The Supreme Overlord (Multicross)

Within the Prison Barrier, in the cell where Aya Tokoyogi was confined.

"Well, this is quite a rare guest, Natsuki... What brings you here to visit me?"

The room was still the same simple, sparsely furnished space. Aside from a desk, chair, and bed, there was nothing else.

Aya Tokoyogi was quietly sitting on a cushion, wearing her dark, intricately patterned, twelve-layered kimono. Her fiery eyes held a hint of mockery as she looked at Natsuki Minamiya, who sat opposite her, with a serious expression on her youthful face.

Then, without making it too obvious, the witch cast a glance at Saigou, her eyes filled with a subtle resentment.

He had promised that she would stay in the Prison Barrier for no more than six months, but who could have anticipated that Saigou would keep her there for three years?

Aya Tokoyogi felt as if she had been deceived by Saigou, but with her soul in his possession, there was little she could do—even if she felt she had been tricked, she could only suffer in silence.

"Aya…"

Natsuki Minamiya, dressed in a gothic-style long dress, had a complicated look in her sapphire-blue eyes. However, she quickly regained her composure, her face stern as she said, "…Aya, I know you might still harbor resentment towards me for capturing you and imprisoning you in the Prison Barrier."

"…But I won't apologize for that, because at that time, our positions were different, and my actions were justified."

It wasn't that Natsuki Minamiya refused to acknowledge her mistakes, but rather, she truly believed that her decision three years ago was not wrong.

Aya Tokoyogi didn't object to this. After understanding the importance of Itogami Island to Natsuki Minamiya, she came to terms with it, recognizing that their communication back then had been lacking.

Even though she no longer harbored resentment toward Natsuki Minamiya, Aya Tokoyogi's expression still carried a hint of sarcasm. "...So, if you're not here to apologize, what exactly do you want from me?"

Natsuki Minamiya took a deep breath, lowering her head slightly. "…I've come to seek your help, Aya!"

Her words caught Aya Tokoyogi by surprise. She glanced at Saigou again before quickly averting her gaze.

Natsuki continued, "…Of course, I was the one who imprisoned you in the Prison Barrier, and now I'm also the one asking for your help."

"…I'm not thick-skinned enough to pretend otherwise. If you have any demands, feel free to state them."

"Even if you require me to kneel and apologize, I am willing."

Natsuki Minamiya was strong-willed and proud, but that didn't mean she was too stubborn to admit her mistakes.

If she was truly at fault, she would willingly acknowledge it and accept any punishment—this was one of her most admirable traits.

"If you want me to do something, of course, I can. As long as you fulfill my wish."

Aya Tokoyogi chuckled softly, using the wide sleeve of her kimono to cover her red lips.

"Is it your wish to save all witches?"

Natsuki Minamiya interjected.

Aya Tokoyogi was momentarily taken aback, then shrugged, "...It seems that devil over there told you my true wish."

"...It's quite disappointing. I was hoping to use the wish of 'witnessing the truth of this world' to threaten you, just to see how you'd react, Natsuki."

"But since you already know my true wish, there's no point in hiding it."

"...Yes, that is indeed my desire. If you can fulfill it, then whatever you ask of me, I will do willingly."

Natsuki Minamiya bit her lip. Hearing Aya Tokoyogi speak these words aloud shook her to the core.

Back then, Aya Tokoyogi had actually acted to save herself, even going so far as to try to destroy Itogami Island, regardless of bearing the blame for 600,000 wronged souls.

Yet, she hadn't seen her friend's true intentions and had instead captured Aya Tokoyogi and confined her to the Prison Barrier. In that sense, Natsuki felt she had failed as a friend.

She chuckled bitterly at her own thoughts but knew now wasn't the time to dwell on them.

The Witch of the Void took a deep breath and said to Aya Tokoyogi, "…If this is your wish, then the means to achieve our wishes are entirely aligned."

"…We can still be allies, Aya!"

Hearing Natsuki Minamiya mention the word 'allies' again, Aya Tokoyogi's delicate body trembled almost imperceptibly. Maintaining her calm demeanor, she replied.

"...Then tell me your plan, Natsuki."

Natsuki Minamiya carefully laid out her plan to Aya Tokoyogi.

"You're saying that you want to eliminate the Island Management and establish a nation based on Itogami Island. You hope that I can gather more witches to help you solidify your rule?"

"…And then use the power of the Cleansing to fulfill both our wishes?"

As Aya Tokoyogi listened, she could no longer contain herself and turned to look at Saigou.

She was astonished, not understanding what kind of methods this devil had used to make Natsuki Minamiya resolve to commit such a radical act, something so against the established order.

Destroying the Island Management, seizing Itogami Island to crown herself, and even using the Cleansing to twist the laws of nature—this was not something the old Natsuki Minamiya would have chosen.

It could only be said that the devil known as Zarathustra must have used some means that Natsuki Minamiya couldn't refuse, forcing her to act this way.

Although confused, Aya Tokoyogi didn't question it. On the contrary, Natsuki Minamiya's methods excited her; this was exactly the way Aya Tokoyogi liked to operate.

This was how they, as witches, should act!

"Yes, that is my plan," Natsuki Minamiya continued. "The Island Management is composed of the Yaze family conglomerate. With our enemies in the open and us in the shadows, eliminating them will be effortless."

"...However, the real trouble comes afterward. Itogami Island is one of the special zones for demons. Although it's not completely under the control of Japan, it is nominally part of their territory."

"Our actions are tantamount to declaring independence. Japan might be manageable, but this move would undoubtedly be seen as a betrayal of the Holy Ground Treaty."

"...Led by the Warlod's Empire, the Holy Ground Treaty would undoubtedly send a massive army to pressure us."

"While Itogami Island's guard forces can maintain internal security, against the combined forces of these nations, Itogami Island would surely be annihilated."

"...No matter how many witches help, they could never match the military might of the Holy Ground Treaty."

Natsuki Minamiya had previously discussed with Saigou the potential international turmoil her actions could cause, and she explained it in detail to Aya Tokoyogi.

"So, what is your plan, Natsuki?" Aya Tokoyogi asked, now aligned with Natsuki Minamiya in strategizing for this endeavor.

"If the three primogenitors have their empires, then having a primogenitor here would give us a strong claim. The Fourth Primogenitor is a necessary component for establishing our nation."

"...Moreover, given the rumored powers of the Fourth Primogenitor, she could also be considered a strategic weapon, one we could use to confront the Holy Ground Treaty!"

After finishing, Natsuki Minamiya looked at Saigou, as if her words were directed both at Aya Tokoyogi and him.

"Through my recent investigations, I've learned from some old-generation vampires in the Warlord's Empire that the Fourth Primogenitor has been divided into twelve parts known as the Twelve Kaleid Blood."

"...Only when all Twelve Kaleid Blood are gathered, and a ritual known as Blazing Banquet is performed, will the Fourth Primogenitor truly be revived."

"Our objective now is simple, find one of the Kaleid Blood, obtain the right to participate in the Blazing Banquet, and thereby gain the power of the Fourth Primogenitor!"

Natsuki Minamiya laid out her plan.

Aya Tokoyogi furrowed her delicate brows and slowly asked, "...The biggest problem is, how do we get the Fourth Primogenitor to follow our orders?"

After speaking, Aya Tokoyogi already knew the answer. She and Natsuki Minamiya simultaneously looked toward Saigou.

Saigou bowed politely, a smile on his face. "...Leave that to me. I've already figured out how to control the power of the Fourth Primogenitor!"

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