DxD: Chapter 215/216

Chapter 215: Impatient Yukina

"Sensei, I'll be there right away!"

Beep beep beep.

As soon as Yukina finished speaking, the call ended with a busy tone.

Yukari opened her mouth slightly, then sighed and muttered helplessly, "Yukina, you're still as impatient as ever."

Not that her arrival would make much of a difference.

It was obvious the snake-user before her couldn't actually do anything to the Lion King Organization.

Besides…

The Organization didn't have the means to suppress a threat like this.

But really now.

Was the Lion King Organization supposed to lose to a vampire who wasn't even a True Ancestor?

Did people really think the Organization was that soft?

Of course…

That's how it looked on the surface.

But Dimitrie Vatler was still a troublesome opponent.

Word was, he had devoured two second generation vampires. No one knew how powerful he'd become.

Yukari's expression turned serious as she watched Vatler's every move.

Then, a thought crossed her mind.

Had she forgotten to ask about Yukina just now?

Her thoughts drifted again to Himeragi Yukina.

Compared to Vatler, what mattered more was Lynn's attitude.

When someone far more terrifying loomed above, this so-called crisis lost all emotional weight.

Vatler, meanwhile, had clearly sensed that no one from the Lion King Organization was taking him seriously.

He chuckled. "It's been a while since I felt this ignored."

But that only made him happy.

That's right!

If they didn't take him seriously, that just meant it was time to stir things up!

Only battle could bring him satisfaction.

"Utpalaka!"

With a light command, the giant snake behind him suddenly lunged toward the Organization's reception hall.

Wherever it passed, icy winds swept through, layering everything in frost.

ROAR!

The snake opened its scarlet maw and let out a blood-chilling scream!

But Yukari and the others merely glanced at it, unfazed.

The next moment—

Buzz—

A light blue barrier rose silently.

BOOM!

Utpalaka crashed into it headfirst!

HISSSS—

The snake screeched in pain, unable to move an inch forward.

It exhaled a breath of frost, and white crystals quickly covered the surface of the barrier.

Crack—

The sound of freezing was clear and sharp.

Yukari flicked her wrist, launching a talisman toward Utpalaka.

Swoosh—

In midair, the talisman ignited into red flame!

A second later, it slammed into the beast's massive body.

FOOM!

The tiny flame suddenly erupted, engulfing Utpalaka's form!

ROOOOAR!

Utpalaka shrieked, thrashing wildly in an attempt to shake off the flames.

Yukari stared coldly, then turned her gaze to Vatler. "Is this how your Warlord taught you to greet people?"

Vatler showed no concern for his burning beast. He simply stared at Yukari with a smirk.
"I just wanted to see if you're qualified to host the Flame Banquet."

The Flame Banquet...

Hearing that, Yukari narrowed her eyes slightly.

So it really was about that.

She wasn't surprised.

The reason the vampires had found her was because of matters involving the Fourth True Ancestor.

But what she hadn't expected.

Was for the Warlord to send this lunatic.

Did he not consider the consequences of sending Dimitrie Vatler?

Or…
Was this exactly what he wanted?

Yukari couldn't figure out what the Warlord was thinking.

Vatler retracted Upananda back to the other world, then raised his hand.

"Sagara. Upananda."

With his command, two more giant snakes appeared.

One had a body as vast as the sea. The other was covered in razor-sharp blades.

The moment they appeared, Yukari felt a surge of pressure wash over her entire body.

The atmosphere grew heavy in an instant.

Feeling the oppressive weight, Yukari's expression grew colder. "You're still not done?"

Vatler chuckled with his hands in his pockets. "You should know what kind of person I am."

He was implying that the Lion King Organization had detailed info on him.

Yukari exhaled deeply, massaging her temples as a headache formed.

Still...

She couldn't allow this man to run wild.

Her expression turned firm, and with a wave of her hand, a massive shikigami materialized from thin air.

It raised its fist and brought it crashing down!

BOOM!!

The air exploded with force!

Vatler looked up, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"That's more like it!"

With a thought, Sagara and Upananda charged forward.

Sagara bypassed the shikigami's strike and coiled around its body.

A crushing oceanic pressure descended on the creature!

Boom!

The shikigami dropped to one knee, sending a shockwave of dust into the air.

Bhananda then seized the chance, whipping it with its bladed tail!

Screech—

A deep, jagged wound split open across the shikigami's massive body!

Clap clap clap!

Vatler clapped. "Looks like my familiars are still superior."

