Chapter 394: Liberation and Attack
Back again, huh...
After several years, Mahiro once again returned to that familiar cathedral hall.
But unlike the utterly bewildered expression he had during his first visit,
this time, his heart was remarkably calm.
And he hadn't come alone this time either. Accompanying him were Tokoyogi Aya, the Witch of the Notaria and a former inmate of the Prison Barrier, and Giada Kukulcan, the Third Progenitor.
"So this is her true form? It's an honor to meet you, the key to the Prison Barrier—the Witch of the Void."
Giada stepped forward, gazing with keen interest at the young girl seated on a luxurious velvet-upholstered armchair.
She reached out and gently stroked Natsuki Minamiya's slightly plump, delicate cheek.
It was identical to the clone seen in the outside world.
A beautiful, youthful Witch with a face like a doll's.
She wore a black lace-trimmed dress adorned with frills, an uncomfortably warm outfit for the perpetually summer climate of Itogami Island.
The only difference was that her eyes were tightly shut, as if she were still immersed in a dream.
Her delicate brows were slightly furrowed, suggesting the dream wasn't particularly pleasant.
A girl who chose self-sacrifice like this—Giada could honestly say she had never seen such a thing before.
Imprisoning herself in a cage of dreams, then creating a world within to confine other criminals.
"Alright, Giada, enough playing around. It's time to begin."
Mahiro stopped Giada's hand, which had already slid down to the collar and was about to undo the ribbon.
"Hehe, my apologies. I didn't mean to make you worry about your little girlfriend."
Giada covered her mouth with a light chuckle and retreated to a safe distance.
Mahiro ignored her, instead noticing that Aya had yet to make a move.
"Mahiro, are you truly certain you wish to awaken her? You understand what this means, don't you?"
A flicker of complexity passed through her eyes.
Even now, Aya felt the urge to immediately use her Grimoire to steal her memories.
"Of course I know. But that's no reason to run away. This matter must be resolved one way or another—it's something I decided from the very beginning."
Whether out of loyalty to the original story or because of the time they had spent together, getting to know and accompany each other, Mahiro no longer wanted this pitiful girl to remain imprisoned here like a criminal.
"A prison shouldn't be the burden of one person alone; it shouldn't rest solely on her shoulders. Just as you, Aya, once unleashed the Grimoire of the Oath of Darkness for Natsuki's sake, it's time for me to do something as well.
...If she truly can't bear to part with this prison, then I'll just have to step in and remodel it.
From now on, you won't have to guard the prison alone anymore. The curses and restraints binding you—I'll break them all."
The latter part of his words was clearly directed at Natsuki Minamiya.
Whether she resented him or felt grateful, a cage like this shouldn't exist!
With so many methods available, why choose the cruelest one for herself?
He truly couldn't understand what went through Natsuki Minamiya's mind. Did she want to sacrifice herself to become a saint?
Or was she trying to move herself?
She should know that no one would thank her for doing something like this.
Instead, everyone would treat her as a pawn for their own gain, wanting to control her—and it would only invite more hatred!
It seemed she heard his voice. Faintly, Natsuki Minamiya's eyelashes trembled, a sign of desperately trying to awaken from her dream.
But unfortunately, her awakening was ultimately a step too late.
Tokoyogi Aya had already opened the grimoire she carried.
"No.014—Personal History Manipulation."
As the words fell, the grimoire held in one hand automatically opened.
The dense magical power she poured into it, like molten lava, caused the pages of the grimoire to glow brilliantly.
At the same time, an invisible wave enveloped Natsuki Minamiya.
In that moment, the still-sleeping Natsuki slightly parted her lips.
"...Ah..."
"Forgive me. This is not merely my wish, but the wish of us all. Awaken from the eternal dream, my dear friend Natsuki Minamiya."
Aya spoke without joy or sorrow.
Sitting in the chair, Natsuki Minamiya pressed her thin lips together, veins bulging at her temples, the magical power around her beginning to rage wildly.
She attempted to resist the power of the grimoire.
But how could her magical power alone contend with the vast reserves contained within Mahiro?
In just an instant, her struggle had nearly ceased.
Simultaneously, a black grimoire was extracted from her memories, gradually materializing into a physical form, finally landing in Tokoyogi Aya's hands.
