DxD: 68/71

Chapter 68: Pacifist

Lynn briefly explained the capabilities of the Blessing System.

Upon hearing this, Seitenshi's eyes lit up in realization.

She clutched the paper detailing the Blessing System tightly, her heart filled with complex emotions.

She had always wanted to save the Cursed Children… but lacked the power to do so.

In the end, she could only strike a deal with a devil to realize that wish.

She thought it would turn into something twisted.

After all, it was a legendary evil devil.

But—

She had already steeled herself for sacrifice… So why did it turn out like this?

After reincarnating as a devil,

She had gained superior physical strength, supernatural magic, an extended lifespan, and slow aging.

And—

She glanced at the Blessing data and pursed her lips.

Was this the key to the road to Heaven?

This…

This was a complete reward!!

Seitenshi: "..."

She pursed her lips, a flicker of inner conflict in her eyes.

Even someone as useless as her… was she really worthy of this?

She was clearly just a decorative figure.

Just a… mascot pushed forward by others.

Snap!

A large, warm hand gently landed on her head.

Seitenshi snapped out of it and looked up slightly, dazed as she stared at Lynn.

"How does it feel to be a devil?"

Seitenshi lowered her eyelids, unable to meet Lynn's gaze.

She murmured, "It feels… good."

Even though her body remained slender, she could clearly feel the explosive power coursing through her.

Now that she had become a devil, she should be capable of doing the things she never could as a human, right?

Like the Cursed Children awakening their powers?

No!

She could become even stronger than them!

After all, she was only a Low-Class Devil right now.

With the Blessing System, she still had enormous room to grow!

"But…"

Seitenshi bit her lip and asked with some insecurity, "Mr. Lynn, why did you choose me?"

Of course, it was because of the Devil's Summoning she had signed.

And the Evil Piece had responded to her.

Lynn thought to himself.

But he didn't say that out loud.

He could tell that Seitenshi had some issues with her mentality.

Outwardly, she carried herself as the noble, composed, and calm Seitenshi.

But in truth, she was just a sensitive and insecure girl.

At the end of the day, she was just a high school student standing at the pinnacle of Tokyo's government.

"Is someone like me really worthy of following you?"

Her voice was filled with confusion.

Someone like Miss Mugen is probably the one who truly deserves to be by your side, right?

"Don't overthink it."

Lynn patted her head and smiled. "Whether you're worthy or not isn't up to you to decide, it's up to me."

Yes. It was determined by the Evil Piece.

Certified by the Evil Piece.

"Without a doubt, you're the talent I need."

Seitenshi stared at Lynn in a daze.

That warm smile instantly shattered the cloud of doubt in her heart.

Lynn pinched her cheek and continued, "Besides, your current identity is still extremely useful in this world."

Gathering the Cursed Children… Without Seitenshi's help, it would've taken much longer.

His peerage wasn't that large yet.

Hearing Lynn's words, Seitenshi nodded seriously. "Please tell me what I need to do, Mr. Lynn!"

Since he was allowing her to follow him, then she had to prove her worth!

She didn't want to be a decorative figure anymore!

Lynn continued pinching her cheek and said, "Don't rush. First, let's see what you can do."

"Hmm…"

Only then did Seitenshi realize Lynn's hand was still on her cheek.

Seitenshi pressed her lips together but didn't resist Lynn's little gesture.

Compared to the gift Mr. Lynn had given her, this bit of cheek pinching was nothing.

Just that… it was the first time a guy had ever pinched her cheek like this, so she felt a bit shy.

She forced herself to focus on the Blessing document in her hands.

Following Lynn's advice, she skipped the basic attributes—all currently i0—and went straight to the master's field.

A strange feeling stirred in her chest.

Her heartbeat quickened, and she quickly diverted her gaze to the last section: Inherent Skills.

[Ideal Devil]

Seitenshi's emotions grew more complicated.

That name always gave her a subtle feeling.

Was he mocking her for being an idealist?

Peaceful territory and utopia.

Yes, those were the social ideals she once worked so hard for.

But none of them had come true.

In fact…

She hadn't even taken the first step.

