"Lord Odin," Rossweisse said stiffly, her professional mask rigid despite the convenience store bag clutched in her hands. "I wasn't informed of any changes to your schedule. Where were you?"
"Schedules are for people who lack control over themselves, my dear Rossweisse!" Odin said cheerfully, completely ignoring her obvious distress. "I was spending some quality time in thisn town and decided to visit this fascinating young man"
I could see Rossweisse's eye twitching—the same controlled frustration I'd witnessed in the park.
"Sir, you left me without any contact information or instructions about accommodations," she said through gritted teeth, her composure cracking. "What if there had been an emergency? What if someone had attacked you? What if—"
"Bah! I've been taking care of myself since before your great-great-great-grandmother was born," Odin waved dismissively. "Besides, look how well things worked out! You spent a lovely evening with your boyfriend!"
Rossweisse's face went nuclear red "He's NOT my—! We were just—! It wasn't a—!"
"Oh ho! Such passionate denials!" Odin's grin widened maliciously. "That blush suggests otherwise, my dear. And here I thought Valkyries were supposed to be composed!"
"LORD ODIN!"
Azazel snorted with laughter. "I have to admit, the old man has a point. You two did look pretty cozy when you walked in."
"We were NOT cozy!" Rossweisse protested, her voice losing composure with each word "We were simply... discussing... things!"
"What sort of things require holding hands?" Odin asked innocently.
Wait, were we holding hands when we came in? I honestly don't remember—I was too focused on seeing Azazel and Odin together.*
"We weren't—! I mean, I don't—! That's not—!" Rossweisse's brain seemed to short-circuit.
"Easy there, Rossweisse," I said, trying to throw her a lifeline. "Don't let him get to you. He's clearly enjoying this."
"Oh, but I am!" Odin clapped his hands together. "It's been ages since I've seen my lovely Valkyrie so flustered! Usually she's lecturing me about responsibility and proper conduct. This is much more fun!"
"Speaking of proper conduct," Rossweisse rallied, shooting him a light glare, which Odin ignored gracefully "Sir, You were supposed to be attending meetings, not visiting... establishments of questionable reputation, while leaving me all alone!"
Azazel perked up. "Oh, you actually went to that place I mentioned? How was it?"
"Heaven! It was way better than what angels claim in their heaven!" Odin's eye gleamed. "The young ladies were so knowledgeable about... cultural practices!"
"It's not good for the leader of Norse to visit such establishments! It will tarnish our reputation, Sir!" Rossweisse shrieked.
No wonder she was having a breakdown in the park. This guy really did abandon her to chase after maid cafés.*
"But seriously," Odin continued, his expression shifting to something more calculating, "I was quite eager to meet the young man who accomplished something remarkable. Destroying a Longinus, how fascinating and unheard of"
Time for a cover story.*
"My Sacred Gear has some unusual properties to adapt when I push it," I said carefully. "I managed to concentrate enough force to overwhelm the spear's defenses. That's all"
"Fascinating! But surely there's more to it, isn't it?" Odin's single eye focused on me with uncomfortable intensity. "I can sense something quite unique about your aura, especially, one of your eyes"
Shit. Of course the god of wisdom can read me like a book.*
"The power has side effects," I said, placing a hand over my right eye as he kept his gaze fixed on my eye, ever since I stepped in here.
"Ah yes, those striking red eyes of yours! Quite distinctive!" Odin stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I've never encountered a Sacred Gear that produces such pronounced physical changes. Most fascinating!"
"It's still evolving, apparently. I'm learning new things about it all the time."
"How delightful! A completely unknown phenomenon!" Odin looked genuinely excited. "No wonder you could destroy a Longinus! You're just full of surprises, aren't you?"
"He really is," Azazel said with a smirk. "Every time I think I have him figured out, he does something impossible."
During this exchange, Rossweisse had been growing increasingly agitated, her protective instincts clearly warring with her frustration.
"Sir," she interrupted sharply, "perhaps we should discuss more pressing matters. Like the fact that people are trying to kill him!"
Rossweisse, no—*
"Kill him?" Odin's cheerful demeanor didn't change, but something dangerous flickered in his eye. "What kind of people are you talking about?"
Rossweisse immediately realized her mistake, her face paling. "I... during our conversation earlier..."
"She's referring to some unconcerning developments," I said quickly, hoping to deflect.
"If Rossweisse is worried, it must be serious!" Odin's tone remained light, but the underlying threat was unmistakable. "Come now, what's got you so concerned about your boyfriend's safety?"
"He's NOT—!" Rossweisse started, then caught herself. She straightened her shoulders, shooting me an apologetic look. "The man named Cao Cao has allied himself with Hades. They're specifically targeting Akira."
The room went dead silent. Azazel's casual demeanor evaporated instantly.
"Hold up," Azazel said slowly. "Did you just say Hades? As in, the actual Greek death god? And he is allying with the leader of the Hero faction? "
"Yes. Vali delivered the information himself."
Azazel's eyes narrowed. "Wait. Vali came to you personally? When the hell did that happen?"
Right. Vali left Azazel's group to join the Khaos Brigade. Of course Azazel would be surprised.*
"About twenty minutes ago" I said "He seemed... different. More serious than usual."
