In the sky, a flash of light came from the clash of two swords.

Ellen was wielding the high output laser knife <Caledvwlch>. In confrontation, Mana had equipped her <Vánagandr> with the sword <Wolftail>.

No matter from what angle, Ellen drew the image of her territory in order to catch the release of the attack. A barrier appeared before the collision of the sword. Repeatedly clashing in close proximity, Ellen used the opening from Mana’s last attack to counterattack. Mana quickly evaded and counters Ellen's attack before she could release her next one.

However, <Caledvwlch> was a sword entirely made of magic. Structurally, it was class apart from <Wolftail>, which was a real sword coated with magic. A greater structure yielded a greater maximum output value.

However, Ellen’s sword has a greater consumption rate of magic, whereas Mana has the advantage of prolonged use. However, no one in the world could match Ellen in terms of magical power output. Mana couldn’t rely purely on strength alone; to compensate she needs to use her techniques. Not giving Ellen any time for a respite, she continued her high-speed attack.

But the opponent is the strongest wizard. She wasn’t an opponent Mana could easily defeat. Ellen correctly predicted Mana’s attack and gave a counterattack that finally broke Mana’s defensive shield. In fact, even now there is still no wound on Ellen’s body.

However, Mana’s purpose was not to defeat Ellen, their fight was to buy enough time for Kotori to save Shidou. It would be wrong to launch a desperate attack to wound Ellen. Her utmost priority is to extend the duration of the fight.

If this continues, it should be enough to win the desired amount of time. No matter how long, as long as they were able to successfully rescue Nii-

But at that moment.

Down below, the <Ratatoskr> facility suddenly started to shine, emitting a pillar of light towards the sky. A violent shockwave pushed her back.

“....Wha!?”

She could not help but stare at the scene. Her attention taken away, her defenses momentarily faltered, leaving her completely exposed.

This kind of moment is enough to make a fatal blow to an opponent.

“You’re full of openings.”

“Ku––”

Shocked, but it didn’t completely eliminate the power of her defense. However, just like a smash volleyball her body fell down towards the ground.

“Waaah....!”

She quickly used her Territory as a buffer to absorb the impact. The ground became distorted like there is an invisible sphere pushed onto it.

“Ku..you've done it now...But what was that earlier?”

While the fight wasn’t over, she briefly toured around the pillar of light. Then, Mana gasped. Shidou was floating, surrounded by the light of Reiryoku.

“Nii-sama!?”

Hearing her voice, Shidou slowly turned his eyes to Mana.

His consciousness is hazy, his eyes blurry, he looked like he was drugged by something.

Then, his lips parted something to Mana.

"Ah — Mana. I'm glad. So you were fine."

Shidou whispered with a gentle voice.

"......Nii-sama?"

After listening to Shidou’s words, Mana knitted her eyebrow; something was off with what he just said.

On the surface it sounds like Shidou is worrying about her body. That is understandable, since at this very moment, Mana is still fighting with Ellen and got a serious blow from her just earlier.

However — for some reason, Mana thought that Shidou was also trying to say something else.

Shidou, in a state of ecstasy, opened his mouth and continued.

"I was.. worried about you. Ever since you've been kidnapped by those DEM guys.. but I'm glad.. I'm really glad.."

"......Kidnapped? Nii-sama, what are you saying?"

"Mio ......Didn’t that person help you out?”

"What are you talking about, Nii-sa —" Before she could finish, she felt a sharp pain on her head. She pushed her forehead with her hand and frowned.

"Ah ......!"

It is very clear that this is not a simple headache. - Mio. The instant Shidou spoke that name, a scene she never seen before came flashing in her head.

"T..This is.."

The scenes in her head were changing like a camera shutter. She saw the park where she played with her friend, a teacher teaching in a class, her birthday where Shidou celebrated with her.

And then – the back of a girl with long hair.

"Ah ......"

The moment that girl came to mind, her vision began to flicker.

