DxD: Chapter 195/197

Chapter 195: Original Fiancée
Stare—

In the Guidance Counselor's Office.

Natsuki Minamiya silently stared at the man sitting before her, both familiar and unfamiliar.

"Are you really still Lynn?"

Natsuki looked a bit dazed.

She had been in contact with Lynn for many years and had never noticed anything unusual about him.

Lynn shrugged casually. "I'm the real deal."

Natsuki fell into deep thought, her mind replaying every interaction she had ever had with Lynn.

When had it all started?

After a while.

Natsuki stood there in a trance.

The Supernatural Investigation Club…

The constant stream of girls asking for leave…

The rumors about the harem…

It all seemed to trace back to when Lynn began gathering his Peerage.

As she snapped back to reality, Natsuki stared at Lynn with a complicated expression.

This guy…

Could it be that the more girls he has, the stronger his power becomes?

Or worse… the more he does it, the stronger he gets?!

Even someone as composed as Natsuki found her cheeks flushing at the thought.

But the more she thought about it, the more convinced she became.

Opening her folding fan with a rustling sound, Natsuki covered her blushing face and said softly, "Lustful devil."

"…Huh?"

Lynn looked at her, clearly confused.

Natsuki quickly averted her eyes, as if afraid that something bad would happen if she kept looking at him.

Lynn didn't mind. Instead, he picked up the black tea Natsuki had brewed, took a sip, and smiled. "Your tea-making skills are getting better, Natsuki-chan."

"Don't push your luck…"

Natsuki muttered under her breath, though her tone had clearly softened.

Lynn chuckled, then leaned back. "So, Natsuki-chan, are you still not considering joining my Peerage?"

"I could really use a secretary to serve tea, you know."

Rias had Akeno making tea for her.

Would it really be too much for him to expect Natsuki to do the same?

Natsuki's eyelids twitched.

Her? Serve tea for Lynn?

Natsuki rolled her eyes in annoyance.

If anything, she wanted a cute maid to serve her.

"No thanks."

But Lynn continued, ignoring her rejection. "Besides, your current problem is nothing to me now."

Natsuki's body stiffened.

"You know?"

Lynn leaned forward, placing both hands on the desk. His tone remained calm. "With my current power, do you really think you can hide something like that from me?"

Natsuki fell silent.

From the moment Lynn had asked her to reveal her true form yesterday, she had known he had already figured something out.

A contract with a devil…

Clenching her fists, Natsuki lowered her gaze.

Lynn's voice remained steady. "Natsuki-chan, you don't really want to rot away in a dark prison forever, do you?"

Natsuki: "…"

She rolled her eyes at him but responded disdainfully, "Could you stop with that patronizing tone?"

Lynn raised an eyebrow, flashing a half-smile. "Sounds like you know exactly what I mean."

Natsuki snorted coldly. "I'm at least a mature woman of 26."

"Mature?"

Lynn gave her a once-over, then showed an ambiguous expression.

Natsuki's face darkened instantly.

Lowering the folding fan to cover her chest, she glared at him.

"My true identity is quite something, you know."

Lynn nodded halfheartedly. "Sure, sure. If you say so."

Natsuki's face twitched.

I really want to toss him into jail and blind him with my real form.

But…

If she actually did that, she would be the one in danger.

This guy really is a lustful devil!

Lynn paid no mind to Natsuki's frustration and continued casually, "So, how about my proposal?"

Natsuki let out a helpless sigh.

How persistent was this lustful devil when it came to her?

She now fully understood what becoming Lynn's Peerage member meant.

A harem!

Natsuki glared at him.

This guy's personality really is the worst!

She rolled her eyes again, then quickly changed the subject. "You should be worrying about yourself right now."

"Worry? About me?"

Lynn looked at her with a face that practically said, "Are you serious?"

"Well…"

Natsuki paused, then spoke in a more serious tone. "Alright, maybe not worry too much… but be aware."

"In short, what you did this time was a huge deal. You're bound to attract some unwanted attention."

"And…"

"A person who can casually handle two Maou-level devils while living in human society is going to get noticed."

Natsuki was giving him a warning.

Even putting the distant threats aside…

Just take the nearby Lion King Organization as an example.

Only one day had passed, but Natsuki could already sense the growing unrest there.

Not to mention the greater threats farther out.

She reminded him, "Don't forget about those humans with the Longinus type Sacred Gear.
Lynn didn't react much.

Cao Cao and the others?

At his current level, they hardly seemed worth mentioning.

The conversation between the two shifted into lighthearted chatter after that.

