Chapter 197: Wait, what?!

"Lady Leviathan?"

Inside the Supernatural Research Club.

Seeing Serafall enter, Rias was momentarily surprised. She quickly put down the tea in her hand, stood up, and was about to greet her respectfully.

But Serafall casually waved her hand, stopping her.

Without hesitation, Serafall sat down on the sofa and immediately got to the point.

"So, how far have Lynn and Sona progressed?"

Rias's expression became a little odd.

Why was Serafall asking about this so suddenly?

Rias felt a wave of unease.

Could it be that Lynn's recent display of strength had satisfied the Sitri family and Serafall, prompting them to push the engagement forward?

Please, no!

Rias kept a calm face, but she was screaming internally.

Still, in response to Serafall's question, Rias chose to answer honestly.

"Well… there hasn't been much progress between them so far."

From what she knew, and based on the information she had received from Koneko, Sona and Lynn had barely spent any private time together.

Thinking of this, Rias felt a bit relieved.

She proceeded to share everything she knew with Serafall.

After listening, Serafall's expression became strange.

"So, in other words… it's Sona who has feelings for Lynn, but nothing has happened yet?"

Rias nodded slightly, though still feeling unsure. "That should be the case."

Hearing this, Serafall leaned back on the sofa, letting out a breath of relief.

She had been worried that Sona might already be as involved with Lynn as Katerea.

But now, it seemed she had been overthinking.

Serafall shook her head and laughed softly.

She had really been startled by how determined Sona looked earlier.

On the other side, seeing Serafall relax so quickly, Rias's expression turned a little complicated.

Something didn't feel right about this.

If the Sitri family was satisfied with Lynn, why did Serafall seem so relieved?

Rias hesitated, then tentatively asked, "Lady Serafall… does this mean the Sitri family is reconsidering the engagement?"

Serafall waved her hand. "Not exactly. But there may be some changes regarding Sona's engagement."

"Changes?"

Rias frowned.

Serafall sighed and pretended to look troubled. "You know how Sona has never been happy with this engagement."

"I'm her loving older sister, after all, so for her happiness…"

Serafall paused, then declared righteously, "I've decided to help her cancel the engagement!"

"Cancel the engagement?!"

Both Akeno and Koneko stopped what they were doing and looked at Serafall in shock.

Was this for real?

If they had heard this before knowing about Lynn's strength, it might have made sense.

But now?

Lynn had the power of a Maou-Class devil!

Would the Sitri family really let go of a fiancé with such potential just for the happiness of their daughter?

Akeno gave Serafall a strange look.

Could it be… Serafall hadn't discussed this with Sona yet?

Did Sona even want to cancel the engagement?

But…

If the engagement really was canceled, wouldn't that be great news for Rias?

Akeno quietly shifted her gaze toward Rias.

Then, she watched as Rias's expression went through a series of dramatic changes.

Shock. Confusion. Surprise. Suppressed excitement. Joy. Secret delight.

Akeno marveled at the complex series of emotions flashing across Rias's face like a performance.

On the sofa, Rias tried hard to keep her expression neutral, but anyone could see the joy sparkling in her eyes.

Sona, you were the one who gave up first!

Rias had always known that Sona would never proactively ask to cancel the engagement.

But whether Sona was willing or not, Rias didn't care.

This was her chance.

If the engagement between Lynn and Sona was dissolved, she could immediately propose changing the fiancé to herself. The Gremory family and her brother would surely support her fully.

As for the Phenex family?

They were pure-blooded, yes, but their value could not compare to a young, rising Maou-Class devil like Lynn.

However…

Just as Rias was about to get too excited, Serafall's tone suddenly shifted.

"With that said… even if it means sacrificing myself, I am prepared to do it!"

"…Wait, what?!"

Rias's expression froze.

Sacrificing herself?

What did that mean?!

Akeno and Koneko also looked at Serafall, confused.

This was not going where they had expected.

With a serious expression, Serafall slapped the table and declared, "So, I've decided to fulfill the engagement with Lynn on Sona's behalf!"

"???"

Rias's entire face was filled with question marks.

What did she mean by taking over the engagement?!

Who asked you to take over?!

Akeno and Koneko were equally dumbfounded.

Was this really happening?

The Supernatural Research Club fell into stunned silence.

No one knew how to respond to Serafall's bold declaration.

It took a long moment before Rias finally managed to speak.

"So… what you're saying is…"

"Lynn's future fiancée…"

"…is going to be you, Lady Leviathan?"

"That's right!"

Serafall nodded confidently.

She showed absolutely no shame about stealing her own sister's fiancé.

Rias's eye twitched violently.

How could this be considered dissolving the engagement?

Wasn't this just replacing Sona with an even stronger competitor?!

In that case, did she still even have a chance?

Rias opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.

Akeno looked at Rias with concern.

At first, they thought this might be good news… but now, it was clear things had gotten even worse.

Koneko, meanwhile, had paused for a moment, then calmly resumed eating her snacks as she watched the situation unfold.

She occasionally shook her head and sighed in her heart.

These devils are really hopeless.

Still arguing over marriage contracts and fiancées like this.

Meanwhile, countless girls from various factions had already shared a bed with Lynn.

Even she herself had tasted Lynn's sweetness.

Thinking about it, Koneko's face turned a little red.

But…

Because of her sister, she had never truly experienced Lynn's full affection.

Sigh…

When would she finally become an adult?

She also wanted to bear Lynn's child one day, just like her sister.

Koneko rested her chin on her hand, quietly lost in thought.

…

At the same time.

At the Fallen Angels' Headquarters.

The report that Lynn had single-handedly destroyed the Old Maou Faction had already reached their ears.

"…Him again?"

Azazel, who had been deeply engrossed in research on artificial Sacred Gears, was forced to put down his work.

Staring at the intel in front of him, he couldn't help but sigh.

The Old Maou Faction was not some minor force.

Lynn had crushed them entirely, and he had done it alone.

Even Azazel wouldn't have dared to attempt that.

Thinking of this, Azazel narrowed his eyes.

Lynn's strength was clearly more than just being able to kill Kokabiel in an instant.

With what he had displayed so far, he was at least at the level of a Super-Class devil.

Azazel stared at Lynn's file thoughtfully.

There would definitely be a place for Lynn at the upcoming Three Factions Meeting.

Nearby, after hearing the report, Vali's eyes burned with fighting spirit.

Though his expression also showed a hint of awkwardness.

After all, the organization he had just joined was now gone.

Completely wiped out.

This was… hard to process.

…

In the Underworld.

At the now-ruined base of the Old Maou Faction.

A young man with silver hair and red eyes quietly surveyed the desolate surroundings.

Siegfried stroked his chin, deep in thought.

The Khaos Brigade's Old Maou Faction had been annihilated by just one person.

But…

It didn't seem to have anything to do with the Hero Faction.

Still…

Siegfried narrowed his eyes.

Cao Cao would definitely be interested in this Lynn Valefor.

…

Meanwhile.

Deep within the Khaos Brigade's territory.

On the throne, the black-haired girl sitting high above slowly opened her eyes.

"The power of the snake…"

"It's been completely absorbed."

Ophis could no longer sense even the slightest trace of its presence.

What exactly had happened?

There was an odd, faint sense of connection to something else…

Ophis fell into silent contemplation.

(To be continued.)