The Golden Dragon Empress - Chapter 37: The Ultimate Outsider

Natsuki continues to suffer under the eyes of strange dieties...

Natsuki could only hear a ringing in her ears as she walked back into the chamber.

She could see the others moving beside her, and she could feel everyone’s eyes on her as she moved, but she barely noticed them. Everything around her seeming strangely distant to her as the ringing swallowed nearly everything.

Her body felt as if it were moving on auto pilot as she was marched toward what she assumed to be her death.

But it was not the fear of dying that had pushed her into this state, but the knowledge that her immortal parent had believed that whichever fate her peers decided for Natsuki would be acceptable to her.

The Devil had not been expected a warm welcome when she learned that Amaterasu was her mother and that the Sun Goddess wished to meet her, but she would have understood everything better if the God simply did not care or despised her for existing, but Amaterasu seemingly saw her execution as a kind of blessing because she apparently cared for her daughter so much.

I... I know I’m not an expert on this, but how can this be love? Natsuki thought, thinking back to what Amaterasu had been trying to say before Omoikane interrupted them.

As Natsuki was lost in her thoughts, Issei moved closer to Rias; his fists still clenched at his sides as his body shook with a nearly uncontrollable rage. “Buchou, we can’t just let this happen.”

Rias’ bottom lip had become a bloody mess from how hard she had been bitting it since Amaterasu had joined them in the hallway.

The situation had been looking bleak, and a small part of Rias had hoped that the Sun Goddess would care enough about Natsuki to advocate for her life, but after seeing that the Goddess had left the chamber, sighting that such intervention went against her people’s beliefs, the King had finally been forced to confront a possibility she had desperately been trying to ignore since this day had started.

Rias swallowed the blood that had been pooling in her mouth, forcing herself to look ahead.

Rias genuinely did not know what to do as every instinct in her body told her to fight, to grab Natsuki, Issei, and the rest of her Peerage and leave the shrine before the Gods could finish whatever decision they had made. To tell her brother that he and the others could deal with the political consequences themselves.

But she knew that fighting here would accomplish nothing that it would be a pointless endeavor that would only get herself and those she cared about killed while plunging their people into war, damming the agreements between Pantheons and the fragile peace they had spent centuries trying to build.

“Ise-”

Issei glared at Rias, hearing the resignation in her voice before she could finish what she was trying to say. “Buchou, don't, don’t tell me that you’re giving up.”

Rias’ eyes widened slightly, and she found herself starting at Issei in disbelief.

“Buchou, if you or me, or Hell, if any of us were in this position, Natsuki would be doing everything in her power to save us,” Issei continued, his voice low. “We can’t trust these assholes with her life; they don’t care about her. I don’t care how strong and I don’t care how many fucking Gods are sitting in that room. We can’t just stand here and let them decide whether she gets to live.”

Rias stopped walking and the rest of the Peerage slowed with her.

For a moment, the only sound in the corridor was the quiet echo of footsteps belonging to the others in their large group moving ahead of them.

The Peerage quickly noticed that Natsuki was continuing to walk, still lost in a daze.

“Natsuki-san,” Asia called out but the taller Devil did not respond, continuing to walk forward

“Natsuki,” Akeno repeated, louder this time, going over to grab Natsuki’s arm to keep her from leaving.

Natsuki finally stopped, turning around and allowing her friends to see just how far away she truly was. Her face was expressionless, and she did not meet anyone’s gaze as she kept her eyes locked on the floor.

“Say something,” Issei demanded.

Natsuki stared at him, still with no emotion on her face. “What do you want me to say, Issei? Why… Why do you think I didn’t want you idiots to follow me here? This was always going to a possibility, what, are you planning on fighting them?”

“Yeah,” Issei answered immediately. “I’m not going to let them kill you, jackass! Even if you are acting really weird right now!”

Before Natsuki could say anything else, Sirzechs approached his sister and her Peerage, glancing at Natsuki before fixing his eyes on Issei.

“Ise-kun, I know that you are upset right now but you must keep whatever you are planning within your own mind. Allowing your emotions to rule you will do none of us any favors,” Sirzechs said quietly, staring at the younger Devil pleadingly.

Issei’s face twisted with rage. “I wouldn’t need to control my emotions if you hadn’t blown it in there!”

“Ise!” Rias exclaimed, trying to place a hand on Issei’s shoulder to pull him back, only for the Pawn to brush her off.

Issei’s eyes flashed red as he stared Sirzechs down. “Natsuki could die because of your actions, Sirzechs-sama. Do you even care about that? If they decide that Natsuki should be killed, are you going to do anything to stop it?”

All Issei could think about was how thoroughly the Maou was failing his friend, and when he really started to think about it, many of the things he and the others had gone through over the last few months were because of the Higher Ups’ poor management of certain situations.

Ray-Riser, Valper Galilei, Kokabiel, the Old Satan Faction, Vali, Khaos Brigade, Loki and his Valkyries… How many times are we going to be caught in the crossfire because of some grudge that started centuries before we were born? Or because we’re expected to fix problems that shouldn’t have anything to do with us? Issei thought. Why can’t the adults around us just take their heads out of their asses?

