Using the sa thod as they used to the first airship, Natsumi and the others sneaked into the second ship, implanted the hacking program Yutsuki wrote into the system, and seized control of the airship.
Of course, with two airships being taken over in a row, DEM had clearly noticed sothing was wrong and began tightening security inside the ships.
"Over here! Spirits found!"
And just like that, shortly after Natsumi and the others entered this airship, they ran right into a patrolling Wizard.
"Raphael—El Kanaph!"
"Raphael—El Nahash!"
"Gabriel!"
"Zadkiel!"
However, for them, this at most changed the operation from infiltration to a forced breakthrough. Under the powerful assault of the Spirits led by the Yamai sisters, the Wizards and Bandersnatch were instantly struck by gale winds, supersonic waves, and freezing ice, falling unconscious to the ground everywhere.
"Excellent... Looks like there's no room for to step in."
Natsumi sighed in relief. Seeing the mission progressing very smoothly, she was naturally happy to take it easy.
"Ah—There are so many cute girls. What a waste."
Looking at the fallen Wizards in the hallway, Miku followed behind Natsumi, muttering reluctantly.
"..."
Natsumi couldn't help but look at Miku with speechlessness.
"My~ Why is Natsumi-san looking at with such passionate eyes? Could it be you're jealous? Don't worry, I'll shower Natsumi-san with love too."
"Absolutely not."
Natsumi refused without hesitation.
—Bang!
Just as Natsumi and Miku were chatting in the back of the group, a situation occurred with the Yamai sisters fighting at the front. A collision sound rang out, and a Wizard wearing a mass-produced CR-Unit was blown away by the hurricane whipped up by Raphael, flying right over Natsumi and Miku.
(Ah... That looks super painful.)
Watching the parabola the Wizard drew in the air, the corner of Natsumi's mouth twitched slightly, feeling a bit of sympathy.
However, the next second, sothing that astonished Natsumi happened.
The blown-away Wizard didn't crash onto the deck unconscious as Natsumi imagined. Instead, she did a sorsault mid-air, landed steadily, then kicked off the ground and lunged fiercely at Izayoi Miku.
Because it happened so suddenly, no one except Natsumi noticed the Wizard's action.
"Miku! Danger!"
"Eh?"
Natsumi stepped forward, shielding Miku behind her, and summoned her Angel at the Wizard.
"Haniel!"
Wherever the broom swept, colorful Spirit energy dust scattered, enveloping the charging Wizard.
However, the opponent seed to have anticipated Natsumi's move. She grabbed an unconscious Wizard from the ground and used her as a human shield.
The Wizard used as a shield instantly shrank into a toddler under five years old. The Wizard herself, dodging Natsumi's attack, dashed forward and arrived right in front of Natsumi.
"Zadkiel!"
Fortunately, Yoshino reacted in ti, summoning an ice wall between Natsumi and the Wizard.
(...Saved.)
Natsumi was about to breathe a sigh of relief. But unexpectedly, facing the sturdy ice wall created by a Spirit, the Wizard didn't stop but instead took a fierce step forward.
—Thud! A resonant sound like striking a temple bell. The extrely hard battleship deck was forcibly dented under this step.
Without using a gun or a laser sword, the Wizard clenched her fist.
At a distance less than a few centiters from the ice wall, the Wizard's right fist thrust out like a long spear.
The ice wall ford from Spirit energy was shattered as if made of paper. Not only that, this punch also pierced through Natsumi's Spirit energy shield, her Astral Dress, and finally struck Natsumi's abdon.
"—Ugh!"
Even though it was blocked by three layers of defense midway, the Wizard's strike still made Natsumi feel as if her internal organs were dislocated, stomach acid threatening to reverse and vomit out from her mouth, almost causing her to faint from the severe pain.
(Not good... I fell for it...)
Because the opponent was equipped with the most basic CR-Unit, Natsumi and the others unconsciously underestimated her. This Wizard's strength was on a completely different level from the other cannon fodder Wizards.
After subduing Natsumi, the Wizard didn't continue attacking but grabbed Natsumi's body and retreated, putting distance between herself and Miku, Yoshino, and the Yamai sisters.
"Natsumi!?"
"Oh? That was scary. But please don't co any closer."
Looking at the aggressively posturing Spirits, the Wizard unhurriedly drew the laser sword attached to her waist and held it to Natsumi's neck.
"Otherwise, I can't guarantee the life of this little Natsumi girl."
Seeing the other party holding Natsumi hostage to threaten them, everyone could only stand their ground, not daring to act rashly.
"Kuh—To actually use such underhanded thods, you scoundrel, release my comrade at once!"
"Glare. Using hostages is a despicable thod."
Facing Yuzuru and Kaguya's scolding, the Wizard clearly didn't care at all. The corners of her lips under the half-mask curled into a strange smile.
