Little Garden 166-170

Title: The Chronicle of Years

“No way, she’s scared just because of that?”

Aslan looked up and glanced at December, only to see her pale face and trembling body.

“I thought Matrix No. 10, the most rebellious one, would give me a surprise.”

Aslan shook his head helplessly. He didn’t get a surprise; instead, he was the one slightly surprised.

It had to be admitted that Matrix No. 10’s plan truly shocked him. She actually intended to use the Blazing Banquet as a cover to collaborate with Senga Takehito and destroy Itogami Island, Cain’s altar.

If December had rebelled in some other way, Aslan could have tolerated it. But for this one, forget it. Itogami Island and Cain’s altar were very important to him.

At that moment, the car stopped.

Aslan opened the door and stepped out. He walked beside a man who looked about forty years old and appeared disheveled.

“This Fengshui Technique is impressive. It can cover all of Itogami Island. Not many people in this world can achieve such an effect.”

“Fengshui Masters like that are usually very famous and reside in their respective countries. There’s only one whose whereabouts are unknown, dubbed the Eastern Treasure, Senga Takehito.”

“I’m right, aren’t I? Senga Takehito?”

Aslan looked at the base point of the Fengshui Array that Takehito was preparing, his gaze filled with appreciation.

Aslan rarely heard of rituals with such effects, even in Little Garden. In terms of destructive power alone, this ritual could reach the lowest level of Five-Digit.

Don’t misunderstand. Though Five-Digit sounds weak, in Little Garden, Five-Digit was already considered mid-tier. Someone like Shirayukihime had reached a peak unattainable for many.

However, this ritual could connect to the Dragon Vein and create a controllable Fengshui Technique, similar to a Primogenitor’s Beast Vassal. Though in this world it could only compare to a Primogenitor’s Beast Vassal, in terms of Dragon Vein strength, the Dragon Vein in Little Garden was far stronger than in this world.

Even if the initial preparations might multiply, the Five-Digit Guardian Beast created wouldn’t be weak. For some Outer Gates lacking Five-Digit guardians, this was a rare and highly sought-after commodity.

It’s estimated this ritual could fetch a good price in Little Garden.

“You don’t need to look at me like that.”

“I’m just an ordinary teacher, and I pose no threat to you, Your Excellency.”

A calm voice came from the disheveled-looking man. He wasn’t dressed too shabbily; it was more due to poverty that his clothes were worn, yet still neat and meticulous.

Takehito then dismantled the base point of the Fengshui Array he had just set up. It was useless now. Even the strongest Fengshui Technique was meaningless after most of its base points were destroyed.

It wasn’t just Aslan targeting him. In fact, the Lion King Agency and Itogami Island had long been monitoring his every move, including the base points he had prepared earlier.

Even if he wanted to destroy Itogami Island as he did with the Iruvas Demon Sanctuary, where those three children were born, he could only stop here now that the Fourth Primogenitor had arrived.

“But I’m more curious about one thing. Why did you want to destroy the Iruvas Special Zone?”

Aslan asked with great curiosity. Based on the data investigated by the Lion King Agency, if the data wasn’t wrong, the mastermind behind the destruction of Iruvas, a Demon Sanctuary in the Pacific like Itogami Island, was the man before him and the terrorist organization he led, Tartarus Lapse.

Though Aslan wasn’t particularly sentimental, he was still very curious why a man who was once Natsuki’s teacher, teaching her about responsibility, and who adopted many people with tragic pasts from the Demon Sanctuary, would choose to destroy it.

Normally, Takehito shouldn’t have done such a thing.

If it was Itogami Island, it made sense, since Itogami Island was essentially Cain’s altar. No one knew what kind of disaster would occur if Cain awakened.

“Because the Demon Sanctuary is hypocritical. All Demon Sanctuaries in this world were built by hypocrites. They pretend to want humans and Demons to coexist peacefully, but behind the scenes, they use Demons for research.”

“The children I adopted were rescued from various shameful places. After meeting December, we planned to work together to destroy all Demon Sanctuaries.”

“So that the so-called desire for peaceful coexistence between Demons and humans stops deceiving Demons and causing even greater and more tragedies.”

“But your arrival has forced this matter to stop here.” Takehito said with a hint of regret.

“Oh, what if I said I plan to truly make Demons and humans coexist peacefully?”

Aslan said with a chuckle. After all, this timeline was also an Alternative Human History. For the effects after observation and to gain more achievements, it was better to do something radical.

“What? Lord Origin! Is what you said true?”

While Aslan and Takehito were talking, December, sensing something was wrong, came out of the apartment with Carly to find Takehito. As a Beastman, Carly had an extremely sharp sense of smell. Following Takehito’s lingering scent, she quickly located him.

But when she saw Aslan, December, who happened to overhear his words, asked with great excitement.

Though excited, December also knew how difficult it was to achieve this step. Humans themselves could hardly coexist peacefully, let alone Demons, who were entirely different. The saying “those not of our race must have different hearts” wasn’t a joke.

“Of course. Why would I lie to you? But it might also be an experiment.”

Aslan said casually, looking at December and Carly hiding behind her. “But you, Matrix No. 10, you actually wanted to destroy the place I’m going to establish as the Night Empire?”

Aslan looked at Matrix No. 10 in front of him with an intrigued gaze, curious about how she would explain this.

December’s expression grew serious. She lowered her head, like a child realizing they’d made a grave mistake. “I didn’t know Lord Origin wanted to establish the Night Empire here.”

“If I’ve hindered your progress in establishing the Night Empire, I’m willing to accept punishment for it!”

