Ouyang Tao was actually wielding two weapons at this moment. One was visible to Edward; the other was utterly undetectable to him—the "Punishment" born from the Sin Power of Pride. Ouyang Tao had already pinpointed its blind spot: above.

Indeed, it made perfect sense. The arrogant could never perceive what lay beyond their own heights.

So he *could* save both his sister and Deya simultaneously. But he wouldn’t…

Striking Edward’s hands meant forfeiting this perfect chance to destroy Lucifer’s Crown.

Ouyang Tao knew Edward’s goal was escape. If he fled now, there’d be no saving him from the Devil King Artifact’s corruption. He refused to abandon his friend.

He had to gamble!

"Choose now!" Edward’s voice grew impatient. He knew pursuers would arrive soon if time dragged on. "I count to three! One!"

*Are you sure?* Ouyang Tao questioned himself again. *Is this truly the choice? One mistake… and I’ll regret it for life.*

"Two!" The sword’s edge sliced Deya’s delicate neck, drawing thin crimson lines. Deya closed her eyes. Her countdown had begun.

Time was up. Ouyang Tao steeled his heart.

"Three!" As the word fell, Edward’s sword hand tensed to sever Deya’s head. But in that split second, an energy beam from the "Rapid Electricity Longbow" lanced out faster, striking Edward’s right wrist. The sword flew away, sparing Deya.

Simultaneously, a second "Rapid Electricity Longbow" hanging directly above Edward fired. Its shot struck Lucifer’s Crown dead-on.

Edward’s body went limp instantly. Ouyang Xue tumbled from his left arm as he staggered back, clutching his head. "No… no… this wasn’t supposed to happen… NO—!"

The artifact malfunctioned violently. Mana surged out of control from its damaged core, turning on its wielder.

Edward was engulfed in hellfire, screaming in despair: "AAAAH—! IT BURNS! HELP ME! I DON’T WANT TO DIE—!"

"EDWARD—!" Ouyang Tao lunged forward but Deya yanked him back.

"Are you mad?! That’s demonic flame! You’ll die with him!"

"I can’t just stand by!"

At the critical moment, a bolt of mana tore through space. It struck Edward, extinguishing the flames and forcibly separating him from Lucifer’s Crown.

"Edward!" Ouyang Tao rushed over. "Thank goodness… he’s safe… thank goodness…"

Deya picked up the discarded crown nearby—a plain red metal circlet radiating no mana at all.

*Could this really be the legendary Devil King Artifact?* she wondered.

"Tch… another fake…" A low, weary male voice cut through the silence. Deya turned. A man in black stood three paces away, shaking his head regretfully.

"What did you—" Before she finished, the crown in her hands shattered—proving the stranger right. It wasn’t the true artifact.

"I don’t know who you are," Ouyang Tao said simply, "but thank you for saving my friend."

The man ignored him, eyes fixed on Ouyang Tao’s left hand. "But what *you’re* holding… that’s the real deal."

"What real deal? Who *are* you?" Ouyang Tao pressed.

"Knowing would bring you no good. Best pretend we never met." The man turned. A vertical spatial Magic Array flared beside him. A four-horse-drawn carriage burst forth.

The stallions were monstrous—obsidian muscles rippling under hides, hooves cracked with molten lava. Not enhanced steeds. Hellhorses.

The carriage itself was forged from infernal minerals using lost craftsmanship. Its physical defense rivaled a warded fortress.

The man boarded. "Farewell."

With a piercing whinny, the carriage vanished into the Magic Array as if it had never existed.

Edward’s defeat finally brought closure to the terrifying attack.

Days later, at a checkpoint outside Augustus College, a standard mana-powered sedan idled—the vehicle assigned to escort Edward to the border.

As the Duke’s heir, Edward avoided prison thanks to Ouyang Tao’s fierce defense: he’d been mentally corrupted by a counterfeit Devil King Artifact.

His punishment was severe nonetheless: stripped of his noble title, exiled as a common clerk to the frontier, banned from the capital for life.

Edward accepted it without appeal. Freedom from his gilded cage felt like a blessing.

"Don’t pity me… I brought this on myself…" Dressed plainly, luggage in hand, Edward offered a weak, apologetic smile. "Besides… it might be for the best. I can finally… do what *I* want. Cough…"

"Nothing more to say. You’re still my friend. My senior." Ouyang Tao stepped forward, embracing him tightly. "Stay in touch."

"Always." They parted. Edward nodded. "Apologize to your sister for me."

Ouyang Xue hadn’t come. Edward claimed he lacked the face to see her again.

"I told A Xue nothing. To her, you’re still the kind senior she remembers."

"Heh… thanks. Goodbye."

Edward boarded the car. Ouyang Tao watched until it vanished completely before turning back.

Deya had also come to see Edward off—but her true purpose was to ask the question burning in her mind these past days: "Why did you choose to save *me*?"

"Because…" Ouyang Tao had trusted Edward wouldn’t harm his sister. But he hesitated to say it aloud. Instead, he flashed his usual slightly goofy grin. "Heh. Guess?"

Deya desperately wanted the answer, but his careless attitude ignited sudden fury. "I *won’t* guess…"

"Why *did* you come see him off anyway?"

The question nearly made her punch him. Only noble upbringing held her back. "Guess," she shot back.

Ouyang Tao just waved dismissively. "Heh. Whatever."

*This guy…* Deya clenched her fists, then slowly uncurled them after a deep breath. "I owe you one."

"Oh? How’ll you repay me?"

"You… what do you *want*?" Her voice tightened unexpectedly.

Ouyang Tao hadn’t meant anything by it. "Dunno. Keep it on tab."

"Hmph. But don’t expect me to throw the next scoring match." Deya whistled sharply. Her customized steed trotted over. She mounted smoothly.

"Can’t give me a ride?"

"Dream on. Walk back yourself. Hyah!" She cracked the reins and vanished in a cloud of dust.

Ouyang Tao chuckled wryly, walking slowly toward the college.

Where to next?

Back to his dorm for experiments?

The Arcane Library?

After a moment’s thought, he decided to visit his sister first.