Scarlet 45 (Patreon)

Scarlet 45

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Commissioned by Sivantic

Wordcount: 2500

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The meeting’s purpose was meant to be a method of ensuring our neighbors didn’t think anything would change in the near future.

However, as soon as Nurarihyon decided to try and get me in his camp, the situation changed completely.

They were essentially trying to take a military asset from a neutral polity within their region.

It made thinks complicated.

Only if you let it get complicated.

That was true. Not telling Rias or Sitri what happened here, essentially lying to keep diplomatic tension light, would be the best outcome. However, that would compromise my own, personal relationship with them. They could see it as me considering the offer quietly, even if didn’t take it face value.

That could be considered a form of betrayal.

However, if I tell them what happened, issues also arise. Unless they trusted me, or believed they were giving me suitable compensation, they could see it as a small threat that I could leave to join another faction. That could also harm my reputation, but more importantly, it was guaranteed to strain the situation between Kuoh and Kyoto.

I had a feeling that Nurarihyon, the old bastard, planned for this to happen.

He took his shot at getting a powerful asset. If that asset kept quiet, then the other side might trust it less. If the asset didn’t, then an undesirable outcome for the other side comes true, as they become more aware of a possible threat poaching one of their own.

However, he did underestimate one thing…

Yeah, I saw this coming.

…the extent Rias would go to keep me on her side.

Just thinking about it wiped away all my concerns about regional politics to be honest!

…

“I see, I see. A large-breasted Nekomata with… an astounding number of tails? A mutation perhaps. She would’ve been quite the catch!” Rias spoke to me over the phone, while I stayed in my room at the hotel we’d booked for the trip. We’d considered being guests to one of the two Kyoto factions, but decided against inflaming the relations between the two factions any further. Going out of our way to have a neutral meeting, only to take the hospitality of one of the factions, would’ve been a poor move. “Thanks for resisting her, Ise-kun. Don’t worry, I’ll reward you when you get back! It’ll be special, I promise. Akeno will love to join, I’m sure!”

“Thank you very much! I’m looking forward to it!”

You look like a complete sleaze bag. I hate it. Ddraig griped and grumbled. I turned the next page in the manga that I bought, so that he could have something else to look at from the corner of my vision. Hell, yeah! Eat shit, you giant cockroaches!

So back to my very fulfilling phone call with Rias.

“Well, then, I think it would be best that you watch out for your remaining time there and cancel the plans to visit both factions personally. With this new change, it’ll be best if we keep meeting on neutral grounds.” Rias advised after I calmed down a bit. Not completely, because whatever involved Akeno and Rias doing anything together riled up the imagination quite fiercely. It was pretty difficult to keep listening, but I managed. “What do you think, Ise-kun? Sona-chan and I both met the Kyoto Youkai factions, but it’s been a while.”

I cleared my throat and distracted Ddraig with another page turn, before speaking.

“With Nurarihyon, it feels like he’s testing us. Making sure that I’m controlled and contained, instead of someone who could just be bought. Or, he might just be doing things just because he wants to.” I couldn’t see past the man, which was saying something, since I had a whole other lifetime under my belt. Now, that didn’t make me an expert in discerning motives, but it was usually enough to get me some clues that helped me out while I spoke to others. With the Youkai, I didn’t feel like I had that advantage at all. “As for Kunou, it felt like a normal, formal meeting with her and her bodyguard. Nothing special. I think we can stand to visit the Nurarihyon first, then Kunou’s people. But it’s safer to avoid them entirely. If we made up an excuse for me to leave early… no, Nurarihyon’s able to gather a lot of information on Kuoh somehow, so that won’t work.”

You could invite them to Kuoh instead.

That was… a good point from Ddraig.

“We could invite them to Kuoh instead. Nurarihyon knows enough that distance barely matters, and treating Kunou well will just get us into her people’s good graces.” Politics weren’t my strong suit, but even I could tell that was a good option to take. Set up a formal communication channel and diplomatic ties via a state visit, instead of visiting one or the other on their home turf, which could incite issues in the future. “This is Ddraig’s suggestion by the way. There might be issues, so we’ll need to look into it before committing.”

