"What?"
"This person wants to use the Witch?"
"Are you kidding me? How could he qualify to negotiate terms with Echidna? It's like a lion's mouth!"
Roswaal was sitting in the courtyard, looking at the scenery in the picture and jumping to his chair.
Did Ayanokouji actually say directly that he wants to use Echidna as his tool?
Is this person joking?
Echidna is the Witch of Greed, how could she be a human's tool?
Moreover, Echidna has just proposed very good terms. If Roswaal could replace Ayanokouji, he would surely agree to Echidna's request without hesitation.
Isn't it just letting Echidna spy on his thoughts? This wouldn't harm him, especially with Echidna's wisdom, she could easily achieve any goal.
However, Ayanokouji has the ability of Return by Death, so it is not impossible to slightly satisfy Echidna's curiosity.
Furthermore, furthermore, furthermore...
Echidna just said that even if she sacrifices herself, why did Ayanokouji refuse?
Roswaal clenched his hands and bit his lip, his eyes full of jealousy and envy.
But at the same time, he was somewhat pleased that Ayanokouji did not agree to Echidna's previous request. If he truly dedicates himself, wouldn't...
Roswaal shook his head vigorously to clear his mind of the disturbing thoughts.
❰❱SKY SCREEN❰❱
"Ayanokouji, what are you talking about?"
All the present sinful witches did not expect Ayanokouji to say such words.
After Echidna was stunned for a moment, she shook her head and laughed loudly: "Hahaha, you are truly an interesting person, you are actually mocking us right now."
"You know, I'm not joking." Faced with the astonishment of the other witches and her mockery, Ayanokouji remained expressionless.
"Human, you seem to not understand the situation clearly." Echidna's expression immediately changed. The previous smile disappeared, replaced by a very grim expression, looking very indifferent, "What qualifications do you have to say that while trapped in the Sanctuary?"
"You don't understand the situation." Ayanokouji still spoke calmly, "You are very eager to witness all unknown possibilities. The only one who can achieve this condition is me. Besides me, you have no one else to choose."
"Oh?"
"Your greed is your endless curiosity for knowledge and unknown time. You cannot miss this opportunity of mine. This is your only chance." Ayanokouji continued, "Even without your help, I also have unlimited opportunities to experiment, and there is no solution to free the Sanctuary. Not to mention, I can also choose to leave the Sanctuary directly."
"Are you going to give up on Emilia and the villagers?" Echidna narrowed her eyes.
"You have read my memories, do you think I care about others?" Ayanokouji stared directly, and the other present witches could not intervene in the conversation between the two as they had never seen a human dare to speak to a witch like this.
"You..."
"To satisfy your curiosity, you have no choice but me. Not because I need you, but you need me." Ayanokouji said, "And I know your pursuit is eternal life, right? During your life, you have researched ways to achieve immortality, so you continue to create clones of Ryuzu."
"Betty talks too much." Echidna said with a smile.
"You want to transfer your soul to the clone of Ryuzu, right? If you do not agree to my contract, after leaving, I will kill all the Ryuzu clones and destroy the core of that clone. If it falls, all your careful preparations will be completely ruined." Ayanokouji said.
"You are threatening a witch. No one in this world dares to do that."
"This is not a threat, but a statement of interest." Ayanokouji intentionally paused, "Perhaps you can manipulate my memories, but I have already made a backup on my phone. With your current posture, there is no way to disturb the real world. If you do not agree, you will be imprisoned here forever."
Echidna's eyebrows furrowed, "I see you have a good relationship with some Ryuzu clones. Are you willing to kill them?"
"No matter the cost, the ultimate winner is me. You should understand this." Ayanokouji said, knowing that he had forced Echidna to the point where she had to make a choice.
He knew that Echidna had a wealth of knowledge and intelligence. This was a very rich resource. Of course, he could not give up easily.
And Echidna's thirst for knowledge and curiosity was the leverage he held.
He noticed that Echidna did not have ordinary human emotions, but her curiosity was very strong. All she did was use her abilities to explore various possibilities.
"You know, your words are very 'greedy'." Echidna said with a smile. For the first time, she clearly felt that she had underestimated him completely.
She had prepared to use words to gradually lure him to become her pawn.
But Ayanokouji actually wanted to use her.
This... was excellent!
"Echidna, please make a decision quickly. Time is running out." Ayanokouji said calmly, "I set an alarm on my phone. It will ring in fifteen minutes. Then I will leave the Dream City, and you will never be able to meet me again. This is your only chance to witness the unknown."
Echidna bit her lip tightly, furrowed her brow, and her eyes filled with confusion. Naturally, she knew that the proposed contract by him was to use her entirely as a tool to extract value from herself.
But she could not resist her inner curiosity and thirst for the unknown, just like her hunger instinct.
