Date A Live - Volume 19 - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: A Battlefield That Should Be Called Impossible 

—Crying, crying, to the point where she couldn’t tell how much she cried. 

Choking, weeping, but even then the tears would not run out. 

His existence meant everything to her. She felt alive by his presence. She once thought that it wasn’t an exaggeration to say that she was born to meet him. —During the time spent with him, she had certainly thought so. 

—Even though he died right in front of her, she still lived on like this. 

This was something irresolvable for her to endure. 

She tried to follow after him. She also even thought that it would be nice to disappear by his side. 

However, her body as a Spirit was too resilient to allow for even such meager hopes. 

No matter how much blood was spilled, lethal poison inhaled, or even attempts at suicide, her body would choose to continue to live regardless of her own will. 

With her heart holding this despair, she could only live this long life without knowing how long it would take. For her, calling this hell would not be enough. 

But— 

“……Already, its fine. Because you are here.” 

The girl gently stroked her abdomen. 

Although there was no even a slight bulge yet, but certainly— a single life was alive there. 

The reconstruction of a human who had died once. Perhaps it would take a reasonable amount of time, but she had infinite time. 

A tiny light born from despair, but that alone was enough for her now. 

“……Fufu.” 

The girl laughed without wiping away her tears as she gently touched her stomach. 

“—Dou, Shidou!” 

“……!” 

Upon hearing the call from the communication device, Shidou felt a tremble reach his shoulders. 

Judging from the tone in Kotori’s voice, she had been calling his name several times now. But it seemed he didn’t noticed it for a couple of seconds, being caught staring in a daze over anticipating what Reine would do next. 

“Ku—” 

After recognizing the situation again, Shidou jumped back as if to escape Reine’s grasp. 

The memory of the future world. Shidou instantaneously moved back from being touched by Reine. If he were to about to have his memory as Shidou erased, it would be too dangerous to come in close contact with her now. 

“…………” 

Reine didn’t pursue him further or utter another word. She calmly looked at his actions while slowly standing up. 

“……Hmm, it looks like I am hated. Although it’s unavoidable when thinking of my work, but it’s truly hard to bear being rejected by you.” 

Then, Reine muttered in a somewhat lonely manner. She looked like a girlfriend quarreling with her lover rather than a Spirit that could snap the world in half with a single finger. 

“……I don’t hate you. Rather, it’s better to say that I want to hug and kiss you again.” 

Shidou replied without delay as he cautiously paying attention to Reine’s every move. 

Despite being said in a half-joking manner, it also reflected his true intentions without any lies. The memories of Shinji within Shidou had continued yearning for extending out his hand to Reine even now. As for Shidou himself, even after experiencing that future of despair, he still couldn’t bring himself to hate Reine. 

“……I am also. So unbearably and dearly in love with you. When I met you again, I would like you to praise me for resisting the urge to hug you.” 

“In that case I have a good idea. Let’s reconcile here, with me and live together with the Spirits. Surely, it would be fun every day.” 

“……Ah, that really is an attractive offer. If I had met Shin, I would have certainly agreed to that.” 

Reine lightly sighed before continuing on. 

“……But I can’t. I have met Shin. I discovered love. There’s no meaning in this world without Shin. There’s no value to life without Shin. —It’s not false that I love the Spirits, but if it means meeting Shin again, I will throw that all away.” 

“…………” 

While hearing Reine soft words, the unwavering willing underneath that caused Shidou to tremble. 

Shidou was already aware of Reine’s staunch determination. In the future world, his body literally experienced that painful resolve firsthand. But when confronted by this once more, his skin shivered in fright. 

As Shidou continued gazing at Reine, he started desperately thinking. 

The strategy had failed. While the kiss was successful, it failed to seal Reine’s reiryoku. What should be done next? What could he do? The opponent was the most powerful and lovely Spirit. Everything was meaningless in front of her. Even if he tried something to stop her—it wouldn’t work. Moreover, the worst case scenario was that through the path—the memories of the future—had been shared. Struck by this unforeseen circumstance—he was out of options. Even if Shidou used the Sixth Bullet <Vav>—to travel back to the past—at that moment, she would not allow him the chance. 

“……Gu, ku—” 

Shidou suddenly frowned. 

Then, a sharp headache occurred intermittently as if to interrupt his thoughts. 

For a moment, he thought it was something Reine had done—but that wasn’t it. Reine also look confused at the sudden change in Shidou’s tone. 

And besides—he couldn’t recognize this feeling. 

The memory of Shinji invoked by Reine in the future world. It was the feeling of the memory of his other self that was straining across his brain. Right now Shidou felt something very close to that 

However, the memory of Shinji should already have been recovered. If that were the case— 

“……!” 

Shidou quickly placed his hand against his forehead. 

The sound of a piercing alarm caused the tremor to reach his skull through the communication machine. 

For a moment, Shidou thought it was an emergency warning caused by the urgent matter of detecting Reine’s reiryoku. 

However, this was different. Kotori’s voice soon echoed from the communicator. 

“—Shidou! It’s DEM!” 

“What……!?” 

A few seconds after that notice, Shidou saw—across the sky, there were several faint silhouettes at the edge of his sight. 

At this distance, it could only be seen vaguely. But Shidou immediately recognized that it wasn’t a migratory bird or airplane. Yes. It was— 

“……DEM’s fleet?” 

Reine muttered as she looked up at the same sky as Shidou. 

Her voice was quiet and calm as usual, but the current Shidou could feel an endless enmity from the depth of that voice. 

It was not unreasonable. For her, DEM was the foe that had snatched away her beloved Shinji. 

“……Originally, the decisive battle was supposed to be tomorrow. —is it <Beelzebub>? Because of your actions, history seems to have been rewritten.” 

After Reine muttered to herself, she slowly looked down towards Shidou’s direction. 

“Well, what shall I do? In the future, it seems that I teleported you to the shelter so that you wouldn’t get involved in this—” 

“……” 

Hearing those words, his mind reflexively went on alert. 

Looking at this sight, Reine let out a sigh. 

“……Not using that, although this will also be very difficult—” 

—The moment that she said that. 

A black line was drawn in that space as if to block out Reine’s voice. 

From the ground to Reine’s head, it forcefully enveloped as if like a pen cartridge of ink thrown on a sheet of paper. 

“What………!?” 

—Shidou was able to recognize this from the trajectory of the shadowy projectile. Reine stopped speaking as she gently swayed her head. 

“……Hmm.” 

Reine bit against her lip as the shadowy bullet came to a stop. She looked at the ground—to be exact, at the shadow stuck there. 

Then, at the next moment, several bullets erupted from the shadow and towards Reine. Reine kicked off the ground to leap backwards in order to avoid them. 

A fierce barrage was deployed in the blink of an eye. There was a momentary delay for Shidou’s eyes and mind to grasp the situation. 

But then, he understood. —The source of this attack against Reine. 

“Kurumi……!?” 

“—Kihihi, hihi.” 

As Shidou called out that name, a girl appeared from the shadow while accompanied by her signature laugh. 

Unevenly tied jet black hair from both left and right sides, an Astral Dress dyed in the color of blood and shadows, and a ticking golden clock engraved on her eye. 

That’s right. The Worst Spirit capable of manipulating both time and shadow, appeared standing between Shidou and Reine. 

“Good day, Shidou-san. I’m glad to see that you’re fine.” 

Kurumi turned slightly to the side towards Shidou, giving him her usual smile. Seeing her like that, Shidou couldn’t help but feel his throat tighten. 

“Kurumi, why—!” 

Mio was currently inside Kurumi. Shidou had already witness the scene of Mio crawling out of Kurumi’s chest in the future world. 

This information should have been passed to the real Kurumi through a clone. Kurumi can’t win against Mio. Rather, it could be said that she had already been defeated. In that case, why would she— 

“You’re using ‘why’ to say hello. And I’m here to help you escape from this predicament. It’s so sad that I’ll be crying hearing you saying that.” 

Not in the least having her feelings deeply hurt, Kurumi smiled in a jestful manner. 

Then, while looking at this scene, Reine placed her hand against her chin while breathing out a “……hmm” sigh. 

“……Kurumi. —So you’ve still dare to come. Welcome. Things will be quicker now that you are here.” 

“—Ara, ara.” 

Listening to Reine’s words, Kurumi looked over in a grand gesture. 

“That intolerable arrogance hasn’t change a bit. Murasame-sensei—no, Mio-san? I was totally deceived. I would have never expected my enemy to be so close.” 

Kurumi continued to play it like joke, but there was an unmistakable anger and resentment in that voice. 

“Like I thought, it’s been quite a while since we’ve talked properly. —How have you been? I’ve always, always wanted to see you. For your rotten dream, how many bodies have you stepped on since then? Although I also want to do that, I’m still far behind Mio-san. Can you please tell me your secret?” 

“…………” 

Despite hearing Kurumi’s spiteful and sarcastic provocation, Reine didn’t even raise her brow. —As if already knowing her own sins best. 

“……There’s no way, did you’ve come here just to say that? You shouldn’t lack that foresight anymore.” 

“Well, I wonder about that. Just catching wind of your face caused my short-temper to come out.” 

“……If that’s the case, then I don’t mind that.” 

“Whatever the reason, within here, there are only two Sephira Crystals remaining, the one in Westcott’s possession and yours. Yes—this a sufficient stage to awaken Shin.” 

“Now……will it work out that well? —Let’s see!” 

At the moment Kurumi howled, many girls with the same appearance as Kurumi emerged from the shadow surrounding Mio—clones created through <Zafkiel>. 

“`Kihihihihi!” 

“Now, now, come here.” 

“Please pass on to the next life—!” 

As they each cried out, they all pulled the trigger on the two guns carried by both hands. The pith-black bullets drew in the shadows as they bombarded Reine from all four directions. 

No, at the moment of the bombardment, Reine kicked off against the ground, dancing into the air with such levity as if entering a zero-gravity space. The shadows bullets collided at Reine’s former location, sparking a violent explosion. 

“Kihi—!” 

But that was also probably within Kurumi’s expectations. Kurumi suddenly raised her head. Then, as if to match that movement, her shadow expanded to the outer circumference as even more clones emerged. 

Then, while targeting Reine who had escaped into the air, they fired an even larger hail of bullets all at once. 