Facing December’s cautious admission of fault, Aslan patted her head and said gently, “You didn’t know, after all. I’ll let it slide this time.”

After all, even if she had done it, what impact would it have? Did December think Aslan was weak?

“Your Excellency the Fourth Primogenitor, I’d like to know how you plan to achieve the world you call peaceful coexistence between humans and Demons?”

Takehito suppressed his excitement and asked. He had seen much persecution by people in Demon Sanctuaries claiming to champion peaceful coexistence between humans and Demons.

This was also why he destroyed the Demon Sanctuary—cleaning out the upper echelons was pointless.

When one evil dragon was slain, another would rise. It was an endless cycle of evil. Thus, the simplest and purest way was to destroy the Demon Sanctuary for good. Only then could the persecution of Demons in the Demon Sanctuary be reduced.

But that didn’t mean he didn’t hope to see a day when Demons and humans could truly coexist peacefully. Natsuki’s true desire was also for Demons and humans to coexist peacefully. Perhaps he was influenced by her in this regard.

“With the Cleansing, of course.”

Aslan smiled and said only that, not continuing the conversation.

Takehito, hearing Aslan’s words, couldn’t help but think deeply.

The Cleansing, a legendary forbidden spell created by Cain to end the Devas, capable of altering the world’s rules.

But could the Cleansing truly enable humans and Demons to coexist peacefully?

Takehito was highly skeptical. He had seen rituals capable of changing the world and the so-called remnants of the Cleansing, but they were merely weapons for killing.

Seeing Aslan’s confident expression, he ultimately suppressed his doubts and didn’t voice them. Their relationship wasn’t that close.

The Cleansing? That ritual defying common sense certainly couldn’t achieve it.

Defying common sense and altering the world’s rules—when someone reached Three-Digit and entered the Almighty Domain, they could freely change the world and its rules. Even Four-Digit beings could temporarily alter rules and define concepts.

However, to make humans and Demons in this world achieve true peace like a Utopia, relying solely on the Cleansing was clearly impossible.

If it were replaced with the Chronicle of Years, that would make more sense.

But both altered the world, and the Chronicle of Years was far stronger than the so-called Cleansing. Whatever was written in it could become reality, whether it was falsifying history, altering perceptions, or simply changing reality.

If Cain had originally created a ritual reaching the level of the Chronicle of Years, he could have completely eradicated the Beast Vassals, not by creating Primogenitors and eliminating them through vampire generations.

However, the history contained in this world was too dangerous and sensitive. Humans challenged the gods, and in the end, humans triumphed, and the gods fell to become Demons. Who knew what effects would arise after observation?

So Aslan decided to go all out. He would directly activate the Chronicle of Years and completely rewrite this world’s history.

But since it was the Chronicle of Years, he had to do it thoroughly. He would fully separate this world’s history from the similar yet distinct Human History, minimizing risks as much as possible.

-

Title: Algol: No Door to Hold Me Accountable

Of course, the Chronicle of Years was just talk. Aslan couldn’t create something close to a narrative script like the Chronicle of Years.

The so-called Chronicle of Years was merely a metaphor to describe that what he was about to do next resembled modifying the Chronicle of Years. If possible, he didn’t want to make it this complicated. But what could he do? He had been looking forward to the Cleansing for so long.

He had thought the Cleansing could freely modify reality, like writing in the Chronicle of Years, or at least reach the level of an Authority.

But in reality, the so-called Cleansing was just a ritual used to transform Devas, freeing them from weaknesses like fear of sunlight and bloodsucking. What Cain did was merely develop the original Cleansing, formulate the Primogenitor Plan, and address the Beast Vassal issue.

As for the so-called ability to modify reality, it could only be used on Itogami Island, and its reality-modification level only reached Four-Digit.

Four-Digit beings could temporarily modify and distort the world’s rules through Authority, while Three-Digit beings could permanently alter the world’s rules and create new ones.

Regarding this, Aslan judged that Cain had something special. With his understanding of rituals, if he were in Little Garden, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to be rated as Four-Digit and create an Authority.

But the Cleansing was hard to evaluate. It was a ritual that only worked in this world, and only with the aid of Planetary Dragon Veins and Cain’s altar could it achieve small-scale reality modification, essentially a life-transformation ritual.

Initially, he thought its primary ability was reality modification, but who would’ve guessed its true power was life transformation?

As for the so-called reality-modification ability, it specifically referred to the Holy Grail. Since Cain’s altar was built on the Pacific Dragon Veins, it could harness the planet’s magic.

Though the nature of magic in this world differed slightly from that in the Type-Moon world, the similarities were significant. By using specific rituals and immense magic to rewrite reality, fulfilling wishes wasn’t impossible.

The best representative was the Forbidden Grimoire, which could temporarily create a world without magic with the help of Dragon Veins and stellar guidance.

This was like the true principle of magic in this world, where magic reflected one’s intent into the real world.

“What’s wrong, Your Excellency the Fourth Primogenitor? Why that expression since you finished reading the Cleansing data?”

After bringing back Matrix No. 10, seeing Aslan’s slightly distorted expression, Natsuki couldn’t hold back her laughter and said with a slightly mocking tone. She thought Aslan always acted like an all-knowing god with everything under control.

“Nothing, I just overestimated the Cleansing.”

Aslan put down his tablet and sighed. He should’ve thought of it earlier.

If the Cleansing were truly that powerful, why would Cain need to create Primogenitors?

“But the Cleansing is interesting. At least for us, it has a different value.”

Aslan picked up the black tea brewed by Veldiana, took a sip, and stuck out his tongue. “It doesn’t taste as good as Natsuki-chan’s.”

