Chapter 16 - Battle After Battle 1

That day was September 22nd, nearly ten days after we had discussed the upcoming mission. Tenguu Square was bustling with activity, as people joyfully participated in the Tenou Festival. The air was filled with laughter and the lively sound of music. Lanterns were hung along the streets, their shimmering lights illuminating the area and creating a vibrant atmosphere in anticipation of tomorrow's event.

I stood on the sidelines, observing the crowd as they moved back and forth. Food stalls and game booths lined the square, offering moments of joy and relaxation to the throngs of people. The calls from vendors, the hurried footsteps of those eager to join in the festivities—all of it blended together into a lively symphony of life.

But in my mind, the festivity couldn't mask the looming danger that awaited us. Behind this merriment lay the mission to eliminate and the imminent threats that I was compelled to stop before they could harm innocent civilians.

I pulled out my phone, my fingers gliding swiftly across the screen. There was someone I needed to contact immediately, someone who would certainly act upon hearing that Shido was in danger. Only she could cause enough chaos, enough of a distraction for me to execute my plan. At first, I didn't want her involved, but on second thought, this was like killing two birds with one stone.

As the call started to ring, the other end picked up almost instantly.

"Ah, Origami, is that you? There's something I need to discuss with you right now."

"What is it?"

"September 23rd, 15:00. The AST combat unit will launch an operation at Tenguu Square. The targets will be Yatogami Tohka, a girl suspected of being the , and a second-year student from Raizen High School, Itsuka Shido."

The moment I uttered his name, she seemed to gasp. Before I could say anything further, she sharply questioned me.

"What does this mean? I understand if it's just Yatogami Tohka, but why Shido as well—"

"Alright, Origami. Calm down for a moment."

"Listen, the operation is set for tomorrow, and I've prepared something for you to participate."

"In the second hangar, you'll find what you need. This is as far as I can assist, the rest is up to you."

The call ended in a tense silence, and I took a deep breath. The plan was now in motion, and Origami would not miss this opportunity. She would act without hesitation. Everything was meticulously arranged, and all I needed to do was wait for the right moment to carry out my part.

"Starting tomorrow, everything will change," I murmured, my cold gaze fixed on the horizon.

◊

"Alright, is everyone ready? Make sure your Territory is functioning properly before the operation begins!"

"Yes!" The response rang out in unison, filled with determination and readiness.

"Remember, the targets are not just Yatogami Tohka but also Itsuka Shido! We won't let anyone escape. The moment you spot them, activate the system and use whatever means necessary to apprehend the targets," Jessica's voice commanded over the comms.

After confirming that everyone understood the mission, Jessica turned back to the control panel, double-checking the equipment and parameters. Everything was ready, and with just one signal from her, the operation would officially commence.

"Now, prepare to move into position. We'll advance in ten minutes. Anyone not ready will be removed from the mission!"

"Yes!"

◊

The watch on my wrist read 14:55, just five minutes before the operation would begin. Jessica's team hovered in the air above Tenguu Square.

"Alright… It's time… Is everyone ready?"

"Ready!"

Hearing the unified voices of her subordinates, she nodded in satisfaction.

At this moment, the operation was being deployed. Jessica led a combat team of 15 members from the 3rd squad and 20 units, forming their own detachment.

I glanced over at Jessica and her squad, all of them equipped with the most advanced gear from D.E.M Industries. The difference between their equipment and ours at AST was like night and day. With such armaments, leveling this entire square would be as easy as flipping a hand. This only strengthened my resolve to stop this mission, to prevent any unnecessary casualties.

Jessica flashed a bright smile, her eyes scanning the eastern district of Tenguu Square that stretched before her.

"In a few minutes, Yatogami Tohka will be on the central stage," Jessica said coldly.

"First, we will destroy the stage's roof from our current position, then deploy the team to infiltrate and capture the target. However… we'll launch an initial assault so that the target won't have a chance to resist."

Hearing such an arrogant command, I wanted to rush forward and give her a good thrashing right then and there. To disregard human lives just to capture a spirit was utterly unacceptable.

Then, the alarm rang in everyone's earpieces. It was 15:00. The time to act had arrived.