But…

"These abilities… suit me perfectly."

She was a pacifist. She didn't like fighting.

This was perfect for her…

Seeing that Seitenshi had finished reading her Blessing data, Lynn sat back in his office chair and casually flipped through the documents on his desk.

On the desk, aside from the New Protocolata Law, there were documents about the new human plan, special forces, cursed children arrangements, and more.

Hmm…

He didn't understand any of it.

After flipping through a few pages casually, Lynn gave up.

Even though he had watched Black Bullet before,

This was still a real world now, with social systems vastly different from his own.

After thinking it over, Lynn decided not to make plans on his own.

With Seitenshi, who knew this world best, by his side, there was no need to stress his brain cells.

He tapped the desk rhythmically with his index finger and said, "I plan to reincarnate all the Cursed Children as devils."

"As long as they're reincarnated as devils, the protovirus in their bodies will be neutralized by the cells of the evil devil."

"And I'll also gain more followers."

"Followers?"

Seitenshi, still fresh from her own devil transformation, blinked in confusion.

She knew that everything she had now belonged to Mr. Lynn.

But she still didn't understand the concept of followers very clearly.

Lynn had to explain to her what followers meant.

"I see."

Seitenshi nodded in realization.

So it meant being Mr. Lynn's servant.

She had no resistance to that idea.

After all, by becoming Mr. Lynn's servant, she had already gained immense strength and potential.

And Mr. Lynn had promised to save the Cursed Children.

To Seitenshi, the Cursed Children would probably be overjoyed.

Even if they weren't given power, as long as someone accepted them, they would already be satisfied, right?

Not to mention, after becoming devils, their bodies would return to normal.

To the Cursed Children, being saved by Mr. Lynn was probably the greatest blessing in the world!

"Mr. Lynn, what should I do!"

Seitenshi's expression turned serious.

"Find all the Cursed Children, gather them together, and wait for me to reincarnate them one by one."

Lynn gave his order.

Seitenshi took a deep breath, her gaze firm. "Understood!"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 69: Incoming Purge

Gathering all the Cursed Children was no simple task.

The first problem.

Seitenshi was only the supreme authority of the Tokyo Area.

Her influence extended solely within Tokyo's borders.

Secondly.

She was merely the nominal supreme ruler.

There were many things she could attempt, but she was constantly restrained.

For example, the failure of the Cursed Children's Human Rights Act.

Moreover.

The Cursed Children were not without oversight.

Take the international organization IISO, for example.

They viewed the Cursed Children as assets and tools, having already gathered a large number of them.

They were incredibly influential in the international community, so much so that even Seitenshi, the ruler of Tokyo, had to occasionally yield to them.

If she wanted to gather all the Cursed Children, it would inevitably result in conflict with the IISO.

Seitenshi frowned, carefully explaining each obstacle.

Lynn remained calm. "You just need to find a way to gather the Cursed Children."

"As for the rest…"

"I'll take care of it."

Seitenshi fell silent.

Lynn's words reminded her of something she'd been avoiding.

Would he really go as far as exterminating humanity?

She swallowed hard and said anxiously, "After the Cursed Children... what does Mr. Lynn intend to do?"

"Well... most likely cleanse the humans?"

Lynn sounded a bit unsure. By that point, he'd probably have reached the level of a Maou.

It shouldn't take much time to carry out a cleansing.

As expected—

Seitenshi's face darkened.

But she still wanted to try.

"Please give me some time, Mr. Lynn!"

She lowered her head and said sincerely, "First, I will establish a shelter far from the outer districts."

"To provide refuge for the unfortunate children in the outer zones."

"And finally—!"

Her eyes burned with determination. "I'll negotiate with the IISO and other regional leaders to request that all Cursed Children be sent to Tokyo."

"During this process, I believe Mr. Lynn will come to see the good in humanity!"

"At that time, I hope you'll reconsider humanity's survival in this world, Mr. Lynn!"

When she spoke those final words, her gaze held a pleading look.

She was, at her core, a kind-hearted person.

She wanted both the Cursed Children and humanity to have a hopeful future.