Natsuki couldn’t help but roll her eyes, raising her brows at Veldiana, who was wearing a maid outfit behind him, as if saying, “See, I was right. Your skills are lacking. Even Aslan says so.”

Veldiana lowered her head in embarrassment. She had tried so hard.

“If it’s not good, don’t drink it. Stop wasting my tea every day. I don’t have that much free time to brew tea for you.”

“But are you really sure this is the Cleansing?”

Natsuki curiously picked up the tablet Aslan had set down and began reading the data sent by the three Primogenitors.

Regarding this, Aslan only shrugged helplessly. “What do you think? This is data sent by the three eyewitnesses of the Cleansing.”

“Though the data on the Cleansing’s ritual and magic is incomplete, through the remaining data, we can see its true function.”

“So?”

Natsuki looked at him, confused. “You’re planning to give up on the Cleansing you’ve worked so hard for?”

“Not really. I’m just a bit frustrated that what I’ve worked so hard for turned out to be this.”

The corner of Aslan’s mouth twitched slightly, and he spoke with a hint of difficulty. But what he showed more was excitement at someone else’s misfortune.

“But the Cleansing is a good thing. At least for us, it has a different value.”

“A ritual that can transform Devas into Demons—its value is immeasurable.”

“Isn’t that right, Algol, the Demon Primogenitor who killed gods and turned them into Demons?”

Beside Aslan, in a boundary invisible to anyone, a perfect purple-haired girl, Algol, showed a satisfied smile.

She thought about the impact this possibility would bring to Little Garden. A High-Grade Gift effective against gods could even be considered a path to glimpse part of Two-Digit.

However, though Algol was interested, she wouldn’t easily fall into the trap Aslan had set.

“Tell me, what do you want AI-chan to do?”

Though she admitted her intelligence wasn’t on par with those old-timers—otherwise, she wouldn’t have ended up like this, trapped by Athena—she understood one thing: there’s no free lunch in this world. Aslan was baking a big pie in front of her.

She was a bit scared to eat it now. If Aslan only found a way to free her from Athena’s seal, it would just be a favor, and she’d be bossed around for a while. But if Aslan pushed her back to Three-Digit, or even Two-Digit, that favor wouldn’t be easy to repay.

Most importantly, Algol didn’t believe Aslan could achieve this step.

“I want AI-chan to replace Cain and take responsibility. What else?” Aslan said with a smile.

“Responsibility for what?”

Algol looked at him warily. Her instincts told her Aslan had bad intentions. This was the rhythm of a trap. If she really helped him take responsibility, her fate wouldn’t be better than when she fought gods and Buddhas across three thousand worlds.

Regarding this, Aslan coughed awkwardly twice. “Responsibility for the Last Trial of Mankind, Kali Yuga, and Angra Mainyu.”

After all, if Aslan let his boss, Shiroyasha, take responsibility for these two, though Shiroyasha could handle it, his fate wouldn’t be great. It might not be better than when he sealed himself in a paradox game.

Aslan had some understanding of how much of a threat he created for the gods by crafting the Last Trial of Mankind, combining Kali Yuga and Angra Mainyu, and acquiring Another Cosmology Avesta.

He chose to leave Little Garden and observe other worlds, essentially to avoid risks temporarily until things calmed down in Little Garden.

“…”

Algol fell silent, staring at him. Even she was shocked by Aslan.

(So, how much trouble can he cause?)

Just hearing what Aslan did, she could see how tense Little Garden’s upper echelons were now. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say Dystopia had suddenly risen again at its peak.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I can’t handle a responsibility this big.”

Algol didn’t even ask further and shrank back into Athena’s seal to play dead. Sometimes, just knowing something was extremely risky. Aslan was truly inhuman, trying to trap her to death.

“Hey, at least hear me out.”

The corner of Aslan’s mouth twitched. Wasn’t Algol too sensitive? He hadn’t even finished talking, and she was already hiding, too scared to show up.

He could only say Algol was used to being trapped. He hadn’t even started digging the pit, and she had already jumped away.

“I mean, throw the responsibility to Angra Mainyu.”

The corner of Aslan’s mouth couldn’t help but twitch.

(Algol, why are you so cautious? What a pity. Otherwise, she could’ve completely freed herself.)

“What do you think about Cain joining the Last Trial of Mankind Angra Mainyu, who has Another Cosmology Avesta, along with Kali Yuga and part of the Absolute Evil Spirit Status?”

“Under Angra Mainyu’s guidance, the Demon Primogenitor Cain turned the gods of this world into Demons, becoming a Demon Primogenitor.”

“But Angra Mainyu was exiled and can’t return to Little Garden. He could only let his subordinate, Cain, return.”

“AI-chan, what do you think of this story?”

Aslan said very seriously, as if he were genuinely considering Algol’s perspective.

“Interesting.” Algol couldn’t hold back a smile and spoke with great interest.

This way, it was no longer about who was trapping whom. Instead, Aslan, in a sense, had become her partner in crime. They would jointly throw the responsibility to Angra Mainyu.

Happily framing another identity of Aslan. Though she didn’t know what use it was for Aslan to frame his own identity. Even making her and Algol strategic partners. This world was truly bizarre.

Of course, Angra Mainyu’s identity was indeed suitable for taking responsibility. No one was more fitting than the Last Trial of Mankind.

Thus, with a fake identity and shifted responsibility, Aslan and Algol successfully evaded potential risks.

“By the way, how about we make Athena take responsibility too?” Algol couldn’t help but show a wicked smile.

Did she think she had no emotions?

