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."
"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."