Arrival in an isekai

"Start with the lowest-hanging fruit," you instruct, settling deeper into your throne. "The worlds easiest to conquer and integrate first. And name their source—I want to know what I'm dealing with."

Jibril's golden eyes light up with scholarly enthusiasm. "Of course, Master!" She taps the first projection crystal with her pointer wand, and the holographic display expands to fill the space before your throne.

The image shows a devastated Earth—crumbling cities, overgrown highways, scattered survivor camps glowing faintly in infrared. "Target World One: Post-Apocalyptic Earth, source material designation 'The Walking Dead' universe, though the dimensional signature suggests this is an alternate timeline rather than the canonical version. The world experienced catastrophic societal collapse approximately twenty-three years ago due to a viral outbreak that reanimates corpses."

The display rotates, showing shambling undead figures and small fortified communities. "Current estimated living population: four hundred thousand humans scattered across the North American continent, organized into roughly two hundred distinct settlements. Largest community contains approximately eight thousand individuals. Technology regressed to early industrial—firearms common but ammunition scarce, no functioning power grids, agricultural knowledge preserved but infrastructure destroyed."

Jibril manipulates the display, zooming in on various settlements. "Military capability: effectively zero. Individual settlements possess small armed militias with limited ammunition. No coordinated defense possible. Magical capability: completely absent—this is a purely mundane world. The undead themselves present negligible threat to you or any mid-tier Nazarick guardian, though they would overwhelm unprotected civilians."

"Conquest difficulty: trivial. You could personally eliminate every undead entity on the continent within seventy-two hours using area-effect Tier 5 spells. Alternatively, deploying a single Floor Guardian with undead summons would accomplish the same task within a week while you focus elsewhere." The Flügel's wings rustle with barely contained excitement. "The survivors would view you as a messiah-figure, making integration psychologically simple."

She brings up resource analysis data. "Strategic value: low to moderate. The world possesses standard Earth mineral deposits—oil, coal, iron, copper—all largely untapped post-collapse. Pre-collapse infrastructure could be salvaged and restored. Population provides potential labor force and subjects for your expanding administration, though their skill sets are primarily survival-oriented rather than specialized."

Jibril taps another section of the display. "Integration timeline: approximately six months to establish complete control and begin restoration of basic infrastructure. Two years to achieve pre-collapse technological parity. Long-term value derives primarily from using this world as a testing ground for administrative systems and integration protocols that could then be applied to more valuable conquest targets."

Albedo shifts slightly at your shoulder, her golden eyes studying the devastated landscapes with calculating interest. "A practice world," she observes. "Minimal risk, minimal resistance, useful for refining our methods before tackling more complex targets."

Jibril nods eagerly. "Precisely, Overseer. This world also provides an interesting psychological experiment—the survivors have endured decades of brutal existence. Their gratitude toward a savior would be genuine and intense, creating a population predisposed toward absolute loyalty. The trauma they've experienced makes them ideal subjects for studying how rescued populations integrate into Nazarick's hierarchy."

The Flügel gestures to the remaining six projection crystals. "Shall I proceed to Target World Two, Master? Or would you prefer a deeper analysis of this world's specific settlement locations and recommended conquest methodology?"

"An excellent presentation," you acknowledge, "although it was a bit long for a stereotype zombie apocalypse series. Let's proceed with summaries of two through seven, and inquire if there's anything that catches our eyes."

Jibril's golden eyes flash with understanding and approval. "Of course, Master! Much more efficient." She dismisses the detailed Walking Dead projection with a casual gesture, then brings up all six remaining crystals simultaneously. They arrange themselves in a semicircle, each pulsing with distinct magical signatures.

"Target World Two," she begins briskly, pointing to a crystal showing industrial cities wreathed in steam. "Victorian steampunk Earth variant, source material 'Sakura Wars' universe. Early magical awakening occurring within rigid industrial society. Population eight hundred million concentrated in urban centers. Technology level: steam power, early electricity, mechanical automation. Magic capability: nascent—approximately one in ten thousand individuals developing minor talents, largely untrained and unorganized. Conquest difficulty: moderate due to population density and industrial infrastructure allowing mass weapon production. Strategic value: high for coal, iron, and nascent magitech integration potential. Integration timeline: eighteen months to two years."

She moves to the third crystal without pausing. "Target World Three: feudal Japanese-inspired world, source material 'Rurouni Kenshin' universe, Meiji Restoration era. Population one hundred twenty million, largely agrarian with emerging industrialization. Individual warriors possess exceptional martial arts reaching superhuman levels—sword techniques that can bisect boulders, speed exceeding human visual tracking. However, no centralized military coordination. Conquest difficulty: moderate, as individual warriors pose genuine threat to mid-tier forces but lack organizational capacity. Strategic value: exceptional for acquiring non-magical combat techniques and discipline methodologies. Integration timeline: one year."

