Since Rias had come to the Underworld in such a hurry, she'd left her peerage behind.
Apparently, they'd join her for training once they'd finished handling matters back at Kuoh Academy.
As for Takeyo's training?
No one thought he needed it. Besides the transcendent beings, who could even teach him? In a sense, he was always training, constructing his body systems during the day and studying at night. That was far more effective than any conventional practice.
"Takeyo-sama, Sirzechs-sama requests your presence."
After dinner, the silver-haired maid approached him with her usual perfect composure.
"Oh? What does he need from me?"
Takeyo raised an eyebrow. Just as Grayfia spoke, he caught sight of another peculiar task appearing in his system.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for signing in! Sign-in level: Gold!]
[Sign-in location: Grayfia's twin braids.]
[Sign-in time limit: 180 days.]
[Remaining time for sign-in: 180 days.]
"???"
Takeyo froze.
Doesn't Grayfia wear a single ponytail? Does this mean I need to convince her to style it into twin braids? Isn't that... a bit too exciting?
"Takeyo-sama..." Grayfia frowned slightly. "Sirzechs-sama mentioned it concerns the future, and your presence is essential."
She couldn't shake the feeling that Takeyo's gaze felt strangely... familiar?
"Alright, lead the way."
Takeyo shook his head.
Twin braids, huh... Should I go with a direct approach or something more subtle?
"Very well. Please follow me, Takeyo-sama."
Grayfia responded with flawless maid etiquette.
Takeyo followed Grayfia through the halls of the Gremory castle.
Logically, Sirzechs should be working at Lucifer Castle as the Devil King. Had he returned to the Gremory estate specifically to see him?
"Takeyo-sama, have you studied various forms of etiquette? If there's anything you don't understand, please don't hesitate to ask. We can arrange a suitable instructor for you immediately."
As they walked, Grayfia spoke in her usual calm tone.
Seeing her serene and composed demeanor, Takeyo found it hard to imagine she might have... certain hidden preferences.
Perhaps this was what they called being "restrained on the surface but wild underneath."
"No need. Such simple matters, I only need to observe once to master them."
Takeyo had already become proficient in human-world etiquette through observation. During his time with Rias's parents, he'd easily picked up Underworld customs as well.
Though different from human society, they were primarily based on British aristocratic traditions anyway.
"Very well. If that is your will, Takeyo-sama."
Grayfia remained as cool and professional as ever.
"By the way, Grayfia, don't you think you're a bit too cold sometimes?" Takeyo asked.
"No. This demeanor is required for my work."
A faint gleam appeared in Grayfia's silver-gray eyes.
Based on what he knew from the original story, she wasn't actually that cold-hearted when she wasn't in maid mode.
"Actually, I think you could try changing your hairstyle, Grayfia. Since it's needed for work, why not try something different when you're resting?"
Takeyo smiled.
"What hairstyle would you suggest, Takeyo-sama?"
To his surprise, Grayfia actually asked.
"I think... twin braids would suit you well."
Though it went against his personal preference, Takeyo gave his honest answer.
Actually... I think leaving it down completely would be even better.
After saying this, Takeyo entered Sirzechs's office.
Grayfia paused at the door, pondering his words.
"Twin braids..." she murmured to herself.
Inside the office, Takeyo found Sirzechs dealing with paperwork.
"It's been a while, Sirzechs. Though I'm not used to calling you 'Lord Sirzechs' or 'Brother Sirzechs', can I just call you brother-in-law?"
Takeyo said with a smile.
"Brother-in-law?... Of course, no problem."
Sirzechs paused for a moment, then smiled warmly.
"By the way, what did you need me for? You didn't come all the way back from Lucifer Castle just to chat with me, right?"
Takeyo glanced around the room, it was definitely configured as a working office.
"It's for you, Takeyo, but not only for you. I do occasionally work from here. After all, always working in the same place gets boring."
Sirzechs set aside his documents and sat across from Takeyo.
"So... what did you want to discuss today?"
Takeyo cut straight to the point.
At that moment, Grayfia entered and served hot tea to both of them.
"Thank you..." Sirzechs said as he accepted the tea from Grayfia.
"It's about your Defender Team. Has Azazel already discussed it with you?"
"He has. He said that as long as I don't completely annihilate certain factions, there's no problem, right?"
Takeyo smiled and took a sip of tea.
"If possible, please preserve the pure-blooded Devil lineages as much as you can."
Sirzechs said with a smile.
As expected of a Devil King, discussing potential mass casualties without even a change in expression.
"I know. Pure-blooded Devils are precious, after all."
Even without Sirzechs saying so, Takeyo would have done it anyway.
After all, he already considered the Three Factions his own. Those who disobeyed needed to be eliminated, but the grassroots foundations still needed to be preserved.
"By the way, there's one more important matter."
Sirzechs's expression turned serious.
"What is it?"
Takeyo had some idea what Sirzechs was about to say.
"Regarding your Defender Team, I believe it's time to recruit new members."
"Oh? Can't Dulio and Tobio handle things?"
Takeyo hadn't received any contact from either of them, so he wasn't sure about their workload intensity.
"No, they complete every task with ease. But in the end, there are only two of them, and they don't have the capacity to handle everything simultaneously."