Yukari didn't respond. She simply raised her hand and touched the air.

A streak of golden light flowed into the shikigami's body.

ROOOAR!

The shikigami howled and rose to its full height once more!

It gripped Sagara's body with both hands and began to crush it!

HISSSSS—

Sagara screamed in agony!

The next second—

CRACK!

Its massive form shattered into fragments, crashing down like a collapsing ocean!

Vatler's smile didn't fade, but his eyes grew colder.

He clapped again.

Buzz—

Even more snakes began appearing around him.

Yukari raised an eyebrow. "You're actually serious now?"

Vatler chuckled eerily. "As long as I don't kill you, it's fine."

"Tch…"

Yukari narrowed her eyes. "You're seriously underestimating me."

Just as she was about to take action, a familiar voice rang out from the entrance.

"Sensei!"

Startled, Yukari turned and saw Himeragi Yukina charging forward, wielding the Snowdrift Wolf Schneewalzer.

Yukari's expression twitched as she quickly stepped forward to stop her. "Wait! You're no match for this guy!"

Vatler turned his head, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Yukina with interest.

So it was true. A calf that hadn't learned fear yet…

But…

There was no aura of strength.

His gaze dimmed with boredom.

Still, he raised his hand and said, "Upananda."

Receiving the command, Upananda shifted its focus and locked onto Yukina with its glowing green eyes.

Yukina's expression sharpened. She whispered, "Snowdrift Wolf!"

Swoosh—

In an instant, a whirlwind surged around the blade!

At the same time, on Upananda's massive frame, a glowing red dot near its lower abdomen caught her eye.

Eye of Divine Punishment!

There it is!

Yukina's gaze locked on the target. She took a deep breath and steadied her grip.

Then—she threw the Snow Wolf with all her strength!

Whoosh—

Wrapped in a terrifying cyclone, the spear burst forth!

Buzz—

A brilliant light erupted from the Snow Wolf!

The space around it trembled violently!

Divine Core Vibration: Critical Breakthrough!

Yukina didn't hold back. She unleashed her strongest attack from the start!

Upananda's green eyes widened in alarm!

It instinctively twisted its body to evade, but the Snow Wolf was far too fast!

In a flash, it pierced straight through its lower abdomen!

BOOM—

The area was swallowed in a blinding light!

SCCRRREEEEE!!

Upananda thrashed and shrieked, but under the Snow Wolf's power, it was utterly annihilated!

Yukina exhaled heavily, watching as Upananda disappeared completely.

She reached out toward the weapon.

Whirl—

The Snow Wolf returned to her hand, settling calmly in her grasp.

Vatler stared at the spot where Upananda vanished, his expression stiff.

He tried to communicate with it in his mind.

But...

There was nothing left.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 216: Milk?

Dimitrie Vatler fell silent.

He had lost contact with Upananda...

That could only mean one thing, Upananda hadn't just been defeated and sent back to the other world.

It had been completely annihilated.

Dead?

Dimitrie Vatler's expression shifted slightly in disbelief.

Normally…

When familiars were defeated in this world, they would automatically return to the other world.

But this one…

One hit and Upananda was obliterated without even the chance to retreat?

"…"

His gaze darkened as he stared at Yukina.

That familiar was no mere beast.

If it had been the Warlord who destroyed Upananda, he wouldn't have been surprised.

But…

This girl?

He scrutinized Yukina more carefully, his gaze narrowing.

She was clearly a minor character…

Was it because of that weapon?

Vatler's eyes dropped to the Snowdrift Wolf Schneewalzer in her hand.

An uneasy feeling stirred in his chest.

There was something off about that lance.

—

Meanwhile, Yukari was more stunned than even Vatler.

Did Yukina really do that?

Destroy one of Vatler's familiars in a single strike?

Seriously?

Was this still the same disciple she raised?

Though shocked, Yukari's mind quickly shifted to the more pressing issue—the current link between Yukina and the Snow Wolf.

That technique just now...

It clearly utilized divine vibration waves to drive the power of the artifact.

But…

This wasn't the same technique she remembered.

It was far too powerful.

When had the Snowdrift Wolf developed such an ability?

Doubt flashed in Yukari's eyes.

Still…

What mattered more was the connection between Yukina and the Snow Wolf.

Just moments ago, Yukina had raised her hand, and the weapon had returned to her like a loyal hound.

It reminded Yukari of the artifact's previous wielder.

Touka Fujisaka.

Had Yukina now reached the same level of compatibility with the Snow Wolf?