“Uh, better not?”

The corner of Aslan’s mouth twitched.

Did she really think Athena wasn’t taking responsibility?

Did Algol know who she trapped to bring out Ouroboros? Athena couldn’t even save herself.

“I knew you and that ugly girl had some unclear relationship.” Algol’s slightly annoyed voice sounded in Aslan’s mind. “I’m your partner, and I was the first to know your secret, so why…”

“Don’t start again!”

The corner of Aslan’s mouth twitched.

Where did Algol learn this white-on-white drama? Somehow, it made him look like a scumbag.

“Do you think Athena isn’t taking responsibility?” Aslan said in a low voice in Algol’s ear. He also felt a bit sorry for Athena. She had been quite kind to him, after all.

“Good, that’s you.” Algol couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up.

Hearing that Athena, that ugly girl, didn’t escape her fate of taking responsibility, Algol felt greatly relieved.

“Don’t make me sound like a harbinger of disaster.” Aslan felt Algol had misunderstood him. He never intended to drag anyone into this, okay?

But who knew things would turn out like this? Most of this responsibility was actually Athena’s own doing. Aslan just went with the flow and took advantage of the chaos.

“By the way, is Cain’s Spirit Status okay? Don’t let him take the credit later.”

“Hmm, who do you think Cain’s other identity is?” Algol said confidently, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Whoa!”

Aslan couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up. He hadn’t thought of this. Who could’ve guessed that the famous Cain was another identity of Algol, the Demon Star?

Indeed, no one in Little Garden could be underestimated. Even Algol, the craziest and most incomprehensible Problem Child trapped by Athena, had another identity.

In the Dawn Era, when Algol declared war on gods and Buddhas and spread monsters, she was the one who tempted Cain to fall. After all, she was the primordial demon Lilith. Of course, she had to do her job.

-

Title: The Dual Forms of Onee-san and Little Natsuki-chan

“Is it okay for me to know these things?”

Natsuki set down her teacup, staring directly into Aslan’s eyes with her clear blue ones, asking with utmost seriousness.

“Of course it’s fine, Natsuki-chan.”

Aslan glanced at Algol, who had somehow retreated back into her seal, and said calmly, “You’re the kin I’ve chosen, so naturally, you have the right to know these things.”

“Kin?”

Natsuki murmured softly. She seemed to realize the weight of those words.

Aslan didn’t hide anything about Little Garden from Natsuki.

With Aslan’s very clear explanations, Natsuki knew more about Little Garden than Giada did. She also understood the significance of what Aslan had just said.

If Aslan didn’t want to make her his kin, she shouldn’t have heard anything, like Veldiana. Though they were in the same room, some voices were transmitted across dimensions.

“Now I’m worried I’ll be completely dragged onto your ship.”

Natsuki sighed. She couldn’t get off the ship now. After learning these things, she could only follow Aslan to the end.

“Why? Regretting it?”

Aslan looked at her and laughed.

“Yes, very, very much.”

Natsuki put her hands on her hips, rolling her eyes in annoyance. “If I’d known I’d meet you on Gozo Island, I definitely wouldn’t have taken that mission from Snake Guy.”

“Now, because of that guy, I have to be your servant for the rest of my life. No matter how you look at it, it’s a loss.”

At this moment, Aslan said with a hint of mischief, “You can still back out now.”

“At least let me lose completely.”

Natsuki rolled her eyes and said. After knowing all this, it would be strange if Aslan let her back out. With her personality, she’d never let herself give up halfway. Since she’d made her decision, she’d go crazy with Aslan. She’d long been fed up with this world.

The corner of Natsuki’s mouth curved slightly. She chuckled and said, “Now we’re accomplices.”

“Yeah, yeah, accomplices against all gods and Buddhas.” Aslan smiled and said casually.

“Let’s go, Natsuki-chan. We’ll wrap up the Blazing Banquet and deal with the Prison Barrier issue while we’re at it.” Aslan stood up from the sofa and patted Aurora, who was lying on his lap.

“Aurora, call your sisters. It’s time to complete your mission.”

“Okay, Aslan!”

Aurora exclaimed excitedly.

The Blazing Banquet was finally going to be completed? Then her sisters could merge with Aslan too?

Natsuki also set down her teacup, picked up the parasol beside her, opened it, and stood up. She said to Veldiana, “Stay here. We’re going out for a bit.”

“Yes, Natsuki-sama.”

Veldiana answered sweetly, seemingly relieved that Aslan was leaving.

Natsuki glanced at Aslan, unable to hide a hint of mischief in her eyes.

Only Aslan was lost in thought. Was he really that unapproachable?

Natsuki smiled, turned, and looked at the Keystone Gate within the Dimensional Gate, letting out a sigh. “In the end, we have to meet again, Aya.”

After sighing, Natsuki stepped into the Dimensional Gate.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

The Central Plaza of the Keystone Gate.

Aslan looked at the twelve Matrices standing beside him and wiped the smile off his face.

At that moment, the glowing red patterns on the ground gradually darkened, soon turning pitch black, like congealed blood.

This was the Blazing Banquet ceremony, draining the memories of tens of thousands of people and converting them into magic usable by the Fourth Primogenitor (Origin). In truth, it was just a slightly grander ceremony. How much magic could be generated from the memories of over a hundred thousand people?

To Aslan, it wasn’t even worth a mosquito’s leg. The only significance of this ceremony was like an inauguration, announcing to the world that the Fourth Primogenitor had been instated. It wasn’t necessary for inheriting power but was essential for accumulating achievements.

