EPIC: Path of Demons and Dragons-Chapter 249: Assertion

While the cultural festival was taking place outside, Vahn and his wives, the executive members of the Dragon's Pavilion, were invited to hammer out the details of their tentative partnership with the Soul Society within the 1st Division's Officer's Banquet Hall. The traditional Japanese-style dining hall was typically reserved for end-of-year feasts and to celebrate the promotion of newly appointed Captains, but it was determined to be the most appropriate venue given its privacy and proximity to both the parade grounds and the dimension-penetrating elevator that would ferry them to the bottommost layer of the Central Underground Prison: Muken.

Similar to when Vahn last met with Yamamoto, the elderly Shinigami was attended by Kyoraku, Ukitake, Byakuya, and Unohana. Many others were present, but they were mostly there as stand-ins and silent observers for the various Noble families, as the decisions being made in the hall would invariably affect the entirety of the Soul Society. As for his side, Vahn sat at the center of his group, directly across from Yamamoto, with Grayfia, Sona, and Ravel seated to his left and Venelana, Rias, and Aileen seated to his right—the latter having promised to be on her best behavior so as not to derail the discussions.

"While we can render aid in an emergency, the Dragon's Pavilion isn't in the business of fighting wars on other groups' behalf. We are similar to the Gotei in that our priority is maintaining the balance within worlds, so while it is possible for us to eliminate Aizen Sosuke, your side benefits more in the long term if we help you gain the strength needed to defeat him yourselves..." explained Venelana, modeling a loosely-worn ornate white, black-trimmed, gold-accented kimono that unabashedly showed off a fair amount of cleavage. She was still a Devil, so while she exuded elegance and authority as Vahn's Guiding Right Hand of the Dragon God, she wasn't even a little ashamed to flaunt her exceptional figure.

"It would be best if we retained our self-sufficiency and settled our own matters..." affirmed Yamamoto, offering a nod that prompted Ukitake to reveal, "With that aim, we are considering the formation of a Fourteenth Division to focus on matters related to the Tower of Ascension. And if the Dragon's Pavilion permits, we would have them stationed within an embassy on the lowest floor of the Intertwining Dragon's Palace..."

With Venelana turning to look at him, Vahn offered a slow nod of his own before stating, "Something to that effect can be arranged, but I'm afraid it would be rather costly. My palace is a nexus point linking an ever-growing number of worlds, so there are admission fees based on the alphanumeric grade of the individual and the length of their stay. There are a number of ways to have these fees reduced or annulled altogether, but we generally don't allow independent, uncontracted organizations to operate within the palace's premises."

Using Vahn's response as a foundation, Venelana explained, "The only people typically permitted to access or reside within the palace at no cost are employees, honored guests, family of the Dragon's Pavilion, and those under our protection. Thus, unless this speculative 14th Division fell under the purview of the Dragon's Pavilion, its members would be subjected to the same access fees as other visitors." freēwēbηovel.c૦m

"Besides," chimed Rias, drawing many gazes as she asserted, "We don't need additional security within the palace. Anyone who violates our laws is summarily returned to their original world and prevented from returning. I believe assembling a 14th Division focused on transdimensional affairs and ascending the Tower is a wise decision, but the palace functions as a neutral hub for Ascendees from all walks of life to congregate without the failings of geo or transdimensional politics. The last thing it needs is third parties, factional disputes, and foreign militaries competing for power and influence."

"Understandable..." affirmed Kyoraku, his expression and tone lazy but his eyes focused, making it clear he was paying attention to everything being discussed as he snuck a glance at the spectating representatives, adding, "But there are many from our side who are perturbed by your side's ability to enter and leave our world anytime anywhere. It would help to put their minds at ease if we had a fixed presence within yours..."

"And there is already a framework in place to allow you to remain in the palace as long as you want," stated Venelana, her eyes narrowing and a mischievous smile adorning her face as she added, "We simply won't be footing the bill."

"How shrewd..." hummed Kyoraku, slumping his shoulders, shaking his head, and exhaling in mock exasperation.

"We have to be when representing the interests of multiple worlds and peoples..." expressed Venelana. "And since you've presumably read the brochures and data we've provided, you should be aware there are many paths for your people to gain influence within the palace. They will simply have to play by our rules."

"Is Venelana-sama perhaps referring to the Pavilion's Maid Battalion...?" asked Ukitake, his usual smile gaining a hint of awkwardness.

"That's certainly one method to gain access to the higher floors of the palace," affirmed Venelana, her smile broadening slightly as she added, "But we don't accept everyone into our ranks. The Maid Battalion mainly serves as a safety net for women seeking power, protection, and financial security. Simply put, if they don't have a personal reason to be there and sufficient drive to improve, they are not likely to be accepted without our Lord making an exception."

"The Maid Battalion was created since there is a general disparity between men and women between worlds in terms of the opportunities available," explained Sona, her cool expression and sharp, violet eyes, and square-rimmed glasses emphasizing her intellect as she appended, "Male Ascendees have a much easier time forming groups and making leaps and bounds within the Tower, while women are generally relegated to support or service roles with the excuse of protecting them. Thus, in exchange for providing security or assisting with the operation and maintenance of the Intertwining Dragon's Palace, Maids receive various benefits and financial security, ensuring they're never in a position to be taken advantage of by those who might turn on them if they refused to capitulate to increasingly unreasonable expectations and demands..."

