DxD: Chapter 244/245

Chapter 244: Gathering

"The Island of Gozo..."

After receiving the message from Himeragi Yukina over the phone, Lynn's eyes flickered slightly.

He had some impression of the location, but wasn't sure of the precise whereabouts of the Beast Vassal No. 12.

This kind of trivial task was better left to the Lion King Organization.

He glanced at the virtual screen showing Hueco Mundo, then sent a message to Himeragi Yukina.

"Tell the Lion King Organization to pinpoint the exact location of Beast Vassal No. 12 and notify me."

—

Main World.

Lion King Organization.

Himeragi Yukina received the message and relayed Lynn's instructions to Shirona Kuraki and the others.

Yukari shrugged.

"Well, guess there's more work again."

She looked at Shirona and smirked slightly.

"No way... it's me again?"

Shirona smiled faintly.

"Those who are capable should do more."

Yukari held her forehead helplessly.

"Is there seriously no one else left in the Lion King Organization?"

Shirona sighed.

"When it comes to matters involving the Fourth Progenitor, those shrine maidens are just not reliable..."

"What about her?"

Yukari pointed at Koyomi Shizuka, who was quietly seated beside them.

"Her combat abilities should be far better than mine, right?"

Shirona replied, "But..."

"She's not as versatile as you."

"And..."

Shirona glanced at Koyomi, motioning for her to speak.

Koyomi adjusted her glasses and calmly said,

"I still have to finish my studies."

"...?"

What kind of reason is that?

Yukari was speechless. She silently turned to look at Shirona again.

Shirona spread her hands.

"You know what my combat ability is like. Are you really confident sending me instead?"

"Fine..."

Yukari sighed, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"I'll handle this, but..."

"If there's ever a mission involving serving the Devil King in the future, that one's on you."

At that moment, Shirona's body stiffened. The smile on her face could no longer hold.

Seeing her reaction, Yukari puffed out her chest proudly.

Shirona fell silent, her face darkening with uncertainty.

Lynn's words echoed in her mind.

Very suitable to become a dependent...

Thinking of that, Shirona sighed.

Lynn hadn't hidden his intentions at all.

Even though they were working for him now, everyone seemed to be ignoring one thing.

They had already been targeted by Lynn.

Becoming part of Lynn's Peerage...

It was only a matter of time.

But...

It might not be a bad thing.

After Himeragi Yukina's introduction, both the Blessings system and the resources from other worlds had left a deep impression on them.

Either way...

Just let it happen.

Shirona calmed her thoughts and nodded.

"Don't worry. My ability isn't useful right now, so..."

"If anyone's going to serve Lynn, I'll go first."

"Oh?"

Yukari raised an eyebrow, looking surprised.

"So proactive?"

Even Koyomi turned her head slightly, a ripple appearing in her calm gaze.

Shirona smiled faintly and said,

"Well..."

"You can't avoid it forever, right?"

Yukari was stunned for a moment, then muttered helplessly,

"Guess that's true."

Shirona continued,

"If I join early, maybe I'll be a few steps ahead of you."

Koyomi: "..."

Yukari rolled her eyes.

Still...

That Blessings system...

It broke through natural limits and allowed for infinite growth...

Just thinking about it made Yukari feel a little dazed.

As an immortal elf who had lived for hundreds of years, even she had been shocked by its potential.

And the best part...

Everyone could receive it.

As long as one joined Lynn's Peerage, they would be granted this Blessing.

It was like...

A straightforward path to godhood.

The price...

Was merely becoming Lynn's dependent.

But that was completely different from being a regular Devil's follower.

It was more like...

The relationship between a god and their apostles.

Two entirely different levels.

Yukari glanced at her disciple and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Who would have thought...

Yukina ended up with the biggest windfall.

With a little more time, and the help of the Blessing system, she would probably surpass them before long.

Not to mention the Snowdrift Wolf Schneewalzer, which held immense potential.

It was foreseeable.

Yukina would surely become a powerhouse in the future.

Maybe even stronger than herself and the Three Saints.

Of course...

If they also obtained the Blessing system, it was hard to say.

Inside the Lion King Organization.

After some more small talk, they began discussing the operation at Gozo Island.

Soon after.

Yukari set out for Gozo Island.

Himeragi Yukina accompanied her.

She would temporarily act as Lynn's mobile coordinate beacon.

—

Meanwhile.

At the private Shuchiin Academy, Natsuki Minamiya received a commission.

Natsuki raised an eyebrow.

"Such a generous reward?"

She looked at the long string of zeros on her phone and blinked in surprise.

Seriously...

This was quite the big job.

"Gozo archaeology...?"

It looked like a routine assignment.

But with that kind of payout, there was no way it was simple.

Still...

It was a lot.