For some reason, Mana couldn't remember the girl's face. She knew she know her, but —

And that was when something interrupted her thoughts. Mana heard Ellen's voice from above her, "— Lost in your thought in front of me? You underestimated me a bit too much." Ellen followed her words by preparing for an attack.

"! ...... Oh -"

At that moment, Ellen has landed towards her side, and raised her <Caledfwlch>.

But it was too late; Mana was in a state of panic.

"......!"

However, she has not been burned by a laser knife.

Before <Caledfwlch>, could hit her, Shidou resorted to using the spiritual power surrounding him to block the magic powered sword.

"Oh ......?"

Ellen issued a surprised voice, while staring irritably at Shidou.

"— Itsuka Shidou. Don't you look so wonderful right now. Even though I don't know what happened, I can see why Ike wants you that much." Ellen said, while her lips gave a fearless smile.

But in contrast, Shidou could only make a grim look.

"D - E, M ......"

Growling like a wild animal, his breathing became more and more disorderly.

"- Wuwa ah, ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!"

At that moment, the spiritual power that curled around Shidou increased its intensity and blew away both Ellen and Mana who were nearby. "......!"

"What!?"

Mana deployed a territorial field to absorb the impact. Stopping mid-air, she raised her voice and shouted.

"Nii-sama! What is this! And what was that earlier — who is Mio-san!?"

But Shidou did not answer. Even though they weren’t far apart, Shidou couldn't hear any of Mana’s words. He kept growling like a beast and continued releasing an enormous amount of spiritual power.

"......"

Anyone could see from a glance that Shidou is behaving irrationally, but if possible, Mana would have wanted to ask him more.

However, her current opponent is the world’s most powerful wizard. She could not allow herself for even the slightest negligence. Mana grinded her teeth and averted her eyes away from Shidou.

"Cough ...... cough ......, Is everybody okay!?"

In the party hall now destroyed by the light of Spirit Power, Kotori raise up her voice asking if everyone is okay, while coughing from a cloud of dust.

Then, from the side came a familiar voice.

"Umu......It's not important. But, just what had happened ......?"

Tohka got up from the ground to look around. At the same time Kotori was also raising her head.

Shidou‘s earlier attack suddenly opened a large hole in the celling and wall. However, it looks like the spirits and <Ratatoskr> staffs were all safe. Soon after, a voice had echoed from around.

"Are you okayー!?"

"...... W-what was that."

“Kotori-san!"

But within it, after hearing an an unexpected voice, Kotori could not help but widen her eyes.

"The voice, is that ......!?"

Yes, the voice came from Shidou’s real sister, Takamiya Mana.

More than that, beside her was a DEM’s magician. Ellen was also wearing her CR-Unit, and slowly raised her knife.

"Mana! What are you doing ......!"

Ellen quickly departed from the line of sight. In response, to Kotori, Mana expand her <Wolf's Tail> on her right hand and raised up her voice.

"I'll tell you the details later! For now.. I'm leaving Nii-sama to you!"

The two flew into the sky, Ellen issued a slash. Magical light scattered like sparks from the collision.

So, she was the countermeasure that Reine meant. Kotori said as she scratched the back of her hair.

"That girl really ...... she disappeared without even tell me her contact information......!"

However, it really was good that she was keeping Ellen busy. Kotori would really like to complete Mana’s request of saving Shidou.

- But.

"Ah ......"

Seeing Shidou's appearance, Kotori unintentionally let out a trembling voice.

This is neither the usual gentle Shidou, nor is it the previous playboy Shidou.

The “thing” standing there releasing the colored light could not have been called a human.

Standing at the center, the dense spiritual force around Shidou was swirling on and off like a heartbeat. Kotori felt a slight shock from this phenomenon. The air, ground, and space were all shaking in response to Shidou’s power.

No, more than that. Part of the spiritual power was forming the shape of a metal fragment. It was like a spirit that was wearing her astral dress.

Then, after seeing what Shidou looked like.

Kotori heard an ominous siren from her headset.

"Ah -"

This was a different alarm from the one that detects a spacequake or a spirit’s abnormal mental status.