It seemed that the bullets were loaded with even more reiryoku than usual. The myriad of bullets converged onto a single point through exquisite control, causing a tremendous explosion. 

But—after confirming the clean hit. Kurumi didn’t relax, nor did she avert her eyes to where Reine was supposed to be. 

Kurumi likely also understood. That something of this caliber shouldn’t be able to defeat Reine. 

As if to verify that idea, the black smoke coming from the shadows began to dissipate in the sky as a faint radiance began to illuminate the surroundings. 

“Ah—” 

Looking at this sight, Shidou could help but let his voice unintentionally leak out. 

Over there, Reine was quietly floating while clad in an Astral Dress emitting a faint light. 

Graceful and elegant, the Astral Dress worn by a Goddess. Behind her back, there were wings marked by ten stars whose colors have faded away. Although it was slightly different it was unmistakably the same as what Mio had worn in the future world. 

—Spirit of Origin. <Deus>. 

The Spirit bestowed with the name of God had now descended here. 

“……Although the order has been reversed a bit, it’ll be fine. —Return it to me, Kurumi. The Sephira Crystal in your body and my other half.” 

“—Ha. I refuse……!” 

Kurumi let out a sharp scream as she danced into the sky. The clones that were deployed in the vicinity also slammed against the ground, chasing behind her. 

Countless Kurumi and numerous bullets intermingled, dancing in the air. A terrible icy black gale blew around, not willing to let the survival of any creature roaming around. 

However, unlike before, Reine didn’t even turn around to avoid the bullets, remaining leisurely floating in the air. 

But now that Reine had manifested her Astral Dress, she didn’t even need to dodge Kurumi’s bullets. Each attack contained a bullet imbued with a mighty power that ought to be enough to plunder life away, but everything that struck Reine’s Astral Dress came to a halt in the sky. 

“……Come here, ‘me’.” 

Reine quietly spoke while slowly raising her hand as if beckoning someone. 

Then, at that moment— 

“……Gah!?” 

The nearby Kurumi clones suddenly groaned in agony as a white arm emerged out from her chest. 

“Kurumi……!” 

Raising his voice to a scream, Shidou cried out Kurumi’s name. 

It was the exact same sight he had seen in the future world. The despair of Kurumi, feared as the Worst Spirit, having had her life snatched away in an instant. 

Shidou gritted his teeth. —Even though he had traveled back to the past in order to prevent this. Even though he had rewritten history in order to not witness this scene again. In the end, he was powerless in front of the Spirit of Origin— 

—However. 

“—Kihi, hi……” 

The next moment, Kurumi looked at the arm extending out from her chest. 

It was small, but Kurumi certainly—laughed. 

“……” 

Seeing her like this, Shidou took in a small gulp. 

The look on her face was not that of self-resignation and yielding to despair. 

Ah, that’s right. Moreover, Kurumi was not a superficial girl who would leave herself to take up such reckless actions. She would not give up even when faced with the slightest glimmer of hope; she would retaliate by preparing multiple layers of planning. It was because of that she lived on like this. 

“I’ve been……waiting……for this moment—!” 

Despite the agonizing pain, Kurumi fearlessly shouted while injecting strength into the arm holding the short pistol. 

“<Zafkiel>—!” 

In response to that, the shadow on the ground stretched out and was sucked into the muzzle. 

With slightly trembling hands, lifted up the short pistol and aimed the muzzle at Reine—no, instead she pulled the trigger while aiming at her own forehead. 

“Wha……!?” 

Bang, a dry sound echoed as the bullet collided against Kurumi’s head. The next moment, Kurumi’s body began to blur. 

But—that was it. No other changes had occurred. Even though Kurumi gained the power from <Zafkiel>’s bullet, it didn’t land a hit against Reine or stop Mio from once again crawling out of her body. 

—Truly abnormal, Kurumi had only attacked herself. 

After that, the same scene he had already once seen before continued to unfold. 

From Kurumi’s body, a naked girl had emerged—Mio. Kurumi, who had been reduced to a withered corpse, was casted aside like an empty shell. Then, as if following this act, all of Kurumi clones contorted in pain before fading away back into shadows. 

“…………” 

“…………” 

As Reine and Mio’s gazes met, they both approached each other and embraced in a hug. 

Their bodies let out a glow as their silhouettes gradually merged into one. 

After the light ceased, Mio, who had the exact same appearance seen in the future world, reign over there. 

“Mio—” 

As Shidou blankly called out that name, Mio’s facial expression loosened as she suddenly smiled back. 

“Un. It’s been quite a while since we’ve been together while I am in this form. —No, Shin has already seen me like this. It’s a bit of a headache.” 

After saying that, Mio’s eyebrows twitched as if she had noticed something. 

“Ah—” 

Shidou noticed it as well. —Behind Mio, in a small portion of her Astral Dress, none of the ten stars were emitting a radiant glow. 

Although his memory was a bit vague, when Mio first appeared in the future, the black star was already glowing. But now, no such thing had transpired. Despite not quite knowing what this phenomenon meant……he could tell from Mio’s expression that it was an unexpected situation. 

“……Looks like this is Kurumi’s work. As one would expect from my dear friend.” 

As Mio spoke in an earnest tone of admiration, she let out a brief sight before raising her head. 

“……Mio—” 

Shidou called out Mio’s name again—but at the next moment, he was overcome by a sharp headache, falling down on the spot. 

“Shin……?” 

“Ga……ahhh……” 

His vision began to flicker. The feeling of seeing an unknown scene began to mix with his subliminal consciousness. 

This wasn’t his own memory. It wasn’t even the memories from Shinji. A girl’s slender arm. Sadness. Despair. Laments. A small hope. Caressing the stomach. You must be— 

Those fragmentary images fluttered in his mind. What was happening to himself was completely unclear. 

But when he saw those fragmentary scenes— 

“……This is—” 

As Shidou’s mind speculated, a certain possibility was born. 

Frustration and dismay, as well as a little bit of bafflement and lamentation, dominated the bridge of the aerial warship <Fraxinus>. 

But this apprehension was not incomprehensible. After all, the seal for Reine that seemed to be successful at that moment had ended in failure, and also— 

“DEM……!” 

The crew members at the lower level raised their voices, brimming with a sensation of trembling in fear. 

That’s right. A DEM aerial fleet suddenly appeared where Shidou and Reine were confronting each other. 

“A sudden assault without issue the spacequake alarm? That’s too much even for you guys.” 

Kotori groaned in disgust with a grim expression on her face. 

DEM Industries. Their enemy that aimed to kill the Spirits in order to gain their power. 

However, this organization would ring a false spacequake alarm in order to clear out civilians when preparing for the large-scale battle. In fact, according to what Shidou had said, they should have used that method in the future world. 

However, this time there was no such thing. If DEM had not made a mistake, there were only two possible reasons. 

That is to say, even if taking the risk of witnesses and victims, they still wanted to seize this opportunity—likely they saw no fault in casualties as long as they overwrite the world. 

“Tch—” 

Kotori sank her teeth into the Chupa Chaps, leaving behind a large crack. 

Nonetheless, the reasons for this irritation were no just limited to that. 

—From the very beginning, “this” was a raid that should not be possible. 

The reason was extremely simple. Today was still February 19th. 

The date that DEM specified for the final battle was February 20th. Of course, it wasn’t as if they didn’t expect someone as cowardly as DEM to renege on this proposal, but even from the perspective of Shidou who had seen the future noted that DEM would do nothing on the 19th. 

Needless to say, since Shidou and <Ratatoskr> have taken different actions than the original timeline, there was also no guarantee that DEM wouldn’t do the same. 

However, this attack was too unnatural to say the least. If anything else— 

“……If my guess is correct, should I be a little bit happier?” 

Kotori shrugged her shoulders in self-mockery as she let out a frustrated sigh. 

Likewise, while sitting in the seat for the Analytic Officer, Nia caressed her chin while marking her expression with a sullen face. 

But that was normal as well. —After all, this was her ability originally. 

“—<Beelzebub>……looks like it.” 

Nia groaned with a complicated look on her face. 

That’s right. <Beelzebub>. The inverted form of Nia’s Angel <Rasiel> and the Demon King plundered by Westcott. 

The Demon King, in the form of an enormous book, that can “know” everything in this world. Although it’s search precision had been weakened due to Nia’s jamming, the possibility that Westcott was aware of their movements was not zero. 

“Even if he didn’t notice from boy’s timeline, he should be able to guess to a certain extent by peeking into our conversations. If there’s even a little bit of doubt, then he’ll be able to trace those clues back to the source.” 

Nia shrugged her shoulders in a grandiose gesture. 

Nonetheless, Kotori, Nia, and of course Shidou were all well aware of the dangers. 

Even after understanding that point, Shidou still told everyone about the future. 

Information sharing and elaborate meetings were indispensable for preparing against Reine and it was impossible for this to not be picked up by <Beelzebub>. 

Which one should be chosen—such a thing was decided without question. 

If they couldn’t seal Reine’s reiryoku, then Kotori saw no chances for survival. 

However, just because DEM had a lower priority than Reine, it didn’t diminish their threat level at all. 

The organization with quantity and military force that far surpassed <Ratatoskr> was now trying to strike at Shidou with all of their power. 

“Anyway, retrieve Shidou right away! Temporarily reorganize altitude!” 

“Roger that……!” 

In response to Kotori’s instructions, the crew members responded back in unison. 

“……Shin?” 

Having emerged from Kurumi and fused with her alter ego, Mio faintly raised her brow and let out a quiet voice after regaining her complete form. 

Shidou, who was in front of her, let out a small groan as he fell to the ground on his knees and clutched his head in pain. 

His appearance was just like a child afraid of thunder, but Mio knew best that Shidou wasn’t the type of person to fall to his knees out of fear of herself or DEM. 

Nor was he the type of person to feign illness in order to cause her to lower her guard. 

But no, that was why she couldn’t understand. 

“What’s wrong, Shin—” 

As Mio was preparing to approach him, Shidou’s body began to emit a faint light. 

A mysterious phenomena. But as soon as she noticed it, it resembled <Fraxinus> attempting to transfer Shidou back to the ship. Perhaps, Kotori wanted to retrieve Shidou. 

“…………” 

It was possible for her to have interfered, but she chose to remain passive. 

She had originally planned to move Shidou to a safe place. If it were Kotori and Maria, they ought to be able to discover and handle the symptoms currently plaguing Shidou. 

