Even though Natsumi, having escaped, clearly had no reason to stay here, holding onto the thought that she might suddenly change her mind, Yutsuki remained in the underground facility to search for her.
Command room, resting room, data room, dical area, supply room... After searching all kinds of rooms, Yutsuki finally returned to the room originally assigned to Natsumi.
"Hey, Natsumi, are you there? Co out if you hear , I'm not angry anymore."
Yutsuki called out to the empty room, talking to herself.
"..."
"As I thought, she's not here..."
Looking at the room with no response, Yutsuki grabbed her long hair and sighed helplessly.
After the news of Natsumi's escape spread, Kotori ordered an identity check on all staff. So far, there had been no reports of Natsumi being confird to have disguised herself as soone else.
Yutsuki didn't find this strange. The scope of Natsumi's transformations wasn't limited to living things; she could even disguise herself as a plushie like Yoshinon. Turning into an everyday object to hide wasn't impossible for her.
As for what object she turned into, that was entirely up to Natsumi. Not even Yutsuki could guess her thoughts.
"Well, even if I guessed it, it would be aningless..."
Yutsuki shook her head with a bitter smile. After all, she had already decided that if Natsumi was truly determined to leave, she wouldn't stop her.
Just as Natsumi had guessed, Yutsuki intentionally left her side today and didn't find a replacent to monitor her, all so Natsumi could make her own choice.
At the sa ti, this was also Yutsuki's way of giving Shido a little help in conquering Natsumi.
Actually, Yutsuki had sowhat anticipated that Natsumi would disguise herself as soone else to test the truth of her words from yesterday.
After all, even if Natsumi accepted Yutsuki, Yutsuki's individual actions couldn't represent the intentions of everyone else, including Shido.
So, Yutsuki gave Natsumi a chance to use her own thods to understand and confirm everyone's true thoughts.
If what Kotori and Shido tried so hard to convey to Natsumi was goodwill, what Yutsuki showed Natsumi was respect.
"In the end, did you still choose to leave... Natsumi..."
Yutsuki's tone sounded a bit disappointed. Although she had considered the possibility that Natsumi would still leave after interacting with Shido and the others, as a gaming buddy who had stayed up all night playing gas with her for several days, it was impossible for Yutsuki not to feel reluctance and regret.
Beep beep—
The phone in her pocket vibrated slightly. Yutsuki took a deep breath to calm herself and answered it. The electronic Spirit—Arusu Marina—appeared on the screen.
[Yutsuki, I have so terrible news to report.]
"What news?"
Seeing Marina's serious expression, Yutsuki frowned slightly, a bad premonition surfacing in her heart.
[I just accidentally intercepted so strange signals from DEM. Judging from the decrypted command contents... they seem to be preparing to drop two artificial satellites equipped with explosive formulas onto Tengu City, aiming to level it to the ground.]
"Wha—!"
Hearing this news, even though Yutsuki was sowhat ntally prepared, she couldn't help but gasp.
_____________________________
"Natsumi..."
anwhile, on the streets of Tengu City, Shido was also worrying about Natsumi.
Shido was walking towards his house. Since Natsumi was no longer there, he naturally had no reason to stay at the underground facility, so he brought the change of clothes he had prepared back ho.
However, in reality, although Kotori and the others had turned the underground facility upside down without finding any trace of Natsumi, Shido vaguely felt that she hadn't run far.
Back then, when Natsumi disguised herself as Kotori and talked to him, the joyful smile she showed at the end didn't look like a fake smile just to hide her identity.
No one here would badmouth Natsumi, and no one would bully her. What Shido wanted to convey to Natsumi had definitely reached her.
"Hm?"
Inserting the key into the keyhole, Shido surprisingly found that the front door of his house wasn't locked.
"What's going on..."
Shido frowned in confusion. He had definitely locked it when he left. Everyone should still be at the underground facility right now. Logically speaking, no one should have returned earlier than him.
Thinking with common sense, a normal person's first reaction would undoubtedly be that the house was burgled. But considering the various things that had happened over the past few days, two other possibilities surfaced in Shido's mind.
It's possible that Natsumi ca here. And the other possibility...
"Let's hope... I'm wrong."
With a mix of unease and nervousness, Shido gulped and entered his incredibly familiar ho. He took off his shoes and walked into the living room.
And then, he saw a girl there.
Ellen Mira Mathers.
I bet wrong!
Realizing he had stepped into a wolf's den, Shido didn't hesitate to step back and try to run.
However—
"Ugh—!"