“Issei, what do you think is going to happen if I refuse to follow their demands? I care about Natsuki, but I cannot risk the lives millions of Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels for the sake of one person,” Sirzechs said bluntly.

Issei clenched his fists when he saw from the corner of his eye that Natsuki did not react to Sirzechs words, especially as he knew that Natsuki had already accepted her fate, remaining uncharacteristically quiet in the face of possible death.

“You should when it’s your fault that this is happening!” Issei yelled.

“Whoa, kid, calm down,” Azazel said nonchalantly as he approached the group and Issei noticed that everyone else had stopped walking and were watching him yell at Sirzechs, including Amaterasu and Omoikane.

Issei gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing red again as he glared at the two emotionless Gods while he addressed Azazel. “Sensei, how can you all just stand there and act like this is normal? She’s our friend, my best friend, and she’s one of us. They’re talking about killing her like she’s some fucking piece of trash they can discard because they don’t know what to do with her. I won’t let them take Nastuki from us, and if they want to, I’ll-”

“You will what, Sekiryuutei? Do onto us as you have Shalba Beelzebub?” Omoikane asked, cutting off the Pawn.

Azazel’s expression lost some of its usual amusement as the God spoke to Issei, his eyes narrowing at the deliberate provocation behind Omoikane’s words.

Issei frowned. “How did you-”

“Did you think that we would not know what happened to Shalba Beelzebub? Or of the attack that the Old Satan Faction along with the Children of the End on your former capital city?” Omoikane asked, his tone remaining remarkably calm. “Or did you think that we would remain ignorant of the circumstances simply because it occurred beyond our borders even when the matter concerns those of our own?”

Issei clenched his fists, but when he tried to speak again, Omoikane continued without a care.

“Juggernaut Drive, or for Sacred Gears that are not the [Boosted Gear] or [Divine Dividing], Breakdown the Beast, a forbidden and cursed ability that allows removes the seal placed on them, giving their access to an incredible surge of power at the cost of the user’s sanity and lifeforce. Are you so confident in a power that you have no control over? And even if you could manage to use Juggernaut Drive without the curse of forbearers consuming you, are you truly naïve enough to believe that you will be able to defeat the Yaoyorozu no Kami?” Omoikane said, his eyes briefly changing color.

Issei had never paid much attention to the mythological or religious stories, but even he knew the doctrine that spoke of incalculable number of Kami that made up the entirety of the pantheon, more so than the amount that were currently inside of the chamber in front of him.

“Omoikane,” Amaterasu said softly, drawing everyone’s attention to her.

Natsuki flinched slightly at the sound of the Goddess’s voice, but only Akeno noticed.

“That is enough. You have made your point.”

The God of Wisdom bowed to his Queen. “Of course, Amaterasu-sama.”

Issei was still breathing heavily, his hands trembling at his sides.

“Ise,” Rias said quietly.

Before Rias could continue, Amaterasu addressed the brown-haired Pawn, making Issei feel as if she was staring into his very soul with how piercing her gaze was.

“You should wait until the verdict has been given, Sekiryuutei. You may find yourself surprised by the choice my brethren have decided upon,” The Goddess said calmly.

She then turned away as she and Omoikane entered the chamber, leaving Issei with his mouth agape.

What the hell?! Issei felt like bashing his head against a wall, if this is what it was like to interact with deities, then he was sure that he would never get used to being left so confused.

“Just let it go, idiot,” Natsuki whispered as she walked past him, further enraging Issei.

It felt as if he had walked into an entirely different dimension, and he wondered why he was the only one who seemed to be having a reasonable reaction to all of this.

~X~

Natsuki stared blankly ahead as she looked at the Kami before her, her thoughts still feeling like a jumbled mess as she waited to hear what would be done with her.

She stood apart from her Peerage and the rest of her faction, standing in the center of the two groups at Omoikane’s behest.

Natsuki, if these fools decide that you must be executed this day, as I have said before, I will do everything in my power to- Lux tried to say through their mental connection before her partner cut her off.

Lux, can you really say that you and I can beat all fourteen of these assholes? Natsuki thought, still showing no emotion on her face.

Lux took a moment to respond, and Natsuki could feel the dragon’s disappointment and anger.

So, because the situation appears hopeless you would rather role over and accept your fate? Lux asked, her voice carrying an edge that was almost never directed at Natsuki.

Natsuki stared straight ahead. What else am I supposed to do? We're surrounded by Gods, Lux. I can feel their power, most of them are stronger than anyone I've ever fought before. If they decide that I must die, what exactly am I supposed to do? If I fight them here, then I know that my friends will join in and get themselves hurt or more likely killed just to prevent the inevitable.

There was a part of her that was enraged at the idea of submitting to another in such a way as all her life Natsuki had to experience being at the mercy of other people whether physically, emotionally, or socially.

It is why she wanted to be strong, why being a Devil and a holder of a Sacred Gear like [Ethereal Domination] were appealing to her even with their downsides. She knew that power was one of the few things that were universally respected and that if she were one of the strongest beings around then she would never feel like that small little girl that the other kids at the Orphanage relentlessly bullied ever again.

