In the living room, August held a card in his hand, his expression peculiar.
Having destroyed the Prison Barrier and earned three high-tier draws, August hadn't forgotten. Upon returning, he'd used them, and one draw had yielded a prize.
The card in his hand now was a special item from the system.
[Deprivation Card: This can completely strip a person of everything, allowing the holder to inherit it perfectly.
[Restriction: The target must be fully unconscious and utterly incapable of resistance.]
The moment he obtained it, August thought of Kojou Akatsuki.
This Deprivation Card was perfect for stripping Kojou of his Fourth Progenitor powers.
Click.
At that moment, the door swung open, and Yukina Himeragi and Sayaka Kirasaka stepped inside.
They'd been recalled by the Lion King Organization some time ago and had only just returned.
"Hm? Where are your weapons?"
August suddenly noticed something off. The weapons they'd never parted with since the beginning—Sekkarou and Koka-lyn—were nowhere to be seen.
"Our weapons were taken back by the Lion King Organization," Yukina Himeragi said slowly. Over time, she had become wholly loyal to August.
The power of the precepts was no joke. Without exaggeration, if August ordered Yukina to slaughter the Lion King Organization right now, she'd carry it out without hesitation.
Even if she felt reluctant, her absolute obedience to August's precept would compel her to follow his commands without fail.
"Taken back?"
August's eyes narrowed. He didn't care much for the weapons themselves, but Yukina and Sayaka were his people now. They'd gone back for a visit, and their weapons had been confiscated?
Whoosh.
As if on cue, Natsuki Minamiya returned with Aya Tokoyogi in tow.
Seeing Aya's injuries, a flash of killing intent glinted in August's eyes.
"Hm? What's wrong?"
Natsuki sensed the odd atmosphere and asked instinctively.
"Nothing. Natsuki, what happened to Aya?"
"Well, Aya went to deal with that child—her replica—but she was defeated by the Fourth Progenitor and came back injured."
"The Fourth Progenitor? Kojou Akatsuki?"
"Yes. I came to tell you about it. Kojou has awakened at least five familiars now."
"Hmph, haha, I see. So, the Lion King Organization is boosting Kojou's strength to test me again? Fine. Very well."
August was furious. Since arriving on Itogami Island, he'd never truly lost his temper.
But now, he was enraged.
His people had their weapons taken, Kojou's power had surged, and he'd even defeated Aya Tokoyogi.
If the Lion King Organization wasn't behind this, August wouldn't believe it for a second.
"Natsuki, bring everyone back."
"What are you planning?"
"What else? To make some disobedient fools understand who's in charge of this island."
"Got it."
Natsuki could see August's anger. Knowing his temperament, she understood no one could stop him now. All she could do was minimize the fallout.
"Master, I'm sorry. I failed."
Aya spoke to August. Her first mission—undertaken on her own—had ended in failure. It wasn't just a personal disgrace; it tarnished August's name as her master.
"It's fine. You've only just fused with the precept and aren't fully accustomed to the dark power yet. It's understandable."
"Yes."
Aya bowed her head at August's words. She offered no excuses or explanations.
In the face of failure, words were meaningless. Only success and victory could prove her worth, so she saw no point in justifying herself.
Whoosh.
The next moment, a tall woman with long crimson hair appeared beside August, accompanied by a massive demonic wolf with twin horns on its back.
The sudden arrival startled everyone else in the room, especially Natsuki and Aya.
As witches, they could keenly sense the terrifying magical power radiating from the woman and the wolf—enough to rival the legendary progenitors.
"August, why'd you summon me out of nowhere?"
The red-haired woman, Crimson Queen, asked with a puzzled look. She'd been chatting with Tsubaki when she was abruptly called out.
"I summoned you because I need your power."
"Hm? Another new world?"
"Exactly."
"You're something else, crossing worlds again. By the way, Esdeath mentioned she's a queen on the same tier as me. Is that true?"
"It is."
"Her strength doesn't even reach the Ultimate. Why'd you choose her?"
"She has potential. She's a born warrior, and I've already found the perfect power for her."
"Fine, you're the master. Your call."
Crimson Queen sighed. After spending time in the small world, her strength had recovered to that of a Transcendent.
In that realm, only Fenrir could match her, and as a queen, her status outranked even Fenrir.
That's why Esdeath—whose strength was comparatively weak—being named another queen had baffled her.
But as she'd said, August was the master. His word was law.
"August, who are they?"
Natsuki couldn't hold back her question.
"Them? This is Crimson Queen, my queen. And that's Fenrir, my soldier."
"Queen? Soldier?"
Aside from Natsuki, Yukina, Sayaka, and Aya were all bewildered, unfamiliar with the concept of demon god chess pieces.
Natsuki, however, stared in shock at the woman and the wolf. A queen—the highest rank among chess pieces. And a soldier, the lowest, yet it was obvious this wolf was a monstrous force.
"Who's this?"
"Her name's Natsuki Minamiya, a witch and my newly appointed bishop."
"A bishop, huh? Seems impressive."
"Enough chit-chat."
"Yes, sir."
Crimson Queen knew August wouldn't summon her—and Fenrir—without reason. This was no small matter.
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