"So, Serafall agreed then."
Inside the office.
Luo Shu sat in his chair, leaning back with his eyes closed.
Yet within his visual system, Kotoko Iwanaga's face was clearly visible.
The two were secretly having a face-to-face conversation via the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System's video function.
At that moment, Kotoko Iwanaga, walking through a deserted alleyway within Luo Shu's field of vision, said to him:
"Her Majesty Leviathan must be fully aware of the consequences of her involvement this time, as well as our intentions. Yet she still agreed."
To this, Luo Shu replied calmly:
"She's extending goodwill towards us."
Kotoko Iwanaga agreed but still cautioned:
"But she's also signalled the possibility of engaging with Truth Astronomy."
Luo Shu merely scoffed at this:
"Truth Astronomy's modus operandi ensures they can only temporarily collude. In the long run, a fallout is inevitable."
This was obvious.
Among Truth Astronomy's numerous factions, the majority were militant groups adamant about seizing the power of demons.
Aya Tokoyogi was a prime example of this.
For these people who sought to plunder demonic power for their own use, the demons of the Underworld in the High School DxD universe were nothing short of a fresh feast—and a relatively low-risk one at that.
After all, the demon nobles of True Hell were notoriously fierce warriors, none of whom could be easily trifled with. Even among Truth Astronomy's power-hungry lunatics, few had succeeded in wresting power from high-ranking demons, let alone demon nobles—not a single one existed.
But the demons of the Underworld were different.
Although the upper limits of the top-tier demons, such as the Four Great Satans, remained uncertain, High-Class demons like Ravel were practically defenceless slabs of meat to Truth Astronomy's mid-to-high-ranking members.
Possessing demonic power yet relatively weak, such demons downgraded the difficulty of seizing demonic power from hellish to merely normal.
One could easily imagine the scenario once the two sides made contact and truly understood each other's capabilities.
"Still, Serafall isn't foolish. She'll likely cut ties with Truth Astronomy after a few interactions."
"After all, organisations like Truth Astronomy who covet their power aren't exactly unprecedented."
Hearing Luo Shu's words, Kotoko Iwanaga raised a brow slightly and probed:
"You mean... the Onmyou Agency?"
"Correct."
Luo Shu nodded slightly, then recalled a piece of intelligence Yukino Yukinoshita had previously submitted:
"The Onmyou Agency should have already begun internally popularising the Shaman Class."
"Although the SDS only obtained intelligence about internal personnel undergoing secret special training, judging by Hao Asakura's multiple covert visits to Japan, the Class he created has likely already begun widespread adoption."
"In the short term, the effects may not be noticeable, but in the long run, the threat they pose to Serafall's side is comparable to that of Truth Astronomy."
"Shamans' Guardian Spirits?"
Kotoko Iwanaga murmured to herself, finding it somewhat amusing:
"Truth Astronomy developed techniques to steal the power of demon bloodlines, while the Onmyou Agency inherited the Shaman Class created by Hao Asakura, which allows demons to be killed and turned into Guardian Spirits."
"One steals bodies, the other steals souls – quite the coordinated effort, isn't it?"
The only truly miserable ones were the demons being targeted.
Sometimes, Kotoko Iwanaga wondered which side were the real demons here.
Why did the humans on their side seem almost as ruthless as the demons in their methods?
Luo Shu also wanted to voice this thought, but since Kotoko Iwanaga had already said it for him, he couldn't be bothered to repeat it:
"So in the long term, the four Satans of the Underworld are unlikely to cooperate with Truth Astronomy and the Onmyou Agency."
"That's precisely why I deliberately had you mention that Truth Astronomy possesses multiple demon Classes."
"So it appears you're offering valuable bargaining chips, but in reality giving nothing at all?"
Kotoko Iwanaga's expression turned slightly peculiar.
This transaction seemed like Luo Shu was using Truth Astronomy members as bait to trick Serafall into acting?
While pulling such a con wasn't impossible, considering Serafall was a potential Familia candidate they could recruit, wouldn't cheating her like this risk angering this Satan heiress?
To this, Luo Shu remained completely unperturbed:
"We're just giving nothing this time."
"There are other arrangements being prepared for later."
"After all, in my view, intelligence about otherworldly strongholds appearing should be enough to draw the Five Great Powers' attention to Serafall. If conflicts arise between them..."
Luo Shu trailed off here, changing the subject:
"If Serafall gets injured, it would be perfectly reasonable for me to introduce her to Aya out of guilt."
"And if this introduction succeeds, then Serafall would owe me a favour."
"Oh, mutual manipulation then?" Kotoko Iwanaga immediately grasped Luo Shu's meaning.
The con was the result, but not the main goal – the primary objective was establishing connections with Serafall.
As long as they had an excuse to interact, they could eventually recruit her.
Of course, this was Luo Shu's follow-up plan for Serafall. His immediate goal was to have Serafall appear before the world as an otherworldly powerhouse, mainly to irritate the Union.
Fully aware of this, Kotoko Iwanaga asked cheerfully:
"So then, Luo Shu, what's your next move?"
"Once things escalate, do we intervene directly to resolve it, or wait until after the incident occurs?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu slightly opened his eyes and said with an indifferent expression:
"The resolution of the last Akihabara incident was too perfect—so perfect that some people didn't feel a thing."
"So this time, let's give them something to feel."
"Hopefully, they'll realise with their lives just who it is that's been protecting them!!"
Though Luo Shu didn't say it outright, his intention to stand idly by was clear.
Kotoko Iwanaga grinned mischievously at his words: "Oho!! That's bound to break a whole lot of people!!"
"What's it to me?"
Luo Shu's face seemed to twist into a sneer:
"I'm just an unofficial individual actively tracking down the culprit after my subordinate was injured. For such man-made disasters, please consult the proper authorities for a proper resolution."
"Well then, it looks like we're in for some fun ahead," Kotoko said with a smile.
Luo Shu lowered his gaze and replied calmly:
"Then let's watch it unfold together, slowly."