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In the week-plus since school started, no unexpected situations occurred.
Bokue maintained a regular schedule: morning office teasing Natsuki-chan, afternoon infirmary finding School Nurse Hasegawa to supplement calcium, evening dorms mooching dinner from Busujima-senpai while conveniently clearing the ski slopes, post-dinner returning to Keystone Gate to pull everyone for massive partying.
Like this, time blinked forward to the day before Saikai Academy's open house.
Three p.m., inside the old school building—
Familiar club activity time. In the first-floor living room, Rias still sat as always behind the large desk.
As club advisor teacher, Chisato Hasegawa simply moved a chair beside the desk.
"Alright, since everyone's here, let's officially begin."
Rias placed both hands on the desk, fingers interlaced before her. Her expression appeared slightly more serious than usual.
"Tomorrow is Saikai Academy's open house day, also an important day for the Underworld, Heaven, and Fallen Angels' Three Factions conference. Representatives from all three sides will come, so we must prepare thoroughly."
"Prepare? What preparation?"
Bokue, standing behind the sofa with both hands supporting the backrest, asked casually.
Unlike Rias who'd been busy coordinating and communicating since summer vacation for this meeting, his current lifestyle emphasized relaxation.
After all, to Bokue, this Three Factions conference really wasn't any big deal.
Nothing more than three faction leaders gathering together—Heaven sending twelve-winged Archangel Michael, Fallen Angels sending their Governor, plus the Underworld's Maou. Everyone sitting down together, agreeing not to fight on sight like before. Simple.
Something settleable with one sentence—did it really need such complexity?
Moreover, ceasefire agreements themselves were more symbolic than practical. Those truly wanting to comply just needed nodding at each other.
Those planning to violate ceasefires from the start—forget blood oaths. Even written signed contracts with countless clauses would still be wastepaper.
What, hire a band to play tunes plus hang a giant banner?
"Not the preparation you're thinking, Bokue."
Rias hesitated.
"Actually, a few days ago Onii-sama sent word—someone might cause trouble during this Three Factions conference."
"Who?"
"Probably... Old Maou faction remnants."
Before Rias could continue, Akeno Himejima seated on the right spoke up.
Bokue: "..."
Old Maou faction remnants? Why did that sound like a fallen ruling party turned opposition after losing core figures?
Oh, thinking about it—actually was. Current Underworld's Four Great Maou were all newly elected after the Great War ended. The previous Four Great Maou had all perished in that war.
Having lost core competitiveness, naturally fell to opposition.
"No, actually not just Old Maou faction remnants."
Rias shook her head, continuing to supplement.
"Including some radical Fallen Angels. They're extremely dissatisfied with how that war ended abruptly. So these years they've been trying everything to restart the Great War."
Like the Kokabiel they'd encountered before.
"Whatever. Let them come then."
After thinking roughly one second, Bokue's attitude light-speed recovered to complete indifference.
"As long as they dare..."
Words just falling—simultaneously, the sound of an opening door suddenly came from outside the living room entrance. Then hurried footsteps entered.
The next second, a black-haired glasses-wearing girl in school uniform with meticulously styled short hair rapidly walked in. Her long legs under her skirt lacked stocking coverage, exposed plainly in the air. Beside her followed her peerage's [Queen], Tsubaki Shinra.
"Rias, you haven't received word yet?"
Voice arriving before person—when Sona Sitri's words reached everyone's ears, she'd just appeared at the living room entrance. Seeing the room full of people, she froze slightly.
"Wait, I remember during summer vacation you still... school just started and you've already recruited this many servants? Plus, this number exceeds limits..."
"Uh, how should I put this—not quite like that."
Rias was caught somewhat off-guard by the barrage of questions, only able to clear her throat and rewind her thoughts.
"Anyway, let's set that aside. Sona, why did you suddenly come over now? You've been busy with student council matters these days. Plus, what news were you just asking about...?"
"Finished. I'm now Saikai Academy's new student council president."
The black-haired short-haired girl pushed up her glasses.
"And of course I'm asking about the Three Factions conference's specific date. Since holding a Three Factions conference, your brother will definitely come too, right? Has he sent word?"
"Not... yet."
Suppressing guilt over lying to her friend, Rias seriously shook her head.
Though unwilling to deceive her friend, the Maou's orders were absolute. Since Serafall didn't want her sister knowing specific itinerary, she naturally couldn't easily reveal it.
Yeah, exactly.
"But if you knew, Sona, what would you do?"
"Request leave."
The black-haired short-haired girl answered without hesitation.
"I've already arranged all recent student council work completely. So even requesting leave on tomorrow's open house day won't cause any problems. Plus, if Onee-sama comes, she'll definitely cling to me relentlessly..."
Recalling summer vacation days at Underworld home being hugged daily by her sister as a body pillow, even Sona—famous for meticulous work style—couldn't help showing somewhat unbearable memories.
Being treated like that before her own servants—she also had face to maintain!
"Uh, anyway if I get word, I'll inform you first, Sona..."
Rias was about to say this.
However, just then, spatial magic power ripples suddenly spread through the air.
A red magic circle appeared without warning from the living room's central open area.
The next second, the red-haired young Maou's tall silhouette emerged, plus beside him came a certain beautiful woman's pleasant laugh.
"If asking about Serafall-chan—she's probably already arrived at this school, currently outside looking everywhere for you, Sona~"
"Eh?"
Hearing this voice, Sona instinctively turned.
"This voice—could it be..."
No doubt—Venelana.
Emerging from the teleportation magic circle besides Sirzechs and Venelana was also Grayfia.
Sona couldn't help feeling astonished.
"Lucifer-sama... plus even Venelana-obasama came along. Weren't you always stationed at Gremory household..."
"Well~ before was before, now is now."
Venelana maintained that dignified elegant appearance. She raised her slender jade hand wrapped in white lace gloves, making an OK gesture toward the black-haired short-haired girl.
"After all, this occasion is major. Plus, our Bokue personally organized it. As [Queen], naturally I'd personally attend~"
"I see..."
Sona instinctively nodded.
But the next second, she felt something wasn't quite right.
Wait—what had she just heard?
Queen??
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