DxD: Chapter 251/253

Chapter 251: Avrora Florestina

A trace of emerald light flickered from Lynn's fingertips, and then, with a sharp crack, an emerald green beam burst forth!

In an instant, it swept through the black flame beam and shot forward without pause!

"!"

The Black Death Emperor's Brother's eyes widened, his beast-like pupils instantly dyed in emerald.

The next moment.

The emerald beam swallowed him whole!

Boom—

The underground mausoleum trembled violently!

Crack—

A web of fractures spread rapidly across the thick ice. The crisp sound echoed sharply through the space.

Seconds passed.

The emerald beam vanished.

And with it, the Black Death Emperor's Brother and the Beastman army behind him were gone without a trace.

The underground mausoleum fell into silence once again, save for the sharp cracking of ice.

Liana stood frozen, staring blankly at the scene before her, confusion clouding her eyes.

It had happened too fast. She hadn't even registered what she'd just witnessed.

Where was the Black Death Emperor's Brother?!

Just like that...

He was erased?

That green beam...

She forced herself to calm down, her gaze turning toward Yukari.

But what she saw instead.

A man with disheveled black hair and deep wine-red eyes.

Who...

A flicker of doubt flashed across Liana's face.

But one thing was certain.

That beam of light just now.
It had come from him.

Her eyes locked onto Lynn's fingertips, where a faint emerald glow still lingered.

Another monster.

One powerful enough to instantly obliterate the Black Death Emperor's Brother, whom she couldn't even stand against.

The unease in her heart only deepened.

She didn't know why this man had come to the underground mausoleum.

But...

What else here could attract people, if not the Fourth True Ancestor?

With that thought, Liana's heart sank again.

All she wanted was to revive her family... why was it so difficult?

Elsewhere.

Akatsuki Kojou blinked and asked uncertainly, "Wait, are we... saved?"

But...

No one responded.

Akatsuki Gajou's face remained tense. He didn't dare move.

Yet deep inside, waves roared through him.

His immortality...

Had actually sensed death?!

And it was coming from.

That man.

Gulp.

Since leaving the City of Death, he'd seen plenty. Fought plenty.

He'd even had the fortune of meeting the legendary War King.

But never.

Never—had he felt this kind of oppressive fear.

Not even the Warlord made him feel this helpless.

That was why he'd always acted so boldly.

But from the moment he laid eyes on the man now standing before them, that confidence shattered.

His body screamed at him:

This man could kill him at any time.

Gulp.

He swallowed hard. The carefree smirk he always wore was long gone.

This man...
Might actually be more terrifying than the Warlord.

The very thought sent chills down his spine.

Someone stronger than the Warlord?

Could such a being really exist?

At that moment...

He remembered what Yukari had said earlier.

Wait.

That's right...

They were waiting for him.

Realization dawned on Gajou.

No wonder...

Yukari and Himeragi Yukina had been completely calm the whole time.

So this was why.

On the other side.

Yukina bowed deeply when she saw Lynn.

"Master Lynn."

Lynn?

So they knew him?

Liana furrowed her brow in thought.

As she tried to piece it together, the Snowdrift Wolf Schneewalzer—lodged in the ice—suddenly quivered.

Whoosh.

It sprang into the air and darted toward Lynn, circling him happily like a loyal dog.

Lynn reached out and stroked it gently, then turned to the ice coffin nearby.

He chuckled.

"Just like Sleeping Beauty..."

It reminded him of Ingvild.

Back when they met, she had also been sleeping peacefully inside an ice coffin.

Hmm...

Maybe he should bring her here next time.

As Lynn's gaze rested on the Fourth True Ancestor, Liana tensed slightly. She opened her mouth to speak, but Gajou quickly shook his head.

Seeing that.

Liana bit her lip but stayed silent in the end.

Yukari noticed and smiled faintly.

Then she spoke.

"Of course. Only the prince can wake Sleeping Beauty."

Liana's eye twitched slightly.

Thanks for the sarcasm...

But even she had to admit...

Because of this man, they had been saved.

And...

Those two children were no longer in danger.

She still felt guilty about dragging the Akatsuki siblings into this.

Lynn stepped in front of the Fourth True Ancestor's coffin. He raised his hand and tapped lightly on the ice.

Crack—

Suddenly, the sound of shattering ice intensified!

Then—

Bang!

The ice-blue casket exploded into powder!

The figure of the Fourth True Ancestor was finally revealed in full.

The blonde girl slowly leaned forward, her body soft like jelly, and fell into Lynn's arms with a gentle thud.

