Shuchiin, old school building.
Supernatural Investigation Club.
Yukina froze in place, then stiffly turned her head to look at the Snowdrift Wolf Schneewalzer, which was now held firmly in Lynn's hand.
What happened to the so-called sovereignty over the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven?
How did it suddenly end up in someone else's hands?
Lynn casually weighed the Snowdrift Wolf in his palm, his eyes showing a trace of curiosity.
This spear… clearly isn't as simple as it appears on the surface.
More importantly…
He hadn't even moved, yet the Snowdrift Wolf had flown into his hand on its own.
Does it have a will of its own?
Lynn narrowed his eyes slightly, channeling magic power into the weapon.
Buzz—
In an instant, the divine vibration wave drive technique engraved into the gun's frame activated.
Wisps of white mist swirled around it, the gun body trembling faintly and releasing soft bursts of sound, as if it were… joyful?
Himeragi Yukina's eyes widened in disbelief.
The Snowdrift Wolf…
It was responding so eagerly to someone else!
And…
Why did it seem even happier than when she used it herself?!
The Snowdrift Wolf had never shown this kind of reaction to her before.
Yukina pursed her lips tightly, her expression clearly unhappy.
Lynn narrowed his eyes, gazing at the softly humming Snowdrift Wolf, and muttered, "It's still not enough…"
There was still more power sealed deep within this weapon, waiting to be uncovered.
Following his instincts, Lynn continued pouring magic into it.
The next moment—
Buzz—
The Snowdrift Wolf's trembling suddenly stopped. A radiant, multicolored stream of light burst forth from its barrel.
Lynn's eyes flashed as a wave of information poured into his mind.
"Return the world to its origin…"
Lynn murmured to himself, a gleam of understanding flickering in his eyes.
So this was the Snowdrift Wolf's true power.
The so-called "Return the World to Its Origin"—
To put it simply, it erased any existence sustained by magic.
In other words…
A more bloodthirsty, aggressive version of the "Fantasy Breaker."
Lynn smacked his lips in thought.
Could the Lion King Organization, merely a human organization, really create something like this?
If humans were truly capable of developing such a weapon, they would have stood atop the supernatural world long ago.
However…
From the information transmitted by the Snowdrift Wolf, Lynn also learned that the core of this Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Spear Mark Seven wasn't originally human-made.
Its true origin was a relic of the former Heavenly Department.
The [Demon-Breaking Holy Spear], one of the Three Great Holy Spears.
This was the true source of its ability to "Return the World to Its Origin."
The Lion King Organization had merely managed to develop the divine vibration wave drive technique on the surface.
They had no idea that the weapon's true power had been sealed away beneath that outer layer.
But…
Lynn could hardly blame them. Without the ability to unlock such power, how could they possibly know?
Lynn rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
In this anime world where multiple universes had fused together, perhaps there were some deviations in the origin and history of these celestial artifacts.
It seemed like there were still plenty of mysteries in this world worth exploring.
Moreover…
Lynn opened his personal panel. Under the [Devil's Summoning] section, the invasion progress of the main world had increased again.
Especially after Yukina had officially joined his Peerage.
Was it because of her ties to the Strike the Blood universe?
Lynn had a few vague guesses forming in his mind.
If he wanted to fully complete the invasion of the main world, he might need to interact with every connected world view.
But…
Lynn wasn't in a hurry.
He turned his focus back to the Snowdrift Wolf, planning to test out its "Return the World to Its Origin" ability.
"Mahiru, fire at me."
"Huh?"
Mahiru was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered. Without questioning further, she drew out the Blazing Spear she had received from Rias, charging it with light-element magic.
Bang!
A glowing projectile shot forward.
Lynn raised the Snowdrift Wolf, not using any defensive skills or abilities.
He simply pointed the gun barrel directly at the incoming light bullet.
Buzz—
The Snowdrift Wolf flashed, and the magic-infused bullet vanished in an instant, erased as if it had never existed.
"…?"
Yukina stood frozen, her face full of confusion.
What just happened?
Mahiru blinked in surprise, then narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.
"It looks like… the magic I just released was completely erased."
"It felt like… wiping something off a painting with an eraser."
Lynn put away the Snowdrift Wolf and gave a simple explanation of the weapon's true capabilities.
"'Return the World to Its Origin,' huh…"
Mahiru's eyes widened slightly in awe.
She hadn't expected the weapon to hide such terrifying power.