But in this moment, Natsuki knew that she was weak, that she was very far from becoming the kind of person whose name made others think twice about messing with her and those she claimed. And the last thing Natsuki wanted was for her weakness to put the people she cared about in danger.

You are a fool at times, محاربي الشجاع. The dragon said with a sigh. Did you not have a conversation with that friend of yours that you fancy about this?

Fancy?! For the first time in a while, Natsuki reacted to something being told to her, her eyes widening and her shoulders twitching.

The Pawn did not notice how visible her reaction was to everyone else however, unaware of how she was now being looked at.

What the hell are you talking-

Of course, they will be risking a lot by coming to your defense, but that will be their choice. Lux continued. Your friends care about you, and just as you will risk your life for them, they will do the same for you. Honestly, I do not understand why you cannot get this through your thick and stubborn head, and why you are so insistent in martyring yourself. You are allowed to be upset about all of this, Natsuki, you do not have to keep burying your emotions because they make others uncomfortable or to make yourself appear strong.

Natsuki was about to respond when one of her mother’s brothers rose from her seat, drawing her attention back to the council.

“The deliberation of this council has concluded,” Tsukuyomi said, folding his hands within his sleeves.

Natsuki clenched her fists, staring at Tsukuyomi with contempt as she waited to hear what else he was going to say.

The Moon Kami glanced at his sister-wife before looking back at their ‘guests’, his expression remaining unreadable. “The decision was not reached lightly, nor was it reached without considerable disagreement, nevertheless, the council has come to a conclusion. Sukehiro Natsuki,”

From across the room, Akeno felt her stomach tighten, every muscle in her body was tense as she waited for the words that would determine whether the girl she loved would walk out of the chamber alive.

She wanted to reach for Natsuki, lamenting just how far away the other girl physically was from her, and stopping herself from taking the necessary steps to cross the chamber.

“Shall not be condemned to death,” Tsukuyomi declared.

What? Natsuki blinked, not having expected this outcome.

Tsukuyomi allowed his gaze to fall upon Natsuki, his black eyes meeting her burgundy ones. “Your conduct since the discovery of your existence has been examined, as have the circumstances surrounding your life. While the council acknowledges that your existence presents certain complications to the balance between Takamagahara and the other pantheons, especially with your ties to the Maou Lucifer and his sister, you have committed no crime against our people or a crime that would cast an unfavorable light upon us through our connection to you that would justify execution.”

Rias let out a sigh of relief, relaxing as the weight she had been carrying since the beginning of the meeting began to lift.

Thank God. The King thought, ignoring the sharp pain that briefly traveled through her head.

Beside her, Issei's eyes widened. “They're not going to kill her?”

“Apparently not,” Kiba said quietly, though there was still uncertainty in his voice.

Asia covered her mouth with both hands, tears of relief beginning to form in the corners of her eyes.

Koneko's ears slowly rose from where they had been pressed against her head, her golden eyes remaining fixed on Natsuki.

Xenovia exhaled slowly, her own body still tense as she waited to see if anything else would be said about Natsuki’s fate.

Even Sona and her Peerage appeared to relax, although the Sitri King remained cautious, knowing that a decision not to execute Natsuki was not necessarily the same thing as granting her freedom.

Akeno, however, barely seemed to hear any of them as the moment Tsukuyomi had spoken, the tension that had made her body taut finally broke, and she nearly stumbled forward.

“However,” Tsukuyomi lifted their gaze, and he looked straight at Sirzechs, resisting the urge to scowl at the Devil and allow his disgust to be seen. “This council has also determined that Natsuki’s circumstances require several additional measures be placed upon her. First, her status will be formally recognized by Takamagahara. The name Sukehiro Natsuki will be entered into the records of the Amatsukami as the legitimate demigod daughter of Amaterasu. Second, Takamagahara will establish a formal line of communication with Sukehiro Natsuki and the Gremory household. Despite her current position as Rias Gremory’s Pawn, neither the Underworld nor House Gremory will possess exclusive authority over her. Any important decisions made concerning her will require consultation with Takamagahara, and neither the Gremory family nor the Underworld may alter, transfer, suppress, or otherwise interfere with her status without our knowledge and approval. Third, matters pertaining to her divine heritage, and any children she may one day have will require consultation with Takamagahara.”

Natsuki's eyes narrowed. “Any children I may one day have?”

Tsukuyomi continued to explain the terms of the council’s decision. “Any offspring produced by a child of a major deity carries the potential to inherit divine, power, or even a portion of their parent's domain. That is a not a risk that should be taken lightly.”

Natsuki stared at him incredulously. “You're talking about children that don't even exist and will never exist.”

“Yes, we are,” Tsukuyomi's expression remained completely serious as he looked at Natsuki again, addressing her directly. “We expect to be informed of any pregnancy involving you.”

Natsuki's mouth fell open. “You've got to be fucking kidding me.”

“Fourth, Sukehiro Natsuki will be expected to present herself within Takamagahara whenever summoned by the members of this council, provided that such summons do not conflict with existing obligations recognized by our treaty agreements.”

So mandatory family visits, how fun. Natsuki thought to herself.

