“Oooh, this is the abyss!”

Petos shouted as his heart was moved.

A s.p.a.ce domination different from the 72 Demon Kings. The true overlord of the demon world was in front of him.

[Where is this? What the h.e.l.l did you do... .]

Alphone, who had yet to understand the situation, spoke in a trembling voice.

An unknown s.p.a.ce where nothing could be seen.

She couldn’t hide herself anymore because all beings were transported to this place.

Tsssssss...

The witch stigma on the back of Leifina's hand lost its shape and scattered away like dust.

Alphone's magic has lost its effectiveness in Woohyuk’s dense demonic energy that covered the surroundings.

“My, My Lord…?”

Leifina, who tried to swing Argent at Woohyuk again, was surprised as her eyes widened.

Once her mind was freed, Woohyuk summoned Aris.

“Go and capture Alphone.”

“Hihiiih! Alright!"

Alphone was desperately controlling the marionette and facing the undead Amy and Agnes.

However, the stuffed dolls no longer moved as she intended, and she gradually got pushed back.

Aris fluttered her red hair and grabbed Alphone's purple hair.

“Ahhhhhhhhh!”

“So, you’ve created trouble for Lord Asura? You’re gonna need a scolding!”

Slit!

The pitch-black scythe cut off the thin strands of demonic energy that were connecting Alphone to Marionette.

Afterwards, Marionette plunged to the ground and undead Amy and Agnes rushed to Alphone.

Whack!

Thud!

Thwak!

The group of the three women lynched on Alphone, creating scars on her delicate body.

“Urgh...”

“Let’s take her to Lord Asura already. He’s waiting for us.”

“It was fun to mess around for the first time in a while. Amy didn’t let me partic.i.p.ate back when I served her.”

Aris and Undead Amy grabbed each of Alphone's arms.

While they dragged Alphone to Woohyuk, Agnes cast a.n.a.lysis Magic from behind.

“Oooh, this girl… The skill’s name is so unique!”

“What is it, Agnes?”

“Soul Separation Technique. It says that human souls can be broken into pieces and stored in dolls. No, not only dolls, but also in living individuals.”

Fragmented souls continued to question their own ident.i.ty with imperfect memories.

If a single one of them disappears, the original memory and lifespan cannot be restored to its previous state, even if the remaining pieces are gathered together.

They would have to live the rest of their life in an incomplete state.

“What a gritty ability. There’s the possibility that she uses it on herself.”

Petos, who was by Woohyuk's side, expressed a feeling of concern as he placed his hand on his chin.

As Agnes had explained, they may have yet to subdue Alphone completely.

Alphone's fragments, which could have been scattered in various places, would continue to work on her plans.

“Hehehe... That’s right. Before you guys came, I split my soul into five pieces and hid them around the Elrond barony.”

If she divided herself too much, each of her stats would decrease, so five was the appropriate amount.

As Alphone giggled, Woohyuk stared with disinterest.

“So what do you mean? Tracking the rest of them is only a matter of time.”

“No, no. Think carefully. Do you think that I planned it so poorly?”

“…Don’t tell me."

Woohyuk's gaze turned to Leifina, who was standing blankly.

“Have you noticed now? Your precious va.s.sal was already divided into five fragments like me.”

And each fragment was being held as a hostage.

When Alphone proudly spoke of her plans, Woohyuk immediately went on to confirm.

“Leifina, where did you meet me for the first time?”

“…I can't remember.”

“What is the name of the sword you are holding?”

“That’s…”

Alphone seemed to be telling the truth since Leifina couldn’t remember.

‘Things have gotten complicated.’

Leifina would lose 80% of her memories and lifespan unless the fragments were found and recombined.

It was something Woohyuk couldn’t allow to happen.

'I let my guard down.'

He thought the battle would be over once he found the main body because the enemy was merely a puppeteer.

He was lacking information.

No, it was because he had left Leifina alone.

Woohyuk stared at Alphone, rebuking himself in his mind.

“Where did you put the fragments?”

“Hmm~ Who knows~? It could be in other residents, in a doll I made, or it could be a pet cat... Well, there’s a lot of possibilities.”

“You don’t seem to understand your position right now… .”

This was Asura's absolute s.p.a.ce.

It was completely disconnected from the outside, so even if Alphone's body were tortured, the other soul fragments wouldn’t know of it.

And she is the fragment that held her most recent memories.

She should know where the rest of Leifina’s fragments were hidden.

Woohyuk tried to hit Alphone when she quickly opened her mouth.

“Do, don’t hit me! I don't want to be hit anymore!”

“Then spill the beans.”

“…”

Alphone mulled over it.

The plan was to buy time until Angrboda would return, but it had gone down the drain.

At this rate, the other soul fragments would be harmed.

‘If only it weren’t for this G.o.dd.a.m.ned absolute s.p.a.ce...’

She would’ve completed the curse magic circle on the second floor.

It was left behind by Angrbodda in the case of an emergency. It would allow her to escape even if the intruder could not be suppressed.

'Let's survive for now.’

The reason she had decided to serve Angrboda in the first place was to survive in this d.a.m.ned world.

Alphone began to speak as she recalled the memory of almost being burned to death by the lord for being a cursed puppeteer.

“The soul fragments were scattered to the north, south, east, and west based on this house. They're all stuffed in dolls so that they don't resist, and their owners are me.”

"I see."

“I can guide you if you want. Since I’m the original body, we won’t be able to retaliate if you take me as a hostage.”

“That wouldn't be so bad either.”

