The Devouring Dragon-Chapter 56: Familiar Hunting

"You came here to get a familiar, right?" I asked Rias, standing in front of her and her peerage as they ate breakfast.

"I did, but obviously that didn't go as planned," Rias nodded, her tone slightly dry as she looked at me curiously, "Why?"

"After you're done eating, I'll get you all one," I said simply, gesturing at the group of Rias, Akeno, Koneko, and Kiba.

"Y-You will?" Rias blinked, clearly taken aback.

"I'll make sure you get a good one, too," I grinned widely at her, "You can forget about whatever little monster you were coming to look for, I'll make sure you get something strong."

Rias's original familiar was a tiny bat, which was useful because it could shapeshift, but it was overall pretty disappointing. Of the three women and Kiba sitting in front of me, pretty much all of them had lame familiars that could only be used for distributing contracts and gathering information.

But I knew that Tiamat's previous territory had some seriously strong monsters. I had planned to either use [Devour] on them or force them to be my subordinates if they seemed useful, but they could help me twice as much this way.

I'd make them become familiars for the devils, thus gaining reputation with them for my quests and gaining strong subordinates in the process. They technically wouldn't be my subordinates, but I had no intention of ever letting Rias, Sona, Ravel, Latia, or their companions go, so they would be under my control anyway.

"Unless you don't want one?" I continued as Rias looked at me suspiciously.

"N-No, that would be great," Rias said hastily, "I'm just surprised you're willing to help us so much. You've even been helping us train... why are you doing so much for people you call 'hostages'?"

"Don't get the wrong idea," I said as Rias looked at me strangely, "I've been pretty open about my intentions, haven't I? It's not because I have any ulterior motives, or because I'm a good person, or anything like that. I already told you, it's because..."

I leaned forward, placing my hand on the table as I stared into Rias's eyes, my face only a few inches from her, "You're mine. You and your peerage belong to me now, and I take care of my people."

I pulled back as Rias blushed lightly, pulling back my arms as I stood up, "When you're done eating, come see me. I'll find you a familiar stronger than anything you've ever imagined."

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With that said, I left the dining room, leaving Rias and the other devils to their thoughts.

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"I could be doing so many other things with my time right now," Tiamat said dryly, walking behind me through the final forest-esque section of my territory.

"Like sleeping?" I replied just as dryly, and Tiamat actually nodded.

"Sleeping is never a waste of time," Tiamat answered sagely. "Why do I even have to come with you?"

"Because you're more familiar with the area," I answered, gesturing vaguely at the forest around us, "I want to make sure I don't miss anything."

We were walking through the final undeveloped area of my territory, which was the section of the forest that Tiamat had previously lived in. I had waited on developing the area in order to trick the devils into believing it was safe to send Rias, Sona, and Ravel, which had worked.

Ajuka Beelzebub had apparently been trusting enough of Tiamat's words not to come check out my territory himself, which came more from him wanting to stay isolated in a room working on inventions than actual trust, but he had sent numerous less-important devils to get familiars before Rias's group arrived. As a result, keeping the area untouched had been a good call.

But now that the devils were more than aware of my existence, I could start incorporating the section into the rest of my kingdom. That meant I needed to clear out all the monsters living in it so development could begin.

"You think I know anything about this place?" Tiamat raised an eyebrow at me, "You're sorely mistaken."

"You lived here," I said incredulously, "For literal decades. Centuries, even. How would you not know about the monsters around here?"

"I lived in a cave," Tiamat said with a deadpan, "A dark cave, sleeping on a pile of treasure. You think I cared about the little runts that were running around outside? Aside from the occasional snack, I just ignored them."

"So, you're useless?" I said dryly.

"Yup," Tiamat didn't look offended at my words at all, instead looking happy if anything, "So, can I leave now?"

"No, you're still more useful helping me look than sleeping in the palace," I deadpanned.

"I don't have to sleep! I'll go help train the devils," Tiamat tried to convince me.

"Oh? Those devils?" I just pointed my finger over my shoulder, where Rias's peerage, along with Ravel, Yubelluna, and Latia, were walking behind us, "The ones who are also looking?"

"The Sitri and her Queen," Tiamat clarified, and I shook my head again.

"She's training with Serafall. You're not getting out of this."

"Damn," Tiamat huffed.

"I'd prefer if I could look at a different time than the Gremory, Mr. King," Ravel huffed, glaring over at Rias lightly. She and the redhead devil still didn't seem to be on the greatest of terms.

