«And... - Ichika shifted an unsure look from Emeric to Akeno. - Does this happen often...?
«All the time... - Akeno answered unequivocally.
At this moment in time, Emeric was sitting there with his face full of gusto. It was like a cat that had eaten a lot of sour cream, his face was so happy. It was as if there was nothing in the world that could spoil his mood.
All because of their new addition to the dynamics of the occult study club. As new as it seemed to her, Valerie and Akeno were used to it.
Greifia Lucifug. The strongest Queen. Head maid of the Gremory family. Emeric's caretaker. Ichika would also add Stunning Fetish Milf.
As she had been told, Greyfia was to be their temporary addition and 'guard' who would make sure that a few nasty surprises didn't pop up before the peace summit.
So, apparently, this demoness had some kind of hyper-guardianship complex, which she directed with all her zeal at one very insolent and lazy demon of noble origin.
That would be Emeric.
Here, for example, right now...
«Mmm... - Emeric sipped his tea with relish while Greyfia stood slightly behind him, eyeing the full complement of everything needed for a successful tea party. - Greyfia... I've been craving something...
Greifia silently pulled out a plate of cheesecake from nowhere. She placed it in front of Emeric, not forgetting to add the silver spoon, which clinked against the plate.
«О... Thank you...
Here Ichika couldn't hold back the absurdity of the situation:
«She's reading his mind! Can demons get fat?! Because I already think Emeric has put on a few pounds! Look at that cocky face! He took a bite of creamy cheesecake, and then Greyfia switched it out for berry cheesecake!
Akeno ran a finger across her brow irritably.
«This is how it always happens... Greyfia spoils Emeric... The sun is shining, the sea is rippling, the grass is green," Akeno shook her head. - Just get used to it...
And most importantly, this "idyll" must not be disturbed in any way. This silver-haired beauty is actually a walking terminator! It is worth getting under her white glove, as you will have to listen to long lectures about appearance, behavior ... Anything and everything, but most importantly, you can't ignore it! That terminator girl threw her out the window last time! Just threw her over her shoulder like a sack of garbage because Ichika yawned! A fucking yawn!
«Oh, Greyfia my favorite... - Emeric yawned slightly and turned to the maid. - I feel like taking a nap....
«Mr. Emeric," Grayfia's eyebrows narrowed slightly. - Sleeping right after dinner is not the most favorable thing for the body.....
«Well, uh, Greyfia-I, uh.
Greyfia abruptly swallowed what she wanted to say and just nodded.
«All right. (chuckles)
That's the problem! This maid had a huge weakness in the form of a noble demon! Emeric could do anything, even this seemingly strict person let him get away with it. To them, she was constantly lecturing, and to Emeric, if he snapped his fingers, she would only give him a massage, and she would not forget to bring the ubiquitous number of snacks, which she probably cooked herself.
Anyway, this woman is not human! Or a demon! I don't know who the hell she is, but it's impossible for a mortal to do so many things at once. The club room is so clean she's afraid to even sit down!
And Emeric! You don't want to show your maturity! That rascal just sits there and enjoys himself! He's forgotten all about them!
Well, she won't be his doggie now! Never again will she help her beloved President! Let him try to ask her for anything!
So, indulging in resentful musings, Ichika puffed up her cheeks and imagined how Emeric would crawl on his knees before her, begging for forgiveness, until...
The object of the offense didn't appeal to her.
«Ichika, dear, could you please close the curtains?
«Right away, President!
Akeno shook her head at the naive pawn's enthusiasm. She could see the ponytail she was wagging in person.
Ichika stopped in front of the window and asked a question:
«President," Emeric stared at her lazily. - Are we sure we need that... pedestal?
Ichika spoke of the full-length stone statue of the Emperor that now stood in the courtyard of the school. It was a tribute to the "great hero" who had given his life.
«Don't worry, it's just a tribute..... You remember you can't tell the truth, right?
«Yes, but... - Ichika nodded and continued questioning. - You did say that there might be some noble guests coming to pay their respects, didn't you?
«That is true," Emeric nodded. - Some will need to be met, but there shouldn't be many guests, only the most distinguished....
«Then," Ichika nodded toward the statue. - Do we need to meet these guests...?
Emeric frowned perplexedly and got up from the couch. There were some not-so-good vibes.
And indeed, the bustle in the yard confirmed his fears completely. There were visitors. By all the laws of the genre, not the most pleasant ones.
