"Aaah, mouuuuu..! Annoying annoying annoying! How is a mere human able to take me for a fooooooool!"

Within the restaurant of a high-class hotel near the Tenguu Square, Miku pounded her table impatiently.

After the attack on Tenguu Square by Shidou and the mysterious Spirit, Ai Mai Mii had suggested to head out for some food to calm her down, as they were worried about the restless Miku.

Needless to say, the hotel's staff and guests, were all chased out of the hotel after coming under Miku's control. The restaurant was basically bought out by Miku, as she sat at the table, with a luxurious spread of food in front of her.

But, no matter how delicious the cuisine, or how cute the girls accompanying her were, they were unable to ease Miku's temperament.

"O, onee-sama.. please calm down"

[Yeah--. Wouldn't it be a waste of such a cute face if you keep on being angry?]

Yoshino and [Yoshinon] standing behind Miku said so, as she removed the stains on the table caused by Miku hitting her table.

"Indeed. Aneue-sama is the one absolute existence approved by the gods. There's no need to get so riled up because of the words of one such as Shidou."

"Affirmation. It is best to forget about such people. There will not be an end to things if you continue to mind them."

Kaguya and Yuzuru placed their hands on Miku's shoulders.

"Eh, ehhh.. that's right. That's right. I don't need to bother about such an insignificant person like him."

Miku said so as though to assure herself, as she nodded her head repeatedly.

But, in the next moment—

(--because Tohka, is extremely important to me)

Shidou's voice sounded again in her mind and Miku could not help but pound her table again. The glassware began to sound, and the beverage from her cup began to spill onto the tablecloth.

"Important..? What does he mean by important. Is he an idiot.. he's only engrossed in his own feelings! Ahh, mouuu, thinking of it just makes me feel sick! Humans.. especially inferior beings such as men, how can they view someone else as more important than their own life! This is impossible..!"

Miku placed her cutlery back on the table, and began to ruffle her hair.

--indeed, the praises of man, were mostly for show. It was impossible to have mutual trust. Humans were merely incapable of sustaining their own existence. It had to be so. There was no other way.

"If it's not for them, I—"

"Onee-sama..?"

Hearing Yoshino's worried voice, Miku returned to her senses. She pretended that everything was fine, as she waved her hand and turned around to the girls in maid outfits behind her.

"..ne, you girls, you are in the same school as Shidou-san and Tohka-san, right?"

Then, Ai, Mai, Mii, and the Yamai sisters nodded. Yoshino looked at [Yoshinon] on her left hand, and then spoke.

"Um, um.. I'm, not. I'm sorry"

"But, you know about the two of them, right?"

"Ye, yes..! Of, of course!"

"There isn't a problem then."

Miku turned her chair backwards, straightened her legs, and then looked at the girls in the maid outfits in order.

"I hope you will answer me truthfully.. what is Tohka-san's relationship with that man called Shidou? Is it true that he feels that Tohka is important to him?"

"....."

Against Miku's question, the girls looked at each other thoughtfully.

Then, they nodded to each other, and turned to Miku.

"Ah--, he's such a frivolous man. Saying things like I like you, you're important to me, as though it's as natural to him as eating and breathing. He even regularly flirts with me"

"That's right. His mind's so linked to his lower body, you might as well say that his mind is his lower body"

"Yeah, he's not empathetic to such things. He must have been just saying things about Tohka-chan. You don't need to mind about it, onee-sama"

"...."

Miku listened to the obvious bluffs of Ai, Mai and Mii, before sighing and continuing.

"..I believe I said that I wanted you to answer truthfully? I'm happy that you're considering my feelings, but I don't like children who lie"

Miku held her head upwards as Ai Mai Mii's shoulders began to shiver in an obvious manner.

Then, they sighed resignedly.

"Itsuka-kun and Tohka-chan's relationship.. hm. Um, to be honest, we don't know. They don't seem like lovers, but they don't seem like ordinary friends either.."

"That's right. Ah, but it is true that they are always together. Tohka-chan looks extremely happy and often smiles when she is with Itsuka-kun."

"Mm. Itsuka-kun is also extremely fond of Tohka-chan. He always places Tohka-chan's interest in everything he does. They have such a close relationship"

"Hmmm.. is that so?"

