The Supreme Overlord (Multicross)

Natsuki Minamiya sat expressionless, lifting the steaming cup of red tea before her. Her delicate cherry-colored lips took a gentle sip as if contemplating Saigou's suggestion.

In the witch's mind, a myriad of emotions and thoughts intertwined and shifted. Eventually, Natsuki realized that Saigou's suggestion might indeed be her best option at this moment.

It was known that Itogami Island was linked to the Cleansing, a fact that could be discerned through analysis of the information provided by the Island Management.

Currently, the Island Management placed considerable trust in Natsuki Minamiya, revealing many secrets without hesitation.

Natsuki even surmised that Itogami Island was established because of the Cleansing and Cain.

Given the current circumstances, the Cleansing seemed like the best way to achieve her seemingly impossible wish.

To acquire the Cleansing, it was inevitable to stand in opposition to the current rulers of Itogami Island, the Island Management.

Rather than engage in a drawn-out struggle, it would be more strategic to take advantage of their trust and decisively seize control of the situation, thereby gaining ownership of Itogami Island.

In this way, the potential existence of the Cleansing could be secured within her grasp.

Saigou's proposal, though cold, was undoubtedly the best solution for the present.

It was a means to achieve her goal with minimal sacrifice.

Natsuki Minamiya was not a woman given to indecision; on the contrary, her decisiveness was one of her greatest strengths.

While she maintained her sense of benevolence, she would never allow herself to be constrained by morality and kindness—this was what Saigou most admired about her.

"I have only one question now!"

Natsuki sat upright in her chair, setting aside the parasol in her hand. Her seemingly childish face bore the weight of mature contemplation, presenting a stark contrast that felt quite paradoxical.

"What is your question?"

Saigou asked with a hint of curiosity.

"Why are you helping me? Aren't you a devil? As a devil, shouldn't you naturally want to see this world consumed by darkness?"

"…Given that, your willingness to help me fulfill my wish and uphold the contract has made me suspicious from the start. I've wondered if there's some hidden scheme behind your actions."

"Answer my question, and don't give me any strange excuses—you know I won't believe them!"

Natsuki's expression turned stern, her sapphire-blue eyes locking onto Saigou with an unwavering gaze.

Though her voice was still somewhat unclear and childish, she exuded a surprising sense of maturity at this moment.

"Hahaha!! So that's your question. I think you've misunderstood something, Natsuki-chan."

Saigou remained as calm and composed as ever. It was precisely this unflappable demeanor that made Natsuki constantly feel as though she could never fully understand him, and it always exerted enormous pressure on her.

Saigou picked up a book from the nearby table—the same book that Natsuki had read earlier, On the Genealogy of Morals.

"You've read this book before, so you know what it's about."

"…Therefore, you should understand why we devils are labeled as evil, and why in many legends, devils are seen as the embodiment of malice."

"It's because, compared to humans, devils occupy the position of the strong. In the eyes of devils, weak humans are naturally negated."

"…And in the eyes of humans, devils with overwhelming power are, of course, defined as evil!"

Saigou didn't mind sharing his universal perspective—or rather, the perspective of devils—with Natsuki.

Something clicked in the witch's mind, and she blurted out, "…You kept carrying that book around to encourage me to read it."

"…You knew I would be curious about what you were reading, and you used that opportunity to convey your—or rather, the devils'—value system?"

Upon this realization, a chill ran down Natsuki Minamiya's spine. A sense of dread welled up within her.

This devil was truly terrifying. From the very beginning, he had calculated everything meticulously. One wrong step, and you'd be like a butterfly ensnared in a spider's web, unable to escape.

Saigou merely chuckled, neither confirming nor denying her thoughts, leaving some things for her to guess.

"Natsuki-chan, you made a mistake in your earlier assumption. My Great Lord—the one who created me—and I have no real interest in destroying this world."

"…For beings like us, with such long lifespans, the outcomes of victory or defeat are, frankly, of little importance."

"Whether you fulfill the contract and thwart our 'purpose,' or you fail and we end up destroying this world ourselves, achieving what could be called 'success'—"

"…both outcomes bring us joy."

"Humans may defeat devils temporarily, but they can never defeat us forever. So, failure isn't something we can't accept."

"…Humans always define devils as evil simply because we are stronger, because we are in a position of power."

Saigou stood leisurely, taking his time as he walked over to Natsuki Minamiya. He gently brushed his fingers across her delicate, rosy cheek, smiling softly.

"…That's why I'm helping you. I'm not here to destroy this world; I'm here to find joy."

"You should know about the three primogenitors who have lived for thousands of years. Their way of thinking is different from that of humans, as are their choices."

"…A long life leads them to search for the meaning of existence. For us devils, however, the meaning of life is found in joy!"

"My Great Lord doesn't believe you can fulfill the contract. So if I help you succeed and thereby cause my Great Lord to fail, it would bring delight to both of us."

Saigou continued to mislead Natsuki Minamiya. He wasn't truly a being who had lived for millennia; he didn't possess such a twisted mindset.

His sole objective was to maintain his contract with Natsuki Minamiya while also obtaining things that intrigued him.

Like the Cleansing, or the Fourth Primogenitor.

Even though Saigou himself didn't believe in his own words, Natsuki Minamiya did.

With the other three primogenitors as examples, Natsuki found herself thinking that perhaps the devils, like Saigou, genuinely held such distorted views, entirely different from those of humans.

Hesitation in decision-making only leads to chaos, and at this moment, Natsuki realized she had no choice but to trust Saigou. She had to believe in him.

This was the only way to fulfill the contract and her wish.

"Accompany me to the Prison Barrier!"

Natsuki Minamiya's expression was resolute. Once she made up her mind, she was a woman of action.

"For what purpose?"

Saigou asked, though he already knew the answer.

"Putting the other prisoners aside for now, if Aya is truly as you said back then, and that is her genuine wish, I will release her."

"…I won't apologize to her, as our positions were different back then. But I will ask for her help."

"Aya knows more witches. If we want to achieve our goal, I'll need more people, and this will also fulfill Aya's wish."

"…As you said, since this is the only way, I will establish a Witch Empire!"

Natsuki Minamiya, with her decisive nature, had made up her mind instantly.

Saigou looked at the witch before him with admiration, smiling as he said, "…The empires of the three primogenitors are called the Empire of the Night."

"…Why not call the realm of the witches The Witch's Night? I think it's a fitting name."

The wish of Aya Tokoyogi was to save all witches, and this name for their realm seemed perfectly appropriate.

"Call it whatever you want. It's just a name, after all."

Natsuki Minamiya replied nonchalantly.

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