At this moment, even Giada's gaze toward Aya changed.
She could sense it—that book was dangerous, a tome capable of reconstructing rules!
It held power equivalent to that of their Deva, even the gods themselves!
"The Grimoire of the Oath of Darkness..."
Her Grimoire of the Oath of Darkness had finally returned.
Reaching out to gently touch the familiar cover, yet it no longer held the same feeling as it did in the past.
Once, she truly wanted to save all the Witches of the world, starting with her own good friend.
But now, she only wished to use the Grimoire of the Oath of Darkness to save Natsuki Minamiya alone.
This, too, stemmed from Mahiro's will.
The vastness of the world was no longer her concern.
Seeming to perceive the emotions and hesitation in Aya's heart, Mahiro stepped forward, took Aya's hand, and said softly:
"I'll accompany you."
"Mhm, thank you."
They raised their interlocked hands and activated their magical power.
The Grimoire of the Oath of Darkness activated as well.
An intense wave of magical power nearly affected the entirety of Itogami Island.
"What's going on, this fluctuation..."
Inside the villa at Yukina's home.
Sayaka had just left with Princess La Folia.
Nagisa Akatsuki had been taken by Mimori Akatsuki to spend the night at the research institute.
Kanon Kanase had chosen to stay and keep her company for the night.
And then, suddenly, she felt this powerful surge of magical energy!
"Could it be that Senpai and Teacher Minamiya have done something again?"
Yukina had a faint suspicion in her heart.
But the next second, the villa's front door was suddenly forced open, and a strange man barged in.
Tap, tap, tap—
The crisp sound of leather shoes stepping on the wooden floor echoed through the room.
Looking up, one could see a man in a pure white cloak with a red-and-white checkered tie and hat walking in, a silver cane held in his left hand gently tapping against the floor.
He appeared young, seemingly only around twenty years old, yet carried the aura of an elderly man in his twilight years.
This suspicious man, who gave the impression of a Mage, stopped in his tracks upon entering the living room.
His gaze fixed on the adorable Yukina with her silver hair and blue eyes.
Then, he narrowed his eyes and smiled cheerfully, his eyes an unsettling blood-red that hinted at something sinister.
"That silver-haired girl is truly a beautiful child!"
"Who are you?!"
Yukina picked up Snowdrift Wolf and positioned herself protectively in front of Yukina.
The man's act of breaking through the door and his overly familiar attitude put Yukina on guard, while she also sensed an ominous aura surrounding him.
And the moment Yukina saw him, her body trembled violently.
"Me? I am a seeker of truth, a great Alchemist!"
Immediately after, something serpentine and writhing emerged from the man's right arm.
It was a black-silver liquid with a metallic sheen and a powerful viscosity.
As if possessing consciousness, it coiled toward Yukina's wrist, intending to corrode her body.
Alert, Yukina flicked Snowdrift Wolf in her hand, shattering the black metallic liquid into pieces. Unable to withstand the Holy Spear's power to nullify Magical Power, it erupted and dissipated.
"What's going on? Why are you attacking us?!"
Yukina furrowed her brows and glared at the man.
"Heh, you blocked it. I sensed a strange presence earlier, so you're a shrine maiden."
The man stared at his right hand while narrowing his eyes in displeasure.
"You don't seem to be a bodyguard from the Aldegyr royal palace. Well, I originally intended to kill you as discreetly as possible."
The man looked at Yukina and spoke in a pitiful tone. The black-silver liquid shot out once more from the fingertips of his right hand, transforming into slender, sharp blades that swept toward Yukina and the others at a terrifying speed.
Everything in the path of the blades was cleanly sliced in half.
Just as they were about to sweep over Yukina, and she raised Snowdrift Wolf to defend herself—
Snap!
The blades vanished into thin air in an instant.
Simultaneously, a tall, heroic woman appeared before Yukina.
Her black, form-fitting combat suit accentuated her perfect, voluptuous figure, while a pale yellow, slender tail extended from her hips, swaying gently.
The two cat ears atop her head twitched playfully, adding a touch of whimsy.
"Z-Zeta?!"
Yukina recognized the woman before her, but she hadn't expected her to suddenly appear and help block the attack.
