RSE CH 39 (Patreon)

After leaving the bath with a satisfactory result, Lucy was humming happily, the expressionless visage never leaving her exquisite face. She not only accomplished her mission but also finally succeeded as a succubus, doing something truly lewd for the first time in centuries.

She was positively brimming with energy. And it had tasted… delicious! It was just a pity that the joy she felt couldn’t make it past the serene mask she’d worn so long to protect her psyche that it was all she knew.

It was not the time to celebrate, though. What she needed to do was something entirely different, something important for the future of Spartanburg and the supernaturals that called it home.

Upon reaching her room, what had once been Master Leo’s room, she waved her hand and made a magical circle appear on the floor. It was a communication circle intended to connect dimensions for a quick conversation. It didn’t take long for the face of a crimson-haired middle-aged man to appear, curiosity evident on his face at the abrupt and unanticipated call.

“How have you been, Master Zane?”

“Lucy. It has been a while, hasn’t it? You vanished without saying a thing.”

When Lucy gave him an elegant curtsy, her face completely blank—the proper greeting of a servant to her master—Zane could only respond with a bitter smile.

While Maria Mephisto was Zanes daughter with Sheila, Lucy was Sheila’s daughter from her previous marriage—her marriage to a direct descendant of the Asmodeus clan. Even so, he had never discriminated against Lucy.

He had, in fact, been very happy when she had asked to be adopted and had taken his name, despite her claim as an Asmodeus being more illustrious. Unfortunately, it seemed that Lucy had never become particularly close to her new family—despite the passing of centuries.

“I am sorry for leaving without any warning, and not leaving word where I was going. I initially planned to wait for a while to contact the family, but the situation seems to be rather dire.”

When Leo had returned late last night with an unconscious Asa in his arms, he’d explained to her what Barlowe had told her about the Fallen Angels being up to something. Lucy was quite powerful, but her power was not best at direct confrontation—her offensive power was rated rather low.

She could not even guarantee that Leo could protect himself, not as he currently was. She was unwilling to gamble with the life of her Master, not after how much she had come to care for him. It still surprised her, when she considered the relatively short time they had known one another.

Zane frowned, his brows coming together as he focused on Lucy’s words. His adopted daughter usually liked dealing with her own problems and the various methods she had learned over the centuries. For her to judge that the situation was dire, and then to ask for help? He could only attribute this to an imminent catastrophe—one that required immediate attention.

“What is the problem?”

“I believe Abaddon is trying to incite a conflict between the Church and Devils.”

Leo hadn’t been able to confirm that the Grigori were trying to reignite a conflict. Barlowe had been too low on the totem pole to have insight into their overall strategy. While Leo could only guess at what the Fallen were up to, it was different for her.

In the supernatural world, Abaddon’s vehemence and warmongering was well known to all the factions. You could say he was notorious for it. If Abaddon was to wreak havoc now, the fragile peace Salvatore Mephisto painstakingly held together would be broken.

Even more so since his targets were without a doubt Rayne and Sharon.

Zane sighed. “I assume these are rogue elements and not the Grigori themselves?”

“Indeed. I believe it will be necessary to contact Azrael Grigori and have someone from our side come as support.” She also informed him how a stray ultimate devil was roaming the streets of Spartanburg Town with an unknown agenda.

“I see. Who would you like to have as support?”

Lucy hesitated.

Ideally, she would have requested her step-brother, Salvatore Mephisto. But not only was War awfully busy, if the leader of the Devils and the leader of the Grigori were to meet in secret, the Heavens wouldn’t be pleased. They might grow restless enough to do something incredibly stupid, exacerbating the situation.

Nevertheless, it was impossible to request Azrael’s presence without there being someone of a certain rank to represent their side.

“Livinia and Gwen. A calamity and the wife of one will be ideal for this situation.”

Zane rubbed his temples. “I can make no promises, but I’ll see what I can do.”

***

Sitting on a luxurious chair of ivory and black, a man clad in a black suit with elf-like ears listened to the report.

“I see… I assume the useless bastard died?”

The mirror in front of him projected the image of three Nephilim and a Fallen Angel as they kneeled with their heads bowed low in deference. The reason for their show of respect was simple. The man they were reporting to was none other than Abaddon—leader of the most radical faction of the Grigori, the overarching organization created by Azrael for the Fallen Angels.

The reason they were reporting this detail to him and not Samyaza—Azrael’s deputy and the second in command of the Grigori—was because Barlowe had gone to support this group at Abaddon’s request.

Standing, Abaddon waved his hand in dismissal, “Very well. I will send the report to Azrael later.” He paused, frowning. “I want you to find who killed Barlowe and eliminate them.”

“Understood! You can count on us, Sir!”

***

When Abaddon ended the conversation, his eyes narrowed as he fought to contain his surging wrath. His great plan was on the verge of failing. While Barlowe hadn’t been an essential piece, he had been useful. Without Barlowe to scout out the location of the heiresses, his plan’s success was far from assured.

Worrying about how to salvage his plans without a good idea of the lay of the land or the specific locations of his targets, an idea surfaced in the hotheaded Fallen Angel’s head. He remembered something he’d once heard—though Azrael had said it was a secret.

“That group should have some insights, right?”

A mocking smile curled his lips. “Azrael... I will show you just how fragile the peace you sought is.”

It was time to bring his plans forward.

***

On the other side of the mirror, Regina, Duane and the others accepted their new orders without any hesitation.

For Regina, the fact that Barlowe had been killed only a week after he’d arrived to scout out the Devils in Spartanburg was a slap in the face. She couldn't begin to imagine how disappointed Abaddon was in her—the team leader of this operation.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, her plan to steal and use Serpent Bearer, the sacred gear of Asa Silvers was a bust. She’d been with Barlowe, but had disappeared without a trace. It was as though the earth had swallowed her whole, leaving nothing behind.

Whoever had killed Barlowe would pay for both slights. Regina couldn't wait to plunge her finger into their brain and slowly break them down. She swore they would beg for mercy before she granted them her permission to die.