The Wolf Emperor Of the Yokai

(AN: Thanks to my good friend, he helped me work in the Lionheart family from Damned Reincarnation in a way that they could, in theory, be a Canonical part of the DxD verse and still be OP but not as OP as from the original LN as they would basically be able to one shot everyone in the story if we left them that way)

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The Lionheart estate lay far off in Eastern Europe, nestled within vast forests untouched by time. Its grand towers and weathered walls exuded the quiet dignity of an age long past. The cobbled pathways leading to its gates whispered tales of glory and sacrifice, while the sprawling grounds beyond them seemed almost abandoned, save for the quiet hum of life within.

The Lionheart family, once champions of humanity, had receded into legend. Their name was spoken only by scholars and whispered by those who knew the truth—a truth veiled in secrecy for centuries. To the supernatural factions that ruled the modern age, the Lionhearts were a family of minor importance, remnants of a bygone era. Yet this obscurity was deliberate, for the Lionhearts had chosen to hide their strength from a world that no longer deserved it.

Centuries ago, the Lionhearts were at the forefront of humanity's battle against the supernatural. With their martial prowess and unmatched magical techniques, they were humanity's shield against darkness. Born from the legacy of their founder, Vermouth Lionheart, their strength was not merely legend—it was fact. Vermouth had forged the family with an iron will and boundless power, instilling a philosophy of protection and restraint that became the family's creed.

In those days, the Lionhearts were not just defenders but an overwhelming threat to the supernatural. Their mastery of the White Flame Formula and other techniques allowed them to stand against devils and demons alike. The White Flame Formula is more than just a weapon; it is a reflection of the Lionheart family's identity. The devils, in particular, feared the Lionhearts, for their abilities burned with a purity that could destroy even the most powerful of their kind. It was said that a single Lionheart, at the height of their power, could hold the line against legions of devils and fallen angels, even high-ranking devils...

Though their strength was vast, the Lionhearts' relationship with the world was fraught with conflict. They had long allied with the Church, fighting to protect humanity against all supernatural threats. Yet, as the centuries passed, the Church began to change. It began to become corrupt, which included heinous acts. The Lionhearts, devoted to Vermouth's principles of balance and responsibility, grew uneasy with the Church's increasing focus on politics and power.

The tipping point came during the Great War between devils, angels, and fallen angels. While the Lionhearts had the strength to tip the scales of the conflict, they chose not to intervene. They saw the war not as a battle for survival but as a clash of prideful factions, each seeking dominance at the expense of humanity. Instead, the Lionhearts turned their efforts toward protecting the innocents caught in the crossfire. They defended towns and villages, safeguarding lives without taking sides. This choice alienated the Church, which had come to see neutrality as a betrayal. Yet the Lionhearts remained steadfast.

"Our power is not a weapon for politics," declared their patriarch at the time. "It is a shield for those who cannot defend themselves." Their withdrawal marked the beginning of their prominence decline but also solidified their independence.

Despite their withdrawal from global conflicts, the Lionhearts were never forgotten by their enemies. Devils, in particular, remembered the family as one of humanity's strongest bastions. Their fear was well-founded. The White Flame Formula, a combat art passed down through Lionheart bloodlines, was devastating to infernal beings. Unlike holy swords that required divine blessings, the Lionhearts' flames were a product of human will and discipline. They burned brighter and fiercer, untainted by external forces.