Kotori has only heard that alarm once before that.

And that was when they told her to remember it during testing, saying it would be the best if she never hears it again.

"...... Of all the lies people give -"

Kotori was able to feel her fingers trembling slightly. She feels like there is a crack in her very existence. Her heart started beating fast. Breathing became difficult. Her view started distorting. Kotori feel like it's difficult for her to just standing still.

Kotori's consciousness was disrupted by the sound of the alarm of the demise for few moments.

"----------------!"

On the issue of humanity, she could not believe the roar Shidou gave. Like an electrical discharge phenomena, the spiritual power crackling, illuminating the surroundings.

"......!"

Shidou bent his legs, stepping on the ground for take-off. The height between the ground and underground facility meant nothing to him. Shidou mowed down the trees in his way and started moving to somewhere.

"Kotori-san! Are you okay! We should follow Darling!"

"............"

Kotori raised up her face at Miku's words. Kotori tried opening her mouth, but no words are coming out. Kotori can't say it because saying it would means she decided to do perform the absolutely worst instruction.

However, in Kotori’s thoughts.. For this country.

For this world.

For humanity.

And most importantly for Shidou himself.

It is the mission of <Ratatoskr>'s commander — the responsibility of the one who has been saved by Shidou five years ago.

Kotori open her mouth, tried to keep the shake in her voice to minimum.

"...... Everyone .—Standby here I’ll try and do something."

After listening to Kotori’s words, the spirits where very surprised to hear what she said.

"Standby? Let us do something together."

"Agreement. This is unlike Kotori."

The Spirits looked at her with a surprised expression. Kotori isn’t surprised at their reaction. Kotori would be the same if someone said this to her, but they don't know the circumstances. However Kotori can't have their company.

Taking a deep breath, Kotori tried very hard to maintain a constant volume.

"— As I said, it is for me to do something with Shidou. Just leave it to me. <Ratatoskr> already prepared something for a case like this." The Spirits nodded to her while still feeling a little uneasy. Kotori answered to them and walked up the stairs to the ground. Shidou is still moving while mowing down any tree in his way. If he continues, no doubt he would reach the town.

Then, she took out a small device from her dress pocket.

-It was something Kotori was determined never to use, the key of destruction

"......" Kotori reached out to the device with a trembling finger.

She scanned her fingerprint, then scanned her retina, input the password and placed her finger on the button. The button activates <Dainslaif>; the satellite weapon that is always aiming at Shidou.

"...... I'm sorry, Onii-chan."

Kotori softly muttered to herself

"Please forgive me.. who can't find another ending."

But - at that moment.

She felt an intention to kill from her left side; Kotori was left in a sense of disarray. Then along with a click, her temple felt an icy touch.

Kotori immediately realized. – She is being pointed at gunpoint. "......!"

Kotori moved her eyes to that direction. Over there, Origami who should still be in the underground facility with the other spirits. With dangerous eyes and her 9mm gun, Origami open her mouth with a cold and calm voice.

"What is that thing in your hand? What are you going to do to Shidou? Itsuka Kotori, you —"

But, Origami stopped before she was finished. Then, with little insight, Origami twitched her eyebrows in surprise.

The reason was Kotori’s face

- Her crying and distraught face.

"..Explain. What does this mean?"

Origami frowned and continued.

For an intelligent mind like Origami, it is would be impossible to easily fool her. But if she were to continue, Origami would certainly impede her. Kotori completely lost hope and opened her mouth.

"...... To Kill, Shidou"

After listening to the Kotori’s Origami gave an even more sinister look.

"What do you mean is this an order from <Ratatoskr>??"

"..You're only half correct."

Kotori said self-deprecatingly.

"..Shidou right now is a time bomb. The spiritual power within him is rapidly expanding. If we leave him like this, it would be an explosion even larger than the South Kanto incident." "......"

Origami borne her teeth.

"... And that's why you're killing him?"