"-----Well then, it's time. Adeptus 4 to 12, move to designated positions. Prepare to attack on command. Watano, you're with me."

"Huh?"

"Jessica Bayley will show you how we at D.E.M. operate."

" units are in position, ma'am."

"Good. Let the party begin."

As Jessica spoke, she raised her laser gun, , and aimed straight at the central stage of the square.

"What the—?!"

Just as she was about to pull the trigger, a sudden flash of light streaked across the sky. The alarm blared in our ears, signaling an incoming heat signature rapidly approaching. Jessica instinctively rolled to dodge.

The spot where she had stood was swept by a powerful surge of energy, the units behind her were blown away in an instant, despite the sturdy Territory protecting them.

Faced with this overwhelming power, none of us could stop the cold sweat from trickling down. The tension soared as each member of the team felt the looming threat drawing nearer.

"Who is that?"

"A spirit? No? It's emitting a mana signature!"

A blurry figure began to emerge from the gap between the clouds spreading before us.

"This is…"

"No way… Don't tell me… ?!" she gasped in disbelief.

From a distance, the massive object looked like a battleship, but it wasn't just an ordinary warship. It appeared as a flying fortress, a colossal metal behemoth hovering in the sky, carrying death and destruction. Two enormous cannons were mounted on either side, ready to fire at any moment, radiating an unimaginable destructive force.

But what was even more terrifying was the enormous laser sword at the front. The light it emitted was brilliant, unlike any weapon ever seen by the naked eye. The sword could vaporize before touching its target, leaving only a blinding streak of light before turning everything it sliced into ashes. And behind the flying fortress was an entire arsenal of primitive and brutal weaponry, from missiles and nuclear bombs to a multitude of automatic machine guns, all ready to unleash devastating firepower.

And the only person capable of piloting such a monstrosity was none other than Sergeant Origami.

"So you've finally arrived," I thought to myself.

"HOW… CAN YOU USE ?!" Jessica screamed in shock.

"...….."

Origami didn't respond but simply tilted her chin upward. At that moment, the two massive cannons on either side aimed directly at Jessica.

"Change targets! Prepare to retaliate!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Jessica quickly aimed her gun at Origami, ready to fire. But before she could pull the trigger, a blinding beam of light sliced through the air. Origami, with a swift motion, unleashed a colossal light sword, hurling it straight at Jessica's laser cannon.

However, instead of an explosion, Jessica's right hand was suddenly bound by a mysterious light, locking her arm in place as if by invisible chains, completely halting her actions. Her eyes widened in fury as she felt the invisible force tightening around her arm.

"Damn this thing!" Jessica hissed, trying to wrench her arm free from the light binding her.

But before she could react, Origami calmly activated her Territory. A vast light field erupted, enveloping the entire area. All the D.E.M. members, including the units, were caught within its influence, unable to move, unable to resist. The entire surrounding space seemed to have become a locked battlefield under Origami's control. Fortunately, our AST team had wisely stayed behind Jessica's group.

Jessica felt a crushing pressure weighing down on her, making every breath a struggle. She gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with hatred as she glared at Origami. "What are you all waiting for! Shoot it down! Now!" she shouted, her voice tinged with anger and panic.

But Jessica didn't realize that everything had already been calculated by Origami. The D.E.M. members quickly surrounded her, unleashing their full firepower on the sole target. Lasers and cannon fire lit up the sky like deadly stars, all converging on Origami.

"Cease fire!" she ordered after 120 seconds of continuous bombardment, believing the enemy had been destroyed under their merciless barrage. Her subordinates and the units ceased their attack, staring at the thick white smoke covering the area.

But Jessica immediately realized her fatal mistake. As the white smoke gradually dissipated like a whirlwind, the massive arsenal on Origami's back came to life. All the missiles launched simultaneously, heading towards their targets with merciless precision, leaving no room for escape.

"Damn it! GET OUT OF THE WAY!!" Jessica screamed, her voice cracking with panic. She tried to warn her subordinates, but it was too late. Each missile from Origami had locked onto its target, giving the D.E.M. wizards no chance to flee. A series of explosions illuminated the sky, tearing through the air and engulfing everything in flames and smoke.

