The so-called Moon Theft Ritual…
Was essentially just about stealing something?
Lynn looked expressionless. It really was the perfect ceremony to match the awakening of magical characteristics.
But…
Standing at the center of the ritual, looking at the designated target he was supposed to "steal," Lynn's expression turned deadpan.
"…I'm supposed to steal from the Infinite Dragon God?"
Forget it. This magical trait might be better left unawakened.
The moment Lynn saw the theft target, he immediately turned around and walked away without the slightest hesitation.
The others couldn't see Lynn's theft target and looked confused.
Only the head of House Valefor had caught a glimpse of the ritual's manifestation. His eyes lit up with shock and disbelief.
This man… he possesses Valefor blood?
Could it be that House Valefor is about to rise again?
Starting today?
Thinking of Lynn's terrifying strength, the Valefor patriarch's breath quickened. His hands trembled slightly from excitement.
Seeing this, the butler thought he was frightened and cautiously reminded him, "Master, he has left."
"What?"
The Valefor patriarch snapped out of his thoughts and immediately grabbed the butler's arm, speaking with urgency, "Did he leave any instructions?"
The butler shook his head.
The patriarch's face dimmed slightly in disappointment.
But then the butler hesitated before adding, "However…"
The spark of hope ignited again in the patriarch's eyes.
"Before leaving… he took some of the family's collections with him."
The Valefor patriarch froze.
He ran to the vault in a hurry. When he arrived and saw the nearly empty room, he fell into silence.
"…You call this 'some'?"
After a long moment, he finally spoke with a trembling voice, "…Yes. I can confirm now that he is definitely an orthodox Valefor."
That thieving attribute, what a perfect match!
The patriarch wanted to cry but had no tears.
Unfortunately, the bad news wasn't over yet.
The butler's expression grew serious as he continued, "Master, the Maou Beelzebub and the Demon King's Army were annihilated within our territory. This…"
The Valefor patriarch's expression changed drastically.
It was over.
How would they explain this to the Old Maou Faction?
After a long silence, the patriarch looked up. His eyes were resolute, and his voice was solemn.
"I've long detested the Old Maou Faction's cruel ways."
"From today onward, House Valefor will formally join the Reformist Faction!"
The butler: "...?"
Without another word, the patriarch shouted, "Quick! Pack up everything, we're heading for Reformist territory!"
Run now. If we don't, it'll be too late!
"Oh, right."
The patriarch suddenly turned back. "See if you can find Beelzebub's body. That bastard… take him with us!"
Whether it was the annihilation of the Demon King's Army or Beelzebub's corpse, they were proof of Valefor's "contributions" to the Reformist side!
Even if Lynn was the one who did it… Lynn was Valefor too. That counted!
And besides, it saved them from having to clean up afterward.
Shortly after House Valefor fled…
The news of Beelzebub's death reached the ears of the Old Maou Faction.
Asmodeus spoke in disbelief, "Beelzebub… he's really dead?"
"And the Demon King's Army under him?"
Aside from the hard-to-describe Lucifer, Beelzebub was their strongest Maou.
Now he was dead?
Didn't he just go out to gather troops?
How did he just… die?
Zereikel stayed silent for a moment before responding, "Beelzebub is confirmed dead."
No one below dared to joke about something like that.
"But…"
"The Demon King's Army he took was only a portion. You and I will assume control of what remains."
"…Fine," Asmodeus sighed.
That bastard Lucifer was never reliable. He hadn't even made a move yet.
Now one of their key combat powers was gone.
Seriously…
And to think Valefor, who was supposedly under the Old Maou Faction, was actually aligned with the Reformists?
And even managed to pull this off?
Killing a Maou and most of the Demon King's Army?
Just Valefor?
Something wasn't right.
Back in the Beelzebub household.
Shalba Beelzebub stood in place, stunned upon hearing the news.
After a moment of silence, hatred surged in his eyes.
"Valefor…"
He clenched his teeth. "Just you wait!"
He would train harder than ever before, rise to become the next Beelzebub, and reclaim his clan's honor!
Then he would take revenge on Valefor.
And the Reformists too!
Only the Old Maou Faction represented true devil orthodoxy!
On the front lines.
Grayfia's expression was complicated when she received the report.
"…Valefor?"
Isn't that where that man said he was going?
And as far as she knew, Valefor didn't have anyone that strong…
Which meant…
It was him.
Grayfia was now certain.
A flicker of doubt crossed her heart. "Is he… a Reformist?"
But then why didn't he attack her?
If he could kill Beelzebub, he definitely could've taken her down too.
Grayfia was confused.
As for Beelzebub's death… she wasn't upset at all.
If anything.
"…It feels easier now."
