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"Even if you're a demon, killing me won't be easy," Zouken spat, slamming his cane on the ground.
SHHH! SHHH! SHHH!
The air split with slicing sounds.
Countless insects shot forward, their wings sharp like blades, cutting through the air with terrifying speed.
Wing-Blade Insects.
Zouken's most dangerous, most lethal creations.
They swarmed toward Minato, looking ready to shred him into a thousand pieces.
From the way they moved, it was clear—
Zouken was going for the kill.
But—
The second he made his move—
BOOM!
Zouken's entire body exploded on the spot.
Countless bugs scattered in every direction like a tidal wave trying to escape.
He wasn't even human anymore!
As long as just one of those bugs—making up his body—escaped, he had a chance to come back to life.
As for fighting that demon?
Yeah right. What a joke!
Just from that one clash, he already knew—there was a huge gap in power between them.
That demon... I'll remember you.
He glared viciously at Minato—only for his brain to freeze the next second.
BOOM!
A terrifying storm of blue lightning exploded. All the bladed bugs were wiped out in an instant.
"You really think you can run from me? How naive."
Minato stood cold and emotionless, raising one hand ever so slightly.
Buzz!
A massive magic circle lit up and covered the entire sky. Thunderbolts rained down from above—
Like a giant electrified net, swallowing up all the bugs that had just scattered.
Crack! Crack!
Electric currents crackled wildly through the air.
The swarm of bugs burned to ash, one after another.
"Sp-Spare me!"
The bugs regrouped into half a mangled body. Matou Zouken, terrified out of his mind, begged, "Great Demon Lord, I'm way more useful to you than little Sakura! Please, spare my life!"
"Cut the crap!"
Lightning froze in place around them as Minato spoke. "Where's Matou Kariya?"
"That useless idiot died years ago,"
Matou Zouken spat bitterly. "Kept yelling about getting stronger, then got killed by a cursed spirit."
Another timeline difference?
Minato's eyes flickered thoughtfully.
He continued, "Where do you keep your family's magic tomes?"
"You're interested in human magecraft?"
Zouken's eyes lit up with scheming glints. "I can give them to you, no problem. But you've got to promise not to kill me."
"I don't let enemies walk away."
"Wait! I can be your servant!"
Zouken immediately changed his tone. "You can even have my soul, if that's what it takes!"
"Deal."
Minato nodded casually.
I'm saved...
Zouken let out a long sigh of relief.
He didn't doubt it—after all, someone like him did have value as a mage.
"Hurry up and spit it out," Minato said, frowning.
Zouken immediately switched into obedient mode. "The basic magic books are in my study, but the real treasures are in—"
"Mhm, thanks for being honest."
Minato smiled suddenly as he looked straight at Zouken.
CRACK!
Lightning surged in from all directions—
BOOM!
With a thunderous blast, Matou Zouken's body was obliterated into nothing.
At the moment of his death, his eyes were filled with nothing but fear and rage.
That demon... he didn't keep his promise!
Minato curled his lips.
What, you're an old monster, not a cute girl—did you really think I'd spare you?
"Uncle Demon, lying isn't nice, you know~"
Matou Sakura blinked innocently and patted Minato's arm.
"For bad guys, there's no need to keep promises," Minato replied, giving her a head pat. "Also, from now on, don't believe anyone except me, alright?"
Sakura looked a little confused but eventually nodded. "Got it, Uncle Demon. Everyone except you is a bad guy."
"..." Minato.
This kid... she's not secretly dark inside, is she?
He shook his head and led Sakura deeper into the mansion.
"Uncle Demon, aren't we leaving this place?" Sakura asked, scooting a little closer to him as she looked around nervously.
"You only want to leave because of Matou Zouken, right?"
Minato smiled. "But he's dead now, so whether we leave or not doesn't really matter, does it?"
"Mm! You're right, Uncle Demon."
Sakura nodded and looked up at him with starry eyes.
He totally gets me... Uncle Demon is amazing!
She gives such good emotional support...
Minato unconsciously reached out and patted her head again.
Nice!
The more he did it, the better it felt.
They kept walking deeper into the mansion—but strangely, didn't see a single person.
Even though the Matou family was considered a prestigious name in the magic world...
And outsiders thought it was thriving...
In truth—
For the past few centuries, Matou Zouken was the only real member of the family.
Everyone else had been a facade.
Now that Zouken was dead, the whole illusion collapsed.
"Well, I guess this little girl is technically the rightful heir now."
That thought made Minato glance down at Sakura.
At least legally speaking—
Sakura was now the true owner of the place.
And her vassals? That meant... they were his.
Makes sense to me.
"....."