178 Chapter 178: The Biblical Meeting
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After everything was sorted out in Kuoh, Erik teleported himself back to The Nexus with Joan and Asia, and with some smart use of a time-turner, something that Asia promised not to tell anyone about, Joan had the entire afternoon again to train Asia while Erik had the entire afternoon to enjoy with his children.
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The next day, which was a Saturday, The Nexus received the visit of Gabriel, who, after spoiling her godson rotten, was given the incomplete Excalibur by Joan together with a crystal containing a recording of what had happened at Kuoh. The great Seraph sighed at the vision of the faulty sword and commented that the blacksmiths and alchemists of Heaven would have a hard job ahead of them. After having lunch with the family and spoiling a little more her godson, Gabriel went back to Heaven. It was time for her to push for a definitive Peace together with her brothers.
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On Monday, Erik received a group call from all of the three leaders of the Biblical pantheon. Azazel, Sirzechs Lucifer, and Michael wanted him, as a neutral party, to intermediate an official meeting between the three of them because a lot of people inside their faction were saying that the other two would take this opportunity to ambush them. It had been then that Erik's name was given as a possible mediator for the meeting. Erik accepted the role when he asked where it would be happening, Sirzechs suggested the place where the last incident had happened. With Azazel and Michael accepting the location, Kuoh was, once again, at the center of an important event in the supernatural world and now, it was up to Erik to guarantee the safety of everyone there. And for a peaceful future for his children to live on, he would be damn sure to do his 'job' thoroughly.
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The next Sunday, the day that the meeting had been arranged to happen, Erik and Calypso, who had volunteered to be Erik's assistant for the meeting, were ready and waiting for the arrival of the three parties. During the whole week, the two Kings of the territory had been tasked with the preparation of the place for the meeting, while Erik was busy ensuring that the place was safe as it could be. And he had to congratulate him in that regard. The protections that he had put around the place would make any Pantheon Chief droll over and dream to have it installed over their own 'capitals'. Short of a direct attack from a being with power equivalent to Ophis, nothing would breach the meeting.
The first delegation to arrive was the Grigori. Azazel arrived through his magic transportation spell at the designated space. Together with him, were Barakiel, Penemue, and Vali Lucifer. After seeing Erik and Calypso waiting for them, the black-haired Fallen Angel with golden bangs was all smiles.
"Erik, Calypso! Good to see you two on this great day."
Azazel said while shaking Erik's hand and giving a small kiss to Calypso's hand.
"Good to see you too, Azazel, Barakiel, Penemue, Vali. Welcome to Kuoh."
Erik said, greeting everyone in the delegation. Initially, the three leaders of each faction wanted to bring only one person together with them, but Erik suggested that number be boosted because, sometimes, people needed good advice to make good decisions and in an event of such importance as this one, good advice was always welcome. Finally, they agreed to boost the number to four, consisting of the leader plus three, where one of those extra three would be there only for guarding purposes. After the formalities were taken care of, Erik called for the guide to come and take Grigori's delegation to the meeting room. Akeno Himejima walked to them, greeted the group, and invited them to follow her to the meeting room. Barakiel was having a hard time controlling himself not to hug his dear daughter.
The second delegation to arrive was Heaven. Michael appeared in the designated spot through the use of his transportation magic in a flash of yellow light. Together with him were Gabriel, Vasco Strada, and Griselda Quarta. It seemed that Michael had chosen to include someone from the church that he trusted unconditionally in his delegation. Erik supposed that Vasco Strada was a councilor for Michael, while Griselda Quarta was on guarding duty.
"Welcome to Kuoh, Michael, Gabriel, Vasco Strada, and Griselda Quarta."
Erik said while opening his arms. Michael and Gabriel smiled at that reception.
"Thank you for such a warm welcome, Erik. And thank you for helping this meeting to happen."
Michael said to Erik while giving him a small bow. The Great Seraph was really thankful to Erik for that opportunity.
"You don't need to thank me, Michael. I have my selfish reason for wanting this meeting to go well. I don't want my children being caught in any conflict that could happen in the future, that's why I was so eager to help."
Erik replied, making three of the four people of Heaven's delegation smile at that. The only one that didn't smile and managed to remain stoic, was Griselda Quarta. The retired exorcist and strongest woman in the Church was taking her role as a guard very seriously. After the formalities were taken care of, Erik called for the guide to come and take Heaven's delegation to the meeting room. Asia Argento walked to them, greeted the group, and asked them to follow her. Gabriel didn't have the same control that Barakiel had. The bubbly Angel immediately jumped to hug Asia at the first opportunity that she had. With great difficulty and some help from Michael, Asia was let go of Gabriel's embrace and managed to guide the delegation to the meeting room.