"Different how?" Azazel's voice had gone completely cold.
"Conflicted. Like he wasn't entirely comfortable delivering the message."
Azazel ran a hand through his hair. "Shit. If Vali's having second thoughts about his new allegiances, things must be worse than I thought."
The cheerful expression vanished from Odin's face entirely. "Hades," he said quietly, as he tightened his grip on his cane "This doesn't sound good"
"Sir?" Rossweisse looked surprised by his sudden shift in demeanor.
"The Greek Lord of the Dead doesn't involve himself in others affairs, not that I heard of" Odin's voice carried a weight that made us feel tense. "If he's specifically targeting you, young man, then you're in far more danger than you realize."
"I'm starting to understand that," I said carefully.
"No, I don't think you are." Odin's tone was completely serious now, all traces of his earlier playfulness gone. "Hades commands the entire grim reapers in the underworld. Death itself bows to his will. This isn't some power-hungry devil or ambitious fallen angel—this is a primordial force that has existed since the dawn of creation."
Rossweisse shifted uncomfortably. "Lord Odin, surely there must be something—"
"There is," Odin interrupted, his gaze never leaving me. "The question is whether young Akira is wise enough to accept help when it's offered."
"I handle problems the same way I always do—gather information, make plans, execute them," I said evenly. "Panicking doesn't do anything good, so for now, I just sit back and let them have their little plan form until I shatter it, right in front of them"
Odin studied me for a long moment. "Admirable resolve, but this isn't a problem you can solve with determination alone." His voice carried centuries of experience. "You'll need allies. Powerful ones."
"Lord Odin," Rossweisse said urgently, "couldn't we offer some form of protection? Or at least guidance to help him?"
"Who says I'm not?" Odin's expression softened slightly as he looked at his worried Valkyrie. "Sometimes the best help comes in forms you don't expect."
"Well then," Odin said, his serious demeanor returning, "I suppose we should take our leave. I have some urgent inquiries to make based on this troubling information."
"What kind of inquiries?" Rossweisse asked.
Odin replied stroking his beard "Greek gods don't act without reason, and I need to understand what's driving Hades to break his usual neutrality." Odin extended his hand to me, his grip firm and surprisingly warm. "Young Akira, be very careful. What you're facing goes beyond the usual supernatural politics." His single eye held genuine concern. "And don't be too proud to accept help when it comes."
I nodded in acceptance.
"Lord Odin," Rossweisse said firmly, "Before we leave, I need to establish proper communication protocols. And, no more disappearing to visit questionable establishments, without informing me first."
"Yes, yes, we'll discuss those arrangements later," Odin said, though his tone was more understanding now. "Right now, I need to make some very important contacts regarding this Hades situation."
Rossweisse looked ready to throttle him, but instead began forming her teleportation circle with sharp, frustrated movements. The blue magic circle formed beneath them .
"Be careful," she said to me quietly, her anger at Odin temporarily set aside. "And... thank you for today. It really was wonderful."
"Don't mention it. Try not to lecture him too much"
Her smile was rueful. "No promises."
"Oh, and Rossweisse," Odin added cheerfully as the circle reached full power, "do try to relax! Young love is supposed to be enjoyable!"
"WE'RE NOT—!"
The circle flared bright blue, cutting off her protest as they vanished.
Azazel and I sat in silence for a moment.
"Well," Azazel said, breaking the silence "that was something."
"Odin's exactly as advertised—brilliant, powerful, and completely insufferable."
"You should see him at formal gatherings. Last summit, he spent the entire banquet trying to convince a succubus to 'educate him about modern courtship rituals.'" Azazel shook his head. "But don't let the perverted old fool act mislead you. When he gets serious, he's terrifying."
"I got that impression." I settled back in my chair. "So. Hades."
"Yeah." Azazel's expression grew grim. "You realize what you're up against, right? You could pretty much lose this time?"
"The thought had occurred to me." I sighed as I regretted that I left the Leader of Hero Faction alive. To think, he would bring such a big trouble even after getting his longinus destroyed "But I believe, I could handle it"
"Anyone who can destroy a Longinus obviously doesn't need me worrying about their combat abilities. Are you prepared for the upcoming summit in the Underworld?" Azazel's smirk returned. "The guests are getting assigned someone as a bodyguard from three faction. A standard protocol—even Odin will have someone with him, from Angel's faction"
"A bodyguard?"
"Just a custom, . Someone to handle the political side of things while you focus on the important stuff." Azazel stood and began forming his teleportation circle. "Think of it as having someone taking care of all the boring summit formalities."
"But is it necessary?"
"It's a big meeting of faction leaders. Lots of important people in one place, which means lots of opportunities for troublemakers." The magic circle began to swirl beneath his feet. "Your bodyguard will be in touch soon, so until then, try not to make more enemies"
"Azazel—"
"Trust me on this one. The summit's going to be complicated enough. The bodyguard will help you avoid navigating all the political nonsense solo. Good night, kid"
The light engulfed him, and he was gone.
I sat alone on my couch, processing everything that had just happened. A god wanted me dead. Vali was having second thoughts about his new allegiances. Odin thought I was fascinating. Rossweisse was... well, that situation had gotten complicated.
And now I had a mystery bodyguard incoming for the summit.