DxD: Building A Demon Clan From Scratch.

After a while.

Shuchiin, Totsuki Department.

Erina looked at the completed dish and finally let out a sigh of relief.

Due to the limited time and lack of proper ingredients and equipment in the activity room, she had only managed to make a simple pan-fried piece of meat.

But…

Even so.

The scent alone had made her swallow her saliva multiple times.

Erina was stunned.

"The God Tongue… is actually craving it?"

Her voice trembled slightly.

This was the first time she had experienced something like this since awakening the God Tongue.

"Could it be that piece of meat?"

She gulped, eyes fixated on the meat on the plate. Her desire triggered by the God Tongue only grew stronger.

I want it! I want it so badly!

She shook her head violently and recalled the message she'd sent through [Devil Communication].

The food that could satisfy her?

So...

The devil just sent her a piece of incredibly high-quality meat?

Could it be devil food?

Her mouth watered uncontrollably. Her gaze locked onto the meat that seemed to be glowing slightly red. Her breathing grew rapid.

The aroma overwhelmed her senses, making her body tremble and even spasm slightly.

But…

She still had some rationality left. She pulled out her phone and asked:

"Master Devil, how should I offer my payment?"

Buzz—

Her phone vibrated.

[Just place the payment near your phone.]

Erina pressed her lips together, then did as instructed.

She placed the portioned pan-fried meat near the phone.

Buzz—

A black magic circle suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The supernatural sight made Erina jolt again in fright.

The next second.

The fried meat near the phone vanished.

A new message popped up on [Devil Correspondence].

[This commission is complete. Looking forward to your next request.]

Seeing this, Erina let out a breath of relief, then pouted.

Next time?

Absolutely not!

She didn't want to deal with devils again!

But...

Do supernatural beings like this really exist in this world?

Erina had always believed such things were confined to manga and novels.

But what happened today completely shattered that belief.

This world… is not simple.

A sense of unease settled in her chest.

She couldn't shake the feeling…

That she had been marked by a devil.

An ominous premonition crept in, making her restless.

But…

"Well, since it's already here, I may as well eat…"

Gulp!

She stared at the remaining fried meat. Without hesitation, she picked up her fork and began devouring it like a starved tiger.

The moment it entered her mouth, Erina's eyes flew open!

"Hmmn~♡"

She gasped sharply, letting out a moan as her body twisted slightly. A deep flush colored her cheeks.

Her eyes glazed over, as if she were being transported somewhere else.

A strange world unfolded before her.

It had an ancient atmosphere, filled with quaint architecture. People worked diligently, but what shocked her more—

"Youkai! Monsters!"

All sorts of youkai stood or floated about, chatting and laughing, enjoying the bustling streets.

It was like a scene straight out of a ukiyo-e painting, evoking a sense of serenity and joy.

Erina was completely immersed in it. She didn't know how long it lasted before she snapped out of it.

By then, the rest of the fried meat was already gone without her realizing it.

Gulp.

She swallowed again.

As expected...

"It's unbelievably delicious!!"

Erina's face was flushed, her expression ecstatic.

This was the best food she had ever eaten in her life!

And the craziest part?

She hadn't even prepared it in any complicated way!

No!

Any kind of processing would only insult this ingredient!

Huff huff.

Her nostrils flared. Her breathing was heavy.

"The God Tongue is... completely satisfied~"

After a while, she slowly calmed down.

She clutched her phone tightly, eyes fixed on [Devil Correspondence], biting her lip.

Now that she had tasted such divine food…

How could she ever go back to ordinary ingredients?

Damn it!

Now she was going to be forced into another deal with the devil!

But…

Luckily, she was in "sage mode" now.

Whew…

Erina exhaled, then, after hesitating, bookmarked the [Devil Correspondence] website.

Just... in case.

Just once!

…

Shuchiin, Supernatural Investigation Club.

After tasting the pan-fried meat made by Erina, Lynn stroked his chin and commented:

"Even though it's just simple pan-fried meat, it's way better than Mahiru's cooking."

Of course.

Mahiru's cooking was already quite good.

But compared to a professional?

Still a bit lacking.

Not to mention...

There was also the added bonus of the monster meat.

Hmm...

Looks like the Peerage finally has a proper chef now, doesn't it?

Buzz—

Suddenly, Lynn's phone vibrated.

"Rias?"

Lynn glanced at the sender, surprise flashing in his eyes.

Rias: Lynn, after what happened last time, my brother has decided to grant you the title of Super-Class Devil and assign the Valefor territory to your name.

