Bart gaped in shock at Frondier's words.

"Wh, wh, a mistake...?"

"Yeah. It happens sometimes."

"This crazy bastard! You just killed Kagris!"

Bart shouted.

He wasn't that close to Kagris, but he was a good business partner. If Bart provided a place to satisfy his desires, Kagris would give him the corresponding money. In his own way, he was quite fond of the guy.

But he just died. Just like that, with a thud.

"Do you think you can get away with calling that a mistake!"

Frondier tilted his head at those words. He seemed to be seriously considering Bart's outburst as his eyes narrowed for a moment before he said,

"Why not?"

"Wh, what?"

"This Kagris guy, he kills people in the process of satisfying his 'bloodsucking' desires, right?"

Thud

Frondier lightly kicked the already dead Kagris's head.

"Your desires are just sexual, right? It's not impossible to endure, and this guy could have satisfied his desires in the first place. Even if it's a bit complicated, it's not that difficult to get human blood in the Empire. Without having to kill anyone."

There are hospitals in the Empire, and if it's just for drinking blood, you can inquire at those institutions. Even if the hospital refuses for some reason, at worst, it would only be a 'theft' of blood.

"He didn't want to ask such institutions and risk being exposed as a devil, and he didn't want to keep the blood-sucked humans alive here and risk being exposed again. For that pathetic reason, this guy killed 16 people."

Squish.

This time, Frondier pressed Kagris's head with his foot.

His eyes were not just emotionless, but as if he were looking at a piece of trash on the side of the road.

"So what's the problem with accidentally killing such a guy? Besides, he's a devil."

"...Th, this crazy bastard..."

"You're the crazy one, devil."

Saying that, Frondier reached out again. It was clear what he was going to do.

"Heu, heuaaaaaaaaak!!"

Bart let out a scream, or perhaps a shout, and lunged at Frondier. To be precise, he was heading towards the secret passage behind Frondier, as there was nowhere else to go anyway.

Swoosh!

However, before using the devil's power, Frondier first used the Obsidian to bind Bart's body.

"Keu, euh, euaaaaaaaaak!"

Bart released his aura, trying to tear his body free from the Obsidian. A tremendous force surged, and indeed, some of the Obsidian couldn't withstand it and broke.

Whether this was Bart's original power or his survival instinct kicking in, it was unknown.

"Hold on. I won't make a mistake this time."

Frondier continued to use the Obsidian to restrain Bart's body. The amount of new Obsidian rushing in was greater than what he was tearing apart.

Still, Bart didn't give up and writhed, yelling to get out.

He had just seen Kagris die. He had no idea what had been done to him. Of course, he had reason to be scared.

Frondier, with deeply sunken eyes, focused on Bart and took a deep breath.

"——Huh!"

Suddenly, Bart's pupils dilated and his body trembled as if electrocuted. Soon, he slumped down like Kagris. Of course, he was still caught in the Obsidian.

"...Another failure?"

Frondier muttered and released the Obsidian.

Bart collapsed to the floor. Frondier made a slightly troubled expression at the sight, but then...

"...Ugh."

Bart trembled and let out a small sound.

His body trembled very quietly, and unlike the screaming and yelling he had been doing earlier, this time even his breathing was quiet.

However, his expression was blank and unconscious, as if he were completely consumed by fear and about to drown.

"Success. It was a bit close."

Frondier approached Bart. As he crouched down to meet the eyes of the fallen man, Bart slowly raised his head.

Frondier said,

"How was it? My devil's power. You devils use this to determine your hierarchy and find someone to submit to, right?"

"...That was your..."

Bart's tone changed. He called Frondier "you" and his voice became polite.

"...But how? You're not a devil..."

"It's called the devil's power, but it's actually the power of the soul. If you know how to use it, you can use it."

Bart didn't seem to have any intention of arguing with those words and lowered his eyes again.

Looking at him, Frondier said,

"How about it?

Will you come under me?"

"...You're not going to kill me?"

"I told you, it was a mistake. Actually, I want to kill all the devils hiding in the Empire, especially those who commit heinous crimes, but I need devils right now."

"Because of the devils in the west?"

"That's right. You guys will only walk the path of self-destruction if you stay like this."

Although the devils of the Empire have joined hands to form their own community, that kind of bond will soon break.

The western devils will find them, and if Satan's devils get involved, they have no way to survive.

"So I'm giving you one last chance. This is the only way you have any chance of survival."

"..."

At Frondier's words, Bart put his hands on the floor and exerted strength. He knelt on one knee and bowed deeply towards Frondier.

"...I will work for you from now on, Frondier de Roach."

"Good."

Frondier nodded and stood up.

"You were Olivier's successor, right? So you must be connected to most of the devils hiding in the Empire, especially those who commit crimes."

"That's right."

"Call them all soon. Since you guys can't unite on your own, I'll unite you."

"Yes."

Bart, who suddenly transformed into a loyal servant. Frondier felt unfamiliar with that appearance, but he accepted it, thinking that this was how devils were. It felt rather clean, with the logic of power applied so clearly.

Hmm, Frondier let out a snort, satisfied with having cleared one task for now. Then he turned around.

"Now, shall we talk about us, Elysi... Huh?"

He had been looking for Elysia, but she was nowhere to be seen where she had been.

He had been so focused on controlling the devil's power that he hadn't paid attention to his senses.

"...If you're talking about that woman, she escaped through the secret passage a while ago."

"Escaped? Why? I saved her."

"...She didn't seem to think so."

Frondier tilted his head, unable to understand at all.

Why did she run away? It's safe here now. One devil is dead and the other is now obedient to me.

"She's a strange one. There's nothing to be afraid of anymore."

Seeing Frondier seriously pondering, Bart held back many words.