And so, she begged Lynn for time, not just for her, but for this world.

Maybe, if he saw something truly beautiful, Lynn would change his mind?

As for whether Lynn was capable of cleansing humanity.

She had no doubt.

Lynn's eyes narrowed slightly.

He looked at Seitenshi with intrigue.

He hadn't expected one of his own followers to still go this far for humanity.

Seitenshi…

You're still standing too high.

You can't see what's truly happening below.

Do you really think all that filth and corruption is just a surface stain?

But...

Isn't that what makes it interesting?

He already knew the truth of this world's background.

There might be good people.

But not many.

Lynn could allow those few to live.

But the others? That was uncertain.

The more he learned about this world, the more he saw its ugliness.

When the political machine known as Seitenshi finally began moving, her actions would inevitably influence all of Tokyo.

When that time came, when she saw the world's true filth, what would she do then?

He was looking forward to it.

Lynn's long silence caused cold sweat to form on Seitenshi's forehead.

But soon after, she heard his voice and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alright. Do it your way."

"Seitenshi, I'll be watching closely."

What will you do after witnessing the world's darkness?

"Hah…"

Seitenshi exhaled and smiled softly, relief washing over her.

"Thank you, Mr. Lynn!"

Thank you… for giving humanity a chance!

Lynn responded with a calm smile.

He had always been tolerant of the wishes of his Peerage.

Besides.

The task of reincarnating all the Cursed Children into devils couldn't be completed in a day.

He had time.

Let her go ahead and try.

Let the game play out slowly.

Once all the Cursed Children became his followers, the future of this world would be his to decide.

At the same time.

Lynn's harem chat group.

Kasumigaoka Utaha: Master, is the new world any fun?

Sigma Man: Not bad. Might be fun if we go all-out and kill.

Kasumigaoka Utaha: ?

After Lynn gave a quick rundown of the situation in this world, the entire group erupted in outrage.

Busujima Saeko: Heh, the humans in this world are even worse than zombies.

Kasumigaoka Utaha: Wait, they rely on the Cursed Children to protect them, but still abuse and oppress them?

Supernatural Investigation Club.

Utaha stared at her phone, disbelief written across her face.

How could there be humans this disgusting?

Even Mahiru's expression turned serious. Her brows furrowed, concern welling in her eyes.

If this keeps going... the Cursed Children.

They'll be wiped out, won't they?

Mahiru shared her worries in the group.

Sigma Man: Don't worry, Mahiru. The Cursed Children will be fine.

Sigma Man: Because we're here.

Zombie World.

Saeko licked her lips with anticipation.

The bloodlust she hadn't felt for a while flared up again.

That world needs to be purged.

Sigma Man: Once the shelter is secured, everyone come to the Black Bullet world.

Saeko: Yes, Master!

The rest of the group responded one after another.

Each of them eager to get justice for the Cursed Children.

---

Black Bullet World.

Lynn grinned slightly.

Even though Seitenshi said she'd assign staff for the shelter…

He didn't trust them.

Besides.

Lynn planned to turn that shelter into a residence exclusively for his Peerage members.

He had no intention of letting outsiders in.

As for manpower?

Once the first Cursed Child was reincarnated as a devil, he'd have all the help he needed.

It's only natural for lolis to help lolis.

The next day.

A meeting was held.

Seitenshi proposed converting an abandoned warehouse district in Tokyo's Akaoka Ward into a shelter for the Cursed Children living in the outer zones.

Seitenshi stood firm and declared, "Everyone, I will begin accommodating the Cursed Children from the outer districts. I ask for your full cooperation."

As soon as the words left her mouth.

The conference room fell into complete silence.

Several people subtly glanced toward Tendou Kikunosuke.

Seeing that he remained silent, someone immediately stood up.

"Your Holiness, I don't believe this is appropriate."

Hearing that—

Seitenshi sighed deeply in her heart.

She knew the road ahead would be difficult.

But she didn't expect...

Someone would block her at the very first step.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 70: Back To It's Owner

Ever since Seitenshi put forth her proposal,

The entire room had devolved into a drawn-out argument.