Leaving the villagers, killing the Ryuzu clones, and destroying their core, Echidna also knew that Ayanokouji was capable of doing such things.
Finally, Echidna's eyebrows relaxed, and a smile appeared on her face, "Alright, I promise you."
She could not resist her inner curiosity and thirst for knowledge, and Ayanokouji was the only one who could satisfy it. From beginning to end, she had no room for refusal.
"Then let's proceed to confirm the contract-related matters." Ayanokouji then added many contract details.
He knew that Echidna was fond of playing word games, and the additional content was to block any possible loopholes, and after the contract was completed, Echidna would be equivalent to a knowledge base that he could explore at will.
Ayanokouji could freely enter Echidna's spiritual world, but Echidna's spiritual world could not access his thoughts and memories.
Every time he asked a question, Echidna had to answer honestly and could not hide any information related to that question.
Echidna had to obey his words 100% and could not violate them in the slightest.
Ayanokouji could choose to terminate the contract at any time.
"A very dominating clause." Echidna smiled and looked at him, as if she was looking at a piece of work that satisfied her, "To make a girl agree to so many conditions, Ayanokouji, you have the potential to be a wicked man."
Although this contract seemed like a betrayal contract, dedicating herself entirely to him, Echidna could not refuse at all.
She could not miss the opportunity to use Ayanokouji to witness various possibilities.
"Perhaps." Ayanokouji replied calmly, extending his hand, "Let's sign the contract."
"You cunning man – but I really like you!" Echidna reached out her hand and intertwined their fingers, like a pair of lovers.
Ayanokouji felt a warm feeling coming from the tips of his fingers. Although this was a contract signing ceremony, it was the first time he intertwined his fingers with someone else.
Then, a bright light enveloped Ayanokouji and Echidna.
"I am here not just to witness the possibilities of various events, Ayanokouji." Echidna showed a meaningful smile, "I am also here to witness your possibilities. Perhaps you do not realize it, but you are already there. It has been changed without being seen."
"Sorry, I don't understand your meaning." Ayanokouji replied.
❀❀❀
"Sensei actually signed a contract like that with Ayanokouji..."
"It shouldn't be, it's impossible, it's wrong! The contract should have equal benefits for both parties, and the contract proposed by Ayanokouji was just a Master clause!"
"Even so, does Sensei agree? And will she obey Ayanokouji's orders 100%..."
Roswaal was kneeling on the ground, supporting the ground with his hands, his eyes full of loss, and his whole body filled with frustration.
He did not know why, but when he saw Ayanokouji and Echidna's intertwined hands, he felt as if everything he had done for four hundred years had been in vain.
His light was slowly dimming.
❰❱SKY SCREEN❰❱
"The contract has been signed, His hands can be separated."
"Stop talking!" Echidna's face turned red at the rare sight, and she quickly pulled her hand away from Ayanokouji's hand, then pointed to her chest, "This is the symbol of our contract, you can use it in the future. You can come and go in my Dream City freely, even outside the Sanctuary, no problem."
Ayanokouji bowed his head and looked at his chest, where a black pendant was hanging, the color matching Echidna's eyes.
"Mm, thank you for your hard work." Ayanokouji nodded. Now Echidna had become one of his tools. Perhaps if he encountered problems in the future, he could ensure that he would pass the 'first time' level.
However, even if he made layered contract restrictions, he would never fully trust her and would remain cautious.
"Then Kiyotaka, do you have any more questions to ask?" Echidna leaned forward, her upper body almost leaning on him, like a girl falling in love.
"Why did you change the nickname for me?"
"Anyway, we have signed the contract now. You and I are very close now – it is only right for close people to call each other by name or nickname. You can also call me Donna like Typhon."
"Sorry, I'm not that interested."
"You are very cold. I really don't know what makes those girls interested in you, but I am really obsessed with you! If you want to command me to sacrifice myself, you can do it anytime, anywhere!" Echidna said with a smile, and beside her, Camilla was slightly shy and buried her red face under her collar.
"What should I do if Roswaal finds out that his teacher has virtues like this?"
"Who knows? For me, he is just an ordinary student, and his plan to revive me is just his fantasy."
"However, it seems that you are not the real Roswaal's teacher." Ayanokouji said slowly, "At least not the complete teacher."
"But I am the original Echidna." A sly smile appeared on Echidna's face.
"Forget it, who you are and whether you are really the Witch of Greed have nothing to do with me. How can I break through the Sanctuary while protecting Emilia?" Ayanokouji asked Echidna.
He actually had a plan in his mind, but he wanted to know how much help Echidna could provide him.
"Kiyotaka, you are overlooking something very important in your latest regression. After this life, you should have some insights."
"What?"
"You must understand how much emotions influence people."