Chapter 155: Restructuring
[September 5th DxD/April 25th DBT]
"So, with your permission, we would like to make the first three floors of the palace accessible, with the first being dedicated to entertainment and shopping, the second to material processing and production, and the third to training and spa facilities," explained Rias, seated naked atop a chair as Akeno, equally nude, relaxedly brushed her hair.
"As long as the top three floors are only accessible to me and my women, I trust you and Sona to handle things..." responded Vahn, lying stomach down atop his bed with a contented smile as Grayfia, having become a permanent resident of the palace after it was determined that Millicas's future would be better served focusing on the Tower and networking with people from other worlds, massaged his back and shoulders.
"But, of course..." hummed Rias, the smile on her face broadening as she added, "I also like having a place where I can relax, wear sexy cosplay, or walk around completely naked if I feel so inclined. But, since we're on the subject, we should prevent unvetted guests from being able to access the seventh through ninth floors."
"Mmn...Sona said something similar last night...she mentioned the two of you had discussed issuing bronze keys to all Ascendees, with silver, gold, platinum, and personalized keys representing those with higher or special privileges..." droned Vahn, a relaxed, deep-throated groan emanating from his throat as Grayfia leaned forward, cupped his neck, and applied varying degrees of pressure to the base of his skull using her thumbs.
"Oh? Well, what did you think of the idea...?" asked Rias, rising from her chair and magically donning a stylish outfit resembling the clothes worn by a Shrine Maiden. Instead of a white top with bright red hakama pants, however, her top was pale blue with blue-and-white-striped sleeves, and her bottoms were a darker shade of blue with gold embroidery and a pair of crests resembling seven wings around a large, empty circle. The seven wings were meant to denote Vahn's original seven harem members, while the seemingly empty space in the center denoted him or, more accurately, the endless possibilities he appeared to represent.
"I feel it will lead to unnecessary comparisons and competition, but once we have dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of people frequenting the palace, it will likely be necessary..." recognized Vahn. Just the other day, Fubuki had brought over one of her subordinates, a fourteen-year-old girl named Lily, and while she looked markedly older, Vahn felt the ambiance of the upper floors wasn't suited to girls below a certain age...
"There's nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition..." reasoned Rias, her gaze briefly meeting Grayfia's, causing the silver-haired Devil to return a faint, playful smile. Then, as she and the other members of the Dragon's Pavilion had fairly busy schedules, meeting and making deals with people from both their world and others, she produced her personalized key and inserted it into empty air, causing a doorway to materialize.
"Alright, then, we're off," said Rias, opening and allowing Akeno to step through the door before glancing in Vahn's direction and reminding, "And don't forget that you have a meeting with Ravel of House Phoenix at 4:15 PM our time. She's pretty desperate to hop onto the bandwagon before it gets up to speed, so don't be surprised if you arrive to find her tied up or wearing nothing but a ribbon."