Shidou’s body was enveloped by light before disappearing instantaneously. 

Mio let out a soft breath while watching Shidou leave. 

“—It would be unromantic to ruin the scenery here with Wizards and mechanical dolls, how senseless.” 

After speaking in a chilling tone, Mio once again turned her attention back to the sky. 

“……Wait for me, Shin. I’ll finish this soon.” 

Leaving just those brief words, Mio kicked against the sky. Her body left behind a gleaming trajectory of light as she flew towards the DEM fleet. 

On the bridge of one of the DEM ships sailing the skies, Westcott was listening to various reports from the fleet through the loudspeaker. 

Even though he was at the forefront, there weren’t any emotions of tension or frustration marked on his expression. The corners of his mouth distorted into an elegant form as his fingertips would occasionally tap rhythmically to the surface of his black suit. It was almost like he was enjoying an afternoon holiday while relaxing to his favorite songs. 

“—<Galdrabók>, battle preparations completed. On standby.” 

“<Honorius>, same here.” 

“<Almandar>, also ready here.” 

After grasping each report, Westcott bombastically nodded. 

“—Very good. Each ship, begin the operation.” 

“Roger that!” 

The captains of each respective ship responded back in unison. Their collective enthusiasm and excitement was transmitted through the loudspeaker as sonic wave that caused the surroundings to tremble. 

“—Ike. Are you really okay?” 

Nearby, Ellen glanced over at Westcott from the side. 

Without the slightest degree of hesitation, Westcott let out an “ahh” sound in agreement. 

“Of course, everything is on schedule.” 

“…………” 

In response to Westcott, Ellen remained silent for a moment before replying back with a brief sigh. 

“Is that so? Well then……that’s good.” 

“Ah. There’s nothing to be worried about. The wish that we have been patiently waiting for will soon come to fruition.” 

Westcott looked on to the main monitor while extending out his hands in a dramatic manner. 

The main display reflected an image of Itsuka Shidou and <Deus> lying on the coast. 

They were surrounded by the vast seas and forests, as well as some sparse accommodation facilities like hotels, shops, and private homes. There was nothing to isolate them from each other. Although it seemed that <Ratatoskr> had installed anti-aircraft weaponry in the buildings of Tenguu City, it was likely that they would never have the chance to install similar weapons on this coastline. 

“—Oya?” 

Westcott perked his brow upward. On the main screen, Shidou’s body began to emit a faint light before disappearing all together at the next moment. 

It was probably <Fraxinus>’s transfer device. Likely owing to the emergence of <Deus> and DEM, they wanted to retrieve Shidou in order to regroup from this situation. 

Despite this, it was still within the range of expectations. Westcott, using a calm tone—or rather to say in a delighted manner—called out his commands. 

“The stage has finally been prepared. If you flee, I will be very troubled. —<Bandersnatch> team combat plan ?. Prepare your actions accordingly.” 

“—Yes.” 

Responding to Westcott’s order, a quiet reply came from the speakers. 

“Un……gu, ah……” 

“—Shidou!” 

As Shidou literally had his head squatted in an embrace with the ground, he suddenly a voice coming from above. 

“Ugh……?” 

Enduring the pain, Shidou finally raised his head. As it turned out, the source of that voice had come from Tohka, who had an anxious look on her face. 

No, it wasn’t just Tohka. Origami, Kotori, Yoshino, Kaguya, Yuzuru, Miku, Natsumi, Nia, Mukuro—all the Spirits under <Ratatoskr>’s protection were here. 

For a moment, Shidou thought that everyone had come to support him—but that wasn’t right. Mio wasn’t here and the surrounding scenery had transformed into the familiar <Fraxinus> bridge. It seemed that he had been retrieved through the transfer equipment. 

Gradually, the intense headache began to disappear. While wiping away that sweat that had unconsciously appeared on his forehead, he quickly stood up while borrowing Tohka’s hands as support. 

“Tohka……everyone……” 

“Umu, are you alright? Did Mio do something to you?” 

“No, this is……” 

Just as Shidou was about to speak, the main monitor, which displayed the conditions outside, gave off a tremendous light. 

“Ah—” 

A huge sphere manifested in the sky, scatter around particles of light. 

Shidou recognized that figure. —<Ain Soph Aur>, the Angel of death that takes away the life of anything it comes in contact. Faced against that overwhelming destructive power, there was the silhouette of DEM ships collapsing apart one after the other. 

It could no longer be described with words like war or battle. A unilateral massacre, a ruthless crusade, even comparing the difference in war potential to a child trampling an ant colony may not be enough. 

“……!” 

“Hya—even after already hearing about this, Yoshinon is still surprised at this.” 

“Consent. This is a bad game to fight against.” 

“……Yes. To tell the truth, we have to retreat while DEM is distracting Mio. 

Everyone shared expressions of fright as they spoke to each other. 

However, Shidou spoke out in a hoarse voice. 

“No, that’s……” 

“Mun.” 

“What’s the matter, Nushi-sama?” 

Listening to what Shidou was about to say, the Spirits all perked their eyes up in curiosity. 

“……No. I can’t escape……I haven’t finished anything yet.” 

That’s right. —He couldn’t run. 

If Shidou’s guess was correct, then he couldn’t escape now. 

However, those words were the most unexpected for the Spirits. Out of everyone’s confusion, Kotori’s voice rippled against his eardrums the loudest. 

“What are you talking about Shidou!? Anyone who can see that battle can recognize that the strategy failed! I understand your feelings, but the situation won’t improve just by holding onto your intentions!” 

“I’m not intending to let my emotions affect this decision. However—I can’t run.” 

—Then. 

Just as Shidou was speaking, the sound of a beeping alarm resounded on the bridge. 

“What is that sound? Did someone forget to turn off their cell phone’s Robo-chan for serious scenes?” 

“For a manga artist you have no sense for nicknames, Nia. —Now’s not the situation to act like a full-time drunkard. Kotori, someone is trying to communicate here. What should I do?” 

Nia and Maria spat out sarcastic quips as if a natural greeting. Listening to that, Kotori slightly frowned. 

“Communication? ……Alright, connect to the signal.” 

“Roger that.” 

As Maria spoke, static rustled on the main monitor before an imaged began to appear. 

It looked like another person’s face being reflected—but that wasn’t quite right. If anything, it felt like a secret surveillance camera image or a secret filming shot. Several people were on display, but none of them seemed to be aware of the existence of the camera. 

Moreover, it wasn’t just a single image. The screen was divided finely, with images displaying multiple different locations on the main monitor. 

Seeing this, Kotori raised her brow in surprise. 

“From this timing, I thought it was supposed to be communication from DEM. This is……?” 

“……Mu!?” 

Kotori turned around enquiringly, having heard Tohka raise her voice as if noticing something. 

“Tohka, what happened?” 

“Look at that screen, its Ai, Mai, and Mii!” 

“……Huh?” 

Having heard what Tohka had said, Shidou looked up. Certainly, at the portion of the screen pointed by Tohka, the appearances of his classmates Yamabuki Ai, Hazakura Mai, and Fujibakama Mii appeared there. He didn’t know if it was because of receiving supplementary lessons or part of a job involving committee members, but they were all still in school despite today being a day off. Looking more closely, he could also see Tonomachi and Tama-chan sensei behind them. 

No, that wasn’t all. Right after Tohka, this time Origami raised her eyebrows up. 

“—Captain, Mikie, and Mily?” 

On the image next to the Ai, Mai, Mii trio, the appearances of Origami’s former coworkers and AST captain Kusakabe Ryouko were on display. 

“Eh, Hiyori-san……?” 

“……! Kanon-san—” 

“Ha……!? What is that guy doing……?” 

The Spirits all raised their voices one after the other. Among those on the screen, there was Miku’s idol companion Asakura Hiyori, Yoshino and Natsumi’s close friend Ayanok?ji Kanon from their first experience with school, and also friends of Kaguya and Yuzuru that could all be confirmed. 

That’s right. There were all friends and acquaintances of the Spirits appearing on each of the divided screens. 

“What is this……” 

Not understanding the intention of these images, Shidou curled his brow up in confusion. 

However, in the next moment, there was a change in the image as Shidou quickly understood. 

—The enemy’s aim. This exceedingly unscrupulous strategy. 

The windows of the classroom where the Ai, Mai, Mii trio were located splendidly shattered into pieces. Then, several <Bandersnatch> units appeared by the window, their inorganic electronic eyes squiriming around. 

“Kiyaaaaah!?” 

“What, what is this!?” 

“A terrorist suddenly appeared at school!?” 

The screams of the Ai, Mai, Mii trio echoed onto the bridge through the speaker. 

As if to match that shriek, the same things was happening on the other screens. 

“Wha……Is this DEM!? What do you mean!?” 

“Ah, captain! The emergency equipment device—” 

“Unfortunately, it’s in the vault……!” 

“Kya!? W-what is this…it startled me!?” 

“Wait……how did a robot suddenly fall down from the sky!?” 

“Kanon-san wants to be noticed again……wait you’re being seriously? Looks like Kanon-san will occasionally tell the truth.” 

“It’s moving around strangely!? Run away!” 

School. The Self Defense Force Garrison. A live concert venue. And a street marked by the red sunset. 

The mechanical monster appeared throughout the city not warned by the spacequake alarm. 

“Wha—” 

This was an unusual scene. Just as the Spirits were confidential, the Realizer manifestation device controlling the <Bandersnatch> was not something made publically available. 

To think of exposing them to the general public and using them to harm civilians, no sane person would ever implement that. Even for a colossal superpower like DEM, it would be impossible to achieve this perfect endgame. 

No—perhaps they didn’t even consider about the necessities of the aftermath. From this possibility, Shidou felt an illusion of his heart being cornered. 

“—Yah. Can you hear it, <Ratatoskr>?” 

As Shidou felt a shudder, a voice other than screams reached the speaker. 

Extremely calm, as if finding pleasure despite everything occurring—a male voice that if heard again would incense one’s nerves beyond relief. No mistake. DEM’s managing director, Isaac Westcott. Shidou shouted out his name. 

“Westcott……!” 

“Ah. How are you enjoying it?” 

“Don’t joke around! This has nothing to do with everyone! What is your goal……!” 

