About three days after the meeting with Serafall, Kazuya received a somewhat urgent call from Azazel. Worried that something had happened to that "insufferable crow," he immediately stopped what he was doing and went to meet him...
It was a paradisiacal place in the interior of Japan.
The mountains surrounded the lake like sleeping giants. The dense green of the trees reflected in the crystal-clear water, and the pure air carried the smell of wet earth and freshly cut leaves. The wind blew gently, making small waves dance on the lake's surface, breaking the perfect mirror that reflected the blue sky.
After teleporting, Kazuya walked slowly along the wooden path that led to the pier. His sandals made a light sound with each step, echoing through the calm and almost sacred environment. His dark yukata swayed with the wind, the light fabric revealing part of his firm and defined chest—a sight that would make any demon lose their composure. The sun touched his pale skin, and his white hair, messy and shining like freshly fallen snow, reflected the light in an almost ethereal tone.
"Huh..." He murmured, adjusting his dark glasses with a lazy smile: "I didn't imagine the old crow would choose such a beautiful place for an urgent conversation...."
At the end of the pier, Azazel was sitting on a wooden stool, a fishing rod propped between his knees and a half-empty can of beer beside him. The leader of the Fallen seemed relaxed, his face calm and his eyes half-closed as he watched the lake, as if he had nothing else in the world to worry about.
"Ah, you finally showed up, Human-kun..." Azazel said without turning his face. His voice was calm, drawling, like someone who was in no hurry for anything: "I thought you were going to leave me here alone with the fish...."
"I even thought about it...." Kazuya replied, smirking as he approached: "But then I realized it would be too cruel to the fish...."
Azazel let out a short laugh.
"Always with a sharp reply. You and Vali are similar in that sense."
"The difference is that I have more style...." Kazuya sat on the ground, crossing his legs beside the fallen angel.
"So..." He tilted his head, observing the reflection of the sky in the water: "What's the reason for the urgent meeting, huh?"
Azazel laughed, a light, almost sincere sound, and grabbed another can from the thermal bag beside him and extended it to Kazuya.
"Relax, human-kun. If I called you here, it's not because the world is ending."
Kazuya raised an eyebrow, accepting the can. He opened it slowly, the sound of the escaping gas mixing with the wind.
"If it's not the end of the world, then that's already a good start."
The two clinked lightly, without ceremony, and drank in silence for a few seconds. The bitter taste of the beer mixed with the fresh air of the lake, and for a moment, it seemed like nothing else existed besides the distant sound of the waves and the insects singing in the trees.
Azazel rested his elbow on his knee and let his gaze wander to the horizon. The golden reflection of the sun danced in his eyes, giving him a thoughtful expression.
"You know, Kazuya... I'm truly grateful that you exist in this world. If it weren't for you, for bringing true peace, I'd probably still be dealing with a flood of problems." He let out a tired laugh. "Just imagining it gives me a headache. I believe the old man would have liked you. He also wanted to see the world as calm as it is now."
Kazuya took a deep breath, observing the serene surface of the lake before them.
"I just did what I thought was right," he replied in a low tone: "Even if I made many mistakes in the process... I eliminated entire radical factions. In the end, all change requires sacrifices."
Azazel tilted his head, with a light smile.
"Indeed. But I still think you did the right thing. You saved the humans without condemning all the supernatural beings who once oppressed them, like my faction... and the demons'." He paused, his gaze full of sincerity: "If it were someone else in your place, I doubt it would have been so... kind."
Kazuya let out a soft laugh, the kind of sound that broke the weight of any serious conversation.
"Kind, huh?" He tilted his head, his playful gaze reflecting the golden light of the lake: "That's a new one. Usually, they call me arrogant, unpredictable... or simply a walking problem."
Azazel arched an eyebrow, smirking. "Well, none of that is exactly wrong."
"Of course it's not." Kazuya leaned his hands behind his head, reclining on the rock where he was sitting. "But let's face it, if I were just another goody-two-shoes guy, the world would have ended a long time ago."
"That's true..." Azazel murmured, observing him with a mix of amusement and respect.
"In the end, I just did what no one else had the courage to do." Kazuya's tone became calmer, but there was something sharp in his words. "Sometimes, to create a better world, you need to be someone's villain. And, honestly... I've always found that role more interesting."
