Even if you're a corrupted magical girl, you still have to try to redeem yourself.

Having learned her lesson from the previous love hotel incident, Yuuki Yukino was much smarter this time.

Before setting off, everyone agreed to tell their families that they would be going to a friend's house to discuss the Christmas party program, so we'll be staying at our friend's house tonight.

This way, at least the awkward situation of the previous love hotel incident, where a hundred ghosts and a thousand spirits appeared, will not occur.

Nishio Reki and Helica's house isn't big enough, and Inuyama Tomoe's family has been home for a rare occasion, so it's not very convenient.

Yuuki Yuuki lives next door to Lin Jiezi. It's still impossible to rule out the possibility that Lin Jiezi and Chenmian might have no connection whatsoever, so Yuuki Yuuki doesn't want to be too close to Lin Jiezi when she's using her magic.

Since Mizuno Yu had been living alone after her family members passed away, everyone decided to stay overnight at her house.

Upon entering the room, Yuuki immediately pulled the others to the table and began a lively discussion.

Since it's a lively discussion, it's normal for everyone to express their opinions.

Helica offered her own insights on Yuuki Yukino's point about how to make oneself aware that one is dreaming:

"Couldn't we have a target like in 'Dream Space'? Like a spinning top that keeps spinning?"

“That’s a movie. The screenwriter and director of a movie have never encountered sleep, so how could they know the right method?” Yuuki Yuki retorted.

"Then... what should we do?" Nishio Reki pondered for a long time but couldn't come up with a suitable solution, so he awkwardly threw the question back to Yuuki Yukino.

Before Yuuki Yu could figure it out, Mizuno Yu answered first, her confident demeanor suggesting that this was the correct answer.

"The only thing I can think of is controlling myself through my subconscious."

“Ah…” Yuuki Yui let out a short sigh: “It really is.”

"Really?!" Herika's eyes widened.

Baqi blinked incredulously: "But how do you do that?"

"I found out online that professionals can learn to tell if they are dreaming through long-term training, and some people can even control their dreams..."

Yuki Yui recounted as much as possible the relevant content she found during her rest time and slacking-off time at work today regarding the entry on how to realize you are dreaming.

But she also knew that was impossible; before she could learn to control her dreams, she would be wiped out by the Sleeping Awakening.

Mizuno Yu raised her voice, saying with unwavering confidence, "We'll rely on our inherent strength!"

What kind of character is this! This guy is becoming more and more like a molten mountain lantern.

I've already told you not to play with those stat-obsessed monsters, they'll corrupt you.

But there wasn't a better way at the moment. Although what Mizuno Yu said was unreliable and no one had time to do related training, after some discussion, everyone could only believe that it was useful.

After all, what you think about during the day, you dream about at night. If you fall asleep thinking about this kind of thing, try to remind yourself through psychological suggestion as you fall asleep. You might actually realize that you are dreaming.

With that thought in mind, Yuuki Yuki lay down on the sofa in the living room, and her outstretched tentacles once again wrapped around the wrists of each girl who was about to fall asleep.

Yuuki Yui slept on the sofa with Inuyama Tomoe, the two of them lying side by side on either side of the sofa. Helica and Mizuno Yui squeezed into Mizuno Yui's room, while Nishio Reki, who was least likely to be attacked, had to make do with lying on the floor today.

The preparations for falling asleep have been made. Even though Yuuki Yuki isn't sure if she'll experience a deep sleep tonight, this is undoubtedly the safest method.

"Let me remind you one last time, we still don't know exactly when she was attacked by Deep Sleep." Yuuki Yukari, now lying down, gave a final pep talk, referring to Hyakki Senyou.

In the quiet room, Yuuki Yu's voice could be heard by everyone. Mizuno Yu raised her wrist, indicating that she could hear him.

"We don't even know if she touched Yiling's father or what he did, so if someone notices something is wrong as soon as they enter the dream, they should gather everyone together immediately and make others realize that they are dreaming."

Last time, it was after Yuuki Yukino noticed something was wrong and realized she had fallen into a dream that the others also realized they were dreaming and remembered their purpose.

So if one person does it, it can trigger a chain reaction that can awaken the memories of others.

"No problem." The others answered, though not in unison.

"After ensuring these things, we only have one goal."

“Find that shadow we’ve all seen, that unknown source of magic, that which may be the culprit behind the deep slumber.”

"Then, take care of her."

Medium cup, the rest will be sent tomorrow!

Chapter 104 Dark News

“In the morning, a crow from afar delivered a letter to the general. After receiving the letter, the general never came out again.”

The guard on guard duty at the gate, his hand on his long sword, straightened his back and answered Mizuno Yu's question with a strong voice.

Mizuno Yu knew that crows were an ominous symbol.

In particular, crows were used instead of carrier pigeons or falcons to deliver messages.

Black feathers, black news.

"Is the general alright inside?"

Mizuno Yu felt that perhaps she was being overly cautious. If there were any traps or poison on the letter, intended to take the general's life, the general might already be dead.

"I don't know, but when the servant brought the food box, the general didn't eat, so the servant quickly took the food box and left," another guard replied.

It seems the general is troubled by something.

Mizuno Yu's brows furrowed for a long time as she slowly paced from the guard in front of her to the guard standing on the other side of the door, then turned back, repeating this process over and over.

