The Supreme Overlord (Multicross)

"By not speaking, are you admitting it?"

Saigou looked at Aya Tokoyogi, who remained silent, and raised an eyebrow, smiling as he spoke.

The Witch of the Notaria stared at the devil before her, who appeared in human form, her fiery, enchanting eyes heavy with thought.

The devil in front of her was extraordinarily handsome, with a slender body and features that even Aya Tokoyogi had to admit were the epitome of human beauty.

Especially that alluring aura—it was something no human could ever possess.

Just one glance at him would make anyone doubt that he was even of the human species.

But Aya Tokoyogi was not a woman easily swayed by appearances. Her mind was filled with countless thoughts at that moment, and she finally sighed and said:

"...You're right, just as you said, Zarathustra! My true wish has never been to see the real world; that was merely a means to fulfill my desire."

"What I truly want is a world free from the tragic fate of witches, or rather, a wish to eradicate devils like you!"

Aya Tokoyogi knew she could no longer hide anything from Saigou, so she chose to abandon her lies and speak the truth.

Upon hearing Aya Tokoyogi's words, Saigou couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh, "…A witch granted power by a devil, yet her wish is to drive out and kill devils."

"…Well, it's fortunate that the devil you speak of have no self-awareness. Otherwise, how would such a contract ever be agreed upon?"

"A witch's power varies depending on the difficulty of her contract. Natsuki's wish is for peaceful coexistence between humans and demons, a wish nearly impossible to achieve."

"…That's why she possesses power beyond the imagination of ordinary witches. And Aya Tokoyogi, your power is also among the top, even for witches. At its core, your wish is simply too grand."

A witch's every action must align with her contract and wish; otherwise, she would face dire consequences.

Aya Tokoyogi used the Black Bible to create a world without magic, a method to fulfill her wish, so her guardian wouldn't stop her.

"I know you hate Natsuki now. You think she, as your ally, has betrayed you, and you're hurt that she couldn't see through to your true wish, making you start to doubt your feelings."

"…In fact, Natsuki doesn't want to do anything to you either. The reason she has confined you in the Prison Barrier has nothing to do with what you've done. She had no choice."

At this point, Saigou seemed like he was trying to bridge the gap between two quarrelling friends, revealing the thoughts of these two proud witches.

Communication is crucial, but the pride of these two witches made them forget how to communicate, leading them to complain about the other's lack of understanding.

Even married couples can't fully understand each other, let alone two witches as close as sisters.

"Are you here as Natsuki's envoy?"

Aya Tokoyogi asked suspiciously.

Saigou, sitting on the Witch of the Notaria's bed, chuckled, "…Natsuki-chan doesn't have the power to command me. I'm here to tell you this of my own will."

"…Natsuki Minamiya's wish is for peaceful coexistence between humans and demons. To her, the Itogami Island Demon District is the most crucial cornerstone for fulfilling that wish, so she can't allow anything to happen here."

"That's why she confined you in the Prison Barrier. Due to her contract, she can't stand by and watch you destroy Itogami Island. She has to act to stop you, even if you are 'allies.'"

Saigou's words made Aya Tokoyogi pause for a moment. She murmured, "…So that's how it is, so that's how it is… Why didn't Natsuki just tell me?"

She complained, and then her voice turned angry, "…It's because of you devils that we lost our right to choose, that we lost our freedom!"

Leaving aside those witches who willingly sold their souls, pure-blooded witches like Aya Tokoyogi and Natsuki Minamiya were born into tragedy.

They must sell their souls, and their inner wishes turn into contracts, binding their every action and often requiring a lifetime of effort to fulfill their contract.

This is also why Aya Tokoyogi cares so much for Natsuki Minamiya; only Natsuki can truly understand her pain.

"Oh, don't lump me in with them, Aya Tokoyogi… I'm not the same as those devils you speak of."

Saigou shrugged innocently and said, "So, now that you know the reason Natsuki has confined you here, do you want to get out? Do you want to regain your freedom?"

Saigou suddenly asked in the seductive tone typical of a devil.

"What do you want? I won't easily follow your orders," Aya Tokoyogi replied, growing cautious. Now that she understood Natsuki Minamiya was also acting under compulsion, her resentment towards Natsuki had faded.

Seeing Saigou's temptation, she suspected the devil might have some sinister scheme.

If this devil intended to harm Natsuki, she would rather stay confined in this Prison Barrier than betray her ally.

"Don't make such a dangerous expression, Aya Tokoyogi... I do have my own agenda, but it would benefit both you and Natsuki, not harm you."

Saigou decided to be transparent, recognizing that sometimes honesty was necessary. "…My goal is singular, the Great Cleansing."

"The Cleansing? Why are you interested in that? Isn't it just a destructive relic caused by the remnants of the sinful god Cain power in this world?" Aya Tokoyogi inquired, puzzled as to why Saigou would be interested in such a phenomenon.

In this era, few people studied the Cleansing since it was merely a phenomenon. Many still believed it was caused by the Fourth Primogenitor, but Aya Tokoyogi knew it was actually related to Cain.

Saigou raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "…Even you, the head of the Library, are unaware of the true nature of the Cleansing. That's quite interesting."

"The true nature of the Cleansing?" Aya Tokoyogi's curiosity was piqued. She leaned forward in her chair at the dressing table, her expression one of keen interest.

Saigou did not withhold information, revealing the true nature of the Cleansing to Aya Tokoyogi.

"A technique that distorts the natural order—it turns out the Cleansing is actually a technique, and with such incredible power."

Aya Tokoyogi's broad kimono sleeves covered her cherry lips as she expressed surprise.

To some extent, the power of the Black Bible she had used before was similar to the Cleansing.

However, the Black Bible's power was more like a weakened form of the Cleansing and required a barrier to alter the laws within it.

The Cleansing, on the other hand, could genuinely distort the natural order, altering the fundamental rules of the world.

This was beyond what any barrier could achieve, as the altered rules would become the new truth.

Unless the Cleansing was invoked again, this truth would bind everyone until the end of time.

Aya Tokoyogi finally understood Saigou's goal. If the Cleansing indeed possessed such power, it would be of interest to anyone.

Possessing and mastering the Cleansing would essentially make one the sovereign of the world, akin to a creator.

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