"Commander! The artificial satellite has started falling!"
"Is it here..."
In the Fraxinus airship, hearing her subordinate's report, Kotori, sitting in the command chair, showed a grim expression.
On the large screen in the center of the bridge, a red marker on the map was plumting straight towards the ground from space. This was clearly an abnormal state. Normally, when an artificial satellite falls, it gradually leaves orbit, circling the Earth while losing altitude due to gravity and atmospheric drag, eventually burning up entirely in the atmosphere.
Obviously, this was artificially caused.
"...An artificial satellite of this size, the impact it generates, plus DEM's top-tier explosive formulas, plus the amplification from the Territories of the Bandersnatch on its surface..."
Reine used the computer to do a quick calculation of the potential scale of the satellite's impact and summarized.
"Although I can't calculate the exact numbers, at the very least, it has the destructive power of a strategic nuclear bomb."
"—!"
Even though they were sowhat ntally prepared, hearing this news, most of the crew on the airship couldn't help but gasp simultaneously.
"And they prepared two of these things..."
Kotori felt the corner of her mouth twitching.
"They really think highly of us, don't they. Those lunatics at DEM."
According to Yutsuki, the one currently falling was acting as a decoy. DEM seed to know that Ratatoskr-located in Tengu City, wouldn't just sit and watch. They specifically prepared another satellite to drop while the first one distracted Kotori and the others.
[Kotori. Detecting a massive Territory reaction two kiloters away from our airship. Estimated to be a DEM airship.]
Just then, Maria's voice suddenly echoed in the airship. Imdiately after, on the monitor, they could see an airship even larger than the Fraxinus appearing in the high-altitude clouds in the distance. Putting aside its terrifying appearance, just showing up at this ti and place unabashedly displayed their hostility.
[From the equipped weapons, engine model, and hull structure... based on data comparison, this should be the DEM airship Heptaron.]
From the DEM data Yutsuki hacked back then, Maria quickly found the true identity of the enemy airship.
Kotori frowned slightly, muttering thoughtfully.
"I see. It seems the enemy wants to engage us in a dogfight to ensure the satellite falls successfully. True, even for Fraxinus, it would be difficult to divide our firepower to deal with an enemy airship while preparing to shoot down a satellite."
She had to admit, what DEM was doing was insane and baffling, but the plan itself was very thorough.
If they hadn't known beforehand, perhaps Kotori really would have been caught off guard.
"Commander, the falling speed of the artificial satellite is increasing rapidly."
"Don't panic, stick to the plan."
Hearing her subordinate's panicked report, Kotori slowly took a deep breath, cald down, and started issuing orders.
"Move to the projected interception point at full speed. Kannazuki, I'm leaving the command of the Fraxinus to you for now. —Use Gungnir."
"...Will you be okay, Kotori?"
Reine asked, sowhat worried.
"Now is not the ti to hold back." Kotori chuckled, shrugged, and said, "Don't worry. I'm not going to fire at full power. After all, I can't completely take away Shido's healing ability in this situation."
According to the data, the density of the Territory that enemy airship could produce was extrely high. If they used their Territory to protect the artificial satellite, it was hard to say if Mistilteinn could deal effective damage. Worse, during the airship's magic recharge window, they might be attacked by the enemy airship.
"That's how it is. Don't miss, Kannazuki."
Kotori bit down on her lollipop, showing a strong smile. In response, Kannazuki bowed slightly to Kotori respectfully.
"Please leave it to with peace of mind."
"Good."
Nodding in satisfaction, Kotori activated the authentication system on the command console, and was quickly transported to a special circular space with a radius of three ters.
"Spirit Dress of God's Authority, Number 5 Elohim Gibor."
As Kotori spoke, scorching flas danced around her, transforming into an Astral Dress resembling a celestial maiden's feathered robe.
"Camael—giddo!"
An exaggeratedly giant axe appeared in Kotori's hands, then transford into a cylindrical cannon.
Subsequently, a large docking chanism descended in front of Kotori.
Kotori connected her Angel to the Fraxinus and poured her Spirit power into it.
Spirit Power Cannon.
As the na suggests, it doesn't use magical energy. Instead, it uses a Realizer to convert and amplify a Spirit's power to fire a sure kill strike. The Fraxinus's strongest attack.