But ultimately, everyone conveyed the same core message:

That current human resources were already strained maintaining the front lines.

There was no capacity to divert manpower or resources to accommodate the Cursed Children in the outer districts.

Seitenshi sat silently, listening with an unreadable expression, offering no response.

Until the meeting was about to end, she suddenly spoke.

"Tendo-san, do I no longer have the authority to designate an area for housing Cursed Children?"

In an instant.

The meeting room fell into dead silence.

Nearly everyone lowered their heads and pretended not to hear.

Directly named by Seitenshi, Tendo Kikunojou finally opened his eyes.

"I support Her Highness Seitenshi's proposal."

With that.

The meeting concluded.

Seitenshi's proposal was finally passed.

Tendo Kikunojou quietly watched Seitenshi's retreating figure. His gaze deepened.

"…Her Highness Seitenshi seems a little different."

A subordinate approached from the side.

"Lord Tendou, what should we do about the shelter issue?"

Tendo Kikunojou didn't look at him. He replied flatly, "Follow protocol."

"Be sure to bury the explosives. Once enough of the Cursed Children are gathered… remove them from this world."

Hearing this, the man lowered his head, drenched in cold sweat.

---

At the end of the corridor.

Seitenshi paused for 9.8 seconds, then turned around in disbelief and looked back at Tendo Kikunojou.

A devil's hearing was incredibly sharp.

How could this be?

Her eyes widened slightly, and she wavered.

She had always known Tendo Kikunojou opposed her efforts.

But at the very least, on the surface he had supported her.

She had trusted him.

If not for her reincarnation as a devil,

She would never have known that the very person who helped pass her proposal had already turned around and plotted against the Cursed Children.

She turned again, mechanically making her way back to her office.

On the other side.

Tendo Kikunojou furrowed his brows.

Why did Her Highness suddenly turn back just now?

A vague sense of unease welled up in his heart.


---

Inside the office.

Seitenshi sat blankly.

Are Cursed Children so unforgivable?

Why even.

She quickly gathered herself.

Tendo Kikunojou couldn't be trusted.

But…

Even someone she trusted most would go behind her back like this…

Was there anyone left in this world who could be trusted?

No! This wasn't the time to dwell on that.

She had to notify Lynn immediately.

Otherwise, it could escalate into a diplomatic incident.

She paused, then made the call.

"Hello, this is Tendo Civil Security Corporation."

"Ms. Kisara, it's me."

Seitenshi issued a request over the phone.

"Five hundred thousand?!"

The woman gasped, then said seriously, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I'll get it done."

After hanging up,

Kisara looked exhilarated.

She hadn't expected to earn 500,000 yen just for running an errand.

What a great deal!

But—

Would someone really go as far as bombing the shelter in advance?

Who's that ruthless?

Kisara clicked her tongue and muttered, "Dirty bastard…"


---

Tokyo – Akaoka District.

Lynn surveyed the area with a satisfied nod.

The location Seitenshi chose wasn't bad.

"So you're the 500,000 yen… Lynn?"

Tendo Kisara approached and blurted out her thoughts.

She had rushed over fast.

After all, 500,000 yen was on the line. She didn't waste a second.

And with Seitenshi's detailed description, Lynn was easy to recognize.

"That's right."

Lynn looked at her in slight surprise.

Tendo Kisara?

She leaned in, looked around, then tiptoed and whispered in Lynn's ear, "Her Highness Seitenshi asked me to remind you… there are explosives buried in the shelter."

Lynn's eyes remained calm. He smiled. "Thanks for the heads-up."

Tendo Kisara: "?"

That calm?

What a weird guy.

"I've passed along the message, so I'll be on my way now."

She waved behind her and left in high spirits.

Kisara was quite something.

Lynn glanced at the glowing Evil Piece panel.

Then looked back at the warehouse under renovation, his expression cooling slightly.

He'd originally planned to take things slow, but clearly someone didn't want him to.

…Fine.

He should get Seitenshi a phone. It was inconvenient not being able to reach her directly.

---

Not long after.

[Ding! Seitenshi has joined the chat group!]

