Chapter 24: Maids Get(?) (Patreon)
Content
Wow. Great awesome, fantastic even.
The president of the united states of fallen angels is sitting on the singular clean couch in my living room.
I was quite unnerved but not scared. If Azazel wanted me dead I would be dead already. Besides, Azazel is incredibly chill and peaceful. I am fairly certain I know why he is here.
He most likely heard about the Human Magician with unique abilities and the capability to use undead servants from Raymare and her underlings.
Finding me interesting he came to see me personally. That guy has so much and interest and so much free time at the same time it is ridiculous. He is basically doing what he did to Issei to me.
In all fairness, Azazel could potentially be an ally to me. He is someone who doesn't care about your faction, loyalty, or association. As long as he takes a liking to you and finds you interesting he doesn't care.
But I wonder what exactly he wants from me.
I looked at the handsome middle-aged man with blond and black hair wearing a crimson and black suit on my couch and did a double take for dramatic effect.
"Yo! Good afternoon Akira-kun. I am Azazel, Governor of the Fallen Angels."
"...Since you barged into my house without even alerting my barrier can I assume the hit order on my head is still ongoing?'
He looked at me for a second before laughing quietly that devolved into uproarious laughter.
"...I'm glad you find this amusing."
He held up a hand and took a deep breath, calming himself down from his fit of laughter.
"Right, my bad I was just reminded of how ridiculous this all is. I guess I shouldn't have barged in like that. No, you aren't in any trouble, in fact, I have come to apologize and thank you."
"?" I feigned confusion as I plopped down on the couch opposite if Azazel ignoring the giant patch of blood staining it.
"Right, I should give you an explanation. I had tasked Raynare and her clique to watch over Kuoh for sacred gear users and report them to me to either recruit them or take care of them if they are a possible threat."
Azazel let out a sigh of irritation and disappointment before continuing.
"But it seems my idiotic and overeager underlings decided that observing them wasn't really of any importance and decided to act without informing me and just execute the sacred gear users they do find."
Oh, so that's the real reason they wanted to kill me. How... disappointing.
"So... I nearly lost my life just because they were idiots?" I asked in disbelief. Azazel simply nodded in understanding as a response.
"Indeed, and since I feel responsible for the actions of my subordinates and as thanks for sparing my idiotic subordinates I have decided to give you compensation."
This, I did not really expect this. Granted even I do not know what I expected but it wasn't this. Maybe just for him to interrogate me about my abilities? How generous.
I don't trust it.
"And since this whole problem was caused by them in the first place. Why not make them pay for their crimes by serving the one they tried to kill? Maybe they will even learn some humility." Hearing his words my eyes widened and his grin became more smug.
"Besides, this place really needs a touch up don't you think? Sorry for taking the only couch not stained with blood by the way. Anyways, how about getting some maids? If I was you I definitely wouldn't want to pass up on some hot maids to "serve" me." Azazel said with an honest grin on his face.
"Well, I can't really argue with that."
[+5 Affection with Azazel]
"But there is just one problem, yes, I am very grateful but at the same time how am I going to fit four people into my humble abode?"
"Don't worry about that. I will also give your house a bit of an upgrade after all what kind of mage would live in such a mundane base? I just want you to do something for me in exchange, you don't have to but I would still appreciate it."
"What is it?" I don't like just receiving things. Besides being on Azazel's good side is a no-brainer.
Plus he is very chill and I like him.
No homo.
"Not only did our Raynare disregard my orders but she also offered to take in an excommunicated sister in order to extract her sacred gear and I would feel bad to just leave her on her own like that since it's because of my idiotic subordinates that this happened."
"So you want me to take care of her right?" Hearing my words Azazel smiled and gave me a thumbs up.
"Yep, it's good you are quick on the uptake. If you could do this for me I would really appreciate it."
I guess life finds a way, I was wondering what would happen to Asia once I took care of Raynare and the flock as well as Issei.
Now, I don't HAVE to take care of Asia.
But I feel slightly responsible.
Why didn't I feel responsible for Rias? That's because it was largely the fault of Rias. I just took a very convenient solution out of the picture. If she was more diligent or smart she wouldn't have the problem.
Rias' problems are at least partially her fault. She deserves them at least a certain degree.
Asia isn't like that. None of this is her fault. None of this is her problem. All of this was out of her control. She is innocent, good-hearted, and kind so much so that even while being indoctrinated by the church she was still willing to heal a devil.
They ruined her life for being a good person. Worse she was setup for that scenario by living worthless trash. And at the lowest point in her life she was invited by a group of fallen angels to take care of her.
I may have a very loose moral compass. I would kill someone innocent for my own gain.
But there is something I hate. That I loathe from the very bottom of my heart.
Exploiting someone's kindness and good nature and taking advantage of it is unforgivable for me.
I took away Asia's only chance. She doesn't deserve that. Even if Azazel didn't ask me to I probably would have gone and handled the Asia situation regardless.
I may be willing to kill someone innocent but I am not willing to hurt someone who genuinely means well to me. I may be willing to end them painlessly for my own benefit as there is an afterlife but I refuse to exploit them.
Especially if it doesn't benefit me. Leaving Asia like that doesn't benefit me in any way. And helping her won't hurt me.
"Sure, I can take care of her for you."
"That's great. I will text you her information later. Oh and don't worry my men work fast, your house should be done by tomorrow evening at the latest. I would suggest you find something to do tomorrow in the meantime." How does he know my phone number? You know what, he is Azazel I should know better than to question his capabilities.
he was just about to get up and leave before I had to ask him something.
"Before you go. I'd like to ask you a question." My words caught Azazel's attention and he nodded, gesturing me to go on.
"I'd like to know why you are really here. As the leader of a faction, you had no reason to come here personally even if you wanted to compensate me. In fact, you did not even have to compensate me, yet you still did generously. Why?" Against anybody else, this line of questioning would maybe have been rude but I am vaguely aware of Azael, uncovering his motivations right now would help me later.
[+5 Affection with Azazel] At least it seems like I impressed him.
Azazel smiled and put his hands up in a mock surrendering gesture.
"Haha, I admit I have been caught red-handed. Yes, there is a reason I came here personally. But I promise it isn't anything malicious. It's quite simple really." Azazel placed his chin on his hand and a flash of curiosity appeared in his eyes.
"I was interested in you."
"Sorry, but I don't swing that way." I replied with a deadpan face. He didn't have to say something so sus.
"Hahaha! No, I didn't mean it like that. I mean I am interested in your powers. A teenage magician being able to defeat 3 fallen is strange enough. But one that can match their strength and even summon what I can only assume are undead? That's unheard of."
"It's my hobby. I like collecting things. I would offer you to join the Grigori but my gut feeling says you would refuse. I wanted to see that unique ability of yours in person. I have to say, from that barrier of yours. I'm impressed, I've never seen anything like it. It resembles the techniques Yokai use but it is also different. As for my gifts just consider them an investment. You wouldn't mind if I were to occasionally come over, would you?"
"Not at all if you learn to use the front door but dont you have a faction to run or something?" From what I remember Azazel was a guy with an awful amount of free time to be playing a teacher in a school and messing with some devil teenagers for a man who is responsible for an entire race.
"Of course I have the time, I just have Shemhazai handle all of that. I just have to make some decisions once in a while is all." I envy to be this carefree. After that Azazel left and I was left by myself to ponder.
I couldn't detect him at all. Seems like I have a long way to go.
A/N: What did you think about the chapter? Share your thoughts on the comments below. If you have any suggestions I am glad to listen.