She half opened her eyes, and looked towards the Spirits.

"Then, if one had to risk their own life to save Tohka-san.. what do you think Shidou-san would do?"

Miku asked specifically. Yoshino looked as if she was trying to hide something.

"Thi, this.. onee-sama, can.. I mention something?"

"Sure. As long as you tell me what you know about Shidou-san's circumstances."

"I feel.. yes. I feel that if it's Shidou-san.. he will definitely not hesitate to rescue Tohka-san. Even.. even, if he were to.. die as a result."

"...."

Miku bit her lips as she heard Yoshino's answer. Noticing this, Yoshino let out a pained "hii" cry.

"..Are the rest of you of similar opinion?"

As she said so, she looked at the Yamai sisters. They began to think as they placed their hands below their chins.

"Hm, right, it would definitely be the case if it was Shidou. I could even make a bet with you. That idiot won't think twice about risking his life. Because of that, I was able to survive with Yuzuru."

"Affirmation. To put it bluntly, he is insane. He will ignore everything if it was to rescue Tohka."

".."

Miku's expression worsened.

(--of course)

Shidou's words ringed in her mind.

(--that would be because, Tohka is extremely important to me)

"Ku.."

Miku restlessly clenched her fists, as she roughly stood up from her chair. She scratched her head, and heaved a sigh.

"..I'm tired today. I'm heading back for a shower. Please help to prepare my room."

"Ye, yes!"

"Onee-sama's orders.."

"..will be carried out!"

Ai Mai Mii immediately stood upright, and walked in front of Miku to open the doors for her.

Miku slowly began walking, and turned back just as she was about to walk out of the door.

"..let the residents continue searching for Shidou-san's location. If they find him, it doesn't matter if I'm asleep, inform me immediately."

"Eh..? This is..?"

Ai Mai Mii widened their eyes. Miku's vision instantly sharpened.

"Of course we have to punish him! Don't question, just do as I say!"

Miku called as she crossed over the corridor.

The hands of the clock had just crossed the peak, and had begun moving downwards for 2 hours.

Under the faint glow of the moon and the stars, Shidou and Kurumi looked at the tower in front of their eyes.

"Tohka is.. right here"

He said in a low voice as he looked at his surroundings.

The current location of Shidou's group was a corner within the office street of Kagamiyama City, east of Tenguu City. Because few people were out at that time, the buildings were illuminated with a faint light, letting out a mysterious pressurising aura.

Looking up. At the end of the road Shidou's group was on, was an extremely massive building.

"Have you noticed it?"

Noticing Shidou focusing on the building, Kurumi, who was standing beside him, asked.

"From here on, everything are facilities belonging to DEM. All those buildings that you see, are offices and research facilities."

"All of them.."

Shidou looked to the side, and swallowed his saliva. Yet he did not feel afraid. Tohka was right there, somewhere.

"...then, where is the first office?"

"Mm, it is the gigantic structure in the middle of these buildings. But unfortunately, I do not know specifically her location within the building."

"So that's the case..."

"There is nothing to talk about if we can't get there. Let us advance without being noticed – then"

Kurumi turned around to have her back against the wall, facing Shidou as she spoke.

"From now, I will be infiltrating DEM territory with Shidou-san – before that, let's discuss about our plan."

"How?"

"Eh. The plan by itself is simple. Firstly, Shidou-san and I will head to the first office building of DEM's Japan branch. Are there any issues prior to this?"

"Ah"

"Even so, this is the main focus of DEM in Japan. It is impossible that there are no precautions."

"...true."

Shidou awkwardly nodded his head. Their enemies were the makers of the Realisers, DEM. Although it was currently night, and hence near impossible for a battle of a large scale to happen on an empty street, it was also impossible to take their opponents lightly.

"So, after arriving at the target block, I will summon [us] within their territory, and begin attack on the other facilities."

"I see... to infiltrate among the chaos produced. But, if we were to go overboard, and then accidentally fortify their defences, what do we do next? DEM will definitely have preventions against people trying to retrieve Tohka."

Listening to Shidou's words, Kurumi lightly nodded her head.

"Indeed, Tohka-san is the most valuable sample that they have within their premises. If their premises were to be attacked, they would immediately fortify their defences against Tohka-san, right?"

