Prelude to a Prison Break and an Alchemist

"It's nothing, I just wanted to ask you, Natsuki- chan, if there were a chance to help you escape the Prison Barrier, would you be willing?"

Look, back then, you made a pact with the demon and slept in the eternal dream realm, wasn't it all for the sake of Aya Sengakuji?

Now that Aye no longer harbors any thoughts of revenge against the world, and obediently stays by our side, I think it's time for you to wake up from that eternal dream.

His words completely stunned Natsuki Minamiya.

He stammered and asked:

"What, what did you just say?"

"Hey, if it could free you from the shackles of prison forever, would you be willing?"

"I don't want to!"

Natsuki Minamiya didn't think for a second; it was almost a blurt out.

She jumped to her feet, her high heels clicking rapidly on the floor. The petite, dark-skinned girl walked straight up to him, grabbed his collar with her small hands, and angrily said:

"You are not allowed to make any plans regarding the Prison Barrier!"

Yotsuba Mahiro, I will allow you to do anything, whether it's attacking the Lion King Agency or forming a blood relationship with the Third Progenitor, I will not care!

But!

The Prison Barrier is my bottom line, and I will not allow anyone to violate it!

Also, who told you that I made a pact with the demon and built this prison for Aye's sake?

Aye used the [Dark Oath Grimoire] on Itogami Island, and I defeated her and imprisoned her ten years ago!

I'm twenty-six years old this year, do I look like I'm sixteen?!

Natsuki Minamiya's emotions were so intense that she was beyond words.

Even her voice trembled slightly, as if she was afraid that the man in front of her would suddenly disappear and destroy everything she was holding onto.

However, after she said that, Mahiro did indeed re-examine the girl who was so close to him.

Natsuki -chan certainly doesn't look sixteen; people would be more convinced if she said she was fourteen or twelve.

Only--

"You weren't doing this for Aye?"

"Certainly."

After saying that, Natsuki Minamiya released him and sat back down in her chair angrily.

"In short, it doesn't matter if you establish the Night Empire on Itogami Island. I trust you; you won't harm ordinary people. I can even help you manage it, but—"

Under no circumstances should you touch the Prison Barrier.

This is my only request.

In the end, Natsuki Minamiya's tone softened considerably, becoming more pleading.

On the one hand, she didn't want to be enemies with this man.

Although they were often unserious and frequently argued and bickered.

But she has to admit that she does have feelings for Yotsuba Mahiro, though she herself doesn't even know when it started.

On the other hand, the man in front of them truly possessed the power to open the Prison Barrier!

Moreover, it's quite brutal and simple: just find the approximate location and destroy it!

However, Mahiro didn't reply this time; he just frowned, sensing that something was wrong.

The original work did not explain why Natsuki Minamiya sold her soul, made a pact with the devil, and became a witch.

He even believed that Natsuki Minamiya was doing this for Aya Sengakuji, to prevent Aye from being persecuted by the Artificial Island Management Corporation, and that was indeed the case.

But the Prison Barrier actually existed even earlier?!

This was somewhat unexpected.

"So, please, please promise me?" Natsuki Minamiya asked again.

This time, Mahiro still didn't answer, but instead asked about the Prison Barrier.

For example, the reasons for establishing it.

However, the girl remained silent on the matter, maintaining a high level of vigilance no matter how she was probed.

This made Yotsuba Mahiro very curious, and her heart felt like it was being constantly scratched by a little kitten.

It's so itchy!

I want to know! I really want to know!

However, Natsuki Minamiya refused to say anything, and in the end, he had no choice but to give up.

"Okay, okay, I promise you."

After saying that, Mahiro got up and started washing up. When he came out of the bathroom, Natsuki- chan had already disappeared.

Just because Natsuki -chan isn't saying anything doesn't mean he has nowhere to look.

After all, she still had her good friend, Aya Sengakuji.

But Aye's answer also surprised him greatly.

What exactly are you talking about?

In the study, sunlight streamed through the antique cross-shaped window, casting a hazy glow on the room.

Aye, who was reading a book, looked up at him with a strange expression and replied, "When did I say that Natsuki Minamiya built the Prison Barrier for me?"

"If it was truly for my sake, why do you think I would have taken the [Dark Oath Grimoire] from the LCO's secret archives ten years ago, and then deliberately come to this fake artificial island to activate it?"

The words were finished.

Mahiro's lips twitched slightly as she tentatively said:

"Just to liberate Natsuki Minamiya?"

"Of course, otherwise wouldn't it be the same no matter where I release it? Wouldn't it be better to do it on the land of the Night Empire?"

"Etc!"

