"Wh-what do you want?"
The middle-aged man covered his broken leg, suppressing the pain. "You wouldn't dare kill someone, would you?"
"As expected, helping those Cursed Children means you're all monsters."
"Everyone, did you see that? They're even standing up for those filthy things."
The moment his voice fell, angry shouts rose and fell around them.
"You, release him immediately, or we'll get rough!"
"That's right. Keep making mistakes, and we'll burn you and those Cursed Children alive!"
"Why are we still talking to them? Anyone who helps Cursed Children is no good!"
Countless people, their eyes bloodshot, slowly advanced with weapons.
"You hear that? Do the smart thing and let me go."
The middle-aged man looked proud. "Then I can still..."
Swish!
Before he could finish,
A cold light flashed.
"Didn't you hear Master's words? Still daring to threaten me?"
"You...?"
The middle-aged man's face showed fear. He felt his body falling rapidly.
Squelch!
The next moment,
He saw a headless corpse. Blood gushed like a fountain.
'This woman... really dared to kill?'
Thinking this, he fell into eternal darkness.
Seeing this, the others grew even more enraged.
"You... you really dare to kill!"
"Burn them! Burn them all!"
"No wonder you're mixed up with those monsters."
Everyone glared angrily, charging forward recklessly.
"So you guys have chosen death!"
A cold glint appeared in Saeko's eyes. She was about to act.
Seitenshi quickly said, "Wait! They're probably just acting on impulse!"
Saeko frowned. "Are you sure?"
Kisara also returned to Ayato's side, looking indifferently at Seitenshi.
"..."
Feeling the gazes of those around her, Seitenshi fell silent.
"Then, I'll give you a choice."
Ayato smiled. "Since they're acting on impulse, let's just leave. How about that?"
"How can we do that? If we leave, what about the children in the building?"
"Then what do you want to do? They're about to charge."
Ayato shrugged. "I'm giving you the decision. You choose."
Seitenshi was stunned.
She looked at the crazed mob, who are getting closer and closer, her pupils contracting violently.
At this moment,
Her hands and feet grew colder. Her body seemed to lose all strength.
She had never imagined encountering such a situation.
'How could these humans be like this?'
'Why did they want to exterminate the Cursed Children?'
The harder she tried...
The more ugliness she saw.
And now, even these ordinary people were like this.
If she sympathized with them...
How innocent were the Cursed Children who fought for humanity?
"Master, have I been wrong all along?"
Seitenshi felt like she couldn't breathe. "Was all my effort a joke?"
"No. No one will laugh at someone who tries."
"You just used the wrong method."
Ayato stroked Seitenshi's hair, comforting her. "Most people in this world think that good people deserve to be pointed at."
"So this world is completely sick. Gentler methods are useless."
Hearing Ayato's words, Seitenshi's mind recalled the choices he had given her.
Gradually,
Her gaze became determined.
She had done all she could.
Since it wasn't working, she would leave everything to her master.
"Haah!"
Seitenshi took a deep breath. "Saeko-san, Kisara-san, do it."
"..." x2.
Saeko and Kisara looked at her with surprise.
They hadn't expected her to actually make that choice.
But,
It was indeed the right decision.
At that moment, a smile appeared at the corner of Ayato's mouth.
'Finally, a change.'
"Then do it, Saeko-san."
"Okay. Let's see who kills more."
The moment their voices fell, Saeko and Kisara seemed to turn into black lightning.
Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!
Wherever they passed, sharp blade light flashed and disappeared, severing limbs, splashing thick or thin streams of blood.
"Arrrrggghhh!"
Piteous wails rose and fell. Countless Molotov cocktails, never even thrown, crashed to the ground, igniting their own bodies.
At this moment,
Fear finally appeared in these people's eyes.
They realized they weren't facing Cursed Children who could be slaughtered at will.
But Devils more terrifying than Gastrea.
"No... stop! I was wrong! I'll leave right now,"
"We were wrong! Adopt as many Cursed Children as you want!"
"Spare... spare me! No more killing!"
Countless people began to beg for mercy, to wail, to kneel and kowtow.
This scene made Seitenshi feel sick.
She knew these people weren't sorry for what they did. They were sorry they were about to die.
These people were just used to swinging their blades at the weaker, venting all their malice on the Cursed Children.
And this only strengthened her resolve.
Since mutual understanding was impossible, she would use her master's power to let everyone live together in peace.
Before long,
The surrounding area was filled with a thick smell of blood.
Besides Saeko and Kisara, no one else was left standing.
"Utaha."
"Here."
Ayato spoke. "You take a trip too. It's time for those corrupt officials to pay for what they've done."
"Yes, Master."
Utaha nodded. A teleportation circle appeared beneath her feet, and she vanished instantly.
Seitenshi asked confusedly, "Master, where is Utaha-san going?"
"Don't think we've been doing nothing all this time."
Ayato smiled slightly. "We've already identified many of the people who've attacked us."
"The only reason we haven't acted is because we were waiting for you to make a choice."
"I-I'm sorry."
Seitenshi said ashamedly. "I've caused everyone trouble."
"It's nothing. After all, you're also one of my wings."