The residual Spirit power sparked like fireworks around her. Through the room's transparent screen, Kotori stared sharply at the sky and shouted.
"Now! Gungnir—"
"Fire!"
Kannazuki's voice rang through the speakers. Then, scorching, massive Spirit power surged from the Fraxinus's main cannon, forming a pillar of light far exceeding the scale of a laser or beam cannon.
Almost simultaneously, as if waiting for Kotori's move, the enemy airship deployed a Territory around the artificial satellite, attempting to alter the trajectory of the Spirit power cannon.
However, it was useless.
Like the Tower of Babel in ancient Babylon, the massive, dense pillar of Spirit power pierced the heavens, completely swallowing and obliterating the artificial satellite that had just passed through the atmosphere.
"Hah... Hah..."
Kotori fell to her knees on the floor. Large drops of sweat rolled down her forehead as she took repeated deep breaths.
Only after suppressing the destructive impulses constantly surging in her heart did Kotori undo her Angel and Astral Dress.
The sharp sound of alarms filled the airship again. Kotori knew very well that this was the reaction of the second artificial satellite Yutsuki had ntioned. It seed the enemy judged that her side couldn't continuously fire super-massive cannons, so they went ahead and dropped the second artificial satellite.
And they were right. If she forced herself to fire another Gungnir, putting aside the strain on the airship itself, Kotori didn't have the confidence that she could maintain her sanity.
Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Kotori ordered everyone.
"I'm heading back to the bridge imdiately. Everyone, starting now, commit all our combat power. Intercept the Heptaron!"
"Understood!"
I'm leaving the rest to you—Yutsuki-nee, Onii-chan!.
Kotori prayed silently.
______________________________
"It looks like Kotori succeeded on her end."
Looking up at the pillar of light reaching the sky, Yutsuki couldn't help but sigh in relief.
"Alright then, let's get started on our end too."
Turning around, behind her were Tohka, Yoshino, Yoshinon, Yuzuru, Kaguya, Miku, Shido, Natsumi... To summarize simply, it was Shido and his rry band of harem mbers, plus one yoshinon.
"Starting now, Operation My Shido Skyscraper. Short version: Shido's Drill is About to Pierce the Heavens. All units, prepare for combat—"
"..."
Hearing this operation na, Natsumi, who was feeling very tense, instantly felt she couldn't take this seriously anymore.
"Oh! I don't really get it, but I'll do my best."
"Mhm, mhm! I'll perfectly record Darling and Honey's cool performance with these eyes."
"Kuku. Skyscraper, huh... Rebelliing against the locked sky, like reversing fate, a blade of judgnt aid at the gods. Truly fitting of my compatriot!"(TL:is this a guren lagan ref?)
"Smile. Although I feel what Yutsuki ant is probably different from what Kaguya thinks. But Kaguya is cute, so I won't point it out."
"Yo, yo~ Go, go! Show the enemy Shido-kun's super—huge—drill!"
"Y-Yoshinon... saying things like that is rude..."
"I feel like this abbreviation is very problematic, both in how it's translated and its length itself."
Looking at everyone who seed completely unfazed by Yutsuki's naming, Natsumi couldn't help but retort, then looked speechlessly at Shido.
"Hey, aren't you going to explain yourself?"
"Haha... it's fine, I'm used to it."
Shido smiled bitterly, his face full of helplessness.
"It's here!"
Just as Natsumi was about to ask if these people lacked any sense of tension. Yutsuki's suddenly serious voice instantly turned the relaxed atmosphere heavy.
Natsumi followed Yutsuki's gaze towards the sky.
Although it was still very far away and looked very small, everyone could clearly feel that a massive black tal block was plumting towards them with ferocious montum. If it actually crashed into Tengu City, no one, not even the people hiding in the air raid shelters, would survive.
"Operation start."
With Yutsuki's command, everyone moved with perfect coordination.
"Gabriel—March!"
Countless orchestral pipes rose from the ground. Accompanied by the dancing of the keys of light under Miku's fingers, an uplifting lody rang out.
Natsumi was surprised to find that this song seed to possess mysterious power, adjusting both her mind and body to their optimal state.
