Gilgamesh in DxD

Chapter 263

[Welcome back, Rias-ojou-sama!]

Voices resounded as many people, or rather Demons, celebrated the return of Rias and her Nobility.

[Panpanpanpan!]

Fireworks were set off, soldiers aimed their guns into the sky and fired, and people who looked as if they were from an orchestra began to play simultaneously! A soldier riding on top of a mysterious creature flew through the sky, and waved a flag.

Gilgamesh and his group stared momentarily in amazement at this event and at the happiness of the people.

Looking carefully, there were a lot of butlers and maids among them as well.

When Rias approached them, they simultaneously bowed their heads and then

[Welcome back, Rias-ojou-sama.]

They welcomed her back.

"Thank you all. I am home. I'm back."

Rias replied with a smile that covered her entire face. Seeing this, the butlers and maids smiled back.

Just then another silver-haired maid appeared, whom Gilgamesh recognized.

It was Grayfia Lucifuge.

"Welcome back, ojou-sama. You have arrived early. Most of all, how nice that you had a safe trip. So now, all family members and Avalon Faction members, please board the carriage. That's how we'll be getting to the main residence," Grayfia said, receiving a nod from everyone.

Everyone moved forward as they got into the ready vehicles that were waiting for them and were driven towards Rias's house.

Soon a gigantic building appeared in everyone's view and they continued to follow it calmly.

It was the main house of the Gremory Clan.

Outside, beautiful flowers bloomed, water gushed out of a magnificently shaped fountain, and birds of various colors were flying. The carriage was moving forward through what appeared to be the garden of Rias' house.

"Looks like we've arrived."

After Rias murmured this, the carriage door was opened. A man dressed as a butler bowed slightly to us.

The maids and butlers were lined up on either side of us, making a path. A red carpet was laid out to the huge castle, and the large castle gate opened.

"Rias-sama and his Nobility, please come in" said Grayfia bowing slightly.

Rias and his Nobility followed his words and stepped forward while Grayfia turned to Gilgamesh and his group.

"Gilgamesh-sama, and members of your Faction, please come in, you have earned accommodations and then you will have a tour of the Underworld" said Grayfia as she explained.

"Very well" said Gilgamesh calmly as he entered accompanied by his group.

...

...

A Day Later.

Soon after arriving at Gremory Castle Gilgamesh and his friends settled in with each getting a room.

They had also met Millicas Gremory the son of Sirzechs Lucifer and also Venelana Gremory the matriarch of the Gremory Clan.

Soon after this and the introductions they had dinner with the entire Gremory clan although it had a rather strange atmosphere due to the fact that the Avalon Faction was not a true ally of the Demons, but rather a protector of the Demons.

Gilgamesh had realized that Sirzechs had made them stay at the Gremory castle to make a familiarity between the Demon Faction and the Avalon Faction.

It seemed that the Demons did not fully trust them.

Soon after this Gilgamesh and his group won a trip through some parts of the Underworld.

Currently Gilgamesh and his group were in a large hall that was connected to an arena, the place where all the Rating Games are held and where the preliminary round for this year's Young Devil Gathering will take place. The hall was huge, easily large enough to accommodate several hundred people with room to spare.

So far, only Sirzechs, Grayfia, Ajuka, Serafall and I had arrived from the Devils' side.

And Gilgamesh and his group were also present because they were guests of honor and so they had arrived earlier to see the Young Demon Gathering.

Of the Demons the only one missing was Fablium, a demon who was so in love with his sin of laziness that nothing short of a national emergency could get him to do any work, and the [Queen] of Ajuka, a man who was apparently more of a scientist than anything else and usually stays in charge of Ajuka's laboratory when he was away. And since neither of them had been seen in public for over a decade, no one was surprised to find that they didn't show up.

The three Maous were all sitting in their ornamental wooden chairs, more like thrones, while Grayfia was standing on one side and slightly behind her [King]. And although he was not here, a fourth empty throne was placed beside the other three. All four thrones were placed on a raised stage at the back of the Hall, one that was high enough to see everyone and be seen in turn when the Hall was crowded.

A pair of longer stages lined the length of the room, forming a 'U' shape with the Maous stage being the lower part of the 'U', and above them were a total of 72 ornamental tables and chairs. These were the seats reserved for the Council of Elders, who would also be attending the meeting. In a few minutes the first of the Council should arrive, taking their seats after everyone had paid their respects to the Maous, and soon after that the candidates for the Young Devil's Meeting should arrive along with their respective Nobilities.

The Young Devil Gathering has evolved over the years to become a kind of maturation ceremony for demons. For many of the participants, it was the first opportunity to leave the protection of their Clan, to prove their own capabilities and build their own path in life. It was for this reason that a tradition was formed in which the participating demons would have the chance to announce their intentions and life ambitions before the fights began, to the most important members of the underworld and millions of others who were no doubt watching the broadcast of the event.

"Sorry I'm late" said a voice drawing everyone out of six thoughts.

Looking up Gilgamesh noticed a new arrival.

Everyone seemed surprised by the appearance, even the stoic Ajuka.

Gilgamesh looked seriously along with his group at the approaching person, but it was not just anyone, it was one of the most dangerous entities in the Underworld, perhaps even more so than the Maous themselves.

Even if it was the first time Gilgamesh had laid his eyes on the man who approached the stage with calm, confident strides, his pace unhurried even under the watchful eye of the Maous, the King of Heroes knew that there was something different about him. He was an unusual sight among the demons, a race that seemed to be blessed with eternal youth. With their limited ability to alter their appearance and with enough vanity to use it, it was rare to find a Devil who didn't look young, as if they were in the prime of their lives rather than hundreds or even thousands of years.

This man, however, was old and, unlike most of his race, looked it. Instead of hiding his age, he flaunted it, wearing a cloak that he wore with pride. As if old age was a sign of power and not of frailty.

The fingers sticking out of his sleeves were wrinkled and seemingly fragile, although I knew they were strong enough to bend steel. His hair combed back and once dark hair had long since turned gray, only a few strands of black remaining to remind us of its original color. Crow's feet extended from the corners of his lavender-colored eyes, fixed on a grandfatherly looking face, a polite smile pasted on his lips.