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'Buzz—'

As Yukina Himeragi slumped to the ground in resignation, closing her eyes as if accepting her fate of being riddled with holes, a strange realization struck her moments later: nothing had happened.

Cautiously, she opened her eyes. What she saw froze her in shock. Surrounding her on all sides were countless weapons.

Swords, spears, halberds—every kind imaginable—all hovered ominously within a meter of her, as if suspended in time.

'Step. Step.'

August strode forward with an air of nonchalance, bending down to casually pick up the Snowdrift Wolf spear.

He could feel its potent core—powerful beyond measure.

The core of Snowdrift Wolf, known as the "Sacred Spear of Demon-Slaying," was a weapon whose full power could only be wielded by the descendants of "Methuselah." It was precisely for this reason that the Lion King Agency had long focused on cultivating suitable adaptors, with Yukina Himeragi being one of them.

However, despite its formidable power, the Snowdrift Wolf carried a fatal flaw.

As its user continued to swing the spear, their spiritual energy would gradually transform into divine essence. When this divine essence reached a critical threshold, the user would undergo a process similar to the "artificial angel" phenomenon—ascending to a higher state of being and vanishing from the mortal realm entirely.

The previous wielder of the Snowdrift Wolf, Touka Fujisaka, had met exactly such a fate. Excessive use of the spear had ultimately led her to ascend and disappear as an artificial angel.

In the original timeline, Yukina herself faced this same crisis in the later stages. She was only spared because Kojou Akatsuki transformed her into a servant of blood—a vampire's thrall. The vampiric transformation disrupted the angelic ascension process, saving her life.

'Buzz—'

But now, in August's hands, the Snowdrift Wolf activated with ease. The sacred vibration-wave technique embedded within the spear was instantly deployed.

"How is this possible?"

Yukina's disbelief spilled from her lips. She had undergone rigorous training to wield the Snowdrift Wolf, enduring years of discipline to master its complexities.

Yet here was August, who seemingly had no prior connection to the spear, wielding it with such proficiency that it defied all logic. It was simply too incredible.

As for August himself, he studied the divine essence radiating from the Snowdrift Wolf with an almost clinical detachment. With the "All-Knowing, All-Seeing Star" ability active, he understood everything about the spear down to its most intricate secrets.

This weapon's core was not of this world. In many ways, it was yet another "legacy of divine annihilation."

The world they inhabited was an intricate place, its origin stemming from a being known as Cain. Once human, Cain had become the progenitor of demons after being cursed and cast out from the earth. Driven by vengeance, he had corrupted the gods, transforming them into demons, and slaughtered the ancient humans known as the Devas.

But fundamentally, Cain himself was an outsider to this world. The technology and powers he introduced were similarly alien in nature.

This world, it seemed, was riddled with forces and creations that did not belong to it.

The seven-pattern anti-demon assault rifle was another such anomaly. Though crafted in this world, its core technology was foreign.

Divine essence acted more as a catalyst, aiding humans in their evolution. Yet once humans completed their ascension, they would be rejected by the laws of this world, vanishing as a result.

After fully analyzing the weapon, August lost interest. While the spear was undeniably powerful, it was ultimately just another tool—a curiosity at best.

"The Lion King Agency's Sword Shaman, huh? It seems you lack the strength to stop me," August remarked, his voice calm but cutting.

"All responsibility falls on me," Yukina replied firmly, bowing her head. "I only ask that you spare the others."

"You'll take responsibility? Do you even understand what that means?" August's tone turned mocking. "You're nothing more than a tool bred to please men. Without your master's command, would you even dare to stand before me?"

"I am not a tool! I am a Sword Shaman of the Lion King Agency!" Yukina's voice trembled with defiance.

"It's all the same. Even your revered Three Saints wouldn't dare speak to me in such a manner, let alone someone like you—a mere Sword Shaman. You're quite brave."

"I…"

Yukina faltered, words failing her. Deep down, she knew the truth. She had been reckless—some might even say foolish. Yet her determination burned brighter than her doubts.