"..Yes. That's the final job of me who has 'failed'. If Shidou is killed before he is at his limits, then we can keep the explosion to minimal. It's a choice between seeing ten millions of people die, or seeing only Shidou die. If someone tells me to choose, I'll choose the latter. — Because even Shidou, probably don't want to see such many people die because of him."

"............"

Origami fingers trembled gently. Kotori turned her eyes back to Shidou.

"If I press this button, <Dainslaif> on the satellite orbit will released its Magic Power cannon."

"<Dáinsleif> ......?"

"...... It was created after a detailed investigation of Shidou’s body, the curse sword made specially to kill him."

- That is <Dainslaif>. Kotori doesn’t know a worse way to use Realizer. Even if Shidou has Kotori's regeneration power, he can't regenerate himself if every single bit of his body is destroyed.

"...... You're kidding. That is <Ratatoskr> practice?"

A killer look appeared in Origami’s eyes, she continued.

"..Don't mess around. Is this the <Ratatoskr>'s way of doing things? Kill him once he can no longer keep the Spirit Power that is sealed within him? Before that, the one who made Shidou seal Spirits' Spirit Power was <Ratatoskr>. They used him for their own purpose, and once he become inconvenient to them, they're going to get rid of him? Even though you thought of Shidou that much, why did you agreed to —"

"— No!"

As if to cut-off Origami, Kotori said something with her trembling throat.

"Even though Shidou's power miraculously matched with <Ratatoskr> objective — but at the least Chairman Woodman was concerned about what may happen to him. He said nothing good will come out of sealing Spirit's power in human body. He suggested us to find another way to do it. But.. it was already too late. The moment Shidou was found out by <Ratatoskr>, he already sealed one Spirit within him." "Could it be that ......"

"Yes — that was me."

Kotori said with a shaking voice.

It is a contradiction that can't be avoided since <Ratatoskr> found out about Shidou's power from when he sealed Kotori's powers.

"There was a possibly of Shidou becoming like this since five years ago. But even if you returned the Spirit Power to the Spirit, the Path won't be disappeared.. five years ago; I put a time bomb into Shidou without knowing.

"..But won't letting him seal even more Spirits only increase the risk of him come to his limit?"

"..There's no other way. ..There is only one way to stabilize Shidou."

"What is that?"

"— To have Shidou extract all the Spirit Powers he has and release it outside his body as a Sephira crystal."

"..! That is —"

Sephira crystal, the mysterious crystal that <Phantom> had, the jewel crystal contained the spiritual power that turned Origami into a spirit.

"You're right. But could it possibly be done.."

"...... Yes, we can’t do it even if we take back 100% of our spiritual power. I let <Ratatoskr> analyze over me several times. To extract a Sephira that has been united at the particle level, it requires a lot of Spirit Power to do it. To put it simply — we have to seal all the Spirits within Shidou just to do that."

"......"

Origami opened her eyes in amazement.

From her reaction she could see that she had a great deal of suspicion towards <Ratatoskr>.

It isn’t hard to understand. In fact, Kotori doesn’t entirely trust <Ratatoskr> either.

"But - everything is too late."

There is no extra time to continue talking. Kotori took a deep breath, and prepared to inject the button with her finger.

However, at that time.

"Kotori! Origami!"

Kotori heard Tohka’s voice from behind. Turning around, she saw that all the other spirits were there as well. They followed her up to the ground just like Origami.

“We came outside to follow you! All this happened, why didn’t you come and discuss it with us!?"

Kotori surprised at how Tohka knew the situation. Kotori then realized that she still had her headset equipped. Anyone with a headset could tune into their channel to talk with each other. That means everyone also heard the conversation with Origami earlier.

Kotori was certainly aware of this feature of the headset, but in front of a dangerous situation, she did not consider it because it was an emergency.

"...... I'm sorry, but it’s all over -."

"It is not over yet!"

Tohka shouted at Kotori.

“I don't know the details! But if you think the situation right now is desperate, that is because Kotori thinks she’s alone!"

"............!"

Kotori heard Tohka’s words.

She felt as if her heart had been tightly squeezed.

"Every.. one.."

The spirits all nodded at Kotori.