Feeling the warm weight in his embrace, Lynn gently called her name.

"Avrora..."

"Mmm..."

As if responding to his voice, Avrora let out a sleepy hum. Her eyelashes trembled, as though she were about to awaken.

Liana held her breath, her hands clenched tightly, heart full of anxiety.

A few seconds passed.

Avrora opened her eyes as if in response to Lynn's call. Her deep blue pupils were cold and emotionless.

Liana hurriedly stepped forward and knelt on the ground.

"I am Liana Carauna, sixth head of the Carauna family. I offer my greetings to the Fourth True Ancestor!"

"?"

Avrora lowered her head and looked at Liana in confusion.

Her eyes clearly said:

Who are you?

She blinked, then completely ignored Liana.

Instead, she placed her hands on Lynn's chest, slowly sat up, scanned everyone with a guarded look, and tilted her head slightly.

"Who are you? Why did you wake me up?"

She tried to sound imposing, but her trembling voice ruined the effect.

Yukari: "..."

The dignified Fourth True Ancestor...

Why is she like this?

Liana also paused, but quickly reminded herself.

She just woke up. It was normal for her to be a little confused.

That's right.

Normal.

Seeing Avrora looking like a startled kitten, Lynn chuckled and gently rubbed her head.

Avrora's eyes widened, pupils trembling. She struggled slightly under his palm.

"You... Let go!"

"I-I'm very powerful! Don't underestimate me!"

She puffed up her cheeks and tried to act fierce.

But...

Grrrl~

"...Mmm..."

Her stomach rumbled loudly. She gave up struggling and weakly hugged her stomach, looking defeated.

"Stomach... hungry...."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 252: Aurora

Hungry?

Hearing that, Liana's eyelid twitched. She almost couldn't help but glance at Avrora.

This...

Why is the Fourth True Ancestor so different from what she imagined?

Just from those few simple words, Liana couldn't feel even a trace of the dignity expected of a True Ancestor.

This... doesn't feel right.

Did she dig up the wrong one?

She couldn't help but start to doubt, but...

Avrora's scent was definitely that of a powerful vampire.

And...

She looked exactly like the other preserved bodies.

There was no mistaking it. She was the Fourth True Ancestor.

But then...

Why did it feel so off?

Yukari murmured under her breath, "The Fourth True Ancestor? She's just a child."

Himeragi Yukina stood to the side, unsure what to say, but...

The Fourth True Ancestor was undeniably adorable.

Lynn will probably take her into his Peerage, right?

Yukina thought to herself.

If someone had said earlier that she could witness a True Ancestor become a follower, she'd have thought they were either insane or utterly delusional.

Even now, no one should be shameless enough to try recruiting a True Ancestor.

After all, a True Ancestor was a Maou-class existence among vampires.

But...

Lynn was different.

Although she hadn't been in his Peerage for long, everything she had seen so far had shattered her understanding of what was possible.

So...

She wasn't surprised at all by the idea of Lynn taking the Fourth True Ancestor as a follower.

On the other side.

After a brief mental struggle, Liana managed to convince herself.

Sure, it was weird for a True Ancestor to be hungry, but...

It was normal to have an appetite, right?

Not to mention...

The Fourth True Ancestor had been asleep for who knows how long. Feeling hungry was totally understandable.

Liana's expression shifted several times before finally settling.

"Your Majesty, the Fourth True Ancestor, I'll go prepare food for you right away!"

As a proper subordinate, there was no need to question orders. She just had to act based on her master's needs.

But just as Liana was about to stand up, Avrora's voice cut through the air.

"No need."

"?"

Liana paused, stunned.

That voice...

Something about it had changed.

The tone was the same, but...

It sounded colder. And suddenly, a heavy pressure filled the entire underground mausoleum.

This...

This was—

Bloodline suppression!

Liana's heart tightened like it was being squeezed by a massive hand.

"Y-Your Majesty... the Fourth True Ancestor?"

She dropped to her knees, voice trembling.

In front of Lynn.

The timid look on Avrora's face vanished, replaced by cold arrogance.

She turned her gaze slightly and fixed her eyes on Akatsuki Nagisa, whose expression was blank. Her deep blue pupils turned scarlet in an instant.

The corners of her lips curved slightly. "That witch over there looks delicious."

"!"

Gajou's eyes widened sharply.

Nagisa's spiritual energy was being targeted by the Fourth True Ancestor!

This was bad. Really bad.

A cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and his heart began to pound.

What now?

Panic flashed in his eyes.