Just as August prepared to deliver yet another verbal blow to Yukina Himeragi, he suddenly sensed a familiar magical presence approaching—one he had encountered not long ago. It belonged to none other than Koyomi Shizuka.

Swish!

Not far away, a young woman appeared, wearing the uniform of Saikai Academy. Her glasses framed sharp eyes, and her twin braids swayed slightly as she moved. It was Koyomi Shizuka herself.

"Well, well, the matchmaker has finally arrived," August remarked with a smirk.

"My deepest apologies, Lord August. It seems one of my children has caused you some trouble," Koyomi Shizuka replied, her tone measured and respectful.

"Since the guardian is here, let's have a proper chat, shall we?" August said, snapping his fingers.

Snap!

In an instant, the countless weapons hovering around Yukina vanished without a trace.

Though Koyomi Shizuka had witnessed the legendary Treasury of Kings before, she couldn't help but feel a pang of awe seeing it deployed and dispelled with such ease. Her awe quickly turned to unease, however, when her gaze landed on Yukina. The young Sword Shaman's leg was pierced through, her blood staining the ground beneath her.

Koyomi Shizuka's heart sank. She had assumed August's interest in the charming Natsune Hiyase from the middle school division meant he had a soft spot for cute girls. Clearly, she had been mistaken.

This man was no ordinary individual—he was a demon lord in every sense of the word. His self-centeredness was absolute.

To him, women were nothing more than a fleeting indulgence, mere seasoning to his grand existence. Beauty and charm offered no guarantee of mercy from him.

The Lion King Agency's plan to win him over, it seemed, had just become far more complicated.

"Koyomi Shizuka, correct?" August's piercing gaze settled on her.

"Yes, Lord August," she replied, bowing slightly.

"You people from the Lion King Agency are quite bold. Not only do you monitor me openly, but you also have the audacity to admit it to my face. Tell me, what do you think I should do about this?" August's voice was calm, yet it carried a weight that sent shivers down her spine.

Koyomi Shizuka cast a glance at Yukina, who was still kneeling nearby, and cursed inwardly. This girl truly lacks tact.

You told the person you were monitoring that you were, in fact, monitoring them. Anyone but a fool would take offense at that!

It was clear to Koyomi Shizuka that the Lion King Agency needed to do more than train its Sword Shamans in combat. Emotional intelligence and basic social skills had to be part of the curriculum as well. After all, sending someone on a mission only for them to act like a blunt fool wasn't exactly helpful.

"Lord August, I deeply apologize. This was a failure on our part," Koyomi Shizuka said, bowing again.

"Spare me the pointless apologies," August replied curtly.

"You and I both know the truth. Someone as powerful as me would never be allowed to roam freely. You understand that as well as I do, especially considering I'm currently living in Nagisa Minamiya's house," August said, his tone sharp with implication.

"Oh? Are you trying to sow discord between me and my dear Nagisa-chan?" he added with a smirk.

"Not at all, Lord August. Your power is simply too great. It's impossible for us to take no precautions. Surely you understand that," Koyomi Shizuka explained, carefully choosing her words.

"Go on," August said, motioning for her to continue.

"Yukina Himeragi was sent by us, yes, but not to monitor you. If that were the case, we wouldn't have sent her of all people."

"Hmph," August scoffed, clearly unimpressed.

Of course, he understood what she truly meant. While Yukina's role might have been officially labeled as "monitoring," the reality was quite different. She was, in essence, a gift—a time-honored tradition of the Lion King Agency's matchmaking tactics.

It didn't matter if they couldn't match their opponent's power. It didn't even matter if they had no means of controlling him. As long as they could tie him to one of their Sword Shamans, he would become an ally, if only by association.

Yukina, standing nearby, wasn't clueless either. She had pieced together the subtext of Koyomi Shizuka's words.

She wasn't here to "monitor" August at all.

She was here as a gift—a delivery neatly packaged and sent to his doorstep.

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