As Shidou spitefully called out to him, Westcott replied back in a nonchalant manner. 

‘Goal, was it? Yes, I’m entirely indifferent to the means of collapse.” 

“What did you say…?” 

As Shidou was left baffled, Westcott continued on. 

“Ideally, they would serve as hostages. Then take this as a declaration from myself, the most crafty and vicious kidnapper. If you want them to live, then hand over all of Itsuka Shidou’s Sephira Crystals.” 

“Ku……!” 

Hearing Westcott’s declaration, Shidou clenched his teeth and frowned. 

But then, Kotori placed her hand on his shoulder as if telling him to calm down. 

“—Sorry, but aren’t you underestimating us too much? We still have measures considering these losses. If the Sephira Crystals are handed over to you, then the entire world will be rewritten. Of course, we are supposed to protect them. —But we are not that foolish to let our emotions affected these kinds of decisions.” 

Kotori spoked in a low voice. But there was unmistakable sweat dripping down the wrinkles on her forehead. Perhaps, it was lucky that this was only a voice call. 

Of course, it was easy to understand that Kotori wasn’t uttering those words calmly. At a better timing, she would have liked to insult Westcott for being a despicable coward. 

But doing that would just mean deliberately revealing their weakness to the enemy. Therefore, Kotori must play the role of a composed and cruel commander. —To show that such a threat was meaningless. 

Westcott let out a “hmm” sound as he continued on from Kotori’s declaration without a hint of surprise. 

“Well, then it can’t be helped. I can only kill them as cruelly as possible like a compassionate dictator. Looking at a scene where their friends are brutally slaughtered, if at least one Spirit inverses, I can still reap the rewards.” 

“……!” 

Shidou felt his breathing begin to clog. A cold sensation spread in his stomach. 

He had used the Sixth Bullet <Vav> in order to travel back in time to change the future and prevent the Spirits’ deaths. But now, it was precisely because of his actions that his friends who wouldn’t have been in trouble currently faced the threat of death. 

Although Kotori’s response was similar to Shidou, his younger sister was a proud commander in every aspect. She wouldn’t let fear take over her voice as she responded back calmly. 

“……Ah, that really is scary. Well then I’ll have to block the video now. Since these warm hearted enemies have bothered to make a long winded declaration.” 

“Oh, was that a blunder? Then it can’t be helped. Even if the Spirits don’t inverse—it’s still enough for me to have some fun.” 

“You bastard……!” 

Hearing Westcott say this without deviating from the beaten track, the grievances buried within Shidou’s stomach raised up to a scream. 

He remembered what it was like confronting Westcott directly. That pair of rusted inorganic-like eyes that didn’t see humans as people. 

—He would do it. A feeling of confirmation similar to a curse. His words clearly did not arise from threats or bargaining alone. 

“—Well then, let’s answer that question. First, let’s stain those images with blood. After that, I listen to your thoughts again.” 

“! Stop—” 

As Shidou yelled in vain, Westcott snapped to command the <Bandersnatch> to proceed. 

In works like manga, there is often an unexpected scene where characters pinch their cheeks in doubt that everything was all just a dream. According to one theory, it was said that in a dream……one should feel no pain. 

Each time when looking at this scene, the Ai, Mai, Mii trio would laugh, asking “Who would pull a prank like this?” They must have thought it was the perfect manga-like scenario. Certainly, the act must only serve properly test a character’s dumbfounded response. 

However, it would seem necessary to correct this view in the future. 

After all, the mysterious robot ground had suddenly broken in through a window and it was already time to pinch their cheeks to find out if it was a dream. 

“H-hey……what is this……?” 

Ai dazedly asked while pinching her cheeks with her right hand in a comical manner. 

Incidentally, despite the force pinched between her fingertips, there wasn’t much pain felt. No, it was obvious that this wasn’t a dream. But perhaps her sense of pain was dulled due to her brain secreting dopamine, endorphin, and beta carotene in response to this unexpected situation. 

The number of robots was five. No, that number only counted those within the classroom, with many more floating outside. Each had a body that was slightly larger than a human being and all were equipped with thick arms and sharp claws. No matter how one looked, they seemed to be the type efficient at fighting, suppressing, and killing. 

There were only five people in the classroom right now. Ai, her close friends Hazakura Mai, Fujibakama Mii, their homeroom teacher Okamine Tamae, and their classmate Tonomachi Hiroto. At the very least, against this mysterious battle robot (?), there was no one here capable of fighting it. 

“Y-Yamabuki-san, Hazakura-san, Fujibakama-san! And also Tonomachi-san! It’s dangerous here! Please hurry and run away!” 

Their teacher Okamine, also known as Tama-chan sensei said as her slender body trembled. 

However, the robots deployed to enclose Ai and the others, with the front line positioned at the entrance to the corridor. Each one had a look of immediately attacking if anyone tried to escape. 

“W-what is going on with these robots!? In terms of design, shouldn’t this be for a hero of justice!? Which way is to the evil army corps!?” 

“In a future where there is war between machines and humanity, these robots have come to kill off humanity’s future leader!? Seriously, to think I would become such a great person!?” 

“Yaaaaah! Help! One time, just before I die, I want to try to bury my head in a girl’s thighs!” 

“Mai, Mii, and Tonomachi screamed while clinging onto Ai’s right arm, left arms, and thighs respectively. For now, Ai kicked Tonomachi away. 

Then, at that moment, the robot looking in front of them began to move as if it had received its instructions. At a brisk pace, they began walking to Ai and the others. 

“Wha……!” 

“What……!” 

“Gu……!” 

A hoarse voice was wringed out from each of the Ai Mai Mii trio’s throats. 

But that was all that they could do. Because of fear, their bodies didn’t move. Even if they moved, they still didn’t know how to escape. 

While doing so, the robot began to draw closer, its mechanical camera eye twitching as it locked onto Ai and the others, receding back it claws to reveal a large scale knife. 

“Ah—” 

A stunned cry leaked out from her throat. Her thought process compressed, extending out the time of the moment. A strange feeling, truly just like a revolving lantern: the memory of her life so far flashed before her very eyes. 

(—Oh, I am really going to die. Despite living an ordinary life until now, I’m going to be killed by the sudden appearance of a robot. A robot? No, why is it a robot? Despite people saying that no one knows what one would encounter in life, this is too outrageous. Wow, seriously? Seriously? Ah, if I had known about this earlier, I would have decided to confess to Kishiwada-kun—) 

The sharp claws swung down, tearing apart Ai’s thoughts which were concentrated to the utmost limit. 

The Ground Self Defense Force Garrison. It was one of the key Japanese defensive points where personnel live and work. 

Of course, various troops were stationed here in preparation for emergencies, among which for spacequakes—the secret force AST specializing in Spirit disasters. 

This unit, which compromised of special Wizards capable of using the Realizer Manifestation Device, was the strongest among the domestic public armed forces. Instead of attacking here, it is better to attack the Metropolitan Police Department or the capitol, both of which would have a lower difficulty level. 

But—right now. Something impossible was occurring right in front of the eyes of the aforementioned AST captain Kusakabe Ryouko. 

“Wha……” 

A number of humanoid machines suddenly appeared in the lounge space in one corner of the building, where she was talking to AST member Mikie Okamine and mechanic Mildred F · Fujimura. 

Ryouko recognized those models. DEM’s unmanned weapon, <Bandersnatch>. 

However, even after noticing this, Ryouko couldn’t understand what was happening to them now. 

Although she couldn’t say that there was absolutely no conflict, DEM still provided technology to AST, so they were from a so-called standpoint of a supporter. Under normal consideration, those weapons were unlikely to target Ryouko and the others. 

However, it was clear now that the <Bandersnatch> had assumed a battle formation towards them, locking on with their electronic eye and swinging down vigorously with their claws. 

“Tch—” 

Ryouko scowled as she avoided the attack. Then, she pulled the 9 mm caliber pistol carried on her person and pulled the trigger. 

However, such tactics were useless against the <Bandersnatch> that were protected by the Voluntary Territory. The bullet which Ryouko released stopped in the air before reaching the <Bandersnatch> and fell to the floor. Then, step by step, the mechanical dolls gradually shortened the distance to enclose them. 

“C-captain……is this related to what Origami-san said?” 

Right beside her, Mikie recalled what she remembered. 

That’s right. Yesterday, their former colleague Origami visited the base and issued a mysterious warning to them. Ryouko, Mikie, and Milly all discussed together what she had said. 

DEM was an organization attempting to seize the power of the Spirits. Origami had said that on February 20th DEM may issue a request for war but they should reject it. 

If that was the case, it certainly was not irrelevant to the current situation. No, it would be better to say that their lives might become targeted due to hearing what Origami had said. 

While it was impossible to judge if that was true, now was not the time to think about this. 

“Ku……!” 

Ryouko gritted her teeth as she watched glistening magical power begin to concentrate in the open palms of the <Bandersnatch>. 

“Eh……eh…?” 

In a complete state of dismay and bewilderment, Asakura Hiyori frantically looked around. 

But that was to have been expected. After all, while singing a live concert, strange mechanical dolls she had never seen before appeared on stage rather than the backup dancers. 

“Heeeeeeeeeeeeey! Hiyori-saaaaaaaaaaaan!” 

“Eh, what is this? An attack? Aren’t you worried?” 

“Stupid, isn’t it part of the show?” 

“But the music stopped playing?” 

“Heeeeeeeeeey!” 

About half of the audience was confused by the sudden situation, while the other half of the spectators thought it was part of the show and cheered even louder. But at the very least, Hiyori herself never heard of this as part of the script. 

Hiyori began to have doubts about these robots. The director once said, “In a live concert, if all of the backup dancers were robots, what should Asakura Hiyori do?” 

However, if thought about more calmly, there were too many factors inhibiting movements for an entire person with this plan. Moreover the movements of these mechanical robots were as smooth as CG, the infeasibility made Hiyori’s mind even more confused. —They were obviously not people, but could modern robots have such fluent motion control? 

As Hiyori was thinking of such things, the claws on both hands of the mechanical robots began to flicker as they creeped up to surround her. 

“Kya……!” 

Confronted by that creepy look, Hiyori couldn’t help but feel her voice choke up. However, from behind her, there were even more robots approaching. 

“M-Miku-san……!” 

Hiyori closed her eyes as she called out for Izayoi Miku, the name of a fellow idol and sempai she longed for. 