"Giving up is so unlike Kotori-san!"

"Yes.. let's save Shidou-san.."

"............"

Kotori's finger that is placed on the button is shaking. The memory of when they gave her this terminal came to her mind.

Back then, Kotori was very scared of it. Even though it's just in case of emergency, Kotori couldn't sleep at the fact she had a way to kill Shidou in her hands.

Ah, ah, but.

However, Kotori is now different from her past self. The determination, experience, and more than anything — her comrades who share the same idea as her.

Then there's no way she can't come up with another conclusion.

Kotori let the key fall out of her hands.

"Why, why didn't Commander Itsuka shoot!”

From the darkened room came a cry of impatience.

An irritated voice echoed in the gloomy room. Out of all five people in the room, only two people are actually here. Eliot Woodman and the other is Karen Mathers. The others are holograms of <Ratatoskr>'s executive members who are participating from all over the world.

"Attack! Attack, Commander Itsuka! "

"............"

Clayton, an older man who is reminiscent of a roaring Bulldog.

Although his behavior very consistent with his usual actions the opening round table...... But today Clayton has a reason to be angry. This is because the screen at the center of the round table of <Ratatoskr> had predicted the worst case scenario

The boy's Spirit Power level is still rapidly rising. If this continues, it might result in a disaster like 30 years ago again. Even though the other two don't say anything, they also make a similar expression.

"Sir. Woodman”

Of the two people, one was wearing a monocle, reminiscent of the rat man. Frazer Douglas spoke as he swiped the sweat from his forehead.

"This will really go on to create a massive spacequake. Why did you give the <Dáinsleif> emission rights only to Commander Itsuka? "

The person who exudes the appearance of a cartoon cat agreed with the rat man. He is the last person on the round table: Gillian Almsted

"That ah. Even then, she’s just a junior high school student. The person in question is her brother; do you really think she can make the right judgment? "

"............"

Woodman mumbled in his head that if he gave them the permission, they would have pulled the trigger without any delay.

<Ratatoskr> is the organization set up to save the spirits. However, only the Woodman centric fractions implement this idea at heart. The others more or less only participate for their own kind of benefit.

Prioritizing their own interests, Woodman does not deny this as he thought it was a normal thought process for a human.

Once the risk become higher than the return, they're ready to cut down their ties with the Spirits

Therefore, Woodman gave the <Dáinsleif> emission to Kotori, the only trustworthy candidate.

Even if it means forcing Kotori to accept a mission that meant possibly attacking her favorite brother.

"Gentlemen calm down."

Woodman said to the round table.

"Indeed what is happening now may be that we can expect the worst case. However, this does not mean that it's all a foregone conclusion."

After listening to the words of Woodman, Clayton became very angry

"All this time you're still talking about! In the end, how are you going to change this situation! "

"Who knows? But as long as Commander Itsuka does not give up, I also will not give up."

Woodman's eyes became sharp; the other three have made a very dissatisfied expression.

However, the possibility of Shidou’s recovery existed only in Woodman’s self-awareness. What is the problem if you insist - that he does not think this "possibility" that exists deserves to be told in front of this trio.

All he could do now is buy enough time for Kotori.

"Ah ...... I know. I say this somewhat reluctantly. Then so be it. From now, for every one minute that passes, I will give you one percent of Asgard Electronics’ shares."

"What ......!”

The three people were surprised to hear the Woodman's words.

That is, of course. In addition to being the only outside agency outside of DEM to manufacture the Realizer, Asgard Electronics, is <Ratatoskr> core technology source, and also Woodman's lifeline. For these three individuals, the deal was too good to be true.

But these three men did not answer immediately. The conditions proposed are too tempting, so the three of them actually became suspicious.

Woodman smiled. - That's good. The more they worry, the more time he can give to Kotori for her fight.

But the spiritual power value displayed on the screen continued to rise; loud sirens interrupted the pondering trio.

"......! "

Clayton gasped.

