"So, how did it go with that shady guy?"
Neron had just been walking into the Meeting Room when he heard a voice ask him about his meeting with Jared.
It came from none other than Karlia who was currently scowling while standing in a corner in the room.
"If you hadn't left there after five more minutes, I would have stormed in there and dismantled his body, pulling it apart limb by limb." She added, her sharp teeth bared, thanks to her wide, malevolent smile.
"Relax. He's not dangerous or evil. He seems good." Neron sighed, looking at the rest of his teammates—some of whom gave him looks of disbelief.
"You really trust him, Neron?" Edward asked, his arms folded as he leaned against the wall while standing in a different corner of the room. His eyes were closed and he was in a cool and composed pose with his kimono.
"Yeah, I do." Neron ignored the swordsman's attempt to look cool and instead drew closer to Karlia.
"At first, I only decided to give him a chance because of Lady Ciel. However, after observing and having a conversation with him, I can say for sure that I trust him."
Neron's statement and his soft smile shocked everyone in the room.
"You're not the trusting type, Neron." Karlia reminded him, placing her hands on his cheeks while staring straight into his eyes.
"Really? I'm pretty sure I trusted you well enough." He said this as his smile grew wider. "Or have you forgotten?"
"Perhaps I have. Care to remind me?" Was the Succubus' reply.
Everyone in the room knew what was coming, so they instantly averted their gazes from the two in front of them.
Even Stefan, who was interested in the whole thing, had his eyes covered by Reed Sterling.
"You're not ready for this yet." The man said to the boy.
Neron and Karlia ignored everyone in the room and crushed their lips on each other, enjoying a warm and loving kiss. It got rid of all the tension in the room—replacing it with a different kind.
The perfect solution they needed at the moment.
"You two need to get a room." Edward groaned. "I practice celibacy, so I don't think you need to rub all of this in my face, you know?"
"Yeah, right. You're just keeping yourself for Lilith."
"H-hey! That's Master Lilith for you!"
The group burst into laughter, fully taking advantage of the brand-new atmosphere that allowed them to laugh and smile so freely.
Of course, even this didn't last for too long.
"Alright, let's get down to business." Neron began, spreading out a large map on the large table at the centre of the room.
Other than that, no piece of furniture existed.
The whole team gathered around the very detailed map that he was showing them.
"My Scout Golem took a live footage from above the site and I compiled it to form this."
The extensive structure of the sight was at least half a dozen acres of land, and the ominous-looking terrain would have been enough to intimidate anyone.
But not these Outers.
No, they had a mission to fulfil.
"Lady Ciel is currently gathering enough energy for the trip. Once she's done, we'll set out immediately."
The longer they delayed, the less accurate this map would be. They had to strike as soon as possible.
"I believe in all of us and our abilities." Neron stared at his comrades with a confident smile.
"Edward…" His best friend.
"Karlia…" The woman he loved with all of his heart.
"Kido…" The man he sympathized with the most.
"Reed..." His old mentor and friend.
"Stefan…" His adopted younger brother.
"Beruel…" His drinking partner and brother-in-arms.
"Vaizer…" His most respected comrade.
These were the people he had risked his life for and with. He trusted them with everything he had, and they trusted him in return.
Along with Lady Ciel, who gave him a purpose, this group of people were his family.
And that was never going to change.
"... Let's do our best!"
*
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[MEANWHILE]
In a dark castle to the far East, there was a room that remained untouched—out of the reach of many others, save for a few.
Within this room were four individuals, all standing in the presence of a massive throne. Usually one would need to constantly bow before this throne, but things were different for these four.
The dark room was exquisitely furnished, considering this was a luxurious place to be.
The chandeliers that hung from the ceiling, and the twisted murals that were illustrated on the walls, all of them depicted fine luxury. The gleaming stones that were placed strategically and the trophy of weapons across the space also told of the majesty of the man on the throne.
… That is, if he could be called a man.
"I welcome you all, my friends." A very youthful voice surged forth from the throne and the lights all over the room instantly flashed.
The brightness revealed the four who stood before the elevated throne and the one who sat on it.
"Jane, Elrich, Gerard… and Abellion." The supreme ruler spoke as he narrowed his eyes at the four of them.
His four generals.
Steadily drumming his fingers on the exquisite golden throne, he looked beyond the flight of stairs that separated him from the base where they stood.
"It has been some time…" Gerard spoke with a tone of reverence.
"Indeed, I hope you have been well…" Abellion followed.
"It is indeed an honour…" Elrich smiled.
"Did you miss me…?"
All their eyes focused on the man worthy of their attention, loyalty, and adoration.
"... Lord Jared."
He smiled as he listened to his generals greet him.
Garbed in a regal black and gold attire, with a golden crown on his head, and bleached white hair, Jared silently watched their display of reverence.
It never failed to amuse him.
"Now that you're all here, let us begin the meeting." He rose from his throne and his royal outfit flowed seamlessly behind him.
"There's a lot to discuss."
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