The fourth crystal shows modern cityscapes. "Target World Four: contemporary urban fantasy Earth, source material 'High School DxD' universe. Population seven billion, technology equivalent to early twenty-first century. Magic capability: extremely high—organized supernatural factions including fallen angels, devils, vampires, and multiple pantheons of active deities. Conquest difficulty: very high due to coordinated resistance from entities approaching your own power level. Strategic value: exceptional for both technological and magical knowledge integration, plus massive population base. Integration timeline: five to ten years, potentially requiring alliance strategies rather than pure conquest."

Jibril's excitement builds as she reaches the fifth crystal, which pulses with rainbow magical energy. "Target World Five: high-magic fantasy realm, source material 'Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken' universe. Multiple demon lords, dragon species, and primordial entities with power levels comparable to Floor Guardians. Conquest difficulty: very high, potentially dangerous even for you without preparation. Strategic value: astronomical for magical research, unique skill acquisition, and integration of non-humanoid sapient species. Integration timeline: uncertain, likely decades if approached through conquest, much faster through diplomatic integration."

The sixth crystal shows spacecraft and orbital stations. "Target World Six: space-faring civilization, source material 'Banner of the Stars' universe. Interstellar empire spanning hundreds of systems with population in the trillions. Individual power levels negligible—genetic modifications provide minor enhancements but nothing supernatural. However, military capacity includes planet-destroying weaponry and faster-than-light logistics. Conquest difficulty: very high due to sheer scale and strategic depth. Strategic value: incomprehensible—access to interstellar resources and technology centuries beyond any other target. Integration timeline: decades minimum, potentially a century."

She indicates the final crystal, which flickers unstably. "Target World Seven: collapsing dimension, source material 'Shakugan no Shana' universe. Reality degradation from interdimensional parasites consuming existence itself. World will self-destruct within two years without intervention. Population six hundred million and falling daily. Magic capability: moderate, specialized toward reality stabilization. Conquest difficulty: medium with severe time pressure. Strategic value: moderate resources but exceptional opportunity—intervening as savior rather than conqueror provides unique integration advantages and gratitude-based loyalty. Integration timeline: six months emergency stabilization, two years full integration."

Jibril steps back, her wings rustling. "Those are your seven options, Master. Do any particular worlds catch your interest? I'm personally fascinated by World Five's magical complexity, though I recognize World Seven's time pressure makes it strategically urgent, and World Four's urban fantasy integration could synergize excellently with your Amagi Park joy-harvesting model applied to other emotional energies."

You lean forward in your throne, fingers steepled as you address both Jibril and Albedo with measured authority. "A wonderful set of worlds, but you seem to misunderstand my reason for selecting Amagi Park. I wanted an entertainment park for everyone we might connect to our worlds. That I gained Latifa and Isuzu as servants is merely a bonus. The park's joy-harvesting properties I'd honestly forgotten about until Albedo mentioned them."

Jibril's golden eyes widen slightly, her wings rustling as she processes this correction. Albedo's expression shifts to thoughtful calculation, clearly reevaluating her previous assumptions about your strategic priorities.

"On the mental list I've been shuffling around," you continue, "there are three zombie apocalypse worlds. One or two will be opened for mass conquest after I pull out a few personal servants. There are four or five worlds at Sakura Wars tier—there's no resources or infrastructure we need from them."

The Flügel librarian nods slowly, making mental notes. "I see. You're categorizing based on personal interest rather than pure strategic value."

"The Rurouni Kenshin universe is on my list," you explain. "I'm not interested in full conquest, but we might kidnap a few treasures and attack a base or two. The High School DxD universe is on my list too. I'm questioning whether to kidnap all the beauties I want from it early, or make a portal and join the battles slowly for rewards from each faction."

Albedo's lips curve into an approving smile. "A measured approach to that world would allow you to establish relationships before revealing your full power, my lord. The supernatural factions might prove more cooperative if they view you as a peer rather than an invader."

"Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken," you say, and Jibril's entire demeanor shifts to intense focus. "A name that brings back memories and concerns. One of the later worlds on my list because once we connect to that world and it interprets our abilities, even we won't be able to change things. We'll need to be careful to cut off several dead end timelines."

