"I thought it seemed quite noisy in here... What are you doing, Burn?"
"I told you repeatedly not to lay a hand on the hostages."
"Hyahahahaha! Forgive me! I was just giving these insolent brats the discipline they needed!"
Burn showed not even a flicker of remorse, despite the reprimands from Dogma and Hypno. Upon entering, they had immediately grasped the situation, noting the anomaly within the prison and Professor Uno’s injuries.
The two of them looked on with exasperated expressions, seemingly deciding that lecturing him any further was a waste of breath. Meanwhile, Melt and the others let out cries of shock as they looked at the Reincarnators standing beside the villains.
"Zenon!? You... why are you here!?"
"Ah, this gentleman returned to us just a short while ago. He appears to have grasped the situation and surrendered to us immediately."
"Did you betray us too!? What happened to Claire!?"
"And here I thought you’d finally become a decent person...!"
This wretched reunion with Zenon—who had left Luminous Academy to embark on a journey—once again gouged the hearts of Marcos and his companions.
While Zenon stared back at them with an unmoving expression, ignoring their self-blaming accusations, the other Reincarnators began speaking to Dogma in fawning, sycophantic voices.
"He-hehehe...! Lord Dogma... I’ve been quite active as your loyal subordinate, haven't I? I’ve worked hard! Surely it wouldn't be a crime to receive a little reward for my service...?"
"...Oh? Do you have something in mind?"
"Y-Yes! Please, hand over the female characters to me!"
"Hey! That’s not fair! I’ve got a girl I want, too!"
"If you're going that far, then so do I! Don't you dare try to jump the queue!"
The Reincarnators, finally letting their long-suppressed sexual desires explode, began shouting one after another.
They leered at Melt and the other women with bloodshot, greasy eyes filled with lust. Their breathing grew ragged as their excitement flared into an ugly heat.
"Melt... at last, you’re going to be mine! You have no idea how much I’ve suffered after Scum Yugo snatched you away from me...!"
"Anhel's bursting breasts! The chance to do whatever I want with a chest that big is the ultimate prize!"
"The Warrior Shrine Maidens are finally going to be my women! I’m taking them all!"
"Don't screw with me! Why do you get to monopolize them? They're all mine!"
"I’m obviously the one who’s making them mine! Every last one of you can get lost!"
Some swallowed their saliva as they fantasized about the "fun" to come, while others bared their revolting desires and began bickering amongst themselves.
Dogma watched the Reincarnators run wild with a look of feigned trouble... but then, a sudden burst of mocking laughter echoed through the room.
"Pfft, hahahahahaha...!"
"W-What is it, Zenon...?"
"Are you making fun of us!?"
"Well, yes. I suppose I am. I just didn't expect there to be so many people so stupid they can't even fathom what Lord Dogma and the others are planning..."
"What did you say!?"
The Reincarnators were incensed by Zenon's blatant declaration of contempt.
Zenon continued to speak, his tone heavy with exasperation.
"Listen. Tomorrow, we face the Decisive Battle with Yugo. If you lay a hand on these girls before that and he finds out, there’s no telling what a man driven mad by fury would do for revenge."
"That doesn't matter! We’ve got such an overwhelming advantage, there’s no way we could lose!"
"If you're so sure of that, then wait until after the victory to claim your prize. Wouldn't it be better to defeat Yugo and then rape the girls right in front of his eyes while he’s powerless to stop you? That would inflict a far deeper despair upon him... wouldn't you agree, Lord Dogma?"
Having retorted to the shouting Reincarnators, Zenon turned to Dogma, seeking her validation.
As Dogma offered a smile in response to his question, Zenon concluded his argument.
"As I said, everything will be settled tomorrow anyway. We’ll see then who actually contributes during the fight against Yugo. You should let Lord Dogma and the others decide the rewards based on that performance. Honestly, considering you fools let him escape despite having an overwhelming advantage, I find it laughable that you’re acting as if you’ve already earned something."
"Tch...!"
Stung by his logic, the Reincarnators clicked their tongues in frustration.
However, once Dogma began to clap her hands in slow approval, they lost any remaining will to protest.
"Wonderful, Zenon Ash. You seem to understand our goals and the current situation perfectly. It appears you are of a different caliber than these other blockheads...!"
"I am grateful for your gracious words."
Zenon bowed respectfully, showing total deference to her praise.
Dogma narrowed her eyes at him for a moment before turning her attention back to the Reincarnators and Burn.
"That is enough. Do not lay another finger on these hostages for now. If you want the rewards you desire... prove your worth in the battle tomorrow. We are leaving. Hypno, Burn."
There would be no advance payment. If they wanted the female characters, they had to earn them through blood and merit.
With that final decree, Dogma left the prison with her two subordinates, leaving the disappointed Reincarnators in her wake.
Just before exiting the cell, Burn stopped beside Marcos and leaned in with a smirk.
"...You were lucky. If Dogma had given the green light, your friends and your precious girlfriend would have been torn apart by those Reincarnators right now. And you would have watched it all happen, unable to do a single thing to protect them...!"
"Guh...!"
Having fueled Marcos’s sense of powerlessness one last time, Burn left the cell with a delighted grin.
Deep despair and terror were carved into the hearts of the companions left behind. They could do nothing but seethe with regret, cursed to remain trapped while they withered under the weight of their own futility.