"Utaha, Mahiru, it's time to level up."
"Mm!"
Mahiru nodded earnestly.
Utaha glanced over with a complicated expression. "Mahiru's ability values are all S-rank."
She felt a tinge of envy.
Right now, only her magic had reached S-rank. The other three attributes were still at A-rank.
Besides…
"Mahiru, haven't you been a little too hard-working lately?"
Mahiru lowered her head, a bit embarrassed. "I've been focused on the Zombie World lately."
Utaha looked at her in disbelief. "And you still find time to take care of the Master?"
Lynn's food, clothing, and daily life in the main world were all handled by Mahiru!
At that moment, the others cast complex looks at Mahiru.
Especially Miko.
She looked slightly ashamed… then let out a helpless sigh.
The cursed spirits she encountered lately were all low-grade. Even her Spirit Devouring ability was useless!
Because of that, Mahiru had surpassed her in experience points.
She needed a first-grade cursed spirit!
On the other side…
Lynn didn't waste time and directly helped them level up.
[Kasumigaoka Utaha]
High-Class Devil
Race: Devil
Contractor: Lynn Valefor
Strength: i0
Agility: i0
Endurance: i0
Magic: i0
Innate Abilities:
[Archivist Devil]
The Devil Tome can record magic, mystical arts, and other abilities, and release them through the tome. The more detailed the information recorded, the more complete the ability's release.
During Devil Fusion, the user and the Devil Tome become one, allowing the wielder to utilize all recorded content.
Accelerates magic growth.
[Endless Inspiration]
While in combat, generates tactical drafts by observing the enemy and environment, increasing party crit rate and resistance to status effects. Requires heavy dessert intake after battle to replenish mental energy.
Developmental Skills:
Thunder Break G
Creation B
---
As he reviewed Utaha's skills and development, Lynn suddenly asked, "How's your novel doing?"
"Huh?"
Utaha blinked, then smiled. "Sales are booming!"
"The Devil Lady and Her Faithful Servant," right?"
"Yeah!"
Utaha nodded quickly, proud.
"I see…"
Lynn stroked his chin. "Mahiru, remember to buy a copy for each Peerage member tomorrow. We have to support our members' side ventures."
"Okay."
Mahiru nodded seriously and made a mental note of it.
Utaha's smile stiffened a bit. She stammered, "Uhh… that's really not necessary, is it?"
Lynn: "?"
Utaha sighed slightly.
Sales were good.
But...
It had totally turned into a harem novel!!
That wasn't what she intended at all!
And yet...
The Devil Lady, modeled after her, was portrayed as a total loser!!
Unacceptable!!
How did it come to this?!
Utaha was falling apart inside!
So...
"Please…"
"Don't read it!!"
Utaha looked pitiful.
Seeing that, Lynn patted her head and smiled. "Don't worry."
Utaha breathed a sigh of relief.
The Master really cared for her after all!
"Each Peerage member gets three copies. One to keep, one to read, and one to recommend to others."
"!"
He's a devil!!
The more Utaha resisted, the more curious Lynn and the others became.
Now—
We have to read it.
That idea quietly spread among everyone.
Lynn finished copying Utaha's Blessing.
But by now, Utaha had already lost all motivation.
She could feel…
Social death was approaching.
On the other side…
Lynn began Mahiru's upgrade.
As her level sublimated, light shimmered faintly across Mahiru's back.
New information appeared on her Blessing.
[Shiina Mahiru]
High-Class Devil
Race: Devil
Contractor: Lynn Valefor
Strength: i0
Agility: i0
Endurance: i0
Magic: i0
Innate Abilities:
[Angel Devil]
Gains Holy, Light, and Dark attributes.
Fallen Angel Wings: Spread wings to release Light and Dark attribute attacks.
Accelerated agility growth.
Devil Transformation (Chaos Mode)
[Corridor of Obsession]
Sets an emotional anchor, choosing an object of obsession (person/concept).
Current Obsession: Earning Lord Lynn's reward.
Actions related to this obsession increase experience gain by 30%.
Developmental Skill:
Light Wing Amplification: C
(Each level increases flight speed by 10% and aerial dodge rate by 15%. At S-rank, unlocks Holy Light Particle Propulsion for short-range teleportation.)
---
Seeing Mahiru's new awakened skills, Lynn's expression turned a bit complex.
So…
It had become an obsession?
After a pause, Lynn pulled Mahiru into his arms.
"Huh?"
Mahiru froze.
Lynn stroked her head gently. "Here's your reward~"
"Mm…"
Mahiru's eyes widened. Her heart pounded!
In that moment, it felt like a new potential had been awakened.
She wanted more rewards!
Wanted more!!
"Hey!!"
Seeing this, the rest of the Peerage members began clamoring for rewards too.
Then they noticed Mahiru's newly unlocked ability.
"Mahiru, that's cheating~"
Utaha narrowed her eyes.
Now the Master would have to reward Mahiru regularly!
Unfair!
So envious!!
She wanted that ability too!!
What was the point of [Endless Inspiration]?!
Utaha flipped her own Devil Tome in protest!
Mahiru stared at her Blessing panel, deep in thought.
Such a good skill…
Now she had an excuse.
Her breathing grew heavier.
Joy sparkled in her eyes.
But…
Wouldn't this be unfair to the rest of the Peerage?
Mahiru hesitated a bit.
But...
Mahiru, you bad girl!
So…
It doesn't matter!
After updating the Blessings for all members who had gained experience from the Zombie World…
Lynn used a one-click update to synchronize the rest of the ordinary Peerage members.
He received a round of feedback.
Then, he reviewed the Peerage's current combat strength.
Two Ultimate-Class Devils. Four High-Class Devils. Several Mid-Class and Low-Class Devils.
It felt like the next world could be conquered entirely by his Peerage.
And they'd earn world invasion merit!
Peerage members could then use their achievements for experience, which in turn fed back to Lynn.
A perfect virtuous cycle!
Feels like…
The parasitic life is just beginning!
---
Evening.
Zombie World.
Lynn arrived as promised.
Trailing behind was the ever-clingy Inukimi.
At the Peerage's base, a group of Cursed Children had been waiting eagerly.
The moment Lynn appeared, they erupted in cheers!
"It's Lord Lynn!"
"Lord Lynn came to visit us!!"
With a few instructions, the Cursed Children swarmed around Lynn.
His arms and legs were covered with girls.
Inukimi poked her dog head out, eyes filled with question marks.
Then she was met with a sharp pair of crimson eyes.
Enju Aihara puffed up her cheeks and glared at Inukimi. "Damn it! That's my seat!"
Inukimi: "?"
Before she could react, Enju Aihara leapt up and wrapped herself around Lynn's neck, shooting Inukimi a smug look.
"Heh, little brat…"
Inukimi rolled her eyes.
She was a mature adult! Why would she compete with a little girl?
That said…
Her tail twitched "accidentally," brushing Enju's arm.
A second later.
Enju Aihara appeared a hundred meters away, dazed and confused.
Hmph!
Inukimi smirked in satisfaction.
You think you can take her spot?
You're 200 years too early!
Lynn chuckled as he comforted them.
The Cursed Children, having endured so much, were surprisingly well-behaved and lovable.
At the very least, Lynn enjoyed their pure affection.
"Kayo, it's been a while."
Lynn placed a large hand on Kayo Senju's head, gently rubbing it.
Kayo looked up, still expressionless.
But the warmth from Lynn's hand made her heart race.
After a while.
The Cursed Children scattered.
---
Two days later.
Lynn looked at the glowing [Devil's Summoning] on his system panel and smiled.
"Now it's time to get to work."
(To be continued.)