"Perfect. I have truly received your blessing. Raphael—El Kanaph!"
"Assistance. Raphael—El Nahash."
"Zadkiel!"
"Alright! Yoshinon will do her best too!"
Imdiately after, the Yamai sisters and Yoshino deployed their Angels. The giant ice and snow rabbit, protected by Kaguya and Yuzuru's fierce winds, shot into the sky at incredible speed, rapidly approaching the artificial satellite.
"Stop right there!"
Using winds as resistance, and the frost turning into a do, the artificial satellite, which had been plumting at high speed, was brought to a halt about eight hundred ters in the air.
The satellite, originally falling at extre speed, instantly beca a stationary target.
"So, Shido, what you need to do next is exactly the sa as the practice in the virtual world. You're good, right?"
Yutsuki asked Shido, seemingly doing a final check. In response, Shido nodded.
"I'm not entirely sure... but I will try my best—no, I will definitely succeed!"
"Good answer."
Yutsuki showed a satisfied smile. She cupped Shido's face with both hands and gently pressed her forehead against his.
Bzz, bzz—
From the touch of the girl's smooth, delicate skin, Shido felt a tingling, electric sensation.
"It's done. All permissions are unlocked, Shido."
The girl's forehead moved away from his. Shido slowly exhaled, cleared his mind of distractions, and softly called out the true nas of the Angels.
"Appear—Ratziel—Sandalphon!"
A dark blue longbow crackling with blue-white lightning, and a giant sword with a transparent blade glowing with flowing light. Two Angels overflowing with exaggerated Spirit power appeared in Shido's left and right hands, respectively.
Watching this from the side, Natsumi's eyes glead with surprise. Although from her previous experiences, she vaguely guessed that Itsuka Shido could use Spirit power, she completely didn't expect that he could so easily wield the power of multiple Spirits simultaneously.
However, what confused Natsumi was that Shido didn't imdiately use the Angels to attack the artificial satellite. Instead, as if trying sothing out, he kept manipulating the electrical currents from Ratziel to seep into Sandalphon.
"How long do you need?"
Yutsuki asked calmly.
"Three minutes..."
Staring at Sandalphon in his hands, sweat dripping from his forehead, Shido answered slowly.
Yutsuki frowned slightly. Although three minutes didn't sound like a lot, given the current situation, it was actually quite dangerous.
"Yuzuru, Kaguya. Yoshinon, Yoshino. We need three minutes down here. It's Ultraman's active ti limit, can you hold out?"
Through the radio headset on her ear, Yutsuki asked the three—well, plus one yoshinon—who were struggling against the artificial satellite high in the sky.
[You're really underestimating us. My comrade, this piece of scrap tal. With the authority of the Children of the Typhoon, even pushing it straight back into space wouldn't be a problem.]
[Reassurance. This level is not a problem.]
[I... will do my best...]
"Yutsuki, sothing seems to be coming over there."
Tohka suddenly shouted, seemingly noticing sothing.
Yutsuki looked in the direction Tohka pointed. From the other end of the horizon, a massive swarm of Bandersnatch suddenly appeared, flying towards them. The Bandersnatch had CR-Units used by Wizards installed on their limbs. It seed the enemy, realizing Shido and the others' plan to shoot down the artificial satellite, sent drones to interfere.
Honestly, upon confirming that the incoming enemies were drones and not Wizards like Ellen and Origami, Yutsuki actually breathed a sigh of relief.
In Yutsuki's plan, three components were absolutely necessary.
Miku, in charge of mass buffing.
The Yamai sisters, Yoshino, and Yoshinon, who were locking the artificial satellite in place high in the sky.
And Shido, who was responsible for shooting down the satellite.
The enemy seed to realize this too. The Bandersnatch, swarming as thick as locusts, split into two groups mid-air: one heading towards Shido's location, and the other flying towards the Yamai.
"Natsumi. I'm leaving the Yamai's side to you."
Both Tohka and Yutsuki had their Spirit powers sealed and couldn't use their full strength. Dealing with this number of drones alone was a bit risky. Especially for Yutsuki, high up in the air, particularly amidst the Yamai's fierce winds, the thods she could use were very limited.
"Yeah, yeah~ I know. Honestly—why do I have to help you guys."