Only by completing this ceremony would the world truly recognize him as the Fourth Primogenitor.

Fortunately, Aslan had directly asked Senga Takehito to remove the memory-transformation part of the ceremony, focusing solely on its grandeur.

“Enough talk. Let me see what the Fourth Primogenitor’s awakening looks like.”

Holding her parasol, Natsuki, standing behind Aslan, urged him with mixed feelings. She felt conflicted about meeting Tokoyogi Aya but also lighthearted at the thought of shedding the Prison Barrier’s responsibility.

Hearing Natsuki’s urging, Aslan smiled slightly. “As you wish.”

Twelve illusory wings of light spread from his back. One of the wings now shimmered with rainbow-like light. That was the glow of Aurora’s soul, which had already merged into Aslan’s body.

*POP!* *POP!* *POP!*

The remaining eleven wings of light pierced into the eleven Matrices. Then, starting from the point of contact, the wings gradually became enveloped in rainbow light. The Beast Vassals representing the twelve zodiacs began merging into Aslan’s body.

Throughout the process, he released his magic without holding back.

*BUZZ!*

The atmosphere hummed continuously. Vast amounts of magic spread across Itogami Island, with Aslan as the center. Among them, the third wing of light on his back trembled slightly.

The third Beast Vassal, Al-Meissa Mercury, had the ability to devour space, the most compatible ability for him. Under Aslan’s control, that power turned into vibrations. It affected the stability of the surrounding space, forcing the Prison Barrier to emerge.

“All you know is how to cause trouble.”

Natsuki rolled her eyes in annoyance.

Did he really not know that Aslan was most skilled at manipulating space? Forcing out the Prison Barrier was as easy as lifting a finger for him. Yet, Aslan used such a troublesome method without hesitation.

From what she knew of Aslan, this might become quite a big deal. It was probably to announce to the world that Natsuki had been saved. Though it held no real significance, since the management of Itogami Island’s Artificial Island was already under their control.

However, thinking about these things, the corner of Natsuki’s mouth couldn’t help but curve into a slight smile.

At that moment, Natsuki’s figure flickered like a TV losing signal, with black-and-white pixels.

“Forced out already?”

Natsuki exclaimed in surprise, then turned to Aslan and said with a smile, “I’ll wait for you in the Prison Barrier. Don’t keep me waiting too long.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Natsuki’s figure vanished.

At the same time, Aslan opened his eyes. In front of him, Natsuki was leaning back in a chair, head tilted, fast asleep.

Aslan snapped his fingers. A chair identical to Natsuki’s appeared behind him. He sat down, propped his head with one hand, and tilted his head, gazing at Natsuki in her onee-san form.

To Aslan’s surprise, though Natsuki was asleep in the Prison Barrier, it didn’t mean her body stopped developing. On the contrary, Natsuki had developed quite well.

Her mature yet slightly childish face rested gently against the chair’s backrest.

Unlike the magical duplicate of Natsuki outside, who loved wearing Gothic-style dresses, the Natsuki in the Prison Barrier wore a simple house dress. She had a different kind of charm.

Finally, under Aslan’s enthusiastic gaze, Natsuki couldn’t hold back. She opened her eyes, looking at him with a mix of embarrassment and anger. “Couldn’t you have come a bit later?”

“Why come so early?”

“To see little Natsuki-chan, of course… no, I can’t call you little Natsuki-chan anymore. It should be big Natsuki-chan while sleeping.” Aslan looked her up and down.

A super rare beauty with dual forms—Little Girl and Onee-san—sharing the same qualities as La Folia. That was incredibly rare.

“You’ve got a lot going for you, Natsuki-chan!” Aslan couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up.

“Shut up, you blabbermouth. I just adjusted my body to match my age in the dream.” Natsuki glared at him angrily. Still, she felt a bit proud seeing his interest in her mature form.

“So it’s just in the dream.”

Aslan said with a hint of regret, though his smiling expression didn’t fade.

“I can make it the same in the real world too!”

Natsuki said in a resigned tone. She really didn’t know what to do with a shameless guy like Aslan.

“But I also really like Natsuki-chan in her Little Girl form.”

Natsuki scoffed and said irritably, “Stop saying weird things. Now, hurry up and hurt me.”

“Huh?”

Faced with this strange request, even Aslan was stunned.

At that moment, Natsuki snorted and said, “The Prison Barrier can be destroyed, but I can’t destroy it myself. Consider it my last bit of pride.”

“Even though you can’t actively break the contract.” Aslan muttered softly, but his murmur was clearly audible throughout the hall.

“You’re so annoying.” Natsuki glared at him angrily.

She just felt that the man in front of her was truly her nemesis. No matter what, he always managed to make her so angry she was speechless.

Aslan smiled, saying nothing. He lifted her up, placed Natsuki on his lap, and said gently, “Be careful, Natsuki-chan.”

Hearing this, Natsuki took a deep breath, trying to stay calm, but in the end, she couldn’t hold back.

“I said hurt me, not like this!”

Natsuki shouted in extreme embarrassment and anger, but in the end, she couldn’t break free from Aslan’s embrace.

-

Title: Feasibility Study of the Cleansing Virus

*SLAP!*

Aslan’s palm landed on Natsuki’s waist.

Seeing that his hand didn’t land on any other part of her body, Natsuki let out a sigh of relief. She felt a mix of relief and slight disappointment.

However, soon after, Natsuki was forced to change positions. Aslan scooped her up into a princess carry.

Seeing the faint, unidentifiable embarrassment on Natsuki’s face, the corner of Aslan’s mouth couldn’t help but curve upward.

