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Chapter 343: Chapter 339 ~ Father | Daughter

As preparations continued across the various realms, the wheels set in motion by the second Tri-Summit Meeting began to turn in earnest.

At the center of it all stood Yuuji—and alongside him, the ever-active Multiverse Group Chat—moving with calm, deliberate efficiency. To the outside world, the developing alliance with Asgard appeared to follow the slow, measured pace of ordinary diplomacy. Behind the scenes, however, countless variables were already being calculated and accounted for: Loki's inevitable schemes, Shalba Beelzebub's looming intrusion, and the delicate balance required to allow enemies to reveal themselves without placing allies and loved ones in danger.

Every move was intentional. Every opening, deliberate.

Days passed in what felt like fleeting moments.

And then, at last, the day arrived.

Far to the north—beyond mortal skies and beyond the reach of ordinary perception—the realm of Asgard stood resplendent beneath the vast, world-spanning branches of Yggdrasil. Golden halls gleamed beneath divine radiance, their surfaces etched with ancient runes that thrummed softly with primordial power. The air itself seemed alive, heavy with anticipation, as Valkyries stood vigilant watch from towers and floating platforms, their presence both reassuring and imposing.

At the very heart of the realm, preparations for the historic gathering were complete.

For the first time, the leaders and representatives of the three great factions would step into Asgard—not merely as guests, but as allies.

And among them would be Yuuji and his companions—unseen variables in a meeting that would determine the future course of gods, devils, angels, and fallen alike.

Thus, the Asgard meeting began.

They arrived upon the designated teleportation dais deep within Asgard, its polished surface inscribed with glowing runes of transit and stabilization. Tall, elegant windows surrounded the platform, offering a breathtaking view of the realm beyond.

The moment Yuuji, Aika, Albedo, and Erika materialized, they were greeted by the sheer splendor of Asgard—an awe-inspiring domain shaped beneath the blessings of the legendary World Tree, Yggdrasil itself.

Towering skyscrapers rose in the distance, their structures piercing the clouds with effortless grace. Elegant in their simplicity yet grand in scale, they blended seamlessly with their surroundings. Around them stood countless other buildings of similar design—homes and communal halls built in a harmonious fusion of European architecture and ancient Greek aesthetics, forming a city that felt both timeless and impossibly advanced.

Before Yuuji could fully take it all in, a sudden warmth pressed against his side.

"Yuuji-kun…"

Akeno had rushed to him without hesitation, clinging tightly to his arm and half-hiding behind him, her grip firm yet trembling ever so slightly.

"Hmm?" Yuuji murmured, glancing down at her in mild surprise. 

"What's—"

The question died on his lips as he lifted his gaze.

Ahead of them stood the assembled representatives of the Underworld, Heaven, and Grigori—already present and awaiting further arrivals.

From the Underworld came Sirzechs Lucifer and Serafall Leviathan, accompanied by Grayfia Lucifuge, Okita Souji, and both Rias's and Sona's peerages. Their presence carried an air of authority tempered by familiarity.

From Heaven stood the Seraphs Michael and Gabriel, radiant and composed, with Duolio and Irina positioned nearby as their escorts.

And finally, from Grigori—

Azazel stood with his usual relaxed posture, flanked by his two bodyguards; Tobio Ikuse, who seemed a bit awkward, and Lavinia Reni. Beside them loomed the Vice Governor General of Grigori himself.

Baraqiel.

The massive man stood tall and broad, his powerful frame crowned by ten black wings that radiated restrained lightning. Once known as the Lightning of God when he still served as an angel of the Fifth Heaven, his presence alone commanded attention.

The moment Yuuji saw him, understanding struck instantly.

He tightened his grip around Akeno's hand, drawing her closer, his gaze locking onto Baraqiel's stunned expression. The fallen angel stood frozen, eyes wide with shock as he stared back at them—at Yuuji, and then at Akeno.

Yuuji knew the story well.

Baraqiel had loved Shuri and Akeno deeply. Yet burdened by his duties and responsibilities to Grigori, he had left them behind—never imagining the consequences of that single absence. The Himejima family, opposed to Shuri's reunion with a fallen angel, had moved to erase what they deemed a stain upon their bloodline.

He returned too late.

His wife was dead.

And the daughter he barely managed to save—Akeno—had rejected him, blaming him for allowing it all to happen.

In the end, no matter how much he had cared, a moment of negligence—one he could neither foresee nor prevent—had cost him everything.

To Yuuji, Baraqiel's fate was a living cautionary tale.

That was why he sought strength without hesitation. Why he accepted every gift granted by the Multiverse Group Chat. Why he refused to leave anything to chance.

He would never allow his beloved to meet the same fate as Akeno's mother.