"The team... Retrea—" The radio crackled amid the chaos, Jessica's teammates' desperate cries echoing before fading into silence. The energy cannons continued firing, beams of light ripping through the space, eradicating the units as if they had never existed. Deafening explosions reverberated across the battlefield, the brilliant yet deadly light illuminating the sky.

"Just as I expected, Origami, you did well... But it's almost time, isn't it?" I muttered with a faint smile, admiring the spectacular scene before me. The destruction testified to Origami's overwhelming power, only making me more satisfied with my plan.

"-----Emergency, Watano, hurry and assist me!" Jessica's voice echoed again, this time tinged with desperation.

"Ah, we're having some trouble on our end too, so it's inconvenient to assist right now," I replied calmly, my tone cold, indifferent to her fear. "But picking up your body and your subordinates' bodies is possible."

"You bastard, how dare y—" Jessica didn't get to finish her curse because I promptly cut the connection, not giving her a chance to continue.

A cold silence hung in the air for a moment before I turned to my team. "Alright, everyone, listen up! Jessica and her subordinates have been defeated, so there's no need for us to take any risks. Go assist and retreat to base immediately!"

"Yes, sir!" The AST members responded in unison, and I knew they would act swiftly, without hesitation. Everything was unfolding exactly as I anticipated. At that moment, I smirked inwardly. This was only the beginning of the larger battle to come.

When we arrived at Jessica and Origami's location, the sight before me was astonishing. Both were still engaged in combat, despite the prolonged battle. However, the advantage was slowly shifting towards Jessica. Origami, who had dominated earlier, was now clearly struggling to keep up. The side effects of —a powerful yet dangerous piece of equipment—were taking a toll on her endurance. Sweat dripped down Origami's forehead, her breath quickened, and her hands trembled as she struggled to maintain focus.

In contrast, Jessica appeared confident, her lips curling into a triumphant smile. "Hahahahaha! No matter how agitated you get, it's still pathetic!"

Origami frowned, directing a sharp gaze at Jessica. Her Cr-unit had sustained significant damage. The laser blade had lost its functionality, and the massive cannons had been partially destroyed. Though she remained standing, the situation was becoming increasingly perilous.

A team member spoke up, concerned. "Watano, should we help Origami—"

"Everyone, stay in order, let her handle it!" I interrupted, my tone cold and decisive.

"But—"

"This is an order. Even if I'm not the leader of this mission, I'm still your captain."

After a moment of hesitation, the subordinate's voice responded, though faintly, with resignation. "U-Understood!"

I stood silently, my cold gaze fixed on the unfolding battle. A chilling calm enveloped me. Why should I intervene? Helping her would be not only unnecessary but also meaningless. I knew well—just like in the original story—she would be saved by Takamiya Mana, undoubtedly. Everything had already been predetermined, and if not, so what? If the script changed and Origami wasn't saved in time, wouldn't her elimination be inevitable anyway? No matter how things played out, I would always be the one to benefit in the end. I smirked—a calculated smile.

"I won't let you lay a hand on Shido!" Origami gritted her teeth, her entire body trembling under the immense pressure of maintaining such a large Territory.

Despite her severe injuries, Origami showed no sign of backing down. Pushing beyond all limits, she engaged the boosters at maximum capacity, propelling herself into the sky with unimaginable speed given the bulkiness of . Watching this, I couldn't help but be amazed by her determination. Origami was clearly exhausting her last reserves, preparing to unleash a final strike to annihilate Jessica's entire team.

At that moment, a dark figure, glowing with a bright green light, suddenly shot towards us from the distance at a terrifying speed. The light streaked across the sky like a bolt of lightning, leaving nothing behind but a sense of impending doom. Everything it touched was obliterated instantly—the once formidable units were reduced to mere scraps floating in the air, their original form completely lost.

"What... What the hell is this?"

"I don't know either, suddenly the just started exploding?"

As Jessica and her subordinates scrambled in confusion, the remaining units disintegrated, leaving only scattered debris in the sky.