"I didn't ask for you to be here either," Rias counter-huffed at Ravel's words, "But if we have to look together, you could at least not be a brat about it."

"Who are you calling a brat?!" Ravel shot back, "If anyone's a brat, it's you! Your public denial of my brother is disgraceful, and I won't keep quiet as you publicly humiliate him!"

"If your brother weren't a womanizing creep, then I wouldn't have to deny him!" Rias glared back, "I also won't keep quiet as I'm forced to marry such a terrible man! This marriage contract will ruin my life!"

"Don't call my brother-"

"Both of you, be quiet," I intervened, and their mouths clamped shut instantly. "Whatever disagreements you had before don't matter anymore, so quit speaking of them."

I turned around, facing both of the women, "You don't have to get along, but don't argue in my presence. It's annoying and pointless."

I turned to Ravel, "I don't give a damn about your brother's reputation, and..."

I turned to Rias, looking into her eyes, "Whatever marriage contract you had is void now, so don't even think of it."

"W-What?" Rias blinked at my words.

"It means nothing," I clarified, "The contract. You're mine now, and I don't give a shit about whatever marriage contract you had."

"You..." Rias's eyes widened slightly as what I said sank in, "You're... right. You're right."

She continued to stare at me with wide eyes while Ravel just huffed at my words.

[Quest Complete!]

Court Rias Gremory

Achieve [Liked] status with Rias Gremory

Rewards:

1 [Low] Gacha Pull!

As the notification appeared in the corner of my vision, I had to resist chuckling. I'd done it unintentionally, but I guess the situation finally sunk in to Rias. As long as she remained my hostage, she wouldn't have to marry Riser Phenex.

And, it seemed that unintentionally freeing her from her arranged marriage was enough to override her hard feelings about being kept from moving to Japan.

"Are you okay, Rias?" Akeno placed a hand on her King's shoulder softly, and Rias shook herself out of her thoughts.

"Yes, I'm fine," Rias smiled brightly, looking like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, "I'm great, actually. I apologize for arguing in front of you, Beast King."

"Just don't do it again," I hummed, turning around to hide my grin as I gestured for Tiamat to continue walking into the forest.

As we continued into the section of the forest, I started picking off the weaker species of monsters around, using [Devour] on them. I got a couple of skills in the process, with varying levels of usefulness.

The first monster we encountered was an Oni, which was the original familiar that Akeno got. From using [Devour] on it, I got two skills.

[Demonic Regeneration] - Temporarily recover [Demonic Power] quicker.

[Powerful Blow] - Increase the base damage dealt by your next physical attack by a percentage.

Both of the skills were decent, but not overpowered. Sacrificing MP to regain demonic power quicker could be useful in a niche situation. As for [Powerful Blow], increasing the base damage of an attack could either be strong or disappointing depending on the percentage gain.

After that, we encountered a small, white cat who looked far too cute to be living in the deadly forest.

[Demonic Cat] - Level 7

I assumed this was the familiar that Koneko originally got, and as the small white-haired girl stared cutely at the cat, I couldn't bring myself to eat it in front of her. I'd come back later and find another one for the skill, but for now, I could focus on finding the Nekoshou a good familiar.

"Is there a big one of those around?" I raised my eyebrow at Tiamat, who just shrugged. If there were some kind of alpha-cat in the area, that would be the perfect familiar for Koneko.

"Hey, cat," I hummed, walking up to the cat and casually grabbing it as it swiped its claws at my face, "You got a leader around here? A mom? Anything like that?"

The cat just hissed in my face, swiping its claws at me, so I activated [King's Aura] and [King's Command]. It was a bit overkill to use on a tiny cat, but I didn't want to waste time.

As I did, the cat quickly stopped swiping at me, instead lowering its head cutely.

"Boss. Leader. Big cat," I tried to make gestures with my hands so it would understand me, but I wasn't sure if it was working or not. It wasn't a named creature, so [Global Communication] wouldn't work, and I didn't have a cat-Raya to communicate for me like I did with the low-level direwolves.

I blinked as the cat stared up at me dumbly. Maybe this is how [Translator] could be useful? I activated the skill, then tried again.

"Take me to the biggest cat you know," I said bluntly, and the cat's eyes shone with understanding. It nodded quickly, and I set it on the ground.

"Follow me," I called out to the group of devils, then followed after the small cat as it ran deeper into the forest. It didn't take long, as after a couple of twists and turns, we arrived at a small open area between a circle of trees.