“Fifth, Takamagahara will retain the right to monitor any significant manifestation of Sukehiro Natsuki’s divine abilities. Her power is largely dormant at present, which may likely change as she matures, should her abilities begin to manifest in ways that threaten yourself, this realm, or those around her, Takamagahara must be made aware of it, and be given leave to teach her how to properly control her abilities. And of course, there is the matter of the earlier stipulations that Omoikane presented to you all, those will need to be accepted and followed as well as you have already agreed to do so,” Tsukuyomi said, retaking his seat once he was finished.

Sirzechs rose from his own seat, his expression composed despite the tension that had settled over the chamber. “We accept the judgment of this council regarding Natsuki’s life and will agree to your terms.”

Amaterasu rose from her throne, glancing at Natsuki with an expression that remained difficult for the teenager to read before her gaze settled on Sirzechs.

“Then let us finalize this agreement just as we have done previously,”

Sirzechs nodded his head, and he, Serafall, Azazel, and Gabriel walked to the center of the large chamber, moving past Natsuki and standing in front of her.

Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo did the same, approaching until the two sides stood facing one another.

Natsuki was glad to no longer be the center of attention even if only for a moment and even if she still felt annoyed by the entire affair.

Omoikane followed the other three Kami and reached into his robes, withdrawing a long, narrow scroll covered in densely written kanji, holding it between the two delegations before slowly unrolling it.

“The terms will be recorded by both Takamagahara and the representatives of the Three Great Factions,” he explained. “Once the agreement has been sealed, neither side will be permitted to dispute the conditions without reopening negotiations before the council.”

One by one, the representatives approached the scroll, starting with Sirzechs who immediately placed his hand on the scroll

A faint crimson glow spread beneath his palm before flowing through the ink. “I, Sirzechs Lucifer, Maou of the Underworld, acknowledge the authority of this agreement and swear that all Devils under my authority shall abide by its terms.”

Serafall followed and then Gabriel, Azazel was the last of the three major representatives to touch the document, although he did so with considerably less ceremony than the others.

“As Governor General of the Grigori, I accept.”

After Azazel stepped away from the scroll, Susanoo clicked his teeth and took the Fallen’s place, placing one hand against the parchment.

The ancient God stared down at the writing for several seconds before speaking. “I, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Storm God and one of the sovereign authorities of Takamagahara, acknowledge this agreement and swear that the Kami under my authority shall honor its terms.”

A pulse of blue-white light traveling through the scroll beneath his hand before disappearing into the ink and once it was gone, Susanoo walked away, awing his brother to make his own oath.

“I, Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, God of the Moon and guardian of the laws of Takamagahara, likewise acknowledge this agreement and swear to uphold its terms.”

Once the two brothers had taken their turns, Amaterasu approached and the chamber had gone completely silent. Natsuki watched her mother walk toward the scroll, unable to decide whether she wanted Amaterasu to look at her or to keep her gaze anywhere else.

The Sun Goddess placed her hand upon the parchment and golden light immediately erupted from beneath her palm.

“I, Amaterasu-Ōmikami, sovereign of Takamagahara, acknowledge this agreement and swear that Takamagahara shall honor the judgment reached by this council.”

The golden radiance then spread across the entire scroll, weaving itself through the other differently colored energies already embedded within it.

Omoikane carefully rolled the parchment closed. “The agreement has been sealed.”

The tension that had filled the chamber still remained even as several of the Kami leaned back against their thrones, while the leaders of the Christian Pantheon quietly returned to their seat.

Natsuki tried to follow them, but felt a hand being placed on her shoulder. The touch was soft, but Natsuki could feel the strength of the person’s fingers as she was kept from moving forward. When she turned around, Natsuki saw that it was Amaterasu who was holding her back.

“Natsuki,” Amaterasu said softly and Natsuki became immediately tense. “I wish to speak with you without an audience.”

Natsuki frowned, something inside her chest twisted painfully. “Why?”

A faint crease appeared between Amaterasu's eyebrows, a reaction that Natsuki would not have noticed if she were not standing directly in front of the Goddess. “Because we have never spoken.”

Natsuki scoffed. “That didn't seem to bother you before.”

“You are not without questions and curiosities, are you not?” Amaterasu asked. “I can never tell with mortals in what areas they wish to remain ignorant in. I would rather you ask me directly than allow your imagination to fill in the gaps.”

What the fuck?! Natsuki bristled, staring at the Goddess angrily.

Amaterasu’s genuine confusion only served to frustrate Natsuki further, making her wonder how someone could be so powerful and yet so completely incapable of understanding why this conversation was difficult for her.

The Goddess’s demeanor since Natsuki had first laid eyes on her had been giving the Devil emotional whiplash, and if Natsuki was not aware of how much stronger the Goddess was in comparison to herself, Natsuki was sure that she would have swung her fist into Amaterasu’s face by now due to the Goddess’s responses.

Lux, is it possible that everyone is wrong and I was actually conceived by immaculate conception? Because I don’t understand how a human woman could have find herself in a relationship or even a one-night stand with a being like Amaterasu. She’s like a living robot; I can’t picture her having any interest in a lesser being. Natsuki thought.

