Immortality in DxD

"Be mine. Join my peerage and I'll make sure my faction agrees to almost any conditions your mother might have. You have my word as a member of House Vapula of the 72 Pillars."

If a pin were to drop right then and there, everyone in the room would've heard it. That was exactly how silent the once bustling room had become, as every Yokai and diplomat looked over at the Devil with an expression of shock plastered across their faces.

Everyone knew how easy it was for Devils to steal talents from any race out there and convert them into their own kind through the use of their vaunted Evil Pieces. Artifacts fashioned after the rather iconic games of chess, they could imbue races with at least 1 piece (some might require more if their potential are high enough). Making them newly born, Low-Class Devils, but also servants to whoever recruited them.

So it was safe to say that that initial spout of surprise was slowly bleeding out into pure, unadulterated hatred as the offer actually settled in the mind. Kunou could literally see the shift of the ambient Ki as it was tainted by vasts amount of killing intent, black smog painting itself across a once white background.

The mere idea of trying to claim the heir of the Yokai Faction, especially so callously and publicly was like the Devil was asking to be attacked by all these angry creatures. Her being a child only further added to their wrath. No one liked child predator.

"Is that not enough?" Nellial said without a care the world, as though he hadn't just slapped his hosts' face. "Then let me say this; if you join my peerage, House Vapula will personally back the Yokai Faction as a whole. Think of it. Everyone in your faction will be protected by my House and by extension other 72 Pillar Houses. It's a win-win. Your people get the back they so desperately need and I get a new...young...nubile...concubine."

It was like she dunked in bucket of cold water as he finished his extremely crass sentence. The surrounded Ki suddenly when from a somewhat thin black haze to something darker, and colder as it was tainted by the collective hatred of every Yokai in the room. It was so thick that she fear that if she pulled on it to fuel an attack, she would for sure go mad from the ambient killing intent.

Her tails only twitched as she struggled to bite down the barrage of very undiplomatic words that threatened to spill out of her mouth. Despite this man stepping over every sense of decorum, she still had to keep her own cool. Exploding into anger here would only give the man ammo to use against her mother in the future.

If she attacked him here, he could take her prisoner and use her release as a way to eat into any capital the Yokai Faction might have. Hell, the Devil might even make some very unfair terms like a prisoner exchange.

It hit her like a hammer as that thought came to mind, the realization shattered through the fog of hatred that threatened to consume her. She wasn't the goal at all. Her mother was. Yasaka was a very desirable woman by the outside world. With not just her political and magical power but with her tantalizing appearance. That beauty was only as well known as her love for her daughter.

Kunou knew for certain that the older blond kitsune would for sure give herself up in exchange for her release. She would throw herself to wolves to protect her pride and joy, willing to become nothing more than a toy or doll to be shown off. To have a fully grown kitsune under their thumb would most assuredly give them some sort boost in the House Vapula's prestige.

When that realization came to mind, she didn't hide her curling that was filled with as much contempt as she could must within her small body. What was the backing of House Vapula? 72 Pillars? Or even the Satans? None of that mattered in the end, especially since they were all nonetheless dragged back to the negotiation table at the mere mention of Yamato Iori being back in action.

She was willing to take a lot of abuse from rude nobles who thought they were god's gift to Planet Earth, especially with the Yokai scions constantly pushing to make connection with her. But she was not willing to be degraded to this degree. Decorum be damned.

"You're invitation has been noted." Kunou said frostily, her heart stilling as a mask of cold indifference fell upon her," You may take your leave, Nellial of House Vapula."

Translation: Fuck off, you cunt.

"Are you sure?" The Devil still had the nerve to ignore the girl's obvious dismissal and still pressed his offer," This is your one and only chance to come to me willingly. Even if these proceedings go well, there will still be blood requirements to truly...cement the deal. Do think it over, I wouldn't want for our next meeting be….unpleasant."

"I am absolutely sure." She said with an edge of steel entering her voice, and suddenly she wanted nothing more than to beat this..thing into paste. This must've been purposeful by the Devils, sending such a lustful and arrogant man here to negotiate on their behalf; had to have been the plan.

The kitsune would no longer entertain him any longer and didn't even let a second pass before firmly rejecting his offer. She knew it would common for marriages to be set up to solidify certain deals and conditions, but for the man to outright threaten her with that was something else. But primarily it was laughable. She didn't know her mother's master for long, but she got the feeling he wouldn't allow anyone to sacrifice themselves like that.

Shrugging, the man turned lazily without a care in the world. Allowing the glares being sent his way to slide right off with each sip of his wine. Watching the man just saunter away after disrespecting her in such a way was...frustrating to say the least. She didn't think he would've had the guts to do so if she wasn't so weak. Maybe in the future, she would pay the man back. Him and his house. Her life was long after all. Who knew how things would look in a century or 2.

Just as the disgusting man out of sight, the gentle music in the hall cut out suddenly. Any conversations that might've began to build back up from the man's disgraceful actions all died out in turn. In unison, all their heads were pulled in a singular direction. She had to jump a few times to get a good look, but when her eyes could finally get a good look at what had caused the sense of awe that filled the room, she knew exactly why.

At the front door, in walked a pair of people who seemed to absorb all the attention in the room. They caused everyone strained out their own kimonos and stand a bit straighter, to further polish their own palettes as the main attractions came waltzing into the room.

(A/N: Sorry for the really, really late chapter. I forgot to upload everything before going into work this morning.)