"I'm sure!"
Inukimi's voice was cold and resolute.
This was her responsibility as royalty of the Dog Demon Clan.
No matter the cost.
She was prepared to give everything.
Seeing her so determined, Lynn couldn't bring himself to reject her offer. He nodded. "Then it's settled."
"...?"
Inukimi blinked, unsure if she had misheard.
"What did you just say?"
She stared at him, a bit uncertain.
"You heard me right. I'm talking about you," Lynn replied calmly.
"..."
What—what did he mean?
Was the cost… herself?
Inukimi's mind reeled, trying to process it.
Seeing her confusion, Lynn smiled. "Would you like to become my Peerage member?"
"Peerage…?"
Inukimi quietly mouthed the word.
"…Is it something like the bond between a god and a shrine maiden?"
She was well-read and quickly caught on.
So… he was asking her to serve him?
Her eyelids twitched, her expression turning cold.
She, a highborn princess, was being asked to submit in such a vulgar and humiliating way?
Even if it was for the sake of her clan.
"Sir, we of the Dog Demon Clan don't need your pity!"
Seeing that Inukimi hadn't responded, the dog demons behind her grew restless.
For the sake of their survival, they wouldn't let their princess sacrifice herself!
They glared at Lynn in fury.
Even Sesshomaru's expression turned cold as he took a step forward.
No matter how powerful this man was.
The pride of the Dog Demon Clan could not be trampled.
Even in death, they would never bow!
Besides.
Facing overwhelming power only made their blood boil more.
But Lynn simply smiled, and an overwhelming aura burst from his body!
"Urgh—!"
The dog demons' eyes bulged, and with several thuds, they collapsed to the ground, unable to move.
Under the pressure, even Sesshomaru's expression began to crack.
He clenched his teeth, his body trembling… and then—bam!
Just like an ordinary soldier, he collapsed face-first into the sand.
Sesshomaru: "!"
Shame surged in his chest as his eyes reddened.
Damn it…!
Faced with such power, they were no more than ants!
The noble son of the Dog Demon Clan, forced to bow!
Even the Panther Tribe, still grieving the death of their chieftain, weren't spared.
They, too, collapsed into the sand with confused expressions.
Panther Tribe: "…"
And thus.
Only two figures remained standing on the battlefield.
Inukimi's expression was blank, but her heart tightened.
Fortunately, her clan wasn't truly harmed.
That realization brought her a moment of relief.
But…
This man was terrifying.
He was like something straight out of the Underworld.
She didn't know why, but Inukimi suddenly found herself dazed.
Still—Lynn wasn't unreasonable. He had borrowed the Meidō Stone. It would be absurd to turn around and kill them.
But…
A little pressure was necessary.
Lynn smiled as he looked at her. "Was that your idea of a suitable offering?"
"...Is this your enlightenment?"
Inukimi snapped back to her senses. Her fingers fidgeted as she awkwardly pressed them together.
She had meant to offer much.
But not herself!
There were countless treasures within the Dog Demon Clan, including rare ores and the bones of ancient beasts.
Yet he only wanted her?
"Phew…"
Inukimi sighed and forced a smile. "Our clan has many treasures. Are you sure you don't want any of them?"
"I could…"
Lynn grinned. "But if you belong to me, then doesn't everything in the Dog Demon Clan already belong to me too?"
Hearing those shameless words, Inukimi's eyes widened.
Her cold demeanor faltered.
So that's what he was really after?!
She opened her mouth slightly, completely at a loss.
Was this man even capable of shame?
"If you don't decide quickly, I'm leaving~"
Lynn's voice teased her like a devil's whisper.
Was she really going to entrust herself to this man she had only just met?
Inukimi hesitated.
This was about her people—and her future.
She had to be careful.
But Lynn wasn't interested in waiting forever.
Sure, Inukimi was a rare talent… but she wasn't irreplaceable.
Hadn't he left Natsuki Minamiya alone too?
Besides.
Inukimi needed him more than he needed her.
Lynn didn't hesitate. He began pouring magic into the Meidō Stone and a deep blue glow burst into the air.
Buzz—
A spatial rift to the Underworld opened above.
As Lynn poured in more magic, the rift grew until it could fit a single person.
He gave her a wave and stepped in.
"Bye~"
Inukimi, still frozen in hesitation, widened her eyes.
