"Wh-at...!"
Dogma’s eyes flew wide as Lost’s words struck her.
Observing her reaction and realizing the woman finally understood the weight of his statement, Drop spoke up with a mocking smirk.
"I see, so that's how it is. This group's plan was incredibly pathetic compared to Lord Conductor Abyss’s!"
"Indeed. His plan was a masterpiece. That’s precisely why I gave Dogma and the others a warning."
The stage Abyss had directed on Wind Island had been undeniably thrilling and expertly crafted. His plan may have appeared similar to Dogma’s on the surface, but the substance was vastly different.
First, rather than handing the unknown items known as Clear Plates to specific individuals, he had scattered them across the entire island. By doing so, he succeeded in stirring up anticipation: what kind of Magic Armor Beast would someone become after picking up a plate with such infinite potential?
Furthermore, he had allowed the audience to enjoy the incidents these unique Magic Armor Beasts caused and watch how Yugo and his friends rose to meet them.
Second, he moved exactly as a Mastermind should. He avoided the spotlight for as long as possible, unlike Dogma’s group, only making a grand appearance at the very end as the one pulling the strings. The way he had crushed Cyan and the others to flaunt his power was simply magnificent. How would Yugo and his friends stand against a man with a cheat ability like [Word]? He had succeeded in creating a specific brand of excitement.
Most importantly, he hadn't been obsessed with victory. Abyss had prepared winning strategies, but he never executed a plan of total suppression that left his opponents with no hope of resistance. He had left openings on purpose—designing the final Clear Plate and the traps in the castle to teleport his foes to him rather than simply dealing damage.
Perhaps he had done it instinctively. But because Abyss was an entertainer at heart, he ensured that even in defeat, the Heroes would be part of a grand battle and a magnificent story.
"Abyss entertained and satisfied people. It isn’t about winning; it’s about satisfaction. Dogma... you and your group challenged My Hero right after Abyss had set such a grand stage. Comparisons were inevitable. Since you had even more time to prepare than Abyss did, we expected a truly entertaining story... but you’ve failed those expectations spectacularly."
"Once your sloppy plan—which relied on that first-time trap hypnosis—failed, the whole thing fell apart. If Hero-kun and the others hadn't put in so much effort, it would have been unwatchable. You're more than just a disappointment."
"Exactly... that is why you die here. You failed to grasp the greatness of the bar Abyss set, and you couldn't surpass it. Therefore, you shall be executed."
"Ah... aah...!?"
A green and black aura flickered and flared. Clad in silver armor and wielding blood-colored twin swords, Lost slowly approached the trembling Dogma. Then, without hesitation, he thrust out his sword, piercing her chest deep.
"Farewell, Dogma. Go now, and take your time to savor the sense of defeat as you pass."
"Gofuh...! Gah, hah...!"
Lost pulled the blade from her chest and kicked her away. Dogma slammed against the barrier right next to Yugo and the others, coughing up blood as she pleaded for help.
"He-help...! I don't... want to die... I don't want to—gefuh..."
The body of the woman who had so selfishly stolen lives and exploited souls began to dissolve into particles. As she crumbled away, she spat out a final, violent spray of blood before Yugo and his companions. She stopped moving entirely, collapsed onto the ground, and vanished.
"There we go! Garbage cleaning complete! Now that our work's finished, shall we head home?"
"Roger that! Man, what a drag that was!"
"Wait, Lost!"
Yugo shouted at Lost and Drop, who were speaking with the casualness of someone taking out the trash, despite having just killed a person. Reacting to his voice, Lost turned with a thin smile.
"Ah, My Hero. It seems you played quite a role again. I’m only sorry that circumstances prevented me from watching the details."
"Don't give me that! You just do whatever you damn well please...!"
Turning people into Magic Armor Beasts, lending him a hand, and then killing Dogma, who was supposed to be his own ally—Lost’s actions were beyond comprehension. Why did he do these things? No, more importantly... Yugo glared at Lost and shouted his question.
"What the hell are you people...? You masterminds... what is it you're actually after!?"