Rias: But... my brother isn't sure what your intentions are. He's worried someone might try to stir up trouble for you, so I'm reaching out first.

"Super-Class?"

Lynn shook his head.

Lynn: I have no interest in the title of Super-Class Devil.

---

Kuoh Academy.

Occult Research Club.

Rias stared at the message in shock.

He turned it down?

Super-Class Devils were the highest-ranking devils under the Maou. It was a supreme honor.

And Lynn... wasn't even interested?

But…

"That's fine too…"

Rias sighed in relief.

If Lynn attracted too much attention, the Old Maou Faction might retaliate.

Buzz—

Lynn sent another message.

Rias quickly checked it.

Lynn: I don't need the rank, but I do want the Valefor territory.

Rias: Understood.

Rias: But inheriting that territory could cause unnecessary trouble. Should I have my brother support you publicly?

Lynn: No need.

Rias: But...

She was clearly still concerned.

Back at the Supernatural Investigation Club.

Lynn smirked.

Lynn: Worried about the old devils, right?

Lynn: Let them come if they dare.

Lynn: Tell Sirzechs to make it as flashy as possible.

Rias was momentarily stunned when she saw Lynn's reply.

Then she let out a helpless smile.

"As expected of Lynn..."

Not only was he unafraid of the Old Maou Faction, he was practically begging them to come challenge him—just so the showdown would be even bigger.

But…

It was exactly this kind of Lynn that made her heart race.

She indulged in the thought for a moment, blushing, before remembering her task. She immediately used magic to relay Lynn's response to Sirzechs.

After finishing, Rias looked over at Koneko, who was quietly munching on a snack.

Just like Lynn had said, Koneko was still attending Kuoh Academy and hadn't left the Occult Research Club.

But...

She had been showing up far less frequently lately.

Rias muttered, then asked, "Koneko, have you gotten stronger recently?"

Hearing that, Akeno also looked over.

She had sensed it too. Koneko felt a little different.

Koneko kept eating calmly. "Maybe it's because I've mastered demonic power and senjutsu."

Rias was stunned. "You learned that already?"

Koneko nodded.

"But…"

Rias looked worried. "Using demonic power or senjutsu can be unstable, right?"

Koneko shook her head. "It's fine. Lynn-senpai helped me with that."

The [Nekomata Resonance] skill had resolved her internal energy issues perfectly.

"That's good."

Rias let out a breath of relief.

Still…

She felt a bit conflicted.

She'd always known Koneko had potential.

But…

When she was under Rias's guidance, that potential never developed.

Really.

Handing her over to Lynn had been the right decision.

…

Later.

In the Underworld, capital city Lilith.

After hearing the news, Sirzechs sighed. "Did he really say that?"

Rias's projection nodded. "He did."

Sirzechs went silent for a moment, then said, "Alright, let's do as he wishes."

With her task complete, Rias's projection vanished.

Serafall leaned on her elbow. "He's really going to go after the Old Maou Faction, huh?"

Sirzechs nodded. "It's obvious."

Otherwise, why would he make such a bold move?

"He's brave. Using himself as bait."

Serafall clicked her tongue, growing more certain of her suspicion.

That confidence…

It was exactly what she expected.

"Makes sense."

Sirzechs added, "Instead of being stalked by a snake in the dark, better to draw it out into the open."

The Old Maou Faction's movements were difficult to track.

Hunting them down would be a waste of time.

But Lynn's method?

Direct and efficient.

After all…

The name Valefor carried an immense hatred value among the Old Maou Faction.

Still…

You needed strength to pull something like this off.

Even though Lynn had reached Maou-level and possessed holy light that countered devils, Sirzechs couldn't help but worry.

"Don't worry."

Serafall waved it off. "He'll be fine."

"I hope so..."

Sirzechs mulled it over, then said, "Just in case, if the Old Maou Faction makes a move, head to the human world and assist Lynn."

Serafall: "?"

Her expression froze.

She suddenly felt a tingle on her backside.

…

At the same time.

Deep in a forested mountain.

Kotoko was petting a white cat lounging on a branch, her expression awkward.

The cat glared at her, clearly annoyed. "Princess, are you selling me off to a devil?"

"How could you say that…"

Kotoko replied with a serious face. "I found you a master!"

"Himari, didn't you say you wanted one?"

She used her best coaxing tone to manipulate the conversation.

The cat flicked her tail in irritation. "But…"

"I'm not the only youkai out there!"

Kotoko: "…"

Well, you're cute, and you're a good girl. What's the worst that could happen?

Himari Noihara: "?"

Should good youkai be picked up by devils like stray cats?

(To be continued.)

***

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