"...... There is no other way! It’s impossible to stop a spiritual force that has gone berserk! Now the only thing we can do is to destroy him as soon as possible! "

Three-dimensional image of the Clayton screamed, pulling out from his arms a small device.

"......! Clayton, that is."

Seeing the device, Woodman gasped.

Clayton was holding out on an item that only Kotori and Woodman had in their holdings: <Dáinsleif> startup device.

"Clayton, why do you have that?"

"There’s an old saying in Japan, “Be prepared and have no regrets."?[12E 1]

"Stop it! Do not do such stupid things!"

Clayton ignored Woodman’s pleas, and did not hesitate to press the button.

"............"

Kotori was rubbing down with the back of her tears and twitching nose.

"......You guys should laugh at me. I said so many great words, but when the real trouble hits this is what I look like now."

Kotori said in self-deprecating tone. But Origami quietly shook her head.

"Did not say such a thing. You still are really great as Shidou’s sister."

"Origami ......"

“There must still be a way. Do not give up."

As Origami was talking, the spirits all nodded in an attempt to cheer Kotori up.

".We cannot be this dictionary that has no words."

"Consent. We will come to help."

"...... I do not know specifically how to do it, but there is always the right way."

But - at this moment.

Kotori was knocked off the ground from the same warning sound from before.

“— <Dainslaif> activation code detected. Commencing attack on the target.” "......?!?"

Kotori could not help but gasped, as she picking up the device. Although convinced that she got it wrong, but the screen shows that <Dáinsleif> has been started.

Origami’s face is filled with fear, as she looked towards the activation device.

"Did it activate from the impact of you dropping it?”

"! I don’t know what happened; it wasn’t designed in a way where you can easily manipulate it! -"

Although she does not know why, but now <Dáinsleif> has indeed started. To cancel the launch, Kotori hastily tried to grab the activation device.

But it was too late.

Like a meteor across the night.

Kotori’s field of vision is filled with light.

"Shidou -?!!"

Kotori shouted all she could while extending her hand toward Shidou.

But that cannot change a person’s fate. Shidou’s body is engulfed in the light.

The attack hollowed out the ground. The impact had blown away Kotori and others who were standing nearby

— Or so she thought that would happen.

"Huh ......?"

Kotori stiffen her body, and blinked her eyes few times before she raising her face up. The other spirits also did the same.

Kotori widen her eyes. She thought for a second that Shidou used his Spirit Power to block <Dáinsleif>‘s attack, however, that was different.

"What -"

Kotori’s eyes widened in amazement.

For a moment, she thought it’s was Shidou using his surplus of spiritual power to launch a shield, but -.

[-Phew, that really was dangerous]

I do not know when to it appear here, but another spirit appeared near Shidou

No...... Kotori didn’t know if she could even call that thing a spirit.

That is because even its gender was disguised, covered by a layer of noise.

"You are -!"

Kotori said with slightly trembling fingers. The others, with varying degrees, had the same reaction as Kotori.

In particular, Miku and Origami have also met that ‘being’ first-handed. Miku looked badly shaken up. Origami stares at the noise with a cautious and alert look on her face.

Yes, it was the spirit who could create other spirts.

The one who turned Miku, Kotori, and Origami into spirits by giving the Sephira crystals.

- The being that is called <Phantom> is here now.

"<Phantom> -??!"

Kotori loudly called out its name.

Even though you can see its shape, you cannot identify what kind of shape it. This strange sense of presence, even though they want to forget, you can’t really forget it’s out there. And five years ago, it appeared before a young Kotori in the same form that it has now.

Everything about that being is surrounded by mysteries. No matter how much Kotori investigated, she couldn’t not even the slightest clue of fans. Obviously you want to make sure of things and the things you don’t know, but with <Phantom> right in front of them, Kotori was left speechless for a few seconds.

It is surrounded by a mosaic, "some object” that makes it impossible to distinguish quality of the sound.

[......It seems humans also do things recklessly too.]

- <Phantom> jokingly said that and turned herself around. The barrier that covered above Shidou like an umbrella then disappeared.

"...... I-->>

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