She had long suspected that she was an artificial life form.
Even so, she had shalessly yearned for a mother's love.
But in truth, she should have realized it sooner.
As the forr leader of the Library of Cri Organization (LCO), an international magical cri syndicate, Ayano Kojou was hardly the type to develop feelings for her own clone.
"It's ti to return what you borrowed!"
She reached out toward Yuuma.
"Ugh... Aaaaaah!"
Ayano Yuuma instantly collapsed to her knees.
Clutching her chest tightly, she convulsed as if pierced by pain radiating throughout her body.
Simultaneously, an ethereal figure clad in rusted armor materialized behind her, with eerie black veins spreading like patterns across its entire form.
"Stealing the Guardian?"
Eiji showed no reaction, silently observing the scene.
The Crimson Witch and the Jet-Black Witch exchanged glances, then completely ignored Yuuma's agony as if nothing were amiss, instead directing their admiring gazes toward the Secretary Witch.
Guardians were familiars bestowed upon witches by demons after forming contracts.
Through these Guardians, witches could harness demonic power, enabling humans to rival high-ranking demons in strength while mastering magical techniques to perfection—even complex spatial manipulation beca effortless.
Natsuki Minamiya's "Round Ring King" was the Guardian she obtained after contracting with a demon.
Its power far surpassed ordinary witches, possessing fearso strength comparable to a True Ancestor's familiars!
Naturally, Ayano Kojou also possessed her own Guardian.
However, when imprisoned in the Prison Barrier ten years ago, she left her Guardian with her clone to grant it greater power.
Since they shared identical bodies, transferring the Guardian beca feasible.
Now was the mont Ayano Kojou reclaid her Guardian.
Without any preparation or concern for her clone's suffering, she acted like a mad scientist plunging a blade into a test subject without anesthesia—coldly and rcilessly torturing the clone.
"Boom!"
A sharp fist surged through the air.
Ayano Kojou frowned, her figure flickering like a phantom as she was forced to retreat from Yuuma.
In mid-air, the golden Guardian retracted its fist.
A clear hostile intent radiated toward Kojou.
"Natsuki..."
Ayano Kojou's expression instantly turned dangerous.
Undisguised killing intent glead in her eyes.
"You've grown increasingly extre over the past decade, Kojou."
Natsuki Minamiya stepped between Kojou and Yuuma, her face stern.
"She devoted ten years to freeing you, yet you show no gratitude—instead repaying kindness with cruelty. You've beco far too unfamiliar to ."
"And whose fault is that, Natsuki?"
Ayano Kojou stared coldly at Natsuki Minamiya, her eyes filled with mockery.
"If you hadn't betrayed ten years ago, sealing in the Prison Barrier, why would I need to resort to any of this?"
"Crunch!"
The history between these two was rich with complexity.
To put it simply, it was a story of old acquaintances parting ways due to differing ideals, eventually turning into bitter enemies.
A slight twitch tugged at the corner of Natsuki Minamiya's eye.
"Then I'll just beat you back into the Prison Barrier, where you'll remain trapped in eternal dreams!"
The golden guardian clenched her fist tightly.
She directed her hostility unreservedly toward Aya, as if completely unconcerned about the Fourth True Ancestor causing trouble behind her back.
"Crunch!"
"Tch..."
Shizuku Kyouko Aya remained silent, but her expression darkened further.
Although her magical abilities were considerable, without reclaiming her guardian, she had to admit—however reluctantly—that she was no match for Natsuki Minamiya. Even adding those two weak witches to her side wouldn't change that.
And with Natsuki Minamiya right before her, there was no chance she would allow Aya to reclaim her guardian.
"Fourth True Ancestor!"
Aya suddenly called out sharply.
"Hmm?"
Eiji made a noncommittal sound to indicate he was listening.
"Crunch!"
He was holding a handful of sunflower seeds, cracking them open with evident enjoynt.
The lower part of his face mask had been removed.
"Finished talking already?"
Are you out of your mind?
Natsuki Minamiya turned her head, shooting him a look reserved for idiots.
"Not yet."
Aya replied honestly.
But then she abruptly shifted her tone.
"How about we join forces?"
"Oh?"
Eiji was taken aback.
Do you really think I have any need to ally with you?
Natsuki Minamiya's expression darkened instantly.
Suddenly, she didn't even care about Aya anymore, her gaze fixed intently on Eiji.
"You must want to do sothing to this Prison Barrier, right? Killing all the criminals here isn't your only goal."
Aya spoke with absolute certainty.
"That's not wrong."
Eiji admitted frankly.
After all, leaving those prisoners alone wouldn't interfere with his plans. There was no real reason for him to co all the way to the Prison Barrier just to pick fights with them.
His sudden appearance before the LCO witches and his offer to help open the Prison Barrier naturally stemd from his own agenda.
"But as long as Natsuki remains, your goal can't be achieved. That ans we have potential for an alliance!"
"Well said. So what do I get out of it?"
Eiji nodded politely.
Aya considered herself no match for Natsuki, hence her desire for his assistance.
While it was true that Eiji had his own plans—plans that inevitably involved dealing with Natsuki Minamiya—he had no interest in becoming Aya's pawn for free.
"Once I'm out, I'll gather the forr mbers of LCO and pledge our entire organization to the Fourth True Ancestor!"
Aya's words successfully changed Natsuki's expression.
She didn't know much about other matters.
But she knew one thing for certain!
The current Fourth True Ancestor, while powerful, lacked substantial followers and influence!
If a major international criminal organization like LCO pledged allegiance to the Fourth True Ancestor, his power would expand dramatically!
Danger, Japan, danger!
Her intensely oppressive gaze shifted directly toward the Fourth True Ancestor, her eyes turning dangerously sharp.
If he actually agreed—
"Sounds good."
Eiji nodded in appreciation.
He did indeed have too few capable people under his command.
"So what do you say?"
Tsukimachi Aya smiled faintly.
anwhile, Natsuki Minamiya's expression darkened.
"But I refuse!"
Eiji abruptly declared with a sharp tone.
Both Aya and Natsuki were instantly stunned.
His refusal ca too swiftly, the reversal too dramatic, leaving them both montarily unable to process it.
"Why...!"
Aya felt as if she had been played, her face turning grim.
"What a pity."
Eiji clicked his tongue repeatedly, shaking his head.
"Tsukimachi Aya, during the ti you were bickering with Natsuki Minamiya, my purpose for coming to the Prison Barrier has already been accomplished!"
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