The Flügel's wings spread slightly in excitement. "You're familiar with the Voice of the World system? Master, that world's unique skill acquisition mechanics could—"

"Exactly why it's dangerous," you interrupt. "As for Banner of the Stars, it was before my time. What I remember is that it was either a pre-Star Wars or pre-Gundam setting, both of which are on my 'no' list. Shakugan no Shana wasn't of enough interest to me at the time to look into it. For now I'll simply mark it as a possibility for after Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody or Tsukimichi."

You pause, studying both women's reactions. "Would the two of you be interested in meeting High School DxD's biblical God and Devil Kings after their war?"

Jibril practically vibrates with scholarly enthusiasm. "Master, the theological implications alone would be extraordinary! A world where deities operate under structured hierarchies and contracts rather than pure worship-based power systems—"

"I would enjoy evaluating their political structures," Albedo interjects smoothly. "Understanding how the Three Factions maintain their cold war could provide insights for managing our own expanding territories. Though I suspect we'd need to approach carefully to avoid triggering immediate hostilities."

You rise from your throne with sudden purpose. "Jibril, hold that thought. I'm adding someone to our ranks immediately."

The Flügel's wings flutter in surprise, but before she can respond, you gesture to the dungeon consciousness. A shimmering portal tears reality open beside your throne, revealing a twilight sky above a Japanese suburban neighborhood. Through the opening, you can see a small park with a cherry tree, its branches heavy with pink blossoms despite the season.

"Keep the analysis warm," you tell both women as you step through.

The air on the other side tastes different—cleaner somehow, less saturated with magic. Below, a teenage boy with messy brown hair sits on a park bench, staring up at the darkening sky with an expression of dopey fascination. Tomoki Sakurai, exactly as you remember from the anime.

You cast the hypnosis spell with barely a thought, your voice carrying on the wind. "Go home. Nothing interesting here."

The boy blinks, stands mechanically, and trudges toward the neighborhood streets without looking back. Perfect timing—because above you, reality begins to fracture.

The sky tears open like tissue paper, revealing an impossible geometric structure beyond. Massive stone pillars plummet through the breach, each one larger than a building. You activate your inventory with casual precision, absorbing each pillar before it can crash into the park below. One, two, three—seven pillars total, each inscribed with ancient Greek letters you recognize from the source material.

Then she falls.

The girl—no, the weapon—descends with wings spread wide. Pink hair streams behind her like a banner, and even from here you can see the vacant expression in her emerald eyes. Her white dress billows around pale legs, and massive feathered wings beat once, twice, slowing her descent to something survivable rather than fatal.

Ikaros, Type Alpha Angeloid. The most powerful close-combat weapon system ever created by Synapse.

She lands in the grass with surprising grace, those blank eyes scanning the empty park with confusion. "Master?" Her voice carries an odd harmonic quality, as though multiple tones overlay each other. "Where is Master?"

"Here." You step forward, and those emerald eyes lock onto you instantly.

She tilts her head, processing. Her expression remains eerily blank—not quite emotionless, but rather like someone who has never learned how to have emotions. "You are... Master?"

"I am your Master now," you declare with absolute certainty, letting your authority resonate through the words.

Something shifts in her gaze. Not quite recognition, but acceptance. She reaches up to her neck with both hands, and a glowing pink chain materializes from thin air, extending from her collar toward you. The Chain of Binding—the physical manifestation of an Angeloid's imprinting system.

You grasp it gently, feeling the ethereal links solidify under your touch. The chain pulses once with warm light, then the connection snaps into place. Through the bond, you sense her—vast combat databases, Apollo flight systems, Artemis targeting matrices, all waiting for your commands.

"Master," she repeats, but now the word carries certainty. She steps closer, her wings folding against her back.

"Come with me." You guide her toward the portal, the chain dissolving as the imprinting completes. She follows without hesitation, her bare feet silent on the grass.

The transition back to Nazarick is seamless. One moment you're standing in a Japanese park at twilight, the next you're on the steps before your throne. Albedo and Jibril both turn, the Flügel's golden eyes widening with immediate recognition.

"Master, I have successfully imprinted," Ikaros reports in that harmonic voice, standing beside you with perfect military posture. Her wings remain folded, but you can sense the incredible power coiled within her frame—strength sufficient to destroy nations, speed that renders her invisible to normal perception, weapons systems that make her a walking apocalypse.

Albedo's expression shifts through several calculations before settling into professional courtesy. "My lord, you've acquired an Angeloid. From the Synapse civilization, if I'm not mistaken?"

Jibril, meanwhile, practically vibrates with scholarly excitement. "A Type Alpha! Master, do you have any idea how extraordinary this is? Angeloids represent a completely different technological paradigm—bioengineered weapons with quantum processing cores and reality-warping capabilities!"