"You're... Kou Amatsuka, right?"
Her clear eyes fixed intently on the other party, but she herself seemed to have taken a long time to recall the name, her tone carrying a hint of laziness.
It was as if she didn't regard the person before her at all.
"Oh? Such an arrogant tone. Are you looking down on a great Alchemist?!"
With just one sentence, Kou Amatsuka was provoked.
He saw no trace of fear or admiration in this female Beastmen!
This was absolutely unforgivable!
"Hmm... You're mistaken. I don't look down on Alchemists—I simply look down on you, Mr. Thief. After all, my master is also a great Alchemist."
Zeta spoke with utter frankness.
But this only fueled Kou Amatsuka's jealousy and rage even more.
An Alchemist superior to him?!
He refused to accept it!
If that old fool hadn't expelled him from the apprenticeship back then, he would have long mastered the secret of the Wiseman's Blood!
Kou Amatsuka sneered coldly:
"Heh, then go die."
As he spoke, another flying blade shot through the air.
This time, Zeta didn't move. Instead, she called out:
"Stupid dog, time for you to work!"
"Tch, little she-cat, you have no right to order me around! Only the BOSS can command me!"
"Yeah, yeah."
Zeta replied casually.
Even so, Delta obediently appeared, swiping a claw down from mid-air.
Not only did she shatter the flying blade Kou Amatsuka had launched, but she also tore through the ceiling and floor, along with half of Kou Amatsuka's body.
"So weak."
Delta looked disdainfully at Kou Amatsuka, who had collapsed on the ground.
Did she really need to deal with someone like this?
So fragile...
"Be careful, stupid dog. This guy was personally designated by our master—he must have some tricks up his sleeve."
"I know! And why aren't you doing anything, little she-cat?!"
Delta instinctively retorted, but when she turned around, she saw Zeta already lounging sideways on the sofa, her tail flicking lazily as she watched the scene with interest.
"Wahhh!!! Why are you secretly resting while I have to work?!"
"Because you're stupid."
Zeta replied without hesitation.
Delta was so furious she was practically tearing her hair out.
The two of them had originally been secretly following Nagisa Akatsuki and Kanon Kanase to protect them, but they hadn't expected to run into each other on this day, and for the attacker to appear at the same time.
So, as natural rivals, Zeta naturally took charge and ordered Delta, the stupid dog, to do the work.
"Oh, be careful. That guy is getting back up."
"Huh?"
Delta turned around in confusion.
And just as Zeta had said, Kou Amatsuka was indeed rising to his feet again.
The metal tools in his palms instantly dissolved and crumbled, their surfaces transforming into a murky, blood-like black-silver color.
Under their astonished gazes, the flowing metal liquid was absorbed into the man's right hand.
Slowly, the severed parts of his body began to heal, regenerating the lost portions.
"Heh, thinking you can kill me? You're delusional!"
"Dawn of Exorcism, Divine Wolf of Yukasumi, lend me your steel divine might to vanquish evil gods and a hundred demons!"
With solemn prayers, Yukina's Snowdrift Wolf began to glow.
That faint, shimmering light was the Divine Vibration Wave, capable of severing all barriers.
With a fierce swing, a silver slash traced a graceful arc through the air, aiming straight for Kou Amatsuka.
But just as it was about to strike, Yukina's collar was suddenly hooked by Zeta's tail, and she was flung back onto the sofa.
"Don't cause trouble for others. Stay put quietly."
Zeta cast a cold glance at Yukina, delivering a warning.
Yukina immediately swallowed the words she had been about to say.
So scary—many times scarier than her master!
At the same time, Zeta shouted to Delta:
"Stupid dog, remember to take him outside to fight. Don't wreck the house."
"Tch, got it, little she-cat!"
With that said,
Delta turned her gaze toward Kou Amatsuka, her eyes gleaming with ferocity and a bloodthirsty smile curling at the corners of her lips.
It was the purest form of wildness, the look a beast has when hunting its prey.
"Come play with Delta properly!"
As if possessed by a husky, Delta instantly charged forward, swatting Kou Amatsuka out the door with a single claw while following him outside.
However, despite the warning not to damage the house, it seemed to have little effect.
At the very least, that single swipe had already smashed a large hole in the villa, instantly leaving it exposed to the wind from all sides.