A living robot that decided to have a mortal child and abandon it in your realm? Lux asked rhetorically. While I cannot tell you the kind of woman your mortal mother must have been for Amaterasu to be drawn to her, the divinity of the Gods was been enticing mortals since humanity first looked toward the heavens. Gods may be fundamentally different from mortals, but that does not mean they are incapable of affection, attraction, or love, they simple do not understand these emotions at the same scale or way that mortals do. For them, a century can pass like an afternoon, and the distance between worlds can feel no greater than the distance between rooms. What you consider abandonment may have been something entirely different to her.”

That doesn't make it better. Natsuki said.

I know that it does not. Lux said sadly.

Natsuki growled when she suddenly felt an arm wrap itself around her shoulders followed by the sound of Kumanokusubi’s laughter, already finding the sound to be incredibly grating.

The God of the Mountainous Wilderness grinned as he leaned against Natsuki, amused by the murderous look she was giving him. “Well, now that the boring legal stuff is over, we can finally do what I’ve actually wanted to do, getting to know my little sister.”

Natsuki’s expression flattened. “I have no desire to-”

Before Natsuki could finish speaking, Kumanokusubi picked her up and threw her body over his shoulder, ignoring the startled yelp that escaped her.

“What the fuck?!” Natsuki screeched, slamming knuckles on the back of Kumanokusubi’s head, “Put me down you fucking cunt!”

“No can do!” Kumanokusubi said, turning his head slightly to show Natsuki the wide smile on his face, unbothered by the force of Natsuki’s strikes.

Across the chamber, several of the Kami watched the exchange with varying degrees of amusement, used to this behavior from the leader’s youngest son.

Faster than Natsuki could physically track, the God carried the two of them out of the meeting chamber and leaving the rest of the assembled delegates staring after them in stunned silence.

~X~

“Akeno? Akeno, are you okay? You’ve been pretty quiet since we left the shrine,” Rias said, the sound of her voice making Akeno flinch as her focus was pulled away from her thoughts.

After Kumanokusubi had absconded with Natsuki and Amaterasu followed them without a word, Ame-no-oshihomimi had calmly apologized for his brother’s behavior but had been unable to hide the irritation he felt toward the mountain god for making such a spectacle of himself in front of their guests.

The eldest of Amaterasu’s sons then promised that Natsuki would be returned to them once the rest of their mother had an opportunity to speak with her and that, despite Kumanokusubi’s behavior, she would come to no harm while under their care.

The opposing pantheon was then led out of the room, with Yasaka and her daughter acting as guides for them so that they could experience Kyoto while they waited, leaving the delegation to process everything that had happened.

Now Akeno found herself standing within Kyoto’s Gion District, surrounded by traditional tea houses, unable to enjoy the scenery despite its beauty.

Normally, she would have been fascinated by the quiet elegance of the district, but this was the first time she found herself wishing desperately to be anywhere else. She kept glancing toward the streets behind them, expecting the taller girl to suddenly appear and complain about being dragged around by her newly discovered family.

Akeno sighed, turning to face her friend. “I’m just worried, I know that she should be safe now, but I keep thinking about Natsuki-chan being surrounded by people she barely knows, and us having no idea what they might say or do to her.”

Rias’ expression softened, recognizing the fear beneath Akeno’s words. “I’ve been worried too, and I can’t help but feel like this all my fault.”

In the King’s mind, Natsuki would not be in this position if her parents had not betrothed her to a Devil like Riser and if Sirzechs had not meddled in Issei and Natsuki’s lives, then there would not have ben a need for the Shinto Pantheon to determine if Natsuki was trustworthy or not.

And worst of all, Rias knows that if she had been a strong enough Devil and King then she would not have needed her brother to force Natsuki onto her path. Even now, Rias knew that she had been overly reliant on her second Pawn, the training she had recently received from her mother doing it to change this fact.

“Natsuki-chan wouldn’t see it that way,” Akeno said sardonically. “She’d tell you that Sirzechs-sama is the only one who should be feeling guilty.”

Rias let out a short, strained laugh. “You’re probably right.”

Rias’ eyes drifted toward the city’s skyline, grimacing as she began to think about her brother.

Sirzechs and the other leaders of their factions had left the moment that they had been released from the meeting chamber, returning to the Underworld with little more than a terse farewell.

Rias had barely been able to look at her brother after he agreed to terms that were given to him, understanding the position he was put in while hating it at the same time despite knowing that her brother had prevented a war and preserved their alliance with the Sinto Pantheon.

We would not be in this position if Onii-chan hadn’t decided that he knew what was best for everyone. Rias thought to herself, crossed her arms as her expression hardened.

“I can only imagine how my Uncle Ashethan and his people will react to the news once word spreads throughout the Underworld.” Rias said out loud, bringing her gaze down.

In the aftermath of the Devil Civil War, the Anti-Satan Faction splintered into two factions once the aces of the faction became the new Four Great Satans.

During this time, the Bael Clan were able to gain greater influence in the Underworld due to supporting the Anti-Satan Faction and the loss of influence among the original Satan clans after their defeat in the Devil Civil War. And so Bael Clan created the Great King Faction to continue to increase the power of the Bael Clan and maintain the aristocratic society that the pureblood High-Class Devils held so dear, engaging in a political tug-of-war with the Maous and their supporters ever since.