In the middle was what someone somewhere imagined paradise to look like, as there were hundreds of little white cats running around. Some of them were bigger than others, looking more like horses than cats, but one giant one in the middle caught my eye.

[Mother of Demonic Cats] [Catelya] [Demonic Cat] - Level 57

The massive cat looked like someone had supersized a normal housecat, as it had snow-white fur, a cute face, and paws. Compared to the higher-level direwolves, who were often human-looking, this cat was completely cat-shaped.

She stood, or more specifically sat at the moment, over 30 feet in the air, and was just as wide.

The mother of demonic cats? And, she even had 'cat' in her name, along with being decently strong? She was perfect.

As I walked into the field, with Tiamat and the devils following behind me closely, the massive cat stood up defensively.

[Catelya] has used [Telepathic Communication]!

[Mental Resistance] has blocked the skill

[Mental Resistance] effectiveness: 100%

The large cat narrowed her eyes at me as the skill was blocked, then opened her mouth to speak, "Why have you come here, nya~?"

"That was cute..." Considering Rias's whisper behind me, I assumed the words sounded more like a meow to her since she didn't have [Global Communication]. This had occurred before, as it seemed the devils could only understand the more human-like monsters, such as Raya or the succubi.

"I'm looking for a strong familiar," I said honestly, grinning up at the towering cat, "You can see where I'm going with this, right? Let's not waste any time."

"Rude beast," Catelya hissed at me, claws extending out from her paws, "If you think I'd serve you willingly, you're-"

Her eyes widened as I activated [King's Aura] again, taking a step toward her, "I wasn't asking, cat."

"I-I'm sorry!" The giant cat folded even quicker than I had imagined, nodding her head rapidly with cutely wide eyes as I stared her down, "I-I didn't know you were so strong! I guess I could be your familiar, nya~"

"She's so cute. It's like a big Koneko..." Rias muttered behind me again, and Akeno giggled.

"Not mine," I corrected, turning and gesturing for Koneko to walk up, "Hers."

"W-What?" Catelya narrowed her eyes again, hissing lightly, "Submitting to you is one thing, nya~ but this little weak girl?"

"You'll do it, because I said so," I said bluntly, activating [King's Command] as I placed a hand on Koneko's head, "She may be adorably cute with a pretty face, but she's tough. Soon enough, she'll be far stronger than you, so there's no need to be ashamed."

I ignored Koneko's light blush at my compliment, continuing as Catelya lowered her head again, "I think you'll enjoy serving her more than me anyway. This cute girl will be much more loving than I would ever be, as I tend to work my familiars to the bone. You can ask my dragon about that."

I smirked lightly, gesturing to Tiamat.

"This is the most I've worked in my entire existence," Tiamat confirmed, though that wasn't saying much. The dragon was extremely lazy.

Catelya's eyes widened as she realized who Tiamat was.

"R-Right! Sorry, nya~," Catelya stepped forward quickly, bowing down her head in front of Koneko, "I-I'll do what you say!"

"Is it... fine?" Koneko asked, still blushing lightly as she glanced up at me.

"Of course it is," I replied bluntly, "Everything in this forest is mine. Everything in this world is mine. But, like anyone, I have preferences."

I placed my hand on her head again, rustling her hair lightly as I glanced back at the group of devils, "I've come to like you devils. You have my favor, so don't feel shy about asking for anything. Whatever it is you want in this world, I'll give it to you."

My words apparently had a bigger effect than I expected, as a couple of quest completions appeared in the corner of my vision, signifying my reputation with Akeno and Koneko reaching [Liked], while Rias suddenly jumped up to [Strongly-Liked].

Koneko slowly raised her hand, placing her palm on Catelya's head as a white glow appeared around the two. Catelya raised her head as the glow faded, her eyes glowing as she stared into Konekos.

The Nekoshou smirked slightly a second later, and I assumed Catelya had said something with telepathy.

"What'd she say?" I asked curiously.

"That you're scary," Koneko said simply.

"I thought that at first, too," Akeno giggled at Koneko's words, looking at Catelya, "But he's kind of a softie, fufu."

"I'm not soft. I'm terrifying," I countered dryly, but Akeno's giggle confirmed that she didn't believe me. "Now, let's get you guys a familiar, too. If I recall, there's an interesting monster living here..."

I turned to Rias, locking eyes with her and grinning

"Does a nine-headed hydra sound good?"

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AN: Thank you for reading! The next Chapter will be out tomorrow!

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