"Well~ Our company's style of doing things has never been that straightforward. Even if I'm called despicable, it doesn't matter to . Besides, I have to face the attacks of you five Spirits simultaneously right now; using a few little tricks isn't strange, is it."
The Wizard answered. After all, the Realizer she was currently equipped with was the lowest-performing mass-produced model. If she hadn't caught one off guard to use as a hostage, she probably would have been defeated under the Spirits's gang-up long ago.
"Release Natsumi, Wizard."
Just then, Miku silently summoned Gabriel and, accompanied by brainwashing music played on the pipe organ, issued an order to the Wizard.
However, the Wizard didn't follow Miku's command. Instead, the laser sword drew a bit closer to Natsumi's neck.
"How can this be?"
"It's useless,Miku-san. I learned about your ability from the data long ago. I've already used my Territory to seal off my hearing. Right now, I'm judging your words by reading your lips. Well, I was initially afraid this trick wouldn't work, so I planned to take you out first, but it seems there's no problem."
Seeing Miku's surprised expression, the Wizard explained with a smile.
"By the way, I also know your ability. Little Natsumi."
The Wizard whispered very softly near Natsumi's ear,
"Don't think I don't know you're pretending to be asleep. If I notice you attempting to use your Angel, please forgive for having to cut your head off directly."
"..."
Natsumi kept her eyes tightly shut and didn't make a sound, but the cold sweat dripping from her forehead still betrayed the fear in her heart.
Experience told Natsumi that this woman wasn't joking about any of this.
"Then, Wizard-san. What do we have to do for you to let Natsumi-chan go? If you dare to hurt Natsumi-chan, Yoshinon won't be as easy to talk to as she is now."
"Do not hurt...Natsumi-san..."
At this mont, Yoshino and Yoshinon, materialized from Zadkiel, issued threatening questions to the Wizard.
Seemingly waiting for those very words, the Wizard nodded in satisfaction.
"Of course, no problem. I myself don't want little Natsumi accompanying to the underworld. As long as you obediently cooperate with my demands, I'll naturally return her to you unhard. Don't worry, it's absolutely not an unreasonable demand. I just need you to abandon your attack on this airship and obediently retreat."
Hearing the Wizard's demand, Kaguya frowned in confusion.
"You want us to retreat? What kind of sche are you plotting?"
"Well~ I have no obligation to answer you."
"You—"
"Understood. Yuzuru accepts your condition."
Yuzuru was the first to reply.
"Yuzuru?!"
"Reminder. Kaguya, do not forget Yutsuki and Kotori's instructions."
Yuzuru said calmly. She was naturally also worried about whether the opponent's goal was really as simple as just making them retreat, but no matter what, they couldn't risk a companion's life.
Hearing Yuzuru's words, Kaguya stared dead at the Wizard, finally gritting her teeth and nodding.
"...I have no objections. But in exchange, you must absolutely keep your promise to let Natsumi go, otherwise I will make you understand the heavy price of daring to deceive a Child of the Typhoon!"
"Of course."
The Wizard nodded readily and took out the tal USB drive containing the hacking virus Yutsuki wrote from Natsumi's pocket.
"Then,Miku-san, please hand over the USB drive hidden in your right pocket as well."
"...I understand. You better keep your promise."
Although she didn't know how she discovered she had a backup USB drive, for Natsumi's safety, Miku still obediently threw the USB drive to the Wizard.
"Thanks~ I've received it."
After getting the USB drives, for so reason, the Wizard seed to be in a good mood. Not only did she guide them to the nearest exit, she also kindly used her clearance to open the door for them.
"Confirmation. We have fulfilled your demand; it's your turn to keep your promise."
After everyone had left the airship, Yuzuru stared at the Wizard standing at the exit and said warily.
"Mhm, naturally."
Fortunately, the Wizard had no intention of breaking her promise. After nodding readily, she tossed Natsumi over.
Yuzuru and Kaguya hurriedly caught Natsumi.
"Natsumi, tell , where does it hurt?"
"Worry. Are you hurt, Natsumi?"
"Mhm... other than my stomach still hurting a bit, there's no problem... Sorry for holding you back."
Slowly opening her eyes, Natsumi smiled bitterly and said sowhat ashadly.
"There's no need to apologize, Natsumi-chan. Your safety is the most important thing."
"I'm glad... you're safe..."
"That's not true! Natsumi-san was taken hostage because she was protecting . I should be the one apologizing! I'm sorry, Natsumi-san!"
"Ugh—I can't breathe. Let go quickly, you cow tits!"
Natsumi struggled desperately in Miku's embrace. Kidding, if this continued, she wouldn't die by the Wizard's sword but suffocate from lack of oxygen.
At the sa ti, after Natsumi and the others left the airship, it activated its optical camouflage and vanished from their sight.
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