had recently joined my peerage as my Rook, spoke up.
"Is it really okay for us to tag along? We're basically total rookies when it comes to being Devils."
"Joining my peerage means you're part of D×D now," I replied. "As long as you're members, you need to hear what's going on."
"I've got the basics of the Underworld and the state of the world down, but… man, greeting a Demon King right out of the gate is nerve-wracking."
"Liar! How are you 'nervous' while you're picking your nose?!" I snapped. "Go look it up in a dictionary! Check the definition of 'nerves'! You're just annoyed because it's a hassle, aren't you?"
"Hah! As expected of my disciple. You know me too well. To be honest, I'd rather have gone fishing."
"Hey! So Alice's habit of slacking off is your fault!"
As I retorted, Alice piped up from the side. "Exactly! See? It's not my fault at all!"
"You shut it! You want a punishment?!"
"A punishment? What kind of punishment does Big Brother give? I want to try it!" Nina chirped, her eyes sparkling.
"Nina-chan, you shouldn't be interested in things like that!" Licia scolded.
"Ehh… fine. But… ufufu♪ Big Brother looks so gentle when he's on a bed. Well, he's always gentle, but especially then♪"
Wait, Nina-chan?! Stop! Not here!
Too late.
"…Lady Nina, that is the first I have heard of this. Issei-sama, when and where did you subject Lady Nina to your poisonous fangs? I demand a detailed explanation."
And there she was. Valkyria. She was staring at me with a gaze so sharp it felt like it was physically piercing my skin. That wasn't the look a servant gives a master—that was the look you give a mortal enemy.
"Wait, c-calm down! Please, calm down! Um, Valkyria-san… why exactly are you holding those knives…?"
"To think Lady Nina's purity was stolen… I believe it is time to harvest that indiscriminate weapon of yours."
"Are you trying to castrate me?!"
"By the way, my sister was there with me too!♪" Nina added helpfully.
"NINA-CHANNN! Don't add fuel to the fire! Look! Valkyria-san is swinging a weighted chain now!"
"Issei-sama, prepare yourself. Say goodbye to that pathetic little thing."
Hieeeee! I'm going to be castrated! A Valkyrie is coming for my "little Issei"!
Suddenly, Xenovia and Irina stepped in front of Valkyria. Oh! Are they going to save me?
"Hold on!" Xenovia shouted. "It would be a problem for me if you harvested that now! And let me tell you, Issei's 'thing' is not pathetic! It was like a Holy Sword!"
"No, Xenovia! If anything, it's a Demonic Sword!" Irina corrected.
"Will you two PLEASE stop talking like that?!" I yelled.
These idiots! They're both getting punished later!
"I've been wanting to try a 'Kunoichi-play' recently," Xenovia muttered thoughtfully.
"Don't just read my mind and make requests!"
So Xenovia wants to play Ninja, does she? What kind of place is this to ask for that, you damn woman?!
…I mean, I'll consider it, but still!
"Xenovia… honestly, you child…!" Griselda-san sighed.
"Ah… wait, Sister! This is—"
"I will not wait! You're getting a lecture later!"
And just like that, Xenovia was hauled off by Griselda-san, who was stretching Xenovia's cheek so hard her face was deforming. A beautiful girl's face, ruined…
So that woman is going to be my sister-in-law, huh? She's absolutely ruthless, at least when it comes to Xenovia.
"Ufufu, it's always so lively and fun when we're with Issei," Licia said, watching the chaos with a smile.
Yeah… my peerage has grown, and the noise levels have doubled along with it. My "straight man" retorts are working overtime.
Azazel-sensei let out a deep, half-lidded sigh.
"Listen… this is not the right atmosphere for meeting a Demon King. Is your peerage suffering from 'Serious-Breaker Syndrome'? Do they just feel a compulsive need to destroy the mood whenever things get heavy? Actually, what even is Serious-Breaker Syndrome?"
"I don't know! You're the one who just named it! Look, I'm sorry! I'm sorry my peerage is so rowdy!"
The serious atmosphere we were supposed to have was in shambles. And in that chaotic mood, we were teleported to the coordinates where Ajuka-san was waiting.
We were enveloped in the light of the teleportation circle. When it cleared, we were standing… on a sandy beach.
A vast ocean stretched out before us, the sound of gentle waves echoing through the air. The sky was dark, indicating it was night.
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