Natsumi scratched her hair in dissatisfaction, looking like she was forcibly dragged onto a pirate ship. But even so, she got on Haniel and flew over like a rocket. In just a few blinks of an eye, she overtook the Bandersnatch in mid-air and blocked their path.
"Haniel."
Natsumi gently waved her broom. A massive amount of stardust sprinkled out, forming a thin wall.
Although it looked like it couldn't block anything, incredibly, whether it was missiles or the Bandersnatch themselves, after breaking through the curtain of light, they all, without exception, turned into various cute cartoon animals, fruits, and vegetables. Even if an explosion occurred, it only had the comical, weak impact you'd see in a gag manga, completely unable to harm the Yamai sisters.
"Kuku—Thanks. Witch of a Thousand Faces, I leave my back to you."
"Gratitude. Thank you for your help."
"Yo, yo~ Good job, Natsumi-chan~"
"Thank you..."
"I-It's no big deal. Nothing to thank for."
Faced with everyone's gratitude, Natsumi seed a bit unaccustod to it. She quietly pulled down her witch's hat, preventing them from seeing her slightly blushing cheeks.
"It looks like Natsumi's side should be fine."
Thanks to a Spirit's excellent eyesight, Yutsuki on the ground could clearly see the situation of the Yamai sisters, Yoshino, and Natsumi high up in the sky.
As for their side, about twenty or thirty Bandersnatch landed on the ground. Seemingly to prevent anyone here from escaping, they spread out, surrounding Shido and the others from all directions.
"Tohka, we have to protect Shido and Miku."
"Umu. Leave it to !"
Tohka answered, full of motivation.
"Ratziel!"
"Sandalphon!"
Summoning their respective Angels, Tohka and Yutsuki guarded Miku and Shido from the front and back, blocking the Bandersnatches' charge.
"Ratziel—Hacking initiated."
Watching the drones quickly approaching, Yutsuki took out her tablet. After connecting it to the longbow in her hand, lines of command code flashed across the screen.
[Warning. Error occurred—Intrusion interfered by unknown power—Re-analysis initiated—Analysis failed—]
"Tch. Vaccine box, huh?"
Yutsuki clicked her tongue in displeasure. Seeing her best thod sealed, Yutsuki quickly understood that among this swarm of Bandersnatch, a few were probably equipped with the Realizer designed specifically to counter her, preventing the Bandersnatch from being hacked and disabled by her.
"—!"
Several Bandersnatch closed in on Yutsuki and swung their beam swords down at her.
"That was close—"
Yutsuki dodged the slash with a hair's breadth to spare.
"Yutsuki. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Don't worry about , Shido, just focus on your job."
Yutsuki stepped back a few paces, put the tablet back into her trench coat pocket, and calmly answered while using lightning spears to shoot down incoming missiles.
"Tohka's side should be fine."
Taking a quick look at Tohka's side, since a considerable number of Bandersnatch had gone to attack Kaguya and the others, the pressure on Tohka wasn't that heavy. With a single sweep of Sandalphon, these mindless drones were naturally sliced to pieces.
Based on the appearance of the Vaccine box Ellen used back then, it wasn't a particularly conspicuous Realizer. So trying to find the specific individuals carrying it among this number of drones, while not exactly finding a needle in a haystack, was still inefficient.
But Yutsuki never intended to look for it anyway.
"Honestly... you just blocked the thod I use to show rcy to humans. Do you pieces of scrap tal really think I'm a pushover?"
Blue white lightning flashed between her bangs, and a fierce glint appeared in Yutsuki's eyes.
"Iron Sand Wave."
Countless grains of iron sand, manipulated by electromagnetic force, surged from the ground, turning into a sandstorm that swept towards the Bandersnatch. Because she only had a partial Astral Dress deployed and Shido was still using her power, the cutting power of the iron sand wasn't enough to pierce the Bandersnatch's Territories.
But these were just drones acting on orders. They completely failed to notice that under the interference of the iron sand, their originally scattered formation was gradually being forced into a straight line.
"Railgun!"
The iron sand gathered at the tip of the Pincer Cannon turned into an orange beam of light, piercing through all the Bandersnatch in front of Yutsuki in a single strike.
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