The founder and current leader of the Great King Faction, Ashethan Bael, Great King of House Bael, was an extremely prideful man, even by Devil standards, and there was little doubt in Rias’ mind that he would see the agreement reached in Kyoto as both an insult to Devil sovereignty and another opportunity to challenge her brother’s authority.

“Wasn’t Ashethan-sama against the agreement that the Maous had originally made with Japan?” Akeno asked, trying to remember exactly what the lord had said about the pact.

Rias huffed. “He was, so I know that he’ll be tripping over himself to present this affair as proof that he was right all along to his followers. It honestly makes me glad that we aren’t I the Underworld right now, if only to be spared having to listen to his posturing.”

“It would certainly be more enjoyable than listening to his rants about reincarnated Devils,” Akeno muttered.

Just barely. Rias thought, sighing. “This situation really is one giant mess.”

“It-”

“Lord Odin! Why?!” The two Devils jumped when they heard Rossweisse’s high pitched screams.

Across the street, Odin stood with a broken piece of his Walkure’s breastplate in one hand, staring down at Rossweisse who had crouched down in an attempt to cover her now exposed chest, with irritation.

Behind the God, Baraqiel stood with a grimace on his face, no doubt wishing to be anywhere else as he turned away from Rossweiesse.

At the same time, Issei stood with his eyes locked on Rosswiesse, either oblivious or uncaring to the fact that everyone around him could see exactly what he was thinking with the lusty look that now overtook his face.

“Why did you have to do that?!” Rossweisse screeched, her face bright red.

Odin sneered at the woman, pointing his finger at opposite end of the street. “I wouldn’t have ripped your armor off if you hadn’t chased off those lovely ladies I was trying to talk to and ran in front of me, trying to stop me!”

Rossweisse stared at him in disbelief. “You were making those Youkai uncomfortable!”

Odin clicked his teeth. “What would you know? An immature virgin like yourself wouldn’t understand the subtle tells beauty women like to give handsome men like me.”

“I’m not an immature virgin!” Rossweisse yelled, jumping to her feet and inadvertently flashing everyone.

A deluge of blood flowed out of Issei’s nose at the sight, his eyes widening as a result. “Holy crap! They’re amazing!”

“They really are,” Saji muttered, flinching and sweating nervously when Sona shot him a murderous glare.

“Eeep!” Rossweisse shrieked, finally realizing just how many people were staring at her. She immediately covered herself with both arms, her face turning an even brighter shade of red. “Stop looking!”

Issei snapped out of his stupor and immediately turned his head away. “Sorry!”

“You weren't even trying, Hyoudou,” Meguri snapped, her nose scrunching with disgust.

“Okaasan, are all Valkyries exhibitionists?” Kunou asked, looking up at her mother curiously.

Yasaka frowned, her eyes widening a bit as she looked at her daughter. “Kunou, where did even hear such a word?”

“Nurarihyon-sama,” Kunou said brightly.

Rias rolled her eyes at both the scene and Akeno giggling next to her, although even she had to admit that the absurdity was a welcome distraction from everything that had happened that morning.

~X~

What even is my life at this point? Natsuki thought incredulously as she tried to make sense of what was going on around her.

“Whoever has been teaching you how to fight has been doing terrible job of it. Or your arrogance over your middling power has made you overconfident because I can already name twelve different times that you could have ended this paltry battle,” Susanoo huffed, crossing his arms as he looked at the magically created screen in front of them.

When Kumanokusubi had carried her out of the meeting chamber, Natsuki had not expected that the God would take her to a large, opulent pavilion that was tucked away within the shrine grounds.

The structure was surrounded by a small garden filled with maple trees and shallow streams, while the interior had been furnished with comfortable cushions, low tables, and shelves filled with scrolls and books.

Now Natsuki sat surrounded by her uncles, brothers, mother, and seven other Gods who were introduced to Natsuki as her three eldest brothers’ wife and children. She inwardly questioned why she had not seen them during the conference, wondering if there was a hierarchical reason that she was unaware of as to why.

Susanoo pointed toward the screen, and Natsuki focused on the recording of her rating Game against the Sitri Peerage, seeing the moment when Saji wrapped one the lines his Sacred Gear created around her wrist and used it to throw her into the ground. “There, you left yourself open again. That Devil should not have been able to catch you so easily.”

Natsuki frowned, she had already been given similar criticisms from both Azazel and Tiamat in the immediate aftermath of the match, but hearing the same complaints from Susanoo grated on her nerves even if she did agree with them, especially because of how strange this all was to her.

She had thought that she would be having a private conversation with Amaterasu given how adamant the Goddess had been about speaking to her, not watching her past battles for some reason.

“I won,” Natsuki said flatly.

Susanoo looked at her as though she was an idiot.  “You won because your opponent was unable to exploit every mistake you made, not because those mistakes did not exist.”

Tsukuyomi sighed from his place on Amaterasu’s right side, rubbing his temple as he watched his brother continue his dissection of the battle. “We have not known our niece more than a few hours, Susanoo, why are you so insistent on dissecting the flaws in her technique this very moment?”