And then, a familiar figure emerged amidst the wreckage. There was no mistaking it—Mana Takamiya had arrived, right at the most critical moment. Everything was still following the path I had calculated from the beginning. Origami had been saved, and everything continued to unfold as expected. I couldn't help but smile in satisfaction. My calculations were always accurate.

"Ma----?" Origami gasped, astonished to recognize her rescuer.

"Long time no see, Sergeant Tobiichi." Mana's voice rang out, brimming with confidence. But this time, she was no longer wearing the Cr-unit of D.E.M. Instead, she donned a new armor created by Ratatoskr.

"Oya Oya, isn't that Jessica and..."

I stood still, my cold gaze meeting hers. But there was something different in the way Mana looked at me this time... something I had never seen before. The innocence and carefree attitude were gone, replaced by caution, a deep, watchful gaze. Mana had changed—and she clearly knew I was no longer the person she once knew.

"Takamiya Mana…..?!"

"Why are you… Moreover, do you even know what you're doing?!"

"That's my line. It's been a while, but your methods seem to have become increasingly cheap, huh? And you even resort to ganging up on the weak now."

Suddenly, from the distance, a massive explosion echoed from Tenguu Square. I spun around, spotting a huge hole in the central stage's roof. Debris and dust swirled in the air. Immediately after, alarm sirens blared, accompanied by a warning of a strong Spirit wave. The alert signal was transmitted directly to us, making the atmosphere heavier than ever.

I glanced down at Tenguu Square, but despite enhancing my vision with Territory, I couldn't see anything due to the distance.

Origami and Mana also noticed the unusual occurrence, but it seemed Jessica and her subordinates wouldn't let them leave.

"It's about time I stepped in, isn't it?" I muttered, preparing for what was to come.

"AST team, listen up! Stay here and focus on Jessica's battle. I'll head to Tenguu Square myself!"

"No, Captain Watano! That's too dangerous! Let us accompany you!"

"Absolutely not! This is an order! Besides, the confined terrain isn't suitable for group coordination!"

"Don't worry, I'll be back soon."

"Understood!"

I nodded resolutely, then quickly turned and took off, heading straight for Tenguu Square. My eyes gleamed with a dark desire as I sped towards it. The wind howled past my ears as I flew at maximum speed. My heart raced, not with fear, but with sheer exhilaration. Part of me couldn't contain the thrill of the slaughter to come.

From above, I could see , or rather, Miku standing in the center of the square, emitting a radiant yet dangerous light. She had summoned the angel , an organ with a mystical beauty but concealed terrifying power. Her slender fingers danced across the keys, each note resonating like an irresistible command, controlling everyone below.

Yoshino, the Yamai sisters, and about a thousand spectators were all entranced by that eerie melody. They stood there, awaiting Miku's orders, completely under her control. The echoes from were not just music but invisible chains, binding their souls to her will.

Tohka, with all her strength, was trying to approach , but every attempt was thwarted. Yoshino and the Yamai sisters, her former allies, now stood with the enemy, their eyes vacant yet their actions resolute. They wouldn't let Tohka get any closer.

"Sandalphon! HAAAAAAAA!"

She tried to break through this defense, but each time she advanced, Yoshino and the Yamai sisters would combine their powers to block her, as if they were programmed to do so. Every time Tohka swung her sword at Miku, her attacks were repelled by their coordinated strength.

As soon as Tohka was forced back by the powerful gusts from the Yamai sisters, I seized the opportunity, accelerating to the maximum speed my CR-unit could handle. A surge of exhilaration flared within me as I saw the opening. This was the perfect moment to strike, with all their attention focused on Tohka.

"Die, ."

The Yamai sisters and Yoshino were caught off guard, unable to react to the blinding speed I had achieved. Everything happened in an instant, and just as my attack was about to reach Miku, she let out a scream.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaa------!!" Miku's scream echoed, amplified by her angel.

Pain shot through me as I crashed into a wall, the impact blurring everything around me. The force from Miku's sonic waves was overwhelming, not only blocking my attack but also sending me flying from my attack position. I scrambled to my feet, my eyes still blazing with fury as I locked onto her.

"Don't you dare lay a hand on our boss." A stern voice rang out—it was Kaguya.