General Yumimoto is very decisive; otherwise, she wouldn't have become the most powerful general in the Southern Territory.

Mizuno Yu raised her head, and the sunlight shone through the light blue dappled light on her forehead, stinging her eyes.

The general, who is usually decisive and ruthless, has never been unable to make a decision for so long. He has not even eaten today. The letter that was delivered to the general must be of great importance.

Mizuno Yu thought to herself, then lowered her head again and turned to the guard closest to her.

"Remember to call me when the general comes out."

"Lord Mizuno, please rest assured, even without your words, once the general comes out, he will certainly discuss things with you, his heir, no matter what." The guard's eyes and brows were tinged with a fawning smile.

"What heir? The general has never said such a thing. Just do your duty and protect the general. Don't listen to those rumors."

Mizuno Yu rebuked him sternly, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up, and a hint of pride unconsciously appeared on her face.

Upon noticing Mizuno Yu's expression, the two guards' obsequious expressions intensified, and they repeatedly echoed, "Yes, yes, we understand."

……

Slightly later than the flock of crows came a large group of people.

Mizuno Yu had never personally experienced war, but she thought that only during wartime could one see so many people.

Although she didn't know what had happened, just by looking at the situation, Mizuno Yu knew that something bad was about to happen.

"A lot of people."

Sakura Hanako stood atop the city wall, gazing at the vast expanse of smoke and dust in the distance.

"Mizuno-senpai, do you know what's going on here?"

Mizuno Yu shook her head and moved a little closer to Sakura Hanako: "But it should be related to the letter the general received this morning."

Sakura Hanako's words came like a machine gun, one question after another: "That letter? What did it say? Is it related to the fact that the general hasn't shown up all day?"

“You are also one of the general’s most valued subordinates, so you should learn to identify problems on your own.” Mizuno Yu reached out and poked Sakura Hanako’s forehead with her finger.

"I'm not like Mizuno-senpai, who can always be by the general's side and receive such special training from him; I certainly can't think things through so thoroughly."

Sakura Hanako mumbled something, the unclear words rolling around in her mouth, wanting Mizuno Yu to hear, yet also worried that Mizuno Yu would hear.

Mizuno Yu didn't know what Sakura Hanako was struggling with, but she heard every word she said.

When Mizuno Yui said that she was highly regarded by the shogun, the joy on her face was palpable.

Even so, she still feigned anger and distress: "But you can't just not use your brain at all and not think about anything. What will you do in the future? If the general and I are no longer here, who will take charge of this place?"

After offering a few criticisms, she still wanted to reveal the answer to Sakura Hanako, even though it was just her guess. But it was better than Sakura Hanako not being able to guess anything at all.

“A crow brought the general a letter this morning. I don’t know what it said, but after reading it, the general locked himself in his room until now. I suspect it’s related to these people.”

Mizuno Yu turned her face back to the distance; the troops were getting closer and would reach the city soon.

"I suspect war is about to begin."

"War? With whom? Who would start a war? The general's territory is half a country in size, who would dare to start a war?" Sakura Hanako covered her mouth in surprise, lowered her voice considerably, and looked around warily.

Fearing that a third person might overhear, Sakura Hanako took a few steps toward Mizuno Yu and stood beside her, her pupils reflecting the billowing dust in the distance.

Mizuno Yu turned her head to look at Sakura Hanako, then lowered her head slightly.

"The general's power is too great. No one is not afraid of the general's strength, and no one does not covet the general's power. If you ask me who will start a war, then I will tell you, anyone."

Sakura Hanako surprisingly didn't ask any more questions, but just kept staring into the distance, and for a moment the only sound around them was the whistling wind.

The wind howled on the city wall, causing General Yukimoto's longbow banner to flutter overhead. With her long hair disheveled by the wind, Mizuno Yu felt that her chance to show off her skills was about to arrive.

Amidst the whistling wind, a soldier's shout carrying an order drowned out everything else.

"Mizuno-sama! Sakura-sama!"

Mizuno Yu and Sakura Hanako turned around at the same time to look at the messenger behind them, who had just climbed up the city wall and was panting heavily.

"Huff, huff... Lord Mizuno, Lord Sakura, we've finally found you." The messenger leaned against the giant stone of the castle, bent over, and put his hands on his knees, panting heavily.

"What happened?" Mizuno Yu's gaze sharpened.

She longed for a chance to shine, but she absolutely did not want to hear any ominous news.

What news could possibly make a messenger so anxious, dragging his exhausted body and voice cracking from running, sounding like he was whistling, to search for him and Sakura Hanako without stopping?

Fortunately, the messenger did not reveal any news that would cause Mizuno great anxiety.

"General Yumimoto has urgent business with you two."

……

"General, who exactly is the leader of that group? Why do you have to personally greet him?"

Outside the open city gate, Mizuno Yu, mounted on his waiting horse, was only half a horse's length behind the general in the very center of the procession, and asked in a low voice.

Aside from the general, Mizuno Yu was at the very front of the group. Behind her was Sakura Hanako, who was lagging behind by a nose, and was also nervously tightening the reins.

"It is Your Majesty," the general said succinctly.

"Why would His Majesty come to visit in person?" Mizuno Yu exclaimed in surprise.

"Don't be nervous, just do as I've always taught you."

The general didn't seem to have any intention of explaining to Mizuno Yu, so Mizuno Yu wisely stopped asking.