All the crimes she has committed in this world, only to get to this moment.
She abandoned the other girls, she conspired with Ernika to kill Shamsheel, and who knows what else she has done.
Shiori alone was weak, but by absorbing so many powers sheās stronger than the sages.
Her tree must be a mess of all the talents she has stolen along the way.
And now she has my processing skills. Sheās the perfect human.
ā I knew you would say that. Itās such a Nagami-kun thing to say.
Shiori took out the silver sword Iām used to seeing, except it was way more reflective and sharp now. She has already tested my skills.
ā Youāre my everything. The only man capable of filling the void in me. Youāre the only thing I need. I donāt care what dark secrets Ernika has. I will use others for my sake, and I will be used by others. All I care about is being with you. I love you, Nagami-kun. I love you to death.
āI love you to deathā, she said as she licked her sword.
A chills-inducing confession.
ā ā¦Iām happy to hear that, but considering the situationā¦
ā I know. Iām not that naive. If I put myself in your shoes I would be terrified right now. That being said, I donāt needĀ allĀ of you.
Right. What I like is not necessary for her. All she wants is to torture me.
ā Letās negotiate. (Shiori)
ā I donāt have anything to give anymore.
ā What are you talking about?
ā Huh?
ā There are four other people in this room, right?
Four people.
Ever, Meirir, Dyke, Roar.
ā If you accept, their flesh will be spared.
ā Now hold on a minute.
Dyke angrily interrupted Shiori.
ā Takaya is a proud member of Searat. We wonāt let someone like you put your claws on him. (Meirir)
ā Takaya, you donāt have to listen to that crazy girl. (Roar)
My friends are backing me up. Theyāre trying to help me.
What else am I supposed to do? Even if Ever wasnāt captive, the five of us would barely stand a chance against her.
What do I do? What should I do?
Think, Takaya. Think.
Sheās a perfect being. Whatās the key to victory?
ā Thereāsā¦
No way.
We canāt win. This is impossible.
Iām worthless. Thereās nothing I can do.
ā Ahhh. AHH, YES. GOOD. Thatās the face I like to see. If you donāt listen to me, your friends will die. And if you listen to me, your friends will hate you. Desperation, hopelessness, despair. Aahhh, youāre the best. I love you so much.
Shioriās cheeks turned red at the sight of my suffering.
ā Ah, I know what you want. Time! Right? Of course you do. You need time to think about your farewell words. Right!?
Shiori stabbed the ground, causing the floor below us to crumble.
In a giant hole below us were tons of magical beasts in an uproar, perhaps driven out of their homes by the commotion in Snowpeak.
ā You can think about your answer down there. Let me know when youāre ready!
Thereās no room to reason with her anymore. She has lost it.