Woohyuk responded in a dry tone.

He then reached out and punched Alphone's stomach.

Thud!

“Urgh…”

“This is for laying a hand on my va.s.sal.”

Woohyuk said as he saw Alphone dropping unconscious.

He wanted to torture her more, but it was currently urgent to collect Leifina's soul fragments.

He couldn’t lose his temper like he did when dealing with the Demon Kings of Ars Nova.

'I’ll have to turn her into my slave so that she can’t plan another scheme.'

He didn’t want to do it, but it was the safest method as of right now.

While trying to keep his calm, Woohyuk grabbed Alphone's nape.

***

A pitch-dark night.

Angela was sitting in front of the fireplace reading a storybook with her mother, Mrs. Dawson.

“… So, in the end, the Witch of Greed ended up losing everything. All the precious treasures she had hidden turned to ashes and disappeared, and all the beautiful flowers in the secret garden withered away.”

“Let’s stop here for today. You should go to sleep now, Angela.”

“Yes, Mom.”

She was an obedient girl.

Although she was born as the daughter of a third-cla.s.s mercenary and her status was unchanged, she dreamed of becoming a librarian at the Royal Library of the capital city, Tenas, when she grew up.

Mrs. Dawson respected her wishes and lent her as many books as possible.

Most of them were c.r.a.ppy children's books written by rural bards for a living.

‘My daughter is so smart.’

Mrs. Dawson smiled in satisfaction as she saw Angela sleeping in bed.

A child who learned faster than her peers and had more questions.

If they could afford it, she would like to send her to the academy for professional training, but Mr. Dawson's salary wasn't enough.

But she had never blamed him, because Mr. Dawson had always been a father and husband who dedicated himself to his family.

Currently, although his job was working as a night guard, she believed that he would one day be promoted and paid handsomely due to his sincere nature.

As Mrs. Dawson went back to the fireplace and tried to knit, there was a sudden knock on the door.

Bang bang bang!

Mrs. Dawson's eyes widened.

"Mom?"

“Be quiet, Angela.”

As her husband was a mercenary, there were certain people who came with a grudge from time to time.

Mrs. Dawson hid Angela under the bed and carefully approached the door.

Bang bang bang!

She heard the banging on the door again.

“Who, who are you?”

“A demon, Mrs. Dawson.”

Demon?

Mrs. Dawson trembled at that terrifying word.

“For, for what reason have you…”

“No different than usual. For the payment.”

After Dantalion took over the Dane kingdom, the demons used to wander around private houses in their jurisdiction and take their property like this.

However, sometimes, it wasn’t only for property, but also for s.e.xual activities or children.

“This, this is the territory of the witch Angrboda. Please go away.”

“Hooo? Doesn't the sanctuary include the forest only?”

“She made a deal with Demon King Dantalion and got the jurisdiction of the Elrond barony. That’s why we make offerings to her every month using precious metals and gems.”

Angrboda didn’t ask for miscellaneous things such as food or fur like the other lords.

What she asked for was living sacrifices and expensive precious jewels and metals for Lilith.

So, the residents of the barony were much more impoverished than other areas, and they feared they would be taken as sacrifices.

“I believe that the witch is not here right now. So let me take the payment instead. Otherwise...”

“A mere demon dares to insult Lady Angrboda?”

As the demon did not stop, Angela popped out of the bed and shouted.

When Mrs. Dawson saw that, she was shocked and shut her daughter’s mouth.

“Honey, honey! What are you doing! If you anger him, we will both die!”

“Mhhmmhmhm…!!”

Angela struggled to escape from Mrs. Dawson's hands, but to no avail. She pulled a black monster out of her body and pushed Mrs. Dawson aside.

“Ahhhhhh!”

Mrs. Dawson screamed and fell on the bed.

Angela calmed down her rough breath, ran straight and pulled the doork.n.o.b.

“I'm Alphone, an executive of the Witch Cult who serves Lady Angrboda! Due to some circ.u.mstances, I am in a little girl’s body, but if you don't believe it, I will prove my ident.i.ty.”

“Ah, is that so?”

The corners of Petos's mouth rose as he stood by the door.

As he stepped aside, Woohyuk appeared and grabbed Angela's collar.

“You, what are you...”

p.o.o.p!

A fierce fist flew into Angela's face, a punch containing his rage and anger.

“Urgh…”

“This is the punishment for carelessly touching my va.s.sal.”

Woohyuk was planning to inflict the same amount of damage on all of the soul fragments.

When she saw his gaze, Alphone, who was hiding in his shadows, performed the soul separation technique.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaah!”

Angela screamed in pain and a bluish energy popped out of her head.

Alphone's Soul Fragment.

It circled around Woohyuk and soon disappeared into his shadow.

It was absorbed into Alphone's main body again.

“Pl, please don’t take my daughter!”

When Woohyuk caught the unconscious Angela, Mrs. Dawson ran to him, begging him in tears.

She seemed to have misunderstood that her daughter was being kidnapped.

"Don’t worry. That was just a ritual to save Angela from an evil spirit.”

“An, an evil spirit?”

“Have you ever heard of exorcists?”

On the Eeth continent, when priests expelled demons from their dwellings, they performed sacred ceremonies.

Woohyuk explained and handed over Angela, to which Mrs. Dawson sighed of relief and hugged her daughter.

“Thank you. How can I repay this debt…?”

“I will just take a single item.”

As he stepped into the house, Woohyuk pointed towards the bed.

A pink rabbit doll was sitting on it, staring at him.