"Warning: You shall not harm our elder sister," Yuzuru added, her tone cold yet sharp.

"I won't let you touch Onee-sama," Yoshino chimed in.

I gritted my teeth, my fists clenched so tightly that my knuckles cracked. I had to admit, the three of them were formidable, working together seamlessly, not to mention Miku backing them up.

Suddenly, a voice that was more familiar than any other broke through the chaos.

"What are you doing here, Watano?"

It was Shido, disguised as a girl, standing just a few steps away, looking at me with worried eyes.

"What do you think? I'm here to take 's life, and then yours."

"Shido, get back, be careful," Tohka suddenly stepped in front of Shido.

Shido took a step back, seemingly shocked by my cold declaration. But then he regained his composure and tried to reason with me.

"Watano, let me help you defeat Miku, but please don't hurt anyone else, okay?"

I couldn't help but laugh—a cold, derisive sound filled with contempt. Shido, help me? Just the thought of it was absurd.

"Help me? Since when have I ever needed your help, SHIDOOOO?" I roared in fury, feeling waves of energy surging from deep within. My eyes blazed with the crimson light of madness, and I could no longer contain it—I summoned my Demon King, the embodiment of absolute power and unstoppable destruction.

"COME FORTH, MY DEMON KING, 〖TYRANT LORD 〗!"

As I summoned the Demon King , a sense of power spread throughout my body, and immediately, dark armor began to materialize around me, like living metal twisting and coiling from the void. The armor slowly formed, layer by layer, each piece sharp as a blade, exuding a strange darkness with specks of red like dried blood. The final piece, a dark mask, enveloped my head, leaving only my eyes, which burned with the red flames of hatred.

From the air, a storm of dark spirit energy erupted, carrying with it suffocating heat. Purple light swirled like sharp blades, tearing through space. The form of the Demon King began to emerge from the void, towering and terrifying, covered in blood-red glows. Its contours were razor-sharp, and 's power radiated, compressing the air to the point where everything seemed to freeze for a moment.

Shido reflexively stepped back, his eyes filled with confusion and fear. I could see the turmoil within him—the desire to salvage the situation, yet powerless before my overwhelming determination. He didn't understand and could never understand. I was so close to my goal.

"Tohka, be careful!" Shido shouted, his voice thick with worry.

Tohka stood in front of Shido, her eyes filled with righteous anger and vigilance, but I merely sneered. It was all meaningless. No one could stop me now. Not Shido, not Tohka, and certainly not this insignificant .

I paused for a moment, turning to Miku with an unhidden murderous intent. Every note emanating from the angel only disgusted me further. This weakling dared to stand before me, using those worthless sounds to resist? Rage surged within me, and each word I spoke was like a sharp blade:

"Do you think those pathetic melodies can stop me, Izayoi Miku? All you have is empty, useless music!"

I gritted my teeth, my eyes burning with hatred. "You look pitiful, Miku! You're just a mute doll who happened to gain that disgusting power from !"

"Huh?" Miku's eyes widened in confusion. "How do you know about that?"

"What does that mean, Watano?" Shido asked, still in the dark about what I was referring to.

But I didn't bother acknowledging their bewilderment.

"Why should I answer you!"

As I charged, the air around me seemed to shatter under the overwhelming force of the Demon King . Each step I took in the sky caused the space to scream, creating powerful shockwaves that radiated in all directions. The terrifying pressure from my power made the sky twist and distort.

In an instant, I closed the distance to Miku with unimaginable speed. Up close, her violet eyes revealed her panic despite her attempts to maintain a proud facade. The angel in Miku's hands trembled violently, emitting melodies as if trying to erect a barrier of sound to block me.

"Don't think you can beat me that easily!!!" Miku shouted, her eyes filled with determination.

", 〖Rondo〗!"

Immediately, waves of sound curled around me like inescapable streams of energy, tightening around my body. Miku's music was no longer empty tunes—it had become waves of sound with real power. They were trapping me, creating an invisible but incredibly strong force. Every time I tried to take another step, the sound waves tightened even more, as if they were trying to crush me from within.