Yukina's mind was spinning.
"Return the World to Its Origin"…?
She had been using the Snowdrift Wolf all this time, yet she had never known it possessed such an ability!
As she stood there still in shock, Lynn casually tossed the Snowdrift Wolf back to her.
Reflexively, Yukina caught the weapon.
The moment it touched her hands, the radiant glow of the Snowdrift Wolf immediately faded, returning to its dormant state.
"…?"
Yukina stared at the now-quiet weapon.
She couldn't help but feel that the Snowdrift Wolf…was silently expressing its disappointment.
It didn't like her?
Suppressing that thought for the moment, Yukina raised her head, looking at Lynn with obvious confusion.
Wasn't the Snowdrift Wolf better suited for him?
Why give it back?
But Lynn offered no explanation.
Indeed, the Snowdrift Wolf was a good fit for him.
However, Lynn wasn't about to start snatching weapons from his own Peerage members.
Besides…
Even though Yukina held the spear physically, through the connection he now shared with the Snowdrift Wolf, Lynn could summon it to his side at any moment if he wished.
Compared to Yukina, his control over the Snowdrift Wolf was absolute.
Lynn leaned down slightly, gently pinching Yukina's chin.
His lips curled into a faint smile.
"Now then… it's time to talk about business."
Yukina's cheeks turned slightly red from the warmth of his hand, her amber eyes filled with confusion.
Business?
Just as she was about to ask, Lynn's calm voice rang out.
"You were sent here by the Lion King Organization, weren't you?"
Yukina's entire body shuddered violently.
She froze, like a statue.
He knew?!
Since when?!
"From the very beginning," Lynn replied with a smile, as if reading her thoughts.
"!"
Panic flashed across Yukina's eyes.
If he knew all along…
Then why did he still allow her to join his Peerage?
Why hadn't he stopped her?
Seeing the confusion and fear in her eyes, Lynn chuckled softly.
"Why wouldn't I accept a Peerage member who delivers herself right to my door?"
Yukina: "…"
Her lips pressed into a thin line as a shadow fell over her eyes.
It was over.
Not only was Sayaka in trouble… now, she herself was trapped too.
Yukina fell into silence, her heart weighed down by dread.
Was he going to torture her next?
Seal her powers? Imprison her?
Don't tell me he plans to—
But just as those thoughts began swirling in her mind, Lynn reached out, placing his hand gently atop Yukina's head.
She froze again, body tense, hands clenched, not daring to move a muscle.
Several seconds passed.
Finally, Lynn spoke again.
"I don't care who you worked for before."
"From the moment you became my Peerage member… your life belongs to me."
With that, Lynn turned away without saying more.
He looked toward Mahiru and instructed calmly, "Mahiru, take them to get familiar with the Peerage."
"Yes, Master Lynn."
"…?"
Yukina was stunned.
That was… it?
No interrogation?
No imprisonment, torture, or threats?
Nothing?
She couldn't help but feel a bit dazed.
Wasn't this different from what she had expected?
Mahiru crouched down beside her with a smile.
"Alright, newbies. Let's start with an adventure to another world, shall we?"
It was a tradition for new Peerage members.
They would first participate in monster subjugation, learning how to level up and master their newly acquired abilities.
A short while later…
Yukina, along with Marin, followed Mahiru through the dimensional gate, leaving the Supernatural Investigation Club.
Lynn silently watched their figures disappear into the portal, his eyes narrowing slightly.
The Lion King Organization…
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Their exact intentions remained unclear.
But honestly…
The Lion King Organization had been very generous.
In just a short time, they had sent him two valuable talents.
One was Himeragi Yukina, now a part of his Peerage.
The other was Kirasaka Sayaka, currently still tied up at his manor.
Lynn tapped his finger against the armrest.
Would they send even more?
Heh.
Back at the Lion King Organization—
Yukari sneezed suddenly, muttering softly to herself.
"Someone must be talking about me."
Hmm… was it Yukina?
Thinking of that, Yukari's expression became slightly complicated.
"I wonder how Yukina is doing over there…"
Just as she was about to dwell on the thought further, Shirona Kuraki's voice echoed in the room.
"Someone from the Domain is here. Emergency meeting, now."
"…?"
Yukari sighed helplessly, standing up.
The Domain…
Her eyes darkened slightly.
Could it be…
Is this about that matter?
It seemed that more trouble was on the horizon.
(To be continued.)