The projected face was — a Grim Reaper whose skull mask was even more extravagant and majestic than Bennia’s. The Grim Reaper who gave off a rather authoritative impression remained expressionless as they spoke. <<To connect to my line via Apollon…. What’s the matter?>>
The way he spoke was calm and yet dignified, as expected of one of the ultimate-class Grim Reapers — Orcus. The person who was face to face with Orcus’ projected face was Bennia. <<Long time no see, papa-dono.>>
—Papa-dono. …The way she addressed him was rather unexpected! I thought so to myself, but the Grim Reaper who was called by that name seemed dumbstruck by the sudden appearance of his daughter, and the expression on his face froze. <<…………>>
After a moment of silence—. Bennia’s father completely changed his previously dignified tone and he began to speak in a flustered and overwhelmed manner! <<B-Bennia-tan, no way, I didn’t imagine that you’d be the one to contact me…>>
—Bennia-tan! ?…He actually added a ‘tan’ onto the end! I didn’t see that coming at all! His previously majestic atmosphere completely vanished, and he began to dote on his daughter! I’d always thought that Grim Reapers were dangerous and cold people…but it looks like I was wrong about that. Bennia got straight to the point. <<Papa-dono, I have something to ask you. —We were attacked by Thanatos, would you have any idea about that?>>
<<—Hmm!>>
Orcus seemed somewhat surprised, but after a moment of thought, he said
<<…Thanatos huh. Hmm, I see.>>
Orcus noticed those of us who were standing around Bennia. <<All of you are members of [DxD], right? My daughter has been in your care. In any case…very well. This is a rare opportunity, so allow me to talk with you for a bit.>>
Orcus then began to speak. <<Thanatos is an executive of the so-called militant faction. He often takes actions that go beyond the will of Hades-sama, and he hardly ever listens to any of Hades-sama’s orders.>>
Ooh, he said that to us so casually! Perhaps it was because Bennia was present, but I felt moved by the fact that there was a Grim Reaper with whom we were able to communicate with calmly. Rias inquired
“Orcus-sama, do you mean to say that as an ultimate-class Grim Reaper, you’re also unclear on what Thanatos’ motives are?”
<<Ultimate-class Grim Reapers — in other words, the executives of the Netherworld. Because of our respective posts and duties, it is difficult to get away. But, even if we know about some things, we can’t intervene because of our positions.>>
In response to this, Xenovia dejectedly shrugged. “So that’s why Pluto attacked us during the ‘Demonic Beast Riot’.”
Orcus replied
<<You’ve really hit a sore spot, but the Netherworld is not entirely unified. There is a progressive faction that listens to all of Hades-sama’s orders and acts on them, and there is also a conservative faction that adopts a wait and see approach. I don’t know if you guys will believe this, but I belong to the latter. In any case, we are the gods who manage death in Olympus. Various chain reactions will be set off if I deliberately cause a death.>>
Orcus belonged to the conservative faction—. I chose to believe that, because he was the first decent Grim Reaper that I had seen, and he also acted very courteously. If he’s been able to raise Bennia into what she is, he should be the same as I what I believe…. He probably didn’t allow Bennia to encounter any of those abnormal Grim Reapers in the Netherworld. After the game against the Bael team, I met Hades for the first time in Agreas and had a horrible impression of him, and I was also attacked by Pluto in the Netherworld. —Every single time, I never had a positive impression of the Grim Reapers. Bennia protested to what her father had said
<<Not only are you doing nothing to prevent them from doing these bad things, you’re also causing other mythologies to get involved…and you dare to say that you’re a member of the conservative faction.>>
Orcus…didn’t make any excuses and instead continued
<<…In any case, I’ll let you guys know about Thanatos’ movements after looking into the matter. After all, my daughter has been in your care, so it’s my role as a father to help you guys as well. However, due to the political issues of the Netherworld, our cooperation can’t be made public on the surface…. I will also work with the second generation Pluto.>>
It was quite helpful that we had been able to obtain some level of assistance from the Netherworld. It was also an unexpected surprise. I was willing to believe in Bennia’s father. If he truly betrayed us, I think Bennia would definitely cut off their father-daughter relationship. But any father who could call their daughter with a ‘tan’ couldn’t possibly be a bad person. However, I was rather curious about one thing that Orcus had mentioned. I quietly asked Kiba who was beside me
(…There’s a second generation Pluto?) Pluto…the first generation had been annihilated by Vali during the ‘Demonic Beast Riot’. Kiba quietly answered my question. (Regardless of the mythology, there are many gods who have children. Even in the case of Bennia-san, she is the child of Orcus.) Ah, I see. The gods also have children. Regardless of whether it was that old geezer Odin or Zeus, both of them already had kids. Bennia continued to stare at her own father with narrowed eyes. <<Papa-dono, is Hades-sama thinking about something bad again?>>
Orcus looked directly at his daughter as he said
<<…Bennia-tan, I don’t fully understand Hades-sama’s way of thinking. But, well, it’s best to be wary of Thanatos and Hades-sama. Everyone else, the same goes for you too.>>
“I will remember your advice, but if your leader hears what you just said, won’t he punish you?”
After Orcus listened to Rias’ question, although his face still remained expressionless, he let out a voice that was tinged with laughter
<<I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. But, it is precisely because the Netheworld is not unified that I can say that, and obviously, Hades-sama has long been quite aware of this.>>
…The Grim Reapers that lived in the Netherworld each had their own unique rules and relationships. The way Hades was perceived was different between us and the Grim Reapers, and even amongst the Grim Reapers, there was a difference between the conservative faction and the militant faction. We gained the cooperation of Bennia’s father, Orcus, and he would inform us of any news regarding Thanatos. We were forced to cancel our training session, and just as we were considering what to do next, we received a message from the Sitri peerage. They had found the next Ungaikyo—. Part 2
With me, Rias, Akeno-san, and Ravel in a group, the four of us jumped to the place that Sona-senpai and Shinra-senpai had told us about via a magic circle. The destination was an old shrine that was situated deep in the mountains of the Tohoku region in Japan. We were surrounded by a thick forest that was enveloped in fog.