Lynn didn't bring up the invitation to join his Peerage again.

…

In the Underworld.

Serafall still seemed dazed.

Sirzechs looked at her helplessly. "So, are you going to tell me what happened?"

He had already heard that the Old Maou Faction had been destroyed by Lynn yesterday, and not through Serafall's report.

What he was more curious about was why Serafall seemed so out of it.

Serafall pursed her lips and shook her head.

There was no way she could just blurt out that she'd seen Lynn with her own eyes… and that Katerea Leviathan had been willingly offering herself to him.

But…

Judging by what she'd heard, Katerea definitely hadn't been forced.

Thinking about that, Serafall felt a tightness in her chest.

She had always been wary of Lynn's return. But now that he was back—and already surrounded by other women—it still stung more than she'd expected.

Her thoughts drifted to the engagement that had once been arranged with the Sitri family.

Originally…

That marriage contract had been meant for her.

But then Lynn had suddenly vanished.

There had been no news of him for so long.

Eventually…

Serafall lost interest in the engagement entirely. After she became a Maou, she left the Sitri family, effectively canceling it.

Then…

The heir of the Sitri family was born.

Sona.

And now, fate had brought the heir of the Valefor family back.

But…

The one engaged to him wasn't her.

Not only that, but just yesterday, she had seen Lynn…

But…

She had prepared herself for this possibility.

After all, Grayfia was already an extremely strong contender.

"…Ugh."

Serafall flopped down onto the table, feeling frustrated.

No matter how much she tried to rationalize it, the bitter feeling in her chest remained.

But…

Now that she wasn't Lynn's fiancée, what right did she have to say anything?

Fiancée, huh…

Single life sucks.

Suddenly, Serafall stood up, her eyes shining brightly.

"Wait! Why didn't I think of this before?"

Her eyes gleamed with determination.

Didn't Sona want to cancel the engagement anyway?

Then as the elder sister… shouldn't she take on that responsibility herself?

Sona, for your happiness…

Your sister is willing to make this noble sacrifice!

Fired up by the idea, Serafall leapt to her feet and immediately used teleportation magic to leave the conference room.

Sirzechs: "?"

Turning to Ajuka Beelzebub, he asked in confusion, "What's up with her?"

Ajuka paused, then replied calmly, "Women have their days like this."

Sirzechs: "?"

"…Do devils even have those kinds of days?"

Ajuka nodded seriously.

Meanwhile.

Back in Kuoh Town.

In the Student Council room.

A teleportation magic circle lit up.

Serafall's figure suddenly appeared in front of Sona.

"Sister?"

Sona looked at her, surprised.

Serafall gave a big smile and said cheerfully, "Sona! I'm here to help you break off your engagement!"

Sona: "?"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 196: I Won't Cancel
"Sister?"

Sona looked at Serafall in shock.

And…

Cancel the engagement?

Sona was completely stunned.

What… does she mean by that?

Serafall ignored Sona's dazed reaction and pounced directly on her, wrapping her hands around Sona's head and rubbing it hard.

"It's been so long, my lovely Sona!"

"Come on, let me absorb a little of Sona's energy!"

Finally snapping back to her senses, Sona immediately began to struggle.

"Sister!"

Her voice was muffled, but clearly laced with irritation.

Hearing the tone in Sona's voice, Serafall quickly let go, then smiled sweetly as if to flatter her.

"Sona-chan, I brought you good news this time~"

Sona took a deep breath, frowned, and asked, "Cancel the engagement?"

"Uh-huh!"

Serafall nodded enthusiastically. "How is it? Aren't you happy?"

Happy?

Sona's face darkened.

Right now, she just wanted to find a way to shut her sister up.

"Why is it that we can suddenly cancel the engagement?"

Sona's eyes narrowed.

It had clearly been so complicated before. But now, out of nowhere, Serafall was saying the engagement could be canceled?

She had always…

Thinking of something, Sona bit her lip, her eyes filled with frustration and unwillingness.

Serafall didn't catch the shift in Sona's expression and continued proudly, "Of course, it's all thanks to your wonderful big sister! I just couldn't bear to see my lovely Sona suffer!"

"So, since Sona-chan was so resistant to this engagement, your dear sister has decided to take responsibility herself, even if it means making a personal sacrifice!"

Serafall clenched her fists, her eyes sparkling as she declared her so-called righteous intentions.

Cool speech, right?

Surely that would earn some points in Sona's heart.

"Unnecessary."

Sona's voice was cold. She calmly adjusted her glasses and continued, "This is my business. I don't need my sister interfering."

"Huh?"

