After subduing Natsumi, Ellen and Origami's bodies reverted to their original forms in a flash of light.
"Oh my, back to normal."
Ellen rolled her wrists, seemingly to check her physical condition. At the sa ti, dozens of Wizards landed beside her.
"We are very sorry, Lady Ellen..."
"We couldn't keep up with your and Origami-san's speed..."
Hearing her subordinates' apologies, Ellen sighed, sounding slightly exasperated.
These Wizards had set off with Ellen to pursue Natsumi the mont she was discovered. However, halfway through, everyone except the newcor Tobiichi Origami couldn't match Natsumi's speed and was left far behind.
Of course, as DEM Wizards, they were still stronger than average. But against beings on the level of Spirits, they weren't yet at the level where they could even act as support.
"Well, I'll overlook it this ti. I'll adjust your training regin when we get back. Be prepared."
"Y-Yes, Ma'am!"
Looking at her panicked subordinates, Ellen waved them off. Then, she looked at Tobiichi Origami, who hadn't said a word since earlier.
"So? How did it feel using Mordred for the first ti?"
"Very good."
Origami clenched her fists and nodded. Unlike the mass-produced CR-Units used by the AST, this unit's performance and equipnt were on par with a Spirit's. Furthermore, the strain on the user was much lower than the White Lycoris she had piloted before.
"Well, it is the sister unit to my Pendragon, after all. But you certainly have the skill to match this model. I'll give you a bit of praise, Tobiichi Origami."
A hint of a smile appeared on the corners of Ellen's mouth, her tone carrying a rare note of approval. Although there was still a gap between their abilities, Tobiichi Origami's aptitude as a Wizard was outstanding. Both her precision with the Territory and her proficiency in combat techniques were top-tier. It was enough to make up for the shortcoming in team combat caused by losing Mana and Jessica.
"Th-This newcor! She just joined and she's already acknowledged by Lady Ellen?!"
"Damn it, I thought with Takamiya Mana and Jessica gone, I'd be Lady Ellen's right hand."
"Then... the capture of Witch is complete. What's next?"
Origami remained unmoved by Ellen's praise and the envious looks from her new colleagues. She just glanced at Natsumi, who was still lying on the ground, and asked flatly.
"Well... how should we handle her?"
Ellen glanced at Natsumi. After taking Ellen's sword strike, the Spirit before them had clearly lost the ability to fight. Although her abilities were no less troubleso than Hacker's, hunting her down was much simpler.
(Is Hacker really special, just like Ike said?) Ellen mused to herself.
It was sowhat unsatisfying, but it wasn't a bad thing.
"Killing her directly and bringing back the Sephira Crystal is the easiest. But Ike said it's best to capture her alive. Just to be safe, though, let's cut off her limbs."
"...Understood."
Origami looked at Ellen. Although she said 'capture alive', her tone made it clear that she didn't care if the target was tortured to the point of ntal collapse from having her limbs severed, or if she died from blood loss on the way back.
It was as casual as deciding the fate of a stray animal.
Hearing this, the color completely drained from Natsumi's already weakened face.
"N-No... please... save... ... so... scared..."
Looking at Ellen's raised sword, Natsumi whimpered, her words slurring from fear.
"Do you want to live... for you right now, that's just a choice that brings more pain. Or do you think soone will co save you at a ti like this?"
Ellen's words left Natsumi speechless for a mont.
Soone coming to save her? How could such a person exist? Ever since Natsumi arrived in this world, the only people she had t were those who ignored her existence, or Wizards who chased her day and night to kill her.
(No... there's also them...)
For a split second, the image of Itsuka Shido and the others flashed through her mind. But Natsumi quickly rejected this foolish thought with a self-deprecating smile. Natsumi knew best just how horribly she had treated Shido and the others. Even if they saw her in this situation, it would be a miracle if they didn't take the chance to stab her themselves.
(That's true... anyone who would step up to save soone like must have a screw loose.)
At a ti like this, realizing this fact herself rather than hearing it from soone else made Natsumi want to cry even more than the physical pain.
The blade traced a rciless arc, swinging straight down without a shred of pity. Imagining the pain she was about to endure, Natsumi closed her eyes and gritted her teeth.
Clang—!
Just then, an orange beam of light shot out, accurately targeting the longsword in Ellen's hand and deflecting it.
"!?"
Seeing the familiar light of the railgun, Origami and Ellen's pupils shrank instantly, imdiately realizing what was happening.
This wasn't entirely unexpected. Ellen never thought Ratatoskr and Hacker in Tengu City would just sit by and watch after she made such an obvious move.
"Tobiichi Origami! I leave Witch to you."
"Understood."
Ellen imdiately rushed towards the direction the shot ca from, while Origami was tasked with retrieving Natsumi and bringing her back to DEM.
"Haaah!"
Suddenly, a giant sword glowing with light appeared out of thin air in front of Natsumi, swinging at Origami with trendous force.
"What?"
Because it was so sudden, Origami could only quickly lower her thrusters' power and hold her sword horizontally across her chest to block.
Fierce sparks flew as the blades clashed. Although the giant sword's power wasn't enough to injure Origami, it forced her to back away.
After steadying herself, Origami finally saw the person swinging the sword—a young girl about the sa height as the giant sword she held, wearing a faintly glowing Astral Dress.
"Yatogami Tohka!?"
Despite the huge difference from her usual appearance, Origami instantly recognized her.
"What are you doing here? Tobiichi Origami."
"None of your business! Don't get in my way!"
"I won't let you pass!"
Tohka shouted, constantly swinging Sandalphon to hold Origami back.
Seeing that she couldn't shake off Yatogami Tohka, Origami gritted her teeth slightly. The surrounding Wizards also recovered from their brief shock and, taking advantage of the clash between Origami and Tohka, moved in to grab Natsumi.
However, a courageous lody suddenly rang out from the direction of the city. The surrounding temperature plumted, and the moisture in the air began to freeze. Even frost and snow started gathering on the transparent barriers outside the Wizards' suits.
Before they knew it, a giant rabbit wreathed in freezing air appeared before the Wizards, staring at them with scarlet eyes.
"My, my~ A bunch of people bullying a little girl who can't even move, how despicable and shaless. Yoshinon will have to teach you bad kids a good lesson. Right? Yoshino!"
"Mhm... I won't let you... get near Natsumi-san!"
Yoshino nodded and said softly but firmly.
What's going on? Are they helping ?
As if unable to understand the current situation, Natsumi's face was filled with blank confusion.
"Natsumi, are you okay?"
"...Itsuka... Shido?"
In Natsumi's vision, Itsuka Shido appeared behind her like a mirage in the desert, crouching beside her without warning.
—Why... are you here?
She didn't voice that last sentence. Due to severe blood loss, Natsumi didn't even have the strength to speak.
"Hold on, I'll treat you right away. Ratziel!"
[Received. Partial Manifestation—Camael]
Then, under Natsumi's shocked gaze, a white fla of healing flared up from the palm of Shido's right hand.
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