24 Chapter 24: Deal x Deal

I stared down the older man in front of me as he as he greeted me casually. My eyes narrowed as my brain started working overtime.

Azazel, the governor of the fallen angels. He is a man with a hobby of collecting interesting things, and that includes people too, in cannon Issei was basically his pet project since he took an interest in him.

He was in my house, even if I boosted even more right now I wouldn't be able to make his pinky move. But that doesn't mean this situation is inherently dangerous.

Azazel is not a violent person, nor is he someone too keen on kidnapping someone to turn them into his personal potion slave. The opposite, he takes in promising sacred gear users and trains as a semi-part of the Grigori.

So, the chances of this encounter going south is really low. Most likely explanation for why he is here is because he got information from Raynare and co that a simple human magician was able to defeat with weird "potions"(not exactly the term they would use) and weirder magic. So he took an interest and decided to come here.

"Well, what can I do you for, mr Governor? Or are you because you decided to finish what they started?" I should be more reasonable about this. I should be calmer, I shouldn't be so agitated.

But even I have limits.

He waltzed into my home like he owned the place, and greeted me so casually. Spat on the sanctity of my home, spat on my face by basically saying "Yeah I'll walk into your house, what can you do about it you little bitch?".

I guess basic courtesy is only afforded to those who are strong enough to wrestle it out of your cold dead hands.

Hearing my words Azazel laughed while I took a seat while sighing. 

"Haha, no, no, it's the opposite actually. I was rather interested in the human magician who managed to take down 3 fallen angels by himself, and judging by that gauntlet in your right hand I can guess how. Well, I guess you could also say I came here to apologize and give you an opportunity Takumi-kun. Also, you can just call me Azazel." I looked at him deadpan.

"Really? From what I remember, when you want to apologize to someone you don't break into their house." Hearing my cold words Azazel laughed again.

I am glad someone is having fun.

Because I am not.

"Right, sorry about that, I was going to meet you first but then noticed you weren't here so I decided to wait. Don't worry, I didn't touch anything. Anyway, I came here to apologize for the actions of my stupid subordinates, they clearly cannot read orders correctly. I also want to thank you for going out of your way to spare them." I nodded.

"Well, you are welcome then. It is at least relieving to know that one of the strongest people in the world is not out for my blood."

"Yes, so before we get on to what I wanted to talk to you about I want to discuss your reward first. What do you want from me? As long as it is reasonable I am willing to do it for you." This made me think.

He obviously has a reason for this beyond that. He is probably trying to gauge what kind of person I am. A pragmatist would ask for something expensive but reasonable, a lustful person would ask for women, and a greedy person would try to scalp them.

Well, I already know what to ask from him. 

"Alright, I want a dragonblood fruit." I stated what I wanted which made him smirk in amusement. 

A dragonblood fruit was a fruit from a tree that grew where dragons were buried, it is said to draw upon the remaining vitality of the dragon it is planted over to produce its fruit.

"A dragonblood fruit huh? You sure know what you want, is related to those liquids you use?"

"Maybe. Why do you want to know?" Despite him being a rude-ass I did was not too reluctant about disclosing my potion business with him.

I needed connections. And Azazel might be the best person for that. A powerful connection that would be very interested in what I make while also not being overbearing. He is the chillest dude I can get.

"You see, I am really interested in the things you used against the Raynare bunch. A vial that explodes violently upon exposure to air? What about what you drank before you fought, or the one you drank after that healed you?"

I smirked as I saw the shine of curiosity in his eyes. Time to display my value.

"They are potions, my personal creation. I have a real talent for creating them I am an alchemist by trade. They can range from recovery to offence. Here is a sample if you are interested, it is not free of course." I pulled out an intermediate potion of hawk eyes from my Boosted Gear and tossed it to Azazel who drank it before grinning.

"Isn't this surprising? A Red Dragon Emperor who specializes in alchemy capable of creating potions. Do you have any idea of how valuable this can be?" Azazel said, looking straight into my eyes while fiddling with the vial I gave him.

"Do I seem like I don't? Of course, I am aware of my worth. From what I remember Alchemists are a commodity, and so are Red Dragon Emperor's." I stated confidently while leaning back on my couch as Azazel laughed again.

"Haha, and you aren't afraid one bit of me deciding to take you right now? You are still a novice at the moment. If I was in your position I wouldn't show such important details so openly." This time I chuckled.

"Well, will you? I consider myself a good judge of character. Besides, I am contracted to Rias. If you do decide to take me as your alchemist slave you would have Rias knocking on your door within the day with Sirzech's standing behind her." Why the hell would I bother making connections if not for this exact same reason?

