Chapter 53: Leaders Summit - 3
The air in the room grew heavy as the leaders from the three factions settled into their seats. Tension swirled among the group, each leader fully aware of the gravity of the summit.
But amid the murmurs and low conversations, there was one undeniable presence that overshadowed everything else—Raizel.
Standing beside Azazel, Raizel's composed and silent demeanor sent waves of unease through the room. It wasn't just his calm expression, nor his unrivaled power; it was his very presence that caused people to reconsider their positions.
Raizel was no mere observer, even if he seemed to be. His alliance with Azazel was enough to make others cautious, but no one truly understood the depth of his influence.
As Sirzechs stepped forward, the room fell silent. He looked around at the gathering of the most powerful beings in the supernatural world, and his eyes lingered momentarily on Raizel, who had yet to speak.
"hello, everyone." Sirzechs began, his voice resonating with authority, "we are gathered here today to discuss the future of our world. Tensions are rising, and we must come to a consensus before our differences push us into conflict. Each faction has its concerns and its interests, but the truth remains—we all share this world."
His gaze swept the room, landing briefly on each representative, before returning to Raizel. "However, we also have an outsider among us. A man whose presence here has raised many questions."
The room held its breath, all eyes shifting to Raizel. Azazel leaned against a pillar, watching with a slight smirk, as if he knew exactly what would unfold. Raizel, as always, was the enigma—his motivations unknown and his allegiances unclear.
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The atmosphere in the room grew tenser as the discussions continued, each leader presenting their case and concerns.
Yet, throughout it all, the undercurrent of curiosity and attention lingered on one figure—Raizel. His presence was a constant reminder of the delicate balance they sought to maintain.
As the conversation reached a lull, the eyes of the leaders turned to Raizel once again, seeking his perspective. But instead of addressing the room, Raizel's gaze shifted subtly, landing briefly on Akeno.
The brief glance, though fleeting, did not go unnoticed. The leaders exchanged surprised glances, wondering about the significance of the interaction.
Clearing his throat softly, Raizel finally broke the silence. His calm and measured voice filled the room, cutting through the tension like a knife. "I understand that my presence here has raised questions," he began, his eyes now sweeping across the assembly. "Let me clarify my stance."
He turned toward Azazel, who stood beside him with a smug smile, clearly enjoying the attention. "I am here at the request of Azazel," Raizel continued, his tone steady. "Not because I have any interest in the political machinations of your factions, but because I was asked to observe."
His words were deliberate, each one chosen carefully to convey his lack of personal investment in the ongoing power struggles.
"I hold no allegiance to any faction here. My purpose is not to interfere or influence the decisions made today. I am simply an observer."
The room absorbed his statement in silence, the weight of his words sinking in. While some leaders seemed relieved by his neutral stance, others were visibly skeptical, questioning whether someone of Raizel's power could truly remain a passive bystander.
Sirzechs, ever the diplomat, nodded thoughtfully. "We appreciate your honesty, Raizel. Your presence alone is enough to ensure a level of decorum that we might not otherwise have."
Azazel chuckled, leaning back with a relaxed posture. "Don't let his modesty fool you. Even as an observer, Raizel's insight could be invaluable. He sees things differently, after all."
Raizel remained silent, his expression unreadable. His focus briefly shifted back to Akeno, who was seated alongside Rias and the others. Akeno, aware of the brief attention, maintained her composure, though a faint blush colored her cheeks.
The moment passed, and the summit resumed its course, the leaders diving back into their discussions.
But the presence of Raizel, his quiet authority, and his clear detachment from their political games continued to cast a long shadow over the proceedings.
For the rest of the summit, Raizel remained as he declared—an observer. Yet, in the minds of everyone present, his role felt far from passive. His mere presence was a reminder of the delicate balance they were all trying to maintain, a balance that could be tipped with a single misstep.
"I'm here because I believe peace is not something we can take for granted," Raizel began.
His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but it resonated with power, each word carrying a deliberate weight. "The world you seek to protect, with your schemes and alliances, will fall into chaos if it is not guided by those who understand the true cost of conflict."
Raizel paused, letting his words sink in as the room remained silent. He glanced at the faces of the devils, angels, and fallen angels, before his eyes settled on Vali, who stood across the room with a mocking grin.
Vali's eyes met Raizel's, and for a brief moment, an unspoken challenge passed between them.
"As for my presence here," Raizel continued, his gaze now addressing the entire room, "I am not here to meddle in your politics or take sides. I'm here to ensure that, whatever path you choose, it does not lead to a war that will consume us all."
Raizel's words hung in the air, heavy with the understanding that the summit could easily devolve into a battle of egos, and the consequences would be dire.
Sirzechs nodded thoughtfully, his usual cheerful demeanor momentarily replaced by a more serious expression. "I see. Your perspective is... valuable, Raizel. We will keep that in mind as we proceed."
But before the discussions could continue, Azazel's voice cut in, a lighthearted tone that contrasted the heavy atmosphere.
"Well, well, seems like we've got a philosopher in our midst," Azazel said with a grin. "But Raizel's right, we all know how quickly things can go south. That's why we're here, to avoid that."
Akeno and the rest of Rias's group, seated at one of the long tables, watched the exchange with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
They knew Raizel well enough to understand that his presence wasn't just as an observer, but as a force in his own right.
The conversations began in earnest, as each faction presented their concerns and agendas. Rias and Sirzechs discussed the balance of power between the devils and the other factions, while Azazel, ever the schemer, raised the issue of the fallen angels' role in the growing tensions.
But amidst the discussions, Raizel remained silent, his gaze drifting around the room, observing the leaders with a quiet intensity. His thoughts were his own, his mind carefully weighing the future of each faction. He was not quick to offer advice or solutions, not like Azazel, who enjoyed the politics and games of the summit.
Raizel's mind worked differently—he was a being of action, and he knew that true peace came not from compromise, but from understanding the deeper truths of the world.
The summit continued, each faction presenting their concerns, but Raizel's words echoed in the back of their minds.
The balance of the world was fragile, and the next few hours would determine whether they could hold it together—or whether they would break it beyond repair.