While I was being restrained by Miku's invisible sound waves, unable to advance further, I suddenly felt another energy source approaching. Before I could react, a fierce tornado suddenly hit me from behind—it was the Yamai sisters, Kaguya and Yuzuru, launching an attack.

"You can't escape, Watano," Kaguya said, her voice full of challenge as her wind arrows continued to shoot forward.

Yuzuru followed up, short but sharp, "Continued resistance... is futile."

Yoshino stood at a distance, her blue eyes filled with worry but still determined. "We won't let you harm Onee-sama!"

"THIS WON'T STOP ME, YOU DAMN BRATS!!!"

A deep roar erupted from within me, not a scream of pain, but the sound of an uncontrollable rage. The spirit energy within me exploded like a tempest, sweeping away everything in its path. My fingers tightened as if I wanted to crush the very fabric of reality. The melodic sound waves from that were suffocating my body suddenly trembled violently, the layers of sound shattering under the immense pressure from within.

In a split second, the restraints vanished into nothingness. I immediately turned, my eyes ablaze, towards the Yamai sisters. I swung with all my might, the blade slicing through the air, creating a deadly vortex. The sword spun furiously, destroying the wind arrows coming at me, turning them into meaningless fragments, and then shot straight at the Yamai sisters like an unstoppable blade.

Both of them reacted instantly, Yuzuru and Kaguya, with their sharp reflexes, rushed forward, trying to create a powerful gust to push back my attack. But it was all in vain. pierced through the gust, breaking through every defense they tried to erect, forcing them to use all their strength to dodge.

But at that moment, Yoshino, from afar, suddenly stepped forward. She summoned a fierce blizzard from , making the air so cold it froze everything around it. I felt the biting cold gradually paralyzing my body, but could this alone defeat me?

The spirit energy within me surged once more, the surrounding space shaking violently as I decided to end it all. I gathered all my strength into my legs and charged at Yoshino with terrifying speed.

Yoshino, realizing my overwhelming power, immediately erected a thick ice wall from , trying to create a final barrier. But I didn't slow down. I focused all my power into my fist, spirit energy burning through every muscle.

"Weak!"

The ice wall in front of me shattered under the immense pressure as my fist pierced through it. A deafening crash echoed as the ice wall crumbled into thousands of shards, swept away by the overwhelming force of my power.

My fist connected with Yoshino with unimaginable strength, sending her crashing down onto the square's floor. The ground trembled as her body struck with force, creating a deep crater in the stone. The last fragments of ice dissipated, leaving nothing to stand in the way of my overwhelming power.

After knocking Yoshino to the ground, I stood tall, my gaze fixed on Miku. With a swift motion, I raised my right hand, summoning back like a boomerang. The sharp sword spun through the air, cutting through the wind with a terrifying speed, and flew straight towards me.

I grasped tightly as it returned to my hand, feeling the explosive power coursing through the familiar blade. Wasting no time, I focused all my spiritual energy, readying myself for the finishing blow.

"PAVERSCHELEV!"

The entire space seemed to freeze for a moment as a throne materialized from the void and disintegrated into fragments, merging with the Demon King .

A whirlwind of energy erupted from the swing of the massive sword , spiraling like a tornado of power, tearing through the fabric of space along its path.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaa!"

Miku, eyes wide with fear, screamed, hastily erecting a sound barrier from , but it was too late. pierced through the defense, sending Miku flying back with immense force, crashing hard against the stone floor of the square.

The ground shook violently as my attack struck, creating deep cracks in the earth. Miku lay there, motionless, completely subdued by my absolute power. And as I prepared to deliver the final blow, Shido stepped in front of Miku.

I sneered at Shido's act of protection, my lips curling into a cruel smile as I saw him standing in front of Miku. His recklessness wasn't worth my concern.

Miku, on the other hand, was utterly shocked by Shido's appearance. Her eyes widened, unable to comprehend why he would dare to shield her from my blade.

"Fine, I'll kill both of you! DIE ALREADY!"

I roared, spiritual energy bursting from , creating a wave of death surging toward Shido and Miku. However, Shido stood firm, his eyes shining with determination, his voice resolute, "I won't let you harm her, Watano!"

"SANDALPHON!"

