"Yes."
Vishy smiled beautifully, Radiant Glory, revealing little tiger teeth. There was a hint of baby fat on her cheeks, and her lips gleamed with a jelly-like sheen, but her words were decisive, without the slightest hesitation, brimming with wicked confidence. Ash could almost imagine the sight of her laughing as she slaughtered living beings.
But he still couldn't understand. "Why?"
"Maybe you think that now that I'm with all of you, I can rely on you, so there's no need for me to keep Slaughtering Life to Refine Souls like in the past, spending every last resource for the sake of power." Vishy laughed softly. "But I've never seen any of you as power I can rely on."
"The only thing that gives me a sense of security is power. Even just a little more means a little more security. I will only ever believe in myself. No one, no matter who they are, is qualified to become my support."
"And besides, I think about breaking free from these shackles every waking moment." Vishy tugged at the illusory Collar around her neck. "A little more power means a little more hope of breaking free... Ash Hiss, don't tell me you actually think I'm willing to be your maid with all my heart!?"
Ash took a deep breath, but he still couldn't suppress the anger in his voice. "Do you really enjoy making an enemy of the world that much?"
"Because making an enemy of the world is exactly how I survived until now." Vishy spoke as if it were nothing. "If I don't hurt others, I can't live."
"Ash, although the other girls and I are all connected to you because of Fate, there's one decisive difference between me and them."
Vishy lifted her chin, looking down at him