There were three demons present. One of them could just be left behind, because he was just a cameraman who had come here to film the grief of the other two demons. Indeed, if there was no cameraman, then who would film the whole tragedy? Then how will the social media traffic be driven up?!
But the ones he was filming.....
Bedeze Abbadon and Roigun Belphegor. The current top one and top two overall rankings. Dykhauser's former opponents, who tried for decades to claw back his seat, but to no avail. It wasn't until after his resignation that they finally moved on. That's a bit of an exaggeration of course, the top two and three were already quite prestigious, but....
He remembered DeHouser's words.....
Bedeze and Roigun were protégés of the Great King, who in due time absorbed the stolen royal figures. It was through them that Zekram Bael had been able to establish dominance over the entire Ranking Game system. He wasn't sure if they were the only ones, but they were definitely the most important 'cash cows'.
Emeric felt a familiar presence behind his shoulder.
«Where are we with the Great King?
Greyfia realized the true nature of the question, so she immediately answered:
«Mrs. Lucifer had been pressuring their entire faction for several days in a row now. Compromises and concessions will be made, and after a while, all the holders of Royal Figures will resign on their own without causing too much fuss... - Greyfia gently took him by the elbow. - Mr. Emeric, you'd better calm down...
«After a while... - He repeated after her. - I wonder how long that is in the mouth of the oldest demon in the history of Hell? A year or maybe a hundred? No," Emeric shook his head. - I won't be me if I don't pay my 'respects' to our famous fucking guests.....
«Mr. Emeric," Greyfia repeated insistently.
«No, Greyfia," Emeric looked her in the eye with a serious look. - "I'll go right now and give you a 'welcome' reception... Don't worry, no violence... Tonight.
Everyone in the room froze for a second before Greyfia nodded with a sigh. Realized that the boy had grown up, but some impulses would stay with him forever.
«I'll go with you...
«No, I'm all I need," Emeric said, opening the window. He won't get out of the building by himself, he'll get lost again. - You'll just scare them away....
At the fastest pace possible, Emeric flew to the entire company.
-... We were enemies on the field, but in real life we were friends..... - Bedeza theatrically swallowed the lump in his throat. - This tragedy has robbed us all of a part of ourselves.....
Bedeze Abbadon was a handsome blond, not particularly distinguished from his more "extraordinary" colleagues. He had the image of a typical handsome idol who was also a good fighter.
Rumor has it that Bedese was far from the nicest demon in life. The current top one who gave his whole life for the spot, but only ended up taking it because the former champion died.
And looking at all his feigned sadness, Emeric realized that he was not going to get his way with him.
Standing beside him was a beautiful pink-haired girl of about twenty-five. Purely decorative armor that left too much to "see" for true protection. No wonder, for it was only a cosmetic look that complemented the full beauty of Roigun Belphegor. The second most popular female idol after Serafall Leviathan, a true girl wizard.
She had a pretty cheerful personality, but Emeric wouldn't fall for that either. Character is character, but that doesn't change their years of cheating in the rating system.
«What are you talking about, Bedeza... - Emeric interfered in the most unceremonious way in the "production" of the top one. - Such friends? And he told me that you were just his lackey, who, at most, licked his shoes a couple of times.....
The cameraman immediately turned the camera to him, ignoring Roigun's gestures. He had to pay tribute to the daredevil, who had ignored his self-preservation instincts for the sake of an "exclusive". He'd even helped him, using Wisdom and subtle charms to make sure the 'material' was delivered smoothly straight to his phone. If anything, he'd post it himself.
Bedeze, by the way, did not fall for his provocation, but smiled indulgently. His rotten nature was coming out of his mouth.
«Uh-oh," he wanted to hug him, but Emeric knocked his hand away coldly. The smile cracked slightly, but returned to its previous position. - A rising star also came to honor his idol...?
«Rather deal with the unexpected guests... - Emeric calmly adjusted his jacket. - What are you doing here, Hole King?
Here he was trying to hit on his "meme" nickname. The generic ability of the Abbadon family is called "The Hole". Portals that the user can open anywhere.
«I'M NOT THE HOLE KING! - His mask fell off instantly. He was almost foaming at the mouth at his teasing. - You say that again and I'll...!
«What? Emeric took a step closer. - What the fuck are you gonna do?! - The atmosphere was beginning to heat. - You're not worth a fucking dime! You're just... - Emeric spoke the next sentence in a whisper. - Eternal Number Two.
«You son of a bitch!
Typical flat-out conflict that Emeric loves to create.
Let's not forget his nickname, the Gopnik of Destruction....
***
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