This is not the date I wanted.

For such a large-scale event, there were naturally numerous clubs setting up stalls. A long line slowly stretched into the venue, and the footsteps were like rumbling, making people feel that the entire venue was shaking.

As the crowd surged, almost an hour later, Shidou and his group, the "Ratatoskr", finally arrived at the venue.

“Ohh ...

Looking around, Tohka's eyes lit up and she shouted excitedly.

"Shidou Shidou - where are we going next?"

"Wait a moment—let me check the map."

Spreading out the map distributed at the venue, Shidou confirmed their booth according to the name indicated on it and the surrounding landmarks.

"Our stall is over in the east lobby, Tohka, come this way."

"Oh - let's go, everyone."

After answering energetically, Tohka pushed an oversized cart and walked side by side with Shidou.

"That's right - that's the aura! Tohka-chan!"

"Let's go...let's go..."

“…zZ.”

On the cart, besides the boxes of doujinshi printed copies, Yamai Yuzuru, Yamai Yakuya, Nanashi, Tobiichi Origami, and Yui Miku were leaning on each other, making sweet sounds of sleep, and even though they were on a very shaky cart, they didn't seem to be waking up at all. And Yoshino, together with Yoshina, held up a wooden sign that read "Transporting club members who are working hard, no taking photos", and followed behind Shidou in small steps.

There are so many things to complain about that I don't even know where to start.

"Ah ha ha……"

Feeling the surprised looks from all around, Shidao couldn't make any other expression except a dry laugh.

Well, the whole story is not that complicated. After all, the hardworking team consumed the most energy during the past few days of work. Until today, except for Origami who barely gathered on time, the others were almost fast asleep in bed. Shidou had to work hard to wake them up.

But even so, they looked drowsy all the way. As a result, while waiting in line for the venue to open, Shidao discovered that Nanashi and the others had fallen asleep while standing.

It was a bit unkind to wake them up forcefully, so Tohka volunteered to ask the staff for a cart to push everyone into the venue.

Although Shidou felt bad that Tohka was pushing the cart alone while he was empty-handed, the reality was that even if he tried his best, the cart would not move at all when he took the field.

Shidou realized that there was no point in showing off, so he honestly picked up the map and took on the task of finding the way.

"By the way, Miku...why did you get on the cart too?"

Shidou looked at Miku on the cart with a frown on his face. At this moment, our idol was holding Nanashi, who was in a nightmare, in his arms, with his arms around the Yamai sisters, and his back was against Origami, who was staring at Tohka, with an expression of ecstasy on his face, as if he was about to ascend to heaven.

Although he was in disguise and didn't have to worry about being discovered, Shidao couldn't help but wonder what Miku's fans would think if they saw this scene.

"Ha~ Is this heaven? Darling, don't be shy, come sit up with us."

"No, I'll let it go."

Shidou smiled bitterly and waved his hand, declining politely.

Miku was fine, but for a man like him to sit on Tohka's cart was totally inappropriate. Shidou didn't want to be killed by the contemptuous eyes of the public.

"Onii-chan, over here, over here."

Finally arriving at the East Hall where he had set up his stall, Shidou saw that Kotori, who had arrived earlier, was waving at him.

"Phew... finally here."

It was such a long journey, Shidao heaved a sigh of relief. To be honest, he felt that he had become a little thicker-skinned now that he had come this far.

"The next work will be left to me and the staff of Ratatoskr. Everyone please go backstage and take a rest."

After neatly arranging everyone, Kotori walked to Shidou's side and spoke in a low voice.

"Brother, come with me."

"Ah."

Shidou nodded gently and followed Kotori to a passage reserved for staff members.

After making sure that no one was passing by, Kotori took off the white headband on her head, replaced it with the black headband in her pocket, took out a lollipop and put it in her mouth, and entered the commander mode.

"I have learned about what happened last night from Lingyin this morning. Is it true that DEM will take action today and the chip in Erya's brain?"

With a serious expression, Kotori confirmed with Shidou.

"Yes. It's all true."

Shidou replied calmly.

Because of Yumezuki's request, Reine and Shidou didn't mention the ability of "seeing the future" when they reported to Kotori. It's not that they wanted to exclude Kotori and the others, but even if they confessed to Kotori and the others that they saw the future that can never be changed, she might not believe it. Even if she did, it would have no effect except to dampen their morale.

Therefore, Reine conveyed another set of words to Kotori. Of course, this set of words was not false strictly speaking.

——————————I am the dividing line where time goes back——————————

"chip?"

When Shidou heard Mengyue's words, he couldn't help but make a puzzled sound.

[Yes. Just before I spoke to you, I did some research while Erya was asleep. I can confirm that a chip specially made by DEM using the display device technology is embedded in Erya's brain.]

"Is that chip the direct cause of tomorrow's second Asian reversal?"

【Yes. 】

Shidou tried to guess. In response, Mengyue on the phone gave a positive answer.

"Well...if it's a mechanical chip, Mengyue, can't you use your Dawn Sage to deal with it? Hack it like you did before."

Shidou tried to make a suggestion, but what he heard was Mengyue's speechless sigh.

[Shidao, are you an idiot? I'm a hacker, not a surgeon. How can I possibly fix the chip installed in my head? That requires professional knowledge and equipment.]

"Well……"

Shidao was speechless for a moment.