"Wait!"
As Lynn's figure faded into the portal, Inukimi panicked, shifted into her smaller form, and leapt in after him at full speed.
In the next second.
The portal closed.
The oppressive pressure vanished, and the dog demons and panthers let out sighs of relief as they slowly stood.
"Uhh…"
"Where's the princess?"
They looked at each other, having had their faces buried in sand the whole time.
"D-Don't tell me…"
"She really ran off with that guy?"
Dog Demons: "…"
The mood turned strange.
"Haha! Your princess just got stolen right in front of you!!"
The panthers burst into laughter.
Their grief evaporated. So what if they'd lost their chieftain?
If the Dog Demon Clan was humiliated, that was a win!
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at them coldly.
The man was gone…
But you lot?
You're fair game.
His hand went to his waist—then froze.
Right…
Tenseiga had been taken away.
"…Haa."
Now he was even angrier.
"…Die!"
Sesshomaru could no longer hold back and charged toward the panthers.
…
Underworld.
Lynn looked blankly at the little white dog clinging to his shoulder.
Inukimi awkwardly dug her claws in.
She had jumped in on impulse…
Now what?
If she remembered correctly, the Underworld was in chaos right now.
She often used the Meidō Stone to spy on it, so she was familiar with the situation.
And right now.
The Underworld was in absolute turmoil!
Inukimi trembled slightly, but forced herself to act composed.
"I know the terrain here. I was afraid you'd get lost… so I followed you."
"So thoughtful?"
Lynn gave her a smile.
"I thought you were just eager to become part of my Peerage?"
Inukimi bit her lip, turned her head, and refused to look at him.
But her little paws clung tightly to his shoulder.
In the Underworld, Lynn was the only thing giving her a sense of safety.
Seeing such a human-like reaction on a little dog was amusing.
Honestly…
She was kind of cute.
Her white fur, the violet crescent moon on her forehead… there was an unspoken elegance to her.
She poked his shoulder. "There's really nothing good here…"
"Why don't we just go back?"
"If you're scared, you can go back first."
Lynn's response hit her like a hammer.
"Scared?!"
Inukimi glared, her pride flaring.
She was the noblest royal of the Dog Demons!
In an instant, her expression turned icy again.
As if she had suddenly remembered her status.
BOOM—
A massive explosion shook the distance.
The magic radiating from it made Inukimi tremble. Her cold act crumbled as she burrowed into Lynn's chest.
Lynn raised a brow.
"…Are you really royalty?"
Inukimi peeked out with a slightly embarrassed look.
She was always graceful and regal.
But today was different.
She'd allow herself this moment of cowardice.
As they spoke, the source of the magic arrived.
A woman with silver hair and a cold expression stepped forward—fresh from slaying rebel devils.
Grayfia Lucifuge stared at Lynn, expressionless.
"…Did you come to kill me too?"
She could tell how strong he was.
But when she sensed his magic, she still approached.
He wasn't someone she recognized.
He didn't seem to belong to the Old Maou Faction.
So…
Could he be her end?
Grayfia, tired of the bloodshed, almost welcomed death.
"Kill you?"
Lynn shook his head, smiling. "No. I'd rather bring you into my Peerage."
He hadn't expected to encounter Grayfia as soon as he entered the Underworld.
What kind of luck was this?
Fated encounter, maybe?
Grayfia frowned slightly.
In this chaotic era, the Evil Piece system didn't yet exist.
So she didn't understand what Lynn meant.
From Lynn's chest, Inukimi peeked up again.
Is this guy the god of lust or something?
Why did he try to make every woman serve him the moment he met them?
Lynn noticed Grayfia's confusion and decided to switch tactics.
"Would you like to be my queen?"
"…Queen?"
Grayfia was stunned.
"…Are you… proposing to me?"
"Hmm…"
Lynn thought for a moment. "You could see it that way."
Grayfia went quiet.
This was… a first.
She'd spent so many years fighting, killing.
And now, suddenly, this bizarre man came along.
But—
"…Sorry. I still have unfinished business."
Grayfia politely rejected Lynn's proposal.
But—
She wouldn't forget this odd encounter.
She stared at his face one last time.
Not… a bad-looking man.
"…If this war ever ends, maybe I'll consider marrying you."
With that, she turned and headed for her next battlefield.
(To be continued.)