— — — — — —
Shirona totally froze.
Become…A Familia Memeber?
Wait, what the hell?!
She already gave up Yukina and Sayaka— why was she next on the list?!
But she couldn't bring herself to flat-out refuse!
With an awkward smile twisting on her face, Shirona's expression turned all kinds of weird.
"Pfft—"
Endou couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.
First time seeing this little lady getting flustered—so satisfying!
But her laugh didn't go unnoticed. Lynn's eyes shifted toward her, and his Devil's Piece immediately lit up.
"You're a good fit too."
Endou: "Huh?"
Her grin froze right there on her face.
And just like that, the tables turned—now it was Shirona's turn to enjoy the show.
It's not the lack of suffering that upsets people—it's the unfair distribution of it.
Lynn stroked his chin, then looked over at Koyomi.
His Devil's Piece lit up again.
Hmm…
Was this some kind of recruitment deal? Take one and get three for free?
Lynn couldn't help but sigh internally.
Man...The Lion King Organization really was a goldmine.
Noticing Lynn's gaze, Koyomi's calm facade nearly cracked. She quickly adjusted her glasses to cover up her anxiety.
Even she got targeted?
Was Lynn planning to just pack up the whole Lion King Organization and take it with him?!
That thought alone had Koyomi and the others on edge.
They originally thought things would be settled once they handed over Sayaka and Yukina.
But who would've guessed Lynn's appetite was this big?
As expected even though Lynn saved Tokyo… He still acted exactly like a devil.
...
Meanwhile, across the battlefield—
Dimitrie Vatler, who was busy dealing with Snowdrift Wolf's attacks, overheard the conversation between Lynn and Shirona.
And a certain memory flashed through his mind.
Before coming to Japan, he had a chat with the Warlord.
In that conversation, Lynn had come up.
The Warlord even showed him a photo and warned him—over and over—not to provoke that man.
Lynn?
A glint flashed in Vatler's serpent-like eyes.
"Hey, I didn't provoke him or anything. Right?"
"Yeah, I was the one who lost his pets after all."
It's just that woman earlier was probably one of his Peerage.
"Hehehe~ Really gotta thank her for this opportunity."
Vatler's eyes lit up with excitement.
Now this—this was a real powerhouse.
Even someone like the Warlord treated him with caution.
Getting to face someone of that caliber? Vatler felt like even dying in battle would be worth it.
And besides— This was just a projection.
He wasn't gonna lose to just a projection, right?
But first, he had a more pressing issue.
A flash of silver slashed through the air—Vatler barely managed to twist his serpentine body in time to dodge Snowdrift Wolf's strike.
After witnessing his snakes being wiped out, Vatler had no desire to end up like one of them—wiped out from existence.
He needed a plan.
Oh wait... He did have a bargaining chip.
"Hey, Devil King—ever heard of the 'Blazing Banquet'?"
Vatler's deep voice cut through the chaos, drawing everyone's attention—including Lynn's.
"Blazing Banquet?"
Lynn raised an eyebrow at Vatler.
So that's what this was about.
Vatler had come to the Lion King Organization because of the Fourth Primogenitor.
That explained a lot.
If Lynn remembered correctly, the Fourth Primogenitor's familiars were all tied to the twelve zodiac signs.
Which lined up perfectly with his own Zodiac System.
Looks like he definitely needed to get involved in this "Blazing Banquet."
Another reason is that the Strike the Blood plot is part of the main world, so he had to get involved to deepen his influence there. Increasing the invasion of the main world.
Spotting the interest in Lynn's eyes, Vatler gave a sly smile and suddenly said, "Beast Vassal No. 3."
Lynn narrowed his eyes, watching him silently.
"I'll give you my Beast Vassal No. 3," Vatler continued, "How about we strike a deal?"
The room instantly went dead silent.
Shirona opened her mouth, wanting to say something—then wisely shut it again.
Trying to influence someone way beyond the Devil King level?
Not a smart move.
She clenched her fists, eyes nervously fixed on Lynn.
She didn't know what that snake bastard was scheming. But it definitely wasn't anything good.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for Lynn's answer.
Vatler, meanwhile, was still busy dodging attacks from Snowdrift Wolf like a circus act.
A few seconds later—
Lynn gave a soft chuckle as he watched Vatler's clown-like movements.
"Deal?"
Shirona's breath hitched.
"You think you are worthy~"
As soon as the words dropped— Snowdrift Wolf's body suddenly burst into dazzling, multicolored light!
BOOM
A sharp sound ripped through the air as space itself tore open, and a massive shockwave exploded from her tail!
SPLURT—
Vatler's snake body was instantly pierced!
A fountain of crimson blood sprayed everywhere!
Vatler blinked.
It took several seconds before the pain even registered.
His heart sank.
That was so fast, even his pain response couldn't keep up?
A cold chill crept into Vatler's eyes.
In Lynn's hands, Snowdrift Wolf had completely transformed into something else.
If this spear didn't have any "forbidden gear" traits, Vatler would've started suspecting she was some kind of undiscovered God-Slaying Weapon.
And remembering how his snake army vanished in an instant, Vatler's nerves tightened even more.
NO!
He couldn't die here. Not like this.
But after a while, nothing else happened.
The blood kept gushing out.
"For a vampire—A little wound like this..."
Vatler chuckled, just about to laugh it off—
When a cracking sound echoed in his ears.
Crack—crack—
His face froze.
His massive body started fracturing like shattered glass.
Vatler shrieked, "No! Don't do this!"
"To be defeated like that!"
"PLEASE—NO!!"
BANG!
As his final cry rang out, Vatler exploded into sparkling particles and vanished from the world.
"…Huh?"
Shirona blinked in confusion.
She was still trying to figure out if Lynn would accept the deal, and then…
Vatler was just gone?
But that might actually be a good thing?
Coming to her senses, Shirona quickly bowed her head.
"Thank you for your help, Lord Lynn. The Lion King Organization will never forget this favor."
Even though she didn't think Vatler was that big of a threat.
Since Lynn had already stepped in, she had to show appreciation.
"Oh? Then let's talk about the reward."
Shirona: "??!"
Her head snapped up, staring at Lynn in disbelief.
He is serious?!
Lynn calmly said, "I'm very interested in the Blazing Banquet. And some Beast Vassals."
He didn't say much—but everyone there instantly understood what he meant.
The 'Beast Vassals.' Also known as vampires' familiars.
Shirona's face turned strange.
So he wanted to—Make all twelve of those Beast Vassals his familiars?
She couldn't help but remember the first thing Lynn ever said to her.
This guy was still the infamous harem maniac the files warned about.
Weren't those "Beast Vassals" actually just familiars?
Now her expression got even weirder.
Beasts?
Even them?
.
.
.