Azazel laughed, shaking his head. "You say that with a frightening naturalness."
"Because it's the truth." Kazuya glanced at him sideways, a confident smile forming.
Azazel smiled, but didn't respond....
Silence settled for an instant, filled only by the soft sound of the breeze and the waves lapping against the shores.
"The current calm is truly something everyone is enjoying; the gods have stopped fighting, the demons are at peace, and even Michael is more sociable. This is the closest we've come to a universal holiday."
Kazuya took another sip, his gaze lost in the mountains reflected in the water.
"Yeah... it really seems like the world decided to take a break."
Azazel smirked.
"And you? Are you enjoying this break too? Or do you keep getting involved in... let's say, complicated matters?"
"Depends on what you call complicated."
"For example... a certain Maou who likes to dress as a magical girl and has been looking for you a lot lately."
Kazuya turned his gaze slowly, a half-smile rising on his lips. "You're well-informed, as always."
"It's my job," Azazel replied, taking another sip. "And it's also fun to see a guy like you being 'hunted' by a lovesick Leviathan."
Kazuya let out a low, sincere laugh. "I wouldn't say 'lovesick.' I think she's just... Fulfilling her responsibilities; she wants the demons not to be the outcasts of this new world I just created...."
"Responsibility, huh? Heh, you talk as if you don't notice the way she looks at you. Even a blind person would notice."
"I notice..." He said calmly, setting the can down beside him. "But some things... it's better to let time answer."
Azazel stared at him for a moment and then smiled, satisfied with the response.
"Typical of you, Kazuya. Philosophical even when you don't want to be."
"It's not philosophy," he retorted, looking at his own reflection in the lake. "It's experience. Having a harem of hundreds of women teaches you that...."
The wind blew once more, raising small waves. Azazel cast the line into the lake again and leaned back on the stool with a lazy sigh.
"Did you know that when the world is at peace, I get a bit bored?"
"You and me both," Kazuya replied. "Peace is good, but it has the bad habit of leaving us too much time to think."
"And when you think too much, you end up remembering what you shouldn't."
"Exactly, but as you said before, you have hundreds of wives to have fun with ~ you lucky bastard!"
The two laughed, the sound echoing over the lake. It was a different laugh, the kind that comes from those who have seen the worst and still keep laughing.
After a few minutes, Azazel spoke again, in a calmer tone.
"Do you think this peace will last?"
Kazuya took a while to respond. He observed the lake's surface as if he could see the future reflected in it.
"No..." He said finally. "Nothing lasts forever. But while it lasts... I think it's worth enjoying."
Azazel smiled, a tired but genuine smile. "Wise words, human-kun."
Kazuya turned, his tone playful again. "And to think you called me here just to drink and philosophize about world peace."
"Hey! You're the one who rushed over thinking I was dying."
"Well, with the amount of messes you get into, it wouldn't be so unlikely."
"Touché."
The two laughed again. Azazel finished his beer and tossed the empty can into the bag.
"You're still as bad at fishing as ever, Azazel; no fish has even bitten the bait," Kazuya commented, looking at the motionless line in the water.
"Fish are wise creatures. They must have realized I just wanted peace."
Kazuya stood up as well, adjusting his yukata and glasses. "Funny. It's the first time I've seen you quiet long enough to call this peace."
"Old age, maybe."
"I doubt it."
"Okay, maybe it's laziness."
"Now that sounds right."
Another shared laugh echoed in the air, mixed with the soft sound of the water lapping against the pier.
Suddenly,
The tranquil air of the lake seemed to change subtly when the sound of a magical distortion echoed over the pier, and four figures emerged from a teleportation circle.
The first to step forward was Vali Lucifer, with his sharp and impatient gaze fixed on Azazel. Behind him came Bikou, with his staff resting on his shoulders and a lazy smile on his face; Arthur Pendragon, always composed, calmly holding the sheath of his sword; and Kuroka, who walked barefoot, lazily swishing her tail while her feline eyes landed on Kazuya with malicious interest.
"You really came to meet my rival without calling me, Azazel?" Vali's voice cut through the calm air like a blade: "If you're going to meet my rival, the least you could do is let me know."
Azazel let out a heavy sigh, leaning back on the stool.
"And here we go..." He murmured, not even pretending to be surprised. "Vali, I wanted exactly the opposite—a casual conversation with my human friend. Without you destroying mountains because you want to challenge him...."
