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"Why do you think I'm awake?"
Natsuki looked like she'd heard the most ridiculous question ever. This guy was practically driving her to angry laughter.
This Prison Barrier was originally constructed from her dreams. It had manifested earlier due to the Fourth Progenitor's familiar attack, but that was just a manifestation—like a mirage in the desert, fleeting and ephemeral. With a little effort, she could've hidden the Prison Barrier again.
But the moment this guy set foot in the Prison Barrier's domain, an overwhelmingly powerful force replaced her dream and reconstructed the entire prison. Now the Prison Barrier could exist independently, without needing her dreams to maintain it.
He hadn't just "materialized" the Prison Barrier—he'd literally created it from scratch.
Once the Prison Barrier no longer needed her dreams for maintenance, of course she'd wake up!
Hell, she was practically becoming a prisoner herself!
"I'll say it again—return control of the Prison Barrier to me."
Natsuki rolled her eyes impatiently.
If she could, she'd snatch control back from this guy directly, but the problem was she couldn't...
"Nope."
Bokue's refusal was blunt and immediate.
The gothic lolita's eyebrow twitched violently.
"What do you mean 'nope'... The Fourth Progenitor's familiar attack has already caused internal disruption in the Prison Barrier. If we don't repair it quickly and those criminals escape outside—"
"They'd have to get out first."
Bokue shrugged.
"Relax. Before coming in, I already sealed the outside with a barrier. Forget people—not even a cockroach could escape."
"More importantly, where's Tokoyogi Aya?"
Tokoyogi Aya...
At that name, the gothic lolita's pupils contracted slightly.
"Why are you suddenly asking about her? Don't tell me you..."
"Yeah, I want to take her out."
Bokue didn't beat around the bush, admitting it straight up.
"It's Yuuma's contract condition, after all. No harm in helping out. Plus, if possible, I'd like to abolish this Prison Barrier entirely."
"Abolish? You want to release all the criminals here?"
"Of course not. Just kill them all. Plus, that way you could leave too, Natsuki."
"You... stop joking around!"
Natsuki gritted her teeth and waved angrily.
"Do you think I became a witch and contracted with a high-ranking demon for fun??"
"No idea. Elaborate."
Bokue spread his hands, genuinely clueless.
Natsuki stared at his self-righteous expression and fell silent for a moment. But with no other choice, she slowly began:
"...It was ten years ago. The LCO's Grand Librarian, the 'Witch of Notaria' Tokoyogi Aya, stole the Dark Oath from the LCO's classified library. She planned to use it to eliminate all supernatural power from the world, but I stopped her. I contracted my soul with a high-ranking demon to become a witch and permanently imprisoned Tokoyogi Aya in this Prison Barrier."
The gothic lolita paused, glaring angrily at the youth.
"This Prison Barrier was originally created specifically to imprison Tokoyogi Aya, yet now you want to take her out..."
"Wait wait wait."
Bokue stopped her from continuing.
"What do you mean 'Tokoyogi Aya tried to eliminate all supernatural power in the world'?"
Come on, supernatural power wasn't some new fad that appeared yesterday.
Even before the human and demon realms opened trade half a century ago, Japan had Onmyoji and Jujutsu Sorcerers, Europe had the Church and holy sword wielders, and don't even get started on the East—that place was crawling with all sorts of gods and monsters...
She wanted to eliminate all of that?
"Exactly what it sounds like."
Natsuki nodded slightly.
"Like I said, Tokoyogi Aya's goal was to return everyone to lives without any supernatural interference..."
What kind of nonsense was that? If she hated supernatural power so much, why become a witch herself?
Bokue thought to himself.
And hadn't she just said witches gained power by contracting with high-ranking demons? So didn't she sign that contract herself??
Wanting a contract when you have nothing, then hating it after signing... talk about having your cake and eating it too.
Even now, plenty of people desperately wanted supernatural power but couldn't get it. Yet here she was, signing a contract then deciding she hated it, even wanting to eliminate all supernatural power?
"So now you understand how dangerous Tokoyogi Aya is."
Unaware of the youth's inner monologue, Natsuki continued.
"If you understand, then return control of the Prison Barrier before they realize—"
"Realize what? That the Prison Barrier has been breached?"
Before the gothic lolita could finish, an ethereal female voice drifted from above without warning, carrying a faint Kyoto accent in its trailing syllables.
That voice...!
Natsuki's pupils contracted sharply.
Looking up, she saw the moonlight from the circular hall's hollow ceiling blocked as an elegantly dressed woman in elaborate twelve-layered robes descended slowly from above, her black hair spreading behind her like a fan.
She had the exact same delicate features as Tokoyogi Yuuma, just with a more mature and refined bearing.
"Tokoyogi... Aya."
Natsuki spoke the name grimly.
"Natsuki Minamiya, it's been so long. I never expected to see you awake like this."
Tokoyogi Aya smiled at her, then turned to Bokue and Tokoyogi Yuuma, raising her wide sleeve to delicately cover her mouth.
"Oh my~ Isn't this my 'copy'? Though it took a bit longer than I expected, you've finally made it this far. And you brought help too—how wonderful."
"So, can we leave now?"
Though well-hidden, a flash of contempt still flickered through Tokoyogi Aya's eyes.
That contempt turned to doubt in the next second.
"No."
Bokue's answer was equally blunt. He raised his hand, pointing between himself and Natsuki.
"The warden disagrees. We're still negotiating terms."
"Negotiating... terms?"
Tokoyogi Aya's voice pitched upward.
Was this a joke?
"Stop kidding around!"
Natsuki finally exploded too.
"No matter what terms you offer, I'll never agree—"
"How about this?"
Mid-sentence, Bokue suddenly appeared behind Tokoyogi Aya, golden spiritual flames igniting on his fingertips. His arms swept in from both sides, pressing against her head like twin thunder strikes.
[Magnetic Field Rotation: 990,000 Horsepower!]
[Magnetic Field Heaven Lock!]
With no chance to resist, Tokoyogi Aya collapsed from mid-air as if all her power had been drained, landing on her rear with an undignified thud.
She hadn't even processed what happened, just dumbly touched the cold, unfamiliar floor behind her, then raised her hand to sense...
Nothing. Not a trace of power.
Realizing this, Tokoyogi Aya panicked.
"N-no, wait... my magic?? Why can't I sense my magic..."
"You completely sealed her power?"
Natsuki was stunned. As a fellow witch, she could clearly sense that Aya's magical power had completely vanished.
"Isn't this what she wanted?"
Bokue shrugged.
"Now Tokoyogi Aya will have to work for a living. Thinking about it... hmm, how about she helps serve coffee at your place like Astarte, Natsuki?"
Natsuki: "..."
She wanted to refuse, but before the words reached her lips, her mind automatically conjured an image of the "Witch of Notaria" forced to wear a maid outfit, respectfully serving her tea and coffee just to make rent.
Honestly? Pretty satisfying.
After a brief silence, Natsuki gave a small nod. "...Good idea."
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