Augusta's expression froze, and the flames in her hand nearly flickered out. What nonsense are you talking about?
"It's true, Master," Walburga explained helplessly. "Sathanael was killed by a powerhouse who appeared out of nowhere. We fled the Okunoin to avoid being captured. Who knew that Fallen Angel leader was so weak he couldn't even beat an opponent we'd never heard of?"
"To think such a thing happened..." Augusta suppressed her shock. She knew Sathanael wasn't weak; his strength was comparable to hers with a Longinus. To kill him, the opponent had to be at least at the leader level. Had Azazel or Baraqiel arrived in person? Or perhaps a powerhouse sent by the Church?
Augusta quickly regained her composure. Her relationship with Sathanael was purely cooperative; she felt no grief, only that his quick death was somewhat unrealistic. But she didn't dwell on it; taking down the Ice Princess was the priority.
Lavinia's expression softened at the news. But she quickly returned to a guarded stance, glaring at Augusta. "As things stand, we have won. My comrades will find this place soon. Your conspiracy will not succeed. And... tell me, where is my Master?! What have you done to her?!"
Augusta let out a laugh that the girl found loathsome. "Keke. I haven't done anything to your Master. In fact, the information regarding your independent-type Sacred Gear... it was your Master, Glinda, who told me."
"What?!" Lavinia thought she had misheard.
Born in Oz, she had been ostracized since childhood because of her Sacred Gear. After her parents died, she was adopted by Glinda, the South Witch of Oz, who taught her everything. Later, Glinda disappeared during a struggle between the witch factions. Lavinia had traveled the world searching for her, only to hear this from Augusta.
"Oh my, what a slow child you are." The old voice, mixed with a sickening grin, began to explain with delight. "Since you're so curious, I'll be merciful and tell you. Glinda has been on our side from the very beginning. 'Good witch'? 'Bad witch'? Don't make me laugh. Those are just labels outsiders use. Back then, the struggle between the North, South, East, and West factions in Oz was incredibly severe. But ultimately, the mages of Oz are only interested in one thing: strengthening their own magic. So, is it really so strange that your Master is my ally?"
Time seemed to stand still. Hearing such a shocking truth, Lavinia froze. A trembling voice forced its way through her teeth: "You... you're lying! You're lying!"
Augusta's laughter grew louder. "If you don't believe me, I'll let you speak with the mentor you trust so much." She opened a small communication circle. "Glinda, can you hear me?"
A moment later, the voice of an elderly woman—one very familiar to Lavinia—spoke slowly. "...Augusta? You went to the Far East, didn't you? Why the sudden contact?"
"Nothing much. I'm currently fighting your disciple, the Ice Princess. She seems to be working very hard to find you, so I thought I'd be kind and let her hear your voice."
"I have nothing to say to her." The voice was cold, devoid of any emotion.
Lavinia began to shake, her grip on her staff faltering. Her slender figure, floating in the sky, wavered. Her mana supply was interrupted, and her magic circles and manifested Sacred Gear began to blur and fade. Augusta savored the girl's reaction.
"Keke. Glinda, you're so cold. Weren't you quite fond of this disciple? Nothing else to add?"
"Lavinia. I have nothing to say to you. Do not come looking for me again."
With those words spoken in a detached tone, the communication circle vanished. That simple sentence completely shattered Lavinia's heart. Her magic circles and Sacred Gear dissipated like mist. To her, Glinda was the savior who gave her a second life, the one who took her in when she was orphaned and gave her hope. To find that her savior was allied with her enemy was more than she could bear. The reality was so surreal she even fantasized that this was all a dream.
Rhodes was surprised. He hadn't expected to overhear such juicy drama while watching the show. And from the looks of it, Glinda wasn't brainwashed; she truly meant it. To find that the mentor you've been searching for is actually your enemy—now that's spicy!
"Hehe. A perfect opportunity!" Augusta saw that Glinda's words had worked wonders, stripping away the enemy's psychological defenses. In her current state, even Walburga could likely toy with Lavinia. Augusta didn't plan to waste the chance; she prepared to unleash the soul-possession magic she had meticulously prepared.
She had made this decision the moment she learned Lavinia possessed a Longinus. She had specifically sought out Glinda, not expecting her to give up the information so easily. It was clear that even Lavinia's mentor coveted the power of the Sacred Gear.
As Augusta prepared to strike, Rhodes prepared to move. Even though there was no mission, he wasn't about to let a girl die. Augusta was clearly about to use some nasty black magic. If it were the "armor-stripping" kind of magic, Rhodes might have waited a bit longer. But the pitch-black mass in Augusta's hand was clearly not the "fanservice" kind.
He slipped on the Superman Glasses, melted into the darkness, and activated super-acceleration.
Clock Up.
Augusta was high in the air, but Rhodes leaped with incredible force. With a sudden burst, he swung the magic sword and thrust it toward Augusta.
Splat!
Wait, what?
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My : https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
High School DxD : Reincarnated into the Multiverse, but it's High School DxD (102 Chapters – Ongoing)
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