«But with Devas and Devatas, again, not so easy," Emeric got up from his seat and walked over to the mini-bar to find a drink to his liking. - The Strongest God, that is Shiva, despite the title of God of Destruction, is not a big troublemaker and doesn't like to make a fuss," Emeric thought for a moment and pulled out a can of iced coffee. - According to some rumors, the biggest potential threat to us as a supernatural faction is Indra, the God of War..." he said.
Azazel clapped his hands dramatically, thereby showing Emeric's complete correctness.
«Boy, I don't know what your sources are, but as I mentioned earlier, you've hit the bull's-eye again. - Azazel set the glass aside and thought a little. - In fact, Indra is simply a consequence of his nature, that is, the God of War. It is his element, and he cannot do without it. Though that doesn't change the fact that he's an asshole. He has a habit of sticking his hands up to his elbows in problems - Azazel even metaphorically "stuck his hand in". - And most of the time he comes out of it clean and with a profit ...
Emeric grumbled at the overly vivid picture.
«The Devas and Devatas are only problems of the distant future," Emeric began to lay out the facts. - For the moment, you should be thinking about how exactly you want to achieve the "union,"" he emphasized the word, as if he still couldn't believe what was happening. - And in general," Emeric met his gaze with Azazel's. - Does he really agree?
Azazel did not answer at once. He considered and weighed something in his mind, and then he began to answer:
«Consider Him okay with it.....
Emeric just shrugged at that. It was clear he didn't want to be told the whole story, but Azazel didn't seem to be lying "too" much. The Seraphim couldn't have made such an alliance in secret from God, could they? So they must have it all worked out....
«Recent events show that not everyone is so in agreement with this course of events....
«Yeah," Azazel nodded and sighed tiredly. - Cockabiel, you see, has always been a warrior. Never compromised," he said, as if recalling something from the distant past. - He was worthless on the battlefield, but in the last centuries, after the end of the Great War," Azazel shook his head dejectedly. - He lost the meaning of his life, and when I told him we were going to make an alliance with angels and demons, he....
Emeric could watch as Azazel lost clarity in his gaze. Apparently, this memory was not a pleasant one for the leader of the fallen. How does it feel to go up against a "brother" who has fought shoulder to shoulder with you for centuries? How does it feel to realize that there will most likely be no peaceful solution for them anymore?
Not surprisingly, a lot of dissenters have sprung up. What do you do if you've spent literally centuries at war with someone, and then they tell you that you need to make not just a truce, but an alliance? What about all the casualties? What about the fallen comrades?
He was afraid to imagine the pile of muck Aldis had to shovel in the demon field. Though, if they'd practically come to an agreement, the New Lords were most likely backed by the Great King. Or rather, in any case, a decision of this magnitude would not have passed without his consent, otherwise they would have a new Civil War on their hands.
Emeric decided to break the heavy silence.
«So you came to our city to," he struggled to find the right word. - To keep us safe?
Azazel focused his attention on him and smiled dispassionately.
«Sure, kid, ha-ha-ha," he threw his head back with a laugh. - Uncle Azazel will take care of everything, just sit on your butt and watch the big grownups work things out, ha-ha-ha....
Emeric echoed his laughter with his own. The fallen man had a lot of charisma, after all.
«But still," Emeric continued, laughing and panting. - Why you? Don't you have any helpers? I thought I heard you had a pretty experienced Longinus user on your staff, like Canis Lycaon?
«Tobio Ikuse," Azazel confirmed with an appreciative smile. - Japanese...
«Shit," Emeric furrowed his brows. - Why is it always Japan all over the place?
«What do you mean? - Azazel was surprised at the unexpected topic.
«Where are we now?
«Japan.
«Where is the final battle most likely to be decided?
«In Japan...
«Don't you think that's strange? - Emeric was thinking hard. - It's like we're in some anime.... If Americans have all the "apocalypses" in New York, for example, then in all the anime it's in Japan.....
Azazel wanted to say something, but changed his mind; he periodically drew in a breath of air for a rant, but then immediately deflated. It was obvious that with each passing second what was happening was hitting his worldview harder and harder.
«Fuck! - Azazel jumped up. - We're the heroes of a fucking anime! - He desperately grabbed his head and looked in his direction. - What are we supposed to do?
«Is there anything we can do to make a difference?
«Uh, I don't think so...
«No more meta-references," Emeric shrugged indifferently. - We've knocked on the fourth wall enough already. So what about Tobio?
Azazel looked at him with an unspeakable expression, but continued.
