Kuoh Town became incredibly lively over the next few days. After Sirzechs's notification, Rhodes noticed a significant increase in Angels, Fallen Angels, and humans disguised as ordinary citizens. These were the security professionals sent by the three factions to clear out any interference before the summit.
Though Rias complained it made her job as Lord harder, in reality, since these professionals arrived, all the stray devils and exorcists in the area had been wiped clean. Kuoh Town was enjoying an unprecedented level of peace. Rias and the others only had to focus on maintaining the venue, a relatively easy task.
However, everyone except Rhodes was nervous about the upcoming summit. Whether the worlds would continue their cold war or move toward peace depended entirely on this meeting.The outcome, whatever it might be, would have profound and far-reaching consequences for the future of the Three Great Powers.
"Don't drop the ball when the time comes. Everything depends on this one move," Rhodes said, rubbing his chin as he looked at Katerea beside him.
"I know that. I haven't even briefed my subordinates on this plan," Katerea's lazy voice drifted over. "I won't announce it until we've warped to the Human Realm. After that, the rest isn't up to me."
She sat up on the bed. She was still wearing nothing but "the Emperor's new clothes," leaving the twin peaks of her "Mount Fuji" fully exposed.
Having suffered several crushing defeats at Rhodes' hands recently, Katerea's competitive pride had been thoroughly ignited. As the date of the plan drew closer, she summoned Rhodes more frequently, constantly launching "sneak attacks" in various ways, only to be "punished" by Rhodes with the aura of a future Queen.
Rhodes, for his part, could only "endure the humiliation" and stoically accept Katerea's treatment.
Katerea had proven to be a tenacious fighter, growing braver with every battle. To completely defeat Rhodes, she had even "borrowed" several tactics from Japanese dramas, such as equipping herself with "Dark-Attribute Leg Gear" or "Light-Attribute Leg Gear"—black and white stockings, respectively.
Unfortunately, Katerea had only mastered the theory. She had the form but lacked the soul. Even with her new moves, she couldn't grind Rhodes' HP down to the execution threshold before she found herself defeated once again.
"No, it is up to you," Rhodes countered. "The leaders of the Three Great Powers all want peace, without exception. If you advocate for that as well, anyone would welcome it. However, you might need to tweak your wording slightly."
"What do you mean?" Katerea paused, listening intently.
"You're scheduled to appear before Creereere. When you first warp in front of them, start by stating that you aren't there to start a war. Then, declare that if they want you on their side, you want to return to Lilith and take your place as the Leviathan Demon King of the Underworld."
"Huh? There's no way they'd agree to that."
"Of course they won't. But Sirzechs and Serafall love to compromise. If you say you want to be the Demon King of the Underworld, they'll refuse. But then, if you say you want to establish an independent nation to give your followers and ancestors a legacy, they'll agree to that instead."
Katerea hadn't heard Rhodes suggest this specific tactic before, and she was skeptical of its success. "And if they still refuse?"
"There's no reason for them to refuse. The Old Satan Faction is already in a state of exile. According to the current government's stance, as long as you don't destabilize their rule or start a war, they'll let you do whatever you want."
"I'll remember that. I'll play it by ear when the time comes," Katerea nodded.
"Also," Rhodes added, "I'll be attending that meeting as the man who killed Kokabiel. You must pretend you don't know me."
"Oh?" Katerea arched an eyebrow. "That might be out of my control. My acting skills aren't exactly top-tier."
Rhodes wasn't surprised by the hint of blackmail in her tone. After days of "deep understanding," he knew Katerea wasn't the type to be easily "persuaded" through physical intimacy alone. If he hadn't used both logic and strength to convince her, she never would have agreed to this proposal.
Besides, his current relationship with Katerea was strictly that of "pure business partners." Even after all these days, her favorability toward him hadn't increased much at all.
I guess 'love growing over time' is just a myth after all.
"Heh, suit yourself," Rhodes shrugged. "But if anything goes missing from your treasury in the future, don't come crying to me."
"..."
"I'm leaving."
Katerea's face darkened with frustration. Before she could say another word, Rhodes stoically pulled up his pants, got dressed, and vanished from her sight.
There were only two days left until the Three-Way Summit.
Despite the "calm before the storm" atmosphere, things at Rhodes' house remained as usual—or rather, not quite as usual.
Rias had personally delivered the news that Kuroka's bounty had been cleared. Meanwhile, Asia's school registration was finalized. To keep things simple, her first day was set for the Monday following the summit.
Additionally, at Kuroka's strong insistence and to make things easier for Asia's schooling, Koneko had moved out of her apartment and into Rhodes' house.
Kuroka was overjoyed. Even before her sister had officially moved in, she spent the day running around and shouting in excitement. This continued late into the night, severely impacting everyone's sleep until Rhodes finally grabbed her by the scruff of her neck to shut her up.
Griselda also called with a message: tomorrow, the day before the summit, a "high-level figure" from Heaven wanted to meet him. The meeting was set for the abandoned church in Kuoh Town.
Rhodes didn't need to be a genius to guess the figure was either Michael or Gabriel. He wasn't surprised. He had been working with the Church for years and had played a direct role in making this summit happen. It was only natural for the leaders of Heaven to want to build a rapport.
The status of a "freelance mercenary" was truly useful. Once people recognized your value, everyone wanted to recruit you—or at the very least, stay on your good side. This was why Rhodes had never formally joined a faction. He had technically joined the Hero Faction, but that group was so broke it barely counted as an organization.
However, there was one exception.
As Rhodes was at home watching a tokusatsu show to "stimulate his subconscious," an uninvited guest approached the mansion from a distance.
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High School DxD : Reincarnated into the Multiverse, but it's High School DxD (227 Chapters – Ongoing)
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