A Multiverse Journey Beginning with the Supreme Sovereign

This seemingly simple method was actually extremely difficult. Under normal circumstances, anyone who approached the 'Primogenitor' would only be cursed by the 'Primogenitor,' have their body possessed, and their soul taken away.

In other words, Saigō had used a method Nangong Nayue did not know about to seize everything from the 'Primogenitor.'

Saigō was now the 'Primogenitor'!

At this moment, Nangong Nayue had also guessed Saigō's next plan.

He wanted to gather all the 'Fourth True Ancestor's Vessels' and hold the 'Feast of Blazing Light,' thereby obtaining the Fourth True Ancestor's complete power.

Some of the Fourth True Ancestor's Vessels should be in the hands of those three True Vampires. Next, Saigō would most likely clash head-on with those three True Vampires!

Until Death Ends Our Contract!

Facing three True Vampires head-on might seem incredibly dangerous, even unimaginable, to others.

But Nangong Nayue believed that for this unfathomable demon, it might not be such an unbelievable feat.

Even though she trusted that Saigō had his own plans and objectives, and had long prepared himself to face the three True Vampires head-on—

Deep down, the Witch of the Void still felt a faint concern for Saigō.

When that thought surfaced, Nangong Nayue jolted in alarm before giving a self-mocking smile.

She did not know when she had gradually begun worrying about this demon.

For five years, this demon had accompanied her every day and every night.

To Nangong Nayue, Saigō was the person who had stayed by her side the longest and shared the closest relationship with her since her birth.

There had not been many friends in Nangong Nayue's twenty years of life. In her memories, there was not even any trace of her parents.

No matter how strong the lonely witch was, she still longed for someone close who could remain at her side.

And that person was Saigō.

Nangong Nayue's sapphire-blue eyes turned toward Saigō, watching as he teased Aurora.

The beautiful girl with Flame Light Eyes was left flustered by him, always looking delicate and on the verge of tears.

Noticing Nangong Nayue's piercing gaze, Saigō withdrew his attention from Aurora and looked toward the Witch of the Void. Their eyes met.

The witch showed no embarrassment or panic whatsoever. She stubbornly met his gaze without avoiding it.

"What is it, little Natsuki... Why are you looking at me like that?"

Saigō asked with a soft laugh.

"Hmph. I merely suddenly realized that we have known each other for so long without my noticing."

"...I do not know your exact purpose, but I understand what you intend to do next."

"Since you have already become involved in the Fourth True Ancestor's affair, then seize everything the Fourth True Ancestor has!"

"...But in this 'Feast of Blazing Light' that we cannot understand, you should still pay attention to your safety. I do not want anything to happen to the demon bound by my contract."

Nangong Nayue held a lace-patterned parasol, its handle resting against her delicate shoulder.

The witch took several steps forward on her slender legs wrapped in black velvet stockings. The frozen breeze from the distant sea drifted past, stirring her ink-black hair.

The frigid chill and moisture in the air froze upon Nangong Nayue's hair, forming tiny crystals of ice that made her seem clear and exquisitely beautiful, even more like the Crimson Ice of the Demon Princess.

Nangong Nayue had a forceful personality and regarded herself above all others.

That kind of tsundere, unfrank personality would never appear in her.

She was someone who spoke plainly and never yielded when duty called.

Since she had noticed her deep concern for Saigō, as well as those nearly imperceptible unusual feelings—

Nangong Nayue would not avoid them. Instead, she spoke frankly and decisively voiced her concern.

In Nangong Nayue's eyes, those who missed many things because they were not honest with themselves, only to regret them in the future, were completely undeserving of sympathy.

Acknowledge the past, seize the present, and look toward the future—those were Nangong Nayue's principles in life.

When Saigō said she could become the Queen of String God Island, he had not been joking. Nangong Nayue possessed the bearing of a Witch Queen.

Even Saigō had not expected Nangong Nayue to be so candid. After a brief pause, he replied with a serious expression, "...Until you die, our contract will not end!"