Serafall blinked, visibly stunned.

But after a moment, her expression shifted, as if she realized something.

Given Sona's personality, it wasn't surprising that she wouldn't easily accept help from others.

However…

When it came to someone like Lynn, Sona had no control at all.

Besides…

Serafall leaned closer, her tone lowering. "Sona, you must have heard a little about this."

Sona raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

Serafall continued, "The engagement arranged by the Sitri family… was originally meant for me."

Sona's expression froze for a moment, then she pressed her lips tightly together, saying nothing.

Of course, she knew.

That had always been part of what made her so resistant to the engagement.

Serafall had inherited the title of Leviathan and left the Sitri family, so she no longer had to fulfill the arranged marriage.

But…

Everyone in the Sitri family knew how Serafall had felt back then.

The man she had been meant to marry had disappeared without a trace.

Naturally, she had no interest in fulfilling an engagement to someone who was gone.

And so…

The responsibility was conveniently pushed onto Sona.

That had always been one of Sona's deepest frustrations.

Why should she be the one to go through with the engagement, just because her sister didn't want to?

Of course…

She also understood that the only reason she could even consider objecting was because of her sister's position and influence.

Still…

Sona had always wanted to fight for her own decisions.

But now…

There was a flicker of determination in her eyes.

From the moment her sister mentioned canceling the engagement, Sona fully understood her own feelings.

She no longer wanted to cancel it.

Serafall, still unaware of what was going through Sona's mind, stood up straight and declared, "Since I was the one who stepped away, I should be the one to make up for it. I can't let you suffer for my mistake!"

Sona narrowed her eyes. "So…"

"Sister, are you saying you intend to fulfill the engagement in my place?"

Serafall looked away awkwardly, avoiding eye contact.

Sona's gaze turned sharp. "Why didn't you say this before?"

Back when Lynn had first vanished, before they realized he was still alive…

Serafall's eyes darted nervously.

Sona frowned as she stared at her sister's guilty expression.

Was there something more to this story that she didn't know?

…Forget it.

Sona chose not to dig further, but her tone became firm. "I already said. I will not cancel the engagement."

Serafall was stunned.

After a moment of hesitation, she asked, "…Didn't you always want to cancel it?"

It wasn't until then that Serafall noticed something odd about Sona.

From the moment she'd mentioned canceling the engagement, Sona's attitude had been cold, even angry.

Her expression was nothing like the relief Serafall had expected.

Why?

Serafall narrowed her eyes, watching Sona closely.

After a brief pause, Serafall cautiously asked, "…Sona, don't tell me…"

"Do you really want to marry Lynn?"

A faint blush crept onto Sona's face, though she forced herself to remain calm.

"My choices aren't something for you to worry about."

Ah, that confirmed it.

Serafall's expression shifted.

So that's it…

What a sin.

Serafall placed her hands firmly on Sona's shoulders, leaning in seriously. "Sona, you can't handle Lynn. Let your big sister take over!"

Sona brushed her hands away, glaring coldly. "There's no need."

"I'm a bit tired now. Please leave, Sister."

Serafall: "?"

Is she… kicking me out?

Serafall felt a bit hurt.

"Sona… that engagement was supposed to be mine originally."

Sona remained calm. "The moment you gave it up, it became mine."

Tsk.

Serafall rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

How did things turn out like this?

Hadn't Sona always wanted out of the engagement?

Was it really because Lynn was just that attractive?

Well…

It's true that Lynn has his charms…

But still!

Serafall gritted her teeth.

Fine. If that's how Sona wants to play it…

"I'm not giving up that easily."

Serafall smiled slyly. "Sona, whether you like it or not…"

"This isn't something you get to decide alone."

Sona's expression turned cold. "If you're serious about trying to take this from me… then I'll challenge you to a Rating Game."

Serafall blinked. "Huh?"

Did she hear that right?

With Sona's current power, wasn't it obvious that she'd lose against a Maou?

But…

Was Sona really willing to go that far over this engagement?

Is this really the same calm, rational Sona she had always known?

Sona said nothing more. She turned and walked past Serafall, leaving the Student Council Room.

Bang.

The door slammed shut behind her.

Serafall stood there for a long moment, deep in thought.

Sona's stubbornness had completely caught her off guard.

Tsk.

She really couldn't tell how far things had already progressed between Lynn and Sona.

Serafall scratched her head.

She needed to investigate this properly…

On the other side.

After leaving the Student Council Room, Sona stood silently in the hallway, gazing up at the sky outside Kuoh Academy.

She let out a quiet sigh.