Good, so I’m not the only one who thinks this is fucking weird. Natsuki thought, leaning back in her seat.

“Why not start now? The sooner we correct her ill-gotten habits; the sooner she can become a proper warrior of Takamagahara and not bring shame to our and especially her mother’s name with each breath she takes.”

Amatsuhikone openly laughed along with only child and son, Ame-no-mikage-no-mikoto, the younger God covering his mouth as he tried and failed to suppress his amusement.

Natsuki turned to face the two but before she could say anything to them, felt a hand being placed on her shoulder and when she turned around found herself staring into amber eyes.

Ikutsuhikone, Amaterasu’s fourth son, stood beside her with a gentle smile that clashed with the vigor in his eyes, looking at her with an expression that was considerably warmer than those of most of the other Gods.

“Don't mind our uncle,” he said. “He does this to everyone, but if you wish to proof him wrong, I could train you if you’d like, imōto. We can even set little deadlines for you and make wagers to see how much you can progress in a particular amount of time!”

Natsuki cringed at the God calling her his little sister, once again confused by why she was seemingly being treated so warmly by the group and because excentric they were all turning out to be.

Ame-no-oshihomimi sighed. “Brother, we have spoken about this; you are not allowed to make your little wagers anymore. Not after what you and Inari Ōkami got up to the last time that you did.”

Ikutsuhikone gave his eldest brother an exaggeratedly playful pout, crossing his arms over his chest. “That was an accident, Oshihomimi.”

“That accident involved the destruction of seven shrines, five teahouses, and Toyokumono-san being stolen from her home,” Ame-no-oshihomimi said dryly.

“I am the Kami of Vitality and Chance! I cannot be expected to not indulge in an aspect of my very divinity. How would you feel if I told you that you were not allowed to spread your fertility and prosperity to rice harvests and everyone followed my lead?”

The elder brother scoffed. “That would never happen because not only would I never put myself in such a position, but my realm of divinity far surpasses your own. Rice is the sustenance of life; it is more important that your incessant need to gamble.”

This led the two brothers to begin to argue with one another, their voices steadily growing louder as they each tried to prove that their respective domains were more important than the other’s.

“How fun, these two have started their quarreling again,” Ame-no-Hohi said softly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Does anyone want to guess how long it will take them to destroy the pavilion this time?”

“Twenty minutes,” Kumanokusubi said immediately.

“Ten,” Amatsuhikone replied without looking away from his brothers.

“You must think we are animals, don’t you, imōto?” Ame-no-Hohi turned his head to ask Natsuki while Takuhatachiji, Ame-no-oshihomimi’s wife tired to mitigate the conflict between her husband and Ikutsuhikone.”

“Animals wouldn’t be the word I would use to describe any of you, and don’t call me imōto, hearing any of you say that makes me sick to my stomach,” Natsuki muttered.

“Aw, but you’re our adorable and most favored sister, why shouldn’t we refer to you as such?” Ame-no-Hohi asked innocently.

Kumanokusubi grinned. “Hohi’s right; you’re our precious little sister now, whether you like it or not.”

“I certainly didn’t get that impression when you and a group of other Gods were deciding if I should live or not,” Natsuki said bitterly.

Despite her words, Kumanokusubi’s smile did not fade, instead growing wider. “But that was so long ago, imōto. And we decided that you should be able to live, so why continue to hold that against us?”

Natsuki did not respond, clenching her fists as she decided to ignore the three as she stood from her seat and walked to where Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo sat.

The elder Gods watched her approach in silence, remaining passive to the tension written across the young Devil's face.

“Are we going to talk now?” Natsuki asked, crossing her arms. “I know that you did not bring me here to watch your sons argue.”

Amaterasu stared at Natsuki blankly. “What is it that wish to know?”

“My mother, my other mother,” Natsuki said, rolling her eyes at herself. “All I know about her is that she comes from a powerful magician family. How did you two even meet? Why did you even have me? What’s her name? Is she even still alive?”

Ame-no-oshihomimi and Ikutsuhikone finally stopped fighting and the pavilion fell into silence, everyone just as curious as Natsuki when it came to her mortal mother.

Once Natsuki had been discovered, while they privately questioned how she came to be, no Kami was foolishly enough to ask Amaterasu outright, not even the members of her own family.

Amaterasu did not visibly react to Natsuki’s questions, letting the silence linger for a moment before speaking. “Your mother’s name is Sanura and she is still alive.”

She’s still alive, huh? Natsuki glanced at the floor, unsure whether the feeling settling in her chest was relief, anger, or something else entirely.

“She currently lives in Cairo with the rest of her clan,” Amaterasu continued. “Our first meeting took place when she was twenty-six years old, and she had accompanied her two of her siblings to Japan to negotiate the exchange of several magical artifacts with one of the Five Principal Clans, the Kushihashi Clan to be exact. I had been traveling through the Kushihashi’s territory when I had come upon her practicing a spell of hers.”

The Kami could still remember with perfect recollection how Sanura looked that day; the way the afternoon sunlight had caught in her dark hair, the faint crease between her eyebrows as she concentrated on her hands, trying to combine the ball of fire within her left hand with the lighting the crackled between the fingers of her right, trying to force the two opposing elemental forces to her will.

