Those few words from the 'Witch' made Charlotte suddenly realize something.

An indescribable fear arose from the depths of Charlotte's heart.

Was she crazy? Why would she make a deal with such a person?

Why would she do something with such high risk but so little benefit?

In this moment, Charlotte found the reason.

"It was you! It was all you!!" Charlotte screamed in disbelief. "What exactly did you do to me?!"

"Don't think of me as so omnipotent." The "Witch's" voice was full of mockery. "These were all your own inner thoughts, and choices you made yourself. At most... they were just slightly amplified by me."

"Nonsense, it was clearly all your fault!" Charlotte wouldn't listen at all. "I'm going to tell Sophia, tell them that those weren't things I wanted to do, that I was completely deceived by you!!"

"Is that so? Unfortunately, it's too late now." The 'Witch' said softly. "The pill has fulfilled its intended purpose, and the deal you proposed has been completed."

Charlotte said in shock: "What? That bastard Bren actually—"

Without her cooperation, Bren had actually managed to succeed?

At this thought, Charlotte completely forgot her earlier fear and regret, her face erupting with wild joy.

"Since the deal is complete, that means Bren succeeded. That Celitia must be finished now!"

She rambled on almost madly, and when she reached the exciting parts, she actually burst into laughter.

"Indeed, this is the Goddess's guidance, fate's arrangement!!"

"How pitiful and ugly."

The 'Witch' looked at her mockingly. "I've fulfilled my agreement with you. Now it's time for me to collect my payment."

"Payment?" Charlotte finished laughing and asked with satisfaction. "What do you want? Money? How should I give it to you?"

"I don't want money." The 'Witch' stared at her and answered gently. "The payment I intend to collect is you, Miss Charlotte."

Her voice was playful and light, like a child asking for an interesting toy, full of unreasonableness and entitlement.

The smile on her face stopped abruptly, and an ominous premonition surged in Charlotte's heart.

"What do you mean?" Charlotte couldn't help but step back. "What we agreed on was just a promise!"

"You could also be considered part of the promise," the Witch smiled slightly. "Someone as vile as you is perfectly suited to become our nourishment."

She meant—?!

The ominous premonition came true, and Charlotte completely panicked, turning to run away.

Her body had barely moved when two black shadows surged from beneath Charlotte's feet, binding her firmly in place.

"No! You can't do this to me!" Charlotte struggled frantically, her voice so shrill it cracked. "This isn't what we agreed on!!"

"Different is different," the 'Witch' shrugged and laughed lightly. "As a 'Witch,' being fickle is only natural."

Watching Charlotte's struggles with pleasure, the 'Witch' slowly approached her and reached out to grip Charlotte's chin viciously.

"Stop struggling," she spoke softly, word by word. "Accept your fate, Miss Charlotte."

"No! I don't want to!!"

Extreme fear appeared in her eyes as Charlotte struggled desperately, but it was all in vain.

Charlotte could only watch helplessly as black flames ignited from the Witch's hands, burning her face.

Starting from her head, the black fire quickly spread downward, taking only an instant to engulf Charlotte's entire body.

The eerie black fire burned fiercely as Charlotte struggled madly and screamed shrilly.

But in this strange space that seemed like a dream, aside from Charlotte and the Witch, no one could hear her voice.

Charlotte screamed until her throat was hoarse and she could barely make a sound.

She despairingly gave up struggling and stared at the 'Witch' with extremely venomous eyes:

"I curse you—and curse Celitia too—may you not die well—!!"

"Shut up."

A trace of fierce light appeared in the "Witch's" eyes.

She covered Charlotte's mouth and squeezed hard, crushing that mouth that still cursed even at death's door into flying ash.

"That name is not for someone like you to call casually. As for myself, I've long since gone to hell, so I don't need your concern."

Slightly calming her tone, the 'Witch' showed her charming smile again.

"Well then, goodbye, dear Miss Charlotte. The Goddess won't accept a soul like yours, so come with me and sink into the endless night."

Unwilling tears rolled from Charlotte's eyes. Finally, she turned to black ash from head to toe and scattered away.

At the same moment, the girl who had been unconscious against the wall stopped her extremely contorted struggling and similarly turned to ash, never to be found again.

○

And the ball's finale reached its conclusion at this moment.

Celitia had originally wanted to embrace Sophia in her arms like during the first dance.

But dancing was too exhausting, and Celitia, who was already gasping for breath, really couldn't hold on anymore.

Just hold on a little longer, it would be over soon.

Celitia told herself this, planning to continue being stubborn.

But her increasingly rapid breathing made Sophia notice her forced endurance.

As the last string of notes flowed like water, when they should have ended with a paired dance pose, Sophia suddenly bent down, wrapped her arms around Celitia's body, and forcibly lifted her up.

"Ah!"

Celitia cried out in surprise, feeling dizzy as she found herself in Sophia's arms.

Her feet left the ground, her arms and back firmly held by Sophia, her upper body involuntarily leaning against Sophia's chest.

...Princess carry again!

"What are you doing?" Celitia struggled in Sophia's arms. "Put me down quickly!"

There were quite a few guests dancing in the dance floor, most following proper ballroom dance steps, but only their pair had evolved into a princess carry.

Being watched by countless shocked gazes, even Celitia, who never cared about others' opinions, couldn't help but blush furiously.

"Of course I'm taking you back."

Sophia blinked, her voice rising higher with extremely clear enunciation:

"Tonight's you is my possession, Lily."

"...!!"

Celitia's face turned even redder, almost ready to combust on the spot.

What did that mean?

Could it be—could it be what she was thinking?!

No way, her legs were still weak now, if they did it again?!

There was no way she could handle that!!