A storm of emotions passed through Yuuji's eyes as he regarded the fallen angel—blame, anger, and disappointment, tempered by understanding, sorrow, and pity.

Baraqiel was not a villain.

He was simply a man who had lost everything.

"Ah—right," Azazel broke the heavy silence, stepping forward with his familiar smirk, though a hint of unease lingered beneath it. 

"Looks like you haven't been introduced yet."

He gestured toward the towering fallen angel beside him.

"This is Baraqiel, my good friend and the Vice Governor General of Grigori."

The representatives of Heaven and the Underworld—save for Rias's peerage—quietly stepped back, granting them space as they observed in silence. The air grew tense, thick with unspoken history.

Yuuji nodded once and turned fully toward Baraqiel, his posture calm, his presence resolute. When he spoke, his voice was steady—firm, protective, unwavering.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," he said. "My name is Tsubakihara Yuuji. I am an ally to the three factions and the neutral observer for this meeting, as well as…"

He glanced down at Akeno.

She looked up at him, her eyes swirling with unease, anger, sadness, and fear—a fragile storm of emotions barely held together. Yuuji offered her a gentle, reassuring smile before turning back to Baraqiel.

"…Akeno's lover."

Baraqiel's eyes widened, his jaw tightening as his teeth clenched audibly. For a brief moment, lightning flickered faintly along his wings.

Then he exhaled.

Slowly, he nodded, forcing his expression back into a stoic calm.

"It's nice to meet you," Baraqiel replied evenly. 

"I've heard a great deal about you from Azazel. And… thank you. For taking care of Akeno."

Yuuji inclined his head.

"It's only natural."

Before the tension could deepen further, the air above them shifted.

Several winged figures descended from the skies, their armored forms cutting cleanly through the clouds before landing gracefully upon the dais.

At their head stood a striking young woman with long, straight silver hair and clear aqua-colored eyes. Appearing no older than her late teens, she wore the unmistakable battle attire of a Valkyrie: a white breastplate adorned with gold and pale blue accents, matching fingerless gauntlets, boots, and hip guards, and delicate wing-shaped hair clips framing her face.

Beneath the armor, she wore a black leotard, black thigh-high stockings, and a pale blue cloth draped beneath her hip guards—each detail accented with soft pink lacing that added elegance to her otherwise martial appearance.

Yuuji—and the members of the Multiverse Group Chat—recognized her immediately.

Rossweisse.

A Valkyrie of Asgard—and the personal secretary to the All-Father Odin himself.

In another story, in another world, she would have stood as a rook of Rias Gremory's peerage, her fate entwined with that of a certain Red Dragon Emperor.

But here and now, she was Asgard's herald.

"Welcome, honored representatives of the Underworld, Heaven, Grigori, and our esteemed guests, to the realm of Asgard," Rossweisse announced clearly. 

"My name is Rossweisse. By order of the All-Father, I have been tasked with welcoming you and escorting you to the castle."

She bowed with practiced elegance, her motion mirrored flawlessly by the valkyries behind her, their armor catching the divine light as they followed suit.

When Rossweisse straightened and lifted her head, time seemed to pause.

Every valkyrie froze.

Wide eyes locked onto Yuuji, their attention drawn as if by an invisible force. For a heartbeat, discipline faltered, and awe took its place.

Sensing the sudden shift, Yuuji gently drew his gaze away from Baraqiel, his arm still securely around Akeno, and turned toward the assembled valkyries.

"Thank you for the warm welcome," he said calmly. 

"Shall we proceed? I would hate to keep the All-Father waiting."

His voice was gentle, steady—yet it carried a soothing resonance that seemed to reach straight into the heart. The sound alone was enough to make breath hitch and hearts flutter.

The spell broke.

Color rushed to the valkyries' cheeks, and several of them hastily straightened their posture, suddenly acutely aware of themselves. 

Many of them were unpartnered, sworn warriors who had devoted their lives to Asgard. Rossweisse in particular was well-known for never having taken a lover, mostly due to the All Father's constant reminder.

To be faced with a man of such striking presence and quiet majesty was… dangerous.

"O–Of course," Rossweisse replied, doing her utmost to keep her voice steady. 

"Please… this way."

She gestured forward quickly, turning on her heel before her composure could betray her. The valkyries fell into formation, wings unfurling slightly as they took the lead, guiding the guests onward. Behind them, Yuuji and his companions followed, along with the representatives of the three factions.

As they walked, the valkyries formed a protective V-shaped escort—but discipline could only go so far. More than a few of them stole glances over their shoulders, curiosity and admiration shining in their eyes.

Only Rossweisse, through sheer force of will, kept her gaze fixed forward. Even so, her thoughts were anything but focused.