Amaterasu had found herself watching the magician inquisitively, taking in the mortal’s stubborn determination. She did not know why she stayed to watch the scene, but something about Sanura had intrigued her.

The spell was not particularly impressive in her eyes, combining elements together was something that a being such as herself would have no problem doing, and Amaterasu had forces herself to remember that humans were not gifted the way she and her brethren were when it came to magic.

When Amaterasu eventually relieved her presence to Sanura, instead of reacting how mortals usually did when before the Kami; instead she smiled playfully and asked the Kami if she was giving her a poor perception of Rashaankh magicians with her inadequacy.

And when Amaterasu Told Sanura that she had thought no such thing, Sanura teasingly called her a liar and asked the Kami if she would be helpful enough to tell her what she was doing wrong.

“Humanity has never interested me beyond surprise at their continued and stubborn existence in a world as dangerous as this one, but Sanura was different.”

Natsuki frowned. “Different how?”

Amaterasu's voice softened slightly as she answered the question. “In our brief time together, she was unlike anyone I had ever met before, a Queen among normal men. No one had ever looked at me, or spoken to me the way she did, and I could never anticipate what she would do or say next. Including when I asked her to come with me to Takamagahara, and she refused me.”

Tsukuyomi's head snapped in his sister-wife's direction, his eyes widening as he looked at in shock. “You wanted to bring this mortal to Takamagahara? But our laws specifically dictate that-”

“I know what they dictate, Tsukuyomi, it was simply a moment of weakness on my part, and it was good that Sanura refused when I asked,” Amaterasu said before looing at Natsuki again. “The last time I saw her in person was when she and her siblings returned to Egypt after concluding their business in Japan.”

“And what?” Natsuki asked, letting a humorless laugh. “You just didn’t know that she was pregnant with me? Or that she would come back to Japan and leave me in Nitoshō?”

Amaterasu’s expression remained passive as she spoke. “Sanura had returned to her family where I had assumed she was safe and healthy. And with no desire to return to Japan, I respected her wishes and stayed away, it was only until about seven years after our final meeting that I decided to look into her life. It… It had been too painful for me to try earlier, and by then, Sanura had already long since given birth to and hidden you. It truly was not until your battle with Fukiaezume that I became aware of your existence.”

Natsuki looked away, swallowing against the sudden tightness in her throat.

It did not make her feel better to hear that instead of knowingly abandoning her, Amaterasu was simply unaware that she existed in the first place.

“I cannot fault your mother from hiding you from both myself and the world, demigods, especially those who are the children of higher Gods are often targets of foul actors given the stigma surrounding them,” Amaterasu said, looking toward one of the open walls of the pavilion, allowing her gaze to settle upon the garden outside. “Sanura gave you your best chance at survival with her actions.”

Natsuki looked away from the Goddess, gritting her teeth as her body started to shake with rage.

Breathe, Natsuki. Lux said through their bond.

“I am sure that it will only be a matter of time before her family reaches out to you given their how long they have known about you,” Amaterasu said, dropping a bombshell on her daughter.

“Wait, what?” Natsuki said, her eyes widening.

Amaterasu tilted her head to the side. “Did you not know about this? How else could the Hakuryuukou and the Governor General Azazel have known about your linage if they had not been told? Outside of a few things about you, there isn’t much that would denote you being a Rashaankh.”

Natsuki ignored the knowledge that Amaterasu and the others knew this much about her, chalking it up to them investigating her thoroughly once her existence had been known to them and focused on the other thing that Amaterasu had said.

“Someone told Vali and Azazel?” Natsuki asked aloud. “But if Sanura kept her pregnancy with me a secret until she left me in Nitoshō, wouldn’t that mean that-”

“Someone close to her learned about you and leaked the information hoping that the Fallen Angels would dispose of before you could learn the truth?” Amaterasu asked. “Most likely yes.”

I guess that tracks with what Rias said when I first learned about them, but still, seems a bit extreme given that I didn’t even approach or know of these assholes before a few months ago. Natsuki thought.

“Sister, why did you not tell us this before now?” Susanoo asked, looking anger at the idea of lesser beings attacking one of their own, even if the person at the certain was a demigod.

Amaterasu calmly turned to face her younger brother. “I did think it was important, you all know that Natsuki would be hunted by those who knew she was my daughter and I wanted them and you all to have as unbiased of a framing of the situation as possible.”

Susanoo stared at his sister for a moment before his expression hardened, understanding what the other Kami meant.

“But there is no need to worry about the Rashaankh family, not until they send a representative,” Amaterasu said, her gaze returning to Natsuki. “Arrangement can be made then, hopefully by then you would have had time to settle in Takamagahara.”

“Settle in-I’m not staying here,” Natsuki spat. “Why would I-”

“The agreement that was reached between myself and your Maous stipulates that you will come to Takamagahara when summoned. Would that not indicate that you will be spending a significant amount of time there?” Amaterasu asked, her brow furrowing. “I apologize if that was not clear to you before now.”

Kumanokusubi snickered at the downright murderous expression on Natsuki’s face.

Oh, things are going to become so much more entertaining from here on out! The Kami thought, his smile growing wider.