The last delegation arrived at the designated point, not even a minute later. The Devils were represented by Sirzechs Lucifer, Serafall Leviathan, Grayfia Lucifuge, and Ingvild Leviathan. They had arrived through the well-known red teleportation magic circle from the Gremory House.
"Welcome to Kuoh, Sirzechs, Serafall, Grayfia, and Ingvild."
Erik said for the third time that day with his usual smile on his face. Sirzechs Lucifer smiled back at the man he had known for a long time. He remembered very well the first time that he had seen Erik Ravenclaw in his duel for Serafall's hand. At that time, he had no idea that the man that dared to challenge one of the new Satans would become such a powerhouse that no one could ignore. In reality, at that time he already was a powerhouse, it was just that no one knew about his existence yet.
"Thank you for the wel-"
Sirzechs Lucifer started to say, but he was interrupted by a blue missile that passed by him and jumped at Erik. Already knowing what had happened, the Satan just sighed at the antics of his peer.
*sigh*
Serafall could not hold herself anymore and jumped at Erik, embracing the man and hiding her face in his chest while enjoying the heat of her husband's body. She had to stay in the Underworld to take care of some last things before the meeting and had not seen Erik last night. Serafall had missed dearly her private pillow.
"Sera…"
Erik said in a sweet voice while caressing the Satan's back, who hummed at the ministration.
"Not now. I am in need of recharging."
Serafall replied in a spoiled way, making Sirzechs chuckle and Ingvild giggle at the behavior. Grayfia remained stoic as ever while in an official business. Giving up on trying to get Serafall out of him for the time being, Erik turned to the other three members of the delegation.
"I had prepared a guide for your group too, but since you are the last ones to arrive, I will guide you all myself. Come, follow me. You too, Miss Gremory."
Erik said to the delegation and to Rias Gremory, who was waiting nearby. The guides that he had prepared were specially selected to better fit with each delegation. Grigori had Akeno, the daughter of Barakiel. Heaven had Asia, an ex-communicated nun that Gabriel adored. And the Devil would have Rias Gremory, Sirzechs Lucifer's little sister. But since they were the last ones to arrive, Erik decided to guide them to the meeting room himself. With the group in tow and Serafall attached to him like a koala bear, Erik walked through the hallways of Kuoh High School.
After a minute or so of walking, they arrived at the room that had been prepared for the meeting. Patting Serafall on the head, Erik announced to the 'koala bear' that they had arrived in the meeting room, making the Satan let go reluctantly of Erik, but not before getting a promise from him to receive some extra attention that night at home to compensate for the lost time. Without much to add, Erik opened the doors to the meeting room and guided the Devil's delegation inside.
The room, which used to be a normal empty room until four days ago, had its space magically expanded by Erik, making it reach a size that was at least five times bigger than the normal. The decoration was simple but well-chosen and had been organized by the efforts of the two Governors of the territory. Three sets of tables had been organized in a 'U' shape, one for each delegation, and in the center of the formation, at an equal distance from the three delegations, a desk for two people had been prepared too. Looking around the room, Erik saw that the other two delegations were already in their places, with their guards standing behind them. The tea and snacks that Erik had prepared for the occasion were already being 'tasted'. After guiding the Devil's delegation to their table and serving them some tea and snack, something that Grayfia tried to do but had to be reminded by Erik that she was not here in her role as a maid, but as councilor, Erik, together with Calypso, walked to the central table and stood in front of it.
"Welcome again to Kuoh. As you all already know, I am Erik Ravenclaw and I am going to be the host and mediator of this meeting between the leadership of the three factions of the Biblical pantheon. The beauty by my side is Calypso Ravenclaw, owner of the most successful business of magical ingredients in the world, mother of two of my beautiful daughters, and my wife. She is going to act as my assistant for this meeting."
Erik said to the three delegations, with the comment about Calypso gaining a swat in the arm from the woman in question.
"I thank you all for your presence in this meeting that, without a doubt, will be one to enter in the books of history as the first step for, I hope, a very long and prosperous peace period. I hope that you all will enjoy the tea and snacks that were prepared for the occasion and, without much more to add, let's begin this historical meeting!"
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