Bobby Layne walked away peacefully.
Despite the expression of rage on his face and the eyes brimming with hatred and reluctance, there was a sense of satisfaction and happiness that emanated from deep within...at least, that was what Leon thought.
Before he could utter his last words, Leon forcibly extracted the "Heart of Ambition," finally eliminating the Duke of Lionheart's primary heir. Surrounded by the fallen members of the Layne family, utterly exhausted, Leon plopped down and casually rested his hand on the Black Goat's head.
*Damn it...I fought so hard, drenched in blood, only for this thing to reap the biggest benefits...*
Watching the soul fragments surge in his soul vision, almost forming a river, Leon rubbed the Black Goat's forehead silently.
[Name: War Cornerstone (Corruption, Wrath, War)]
[Ability: Demon Horns, Malice Amplification, Endless Blood Battle]
[Cost: Recognized, can be used without any cost]
[Evaluation: Thanks to your careful nurturing, the repaired authority has made this anomalous object a terrifying weapon of war once again. If you bring it into a large-scale war, you will have a temporary Undying Body and inexhaustible stamina until one side completely collapses, ending the battle.]
[Contamination Value: 8 (2.5)]
[Your Contamination Value increased.]
[Current Contamination Value is: 2.5]
*Not bad. Although it used to be a little piece of junk, it absorbed nearly two hundred sinful souls in one shot and repaired the broken authority. At least it finally looks a bit like a Great Demon, but...*
After delivering a smack to the back of the Black Goat's head, knocking it to the ground as it indulged in absorbing souls, Leon scolded,
"Your limit is 8 points. If you keep absorbing, that's all you'll get. Don't overdo it!"
Enraged by the hit on the back of its head, the Black Goat turned to curse, but upon seeing the fierce Soulfire in Leon, it inexplicably lost its momentum and argued,
"Though we can't continue to get stronger, we can still stock up! Maybe one day..."
"Stock up for what?! Stop now!"
Glaring at it in annoyance, Leon explained,
"So many people died this time. The Bureau might send someone down to investigate. If they come and see you full of soul fragments, I won't be able to talk my way out of it!"
The Black Goat looked baffled and muttered,
"What do you need to explain? Wasn't it all you...ouch!"
After giving it a slap on the head, Leon emphasized seriously,
"This was all Bobby Layne. Trying to extract information about the Purification Bureau from me...he went insane...I wanted to stop him...but was powerless...in the end, I could only..."
"What does that expression mean?"
After hearing Leon's "story," the Black Goat responded speechlessly,
"If he did everything, why did he die instead of you?"
Smacking the Black Goat's head, Leon "explained" without a hint of emotion,
"Bobby Layne's spree of slaughter allowed you to absorb a large number of souls, repairing the authority the Director shattered, hence significantly boosting your power. Afterward, relying on the Holy Spirit pendant, I forcedfully approached him, using you to suppress his heart's domination ability, letting me kill him in one strike!"
Hearing this, the Black Goat retorted,
"But...since when can I suppress its authority of domination? Your explanation is too far-fetched!"
"Whether you have the ability isn't important, what matters is 'you' said it."
Having long prepared an excuse, Leon flashed a smile reminiscent of the Red-haired Director, squinting as he replied,
"No one knows Yang Jiao or Yang Xin's body better than you. So, if you say you can do it, then it surely can!"
"Then why did only villains die?"
"Because of internal family power struggles threatening Bobby Layne's position; or maybe because the more evil targets are harder to control, he seized the chance to eliminate dissidents; or perhaps due to your interference and protection, he couldn't target good people..."
After listing three options, Leon seriously reminded,
"Don't be so rigid. You have the say now, and how things went should be determined by whatever you decide! Hmm...thinking of that, there actually is something that needs handling."
Looking at the Heart of Ambition, forcibly extracted and temporarily placed on Bobby Layne's corpse, Leon frowned and inquired,
"What's your heart situation now? With Bobby Layne's soul consumed, does it still possess self-awareness?"
"It should...still have it?"
Hearing Leon's inquiry, the Black Goat seemed unsure and said,
"This is the first time I've been split into seven parts...not sure about the details...maybe you should ask it?"
*Why did I even bother asking you.*
Casting a wordless glance at the Black Goat, and relying on the "I Am the Demon," Leon reached out to grasp the Heart of Ambition, about to speak when a high-pitched male voice, resonating with a resemblance to Bobby Layne by six parts, echoed in his ear.
'Release your filthy hand!'
After hurling a word of mild anger, the Heart of Ambition coldly hummed through the soul,
'I overheard your conversation, so have you come to beg me to keep it a secret?'
"It's not a request, it's a demand, though you can refuse."
Gently touching the Holy Spirit pendant on his chest, Leon replied with a calm demeanor,
"But if you refuse, I will use this to weaken you to about the same strength as the Cornerstone, and then have it erase your awareness to prevent you from leaking information to the Purification Bureau."
Infuriated by Leon's threat, the Heart of Ambition flared up with anger, thumping violently and demanding,
'If not for your entertaining slaughter, a lackey of the Purification Bureau like you isn't even fit to converse with me! Especially with your vulgar and weak heart...'
*Seems there's no room for negotiation.*
As Leon listened to the furious thundering at his ear, he shook his head and grasped the Holy Spirit pendant.
But just as he was about to act, the raging voice of the Heart of Ambition abruptly subsided, then, with hesitation, it remarked,
'Your heart...hmm...it's not so bad after all...'
Forcefully piercing through Leon's defenses, glancing at the colossal, unimaginable ambition buried deeply, the Heart of Ambition fell silent momentarily before softening its stance a slight, extending an amiable offer:
'How about...you let me be your heart, and I'll keep the secrets from the Purification Bureau...is that okay?'
Regardless, in this incident, the greatest beneficiary was the Black Goat and its master Leon. Agreeing to the Heart of Ambition's terms now would practically invite the Purification Bureau to investigate, so Leon, of course, couldn't agree.
'How dare you refuse me?'
With much effort in putting aside its pride to offer an olive branch, only for Leon to reject it outright, the Heart of Ambition was incensed, shouting harshly,
'You!…won't you reconsider?'
*Damn it! I've never lost my demonic prestige before!*
Watching Leon and the Black Goat's astonished expressions, the Heart of Ambition pulsated with shame, wishing desperately to take back its words and silence all who had heard them.
But after stealthily bypassing Leon's mental defenses and witnessing the ultimate arrogance seemingly destined to rule the heavens, and the enormous ambitions far more challenging than ruling the Kingdom, the Heart of Ambition found itself reluctant to lose such a perfect host. For the third time, it issued a proud invitation:
'I beg you, let me be your heart! I promise to do everything you say!'