Needless to say, it was impossible to call for help. With their metallic sight focused on Hiyori, they pointed the front end of their claws as if to skewer her from all sides. 

However—at the very next moment. 

“Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh—!’ 

As that fighting scream resounded in the classroom, the robot in front of Ai was beautifully cleaved in half. 

“Huh……?” 

From the sudden event transpiring, Ai could help but stare in befuddlement. 

Then, a single girl appeared from the shadow of the screeching robot split in half. 

“Huh—” 

After recognizing that posture, Ai was left stunned once more. 

But that was to be expected. Because the one standing there was— 

“—You’re safe now, Ai, Mai, Mii. And also Tonomachi and Tama-chan sensei!” 

Since it was Yatogami Tohka, their classmate wearing a lightly shining garment and holding a huge sword in hand. 

“Fu—” 

A soft exhale was heard in their ears, and then as if to echo that, a ray of light flashed past the arm of the <Bandersnatch>, blasting it away from Ryouko and the others. 

“Wha……!?” 

Ryouko instinctively held her breath in. Then, as if noticing something, Mikie raised her voice. 

“O-Origami-san!?” 

As if lead by that voice, Ryouko followed the direction Mikie’s eyes look on to. 

Then, just as Mikie had said, Origami was there wearing a pure white dress over a silver colored CR-Unit. 

“—Yes, did you call for me Hiyori-san?” 

“Eh……?” 

Hearing that voice resound overhead, Hiyori opened her eyes. 

The robots that were surrounding her were now lying with their backs on the ground. 

Hiyori raised her face to search for the direction of that voice, over there— 

“M-Miku-san……!” 

Miku, while wearing a phantasmal dress radiating faint light, was floating in the air. 

“Alright—!” 

While on <Fraxinus>’s bridge watching Tohka’s battle, Shidou clenched his fist. 

That’s right. On one of the split screens showcasing his classmates, Tohka had appeared with her limited Astral Dress and sword in hand to slash away the <Bandersnatch> trying to attack Ai, Mai, and Mii. 

No, it wasn’t just Tohka. Origami, Miku, Yoshino, Natsumi, Kaguya, and Yuzuru, all of who were just on the <Fraxinus> bridge, had all just arrived at their friends’ locations, saving them just like Tohka. 

The light from the reiryoku glistened on each of the split screens, reducing the <Bandersnatch> into scrap metal. While the <Bandersnatch> were a threat to humans, they were merely empty shells in front of the Spirits. 

Of course, the location <Fraxinus> was floating above was not Tenguu City, but still overhead the sea of memories between Shinji and Mio. Even for Spirits, it should be impossible to rush towards where their friends were in time. 

In order to make it possible— 

“Mun. Long-distance travel was worrisome……but somehow it worked fine.” 

The ability held by Mukuro’s <Michael>. 

The key Angel <Michael>, capable of closing—or opening anything. 

It’s authority extended beyond tightly closing doors or locks. Intangible things like the human mind or memories—or even connecting two points in space through a “hole”. There was nothing that could not be opened by <Michael>. 

That’s right. After learning that their friends were in a crisis, the Spirits were able to instantaneous move to their respective locations through “holes” in space that Mukuro had opened. 

Despite having said that, Shidou wasn’t sure if this method was for the best. 

Indeed, it had to have been done because there was no other way to save Ai, Mai, Mii, Tonomachi, and the others, but this method also carried a fatal risk. 

The reason was simple. Hunting and killing the <Bandersnatch> in open public view was equivalent to— 

“T-tohka-chan……is that you?” 

“Origami!? You, that form—” 

“Miku-san, why are you here? Isn’t that……a stage costume?” 

“Kiyaaaaaaaaa! Miku-saaaaaaaan!” 

“Ha……ha!? Yoshino-san and Natsumi-san?” 

“My sworn friend Kaguya! No way, did you at last awaken the aura of darkaness?” 

“Yuzuru-san, what’s up with those erotic clothes?” 

From each screen, there were loud sounds of excitement eliciting both confusion and bafflement coming from each of the Spirit’s friends. 

The Spirits had to expose their identities as the price for saving their friends. 

“……Ah, really. Even for <Ratatoskr>, I don’t know if we can completely cover this up. This will definitely be a stomachache in the future.” 

While watching the restless people on the screen, Kotori despondingly placed her hand against her forehead. 

However, Kotori muttered out a brief “but” as she sharpened her line of sight. 

“—We’ve overcome it, Isaac Westcott.” 

“Fumu.” 

Westcott continued to speak after letting out a small groan. 

“That technique is really clever. It is truly worthy of appreciation. But didn’t I just say it? I don’t care how they fall. —It’s always best to prepare a trump card.” 

“……What did you say?” 

Hearing what Westcott had said, Kotori casted a suspicious gaze. 

—The next moment. As if echoing after her voice, a terrible explosion detonated that violently swayed <Fraxinus>’s hull in the process. 

“……!? Kotori!” 

“Ku……! An attack from a DEM ship!? Maria, what is the situation!?” 

“Yes. This is—” 

As Kotori was inquiring about the current circumstances in an annoyed manner, Maria let out a confused voice. 

“The DEM warship that has assaulted <Fraxinus>, it’s positioned to assimilate the random voluntary territory.” 

“Voluntary territory……assimilation!? Is that even possible!?” 

“Theoretically it is possible. If there is enough analytic power to fully comprehend the composition of the opponents territory and the voluntary territory itself is developed through a super high output.” 

“……” 

Kotori held her breath in after listening to what Maria had said. 

Then, as if to match that timing, the automatic camera sent an image to the main display. A beautiful airship boasting a streamlined hull had attached itself right beside <Fraxinus>. 

“<Goetia>……!” 

Kotori called out that name in irritation. 

The name was no stranger. <Goetia>, the personal ship of Ellen Mathers which destroyed <Fraxinus> before it’s upgrade. 

After being reborn as <Fraxinus EX Celsior>, they had returned the humiliation by borrowing the power of the Spirits—but now the majority of the Spirits were scattered throughout Tenguu city. 

“Ku, Maria, shake it off—” 

Just as Kotori was about to give instructions to Maria, <Goetia>’s hatch opened up, as “something” flew out at a tremendous speed towards <Fraxinus>. 

At the next moment, the ceiling of the bridge was torn apart by a tremendous explosion. The high-output laser sword released dazzling magic in a blade shape arc, as the sunset peeked into the bridge. If the airship is not covered by voluntary territory, the crew, including Shidou, would have been sucked out because of the air pressure difference. 

“Wha—” 

“You’ve got to be kidding……!?” 

A momentary chaos fell onto the bridge. 

But that moment was more than enough for a Wizard. 

“It’s an illusion that the inside of the ship would be safe. —At least in front of me.” 

—Ellen Mathers. 

Just as they recognized the identity of the intruder who destroyed the exterior of the ship and entered the bridge, her sword was already quickly approaching Shidou. Perhaps in less than a second— 

However— 

“—It’s always best to keep a trump card. Although I’m loathed to say the same words as that brutish director.” 

A voice from an unknown source echoed. The next moment, as the magical blade drew towards him, Shidou’s body was raised above the ground. 

“Ha—” 

After a beat, Shidou quickly understood. 

The identity of the person who saved him. 

“—Mana!” 

“Yes. —The trump card has arrived.” 

That’s right. It was Shidou’s—no, Takamiya Shinji’s younger sister, Takamiya Mana. She was clad in the CR-Unit <Vinargandr> which gave the impression of a wolf. Apparently, she was stationed on the ship in case of an emergency. 

“Ha—!” 

With a crackling scream, Mana condensed her Voluntary Territory as the thrusters on the back of her CR-Unit propelled her forward to Ellen. The ship was enveloped by a dazzling light as Mana and Ellen flew out of the ship through the crack on the ceiling. 

“Mana……!” 

Even for Mana, it would be impossible to defeat Ellen alone. While clenching his fist, Shidou channeled reiryoku through his entire body, exerting all of his strength to curl his legs up from that stop. 

“Shidou! Enough, stop—” 

Even though Shidou could sense Kotori’s intentions for him to desist, he couldn’t stop to finish listening as he kicked against the floor of the bridge with all of his strength. 

Then, just like that, he let the power of the Angel of Wind <Raphael> covered his entire body as he leaped out of the warship through the crack opened onto the ceiling. 

Up 15,000 meters, it was a dizzying altitude. However, thanks to the Voluntary Territory covering the hull, there was no need to worry about the surrounding temperature, the thinness of the air, and natural factors such as wind. He set his feet on <Fraxinus> sleek purple and white exterior as he began to look for Mana and Ellen. 

“—!” 

Since this was an empty space without any obstructions to his sight, he quickly located them. 

But the problem was—it wasn’t just Ellen and Mana there. 

“Yahahaha!” 

“Ahaha, both the older brother and younger sister are here.” 

“Can I also mix in?” 

Several girls floating outside of <Fraxinus> smiled while echoing with a voice lacking the slightest degree of tension. 

“<Nibelcol>!” 

After recognizing them, Shidou couldn’t help but call out their name. 

Yes—<Nibelcol>. The pseudo-Spirits made through a combination of the Demon King <Beelzebub> and DEM’s technology. 

As the waves of laughter broke down, two more people came forward. 

One of them was Artemisia Ashcroft, a Wizard of DEM just like Ellen. 

The other person was—the head of DEM and the holder of the jet-black book, Isaac Westcott himself. 

“Westcott……!” 

Shidou shouted as his expression began to shudder. 

After all, the three of them contained the highest combat power within DEM. Honestly, Shidou didn’t expect all of three of themm to leave headquarters to appear at such a place. 

In the distant sky, Mio continued to tear apart the DEM fleet. After seeing that scene from the edge of his field of vision, Shidou understood. Perhaps, they had already foreseen Mio’s appearance and had used that large fleet as a decoy. 

That’s right. —Precisely for the sake of stealing the reiryoku sleeping within Shidou’s body before claiming Mio’s power for their own. 

“Yah, Itsuka Shidou. No, is it better to call you Takamiya Shinji? And Mana as well. —Fu, isn’t it truly a strange combination? It feels as if we’ve returned back to 30 years ago.” 

Westcott spoke in a welcoming tone. But behind his eyes, Shidou could see an icy metallic light. 