You chuckle warmly, reaching up to pat Ikaros on the head. Her pink hair feels impossibly soft under your palm, and those emerald eyes blink once in what might be surprise—or simple processing of unfamiliar tactile input.

"Jibril, ask permission before you analyze her," you say firmly, catching the Flügel's eager expression. "There will be others you can disassemble later."

Jibril's wings droop slightly in disappointment, but she bows. "Of course, Master. My apologies for presuming."

"Before I forget—Ikaros, please give me all the Synapse Cards you have."

The Angeloid tilts her head fractionally, then reaches behind her back. Reality ripples as she accesses her internal storage dimension. One by one, crystalline cards materialize in her hands—each inscribed with complex geometric patterns that pulse with quantum energy. "Apollo. Artemis. Aegis. Aegis L. Uranus Queen. Hephaestus. Pandora Type-1 through Type-8." She places them in your outstretched hand, her touch cool and precise. "Transport cards complete, Master."

You slide them into your inventory as you address the dungeon consciousness. "Lower the variant Heaven's Lost Property time dilation to one-hundredth normal speed. We'll selectively advance it when we're ready for Nymph, Astraea, and the Oregano-models. And give Ikaros an information link to let her analyze your capabilities."

The air shimmers as the dungeon responds with wordless acknowledgment. Ikaros's eyes suddenly glow with soft green light as data streams directly into her quantum processing core. "Accessing... dimensional structure mapped. Guardian protocols identified. Floor layouts catalogued. Mana circulation systems analyzed. Defensive capabilities... extraordinary, Master."

"You currently have a lock on your memories and emotions," you tell her gently. "Wait for your new emotions to develop before attempting to unlock the old ones."

Something flickers across her blank expression—confusion perhaps, or the ghost of understanding. "Understood, Master. Current emotional capacity: minimal. Development timeline: uncertain."

"Albedo." You turn to your Overseer, who has been watching the exchange with calculating interest. "I'll be having Ikaros play as your assistant. Her capabilities will suit your own well. She needs basic living experiences along with our supernatural lives."

Albedo's golden eyes assess the Angeloid with professional precision before her lips curve into an approving smile. "An excellent assignment, my lord. Her computational abilities will prove invaluable for administrative optimization, and I confess I've been considering acquiring additional support staff." She extends one elegant hand toward Ikaros. "Welcome to your new role, Ikaros. We shall work well together."

Ikaros accepts the handshake with mechanical precision, but you notice her studying Albedo's face with something approaching curiosity. "Thank you, Overseer Albedo. I will perform my assigned functions optimally."

"Before my interruption," you continue, gesturing toward Jibril's still-active projections, "we were discussing High School DxD's Biblical God and the four Maou. If we open a portal to after they've won the battle but before they've passed on, we should be able to speak with them and entertain them with our stories and the High School DxD meta-knowledge."

Jibril's disappointment evaporates instantly, replaced by scholarly excitement. "Master, you're suggesting intervening at the conclusion of the Great War? The theological implications—"

"For example," you continue, "their descendants who crave chaos and create wars, even releasing seals they've made. Perhaps making them an offer, and getting approval to claim two beauties of that time—Grayfia and Gabriel. Then time-dilate the world with Grayfia and Gabriel being able to coordinate their Nazarick vacations."

Albedo's expression shifts to something more complex—approval mixed with careful assessment. "The strongest Queen and the most beautiful Seraph. Ambitious choices, my lord. Though I suspect both would prove... resistant to simple acquisition."

"Which is precisely why we approach the original God and Maou first," you explain. "With their blessing, the matter becomes considerably simpler."

Jibril practically vibrates. "Master, I'll need several hours to calculate the precise temporal coordinates. The Great War's conclusion spans multiple battles across several months of that world's timeline. After God exhausted his life force sealing the 666 Beast Trihexa, We need to identify the exact moment after the decisive engagement against the red and white dragons but before the original Maou succumb to their injuries."

"How long?" you ask.

The Flügel's golden eyes flicker with calculation. "Four hours minimum for full analysis. Six hours for optimal precision. I'll need access to the Library's historical records on biblical mythology and devil hierarchies to cross-reference—"

"Begin immediately, taking your time for thorough analysis, we'll make this trip tonight," you order. "Albedo, take Ikaros and begin her orientation. Start with basic household routines before moving to administrative tasks."

Albedo bows elegantly. "As you command, my lord." She gestures to Ikaros. "Come. We'll begin with your quarters assignment and wardrobe selection."

The Angeloid follows without hesitation, her wings folding neatly against her back as they descend the throne room steps together.