A/N:- Clarification something minor. (Mr = -san / Lord = -dono)
---3rd POV---
"Lord Michael," one of the six individuals seated at a large table says in a respectful tone, "I was genuinely surprised that you could call for a meeting at such a time."
As a response to that, Michael Victorianul nodded his head once before calmly stating, "You should know better than me how necessary this meeting is, Lord Ajuka."
"Indeed," a red-haired man sitting to Ajuka's right says in a supportive tone, "Things might get out of hand very soon."
"As Lord Sirzechs said, there are a lot of problems that are about to arise. To deal with that, I've arranged this meeting for the purpose of discussing a few topics pertaining to the subject."
"Even so," Azazel who is sitting to Michael's left says in an exhausted tone, "does this require the presence of three of the Four Great Satans?"
Serafall, who is sitting to Ajuka's left and had been quietly playing with her fingers, raises her head and says, "That's right. Is it really that necessary? I'm sure you know that whatever we do will be pointless, anyway."
At this moment, the sound of laughter fills the medium-sized room, as a man with dark silver hair sitting to Sirzech's right is unable to hold it in any longer.
After a solid ten seconds, the man finally stops laughing and looks over at everyone seated at the table only to be met with scowls from everyone apart from Michael.
"Excuse me," the man says in a kidding tone, "but what Lady Leviathan stated is too ridiculous to not laugh at."
Annoyed, Serafall raises her brows and says in a voice that is bereft of her usual coyness, "And what made you come to that conclusion, Mr. Rizevim?"
"Why is he here anyway," Serafall adds under her breath.
"Nothing much," the man responds, "I was just thinking of the past when the devils all followed the Four Great Satans' orders without question."
Hearing that, Azazel's brows furrow as he says in a firm tone, "There was never such a time."
"Indeed, you may think that way," Rizevim says without losing composure, "but you should know what I am referring to."
"Enough," Michael interjects in a cold tone, "This isn't why we've gathered here today."
"Yeah, yeah," Rizevim says dismissively, "We're here to prevent the upcoming war, right?"
"The purpose of this meeting is to prevent the annihilation of the devils, that's all."
"With all due respect, Lord Michael, but what makes you so certain that the devils are going to be the ones losing if a war broke out? Not only do our numbers amount to much more compared to angels, but we have quite a few powerful individuals," Ajuka says in a calm tone.
"That's still not enough," Michael simply states.
"Not enough for what?" Sirzechs interjects, "We are aware that God has returned, but according to several sources including Himself that He has become a Phantom and is currently in a weakened state."
"That's where you're mistaken," Azazel says, "I don't about Him having become a Phantom, but His current strength is by no means low."
"On what basis are you making such a claim, and how strong are we speaking?" Ajuka asks with squinted eyes.
"According to Vali, He poses immense prowess and equipment, each of which can easily change the tide of war."
Hearing this, Rizevim bursts into a fit of laughter once again, causing the expression on everyone's face to dour.
This time, he stopped after a few seconds before he looked at Azazel in the eye and said in a mocking tone, "Vali? Are you truly using him as a source to measure someone's power? I'm sure that he is as much of a fool as his father."
"Mr. Rizevim, please cut it out with the unsavory behavior," Ajuka says in a cold tone while glaring at the man to his far right.
Silence ensues for a few moments before Michael lets out a small sigh and proclaims, "The main problem lies elsewhere. As Lord Sirzechs stated, there are sayings on Him having become a Phantom.
"However, the truth is quite different. He is not God, but the one that never appeared but stood above. Everyone present should be aware of who He is and what His appearance signifies."
The atmosphere immediately tenses as a look of gloom appears on the three Satans' faces. Azazel straightens his posture, while Rizevim's expression finally turns serious.
"That troublesome bunch will appear, huh?" Ajuka says in a joyless tone.
"But that's not guaranteed," Sirzechs adds, "They should be outside Asia right now. Not only is there the Unmatched Barrier to prevent them from reaching crossing over, but they might not even know about His appearance."
"Do you truly think that might be the case?" Ajuka immediately says as a response to Sirzechs' words, "Those guys have most certainly noticed Him. They're mad beyond reason and follow His belief. Their madness is beyond redemption to the point that devils fear them.
"Do you think that they wouldn't notice that the one they so devotedly worship has descended?"
Silence ensues as Sirzechs is unable to muster a response against Ajuka's statement.
"Hey, hey," Rizevim says in a displeased tone, "You aren't going to just give in like that right? I've only ever heard of them, but have yet to meet one of their members. Still, they surely aren't as powerful as the rumors about them make them out to be."
A look of pity forms on Michael's face as he gazes at Rizevim while muttering, "How foolhardy."
"So," Serafall finally speaks again, "Are you going to side with Him if a war breaks out?"
"Naturally," Michael responds solemnly, while Azazel nods his head as confirmation.
"Even if that bunch appears?" Serafall adds.
"That's right," Michael states without hesitation as Azazel adds, "That doesn't matter."
"Don't you think that it's ridiculous to obey the orders of a Phantom?" Sirzechs says in a loud and hurried tone.
"It makes no difference," Michael states, "To me, He is my father and creator. Even if his objectives for appearing are unknown, I'm willing to follow his orders."
"Can you stop this already?" Rizevim suddenly says in an irritated tone, "Please get to the heart of the matter already."
Hearing this, Michael takes a deep breath before stating, "Prevent this war at all costs. Even if sacrifices are required, you must stop the war. Lest you would like to witness the extinction the devil race."
"Is that a threat?" Ajuka says with squinted eyes while Serafall and Sirzechs frown at his words.
"You may call it as such. I will be defending Father at all costs. Everything else is secondary."
Once again, silence ensues, but it's broken shortly after Ajuka states, "I will try my best to prevent it from happening. After all, I'm sure that Lord Loki wouldn't die so easily."
Hearing Ajuka mention the deceased Loki, realization seems to dawn upon Sirzechs and Serafall as their expressions stiffen.
"Hmph, cowards," Rizevim scoffs under his breath before getting up from his seat, intending to leave the room.
---1st POV---
"This stuff is quite easy," I say after having skimmed through Misa's math textbook.
"Stop bragging and begin teaching already," Misa says in an annoyed tone.
"Alright, alright," I say with a wry smile on my lips while setting the textbook down on the short round table I created for this occasion.
"Which part do you not understand?"
"Everything," she immediately responds, stunning me speechless.
This girl... what the heck has she been up to at school? I mean, she's in the same class that I'm in, and from what I have seen, she focuses during lessons. As such, it's quite strange for her to claim that she doesn't understand anything. Is she bad at mathematics, or...
"The teacher sucks," Misa says as if she read my thoughts.
I chuckle a little before reaching my arm out and pull her in for an embrace.
"Hey, let me go!" she immediately says while continuously punching my stomach.
Instead of letting her go, I run my right hand through her long hair while patting her back with the other with a smile plastered to lips.
After a short while, Misa stops 'struggling' as she silently lets me pat her back.
"Misa," I say after a few seconds, causing her to lift her head and look me in the eyes with a slightly red hue covering her cheeks.
Seeing this, the smile on my lips grows before I lean my head forward and kiss her forehead.
"Glad to know you're still as annoying as ever," Misa remarks with a slight hint of joy in her voice.
Hah~ She can just never be honest with herself. Well, it's cute, so I don't mind it much.
"Well then," I state after a few more seconds of hugging her soft body, "Let's get this tutoring session started."