Dimitrie Vatler fell silent.
He had lost contact with Upananda...
That could only mean one thing, Upananda hadn't just been defeated and sent back to the other world.
It had been completely annihilated.
Dead?
Dimitrie Vatler's expression shifted slightly in disbelief.
Normally…
When familiars were defeated in this world, they would automatically return to the other world.
But this one…
One hit and Upananda was obliterated without even the chance to retreat?
"…"
His gaze darkened as he stared at Yukina.
That familiar was no mere beast.
If it had been the Warlord who destroyed Upananda, he wouldn't have been surprised.
But…
This girl?
He scrutinized Yukina more carefully, his gaze narrowing.
She was clearly a minor character…
Was it because of that weapon?
Vatler's eyes dropped to the Snowdrift Wolf Schneewalzer in her hand.
An uneasy feeling stirred in his chest.
There was something off about that lance.
—
Meanwhile, Yukari was more stunned than even Vatler.
Did Yukina really do that?
Destroy one of Vatler's familiars in a single strike?
Seriously?
Was this still the same disciple she raised?
Though shocked, Yukari's mind quickly shifted to the more pressing issue—the current link between Yukina and the Snow Wolf.
That technique just now...
It clearly utilized divine vibration waves to drive the power of the artifact.
But…
This wasn't the same technique she remembered.
It was far too powerful.
When had the Snowdrift Wolf developed such an ability?
Doubt flashed in Yukari's eyes.
Still…
What mattered more was the connection between Yukina and the Snow Wolf.
Just moments ago, Yukina had raised her hand, and the weapon had returned to her like a loyal hound.
It reminded Yukari of the artifact's previous wielder.
Touka Fujisaka.
Had Yukina now reached the same level of compatibility with the Snow Wolf?
No…
Maybe even deeper than Touka ever achieved.
After all…
She had just unleashed a technique no one had ever seen before.
Haa...
Yukari exhaled slowly, her eyes filled with complexity.
It had only been one day since she left. Yet Yukina had already undergone such a dramatic change.
Naturally, her thoughts turned to Lynn.
Had Yukina already made contact with him?
Perhaps…
She had even become part of Lynn's Peerage?
With that thought, Yukari activated her spiritual senses and looked closer.
Then—
"…A devil's aura..."
She muttered softly.
Confirmed.
Yukina had indeed become Lynn's Peerage member.
Yukari's heart thumped.
Well done, Yukina.
She felt equal parts admiration and relief.
Even though Lynn hadn't approached them directly, the pressure his presence exerted on the Lion King Agency was greater than anything Vatler could bring.
Now that Yukina was connected to Lynn, infiltrating his organization using Kirasaka Sayaka would become much easier.
Moreover…
Yukari was absolutely certain that Yukina's rapid growth and her strengthened bond with the Snow Wolf were the result of Lynn's influence.
But…
Just what had he done?
The Lion King Organization had trained shrine maidens for years, yet none had achieved the kind of leap Yukina had after just one day of contact.
—
On the other side.
Vatler also sensed the devilish aura coming from Yukina.
His eyes gleamed with amusement.
With a mocking tone, he said, "To think the Lion King Organization, mankind's top military institution, would collude with devils."
Yukari didn't respond.
What was the point of explaining anything to a vampire?
Vatler didn't expect an answer from her anyway.
Nor did he particularly care whether the Lion King Organization truly colluded with devils.
If this turned political, that was the Warlord's problem.
He only cared about one thing.
Tearing things apart!
Vatler narrowed his eyes and stared at the heavily breathing Yukina.
What he thought was just a harmless little bug on the side of the road had suddenly become a real opponent.
"You killed my lovely beast," he said in a low voice. "You think I'm letting that go?"
Whoosh—
Dark shadows formed behind him.
Massive serpentine silhouettes coiled behind his back, surging with hostility.
Lovely?
Yukina twitched at the word.
You call that monstrous thing… lovely?
She was speechless but kept her eyes locked on Vatler, tense and ready.
She knew she couldn't defeat him.
That last attack had drained nearly all her magic. And it had only taken down one of his summons.
Behind Vatler…
The shadows solidified into forms.
One, two, three, four…
Four enormous snake-like beasts stared her down with glowing green eyes.
Yukina: "…"
She had to admit.
She'd overestimated herself.
"Shuji."
Vatler's voice was calm.
At his command, a golden serpent rose into the air, then dived toward Yukina like a meteor!
Her pupils shrank as she leapt away from the spot with all her remaining strength.
BOOM!
The serpent crashed into the ground where she had just been, sending rocks and dust flying!
Yukina raised her arms to shield her eyes from the debris, staring intently at the impact zone.
Huff…
Shuji lifted its head from the crater, shook itself, and locked onto her again.
Yukina's grip tightened on the Snow Wolf.
She instinctively wanted to use that powerful technique again.
But—
"Ugh…"
She groaned, swaying on her feet.
She was out of magic.
Yukari quickly realized what was happening and tossed her a golden talisman.
The moment it hit her, her body lightened.
Her speed skyrocketed as she leapt aside, evading another blow from the golden snake.
Vatler's gaze flickered. "Monas."
ROAR—
Another massive black serpent surged forward.
Yukari stood protectively in front of Yukina.
Seeing her depleted magic, she handed her a potion.
But it wasn't very effective.
With concern in her eyes, she said, "Yukina, fall back. This battle is beyond what you can handle."
It was already surprising that she'd destroyed one of Vatler's beasts.
But he had too many of them.
Unless Yukina could use that ultimate technique again…
But then—
To her surprise, Yukina didn't leave.
Instead, she shook her head and looked at Vatler.
"He's already marked me as his target."
Exactly.
Even with Yukari in front of her, Vatler's attention was still locked on Yukina.
Yukari frowned and mocked, "What's wrong, Mr. battle maniac? Enjoying bullying the weak now?"
"Weak?"
Vatler chuckled. "She's not weak…"
After losing a familiar to her, he had already deemed her a worthy opponent.
Yukari narrowed her eyes, ready to speak again—
When Yukina suddenly tugged her sleeve.
"?"
Yukari looked at her in confusion.
Then she saw Yukina pull out…
A can of milk?
(To be continued.)
***
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