In an instant, he raised his right hand, and a brilliant light erupted. From it, a holy sword appeared, radiating a divine aura in stark contrast to the dense darkness surrounding the Demon King .

"HAAAAAAAA!"

Two opposing spiritual energies, one dark from and one pure from , clashed with incredible speed. When they collided, the surrounding space seemed to quake, a brilliant explosion of energy tearing through the sky, causing everything to shake violently.

But how could Shido possibly defeat me now?

The power of my strike kept increasing, pushing back the pure light of . Gradually, the wave of energy from began to overwhelm, claiming every inch of space between us.

Shido gritted his teeth, trying to pour all his strength into his sword, but the relentless waves of my attack gradually consumed his light. The pressure kept building, forcing Shido back, step by step, into despair.

My spiritual energy surged like a tidal wave, overpowering all resistance. Finally, the light from was crushed, and the dark wave surged forward, slicing through Shido.

He screamed in agony, his body flung far away by the immense power. The slash from not only cut through his flesh but also shattered his confidence. He fell, his strength utterly overwhelmed, and Miku could only watch in horror, powerless to do anything more.

"SHIDOOOOOOOOO!!!" Tohka screamed in horror.

"This ends here!"

I stepped toward them, each slow stride savoring the satisfaction of seeing my opponents crushed. Shido lay there, a pool of crimson blood spreading around his body. The flames from the angel flickered weakly, desperately trying to sustain Shido's fragile life.

Each step I took echoed clearly, like a countdown to the final moment. Miku, now a trembling shadow, tried to rise but failed. She looked at me, her eyes full of terror and helplessness, but I didn't care. All I saw now was the end I had always awaited.

As I approached Shido, the flames of began to fade, its light as weak as a dying breath. I looked down at him, my eyes full of contempt.

"You've lost, Shido," I said, my voice cold, ringing out like a death knell. "And now, it's time to end this."

I raised high, the light from the Demon King's sword reflecting in Shido's eyes. Tohka screamed in desperation, trying to rush toward him, but her strength had long since left her.

"What a grand scene, ."

A cold voice sounded from behind. I turned and saw Ellen Mathers appearing in a silver CR-unit, flying in through the square's breach.

"Bayley and the others from AST seem to have failed, though it's hardly surprising." She spoke in a casual tone.

I didn't respond, simply gripping tightly, my eyes never leaving Ellen. She approached me slowly, confident, as if everything was under her control.

"But more importantly, I've heard of you since the Arubi Island incident. I was really quite surprised to see a Spirit exterminating other Spirits." Ellen paused, her eyes probing into mine, as if trying to uncover every hidden secret.

"So, what do you think about joining us at D.E.M.?" She asked, her voice carrying a subtle temptation. "With your power and our support, there's nothing we can't achieve."

Hearing such nonsense, a cold smile spread across my face. Ellen Mathers—the world's strongest wizard—was inviting me, a Spirit, to join their ranks? Did she really not know my true identity, or was she simply trying to exploit me?

"I don't need your help," I replied, my voice full of scorn. "More precisely… I'll destroy all of you, D.E.M., and Ratatoskr as well."

"Is that so?"

"Well, in that case, we'll have to make you our target for this mission."

As soon as her words ended, the light from Ellen's CR-unit flared up, filling the surrounding space with brilliant golden rays. I could feel the immense magical power emanating from her, but it didn't faze me. My grip on tightened, the hatred and determination surging within me stronger than ever.

"Let's see what the world's strongest wizard is made of," I said, my voice free of hesitation or fear.

Ellen smiled, her cold gaze locking onto the crimson glow of my sword.

"You'll regret your refusal, ."

The light from began to change, from a bright crimson to a black as dark as the void, as if the sword was absorbing all the light around it.

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, focusing all my spirit on the upcoming strike.

"Take this, Ellen!"

I swung forward, and a pitch-black vortex exploded from the blade, swirling with dust and debris, creating a powerful vortex of energy that hurtled toward Ellen.

However, Ellen didn't flinch. With remarkable calm, she drew a large laser sword from her back, a golden light flashing as she raised her sword.

"Caledfwlch!"