Suddenly, the air around him felt like it had turned into an incredibly viscous swamp, completely sealing Shido's movents.
"Is there a need to run away from so desperately? Itsuka Shido, I think we can have a nice chat."
Using a powerful Territory to bind Itsuka Shido's movents, Ellen gently raised her right hand, and the phone in Shido's pocket flew out.
Crunch— With a strange sound, Shido's phone was crushed into pieces mid-air by an invisible giant hand.
Realizing his communication device had been destroyed by the enemy, Shido took a light breath to calm his violently racing heart and asked, feigning calmness.
"So, what is a world famous DEM employee planning to do by illegally breaking into the ho of an ordinary citizen like ? Just to destroy soone else's personal property?"
"My apologies for that." Ellen chuckled softly, offering a mock apology without showing any intention of letting Shido go. "But it would be very troubleso for if you contacted others from here. Actually, you don't need to be afraid. I don't plan to do anything here. I just intend to ask you a simple question."
"A question?"
"I'll get straight to the point—the Spirit and Ryougi Yutsuki you took away a few days ago. Where are they now?"
"Stop joking around, do you think I'd tell you that!"
Hearing Ellen's question, Shido angrily clenched his fists slightly. Facing the enemy who almost killed Natsumi and Yutsuki a few days ago, his eyes unabashedly revealed his hostility.
"Is that so? Well, I didn't expect you'd tell so easily anyway."
"...I see. Since that's the case, please leave imdiately. I still have to prepare dinner."
"You cook?"
"Is there a problem with that?"
"No, I think it's very nice."
Ellen clearly didn't take Shido's hostility seriously. She slowly strolled around the living room and kitchen before speaking.
"Although it's cramped, it's cleaned very well. I can imagine a happy family gathering here every night. Who is it? You—Itsuka Kotori, Yoshino, Yatogami Tohka, the Yamai sisters. Everyone enjoying your cooking together. A beautiful, picture perfect scene of happiness. Please make sure to protect it well."
"...What are you trying to say?"
Ellen's baffling words made Shido feel a trace of unease.
"Say, Itsuka Shido, do you know why you are able to gather around so peacefully?"
Because Ellen had her back to the window, Shido couldn't see her expression, but he could feel the malice radiating from her.
"That's because of Kotori and Ratatoskr's help..."
"Wrong." Ellen denied it without hesitation. "The reason it exists until now is entirely thanks to and Ike. Because we have always let you go, because we haven't killed you. That is why you can enjoy this montary peace."
Cold sweat broke out on Shido's forehead.
"Such nonsense..."
"It's not nonsense."
As if to prove this absurd, simple, and crude theory, Ellen increased the pressure of her Territory on Shido. As if carrying a thousand pound lead weight, Shido was forced to his knees, his expression twisting in pain.
Ellen took out a hilt without a blade.
Then, a sharp laser blade materialized from the front end of the hilt, stopping barely a milliter from Shido's neck.
"Let's make a deal. Itsuka Shido, in exchange for a few of your limbs, as well as the safety of Princess, Efreet, Hermit, Berserk, and Diva. Tell the location of Witch and Ryougi Yutsuki."
"Is this the attitude you take when making a deal with soone?"
Shido forced a smile, asking provocatively.
"A deal is just a nice way of putting it. You don't think you actually have a choice, do you?" Ellen chuckled and advised, "This is the biggest concession I can make. Trading a few for the many—this kind of math should be very simple for you."
"Unfortunately. I'm very greedy. Whether it's Natsumi or Yutsuki, if I lose even one family mber, I cannot accept it. Uwaaah—"
Under Ellen's further intensified Territory, Shido couldn't help but let out a scream of agony.
Ellen frowned slightly. From the mont Itsuka Shido saw her, his unhesitating retreat, and the way he kept his eyes on her while withdrawing... it was completely unlike the reaction of a normal high schooler. For a split second, Ellen felt a strange sense of danger from Itsuka Shido. This was also one of the reasons Ellen used force on him directly.
(Was it my imagination?)
...
Ellen is strong. Itsuka Shido clearly know this.
He didn't get cocky just because he felt he got stronger from a little training. On the contrary, after stepping into the battlefield Yutsuki and the others used to experience, Shido realized even more clearly just what a terrifying monster Ellen Mira Mathers was as a Wizard.
To think Yutsuki and everyone fought a monster like this...
Sweat rolled down his cheeks, and a faint salty taste spread in Shido's mouth.
However, there was still a chance.