“Does Natsuki-chan really want me to spank your butt?”

Natsuki didn’t open her eyes, as if she had truly been gravely injured by Aslan. Seeing her like this, Aslan, knowing you can’t wake someone pretending to sleep, only smiled.

The faint, warm pink on Natsuki’s face betrayed her. Could she admit she wanted more than that? Aslan might have needed to suck her blood. Vampires in this world had a special impulse when drinking blood.

But who would’ve thought Aslan only patted her waist and left it at that? She almost took off her dress, and Aslan just gave her this scene?

After that, Aslan looked up at the ancient, sturdy stone church and shook his head.

“It’d be such a waste to destroy a prison with such deep history.”

“Better to turn it into a card, so even if it’s taken to Little Garden, it can still serve its purpose.”

Then, Aslan waved his hand. Pure white flames ignited out of nowhere, burning the surrounding space and the Prison Barrier enveloping the entire ancient castle. But upon closer inspection, the flames didn’t seem to be burning the space.

While burning, the flames also forged the space. Tiny hexagonal crystals were formed, neatly encircling the entire Prison Barrier castle. They isolated the Prison Barrier, which had just emerged from the dream realm, from the world again, transforming it into a micro-plane with crystal walls.

In the end, the entire plane began to shrink, condensing into a gray card with the castle depicted on it, which fell into Aslan’s hand.

Natsuki seemed to notice something. She opened her eyes once in the middle of it, saw Aslan turning the Prison Barrier into a card, slightly curled the corner of her mouth, then closed her eyes again. As if nothing had happened, she continued sleeping in Aslan’s arms.

After that, Aslan stepped inside and carefully examined the interior of the Prison Barrier.

A massive three-story prison made of hard, thick gray stone. Above the prison, figures stood one by one.

Among them, the one that caught Aslan’s attention the most was the figure in the center. A beautiful woman in exquisite Heian-period clothing, with glowing red eyes and a calm yet demonic charm.

The Witch of the Notaria, Tokoyogi Aya.

“What’s this? The Prison Barrier is open?”

“Did something happen to the Witch of the Void? Is there such good news?”

“Either way, we’re out.”

“Wait, look down!”

Noisy voices echoed, conversations overlapping, until all eyes turned downward. There, Aslan, holding Natsuki, stood out starkly in the eyes of the prisoners eager to escape.

The scene suddenly fell silent. Everyone quietly gathered information with their eyes. Until, in the center, a well-treated and heavily guarded witch broke the deadlock.

“Minamiya Natsuki was defeated?”

“Whoa! Even this executioner has her day?”

“It seems we’ve been saved by someone.”

“He’s an incredibly handsome guy.”

“I must admit, this is a great chance to escape the prison.”

Hearing this, the other prisoners showed more or less amused smiles.

At this moment, Aya, the only one without expression, raised her hand with cold eyes, showing the silver bracelet on her wrist. “Look closely, we’re not completely free yet. The prison’s control system is still—”

“Alright, the prison’s control system is no longer active.”

Aslan looked at this lively group of lab rats, flashed a bright smile, and snapped his fingers, disabling the prison’s control system.

As the lab rats he’d chosen, their vitality was, of course, crucial. He didn’t want his lab rats to suffer from depression or other ailments during the experiment, as that would be a bit unpleasant.

After all, the diversity of species in the Prison Barrier was so rich, with every race so complete that even Aslan would need time to gather them now. There were Deva descendants, vampires related to the three Primogenitors, Beastmen, dragon-slayer descendants, Flame Spirit summoners, Ghouls transformed from the dead…

It could be said that most Demons in this world, and even humans with special abilities, could be found here. There was even a Dragon. For Aslan, who wanted to deeply research the principles of the Cleansing’s life transformation, this was truly a treasure trove.

With so many lab rats, how could he not be happy?

Hearing Aslan’s voice and seeing the control devices detach from their wrists, a spiky-haired young man showed a smile.

“Kid, you’re pretty sensible. Tell us what you want. We’ll give it to you once we’re out.”

Schtola D, one of the few surviving Deva descendants in this world, a rare lab rat.

“Oh?”

Aslan slightly raised his eyebrows, looking at Schtola above, and said with a hint of surprise, “Really anything?”

“Of course, as long as you hand over the witch in your arms.”

Schtola looked at Aslan and said with a fierce expression.

He didn’t believe the Prison Barrier would be freed so easily unless he personally checked and confirmed that Natsuki was truly dead.

“Then I want all of you to be my lab rats.”

Aslan said calmly. It seemed these prisoners hadn’t yet realized their true situation.

Schtola was stunned for a moment, then grinned and waved his hand. “Kid, you’ve got some bold ideas!”

With his wave, invisible air blades formed in the atmosphere, slashing at Aslan without hesitation.

The fierce wind seemed ready to tear Aslan apart. At that moment, Schtola’s face was filled with a cruel smile.

*PU-CHI!*

A not-too-piercing sound rang out. It was the sound of Schtola being sliced in half at the waist.

When did it happen?

Schtola was somewhat in disbelief.

However, he was a Deva descendant, after all. His regeneration ability was no weaker than a vampire’s. An injury like this wasn’t too serious for him.

“Ah, so wouldn’t it be better to quietly be my lab rats?”

Aslan shook his head slightly and sighed.

The other prisoners saw that Aslan didn’t even move. Schtola, a Deva descendant, was defeated by his own attack. They all showed expressions of fear.

Even within the Prison Barrier, Schtola was among the top. Aside from Aya, few dared to claim they were stronger than him.

“AI-chan, what do you think about using the Cleansing to turn them into Demons?”