"Yes. Hence—"

"Indeed so. It is virtually impossible to enter the building that Tohka-san is contained in without being noticed. Hence, it is not a bad idea to divert their attention. No matter how important Tohka-san is, there is no way that they would sit and watch their own facilities get destroyed."

"Umu.."

Shidou placed his hand below his chin and nodded. While it was simplistic, it was also an extremely effective means. No matter what, only Kurumi was capable of having thousands instantly appear at the scene, and finish this unlikely plan.

"I understand, then, let's do it as planned."

"It's a pleasure to be trusted by others – then, let us move."

"Oh.."

Shidou clenched his fists and encouraged himself. Together with Kurumi, they moved towards the DEM building.

But – the instant they entered DEM's premises.

Shidou and Kurumi frowned simultaneously and looked at each other.

It was a familiar feeling. Although it was slight, it felt like an invisible brush was brushing over their body.

"Oi, what was"

Shidou was about to speak to Kurumi—before he stopped.

No, to be precise, it was covered by a louder sound.

—WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO—

At the same time Shidou's group entered DEM's premises, a sharp sound began sounding within the surroundings.

Instantly, Shidou thought it was an alarm used to detect intruders. But.. that was wrong. He had heard this sound before.

"A spacequake warning..!?"

Shidou scowled. Indeed. This was an alarm indicating the imminent disaster that occured when a Spirit appeared – the area alert for a spacequake.

"A Spirit has appeared!? In this area!?"

It was an unbelievable moment. Shidou hurriedly looked around. The workers and convenience shop employees working overtime were all surprised and began to evacuate. The entrances of the underground shelter were opened, and the city was immediately transformed into one defending against a spacequake.

"No, it does not seem so."

Kurumi said with her eyes slit.

"I don't feel the spatial movement from when a spacequake occurs. At least, I don't think it's a Spirit crossing over to this world from the other one."

"Then, this alarm is.."

"..This is merely my hypothesis. I believe it is DEM who has sounded the alarm. Shidou-san should have felt it earlier, the feeling of when you are being touched by a Wizard's Territory."

"Eh..? But, this is a spacequake alarm.. isn't it?"

Shidou did not understand DEM's intentions. At least, this alarm wasn't activated from within the DEM facilities. Even if they could activate the spacequake alarm, it would have been overreacting to activate it because of trespassers.

"That is correct. There are a few possibilities, such as—"

Kurumi began to consider as she placed her hand below her chin, and then she suddenly grabbed Shidou's collar, and began to leap backwards towards the right.

"Kuu..eh...!? You, what are—"

Shidou, whose collar had been suddenly pulled by Kurumi, began to argue—before stopping.

The reason was simple. The spot where they were standing earlier was hit by a piercing torrent of light, inducing an explosion, creating a large crater within the ground.

"Wh, wh, wha.."

"—it seems that they are trying to raise a commotion with the intent of removing witnesses."

Saying so, Kurumi looked up towards the sky.

Following her line of sight, Shidou's face began to perspire.

In the sky, against the moon and the buildings, were a few silver marionettes in CR-Units floating in the air.

Heads covered in a helmet resembling a motorcycle driver. Over-developed arms, and legs that were the reverse of human anatomy. Shidou remembered that shape.

"That is – <Bandersnatch>..!?"

Just as Shidou said so, the <Bandersnatch> had aimed the barrel of their laser cannons at him, and fired the trigger without delay.

"Uwah!"

"Tsk—"

Kurumi grabbed Shidou underneath her arms, and jumped up into the air. The magic light ray from the <Bandersnatch> exploded on the ground, igniting a small explosion. The evacuating employees gave a look of amazement, before quickly entering the shelter.

"[Us]!"

Kurumi called as she landed with Shidou in her arms. The shadow beneath her feet instantly widened. From there, nearly a hundred Kurumis appeared, and began jumping towards the <Bandersnatch>.

[Kehe, hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe!]

It was a marvellous sight.

Against the <Bandersnatch> in the sky, a large amount of Kurumis had began charging at them, using their hands to decapitate their wings, guns, hands, legs, and brains. If the <Bandersnatch> possessed human emotions, it would undoubtedly be feeling fear right now.