"Fufu~ Hubby, you're such a sinful man~" Aika murmured playfully, pressing herself against his other arm and deliberately burying him in her chest. 

"I wouldn't mind having Valkyries for dinner too~"

Yuuji sighed softly, shaking his head as his lips curled into a helpless smile.

"Let's focus on the meeting," he replied. "You can have your fun later."

"Hehe~ Of course I will~"

Erika let out a long, weary sigh, already resigned to the chaos that seemed to follow him wherever he went.

Albedo, meanwhile, walked silently at his side. Her expression remained serene, the gentle smile of a benevolent goddess fixed upon her face. 

Yet behind her golden eyes, countless thoughts churned—visions of conquest, strategies to claim this radiant realm, and ways to turn Asgard itself into a gift worthy of her beloved.

Conquering it would be simple, she thought. She was mostly thinking of how to best utilize the realm to be of use for him. 

They were led into the heart of Asgard's royal castle.

The moment they crossed its threshold, the atmosphere changed.

The grandeur outside was not diminished within—if anything, it was elevated. Vast halls of polished gold and white stone stretched endlessly, their ceilings supported by towering pillars carved with ancient runes that pulsed faintly with divine power. Light filtered in from high, arched windows, refracted through enchanted crystal panes, bathing the corridors in a warm, ethereal glow. 

At last, the procession arrived before massive doors engraved with scenes of war, creation, and judgment—tales of gods and giants frozen in eternal relief. A show of power, history, and prestige to those who would enter before they even meet the ruler of the realm. 

The doors opened to a meeting chamber.

It was a circular hall, vast yet refined, designed not to intimidate but to command respect. At its center stood an immense round table forged from ancient stone and divine metals, etched with symbols representing the Nine Realms. 

Above it, streams of golden light descended from the ceiling, forming a faint halo that hovered over the table like a silent witness to every word spoken within these walls.

Seated at the head of the chamber was Odin. The All-Father of Asgard.

His single visible eye gleamed with immeasurable wisdom, while the other—hidden beneath its familiar patch—felt as though it could peer straight into the soul. His presence alone was overwhelming, a pressure born not of malice, but of absolute authority.

As the representatives entered, Odin rose slightly from his seat.

A warm, dignified smile crossed his face as his gaze passed over the familiar figures.

Sirzechs Lucifer. Serafall Leviathan. Michael. Gabriel. Azazel. Baraqiel.

Leaders and luminaries of the Underworld, Heaven, and the Grigori—faces he had met before, allies he had already weighed and measured.

Then his eyes shifted, and the smile vanished.

Odin's gaze locked onto Yuuji, Aika, Albedo, and Erika. For the briefest moment, the All-Father froze.

He felt nothing.

No divine aura. No demonic pressure. No trace of angelic light. No distortion, no overwhelming presence, no warning signs that his vast experience had taught him to recognize.

By every conventional measure, they were ordinary—so ordinary it bordered on absurd.

And that was precisely what unsettled him.

Odin's single eye sharpened, his instincts screaming in defiance of what his senses perceived. He had ruled gods, battled monsters, and bartered with beings beyond mortal comprehension. He had stood before Great Red's shadow and spoken with beings born of concepts rather than flesh.

Never—not once—had his perception failed him like this.

To be unable to sense anything at all… That was not normal.

That was… alien.

His expression calm on the surface, yet beneath it stirred caution, curiosity, and a rare flicker of unease.

Slowly, Odin straightened, mastery returning to his posture. A ruler did not show hesitation—especially not before potential allies… or unknown variables.

"I must say… your appearances eclipse even the many beautiful gods and goddesses I have met throughout my long life. A most pleasant surprise."

Yet despite the teasing words—and despite his well-known tendencies—the All-Father did not allow his gaze to linger on Aika, Albedo, or Erika. Any hint of indulgence was swiftly smothered beneath the weight of responsibility and instinctual wariness.

Whatever they were, beauty was the least threatening thing about them. After all, Odin was the ruler of Asgard first—and only then a man with flaws.

Finally, his eye settled on Yuuji. Just a heartbeat longer than courtesy allowed. And in that fleeting moment, Odin felt it.

Despite the presence of two reigning Demon Kings of the Underworld. Despite two high-ranking Seraphs, one of whom effectively led Heaven. Despite the Governor General of the Grigori and his vice standing proudly among them.

There was an unspoken current in the room.

A subtle deference. A quiet alignment.

As though, consciously or not, all three factions revolved around the young man standing calmly at the center of it all.

Beyond unusual, he concluded silently. And perhaps… beyond Asgard itself.

Odin's smile deepened—but this time, filled with something beyond mere humor and friendliness. 

The Asgard meeting had truly begun.

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