The corner of Aslan’s mouth curved into a smile. He casually asked Algol, still sealed in his wrist.

In a special dimension invisible to anyone, Algol frowned at the messy group around her.

“They’re too ugly. AI-chan doesn’t want such ugly demons.” Algol said with a disgusted expression.

Just standing there made her feel suffocated. In contrast, the demons in Little Garden were all handsome and beautiful because she was their ancestor. None had poor appearances. On the other hand, the angels’ true forms were one weirder than the next.

“It’s just an experiment. To truly help AI-chan complete the Anti-God Spirit Status, you need to turn at least one Mainstream Divinity into a demon to gain achievements.”

“For now, we need to research how to turn them into demons, right?” Aslan said with a soft laugh.

Then, in an unseen place, a newly developed pitch-black virus, infused with part of the Cleansing ritual, spread from Aslan’s hand. It infected the hundreds of prisoners in the Prison Barrier, except for Aya.

Almost instantly, their bodies began pulsing violently, as if they had become hosts, giving birth to new biological demons. Moments later, small demons with red skin and burns all over their bodies emerged from them.

“Tch, a failure. Of course, transforming a race into demons isn’t that easy.”

Aslan sighed. He snapped his fingers, reverting everything in the Prison Barrier to the moment before Schtola launched his air blades.

The Prison Barrier was magic based on a dream. If the Prison Barrier’s owner wished, they could expend vast amounts of magic to alter everything within it.

Aslan, having turned the Prison Barrier into a card, could do the same. He could expend magic to change everything inside the Prison Barrier.

“Of course, the Cleansing virus design still has some challenges.”

Aslan sighed helplessly and withdrew his hand, which had just released the virus. After all, to turn a Mainstream Divinity into a demon, he had to do it subtly or by force.

The latter might only be slightly possible for Three-Digit beings surpassing limits or even Two-Digit ones.

Did they think the Another Cosmology of Mainstream Divinity was just for show?

So Aslan chose the former, researching a virus that could turn gods into demons. But now, he couldn’t even turn ordinary lifeforms into demons, let alone demons that oppose gods.

Hearing Aslan mention Anti-God, Algol fell silent. It seemed Aslan had touched her sore spot.

“How do you know about that?” Algol asked very seriously.

That was her true secret, unknown even to Two-Digit beings. The fundamental reason she declared war on gods and Buddhas across three thousand worlds back then.

-

Title: Little Garden’s Central Core, You’re Spoiling Him Too Much

Algol was only slightly narcissistic. She wasn’t foolish enough to dare challenge all the gods and Buddhas across three thousand worlds alone.

As a Star Spirit, she took on the Bible Gods and Buddhism. Even if she wanted to die, she wouldn’t do it that way. Though she and Shiroyasha were both Star Spirits in the past, she was merely an ordinary Venus Star Spirit. Don’t even mention Shiroyasha, who was a Star Spirit of the Original Star.

She wasn’t even a Sun Spirit, so where would she get the capital to challenge two Almighty Domains?

Yet, she managed to hold out for some time and was only sealed in the end. This record was still terrifying, considering that Buddhism and the Bible Gods at the time, though lacking Two-Digit beings, were formidable.

In the Dawn Era, no one said Three-Digit beings were equal. Strong was strong, weak was weak. The gap between Three-Digit beings was even more outrageous than the gap between Four-Digit ones.

Back then, though Algol was a Top-Tier Three-Digit, the Bible Gods and Buddhism didn’t lack Top-Tier Three-Digit beings on her level, or even stronger ones.

The real reason Algol lasted so long, and even came close to defeating Buddhism and the Bible Gods, was her Anti-God, or her completed Primogenitor Demon Spirit Status.

By spreading demons and all sorts of dangerous creatures across all worlds and eras, Algol roughly completed her Primogenitor Demon Spirit Status. She also discovered the possibility of Anti-God. As long as she turned gods into demons, she could complete this Spirit Status and ascend to Two-Digit in one step.

Of course, Algol was tempted. The Two-Digit position was worth the risk. However, she wasn’t sure how many Divinities were needed to reach that level. So, she challenged her former master and the rising Buddhism at the time.

Then, Algol was defeated by Sakyamuni, who wasn’t yet Two-Digit. Naturally, her Spirit Status and Star Sovereignty were completely divided. The Demon part was taken by Sakyamuni. Her Venus Sovereignty was given to those who came to assist, creating countless Venus Star Spirits. The Primogenitor Demon Lilith Spirit Status was split until only a fragment of the Original Demon remained.

In the end, she was exiled to the Greek Pantheon. Because of her sharp tongue, Athena turned her into something even worse than a monster. It could only be said that she lost completely. The risk matched the reward.

If Algol wanted to become Two-Digit, she had to pay the price. Not everyone had Shiroyasha’s advantage. Shiroyasha was born as a Two-Digit. Well, not entirely true—she was born as a limit-breaking Three-Digit and spent a hundred years accumulating achievements to become Two-Digit.

Among the three Problem Children, Algol had the worst background. She could only rely on herself to fight.

“How do I know?”

Hearing her question, Aslan couldn’t help but smile. Algol was finally dropping her narcissistic act.

“Of course, it’s a secret.”

Since it involved his greatest trump card, Little Garden’s Central Core, how could Aslan casually reveal it? Some things, if not weighed, don’t seem heavy. But once weighed, even a thousand catties couldn’t hold them.

For example, what if Little Garden’s Central Core generated its own will again, or if its will wasn’t entirely pure?

“But I just want to ask, is AI-chan interested in working with me?”

