Monts later, as the other girls from outside gradually returned to the villa, Venelana briefly explained her visit's purpose.
Well, of course this referred to conveying her son's ssage—the legitimate purpose.
"I see—Brother has already negotiated with Lord Michael and other mythological systems..."
Inside the parlor, Rias cupped her chin thoughtfully after hearing her mother's explanation.
Indeed, for such major business, setting aside their Gremory household—barring surprises, all Seventy-Two Pillars of high-ranking demon nobility would need to attend.
"So that ans another huge gathering of people..."
Just thinking about it gave Bokue the beginnings of a headache.
Like he'd said before, everyone's ti wasn't exactly cheap. Many formalities that could be skipped should just be skipped.
If truly sincere about peace talks, even separated by vast distances, sending a text saying "let's stop fighting" with the other side replying "okay" would equally achieve agreent.
But if there was never intention to properly comply from the start, no matter how many terms and conditions were signed, they'd all be waste paper—what use were they...?
"Bokue, you definitely have to attend."
Hearing the young man's truancy-like proclamation, Rias swiftly grabbed his arm with sharp reflexes, speaking seriously.
"You're the Gremory son-in-law. How could you possibly miss such an important occasion?"
"Not son-in-law~"
Nearby, Kuroka—who seed to have completely entered salted fish mode—muttered softly.
Rias didn't catch it clearly, but knowing this horny cat, whatever made her mutter quietly definitely wasn't anything good.
So the red-haired girl furrowed her brow slightly, turning her gaze.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing~"
Completely contrary to her usual image of never verbally conceding even slightly, when questioned by Rias, the black-haired, straight-haired cat-eared girl simply pouted this ti. Then she folded both hands behind her head and began pretending to admire scenery everywhere.
As if having absolutely no intention of arguing with her.
???
'This horny cat seems sowhat off today...' Rias thought.
anwhile, Venelana—who'd been sitting at the dining table without moving since earlier—set down her water cup.
"In any case, that's the situation. Regarding school absence paperwork, I'll trouble Sona to handle it when the ti cos."
"Uh... yes, please rest assured leaving it to , Venelana-obaasama."
This was their first eting since the tripartite talks so ti ago. Seeing Venelana again, the black-haired girl inevitably fell into certain slightly subtle recollections. Only when her na was called did she snap back to awareness.
She quickly cleared her throat lightly, placing her hand at her heart while politely bowing slightly before straightening and adjusting her glasses.
"After all, it's such major business. My sister and I will naturally attend together when the ti cos."
"Mm-hmm, then that's settled."
Venelana pressed her lips together with a radiant smile.
"Then there's one more thing—I'll be staying with you all these next few days. Ah... though don't mind . Just do whatever you normally do."
"Eh?"
The first to react to these words was actually Rias.
"Mom's... staying here?"
"Mm-hmm, yes."
Venelana first nodded, then—watching her daughter's changing expression—tilted her head with seeming confusion.
"Could it be... not allowed? But Mom gets so bored alone in the demon realm. Every day staying ho alone without even soone to talk to—not like you, Rias, living together every day. Could Rias-chan really not fulfill Mom's tiny request... After all, Mom is Bokue-kun's [Queen], you know?"
"No... I didn't say that."
Watching her own mother's aggrieved expression, the red-haired girl found herself speechless.
After all, with the conversation reaching this point, what more could she say?
She couldn't actually chase her own mother back, right?
"But at least put on proper clothes, Mom..."
"Clothes?"
Venelana looked down at the swimsuit on her body—the sa model as her daughter's, just one size larger.
"Isn't this fine? Aren't you all wearing swimsuits, Rias?"
"That's because we just finished beach volleyball!"
Rias didn't know what to say anymore.
Could prolonged solo living really make soone stop caring about these things? But she still cared!
Setting everything else aside, as a mother dressing so provocatively and parading around before her daughter's boyfriend—what kind of situation was this??
"In any case, I'll get you a cover-up, Mom."
"A cover-up? But there's no sun inside..."
"I'm worried you'll catch cold, Mom!"
"But Mom isn't cold..."
"Put it on!"
"..."
❁❁❁❁
anwhile, at a hotel in Itogami Island's central district.
As autumn noon's still-blazing sun shone through the luxury suite's floor-to-ceiling windows onto the deep crimson Persian carpet, Kisaki Kiriha—who'd been on Itogami Island over three days now—sat on the sofa with legs crossed.
She held a phone to one ear, seemingly conversing with soone, while her other hand slowly scrolled the tablet resting on her lap.
"Yes, everything's concluded. Kusuki Enterprises completely ceased to exist due to actions endangering Itogami Island. The artificial island originally designated as corporate headquarters has now beco a private resort island—this is the explanation Itogami Island Managent Corporation gave at their press conference."
"I see..."
The voice on the phone's other end sounded sowhat older. After hearing Kisaki Kiriha's report, she couldn't help but sigh softly.
"Using only two or three days—first completely crushing Kusuki Enterprises, then transforming the vacated artificial island into his private resort... truly god-like power."
"By the way, has that Keikain proxy contacted you again afterward, Kisaki?"
"No."
The black-haired girl's answer ca quite decisively.
"Our contact was limited to my initial courtesy visit that first day. Then that sa evening, Kusuki Enterprises was completely eradicated. We haven't t since then."
"I see."
The voice on the phone paused briefly.
"Though that's fine too. At least we didn't antagonize them this ti—that's enough. Unfortunately, the Lion King Organization gained the advantage... tsk... are they trying to beco a matchmaking service? (quietly)"
"Advantage?"
Kisaki Kiriha didn't quite understand what this so-called "advantage" ant.
Logically, weren't the Bureau of Astrology and the Lion King Organization completely separate departnts? One handled magical cris, the other natural magical disasters.
Each with distinct duties—what advantage was there to discuss?
Surely not crossing boundaries to steal others' work?
"No, nothing—just venting a bit."
The slightly older voice on the phone paused.
"In any case, Kisaki, return for now. Regarding Itogami Island... there should still be opportunities later."
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