Mahiro interrupted Aye with a raised hand, enduring the pain, and said, "But this is completely different from what you told me in prison! Back then, you spoke of all sorts of noble ideals! You spoke of the injustices of this world, and now you're telling me it's for your best friend?!"

Upon hearing this, Aye looked at him with even more strange eyes.

However, this time she didn't speak directly. Instead, she closed the magic book in her hand, slowly stood up, came to his side, grabbed his collar, and forcibly pulled his head into her arms.

A slender, white hand ran through his hair, and a faint, cool fragrance mingled with the pleasant scent of books entered his nostrils.

Aye stroked him gently, as if she were coaxing a child.

"Calm down. I know what you want to ask, but do you remember what I said to you in prison the first time?"

Feeling embraced by Aye, Mahiro began to search through his memories.

He did remember that sentence; it must have gone something like this:

"I am here to prove that it is not we witches who are cursed, but the world as a whole!"

"So, you initiated the [Dark Oath Grimoire] on Itogami Island just to liberate Natsuki- chan?"

"Um."

Aye nodded slightly, her voice exceptionally gentle, like a petite, loving mother holding him, whispering:

"I did indeed want to deny this world at first, but this idea came more from Natsuki Minamiya."

Over the years, she had suffered terribly, trapped in the Eternal Dream of eternal torment. The pain was unbearable for ordinary people, preventing her from making normal agreements with others, from making friends, and from growing any further.

It can only appear like a phantom, forever... forever watching the joys and sorrows of others.

As he spoke of these things, a hint of reminiscence flashed in Aye's eyes.

Back then, when she learned that Natsuki Minamiya had become a witch in this way and was to guard that prison forever, she knew that Natsuki Minamiya had been deceived!

It's unclear whether she was deceived by her teacher, the man who likes feng shui— Kihito Senga, or by the demon she signed a contract with.

It was from that moment that she decided she had to save her best friend no matter what.

I never expected Natsuki Minamiya to be so heartless.

Not only did they steal her [Dark Oath Grimoire], but they also imprisoned her in Prison Barrier, intending to keep her there forever...

But just how much hatred did she harbor for Natsuki Minamiya?

Actually, there wasn't much hatred, just anger at their lack of ambition, and even more pity.

Thinking of this, Aya Sengakuji whispered in his ear:

"If you wish to awaken Natsuki Minamiya, I can assist you. In this world, apart from Natsuki Minamiya herself, no one understands everything about the Prison Barrier better than I do."

Chapter 389 The Prelude to the Prison Break and the Alchemist (5.5K)

Five days later.

Yotsuba Mahiro finally stepped out of the house.

These past few days, he has been immersed in Aye's tender embrace.

Things turned out this way simply because of the words Aye breathed into his ear.

Wow, that looks so tempting!

I simply couldn't control myself.

I used to think that Aye didn't have maternal instincts, so I was indifferent to Yuuma Sengakuji.

Now it seems that's not the case at all. When this woman gets gentle, she's practically overflowing with maternal instincts!

However, even when you're engrossed in your own thoughts, there are still things you need to do.

Break free from the cage and rescue Natsuki.

This is what he is going to do.

"Senior, what's wrong with you? And why have you been staying home these past few days?"

A clear, melodious girl's voice roused his half-asleep soul.

Turning his head, he saw a girl wearing a Saikai Academy uniform, carrying a guitar case, staring at him with her big, watery amber eyes.

It seems they are seeking an answer.

Because Mahiro hadn't left the house for the past few days, she had fallen behind in her duties as a monitor, and she didn't know how to submit her daily reports.

Although there seems to be some problem with the Lion King Agency, they haven't been urging them to hurry up.

Suddenly, Yukina thought of a possibility—

"Senior, could it be that the angel from last time left some power inside you, still eroding your body, which is why you haven't left the house lately?"

It has to be said, Yukina's imagination is incredibly accurate.

It would be a waste not to use that brain to write a novel.

Mahiro smiled helplessly, reached out and patted Yukina's head, and whispered:

"How could that be? I just had some things to do, that's why I didn't go out..."

Before he could finish speaking, a soft, coquettish snort rang out.

"Hmph, there are indeed things to do."

It was Nagisa Akatsuki who spoke. She had chosen to go to school with him, and now she was walking beside Yukina, staring at him with a hint of resentment in her eyes.

"Huh? Something really happened? What is it?"

Yukina couldn't help but ask curiously.

This wasn't about the monitor's mission, but simply out of curiosity.

Nagisa Akatsuki stared at him for a few seconds, then her eyes darted around before she whispered in Yukina's ear:

"Yukina, let me tell you, actually these past few days Mahiro -ge..."

As Nagisa Akatsuki whispered something in her ear, Yukina's face instantly turned bright red, the blush spreading to her ears and finally even the tips of her ears.