If someone kidnaps me, Rias would go looking for me. And if Rias is sticking her neck out for me her sis-con brother will stick his neck out for her.

Politics can be one of the best armours.

"I like how you. Since you are being so upfront. I suppose I will be upfront with you as well. Do you want to join the Grigori? Or at least become affiliated with us. I promise you I can provide you with full support for your alchemy and I can give you the best training possible, especially in terms of your sacred gear, I noticed you haven't even reached second liberation. You would also be under my direct protection, and unlike the Gremory lass, I would actually make sure you are safe."

This... was generous. Really fucking generous, in fact, it was basically a ticket to ride. The Grigori already has most of the research I am interested in, especially sacred gears and they are willing to provide full support. It was rather generous, almost too generous. 

"Well, that is rather generous. Would you care to elaborate as to why that is so?" I said casually, hiding my inner surprise.

"From one researcher to another, this is more of my personal interest personally. I really want to see what your Alchemy is capable of and if possible want to keep in close contact, I can already tell that I like you. I want to see what heights your potential can reach. Not to mention those potions of yourself I really want to learn more of."

Yes, Azazel was this kind of person. In the first place, he was someone willing to shirk responsibility and play teacher because he was interested in Issei. He would totally provide me with full support to see what I can achieve.

"Well, that sounds a little gay, doesn't it? But I will have to refuse for now. I have no intention of picking a side on this war at the moment. I see no need to limit my options currently. But..." My words trailed off as I pulled out a dozen potions of health, mana, stamina, cure disease etc as Azazel's eyes shone like flashlights.

"I wouldn't be against being sponsored by you personally. I am sure we can work out a deal. You can supply me with what I need as well as allow me to borrow your name, and in exchange, I can provide you with the fruits of my research." Azazel smirked and smacked my back encouragingly as he laughed.

"Hah, I really do like you, kid. Scratch my back and I scratch yours? Playing all sides before deciding to commit to a single one? I really like how you think. I have to agree. This works for me. If you do choose to finally pick a side, the Grigori will welcome you with open arms. Until then, I am willing to personally sponsor you. Here." Azazel reached into his pocket and pulled out an obsidian feather pin with yellow details.

"You are welcome to use my name. Just don't wear it out. That pin is proof of our relationship. I look forward to our new partnership Takumi-kun. And since we are partners now I suppose I should give you a gift, it's only right since you are giving me these samples." *Snap!*

Azazel snapped his fingers, creating a summoning and I sighed internally, yet more people teleporting into my house. Yay. I should ask for some security spells from him. In case someone else decides my privacy is just not worth it.

Though as I saw what, or I should who popped out of the magic circle my eyes widened.

It was Raynare, Mittely and Kalawarner. All 3 wearing maid outfits with skirts that barely reached the knees. I looked at the 3. Mittelt trembling, Kalawarner looking resigned and reluctant, while Raynare looked scared and angered at the same time.

I turned to Azazel and gave him my honest expression.

"Azazel what the fuck?"

*Snicker.*

Was this bastard drunk?

Does he get off on pissing me off?

"Ah don't look at me like that. Every dragon needs their servants. Plus you keeping these 3 would be doing me a favor. Maybe serving someone whom they used to view as inferior can help curb their arrogance and teach them to respect the ladder of command. You can do whatever you want to them as long as they are alive." Raynare hearing his words went to speak up, emboldened by the presence of Azazel and ignoring me.

"Azazel-sama surely you aren't thinking of making us serve this human. How about I serve you personal-"

"Hey." My voice cut her off as she froze up from the chill of my voice.

"Look at me in the eyes." The fear engraved into her from how badly I already beat her she slowly turned to me, avoiding my gaze.

"If you can't even look me in the eyes then shut your mouth. If you are going to say something either you are going to say it to my face or you aren't going to say it." This made Raynare shut up as I turned to Azazel who looked at me approvingly.

"Putting those 3 living spywares aside, how am I even going to fit them inside my humble abode? I can barely fit myself here let alone these stooges." 

"Don't worry about that for now. I can take care of that for you. For now, let's drink to celebrate our new relationship." Saying that Azazel brought out REALLY expensive-looking alcohol from somewhere faster than I noticed.

Well, with how stressful it has been lately, I guess I can afford this. Plus, it would be rude to refuse.

A/N: The harem option won in DxD, what a shocker. Jokes aside, the Fallen Angels are now a part of the harem as servants/maids. And since Takumi now has 3 servants of supernatural capabilities this means that he has access to a nigh-infinite source of supernatural ingredients.

That aside, Takumi is aiming to fix that lifespan issue quickly. What do you think about his deal with Azazel? Did he play it smart? I would love to know your thoughts.

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