“……Ah, it’s true. You and Ellen haven’t changed at all. After 30 years, I expected at least some aging.” 

Even after Shidou spoke in a mocking manner, Westcott still kept the thin smile on his face. Almost as if he was wearing a mask. Meanwhile, Ellen made a slightly grumpy expression that made her more human-like in comparison. 

“Well then, although this is a scenic spot to let old stories bloom—unfortunately there is no more time here. Even if it’s a bit poor taste as a greeting after seeing you siblings getting along, I’ll have to settle this before the Spirits return.” 

In accordance to Westcott’s command, Ellen, Artemisia, and the <Nibelcol> all spread out to enclose Shidou and Mana. 

“Ku—” 

“Tch……” 

Completely outnumbered. Shidou and Mana assumed battle stances while leaning on each other’s backs. 

Mana was undoubtedly one of the strongest Wizards in the world and Shidou had a number of Sephira Crystals at his disposal. 

But, even after taking that into account, the situation was still dire. 

Ellen Mathers, known as the strongest Wizard among humanity, and Artemisia Ashcroft whose powers were only second to her. As well as the Demon King <Beelzebub> under Westcott’s control and his dependents, the pseudo- Spirit <Nibelcol>. 

With opponents like them, their manpower was obviously insufficient. To go on like this— 

However. 

“—Ara, if you’re talking about “siblings getting along” aren’t you forgetting about one person?” 

At that moment, just after hearing that voice come from down below, a petite figure flew out from the gap in the ship’s outer armor. 

“……Kotori!?” 

After confirming that appearance from the edge of his sight, Shidou couldn’t help but raise his voice. 

That’s right. It was the captain of <Fraxinus> and Shidou’s younger sister, Itsuka Kotori. 

Moreover, her clothes were different than before. A combination between a military uniform and a kimono, a red Astral Dress weaved in flames. And in her hands, there was a large battle axe about twice her height. 

“You, that appearance……!” 

“What are you surprised about? Mukuro has to maintain the “hole” so that everyone can come back and Nia has no fighting power. So, isn’t there just me left?” 

“Even if it’s like that……!” 

As Shidou was about to continue, Kotori casted a sharp gaze before whispering. 

“It’s fine. Just for a little while, I can still exert my full strength without being hit by the destructive impulses. —Besides, it would be a poor joke not to do anything in this emergency.” 

“Kotori……” 

“Kotori-san—” 

Listening to what Kotori had said, Shidou and Mana immediately glanced at each other before nodding back. 

In their hands they manifested Angel of the sword <Sandalphon> and the set up laser blade <Wolftail> respectively. 

“—Let’s go, Isaac Westcott. You may have wanted to seize the opportunity here, but let me tell you that this was the worst possible choice.” 

“Exactly. I’ll show you the power of siblings. —Isn’t that right, Kotori-san? 

“……! Un!” 

While listening back to Shidou and Mana, Kotori’s eyebrows twitched as she tightened the grip on her Angel <Camael>. 

Shidou, Mana, and Kotori. 

Right now, these three siblings were standing shoulder to shoulder on the battlefield for the first time. 

While watching this, Westcott smiled as if finding it amusing. 

“—Interesting. Then please resist humans.” 

At that moment. 

“—!” 

As if bouncing off that voice, Ellen, Artemisia, and the countless <Nibelcol> all attacked at once. 

Floating above <Fraxinus> was its sister warship, <Ulmus>. 

On the bridge now, there were alarms indicating an emergency situation, explosions overheard by the speakers, and crew members loudly shouting their reports. 

But that had been expected. In the airspace in front of them, the Spirit of Origin was fighting the DEM fleet, while a team led by Westcott was taking advantage of that to attack <Fraxinus>. 

Additionally, most of the Spirits, who were the main fighting force of <Fraxinus>, were now scattered throughout the region. Several explosions detonated nearby the coast that was just peaceful ten minutes ago. 

“…………” 

The chairman of <Ratatoskr>’s round table, Elliot Woodman, stroked his beard while his expression was marked by a stern look. 

The situation was very grim. While Shidou, Kotori, and Mana were putting up a good fight outside of <Fraxinus>, they were pressured by Ellen’s power and overwhelmed by the difference in numbers. Moreover, <Deus> was likely to arrive there at any time. 

“……<Deus>. —Mio?” 

With his blurred vision, Woodman looked on to radiance displayed by the Spirit on the main monitor. 

Even though his eyesight had declined—no, as a pure Magician, Woodman didn’t even have to look to sense that massive reiryoku. 

—There was no doubt. It was the Spirit from that time. 

Thirty years ago, in order to wage revenge against humanity, Woodman, Westcott, Ellen, and Karen had summoned her—the existence that had captured his heart. She was the indirect cause for the birth of <Ratatoskr> and the starting point for every event afterwards. 

He was surprised when hearing the report from <Fraxinus> that Murasame Reine was Mio’s provisional disguise and Itsuka Shidou was her attempts at reconstructing Takamiya Shinji. But Woodman also felt a strange feeling of realization. 

Falling in love with the Spirit, inaugurating an institution to protect Spirits, the discovery of a boy who could seal reiryoku—all of it felt like a miracle. But perhaps Mio had already factored in Woodman’s existence and behavior when drawing up her plans. 

“……Yare, yare, to think that I had fallen in love with such a devious woman.” 

Woodman muttered self-deprecatingly before thinking again. 

According to Kotori’s report, the Spirit of Origin—Mio was, in order to change Itsuka Shidou back to Takamiya Shinji, willing to kill all the Spirits to recover the Sephira Crystals. 

—The Spirit he had fallen in love with and the Spirits they had been protecting. If the two sides became hostile, which side should he take— 

“……Haha.” 

While thinking of this, Woodman laughed again. 

—The answer was self-evident. Both. 

Elliot Woodman had parted ways with his former colleagues and chose the path to protect the Spirits by establishing the organization called <Ratatoskr>. 

Such an innocent man couldn’t make a straightforward choice between those two alternatives. 

And if it were Itsuka Shidou—he was convinced that gentle boy would agree with this answer. 

“—So, for him as well, we must first protect the Spirits.” 

Woodman quietly spoke to the woman waiting behind him. 

“Karen. —Make preparations for <Wodan>.” 

<Wodan>. The name of the CR-Unit that can be said to be the crystallization of <Ratatoskr>’s technology. 

The golden armor bearing the name of the King of Gods. Even for Woodman, a pure Magician and an artificial Wizard, it was an ultra-high powerful unit that allowed him to use the Realizer Manifestation Device to return his body back to his prime. 

However, using it was also equivalent to burning out the rest of Woodman’s lifespan. 

“……So you’re going, Elliot.” 

The woman wearing glasses—Karen Mathers spoke in a calm but also lonely tone. Woodman thinly sighed while muttering out an apology. 

“Ike, and also Ellen and Artemisia. I am the only one in <Ratatoskr> that can overcome that battle situation. Then……I have no choice but to go. Don’t you think that a man who betrayed his comrades to defend Spirits is liable to get murdered on his mission?” 

As Woodman spoke, Karen let out a sigh after a moment of silence. 

“It’s really troubling. Although my heart wants to stop you—but if you were the type of man who kept himself here, I would have never followed you in the first place.” 

“—Fu.” 

Hearing Karen’s words, Woodman loosened his cheeks as he said, “shall we go?” 

Under the watchful eye of the crew, Karen untied the lock on Woodman’s wheelchair. 

But—just at that moment. 

“……!? P-please wait, Sir. Woodman!? This……response is……” 

One of the crew members on the lower half of the bridge raised a shrill voice as if noticing something. 

“Fu—” 

“Kahahahahahaha!” 

“Dieeeeeeeeee!” 

“Ku—” 

The warship <Fraxinus> instantly transformed into a battlefield. 

Ellen and Artemisia’s laser swords flashed with dense concentrated maryoku as the countless fluttering pages folded into various shapes. 

While knocking them down with <Sandalphon>, the cold air from <Zafkiel> was distributed through a squall conjured by <Raphael>. Rays of light from <Metatron> were diffused into a “hole” opened in space by <Michael>, slaughtering away the <Nibelcol> one by one. 

Both Mana and Kotori began mowing down the enemy by using the two major equipment of <Vinargandr>, <Wolftail> and <Wolffang>, and flames from <Camael> respectively. 

Faced against DEM’s greatest war potential, Shidou and his siblings lead a fierce charge on the dense battlefield. 

In this war of offense and defense, a single moment of negligence would spell death. While summoning multiple Angels, Shidou volleyed between attacking, supporting his allies, and sometimes whispering words of love to the <Nibelcol>. 

However—this fight was only in equilibrium for a few minutes. 

With the overwhelming amount of undead <Nibelcol>, Shidou was targeted by Ellen as the only one who could seal them, forcing him to focus only on defense. At the same time, Kotori and Mana were also gradually suppressed. 

“Ku……!” 

“Kyahaha, keep persevering!” 

“But it’s useless! Continuing on like this……” 

“This is the end!” 

As Shidou resisted Ellen’s attack, the paper airplane-type projectile’s released from <Beelzebub ?Jeliddo> pierced through Shidou from each direction. 

“Ku, ah……!” 

A sharp pain was felt as blood began to spill profusely. The flames of <Camael> began to heal the wound, but at the moment his concentration faltered from being held down by the <Nibelcol>, Ellen’s laser sword soon struck. 

“Shidou!” 

“Nii-sama!” 

Kotori and Mana let out a cry of concern. But—they were blocked by the myriad of <Nibelcol> to the point where it was difficult to move. 

At that time, Westcott bombastically raised his hand. In response, Ellen lifted her laser sword in a casual manner. 

“—Well then, it’s over.” 

“Ku……in a place like this……!” 

Shidou groaned as he tried to inject enough strength to free his limbs from these restraints. However, the power of the <Nibelcol> was too strong, rendering him immobile. 

“Finally……finally……after finally realizing Mio’s real wish……!” 

Then— 

Just as Shidou tried to scream— 

“—Well, this time let me pay the debt owed to you, Shidou-san.” 

A familiar voice resounded from somewhere. 

The next moment, a black shadow spread out from the exterior of <Fraxinus> where Shidou and the others were located, and then countless figures flew out from the shadow. 

A black and red Astral Dress. Hair unevenly tied on both sides. And also—a clock-marked pupil in her left eye socket. 