Of course the <Bandersnatch> would not go down without a fight, and they fired their laser cannons and missiles, and although they hit the Kurumis' brains and chests, they were simply outnumbered.

The safety lights on their heads flashed red, and alarms sounded as though they were crying out as they perished – the last <Bandersnatch> located in the middle became a pile of scrap metal as it fell to the floor.

"In, incredible.."

"This is not the time to be amazed. Reinforcements are approaching."

Kurumi looked inwards towards the worksite without relaxing.

It seemed the earlier <Bandersnatch> were defensive mechanisms. From within the buildings ahead, more <Bandersnatch> and Wizards appeared. There was nothing to mention about the entrances, as the walls of the building could be modified, and the walls around them began to reveal entrances as the Wizards within revealed themselves. While exact numbers were unknown, at the very least it exceeded five hundred.

"Wha..!?"

Shidou let out a dismayed sound. Although it was expected that there would be reinforcements, it was unexpected to be of this degree.

"Muu, we do not have a choice. Shidou-san, it is time to change our strategy."

"Eh?"

Shidou had just reacted to Kurumi's words, before the ground which had been stained black unknowingly, began to spawn Kurumi's clones. Twin guns in their hands, they began to sortie against the incoming onslaught of Wizards.

"—Leave the marionettes to [us]. Let us use this opportunity to blow through the defences!"

"Al, alright..!"

There wasn't another option. Shidou nodded his head forcefully.

"Then—I am going to go full speed ahead. Please hold tightly to me and don't fall!?Zafkiel<Emperor of Time>?–?Aleph[The First Bullet]..!"

Kurumi whipped out a gun, held it to her temple, and fired.

At the same time, the DEM Wizards began their fierce battle with Kurumi's clones. The laser cannons and missiles fired from the Wizards, crossed fire with the bullets fired from the Kurumis' guns, causing a large explosion.

"—!"

Shidou was being held by Kurumi as they crossed through the battlefield at a high speed.

The intense gravitational pull, and the various explosives igniting within the vicinity. The resulting sonic booms were enough to nearly induce a state of unconsciousness.

"Ku..!"

Shidou clenched his teeth as though he was about to bleed, as he forced himself to stay awake.

In a while, they had passed what could be the centre of the battlefield, and Kurumi ceased her high speed escape. At the same time the effects of?Aleph[The First Bullet]?began to fade as Kurumi's speed returned to normal.

"Are you alright, Shidou-san."

"Ah, um, I'm alright"

As he said so, he began to manage standing on his own feet. Although he was still dizzy, there wasn't time to bother about it. Shidou slapped his cheeks, and clenched his fists to vitalise himself.

"Our time is short. Let's go, Kurumi"

"Eh. The first offices should be—"

—at the moment Kurumi pointed her index finger to denote the direction. Shidou thought that her entire body had turned black.

"Ah—"

Faint, it was a faint sound. The Kurumi, who had been conversing with Shidou, had her brain thrown into the sky.

"Eh..?"

It was sudden, and Shidou didn't understand what had happened in that moment, aside from a low sound.

Then, the place where Kurumi's brain was supposed to be, began to spray out blood like a fountain, staining Shidou red. At that moment, Shidou's brain finally registered what had happened.

"Uu—uwaaaaaa!?"

Shidou screamed loudly as he fell to the ground. At the same time, Kurumi's body fell to the ground like a lifeless puppet.

"Ku, Kurumi! Kurumi!"

It was clear that there was no hope, yet Shidou continued to run towards Kurumi. The brainless body continued to convulse as it created a red puddle on the floor.

At that moment, Shidou noticed who was standing behind Kurumi. There was a leg that was wrapped in a metallic material.

"Ah—"

It was without question a Wizard's CR-Unit. It was.. a Wizard from DEM.

—he had to run. Even if his heart knew that, his legs would not budge. Shidou held his breath and looked ahead.

It was an unknown unit with a green-black colouring. A weapon with a large barrel on the left hand, with a sharpness that reminded people of a wolf.

"This is it—at last I've found you."

But, the instant he heard the Wizard's voice, Shidou's eyebrow twitched as he looked upwards at the face of the individual.

With hair combed into a long ponytail, and energetic eyes, as well as a mole beneath the left eye. And a face that resembled Shidou.

