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Watching Natsuki depart, August shook his head slightly. He had no interest in meddling in this chapter of the story.

It was pointless. An annihilation teacher? Natsuki could handle him solo. Even with Astarte in the mix, it wouldn't change the outcome.

After years on Itogami Island, the list of vampires who'd fallen to her was long.

The title "Witch of the Void" struck fear into countless demons for a reason—she'd earned it through bloodshed.

"Wait—Astarte!"

August jolted upright, a realization dawning. There was a reason to get involved—that emotionless artificial lifeform.

Sayaka, still blushing from having her lap commandeered, felt a wave of relief as August sat up—followed by a faint, inexplicable flicker of disappointment.

This man, who'd forced himself upon her, was the first she didn't instinctively despise.

"Sayaka, come with me."

"Huh? Where to?"

"The Keystone Gate."

"What—?"

Before Sayaka could fully process it, August was already out the door. She scrambled to catch up.

---

Meanwhile, at the Keystone Gate, Rudolf Ostach and Astarte arrived after a night of recovery. Their tracks had been exposed, leaving no room for delay—it was now or never.

After last night's battle, Astarte had devoured another vampire's familiar not long ago, replenishing her magic. Without pause, they'd rushed straight to the Keystone Gate.

"Astarte, break through."

"Command acknowledged. Initiating—Rose Fingertips."

Boom!

From Astarte's back emerged two silver arms tinged with rainbow hues, extending outward.

Nothing could stand in their path. To ordinary humans, a familiar was a walking disaster—especially for guards and security teams like these.

Clatter!

Suddenly, a torrent of Laeding erupted around them, ensnaring Rudolf Ostach and Astarte in their grasp.

"The Witch of the Void!"

"Rudolf Ostach, annihilation teacher of Northern Europe."

"Impressive. You tracked me down in just one night?"

"Well, your Northern European friends were quite cooperative."

"A pack of faithless scum. The supreme relic of our faith, reduced to a cornerstone beneath the feet of hundreds of thousands—an insult to our Lord."

"As expected—a fanatic bordering on insanity."

Last night, she'd contacted Northern Europe.

But regarding Rudolf Ostach, they'd claimed powerlessness and distanced themselves entirely.

Whether they'd thrown him under the bus or never been allied to begin with, his crimes were now confirmed. Northern Europe had given their approval—killing him here and now was fully sanctioned.

She'd worried about souring relations with them last night, but that fear was gone. Rudolf was nothing more than a discarded pawn.

"As I thought, there's no reasoning with someone like you. For your crimes, accept your punishment obediently."

"Punishment? No one but my Lord can judge me, Witch of the Void."

Crack!

In a surge of furious defiance, Rudolf showed signs of breaking free—only to be swiftly resealed by an even tighter binding.

"Astarte, full force. Crush them."

"Command acknowledged. Initiating—Rose Fingertips!"

Boom!

A surge of immense magic snapped the Laeding apart.

Power coalesced, and a white, humanoid Gundam-like figure emerged. At its heart stood Astarte, fully summoning her familiar to unleash its true might.

But summoning a familiar as an artificial lifeform came at a cost—her life force was draining rapidly.

After this, she might have mere days left. Perhaps less.

"Attack command—Rose Fingertips!"

Under Astarte's control, the familiar lunged at Natsuki.

Natsuki vanished with spatial magic, her former position smashed into a crater.

Facing Astarte now, she found herself at a loss. Her primary weapon, the Laeding, struggled to restrain Astarte, who was now burning through her life force.

Worse still, despite everything, Natsuki couldn't shake her pity for this tragic child.

She was a demon-slaying officer, yes—but also a teacher. Striking down an innocent child was a line she could barely cross.

Clatter!

After repelling Natsuki, Astarte freed Rudolf Ostach from his bonds.

Rudolf, watching Natsuki falter, grinned maniacally.

"What's wrong, Witch of the Void? Why hesitate? Has the witch whose hands are stained with demon blood grown soft for a mere tool?"

"Shut your mouth."

"No way—is this for real? If word got out, no one would believe it. The Witch of the Void, showing mercy?"

Rudolf's face twisted with deranged glee as he brandished his weapon—a massive axe.

"Damn it. If only that bastard were here right now."

Unbidden, Natsuki's thoughts drifted to August—that infuriating yet undeniably powerful man.

Say what you will, if he were here, neither Rudolf Ostach nor this pitiful artificial child would be in danger. He had the strength to stop it all.

"Attack! All squads, open fire!"

Reinforcements from the special district security team arrived at that moment.

They unleashed a hail of bullets, a storm of lead raining down.

But it was futile—neither Astarte, shielded by her familiar, nor Rudolf, clad in specialized armor, flinched.

"A bunch of insignificant ants. Astarte."

"Command acknowledged—Rose Fingertips."

In an instant, Astarte pivoted from Natsuki, her silver arms lashing out. In the blink of an eye, the entire security team was wiped out.

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