Subconsciously, he turned to look at Lynn.

If he stepped in...

But...

Gajou didn't know Lynn well enough to expect him to act.

Tsk.

Gajou bit his tongue hard, trying to snap himself into focus and figure out a way to resolve the situation.

Meanwhile.

Liana lifted her head to look at Avrora's cold expression, her eyes filled with unease.

Akatsuki Nagisa...

She turned her gaze and saw the blank look in Nagisa's eyes. There was pity in her heart.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, to plead perhaps, but...

Avrora lowered her gaze, eyes as sharp as blades. That cold stare pierced through Liana's chest and froze her breath.

Her mind went blank.

The words she wanted to speak were caught in her throat, stuck, unable to escape.

Avrora frowned slightly. "Why don't you offer the witch to me?"

Her voice grew colder. "Or do you want me to take her myself?"

Whoosh—

The moment those words fell, a cold wind swept through the underground mausoleum.

Everyone's face stiffened. A bone-deep chill gripped their bodies.

Gulp.

Akatsuki Kojou swallowed hard. His legs trembled instinctively.

We're going to die!

But...

He didn't take a single step back. His feet planted firmly in front of Akatsuki Nagisa, fists clenched.

He didn't have the time or energy to blame Gajou anymore.

Absolutely.

He wouldn't let anything happen to Nagisa!

Kojou's eyes burned with resolve. Even though he was scared, he stared straight at Avrora, hoping to scare her off through sheer will.

Avrora looked at him with disinterest. To her, he was less than an insect.

"It seems," she said coldly, "that after sleeping for so long, the world has forgotten how to fear me."

She was clearly displeased.

As the Fourth True Ancestor, not a single person dared obey her command.

Liana felt a chill rise in her chest.

Originally, she had joined the Fourth True Ancestor to revive her family.

But...

What use was a subordinate who disobeyed orders?

There was no way the Fourth True Ancestor would need someone like that.

However...

She couldn't bring herself to harm an innocent person.

Especially not Nagisa, who was only dragged into this because of her.

That guilt weighed heavily on her heart.

What now?

Liana's legs began to wobble.

It felt like...

Everything she'd worked so hard for, all her dreams of restoring her family was collapsing before it even began.

Thinking that, her eyes dimmed with despair.

"Hmph."

Avrora snorted. But the scent coming from Akatsuki Nagisa made her hesitate.

That aroma was enough for her to temporarily suppress her killing intent.

Her scarlet eyes locked onto Nagisa. She licked the corner of her lips, breathing slightly heavier.

That girl's blood must be... exquisite.

After such a long slumber, being forced awake like this had definitely annoyed her.

But...

Having a delicacy like this presented the moment she woke up?

Her irritation started to fade.

She instinctively moved toward Nagisa, ready to feed.

Suddenly.

A large hand landed on her head.

"?"

A giant question mark popped into Avrora's mind. She blinked, a flicker of confusion crossing her eyes.

Who?!

Who dared to place a hand on the head of the mighty Fourth True Ancestor?!

She turned her head sharply, her eyes cold as frost.

Then she saw.

Lynn's calm face.

"Avrora..."

"Well, maybe I should call you Aurora?"

(To be continued.)

Aurora's scarlet eyes flickered with coldness, but right then, Lynn's handsome face came into view.

Liana's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Lynn's hand firmly pressing down on Aurora's head. Her pupils trembled.

She clenched her fists nervously, her palms instantly soaked in sweat.

In contrast.

Akatsuki Gajou's eyes suddenly lit up, a faint sense of anticipation bubbling in his heart.

Yukari and the others remained calm, showing no concern at all.

The Fourth True Ancestor was certainly someone they couldn't afford to provoke.

But...

In front of Lynn?

She was no different from them.

Still...

What surprised Yukari was that the once haughty Fourth True Ancestor froze as soon as she saw Lynn.

Aurora stared blankly at him. Then her small nose twitched, and she took a deep breath.

Suddenly.

Lynn's scent filled her senses.

Aurora trembled violently. Her legs pressed tightly together, her chest rose and fell with urgency, and her breath quickened like a bellows.

Her scarlet eyes clouded over, and a small trickle of drool slid from the corner of her mouth.

"What a tremendous life force...!"

Her voice was filled with arousal and excitement. Her thighs rubbed together uncontrollably.

This vitality—how had she not sensed it earlier?

Had she slept so long that her instincts dulled?

Aurora grew frustrated. She had almost missed this feast!

Her gaze locked tightly onto Lynn. Her eyes dropped to his neck.