"How reassuring..." remarked Ukitake, nodding approvingly. At the same time, Kyoraku's eyes flashed thoughtfully as he resisted the urge to point out the expectations placed on Second and First-Grade Maids. However, as there was ostensibly nothing forcing women to advance from Third to higher-Grade Maids, pointing out that Vahn had the right to call upon and sleep with First-Grade Maids was a moot point...

"That's enough for now," stated Yamamoto, his raspy, authoritative voice cutting through the growing tensions as he affirmed, "The only thing the Dragon's Pavilion has consistently asked is that we sufficiently reimburse them. The details can be worked out later, but as Captain-Commander, I will be authorizing the formation of a 14th Division under the Captaincy of Shiba Kukaku with Kuchiki Rukia as her Lieutenant..."

Though they were among the lowest-ranking members of their respective families, specifically chosen to avoid cross-talk and outbursts, the Nobles gathered to witness the proceedings stirred uncomfortably in response to Yamamoto's revelation. Before they could even think to protest, however, the elderly Shinigami glanced at them with his narrowed crimson eyes, his expression unchanging but the interior of the hall trembling in response to his Reiatsu as he stated, "This decision was not mine alone, but the will of Reio-sama. There is no room for debate..."

Cowed by the mention of the Soul King, even the representatives of the Great Families held their tongues. The Soul King was the highest authority within the Soul Society. Opposing his decree could be viewed as an act of treason, so not even the proxies of the Tsunayashiro or Kagurazaka Clans, the pioneers of the Shiba Clan's downfall, dared to speak.

Retracting his Reiatsu, though it didn't seem to affect Vahn and his wives, Yamamoto met the former's gaze, closed his eyes, and bowed his head as he stated, "We have shown you a shameful side of ourselves..." in a lower, solemn tone.

"I disagree..." retorted Vahn, shaking his head and smiling as he asserted, "You have exhibited that, despite the rot that has permeated the Seireitei, those calling the shots have not yet renounced their reason. Since Kukaku is already your world's de facto representative, appointing her to helm the 14th Division is ingenious. Assuming, of course, she agrees."

"That will not be an issue..." stated Byakuya, seated stoically with his eyes closed. He also evidently had no intention to elaborate, as he immediately fell silent and took a slow, two-handed sip from a ceramic tea cup.

'Kukaku must have succeeded in securing the backing of the Kuchiki Clan. That would explain Rukia's appointment as her Lieutenant...Byakuya likely wants to distance her from the Soul Society...' concluded Vahn, prompting Sis to confirm his suspicions. She also revealed that the 14th Division was being conceptualized as an all-female unit, giving him the urge to chuckle awkwardly even if, at the same time, he was greatly anticipating meeting its members...

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"Ugh, I thought that would never end..." groaned Aileen, falling face-first onto Vahn's bed after they returned to the palace for a brief recess before the Rating Game. The Soul Society had prepared a manor for them to stay in, but since he was also feeling a little mentally and emotionally drained, he left Venelana in charge and returned to his infinitely more comfortable palace and room.

"Want to hop in the bath, or were you expecting a reward...?" asked Vahn, eyeing Aileen's pert and perky posterior and thick, squishy-looking black and grey tail. In response, the mischievous Dragoness didn't hesitate to draw her knees under her, raising her butt and wagging both it and her tail from side to side invitingly.

"Reward it is..." hummed Vahn, his clothes disappearing from his body as he approached the bed, climbed onto it, and positioned himself squarely behind Aileen's bottom. Then, hiking up her kimono, he was immediately hit by an intoxicating scent that caused his body to heat up, the result of her exposed bottom and glistening lips leaking a tremendous amount of glistening, slightly viscous fluids.

"Someone was looking forward to this..." teased Vahn, resting Aileen's tail on his shoulder before giving her what she very clearly wanted. She cried out when his hips impacted against her fair and round cheeks, but instead of an expression of pain, a deep, sensual groan emanated from her throat as her clawed hands and right horn tore through his bedding like tofu.

Ding!

'You have got to be kidding me...' thought Vahn, his right eye twitching at the exceptionally ill-timed priority message. Fortunately, it wasn't related to an ongoing emergency. Instead, it was Yoruichi apprising him of how her secret rendezvous with Sui-Feng had gone—complete with some very saucy pictures of the diminutive Captain posing with her legs spread, kept open by Yoruichi's calves as the bronze-skinned woman sat with her arms around the smaller, red-faced Shingami's shoulders, nibbling the tip of her right ear.

[Want to come and play with your newest kitten? She might bite, but you can take it] messaged Yoruichi.

[Now isn't the best time] responded Vahn, grinding his teeth slightly as he would have loved to accept the invitation. However, as evidenced by the very lewd and sensual sounds echoing throughout his room, he was a tad preoccupied. And the last thing he needed was a pouty Dragoness...

[Are you sure you can't make time?] messaged Yoruichi, sending a second image, this time a zoomed-in snapshot of the interior of Sui-Feng's moist, flushed, and completely hairless pussy. Most notably, though Vahn had to tilt his head slightly to see it, there was a slightly paler membrane present a centimeter or two within. Unfortunately, as enticing as the sight was, he had no way to disentangle from the buxom Dragoness before him without risking her ire or throwing a tantrum...

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