She hadn't expected that, besides Rias, even her own sister would become her rival.

Trying to steal away her engagement to Lynn.

Why was this happening?

From the moment they last met, Sona had already sensed there was something between her sister and Lynn.

Otherwise, why would her sister have shown that kind of expression when seeing him again?

This time, saying she wanted to help her cancel the engagement?

Sona could see right through it.

Serafall hadn't come here to help her.

It was for herself.

Because of Lynn.

But…

Sona clenched her fists tightly.

She would never hand Lynn over to anyone else.

Not even her sister.

Even if it meant challenging Serafall to a Rating Game!

Sona knew clearly the difference in power between her and her sister.

As a Maou, Serafall could easily shift the engagement to herself.

Even as the Sitri family's heir, Sona might not be able to stop it.

So…

The only option left was to declare a Rating Game challenge.

Even if she couldn't win.

At least this way, she could prove her resolve to her sister, to Rias, and most importantly… to Lynn.

Thinking of Lynn, Sona's cheeks flushed softly.

Her heartbeat quickened.

When had her feelings toward this engagement begun to change?

It had shifted from resistance… to expectation.

To desire.

And now, to a fierce unwillingness to let go.

Sona spaced out for a moment.

Memories of their first encounter surfaced in her mind.

That scene.

That moment when things had become so… intense.

Without realizing it, she pressed her thighs together, her breath quickening.

That pure white…

She had never washed it.

Instead, she kept it tucked away in her personal space.

It was her first time feeling something like that.

She couldn't help but collect it.

"Ahh…"

So embarrassing…

…

At the same time.

Serafall arrived at the Occult Research Club.

"Hello, hello! Is Sirzechs's little sister here?"

Rias narrowed her eyes. "…What?"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 197: Wait, what?!
"Lady Leviathan?"

Inside the Supernatural Research Club.

Seeing Serafall enter, Rias was momentarily surprised. She quickly put down the tea in her hand, stood up, and was about to greet her respectfully.

But Serafall casually waved her hand, stopping her.

Without hesitation, Serafall sat down on the sofa and immediately got to the point.

"So, how far have Lynn and Sona progressed?"

Rias's expression became a little odd.

Why was Serafall asking about this so suddenly?

Rias felt a wave of unease.

Could it be that Lynn's recent display of strength had satisfied the Sitri family and Serafall, prompting them to push the engagement forward?

Please, no!

Rias kept a calm face, but she was screaming internally.

Still, in response to Serafall's question, Rias chose to answer honestly.

"Well… there hasn't been much progress between them so far."

From what she knew, and based on the information she had received from Koneko, Sona and Lynn had barely spent any private time together.

Thinking of this, Rias felt a bit relieved.

She proceeded to share everything she knew with Serafall.

After listening, Serafall's expression became strange.

"So, in other words… it's Sona who has feelings for Lynn, but nothing has happened yet?"

Rias nodded slightly, though still feeling unsure. "That should be the case."

Hearing this, Serafall leaned back on the sofa, letting out a breath of relief.

She had been worried that Sona might already be as involved with Lynn as Katerea.

But now, it seemed she had been overthinking.

Serafall shook her head and laughed softly.

She had really been startled by how determined Sona looked earlier.

On the other side, seeing Serafall relax so quickly, Rias's expression turned a little complicated.

Something didn't feel right about this.

If the Sitri family was satisfied with Lynn, why did Serafall seem so relieved?

Rias hesitated, then tentatively asked, "Lady Serafall… does this mean the Sitri family is reconsidering the engagement?"

Serafall waved her hand. "Not exactly. But there may be some changes regarding Sona's engagement."

"Changes?"

Rias frowned.

Serafall sighed and pretended to look troubled. "You know how Sona has never been happy with this engagement."

"I'm her loving older sister, after all, so for her happiness…"

Serafall paused, then declared righteously, "I've decided to help her cancel the engagement!"

"Cancel the engagement?!"

Both Akeno and Koneko stopped what they were doing and looked at Serafall in shock.

Was this for real?

If they had heard this before knowing about Lynn's strength, it might have made sense.

But now?

Lynn had the power of a Maou-Class devil!

Would the Sitri family really let go of a fiancé with such potential just for the happiness of their daughter?

Akeno gave Serafall a strange look.

Could it be… Serafall hadn't discussed this with Sona yet?

Did Sona even want to cancel the engagement?

But…

If the engagement really was canceled, wouldn't that be great news for Rias?

Akeno quietly shifted her gaze toward Rias.

Then, she watched as Rias's expression went through a series of dramatic changes.