Whether Reformist or Old Maou, as long as one side lost, this endless war could finally end.
She recalled the man who'd proposed to her the first time they met.
"…Stronger than I imagined."
A strange light flickered in her eyes.
Could he be the one to bring an end to it all?
The moment that thought surfaced, Grayfia couldn't stop herself.
She wanted to…
Confirm it.
Her long-numb heart stirred again, filled with urgency and anticipation.
She had fought for far too long.
Now that there was even a sliver of hope, she wanted to reach for it.
…
Reformist Territory.
When House Valefor arrived in a panic, Serafall and Sirzechs were stunned.
Then they heard the news about Beelzebub's death.
What…?
Did the Old Maou Faction send someone to defect?
But…
This was great news!
Serafall and Sirzechs exchanged looks and saw shared excitement in each other's eyes.
A Maou of the Old Maou Faction had been eliminated just like that?
Yes. Yes. Yes!
Beautifully done!
Sirzechs looked solemn as he spoke, "The Reformist Faction will never forget the contributions of House Valefor!"
They had delivered an incredible gift.
A reward was definitely in order.
The Valefor patriarch let out a deep sigh of relief.
The Old Maou Faction was falling. The Reformists were Valefor's only hope now…
Of course, it would be perfect if Lord Lynn would lead them personally.
Maybe then House Valefor could secure a position in the Reformist power structure.
Serafall and Sirzechs offered generous rewards and even proposed a public commendation to recognize Valefor's "heroic act."
Maybe it would inspire other "aspiring devils" like Valefor to switch sides.
At the same time, they learned a name.
"…Lynn?"
Sirzechs and Serafall both fell into thought.
So Beelzebub was killed by this man?
A devil capable of taking down a Maou…
This was no ordinary person.
And…
"Lynn Valefor?"
Valefor actually produced a devil with such power?
Sirzechs and Serafall were surprised. Their expressions gradually turned serious.
House Valefor would need to be handled with caution from now on.
…
Elsewhere.
After leaving Valefor territory, Lynn casually wandered the Underworld.
Along the way, his thoughts returned to the Infinite Dragon God.
Honestly, stealing from her wasn't impossible…
Her personality was supposed to be easygoing.
But…
Lynn wasn't the kind to bet everything on memories from his past life.
This multiverse DxD was already wildly different from canon.
He couldn't rely on impressions.
Besides, she was a Dragon God. He wasn't ready to mess with her yet.
And those bastards from [Khaos Brigade] were another issue entirely.
Unless…
She came to him of her own will?
Then… could that still count as "stealing"?
In his arms.
Inukimi, having left Valefor territory, had remained unusually quiet.
She seemed deep in thought.
Her claws were nervously fidgeting with each other.
Ever since witnessing Lynn's true power, the image of him inviting her to join him kept replaying in her mind.
Should she…?
Her expression twisted in hesitation.
Lynn noticed and raised a brow. "Do you need to pee?"
He'd seen that look before.
Didn't she get scared the last time?
A devil-level battle right after entering the Underworld, it was only natural to panic.
With an understanding nod, Lynn reached over, grabbed the scruff of her neck, and tossed her away.
"Wait!"
Inukimi was startled, hurriedly clinging to Lynn's clothes. "No!"
Back in the safety of his arms, she let out a sigh of relief.
Then looked up at him with slightly flushed cheeks, her white fur tinged pink.
"…?"
Lynn blinked.
Was that… a setting?
Inukimi took a deep breath, seemingly having made a decision. Then…
She rolled over and exposed her belly.
"…??"
Lynn gave her a strange look. "You're…"
"Submission… I surrender!"
Her voice was filled with shame. She turned her head away, clearly uncomfortable.
As royalty of the Dog Demon Clan, she had just exposed her belly to a man.
But what choice did she have?
Back at Valefor, she had understood one thing.
Even in the terrifying Underworld, Lynn stood at the top.
Beelzebub—one of the strongest devils in the realm.
Yet… one punch.
Thinking of that scene made her shiver.
Especially remembering how the Dog Demon Clan had clashed with him before…
If things had gone wrong, their entire bloodline would have been wiped out!
Inukimi sighed deeply.
This world was vast.
Even a monster like her was just a rootless weed in the grand scheme of things.
The battles between the Dog Demons and the Leopard Cats in the Western Land now seemed so trivial.
After seeing the wider world, she had reflected a lot.
So she had made her decision.
For the sake of the Dog Demon bloodline.
To make the Western Dog Demons great again.
This was…
A necessary sacrifice.
Yes.
The responsibility of royalty.
Inukimi drew in a deep breath, looked up with unwavering eyes, and declared.
"Please, allow me to serve you!"
(To be continued.)