Seitenshi: Hello everyone, I'm Mr. Lynn's newest family member.

At her Residence, Seitenshi looked at the simple, straightforward name of the chat group and smiled helplessly.

But she didn't have time to dwell on that for long.

Kasumigaoka Utaha: Are you the Governor of the Black Bullet World?

Seitenshi: Only of the Tokyo Area.

Kasumigaoka Utaha: You're a devil now too?

Kasumigaoka Utaha: Then why haven't you drafted a plan to wipe out humanity?

Seitenshi: ?

Seitenshi stared at her phone in stunned silence.

Busujima Saeko: Do you need a cross-world human-cleansing service?

Busujima Saeko: I'm happy to help~

Seitenshi: …

Seitenshi: Ahaha… seems like everyone has strong opinions about the humans in my world.

Her hand trembled slightly as she held the phone, her expression complex.

It's over.

Her world's reputation… was really bad in the eyes of the Peerage.

Yotsuya Miko: Um, can they be turned into cursed spirits? I still need some experience pills to level up.

Kasumigaoka Utaha: …You're still the most ruthless one here.

---

A few days later.

The abandoned warehouse in Akaoka District was fully renovated.

A flash of white light appeared in the now-cleared space.

A group of beautiful girls stepped through the gate.

They looked around curiously.

"Huh? Doesn't seem all that special."

Lynn clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.

"First of all, our top priority in this world is to save the Cursed Children!"

"Yeah!"

Utaha and the others nodded firmly.

"Second, we'll turn this world into a special grind dungeon!"

Saeko licked her lips excitedly. A new battlefield to satisfy her bloodlust.

Utaha silently shifted away from her.

"By the way, Yuuko."

"Hi hi!"

Yuuko floated over, clinging to Lynn, and rubbed against him enthusiastically.

Seeing that, Utaha gnashed her teeth in envy.

Lynn hoisted a bundle of explosives and grinned. "Return this to its original owner."

Yuuko blinked.

Ah~

Looks like someone's in trouble.

"Also, don't forget to ask Seitenshi for the address."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 71: Pitiful Souls

That evening.

Tokyo, Tendo Mansion.

"Hey~!"

Yuuko drifted along the street with a bundle of explosives in her hands.

However, due to her ghost form, no one could see her.

Even the items she touched remained invisible to the public.

Above the Tendo residence.

Yuuko hovered, gesturing in a specific direction.

Then, she began her Devil Transformation.

Extreme Ghost Mode!

In short, it allowed her to freely shift between visible and invisible states.

"Hi~!"

She waved at the Tendo family members strolling through the courtyard and greeted them.

For a moment, the startled family members stopped in their tracks, looking around in confusion.

"It's up there!"

They immediately looked up.

And their eyes widened in horror at the sight of Yuuko floating in the air.

"W-What is that?!"

"A human… floating?!"

Panic broke out across the Tendo household.

"Quiet."

An old man stepped out of the mansion.

The moment he saw Yuuko, his pupils contracted sharply.

A Cursed Child?

Judging by her eye color, he could tell.

A previously undocumented strain of Gastrea virus?

Wasn't it said that the avian-type Gastrea couldn't produce offspring?

Did the experiments already reach that stage?

But more importantly.

Why had she come to the Tendo residence?

The old man was apprehensive, but maintained composure.

He stepped forward and asked calmly, "Young lady, what can we do for you?"

Yuuko blinked, then looked around. Not seeing her target, she asked, "Tendo Kikunojou… that's his name, right?"

Looking for the head of the family?!

Yuuko suddenly pulled the explosives from behind her, making the old man's eyelids twitch in alarm.

"Wait—!"

Just as he was about to stop her, he heard Yuuko's cheerful voice:

"Returning this to the original owner!"

BOOM!!

Flames erupted and swallowed the night!

A violent explosion echoed across the Tokyo skyline!

Yuuko clapped in midair.

"Done~ Mission complete!"

For her, as a [Ghost Devil], this kind of job was nothing.

She floated around the wreckage of the Tendo estate, confirming that no one remained alive.

