The data I spent hours grinding for rare items was wiped out by a lightning strike.
Damn you, Indra! Unforgivable!!
After a general meeting at the Underworld's TV station about the hero show, I returned home. Now, after lunch, I was in my room alone, using Izuna's communication function to contact a certain someone.
It had been a little over two weeks since we got back from Rias-senpai's family home for summer vacation. I'd done my best, but with no progress to show for it, I decided it was time to get serious and consult with someone I trusted.
", And so, Kuroka is just too cute. I can't focus during my nighttime Ittou Shura meditation at all... Is there anything you can do to help, Magari-sama?"
Yes, I was contacting none other than Magari-sama. Around the time I started high school, I'd finally reached the level of a top-class devil. Kuroka had become a Tri-Tail, so our training under Magari-sama had come to a temporary stop, she's not someone with a lot of free time, after all.
Before going to Kyoto, Kuroka had snuck into my bed once, completely throwing off my meditation. But since we hadn't seen each other for over 20 days afterward, I'd honestly forgotten all about it.
That is, until we returned home. Now, every night, she sneaks into my bed, hugs me, twitches her ears, and even rubs against me like she's marking her territory. When I activate Ittou Shura, my senses become sharper, and perhaps because she knows this, she clings to me even more tightly. It's a serious problem.
If the effect didn't wear off and knock me unconscious each time, I probably would've snapped from the sheer strain more than once… Actually, I probably did snap every night.
On top of that, Koneko-chan has been getting clingier during the day and club activities too.
…I mean, Issei's basically surrounded by a harem even more extreme than mine and doesn't lay a finger on any of them. At this point, is he a god?
[Magari-sama]: Take your lovey-dovey whining somewhere else.
Oof! Harsh words from Magari-sama!
She usually answers my questions one way or another, but this is probably the first time she's outright dismissed me like this.
Sure, it's a dumb question, but I'm really struggling here, Magari-sama!
Apologizing quickly, I tried to convey my desperation. She sighed deeply… even Izuna, serving as the communicator, looked exasperated.
[Magari-sama]: If you ask me, as a nekomata, you should just go ahead and knock up that black cat already. But fine, let's address the problem. It's because your senses, including your five main ones, are too wide open.
"…But when I activate Ittou Shura, my senses expand instantly. I don't have the luxury of controlling that."
[Magari-sama]: Then shut your senses down before activating it. With your current level of control, a bit of practice and you should manage it. Focus only on sensing aura. Eventually, you'll start picking up on spiritual presences too.
Ah! Of course! Closing off my senses beforehand, I never even considered that. Probably because normal people can't do that kind of thing.
"I see. Thank you so much for the advice. I'll try it right away."
[Magari-sama]: The path of Senjutsu runs deep. Don't slack off.
"Understood. I'll take my leave now."
And with that, Izuna's communication ended.
Well, that's one problem solved. Now the other one… Diodora.
For some reason, he didn't use the Ouroboros snake in the match against Agares. Was it because he hadn't received it yet? Or maybe he had more self-control than the original? Or… maybe he's just a small fry and not connected to the Khaos Brigade at all?
Let's just disregard that third possibility, irrelevant. Assuming a Khaos Brigade terrorist attack happens, how should I act? I can't accompany them to the Rating Game, and once it starts, the field will be isolated by mist, Dimension Lost.
If Odin's the only god accompanying the Gremory group, then he's probably the only one who can teleport directly to the battlefield. Rossweisse-san wasn't there either.
Even if my power wasn't strictly needed, him coming alone probably confirms it.
That means, if terrorism starts, I'll have no choice but to force my way in via random teleportation and rush to help… which is totally reactive and not ideal.
Just like during the peace conference, instantly disabling all that heavy security? That's beyond annoying.
Since Diodora didn't use the snake, I doubt Azazel-sensei and the others have any solid proof that the Khaos Brigade is targeting this match.
Ugh! In the original, Diodora did use the snake, and that's what tipped everyone off and let all factions prepare. Dammit, Diodora! Use the snake already!! (Unreasonable rage)
=====================
Meanwhile, with Diodora…
"Kukuku! Soon… Soon, Asia will be mine! Aah, I bet her tears, running down that pure little face, will taste absolutely divine!!"
Gurgle…
"Wha, Huh? My stomach suddenly feels… weird. Dammit, right when I was getting into the mood!"
Clutching his gut and waddling bow-legged, Diodora hurried to the bathroom. By the time he got there, his face had turned a sickly shade of blue.
So, back to the issue. The two major threats are: being surrounded by enemies at the start, and Asia getting thrown into an interdimensional rift.
If Odin's delayed in responding due to the suddenness of the attack, Asia could be in serious danger. And what are the odds that Vali's team just happens to find her by chance again?
I'll have to swap the Izuna I entrusted to Koneko with the main body, covertly.
That way, even if surrounded, combining Izuna's clones with the current Gremory group's power should let them survive. If an emergency happens, I can attach Izuna to Asia, and even if she gets thrown into a rift, he can maintain a protective barrier. I'll supply the aura myself, it should work.
Man, if I knew the attack was coming, I could've done something like during the Riser game, have all our devils wear earplugs while I read from the Blasphemous Bible aloud. Damn shame.
Well, the best-case scenario is that Odin makes it in time, so I'll just need a good excuse for why I gave the real Izuna to Koneko…