[h3][center][i][color=lightpink]A n a n t a[/color][/i][/center][/h3][hr]

While the envoys of Heaven had gone to some lengths in their search for Iona's guidance, they were not without a pursuer of their own. A figure with the lower half of a serpent slid forward along ancient stone, silent as the  grave until she rested upon her coiled tail behind the group and spoke in a voice which surprisingly did not stretch out its S's.

[color=lightpink]"If I may be so blunt as to insert myself into this discussion, I would hazard to suggest you not go foreword in rescuing our your comrade in such a direct manner."[/color] Ananta said, pausing a moment to allow any of those who were so enamored with Iona as to not detect her before them. She observed each of the assembled Angels evenly until settling upon the radiant archangel the group had first sought.[color=lightpink]"Do you not believe it would be more beneficial to engage with the Demon Lord through a more diplomatic negotiation then by sending off half of our most capable soldiers to rob a [i]Greed[/i] demon of their newest and certainly most interesting possession? If but one of them is captured in the endeavor, then the entire mission was a fruitless and this doesn't even begin to fathom the ramifications of two or all three joining their sister in servitude to the Demon."[/color]

Ananta clucked her tongue, acting as though she were disappointed that this endeavor were even contemplated. [color=lightpink]"You are aware that even in war, diplomats will still find employment? Spies can deliver missives of peace as readily as they steal battle plans? If you truly wish to recover your compatriot, and not hamstring the Angelic forces in the process, then perhaps you should play upon the demonic inclination for making deals? Heaven is sorely lacking in interned persons of interest to someone like a Demon Lord, but prisoners are not the only goods or services you could exchange for a peaceful resolution."[/color]

[color=lightpink]"Though whether or not you heed my advice or Iona's, I do strongly suggest you be quick about your decision before it is taken from you by the captive herself. A greed demon is very likely to lavish their belongings with all sorts of things to keep them content in their captivity. Regardless of who holds it, everything is still within their power, so it would be no great loss for the Lord if it meant the Angel refused to leave his side, rescued attempt or otherwise."[/color]

This was all fairly standard knowledge if one deigned to look at the history of Avaritia family, whose noble status among the Demons ensured great detail was put into the studying of their tendencies through the generations, and made for a rather interesting read as a period drama if one focused upon their recurring tendency for the child to usurp the parents and claim their power for themselves, resulting in marked increase in lethality with each generation. 

They'd best hope Miyu doesn't wind up producing Henry the 3rd, or the Heaven's will wind up with yet another Demon Lord to contend with.

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[center][@TheWindel], [@KoL], [@Lucius Cypher], [@Flamelord], [@Ryonara], [@LHudson], [@Awesomoman64], [@Mega Birb], [@floodtalon], [@The 42nd Gecko], [@DriveEMOut].[/center]