That’s right. Several “Tokisaki Kurumi” appeared on the scene, grabbling against, the <Nibelcol>, Ellen, and Artemisia while firing bullets of condensed shadows. 

“Wha—?” 

“Huh……?” 

“Haaaah!?” 

The situation was completely outside of their expectations. Ellen, Artemisia, and the <Nibelcol> all fell into a panic. 

Needless to say, despite their stunned expressions, they were still sidestepping Kurumi’s attacks and decapitating everything above the opposing Kurumi clones’ shoulders in retaliation. But due to the surprise attack, their attention was momentarily drawn away. 

So—that was why they didn’t notice. 

Behind the <Nibelcol>, the commander was issuing out his directions. 

But behind even that, a black shadow was hanging. 

“—You finally let your guard down, Isaac Westcott.” 

Westcott slightly frowned, turning to his back. 

But at that moment—Kurumi’s arm had already pierced through his chest. 

“—” 

“Ike ………!” 

Ellen screamed, causing the surrounding air to vibrate. 

With the blood flowing from Westcott’s chest, a little crystal-like object appeared. 

—Sephira Crystal. The object Westcott had stolen from Nia and the source of the Spirit’s power. 

“Ufufu—Surely, I’ll be taking this.” 

Kurumi said as she smirked, seizing the Sephira Crystal that was floating in the air before jumping backwards. 

At that moment— 

“Gah……!?” 

“Ah, ah, ahhhhh……!” 

The nearby <Nibelcol> suddenly collapsed down in pain one after the other, reverting back to sheets of paper that melted into thin air. 

The <Nibelcol> were originally a miracle born from the power of <Beelzebub>. Since the Sephira Crystal, the source of their power, had been separated from its host, they would no longer be able to maintain their own existence. 

As if conforming to this lead, several of the surrounding Kurumi clones pointed their muzzles at Westcott. 

“Kihi.” 

“Kihihi.” 

“Kihihihihihi.” 

With a violent laugh, the clones all pulled the trigger at the same time. A hail of bullets converged towards Westcott. 

“—Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” 

Ellen screamed, blowing away the surrounding Kurumi clones as she rushed to Westcott. 

In perhaps less than a second after that scream, she arrived towards Westcott and covered him with her Voluntary Territory. 

Even so, several bullets had already landed on Westcott faster than Ellen’s arrival. Blood splattered from his right shoulder, left foot, and abdomen. 

“Ku……! Ike! Stay with us!” 

Ellen used the voluntary territory to support Westcott’s body and stop the bleeding. Then, her eyes swept around to check the surrounding situation. 

“—Artemisia! Withdraw!” 

Thinking for just a moment, the judgment was made in an instant. Ellen raised a scream. Even for the world’s strongest Wizard, it would be a bad call to continue fighting while having to defend the wounded Westcott after losing <Beelzebub> and the <Nibelcol>. 

“—Un, understood!” 

Artemisia nodded, kicking off the ground after cutting down a Kurumi clone. 

Ellen and Artemisia, while carrying Westcott in their Voluntary Territory, escaped from the battle scene and disappeared into the sky at an alarming speed. 

Although the Kurumi clones fired a few bullets in pursuit, none of them choose to chase after them. 

Kurumi likely also understood. It was unlikely to catch up to Ellen—and even if she did it would only mean incurring more injuries on her side. 

“Kurumi……?” 

Afterwards, Shidou slowly called out the name of that girl. 

There was no doubt. Over there was the Spirit that was supposed to have been killed by Mio, Tokisaki Kurumi. 

Moreover, it was different from that time where a single Kurumi clone had escaped into the future. It was unmistakably the “real Kurumi” with the abilities of an Angel and her countless clones. 

“Ara, ara, how do you do Shidou-san. Kotori-san and Mana-san. What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me so strangely?” 

Kurumi spoke with a slight chuckle. Imitated by her clones, the surroundings were enshrouded by laughter just like a fog. 

“What’s wrong……you should have just died a while ago……” 

“Ara, ara. Was it not Shidou-san who told me about Mio-san. This is me after all. Did you think that I would stand in front of Mio-san without any countermeasures?” 

Kurumi joked about, as she pretended to press her pistol against her own forehead. 

“—The moment that Mio-san tried to take my Sephira Crystal and escape to the outside world, I transferred by memories and Sephira Crystal to a clone generated by the Eighth Bullet <Het>. —Needless to say, prior preparation is necessary.” 

“Wha—” 

Hearing what Kurumi had said, Shidou’s eyes lit up. Certainly, when Shidou provided that information, he wondered if there was a possibility for Kurumi to survive—but he never expected this to be possible. 

“What you’re saying is that……you’re now in the situation where the personality of the real Kurumi is in the body of a clone……?” 

Listening to Shidou, Kurumi soon expressed a meaningful smile. 

“Well, I’ll tell you the details later if we have the chance—besides that, right now.” 

Kurumi narrowed her eyes as she looked down to the Sephira Crystal she had taken from Westcott. Then, she pointed her pistol towards it. 

“<Zafkiel>—The Fourth Bullet <Dalet>.” 

While saying that, she fired the Fourth Bullet <Dalet>. 

Then, the Sephira Crystal marked by the color of darkness began to give a faint pale radiance once more. 

That’s right. —Just like that, the inverted Sephira Crystal had returned back to its original state. 

“At last, I finally got it.” 

Kurumi smiled as she pressed the Sephira Crystal against her own chest. 

The Sephira Crystal released a strong light—as it was inhaled into Kurumi’s chest. 

“Ah—ha……” 

Kurumi smiled in satisfaction, trembling from the pleasure. 

“Ah, ah, it’s overflowing, it’s overflowing. This is—a second Sephira Crystal. Ufufu, it’s feels as if I can do anything now.” 

“Kurumi……!? You, what on earth are you—” 

As Shidou cried out in astonishment, another voice was heard as if echoing after him. 

“Shidou!” 

“Shidou-san……!” 

The next moment, several girls wearing Limited Astral Dresses appeared out from the fissure opened at the exterior of <Fraxinus>. Apparently, they had finished destroyed the <Bandersnatch> from the other side of the “hole” and had come back here. 

“Sorry, Shidou! I am late—” 

Tohka turned around with <Sandalphon> in her hands—her eyes widening in surprise after seeing Kurumi. 

Although the other Spirits seemed to have received a minimal explanation from Nia and Maria, it was unexpected to see Kurumi there. They all displayed a similar reaction to that of Tohka. 

“Kurumi……?” 

“W-what’s going on? The news I heard was that the people from DEM were attacking Darling……” 

As Miku surveyed around restlessly, Kurumi once again let out an amused laugh. 

“Ufufu, I’m sorry. I had gotten the role of helping Shidou-san. Well—” 

Kurumi spoke while shrugging her shoulders self-depreciatingly. 

“—Apparently, it seems that an even more troublesome person has come over.” 

“Huh……?” 

Listening to Kurumi, Shidou slightly frowned. 

But—after a brief moment, Shidou understood what Kurumi meant. No, he was forced to comprehend it midway through. 

In the blink of an eye, the entire world changed. 

“Wha—” 

From the sea of clouds dyed in the sunset, the surrounding scenery was instantly repainted into a monochrome space composed of sharp straight lines. 

It was almost like be thrown into a dream—no, rather it was being awakened from a beautiful dream and being tossed back into cold reality. 

“……! Shidou-san!” 

“This is……!” 

The Spirits all let out trembling voices brimming with fear. 

Shidou felt the same fear overtake his heart. Suddenly, he lost control of his breathing for a moment. 

However, there was still a decisive difference between Shidou and the Spirits. Shidou had already experienced this phenomena once before. 

“Mio……!” 

Shidou had wringed out that name from his throat. 

That’s right. There was no doubt about it; this was the authority of Mio’s second Angel. 

“—Un. Sorry, Shin.” 

Such a voice echoed in the air as if responding to Shidou’s call. Opening his eyes and looking over there, Mio had appeared in the empty space that had nothing beforehand. 

No, that wasn’t all. Above her head was a flower bud wrapping around a girl at the center and behind her was a large tree with a girl attached to the trunk, floating in the air as its branches and roots began expanding outward. 

The Angel of Death that deprived life, <Ain Soph Aur>. 

And the Angels of laws capable of rewriting reason itself, <Ain Soph>. 

Both were Mio’s strongest wings: apostles of ruin with power far exceeding the norm. 

“I didn’t expect to be caught in such a feint. But it’s good everything worked out. Thank you for protecting Shin for me, Kurumi.” 

“……Ara, ara.” 

In Mio’s words of gratitude there was no meaning felt—no, perhaps because it couldn’t be felt—Kurumi distorted her face in displeasure. 

“Shidou!” 

In line with Tohka’s voice, the Spirits lined up to protect Shidou. Everyone did not dare to let their glares move away from Mio while holding up their Angels. 

“Mio’s goal is Shidou. Run away as we buy some time.” 

“Listening to what you said, Mana shouldn’t have been killed. Leave the charge to me.” 

Origami and Mana, both of whom stood in front of Shidou, spoke without averting their eyes away from Mio. 

“…………” 

However, Shidou clenched his fist, placing his hands against their shoulders as he walked forward. 

“Shidou!?” 

“Stop. What are you doing, it’s too dangerous.” 

The Spirits began to move to stop him. However, Shidou steadily progressed onward. 

From his personal experience, it was impossible to escape when imprisoned in this space—but more than anything, in order to save Mio he couldn’t escape. 

Yes. Shidou had finally noticed. 

He discovered the source of the headache that intermittently occurred after exchanging kiss with Reine. 

He noticed what memory had been sporadically invoked at that time. 

—And also the truth that it pointed towards. 

“……Mio.” 

“—Shin.” 

As Shidou called out her name, Mio seemed happy to respond back to him. 

Mio’s movements and expression made Shidou feel his heart tightly contract. 

However, Shidou pushed through the pain and marched forward. 

“……Finally, I understand. That memory was—Mio, was it yours?” 

Shidou touched his forehead while staring into Mio’s eyes. 

Indeed, the strategy for Reine had ended in failure. Although the pathway had been established, the reiryoku seal had not been realized. And through the pathway, Shidou’s memories of the future had been exposed. It was exactly the worst case scenario that could be conceptualized. 