"Ma, na..?"

Yes, it was the girl who claimed to be Shidou's blood-related sister – Takamiya Mana.

A few months ago, she had sustained critical injuries against Kurumi, and she should have been in a state of complete recovery. From the looks of it, she had recovered while Shidou was unaware.

But, Shidou didn't have the time to be surprised by an unexpected reunion, as he tensed up again. Mana was originally a Wizard deployed to AST by DEM. Hence she should have come to eliminate the enemy infiltrating DEM – Shidou.

But, at the instant Mana and Shidou met face-to-face, a stern face immediately relaxed as she rushed ahead to hug Shidou.

"Nii-sama! I'm glad you're alright!"

"Wa, wah!?"

Shidou felt the feeling of Mana's uneven CR-unit in shock as he confirmed his surroundings. Then, he calmed down, held Mana's shoulders, and then pushed them slightly.

"Ma, Mana.. it is you right? Are you injured?"

"Yes! Mana is feeling alright now!"

Mana bent her arms as if to show off her muscles. Her cheery tone was a direct contrast to the current conditions as Shidou temporarily forgot about his nervous emotions.

"Th, then, Mana? You are a Wizard of DEM right? So you are here to eliminate me.."

"No, I'll explain the details later. But for now, I'm no longer working for DEM"

"Eh..? But, your equipment.."

"Ah, this is from [Fraxinus]. I'm now under the care of [Ratatoskr].

"Eh.. eeeeeeh?"

Repeatedly listening to the new information, his mind was now in a whirl. Why was Mana in [Ratatoskr]..? Wasn't [Ratatoskr] an organisation with different values than AST and the DEM?

"But, why did you attack Kurumi.."

"Ah, it looked like Nii-sama was being attacked by [Nightmare], so I had to help."

Listening to Mana's words, Shidou twitched. That said, Kurumi, who was assisting Shidou now, was indeed a man-eating Spirit against Mana. That meant if the two were to meet, Kurumi would have simply been mistaken as an enemy.

"N, no! Kurumi was helping me out!"

"Help..?"

Mana had a face of surprise. Then, the shadow on the walls of the building began to widen, revealing Kurumi's crooked smile. At the same time, the fallen Kurumi's body was absorbed by the shadows.

"Kehehe, your greeting style is as unrefined as ever"

"Kurumi..! Are you alright!?"

"Eh. It cannot be, do you think that something like this would be enough to kill me?"

It seems she has exchanged places with her clone. Kurumi smiled as she touched her hand with her finger. Mana let out a "tch" in spite.

"It is indeed unfortunate. I was so close to getting rid of such an unpleasant face."

"Did I not mention this before? You cannot do it."

"Hah, would you like to try? If your bullets could even hit me."

"Kehe, hehehehehehe! For someone to speak such words, especially when they survived because of my carelessness. Or had you lost your memories because you were too scared?"

"Ah, so our battle-hungry and murderous maniac is still speaking? Do you not have the energy to fight me any longer?"

"Ufufu, no one can help you this time. Maybe I shall savour your tongue after cutting every limb off your body?"

Mana and Kurumi glared at each other with eyes full of hostility and killing intent, speaking such dangerous words. Shidou, who was between them, could only feel the feeling of cold sweat on his back.

"Wait, wait a bit, the two of you.."

Even as Shidou said so, Mana continued to glare daggers at Kurumi. Kurumi then sighed.

"Alright, how about this – I still have other business at DEM, so I'll separate from you guys here. You would be alright with Mana-san here, right?"

"Oi, oi, Kurumi..?"

"Please relax. [Our] accompanying fight will still continue. –Then, let us retreat."

Kurumi closed her eyes and then retreated into the shadows. Then, her shadow immediately disappeared from the wall.

"Kurumi! Kurumi!?"

There was no response no matter how he called. It seems she had indeed left. Shidou scratched his hair.

"Hm, although I'm not sure what kind of agreement it is. But I'll let it slide this time. Requesting such a monster, I wonder what kind of condition she would hold you to."

"Mana, you.."

"Compared to that. –excuse me, nii-sama."

Mana didn't seem to bother where Kurumi went as she looked at Shidou's face. And then felt his chest for a while. Then, she sighed as though she was in relief.

