The smell is the problem.
Even though Masa hadn't seen Diehauser, he was sure that this guy was causing him big trouble. Frankly, he didn't want to meet Diehauser as it was so troublesome, especially after he had just met Ophis.
At the same time, he also felt that after that battle against the god of the bible, he knew that many troubles would arise.
The Great Red wasn't the end, but many things would come out one after another.
Still, even so, as Masa wasn't weak, he wasn't afraid of trouble, and he believed that he could handle everything. In the worst case, he would just use his ultimate move, which was using the Sleeping Disease to take care of all the problems peacefully.
Then, what if someone discovered the cure for the Sleeping Disease?
Well, he just had to develop a new Sleeping Disease, which worked like the flu, as the flu could mutate and become a new variation after being exposed to the medicine.
Still, instead of Diehauser, he knew that the problem that he had to solve was the one that was near him, the one that had been staring at him.
"Asia, help me to take care of Ophis."
"Ah, yes, Masa-sama." Asia didn't mind taking care of the children as she loved them. Probably because of Ophis' appearance, even though Ophis was known as the Infinity Dragon, they subconsciously thought that Ophis was just a little girl.
As Masa lifted Ophis, ready to give her to Asia, somehow, Ophis clung to him and kept staring at him.
"...." Everyone.
Why was she so sticky?
"I need to talk with someone first. Stay here for a bit. You are a good girl, right?"
"...I don't have a gender, but if you want me to be a girl, then I am a girl."
"..." Everyone.
What could he say at this moment?
"Wait here for a bit."
Carrying Ophis in his arms, Masa put her on Asia, who accepted her gently.
"Masa-sama still has something to do; please be patient, Ophis-chan."
Masa knew well that Asia had a certain affinity with a dragon, so while Ophis might not be good with others, with Asia's gentle care, even if Ophis felt a bit reluctant to leave him, she could only let herself be picked up.
"After I defeat you, you can't leave me."
"....."
What did those words mean?
Was that a proposal?
"That's if you can defeat me." Patting Ophis's small head, Masa didn't think that he would lose to Ophis. Instead, she would help him achieve his ambition and be his greatest support. Still, instead of coming to meet Diehauser, he looked at Ingvild and said, "Ingvild, let's talk."
Ingvild was surprised, but then she nodded gently. "Okay." She thought that Masa would leave her alone, ignoring her feelings, but unexpectedly, he took the initiative to talk with her despite his busy schedule. While she was a bit angry at how he played with her feelings, it was impossible for her to truly hate or even to be indifferent to him, especially when his kiss was still vivid on her lips.
"Tsubaki, tell Diehaser to wait."
"Ah, um, yes, Masa-sama."
Making Diehauser wait?
Probably, in this world, only Masa could do that.
Still, as Masa and Ingvild left, the girls were staring at Ophis, who sat on Asia's lap curiously.
"Are you really the Infinity Dragon, Ophis-chan?" Poking Ophis' cheek curiously, Kuroka couldn't help but ask.
"..."
Kuroka was so insolent, they thought.
"Nee-sama!" Koneko was startled and wanted to stop Kuroka as her big sister was too rude!
Even if they could hardly believe that Ophis was the Infinity Dragon, the second strongest being in the world, Masa would never lie to them about this type of matter, so the fact that Kuroka dared to poke Ophis' cheek like that might cause her to be killed!
Did Kuroka not even have such a fear?!
"Yes, I am."
Ophis didn't seem to react and was even emotionless. She didn't even seem to show a reaction despite Kuroka's rude action.
"...can I poke your cheek, too, Ophis-chan?" Serafall asked nervously, yet her eyes were full of expectation.
"...just a bit."
"You are so cute~!"
At that moment, Ophis felt the taste of being toyed with by several women. Frankly, it was noisy, annoying, and even troublesome, yet watching their warm smiles, she remained silent and just lay on Asia's lap as her blank face grew softer.
"That cat, step a bit, I can't watch the anime."
Still, Tsubaki, who was sent off by Masa, met Diehauser, who wanted to meet with Masa.
"Diehauser-sama."
As she arrived, Diehauser quickly stood up and asked, "Um... can I meet him?"
"I apologize, but Masa-sama is still busy, so please wait for a moment."
"....."
Diehauser blinked his eyes for a moment, then quickly apologized. "No, I was the one who came abruptly without prior notice, so please let me apologize for that." At this moment, he also understood his mistake, thinking that Masa was someone whom he could meet at any moment.
While it was annoying, Diahauser knew that Masa's status was above his, and as he was living in the high society, he also needed to pay attention to something known as "etiquette."
"If he is busy, please tell him that I will wait any moment."
Yes, Diehauser might be in a hurry, but even so, if he pissed off Masa, then he knew well that everything would crumble. Still, the disappointment in his eyes couldn't be hidden, but this was how he was the Champion. Being as strong as he was, he hardly encountered any failures; thus, he retained his pure personality, like a child who would throw a tantrum when something didn't go his way.
However, he wasn't a child, so he was patient.
"He told me that you should wait, but if you wanted to meet him for another day, then I should tell him that."
Tsubaki wasn't sure what Diehauser planned to do, but then again, she couldn't imagine that Masa didn't care much since, for such a being as powerful as Masa, Diehauser was nothing.
"Then, I will wait."
"Then, please wait."
Excusing herself, Tsubaki left, leaving Diahauser alone, waiting like a statue in the living room.
Meanwhile, Masa and Ingvild walked together as he thought about what to say.
Should he just hug her and kiss her again?
Being overbearing and forcing himself probably was the fastest way since as long as Ingvild tasted his "gentleness," she would fall, but while he could do so, he decided not to do it.
Still, this awkwardness was annoying, so as they were alone, without anyone by their side, Masa held her hand softly. "Your hand is a bit cold. Let me hold your hand so it will be warmer."
"..."
Staring at this bastard helplessly, Ingvild wondered why she fell for him.