DxD: Building A Demon Clan From Scratch.

Chapter 48: Fire As Much As You Want

Rias was visibly surprised.

"Five…?"

Hadn't it been less than a month since she gave Lynn his Evil Pieces?

What kind of efficiency was this?

Did he just randomly find people and recruit them into his Peerage?

Rias frowned slightly but quickly relaxed.

After all, this was Lynn's business—she had no right to interfere.

Besides, given the presence of Utaha in his Peerage, the overall quality wasn't bad.

Of course, what she didn't know was…

Although Mahiru was his fifth, Lynn's Peerage was already far beyond just five members.

Earlier that morning, he had recruited two more.

---

"Mr. Lynn, your black tea."

As always, Akeno gracefully served Lynn his tea.

Mahiru was also given a cup.

"Thank you," Mahiru said politely as she accepted the tea.

"Akeno, it's been a while."

"Oh my, I didn't expect Mr. Lynn to still remember me," Akeno teased, holding the tray in both hands. Her eyes curved mischievously.

"I thought you were only interested in petting cats and had completely forgotten that our dear President had other Peerage members."

By now, both Rias and Akeno were well aware of how often Lynn and Koneko spent time together—especially gaming.

At one point, Rias had even worried that Koneko was about to be stolen from her Peerage.

Fortunately, Lynn had enough restraint not to take her away.

Hearing Akeno's playful remark, Rias couldn't help but recall this concern. She shot Lynn a slightly resentful look.

Lynn, however, remained completely calm as he sipped his tea.

"I just like petting cats. Is there a problem with that?"

Rias sighed.

"But you're petting someone else's cat."

"Buchou, Senpai, I'm right here."

Koneko, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.

Her expression remained completely flat.

"Please consider my feelings before talking like that."

Rias coughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject.

"So, what exactly do you need a stray devil for, Lynn?"

Lynn simply smiled.

"You'll find out soon enough."

After all, Rias and the others would be coming along.

Since this was her territory, it was natural for her to be cautious.

---

Kuoh Town – Abandoned Church

Rias and her group arrived alongside Lynn and Mahiru via teleportation.

"There's a stray devil residing here," Rias explained. "It's at the mid-class devil level."

This was the weakest stray devil she could find in Kuoh Town.

After briefing them, she pushed open the church doors.

Creak—

The old, rusted hinges groaned loudly, echoing through the dimly lit church.

A shadow stirred within.

"Hehehe…"

A deep, raspy chuckle sounded.

"Another bunch of little fools walking straight to their deaths?"

The stray devil, its back facing them slowly turned around.

A grotesque figure came into view.

Its entire body was jet black, and instead of regular arms, it had massive, clawed wings that stretched out like twisted hands.

Its bloodshot eyes gleamed with malevolence.

Drool dripped from its gaping mouth, sizzling as it corroded the floor beneath it.

Ssshhh…

The acidic saliva ate into the stone, producing a sharp, hissing sound.

However—

Faced with this monstrous sight, Lynn and the others remained completely unfazed.

To them, this was nothing more than a mid-tier devil trying to act intimidating.

Of course, Mahiru seeing a stray devil for the first time felt a slight chill run down her spine.

The Zombie World had been frightening, sure…

But the creatures there lacked intelligence.

This was different.

She instinctively moved closer to Lynn, gripping the sleeve of his coat.

Meanwhile, the stray devil realizing its scare tactic had failed stood there, momentarily awkward.

It sniffed the air—

And suddenly, its bloodshot eyes cleared slightly.

A devil?!

It's a devil!

Hadn't it already escaped from the Underworld?!

"Dammit! I already fled to this place, and you still won't let me go?!"

It roared in fury.

But despite its aggressive words, its feet subconsciously shifted backward.

Clearly, it had not had an easy time on the run.

Akeno smiled faintly.

"Oh? Looks like there's been a bit of a misunderstanding?"

Then—

She turned to Mahiru.

"Mahiru."

"Ah… yes!"

Mahiru instinctively responded when she heard her name.

Then, she realized what Lynn wanted her to do.

She clenched her fists, silently cheering herself on.

Shiina Mahiru, you can do this!

Don't let Mr. Lynn down!

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward.

Rias furrowed her brows.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked.

"Mahiru's strength is still just Low-Class Devil level, isn't it?"

Lynn paused, considering.

"You're right."

Snap!

He casually snapped his fingers.

And in an instant, glowing magic chains erupted from the ground beneath the stray devil, wrapping tightly around its body.

Clank! Clank!

The heavy chains rattled as they locked the creature in place.

"Wh-What the hell is this?!"

The stray devil struggled violently, but the chains didn't budge.

In fact, they tightened the more it fought.

Rias and Akeno's expressions shifted slightly.

Akeno, who had been smiling moments ago, now wore a serious look.

She exchanged a glance with Rias.

Lynn's casual display just now.

It wasn't just about magical control.

It also revealed something crucial about his magic quality.

To pull off a spell like that so effortlessly…

At the very least, neither of them could have done it so easily.

Rias took note of this and turned her attention back to Mahiru.

She wanted to see what Lynn was planning.

Mahiru, meanwhile, let out a small breath of relief.

Now that the terrifying stray devil was restrained, she felt a little less nervous.

Then—

Under everyone's gaze, she reached into her pocket and pulled out…

A pistol.

Rias: "???"

Before anyone could say a word, Mahiru raised the gun.

A dazzling white light gathered at the barrel's tip.

Bang!

The shot rang out.

"AAAAAHHH—!"

The stray devil howled in agony.

The holy light burned into its flesh, spreading like a toxin.

Its skin peeled away instantly, exposing muscle, veins, and even bone.

If it wasn't restrained by Lynn's chains, it might have been able to resist.

But now?

It could do nothing but scream.

"Mid-class devils sure are durable," Lynn mused.

Satisfied, he turned to Mahiru.

"Go ahead, Mahiru, fire away as much as you want."

Mahiru: "…"

Stray Devil: "@?...@#%!!"

(To be continued.)