"Oi! What, what are you doing!"

Shidou couldn't help but shout loudly. Mana spoke in a conflicted voice.

"That, when I watched Nii-sama's footage while I was still recovering in [Fraxinus], Nii-sama was in a cute getup. I thought in the short period of time that I was away from you, Nii-sama had developed a strange interest."

"No way!"

"Eh, I'm relieved then. It seems you weren't operated on.. what happened down there, I suppose it wasn't removed?"

"Of course not.. what do you think I am.."

"That's alright, Mana is very forgiving. It's fine if you just like women's clothing. Let's go shopping the next time."

"But.."

Shidou sighed heavily. Mana pressed her ear as she frowned. It seemed a sound was coming from the headset that she was wearing.

"Ah.. that's right – nii-sama, this is for you."

Mana took out a small electronic device from a pocket-like extension at her waist, and handed it to Shidou.

"This is.. an earphone?"

"Yes, please handle it carefully. There is a circuit inside."

He took the earphone from Mana, and placed it in his right ear. He connected it for a while, before hearing an awkward voice from the earphone.

[..Shidou, can you hear me?]

"Kotori!? Have you returned to normal!?"

There was no need to question who was the other voice. The owner of the voice is Shidou's little sister, the commander of [Ratatoskr], Kotori.

Kotori should have heard Miku's performance over the speaker, and like Yoshino and the Yamai sisters, become one of Miku's loyal fans.

[Eh, yeah, I suppose so.]

Kotori said so as she continued while seemingly feeling awkward.

[That, I'm sorry. That.. wasn't my intention.]

"Eh? What?"

[Well, um.. that, go to hell with that. Although.. I don't remember anything, there was still some footage, um, so I said..]

As she said so, Shidou nodded as though he understood. Kotori did indeed mention bad things about Shidou while under Miku's control.

It seemed that she was mindful of it. Shidou couldn't help but laugh.

"I understand about things like that."

[Um..]

Kotori lowered her voice in embarrassment.

"That said, how did you free yourselves from Miku's control?"

As Shidou questioned, Reine replied over the speaker.

[..we had them faint temporarily, then afterwards began purifying the area using Mana's Territory. While everybody was controlled, Fraxinus's communications were thrown into chaos. It took us some time to recover, so we couldn't contact you until then. My apologies. I'm glad that you are alright.]

"No, it's alright.."

[..but, please relax. The earphone that was passed to you, has an automatic filter that filters out sound out of a selected area. Miku's performance won't be able to spread to this side anymore.]

"I see.."

[Now, on to the main point.]

Listening to Shidou's words, Kotori coughed as she resumed speaking.

[Shidou, why are you in this area? And with Kurumi too.]

"Ah, that was because.."

Shidou briefly explained the events that happened after Kotori's group was controlled. Ellen having abducted Tohka, as well as Kurumi helping Shidou rescue Tohka, and—Tohka possibly being in the facility.

Kotori, having heard this, kept quiet for a while before—

[..no, this is too dangerous. I will not approve of this.]

A heavy voice came from the earphone. Shidou was dissatisfied with the unexpected response.

"Wha, what are you saying!? Tohka was taken away! Aren't DEM a dangerous organisation that wants to kill Spirits! Who knows what they would do to Tohka!?"

[Do you think I won't know of something like that..!]

"Then, why!?"

[How am I not supposed to prevent my brother from infiltrating such a dangerous organisation!? Have some self-awareness! You never consider about your own safety!]

"Bu.. bu, but, we can't just abandon Tohka!"

[I didn't say something like that! But, we need to prepare first—]

"This is not the time to say things like that! Right now, Kurumi is helping us to delay the Wizards! We won't get a second chance like this!"

[This..]

"I beg you, Kotori! I.. I will definitely bring Tohka back! So.."

[..ah, you're annoying!]

Listening to Shidou's pleas, Kotori impatiently banged her table.

[Besides, there's no point in me stopping you..]

"..you know me very well."

[I have been your sister for over ten years, after all]

Sighing in a relenting tone, Kotori continued.

[We won't be able to communicate within the office building due to Territorial interference. We also can't provide reconnaissance. All Fraxinus can do is to provide external support.]

"Mm, that's enough.. I'm sorry, Kotori."

[U-->>

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