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"No!"
"To accept judgment is our best and most deserved outcome!"
This full-throated and righteous refusal, coming from Hoteye, one of the Oración Seis, truly left Noah speechless.
Why was he, a villain, so "righteous"?
As the only unfortunate soul currently transformed by Nirvana, this guy's personality had changed too thoroughly… Not just Noah, but Hoteye's companions, Cobra and Angel, also felt conflicted. They found it hard to imagine that the person next to them was the same Hoteye who used to be obsessed with money.
Noah was put in an awkward position by Hoteye's words. Fortunately, Cobra quickly covered Hoteye's mouth and continued, "Don't mind him. You just said you'd give us a chance for atonement. What exactly did you mean?"
"It's simple. I want you to cooperate with Roubaul's actions. Using the Oración Seis as a cover, you'll investigate the secrets of the Black Magic Cult together."
Noah's unhurried tone surprised Cobra.
Cobra and the other three already knew Brain, or rather Zero's, true identity. With their strength, having been instantly defeated by Noah and Mystogan, investigating the hidden forces of the Black Magic Cult, which might contain Mages of Zero's caliber, was nothing short of a death wish.
Atonement through good deeds was acceptable, but at the cost of their lives… "We accept!"
Breaking free from his companion's hand, Hoteye answered again, his tone as firm as a warrior ready to fight for justice. "If it's to expose the true face of the evil Black Magic Cult, then our judgment can indeed be postponed for a while."
Again, his troublesome teammate spoke on their behalf. Hoteye's actions almost made Cobra, who was holding him, faint from anger.
Buddy, Nirvana's a transformation Magic, not a brainwashing Magic! It's really hard for us to keep it together with you like this!
Come back, my miser… the stingiest tightwad of the Oración Seis… At this moment, Cobra missed the old Hoteye immensely.
But unfortunately, Hoteye had now been completely transformed by Nirvana, becoming a "partner of justice" who regarded money as dirt.
However, upon closer thought, Cobra felt it wasn't impossible.
If they could truly expose the Black Magic Cult's true face, it would be a great service. Even if the Magic Council judged their crimes afterward, they'd surely receive a lighter sentence because of it, and… "I'll join too."
Cobra's lightning-fast nod surprised Angel. He'd seemed so unwilling just a moment ago, yet he agreed in an instant. Wasn't his change of heart a bit too quick? Cobra glanced at his companions and said earnestly, "I know what you're thinking, but for us, perhaps 'revenge' is a more fitting word than 'atonement'."
"Think about why we fell to this state!"
"Enslaved by the Tower of Heaven, then used as tools by Zero to restore his power. Don't forget Sawyer was forcibly drained of his Magic and died through Organic Link."
"All our misery stems from that hateful Cult! Don't you want to take revenge on the Black Magic Cult?!"
His impassioned words struck a chord in Angel's heart.
Yes, her family was destroyed because of the Tower of Heaven, she was forced to separate from her young sister, and after being bought by Brain and taken out of the Tower of Heaven, she entered another, even crueler hell.
The most tragic part was being treated as a disposable tool from beginning to end… And all of this was because of the Black Magic Cult.
It'd be strange if Angel didn't harbor any resentment at all.
Thinking of this, the only female member of the Oración Seis no longer hesitated, nodding to join this action that was both revenge and atonement.
In just a few minutes, three "demons" had "defected." Only Midnight remained, completely indifferent to Noah's words.
Midnight didn't care about atonement or revenge.
His dream was to sleep undisturbed. He slept when he was with the Oración Seis, and he'd sleep the same in the Magic Council's prison. In fact, in the enclosed prison of the Magic Council, his sleep quality might even be better.
But since his companions, who'd grown up with him and shared hardships, had all decided to take revenge on the Black Magic Cult, Midnight didn't want to leave their mutually supportive small group.
After all, it was better to be in prison with everyone.
If he were in prison alone, it'd be boring.
With Midnight's nod, all the "tools" Noah had found for Roubaul were in place.
Noah's suggestion to Roubaul was for him to disguise himself as "Zero," the mysterious leader of the Oración Seis who'd never publicly appeared. Using this identity to secretly investigate the Black Magic Cult's hidden forces would be much more convenient.
In a word, Noah wanted to create a New Oración Seis!
"That's indeed a good idea."
Roubaul nodded in satisfaction. Transforming into Zero using Transformation Magic was just a wave of his hand.
He never thought that he, who'd established Cait Shelter for Wendy, would soon transform from a Legal Guild Master to the Guild Master of the Dark Guild "Oración Seis."
This made Roubaul feel a bit emotional.
Noah, however, still had some regrets. With Roubaul, there were only five members of the Oración Seis. Even without comparing it to the previous formula [6 (executives) + 1 (leader) = Oración Seis], they were still short one person.
If they couldn't even gather six people, could they still be called the Oración Seis?
"Please let me join as well."
Just as Noah was hesitating whether to drag Ultear into it, Jellal, who was squatting in the corner, spoke up. As Cobra said, he also harbored great hatred for the Black Magic Cult.
Seeing Jellal's movement, Noah's face immediately turned cold.
"There's no place for you in this plan, Jellal."
Jellal lowered his head, his voice full of guilt. "I know, it's because I hurt Erza…"
"You know, yet you still ask."
Ruthlessly interrupting Jellal, Noah had always known he was a hypocrite.
Noah was willing to give Midnight, Cobra, Hoteye, and Angel a chance to atone for their sins because Mystogan had interceded, and they hadn't harmed anyone Noah cared about.
As for Brain and Erigor, who'd previously threatened Wendy, even though Noah hadn't met his "cheap sister" at that time, neither of them came to a good end at Noah's hands.
Erigor was indirectly tortured to death by Noah's Devil Slayer Wind.
Brain was fatally cut by a wind blade, and even his nested inner personality, Zero, and main personality, Brain, met tragic ends.
Jellal had hurt Erza. Based solely on that, Noah couldn't possibly give him a good look.
Although Erza had later personally cut ties with Jellal, this didn't mean Noah's attitude toward Jellal would change much.
Sorry~ having power means you can have double standards.