She had recently developed a taste for rare black teas and wanted to stock up.

This money came just in time.

—

At the same time.

The Black Death Emperor Front organization received the news.

"Beast Vassal No. 12?"

Christoph Gardos frowned slightly.

This news...

Was a little too convenient.

Like it was being spoon-fed to them.

Still...

The information came from the War King. It shouldn't be false.

Thinking that.

Christoph Gardos grinned, his wide mouth forming a savage arc.

"Send word. Head to Gozo and retrieve what's mine."

—

Gozo Island.

A scientific expedition team had set up a base.

Akatsuki Gajou stroked his chin, staring solemnly in one direction.

His gaze seemed to penetrate the thick ice, seeing deep within.

Beside him.

A blonde woman in an elegant dress frowned.

"Is the Fourth Progenitor really in there?"

Akatsuki Gajou retracted his gaze and smiled.

"At this point, don't you have to trust my judgment?"

Liana Caruana folded her arms and fell silent.

"I just hope my investment wasn't in vain."

Akatsuki Gajou narrowed his eyes.

You think I came here for archaeology?

When you hear something like 'Fourth Progenitor,' you just know you're getting into trouble.

But...

That was just the reality of being an adult.

His archaeological team needed funding.

No way around it...

Liana looked at the ice wall in front of them.

"We've exhausted almost every method. How do you plan on breaking through it?"

Though she had her doubts about Akatsuki Gajou's judgment, this bizarre ice wall did give her hope.

Even her Beast couldn't break it.

That was anything but normal.

She exhaled deeply and clenched her fists.

The Fourth Progenitor...

She had to find it.

For the revival of her family.

"Relax."

Akatsuki Gajou shrugged.

"The one who can break through this ice... is already in the sky."

"In the sky?"

Liana was surprised.

—

Above Japan, on a flight to Gozo.

Akatsuki Kojou and Akatsuki Nagisa sat side by side.

"That guy suddenly called you to such a remote place... who knows what he's thinking."

Kojou looked annoyed, clearly displeased with his father's last-minute summons.

Nagisa tried to comfort him.

"Don't worry. It'll be fine. Maybe..."

"He just wants to take us to the North Pole for a vacation?"

She smiled, cheerful and energetic as always, completely at ease.

Seeing her like that.

Kojou couldn't help but smile too.

"Yeah... let's hope so."

But...

He never had much faith in that unreliable father of his.

And heading to the North Pole?

What kind of absurd idea was that?

Sigh...

Just thinking about it made him feel uneasy.

A vague sense of foreboding lingered in his heart.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 245: The Ruins

Akatsuki Kojou's premonition wasn't wrong.

The moment he arrived at Gozo and saw Akatsuki Gajou and the professional team behind him, his eyelid twitched uncontrollably.

Kojou looked straight at Akatsuki Gajou and questioned,

"This is what you meant by 'coming here to have fun'?"

"Haha!"

Akatsuki Gajou scratched the back of his head and replied,

"It's the same thing if we finish work first, then have fun!"

Kojou: "…"

"You old bastard!"

He glared furiously at the irresponsible man in front of him.

"Come on, Nagisa, we're going back to Japan!"

Bang!

Suddenly—

Akatsuki Gajou placed a large hand on Kojou's shoulder.

"Kojou, now isn't the time to act willful..."

Kojou tried to struggle free, but quickly realized he couldn't shake off Gajou's grip at all.

A trace of shock flashed in his eyes.

Since when was this old man so strong?

Kojou suddenly realized—he didn't know his father as well as he thought.

But that didn't stop him from being pissed.

He and Nagisa were just kids.

And this man had dragged them here for some so-called "work"?!

Looking at the fuming Kojou, Gajou rubbed his temples.

"Well, it's fine."

Nagisa stepped in to smooth things over.

"You're the only one who understands dad!"

Gajou looked moved.

—

On the other side, Liana frowned and asked,

"These are the two people you said could solve the problem?"

Two… kids?

She looked clearly skeptical.

Gajou laughed and said,

"Don't worry. With Nagisa here, there's absolutely no issue."

"?"

Liana looked at Nagisa in disbelief.

Wait... she's the key?

"Huh? Me?"

Nagisa pointed at herself, visibly nervous.

Kojou frowned.

"What exactly do you want Nagisa to do?"

Gajou patted Kojou's shoulder, reassuringly,

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine."

Kojou didn't believe a word of it.

Only suspicion filled his eyes.

—

Before long, the group reached the ice field.

The moment Kojou approached, he felt a chill run down his spine.

His throat tightened, as though invisible hands were squeezing it.

Gulp.

He swallowed nervously and said with a trembling voice,

"Are you sure there's nothing wrong with this place?!"