As Aslan said this, the corner of his mouth curved slightly. “Or does AI-chan want to spend the rest of her life as a monster?”

Algol’s expression finally changed. But what appeared wasn’t panic, but a hint of anger from being provoked.

As a Problem Child, she was a lawless existence. Though she had fallen to the state of a monster, that didn’t mean she had lost her past pride. On the contrary, that past pride was the only thing she had left.

“Honestly, I’m starting to like you a bit.”

Algol looked at Aslan’s profile and couldn’t help licking her lips. “Your score in AI-chan’s heart is soaring. AI-chan’s starting to think you’re a bit cool.”

“But I have one more question.” Algol asked in a somber tone. “Does your secret have a beautification function?”

Hearing Algol’s words, Aslan was stunned for a moment. When he realized, his face darkened, and his expression was utterly speechless.

“You…”

Before Aslan could finish, Algol jumped in. “Don’t tell me you can uncover a secret AI-chan hid for so long, but you can’t even find a way to make me beautiful.”

“Though I’m already a bit too beautiful, I’m not stupid. A little guy like you can’t fool me.”

Aslan’s face darkened as he stared at Algol. “I haven’t even said anything?”

【We… are not a wish-granting machine.】

A slightly annoyed message from Little Garden’s Central Core entered his mind. Aslan could imagine its expression right now, covering its face in slight agony.

Indeed, when it came to abstract matters, he still couldn’t outdo these talents. Who would’ve thought that while he was discussing with Algol how to push her to Two-Digit, she’d ask if he could help her become beautiful?

At that moment, he felt a silent gaze fall upon him, as if saying, “You dare make promises.”

Seeing the expression on Aslan’s face, Algol couldn’t hold back a smile. She began circling around him. “Hey… that’s right, the things on you can definitely help me become beautiful.”

Aslan’s eyelids twitched, then he said, “I’ll try my best.”

Little Garden’s Central Core was the closest to omniscience and omnipotence. In Little Garden, it was the only known One-Digit existence. A little beautification shouldn’t be hard for it, right?

【…???】

Little Garden’s Central Core stared at Aslan, black lines covering its head.

(Are you seriously treating me like a wish-granting machine?)

“Deal!”

Algol didn’t intend to push too hard. Of course, that was because she was completely under Aslan’s control now, her metaphorical underwear stripped away. If it were someone weaker, she’d definitely use tactics like “fierce tiger climbs a mountain” or “tyrant forces an archer.”

Don’t think that a sealed Original Demon was no longer an Original Demon. She had plenty of ways to bypass the seal and trap others to death. Demons weren’t good people. On the contrary, demons were the type to trap others to death without paying compensation.

But why was Aslan the one in control now?

With three Another Cosmologies and two Sun Authorities in Aslan’s possession, even if Algol broke free from the seal, she might not defeat him. She’d die trying.

Without forcing or crossing Aslan’s boundaries, getting a way to become beautiful was a benefit Algol wanted. Of course, she also knew Aslan’s temperament.

“Naturally, in return, Cain will cooperate with all your actions. Even if you sacrifice him, it’s fine. As long as Cain’s Spirit Status is in my hands, I can take everything back from Cain.”

Algol planned to separate Cain’s Spirit Status from the other Cain’s Spirit Status. After all, she couldn’t put all her eggs in one basket. Cain, or the Cain in this world, as a Counterpart to the Cain in Little Garden, if used well…

When the Cain in Little Garden died, Algol could use this Cain to inherit everything from that Cain, replacing his return.

For Aslan, a Three-Digit pawn was also very important, especially Cain, who held a high position among the Bible Gods. It had to be admitted, the reward of a Three-Digit pawn was enticing.

At least Aslan was tempted. He had some desire to increase his power. After all, the power gap between him and his opponents was too vast, the kind he couldn’t catch up to.

How could a Four-Digit fight a Two-Digit? How? Even with Another Cosmology, a Two-Digit could crush Aslan before he unleashed it.

How could a Planetary-Tier fight a Multiversal-Tier?

He couldn’t just fantasize that he’d leap from Four-Digit to One-Digit in a few years, right? Fantasies don’t work like that.

Of course, Aslan still preferred stirring up trouble discreetly, and being an advisor was more useful. This way of causing trouble suited him better.

Aslan narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and pleaded pathetically to Little Garden’s Central Core in his heart.

(Brother Central, please, this Three-Digit pawn is crucial to me…)

【…Just this once.】

Little Garden’s Central Core finally gave in. After all, Aslan was genuinely working for it. It was fine if it couldn’t provide much help. If it couldn’t even assist with something this small, it would seem like an overly irresponsible boss.

However, without merits, it couldn’t help Aslan too much. The only aid it could provide was using achievements to intervene in the evolution of Aslan’s Spirit Status, such as granting Authority, helping craft Magic: The Gathering cards, and so on.

Beyond that, it could only offer some information of uncertain truth. Too much information was recorded in Human History, making it hard to distinguish true from false. And the History of Gods… that was even more fabricated.

Then, Aslan suddenly felt a ritual appear in his memory. A ritual that used the Spark’s creative power to help someone become beautiful.

“Alright, it’s done. Wanna try?”

Aslan turned to Algol.

Algol was also very cooperative. She slightly loosened her suppression, allowing Aslan’s Spark power to touch her.

“Oh, my skin’s getting a bit darker, instantly reaching the perfect glow I wanted.”

Algol hurriedly took out a small mirror and looked at her face, her eyes gradually sparkling. She could naturally see how sophisticated Aslan’s power was, but as long as it made her beautiful, she didn’t care.