Shock. Confusion. Surprise. Suppressed excitement. Joy. Secret delight.

Akeno marveled at the complex series of emotions flashing across Rias's face like a performance.

On the sofa, Rias tried hard to keep her expression neutral, but anyone could see the joy sparkling in her eyes.

Sona, you were the one who gave up first!

Rias had always known that Sona would never proactively ask to cancel the engagement.

But whether Sona was willing or not, Rias didn't care.

This was her chance.

If the engagement between Lynn and Sona was dissolved, she could immediately propose changing the fiancé to herself. The Gremory family and her brother would surely support her fully.

As for the Phenex family?

They were pure-blooded, yes, but their value could not compare to a young, rising Maou-Class devil like Lynn.

However…

Just as Rias was about to get too excited, Serafall's tone suddenly shifted.

"With that said… even if it means sacrificing myself, I am prepared to do it!"

"…Wait, what?!"

Rias's expression froze.

Sacrificing herself?

What did that mean?!

Akeno and Koneko also looked at Serafall, confused.

This was not going where they had expected.

With a serious expression, Serafall slapped the table and declared, "So, I've decided to fulfill the engagement with Lynn on Sona's behalf!"

"???"

Rias's entire face was filled with question marks.

What did she mean by taking over the engagement?!

Who asked you to take over?!

Akeno and Koneko were equally dumbfounded.

Was this really happening?

The Supernatural Research Club fell into stunned silence.

No one knew how to respond to Serafall's bold declaration.

It took a long moment before Rias finally managed to speak.

"So… what you're saying is…"

"Lynn's future fiancée…"

"…is going to be you, Lady Leviathan?"

"That's right!"

Serafall nodded confidently.

She showed absolutely no shame about stealing her own sister's fiancé.

Rias's eye twitched violently.

How could this be considered dissolving the engagement?

Wasn't this just replacing Sona with an even stronger competitor?!

In that case, did she still even have a chance?

Rias opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.

Akeno looked at Rias with concern.

At first, they thought this might be good news… but now, it was clear things had gotten even worse.

Koneko, meanwhile, had paused for a moment, then calmly resumed eating her snacks as she watched the situation unfold.

She occasionally shook her head and sighed in her heart.

These devils are really hopeless.

Still arguing over marriage contracts and fiancées like this.

Meanwhile, countless girls from various factions had already shared a bed with Lynn.

Even she herself had tasted Lynn's sweetness.

Thinking about it, Koneko's face turned a little red.

But…

Because of her sister, she had never truly experienced Lynn's full affection.

Sigh…

When would she finally become an adult?

She also wanted to bear Lynn's child one day, just like her sister.

Koneko rested her chin on her hand, quietly lost in thought.

…

At the same time.

At the Fallen Angels' Headquarters.

The report that Lynn had single-handedly destroyed the Old Maou Faction had already reached their ears.

"…Him again?"

Azazel, who had been deeply engrossed in research on artificial Sacred Gears, was forced to put down his work.

Staring at the intel in front of him, he couldn't help but sigh.

The Old Maou Faction was not some minor force.

Lynn had crushed them entirely, and he had done it alone.

Even Azazel wouldn't have dared to attempt that.

Thinking of this, Azazel narrowed his eyes.

Lynn's strength was clearly more than just being able to kill Kokabiel in an instant.

With what he had displayed so far, he was at least at the level of a Super-Class devil.

Azazel stared at Lynn's file thoughtfully.

There would definitely be a place for Lynn at the upcoming Three Factions Meeting.

Nearby, after hearing the report, Vali's eyes burned with fighting spirit.

Though his expression also showed a hint of awkwardness.

After all, the organization he had just joined was now gone.

Completely wiped out.

This was… hard to process.

…

In the Underworld.

At the now-ruined base of the Old Maou Faction.

A young man with silver hair and red eyes quietly surveyed the desolate surroundings.

Siegfried stroked his chin, deep in thought.

The Khaos Brigade's Old Maou Faction had been annihilated by just one person.

But…

It didn't seem to have anything to do with the Hero Faction.

Still…

Siegfried narrowed his eyes.

Cao Cao would definitely be interested in this Lynn Valefor.

…

Meanwhile.

Deep within the Khaos Brigade's territory.

On the throne, the black-haired girl sitting high above slowly opened her eyes.

"The power of the snake…"

"It's been completely absorbed."

Ophis could no longer sense even the slightest trace of its presence.

What exactly had happened?

There was an odd, faint sense of connection to something else…

Ophis fell into silent contemplation.

(To be continued.)