“I understand. Don’t worry, it’s a fine idea, however it will have to wait until after the meeting.” Rias gave her thoughts on the proposal and I nodded. Ddraig shrugged in the mental space he occupied, while I turned the page. Augh, there’s a lot of blood and gore in this manga. Shut up. It’s fine. Besides, there’s plenty for you to enjoy, so don’t complain!  “Though, having them present to independently witness the proceedings might benefit the whole meeting. It will keep the three Factions civil and polite, at least.”

That could work.

I nodded, before breaching another possibility.

“Another benefit to staying on neutral ground would be to keep either faction from keeping us here, too.” Rias gave a hum of understanding at that statement. Kidnapping me was on the table, because I didn’t have the power to defend myself against people like these. At least, I thought that I didn’t. Asia would be at risk, at least, because she’d get targeted as my healer. “You can still reach here in a second, if things go south, right?”

“Yes, I have a familiar on standby just outside of the city limits.” We took the train here to both rest and see the views, but also make it seem like we couldn’t get reinforced by our allies. It was a test of sorts of how much we could believe in the Kyoto factions if we didn’t show up in force. “If there is any trouble, please call for us as soon as possible. There’s no need for you to fight on your own, Ise-kun.”

Something stuck in my throat, but I swallowed thickly at those words, and nodded.

“Yeah, I understand. I’ll call right away if there’s trouble.”

I’d had a team before, and worked with lots of people, but this time it felt different.

No.

I had this feeling before… but I tried to forget, because of how things ended.

This time, things were going to be different.

…

“A picnic beneath cherry blossoms? How boring… but I appreciate the drinks.” Nurarihyon laughed and slapped his leg, while Kunou’s guard tested the food we’d purchased for the new meeting before giving it to her. I’d bought a lot to feed myself, and there was plenty for our party of five beneath the Sakura trees. On a simple picnic blanket, there was a mound of food, utensils, and drinks for the older Youkai. Kunou seemed pleased by the sight of the takeout from the fast food place that we picked up. Cute. ­Taylor. I said cute! Not attractive! “Humans might be frail, but they’ve always been good at making booze!”

“I’m glad that you like it. My father recommended it.” I’d purchased it with my own money. Mortal currency, in the eyes of Devils, was easy to acquire because of their innate abilities. Most of mine came from knowing about upcoming trends of my world and adapting the knowledge to this one. So, we both cheated, but I was sure that my accounts weren’t being as hawkishly watched as the heiress’ accounts were, even if they had far more money than I did. “Enjoy. It’s all for you.”

There were more than a dozen bottles of sake and western liquors on the picnic blanket, but Nurarihyon just gave a nod when he looked at them, like it was sufficient and not at all that much.

I heard rumors that Japanese Youkai drank by the barrel or by the cask. This is exactly the amount he needs. Hm, I’d need a few wagons, personally.

I’d explode if I tried to drink that much.

Unfortunately.

“Thank you for the meal, Hyoudou-san.” Kunou gave me a polite bow, and I nodded in return, while cleaning off some sauce from Asia’s cheek with a napkin. Asia was happily eating while leaning against me. I’m a really lucky guy. “This is a very pleasant setting as well, and one that is well chosen.”

That was as tacit of approval I would get about switching from meeting them on their lands to a neutral location.

Or, so I thought.

“It’s a lot better than making problems by visiting either of our homes, yes.” Nurarihyon finished a cup and made a show of staring up at it once it was empty, before pouring himself another cupful. He chilled the alcohol in his hand with magic with casual ease. No calculations, no circles, just instinct and magic and training. For someone trying to look like a frail, old man, he was casual about being terrifying. “So, I’m guessing that the Gremory Heiress has properly countered my offer? What did she promise to give you? Soapland? Housewife play? Classroom play?”