No…

Maybe even deeper than Touka ever achieved.

After all…

She had just unleashed a technique no one had ever seen before.

Haa...

Yukari exhaled slowly, her eyes filled with complexity.

It had only been one day since she left. Yet Yukina had already undergone such a dramatic change.

Naturally, her thoughts turned to Lynn.

Had Yukina already made contact with him?

Perhaps…

She had even become part of Lynn's Peerage?

With that thought, Yukari activated her spiritual senses and looked closer.

Then—

"…A devil's aura..."

She muttered softly.

Confirmed.

Yukina had indeed become Lynn's Peerage member.

Yukari's heart thumped.

Well done, Yukina.

She felt equal parts admiration and relief.

Even though Lynn hadn't approached them directly, the pressure his presence exerted on the Lion King Agency was greater than anything Vatler could bring.

Now that Yukina was connected to Lynn, infiltrating his organization using Kirasaka Sayaka would become much easier.

Moreover…

Yukari was absolutely certain that Yukina's rapid growth and her strengthened bond with the Snow Wolf were the result of Lynn's influence.

But…

Just what had he done?

The Lion King Organization had trained shrine maidens for years, yet none had achieved the kind of leap Yukina had after just one day of contact.

—

On the other side.

Vatler also sensed the devilish aura coming from Yukina.

His eyes gleamed with amusement.

With a mocking tone, he said, "To think the Lion King Organization, mankind's top military institution, would collude with devils."

Yukari didn't respond.

What was the point of explaining anything to a vampire?

Vatler didn't expect an answer from her anyway.

Nor did he particularly care whether the Lion King Organization truly colluded with devils.

If this turned political, that was the Warlord's problem.

He only cared about one thing.

Tearing things apart!

Vatler narrowed his eyes and stared at the heavily breathing Yukina.

What he thought was just a harmless little bug on the side of the road had suddenly become a real opponent.

"You killed my lovely beast," he said in a low voice. "You think I'm letting that go?"

Whoosh—

Dark shadows formed behind him.

Massive serpentine silhouettes coiled behind his back, surging with hostility.

Lovely?

Yukina twitched at the word.

You call that monstrous thing… lovely?

She was speechless but kept her eyes locked on Vatler, tense and ready.

She knew she couldn't defeat him.

That last attack had drained nearly all her magic. And it had only taken down one of his summons.

Behind Vatler…

The shadows solidified into forms.

One, two, three, four…

Four enormous snake-like beasts stared her down with glowing green eyes.

Yukina: "…"

She had to admit.

She'd overestimated herself.

"Shuji."

Vatler's voice was calm.

At his command, a golden serpent rose into the air, then dived toward Yukina like a meteor!

Her pupils shrank as she leapt away from the spot with all her remaining strength.

BOOM!

The serpent crashed into the ground where she had just been, sending rocks and dust flying!

Yukina raised her arms to shield her eyes from the debris, staring intently at the impact zone.

Huff…

Shuji lifted its head from the crater, shook itself, and locked onto her again.

Yukina's grip tightened on the Snow Wolf.

She instinctively wanted to use that powerful technique again.

But—

"Ugh…"

She groaned, swaying on her feet.

She was out of magic.

Yukari quickly realized what was happening and tossed her a golden talisman.

The moment it hit her, her body lightened.

Her speed skyrocketed as she leapt aside, evading another blow from the golden snake.

Vatler's gaze flickered. "Monas."

ROAR—

Another massive black serpent surged forward.

Yukari stood protectively in front of Yukina.

Seeing her depleted magic, she handed her a potion.

But it wasn't very effective.

With concern in her eyes, she said, "Yukina, fall back. This battle is beyond what you can handle."

It was already surprising that she'd destroyed one of Vatler's beasts.

But he had too many of them.

Unless Yukina could use that ultimate technique again…

But then—

To her surprise, Yukina didn't leave.

Instead, she shook her head and looked at Vatler.

"He's already marked me as his target."

Exactly.

Even with Yukari in front of her, Vatler's attention was still locked on Yukina.

Yukari frowned and mocked, "What's wrong, Mr. battle maniac? Enjoying bullying the weak now?"

"Weak?"

Vatler chuckled. "She's not weak…"

After losing a familiar to her, he had already deemed her a worthy opponent.

Yukari narrowed her eyes, ready to speak again—
When Yukina suddenly tugged her sleeve.

"?"

Yukari looked at her in confusion.

Then she saw Yukina pull out…

A can of milk?

(To be continued.)