"And until that contract ends, I will forever be the demon who protects you—and watches over you!"

Standing before Saigō with only her back to him, Nangong Nayue curled her cherry lips into a smile he could not see.

"I will stand with you and help you, Zarathustra! For our ultimate purpose, the Fourth True Ancestor's power can serve as a deterrent!"

Nangong Nayue declared firmly.

Yet no one understood what Nangong Nayue meant by their 'ultimate purpose.' Only Saigō and Sendou Aya understood her meaning.

At that moment, the Japanese-style beauty with fiery eyes used her wide sleeve to cover half her face.

Sendou Aya gazed thoughtfully at Nangong Nayue's back, a playful smile appearing on her gorgeous face behind her sleeve.

Liana sighed at this moment. "...What a pity about Gozo Island. It was such a famous scenic destination in the Mediterranean region, yet it was destroyed just like that."

Hearing Liana's words, Saigō teased, "...Is Princess blaming me for not showing mercy?"

Liana hurriedly replied, "...Of course not. How could I blame Mr. Zarathustra?"

"...In any case, the matter has already been settled. This disaster was caused by Mr. Akaya Castle over there because of his coveting and research into the Fourth True Ancestor's power."

"Yes, and the Black Death Emperor Faction as well. The destruction of Gozo Island this time was caused by the Black Death Emperor Faction and Mr. Akaya Castle."

"...Fortunately, tourists from around the world were not injured. Otherwise, Mr. Akaya Castle truly would not be able to escape blame. Even death would not be enough to repay such a sin."

Liana truly was a professional diplomat. With a few words shifting responsibility, she had defined the nature of the incident.

"Wait, I have nothing to do with the Black Death Emperor Faction! Princess, please do not lump me together with the Black Death Emperor Faction!"

Akaya Castle's expression changed drastically as he spoke in a panic.

The Black Death Emperor Faction were terrorists. It was fine to blame terrorists for this accident, and even blaming him, an archaeologist, was manageable.

After all, archaeologists and folklore scholars were dangerous professions to begin with.

But if the two were grouped together, this would become a serious matter.

If he were associated with terrorists, Akaya Castle did not know what he would have to face in the future.

The Kingdom's Princess remained smiling, her etiquette flawless as she said, "...That has nothing to do with me, Mr. Akaya Castle."

"...As for whether you are connected to the Black Death Emperor Faction, you will need to explain that to Malta's security authorities. Whether they believe you is their concern."

In just a few sentences, Liana had removed herself, Saigō, and the others from the matter, leaving the Black Death Emperor Faction and Akaya Castle to bear all the blame.

Even if Malta's authorities understood that Liana must have played a role in this, they could only swallow their bitterness in silence.

After all, the Kingdom of Aldegia possessed formidable overall national strength and even greater military power. Malta, being in the weaker position, would not dare do anything to a Kingdom Princess.

"You really are... devious..."

Akaya Castle gave a bitter smile.

As expected of the Kingdom's renowned Princess, and an elite cultivated by the royal family. That scheming nature was completely unlike her beautiful face.

"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Akaya Castle... As for Miss Liana..."

Just as Liana was about to say something, Saigō suddenly spoke. "...Take her away!"

"Hmm?"

The silver-haired, breathtakingly beautiful Princess looked at Saigō in confusion, unsure why he had made such a decision.

"The Karyana Family of the War King's Domain has already declined. As the next head of the Karyana Family, if something happens to her here, that family will likely find itself in an even more difficult position."

Saigō spoke lightly, a smile at the corner of his lips.

Liana seemed to understand his meaning, yet also seemed not to. She asked tentatively, "...Mr. Zarathustra, you mean?"

"Miss Liana is now our prisoner. It is only natural for the Karyana Family to exchange something for their captive."

Hearing Saigō's casual tone, Liana's expression changed slightly. "...Since you know my family has fallen into decline, then you should understand that we cannot offer anything worth exchanging for me."

