In theory, Mozlis should have sensed Lucius's intent to attack before he even made his move.
Though Lucius's ability allowed him to bypass the process and directly link cause to effect, the moment he decided to throw that punch—or even before that—Mozlis already knew what he intended to do.
Yet, she showed no intent to counter, not even raising a hand to block or dodge.
When Lucius's full-force strike landed on her cheek, her petite frame was sent flying, crashing heavily into a nearby high-rise.
The next moment, the already crumbling building, ravaged by the battle's aftermath, began to collapse.
With a series of thunderous roars, the high-rise turned to rubble, burying the adorable loli demon beneath it and kicking up a massive cloud of dust.
"Phew—" Lucius slowly retracted his fist, letting out a long breath.
The sensation was like a release after prolonged tension, a strange sense of satisfaction that felt as if his mental state had elevated to a higher plane.
Perhaps this was the so-called sage mode.
Though he genuinely liked her, liking someone had no bearing on his actions, nor on his desire to land that punch.
"Wahhh, that's too much." Mozlis effortlessly climbed out from the rubble, immediately starting to fake-cry. "I'm so cute—why would you hit me?"
To a passerby, the sight of the white-haired loli demon on the verge of tears would indeed be captivating.
With Lucius's ability, unless Mozlis allowed it, even his all-out effort wouldn't have grazed her clothes.
So, her getting hit was purely her letting it happen.
She suppressed her automatic counterattack, aligned herself to Lucius's level, and reduced her body's resistance…
She did this merely to express her apology, essentially saying, "I let you hit me, so we're even for me tricking you before."
In truth, Lucius had guessed she'd let him land a punch to vent, which was why he acted.
But after throwing that punch and letting off steam, a trace of regret crept into his heart.
Perhaps it was because, after venting and reaching a higher mental state, his perspective shifted.
Maybe he should have seized the moment when the little demon let him vent and done something else?
Like, say, kissing those little bare feet or coating those horns with… saliva.
Unfortunately, his earlier mindset had been too base, fixated only on throwing a punch.
He still let his emotions get the better of him at times, it seemed. As a human, he was still somewhat lacking.
Lucius mused.
Soon, the little demon, who had been fake-crying, broke into a smile again.
"Well then, I'll head back to the sealed bottle."
Mozlis waved cheerfully, preparing to return to the bottle she had so despised.
Because, as she'd said, staying out of the sealed bottle too long might attract the attention of certain enemies.
Originally, she hadn't cared about this.
But now, having decided to work with Lucius to achieve true freedom, she naturally wanted to avoid detection as much as possible.
…
Otherwise, wouldn't her plan fall apart?
So, Mozlis waved with a bright smile, and then—
Lucius's abdomen suddenly exploded.
For an ordinary person, such an injury would leave them conscious for only a few seconds before their life ended.
And that consciousness wouldn't be pleasant, as they'd see their organs spilling out, clearly feeling themselves inch toward death.
Though Mozlis had deliberately let Lucius hit her and send her flying, that didn't mean she wouldn't retaliate.
You hit me, I hit you back—isn't that normal?
And when she struck back, Mozlis didn't hold back.
Lucius felt his composure crack.
Though such an injury would heal quickly, it hurt like hell.
Pain was one of the things Lucius hated most.
But Mozlis gave him no chance to retaliate.
"Put the cap back on for me, thanks."
She spoke from inside the bottle.
Her tone was so light it conjured an image of a girl hiding under a blanket, with only her eyes peeking out.
So cute.
Adorable.
But.
He still wanted to punch her again. Could she come out one more time?
Lucius couldn't help but sink into deep thought.
Though he thought as much.
With lightning speed, he slammed the cap back on.
It seemed only then could he feel at ease.
…
"The battle over there seems to be over, doesn't it?"
At a distance from Mars' temple, a group of mages had gathered.
Though this spot was relatively safe, the Authorities of a Heretic God often included wide-ranging attacks.
Coupled with the intermittent bursts of intense divine power from the temple's direction, they were on edge.
Though the battle hadn't lasted long, to these mages, it felt like an eternity.
Fortunately, Mars' temple was located in Rome's old city district. Otherwise, the battle's impact on this international city would have been unimaginable.
Even so, evacuating the entire city and hypnotizing so many people had exhausted the mystic community's resources.
Feeling the battle's fluctuations subside, many breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, they cast uneasy glances toward a few witches with the ability of Spirit Vision.
"Don't look at me," Said Diana Milito, the leader of the Bronze Black Cross, shaking her head. "When I tried to probe the battlefield earlier, I provoked the wrath of the descended vessel, suffered backlash, and can't use Spirit Vision for now."
She turned her gaze to the representative of the local mage association.
Though all were Italian mage associations, only the Female Wolf had its headquarters in Rome, and its elderly leader was present.
The representative merely furrowed her brow, preparing to use her Spirit Vision. After all, this was her turf.
But her lips curled into a sharp jab. "To think I, an old woman, have to step in when all of Rome's elite mages are gathered here—"
Her words were cut off by a languid voice.
"What elite?"
***
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