"Especially... when certain people realize they can only handle matters within a certain scope..."
"They exploit the gaps when they're on missions?" Takeyo shook his head.
There are always people who like courting death.
Obviously, the alliance of the Three Factions was the general trend.
Those who insisted on resisting, wasn't it natural for all opposing forces to be crushed beneath the wheels of history?
"I agree to increasing the team size, but... all members who join must pass my screening. Those who don't meet my requirements cannot join the team. Is that acceptable?"
Takeyo asked.
"No problem. The Four Great Satans and the Fallen Angels all agree with this, but..."
Sirzechs hesitated.
"Do you think the opinions of others matter? Fine, I understand. I'll deal with those troublemakers."
Takeyo shook his head. He knew there would be opposition.
Sirzechs couldn't eliminate all these people because... as the Devil King, if he attacked noble Devil families, it could cause the Underworld to fracture.
The conflict between reformists and the Old Satan Faction might even reignite.
At this point, only the Defender Team, independent of the Three Factions, could take action to prevent the tripartite balance from collapsing.
Otherwise, if Devils acted, it would cause internal collapse. If Angels or Fallen Angels acted, it would trigger Devil rejection and destabilize the Three-Faction alliance.
So... it was time for Takeyo to step in.
He'd already decided to immediately inform Tobio and Dulio to set aside everything they were doing and come deal with this critical matter.
He believed that once this was handled properly, Tobio and Dulio wouldn't be so overwhelmed anymore.
"Then, here are the Fallen Angels and Angels who meet the standards. Who do you think would be most suitable?"
Sirzechs handed over two stacks of documents.
"Actually... you don't need to give these to me. I already have candidates in mind."
Takeyo smiled as he accepted the papers anyway.
A few minutes later, Takeyo handed the documents back.
"Not bad. They're basically all Maou-class powerhouses. Unfortunately... I already have candidates in mind."
From the moment the Defender Team was established, he'd already thought about who to recruit.
The team's name, he didn't know if it was intentional on Sirzechs's part, had an incredibly high affinity with him and his Ten Incarnations of Vishnu.
The three supreme deities of the Hindu pantheon: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Brahma was the God of Creation; Vishnu was the Protector of the Universe and Life, also called the God of Preservation; Shiva was the Three-Eyed God of Destruction, also called the God of Annihilation.
"Who have you decided on, Takeyo?"
Sirzechs asked with obvious curiosity.
He knew that not everyone could catch Takeyo's eye, so he was genuinely interested in his choices.
"So far, one from each of the Three Factions."
"I see."
Sirzechs nodded. One from each faction matched the original assignment structure.
"On the Devil side... Sairaorg Bael."
"Sairaorg? He's the number one young Devil, but... based on the strength he's displayed, he'd be inferior to most candidates on that list."
Sirzechs was aware that the heads of major families and top Rating Game competitors were extremely interested in this position.
What's more, in terms of demonstrated strength, they were indeed stronger than Sairaorg.
"That's exactly why I chose him, because he has something special."
"He's... the wielder of Regulus Nemea."
"I see..."
Sirzechs nodded. He could see that Sairaorg was constantly restraining himself, always training.
With the strength Sairaorg concealed, combined with his Longinus, he definitely possessed power equal to or surpassing those other candidates.
"On the Angel side... Lint Sellzen."
Just as Takeyo had expected, this Longinus had ended up in Lint Sellzen's hands.
"The Angels chose a rookie... Is it to balance out Dulio's overwhelming combat power?"
Sirzechs couldn't help but speculate.
Indeed, in terms of visual impact, Zenith Tempest, which could manipulate various natural elements, looked far more intimidating than Slash Dog or Takeyo.
The battlefields where Dulio fought were typically quite spectacular.
Takeyo simply smiled slightly after hearing Sirzechs's question.
"I don't think so. I just believe this person is more suitable."
"Alright, what about the Fallen Angel candidate?"
Sirzechs asked.
With Takeyo's strength, balance wasn't really necessary anyway.
He didn't know that Takeyo had already defeated Vishnu.
However... after Ajuka constructed the Underworld's Grand Formation and revealed that mysterious artifact, Sirzechs had asked about it. He finally understood why Ajuka had insisted so strongly on collecting the Underworld's magic at the time.
Good grief!
If he'd known earlier, even collecting magic from all Three Realms wouldn't have been too much!
"The Fallen Angel representative... is Vali."
Takeyo's lips curved into a smile.
"I remember Vali joined the Khaos Brigade?"
"That's why it's up to me to bring Vali back."
Takeyo said with a grin.
Maybe with Vali by Issei's side, when Issei goes berserk, Vali can defeat him and form a bond? Takeyo thought humorously.
"Well, if you're guaranteeing it, Takeyo, then that's settled. Azazel shouldn't have any objections about Vali either."
Vali was different from Lint.
Lint was in the information provided by the Angels; Vali wasn't.
"Alright, it's decided. Once all the troublemakers are dealt with, we can add these members."
Takeyo looked at Sirzechs and said.
"Ah, please take care of it, Takeyo."
Sirzechs's tone was firmer than ever.
A decision that would determine the Three Factions... and perhaps even the direction of the entire world... had been made just like that!