Kai returned to the restaurant after talking with his grandmother for a bit longer.
There was no reason to stay anymore. The Astral Plane was a bit tricky to enter, and humans hadn't investigated it too much due to its difficulty in finding a clue.
According to Emily, though, Devils were apparently a bit knowledgeable about the Astral Plane, especially female Devils.
Because of their unique way and technique of replenishing their Spirit Power, they needed to get it from a man; it seemed like it had a connection with the Astral Plane.
It was such a coincidence that Kai would visit the Devils' Ball Party in a few days with Ao and the others.
After arriving back in the restaurant, he saw Marcus was already drinking with old man John and Billy, like usual, with a frown on his face.
"Hey, Kai! Do you want to join us?!" Old man John called out to Kai with a loud voice while waving his hand.
"Not today, old man John. Maybe tomorrow."
"Ah! You're still tired, huh? Alright, have a nice rest!"
Unfortunately, Kai had no intention of joining them for now, so he refused and entered his restaurant. The three girls were still talking around the table. Ao seemed to tell them about her night activities with him because Ibaraki's cheek was red, embarrassed.
Unexpectedly, Ao was really open about it. He joined their talk, and they only went to bed once midnight passed.
***
A few days had passed since then. His relationship with Marcus didn't really change, and he worked in the restaurant from morning to night, just like usual.
The relationship between Ao, Amber, and Ibaraki could be said to be good. Ibaraki Douji seemed to be a bit reserved around Ao, but maybe that was because she still didn't know her enough. And Ibaraki has always been reserved.
Finally, the day they would depart to the Underworld had arrived. The four of them had gathered in the restaurant.
Ao wore the blue dress she used to come to this place. Amber wore a red halter dress with a long skirt with a slit on the left side. At the same time, Ibaraki used her usual Kimono. However, it was used properly instead of letting it loose like usual.
Today, the restaurant was closed because there was no waitress working.
Marcus was also able to relax. But the old man was now seeing them off.L1terary-N0v3l hosted the first appearance of this chapter at N0vel.B1n.
"Brat, be careful of the female Devils. I don't think I need to worry about that as your chicks are with you, but... Don't drop your guard even when you're sleeping."
The old man left a warning before they could depart.
"Is it due to their need for a man to replenish their Spirit Power?" Kai asked curiously.
"Yeah. That's the one, but... Just be careful, brat. There are also Gods attending, right? Seeing that the Dragon King herself is attending, that should be the case."
Then he looked back at Ao.
"Then, the second way?"
"It's easier," Ao replied as she took out a folded letter with a wax seal and smiled. "We just need to summon a Devil to take us to the Underworld."
"Summon a Devil?" Kai and Amber asked at the same time.
Apparently, even the knowledgeable Phoenix girl didn't know about this method either. Ibaraki also tilted her head, confused.
Ao smiled proudly and puffed her chest. Her image as the Dragon King was completely shattered when she wasn't in front of her subordinate. That was the sign that she trusted them. At least she could still maintain her image in front of others, including Marcus.
"This letter is an invitation for us. A spell that uses the creator's Spirit Power is imbued in it. If we just open it up, then we could summon a Devil to take us to the Underworld.
"Oh? That's interesting." Kai looked at the folded letter in interest. He learned something new again.
So the letter acted like a Talisman? But it was to summon the one who created the spell imbued in it. That was useful in many ways.
"Dear husband, we can go any time if you are ready. This lady will activate the spell immediately when you tell me."
"I am ready anytime. How about you girls?" He looked at Amber and Ibaraki.
"Anytime," Amber replied with a warm smile.
"I am ready whenever you are, Master." Ibaraki nodded.
"Very well. This lady will open the letter and summon the Devil to take us to the Underworld then."
Ao opened the letter, and a purple aura burst from within. A small circle, similar to the ones often used in a magician ritual in a TV show, was drawn in the middle of the paper.
The circle then expanded, floating out of the paper and hovering in the air. Eerie and pulsating energy appeared as it glowed a purple light.
Kai narrowed his eyes as he felt the energy. It was similar to that portal but a little bit different.
Then after a few seconds, the circle stopped pulsating, and a crack echoed in the room. Following the sound was the sight of a crack appearing in the thin air before it expanded and opened a hole with different scenery on the other side.
From that newly formed hole, a woman stepped out. She wore erotic black clothes that exposed her cleavage created by two bountiful breasts made from a shiny material. A long lustrous black hair that was decorated by two horns fluttered from the movement of her bat wings.
Kai recognized this girl. How could he not? She was the first Devil that he met back in the Oni Village.
The Devil's eyes darted around and got surprised. But then, when her gaze landed on Kai, she smiled seductively and bowed politely, her hand on her stomach and the other one politely gesturing to the group to enter the hole.
"Greetings, mighty Dragon King and the Ruler. My greeting to the Phoenix and Ibaraki Douji too. It's an honor to be able to meet such a wonderful group. My name is Meryl Dantalion, the daughter of Duke Dantalion. Please allow me to guide you to the party venue."