Meidaini’s sudden, unexpected move left everyone momentarily stunned.

The silver pendant—no bigger than four centimeters, shaped like a standard longsword—floated lightly toward Amelia. To onlookers, it looked like a frustrated toss from a woman in helpless rage.

But from the system’s view, the tiny sword blazed with blinding white light, a blade meant to pierce barriers.

It shot straight into the pitch-black, bottomless mist.

Poised to tear the darkness apart.

The system instantly perked up. A bold hypothesis sparked.

*An item that suppresses demons… found!!!*

*Supreme Deity, please—vanquish this Villainess Heiress and restore the world!!!*

*Why couldn’t it just be a sweet Cinderella-and-Prince romance? Why add demons? This story’s so easy to ruin!*

“Is this a gift?”

Yet under the system’s breathless hope, Amelia—like she’d spotted a curious toy—didn’t dodge. She simply caught the pendant in her palm.

Instantly, the drifting black mist thickened into viscous liquid. The silver sword vanished within it, its glow snuffed out like a stone sinking into deep water.

Amelia opened her hand. The pendant was now dull. Just an ordinary trinket.

Meidaini’s manic expression froze. Eyes wide with disbelief, she stared at the sword. *It didn’t work?!*

*Light dispels darkness. Justice vanquishes evil.*

*How could it fail?!*

The shock shattered her. She muttered frantically: “Impossible! A vile demon could never withstand justice’s light! Something’s wrong… The deity won’t abandon a faithful believer! I *will* destroy the demon! Aaah—DESTROY THE DEMON!”

Her voice rose into a deranged shriek. Her unhinged state was unmistakable.

As she screamed, the ignored black bird cawed:

*“Demon slayer~ Demon slayer~”*

The sharp echo in the enclosed room made Yifia instinctively press closer to Amelia.

*Good grief… she’s really mentally unstable!*

Hearing Amelia describe it earlier hadn’t felt real. Now? Chillingly tangible.

And for some reason… a sudden chill, like cold air flooding the room.

Yifia’s movement was slight—but since their hands were linked, Amelia noticed. Catching Yifia’s timid little expression, Amelia’s lips curved faintly.

Amelia did enjoy the sorrow of a human’s collapse… but only barely. This scant negativity wasn’t worth absorbing.

She’d thought she’d found something interesting.

Turns out, she’d overestimated it.

The sword’s energy carried a scent demons loathed—enough to suppress minor fiends, useless against greater ones.

Especially against Amelia, apex of the demon hierarchy.

Bored already, Amelia indulged a whim. She infused the pendant with dense demonic energy, rewriting its nature in an instant.

The once-warm white glow now resembled a malevolent dragon plunging into the abyss.

“Yifia, take it. An apology for the disturbance.”

Its power now surpassed the original. Any foolish demon threatening Yifia would be obliterated instantly.

A demonic brand on Yifia’s soul would’ve made this unnecessary—but it drained vitality. Amelia preferred her lively. A vibrant Yifia was far more entertaining.

“Okay!”

Yifia accepted the pendant without hesitation. Since Amelia called it Meidaini’s apology gift, she took it with clear conscience.

The carving was delicate. And it was solid silver.

She sidestepped Jesina’s abyssal glare behind her, then happily tucked the tiny sword into her pocket. *If I’m ever short on cash, this’ll fetch a good sum.*

*Truly, a frugal soul!*

Silently watching, the system saw Yifia’s secretly pleased face—and felt like it was wearing a mask of pure agony.

Its hope for the Villainess Heiress’s downfall had shattered.

After this? It wouldn’t dare act rashly again.

The Villainess Heiress hadn’t flinched at an anti-demon item—she’d rewritten it effortlessly. This terrifying power left the system hollow with despair.

*Of course. If she were easy to defeat, this world wouldn’t have collapsed over a hundred times.*

*Send more systems and hosts? Failures might climb to thousands…*

*Zero chance of success.*

While the system sank into silent dejection, soldiers flanked Meidaini. Her frenzied expression twisted further.

“Lady Barron, we’ll escort Miss Meidaini to the Imperial Police Station and report her act of brandishing an item against a noble.”

The lead soldier’s voice trembled. Their failure to protect the Duke’s daughter moments ago left them uneasy.

*If Lady Barron were less gracious…*

But she was noble, wise—surely she’d forgive them!

He shot Meidaini a venomous glare. *All her fault.*

Meidaini ignored him. As Amelia gave a silent nod, Meidaini’s gaze locked onto their joined hands, then shifted to Yifia.

*Oh, poor lamb toyed with by demons!*

*The deity will bestow light to save you!*

*The Holy Maiden who gave me this sacred artifact will eradicate these vile demons!*

Soldiers began leading her away—but after two steps, Meidaini struggled free. She stared straight at Yifia, voice dripping with pity:

“Innocent lamb… if trouble finds you, seek the Holy Maiden! The deity never abandons a child. You *will* be saved from the demons!”