Gulp.

Her throat rolled, and her mouth watered.

His blood must be incredible.

She wanted to drink.

No—she needed to drink!

Her expression slowly twisted. Her lips parted as drool dripped onto the ice. Her sharp fangs glinted faintly in the light.

At this moment, she didn't even care about Lynn's hand on her head.

Driven entirely by instinct, Aurora slowly leaned her lips toward Lynn's neck.

"...?"

Lynn raised an eyebrow at the strange scene unfolding in front of him.

What was this girl trying to do?

Expressionless, he calmly pressed his palm to her forehead and pushed her away.

"Mm..."

As she was slowly pushed farther from his neck, Aurora let out a dissatisfied whimper. Her cheeks puffed slightly in protest.

"Just one bite. Let me take one bite..."

She mumbled with longing, barely audible.

Lynn's eye twitched.

She was so desperate she'd forgotten to act dignified.

This greedy girl...

The others were momentarily speechless. They all stared at Aurora in disbelief.

Is this really the Fourth True Ancestor?

Liana's eyelid twitched fiercely. She quickly looked away, afraid her face might betray her disrespectful thoughts.

Still...

That proud image she once had of the Fourth True Ancestor had been completely shattered.

Not long after.

Aurora slowly crept back toward Lynn.

The frustration of being unable to feast despite the temptation gnawed at her.

Soon.

Her scarlet eyes gradually cleared. Her strength faded, and she became aware of the stares around her.

Aurora: "..."

Did I... do something embarrassing?

But...

Aurora had no shame. Her expression didn't change in the slightest.

She was the True Ancestor. Anything she did was naturally justified!

Still...

She cast a glare at the man who'd denied her blood, shoved his hand off her head, and turned her attention elsewhere.

Her eyes gleamed as she formed a new plan.

After thinking for a bit...

Aurora crossed her arms, lifted her chin, and said proudly, "If you let me taste your blood, I'll allow you to become my First Embrace and serve under me!"

"...?"

Lynn's expression went stiff.

Wasn't he usually the one taking others in?

And now she wanted him to be her follower?

This was definitely a first.

Elsewhere.

Yukari and Yukina exchanged glances.

Did she just...

Try to recruit Lynn?

It was completely reversed!

Wasn't Lynn the one who collected followers?!

Liana looked at Lynn with envy. She even wished she could accept the offer for him.

To become the First Embrace of the Fourth True Ancestor.

What a supreme honor!

There had never been any records of the Fourth True Ancestor ever accepting a follower!

So...

If Lynn accepted, he would be the first in history!

His name would be immortalized in vampire lore!

Gulp.

Just thinking about it made Liana swallow in envy.

And at the same time, she felt a bit disheartened.

Why not her?

She was the one who had invested all the time, energy, and resources to awaken the Fourth True Ancestor...

But...

She couldn't begin to guess what was going on in the mind of someone like her.

There had to be something about Lynn that drew her attention.

With that thought, Liana's eyes turned determined. She began observing Lynn closely, wanting to learn from him.

However...

Thinking back to how the Fourth True Ancestor had acted just moments ago, and what she'd said.

Blood?

Liana touched her neck.

If she could be of use, she'd gladly offer her blood instead of Lynn's!

But...

Aurora hadn't shown even the slightest interest in her blood.

Not even as much as she had in Akatsuki Nagisa.

Sigh...

Liana let out a deep breath.

Meanwhile.

Lynn looked at Aurora, who was tilting her head with smug pride like she was doing him a favor, and let out a chuckle.

Aurora: "?"

She frowned slightly.

What was he laughing at?

She said, a little unhappy, "Becoming my Servant is something others can only dream of!"

Hearing that, Lynn smirked. He lifted a finger, rubbed it against his thumb, and conjured a small, golden flame.

It radiated an immense surge of life force.

When Aurora saw it, her eyes shot open.

Her mouth watered uncontrollably.

Lynn saw her reaction and finally understood.

So it really was about life energy.

She'd been referring to the massive vitality he carried. The same kind he had obtained from Yurikawa Hana.

And with Lynn's power, the life force within him was practically endless—like an ocean.

No wonder Aurora was so desperate.

He slowly moved his finger to the right, and Aurora's head followed obediently.

Then he lifted it higher, and her head tilted upward, eyes glued to the glowing flame, utterly mesmerized.

Lynn's grin widened as he teased her for a bit, like playing with a cat, leaving the others stunned.

The Fourth True Ancestor...

Completely under control.

(To be continued.)