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The Sinners were fatigued and damaged, some already dead.

As opposed to us, Kromer still stands triumphantly. She reaches for the inside of Sinclair's coat in what seems like a declaration of his fate.

Now then, it's time, Sinclair.

I'll be taking the second coin… your last chance.

Why are you… doing this to me…

Why… me…

Sinclair, do you wanna know why I gave you back the basement key when you asked?

Listen close. It's not because I'd made my discovery or baked a copy of it.

It's because you were my key.

You see, I happen to know of a way to take a peek at the futures that might come true.

I saw one among them where you and I travel from Nest to Nest, slaughtering heretics together all around the City.

Even though you were raised by heretics bearing revolting metal bodies…

Part of you still felt disgusted by them. Funny, isn't it?

You would stab them in the head with your halberd!

D-Don't you lie to me…

While I smash their heads with a hammer!

Stop it…!

Ahaha… In that world, you looked like the freest person in the universe, transcending everything.

No…

You're lying!!!

Whether I'm lying or not…

Ufu.

Kromer suddenly cracked a wry laugh and stopped moving.

<The Golden Bough…!>

The Golden Bough on the altar resonated with her cackle, and began to glow brighter.

Then…

Aah…! It's begun… At last, my final grudge will be fulfilled!

A mass of flesh engulfs her lower half.

From the hideous organic growth, bundles of ambiguous appendages stretch outward in countless numbers.

As if desire and madness were made manifest…

Come… Sinclair.

Rip me up and chew me down.

If you can, that is… Keheh.