The seats were arranged in an elegant semicircle, radiating a formal air with an unspoken severity. Four places were already occupied, while one seat remained empty, awaiting Ren. The division of those present was obvious to anyone with the slightest ability to perceive auras.
On the left side sat two figures side by side, their energy exuding a distinct fiery nature—dense, powerful, and charged with pride… the unmistakable aura of Devils.
Closest to him was a girl with cold, striking features, a beauty balanced precariously between composure and seduction. Her short black hair was neatly styled into a sharp bob, its ends brushing gracefully against her neck. Her wide, luminous purple eyes gleamed behind a pair of elegant rectangular glasses. Yet Ren could feel she didn't truly need them. They were nothing more than adornment, a formal mask wrapping her sharp intellect and a history steeped in icy intrigue.
Beside her sat a girl who stole one's breath at first glance, as though she had stepped out of an ancient painting soaked in sin. Her long crimson hair cascaded over her shoulders like tongues of silken flame, shimmering with fiery highlights as the light touched it. Her blue eyes, tinged faintly with green, shone with demonic power—yet not in a terrifying way… rather alluring, enchanting, majestic. Her body was, simply put… a defiance of natural law. Her proud, ample chest strained against her attire, her curves perfectly balanced, her waist sculpted, and her hips shaped as though designed to press against the tight confines of the chair. Every inch of her screamed irresistible femininity.
The third seat was taken by a woman entirely different from the first two. Her appearance radiated serenity, though her aura told another story. Her soft blonde hair was tied into a simple bun at the back of her head, covered by the white veil of a nun's habit. Her blue eyes glowed with indescribable gentleness, yet behind that purity pulsed a heavenly severity, an authority that came not from violence but from absolute faith and inner strength. Her modest attire couldn't completely hide her feminine form, one that seemed like that of an angel who had not rejected humanity, but embraced and elevated it.
The fourth and final occupied seat belonged to a woman who could never be ignored, no matter how hard one tried. Her long azure hair spilled freely down her back like midnight sky, shimmering under the room's light. Her sharp golden eyes gleamed mischievously, as though watching everything with playful mockery. She wore a crimson suit that was both too short and too tight, revealing far more than it concealed. Her long legs crossed deliberately, radiating calculated seduction, while her pale thighs peeked temptingly from beneath the short skirt. Even her chest, scandalous by any measure, rivaled Rias's with its deep cleavage that boldly announced her fearless femininity and cunning awareness of when and where to strike.
And her aura? It was dirty, deceitful, playful—yet alive, flowing like poisoned honey. She was without a doubt a Fallen Angel, sitting there with the confidence of a woman who knew every gaze was hers, and who needed no words to make her presence heard.
Ren recognized everyone except for the representative of Heaven—she had never existed in his past life's memories. The Devils, however, were none other than Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri, while the Fallen Angel representative was the most unexpected of all: Kalawarna. A figure who had appeared only at the beginning of the series, easily defeated by Issei without any chance to show her power, before being killed by Rias.
"Allow us to welcome you to our lands." —Sona spoke with a faint smile, her eyes sweeping over everyone present. "I am Sona Sitri, ruler of this city and heir to the noble House of Sitri. I will be responsible for reporting to the Devil Faction."
"And this is Rias Gremory, heir to the noble House of Gremory." —Sona continued, gesturing lightly toward the girl seated at her right, who responded with a confident smile and calm gaze, carrying a mixture of curiosity and caution. "She is also ruler of this city and will likewise submit reports to our faction."
"I know who you are." —Ren murmured in a low voice, his tone calm yet not empty. Beneath it was a cold edge, as if he acknowledged their identities not out of respect, but as a simple recognition of fact.
There was no need for lengthy introductions; the history of both houses was well-known to any Shinigami trained in the Onmitsukidō. Especially in the Special Operations Division, where intelligence on other factions—even those not allied—was considered vital.
For the Onmitsukidō had been the sole existence in the Soul Society aware of the other factions, aside from the captains themselves. Even noble houses had not known of their existence until Aizen's actions forced the truth into the open.
"I am Griselda Quarta, representative of the Heavens." —the angel said, her voice pure like a church choir, her gaze settling on Ren without judgment, yet as though weighing his very soul.
Ren inclined his head slightly, his expression devoid of surprise. He had sensed Griselda's aura from the first moment… pure, but not blindly so. It was steady, radiant, carrying the weight of a prayer long repeated yet still capable of soothing the heart.
"I am Kalawarna, representative of the Fallen Angels." —Kalawarna spoke with a playful, sultry tone, her eyes locking on Ren for a moment, gleaming with lust that betrayed the very reason for her fall. "I am responsible for political affairs, appointed as an observer for this mission."
"I am Kurosaki Ren, Lieutenant of the 2nd Division. I have been assigned to inspect this city and ensure the conduct of the factions prior to the Peace Conference next month." —Ren said evenly. Though the others attempted to soften their words, he didn't bother, making it clear that his role was one of verification, not diplomacy.
"…" —Silence fell across the chamber. None had expected the Shinigami to send a Lieutenant for something so trivial. A Lieutenant was a prized asset of the Gotei 13, their strength no laughing matter. At base, they wielded the power of a High-Class being; upon releasing Shikai, they could rival Peak High-Class or even approach Ultimate-Class. Such individuals were treated as the most valuable of assets to any faction—yet here the Shinigami had sent one merely to submit reports.
'As expected of the race of war, the strongest faction that left a terrifying mark in the war a thousand years ago.' —The thought echoed in all their minds, while the gazes of certain women burned with raw desire as they fixed upon Ren—particularly Rias and Kalawarna.
Rias's eyes glimmered with an overwhelming craving to possess, embodying the sin of greed. Every Devil carried the seven deadly sins within, but one always stood strongest—and for Rias, it was greed.
Kalawarna, on the other hand, looked at him with blatant lust, licking her lips as though already savoring him.
Though their desires were most intense, Sona too regarded him with a faint hunger for possession—though not nearly as fervent as Rias's. Griselda, in contrast, observed with mild surprise, unexpecting that another faction beyond the Heavens had dispatched someone of such strength and importance.
Ren smiled faintly, a half-sardonic curve of his lips that carried neither warmth nor coldness, but a steady mix of confidence and indifference. He sat in the empty chair without waiting for permission, his movements calm yet deliberate, as though he already knew the seat was meant for him.
"Let's begin." —he said quietly, yet his words carried a weight that made the air itself tense for a moment.
Griselda held his gaze for a long moment, then inclined her head gently, silently acknowledging that his presence was more than symbolic. This was no mere envoy… but a sheathed blade, whose unsheathing no one could predict.
"We have a few organizational matters to share with you." —Sona began, opening a thick binder she had placed before her. "They include territorial divisions, protocols for handling violations, and the schedule for joint surveillance."
Ren nodded silently, his eyes behind the blindfold moving across each of their faces. This wasn't just about protocol. He was reading them all—their behaviors, their reactions, even the rhythm of their breathing when certain terms were spoken.
...
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