Opposite Yukina, Dimitrie Vatler stood in stunned silence.
Where was his massive sea of snakes?
Where did they all go?!
He tried reaching out to his familiars.
But…
Gone.
All of them.
Not a single one left.
Was he… alone now?
Dimitrie stood there dumbfounded, unable to accept this abrupt shift.
What just happened?
They were on the brink of victory. He was about to crush them.
But now, he was the one left stranded?
His eyes locked on Himeragi Yukina.
Then…
His gaze fell on the shadow standing beside her.
Lynn.
What drew his attention most was the spear in Lynn's hand.
It was the weapon wielded by that witch, but now…
It felt different.
Dimitrie narrowed his eyes at the brilliant, multicolored glow emanating from the Snowdrift Wolf Schneewalzer. A strange, unsettling feeling crept into his chest.
His instincts screamed that the disappearance of the snake sea was tied to the sudden arrival of this man and the changed form of that spear.
And…
This man looked familiar.
Where had he seen him before?
Puzzled, Dimitrie stared at Lynn and spoke in a low tone, "Was it you… who did something?"
Lynn didn't respond. He simply patted the body of the Snowdrift Wolf.
The Snowdrift Wolf immediately understood and charged straight at Dimitrie Vatler.
Dimitrie Vatler: "?!"
There was no time to think. He quickly shifted form.
Crack—
His pristine white suit tore apart, transforming into a massive snake to block the Snowdrift Wolf!
At the same time.
Shirona Kuraki and Koyomi Shizuka arrived from the meeting room and witnessed the clash.
A strange glint flickered in their eyes.
The Snowdrift Wolf…
It could be used like this?
More importantly.
The Snowdrift Wolf was clearly a weapon from the Lion King Organization, so how could a devil wield it with such mastery?
They felt a twinge of unease but quickly buried it, rushing to Yukina's side.
"Shirona, Koyomi?"
Yukina's eyes widened in surprise when she saw them.
Even with Shirona's face hidden by her veil, Yukina recognized her immediately from her distinctive hair and eyes.
Wait a second…
How did her former classmates end up here, in the Lion King Organization?
And…
Did they just come out from inside?
Yukari crossed her arms with an annoyed expression.
"So you finally decided to show up?"
She huffed. "You're the so-called Three Saints, yet you just sat back while my disciple and I fought that monster."
Shameless.
Yukari cursed them in her heart but didn't dare say it aloud.
Ahem…
It's not like she was afraid of Shirona's revenge or anything. Definitely not that.
"Huh?"
When Yukina heard her master refer to them as the Three Saints, she was stunned. She stammered, "Th-Three Saints?"
"That's right~"
Yukari nodded casually and answered for them. "These two are part of the legendary Three Saints of the Lion King Organization~"
Now that Shirona and Koyomi had appeared, there was no longer any need to hide it from Yukina.
Not to mention…
With Lynn present, secrecy wasn't even an option.
Hearing her master's confirmation, Yukina felt her mind go blank.
The elusive and mysterious Three Saints of the Organization…
One of them was her classmate from elementary school?!
Her vision spun for a moment.
She quickly straightened up and tried to maintain a respectful demeanor.
But…
Thinking about how they used to share snacks in school made it hard to hold that expression.
Her face twitched uncontrollably.
Shirona's brow twitched when she saw Yukina's awkward face.
She was also a little embarrassed now that her identity was exposed.
But…
There was no helping it.
Shirona composed herself, pretended not to notice Yukina, and turned toward Lynn.
"I was unaware that Lord Lynn would grace our humble domain. Forgive me for not welcoming you. I am truly filled with regret."
She lowered her head slightly, her voice and posture filled with deference despite the veil.
"Regretful?"
Lynn glanced down at her with a half-smile. "You sent agents into my territory and arranged for Himeragi Yukina to join my Peerage. Is that what you call regret?"
Shirona stiffened.
As expected.
She had anticipated that Lynn would confront her over these matters.
But she had already prepared her explanation.
She looked up with a sincere gaze.
"It was indeed our failure regarding Kirasaka Sayaka."
Regardless.
Shirona truthfully explained the Organization's internal decisions.
She didn't lie or make excuses. She simply admitted fault.
After all…
She had no confidence that lies could fool someone who surpassed even a Maou.
Sincerity was safer.
"I made a mistake," she continued. "And I will make it right as soon as possible. So…"
She looked toward Himeragi Yukina.
Lynn raised an eyebrow. "So you sent Yukina over to me?"
Shirona nodded. "I heard that all of Lord Lynn's Peerage members are exceptionally gifted. Himeragi Yukina is the chief priestess of this generation. I believed she might win your favor."
Himeragi Yukina: "?"
She blinked, confused. Then suddenly panicked. "Wait! Didn't you say I was being sent to rescue Sayaka?!"
Hearing this, Shirona gave her a gentle, apologetic smile. Hidden by the veil, her expression remained unreadable.
Yukina turned to her master, only to find Yukari gazing up at the sky and muttering wistfully, "The moon is really round and bright tonight."
Yukina: "…"
"Master, it's a crescent moon tonight."
"…Ah?"
Yukari laughed it off and waved her hands. "Y-Yeah, yeah…"
Seeing that reaction, Yukina finally understood.
Her master had known all along!
So…
She wasn't sent to save Sayaka?
She had been offered to Lord Lynn from the start as a prospective Peerage member?
"Hmm…"
Yukina puffed her cheeks slightly, a little upset.
Sure, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Becoming Lynn's Peerage member had already brought her a ton of benefits.
But it still left a bitter taste.
Yukari scratched her cheek awkwardly. "Sorry, Yukina…"
Meanwhile—
Shirona continued, "As for Kirasaka Sayaka…"
"If Lord Lynn is interested, she can also be offered."
Lynn responded flatly, "You're quite generous…"
If he remembered correctly—
Yukina and Sayaka were the top two shrine maidens in the Organization right now.
Still, Lynn didn't care much.
Even if Shirona wanted them back, he wouldn't return anything.
And more than those two…
What caught Lynn's eye now were the Three Saints standing before him.
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then turned toward Shirona and reached out.
He lifted her chin with his hand.
Shirona's body trembled violently, but…
She didn't move.
She remained frozen, allowing Lynn to do as he pleased.
Off to the side.
Koyomi Shizuka watched calmly, her face neutral even as turbulent emotions stirred in her heart.
Meanwhile, Yukari, still comforting Yukina, shot a glance at the stiffened Shirona and felt a small surge of satisfaction.
Serves her right, after everything she did to them and their disciples.
Karma.
Shirona's head was gently tilted upward. Lynn stared at the veil for a moment, then removed it without hesitation.
In the next second.
A delicate and refined face was revealed before his eyes.
Lynn nodded with clear satisfaction.
"Not bad. You're very suitable to become a member of my peerage."
(To be continued.)