Immediately afterward, an immense surge of Magical Power erupted from the street outside.
The dense and overwhelming Magical Power was enough to make one's heart tremble!
Yet Zeta effortlessly shielded Yukina and the other girl, Kanon, from the oncoming storm of Magical Power.
The fierce wind tousled her pale golden short hair as Zeta narrowed her cold eyes slightly, observing the scene on the road.
"Tsk, this stupid dog... really never grows up."
She saw Delta, that foolish dog, rampaging freely on the road.
Without any restraint, she unleashed her Magical Power, sending Kou Amatsuka soaring into the sky.
Then, in an instant, she appeared mid-air, grabbing his head with a claw and slamming him violently toward the ground.
Boom! A deafening roar echoed.
The earth trembled violently.
It was no less intense than the conflicts that erupted whenever she was with that incompatible little she-cat.
But what surprised Zeta was that in the next moment, Kou Amatsuka vanished.
"Ran away?"
Delta tilted her head, puzzled as she stared at the empty crater on the road.
In the next instant, a flash of silver light streaked behind her.
A slash!
A sharp, mercury-like slash!
"—Ugh!"
Delta narrowly dodged the attack by twisting her body to the side, then turned to smile at Kou Amatsuka, who had reappeared not far away, busy repairing his head.
"Hey, you're pretty capable too!"
Capable?
No, he was just a convenient punching bag.
Relying on his bizarre regenerative abilities, he kept escaping from Delta's grasp.
Their slashes even destroyed countless buildings along the street.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call Delta a professional demolition squad.
In just a short while, the villa area had turned into a complete mess.
Fortunately, few people lived there, so no casualties occurred.
In the end, gritting his teeth and bending his bones, Kou Amatsuka finally managed to escape from Delta—a beast that had slipped its leash and completely lost control.
Thus, this inexplicable battle temporarily came to an end.
Meanwhile, on Mahiro's side, everything continued.
Using the Grimoire of the Oath of Darkness, Tokoyogi Aya successfully broke the Demon Contract binding Natsuki Minamiya. From that moment on, Natsuki Minamiya completely shed her identity as a Witch and returned to being human.
However, the current situation was far from ideal.
"Why?! Why would you do this? Are you so determined to strip me of everything?!"
Awakening from the eternal dream, Natsuki Minamiya ignored everyone else and threw herself into Mahiro's embrace, pounding desperately against his body.
Her captivating eyes were veiled in mist, and glistening tears continuously streamed from their corners, soaking his clothes.
Her contract had been dissolved—meaning over a decade of perseverance had now vanished like a fleeting dream.
As the prison resembling the European monastery of Mont Saint-Michel manifested in the world, the management commune of the artificial island had been driven to utter panic.
They were in complete disarray, urgently searching for Natsuki, hoping she could control the chaos brought by the prison's appearance.
The management commune had long regarded Natsuki Minamiya—or rather, the Prison Barrier—as a pawn in their hands.
A deterrent.
Now that the pawn seemed to be malfunctioning, how could they not panic?
If anyone remained unperturbed, it was Mahiro alone.
Gently patting Natsuki Minamiya's back to comfort her, he couldn't help but softly ask, "Natsuki-chan, I've never really understood—why are you so determined to maintain the Prison Barrier?"
Hearing his question, Natsuki Minamiya immediately stopped crying.
She looked up at Mahiro with a hint of confusion.
The answer seemed unclear even to her.
But upon careful thought...
"Of course, it's to uphold peace in the world! The prison holds the most vicious criminals. Do you have any idea how much it would cost to kill them all?!"
"Only by imprisoning those people can we maintain even a fleeting peace!"
Well, her reasoning was sound enough.
But—
"You didn't have to confine yourself entirely to the dream, though, did you?"
"What choice did I have?!"
Natsuki Minamiya huffed angrily, repeatedly tapping Mahiro's head with her folding fan.
Though she had lost her demon contract and the Guardian's power, her Spatial Magic remained as refined as ever.
In the end, Mahiro had no choice but to raise his hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright. What if I could reconstruct a Prison Barrier, and you wouldn't have to pay the price of slumber anymore? What would you think?"
"You mean... really?!"