“Nurarihyon-sama!” Kunou protested with cheeks reddened by embarrassment, while I coughed to the side. “Asking such things is—

“If I’m not allowed to play around with hypnosis, then I should at least have a little fun.” The youkai feigning being an old man complained and levelled his cup my way. He glared at me with flushed cheeks. “Well, lad? What is it? Did you use my offer to your advantage like a real man, or did you just lie and not say a word about it?”

So… this was a test of sorts from the Nurarihyon’s perspective.

No. I’m sure he’s just being a pervert and you’re taking it seriously because you are too.

Quiet, Ddraig.

“I took your offer and used it, but I’m sure as hell not going to tell you what I’m going to get. I don’t share.” Mine. All those moments are mine. No one else can have them, even from me. I can almost respect that. “What you need to know is that there’s no way I’m going to betray them for anything you can possibly offer.”

“Private beach resort filled with willing, nubile young women who want to have lots and lots of powerful offspring. They’ll all cosplay.”

“Bwuh.”

Taylor!

“N-no! I refuse. You can’t just bribe me like that!”

“Ise-kun, you’re drooling.”

“Issei-san, you’re panting like a dog, too.”

Kunou and Asia’s voices managed to bring me back from the brink and Nurarihyon sighed and shook his head, before pouring himself another cup. Dammit, it took me that long to refuse? He finished a whole cup!

“Well, that’s too bad. That’s my best offer with all my influence and wealth used up. I guess that I can’t own a dragon.” Own me? What the hell? Did you think you could literally buy me with a whole island of bikini-clad beauties who want babies? I mean, it almost worked, but if you thought that you’d own me because that island, you’re dead wrong! You’ll only get eight hours a day from me until I reach sixty-five, and I’ll still want vacations, good pay, and insurance! That’s basically owning you. Just a third of my life! “Oh, there goes that promise. Well, perhaps, I can make do with trying to capture your rival?”

Ddraig went silent at that, so I had to ask.

“My what? Who?”

Nurarihyon promptly almost chocked on his drink while his eyes bugged out of his skull.

It took him a second, before looking at me and searching me for something, but I just shrugged at his fervent gaze.

Then, he began to laugh.

And, laugh.

Drink.

Laugh some more.

I ate a few bites of food, before the man stopped guffawing.

“Y-you… y-you don’t know about Vali Lucifer at all! You don’t care! Bwahahahah!” Nurarihyon wheezed and shook his head, before taking a swig of sake like partaking in a fabulous drink after a perfect bite of food. I didn’t get it, but Ddraig was chuckling in the back of my head. “Do you evening know who Albion is? The eternal foe of the dragon kept in your Longinus?"

"I know what Divine Dividing does, but I don’t see why it should matter. My life’s mine… and it doesn’t seem like Ddraig cares about looking for a fight with the guy.” I shrugged at the statement. I knew about Divine Dividing because it was a powerful weapon. It halved the strength and power of an opponent, while my own Longinus doubled my power. From my perspective, it took away a key asset in my plans and left me only with my baseline. Well, that’s what it seems it would do. In a fight, it sounds like we’ll just see who gets the first attack off. “Why does he matter anyway? Did the Grigori contact you and try to get an alliance?”

Once more, Nurarihyon stared and searched me for falsehood, but instead of laughing he chuckled and smiled at my words.

“I see. I see. Despite all your power and strength, you believe in loyalty to those who stood by you, and don’t allow your power to chain you to a single path. Yes, I think it’ll be fine to have you near the people I protect.” Nurarihyon spoke, and I felt what was like a faint pressure fade from my shoulders. It was subtle, but after he showed off his magic, I couldn’t help but feel that he had his power wrapped around me all this time as a precaution. It irked me, but I would do the same thing if I could. “Tell Gremory and Sitri that there shall be no problems from my Faction in Kyoto and that I would like to visit and see the proceedings between the Three Factions. I would like to help maintain this peaceful, status quo… at least until I retire and leave all the problems to you youngsters, haha!”

I nodded at Nurarihyon’s words, before frowning.

He hadn’t answered my question.

Therefore, it was most likely that the Grigori did come here.

But why?