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Veritas Kingdom, Royal Castle, Throne Room.

The place that once held the person at the pinnacle of this kingdom was now completely desolate. It had been neglected and left untouched due to the reluctance to clean it up. Yet, for the past three days, no one had entered this place until suddenly, footsteps echoed through. Although there should have been no one present, only the sound of footsteps echoed, and gradually a faint figure began to appear.

It resembled a shadow puppet, but soon the figure took on a solid human form. Short in stature, appearing almost like a boy at first glance, yet not quite. It was the Devil who had once left this place. The Devil in the form of a young boy glanced around as if searching for something, then suddenly smirked. Then, heading straight toward a specific point

[It seems like quite a mess has been made here, doesnt it?] (??)

The words were directed towards the ground. The Devil boys gaze also turned toward the ground, but of course, there was no one there. There shouldnt have been a response to his question but then, unexpectedly, there was.

[Hmph None of your business. More importantly, hurry up and help.] (??)

[Well, Id love to, but even though I have a rough idea of where you are, I dont know your exact location. Youll need to dispel that illusion for me.] (??)

[Tch Well, cant be helped, I suppose.] (??)

The moment he said that, something began to blur into existence in the seemingly empty s.p.a.ce. The face unmistakably belonged to the Devil that had been defeated by Soma earlier. However, only the upper half of the body was visible.

[Its quite pitiful to end up in this state, isnt it?] (??)

[As I said, its none of your business, already.] (??)

[Oh, right, my apologies for that.] (??)

Apologizing but still smiling, the man clicked his tongue at the boy. Even so, he refrained from saying anything more, understanding that he was in a subordinate position given the circ.u.mstances. These men were Devils, not ordinary beings.

That was why, even if reduced to just a head, they wouldnt die. It was simply that they couldnt move without their bodies, no matter how devilish they were. Not feeling hunger nor facing starvation, he would not die even if left alone, as it had already been three days since he was reduced to just a head. Even if another hundred years pa.s.sed, the man would not die, but that would be all. If he couldnt do anything, there wouldnt be much difference from death.

Devils werent ordinary creatures, but they didnt have a natural mechanism like limbs regrowing upon loss. To fix this, appropriate means were necessary. And the boy possessed those means

[Hmph Well, never mind that. More importantly, is the treatment ready? Even I, cant say I feel comfortable being left here with just my head.] (??)

[Well, thats understandable. I wouldnt feel comfortable either.] (??)

[In that case, hurry up and fix it. And when youre done Well, how shall we proceed? That human has humiliated me to no end. I want to return the favor manifold and paint his face with despair. Hehehe!] (??)

[Hmm, while you seem to be enjoying yourself, theres something Ive been wanting to ask since earlier.] (??)

[What? No, rather than that, fix my condition] (??)

[No, its related to that. Why should I be the one to fix you?] (??)

[What? What are you] (??)

The man stopped mid-sentence, finally noticing the expression on the boys face. Though the boy had been smiling all along, his eyes werent. Contained within those eyes were contempt and mockery.

[It seems you conveniently forgot, but youve already failed. Wheres the necessity for me to fix someone whos failed?] (??)

[You cooperate with me!] (??)

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[Yes, I did say that. I said it, but it was only until you failed. Naturally, right? I dont have a taste for sinking s.h.i.+ps. Although, I did turn your s.h.i.+p into a sinking one, didnt I?] (??)

[What? What are you talking about?] (??)

[Your unique ability that power to create illusions was quite troublesome. And due to your excellent compatibility with him, it only exacerbated the trouble. I never thought that by forming a contract, our powers would amplify each other. While he was a different case, by fighting him beforehand, your nuisance level increased even more. It was limited to the first encounter, but with a different approach, you might have been able to kill the Demon King.] (??)

As the boy continued to speak alone, the man found himself staring at him with a gaze of bewilderment. Or perhaps he simply didnt want to acknowledge it. That he had already

[In that sense, it was truly fortunate that you left it to me. Thanks to that, I could teach you many things and show you many things. Well, it was a bit tough to keep you in check. At one point, I thought I was going to be killed for real. Still, it was worth it, wouldnt you say? It turned out just the way I wanted. However, I suppose I should thank the Demon King for this. He kept his promise, after all. By not killing you right at the last moment and rendering you unable to resist, right?] (??)

[Wha You cant be!?] (??)

[I dont think this is unexpected, is it? Surely, you didnt think I wouldnt betray you either? Ive betrayed her as well. Well, somewhat unavoidably. Ah, but this time is different, you see? This is my choice.] (??)

As he spoke, the boys hand reached out and grabbed the mans head. Until just now, the man might have thought that this would finally start the treatment, but of course, things were different now.

[Stop Stop!] (??)

[Unfortunately, theres no reason for me to listen. There are plenty of reasons not to listen. And if you dont like it, why not resist?] (??)

[You!] (??)

Even if he wanted to resist, the man had already lost the means to do so. He had no arms to strike, no strength left to release a burst of light. His favorite illusion had been dispelled earlier

[Not resisting means you dont mind, right? Fortunately. Even I didnt want to forcibly absorb a former colleague who resisted.] (??)

[You Stop] (??)

[Well then, here I go.] (??)

The moment he said that, the mans head exploded. But immediately, the scattered fragments seemed to reverse course, gathering back towards the boys hand and disappearing as if absorbed into it. Without needing much time for everything to vanish, the boy opened and closed his palms a few times as if checking something, then his smile deepened.

[Yes, this should do.] (??)

Honestly, the power left within the man was minimal, insufficient for replenishment. Yet, for devils, the quality of power mattered more than the quant.i.ty. And what he had just absorbed accounted for two individuals, including her. With himself included, that made three. For what the boy intended, it was enough.

[Now, lets finally make my move. To fulfill my purpose.] (??)

Muttering these words, the boy disappeared from the spot, heading towards his destination.

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