DxD: Scion of Lucifuge-Chapter 349: Lisa’s Unsolved Mystery—Lumine’s Compromise

<><><><>

Seeing the massive Stormterror shrink down to such a small size surprised not only Amber but also Barbatos.

She realized she had underestimated Roy's power.

The ability to shrink Dvalin was astonishing.

This difference in perspective stemmed from their contrasting worldviews. To Roy, transforming Dvalin into a miniature pet was child's play.

Even a Mid-Class Devil could accomplish such a feat.

After Barbatos left, Roy, Amber, Lumine, and Paimon goes back to Mondstadt.

———

In Jean's office at the Knights of Favonius Headquarters—

While the Stormterror situation had been resolved, Jean still had a mountain of paperwork to deal with.

After she finished, Lisa emerged from her office and, seeing Roy's relaxed demeanor, sighed in relief.

"Let's go. Jean's ready for you," she said.

"Thank you," Lumine nodded. She wanted to ask Jean about her brother, though she wasn't very hopeful.

Roy, meanwhile, was playfully teasing the miniature Dvalin perched on his shoulder.

They entered Jean's office.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Jean said as they entered.

"It's fine," Lumine replied with a smile, glancing at Roy.

"Lumine, you have something to ask the Acting Grand Master, right? Go ahead," Roy said.

"Oh, thank you."

Lumine took a deep breath, then asked Jean about her brother.

As expected, Jean didn't know anything about him.

Lumine's face fell, though she had anticipated this.

"Traveler, if you want to find your brother, why not ask Roy?" Lisa suggested, looking at Lumine thoughtfully.

"Huh?" Lumine was confused.

Lisa, seeing that Roy didn't object, continued, "He's traveled extensively. He might know something."

"Really?" Lumine looked at Roy, her eyes filled with hope.

"I do know a few things about your brother, Aether," Roy admitted. He wasn't going to hide it. It would be fun to—spoil the plot for her a bit.

"Please, tell me!" Lumine clasped her hands together, pleading.

"It's—a long story. Simply put, your brother, Aether, is still alive. He started traveling in this world five hundred years before you, and he's already formed his own beliefs, his own mission. Even if you find him, it won't be easy. Your ideals clash..."

Aether's goal was to revive Khaenri'ah, whose people had mostly become abyssal creatures.

Lumine, on the other hand, had mostly fought against the abyss during her travels. freeweɓnøvel.com

Their opposing ideals meant they couldn't be together.

Lumine frowned, then looked at Roy expectantly, waiting for him to continue.

But Roy wasn't going to reveal everything just yet. He needed incentive.

Seeing his silence, Lumine's hope dwindled.

"Traveler, if you want to know the answer, you have to find it yourself. I'm sure you'll find your brother eventually," Lisa said, comforting her.

Lumine's spirits lifted slightly. "Thank you. Knowing he's still alive is enough. I'll continue my journey and find him."

"I didn't say I wouldn't tell you," Roy suddenly said.

"Huh?" Lumine had assumed she would have to search for the answer herself. This was a welcome surprise.

"If you want to know more about your brother, come find me—" Roy said, winking at her.

Lisa sighed, rolling her eyes. She knew what Roy was doing. He was manipulating Lumine.

With Lumine's naivete, she would likely be...conquered soon.

Lisa felt a pang of...something she couldn't quite define.

———

Jean frowned at Roy's manipulative tactics but didn't intervene.

Whether he told Lumine or not was his decision. And whether Lumine agreed was hers.

It wasn't her place to interfere.

Besides, she had her own problems to deal with.

She glanced at the miniature Dvalin perched on Roy's shoulder, still finding it surreal.

Stormterror—as a pet? And so small? It was unbelievable.

This, among other reasons, was why she couldn't interfere.

"Traveler, you'll be staying in Mondstadt for a while, right? If you need anything, come to the Knights of Favonius. I'll do what I can to help," Jean offered.

"Thank you, Acting Grand Master!" Lumine nodded gratefully. She did need help. She hadn't even figured out where to stay or how to find food.

But Jean had already considered this.

The Knights had plenty of room. Accommodating her wouldn't be a problem.

After leaving Jean's office—

Lumine approached Roy. "Roy, I want to know about my brother. Please tell me."

"That's easy. Become my servant—and I'll tell you everything," Roy said, looking at her with a smile.

"Servant?"

Lumine was confused, then she remembered hearing the term during her travels.

But—wasn't a "servant" just a pet?

Like how Dvalin was Barbatos's servant?

"How can you ask for such a thing?!" Paimon exclaimed, indignant.

"I wasn't talking to you, little one. Besides, everything has a price, doesn't it?" Roy chuckled, folding his arms.

"I'm not little!" Paimon protested, stamping her foot, then turned to Lumine. "Traveler, don't agree! He's a bad person!"

Lumine hesitated, unsure what to do.

"Roy, you're bullying Lumine again," Lisa said, emerging from Jean's office. She had overheard their conversation. It was just as she had suspected.

Roy was manipulating Lumine.

"Lisa—" Lumine looked at Lisa, her expression conflicted. She was truly pitiful.

Lisa sighed and glared at Roy. "I think you should lower your—demands. How about just asking her to go out with you? I'm sure she'll agree to that."

"Huh?" Lumine blushed. Becoming a servant felt degrading. She felt like a pet.

But "going out" was different.

If they were dating, that meant they might eventually—marry?

"Fine. I'll lower my demands. Lumine, if you agree to be my girlfriend, I'll tell you everything about Aether—including where he is now. How about it?" Roy shrugged.

"Everything—and his location?" Lumine was tempted.

"Traveler, don't fall for his tricks! We can find your brother ourselves. Eventually!" Paimon insisted.

Roy raised an eyebrow and flicked his finger. Paimon vanished in a flash of light.

"Paimon?" Lumine was worried.

"Relax, she's always clinging to you. I just—sent her away," Roy explained.

Lumine sighed in relief, then, after a moment of contemplation, she finally made up her mind.

"I agree to be your girlfriend. But you have to help me find my brother."

Roy smirked.

"No problem."

Lisa sighed inwardly. Lumine hadn't been able to escape Roy's grasp after all. But—perhaps this was the best outcome.