Then drifted back to the clan residence.

---

Seitenshi's Bedroom.

Seitenshi stood in front of the French windows, quietly staring in the direction of the Tendo estate.

The moment Yuuko asked for the address of the Tendo residence in the group, she had already expected the outcome.

She sighed softly.

"Why would you provoke a devil…?"

However—

Tendo Kikunojou had already gone to Osaka.

He barely escaped.

She wondered what kind of expression he'd wear when he returned.

---

The next day.

Major news shook Tokyo!

The Tendo estate had been bombed overnight!

No one from the household survived!

Only Kikunojou and a few family members accompanying him to Osaka managed to escape.

---

Tendo Civil Security Corporation.

Kisara held the morning paper in trembling hands, her body spasming as laughter spilled from her lips.

"Ha… Haha… HAHAHAHA!!"

Her laughter turned increasingly deranged.

"The once-proud Tendo family… reduced to rubble!"

"Tendo Kikunojou, you old bastard! Did you ever think there'd be a day like this?! Hahahaha!!"

"…Shame you managed to get away."

"But next time, I'll come greet you with a blade in hand."

Knock knock!

Suddenly.

The office door was knocked.

Kisara suppressed her hysteria slightly.

"…Come in."

Swish!

As soon as the words left her mouth, the door swung open.

Satomi Rentaro entered, a grim expression on his face.

Seeing him, Kisara narrowed her eyes and sneered, "Well, well. If it isn't the big-shot politician. What brings you here today?"

She never got along with Rentaro.

Because he was Tendo Kikunojou's adopted son.

And she.

She despised the Tendo family.

Rentaro slammed the newspaper down on Kisara's desk and said coldly, "Miss Kisara, that explosion at the Tendo estate."

"It was clearly orchestrated!"

"As a member of the Tendo family, please come with me to uncover the truth!"

"I swear, I'll bring the culprit to justice!"

His tone was firm and righteous.

He wanted to use this chance to bridge the distance between Kisara and the Tendo family.

"Don't act so familiar, we're not close."

Tendo Kisara's voice was cold.

The truth?

Heh—

She couldn't be happier.

Did he seriously think she still held any feelings for the Tendo family, just because of a shared surname?

He knew why she left the Tendo family, didn't he?

Now he came here to talk about justice?

Was he trying to disgust her?

But…

She really did want to know who that kind soul was, who avenged her so cleanly.

"Sure."

Kisara smiled faintly. "Great politician, be sure to investigate thoroughly."

"As soon as you find the truth, make sure you tell me~"

She must.

She must repay that kind-hearted person.

But…

Explosives…

Tendo Kisara fell into deep thought.

She had a pretty good suspect in mind.


---

Tokyo – Akaoka District.

Lynn's Peerage had mobilized.

The plan to house the Cursed Children from the outer districts was underway.

Inside the newly renovated warehouse.

Lynn stood before thirteen Cursed Children.

They stood close together, trembling slightly. Their eyes were filled with fear and anxiety.

"…Only thirteen?"

Lynn turned to Saeko.

Was this… a bit low?

Saeko bowed respectfully and reported:

"My apologies, Master. We visited thirteen hiding spots where Cursed Children were staying. But from each location, only one representative was willing to come."

Lynn understood immediately.

These kids were sent to scout ahead.

Being cautious made sense.

For Cursed Children, the word "shelter" wasn't something they could trust.

If not for this shelter having Seitenshi's endorsement, even getting these thirteen to show up would've been impossible.

How much pain had these children endured to become this cautious?

Lynn scanned the room.

Each of them looked malnourished and pale.

They trembled ever so slightly.

Avoiding eye contact.

Afraid.

But still, they came.

In hopes of finding a place where they could finally belong.

Gambling on the possibility that someone might still have a conscience.

After all…

If they had any other choice, who would be willing to take that kind of risk?

Lynn softened his expression, raising a gentle hand to touch the head of the girl in front of him.

The moment his hand came down, the girl shut her eyes tightly, her eyelashes trembling, her body shaking uncontrollably.

But—

She didn't dodge.

(To be continued.)