[478] Pride

In the blink of an eye, the deaths of Schtola D and Gigliola Ghirardi left everyone stunned.

Especially Aya Tokoyogi and the other escapees from the prison barrier. Anyone capable of breaking free from its confines couldn't be weak.

Yet two of them had been effortlessly killed. There was only one explanation: August's power was overwhelming, far surpassing their own.

"Really, what a waste of my time, you mongrels."

August narrowed his eyes slightly, his body radiating a demonic aura akin to a natural disaster.

A black shadow blade suddenly sliced through the air, aimed at the remaining escapees.

"Not good!"

Broodt Dumblegraff, a descendant of dragon-slaying heroes, instinctively raised his arms, hoping his extraordinary physique could block it.

It was a noble thought, but reality was harsh.

Slash!

In an instant, he was cleaved in two at the waist.

And it wasn't just him. Nearby, Senra, a monstrous old man infused with flame magic, and Meiga Itogami, grandson of Senra Itogami, were both cut down in a flash.

Blood sprayed through the air. No one had anticipated August's strength to be this terrifying.

Aya Tokoyogi, in particular, had planned to reclaim the Dark Oath Grimoire from Natsuki and exact her revenge.

Now, that seemed impossible. This man would never let her kill Natsuki.

Kojou Akatsuki and Motoki Yaze stood dumbfounded. Especially Kojou—his enemy was this powerful while he was utterly outmatched.

The surroundings fell eerily silent.

"Aya Tokoyogi, I know your thoughts and goals. But I can tell you plainly: the world you envision can't exist."

"What are you saying?"

Aya frowned.

"A world without magic does exist—I've been to one. But even without magic, the essence of the world doesn't change. Power just shifts from mighty Primogenitors to the leaders of nations."

"What do you mean?"

"No matter how the world changes, whether it's magic or technology, it's all just a weapon. Creating a world without magic or demons won't change anything—it only swaps out who holds the reins."

Aya fell silent, listening to August's words. She didn't know whether to believe him.

But could her lifelong pursuit and deepest wish really be wrong?

"Aya, stop making the same mistake again," Natsuki said.

"Natsuki, anyone else could say that—but not you."

"I—"

Natsuki fell silent. She knew exactly what Aya meant.

Both were witches, both had signed contracts with demons for power at a steep cost. They'd once been friends, only to end up as enemies.

"I've always wondered, Aya Tokoyogi," August interjected. "Why are you so obsessed with creating a world without magic, demons, or any 'mystery'?"

"Because I need to prove something."

"Prove what?"

"I need to prove that it's not us witches who are cursed—it's this world."

Her voice rose to a near-roar, shattering the refined, aristocratic air she'd carried.

Witches were a tragic existence in this world—rejected and exiled wherever they went, seen as harbingers of misfortune.

"Why prove it?" August asked suddenly.

Aya froze, unsure how to respond.

"What's the point of proving it? People live for themselves, not for others' opinions. If that's your only reason, I'm a bit disappointed."

"I see. Absolute self-interest, then?"

"I'm the Satan, Demon King, and Demon God, a calamity walking the earth. If you want to prove something, join me. Wreak havoc across this world as you please."

August raised a hand, and a pitch-black orb adorned with a solar symbol—the "Commandment of Pride"—floated toward her.

Natsuki's eyes widened. She'd witnessed firsthand how Beatrice and Yukina Himeragi had changed after merging with these "Commandments."

The sheer boost in power and the mysterious "Commandment" unnerved her.

If a dangerous figure like Aya Tokoyogi fused with this Commandment, her strength would skyrocket. With August backing her, the consequences were unimaginable.

"You want me to serve you?"

"Submit or die."

August's words echoed slowly, filling the hall with a suffocating murderous intent.

His hands had long been stained with endless blood, having buried countless bones. Few could rival his killing aura.

Even Aya, a witch who'd taken lives, paled in comparison to August.

On top of that, the overwhelming pressure of his Conqueror's Haki descended, crushing everyone—including Natsuki.

Under the threat of death, Aya had no choice.

She didn't want to die. No one willingly faced death.

Even someone as proud as Aya Tokoyogi had no options left.

"I… I'll submit."

She bowed her head, leaving Natsuki staring in disbelief.

It forced Natsuki to reassess August. This man was utterly domineering.

Aya gazed at the "Commandment of Pride" before her. She didn't know what it was, but she had no choice but to accept it.

Whoosh!

The Commandment fused into her body, and dark power surged within her. The contract she'd made with a demon shattered.

A flash of shock crossed her eyes.

[Commandment - Pride: Before the Commandment of Pride, all opponents' strength is weakened. The weaker they are, the stronger the suppression.]

A Commandment that diminished her enemies' power—it stunned Aya, defying everything she knew.

The dark energy she gained from the fusion amazed her even more. And under the Commandment's power, even her Devil contract had broken.

That last fact shocked her most of all—her pact with a demon, destroyed.

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