— — — — — — —
Yuigahama Residence
Since Mrs. Yuigahama wasn't home, Yui took the opportunity to invite Yukino, Utaha, and Miko inside.
Kasumigaoka Utaha scanned the room, checking for any particularly troublesome spirits. Finding nothing too outrageous, she left the rest to Miko.
These spirits were of no use to her at her current level anyway.
Yotsuya Miko, however, had a special ability that made her exceptionally effective against spiritual entities.
With just a casual stroll through the house, she poked each lingering spirit one by one. The moment she touched them, they popped like balloons—completely vanishing without a trace.
Watching Miko exorcise them so effortlessly, Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui fell silent.
These spirits, which had terrified them daily, were nothing more than fragile glass ornaments in Miko's hands.
This... This was the difference between an ordinary person and someone with supernatural abilities.
A tinge of regret surfaced in Yukino's heart.
'A Familia... huh.'
A flicker of reminiscence passed through her eyes.
Deep down, she felt a pang of regret.
Back then, in her rush to escape from supernatural affairs, she had left without hesitation.
But just as Lynn had said—There was no turning back anymore.
She had even considered ways to make herself "unable to see" the supernatural again.
But wouldn't that just be self-deception?
Even if she couldn't see them, she already knew the truth. She would still be aware, still be afraid.
If she had already stepped into this world, then why bother running away?
She let out a slow breath, calming herself down.
Quietly, she waited for Miko to finish her purification.
She knew this exorcism was just a temporary fix. It didn't address the root cause—at most, it would bring some temporary peace.
'Supernatural abilities...'
If she could wield them too, would things be different?
Lost in thought, she stared blankly ahead.
---
Supernatural Research Club
Lynn activated [Devil's Contract], vanishing from the Club.
Shiina Mahiru rested her chin in her palm, quietly watching the spot where Lynn had disappeared. She murmured, "May your path be ever prosperous."
— — —
Tokyo Area
Seitenshi, the governor of the Tokyo Area, held a freshly rejected copy of the New Gastrea Law in her hands. Her eyes were filled with frustration.
"Why?"
The Cursed Children were human too.
Shaking her head, she sighed and turned to the next document in her stack—only to freeze in place.
"This is..."
She picked up a piece of black parchment covered in strange, indecipherable runes.
Just staring at it made her feel lightheaded.
"Pray to the Devil, sign the contract, and he shall answer you?"
There were no recognizable words or characters on the paper.
And yet—somehow—she had understood it perfectly.
"A supernatural phenomenon?"
Her expression stiffened.
"A Devil, huh..."
She glanced at the New Gastrea Law sitting on her desk.
Then, closing her eyes, she interlocked her fingers in front of her chest.
If making a deal with the Devil was what it took to pass the law and protect the Cursed Children...
Then so be it.
Without hesitation, she signed her name on the parchment.
She blew lightly on the ink, helping it dry faster, and let out a small chuckle.
"Will you really answer me, Devil?"
There was a hint of anticipation in her gaze.
She knew it was unlikely. But she still hoped.
A powerless girl, burdened with this role she never asked for...
If sacrificing herself meant she could do something good for the world—She would gladly accept that fate.
This was probably just someone's prank, right?
Someone must have seen how stressed she was and left it here to cheer her up.
That was the only explanation.
Or so she thought—
Until the parchment in front of her suddenly burst into a radiant glow!
"Eh...?"
Seitenshi's lips parted slightly, her eyes widening in shock.
A deep, unfamiliar voice echoed—
"Hmm! Are you... my contractor?"
Thump-thump!
Her heartbeat instantly sped up. Her eyes went round as she felt her throat go dry.
'I-It's real? The Devil... actually answered?'
A wave of helplessness washed over her.
A Devil… that had to be terrifying, right?
She didn't dare to breathe too loudly, her body stiff as she slowly turned her head.
And then she saw him—
A young man.
For a moment, she blinked in confusion.
'Wait... a handsome Devil?'
'No, no, no. He has to be human, right?'
A wave of relief rushed through her.
Of course.
There was no such thing as Devils in this world.
It had to be a prank.
But the effects were incredibly realistic...
Where exactly did this man come from?
Still dazed, she watched as Lynn casually walked up and picked up the New Gastrea Law from her desk.
"Getting this law passed... that's your request?"
"Black Bullet, huh..." Lynn smirked.
This world really could use a Devil.
After all, sometimes it takes a villain to deal with villains.
And while he wasn't a villain—he was a Devil.
"Um... excuse me, sir..."
Seitenshi hesitated, unsure how to address him.
"Just call me Lynn."
"Ah, alright... Mr. Lynn!" She fumbled for a moment before finally composing herself.
Taking a deep breath, she slipped back into her usual authoritative demeanor, her amethyst eyes sharpening.
"First question—how did you even get in here?"
Though her tone was firm, her hand had subtly moved closer to the emergency alarm.
Lynn, unfazed by her cautious movements, simply shrugged and replied in a relaxed tone— "Didn't you summon me yourself?"
"I... did?"
Seitenshi froze.
"The Devil's Contract. You literally just signed it—did you already forget?" Lynn gave her an exasperated look.
"E-Eh? But wasn't that just a joke?"
"A joke? Who told you that?"
"Well, it's just that... Mr. Lynn, you don't exactly..."
She was about to say "You don't look like a Devil," but before she could finish—
Lynn grinned.
And with a single motion, his massive, jet-black wings unfurled behind him.
"I am a Devil."
Seitenshi's mouth opened, but no words came out.
W-Wings?!
T-This was real?!
Her mind went blank.
She had never been in a situation like this before.
No one had ever taught her how to negotiate with a Devil!
Her brain, usually so sharp, scrambled for a response.
Meanwhile, Lynn chuckled.
'Seriously?'
'She summoned a Devil, and now she's acting all surprised?'
Without giving her time to overthink, he folded his wings back and got straight to the point.
"I'll take your request. Once it's done, I'll come back for what I want in return."
"W-Wait!" Seitenshi blurted out, stopping him in his tracks.
Her request... right.
She had wished for the law to be passed.
If Mr. Lynn really could make that happen... then maybe this wasn't so bad?
If he truly was a Devil, then perhaps he had the power to accomplish it.
But she needed to know—
"Mr. Lynn, your goal is to ensure the New Gastrea Law is passed, correct?"
"That's right."
"Then... how exactly do you plan to do it?"
She knew all too well that many high-ranking officials were firmly against the law.
That was the main reason it kept getting blocked.
What method would a Devil use?
Lynn's lips curled into a smirk.
"How?"
His voice was calm.
Cold.
"Simple. I'll just kill everyone who disagrees."
.
.
.