[472] Cooperation
Looking at Natsuki Minamiya, a faint smile appeared on August's face.
In Natsuki's eyes, that smile seemed anything but well-intentioned, making her feel uneasy all over.
"What do you want? I'm warning you, don't cause any trouble."
"Didn't I already tell you? I want to make you my vassal, Bishop."
"And I told you, I won't become your vassal."
"No, you will."
"You're such a stubborn guy who doesn't listen."
"But first, I need to help you see the light of day again."
"Hey, what are you planning?"
Natsuki immediately grew restless. The prison barrier was not a place that could afford any mistakes.
Within the prison barrier were countless dangerous criminals, most of whom were incredibly troublesome individuals.
If something went wrong with the prison barrier and those criminals escaped, the entire Itogami Island would be doomed. With so many problematic figures running loose on the island, it would turn into complete chaos.
"You've got it wrong. It's not about what I want to do, Natsuki-chan. It's about what someone else is planning."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Haven't you noticed? Recently, a witch has arrived on Itogami Island."
"A witch?"
"The witch of the Library. Does that ring a bell?"
"The Library? Aya!"
Natsuki instantly understood. Locked within her prison barrier was her former friend, Aya Tokoyogi, a fellow witch.
Ten years ago, Aya Tokoyogi, the "Witch of the Notary" and the head librarian of the Library, stole the Dark Oath Grimoire from the Library's secret archives. She then unleashed its power on Itogami Island, the "Demon Sanctuary," causing immense damage.
At the tender age of sixteen, Natsuki had stopped Aya and imprisoned her within the prison barrier.
However, the Dark Oath Grimoire was of utmost importance to the Library, and they would never abandon it.
"How do you know about this?"
"I figured it out, of course."
"Figured it out?"
"That witch happens to be Kojou Akatsuki's childhood friend."
"Kojou Akatsuki? The Library? Are they planning something with him?"
"Not exactly 'planning something.' Let's just say they intend to borrow the Fourth Primogenitor's magic to make the prison barrier manifest."
"If you know all this, then why—"
"Because I want to claim you for myself."
"You really do have your sights set on me, don't you?"
"It can't be helped. A mature soul in a youthful body—a legal loli like you, Natsuki-chan—is just too rare. It's impossible for me not to be smitten."
August didn't bother hiding his intentions. He was completely enamored with Natsuki, and his desire was overwhelming.
Especially now, living under the same roof as her every day, the outcome was predictable.
He couldn't bring himself to touch Kirasaka Sayaka, and as for Astalotte, she was only a few months old in certain respects, which felt far too extreme even for him.
That left Natsuki—the legal loli. But she was just a magical clone, something he could see but not touch.
---
Meanwhile, on the other side of the island, Yuma Tokoyogi had just arrived at Itogami Island and met up with Kojou Akatsuki.
"Greetings, Blue Witch."
"Who are you?"
"I'm Beatrice, a servant of my master."
"You know I'm a witch. What do you want with me?"
"Cooperation."
"Cooperation?"
Yuma Tokoyogi narrowed her eyes slightly as she looked at the blonde woman in front of her.
Though she was an artificial human created and trained by the Library from a young age, she was far from naive. In fact, she knew more than most people.
"My master knows your goal: to open the prison barrier and free your mother, the Witch of the Notary, Aya Tokoyogi."
"Who exactly are you?"
"Rest assured, I won't stand in your way."
"Why? People don't offer help without an ulterior motive."
"My master has his own objectives, naturally."
"And what would those be?"
"To claim the 'Witch of the Gap' for himself."
"The Witch of the Gap? You mean Natsuki Minamiya."
"Exactly. As long as the prison barrier exists, Natsuki must remain asleep within it. So, to obtain her, my master plans to destroy the barrier."
Yuma studied Beatrice, weighing her words. She couldn't tell if the woman was telling the truth.
Rescuing her mother, Aya Tokoyogi, had been the Library's plan for the past ten years—a plan that could not afford any mistakes.
To achieve this, the Library had originally intended to sacrifice everyone on Itogami Island to unlock the prison barrier.
But by chance, Yuma had learned that her childhood friend had become the Fourth Primogenitor. This revelation prompted her to adjust the plan, using Kojou Akatsuki's power as the Fourth Primogenitor to open the barrier instead.
That way, she alone would bear the burden of any sins.
"I can't trust you. Besides, I have my own plan."
"I'm aware of that. However, my master said that if you want to save Aya Tokoyogi, you'll have no choice but to work with him."
"Who is your master?"
"My master, August, is a demon lord of the demon race."
"August? The rising powerhouse who even defeated Kojou, the Fourth Primogenitor?"
"That's right."
Yuma hesitated. August's reputation was no small matter.
Though she had never left Itogami Island, August's existence was no secret among the upper echelons of various global factions—especially his unmatched strength.
Yuma was no exception. Planning to free her mother on Itogami Island, she had naturally done her research.
Even the ancient god-slaying weapon, Narakweiler, had been no match for him. Under his power, an entire section of the island had been reduced to history, leaving Itogami Island permanently scarred.
Respect for the strong was a lesson everyone had to learn.
"So, what's your plan?"
"Just proceed with your own plan. You don't need to worry about anything else—my master will handle it."
"Proceed with my plan, huh?"
Yuma lowered her head, still skeptical of Beatrice's words.
The other side was far too mysterious. August, in particular, had an impressive track record, but his reputation among outsiders wasn't exactly stellar.
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