Kazuya arched an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips as he watched the group approach. "Rival, huh? So that's why you called me, Azazel? Planning a romantic reunion between me and the junior Lucifer?"
"That's one of the reasons, yes," Azazel replied, not hiding the irony. "Vali wouldn't stop bothering me about it, but I planned to tell you that he wanted to meet you for a battle, not bring the battle here..."
Before he could continue, Vali crossed his arms and stepped forward, his gaze shining with something between enthusiasm and challenge.
"So let's get straight to the point." He opened a smile that was half arrogance, half pure excitement. "Kazuya… I want a rematch."
The wind blew stronger, making the lake's waters vibrate. Kazuya stared at Vali in silence for a few seconds, the sun's reflection sparkling on his dark glasses. A slow smile formed on his face.
"Rematch, huh? You still haven't gotten over the beating from last time, huh?"
Bikou let out a loud laugh, tapping his staff on his shoulder. "I remember that one well! Vali complained for weeks!"
"Shut up, monkey," Vali growled without taking his eyes off Kazuya.
Arthur merely sighed, a slight smile on his lips. "At least we're in an open place. Less chance of it turning into an international disaster."
Azazel shook his head, resigned. "You guys are worse than children... I just wanted a quiet day of fishing."
Kazuya looked over his shoulder, his gaze seemingly relaxed, but the air around him seemed to change. There was a subtle, almost invisible pressure that made even the lake's surface tremble.
As for the "Vali Group," which in the original story would only be revealed after Vali joined the Khaos Brigade, everything was different in this timeline. He had destroyed the criminal organization, and the White Dragon Emperor's group now worked directly with the Grigori, under Azazel's orders. Kazuya already knew them from previous encounters, including Arthur, who worked with Vali on his orders, after having kidnapped the young man and his sister upon destroying the Hero Faction.
But that wasn't relevant now…
What really concerned him was something else.
Kuroka approached silently, her steps almost imperceptible on the wooden pier. In a quick movement, she wrapped around Kazuya from behind, pressing against him provocatively, her breasts lightly pressing against his back.
"Kazuya-kun~" She murmured in a drawling and playful tone, her voice loaded with malice. "How about... we make lots of little kittens together? Just you and me..."
Kazuya blinked, keeping his calm, but couldn't help letting out a low chuckle. The provocation was typical of Kuroka—bold, confident, and still amusing. He felt the warmth of her body close to his, but maintained his relaxed posture, resting his hands on the pier as if it were completely normal.
She had already done this when he met her in some previous encounters with Vali's group....
"Little kittens, huh?" He murmured, looking over his shoulder with an amused smile, his voice almost mocking. "You always find a way to turn any moment into fun, don't you, Kuroka?"
She let out a soft laugh, resting her head on his shoulder. "Nya~ You like it, you won't admit it, but you do."
Vali and the rest of the group stood a few meters ahead, watching the scene with expressions mixing surprise and amusement. Vali, obviously, was more irritated than anything else, crossing his arms with a look that said "this is going to take a while," while Bikou chuckled softly and Kuroka just seemed more amused by the situation.
Kazuya merely sighed, shaking his head.
"... You know I have many wives, right? I'm quite the playboy, and yet, you want to have children with me?"
"I want to have strong little kittens ~, and your genes are more than perfect, Kazuya-kun ~. You don't need to take responsibility afterward..."
".... You're incorrigible... But let's leave this conversation for later; my rival is jealous and wants attention right now!"
She let out a satisfied sigh, rubbing against him a bit more lightly before releasing him. "Great! Kazuya-kun is always so helpful…"
Kazuya let out a low laugh, still feeling the warmth of Kuroka's provocation on his back, and then stood up with an elegant movement as she stepped away, adjusting his yukata and dark glasses. His eyes shone with that mix of calm and challenge that always made him so unpredictable.
"Vali…" He called, his voice firm but laced with amusement: "If you want a rematch, then follow me. Let's go to that hill over there...."
He indicated with a casual gesture toward a nearby elevation that dominated the lake's landscape and offered plenty of space for a battle.
Vali narrowed his eyes, his body radiating energy and impatience. An arrogant smile formed on his lips.
".... Let's go, I want to show you how much stronger I've become!"
________________________
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