Ellen shouted, and her sword emitted a powerful surge of energy, meeting my attack head-on.

The two forces collided, creating a resounding explosion. Ellen held her sword firmly, easily deflecting the black vortex, dispersing it into sparkling particles that drifted through the air.

"Impressive…" Ellen smiled, her eyes never leaving me. "But it's not like it was on Arubi Island, is it?"

"Don't get too cocky, Ellen," I replied coldly. "This battle is far from over."

Ellen's words echoed in my mind, like a truth I didn't want to admit. Perhaps she was right—I had used nearly all my strength in the previous two attacks against Miku and Shido. My body began to rebel, every muscle feeling as if it were burning, fatigue overwhelming me. Although I had been able to use this power more times than before, it seemed my limit had been reached.

Just as I was locked in a standoff with Ellen, a shrill sound came from behind. Tohka, her eyes burning with fierce light, charged in like a raging storm. Each of her strikes was not only powerful but carried an unusual brutality, completely different from the usual Tohka. Her sword emitted a dark purple light, as if it was imbued with a dangerous inverse energy.

"How dare you—How dare you—HOW DARE YOU!!!"

"Get out of my way, you bitch!"

Tohka didn't respond. She was completely engulfed by an invisible rage, attacking relentlessly. Her sword strikes slashed through the air with terrifying speed, without hesitation. The chaos in her eyes, the loss of control... it was unmistakable—Tohka was on the brink of inversion.

I could feel the weight of her every attack pressing down on me. Tohka charged at me with unstoppable force, while Ellen, from behind, continued to press on with sharp strikes from . Each time I tried to block or dodge, a sharp pain shot through my body. My mana was draining, and my body trembled uncontrollably, betraying my fierce resolve. My attacks were no longer as swift and precise as before—I was weakening.

"Damn it…" I gritted my teeth, blocking one of Tohka's strikes while swiftly dodging Ellen's slash. I knew that if this continued, I would be crushed. The onslaught from both sides was pushing me into a position where I could no longer defend effectively.

One of Ellen's sword strikes grazed past my shoulder, tearing through a part of my armor. Blood gushed out, and the pain only made the harsh reality clearer—I couldn't continue this battle. The hatred within me surged, but it couldn't compensate for the exhaustion of my body.

I had to make a decision, and quickly. I could die here, or survive to accomplish my ultimate goal.

"Damn it all!" I roared in fury, but I knew I had no other choice. I stomped the ground hard, using the last of my mana to propel myself backward, creating distance from both Tohka and Ellen.

"This isn't over. Next time, I'll be stronger—strong enough to destroy all of you in one blow," I muttered, like a curse aimed at both enemies before me.

With a powerful backward leap, I summoned the last of my mana to open an escape route. The dark shadow of the Demon King enveloped my body, and before Ellen or Tohka could react, I vanished into the void, retreating from the battle before my will and body were completely crushed by the Demon King's power.

I teleported to a location not far from the battlefield. The ground beneath me crumbled as I collapsed, breathing heavily, every beat of my heart a reminder of the deep wounds still bleeding. I fell to one knee, clutching my shoulder tightly, blood seeping through my fingers, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the seething hatred gnawing at my mind.

"They… are stronger than I thought…" I panted, my eyes staring into the distance where the battle had just taken place. "But it's fine… everything is still within my calculations…"

Immediately, I activated my communication device and sent an urgent signal to the AST headquarters. My voice was strained but unwavering in resolve.

"This is Captain Watano. I engaged the target but failed. Requesting immediate reinforcements, severely injured. Priority: escort back to base."

The other side was silent for a few seconds before a calm officer's voice responded, "Signal received, reinforcements are on the way. Hold your position."

I bowed my head, feeling the cold night air seeping into my skin. The sharp pains from each wound flared up, but I wouldn't allow myself to weaken. This defeat was only temporary; I would recover, I would become stronger. Next time, they wouldn't stand a chance.

In the darkness, the sound of approaching helicopters grew louder. I closed my eyes, feeling the wind whip around me, waiting for the reinforcements to arrive. This battle wasn't over, and I was ready for the next round, the next battle against the true wielder of the Demon King .