Ellen wasn't wearing her CR-Unit; she was only using the Territory from the compact Realizer she carried with her to bind him. Clearly, the other party still only saw him as a "normal high schooler who simply gained Spirit power" and didn't view him as a threat.
[There are many factors that determine victory or defeat in a battle. But in my opinion, the most important thing isn't strength, but the amount of intel you hold.]
Silently repeating Yutsuki's teachings in his heart, Shido didn't resist. Instead, he purposely endured the pressure of Ellen's Territory, waiting for the mont her guard dropped.
"I will ask one last ti. Do you really not intend to tell the location of Witch and Ryougi Yutsuki?"
Saying that, Ellen moved the laser sword to the side of Shido's head, seemingly intending to slice off his ear.
Of course, Shido, who had his chest pierced by her before, knew very well that she wasn't joking.
Even if the healing flas could heal these wounds, the pain was absolutely impossible to ignore.
"...Perfect, my ear was feeling a bit itchy."
"Is that so."
Hearing Shido's answer, Ellen's expression didn't change. She replied flatly and gripped the handle of the laser sword tighter.
Clack—
Suddenly, sothing fell from Shido's pocket onto the floor.
"A lollipop?"
Due to the sudden noise, Ellen's attention was instantly drawn to it. The pressure from the Territory around Shido also dropped sharply for a split second.
Now! Shido seized this once in a lifeti opportunity without hesitation.
"Ratziel!"
With Shido's command, the dark blue gauntlet hidden up Shido's sleeve flashed with a faint glow.
[Received. Partial Manifestation—Gabriel!]
Silently, a silver organ pipe appeared out of thin air right next to Ellen's ear.
"Solo!"
"Rondo!"
The next mont, a deep, resonant hum echoed through the small living room.
...
[Shido, rember this. Although a large part of a Wizard controlling a Realizer relies on the wiring suit and various weapon assists, there's a much more important key factor.]
[What is that factor?]
[Here.]
In the virtual world, to accompany her explanation, Yutsuki pointed to her own head.
[The brain. All Wizards undergo a special process on their brains. Because of these modifications, they can use Realizers to generate magical energy and control Territories to bring the fantasies constructed in their minds into reality.]
[Turning imagination into reality... isn't that invincible?]
[Of course not. If it were truly invincible, we would've been wiped out by the AST a long ti ago.]
Shrugging disdainfully, Yutsuki said to Shido.
[This ability has limits. The brain's information processing capacity affects the precision of the Territory, which is the Wizard's strength. In other words, an excellent Wizard, even without relying on a wiring suit, as long as they maintain a high level of ntal concentration, can summon a Territory to fight using a compact Realizer. And at the sa ti, interfering with the Wizard's brain is the most effective way to damage a Wizard.]
...
"Not good—"
Completely not expecting Itsuka Shido to use a Spirit's power to launch a sneak attack, Ellen was caught off guard and took a direct hit from the sound wave.
Because he only partially manifested the Angel, the sound couldn't carry a charm effect like Miku's. Even so, the ear splitting volu hitting her semicircular canals and affecting her brain was like pressing her ear directly against a massive concert speaker. Intense dizziness made Ellen's footsteps unsteady, like a drunkard.
Just as Shido was about to make a run for it. Suddenly, sothing unexpected happened.
"So noisyyyyy—"
"Eh?"
Under Shido's dumbfounded gaze, the lollipop that had fallen to the floor let out a wail. Then, with a flash of light, the candy vanished, and appearing before him was the green-haired girl dressed as a witch, covering her ears—Natsumi.
"Witch... Itsuka... Shido..."
Ellen held her ears, shaking her head, and spoke with slurred speech.
It really had to be said, as expected of the strongest Wizard. Even though she took a direct hit from Gabriel's sound wave, Ellen recovered faster than Natsumi. In just a few seconds, she was already mostly lucid.
Once Ellen fully recovered, she would definitely don her CR-Unit without hesitation. When that happened, he and Natsumi would truly be dead.
Making this judgnt, Shido decisively took advantage of the fact that Ellen hadn't recovered yet, placed both hands on her shoulders, and pushed forward.
"Eh?"
Unexpectedly, perhaps because her center of gravity was already unstable... even though Shido didn't use much force, Ellen staggered backward several steps. As a result, she accidentally tripped over a chair next to the dining table, crashing to the floor along with the table and chair.
"Kyuuu... X﹏X"
A concerning, weird sound seed to co from behind, but Shido didn't dare stick around. He scooped up Natsumi, who hadn't recovered from the sonic attack yet, turned around, and ran as fast as his legs could carry him.
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