[Of course, if it is forcibly destroyed, I can do it. As long as I press the back of Erya's head and hit him a few times, there is an 80% chance that Erya will become quadriplegic and become a disabled person who can't even speak. There is also a 10% chance that the power is not adjusted properly and the whole brain will turn into ash directly...]

"I know! I was wrong! Just pretend I didn't say anything, Mengyue!"

Just imagining it gave him a shudder, and Shidou clasped his hands together and admitted his mistake.

"The brain chip? If it's Ratatoskr's technology, it should be removable... But Fraxinus is remodeling the headquarters, and the equipment in the underground facility is still being repaired... Either one of them can't be used in the short term."

Ling Yin thought for a moment and shook her head regretfully.

[In fact, even if the chip is removed, it may not solve the problem of the second sub-reversal. On the contrary, it will only make her attack earlier.]

"Mengyue, why do you say that?"

Shidou asked in confusion.

[Shidao, do you remember what Nia once said, 'I have no memory of the time when I was imprisoned by DEM'. ]

"Yeah. I remember."

[The key to the reversal of the elves is despair, so what kind of abuse do you think Niya will suffer in the DEM club whose purpose is to reverse the elves? ]

"——!?"

As if he understood something, Shidao's pupils suddenly shrank and his hands unconsciously clenched into fists.　

Before meeting them, Erya had already fallen into a state of despair that was enough to turn things around.　

[Back to the topic just now, I'm afraid the function of this chip is to seal Erya's memories of the past five years, allowing her to maintain a normal mental state, communicate with us, and live like an ordinary person. ]

Meng Yue continued to explain.

"I see... Even if we find it, it doesn't matter... Because we can't touch it at all... Is that what you mean?"

【Yes. 】

After hearing this, Lingyin and Shidao also understood what Mengyue meant.

The chip in Erya's brain is not a catalyst for Erya's reversal, but a lock that inhibits Erya's reversal. If you act rashly, it will be no different from digging your own grave.

[This chip has two settings: remote control and automatic timing... Even if I block the radio communication, it will be automatically destroyed at the specified time... Tsk... Westcott's trick... is more difficult than I thought. ]

Speaking of this, Meng Yue couldn't help but click her tongue in annoyance.

There is no doubt that this is an open conspiracy against Liangyi Mengyue.

Even Mengyue felt helpless. For the first time, Shidao realized how unfathomable Westcott was.

"But, since they have already reversed Niya, why did they seal Niya's memory?"

Shidao asked in confusion. According to Mengyue, DEM has actually achieved its goal, so why bother with this?

[Who knows what that psychopath is thinking, maybe he just thinks it's fun. If I have to find a reason... I guess that Honjo Nia's reversal is probably incomplete.]

"incomplete?"

[It's similar to boiling a frog in warm water. ]

If a frog is placed in cold water and then slowly heated, it will become numb to the slight temperature changes and die without any resistance.

On the contrary, if the frog is thrown into boiling water, it will not be able to bear such high temperature and will struggle desperately in the pot.

[And the frog that Westcott wanted was most likely the latter type.]

19 Benjo Niya does not need mercy

==============================

"DEM, those scumbags...cannot be forgiven..."

Kotori bit the Kabejia lollipop in her mouth and clenched her fists in anger.

"Kotori."

"It's okay, I know...I know..."

Even if she was angry, it would be meaningless. She knew this better than anyone else. Kotori took a long breath and gradually calmed down.

"I already understand the situation, Shidou. Those guys from DEM actually wanted to use us to complete the reversal of Nia. We were completely underestimated."

“But, on the other hand, this is also an opportunity for us.”

Hearing Shidou's words, Kotori was stunned at first, and then a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.

"That's right! If they keep holding Niya captive, it will be very difficult for us to rescue her. Since they took the initiative to return Niya to us, there is no reason for us to send her back." Kotori looked at Shidou seriously and asked, "Shidou, I have heard about your plan with Sister Mengyue from Reine. Do you have a chance of winning?"

“I will make it work.”

Shidou answered decisively.

"Really? Okay."

Kotori closed her eyes, thought for a long time, then sighed and nodded helplessly.

"Since you've said so, I won't stop you. All of Ratatoskr will support you. But, you must always prioritize your own safety, understand?"

"Well, don't worry, Kotori."

"I can't rest assured..."

Looking at her unreliable brother uneasily, Kotori scratched her hair and wanted to say something, but finally chose to give up.

"Forget it, let's leave this topic here for now. Shidou, how is Nia doing now?"

"I'm not sure either... According to the text message Mengyue sent, it seems that there was nothing wrong when he woke up in the morning, and he had already taken the train to the venue with Mengyue."

"Does she know that DEM has tampered with her?"

"Um……"

Shidou nodded silently.

"That rascal……"

Qin Li pursed her lips slightly.

Although they have now developed into a rivalry, Gokawa Kotori has no personal grudge against Honjo Nia, nor does she dislike her as a person. She is more worried about Honjo Nia's mental state than the outcome of the so-called comic competition.

After all, being told that he would be slaughtered by the enemy like a fish on a chopping board, no one would feel more terrified and uneasy than Erya, the person involved.

To be honest, even if Nia hid at home and refused to go out, or even abandoned her agreement to compete with Kotori and the others and fled the city to avoid DEM's attack, it would not be a strange thing.

"Niya...are you okay?"