Yet, it also showed another incident. 

Just as Shidou’s memories were shared to Reine through the pathway, Reine—Mio’s memories were also shown to Shidou. 

The despair of losing Shinji, the sorrow, all of these negative emotions flowed in a single breath into Shidou, who suffered a painful headache. 

However, in Mio’s despair there was only a single glimmer of hope. 

And that was exactly—Shidou’s own existence. 

However— 

“……I couldn’t seal your reiryoku. Surely, it was because of I was simply not strong enough. You’re the Spirit of Origin. On the other hand, I haven’t even finished collecting all of the Sephira Crystals.” 

But Shidou continued on. 

“That’s not all. The previous failure……it wasn’t only because of that. The reason was very simple. I’ve heard it from Kotori countless times already. —In order to seal a Spirit’s reiryoku, I have to open the Spirit’s heart to me and then kiss her. But Mio still hasn’t opened her heart to me……!” 

“……Shin?” 

Mio let out a confused voice upon hearing Shidou’s remark. From behind, Kotori’s voice in suspicion was also heard. 

“What’s going on? Surely, at that time, her relationship values reached the sealable range—” 

“No. It’s different. Who Mio loves—isn’t Shidou but Shinji.” 

Shidou held the tears back from spilling as he let out those words from his clogged throat. 

“And Shinji is already……no more.” 

“—” 

Mio fell speechless as she opened her eyes. 

A chill reached Shidou’s spine. It was unknown whether this was due to the feeling from the words he himself issued or due to <Ain Soph> responding greatly to Mio’s heart, but the surrounding ambient temperature had significantly dropped. 

From her slightly twitching lips, Mio poured out her words. 

“What—are you talking about, Shin? I remade Shin and gave the power of the Spirits so you would absolutely never die again—” 

“……Ah, your power is really amazing. But suppose that I collect all of the Sephira Crystals and my memories as “Itsuka Shidou” are erased—” 

Shidou stopped talking for a moment. 

Since these words might crush Mio’s heart. The memories of Shinji that loved Mio and also Shidou’s own feelings of consideration for Reine, refused to let him speak. 

But—he had to say this. Shidou spoke while clenching his fist so tightly to the point where his hand almost began to bleed. 

“—Is that really Shinji?” 

“—” 

Then. 

The destructive words and the possibility he arrived at upon seeing Mio’s memories. 

Deep in Mio’s mind, she had tried to cover it up. Even though she might have considered it, she could help trying to ignore it. 

Shidou intentionally excavated it back to the surface. 

“A person that has both Shinji’s memories and form. But that is not really Shinji. Shinji’s soul doesn’t exist here. ……You must have already known. But even then while knowing, you had to rely on that! But—can that Shinji really fill your heart, Mio?” 

“…………” 

Hearing what Shidou had said, Mio fell silent for a while—but at last she sadly opened her mouth. 

“……Why would you say such a thing, Shin?” 

Then, as if matching Mio’s state, the space surrounding Shidou and the others began to shake. 

“I have only Shin. I have lived this far just to meet Shin once more.” 

“—Don’t be afraid!” 

Involuntarily, Shidou began to shout. 

Startled by this, the Spirits around him began to tremble. 

“Only Shin……? Don’t be stupid! Me! The Spirits! Don’t you still have that! Is the time we spent together that much inferior to Shin……!?” 

“…………” 

Against Shidou’s appeal, Mio, however, didn’t show a significant response. —As if saying that she had already come to the same answer long ago. 

Instead, while weeping tears, Mio muttered out a small “is that so?” 

“Because you are not Shin you can say this. I must quickly turn you back to Shin soon. —Thank you for everything so far, Shidou. But, farewell.” 

—At that moment. 

The air began to vibrate, ripples formed as the huge floating tree behind Mio extended out its “branches” and “roots” to both heaven and earth. 

The squirming tentacle flew towards Shidou at a speed faster than the eye could follow. 

“Wha—” 

“Ku……!” 

“Dangerous……!” 

Tohka and Kaguya used <Sandalphon> and <Raphael> to slash apart and blow away the roots approaching Shidou. 

“Sorry, and thanks for the save.” 

“Don’t worry about it! But what are we going to do now!?” 

Tohka screamed while lifting up <Sandalphon>. While looking towards Mio, Shidou made a small nod forward. 

After all, it was impossible to escape. And—as the one who notice that, there was still something that needed to be done. 

“Once again……I will kiss Mio.” 

“What……?” 

“Ha……!? Weren’t you the one that said the relationship value was insufficient!” 

As Shidou said that, Kotori screamed in a tone marked by complete incomprehension. 

That was true. But—no, that was why Shidou had to go. 

“So—this time not as Shinji. But let her choose me as Itsuka Shidou. If not, Mio will—” 

Shidou words were cut off midway through. The “roots” from below and the “branches” from the sky extended out to capture Shidou’s body. 

“Shidou!” 

“Ku—” 

No, it wasn’t just that this time. Bands of light from Mio’s Astral Dress stretched out towards the Spirits. 

The memory from the future world came flooding back. This was different from the “branches” and “roots” used for the purpose of capturing Shidou. It was a single attack to pierce through the Spirits in order to retrieve their residual Sephira Crystals. 

“Avoid it, everyone! You can’t take this attack!” 

“—!” 

In response to Shidou’s voice, the Spirits kicked against the exterior of the ship to repel the attack. But in the resulting momentary gap, countless “roots” swarmed to Shidou. 

“Ku—!” 

“Nushi-sama!” 

“Darling!” 

The screams from the Spirits shook his eardrums. 

However, just as the “roots” were about to reach him, a force pulled on his body as he was overcome by a strange sense of floating. 

After a moment, he soon understood the situation. —In his hands, he was assisted by Kurumi, who appeared above his head. 

“Kurumi!” 

“Ufufu, that was a dangerous spot.” 

Kurumi pulled Shidou up in a princess carry while lightly avoiding the “roots” and “branches”. 

“……This position is a bit embarrassing.” 

“Now’s not the time to say that. Anyway—” 

With the countless Kurumi clones defending them, Kurumi turned her attention to Shidou. 

“—I heard something very interesting. To kiss Mio-san once again.” 

“……Ah, I’m going for that.” 

As Shidou replied back, Kurumi seemed surprised but also narrowed her eyes in interest. 

“However, Shidou-san has already failed in the seal once. Is there any chance in wining?” 

“……That—” 

After hesitating for a moment, Shidou told her the revelation he discovered upon seeing Mio’s memories. 

—That other possibility. 

“…………” 

Hearing that for the first time, Kurumi rounded her eyes. 

“……Ara, ara.” 

She narrowed her eyes as if both irritated and sad. 

“……So that is Mio-san’s real wish? I would laugh, to think that selfishness reached to that extent. Did we turn into Spirits for that goal?” 

Kurumi huffed from her nose in disdain, but after a brief sigh, she turned to face Shidou again. 

“—Shidou-san.” 

“Wha—……!?” 

Shidou’s words were cut in half. 

No, to be more precise, they were forcibly stopped. 

—By Kurumi’s soft lips. 

Yes. While still holding him in an embrace, Kurumi—had kissed Shidou. 

“…………?” 

Being too sudden, his head feel into confusion. But as the familiar warm feeling flowing from the lips entered his body, Shidou soon grasped the situation. 

—Kurumi. The Worst Spirit had entrusted her reiryoku to Shidou. 

“—Please don’t misunderstand, Shidou-san.” 

As if reading his thoughts, Kurumi lifted up her face and turned to the side. 

“Isn’t there no chance for escape after being captured in this space? And since Mio-san has information about the future, there’s a high possibility that even traveling back in time through <Zafkiel> will be stopped. —Then, wouldn’t it be smarter to bet on a possibility with a higher survival rate?” 

Kurumi’s Astral Dress melted and faded away into the air. 

But Kurumi continued on without feeling ashamed. 

“I have done what I can. Please finish it properly.” 

Kurumi turned to face Shidou, looking directly into his eyes. The clock-piece on her left eye had changed back to an ordinary pupil. 

“—Ah. Thank you, Kurumi.” 

Shidou nodded back, kissing Kurumi once again before leaping into the air. 

“—Ara, ara.” 

While looking at Shidou’s back, Kurumi stroked her lips with her fingers. 

“You’ve really become very capable, Shidou-san.” 

Kurumi chuckled before letting out a soft sigh. 

“……Anyway, it’s been taken away beautifully. But the remaining about of reiryoku should be enough for a dress.” 

The words said earlier continued to ruminate in her mind. —The conditions for sealing a Spirit’s reiryoku. Open that Spirit’s heart and then a kiss. 

Then, since Kurumi’s reiryoku had been beautifully sealed— 

“—Truly, I am also a troubled person.” 

Kurumi loosened her face, assuming her Limited Astral Dress just like the other Spirits as she reentered the battle. 

“—” 

—His body was brimming with strength. 

Kurumi’s Sephira Crystal and Nia’s Sephira Crystal. Together with the Sephira Crystals of everyone else sealed so far, all ten powers had been absorbed into Shidou’s body; a feeling close to omnipotence was felt. 

His body felt light. There was no pain. His fatigue dispersed as vitality enriched his entire body up to his fingertips. 

A supernatural reiryoku that was clearly different from the past. 

In this manner—it will work. 

“<Raphael>!” 

Shidou clenched his fist; his entire body was coated by the wind as he dove into the sky. 

The movements of the “roots” and “branches” that he could hardly avoid before now seemed so slow as if time had stopped. He easily avoided the approaching attacks as he moved closer to Mio. 

No—it may have not been because Shidou had obtained all of the Sephira Crystals. 

When dodging the “roots” and “branches” that grew like thorns, Shidou caught a strange sight at the edge of his vision. 

The statues of the girls at the trunk of <Ain Soph> and the center of <Ain Soph Aur>. 

There was a subtle difference that he wouldn’t have noticed without his newfound super senses. 

It looked as if the statue of those two girls were looking into his eyes, sadly smiling. 

As if—requesting him to take care of Mio. 

“—Leave it to me.” 

As Shidou muttered to himself, he kicked off against sky, reaching Mio’s location in the blink of an eye. 

“—! Shin!” 

Mio widened her eyes in surprise. 

Without saying anything, Shidou embraced her— 

“Un—” 

“—” 

Pressing his lips against her lips