"Is that so? But I heard that the Original of the Divine Vibration Wave Drive System, the supreme technological achievement of the Celestial Tribe, one of only three in this world, is in the hands of your Karyana Family."

Saigō said unhurriedly.

"That is a lie, a scam! It is a rumor fabricated by other families against the Karyana Family!"

"...Our Karyana Family does not possess the Original of any 'Divine Vibration Wave Drive System.' That thing is the Lion King Organization's secret treasure, the foundation of the Lion King Organization's existence."

"If our family really had such a thing, why would the Karyana Family have fallen into decline? We would have long since used the 'Original' to restore our family's prosperity!"

Liana shouted, denying that her family possessed such an item.

"Whether your family has it or whether it is merely a rumor does not matter."

"...Even if you do not have it, your family's heir is in my hands. I will make your family say that they do."

Saigō paid no attention to what Liana was saying and simply continued in his own way.

In theory, Liana was right. If her family had such a thing, it could not possibly have declined to its current state.

But some rumors did not arise without cause. In Saigō's view, it was more likely that Liana was lying.

Saigō walked up to the vampire woman missing one arm, patted her shoulder, and smiled. "...Reviving the glory of the Karyana Family is your unavoidable duty, Miss Liana!"

"...I am sure your family members will tell the truth if you are used as a bargaining chip."

"Oh, before coming to Gozo Island, I had someone investigate you. It seems you have a younger sister you are quite close to. Presumably, your sister will give the correct answer in order to save her elder sister."

Hearing Saigō's demonic whisper, Liana's face, already pale from blood loss, grew even whiter.

Liana asked curiously, "...Mr. Zarathustra, how did you determine that Liana was lying? Was it some special system?"

Even she, a Princess skilled at reading people, could not be certain whether Liana's words had been true or false.

"No, Princess, there was no system involved. I do not know whether she was lying."

"...But think about it. The Kingdom of Aldegia and the War King's Domain are hereditary enemies. Even though a peace treaty has now been signed, that hatred cannot be forgotten."

"Liana made a mistake herself and fell into our hands. No matter how far her family has declined, it is still a Margrave family of the War King's Domain."

"...Then killing her to strike at the War King's Domain would also be a good choice. Even the First True Ancestor would not be able to say much, since she was at fault first."

"Do you not agree, Miss Liana?"

Seeing the faint smile on Saigō's lips, Liana immediately understood what he meant.

The Princess cooperated, saying, "...Mr. Zarathustra truly thinks far ahead. You are right. Even if it merely deals a blow to the War King's Domain, Liana's existence is necessary."

"...Whether she is telling the truth or lying, we are the winners."

With one arm severed, even a vampire could not recover in a short period of time. Hearing Saigō and Liana's conversation, Liana struggled and cried hoarsely:

"...You two demons, demons!!"

Where Liana could not see, Liana secretly smiled and winked her beautiful eyes at Saigō, looking playful and adorable.

Saigō merely shrugged innocently.

"Behave yourself, criminal!"

Nangong Nayue said coldly. A Chain of Discipline suddenly appeared in the void and directly bound Liana, leaving her unable to move any longer.

Akatsuki Kojou and Akina Nagisa, who had been watching everything and had suffered minor frostbite, both wore terrified expressions and trembled.

When Akatsuki Kojou's gaze accidentally fell on Liana, he quickly looked away, his face full of fear.

That girl, who was about the same age as him, had left an extremely deep impression on his ignorant self with her thunderous, ruthless methods.

But more than anything, that impression was fear.

Not long after, Malta's officials arrived and took Akaya Castle away.

Saigō and the others followed Liana aboard her personal warship, the Rainbow Bridge, leaving Malta and preparing to return to the Kingdom of Aldegia.

In a beautiful garden bursting with flowers, three masked figures sat within faintly visible thrones in the garden.

This was the Whispering Courtyard, the place where the leaders of the Holy Realm Allied Nations held international discussions and deliberated issues.

The Whispering Courtyard did not exist in the present world, but within another dimension. The leaders of each nation entered this place through false projections to ensure their safety.