Whatever was buried down there…

It definitely wasn't something normal!

And this guy had brought Nagisa to a place like this?!

Damn old man!!

Seeing Kojou's horrified face, Gajou shrugged.

"If you're scared, you can leave."

"Tsk."

Kojou looked disgruntled and muttered,

"If I go, I'm taking Nagisa with me."

He turned toward her, just about to speak.

But then stopped.

Nagisa's eyes had gone blank.

A strange aura began to rise from her body.

Whoosh—

Suddenly, wind surged beneath her feet, lifting her petite body gently off the ground.

Kojou's eyes widened, his heart tightening.

"Nagisa!"

He shouted and rushed forward to pull her down.

Bang!

Just as he reached out, Gajou stopped him cold.

"If you don't want anything to happen to Nagisa, don't touch her."

Kojou froze, then shouted,

"It's your fault! You're the one who brought her to this cursed place!"

Gajou didn't respond.

His gaze was fixed on Nagisa.

Gone was the usual carefree look. His expression had turned serious.

"…As I thought."

He murmured to himself.

Everything was going according to his expectations.

With Nagisa's aptitude as a spiritual medium, she could definitely resonate with the lingering will sealed here.

—

Liana stared blankly at the floating Nagisa.

After a moment, she muttered in a complicated tone,

"Possession by a lingering thought…"

A shrine maiden with spiritual aptitude might be capable of something like that.

But—

If this really was the site of the Fourth Progenitor, then the time this tomb had existed was immeasurable.

There shouldn't be much of a lingering will left after all this time.

To resonate with such a thought… was more difficult than ascending to heaven.

She had never heard of any shrine maiden succeeding at such a feat.

But this girl.

Had done it.

"She's really your daughter?"

Liana glanced at Gajou, then back at Nagisa, her tone questioning.

Gajou straightened with pride.

"See? Good genes."

"Pff…"

Liana smiled dryly.

"Maybe try getting a paternity test first."

Jealous.

Gajou clicked his tongue and refocused on Nagisa.

Liana also calmed herself and waited quietly for what would happen next.

Kojou, on the other hand, was still visibly tense.

He didn't dare make a move, afraid of harming Nagisa.

—

A few seconds later.

The airflow around Nagisa stopped, but her eyes remained lifeless.

She floated toward the ice, raised her hand.

Buzz—

A brilliant light flashed.

The thick ice suddenly vanished.

A swirling black void appeared in its place.

"This is…"

Liana was stunned, staring at the dark vortex in disbelief.

Gajou stroked his chin in amazement.

"The Fourth Progenitor's tomb is located in a separate dimension. What a bold structure..."

"Another dimension?"

Liana blinked, a little surprised. But she didn't dwell on it.

"Is it dangerous?"

"Relax."

Gajou smiled confidently.

"The ones who built it wouldn't want to get trapped in it themselves."

Liana breathed a little easier, then turned toward the portal.

"In that case, let's head in."

"Wait!"

Kojou suddenly called out.

"The Fourth Progenitor?! That legendary vampire is real?!"

He was shocked.

Why am I suddenly part of something this huge?!

Gajou shrugged.

"Go in and see for yourself."

"You still plan on taking us in?!"

Kojou looked incredulous.

He knew his father was irresponsible, but this was a new low.

Bringing kids into a place involving the Fourth Progenitor? Seriously?!

His gaze shifted to Nagisa, whose eyes were still empty.

Taking her in like this… isn't that way too dangerous?

Gajou ignored his frustration.

After a moment of thought, he said,

"To be precise, we're taking Nagisa in. You're not important."

Because they didn't know what lay inside, they couldn't rule out the possibility that Nagisa's spiritual power might still be needed.

Bringing her was the safest choice.

Kojou: "…"

He gritted his teeth.

"Then I'm coming too."

Seeing that, Gajou gave a subtle smile.

"Kojou really is a good older brother..."

"Tch. Better than you as a father, at least."

Kojou's voice was filled with annoyance.

Gajou didn't mind the jab.

—

Liana, who had been waiting impatiently, urged,

"Are you done? Let's go already."

Gajou shrugged.

"Should be fine."

He glanced at Kojou.

Kojou turned his face away, not meeting his gaze, but didn't protest either.

Seeing this, Gajou nodded at Liana.

He stepped forward, stopping before the swirling portal.

He took a deep breath, his eyes flickering with anticipation.

Even after all the excavation sites he had been to, this was his first time facing something related to the Fourth Progenitor.

It was impossible not to be excited.

And—

The entrance alone was extraordinary.

His heart beat faster.

In the next second, he raised his foot.

And stepped toward the portal.

But just then.

A lazy voice rang out from behind them.

"Mind if I hitch a ride?"

(To be continued.)