«Now, my ward has one of the most unique Longinus....
«Aren't they all unique...?
«... Specifically," Azazel ignored his comment. - "An Independent Avatar-type mechanism. That is, he works in tandem with his Longinus, Tobio even gave him a name - Jin.
«If I'm not mistaken, the wielder of Canis Lycaon can create some sort of shadow blades?
«Uh-oh," Azazel shook his head slightly. - Not just 'shadow blades' like you said, boy. Those blades can cut gods, too, for they are so sharp. Almost a conceptual ability to 'cut'. Trust me, no one wants to fight Tobio at close range, and whoever does, well," he shrugged. - He'll get a bunch of extra holes in himself, or lose all his limbs. Anyway, it's better not to make Tobio angry, ha ha ha ha....
«Cool," Emeric nodded in agreement, and then straightened up and continued in a deliberately nonchalant manner. - I've got some Longins in my retinue, too....
«I know, Divine Divide, lucky you, kid," Azazel nodded, and then froze in place. - Wait! Did you say Longines?! Plural?!
«Exactly," Emeric was pleased to shock the fallen man once more. - Reinforcing Mechanism...
«FUCK IT! - Azazel rose from his seat. - You have both Dreig and Albion in your retinue?! And they haven't killed each other yet?!
«I'm in the process of "reconciling" them.....
«And who's the new host?
«Japanese," he said back with a hint.
«Japan again," Azazel repeated after him.
«That's right...
Azazel scratched his chin thoughtfully for a couple minutes, but nodded anyway.
«We'll figure it out somehow," Azazel sat back down with a sigh and filled his glass to the brim, draining it immediately. It's pointless really, but psychologically it should be a relief. - Let's hope your problems become my problems too. I hope we can make this alliance work, and that I can help you train them....
«Your "learning" they don't need.....
«Oh, come on! - Azazel waved his hand at him. - I have a passion for Sacred Mechanisms. I enjoy helping their bearers learn their abilities. I've even spent years trying to replicate many of them myself. Especially when the presence of both Heavenly Dragons in your retinue becomes known to the world, it's going to be a lot of work," he paused for a moment. - But it could also be an opportunity, boy. If the Celestials themselves confirm that they condone this alliance, then we'll earn a couple extra points....
Azazel mumbled something thoughtful to himself for a few more minutes.
«So why you?
«What?
«Why did you come to guard us yourself?
«It's an opportunity," Azazel said, getting back into a working mood. - If we can catch Cockabiel on you, and then we can get the Excalibur back to the Church, we can force the negotiations right away. As they say, the sheep are safe and the wolves are fed...
«I mean," Emeric repeated after him thoughtfully. - We're the bait?
«Don't be scared, you're a guy," Azazel smiled at him again and started waving his arms. - That's exactly why I'm here. In other options, neither Aldis nor Serafall agreed to this venture...
He could have imagined it. That Aldis would agree to put him in harm's way? But the payoff was too great, especially since one of the leaders of the Bible Faction had said he would personally look after them. Although Azazel doesn't seem to be the most responsible person, but he wouldn't hold on to his position for nothing. Do you think it's easy to control angels who have just lost their "limitations"? It's not fucking easy!
For the sake of his sense of maliciousness, Emeric decided to pick on Azazel's disclaimer for nothing.
«An adventure?
«A plan! A clearly laid out plan! - Azazel has corrected himself. - It's going to be great, we've got it all covered! I told you, just rely on Uncle Azazel, ha ha ha ha!...!
That's an interesting way to look at it. That is, Cockabiel has stolen Excalibur and wants to start a new Great War, thus completely ruining the beginning of peace talks. And his ideal scenario would be to kill the younger offspring of the two Lords of Hell. Azazel and company were able to calculate this, but they didn't get ahead of themselves, but saw it as an opportunity. An opportunity to set up a gambit in which they run everything perfectly and then reveal information about the official alliance on emotion.
Actually, he wanted to deal with Cockabiel himself, because he only had five pairs of wings. That was the highest-highest rank, which Emeric, according to all his calculations, should have been able to pull off. But the "adults" apparently had other plans, namely, Azazel would simply crush his former comrade with brute force. Then it would turn out not in the most interesting way for him, but as it is.
It was a good plan, and he didn't mind being the bait. Or rather, he was all for it. He could finally benefit his family and his race, wasn't that what he wanted?
But plans are plans if they don't go as planned. Many unforeseen circumstances can happen and then you have to act according to the circumstances.
It's a good thing improv is his specialty, isn't it?
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