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"Azazel, by allying with Michael and the others this time, we need to reach a consensus as soon as possible."
Baraqiel, flying alongside Azazel, spoke with a worried expression.
His concern wasn't for the Fallen Angels' situation. It was for his daughter, Himejima Akeno.
When news reached him that the devils had been conquered, he had immediately grown anxious. He had been ready to fly straight into devil territory to check on her, and if Azazel and the others hadn't held him back, he would already be there by now.
He had been the one pushing hardest for this alliance with the angels, precisely to leverage their resources in finding her.
Azazel kept his usual carefree expression.
"Baraqiel, if you're worried about your daughter, just say so. No need to dress it up."
"Don't worry. The other party conquered the devils; they didn't wipe them out."
Baraqiel said nothing, but the worry in his eyes didn't ease.
Behind the two, Vali was lost in thought.
Albion had told him that the Red Dragon Emperor's aura had vanished entirely, meaning that from his generation onward, there would be no worthy opponent. Knowing this left Vali with an unsettled feeling and a vague sense of dread he couldn't quite place.
"Alright, the Celestial Realm is just ahead. Everyone cheer up!"
Azazel glanced at the two of them, each more preoccupied than the other, and covered his forehead with a helpless sigh.
"Wait, why aren't there any guards at the Gate of Heaven?"
Baraqiel stared at the unguarded entrance and asked in surprise.
"That is strange. Stay alert. Something feels off!"
Azazel's expression turned serious.
"We're going in regardless. If anything happens, don't hesitate. Retreat immediately!"
He took the lead and flew through the Gate of Heaven. The other two followed close behind.
"This... hey, hey, hey, you're not serious, are you? You don't need all this just to welcome me, do you?"
Azazel looked at the scene before him in shock. Countless angels stood in formation, weapons in hand, all eyes fixed on the three who had just entered.
"Azazel, something feels very wrong."
Baraqiel stared at the endless rows of angels in disbelief.
"Not 'something' wrong. Everything is wrong! Stop talking, run! We've been set up!"
Azazel turned to bolt, but a voice, both familiar and strange, stopped him cold.
"Azazel, Baraqiel, why leave without seeing me after coming all this way?"
The three turned toward the voice. A white-haired loli stood surrounded by the Four Seraphim, watching them with a calm, expressionless gaze.
Azazel and Baraqiel's eyes went wide.
"Lord!!! *2"
"What!"
Leaving aside Azazel and the other two, who were currently questioning their entire existence, Kaito had just returned to Central City, capital of the Jura Tempest Federation, with a happy smile on his face.
Because:
[Ding, Dimensional Gate charging complete. Do you wish to anchor world coordinates?]
'Hehe, finally charged again. Anchor!'
[Ding, anchoring world coordinates...]
[Ding, world coordinates anchored successfully! Based on Host's memory, the current world is "Akame ga Kill." Does Host wish to begin crossing over?]
'No.'
"Rimuru, there's a new world to explore, though I'll warn you: it's a little dark."
Rimuru's eyes lit up immediately. "What kind of world? Tell me! Do I know it?"
"Akame ga Kill. Heard of it?"
Kaito didn't keep her in suspense. The moment the name left his mouth, Rimuru's expression brightened further.
She knew it. She had a particularly vivid impression of Esdeath from that world. In her previous life she had even daydreamed about becoming someone like Esdeath, but the life of a corporate slave left no room for anything beyond fantasizing.
"Kai-chan, I know it, I know it! I want to come this time too! I want to meet Esdeath!"
"Alright!"
Kaito seemed to remember something and continued, "This time, why don't we bring the entire Imperial Guard Legion? They haven't had a chance to act in a long time. We can use it to sweep through the Empire and the surrounding foreign tribes."
Rimuru tilted her head. "Isn't the Imperial Guard Legion responsible for protecting us? Isn't it natural to bring them?"
Kaito scratched his cheek, looking slightly awkward. "Hehe, it's because of a certain fellow. He actually dared to curse you, so... hehe!"
Rimuru's eyes went wide.
She hadn't expected Kaito to still be holding a grudge over that guy shouting at him.
You're too petty!
"Sigh, I really can't do anything with you."
Rimuru covered her forehead and shook her head softly.
Just as the two lapsed into an awkward silence, Sakuya's voice cut through it.
"Master, Rimuru-sama, Kagaya and Ben Beckman have arrived!"
"Got it. Rimuru, let's head down."
"Mm."
The three descended the stairs to the main hall and immediately found Grayfia serving tea to the two guests.
In her maid outfit, she looked, from a distance, remarkably like a taller Izayoi Sakuya, though unfortunately for Kaito, Grayfia did not carry quite the same aura of quiet menace.
"Yo! You made it."
"Rimuru-sama, Kaito-sama!"
Kagaya and Beckman rose and bowed as they descended.
"We know each other well enough, so skip the formalities. What's important enough to bring you both here in person?"
Kaito asked as he settled into his seat.
"Kaito-sama, a day ago we received a visit request from the Eastern Empire."
"They wish to send a delegation to our country."
"At the time, you two were dealing with the devils in the new world... Ah, I apologize, Miss Grayfia, I didn't mean anything by that!"
Kagaya caught sight of Grayfia standing nearby mid-sentence and quickly clarified with an embarrassed expression.
"You're overthinking it, Lord Kagaya. I don't mind at all."
"That's a relief." Kagaya nodded to her with a mild smile.
"Kagaya, please continue."
"Yes!"
"The Eastern Empire is not a small nation. We didn't dare make a decision on this matter without consulting you both, so we came to ask your opinion..."